Who's Watching Who?

Who's Watching Who?
Originally uploaded by rubyblossom.

And ANOTHER place where the meerkats showed up. Kudos to all the great artists out there!

hereslookingatyou

hereslookingatyou
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

And here are the meerkats as they appear in my photostream. See posts below for where they have been.

Our Family Tree

Our Family Tree
Originally uploaded by ihave3kids

Why I love Creative Commons . . .

Most of my pics on flickr are creative commons licensed. My meerkats have been able to go to fascinating places because of this.

Party Animals * SteppinOut - RuthArt

Party Animals * SteppinOut - RuthArt
Originally uploaded by RuthArt

Why I love Creative Commons . . .

Most of my pics on flickr are creative commons licensed. My meerkats have been able to go to fascinating places because of this.

Ack! I've become my Grandparents!

It became very obvious to me today as I wandered the counter at the pharmacy that I have reached the age my grandparents were when I first knew them. The choice at the counter: Ducalax vs Milk of Magnesia. Grandma Bea vs Grandma Lora. Oh my.

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Dickens :: Charles
Collection :: Set
Weekends :: Relax
Travel :: Vacation
District :: of Columbia
Vampires :: Dracula
Peep show :: Naughty
Crochet :: Knit
Lion :: Aslan, of Judah
Fetch :: Dog

Me too, Roscoe!

Your Fireworks Say You're Content

You are jubilant and easily excited. While you aren't very intense or passionate, your happiness is abundant. You can always find cause to celebrate, laugh, or even just smile to yourself. You find that life is full of things to be happy about!

The Fireworks Test

Blogthings: We Have a Quiz for Almost Everything

The Matter of Words

They DO matter.

July Projects

The 3 July projects:

Salvage as much of garden as possible.
Clean Milk House.
Finish painting back of garage.

Grand Haven Pier

Grand Haven Pier
Originally uploaded by daevilpennazi

My niece goes to school on the west side of the state. She's got the photography bug . . . I think this is great, Hann!

count the fireflies

countthefireflies
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Come play "Count the Fireflies" with us over on flickr!

Make Those Memories

Memories. Good memories. They've been flooding back this last couple weeks, first as I showed Julie from Oz some of my favorite places in Michigan, and then again yesterday as we took a backroad home from my niece's 4th of July picnic.

My folks never had a lot of money, they had a lot of kids, but somehow they conspired to give us camping vacations throughout the state of Michigan each year. Every 4th year or so, we would go on a BIG trip out-of-state. It took an amazing amount of planning, saving, and organizing, and my father bribing my mother as she didn't even really like camping, but wow, what fun we had.

And the memories are sweet decades later.

Thanks, folks!

My Country 'tis of thee

Sweet Sweet Land of Liberty!

Of Thee I Sing!

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Authorized :: Version
Flirting :: Eye contact
Bad :: good
Digit :: finger
Sexy :: lingerie
Combinations :: to locks
Guard :: National
Retina :: Eye
Motion :: Sensor, detector
Concert :: Orchestra

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Collectors :: Butterfly
Passion :: Fire
Winner :: Takes it All
Uninhibited :: unabashed
Challenge :: Push
Self :: me
Your :: self
Viewer :: audience
Random :: act
Vice :: president, squad

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Executive :: Secretary
Director :: Conductor
Dress :: Code
Studio :: Photography
Accountant :: CPA
Unit :: Item
Engaged :: ring
Safety :: pin
Post :: Office
Dialogue :: Conversation

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Offense :: Football
Bench :: Press
Kissing :: Games
Timely :: Manner
Yellow :: Sunflower
Get up and go :: Drive
Beer :: Michelob
Calories :: Diet
Blast :: Dynamite
Window :: Seat, pane, glass

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Group :: Home (I'm reading a novel that has a group home in it)
Pollution :: Smog
Getaway :: Vacation, cabin in the woods
Mall :: Shop
Believe :: in miracles, Faith
Chimney :: Roof
Curses :: Swears
Contrite :: Sorry
Eyelash :: Eyebrow
Jobs :: Paychecks

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ? a day late, but yesterday was very busy.

