Slept in a bit this morning, then set out for the Museum of Natural History. Landlords tipped us off to the "A" train, which we can pick up at this charming little station just a half block away, on a quiet and tree-lined street -- NOT the bustling latino commerce district with crowds, horns and shoving.
Not that we want to avoid the NY experience -- maybe we are becoming a little homesick. Anyway, this quiet street was a lovely surprise.
Took the "A" to the museum. Saw IMAX of Jane Goodall and chimps. Saw dinosaurs. Went to the AWESOME planetarium. Beyond awesome. Sooo 3D we felt we were in a star shower.
From the MNH we went back to American Girl Place. Seems Little One's newest 'needed' some casual clothes and had no jeans. Stopped in at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Took pics of window fashions at Bergdorf-Goodman.
Headed to Washington Square Park to keep date with little girl we met on Sunday. Headed up to Union Square to find ABC Carpet & Home, but missed it. Found WHOLE FOODS instead and picked up supper.
Needed the "L" west to pick up the "A" train. Realized, too late, we had boarded eastbound "L" and we were in Queens!!! Had to exit station, go around block, re-enter, and head west.
Finally, snuggled on "A" train and read some Potter. Arrived home, ate, and now Little One is practicing piano and I am blogging. Life is good.
Tuesday, May 31
A Sunday to Remember in NY
On Sunday, we headed south to Ferry Station to meet Elder Son and DIL and darling grandbaby. She is oh, so, beautiful and charming, and I am sure, true to her parents, huge in the cranium as well. I could not wait to hold her. But wait I did, through Wall Street and Courthouses and South Street Seaport. Finally, finally, in the SSS Mall Food Court, she was unleashed from the darkest recesses of her buggy and into my waiting Nana arms.
She fit.
And she gurgled and cooed for me, and smiled. Her smile lit a star in my heart. It's still warm, a day later.
Thank you, God, for answering prayer.
So, after SSS, the 5 of us ventured across the Brooklyn Bridge, and wimps that we are, took the subway back. Too late, they realized, "This is our stop!" and they hopped off before I could get one last kiss from DGB or give one more hug to ES and DIL. Waving good-bye through the etched window of the subway car, desolate gestures.
After all that, Little One and I continued to Washington Square where we saw the coolest street performers and she played in the playground with children who actually live here. Walked through East Village and stopped in deli for cheese, fruit and bread for supper. Took the *bus* back to Washington Heights (mistake) and arrived back at apt after 9pm.
Note to self. Return before dark. Hastening through the streets with her hand clutched in mine, I noticed I was the only woman out after dark. Brr.
Today was all fun. Lunch and shopping at the American Girl Place. VERY nicely done. I recommend this place to anyone with a girl in the family between 4 and maybe 11 yrs old. They had a conversation game on the table at lunch; one of the questions was, "What is your happiest summer memory?" and Little One said, "Just . . . this."
Went halfway up the Empire State Bldg when she changed her mind. Back down the Empire State Bldg and into the gift shop for postcards.
Back to apt to rest and out again to nearby kosher deli/bakery for light supper. Played with dolls, read books, ran downstairs to wash laundry. She is snoring and I am right behind her.
Goodnight.
She fit.
And she gurgled and cooed for me, and smiled. Her smile lit a star in my heart. It's still warm, a day later.
Thank you, God, for answering prayer.
So, after SSS, the 5 of us ventured across the Brooklyn Bridge, and wimps that we are, took the subway back. Too late, they realized, "This is our stop!" and they hopped off before I could get one last kiss from DGB or give one more hug to ES and DIL. Waving good-bye through the etched window of the subway car, desolate gestures.
After all that, Little One and I continued to Washington Square where we saw the coolest street performers and she played in the playground with children who actually live here. Walked through East Village and stopped in deli for cheese, fruit and bread for supper. Took the *bus* back to Washington Heights (mistake) and arrived back at apt after 9pm.
Note to self. Return before dark. Hastening through the streets with her hand clutched in mine, I noticed I was the only woman out after dark. Brr.
Today was all fun. Lunch and shopping at the American Girl Place. VERY nicely done. I recommend this place to anyone with a girl in the family between 4 and maybe 11 yrs old. They had a conversation game on the table at lunch; one of the questions was, "What is your happiest summer memory?" and Little One said, "Just . . . this."
