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Posts Tagged ‘Living in Manhattan’

Dopey immediately started giving me the puppy dog eyes as soon as I walked back into the apartment this morning. The sun was streaming in the window, the air is crisp and cool, a perfect day to stroll along Riverside Park. So, that is exactly what we did. The leaves are barely starting to turn but there is beauty all around. D-dawg was on full squirrel alert and I even caught a glimpse of a few handsome firefighters in full dress uniform heading to FDNY Memorial Day. Sometimes you just have to take a moment to breathe and appreciate the little gifts. Today the dog reminded me to take advantage of the beauty outside. Hope your week is going well. Enjoy the day and just keep on walking 😉

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We have had a spectacular September. It really has been an extension of the summer… Beautiful, warm, sunny, blue sky days and mild nights. Definitely nothing to complain about.

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Today, the first day of October is gloomy and drizzly with a bit of a chill in the air. But I don’t mind at all. I am ready for the days to get cooler. I can’t wait for the leaves to change. I love everything about the fall season in NYC. Bring it on. Hello October, lovely to see you.

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Happy Wednesday everyone! Keep smiling =)

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Today’s Wordless Wednesday pic was taken on an after school walk through Central Park. R and I came across the statue of Balto, her favorite. She says that he inspires her to never give up. A little reminder for all of us. Happy Wednesday and L’Shanah Tovah to all my friends celebrating.

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It is another spectacular September day here in NYC. I should be doing a bunch of other “important” things but how could I resist taking the Dopey dog for a long walk on a day like today?? While walking back from uptown I passed three telephone booths. Three. Three real, old fashioned telephone booths that you can actually hang out in, have some privacy and talk on the phone. They were perfect graffiti covered stand alone structures. I wonder if my children have ever seen such a thing? And how had I never noticed them before? I always discover new and interesting things as I walk in this incredible city. My only disappointment is that I did not see Superman doing a quick change. Sigh. Maybe next time.

Happy Wednesday, hope you are enjoying these perfect blue sky filled days. And may you always have a quarter handy, just in case you find yourself near a telephone booth 😉

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Why, oh why did it take me so long to ride my bike in Central Park? What a rush it was this morning. A picture perfect September day, excellent company, the wind literally blowing through my hair. I am still smiling from the high! Thank you Rena for getting us out there, we did it!

I have lived here for four years but have never taken my road bike into Central Park. I guess I have always been a wee bit intimidated by the idea. As you know, I run and walk in the park all the time and see the cyclists whip by at incredible speeds, usually stopping for no one and occasionally cursing out pedestrians for even daring to cross the street. There is a love/hate between runners and cyclists who are often vying for more pavement space and are not happy when the ‘rules of the road’ are not followed by either group.

So, cycling in Central Park does have many challenges… pot holes, tourists darting out at non-intersections, tourists on bikes weaving to and fro (I get it, there IS a lot to look at!), runners not hanging out in the running path, other cyclists moving at incredibly fast speeds, cyclists who are above the rules of the road (hey, it’s NYC we have to learn to play nicely with others), parks dept. vehicles, regular vehicles, squirrels, dogs off leash, dogs on leash… It is a lot like playing the old video game Frogger.

It was awesome!! I loved every minute, even the Harlem Hill (3X). There really is something about being on a bike in the outdoors, I am so glad that I was reminded of how much I love it. I am already planning the next bike workout. Happy Wednesday everyone! Hope you can find a little something that you love to do this week!

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We are trying to make summer last as long as possible by enjoying a family vacation in Orlando. It certainly feels like summer here with temperatures topping 100 degrees. So, when I was challenged to do the ice bucket challenge to raise money for ALS research I was actually looking forward to a little cool relief. Here is a pic of the girls and I about to dump our buckets on our head. It was a little shocking but definitely refreshing. If you are inclined please take the time to make a donation to this wonderful cause. Happy Wednesday! Enjoy these last few weeks of summer!!
http://www.alsa.org/fight-als/ice-bucket-challenge.html

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Today was a day to hang on the couch and watch movies. In honor of Robin Williams we decided to watch a couple of his movies. To be honest I didn’t really want to watch one of the more serious flicks, didn’t really need an excuse for tears. So, I introduced them to “The Birdcage”. Hilarious. And nothing my little NYC kids couldnt handle. 😉
RIP dear Robin, you will be missed. “Oh Captain, my Captain”.

