...that feature one of the cutest kids ever: LAUREN! Tom and I are really missing two of our best friends Deb and Chris who live in Seattle and who nearly 2 yrs ago had a very sweet little girl--Lauren Katherine. Although we don't see them as much as we'd like, I had some time to go to lunch with Lauren and Deb while I was in town.
Deb says Lauren is experiening the "terrible twos" but I don't see it (hee hee Deb). With me, Lauren is a sweet angel and lets me help her eat with chopsticks and hold her. :)
Hey everyone--its been a while since I have written---sorry about that. My trip to Seattle was a time sapper for sure, but in a good way. I had the opportunity to see many of my friends and spend some good time with my folks, sister and brother. I lucked out with the weather, which I couldn't beleive--it was in the high 60's almost every day. Of course, as always, I caught a cold about halfway thru my trip and that combined with my non-stop movement has extended its duration so that even today I still have no voice and somewhat of an ear ache. I'll hit the doctors office tomorrow if I am still feeling down and out.
Coming back from Seattle I was greeted at the airport by Tom (nice surprise, him waiting in baggage claim for me) and also, 85 degree weather at 11 45 in the evening!! NICE! Yesterday it got to 95 and we spent the day at the boat. We took it out for the first time this year and now we really can't wait until summer. Its nice again today, very hot actually and will remain so for a few days.
Not much else going on here--just getting caught up at work!
Here are some more pics from my trip-- not many though, sadly--I should have taken more.
the dogs laying out on the front of the boat
pike place market
grant and diana
michele, geoff, grantie and di
zane and his transformer (dig the RUN DMC shirt)
chloe chilling in the laundry basket
zane and his mets jersey and umbrella that auntie and uncle got him
michele and di
di, steph, grant and kids
Hello from Seattle! I flew in on Saturday to spend some vacation time with friends and fam and to get in a little work time with my group here in town. I have yet to have been back to Seattle for a "vacation" since moving back East. Tom and I both usually come out and work Mon- Fri which makes for a productive work week, but a rushed one. This time, I am taking Wed-Fri off and plan to spend some quality time with people--sadly, I still don't have time to see everyone I want--it has to be in shifts as it is, so that does make it hard. I hope everyone understands!
On Saturday, after having my direct flight diverted through Minneapolis for a medical emergency on board, I landed in Seattle 2 hours past schedule and headed up I-5 with my destination being Bellingham to visit my sister and her family. Of course I cannot head north without stopping in my favorite part of Seattle, my old stomping grounds, in the U District (University of Washington). I didn't spend much time there as I was anxious to head up North, but I was able to feel quite nostalgic seeing the area, the campus, my old college workplace on the Ave and more "old school" VW camper busses than I could count (sigh... made me miss mine...)
After buying some presents for my niece and nephew and my obligatory UW paraphernalia, I was back on the road. I decided to take the back roads up a ways instead of getting back on the boring freeway. It was a sunny day---Mt Rainier was gorgeous as it always is when its visible through the clouds. It was in the mid 60's, the radio station I used to listen to here was cranked up as loud as my mid-size rental car speakers would allow, window down--arm out, and I drove! It felt great and I had a feeling of longing for Seattle--one that I haven't had in a while. I think it was the sun--it really makes Seattle so much more appealing to me when its sunny.
I had a great time in Bellingham with Steph, Jesse, Zane and Chloe. Zane is the sweetest boy in the world and Chloe--well, she is sweet too, but is in that stage of the terrible two's and lets just say---she lives up to them! Really though--they are sweet kids and I love watching them interact and seeing my sister being such a great mom and Jesse such a hands on dad. Many times I found myself telling them over the weekend, partly as statement and partly in amazement: "I don't know how you guys do it." Just seemingly simple tasks like getting pajamas on them tired me out.
Sunday we all got up and after a trip to REI we headed out to the coast, specifically Bellingham Bay, which leads out to the Pacific Ocean. It was a nice day again and we grabbed Zane's bike and headed for a walk/hike along the Bay. We headed into a beach area and Zane and I went on a "nature walk". We found an abundance of crabs of all sizes, thousands of mussels and other sea creatures that amazed Zane and maybe because I was seeing some of these things through his eyes, they amazed me too (Chloe was throwing rocks in the water with Steph-- not interested in the sea-life). Zane very bravely held the very smallest of the hermit crabs ---and whispered to me, as if the crabs could hear him "Auntie, will they pinch me?" I whispered back the comforting "No" and wanted to stay there all day climbing the rocks and finding treasures with him.
After the beach we all were tired and went home for some lunch. I left shortly after to start the long drive to Bellevue so I could be ready for work today. It was such a nice weekend--i don't get many of those with the kids and I miss them terribly. They are getting so big--so fast.
Here are some pics of my time with the kids.
