Holy rusted metal, Batman! LEGOS, Tiffany & Co and Phantom

What an adventure! I have concluded that my husband is the king of the roads! He navigated the curvy roads with bumper to bumper traffic like a pro all the way to Manhattan and INTO the CITY! I was impressed! Jeff Gordon had nothing on him! Of course, he was doing more than taking a left turn all the time. Kevin zipped in and out of lanes like a well traveled veteran and we arrived in Manhattan in no time at all! I was happy to have this Nascar Knight by my side. Upon arrival, we parked the car in a parking garage and proceeded to begin our walking for the day. We walked to Time Square and my main fun was watching Heather's face! She kept looking around everywhere, all of this was new! She was transfixed! We got to Time Square and my first destination with family in tow was---the tickets for the matinee! We got our barrings and found the ticket booth and stood in line. The one show on the list that I was most interested to see was The Phantom of the Opera. I had seen it in the traveling Broadway series, but NOT on Broadway, which is so very different. We moved up in line and were able to get four tickets, 14th row, CENTER! Four, you say? Yes, we took Kevin's cousin Jonathan with us and had an absolutely wonderful day with him! He is in his latter twenties and always smiles! He is fun to have around and very considerate. So, it was a natural match to take him into the city with us. Our major benefit is that we had our trail blazer, him, directing where things were. Between that and the fact that Kevin grew up in New Jersey, until he moved to Florida, really helped.
We started then the quest for certain stores: F. A. O. Schwartz and Tiffany's---with a stop off here and there for coffee, water and more water. Before we truly began our journey, we got said libations and sat in Time Square really taking it all in. It was a sight! Heather was so excited! Her six year old brain was going into overdrive, it was fun to watch.
We then began our walk towards F. A. O. Schwartz and walked, and walked and walked some more. We pointed out various old buildings to Heather as well as the beautiful ornate columns or faces on old buildings. Churches that were adorned with figures of saints and beautiful arches along side new and modern buildings, what a sight! I was flabbergasted! The last time I had been to New York was when I was twenty-five, thus, at thirty-eight, I can truly appreciate these amazing buildings.
All along our journey, I people watched. New York City is a great place to do just that. I saw so many Europeans and heard a melding of foreign voices. It was a delight to the ears. That combined with the solicitors along with way, hands out with pamphlets, trying to con you into taking part in a tour, go to a comedy club or give money to the homeless. Thus, not always a con, just a very insistent coersion by them.
We decided to go into the Apple store before we entered kid "children heaven" and walked into the glass apple box and then proceeded to walk down frosty glass stairs. It was one heck of an entrance! Heather loved it and then, we were in! We looked around us and there was a hustling and bustling about the store. We sat and talked to a pretty African American girl and she was so informative about Macs. Curly hair, big smile and filled with knowledge of her product. It was nice and very convincing. Needless to say, as to not miff my present computer, I won't say it directly, BUT---next time, my computer will be "New York City friendly," if you know what I mean. Don't want to make my Red machine angry, so, moving on.
