Happy Halloween

I ate too much candy. And that's all I have to say about that.

Things I'm learning

My new job is a little scary. I'll be okay, but there is a lot to cram in this head of mine. I just need to give myself a break. No one expects me to know everything quite yet, so why do I think I must?

I'm going to see some sad things because of the nature of the type of business I'm working in. Even though I'm mostly in the administrative side of things, I like to think that what I do will be a benefit to someone in a significant way.

I need to go a little easier on the caffeine.

Keeping my cool will help others keep theirs.

I need to take my breaks even though I feel like I might not get something done. A walk around the block is just the right thing to do sometimes.

I need to consistently get eight hours sleep, with one night of longer sleep and a weekend nap.

People tell me that one day everything will just 'click' and then my job will become easier. I am choosing to believe them.

I actually prefer to eat lunch by myself, but it would probably be beneficial to eat in the breakroom every now and again.

I won't always be the new person. Yay!

I'm smarter than I think I am. I think this job is going to allow me to use skills and grow in ways that will be good for me.

I like to wear skirts to work.

Deep breathing really does work. So does prayer.

Don't slouch. It hurts after a while.

Soccer tunnels and other stuff

I love it when the boys team makes a tunnel for the girls team after a good game.

This is our cat, Dusty Hazel. She helps with the homework by sitting on it.

I love how the girls make a tunnel for the boys, too. They usually get more participants.

I love it when little kids pull other little kids around.

I'm over the colored tights thing. I have been browsing pictures and unless you are under 25 and 6 ft tall, they just don't look good on a person.

Today was my second day at work. I am surviving. The person who is vacating the position is brilliant and I'm glad she will be around for awhile so I can pick her brain before she leaves to get married.

This is my pumpkin. Cute, eh?

She is amazing. She is fierce. She scares the pants off of keepers all over the Puget Sound area. She has scored 10 goals so far this year. Like I said... Amazing.

A question about tights

Photo from Target.com

I've got them in black.

I've got them in brown.

Can I have them in colors? Is that allowed? If I promise my skirt will be much longer than this one? Is it business appropriate?

And, of course... the most dreaded questions. Am I too old? Am I too, gulp, fat?

What do you think? Do you wear them? Are they gross and I'm just too charmed by the bright, cheery colors to notice? Maybe it's because I am a child of the 80's and they bring back good memories.

So, bring it on. I can handle it. Love 'em or hate 'em?

Pumpkin fun on a Sunday afternoon

When it rains, it pours

I've had two more calls for job interviews, after a couple of months of nothing!

I know I've made a good decision with accepting this offer, though. I can just feel it.

I dropped the kids off at school today and did my first dry run, to see how long it takes me to get from school to the office. Thirteen minutes. I made a wrong turn, so I think it's probably more like 12 minutes.

I need to arrive at work at the same time my kids need to arrive at school, so they are going to have to be dropped off a tad early. There is a safe place for them to wait with the other early birds, so I'm not too concerned about it, other than the chore of actually getting the kids out the door at the right time.

We will need an extra measure of morning grace and good cheer. And coffee.

Confidential to Linny D.

Sing it with me, now

I got a jo-ob, I got a jo-ob, I gotta jo-ob!!!

Yay. I am very excited. I start next week.

This is what I looked like after I calmed down.

This is what I looked like when I missed the call the first time and had to call back to see if they were hiring me or letting me down easy.

Also, that's the face I made when I saw all the laundry on the table behind me. Better get crackin' and get the house in order before my first day!

Funny how a deadline will produce productivity.

Thank you, friends, for your encouragment and prayers. Thank you, God!

Interview Insecurities

I had a pretty good interview today. Of course, you never know that you're the one they want until you get the call.

I'm rethinking my interview wardrobe choices. I had the librarian thing going on. Black tights, Mary Janes, skirt, cardigan.

The candidates before and after me were in full on business gear.

It was hard to know. It's an office position, but it's for a non-profit agency. Oh well. I won't stress over it.

I also have another interview tomorrow with a big company. I took a tour of the building today and the peans were all wearing jeans and t-shirts, but the management had on suits. I think I will try to strike a happy medium.

