Blogging about Blogging?

My friend Margaret - adventurer and writer - recently came to visit us. She is on a journey across the United States, visiting her facebook friends and blogging/writing a book about her journeys. I met Margaret in Mexico, on the island of Isla Mujeres, where she was working, managing a hotel owned by her family. On her recent visit we got to know each other better and spent our time researching the history of my little town, roaming the cemetary, drinking wine, dining and just hanging out. It was really fun. Margaret is one cool person. Interested in almost everything, very easy to talk to and laid back, which makes this project perfect for her! Ozzy fell in love with her, too, and he doesn't usually like anyone. That says a lot! Her blog is very interesting (especially the part about visiting me. LOL) and you should definitely check it out! Safe travels, Margaret! http://www.flitflitter.com/i-do-know-how-to-make-a-good-first-impression

A Fabulous Adventure

Want some good reading? Check out my friend, Margaret's blog. http://www.flitflitter.com/ In her own words:

This blog is a collection of stories from my life as a nomad, flit flitting all over the world. For the past six years, I have been changing locations every two years. There’s no magic to that number; it’s just when I typically get the urge to pick up and see & do something new. Newspaper reporter in Virginia. English language teacher in Spain. Hotel manager in Mexico. I didn’t really start documenting any of it till my last stop in Mexico, though, which you can read about here, in the Notes series. Now I am back in the country and more on the move than ever as I try to visit as many Facebook friends as I can in a year, traveling throughout the U.S and Canada in my 1977 Toyota camper, Roxanne, with my dog, Rennie. It’s called The Facebook Project but that’s probably just a temporary name, and it started Aug. 16, 2010. If all goes well, it will end Aug. 16, 2011, and you will be able to follow my progress through my posts. If you want more background on the planning that preceded the actual journey, you might read Notes No. 65 and No. 76, as well as these pre-trip posts. I am hoping that by the end of it all, I have a more focused idea for a book but until then, I am just writing about my adventures as they happen and without much analysis. Feel free to comment as I go. Maybe together we can come up with a theme.

I find this experiment fascinating and enjoy 'going along' with Margaret to visit many out of the way places in her travels. She's witty, fun and an excellent writer and I think you'll enjoy her blog. I look forward to seeing Margaret when she travels through Texas! Rock on, Margaret! We miss you when we're on Isla!

Best Friend ~ Country Style!

My friend, Dale, and I have so much fun together. We are both 'artsy' and like to create things and we've even done a couple of ill fated art shows together. (It wasn't OUR fault that it rained/the temperature dropped 50 degrees/people didn't 'get' our art). We hang out at the pool in the summer and pretend to be on a tropical isle. We go to Watter's Creek and shop, drink and dine while scattering glitter throughout. We get together with our families and have Saturday night dinners. We laugh a lot. One of the weirdest things we do is talk 'country style'. You know, like hillbillies (which comes frighteningly natural to us both). She and her daughter and her sister started it and for some reason it really amuses us. So, you can imagine how excited I was last weekend when Dale presented me with the 'Best Country Style Friend' award. I should have had an acceptance speech ready, oh, I know I should've. But all I could do is laugh. And drink more moonshine. Love you, Dale (Country Style)!!!!!

NYC (Part 5) - Food, Friends and I'll have what she's having

The array of food in NYC is amazing. We didn't eat fancy, as we had blown our budget on show tickets, but it was all delicious! I cook a lot at home, so it just makes me happy to have someone else cook for me. Plus, I love the diners and the fact that you can get anything off this huge menu at anytime day or night just puts a smile on my face. I'm not a food snob. I like what I like and I don't care. We ate at a little deli across the street from our hotel and I got a Greek salad and a glass of wine at midnight. Happy! Belle had cheesecake for breakfast one day. Vacation rocks. Giant Belgian Waffle Greek Omelette - spinach and feta, my fave One afternoon, we met up with a friend of mine who lives in Brooklyn. John was kind enough to come over and meet us. John and I have been internet friends thru the Isla Mujeres boards for many years and have missed each other by a day or two on the island, so it was really fun to finally meet him in person! Two other Isla board friends who live in Connecticut were unable to meet up with us. Ann was busy and JoAnne had broken her foot. It would have been fun to get us all together. John and me in front of Katz's Deli John met up with us at a bar called 'Lucky Jack's' and had a drink, then headed over to Katz's Deli. Katz's touts itself as New Yorks Oldest (since 1888!) and best deli and it's on Houston street, which they pronounce 'HOW-sten', the silly Yanks. Silly or not, these guys know how to make a sandwich! First, the proper protocol: When you walk into Katz's you are handed a ticket. Then you order food, drinks, etc at different counters and they add it to your ticket. DON'T LOSE YOUR TICKET!! If you do, it's a $50 charge to get out! Even if you don't order or pay, keep the blank ticket. Thankfully, John warned us about this. So we went in and split up. John ordered sandwiches, Pam got the fries, Belle and I were sent on beer duty. Laura got a table. We sat right next to the table where Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal sat in the famous 'I'll have what she's having' scene in When Harry Met Sally. The sandwiches were amazing!! The meat was perfectly spiced, juicy and to die for. The pickles were outstanding and the fries were crispy perfection. A pitcher of cold beer to wash it down and great company made this lunch the best meal of our trip. Jerry Lewis is one of the many celebs who's picture graces the walls. the tickets! Dont' lose the tickets!!! Look! We still look like supermodels even after all that food After lunch, John took us on a walking tour through the East Village. He told us about the history of the area and we ended up at Washington Square Park. It was a beautiful day, not too cold. We hung out at Washington Square Park for a little bit and then John walked us to a subway station. He swiped us all through the turnstile with his card and directed us to the proper train, explaining to us what stop we needed to go to. What a great guy! This is Santos, who we met at a hot dog restaurant one night after theater. We had hot dogs and fresh papaya juice or mango juice and fries. $4.99. Santos explains the difference between men and women in this short video: Cindy was our waitress on our last night. We ate at a restaurant/bar across from our hotel. It was about midnight and there were a lot of drunk people, so it was pretty funny. We saw a guy with his fly unzipped and we saw two groups of guys getting bounced for fighting. We'd seen West Side Story that night, so we asked if they were the Sharks and the Jets. They actually laughed! Anyway, Cindy will now sing for you, she was adorable: Bye Bye, NYC! I love you and I'll see you again soon!!!

