Celebrity Birthdays Robert Foxworth November 1st ST:TNG Admirnal Leyton Armin Shimmermin November 5th ST:DS9 & Star Gate-1 Lily Sloane November 8th ST:First Contact Robert McNeiel November 9th Tom Paris ST:Voyager Eric Menyuk November 11th The Traveller ST:TNG Steve Zahn November 13, 1968 (actor) Sahara

LYRICS Wake Me Up When September Ends" Summer has come and passed The innocent can never last wake me up when september ends like my fathers come to pass seven years has gone so fast wake me up when september ends here comes the rain again falling from the stars drenched in my pain again becoming who we are as my memory rests but never forgets what I lost wake me up when september ends summer has come and passed the innocent can never last wake me up when september ends ring out the bells again like we did when spring began wake me up when september ends here comes the rain again falling from the stars drenched in my pain again becoming who we are as my memory rests but never forgets what I lost wake me up when september ends Summer has come and passed The innocent can never last wake me up when september ends like my father's come to pass twenty years has gone so fast wake me up when september ends wake me up when september ends wake me up when september ends

SATURDAY – NOVEMBER 1, 2008
–   – 
Unadodaquidena  – Nvdadequa saquu
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏈᏕᎾ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏌᏊ

I got up around 11:00a after weird dreams about odd scientists and the study of earth worms. There as also a dream about a terrorist attack with nerve gas. As usual, I had all sorts of weird dreams.

I had not been up for 10 minutes before Skip was telling me to do the dishes (like I could even focus on them yet). Nothing against him of course. He was just wanting to get started on cleaning the carpet. I didn't even make my tea. I just tried to get woke up. But, before I could do much, he had connected the hoses for the cleaning system to the kitchen sink to begin cleaning the carpet. So ... that meant I could not do the dishes... since I had

11:12p – I am getting my journal caught up.

SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 2, 2008
–   – 
Unadodaquasgv  – Nvdadequa tali
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏆᏍᎬ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᎠᎵ

1:34a – I am off to bed. Marty, JR and Billy are all chatting on the back patio. I have set some of the clocks back ... tonight is the "fall-back" night for daylight savings time.

1:49a – Okay... I guess I am NOT off to bed. I have got a sweet tooth and an backing chocolate chip cookies!

11:39a – I thought I got up about 11:00a this morning, but the time changed last night. I was actually getting up at 10:00a! I made some tea and we sat down

12:49p – The gang has left. The house is quiet again. I am tired. I think I need to take a couple more days off from work to recover from my weekend!

Skip and I continued to clean up in the house. We put a major effort into cleaning the office. We finally called it quits and loaded the carpet cleaning equipment into the car and took it back into town. Then we decided to go out for a bite to eat. We ended up going to a place we had not been before, a Vietnamese Restaurant called "Lemon Grass" ... right next door to Pho Grand. I ordered a standard order of Sesame Chicken, and he got his usual order of "Shaking Beef." The waitress was not very attentive, which was starting to annoy me. Once we finally got our food, my drink (root beer) was gone and she did not offer to refill it. I was about three quarters of the way done with my mean when I finally was able to flag her down and ask for a refill. (My water was empty too, and I was using that Vietnamese hot sauce... my favorite... "Sriracha." She acknowledged my request, but I continued eating and still no drink.

As I ate, I was chatting with Skip. I commented on the fact that I had a tooth that was starting to cause me pain. I told him that I expected I would have a "dental incident" in the near future. (My drink was still not there).

I took a bite of my Sesame chicken with some rice doused in hot sauce and ... suddenly there was a horrible CRUNCH!! I knew right away what had happened. I said to Skip something like, "...and that time has arrived!" He did not know what I meant.

I referred him to our conversation about a possible dental situation, then explained, "My tooth just broke!" I was freaking out, though trying to remain calm, but my left, lower, wisdom tooth had just shattered. The waitress then brought me my drink. I told her I did not really need it now since I ... JUST BROKE A TOOTH! ... (stay calm) ... and she ask me if I was alright. I told her, "No... I just broke my tooth... please bring me a "to go" container because I am afraid to each any more."

Well... the food was good, but I hated the service. And breaking my tooth might make it the most expensive meal since 1985. This really sucks.

Well, after getting home, and having a few beers, I finally finished off my small container of left-over Sesame Chicken. Then I spent over an hour in the kitchen chopping up vegetables and putting them in zip-locks. I am set for food for a while.

MONDAY – NOVEMBER 3, 2008
–   – 
Unadodaquonvhi  – Nvdadequa tsoi
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏉᏅᎯ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏦᎢ

Thinking of Nikki on her birthday

Today is Nikki's birthday. I cannot help but to think of her and wonder how she is doing.

12:54a – I am off to bed. I hope my broken tooth does not cause me pain at night. It seems to be mostly annoying, not painful. That could change.

12:22p – It has been nice having 4 days off from work, but it's nearly time for me to head out back to the office. Happily, a certain person does not work today, which makes my job less stressful.

My tooth seems to have cause me to start getting sick. I have had a fever all evening and was near ready to pass out be the time I left for home. At least I made it to the end of the day.

I got home and checked some email, warmed up some leftover chili from the weekend, and went to bed. No beer for me tonight. Just rest.

TUESDAY – NOVEMBER 4, 2008
–   – 

Unadodaquonvhi  – Nvdadequa tsoi
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏉᏅᎯ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏦᎢ

11:40a – To my surprise, I am feeling much better this morning. I thought I would be missing a day of work, but I feel okay. I have to go vote though. This is probably going to make me late for work.

2:21p – I voted right about noon. There was no line at all. I was the only person voting, though one person was leaving as I arrived, and another person was entering as I left.

I just finished waiving my medical coverage with Convergys. I am leery about doing that, but it was just costing me $1200/yr and I was getting nothing out of it.

I am going in late. I am starting to feel feverish again. I hope it does not get worse.

3:05p – I am not feeling very well. I took some aspirin and vitamins and laid down for a bit, but I can tell I have a low grade fever. I am going to work anyway. Not sure if I can stay, but I will try.

I met Steve at the entrance as I was coming into work. We walked back in together. I noticed a sign on the wall advertising FREE flu shots and health screening, so I gave them a call and set up an appointment right there on the spot for tomorrow at 2:30p.

10:01p – Sitting at work ... doing floor support chats. Some just screamed out in the hallway, "Obama won!!" The place became a madhouse for the next 30 minutes. It was an embarrassing display.

