This is just plain silly!

Store Wars

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

caespit- tufted

Wednesday Update

There is not much to update about today. Yesterday it rained and that is good for our garden. If it is nice after work I will probably go out and pick tomatoes. Yesterday was pretty uneventful. When I got home yesterday, I had to laugh at Mao, he was all covered up with a linen towel and had his paw covering his face. Chloe had her first real work day at Hot Topic, she seems to like it so far. Well I'm sure this is just boring everyone now, so I will stop here.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

caerul- sky blue

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

You don't dig me, I don't understand what it is, I had my car reupholstered. - Frank Zappa, Go Cry On Someone Else's Shoulder

Tuesday Update

The first day back to work started out pretty bad. I couldn't sell anything. Then I had a lady yelling at me and asking to talk to a supervisor. I can usually calm these people down and not transfer to the supervisor. But this lady would not listen to me. After lunch I was able to sell again and all was well. Today we have visitors in the building, so we have to wear dressier clothes.

We canned our first batch of pickles last night, 7 1/2 quarts. Tonight we will probably have to start making salsa with the tomatoes.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

caec- blind

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

She use to knock me out until her face broke out. - Frank Zappa, Big Leg Emma

Monday Update

Back to work today. It is going to be a real drag. Sorry to everyone in case Mao wakes you up yowling today.

Today is Chloe's big first day at Hot Topic. I will wear the black wrist band she bought me in support for her.

I can't think of much else to say right now. Back to the old work grind I guess.

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Left me here to cry alone with a bottle of juice and pork chop bone. - Frank Zappa, No No No

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

caduci- temporary

Sunday Update

I'm sad, tomorrow I have to go back to work. Hopefully it will be busy and the week will go by fast. Speaking of work, Chloe got hired at the mystery job. It is no mystery anymore because Chloe has announced it in her blog. Chloe will be working at Hot Topic, her dream job.

Lance has won the Tour de France and is riding in the final stage as I type. He has not yet been handed the champagne. He is just riding leasurely and talking to other riders and the guys in the Discovery car. He has just been handed the glass of champagne. I think I will wrap this up and watch the end of the Tour a little closer now.

"It's nice to finish your career on a high note. As a sportsman, I wanted to go out on top." - Lance Armstrong.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

bursa- pouch, purse

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Watch out where the huskies go and don't you eat that yellow snow. - Frank Zappa, Don't Eat The Yellow Snow

We now have a beautiful Sunflower blooming.

Another is about to bloom.

Yeah, tomatoes!

More tomatoes.

Peppers.

Saturday Update

Yesterday was pretty uneventful. Ashley and I cleaned out Fido's tank. I picked a few tomatoes, cucumbers and green beans from the garden. And I finished reading the Zappa Biography. I have now moved on to the Douglas Adams biography.

I was not aware that Zappa was such an ass to everyone he knew , including his family. He has four children, I only ever heard about three of them. Moon Zappa (Moon Unit Zappa), Dweezil Zappa (Ian Donald Calvin Euclid Zappa), Ahmet Zappa (Ahmet Emuukha Rodan Zappa) and Diva Zappa (Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen Zappa). He never did any drugs and drank very little. He was just a crazy Mother.

I made supper last night. And I must say, with Doug's instructions, the Chicken and Rice Hotdish turned out very yummy. Unfortuantely, Chloe had to go back to her Mom's after supper. She will be back on Sunday, I hope she has good news about the mystery job when she returns.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

buno- hill

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

The NRA, with the fingers on the triggers when they kneel and pray. - Frank Zappa, Jesus Thinks Your A Jerk

Friday Update

Last actual day of my vacation. Tomorrow is just the weekend again. I have only done a lot of little things around the house and a bit of reading. It has been nice being home with everyone, even if I throw off everyone's days a bit.

