Greenie Update

One down, one to go. Thanksgiving is behind us and Christmas is looming in the distance. Thanks for all the well wishes. I'm happy to report that the day was a success. The Parental Uni...My Dad and Mom (hi Mom) made it here safe and sound and earlier than expected. The turkey had been in the oven for about 12 minutes when they called from McDonalds, our designated retrieval point because finding ones way to the Casa de Homo is best performed while under the influence...'er something. DON'T DRINK and DRIVE! (balance...heh)



This was the first time that I/we have ever hosted family for a holiday and one of my favorites to date. I suppose having my brother and sister-in-law with the neice an nephew could of rounded it out a little more, but it was nice for me to have them to myself too. I really enjoyed working shoulder to shoulder or butt to butt, with my momma in the kitchen. It's a long skinny kitchen, no room for more than two at a time. We pulled a really good meal together between the two of us. There was of course the bird, some cranberries, mashed potatoes made with Camambert cheese, roasted green beans with sea salt and garlic, stuffing, deviled eggs, homemade rolls, fruit salad and apple and pumpkin pies. More than enough for four peeps...and two poopers.



It's a bit of a tradition with my folks to go see a movie whenever we get together, and this was no exception. It was agreed in advance that we would see the new Harry Potter film. Loved it! (duh) We went shopping on Friday, took them to the nursery, played cards and watched "Finding Neverland". ( LOVED IT!) Ate more Pie. (Hi Mrtl!!! *waving*) I ended up going into work on Saturday and they decided that they should head for their home. It was such a great time for me personally. I have great parents. That said, I couldn't believe how exhausted I was after work on Saturday. It was a slow day at work and I only worked half a day, but still, when I got home, I was tanked. I slept until 9am Sunday. I NEVER sleep that late. EVER. I didn't realize that I was putting out so much energy. (Mom, that's a good thing.)



Luckily, I still had Sunday and Monday off, but now I'm back at it. We had over 500 Christmas trees delivered today. I'm gonna be sore tomorrow, I can already tell. We are in full swing with fire retarding and flocking, and pounding in tree stands. It's like our own little forest out there right now. It's fun to scare co-workers out there at night.



So yesterday, on my day off, I went for a drive around town. I ended up at this park north of Seattle, Carkeek Park, which is where I took the photos on this post. It was very cold out and very few people were there. I felt like I had the place to myself. This park has a salmon stream and to my pleasure, there were spawning salmon in it. I would of liked to have snapped some pics of that little bit of action, but they were all in areas offlimits to two legged kind. Out of respect, I observed the restrictions. It is a thrilling thing though, to witness this activity. I remember watching them in the fish ladders on the Columbia river as a kid, and watching films in school of the long struggle up river to the streams of their birth. Until I moved here, I had never witnessed wild salmon returning to their native home. At the rate of land development here, I doubt it can hold out much longer. As I walked out of the stream area, I heard a loud crack and pop as a large Maple tree crashed down the hillside. Nature...she know's how to rock the house.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

The parental units are on their way...we hope. No word from them as yet. I have not put the bird in the oven yet, I have made the cranberry sauce though. That counts for something right???

Okay, better not dally here then, best get to cookin'.

Just one thing, or two before I go. I would like to extend thanks to all you who regularly read and comment here. You give me so much happiness here. Your friendships have narrowed the distance I so often feel and there is no greater gift than friendship and love. I hope that today finds you smothered in love, family and close friends.

Love,
Greenie

Pooper Friday!!!

For all you HUMANE types out there...the sock...it's clean. These are socks that I tossed out and Nick made a big tug toy out of. This one came off. Note the intent stare in those HUGE eyes. He has the toy.

Just a couple of quickies...

Yesterday while discussing the potting shed at the nursery and what to do with it during Christmas Tree season, someone mentioned putting Hot Chocolate and Cookies in it. Apparently I really liked this idea...A LOT. Because, you see, when I said how much I like the idea these were the words that came out:

" Oooh! Hot Cocklit and Chickies! " WTF??

This led to a full day of ribbing from the girls in front of which I spoke these words. Oh well, maybe you had to be there.

*******

Today, it became completely apparent to me that I can never again be a single man. While making my morning Oatmeal, I got two bowls down from the cupboard. There's only me here...he leaves before I do. The bowl sat there for a good few minutes until I got ready to put brown sugar in it. If this isn't marriage, I don't know what is.

Me, myself and my other shadow...

Pooper Friday!!!

This, That and the Other...

It's funny, I really do think about blogging all the time. I think about how much I miss it. I know that I've said that I have lots to say, how I have a lot on my mind. The truth is, I don't think there really is all that much going on in my head lately. I don't listen to the news, watch the news or read it. I'm about as clued in on what's going on in the world as Harlow. What I can tell you is that the squirrel population is holding steady and that daily trespassings on our property are at an all time high. This can only be due to the fact that the bird feeding stations are now back in operation. This is what Harlow knows with acuity. She is an aficionado of Squirrel activity and our windows have the crusty and not so crusty nose prints to prove it.

