Back in the New York groove and back again

(This post was a draft for a long time. Apparently I had issues with blogger I was unaware of.  This trip occurred prior to the holidays).

CC and I are currently in JFK on our way back from another fabulous vacation in NYC.  He definitely indulges me because I know the last place he wants to go for vacation is somewhere cold.  Actually, the weather hasn't been that bad this time around and we definitely got our "sweater weather" fix.  CC has been jonesing for his flip flops for over  a day now.  :)

We arrived on Sunday pretty early in the day, around 10a.m.  We got our luggage, the Air Train, the A train and the R just as we should.  We stayed in Brooklyn this time around.  As it is so close to Christmas, Manhattan is PACKED!  Chad booked us at a hotel called The Union Hotel.  We arrived early, expecting to just have our bags checked into the luggage room until we could check in.  We walked into the lobby/foyer/closet (I have had walk-in closets bigger than this space) and informed the girl and the podium we had reservations.  Her eyes got really big as she said, "eet is too eerly."  CC said we realized and just thought we could put our luggage in the luggage room.  Again she says, "but eet is too eerrly."  She handed us the equivalent of a room key and told us the luggage room was downstairs and we could leave it there and bring the key back.  oooookay.  So we go downstairs, there is a closet with a lock.  we open it and there is luggage for 3-4 other travelers already in there.  There is no one over this area, basically put your luggage in the closet and leave.  I was a bit distressed.  I had a laptop etc. and they let just anyone off the street ask for the key.  We didn't show ID and she didn't take our name or anything.  Oh well...

So, we head back out into the rain and went to a nearby restaurant called Sheep Station.  They were just opening. (We kept forgetting it was Sunday).  They opening early for a party so we were able to get in at 11 and they had brunch.

Brunch is typically the same wherever you go.  This place had the usual and then they had a dish composed of french fries, cheese curds and gravy!!  Oh my!  it was delicious!  After we filled up we decided to jump the train over to Manhattan and go to the Natural History Museum.  Lots of stuffed critters but it was very interesting.

Elephants are very big!!

Not fond of the camera but I got him anyway!

Dum Dum, got gum gum?

This sperm whale was hanging two stories over the room

This museum has been around for a long time.  Many of the exhibits were donated/created in the late 19th / early 20th century.  The building and all of the decor reflects that era.  I would hate to think what it would cost to replace the wood work in this museum.



























Museums are definitely a great place to spend a rainy day.  Especially if you find yourself without boots.


Dinner was spent at Ocean Grill over on Columbus Ave.  We had a really nice butternut squash soup to warm us up.  At that point we decided we best head back over to Brooklyn in order to get checked in and up to our room.

We catch the train without a hitch and get back over to the Union Hotel to check in and get some rest for a big day the following day.  If you clicked on the link above for the hotel, I think you will find the pictures I'm about to show you does not resemble much of what is on the website.  I'll let you be the judge.

View from standing in bathroom entryway

From the entry to the room

The closet is against the foot of the bed

From the picture to the left, the door brushes against the bed when you open it. You must be on the left side if you are wanting to exit or you need to climb over the bed.


Looking at the picture below, it's hard to tell but the heating/cooling unit actually hangs over the bed a bit.  CC kept thumping it in the night.  The room was frigid by anyone's standards and colder than it was outside.  Naturally we had the heat cranked.  That unit was extremely noisy.  I would wake every time it kicked on in the night.                                                                                        

Now, you may ask why say anything, no one spends a lot of time in the room anyway and grant it, we did not.  I suppose the issue is there wasn't any room to turn around.  It was a good thing we had duffle bags.  I had mine against the wall behind the door to the room and CC had his in the bathroom that was probably bigger than the actual room.  the bathroom was the only thing that resembled the pictures on the hotel website.  It had the same everything except our shower wasn't a corner one.  The building itself was only 4 stories tall and we were on the 4th floor.  In order to get warm water to the sink, we had to turn on the shower or we would be an hour trying to get the warm water up to our floor.  We worked around that though and persevered.    The worse thing I suppose was every time we would leave, the cleaning crew turned our thermostat back down.  We would leave it up and keep the bathroom door open to try to heat it and they would come in and drop it back down.