After that, we went to F. A. O. Schwartz and you could hear the band of angels practically singing upon our entrance. It was magical. Heather's eyes got REALLY big! I think mine did too, because in front of us was Batman---made out of LEGOS! Not only Batman, but Harry Potter, Hermione, Ron, Hagrid and more! It was an awesome sight. Heather was in Heaven. We even played on the BIG piano! No chopsticks or Flight of the Bumblebee, sorry.
Then, it was on to my Mecca, Tiffany & Co! I had never been in one and here I was, ready to enter! Upon entering the turn-around, I was like a Raven in a hall of mirrors! Sparklies everywhere! It was soooo pretty! After tooling around the first floor, I asked where the sterling silver was and went into the elevator to the third floor. There I was, surrounded by pretties and Kevin said, "Alright, you may have whatever you want, up to $500 dollars. Get busy." I looked all around, after hugging him, and found a wonderful signature bracelet with a dangling heart on it. It was beautiful! There were going to add several links in it and we could pick it up later. I thanked my Knight and kissed him.
We were now on our way to food and then Phantom. Our mission, to go to one of the wonderful Ray's Pizza and procure some zza! We found just the one filled with beautifully tantalizing aromatics and soon landed ourselves with a tray filled with the Italian delicacy of the Gods. Jonathan bought us each a beer and Heather, of course, had water. We sat down and ate our Pizza and due to the fact that I was in New York, I did have a day of cheese---no Vegan pizza, and when in Rome, you eat like the natives. Then, it was time for the Phantom of the Opera and we were ready and in line! Upon entering, we were in air conditioning and ready to be taken away and BOY, were we ever. The whole time I watch and listened and thought of how this was Linn's favorite musical and how he would have loved to see it again. I thought of all the times he use to sing me the songs as the Phantom and I would sing as Christine. I thought how interesting that I had ended up with my Raul. Thus, I cried my eyes out during various times of watching the musical. It was wonderful! I was so happy to share this experience with my daughter and new husband. I turned to him when it was over and thanked him for a wonderful honeymoon, because that's what it felt like, and he said that it had only just begun. A good man, I am so blessed.
The next thing on our list was Kevin's other mission to eat a Cannoli, a true Cannoli. So, we found a little place that sold just that and ate to our hearts delights. After that, we went to pick up my bracelet and went into Toys R US! That was Heather's one request and she was in Heaven once again! She was amazed at the animatronic T Rex in the Jurassic Park section of the store and was just beside herself when she saw the Ferris wheel smack dab in the middle of the store!
After that escapade, we went back to Tiffany & Co and saw more pretties and Kevin asked me if there was anything I couldn't live without and I said, "No." And, we picked up my beautiful bracelet. Then, it was destination food and we found a fabulous Irish Pub and had a nice array of yummies! We went into various shops and got to see NYC at night and the lights, lights, lights! At the end of the night, we were dead on our feet with smiles on our faces and we retrieved our car and drove to where Heather could see the statue of liberty. We figured that next time, she would get to go to Ellis Island, next time, we would do all of the many things that we wanted to do, but could not do in one day, next time. But, for now, NYC in a day, what a magical day!

