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

Friday Update

Yesterday was a very long day at work and we had a lot of angry callers. I had one guy call me a M*th*r F*ck*r, just because he did not like the options I was giving him for contacting technical support. He was calling in on the sales line and we are not to provide tech support if they call on this line. He later told the supervisor that I was very rude. I hung up on him of course.

Brrr, it is getting to be Fall in Iowa. Last night Ashley went to the Home Coming bonfire. Doug and I watched the parade as it went by on 15th Street. All of the royalty were riding in Corvettes. Doug said, "I didn't know there were that many Corvettes in Marion."

I didn't watch much TV at all last night. After supper I made chocolate chip cookies. Yummy!! By the time I was finished making the cookies it was almost time to go to bed. Doug put a new play list on my MP3 player, I can't wait to listen to it on the way to work this morning.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Never knew the softness of his tender kiss
Don't know if he's weak or strong
All I know is that he's every dream I dream
All night long

Diana Krall, All Night Long

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

clad- branch

Thursday Update

Just a quick update. Not much to say. It is getting colder outside and the leaves are falling. I hope to get some raking in the yard done this weekend. Doug made a very delicious meatloaf last night. He put carrots in it, so I hope they did not affect him too badly. We watched Lost last night. They like to keep going back over things that they have already shown a dozen times. I still like the show, but Doug is starting to get annoyed. If they don't start moving along with the story line, I am afraid I will be watching the show alone.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Didn't mean to laugh, didn't know I had.
Didn't know the better part of what you said
cuz in your head you are not home.

Modest Mouse, One Chance

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cl(e)ist- closed

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cirr- tentacle (originally curl)

Random Song Quote of the Day

So set him up,
Let him fall.
Turn him over in your hands.
God save the King of New Orleans.

Better Than Ezra, King of New Orleans

Tuesday Update

Yesterday was fairly busy at work. I think the only reason for this was that three people were out. It was still a long day, but at least is was not hard to keep busy.

After work Ashley and I went to the school for conferences. We saw Dawn and her boy there waiting to speak to Mr Perkins. Ashley has an A- (88%) in AP English, an A- (91.41%) in Chemistry and an A (100%) in field biology. Mr Perkins says that she just gets it why they go out to the streams and do the water testing, etc.

Ashley also got her proofs for her Senior pictures. They turned out very nicely. I think we have it narrowed down to three or four that we really like.

Random Song Quote of the Day

I knelt before some strangers face,
I'd never have the courage or belief to trust this place,
But I dropped my head, 'cos it felt like lead,
And I'm sure I felt your fingers through my hair...

Missy Higgins, The Sound of White

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

circum- around

Random Song Quote of the Day

If you say it loud enough, you'll always sound precocious, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. - Mary Poppins, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cipit- head

Sunday Update

Yesterday Ashley and I went on a long walk on the Sac & Fox trail off from East Post Road. We were looking for animal tracks for her field biology class. We found deer tracks immediately by the water. However, she needed two types of tracks. This was not an easy task, especially after the morning rain. We did find lots of wild life and other interesting things. A snake, snail, cat birds, cardinals, ducks, deer, caterpillars, animal dropping, dog poo (I stepped in), purple panties on a tree branch, a wicked thorny tree and lots of little stickers that we had to pull off of our clothes.

So, a while back I subscribed to Xanga so I could comment on the girls Xangas. I was looking at mine this morning and it is pretty blah, no skin. I thought I would try to update. But for the life of me, I cannot figure out how to get a skin and post updates. Help anyone?

These are some of the pictures Ashley took on our Sac & Fox hike. How about that scary thorn tree.

Random Song Quote of the Day

You better leave my kitten all alone
Well I tell you big bad bulldog
Well, you better leave her alone

Elvis Costello - Leave My Kitten Alone

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

ciner- ashen, grey

Saturday Update

I am feeling very lazy this morning. Not much has happend since the last update. Last night we ate leftovers from the week. Ashley had Hamburger Gravy and Potatoes. Doug had Chili with Cheese and Chips and Hamburger Gravy with Potatoes. I had Pesole and Chili, Cheese and Chips. We watched Rita coverage most of the night. About halfway through the night, Anderson Cooper decided he was no longer going to use the term hunker down. I also found out that Thomas bought a Missy Higgins CD, I can't wait to hear it.

Random Song Quote of the Day

How many liberators really want to be dictators? - Dead Kennedys, Where Do Ya Draw The Line

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cili- eyelash

Friday Update

I am a bit annoyed this morning, Hotmail is having issues and it is not available. Last night Doug made the best ever Hamburger Gravy. I know I said this about two weeks ago when we had it. But this Hamburger Gravy has topped his other best ever Hamburger Gravy.

