Sunday, December 15, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Comedy :: Drama
  2. Warning :: 2-minute
  3. Bowling :: Green Ohio
  4. Picked :: Chosen
  5. Shotgun :: Riding
  6. Accommodate :: include
  7. Everybody :: All
  8. Hypnotic :: spell
  9. Penthouse :: Suite
  10. Hockey ::Puck

Tuesday, December 03, 2013

falalalala . . .

It's so nice to drive home from work and see all the lights on the way.  Thanks, world!

Sunday, December 01, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

Happy December!  (I really don't care for November, but it is done now.)

Let's mutter!

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Taxes :: Death
  2. Deter :: Hinder
  3. Regret :: Rue
  4. Consume :: Eat
  5. 1600 :: Pennsylvania Avenue
  6. Retire :: Soon, I hope
  7. Console :: Soothe
  8. Property :: Line
  9. Return :: of the Native
  10. Laughter :: the best medicine

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Directions :: follow
  2. Juror :: jury
  3. Cheating :: heart
  4. Fact :: truth
  5. Clue :: idea
  6. Week :: 7 days
  7. Enthusiasm :: elan
  8. Smug :: snooty
  9. Venture :: gain
  10. Bench :: mark

Saturday, November 23, 2013

It's Been a Long Time

Living in the Capital City of Michigan means we get to host the official state Christmas Tree!  There is a huge celebration called Silver Bells in the City on the Friday before  Thanksgiving.  About 100,000 people gather for a parade and the lighting.  I've attended for most of the 27 years it has been held.  Finally gave it up intentionally this year.  But oh the memories.About ten family members were there, so I got a great report.  Maybe next year . . . 



Last Week's Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Jealousy :: Envy
  2. Twin :: Duplicate
  3. Logo :: Emblem
  4. Bang :: Whimper
  5. Darts :: Board
  6. Window :: Sill
  7. Arcade :: PacMan
  8. Sniff :: Cold
  9. Tickets :: Policeman
  10. Eraser :: Pencil

No no Nano, but a lovely wedding

Well, nanowrim.org probably won't have a completion from me this year.  Oops.  My brother and I shot a wedding on the 9th, and the editing ran into my writing time.  However, all is not lost! I have my notes and outlines and a good start, and it shirley is okay to write any month of the year.


Sunday, November 10, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Reality :: Show
  2. Fanfare :: for the Common Man (I think that's the name of it)
  3. Share :: partner with
  4. City :: town
  5. Stepping :: stone
  6. Entitled :: spoiled
  7. Movement :: restless
  8. Review :: movies, books
  9. Advertise :: present info
  10. Largest :: biggest!

Sunday, November 03, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Partner :: in crime
  2. Villain :: evil
  3. Signature :: Name
  4. Homespun :: down-to-earth
  5. Ultimate :: extreme
  6. Don’t! :: Stop
  7. Musical :: Chairs
  8. Candor :: Honesty
  9. Terrified :: Petrified
  10. Virus :: bug

This is week 562 of the unconscious Mutterings.  I looked back in The Other Sides Archives.  I first did the mutterings back in February of 2003.  That's a long time.  Big big props to Patricia for maintaining the meme.  Is it perhaps the longest running one on the internets?

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Thanks!

And you know who you are . . .

It was a good October, in spite of being wild at work.  Thanks for being a sounding board this month.

November.  I have signed up for nanowrimo.  I've had a book about a young teenager who cuts hanging around in various outlines and forms for several years.  It needs to get done.  I don't know if it is a 50,,000 word piece or not (the requirement for NANO) but it needs to be done.  And this November has FIVE weekends!  Very conducive to bumping word counts.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Wednesday by a hair!

October 30.  Wow, this month has sped by.  Great advice in the last comments, Kim.  My sincere thanks!

Monday, October 28, 2013

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Poison :: Ivy
  2. Las Vegas :: Elvis
  3. Nanny :: babysitter
  4. Tablet :: lined
  5. Trail :: of Tears
  6. Innocent :: guilty
  7. Invited :: asked
  8. Life :: death
  9. Tormented :: bullied
  10. Lousy :: bleah


Saturday, October 26, 2013

Color Report Saturday October 26

Color isn't going to be very strong here in mid-Michigan, I do believe.  There are single trees that are ablaze, but the general look is quite bland.