Went halfway up the Empire State Bldg when she changed her mind. Back down the Empire State Bldg and into the gift shop for postcards.
Back to apt to rest and out again to nearby kosher deli/bakery for light supper. Played with dolls, read books, ran downstairs to wash laundry. She is snoring and I am right behind her.
Goodnight.
---Goodnight, new and darling grandbaby. I'm in love. ---
Sunday, May 29
Sunday in NYC
Originally we had planned to go to church in NYC. First we were going to go to 1st Pres NYC, then Elder Son and DIL said we were welcome to go to their church with them. So we were going to go there. Then the crisis happened and they felt too worn out to go to church, and in the meanwhile we had not made plans / found a Manhattan church to attend. So we are pagans today. We did pray before breakfast. :)
Let's see. Yesterday began early as we boarded the bus for Central Park. I am sooo glad we took the bus rather than the subway, as we would have missed seeing the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. We gotta go back to that place!! It's humongous. We just asked strangers the best way to get to Central Park and they were elbowing each other out for the opportunity to help us out. "Here's the best way.." "No, she doesn't know, go this way..." "Actually, you oughtta go this way...." I am always amazed at the kindness of strangers.
So. We went to Central Park and it was awesome. Packed. Saw the rc boats on Conservatory Pond, got hot dogs (yes, hot dogs) from a cart, heard beautiful, beautiful classical music from a street musician playing -- ready for this? a BASSOON. It was lovely. I hope I remember it forever. Little One dropped the map in the pond. Saw a bikini'ed lady having a high-powered business call on her cell phone, yelling, "Yes, Bob, no, Bob, do it this way, Bob..." Very, very anachronistic, but how ny can you get. Saw a zillion ppl walking dogs, pushing strollers, rollerblading, skating, biking, running, rowing. Saw a French lady screaming at a dad & little girl, "Non, non, do not pet zee dog. She is afraid of all," -- and the dog snarling and growling and barking like this vicious wild animal. Went to the zoo. Saw polar bears swim, penguins waddle, red pandas, tamarin, monkeys, and puffins. Little One had her face painted all over. Went back to rent a boat but it started to thunderstorm. Took the bus to the library. Closed. Went back to Times Square, on Little One's request. Stopped at Starbucks for coffee, hot chocolate and some journaling. Went back to Toys 'R Us, spent almost 2 hours there. The line for the Ferris Wheel is about 45 minutes long. Fortunately Little One was as uninterested in waiting 45 minutes as I was. Finally, left that place and headed home. Stopped and got calzones to go, took the subway, and ate in the apartment.
On the subway, a very not clean lady got on the train and announced loudly, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I am homeless and would appreciate any contributions you could make at this time. Thank you." I admired her audacity. She sang, "Amazing Grace." Little One leaned over and whispered out of the side of her mouth, "I'm NOT giving her any of my money." "OK," I replied. "Well, maybe I'll give her my change," she said, and handed it into a very, very dirty hand. The woman looked into LO's eyes and said, "Thank you."
For the remainder of the trip Little One was worried about homeless people. "I'm not homeless," she observed.
We sat at the little kitchen table over our takeout calzone and and held hands. I asked if she would say the blessing. "Dear God, please help the homeless lady. Help her to have a good and safe life. Amen."
Let's see. Yesterday began early as we boarded the bus for Central Park. I am sooo glad we took the bus rather than the subway, as we would have missed seeing the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. We gotta go back to that place!! It's humongous. We just asked strangers the best way to get to Central Park and they were elbowing each other out for the opportunity to help us out. "Here's the best way.." "No, she doesn't know, go this way..." "Actually, you oughtta go this way...." I am always amazed at the kindness of strangers.
