Delivered flowers

There was a notice on AP yesterday that calcification of the breast and women who napped may be an indicator of heart attack. The study was on women in their 70's and not people who laid down to nap but those snoozing in front of the t.v.

I did one time or twice nap at school once during an assembly at my desk and the other in the nurses office during another assembly. The Dr. wondered if their hearts were also full of calcifications.

I brought the digital camera home to practice and take some pictures of the spring flowers and trees in bloom but I don't have the cord to charge the battery.

Just had my 2nd bunch of asparagus...yum yum and to think I would turn my bose up at a zuchini or asparagus in 2nd grade.We used to have a neighbor who had a big garden,
Grandpa also had a big garden I was fasinated with along with his burning trash out back,

There were these little mom and pop markets on each street and he used to save his pop bottles for me to return.

He also used to cut peaches or nectarines with his knife. I was fasinated with that.

When he came to D.C. I maanaged to fall out of a tree requiring my legg to have stitches. Then Janet ? next door threw in my forehead.

Then even mom's cigarette smaking or his cigars didn't bother me. I used to love sitting on the front porch at 1614 22 nd St. in Des Moines. Our annual vacation pilgrimage. Once we took the train. I ran up and down the aisles all night.

Michael showed me how to climb out the window of the 2nd fl bedroom and sit on the roof.

We never had any that didn't come out of a can..mushrooms either. Never had a taco till high school and Bob took me for a hogie run when I was in elementary school, We used to get pizza sometimes and that was it. Roast beef on sunday, r.b. sandwiches for lunch which I hate to this day and mom's were better and meatloaf and meatloaf sandwiches for lunch. I'm not too fond of either.

I took Barbara, an ESL teacher some flowers and chocolate today.

Tomorrow my housekeeper comes yeah!

I'm reading the new Grisham novel

The Appeal.

Hibernating

My laptop is hybernating. I'm on hold for the tech support hot line. For 3.50 a min. the tech. support line will help you. Yesterday the tech sais it sounded like my battery was going. I went homw took the battery home and it wouldn't start up. I put it back in and it started up but now it went abrubtly into hybernation. Like a sleep mode but can be woken up again quickly you just need to know the steps. Since I don't abd didn't have my credit card on me I'll call back.

My soup got better with fresj ginger and adding a little cornstarch and sour cream on top.

Since I could can't do this from home I'm in for the 3rd and last day of my vacation working.

The Dr., a physical theriapist/reflexologist/ last night gave me these muscle relaxers and some patches to put on my pack that are time released and good for 12 hrs. The only thing is I need some one to put them on for me. I can't reach the spot this one peeled itself off my the time I got up.

My housekeeper Miriam came with her boyfriend the plummer last night and showed me it was the regulator leaking in the garage. We turned off the main line of water and put a bucket under the drip. This morning at 7 he was back with the 99. regulator and 2 more parts and 100. for his time. He'll be back on Sun. to put a handle on by turn off next to the door and to fix the floater in the toliet if I don't first.

That's the latest.

I talked to tech support after my nap at 2 NY time and the fellow said it sounded like I needed a new AC adaptor. Fortunately I had one on hand from the last time. I replaced one box with the other and it seems to be fixed.

I left all my notes at school because I didn't think I's have the computer to work at home.

I'm mistly done. I spent 1500. and have 500. left of wich I'm spending with other catalogs and on Amazon. That I can do from here.

The buildings at school will be xlosed for another holiday tomorrow.

My friend Kim said to look out for a computer virus with invitation in the subject line...could be true so be aware and don't open one.

Can't use my laptop

I'm back at work doing some cataloging and stuff.

I'm getting that nasty message battery low plug into wall outlet network card is active.

The last time this happened I had to send the computer in and it was under warrenty. They replaced the mother board after the first 3 mo. Now I'm out of waranty.

I heard my principal say that laptops only last 5 yrs. AWK! 3 months---199. 24/7 for teachical support. hum....We'll see.

I can play one or 2 hands of solitare and 2 hands of hearts before I get the message. I'm never unplugged so it was disturbing to get save your work msg.

The customer service said to take the battery out and it sounds like the battery is going. He said dell's are bad. I'll try that.

I handed all but my morgage intesest over to Caro and a stock sale ands she has them mostly done.

I'll go over next.

Then I have to go to the Dr.

I took my car in to have the fuel injection system done today.

Talked to a woman who doesn't trust Hilary and would vote for Obama. Interesting reasoning. She thought Chelsea and she were hypocrites for wearing a burka.

It's raining

I made some butternet squash soup. I don't like cutting the squash up, it didn't soup out. I had too much stock so I added some carrots to sweeted it and some nutneg and ginger to taste. I finally had some at 11 p.m. after my nap. It's o.k.. but maybe not my favorite. I remember it thicker and sweeter.

I'm heading into work and to have my taxes done at Caro's before I see the DR at 4.

It was nice to have leftovers for breakfast. I actually added yet another egg and tossed it in the microwave with the rest.

I'll call the pkummer once I look at my calendar at work. Now that it's raining, it's not so obvious in the courner of the garage near the outside water main.

I finished Hugo and another book, Picture Book last night.

I love to stay up last and read into the night.

2 or three hrs. at my desk and my back is breaking. I gor my spreadsheet done but not the catlaoging. It is nice to have a copier at my back and all the stuff at hand. I think I'm the only one on campus.

I'm leaving. Off to taxes, the library and the Dr.

My computer is acting up at home it says my network card is engaged and the battery is low and to save my work, but it's plugged in. Last time that happened I had to send it in for a new network card after owning it for 1 month. Then it was under warranty.

I like to watcth the first part of the View at 10 too. The two are now always compatible.

Happy Birthday George

I read the 1st book of

The Invenyion of Hugo Cabret

, I can see why it won best children's book.

I got up this morning squose some more oranges,cleaned leeks, made a crumpet with my raspberry jam and desmalzed the chicken stock.

I'd also like to make some French onion soup but maybe I'll wait on that one. It actually ises beef stock.

There is this great market in Vancouver on Granville Island that has a shop that sells just stock. I love that market. I went every day just to look and buy stuff for meals. Wish we had one here.

In Oaxaca there was another interesting one. I was a bit freaked out by the rustic presentation. I saw one man very early pick up a steer out of a bloody pick up truck throw it over his bloody shoulder of his stained shirt with dirty hands and carry it into the market. There were blue corn tortillas though. Lots of fruit.

In Cozumel there was a juice shop that I went to every morning for o.j. or fresh grapefruit juice.

I don't like Mexican pastries though.

Hand made tortillas are not bad though. I've been educated, Here there are several "luncherias" that open at 5 and sell grilled tacos carne adada, pollo chorizo, carnitas and other things I's rather nor eat. They have grilled onions too, They can keep the jallepeno unless I use it for salsa.

I need more stock for both soups. Pureed ths caltiflower, found the souffle recipe and am wondering if I can make one 1/2 califlower 1/2 broccoli? I'll try it.

Decided to made chicken enchilldadas or chicken enchilasagna with the "pollo". Don't mush like chicken soup or eating it unless it's in Chinese something.

Now I just need people to eat all this or room in the freezer. I'll take some to school for lunches.

Time to clean out my office and put a new plastic thing for the floor that I got at the give away sale. The problem is I need to move a lot of boxes, files etc. first.

I want Armando's roomate Alfredo to come haul them out and do the heavy lifting.

Armando doesn't want me to let either his brother without his wife Sylvia and baby in or his roomate without him being here. I never even thought of that.

My house keeper Miriams boyfriend is a plummer and he is coming to to the leak work.

Maybe I'll even work some more on my selection list.Tomarrow I'm gonna get my taxes done. I worked on my decuction spreadsheet Sun.

I'm off to saute spinach and mushrooms and to make a white cheese bechemel sauce for eggs Florenteen.

Well the answer is you really can't to 2 souffles in the same disk, It's entirely possible to divide them and fold in the egg whites to each but its liquid so the first one ran into the 2nd.

We'll see how it comes out looks good anyway. Perhaps it's good no-one's here. It looked like it was all broccoli on top but once I spooned it out the teo were still segregated, caltiflower pure white and the broccoli on the other side, pale green.
Kinda cool.

The eggs florenteen look good with button and shitake mushrooms and I grated fresh nutmeg on top. Looks yummy. I used to make this a lot too.
I once had my friend kim over for breakfast and she told me later she fed the eggs to my cat, she doesn't like poached eggs.Good thing he ate them. I fed them to her mom too one other time.

The recipe comes from the

Enchanted Broccoli Forrest

cookbook by Molly Kasan.

My feet hurt...it's a lot of work.