Friday's post

Cheating a little bit here.  I fell asleep before I could post.

This year I am once again considering doing the nanowrimo.org thing.  Try to write a 50000 word novel in a month.  It's been ten years since I completed the nano

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Mystery Field


There's a mystery field a few  miles over.  It appears to me to be sugar beets, but it's been years since there has been a sugar beet factory in mid-Michigan. They are all over in the thumb area now.

The farm my mom grew up on (1/2 mile north of me) had sugar beets.  Mom only went to the factory with her dad one time.  STINKY! she says, even to this day.

I have a flickr friend who lives over by this field.  He's going to check it out for me.



Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Monday, October 21, 2013

Go the Distance

I don't think "Field of Dreams" is just about baseball.  *smile*
I love harvest time.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. dead :: cemetary
  2. bangs :: hairstyle
  3. future :: past
  4. holistic :: total
  5. circumstance :: pomp
  6. past :: future (oh my)
  7. fan :: football
  8. happened :: occurred
  9. room :: space
  10. awful :: horrible


Saturday, October 19, 2013

Oops!

And there went Thursday and Friday.

Dark gray days and an awesomely weird week at work must not be very conducive to blog posting.  I will keep that in mind.

Kim from upNorth wrote in an email about seasons.  She loves autumn.  Her hypothesis, and I think it is a good one, is that your birth season might tend to be your favorite.  I pondered on this, and I think there is a lot of merit to it.  I was born in January, and for 30 years loved loved LOVED winter!  Christmas and sledding and birthdays and all sorts of good things.  Then the 80s happened, and with them the winter months had bad memories associated with them.  I think it was about then I switched to summer's warmth as being my favorite season.  However, as time passes, I could switch again.

Here in mid-Michigan we get a lot of gray days.  I mean Seattle-type lot of gray days.  We had been very fortunate that October started out so sunny, but this past week it felt like someone turned the lights out.  Doesn't help that those days are getting shorter and shorter!  However, great full moon tonight (with a tiny bit of eclipse) and it actually was clear enough to see it!

Okay, end of rambling for now.  Over and out!

Monday, October 14, 2013

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Untraceable ::  anonymous
  2. Senator :: legislator
  3. Humongous :: huge
  4. Drinks :: beverages
  5. Ringing :: in my ear
  6. Overloaded :: overwhelmed
  7. Annoyed :: ticked off
  8. Blondie :: Dagwood
  9. Suits :: News
  10. Deadly :: Sin

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Busy warm autumn day

Tomorrow may be the end of our warm snap.
Today we met with a couple we are shooting in November.
I'm tired!  Getting old, can't keep up with myself.
But I guess it's good to keep trying!

Friday, October 11, 2013

You've Heard of Flash Mobs? Well, now it is . . .



Cash mobs!  People organize them for small businesses that are starting out or going through a rough patch.  The premise is that a day is chosen and people show up and spend at least $20.

I had heard about them, and participated in my first one today.  There is a new coffee shop housed in a renovated old gas station.  You can drive or walk through and get artisan drinks and sandwiches.  I had wanted to try this place out, so this was a perfect way to make my $20 count.

I should have taken a picture though.  It's a really cool use for a really old building.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Technical difficulties

Hi! My laptop is having difficulties right now. I don't know how quickly it will finish updating. I do want to keep the streak going so this will have to suffice for today's post. It probably is good to learn  multiple ways of posting. Will just consider this episode an educational experience. **crossing fingers that update works**

Wednesday, October 09, 2013

How Low Do You Go?

This year, for the first time in a long time, I'm playing the "don't turn on your furnace until it's REALLY cold" game.  We had a cold spell in September, but the long forecast showed we were going to get warmer, so I didn't turn it on.  It got down to 62 in here, but then the thermometer started its uptick.

I'm at 66 now, with warm (70 degree) days and cool nights in the forecast.  I'm seeing how low I can go.  How low do YOU go?

Tuesday, October 08, 2013

Fear Not

I was listening to a radio pastor in the car on the way home tonight.  He said that the admonition "fear not" appears over 200 times in the Bible.

It would appear that fear is an age-old problem.

Sunday, October 06, 2013

Mutterings . . .

