It's A Blog Eat Blog World

calling the north pole

2009-12-20T08:30:00.002-05:00

Little Mo calling the North Pole

to check to make sure Santa

got his Christmas wish list!

Time for Dysfunctional Christmas Carols!

2009-12-19T18:57:00.001-05:00

This post has become an annual holiday tradition here at

It's A Blog Eat Blog World:

Dysfunctional Christmas Carols

Schizophrenia --- Do You Hear What I Hear?

Multiple Personality Disorder --- We Three
Queens Disoriented Are

Amnesia --- I Don't Know if I'll be Home for Christmas

Narcissistic --- Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me

Manic --- Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and Fire Hydrants and ...

Paranoid --- Santa Claus is Coming to Get Me

Personality Disorder --- You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll tell You Why...

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ---Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells...

Senile Dementia --- Walking in a Winter Wonderland Miles From My House in My Slippers and Robe...

Happy Birthday, my Eyad!

2009-12-18T10:42:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday
to my sweet Eyad!

Here he is at The Magic Kingdom,
with the lovely Florida sky
- and Cinderella's Castle -
in the background!
Check out our friend Tisha's blog for more
Looking At The Sky On Friday links!

Here is my birthday boy:

And here is his favorite dessert for his birthday:

Happy Birthday, my eyoodi
~ I love you!

Harper's Mill

2009-12-17T08:22:00.000-05:00

Another of my pics from my Thanksgiving Day adventure at The Magic Kingdom. This is the mill on Tom Sawyer's Island. When I took this picture, I thought, "This will make a good Sepia Scene."
And I think I was right. What do you think?

Eyad in Florida

2009-12-16T08:13:00.001-05:00

www.EYYAD.net

Cape Canaveral National Seashore

2009-12-13T08:05:00.000-05:00

On Thanksgiving Day, Eyad and I went to The Magic Kingdom, then on Black Friday, we went to the beach! After years working in retail, having a Beach Friday instead of a Black Friday was so wonderful!

Anyway, the beach we went to was the Cape Canaveral National Seashore. Located just north of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral is a stretch of un-touched beach and nature preserve. It was wonderful seeing Florida coastline that was undeveloped. The beach was so peaceful and pleasant.
It had rained the day before Thanksgiving, but that Friday was just gorgeous. We were there right before sunset, and had the beach to ourselves except for some brave surfer-dudes.

The only caveat I have about the park is that since it is undeveloped, there is no running water on the premises. Which means no modern toilets. Just chemical toilets - which are like a combo outhouse and port-a-potty. Basically squat-over holes in the ground inside cinder block stalls. We were there in November and they stunk to high-heaven, I cannot imagine what they're like in a Florida summer!

Also next to the parking lot were covered trash cans. Sunning themselves on these covers were several lizards. I discovered that Eyad loves lizards as much as I love cockroaches. In other words - he practically jumped into my arms when one ran across his path on the boardwalk stairs! I thought the little lizards were cute, and I guess if I were a lizard, I would hang out around the fly-attracting trash cans, too.

There are other attractions and things to see listed on the park's website, but we were there for the beach.
I loved what I saw of Florida, and brought back a few tiny sea shells for souvenirs. Yes, I have never been there during the summer, but honestly it can't be worse than an Ohio Valley humid-no-breeze summer like I grew up with. I know I am officially *over* winter. Especially winters with Lake Effect snow.
My goal in 2010 is to move south, that's for sure! Being within an hour's drive to the ocean would certainly make me smile.
Hope you had some smiles this weekend,
Mo

my monkey

2009-12-12T20:33:00.001-05:00

Another one of my favorite pics from Disney's Magic Kingdom.

The shadow says it all, doesn't it?

Have a great weekend,

LATSOF: Snow More!

2009-12-11T00:22:00.003-05:00

We were actually on the edge of the blizzard that dumped snow on much of the midwest, but here to the east of Lake Michigan, we received Lake Effect snow.

The Winter Storm Warning of Wednesday and Thursday was canceled at 6:30pm on Thursday night, and a Winter Storm Warning was issued for southwestern Michigan for 11pm Thursday night through 7pm Friday evening.

In other words, we got a brief reprieve from the Lake Effect stuff. At least 5 more inches of the white stuff predicted by 7pm.

This shot is the clock and lamp in front of my building - basically I only stayed outside long enough on Thursday to get the mail and take a bag o'kitty poo to the trash. Oh, and to snap a picture for Looking At The Sky On Friday!

Today, I do have to actually get out and walk to the grocery store, however - we're almost out of Temptations!

Have a safe Friday,

Cinderella's Castle

2009-12-10T14:52:00.000-05:00

When we were at The Magic Kingdom on Thanksgiving Day, it was the first day of the Holiday Season that they were lighting Cinderella's Castle. It was truly magical.
I was expecting the building maybe to be outlined with lights, but what they did, draping it in cascades of sheets of twinkling lights like shimmering ice - I was amazed. It was astounding.
Of course, none of my pics from that event, or from the dramatic way the castle is lit during the fireworks, turned out decently.
But I did have a couple from earlier in the day. I figure anyone can present a picture of the iconic Disney landmark as it is (you can see one of my 'regular' pics by clicking here), but who but me would make it into a sepia-toned image?
Hope you enjoy it!
~ Mo

When we were on the way to see Mickey...

