2007 Greetings

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A GREAT NEW YEAR..........MAY IT BE BETTER THEN THIS ONE.

Adventures In Babysitting.

Watched one of the Supervisors from works little boy. Mom and Dad's birthday s are close together and they like to go out to a fine dining restaurant. That means no short boy in the mix for the night.
The girls each treated him differently. Savannah patted him like a dog and goes nice baby and then walked off. Constance hugged him. Look someone smaller then me to push around.




Al wondering what that big lump on the sofa is.


Al being waited on hand and foot. Chocolate cheese cake.MMMM



Aunt Sarah teaching the girls how to lick their plates clean.

So Me.

The first person to find this for me in a XXL will be my friend for like...a day...maybe..

The Sky Is Falling.

The weather heads here predicted that the world was going to end as we know it. Ice and snow and fire from heaven was going to rain down on us . It didn't happen.
It rained and then it turned to freezing rain. We didn't get as much as they said. Schools and other places closed for the day...But not the greedy retailers..
I talked to a lady who runs her own restaurant and she said that she hated it when they try to make a storm out to be more then it is. It really hurts her business because people are afraid to go out. I think they should just say what they think is coming and what we may get...we don't need them breaking in and doom saying.
Also...the places that are open need to under stand not everyone that works for them likes to drive in nasty weather. Some people think its a really good idea to just stay at home and wait for the road to be come clear.
that's my two cents.

Christmas List 2007...

Since the list from last year was completely ignored I decided to go a differant route.
Money....if it was good enough for Sally Brown it should work for me.
I was told I was hard to buy for ...If I want something I get it for myself. Ok yeah I do that.
Here are some more suggestions...
Money
Gift Cards. Make sure there isn't a fee or expiration dates on them. Mall and Grocey store ones are known for that.
Money
A Paper Shredder.
DVD Box Sets.
Peace on Earth
Money
Ammo
A weekend of rest.

Oy Vey

There are times that I still feel like a small town boy. I think if I know something then the whole world knows it.
I work with a lady who asked a question the other day that just stunned me and everyone at the meeting. She's in her early 50s with adult children and some college eduction. She asked what the differnace was between Hanukkah,and Chanukah. Her question was met with silence.One of the other ladies said that it just depended on the group of how they spelled it but it was all the same...
Worked retail all these years and didn't think to ask before now.

Like I'd say something mean

the short ,the perky ,and Hannah.
Hire the handicap

Last Years...

Got my first Christmas present. Nancy got me tickets to see Rent. Yep for those that know me this is my 9,430 time of seeing it. It was really good. Great seats and the sound system was set not to loud. The only problem was the size of the seats. They did a remodel of the theatre but to stick in more seat they put them to close together.
Had to laugh at the group at the end of the row. A group of ladies with a couple newbies. There friends tried to explain the show to them. Its not something that is easy to explain.
The day before we had a nice ice storm. I thought back to the last time Rent came to town. There was a huge snow storm the day of the show and I wasn't able to get down to see it.Thought history would repeat its self.

What Are We Thankful For Again

Dear Aunt Sarah,
Happy Thanksgiving from Iowa. Mom decided to do the dinner this year. Uncle took that pretty well. She did everything the turkey,stuffing,pies,potatoes,some god awful dip...no not Constance.
Quiet sister dear, I know you would open the letter talking about the food.
Well it was good.
It was ok..
Your mad Constance cuz uncle made you sit down and eat.
I was just walking around to let it settle.
He did the do it now voice. Mom,Dad and Grandma wouldn't even cross him.
Traitors all of them. You noticed that I didn't say goodbye when he left.
Yeah and I'm sure he's all broke up about that. But back to the food. We had Turkey,and stuffing and twice baked potaotes and mashed potatoes, and corn and carrots and rolls,and green bean casserole. and I'm sure I'm forgetting something.
Your drooling Savannah.
Hush chipmunk.
Uncle said mom only made one mistake . Something about a bag of parts left in the bird.
And that lady that used to live in the basement was here....Grandma and uncle picked on her. She's funny. She brought us hooks to hang up our coats. One is a monkey and the other is an elephant. I picked the elephant and Constance picked the monkey. The big cheeks look like her.
Grandma did put us to work cleaning up after the meal. I think it was to get us back for...
SSSHHHHH Savannah they never found out about that.
Oh yeah...nothing never mind then.
They tell us that you are coming to see us in a month. Over Christmas and our birthday...We don't want much for Christmas...just page 326-470 of the JC Penny Big Book. and then there is....
Constance don't be greedy. She can't get us all that stuff..Just having her here is present enough.
Suck up Savannah...Suck up Savannah..!!!
Well we have all kinds of stuff to show you and can't wait for you to get here...
Suck.up..mmmmmmm
Why'd you stick that doll in my mouth Savannah.
Nothing Chipmunk
jaws
chipmunk
The Cute twin and her evil sister.

