Feliz Navidad

This birthday my computer died. I need to take it in but have not found the energy or inclination to fight the crowds. Maybe Monday. The last thing I need is to have to buy a new laptop now.
Last time it went into hibernation it was still covered by warrenty and it was the mother board.

It was running really slow before hand anyway. Even when I signed up for Internet cable I was not on the highest transmission plan. It was a lot faster than dial up though.

For Christmas I stayed in bed and red 3 books for 3 days.

For Christmas dinner I had Stouffers frozen Mac and cheese.

For Christmas Eve., I had some Clam Chowder. I have ham and potatoes and perhaps by New Years, I'll feel up to makling scalloped potatoes and ham. I did go out and get a baguette, a bagle and crossants with some cheese for a carb load.

As usual I turned my nights into days, staying up all night and sleeping till 5:30 on Christmas Day, going to sleep at 8 a.m.

I hope you all had a great Christmas and will have a great 2010. Hard to believe we are there already.

Maybe I'll get a new job> Keep your fingers crossed and keep me in your prayers.

Thank you Michael for the checks to go to my computer repair fund and birthday dinner at The Plumed Horse in Saratoga. It floored me to pay 12.00 for a drink. Too bad I spilled some. They were so strong It knocked me on my but. I ordered another and added a full glass of cranberry juice. I'm glad I went. They had a Chef's table. I had scallops. Caro, lamb. At least the lamb taste was not strong. I usually avoid it like the plague. I wouldn't go again. Perhaps to the bar. There were actually men near my age.

Marilyn sent me flowers. Her son and wife are getting ready for their baby which if it isn't here will be soon,

My friend P.J. sent me some goodies from Hanes that I needed. I had begun to wear old lady stuff.

I saw Rudy last night.

That man does not talk. Everytime I see him, mostly, I think it should be the last time. There were anout 4 dates or so now.

Chis is from Wales and he went there for Christmas. Cutting off my nose to spite my face I turned down his request to see me the Friday before he left. Why because he was calling at the last minute AND ignored my birthday except to send me an email saying "Happy Birthday." Guess I was ticked!!?? huh??

Computer

I had a friend come over last night and he cleared my cache which I had never done. You go to my computer, r click on c hard disk, then hit properties and click on clean cache. Every file u browse, anything u look at is kept and stored. I had a lot to dump.
Now I'm running spybot for the spam. I have no virus thank goodness, Still MacAvee can't run completely and tells me I am not fully protected.

It's so cold. The snow on the hills is pretty but being out in it not pleasant. I need to find my gloves.

Chris left his coat here. He thought it was in the car and I noticed it this morning, It's a mac, a rain jacket. He has to be missing it today and will tomorrow and this weekend.

I am down 10 lbs.



Chocolate Mint Cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-process)
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
6 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
Directions:

Whisk flour, cocoa powder, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until smooth. Beat in peppermint extract and vanilla extract. Beat in sugar in 3 additions. Add egg and beat until blended. Add dry ingredients and beat just until blended (dough will be sticky).

Divide dough between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Using plastic wrap as aid, form dough on each into 2-inch-diameter log. Wrap with plastic and refrigerate dough until well chilled, at least 2 hours. (Dough can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)

Position 1 rack in center and 1 rack in top third of oven; preheat to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap cookie dough logs; roll briefly on work surface to form smooth round logs. Cut logs crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Place rounds on prepared baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart. Bake cookies until tops and edges are dry to touch, about 15 minutes. Transfer baking sheets with cookies to racks; cool completely. Stir chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove from over water. Cool melted chocolate until slightly thickened but still pourable, about 10 minutes. Dip fork into melted chocolate, then wave fork back and forth over cookies, drizzling melted chocolate thickly over cookies in zigzag pattern. Refrigerate cookies on baking sheets until chocolate is set, about 10 minutes. (Cookies can be made 1 week ahead. Refrigerate in airtight container between sheets of parchment paper or waxed paper.)

Threw my back out last night. It was really bad. I couldn't straighten out or walk to the bathroom or to the front door or hall to turn the heat down and lock it after Tony left. I took a muscle relaxer and another this morning and it is a bit better. I put on my back brace that hasn't been on in 6 mo. I couldn't go from the bed to the dresser or three ft. away to pick up my down sleeping bag last night.
Today I rested a lot and swimming helped. Man a view I didn't want. scary.

interview in Berkeley

I went to an interview in Berkeley for a librarian position 2nd semester.
I love that city. Stopped in the gourmet ghetto to get some things for a picnic w Chris tonight and a sandwich for me.