2009-12-09T10:09:00.000-05:00

On the ferry to Disney World. Today, I'm editing the Florida pictures that I took while Eyad and I were on vacation.

I'm glad we took the ferry TO see Mickey, and the tram back that evening. But all I can think of when I see this picture is "wow, my hair was really crunchy that day..."

brrrr

2009-12-08T21:18:00.000-05:00

We're actually on the edge of the Blizzard/Winter Storm blanketing much of the country right now. It started sleeting here around 6pm, and was supposed to switch to rain. Actually, it switched to snow for about an hour, and we got over an inch of accumulation in that hour.
For the last forty-five minutes, though, it's switched back to blowing sleet. It sounds like a continuous pelting of sand on the windows.
Tomorrow we're supposed to get "ex-treeeeemely" intense winds according to our over-enthusiastic weather dude (this is our first significant weather happening in months), and Lake Effect snow.
On the CBS Evening News tonight, they said that the blizzard crossing the Great Lakes will create cresting waves not seen since the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975.
For me, I'm looking at the bright side - being unemployed, I don't have to go outside at all tomorrow, and I can do a job search online!
Hope you are staying warm,
Mo

sunday ramble

2009-12-06T15:26:00.000-05:00

I know I haven't been a regular blogger lately, and while Eyad's visit certainly kept me occupied, it's unfair to blame the lack of posts on him. The truth is, I have been wondering what to do with this blog for a while.
Eyad has had to return to Saudi to get his student visa for his winter term in the UK.
As much as I wanted him to stay, I had to convince both of us that his education is the most important thing.
The last two months, with him being here, were too wonderful for me to describe completely. Eyad is so marvelous to me, and for me. I've never had someone like this in my life. He makes me smile, inside and out.
And while just him leaving was bad enough, the fact that his home city is in chaos didn't ease my mind on him leaving.
Everyone probably knows that KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) is mostly desert, what you may not know is the extent of the horrible flooding they've had the past few weeks. I was so worried about him returning to a city devastated by a natural disaster, but he arrived home safely. His family is staying in Mecca right now, by the way, not in Jeddah, and that holy city has not been as devastated by the rains and flash floods.
Still, while hundreds of people have died in Jeddah and the infrastructure of a major world metropolis is in ruins, it is frustrating to see the USA media focusing on Tiger Woods' private life.
I still have no prospects for a job, but now that Eyad has returned to KSA, I will focus on a Job Hunt.
Of course, this morning I woke up feeling like total crap. On my last plane back from DC (I went with Eyad to Washington DC to see him off), the guy across the aisle was sneezing and sniffling the entire way. To make matters worse, he was using his scarf as a handkerchief. I was pissed off that he was sneezing his germs all over the cramped, confined cabin, and grossed out that he was using his scarf like that. Somehow, I just knew that I was gonna be vulnerable to his germies. Last night I felt run down, and this morning woke up with a headache, goopy eyes, and my lungs hurt. These are not good signs. So today I am taking it easy and staying on the couch watching ABC Family's Harry Potter marathon and hoping my symptoms don't manifest into a full-blown cold. For me, the Harry Potter films are the entertainment equivalent of macaroni and cheese = pure comfort food.
Hagrid: "Follow the spiders."
Ron: "Spiders! It would be spiders. Why couldn't it be follow the butterflies?"
Hope your weekend is spider-free,
Mo

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T08:11:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving from Mo and Eyad
and Mickey, too!

Spooky Sunday: Stepping Out

2009-11-22T15:21:00.001-05:00

One dark night
at the Romeo mausoleum
in Calvary Cemetery.
Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Picture and editing by me.
Ghost graphic courtesy of Picnik.

A Saturday Ramble

2009-11-21T15:54:00.000-05:00

This is the first holiday season in almost twenty years that I am NOT working in retail. It feels weird. And slightly exhilirating.

I mean, aside from no paycheck or discernible source of income, it is strangely relaxing. To just sit with my coffee, in front of the computer, and absently wonder what is going on in retail establishments across the country.

Today is Dowagiac's Holiday Open House, and I was able to sleep in and not deal with bitchy customers on a quest for the bargain of the century. What a luxury.

I count my blessings every minute, to have Eyad here with me now, and we are planning our Florida vacation today. Universal Studios may be out, and a trip to NASA @ Cape Canaveral may be in. So long as I get to see the beach and be with Eyad, I'll be happy no matter what we do.

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

Cheers,

Happy Birthday, my dear friend!

2009-11-19T13:11:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to Tisha!

Click on over to
CrAzY Working Mom
and wish her a

Very Happy Birthday!

♥ ♥ ♥

yellow leaf

2009-11-17T16:38:00.001-05:00

Cloudy and rainy here in Michigan today. Enjoying quiet days at home with Eyad.

We leave a week from today for Orlando, where it is forecasted to be in the 70's (while it will be in the 40's up here).

