Another Happy Halloween greeting

Why didn't we know about this sooner??? Click through!

I love Halloween

Yep, I love Halloween.
Minnesota at this time of year casts the perfect spell for All Soul's Eve. The sky is streaked with purple clouds, the leaves are almost gone revealing stark bare branches. The smell of rotting or burning leaves is hovering. It's perfect.
We carved our pumpkins Thursday night. Mine turned out pretty good - not quite the masterpieces pictured here but good 'nuff for the candy beggars.
Come knock on my door tonight - I have Milk Duds, Twizzlers, and Whoppers!

Funny

Something funny I saw on the way into work this morning. Know how folks put stickers of their schools in nice collegiate letters across the bottom of their back car window?
This one said "STARFLEET ACADEMY".

My career as a politco stalker

I seem to be growing into my career in politco stalking. I've had my pic taken with John & Elizabeth Edwards, and Al Franken. Monday night I almost added Arianna Huffington of The Huffington Post to the list. She spoke at a local college. Interesting woman - I remember when she was a conservative commentator - she underwent a transformation of attitude that left her doubting the GOP rhetoric and seeing government as an agent of good. Anyway, she had some interesting points - these are not verbatim, just paraphrasing:

"Don't dislike Sarah Palin because of her lack of experience. Plenty of great leaders have little previous experience. Look at Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld - impressive resumes but horrible leaders. I dislike Sarah Palin because she is a know-nothing!"

"Don't listen to polls - it's only a sample of answers from folks who are willing to pick up a phone call from some stranger, and then talk to them"

"The internet has completely changed politics. It's hard for a candidate to run away from quotes and appearances when literally everyone can watch it again and again on youtube. Remember - youtube didn't exist during the 2004 election"

Sadly I didn't get a photo with her - she had to catch a plane. Darn.

Big Wicked Online Pageant

Here's my entry in the Big Wicked Online Pageant! Hope I'm not too late!
That's me as the wicked witch on the left, circa 1969 or 1970. Yes, I am wearing a black plastic garbage bag and my sister is wearing a sheet. My mom was plenty thrifty. She also made my tote bag. Check out the groovin paisley pants underneath!
Plenty of great bloggers are entering today including Bubs and Dr. Monkey.

PS - I just realized that my sister's sheet says "Ghost! BOO!". Perhaps my Mom didn't think my sister could convincingly pull off the ghost portrayal, and she didn't want the neighbors thinking she'd send her 6 year old out dressed as an unmade bed.

Don't get too scared this Halloween

I posted this last year, but it's just so creepy-scary that I had to share again this year. Be careful - not for the faint hearted!

And so IT starts

We had snow flurries here today, yes, you read that right, SNOW flurries! They were pretty, but I have a strict policy that snow must stay within a December 1st through March 31st time boundary. Winter in Minnesota just doesn't know it's place! Luckily the ground is far too warm for any accumulation but it's just another warning that IT is coming. IT is 10 below with a wind-chill factor of 40 below.

Know what else is coming? . . . The President Barack Obama Administration!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thieves with odd objectives

Some stinkin' thieves stole my Obama yard sign! Or perhaps it was a desperate Obama supporter who wanted one of their own. The weird thing is they left the Al Franken sign. Explain that one. One explanation is Republicans are petty thieves who hate freedom of speech.

Highlights from the Third 2008 Presidential Debate with Barack Obama and John McCain

The glory of me

A fun list idea from Some Guy, who amazingly didn't mention poop in his list.

1. Clothes: Dress clothes at work, comfy clothes at home. I like pants that don't cut my generous tummy in half.
   
2. Furniture: Lots of stuff from my husband's furnished condo he purchased in 1988. Some things from my parents. Everything was purchased on the cheap. But my hands down favorite is our brick red sectional.
   
3. Sweet: I don't like candy at all, except chocolate. But chocolate gives me heartburn so I try to avoid that too.
   
4. City: I haven't traveled nearly as much as I'd like. I live right next to the Twin Cities and must say they've been marvelous so far. I've been to NYC, Toronto, Denver, Boston, Charleston SC, San Diego, Atlanta, and Chicago. So far, Boston is my favorite - I eat up all that history.
   
