It’s been another exhausting, but fruitful, day in the big city! Since my big event isn’t till tomorrow, we decided to do another day of sightseeing starting with a visit to the Museum of Modern Art. The highlights included seeing Van Gogh’s, Starry Night and several Jackson Pollock pieces. The lowlight included some interesting art by Yoko Ono. Like:

The five-and-a-half-minute film consists of a series of close-ups of human buttocks as the subject walks on a treadmill.

Moon was not a fan.

My friend Jeanette has a super cool mom who just happens to live in NEW YORK, so she met us for dinner. And by “met” I mean “paid” which is my favorite kind of dinner! We ate at a yummy restaurant in Grand Central Station and I have photos but am way too tired to upload them, so stay tuned for later.

Afterwards, she hit the subway for home and we hit the streets to see a Broadway show called, On The Town. It was very well done and we had super close seats, (Row A) so that made it even more special. When it was over we waited outside and got some of the actors to sign our program. Again, pictures to come!

It was 10 pm and none of us felt like taking the subway so we walked. The wrong way. Twice. It wasn’t a huge deal, I mean I was HOPING I’d get to see the neighborhood named Hell’s Kitchen, and we were in luck! Thankfully all of the streets are numbered here and it didn’t take long before we figured out that 42 is lower than 43 and perhaps we should turn around.

By the time we leave on Saturday we’ll be practically locals!

Take a moment tomorrow and remember to pray for me. My talk is at 1 and I practiced what I was going to say today with Moon and JD. Moon commented that I said UM about a 1000 times but other than that, I was great.

 

Country Mouse is in the big city and I have to tell you, New York is not for everybody. Sure there are awesome restaurants on every corner, but there are also 1284 people per square foot, and a lot of them are smelly. Still, my trip has been fun.

I now no longer want to drive MYSELF to the airport like some kind of commoner. There is something nice about seeing your name in a car with LIMO plates. It’s even nicer when you don’t have to actually pay for it.

 

As soon as we got checked in to the hotel, we made our way down the street for some Italian food. I did extensive research for the trip and had a list of all of the restaurants and/or food trucks in our vicinity. Just kidding, we just walked until we found a place that didn’t say $28.00 per entree.

I was so tired from traveling I made the family come back to the hotel for a nap. The city may never sleep but I do! I woke up in time to go dinner, then we hit the hay.

 

 

 

 

 

This morning we sent JD down to Starbucks for coffee and breakfast, then we hit the town. First stop, the SUBWAY.

People in New York always act like traveling is so easy – “It’s just a couple of stops on the Red Line.” WhatEVER. We took THREE different trains and made FOURTEEN stops to go FOUR miles.

 

That’s the Statue of Liberty back there. We could have taken the boat over but after all of those stops, I was about tired of New York Mass Transit.

It was a short walk to the Freedom Tower.

The 9/11 Memorial was very impressive and incredibly moving. We went inside to the museum and even though it was hard, I wish every American could go through it. They’ve done a great job memorializing those lost that day.

After another quick lunch, this time at a deli, we took the subway BACK fourteen stops to the hotel. Since it’s been 90 degrees in NYC, I wanted to shower before heading to my editors office!

We got a nice tour, some free books, and generally walked around pretending we weren’t total posers.

 

As we were leaving, my editor mentioned a chocolate shop across the street so of course we needed gelato.

We’d taken a cab to the office, but afterward, we got to ride MORE subway trains and since it was now five, so did all of Manhattan. I’m pretty sure I felt up at least one poor woman.

We made it to the hotel in time to brush our teeth and go back out the door. We were meeting a friend’s daughter and her husband for dinner, and since I was over the subway, we walked.  It was only about eight blocks, no biggie.

 

Until we came outside and found it raining. Luckily, New Yorkers have that down to a science and before the sidewalks could get damp, several impromptu umbrella salesmen had set up shop. We had a $5.00 umbrella before we’d gotten to the cross street.

And now, I’m finally back in bed. Whew. I’m going to be exhausted by the time I get home. And also, fat. And also, BROKE. But I was at least two of those before I left, so no biggie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know I’ve been gone awhile Kittens, but I have heard your heartfelt pleas. Actually there was just ONE, and it was more of a “What have you been doing lately,” than a plea, but you get the idea.

So I’ve been preparing for my big upcoming trip to New York City, and by “preparing” I mean whitening and tightening everything I can. Also, shopping. My friend, Kit, took me to a fancy department store where a lady brought me all kinds of beautiful, TIGHT, clothes to try on. Apparently I have not prepared to the level I should have because she also brought me Spanx. I’m happy to say that some of the items actually looked good on me. I’m sorry to say that all of the items cost more than my couch.

 

This dress looks fairly basic here, but it’s actually pretty va-voom in person. Of course I may decide at the last minute not to go all fancy and wear this instead:

I think it’s important to maintain a standard.

 

 

I know, it’s been a LONG time. So much for my blogging with any kind of consistency. I blame my mother. She and the aunts and Cousin Karen spent the weekend with me and they don’t leave time for anything other than yard sales.

While I was busy with work on Thursday, they hit an estate sale, went shopping, cooked dinner, hung out with my daughter, fed the dog and basically made themselves at home. Which was AWESOME. I wish they’d make themselves at home every weekend! On Friday and Saturday, I hit the yard sales with them. We bought glassware, crockpots, clothing, doll houses, jewelry, chandeliers, shoes, boots, vases, pillows, games, purses and two punch bowls.

Part of the fun of shopping is all of the people you meet. We talked to a bridge player whose wife had just died, a fellow who would perform free-style rap for $1.00, and a diet enthusiast who claims the Whole 30 diet is the stuff of dreams.

After the gang left town, I collapsed in the bed until my brother bought Baby A and Rimfire over to spend the night. I fed the toddler anything she wanted, including lots of ice-cream, and forced the teens to watch Sense and Sensibilities.

Everybody loves Alan Rickman!

Sunday we went to church, ate a nice brunch out, then I went downtown to participate in a townhall meeting about bridge.

So my weekend consisted of hanging out with peddlers, watching Jane Austen, and discussing Whist.  I’m sure all those years spent reading Historical Romances has no bearing on my present life.