Debbie flew in from California to attend a conference in the city. She arrived almost a week early, so we could spend some time together. It's been a year since our last visit.
Debbie doesn't do anything that isn't over the top if you get my drift. She had made arrangements for us to spend two days in Manhattan just the two of us, a sister weekend. We arrived at a Hotel named "Dreams". Our room had dark blue headboards, dark blue carpeting, white walls, white down filled comforters. There was blue lighting peeking out from under the beds, a glass topped desk which was also blue lit, a flat screen TV, a double head shower, and cashmere feel robes that made you feel as though you were in a spa.
After we unpacked we headed to the bar and had a martini and returned to our room to dress for dinner and then to The Majestic Theater were we had and center row seats for Phantom of the Opera. I was like a child in awe, this was my first Broadway Show. The costumes, set and talent were breathtaking. As we exited the theater a light snow flurry topped off the whole experience. We strolled along the Streets and Avenues,and through Times Square before stopping stopping for dessert and coffee. We then returned to the hotel for a night cap and sleep because we had a big day ahead of us.
10:30am we attended a meditation session before going to the spa for a 35 minute massage. I felt so good that I way over tipped for the services but what the heck, it's the holidays. After a quick change of clothes we checked out and arrived at
Brasserie 8 1/2 for brunch. It was fabulous, there was seafood, breakfast omlettes,
Eggs Benedict, meats, poultry, fruits, salads and about 15 different desserts. We spent quite a long time eating,after all we had a long day ahead of us.
We walked around the city until 8pm. We saw the store windows in all their grandeur.
We went into the famous F.A.O. Schwarz. You had to line uo outside because the store was packed. I was dispointmented, I was expecting something a bit more over the top. It was packed with shelves of toys and mobs of loud, running excited kids. I thought I'd see a store like Tom Hanks visited in the movie Big. We spent about 15 minutes in there before heading back into the freezing windy city. We watched the skaters and viewed the tree at Rockefeller Center, visited St. Patrick's Cathedral, and found another church, St. Thomas were the service was sung by a boy's choir. It was incredible, the chruch has a boy's choir boarding school so you can amagine the quality of their voices. Following the service there was an organ recital which gave you goose bumps as the sound filled the cathedral. It was quite an experience.
Freezing cold and weary we dined and headed back to NJ where we relaxed and had a glass or two of "drink".
Deb stayed the night and the next day then headed back for the conference and I returned to work. Deb returned back here on Thursday and waited for a break in the weather before heading up to PA to visit the folks. Today she flies back to CA where her busy work schedule and lifestyle continue. I'm finally packing up my Thanksgiving decorations and am regrouping for Christmas. It's been a busy week.
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Saturday, December 13, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Waiting
This morning I'm excited because Debbie is coming East from Irvine, CA. She has a conference in NYC next week and extended her trip to include a visit to us as well as mom and dad.
Tomorrow Deb and I are heading for the Big Apple to take in Christmas. The tree was lit two days ago and the skaters are on the ice. It's the best place to experience the season. Can't wait to see the windows decorated, they are always decked out.
Tomorrow Deb and I are heading for the Big Apple to take in Christmas. The tree was lit two days ago and the skaters are on the ice. It's the best place to experience the season. Can't wait to see the windows decorated, they are always decked out.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The List
Rules:
1. link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself.
3. tag 7 people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
The List:
1. I had a crush on "Howdy Dowdy", I can't believe I never saw the thick black strings on the marionette. I now have a secret crush on David Cook(Americam Idol).
2. I can't pronounce the words aluminum or ventriloquist.
3. I can't tell the difference between the Doobie Brothers and the Eagles music.
4. I went through thin ice in a swallow stream while writing "Warning Thin Ice" in the snow at the edge of open water. Luckly the water was only waist high. My pants froze stiff as I walked home. Duh!
5. As a youngster I ran away from home, packing a loaf of bread and sat at the edge of the woods until dusk before returning.
6. I'm still afraid to take a fish off the hook!
7. I like to sing out loud when home alone.
1. link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself.
3. tag 7 people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
The List:
1. I had a crush on "Howdy Dowdy", I can't believe I never saw the thick black strings on the marionette. I now have a secret crush on David Cook(Americam Idol).
