New York, Days 2, 3 and 4 (aka, MY BACK IS KILLING ME!)

Well, I thought for sure I'd have time to post each night while in NYC.  I was so impressed with myself for doing it on Day One.  Pshaw.  I shoulda known better.  I was too pooped to pop, much less post, at the end of each day. So, now I have to catch up on that trip in 200 words or less.  Or something like that.

I figure I'll just do a good old list of things I liked, didn't like, loved, didn't love, etc.  It's easier reading, and goodness knows, it's less thinking.  So, without further delay, here's the JuJu take on NYC and all it has to offer; accompanied by pictures that sometimes match what I'm talking about:

BILLY ELLIOTT WAS AWESOME.  I loved it.  I cried through the entire show.  At one point, I realized what I was witnessing was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.  *

There are no shops for larger women near Times Square.

The bagels are as good as advertised.

The folks are big into Mother's Day up there.  I think I had close to 25 people wish me a Happy Mother's Day.

There is just SO much to look at, and so much great people watching.  And, so many girls wear tights.  I liked that!

I could get used to riding the subway.

Central Park is gorgeous.  It's hard to fathom that big area of grass in the middle of all that concrete.  But, it somehow fits just perfectly.

Our bathroom had two light switches.  That drove me crazy as they were on opposite sides of the long bathroom. 

Seeing my blog buddy was one of the highlights of my year.

I ate a $20 cheeseburger.  And, no, it wasn't worth it.

Did I mention Billy Elliott yet? 

I went four days with no BRAVO station.  I missed my housewives.

Steven was like a kid in a candy store.  (when he gets his pictures posted, I'll be sure to share)

I'm certainly not used to walking that much.  Or at all.  My back hurt, my legs hurt, my feet hurt.  Each time I rose from a seated position, I looked like my 93 year old friend, Mafalda.  I have a mega blister on my left foot.  At one point, I even got a pout on from all the walking.  Cry me a river, right?

The concert was great, but I honestly didn't see much, other than the backs of people's heads, bad dancing, and lots of making out.  I would love to see them in a situation where I could see the stage show.  The snippets I did see were super.  Oh, and the bathrooms were really cool.  I don't say that very often at a concert venue!!

Our hotel was right in Times Square, and that was sure interesting.  There are so many policemen there right now.  I wonder if it's always like that, or if protection has increased of late.

These are my very unhappy feet.  They were really mad at me for what I did to them.  And, Rockett was mad that we were gone so long, so she welcomed me back by eating the left of this pair of shoes. 

So, now the hustle and bustle is over.  It was a very busy few days, and a bit breathtaking to be honest!  I'm so glad we were able to do the things we did, and make the memories.  But, I think I'll keep my quiet little corner of the world.  I<3GC.

*except my kids!

Day One and I'm Pooped

Okay, if we're keeping score, NYC is winning 1-0 against the JuJu.  I'm whipped! 

Granted, we got up at 5:00 this morning, went to the airport, flew to NYC, took the shuttle to the hotel, checked in (thank you Doubletree for letting us in early), walked to the Empire State Building, oohed and ahhed along the way, went to the top of the ESB, looked around, went back down, ate lunch, walked back, did some shopping, took a nap, went to Chinatown, went to the East Village, and now we're back.

Whew.  Let me catch my breath.  And, I apologize for the run-on sentence, but I was trying to make a point.  :-)

Here's what I've discovered thus far:

Chinese wedding receptions look like a lot of fun.

Steamed Dumplings at the Golden Unicorn look a bit like testicles. 

There's a lot of horn honking going on here.

That Forever 21 store plays some LOUD music.

Most people are pretty darn friendly.

Don't try to take a picture of the picture they take of you at the Empire State Building.  That's a no no.

My feet hurt.  My back hurts.  But, my spirit is doing good.  The first thing I saw was a sign for Billy Elliott, so I'm psyched about that.  (Tomorrow!)  I look forward to more advenutres tomorrow.  Here's some pix from day one:

Awwww.  My little tourists.

Here's my favorite dork:

And Harry Potter gone blonde---

Trip Eve

In 12 hours, we will be in New York City.  Aint modern technology grand?

The last time I was in NYC, I was 16 years old.  I had not yet had my date with Pete Grimes   (read that horrific tale here), cell phones didn't exist, internet, what?   It was 1979 for heck's sake.  I remember I wore these pink socks with sparkly silver thread running through them.  I had no color in my hair, I was probably a size 9, and my boobs were non-existant.

My, how things have changed....Let's just leave it with I have no idea what my natural color is anymore.

Anyway, while there, I saw, "Annie."  I was there with my longtime friend, Laura Hoeppner, and we thought were were so cool.  I still have a photo of the two of us in our hotel room.  The picture says different on that cool factor.

So, now 30 years later, I'm going back.  I wonder if it's changed any?    Other than my hair, my pant size and the size of my boobs, I'm still the same cool 16 year old.    (I'm just STUCK in this 46 year old body)  This time, I'm taking my 17 year old and my 41 year old.  Taylor was in NYC a couple summers ago, but Steven has never been.  I think he is literally salivating at all the photo ops that await him. Me?  I'm excited to see Billy Elliot on Broadway and eat good Italian food.

