tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14259057398689789682012-01-27T11:17:37.527-07:00the thing speaks for itselftimes new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.comBlogger951100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-39701018450722941142012-01-27T07:34:00.002-07:002012-01-27T07:34:46.907-07:00

The hard thing about capturing a smile from the little one is that every time he notices the camera he gets veerrrry suspicious (he takes after his mother in that regard).     The other problem is that I am a rather incompetent photographer and always hit the button just a little too late.   This one is better: None of them amount to peanuts compared to the live show.  :D 

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-73864671295119053872012-01-24T11:50:00.001-07:002012-01-24T11:50:24.374-07:00

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-50615646277749289092012-01-15T13:45:00.000-07:002012-01-15T13:45:31.456-07:00

The Scream by Edvard Munch    My little guy

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-44169763270625548912012-01-09T14:28:00.000-07:002012-01-09T14:28:00.626-07:00

= 66 books and is the number of pages I read last year (I only know this thanks to goodreads).  This year I am shooting for 75 books, not including re-reads of my good ol' favorites.  If you have any good recommendations, please feel free to pass them on!  Following the example of my big sister, I am hoping to expand my literary scope a bit this year and read a few things I wouldn't have

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-67167561308693902852012-01-06T11:30:00.000-07:002012-01-06T11:30:54.641-07:00

It is hard to believe our little guy is a month old! He's  doing a great job at all of this life stuff.  I keep telling him that someday his hands will cooperate with his brain.  For now they have a mind of their own.  He loves spending time with his absolute favorite person - Mr. Clean.  I am pretty sure that the feeling is mutual. :)  We had a nice low key Christmas and tried

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-73316150816927516682011-12-28T13:13:00.000-07:002011-12-28T13:13:21.241-07:00

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-46497534729003193722011-12-20T09:27:00.000-07:002011-12-20T09:27:48.327-07:00

Okay, not really.  Well...perhaps occasionally...in a very loving manner. The little guy's a bit stuffy right now, and while it's sad it is also a little funny (see below).     At his two week checkup this morning he has increased in stature to just shy of 8.5 lbs and 22 inches long.  At our two week check-in, Mr. Clean and I are having fun waking up slightly delusional at 2:

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-72852483744159816382011-12-10T00:22:00.001-07:002011-12-19T14:26:45.444-07:00

Our little man arrived on December 4th. Grandma made it out (quite literally) in the nick of time! 8 lbs 3 oz, 21 inches long, and a feisty little attitude! We all headed home December 5th. We enjoyed being home but took daily trips to the pediatrician to monitor jaundice levels.  I hated seeing our little man get his blood taken, but he took it like a champ. We headed to

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-52507389283138579492011-11-28T16:11:00.001-07:002011-11-28T16:35:28.963-07:00

Mr. Clean: tosses a peanut M&M up into the air and catches it in his mouth Me, to him (jokingly):  Cut it out, you're going to choke Mr. Clean: Why? tosses and catches another Me: It's going to get lodged in your throat Mr. Clean: tosses and catches another Me:  I don't want to become a single mother because of a peanut M&M... and you know I won't be able to move fast enough to get up and

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-72627535635187139122011-11-26T08:53:00.001-07:002011-11-26T08:53:52.899-07:00

I hate bananas, but Mr. Clean loves them and I love him, so occasionally I put on my best martyr face, mash up some smelly bananas, and make him some banana bread. It is funny how much you don't mind doing things you otherwise detest when it's for someone you adore.

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-56694602239155079182011-11-21T18:20:00.001-07:002011-11-22T07:09:18.421-07:00

I told Mr. Clean the title of my blog post this morning and he gave me a look which generally means "ok-I-love-you-and-that-might-be-funny-to-you-but-it's-not-really-all-that-funny," to which I threw back my head and laughed the "yup!-to-me-it-is-hilarious" laugh that my little brother loves to mock and told him I am attempting to become more socially relevant.   Here is a picture of me & my

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-32114510465319157792011-11-21T08:55:00.001-07:002011-11-21T09:03:39.656-07:00

I haven't spent time at a laundromat in years-not since college. But this morning I am on a bench, watching our comfortors tumble and turn, and reading a library book on my kindle. We are blessed to have itty bitty stackable machines in our apartment to take care of our regular needs, but quilts are too much for their capacity. After today we'll be ready for the cold months to come and for my