My only stipulation with the hotel was that there wasn't any bugs and I didn't see a one so for that I am thankful.  The hotel did have free wifi which was nice and we were also provided with a free breakfast daily.  That was a definite bonus.  Again, I don't know where the pictures came from on the hotel website, but they sent us down two blocks to a diner called The Station.  It was owned by a very nice Greek family.  Very hospitable, took the time to talk to you and make you feel welcome.  The breakfast was delicious and was an wonderful start to a busy day seeing the sights.

So much to choose from!

After our wonderful breakfast Monday we  took a train over to the TKTS booth to stand in line to get tickets to a show.  We got tickets to Avenue Q.  It is a musical by the creators of SouthPark.  It's characters are people and puppets.  After we got tickets, we headed down to DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass).  This is a developing "hip and chic" neighborhood.  Granted, it was another rainy foggy day but on a clear day you can have fantastic views of the city.  We walked down to the river, checked out Jane's Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park.  We also took some pictures of the bridge and the area.  We


found Jacques Torres Chocolate in DUMBO.  It smelled amazing just walking through the door.  Of course we had to sample the goods!  Fabulous hot chocolate on a cold, wet day.  Couldn't beat it!

Tuesday we really did a lot of walking around and seeing the sights.  We Lunch was at an Irish restaurant and we went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  We were able to see the Andy Warhol exhibit before they closed.  Afterwards we went to dinner at a restaurant close by on Fifth Ave.  For the life of me I cannot remember the name.  :(

The following day we returned to the museum to see what we could of the rest of it.  We still needed another full day.  There was so much to see!!  Definitely a great place to go when you are in town.  We will definitely return.

It was sad to have to return home. We always have such a great time when we are on vacation.  Yet another successful trip to the Big Apple.  CC says next time we are definitely going somewhere warm.  I can't wait!

There Really is No Excuse

I have been pretty negligent as of late regarding my blog.  I need to at least blog weekly but I just haven't been making time for it.  I have no excuse. It isn't like I don't have time while watching television, etc.  I just haven't been.  I guess it's a good thing.  It seems most of the time I feel the urge to blog when I'm upset and that just hasn't been the case as of late.  There has been a lot going on and I'll do my best to catch you up.

My birthday went really well. CC bought art this year.  I now have a Blue Dog by George Rodrigue hanging in my office.  It is a signed limited edition silk screen print.  He is very popular. Many of his originals go for six figures so I feel very lucky to get this one.  It's awesome!!  I've been wanting one for a while and so happy I've now got it.

Tie Me Up

CC has changed jobs in the hospital. He now has a position working 12 hour shifts, three days a week. No call, no holidays.  I think he is bored senseless but at least he doesn't have near the frustrations he did with the previous position.  Working late on those three days also allows me to work late on those days which works out all the way around.

We got another puppy mid October.  He is a full blooded blue heeler (Australian Cattle Dog) and is about 9-10 months old.  We were able to rescue him from the shelter.  He had a brother but I could not see having two puppies at one time since I'm the one home all the time.  He is a doll and we have named him Deacon.

Favorite spot to relax!

First Day Home

He is all boy and a bit goofy but is much better behaved than I would have expected for a pup of that age that has been wandering as a stray.  We are doing pretty good on the training front. He is all about walks now.  We take a couple a day and he gets as excited as Maddie when I tell them it's time.

Halloween we had a lot of kids come to visit.  I ran out of candy.  CC said we didn't have that many last year so I didn't buy a lot of candy.  I know better for next year.  It's fun when you have a lot of the kids coming around.  Maybe by next year I will have decorations again and will be able to celebrate in style!  It IS my favorite holiday after all.

Before you knew it it was time for the Presidential election.  Thank goodness we all have the ability to mail in our votes ahead of time in Florida.  Our ballots are ridiculously long and pointless.  We deserve the ridicule the rest of the country gives us.

