Got Me 13 Turkey Kids and a Little Turkey Wife

Turkey Bird by Heywood Banks

Singing to Turkeys

This might not be the best video to hear the lyrics, but I thought the one with actual turkeys would be more fun.

We're a little obsessed with the Turkey Bird song at the lab as it's the perfect work song for the holidays.

Hand turkeys have been spotted a lot lately here, mostly because people at work have young children. 

In many ways I'll always be a child and like child things. 

Hand turkeys for instance is one of them. 

I drew this hand turkey mom and baby on our Shipping departments' courier board. The next day, thanks to Joe, it became a Dad turkey clad in tattoos and with a slight nicotine addiction.

My mini-vacation from work countdown started the second I clocked in today. I couldn't be more ready for a rest from work and time with my family. 

So from 1 vegetarian to the rest of the world have a nice day off if you're lucky enough to get it, and doodle your turkeys don't gobble them.

Birthday with a Bang! KABOOM

Never take your safety gear for granted!

 I definitely do not. I actually love safety equipment, pile it on me.  The lab coat and goggles just feels so right. I daresay cool even.

Stylin'...geek style

I was making a reagent today, that was not particularly volatile.  I've probably made this reagent dozens of times over the last five years, so I really didn't think much about it.  I set up my area and started weighing out a neat material across the room.  This only took a couple minutes, but when I came back I realized the heat knob was switched on.  Actually it was on full heat.  I reached in the hood to take the 4 liter glass bottle off the heat, and it exploded.

Yep, it blew up in my hand!

And this ladies and gentlemen is the aftermath.

(Note the stir bar still in the middle)

 Luckily only a small amount of residual solution was in the bottom of the bottle when it exploded.  It made the loudest boom I've ever heard, and people from other areas of the lab ran in to check on us.  Glass shot out of the hood, across the room, and everywhere!

 I was standing right in front of the hood holding the glass that exploded.

I'm lucky enough to be typing this article still and without any injury.  And I mean I really feel very lucky.  I could have easily gotten shards of glass all over my body and face. Any one piece of glass could have maimed or disfigured me, or worse.

We've had instances in the lab when our liter sep. funnels would become too reactive and shoot their caps off during a shake.  Other than that we've never had much problem and 0 injuries.

I guess once the oven caught on fire too, but that was dealt with pretty quickly.

After something like that happens, it shakes you up a little. After 5 years in the lab, I often feel like a well oiled robot going through the motions of my day at work.  The routine work was less than routine after the explosion though.

I didn't attempt to make the reagent again.  In fact I walked a little slower, checked my surroundings a little harder, and my heart was still beating pretty fast when I walked out the door.

I kept this scorched stir bar as a reminder that one day in the lab I felt like a mad scientist.

My new S.P.E. partner, Kim, was the only one in the room at the time.  She's still saying I just wanted to start my birthday with a bang! 

Some People are so Poor, All They Have is Money

The task of getting out of bed some days, especially a Monday, is an accomplishment in itself.  By the time I drive a half hour to work my mood usually hasn't improved.  If I can make it out of my car and into my windowless laboratory room, I'm feeling pretty damn good about my achievement.  I've made it to work, somebody pat me on the back!

                   

This morning I came in to find a new book, lotion, and body spray in my locker!  Ronda gave me the book, and my new S.P.E. partner brought the sprays and body lotion.  I hope she isn't trying to tell me something!

The tomatoes are farm fresh that I swiped off the break table.  Coworkers here are really generous, and all growing season we come in to find various fruits and vegetables for the taking.

This was just such a funny sight when I walked in that I had to get a picture.  Our labs very own farmers market.

 I'm instantly reminded that good, no great people surround my life.  Through bad moods and bad days, it is the generosity of my friends and coworkers that keep me going.  

I'd been working on this article for a week or so not sure where to go with it, but I came in today to more presents in my locker! What more of a sign do I need to finish my post about being grateful.

Kim went to visit Amber in Florida recently. 4 Ladies and a Beaker unite again! They had a great time catching up and scanning beaches for shells.  

And Kim was lucky enough to get to cuddle these cutie pies again.

They found a nice stash of shells and Kim brought these back for me! She also made an air plant magnet out of a bigger shell.  The socks were just me she said.  Hilariously enough this morning rained massive amounts and surrounding areas were pummeled with hail.  Flash floods were happening everywhere and streets were so full of water they were closed down around our work.  Today hail and high winds can't bring me down anyway.  Neither can the annoying traffic, or the broken instrument.  

Today I will smile! And I will mean it.  Hopefully it catches.

I've received so much kindness throughout my life, and I should more often stop and think about my blessings.   

 Sometimes in the midst of the chaos and sadness of the world I get lost, but my friends and family always find me and bring me back to my roots. 

 If I was asked what I truly want in life, it would be exactly what I have.  It is humbling to think about what I am really gracious for.  And I am so rich in love.  I'm rich in ways others are not.  I wouldn't trade what I have for any amount of money or things.

  I have an amazing supportive family and incredible friends.  My co-workers are like a 2nd family.  We may bicker occasionally, but we are always there for each other.  I know that i always have a sincere friend that I can ugly cry in front of even at work.

I added a couple pictures of my wonderful work family...out of work.  Here we all are. My friends and confidants.  4 Ladies and a Beaker.

Take my advice and think about the important people in your life, and smile for them, smile for a stranger, and feel blessed for the small moments of joy.