Tuesday Update

It was busy at work yesterday and we have OT today. Still no word on the change in job positions. They will probably wait until the end of the week. Last night Doug and I watched two more episodes of the Dead Like Me - Second Season. They were good as always and I am going to miss not having new shows when we get done watching the rest of Season Two. I had better stop and get ready for work, it snowed last night and I should leave a little earlier.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Mountain of mystery,
Rising high above the clouds.
Mountain of magic,
Standing tall and proud

Journey, Mystery Mountain

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cycl- circular

Monday Update

I think everyone is sad to see Monday come around so soon. It was a wonderful long weekend. Wednesday I got off work early and we all went to visit Mary and Jordan. Thursday was Thanksgiving with the perfect meal. Friday was shop until you drop. Saturday was a bit laid back. We did get the drip in the shower fixed. Sunday was Apetteazer Day. Good food.

It will probably be busy today at work. We will have to catch up on all the emails that came in over the long weekend. I am not sure if I will hear about the job interview today or not. I hope everyone has a good Monday, despite having to go back to work or school or both.

Random Song Quote of the Day

And when faced with temptation you know a man should stand and fight
But you will be my downfall tonight

Del Amitri, Be My Downfall

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cyan- blue

Saturday Update

This Thanksgiving Holiday has been great. The Turkey and Ham dinner on Thanksgiving was one of our best ever. We had all the traditional trimmings; turkey, ham, mashed potatoes & gravy, dressing (we almost forgot this in the oven), cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, scalloped corn, candied yams, dinner rolls, and Ashley's famous pumpkin pie.

I got up early on Black Friday and did some shopping. I had to be very aggressive at Menards. The Nascar crowd must be delt with very harshly. I could have been stuck in the first main aisle for hours if I had not pushed my way through. The other two stores I went to before 7 were not bad. I came back home and then went back out into the crowds with Thomas. We were out from 8:30 to around 1. Best Buy had the usual long line that was a maze through the far side aisles. The nice thing was, about half way to the checkouts they had donut holes for the tired shoppers. We also got to look at all of the latest cool new appliances. They now sell refrigerators that have a build in TV screen. Target was a breeze at the checkout, I must say they do a very nice job. Kohl's was a nightmare. They had two lines for the checkouts, one on either side of the store. We got in one line that was very long and Thomas decided to see if the other line was any shorter. It was shorter, so I moved to that line. Thomas decided to go to one other store while I waited in line to hold our place. When he got back, I was pushing a baby carriage in line. Right after he left the lady in front of me asked if I would push her carriage while she took her six week old to the rest room to change his diaper and feed him. I said that was fine as it looked like we were going to be there for a while. We finally got through the checkout about 1/2 hr to 45 min later. We then had to wait, wait, wait to get out of the parkeing lot. Next time Thomas says we should take the drive behind the stores, I will listen to him. I did not think it would take us all the way over to the other side, so I kept telling him there would be a fence blocking the way and we did not go. Later I found out we could probably have gotten out of the parking lot a lot faster had I listened to him. After we got home from shopping, I had some of Doug's yummy macaroni salad and then it was time to go shopping with Ashley. Luckily she only wanted to go to Target, Half Priced Books and Pier 1. We shopped from 1:30 til 3. In all I was out shopping for almost 9 hours. After I ate some turkey leftovers I took a nap. The nap was very much needed. In all it was a very good start to the Christmas shopping. I don't know if I will be that crazy next year.

Random Song Quote of the Day

I see a bad moon rising
I see trouble on the way
I see earthquakes and lightnin'
I see bad times today

Nirvana, Bad Moon Rising

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cuti- skin

Gone shoppin'

Black Friday Turns Violent

Happy Thanksgiving from
El Trytophan!