I voted for Obama. I am very pleased he won. However, I did NOT vote for a black man. I voted for a man I think has the potential to take this country out of its current nose dive and bring us back on track. I voted to bring some democracy back to our Nation. I voted for our health care system, tax reforms, and for ending the war in Iraq. I voted for the hope of CHANGE. I did NOT vote for the color of anyone's skin. It amazes me, hearing so many black people boasting about "their" black president, that they do not see how racist they are being. I think black people on the average have less understanding of "racism" than other Americans, because they think it all revolves around being black, the slavery issue, and so forth. As a (mixed) Native American, I have a very different view. Racism goes far beyond being black or white. I have felt the impact of Racism as a mix/disenfranchised Cherokee due to the fact that I look mostly white. Some of my family does, others don't. For most of them, it seems not to matter. They have become absorbed into the "melting pot" mentality and do not seem to care about their "ancient" ancestry ... but only their immediate "American" heritage. Not that being American is bad... I am proud to be an American. (A little more so today than a couple of days ago, in fact!). Well... I am starting to ramble, so I will just stop there. I just wish people would accept Obama for what he is, rather than labeling him "black" at every opportunity. He IS half white too!

I dug out my old "STAR TREK: The Movie" tape and started playing it tonight, for lack of anything better to watch. I was kind of amazed to see so many of the old Star Trek cast still looking so young. I think we all thought they looked OLD when we went to watch the movie. I remember living at Green Tree Apartments (Semoran Blvd. & Curryford Road) when the movie was coming out. I was so excited. No the actors are all so damned old! ... or worse, and most sadly, dead, as in the case of Doohan and Kelly.

WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 5, 2008
–   – 
Tsoine-iga  – Nvdadequa hisgi
ᏦᎢᏁ-ᎢᎦ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᎯᏍᎩ

I got up and fixed a bite to eat this morning. I put on some rice and sliced up some of my pork. It made a good "breakfast" and lunch.

I stopped by Block Buster on the way to work. I had just received, "The Happening" in the mail. I've already seen that movie, so I went to BB to look for something to replace it. I found "Journey to the Center of the Earth" .... starring Brendon Frazier. That is ironic since I just recently finished read the story online in English, and the first 5 chapters in Esperanto. That was the longest story I've ever read in Esperanto.

So, I got to work just a few minutes late... not too bad. But I had to go get my flu shot. I got the flu shot. That is done and I hope it protects me. I also had the health screening. That was depressing. My BP was 171/102 ... my blood sugar was 242. I am basically a walking dead person! lol... ?  Not funny...

I am in the middle of reading, "The Mammoth Hunters" ... by Jean Auel. (I still wonder how to pronounced her name!). Ayla now has Wolf (the wolf cub... ) and continues to have problems with her relationships between Ranec and Jondolar. They are starting to become tiresome... they just need to COMMUNICATE! But, I guess "communication" was as poorly handled between individuals in 10,000 BC as it is today. That is one of the things that Auel seems to make clear. Despite our cultural level, we are still basically the same human creature. There is not much really to change.

I spent the entire day once again in Floor Support. However, I had to leave about an hour early. My leg was getting so swollen up and painful I could not take it any more.

THURSDAY – NOVEMBER 6, 2008
–   – 
Nvgine-iga  – Nvdadequa sudali
ᏅᎩᏁ-ᎢᎦ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏑᏓᎵ

3:44a – I got home and chatted with Jack for a bit. Then I went to the living room and propped my bad leg up and relaxed with some beers and finished watching the Star Trek Movie. The beers were a pleasant reward after denying myself since Sunday. I am enjoying the occasional pulse of cool Autumn air flow through the window over my desk. It is very pleasant. I have been working on some clips from the video I took on October 21, 1992, at Cape Canaveral in Florida. I sure do miss those days. I miss the energy I had, the life I lived, the promise of a future, the joy of a good life. I don't have much of that now. Things have gone a bit badly in my life. But, I guess that happens.  5:16a – Well...I am pleasantly inebriated for the first time in a few days. I have just finished thawing out and chopping up some chicken and pork. I will be off to sizzle some of it shortly! 6:04a – Skip has already got up and gone to work. I am stuff with a rice-port-chicken-veggie stir-fry meal. I watched the beginning of the "Journey to the Center of the Earth" movie. So far... interesting. Off to bed for me now though! 1:26p – I feel awful. My head hurts and I am coughing. I put some tea on.

My swollen, red. blotchy leg...

I hope that helps. It's probably a reaction to the flu shot of yesterday. I usually have some reaction to them, but it's still better than getting a full case of influenza.

I finished watching "Journey to the Center of the Earth" this afternoon. Actually, I had about one minute left before I had to leave to get Skip.

I picked Skip up from the train at about 4:35p. I asked about the house. He said someone out-bid him on it. We aren't going to be moving in there. I am depressed about that.  I really had a feeling this one would be it. But... I guess not.

I watched the last few seconds of "Journey to the Center of the Earth"

I was about 9 days behind on my Cherokee Graphics WOTD. I got nearly caught up tonight. I got about 6 graphics created, and have about 2 or 3 left to do.

FRIDAY – NOVEMBER 7, 2008
–   – 
Unadodaquasgv  – Nvdadequa galiquogi
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏆᏍᎬ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᎦᎵᏉᎩ

12:08a – I just finished chatting with Jack. It left me feeling very emotional. I have known Jack for about 27 years now. I consider him to be family. He is in my family tree file. I call him ᏓᏂᎦᏔ (danigata) ... which is like "blood-brother". He has gone through some bad times, much the same as I have. He is still dealing with the problems even more than I am. Of course, I am dealing with my own problems... like high blood pressure and such.

1:03a – I just took a long, hot. leisurely shower. I feel SO much better. I have to bathe very regularly these days. I did not shower yesterday and by today my left armpit was becoming infected. I call it "rotting." It smells bad and becomes inflamed. I can usually keep it under control with a hot shower, heavy soap, and vigorous spray from the pulsating shower head. It is much better now. (Apologies to my readers ... for the gross details of my hygiene, but ... its my "blog" ... you will get this now and then!).

2:26p – I've been up since noon. I have not got a thing accomplished. It's a cold, gray day (48°). Winter is well on it's way.

5:59p – I picked Skip up from the train at 4:30p. The brakes are really getting worse now. They grinding and making a lot of noise. I stopped at McAnsons on the way home and they referred me to speak to Reggie or Doug at RTM Automotive just down the street from them. We had trouble finding them, but we did. I am trying to find someone who will work with me on swapping the brake parts out with AutoZone, but RTM work do it. I may see if AutoZone will let me buy the parts, there bring in the bad ones to swap them out.

9:07p – I am currently in the process of uploading my third video to YouTube of "Klingons Visit Cape Canaveral."

11:03p – I have now finished my fourth Cap Canaveral YouTube video. It has been rendered and is at this moment uploading to YouTube.

11:04p – A few minutes ago (while the above referenced movie was still rendering), I too some food scraps out to dump on the platform I made in the tree in the backyard for the birds and other critters. I was a bit startled to see a big opossum sitting on the feeding tray. More surprisingly, he did not run off at first. I took my pot and dumped the contents on the tray beside him/her and it just sat there, seemingly unsure of what to do. It did not "run" until I tapped the pot on the branches a few times to shake the contents loose. The she (I will say "she" ... I don't know), got a bit panicky and climbed up higher in the tree.