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Latch :: key
  2. Standard :: Oil (that dates me, I know)
  3. 60 :: Minutes
  4. Maple :: color, autumn, syrup
  5. Final :: Four
  6. Bickering :: quibbling
  7. Diner :: all night
  8. Nasty :: awful
  9. Ohhh! :: *smile*
  10. Leeches :: slimey

Saturday, October 05, 2013

Babies and Weddings . . .

make me smile.

Just attended a wedding of a young man we've known for twenty years to a terrific violinist we've known of for 10 years.  Perfect match!

Friday, October 04, 2013

50 Years Ago


fivewedding
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

This is the five little Peters on the occasion of Grandma Beatrice marrying Grandpa Larry. Grandma had been widowed in 1957. She lived with us or we lived with her except for the months she spent in Florida.

I think we must have been a handful. Also, she was just in her early 50's. She was a great example of keeping open to new experiences.

Thursday, October 03, 2013

And Why Is it?

. . . that the slowest months at work are the ones where I make the most mistakes!  Maddening!

My theory is that the best rhythm for work is fast paced, and the slow months make me lose my rhythm.  Always have to have a theory!

Wednesday, October 02, 2013

October 2

Ah, ye olde accounting cycle.  I've worked in the same office for 35 years.  We've had different office managers, but the basic format is to complete a month on a given date, then start the next month.  For the last 20 years, we've tried to close the month on the 5th.  This means that all billings, job costs, payrolls, and any expenses for a month are recorded by the 5th.  The billings have to be done by the first for statements, and then the rest of the material must be allocated.

So for me, it is still September 30.  Happy October 2 to everyone else!!!

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

October Challenge

This is a test.  It is not merely a test.  It is a challenge.  At one time I used to blog every day, sometimes twice a day.

The challenge:  Can I do it for just one month?

Stay tuned!

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Not Unconscious, but muttering . . .

Back to the mutterings.  September got away from me.  I'm tempted to try to do a post a day during October, but . . . 

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Spirits :: alcohol
  2. Admit :: confess
  3. Gift :: present
  4. Barry :: Goldwater.  I'm old
  5. Dredge :: flour
  6. Pajamas :: nightgown
  7. Cheating :: heart
  8. Information :: knowledge
  9. Ivory :: Snow
  10. Past :: future



Gotta Love those Case Tractors

http://jimtown.blogspot.com/2013/09/colorful-case.html#links

My Mom has some interesting Case stories.

Thursday, September 05, 2013

hum2


hum2
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

humming right along . . . hope y'all are too!

Saturday, August 17, 2013

I am haunted by water

Final line of Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It.
Resonated again with me this week as I visited some old haunts by water.


Sunday, August 04, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Weird :: odd
  2. Balance :: beam
  3. Personal :: life
  4. Reproduction :: print
  5. Distraction :: nuisance
  6. Articulate :: set forth
  7. Shovel :: spade
  8. Column :: row
  9. Drastic :: dire
  10. Bombastic :: politician

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Packing :: moving
  2. Rent :: lease
  3. Inspire :: motivate
  4. Anti-social :: recluse
  5. Common :: ordinary
  6. Repeats :: again
  7. Dracula :: vampire
  8. Cross :: church
  9. Short sighted :: 
  10. Corrupt :: evil

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Things we are curious about . . .

Does anyone have any thoughts on the best health insurance to purchase if you are not covered by your work place?  I know this is all going to be rearranged in 2014 but was just wondering.

Sunday, July 07, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings!

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Maintenance :: man
  2. Tight :: end
  3. Disillusion :: disenchant
  4. Horizon :: sunset
  5. In :: out
  6. Humor :: good
  7. Purchase :: buy
  8. Delectable :: tasty
  9. Stumble :: fall
  10. Words :: meaning

Saturday, July 06, 2013

Butterflies . . . have to be fast!

Butterflies MAY be free, but they have to be fast to not get caught by my greedy little field cats.  Glad this one survived!