We are in New Jersey! Manhattan fun today!

Hello one and all! We are in New Jersey and arrived yesterday to Kevin's uncle Ernie and aunt Karen's house and it is lovely! The are so kind and their son Jonathan is here and he is great too! We arrived to hot weather after almost seven hours of driving, but it was a good drive. Heather laughed at movies she was watching on the back of my seat and it was amusing how her laughter happened and intersected our conversations wonderfully. Upon arrival, we were made to feel at ease and went for a swim in their pool, which was great and cool. It helped get our body temperatures down and really set the tone for the day. Then, Karen was kind enough to make a beautiful salad with so many yummy ingredients that I had no problem filling my tummy. I had brought a great deal of food, but barely used mine as hers were great! That and corn to boot! So, a good night had by all. With a few beers and Pale Rider at the end, it was a great evening. I have met more people that love movies just like me! I didn't think it was possible.
So, today, we are going into Manhattan and I can't wait! It has been since 1995 and I am looking forward to seeing Heather's reaction to the statue of liberty, the empire state building and the city as a whole. Well, I will report back with all of our antics!

We are on our way! NYC, here we come!

So, the other day, Kevin asked, "Do you want to go to Manhattan before school starts and maybe see a play or two?" So, needless to say, he didn't even finish his sentence and my answer was out, "SURE!" And then, I was online to see what was playing on Broadway right now. Our goal was to pick up a food trailer he had purchased online that is in New Hampshire and enjoy ourselves on our way there along with see my granny in Pa, which is where we are right now, as well as see his aunt and uncle in New Jersey, which is where we are going today! We are going to stay with his family tonight through Friday and go into New York tomorrow and Thursday! Very exciting! I might not be a big city person at ALL, but I am definitely a BROADWAY BABY! Type of a person. This will be my second trip to New York City and Heather's first. The first time I went to NYC was in 1995 and I went to seven shows in five days---impressive, huh? Well, this time around, I want to go to the 911 Memorial and the site. That will be amazing and sad. I want to point out the statue of liberty, I don't know if we will have time to ferry across to Ellis Island, but if not, we will be back when Heather is older.
This has been a summer of so many firsts for Heather: first plane ride (four total due to connection flights), first boat ride/whale watch, first time to Maine, first time to ride her bike without training wheels and so many more that I lost count! As moms go, I think that I have done a great job at making sure that my daughter had a well rounded summer. We traveled to Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Maine, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, then today---New Jersey, tomorrow New York and New Hampshire on Friday! We traveled through various states and did a nice bit of stopping along the way.
Part of me is truly looking forward to her first day of school when they talk about what they did this summer and she can say, "This summer, my mommy got married, we went to Kentucky, Maine, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York..." It will probably come out, "I went to lots of places and did lots of stuff." Truth be told. Her claim to fame still is that she went whale watching, got seasick, threw up, but it was fun! That is what she say every time she tells that story and I just have to laugh. So, happy day and write you later from Jersey Baby!

Yellow Springs with Kellee and TJ ala soccer! Pass the Bengay!:)

Today, Kellee and I went to Yellow Springs and had a wonderful day! We ate lunch at the Sunrise Cafe, my favorite restaurant there and visited CJ at Living Green---favorite store:). After a yummy meal, we both decided on a vegan chocolate pudding cake and it was amazing! We had a good time telling stories, laughing and shopping. We got coffee from Brother Bear, an amazing coffee shop that is owned by a couple who roast their own coffee beans and it is the best coffee I have ever had. I have to go there anytime I am in Yellow Springs to get my coffee for home. We also went to get some vegan chocolate at a cute little sweet shop that is near the organic grocery store---names are escaping me at the moment. Overall, it was an awesome window shopping, laughing and walking type of a girl day.
While I was in Yellow Springs with Kellee, Heather and KDAD---that is Kevin Dad, that is what she calls him---had fun at the Fairborn sweetcorn festival and also went to the Caesar's Creek flea market---because Kevin had booths/trailers at each location. Heather had a blast!
After all of that was done, we went to the Waynesville Varsity versus Alumni soccer game and proceeded to watch uncle TJ realize his age:). He played goalie---the whole game! AND, both teams tied! So, we are very proud of uncle TJ, even though we realize that bengay may be his friend tomorrow. Good luck uncle T!:)

Newport Aquarium, German food and accordion fun!

So, yesterday, Kevin, Heather and I went to the Newport Aquarium and met up with Kate, Dave and Oliver. We had a great time and saw sharks, jellyfish and fish galore. My nephew, Oliver was racing all around the aquarium and actually laid down and looked up at the plexi-glass tunnel. It was adorable! He was so cute and dutiful dad Dave was right there to videotape him. That and watching him race around and then back to mommy where he could get a bite of pb&j. It was fun to watch.
After our antics at the aquarium, we went to Haufurhaus, or something like that, meaning "German Garden." Dave Kaiser is German and introduced us to a place filled with Bratwurst, German beer and accordion music! It was tons of fun and very amusing. I was surrounded by intestine cased meat and old cabbage---thus, Bratwurst and Sauerkraut---two of my least favorite things in the world. BUT, I survived the stinky Sauerkraut and had to laugh at the atmosphere filled with a polka music. The best visual was that of our waitress. I was looking at the menu and then looked up to see a cute brunette in striped socks and peasant blouse and short skirt---German attire friendly---and a belly ala baby! It was sooo cute! She had a basketball for a tummy and a smile to boot! AND speaking of boot, they had Das Boot to drink beer out of. Needless to say, that would have to be another time, but I did triple dog dare him to drink out of the glass boot.
The night was fun filled and Oliver walked around the place with Heather at his heels. What a good cousin.
Well, all for now from this mom, teacher, wife, daughter and writer! Happy Friday!