Fresh air :: breath of
Bodyguard :: Kevin Costner, Whitney Houston
Wedding :: Bells
Remind :: Me
Wicked :: Witch of the East
Crawling :: creeping
Gasoline :: Tank
Anyone :: everyone
Dancing :: in the streets
Wall :: VietNam

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Cream :: Cheese
Be with you :: May the Force
Pancakes :: Maple Syrup
Believe :: it or not
45 :: rpm
Eat :: drink and be merry
Background :: check
Pane :: window
Aim :: goal, fire (as in ready, aim . . . )
Collapse :: fall down

Swiping from Roscoe again . . . I guess I do steal!

You Are "Thou Shalt Not Steal"

You believe that it's wrong to take what isn't yours, and this goes beyond basic petty theft and shoplifting. You also try not to take other's time away from them, and you try not to take from the planet. You think it's important to tread lightly and do as little damage as possible. You don't like to use up resources. You also think it's crucial to be as self-sufficient as possible. You don't ask for a favor unless you truly need one.

Which of the Ten Commandments Are You?

Work is Hard. Time for Blogthings!

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Labor :: Day
Sweater :: Knit
Five minutes :: Time
Treatment :: Spa
Eyebrows :: Pluck
Awake :: Asleep
Salmon :: Fish
Red :: Rover
Hospital :: Zone, quiet, illness, injury, I'd rather not thank you very much
Midwife :: Delivery

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Rock n Roll :: Elvis
Be with you :: I want to . . .
Richard :: the Lionhearted, Nixon
Hair :: follicle
Police :: Sting, Officer, Cop
Experience :: Practice
Father figure :: Santa Claus is what popped into my head. That makes no sense
Nice :: Sweet
Switch :: Light
Appearance :: Looks

May. Yay!

Dictator . . . that would be me. Just ask my younger siblings . . .

You Are a Black Panther

You see through people. You understand others' motives and plans. You have a knack for predicting the future. You just know what people are going to do. People are attracted to you. You are naturally able to influence other people's thoughts. You have the charisma to be a beloved guru or dictator. It's all about how you handle it.

What Big Cat Are You?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Creepy :: Crawly
Links :: Connections
Sane :: Nuts
Bun :: Hot Dog
Visual :: Aids
Remote :: Control
Freaking :: Out
Curly :: Hair
Saga :: Story
Different :: Strokes

Check your colors

**chortle**

You Are Colorful Because You Are Delightful

You are simply a joy to be around. You are cheerful, cute, and charming. You truly respect and appreciate other people, and it shows. You are extremely non-judgmental. You avoid confrontation, and you hate fighting. You try your best to make sure that everyone gets along. Life is hard, so you try to be easy on people. More importantly, you try to be easy on yourself.

The Colors Test

The First Rule of Blogthings Is: You Don't Talk About Blogthings

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Hell :: hath no fury like a woman scorned
Scott :: Glenn
Dominion :: Old
Stunt :: Man
Cougar :: Puma
Columbia :: District of
Gasp :: for breath
Cancerous :: Poisonous
Bitty :: Itty
Quit :: Give up

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Drug :: Store
Questions :: Answers
Active :: Passive
Facts :: Figures
Amount :: Dollars
Supervise :: Oversee
Ingredients :: Recipe
Dentist :: Teeth
Meal :: Supper
Packaging :: Program (at Michigan State)

The Finches

The last of the thistle bird seed for this year. Things are greening up and soon there will be real thistles for my little buddies.

Spring

I've been kind of tired. and kind of sad. and, well . . .

But spring truly is springing. And hope renews again.

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Habit :: Nun, 21 days to undo a bad one
Relaunch :: Restart
Mondays :: beginning of work week
Bootstrap :: pick yourself up by the . . .
Funk :: gloom
Appreciate :: grateful, thankful
Yay! :: hurrah
Life :: begins at 50
Sheets :: bed
Date night :: Saturday

Boring!

Your Normal Bedtime Says You're Balanced

You are a flexible, adaptable person who seeks balance in your life. While you would love to stay up as late as you want, you're too responsible to do so. You work hard but also let yourself relax. You probably have a reasonable bed time, but you probably don't always stick to it. You do your best, but you don't hold yourself to impossible standards. You've got to have some fun too!