I flew back north on election day. I had a meeting at work the following day and was able to visit the folks and the Son for a bit. It was nice and actually uneventful.  I am NOT going to question it but accept it as it is.  It's probably best.  I didn't get to stay but two nights and was back home again. It was nice to be able to wear sweaters and jackets but it is really good to be home.

Last weekend we went to see Tampa and San Diego play football. It was Veterans Day and was a really good game. It was nice that Tampa won.  My fantasy team bombed but I'm trying to forget about that.  LOL.  We had great seats on the 50 yard line.

Great Seats!!!

We had an awesome time.  I wish we had season tickets but we can't seem to get any we really want to shell out the money for.  I love going to the games but I love to see also.  I gave a rep our contact information while we were at the game. I hope she can find something for us.

I can't believe it is almost Thanksgiving.  My folks will come in from Orlando and I think the Son and his GF will be coming down possibly.  I have the menu planned so it's all coming together.  CC and I will be spending black Friday tearing apart our family room.  The renovation begins.  Between the paneling and the popcorn ceiling, upside down mantle (don't ask), this room really needs some help.  We are hoping to get the demo finished over the long weekend.  I will need to keep everyone posted.

December we go back to NYC and then I will spend a few days up north. I will get my cold fix for the year for sure.  I still do not miss shoveling snow!!!!!  :)

There is No Escape

About a week ago I was a bit fed up with work, feeling a bit burned out and I decided I needed a vacation.  CC was on call over the weekend so I flew up to Kentucky for a few days.

Traveling for me is always an adventure. Between several flight delays and a flight cancellation I arrived in Louisville 4 hours later than was originally planned.  The Son picked me up Thursday at the airport and we went to dinner and a bit of shopping.  I stayed at our place in the country while there.  It is a peaceful place of never ending chores.

Friday I was able to procure a 20 yd dumpster and had it delivered. The Son and I spent all of Friday and Saturday filling the dumpster with items from one of our many outbuildings.  My sister filled the better portion of the extremely large building with the contents from her failed photography/camera store. Not only inventory, but all of the glass display cabinets, film processing machines, kitchen cabinets she had bought with her husband for their kitchen etc.  It has been in the building for at least 6 years.  It was time.  Bless the Son's heart, he helped me a lot. It was a nice weekend for us.  My mother wanted to save the glass cabinets (in case she opens a store??).  I left them for her because she wants them but really what a waste of space.

The dumpster is full but we could've used another to properly clean it out. At least now we can see the floor.

And the Saga continues...

I know I haven't talked about the Son in a while. Truth is, there wasn't much to say while he wasn't speaking to me.  A lot has happened since then.

Right before the Son was to leave for college, he was pulled over and charged with underage consumption. The cop called me because they could not reach his dad.  The officer just wanted someone to come and get him so they did not have to arrest him.  I was able to reach his Dad and had him pick him up.

His father would not help him get his car out of impound so the money he had saved was spent on that and then calls me for gas money.  I couldn't turn him down. He has to get to work.

So he moves out of the apt. and is off to college.  It lasted a day before I received a phone call talking about how much he hated it. He hated his roommates, the classes, the apt. EVERYTHING. All he wanted to do was come back home.  He was upset and drove like a mad man talking on the phone to me. Scared me to death. Car ended up on the side of the road. One of his friends helped him out and he did go to classes the next day.  He called me from school, saying he wants to quit and move back.  School lasted a total of 4 days. Three really when you look at it.  I was able to get off rather light on the bills for that for what I can tell.  There wasn't that much on the loan yet and I just lost all of the deposit money etc. on the apt.  He had to have some money to get his car and stuff home but he did. Of course he is mad, saying I have left him homeless.  I did point out he had a perfectly good apartment at college and he didn't stay. The fact he has no place to live is not mine.  So, was mad and there you go.  This was during the first full week in August.