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-18078239498509019882011-11-14T10:37:00.000-07:002011-11-14T11:02:54.461-07:00

Thanks, Mr. Clean! It's super keen To have baby's room all done Now all we need  Is baby freed From my belly (which weighs a ton). I didn't take a picture of the changing table, but it's from the same series as the crib and dresser.  We'll still be adding a grouping of paper lanterns (unlit) in blues and greens in the corner over the rocking chair at some point, but

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-25803780242164405602011-11-09T12:22:00.000-07:002011-11-09T12:22:07.555-07:00

This is the one and only "belly picture" that has been taken of me (sneaky-like by Mr. Clean, who knows I need one for the baby book).  I will probably have to have him take one some time soon also showing my face. :)  In other news, we had sonogram No. 3 yesterday and here is my list of 5 things to note from the experience. 5.  Baby was covering most of his face with his hand. 4.  He's got

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-61721314426397428632011-11-08T10:26:00.001-07:002011-11-08T10:26:32.782-07:00

It struck me the other day while making my favorite red and green fajitas that it's a bit ironic when I make my filling in my trusty and much adored wok (we don't currently have access to a grill). Authentic?  No.  Tasty?  Yup!  Maybe it cancels out the wok-iness of it all when I use extra jalapenos (which is always).

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-6982640465421748822011-10-31T06:55:00.000-06:002011-10-31T06:55:01.159-06:00

Mr. Clean has been such a sweetheart through this pregnancy, be it politely ignoring my seven month vomitfest, giving up bacon/garlic/chocolate/bananas, or handling my hormone-fueled crying jag when my bellybutton turned inside out (hey, it is kind of freaky!) with calm and understanding. Saturday night I was especially touched when, after an hour of fidgeting around to find a comfortable

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-70235451617308726612011-10-24T08:10:00.000-06:002011-10-24T08:10:31.526-06:00

Arms, to me:  Hey!  Wake up and roll off of your back, baby's on the spine and we're getting pretty numb here! Me:  Go away, I'm sleeping. Arms:  tingle tingle tingle Legs:  tingle tingle tingle Fingers & toes:  tingle tingle tingle Head: whooooo! You'd better do it, I feel funny too! Spine:  Me three!  Me:  Fine.  rolls over and wiggles extremities Arms & legs & fingers & toes: TINGLE Tingle

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-40807655094384127312011-10-13T18:27:00.001-06:002011-10-13T18:27:20.692-06:00

Where does one go to purchase a pumpkin during a pumpkin shortage? Why, Pigboy Willys Pumpkin Patch, of course! What a silly question.

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-83426671933792544172011-10-11T09:27:00.001-06:002011-10-11T09:27:24.842-06:00

  from my walk around our complex this morning  

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-44103953715622687552011-10-06T14:13:00.000-06:002011-10-06T14:13:29.507-06:00

So, our new next-door neighbors smell like secondhand smoke and old bologna. They also make the hallway smell like secondhand smoke and old bologna.  And sometimes, the stink seeps into my kitchen (which I assume borders theirs) and makes it smell like secondhand smoke and old bologna.  I am not a fan.  Off to boil some spices...again!  Anyone have any genius ways of getting rid of icky smells

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-45415418312804318322011-10-02T08:57:00.001-06:002011-10-02T08:57:39.620-06:00

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-49006827202098173922011-09-27T12:02:00.000-06:002011-09-27T12:02:45.033-06:00

5.  While waiting for my turn at the trash compactor, a little boy with his mom tugged at her shirt, pointed at me, and stage-whispered "is there a baby in that lady's stomach?" 4.  Mr. Clean tactfully suggested we get some flats for me. Though I hate to admit it, my feet agreed with him that it was time.  3.  A lady at a gas station blessed my belly.  At least...I think that was what she

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-26728194314153487432011-09-16T06:09:00.000-06:002011-09-16T06:09:15.381-06:00

This week when I looked at the grocery ad, there were 3 pages of sale items devoted to Rosh Hashanah.  If you aren't sure what Rosh Hashanah is, it is the Jewish New Year (I looked it up).  This year it will fall on September 28th - 30th. Some of the cool items I have never eaten or used featured in the ad are: Gefilte fish (bottled fish packed in gelatin made with fish broth) Matzo   Bissli

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-77050303056855786022011-09-08T12:40:00.000-06:002011-09-08T12:40:22.790-06:00