2. I can't pronounce the words aluminum or ventriloquist.
3. I can't tell the difference between the Doobie Brothers and the Eagles music.
4. I went through thin ice in a swallow stream while writing "Warning Thin Ice" in the snow at the edge of open water. Luckly the water was only waist high. My pants froze stiff as I walked home. Duh!
5. As a youngster I ran away from home, packing a loaf of bread and sat at the edge of the woods until dusk before returning.
6. I'm still afraid to take a fish off the hook!
7. I like to sing out loud when home alone.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Happy Birthday Little Man!
Today you are 3, how much you have grown. Although I haven't physically been at your side know that you are always in my heart. Each day I check the computer in hopes of catching a glimpse of you. You make me happy.
I have watched you grow from a tiny newborn baby into a strong little boy exploring the world around him. Your engery and love of life inspires me.
I see the little boy your father once was. I see his bright eyes questioning things in your eyes and his spirit of life in your soul.
Although we are not together know that you are loved and thought of each and everyday.
Happy Birthday Benen..I love you.. Nana
I have watched you grow from a tiny newborn baby into a strong little boy exploring the world around him. Your engery and love of life inspires me.
I see the little boy your father once was. I see his bright eyes questioning things in your eyes and his spirit of life in your soul.
Although we are not together know that you are loved and thought of each and everyday.
Happy Birthday Benen..I love you.. Nana
Monday, December 1, 2008
When your mind has been stolen
What happens to you when your mind has been stolen, hidden away are the memories of your life? Where do you go and when will you return? Who is there to protect you and ease your fears?
This Thanksgiving was the first time I actually saw the extent of my father's withering mind. He had found himself in a place of confusion that we couldn't help him out of.
Our Thanksgiving tradition had been that the women went bargin hunting on Black Friday and the men vegetated ingrossed in the football games on television. We called late afternoon to check in on the guys. All was well, they had eatten the provided food so we decided to hit one more store before returning home with our finds. Evening had approched and Dad became more and more restless. Evenings are not Dad's best times. That night was worse, by the time we got home he had on his hat and was ready to go home. He had no idea where he was, as I walked him through the rooms of his house and showed him all his treasures he asked me when they moved him to this place and how was he going to get home because he can't drive at night.
He wandered the house flashlight in hand opening every door to see where it lead and what was behind them. I watched him from a distance as he examined the refrigerator, freezer, kitchen cabients and all the closets. He examined each area dilligently, examining everything with great care making sure nothing was left unchecked. I wondered what he was seeing as he searched so intensely. What did the jars of food or bars of soap represent in his mind? Where was he? Was he afraid or just curious?
He wondered most of the night, going from room to room as we slept. He saw him at the bedroom door twice that night. He never spoke a word, just stood in the doorway silently before turning and moving on.
His strong steady stride has been replaced, his body's hunched over and his stride is a weak shuffle. He is weak and frail and I see there is less time. Less time to share, less time to be with Dad. One day he will not know my name.
This Thanksgiving was the first time I actually saw the extent of my father's withering mind. He had found himself in a place of confusion that we couldn't help him out of.
Our Thanksgiving tradition had been that the women went bargin hunting on Black Friday and the men vegetated ingrossed in the football games on television. We called late afternoon to check in on the guys. All was well, they had eatten the provided food so we decided to hit one more store before returning home with our finds. Evening had approched and Dad became more and more restless. Evenings are not Dad's best times. That night was worse, by the time we got home he had on his hat and was ready to go home. He had no idea where he was, as I walked him through the rooms of his house and showed him all his treasures he asked me when they moved him to this place and how was he going to get home because he can't drive at night.
He wandered the house flashlight in hand opening every door to see where it lead and what was behind them. I watched him from a distance as he examined the refrigerator, freezer, kitchen cabients and all the closets. He examined each area dilligently, examining everything with great care making sure nothing was left unchecked. I wondered what he was seeing as he searched so intensely. What did the jars of food or bars of soap represent in his mind? Where was he? Was he afraid or just curious?
He wondered most of the night, going from room to room as we slept. He saw him at the bedroom door twice that night. He never spoke a word, just stood in the doorway silently before turning and moving on.
His strong steady stride has been replaced, his body's hunched over and his stride is a weak shuffle. He is weak and frail and I see there is less time. Less time to share, less time to be with Dad. One day he will not know my name.
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