It's That time of year again

My elderly sister Mary and my friend Pat both thought it was funny to send me this. Yeah I know its coming. Merry Bugging Christmas...
Countdown

Tomorrow is another day

I had to say good by to a old friend. Yep Scarlett is no more. No it wasn't the broken out back window (done by some of the hoods darlings) No its was a combo of stuff. Just too much to put her back on the road. I didn't figure out how many miles we've been together, but in the four years we've been to help out the displaced in Baton Rouge Louisiana after the hurricanes. Been to Chicago couple times, Down to Louisville to see the Queen,out to Denver to see Stevie in concert. People and myself couldn't believe that we would go that far. Yeah what was I thinking.
So after 4 years,a starter,tires,fuel pump,brakes,oil gauge,exhaust,and a couple of oil changes its good bye.
The guy from the junk yard came to get her..hooked her up to the truck and was just pulling off onto the alley when there was a crack and the sound of metal on metal. The little crack in the frame broke and Scarlett folded up on herself. What a fitting end.

Working Hard For the Money

I'm working two jobs for the Christmas season. Sometimes I only have 1/2hr between jobs and with changing clothes and then the drive I don't really have that much time to think..Here's what happens when you don't pay attention to what your doing when walking out the door...I was almost two hours into the shift before I noticed...thank god I'm behind a counter the whole time.

Slave Labour

See there is nothing under your side Savannah. No food escapes your lips.

Savannah trying to get rid of the big pink thing in her way.

Grandma I know what I'm doing so let me to it please!

You turn it on here.

Trick or Treat

Came home from work Halloween night to find this on the street next to my house. All kinds of cop cars around the place and coloured lights flashing...From down the block I thought that maybe the old house was on fire.
What I was told is that a guy in a Caddy was going down Kirkwood west bound when he saw a cop and freaked...tried to out run them and was going to do a U turn at Iowa street and head back up the Boulevard east.
Well he didn't plan on the guy coming down Iowa St at a high rate of speed and not stopping at the stop sign and plowing into him...The Caddy ended up across the hedge and landing about 10 feet from my living room...the other car driven by a man who spoke no English and had no license ended up on the other side of the street..he was driving an amigos car.
Caddy driver got out and ran and was soon over taken by Davenport's finest...He was taken away in cuff. the other guy got a ticket...I got a flat hedge.

Red car on left is the car that came down Iowa and blew the stop sign...This is the caddy laying across the hedge. No one bothered to turn off the headlights. It was funny they the car went right between the stop sign and the fire hydrant

Thank you, But NO.

I was just looking for a part time Christmas job. picked men's ware since I did it for a little over 10 years doing that at Montgomery Ward. After shopping at younkers I wonder what wasn't up to snuff for them?

Dear Richard,

You recently applied for the SEASONAL ASSOCIATE (21389) position with BON-TON(Younkers). We would like to thank you for your interest. Upon review of your background and qualifications we have determined that you are not a match for this particular position. If you would like to view a listing of current jobs, please visit the BON-TON Career Center at the following address:
https://storefront.kenexa.com/bonton/cc/Home.ss

If your email software does not support web links (i.e. clicking on the web-address does not take you directly to the BON-TON Career Center), copy the above web-address into the "Address" or "Location" bar of your Internet web-browser in order to access the Career Center.

We appreciate your interest in employment opportunities with BON-TON.

