Cookies

I have recently discovered a passion I have for baking cookies. It all started because of my friend Kim; she loves to bake. After sitting in on a couple of her baking projects, I ventured out to make a cookie batch of my own. I found recipies online, on flour packages, butter boxes, and I also asked my mom for hers.

My first cookies were oatmeal rasin. I'm not a big fan of oatmeal cookies, but my dad had left a box of oatmeal from when he visited, and I most definitely do not like to eat oatmeal. I decided to put it to good use. The cookies turned out great! They were a big hit at work.

I then went on to make chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. I started buying better bakeware and more baking accessories. I was making investments in my cookie adventures.

I asked my mom to send me the cookie recipie she uses for the sugar cookies I so fondly remember from my childhood. I tweaked the recipie a little, but I still tell people it's the recipie my mom used when I was little.

I made sugar cookies for the superbowl, shaped like little footballs and frosted in the colors of the teams playing. It was my first batch of sugar cookies. I was discovering how thick or thin to roll the dough and how smooth to make the frosting. I still made it too runny and it dripped down the sides of the cookies.

For Valentine's Day, I made six batches of sugar cookies! I cut out 5 different sized hearts, made 5 different colored frostings, used 4 types of sprinkles, and delivered 9 plates of cookies to friends, neighbors, and coworkers.

Also, I made thicker than usual cookies and slightly runnyer frosting so that the kids in my class could enjoy decorating cookies as a class project this past week! It was so fun. The kids loved it, I was proud of it, and we all enjoyed eating the cookies!

I think I really got this sugar cookie thing down now. I have mastered the frosting to make it smooth on top without running off the edges. But I still need to work on my decorating frosting. You know, the kind you squeeze out to draw designs. Guess I'll just have to make more cookies!

I really enjoy the whole process of baking cookies. I especially like eating them. But you know what, I LOVE giving them to people! Cookies make people happy. And it's fun to show off my edible art. I get to be creative with sugar cookie decorating. It's passion you can taste!

Death and Taxes

I started my taxes as soon as I got my W2 forms. I was disappointed by the smaller than expected federal refund (though thankful I didn't owe), frustrated to find out California isn't paying out its returns (because they are broke!), and mad that I owe so much to Oregon (though it's less than what I saved this year in would-be sales tax).

After all was said and done, I will get back (less what I owe), about enough for one month's car payment. Look on the bright side, Amy...at least you don't owe money on all three returns!

Sisterly Love

My two sisters who live in California are coming up later this week to stay with my sister who lives in Oregon, like me. =) They are coming to meet baby Daniel, our nephew (Valerie's son).

Since I now have weekends off, I will be spending this one with all of my three sisters, my niece, and my two nephews!

This will be my sister Becky's first time in Oregon ever. Both of my California sisters are packing to bundle up! With daily weather in the 40's and 50's, they're going to need those extra layers of clothes.

I remember how shocked I was when I visited last November and found myself out in 47 degree weather. I didn't think it was possible to ever get used to. But I surprised myself after moving here. I adjusted quite quickly, actually. Now I will get to tease my bundled up sisters as my Oregon sister teased me last year.

It will be so nice to have us all together. I love my sisters.

Meet Miss Amy

I started my new job as a preschool teacher. It is amazing.

There is no doubt about it, it is hard work. But, at the end of my work days, I've felt good. Tired, but happy. We are, of course, still adjusting. It is a new center and we are working out the kinks. But things are still running fairly smoothly, and I can tell they will only get better.

Once the center starts growing and I get more students, we'll have to hire an aide which will be a big help. I'm looking forward to everything that lays ahead.

I'm already enjoying the 8am-4:30pm Monday through Friday schedule. =)

Health Insurance

I'm searching for the right health insurance. Ugh! I knew this would be a difficult process, but I had no idea it would be this obnoxious! There are so many variables: deductibles, office visit copay, prescription copay, coinsurance, annual out of pocket limit, lifetime maximum, optional coverage (vision and dental). And no two plans are identical!

Insurance is a strange thing to begin with. I mean, I'm trying to pick how much money I want to give to someone, while hoping the money is wasted. Basically. My dad called it "betting against myself." I'm placing bets hoping to lose! Paying money for services I hope to never need. All the while trying to keep my deductible low enough to manage if something does happen. Weird concept.

Anyway, after literately looking for weeks, I think I found the plan for me! Medical, dental, and vision. Good, trustworthy name company. Lots of doctors. Manageable payments (I hope).

With fingers crossed and prayers said...here we go!

Sunday Sunday Sunday

Sunday is for church. I'm going to church with some friends tomorrow morning. It's been a while. But I'm glad I'll have friends with me. =)

Farewell old friend

Today was my last day at Starbucks. Nothing special happened. It was just another day. Only, this time I turned in my keys. I'm so glad to be done with that chapter in my life, but it hasn't fully sunken in yet.

I know I'm going to love not waking up at 3:30am for work. I'll be free to go to movies in the evening. I'll have weekends off every week! (Can we say lots of trips to Salem?) Oh, and I can paint my fingernails!