Mustard Flowers on Farm,

Mustard Flowers on Farm, Washington Wallpaper

Love the art couldn't find a jpg print to add. There were many for sale.

The hills are covered with yellow mustard flowers

I went to the Farmers Market and to supermarkets this morning to get speciality items like leeks, cauliflower, broccoli, marble rye bread, crumpets, a bagette, a bagle,shallots, butternut and spagetti squash and strawberries and noticed the mustard is all in bloom.

It makes me so happy to go to the Farmer's Market. I have to take my knives to be sharpened. I like the grocery store too but it's not the same.

Napa will be selling and holding it's mustard festival soon. Scallions are up and 18 varieties of almonds are available.

Remember Dad eating scallions whole? I can't even eat them raw. Kit's of people put them in salad. (Michael you don't have to worry about this1)

I also got brie, fontina swiss and sundried tomato, pesto,cream cheese spread for the meeting. I need to make pita chips.

The fontina I'll use along with cheddar and cream for potatoes.

I'll make 2 souffles one lemon and blueberry and the other, cauliflower and broccoli.

My blood pressure has been high despite the atenolol.

It's such a beautiful day I opened all 3 screen doors and the blinds are all open. My johnny jumpups, yellow and purple and primroses, yellow and purple, pink and white I bought in Oct. are showing their happy faces out front.

Read picked up some dropped fruit, squose my o.j. and a lemon for the siuffle and made the souffle...boy is it lemony...o.k. maybe I did put an extra T but I;m not sure it sure is sweet thpigh and I;m pooped NO STAMANIA
My back brace helps

My feet are sore though.

When you get to be a certain age "the girls" head south. The bigger they are the faster they go. One you take a bra off forget about it....but having a back brace won't let them sink so I have some nightgown cleavage to share with Lacey.

I have to rest between souffles...maybe a day. It was funny I forgot to put on the whisk beater first and had to change it. Even with all these modern conveniences, a mixer, juicer, food processor. I'm tired. Time to put my feet up.

There were a lot of steps, juicing, making a lemon pudding with sugar and cornstarch and zest and the egg whites....:-) Won't do that one again.
My other souffle recipe is tried and true.

I've got a chicken cooking for stock and a butternut squash for soup I forgot to mention that!I also have to saute leeks fir my potato leek soup and spinach for the eggs florenteen.

The girl scouts have arrived selling cookies. I like the lemon sandwich and shortbread. I ordered at school and her dad told me I had a leak on my water valve and my wood was rotting. .... (thought I could just paint it) I knew the bill was 20. more time to call the plumber.

He's the type of neighbor whose jeans ride low and show the crack to all when he bends over. The best thing he's done is marry Michaela and adopt Rosemary, a beautiful bi-racial 3rd grader.

Had my first asparagus of the season. I love thise packages you slit, cook for 5 min in the micro or boil and eat, There are green beansm baby carrotsm baby zuchini and now asparagus.

I also got a bunch of the real asparagus that was on sale.

I made this potato, onion,mushroom dish for dinner with cream and cheese (guerere, fontina and parm.)

Now onto peeling the butternut squash, talking the seeds out and pureeing it for soup.

I like this. It's rich in beta caradine but when we made soup in crockpots at school no one voted for this one. Lentil and split pea went over well though.

Donating

Finally vacation~ A little late but I gor red and pink cyclamin and pink and pinker azala's and a pin lilly today.

I may go in Tues.

Instead of donating my clothes to GoodWill and Career Closet, I've been taking warm clothes to the clothes closet at school and to the church, Sacred Heart, Sacrada Familia, they have a food pantry and stuff on hangers for people to select from like a store.

It makes me sad to see kids at school with no jackets. I have a lot of tennis shoes too.

I worked for 3 hrs. last night on my book list. It's up to 900.00. I have 21 to spend.

Got a new copier at wk. yesterday. I had decided not to buy one at 1,300. but it showed up without me ordering it. It/s convenient to have it in the office and saves time.

Did some shelving with a student one sharp one not boy is he slow.

Cleaned up the upside down books, those out of place, backwards...there were a lot of them.

Made a red stuffed pepper for dinner.

Gonna make a blueberry lemon cobbler today. The recipe is in Feb. Bon Appetite. Just subscribed to Gourmet.I need to squeeze some more oranges.

I'd like Vegetartan Times and Cooking Light, Oprah and

Martha Stewart Living

.

Doing the laundry and time to cook breakfast. Lacey is on my lap with the laptop. When she feels left out she wants to walk across the keys. That's only happened once. today.

She is not too demostrative. For the most part, I have to catch her to cuddle or pet her but she does come to snuggle and recently she's decided she likes to sit on me.

I went to the grocery store to stock up for next week's librarian's meeting. I signed up for treats knowing everything would be 1/2 price. I got kisses, plates, napkins, will make oastmeal rasin cookies, veggies from the farmer's market and dip, pits chips or tortillas and pine nuts with hummus (garpanzo bean and garlic and tahini with a little lemon)another dip, and water.

At the farmer's market they have this marbel rye bread I love. I'm looking forward to a week off. I can cook. I'll do a souffle of either cauliflower or broccoli. Chicken is on sale for .69 so I'll make and chicken stock and some soup. I love potato leek.

I got vegetarian potstickers. yum

Did you know no to store potato and onions in the same basket? I wonder if in the same pantry is o.k.

I got my prescription filled at Safeway last time and this time at Safemart. It look 45 minutrs. I couldn't believe this woman. She wasn't going t o fill it because she was missing a number. I gave her my social security number she got the nymber and volia. She didn't know what she needed from me though only that she was missing a number. This chick got through pharmacy school. I was ticked. I popped a stronger hydrocodone on the way out of the store and that helped my back.

Bob and Pat and Michael are attending an Elder Hostel program on St. Simeon's Island and Savannah. Wish I was going. I really like Savannah and my time in each spot was too short. I love the hanging moss. It's been in the 90's this week there that's a bit hot for me.

Here it's in the 70's that's perfect with a bit of sun. The hills are there winter bright green and golden is far away from the ming. They are so beautiful. Soon the mustartd will bloom its yellow flowers. Fortunately all these trees and flowers in bloom doens't make me sneeze.

Happy Valentines Day!

I need some flowers and a Valentine. Armando is freezing and working in Indianapolis till March.

The trees are snowing pink blossoms and the kids are making Valentines with the flowers I scored yesterday. I have 4 colors or 5 and I made mini boquets for a teacher I like, the bookkeeper, who I try to not tick off, the attendance clerk, my Assistant, and for the kids I gave them school "bucks".

The kids got chocolate brownies. I only had 5 kids for making Valentine's and only 2 for the literary magazine. I was there an extra hr. I'll give the Burger King gift certificate to one who made one for his mom who works 3 jobs and whose uncle killed himself 2 days ago.

I go to the chiropractor today. I have been working my tail off on the computer so my neck and shoulders ache. I got referred to a new Dr. too.

I sent off my Christmas/New Years photos as well. I made a Valentines posstcard too on snapfish.

I had some chocolate and a nap and now I feel like I can function some more.

I found out we print 50 copies of the magazine and borrow the money from an acct. and repay it after the sales.

Asparagus is on sale.


I made scallops with sherry, mushrooms, lemon and risotto for dinner.

With break starting Monday and my need to get my list done to purchase over break and get all my book fair books cataloged and the literary magazine ready to be sent to the printer I need twice the time. The regular stuff gets done too.

I figured I would haul my stuff home over break and work on my book order over break. I'll borrow a workbook from a seminar I missed to help. The English dept. head went but I didn't see the notice. It also was 700. and I felt guilty goin, didn't know the other librarian's were going or that the district would fund it.

Ya gotta know the questions to ask No-One offers anything!!! (I knew that)

I just got the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the Caldicott winner and need to go to the library to pick it up.

Just finished one by Iris Johanson called

Pandora's Daughter

. and am starting the latest Spenser novel. I also need to read Body Surfing because my LIBRARY ASSIsTANT challenged me on the content.

Armando called me last night and we spoke for an hour or three. He almost talked me to sleep in Spanish. He's working hard in Indianapolis 12 hr. days.

He says there are a lot of black people there, not too many whites or Mexicans. I laughed. I told him the white people were there but they moved to the suburbs just like in D.C.

Free for all

4x a year the school district opens up trailors to all its teacgers to grav stff.. You never know what is there and today I got KLEENEX, POST IT's, scrap paper, c/d;s floppies, pendaflex, manala folders, flowers, handing folders, a desk chair, a plastic thing to cover the desk organizers, book cases, file cabinets, t.v.s. copy paper, a plastic thing for under the desk, or a high chair,and mailing folders. You grab it , fill the box u bought or 2, and put on the card u brought and load it up. The first time they gave all new teachers a 30 min lead. I was in and out in 15 or 20 min.

