December 31st

Times Square

December thirty first is finally here,
Let's say good bye to this so-so year.

In the hospital I spent my summer break,
Kidney failure I had, it was no fake.

Mono too, can you believe,
At my age now, I did grieve.

New York City was to be our goal,
Fun in Times Square my sickness stole.

I did make it later with one daughter in hand.
Aboard the Intrepid we did land.

What a site it was to see,
A very exciting place to be.

Into Boston Harbor sailed the Tall Ships,
It was one of the familys fun summer trips.

School soon started and the house grew quiet,
I had some success on a short lived diet.

Work has grown to quite a bore,
The bosses I swear are out for war.


Won't bother you with the details,
Or any whiney, sad tall tales.

 Concerts I’ve seen, places I’ve been,
All seem like so long ago, when?

The older I get the faster time flies,
Another year gone, a decade dies.

Here’s to all a great 2010,
A better year, let’s try again.




Times Spare picture by me :)

I can't believe I am thinking of doing this.

I hate to have to do this but I might have to turn on word verification. I have been getting spam daily from some Asian something or other... I get it everyday on the same post. Have a look even the google ads have gone Asian. There are 42 comments some I have already deleted, only 14 are real comments.

But.....and isn't there always one, they have been expanding to other posts as well. I got viagra spam today and have had a few more over the last couple of weeks.

If I have to get spam why can't it be useful, like diet tips or coupons for discounts on Coach purses. Vodka recipes would be appreciated.

So I apologize now for what is eventually going to happen... damn you spam.

What's the first thing you do when you get home?

I posted this comment on twitter, which then automatically posts to Facebook.


"What's the first thing you do when you get home from work? I take off my bra and say ahhhh" 


Little did I know so many would have something to say.


Facebook generated 13 comments.. such as:

"i don't work a paid job, but yeah, when I walk in the door, same!!!" by KW

"are you sure your wearing the right size?? (an ad on tv just asked haha-)"  by  EN

She also didn't mind wearing bras because she has pretty ones.. she is also very young. 'nuf said. And yes I am sure it is the right size I was measured the last time I bought some... read here

DB said "burn the bra I reckon....lol....its shoes off at the door and then its the bra flung across the room ...then im happy lol"

I love DB,  I knew I liked her.

TM also agreed "1st the shoes then everything else. i don't wear a bra for longer than i have to.. hate 'em."

"bloody pain in the arse bra's are but if I dont wear one "they" head in the wrong direction lol"

Can you tell PB is British.. love her too.

Finally on FB KM said "lol funny. I noticed when you go in a aged care facility...if it makes you feel better....not many people wear bras. So you all eventually will be 'loose' women pmsl "

I am ready for the old folks home now it seems.

twitter generated a few comments as well.

@Nuria1966 said "Me too LOL and don't forget the shoes!!"

@TechnicalParent said "Start cooking."

Was nice to have a man weigh in.. but what's cooking? I was at least glad he didn't say he took off his bra too.

@V_Uncorked agreed "Oh God me too."

So it seems that most ladies that answered my question take their bras off when they get home.

I can't forget Mr Condescending's comment "I do the Al bundy"

I wish it was that simple. And thanks for the visual Mr. C. 

I did a  brief google search of who invented the bra and it went way way back to the corset and bodice ... yawn and then I found out the modern bra was invented by a..........................woman.

I can't tell you how betrayed I feel. How could a woman do this to her fellow sister. It has created a need in woman to confine things that should be allowed to breathe. Since society has deemed the saggy breast undesirable I too conform when out in public [well except when I might run a kid to school or drive to the drive up for coffee, sweatshirts rule] but I have been known to do the "voila nothing up my sleeve" removal of my bra in the car on my way home from where ever.

The second worst inventioin...the panty hose.

So answer me this in your comments.. What is the first thing you do when you get home? Or more specifically what is the first thing you take off... and I don't mean your coat.

  

Sunday Rerun. The Mission-A True Story

I hope everyone had a great Christmas... we did at the Logic household. Peaceful and relaxing. Thanks to all who stopped by to admire our tree... It was nice to wonder around and read everyone else's holiday wishes.

Originally posted November 23, 2008

The story in this poem is word for word the truth.. no lie. Some will relate, some won't but hopefully all will have a chuckle.

