Happy Birthday Mao!
It's your Birthday..It's your Birthday!

Recipe of the Day

Mouseburger Bites

For those days when you just wanna sit around with your cat. (Doesn't contain mouse.)

	3 oz	Sausage or finely ground beef
	2 T	Oatmeal
	1	Egg
		Catnip finely chopped

Knead the ingreadients together very thoroughly and form into a flat oval. Broil under a medium heat for 5-7 minutes,turning frequently until the outside is crisp. Wait until cool,then slice into bite sized chunks and feed to your cat.

Friday the 13th Facts


According to Smithsonian Magazine "fear of the #13 costs American a billion dollars per year in absenteeism, train and plane cancellations, and reduced commerce on the 13th of the month."

Fear of Friday the 13th dates back to Nordic Mythology. Many of their thirteenth Gods met with violent deaths, such as Loki, the trickster.

Ancient Romans regarded the number 13 as a symbol of death, destruction and misfortune.

Lizzy Borden uttered a total of 13 words at her trial.

There were 13 original colonies.

A witches coven consists of 13 members.

Tarot Card number 13 is the Death Card, depicting the Grim Reaper (although it is read as transition or change and not literal death).

Hotels rarely have a room number 13. Usually it is called 12a or 14. Same with floors of buildings and the elevators without a #13 button. Highways sometimes will skip exit 13 altogether also.

There are 13 steps leading to the gallows.

13 knots in a hangman's noose.

13 feet which the guillotine blade falls.

The driver of Princess Diana hit pillar #13 at Place de l'Alma when she was killed in Paris, France.

13 people, Christ and his 12 disciples, were in attendance at the last supper. This is where the Christian belief ties in, making Friday a believed unlucky day, as the crucifixtion occurred on a Friday.

Certain ocean liners will be held in dock until after midnight to appease passenger's fears on Friday the 13th.

British study concluded that even though there were less cars on the road on Friday the 13th (as compared with other Fridays) more accidents were reported.

Trisadekaphobia is the technical name for fear of Friday the 13th.

Apollo 13, 1970, the 13th mission launched from pad #39 (13 x 3), mission was aborted, after an explosion occurred in the fuel cell of their service module. The rocket had left launcing pad at 13:13 CST and the date was April 13th.

Epluribus Unum has 13 letters.

The US Seal has 13 stars, bars, feathers in the eagle's tail, 13 bars in one claw, 13 olive branches in the other.

A "quatrorzieme" is a professional 14th guest hired by the French who had only 13 guests in attendance for dinner, who felt that was unlucky.

A baker's dozen consists of 13 for a reason! So the story goes a witch near Albany, NY demanded 13 items every time she came in to a particular bakery, and one day the old baker could not afford her extra biscuit. She sneered some strange words at the man, and he suffered terrible luck from then on, until he brought her another 13 rolls. After that life was once again easy for the baker and word spread around town. The custom is still sometimes practiced today.

Thursday Update

It snowed last night!!!!! I'm not ready for this Winter thing yet. At leat it only stuck to the ground and car windshields. It isn't on the street. It has been a relatively quiet week. Last night we watched Lost and tried to watch The Nine. This was the second episode and we just weren't feeling it. Tonight will be another new episode of My Name is Earl. I do love that show.

Stupid and Special Signs

The leaves have been falling. As you can see, we have a very large pile of leaves in our yard. It is a very good jumping pile. Now I just need some kids that are willing to jump.

Fall is in the air, leaves are falling and Doug is baking. It doesn't get any better than that. Doug baked some beautiful loaves of bread and kolaches.

Friday Update

I signed up to log in to my blog using my gmail account. It publishes your post almost instantaneously. I'm glad it is Friday, I will get to see Ashley this evening. My Name is Earl was good last night. He went to say he was sorry to a girl he made fun of in school. She had a mustache in Middle School. When he went to her house and she opened the door and she had a full beard and mustache. She worked in a carnival side show and lived in a town with all carnival freaks. It was very funny. This is all so random, I guess I really don't have that much to write about. Later....

Win a free Fender Highway One Prototype Guitar

Free Hugs - I like it!

A very nice video from YouTube.

