Learning to say No

Do you ever find yourself saying Yes to something and then bitterly regretting it because the person who asked you to do the thing seems to think that you said Yes I will give up my whole life for this?

Well, I seem to have gotten myself inot a big mess this week as I suddenly realised that having said Yes I'll help with the food for the Class 8 ball I seem to be co-organiser. When and how did I let that happen?

I do realise that I have a problem saying No and I can tell you that I've learnt a huge lesson here. Say Yes and make it clear what you're committing to and say No to anything extra before it goes too far down the line.

So I've spent all morning trying to extracate myself from too much committment because quite frankly life is just so full in these last two weeks of term. We've had the midsummer fair, the Class 5 Olympics, Class 8 play, my sister's birthday last Saturday, the Class 8 ball on Saturday and their brunch on Sunday. I'm tired thinking about it all.

Anyway, I've managed to farm out a lot of the food to a Mum that does catering here which will leave some of us to make a few dips, crudites and other nibbles. Phew I can breath now.

I tell you I've learned something though!

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On another note a lot of people have asked me for the recipe for Cowboy Cookies so I thought I'd take the opportunity and post it here:

You will need:

• 1 cup sofened butter
• 1/2 cup caster sugar
• 1 1/2 cups soft brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups plain flour
• 1 tsp baking soda (which I took to mean bicarb)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsps vanilla essence
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup dessicated coconut
• 12 oz chocolate chips (I usually use 8oz)

Cream the butter and sugars and then add the eggs and vanilla essence. Beat well. Mix in the remianing ingredients. Drop (dessert) spoon fulls of the mixture onto a greased baking tray and bake at 350F for about 15 minutes. The biscuits do spread and the mixture makes about 30+.

Happy Baking ..

Comments

[Thimbleina]

Those cookies look so yummy I must try them

[dottycookie]

Hmmm, yes, saying No - not something I am any good at At All. I have been desperately trying to pluck up courage to resign from the PTA for an entire year and still haven't managed it. So believe me, I do sympathise!

[Marie]

I'm not good at saying no either Simmy! I reckon a person could make a million running courses on teaching people how to say no! haha. Those cookies look delicious!

[Debbie]

What is caster sugar? I'm not much of a baker, but I have never heard of this. Is is refined sugar? Powdered sugar? Can you help?

[Hashi]

Caster sugar is sold as baker's sugar in the US. It's white sugar that is ground a little more finely than regular granulated sugar (but not to a powder). And yes, I believe bicarb and baking soda are the same thing. (I'm an Aussie living in America so I've had to translate these terms!)

[sassypriscilla]

Will have to try you recipe. It is different than my cowgirl (ahem, no nuts) cookies recipe:

http://sassypriscilla.typepad.com/sassy_priscillas_craft/2007/12/cowgirl-cookies.html

Yours has more oats, less coconut and chocolate chips. I'll be very interested to see how they differ in taste. YUM! I love trying new cookies. Thanks for sharing.

[liz]

oh dear, how to be assertive without being aggressive - or just saying no and meaning it - I have found this very difficult in the past but I am slowly learning - I find it very hard but was taught to just say no, smile - and most importantly, offer no expanation or excuse - I often found myself babbling away explaining my life - but i am now getting better - the trouble is you agreed to do one thing and sounds like you have been put upon - so yes, a bit of clarification is needed. The good thing about learning these coping techniques is you feel so good about yourself when you put them into practice - it gives you back the control.

good luck

[Runnin L8]

Hmmmm.... my comment didn't post...
Well here is the quick version. Always say "MAYBE" first!!! This gives you the time to think things through and set firm boundaries before commiting. You have the control-yay!!

[liz]

responding to last post - that's a good idea too - a friend of mine always says when she is in a spot - can i think about that and get back to you - delaying techniques are great - gives you a breathing space and as the last comment said - gives you control.