Thelma and Louise...in NY

I've been so slacking in the blog department. Writing them, reading them, etc. I'm back though.. so watch out! lol

So Sherri asked me about my trip to New York. I'll share our high speed, to fast, crazy fun trip.

I got up at 3:30am on Saturday morning to shower and get ready to go. Cindy was picking me up at 5. Jackson set his alarm for 430 and darned if he wasn't up fixing himself some water when I came out into the kitchen. He wanted to say bye. Awwww. Dear Husband even got up early and started some coffee for me, but unfortunately I didn't have time to drink any. So anyway, flight up there was great - uneventful and pretty quick.

We got into NY and stood in the middle of JFK wondering what the hell we do now. Two country girls lost in the big city. We figured out the Air Tran and made our way to the Subway. We got on the subway and really had no idea where to get off because we had no map. We talked to a few other tourists with lots of luggage and obviously were in the same boat we were. We finally talked to a nice New yorker and he told us where to get off.

We got to our hotel around 1:00pm. Freshened up and hit the streets. We went to lunch at the SOUP MAN - famous for the ever so hospitable "no soup for you" if you take to long to order and tie up the line. Ever seen that Seinfeld episode? We were bypassed by a cop regular - and the guy said "sorry ladies, you to slow". I laughed and said "hey we're from Georgia, everything moves slower" - he laughed and we had a delightful bowl of soup! It was fabulously warm - which NY wasn't!

After that we walked and walked and walked. We went into some shops, we toured around and took pictures, we went to the "Top of the Rock" which is right at Rockefeller Center 70 stories up and has AMAZING views that go on forever of the city from every direction. It was breath taking. And did I mention cold?

We had about 3 hours to run around town and that we did. Funny story we walked about 4 blocks around town to find Rockefeller where they ice skate, etc. Remember that for a minute.

Around 4 we decided to head back to our hotel so that we could and shower and refresh again (remember, we'd been up since 330am) so we get up to our room and I look out the window.. which wasn't a GREAT view - but I looked right and WOW there was the very ice skating rink we were looking for and walked BLOCKS to find. We laughed and thought we'd keep that ourselves, but heck, you gotta be able to laugh at yourself right!

We went to dinner at a place called Johnny Utah's. It was right next door to the hotel and looked fine, good saloon/steakhouse. You have to go down these stairs kinda like underground to get to the restaurant. Cindy commented as we were walking in "hey maybe they'll have a Mechanical bull and we can ride it" and we laughed - it was just a funny image. Anyway I walked down the stairs first and turned the corner and BEHOLD a mechanical bull! No, we didn't ride it. But our steaks were mouth watering perfect and our waitress was fabulous. She told us to come back after our show and have a drink and even made us a reservation for 11:00 pm to sit at her table.

Off to the show we went. Mama Mia was FANTASTIC - omg we had such a good time. We laughed, we sang along, we danced, it was just worth every minute of the trip to see that show. If you EVER get a chance, see it! After the show we went back to Johnny Utah's and it was PACKED with 20 somethings drinking to much and riding the Mechanical Bull. We had ringside seats and lord how we laughed at those kids. We had a couple of drinks, dessert, and then decided, at 1:00 am it was time to call it a night. (I am now reminding you that we'd been up since 3:30 am the previous morning).

We were both very excited to get some rest, our legs ached, our bellies were full, we'd laughed and danced and laughed some more. However, neither of us slept well. Ironic right?

Got up again around 630am... showered, went to a fabulous little cafe for the best Eggs Benedict I have EVER eaten in my life, and back to the hotel, pack up, check out, off to the airport.

The flights back sucked. There is no nice way to put it. Our flight was delayed, the airport was so crowded, then we had about 6 minutes to connect to our connecting flight in Cincinnati so we pulled the running thru the airport jumping over people, chairs, children.. and got there JUST as they were finishing boarding our plane.

We got home around 9. Exhausted, but still smiling from such a GREAT TIME.

For 2 ladies pushing 40, we sure did a lot in a very little bit of time. New York ROCKED and we rocked it pretty hard for 2 old moms that never get enough rest or time being ladies instead of someones mom.

It was a GREAT trip!

