Bread Sticks

Boy, did my house smell good when these came out of the oven!  Garlic and parmesan...........mmm, mmm, good! (My apologies to Campbell's soup)

Of course I had to post this picture on Facebook and taunt people with it...I was thinking mostly of my children, who know very well what these smell and taste like!  Of course, when they were at home, we needed a double batch (although Mr. Mahan would argue that we STILL need a double batch--especially since these are already gone!)

Here's the recipe.  Credit goes to my friend Shellie Schultz, who probably brought them to a church dinner oh, so many years ago, when we were in the Broomfield 2nd Ward family, and then graciously shared the recipe.  Thanks, Shellie!

375 degrees                  20 minutes

1 TBSP yeast
2 TBSP sugar
1 1/2 cups warm water
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups flour (plus more for kneading)
1 stick margarine
garlic powder
Parmesan cheese

Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water.  Add salt and flour.  Knead lightly. Rest on floured board for 10 minutes. Melt margarine in 9 x 13 pan or larger (You see I use a cookie sheet).  Knead out air bubbles, and divide dough into 18 sticks, rolled in buttered pan.  Raise 20 minutes; sprinkle with garlic powder and parmesan (to taste!).  Bake 20 minutes.  Voila!

Told you it was easy!  Enjoy!

Cindy

Diary of a School District Employee on Spring Break: Day 3

https://youtu.be/bxS9N-npE2Q

"Monday, Monday,so good to meee............."  Well, it is when you're on vacation!!  My Monday was quiet and relaxing.  Here's the scoop:

*Actually showered and got dressed before noon
*Finished filling dishwasher and ran it
*Mikey came home for lunch and we enjoyed sitting down and watching "Love It or List It" during his break
*Made homemade breadsticks (recipe to be posted in the next blog entry), Hearty Harvest soup (a yummy Pintrest find), and cupcakes for our dinner and to take to a gentleman in our ward who is still recovering from a fall he took off a roof a couple of months ago.  Needed to empty dishwasher, fill and run again after all that cooking!
*Ran a couple of errands..dropped off Mikey's only suit coat at the dry cleaners, made a small deposit at the bank to prevent overdrawing...you know, that kind of stuff.
*Checked Facebook and my Words with Friends games repeatedly....
*Facetime conversations with Stef, Jen and Lisa, all within an hour.  Feast or famine...I'm home all day, but they're used to calling me after 4 when they know I'm home from work.
*A couple of Big Bang Theory reruns, and it's off to bed.

Thrilling, eh?  I know, I know, you wish you were me.

Diary of a School District Employee on Spring Break: Day 2

And just like that, it's Sunday evening.  Remember how I said that I love the Friday evening part of the weekend, when it all lies before me?  Well, here's the runner-up--a Sunday evening when I DON'T have to get up and go to work the next day.  Aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh..............

Without further ado, my activities from Sat afternoon through now:

*DID scrub tub, DID shower and shave legs
*Got Taco Bell for lunch....I don't know why I torture myself.  Our Taco Bell is infuriatingly slow.  Two cars in the drive-through, nobody in the lobby, and I still put the car into park and checked email while I waited for my food.
*Hangout chat with my girls to discuss our Book Club selection this month.  If you want to know how I feel about this month's selection, "The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out A Window and Disappeared", check out my review on Goodreads.  The one I'll write tomorrow.
*Fixed french toast for dinner--this is notable only because it saved the life of our toaster.  Yesterday I threw it away because it wouldn't catch and heat up.  Well, I plugged my mini griddle into the same outlet to make french toast (I do love breakfast for dinner!), and it didn't heat up either.  (LIGHT BULB!)--Sure enough, that outlet has a safety switch on it, and it had popped.  So I pushed the button back in, the griddle heated up, and Michael went to the trash and retrieved the toaster.  He even called me a genius.  THAT needs to be recorded for posterity!
*Re-read "Holes" (by Louis Sachar).  Every year since I became a school librarian, we have watched "Holes" during library time with the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders.  I started that because I was evicted from the library for the first couple of years that I worked there so it could be used for state testing.  Not much else to do when you have library in the classroom, so I picked that movie.  If I do show movies during library time, I tell the kids that I will only choose ones that started as books.  "Holes" is perfect...it's funny, it's clever, sweet, and there's nothing I enjoy more than watching the kids' faces when all the plot pieces start to come together.  SO, after watching it 12 times each March for the last 4 years, I figured it was time to revisit the written story.  Still love it.

