Major Lip Service

Bush talked about building up the Iraqi security forces. This is all he mentioned, as though he'd just learned about it. Generals have been in front of senatorial hearings talking about this months ago, it's been discussed on Meet the Press and other media outlets numerous times. He's got to "New Deal" that hole: get the water flowing, get the oil pumping and make some money for them. He's got to get the Iraqi's invested and divest us of the situation.

And how about Hussein? Telling off the court in the same vein as Slobodan. He's got'em where he wants'em. He's going to give them hell. Are we up for it with this established court system? How is Sloboat doing SLMIvic?

Get a little sun, spray a little moldwash, get a little eye burn out on the beach. Boogie-woogie with a mask during the real deal sin craze!. I sold a damn vacation. Sufei is going to live-it-up! When is Marti-Gras?

I'll help you, SSM & SP, put a photo in your profile tomorrow, and then you can forget the "profile Photo" entry. For comments you need to go down to the lower left corner on the post page and click on that and it will allow you to say, "I allow comments".

Speaking of Comments, I'll bet the Pig-Packer has a bunch of comments but he's too freaked out to write them... What're grandma's thoughts on Bush and his bundle of problems, or anything you can teach us lately?

The fumbled words and vision of Dear Leader

SP - Bush gave a major speech this morning ... here it is:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/11/20051130-2.html

taken care of

It appears that my blog problems have been take care of. I see that the post I sent (and then sent again) as well as my other post finally showed up. I guess that sometimes it takes a while for the entries to post.

I love this blog!!!

Squashpaw

Every time I see SM, I think you're referring to me...but you're referring to Slovenian Michellovic (or something...)...and, yes, SM, I laugh at the vision you must have had of the family watching Katie being conceived...I didn't make myself clear...I love the picture of the racoons...and, thanks, Will, for the instructions...I can't wait till I can actually do the picture transfer...I will work on that tonight...

Megan, have you decided to go or stay for Christmas?

I don't know about SM's photo problem

But you have posted with photos before. Does it work sometime and sometime not?

Why can I not comment on some of the posts. Like I had to do a new post to answer SM instead of commenting b/c it didn't give me the little comment option at the bottom.

I Think I Saw Katie Being Conceived, too.

I didn't know there was a family of raccoons there too. Quite the exhibitionists you and Dad were Mom.

What's the Bush comment referring to? Must give background. Is there argument over the war?

Sometimes, when things go wrong at CCMCO I think, well look even our government makes big ole errors. Even they have problems with logisitics. And they have the smartest people on the planet working at the U.S. government people from think tanks whose job it is just to think all day. It makes me feel better that we are not the only ones who screw up.

I am filing away "how to put a photo into the blog" with "how to get my mp3 player to work". Maybe someday I will know how to do these things. But not today.

Anyone ... anyone?

This is another test blog as I just tried to post with a photo and while blogger said the entry worked it did not end up on the blog .... has this happened to any one? Has anyone fiqured it out?
SM

If you don't have anything nice to say ...

well ... let's see ... at least he told us there was a plan? Could you allow for a temporary false sense of security Will?

If you don't have anything nice to say ...

well ... let's see ... at least he told us there was a plan? Could you allow for a temporary false sense of security Will?

Profile Photos

Mom, you're way too funny. Does everyone want to know how to put a photo in your Profile? It is extraordinarily complicated. Slobodan Bogdanovic managed to figure it out. I think she read the directions.

So you attach a photo to a regular Post. Make sure it is no larger than 50K. That can be complicated in itself. Then, go to the "Edit Html" button at the top of the Post Area. When you get to this, you must copy the file. Highlight the name of the file and right click and copy it. Example:

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6528/1875/1600/bucuresti%20car%20in%20a%20hole.jpg

This is what it looks like. This is the file of the photo above. Once you have this, go to your profil and right click paste the name of the file into the "Photo URL" area. Then update or save or whatever and you have it.

Or, if you want, I'll give you a profile photo for xmass.

.... and I

... and I misunderstood the story about Katie's conception. I thought there was an acual family watching Katie being made. In fact, I like that version a bit better and I think I am going to stick with it.

Dad's First Tunnel

I've never even heard the story about the second or the 1000th tunnel. Do tell.

Squashpaw

<="http://squashpaw.blogspot.com/">Squashpaw

there was a knock-down, drag-out fight...the blog didn't pick this up...