This post is dedicated to my brother-in-law Fred and sister-in-law Kim who understand Tom's love and obsession with smooth jazz. When Fred and Kim visited in November, during breakfast, Kim pondered out loud how could she feel so tired when she had plenty of sleep... the answer was obvious: smooth jazz was playing on the radio as it always is at our house on weekend mornings. Tom loves it---and I have to say, I like it, at times, like when its raining outside or if I want to fall asleep. We have strict rules that do not allow smooth jazz on car rides or on sunny days.
With that said, tonight we are headed to see Boney James--- a smooth jazz radio station regular--playing live at the Morristown theatre-down the street from where we used to live. Now--to be fair, I really really like Boney and when I saw that he was coming to town I snatched up the tickets immediately for Tom's bday.
So-- we are headed there soon and I am excited! For real, I really am. I can't honestly say that for many smooth jazz regulars.
This weekend Tom is heading to the boat to clean as it should be in the 70's and I am on my way to Seattle to spend some time with friends and family--of course it is supposed to rain there, hell--it could snow. I will pack for all 4 seasons and bring plenty of fleece.
I will miss Tom and the dogs, but will enjoy seeing everyone!
attached is the pic of Boney James. Check him out.
... which was an ACTUAL quote I used last night when Angie and I headed to see her friend (and now mine) Joseph and his band, Deadbeat Darling, play a show at Pianos on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. I felt like I was in a movie or something saying that (which truthfully is why I said it and because seriously--who hasn't wanted to say that ever???).
side note to Jan: remember in WW where W & G kept showing everyone their backstage passes hanging around their neck. So much a moment like that... hahaha
http://www.deadbeatdarling.com/
http://www.deadbeatdarling.com/
Anyway-- Angie and I met up last night after work and had some dinner at the Stanton Social Club also on the LES. I have spent a lot of time in Greenwich Village since I went to NYU for classes, but this specific part of the Village I have only spent a bit of time in---and let me tell you, I could so live here. The restaurant was nice and became packed right away. Great food, tapas style, and Ang toasted me and my nuptials to Tom with a nice glass of Champagne! So nice!
So this area--really reminded us of Capital Hill in Seattle--20-30 somethings, very casually hip, giving off a very "come and see my band" kindof vibe. Ang and I did feel a smidge old at times (1) when we didn't get carded. Sad. 2) when we started to look for a 30 and over wine bar). :-) Overall though-- its an awesome part of town and an area that I will frequent again more often now!
Great little shops neighbor local delis that neighbor fabric stores that neighbor a cupcake place that also sells music. Nice.
Tons of eating establishments and as in many places of NYC (save Times Square), not a "chain" restaurant in sight.
The band rocked! It was a small club and very loud (a 3rd sign that we are old) but we were right up at the stage and Joseph was genuinly thrilled we made it out to see them--he even gave us a shout-out, to the "Seattle girls". I don't do well at explaining music genres aside from the glaringly obvious like country or gansta rap, so I am not going to attempt to label DBD. I will say though that its a mix of rock and grunge and emo and at times sounds like the Cure--with very lovely lyrics that are still stuck in my head even today.
Here are some pics and check out their link.
hey everyone-- not too much happening lately but wanted to let you know that we are getting back in the groove of things after our vacation. We are both busy with work, as usual, but have also found time to hang out with friends and get the boat nearly ready for the first launch of the year (probably by month end). We recently had the main salon furniture all redone (attached are some before and after pics and it should be self explanatory as to why we decided to do this) and Tom got the engines all tuned for Spring. We think we are done with the cosmetic fixes on the interior... but we'll see.
Yesterday we spent the day at the shore enjoying the 70 degree weather and it got us completely in the mood for Summer--it cannot come soon enough! Today-- we woke to pouring rain and thunder and its been foggy and rainy all day. Oh well-- here I know the rain is fleeting and the sun generally stays around so its manageable.
Also with the furniture pics (and if you can't tell what the before is--I feel sorry for you) I have posted a pic of my handsome husband VERY happy with how the furniture came out and Frank and Ollie in the car ride down to the boat. Poor Frank.
Have a good week everyone and GO Michigan State!
I am talking about restaurants in Manhattan. Good Lord there are tons to choose from and the sad thing is that even in a lifetime of living here (if one should have such an opportunity) there is no way that all establishments could be visited. Its mind boggling!
Wednesday night I had plans to meet up with Gretchen as she had flown in for some work meetings. Even though I just saw her last week in Curacao didn't matter! Whenever we are together its fun times! I also found out that my friend Todd was going to be in town as well for work and since Todd and Gretchen met and became friends at the wedding, we invited him to dine with us. Gretchen chose the restaurant this time and she did a fab job. Molyvos on 7th and 56th is an upscale Greek restaurant with traditional greek atmosphere and food. We had a great time at dinner talking about everything from travel to Curacao to why we love NYC. After dinner it was pouring rain--drenching rain. And as we walked through Manhattan the 20 some blocks to the train station, through the tourists ducking for cover and the lights of Time Square popping and lighting everything up I felt like we were in a movie--it was a very surreal feeling. It was a great night.
