Delightful Weekend

Early Saturday morning,

Mark & I hopped in our rented car and headed to New York City.

We are staying 90 minutes from the city so we knew we had to take advantage.

He always amazes me (scare the padootie out of me) as he drives down 7th Avenue. Craziness.

We saw 

I've seen it before but not in NY. 

It did not disappoint. 

We always get our tickets at TKTS.

It's the best place we have found to 

buy discounted tickets to all the plays.

We ended up just behind the orchestra.

Perfection!

We did some shopping and ate at the famous

2nd Avenue Deli.

It is one of my faves.

It reminds me of growing up in Miami and eating at Corky's.

Authentic kosher food.

Mark and I shared the best corned beef sandwich evah!

We enjoyed walking through the city

& spending the day together.

The Empire State Building 

is always impressive.

I was amazed how crowded the city was this weekend.

I may be getting old.

Ok, I AM getting old.

I walked around in Macy's for a couple floors 

and felt like a sardine. 

Just too many people so we left. 

It was a lovely day and I have a new appreciation 

for Siri as she guided us to and fro.

What would we do without our faithful friend?

Ironing In New Jersey

Mark is working in NJ for a couple weeks. 

I came with him

 so I could keep his shirts ironed.

I need to be needed.

We are staying at the Marriott Fairway Villa in Absecon.

The resort is magnifiqué! 

For some reason, it is so nice 

that it pulls the Italian out of me.

I'm not a golfer.

I like golf carts. Does that count?

This place is a little too hoity-toity 

to allow me to rent a cart.

I did try.

I retrieved the photo below off their website. It's more up to date today but if I took a picture of our room, you might think I am a slob and I wouldn't want that.

The only difference in the kitchen is they changed the appliances to stainless.

This is the view just out our door.

It looks better in person.

I have walked to the Starbucks each morning. 

It's about 3 miles down the road.

I so enjoy walking to Starbucks.

The weather?

Glorious! Upper 60's.

Sweats baby!

All of a sudden,

my computer doesn't want to indent properly.

I could fight it but what they hay?

Hope you are having a glorious day!

Love to all!

Here, There & Everywhere

I have had the most wonderful few weeks running here and there.

My mother-in-law flew in to spend some time with us.
We are enjoying her visit.
My mother flew in and spent a few days.
We had so much fun yardsaling, shopping, 
eating out, and going to the movies.

Here they are enjoying a snack at Sam's.

I flew home with mom and was able to 
spend some time with family.
It was a whirlwind but I was able to celebrate Paula's birthday.

Happy Birthday dear friend!

We (Brenda, Kim & I) took her out to dinner and came back to her house 

for cake & presents.

Brenda, Paula, Kim and I have been friends for lots of years. 

We absolutely love being together.

This picture was taken last year in the mountains of 

North Carolina.

Thank you Lord for sweet friends.

As always, 

the week flew.

I enjoyed seeing my 

grandkids begin their school year.

I met Kristen several times for lunch, dinner, 

Farmers Market, movies 

and just walking together.

I do treasure our time.

I have been going and going this summer.

I am ready to slow down now.

Will that happen?

I doubt it.

Mark is flying to DC next week and we have been approved for a tour of the White House.

Do you want me to tell the current residents hello for you?

I will give you the whole scoop.

Have a happy!

Vegas

Have you ever been to Las Vegas?

I've never had a big interest in going but when my SIL said her company was sending her

 for a conference and asked if I wanted to join,

I was all-in!

We stayed in The Palazzo.

It was so plush.

Three TV's!

Yes, the bathroom with glassed shower, jacuzzi tub, vanity, double marbled sinks & a separate water closet also had a TV.

I chose not to carry my camera so my pics 

are from my phone or google images.

There were more pools than I needed.

Do you know what 104 degrees feels like?

I had to constantly jump in the pool.

I'm not a fan of that kind of hot.

We packed in as many things possible during our week.

I enjoyed walking through the different hotels & casinos and seeing the artistic detail throughout.