Random Song Quote of the Day

In this dream of life and death, I know so much, I will
forget
I know your body and your breath, I know your rhythm and
your touch
I want you here, I want so much, I fear too much

October Project, One Dream

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cusp- lance, point

Wednesday Update

Working OT, already late to shower. See everyone later.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Smile on little buddha, smile on
Little buddha, smile on
It's only an illusion, then you're gone

Toad The Wet Sprocket, Little Buddha

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cune-wedge

Tuesday Update

Just a quick update today. This is a short work week and several people at work took the week off, so we are very busy. I am going in at 7 this morning and working til 5. Then I have to rush home and pick up Ashley to go to the school for conferences by 6. Ashley has a half day today, with the rest of the week off. Chloe has no school this week. Thomas will be coming home sometime Wednasday after his test is over. It will be a very good Thanksgiving this year with all of us together.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople

They Might Be Giants, Istanbul (Not Constantinople)

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cten- comb

Monday Update

It was a good weekend, but it went way too fast. Yesterday morning Ashley and I went shopping at Hy Vee and bought our Thanksgiving turkey, a whopping 26lbs. I know it's big, but think of what we can do with the leftovers. I had a certificate from work for a 16lb turkey, so I just went a bit larger and paid for the difference. The difference wasn't much because the turkey was on sale at $0.78 a pound.

The Chowder Feast went very well last night. I wish Thomas and Diedre could have been here it was a big turnout. First Mary and Jordan came over a little early. They got to witness Doug burning the first rue. We ended up with: Doug, Myself, Ashley, Chloe, Anna, Mary, Jordan, Deb, Wanda, Mark, Matt, Amber, Willy, Brian, Sam, and Sam (our new neighbor lady). We also went through four bottles of wine, so it was a very jolly time. Both Chowders were very tasty. Deb said her Dad insisted that she bring him some and our new neighbor had three bowls of Chowder.

Random Song Quote of the Day

The hypocrites are slandering
The sacred Halls of Truth
Ancient nobles showering
Their bitterness on youth

Rush, A Farewell To Kings

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

crypt- hidden

Sunday Update

Yesterday was busy. We cleaned the house top to bottom. Around 6:00 Doug's family came for a visit. We talked and laughed for a while and then we all went out to eat at Granite City. We had no reservations and with ten people in our party we were told we would have a 60-70 minute wait. It was a long wait, but worth it. I had a Chicken Salad Club Sandwich with Waffle Fries. The sandwich was very good, but the dipping sauce for the fries could have been better. Ashley was supposed to be going to spend the night with Keeley, since it was getting late we invited Keeley to Granite City with us. After we were done eating, Ashley left with Keeley and they were going to rent movies and try to stay up until 2 to watch The Mighty Boosh on BBC. We found out that Tim and Sue have a cabin with a pontoon boat and we have been invited to come up sometime. Doug says it is not too far from where Donnie and Bonnie's cabin is. Sounds like lots of fun.

Random Song Quote of the Day

well, your CD collection looks shiny and costly
how much did you pay for your bad Moto Guzi?
and how much did you spend on your black leather jacket?
is it you or your parents in this income tax bracket?

Cake, Rock'N'Roll Lifestyle

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cruci- cross-like

A Guy Walks Through A Window

My Christmas Wish List (Update)

Don't laugh at some of the things that I ask for. I wouldn't ask for them if I didn't really want them. I will add more to the list as I think of things.

1. A nice sweater (Size Large)
2. African Violet pots (I need two) - available at Home Depot
3. Can opener
4. Recharable AA Batteries (For my MP3 Player) - The I-C3 15-Minute 4-Bay Battery Charger is on Doug's X-Mas list as well.
5. Alarm Clock (So I can give Doug's back to him)
6. Digital Oven Thermometer

Friday Update

It's exciting, Ashley has now officially been accept at two colleges, Mt. Mercy and Wartburg. I'm not sure how she feels about gonig to the same college as her older brother. She is also still working on her essay for the Cornell application.

Yesterday they told us at work there will be manditory OT 8-5 until Thanksgiving, 'tis OK with me. We had a food day at work yesterday, it was a very good turnout for our liile group. The desserts were very good, but any food that was a main dish just did not have the flavor that I am used to.

So about a week ago I got a ball of Disco Yarn in the mail. It was brown and sparkley. I gave it to Ashley and she gave it to Keeley. Keeley's Grandma knits scarves, so now Ashley has a cute little sparkley scarf.

One last thing that I almost forgot. Doug's brother Tim and his wife Sue are coming down from MN for a visit this weekend. They will be here until early Sunday morning.