The Mission-A True Story


Today was the dreaded day,
I was on a mission, some might say.
Even the daughters were dragged along,
Perhaps to steer me from going wrong.

I'm not the easiest woman to please,
Lumpy and grumpy, not at all at ease.
If you knew me, you would see,
How difficult this task was going to be.

Location one, the people were rude,
Success was minimal, left in a bad mood.
Back in the car, the music cheered,
Off we drove, another mall neared.

Location two, my mission was taken,
Home ellusive and dinner forsaken.
Success was soon to be at hand,
The sales lady helpful and grand.

Two were tried, on and found,
Now which color, they abound.
Paid in full and me in awe,
Content at last with my new bra.

Merry Christmas

Santa's been to the house !

Candy Canes on the tree for The Bewildered Brit

Buttery Nipple- a recipe

PMS is what I'm having this year,

Instead of the regular holiday cheer.

Cramps and bloating always a treat,

Let me back into bed, under the sheet.

I asked for some vodka and a shot glass,

Apparently Santa decided to give me a pass.

He flew on over and off to the south,

Chuckling and snickering as he covered his mouth.

"I know I should be kinder to her,

But someones milk has made my eyes all a blur."

"They thought it would be funny to see,

And put rum in the eggnog, left next to the tree."

"I lifted the glass to my lips and did drain,

In the  fuzz of my head I did leave her in pain."

About to change his mind and fly back,

Until the sexy elf jumped out of his sack.

"Sorry dear Laura", he yelled into the night,

"Take two tylenol and try to have a good night."

Mrs Claus waiting in the North Pole,

Heard about Santas lusty goal.

With her magic she cursed dear Mr. Claus,

And prepared for his return by giving him pause.

"You make her feel better or you'll never come home,

And you can live forever with your ugly gnome."

"I wish I could" he pleaded with his wife,

"But it wasn't me, just a day in her life."

So as much as I want to blame Santa for this twist,

It's just life cruel joke and I might as well get pissed.

To those out there who dont get the meaning,

Pissed means drunk until staggering, careening.

Before I leave and say good bye

I'll leave you with this recipe to try.

A Buttery Nipple is the name of the shot,

I'll bet their delicious a little bit hot.

I don't want to wait for the liquor to heat,

So cheers to you all as the glass and my lips meet.

Buttery Nipple

Butterscotch schnapps
Bailey's Irish cream

quantities unimportant...just pour together in a shot glass and drink.


   Merry Christmas everyone from Vodka Logic



Santa image source

Wordless Wednesday

Rob Thomas at the Mohegan Sun Arena and Justifiable Homicide Tuesday [not Rob Thomas]

Another week and not too much to be homicidal about....that can only be good right?

My shopping is done, my baking is done [see previous posts] the tree is decorated and only a handfull of presents left to wrap. What could be stressful or homicidal?

Work? The work load hasn't been too bad. I think most people are putting off surgeries until after the new year if possible.

The schedule, the new schedule of the new year, the holiday schedule for the next four years? What's that saying. "if it aint broken don't fix it"?

It irritates me when people in positions of authority abuse their power. I am hoping she will listen to reason and adapt.... 'nuf said. [edit: talking to her today a bit..... I think she is actually clueless]

My oldest daughter and I went to see Rob Thomas at Mohegan Sun Arena last Friday. [you may remember I commented at the end of a recent blog that I had an extra ticket? I ate it...oh well] We got to the venue with no trouble, a long ride but easy roads. [tada just thought of something Jusitfiably Homicidal] Connecticut roads suck. Their mile is longer than anyone elses... no lie and they have left hand exit and entrance ramps, what's with that?

Some of [most of] Connecticut is very rural and at night one road looks like the other.. highways just disappear into random little roads allowing mother and daughter teams to get randomly lost... wtf.

We did find our way home but it was after 1am and my daughter turns into a pumpkin at 10 pm.....

Ok back to the show. Rob Thomas without a doubt was great. Daughter kept saying he was lip syncing since his voice was so spot on, she was kidding of course. He sang, played guitar and piano, pranced around and was very entertaining with his banter. He sang all his hits and more for a show time over 2 hours. I loved it all.

Big disappointment though was no OneRepublic or Carolina Liar. Since the show was rescheduled I figured they couldn't fit the date into their time. When we arrived Ryan Star was singing so if an announcement was made we missed it. Rob also thanked Molly Hatchett as well so perhaps we missed them all together. No bother since I couldn't see the openers I wanted. In fact the opening bands convinced me to go since it would be three great acts. Not Rob's fault he had to switch dates and he was so awesome I still had a great time.