Today is another drenching day (after a bizzarely warm day yesterday with perfect blue skies)--thunder, lightening, hail, fog. Tom had to drive to Long Island in this (poor guy) for work and Todd has to fly out in this (or attempt to) to head back to Seattle (poor guy).
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On a side note: thanks to all of you that commented on the blog and to me directly in email in regards to my last post. I appreciate the support! :-)
well-- this is a somber post. Most of our posts are quite cheerfull and full of the positive vibes we feel living in the NY area, being blessed with our jobs, our health and our friends and family. But this post dear readers, is of a different tone all together.
As you know, I am a writer (well, an aspiring one, but actually calling myself a writer in a public forum is the right thing to do from a motivational standpoint) and as a writer, I am pitching several ideas for articles to many different publications (A pitch is basically an idea with facts and pre-written sections of an proposed article one is proposing to write for a specific publication(s)).
With the encouragement of Tom and friends (most recently Cora, Angie, Laura, Melissa, Karen and my mother-in-law Bev) I have been pitching ideas focusing on my travel experiences and interesting locales in the NE area. I appreciate the support (thanks guys) and feel I have some great angles/ideas.
Now to the somber part...
I pitched an idea to a famous Newspaper that is read all around the world and makes its home in Manhattan. This publication shall remain unnamed in this post as the journalist society is a small one...
Anyway-- my pitch, to this world famous newspaper (that makes its home in Manhattan and who everyone I am sure can guess its name) a few months ago, to the very specific regional section in the Weekend edition, centered on a specific artsy town near Princeton, NJ. My pitch, very concise yet detailed (which is possible), was sent to them in time for the Spring/pre-summer rush for their readers to benefit from the small town community, historical sites, antique shops and art gallerys (as well as the best pet shop you'll ever visit in the NE) before the summer crowds take residence. I did not hear back from the editor (of whom I had his direct email address AND name) even after I pinged him a couple of times--which is how it sometimes goes in this "business". I was not discouraged-- I just assumed that this was not the time for this type of article.
Since then, I got married, vacationed in paradise and worked very hard at my real job.
Upon coming back from my honeymoon, Tom and I were reading the paper, as we always do on the weekend, and as I opened the local, regional specific section of this specific unnamed paper-- the wind was knocked out of me. On the FRONT PAGE of this section was an entire article about THE SAME TOWN I had pitched with the SAME EMPHASIS on the art galleries and town charm.
Now, I beg of you, please make your own call on this predicament that I find myself in:
Is she just being arrogant to think that it may be possible that her story idea was so perfect and so wonderful that it was bound to be "professonally borrowed" and given to a staff writer at this famous publication in order to save money in this dying newspaper print world?
or
Is she being naive to think that surely she can't be the only person to have thought about this town and its artsy ways and that this is just bound to happen and that surely another person would have known the newspaper lead time and the editor's info (which honestly--is very possible) and the draw this town has to all people in the NE region?
To be fair to myself, I have not yet made a decision on where I feel I stand on this issue. My friends have been kind enough to throw their hands in the air and cry "theif" (thanks guys) and tell me that my idea was "stolen"... but I am not as quick to jump to that conclusion.
As it is, the only conclusion that matters is that the story has been written and I need to keep plugging away with other inspiring travel articles about areas both near and far to pitch to the many publications out there. Oh yeah, and maybe get an agent (I can dream).
Thanks for your sympathy in advance.
** the image appearing in this post is both fitting and also found on the blog bitsnbitesoflife.files.wordpress.com of from which I borrowed it...
We made it home yesterday after the best vacation ever---our wedding day was perfect! I think I have already mentioned that, but I can't help but mention it again!! I loved my dress, Tom looked so handsome, our friends and family all had so much fun---it couldn't have been better. Just a fabulous time and I can't stop looking at the pictures!
Today we poured through all of the professional pics that we had taken and the volume is overwhelming (400+)! I am working at getting a dvd ready to send out to friends and family and its a daunting task--but a fun one!!
Frank and Ollie had a fab time at John and Li's. It took them a day to get back in the groove of normalcy again at home (I am sure it took John and Li longer) :-).
Here are some pics from the trip!
There are a ton, so get ready!! They cover the ceremony and also just fun on the island with friends and fam over the past 2 weeks.
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side note: Heidi MAY! Hello!! Thanks for the comment--great to hear from you. I sent Andrea a note to get you my email address so we can reconnect! Can't wait to catch up!!
