NO NEW TOYS FOR ME!

The toy nazi is fucking with me, I spent hours online comparing cameras and researching prices and decided which ones I want, I checked availability in stores and added up gift cards and gift cash. I had enough in Target cards to get my camera, an almost identical model to the one I smashed on the plane. I checked availability online and off I went with a brief stop at Wal-mart just to double check though I don't (thank goodness) have any cards for Hell-mart. They had the same camera for $50.00 more. They also had the Flip Ultra which Target didn't have a few days ago and the price was just as low as I found on the internet. I stored that bit of info and when to Target to get my camera. After waiting for what seemed like forever a salesman came to help, but he couldn't find one. He checked the inventory and the website was wrong. I'll let Target slide this time, it is after all Christmas. But I am home and empty handed. I'm still not sure about getting the Flip. I'm not sure the internet is ready for us or maybe I'm not ready to be viewed. I write more than I talk, I'm thinking I might be pretty boring or basically just making an ass out of myself.

Whatever I want my camera!

Microscopic Sperm Counter

This may be just the gift for teenage boys!

Text from the site:

A microscope the size of a credit card? Absolutely!These disposable compact microscopes allow you to magnify small amounts of material instantly, and view them through a light simply by holding it up to your eyes. Choose between 500 or 1000 times magnification!

Microscope Card suggested uses:

•Viewing sperm, making sperm counts

•Viewing/Checking blood counts

•Checking hair for dryness

• Examining microorganisms

________________________________________________________________________

Where else can you find a gadget that let's you see if your partner is shooting blanks, and if either one of you have dry brittle hair? Lets hope you don't need it to find your partners penis!

BUY NOW $89.00

Chistmas Is So Over!

Aren't you glad Christmas is over? There are people like him in almost every family.

Helpful Hint

DO NOT STEP OVER A SLEEPING DOBERMAN. HE WILL STAND UP AS YOU HAVE ONE FOOT OVER HIM AND ONE FOOT BEHIND. IT'S RIGHT UP THERE WITH DRESS SHOES WITH NO GRIPTION ON AN ICY SIDEWALK.

that is all

A Trip To Target Misfires

Yeah so I braved the after Christmas bargain shoppers at Target, just scoping out my wishes for when the wrapping papers go 75% or 90% off. I don't buy it at 50% and never EVER pay full price for something that gets torn off and thrown away within mins.

What I did see at Target that I could use was a paintball gun on sale. I want pink paintballs. It's not an AK47 or Assualt rifle but I think I could customize it pretty well into a Hello Kitty paintball gun. My inspiration?

Ga Ga Ga!

Keepon dancing to "I Turn My Camera On" by Spoon

Shhhhhhh!

I should be fine in a week or so..until then no loud noises please.

WTF?

A poodle? A freakin poodle? It's not so much the description of the dog , it's more that I wanted to be a big mean scary dog. Like my Doberman. But I'm a poodle and a pink one at that. Nothing against poodles I had one in my care for awhile, she was great. Except she didn't look so great when I decided to trim her hair myself. Even the neighbors had to comment on that. Because everyone in my building was gay. Seriously.

Woof! Who Knew?

What Breed of Dog Are You?

My Result: Poodle

No bones about it, you're a go-ahead-and-spoil-me Poodle. Intelligent and discerning, why should you settle for anything but the best? No good reason comes to mind. You appreciate the finer things in life, from the trendiest clothes to the best restaurants. Maintaining your health and appearance is a must — you owe it to yourself to look and feel tip-top. The result? An impeccable fashion sense, perfect grooming, and the latest must-have "toys" and accessories. Unfortunately, that can be a little intimidating to people who don't know you. They might think you're a bit cold or distant. But your close friends know better. Your nearest and dearest can see beyond the glitz and glamour to the smart, considerate person within. Woof!

Take this test >

Looks Like I Need To Get Busy!

Is There Time To Change My Mind?

Honey: I'm not getting any e-mails (read jokes)

Me: It's three days before Christmas, people are busy.

Honey: We are just sitting here.

Me: I know that, but that's because most of our shopping was done and the rest was done when you were at work. And we don't have kids.

Honey: Shouldn't we more busy?

Me: I dunno what do you have in mind?

Honey: Maybe my computer is messed up.

Me: Maybe, but I doubt it, I'm not getting as many e-mails either. They both couldn't be broken for e-mail only.

Honey: I was just saying...

Here's the part I wish to change: It was a stupid rule not to get each other anything. There is no sneaking around, no guessing what something is and really it took the joy out of shopping since I had made the rule. I made the rule. There I said it.

