Monday Update

It's back to work today, bummer. Bummer for Thomas as well. it's back to work and school for him today. It was nice to be able to see him for a little bit while he was home. Today is Halloween, I hope we get a few trick-or treaters. But, if we don't, thats OK too. Because I like candy and we get any that is left over. Good luck to Mary on her surgery today. I hope Doug will get a chance to visit her afterwards.

Random Song Quote of the Day

I need you here with me
Not way over in a bucket seat

Cake, Stick Shifts And Safety Belts

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

corb- basket

Sunday Update

It has been a busy, yet relaxing weekend. On Friday I spent a good part of the day with Thomas. First he got his shaggy hair cut. Then we went shopping at the Half Price Bookstore, Sam's Club and Target. Thomas ended up going back to the bookstore two more times on Friday and he only spent a little over $10. I baked brownies on Friday and on Saturday, I baked Vanishing Oatmeal Cookies. The cookies have both raisins and chocolate in them. Today I think I will make Chocolate Chip Cookies. But first I have to make Peach Delight for supper. Yesterday I picked up 8 trash cans of leaves and then I raked up another big pile of leaves, which I have not yet picked up. So, if Diedre comes over today, she can jump in a big pile of leaves.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Some of our stories fade as we grow older
Some get sweeter every time they're told
That's the way (that's the way) I remember you that way

Chris Gaines, That's The Way I Remember It

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cora(xlg)- raven

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

copro- dung

The following were some comments made in the year 1957:
(This definitely makes you feel old when you were born
in 1958.)

(1) "I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the
way they are, its going to be impossible to buy a weeks
groceries for $20.00."
(2) "Have you seen the new cars coming out next year?
It won't be long when $5,000 will only buy a used one."
(3) "If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to
quit. A quarter a pack is ridiculous."
(4) "Did you hear the post office is thinking about
charging a dime just to mail a letter?"
(5) "If they raise the minimum wage to $1, nobody will
be able to hire outside help at the store."
(6) "When I first started driving, who would have thought
gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon. Guess we'd be
better off leaving the car in the garage."
(7) "Kids today are impossible. Those ducktail hair cuts
make it impossible to stay groomed. Next thing you know,
boys will be wearing their hair as long as the girls."
(8) "I'm afraid to send my kids to the movies any more.
Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying 'damn'
in 'Gone With The Wind,' it seems every new movie has either
'hell' or 'damn' in it."
(9) "I read the other day where some scientist thinks
it's possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the
century. They even have some fellows they call astronauts
preparing for it down in Texas."
(10) "Did you see where some baseball player just signed
a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn't
surprise me if someday that they will be making more than
the President."
(11) "I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen
appliances would be electric. They are even making electric
typewriters now."
(12) "It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where
a few married women are having to work to make ends meet."
(13) "It won't be long before young couples are going to
have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both
work."
(14) "No one can afford to be sick any more, $35.00 a day
in the hospital is too rich for my blood."
(15) "I'm just afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open
the door to a whole lot of foreign business."
(16) "Thank goodness I won't live to see the day when the
Government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder
if we are electing the best people to Congress."
(17) "The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather,
but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on."
(18) "I guess taking a vacation is out of the question now
days. It costs nearly $15.00 a night to stay in a hotel."

Friday Update

Today I am going along with Thomas to get his hair cut and then we are going to shop for Halloween candy. Yummmm, candy. I wonder if we will have any trick-or-treaters this year? I think I will also try to get the piles of leaves picked up in the front yard and clean the gutters, they are full of leaves. I think I will do some baking this weekend, cookies or brownies. Maybe even both.

Random Song Quote of the Day

It's still about the sweet little things you say
After all that I've run from,
Where the fuck did you come from

Mason Jennings, Butterfly

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

convolvo- to entwine

Thursday Update

Today is my last day of work this week. Yeah!!! I took Friday off so I could spend a little extra time with Tommy. He came home yesterday and will be here through Sunday. Last night he took me over to Family Video and he rented Robots (hilarious) and Land of the Dead. We watched Robots last night, I got a lot of good laughs from it. Today Tommy and Doug will watch Land of the Dead. Because he rented two new release movies, he got to pick one $1 rental free. We decided on Walking Tall.