Sincerely,
Human Resources
BON-TON

Da Vinci's Last Supper on line

MILAN, Italy (AP) - Can't get to Milan to see Leonardo Da Vinci's masterpiece "The Last Supper?" As of Saturday, all you need is an internet connection. Officials put online an image of the "Last Supper" at 16 billion pixels - 1,600 times stronger than the images taken with the typical 10 million pixel digital camera.

The high resolution will allow experts to examine details of the 15th century wall painting that they otherwise could not - including traces of drawings Leonardo put down before painting.

The high-resolution allows viewers to look at details as though they were inches from the art work, in contrast to regular photographs, which become grainy as you zoom in, said curator Alberto Artioli.

"You can see how Leonardo made the cups transparent, something you can't ordinarily see," said Artioli. "You can also note the state of degradation the painting is in."

Besides allowing experts and art-lovers to study the masterpiece from home, Artioli said the project provides an historical document of how the painting appears in 2007, which will be valuable to future generations of art historians.

Although there appeared to be problems with the web site late Saturday, it was accessible earlier in day.

The work, in Milan's Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, was restored in a painstaking effort that wrapped up in 1999 - a project aimed at reversing half a millennium of damage to the famed artwork. Leonard painted the "Last Supper" dry, so the painting did not cleave to the surface in the fresco style, meaning it is more delicate and subject to wear.

"Over the years it has been subjected to bombardments; it was used as a stall by Napoleon," Artioli said. The restoration removed 500 years of dirt while also removing previous restoration works that masked Leonardo's own work.

Even those who get to Milan have a hard time gaining admission to see the "Last Supper." Visits have been made more difficult by measures to protect it. Twenty-five visitors are admitted every 15 minutes to see the painting for a total of about 320,000 visitors a year. Visitors must pass through a filtration system to help reduce the work's exposure to dust and pollutants.

"The demand is three or four times higher, but we can't accommodate it because of efforts to preserve the painting," Artioli said.

On the Net:

http://www.haltadefinizione.com

We Watched Happy Feet 8 times

Dear Aunt Sarah,

How are you? We are ok. This is just a reminder that in little over two months its going to be our birthday and Christmas. We are working on a list to distribute to all the relevant people in our lives. I think for Savannah a 5 pound block of chocolate would keep her happy .

Not funny blondie, I want more then candy.

What, meats and cheeses?

Well that would be nice but I want toys, and books, and clothes and to be an only child and…

Ha ha funny sister dear. You haven’t seen my mirror have you?

It’s never out of your hand how could I see it.

It’s gone missing and just was wondering if you knew where.

The last time I saw it was at Uncles house. Maybe he kept it.

He’s got mirrors at his house why would he need mine…I’d like to take the big mirror he has in the rabbit room and put it in my room.

Why so when you wake up in the night you get scared by the horrible site..

If you were there Savannah I would be.

Any way we stayed the weekend with Uncle while mom did something.

Its just not as fun. The balls have lost their luster and that cookie monster thing is just weird.

It scares you doesn’t it Savannah.

No its just creepy. Kinda like you.

Quiet Savannah, Anyway we got there and he promised that we would be able to watch Happy Feet. Nana and I looked thru his DVD collection and didn’t find it. So Nana told him he was to get Happy Feet NOW!!!

So we went out and got in his Blazer and drove out to his work. Well Savannah wanted to climb in all by herself and it was all dirty and she wiped her hands on her eyes so she looked like she had two black eyes.

You didn’t look so hot either Constance. You picked at your face til you had blood running down your face. The old lady that helped us thought Uncle was beating us or something.

We got Happy Feet and watched it. Uncle said something about a fire and that darn disc.

Sunday Savannah made a fool of herself.

Me, I remember you right next to me.

But your bigger so people will remember you more.

Sure Constance. Uncle gave us a bath Sunday morning and then when we got out we ran to the bed room to get dressed but saw that people were outside getting into their cars so we got up on the coach and jumped up and down. Some of the people pointed. We didn’t see anyone we knew. Uncle came running in saying that those Presbyterians sure got an eye full of two naked girls.

Then we went to the park where one of uncles old lady friends works. We have a picnic in the air conditioned office. You liked that place didn’t you Savannah.

No not really. I really didn’t like it when someone jumped on the bridge and made it bounce when I was trying to walk across it.