Better go get your awma

Okay, so life of a six year old is funny. I do remember in my past actually going to posh parties and front row seats at various big time events, but now I live in the land of Radio Disney. It is really quite cute when I reflect on life so far as a mom and I do remember the first time I contemplated this exact thing when I was sitting in the second row---and excited about it!---at a Disney on Ice event. That was life changing. That and realizing that "I WANNA ROCK!" had a whole new meaning as a mom with an infant. Sad, very sad. I would sit their in my rocking chair with infant in arms, gone were the day of the big hair and makeup---AND that was just the men! So, now the latest thing we do is listen to Radio Disney in the car and sing, BOY! Do we sing! We sing Taylor Swift songs and Demi Lovato, we sing Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus! I know these names by heart because we also watch Disney channel almost daily and I have caught myself watching it alone...typical. Well, this singing phenomena started with one instant of headphones in the car and the movie in the back of the front seat and Kevin and I got to here her sing---the movie was Alvin and the Chipmunks. "Chrismas...chrismas...nyana na...hana...ya..ma...ya...nanna. Chrismas...Chrismas...hannaa...hayya..."and then even more fun with "Na...yana...a Hula hoop!" So, yes, a star was born.
Now, the car is filled with "Battlefield! Battlefield! Battlefield! Why does love have to be like a battlefield! Battlefield!" You get the idea. Due to the fact that we are American Idol junkies, it is okay to sing Jordan Sparks at the top of our lungs. But I do remember thinking, "What the heck is awma?" And then realized that it was ARMOR....ohhhhh...duh. We still hear words mishmashed in the backseat, but Heather does not hesitate ONE bit when it comes to singing. I don't know WHERE she gets it! As if...
Better go get your awma.

Oliver was baptised today!

Today, we went to church to watch Oliver, my little nephew, get baptised. He was so adorable! He was up there with another little child, a girl who was only six months old. Oliver is 15 months old and a total spitfire! He was a movin and a shakin and having fun with Kate, Dave, Sarah, Derek, and Bert (Dave's best friend) and was as cute as can be! Then, it was his turn to be baptised and the minister held him up and poured the water over his head. He looked like, "Oh! Is it bathtime?" It was adorable. Then, the last scoop of water landed in his eyes. After all was said and done, the minister said, "For a minute there, I didn't know if this was a Baptist baptism or Episcopalian!" The congregation laughed. It was great. Now, Oliver is running around the house with Heather at his heels and his newest thing is to walk around with his tongue sticking out! It is very cute. So, all is well, hot, but well. It is suppose to get up to 92 degrees today! Yuck! The MS in me is screaming, but I will survive. Someday I will have a house in Maine, someday I will have a house in Maine.

Pretty colors everywhere!

So, tonight we got to see fireworks! It was awesome! Heather and I both started in with the "ewwws" and "awwwws" and it was pretttty. Besides that, I got to babysit Oliver and was able to hold him when he was crying and then sooth him, rock him, put him back in his crib and then rubbed his back and he fell asleep. It was wonderful! I also hemmed his cute little outfit that he is going to wear tomorrow for his baptism. It is so cute! I got to spend time with all of the fam and boy! Was it hot! It reached ninety degrees and just reminded me why I live in OHIOOOOO. It is a little cooler there. But still, my idea of perfect is having a house in Maine. It is just such perfect weather there for me in the summer. Winter is another story, but summer is perfect! So, for now, I write and am proud to say that I wrote six pages today! Very exciting and I am happy with how everything is going in my book. Yay! Well, all for now as it is time to go off to bed and have sweet dreams with a not so small six year old's elbows, feet and arms in my face. What can I say, just the typical life of this mom about town.

Good morning from Lexington, Ky.

