Free time

Wednesday my husband goes to SeaScouts. We both are troop leaders but because of the dogs only one of us goes. So I stay home with the kids so to speak. And it's one of my favorite times of the week. Not because Michael is gone but because it's my night of possibilities. I gave the dogs chewies and they curled up in the office while I played some Diablo. With the Ipod going, singing at the top of my lungs (badly), and running around my virtual world killing things. I don't think there is better therapy in the world. I followed this up with a cuddle on the couch - just me and all the four legged creatures that wanted to join. A good book, a glass of milk. Life was sweet.

Michael came home, he joined the couch cuddle party and we watched Drawn Together. It was a perfect evening.

Thoughts for the day

The photos in my title as well as today's blog are from the Ashes and Snow collection by Gregory Colbert. The photographs are marvelous.

I finished a really good story called "The Notorious Dr. August" by Christopher Bram. It was a fun read.

I am now reading a story called "Pest Control" by Bill Fitzhugh. I was in such happy oblivion reading this morning that I never got my second cup of coffee.

So allow me to leave you with these thoughts today:

"Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest."
- Mark Twain

"Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live."
- Mark Twain

'The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."
- Albert Einstein

"A thought, even a possibility, can shatter and transform us."
- Friedrich Nietzsche

"You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star."
-Friedrich Nietzsche

"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living."
- Dr. Seuss

"While we have the gift of life, it seems to me the only tragedy is to allow part of us to die -- whether it is our spirit, our creativity, or our glorious uniqueness."
- Gilda Radner

And I say to you: Good Day! Cheers! Aloha! Shalom!

A plane, a friend, and a football game

I worked from home Friday in order to spend more time with my folks. It was the perfect day to stay home. Snow fall, cold temps, warm puppy on my lap.

We went to Mickey's for breakfast. Wow, was that a great meal! Then I worked and they relaxed and read. With snow falling outside it was a perfect day.

Saturday my folks left for home. Sniff.............

Sunday I asked R to go shopping with me. R is the fiance of my buddy J. I had always hoped that when J finally found the girl of his dreams that we would all get along enough to not loose touch with our friendship. J comes over at least once or twice a week. Usually Friday's for sci-fi and Sundays for football and or Simpsons. I hoped that when he did find someone that we wouldn't have to give that up entirely. Happiness for all, R is a wonderful person that fits right into the family fold. We aren't going to loose J, we are gaining R. (Max has already claimed their laps as his territory).

Anyway, we had a great time on our outing. Our tastes are very similar so it makes shopping a lot of fun. We like to look at the same things, we both wander around aimlessly just looking at stuff, and we can talk each other out of stuff we don't need. (Ahhh, the impulse police) .

Then of course we came home for the all important super bowl commercials. Pirates of the Caribbean AND McGyver commercial back to back! It doesn't get any better!

My sympathies to all my Seattle friends out there. :-(

Cold day, warm blanket, and a dog

I'm in serious need of some couch/blanket/dog/book time. If it's snowing outside all the better. Besides needing some personal quiet time I just started a book that I think I am going to love. It has that warm cozy hanging out with an old and dear friend sort of feel to it. It's called The Notorious Dr. August by Christopner Bram. I started it yesterday. I'm on page 69. And so far, I just love the book. I don't know if I will still be saying that on page 491 or I will even get to page 491 but so far.........so good..................

Newt's Mix

Can you tell something about a person by their Ipod mix?

80's Big hair mix
Everything by When in Rome
If I turn you Away by Vikki Moss
Bad by U2
A sort of Homecoming by U2
Coffee and Scones
The Promise by When In Rome
Calling all Angels by Train
They Dance Alone by Sting
It's Been Awhile by Staind
Goddess Mix
Boom Boom Ba by Metisse
Full of Grace by Sarah McLachlan
Gentleman who Fell by Milla
4 My Love by Sin'ad O'Connor
Lost in a Good Book
Sevilla by John Williams
Adagio by George Philipp Telemann
Azul by Jesse Cook
Concerto in C Minor by Telemann
Love Notes from M
Blue Eyes by Elton John
I Can't be with you by The Cranberries
He Moved thru the Fair by Sn'ad O'Connor
Coming back to Life by Pink Floyd
Me and M
Uninvited by Alanis Morissette
Iris by Goo Goo Dolls
The Reason by Hoobestank
Got you Where I want You by The Flys
Sing'n in the Car
Youth of a Nation by P.O.D.
You Dance by East Mountain South
When the Stars go Blue by The Coors with Bono
Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn

What age do I act?

You Are 23 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Mental Journey's of late

Aside from the wonderous memories and feelings generated from the ol Ipod mix - a mental journey in and of itself. I have been reading some pretty good books.

These Granite Islands by Sara Stonich
The story of one woman's life up in the rural mining towns of Minnesota.

Not the End of the World by Kate Atkinson
A collection of short stories. Each story is individual in and of itself but the characters are interwoven throughout the book. A pleasure to read.