World's Largest Bloom Has Acne

I've never seen this woman in my life. Actually, I've never seen a plant like this in my life. If I were her I wouldn't get so close..it could suck her head right into its center. She should run..agggghh! Too late it has her foot! OMG! she's going going gone..It's mighty death grip took advantage of her smiling and posing with the pretty flower and got her. Bad plant!Bad!

BTW it's a Rafflesia arnoldii: this parasitic plant develops the world's largest bloom that can grow over three feet across. The flower is a fleshy color, with spots that make it look like a teenager's acne-ridden skin. It smells bad and has a hole in the center that holds six or seven quarts of water. The plant has no leaves, stems, or roots.

For the rest of the list I found go here. especially if phallic symbols make you giggle.

Still Need Presents?

Let's see what I found today online:

Pursuader by James Piatt $275.00 Jamespiatt.com (comes in pink AND silver too!)

Machine Gun Handbag, move over Lara Croft. Here comes TTQ!

Gold Cuckoo Watch Necklace $22 at FredFlare.com

If you carry a machine gun purse you gotta be a little cuckoo.

Just chillin with my gnomies. Silver Chrome Gnomes, I need a matched set for the fireplace hearth.

Silver Chrome Gnomes $55 at BASE

Just like duct tape! Only fancy! Do-Frame $12.50 at Chocosho

Designer: Droog Design This roll of adhesive tape is printed with the design of an ornate picture frame. Marti Guixe designed this simple but brilliant product for Droog the dutch design group.

A Post For Cyd

I shouldn't write this, buuuuuuuuuuutttttt. You know I can't help myself sometimes. Mom slipped and actually said she needed something! I was at her house and was helping her do _______. And she kind of was thinking out loud and said I need new _________. BINGO! My dilemma for Christmas was over. I will point out when you called me I had no more of a clue than you did. I don't know if my gift will be a hit or not but she did utter the words I need _____, though that is much different than I want ______. I am off to go find stocking stuffers for her.

Update for all the people who left ideas about the 13 year old on my list, I finished shopping! In no paticular order: a hair braider twister thingy, a big pack of lip gloss, a multi-pack of bath gels, and for her and her sister the Barbie Collector Board game.

Christmas Wii-eason's To Be Merry

I don't own a Wii, I don't plan on owning a Wii. I have not one clue about it. So wiitarded I shall stay.

Now this is a game I can handle, good old-fashioned thumb wrestling. Hell I could even play against myself since the boxing ring will cover up my hands.

A Little Help Here People

Christmas shopping woes. Again. This time trying to figure out what a 13 year old girl might want. I know she loves the toys that are given to her little sister and being the older sister she can play with anything she wants when she wants too. But I know she is getting older and would appreciate age appropriate gifts. I'm not very good at the dealing with tweens, a perfect present for me when I was that age would have involved some illegal substances and a bottle of peach schnapps. At least that's what I wanted along with some concert tickets and hair products. So I'm going to say it's pretty safe for me to assume I know nothing about a well-behaved 13 year old. I don't know her size, and actually I don't really know what she has and doesn't have.. I suck huh? I'm thinking at this point a gift card for itunes or Claire's might be the answer unless one of you readers have a better idea.

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

It's a mad house out in shopper land. It's a time that amateurs hit the stores. Courtesy and kindness have been replaced with cars whipping into spots that you sat and waited on for 5 mins. People are getting frustrated, myself included because by this time of the year I'm usually done shopping and gifts are already wrapped neatly under the tree. This year not so much. It's a time of year that feels like you are on "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" and you get to make a phone call to a lifeline. I used mine on Friday. My sister used hers today when she called. She was the last person I expected to be calling my house on a random Saturday. We usually keep in touch through our magic computer boxes. She informed me that she had 3 hours to get her shopping done on line. Now that's ambition. If she succeds, I will bow down in an "I'm not Worthy, I'm Not Worthy" fashion. In case you weren't aware, we have 10 day still Christmas. Not that I'm counting or anything.....

tick tock tick tock

Santa, Skip Our House Please.

Honey and I decided this year we weren't going to exchange gifts with each other on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning. Last year we did a zillon presents, and it didn't bring us the joy we thought it would. What mattered was that we were together on the holiday and we would spend time with both my family and his family and then retire to our home alone. At home we watch a movie, play scrabble and eat plates of leftovers that his family insist that everyone takes home. We are giving gifts to family members because we enjoy doing it. Sometimes we are disappointed when the presents that were so thoughtfully picked out and wrapped get ripped open and tossed aside. We then get a hug and a thank you, if we are lucky. And then bang it's over.

