1) While happy to see snow, I'm not happy that I've not got the snow tires on the car

2) The snow, however, had made me VERY happy.

3) Looming yuckiness in my life is making me antsy. Still waiting on more info on how it's going to go. Waiting sucks, even if it DOES give you time to think.

1. They want to take the last tool I have to do my job away from me. I have no paralegal support, no litigation support, no docket management, no time management support, no software beyond word processing. No assistance of any kind on any single task soup to nuts in-admittedly not complex-civil litigationI don't even get informed when orders or settlements are entered in my cases and now, now, now they expect me to do my job without access to either lexis or westlaw. If I did not have a mortgage, I would, as of this moment have walked away from this job.

2. Mr. Blandings gets home one day late this week.

3. At least I have chocolate espresso shortbreads.

1. Lazy.
2. Fat.
3. Want chocolate espresso shortbread.

That's ridiculous, crushy, I couldn't imagine doing my job without Lexis, Bailii or Lawtel.

But chocolate espresso shortbread sounds like a taste of heaven on earth.

1. I have been absent from here for a while because I have been hit with severe heartache, to the point where I had to start therapy because I couldn't cope.

2. Because of #1 above I am somehow unable to cook and so have been eating a lot of those frozen meal things. I try to buy the fancy hippie organic ones because I figure those are slightly better for me.

3. On the brighter side, I am in no danger so far as the grim economy goes, so at least I don't have that extra cloud hanging over me.

Derailing my own thread here, nobody can argue that we don't need this recipe.

Chocolate Chip Espresso Shortbread

1 ½ sticks butter, at room temperature
½ cup sugar
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 TBSP espresso powder
1 ½ TBSP dark unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Special Equipment: 9 by 9 inch baking pan
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix for 30 seconds. Next add the flour, espresso powder and cocoa powder and mix until the dough is smooth, about 1 minute.

Spray the shortbread pan with cooking spray and scatter the chocolate chips across the bottom of the pan. Gently press the dough evenly into the espresso covered pan. Place the pan into the top half of the oven and bake until the shortbread is set, about 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool 15 minutes.

Using a sharp paring knife score the top of the still warm but cooling short bread. Cut in any size you prefer, we like 2 inch squares. Run a butter knife around the edge of the pan and invert onto a cutting board. Give 1 sharp rap and the shortbread will release from the pan. Let cool an additional 10 minutes.

Or this picture.

≡ Click to see image ≡

I'm sorry to hear you've been unwell, JanetLand. I wondered where you were, my birthday twin.

1. Subversion configuration for mecha nearly complete.

2. Can't wait to see my new xbox 360 update.

3. I'm currently holding the fort here at work, but doing nothing useful.

1. I've been drafted into a high-pressure project that has to be finished by Monday- the only hope of getting it done is to work all weekend. Bleah.

2. On the other hand, I'll be able to take time off for Thanksgiving (U.S.) next week, and me, Mom, and hubby can go to Tennessee to spend the holiday with my brother and his family.

3. Finally saw Zodiac this week, and really, really loved it. (That case has always given me the heeby-jeebies, and Fincher was brilliant to make the movie not about a killer, but about the whole fascination/frustration of trying to know something that is unknowable, or of trying to solve something that's unsolvable.)

1. I have discovered things about my job that may lead to MASSIVE changing of my short-term future plans. I do not approve. (Change is good, but scary. And I'd already made a decision, damnit, with the information that I had. Adding said new information into the matrix makes things very difficult!) I get the feeling a lengthy LJ post is in the cards and possibly an Ask question.

2. I'm wicked excited for the midnight showing tonight. I'm getting all dressed up as one of the characters and doing my hair and everything. (I don't really go out much due to some serious socializing issues, but I'm excited and scared for this all at the same time.)

3. MY ASS HURTS. FROM TUESDAY. I DO NOT APPROVE. Luckily, I've managed to progress from swearing colorfully every time I move/stand up/fidget to being able to just take a nice deep breath and not grimace in the open. (Whimpering does occur once I'm out of earshot.) I fear that it may be worse than just a bruise (although I don't bruise easily, fuck this hurts).

Janetland :(

1. My bulging muscles feel incredibly sore this morning which makes me realize that my muscles are neither bulging nor huge but I like to pretend.

