Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

dick (adj) fat, chubby; thick

Das ist ein dickes Buch.
That is a thick book.
Sie war ein dickes Kind.
She was a chubby child.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
It’s not warm when she’s away
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
And she’s always gone too long
Anytime she goes away

Paul McCartney, Ain't No Sunshine

Missing SPRING!

Random Song Quote of the Day

I'm no longer moved to drink strong whisky
'Cause I shook the hand of time and I knew
That if I lived till I could no longer climb my stairs
I just don't think I'll ever get over you

Colin Hay, I Just Don't Think I'll Evrer Got Over You

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

jetzt (adv) now
Pron. YETST

Kannst du das jetzt tun?
Can you do that now?

Sunday Update

Not much happening this weekend. I went grocery shopping yesterday and then came home and made Broccoli Chicken Braid which is always yummy. No leftovers. Doug made some Chicken Rice Soup as well. He made the soup just so I will have something to take to work this week, as we do not anticipate any leftover Mock Lobster. Doug got one of the computers running and put it in the basement on Tommy's desk. Ashley is finishing her portfolio and drawing (noses, eyes, lips, ears and hair) for her drawing class. Chloe was mostly working on Saturday, first at Hot Topic and then she had to babysit. Mao did his usual; sleep, wake up, demand food, walk away from the plate once food is placed upon it, sleep, wake up, beg for food you are preparing, walk away when you try to give him cooked chicken, sleep, wake up, beg food while you are eating supper, eat Broccoli Chicken Braid from Mom's plate, sleep, wake up, touch Dad to ask him to feed him, walk away, sleep, wake up, demand food so he can go to bed, walk away from the plate when food is on it, sleep, sleep, sleep, wake up yelling because I won't wake up, walk away when I finally wake up and put food on his plate.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Hot funk, cold punk, even if it's old junk, it's still rock and roll to me.

Billy Joel, It's Still Rock And Roll To Me

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

was für (ein/eine) what kind of (a/an)

Was für Musik hörst du gern?
What kind of music do you like to listen to?
Was für eine Pflanze ist das?
What kind of a plant is that?

Need I say more?

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

verstehen to understand
Principal Parts: verstehen, verstand, verstanden

Das verstehe ich nicht. Was willst du damit sagen?
I don't understand that. What do you mean by that?

Random Song Quote of the Day

I love you 'cause I have to
Make everything OK
I love you 'cause I have to
Go away

Dogs Die In Hot Cars, I Love Cause I Have To

Not much to blog about this morning. The temperature is 29 degree and feels like 20. Not bad. Last night was another lazy night watching American Idol. The kid and the big guy have got to go. There were a couple of the guys who are pretty good. Tonight we will find out which two are going home. I think they send two girls and two guys. If you did not catch Idol this week and would like to see the performances you can at idolonfox.com.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Especially at night
I worry over situations
I know I'll be alright
Perhaps it's just imagination

Colin Hay, Overkill

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

der Markt (Märkte) market, farmer's market, open-air market; fair

Sie kauft ihr Gemüse auf dem Markt.
She buys her vegetables at the (open-air) market.

Wednesday Update

Wow, it's Wednesday already and it is 21 degrees right now. Old Tony came to visit at work yesterday for an hour. I am also going in to work early today. The email team needs some help because two of three people are gone. It pays to know multiple tasks at work. It makes it harder for them to get rid of you. Thomas has been doing a little better than he expected on tests at school. Keep up the studying and you will even do better next time. Ashley is selecting photos she has taken to put in her portfolio to take to Cornell for a scholarship. I really like her photos she has selected.

Well that is all for now, like I said I have to leave for work early today. Later....

Random Song Quote of the Day

All around is anger automatic guns
It’s death in large numbers no respect for women or our little ones
I tried talking to Jesus but He just put me on hold
Said He’d been swamped by calls this week
And He couldn’t shake His cold

Colin Hay, Beautiful World

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

das Rathaus (-häuser) city hall, town hall

Vor dem Schöneberger Rathaus sprach Kennedy seine vielleicht berühmtesten Worte: "Ich bin ein Berliner".
In front of the Schöneberg city hall [in Berlin] Kennedy spoke perhaps his most famous words: "Ich bin ein Berliner."

Tuesday Update

Back to work today. I hope the week goes by fast. Long weekends are good, but I just can't stay up late like I used to. If I do it ruins me the next day or I should say the next night. I was falling asleep on the couch last night around 7, so I went to bed at 8:30. I probably shouldn't get up so early in the morning, but if I search for the freebies after work all of the good ones are gone. You have to get up early to get the good freebies.

