Latin or Greek Root of the Day

Echinodermata, a phylum name that means 'spiny-' (echino-) 'skin' (derm), or the 'spiny skinned' animals.

Word of the Day

indoctrinate • \in-DAHK-truh-nayt\ • verb
1 : to instruct especially in fundamentals or rudiments : teach
*2 : to imbue with a usually partisan or sectarian opinion, point of view, or principle

Example sentence:
New hires were indoctrinated with the company's philosophy during a two-day orientation.

Gilda Radner Quote of the Day

Comedy is very controlling - you are making people laugh. It is there in the phrase 'making people laugh.' You feel completely in control when you hear a wave of laughter coming back at you that you have caused.

Word of the Day

harbinger • \HAR-bin-jer\ • noun
1 : one that pioneers in or initiates a major change : precursor
*2 : one that presages or foreshadows what is to come

Example sentence:
"More often than not, robins are year-round residents…[L]et hummingbirds and orioles be your harbingers of spring." (Scott Shalaway, Charleston Gazette, January 30, 2005)

Monday Update

Soup Sunday was very good yesterday. The Cream of Asperagus was very good despite my dumping the stock Doug made down the drain. And there was only one bowl of the 15 Bean & Ham soup left. As always there was lots of food and deserts. I even kind of liked Deb's Tiramisu. Mary and Jordan came again, I think they will start to be regulars now that Amanda's wedding is all over. I can't believe we finished off three bottles of wine and the one Mark and Wanda brought was very large. Brian was not here because he went to see his friend in Baltimore this weekend.

Gilda Radner Quote of the Day

Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next.

Word of the Day

spontaneous • \spahn-TAY-nee-us\ • adjective
*1 : done, said, or produced freely and naturally
2 : acting or taking place without apparent external cause or influence

Example sentence:
Since childhood, Marie has been prone to spontaneous displays of affection.

Word of the Day

spontaneous • \spahn-TAY-nee-us\ • adjective
*1 : done, said, or produced freely and naturally
2 : acting or taking place without apparent external cause or influence

Example sentence:
Since childhood, Marie has been prone to spontaneous displays of affection.

This is the coolest dog!

Saturday Update

Not much to update about. Unfortunately, Thomas' Spring break is almost over. Since he has to work both Saturday and Sunday we really wont see much of him. Ashley has a school dance tonight and as usual she says she has nothing to wear and wants to go shopping for an outfit. It is a good thing that she has a job. Not sure what Chloe is up to this weekend as she is not here with us. We miss you BoBo.

Gilda Radner Quote of the Day

I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn't itch.

Word of the Day

extraneous • \ek-STRAY-nee-us\ • adjective
1 : existing on or coming from the outside
2 *a : not forming an essential or vital part b : having no relevance
3 : being a number obtained in solving an equation that is not a solution of the equation

Example sentence:
After he finished the first draft of his essay, Brad reread it and deleted the extraneous material, making it more concise and focused.

Robin Williams Quote of the Day

I'm back! I got lips again and I'm gonna use 'em, baby!
Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)

Word of the Day

eclectic • \ih-KLEK-tik\ • adjective
1 : selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles
*2 : composed of elements drawn from various sources; also : heterogeneous

Example sentence:
Old-school musicians joined with today's rising stars to showcase an eclectic mix of music for charity.

Thursday Update

Mao and Thumper helped me to win the Cutest Pet contest at work. I took in both of their pictures. I won a sparkly blue picture frame.

Ashley bought herself a Cannon digital camera last night. It has a better flash than our camera. She was very excited to take all kinds of pictures with it. However, she soon found out it is a battery hog.

Word of the Day

burgeon • \BER-jun\ • verb
1 a : to send forth new growth (as buds or branches) : sprout b : bloom
*2 : to grow and expand rapidly : flourish

Example sentence:
Laura's business started as a small corner diner and burgeoned into a successful restaurant chain.

Robin Williams Quote fo the Day

I'm talkin 'bout a fine white wine....like Mad Dog 20/20

Word of the Day

imbue • \im-BYOO\ • verb
*1 : to permeate or influence as if by dyeing
2 : to tinge or dye deeply
3 : to provide with something freely or naturally : endow

Example sentence:
The coach hoped that his pep talk would imbue the team with a sense of confidence before the final game.

This is why no one wants to grow up and work at McDonalds.

Be sure to click on the Simulator button.

Tuesday Update

For a Monday, yesterday was not bad. Thomas and Doug did some errands. They got the needed part for our Weber grill, so Thomas can have grilled burgers. Thomas also got his kick-ass stereo. What more can I say.

The guys sang on American Idol last night. After American Idol, I watched last weeks episode of Lost that Doug had taped. It was pretty good since it told about Hurley's past. He thinks he is cursed because of the numbers 4,8,15,16,23,42.