New York City-Day 2-Speedwalking and Other Adventures

What a wonderful and inspiring way to start the day! This is one of my very favorite things to do in the city. I love to get up early and be on one of the first ferries out.

WALL-E is that you? We saw this little guy (machine) on the pier.

The red sign says "NO STANDING" People really take that seriously there you know. It's really rare to see anyone standing!

For you fans of "National Treasure" Belinda is standing (against the law in NYC apparently!) "Heere at the Wall" Where Broadway and Wall Street meet. This is also where we met up with our dear friend Tammy McMullin. Let the speedwalking begin!!!

Why do I always have to be surrounded by tiny people?!

I would be the Amazon woman in the middle there!

Belinda loved the architecture. She would really like to live in the city for a while now that she's been there. I'm all for that!

The arch at Washington Square managed to elude me the first three trips. I was not leaving without seeing it this time. Not really that hard to find actually. Go figure.

Just after we found the arch we had to say goodbye to Tammy. We were sad but our feet were ready! She walked us like crazy but we loved every second. We did crash for pizza and to rest our tootsies for a while. See you next year Tammy!

Belinda, looking less nervous than she was. Brave girl! She will tell you now that she is glad she went to the top.

Liberty and Ellis must have made friends with the housekeeping staff! It could have been the tip they were holding in their stuffed little hands when we left that morning, but I prefer to think it was just their good looks and friendly personalities! By the way, I highly recommend the Milford Plaza. This was my third stay with them. Great location just off of Times Square in the theatre district. Great service, a little cheaper, good views, great housekeeping and security.

Things to look forward to on Day 3:

It's Opening Day!?!

standing in line in the rain

protesting the protesters

You Dumb Dumb-Give me gum gum

watching "National Treasure" on tv on the same day we were on the USS Intrepid

"No Mom, I do not think the Naked Cowboy is funny, and I DO NOT want my picture taken with him!"

New York City-Day 1

I know it's been awhile since our trip but I've had a few other things to do lately! Anyway, here we are on Day 1-November 6th, 2008.

Belinda enjoying her first cab ride! It was fairly tame, I was a little diappointed actually. I was hoping to get her broken in right away!

After we finally got to the hotel we dropped our stuff and took off. We had delays and cancelled flights to deal with in Atlanta so we got to the city several hours later than I wanted to. That didn't stop us from seeing what we wanted to though. Belinda was in shock I think. She didn't have much to say but her mouth was hanging slightly open and I'm sure her neck was sore for looking up all afternoon.

We decided that we wanted souvenirs that would be special to the two of us so we ended up with animlas from the Build-A-Bear on 5th Ave. They both left wearing "I Heart NY" boxer shorts and we named them Liberty and Ellis.

Things to look forward to on Day 2:

sore feet and new boots

drunk Russian Lionel Ritchie impersonator

Italian purple-hair woman

skipping Ellis Island to nap on the floor of the ferry

speed walking

"Why are we at the top of the Empire State Building if you are afraid of heights? And why didn't you tell me that an hour ago?"

Tagged by Chrystina

So, I must admit it's been weeks since this tag but I love the idea of the one word answers so I am going to do it now.

1. Where is your cell phone?
purse
2. Where is your significant other?
Brantley
3. Your hair color?
brown
4. Your mother?
selfless
5. Your father?
community
6. Your favorite thing?
family
7. Your dream last night?
vampire ;)
8. Your dream/goal?
travel
9. The room you're in?
office
0. Your hobby?
tennis
11. Your fear?
Sierra
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years?
here
13. Where were you last night?
Forks
14. What you're not?
organized
15. One of your wish-list items?
camera
16. Where you grew up?
Alabama
17. The last thing you did?
read
18. What are you wearing?
sweats
19. Your TV?
cable-less :(
20. Your pet?
pitiful
1. Your computer?
omnicient
22. Your mood?
stress
23. Missing someone?
sister
24. Your car?
Belinda's
25. Something you're not wearing?
36 C
26. Favorite store?
Bauer
27. Your summer?
hot
28.Love someone?
truly
29. Your favorite color?
red
30. When is the last time you laughed?
Tuesday
31. Last time you cried?
Tuesday

Birthday Girls!

We were lucky enough to have enough birthdays in our extended family in November to need both hands to count them. Two of them live in my house though. Mallory was 6 on the 19th and Belinda was 16 on the 12th.

Mallory is such a loving little girl. I adore her crooked grin and sense of style. She loves her sisters and takes good care of everyone. Love you Mal!

What can I say? I have a 16 year old! And what a beautiful young woman she is. Belinda has become someone that none of us expected. She has grown from the timid little girl that would not ask for ketchup at a fast food place, to a musical loving thespian and talented soprano. She tries out for All-State and the school plays like she was born to be in the spotlight! So responsible with just the right amount of sass! I can hardly wait for the driver's license in January. I'm counting down the days.....

