Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Day 2: Atlantic City

We decided to take a "rest" Day 2 and visit a smaller East Coast city....Atlantic City. I was totally pumped because I have never been to a casino before and as you all know I adore instant BINGO, so to me, a casino is another form of instant gratification. : ) ha ha ha

We start Day 2 with D documenting the previous week's 26 inch snowfall.
After that we loaded into the car and were off to the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City. In order to fulfill D's goal of eating everything in sight and gaining 10 lbs we had lunch at a Cuban restaurant. It was delicious. Here is D and my uncle in front of a car which was in front of the restaurant. Why? I dunno.
It was 11:30am but when in Cuba....drink like the Cubans....so I had a mojito...so good...but so so strong...clearly the perfect recipe for later gambling!
Our delicious lunch: Beef, Chicken, and Pork Empanadas with Salad and Guacamole with Fried Plantans. mm!Here is D in front of the pretty casino Christmas tree. Look at the ceiling. Isn't it cool?

Ok, so D gives me $20 to gamble with... In this picture I am smiling and holding up my ticket because I am "up" $.50....welll...that did not last long. Soon my $20 was gone and the gambling bug had bit. uh oh!
We left the Tropicana and headed over to Caesar's. D gave me another $2o. So here I am with my second $20. Wish me luck!

Well the second #20 went down the drain just like the first $20, at which point D is laughing at my disappointment, so I challenge him to do better. Here is a picture of me dumbfounded at D because he took $5 and turned it into $100!!! What the heck!! He has to be the luckiest guy EVER!! D quickly cashed out....ignoring my vain requests for him to "just try one more time!"On the very top floor of Caesar's Palace is an indoor beachfront, complete with sand (that will be in my black shoes from here to eternity) and beach chairs.
I was so amazed to see snow on the beach.
D's big win was a great way to end our day at the casino's. So we packed up and headed home. THEN SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENED......
I discovered scratch off cards at the gas station.

It's just as fun as instant BINGO because you know right away if you've won anything and you don't have to wait for church festivals. It's like a church festival all year round! I kept asking D, "Do we have these in Ohio? Really? Why didn't you tell me!? This is fun!"


I won $4, so we had to venture out of my aunt and uncle's nice warm house to a gas station to redeem my prize....at 11:30pm
ha ha ha

D says I am not aloud to play scratch off cards in Ohio. Only in New Jersey.

but it's soo fun!

-h

What is L O V E?

Taking your wife and her mother to see New Moon.

Good job D.

Monday, December 28, 2009

NYC Trip: Day 1

This is a picture of D and I driving at 6am the morning after his company Christmas Party....excited....but looking a little....um...uh...rough.... : )
During our visit we stayed with my aunt and uncle who live on the Jersey Shore. They live about an hour and fifteen minutes outside of the city. When they visit NYC they take a bus..now I'm not talking about a dirty, smelly, public bus...I'm talking about a $30 per ticket, cushy seated, tour bus. So we all loaded up on Monday morning (bright/early) and took the bus into the city. When we walked out of the bus station this is what greeted us.
I gasped. This view to me = Hello, Welcome to New York!
Here we are right smack dab in the middle of Times Square. If you look closely you will see that the New Years ball and 2009 sign are still on top of this tower thingy. D's only request of our NYC visit was that we eat everything in sight and gain 10 lbs. So our first stop was to John's Pizzeria for some DELICIOUS, authentic, pizza. yum! yum!
I was a bad blogger and ate my pizza right up before even thinking to take a picture. THE Tree in Rockerfeller Plaza
D and me in front of THE treeUncle J, Aunt M and Cousin J in front of THE TreeAfter taking 20 million pictures and craning our necks to get a good view of The Tree at Rockefeller Plaza we bopped across the street to St. Patrick's Cathedral. Oh my gosh! What a beautiful, beautiful church. At one point in time it was the largest Catholic Church in North America. It's gorgeous.
I teared up walking inside. D and I lit a candle and said a prayer.Then we walked over to Radio City Hall to see The Rockettes! This is the lobby at Radio City. LOOK, at that chandelier!
I teared up again.
All the beauty and Christmas stuff was overwhelming.
Too much Christmas for me!
The show was truly, indeed, spectacular. D and I waited until everyone left the theater to take this picture.
I love love love it! Outside was a replica of the Swarovski Crystal Star that sits on top of the Rockefeller Tree.
ohh! Sparkly! Halley loves!After all the Christmas excitement a sugar break was needed. Luckily for us, Dylan's Candy Bar was ready and waiting.
Now...if you have never been to or heard of Dylan's Candy Bar it is the largest candy store in the world. Yes, THE WORLD. The store offers more than 5,000 different selections of candy. Dylan Lauren (the store owner) is the daughter of legendary fashion designer Ralph Lauren and artist/photographer Ricky Lauren. We went upstairs to the cafe, where I ordered this:Which made me hyper:Here is D on the subway. Next stop: The Saks Fifth Ave Christmas Displays!! Here is my favorite, favorite Christmas Window: Shoe Heaven!!
A shoe Christmas Tree! How creative!
Finally we cooled our heels and met up with my other cousin and her boyfriend for dinner at Becco's.
Here's a bit of info about the restaurant:
The name Becco is derived from the Italian verb beccare, which means to peck, nibble or savor something in a discriminating way.
Lidia Bastianich & her son, Joseph, opened Becco in the theater district in 1993. It is best known for its acclaimed $17.95 pre fix lunch menu & $22.95 pre fix dinner menu that includes a large assortment of Italian antipasti or a classics Caesar salad together with unlimited tableside servings of our 3 daily pasta preparations (That's what we got!- Shrimp Alfredo, Ziti in a classic red sauce, and Mushroom Ravioli in Truffle Butter).