5. Drink: Iced tea, unsweetened in the summer, coffee with some kind of creamer most days. I don't drink alcohol much, probably should, but when I do it's white wine or a weak gin and tonic with tons of lime.
   
6. Music: pretty much everything
   
7. TV Series: Loved Cheers - ok that shows you how old I am. Most TV today really stinks in my opinion. Watched The Sopranos on dvd and loved it because my husband could be James Gandolfini's brother. Also loved Six Feet Under and Band of Brothers on dvd. Right now, my little family cuddles on the couch every Sunday night to watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Ty Penning makes me want to throw a hammer at the TV but it's a feel-good show nonetheless.
   
8. Film: I love them all, especially period "chick flick" movies.
   
9. Workout: walking, walking, walking
   
10. Pastries: the cream cheese croissants at our downtown coffee shop.
    
11. Coffee: Yep, but decaf only. I also make a great pot of espresso.

wow wow wow wow

As I clean, I'm listening to Barack Obama speak in Florida on C-Span, and all I can say is WOW! and YES! and DAMN STRAIGHT!! This man MUST WIN on November 2nd. I've been working for his campaign, how about you? If you don't have time, write letters to the editor. You are a great writer as evidenced by your blog and the nation needs to hear from you!

For all those fools who think this is about race, look at your bank account. Look at the value of your home. Look at your 401k. Look at the price of your gas. Look at the flag-draped coffins coming home from Iraq. Look at the maimed and wrecked vets who can't get adequate physical or mental healthcare. Look at our current leaders' support of treasonous torture and wiretapping. Look at your civil rights running down the drain. Look at this mess and then tell me Barack Obama can't lead because he's black. Then go stick your head in the oven because we don't need your bigoted crap.

We're back!!

Picked up the computer yesterday. Happy Day!!!
I have returned to my part-time schedule at work and I must say I'm rather enjoying having this day all to myself. I already did my power-walking, and now it's on to my desk from Hell and the mountains of laundry. Later!

Can you say withdrawal??

Computer is STILL in the shop!! Since Tuesday!!! We are going stark raving MAD at our house without it. But I'm sure my loyal readers will excuse the total lack of posting and commenting. I miss you all!

October, summed up

One of my all time favorite poems - enjoy!

October's Bright Blue Weather

O SUNS and skies and clouds of June,
And flowers of June together,
Ye cannot rival for one hour
October's bright blue weather;

When loud the bumble-bee makes haste,
Belated, thriftless vagrant,
And Golden-Rod is dying fast,
And lanes with grapes are fragrant;

When Gentians roll their fringes tight
To save them for the morning,
And chestnuts fall from satin burrs
Without a sound of warning;

When on the ground red apples lie
In piles like jewels shining,
And redder still on old stone walls
Are leaves of woodbine twining;

When all the lovely wayside things
Their white-winged seeds are sowing,
And in the fields, still green and fair,
Late aftermaths are growing;

When springs run low, and on the brooks,
In idle golden freighting,
Bright leaves sink noiseless in the hush
Of woods, for winter waiting;

When comrades seek sweet country haunts,
By twos and twos together,
And count like misers, hour by hour,
October's bright blue weather.

O suns and skies and flowers of June,
Count all your boasts together,
Love loveth best of all the year
October's bright blue weather.

Helen Hunt Jackson, 1830 - 1885

Computer down, I repeat, we have a computer down

Our pc is in the shop - I think it needs an oil change and some new tires. Makes a horrible grinding noise when I post and a headlamp is out. So I'm posting at work on my lunch hour. I should be back for good after Thursday.

The trees are just exploding with color here in town - it's completely magical. Wonderfully sets off all the lovely OBAMA signs in town. I went door knocking on Sunday - interesting experience. I also volunteered to work the entire day on election day. Can't wait for the massive celebration that night. Think I'll drive to Wisconsin and pick up some meaningful fireworks.

I'd post photos of all of it but can't install new camera software until the PC is fixed, therefore can't download any photos. And you don't want a stock photo, do you? You want the real McCoy and you deserve nothing less.

OBAMA 08!

