Hello Kitty! Rescued a homeless animal - #14 of 45

A couple of week-ends ago I went to an assistant principal conference in Austin.  Our school's admin intern, Jinger, went with me.  One night we were leaving to go find a Starbucks when Jinger noticed a kitten in the parking lot of the hotel.  Of course I have to go check it out.  There was the sweetest little black and white (although she was so dirty the white fur was gray).  The mama cat was there too.  I sat and tried to get this wild kitten to come to me and she really did get fairly close.  About that time, Laurie, that works with hotel security stopped and told us that was the hotel cat she had been feeding for years and was a horrible mama!  I told her I wanted the kitten, so she went and found an old rusty beaver looking trap to catch this kitten.  It worked but the kitten was not happy at all.  We then put the cage on a service cart with a towel over the cage and headed up the service elevator to our room.  Jinger could not believe we were moving this wild animal through a hotel.  The kitten not in love with us at all as she banged her paws against the cage and hissed like a snake.  We just left her alone and the next morning she let me hold her.  Our conference was over at noon and we began transporting this kitten down to my car.  She hid most of the way home but I got her and held her the rest of the way home.  Jinger just kept saying that she could not believe I was doing this.  I couldn't just let her live in the parking lot.  She quickly acclimated to my house.  See she is even waving!  She is the sweetest natured thing and has lots of energy just like kittens do.  This new thing will be more than a memory as she will stay around for a long time to come!

Welcome, Zoey!!

Memories from the BIG APPLE - Final Day - Day 4 and #12 & 13 of 45 off my list!

Day 4 - Our last day.....we were headed to Central Park.  We were determined to see the "Friends Fountain" and the castle.  I was wearing a maxi sun dress thinking that was a great plan.  It ended up being a record heat day for NYC at 95 degrees.  Now I am a Texas girl through and through, but I didn't dress for 95 degrees.  I am a problem solver as are my buddies so you will see that in a bit. On our walk toward the park we found the LOVE....

Crystal & Kya found LOVE on Sunday....

We headed into the park and I bought a map for us.  The girl asked if we wanted to see anything in particular and when we told her she laughed.  It was a hike for sure.  We walked and walked --sweating and I was getting all kinds of irritated that I wore this long dress that I just thought would be comfy.  We passed a fountain that KIND OF --- MIGHT--- pass for the Friends fountain but it was really small.  We kept looking at our map and we were where it was marked.  Then.... we found Allen.

He was an "official" Central Park Visitor Center employee.  He let us know that the map we bought was not an "official" Central Park map.  WHAT??  Then he proceeded to tell us that the Friends Fountain IS NOT located in Central Park but on a movie lot in HOLLYWOOD!!! We were devastated!  So then I asked him if the castle was fake too.  He laughed and told us exactly how to get to it. We went walking down the long and winding road.... hey that could be a song..... :)  We got to the castle and we walked up the road only for another disappointment.  I swear in movies I thought it had a huge staircase in front and was very grand..... sigh.....

 No grand staircase outside.  There was a pond - very green --all around.  Well at least I can say I went to Central Park and saw something new.  #12 - Castle at Central Park

There is no denying that Central Park is BEAUTIFUL - even when it's 95 degrees.

We were so very hot!  We couldn't miss a photo opp though.  Love that backdrop.

We were hot and starving and trying to get out of the park.  Julie said to head toward where we heard cars.  Crystal posted on Facebook that we were lost in Central Park and it posted a map!  We quickly found a street and realized we were in the 80s.  There was NO WAY we were walking back to how we came(55th St.).  We were going to John's Pizza and I quickly offered to pay for a cab.   #13 - I hailed a cab in NYC.  I was successful because I had seen in done so much in Sex in the City episodes. :)

Thank you, Carrie Bradshaw!

If you notice my dress is quite a bit shorter than in the "LOVE" picture.  I pulled that dress up and tied it to my it to my Coach shoulder bag.  Hey, no one wants to be around me when I'm hot and hungry.  No judgement please.  We did get a cab and headed for John's Pizza.  It was really great pizza.  I had been there before but love the building.  It is an old church.  The ceiling is beautiful.

We went into a few souvenir shops and were only a few blocks from our hotel at that point.  We went and grabbed our bags and the bellhop got us a cab this time and off to the airport we went.  We were sad to leave because we were having such a great adventure together but reality must resume so back to Texas we went.

Thanks to the most amazing traveling chicks ever!  I can't wait for our next adventure together.  Thanks to the readers for reliving this journey with me.

I heart NYC --- until we meet again!

Memories from the Big Apple - Day 3 - # 9, 10 & 11 of 45 Marked Off

Day 3 began as we made our way via subway to the 9/11 Memorial.  We had originally intended to run (or walk) a 5K on Roosevelt Island but I mistakenly told Julie the run was Sunday so we bought tickets for the memorial on Monday (Labor Day).  When we went to register for the run, I realized the mistake.  Since we bought the memorial tickets from a 3rd party ticket place, we couldn't reach anyone to change the date.  I just chalked it up as we were not suppose to do that, but I sure thought it was a cool idea!!

