Welcome!

Ta da! Welcome to the new site!

Wait. Why did we need a new site? Oh yeah. After a few months in the blogosphere and finding my "blogger voice" it was apparent the look, layout and name of the old site just didn't jive. So here we have a perky name, lighter look, infusion of pink (yay!), and website that matches the blog title. Even the old posts made the move, packing up their words and jumping in the moving van with their original dates and timestamps so you won't miss any content. Nice, eh? All that's left to do is to send out the change of address cards.

Enjoy!


Disclaimer: No turkeys were harmed in the establishment of this site. No feathers dusted, no birds stuffed. No artificial flavorings added (unless you count the diet coke plus last night). Site is certified* 100% pure pink turkey.

* certified with extra C for CRAZY!

It rained on our parade

Today was the annual local community parade and fair. Well, it was supposed to be yesterday but it rained all day so the festivities were moved to today. See the dark sky behind the trees in the photo? Yep, it rained today too.

The theme of the parade and fair this year recognized the 100th aniversary of our lovely hamlet, thus the one-zero-zero on the car. Riding in the car were 94-year-old G and 6-year-old M. (Get it: 94 + 6 = 100.) When it started raining about 1/4 into the parade we snagged the numbers off the car and used them as makeshift umbrellas, and put the top up on the 'vert' keeping G and M (and driver D, not to mention the upholstery) dry. Even with our handy dandy zeros-masquerading-as-umbrellas we were soaked. Soaked! Let's just say there's a big ol' reason there are no post-parade photos.

It might have rained on our parade but we made the most of it. The downpour quit about the time we made it to the fair. Our rain soaked selves started working the booth, visiting with friends, sitting in the sun in hopes of drying out, blowing up balloons, and just being goofy. We left 3 hours later, somewhat dry and - get this - sunburned!

... but I won't feel blue ...

Drew mentioned that he had a song running through his head and it was stuck on repeat. He couldn't get it out of his head. It was something like Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall." I see that stuck song and raise you one, dear turkey. "Super Trouper" from Mamma Mia has been stuck in my head for days. Not just stuck, but to the point I want to put on the white patent leather boots and prance around singing "tonight the super trouper lights are gonna blind me but I won't feel blue like I always do, 'cause somewhere in the crowd there's youuu!" Ah, good ol' ABBA.

"ABBA, who?" asks Drew. I sense the moment is ripe to introduce him to some groovy, cheerful music and quickly hit play on the iPod and turn up the volume. He listens to the acapella intro and maybe the first two phrases before one eyebrow goes up and he looks at me like I'm utterly nuts. Utterly. What he said next is not fit for the blogosphere but it ended with "here are your headphones, mom." So much for groovy mamma mia.

...but I won't feel blue ... 'cause somewhere in the crowd there's youuuuu! Sing it, sister!

New job description

In addition to my regular job I am now a professional chauffeur and banker. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks last weekend and this week only confirmed it. In other words, I am the mother of a teenager.

Here's the job description: feed and clothe child growing faster than a weed, drive to sundry activities and social engagements at all hours, dispense money for said activities and social engagements, change work hours to accommodate teenager's schedule, dispense money, monitor homework in subjects for which I have no abilities (physics, anyone?), cajole teenager out of bed before 11am, dispense money, drive to another engagement, act like a cool mom in front of teenager's friends, dispense money, then wait for the phone call saying "you can pick me up now." The hours are rotten, the pay is even worse. Job requires flexibility, mental gymnastics, cash, emotional acuity, nerves of steel, a valid drivers license, acting skills, some cooking abilities, and a healthy dose of humor. Benefits are limited to love but only when teenager's friends are not around. Working conditions ...

Whoops! I need to cut this short. The teenager is calling for his chauffeur. Must leave a little early so there's time to swing by the ATM, too. Toodles!

A brush with fame

I've seen the Madonna. Not only have I seen her, I've worked with her. The Madonna and Jackie Kennedy kept me straight for a number of years. Madonna had the office next to mine and would often be found in my space, perched in a black pleather chair with her toes in the sheep skin rug that really looked like a bear but no one cared because it was so entertaining. She was a good peep to have around. Ah, the Madonna and Mrs. Kennedy. Good times.

Anyway, the Madonna emailed this afternoon with e-giggles and a link to her sister's latest blog post. That would be Sister Eileen, not Sister Martha. Think I'm pulling your leg? Click here and believe!

