busting my hump... for nothing

Each year at this time I have a big project, due on Feb. 28. And each year I kind of run down to the wire getting it done. Mainly because the job is VERY time consuming - I usually have to talk with at least 3 people to get answers to things I can’t figure out on my own, and because I still have at least 3 other jobs to keep up on at the same time (plus a little procrastination thrown in). I always stress about it and end up working overtime to get it done. I don’t hate the project, but I don’t love it either. I do feel satisfaction when I have it done. And I do kinda feel superior, because I’m pretty much the only one in my workplace who understands what to do and how to do it (and even I’m still learning!).

So, now it’s again the end of February, and I’m busting my hump to get this completed by the end of today. I’m now well past my “regular” 38 hours for the week. Last night I was considering why I even was working so hard, as nothing happens if it’s not done on time. Nothing blows up, nothing falls apart, no one is fined - nothing.

So just a bit ago, I had to ask another person for help on a question (I’d already talked with her at least 3 times), and she told me that there had been an extension granted this year for completion of this project. They extended the deadline to May 29. I have another 3 whole months!

I’m excited that I don’t have to feel stressed about getting this done today. I can finish it off tomorrow and still be way ahead of the game. I am a little ticked though, as I would bet someone I work with knows there was an extension given, but they didn’t bother to tell me…

Chocolate frosting

So the end of my day was total CRAP, so I think it's time for some chocolate frosting...

1/2 c butter or margarine, softened
2 1/2 c powdered sugar
1/2 c baking cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
2-3 TBSP hot water

Mix margarine/butter, powdered sugar, baking cocoa and vanilla. Add enough hot water to the spreadable consistency you desire.

Enjoy!

Overheard

3 men walk by, one says "We're practicing marching like Pathfinders. Left!"

email is NOT on the internet

said by a dear sweet person: "That's just email right, it doesn't have to go through the internet?"

Great books

Over the last 6 weeks, I've read 4 great books. I'd decided that I needed to make time for exercise in each day, and I decided to get up earlier every day and use our elliptical machine. For those who really know me, I'm not a fan of early morning, especially when it's still dark outside. I get into things and am ready to really talk with you if it's after 10am. Before that, I'm still waking up. So, if I have nothing to do while working out, at 5:20am in the cold, dark morning, I get extremely bored and it's no fun. So from the library I gathered some books that looked interesting.

The first book I read was Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog by John Grogan. My sister had loaned me this book, knowing I'd like it. It's the story of a family who get a yellow lab puppy, and how this puppy doesn't fit the mold of "normal dog". I'm not a great dog fan, but the story was light-hearted, funny, and amusing to read of all the embarrassing situations they ended up in because of the crazy dog. It also brings to life the love and devotion between man and animal.

The next book I read was Ten Thousand Sorrows: The Extraordinary Journey of a Korean War Orphan by Elizabeth Kim. This is her story, born to a Korean mother and an American Father. She's adopted to a fundamental Christian family in the US. A very intense story. I had a hard time putting the book down. I kept hoping things would get "better" for her. The things she was taught as a Christian make me very sad though, as it's not a portrayal of a loving God that I know.

The third book I read was Escape Through the Balkans: The Autobiography of Irene Grunbaum. This story is of Irene Grunbaum, a Jew, during WWII in Belgrade. This book wasn't as interesting as the others. It seemed a bit slow at times, and it seemed she was always running, tring to find a way out, or a place to hide. A good book, but didn't really draw me in completely.

The most recent book I read was Swimming Across: A Memoir
by Andrew S. Grove. This story is also of a Jew, Andris Grof, during WWII. (He helped found Intel.) He shares the story of his first 20 some years of life, beginning in Hungary, and later the US. A bit more lighthearted, easy to read.

Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting

So a few weeks ago we were to take dessert for a lunch gathering. I decided I needed to get out of the "usuals" & make something different. I have quite a collection of recipes that I've never even made, so I looked through them. I came across this one that I got out of some newspaper magazine thing some time ago. The picture of the cake was appealing.

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the cake I made, but everyone loved it. Even the little kids (ages 3 & 1), who shoveled it in super fast, with frosting and crumbs still on their faces and hands & still chewing the last bite, held out their plates asking for more.

I found I wasn't super fond of the cake itself - I think it needs a more chocolatey taste, and maybe be a bit more moist. I'll have to do some tweaking. The frosting though - if I had this and chocolate frosting I have a recipe for, I'd be very fat and happy! I gave a small taste to husband, and he didn't say anything. I wondered if maybe he didn't like it. He told me he was trying to figure out how to get rid of me so he could eat it all. We've come up with many more uses and variations on it.

Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

Cake:
3/4 c granulated sugar
3/4 c brown sugar
2 c all purpose flour
2/3 c cocoa
1.5 tsp baking powder
1.5 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 c buttermilk
1/2 c vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 c boiling water

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 13-by-9-inch baking pan.

2. To make the cake, combine sugars, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; whisk vigorously until smooth. Stir in boiling water. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool.

Frosting:
5 TBSP butter, softened
1.5 c, plus 2 TBSP confectioners' sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c smooth peanut butter
2 to 5 TBSP 2 percent low-fat milk

3. To make frosting, mix butter & confectioners' sugar with an electric mixer. Add vanilla & peanut butter & beat well. Add 2 TBSP milk slowly, beating with a mixer until very creamy. Add up to 3 additional TBSP milk if necessary to achieve desired consistency. When cake has cooled, frost top.

Serves 20.