Ashley had to work last night, so she did not get to see Robots yet. I hope she finds time by Froday to watch it. She bought a candle at work for $1. The glass jar that it was in had been broken. It is bayberry and smells very good.

Random Song Quote of the Day

When the good times never stay
And the cheap thrills always seem to fade away
When we fall down

Toad The Wet Sprocket, Fall Down

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

contra- opposite

Last chance to save Dead Like Me

The Grim Reaper will be paying a visit to Showtime's New York City offices on Halloween, Monday October 31, in one last gasp effort to convince Showtime to reconsider their cancellation of this classic series. The Grim Reaper will be delivering more than 30,000 e-mails received by MediaVillage.com urging Showtime to bring back the series or to at least wrap up the series with a special movie event. Dead Like Me fans will be joining the Grim Reaper in this protest and plea, gathering next Monday at 11 AM.

Random Song Quote of the Day

I'm worse at what I do best
And for this gift I feel blessed
Our little group has always been
And always will until the end

Nirvana, Smells Like Teen Spirit

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cono- cone

Random Song Quote of the Day

From dehumanization to arms production,
For the benefit of the nation or its destruction
Power, power, the law of the land,
Those living for death will die by their own hand,

A Perfect Circle, Annihilation

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

condyl- knuckle

A first grade teacher collected well known proverbs.
He gave each kid in the class the first half of the proverb,
and asked them to come up with the rest.
Here is what the kids came up with:

People in glass houses shouldn't... run around naked.

Better to be safe than... punch a 5th grader.

Strike while the... bug is close.

It's always darkest before ...daylight savings time.

Never underestimate the power of ...termites.

You can lead a horse to water but ... how?

Don't bite the hand that ...looks dirty.

No news is ... impossible.

A miss is as good as a ... Mr.

You can't teach an old dog ... math.

If you lie down with dogs, you ... will stink in the morning.

Love all, trust ... me.

The pen is mightier than . . . the pigs.

An idle mind is . . . the best way to relax.

Where there is smoke, there is . . . pollution.

Happy is the bride who . . . gets all the presents.

A penny saved is . . . not much.

Two is company, three is . . . The Musketeers.

None are so blind as..... Helen Keller.

Children should be seen and not . . . spanked or grounded.

If at first you don't succeed . . . get new batteries.

You get out of something what you . . . see pictured on the box.

When the blind lead the blind . . . get out of the way.

There is no fool like..... Aunt Edie.

Laugh and the whole world laughs with you. Cry and..... you have to blow your nose.

~Unknown~

Monday Update

I am so glad that I do not have to work today. It gives me an extra day to recover from all the leaf raking. We filled 32 paper leaf bags, plus three trash cans. There are still two large piles of leaves in the front yard, with more leaves falling from the trees. The gutters are also full of leaves. It all makes me wish I had the Black & Decker 230 Mile Per Hour Blower/Blower Vac.

Yesterday we had a very delicious supper of Steak Fried Rice. The steak was leftover from Saturday. For dessert we had Ashley's Pumpkin Pie with Cool Whip. Yummer-licious.

I think I will just kick back and read today. I am reading 'Stranger Than Fiction' by Chuck Palanhiuk.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Her green plastic watering can
For her fake Chinese rubber plant

Radiohead, Fake Plastic Trees

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

conch- shell

Saturday Update

Yesterday was a good day. At work I helped the data entry department for part of the day. The lady that takes care of returns and check orders was gone.

When I got home we started to make supper. Doug said, "I think Thomas might show up tonight, because he called and asked what we were having for supper." Sure enough, just as we were setting down to eat, Thomas and Diedre showed up. We had Chili Dogs, Creamy Mac-N-Cheese and Oven Fries. They stayed for about an hour or so.

I tried to stay up and watch Doug and Ashley's favorite Friday Night television show. I could not make it through the first episode. I cannot mention the name of the show here. It seems that lately when I mention a show on my blog, it either gets canceled or they decide to change it for US viewing.