So, he is couch diving.  The way I see it, there were several kids that practically lived at our house during high school. I fed them, laundry etc.  Their parents OWE ME.  At any rate, his car is falling apart, he sleeps in his car some when it's too late to go to some one's home etc.  I have been helping him some with money, as I can.

His birthday was the 31st of August.  I helped him get a new vehicle with my Mom for his 18th birthday.  The insurance is going to be expensive but it is what it is.

His dad apparently didn't do much of anything.  He just called me and said he told him dad work was slow and asked him for some money and his dad shut him down, saying he would've stayed in school.  I can understand his dad being angry but he wasn't paying for it.  Also, if the Son doesn't want to go to school, well, it happens.  The Dad didn't go to school either and yes, has not a lot to his name so his son followed in his footsteps.  How does he have the right to be mad?  He never wanted him to be like me anyway.

The Dad always complained how he had no impact in his upbringing etc. Of course, he wouldn't drive over to see him and alienated him every chance he got. No wonder!  I think that even thought the Son sidled up to the Dad in June, he realizes, I'm not such the monster he always thought I was before. He is trying to get it together and for that I am thankful.

He called out of the blue right before his birthday telling me he wanted to go back on his medication. He said he stopped smoking pot and wanted to go back on his anti-depressants.  I called the pharmacy and so now he is on his medication.  That makes me very happy.  He seems to think much clearer when he is on his medication.  For him, his life is rough.  It is much rougher than anything he had ever experienced before anyway.  A certain amount of that is good for him and the fact he has no place to live is no ones fault but his own.  He refuses to live with his dad, he will not live at our farm or with my mother etc.  He has places to go but doesn't want to go to them.  That I cannot help. That is his choice and he has to live with that.  I do suspect it isn't as bad as he makes it out to be but I am 900 miles away and can't see for myself.

I will be trying to go up north this fall and will also try to get him to come down for a visit during the holidays if I can. I miss him, regardless of our past. He is my Son, my biggest weakness.

A Tribute

Daisy is CC's golden retriever. He has had her since she was a puppy and has been with him through a lot of trials and tribulations.  She is funny and acts just like a teenager.  She is oblivious to criticism and does things all in her own time.  It provides us with a lot of smiles.

Just look at this face!

Daisy was diagnosed last week with cancer of the spleen, hemangiosarcoma.  She hasn't eaten properly and had stopped eating all together.  We took her in, she was diagnosed, and we have spent the weekend hoping the medicine and diet changes would help improve her state.  It hasn't.  CC has been torn all weekend, this has been very unexpected and a devastating blow.  She has been lying around, doing very little and is not herself. It is sad to watch.  She typically is so playful.  She never met a toy that didn't need to have its stuffing spread all over the floor, a squeaky toy that needed to be permanently silenced.  We have been trying everything. Trying to improve her quality of life for the time she has left.  She doesn't even tear the toys up anymore.  It is so disheartening.

I have ALL the toys!

She is a very special dog.  When CC and I first got together, I wasn't really sure about being a dog owner.  I mean, I had a dog, but a Pomeranian but two bigger dogs are very different.  The Pom did not sleep with me and really was too small to make a mess.  CC's dogs slept with him and I wasn't fond of that but I decided to give it a chance.  CC's girls sold me.  They have always slept with us.  We bought a king size bed that sat really close to the ground for the dogs.  We wanted space for us but also wanted the dogs to have room and be able to get in and out as they age. We really didn't anticipate the need so soon.

Daisy and I lazing about

We are taking Daisy to the vet tomorrow.  I don't believe she will be coming home with us. It has been a difficult weekend and we don't want her to suffer. The weekend has been filled with many tears and thoughts and memories of beloved Daisy.

I am really glad I had the painting made of the girls last year.  We now have it framed and hanging in our guest room.  It turned out wonderful and now that it's framed it looks even better.

It's been hard watching her decline and equally as hard to watch CC worrying, watching and struggling to cope with something that was practically sprung upon him.  He has had no time to prepare, I wish there was something I could do to take the pain away from him and from Daisy but I can't. All I can do is be here and be supportive.  I hope that it's enough.