I think we will be able to pick some tomatoes from the garden today or tomorrow. Good homemade salsa will be the first thing we make. We also need to make hamburger pickles with the large cucumbers we have been picking. Last night we had green beans with supper. They were delicious. So was the fish and home fries.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

bullat- wrinkled

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Roller-skates and disco are a lot of fun, I'm much too young and stupid to operate a gun. - Frank Zappa, Drafted Again

Thursday Update

My vacation is winding down. I did not do any scraping on the house, it was just too hot outside. It has been nice just relaxing and not doing much.

Yesterday while Thomas and Ashley worked, Chloe and I went to the Marion library and shopped for clothes for her job at Fareway. She has not yet heard back from her interview with the mystery job. I also picked up a replacement copy of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory while we were at Target. We had grilled brat burgers, hot dogs and chips for supper. The brat burgers are very large and yummy.

On a sad note, poor old Fido passed away yesterday. He had a long life at 9 years old.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

bullat- wrinkled

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Republican is fine, if your a millionaire. Democrats is fair, if all you own is what you wear. Neither of them's really right, cause neither of them care. - Frank Zappa, Hot-Plate Heaven At The Green Hotel

If you are hungry and think the food around here is bad, check out this web site.

http://kookychow.com/kookychow/

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Power will be maintained by the groovy guy or gal who gets the most media coverage for his sleaze. Naturally, his friends in various businesses will do okay, too. - Frank Zappa, Introduction - Joe's Garage

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

bulla- bubble, flask

Hollyhocks. 

Trumpet Creeper. 

Geraniums. 

Pretty Hollyhocks. 

Eggplant 

Lots of hot peppers this year. 

This is the green beans just getting started. 

Lots of tomatoes on the patio plant. 

The cucumbers are taking off strong. 

Tuesday Update

Just a quick update. This morning Ashley will be getting her first tooth fillings, she is very nervous. I think the needle and the drill scare her. Chloe has a big day with another job interview at a place that will be disclosed at a later date.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

bulbos- bulbous

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Just be glad you don't live in one of those little countries where at this very moment, music is severely restricted, or as it is in Iran, totally illegal. - Frank Zappa, Introduction - Joe's Garage

Monday Update

Yesterdays gathering was nice. Except we did miss Deb and Anna Banana. Because of the heat we ate inside which is always nice and cozy. I do not have much planned for today. Probably wash the dishes and read. I can't think of much else to say this morning.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

bucca- mouth cavity

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Journalism is kind of scary and of it we should be wary. - Frank Zappa, Packard Goose

Sunday Update

Yesterday was spent shopping in the heat. We went to get a new knob for the back door. No more Billy Bob door knob! We also stopped in at Hy Vee and Fareway. We have to be loyal to both stores now that Chloe will be starting at Fareway on Monday.

After a yummy supper of Rice Hotdish, I made the Buttermilk Salad Desert for today. Doug and Ashley made the two salad dressings for today. Thomas was in Waterloo at Diedre's yesterday and made a nice meal of Chicken Kiev, Wild Rice, and Dole European salad for Kristen and Diedre. A picture can be seen on his Blog.

Of course after supper, making desert and dressings there were plenty of dishes, which Ashley and I washed. After the dishes were done, I watched Hell Boy with Doug. I only missed a little of the beginning. It was a much better movie than I had ever expected.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

bronch- windpipe

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Environmental laws were not passed to protect our air and water, they were passed to get votes. - Frank Zappa, Introduction - Joe's Garage

Saturday Update

I'm on vacation damn it!

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

bromo- oats, broom, shadow

Zappa 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

Friday Update

Day three of my vacation already. Yesterday I accomplished a few things. I watered the garden. I read a little from the book I am reading, 'Zappa: A Biography'. I washed dishes and did some laundry. I straightened a few cupboards in one of the kitchens, but I have much more to do. I cleaned out the main frig and defrosted the freezer in the drink frig. I also watched Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. What a fun movie!

Ashley came home from work last night with several house plants that she purchased for a dollar because they had been damaged. They actaully look very nice and I am sure we can get them to thrive.