Tentative plans for our 3 days in Florida: DisneyWorld, a trip to the beach, and Universal Studios.
Today's photo is one I took of the mossy ground in a cemetery, while Eyad was taking a panoramic shot of trees.
I did the selective coloring on Picnik.
Enjoy,
Mo

Since I missed Halloween...

2009-11-16T14:42:00.000-05:00

The last weekend of October is like a blur to me - it was the last days of my being in The Wren's Nest, and we were clearing out the last stuff, filling the dumpster with loads of boxes, and painting like crazy. Needless to say, Eyad's first Halloween in America wasn't that spooktacular.
We still have two un-carved pumpkins sitting on the counter in the kitchen today.
He did get a great picture of our friend Bessie, dressed up as a very classy witch, on Halloween, and we watched Sleepy Hollow on DVD, but that was the extent of our - spooky festivities.
I had taken several pictures that I had fully intended to edit for the week of Halloween, and never got around to them, except for one, which never got posted. So here it is, better late than never, right? (Hey, I got it up before Thanksgiving!)
This is Sumnerville Cemetery, south of Dowagiac, where many soldiers from the War of 1812 are buried.
Special effects courtesy of Picnik.
To see a non-spooky view of this cemetery, visit Eyad's panoramic pic on Flickr.
Cheers,
Mo

Quiet Sunday

2009-11-15T17:09:00.000-05:00

Today, Eyad and I slept in, and I only got one small project done - covering a cat-scratch rip in my desk chair - that was necessary because Bella wouldn't stay out of the hole.

Here's another of my fall color pics, again from a Michigan cemetery.

Hope you had a nice weekend,

Saturday Colors

2009-11-14T17:18:00.000-05:00

In spite of the sad news we received this week, and my friend Betty being in the hospital, Eyad and I have had a nice week together. This coming week, we are planning our trip to Orlando for Thanksgiving, and working on finding me a job.
Eyad has also been hard at work on re-vamping his photography website, and if you haven't seen it lately, you should pop over and explore the albums. His photos are also available for purchase on RedBubble.
Here's another of my recent autumn pictures. This one is poison ivy growing on the crumbled stone foundation of a long-gone building on the banks of the St. Joseph River in Niles, Michigan.
Enjoy your weekend,
Mo

Michigan Autumn

2009-11-13T13:37:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Eyad and I went out to run some errands (kitty litter), and stopped by several cemeteries to take some pictures. This area of Michigan doesn't seem to have many public parks that are photogenic, so local cemeteries often offer the best seasonal photo ops.

This picture is actually from about two weeks ago (I haven't uploaded/edited yesterday's pics yet!) ~ from a day when Bessie and Eyad and I went out to photograph some fall colors. We were all glad we went that day, for the next several days were cold and windy and rainy, and most of the great colors ended up blowing away.

I have more fall color pics to share in the next couple of days.

Cheers,

Eyad tries an Ice Cream Float

2009-11-12T13:53:00.001-05:00

Taken last week - at the local China Buffet, where Bessie introduced Eyad to the wonderful world of Ice Cream Floats.
It is Coke and Vanilla Ice Cream, by the way - neither Eyad, Bessie, or I like Root Beer.

Back on the 'Net

2009-11-11T18:56:00.003-05:00

Isis is curled up on my desk tonight, as I get settled into my new home office area. Finally have internet at home again, after over a week without it - snatches of access at places like the library or the hospital just don't compare to having full-time access.
Was at the hospital several times this week, because Bessie's sister Betty has a broken femur. She has RA, and her main medication escalates osteoporosis: when she stepped out of her car the other night, her leg just snapped. She had surgery last night, and is doing better in recovery today - but it's going to be a long, long haul until she can walk on her own again.
After being at the hospital with Bessie all day yesterday - well into the night - today Eyad and I just took it easy.
He worked on his website, and I loaded stuff back onto my desktop computer -- the other day he re-installed Windows XP on my computer and today with internet access restored, I was able to get it back to my preferences.

As for me, I'm officially unemployed, as the store is permanently closed. To be honest, with Eyad here and the stress of closing the store and then Betty going into the hospital and Bessie needing my support, I haven't done much in the way of throwing myself into job-hunting. This will come, right now I can't panic ~ Eyad's support is my strength and I am enjoying every single minute of him being here.

Since I am gainfully unemployed, I will try to post more here on my blog, like I used to.

While the store was closing, I almost deleted this site. I was just so burnt out, and blogging felt like an obligation rather than something I enjoyed. Can't make any promises, but as the mood strikes me, I shall try to update here and at Purrchance To Dream.

Cheers,

Get some holiday shopping done early, from your home!

2009-10-29T16:00:00.001-04:00

The last items from The Wren's Nest are now listed on eBay.
Time to get some great bargains - either for yourself or to get some early holiday shopping accomplished!
(The items listed time has currently ended.)
Cheers!
~ Mo

Always Remember

2009-11-11T14:09:00.001-05:00

Both my grandfathers were World War II veterans,

and I honor their service, and the service of

every man and woman who have served

and who are currently serving

our great country.

Peace,