Recipe of the Day

Baked Rigaboney

Serves 8 to 10

3 tablespoons olive oil 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 large small onion, finely chopped One (6-ounce) can tomato paste Two (28-ounce) cans unpeeled crushed tomatoes in purée 1 teaspoon sugar Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper 1 pound rigatoni 2 pounds sweet Italian sausage, casings removed 1 1/2 pounds whole-milk ricotta cheese 1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded 1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, and cook until onion is translucent, about 4 minutes. Add tomato paste, and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and sugar. Season with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Cook until slightly reduced, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. 2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni, and cook, stirring occasionally, 9 minutes. Drain in a colander, and rinse under cool water until cool. Set aside. 3. In a medium nonstick skillet, heat remaining tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add sausage, and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to break up any large pieces, until browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Drain, and set aside. 4. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta with half of the mozzarella. Stir to combine. Season with a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper. 5. To assemble; Spread 1 cup of the sauce in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add half of the rigatoni in an even layer. Spread with 1/2 cup sauce, ricotta mixture, sausage, and 1 cup more sauce. Top with remaining rigatoni, and 1 1/2 cups sauce. Any remaining sauce may be reheated and served on the side or reserved for another use. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top to cover. Place baking dish on a baking sheet and transfer to oven. Bake until bubbly, 35 to 40 minutes.

http://www.marthastewart.com

Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road?

DR. PHIL:
The problem we have here is that this chicken won't
realize that he must first deal with the problem on
"THIS" side of the road before it goes after the
problem on the "OTHER SIDE" of the road. What we need
to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by
not taking on his "CURRENT" problems before adding
"NEW" problems.

OPRAH:
Well I understand that the chicken is having problems,
which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So
instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes
and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to
give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across
the road and not live his life like the rest of the
chickens.

GEORGE W BUSH:
We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road.
We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of
the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or
for us. There is no middle ground here.

COLIN POWELL:
Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the
satellite image of the chicken crossing the road...

ANDERSON COOPER - CNN :
We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we
have not yet been allowed to have access to the other
side of the road.

JOHN KERRY:
Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am
now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was
misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now,
and will remain against it.

NANCY GRACE:
That chicken crossed the road because he's GUILTY! You can
see it in his eyes and the way he walks.

PAT BUCHANAN:
To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.

MARTHA STEWART:
No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going.
I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs
when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave
me any insider information.

DR SEUSS:
Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad?
Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not
been told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY:
To die in the rain.  Alone.

JERRY FALWELL:
Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain
truth in front of your face? The chicken was going to the
"other side." That's why they call it the "other side." Yes,
my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken,
you will become gay too. I say we boycott all chickens until
we sort out this abomination that the liberal media whitewashes
with seemingly harmless phrases like "the other side." That
chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and
simple as that!

GRANDPA:
In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road.
Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was
good enough.

BARBARA WALTERS:
Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening
to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story
of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to
accomplish its life long dream of crossing the road.

JOHN LENNON:
Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.

ARISTOTLE:
It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

BILL GATES:
I have just released eChicken2006, which will not only cross roads, but
will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book.

ALBERT EINSTEIN:
Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath
the chicken?

BILL CLINTON:
I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition
of chicken?

AL GORE:
I invented the chicken!

COLONEL SANDERS:
Did I miss one?

Wednesday Update

This week is going by pretty quickly for me. Three more days and I have a three day weekend. I get off for the Columbus Day holiday next Monday. Yeah me!!!

Recipe of the Day

Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Cookies
Estimated Times:
Preparation - 15 min | Cooking - 11 min | Cooling Time - 15 min cooling | Yields - 48 cookies (4 dozen)

You will be dreaming of these peanutty cookies in your sleep!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Baking Cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® SWIRLED™ Milk Chocolate & Peanut Butter Morsels, divided
• 1/2 cup chopped peanuts (optional)

Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 325° F.

COMBINE flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in 1 cup morsels and peanuts. Drop by well-rounded teaspoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Press down slightly. Top with remaining morsels.

BAKE for 11 to 13 minutes or until cookies are puffed and centers are set. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

http://www.verybestbaking.com

Tuesday Update

Not much happening around here. No OT at work yesterday, I was relieved. We had leftover pizza for supper last night. I think my favorite of all the pizzas was the dessert pizza Doug made. I am glad the warm weather is back for awhile. I alway hate to see Summer go. I guess Fall is nice too. I just don't care much for Winter. The new Lost season starts tomorrow. I hope something good happens.

