Catching up, Cookies.

When I last left off, I had just gotten the job I wanted and was off to bake cookies.   Everyone got their cookies for Christmas.  Choc chip, Oatmeal Raisin and, sugar cookies.  That's 3 batches of cookies made with Goodwill purchased equipment, by a non-baker.  Come join me on this journey, will you? 

BEFORE

AFTER

I found the baskets at Goodwill for 91 cents a piece.  Simple, Right???   Not so much.  To give you an idea.  I grabbed my camera, for the first time since the cookie baking adventure, and it's slimed with cookie dough.  I'm still finding chunks of cookie dough on the cabinets in the kitchen.  The mixer I found was one of those electric hand mixers.  I had to get a big bowl to mix the dough in, and I found a huge plastic one.   Plastic does not make a good mixing bowl, it's not very stable.  I'll tell you, that hand mixer is powerful.  It can fling flour and dough further than I would have ever imagined.  Maybe I can start a 'Punkin Chunkin' type event. 
I started with the sugar cookies, figuring they would be the easiest:

Red sugar ended up everywhere even though I tried to only use it over the sink.

Can you see the small chunks of dough all over??   The goofy dogs weren't sure what to think, they aren't used to seeing me in the kitchen.   They did help keep the floor clean. 

And here are the oatmeal raisin cookies I promised. 

Notice I went through 2 rolls of paper towels :0)

Here are the keepers:

They weren't fabulous.  The sugar cookies were a little too sweet and the choc chip cookies were probably not cooked quite enough.  They did have lots of love in them, and family was generous with their praise.  Got all my Christmas gifts in for under $75 and some good fun was had by all.  I'll say, if I have the choice, I'd rather have a job so I can spend a little more money and buy gifts.   That was how I spent my day before Christmas Eve :0)  Only took 6 hours to make 3 batches of cookies.  I think I'll keep my day job (now that I have one).  There is not a closet baker, inside me, fighting to get out. 

Settling in

Dogs and I are getting in to our new routine.  If I may say... this whole bra thing is just bizarre!  More on that later :0)  I promise to get the blog all caught up this weekend. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Things are great here.  Dogs are sleeping!  Christmas with the family went well.  Cookie baking was a fiasco.  I have pics I'll post soon.  Now, just getting ready for the new job.  I hate to shop! 

I hope the New Year finds you all safe and well.  Be gentle with each other.  I'm so thankful you are here. 

Let's All Do the "WE're employed" dance

Just got off the phone and immediately jumped up to wiggle around the house and dance with the doggies.  BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER!!!  Thanks for hanging in here with me Blogland! 
Thanks for all the prayers and crossed fingers and good thoughts.  HURRAY FOR US!  I Got the Job I Wanted Most!!  YEAH!!!!  Time to start off on another path!!  HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!!  Tomorrow, I start my cookie baking adventure!  I'll get pics and let you know how it goes.

drum, drum, drum, (can you hear my fingers tapping?)

The second interview went very well.  I really like the people I would be working with.  Good vibes!!  It just felt like a place I would like to be.  The boss said they would let me know today.  They checked my references on Friday.    If I stare at the phone, can I will it to ring?

One Baby Step Forward

Second interview for the research job today.  The more people I meet and the more I learn about the job, the more I want it.  They are so warm & friendly.  Hopefully, my enthusiasm for the job will win them over.  They said they would let me know on Monday.  Thanks for all the crossed fingers, good thoughts, positive vibes, and prayers.  Keep it up!

Christmas Decorating

I had a nice time with my mom.  The first time I have gotten to decorate with her for many years.  The dogs got to spend the day in the back yard and were DOG tired when we got home :0)  We bought some of the new LED Christmas Tree lights.  They are multi-colored and very bright.  I'm sure the tree will look fabulous once the sun goes down. 

Here is my favorite Christmas decoration of all time.  She has been at every Christmas.  The run in her wings is something I did, when I was playing with her (many years ago).  If I wind up the bottom, she plays silent night and spins slowly.  One of those things that has had a place in my Christmas forever.  If she could talk, I'm sure she would have some stories.  Then again, her eyes are closed.  Her stories might be from an unusual perspective :0)

I finished my second interview for the home health job yesterday.  I went to my first interview for the research job yesterday.  I really want that research job!  I have my second interview for the research job on Thursday.  The weather is FABULOUS today.  Days like this remind me how much I like living in Denver.  I'm feeling great, it's just that pesky lack of income thing that is bugging me a little :0)   I will commence cookie baking on Monday.  I'll get pics and keep you posted.  Keep your fingers crossed for the research job!

This will be the first time, in many years, I have had ALL the holidays off (Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years Eve & New Years day).  At my old job, we had to pick which two holidays we could have off and work the others. 

• Beautiful weather today so I can open the windows
• Happy dogs
• Netflix to keep me entertained.
• Fabulous family and time off to enjoy them.
• Options, options, options!!!