People keep telling Mr. Clean and I that we are in the middle of a drought.  The following is why I don't quite understand their usage of the word drought: This is the streamlet in the back of our apartment that generally runs about 3 inches deep and a couple of inches wide.  Right now it is probably about 6 feet across and several feet deep (and it's still coming down). It's been

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-89422235632530775162011-08-30T07:50:00.000-06:002011-08-30T07:50:15.007-06:00

Over the past week I have: 1)  conquered an earthquake 2)  been conquered by a faulty alternator 3)  ridden in a tow truck 4)  prepared for a hurricane 5)  spent a week alone 6)  picked up Mr. Clean on the last flight in before the hurricane 7)  discovered braxton-hicks contractions 8)  visited the local library 9)  been very very (very very) thankful for my family 10) entered my third

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-30051742194909249942011-08-12T11:18:00.000-06:002011-08-12T11:18:20.557-06:00

Normally if I see a bug I scream and call the fearless and handsome Mr. Clean to come take care of it for me.  I hate bugs (Mr. Clean does too, but he must love me a lot because he always catches and gets rid of them without complaining).  This morning I spotted a HUGE (ok...it was tiny) cricket that had somehow wandered into our apartment.  I stood there, frozen in place for a minute, then I

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-87354182289498219052011-08-08T15:56:00.000-06:002011-08-08T15:56:50.091-06:00

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-75786636402202640322011-08-02T08:44:00.000-06:002011-08-02T08:44:18.308-06:00

I love lentils!  This is a flavorful, beautiful, and satisfying vegetarian recipe I've cobbled together based on four or five lentil soup recipes I've tried via allrecipes.com.  Red Lentil Soup 1 large onion, diced 4 carrots, diced 4 stalks celery, diced 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 T dry oregano 1 T dry basil 1/2 t thyme 2 bay leaves 14.5 oz crushed tomatoes 2 c dry red lentils 8 c chicken

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-52292368786113507942011-07-20T11:55:00.000-06:002011-07-20T11:55:20.285-06:00

It's a boy!  He is super active, so much so that most of our take-home photos are blurry. He has his papa's profile. He was wearing his umbilical cord like a shawl.  

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-87430008908093005822011-07-19T10:22:00.000-06:002011-07-19T10:22:46.082-06:00

5. Wildlife!  I guess more water = more everything.  I have never seen birds in such diversity, or other varmints of various sorts, or even so many dogs in one place.  Really.  Everyone seems to have a dog (or two).  4.  Cooking in a miniature kitchen.  Take the smallest apartment kitchen you ever had and chop it in half and you have my new kitchen.  It makes me more appreciative of what I had

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-84078744102208396822011-06-27T09:19:00.000-06:002011-06-27T09:19:34.891-06:00

I can't lie - unplugging from the world for the last two weeks has been nice.  However, it is probably time to get back to the real world where people keep in touch with each other.  :)   So, to ease into it, here is a little ditty I made up...oh...about 10 weeks ago.  We are nearly to the halfway point.  We should find out the gender some time in July.  The Morning Sickness Song (to the

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-85452999841033219652011-03-30T12:15:00.000-06:002011-03-30T12:15:26.398-06:00

Listening and learning aren't losses,  but lawyers love to litigate

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-69279000469547754142011-03-16T08:32:00.000-06:002011-03-16T08:32:01.182-06:00

but I am too tired to think of anything to say about it. 

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-31680624896326697302011-02-14T16:41:00.000-07:002011-02-14T16:41:16.131-07:00

...thanks to my sweet husband.

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-39556703445590095322011-02-11T09:46:00.000-07:002011-02-11T09:46:33.233-07:00

kissing up may be kind of knackish but knowledge is king

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-7496035763774777362011-02-09T08:16:00.001-07:002011-02-09T08:19:34.175-07:00

I am learning this piece for a 10 hour personal progress project (knowledge) in young women's. 

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-5541848575300274932011-01-31T14:55:00.000-07:002011-01-31T14:55:01.197-07:00

5.  A properly reduced cream sauce is lovely.  An over-reduced cream sauce is greasy. 4.  If you over-garlic (what? over-garlic? is that even possible?) a little brown sugar tones it right down. 3.  Cooking rice in chicken stock is tasty.  Cooking rice in coconut milk is also tasty.  Cooking rice in coconut milk and chicken stock is super tasty.  2.  Poaching an egg is harder than it looks. 1.

