The Big Apple

We welcomed 2010 with a trip to New York City. We weren't there for New Year's Eve. The city is crazy during that time anyways. We arrived on New Year's Day to a cold crisp NYC. We had some COLD days walking around the city, but from the weather reports it was just as cold in Alabama and Florida that week. In fact, I think at times it was actually COLDER in AL and FL. Crazy. Looks like we must have picked a good time to travel north?

Went to an awesomely fun piano bar called "Don't Tell Mama" with Loftin (Matt's friend from high school, who lives in NYC). We had an awesome night enjoying the piano player, singers and regulars to the bar who were "karaoke" singers. Some were really good and some were just plain hilarious.

Matt and I in Central Park.

Matt, hindering me from getting the artistic shot of the stonework in Central Park.

There, that's better.

The New York Public Library reading room. Very cool. Made me almost wish I had a paper to write so I'd have a reason to work in there. (Thought of you a lot while there, Tiffany)

Empire State Building

5th Avenue. I love this picture. I can hear the cars, smell the subway and feel the cold on my nose.

Matt and the Statue of Liberty. We rode the Staten Island Ferry so we could get some good pictures and a closer look. I used my new telephoto lens. I was able to get some great shots.

Me and the Statue of Liberty.

Haha, from those previous pictures I bet you thought my telephoto lens wasn't helping much. You can see from above how far away we were. I actually have some closer pictures than this one, but the sun wasn't shining as brightly then.

It was an amazing trip. We saw South Pacific at the Lincoln Center. Amazing seats on the first row of the balcony. We saw The 39 Steps with Loftin. Hilarious play, and again, amazing seats on the first row of the balcony. We saw The Rockette's Christmas Spectacular at Radio City. We were up high in the top balcony but that was a good thing as we could see the entire stage at once plus all the stuff they projected on the walls and ceilings. It was spectacular! (no surprise) and we finished our whirlwind weekend with a trip to the Met to see Turandot. We had standing room seats in the first row at the back of the orchestra. Great play and breathtaking set pieces.

Every trip we take up there just gets better and better. I've got some great tips for flea market shopping and getting around town if y'all ever head up there. It's a WONDERFUL town!

Long time no blog

Ok - I have been a horrible blogger as of late. I guess the biggest reason for that is up until this past Saturday I have done nothing. Nothing but go to work and come home. Nothing but cooking dinner, working on projects for the event on Saturday. Nothing but watching TV with Matt and snuggling with the dogs. Normally I blog about places we traveled, people we saw, etc. Since we didn't go anywhere or see anyone I failed to blog and that's bad. I need to blog about my mundane life so one day when I show the archival footage of my blog on my great grand children's hologram 3D TV/Computer/popcorn maker/cellphone they can marvel over what normal life was like back in 2010.

Thoughts for today....

1. Happy belated Birthday to my sweet boston terrier, Stevie. She was born January 16, 2004, which makes her 6 years old. She's still active, loves to play and has never met a stranger. She is tied with Wil as the best dog EVER. She rocks. She loves treats, she always comes when I call her, she loves to sit right beside you (prefers to wedge herself between you and the arm rest), she loves to cover her face with paws or a blanket when she sleeps, she loves to play tug'o war, she likes to dig the plastic sqeaky part out of her stuffed toys, she will chew apart a rubber toy into hundreds of tiny pieces that spread out in a little circle around her and as she does this she couldn't be happier. She watches us, gauges our reactions and LOVES to hear "Good Girl, Steve". She is very intuitive, she's loving and she's pretty much the most awesome dog ever. She loves to snuggle with Wil and tolerates him when he curls up to sleep, literally, on top of her. She barks when it's time for dinner and howls like a hound dog. She loves car rides, going on walks and fleece blankets. If you are lucky to find a dog that is half as great as Stevie, you've got yourself a pretty awesome dog.