Greek Or Latin Root of the Day

cru(rals)- shank

Thursday Update

This update is for Diedre. Everyone knows that I am crazy. I'm known as the crazy turtle lady, crazy freebie lady and just plain crazy. But, hey whatever it takes to get you to update your blog. Also I want to say thank you for taking care of Thomas while he has been sick.

This is the creepiest cat I have ever seen.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

crosso- fringe, tassel

Wednesday Update

First snow of the season yesterday. The flakes were big and nuclear. Ashley took some nice pictures and posted them on her Xanga. Thomas says his cold is getting better, although he sure sounds bad on the phone. I think my job interview went pretty well yesterday. I won't know anything until after Thanksgiving. I'm a little nervous. I am always nervous when I switch jobs or to a new position. I think this one would be more stable than the position I am in now though.

Random Song Quote of the Day

There Is A Castle built for you and me
It's roof is the sky, walls are the trees
There's a carpet of grass under your feet
It's built here for you, built here for me

Gayla Drake Paul, There Is A Castle

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

crist- crest

Tuesday Update

Wish me luck. This afternoon is my interview for the new position at work.

Random Song Quote of the Day

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the Snow

Written by Irving Berlin in 1942

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

crispus curled

Random Song Quote of the Day

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

John Lennon, Imagine

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cric- ring

Just a couple of pictures to give an idea of how many leaves we had. Oh, and the woodpecker Doug saw in our tree.

Random Song Quote of the Day

If today is all we see
Then tomorrow seems to me
Is just an elusion we believe

Zero 7, Morning Song

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cribi- sieve

Do you believe in ghosts?

I found this site that has a list of haunted places in Iowa.

Saturday Update

Yesterday I only worked a half day. At 12:30 my supervisor said you can go home and use vacation time if you would like. Of course it would have been hard to say no to that. I also found out I have my interview for the new position at work on Tuesday morning. I hope it goes OK. Last night we had the best Tuna Casserole I have had in my life. And I have eaten a lot of tuna casseroles in my life. Chloe came home late last night after the play was finished. It is nice to have her here. It sounds like Thomas is winding down his trip to Chicago. He said he will call me when he gets back to Wartburg.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Well darkness has a hunger that's insatiable
And lightness has a call that's hard to hear
I wrap my fear around me like a blanket

Indigo Girls, Closer To Fine

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

crep- shoe

Random Song Quote of the Day

Pretty woman, walking down the street
Pretty woman, the kind I like to meet
Pretty woman, I dont believe you

Roy Orbison, Pretty Woman

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

crani- skull
crass- thick

Or crass crani

Thursday Update

Not much to talk about. Last night we had hamburgers for supper. We also had some yummy Oyster Mushrooms that Mark brought us. It is strange having these type of mushrooms so late in the year. After supper Ashley and Sam went to Dairy Queen to get Blizzards and then came back here and watched Chocolate. Doug watched a show about early television pioneers while I washed dishes. I was finished in time to watch half of that show and then we watched a new episode of Lost. We wanted Sawyer to die, but it looks like Shannon is going to die instead. Thomas got his car fixed before he had to head out to the Wartburg basketball game. Wartburg lost. He should be in Chicago at this moment.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cotyl- cup

Random Song Quote of the Day

Daniel my brother you are older than me
Do you still feel the pain of the scars that won't heal
Your eyes have died but you see more than I
Daniel you're a star in the face of the sky

Elton John, Daniel

Wednesday Update

No overtime today. We were not that busy yesterday. Last night supper was all about salads. First I had a Chef Salad and then I finished off the yummy Macaroni Salad that Doug had made earlier this week. Ashley had a catered Hy Vee meal at the Service Award dinner. She was given a Hy Vee pen (nice) and she got to take home the flowers (Mums) from her table, because she was the youngest one at her table. She also brought home an assortment of candy. Thomas had car trouble when leaving for work yesterday. So he ended up with the night off. He also leaves for Chicago tonight after the Wartburg basketball game.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Hey you!
Do you remember me
I used to sit next to you at school
We indulged in all the extra-curricular activites
We weren't particularly cool

Darkness, Friday Night

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cost- rib

Tuesday Update

I have to make this quick. I work at 7 this morning. I also had a half hour of overtime yesterday. Yes, Old Tony is back. At least for a little while. I also got my resume submitted for the open position at work. If you ever need a resume, Doug is the man to see. He could get Mao a job and his only skills are sleeping. Ashley and Keeley renewed thier friendship yesterday. They went for coffee and had a nice chat. Then they stopped back at our house for hot dogs, macaroni salad (best ever) and corn chips. I think this made both Ashley and Keeley very happy. Thomas leaves for Chicago on Wednseday evening. I hope he has a safe trip and lots of fun.