What Does Your Bedtime Say About You?

Blogthings: Discover the Parts of Your Personality that Have Been Hiding

Not During Inventory Week I'm not!

You're Happy Cute

People find you cute because you truly shine from within. You are an optimistic and cheerful person. You have a lot of positive energy, and you're rarely stuck in a rut. You are also very creative. At times, you have so much energy that you can become a bit high strung or anxious. It's hard to channel all of your drive. You sometimes take on too much and get overwhelmed, but even when your life is chaotic, you have a sense of humor about it.

The Cutsie Cupcake Test

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

yup

You Find it Difficult to Love

Love has always been a challenge for you. Every time you've opened your heart, it's been broken. It's hard for you to get close to someone new, and it's even hard for you to stay close to those you love. For you to have more love in your life, you're going to have to learn how to let go and trust a little more. It's not easy to change your heart, but it will be worth it in the end.

Do You Find it Easy to Love?

Work is Hard. Time for Blogthings!

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Philanthropy :: Giving
Said :: Spoke
Blanks :: Shells
Tapas :: small
Movement :: Motion
Detention :: After School
Restaurant :: Diner
Weird :: Strange
Sniffle :: Allergies

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Bow out :: Quit
Relationships :: Connections
Facebook :: Farmville/Farmtown
Items :: Bits
Ours :: Together
Sting :: Robert Redford
Hangover :: 2009 movie
Contacts :: Connections
Lonely :: Heart
Seven days :: week

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Burrito :: Taco
Spike :: Lee, Railroad
Tougher :: than nails
Mock :: ing bird
Slurp :: ee,
Knock :: Door
Conference :: Basketball
Madness :: March
Minds :: Great
Connection :: French

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Children :: Toddlers
Saddlebags :: Horses
Restraint :: Handcuffs
Awake :: Asleep
Blood :: Red
Shutter :: Island
Posted :: No Hunting
Corn cob :: Pipe
Flagrant :: Abuse
Fart :: beans

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Detective :: Private
Bangs :: Hair
Consultant :: Inept
Puzzle :: Jigsaw
Learn :: Listen
Necklace :: Beads
184 :: numbers
Stimulation :: Package
Layered :: Clothes
Police :: Cops

Hmmmm

Your Scent is Pumpkin Pie

Warm, comforting, and a bit old fashioned You've got what men want - believe it or not!

What's Your Girl Smell?

Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Harm :: Hurt
If :: only
On my own :: Independent
She said :: He said
Illegal :: illicit
Broke :: no money
It’s a :: Boy!
Chatting :: IMing
Cottage :: lake
Podcast :: Roscoe's

Snow Day

Snow at the beginning of the season only slows me down from getting to work. Snow this late in the season . . . stops me. It's not just the getting out of my long driveway and down my country road, it's the getting back at the end of the day. So today, I just stayed home.

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Teeth :: dentist
Sweeten :: sugar
Demons :: devils
Pizza :: dominos
Protector :: defender
Smooth :: as silk
Coat :: of many colors
Pebbles :: bambam, stones
Pregnant :: pause
Sing :: song

yeah, that would be me

You Are a Romantic Valentine

You can't help it... Valentine's Day means a lot to you. You have a lot of expectations about this day. And when it comes to Valentine's Day, money is cheap. A big, expensive gift isn't about to win over your love. You prefer a gift that's straight from the heart. Nothing would make you swoon more than a handwritten love letter. And if your sweetie doesn't happen to have a way with words, that's okay. You'd love a drawing, photograph, song, or even a special home cooked meal.

What Type of Valentine Are You?

Blogthings: We Have a Quiz for Almost Everything

Breakfast

You Are Cereal

Playful and lighthearted, breakfast is likely your favorite meal of the day. (In fact, you're probably the type who sneaks cereal as a midnight snack.) Your culinary skills are probably a bit lacking... and you are a sucker for junk food. Some people accuse you of eating like a kid, but you prefer to think of yourself as low maintenance.

