Wednesday, December 17, 2008

I Heart New York

Walked up to 80th and Broadway and got bagels at H&H. Courtney sat in the Dino the dinosaur...child's...thing that moves back and forth when you put a quarter in it (what are those things called anyway?)for old times' sake because she rode it every day for nearly 18 months straight. And we glanced at the old apartment and mom got very sentimental.

Walked from the west side over to Central Park and wandered through the park to 5th Ave. Had fun perusing FAO Schwartz and were grateful we didn't have all the money in the world so we didn't own every toy in the world. Fun to look and fun to leave. Walked down 5th Ave and enjoyed all the Christmas decorations. Shopped at Abercrombie (that store rattles my nerves and I'm pretty tolerant and not that old) and found some cute stuff at H&M.

Ice skated at Rockefeller Center and ate lunch on the 8th floor of Saks. Walked over to Times Square to check out shows -- bought tickets to Lion King.

Walked down to Macy's and now Courtney understands why I sighed when she asked if we could shop at Macy's. It's 8 stories tall and a full city block long and wide. The place is enormous and is as crowded as Disneyland in Summer. And I don't go to Disneyland in the summer. The up side is I didn't have to push a double-stroller and push my way onto an elevator on this trip! It was crowded but fun to be together and Courtney did find one cute sweater.

Shoved our way onto the uptown subway at rush hour and ended our DAY back at the hotel to rest for an hour before dinner and the show! The weather warmed up in the evening so we didn't need our longjohns or ski socks or umbrella (only actually rained on us for a few minutes as we walked through Central Park).

Ate Chinese at Ruby Foo's then took a taxi to Times Square. You'll never believe there was actually a Charmin Toilet Paper store where you could use the restroom and sample various Charmin brands of tp!! After sampling we went to The Lion King and ended up loving it even though we weren't sure we would. Finished off the night with a Sundae at Serendipity.

We love New York!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Christmas Scents


Fill a teapot with water and add 2 cinnamon sticks, 15 cloves and the peels of two Clementines. Bring to a boil then simmer all day! It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas!!

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Christmas Giving

Today...
1) Found a check for $100 on the ground when I got out of my car at the shopping center. Was able to Yahoo People Search the addressee, call her, and get her address so I could send it to her.

2) While just getting into my car after buying groceries downtown, a homeless man asked for money to buy a doughnut. I had just bought a pack of 6 doughnuts but really only wanted one. Tried to give him the package but he only wanted one also. He then asked for change because he wanted to buy a bus ticket and a hamburger. I only had $2 and all the change in my cup holder. Enough for a ticket, but not enough for a burger.
He thanked me kindly and then counting the money said, "How many dollars did you give me?"
I said, "Two."
He said, "There's actually three here. Let me give you one back."
Of course I told him to keep it and get something to eat. But I was struck by his honesty. Interesting, isn't it?

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Christmas Cheer

As seen in the neighborhood, driving home from my Dad's Christmas party. Laughed so hard I cried and then made Dan turn the car around to go back and take a picture.

Friday, December 05, 2008

I Need This!


Think how awesome it would be to be walking down the street and whip out this baby when your phone rings! Classic! A great April Fool's too!
Wireless Phone Receiver by Yubz as seen on urbanoutfitters.com

Monday, December 01, 2008

Good Memories

I copied this from my friends blog who chose not to tag anyone, but invited anyone who wanted to, to play. The invitation is extended to you... Copy and paste into your blog. Highlight the things you've done.

1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars (Nights on the trampoline as a kid -- good times!)
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (been there though)
18. Grown my own vegetables-- zucchini, tomatoes and peppers
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant -- No, but I bought a stranger and her daughter a pedicure
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance -- rode with my child being transported.
47. Had my portrait painted -- Does my dad's pencil drawings during Sacrament Meeting count?
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business -- Michelle, should we count selling hand-painted rocks door-to-door?
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar or escargot
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job -- I prefer to call it "downsized."
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating -- the turkey on pioneer trek -- not fun.
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Been to a foreign country