Chloe will be here today around noon. She spent the night at Anna's house. I believe she works tonight at 6. It will be nice to see her for a few hours.

I think I will end here. I need to eat breakfast. I think I will have a nice warm bowl of oatmeal. After breakfast I plan to get ready to go outside and rake the yard. We have about a ton of leaves in the front yard alone.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

con- with

Random Song Quote of the Day

You Wiggle to the left, you wiggle to the right, you do the Ooby Dooby with all your might.

Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby

Friday Update

Yesterday at work we had a company meeting at 11:30 and then we got to eat a catered lunch from Hy-Vee. We had turkey and cheese and roast beef and cheese sandwiches, pasta salad, mixed melon with strawberries and assorted brownies and cakes. There were a lot of leftovers, so I took a doggie bag home. Ashley ate it for supper and Doug and I finished off the rest with our Spanish Rice supper. Doug wants Ashley to get the pasta salad recipe from Hy-Vee.

Today is the last day of Ashley's first term at school, she has a half day. She also has Monday off and so do I. I also have next Friday off, so I will get to see a little more of Thomas while he is home. Two three day weekends in a row, it doen't get better than that.

Random Song Quote of the Day

And with the world comes misery
Comes jealousy and pain
And with new friends come enemies

Mason Jennings, Confidant

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

compress- flattened

Random Song Quote of the Day

Pink, pink, pink, pink, pink moon. Pink, pink, pink, pink, pink moon.

Nick Drake, Pink Moon

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

compact- compact

Wednesday Update

Not much to say. It has been another slow week at work. On Monday I had two sup calls in a row. The second guy said I have no customer service skills at all. This was after I tried to explain to him how to use a program. He called in stating that he did not get the concept of the program he purchased. I knew I was in trouble when I heard that.

Last night we had chicken quesadillas. They were yummy. I finished reading Heechee Rendezvous and today I will start reading Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Help, I need somebody
Help, not just anybody
Help, you know I need someone, help

The Beatles, Help

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

commutat- changed

Random Song Quote of the Day

Baby, I love rocky road
So weren't you gonna buy half a gallon, baby
I love rocky road
So have another triple scoop with me, ow

Weird Al Yankovic, I Love Rocky Road

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

communis- colonial

Here is the link to Ashley's Field Biology project. It brought her a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Well, maybe not the blood and sweat. http://mhs-field-bio05.tripod.com/

Random Song Quote of the Day

And if I listen to, the sound of white,
Sometimes I hear your smile, and breath your light.

Missy Higgins, The Sound Of White

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

commis- sent out

Sunday Update

Yesterday was Mao's 10th Birthday, what an old fart. We got him a new can of Pounce, those special treats that he likes to steal and eat until he throws up. We did not get him any toys because he nevers likes them anyway. He thought we gave him a box home, but it was just left over from grocery shopping.

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. I raked some leaves in the front yard, Ashley and I went grocery shopping. We hit every store in Marion; Aldi's, Dollar General, Hy-Vee, Hy-Vee Gas Station (the discount was $0.10), Fareway and Drugtown. After we brought the groceries home and put them away, Doug took us over to Sam's for a few samples and more shopping. It sounds like a lot of shopping, but we like to get the best value for dollars spent.

Ashley spent most of the evening working on home work. She is making her web site for Field Biology. It is coming along very nicely. Here is a link to the web site Thomas made when he was in Field Biology. I will also post a link to Ashley's when I get it.

Random Song Quote of the Day

My daddy left home when I was three
And he didn't leave much to ma and me
Just this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze.
Now, I don't blame him cause he run and hid
But the meanest thing that he ever did
Was before he left, he went and named me "Sue."

Johnny Cash, A Boy Named Sue

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

commis- sent out

The 30-Second Bunnies Theatre Library
Spoooooky featured selections!

Full movies...in 30 seconds....done by rabbits.

Saturday Update

Yesterday was a good day for me. I got to leave work around 1:30 because it was a slow day. I did get to use vacation time for the pay. When I got home Mao was very happy to see me. Doug and I pulled the old air conditioner out of the bedroom window and put it in the garage. When Ashley came home from school Doug took her to Hall's to pick up her senior pictures. I am so happy with them. And she has plenty to give to her friends and family.