Ten

The number 10, it means a lot so many different times.

When your baby is born, you could 10 fingers and 10 toes. You count every 10 minutes cat nap you can get. You count 10 diapers and 10 bottles for a day. Soon your baby has been in your arms for 10 days... 10 weeks.. 10 months... 10 YEARS.

My first born, Jackson, turned 10 last week. Its SO hard for me to believe. I mean wasn't he just a little tot running around in a power ranger costume even when it wasn't Halloween? Wasn't he just learning to talk, tie his shoes, ride a bike?

I am super proud of my 10 year old. He's a great kid. He does well in school, he has great friends, and he loves his family more than anything. I mean don't get me wrong, he's not perfection, but in my eyes he is.

So we've entered Double Digits here. Its kinda scary that I blinked and he's reached this milestone.

I'm sure most of you can relate in some way the nostalgia feeling you get when you look at your kid. I look at Jackson laying on the sofa watching TV and he is so tall, so mature looking, but I still see my first born baby. Curled up in our arms, wanting to curl up in bed with us just to snuggle, it just passes so fast.

So here is my tribute to my beautiful "baby" boy Jackson.

Thinking outloud..

Today I am thinking of my mom, dad, Aunt, and Cousins. Today they are laying my Uncle Pete to his final resting place.

My Uncle passed away last January. His wishes were to be cremated and have his ashes spread at the beach. Pete loved the beach. I just woke up thinking about him this morning, how we used to all go to the beach when we were kids and how he was in his element.

Something about the beach, and ocean, that brings calmness to so many of us in my family. We could all sit and watch the ocean for hours, a good book, the sound of the waves, and the sun, its a perfect serenity. You sit and look out at this vast body of water that seems to stretch forever until it meets the skies. You marvel at Gods creation. Maybe its the rhythmic sounds of the waves that reminds us of the gentle sounds in our mothers womb, maybe it reminds me us of how big the world is and how we are just a small part on this planet. I guess to me its humbling.

So today Uncle Pete will be laid to rest and his journey complete. I just picture him way out at sea, floating on the waves, smiling up at the sun, and being at peace with himself, his life, and with God.

And that somehow feels so right.

Rest in Peace Uncle Pete.

Family Time

So yesterday both Bryan and Jackson were home for Columbus Day. After a weekend of pretty much being at home, Jackson had requested that we go SOMEWHERE just to get out of the house. Our original plan was to go to St. Augustine because he's been studying Explorers at school and he wanted to go see the Fountain of Youth and learn more about Ponce De Leon. However, mother nature had other plans and we woke up to an overcast rainy day. Plan B... Savannah mall.

We loaded up the Tot Rod and headed North to Savannah. We really do like the mall up there, good stores, fun place to walk around, a killer food court where everyone can eat what they want. Imagine our excitement when we found out they'd put a new kiddie play area in the mall over the last year since we were last there. Nathan was most excited.

So we grabbed lunch, we tooled around Bass Pro Shop, and we walked to a few other stores. Finally it was Nate's turn to run amuck. Jackson is a great kid chaser. Bryan went and got he and I a cup of coffee and we sat and watched as the boys ran wild. It was really crazy in this play area, when we first got there, it was mostly empty, but it was soon to fill up with mostly boys. Aggressive, let me go down the slide first boys!

We sat and watched, with Bryan having to occasionally chase Nate back into the play area because he would take sight of something and off he'd go. But overall, it was just fabulous to sit and watch them play. Jackson, of course, is to old to be in there playing but he plays off "watching Nate" great and had a blast as well. He even rode the "waste your quarter" rides with him.

It was a perfect get away day. Didn't really buy anything, didn't really waste to much money, just out of the house, change of scenery, watching our boys, and having a good family day.

Can't ask for to much more than right?

Wow I took a vacation.

Oh not a REAL one, just a blogging one. So last blogged, I was sick. Guess what, I am still feeling puny. Well I feel better but I'm still snotty and coughing and well eww ick nasty. A week mind you - this virus mess is a nasty one so beware! It doesn't go away near as fast as it comes on!