Welcome to the World, Little One

My friend and coworker, Jessica, gave birth to her third child last Thursday. Weighing in at exactly seven pounds is Jeffrey Tavish. Isn't he a beautiful little angel? THe next morning when I got to work, Jessica had already answered a couple of work emails! I was still screaming for narcotics the morning after giving birth. Truth be told, I still am. Jessica and her husband, Jeff, are truly amazing parents. Did I mention that they also have one and a half year old twins?! Chloe and Finley Dorian, such a flirt! I blatently stole this pic off Jessica's facebook. I couldn't help myself And now on a completely different note, the orchids in my kitchen

Happy New Year!!!

We said goodbye to 2008 and rang in 2009 surrounded by good friends. The party was lots of fun with food, wine and kids everywhere! At midnight we all drank champagne (the kids were allowed to have a half full tiny cordial glass, although most of them proclaimed it 'icky')and set off poppers in the front yard. The Divine Miss M 'Bubba' steals a drink of his sister's Coke The 'Desperate Housewives' of Brookside A crazy game of Pictionary--I think there was some cheating going on - you know who you are!!!! :) J and the twins came over and we had a blast with them. Look at that flirty smile! Mr. Wonderful is wrapped around someone's finger. After midnight everyone went home with a Party Favor bag containing a can of black eyed peas (it's a Southern thing...you eat them on New Years Day for good luck), a bottle of Tylenol and some candy. The girls all crashed in my living room at some point and are still there. Today will be spent cleaning up, taking down Christmas decorations and hanging out with the kids. I wish you all a prosperous, happy 2009 surrounded by good friends and family. And some travel. Salud!

Turkey, Dressing and a Large Scoop of Perspective

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I'll be baking pumpkin and chocolate/pecan pies and anxiously awaiting the arrival of my family. I feel extremely blessed to have my health, the most wonderful husband in the world, great kids, my job, true friends...the list goes on and on. I feel especially grateful this year. One of my dearest and oldest friends lost two of her brothers in law this past summer. Strangely, they died exactly a month apart from each other. One was only 32 and the other 47. Each left behind a wife and three children. The holiday season is going to be difficult for their entire family. They have been through so much. So, this year I am simply thankful to be with my family and to wake up every morning next to my warm, sweet husband. I don't know what I would do without him. He is my knight in shining armor. I am thrilled to kiss my children (who seem to be growing up way too quickly!) and welcome my parents and my brother and his family to my home. Carve the turkey, pour the wine and be thankful....truly, deeply thankful.

Jewelry and Shopping and Babies, Oh My!

What a lovely weekend. It started off with a bang Friday night, as C and I got to babysit my friend's 15 month old twins! They are so much fun and so silly and crazy. We rolled around the floor and laughed at them and they brought us toys, sat in our laps and were astounded when C performed a back walk-over! What a treat. Yesterday I got a LOT of Christmas shopping done and made some jewelry. C's two BFFs slept over and I'm off to make pancakes with them now. Work will be hellish Mon - Wed this week with end of month and a holiday coinciding. I am looking forward to a four day weekend. Going to the grocery store today to stock up for feasting.

My Fabulous Blog Header

I have had a couple of inquiries regarding my fabulous blog banner. My friend, Dale, created it for me - check out the link to her blog, Sea Dream Studio