Squashpaw

Squashpaw

Did I ever tell you abut our relationship with racoons in the house on Troost? I know there is a rumor circulating about the family who stood outside the window of the upstairs bedroom watching as Katie was conceived...but do you know about the family who lived, quite athletically, above the master bedroom? I believe the mom fixed breakfast every morning as we were waking up...she would put the food on the table and call to her family...and sometimes they didn't like what she served and there to make us want to get out of bed...the ceiling sounded as if it would cave in on top of us...

Squashpaw

Squashpaw

OK...so many blogs, so little time...first...where did you get that picture of me, Michelleovic, or whatever your "handle" is? I thought I had paid off the extortionist who took it yrs. ago...nearly went broke trying to get that thing out of circulation. If you don't believe me, I'll show you the leopard skin tights that I took to the lake...I used to appear in public in those things...

Next...that picture captures the NYC flea market so clearly...and Katie does have a new office...I'm going to let her see if the picture captures the luxurious nest.

Now...what is this about you being so cold? And loosing the roof off your bar? These bits of information are puzzling...if anyone at ccmco underdesigns something like a roof...off with their heads!!!! That's what my manufacturing manager has trained me to think. Did I ever tell you about your dad's first tunnel? Hm-m-m-m...the apple is not falling so far from the tree...

Anyway...about our Christmas rendevous...fires will be blazing...warmth will be all around...lots of bones for young boy dogs...simply heaven...and we need to plan activities...lest you get scared off...nothing threatening...all of your selection...I've discovered a new passion...hiring guys to put up Christmas lights...I want to have the gaudiest display in Brooktowne...

Where have you been all my life?

..... and look what a search for Will McKee found

que?

Did the flea market look like this:

That's me in the white pants.

Chilly Cold. The roll roof blew off my bar. Our fence is falling over. The yard is full of leaves again. The squirrels are nestled in the attic and pissed when we watch tv. We're alternating warm ups in the dryer and putting them on when they're warm, taking them off when cold.

Xmass sounds wonderful. Is the house warm? Michelle will only let us turn the heat up to 50. Frugality. I don't think it's been on yet. The doors are wide open. The dogs are swimming. The beer is nice and cold.

What are you interested in discussing here Mom? Let's get you interested in something.

This is what came up when I Googled "Sue McKee". You want to explain this.

This what came up when I searched Katie McKee:

Squashpaw

Squashpaw

One of my blogs got lost. Is this a common problem?

Anyway...I wanted to tell you all that the idea of the 'Christmas Sleepover' seems like it could be so much fun. The idea originated b/c of the possibility of Megan & Jesse spending Christmas Eve & morning with Sharon in Springdale and me not wanting to wake up to an almost empty house.So, Will & Michelle are coming to spend the night after the Erling festivities...

If M & J do it the way it's planned, they will pick up the boys and join us at around 2 or 3...we'll have our big meal after they arrive and after they open presents...we can sleep in...if you decide to stay in Tulsa, you can come and spend the night too...if you want to...maybe this is the start of a new tradition...also...should we post our Christmas gift ideas on this blog?

Squashpaw

Squashpaw

I like this blogging exercise and, even tho I don't have pictures or art or cartoons or exposees on the poor of America, I love reading these things and maybe I will even become passionate about something to write about. You all are inspiring me to have a more interesting life...
except that I hardly have time.

Jesse asked about NYC and the adventure Katie took me on whilst I was there...so fun...we covered a lot of territory and I was able to go to flea markets which I've always wanted to do...gotta go now...

Squashpaw

Squashpaw

Happy Thanksgiving...I enjoyed a delicious dinner today and even tho there were lima beans and brussel sprouts in the house, Megan was so respectful not to actually place them on the table. And, altho Jesse was the good sport who dove in, the rest of us were not impacted much.

The table was so full of food that I could hardly make a decision about what to eat. And the turkey was carved so spectacularly that I thought I should get the Food Channel to come to photo it.

All in all, a most pleasurable day!!!

Penguin Tycoon Beak Fantastique

Your making some damn headway on that ladder. That's awsome. Yes, please fill us in...

And where is your turkey this year?

And it's going to be super sunny here, tomorrow, turkey day.