So. We went to Central Park and it was awesome. Packed. Saw the rc boats on Conservatory Pond, got hot dogs (yes, hot dogs) from a cart, heard beautiful, beautiful classical music from a street musician playing -- ready for this? a BASSOON. It was lovely. I hope I remember it forever. Little One dropped the map in the pond. Saw a bikini'ed lady having a high-powered business call on her cell phone, yelling, "Yes, Bob, no, Bob, do it this way, Bob..." Very, very anachronistic, but how ny can you get. Saw a zillion ppl walking dogs, pushing strollers, rollerblading, skating, biking, running, rowing. Saw a French lady screaming at a dad & little girl, "Non, non, do not pet zee dog. She is afraid of all," -- and the dog snarling and growling and barking like this vicious wild animal. Went to the zoo. Saw polar bears swim, penguins waddle, red pandas, tamarin, monkeys, and puffins. Little One had her face painted all over. Went back to rent a boat but it started to thunderstorm. Took the bus to the library. Closed. Went back to Times Square, on Little One's request. Stopped at Starbucks for coffee, hot chocolate and some journaling. Went back to Toys 'R Us, spent almost 2 hours there. The line for the Ferris Wheel is about 45 minutes long. Fortunately Little One was as uninterested in waiting 45 minutes as I was. Finally, left that place and headed home. Stopped and got calzones to go, took the subway, and ate in the apartment.
On the subway, a very not clean lady got on the train and announced loudly, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I am homeless and would appreciate any contributions you could make at this time. Thank you." I admired her audacity. She sang, "Amazing Grace." Little One leaned over and whispered out of the side of her mouth, "I'm NOT giving her any of my money." "OK," I replied. "Well, maybe I'll give her my change," she said, and handed it into a very, very dirty hand. The woman looked into LO's eyes and said, "Thank you."
For the remainder of the trip Little One was worried about homeless people. "I'm not homeless," she observed.
We sat at the little kitchen table over our takeout calzone and and held hands. I asked if she would say the blessing. "Dear God, please help the homeless lady. Help her to have a good and safe life. Amen."
Saturday, May 28
First Day in NYC
OK, so we {finally} arrived in NY after the endless train trip with ANTS in our seats, crawling all over us, in our hair. They actually crawled off of us onto the white tablecloth at breakfast.
But that's behind us . . . we are in ny!!
Elder Son met us at Penn Station. It was perfect...we were coming up the escalator out of the train terminal and I was looking all around, worried, what will I do if I can't find him, and Little One called, "There he is." Warm relief and love rushed all over me. My Elder Son. Smiling, running to us. Afraid I hugged him too hard, afraid he will feel the insecurity and panic from the crisis two weeks ago, the happiness and joy at seeing him after so long. It's been a year-and-a-half since seeing him.
He's -- well, -- he seems so, so...settled. The cockiness has lost its edge to, well, maturity.
He was sweet and kind and so accommodating. He notices I am maturing, too. He caters to me a little.
We had to go in Manhattan Mall as Little One was starving. We had The Beast, this ungodly rolling suitcase. I know the exact dimensions, as they match up with the maximum for carry-on luggage on Amtrak. 27x24x14. Weighs a ton. Well, 50lb is the max for Amtrak, so I am guessing it's somewhere around 49 lb, 14 oz. So we're going into Manhattan Mall and, it's so classic, I hate to admit it.
- - - I - got - stuck - in - the - revolving - door - with - The - Beast - rolling - suitcase. - - -
It was exactly what I wanted not to happen. This was about the time Elder Son took over driving The Beast.
He drove it to Times Square. Through Times Square. Into, through, and out of Toys 'R Us. (We gotta go back to that place. They have a Ferris Wheel inside the store, huge. Empire State Bldg made from Legos. Statue of Liberty from Legos. We gotta go back. SOON.)
He drove The Beast down the steps into the subway station. Up the stairs out of the subway station. Through Washington Heights and to the apartment, excuse me, free apartment, he has provided for me to stay, not a couple of measly days in NYC, but a week. Did I mention it's free?
I had no clue what to expect. I had prepared myself to cope with anything, hey, it's a free apt.
Well, it's immaculate. Cleaner than home. Glossy hardwood floors, no dust bunnies. Clean bath, clean kitchen. Chirping birds out the window. Trees. No coping. It's, well, it's perfect. And, I need to mention this part, it's .......free.
So. We got supper at the local McD's and brought it back here to eat. Little One suggested it; she was too tired to eat there. It was loud and very unfamiliar. We were the only people whose first language is English, and it was packed. 8pm and you could hardly move in there. So we ate at the apt.
Stopped at a corner grocery to get OJ and cereal, milk for today's breakfast. The entire store was the size of our kitchen at home. Really, not exaggerating. It was great. Little One needs to see this! This is how people live!! Not everyone has a 25,000 sq ft. Kroger at their disposal.
So we brushed teeth. Pajamaed. Read a few pages of Harry Potter til I had to say, "I can't read anymore." For once, she did NOT complain. We slept hard.