Garden Update:

Note: I would really like to post pictures, but Ashley has been taking the pictures for me and for some reason, I have not been able to get to her pictures online. I will post pictures as soon as I am able.

We have already gotten quite a few large cucumbers which we plan to make salad dressing with soon. The vines are growing rather long and I am sure we will be canning pickles before we know it. It is a good thing too, because we just gave away our last jars of Bread n Mustard and they are quickly becoming everyone's favorite.

The yellow squash and zuccinni are producing a lot and I would guess that we will be eating those by next week.

Most of the pumpkin plants are looking very nice. However, I do not see any baby pumpkins yet.

All of the tomato plants are producing plenty of tomatoes. However, the only ones that have turned red so far are the cherry tomatoes. We are hoping for the larger tomatoes to start turning soon.

The eggplant is doing nicely as well. We have several that are blooming with fruit.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

brizo- to nod

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

You are what you is, you is what you am, you ain't what you're not. So see what you got? - Frank Zappa, You Are What You Is

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

brevi- short

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Give me your love now, don't make me steal it. - Frank Zappa, Tell Me You Love Me

Thursday Update

This is day two of my vacation. I did not do too much on day one. I did do a little straightening in the basement, but I didn't get too carried away. I am hoping for a few days that will be cool enough for scraping the house to get it ready for some paint.

It was Chloe's 17th birthday yesterday, so I did make one of her favorites, a choc-o-magic pie.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

branch- gill

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Our criminal institutions are full of creeps like you who do wrong things, and many of them were driven to these crimes by the horrible force called music. - Frank Zappa, Entrance Of The Central Scrutinizer

Wednesday Update

Yeah!!! Today is my first day of vacation. I actually slept in until 6:30. Mao wasn't even angry at me. I am not yet sure what I will do today. Probably try to make something special for Chloe's birthday. We also have some rather large cucumbers that we are thinking of making Green Goddess Dressing with.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

brady- slow

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Am I a boy or a lady, I don't know which? - Frank Zappa, Bobby Brown

Tuesday Update

Today is my last day of work before vacation. I hope it goes fast at work, but I have a feeling it will drag on and on.

Yesterday Chloe had a good job interview at Fareway. I wish her lots of luck. Today is Ashley's last day of drivers ed. I will probably take her over to the DOT to get her license on Wednesday. I know she is very excited. Look out everyone, Ashley now drives (on the road)!

Mao is very proud of being a fly catcher. He caught and killed two flies yesterday.

Look out little flies. Mao is going to get you. 

Monday Update

Yesterday was another very long Sunday. I stayed up way too late. Now I am tired and have a splitting headache. I think I will go shower now and try to wake up.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

brachy- short

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Mama stroked his dinger, Daddy got stinky finger. - Frank Zappa, Wild Love

Sunday Update

This morning I have mostly been checking my email. Today should consist mostly of cleaning, because shiskastuff is simple, especially when everyone else is doing most of the prep work. Today is a big day, two birthday celebrations, Deb and Bobo.

It looks like old Puck is begging for more attention. I guess there could be worse things than the alternator going out every year and a half. At least I will be on vacation after Tuesday and Doug will have plenty of time to pull the alternator and get it looked at.

I think I will end this update now and get ready to do the work for the day. I want to trim the bush that is now hanging out over the sidewalk by the patio. We also have a very large cucumber that I need to bring in to make a dip with, yummy.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

brachi- arm

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Donnie and Marie can both take a bite. - Frank Zappa, No Not Now

Saturday Update

Yesterday was a good day. Although it was very slow on the phones and email at work, I was very busy. I was given a very large stack of returns to process. And because Oracle is still not very user friendly, it took me a good part of the day to complete about 85 returns and exchanges.