Sunday:

*Got up about 7:30, right after Michael headed to church for his meetings.
*Played on computer a bit
*Watched "Music and the Spoken Word" on the computer--it's one of the things I like about 11 am church, that I can watch that beforehand.
*Showered, dressed, etc.
*Ate some cereal, and remembered an hour later that today was Fast Sunday.  I hate it when that happens.
*Went to church, my lesson went well.  Stayed after for choir practice.
*Came home, changed clothes, went outside and pulled out the pool for Viva.  Filled it.  It was in the low 70's today--heaven.
*We ate dinner early, almost as soon as Michael got home from church.
*Plugged in the first Hobbit movie.  I slept through about 1.5 hours of it, but at least I woke up in time for Bilbo and Gollum to play Riddles in the Dark. Pivotal.
*Crocheted on the Guzman afghan.  This thing is monstrous, and feels like I'm NEVER going to finish it.

So there you go.  The weekend is over.  All weekends disappear as quickly as this one did, but I sure don't mind as much when there are vacation days ahead.  Onward!

Diary of a School District Employee on Spring Break: Day 1

I got started on this blog life almost 3 years ago, when someone posted a fun question of the day blog challenge for a month.  I was in Broomfield, helping my oldest after the birth of her 2nd baby, and figured --What the heck--I might as well jump on this technology train, too.

I've enjoyed it.  It's been a neat way to share my thoughts with others, but mostly, with myself.  So, today I decided I will chronicle my 2015 Spring Break.  Entry #1:

I count my break starting from Friday night.  Friday nights are the best, anyway, when you work a M-F job, because the weekend, with all it's possibilities, lies before you.  It's magical.  So I ate dinner with Michael, finally changed out the photos from 2013 that filled my collage frames in the living room (the 2014 selections are a few highlights from Powderhorn.  It truly was the pinnacle of the year), watched a little NCAA Elite Eight basketball, and, when I got tired of that, came back to the bedroom to see what else was on TV.  Nuthin.  Had a nice chat with Holly, and then decided to surf Netflix on my iPad to see what looked interesting.

Winner: Sense and Sensibility.  Someday, if anyone wants to have a "Book/Movie" chat about that movie, please invite me.  I have lots to say about it.  For now, let's just say that the actors are amazing, the story is epic, and Emma Thompson deserved that Oscar for best adapted screenplay. Oh, and then there's the interesting fact that at least 5 of those actors appeared in Harry Potter movies later on. Cool.

So now it's Saturday.  Slept in (well, stayed in bed) until 8.  Yippee! It's now noon, and I've accomplished the following: (not in order)

*Folded clean laundry
*Hung up laundry
*Washed CPAP equipment (I hate that job)
*Poured Drano down one of our bathroom sinks, then boiled a pan of water 1.5 hours later and poured it down the sink.  Much better.
*Opened front door and several windows to let in spring
*Started new load of laundry
*Washed dirty pots/pans (Another of my hated chores)
*Threw away the toaster (it won't catch/heat up)
*Planned my lesson for Sunday School
*Watched my cute great-nephew on Facebook (Cathy's grandson)
*Made my bed

Huh.  Looks pretty productive, laid out like that.  Yay, me.  But here's what I hope to do in the second half of the day:

*Scrub out my tub (I already sprinkled the Comet...I have to do that, cuz it MAKES me clean it before I can shower)
*Shower and shave my legs (TMI!?)
*Video conference with my daughters to hold our 2nd monthly Book Club chat
*Hang up the remaining Easter decorations (Guzmans are coming for Easter--gotta be ready!)

Having guests for the weekend, and Easter weekend at that, is going to be my main motivator for the week.  Gotta clean for the grandkids.

Will this entry benefit anyone but me?  Nope.  But maybe, someday, as I'm reading old posts, I'll look back fondly on what I accomplished during this week.  And hopefully, I'll feel just as satisfied with what I DIDN'T do, too.

And that's the way it was.  Saturday, March 28, 2015.

The bla bla blog (OR, a point of procrastination)

I'm procrastinating.

I've gotten worse about it in the past couple of years.  I'm well aware when I'm doing it, and yet I don't stop.

Today is a typical day-after-traveling day, when procrastination is at its worst.  I just got back from visiting my Utah family.  Michael and I drove over on Christmas Eve for dinner and then opening gifts that night AND on Christmas morning.  Then we had our Christmas Day "linner", and my dear husband headed home so he could be back at work the next day.  I stayed, with no specific plan as to how to get home.  I just wanted more time with my kids and grandkids.  I AM on vacation, after all!

