No WIFI

I am currently in Massachusetts with no WIFI access to be found.  Actually, I have been told I'm lucky my cell phone even works where we are.  So, I have logged on to my dear Aunts computer to at least let those that care know, I am still alive and well.

With that no WIFI comes no capability to tweak my pictures, so the next day or so will be photo free posts if there are posts at all.

I have taken almost 200 pictures since leaving the sunny and HOT world of Florida on Wednesday.  There will be a lot to discuss and dissect in the upcoming weeks.

And finally, I have to give a shout out to my sister in law Stacey.  Stacey and her son Cohen visited us in NYC and spent two days with us.  It was nice having girl time and letting the boys get reacquainted.  Thanks again Stacey!

Times Square

Kyle and I arrived at our hotel, The Casablanca on Wednesday afternoon.  The location of this hotel is perfect, on 43rd, just off of Times Square.  We checked in to our room, and then headed off to grab some discounted show tickets. 

We decided on Promises, Promises a musical comedy starring Kristin Chenowyth and Sean Hayes.  It actually turned out to be funny and cute. 

For dinner we decided to try Tony's.  It is just next door of our hotel, so it seemed like a good fit.  I could have a glass of wine and not worry about getting lost!  What is there to say about this restaurant other than Oh My Lord!  The portions are HUGE, everything is served Family Style.  Kyle and I settled on Zucchini Fritti as an appetizer and Salmon ala Vodka for dinner.  I didn't think to take a picture of the salmon platter, I was conciously trying to keep everything on the table because the platter was so big.  I did take a photo of the zucchini.  Deep fried, thinly sliced zucchini with parmesan cheese sprinkled over top.  YUM!

Fried Zucchini

Stacey and Cohen arrived yesterday and we spent the day at the Museum and then at Toys R Us.  Yes, I said Toys R Us.  You haven't seen a toy store until you've seen the ones in NYC!  More photos later!  Happy Friday Everyone!

Oh Sheet

We arrived in New York City yesterday afternoon.  Once our ride arrived and we were settled in to the back of the car, Kyle was introduced to New York City traffic at 4:00 p.m. 

Our driver seemed surprised by the amount of traffic.  As traffic sped up and then quickly stopped.  Our driver kept saying one thing over and over. 

"Oh Sheet"

Now, obviously, sheet was not what he truly was saying. Kyle and I snickered in the back seat for miles listening to him.  I really wanted to take photos of the traffic, because there really is nothing like it, but I didn't want to upset our driver any more. 

When we finally arrived at our hotel, I glanced at Kyle and said "Welcome to New York"!

Ready or Not, Here Comes Vacation

I am one day away from vacation. 

Excited?  Check.
Desperately in Need of this vacation?  Check.
Prepared for Vacation?  Nope!

Anyone who knows me, knows I procrastinate.  I tell myself I work better under pressure.  Even in High School I was the one cramming to finish my book reports.  I always did finish them, and usually received good grades on them.  So you see, I work well under pressure!  No, I don't really believe that either.

When I was pregnant with Kyle, I procrastinated in excepting that he was actually coming.  A late miscarriage the year before caused me to decide that until I saw him, it could wait.  Thankfully, my Mom had other plans, planned and held my shower a week before Kyle arrived.  Now in regards to Kyle's birth, it was the one thing I did not procrastinate on.  He arrived 6 weeks early.  Did I procrastinate in calling the doctor because there was no way that what I was experiencing was my water breaking and contractions?  You betcha! Okay, so I'm way off track here, this is another story for another time!

So, now to our vacation.  Kyle and I leave tomorrow.  I still have to get Kyle new shoes, a few shirts that actually fit him, finish our laundry, grab a few groceries for Jeff for the week while I'm gone and oh yeah, PACK!  I can't pack until the night before or day of traveling.  I just can't do it.  What if I need that shirt or those shorts before I leave?  I can't quite understand the people who can pack a week before a trip. 

So, here's to other procrastinators out there.  I feel ya!  Anyone wanna come pack for me?

I'm Jealous!

While flipping through a few of my favorite blogs, I came across the title Family Vacation at the Lodge on Oh My Stinkin Heck.  Could it be?  No, No way...  But yes, it is true.  They are vacationing for a week at The Pioneer Woman's Lodge!!! 

I can't even begin to tell you how jealous I am.  Even my blog has turned green with envy today.  (Well, okay, my blog has had green in it since the beginning, but you know what I mean!)

I think I am going to put this on my bucket list.  It may even be number one.  Oh, right now it is number one because I haven't started a bucket list yet, but this may have just pushed me to that point.  Or, maybe even a vision board???  I've heard people say they work. 