Underground Paris

Hands Around My Throat

Death in Vegas

***************

The air is cold

I'm still on hold

I still can't tell

What's been said

Paris Underground

Art Deco lamps flanking an entrance to the metro in Paris

Paris 2007

A taste of Paris. If you want to go to Paris this video is worth watching. I'm glad I found it on youtube since my camera broke at the beginning of my trip and I wasn't able to do any video. The traveljunkies saved me a lot of time by making this video.

Can You Keep A Secret?

Secret by the Pierces

Got a secret
Can you keep it?
Swear this one you'll save
Better lock it, in your pocket
Taking this one to the grave
If I show you then I know you
Won't tell what I said
Cause two can keep a secret
If one of them is dead…

Warm and Fuzzy

Hello Kitty is alive and kicking on the Champs de Elysee in Paris. I've been a Hello Kitty fan for years. My addiction has waned, and it seems like my fetish is petering out. So now I more or else admire all the Hello Kitty crap they sell, but I don't buy it anymore.Maybe it's because HK is showing up on EVERYTHING and more adults have the Hello Kitty fever too.

Back to the sweater in the picture, I didn't even go in to find out the price. I did admire the subtle pattern and the fact that they made use of two very unpink colors, and choosing to use greys and blacks. Nice, because I wear black more often than not. As a teenager I wore all black too, when I phased out of being a tortured teenager I began to wear pink. Now that I am out of my 20's, I've gone back to wearing black. Timeless and classy.

Bunking Banality

"Has your husband ever told you you snore?"

"All the time"

"Because you really do snore"

"It's on my list of things to do before I hit 40."

"A nose job?"

"It's a deviated septum, it's for medical reasons"

"What else is on your list?"

"A boob job"

"A reduction?"

"No a hike up on the muscles to make them stay perky through my 40's"

"Anything else?'

" Botox."

"But you don't have wrinkles"

" And I plan to stay that way"

What reason do you need?

Paris is inspiring. Each building, each painting, every lamppost, the metro signs. It really is like a movie set. I was amazed to see people being allowed to paint in the Louvre. Mom didn't really see the point in recreating the masters, her point was what will this skill allow them to do? Portrait painting? I argued that it didn't matter if they never made a cent, they were following their dreams, they just DO.

Going to Paris has been a lifelong dream of mine. It was further fueled when I was told by a distinguished looking lady at a bar that I looked like Anais Nin when I was 21. I asked her who she was and she said you have to find that out for yourself. Go to a bookstore. And I did. And I bought one of her books and then discovered Henry Miller. Now not only did I want to go to Paris, I wanted to move to Paris. I wanted to drink absinthe, smoke opium and write. Or paint. Maybe be a muse to some disheveled but handsome fallen aristocrat artist. I wanted to to live a purely sensuous decadent life with no real purpose.

I did none of those things while I was there. But if I had I wouldn't tell you about it.

Voila? Oui! Voila!

Ta-da! I'm back! In Paris, our was meal was almost always served with a hearty Volia! And we all know how much I love to say Ta-Da! As in Ta-Da, here I am! So now I can say Volia! Here I am!

I broke my camera's LCD screen on the first leg of flights, there is no view finder. So I took pictures anyway, we were almost giddy to see if anything turned out, and it turns out that I am a great blind photographer!

We learned how to use public transportation in London and then France. We were very proud of ourselves, especially since Paris did not have airport shuttles so we had to figure out how to get to our hotel with all our luggage. Not so fun, we weren't packed for that kind of journey... But we made it.

More highlights and pictures to come later.

P.S. After doing so much damage to my camera and hauling luggage, I'm glad I left the laptop at home even though there were wi-fi spots everywhere.

Gone Baby Gone

buh bye for one week

Bearforce1 - Christmas is here

Waiting on Santa and Presents

I wish the lights had been plugged in. The cat also likes to sit under the tree. They have a month to wait..Sorry kids.

No Escape

I sat here at my computer catching up on blogs last night and noticed that my new mail button was popping up pretty frequently. I clicked to check the new mail and to my horror almost all of them were ads. As I sat there looking at my inbox, a few more popped in withing seconds of each other. I sat there watching mesmerized like rubbernecking at car accident. It was like a drive by shooting with an AK47. They just continued to pour in. Helpless I started deleting, but the more I deleted the more they seemed to fill up my already overflowing mailbox. There was no escape or retreating. I shuddered thinking about my junk e-mail address I use for signing stupid stuff up looked like.

