Spring! The most stressful time of the year

It's job search time again.  Every spring jobs are posted for the next school year.  This year I am not being "excessed" from my current position - Yay!  However, I am considering a move.  But like last year, this process is not easy.

I teach EL - I've been teaching EL for the last 7 school years.  I'm also 1/2 time.  At my old school (yep, the one that I talked about last year and what a stressful environment it is) - has a STEM position open.  I really want to teach STEM.  There are not many schools that offer STEM - and this is the only STEM position open.  I want this position.  I went to go apply to it.  It should be that easy - just submit my resume and hit apply.  It's not.

I won't bore you with all the details.  In short, the principal put in extra requirements (that don't really make sense) and the application system won't let me apply.  I've talked to the principal - she told me to apply.  So now I have to go to HR to get them to change the system so I can apply.

Talk about deja vu.  If you've been following my blog; last year I couldn't apply to any positions because I was on maternity leave and HR had a policy that if you were on any sort of medical leave, you could not apply to any jobs.  So now for the 2nd year in a row, I have to deal with HR.  #annoyed

So my poor family has had to deal with my somewhat crabby mood all weekend.  Poor kids (and hubby).  Maybe this batch of cookies will make it up to them.  I also baked muffins.

Greek Yogurt Chocolate Banana Muffins
Recipe from: chelseasmessyapron.com

#338 Coconut drop Cookies
This is a crisp oatmeal, coconut, walnut cookie.

1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts

In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugars until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, being well after each addition.  Beat in vanilla.  Combine the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.  Stir in coconut and walnuts.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 3 in apart onto greased baking sheets.  Flatten slightly.

Bake at 350 for 11-14 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.  Store in an airtight container.

Snow Day - Yay!
This historic snowstorm of 20 inches (at least where we are) provided a good opportunity for cookies.
We spent the last three days staying inside. So with today's snow day - I got out to do errands (exciting) - thanks to our family nanny.  So I was reenergized when I got back home and the boy and I made this yummy batch.  He gave these a raving endorsement: "They're so good from the bottom of the earth all the way to space".

#337 Chocolate Mint Cookies

Recipe:

1 1/4 cups butter, softened

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 tsps vanilla

2 cups flour

3/4 cup baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

32 round thin chocolate-covered mint patties - (like thin mints or the Keebler Mint patties).

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Beat in vanilla.  Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture, beating until mixture is well combined.  

Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes or until puffy and tops are cracked.  Invert half of the cookies onto wire racks.  Immediately place a mint patty on each, then top with remaining cookies.  Press lightly to seal.