2. I need to figure out what gloves are available that are warm but also would let operate my camera easily.

3. I'm glad McKey won. She was my favorite from Day 1.

1. I was totally blown off by someone from whom I didn't expect such a thing.

2. Smooshie the Cat is sick and will probably need $1000 endoscopy and colonoscopy for proper diagnosis. Part of his sickness includes pooping and peeing all over my apartment, which means I have to lock him up when I'm out.

3. I had only put two items up for sale in my new etsy store, and I wasn't even going to tell people about it until I had at least 10 items for sale, so what a surprise when I sold one! Yay!

1) Fired off public records request for the city to cough up planning records and also show who and when changed my address record in their GIS system. See "A funny thing..." for specifics.

2) Off to Grizzly Tools before work to pick up bits needed to complete my 0.0001 g/cm2 micromanometer.

3) Light receiving day at work. Expecting big wad of AP in the mail (it's Thursday...)

1. GET
2. ME
3. OUT OF HERE

1. More huge giant horrible sad family drama centering around dementia auntie. It's been a rough week and I fear that Thanksgiving is going to be really really bad.

2. But old friends I haven't seen in years are visiting for the next couple days, so that's cool!

3. It would be even cooler if I didn't have to work but I do and I barely barely made it in time this morning.

1. There are just no jobs out there. They all dried up about a month ago, almost every single HR department seems to have decided that they're just not going to hire right now. I just got turned down for the job that I interviewed for yesterday, I was over qualified, but it would have been a decent job.

2. Saw Quantum of Solace on Tuesday, not the best movie ever but lots of fun.

3. Need to work on figuring out how to generate reports for the ticket selling webapp that my wife and I setup for our neighborhood Xmas house tour.

1. Things are very tense and weird in the office so we stacked up the boxes of advance book copies and me and my boss have been taking turns kicking them. No joke. It's kinda hard to do in my pointy boots though.

2. Excited for dinner date tonight. He's cooking for me!

3. Really hungry now, eating organic pretzel sticks. These pretzels are making me thirsty!

1. My job is dull, but passable. I like the woman I'm working for. She indicated a couple days ago that it could become permanent. This isn't something I want to do long-term, but it gives me options, which is good.

2. New little chickens are very cute. I built them a separate next box so they could avoid Chickpea the Hun. Last night they went into it on their own, but only after first entering Chickpea's lair and being noisily chased out again. I've been locking Chickpea in at bedtime so she can't chase them; she's been going to roost earlier than them anyway. Tonight I'm going to leave all the doors open and see if everyone goes to the right place, peacefully, without my encouragement.

3. Not getting to see the gf very much lately, which is really hard. Not liking this schedule at all. Next week we go to the coast, though, and that will be really nice. I have to figure out how to scrounge up some money between now and then, 'cause I'm pretty much flat broke until I get paid on the 1st. (But yay! I get paid on the 1st!)

4. We've decided to get matching rings for xmas, which is so very adult and so very intimidating.

1. Cute guy at work, after showing some intense interest last week, is now ignoring me. He'll probably resume the interest next week. I'm too old for games like this.

2. I can count on one hand the number of times I've had a holiday season where I gather with people (friends or relatives) and there ISN'T squabbling, or tension, or disrespect for someone else's opinion or choice of recipes, or unreasonable angst over someone else not being there, or any number of negative attitudes. I get that all year, why can't I just have one day where we laugh and enjoy each other's company? Why is that so hard?

3. I wish I was qualified to do work that made more money. I remember watching some law students once and being bewildered at how they answered questions, and I wished I could have a mind like that.

Where, ThePinkSuperhero?

Policy development! I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE FUCK I AM DOING ASK A SMART PERSON PLEASE THANK YOU

I have a recurring very thick single chin hair! I just got it out and it was like way longer under the skin, which is weird!

Feeling wheezy, candidate also feeling crummy so no canvassing tonight.

1. Sorry for all the peoples going through rough times up above.

2. Many meetings today.

3. Finally saw Black Snake Moan last night. I thought it was almost very good, and it had a huge Movie Moment (OMG no she didn't! But she did. Bless Christina Ricci's insane little heart.)

2. I need to figure out what gloves are available that are warm but also would let operate my camera easily.

Fingerless gloves. Your fingers will not get cold. Trust me on this. Look at how many street vendors use them because they need to be able to handle coins.