Heroin Chic

I'm currently spoting a great look for the holidays. Heroin chic. As if the hospital didn't leave enough damage on every visible vein, the lab today finished it off. They actually blew out three more veins. So that's five nice bruises with track marks. And my ever so honest friends "You look thin and tired". Dammit, the scale says I'm the same. I did however wash my grungy hair this afternoon. After a very long weekend with the wedding and the concert. I'm glad the wedding was Sat and the concert on Sunday. I have been helping out my dark circles under my eyes by crying about everything I watched on TV today. Everything. Today should have been a full day of rest but I had you know "shit" to do. I hate that. Tomorrow I get to drive to Orlando to see my fav specialist. I'll have the pleasure of driving home at rush hour, so there's that to look forward too. Wed, rest? Nope. Shop for Thursday Brunch. Brunch on Thanksgiving? Yep. It's Mom's birthday and that's what she wants. Honey can cook it. Oh AND then we get to go to his family's dinner! Yay! So maybe, maybe, maybe Friday I can sleep. All damn day. Then next week it's off to Paris and London. I can sleep on the plane if I'm lucky.

I'm In Love

The acoustic guitar. Like drums or the human voice, this instrument is so common in Western popular music, it's easy to take for granted. Until you hear what it can do in the hands of an artist like Yoav. Charmed And Strange, the debut album from the London-based singer-songwriter, incorporates myriad sounds: woozy vapor trails; clipped, modern club beats; Middle Eastern flourishes; flashes of quiet introspection reminiscent of Nick Drake; eerie outcries a la Jeff Buckley. All crafted by Yoav, using only his voice, an acoustic guitar, simple effects and treatments… and a lot of imagination.

Yoav opened for Tori Amos tonight in Melbourne, Fl at the King Center, I'm in love. He is a one man act and played barefoot. He has a sexy mixed accent.. Awesome range

Tori rocked as usual and once again, I was at the same concert as her parents. She gave a shout out to her mom and sang an impromptu "pass the chicken" ditty.

Bummer

I'm out of NaBloPoMo. And because of my choice to leave the hospital today for a wedding rehearsal dinner tonight, a wedding tomorrow, and the Tori Amos concert on Sunday..I'm out of morphine since 12:30 today. Hopefully a good nights sleep will help. Maybe I should have stayed in, I'm going to rough it out and smile pretty the whole time. Can't wait to catch up on every body's blogs. Like on Monday. Nite nite.

Might As Well Go Blonde

I am becoming senile. Honey was reminding me to take my afternoon meds, and I mentioned to Mom, who was visiting for dinner, that Honey was reminding me now for my meds. She looked at me and said you are becoming absentminded. Yeah, well no kidding. I miss my memory. I lose my train of thought easily and sometimes I can't form words. So what did we do all this weekend? Played Scrabble.

The memory loss is a symptom of me being sick, it's pretty text book. Ammonia builds up in my blood and causes memory loss, confusion and a few other mental quirks. I take medicine to keep it in check but sometimes it just doesn't work. But I can usually double dose (ok with Dr's) and not go to the hospital. The last time I was in the hospital I couldn't remember my own phone number which was bad, and I would try to pick up the phone and instead my hand would go for the water pitcher...

Luckily, I'm a pretty quiet person, I don't say much, so it really isn't notable unless you are close to me. Bad thing, I forgot I put something under the broiler tonight and we had charred cheese. Some people are naturally forgetful, but my mind used to be quick and I didn't require much time to act and could multi-task. Now? Not so much. Seriously.

I Wanna Be Pretty

Pretty is as pretty does. (old-fashioned) something that you say which means that you should judge people by the way they behave, not by their appearance.

Last night we were in bed talking and I began to try to describe someone to Honey. I repeated information that I had gleaned over a long span of years without ever actually seeing that person in my adult life. I was gossiping in bed with my husband. I stopped myself, and said "Wait. Wait a minute that person could be 180 degrees different these days. I don't know them, so why was I gossiping? I'm sure that person's feelings would be hurt if they knew, mine would be. What I'm saying is I don't like when I gossip about people I know. Gossip is ugly and I've been known to get a little ugly now and again

She Stole Her Grannies Socks

I love this picture, not only does she look real, the white socks clinches it for me. The temperature has been dropping here and our floor if freezing cold. Lately I have been getting up in the middle of the night to put socks on, and when Honey gets home, he never fails me to say "You had your granny socks on".