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-72594900870436462502011-01-27T14:13:00.000-07:002011-01-27T14:13:38.754-07:00

they juggle, they joust - jackals in jackets want your job

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-87071021643073474892011-01-26T15:11:00.000-07:002011-01-26T15:11:18.556-07:00

A co-worker recently sent me an article by Emily Perl Kinglsey entitled Welcome to Holland.  It was written with the experience of raising a child with a disability in mind, but I found the analogy she used applicable to our current situation - not being able to have a child - as well.    You can find a copy of the article here.  It is quite short, and markedly poignant, no matter which way

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-27590887279871088182011-01-19T14:58:00.000-07:002011-01-19T14:58:08.453-07:00

Before was bad enough:   After is absolutely atrocious: When the lawyers clean off their desks, mine gets a bit buried.

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-17213312645746563542011-01-06T08:16:00.000-07:002011-01-06T08:16:10.041-07:00

  I have never been sailing before this summer.   We went out for an afternoon with my Uncle and sailed Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. You can see the Charlevoix bridge behind Mr. Clean.  It opens every half-hour to let high-masted ships through the canal from Lake Michigan to Lake Charlevoix.  Here's another view. Mr. Clean is more of a motorboat kind of guy, but he liked sailing as well. 

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-54909770049420399502011-01-04T09:28:00.000-07:002011-01-04T09:28:32.548-07:00

Involvement in important issues is initiated instantly over the Internet

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-52724343442388613752010-12-29T09:16:00.000-07:002010-12-29T09:16:30.713-07:00

 and well worth the wait

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-80790387926288670132010-12-14T08:20:00.000-07:002010-12-14T08:20:02.694-07:00

Photo courtesy of Mr. Clean ...and our stockings (hung by the fire with glee).

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-41777034274711043682010-12-10T09:46:00.000-07:002010-12-10T09:46:23.757-07:00

that holster hooked to the hip  hounds hired help at home without hesitation.

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-66507306856196074732010-12-07T08:20:00.000-07:002010-12-07T08:20:12.181-07:00

Photos courtesy of Mr. Clean

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-33720407054465964672010-12-06T12:36:00.000-07:002010-12-06T12:36:51.565-07:00

For the last month our young women have been working tirelessly on their submission for the Festival of Trees.  Dozens of snowmen heads were painted, dozens of snowflakes assembled and hand-beaded, dozens of beaded picks and styrofoam sno-cones crafted, all leading up to our big reveal this week.  A few of us leader types went up to the expo center to put the final product together. All of our

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-81328658158256213312010-11-12T10:51:00.002-07:002010-11-12T11:04:52.360-07:00

Here are five things I learned while learning the old family recipe for homemade ravioli from Mr. Clean's dad. 5.  You need to knead the dough...a lot... and just when you think you are done, you knead some more! 4.  Flour is your friend. 3.  Ricotta is pronnounced "Ri-coh-tah," not Ri-cah-tah," like I've always said it.    2.  Mr. Clean's Dad is one of the coolest and wisest guys I've

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-32398244168825711482010-11-02T14:08:00.000-06:002010-11-02T14:08:45.342-06:00

After twenty-six years of zero cavities, today I found out I have my first one.  Curses! 

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-28373568005312644762010-10-18T13:32:00.000-06:002010-10-18T13:32:52.737-06:00

Our visit to the butterfly sanctuary on Macinac Island was a highlight for us gals.  Unfortunately, the boys were done after about five minutes,   but they were troopers and stuck it out while Mrs. Webb and I proceeded to snap picture after picture of the beautiful bugs. These are just a few of the many different varieties of butterflies  they breed on Macinac Island. As bugs go, they're not so

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-70235683159683476402010-10-12T09:56:00.000-06:002010-10-12T09:56:57.117-06:00

Peach: Before Peach: After Blackberry: Before Blackberry: After

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-8056949726145834602010-10-07T14:00:00.000-06:002010-10-07T14:00:35.320-06:00

Will you walk into my parlor? Said the Spider to the Fly... Super. Duper. Gross.And it happens every day in my garden.