Recipe of the Day

SHEPHERDS PIE (POOR MANS PIE)

1 lb. ground beef 1 can peas 1 can sweet corn 1 medium onion, diced 1/3 c. sugar 8 medium potatoes 2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese Boil potatoes, mash and season to taste with milk and butter. Brown ground beef and onion with salt and pepper. When cooked, add peas, corn, sugar. Let simmer until heated through. In 13x9 pan place meat and vegetable mixture in bottom of pan. Cover with mashed potatoes and sprinkle cheese on top. Place in oven on BROIL until cheese is bubbly or light brown.

http://www.cooks.com

Sunday Update

This weekend I am trying to recover from all of the overtime I worked last week. Monday 2 hours, Tuesday 2 hours, Wednesday 2 1/2 hours, Thursday 3 1/2 hours and Friday 5 3/4 hours. That is almost a 56 hour week. Yeah, I'm tired. Chloe has been staying with us for the last two weeks. It is very nice, I get to see her even though I have been working the extra hours. She also works a lot of hours, besides going to school. Today is the last day of Ashley's block break, so we are having a pizza pile up. There will be a variety of pizzas, pop, lemon cake and a few jabbery college kids. It should be lots of fun. Last night after supper Doug started a fire in the pit and we sat outside until about 11. It was a very nice and warm fire. It is so peacfeful just watching a fire.

Recipe of the Day

TAMALE PIE

1 box cornbread stuffing mix 1 lb. ground beef Taco seasoning mix 1 10 oz can corn 1 14 oz can chili ready tomatoes 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped green pepper 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar/Colby cheese 1/2 large jar of picante sauce sour cream for garnish In a small bowl, prepare Cornbread Stuffing Mix and set aside. Brown ground beef with onion and green pepper and add Taco seasoning mix as per directions on pouch. Mix corn, tomatoes, cheese and picante sauce with ground beef mixture in casserole dish. Top with cornbread stuffing mix and bake at 400°F for 45 minutes. Garnish with Sour Cream. http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,178,130181-248199,00.html

Go here to print a Target coupon for a
free full size bottle of Tide Simple Pleasures.

Recipe of the Day

Crunchy Onion Chicken

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time : 20 minutes

Ingredients:
1 1/3 cups French's® Original or Cheddar French Fried Onions
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 egg, beaten

Directions
1. Place French Fried Onions into plastic bag. Lightly crush with hands or with rolling pin.
2. Dip chicken into egg; then coat with onion crumbs, pressing firmly to adhere. Place chicken on baking sheet. Sprinkle with additional crumbs, if desired.
3. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or until no longer pink in center.

http://www.frenchs.com

Just some humor today.

Out On A Limb
A lawyer defending a man accused of
burglary tried this creative defense:
"My client merely inserted his arm into
the window and removed a few trifling
articles. His arm is not himself, and I
fail to see how you can punish the whole
individual for an offense committed by
his limb." "Well put," the judge replied.
"Using your logic, I sentence the defendant's
arm to one year's imprisonment. He can
accompany it or not, as he chooses." The
defendant smiled. With his lawyer's
assistance he detached his artificial limb,
laid it on the bench, and walked out.

“A statesman is he who thinks in the future generations,
and a politician is he who thinks in the upcoming elections.”

—Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth President

Wednesday Update

This is a very busy time of year at work. This week is our quarter end. This means we must try to push through as many orders as we can so the dollars look good for the books. I must be a bit crazy though (gee, imagine that), because I like it when we are busy like this. I also like the money that 'Old Tony' brings in.

This Sunday will be our pizza pile up party. It should be lots of fun if Ashley and Chloe can round up a bunch of kids. It is too bad that Thomas has to work most weekends.

Older Than Dirt Quiz: Count all the ones that you remember not the ones you
were told about Ratings at the bottom.