In Honey's eyes, white panties, white socks and white bras = Granny Panties. It could be a white g-string and he would ask me why I have Granny Panties on.

Luckily, I wear mostly black and or colorful undergarments.


Brian Walker 2007, Plastic Fantastic
Contemporary Photography, Australia

Lick The Sun

" Brian Walker manipulates illustrations, photography and a dosage of surprise which provoke a reaction. He uses photographs as templates, which obtain a new, surreal meaning after intervention" Javno

"In a time where the line between hyper-realities and those of our own is becoming finer, the Sydney artist's work speaks a relative language. The digital artist is inspired by surreal landscapes, the evolution of fashion and changing popular culture " Cool Hunter

You Won't Make It Through My VIP Red Velvet Ropes

If you own a sweater like this, you probably aren't going to be invited over for a Holiday Party at my house. If somehow you manage to fly under my radar and get an invtation, do not show up in your Christmas Sweater. Peopel, designers out there make very nice holiday clothes. Velvets, Laces, Satin, Silks and Brocades. You will be turned away at the door if you are carrying chex mix and wearing a sweater with reindeer on it.

Help My Brain Is Melting

I'm getting dementia. Seriously. I'm out shopping today after meeting some friends at lunch, my phone rings. It's my Mom. "Aren't you coming over?". Um, yeah, I'm almost there. Which actually I was , I just wasn't heading to her house. So I swerve across three lanes of traffic merge and do a u-turn. I'm at her house in two minutes. I get inside, uh oh, she's not in her "track suit". She has real clothes on, I don't. "Remind me again what we are doing". She looks at me funny.. "I'm serious!".

"We are going to Orlando". Oh yeah. Now I kinda remember. It wasn't on my calender. It's not like my life is full of important meetings or anything, but if I don't put it on my calender, I will forget. Kinda like taking my medicine 4 times a day, sometimes the weekly pill box looks like a bingo card that isn't winning. Sigh. How much longer till my keys get taken away? Honey already digs my phone out of my purse in the evening to charge it and puts it back in my purse after it's charged.

NaBloPoMo Day 7

Fun Quotes In Bloggerland

It might just be me but I have read a few things that have made me clap my hands in glee and giggle today.

From EJ Takes Life

Responding to my noting that it didn't seem very nice to be talking about another family member behind her back: "But sweetie, that's why people have backs."

From Rockstar Mommy

As if I have nothing better to do than to drive an hour round trip to ooh and ahh over a rug. A rug that I can already guess is uglier than the bastard lovechild of Sandra Bernhardt and Ron Jeremy

From Cyd

To be honest, I don't like having my bubble burst. I'd like to hang on to the fantasy that living wild is actually possible.

From Carolynne Bites

I love you too, but I'm going to mace you in the face now.

From Kim

Once I tried to jump some rail road tracks with my car . Apparently, I'm not a stunt driver and I got my car stuck on the tracks instead (the road was under construction, there was a ledge...). As I was walking to a phone, I heard the ding, ding, ding of the train warning, lights, gate, horns, breaks, LOUD metal smashing. That poor conductor. The people I worked with had a field day.

NaBloPoMo Day 6

The Bee Gee's Are Alive!

Rock on, sister.

The Feist- Inside and Out

I Want One! I Want One! I Want One!

That's How I Roll..

I was on the NaBloPoMo blogroll, then I wasn't, and now I am again. 'Cause that's how I roll. With the PoMo. Okay, I'll stop now.

Really, I was going to blog about how I got the second Holiday Barbie Collector Magazine in the mail today. Okay, that's a lie too. ( I did get the catalog, but I wasn't going to blog about it)

Have you ever told a white lie about something silly and then wonder why you fibbed? It's not like it's hurting anything one way or another. It just seems easier to say yes. No explanation needed when you say yes. But if you say no, you better have a reason. I don't get it. So yeah I told a white lie. I told my mom my Dr's appt was this week not next week. So now you know, I lied.

NaBloPoMo Day 5

Dolls of the World™ ~ Spain Barbie® 2008

My Doberman Eats Air

Our ubertalented Doberman has many strange habits. One of which is standing there eating air. Somehow he manages to make it sound like he is actually eating something. Further inspection of his large mouth doesn't reveal anything. He just stand there licking at an imaginary ice cream cone and then eating the imaginary cone with loud crunches.

NaBloPoMo Day 4

Bagels and Muffins

Everything Bagels and giant (mostly Pumpkin Spice) muffins. That's what I have been eating non-stop this week. The weird thing? I lost 2 lbs. I didn't skimp on the cream cheese or the butter. I'm out of bagles and that makes me sad. Honey can bring home a muffin for me though. There might be some english muffins in the freezer but it's not the same thing. I want to eat carbs until I go comatose.