Anyway, so October brings to me a busy stressful time. What month doesn't right? Lets see, this weekend I'm getting my haircut and washing that grey right outta my hair. FINALLY! I go to this great hair girl but she's expensive as cuss so I have to save my pennies to be able to go. I'm long overdue! MUST RESIST TEMPTATION TO BUY A BUNCH OF UNNECESSARY HAIR PRODUCT! Then I have to purchase my oldest some Birthday presents. Get his invites done and out for his Birthday party which isn't until Oct. 25 but...

On the 18th I'm GOING TO NEW YORK CITY! Oh yeah baby that's right - mama is leaving town for almost 48 hours with no kids! no Dogs! NADA just me, myself and I, a camera, suitcase, cell phone, clothes, and a good friend! We're going to hit the streets and site see, we're going to eat a nice big meal and we're going to see MAMA MIA! on Broadway. Seriously I cant wait.

Don't get me wrong, I love my boys - all 3 of them - with all my heart, but I'm so looking forward to worrying about only one person. ME! That sounds selfish but I figure I give my all to everyone else 24/7 so whats a small 48 hours of pure selfishness. Well, after I buy gifts for the boys of course! LOL And call a few times to hear their voices.

So October is busy for me. I come home on Sunday, my folks come down on Wednesday, Jackson's birthday is on Thursday, and his party is on Saturday. Then we're on to Halloween.

But its all good. Its all family stuff and fun stuff and joyous occasions! Bring it on, stuffy or not, I'm ready!

When Moms Get Sick

Not nearly as exciting as "Girls Gone Wild" but hey.. its a catchy phrase.

So I am sick. I feel like that big truck that you pass on the highway that's way overloaded with more stuff than any one truck should carry has run me over. The whole 9 yards, stuffy nose where you can only sometimes get a small pop of air in when you breath, swollen glands, clogged ears, sore throat, cough from the devil. Sick.

I think its funny how when moms get sick, its like "oh that sucks" and its business as usual. Now don't think I'm going to go into a male bashing they can't handle it and are big babies when THEY are sick post, because I'm not. Bryan has been very helpful with the kiddos with me just wanting to go to bed.

But I will post a bit about how sickness in men and women are different. Well, at least they are here anyway. When Bryan get sick, I mean really sick enough to stay home from work, which rarely happens, he comes home, and stays in bed. Remember, I work from home as well as caring for Nathan. So when I am home sick.. work is still at home with me, and the other job is most likely trying to slice his own apple with a butter knife. (yes, this DID happen today) I think its not really the individuals, I think its really how women are wired.

Now, I have to go through my days, sick or not, because well we have a 2 year old that can't fend for himself. Sick or not, I have to get up and maintain a happy go lucky lets watch the Wiggles front for him. Once I got him fed and down for a nap, I decide I'm going to take a "sick day" from work work, and relax on the sofa. But first, I pick up the kitchen and do the dishes, and then I pick up a few of the toys Nate has all about, and clean up the dish washing soap he's gotten on the floor (its still a bit slippery gotta mop that up soon), take my pill and get some water and off to the sofa. FINALLY a little rest and relaxation! Its not rest though. Not "you are sick and need your rest" b/c while I'm on the sofa today I'm trying to complete a resume and application for a job. HA! I gave up on that and said "OK just gonna lay here for a minute" and I start to doze off but I can't really go to sleep because its almost time to get Jackson off the bus. So forget that plan.

I am by no means complaining about life in this post, so please don't take it the wrong way. I just think that I personally am no longer capable of turning off the do it all mom part of my brain for a "mom, honey, your sick, just take it easy, let Nate into the bathroom with a bottle of soap and have it so he will leave you alone" part of my brain.

I'm always thinking mess. I'm always thinking I should be making dinner, or making a grocery list, or figuring out how to pay the bills sitting here, or what we'll do for Jackson's birthday, or how much longer until Nate wakes up, or doing laundry, or dishes, or GASP working my paying job. Its just who I am.

So, when all is said and done, I do so hope my dear husband understands that when he gets home from work, I just want to get through homework, dinner, bath and bed and then crawl into bed, take some meds, and sleep. Sick people need rest to let their bodies get better right? Night is the only rest for this mama.

I guess that's why people say when they are sick they want their mamas.. cause mamas can do it all.