BARGAIN BABE

Getting the hang of shopping here.....

Its not as if I've ever objected to shopping. Admittedly its one of my favourite things. No, let me say that another way...I LOVE a bargain, I LOVE LOVE LOVE them!! This could be directly related to the litres and litres of Scots blood flowing through my veins, it could be because of the global crisis, maybe its my instrinsic sense of not over-spending ( ha!))...nah, its none of those things. The real reason for my bargain, good deal, value for money attitude stems from something much more simple.....I got divorced. In France.....

Divorced, alien/stranger, mother of two children under 7, no family for 15 000kms, full time teacher but as a "vacataire" /contract teacher only so no salary ( no guaranteed work for any more than a week long period....oh hello, and not talking about 40 hours here!!!), new to Bordeaux so no network, and of course, the major missing ingredient of barely any girlfriends to cry over, scrounge off, have dinner with, get legless with etc etc etc. When I look back now I sometimes wonder how I ever got through it, how I ever survived, how I ever fed my family and indeed why I am still a US size 12 and not an 8!! Buggar!

I was earning max 400 euros a month without even knowing what the next month would bring in. There were months with less than 70 euros. Scary!! I was working as many jobs as I could - sometimes 30 hours face to face teaching with at least another 10 hours on preparation and paper work. I would just about prostitute my teaching skill to anyone who needed it...I even taught for less than 10 euros an hour ( before tax and social charges!) at one " school" to make ends meet.

I was also dealing with my ex husband 's intolerable attacks via his lawyer ( in fact, I'm sure if he knew what his lawyer had put me through he would blush in shame! Afterall it was his children who lost out not their mother and he is a truly loving father).

I picked furniture off the streets and erased every germ with Javel, made bookcases out of boxes,became Ikea's best customer for any monthly bargain ( the kids bunk bed was a 2 month project) and I slept on the floor for nearly 18 months for need of just a mere matress. I even took my kids to Resto du Coeur ( like a soup kitchen) where I was given a huge bag of groceries and a meal....thank you Coluche. I was given hell for my pearls there ...but they were the last of my pride left!!!

Anyway I AM NOT COMPLAINING.....it made me the resourceful person I am today and I managed to laugh my way through any difficulty. True!! There were inevitably tears and I don't want to risk sounding trite but my sense of humour saved me!! I'd also like to add that Kiwi initiative is also a great fix when you are a bit down and out.

The french state helped save me and my babes....sure this blog is to help network about our difficulties but I really do believe we should fly the flag to the french social system and do what many people don't do and say THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you CAF for the money you gave us to help us pay our rent, thank you CAF for the isolated parent pension etc etc etc . Thank you SECU for the Universal health care.Without these extras I can't imagine what would have happend to my children and I. Actually I refuse to think about it as it is simply too unproductive!! Good manners and appreciation prevail!

When my professional position improved I telephoned the CAF to stop my monthly lodging and "isolated parent" payments and say thank you. "Normal", I could now cope alone? I'd had my dose of help now someone else needed that money. When I announced this to the CAF agent on the other end of the telephone there was a deafening silence...oh my god I thought, I've made another great linguistic blunder ( linguistic blunders are another chapter!). She managed to talk to me after about 30 seconds pause. " Madame, I have worked for this agency for 35 years and it is the first time EVER someone has rung to STOP their payments and quite frankly your 'thanking' me left me speechless"....I felt like the goddess of diplomacy for about 3 seconds but also realised that something we have inbuilt is honesty and good manners...and they go a long long way. Be proud of your good manners.....!

I have since learnt that the state is battling against fraud and, in particular, regarding these family related pensions. What a shame!!

Anyway the moral of the story is I shop well for food...I want to share with you some of my favourite foodie shops and hang outs in Bordeaux... Today's is a testament to a small boutique. Its in the Chartrons, Bio Chartrons. You can reserve a vegetable basket (from 12 euros upwards) once a week, pick up thursday. It is filled generously and with love. I have decided to tell you about them ( no, they aren't paying me!!) because they are just lovely lovely people who will always order in food you need and listen to your gripes and groans...the only odd thing for me is that although they are very "organic" I often see them out smoking on the pavement. Well, that's France!!

Today's basket was groaning with fine fine leeks ( the best to chop finely and sauté in butter, yum!), celeriac with its celery atttached, aubergines, fennel, mixed salads and more. Tonight I will make a devine and simple tomato tart with an enormous green salald. Celeriac mash tomorrow...... This boutique also sells my favourite ingredient, my can't live without...GOMASIO. Its amazing, sesame and sea salt , a condiment, amazing on wholegrain toast with avocado, lime juice....mmmm

Recipes to follow in an hour or so....

Comments

  1. How very true.... Although my family are a lot nearer I still felt the isolation. Fortunately for me, I was able to throw myself into work (I was lucky enough to have a full time permanent position teaching at the time) so never had it as bad as you. But we are both living examples of 'strong' women who have picked themselves up and carried on with our lives.
    By the way congrats on the wedding....all I need now is a bit of love in my life and my life will be complete!!!!

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  2. Karen, Thank you so much for your comment. I am convinced we are thousands of women just like us. Its not just about strentgh of character either...when you are a mother, you simply don't have the choice...YOU HAVE TO KEEP GOING... I remember running ( by foot!!) to the maternal with my daughter at 7h15 and then continuing the run with my son to his primary school for the 7h30 drop off..;the same sport was then continued at the end of the day...6pm and 6h15pm respectively. I would walk/crawl home with them, throw them in the bath together and get on with the washing, dinner etc etc. What a marathon!!!
    Thanks for your comment, keep them coming, that's what this blog is all about, networking and sharing!!

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  3. I can spell " strength"...

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