1. Blackjack chewing gum
2. Wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water
3 Candy cigarettes
4. Soda pop machines that dispensed glass bottles
5 Coffee shops or diners with tableside juke boxe s
6 . Home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers and the
cream was on top of the milk.
7. Party lines
8. Newsreels before the movie and coming attractions and a serial.
9. P.F. Flyers
10. Butch wax
11. Telephone numbers with a word prefix (OLive-6933)
12. Peashooters
13. Howdy Doody
14. 45 RPM records
15. S&H Green Stamps
16 Hi-fi's
17 Metal ice trays with a lever
18 Mimeograph paper
19 Blue flashbulb
20. Packards
21. Roller skate keys
22. Cork popguns
23. Drive-ins
24. Studebakers
25 Wash tub wringers

If you remembered 0-5 = You're still young
If you remembered 6-10 = You are getting older
If you remembered 11-15 = Don't tell your age,
If you remembered 16-25 = You're older than dirt!

You guessed it. I am older than dirt!!!

Modern celebs in old art.

I got nothin'

A very cool video.

http://www.ezprezzo.com/videoclips/pipe_dream.html

Sunday Update

Yesterday was a pretty good day. I raked some leaves in the yard and filled three trash cans. I put up the down spout in the back corner of the house. Doug and I went to Mt Vernon to pick up Basher so she could go to work. Doug and I made stuffed peppers, they were very yummy. Ashley got home a little after 9 and Doug started a fire in the pit. Wanda dropped by about that time to drop off cabbage for todays soup and stayed a while to talk. It was a nice time on the patio.

Saturday Update

Yeah it is the weekend. I like weekends....

Chloe stopped for a brief visit last night, she will be staying with us next week. It will be nice to have a kid in the house for a while. Ashley will be here later today as she has to work at the V from 3-9 today and 10-6 tomorrow. I hope she doesn't have too much homework this weekend. I hope the weather allows up to have a fire tonight. I was too tired last night when Doug wanted to build one. I guess Thomas and Diedre had a fire in Cedar Falls. Troy has the same type of fire pit as we have.

I can't think of anything else right now. Everyone have a wonderful weekend.

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!!!

Little Known Ocean Facts

A number of primary schools were doing a project on
"The Sea." Kids were asked to draw pictures or write
about their experiences. Teachers got together to
compare the results and put together some of the
'better' ones. Here are some of the descriptions of
"ocean life."

1. This is a picture of an octopus. It has eight
testicles. (Kelly age 6)

2. Some fish are dangerous. Jellyfish can sting.
Electric eels can give you a shock. They have to
live in caves under the sea where I think they have
to plug themselves to chargers. (Christopher age 7)

3. Oysters' balls are called pearls! (James age 6)

4. If you are surrounded by sea you are an Island.
If you don't have sea all around you, you are in
continent. (Wayne age 7)

5. I think sharks are ugly and mean, and have big
teeth, just like Emily Richardson. She's not my friend
no more. (Kylie age 6)

6. A dolphin breathes through an asshole on the top of
its head. (Billy age 8)

7. My uncle goes out in his boat with pot, and comes
back with crabs. (Millie age 6)

8. When ships had sails, they used to use the trade
winds to cross the ocean. Sometimes, when the wind
didn't blow, the sailors would whistle to make the
wind come. My brother said they would be better
off eating beans. (William age 7)

9. I like mermaids. They are beautiful, and I like
their shiny tails. How do mermaids get pregnant?
(Helen age 6)

10. When you go swimming in the sea, it is very cold,
and it makes my willy small. (Kevin age 6)

These are some of the pictures that I took at the Swamp Fox parade on Saturday. I watched it with Amy and her family. I thought I took more pictures, but I guess my picture taking skills are not that good.

Sunday Update

It seems that everyone is settling in at school. Thomas has had class for a few days now and he is back to work at the Waterloo Home Depot. He says he will be having lots of homework this year. Chloe seems to be enjoying her classes. Although I wish we would hear from her more. Ashley is getting into her Philosophy class. I believe it is kicking her arse a little more than she thought it would.

I saw this sticker in a car window at the grocery store yesterday. The car belonged to a very old couple. I thought it was great.

Friday Update

I'm glad it is Friday. Saturday we will probably watch the Swamp Fox parade from our front yard. Who knows, maybe I will take the camera up close and get some pictures. Last night we watched a show about Sea World and now I want to go. Ashley has to work at Hy Vee on Saturday so we will get to see her for a little while. It is amazing how quickly washing the dishes goes when there are only two people in the house. That is all for now.