11:55p – I have another pot of rice cooking with pork and chicken cooking in it. This will be supper and lunch tomorrow.

I wonder if I will have to take any calls tomorrow? "Angelique" will be there and she is uncaring and vicious when it comes to trying to make us floor support people do whatever she thinks we do not like. On the other hand, there will not be many floor support people available this weekend, so she may have no choice but to put me on. We will see. I need to take some calls anyway. I have not been on the phone in ... over a week I think!

SATURDAY – NOVEMBER 8, 2008
–   – 
Unadodaquidena  – Nvdadequa tsunela
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏈᏕᎾ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏧᏁᎳ

12:56a – I have eaten. More rice and meat. I bit more spicy than I should make for supper, but ... very filling and savory.

I slept well, except for strange dreams. I had once very odd dream where my sister, Darlene, was asleep on an ironing board. There were clothes piled on the ironing board and she was nestled in them. Smoke was coming up from the clothes, and I was yelling at to Darlene to "wake up!" ... that something was on fire. I touched the iron which was on the ironing board also (that must have  been one strong ironing board!). The iron was cool, so I figured there was an electrical cord under the clothes catching them on fire. Darlene would not wake up... and the dream fades out.

I made some soup for first meal, watched an episode of Charmed, and head to work. I forgot Skip needed a ride to the train though, so I was a few minutes late getting in.

I took calls for a while, then spent most of the day on floor support, then another hour and a half back on phones. My last call caused me to miss my last break.

SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 9, 2008
–   – 
Unadodaquasgv  – Nvdadequa sonela
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏆᏍᎬ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏐᏁᎳ

I stopped for gas on the way home. The price was down to $1.96/gal! That's the best it has been in a long time. I got home and Skip was still up. He had gone to the Autralian Pink Floyd concert tonight. I said it was great and it sounds like he had a lot of fun.

2:17a – Home again. I need to check email.

11:58a – Skip knocked on my door this morning to wake me. I was already and just about to get up. He needed a ride to the store. I got up and took a shower immediately. I dropped him off at Schnuck's, then went over to Rally's to get a bite to eat for now and later. Skip walked over and met me in the drive thru at Rally's and then had take him to Wal-Mart, then back home. I scarfed down a burger, got dressed and zipped off to work. I got there about 15 minutes early, for a change.

I left work tonight and the car was frosted over. This is the coldest day so far and Autumn starts to glide into Winter.

Blurry shot of my car frosted over taken with my cell phone.

MONDAY – NOVEMBER 10, 2008
–   – 
Unadodaquonvhi  – Nvdadequa sgohi
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏉᏅᎯ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏍᎪᎯ

2:33a – Despite my best intentions, I am having a few beers before going to bed this morning.

I got up a few minutes later than intended. Skip is staying home sick today. He has got a bad cold. He used the car and ran to the store for more medicine while I was getting ready for work. He doesn't do that often, but I am glad he did since I am short on time.

I went right into floor support once at work and stayed there nearly all day, until 12:15a. I only had 30 minutes left, but I went on the phones. However, I guess they forgot to move me to the phone queue, so I set there for a half hour waiting for a call and never got one.

TUESDAY – NOVEMBER 11, 2008
–   – 
Taline-iga  – Nvdadequa sadu
ᏔᎵᏁ-ᎢᎦ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏌᏚ

Tuesday, my one day off in a while, but I have to do something about getting the brakes fixed today. I was not able to crawl out of bed until about 12:45p.

Here is an excerpt from an email I sent Steve tonight that fairly well explains what happened.

 

I have been busy tonight creating a photo album for the Halloween Camp Out.

I've also been chatting with Marty and Steve. Steve is going to pick me up tomorrow if the car is not ready. Skip is going to call in the morning to see what the status of the car is. If the car is ready, then Steve will not have to pick me up. If not... then if Steve comes to pick me up, I will check on the status of the car again. If it IS ready when he comes to get me, the I will have him drop me off at RTM Auto to get the car. (That way he will not have to drive me home again).

Meanwhile, I have cooked the pork roast which I have had in the freezer about a year. (The one I got at the meat market down the road from us). I also made a pot of turnip greens with smoked pork shanks. I will make a pot of rice on the side (it is cook as I type this). I will take Steve a "home cooked meal" tomorrow. I asked him if he would like some and his answer was a quick and simple ... "yes".

WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 12, 2008
–   – 
Tsoine-iga  – Nvdadequa talidu
ᏦᎢᏁ-ᎢᎦ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏔᎵᏚ

12:41a – I still have not eaten. The pork roast has cooled down and the greens are on 'warm' ... and I have an fresh pot of rice cooking. I just emptied my 25lb bag of rice! I need to go to Jay's ... SOON!

1:01a – Skip is still up, watching a weird movie, "Southland Tales". I have fixed Steve and myself a robust lunch of rice, turnip greens, and pork. That sounds very boring, but it is really MUCH more interesting that the way it sounds. I have spent 8 hours making all this food. It is very detailed.

1:05a – Meanwhile, at the moment, I have more MOV video from the Samhainfest converting to AVI format.

1:20a – Skip has gone to bed, very late for him. I have fixed lunch for tomorrow, but I have not eaten yet. I've put the food back on "warm" ... I need to eat and crash soon. Tomorrow will probably be hectic.

1:25a – The third and last batch of MOV files from Halloween have finally finished converting.

1:53a – I think I will go put my own movie in, now that Skip has gone to bed. I am going to watch "Kung Fu Panda" ... that should be uplifting and amusing!

3:16a – I've been watching "Kung Fu Panda" ... but now it's time to go to bed. I hope the card does not end up being way more that I expected  ... or they suggested...

11:24a – I decided I had better get out of bed at 10:55a. I was just reaching for the door knob when Skip knocked on my door. I guess he was surprised when I opened it within a second! Steve had called. He is on the way to pick me up. I've already showered, shaved and dressed. Now all I have to do is wake up.

I had a gross dream about my wisdom teeth last night. I had at least two of them fall out. I've had "tooth problem" dreams before, but its even more disturbing when I have this broken tooth in my mouth now. I am dealing with it okay. So far there is little pain, and my tongue has toughened up. Eventually I will have to do something though.

Steve was slightly delayed by the Camp Jackson train. We went back by way of Jerome, but just as we got to the tracks, another train blocked us; and if that wasn't bad enough, it was slowing to a stop. But no... it doesn't end there... then ANOTHER train came by the opposite direction. Eventually the first trained came to a stop just barely past the trigger and the second train (which was moving along nicely) finally passed ... and we were off. Which is good, since Steve drives kind of slow... but he gets there!