Sadly, what I do know currently, is the status of "Desperate Housewives", "Commander in Chief" and "City Gardner". I'm not quite up to date on "Boston Legal", "America's Next Top Model", "Lost" or "Supernatural", but this is only because I have made a conscious decision to sit down here tonight and make some attempt to create a post here. I think what it's going to be...is really just...you know...another....GREENIE UPDATE!!!

I know some of you are wondering how the whole Christmas Open House thingy-ma-jig went. I have to say, that despite the torrential downpour and flooding of the upper nursery area, that it went very well. As requested I have attempted to document via the D70 the many displays that were created in honor of this occasion. I would like to say here and now, that these are not all my creations. This effort is beyond my own ability to accomplish in the amount of time that it took. My co-workers all contributed to this and the resulting event was acknowledged as, and I quote, "The best the nursery has ever looked at Christmas Open House." I have no other events to compare it to myself, but I have to say, that it did look pretty nice. When you are so used to seeing the nursery in a certain way, it really changes your perspective to see it decorated and lit with soft ambient light. It was transformative, so much so that I even had to bust some guy for smoking pot among the displays. Apparently the festive air had some affect on him, or one that needed medicating to make go away. I decided not to take it personally, but I did confront him and make sure he knew that he needed to resist the urge to light up again.

Because of the cool wet weather, Portable Heaters were brought in. These are large diesel generators that sit on the outside and blow warm, if fumey air, through large tubes. Near one of the areas that heat was being delivered, a school choir that was waiting in the wings for their turn to dazzle and delight was the poor victim of a backfire from the heater. I was standing near by when the heater backfired and I can testify that it is a LOUD bang that happens quick and unexpectedly. Much louder than a car people. Now imagine a line of 20 or so 12 year olds standing with in 10 feat of this event. Ya, the screaming...it was louder and funnier still. The school teacher was right there asking if she needed to evacuate her kids. While I realize the humor in the situation, I also can't fail to miss the incredible impact that a loud explosion plays in our psychological state. We reassured her that it was safe and the show went on.

For those interested, here are the images. Looking at these makes me realize how out of context they appear here. I wish you could of seen it in person. It was so much better. This Moose picture is of some ornaments in the store, not part of my area. They made me think of the lovely mrtl so I had to include them. HI MRTL!!!! *waving*



As mentioned, RAIN has returned to the Emerald City. Lots and lots of rain and snow in the mountains. This of course, is a good thing. However, it means that a lot more time is spent indoors. One of the few things I took home with me from my last job was a small 6 gallon aquarium that housed three baby Angel Fish. The funny thing about anything that is 'baby' something, is that it's implied that it is small, but we often forget that babies grow. Well, the Angel's have been growing in their small captive little tank and they are overwhelming the filtration system with their waste. It just can't keep up with all the crap. This last weekend, the mister and I headed out in search of a solution. The solution is a new and quite clean looking 55 gallon aquarium. The Angels seem quite pleased with all the new room to roam. I swear they have grown another inch just since Sunday, but I know that can't be...can it?

Rain has returned, but it did decide to let up on Monday, so much so that I took the Pooper to the field, correction, the flooded field for a little recreation. She was of course, beside herself with joy. She had been cooped up for over a week at this point. On our return pass through the field I saw a group of helium balloons that appeared to have become trapped in the branches of a tree. I reached up and retrieved them from their captor. Harlow, who was out running circles saw that I was getting something down and came to inspect. What happened next only photographic evidence can tell. I just want to say, that I laughed. I laughed people...HARD! It was freakin' hilarious to watch her. It was a PAR-TAY!!! I bet those balloons thought that it was the end of the party when they got snagged. They had no idea that the real fun was just waiting to show up. See for yourselves...



I did forget to mention one other item of news. On Monday I visited Kenmore Camera's in the morning. You see, I've been itching to get a new lens, something that brings far away objects closer. I broke down and bought a new lens and like any kid with a new toy, couldn't wait before getting home to play with it, I had to get it out and see how it worked. Not all of the images are with the new lens, some are with my original lens. I have a lot to learn and understand about my new toy, but it was fun to try it out. You can see the shots from that day here....



Okay, this is quite the post for someone that doesn't have a lot to say or going on. I'll leave you with this for now. I don't know why I just wrote that. There's always more. I just realized that I wanted to send out love and gratitude to my friends (bloggies and otherwise) and family who continue to read and visit this site. It really is the best thing in the world to get a comment from you here. Okay, now I'm done. Love, Greenie.

Pooper Friday!!!

TRICK 'R' TREATORS!?!




Finally...they turned off that damned porch light. There weren't as many as last year, my fear tactics must be working.