What Kind of Breakfast Are You?

The First Rule of Blogthings Is: You Don't Talk About Blogthings

Well, this is sort of correct. Cereal is my usual breakfast. Once every couple of months, however, I go whole HOG, with the bacon and eggs routine. Today is that day. Sizzle, sizzle. Can you smell the bacon?

Swiped from Roscoe, of course.

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Suitcase :: vacation, trip
Exhaust :: fumes
Olympics :: Gold Medal
Video :: camera
Cargo:: bay
Previously :: Before
Wild card :: Joker
Artificial :: Fake
Gambling :: Addiction
Exhibition :: hall

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Humbled :: brought down
Buns :: Hot Dog
Snowstorm :: White
Sweetheart :: Valentine's day, red
Punch:: Bowl
Glass :: Menagerie
Classical :: Music
Heels :: High
Twitter :: Tweet
Husband :: Wife

Cold Winds

Our usual winds are from the west. The last 24 hours have been NNE, and boy, do they ever chill the house down. Yikes!

guess what?

guess
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

It's February, and I am happy happy happy. Apparently January and I don't like each other very much any more.

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Furniture :: Art Van
Beauty :: and the Beast
Sip :: Cocktail
Block :: Head
Forehead :: Brow
Championship :: Football
Hurl :: Disk
Whip :: Snap
Destruction :: Eve of
Leather :: and Lace

What kind of Car IS it?

You Are Totally Energetic

If you were a car, you would be zippy and peppy. You're very hyper. When it comes to the road of life, you're speeding down the highway, singing along to the music. You like to get where you're going quickly. You have a lot to see and a lot to do. You love to drive, and you consider yourself an excellent driver. You're especially good at not getting caught speeding.

The Old Car Test

Blogthings: Our Quizzes Weren't Written By Bored 12 Year Olds

Say!!! a question

Do they still make Geritol??

High Maintenance???? Nah

Your Bed Says You Have Your Head in the Clouds

Outward appearances are a concern of yours, but not your primary concern. You try to take care of yourself and your home, but it's not an obsession. You are an organized and disciplined person. You do the right thing because you want to, not because people expect you to. You are very high maintenance. You like everything a certain way, and you're grumpy if things aren't the way you like them. In relationships, you tend to be quite dominant. You enjoy taking charge. You tend to be a dreamy, head in the clouds type of person. You think in terms of possibilities. You are a total homebody. You are happiest when you're at home.

What Does Your Bed Say About You?

Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone

Cirrus, hmmm.

You Are a Cirrus Cloud

You're a bit mysterious and reserved. You mostly keep to yourself and do your own thing. Some people may even consider you elusive. You're hard to track down at times. People who know you find you to be very transparent. It's always easy to tell what you're thinking about. You tend to drift more than most people. You're always trying out new ideas, friends, and even personalities.

What Kind of Cloud Are You?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

utoh, they must have seen my picture

You Are a Hippo

You are sensitive and deep. You have a spiritual side to you that's hard to deny. You naturally bring out the best in people. You are a true healer. You have a strong power over others. You've learned to harness this power to make their lives better. You tend to have intense dreams where important things are revealed to you.

What African Animal Are You?

Blogthings: Quizzes and Tests and Memes, Oh My!

Texas is better than California!

oh good! I get to be Texas too, Roscoe. (Somehow I doubt if they have Michigan as one of the possibilities)

You Are Texas

You are fiercely independent and proud of your individuality. You don't fit under any label. You never forget where you came from. Your history and traditions are very important to you. You do things your own way, and you are like your own separate country at times. You are very distinct. You are polite when the occasion calls for it, but you also know how to stand up for yourself.

What US State Are You?

