'Tis the Season....

So, today I'm Domestic Supergoddess for half the day. My little guy has a bug of some sort - not quite a stomach bug (thank GOD!) but not right either. Stomach ache, headache, and just blah. So not like him to not want to go to school, believe it or not; so I'm home with him until later this afternoon because at this time of year - I need to be at the store for a few hours anyway. So right now, the house has been vaccumed with the floors washed, laundry is going - and the little guy and I are just hanging out relaxing and watching some fun kids game shows on Cartoon Network. It's been quite nice just relaxing which is something I don't often get to do.

I switched the fall decorations outside to winter too; I promised the kids I'd hang the icicle lights when I get home later, so we will have the outside ready for winter. We're not putting the tree up until Friday night, which is late for us - but still, plenty of time for the holiday. After the drama with practically decapitating my toes with the tree base a few weeks ago, I'm in no rush to bring it downstairs.

I should really run this morning before going to work; I may just do that actually. I've been putting it off and putting it off - but I do need to get back into the swing of things; and with having to put yoga on hold for a few more weeks because of the holiday, no better time than now to hit the treadmill.

This morning I also finalized my holiday menu; I found out last night I'm going to have 16 adults and 4 children, so I've opted to not go quite so complicated on the menu this year. I believe the menu will be as follows: Appetizers (cheese ball, crackers, smoked salmon & cream cheese), Shrimp Cocktail, Lobster Bisque, Salad, Sausage Stuffed Peppers, Lasagna (special request!), Honey of a Ham (I haven't bought one of those in years, and I think I want to get one this year...they're freaking spectacular), and Tenderloin Beef. Of course, roasted potatoes & eggplant and probably Sweet Potatoes.

I love, love, love a full house on Christmas. It's truly the most wonderful time of the year....

All I want is a room somewhere, far away from the cold night air...

You Are Apple Cinnamon Tea

You are a warm and friendly person. You have a compassionate heart, and it shows. You are naturally sweet and kind. Your spirit of generosity is far reaching. You love to be cozy and comfortable. You are a natural homebody. And while you like to be at home, you're not a hermit. You love it when your friends make themselves at home at your place.

What Herbal Tea Are You?

You Are a Plain Ole Cup of Joe

But don't think plain - instead think, uncomplicated You're a low maintenance kind of girl... who can hang with the guys Down to earth, easy going, and fun! Yup, that's you: the friend everyone invites. And your dependable too. Both for a laugh and a sympathetic ear.

What Kind of Coffee Girl Are You?

Friday's Thoughts....

1. Turkey's on! So, being a guest on Thanksgiving doesn't afford you leftovers...so what's on my menu for tonight? You guessed it - Turkey. In the oven roasting as we speak. Funny thing is - I don't love turkey on Thanksgiving, as a matter of fact - I didn't even eat any yesterday. I was too full from all the past beforehand. But today, I'm all over it. And I've got the most delicious lemon herbed butter under the skin....this girl just can't wait to eat.

2. Did I mention how much fun the Patriot's game was? Oh My God. Loved it. We met Robert Kraft afterwards --who was incredibly nice...and we almost bought tickets to the upcoming Jets game - but there's NO availability at Patriots Place. And there's no way we'd drive home after an 8pm game.

3. Insanely busy weekend! Big birthday bash for G tomorrow night so I'm running all over the place tomorrow beforehand. Was supposed to be a surprise but a certain family member (brother in law) blew that, so...whatever. Tomorrow there's also a food show that I need to make an appearance at with the kiddies. Sunday is the metamorphosis of the store to holiday....then it's a girls shopping day for myself, Princess Petunia and my sister and niece. Which means that my own tree is going to have to wait until a week from tonight because this girl is going to be exhausted Sunday night.

We should just be thankful for being together. I think that's what they mean by 'Thanksgiving,' Charlie Brown.

I am thankful for the health and happiness of those that I love...
I am thankful for the friends that I consider family...
I am thankful for the family who are also my friends.

I am thankful for the happy memories I have of my mother; it's funny - on Thanksgiving morning, I always remember the smell of the house. Though we always had dinner at my Auntie Saralee's, my mother always had breakfast going - and we would watch the Macy's Day Parade together. Always one of my more favorite memories of childhood.

