Times Square on New Year's Eve

The are some benefits (!) to working in Times Square. Most days I'm not really sure what they are....but today was cool. I'm on the 23rd floor of my building so get a really good view of the testing and preparation ready for tonight's festivities in the city. We're safely back in NJ and will be quietly celebrating with friends. Here are some pics from this morning.

I also had lunch with a few friends (L-R - Trish, Mary, Me, Franca) that I chucked in here too.

12-31-08 New Year in Times Square

A first for age 41

I can't believe I'm even going to post about this but last night 3 adults aged 53, 41 and 28 got chucked out of a bar. Even today I can't believe that it happened. It was a first for all of us.

Peter, Trev and I went to a comedy club for dinner and show last night. The plan was to head back to Hoboken and then go out for a beer before going home. We went to a bar a few blocks away from home. We sat at some bar stools at the bar and ordered a cocktail. We were deep in conversation minding our own business, and after about 45 minutes the bouncer came over and told us he needed to move the chairs. No warning. Now, I really don't think it was unreasonable of us to ask why we had to move. It wasn't heaving full of people (but it was busy). I swear, nothing much else happened, just the bouncers literally picked Peter up and carried him out. Now Trev, who'd been minding his own business gets very protective of his family and started yelling at the bouncers....it was awful. Seriously. I managed to get Trev to button it and walk out. At which point the owner got in on the act.

Now I know that when Trev is in one of those moods the ONLY way to deal with it is to get him out of the area so he can cool down....the owner didn't realize this at all. It got worse and worse. Once Trev was out I told the guy what happened....and said that at our age it's a bit unreasonable to manhandle us. I told him what happened and said to him that we would never come to his establishment again....

Can you believe it? I'm such a boring person normally...and definitely not one to cause trouble at all.... I guess there's one less place we will frequent. Bummer, because their martinis were pretty good.

Christmas

We had a busy social holiday this year. Usually we're total homebodies but this year we had lots of people staying local with us. This is the first year EVER, EVER that I don't have a tree up - this disappointed me earlier in the week but something had to give. I didn't feel well and just hadn't had time. What I learnt this year is that it's not decorations or how much you spend on gifts, but what you think about and celebrate and who you have around you. I think sometimes it's easy to forget why Christmas is celebrated - and this year we had time to reflect. That was really nice. We had some really good times with everyone and I've really enjoyed it.

I have been working for a bit today (it's not a holiday in the US) while Trevor and Peter are in the city. Later we're going to a comedy club so while I had a bit of peace and quiet I thought I'd catch up with pics (especially as Penny beat me to it this year).

Christmas Eve we had dinner at our place with our neighbours Nick, Jackie and Rich. As always when we have dinner at ours we had some good English fare - shepherd's pie followed by chocolate mousse. Christmas Day we had different friends round - Sharon, Leslie and Anwar.

The pics we took are below. They're also posted in Facebook.

Christmas Eve

12-24-08 Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

12-25-08 Christmas Day

Happy Christmas everyone! I love you all.

Merry Christmas

This week has gone by in a blur. I've managed to get a lot done at work, my chest infection is finally abating, Peter's here and I'm sitting watching 30 Rock waiting for our friends(Nick, Jackie and Rich) to come over for dinner. I've cooked shepherd's pie and then made a chocolate mousse for dessert. Yummo. I've made a cosmo to Peter's recipe - yummy.

Trevor and Peter went out for a beer (well, technically they went to the store to pick some cheese up and took 2 hours!!) leaving me at home being peaceful finishing up the meal. They will take care of Christmas dinner - we have 3 friends coming over for that (Leslie, Anwar and Sharon). We'll have a blast.

I'm counting my blessings - I'm employed, Trev's employed, the kids are happy, we don't have too much debt (phew!) and I can afford to help charities and friends in times of need. My friend Penny has had a rough year - she's such a tough cookie....she's providng for her 6 year old and managing to find time to fend of creditors....and knit. Can you believe that? Knit. Hmmm....I don't think I've done that since I was about 12 - I always preferred crossitch. I'm proud of her - she's strong and knows what she needs to do to keep her family on track and give "a" the solid family life he needs. 2009 will be a better for her, I'm sure - well done for keeping it together - and have a great Christmas.

I'm starting to put a calendar together for all the things we want to do next year. Go to Chicago regularly to help with Rach's wedding, go and visit Carrieanne in Iowa and Peter in Colorado. Got some concerts and shows to go to as well as 2 weddings. It's going to be a busy busy year.

Everyone, have a fabulous Christmas and Happy New Year.

Jamaica

We had a great week away. While we have both been sick it was still a great rest.

We stayed at the same place that we went to for my 40th birthday. Never before have we returned anywhere that we've stayed. I have to say I really liked it - there's a certain sense of familiarity that feels welcoming. The pics are below.