2. The cold weather is gone and Florida is back to it's 70 weather in January and all is right with the world. My feet are no longer constantly cold, even with socks.

3. We saw Avatar in 3D/IMAX and it was a pretty amazing way to see a movie. The 3D/IMAX preview for the movie about the Hubble telescope repairs got my and Matt's nerd blood going. The way the tools were floating off their suits as they worked in space...it was amazing. The 3D effects in Avatar were pretty cool, but nothing when compared to the realism of the astronauts just working, which makes sense considering the astronauts were REAL, not computer generated. I liked Avatar, the visuals were amazing. I wish the forests really glowed like that. It was like the stars sprinkled part of their sparkle down on the jungle. The story was a little predictable and I admit getting a little cynical during the movie as the natives with loincloths and arrows planned an attack on some serious military equipment....I mean, you know the natives are going to triumph in the end. How can they possibly pull of a legitimate win against that machinery without even armor to protect their blue flesh? I was doubtful and was afraid the ending would be cheesy, but I was pleasantly surprised. It got violent, and was intense for sure, but I enjoyed it when I wasn't sure I was going to. All in all, a fun event.

4. Saturday was Marg's baby shower in B'ham. I was a hostess along with some other very fun friends' of Marg's who have become by friends as well. Her son, Gray, is set to arrive very soon (late Feb. or early March). She and Tyson were showered well by family and friends. I made some blankets, we bought him a killer outfit in NYC, and Matt got him an awesome Pirates of the Carribbean nightlight. It was very fun to hang with friends and family in 'Bama, even for a quick weekend visit. Pictures to come!

5. Love going to Alabama Walmarts for their rockin' cheap Alabama and Auburn gear. Got a sweet National Championship/Rose Bowl pennant. Roll Tide!

Thinking of things warm...

In this amazing cold snap I am keeping warm looking back on pictures from this past summer. Here are some pics I'm not sure I blogged at the time. As part of our Disney pass we can golf for free at their 9-hole walking course. I'm not a huge golfer, but I've grown up around it so I'm pretty familiar with it. Matt and I had a blast and just looking at these pictures reminds me of how hot it was on the golf course that day.


Me and Matt in the Disney tram in the parking lot.

Matt at #1

Me at #1 on my second shot, heading for the green....this was the best I did all day.

The rainbow over DisneyWorld as we heading back to the clubhouse.

It was an amazing day, the intense heat and the heavy humidity that day were something I never thought I'd look back on fondly...it's amazing what a couple of 14 degree mornings will do to a Southerner. haha. Sending you all summer breezes. Spring is just around the corner, right?

Roll Tide

Coach Gene Stallings, on campus

I remember watching the 1992 National Championship game. I was 11 years old and in the 6th grade. I think it was the first Alabama football game I had ever really sat down and watched the entire way through, or at least it's the first I can remember. My dad had gone to a friends house to watch it with his buddies. Me, Andrea and Momma watched it in our living room in the house we were renting on Locust Shores while our new house was being built.

It was amazing. I remember the touchdowns. I remember George Teague ripping that football out of the Miami player's arms. I remember being unable to believe we won and being so excited and so happy. I was a Bama fan way before then. I was sporting Bama gear from the very beginning, but by age 11 I had decided on my own who to cheer for. During that game I remember for the first time the emotions (excitement, nerves, fear, pride, etc.) that I have felt for the team ever since.

I'm proud to be an alumna from the University of Alabama. Not only am I proud of our athletics, but also of the school. It has a great campus, great teachers, great atmosphere and offers a wonderful education.

Me and Bear Bryant, on campus

So I'm excited - nervous - proud - and tons of other emotions as the game tonight gets closer. I wish I was in Alabama to experience it all with my family and friends, but it will just be me and Matt tonight grilling burgers and bidding our favorite sports season adieu until September.

So ROLL TIDE ROLL! I'm so proud of our team this year and I can't wait to celebrate tonight!!