There was also an English department meeting.

The Spenser novel, jesse Stone novel is

Stranger in Paradise

I didn't even stop for lunch I was so busy cataloging and everything else. More books came today too. It was an early release day so I got to eat my salad during my meeing. I wore my back brace all day. That and my pillow on my chair helped.

Then I went to the dentist for a new crown.

I decided to hold a Valentine's contest. I got paper, glue, flowers, and gifts. We'll see if anyone comes.

My red Starbuck's thermos was leaking so I got fed up and return it again and this time changed the model...stay tuned.

If I know IHOP was giving away free pancakes I would have gone, I thought Gwen was just having some in Columbia!!

I could do without

pictures of poop in the potty. I'm glad there is progress for Clare. My friend's son just goes on the floor because she does not diaper him on the weekend to force/encourage him to use the potty.

Glad I'm not attached to this.

There was a nice Dora the Explorer book at the Book fair for $29.99 but after hearing about Gwen's garage sale finds for .99 I didn't spend the money. She is the bargain and remake princess.


The weather the last 4 days has been in the 70's.

There were strawberries at the Farmers market for 4.00 a basket and blueberries in the store for 1.99. The market had bread, cookies,fish, cauliflower, broccoli, apples, oranges, flowers, lemons, carrots, leeks. potato, onion and a few other things. I got oatmeal raisin cookies and carrots.

I think I'll make either a cauliflower or broccoli souffle.

I love going to the Farmers Market!

Went to the chiropractor today. There was less to "crack".

Doing my book order this week, during break too for the year. Know any YA titles?

Working hard

Trying to get all the book fair books cataloged, a spread sheet made, new TA's trained,some less able than others,and everything else I do, the literary magazine is about to put it over the top.

Fortunately, the volunteers are actually showing up and I have some library groopies that help me after school. In addition, I tell the kids that have fines they have to pay or work it off.

I'm making the sirlon mushroom recipe in balsamic vinegat marinade from the Post.

Picked my own oranges today

Nice to save some cash growing your own. I have 2 trees so a lot of fruit. Not so many lemons.

I forced myself up at 10.

Read a book today, Bungalow 2, and cooked risotto with mushrooms, potatoes with heavy cream and cheese and carmelized onions and cube steak. I

need to do some watering outside.
My sweetpeas are drying out,roses are in bloom.

I think I have a leak in the float of the master br toliet. Armando kinda fixed it but I did too and I still think that is why my water bill was 20. higher.

Now its's 1 a.m. night....

Had to pick someone up at 10, got gas, got the dexk and tard cleaned up and roses trimmed. Then he mpced a heavy box of decorations back nto the garage.

Got my shopping done. I also got dome brake fluid but when I went to put it in all looked fine so I';; take it back.

It's been awhile since I checjed transportation prices. WOW. air, train or bis are all about the same.

All the fruit trees are in bloom

Well my literary magaine might actually get off the ground at school. No-one has been showing up. Finally, I called a mandatory lunch meeting. 2 showed. I may have 3 more. We have to type, compile and print by the end of the month. I have no idea how many to print that we might sell....60, 100,150? The school population is 900 or so.
I've got to talk to some of the teachers who have done it in the past.
No-one else volunteered. It is a non extra pay job. I didn't know how busy I'd be this time of year.
we sell them to students and parents on back to school night in april.

Took a nap when I got home. Actually, I was on the computer reading the NY Post Page 6 and fell asleep.

For my birthday I got this great hot chocolate mix from Serendipity 3 in NYC from my Soft Surroundings catalog along with a lavender neck roll to heat booties and an eye cover. I finally got around to making the hot chocolate. I rarely have milk in the frig. Its suposted to be frozen 1 c milk, 3 c ice but it's cold out so i used a bit of 1/2 and 1/2 and 4 c of fat milk and heated it, Considering it is nonfat milk in the choc. mix it was really good.


Don't know where they money comes from either? maybe they print them for free?

I'm playing bridge on-line, it's almos 4 a.m. I need to sleep.

R and R

I took 3 hrs off this morning and slept in. It was great. I felt better.

I had stayed up till 5 reading T is for Trespass , which was good, then I couldn't get to sleep thinking and worring about how I spent the 2100. proceeds from the book fair and my assistant.

I nap when I come home.

My back feels better. I took a pillow in for my chair and that helps too.

It was so beautiful here today I only needed a sweater.

My friend Inna, a special ed. teacher was not invited to return next year.

Tax time. I need to get all my papers together. I kinda do.

I couldn't get to sleep after 2 hrs of trying to align my chakras and stop my mind from racing so I took a sleeping pill at 3 and woke like a slug at 7.

The Dr. said the MRI showd a 3 mm bulge and protrusion on my c5-6 disk and a 1mm disc protrusion on T8-9 So basicly I have less pain, I got my meds on hydrocordozone uped and I am limited to lifting 15 lbs. and sitting standing for 2 hrs. I also got another referral to a Dr. for this new super sharp stabbing pain that hits me when I walk. It makes me want to sink down ont the spot. Fortunately, it only lasts a moment but for that moment it has you thinking I can't even get to the phone. What do I do now. Then, it's gone.

TGIF

The spring bulbs are blooming

Armando is in Indianna freezing and we are pushing 60.

The book fair is finally over and I'm working on the financials. We took in 3900. then you have to subtract the sales tax and get x for all these hoops we jumped through. The bottom line is I get 125. of free under the table books. and can take another $2100.00 in books from the sale for our library. It is a hard way to make money. I did not rest my back.

Yesterday the chiropractor said I looked exhausted and I had slept 11 hrs the night before. I need a day off maybe a long weekend...I'll take Friday as mental health.

We have a week from the 17th to the 24th off too. I'll get my car and taxes done.

Couldn't care less when the Super Bowl is

or who is playing but it has been brought to my attention that Boston and New york are at odds and it might be this weekend. I do like the half time commercials and sometimes the show.

My back is killing me. The chiropracter doesn't work, the drugs don't work, rest helps but I have been at work putting on the Book Fair. We seem to be doubling the money each day. It's a lot of work though.

I had a pantry made and it is done and due to be delivered and installed this weekend.

Armando is in LA for work.

It's been cold and rainy and we've had our annual snow on them there hills at 1500 ft. elevation. Since we just see it in the distance and don't have to shovel or drive through it, it's pretty.

Book Fair

I'm getting ready for the annual Scholastic Book Fair. We have Mon. off and Tues is an in service day. All the containers should arrive on Wed and on The followwing Monday they come. We hope to made a thousand dollars or so

I got upgraded to Vicodin for my back.

rain and cold

We've just begun and I'm already tired of it. There is snow on the hills.

Armando may go to LA for business.
He promised to help me take down the Christmas tree and put up the ornaments. Then again, he promised to help me roll out christmas cookies too and frost them.

Once he told me that he apsolutely was going to stop drinking. That lasted one day. He siad he was the kind of person that once he decides to do something, that's it. well I see how acurate that was...like me and loosing weight.

Glad to have a new raincoat

With 5' of snow in the mountains I'm glad I'm not on the roads or traveling.

It poured yesterday and just to go 15' from one building to another with a huge umbrella I was drenched from my knees down from the blowing rain. The kids were soaked.

The last two days have been difficult physically on my back. By the end the the day I was ready to head home.

Had some comfort food, pasta last night and may make bread and beef stew tonight. Stick to your ribs stuff.

I took the wreaths down on the front doors, Now it's time for the tree and all the decorations. It's 3 kings day tomorrow. I may make a 3 kings cake - la rosca de reyes with apples. (actually it would be a good thing to do with cranberries or those dried nectarines I don't like. It's a yeast bread.

I went out on the patio to pick a lemon for my tea and was soaked. Lacey is so funny. She wants to go out and explore but doesn't want to get her feet wet so she shakes them every step.

Back to work

I should have left a list of all the things I was in the middle of because I can't remember all of them. That's what day timers are for. I had to pause to remember all the passwords I use here too.

At least there are kids to take down the Christmas decorations here.
Well I have someone at home too to take them down. Boy were the boughs dry when we tossed them from the table in the library. Glad Armando has been giving my tree at home a lot of water. Not that I think that will help much.

I have a physical therapy apt. today and I can already feel the strain in using the keyboard and lifting.

I went to the chiropractor at 3 by then I was wrecked. He put on ice and heat in 2 places and cracked my neck and hip back into alignment. It felt better like the energy flow was improved, My endorphins were flowing and I felt dizzy if I didn't puke. I was sweating like in labor when he pushed down on my back.