Random Song Quote of the Day

I hear your winter
I hear your rain
I've failed your summer ways
And I feel no pain

Smashing Pumpkins, Silverfuck

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cort- bark

Monday Update

It was a pretty quiet weekend around here. Saturday Ashley worked from 2-9 and Sunday she worked 8-4. Mao sleeps a lot so he is not much company. Thomas of course is at school and had to work at Home Depot most of the weekend. And Chloe just arrived back from Louisianna yesterday afternoon. I think Doug and I are getting the hang of this empty nest thing.

Random Song Quote of the Day

How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found?
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.

Pink Floyd, Wish You Were Here

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cost- rib

Random Song Quote of the Day

Got what I got the hard way
And I'll make it better each and every day
So honey don't fret
Cause you ain't seen nothing yet

I'm a soul man
I'm a soul man
Play it Steve!
I'm a soul man
I'm a soul man

Blue Brothers, Soul Man

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cort- bark

Saturday Update

Happy Saturday everyone. I hope Mary got out of the hospital, we have not heard from her since we went to visit her on Wednesday. Unfortunately, Doug has been a bit under the weather yesterday and today. Ashley had Friday off from school, so she went shopping with Sam. She had to get a gift for the Hy Vee Floral holiday party next weekend at Osaka. Next Tuesday she has the Hy Vee 2005 Service Award Dinner at the Prairie Creek Lodge in Sqauw Creek Park. Thomas will be leaving for his Chicago trip next week. I hope he has a bunch of fun like he did in Dallas last year. I guess that is all I have for now, not much planned for this weekend.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Life is a beautiful thing
As long as I've got a hold of that string
I'd be a silly so-and-so
If I should ever let go

Diana Krall, I've Got The World On A String

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

corp- body

Blogging 101--Web logs go to school

Friday Update

Friday at last. It has felt like a very long week. Yesterday I got to leave work one hour early. It was because on Wednesday I had 50% call to order, with $78 as the average order amount. Last night I mostly just washed dishes and watched Cops. I have no exciting plans for the weekend. Maybe I will try to finish raking the leaves in the yard, if the weather is nice.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream.

- - - Traditional Song

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

coron- crown

Thursday Update

After what seemed like a very long day at work, I meet Doug and Ashley at St Luke's and we went to visit Mary. We brought her a nice bouquet of flowers that Ashley picked up at the Hy Vee floral department. She is recovering well and is eating liquids in one ounce servings. She was probably a little sore after we left because Doug kept making her laugh. That is about all I have for now. Oh, one more thing. Can someone explain what is the Ali G Show?

Random Song Quote of the Day

Is this the real life
Is this just fantasy
Caught in a landslide
No escape from reality
Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see
I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy
Because I'm easy come, easy go; little high, little low
anyway the wind blows doesn't really matter to me
To me

Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

corn- horn

Wednesday

Happy Wednesday everyone. Doug went to visit Mary in the hospital yesterday. She is doing very well and may get to go home on Thursday. Tonight after work, I plan to meet Doug and Ashley at St. Luke's and we will all go to visit her. The high today is supposed to be around 69, so go out and enjoy the day if you get a chance.

Random Song Quote of the Day

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.

Harry Chapin, Cat's In The Cradle

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

corium- leather

Our Halloween went pretty well. We had 6 trick-or-treaters. I think that is 2 more than last year. Ashley wore her cat ears and a tail, Mao did not know what to think. We watched Shawn of the Dead. This was the first time that I watched the whole movie. I think it is hilarious.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Wow..., say it to me
Yeah yeah yeah yeah-ie yeah..., wow....

The Corrs, We Are Family

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cord- heart