What do penguins taste like? Chicken?

by wendeline matson

If you so desire, see here attached the basic diagram of a hydrogen fuel cell:

FAQ At Penguin

1. How can I contact Penguin? :Contact Katie

2. How can I get my book published? :ask Katie

3. How do I search the website for a book or author? :call Katie first

4. How do I order online? :email Katie

5. What do I do if I've forgotten my password? :Katie knows it

6. How do I order a catalogue?:call Katie

7. How do I return a faulty book?:Katie takes them

8. How can I order out-of-print books?:Katie will print it

9. How can I contact an author?:Katie is tight with all of them!

10. How can I arrange an author visit?:This is Katie's assitants's Job

11. How do I request an academic inspection copy?:Katie's assistant does this

12. How do I request a review copy?: Right up Katie's assistant's alley

13. Where can I get permissions information for your books?:I wonder if Katie knows

14. Where can I get rights information for your books?: If Katie will let you

15. Where can I find information on readers' groups?:Katie is in charge

16. Where can I find information on Penguin ebooks?: KATIE!

17. Where can I view current vacancies?: Katie is filling them all herself

18. Do you donate to charities?: Maybe Katie will after another raise

19. Can I get help with my project?: Katie might not have time

20. Where can I find information on publishing and the book industry?:At Katie's local Pub, where Katie is relaxing

yet another ...

yet another test entry

Congratulations.........

To Katie on her big ol promotion!!!! Yea Katie. Tell us about the new responsibilities and perks.

Addicted

Here's me and one of the deadbeats I claim on my taxes. He has baggy fur if that means anything.
This is the way my sunflower seeds began. A lot of hard work went into the preparation of those seeds: there's the growing, the harvest, seed shake-out, shelling, honey dipping, roasting, bagging, breaking the seal... oh, I didn't have to break the seal... Megan handled that part of the process. If I'm lucky I won't have to eat them and I can just focus on the next harvest. This is the domicile of the infamous fugitive Katie McKee. Steer clear. Keep crucial. Be quiet around this area. As a matter of fact this is considered her lair, and everyone in the vicinity knows her as "Pays for her Laundry to be done Katie." Mean Mrs. McKee takes on the burbites bragging about their washing machines.
Anyone seen this dude? Looks familiar to a couple I work with.
That thing is reported to live here... keep clear, there's gas here, and it's not Natural!

Drink Water

Why tell the water drinkers to drink water? They know oh so well. They know wells, springs and things.

Those were my sunny seeds, but regardless if of your disregard for my honey roasts, I'm pleased they went to a good stomach.

I'm in my bed. A bed is like you describe a house. I'm resting here, with the scent of chlorine in my nose, stinging a bit.

Tell us, please, what you intend to do with lima beans? Milk and Butter, with curry sounds like Indian Soup. The things that float in Indian soup are nothing I can imagine. But when you mentioned lima beans, I thought of green skins and long stints with the bends. Why the bends: because one who cramps and buckles over can be said to bend.

These kids at the mall, wearing loose clothes, that would sooner fall down than hide their ass, that would trip them if running from the cops, don't have a logical reason behind this style. They can't do anything with these clothes on. That's what they're telling me. "I can't hoop; I can't run around; as a matter of fact, I gotta walk particularly slow." Wearing clothes that drape around you is eaither very Socratic or as lazy as a bum dead in the shade.

Glad to know you all. I'm going to get into this Insufferable Genius Book. Take a hike around the pond for me. Dip in. Get muddy. Fly fish. Fry Fish. Eat fish and oil, salt and pepper and high doses of fry breading.

Poor Teenagers

Teen Poverty in America
I just spent several hours observing teenagers hanging out at our local mall. I came to the conclusion many teenagers in America today are living in poverty. Most young men I observed didn't even own abelt; there was not one among the whole group. But that wasn't the sad part. Many were wearing their daddy's jeans. The jeans were so big and baggy they hung low on their hips, exposing their underwear. I know some must have been ashamed their daddy was short, because his jeans hardly went below their knees. They weren't even their daddies' good jeans, for most had holes ripped in the knees and a dirty look to them.It grieved me, in a modern, affluent society like America, there are people who can't afford a decent pair of jeans. I was thinking about asking my church to start a jeans drive for "poor kids at the mall."Then on Christmas Eve, I could go Christmas caroling and distribute jeans to these poor teenagers. But here is the saddest part..... it was the girls they were hanging out with that disturbed me most.
I never, in all of my life, seen such poverty-stricken girls. These girls had the opposite problem of the guys .
They all had to wear their little sisters clothes. Their jeans were about 5 sizes too small! I don't know how they could put them on, let alone button them up. Their jeans barely went over their hipbones. Most also had on their little sister's top; it hardly covered their midsections. Oh, they were trying to hold their heads up with pride, but it was a sad sight to see these almost grown women wearing children's clothes.However, it was their underwear that bothered me most. They, like the boys, because of the improper fitting of their clothes, had their underwear exposed. I never saw anything like it. It looked like theirunderwear was only held together by a single piece of string. I know it saddens your heart to receive this report on condition of our American teenagers. While I go to bed every night with a closetfull of clothes nearby, there are millions of "mall girls" who barely have enough material to keep it together. I think their "poorness" is the 2 groups gather at the mall, boys with their short daddies'ripped jeans, and girls wearing their younger sisters' clothes. The mall is one place where they can find acceptance.
So, next time you are at the mall, doing your shopping, and you pass by some of these poor teenagers, would you say a prayer for them? And one more thing ... Will you pray the guys' pants won't fall down,and girls' strings won't break? I thank you all, A Concerned Grandmother

I Stole......................