I was glad to get home.

I go back tomarrow.

...the last day

I go back to school tomorrow. Vacation was nice and the 2 weeks went quickly.

Today after physical therapy I saw the Dr and now start seeing a chiropractor too.

My back seems to be better but I am still limited to lifting 15 lbs. I'm sure that will thrill my assistant.

Marilyn's son Jesse is coming to stay 2 nights a week rather than commute and hour each way from Berkeley to his job in San Jose. He works 6 to 6.
He's an electrician.

I'm going to replace the fixture I put up before Christmas and return it and today Armando painted the area and sanded, not in that order, so it's ready to go. Unfortunately the color paint I got was not quite what I had before. 10 years later sometimes they just don't make the same ones. I had a book on all my household stuff I don't know were it got to.

He also painted some wood near the door on the patio and the mailbox flag. Last time he painted it white not knowing the flag was red.

My pantry maker came today and I got to show him a picture the had space for cookie sheets and cereal boxes on their sides. I compromised and made it only 28 in deep and 3 ft wide.

I decided I'll take my lobster straight or in better not in carrots and celery and shallots..it takes away from the glory of the lobster.

Happy New Year 2008

Wishing everyone a healthy and safe New Year.

We left Karen's shortly after the ball dropped.

She and her boyfriend, an Israeli and his mom were there with his 2 kids and her son Max.

Got up just in time to miss the parade, finished my book and started Rosie's Celebrity Detox. I had a bagle and some fresh squeezed tangerine juice and a bath. Then I made a high rise apple pancake.

Armando's roommate is over and they are being macho over the grill lighting wood from by bushes and adding lighter fluid to self lighting charcoal because they say it may be damp. (It was inside)

THEY ARE MAKING CARNE ASADA, sausages and ribs. Such a healthy way to start the year. They forgot my caso fresco.(cheese) Aren't you glad you tutored me in Spanish on the bus Karen!

I have carnitas and tortillas and made a salad. Later, I'm making lobster!

New Year's Eve

Happy Birthday Aunt Mary Helen 78 years young.

I had Armando's brother, wife and baby over for dinner last night. I made a pork shoulder roast with dried chili, salt, oregano and pepper in the rub then garlic, a head, more chapolte chili's dry and 3 more poblano. I cooked it for 375 in 2 c chicken stock. rico.

It took 4 adults to keep that baby fret less. She likes to hit and when I stop her she cries...too bad,,everyone but mom stops her. I got salsa lessons too. Cute baby girl though. She is walking more. She loves Lacey. Lacey isn't so enamoured; and runs away.

Today I went to breakfast with my 3 library friends to celebrate my birthday. It's nice to get together quarterly and catch up. Then I was off to physical therapy.

After holding the baby and running around all yesterday my back was killing me. They had me on a bike with my arms. then current and ice in 3 spots, my lower back, my middle back and my neck. I go back 1/2, then see the Dr.

Tonight we are going over to my friend Karen's, the immigration attorney, to celebrate and welcome the new year. We're bring crab and tidbits including hunus with pine nuts.

Lost a day

I thought yesterday was Thursday. I think I blew off a physical therapy appointment yesterday which turned out to be Friday. I couldn't figure out why the newscaster wished us a good weekend.

Armando cleaned up the yard in preparation for the rain. Haven't seen it yet.

I ran out of meds. I called Kaiser and fortunately I have one refill on record so I can pick it up tomorrow.

I'm making risotto with crab and mushrooms. You heat chicken broth, fortunately I have somemade on hand. Then you get arborio rice and saute in butter and add a cup of broth. Saute diced onion in olive oil, the oil should be warm first. This cooks for about 7 min. Add 11/2 c. rice to the pan and stir until all the grains are coated. Then add a sovion blanc of wine. Add chicken stock one half cup at a time. Stir and add a bit of salt. I like to add mushrooms too. As the rice gets thick add more broth, stir in this softens the starch. Add parmasean cheese about 1/3 c. and crab and asparagus or peas stiring constantly ,add cream. Top with cheese. This should be creamy. Add butter, stir and cover for 5 min.

I need to make a run to the store I took all my food to Marilyn. She is so infirm and in such a tiny community I want her to have stores for when the power goes out. Her roomate eats it. Marilyn has someone who cooks and delivers meals 3x a week. Armando said she eats a lot and seems hungry. She is tall and skinny and frail.

I'd like to get a tiny kitchen aide food processor.

I want Lobster for New Years. Armando probably prefers carne asada. He made it for us in Trinidad.
May do a lobster gratin with macaroni and carrot and celery, butter, cheese, basil, thyme in a bouquet garni, cubes sauteed lobster mixed with this cream sauce and topped with more. Put under the broiler and voila...heaven..

I thought my t.v. hit the dust last night but the sleep setting turned it off. I had visions of buying a new t.v. today.

I'm watching my cooking shows.

trip from hell

We walked the pier caught crabs, had clam chowder, walked in the woods to the ocean walked in cold rain to the coffee shop after taking Marilyn to shop and get a new battery.

We couldn't leave as a result until 4 ran into an accident in Eureka then it was dark. Rain, rain and more rain. I drove through the redwoods and around Lattonville it began to snow. We should have stopped there but it was 6 and I THOUGHT WE COULD GO 21 MILES. It TOOK US 2 SCARY HRS AT 10 MPH WITH PEOPLE SPINNING OUT ALL OVER. finally WE GOT TO wILLITS AND 101 WAS CLOSED N AND s. There were no hotel rooms to be had. We slept in the car for 2 hrs. then continued home stopping in Berkeley to drop off flowers etc to Marilyn's son and new wife.

Glad I had some experience driving in snow. I don't miss it though!

We got home at 7. a.m. Fortunately I didn't have to unload the car. I'm getting spoiled. I took a hot bath and crashed.

I read till 9 and then slept till noon. I had the house cleaned for 7 hrs and now laundry.

Just finished Web of Evil by J A Jance. Now I'm onto Bad Blood by Linda Fairstein.

Christmas

Well we opened gifts, had breakfast talked to Mikie, Mike and Michael, dropped gifts off for Armando's brother, let him pack and headed out of town. We got to Trinidad about 6.

Armando was going to take the next exit when a pick up truck freaked him blowing his horn because he was going too slow in the rain and instead of taking the exit he took what he thought was the exit and ran off the road.

Then I took over.

We had pasta and a fire while it rained; good company, alcohol and good feelings. I felt that warm contentment of being with loved ones that has been missing for years.

This morning we woke by 9:30 went for breakfast on the pier, walked it off on the pier watching the seals, waves and threw in crab pots.

We got some good ones. The first time for either of us. Armando has to get them out and cook them. Yum and some picked to bring home.

Christmas Eve

We had Armando's roommate Alfredo over for dinner last night. We lit a fire and sat around the tree.

Tonight were going to my friend Caro's for dinner at 6 then, to Armando's brother Carlos and sister in law, Sylvia and their baby Rosaecella for another dinner of carne asada. She doesn't talk just screams Baaaaa for everything. Pa, Ma nothing else. Give me it now. She walks and maybe understands NO!

Caro made a broccoli soufle with bechemel, a potato ring with white and sweet potatoes, pico de gallo, salad and beef.

We're going to mass at the Mission at midnight. Merry Christmas to all!

I got my oil changed and went to physical therapy.

I started the book High Noon.

The day after Christmas, we're driving up to see Marilyn in Trinidad. She's on the ocean. She unlike Carolina who is Nicaraguan, doesn't speak much Spanish.

I'm making sugar cookies, now they need the cool for 2 hrs then be rolled out baked and decorated.

Maybe I'll make a cake to bring if I have time. Well I made an apple cake and one with persimmons.

I baked one sheet of sugar cookies and hopefully I can frost them and let them dry un time to give them tonight. I hate to roll them out. It needs 2 people. My back gives out. They are all flower, butter sugar and b. powder.

Happy Winter Solstice

Armando surprised me last night with an impromptu BBQ with his brother Carlos, his wife and their baby girl. The baby is just over 1 yr. She's grown so much since this summer. They made carne asada, ribs, sausage and I made a salad, green beans, potatoes and green pepper and onion on the grill.

I wrapped up the box a wreath came in and put in some earings, a snowman pen, stickers, a coloring book and 2 christmas mugs with Teddy bear paper.

For their parents a musical Christmas thing in mickey mouse paper and some popouri. I gave Sylvia a water bottle with a bell and candy for the baby and put a bell on Lacey. They invited us over Christmas Eve and I invited them to go to church with us at the Mission at Santa Clara.