When I got home Ashley was at work and Chloe was babysitting. So it was just Doug, Tommy and myself at home for supper. Doug made fabulous omlettes. He also made Ashley one when she got off work at 8. After supper the three of us went to pick out Deb's birthday presents and some gifts for Chloe. Then it was almost 8, so we went straight to Hy-Vee to pick up Ashley. After Doug made Ashley her omlette, we watched Team America: World Police. What a funny and disturbing puppet movie. After the movie I went to bed.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

bov- ox

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

What kind of man can name a child Moon Unit? - Frank Zappa, A Few Moments With Brother A. Wes

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

botry- small bunch of grapes

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Elmer has the mentality of approximately one peanut. - Frank Zappa, Our Bizarre Relationship

Remember Lite-Brite?

Thursday Update

Wow, it is Thursday already! I only have two days of work left this week and two next week and then I am on vacation for a week and a half.

Sorry Guys, I have been wanting to post some pictures Basher took for me, but I can't get to them right now. I guess I should wrap the wedding gifts before I go to work today, since John and Elaine will be leaving back to Minnesota early tomorrow. John will be cooking supper for us this evening, Wild Rice and Chicken Soup.

We watched Hitch last night. I thought it was a cute and funny movie. Kevin James is hilarious.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

bore- north

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

What ya say, fellows, nice set of jugs? Now Mary, how's about shaking it around a little? - Frank Zappa, The Wet T-Shirt Contest

Tuesday Update

Yesterday was fairly busy at work. But this was only because four people were gone. When we got there Doug said he would probably leave early, because he had cut his thumb the day before and it would not stop bleeding. One of the ladies in Schools Customer Service put a butterfly bandaid on his thumb and it finally stopped bleeding, so he did not leave to the doctors.

In the afternoon I had my training in marketing. It was very easy, but there are a lot of steps to remember for just one promotion code. Once I do it a few times I'm sure it will be no problem.

When I got home John and Elaine were gone to spend time at Curt's house. This meant we all had our own beds back. What a relief. It was a pretty quiet evening. Except at supper when Doug and the kids started to talk about the movie Team America, World Police. I guess it is very funny and gross. Brian stopped by to pick up his recycle bin and chatted for awhile.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

blast- germ

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

The bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'. - Frank Zappa, Sex

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

bi(ola)- life

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

She was a steady date until she put on some weight. - Frank Zappa, Big Leg Emma

If Women Controlled
the World...

Monday Update

Happy 4th of July everyone.

Yesterday had to be the best Sunday gathering we have ever had. If only Deb could have been here.I believe we had over 20 people over the course of the evening. The food was delicious, as usual. The stories and fireworks were very entertaining as well. And Wanda was worried because all she had to bring was s'mores fixin's. That worked out beautifully, because Ilya had never had them I believe she ended up having two or three. Wanda and Amber were the last ones to leave around 12:45, and they weren't even originally going to show up.

Today will probably be a little more quiet around here. Ashley works 9-5 and Thomas works til 8:30 and then will be joining Diedre's family for fireworks. John, Elaine and Ilya will be going with Curt and family to see the fireworks. Doug and I will be staying home as our tradition has become.

Greek ot Latin Root of the Day

bi- two

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Our big prize tonight is fifty American dollars to the girl with the most exciting mammalian protuberances. - Frank Zappa, Wet T-Shirt Night

Sunday Update

Yesterday was busy for everyone. We had a list of things that still needed to be accomplished before John and Elaine arrived. We got most everything finished. Ashley and Thomas had gone to work and I was grocery shopping when I got a call from Doug. He said, "They did it to us.' John and Elaine just called and they were at Curt's house. Needless to say, they were one day early. It was nice to see them.

We made little home made pizzas. Ellia (spelling?) watched a movie, colored, played War with grandma, caught fireflies and played games on the computer. Ashley and Chloe left for a bonfire at 9:30, so Ashley really did not see much of Grandma and Grandpa yet. She also works all day today. Well I ned to go get ready for the day, because I have to drive her to work pretty soon.

