You Know The Sound, Can You Name The Band?

This band of musicians had more number one hits than Elvis, The Beach Boys, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones combined.

They were the band for Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Diana Ross & The Supremes. The Temptations. Marvin Gaye's. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, even young Stevie Wonder's band.

The early recording artists at Motown all had the same band. A band of session musicians hand picked by Berry Gordy from the jazz clubs and hole in the wall bars of Detroit. They were musicians, employed at Hitsville USA.

Not many can answer the question.

Until the 2002 documentary came out, finally acknowledging these great musicians behind the original "Motown Sound", I'll bet it would be hard to find anyone who could name just one member.

Joe Hunter, Earl Van Dyke, Eddie "Bongo" Brown, Jack Ashford, Richard "Pistol" Allen, William "Benny" Benjamin, Robert White, Joe Messina, Eddie Willis, James Jamerson and Jack Brokensha were origional members.

These musicians never got the fame and notoriety that came out of Detroit with the hits they helped make. Their pay was for session work, no royalties. In the early 70's, when Berry Gordy moved Motown to LA, they weren't part of the move. They were replaced with members of The Wrecking Crew, LA's collection of studio musicians.

My cousin by marriage, was one of just a few white guys that was employed by Berry Gordy. I remember him talking about this new "girl" group that was going to be big, really big. Indeed, Diana Ross and The Supremes did leave their mark.

I started to research what these guys did with the years that followed, but decided to leave it out. Most didn't have the happily ever after ending, or have passed away.

The name of the band?

The Funk Brothers

Countess of Constipation

Dooce built her empire (sorta) on the topic of constipation.

When my niece, FanneeDoolee, started blogging, she said she wasn't going to write about poop. I laughed and said since she has two small children, she certainly will have some poopy posts.

My nephew Michael started blogging and since he has no children, imagine my surprise when I read a few of his posts about poop!

I never thought I would blog about any bodily functions. If dog poop doesn't count, I have stuck to my original thought ... until now.

For the ones that know me, I mean really.know.me. know that I could be nicknamed Countess of Constipation.

I am talking days, more than a week of days, like after about 10 days is when I begin to think something better give.

Since I have been on my diet, I have been in my Countess mode. Unfortunately I have not been on the throne for about 10 days.

*Here's where the light bulb goes on in my brain.

From past experience, nothing, I mean NOTHING works. Saturday I called my sister and asked her what that "stuff" was she took the night before her colonoscopy.

I went to Walgreen's and got a bottle of magnesium citrate, lemon/lime flavor. I am so used to being constipated, I forgot to take it that night.

I read the directions Sunday and it said it could start working 30 minutes to 6 hours after drinking. Well, there's a small window ... NOT. I decided I better wait until Sunday night, when I am in the house for the night. Right before bed I had my magnesium nightcap and chased it with 2 bottles of water and went to bed. When I woke up, I was disappointed, nothing, I didn't have any inclination to hold court in my bathroom.

Oh.My.Goodness. I wasn't up 15 minutes and this deep sense of urgency came over me. I was thrilled, it worked perfectly and early enough in the day that I could enjoy the sunshine. I haven't felt as, ahem, empty as I did right then until ...

Less than five minutes later. The pump had been primed. I sat there thinking my whole insides were being sucked out of me with a vacuum. After the initial shock, once again, I was pleased and justified it by thinking that what? ... We have 30 feet of intestines in there? OK, so that all made sense. But I was glad it was over... or so I thought.

Dare I go on? Well I did ... and on, and on and all frickin day long. Can I just say it worked?!

Right from the bottle it says:

"Do not use magnesium citrate as a laxative; if your constipation is a continuing problem, contact your health care provider".

I guess they know what they are talking about.

Meme Part Two

*One thru Four* see yesterdays post

Five* Since I moved out of my parents at age 18 I have had the following pets:

Black Cat: Overday
Calico Cat: Gandalf
Black Cat: Juniper
Black/White Cat: Charlie
Orange Cat: Max
NO MORE CATS ~ I am so allergic!


Green Parakeet:Sweet Pea
Yellow Parakeet: Woodstock
Blue Parakeet: Maggie Mae
Green Parakeet: April
Yellow Parakeet: May
NO MORE BIRDS ~ Too messy



Green Tree Frog: Frog
Iguana: Spike (Spike's story can be a post of its own)
NO MORE REPTILES ~ Can't cuddle them




Fish: Betta: Puppy *yeah, that's his name




Dog: Beagle: Barron ( just died last year, age 15)
Dog: Bichon Frise: Quinn
Lucky Quinn ~ I am not allergic, he's not messy, very cuddly!