They left, I got sick, Armando fell asleep, I turned out the light and left him with the Christmas tree and I climbed in bed reading Patricia Cornwell's new book Book of the Dead. He left. It was only 9 p.m.

My stomach still is not happy. I am not used to all that meat or tortillas. I bought 50 now they are almost gone. Mexicans eat a lot of tortillas. I buy a half a lb. , he buys 5lbs of meat.

Posada

Well I had been to a Posada at the library where we walked about the block but last night I went to one with Armando, There was a large house like shrine to the Virgin decorated with flowers, wrapping paper, candles and Christmas paper. There was a bonfire and it was conducted in the front yard. We said the rosary which was a reading from the gospel and kind of a mass. There was a table and the senora cooked pozole a corn thing with chicken. There was cilantro, onion, chili and tortillas to add the hard ones. There was a punch with sugar cane and cinnamon in it and horchata.

After and hour or so everyone grabbed candles and flowers and climbed into cars and went to another persons house. We started after on one block and met in the middle with all the kids and candles and fireworks and sparklers singing to meet in front of a house carrying the virgin and Jesus and Joseph on a table and sang after knocking on the gate the kids who had gone in responded there was no room but there was room in the stable. We all entered and there was another alter on the patio. There was for mass and songs around a fire bowl. They passed out chocolate with cinnamon and coffee with cinnamon and Mexican pastry. I got nervous watching the kids throw sparklers on the roof and set the empty boxes on fire.

It was nice. I was the only grings of 50 or so.

It was all outside and cold.

I removed yhe old bathroom light box and fixture and put in another yesterdat. Today, Armando is sanding the plaster and repainting. It weems to small. I may get another one.

I'm off to see the Dr. for my back.

Ice

I am still having physical therapy with ice for 20 min and see the Dr. tomorrow. The battery stimulator helps increase the flow of blood and circulation. The the exercises are good for range of motion.
I'll stop by school while nearby. I left a few things in my rapid departure.

I got my only Christmas present yesterday from my friend Marilyn in Trinidad. I've got Armando's and all these fake things to fill the space.
Bob and Pat sent a gift basket from Tuscany, with wine, pasta, marinara, bread sticks, almonds and cashews. One day I'll get to see that part of Italy Rome, Naples, then onto Greece and Turkey.

I haven't had a tree up in years. It's nice to see the ornaments. I love the lights. I like to turn off the light and just watch the tree.

I love a fire in the fireplace when its cold outside. It makes you feel so lucky.

I got I window above the door installed last night. This guy is a disaster. He put a hole in one wall and needs to repaint the living room wall where he put the ladder before. I expect him to clean up after himself as he has glass and wood fall. It doesn't take too much effort to put a towel between the ladder and wall. Fortunately, Armando deals with him. This reinforces, never do business with friends...he is the husband of my dentists receptionist.

We mad a day when all the librarians met. Carol, my assistant, didn't want to go. I felt she should. I didn't push the point. There need to be some changes made. I spoke to my principal and told him what I was thinking. I haven't made any changes so far, but with new people some new ideas and new thoughts, We have different styles. She is very good at her job. I believe in cross training. She is meticulous, I am more flexible. She runs to tattle. I don't like that.

Some of my favorite things

I love having Lacy snuggled next to me while I read
candles
bubble baths
having someone else shampoo my hair
making my favorite Christmas cookies (mom's)
eating my favorite carrot cake
lobster
crab (tis the season here)
opening presents
wrapping gifts and giving them
midnight mass
hot chocolate
Christmas lights
ornaments collected over the ears
fireplaces
friends
mi amor
Christmas break
lavender

Physical Therapy hurts. I got a 3 foot hard Styrofoam cylinder to lie on and exercises to do. I go back tomorrow for more. I need a heading pad. Now it's ice for the inflammation and patches on my spine with an electric current for 20 min.

I'm looking forward to 2 weeks off for Christmas break.

School is out for break tomorrow.

The Aftermath

Dinner was excellent we has champagne and lobster in blur blanc with fin herbs, artichoke soup, homemade sourdough bread and a salad of romaine, cheese, avocado, croutons, blue cheese with anchovies on the side. I can't stand them. Turns out, Armando isn't a fan either. Our entrees were tornados of beef for Armando with chantrelles and a reduction, asparagus, potato fluff and carrot. I had veal in a cream reduction with brandy, asparagus, carrot, what I thought was a parsnip but was more like a white squash. Desert was a sample of all, creme brule, burnt cream, chocolate torte, berries and amaretto cheese cake but no gran marnier souffle.

I misses Michael's birthday call.

The window installer put one window in yesterday. The ladder marked the wall which is a special melon shade of cantaloupe so now he'll have to repaint the whole thing since it was specially matched and it couldn't be done a 2nd time. Armando helped negotiate the price of installationn He told me one thing. Armando said...do you want the work? He said yes and the price dropped 300 dollars. I find it difficult to be so direct. Surprises me. It's cuz I know him.

Feliz Cumpleanos a mi

Well I went to the staff Christmas party last night. The first one was better despite the white elephant gifts. One of the gifts was a live crab. They cooked it fir her too! I got mine stolen 4 times...,once a megaphone once a bottle of wine, once singing,walking penguin.

Armando made me my birthday cake carrot with cream cheese icing of course. Tonight we are going out to dinner a La Foret, a French restaurant in the forest that used to be a boarding house during the gold rush when the silver mines were operating. I haven't been there since 1983. I'm in the mood doe lobster and champagne and a Cosmopolitan.

The painting on the eves was done yesterday, just in time to repaint now that the new windows are in, Watching, It's not an easy task especially balancing and banging away while on a ladder.

I begin physical therapy 3x a week for my back.

Today I go o sleep in, stay in my new flannel nightgown, have fresh squeezed tangerine juice and Christmas cookies for breakfast, read, nap, have some birthday cake for lunch and a bath and soon I'll get ready to go out.

Ouch said the back

After moving furniture in the library after the holiday concert and cpr class I threw my back out. I went to out Workers Comp place where they took xrays, put me on ice, hooked my up on wires, acupuncture with electricity and hydrotherapy, gave me a back brace, hot and cold packs and sent me home for 2 days. Here I am back after 1 still hurting but not as much.

I figured, If I could make my birthday cake, Christmas shortbread and butter cookies, I would be ok. I burst one hot pack with all the gel gunk. Glad it was wrapped in a towel. Guess it wasn't meant to be lied upon. It's hard to put it into my back brace alone.

Armando was here. He did the dishes. He painted the eves of the house and a pannel. Today they are replacing two windows. Please let them be the right size. I want someone else to take the responsibility for the measurements. He did take them but I like to do it more than once and since they are above the front door and in the living room to the l and r of the fireplace I couldn't get up that high or let's just say didn't want to.

I still have one batch of Christmas cookies to make. These require more effort to roll them out and decorate. I got some yummy stuff from my fellow teachers and some birthday cards too. The Principal and vice principal cave me some butter cookies and a card. When I told him I was injured he didn't ask how I was just looked displeased.

Armando and I are going to La Foret, one of my favorite French restaurants for my birthday. I haven't been there since I was married.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

After climbing around in the rafters in the garage I found the decorations. We decorated the Christmas tree. One set of bubble lights hit the dust and of course I didn't test them first so it took awhile to readjust. Now we are tweaking.

I made a wreath for the front door too.Armando finished priming the garage and painted it and the hallway.

I made 2 batches of Mom's frosted Christmas Cookies. I have to figure out a way to get the cookie cooked and the bottoms not burned...maybe silpat.

We had thai food. We love this coconut chicken soup with baby corn and straw mushrooms, carrots and onions.

I made Armando's favorite chicken mole verde with cilantro,toasted pumpkin seeds, onion and chicken broth. I don't like it but he loves it. This is my second attempt to get it right. I don't have a blender and the cuisinart doesn't get it fine enough so I made it as smooth as I could and then took it over to his place and combined everything until he said it was right. Unfortunately, I had to cook it for 30 min and I put it over rice in the oven and the rice absorbed all the mole. FortunATELY, HE HAD MORE MOLE VERDE IN HIS FRIG SO MAYBE HE CAN SALVAGE IT. WHAT i SAMPLED WAS TERRIBLE.

He wanted to talk to Bob but not last night when I spoke to him. He described his
European cruise.

Hanukkah

I got out the menorah one night late and I don't have candles this year so far.

We put up the tree last night.

Actually it's a branch from my huge blue spruce in the front yard. I did this once before about 17 years ago. The tree needed trimming. It's about 60 ft tall and produces a lot of shade for the house. I can't find the decorations though.