Mohegan is a great venue and I wouldn't hesitate to go again. There is a fabulous shopping center [Coach anyone] and the gaming rooms are huge and fab.

My only concert picture. The BB sucks when in the balcony.

Entrance to arena [notice light on ceiling]

It looks like a big jelly fish.

We took a walk around some of the shops [still open well past 11pm] and this sculpture is so cool. It comes up out of a small pool.

Close up of sculpture

Some of the interesting architecture

Daughter outside a REAL Gingerbread house

The hugest wreath I have ever seen.

Betty Crocker Part Deux

Here's a few more pictures of my baking bonanza. It has been fun and once packaged and sent I am sure I will be back to my old lazy self.
The pictures arent the best.. all taken with my BlackBerry. Seems the battery has gone missing in my real camera.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Snickerdoodles made by the oldest daughter

Homemade Caramel just about ready

The finished popcorn

Rice Krispie Treats.. chocolate drizzled on them

Peppermint Bark at daughters suggestion

 

White Chocolate Bark..isn't everything a bit better drizzled.

I found some Christmas pretzels and decided to make some more homemade caramel and drizzle again. They will look better when hardened and off the wax paper...promise,

 

And how my kitchen table looked through out most of the weekend. Thanks twitter and FB and those on the phone [Rush] for keeping me company. 

Call me Betty Crocker

 After all my whining and procrastination I finally had a productive day on Thursday. I baked my heart out AND the tree got decorated. There is still more baking to do but getting started gives me the gumption to keep it up....I hope.

I baked a linzer bars [raspberry], a batch of pumpkin muffins [with chocolate chips and pecans] and made some pretzels dipped in caramel with chocolate drizzeled over them. The muffins have looked better in years past, but they taste good.

The lead picture you wonder....I mentioned in post awhile back that our electric canopener went missing. Don't know how but it is gone. I bought a hand opener and it broke in days. At Target last week I got a more expensive one, Kitchenaid no less [like my mixer that I love] and the thing is crap. I opened one can of pumpkin and then the next one I fought with for 20 minutes and that is all I was able to open it. I pryed what I could of the lid off and scooped out the pumpkin. Santa want to bring me one that works please.

Raspberry Linzer Bars

Pumpkin Muffins

Carmel dipped pretzels with chocolate

The laptop was with me the whole time, in the kitchen, so I twittered away as I cooked. I love twitter, someone to keep you company without getting in the way.

My daughters took care of decorating the tree and it turned out beautiful. They moved furniture, and vacuumed behind the couch [which hasn't seen daylight since last Christmas] Since I have a "thing" for snowmen we decided to decorate with the snowmen ornaments I have collected over the years. To fill in we hung our favorites and some new glittery ornaments. I of course supervised and pointed out the bare areas of the tree that needing filling.

Gingerbread man

Hi Santa

My friends know me. I have a new martini glass for the tree..see the shaker behind it.

Cute snowman... yes that is a New England Patriots candy can ornament

Oldest decorating the tree

Youngest hamming it up

The finished tree. The stockings are all handmade by my mother.

As promised here is a recipe... for the pumpkin muffins. It is from my friend Patty at work who passed it along to me years ago. I am so disorganized I have had to call her every year for the recipe....this year I had it clipped to the fridge door where I put it last year, I wonder if she missed me calling her? [she is also the inspiration for the pretzels as she gave me some in a goody bag this year]

Pumpkin Muffins

2 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup oil
4 eggs
 2 cans pumpkin
3 cups flour
 1/2  tsp baking powder
 1 tsp baking soda
 1/2 tsp salt
 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
 1 tsp nutmeg
 1 cup chopped pecans (I prefer them finely chopped)
 1 cup MINI chocolate chips

Combine sugar and oil, add eggs and beat.

Stir in pumpkin

 Sift dry ingredients and add to sugar mixture [I did not do this and the muffins seem "flatter" than in previous years, not sure it is related but will sift next time]

Add pecans and chips..stir.