I am thankful for being born in America, and being entitled to all the liberties, freedom and grace that comes with that birth right.

I am thankful for all of my flaws and imperfections; life would be incredibly boring if I was perfect.

I am always and forever thankful for the three people I share my day to day life and home with. You are my love, my heart and soul - and I am always so appreciative to have you. (Even when I'm angry with you....)

A message to my friend who's got a "sticky" sense of humor....

Karma's a bitch.
And so am I....

What goes around comes around...
....and I will get you my pretty.

Good times...good times.

Today I took the kids to the Boston Super Mega Fest today in Framingham. I have to say - it was pretty fun! Nice and tame, in comparison to ComicCon (I've never attended, but heard all about today from some interesting types who are clearly "hard core" into this scene...) which is not. I had to break the news to my innocent 9 year old - much to his dismay, that the ComicCon show would be inappropriate for such tender years. But today's show, was fun for all.

I was very excited, but not in that "crazy comic book cult fan stalker way" (no offense to anyone reading) to meet one of my two favorite characters from "True Blood". Love, love, love the character Pam. Love her! And the actress, Kristin Bauer who portrays her is quite lovely in contrast - which makes me enjoy the character that much more...

Afterwards, we enjoyed a delicious and filling lunch at Minado in Natick....one of our very favorite places to go to on a Saturday afternoon.

Tomorrow... it's up early to do holiday ordering and then....the Patriots game! I'd not mentioned this sooner because I wasn't supposed to be going. I got G for his birthday two really unbelievable seats about 25 rows up from the field - for the Colt's game. Oh, and a stadium view room so he could stay and relax and enjoy his attendance at Patriots Place and all that it brings - without the pressures and struggles of traffic. This of course meant he could bring one of his friends, or his brother - whomever. Well, even though he was supposed to go with his brother - he twisted my arm -- and I'll be joining him instead. I've never been to a game so I'm pretty psyched. He & I were hoping to do this together for our 10th anniversary but never got around to it....and this wasn't meant to be a gift where I was a part of it -- so the coordination to pull it off is a bit crazy -- but I'm glad that we're going to be going together.

So while this weekend is incredibly busy - its going to be fun -- and it all has been rather unexpected. Sometimes, those are the best times -- the plans that were never really made at all, but just sort of happened....

Cool, Calm, Collected....

Your Colors Are Neutral

Your colors are subdued - like grays, tans, black, and white. You are a classy and elegant person. You don't need or want too much flash. You have an eye for quality, and you are a big believer in "less is more." You are a solid, unwavering person. You are very comfortable with who you are.

What Are Your Colors?

Thursday's Thoughts...

1. Josh Duhamel looks just like Joran Van Der Sloot. Seriously - are they brothers from another Mother? Last night, we were watcing "Ramona & Beezus" which he was in - and I couldn't help but notice the stunning resemblence. Looks like perfect casting to me should a movie be made in the future...
.

One's cute - the other's crazy. You know they say everyone has a twin....

2. I'm a total Maxxinista. Okay, what girl doesn't love to find fabulous things at a fraction of the price? I'm oh-so-thankful to have found a new perfume this past week at an incredible discount: Betsy Johnson. Love, love, love it! I got a gift set at typically the cost when buying online at a discount shop, but even lower and with no shipping or handling. I love the immediate gratification of shopping. And I just don't get to do it that often... I will make Wrentham soon...I will! (Maybe if I keep telling myself that, it will happen...)

3. Note to self: No more bacon wrapped filet. Okay, so the last two days I was doing a quick detox - no meat protein, etc., just fruits, veggies & broths. Tonight, I decided to have steak because I was making it for Gene and I was really tired today so I figured I could use the iron boost. I wasn't tired from my diet - I was tired from being up at 3a.m. and not being able to sleep - and having a busy day today with trucks, etc. So since I don't need to diet or anything I figured I'd join him in a nice piece of bacon wrapped filet mignon. Mmmkay, really not feeling so great right now - and I should know better. Pork is something I sometimes have issues with....

4. I've developed a new found appreciation for "Family Ties". We have a new cable channel called "The Hub" and they play great, family friendly television shows. We have been watching at least two episodes of "Family Ties" a night - and while I loved it as a kid, I really love it as an adult. Really great writing and they all had such comedic timing...I enjoyed the show because of the stories as a child, but as an adult I appreciate them on a completely different level.