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Pillow :: Case
  2. Calendar :: 12 months
  3. Melissa :: Gilbert
  4. Notebook :: Binder
  5. Circumstance :: just the way it is
  6. Technical :: difficulty
  7. Bracket :: basketball!
  8. Horror :: Show
  9. Pink :: tongue
  10. Polish :: nails

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Tears :: of a clown
  2. Press :: full-court
  3. Rowboat :: gently down the stream
  4. Society :: page
  5. Magazine :: glossy
  6. Mars :: Venus
  7. Gone bad :: rotten
  8. Celebrity :: Star
  9. Umbrella :: London
  10. Core :: Apple

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Time really flies


newhome
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Seven years ago, I moved to the farm. The initials of this blog stood for My Year In The Country, because I wasn't sure I could do more than that.

Well, I did.

And while I still believe I live in Paradise, I now know that even perfect places have their problems to over come. And we just keep trudging along.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Hook :: rug
  2. Ringer :: bell
  3. Hoodwink :: fool
  4. Football :: autumn
  5. Out of the way :: secluded
  6. Skull :: noggin
  7. Enough :: full
  8. Scholarship :: college
  9. Ruin :: destroy
  10. Lawyer :: shyster

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Remembered. And still missed daily


Remembered. And still missed daily
Originally uploaded by wash52121

Sunday before Memorial Day . . . out to the cemetery to tend graves. This is my brother's pic.

The Party's Over

That was a lovely vacation.  Sleeping in, reading on the back porch, playing with the kittens, planting flowers in the window box, and seeing a couple of fine movies . . . lovely.  The weather was hyper-compatible too.  Blue skies, sunny days, perfect mid-May days.  Today was actually a little too warm.

Do I still feel burnt-out?  Yes, but I'm not a tired burn-out.  I am hoping a corner has been turned.

Thanks for listening!

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. Arrow :: Bow
  2. Hum :: Tune
  3. Cornerstone :: Time Capsule
  4. Flight :: Plane
  5. Music :: Notes
  6. Determine :: Find Out
  7. Analysis :: Freud
  8. Better day:: is coming!
  9. Audio :: video
  10. Meditation :: reflection
http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Thursday, May 16, 2013

mid-May in mid-Michigan

There's no place I'd rather be.

The long winter, coupled with the April showers, has created a perfect May.  Blooms of all colors and the heavenly scent of lilacs and apple blossoms. 

Ahhhh.

(Doesn't hurt that the weather has been perfect either *grin*)

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Monday, May 13, 2013

Burnout Means look for Change

As I've been looking  at different articles about burnout, I realize that it sure is a common issue.   Most burnout is job-related (check).  I have worked at the business I work at for 35 years come August.  In that time we have had five different owners/owner teams.  There has been change at each of these changes of teams, and I have always been able to adapt (one of my strong skills).  However, the last change that occurred  on April 1, 2012 (too funny, eh?) has been the killer.  Our owner, who is approaching retirement age (he is three years older than me) brought in a new second in command.  This young man is 28, graduated in Hospitality, and was chosen by the boss because he is a good friend from church.  The kid is arrogant as all get out, knows everything, has no innate curiosity, and takes credit for all good things that happen (including the weather).  Ostensibly he is sales and marketing manager, but in truth he is the little dictator.  Argh.

Okay, that is enough fussing for now.  I am on vacation.  Most articles on burnout suggest changing jobs.  Retirement age is coming up, and while I had always assumed I would go to 65, the times, they are a changing.

From Psychology Today.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/burnout

Burnout is not a simple result of long hours. The cynicism, depression, and lethargy of burnout can occur when you're not in control of how you carry out your job, when you're working toward goals that don't resonate with you, and when you lack social support. If you don't tailor your responsibilities to match your true calling, or at least take a break once in a while, you could face a mountain of mental and physical health problems

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?
  1. 537 :: a number
  2. Horizon :: setting sun
  3. Episode :: television
  4. Character :: strength
  5. Crossed :: the road
  6. Shipping :: lanes
  7. Jump :: rope
  8. Bowling :: ball
  9. Grumpy :: old men
  10. Them :: They
http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Burn Out

Sorry I haven't been around for awhile.  I've been trying to cope for the last year with Burn Out. I guess I didn't do a very good job.  HOWEVER, I have a week's vacation here in the heart of Michigan, in the prettiest most hopeful month of May, and life will get better.  Will you join me on my journey?