This is my 2nd date. Felt more comfortable. There is an attraction. Nice to appreciate each's body type. Whata relief to me.

I looked at a matress set by European sleep works too. If I had 2,200. I'd get it.



Welcome to the 2009 edition of getting to know your friends.Change all the answers so they apply to you, and then send this to your friends including the person who sent it to you. The idea is that you will
learn a lot of little things about your friends that you might not have known! Just press the "forward' button then you can erase my answers and add yours.


1. High heels or boots? Boots
2. What time did you get up this morning? 3:30 am
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Sex in the city Mama Mia then rented them both again
4. What is your maiden name? Wesley
5. What is your favorite TV show? Private Practive and one before
6. What do you usually have for breakfast? Hot tea, oatmeal
7. What is your middle name? Catherine
8. What food do you dislike? Sardines
9. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Andrea Botichelli, Susan Boyle
10. What characteristic do you despise? Lying and back stabbing
12. Anywhere in the world on vacation? Australia, SouthPacific, New Zealand
13. Are you an organized person? Have learned to be Not naturally
14. Where would you retire to? N CA on the ocean, maybe Trinidad........
15. What was your most recent memorable birthday? Lat one with my dad and Joe
16. What are you going to do when you finish this? have breakfast
17. Furthest place you are sending this? VA
18. Person you expect to send it back first? ???
19. When is your birthday? December 15th
20. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night
21. What is your shoe size? 7.5
22. Do you own any animals? Y Lacy the cat
23. Any news you'd like to share? No
24. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Lawyer
25. What is your favorite flower? All roses
26. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? December 24st....Christmas Eve
28. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Lavendar
29. How is the weather right now? FREEZING/ice storm on its way tired of winter already
30. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Chris
31. Favorite soft drink? zip
32. Favorite restaurant? Mcormack and Schmit
33. Hair color? brown w highlights
34. What was your favorite toy as a child? Barbie
35. Summer or winter? Summer
36. Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla
37. Coffee or tea? Hot tea
38. Wish you were still young? Still feel fairly young.....
9. Do you want your friends to email you back? Always
40. When was the last time you cried? Sunday
41. What is under your bed? dust bunnies maybe my remote :)
42. What did you do last night? lit a a fire, had Chris over forn a picnic and etc...
43. What are you afraid of? snakes
44. Salty or sweet? Sweet
45. Best quality you have? Good listener and good friend
46. How many years at your current job? 0
47. Favorite day of the week? Sunday
48. How many people will you send this to? at least 2
49. How many will respond? not sure
50. Do you like finding out all this stuff about your friends? yes

recall

I got recalled for the 2nd grade class I had for a week.

I finished the book

Black Hills

by N. Roberts.

I met an Englishman named Chris West tonight for dinner at The Inn at Saratoga.

We had a nice time. He lives in Los Gatos, is my age ^'1 slim and nice.

I'm sure all the Americanisms sound as odd as his British or Welsh expressions. Initially, it's just sexy.

It's a relief that he likes a full figured woman. A nice 2 hr. intro. He's traveling to Austin for business then wants to pick me up for a date here.

It will be nice to have some company and perhaps another friendship.

Pumpkin Seed and Black Sesame Seed Cornmeal and Whole Wheat Cracker Recipe

1 1/2 cups cornmeal
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup pumpkin seeds (be creative here and add any type of seed or herb, even, that you like)
4 teaspoons black sesame seeds
1/3 cup olive oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

Combine all the dry ingredients and mix well. Add the olive oil and combine. Form the dough into small balls and press onto a lightly oiled baking sheet (or one covered with a silicone silpat), until about 1/8 inch thick, leaving a little space between crackers. Bake until golden brown. Makes about 3 dozen palm-sized crackers.

Alternatively, and for a more free-form and less chocolate chip cookie look, one could press the dough into a thin sheet covering the baking pan, cook until golden, and break them apart once cooled.

Other spreads from A Hungry Bear Won't Dance that would be delicious with these crackers: Almond and Sun Dried Tomato Basil Pesto, Hummus Recipe, Fresh Ricotta and Mint Recipe: a Spread with Purple Garlic and Olive Oil