Hello all! I am sitting on the couch and writing, the coffee doesn't seem to be working and I'm watching food network, why? Because I can! So, I realized how tired I was when I had to pull myself out of bed and the little kid in me said, "but I don't wannnnnnaaa!" But, I got out of bed and proceeded to make some tofu scramble and attempt to become part of the main stream with the use of caffeine...no such luck. I felt like looking around for some coffee grinds I could chew on or a coffee bean. Just goes to show you that we can---go, go, go! But, we do require rest.
So, today I am going to spend time with my mom and dad, both sisters, brother-in-laws and my nephew Oliver. He is soooo cute and he recognizes Aunt Jen thanks to spending a month with him this summer.
As for exciting stuff right now? Not so much. BUT, Kevin is done as of Sunday and will be back to our world on Monday! Yayyy! We can't wait! So, Heather and I are going to do the family thing this weekend and Oliver gets baptized on Sunday and THEN, Kate, Oliver, Heather and I get to go to the Newport Aquarium on Monday. That way Kevin can acclimate to the real world after the land of funnel cakes, ribbon fries, bourbon chicken, etc...has taken him away. SO, can't wait and looking forward to more fun this summer---I don't go back until the 24th! I do go back for a day on the 17th for training, but, that doesn't count:). So, all for now and have a great day! I know I will.

Stupid cars! Stupid people! Stupid cities!

Okay, so I am driving back from Columbus today and the cars are doing the messed up car ballet meets bumper car. I want to roll down the window and just yell, "You are NOT in a NASCAR qualifying race!" But no, I was nice, just focused on "just keep driving, just keep driving..." Arrghhhh! Well, I survived, got home with "the Munch"and then regrouped to go to Lexington, Kentucky---thus, I had to go through CINCINNATTI! Yay, me! So, due to the fact that I didn't learn from my previous days antics. So, I ended up in Cinci at 5pm...duh...
But, funnier than all that, after yesterday's blog, we had a funny incident ala a friend of mine. So, I am sitting at the dining room table last night with his girlfriend talking and Ryan is taking a shower after a long day of working and making funnel cakes, ribbon fries and bourbon chicken, oh my! SO, he takes a shower, we hear a loud THUD and then I jokingly say, "Ha! Watch he fell down, I've fallen and I can't get up!" So, no one checked on him. Ryan finishes his shower and comes out drying his hair with a towel and has the best story ever. He is hold what looks like the faucet.
"Okay, so I am taking a shower and THIS flies off!" He holds up his not-so-trophy. "And here I am, shampoo in my hair, covered with soap and what am I gonna do? I fit this back on and hold it on with my leg and rinse off. And THEN, it shoots off AGAIN! So, I now I have this mark on my leg and at least, no soap or shampoo." We laughed and laughed. Poor Ryan,
After more discussion, Marissa said, "Well, I did knock on the door and you didn't answer."
Which was even funnier, because, if he was hurt, we thought he was OKAY...even though he didn't speak up. I instantaneously said, "I am soooo writing about this in my BLOG and book. Thanks!"
So, yes, my day started without a shower, morning tetris, but boy, did I have one heck of a story!

Ohio State Fair and the land o' no teeth

So, I took today to write all of my thank you notes for wedding presents and boy! Were there a lot of them. Then, after completing them, I copied pictures and e-mailed the pictures to the world along with copied them to CD for various family members. After that, I paid my left arm for stamps, so I am actually just typing with my right.
Anyway, after that, it was time to visit my husband at the Ohio State Fair and meet up with my niece and sister-in-law. Of course I left late enough in the day so that it was not too hot, but in doing so, I got to crawl forward at a snail's pace during rush hour in Columbus...so much fun! The car in front of me was hauling a horse trailer with a horse inside and YES, I got to see the end of the horse that I resembled...duh! Drive at 4:00pm, no problem! Get into Columbus at 5:00pm....stupid! Stupid! So, I arrive to the fun of cars out the yin yang, bumper to bumper traffic and yes, the driver's eye color--blue. I finally got to my exit and called Kevin who met me in his golf cart to whisk Heather and me away. To where? To a place filled with horse poop, huge cows, food that could kill ya, carnies galore, rides that no one should EVER ride and people without teeth. Do you think I'm lying? I walked around and did my usual people watching...couple after couple---big bellies, eating gargantuan food, kids that were little miniatures of their parents and mullets galore. Billy Ray Cyrus would be proud. In the back of my head I could hear his song,"I want my mullet back!" Well, Billy, go to the Ohio State Fair and you will FIND IT!
Today was the Demi Lovato concert, thus, the fair became inhabited by braces wearing teeny boppers sporting their best teenager wear and preparing themselves for screaming, lots of lots of screaming. These young girls were smiling and bouncing as if in one of those bounce arounds while they walked. I had to laugh while witnessing these children. Too funny. To think, someday they would be the ones who...nevermind...to scary.
The people at the fair are unlike any I can find anywhere else...they are almost indescribable! I mean, wow, they are just so, wow. How to explain? Yelling at their children, swear words included, model citizens, truly. I am in awe of these humans unknown by any who don't frequent these fairs of the world. I have to laugh. I don't think that I am a snob, I just have taste...or so, I think I do. But, inevitably, I will have one of those dreams where all my teeth fall out and wake up tomorrow morning tracing all of my teeth with my tongue with a sigh of relief. Then comes the mantra: I love my dentist, floss is my friend, I love my dentist, floss is my friend.