We watched the first show of the new season of Joey last night. It is very sad when all there is to watch is Joey. But Kevin Smith was on, so it wasn't all bad. There was also a new character on who wasn't bad. I hope they keep him on the show. Doug sort of watched a show about Stephen King while I washed the dishes. Doug was also working on his panel for his Blog. I really like it, so be sure to check it out. Ashley had to work 6-9 so she missed out on all of the boredom.

Happy Anniversary Doug!!!

Today is the ten year anniversary of when we offically got together. December 1st will be the ten year anniversary of when we started living together. Ten years of happiness, I so love it!

Random Song Quote of the Day

I have legalized robbery, called it belief. - Dire Straits, The Man's Too Strong

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

chym- juice

Thursday Update

I can't think of much to say this morning. Ashley got her senior pictures taken by a Republican perv. He voted for Bush twice, what a dumb ****. Next week she orders her cap and gown.

Last night Doug made Fried Rice for supper. It was very, very, good. We watched two hours of Lost. The first hour was a recap of last season, the second hour was the first episode of the new season. We got to see a little bit of what is inside the hatch.

Random Song Quote of the Day

I come equipped with stereophonic funk producin´ disco inducin´ twin magnetic rock receptors. - Bootsy Collins, Bootzilla

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

chyl- fluid

Wednesday Update

The best part of work on Wednesday is that it is bagel day. Diedre's new puppy is very cute. It looks like she had to stop comments on her blog. She had six spammers.

Last night for supper Doug made delicious Tato Skins. Tonight we are having Hamburger Gravy (yummy). After supper Ashley and I went to Target so she could get shoes to wear to Homecoming. She has a picture of her new pumps on her blog. Today Ashley is getting her Senior pictures taken at Hall's. I am not sure when Chloe is getting her pictures.

Last night we watched the new show My Name is Earl. So far it is very funny. Tonight is the start of the second Lost season.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Nothing to do, nowhere to go, I wanna be sedated. - Ramones, I Wanna Be Sedated

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

chrys- golden

Random Song Quote of the Day
(This one is for Chloe)

Sometimes I give myself the creeps, sometimes my mind plays tricks on me. It all keeps adding up, I think I’m cracking up. - Green Day, Basket Case

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

chrom- colour

This is a fun site.

stuffonmycat.com

Tuesday Update

Happy Tuesday to everyone. It sounds like both Chloe and Thomas had fun concert experiences this weekend. Ashley did not get to go to a concert, but the football game on Friday was fun.

Last night we had a very delicious Grape and Broccoli Salad that Doug made. I think Thomas will love this one. It's getting late and I have to get ready for work, so that is all.

Mao can't believe that he ate the whole thing!

This is the pest that has been eating our tomatoes. The Tomato Hornworm. Doug snapped this picture yesterday while everyone was eating on the patio.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

chorion membrane

Random Song Quote of the Day

Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs, what's wrong with that? - Paul McCartney, Silly Love Songs

Random Song Quote of the Day

Politicians hide themselves away, they only started the war. Why should they go out and fight, they leave that role to the poor. - Black Sabbath, War Pigs

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

chorion membrane

Random Song Quote of the Day

All in all is all we all are. - Nirvana, All Apologies

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

chord- cord

Saturday Update

Thomas sparked my curiosity about what a runt Kzin is. This is what Wikipedia says.

The Kzin (plural Kzinti) are a fictional, very warlike and bloodthirsty race of Felinoid aliens in Larry Niven's Known Space series. The Kzinti, belligerent giant cat-like aliens with whom the humans fight several brutal wars – mostly offstage until the release of the Man-Kzin Wars short-story collections, largely by other authors.

Last night was quiet around here. Ashley went to the Marion football game out of town.She got home around 11PM. Go Indians!

WESTERN DBQ	7
MARION	38

Friday Update

Yeah it is finally Friday! It was a slow day at work yesterday, not many phone calls. I was able to keep busy helping with return credits.

Ashley got her hair trimmed yesterday. She now has layers and it looks nice. Now she can quit asking me how it looks. Oh by the way, the woman who cut her hair used a shampoo that made Ashley smell like an old lady. She had to take a shower to try and get rid of the smell. It still hung around a little bit, even after the shower.

This is a note for Thomas. Did you know the the Dean of Admissions for Wartburg is in the hospital? I guess he had a stroke.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Peggy Sue, Peggy Sue, oh how my heart yearns for you. - Buddy Holly, Peggy Sue

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

chondr- cartilage

Random Song Quote of the Day

Got thirteen channels of shit on the TV to choose from. - Pink Floyd, Nobody Home

Tech Support - This is funny.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

choan- funnel

Wednesday Update

Yesterday was another uneventful day. At work I answered emails for about an hour. The rest of the day I spent helping marketing and data entry. It was another evening of not much on television. We watched Rides and OVerhaulin. We talked about what Doug would like if we could get GG overhauled. It would be sweet!