12-3-2008 Jamaica

We nearly didn't make it on the way out there. Usually when we leave we give it 90 minutes - so that gives us about an hour at the airport. We had carry on only luggage so we decided that it was plenty of time as we could check in at home. We should have known when we didn't get our boarding passes via email like usual, but we still thought that we could go to the kiosk and print off the tickets. So, we tried to do that - that didn't work. Now at this point we have exactly 60 minutes before our flight takes off so it's vital we get our boarding passes. I should say here that there are masses of people around and it's crazy busy with irritated conversations going on everywhere. So, we try and flag down a member of staff....and the first person we talk to says he's going to get someone, and doesn't. The second person was the most unhelpful... and told us to get inline. Now, with an hour to go and a line with maybe 100 people in it...didn't seem the most useful thing to be told. So, we start to invoke our elite frequent flyer status. I find a manager and ask how we fix this. This guy was more helpful - he kept being told that the gate was closing and "tough boobies". However, he led us down a floor at the other end of the airport and introduced us to the checkin kiosk guy. Now, this guy was the most helpful and dramatic guy I've dealt with in ages. He was about 50, gay (think Nathan Lane in Birdcage) and very animated. Talk about drama. So, he called the gate who told him it was fine to check us in. So....he ran over to a kiosk, grabbed our passports etc etc. The system was being very slow (probably due to the number of people at the airport) so he was getting so funny on trying to get it to work faster. Anyway, he got us checked in then led us through all the employee lines so that we could get through security. He was soooooo fantastic. Anyway, we got through and on the plane - we cut it way, way, way too fine because we didn't even have a moment to grab a coffee. Next time, we'll leave more time....way, way too stressful.

We arrived on time, hung out at the airport for about 90 minutes before finally the bus took off - luckily by that point we were both on "Jamaica time" so nothing was bothering us. It did occur to us more than once that it may just be worth paying the $100 for a taxi to take us there at our leisure rather than wait around. However, it did give us a chance to grab a cocktail and hang out. When we went last time the bus wasn't airconditioned so it was quite uncomfortable as you're in sneakers, jeans and have a sweater. This bus was airconditioned so we just hung out. By 5pm we were in our swimsuits and getting refamiliarized with the hotel. It was great.

Sunday was our first full day. Started off normal enough, but by mid-afternoon Trev was complaining of not feeling well. By 4pm he was in the bathroom violently ill...and spent several hours there. We think he ate something funny, especially when he said afterwards that he thought the eggs he'd had at breakfast tasted funny. Now, as a woman I think I'd stop eating immediately.....but I guess guys are different. I then spent the next 2 days having a set of hypercondria thinking I was going to get it (because originally we thought it was the stomach flu going around). Anyway after a couple of days Trev was fine, although neither of us ate eggs again until the last day.

Not much went on other than sit on the beach or by the pool, having a few cocktails and sunning ourselves. It was fun. On Wednesday I started feeling more peculiar. It was clear by Thursday that I had some kind of flu/cold thing with a vicious cough. Luckily I had a bit of foresight to pack some cold medications - problem was I packed all the sinus/head cold meds....and I had chest pains and a bad cough. I also only packed a few cough drops. Can you believe the hotel had ZERO...that ZERO....cough drops, boiled candy or anything. That was madness. I drank so much iced water it was nuts.

Suffice to say we had a quiet week. We never got to the nightclub that opened at 11...because we were always asleep by then. Let's put it in even more context. I lost 2lb in weight. ON HOLIDAY. Can you believe that?

Still, we had a great time - and I'm sure we'll be back there soon.

What kind of board game are you?

You Are Scrabble

You are incredibly clever and witty. You can talk your way out of (and into) situations easily. You are an excellent decision maker. You are good at weighing the options in front of you. You're the type of person who can make something out of nothing. You are very resourceful. You know a lot of things. Most importantly, you know when people are wrong - even when they won't admit it.

What Board Game Are You?

What kind of pyjamas are you?

This totally assumes I wear anything in bed.....

You Are A Nightgown

You are a bit old fashioned and elegant. You aren't very casual. You are well mannered and modest. You don't make a fool of yourself. You tend to be a bit reserved, and it's hard for strangers to get to know you. You are likely to not let anyone outside your bedroom see you in your pajamas.

What Kind of Pajamas Are You?

Check out the weight loss ticker!

OK...so that ticker has been on my blog for a good 18 months I think.

So, while I can only admit to losing 12lb this time around....since the ticker started, for the first time it's gone over 20lb. How very cool is that?

I'm so happy, and I really don't seem to be depriving myself of anything much. I am very good at selecting healthy things to eat, but I do cheat....just not too often. This diet of Billy's is easy peasy for me.