Random Song Quote of the Day

And I got patches on the patches
On my old blue jeans
Well they used to be blue
When they used to be new
When they used to be clean

ACDC, AIN'T NO FUN Waiting 'round To Be A Millionaire

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

schmecken to taste (good)

Diese Torte schmeckt mir.
This cake tastes good (to me).
Das hat geschmeckt.
That was good. (after meal)

Yeah!!! I don't work today!!!

It's a balmy 13 degrees this morning.

Random Song Quote of the Day

John said to John, I think we make a left at the light
There should be a big crinkle, assuming this map is right
John looked over and said, Hey, no its not
It's a crumpled up wrapper from the fast food that we got

They Might Be Giants, They Got Lost

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

der Frühling spring (season)

Im Frühling fahren wir nach Florida.
In the spring we're going to Florida.

Sunday Update

This morning is warmer than yesterday, it is only 4 below. I hope Thomas doesn't get too cold working the lot at work today. Stay warm Thomas. Have something warm to eat and drink for lunch today.We watched the Olympics most of last night. Nothing too exciting though. Bode Miller is a screw up is all I can say. Mao is sad when Thomas comes to visit and then leaves him again. In fact he is sad when anyone leaves him for any amount of time. Last night Doug went to pick up Ashley from work and Mao sat on top of the white chair and would not look at me until they were back home. I just remembered we had lottery tickets for the big drawing, I gotta go check the numbers. We might be rich!

We won $3. Sorry Thomas, don't quit your job yet!

Random Song Quote of the Day

Can I have a picture of you tonight
Keep it with me always in my mind

Snow Patrol, Fifteen Minutes Old

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

trinken to drink

Principal Parts: trinken/trank/getrunken - drink/drank/drunk

Was trinkst du? Vielleicht einen Kaffee?
What'll you have to drink? Perhaps some coffee? - lit., “a (cup of) coffee”

Saturday Update

It's friggin cold out! Right now it is 14 below. I don't want to go grocery shopping today or step outside at all. Ok, I'm sure I will still have to brave the cold today, because we want to get the thingy to fix the kithen faucet at Ace. I have a three day weekend, so now I feel like I should accomplish something. I will probably wipe down the popcorn machine and help Ashley finish her FAFSA application. Maybe I will bake something also. Thomas and Diedre had thier annual dinner at Vino's last night, I want to go again sometime. I don't have anything else to say right now so, bye bye....

Random Song Quote of the Day

Hey there Delilah
Don't you worry about the distance
I'm right there if you get lonely
Give this song another listen
Close your eyes
Listen to my voice its my disguise
I'm by your side

Plain White T's, Hey There Delilah

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

der Hut (Hüte) hat

Hut ab!
I take my hat off to you.
Das ist doch ein alter Hut.
That's old hat.

Friday Update

I'm happy it is Friday because I get a three day weekend. It looks like a lot of the snow we were supposed to get went past us. I hope Thomas and Diedre have a safe drive down here tonight. Not much happened yesterday. I left for work early and then found out the roads weren't all that bad. Ashley had no school and she was very surprised when Hy Vee called at 6:25 and said did you know you are on the schedule tonight. She wasn't on the schedule when she worked last on Tuesday. I had wanted to see her for a change and it just didn't happen. I was very tired last night and I can't even remember what we watched on TV. I think I fell asleep on the couch for a little bit using Mao for a pillow. He is a very warm pillow.

Random Song Quote of the Day

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.

James Blunt, You're Beautiful

Random Song Quote of the Day

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

der Norden (the) north

Diese Stadt liegt im Norden des Landes.
This city lies in the north of the country.

Thursday Update

It looks like most of the snow has missed us so far. But it is still very cold. I don't like being cold. For those of you who know about this, now our bedroom wall says "TOO" instead of "100". Doug made perfect Chicken Fried Steak last night. We also had Cheesy Potatoes and Green Beans. I had pickeled beets leftover from the Amanas too. It was a vey nice meal for a Wednesday. We watched American Idol and Lost last night. Idol is annoying when they let people through who obviously aren't idol material, just to create controversy or whatever. I thought Lost was pretty good last night. They are really making us dislike Sawyer though. He didn't have to kill the tree frog!

I spoke too soon. It started with sleet and is turning to snow. The girls have no school today.

Random Song Quote of the Day

How wonderful life is now that you're in the world.

Elton John, Your Song

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

die Briefmarke (-n) postage stamp

Ich brauche eine Briefmarke für meine Postkarte.
I need a stamp for my postcard.