I have a tiny tree in the bedroom too. That is decorated.

I've had a girl here in the library with me for 4 days. She had a melt down today and was on my last nerve. She has been pulled out of her classes because she is so disruptive. She does fine with me one one one and likes to help but is inappropriate in her remarks to boys and other s in a quest for attention and acceptance.
She's been transferred to another school into a special day class in the hopes she can get control of herself. She thinks that makes her retarded.

Armando got the garage sanded and primed yesterday and blinds hung in the bedroom.

He trimmed my bushes so I can make wreaths for the front doors.

Karen's Birthday

Today is Karen's birthday. We have been friends for almost 40 years. It was good to see her and stay with her and Rick this spring.

Christmas wish list

THO socks in black and white (the cushion the feet) In the summer I like the low cut ones like tennis) I have them here and got 4 pair in Williamsburg. They are expensive..over $10 a pair.

Black tights Lane Byrant

Starbucks gift card for my hot chocolate

A flannel nightgown

A green rain jacket

Today I gave the secretaries in the office a basket of this great cinnamon bread and butter for Christmas, tea, coffee, plates napkins and a card. They have cinnamon bread every morning and I have been telling them about this brand.

I got all my library student assistants little gifts in gift bags and cards.
I got my library assistant a subscription to Bon Appetit and a card. We both like to cook. She wanted to change it to Cooking Light. She gave me a Christmas card and a box of cinnamon sticks.

Tonight I made some Oatmeal raisin cookies yum...!

Started watching the moving introducing Dorothy Dandridge. It's really good so far.

I made some pumpkin soup last night . I didn't do it this year for Thanksgiving.
It has a carrot, onion, shallot, 2 c stock, 1c. so cream 1 c. cream, 1/2c 1/2 & 1/2, salt, 2 c pumpkin. It's different but rich and good.

Holiday Parade

We went downtown to the San Jose Holiday Parade last night and to see the trees in Christmas in the park. What a zoo. Roads were closed, garages full,valets overworked...

Then we had dinner and drinks again at Il Fornio. I had risotto again with peas, mushrooms, shrimp and asparagus and a Cesar salad. My tummy is queasy so no wine or Cosmopolitan this time. This time I got a calender of Italy for next year and entered in a drawing for a trip for 2 to Italy.

Everyone was dressed up in their holiday regalia and women tottered on impossibly high spike heels. I have a pair that were Mom's They are good for about 10 min 2 mh 2 min. of walking.

From shopping on line I think I have discovered that lands end followed by llbean, Eddie Bauer and rei are the cheapest. I like the free shipping and no malls.

Today we are making wreaths for the front door. The green should look nice against the red. Time to decorate the house and deck the halls.

I still have roses to pick and Armando cut them for me while he trimmed back the bushes for winter.

I have a possum that eats dropped fruit. It hollows it out with it's long nose. They are ugly. It scared me when I saw it through the door.

I ordered my 3 odd sgaped windows for the LR and over the front door. No snow...they can be put in during Dec.

a day in

Today is a day to stay in and I'm still in my flannel nightgown, bed socks and slippers.

I did some Christmas cards this morning.

The black beans cooked with the ham bone. onion, carrot and garlic are fantastic.

Breakfast was ham, scrambled eggs with cream cheese on a sourdough English muffin with fresh squeezed Tangerine juice.

I love that Odwallda juice.

My oranges and lemons are getting ripe. By January they should be ripe and sweet enough to squeeze.

I'm sneezing a bit so resting and reading is a good thing. Lacey is curled up next to me.

I've dot two movies,

Introducing Dorothy Danridge

and Road to Perdition to watch.

I'm gonna put up a branch for my blue spruce as a Christmas tree for the second time. It's unusual but looks ok and my huge tree needs a trim. One 6' branch will do it good.

The blinds are up mostly

Wee the new blinds are up in the kitchen, my office and the spare bedroom. Now to rehang those in my bedroom. The issue is finding replacement hardware,

Armando painted the remaining adjacent dining room wall today. The first color of cantaloupe and the second also specially matched to a stripe in the couch are not quite the same. I wonder if anyone will notice except us.

I'm making a pot of black beans with the ham bone from Thanksgiving. The place smells great.

Armando planted my bulbs today. finally. we BOUGHT THEM IN 1/2/ MOON BAy right before the pumpkin festival IN Oct.

He cleaned the kitchen and vacuumed for me today. It was so nice to come home to an elf that cut the grass watered the plants and everything else.

I got a new flannel nightgown for my birthday from my friend P.J. in Oregon, and a fluffy bath sheet. I soaked my aching back in the tub with my favorite Pellier honey body scrub and soaked till I felt almost normal again.

Unfortunately trying to but the remaining meat off the bone almost did me in again until Armando stepped in again. Bless the boy....

He cleaned up the kitchen afterwards too. then I passed out from 8-12.

I have discovered my principal is a micro manager and wants to know everything. Teachers run to him like nursery school to complain and he likes it like that!?

I don't.

a wedding?

"One perfect rose he sent me since we met" Dorothy Parker

I don't think so...I was surprised when Armando mentioned it last night. I have grown accustomed to my ways. It would be hard to live with a person....
Why at 21 did 9 mo. seem long enough to know and now....

I spent Thanksgiving alone and lonely and didn't go out for the 5 days I had off. I saw Armando on Wed. but he was sick. I took him medicine and soup but after hearing him hack decided I could do without the rest.

I spent 2.5 hrs with the school financial planner last night looking over my investments. I have a lot of dead wood only earning 2.5 % for my IRA and less in some mutual funds that need to be moved.

I thought I would have had more in my IRA's since I opened it in 83. It was supposed to be around 300 by now.

We all just got back from this break and I was looking forward to getting back and now we're all tired again and looking forward to the 2 weeks off at Christmas.

Mom's Birthday

Today is Mom's birthday. I never forget her, or the day. We are so lucky to have had such a warm, caring woman as our Mom. I didn't appreciate her enough. She put up with a lot of garbage and I'm sure I was more difficult than the boys.

Wesley was baptized over the weekend in Columbia.

I'm glad this week and next are short ones. I was going to do a turkey but it turns out that Armando really doesn't like it and neither do I. I like the potatoes, and stuffing and pie and cranberry sauce though.

Veterans Day

Looking forward to a 3 day weekend. The spirit is weary.

I met with the districts' retirement tax deferred person yesterday. If I can stay in the district until 2011. I'll be entitled to a chunk of retirement that has been growing. Every year beyond that it grows more.... That's a nice thing to find out it pays till I drop.

Now I know why Michael was not concerned with funding an IRA. It's interesting because schools and libraries don't pay into social security.

We had lobster and baked potato last night. Rico....delicious!

I drive in the carpool lane and this morning I couldn't see a difference between it and the others except one person was pulled over. It took a long time. Traffic is worse and only 4 lanes. I remember when it would have been great to be in the car pool lane and when gas was .29 a gal. Now it's pushing 3.20 and they say $4.00 may come soon. This is insanity.

November is still great weather

I have gotten used to having my reserve book list at the library full. I seem to always have 10 books on the list and fill it again as soon as I check some out. The public library is my favorite place. I've started going to the one next to school which is smaller but only 2 blocks away. I am looking forward to the Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell. I'm also a fan of Clive Clusser and am looking forward to his new book. At the moment. My list is full so I have to wait.

I am ready for a break. I'm tired of being around school. I had in easy when I was adopted as a new teacher by the teachers across the hall. It was nice to have some friendly faces. Here, I am isolated which my other new teachers tell me is a good thing. There is a lot of moaning and I'd rather not be a part of it.


I'm not sure I'm up to cooking a Thanksgiving feast either. The thought overwhelms me. If I'm in the mood, that's one thing.

I got a quote for cabinets including a new pantry. The pantry would be to the ceiling with pull out drawers. Looks like the new ovens are bigger than my existing ones so that whole cabinet will have to be redone too. Anyway the cost is over 5,000.00. He said that I need to empty everything out first and then put on new countertops in granite then the cabinets. Yikes! Too much work!I'm having the pantry built now. It should be her the 2nd week in Dec.

and the earth shook

I was brushing my teeth when the earthquake hit a little after 8, I had just arranged to meet Armando, not really wanting the company until then. Then you don't want to be alone. He couldn't get throygh to call me on my land line although his cell phone worked.
It seemed to go on forever even though it was only a 5.6. It was centered near our homes. It took about 10 min to get any information on the t.v. Nothing fell but my Lacey was freaked out.

Tody is Halloween and all the kids are excited and dressed up in their Halloween costumes and ready for the parade at lunch. Some of these kids have been up since 5 putting makeup on. The costumes range from clowns to slashers to goths. I wanted to stay home today.

