We are getting ready for our big family vacation to Italy this coming Thursday. Yikes, packing must start tomorrow!!! Those that have traveled with me know that I am a horrible packer (maybe Chelsea is the worst, but let's be honest, she learned it from me). I take everything and then a couple of extras cause you never know...I also am known to pack different purses to match....and then there are all the shoes and the jewelry. It's bad...so bad that my poor husband refuses to lug my suitcases around (and this man rarely refuses me anything)!
I've read all the tips about being a savvy traveler and how I should buy 6 clothing items that actually can combine to make up to 12 outfits!!! It doesn't work for me...for one I am no good at tying long pieces of fabric into sarongs...shirts...tunics...mini skirts, etc. So the best I have come up with is that I travel with three basic colors....always black and usually white and red. That way I can eliminate all the different shoes, sweaters, jackets, and purses. While this method has helped...I still find myself wanting to take that super cute hot pink floral something that requires....well you get it. So... I need help and fast.
I am looking for the best packing tip you've got....some way to lighten my load but not feel like I am backpacking through Europe!! Send me your tip (you can use the comment button at the end of this post)..if it helps me streamline my packing then I will have some extra room in my luggage and I will bring you something special back from Italy!! If it's a REALLY good tip, Rich will probably bring you back something too!!
Don't delay cause I am leaving this Thursday and I zip up the suitcase at 8 am!!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
The Joys of New York City
Just got back from New York City...and while I would love to write a travelogue about our trip I am seriously procrastinating doing some things that need to get done around the house! So, instead, I am going to compose a list of things that I love about the "Big Apple."
4) Top of the Rock and its great views of the Empire State building...St. Patrick's Cathedral...Central Park (where is Belvedere Castle?).
5) Broadway Shows...favorites have to be Phantom and Wicked but I've also seen Jersey Boys, Young Frankenstein, The Lion King, Mary Poppins, The Music Man, and Mama Mia.
6) Ellen's Stardust Diner (where else can you get excellent pancakes for breakfast and a singing waiter named "the Beave").
7) Battery Park
8) Hot Dogs from a street vendor (I would not chance that anywhere else).
9) People-watching in Rockefeller Plaza...oh and the flags along the plaza.
10) Okay...I love to go into Tiffany's...and have purchased things there...on the third floor!
11) Times Square...It has an M&M store, a Hershey Store, a singing naked cowboy (and yes we saw the naked cowgirl who is getting sued), Ruby Foo's, the biggest Toys R Us I've ever seen, Forever 21 (oops, I had to put that in for Chelsea's sake...she is so angry that store replaced Virgin Records), and The Marriott Marquis our home for the 4 days we were there (great view from the 40th floor).
12) Radio City Music Hall...we finally went at Christmas and saw the Rockettes Christmas show...beautiful and entertaining and I thought of the girls' dance teachers Pam and Tonie (you know them : ) They could have been Rockettes!!
13) Serendipity...watch the movie...go have the frozen hot chocolate and if it's winter all the better.
14) As an 8th grade teacher on a class trip how could we not go on the NBC studio tour...it's great for kids...ditto about the Statue of Liberty....However, if you have the right tour guide Ellis Island is fascinating at any age.
15) Macy's...how do they get all of those shoes back in the proper boxes each night so the next day's customers might buy them???
16) The New York Public Library has some awesome lion statues and a marvelous staircase featured in a recent movie....it also has a million books and lots of pictures with placques underneath explaining...a good photo op but I wouldn't take my latest Oprah book in to do some leisurely reading....it's much too quiet.
17) The Brooklyn Bridge is like the Empire State building ... a landmark that you feel you need to see...one day I would like to WALK across the bridge as I bet there are some cool picture opportunities.
18) China Town...there is a story about this 8th grade teacher who led a few students and a couple of parents astray on the search of the perfect knock-off of a Louis Vuitton bag...but I won't tell about that here!!
19) Fifth Avenue...get dressed up and browse...my favorite store from this trip was Henri Bendel...it was a beautiful boutique...eye candy!!
20) Since 9/11 I have been to Ground Zero every time I go to New York. There is a little Church...St. John's Chapel that played a very vital role in the aftermath of that tragic day. When I go there I am filled with incredible sadness for the event and incredible awe at the power of God's people to come together and serve. I hope that the beautiful memorial across the street brings peace and closure...but I pray they never close the exhibits in this beautiful little chapel.