Our wedding ala collage

Duh...duh..duh...der...der

Okay, so it has come to my attention that several people are reading my blog, just not joining my blog! (Join my blog so I know you are reading AND I will keep writing:)) Duh! Silly me...so, I have been spending my time writing my book instead of entertaining the masses...so, here goes!
Since we have last talked, I have a HOUSEKEEPER! It is the coolest thing! No Mrs. Doubtfire or anything, just Selena and she is awesome. She came in yesterday and made my world pretty! Yay, me! So, I of course, being a woman, cleaned before she came. That's what it comes down to, I cleaned----yes, I did---the night before. I explained to Kevin that I had to declutter the place so that Selena could clean it thoroughly.
"So, you cleaned the night before our housekeeper came?" Kevin said and started to laugh.
After explaining it to him, I finally admitted it...what can I say, I am woman, watch me clean.
Besides that, Heather has been riding her bike everyday without training wheels of course. She is a cycling fiend!
Last night I went to dinner with Kellee and Ron, their kids, Ron's mom and Kellee's sister along with Heather of course....boy, was it good! Then, we went to the land of Barnes and Noble...yayyyyy! I bought a few books, yeah, I know...what a shock!
Nothing too hilarious, but, hey! I have a clean house! Selena was awesome and will clean every two weeks....BECAUSE, as a wise writer friend of mine reminded me---"In six months, do you want to say you have a completed manuscript or that you have a clean house?" I chose option C.....both:)

Laughter and tears

Today was a day of lawn mowing and botche ball combined with fun with Heather. It was awesome....fun with friends, neighbors who are amazing.
We miss Kevin. It is hard to be away from him and Heather cried after we went to the fair and then left him there. Not easy being the wife of a man whose busy time is the summer. I remind her that he does this so that he can spend tons of time with us throughout the school year. She just sniffles and nods her head, lower lip stuck out encompassing her face. So sad. He will be done as of Sunday the 9th...can't wait. For now, it is girl time and we will have fun till the cows come home. And then, we lock the doors.

Books, books and more books

I have to laugh at myself. As a typical teacher, I am doing research. Every single summer, I do research. The last few summers have been research about becoming a vegan, MS, animal cruelty, the food industry and now, this summer---it is about chic lit. I know, funny segue, but...hear me out. I write chic lit, I identify my writing as chic lit and I am OK with that. I have thus ordered off of eBay bunches of chic lit and am reading to truly make sure that this is my niche. My book is in no way formulaic, but, I want to see what is out there and make sure that I am not writing the same old story rehashed over and over. I don't want to be that author who is oblivious, not my style. SO, I read and I read and I write and I write. It is quite amusing. I watch people all the time, I eavesdrop, I am on the verge of stalker land and am thankful to so many for my characters. They are the culmination of thirty-eight years of living, listening, observing and being. Thank you, you characters that have come out of the silliest moments in bars, coffee shops, airports and malls. These characters are so very much of what I am and will continue to be as long as I keep reading, writing, observing and laughing. Back to my research. The life of this thirty-eight year old amazon