I leave for Jamaica on Saturday. It will be interesting to see if I can keep it up while I'm laying on a beach.....

It's pretty funny because I'm down to about 2 pairs of pants that I can wear to work - all the others are just too big. I'm trying to hold on for a month or two- then I can drop another size.

Yeeeha!

Carrieanne and Rachel visit

We had a busy few days -lots to do, not enough time. We were exhausted. They arrived on time last Wednesday. The idea of the trip was to do 1) shop for wedding dresses and 2) have our family Christmas break. The pics we took are below - check them out, they're pretty cool.

12-3-08 Carrieanne and Rachel Visit

The first day the girls joined us at the gym and had an hour's session with Billy our trainer. Ready for Rachel's wedding next year we're all trying to get in shape. They have both joined a gym so we thought it'd be pretty cool to give them a couple of lessons on how to strength train correctly. I think they had a great time, although both were pretty sore after each session. We had a bit of drama with Billy on Saturday which resulted in Rachel not getting her second hour, but I'll write about that in a separate post.

Trev had to work Thursday/Friday so the girls and I started our Thursday well with a massage each with my fabulous masseuse, Cici. Having all had our butt cheeks knelt on we were all relaxed and then headed into ChinaTown for a Dim Sum lunch. We did that, then while I headed back home to go to the physio, the girls went fake bag shopping with Carrieanne getting a Coach knockoff cheap. They then did Central Park, Rockerfella etc. That evening we ate locally then spent several hours drinking cocktails and playing Rockband. We couldn't get the mike to work, but the guitars and drums worked great. Trev and I went to bed and the girls continued to play - that was such fun.

Next day was the wedding dress shop. Our first stop was Kleinfelds - and I have to tell you, it was one of the worst experiences of my life. It put us in a really grumpy mood. For those that don't know this shop is the biggest wedding dress shop in the world..... so, we're kept waiting for ages along with other families. You're then given a consultant where they help you choose dresses. Except our woman was crap. She walked into the reception, Rachel leans over and says "I hope that's not ours...". No sooner were the words out of her mouth than she walked over and introduced herself as Camille. Now...this is where I have to set the scene. She had black hair in a harsh pony tail, lots of make up, the worst of which was dark brown lip liner about quarter inch away from the edge of her lips. It looked HYSTERICAL. You couldn't help but stare. Apparently people look for dresses that are up to $20k....and that's not our budget. We never even got to talk around the floor. She shuffled us into the back and basically said - go and pick what you want and we'll try them on. Now....correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the consultant help you understand what you look good in? It didn't happen quite like that. Anyway, we got all grumpy and miserable and left.

We found out later that apparently she's famous. We had no idea at all. There's a show on the TLC channel called "Say yes to the dress". Check the link out. http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/say-yes-dress/expert-bios.html. Look here for Camille.....and you'll get the idea. It was awful.

We got rid of that and went to eat to cheer ourselves up. Next we went to a smaller place that was much nicer and then finally to Macy's. Suffice to say that while we found some nice dresses we all agreed that the dress she tried on in England was the best and the most flattering.

After that we took the subway to Soho and then hung out in a bar. Later in the evening we then headed back to midtown and went to fantastic 80s bar called the Joshua Tree. We had a blast - lots of drinks, some weird ass guys who tried to crash the party.

Saturday we worked out and then headed into Times Square, had a beer and came home. By this time we were all exhausted. Carrieanne was desperate to sleep, Trev wanted a nap, Rachel and I wanted to stop off for a cocktail. We were due at our neighbours around 10pm, so what we didn't want to do was go home and sit down because then we not want to go out. So Rachel and I had some cocktails and then walked home ready to go to our neighbours. When we got home, Carrieanne had gone to bed (even though she'd promised she wouldn't). Anyway.....Trev, Rach and I headed down to Nick and Jackie's where a party was in full swing with lots of karaoke. So, we joined in....after more cocktails Jackie decided that the best thing that we needed to do was wake Carrieanne up. Now, we all looked at her and said "knock yourself out" because we know what she's like. She was NOT a happy bunny at all....you can't see much from the single pic I took, but it was pretty funny. What was not so funny was that when we finally went to bed around 1.30am Carrieanne had locked us all out of the bedroom. Then I had to witness Trev and Rach try and pick the lock of the bedroom door. That was pretty funny too.

Sunday we relaxed....and did nothing other than eat brunch. Phew! And we're done. All I can say is that I went back to work for a rest.

Feeling grumpy

I'll post on last weekend's exploits at a later date but right now I have to have a rant before I say something I'll regret.

I think I'm fed up of working on vacation, basically being available 24/7 and generally a dogsbody when my boss takes their bony ass out to lunch for several hours several days a week. I've had enough.