Blogthings: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Food :: drink
Death :: be not proud
Cafeteria :: school
Need :: want
Born :: die
Stitch :: sew
Badly :: poorly
Blocks :: tinker toys
Chuck :: a great tv show, but I'm STILL not going to get a new TV
Spiral :: out of control

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Weak :: Strong
Flashy :: Quiet
Sack :: Sad, paper bag
Business :: Card
Purple :: Bruise
Fan :: Blade
Airline :: United
Guide :: Sacajawaea
Lunch :: Dinner
Exercise :: Fitness

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Resolutions :: New Years
Page :: Book
Narrow :: Strip
Refuse :: Say no
Fountain :: Drink
Grunt :: Groan
Construct :: Build
Nightmare :: on Elm Street
Inch :: Mile
Instant :: Oatmeal

Unconscious Mutterings

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

365 :: Days in a year except for leap year
Tombstone :: Wyatt Earp
Dumb :: and Dumber
Intrusive :: invasiv
Fat :: and sassy
Axe :: murderer
Planned :: prepared
Spike :: Lee
Bleach :: cleanser
Shopkeeper :: Store owner

Hanky Panky

Going through files and found a couple of word games Grandma had sent for back in 1939 and 1940. Hanky Panky is where "the quizzer gives the contestant a definition containing an adjective and a noun. The contestant must answer with a two-word phrase similar in meaning to the original definition, in which the two words rhyme." Here are the first three. Any takers?

inebriated polecat

naked rabbit

fleshy rodent

Brrr!

It's cold out! Around 11 degrees F. It's a great day to stay in and purge files and take stock.

Brrr.

Happy New Year! and another Quiz Swiped from Roscoe!

You Are a Sonnet

There's no way we would write a whole sonnet for you So you'll have to just believe that our love is true You are a romantic at heart with a beautiful spirit You should embrace who you are and never fear it

What Type of Poem Are You?

Blogthings: Quizzes and Tests and Memes, Oh My!

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Classified :: information, ads
Praised :: Honored
Censored :: Cut out
2010 :: Start of a new decade
Lamp :: shade
Alternate :: reality
Script :: Movie
Handsome :: Beautiful
Eager :: Beaver
Meeting :: of the minds

Memorable

Memorable
Originally uploaded by wash52121

A picture my brother took of our other brother and a nephew playing the piano for Christmas Carols.

And so it was Christmas!

Your Holiday Wish is Being with Family and Friends

The holidays are near and dear to your heart. You don't need much to make you happy this time of year. As long as you're able to be near the people you love most, you are content. It's really that simple. You want nothing more than a full house of people celebrating the season. It doesn't matter if it's your house or not, just as long as everyone is there. And if someone doesn't happen to be around during the holidays, you think about him or her often. You get very sentimental this time of year.

What's Your Holiday Wish?

Blogthings: A Fine Line Between Insight and Stupidity

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Interest :: Hobby
Chase :: National Bank
Itch :: Scratch
Soothe :: Lotion
Lamp :: Light
Tutor :: Teach
Nicole :: Kidman
Sloth :: Laziness
Burn :: Fire
Bug :: Lightning, lady

sled

sled
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

My sled is usually for decoration, but it came in handy yesterday bringing greens in from the back of the lot.

choirboy

choirboy
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Tree's not up yet, but figured we'd show some last year's pictures

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Up :: Down
Scram! :: Skedaddle
Smell :: Odor
Belong :: Join
Doug :: Sharp
Collar :: Bone, dog
Squirrel :: tree, nut
Chinese :: firecracker
Tracker :: GPS
Apartment :: Complex

and another, just because

You Are Realistic Fiction

You are an outgoing person and very interested in others. You have many relationships that are important to you. You are always willing to lend an ear to a friend with a problem. And you're even pretty good at giving advice! Some may accuse you of loving drama, but you just seem to find yourself in the middle of it. You are a true people person. You find the lives of others to be fascinating. You're up for hearing anyone's life story.

What Kind of Book Are You?

Blogthings: If Quizzes Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Take Quizzes

Everything's Fine

Everything's not fine, and we all know it, but this movie really works.

Previews that look interesting:

It's Complicated - Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin

Sherlock - Robert Downey, Jr.