5. The Captains. The Sox won't go after Jeter, just as the Yankees won't go after Jason. Come on now.... I get that a paycheck is a paycheck, but I've got to believe that not everyone is like Johnny Damon. The rivalry between the two clubs runs too deep for the two Captains to swap locations.

WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS SHOUTING....

You know why people are so LOUD?
Probably because they are constantly trying to talk over the television set.

Seriously - do you know someone who insists on keeping the television volume on 80 out of 100?
I do.

And it drives me out of my mind.....

Dear Sports Radio Talk Host...

Okay, so I was driving home today and listening to my favorite sports radio station when I heard them talking about Michael Vick and how he was punished for animal cruelty for a relatively long period of time in jail, whilst Ben Rothlisberger somehow managed to avoid losing more than 4 games for a violent crime against a woman because of no criminal charges being pressed.

So, the portion of the arguement sort of ticked me off (but I didn't have the luxury of time to call in and give them my opinion on) was that they couldn't understand the anger that people feel towards Michael Vick; they feel he comes from a Southern "culture" where dogfighting is acceptable, so it's not "really his fault". He's done his time - let him come back and do his job now.

This girl doesn't think it's quite that cut and dry.

First of all - dogfighting isn't a culture - it's a criminal offense. And he didn't just fight the dogs, he treated them in unthinkable and inhumane ways. Is that a culture? A criminal culture perhaps. There is a "culture" for those who buy snuff films - but that's illegal as well. Black Market Human Trafficking has a "culture" - again, illegal. How's about the prostitution "culture"...? I'd say that a "culture" in which people are involved that warrants arrest - isn't a culture at all. It's crime.

Second of all, while I appreciate and respect the fact that he went to jail - I don't necessarily agree that he should be entitled to get his job back. Listen, if you or I were in jail for a felony for any period of time, I'd bet you we could not get our jobs back. Depending on the felony - you may not be able to get a job in the same field you were in previously. So, why should an athlete who agrees to live by a certain code of conduct that is set forth by the NFL -- be allowed to have his job back after committing a criminal act? Isn't there a culpability to being a role model -maybe not by choice but by mere affiliation of the NFL - that should take precedence over the arguement of "he did his time". Isn't being a professional athlete a luxury - one that isn't always afforded to every person who considers himself a competitor? I'm not suggesting that one has to be out of sports entirely; but maybe one should be out of the role of star player. I'm sure there are lots of jobs open in other leagues, or in other capacities.

He only did his time, because he got caught......what if he hadn't?
Would he still be electrocuting and torturing animals today?
More than likely. It's his "culture"...right?

So what is the message that's being sent out to younger minds who listen to sports radio, or who are avid followers of football where crimes of violence seem to be happening more and more?

The message that this girl seems to be getting is that the torture and death of animals is acceptable (though scientifically proven to be first signs in psychotic & sociopathic behaviour), and that the molestation and or sexual abuse towards women is perfectly acceptable, so long as charges aren't pressed. Because you know, without charges - it must not have taken place, right?

Please.... spare me the good ol' boy network BS.
Because this girl just isn't buying into it.

Don't let the sun go down on me...

I don't know about you, but I'm all set with the sun setting at 4pm.
It's exhausting! I walk out the door at the end of the day and even if I wasn't tired before I get into my car, I am the minute I sit down. It's too early to be pitch black!

What if we didn't turn the clock back? Wouldn't the sun naturally rise earlier and set later?
Couldn't we just leave things alone?
Wouldn't that be organic, in the truest sense?
Just throwing it out there....

Please don't go...don't go... I'm begging you to stay...

I am trying really hard to disregard the news that three teams are interested in bringing Jason on as a mentor.

Why can't he stay here and mentor?!?!
(Yes, I'll admit that there is a slight whine in that statement.)

He hasn't even made it to my store yet! Surely he drinks wine now and again.... he can't leave Boston without making a stop there... can he?

No, of course not.
I just refuse to believe that he's going to leave.
Refuse.
(Slight stomp of the foot. Okay, maybe a slight hair toss too.)

Food is the key to happiness...