One more thing, I found Mao sleeping on the day-kitchen counter this morning.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

bell- pretty

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Our big prize tonight is fifty American dollars to the girl with the most exciting mammalian protuberances. - Frank Zappa, Wet T-Shirt Nite

Saturday Update

I left work around 2:30 yesterday. It was nice getting off early before a three day weekend. We did not get our annual bomp pops, instead we got bagels from Brueggers.

When I got home Ashley and Doug were cleaning and Chloe was washing dishes. Thomas had finally strightened up his room. I joined in the cleaning after dropping Ashley off at drivers ed. She did not have one of her best drives because the instructor did not think that she was breaking in time.

Doug cleaned up most of the bedroom, with a little help from me. Today we will move the bed so we can vacuum entirely under the bed. We still have a whole list of cleaning and stuff to do before tomorrow. I think I will go scrub the shower now.

It was pretty quiet at home last night. Ashley and Thomas were at work and Chloe went to spend the night with Anna. mao was pretty much ignoring me until bedtime.

Oh, one more thing before I go. At about 2:30 this morning, I jumped up in bed and said, "Doug did you see those flames, sparks." There had been a loud pop sound and then when I jumped up and opened my eyes, I saw sparks falling from the ceiling. I don't know why I said flames. I guess because for a while I expected to see the house start on fire. Doug got up and went to the bathroom to check it out. Someone had turned the fan switch on and left it on. The fan overheated and that was when the pop sound happened and the sparks flew. When I went to unplug it the cord just fell off. I had a little trouble falling back to sleep because when I was up on the chair to unplug the fan, I touched the fan and it was very hot. I was still afraid that there was a fire happening in the attic. mao was a bit concerned for awhile as well. He came in and circled around while looking in the bathroom. Needless to say there was no fire, as we are are still safe and sound in our home.

Google Video (Beta), this kind of fun to find a video about anything. I typed in snot.

http://click.email-publisher.com/maadHMdabil5Ua4ZZWcbaeQxYF/

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

bdella- sucker

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Find her, blind her, see who designed her. Act like a dummy until you grind her. - Frank Zappa, Find Her Finer

Friday Update

Yesterday was extremely boring at work. We were finished with most of the emails by 10:00. After that it was a race to see who could answer the one or two emails that trickled in every ten minutes. The supervisor (Diane) had us taking turns going in groups of two to the computer lab to play games like Dr Seuss ABC, Monsters Inc Bowling for Screams, Where in the World is Carmen San Diego.

When I first got to work, I had an email from Diane that I was to see her first thing. She had a project for me, if I was up to it. I found out she wanted me to go to the marketing department at 2:00 to learn what they do to make promotion codes for Oracle (our customer/ordering data base). There are three people in the marketing department that are quiting to go work at Go Daddy. She told me I would be one of three people who were going to help in marketing until the positions were filled. And if I like what I learn I will be able to apply for one of the positions. Humm, new opportunity? Unfortunately, as usual, a message did not get back to Diane from our department manager Pam, that I was not supposed to go to marketing until Tuesday. They had decide to start the training on Tuesday instead. So I went back to my boring department and did nothing for the rest of the day.

I hope someone updates their blog today. It doesn't matter who updates. It's just that it is very boring to go to everyones blog in the morning to find out they haven't updated. Although the girls are pretty good at it.

Today we can wear shorts and tennis shoes to work if we want to. I am passing on shorts, but I will be wearing tennis shoes. My feet will be so happy! Because the day before a holiday weekend is usually even slower than a normal day we will be cleaning our areas, we are supposed to get a treat today, probably red, white & blue bomb pops. We get them every year before the 4th. We will also get early out if business is slow. Diane randomly drew names to see who she would send home first. I am number one on the list.

This is getting rather lengthy and I have to get ready for work now. I will probably see everyone early this afternoon.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

bat(is) skate, ray

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

He just got in the car, but the batteries dead. So he asks to use the phone and she gives him some head. - Frank Zappa, Honey, Don't You Want A Man Like Me?