I haven't post too much lately, been pretty busy with work and had a couple days where I felt like I almost had what was a migraine ...
I haven't been spending very much recently .. which is good since I'd spent way too much earlier this month...
This past week I had 5 no spend days. Friday was a spend day ... I had to go get fingerprinted and drop off paperwork for teaching summer school. Fingerprinting/background check cost $44.00. But it'll be worth it in the end ... 3 weeks of Summer School pays ~$3k. 
(More than twice what I'd make in 3 weeks during the regular school year ...) The background check is good as long as I don't take a summer off ... and it counts for me transferring my TX license to NM (which I need to do soon!)
I also finally managed to stop at Walgreens and pick up my prescription - only was out of it for 2 1/2 weeks!! (last weekend I tried twice, and they were closed by the time I got there.)
I sent home overdue notices last week for students/teachers - letting them know the last day to return books was May 18. In short order I had about 40 overdue items returned ... still need 50 or so. 2 weeks left of regular library classes, then the 3rd week will be making sure all books are in/no check out. Then the final week where I'll start inventory (though maybe I'll actually start it the previous week ...) This school does it much differently than anywhere else I've worked. Our final day of school/classes is May 25, and our final on contract work day is May 25. Everywhere else I've been, there's been 4 contract work days past the final school day. Interesting way to do it - would hate to be a classroom teacher with that schedule though.
We only have 25 yearbooks left (started with 84.) I hadn't realized we sold quite so many til Thursday when I counted them to double check the money. I have the feeling most of the remaining ones will vanish this coming week. I've gotten lots and lots of compliments on the yearbook - although I made 3 big mistakes. 1. left out picture of school nurse (she'd asked me to use last year's pic, and in my attempt to do so, I unchecked the box "use this photo" ...) 2. added an extra kid to first grade class (sibling of student not in school yet who got picture taken at same time ...) and 3. misspelled art teachers name on specials page. Arghh! Next year my goal is to have no mistakes!!
Talked to my mom today since I hadn't heard back from her since she'd returned from cruise with friend JH. Surprise surprise - she's back with M with whom she's had a total of 7?? breakups and get backs in a year's time. Oy vey.
I'm wondering if I can make hummus in a Ninja blender?? I was thinking that'd make a good addition to my lunch salad instead of relying on trail mix constantly. But I figure it'd be cheaper for me to make it myself than to buy it pre-made. (plus I can control how spicy it is ... in other words very little spicy!)
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I figured out today that I still have full access to my Rocket Spanish account - something I purchased back in 2007. At that time it was only good for a year, so I thought it'd expired. But the upgrade/update has made it lifetime access, and I guess that was retroactive. They've made some cool improvements - including this feature where you can record yourself speaking and match it against the instructors voice. I'd gone through about half of the lessons previously, but am starting back from scratch.
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I was looking at the AASL site to see where the next conference is going to be - it's going to be in SC in October. I'm trying to decide if I want to petition to go to it or not ... it would be great to be around a bunch of practicing school librarians, but I was kind of hoping for a site in CA or TX or maybe TN ... someplace where I could meet up with people I knew. I missed that opportunity this year (ALA was in Dallas in January!) I've got a few months to think about it.
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There's 3 movies out (or out soon) that I want to see: The Raven (I love Poe, though this sounds like it might be on the gruesome side even for Poe ...); Men in Black 3, and The Avengers. Luckily I have plenty left in my entertainment fund to do all 3 movies. 
(Will Smith/Robert Downey Jr ... mmmm mmmm!)
This and That
April 28th, 2012 at 10:46 pm
April 28th, 2012 at 11:16 pm 1335654984
April 29th, 2012 at 12:39 am 1335659942
If you can make it in a cheap blender, then the Ninja should definitely do it.
April 29th, 2012 at 03:32 am 1335670326
chickpeas (I like Goya brand)
Salt
Pepper
Garlic
Lemon (to squeeze juice)
Soy Oil - this is the key ingredient.
We start with 2 drained cans of chickpeas and put that in the food processor. Next add the soy oil. (start with 1/2 cup, but increase if needed) This is to smooth the consistency. We use no sesame or tahini or those things. It's the soy oil. It gives it a specific taste. Then, put in half a clove of garlic in with the two cans of chick peas, but you can add more in case you like it very garlicky. Then sprinkle lemon juice in and salt and pepper to taste - all while the processor is turning. You can add some drops of water in case it's too pasty a consistency.
April 29th, 2012 at 03:10 pm 1335712239
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Easy-Roasted-Red-Pepper-Hummus
It really isn't very spicy at all - even considering the red peppers. *Not* what I would call spicy.
BUT, here is a pile more to choose from:
https://www.google.com/search?q=taste+of+home+hummus+recipe&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US
April 29th, 2012 at 05:14 pm 1335719654
One of my co-workrs here makes a big batch and freezes it -- so I may do that (once I find a recipe that works for me.
April 29th, 2012 at 09:30 pm 1335735059