Fingerless, but with a mitten-part that you can flip up over your fingers when you don't need them. I love those. When I drive or walk around it's like I'm wearing mittens, but I can flip the mitteny part back and then they are fingerless gloves.

4. I am now so allergic to apples that I got a huge attack from just slicing them. Ow, my eyes.

1. I am very panicked about finding a job. I gave myself a year buffer but the postdoc market has been really really bad. I finally have a second interview for one of those this weekend. I am flying out to Madison for 3 days and if all goes well, I will start this job in January.

2. I've been going in ups and downs about my last dissertation chapter. First I think my data totally sucks (despite the fact that I did this study 3 times over 4 years). Then an hour later I think about looking at it a different way and get totally excited. Either way this will end in less than a month.

3. I turn in my dissertation to the graduate school on Dec. 15. Yep, that's when become Dr. special-k. Hopefully there will be no hiccups on the way.

1. Lots of Adobe Flash homework, so much that I've had to put off a final project (in another class!) so guess what I'll be doing tonight?

2. Sketch was due in class, but I didn't have one, good thing I brought a pencil and my teacher is extra forgiving

3. I think my brain is making me happy as a survival mechanism, the last two days I haven't been feeling down, it's kind of weird.

1. Now spoiled for the ANTM finale thankyouverymuch stynxno!!! S'ok, that was who I expected anyway.

2. What's a stick of butter in real measurements? That shortbread looks delicious.

3. Trained all day in new shoes - my feets, they is sore owwww.

4. ((((JanetLand)))) and ((((everyone not having a good time atm))))

2. What's a stick of butter in real measurements? That shortbread looks delicious.

1/2 cup, or 1/4 pound.

goo: sorry

Thanks, mudpuppie! It's cool, stynxno, my fault for not watching it soon enough.

For those wondering about the awesome fingerless glove/mitten combo, they are officially called "convertible mittens". They are the shit and I own three pairs.

1. Safe-cracking as a work-sanctioned activity today. For real.

2. Customers lining up for my new spam filter but I have to, you know, finish it. Deadlines are a blessing and a curse.

3. Fifty is staring me in the face, eight days hence. What the hell happened to the past 25 years? If you have them, I want 'em back.

1. I am once again killing time at work. I have no ability to focus on the few projects I have. I've been filling time with Bookworm and working on my site.

2. My site is nearly done, just have to get the store working again and add an event ticket to the items for sale.

3. My ex sent me a really emotionally moving song via YouTube link, and now I'm all emo. This does not help with 1.

1) Wearing makeup today, godknowswhy, and it's made my eyes feel both pasty and gritty.
2) Annual chronic nosebleed season has begun. Ouch.
3) I ate school breakfast and it was excellent. Sausage biscuit (so fresh! so flaky!), chocolate milk, and an apple. $2.25

1. mrs chewie brought home a cat she wanted to adopt, which someone gave up where she works. I went & met her & all seemed ok, but when we got her home it turned out I was very itchily allergic. We are trying again with this guy over the weekend.
2. it flurried yesterday. :)
3. we have a new (to us) vacuum cleaner.

hugs to the tough timers. and I was wondering how the chickens were doing, 'pupp.

1. Had very grown-up, adult convo with a guy I met last Thanksgiving about how even though we are insanely mad attracted to each other, both sexually and non-sexually, things will not work out for us as a couple right now because our sexualities are incompatible.

2. Why are all the good kinky folks either a) crazy, b) taken, c) do not live near me, or d) all of the above?

3. Boss is in Europe until next Tuesday evening, which means every day from now until next Monday will be like Friday.

1. I had two blisfully meeting free days this week and actually got work done.
2. Older Boy has the OK to get back into everything after his hand surgery.
3. Winter blues have struck early and hard, so I had to break out the Xanax. So far just once every 24 hours.

I totally kwim about ex'es and their emotional pull, sakura. I have to keep reminding myself why he's an ex

This is the shortbread recipe (Dorie Greenspan) I used:
Espresso-Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

1 tablespoon instant espresso powder dissolved in 1 tablespoon boiling water
2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped, or 3/4 cup store-bought mini chocolate chips
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting (optional)

1. Dissolve the espresso in the boiling water, and set aside to cool to tepid.

2. Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter and confectioners’ sugar together on medium speed for about 3 minutes, until the mixture is very smooth. Beat in the vanilla and espresso, then reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour, mixing only until it disappears into the dough. Don’t work the dough much once the flour is incorporated. Fold in the chopped chocolate with a sturdy rubber spatula.