Some sunflower seeds from the kitchen at work. I have a feeling they are Will's. Okay, who likes lima beans? They are one of those veggies (legumes?) that I figured that everyone hated automatically due to their smooth light green texture, kind of like a half formed bean and their terrible name. But, alas, discussing cooking with friends, Jessica told me she cooks in milk and butter and they are delicious. Who knew? So, we are experimenting at Thanksgiving dinner. I'm sure if nothing else can be said then we can at least say that they cause gas.

So, I never knew how happy a home could make one. Okay, I suspected. But now, I just love our house so much I never want to leave it and when I ride the bike (ty Will and Michelle) across the lake I get the greatest feeling of utter contentment. There is a path. I don't actually ride in the water.

FYI

"Irregardless" is a double negative whose use is only acceptable when the intent is clearly humorous.

Otherwise "regardless" is proper. So, people use irregardless all the time and I thought I would look it up and see since it is funny that regardless and irregardless mean the same time.

So, girls, talk to us about the trip to NYC. Good times, good times? We have had a slow cold weekend. Got some work done at work and at home.

Why I Hate Forwards and Intros

Because they are soooooooooo boring. Because it is more fun to read fiction than to read about it. They are usually pretentious and boring or trying to funny and boring (as in heartbreaking work of staggering genius.)

Except for Little Women which I had fun reading about in college because there is so much going on. I still feel greatly that one of the greatest literary travesties is that Jo and Laurie did not end up together. Even though as Kirk Van Valkenburgh told me once it surprised me so it must be a great book. Because they don't do what we want them to.

This blog will be good for me

It will force me to get going on my reading again. I only listen to audio tapes and so am losing my reading edge. Can I borrow a book, Katie?

Megan suggested that I give you-all the latest on Glen: he's back "down" again. He's on his way to have a full CAT scan...no one can find out what's the matter...ever heard of polymyolagiarhuematis? It might be that. He's on pregnozone...massive dosages of it.

Other than that, I'm just busy getting ready to fly off to NYC to see Katie...or Hyper...is that your name or you personality style?

Tonight is book club at my house and we'll discuss Rising Tide, about the building of the dams and levies to "control" the Mississippi...sad story...

Well...bye...

what's up, Buttercups?

what's going on?

Heartbreaking Work...........

Its been a few years since I read but I have to say it is hilarious although the premise is not. Both the author's parents die of cancer within a very short time of each other. Not every day that I laugh out loud over a book but this one kept me in fits. On an airplane. No less. Seatmates thought I was nuts. It is a fast easy read. I think I still have if you want to borrow.

I am intrigued by the author Dave Eggers. He seems a little pretentious in real life and several people have taken issue with events portrayed in the novel/memoir. But still funny.

McKee Loser

I am the Key Loser! Eve would be lost, lost as Collateral.

Yes, the U.S. Needs a Department of Peace, as long as it's cheaper than the Department of Defense. What could be more than the department of Defense? Oh, Interest payments on the National Debt. Oh, Social Security.

You know, the only thing, THE ONLY THING, that I thought this administration might do right was Social Security reform. My only problem with the reform was that it was very incremental in establishing investment funds for us younger citizens. We would be allowed to invest 12% of a our Social Sucurity payments into funds. I want to invest it all in my Social Security payment into funds, Chinese Funds. But, now, with Bush basically inept and impotent, he'll never get anything else passed in 3 years. What a waste of time. His republicans in the house and senate won't even back his budget.

I'm A HYPER MF!

Collatoral

I will generously volunteer Eve to be used as collatoral in any transaction involving Will and keys. She's great. Real personable (not), sleeps through the night (rarely), doesn't smell (stinky mud room). In fact keep her. don't worry about sending her back. Its really win-win for all involved. Contact me at www.mycatisdrivingmenuts.com.

Check out this website: www.thepeacealliance.com. It is all about the push to create a Department of Peace in the U.S. Government. Really, its on the table. Its neato.

Dry the Glass

Indie! you making fun of my time!

I like intros myself. Never read the books. The intros do it all. They're subjective plots to kill fiction.