Random Song Quote of the Day

Now heads of states who ride and wrangle, who look at your face from more than one angle, can cut you from their bloated budgets, like sharpened knives through Chicken McNuggets. - Cake, Nuggets

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

choan- funnel

Tuesday Update

I feel better today. Yesterday was not very exciting. At least everything at work was up and running. It was only moderately busy at work. For supper we had leftover chicken and green bean casserole from Sunday. Ashley says the green bean casserole is the best, because it was made from fresh green beans out of the garden. Tonight we are going to make eggplant parmesan.

TV last night was not too exciting. We watched Find! with the Keeno Brothers and then we watched reruns of the State Fair highlights.

Random Song Quote of the Day

I should be allowed to blurt the merest idea, if by random whim, one occurs to me. - They Might Be Giants, I Should Be Allowed To Think

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

chlor- green

Random Song Quote of the Day

Cold silence has a tendency to atrophy any
Sense of compassion
Between supposed lovers/brothers

Tool, Schism

Monday Update

This morning I don't feel so good. My stomach is kind of queezy and I feel a little light headed. I'm sure I will feel better later, I think I just need some breakfast. I don't feel like saying much else so this will be all for today.

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

chlamy- outer garment

Isn' Ella cute!

Sunday Update

Yesterday was kind of a lazy day. Not much accomplished. We watched the Swamp Fax Parade from the front yard. After the parade Ashley came back with a bag of candy and a few other items. Dan, Gail and Amy's clan stopped by after the parade because they had parked across the street. Ella was carrying a sign that someone had dropped. It said "Girls Rule", how appropriate for her. She is such a cutie. I will post a picture as soon as Doug uploads it from the camera.

Chloe left the house around noon to have lunch with Anna and then she worked from 2-7. Ashley worked from 4-9. Doug laid down for a nap shortly before Ashley left for work. Ashley drove the van to work, so after she left I walked to the library to return some books. I then walked to the park in Marion Square and looked at what was going on. It did not look like too much at the time. They were setting up the stage for the evening performance, there were a few food stands and a few people were selling antiques and craft items. I then walked over to Walgreens to pick up a couple of things. It was pretty hot walking.

When I got back home I read The Gateway for a little bit and then Doug woke up. We made Hamburger Gravy and Mashed Potatoes for supper. It was time to pick up Chloe from work before Doug had a chance to eat. Doug makes the best Hamburger Gravy, I had seconds.

After supper we watched a special about the first five years of Saturday Night Live. This was a very good show and it is always fun to see some of the first SNL skits.

Random Song Quote of the Day

Think I finally got the knack, just floating here lazy on my back. I never really liked that town, I think I'll ride the river down. Just moving slowly and floating free, there's a river swinging under me. Waving back to the folks on shore, I should have thought of this before. - The Monkees, Going Down

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

chil- lip

Saturday Update

This weekend is the Swamp Fox Festival in Marion. People are already beginnig to park on the street to watch the parade. The girls decided to take a walk. If they walk past the school I'm sure they will see the people getting ready for the parade.

Thomas and Diedre stopped in real quick last night on their way to Swisher for some hick dancing. I'm sure Mao was confused by it all. Speaking of Mao, the poor boy has an ear ache.

We have no big plans for this week end. I suppose we should try and find out why water is leaking around the bottom of one of our toilets (the one by Chloe's room).

I am out of Zappa song quotes, so I am going to change to random song quotes instead.

I want to thank you my sweet darling for digging in the mud and picking me up. - Jimi Hendrix, In From The Storm

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

chiasm- crossing

Friday Update

Yeah it is Friday. This work week was only four days, but it felt like a lot more. The server has been going down for most of the last two days and it is a real pain to take customer orders down on paper. It is also impossible to give customers their order status.

Last night we had tomato soup and tuna sandwiches for supper. I actually enjoyed them. There was nothing much on TV to watch. I just vegged out on the couch most of the night.

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Seek the path to sudsy yellow nozzle of their foaming nocturnal parametric digital whole-wheat inter-faith geothermal terpsichorean ejectamenta in serious leather. - Frank Zappa, Mudd Club

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

cheno- goose

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Great Googly Moogly. - Frank Zappa, Nanook Rubs It

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

chel- turtle

Wednesday Update

Just a quick update, I have OT this morning. Yesterday I worked an hour late. When I got home I found out Mao had been sad most of the day. He misses Tommy and wonders why Doug would go to bed at night before Tommy gets back home. You have to know Mao to understand this. Ashley was gone at work, so Doug and I were home alone most of the evening. We had leftover hamburgers and hot dogs for supper.

Zappa Song Quote of the Day

Beauty is a lie. - Frank Zappa, Beauty Knows No Pain

Greek or Latin Root of the Day

chamae- on ground