Six* I am the laundry queen. I can fold queen sheets into a perfect 1 ft. x 1 ft.square without using a table and it never touches the floor. A necessary talent from using an apartment laundry room when I first moved out. I know boring as hell, but I get the feeling of accomplishment doing something without having to use brain cells.



Seven* I went to school to become a dental assistant. I got certified and started working for a dentist. I quit after one week and never worked in that field again. I am shocked at the lack of dental hygiene in peoples mouths.
**See #4 in yesterday's Part One post**


Eight* I don't like chocolate. I know, how did I ever survive PMS? The only thing with a just a little chocolate in it that I will eat is my favorite guilty pleasure . Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia ... Ben, Me, and Jerry ... my kind of menage a trois.


This was my first meme. I opened Pandora's box, but moved some things over to Davey Jones Locker for safer keeping.

I am supposed to tag another 8 bloggers. If you don't want to do this, no problamo. I'm just afraid if I don't tag 8 the blogger police will drop chocolate and sock turds on my site as punishment.

Tagging:
MoodSwingingMommy
Captain Obvious
FanneeDoolee
Southern Suburbia
Wiping The Crazy Off My Face
Kevin Charnas
The Customer Is ALWAYS Right
Ever After ... My Way

Meme Part One

I was tagged by Stacy at The Peanut Queens Lair to share some randomness. Although I have given more information than most care to know here, I suppose I could open my Pandora's box and spill a little more unknown. So as not to totally bore you, and to give me something to blog about tomorrow, I will post four today, four tomorrow.

The Rules:
Players start with 8 random facts about themselves.
* Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 8 random facts.
* Players should tag eight other people and notify them that they have been tagged.


One * When I was in high school, my friend Al wanted me to meet his older brother assuring me I'd like him. So I met him, at the Egg & I on Woodward in Royal Oak. All he talked about was his band. A couple days later I went to see him at a band practice. It seemed boring, he was into the band thing too much. Oh yeah, Al? That's Al Frey, younger brother of Glenn, yep, of The Eagles.

Two* When I was 18, drinking was legal, one month after I turned 21, the law was changed. I never missed a beat. I'd sneak with my best friend Karin to a bar called "Aorta, the Main Vein in Detroit" ... on 6 Mile Road ... not at all a place where 18 year old girls should hang out. Dumb luck is the only explanation I have for our safety.



Three* Sock Turds irritate me to no end! You know, someone takes their socks off and walks around my cream colored carpet leaving little balls of what ever color socks they have on that had gathered in between their toes and now have been released onto my carpet!


Four* Flossing. Always. In my car. At my desk. Before and after brushing. (brushing = a minimum of three times a day) Other than when I am in the privacy of my bathroom, I am sneaking a quick floss. I can related to Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when she bee-lined to the bathroom to floss leaving Richard Gere to think she was in there doing a line of illegal party substance. Nothing like a line of floss.

Real Men BBQ

Memorial Day is the kick off for BBQ season. This is usually the only type of cooking a "real" man will do, probably because there is an element of danger involved.


When a man volunteers to do the BBQ duties the following chain of events are put into motion:

Step One:

1. The woman buys the food.
2. The woman makes the salad, preps vegis, makes dessert.
3. The woman preps the meat for cooking, places it on a tray with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, then takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grille, beer in hand.

Now the important part:

4. THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILLE *whew*

Step Two:

5. The woman goes inside, organizes plates and cutlery.
6. The woman comes out, tells the man the meat is burning. He thanks her and asks her to bring him another beer while he deals with the situation.

Another Important Part:

7. THE MAN TAKES THE MEET OFF THE GRILLE AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.

Step Three:

8. The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces and brings them to the table.

9. After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.

Now, the most important part of all:

10. Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking and wonderful dinner.
11. The man, with beer in hand, asks the woman how she enjoyed her night off from cooking.
12. After seeing the woman's annoyed reaction, the man concludes there is no pleasing a woman.

(I know this has been around, but it's funny and true)

*Picture note* The women in the '60's wore dresses and heels to BBQ's. June Cleaver was such a trend setter wasn't she?

