Yay......it's NYC time (Day 1)

I decided I need to stop and take the time to begin the documentation of this trip (before I forget it).

Our 2nd biggest trip of the summer......
New York City.  (Saturday, July 11th through Thursday, July 16th)

The day started off with one of those stupid EARLY morning flights.  That means getting up at 3:30am.  But.....in order to get to your destination early and enjoy the day means getting up at those ungodly hours.

The flight to New York City took us through Newark, New Jersey.  They gave us such a bomb-ass offer on First Class tickets for both flights that we took the bait and enjoyed all the extra amenities for those who like to travel in style.

First class on this flight included a full breakfast served on real dishes.  We had eggs, oatmeal, fresh fruit, croissant, juice, and yogurt, and sausage and potatoes between the 2 of us.  The only problem was......the food wasn't that great.   Oh well.....we were ready to snooze after we had the opportunity wiped ourselves off with warm wash rags. 

Arrived in Newark and after a long wait finally got our luggage.  We also splurged a little on this leg of the journey as well.....read such bad reviews on transportation options into Manhattan from the Newark airport, so we had a private limo service pick us up and deposit us at our hotel directly.  Didn't get a fancy limo, but we were picked up in a shiny black Suburban with tinted windows and leather seats.  Was nice to have the private and DIRECT ride to our hotel.

Our visit to the city had us staying at the Belnord Hotel again.  We love this small hotel nestled in a quiet Upper West Side neighborhood.  It's so convenient to restaurants, subway, and Starbucks (for Paul).  The hotel doesn't offer any amenities such as a soda machine, coffee maker, or ice......but it's a very reasonable hotel for the city and is away from all the tourist crowds.  The last time we stayed here we had a really tiny room.....this time we had a bigger room (but we're not talking gigantic here either).

Here's what the Belnord looks like:

Since it was around 2pm when we finally got checked in......we dumped our suitcases and headed to find something to eat. 

We found Bodrum Mediterranean Restaurant a couple of blocks from the hotel and while I feasted on a brick oven pizza.....Paul filled up on a Greek sampler plate. 

 

After lunch, we headed back to the hotel and took a quick nap (so we could stay out late and because we got up early) and make plans for the evening.

 

Since all visits to NYC always lead you to Times Square at night......our first mission was to check out the last minute Broadway show tickets at the discount ticket booth.  We jumped on the subway and purchased our week long unlimited riding pass for $31 each.

 

Got tickets for this show:

 

They had you come up on stage and check out some of the things they were going to use in the show.   Here I am on a Broadway stage with my audience behind me.....I've made the big time!

Of course, you have to save everything to keep in your little keepsake albums (the ones that you keep wanting to put together, but always have too many other things going on).

And although my husband broke the first cardinal rule of traveling.....remember to keep all tickets and stubs so that we can put them in our travel keepsake album we are going to make some day.  Unfortunately, the Penn & Teller tickets got washed after being left in his pocket.  Although, I was able to salvage this one.  A little beat up......but now it has a little more character.

The show was entertaining and funny and ended about 11.....so the hunt was on to find some place to eat dinner.  Back out to Time Square......

......where we entertained ourselves trying to take selfies (one of these days we're going to be good at this).

 

Aha!  This is a good one!

There are always things happening and a million people in Times Square.

After walking around for awhile, we really couldn't find anyplace that appealed to us (and we didn't want to eat a big meal)....so we hopped on the subway back towards the hotel.  Lucky for us.....we knew this little Halal truck was right outside the subway exit and one block from our hotel.

Here's the husband ordering our feast.....he ordered Falafel and Rice and I ordered a hot dog.  Hey....it's my first night in New York City......you gotta get a hot dog!

 

 Love this picture.  Love this city.  This picture reminds me of how it is there.  There is also about 1000 of these little Halal trucks all over the city.  Sometimes you'll find 2 or 3 of them right together.  The food is decent, especially late at night.

 

Took the food back to the room and started making the plans for the next day's adventures. 

One step closer to having those pictures here!

Had lots of fun the past week.  Well some of it fun....some of it business.

I did get the millions of pictures downloaded off of the camera onto my computer.....but haven't had time to do anything with them yet.   So instead.......

.........Here's the exciting pictures from the painting event last night.  I learned some things about myself during this activity.  Interesting.  I didn't expect it.  But I want to do the experience again, and see what else I can learn about myself.

Here's the very beginning of this project

 My completed picture.  

 

 Some of the amazing crew I attended the event with

 

 Yes......I was hard at work with this creation!

 All pictures turned out different and beautiful!

It was fun to have a night spending it doing girlie things.  Not something I've had a lot of experience with.......since my whole life has been spent with guys.

Ok.....onto other news.  Why does this dog think she's a cat and can lay on the arms of the sofa?

 Tomorrow we will be celebrating National Lasagna Day.  I had to pretend I was a professional photographer and take pictures of our Lasagna to tantalize people into buying it.  I sure do love this little dog that causes me so much extra work.

And......just to keep you interested in what we did while we were in New York City.....here's a few more pictures just to tease you.  I PROMISE the blog is coming soon of our awesome trip!

 

The end for today!

HELP! (seems like an appropriate title for this week's adventures)

I took a crap load of pictures in NYC! 

Had so much fun, that I wanted to document every moment.  But I don't have any time right now to do all that stuff......boo.