As you can easily tell I am a tourist type traveler all the way...I know there is a whole other world to NYC that is more sophisticated and refined, but thank goodness New York City is for everyone. I love it : )
1) Okay...I kinda like the double-decker site-seeing bus...it takes me to all the touristy places I want to go with a view along the way and I've only wanted to choke the guide maybe once...no...twice.
2) The Metropolitan Museum of Art...my very favorite special exhibit there was of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis...Nicole and I spent a wonderful afternoon (several years ago) peeking into the life of this fascinating woman. Oh yeah, at Christmas a couple of years ago I was very busy oohing and ahhing over the beautiful Christmas trees and was trying desperately to jockey my way to the front to get a better view when there to my left stood Bill and Hillary Clinton...and even though I don't agree with their politics I found myself slyly wandering through the next couple of exhibits about 10 feet from them wondering how I could get a picture....
3) Central Park...I want a motorized sailboat...I want to attend a wedding at the Boathouse...why didn't I go to Tavern on the Green for lunch the last time I was there? Where is Belvedere Castle...how come I can't seem to find the zoo anymore? Do those very white people in bikinis laying out in the sheep meadow ever get tan? I've ridden a bike through Central Park...it was hard work!! And... no comment on the Irish bloke who ripped us off on our carriage ride...
5) Broadway Shows...favorites have to be Phantom and Wicked but I've also seen Jersey Boys, Young Frankenstein, The Lion King, Mary Poppins, The Music Man, and Mama Mia.
6) Ellen's Stardust Diner (where else can you get excellent pancakes for breakfast and a singing waiter named "the Beave").
7) Battery Park
8) Hot Dogs from a street vendor (I would not chance that anywhere else).
9) People-watching in Rockefeller Plaza...oh and the flags along the plaza.
10) Okay...I love to go into Tiffany's...and have purchased things there...on the third floor!
11) Times Square...It has an M&M store, a Hershey Store, a singing naked cowboy (and yes we saw the naked cowgirl who is getting sued), Ruby Foo's, the biggest Toys R Us I've ever seen, Forever 21 (oops, I had to put that in for Chelsea's sake...she is so angry that store replaced Virgin Records), and The Marriott Marquis our home for the 4 days we were there (great view from the 40th floor).
12) Radio City Music Hall...we finally went at Christmas and saw the Rockettes Christmas show...beautiful and entertaining and I thought of the girls' dance teachers Pam and Tonie (you know them : ) They could have been Rockettes!!
13) Serendipity...watch the movie...go have the frozen hot chocolate and if it's winter all the better.
14) As an 8th grade teacher on a class trip how could we not go on the NBC studio tour...it's great for kids...ditto about the Statue of Liberty....However, if you have the right tour guide Ellis Island is fascinating at any age.
15) Macy's...how do they get all of those shoes back in the proper boxes each night so the next day's customers might buy them???
16) The New York Public Library has some awesome lion statues and a marvelous staircase featured in a recent movie....it also has a million books and lots of pictures with placques underneath explaining...a good photo op but I wouldn't take my latest Oprah book in to do some leisurely reading....it's much too quiet.
17) The Brooklyn Bridge is like the Empire State building ... a landmark that you feel you need to see...one day I would like to WALK across the bridge as I bet there are some cool picture opportunities.
18) China Town...there is a story about this 8th grade teacher who led a few students and a couple of parents astray on the search of the perfect knock-off of a Louis Vuitton bag...but I won't tell about that here!!
19) Fifth Avenue...get dressed up and browse...my favorite store from this trip was Henri Bendel...it was a beautiful boutique...eye candy!!
20) Since 9/11 I have been to Ground Zero every time I go to New York. There is a little Church...St. John's Chapel that played a very vital role in the aftermath of that tragic day. When I go there I am filled with incredible sadness for the event and incredible awe at the power of God's people to come together and serve. I hope that the beautiful memorial across the street brings peace and closure...but I pray they never close the exhibits in this beautiful little chapel.
As you can easily tell I am a tourist type traveler all the way...I know there is a whole other world to NYC that is more sophisticated and refined, but thank goodness New York City is for everyone. I love it : )
Monday, June 7, 2010
Claire's Baptism
We just returned from a wonderful weekend in Birmingham. Claire was baptized at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church on Sunday, June 6th. Lots of family gathered to be a part of this very important day in her life. She is such an amazing blessing to all of us and a constant reminder that God is good.
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