Now I am bordering on becoming obsessive about this.  But I can't help but think how one gets to be so lucky! 

Relax?

We spent the weekend at Disney's Animal Kingdom Resort, Kidani Village.  I will upload all of our photos once I get a chance. 

We had a great room, 2 bedroom, 3 bathroom villa overlooking the safari.  It was pretty cool to wake up in the morning and look out your window at a giraffe! 

I wanted to just have a weekend to relax, so we had a late dinner Friday night and then spent Saturday in the pool almost all day.  At which point we all went back to the room and took naps!  Isn't it funny that at this age a nap just sounds wonderful, yet to our kids we have lost our minds?!

As I was sitting by the pool people watching, because it is one of my favorite past times, my mind started to wander.  (No surprise there!)  Anyhoo...I was sitting there looking at all of the little kiddies running around and couldn't help but think of Kyle.

When was the last time that he begged for that plastic sword that I knew would break as soon as we left the park, but bought it for him anyway?  Or, at what point was it that he could reach the top of the "you must be this high" sign to ride a ride?  How old was he when Disney became "cool" and not that magical place any longer. 

There was one milestone that we hit that I do remember: " Hey Mom, Ian and I are going here.  What time do you want us to meet you and where?"  I remember looking at Kyle thinking, "excuse me, you are only 3".  But, no he was not 3.  He was standing before me as a young man wanting me to trust that he would be alright, and would listen to directions.  I let him go with his phone and directions to meet us back in this exact spot in 3 hours.  They were entering a specific building, so I at least knew where they would be. 

I spent the next 3 hours across the pathway at a restaurant looking at my watch like a crazy person.  With ten minutes to spare, I received a call from Kyle saying they were heading to our spot.  I was proud, scared and thankful all in one fell swoop.  I just didn't realize that was the start of him truly growing up. 

The funny part of all of this thinking and wondering this weekend?  Kyle didn't even go with us! 

Stop. Wait...What?!

A girl I work with stopped on her way to work and snapped this photo.  I cannot even begin to imagine what the heck these people were thinking when they created this. 

Last Day of School

Today is Kyle's last day of school. Even though he has been on summer vacation mentally since the end of Spring Break, he is thoroughly excited.

Postings have been slim the past few days, a lot going on and not enough time. Jeff and I are heading to Orlando this weekend for a short vacation, can't wait! Today also marks the two week countdown to mine and Kyle's vacation to New York City, Massachusetts and Vermont.

Happy Hump Day Everyone!

Ear Candling

I have had ear trouble for over a year now. Nothing major, just enough that it is bothersome. I have seen my family physician; an ear, nose, throat doctor who gave me a nasal spray and then sent a scope up my nose and down my throat. Yeah, that was fun! As well as having an MRI, and hearing tests. Everything was fine and no one could explain what the problem was.

Two weeks ago, when I was still in the midst of my migraine and begging for any type of relief, a friend of ours offered to come over and do Ear Candling. Never had tried it, so I figured what could I lose?

You can buy ear candles at the health food store. They are large hollow paper like candles. You cut a hole through a paper plate, and place it in. That way no ash falls on the person you are working on. You then place the smaller end of the candle into the ear, and light the top of it.

I actually got Jeff to do one. Which is good, because otherwise I would have had to post my picture, and no one needs to see me with a gigantic candle sticking out of my ear!

I started singing Happy Birthday at this point, Jeff didn't find it funny

Once the candle reaches a few inches above the plate, you put the candle out in water. You can then cut open the bottom and see all of the wonderful icky stuff it claims to have pulled out of your ear through a vortex.

In the end, I still had my ear issue and my headache. But if anything, this is very relaxing. You are forced to lay your head down, close your eyes and trust that someone won't drop that large candle anywhere on you!

Week In Review

This was a LONG week even though it was a short one.

HUH?!

Worked on some new recipes this week, one of which was very, very good. However, I didn't think to take photos as I was playing around. Who would have thunk that all of the ingredients I played around with would have turned out as good as they did. So, this gives me the excuse to just cook it again next week for the blog.

Kyle had his wisdom teeth removed today. It's our last visit from the Tooth Fairy. Sigh. Where does time go? I laughed as the nurse was giving him his directions.

I laughed as I smacked Kyle upside the head and informed him that the NO SMOKING part was not for 3 days, but for the rest of his life! I know he just loves me!

Jeff and I canned our banana peppers tonight from the garden. Sadly, our garden is wasting away. I will post the ingredients and photos tomorrow.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!