Random Song Quote of the Day

I can dig it, he can dig it, she can dig it, we can dig it, they can dig it, you can dig it, oh let's dig it. Can you dig it, baby?

Friends of Distinction, Grazing In The Grass

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

der Traum (Träume) dream; reverie

Es war immer sein Traum, nach Australien zu fahren.
It was always his dream to travel to Australia.
(He had always dreamed of traveling to Australia.)

These are my African Violets.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Oh, can't you see
You belong to me
How my poor heart breaks
With every step you take

The Police, Every Breath You Take

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

Love and Romance auf Deutsch

cuddle v. kuscheln

darling, sweetheart n. Liebling

dear adj. lieb

flirt v. flirten

flower die Blume (-n)

heart das Herz
My heart beats only for you! Mein Herz schlägt nur für dich!

I love you. Ich liebe dich.

kiss(es) n. der Kuss (Küsse)
peck, little kiss(es) das Küsschen

kiss v. küssen
Kiss me! Küss mich!

This post is for you Thomas.

The Chuck Norris Worthiness Test

I scored 2nd highest of four worthiness categories and got a Chuck Norris Delta Force Worthiness badge.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Wild thing, you make my heart sing.

Troggs, Wild Thing

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

denken (v.i./t.) to think

Was denkst du darüber?
What do you think about that?
Der Mensch denkt, Gott lenkt.
Man proposes, God disposes. (prov.)

Sunday Update

Since the kids came home a day early, there was no reason to drive clear up to Waverly for supper. We decided to go to the Amanas instead. We were all set on going to the Colony Inn. When we got there a sign on the door said, "The Colony Inn will be closed all of February". What a disappointment. We then when to the Chocolate House. The chocolate smell was wonderful when we first walked in, but the prices were sky high. We bought some truffles that were rejects because they were a little more affordable. We then decided to go to the Ox Yoke. They seated us in The Wood Shed. The food was good, but not nearly as good as The Colony Inn. We ate lots of food and still had dessert. When we got home it looked like Mao had a very long nap and had never left his spot on the couch. It was really nice to have the family all together to eat a meal.

Random Song Quote of the Day

My love is the evening breeze touching your skin, the gentle sweet saying of leaves in the wind, the whisper that calls after you in the night, and kisses your ear in the early light.

Heart, Crazy On You

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

die Mutter (Mütter) mother

Meine Mutter ist 48 Jahre alt.
My mother is 48 years old.

Random Song Quote of the Day

The closer you are, the brighter the flames in my heart.

Frank Zappa, The Closer You Are

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

das Auge (-n) eye

Sie hat schöne grüne Augen.
She has beautiful green eyes.

This Day in Retrofuture History:

February 11, 1942: Silly putty is invented.

Friday Update

The weekend is upon us. Thomas will drive down this afternoon to pickup Ashley. She his going to spend the weekend on the Wartburg campus to get a taste of college life. Doug, hopefully Chloe and I will be driving up to Waverly Saturday, so we can all go out to eat at the Martin Brandenburg Restaurant.

Yesterday was a good day. I learned how to scan documents at work. The printer, copy, fax, scanner machine at work now has a button with my name on it for sending scans to my Outlook email. Doug had a good day as well, he and Johnny went to Iowa City. Chloe now has a computer desk and kick-ass chair in her room. We also have a nice little coffee table in the day kitchen.

Ashley had her first real drive in the snow last night. She made it home without any problems. She said she drove a little slower and never slid once. On the other hand, when Doug was driving me home from work we saw the aftermath off several accidents, bad drivers (especially the old man in the van and someone in a truck). We also saw an actual accident happen. An Explorer was waiting to back out from the curb after having slid through an intersection, when another car did not have control and the side of the car slid across the Explorers back bumper. It just goes to show no matter how much you are in control, you always have to be watching out for the other crazy drivers.

Random Song Quote of the Day

I see trees of green, red roses, too, I see them bloom for me and you. And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

Louie Armstrong, What A Wonderful World

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

die Arbeit work, job

Heute habe ich zu viel Arbeit.
Today I have too much work.

Thursday Update

The weekend is coming up soon. It is really starting to pick up at work, which is good. When it is busy at work the time moves faster. Nothing too exciting happening around home. Gordon's muffler was fixed yesterday. Gordon is a nice quiet Nissan again. American Idol started the Hollywood auditions last night. It's funny how some people forget what a judges job is. They are there to judge you. If your singing is not up to the judges standards, then you are going home. Just because you think you can sing, it doesn't mean you are not hurting other peoples ears. Lost was a pretty good episode last night. Sawyer is continuing to be quite the trouble maker on the island.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Love is more important than sex.