Tupperware ... Timeless

I was clearing out one of my cupboards last night and found some old Tupperware stashed way in the back. I never use it, but can't pitch it because of this picture.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Bryan and Caitlin when they were little. I had it blown up and framed and it hangs over one of my dressers in my bedroom. Even today, isn't it nice the simpler things like Tupperware, pots and pans, and empty boxes are the timeless toys that most all little ones gravitate to?

I'm Banned *GASP*

China does not want MarieMillard's plethora of life enhancing information!

Being the wholesome person that I am, imagine my SHOCK when I found out I have been BANNED!

Indeed, I have been banned from the possibility of being stalked by a lone blogger from China. Now that I am banned, it prohibits a nice Chinese lady from getting this idea on how to make Eggs-Travagant from me. Was I banned because I gave the scoop on what this Pisces is about?

I wonder what key words were scanned that put me on the do not allow list?

Do you think it was my Poop-Bloggin or my Date With Jesus posts?

Wait, I know, this one must be it ... I admitted to having TBS rolling around in my head!

Check with the link below to see if you have been added to the uninvited!

http://greatfirewallofchina.org/test/

*The site says it may give a false reading due to technical difficulties. I'll assume mine has been a false reading *smiles*

"Click It or Ticket"

The national "Click It or Ticket" campaign began May 21st and runs through June 3rd.

Exhibit A ~ G Dubya ~


I realize the importance to run this safety awareness program. The sheriff department in the county I live and work, takes this very serious.

I know it is their intention to bring revenue awareness to our community.

The mile stretch in front of the building I work at is a favored place for our local men in brown to play work for this week.

They have it all figured out. With the trees and hills and driveways going into businesses down this mile, they have places to hide four or five patrol cars. During the morning rush, the mad lunch hour dash, and the get me home 5PM hour ... their tag, gotcha' game is in full force.

They have a car on each end of the mile, and radio to the ones in between and they pull these people over two and three at a time. $$Cha-ching$$

I am a believer in seat belts, but I admit, there have been times I have taken off and if it weren't for the obnoxious warning bell going off, I would have probably found myself offering up Dunkin-Donut gift certificates for a pardon on an oversight.

Conversation Hearts: Recruited to "Exercise"

Me: 'Morning Caitlin, what's on your agenda this beautiful Sunday morning?

Cait: Exercising Mom, wan'na join me?


Me: *Thinking we are going to LifeTime Fitness* Sure!

Cait: Good, I volunteered to pass out these fliers for a client of mine in her Condo complex.
500 of them
Door.to.Door

Me: Ugh, WHY?

Cait: She is too old to do it and needed the help.

So I did it, with Cait ... and you know what?
We had fun together and I felt good about it afterwards.

Where Are The Hugs?

I got this in an e-mail from a friend today.
I had seen it the "first time around" ... and even passed it on in e-mails.



It has millions of hits on YouTube. This man was flown in to be on Oprah and the late night shows. Probably because it was so "popular" on the net at the time.

The feel good of this video went around the world. They were making their own versions in Japan, the United States, Europe, and Canada as well as other countries. If you look on YouTube, you can view many from around the world.

But the sad part is most watched it, "felt the love", passed it on to friends, though it was "cool", but maybe missed the point? We all jump on the band wagon of what ever is going on in the news, on the internet, or the gossip of the moment ... talk about it and take it all in, myself included. Most of the things we give more attention to are not the "feel good" things, but things we disapprove of. They seem to sidetrack us from simpler, yet more powerful ways that can make differences, that matter.

I wish more hugs, compassion, caring for our neighbors and our world would be the "in thing" for the majority of us. Here's a hug for you from me today.

40 Hours or So

I'm sitting in my office, looking around, thinking I spend more time in this room then I do at my own house.



Here's the tour ... my desk (yes that is a Corian top) at which I Blog, pay my bills, make doctor appointments, file and polish my nails, call my sisters and girlfriends, balance my check books, and eat. Oh yea, I do all the bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, etc. for my employer here too.


Behind me is my storage. I have all my supplies to send out things that I sell on eBay, my radio/ CD player, and wrapping paper supplies for gifts I wrap on that nice big counter top. You can also see the fax machine and file server for our office computers, a charge card terminal, and the trusty electric pencil sharpener.



