DC United (3) and Columbus Crew (1)

 

Last weekend we went to the DC United home opener. It was the most exciting DC United game we have ever attended. They scored 3 goals...more in one game than the sum of their first 10 games last season. Maybe that is an exageration but not by much. We had seats in the uber-fan area so we ended up moving to the other side of the field so that we could sit down for the second half of the game. Leo was cheering and getting all excited during the game and Aidan was remaining as cool as ever. Leo also kept looking for the cotton candy guy. Jason let us leave about 10 minutes early so that we could avoid the rush and get out of the stadium calmly and without the bum rush of a crowd. It was a fun game.

On the Sunday following, we got up and drove down to the Lincoln Memorial and ate breakfast on the steps between the Lincoln Memorial and the Potomac. We haven't been there in so long! Leo said, "What Mom? Has it been 5 years?" I told him that he remembers coming there so maybe it was about 1 year ago. Time has no meaning when you are five.

After we had breakfast, we took a trip to my new office. We dropped off some books, pictures and tres important papers. I really don't know why I kept some of the things from my old office and then brought them to my new office because I have the feeling I'm not going to use them but whatever...it was fun for the boys and Jason to see my office. The building is enormous. We figured out that you could walk around the building just on one floor and walk 0.6 miles. Lots of people walk at lunch and at the end of the day around the building.

8 days on the job

Officially, my new job started two weeks ago...on February 28. When I arrived I didn't even have a place to sit. Fortunately, I had planned to take the rest of the week off so that I could regroup and refocus and relax. My new organization was extremely kind.

My second day was then Monday, March 7. I arrived with an actual place to sit and to my surprise a telephone! The computer on the other hand was a totally different story. At 5pm on Tuesday, March 15th I finally entered the electronic age and have a computer. Could you imagine that it takes an organizations with 100,000 employees all over the world over 2 weeks to get an employee a computer? At this point there have probably been over 20 people involved in this process. Each day I met someone new who claims to be working on this computer request or who thinks they can help.

I feel like a new person connected to the world again. Okay so I can't really complain that much because I got an iPhone during the same time. (Love It!) But I digress... Today was an actual efficient and normal work day. I felt good. We had meetings and they went well. Reflecting, I can't believe I have really only been there for a week and half and I'm already telling people what they should do and how they should it (that is my job). I'm scared that my honeymoon phase is leaving too quickly. I was hoping for more time to reflect, read, and become aware. That seems to be slipping away so quickly.

I took a picture of my new cubicle. It was put together while I was out of the office. My colleagues, very kindly, were concerned with my privacy (because I have none) so they tried to help me with it. I took a picture with my old cell phone and I am trying to download the picture. Stay tuned because it results in a bit of a chuckle.

I hope everyone has a Happy St. Patty's Day. Inspired by Barb, I am cooking corned beef, cabbage and potatoes--only I am cooking it on Friday instead of tomorrow! There is only so much you can do on a week night.

mydogspace.com

White Chip Orange Cookies

Possibly the best cookies in all the land. My friend and colleague, Ronnie Campbell, shared her white chip and orange cookie recipe with me. I think it is one of the best cookies to be made and eaten. Since the recipe is not online, I thought I would include it here in a post for all of you to try the next time you feel like making cookies.

I made them today on my last week-day off because I have been planning to make them for about 6 months and just have never gotten to it. If you want to know why I haven't really gotten to it in the last 6 months check out thotlady's most recent blog on cooking and baking.

I'm also going to try to start a new tab at the top of the blog with recipes, especially those that can't be found online. For other great recipes check out the side panel on the right which has links to some of my favorite online recipes...I just added the pork shoulder recipe which is simple to make, it just requires time since the pork shoulder needs to marinate for at least 3 hours and it takes 45 minutes/pound to cook (I'm cooking a 5lb pork shoulder today).

White Chip Orange Cookies

2¼ cups all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup butter or margarine, softened 
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 to 3 teaspoons grated orange peel
2 cups (12-ounce package) Nestle Toll House Premier White Morsels

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in egg and orange peel. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Drop dough by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Let stand for 2 minutes; remove to racks to cool completely. Makes 39 cookies.
 
I used 3 teaspoons of grated orange peel and Ronnie often uses 4 teaspoons so depending on your tastes you can mix it up.
 
One thing that I found funny is that Ronnie said that it makes 39 cookies. Jason and I were saying "how do you get 39 cookies?" It is SO precise and it is not even part of a dozen or an even number. Hilariously, when I made them, it made 39 cookies!! Without any thought, I made 4 sheets of 9 with 3 extra! When I told Jason we just started cracking up. Why I ever doubted Ronnie on numbers is beyond me because Ronnie is a retired auditor who has spent several years in the Office of the Inspector General for a number of organizations! What was I thinking????
 
Enjoy!!

Aidan got a haircut!

Aidan has been growing his hair out for about 6 months now. It started out short and then he just let it grow and grow. He has beautiful blondish-reddish hair with a bit of a wave. His hair grew so long that it was so long that it covered his eyes. He liked it that way, mom didn't. He could wipe his nose with is bangs. Come on...he didn't...but he could.

We took him to Hair Cuttery near our house and he and Jason both got their haircut this afternoon. We went after school and he was not thrilled. I had to bribe him or threaten him..whatever (I told him his friend couldn't come over tomorrow if kept whining and complaining about it). He was pretty quiet after that. I just wanted her to style it a little and cut the split ends.

Aidan got his first grown up haircut! She shampooed his hair and trimmed it and he was smiling the whole time. When we were going home, he said he was trying not to smile but he couldn't help it. I promised him that I would not let her cut a lot off. I gave the stylists instructions right in front of him so he could hear and he seemed content.

He looks great and so happy afterwards. How come kids just won't trust that parents know best, especially when they are 8?

(Aidan with his new hair cut and his "whatever mom, bob of the head, i'm too cool for this" look)

New Beginnings

I have a new job. I started on Monday but I am taking the rest of the week off so I that I can reboot. On Monday, I spent most of the day filling out paperwork and taking a tour of my new building. I feel like a kid, getting to know my new building, figuring out where the bathroom is, where the cafeteria is and trying not to get lost.

It's fun and exciting and seems silly. I'm happy.

I miss my friends at my previous job but I know we will always be friends. Besides, I'm only 8 blocks away or so, on the other side of the national mall.

My great friends and colleagues took me out to lunch to celebrate new beginnings. I'm so fortunate to have such kind, fun, good humored, and thoughtful friends. We had a delicious meal at Oyamel and laughed and talked. It couldn't have been better.

(Doris, Amy, Becs, Sarah and Joan)

I'm hoping with my new job, that I will have more time to write on the blog and start again to share our goings on.