So, I'm already on a quest to finalize my Christmas dinner menu.
I want to do Turducken - it was delicious a few years ago.
But I may do goose instead. And of course, ham - you know I'm all about the double main course.

I love my goose recipe. It's never greasy - and it's an Emeril Lagasse recipe which I've made twice now, so it's technically "tried and true". It's definitely not a simple recipe, but mostly because of the time that goes into making the glaze which is done the night prior. And it's so worth the work....

I typically make a soup each year, and the last time I made goose - I also made an artichoke soup which was fabulous; but I'm wondering if I shouldn't make something else. It's not that anyone would remember, or even care - it's just that I like to try new and challenging things. So, if anyone has a suggestion, don't hesitate to share - I'm all ears.

Ham. Goose. Soup du Jour. Stuffed peppers. Pasta (of some sort, always a last minute thought - maybe raviolis in a pumpkin creme sauce? Oh yes, the idea has been born!!), Salad, and so much more....menu to be announced when finalized, natch.

Did I mention that I definitely need a double oven in my new house, when the time comes?
Yes. Yes, I do.

Freedom has a taste to those who fight and almost die, that the protected will never know.

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.
--John Stewart Mill--

Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
--Winston Churchill--

Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly the perils of war.
--Thucydides--

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
--George Orwell--

Freedom isn't free.
--Anonymous--

Thanksgiving comes first...(formerly "You're a Mean One, Mr Grinch"...)

I'm all about Christmas, but....
I just drove home and saw a house with Christmas lights on it!

I'm sorry...
but this is far too early.
That's just craziness!
******************
To further expound upon my post from yesterday, Suldog wrote a post in October that I'm going to piggy back upon today in this post scripted post.

As kids growing up, there was a transition to the Christmas season that we all anxiously looked forward to -- and it came after Thanksgiving. I remember a day when the radio stations didn't play Christmas songs until two weeks before Christmas, and at they were intermingled with regular music at that. Not now... now, stations play them as early as November 1st! What is that all about?

Some retailers have Christmas decor out in July! In my opinion, that's obnoxious. I even think November is a bit early, truth be told.

I'm a consumer and a retailer. I prefer to keep the transition magical...the lights on my house come on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, as does my house decorating. In my shop, the Sunday morning before we open becomes the transition point from Autumn to Holiday - and it's nothing short of spectacular when you walk in.

Personally, I find if you change too quickly - the magic is lost. If Christmas is abundant in July - or even October - you're almost bored of it all by December. What fun is it at that point? There is nothing special about it at that point.

And what of Thanksgiving? Sure - it's not a commercialized, money guzzling holiday so it doesn't get the love from most retailers as it deserves - and that's unfortunate. But that isn't what Thanksgiving is about....nor should Christmas be, but yet there we are.

There can be too much of a good thing. Too much chocolate makes you ill; too much Christmas makes us jaded. Just as we should embrace aging with grace, we should celebrate the holidays as they appear on the calendar.... and congregate and enjoy in the feast of Thanksgiving.

Get into the groove....

Today was my first day back to yoga.
I know, I know....I said I was going to do it last week - but truthfully, the cold came on too quickly -- but fortunately left just as quick, so today was day one.

My God how I've missed it.

What I did notice, however...is that while taking two months off isn't a horrifically long time - I didn't bounce back so strongly as I usually do. A few Warrior Two's and my quads were singing to me. Singing...! What's that all about? Could it be that turning the "big 4-0" makes that much of a difference? I defy the aging process... defy it I say.

Well, that's not entirely true. I'm all about aging gracefully, and embracing who we are naturally. But that's on a purely superficial level. That doesn't mean when it comes to my physical abilities I'm going to lay down and wither away. Au contraire mon frere. As a matter of fact, I was so irritated with my legs burning that I was determined to run three miles when I got home.

However, I opted to have a glass of wine and blog instead. We'll save that run for another night.
But I will do it. And it will be this week.

This girl swears on it.

I'm ENTJ....what are you?

Meyer's Briggs Personality Test

Your Type is:
ENTJ
Extraverted Intuitive Thinking Judging

You are:
slightly expressed extravert; distinctively expressed intuitive personality;slightly expressed thinking personality;very expressed judging personality

Of the four aspects of strategic analysis and definition it is the marshaling or situational organizing role that reaches the highest development in the Fieldmarshal. As this kind of role is practiced some contingency organizing is necessary, so that the second suit of the Fieldmarshal's intellect is devising contingency plans. Structural and functional engineering, though practiced in some degree in the course of organizational operations, tend to be not nearly as well developed and are soon outstripped by the rapidly growing skills in organizing. But it must be said that any kind of strategic exercise tends to bring added strength to engineering as well as organizing skills.