I'm super excited as it means I'll have some blog fodder!  And, speaking of blogs, I'm going to get to spend some time with a really neat lady; whom I met through the blogosphere.  It's such a treat to spend time face to face, after a year of building our friendship.

And I plan to eat every single bagel in the city.  Seriously.

See ya from the big apple baby!

A Little Levity for Your Thursday

Enjoy.  This brought a smile to my face. :-)

Ever?

When do we stop worrying about our children?

A guy I work with asked me today about separation anxiety.  He asked me when does it go away?  He has a 22 month old son, and lately the little fella has been having a hard time of it when saying goodbye to daddy in the morning.  I looked at him, and very seriously answered, "Never."

From the time we find out we're pregnant, we worry.  Are we eating right?  Are we eating too much?  Are we sleeping enough?  Should we get tested while pregnant?  Natural childbirth?  Drugs?  All of a sudden, our days of narcissism and freedom are over.  Overnight, we start stressing about these little beings.  And, we have absolutely no idea what we are getting into.

And then they are born.  We fall in love at first sight.  And the worry is magnified by a million.

We worry, are they eating enough?  Are they growing enough?  What percentile is their head size?  Can they crawl?  Can they walk?  Bottle or Breast?  Is my baby normal?  Is their poop normal?  Their cries break our hearts.  Their cries drive us to such despair; of the likes we never could imagine.  We give up sleep, social lives, jobs, and bodies for these creatures.  Our relationships with everyone changes.  Instantly, we become moms. These little things are dependent on us for everything.  And we have no idea what we're doing.

Then they start growing.  They go to the first day of school.  New worries begin.  Is their teacher kind?  Are they reading?  Are they making friends?  What about all this I hear about bullying in school?  Is the bus safe?  Do they eat at lunch?  Reports. Homework.  Projects.  Worry Worry Worry.  Am I doing this right?

Then the teen years.  Relationships.  Heartache.  Peer Pressure.  Fights.  Proms.  Clubs?  No clubs.  SAT.  Tears.  Hormones.  More tears.  Drinking  Drugs.  Driving.  Graduation.  Now what?  Letting them grow.  Letting them go.

So, I sit here with two children in college.  One graduates this Saturday.  Next in line for them will be adulthood, and I will still worry.  I will worry if they are happy, healthy and well adjusted.  How much did I screw them up?  Did they find their soulmate?  Did they find their dream job?  How often will I see them?  Did I teach them how to think, feel and be a good person?  Did I tell them I loved them enough?

Because you see, we, as mothers,  are never really separated.  The anxiety we have if part of being a mother.  It's never ending.  Oh, we love our spouses, our friends, our boyfriends, our animals.  But that love we have as a mother is on a different plane altogether. 

And, as much as the worry stresses me, breaks my heart, and ages me, I wouldn't have it any other way.  The absolute best Mother's Day gift for me, each and every year, is my two kids.  Jake, Taylor, I love you both so very very much.   xxx

(picture by Steven)

R-R-R-Random!

Time to catch up on some things I've learned in the past week or so.

I just watched "Billy Elliot" for the 972nd time.  I love love love this movie.  I cry like crazy when I watch it.  It is simply wonderful.  If you've never seen it, stop what you are doing right now, find it, start it, watch it, love it, cry.  Trust me on this one.

We go to NYC next weekend, and I am hoping we see Billy Elliot on Broadway on Sunday.  I can't even imagine how wonderful that would be.  I feel choked up just thinking about.  I always wanted to be a Broadway singer, so just going near Broadway gives me goose bumps.  Combine it with BE, and POW!  Perfection.

I love roasted asparagus.  But, it doesn't love me so much.  Does anyone else have this problem??

My dad died 9 years ago today.  It hardly seems possible that I've lived 9 years without him in my life, and almost 15 without my mom.

It was HOT today in South Carolina.  I actually was hot when I got in the car, hot walking into the grocery store, and broke a bit of a sweat unloading the groceries.  Commence me complaining about being hot all the time.  I do not like to be hot and sweaty.  I am SO living in the wrong part of the country.

Don't you just love all the hats the ladies wear to the Kentucky Derby?  How fun! 

Did I mention how much I love Billy Elliot?  People, go watch it.

Have you seen the commercial for Baskin Robbins with the catchy tune?  Ice cream and cake ice cream and cake.  Ice cream and cake ice cream and cake.  I'm having a hard time getting that ditty out of my head.

Jake graduates from college next Saturday. His degree is in secondary education, but he plans to go to law school in August.  He's decided on the University of Texas-Austin.  I'm so darn proud of him.  He's done this all himself.  He is a gem, that kid.  (more on this at a later date!)

I can never find a pillow that I like. Why is it so difficult to find the perfect pillow?

41 Days until England v. USA!

Oreo Dad

I love this commercial.  I love how hot the dad is and I love how cute the son is.  And, I just love the idea of it all.  It makes me want to eat an Oreo, or 10.