Now it's 8:30. I've been up an hour, organizing the backpack and studying the map for today's adventures, rinsing out clothes from yesterday.
Oh, yeah. Elder Son and I each gave her $15 to spend. She has $30 and can buy whatever she wants while we are here. She can buy a bunch of little crap or she can buy one big thing to keep. I was gonna just give it to her, figured it'd be cheaper than getting her everything she begs for, and Elder Son said he'd go in halves with me IF we get something in return. I asked, "What? She can't exactly do chores while we're in NYC..." "Math?" he questioned.. "AHA! Journal entries! She balked on the train at the journal entry, and I had to write it down; she dictated it."
So, there in the middle of Toys 'R Us, we negotiated this agreement. She willingly, happily, writes her entries in the trip journal -- he needs a copy when we go home -- and he and I each gave her $15. She had $30 of her own. I wondered if she would run through the store, grabbing this and that.
Why do adults always underestimate their children?
She held on to it. "I might see something I really like later."
Today we go to Central Park. It's Saturday and they will be racing RC boats on the pond.
But that's behind us . . . we are in ny!!
Elder Son met us at Penn Station. It was perfect...we were coming up the escalator out of the train terminal and I was looking all around, worried, what will I do if I can't find him, and Little One called, "There he is." Warm relief and love rushed all over me. My Elder Son. Smiling, running to us. Afraid I hugged him too hard, afraid he will feel the insecurity and panic from the crisis two weeks ago, the happiness and joy at seeing him after so long. It's been a year-and-a-half since seeing him.
He's -- well, -- he seems so, so...settled. The cockiness has lost its edge to, well, maturity.
He was sweet and kind and so accommodating. He notices I am maturing, too. He caters to me a little.
We had to go in Manhattan Mall as Little One was starving. We had The Beast, this ungodly rolling suitcase. I know the exact dimensions, as they match up with the maximum for carry-on luggage on Amtrak. 27x24x14. Weighs a ton. Well, 50lb is the max for Amtrak, so I am guessing it's somewhere around 49 lb, 14 oz. So we're going into Manhattan Mall and, it's so classic, I hate to admit it.
- - - I - got - stuck - in - the - revolving - door - with - The - Beast - rolling - suitcase. - - -
It was exactly what I wanted not to happen. This was about the time Elder Son took over driving The Beast.
He drove it to Times Square. Through Times Square. Into, through, and out of Toys 'R Us. (We gotta go back to that place. They have a Ferris Wheel inside the store, huge. Empire State Bldg made from Legos. Statue of Liberty from Legos. We gotta go back. SOON.)
He drove The Beast down the steps into the subway station. Up the stairs out of the subway station. Through Washington Heights and to the apartment, excuse me, free apartment, he has provided for me to stay, not a couple of measly days in NYC, but a week. Did I mention it's free?
I had no clue what to expect. I had prepared myself to cope with anything, hey, it's a free apt.
Well, it's immaculate. Cleaner than home. Glossy hardwood floors, no dust bunnies. Clean bath, clean kitchen. Chirping birds out the window. Trees. No coping. It's, well, it's perfect. And, I need to mention this part, it's .......free.
So. We got supper at the local McD's and brought it back here to eat. Little One suggested it; she was too tired to eat there. It was loud and very unfamiliar. We were the only people whose first language is English, and it was packed. 8pm and you could hardly move in there. So we ate at the apt.
Stopped at a corner grocery to get OJ and cereal, milk for today's breakfast. The entire store was the size of our kitchen at home. Really, not exaggerating. It was great. Little One needs to see this! This is how people live!! Not everyone has a 25,000 sq ft. Kroger at their disposal.
So we brushed teeth. Pajamaed. Read a few pages of Harry Potter til I had to say, "I can't read anymore." For once, she did NOT complain. We slept hard.
Now it's 8:30. I've been up an hour, organizing the backpack and studying the map for today's adventures, rinsing out clothes from yesterday.
Oh, yeah. Elder Son and I each gave her $15 to spend. She has $30 and can buy whatever she wants while we are here. She can buy a bunch of little crap or she can buy one big thing to keep. I was gonna just give it to her, figured it'd be cheaper than getting her everything she begs for, and Elder Son said he'd go in halves with me IF we get something in return. I asked, "What? She can't exactly do chores while we're in NYC..." "Math?" he questioned.. "AHA! Journal entries! She balked on the train at the journal entry, and I had to write it down; she dictated it."