For 1:58 I can say I respected John McCain

This happened this week in Minnesota. The ignorance of some folks is astounding but we're a blue state so all is well.

Also, I'll go on record right here saying I would never, ever point a finger at John McCain for any so-called "caving" during torture while a POW. I personally respect him for merely enduring that nightmare and coming out alive. I don't know if I could have done any better. In fact I'd probably confess to anything and everything if tortured. I have no respect for him as a senator, a public figure, a skirtchaser, an adulterer, etc. And being a POW does not in any circumstance make someone qualified to lead the USA. But I will never be one to question his behavior during those years.

Found My Halloween Costume!

I just never get tired of this photo!!!!!!
The purse sets it off just right, no?

Follow my blog, wouldja?

Just go over to the right and click "follow this blog". All the cool kids are doing it.

Maverick indeed!

Read this wonderful post about the word "Maverick".

Maybe it's just me . . .

Two odd but fun things happened today.

First I stopped at the bank for some bid'ness and their loudspeakers were playing Let it Roll, Down the Highway by Bachman Turner Overdrive, then I'm just a love machine, and I won't work for nobody but you uuuuUUURRRRAAHH! I'm telling ya, nothing like rockin out at your bank at 8:00 in the morning.

Then after work, I walk past a group of students and one of them had a banjo she was plucking with no enthsiasm at all. So I imagined myself walking up and stating "may I?" then launching in to a crazy good rendition of Foggy Mountain Breakdown. College kids would be gathered around yelling "Go middle-aged office lady GO!!". That fanatasy kept me smiling all the way to the car.

Anyone else do things like that? . . . . anyone? . . . . no?

Maybe it's just me.

Come Nov. 3

Know who'll be making a concession speech in the
wee hours of November 3rd? THAT ONE!


Also, did anyone else pick up on McCain telling a young black man in the audience that he probably didn't even know what Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae WERE until this week. How insulting!!!!

Real Tailgater Photos

It was my husband's 45th birthday! That's him sporting his Rensselaer sweatshirt. Too bad the poor guy didn't get his engineering degree at a BIG TEN SCHOOL!!


Yes, our friends are Wisconsin Badger fans, poor things.

We had SIX Big Ten teams represented at the party. The Illinois alum couldn't make it. Now we need to find someone from Purdue, Northwestern, Penn State, and Michigan State. We used to have the Michigan/Michigan State thing well covered until Cliff moved away. Yes there are 11 teams in the Big Ten - latecomers Penn State ruined the whole equation. That's yours truly in the Iowa shirt. I forget how short I am until I see photos - check my feet for hair I think I'm a hobbit!!

Another great Tailgating party

Our Annual Big Ten Tailgater Party was again a total blast. I will post the real photos soon.

Five years ago, some University of Wisconsin alumni and I were waxing nostalgic for tailgating and football at our Big Ten colleges. So we decided to have a tailgating party of our own, and five years later it's become a Fall tradition. We tap a keg, cook up some brats, and invite anyone and everyone to bring the side dishes. We have a trivia contest, a best-dressed fan contest, door prizes, and this year started a chili cookoff. Our friend JH has won first place in almost everything, included this year's chili cookoff so we'll have to ban him from future prizes.



We take turns hosting this in our backyards. We set a couple of campfires and project that night's Big Ten football game on the side of the house or a large bedsheet. This year was Ohio State vs Wisconsin and gladly the Buckeyes beat the Badgers. There are just WAY too many Wisconsin fans at this party and they beat the crap out of my Iowa Hawkeyes last year, so I took great pleasure in their defeat. Yes, the Hawkeyes lost to both Northwestern and Michigan State these last two weeks but I just don't want to discuss that.

So ya'll better come next year or I'll hunt you down and demand an explanation. Watch here next September for further details. And if you know any Iowa Hawkeye fans in the Twin Cities area, give them my phone number.

Stupid is as Stupid does

Got this from friend CT. It's too good not to share. Please click through to the original post - he nailed it.

I needed a good laugh

Time for a little comic relief, click here, and wait for the captions to load.

I needed a good laugh, to get me in the mood for tonight's VP debate.