There is the view out my door into the owners office. That's my other chair to the left for my friends that come see me or meet for lunch. I also put Quinn there when he is at work with me on his day he goes to the groomer. *yea, I am being a smart azz* Oops, I cut the copy machine out of this photo ... it's there to the right, on that gray file cabinet.

So yeah, I work here, but I think I play, live, and run my life/family from this command center too.

Bull Sh*t

Bulls took a major dump on the Pistons last night.

Round 2 Game three, Pistons lost 92 to 108

Did I really care? Na-aahhhhhh

My sister invited me as her date (and I didn't even have to put out) to join her and her coworkers at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

I have always been a baseball fan, love them Detroit Tigers, but I am also a fan of the Detroit Pistons. Well, fair weathered fan. I admit, I join in on the excitement when the team is in playoffs.

I had a blast ... even though they lost ... big time lost.

Our seats were 4 rows off the floor, dead center court, perfect, perfect, perfect.


Bob Seger was sitting right across court from us BUT he was in about the 15th row. Yea, seats better than Bob's!

No Worries Here (ya, right)

When I first started this blog, I decided it wouldn't be a "bitch about my kids, work, life" type blog.

And I am not going to bitch ... but ... the thing that worries me is that I have the following going on in my life and I am not feeling worried or panicky or stressed.

1) My house balloon note is due this September. When I bought it, I had every intention of selling this summer because I would have an empty nest. Well, it's MICHIGAN, poor real estate market and I haven't had one call on my house yet. I probably will have to refi , grrrr, fees and higher rate will mean higher monthly payment.

2) My auto lease is up June 10th. I have no idea what to get. I have had Explorers for the last 5 leases, but with gas prices and the actual lease payment, I need to scale down to something cheap ... cheap as in a dorky little makes-me-feel-unsafe car.

3) My job of 21 years may be headed to an end. It is in the auto industry, again, MICHIGAN, ugh... and there is a good chance I won't have a job by the end of the year.

4) Love life? Bwa-haaaa-haaaaa What's that?

5) Health insurance ... it appears we all will soon be covering our own premiums at work ... if we want insurance. At $1,053.00 a month, I think I may soon be without.

Maybe it's because I am losing weight that I am not freaking out about my future. Or maybe I am losing weight because of it all. Either way, I'll take the weight loss as the one good thing that is happening!

Happy Mothers Day

Unfortunately, I had a pair with those "casual front pleats" ... it's good to be Queen!

Chicken Poop Lip Balm ...

... free range too!


I just got back from Walgreens. Have you seen this? New to me.





I went to the I Love Chicken Poop web site and found other Chicken Poop products. Like, Kill It Dead, a vegan defunkifier body deodorant and Good Gravy moisture puck! All 100% natural products, no poop of any kind.

As explained on the web site:
The name, Chicken Poop, comes from Jamie's goofy grandpa replying to her complaint of having chapped lips. He'd say "I know how to fix those chapped lips, I'll rub some chicken poop on 'em so you won't be lickin' 'em."

Sure I bought some, I had to try it.

Wanted, Just so I Stop Obsessing

I really try not to be a pack rat.

I quit collecting Beanies and Barbies ...

Lenox Snowmen and Angels ...

BUT ....

Bombay Sapphire Gin has an annual martini glass in it's Christmas gift pack.



So it began:










I have been able to get some I missed from the years before I started collecting, on eBay.

The one I am obsessing over, is harder to find. If I see it on eBay, I am either outbid, or the price gets so ridiculously high I quit bidding.


Here it is. I think it is from 1994.

If you have one you'd like to sell, please let me know so I can get to sleep at a reasonable time rather than staying up way to late trying to bid on one!

Pizza, Beer, and Jesus

I was recently having an argument discussion with a friend of mine. Some of my points of view on life have changed since I started going to Kensington Church. Although he had a different point of view, I related my feelings to parallel something that had been the topic of a recent service.


It was his final "come back" that made me laugh.

He said to me ...
"If you expect perfection, you should date Jesus".

Wow, just what kind of date would that be?

We could start with conversation over a glass of water wine. Then we could go for a walk on the beach water and stay to watch the sunset.

I wouldn't wonder if he likes me, I already know he does. I could openly talk about my regrets, fears, and hopes with ease. He understands exactly how I am feeling, no male communication problem there.

There would certainly be lots of laughter, he knows and appreciates my sense of humor. He has seen it in action, sometimes with embarrassment and pleas prayers to "help get me out of this one".