Swiping from Roscoe

You Have an Intense Heart

Your heart craves passion. You feel deeply and love an emotional rush. You let your heart guide you. You never regret leaping before look. If you fall, you just leap again. Your heart has been hurt more times than you can count, and you've broken many hearts in return. You understand that loss is a big part of love, and you think it's worth the risk. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

The Hand Drawn Heart Test

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Hotter :: than heck
Negotiator :: Hostage
Crimson :: red, tide
Loses :: defeated
Tide :: Detergent
Alan :: Rickman
Fool :: for love
Pink :: Emily's hair color
Palm :: Reader
Lipstick :: Red

Unconscious Mutterings

Week 357
1 minute ago

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

MacGyver :: a television show?
Garter :: Belt, Wedding
Wedge :: of cheese
Inches :: twelve = foot
Code :: Morse
Water :: River
Running :: Marathon, Race
Curly :: Stooge
Turkey :: Thanksgiving
Stupor :: tryptophan

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Marathon :: Runner
Debt :: IOU
Turn :: signal
Image :: picture
Sofa :: couch
Envelope :: Oscars
Cart :: before the horse
Process :: step-by-step
Question :: Query
Rumor :: Mill

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Grace :: Prayer
Shower :: Bath, cap
Alice :: in Wonderland, Doesn't Live Here anymore
Purple :: Rain
Apartment :: Group living
3 :: Trinity, D
Car :: Wash, Auto, Oldsmobile
Pregnant :: Fertile, Pause
Counselor :: Psychologist
Discretion :: is the better part of valor

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Alarm :: Clock, fire
Guest :: room, book
Worm :: glow, rain
Puppies :: cuddly
Honor :: thy father and mother
No! :: yes!
Stomach :: ache
Counter :: offer
Waffles :: pancakes
Plates :: dishes

46 Days

Until Christmas

NANOWRIMO!

This is the first year in I don't know how long that I didn't sign up. Shout-outs to folks I know who are going for it this year. There's Patti, and onyx who doesn't have a blog at this time but is over on facebook, and Ali whose husband also does it. Anyone else?

My best wishes to you all, and I'll be stopping by to cheer on your progress. I will be using the energy of November to complete the story I started last November. I promised niece #5 I would have it done by the end of 2009 -- the main character is based on her.

So happy writing!

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Hairbrush :: Comb
Sneak :: peek
Hole :: in my sock
Horror :: film
Standard :: & Poor
Mailbox :: letters
Attachment :: to an email
Type :: Blood
Nails :: Manicure
Storage :: locker

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Redskins :: peanuts
Show :: Movie
Smoker :: turkey, ham
Bad movie :: wasted money
Play :: Theater, group, bill,
Jaguar :: car, cat
Click :: mouse
Production :: company
Sand :: beach, castle
Foreign :: legion

Back In The Saddle

Made it through a full five day work week! It's hard to get back into work routines after having been out for 4.5 days with the flu, but the boss was kind and things are getting caught up now.

I work for a heating and air conditioning company. October is our busy season. Michigan is still struggling out of the recession (and our goofy legislature/governor are fighting about budgets, leaving things in more turmoil) but there are a lot of incentives right now to buy high-efficiency furnaces, so our days are busy.

As to the budget mess, the year was up in October. They shut down government for a couple hours, then put a temporary budget in place. They've had all month to make adjustments. Do we have a budget yet? Nope. They all should be ashamed. Sheesh. I love Michigan, and I can weather economic crises, but I don't care for our politicians!

Swiping from Roscoe again.

Your Best Trait is Friendliness

You enjoy the company of others, whether you're at work or at play. You believe that almost everyone has something to contribute to this world, and you treat people with courtesy and respect. You're a natural extrovert, and you have a dazzling charm that is not easily forgotten. You are good at building rapport. You're the type of person who can meet a stranger and feel like you've bee friends for years after a few minutes.

What's Your Best Trait?

Blogthings: Cheaper Than a Therapist

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Werewolf :: Jim Harrison
Jim :: utoh, there's a trend. Jimm Harrison
2x4 :: lumber
Unruly :: brat
Component :: part
Prolific :: puts out a lot of output
Wrestler :: Hulk Hogan
Huh? :: What?
Dolls :: Toys
Super! :: Man!

Michigan State's Homecoming!

