Until a few years ago, we were in the same boat (not getting time off between New Years and Memorial Day). Now, they give us Presidents Day off.

I probably won't be getting any PTO between now and then, either, since my boss is out with a broken ankle until about that time (she can't put any weight at all on it for six weeks, had to get pins put in and everything).

If the scheduling of my surgery works out, I'll probably be out for at least half of April. I was just going to take 1 1/2 weeks disability for the surgery, but a friend and former co-worker was telling me that it's easier to schedule too much short-term disability and then come back early than it is to get more if something happens. Also, she told me to relax a bit and take my time coming back. She has a point, so I'll probably schedule a month and then maybe come back after 15-20 days if nothing goes wrong.

That seems like a reasonable way to tackle it, Kathy. We should get together sometime before then.

My veggie chili recipe, since we're sharing:

3-4 tbsp vegetable oil
1 large eggplant, diced
3-4 red, yellow, or orange peppers, diced
Other firm squash, diced (optional)
3 medium/large onions, diced
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup chili powder
Lots of cumin (maybe 8 tbsp?)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1-2 tsp oregano
Cayenne pepper to taste
1/2 oz bittersweet chocolate
1 28-oz can diced tomatoes (with juice)
1 15-oz can red kidney beans, drained
1 15-oz can black beans, drained
A handful of barley (optional)

Heat the oil in a big pot. Add onions and garlic. Add everything else except cilantro, more or less in order. Simmer 1-3 hours. (Or overnight in a slow cooker.) Stir in cilantro just before serving,

The flavor profile is Cincinnati-style, so it's meant to be served over spaghetti & topped with cheddar cheese.

[eta the cinnamon!]

Those do sound like good things going forward, brenda. Little things make a big difference sometimes. And the work from home is a big thing, if it goes through. Working from home totally rocks it, especially if you have the work ethic and accountability setup for it.

I have a long weekend! AND! It's actually a weekend. The SO is at the music store right now because the boss there is off at NAMM for the weekend. So he's canceled lessons for Saturday. D. will still be working covering the sales floor, but not teaching. And then the school is closed Monday.

So I perform at church Saturday night, have to decide if I'm going to church Sunday morning (I'm thinking not, massive drama at that church at the moment.) but am utterly off otherwise until Tuesday.

And then we have a huge winter storm warning that will give us three major storms with snowfall from Tuesday through Saturday. At our elevation it may be mostly rain. But if we end up getting stuck, it'll be another week off. I think we'll get in Tuesday, but probably not Wednesday.

We should get together sometime before then.

Definitely!!

Maybe early-to-mid March? I'll see if we can plan a weekend get together in the city for all the Chicagoistas to get downtown (much easier to do it then instead of a weekday evening, especially with school starting next week).

Aaaaaaaand now I want chili and sushi. Thanks, you crazymakers!!

We don't get MLK but we get Pres Day. We also get a floating holiday to be taken whenever. Most colleagues will work from home on Monday, to stay home with kiddos who have the holiday.

My boss: "java, do you need Monday off?"

Me:"what for? I don't have kids!"

Boss: "....for the Wigglebutts?"

And you people wonder why I kill(ed) myself for this job!

I have all those things! Maybe chili this weekend.

The flavor profile is Cincinnati-style, so it's meant to be served over spaghetti & topped with cheddar cheese.

No cinnamon? I thought that was key.

Usually we get MLK as a floating holiday. Which, frankly, bugs the fuck out of me, and I just ranted about a couple of weeks ago. So of course this year we do get it and it's throwing off a major project. What is that, like anti-karma?

But this year we get it off plus a floating hol, since both Xmas and New Year's fall on Saturdays.

Jessica, that is cumin-y!

I don't do much cooking, so this is a really amateur question, but can I use the same skillet with the meat juices left in to saute my onion after I finish browning my meat, or should I wash it out first?