Sometimes I do like the intros. I wouldn't read the intro to A Passage to India, or P&P. But then I wouldn't read P&P. I might read APTI, but not the intro. Only certain intros... GOT THAT! Not ALL INTROS, only Certain ONES!

Staggering Genius: I should read this, right? I'm reading, and falling asleep, and reading, Underworld. It's Dellilo. I put it on my bedside table when I'm asleep. Sometimes Michelle puts it there. It's so big. There are good spots. I wish somebody had highlighted the good spots. It would go quicker.

Is Staggering Genuis big. Where is it? At Wal-Mart?

More Main Reasons

I think MungChew would be a good band name too. Some say it sounds too much like DungChew, which is a brand name of a pouch tabaco that some dairy farmers think is tasty. I think the two names are in remote enough industries, punk rock and chewing tobaco, that niether would be able to file suit. MungChew could have their platinum albums and DungChew could sell their billions in chewing tobaco.

Mom, if you read this, make note that there is a behind the scenes power struggle in our midst. Katie has my phone charger. I had her apartment keys. I gave them to you only after negotiating both a colateral guarantee while I don't have either of the items in question and am feeling very vulnerable-- a scanned/notarized confirmation of overnight shipment (fed-ex preferred) of Marreen Dowd's new shlog on men-- and adequate rules for potential arbitration. With the colateral and rules for arbitration in place I gave you, mother, the keys. So now you hold this deal in the balance. I hope it goes off without a hitch. Or we could all end up as material witnesses in a suit set in Timbuktu.

I think blogging is fun. It's like riding a surfboard for the first time: Salty.

So you're reading a Passage to India? A fitting tale for this day and age. And what was that you were reading Katie?

What was that magazine that you were so excited about recieving Katie, when I was there, with all the articles about various things... like any other magazine but really different?

Today is Jose Saramogov's brithday. I'm listening to the writer's almanac. He was the Spanish Nobel Winner for lit about 7 years back. I start writing at the age of 50, and said no writer should begin earlier, because in order to be a great writer one must try, rather, to be something else.

Senator McCain is on discussing his proposed anti-torture act that the executive branch is threatening to veto. Certain votes certainly bring out the true colors of the executive branch. Cheney is trying to exclude the CIA from the measures.

Bush, in his speech in Kyoto yesterday aimed his remarks at China, telling them they should be more like Taiwan, and democratic. I figure it ain't our business. Which is the foriegn policy that Bush subscribed to when he was running in 2000. I figure he's ready for the chopping block.

Just get back to balancing the budget.

Hey Indie: Are you handling McCain's new book? "Character is Destiny".

DungChew...
I mean MungChew

This is from Katie.

I'm glad to hear that everyone had a great time at Dolly Parton! I read On Beauty last night for 3 hours and finally finished it. It didn't end well, except for the last paragraph, but I'm glad I finished it. I've been giving up on bad books rather quickly these days. I started A Heartbreaking Work on Staggering Genius this morning on the bus, but I already know, after 2 pages, that I'm not going to like it. I'm not really into the whole David Sedaris and Dave Eggers type of fiction - ranting and sarcastic humor. I guess I'm more of literary fiction girl, but I never realized I was so picky.
I'm going to Annapolis with Jordan this weekend and I'm really really excited. The weather is supposed to be perfect! We're going out to dinner tomorrow night for seafood and then out with a Marine and his wife on Saturday night. Jordan's aunt's boyfriend has a daughter that is married to a Marine. It all sounds very roundabout, but it's actually not. I'm not really sure what we'll talk to them about (the beautiful weather will come up, I'm sure), but it should be interesting. Jordan is bringing his digital camera so that I can post pictures on our blog. Secretly, I've wanted to start a blog for FOREVER and now Meg has gone and done it! When is Will getting in on this action?

Hi, everyone...I'm in the room so don't talk about me.

Not much blogging around here.

I'm beginning to wonder about this family. Nothing worthy of a blog?

Blogs are confusing

Jesse is getting frustrated!! I am trying to slog through Passage to India which is very good but difficult for me to get into. Maybe you should read Transit of Venus Katie? When does Pride and Prejudice come out? We should not see it until you are home for X-mas.

Why Squashpaw?

Squashpaw is one of the several band names I have had for ages in my back pocket for when I started a band. However, since that is less likely to happen now these names can be put to other good uses, such as for the name of the family blog.

Another band name is "Bulging Knees" and of course "Caddywampus" always deserves honorable mention as one of the most fun never was band names ever.

This is our family Blog

This is a test of the MckeeHarrisBlog.