I got a message from RTM that the car was done. It will be about $168.00. Can't be helped. I got a message from Mid-West Waste. They are going to discontinue service, so I have to get them paid. Devon called, but I missed the call and called her back at lunch. I am excited about her visit! And the car should be in good shape finally to go places and not WORRY about everything.

A new problem arose at work today. Now management is trying to stop us from using the "cut & paste" function! I can't believe they can be some ignorant. All this is going to do is slow down the agents and increase typographical errors. It will slow us down on floor support also so that agents will have to wait longer, thereby increasing there average handle time and further inconveniencing the customer. They are so backwards here! If they cut their finger, they bandage their knee! grrrr!

I had my schedule adjusted to 1:15p to 11:45p for today. Steve worked late and got a few extra hours in so he could give me a ride home.

THURSDAY – NOVEMBER 13, 2008
–   – 
Nvgine-iga  – Nvdadequa tsogadu
ᏅᎩᏁ-ᎢᎦ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏦᎦᏚ

2:27a – After getting home, I watched the remaining portion of "Kung Fu Panda." Very charming and enjoyable movie. Gave me warm fuzzies. Can't get enough warm fuzzies these days!

Devon is going to be here tonight! YAY! I am very excited to have her visit. It will be great to have another family member here. Skip and I get so little "family" contact. We really need it. As I get older (and older) I find myself drawn to be with family more and more. Life is short and my wild carefree days are behind me. I want to connect with what old family is left, and become a figure in my my nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephew's lives. And there are getting to be quite a few of them!

4:15a – Off to bed.

1:57p – I got up as early as I could and caught the 12:18p bus (which was surprisingly punctual). I got off the bus around the corner from Jerome and Route 3 and had to walk about a quarter mile back to RTM. Guess what? They were at lunch until 1:30p! So... I had to sit there a wait. They were a few minutes late, and then I had to run by AutoZone to get my core and warranty refunds. So I just got back to the house at nearly 2:00p. I still have to eat, shower, shave and get something to wear ... and this is another dress-up day at work. So... I will be late. There is no avoiding it. (6089522).

I was late to work. I did floor support for a while, but "you know how" put me on phones around 7:00p. No problem... I enjoy taking some calls ... just not hours on end.

I left a little after 10:00p to go pick Devon  up from Lambert Airport. I tried to follow the instructions a co-worker gave me, but ... that was not working. I just knew I was going completely the WRONG direction. So ... I turned around and let my "instincts" take over... I "followed my nose" ... and that worked out. Calisa called me as I was trying to find my way and I chatted with her for a bit. I had my ear-phone in and was not having to hold the phone.

I parked in the BROWN-H section of parking at Lambert. I took the elevator down between MT15 and MT16 sections. Devon's flight was delayed. She had to be re-routed through Atlanta, and then that flight was delayed also. But the overall delay was not too bad. She had been due to arrive at about 10:30p, but the new plans put her in at about 11:06p. She arrived pretty much on that schedule. It was great to see her tiny little blond self coming toward me down the concourse. I had "flashbacks" ... and thought of Mom. She would have enjoyed this moment... and I once again was so sorry that she never got to know her grand-daughters. It would have meant so much to her. Life can be so callous sometimes... but we move on.

FRIDAY – NOVEMBER 14, 2008
–   – 
Tsunagilosdi  – Nvdadequa nigadu
ᏧᎾᎩᎶᏍᏗ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏂᎦᏚ

After picking Devon up and trying to head home, I got all turned around and went the wrong way on I-70. After an embarrassing fiasco, I finally found my way and got on East 70 headed home. We stopped at the Route 3 convenience store for some beverages, then we went by Rally's for a a couple of burgers for Skip and Devon. (I was not hungry). Rally's was another annoying and embarrassing fiasco, taking about 25 minutes to get two burgers and fries! I won't go on about it... I am sure you've all experienced the epidemic spread of "poor quality service" that is rampant in our nation today!

Once home, I let Skip and Devon chat for the most part and tried to stay in the background. Skip went to bed, Devon got out her book ... and I watched some more of the "Mongol" movie ... about the story of Genghis "Temudjin" Khan.

4:11a – Devon is crashed out on the sofa. My mind is still boggling to realize she is here visiting us! I need to go to bed.

11:45a – I don't believe I stayed up that late. I feel too tired this morning. I did NOT want to get up (what's new?). Well... "what's new" is that Devon is here and she will only be here for a shot time.

We left home and headed out on a gray November day. We went first to the famous Gateway Arch. Devon really want to go up in the Arch ... and so we did so. Skip paid our ways before I had a chance to catch him. We roamed the museum (again) for a short spell. I experimented with some camera settings, trying to get even better low-level light photos.

From there we drove to Jay International. I needed some basic foods, including a 25lb bag or Jasmine rice, sesame oil, rice noodles, dark soy, and so forth. I picked up a bag of tapioca pearls this time too. I am going to experiment with tapioca... something new.

From there we walked over to Pho Grand and Devon joined the ranks of a tradition which Jack started over 8 years ago. Pho Grand was the first place he took me to eat when I arrived out here in 2000. I took Skip to Pho Grand when he arrived in 2002. We have now taken Devon to Pho Grand in 2008. I think we have a tradition going...

Devon with chop sticks in hand,
While dining at Pho Grand.
With a smile on her face,
As pretty as lace...

I had the "13.01" again. I don't recall what Skip and Devon had but she did not finish hers. I think maybe she did not really like it all that much. I made sure to get her leftovers in a box to go.

From Grand, we headed off to Costco.  It was only around 4:30p, but overcast, drizzling rain and dark already. We got a bit confused trying to get to South County from down town, but after a very long drive, we eventually made it. It was very strenuous driving for me with the back left tire constantly scraping the wheel well on every suggestion of a dip in the road; the rain; the Saturday night rush hour traffic; and being in the dark. The fact that I was coming in from the opposite direction had be slightly disoriented too. I was relieved when we finally arrived. My first stop was the gas pumps. The prices have come down so much, that I treated the car to a tank of premium for the first time in maybe a year. It was only $2.01/gal. I think regular was $1.71/gal. However, I had a hard time getting the fuel in the tank. The pump I was using would only put out about 15 cents worth and shut off. It did this for about the first 12 dollars, then it finally "got better" and I was able to fill the remainder of the tank. I took me about 15 minutes to get the tank filled. Meanwhile, Skip and Devon had already gone on into the store.

We shopped around in Costco until my back was cramping, and the shopped some more. Well... "shopped" may not be the correct term. I mostly wandered from one food sample cart to another and despite being full from our down town lunch, I still snacked on the various goodies. My only purchase was a 3-pack of pork loins and a NEW PAIR OF PANTS.... the first pair of pants (dress pants) that I have bought in several years! (And RD, if you are reading this ... don't forget that here in the US "pants" are not thought of as women's undergarments! lol!!). I also paid for a huge container of bath soap. Now we have paper plates, toilet paper, and bath soap to last us for months!