Fluff-a-doodle-doo!

Yep, that's me in the gorgeous office of modular furniture (I hear faux wood and metal is making a come back). Look beyond the furnishings, the garish light and the piles of papers on the desk to the real story: the hair. Hair. A nice bob with tuck-behind-the-ears ability. For the past year I've been growing it out from the choppy 'do in the photo at right to this bob. What was surprising is how much I missed the old 'do. I'm just not a bob.

So Super Scissors Sally and Harry Highlighter worked their magic yesterday. Their instructions: fun and funky, shine, streaks of color, and serious FLUFF.

Now, before you start thinking I turned in to a poodle, check it out:








Fluff-a-doodle-'do!

Randomness

I've seen it going around the blogosphere and today it hit email again. Those answer-these-12- questions-about-yourself-and-send-it-to-your-12-bestest-friends emails. Or for bloggers, post 6 random things about yourself. The email arrived today as a forward so I figure we'll hit two turkeys with the one entry below. Grab your popcorn and a soda, turn off your cell phones, be considerate of those around you, please keep your shoes off the furniture, and enjoy the show.

(cue theme music)


6 Random Facts about Jess

1. My favorite color is PINK but my house is so NOT pink.

2. Jackie Kennedy was my assistant.

3. My son was in Harvard in 6th and 7th grade. Honestly. (OK. So that was more about him than me, but it's still a random fact.)

4. I heart Christmas songs! My iPod is populated with close to 4,000 songs and nearly 1/4 of them are Christmas. It's a fabulous problem to have.

5. I have appeared on stage with Itzhak Perlman ... uh, huh ... wait for it ... as a page turner!

6. One of my nicknames, SEG, was bestowed upon me by WG. Web Goddess (get it? WG short for Web Goddess) taught me the ins and outs of blogger and helped create the first blog that lasted, oh, a couple weeks. SEG is short for Special Events Goddess. It's always good to hang with the goddesses. Jackie Kennedy would heartily agree.

Turkey dinner?

To blog or not to blog? That is not the question. Rather, is it better to blog with a glass of wine or a margarita? Tonight it's ... drum roll, please ... a glass of wine! (cue applause)

My friend M remarked that my "love" of turkey had been hithertofor unknown. Had I been hiding a secret love of turkey? Was I super fond of Thanksgiving? Because one should really LOVE turkey if their blog is called "A Turkey Dinner," right? Um, well. Yeah. There's that. Then there's the need for a catchy name for a blog. The catchy name won. Because if you really want to know, turkey is OK but it is certainly not my favorite. Meat. Turkey is not my favorite MEAT. It was just a great analogy for the quirky things in life. And it's amazing how funny life - and turkeys! - look after a glass of wine!

Cheers!

Lobster, not turkey

One of our favorite restaurants is the Grill at Quarterfield Station, affectionately known in this house as Quarterfield Grill. They have a broad menu, friendly staff, comfortable atmosphere, friendly staff, great week night specials and good food. Did I mention they have a friendly staff? We're talkin' capitol FRIENDLY staff! We are especially fond of their breakfast/brunch menu. Even though they took my all-time favorite off the menu (I think it was a supply/quality issue. bummer.) we still frequent the joint. Frequently. Next time you're in town we'll take you there, too.

Oh, my all-time favorite menu item was lobster benedict. Think about your traditional eggs benedict with lobster instead of canadian bacon. YUM! Let out a holler if you ever see lobster benedict on another menu. I'm so there!

And didya notice their logo looks suspiciously like, oh, a fun feathered friend for whom this blog is named? :-)

Happy birthday!

Celebrating the bird

Drew's birthday is tomorrow. He'll be (gulp!) 14.

For his 10th I peppered the house with post-it notes. He woke up and they were everywhere he would be in the morning -- his bedroom, sock drawer, bathroom, hallway, kitchen, front door, in/on the fridge, in his cereal bowl, and in the car. There were even post-its on the inside of the toilet lid! It took a long time and a few packs of post-its, but the reaction was priceless.

But what to do for his 14th? The gift thing is taken care of, I'm just still debating what to DO. Fill his room with helium balloons? Sidewalk chalk the driveway with happy birthday messages? Birthday banner on the front door? Tin foil his bed? Stick birthday messages in/on all his school books? Any ideas?