Costume or not?

The first rain of the season hit yesterday. It made me want to curl up and read with a fire, a bowl of soup and a book.

The time change hasn't happened yet but getting up in the dark makes it feel like it.

This weekend it is going back up to 80.

My last chance for painting and windows. I can't believe Thanksgiving is three weeks away.

I went to see the Dr. at Kaiser yesterday. The dermatologist told he I have rosea, adult onset acne and gave me an antibiotic and cream. I had such great skin for so many years I find this really hard to deal with. After a mere 4 days my skin was better but I needed to discontinue the doxycycline. (sic) It made my tummy sick. Not to mention the GI upset and the interaction with calcium.

I'm having one of those days where I just don't want to be here. The superintendent is having a luncheon here today.

My assistant was a flapper.

red door

Emily, Scott, Abby, Ethan and Libby celebrate the season

I've got a new red door. Granted it could use a bit more sanding. The garage is next. My friend wants me to just get a new one. My thinking is that this one works just fine. It can wait.

I talked to some people who built their own cabinets this weekend and it would see, I've grossly underestimated the cost of a kitchen remodel.
I figure counters refacing cabinets, new ovens and a pantry floor to ceiling.

My new blinds came and I got 2 of 4 hung.

I decided to repaint the garage door too...terra cotta. I can't believe how much time it takes to just paint and hand stuff. prep is a lot of time.

The weather was beautiful. I love it in the 70's.

like giving birth

Having my wisdom tooth pulled was like giving birth..you want to say lets forget this, leave it in I want to go home, but you know you can't. I did say mid pull, I'll just take care of it, we can forget this idea. Oops too late.

On the positive side, He said I have strong bones.

On the negative side he had to take a wooden mallet to it eat more Wheaties and beat it out. The root was twisted so it come out in two pieces.

It turns out my pcp told me the clindanizin he proscribed and gave to me yesterday presurgery, I'm alergic to. I haven't taken any more but my choices are so limited. doxycylin but no sulfa or pencyclin drugs and I hate enythroymecin. Maybe I don't need the drugs. It's hard to smile much.

Tonight I'm going to a play Arriving from Arrivada, the story of Mexican illegals walking across the Sonoran dessert to enter Arizona. It's in English and Spanish.

The potluck yesterday was great. A good thing before an extraction. I should have had done a r upper quadrant deep cleaning too as long as I was numb but I'm sure the oral and maxillofacial and facial cosmetic surgeon might not have wanted to do that.

He did tall me that he thought the bump I have on my tongue is 99% probably not cancer but just scar tissue from a place I bit. Now I have to get some antibiotics and go back in a week. Imagine they wanted to do 3 at once. Are they crazy? 1 was traumatic enough. I have 2 out 2 in. The last one 17 years ago was not as difficult but I was surprised then too that they just yank it out. This time they did drape me like for surgery to isolate my head and keep the area as sterile as possible. It was a good thing. I was bleeding a bit. I'm still in trauma and it's the next day.

I'm aware of the stitches and the swelling but there is really no pain. I did take one ibuprofen 800 mg last night at 1. He gave me 600mg. Imagine putting my age to the year and month on the bottle! It caused me to miss my nap. I fell asleep during ER.

Wisdom lost

Time to have another wisdom tooth pulled. Two to go but I need to go one at a time. Last week I broke a tooth chewing gum and a week later it was filled and may need a crown. Theses teeth are just getting old.

It doesn't help that I like bit of honey and sticky candy and gum.

The weather here in No. CA has been spectacular. "They" call it earth quake weather.

I'm planting my bulbs and put in paper whites and yesterday picked 3 more tomato's. In the back where they don't get enough sun I've yet to get one but the basil is fine. I need to more those sweet 100's to the front and see if I can get one this year from the plants I started in May as seeds.

The primroses and violets and inpatients look great.

My 4 new sets of blinds game yesterday. Three go in the kitchen to replace the woven wood that were there when I bought the house. The other set are for my office. I need to move the one there to the spare bedroom and put mine up again from under the bed.

My cat Lacey won't be happy. She likes to "Patrol" from up on that window and that is where she goes every a.m. around 6.

I'm having one more wall in the dining room painted melon, the color of cantaloupe. I hope they managed to match what the other one was. I did the first 3 2 years ago in the heat of the summer.

I just read the new Stuart Woods, "Stone Barrington" novel,

Shoot him if he runs

. Kept me up till 1. That must be why I woke at 7:15. I've got to start setting that alarm again.

We're having a potluck at school today. I made my carrot cake with cream cheese icing.

Painting

Armando just primed the front door and then it gets painted red. The trim is black. After 4 trips to Kelly Moore and one to Orchard Supply, my Sunday was filled with the farmers market and the Thai restaurant we love for this great coco, chicken soup with lemon grass, carrots, onion, cilantro, tomato and I also like their yellow chicken curry as hot as it is.
I hit the farmers market too.
After the Mexican market where I discovered carnitas I made the rounds home.

It was a spectacular weekend. I love October in CA.

Before I left on Friday I chose the winners for the bookmark contest at school.

I need to copy and laminate them now.

Black Monday

Remember when all the stocks took a dive? I lost a lot on paper.... It was Michael's birthday then too. This time it's friday.

Happy birthday Mr. Mickey! I hope you have great plans to go and celebrate.

I've been getting in to open up at 7:30. I've been getting some kids to sign up for a drawing and I have a few bookmarks but they come in for the games. Gift cards to Jamba Juice and Starbucks only go so far. I've been giving out pencils.

I'm running out of time each day to get things done.

Tomarrow I sign papers to redo my kitchen...new oven,lights,counter and cabinets. I'm having the living room upper windows replaced too, the fireplace eplaced with marble and new carpeting. I just got blinds for the kitchen and my office.

Fall

The leaves are changing and we had our 1st major rain storm.

I opened up early yesterday so the kids could come in. They want me to open at 7:30 v 8. I tried this morning but still was 16 min off in traffic. The rain didn't help though. The principal is checking my contract to see if librarian/teachers are required to be here different hrs, than the teachers. Well, then they should pay me more. I gave book talks today. I go to another school on Monday for

Teen Read Week

.

Everyone Bob and Pat and Peggy are off to Italy and I'm envious. I'd like to see Florence and Venice again and Rome, Milan and Turkey and Greece. I need 3 weeks at least. Traveling longer than that is too hard on me.

Then there is the diving I'd like to do in Australia. This would be a nice time for that too.

I'm planning on a clown for Halloween or pulling out Mom's ,mink stole out over a dress with a hat and heels and make a cake, carry it on a stand and be a 50's lady.

I'm up at 5.

Today I'm going to made Armando's chicken mole verde and plant my onion, garlic and shallot sets.

I had to go to two markets to find pumpkin seeds unshelled. They are distributed by Guadalajara out of L.A. Then I had to toast them till they popped and grind them. It smelled like coffee. Afterwards you add a cup of stock and simmer and it turns dark then add the tomatillos you simmered with serrano and jalapenos and chopped to the mix and simmer. Already it sounds too spicy to me.

While I was in the Mexican market I got a taco for lunch. I told him to put a tiny pit of salsa verde on it. Mistake. To me that means 4 drops. He put a lot. I ended up tossing the tortillas and heating more when I got home to add with crema and black beans. I told Armando I made his favorite. I can have some left over brisket ot carne asada or leftover cube steak or chicken mole with rice if it's too hot. I dipped a tiny piece of chicken in it to test but I really couldn't tell.

Toasting the pepetas (pumpkin seeds) reminded me of toasting Indian spices, black mustard seeds particularly.

I'm going to look into going to Belize or Costa Rica over Christmas or Spring Break. The trip to Belize goes through Charlotte so maybe I could see Nancy and Mikie n Michael.

Post Office

Yesterday I went to mail a baby present to Wesley and the first p.o. had moved. Then I went to the 2nd and was so irritated that I had to use a machine. Once I got home I realized it was Columbus day and all banks were. I was lucky to get it done at all.

The biggest pumpkin weighed in at 1500 lbs.

I have mine on top of my pillar in front. At school I got a small one and some Indian corn.

Since we shut down the school's ethernet Friday and Monday there were tons to check in. I also had to re thread the laminator, a pain, but with help from my library assistant Carol we got it done.

I've been putting kids to work to pay off their fines. There were over 11k in lost books.

The tomatoes and basil are still growing.