It was lovely.  I saw 3 movies, which comes close to my usual year-long movie theater attendance record. I colored, read, sang, watched Frosty and Rudolph, and played Princess Candyland with my granddaughters.  I talked, laughed, cleaned and relaxed with my daughters and my sons-in-law.  And I rode on the train for the very first time in my life (if you don't count the Durango-Silverton train, which I rode as a teenager once).

And now I'm home.  Here is what I planned to do at home while on my break:

1. Sew.  I need to finish the last few valance panels for my library. And shorten a pair of jeans I just bought so I can wear them when school starts again.

2. Crochet. I have a huge afghan, commissioned by Lisa and Hondo, that has been in the works for a year and a half, interrupted often by friends/family having babies (the NERVE!).  So I had to stop the big one and make the baby afghans.  Since I have two grandchildren on the way in 2015, I'd better get this big thing done so I can tackle the others.

3. Purge.  My closet needs it.  My laundry room storage area needs it.  You understand.

4. Blog. Ta-da!

5. Update my Goodreads -  I have several books I've read but not cataloged.  I stated more than once this week, in discussing books with my girls, that I could see myself spending a LOT of time on Goodreads once I'm retired (which ain't happening for at least 7 more years), because I really enjoy, not only reading, but writing reviews on what I've read! I do it for myself more than anything, but it's a huge ego boost to see someone I do not know "like" one of my reviews!  My girls are all amazing writers, and I enjoy reading their reviews, too.

6. Shutterfly - every year, for the past 2 or 3, I have made a photo calendar on Shutterfly and ordered them for each of my children and my parents.  Problem is, I wait until January so that I have photos from the entire previous year from which to choose...and so, by the time the calendar is made and shipped, it's February!  I should just have the calendar start then...but wouldn't it end up being the same cycle?? Jen and I get the shaft, since we're the January babies...

My point in listing all of this is that I'm doing none of it.  Zero. Zilch. Nada.  OK, I'm blogging, but that is actually a procrastination of all the other things. Although I did actually get the calendar started...I have the first 6 months completed. I did that on Thanksgiving weekend.  Forever ago.

And no, I haven't showered yet today either.  I'm in my very snuggly warm fleece robe.  And my memory foam pink camo slippers.  Bet you're wishing I was taking accidental selfies NOW, huh? (That was a reference to my latest Facebook profile picture).  I want that George Jetson shower/get dressed machine.

Well, thanks for joining me on the Procrastination wagon...cuz face it, if you're reading this, you are probably putting off something WAY more worthwhile and productive! Maybe, in a future blog, I can share which of those items (if any!) I actually completed.

I wish you all the best in 2015--odd years are usually worse than even years for me, but the multiples of 5 are the exceptions.  Don't ask me why I feel this way, I just do. Maybe I could apply for a government grant and study that concept (If you are born in an even year, does that influence whether or not all even years will be better than the odd years?).  And don't look for any "Goals for 2015" or "Best of 2014" lists from me. I'm not in the mood.  I AM on vacation, after all! (Seems like I've heard that line before...)

Happy New Year!

Love, Cindy

P.S.  I did get my Christmas decorations put away last night...does that count for something?

Sunday morning

It's not even 8 a.m. on a quiet, chilly Sunday morning.  Against my will, I have been awake since just after 6.  I should already be showering and getting ready for church.  I have a Sunday School lesson to teach, and I definitely need to be spiritually fed.  Yet I'm sitting here at the computer, wondering if I really have anything to say...and saying it anyway.

This past week was very, very long.  In a way, I'm glad to say that it is the first week of this school year that seemed to drag.  For the most part, time has been flying by.  When school first starts, I tell myself it will be no time at all until Halloween hits.  Well, hit it did, and now we are closing in on Thanksgiving.  My, my, my, how the time doth fly.

Back to this week.  Couldn't tell you why it was so slow.  All I know is that I was ready for Friday on Tuesday.  Weather changing?  Could be a factor.  Still adjusting to the time change?  Always a possibility.  Anticipating the holiday break, and anxious to be with family?  Very likely.

When weeks (or days or hours) drag on, one of my first thoughts is that I need to focus on what I like about NOW....what is, (or will be) good about this hour, this day, this week.  I like to anticipate upcoming events as much as the next kid, but then I make myself stop and remember that if I spend too much time looking ahead to what will be, that I'll fail to enjoy what IS.  And it can be a challenge...finding something to look forward to on this day.  But I won't give up on that.  I have a fear of wishing my life away, I guess.