“The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect, he becomes an adolescent; the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult; the day he forgives himself, he becomes wise” - Alden Nowlan

Wednesday Update

I have to go back to work today after my long weekend. At least I only have to work three days this week. Last night Ashley stopped in for a short visit with some friend from Cornell. I don't remember all of thier names. One was the girl from Nebraska that was here on Sunday. One of the boys is from Colorado, his name is Steve Irwin. The other boy is from San Francisco.

Thomas is moving back to school today. It will be different around the house with just Doug, myself, Mao and Thumper.

Yeah, I'm a thrill seeker, but crikey, education's the most important thing.

Steve Irwin

It is very sad, at the age of 44, Steve Irwin the "Crocodile Hunter" has died from a stingray barb that pierced his chest.

Here are some pictures from my brother Tim's vist this summer. It is too bad he could not have brought the kids as well.

Sunday Update

I found the listing for my Dad's house in Moreno Valley, CA. I thought the link would take you directly to the listing ,but it only will take you to the Realtors web site. Then you have to search the listings for Moreno Valley.

Saturday Update

Two days until Thomas moves back to Wartburg. We will then be official empty nesters for most of the next year. I will start the count down to Summer 2007 on Tuesday. Sob......

SMILE IT'S FRIDAY!!!!

Wednesday Update

Yeah, today is Wednesday. That means I have three working days before my 4 day weekend that is coming up. We got the Basher moved in. It sounds like she is having fun. She my be enjoying the new freedom just a bit too much. I'm sure she will figure it out.

Move in day for our Cornell Ram, aka The Basher.....

Monday Update

Blah, it is Monday morning, it is raining and I don't feel like going to work. I am just so very tired. I guess I have to go anyway and I am very glad that I don't have to work tomorrow.

You cannot be mad at somebody who makes you laugh - it's as simple as that. Jay Leno

These

are

some

of

the

beautiful

flowers

from

the

roll

out

flower

garden

Ashley

got

me

for

Mother's

Day.

Everyone is happy on Friday.

Thursday Update

Alright here is the update everyone has been asking for. I really don't have much. The overtime is done at work and I"m very tired. Not much happening at home. I think the kids are just anxious to get off to school because everyone they know is already at school. I still would like to get flower pictures on the blog but they are nowhere to be found.

Saturday Update

I want to put pictures of my flowers on the blog, but I still can't find where Ashley put them on the computer. It was a long week. I worked 12 hours of OT. I am tired and yet I cannot sleep in very late. I guess I will need to wear myself out today. The summer is winding down and the kids will all be in school within the next several weeks. Chloe starts next Tuesday, Ashley moves in the 29th of August and Thomas moves Sept. 5th. Mao is really going to be sad for a while, not to mention Doug and myself.

I was going to put pictures of flowers on the blog today. But I was not able to find them where I thought Ashley said they would be. I will have someone help me find them tonight. All I found was this picture of Mao with scary eyes.

Friday Update

I have to go to work early this morning so this is going to be a brief update. The race is on to get things done before the kids go to school. Mainly cars need fixing, so this means a lot of stress for Doug. I feel bad for him, but he handles it well. Company picnics are boring and the food isn't very good. I think my watch battery is going bad. It said 3AM when I woke up this morning and the second hand had stopped. I reset it and it has stopped 3 time already.

Checkout Jump, Little Children at the Dock Street Theatre.

Monday Update

Monday came around way too fast. This is going to be a very busy week at work. There will only be two of us in the department all week because our supervisor is out on vacation. At least Thursday will be a short day. We will have our company summer party starting at 12pm until 5 pm and it is manditory to go. Ashley got her car on Saturday. There are a few things that need taken care of. It is still a sweet car though.

Friday Update

It looks like Thomas made it back safely from his trip to Six Flags and Chicago. I haven't actually seen him yet because I went to bed before he arrived home. Tomorrow we go pickup Ashley's first car. A beautiful 1973 VW Beetle. This has been her dream car for a very long time. I am so happy for her. Well I have to get ready for work. Everyone have a wonderful weekend.

Take your happy pills everyone. It's going to be a fantastic weekend!!!!

Wednesday Update

Happy hump day everyone. Thomas was tired but happy when he woke early this morning. Going to Six Flags for the day. Mao was a bit upset with Thomas for leaving so early. Ashley is also uber excited. She will be getting her very first car on Saturday. Last night Diedre and Thomas took us out to eat at the Red Lantern. Good food but the hot stuff upsets Thomas' tummy.

Strange statues around the world