The Beach

This weekend was beautiful and we went to the beach driving over past all the pumpkin patches in 1/2 moon bay, Pescadero, Santa Cruz and Capatola. I love the drive next to the ocean. We sat on the beach for awhile and when he got too cold with only his shirt we
moved on. Everyone was out to enjoy the splendor. The weather was beautiful.
All the pumpkin patches are full. It's so wonderful to have the company. It's been a long time. I stopped at the 1/2 Moon Bay Nursery to stock up on bulbs, tulips, paper whites, amaryllis, freesias, iris and for the first time onion and garlic sets. I got my favorite pansies, mums, jonnyjumpups and primroses. It's time for cyclamen here.


I made a beef brisket, my first, the other night. I had it with Aunt Francis. Seems good but you have to cook it in liquid, wine and stock with garlic, onion and bay leaves. I also made Armando another pot of black beans.

Life is good.

It's almost soup weather. Once I eat the brisket and potatoes and carrots I think I'll make a pot of my favorite beef veggie soup. Why is beef brisket so expensive if you have to cook it so long? The same with short ribs?

We are preparing for Teen Read week October 15-19th. I'm presenting a booktalk on Magyk by Angie Sage and have a contest of making bookmarks and drawings for the most books read and book talks every 1/2 hr. The public library is having a drawing for Barnes and Noble gift certificates, movie passes, money and a movie and pizza. I can't compete but I do have them captive. The other is at 6 p.m.

I read the new Nora Roberts mystery High Noon.

I'm so happy not to be teaching the little I do in the library is just right.

Il Fornio's

We went out to a wonderful Italian dinner last light at Postrio's I had this great risotto with tiger shrimp and believe it or not Armando had a steak. With 5 types of bread homemade in the basket, me would have prefered tortillas. He did get a side of cannaloni beans he likes and spinach and gave me his yummy fingerling potatoes and a bite or two of the filet of his 22 oz steak. With all that food we could do without salad. Still I did have a Cospopolitan. He thinks they are horrid.
To each their own. They give a free give, olive oil, or this month it was polenta,then risotto and last month cannolini beans. In Nov. there is a calendar and at year's end a drawing for a trip to Italy.

I had my first meeting yesterday of the literary magazine. It's made of mostly of older students and some that worked on it last year which helps me.

I'm in the midst of my evaluation, writing it and will have it by the 15th.

I'm off to the dentist again on Fri. to get another filling fixed and then my annual glasses.

Feels like fall is here. I have a sweater in the morning but afternoons are sunny and 70. Time for mums and apples.

I think I may have jammed the laminator trying to change the film for the first time. Now the joys of the job begin, trying to eliminate the porn. site, fix the printer, clear the server, fix the tension on the laminator and unjam the film on the roller by unscrewing the roller or heat shield. Isn't their someone I can call?

The heat is back

Armando has the flu which leaves me free to eat my Indian chicken curry.

The 1/2 hr. lunch is not long enough.

School is busy and first progress reports are due today.

The teachers have their first mixer at a house and Persian food on Fri.

I'm looking forward to getting my first pay check.

The weather is climbing back into the 80's. It had cooled off and I was going to walk the track after school.

We have an early day, then group meetings, then teacher meetings then until 6 a school site council meeting. ugh

I found someone to do my ironing and my housekeeper and gardner come Sat.

Yom Kippur

Jews believe that you fast, pray for your sins to be forgiven, make ammends to those you have hurt, then break the fast with your family and celebrate the New Year.

May be all be inscribed in the book of life for another year.

Happy 30th birthday to Michael. Proud owner of his second house...quite a step up from the starter one.

The weather is changing. It's cooler in the mornings. Today we had our first rain just when I was finally getting around to putting the drip irrigation system in last night at 10 p.m. We have one more month for the tomatoes. cucumbers and basil. My English cucumber plant produced two cucumbers.

I made some salsa verde. I'm getting used to queso fresco. (new cheese, it's white, Mexican and granular) We have taco's a lot with tortillas, guacamole, cilantro, queso, puerco (pork marinated) de res or carne asada. My days of lettuce are gone but I still put crema either the Mexican which is more liquid or American sour cream. I've made frijoles negros y pinto de olla too. (black and pinto beans) I thought I made Armando his favorite, pollo mole verde but I made salsa verde de pollo. oops..Learning curve here.

School is going well and I'm busy. I'm going to be the sponser of the literary magazine. It's extra and unpaid andI may be volunteering too soon but it looks manageable....so far. I designed a web page and links this week and had a meeting with my department heads and peers.

Just read Body of Bones by Kathy Reichs.

Today, I'm washing curtains and purging the house of Lacey's cat hair.

textbooks

I've moved and checked out thousands of textbooks in un-air conditioned 91 degree August and September.

The first two weeks of school were a miserable short wearing blur. I was drenched and lost 10 lbs.
Now I've gotten some cataloging training and I actually know what I'm doing and feel a lot better.

I have a library assistant who has been there for awhile and that helps.

I was just the chaperone at the first dance and the back to school night all in the same week.

Now I just want some down time.

I made some black beans and Armando cut up poblano chili's in them with the liquid, dipped tortilla's and acted as if they were better than lobster.

Back to school

I'm conflicted about not teaching I kinda miss getting lesson plans together and setting up my classroom,,,after watching the kids and the effort it takes to teach, I'm glad to be where I am
on the other hand there is a lot of me to learn where I am as a librarian. So far there have just been orientation days

What I know is:
there is no air conditioning
those books are heavy
I'm using more gas in my 18 mile one way commute.
I can use the car pool lane in my hybrid
the school is old
It still takes too long to get there
there is too much traffic
It starts too early and they want me there at 7:30...not my best or most favorite time...it's not fair,...other teachers don't have to be there that early or stay until 3:30.
Yes, I know, life is not fair.

Armando and I pulled an all nighter roaming the city at 2, ging out to breakfast with the bar crowd and to sleep at 5. He was up at 9 cutting the grass and working for 5 hrs.
I grilled him a steak and made salad. The grilled corn was tough and the eggplant we got at the farmers market was ok. I had about 4 bites of meat and made a baked potatato after he left and a margarita.
I discovered these individually bottled ones. Thought I was drinking frozen dacquiri's last week but they turn out to be wine coolers. Anyway, gained back 5 lbs. so enough of that. He can drink, I can't.

Stunning

I drove all night Thursday leaving at 12:30 to get to Trinidad at 6:30. I DECIDED THIS BRIEF BREAk BEFORE SCHOOL WAS BETTER THAN TRYING TO GO ANYWHERE Over LABOR Day weekend.

Marilyn's her house is spectacular. She can see the ocean out of every window including from her bed, the shower and the toilet.

We had drinks on the deck and watched the sunset grilled our fish and tritip and enjoyed watching the moon reflecting on the ocean. The weather was spectacular.

If you didn't know how bad it could get you could be lulled into thinking it was always spectacular.

On Sat. we went to the farmers market in Arcadia as the students were returning to school. The prices are higher because their growing season is shorter.

This town is a flash back to the 60's and the styles are those never seen elsewhere.

I drove home after that to have some time to myself before starting my new job tomorrow.

I went to another farmers market here today.

Summer School is over

I'm heading up to see my friend in Trinidad. She has moved to a house on the ocean. As much as I dread the 6 hr. drive I appreciate it once I'm there.

The bloom is off the rose

How long does it take to have it fade?

Emiy's 35 on the 5th

I remember living in a 4th floor un air conditioned apartment when Emily was born. I was in summer school from 7-12 then worked from 1-10. You can only do that at 18.
Look at what a beautiful family she has made.

Tonight I convinced Armando we need to eat in more so we are having taco's Americano. Mexicans use tiny corn tortillas and put carne asada and salsa on them and that's it. Americans, even though they hate the meat at Taco bell. put cheese, creama, or sour cream meat lettuce and tomato and maybe avocado if they can fir it in. Armando will probably put salsa on to since i I forgot his jalapenos. I do have some tiny chilis from Vietnamese takeout that are guaranteed to blow his head off though.

Tomorrow pork tenderloin and potatoes and salad.

Comida

I just say I'm getting tired of Mexican food. Last night we went out to eat and my enchilladas had a salsa so hot I could not eat the tortilla but only the rice and chicken. I'm just a wuz, a gringa taste buds not trained on hot chili's.

I've been trying to figure out why this relationship feels so different. In my 20's, 30's and 40's I was more blase and took it for granted. Now at this age I appreciate the attention more and the complements. It's been a long while since I've had them.

I also have to apply for a CLAD credential. Another $55. to the state. There are more hoops to jump through.

I'm going to but Marilyn's refrigerator today. Someone else is picking it up to take it to Trinidad. I'd rather go there where she has a view of the beach from her bed than teach for another 2 weeks.