We left Costco and headed home. It was a relief for me, as driver, to not have to contend with finding my way on an unknown route. I know my was back home down I-255 from Costco.

11:25p – Skip and I and some guy in India, are working on making out Belkin wireless router works. This is TOO complicated!

We never did get on line on the wireless system. I am disappointed.

SATURDAY – NOVEMBER 15, 2008
–   – 
Unadodaquidena  – Nvdadequa sgigadu
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏈᏕᎾ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏍᎩᎦᏚ

1:14a – I boiled up some peanuts which I had boiled and frozen. Devon ate some of them with me. Skip and Devon are off watching "With Honors" at the moment.

3:10a – Devon is crashed out on the sofa and I am trying to watch a movie and not disturb her. She seems to be able to block it all out. I could not. (I cannot sleep in an "alien" environment). However, I am flattered that she is comfortable enough to sleep in our home with no problem.

3:56a – Off to bed. I still have not finished that "Mongolian" movie. I just can't seem to get to the end of it!

Skip banged on my door around 10:30a. I was NOT ready to get up. I thought he wanted me to get up and get motivated for our last day with Devon. It turned out that Belkin's instructions to us for trying to set up the wireless connection with the router screwed everything up. So, I started my day off trying to figure out why my computer was the only one connecting to the internet. Then it got worse and none of the computers would connect. I finally managed to set the router to the factory defaults and start from scratch. We are back to "normal" again .. but we still do not have any wireless connection.

We left the house around 1:00p. I had to turn around and come back, however. I needed to get my replacement battery for my camera. And my phone's battery was completely dead. This would be a problem later (as I expected).

First, we wanted to eat. Skip wanted to got to Outback and he located on the computer and we headed out toward it. Once we got down Clayton road and I saw the Esquire theater, I realized which Outback we were going to. The one that closed! Skip realized it too, and we were both a bit annoyed that we had traveled that far to a restaurant which we knew was permanently closed already. I let Skip off in front of Panera's, next door to the closed Outback so he could tap into there non-secure network. Devon and I parked and waited. He rejoined us and discovered that he could have done all this from the car, since the wireless signal reached us out in the parking lot. We finally decided on going back down town to eat at TGI Friday's. I really didn't want to try parking down town on a Saturday, but we finally just parked in a parking garage.

One wall in TGI Friday's

At TGI Friday's we were served by "Tim". I got the Southwest Mac & Cheese, while Skip and Devon got the "Flat Iron" steak plates.

We left TGI Friday's and went back out into the cold (the temperature was steadily dropping), and walked over to Star Buck's. I was sleepy, and chilly, so I actually got a large (or "venti") cup of Café Americano. We sat in the comfortable lounge area sipping our hot drinks for about 20 minutes, then headed back out into the cold and to the parking garage.

Devon sips a fancy coffee at Star Bucks

Our next stop was to be the St. Louis Science Center. We were not sure how to get there, but after driving around we eventually kind of spiraled in on it. By this time it was a little after 4:00p ... and we read the sign as we pulled up to the parking entrance that they close at 4:30p! I was already pulled up next to the ticket booth and the attendant was busy taking in parking payments from people exiting on the other side. We sat and waited until she eventually opened her window. I verified they close at 4:30p and asked if I could must pull in and turn around. She rudely snapped at me with typical St. Louis manners, "You will have to back out, sir!" ... and slammed her window shut. I managed to do so. Well... so much for our visiting the Science Center. I've still never been.

We decided to go to the Galleria Mall instead. We went in through the Dillard's entrance and had a problem find the route from Dillard's into the main Mall entrance. I saw the entrance and turn to Skip & Devon and said, "This way..." and I headed toward our destination. I turn back to make sure they were following me... and they were both gone. I figured the would find their was eventually, so I stood at the entrance and waited. And waited. Finally my bladder won the waiting argument and I head off to find the men's room. (That Star Buck's coffee had to go somewhere!). I went down a level to the Food Court and found the restrooms, but ... the men's room was closed for service. Annoyed, I went back up a level searching for another location. Found it, to my relief. Of course, my cell phone was now completely dead, so I couldn't communicate with Skip. I went back to the Dillard's entrance and sat in a lounge chair where I could see the entrance as well as up and down the main thoroughfare, and even some of the next level up. I waited. I waited some more. (This was not the most fun part of my day).

Eventually, I heard a very short whistle and I knew it was Skip. A part of my mind in the background mused over how so many in our family use whistling to communicate, and how effective it is. This is something from Mom's side of the family. She used to whistle things to us all the time. I would call it a language, just a simple form of quick, efficient codes. The moment I heard Skip's whistle, which last probably less that a quarter of a second, I knew it was him, that he could see me, that he wanted my attention and that he was waiting for me to respond. His whistle was not loud, and despite all the background noise, I heard it clearly and did not for one second mistake it for anything other than what it was. It took a a couple of seconds before I thought to look up and saw him and Devon leaning on the railing of the circular opening in the level above. So, I hopped on the escalator and rejoined them quickly. Apparently, they had gone up a level in Dillard's and came out into the Mall in the entrance above me. Brilliant.

Skip took this picture of us while I was still talking and caught me with my lips pursed.

We wandered about the Mall some more and took took quite a few pictures of their Yuletide decorations. There were two ladies trying to take there picture together and I offered to take the picture for them. Skip took one of me and Devon in front of the decorated two-story tree. We continued to wander about the store. This one store had a neat display with a house of cards. As we were leaving, I said I wanted to get a picture of the display.

The cards that distracted me ... and caused me to get separated from Skip & Devon again...

I took a couple of quick shots and stepped out ... to find that Skip and Devon were once again gone. I stood outside the shop for a bit, thinking there would find me there, but they seemed not to be going to do that. So I walked a bit down the Mall in the direction we had been headed, but did not see them. So I went back to the same store again and went back inside -- maybe they had not actually left? Well, I did not find them in there, so I went back out and hung around the entrance.

This was getting to be depressing. My left hip was starting to get a sharp shooting (all new) pain in it, so I walked back down to the same seats in front of Dillard's and sat and waited, while becoming increasing vexed. I got tired of this and decided to just go back to the car, lay back the seat and listen to some soothing Native American drums. That turned out to be the best move. They joined me in a about 20 minutes. We were all tired, and so we headed home. Once home we all got some "alone time." Devon went back to reading her rather large novel, "Twilight." Skip did some gaming on his computer, and I edited and organized photos, making sure Devon had copies on her thumb drive and a back up on CD. I found that Devon had really liked the boiled peanuts, so I checked to see if I had more, but that had been the last batch I had in the freezer. However, I had some more raw peanuts from my last trip to Soulard Market, so I put them on to boil around 7:30p and showed Devon how to make them. I will freeze a few bags and make sure she has one to take with her when she leaves in the morning. Speaking of leaving, we have to be out of bed at 5:00a and leave the house around 5:30a, so I need to get up early.