The bad thing about this flu bug is that I missed the MSU homecoming parade last night. Dang! I'm keeping track of the football game here.

fall greeters

fallgreeters
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

I had hoped to grow LARGE pumpkins this year, but that didn't turn out. However, I may have succeeded in growing the tiniest pumpkin!

Ugh, Flu.

well, I've spent the last few days dealing with the stomach flu. I can think of SOOOO many ways I would rather spend the days. *sigh* How about you?

Unconscious Mutterings

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

My treat :: I'll pay
Bell :: Dinner
Five :: Five Little Peppers and How They Grew
You’re crazy! :: A good thing to say to someone if you totally want to dismiss them.
Disgust :: makes sick
Tempest :: Shakespeare
Bummer :: 70's talk
Brim :: Fill it to the rim with Brim?, edge of a hat
Hose :: Water the Garden
Lollipop :: sucker

Been a long time since we've done a quiz here!

Spotted at Roscoe's.

You Are Warm Apple Cider

You love to feel warm and full. You love all the small comforts that come with fall. Unlike most people, you are as active in fall as you are in the summer. You just make sure and keep warm. For you, fall is the perfect time of year to visit cafes or go for long walks. The season makes you feel energized. You love the bustle of everyone being back from the summer vacation and back to work.

What Autumn Smell Are You?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Yacht :: boat
Paula :: Abdul
Delete :: Remove
Auto :: mobile, industry, Oldsmobile, car
Obsolete :: Oldsmobile
Dedicated :: for a specific purpose
Old :: smobile (there's a theme here), new,
Convince :: Confuse
Poster :: child
Erase :: Wipe out

Unconscious Mutterings

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

What pleases you? :: the colors of my garden, when people ask me to take a photo
Whatever :: a phrase that bugged me when I was younger, but which I use frequently now
Chime :: wind
Pleading :: begging
Simulate :: act as if real
Flashing :: lights
Directional :: turn signal
Pink :: girly color
Access :: Hollywood
Ugly :: Betty

go green

gogreen
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

oh my dear long-time friends. You do know how much I love Michigan State University football. You've lived through the ups and downs of three, if not four, coaches. This season was supposed to be a winning season, with a third-year coach.

Utoh.

1-3.
0-1 in the Big 10.

Wahhhh!

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Disconnect :: the phone
Contribute :: Give to
Dismay :: despair
Constant :: Continual
Nails :: 9-inch, finger
Vibrate :: violin string
Therapy :: Physical
Stupid :: idiotic
Poo :: Sham
Commune :: Hippies

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Omelette :: bacon & cheese
Classic :: Car
Thrifty :: frugal
Search :: google
Fan :: Michigan State University, cool down
Fussy :: baby
I am not :: afraid
Indulge :: treat
Poor :: wealthy
Manicure :: hands

09/09/09

Happy 09/09/09! We're all on the same page today!

very glad

veryglad
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

So I had this idea to plant 500 glads this season, increase by 500 each year, and then when I hit retirement I'd be u p to about 5000 glads and I could sell the blooms at farmers' markets and pay for my gardening hobby.

My garden started late, so I planted only 300. The soil is good out here, and I'm used to just sticking stuff in the ground and voila!

Well, voila happened, as the corms all produced plants. But as budding season started I noticed a problem. (I'm slow.) The buds weren't unfurling in the normal way of glads. They were just poofy blobs of color, or they didn't open at all. What to do?

Well, go to the internet of course. One of the first things that popped up was that glads were prone to thrips, a tiny bug that caused the symptoms I was seeing. A trip to the garden center, and I found all sorts of sprays that would combat thrips. (Doesn't that sound made-up???)

Two weeks later, and it appears the tide is turning. Harvested 25 wonderful blooms this weekend, with many more coming. Now if we can just hold out on a heavy frost!!!!

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Abusive :: parent
Psychotic :: break
Parents :: a hard job
Yell :: holler
Amulet :: stone
Sandstorm :: desert
Amusement :: Park
Imitation :: is the sincerest form of flattery? Not sure
Baby :: infant
Rainbows :: a promise

Michigan State University Won!

First game of the season, and MSU beat MSU (Montana State). We should have, so we are glad we did! Go Green!