Fill cups 3/4 full. Bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes. [I find you need the longer time]

Suggestions.. of course paper liners in the cupcake pans are easier. I make a dozen large muffins and a bazillion little ones. The smaller ones are great to give away [can give more per person]

And the mini chocolate chips are a must. I used the regular ones once and even in the big muffins there wasn't enough chocolate per muffin. I also make some before adding the nuts since the kids prefer no nuts.

 ____________

My Rob Thomas concert is tonight, finally. [Carolina Liar and One Republic are opening] Unfortunately neither of my midwest friends can make the reschuded date and the youngest has a party tonight. So if anyone is in the Uncasville, CT area and wants to go to the show email me.
________________

Read my daughters blog.. Something about nothing and Everything else She is funny and follow her on twitter. @schleyguy

Guest Post........What does UberGrumpy want for Christmas [not for children]

UberGrumpy posted a funny blog yesterday called Christmas Number Two. He apparently doesn't care for "treacley" Christmas music and in particular Mariah Carey. I could have read no further and known I loved this man. Sorry [I am lying] Mariah lovers I don't like anything out of her mouth. I did read further and he mentioned he had "penned a potential festive hit. Unfortunately it's too rude to publish on this family blog. Leave a comment or mail if you want the lyrics but I warn you, it's not pretty" 

Well that is all I needed to want to read it desperately and I left a comment as requested. He emailed me back giving me the title and asked if I still wanted to read it... I said I figure I'm old enough and I have penned a few naughty poems myself [they are posted if you care to look or just ask and I will send the link] I read it and about died laughing. I offered to post it for him as a guest blogger and he took me up on the offer. So from a proper Brit via this brash American.

OK! Here goes. It’s in the key of ‘A’. Sing along everybody:

I'm Having a Wank for Christmas

I’m having a wank for Christmas

A wank and a cup of tea

It won’t be hard, on my credit card

‘cause a wank’s completely free

Mrs. Palm and her five lovely daughters

Are ready and waiting for me

They won’t have you up in the courthouse

Or coughing up al-i-mo-ny

So, I’m having a wank for Christmas

I won’t even have to say please

I’ll tiptoe under the mistletoe

And give myself a squeeze

Oh Santa please forgive me

I haven’t been very good

But I can’t resist, a pull and a twist

Of a lovely morning wood

So, I’m having a wank for Christmas
I’m sticking to something safe

The only risk, is a sprain of the wrist,

And a thumb with a nasty chafe

by UberGrumpy

elf gif courtesy

mistletoe

Justifiable Homicide Tuesday

I really have nothing today that deserves to be justifiably homicided. It's been a fairly routine week. Just the usual arguements with the teen [I forget I only have one now] about where are you going and with whom. Is your homework done and do you think you could clear a path on your bedroom floor to walk in... I kid you not.

The 20 year old just stresses about college and whether she can use the car. Why her sister always seem to mess up her plans...apparently I have trouble remembering everything I am told, and conflicts arise as to who needs to be where, when..

The husband....same ole same ole... I just hope we have things to talk about when the kids move out [they do move don't they][edit: honestly, I love having them around, adult children are fun]

I have lost a follower? Only 5 until 200 who would have thought [oh right that is good :-) ]

Blinkers folks...they are put on your car for a reason. USE them.

Work? Well that could be a novel but will restrain myself..........again.

Why haven't I got the Christmas decorating done [or started for that matter] and none of my baking is organized [sleeping during the day seems to get in the way of these basic chores. Damn  you sleep]

Ok...see you next week and may  I not having anything to post next Tuesday.

A Fantasy Weekend with Basspro and Harry Potter

This past weekend I had a lovely time enjoying some fantasy with my daughters and mother. On Saturday we went to Patriot Place, it is an outdoor mall built on the same site as Gillette Stadium where the New England Patriots football team play. There are a lot of great shops and restaurants but our primary destination was Basspro, which I have previously written about in this post Basspro or Disneyland. Our venture was at the request of my 20 year old daughter. She wanted her picture take with Santa and it is free at Basspro. We pile in the car and she drives us the hour it takes to get there and we get a ticket to see

Santa.....at 5pm. It is currently 1pm and the 15 year old wants to be home by 6pm to babysit. We are discussing what to do when a gentleman [think Massachusetts version of a redneck] over hears us and says he would trade us his 2:30pm ticket since he just lives up the road. There was a big thank you and he asked we just do something nice for someone else. When our time came we did let some younger families infront of us and then found out we were in the wrong line. I was also very nice to all the clerks in the store which can be difficult. You might remember this Justifiable Homicide story. We did a bit more shopping in the Christmas Tree Shops and then headed home well before we planned.