Hardly more than two percent of the total population, Fieldmarshals are bound to lead others, and from an early age they can be observed taking command of groups. In some cases, they simply find themselves in charge of groups, and are mystified as to how this happened. But the reason is that they have a strong natural urge to give structure and direction wherever they are - to harness people in the field and to direct them to achieve distant goals. They resemble Supervisors in their tendency to establish plans for a task, enterprise, or organization, but Fieldmarshals search more for policy and goals than for regulations and procedures.

http://keirsey.com/4temps/fieldmarshal.asp for more on this personality type.

An early request for Christmas....

Dear Santa,
I don't ask for much....truly, I don't.
But please, please, please...let the Red Sox keep Jason on for what will probably be a final year.

Listen...
He's more valueable to us - then to anyone else at this point. He's a leader, a mentor - and if he is our "back up" catcher, then my God - does it get any better than that?!

C'mon.
Give a girl just one last year of Summer time with the Captain.

Fall back, spring ahead...

I don't know about you -but I am really, really happy about turning the clocks back.
Couldn't we all use an extra hour of sleep...?

So, I just got through watching the debut of "Walking Dead" on AMC.
Not so sure what all the hype is about.

Outside of spectacular makeup - the plot seems like it can only go so far... I mean, it's like Michael Jackson's "Thriller" on endless loop. There's only so much ammunition in the world available, and where 99% of the population is going to require a bullet to the brain - I'm not so sure our heroes can really survive.

I get this was a comic book....but can it really have a surviviable plot line?
Only time will tell....

Seen it? Thoughts?

Finally..it's Friay!!

Despite my best efforts, the cold won and I couldn't fight it off. The good thing is though - it's just a cold and nothing that seems to be crazy and turn into bronchitis or even worse - pneumonia. So, though I've had a good week -- I'm tired, and happy to be home. Cheap Chinese food for dinner....and though I shouldn't have a glass of wine, I'm going to do it anyway. I deserve it, god damn it.

Speaking of dinner...it's not here yet, and this girl is H-U-N-G-R-Y.

Thoughts for Tuesday....

Conversation between my son and I at the WWE Event:

T: "You suck (wrestler's name), you suck!"

Me: "Ssh, stop - don't be rude. It's not appropriate..."

T: "Mom, I'm at a WWE Event, we're supposed to heckle the bad guy."

Me: "We're right in front of them, it's got to be tough to come out and have people be rude all the time..."

T: "See Mom, this is why you can't come to wrestling shows anymore. It's not real okay...You know that right? Not everything has to be "sunshine and hearts"... you're all about "sunshine and hearts and rainbows". This is wrestling, and he's a bad guy. It doesn't hurt his feelings, I'm supposed to tell him I don't like him....He can handle it - he's an actor."

A scene from Halloween:

And finally...all in a day's work:

Yesterday was G's birthday. The big "40".
What do you get someone who has everything????

Two tickets to the Patriots v. Colts, 25th row on the Patriots sideline, on the 30 yard line (thereabouts, I can't tell exactly which line it's on -but it's somewhere between the 50 yard and goal) and a stadium view room at Patriot's Place. The goal is for him to have a good time with one of his friends, and just relax.

I try to be really creative when I get gifts for him because he's just so difficult; he has everything so it's truly hard to surprise him - esp. since I can't really hide money from him - he's the "money guy". But I think he'll enjoy it.

'tis the season.....

Okay, so a year ago this week - I came down with a cold, and eventually had pneumonia.
But of course, last year I was opening the store and under tremendous stress and pressure so clearly I was worn down which didn't help.

This year though -- what's my excuse?
Because I am once again....coming down with a cold. Sniffles and stuffed, sore neck, dry throat, really tired.
I have three words for you.... and they begin with a WTF.

Tomorrow - back to yoga. Hot soup for lunch. Lots of fruit....
Beacause I refuse to get sick.
REFUSE to.