Ohh Ewww

I think my Doberman Zeus has a cold, he has been sneezing like crazy. Sneezing on me. Gross. Have you ever been showered with with a fine mist from a big dog? Repeatedly. Not a fun thing. I wonder if I can get sick from his snot. I'll have to Google it.

Another little gross tidbit. My new earphones fit better when my ears have earwax in them. Which is a problem since I tend to clean my ears a lot. There is something about the gummy residue that makes a better seal for the ear canal earpieces. That's my only grip with my new earphones, other than that they are awesome.

I got bit by what I thought was a carpenter ant, or maybe a baby wasp. I picked up a shirt and felt a sting. I'm not a baby when it comes to pain, but this actual sent a searing white light through my brain. Honey tried to find it to see if it was a spider, no luck. Two days later I still have two blisters, one on each hand. When I felt the sting I used my other hand to smash it and brush it off me. Now I'm waiting for it to fester up and become one of those spider bites that eats your skin. It's gonna be hard to do NaBloPoMo with two hands being eaten by festering spider bite wounds.

NaBloPoMo- Day 2-2007

Has Your Journal Been Read?

It's NaBloPoMo . I thought I would start out my first post with a post about having your journal read. Before blogging , it was almost taboo to read someone's journal, now we throw it out there and EXPECT people to read it. And comment on it. So I just wanted to kick start my blogging and post this tidbit for you to think about. I expect I will update more than once today

A Time For Family

As biological family goes, mine is rather small. A small nucleus comprising of a mother, two half-sisters, two nephews and a niece. Oh and half-brother that is estranged, so technically he doesn't rate a bleep on my radar, and that's cool. I met him once as an adult two years ago, my curiosity was over.
My sisters have a larger family, their father is still alive and married again, and there are step sisters and/or brothers. Their husbands also have families and with those come obligations and duties. Holidays are hard because of that, they have to determine which pull is the strongest. My oldest sister has two boys, who have no less than 6 grandparents. 6 grandparents! 5 sets of family who I'm sure would all love to have their grand kids with them. I grew up with 1 grandmother. The end. I have one surviving parent and none on my husbands side. And we have no kids. Basically it shakes down to Mom and myself as biological family celebrating together and it's been that way for a long time. Once upon a time, it made me very sad. As I get older and families become bigger and more complicated, I'm not as sad, I wish we all lived close by but we don't. My middle sister lives in the next state and has begun to visit us more frequently throughout the year, thus they are essentially off the hook. My oldest sister and I IM frequently and of course read each other's blogs. It's a virtual hanging out together. I like seeing her name on my buddy list when I am online which is always, because she is just a click away. I can whine, or be silly or just say hey. It's comforting. Yesterday, I got a really sweet e-mail from her that made my whole day. She's not a sappy woman and doesn't really do "cute" or "sweet". Which isn't to say she isn't sweet because she is .
As Thanksgiving grows closer, I will miss everybody a little more. But the ties will still bind us and when the holidays settle down we can all get back to our normal routines. My oldest sister will again be a click away and my middle sister will be down with her family sooner or later, and we will have time to catch up.
So for now, Christmas will be small but filled with love instead of scads of presents, and that is perfectly okay with me. Mom and I will go to Europe without my sisters because we have the freedom to do so, but it doesn't mean we won't be wishing that they were going with us. Maybe some day when we all grow up, we will all be able to.

Any Gamblers?

Smoking is ugly and I don't want to be ugly.

So my plans for Europe include giving up ciggarettes.It's nasty habit, one I'm rather ashamed of. I'm not in my 20's hanging out in bars or clubs anymore. I tend to hide when I do smoke, just because I know how unattractive it can be. So I smoke at home and alone in my car. So I figure I'm gonna get a days jump on it when we are traveling. Can't smoke in airports, I'm not one to risk losing a flight because I HAD to go outside and smoke. So might as well use that as a launch pad. Basically from 12pm until 6:30 am the FOLLOWING day I can't smoke. That's 18 hours. Smoke free. Easy eh? I've gone longer. None of my Dr's have really made an issue of it, like I said I don't smoke a lot. However all that said, if I find myself getting too cranky, I'm gonna fold. I don't want to stomp around like a 2 year old (or a TTQ). Maybe I'll pick up some of that gum, you know just to try instead of caving in too easily. Maybe not.