I didn't get a job last week for which I was very qualified, but I told them some of the things I was concerned about should I get the position and it turns out they were very valid concerns because they were the reasons I didn't get offered the job. The employer was very nice and told me he was thankful that I was honest in the interview as they would not wanted to have hired me and then have me leave in a month because I wasn't suited for the job, but he did forward my name to another department where I might be a better fit. So I consider that a successful interview even if it didn't end in my employment.

I have to take a small break from the gifts. There will still be 29 of them. Just not daily. There's just too much going on right now, but I will remain thoughtful about the gift giving so as to not miss an opportunity.

Oh, friends. How I hate job hunting. But I'm glad the phone has started to ring, so I am thankful.

4/29

Thank you, Kaylen, for asking about the recipe.

Today was a busy day and I was having trouble coming up with something to give away. So, since you asked, I will give away my best cookie recipe.

1 1/3 C. Butter (I used part butter and part margarine)
1 C. Sugar
1 C. Brown Sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla

In a separate bowl combine

3 1/2 C. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Mix it all together and put in a whole bag of chocolate chips. Bake at 375 for 9-11 minutes. Don't let them get too brown. They are supposed to be a soft cookie. They should look firm but not really change color.

This is really an excellent recipe. I think the high fat content makes them popular. :(

Have fun! If you make them, be sure to pop back over and tell me what you think.

Oven update!

It seems that the flame should be only blue with white tips, while our flame has high yellow tips.

We need to reduce the gas intake in order to regulate the flame as well as get rid of the smell when the oven is on.

So, we are waiting on a call from the propane company to tell us how to accomplish this, or have them come and do it.

In the mean time, I'm not using the stove and the baking was done with wide open windows!

Thanks for checking in, Erin!

3/29

Yummy gifts for my elementary girls' teachers.

This recipe made a little over three dozen. With the gifts and the warm cookie eating, there are only four left in the jar. All the kids took extra to school in their lunches, too.

I may have to make another batch.

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In the job hunt news: I am officially a clerical substitute for two school districts. I just have to go get my fingerprints taken (at the cost of $75.00!!!) and then I can start work. The pay stinks but at least it's something. I'll keep looking for a permanent gig while I sub.

I had to have my picture taken for badges. They are always so unattractive.

What's up for today:

Go for a walk

Catch up on laundry

Figure out why this post is centering itself

Figure out tomorrow's gift

General house work

Go to son's soccer game

Work on the spiritual condition of my heart

Take over the world

Not bad for a day's work, eh?

2/29

Twice Baked Potatoes. A gift for my daughter.

She loves 'em. And I hardly ever make them because, although they are easy to prepare, they take a long time and there are so many steps.

I forgot to take a picture of the finished product, but they were yummy. And the girl was very grateful.

This gift made me feel like a really good mom.

1/29

I gave the gift of a compliment to a stranger.

She had on a beautiful sweater and because I am a knitter, I could tell that it was made by hand.

Knitters really appreciate it when people notice the stuff they make.

It made her feel good and it made me feel good. Not a bad start to my 29 days.

A challenge

I came across this and thought it was neat. I've been feeling a little "all-about-me-ish" lately and this just might be the ticket to give myself a good shaking. Forget about my own garbage for a little bit.

I've actually been doling out little gifts lately, anyway. Pumpkin cupcakes, lasagna, dollars. But it hasn't really been that intentional. It was just because I had it in the house or in my hand already.

But, I am going to plan a few gifts out and try to make the world around me a better place. It might just help me get my craft groove going, too.

If you want more info or to join in, go here.

Yikes

Thank you, ladies. We'll get it looked at right away!

Where's Heloise when I need her?

Help, please.

In my home we have a gas top stove. I'm learning to cook with the flame. Not such a big deal, BUT..

The Soot! Is this normal? To have black soot covering the whole bottom of my pans and that the soot is ruining all my new, sparkling white bar mops. The stuff is everywhere.

I ruined my favorite apron. I'm glad I've been wearing an apron.

Also, when I turn the oven on, there is a very strong gas smell. I worry that the oven may not be ventilated properly.

Any hints from gourmet cooks out there would be very much appreciated.