Love you Bella!

Oh, The Irony!

I SWEAR it was not me! Though there have been many times that just being at a Weight Watchers meeting has made me want to binge on a dozen cupcakes!

Long Time, No Blog

Hello all! It's been a little crazy around here for the past few weeks. I appreciate all of the kind words and prayers, even from those of you who don't know what's been going on. I don't have any pics ready to share just yet but I will be sharing the trip that Belinda and I took to NYC for her 16th birthday ASAP.

I do have some photos of the Davis's, our good friends from church. I took some family photos for them a couple of weeks ago. They are the cutest little family! We love them. I am starting to try my skills with portrait photography. Let me know if you want some free photos!

(I'm not sure how long the "free" part will last!)

Sierra

I don't remember what it was that Belinda said just prior to this photo being taken (or why Sierra had that nasty neon green gum in her mouth) but it will always be one of my very favorite pictures ever!

A Maverick For Hope and Change!

I know you have all been holding your breath waiting for my endorsement of a presidential candidate so that you will all know who to vote for next week. Well, after much research and pondering of the issues I present to you my pick for the next four years.........

Campaign slogan:

"Why Not?"

Are These Really The Only Choices We Have?

Not Good.

Yeah. Friday night at 10:30 right in front of the entrance to Maple Ridge Kendall and Sierra were viciously and randomly attacked by a suicidal buck! Everyone is okay and the car is very fixable. Just not how we planned to spend the evening! We feel very blessed that no one was hurt. (except the poor deer that is-he ran off but probably didn't get very far)

I'm Too Sexy for 113th Place!

I completed the Preservation Society 5K on September 30th! When I say completed I mean that I ran the whole darn thing from start to finish. When I say I ran the whole darn thing I mean that I did not walk any part of it! My goal for the race was to not finish last! And, I accomplished that goal. I placed 112th out of 116 which leaves me nowhere to go but up! I'll admit that I could have finished with a faster time if I had walked, there were many flying past me at a brisk walk, but then I could not say that I RAN the whole darn thing could I? So, here I am at Heritage Park downtown at registration with my number, waiting for the race to start, running (or looking like I am falling towards the road) and at the finish line. Dad tried to take the pic of me crossing the line but of course the battery in his camera picked that very moment to die. So the last pic is me "posing" at the finish line after the battery switch still gasping for breath and wondering if I will ever be able to feel my legs again. The nice man behind me can vouch for the actual crossing of the line though! If you really want me to I'm sure I can find out who he is!

Chocolate Chip Cookies and Giveaways!!!

Now that you have seen my cookbook collection I have a challenge for you. I am on the hunt for the VERY BEST chocolate chip cookies in the whole wide world. So send me yours. I will prepare them acording to your instructions. Now, keep in mind that the judging will be extremely partial and subjective, but the winner will recieve the following book:

There are awesome chocolate chip cookie recipes and tons of other cookies that are yummy beyond belief. Just in time for the holidays!

So, bring on the recipes!

Why Can't I Lose Those Last Ten Stupid Pounds?!!!

I've been saving this pic for a while but I think it is time to end the secrecy and share this with you.............behold.................my cookbook collection!

The JOY of Autumn!

The ZOO!

We finally made it back to the zoo. See the sign? That's proof!

First things first of course, we had to have our picnic as soon as we got there!

Notice the white tiger to the left of Megan's head. It was hot that day and the animal's were sleepy so not much movement. (from the animals that is, the girl's were full of energy!)

A ride on the train. The first of two rides actually.

The picture above shows the most common of the animal observing poses, however, the picture below was my personal favorite. I'm not sure what they were looking at down there but it must have been interesting!

We loved the elephants. They have a new baby and it was adorable.

Popsicle break!! They needed it. Notice the too cute red cheeks?

The lion was so kind as to pose for a photo with the girls.

This one's for Kendall. For a wedding gift he got me a beautiful stuffed otter because they reminded him of me. Hmmmmmmmmm, I'm not sure I see it.

As if to emphasize the point the jaguar gave a us a peek at his teeth. It's not like we doubted the counsel to stay back or anything. (he was actually just yawning the big baby!)

Crocs!

Okay, I know it's an alligator, just humor me a little please!

Ferocious caged beasts!

As you can tell, after four long, hot hours I was happy to see that sign!

This was taken about 5 minutes after we left my Mimi's house. I got them fed and bathed and jammied and I did not hear a peep from either of them until the next day!
It was great fun! Thanks Brantley and Megan for a wonderful day! I love you both!