I posted my reflections about the memorial on my September 11th post.  I thought that was most fitting.  If you missed it and just can't wait to read it - scroll up a few posts.
Our next stop was Chelsea Market-#9 in 45.  None of us had been before and that was something on Crystal's to do list.  It reminded me of West End but way better.  I guess it was just the wood floors and the little shops inside.  It wasn't what we were exactly expecting but it was fun.  I think we were thinking it would be a little more like a Farmer's Market - what do we know!  We walked around and ate some lunch.  It was a great stop.

We then proceeded back to the subway because we decided to go to Coney Island.  We stopped at Starbucks on the way and got a "sweet" tea.  Hey, don't get me wrong--- I DO Heart NY, but oh mylanta.... they do NOT know what sweet tea is.  It was NOT the shaken sweet tea at our Texas Starbucks that is for sure.  So, with our watered down non sweet (but supposed to be) teas, we continue onward.  Julie needed a bathroom break and our choices...the public restroom at a hospital a few blocks away.  I dared Crystal to "check in" on Facebook at the hospital but her mother would have killed us all.  When we got there, the guys at the front desk were coaxing someone OUT of the bathroom that had been in there 30 minutes.  I asked them if they needed my help.  They said they would let me know! :)  That exchange alone of getting the man out of the bathroom was pretty entertaining.  Then we were off to check off #10 in 45....

#10 in 45 - CONEY ISLAND


I always thought it would be fun to go to Coney Island but the other times that I have been to NYC it was too cold or there wasn't enough time to make that trek. Of course I'd seen Coney Island in many films but wasn't sure what to expect.  It was Labor Day so the beach was FULL of people. It looked like a postcard.

We walked the boardwalk along with the tons of other people.  Then made our way down the pier. We loved that the steel awning had Coney Island on the top so when the sun cast a shadow it showed up on the pier.  We just soaked it all in.  It was a beautiful day.  There was this area on the pier that was made for people to just lay out and enjoy the sun so we took full advantage for about 20 minutes. I think I may even dozed off. :)

I was enthralled looking around and didn't realize that the girls had already noticed Zoltar and then I excitedly exclaimed, "Zoltar!"  I wondered why they just looked at me.  I was thinking, "Come on girls, you know---BIG!!" (They are younger than me but surely they knew the reference)  Well, the puzzled look was that they had just announced the Zoltar as well and I totally missed that conversation.  :)

The caption from Julie was, "She is really 12."

Apparently you can't go to Coney Island without going to the ORIGINAL Nathan's Hotdog.  It really was good!  Crystal asked me what I wanted and I told her that I would just take a bite of hers.  FRIENDSHIP! LOL  I had already had a funnel cake so I couldn't eat a whole hotdog by myself.  The lemonade was yummy too.

Crystal wanted some cotton candy.  She was so happy to see this special design.  It was cool watching them make it.  She was in heaven and then.....

We started walking and everyone got a taste but when the air hit this masterpiece of a pure sugar creation this was the result.....

Not so happy anymore... :(

We couldn't leave without riding the Wonder Wheel.  The scenery was quite amazing....and windy.

Thanks, Coney Island for a great day of sun and fun!

We made our way to the subway station to head back to Times Square, but not without seeing some subway drama.  Julie and I were waiting for Crystal and Kya and saw this girl crying and somewhat hiding behind a pillar.  Julie got out of her comfort zone and asked if she was ok.  She announced it was her boyfriend - they had a fight.  We thought maybe he left her.  We saw a guy looking down from the level above but no, that wasn't him.  The boyfriend she was speaking of was at the metro card machine 10 feet away.  He looked less than sympathetic for her tears and told her to come on.  He was walking with a purpose and she was stomping and pouting behind him.  It was the strangest thing we witnessed.

We then were trying to decide where to go eat for dinner.  I turned to my local NYC friend, Ash, for some suggestions.  He sent us to a place called the Bettie bar - known as a hangout for a lot of theater peeps.  It was packed so we ate at the restaurant downstairs the Hourglass Tavern #11 of 45.  A little local flavor for the night.

We sat outside and it was a little warm but we made it.  Our waiter, bless his heart, was as nice as could be... I'll leave it at that.  He was an aspiring actor - as many are in the Big Apple.  It was good food and of course, good conversation - even though everyone was so tired.  The people watching was priceless on the streets on NYC.  I can't even repeat what conversations we heard or what was said directly to us. (My mama may be reading this--- gotta keep it clean)

We FINALLY got our checks and started walking back up the street toward the hotel.  I saw this man walking out of a restaurant, smiled and say hello because that is what Texans do.  I was ahead of the girls a few steps and then I heard them call me back.  They were so excited.  They wanted me to take a picture with these people who I had smiled at but had no idea who they were, but they were excited so... ok.  Then they told me that it was Stanley and Phyllis from The Office---- sorry Stanley and Phyllis - I never watched.