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I sit here writing this with my cup of tea, the dog at my feet, sitting in a chair that is overlooking the lake. The sun is fighting to come out from behind the clouds, the wind is gently blowing and the only sound I can hear are the waves lapping on the shore. Perfection.

I love cottage life. I have always loved it. Some of my fondest childhood memories are spending time at my Aunt and Uncle’s cottage on Wood Lake in Muskoka. There is something about the fresh air, trees, lake and pace that are just good for the soul.

Ron, Dopey dog and I are having a much needed relaxing time, doing a whole lot of nothing. Reading, swimming, chasing the ball (Dopey), kayaking, eating, drinking, playing cards, grilling (Ron), chatting (me) and checking out the local town. It is exactly what we needed. Especially Ron who has had a ridiculous work schedule lately.

We are about 1/2 an hour from the girls camp in New Hampshire and I am super excited to pick them up on Saturday but right now, I am going to pour another cup of tea and grab my book. Summer. Life is good.

Happy Wednesday everyone, hope you are finding time to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet in your happy place!

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On Sunday Ron, Dopey-dog and myself will be heading to New Hampshire for a week long vacation at a little cabin we have rented. Dopey (our city dog) won’t know what hit him. I have a feeling he will take the State’s motto “Live Free or Die” to heart. A lake to jump into, grass to roll around on, sand to dig, little critters to chase… I am not sure we will ever see him again.  But, as per the cabin rules, he will have to contain his freedom somewhat and is required to be tied up in the presence of other people, animals etc. Not knowing how close the other cabins are and if he chases a squirrel if he will ever come back, I made it my mission this week to try and find a dog tie-out in NYC. This is not an easy task, for one, most people do not tie their dogs out anywhere, apartment living and all that and secondly, if they did have such a thing it was for a mere 20 pound tiny dog named Fifi. So I needed to find something that would be worthy of my 100 pound boy. Off to Amazon I went where again I was bombarded with lots of options for dogs that weighed under 50 pounds, these tie-outs were not going to do. Finally I found the perfect thing and it arrived on my door step this morning:

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It might possibly be just a wee bit overboard but really, there seemed to be no middle ground and honestly those squirrels need a bit of a head start, right Super Beast????!!!:

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Happy Wednesday everyone!!! Hope your day and week are filled with sunshine and ice-cream! xox

 

 

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Sleepaway camp. Two wonderful words, almost as good as the words back to school… just kidding… sort of. This is the third summer that the girls have gone away to a camp in New Hampshire and the second summer they have been gone for a full four weeks. Yep, four weeks with no children. We have just passed the two week mark and I do have to admit that I am really missing them, a lot. The girls are sending hilarious letters about how much fun they are having or if you are our youngest- “I love you and miss you- please send bubbles!” Also, the camp pictures show smiling, happy children enjoying all that camp has to offer. Even though I miss them and can’t wait to see them and hear all about their adventures, I am also enjoying our time apart. I know that being out of the city is incredibly good for them, they are experiencing so many new things, making friends and maturing BUT, it is also good for us as a family. The girls learn to appreciate each other (and us) a bit more and we (I) tend to have more patience with them when they return. A little absence does make the heart grow fonder 😉

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The best part is the time that Ron and I get to spend together and re-group. It is just the two of us (and the dog) and it is wonderful to have some much needed couple time. Even though Ron is still insanely busy at work it is nice to just be able to carve out some time for just the two of us without any of the normal day to day parenting distractions. We also get to do this couple staycation in one of the greatest cities in the world. We haven’t exactly gone hog wild but we have enjoyed going to brunch, strolling through the city at our leisure, browsing through bookstores, going to the movies, seeing a couple of Broadway shows, a concert on the Pier, dinners out and simply hanging out and watching what WE want to on the television. A much needed time to re-connect. On Sunday, we have rented a cottage near where the girls camp is located and we are truly going to log off, unwind, enjoy nature, swim, read, bbq and chill out. Can’t wait. We will still have plenty of summer to hang as a family, I love that too, but right now, Mom and Dad are having fun enjoying a little playtime of their own 😉

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