What are looking at me for..I was just having a little fun. I think uncle wasn’t to happy with you. After we left there we came home and had to take a nap. Uncle makes us take lots of naps….I think its so he can get away from Savannah.

No I think its so he can have some peace and quiet from you Chipmunk

Jaws

Blockhead.

Godzilla

Til later the Cute one and her sister.

Halloween

Lessons Learned

Today I learned,
Never to trust the cat on the side of the road to stay there when you drive by,
All people that use the I74 are idiots,yes thats people from both sides of the Miss.
Keep all discussions with management on paper and make 8 copies.
If a stupid person is in the building they will find me.
Never make a grocey list while working,you forget most of it the minute you walk away.
No matter how many times you change the clock setting on the VCR you will not get the very beginning or end of a show.
Private Practice is an evil show.
The chances of me being out of debt before I die are not good.
Brown is not a good colour for me.
Ice Cream can not be forgotten.
Day care workers don't know how to take care of there own kids.
Planning your life a year in advance will only look good on paper.
If you can't beat them...undermine them.

People with no sense of humour

this comment was posted in the Truth is out there post. I think anonymous needs to lighten up a little.

Anonymous said...
Some people need to put down their phones and cameras and get a new hobby - maybe woodcarving. All those nicks and cuts, all that blood....

The Truth is Out There

Now we have proof of why Kathy has such a thing about sci-fi and all things Star Trek/Star Wars.

Meanwhile back on the farm

To the three readers out there who said I haven't updated the blog in a while here's to you.
First there is the reason that I've not been blogging.
Nothing has been going on. I live in the Midwest. We watch paint dry for fun.
So besides the Weather beater 15 drying I've gone out and gotten a 2nd job.
So not only will you see me in Borders pushing the newest Oprah title,but at nights I'll be your quick friendly cashier at the Davenport Target. I've decided that I want to get the debt down to a smaller size and also this will keep me out of trouble.
Also on one of my rare free days I watched the twins. They will be writing about that themselves. We watched Happy Feet...OH YEA!!!!

Oh..Say can you ....

Do you think you could pass the citizenship test given to people coming into this country? Try your hand with the link below...I got 7 out of the 11 and Miss Leanne got 5 of 11 but she admitted to have slept during that class in school.


U.S. Citizenship Test

Riley Reunion 2007

Heading into the old home town on Illinois route 88 ....what its called 40 now oh ok..Heading into the old home town on..how long have they called it that..15 years? really. Having the interstate called 88 and this road 88 confused people..Should have left it 5 and 88...Any way I'm heading into town to Nims park for the Riley reunion. Its my mom's side of the family. Not as large as the other side but just as loud and they like to eat.



Our hostess for the Riley reunion Granny Clampett...no my sister Dianne




Dianne and two of her children Joe and Lena.

Joe or as he was called growing up the little puker. Any place any person...blaaahh. He love me telling people that..


Joe's sister Lena. Her two kids are around here somewhere. Behind her my cousin Lori and her husband Kurt. Lots of food in the offering. three different buckets of KFC..yum. I brought ham.



I never knew I was related to Hank Williams Jr...oh it's Joe and Lena's little brother Tim

Look its Aunt Madame....run for your life
Alexia my niece Jennifer's oldest
Jevon .Jennifer's son...the middle child Serena didn't feel like having pictures taken,
SSSSHHHHHH!!!! the newest addition to the family...My nephew Danny joes little boy. Thomas. not to be confused with my Uncle or his drunken son.
Lena's little girl Chevla just 1 on the 29th of August.



My uncle Ray and Aunt Margaret. the last of Walter Riley's kids
My cousin Lori...really second cousin with another cousin's little boy making him my fourth cousin..

My cousin Martha deep in thought....(potato salad or macaroni?)

My cousin Carol...on the right..her daughter Robbie..in the pooh shirt and Robbie's kids...the rest of them
Cleaning up and going home..Uncle Ray,Jevon,Karen and Aunt Betty...Til next year..

The Girls First Hair Cut

The English Sheep dogs I call nieces got there first haircut. Now we can see their pretty faces..

Savannah with her naturally curly hair

Constance...the Blonde..