Recovering from burnout: Acknowledge your losses
Burnout brings with it many losses, which can often go unrecognized. Unrecognized losses trap a lot of your energy. It takes a tremendous amount of emotional control to keep yourself from feeling the pain of these losses. When you recognize these losses and allow yourself to grieve them, you release that trapped energy and open yourself to healing.
  • Loss of the idealism or dream with which you entered your career
  • Loss of the role or identity that originally came with your job
  • Loss of physical and emotional energy
  • Loss of friends, fun, and sense of community
  • Loss of esteem, self-worth, and sense of control and mastery
  • Loss of joy, meaning and purpose that make work – and life – worthwhile
Source: Keeping the Fire by Ruth Luban

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/burnout_signs_symptoms.htm

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Unconscioous Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?




1.Mailbox :: letter

2.Creamy :: Soup

3.Deal :: Bargain
4.Eyeglasses :: Spectacles

5.Bag :: Lady

6.People :: Folks

7.Candy :: Easter eggs

8.Orange :: fruit

9.Frosting :: cake

10.Surrender :: cede

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Monday, March 25, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?




1.Taco :: Bell

2.Serve :: self

3.Cubicle :: Office

4.Moonlighting :: second job

5.Creaky :: Steps

6.Bittersweet :: Sadness

7.Hop :: Bunny

8.Install :: Implement

9.Quick :: Rapid

10.Hybrid :: Car
http://subliminal.lunanina.com/


Sunday, March 17, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?




1.Sweetpea :: flower

2.Fuss :: todo

3.Stocky :: stout

4.Reason :: together

5.Humble :: Poor

6.Purposeful :: motivated

7.Week :: seven days

8.Intimidate :: scare

9.Choice :: option

10.Coming home :: holidays

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?




1.Align :: Printer

2.Collar :: Starch

3.Orphan :: Annie

4.Program :: Play

5.Waves :: Lake

6.Accident :: Prone

7.Offices :: Law

8.Corrupt :: Warped

9.Tears :: of a clown

10.Family :: Tree

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Sunday, March 03, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1.Schedule :: Train
2.Guest :: Towel
3.Stall :: Horse
4.Cold :: Hot
5.Editorial :: Opinion
6.Striped :: Circus Tent
7.Curtains :: Drapes
8.Cramping :: Muscles
9.March :: Madness
10.Folder :: Manila



http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

#6


 

The latest addition to the family.  Niece Hannah and her husband Darius just had a little football player:  Roman Daniel Leverette

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1.Scalp :: Bald

2.Fix :: it

3.Should :: Could

4.Believing :: faithful

5.Cares :: matters

6.Eyelash :: long

7.Sick :: ill

8.Heart :: attacj

9.Marble :: statue

10.Money back :: guarantee

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?




1.Yellow and green :: vegetables

2.Smiles :: grins

3.Appear :: Seem
4.Clouds :: in the sky

5.Lucy :: in the sky

6.Dream :: Goal

7.Picture :: photo
8.Station :: train

9.Glass :: menagerie

10.Kaleidoscope :: confetti

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Learning Curve

Duh!  My mobile hot spot wasn't working.  It said permissions didn't match.  I tried all sorts of things to get it to work.  Wasn't able to get online with the notebook for several days.  Finally, FINALLY realized, just take the old spot off the notebook and start again.  Here I am.  Sheesh.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?


1.Massage :: Spa

2.Financial advice :: Retirement

3.Guide :: Lead

4.Packing :: Crate

5.Trombone :: Slide
6.Water cooler :: Gosspi

7.Delivery :: UPS

8.Smoke :: fire
9.Cane :: Candy

10.Suitcase :: valise

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Thursday, February 07, 2013

Monday, February 04, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?




1.Baked :: a cake

2.Excited :: looking forward to

3.Print :: paper

4.Obstruct ::justice

5.Bladder :: control

6.Matrimony :: marriage

7.Car :: auto

8.Reconstruct ::Plastic surgeon

9.Lenses :: glasses

10.Best for last :: Save the

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Monday, January 14, 2013

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?




1.Lizard :: skin

2.Swimming pool :: laps

3.Tank :: top

4.Horrible :: awful

5.Cabbage :: patch

6.Pet :: cat

7.Photography :: pictures

8.1970 :: one year after 1969

9.Ornate :: Ostentatious   10. Turkey:: Istanbul   http://subliminal.lunanina.com/