Sunday was the big day however with a day trip planned to Boston to see the Harry Potter Exhibition at the Museum of Science. The girls and I are big Harry Potter fans and my mother asked if we would be going because if so she wanted to come with us. Of course we were going so as a Christmas Present I brought my mother [my mother is a nerd too, love it]. She came down for the weekend since she lives in New Hampshire and again my daughter drove us all into Boston with only one little blip when got a bit misdirected going home. [yeah I know I should have printed reverse directions]

If any of you reading this live anywhere near Boston I highly recommend a trip to see the Exhibition. It is fabulous, awesome and very interesting. You have to buy tickets to go at a certain time so the crowds are kept at a minimum. Once in you can stay as long as you want so there is no rushing people through. Before you go into the show, there is a short introduction and the speaker had one or two children get "sorted". My youngest was chosen as one and of course got put into Gryffindor [Harry's house] Pictures are not allowed so I didn't get one of her with wearing the sorting hat.

Then the grand doors open into the exhibit. There is no way to miss anything the way it is laid out and we rented two "devices" to listen to the audio tour which was well worth the price. [$4 for members]. We shared them between the four of us and it gave insight to why characters and ghouls were designed the way they were and how, and a lot of other interesting tid bits.

Included were costumes for most, if not all the main characters along with all the corresponding wands. A lot of set pieces were available to see all set up in a mini Hogwarts Castle. It is impossible to describe all the items included. There is a brief gallery on the official Harry Potter Exhibition website to give you some idea how it all looks and is presented.We spent over two hours looking at everything.

The next stop for the Exhibit is the Ontario Science Center in Toronto, Ontario with more locations to follow. So I highly recommend you get on your broom and fly to the museum nearest you and see a bit of fantasy that is Harry Potter.

I will add that for small children or children that scare easily there is a section of the exhibit that is rather dark and a bit creepy. There are models of the dementors , deatheaters, kreacher and other characters all set in a dark gloomy setting. I was a bit creeped out by the dementor myself. There would be no way to avoid this part of the exhibit to get to Hagrids Hut or the Great Hall as it is set up in Boston.
There is also a beautiful, extensive and pricey gift shop unavoidably located at the end of the tour.

I even managed to get some Christmas shopping done while I was at the museum.




Top picture is a picture of the picture taken by Basspro, my scanner decided to be a pain
Second picture is youngest in the Christmas Tree Shops, the HO HO HO lit up
Third picture is in the main hallway of the Science Center... all the Hogwart house flags
Last picture is oldest near a display in the Science Center.

Sunday Rerun

This poem was originally posted July 31, 2008. It was the second blog I posted when I started this adventure and since my Friday post showed pictures of my job I thought this poem would be a nice follow up. 

The Night Shift

They called from the OR,
We need this blood STAT.
Can you get it to us,
In two seconds flat?

Are you crazy
Is what I want to say.
It is not possible,
No how, no way.

We're working on it,
As fast as we can.
You could've called ahead,
Even tried to plan.

The patient is bleeding,
The doctor tells me.
No shit is my thought,
This is the blood bank, can't you see.

More platelets and blood,
And some FFPs
What else can there be,
Please no cryos to unfreeze.

My shifts finally over,
To the next shift the news.
Now I'll stagger on home,
For a well deserved snooze.


 picture source

Photo Phinish Phriday

I have been enjoying this Phriday blog. I always have my Blackberry with me and have fun looking for something interesting to post on Phridays. [interesting to me anyway]

Todays are mostly shots from work. I thought I would give you a little look at what I am doing while you are all snug in your beds with sugar plums dancing around in your heads. [you can groan, just an attempt at some Christmas humor]

This is the "bench" area as we call it, where patients samples are tested.

Another part of the bench area, used more for crossmatches and manual testing.

This is called the Provue, where we batch samples from the clinics. I think we have tested every pregnant woman in the state of Massachusetts.

The Blood Bank Christmas Tree, next to my Robbie Williams mug for perspective.

Merry &^%$# Christmas.... lol

And finally you might recall Sundays blog poem called Heat? This fire was started by me, Ms. Pioneer Woman.

I hope you had a chuckle...see you next week with more.