Ta-da! Part 2

Ta-da! I'm alive! Miserable but alive. I think part of the reason I'm so damn tired is because evrybody in the damn house likes to sleep on top of me. One Doberman, one Beagle, one Tuxedo cat and Honey's big ass arm. Seriously, his arms are as big as my legs. So I moved to the couch, which did not go over well. The cat came with me and Honey woke up and I wasn't in bed, when I wasn't in the bathroom he began his search. And woke me up. I can't win around here for sleep, Honey has been coming home during the day and waking me up to make sure I am ok. Aww sweet huh? I wish I was in this bed by myself for 72 hours.

Sorry if I haven't picked up the phone, I have all the ringers off. But I know you called.

Last weeks labs were stable, which is good.

A-OK

At what point do you give up? After your ass has been thoroughly kicked while you made a few half-hearted punches? Giving up is hard, I'm no quitter. Or at least I wasn't always. When my ankle was broken and they told me I had to have surgery and massive amounts of titanium put in place of the bone, I said Bullshit! Not my ankle! Slap a cast on the puppy and I'll be on my way. Seriously. I'm not having surgery. I'm just not. Turns out I had it done anyways thanks to my mom who said shut up, you are too.
Or when I first knew I was sick, I wasn't really sick, it was something I ate, it was a bug going round it was anything but me being seriously sick. Give me some Gatorade and I'll be fine. Thus began the first of many trips to the ER on which I would be released in about 5 days, obviously not sick, they wouldn't let me out if I was sick right? I'm mean I'd be dead or something. Something anything but sick.
Today and this weekend I feel like shit progressively worse each day. It must be a bug, a urinary tract infection, I took my medicine at a different time than normal. Anything but a complication. 'Cause if I were REALLY sick I wouldn't be blogging. The dryer wouldn't be spinning full of clean clothes. The dishwasher wouldn't have been emptied, the trash can would still be on the curb. And for God's sake I have make-up on! So I sit here ignoring my body which is protesting my mind. I went to meet friends for coffee and stopped by mom's house, see.. not sick. It's just fatigue and a tummy ache.
So I'm going to fold clothes and wait for the Dr's office to call back with last week's lab work. Sorry if you came looking for a chuckle today, I'm not feeling very inspired.

Just For Fun

On meno's blog she was participating in a meme, about food, from peevish. You are to take each letter from your blogging name and give a little food fact to go with it.

Since my name is already an acronym, I'll give you what it really stands for first.

T is for Temper
T is for Tantrum
Q is for Queen

A nickname given to me from a boyfriend long ago that has always stuck and has been my online name for about ten years. I'm still very spoiled, but my temper has calmed, or maybe I married a man who gives me more than enough love, affection and free time.He also firmly believes that I am princess and should be treated as such.

Now onto the foods:

T is Tea (Herbal Teas for health) Naturally Flavored teas for unsweetened ice tea . No sugar, lots of lemon

T is Tiramisu. I love desserts! Tiramisu is an Italian dessert typically made from sponge finger biscuits, espresso coffee, mascarpone cheese, eggs, cream, sugar, Marsala wine, cocoa, and rum. The Italian name tiramisù means "pick-me-up" (metaphorically, "make me happy,"), a reference to the two caffeine-containing ingredients, espresso and cocoa

Recipe

The biscuits are sprinkled with or briefly soaked in a mixture of coffee, rum, and sugar. They are layered with a mixture of mascarpone cheese and zabaglione, a custard made from egg yolks, Marsala, and sugar. Cocoa powder is then sprinkled on top Tiramisu has become one of the most popular desserts served in restaurants of all types, not just Italian restaurants. The recipe has been adapted into cakes, puddings, and other varieties of dessert. Other flavors are often used now in place of coffee, including strawberry, lemon, or chocolate.

Q is for Quail: Such an nice little compact poultry, and they make really cool looking edible eggs too.

Which makes me ponder , is there any kind of bird eggs that can not be eaten, no matter what the size?

Fabio Schabio

Chicken & Sage Risotto

Fall for Fabio and his fabulous cooking skills. Watch as he cooks up a warm and delicious dish, perfect for keeping cozy on chilly autumn nights . (If you can bear it)


The Kitchen of Love

You can't embarrass a man who has no pride. This guy will hawk anything to the ladies. Romance Novels to "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. What's next tampons?