3. Using the spatula, transfer the soft, sticky dough to a gallon-size zipper-lock plastic bag. Put the bag on a flat surface, leaving the top open, and roll the dough into a 9 x 10 1/2 inch rectangle that’s 1/4 inch thick. As you roll, turn the bag occasionally and lift the plastic from the dough so it doesn’t cause creases. When you get the right size and thickness, seal the bag, pressing out as much air as possible, and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours, or for up to 2 days.

4. Position the racks to divide the oven into thirds and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.

5. Put the plastic bag on a cutting board and slit it open. Turn the firm dough out onto the board (discard the bag) and, using a ruler as a guide and a sharp knife, cut the dough into 1 1/2-inch squares. Transfer the squares to the baking sheets and carefully prick each one twice with a fork, gently pushing the tines through the cookies until they hit the sheet.

6. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, rotating the sheets from top to bottom and front to back at the midway point. The shortbreads will be very pale–they shouldn’t take on much color. Transfer the cookies to a rack.

7. If you’d like, dust the cookies with confectioners’ sugar while they are still hot. Cool the cookies to room temperature before serving.

I used a mix of bittersweet, unsweetened and an espresso chocolate bar for the chipped chocolate because I forgot to check if I had baking chocolate before I started.

Boss started throwing things, so I went out for coffee with a friend. I feel much better now. And Jan, yes, I really don't know how I can be expected to function as an entire litigation department with stopgap research services.

1. Just found out the shed/shelter fell down out at our piece of land. Will need rebuilding. Home Depot trip this weekend.
2. Boss has been having to work this week, so is very cranky.
3. Looking forward to some time off next week, even if it's unpaid - boy, do I need a break from cranky boss!

1. It is cold here in Florida.
2. My household is afflicted with terrible colds.
3. I have had a wonderful time spending time with my extended family this week. I was sad to see them leave. I hope they didn't get out colds.

1. My high school received an "A" grade from the city for last year. We went from a "C" to an "A". Very cool. (It still represents one helluva curve though, even bigger than my college statistics course.)

2. Due to #1, we get a bonus! Whoo-hoo! (Decision: Pay off some more of the credit cards; Save; or SPEND! Some of each?)

3. I have a brisket in the oven (that is not a euphamism). It smells yummy.

('pup, you should really write a children's book about Chickpea and the new little ones... it would be all kinds of awesomeness.)

('pup, you should really write a children's book about Chickpea and the new little ones... it would be all kinds of awesomeness.)

Oh god. It'd be a horror story. Unless there's a happy ending around the corner. Which I am really, really hoping for.

1. Finally finalized where we were having Thanksgiving this year. Dinner with my brother and his wife and mom; then dessert with my brother-in-law and family. Next year - all in one place!

2. Got a phone call from one of the boys' teachers. Gaaa, can't I get through ONE semester without some teacher calling to complain about them? Can't they for once just do the schoolwork they have to do?! Why do they make it so hard?

3. I'm sorry for JanetLand and everyone else who is having worrisome times right now. I hope it gets better for all, very soon.

pup: Well, what life can't provide, fiction can. The conflict's great... I love "Chickpea the Hun" and all the chasing and the separate roost and all. And of course the poignancy of Porkchop. I'm very serious here. It's a great story. /Wishes she was a publisher.)

1. Had a big fight with bf's sister today over a depressed email from me that she took as attacking him and threatened to tell him about. Took two phone calls, crying, and six emails to resolve.

2. My team leader and dear work friend got fired on Friday for no reason, and it has been really tense at work, and I just got all her assignments which I have no idea how to do, and today I had to help clean out her cubicle.

3. My sister's 3 year old has some icky problem that may be nothing, but may be Hep A, or may be liver failure and all we can do are wait for the test results.

thanks for the love, lysdexic. I'm trying to keep grounded, but in a lot of ways, the autistic dude was my best friend. :(

I has mai pie and mah bunny. All is well.

Big hugs to Janet, MGL and all the other hurty bunnies.

1. The Gymbo the Clown doll that hasn't worked in years suddenly just started randomly laughing on its own and freaked my shit out!
2. OMG...LAUGHING CLOWN DOLL!!
3. MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP!