Thank You

Thank you for leaving comments and humoring encouraging me to see my NaBloPoMo commitment through. Thank you for well wishes on this nasty bug I am caring around. Thank you for the e-mails sent with notes directed at specific things I have shared on here. Although I don't leave comment for comment, I read everyone and I appreciate them.

On the lighter side.

For the next 25 days, I will be posting a different "Christmas with Santa" photo on my sidebar. Just a way to count down until the big day.

I recently read Detroit has the #1 position in crime rate stats. I was born in Detroit and raised in the 'burbs of, so I guess I am just calloused to it. I don't freak out about it. I know where to go and not to go when maneuvering downtown. Detroit has a lot to offer in arts, entertainment, and sports. I can't imagine having to avoid going there.

Here is a little smirk ... Christmas Shopping in Detroit:

Ick, I'm Sick

I'm home sick, with a fever.

I don't remember the last time I stayed home from work because I was sick.

I get colds, sinus infections, the usual seasonal bugs, but rarely bad enough to keep me down or home.

I'm pissed.



I'm pissed because for the last month I have been spraying my office, the adjoining office, the phones, and the air with Lysol. Right into the ceiling fans too! Spread that Lysol! I kid you not, I use fricken paper towels to open and close any office doors.

Why? (other than I'm a germophobe)

JACK

Remember him? Please, go back here and catch up with me. I'll wait ... really go look.

I'm not going to get Dooced for writing this. I WISH he'd read it.

For the last month he has been coughing, sneezing, horking, and snotting all over the place. I forbid him to use my phone. I spray down the fax and copy machines. I hide my pens when I am not at my desk so he doesn't pick them up if he happens to be in my office using the fax or copy machine. I have told him to take drugs, get to a doctor, wash your fucking hands for God's sake. Does he listen?

(aahh-chooooooo) Obviously not.

Sorry for the rant, but I feel better already for it.

Yippi-yi-yo-ki-yea ... I did it ... 30 days

No Mo Na Blo Po Fo Mo!

The Latest Greatest Meme

Biddy did it, so did The Hotfessional. How can I pass up doing this NaBloPoMo filler informative fun meme!

Meme ... I still see some asking WTF is a meme?

Here ya go:

A meme is a self-propagating unit of thought that is spread from one host to another. Richard Dawkins invented the term as a kind of idea-gene. Like genes, as Memes spread they mutate or die. Only the fittest Memes survive.

For bloggers Memes have become synonymous with internet quizzes, surveys, and novelties that people link to and pass around on their blogs.

Meme rhymes with theme, or cream.

It's not pronounced Mimi.

This would be Mimi:

In this latest meme, which by the way I would guess was started by someone, this month, stuck for a post to fulfill their NaBloPoMo obligation, I am typing the answer to the following questions into Google search images. Then I pick one to represent from the first page that comes up.

On with it ... and for this meme ... it's all about me me baby!

1) My age at next birthday:

2) Place I'd like to travel:

Fiji

3) Favorite place I've been:

Bahamas

4) Favorite objects:

I like them strung, but mostly of wisdom

5) Favorite food:

I always order salmon

6) Favorite color:

A two-for, I also like tulips

7) Place I was born:

Downtown Deeee-troit

8) Favorite animal:

That's enough for now ... works for me. Go ahead, give it a try.

Joan? Terri? Lori? Psssst, it is a post!

Two more days! Just two more days of NaBloPoMo fo sho then no mo!

Lawdy Lawdy!

Having four days off in a row certainly makes the first day back to work just that ... work!

Here it's after 7PM and I am just sliding in with a post. I have gone this far with NaBloPo-MoFokin', I am certainly not going to fail now.

On with the fun of the day. I jumped on RA's bandwagon sleigh, and I'm going to be a Secret Bloggin' Santa. I was given a link to the person I am Santa too, so I will be popping in and pilfering through archives to see who's been good or bad.

RA's posted links to everyone who is participating, so I plan on checking them out throughout the month. It's another nice way to build and check out the community. It's also a sneaky way to cover my tracks just in case the person I am Secret Santa too tries to figure it out with a site tracker.

Short and to the point, but this does count as a post =)

This is my Brain on Drugs NaBloPoMo

I'm into day 24 of NaBloPoMo and obviously I have been really reaching. Thanks for humoring me and leaving comments. Especially my favorite cheerleader Ron at Ducks Mahal.

Fellow Michiganer, The Hotfessional, also a participant in NaBloPoMo, understands the pains of blog fodder during this month. I owe you a beer or ten for tagging me with this meme to get through one more day.

(X) Been to Canada - Many times. They can keep the Canadian goose poop though.

(X) Been to Mexico - Yes. I've posted about hitch-hiking to Mexico right out of high school and living/traveling there for the next year. Good mota and 'schrums.

(X) Been to Florida - Couple vacations and the whole Mouse experience.

(X) Been on a plane - Zee plane Zee plane! Sure, airlines, private jets, small prop, and one orange crate powered by a wind-up rubber band when I lived in Mexico. Scary flight, happy for the mota!

(X) Been lost - My whole life!

(X) Been on the opposite side of the country - LA, but I think that was a different world.

(X) Swam in the ocean - See Mexico and Florida question.

( ) Cried yourself to sleep - Not that I can remember.

(X ) Played cops and robbers - I play those cops every time I get pulled over ::smirk::

(X) Played with a Tonka Truck - Yeah, strange, but you know how men like to name their penis.

( ) Recently colored with crayons - No, I love the smell of them though.

( ) Sang karaoke - No, Nadda, Ut-Uh, Not Gonna Happen ... I hate to make people's ears bleed.

( ) Paid for a meal with only coins - No, but I've used a debit card.

(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t? - Probably everyday *gasp*

(X) Made prank phone calls - Just leave your number, I'll answer this privately.

(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue - Native Michiganian. You can't open your mouth in the winter without doing this. (This was Hot's perfect answer, I concur)

(X) Danced in the rain - Sure have. There may even have been some nakedness involved too.

( ) Written a letter to Santa Claus - No. Maybe helped my kids when they were small.

(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe - I dated a guy with a mistletoe belt buckle. (Dork)

(X) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about - Back to Mexico and then again, my early bar days with my cousin Cyndi ... we watched many a sun come up on our drives back home from our nights out =)

(X) Blown bubbles - Does in the bathtub count?

(X) Made a bonfire on the beach. Mexico ::: All these Mexico answers, I must have had a blast there :::

(X) Crashed a party - One, to get MY KID!

(X) Crashed a wedding - Yes, first time by accident, then a couple just for fun.

( ) Crashed a funeral - No, but I always liked the movie Harold and Maude.

(X) Gone ice-skating - Yes. That Michiganian thing again. Although I hate the cold. (again Hot, I concur)

1. Any nicknames? Nope

2. Mother’s name? Appolonia , I don't even know if that's spelled right.

3. Favorite drink? Water all day long, but my latest fun time drink is pomegranate martini's "shaken, not stirred" (said in my best 007 voice)

4. Any tattoos? Right ankle

5 Body piercing? Ears, two on the right,three on the left, but I have only been wearing 1 earring in each for the past couple years.

6. How much do you love your job? Love? Define loving a job?

7. Favorite vacation spot? On me? 'Cuz it's been a long time since I have had a good 'ole vacation.

8. Ever been to Africa? Nope

9. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Baked and raw.

10. Ever been on TV? Do home movies count *wink*

11. Ever steal any traffic signs? Naw, if I'm going to steal, it's going to be for something that will support me on some tropical island in hiding for the rest of my life.

12. Ever been in a car accident? Sure have, but fortunately never my fault.

13. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4-Door

14. Favorite pie? Chart

15. Favorite Number? 34 ... too long to explain, but there is a reason.

16. Favorite movie? Shogun

17. Favorite holiday? Christmas, but for no other reason than I know I will be with my family at my sister Sandi's.

18. Favorite dessert? Creme Brulle

19. Favorite food? Salmon, Crab, Lobster

20. Favorite day of the week? Every single day that I wake up is a good day.

21. Favorite brand of body wash? CocoButterAloeSpringtimeCoconutLemonLimePeachHycynthia ...... does it matter?

22. Favorite toothpaste? Crest

23. Favorite smell? Anything clean.

24. What do you do to relax? I don't ... I'd have to be on a beach in the Caribbean to relax.

25. Do you have a message to your friends reading this? I'm sorry, lame posts eh?

26. How do you see yourself in 10 years? I can't even think about tomorrow!

27. Furthest place you will send this message? I'm not sending, but furthest reader is Linda at Linda and Her Surroundings in Australia. Go read her blog, she tells some funny stories.

28. Who will respond the fastest? Another NaBloPoMo participant desperate for a topic.

Instead of tagging anyone, I say have at it ... if you need something to get you through one more day of posting.

Marie Millard Who?

My first post explains why I named this blog Marie Millard.

When I wrote about the different Google searches the other day, I went through my site meter to see what people had Googled, to bring traffic here.

Marie Millard came up a lot. I had noticed this before, but now I was wondering why or who would search that name.

So I just did.

My blog comes up first.

Then, there is Marie Millard, Realtor:

Marie Millard Realtor, Broker:


Marie Millard, CPA

Marie Millard Coordinator for a school district

There are a lot for Anne-Marie Millard, fitness instructor, author, personal trainer:




So I wonder, who are you Googler's looking for?

The 2 Marie Millard Realtor's ? I can't sell my house ... go ahead, give it a try.

Marie the CPA? Want to show me some creative financing? Like how to increase my portfolio ... wait, I don't even have a portfolio!

Marie Millard School Coordinator? Bless you, dealing with kids, teachers, PTA know-it-all's, and my favorite ... MEAPS (not)

Anne-Marie Millard? I certainly could use one or 10 of your work out videos!

And when I Google Nancy *birth last name* ...

There is one, a professor and author in neuropsychiatry.

Don't analyze this post, it's just fill for NaBloPoMo. *wink*

"Girl of My Dreams"

... well not MY dreams, but Patrick's dreams.

If this is real ... if it's true ... it's quite romantic.

I can imagine both sides of this story.

Seeing someone. A stranger. A glance. Trying not to look like a stalker. Trying to make eye contact. Trying not to make eye contact. Hesitating just a second too long. She's gone.

Seeing a post in the local newspaper. Looking at a flier nailed to the light post on the corner. Walking out the grocery store and seeing it on the community board. Surfing the net and finding a blog created. All with the sole intention of finding you.

Patrick, today's post is just for you buddy. I hope you are real and this makes it's way around the net, until she is found.

http://www.nygirlofmydreams.com/

** Update **

I e-mailed Patrick and he replied. He said yes, it's true and he'll keep me posted if he succeeds in finding her.

Oddball Moi

Yesterday's post had more hit's than any other post since I started this blog. Analyze that. Since there was an array of comments, I think I better clarify some things.

I owned a 1973 "Levi" interior Gremlin. Yep, picture posted yesterday.
I can wiggle my ears. Yes I can, no biggie though.
My first husband sold drugs to buy my wedding ring. I didn't know it at the time. Married very young, didn't last long, was more like going steady.
My left eye is totally blind. True, you can't tell by looking at it. It isn't all wonky. Just born that way.
I hitch-hiked to Mexico right out of high school. Sure did, ignorance is bliss, I lived there almost a year and had so much fun.
I can whistle loud using my fingers. Loud and Proud. Whoot!
I dated a guy from a heavy metal band. I don't want google searches to lead here, so I'll say ... bass player from a band by the name of the holiday that just passed Boo! He's gotten fat and old. *smirk*
I can change out a toilet, seal included. More than once.
I refill my water bottles with tap water. I make myself drink 4 - 20 oz. bottles of water during my work day. I start with one in the morning, and just refill it all day.
I brush my teeth in the shower. You can scrub better and let the paste fly!
Second husband was a singer in a rock band. Father of my kids and only real marriage in my heart. We are still good friends.

I have a couple hundred Barbie dolls. But only because I have sold off three times that amount of my collection.
I've never drank a whole beer. Blech, I'll try a sip of someones, but just can't acquire a taste for it.
I did a wedding crash way before the movie. A few, accidentally once and had so much fun, did it a couple other times ... in my early 20's.
I out shot a cop at paintball. Dated a guy whose dad was a detective, played teams in a 3 story building and it came down to him and I. Got 'em!
I had a walk on part in a movie filmed locally. No SAG card carrier here, this is the BS one.
My third husband's family owns tomato farms that supply a major ketchup company. True, and the 3rd .... let's say brain fart. Didn't last as long as a tootsie roll pop.
I've never touched a snake. Just eewwwwwww
I have done a shark dive. In the Bahamas, the coolest thing ever.
I still have the first pair of jeans I owned. They are cut to shorts, worn out, but still exist.
I don't care for chocolate. Nope, PMSing was all about salty carbs baby!
I had a tree in my house over 15' tall. Yes, starting in the foyer of the first floor, going up to the second.

Tonight is my reunion/date with a guy from high school ... John. It's been 35 years since I have seen him last.
I will post about it tomorrow .... unless it's just too weird.

And You Thought Your Neighbor Was Odd

For those of you that know me personally, you can comment, but please don't reveal the answer ... if you know it. For the rest ... this is just how odd I am. Everything here is true, except for one thing. Take a guess.

I owned a 1973 "Levi" interior Gremlin. I can wiggle my ears. My first husband sold drugs to buy my wedding ring. My left eye is totally blind. I hitch-hiked to Mexico right out of high school. I can whistle loud using my fingers. I dated a guy from a heavy metal band. I can change out a toilet, seal included. I refill my water bottles with tap water. I brush my teeth in the shower. Second husband was a singer in a rock band. I have a couple hundred Barbie dolls. I've never drank a whole beer. I did a wedding crash way before the movie. I out shot a cop at paintball. I had a walk on part in a movie filmed locally. My third husband's family owns tomato farms that supply a major ketchup company. I'll wait, you are going back and seeing if you read that right, 1st, 2nd, 3rd husbands, it's ok, now I'm single. I've never touched a snake. I have done a shark dive. I still have the first pair of jeans I owned. I don't care for chocolate. I had a tree in my house over 15' tall.




I'll be back later with the answer.

** Sorry Mr. B. sgk was right about this **
(but I only kept it 10 months)

Treats, With a Twist of Trick

I had one trick or treat visitor, Bently.

My neighborhood doesn't have many small kids and the few that come are so sporadic, it's more annoying than fun. I didn't even buy any candy. So, I decided to go out myself.


I did great with the treats. See those black, closed toed high pumps? I have wanted a plain pair like that to wear with jeans. $35.00 at TJ Maxx. The dorky part is they are "Jessica Simpson's". Thanks Jess! I had heard she gives out good stuff. *smirk*
(click pic to enlarge)



Then I found the "jewel" encrusted key holder. $5.00 clearance TJ Maxx. The sage, gold and plum go with my kitchen and that's right where I will hang it. Hummm, sage, gold, plum (looking around), yep I like that combo.

I went to our new Lowe's for the towel ring to use in my newly decorated bathroom. Boring, I know, but I can't control what people give out on Halloween.

It was when I went begging at Kohl's I hit the jackpot. You know how the last straggler kid ends up with people dumping the balance of candy in their bag? Yep, Kohl's did that to me.

I love the the black sweater, it's cut like a blazer. Some "trouser" socks because I have to have my legs covered when I wear my knee high boots. I'm just weird that way.

How about the cool scarf? $5.00 in clearance. It will go nice with my black leather jacket. And the final candy bowl dump ... five new bras. I know, I can't believe I am writing that let alone posting a photo of them. But hey, $35.00 bras for $12.00 woot!

The trick?
Oh yeah, to off set those treats, the trick will be in my mail box in 30 days ... I charged it all.

Blo What?

NaBloPoMo

I know, cheap shot by me to put "blo" in the title.

I'm sure that won't be the only self-serving, cheap shot, grasping at straws, trivial BS seen posted here in the next month.

I signed on the band wagon for National Blog Posting Month. Simply (said tongue in cheek) an agreement to post everyday for the month of November. All thirty days. No more skipping out on weekends like I am known to do. "Post every day in November, that's all you have to do" ... simple rules, eh?

Panic mode has set in and of course I am clueless as to what I am going to write about. Actually I am clueless everyday. I just spew write more so to vent, or crack myself up, but mostly because it's cheaper than a $125.00 an hour "professional". I get more out of comments that are left here than any therapy session could offer. But I digress.

Digress, that's a post in itself. I've never used that word until now, but I laugh every time I read a blog and it's used. If I was talking to you face to face and I wandered off topic, I'd pull in the reins by saying "sorry, that's not even what we were talking about" and put myself back on track. Oops, once again, I digress. *smirk*

So, if you have signed on for the challenge, link with me as a friend on the NaPoBloMo site. If you haven't signed on and you want to, do it today because it all begins tomorrow.

For everyone else, feel free to email me, mariemillard (@) gmail (dot) com with questions, suggestions, and prompts for some blog fodder.

I'll bet at the end of the month I will be promoting to change the NaBloPoMo to February, leap year not included.

:: Just adding::

Robin asked "Why the cat logo?" ... and I didn't know, so I checked it out. The misspelled cat badges are a play on the LOL cats, at this site: I Can Has Cheezeburger.

Well, there ya go =)