My First Time Ever

I can recall the first time I ever swore in front of my mother, I was oh probably 13 or so and we were at the mall, to get something that I am sure I had pestering her for awhile. After she parked the car, we started walking through the parking lot and car backed out of a space and almost hit us, within inches. And I yelp "Shit!!". I remember turning red, and looking to see how much trouble I was in for swearing. She politely pretended she didn't hear me. I was given a free pass. And while I curse mostly on my blog today and not in actual conversations, I learned a valuable lessons, there are occasions you can curse and it's ok. Just don't curse at somebody for something stupid. Like the dumbass clerk at the grocery store, that's just mean. And probably I'm the one in a hurry and in a bad mood.
The second time I cursed in front of my mother, was driving through New York City from JFK to the Hamptons in a rental car or maybe it was on the way back from the Hamptons and to the port in NYC. I had never been to NY before, let alone drove in conditions like that. Everybody beeping at each other, bumper to bumper, not letting anyone in . It was brutal. So after getting honked at about 5 times, I started to get upset. And started muttering and getting louder with my "fuck you too, buddy" followed by "Sorry Mom". And this was repeated until I got the car and us in one piece to the rental car return place and took a cab to the cruise ship. Again, through out that whole ride, my mom calmly pretended she hadn't heard me, nothing was said. And I was very appreciative. She had been pointing things out along the way saying "pretty!". She may even have clapped her hands in glee a few times., like this was super exciting and the most fun thing ever.
I kinda lose track after that, I'm sure I must have slipped a few times, but maybe not.

FOUL!

Kids driving you nuts? Put them on a time out, use this diagram to make sure that they don't cheat and sneak away. Personally, I suggest putting a binkie in the mouth to quiet any screams, but hey it's your kid.

I see London, I see France..

Banishing The Blues..

With a trip to London and then on to Paris. November 28th. I also have tickets to see Tori Amos on Nov 18th. A wedding to go to Nov 17th. Thanksgiving & Mom's Birthday on Nov 22nd. Christmas tree finally goes up the day after Thanksgiving. A smattering of Birthdays including my Big Sister's (Hey Happy Birthday!). Oh and Halloween is our adopted daughter (who lives with her real parents 'cause we are cool like that) has her 6th Birthday. Oh and the big County Fair starts Nov 1, which we always go to eat cotton candy and make fun of carnies (I know I'm going to Hell). We just can't help ourselves. What else is their to do in the Fall?

I can't wait to see Paris (it's on my list of things to do before I die), I've been to the French Riviera and the coast of Italy, but even though I have been dying to go to Paris, it's just now happening. Yay! This is my 3rd or 4th trip to London, but we are going to ride that huge Ferris Wheel this time. And shop. We don't have to try to pack in all the touristy things to do, so we can just do what we didn't get to do last time that really excites us.

Because Life Comes At You Fast

When I want something to happen, like putting up the Christmas tree, time seems to drag on and on. Other times life feels like it's pulling me along with it and I can't catch my breath. Then WHAM life turns a corner and I hit the wall while it marches on pulling me across the brick wall. And it hurts, A LOT. I feel tired, used up and pissed off because I have no desire to do anything but sleep. And sleep I do, only to wake up and to be greeted by dishes to be done, laundry to be folded and put away and bills to pay. Oh and don't forget grocery shopping.

Silly Saturday Short

Tuna With A Side of Asparagus

Mmm..what do we have here?

Smells like asparagus..
Yum! Mine!
Fleeing the scene..
I'll rip your head off little asparagus stalk and eat you all up!

Perhaps we have been a bit lenient here with Babyfred. She was mine and when we got married she officially became ours. Honey after a year of trying to love on her like she lets me love on her, resorted to the almighty tuna. Water-packed solid albacore. Everyday. As soon as he walks in the door. I refuse to give it to her, she doesn't ask me for it. She's not dumb, she has relaxed a bit with Honey, kinda like you scratch my tummy when it's full of tuna and we've got a deal mister.



However she has become an asparagus thief, I often eat at my desk and usually just vegetables. I like to think that I raised her not to beg or steal food and all was well until she had asparagus. She stole a stalk off my plate, while I was watching. She never ever did that before. With anything from pizza to salmon never once a swipe from the plate with me sitting right here. So it was kinda cute, she played with it and then gobbled it up. So of course Zeus and Fletch each got a stalk, and they loved it too. Weird. We let it go and thought she was just being cute that once. Until..until I cooked it a few days later, same thing. And we let her do it. I've created a monster. Just like Honey. He hand feeds her tuna on a real plate from the cabinet each serving while she sits on the kitchen table place mat and eats it. Now, well I let her eat asparagus, stolen from my plate while I sit here and giggle. Or take pictures like I did today. Shit! I forgot to give turtle-man his taste!