But this has been a busy week and weekend.  Trivia finals, painting class, tax appointments....yada yada yada

Had a disgusting experience earlier in the week when my favorite little cat brought me a mouse and laid it on my pillow......while I was sleeping.  Thankfully, the dog had woken me up running around the bed....and in my sleeping stupor I said to myself "this dog is acting like it's chasing something, I better look".  So I turned on the light and there was that mouse in all it's disgusting glory.

Of course, I did the only thing a person would do at 4am when they are frightfully awakened....I wrapped the mouse up in the blanket and tossed it on the roof.  I really was hoping that it was just faking dead and it would run away once I threw it out there OR that some other animal would come along and want to eat it. 

However, much to my disappointment......it was still there in the morning when I got up.  Here's the proof:

 

That was a huge Texas sized mouse.  But then began the wondering of:  did the cat catch the mouse outside the house OR did she find it in our house??????  Both thoughts creeped me out....but I was really hoping she brought it in.  Well much to my horror.....this weekend as I've been cleaning house, I've been discovering some mice droppings in a couple of different locations.  I'm just hoping that this was a loner mouse and that he doesn't have a whole family living here.

 

So at this time, I would like to thank Misty for guarding our house against disgusting vermin.  However, the next time she finds one I am hoping she disposes of it on her own and not put it in my bed.  As you can see right at this moment in time, Misty does not give a crap about mice hunting at this time.

 

 

In other breaking news......the little dog got involved with an ant pile this afternoon.  After our last scary adventure with her.....I immediately brought her in the house and tried to hurry and get the ants off of her legs and gave her a dose of Benadryl.  Two hours later......she's still looking good.  Hopefully, she's not really allergic to ants -- just had a bad experience with them last time.

Gotta go......got plans for tomorrow and a busy day ahead for me.  Yippee.....it's going to be a fun day!

The day you've been waiting for....I know my mother has!

I know you've all been waiting with baited breath to see what our exciting adventure in New York City was like.

Don't want to disappoint you......but, I took a MILLION pictures and I just haven't had time to put them here yet.  I've been busy doing my job.....you know PZ stuff.

But......I am so excited to get this trip documented before I forget it.....so you are going to get a sneak peek.  However, I have not downloaded the pictures off of the camera yet.....so you are only going to get a preview of the pictures that Paul took on his phone (because for some strange reason his pictures just automatically download and mine have to be done manually.....boo).

So without further adieu........here's a preview of our exciting New York City trip!

WARNING:  you are getting un-edited pictures in random order.  We are only posting these to give you a flavor of our awesome trip!  These pictures are for your entertainment only and will come without commentary. 

Today's the day I've been dreading

I have to put on shoes for the first time in 3 weeks.

As  you can see, my toe is still a fat little sausage. 

(yeah.....I know it's blurry)

 

We're at the point now where I can go a couple of days a week and it doesn't hurt.  But then, there's still days where it still aches and pains me.  I've been very, very careful with it and trying not to bump it into something or have someone step on it.

I bought new shoes and I need to get them broke in before we leave on Saturday.

I love these shoes.  They are so light and comfortable.  I love them so much that I now have 2 of them in different colors.

The black ones look somewhat dressy when paired with jeans and a nice shirt.....and yet my feet are so comfortable for all the walking we'll do. 

The white ones are daytime wear with my shorts.  Now that I've impressed you with my style techniques, we'll just move along now.

Yesterday I spent a good deal of time making reservations and booking stuff that we still needed in NYC.  I wanted to go inside the statue of Liberty, but they limit how many tickets they sell for that....so I was able to get one on the last day we are there.  Not doing the crown....just inside the pedestal.  And since we'll be in that area of Manhattan to take the ferry, I bought our tickets for the 9/11 Museum for that same day and we'll do that in the morning before going to Ellis Island in the afternoon.  Also had to have tickets for the Eilen Jewell concert that we are attending Tuesday night.

Tickets, tickets, tickets.....still need to get transportation set up for Newark, NJ airport into Manhattan. 

Lots of thing to get accomplished this week, so I really shouldn't be wasting my time here....I'll just move along and see how many things I can get done.

And in other news......the husband decided that late yesterday afternoon would be a good time to drain the spa, wipe it down, and refill it.  However, this was how far we got.  Need to get out there later this evening and finish the job.....in my "spare time".

Ups and Downs and All Arounds

I hate the first of the month when it's also payroll week.  Too much to do. 

Doesn't help that I've had lots of trip planning and other business-related things to plan.

But I'm just going to stop working on all business related stuff as of right this minute and work on some other fun things.  Like clean the refrigerator, fold towels, put away laundry, load the dishwasher....you know...those kind of things.

Been lots of ups and downs this week with the New Mexico trip.  Had lots of plans made, plans cancelled, phone calls, more plan changes.....I'm exhausted, but I think we've got most of the details ironed out right now.  We've got some exciting things planned for when we go.....can't wait.

But before that trip is New York City and I have to say I'm pretty excited about that too.  There is so much to see and do there and we barely saw anything when we were there last time.....so it will be like a brand new adventure for us.

Well I hear the washer singing me a cute little tune which really means "get your butt in here and unload me".  At least next week at this time, we'll be packing to head to the big city.....yay!

But just so this blog isn't so boring, I'll post a few pics of our last trip there in 2012.  (I was scared and thought I had lost these pictures when my last computer died......but I use Carbonite and just found them there because they got backed up and saved automatically for me....Thank you thank you thank you.....I am so glad to see these again!)