How Long Can Hate Last?

It has been since the first of June since I have spoken, truly spoken to the Son. He still refuses to speak to me as I will not apologize for "fucking him over".  I really don't see defending myself and telling the truth as such but there you are.  I miss him desperately.  I want nothing for the best for him.  He has texted twice for money which I gave him and that may have been wrong but I did.

I spoke to his recruiter who has kept in touch with him and the Son did attend orientation and according to the recruiter, is planning on moving to the dormitory/apartment at the end of the month.  He spoke with the Son earlier on the day I called so that is some good news.  I texted the Son about what day he was planning on moving and he said he didn't know. I told him I wanted to send  him some money for sheets, etc. and to tell him about the items in storage for his move but he didn't text back. I hate this and I am hoping eventually he grows up but what if he doesn't? What if this is never straightened out?  I don't like not  speaking with the Son or what is going on in his life.  Although "ignorance is bliss" or at least that is what they say, it drives me a bit nuts.  Don't get me wrong, I would not have changed my decision to move and be with CC over any of this but I wish somehow the Son would have been mature enough to understand.  All he says he feels is abandoned and betrayed. Although this is manipulative, it does hurt regardless of what common sense tells me.

From what I understand, the Dad didn't help him get his car out of impound, he still hasn't paid any child support since March (I have started proceedings about that) and basically, doesn't do anything much for him. But the Son will talk with him. Somehow, there are some flaws in his logic.  Not about money but I have always been the one there for him time after time but yet he will still talk with the Dad and not me.  For some reason, one strike and I'm out.  Nothing that happens with him ever seems to make sense at least as far as I can tell.

I know I can't fix him and can't live his life and I definitely can't MAKE him see reason.  It doesn't mean I have to like it though.  It makes me so sad...

Independence Day

Well, I have been here in my FL home for three weeks.  Although I miss the Son desperately, my life has taken on a calm it hasn't had in a long time.  The stress level seems to have dropped.  (I hope that means my hair will quit falling out).  CC and I are really two peas in a pod. I don't think things with us could be much better.  We have this fit that is hard to explain but it's good.

We have been busy over the past week.  We refinished the 3rd bedroom. Changed hardware, painted doors, etc. It totally finished but it looks soooooo much better than it did before.  No popcorn on the ceiling, a nice paint, furniture, etc.  We are very happy with they way it turned out.

We went to the Dunedin Brewery on Sunday last.  It was a really neat place. They say they are the oldest craft brewery in the state.  (Old is 16 years... really?) They did have some very delicious beverages on tap. I had a refreshing Apricot Peach Ale.  It was a great combination and went down well. Awesome for a hot day.

Wednesday was Independence Day.  What does that mean?  Bacon explosion!  Yep, we made our bacon explosion, smoked on the grill.  YUM! YUM!  Later that evening we took off for Dunedin to catch the fireworks at the ballpark where the Blue Jays spring train.  They were nice, it wasn't overly crowded and we were home in 10 minutes.  You really just can't beat that.  Thursday I worked. We had so many people out I just couldn't

Waiting for the fireworks!

  take off.  I did manage to take off work today though.  We had a great day!  We slept in and then gathered up some towels, jumped in the car and took the girls to the dog beach.  DeSoto park in St. Petersburg has a dog beach where the dogs can run off leash and play in the water. The park is beautiful. The views in and out were tremendous. It was a wonderful trip.  The dogs had never been and we thought they would like the treat.  Daisy seemed to really enjoy herself.  Maddie, well she was okay with it while she was chasing other dogs but after that she seemed to be nervous. I think all of the water and activity really seemed to get to her.  We ended up not staying very long but we did have a great time.  We came home in time for lunch and a swim.  Napping while floating in the

On the drive into the park

Maddie finally went swimming!

Everybody's happy!!

On the way back across to St. Pete

pool is something to not underestimate.  It was extremely relaxing.  We barbecued some chicken for dinner and wrapped up our evening with a movie.  Fantastic day and now here comes the weekend!