Monday, July 27, 2009

NYC Travel Tip 1

Ask somebody!!

On our first full day in NY, Joe had to leave us at the museum of Natural History to go back and have dinner with some colleagues. When we left the museum at closing (5:45), it was absolutely pouring down rain. I had promised the kids we would go to Dylan's Candy Bar. So rain or not, that's where we were headed. I hailed a cab, yes, I, non agressive me, got a cab to pull over and didn't allow any body to jump in ahead of me and he took us there. After, I had to figure out how to get us back to our hotel. So we stepped out into the rain again and ran across the street to Patsy's Pizza (which I highly recommend!) and had dinner.

As I entered Patsy's Pizza place in my soaking wet clothes and baseball cap. I noticed right off that there were not many tourists in there. It was definitely more of a neighborhood place, I felt like I looked out of place, but everyone was very nice. Sitting next to us was a young couple, and I don't know how, but you can just tell the locals from the tourists, and they were locals. So I had my subway map out and was trying to figure out how to get home, I leaned over and asked them the best way to get to Time Square. "Just take the 6 to Grand Central, then get on the _ and it will take you straight to 42nd street", she said. Then he said "Or, just take the R, and it will express you straight to 42nd street". They both showed me on the map how either one would work and I opted for Grand Central Station so the kids could see that.

Down in the subway, I knew I was trying to catch the "6", but the sign lists about 4 numbers so I'm a little worried I might get on a wrong train. I see a man, sitting on a bench, texting on his cell phone, wearing a suit...probably not a tourist. So I ask him, "Am I in the right place to catch the 6 to Grand Central?" He tells me yes, says he is getting on the same train, sits across from us on the train, and makes sure I don't miss my stop. Thank you kind gentleman!!

In Grand Central I found another guy and asked him about which train to get on to go to Time Square, he tells me to just walk and tells me how to get there. So easy!!

After that night, that one subway trip, NY was a breeze. I felt so confident getting on and off trains and in and out of cabs. I figured out ho to read the subway map, but still always asked someone just to be on the safe side.

Oh! I forgot to tell you that I had to buy a Metro Card and couldn't figure out the machine. A very nice girl, stood with me patiently and helped me with that. I even thought she was going to pull out some cash to give me if I couldn't make my card work. I wouldn't have taken it, but wasn't that nice!!

New Yorkers get a bad rap. They are not rude, they are very helpful. It is a great place, we had a very pleasant time.

More tips to follow.....

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Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Off To The Big Apple!!

We're off! I was doing really well with my packing when we had a little set back. Did you know Delta now charges you to check your baggage!!! I swear, I already had our bags packed when I had to downsize. Had to take everything out of Wheeler's suitcase and share mine with him. His Daddy better hope I don't find any great designer jeans or boots, or he'll be shopping at Target for new clothes with all the money he saved by not checking that extra bag!! Cause I gotta have room to bring back some goods.

I'm just kidding, maybe.

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Saturday, July 18, 2009

The Marshall Tucker Band

I hope Tiffany doesn't mind, I've pretty much stolen this entry from her blog. She doesn't have writers block. And my creativity is stumped, especially since her post says it all!







Yes, the Marshall Tucker Band!! You know "Heard It In a Love Song", "Can't You See", "High on the Mountain, Lightnin in the Air"... and....that's all. But still, I love those songs, plus, I heard that Phenix City had just built this fabulous amphitheatre.
We really had a good time, but I can't say the band was the reason. That poor guy, the lead singer, who I think is the only original band member left, has pretty much had it. You couldn't hear him, I was never sure what he was singing, his voice has just gone. He seemed like a really nice guy though.

We got lost on the way, maybe now Mark might get an i-phone.

Once we got there, it was sold out, we had to watch through the bars. Truthfully, not bad seats though!


Asking for directions was a little bit scary, and yet funny at the same time. Joe had just been telling us some shady history on Phenix City and how, many years ago, the attorney general had come to clean up the town but was killed for trying to do so. Let me tell you, from the looks of the people at that ampitheatre, and at the Family Dollar where we asked for directions, the AG didn't get much done before he died.
We did finally get in, because so many people were leaving, and didn't even have to pay. Tiffany and I got some new fashion ideas, though Mark says Phenix City is not where we should be getting style tips (I don't know why). We were absolutely obsessed with the 14 year old beauty who was double fisting the Budweisers and smoking cigarettes. We kept debating on whether or not she was really 14 or we were just so old that they all look so young. She was so cute, reminded me of Jennifer Anniston, but wonder what she will look like in 15 years.

Joe waited in a very long line to get us something to drink. About 5 minutes before he got back with our Beer they started singing, "Can't You See". I was worried that he wouldn't be back in time for us to share the experience together. No worries, they sang it for about 15 minutes, they sang it, then the drunk down in front got up and sang it, then some little girls got up and sang it, then the little girls sang it wrong, so he had a talking with the little girl and then they started over. Actually, it was very sweet, the girls were cute. Maybe the highlight of the concert. And then...It was over. And they never sang "Heard It in a Love Song!!!!!" I had been singing that one in my head in great anticipation all day that day!!!
But, as I sit here and make fun, we truly had a great time. I'm going to plagiarized from Tiffany's blog and list these reasons as to why it was such a good time.

1. the weather was awesome
2. the Mexican food was the really good.
3. the Budweiser was cold and I was thirsty
4. we got in FREE
5. the flutist was great! If you remember those songs, you'll remember that the flute is sort of the MT band's signature, and it is actually really cool!
6.Their number one fan was just a few rows in front of us. He loved The Marshall Tucker Band so much that it warmed my heart!
7. And Tiffany, I know you said this about us, but truly, we just had a great time with yall. You and Mark are a lot of fun and we had a lot of laughs!

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Thursday, July 16, 2009

Breaking the Block!

All right so I have writers block (even though I don't think you can really call me a writer) since Earth Day. I just ran out of fun things to say. I don't really think I have much to say now but I'm just gonna try. I'll just start by summarizing our summer I guess.


In May, before school was out, I participated in Operation Boot Camp! I highly recommend it. It was great! I didn't miss a day, and now about 6 weeks after I finished, I am running about 3 miles several times a week! I always said I didn't want to run because I didn't want to have to get a knee replacement. Now, I'm running. Now, I'm icing my knee and limping...only 6 weeks into it. I'm considering signing up for a 10k, which is a little over 6 miles. Even I think I'm an idiot.

The kids had a great June! Kate was swimming with the Auburn Aquatics program and swam in a couple of meets. Wheeler has been taking diving from Jeff Shaffer, Auburn's head diving coach. I think it is amazing that we live in this town where you can get an olympic coach to teach you, and through the city parks and rec at that!!





They both went to Camp! Can you believe I sent my 6 year old to camp! I know, you would never send your 6 year old to camp but I am a bad mommy!! But he begged, and begged, so I let him go. I loved camp as a kid (even though I didn't go until I was 10). They both really had a good time and can't wait to go back. I'm telling you, if you didn't go as a kid, you missed out. And if you think your child might want to go, encourage it, it is so fantastic!!

Went to Lake Martin twice. Got to swim, boat, tube and ride Sea Doos. Thanks Barclay and Tiffany! Had a great time, both times!



Went to the Marshall Tucker concert, which is a post in itself.
Now, we are heading off to New York! We leave Wednesday, can't wait!!! Kate is really excited, she has a little better idea of what to expect.
I'm not sure if I have really "broken the block" but maybe it's a start. I'll keep trying by elaborating on previously mentioned activities.
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