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.

What a difference a night makes

Dinner out and time together and all is better in my world. It surprises me the difference between my 29's 30's and 40's. Maybe it's because I appreciate him more.?

I got all my papers graded. Now I'm back to reading the book and making quizes. The fact that I've got this week to coast helps. I'm doing a peotry unit.

We are still trying to replace a math teacher.

Gilroy Garlic Festival

Never let it be said that there is not garlic ice cream and wine to go with the scampi. The garlic festival takes 3 days each year and the air for 30 miles is redolent of garlic. The crowds line up to buy a taste of everything garlic. My favorites are the scampi and the mushrooms. have your honey eat plenty too so when you share you don't notice the reek.

Since he was banned from the wedding I don't think I'm supposed to be so attached but I feel addicted. I've grown spoiled and accustomed to his presence. When he wants some time off I want him here. I'm angry. Yes, I do need the time to grade my papers and he said he was coming over last night and didn't. If he told me earlier I would have made other plans. I am/was ticked. I understand he was working very hard and I wasn't but do I have to be rational about the way I feel?

When I wanted to read he insisted on coming over for dinner and then stayed to be near me while I read...well what's the difference?

He also told me the other night that he didn't like left overs well duh...some are really good.

Up late

We went out were up till 2 and I slept in this morning.

I got up, cleaned the kitchen and found more ants even with the traps!:-(

I got these huge scallops and prawns at the farmers market along with picked crab. Yum. I don't think Armando wver had a scallop before.

I love it when the restaurants are open till one. My neighborhood is much quieter than his. I have neighbors but we zip into the garage and at his house it seems like everyone is watching everything, even at one a.m.

I finished correcting one set of papers last night before I saw him.

I cut up cantaloupe, nectarine and have my last apricot, some strawberries, rasberries and blueberries for breakfast.

So glad it's Friday

I needed to read my book The Numa Files but Armando insisted on not waiting but coming over with dinner. It's a good thing he did. I didn't finish the book till 4:30. Then it took another 1/2 to fall asleep. I read two other books that weren't due before that one was. an error...but Harry Potter was calling.

I'm showing Schlinder's List to my seniors. Since they had so little effect to Night I thought they needed some visual stimulus.
By Monday they should all get their books. I got Mr. Holand's Opus for my other class.

Hopefully I'll get their papers graded this weekend.

I'm meeting Caro at the Farmer's market to dissect the spices in the Indian chicken curry. Armando brought chicken mole verde. I need to make some. His is too hot and it has bones. I use only chicken breast and take the skin off. In the store they use thighs and leave the skin on.

Went to the Santa Clara District Office and signed my contract but I need a media credential and a few more papers. Hope I can get it or I'm back to teaching. Well I called the Office of Ed. and they say it should be no problem. A few more hoops to jump through and more money.

I went to get a new ss card and almost had to strip to get through the metal detector.

The Gilroy Garlic Festival and the Grand Prix is going on downtown. Time to stay home and maybe go to a concert in the park on Sun.

A night off

I was getting used to his company but tonight we both have other things to take care of.


I have an appointment at the District office to check in tomorrow.

Then I have to be fingerpinted again.

Tomarrow is vocabulary test day again and I haven't graded their papers from last week.

I have been putting off grading papers and I was behind in lesson preparation especially for my 11/12th graders.

We started a unit on poetry and yesterday and today on Poe. We read the Raven and Fall of the house of Usher then on to the Romanic poets after that. They have their research paper and I want to give each of them a new book. TheOutsiders, Nothing but the Truthand The Night is a lonely hunter. Now I have to read them too and make quizes.

Finished the latest Stephanie Plum novel. Have a Stuart Woods once waiting. This is all playing havoc on my reading!

Two of my classses have been working on business letters.

Horocruises

Finished Harry Potter at 3 a.m. Some of my students beat me to it. Now at least they can get their papers graded again.

Armando made dinner for me at his place.

At least 2 grocery stores I know have the service where they clean a fish and deep fry it. He got one for each of us. All that was left on his was the head. I left a bit more but tried to get it all. He had to show me. Then he had mole, a type of guacamole,avocado, tomatoes and cheese.

At least he made me get my "key" out of the car. I have been lazy and since my car is key less have been leaving the key in my bag while I go into the store and not setting the alarm. I set it last night. I still leave it in the car in my garage. When I got home I finished reading.