A "sneak" snapshot of Devon

SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 16, 2008
–   – 
Unadodaquidena  – Nvdadequa daladu
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏈᏕᎾ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏓᎳᏚ

12:14a – I am fixing something to eat now. I need to go to bed. I have to be up in about 5 hours to go to the airport!

I did not get to bed until after 1:00a. I did not get much sleep. Only 2-3 hours at best. I was awake at 4:00a and could not get back to sleep. I end up getting up a little before 5:00a and got a cold glass of milk. Devon was still asleep. Skip got up shortly thereafter and was surprised to see me out of bed already.

We got everything together and headed out in the chilly, dark, Autumnal morning to the 5th&Mo train station. The train arrived fairly quickly, which was good ... it was even colder standing up on the train platform! We got Devon to Lambert Airport and found out that she had got the time wrong by about an hour, so we were very early (we could have slept another hour!). We sat and chatted for a while, with the usual feeling of sadness at the end of a visit, but I think we were all ready to get back to our regular routines. I felt funny leaving Devon standing in line at the airport. A part of me still thinks of her as that little toddler back in Deltona, but ... she will be 20 years old in just 9 days! She is now a young woman with a job and full time college student. Speaking of which, it looks like she will be the only one who may stick to her guns and get her degree. She seems determined to finish her education and get a degree in journalism. I think she just may succeed. I hope so.

While waiting for the returning train I noticed the moon was still out and it was amazingly crystal clear. Then I saw Wohali (an Eagle) soaring over. I took out my camera and took a shot of Wohali just as the just shone under his wings. I took a shot of the moon also. The results were not as good on the camera as what I saw, but I took them as a favorable sign that Devon's visit with us was looked upon favorably by whatever powers may be.

Three photo I took while waiting for the train this morning.
Too bad the Eagle and the Moon came out so fuzzy.

We got back to 5th&Mo, switched to the car and headed home. Devon's visit is now officially at an end, but we will always have the memories ... and photos. She says she wants to come back out for Spring break, but that is 5 or 6 months off. We will see what happens.

Once home, I went right back to bed. It was almost 9:00a and I don't usually get up until about noon. I had only had about 2 or 3 hours of sleep and I was exhausted. I did not get to sleep right away though, but eventually I slept. I think I got about 2 solid hours of sleep, then I dreamed that I was trying to park the car in some big parking lot. For some reason, I had to swerve in between some other cars with skater's reflexes. I stopped the car and parked it... then I notice the police car which has pulled up behind me. The officer was a ugly little man, with long hair, dark complexion, a mustache and big teeth. He was proceeding to write me a ticket for reckless driving (or some such) and I was trying to think of a way to explain my way out of it, all the while hoping he did not ask for my insurance. Then I woke up, realized it was a dream, and breathed a sigh of relief. I must get the insurance matter resolved so I can renew my tags SOON. My dreams are even warning me.

5:24p – Skip and I just got back from Shop 'n Save. I've been catching up the journal after getting up around 1:00p. I've got the text all done... now to add some pictures.

8:12p – I've got about all the pictures added that I thought I should. And I created my "header banner" ... I am very pleased with it...

... as it relates to this November with Devon's visit, but also has a picture of her from back in 1990. From infant to adult.

MONDAY – NOVEMBER 17, 2008
–   – 
Unadodaquonvhi  – Nvdadequa galiquadu
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏉᏅᎯ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᎦᎵᏆᏚ

1:44a – I am off to bed now. I have been writing a response to Blake's email about us doing work on the house. It's just not going to happen. He wants to raise the rent, and have us tear up the old tile, linoleum and the wood paneling in the kitchen. Nope... that just is not going to be possible. Even if we had time and I were physically capable, I don't see why we should do that when we do not plan on continuing to live here. He is cutting his own throat by ostracizing us. We have never been late on a rent payment in 5 years ... and now he is trying to take advantage of us. We hate living here ... and Skip is going to secure his own house any day now. Blake is really going to be in deep shit when he finds he has no renters; and a house that has fallen into disrepair; and a neighborhood which is becoming mostly black ghetto. I would not want to be in his shoes ... he should be begging us to stay and NOT trying to raise the rent. Of course, he can and I assume he will. But once we are out of here, this house will be a money pit for him. Oh well... whatever!

TUESDAY – NOVEMBER 18, 2008
–   – 
Taline-iga  – Nvdadequa neladu
ᏔᎵᏁ-ᎢᎦ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏁᎳᏚ

Today marks 3 years since I bought my car.

The moved us (floor support) to the annex this afternoon. There were so many agents "hot-seating" that they needed every available phone. In the annex, the phones are not set up for our section, and one of our tools (Casper) cannot be accessed. However, those were minor issues for us since we do not use the phone and have created our own personal databases of information. I rarely use Casper anyway.

4:33a – Off to bed.

WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 19, 2008
–   – 
Tsoine-iga  – Nvdadequa soneladu
ᏦᎢᏁ-ᎢᎦ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏐᏁᎳᏚ

4:21a – I got insurance on the car again ... finally.

4:50a – Off to bed... way later than I should be going.

I wore my new pair of gray dress pants for the first time today. They turned out to be just a bit tight, and shorter than I thought, but bearable.

I went straight to the annex again today. We have just been getting so slammed with constant, non-stop chats. Five at a time, for hours on end. It is burning us up. I changed my ways tonight and limited my chats to only 3 at a time by going "thumbs down" or "thumbs up" to manually regulate the chats. I am sorry for the agents who are having to wait, and for their customers, but we are jus being overwhelmed and overburdened. Keeping the chats down to three helped a little. There were still the same amount of chats coming in, but I can focus better with only 3 chats on the screen rather than 5.

THURSDAY – NOVEMBER 20, 2008
–   – 
Nvgine-iga  – Nvdadequa talisgohi
ᏅᎩᏁ-ᎢᎦ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏔᎵᏍᎪᎯ

3:51a – I am just coming to the end of an episode of Charmed that I have not seen before. It is very pleasing to watch a non-rerun. Also cooking some sausage, rice and veggies.

4:15a – Whoo! That rice & sausage dish was SPICY! Off to bed now.

I got up around noon. Once awake, I drove to Belleville to get my new tags for the car. I forgot that there was a Bank of America branch office next to the Department of Motor Vehicles, but once I saw it, I walked over and deposited my coins. I had $158 in coins and took $20 back in cash.