Today was ridiculous. Not only did they go out to lunch (my boss and their colleague....at least 3 times a week 12-2.30ish if not 3) they then proceeded to call and text their assistant until she left too. Their assistant is pretty funny most of the time as she's loud and brash and tends to say what's on her mind and it's usually colourful too. However today she spent an hour telling me how our boss was hindering her to go join them.

Bloody marvelous. As I said to her, she should be thankful she gets an invite. Apparently I'm stuck here, never have time to go out and never get an invite either.

I think it's more fool me. As of today no more. I'm done. It's not fair, and I'm not doing myself any favours at all.

Tonight is the holiday party and I'm so not festive. I've not put up my tree, sent cards or anything .... and perhaps that's not helping. We leave early Saturday for our vacation - so if the tree doesn't go up before Friday it won't go up.....

Jeepers.....at least I know I'll be sitting on a beach with a VERY large cocktail this time next week.

I just hope that when I finally get my annual review....that it says I walk on water. If it doesn't....then maybe it's time to move on.

Blue lips

Yesterday the girls arrived for their holiday break. As part of their gift I arranged for them to have a couple of personal training sessions each - they are both so eager to get fit and healthy (and lose a few pounds) before Rachel gets married that I thought it'd be good if they talked to a professional who could show them how to strength train. More muscle means you burn more ....so it's all good.

They each did brilliantly with Billy and they're going to go back at the weekend for more punishment:) Anyway....I had a session with him too. I was feel particularly weird yesterday and I have no idea why. The only way I can describe it is that my brain was left of center - definitely not myself. I had a bad day at work, and had skipped lunch - most unlike me. However I'd eaten an omelet, an apple and some nuts so I'd had some nutrition. Anyway, I train pretty hard when I work out - and I had made the odd comment about not making me balance as I was not feeling so great. About 40 minutes into the workout (it's usually 90mins) Billy says "I think it's time you sat on the bike" - which is code for "cool down, you're done". I found out later after he'd met with Rach that apparently my lips had turned blue, I'd gone deathly pale and didn't look too hot. Apparently another indicator I wasn't well was that I didn't swear at him once and complain:)

So, I came home, sat and I feel fine today. How strange is that?

Is there something about Autumn?

It's weird. Last year I did really well Oct-Dec with losing weight. It got to about 20lb in that three months. At the beginning of this year it kind of tailed off and then through the summer, between traveling and being sedentary because of my ankle a few pounds crept back on - nothing major but it was disheartening.

In September I vented my frustration at Billy (my trainer) who was so successful in helping me lose weight last year. I said I wasn't cheating, he said I must be. He had me keep a diary for a few days to keep track of what I eat, how much and when. Anyway...there it was in black and white. I cheat. Not with bad food....but I wasn't alternating my proteins and carbs like I should be.

So....I've been back on the straight and narrow....and for whatever reason it's working. Really well. Even over the holidays. I'm back to 20lb lost (see my ticker...). So....I'm back to being motivated. Who knows - I might even need a whole new wardrobe:)

Connecticut

We had a great time over the holiday weekend. We met up with loads of friends and spent a great deal of time just hanging out. It was most relaxing. See the pics below.

11-26-08 Thanksgiving at Melissa's

Melissa and Merina drove down to us on Wednesday night so they could go to the Macy's Parade in the city - Trev and I stayed away. Call us boring...but we have enough of tourists on a normal day.....:) Then, we all drove back to Melissa's on Thursday afternoon. Not the best journey (nearly 4 hours for 120 miles...) but we had a great Thanksgiving dinner with everyone.

I had my first foray into 4am shopping on Black Friday. It was crazy. Up at 3.15am, at Kohls for 4am, Walmart for 5am, breakfast at 7.30am and then back out at lunch time. OMG - it was craaaazzzzzyyyyyy. Kohls was just boring and the lines way too long. Walmart was just incredible. There were thousands of people lined up waiting for the doors to open at 5am.....and by the time we got in there were people everywhere. I've never seen such an angry set of people. There were people stealing stuff out of other's carts, when we were in line a lady tried to push in which resulted in the police being called and her nearly being escorted off the premises. Unbelieveable. Isn't this the season of goodwill? When we got home we heard about the guy in Long Island, NY who was trampled to death. Good grief. What is the world coming to. In the afternoon we went to a regular mall and that was much more serene - even Trev bought a few things.

The rest of the weekend was hanging out and playing with the dogs, Lily and Maggie. They have so much energy, and while Melissa has put up loads of fencing these canines are experts at finding their way out. Trev and I lost them at least 3 times over the weekend and had to go and get them...... it convinced me that you need a lot of space before getting dogs. Maybe when I retire:)

We had a great journey home and now we're getting ready for Carrieanne and Rachel to come on Wednesday. What a cool holiday season we're having!