So, there in the middle of Toys 'R Us, we negotiated this agreement. She willingly, happily, writes her entries in the trip journal -- he needs a copy when we go home -- and he and I each gave her $15. She had $30 of her own. I wondered if she would run through the store, grabbing this and that.
Why do adults always underestimate their children?
She held on to it. "I might see something I really like later."
Today we go to Central Park. It's Saturday and they will be racing RC boats on the pond.
Thursday, May 26
Going to NYC
Okay, so we are going to NY. 8 days. Taking ONE bag. Just Little One and I. Kids' activities. Visiting the family of Elder Son, Wife and Baby. Train. 12 hours on the train.
So many things could go wrong. I could let go of her hand for one split second and poof! shes gone. We could get lost. Miss the connection with Elder Son and have NO place to stay.
When I looked for hotels on Orbitz, Travelocity, etc, everything kept coming up, "no availability." Finally, I called one of the 800 numbers and the guy, the guy actually, literally said, these are his exact words: "Ma'am, New York is full."
"Full? FULL? There's no WAY New York is full."
"Yes, ma'am, it's full. There's a furniture show, there are conventions, and it's Memorial Day Weekend. NYC is ... full. I'm showing 2 rooms available at the Crowne Plaza for $704 a night. Would you like me to make a reservation for you?"
"Well,.....................no. Thank you."
So. If I can't get in touch with Elder Son, I'm . .. sunk. Because. . . New York is . ..full.
I so, so, so hope to have a blast with Little One. We missed our Washington, DC trip at Spring Break when I had pneumonia. My unfortunate incarceration, I've called it. She was very disappointed.
I hope to create memories, memories she'll never forget. Good ones! I have tried to prepare her for this trip, tried to tell her a little about what the city is like. She has no clue. Not til we get there.
So, we're off to NYC. If I can figure out how to dial up my laptop while there, I'll blog from there.
So many things could go wrong. I could let go of her hand for one split second and poof! shes gone. We could get lost. Miss the connection with Elder Son and have NO place to stay.
When I looked for hotels on Orbitz, Travelocity, etc, everything kept coming up, "no availability." Finally, I called one of the 800 numbers and the guy, the guy actually, literally said, these are his exact words: "Ma'am, New York is full."
"Full? FULL? There's no WAY New York is full."
"Yes, ma'am, it's full. There's a furniture show, there are conventions, and it's Memorial Day Weekend. NYC is ... full. I'm showing 2 rooms available at the Crowne Plaza for $704 a night. Would you like me to make a reservation for you?"
"Well,.....................no. Thank you."
So. If I can't get in touch with Elder Son, I'm . .. sunk. Because. . . New York is . ..full.
I so, so, so hope to have a blast with Little One. We missed our Washington, DC trip at Spring Break when I had pneumonia. My unfortunate incarceration, I've called it. She was very disappointed.
I hope to create memories, memories she'll never forget. Good ones! I have tried to prepare her for this trip, tried to tell her a little about what the city is like. She has no clue. Not til we get there.
So, we're off to NYC. If I can figure out how to dial up my laptop while there, I'll blog from there.
Thursday, May 19
A Crisis in Spring
The irony of having a crisis in the spring is, well, the guilt of it all. Our precious newest grandbaby is struggling in a major hospital, and I'm listening to birds in the trees. Pulling weeds. Other than the perpetual cloud over my head, and rushing to the pc to check my son's and dil's blog 50 times a day, things are, well, normal. I feel like a . . . traitor.
She is struggling for life. Ventilator. Feeding tube. Heavy stuff for a 5-month old.
I can't get away til our girl finishes school, next week. So, I'm . . . deadheading the roses. Taking pics of my first peony. Pruning the nandina. Mowing, edging, praying.
So, 7 days til I can be there. Big traitor that I am, here are pics of my guilt:
She is struggling for life. Ventilator. Feeding tube. Heavy stuff for a 5-month old.
I can't get away til our girl finishes school, next week. So, I'm . . . deadheading the roses. Taking pics of my first peony. Pruning the nandina. Mowing, edging, praying.
So, 7 days til I can be there. Big traitor that I am, here are pics of my guilt:
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