I had meant to fill the tank before leaving for Belleville, but had turned and was headed for the interstate before I remembered. I glanced over at the sign at BP and saw their prices were down to $1.79⁹. I decided I had enough fuel to get to Belleville and hope he prices might be lower there. I took exit 17A and there is a
Flying-J located there. I saw their sign... the price was down to $1.77⁹. So I I put $20 in the tank and nearly filled it! Then I drove on into Belleville where the first station I saw (QuickTrip) was advertising at $1.78⁹. These are the best gas prices I've seen since buying my car three years (and 2 days) ago!

Skip called for me to come pick him up. He always says, "Are you going to be around?" I've never said anything, but that always seems like an odd way to ask for a ride. I think he gets that from our upbringing. We don't like to ask for things. Of course, as much money as he has put into fixing the car and keeping it running, he should feel no reluctance in asking (or telling) me to give him a ride!

On the way home he dropped a happy bomb. The 408 house is back on the market!

6:45a – We are meeting with the real estate agent at the "K" burger place across the street. I am doing some personal paperwork while Skip is busy signing papers with Sharon. We may end up moving to that house after all!

I finally cleaned up the dehydrator and got all the poke berries out of it. The look better than I expected, but I don't know if they will be viable. I think they were somewhat "cooked" by the heat of the dehydrator.

FRIDAY – NOVEMBER 21, 2008
–   – 
Tsunagilosdi  – Nvdadequa talisgo-saquu
ᏧᎾᎩᎶᏍᏗ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏌᏊ

1:18p – I finally got up at 12:30p. Got the journal somewhat caught up. I think I will go to Soulard for some veggies today.

I went to Walgreen's looking for a new shower mirror for shaving, but they did not have one. Then I went to Soulard. I picked up mostly just the usual, including some cayenne peppers and a bunch of greens to dry out.

Skip did not get home until around 9:30p. He was over at Brian's trying to put XP on his computer. The did not have very good luck.

SATURDAY – NOVEMBER 22, 2008
–   – 
Unadodaquidena  – Nvdadequa talisgo-tali
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏈᏕᎾ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏔᎵ

1:14a – I cooked up some turnip greens with hot sausage balls, and a pot of rice. I am about to eat now and continue watching Charmed.

1:45a – My rice & greens meal was excellent. I am stuffed. I took some of my old meds tonight, for some odd reason. I don't know what I was thinking. I hope I am not sick from them tomorrow. (That would be "today" actually). And I am off to bed.

SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 23, 2008
–   – 
Unadodaquidena  – Nvdadequa talisgo-tsoi
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏈᏕᎾ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏦᎢ

4:03a – I have just finished cooking a pan of potato and hamburger with onion, bell pepper, fresh cayenne, and seasonings, including cheese sauce, pepper, garlic, chili and parmesan. It may be a bit on the greasy side, but smells good. Meanwhile, watching Hell Boy II.

11:57a – I am up. Nearly awake. Need to get busy and fix my first meal, shower, etc. Skip is headed out to pick up some boxes from the store. He is starting to pack already. I suppose I should do the same, but I want to be sure the house is a done deal.

Another day with everyone being on PTO. I took a couple of phone calls, then went on floor support. Cindy stayed late to get some overtime, which helped a lot. It got VERY busy for the both of us... then she left. I was all the floor support for about 4 hours. I couldn't even take time to go pee! And of course, Michelle rewards me by putting back into the phones. Actually, I did not care. She put me in the Veladrome queue which was very slow and that was very relaxing compared to hours of 5 deep chats. I only took about 2 calls I think.

MONDAY – NOVEMBER 24, 2008
–   – 
Unadodaquonvhi  – Nvdadequa talisgo-nvgi
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏉᏅᎯ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏅᎩ

4:12a – I have cooked up some pork and rice. I need to be going to bed, but I am procrastinating. Well... I do still have to eat and make my lunch.

4:14a – I see Skip has been packing boxes. He is confident we will be moving. I suppose I had better begin doing the same. I am still just a little leery ... wondering if this will really happen. And if it does, just how it will impact my life. For better or worse? I don't know. I guess I will stick by Skip though. As much as I would like to have my own life, apart and separate, I think I have passed the point of no return for that now.

But I do love my brother and as much as we may fight at times, I don't know what I would do without him. On a material basis, I suppose I would be in dire straights, but on an emotional and personal basis... I would probably fall to pieces.
Whatever... I guess we will deal with those demons when they must be dealt with.   TUESDAY – NOVEMBER 25, 2008 –   –  Taline-iga  – Nvdadequa talisgo-hisgi ᏔᎵᏁ-ᎢᎦ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᎯᏍᎩ Happy 20th Birthday to my niece, Pamela Devon... I cannot believe she is TWENTY now!!

My "Carved Horn" ... a gift from Devon and the family.

5:14a – I've been watching the last copy of Lost in Space I have on DVD. Off to bed now. Hopefully I will not sleep away TOO much of tomorrow. 9:10p – I got up earlier than I really wanted to. Around 11:30a I think. It was a very nice day for this time of year. I wanted to get out and do something, but ... I just sat on my butt in front of the computer and dabbled (much as I am still doing). I finally got motivated to go around 3:30p, but then I got creatively side tracked. I ended up in the back yard taking shots of my gift from Oklahoma, creating an animation of my "Native American Carved Horn" ... (that would be the one "made in China" ... but just ignore that!). 3:52a – I have been doing email, MySpace and FaceBook ever since getting home.

9:19p – Meanwhile, Skip is in the living room busily packing things. Even though we will not likely move until about early February at best, he is getting a head start on things. I suppose I shall follow suit soon. However, I really began packing to move from hear five years ago. I did not think I would be living here THAT long! I have a lot of loose stuff to get together, but I think I can do that within 2 months.

11:51p – Skip is in bed. I am slowly cooking. I am basing my recipe tonight on General Tso's Chicken. However, I am using freshly chopped garlic, jalapeño, cayenne and cilantro. I am also using marmalade.

WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 26, 2008
–   – 
Tsoine-iga  – Nvdadequa talisgo-galiquogi
ᏦᎢᏁ-ᎢᎦ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᎦᎵᏉᎩ

Another work day. Not much to report. We spent the day in the annex again today, all day on floor support. It went by relatively fast. Steve and Chris are still on vacation. We have a new person doing floor support chats with us now... Christine. She seems pretty sharp.

THURSDAY – NOVEMBER 27, 2008 –   –  Nvgine-iga  – Nvdadequa talisgo-sudali ᏅᎩᏁ-ᎢᎦ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏑᏓᎵ My 51st Thanksgiving Day

3:08a – I just finished watching Season 3 - Disk 6, of Charmed. Time to sent it it and get a new one.

1:08p – Time for work again. And once again my parotid ducts are messing up. Both sides, especially the right side. My face is swollen up again. Very annoying ... (not to mention painful).

I did not make any lunch today. For first meal, I just heated up some left over rice and my version of General Tso's Chicken. I will wing it for lunch.