So, today, I'm looking forward to a (hopefully) good Sunday School lesson.  I am grateful for the people I "teach" (I'm really more of a facilitator...I throw out the topic and relevant scriptures, and let them teach me!).  I love our dedicated, caring bishop. (Well, I'm married to him.) And I'm looking forward to AFTER church...practicing Christmas music with the choir, then home to try a new crockpot recipe and take a nap.  Now THAT's something to anticipate!

But I will wish for this...that the coming week won't be so slow.  Because I AM anxious for Thanksgiving, and the time I'll get to spend with some of my babies and their babies.  Yeah, yeah, I'll try to focus on what I can enjoy about the 17th through the 21st....wish me luck.

Rants, Vents and Grumps

“I no longer have patience for certain things, not because I’ve become arrogant, but simply because I reached a point in my life where I do not want to waste more time with what displeases me or hurts me. I have no patience for cynicism, excessive criticism and demands of any nature. I lost the will to please those who do not like me, to love those who do not love me and to smile at those who do not want to smile at me.

I no longer spend a single minute on those who lie or want to manipulate. I decided not to coexist anymore with pretense, hypocrisy, dishonesty and cheap praise. I do not tolerate selective erudition nor academic arrogance. I do not adjust either to popular gossiping. I hate conflict and comparisons. I believe in a world of opposites and that’s why I avoid people with rigid and inflexible personalities. In friendship I dislike the lack of loyalty and betrayal. I do not get along with those who do not know how to give a compliment or a word of encouragement. Exaggerations bore me and I have difficulty accepting those who do not like animals. And on top of everything I have no patience for anyone who does not deserve my patience.”

OK, I was going to share the above quote and say "Thank you, Meryl Streep.  I just thought it was menopause."  However, that clever quip will not work, because, in looking for the quote online, I discovered a site that said the quote was NOT Meryl's, it was just attributed to her and went viral.  According to this site (seniorplanet.org), the actual author of that tidbit is  "Portuguese self-help author/life coach José Micard Teixeira" - but it sounds oh, so much more VALID coming from a more-than-mid-life, silver-haired Academy Award winner, doesn't it?!

Whatever. For some reason, it just seems to match perfectly with the reason I'm blogging today.  I'm tired. And I'm frustrated. And I'm disillusioned. Let's take the following:

1. Politics: How many more days until this year's elections?  If I hear one more ad for Amendment #68 (Pandora seems to think I have a special interest in this one), or any other number of political sound bites for amendments, ballot referendums or candidates, I'm going to turn off all electronic devices.  Here's my problem--I really DO want to be more informed.  I really DO want to learn enough to feel like I'll be making a definitive choice on my ballot--a choice consistent with what I feel is best for me, my loved ones and my country.  But HOW? The above quote is a prime example of my dilemma! How on EARTH do I know what "truths" are out there? So much of it is subjective, and whenever I think I have a clearer understanding of an issue, someone else comes along and tells me "How could you think that way? What about this?"  Maybe my problem is that I belong to the George McFly club; I'm just no good at confrontations.  And I'm sorry, but I feel like any political discussion these days is confrontational.  There is no way to bring up these topics without someone doing their best to convert you to their point of view.  I just want the facts, ma'am. So stop it.  I don't like it. Why can't we all just get along?

2. Technology: Oh, the love/hate relationship I have with my aforementioned electronic devices.  I LOVE being able to facetime with my children and grandchildren. I love that these babies KNOW their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins by sight and sound, no matter how far away they are.  That is, until it takes me 5 tries of hanging up and calling again, before it finally connects. Then the picture turns fuzzy and it says "Poor connection-video will be restored when connection resumes" or some such thing, and in the meantime I miss the punch line of whatever story someone is sharing with me.  Or that it takes me 3 dropped calls to continue a conversation when I'm in the car between Montrose and Grand Junction, because we happen to live in a part of the world that is 3D.  And wireless--sigh. At this point, I probably need a new router, and that could solve part of the spotty service I get in my own home...but geez. I have to practically sit next to the router to get the most uninterrupted service....what's the point??

3. Housework: I'm tired of it. I'm tired of feeling like I'm always behind on it. I want the vacuum to be robotic, the clothes to hang and fold themselves, and the bathrooms to sanitize automatically.  Is that so much to ask? This is a stage that I hadn't counted on--true, when there were 8 of us, plus a dog or two, there was more to do, but there were more people to do it. Now there are still the same amount of chores to do, (in slightly smaller amounts), but there's just Mikey and me to do them.  Bleh.

OK, those were the biggest whining topics. For now. Tomorrow I may feel differently about any or all of them.  Right now I highly doubt it. I will probably feel the same about them all, but perhaps I'll be busy doing something fun that will distract me for awhile. One can only hope.