These displays are totally covered in flowers. 

The pics do not describe how large they are.

This was in the Wynn Hotel.

It was stunning.

My favorite hotel was Ceasar's Palace.

I love all the Roman statues and the grander of the hotel.

How did they accomplish curved escalators?

The famous water feature at the Bellagio 

thrilled me. I watched it several times.

I videoed it once but you need to see it in person 

to get the full effect. 

The street noise hushes when the fountain begins and background music begins to hum in the scattered speakers.

It's so moving.

I almost cried.

The famous Dale Chihuly is known for some incredible glass displays in the Bellagio. 
The balloons below are blown glass and were seen throughout.

 This ceiling below is an impressive display of his glasswork. 

 The New Yorker in Vegas reminded me 
that I was still in America 
(which was questionable at moments).

 You can see the roller coaster that weaves through the hotel.

We went to the Laugh Factory one night.
The highlight of my week was going to see 
Celine Dion.
She does an amazing concert.
I almost cried.

The best part of the trip was being able 
to spend some quality time with Delores.
We talked into the wee hours of the night
we laughed till we cried
 and we agree with each other
that some things do need to stay in Vegas.
We did agree on that, didn't we Delo!? 

Hope you are having a great week!
Any big plans for the 4th?
My kids are coming!
Yes!
Tomorrow!


Oh by the way,
I was talking to Whoopie and she sends her regards. 

It's Good To Be Home

Kansas, Florida, Minnesota, Vegas.

That's where I've been in the last few weeks.

I do love to travel.

Mark's job took him to Minnesota and seeing as I've never been further than the airport,

I was happy to accompany him.

We stayed in a nice hotel in downtown Minneapolis.

I fell in love.

I could move there tomorrow.

Of course, it's summer and it's possible I would change my mind after one winter.

Anyways,

a long time ago

I mean over 30 years ago

I had a highschool P.E. teacher.

This was back in the day when P.E.

was a real class.

We stood in squads and did

jump-n-jacks and all sorts of different exercises.

We wore uniforms that were ugly.

I'm getting side tracked,

stay with me.

My coach, Miss Schmidt & I became friends.

Well, life happened and I went to college,

got married, moved away, had a family 

& I lost touch with Miss Schmidt.

Finally,

about a year ago

via Face Book

I found my long lost friend.

Are you wondering where the heck this is going?

I'm getting there.

Guess where Miss Schmidt lives!?

She goes by Joan now.

Yes! She lives in Minneapolis.

She is married and has her own family.

Can you imagine the reunion we had when we met for dinner?

It's like we didn't miss a beat.

I enjoyed the whole week reconnecting with my dear friend.

(insert happy scream)

It was wonderful to share a week

catching up and seeing where life had taken her.

She has a wonderful family.

She works with the Salvation Army.

I love that she gets to be a part of such a great company.

I had no idea what all the Salvation Army 

provided for the needy.

We spent one day seeing the charming area she is from.

We were sitting on the patio having lunch and she says,

"across that river is Wisconsin."

What?!

I made her drive over there so I could say I'd been in Wisconsin (say it with me - "Visconsin").

I also spent a day in the city by myself.

I rented a bike and drove around exploring downtown Minneapolis.

I had no idea what I'd find.

I knew they are known for lakes.

What I wasn't aware of is the fact that the Mississippi River runs right through the city.

Shouldn't the Mississippi be in Mississippi?

I don't believe I was in school the day that was taught.

As I was crossing over a bridge,

I looked down and my heart stopped when I saw the dam.

I had no idea. 

It was amazing.

I rode my rental bike all over downtown 

and took more pictures than my iPhone could handle.

How would you like to live on a houseboat?

It was a wonderful week.

Memories were made that I will always treasure.

A piece of trivia for you...

Did you know there is a Mary Tyler Moore 

statue in downtown Minneapolis? 

Did you know the show was filmed there?

You probably knew.

I've yacked enough in your ears. 

I will tell you all about Vegas in one of my upcoming posts.

It's good to be home!

I need some rest.