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-24523475011888709252010-09-28T08:48:00.000-06:002010-09-28T08:48:51.135-06:00

1.  I woke up at a quarter to seven (I'm supposed to be to work at seven), so I skipped breakfast2.  Five minutes after I got on the freeway, I realized I'd forgotten my access badge and turned around.  Near home I realized I was going to need to stop at the gas station.  Stopped at gas station.3.  Made it home, clipped my badge to my skirt pocket, took a quick drink of OJ...and spilled OJ all

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-51576523276449282352010-09-25T14:35:00.000-06:002010-09-25T14:35:37.732-06:00

so that's what we'll dofor god has given us rich brown soil the rain and sunshine too and if we plant the seeds just rightand tend them carefully before we know good things will grow to feed our family

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-46811408621887819102010-09-24T15:54:00.000-06:002010-09-24T15:54:30.424-06:00

  It's nice to be on the other side of it(even more so for Mr. Clean than for me, I imagine).

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-70966034912417936422010-09-16T15:41:00.000-06:002010-09-16T15:41:40.840-06:00

Always hold your head up, but be careful to keep your nose at a friendly level.Max L. Forman

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-8539500060956726522010-09-14T16:08:00.001-06:002010-09-16T15:32:28.383-06:00

Our visit to a nature preserve a few miles from my Grandparents' house was full of  sand  stonesskippingspiders and 'shrooms. Spectacular!

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-5023741174591964102010-09-03T09:21:00.000-06:002010-09-03T09:21:38.402-06:00

I took these pictures in my Grandma and Grandpa's flower garden. The flowers are just as bright and beautiful as I remember them being when I was a girl.

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-55298885266561440232010-08-25T09:24:00.000-06:002010-08-25T09:24:56.225-06:00

yellow slicers, romas, cherries, and large-leaf Italian basil

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-8761240157753668002010-08-21T11:34:00.000-06:002010-08-21T11:34:25.888-06:00

Dear Miss Spider; I ignored your web whilst reaching for a tomato early this morning, because the out of doors is your home and you are likely helping to manage the insect population in my back yard.  That was before I saw you. Then you scurried out from under your leaf.   Miss Spider, I have decided that you are so spectacular, you are welcome to have that entire tomato plant all to yourself. 

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-15409780184517223022010-08-18T15:45:00.000-06:002010-08-18T15:45:59.660-06:00

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-2226878958461477322010-08-16T14:52:00.000-06:002010-08-16T14:52:18.491-06:00

that I get sick of advising people what their best course of action would be, only to watch them do the exact opposite of what was suggested that all of the emergencies I'm juggling hit the floor at once  that I miss the ebb and flow of litigation that I get persnickity because there is no budget for certain things, yet people demand I make them happen regardless that my fake smile gets

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-53890092721843550112010-08-16T14:38:00.000-06:002010-08-16T14:38:47.856-06:00

I have to admit that I've always liked Edgar Allan Poe.  Yes, he writes about death and dying and other morbid topics, but he's got these absolutely brilliant moments where his descriptions of things pull you right in and sit you down in the scene he's imparting. Similarly, when looking at an M.C. Escher work, there is always a split second where I think I've finally figured out how everything

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-90768993683321172382010-08-13T07:41:00.000-06:002010-08-13T07:41:57.246-06:00

3.  Pushing the snooze button makes me feel sleepier than if I'd just gotten up with the alarm in the first place.   2.  Mr. Clean's lawn-mowing lines are always way straighter than mine are. 1.  Fruit snacks are pretty much the same thing as candy.

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-38715435373847668932010-08-11T09:27:00.000-06:002010-08-11T09:27:59.512-06:00

We receive translations from in-market volunteers frequently.  Some are better than others.  Many are terrible.  The following are exerpts from a submission for approval on some marketing materials, etc. relating to the launch of a personal care line from a sattelite office in Asia.  When applied to corpse lotion smell seem natural...we should really start marketing to funeral homes. Reckless

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-70094271549413261022010-08-10T10:22:00.000-06:002010-08-10T10:22:44.861-06:00

Introducing The Sultan of Suds, the Captian of Comet Cleanser, the Duke of Detergent, the Viscount of Vacuuming, the Baron of Bleach... Mr. Clean!  Also known as my awesome husband. :)

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-14782624833428715812010-07-19T08:35:00.000-06:002010-07-19T08:35:36.289-06:00

I have been toying around with a bunch of blog names for my husband.  Any nominations from the peanut gallery? 

