I've Been Spoiled

I’ve known for a long time now that I was spoiled.

I’m spoiled because ……

… I’m the baby of the family.
… I have my mom & dad & sisters.
… I managed to not get caught when I strayed down the wrong path.
… my chosen career path came naturally to me.
… for the last 22 years I’ve been married to a great man who puts up with a lot from me.
… I have a precious little 7-year-old daughter named Lindsay.
… until July 18th, 2009, I’ve had the same boss for the last 22 years.

I feel the first 6 entries are self-explanatory. I would like to elaborate on the last entry, so please join me in the Sandra Jackson time-machine; we’re going to strap on our seatbelts and head back in time to the month of AUGUST 1987.

We have arrived …

…. and I’m driving to San Marcos in my Pontiac Grand Am for an interview with Judge Howard Warner. I’m scared to death because I’ve never met a judge before. I don’t think I would call it an interview because him and I basically just visited with each other about a bunch of things. After we got through visitin’ he asked when I could start to work for him. I explained that I was going to get married on August 21st and if he could wait for me to start on September 1st that would be great. I still have no idea why he decided to give a “wet behind the ears court reporter” a job, but I sure am glad he did because I wouldn’t be where I am or who I am if not for him. Judge Warner loved to tell people that I came straight from my honeymoon to work for him, and after him and I spent 22 years together he loved to tell people that him and I lasted longer than both of his marriages did. I was fortunate (aka spoiled) that he was opposed only in two of his seven re-election bids.

When he died on July 18th, 2009, I considered him my boss, of course, but also my best friend and surrogate dad.

BAM . We’re back to today’s date of 8-7-09. There’s been nothing but drama associated with Judge Warner’s death as far as politics in Hays County is concerned.

The decision on who to appoint to fill Judge Warner’s position will be made by the Commissioner’s Court next week.

Please pray that the spoiled Sandra can learn to keep her head down and her mouth shut until I can retire in 2015.

Bets anyone?

Ready for a Recovery

I didn't think I'd ever see the day that Murr was laid off from McKinney because of a lack of work. Getting in a fight w/ the boss and quitting? I expected that to happen every day and when it didn't I considered it a good day. They've been laying people off at the Austin office for the last 6 months. The only thing that has saved him from the cut has been his longevity there. I'm afraid they're at the point now that even that fact won't save him. If it happens we'll be okay for a while, but our little family of 3 will have to make a lot of major adjustments.

I Really Didn't Need To Have This

Just in case you can't wait for your favorite Brownie to come by selling cookies ........

...... Homemade Girl Scout Cookies: Thin Mints

Ingredients:

(cookies)

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/3 cup milk (any kind)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp peppermint extract

(coating)

10-oz dark or semisweet chocolate
1/2 cup butter, room temperature

Directions:

(cookies)

1. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder and salt.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. With the mixer on low speed, add in the milk and the extracts. Mixture will look curdled. Gradually, add in the flour mixture until fully incorporated.
3. Shape dough into two logs, about 1 1/2 inches (or about 4 cm) in diameter, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for at least 1-2 hours, until dough is very firm.
4. Preheat oven to 375F.
5. Slice dough into rounds not more than 1/4 inch thick - if they are too thick, they will not be as crisp - and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cookies will not spread very much, so you can put them quite close together.
6. Bake for 13-15 minutes, until cookies are firm at the edges. Cool cookies completely on a wire rack before dipping in chocolate.

(coating)

1. In a microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate and butter. Melt on high power in the microwave, stirring every 45-60 seconds, until chocolate is smooth. Chocolate should have a consistency somewhere between chocolate syrup and fudge for a thin coating.
2. Dip each cookie in melted chocolate, turn with a fork to coat, then transfer to a piece of parchment paper or wax paper to set up for at least 30 minutes, or until chocolate is cool and firm.
3. Reheat chocolate as needed to keep it smooth and easy to dip into.