I think the best part is that with all my flaws and failures, it's my potential and effort that he acknowledges rather than to point out my weaknesses.

Truth is, I have a date with him everyday.

Tigers 9 Mariners 7

Nothing like a last minute trip to Comerica Park to catch the Tigers 8th straight win.

Me and Debbie
Free tickets, free primo parking pass, awesome seats, (cushioned) double the leg room, little tables for drinks, and 73 degrees. I was in my glory.

I decided last nights game would be the perfect opportunity for some great photos. I was snapping away and my friend Debbie looked at my shots and commented on the unintentional common denominator.

All butt shots ... subconscious at work? Must be.

So here you have it, a few of our fabulous Tiger booties:

Ivan Rodriguez
"Pudge"

Magglio Ordonez
"Maggie"

Carlos Guillen

Placido Polanco

Also...

"Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer"

A number of Major League players will help raise awareness for breast cancer on Mother's Day, May 13, by using pink Louisville Slugger bats. To date, more than 200 players have signed up to use a pink bat. Some bats will be autographed and sold, proceeds going to Breast Cancer Awareness programs.

The Blue Martini ...

... Birmingham, Michigan

Has been D-Listed.

I was in Birmingham last Sunday and took this photo before they begin to renovate this nightclub that brought much unwanted attention to this city. I have been in there a few times. It's everything I've heard about it. Expensive.Snobby.Crowded. but I will say, they always had a great band, safely staged above and behind the bar.

Birmingham can be described as the city that is the.place.to.be. There is still the upscale shopping, fine dining, and couture boutiques. The well known local people from politicians to media personalities from sports figures to corporate big wigs can be seen shopping or dining there.

It's snobby.

The Blue Martini shares lost their liquor license, along with the City Cellar restaurant, last week.

Over the past couple years, it has been the L.A.-wanna-be night club. Host to money, underage drinking, after hour drinking, parties that included illegal stripping, and knock-down-drag-out fights.

Such a pretty sight seeing a Prada purse being wailed at a woman with her Gucci bag held up as a shield of armor on the following morning news.

After months of police calls and warning from the city, this past week their $750,000 liquor license was not renewed.

Usually a place to be seen at for visiting performers, where are the Tommy Lee and Paris Hilton types going to hang out now when they come to town?

Cinco de Mayo

Celebrate today... Cinco de Mayo.

Okay, so it's just the Mexican communities in America that celebrate this day, but what the heck, any excuse for a night of margaritas and fun .... right?


I lived in Mexico for about a year, right out of high school and I don't remember Mexico making such an elaborate celebration holiday out of May 5th.

Then again, living in Mexico in the early 70's ... I don't remember much about anything. Well, except everything was won.der.ful. and beau.ti.ful.

Diet Update

I don't want to be a dieting blogger, but here is an update. Maybe a once a month update so I have something to be accountable to other than my bathroom scale.



After two weeks on Weight Watchers, I am 9 pounds lighter. It's pretty easy to follow, just counting points, and I haven't had to changed much in what I eat. I do need to work on exercising more.

I may try Dixie's suggestion for a fast loss of a few more pounds, and to tune up the digestive track. WARNING: Not for the weak stomach.

If I lived by Mary, I would join her on Runyon Cannon for some hiking, with the motivation of seeing a celebrity or two as she usually does.

Any suggestions are welcomed.

Dumbman vs Doberman

Right across from where I work is a subdivision of upper priced homes ... nothing shabby. Today's weather is 48 degrees and cold cold pouring down rain, nonstop.

The first guy to get to work this morning came in at 7 AM. He noticed there was wailing and barking coming from across the street. I got in around 9AM and kept watching for the owner to come let this dog in. This went on all morning.

There are bushes, so I can't really see into their unfenced yard. I left for lunch around 1PM and drove across the street and saw this pitiful drenched beautiful dog tied to the air conditioning unit with about 5 feet of cording. No food bowls, no water .... duh, like he needed any more, no dog house or shelter of any kind. Not even a patio table to take cover under.

I came back and called animal control. I know they will take the dog, ticket the owner, and make them pay to retrieve him from the shelter.

I wish they would just tie the owner up exactly like he did to this dog and make him stay outside for the 8+ hours he has made this dog stay out ... all the while having a hose of water being sprayed on him.

Actually someone this dumb and heartless would miss the whole point in that kind of punishment.