Prince, Temptation

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

sauer (auf + acc.) (adj) sour; annoyed, cross (with), mad (at)

Sie ist sauer auf mich.
She's mad at me. She's annoyed with me.

I want this turtle!

We are going to visit Thomas at Wartburg this Saturday. It should be a good time.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Dreams unwind, love's a state of mind.

Fleetwood Mac, Rhiannon

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

die Tasse (-n) cup

Er möchte eine Tasse Kaffee.
He'd like a cup of coffee.

Random Song Quote of the Day

All that we got here is American made. It's a little bit cheesy, but it's nicely displayed.

Frank Zappa, Flakes

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

hoch (adj) high, tall

Die Zugspitze ist der höchste Berg Deutschlands.
The Zugspitze is Germany's highest mountain.

Monday Update

The Super Bowl is over. We had lots of munchies to gorge on. The game was boring except for a couple of exciting moments. The commercials were mostly boring as well. Lots of advertising for movies that are coming out. Fed-Ex and Bud Light had the best commercials.

Random Song Quote of the Day

For those about to rock, we salute you.

ACDC, For Those About To Rock We Salute

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

versuchen (v.t.) to attempt, try

Wir versuchen Karten zu bekommen.
We're trying to get tickets.

Superbowl Sunday Update

Yesterday was busy. Doug and I went shopping in the AM for a tire at Sam's. While we waited for the tire to be put on we had 45 minutes to kill inside the store. We picked up a few things including chips for today. We then went to Best Buy to purchase Corpse Bride with some of our gift card money. We went home and had lunch and then I went shopping with Ashley. We went to Half Price Books and found a book by Shel Silverstein called "Who wants a cheap Rhinoceros?". It is great and I am sure Nick will like it for his birthday this weekend. Then we went into David's Bridal, Ashley wanted to look at dresses for prom. I thought all the dresses were way overpriced and kind of ugly too. Way too many brides and such in that place on Saturday. It made me uncomfortable. Then we went to Michael's, Ashley need to get a photo album for a school project, we also found luggage tags for $1. (Let me know if you want a couple Thomas.) We went home and then at 3 I took Chloe to work and finished my shopping at Hy Vee, Fareway and Walmart. I only bought rechargeable batteries at Walmart. I am trying to stay loyal to my usual grocery stores.

Last night we ate yummy pork chop sandwiches with salad and corn chips. Doug Chloe and I watched Corpse Bride. I recommend it if you have not seen it yet. After the movie I made a cheese ball for today and washed dishes. Ashley decided not to go to the WPA dance. Instead her and Sam went to eat at the Golden Palace, Ashley out ate Sam by a mile. They then went to see the movie "Munich", they say it was very good, but very graphic. They came here after the movie and watched Corpse Bride.

This has become a rather long post and I still have a birthday cake to make and cleaning to do. so this is the end. Have a good Superbowl XL.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Don't start me talking, I could talk all night. My mind goes sleepwalking while I'm putting the world right.

Elvis Costello, Oliver's Army

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

um (acc. prep.) at (time), around (location)

Wir treffen uns um neun Uhr.
We're meeting at nine o'clock.
Gehen Sie um die Ecke.
Go around the corner.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Her mind seemed so neurotic, her posture was erotic, and her voice was exotic, I acted so neurotic, I thought it idiotic.

Devo, Soft Things

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

leider (adv) unfortunately

Leider geht das nicht.
Unfortunately, that won't work

Ashley bought us a nice Hyacinth on Sunday. This isn't a picture of the actual one she bought, but it looks very close.

Random Song Quote of the Day

He's watching me watching you watching him watching me watching him watching.

Jethro Tull, Watching Me Watching You

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

einkaufen (v.i.) to shop

Heute gehen wir einkaufen.
Today we're going shopping.

Wednesday Update

Another non-exciting day at work yesterday. At least today we get free bagels. I like the honey-walnut spread on my bagel. Last night we watched Overhaulin. They overhauled a Chevy van this guy bought in 1976 (the year I graduated High School). They painted it a nice blue with a dragon and ghost flames on the outside. Inside it had a wide screen TV and of course speakers to blast the van. The guy dropped to his knees when he saw it and it was also his birthday. So Thomas, next time your finger turns color from a sliver, heat a needle to sterilize it and dig the splinter out. You can also get tweezers at Walmart for cheap.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Nobody loves me, everybody hates me,
Think I'll go and eat worms

Unknown, The Worm Song

Das Wort des Tages

German Word of the Day

der Grad (-e) degree; rank

Wasser kocht bei 100 Grad.
Water boils at 100 degrees.