Which is why this new endeavor of mine is testing the outer most limits of my world. It sounded like a good plan. With Dear Daughter back in school, I needed to find something to do with my time. I needed to get out there, meet some people, be productive, add an entry to my resume. So, I was accepted to be a substitute teacher at one of our local elementary and middle schools. "Piece of cake," I thought. I could pick and choose when I wanted to work. The schedule worked well around the family. I calculated just how many days a month I needed to work in order to meet my new financial goal. This was going to be a cinch...
What I didn't calculate was the effect of the loss of control that I would experience. Here is why...on any given morning, I wake up at 6:00 a.m. and dress. In "pre-sub" life, getting ready meant slapping on a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt. In my new "sub" world, getting ready now means, putting on make-up, doing my hair and donning something remotely professional. Luckily, the night before I have settled on what to wear and have my lunch already made.
An hour later, just as Dear Daughter heads to the bus stop, I start watching the phone. Is it going to ring today? God forbid if Dear Husband calls to wish us a good day. "Good grief, man," I growl into the phone, "Don't you know the school could call at any moment. If the phone is busy, then I lose the chance of working today."
If I get the call, I am out the door immediately. Past 7:15, the more time that passes, means the less chance that I will get called. No call by 7:45, means that I can head back upstairs and change clothes once more. Then I go through a period where I am totally ticked off that I didn't get called. I exerted the effort to get ready - the least that school could do is give me an assignment! "Why did they call so-and-so for that class instead of me? I bet this is because I had a doctors appointment on Monday when they called and now they are paying me back."
Then I switch gears and think, "Yeah! I get a free day!" However, then I realize that it is not really a free day. I have to decide what needs to get done today because tomorrow, I could be called. What errands have to be run? Does the house need to be cleaned? When was the last time I washed my hair?
So you see, for a person who craves structure and control, this is driving me crazy! Really, I have lists for everything. I know that on Mondays, I clean the house. On Tuesdays, I go to the Farmers Market, etc. In my calmer moments, I tell myself that this is a good experience. I need to be less of a control person. I need to just go with the flow. I have created a master list of things that have to be done so if I do not work, then I can refer to my list and give my life some purpose.
That is exactly what happened this morning. I just knew that I was going to get called. I could feel it. But I didn't. So I changed clothes, stripped the sheets off of the beds, did some laundry and worked for three hours on a program for the end of year swim team awards banquet - that will occur... in March 2013. Hey, what if I start working a lot and then I do not get the program done? I might as well start now.
But the house is smelling really good right now as I have some comfort food cooking in the oven. Slow-roasted roma tomatoes have become a favorite of mine and I make them at every opportunity. These little morsels are downright addicting and so incredibly easy to make. I think that the aromatherapy is doing me some good. Perhaps, there is a reason that I am not working today. Perhaps, I just need to let go of the things that are completely out of my control. Tomorrow, I won't care if I do not get called....yeah, right!
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| No post complete without a photo of Dear Daughter - this one taken in Bad Krueznach last Sunday |
Slow Roasted Roma Tomatoes
Slow Roasted Roma Tomatoes
adapted from Ina Garten - Barefood Contessa
Look at these wonderful tiny Roma tomatoes that come from the Netherlands. Even though they are bursting with flavor right now, they will be incredible after roasting for 2 hours!
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. In a bowl, mix together 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 2 teaspoons sugar, 2 minced cloves of garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper.
Cut the tomatoes in half lengthwise and core and seed the tomatoes. Add the tomatoes to the olive oil mixture and mix to coat.
Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place the tomatoes, cut side up, on the lined cookie sheet. Drizzle the remaining oil mixture over the tomatoes.
Place in the oven for 2 - 2 1/2 hours. I don't have a picture yet of the finished product as mine are still in the oven! I am telling you...these are really, really good. I just pop them in my mouth!
Updated two hours later: OMG - I am popping them like PEZ. Who cares if I didn't work today!
But if you want to experience a truly incredible sandwich - try replacing normal tomatoes with these in your next BLT. Bacon, Slow Roasted Tomatoes and Arugula (instead of lettuce) sandwiched between two slices of toasted bread and slathered with a good quality mayonnaise - wow, that is good!
Here is another idea: Slather one side of a bagel with cream cheese and then top with tomatoes.
Have any pasta ideas?
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