After that,  we couldn't be too irritated with our aspiring actor but not great waiter, Frankie, because had he not cleared every plate and glass one at a time, the girls would have totally missed this photo opportunity. 

We ended up getting back to the hotel and I don't think it took any of us long to get to sleep.  It had been a long, wonderful day.  The next day, we would only have a few more hours to savor the amazing sights of NYC.  Day #4 we tackled Central Park and a few things we wanted to see in that area. Keep reading.  I will post as soon as I can to wrap up one of the BEST trips I have ever had!

Memories from the Big Apple - Day 2 -- Marking off #8 of 45

Sunday, September 6, 2015 was completely the MOST amazing day and not just because it was Crystal's birthday! ;)  The only thing on the MUST do list on this day was going to see Hedwig and the Angry Inch STARRING Taye Diggs ---- we will get to that.

On Saturday, Julie mentioned wanting to go to a church in New York to which I quickly replied that I had ALWAYS wanted to go to the Brooklyn Tabernacle.  We looked at the subway schedule and decided to get up early and head to Brooklyn.  Crystal and Kya decided to sleep in a little.

It was a quick subway trip and there we were.  I was so excited!

#8 - Attended service at The Brooklyn Tabernacle

The service was ELECTRIC.  So many races and countries represented at this service but the commonality was worshiping our Father.  I had read many of Pastor Cymbala's books and couldn't wait to hear him speak.  It was the last service for their associate pastor and he would be speaking.  It was ok because I figured that I needed to hear whatever it was.  The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir was all I could have imagined.  They sounded as one voice.  The service was a full 2 hours but I don't think anyone even looked at their watch.  It was one of the most engaging services I had ever attended.   I had to go to the bookstore after service and purchase the newest CD so I could bring a little Brooklyn Tab back with me.  It was just the most amazing service and I hope that on my next trip to NYC that I will get to visit again.

Pastor Cymbala and me

Once we left church, we checked in with the girls that had stayed back at the hotel.  They had gotten out and went walking and found the Brazilian festival.  They were having a great time so we weren't in a hurry to get back because they were doing their thing and not waiting for us which is EXACTLY what made this day so awesome.  

Julie wanted to get a picture of the Brooklyn Bridge, but since we weren't on a time crunch, we decided to walk the bridge with the tons of other people.

It was a beautiful day to walk the bridge.

We were so excited to have a selfie stick.  We were the totally annoying tourists.  Sorry New Yorkers!

Between the amazing church service, the great walk and scenery the picture below really just says more than words could ever express!

PURE JOY!!!

Back to the subway to meet the girls on 44th Street for ...

WAIT FOR IT......

Starring Taye Diggs

Crystal picked us FABULOUS seats - about 5th row - dead center!

I went to the show with no expectations.  I had no idea what the show was about except I knew Crystal likes different, more edgy type things.  Taye Diggs was completely AH-MAZING!  There were so many layers to his performance.  I'm sure others that have played Hedwig were great, but I am so glad that I got to see the show that he headlined.  I don't know if I could give you a fair synopsis of the show because who cared?  There was a beautiful man to look at -- I was good with that for 2 hours of my life. It was a great show though.

We were determined to wait for him at the stage door - you know with the rest of the audience.  He must have had a large "meet and greet" after because it took him forever.  My phone died.  We were trying to save Julie's battery because she had the selfie stick with the best view.  THEN.... FINALLY... he appeared!  When he got close to us Julie poked me and I yelled, "Taye Diggs!"  he looked up to see the 4 fabulous Texas girls and I announced that it was Crystal's birthday.  He then wished her a happy birthday which we caught in the picture below.  Don't worry - we videoed it too! The rest of the trip we kept asking Crystal if she remembered when Taye Diggs wished her a happy birthday!!

At this time it was only like 6 p.m.  WHAT???  We then headed to the birthday girl's choice for dinner.

Crystal LOVE LOVES this place!

 Roomies!  Julie & Crystal

          Our Singing waitress - Erika - the little blonde!                    The BIRTHDAY GIRL!

A little Saturday Night Fever move.

We then just walked around taking in the streets of NYC.  Someone we work with wanted us to take a picture on the red stairs above the TKTS booth.  So here we are with the masses.

As we walked around, we passed the theater where "Finding Neverland" was running.  Our friend, Amanda LOVES Matthew Morrison so we had a little fun with the promotional poster in her honor. 

          

We had such an incredible evening.  We were a few blocks away from the hotel and a few blocks away from Bryant Park.  The designated adult (me) was ready to go back to the hotel.  My feet kind of hurt.  Kya decided to go too.  Julie and Crystal went and laid in the grass at Bryant Park and I think I remember when they got back to the hotel!

It was so easy to lay my head on the pillow and thank God for giving me the most amazing day with the most amazing friends.  I closed my eyes knowing that I am a truly blessed girl.


Stayed tuned for memories of Day 3 to come.