Yesterday was not such a good day for Thomas and Diedre. Diedre's apartment building caught on fire. They were a bit freaked out by it and forgot to grab anything. So they were outside watching it burn with no shoes on. Thomas also was freaked because he left his car keys, cell phone, and laptop in the apartment. Luckily the fire did not get through the firewall to Diedre's apartment and there was only a smokey smell in her apartment. However, it does look like Diedre will have to be moving out. I am so glad that no one was hurt.

Last night Ashley had Sam over to watch movies. They watched Half-Baked and Office Spaces. He is allergic to cats, but did not seem to be affected too badly by Mao.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Technicolor girls are always on the phone
talking about their homes
and the conversations continue endlessly.

Death Cab For Cutie, Technicolor Girls

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

com- with

Yeah it's Friday!!!!!

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

columella little column

Random Song Quote of the Day

Last week, Kyle quit the band,
Now we're back together, uh.
Misunderstanding, didn't understand.
It doesn't matter, now we're back together again.

Tenacious D, Kyle Quit The Band

Random Song Quote of the Day

Love is short and painful, all you kind ladies and gents
I spent years and a couple of days as the King of Confidence

Elvis Costello, King Of Confidence

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

collat- borne together

If you are bored, try playing Kitty Cannon. Mao does not like it.

My high score was 984 ft.

Wednesday Update

It is bagel day at work. I hope I get one of the Asiago Cheese Bagels. They never get enough of them and everyone wants one. Yesterday Wartburg had Outfly, so Thomas got to have breakfast and go back to bed, instead of to class. Ashley thought she was going to Pizza Ranch to bus tables to benifit her speech group. Instead they stuck her in the kitchen washing dishes. Today for supper we are going to have Spam, Eggs and Cheese sandwiches. Spam, spam , spam, spam, lovely spam, lovely spam.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Easy come, easy go
Be a star of the show
I'm giving up all I know to get more

The White Stripes, White Moon

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

collat- borne together

Tuesday Update

Back to work today. At least it is only a four day week. Yesterday I cleared the tomato plants out of the garden and swept up some leaves from the patio. I also did a little reading. That was about all for the day, other than vegging out in front of the TV. Oh, I did go to Kohl's with Ashley after she got home from school. She said they were having a sale and she wanted to get some new clothes for winter. Imagine that, Kohl's is having a sale!

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

coll- neck

Random Song Quote of the Day

You seem so out of context in this gaudy apartment complex
A stranger with your door key explaining that I am just visiting

The Postal Service, The District Sleeps Alone Tonight

Monday Update

Happy Columbus Day. Happy for me because I don't have to work and happy for Chloe because she has no school. We got our flu shots yesterday. The arm was a bit stiff overnight. The stiffness has gone, but it does feel like I have a bruise when I touch it. So, maybe I should stop touching it.

I am not sure what I have planned for today. Maybe I should just do nothing or read.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Sitting here in Queens
Eating Refried beans
We're in all the magazines
Gulpin' down thorazines

Ramones, We're A Happy Family

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

col(on) large intestine

Random Song Quote of the Day

Daddy's flown across the ocean
Leaving just a memory
A snap shot in the family album
Daddy what else did you leave for me
Daddy what d'ya leave behind for me
All in all it was all just a brick in the wall

Pink Floyd, Another Brick In The Wall (Part I)

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

coel- hollow

Saturday Update

Yesterday was nice. First of all, I did not have to get up and go to work. Mao let me sleep in until 6:50. I made brownies in the morning. Yummy! At about 1:00 I went outside and cleared branches from the yard, pulled up the dead eggplants from the garden and moved the geraniums and pepper plant to the front entryway to protect them from the possible frost last night. After I came back in I baked a packaged Apple Brown Betty. It was OK, but could have been a lot better had it been entirely homemade. For supper we had baked Acorn Squash, always a favorite.