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-46811084688920973822010-07-14T11:12:00.000-06:002010-07-14T11:12:39.052-06:00

Only as high as I reach can I grow, Only as far as I seek can I go, Only as deep as I look can I see, Only as much as I dream can I be. ~Karen Ravn (source)

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-5887302118819716682010-06-30T14:57:00.000-06:002010-06-30T14:57:08.460-06:00

gigantic green globs grossly glued to garbage pails and gym facilities  

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-80405869774338001212010-06-26T11:39:00.001-06:002010-06-26T11:41:32.326-06:00

This morning I did a final round of thinning in my garden.  I always feel guilty when I thin, as if I am cheating my vegetables  - "here, grow this much and then if you are in the way of your bigger siblings, I'll uproot you!"   Today's thinning yielded baby veggies big enough that I decided to make them into soup instead.  Boy was that a good idea!! To the thinned carrots and beets I added two

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-55149593698013453242010-06-24T10:04:00.000-06:002010-06-24T10:04:47.562-06:00

On a good day my company would be described as quirky.  On a bad one...well...I got a cheesy thank you email this morning from a department I've been helping this week that contained this.  I am still trying to figure out if the things sprouting from my shoulders are supposed to be.  Any guesses?     I shudder to think of the variations of this photo they may have concocted closer to the

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-12030308769065209722010-06-17T15:59:00.000-06:002010-06-17T15:59:24.642-06:00

5)  Loose-leaf college rule notebook paper 4)  Walking anywhere with my violin 3)  Gigantic Sharpie markers 2)  Pearberry lotion 1)  Songs by Smashmouth

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-41024653532612533582010-06-10T16:50:00.000-06:002010-06-10T16:50:19.048-06:00

when fleece and fluff failit falls to frankness to face front

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-32221814747151817962010-06-08T09:07:00.001-06:002010-06-08T09:08:01.035-06:00

I made these this morning with great results.  I wish I had taken a picture because they came out so pretty (even after sticking to the sides of my muffin tin a bit).  You can cut the recipe back if you don't want oodles of leftovers - I will probably do that next time.  Click here for the original recipe; the adaptation I made is below.  1/4 pound pork sausage12 eggs1 c finely diced green

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-87310827583512586152010-05-20T14:50:00.000-06:002010-05-20T14:50:12.898-06:00

Smile Music by Charlie ChaplainLyrics by John Turner & Geoffrey Parsons Smile though your heart is aching Smile even though it's breaking When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by If you smile through your fear and sorrow Smile and maybe tomorrow You'll see the sun come shining through for you Light up your face with gladness Hide every trace of sadness Although a tear may be ever so near

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-35056618723075245092010-05-05T08:32:00.000-06:002010-05-05T08:32:11.434-06:00

The old addage "it takes money to make money" rings true in painful ways for the lower echelons of the poor around the world.  I have been interested in the concept of microfinance ever since I attended a lecture about it during my first year of college.  Though the speaker was incomprehensibly boring, the subject matter captured my attention and I have since followed developments in the field

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-57552713118022748402010-05-03T10:23:00.000-06:002010-05-03T10:23:59.328-06:00

exacting executives examining everyone's efforts make employees extra-efficient

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-5902907411311357672010-04-26T09:00:00.000-06:002010-04-26T09:00:19.525-06:00

Deadlines drive, but debts and demandsdelay and disappoint. 

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-47377288611130845272010-04-20T11:58:00.000-06:002010-04-20T11:58:36.681-06:00

only certain classes of clients can charge their chow to the corporate credit card

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-19569254319018460472010-04-12T10:08:00.001-06:002010-04-12T10:08:43.995-06:00

It's what the bosses all buybut can barely budget for

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-55769856365488119862010-03-29T10:56:00.000-06:002010-03-29T10:56:06.885-06:00

Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune--without the words, And never stops at all, And sweetest in the gale is heard; And sore must be the storm That could abash the little bird That kept so many warm. I've heard it in the chillest land, And on the strangest sea; Yet, never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me. -Emily

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-53351469215730085082010-03-23T10:19:00.001-06:002010-03-23T13:57:37.279-06:00

average is acceptablebut aiming for the apex is advised image from http://www.fromoldbooks.org 

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-68060630902094134182010-03-22T09:55:00.001-06:002010-03-22T09:55:41.436-06:00

 click for source 5.  It would be tragic if farmers didn't have enough room to grow fodder for dairy cows. :) 4.  I need a hobby in a big way. 3.  I think composting is super cool.2.  I can put away fresh tomatoes and basil like nobody's business1.  I mostly just want to see if I can really do it. 