We did not sit in the annex today, but back in the main quad. I was back at "my desk". It was a pretty easy day. I did floor support all day. Cindy and Mark were at it again. They are always "wrestling." Cindy is a Tom Boy and I think Mark like her beating up on him ...

I should not have my cell phone out,
but I could not resist this charming photo
as Cindy tenderly strangles Mark with his
own arms.... awwwww!

I got a bit of a fright tonight. Calisa called me and asked if I had heard from Tía Marlena recently. I had not. She said her phone has been "ringing busy" for the last two days. She cut me off abruptly, and I later learned it was because the Comanche Police Department was answer on her other line. She had called the police to go check on Marlene. She was okay. Seems she had a new telephone and had been charging it!

I thought I would buy lunch from the "Blimpy Guy" today, but when I went on my break around 6:00p, he was already gone. My lunch dilemma was solved by one of our agents, Linda Wallace. She had made a lunch for Steve, but Steve had already eaten. So he gave me the lunch. However, it was in Linda's plastic container which she needed back. I was not ready to eat that early, so I took the food to the break room and put it into 3 paper coffee cups with lids, washed out the plastic covered dish and returned it to Linda. Later, around 11:00p, I had the potato dish and the green bean casserole. I saved the ham for later. I am thinking of making a hot & sour soup with it.

FRIDAY – NOVEMBER 28, 2008
–   – 
Tsunagilosdi  – Nvdadequa talisgo-tsunela
ᏅᎩᏁ-ᎢᎦ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏧᏁᎳ

Happy Birthday to my sister Darlene
who now only 48 years old!

2:34a – As usual when I begin my 3 day weekend, I am feeling creative and less stressful than usual. I am getting my journal caught up a bit. Those days when I am working so much, I don't have much to say.

5:54a – I made a decent Hot & Sour soup. More HOT than sour! Good, but ... I am nearly gasping for air! That will pass. Off to bed!

7:21p – I got up around noon. I felt awful. I had a headache when I left work last night, but the fresh air, some cold beers, and the joy of not having to go back to work until Monday made me forget about it. Then the cold air, and too many of those beers caused it to intensify by this morning! Oops.

SATURDAY – NOVEMBER 29, 2008
–   – 
Unadodaquidena  – Nvdadequa talisgo-sonela
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏈᏕᎾ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏐᏁᎳ
 

2:30a – I have been watching the new "Get Smart" movie. Amusing. I did not watch the entire movie.

I got up fairly early this morning. I woke up around 7:00a and kept having to get up for the bathroom, then I was thirsty and drank a lot, and the cycle repeated about 5 times every 70 minutes or so. I did doze off once and had a dream. The dream was very interesting. Or at least, the part I can remember was.

I was watching a video on the internet, though I do not remember what the video was about. I think it was about something illegal, like terrorists or some such. All I remember for sure is the of the video in which the author was filmed (by whom?) as he collected some (35mm?) video film which had been pulled from a camera or cassette, and throw away only to be caught in the branches of a small sampling. The author (male, white, goatee, short hair and possibly slightly balding) was shown extricating the video tape from the leafless sapling and saying something like, "...and this is where it all began." The dream ended as I was posting a comment to the video's website asking if anyone ever found out who the original videographer was. I woke up still thinking in these terms and wondering where the film came from. It took me a few minutes to wake up enough to realize the question was pointless.

I got up around 10:00a. Very early for me.

It was around 2:00p and Skip and I left to go to St. Louis. Mainly to get out of the house. We drove around The Hill. We stopped at Steak & Shake and I got a great Monterey Jack Cheese melt, cheesy fries, and a vanilla Coke. It was more than I needed to eat, since I had eaten some leftover rice & pork before leaving the house, but ... damn... it was SO good!

We had stopped at Rep's furniture store on the way in, and we were now tired and ready to go home. However, we still decided to stop and Aaron Rents in Cahokia and see what kind of options they had. Then we walked over to Shop 'n Save. I got some beer. We took that out to the car and then I remember that I needed to go back and get some soda pop and a carton of eggs. I did so.

We ended up going to the Steak & Shake over on The Hill. I got the Pepper Jack Melt again, and it was delicious. I had eaten at home earlier, so I was not all that hungry, but that sandwich and a side dish of cheesy fries were just so good I couldn't stop eating.

I created a new video tonight, based on a poem written by Bear Warrior. It went over well with the author and others who have seen it.

SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 30, 2008
–   – 
Unadodaquasgv  – Nvdadequa tsosgohi
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏆᏍᎬ – ᏅᏓᏕᏆ ᏦᏍᎪᎯ
 

2:41a – I am cooking. Waiting for the food to be ready.

3:44a – ... and off to bed. The food was quite good.

3:59p – I had trouble sleeping again this morning. I dozed off and on and tried to sleep. We have not done much today but sit around. I ate some leftovers from last night and finished watching the "Night Skies" movie. It was kind of lame. About what I expected.

5:50p – This has been a dreary day. Cold, gray, and wet. We just went to the store. I rented Wall-E from Block Buster, then went over to the Dollar store for some bullion, milk, and a scented candle. Then to Schnuck's for some beer and home. That was our big adventure of the day. Skip hasn't eaten all day, so he went right to the kitchen (which I cleaned up some this afternoon) and started cooking a couple of steak which have been thaw out for 2 or 3 days. It smells great.

I tried to watch Wall-E, but about half way into it the DVD messes up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nikki Everett November 3rd One of my closest and dearest friends. Orlando, FL Scott Robbins November 10th My brother's first wife's  husband ... and they just got divorce in 2008. Scott is also a member of jubchuQun. Spokane, WA     Adam Sonstegard November 10th My very dear friend! Cleveland, OH         Linda Whiting November 11th Former Co-worker St. Louis, MO         Chuck Welsh November 24th One of my 2 closest friend in the entire world! Tampa, FL     Pamela Devon Norris November 25, 1988 My belovéd Niece Blanchard, OK         Mable Darlene (Lewis) Norris November 28, 1960 My dear Sister Blanchard, OK

 

Theresa A. (Wyatt ) Debelius 1920-2000 Theresa A. Wyatt was born on November 6, 1920, in Baltimore, Maryland. She was one of 5 children. She attended Eastern High School, at the time one of 2 public all girls high schools in the city. She worked for a time at American Can Company assembling cheese shredders. She also worked for a time at Blue Cross as a claims processor. She married Donald N. Debelius, on July 11, 1939. Theresa Debelius passed away in her sleep on May 29, 2000, and is survived by her daughter and my long time friend, Donna Holleritter; her son, David Wyatt Debelius, and sister sister, Carrie (Carolyn) Beigel, (who still lives in Baltimore.) Theresa Debelius was predeceased by her husband (another friend of mine) Fred Holleritter, who passed away on November 21, 1993, and also their daughter, Danielle Lee Debelius, who passed away at the tender age of 26 on October 21, 1995.