We watched Survivorman. It is quite interesting because he is left all alone for seven days in a remote area and he has to film the show on his own, no camera man. He was in a remote area of Northern Ontario. They brought in an old plane wreck by helicopter, so he had that for temporary shelter. He also had wool clothing, an all-in-one tool, a hatchet, a wool blanket and a wire saw (the saw broke the first time he used it). For awhile he tried to act as though he was surviving an actual plane crash with an injured arm. He put one good arm in a sling, so he could not use it. After a few rough days, he got tired of using only one arm and decided to just concentrate on surviving. If you have never seen it, you should check it out sometime on the Science Channel.

Random Song Quote of the Day

I'd swim across lake Michigan
I'd sell my shoes
I'd give my body to be back again
In the rest of the room

Sufjan Stevens, To Be Alone With You

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cochl- shell

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

coccus berry, grain

Random Song Quote of the Day

And if it feels good do it.
And if it tastes fine drink.
Well, there's a range of possibilities to find.
Teenager. Teenager...

Better Than Ezra, Teenager

Guess What? Jesus Is Watching You

Thursday Update

I am happy this is my last day of work this week. And then I have a four day weekend. I took Friday off and Monday is a paid company holiday, Columbus Day. We would not normally get it off, but because the call center is not very busy right now we do.

We watched Lost last night. At least they took the story a little bit further this week. I did not expect the guy in the bunker to just walk away. After Lost is a BBC show that is quickly becoming our favorite program. It is called Top Gear, a British show about cars. Very fun to watch.

I am not sure what I will do on my days off this weekend. I will probably start to clear the garden of anything that is dead. I also have to get Ashley out to mow the yard, so we can start the leaf raking.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Never seen half of what you've seen, real life never quite adds up.
The road goes on when the faces don't, word of mouth never tells the truth.

Son Volt, Too Early

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cloaca sewer

Wednesday Update

I am a loser. I still cannot get the Homecoming pictures onto my blog. I don't know what I am doing wrong.

Update to the Update

Doug helped me as you can see.

Homecoming (Ashley and Sam outside) 

Homecoming 1 (Ashley and Sam) 

Tuesday Update

I am trying to get Ashley's Homecoming pictures posted, but I don't have permission to open her file. I will have to ask Doug or Ashley what that is about.

The last few days have been pretty uneventful. Yesterday was another slow Monday at work and there was not much on TV last night. Yesterday was a beautiful day, although I had to spend most of it in a building in smelly downtown Cedar Rapids. I have this Friday the 7th off from work. Three day weekends are nice. Well, thats all I have for now.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Especially at night
I worry over situations
I know I'll be alright
It's just overkill

Colin Hay, Overkill

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

clin- bed, recline

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cleithr- bar, key

Random Song Quote of the Day

When your problems seem like mountains
You feel the need to find some answer
You can leave them for another day
Don't try so hard

Queen, Don't Try So Hard

Sunday Update

I didn't do a lot yesterday. Went shopping with Ashley, cleared a few dead things out of the garden, finished reading 'Beyond the Blue Event Horizon' and washed laundry and dishes. 'Beyond the Blue Event Horizon' is one of the best Frederick Pohl books I have read yet, it is the second in the Heechee series.

Ashley was excited about the Home Coming dance yesterday. She got her hair done by the same lady that cut her hair a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, the woman is better at cutting hair than at putting it up for a teen. Doug had to touch it up a bit when Ashley got home. I'm all thumbs with that sort of thing you know. Sam came to pick up Ashley at 5:00 and Doug took some pictures, which I will post as soon as I can. After they left here they went to Sam's house for more pictures and then they went to Zio Johno's for supper with a large group of friends. The dance was the same as all dances at Marion High School. Bad DJ music and a very hot gym.

Thomas finally has pictures on his blog for the t-shirts he is selling for his SSTA group. Everyone should buy one.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Touching you, touching me
touching you, god you're touching me

Darkness, I Believe In A Thing Called Love

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

clav- key

There is another.

cleid- key

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

clast- broken

Random Song Quote of the Day

Don't criticize what a vicar would prize in you
And talk to the man if you feel he needs talking to
And the hobbit on the rocks is crying
And the fish upon the docks are dying

Toad The Wet Sprocket, The Hobbit On The Rocks