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-77198665303793475802010-03-16T20:16:00.001-06:002010-03-17T09:35:36.318-06:00

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-32636902858360955842010-03-16T20:01:00.001-06:002010-05-03T10:43:13.699-06:00

Dear Caspian, I miss you so much it hurts.  Just when I thought things were beginning to look up again you had to leave us.  When I got home from work today, for a split second I forgot what had happened and I looked down, expecting to see you waiting at the doorway to greet me, just like you always did.  You brought so much joy and life into our house.  There are so many wonderful memories, so

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-48653776007644860172010-03-10T11:26:00.000-07:002010-03-10T11:26:48.965-07:00

One of the things I like most about working in the legal field is the latin lingo.  Lawyers love latin (and abbreviations...and acronyms...and redundancy...and italics...but those are posts for another day). Here are my top 10 favorite latin legal terms and their uber-simplified definitions. 10. Respondeat Superior ~ Let the master answer (with regard to vicarious liability of employers for

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-56994570928200801932010-02-01T14:16:00.002-07:002010-03-04T13:37:18.105-07:00

Top 10 things to love about my Kitty 10. He inspired the weekly kitty story for our primary class.  The kids still come up and ask me for kitty stories, though we haven't taught for over a year.  9.  We never had to have him fixed.  :)  Don't ask. 8.  He jumps up in my lap to sit whenever I settle down to read.  Never mind that there is already a book in my lap - he just sits on top of it.  7. 

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-80269515968978788122009-12-03T16:51:00.004-07:002010-03-04T14:41:07.358-07:00

He who moves not forward, goes backward. (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-64862067762542801622009-11-02T16:27:00.004-07:002009-11-02T16:37:16.698-07:00

5. It is red and woolly4. It is nice and warm3. It's professional looking, so no more office jokes about my ski jacket from costco (which I also like)2. It has two sets of pockets.What do you use two sets of pockets for, you might ask? Keep reading.1. I found out today that I can fit a book in one of my bottom pockets. A normal-sized, hardcover book.I will never again underestimate the

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-90949737540647856092009-07-10T14:08:00.008-06:002009-07-21T14:30:54.554-06:00

"What was that - I couldn't hear you - I was flushing."That's the first thing I heard today when I walked through the door to use the facilities at work: A co-worker multitasking from the echoing recesses of the semi-private corporate bathroom stall. Perhaps she thought it would be efficient of her to combine her business with...other business...though I beg to differ.What is wrong with us? Are

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-8184467984500264422009-05-06T15:38:00.002-06:002009-05-06T15:54:38.744-06:00

Why not stop after the first million dollars you steal?

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-15684407702365684752009-05-01T13:06:00.010-06:002009-07-21T14:31:29.342-06:00

The orchid blooms!As the newbie in the legal department, I was given the impossible task of caring for the legal department orchid, which was, as Miracle Max would say, mostly dead. They told me it was useless, that it was a joke, that it was just a dried up old twig. They laughed, they lectured, and yet I persevered. After nearly six months of once weekly waterings and basking in the light of

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-33976904291122041702009-04-20T09:02:00.010-06:002009-05-01T13:34:10.020-06:00

Except the spider didn't really sit, it more dangled from the ceiling in front of the back door. I thought it was a fly and tried to swat it out of the door, as I had been in the process of letting the cat in. When I swatted it, spider legs made contact with my hand about the same time HAH yelled "SPIDER!" and I realized it was very much not a fly. I shrieked and backed up, knocked over my

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-6188701156364887322009-02-26T11:14:00.009-07:002009-07-21T14:31:59.857-06:00

...she was considering in her own mind (as well as she could, for the hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid), whether the pleasure of making a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble of getting up and picking the daisies...from Alice 's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis CarrollI've never made a daisy chain, but we always used to make clover flower jewelery. I am ready for the warm months.

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425905739868978968.post-35418789402399034192008-12-16T14:30:00.011-07:002009-05-01T13:38:54.976-06:00

Top three reasons not to get a blog:1) One more thing to feel guilty about not updating.2) I think the word blog is ugly.3) Thinking of a snazzy title is hard.Top three reasons to get a blog:1) I like to type in pretty colors.2) I can't figure out how to comment on other people's blogs without an account.3) All of the cool kids are doing it.

times new romanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664182831539238691noreply@blogger.com4