Artichoke stems - not disposable

Okay, so my daughter is an aspiring vegetarian.  The other night she wanted to make a roasted artichoke.  She completed the prep work and asked what she should do with the leaves and stem. I told her to put them in the garbage disposal.  She was skeptical, but I assured it would be fine. Well, it wasn't.  This morning I watched in horror as my dishwasher first back-flowed up into the kitchen sink, and then began to leak from the bottom as well... all over the kitchen floor.

My husband spent hours trying to clear the mysterious clog, as we watched.  Hmm... what is that weird stringy stuff??? (the stem was a strict secret)  My daughter was having the time of her life grinning at me and mouthing "I told you so."

Lesson learned - artichoke stems should just go in the trash.  There are few things worse than proving to your teenage daughter that she is smarter than you are.

Is bubbly everything?

Now that school is out, there's finally time to focus on a blog.  I've made a few attempts to get a blog started over the past two years, but pesky things like children and work get in the way.  I still have children to deal with, but, thanks to budget cuts, I don't happen to have a job to distract me at the moment.

I came by the name for this blog following a job interview several years ago.  When I asked the principal for feedback following the rejection letter, I was told, "You just weren't bubbly enough for us." 

Since I learned that I was going to be excessed I have applied for every vacancy published and been interviewed for each.  Sadly, I have yet to receive and offer.  Twice I've made it all the way to the superintendent only to be passed over for someone "less expensive."  At least they are not telling me I'm not "bubbly enough," but how does one compete in a market when expense is more influential than experience?  I don't know how to respond when told what an excellent candidate I am but the district is choosing to go with someone less expensive.

I am living in this economy.  I understand where they are coming from. But, where does that leave me?  Nine years of experience seems to be a hindrance rather than asset.  I wonder if they'd be willing to pay for the bubbly?