After a long day of walking and sight seeing we were more than ready for bed!
Stop back tomorrow for Day 2.
-H

Sunday, December 27, 2009

and the good news keeps on coming!!

Our friends A and R just announced that they are expecting!! yay!!

Christmas sure is a magical time for engagements and babies! : ) Congratulations A and R! We'll pray for a healthy and happy nine months! ....just what I need....more babies around to buy for!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

start spreadin' the news.....

I'm leavin' Sunday!!! D and I are prepping and packing for our big trip to NYC!! The car has been serviced, I have twenty dollars of quarters for tolls, AAA has been consulted, and our bags are on their way to being packed. Can you say excited!?

Yesterday was my last day of work. It was bittersweet. I know I complained a million times about mountains of grading and snot-nosed kids but I really loved the routine and experience. The kids were very sweet and I left school with tons of gift cards, homemade cards, and gifts. I was overwhelmed by their generosity and thoughtfulness! I am hoping that this particular school will consider me for future positions...

Tonight is D's company Christmas party. I am still on the hunt for a necklace to wear with my outfit....Can you say last minute? : )

In other news, my almost, fake, soon-to-be-cousin-in-law is now my REAL SOON-TO-BE-COUSIN-IN LAW!!!!!! D's cousin N proposed! Love must be in the air because first it was H2/D2 and now J/N! My heart is bursting with happiness. I am buying and 2 giant bottles of champagne to take home for Christmas Eve (you know, like the size they give you when you win a Nascar Race or the Kentucky Derby) We will be celebrating!

Merry Christmas.
-h

p.s. I will be posting NYC pics when we are there!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

BIG news!!!

H2 and D2 are ENGAGED!!!!
yay! yay! yay! I can't contain myself!!
I already stopped over with a wedding magazine and champagne.
Her ring is absolutely B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.
I couldn't be happier for them.
-h
........looks like I have a bridal shower to plan! ; )

Christmas Spirit

We are a little less than 2 weeks away from Christmas. Can you believe it? December has flown by!!


There are a few traditions that put me into the Christmas Spirit each year.


It's not Christmas for me unless I watch Miracle on 34th Street..the old movie and the new one. I love them both.


For D, it's not Christmas unless he makes his annual batch of homemade egg nog. To make this traditional drink D must use every bowl in my kitchen. Every. Single. One. I think that D's egg nog is far too strong. One glass and you are sure to have a headache in the morning! : )


Lights. Everywhere. I very much enjoy Christmas lights. One of D and my's favorite holiday activities is visiting the Christmas lights at the zoo. The Columbus Zoo is the BEST Christmas lights around. I could stand for hours watching the lights around the center lake of the zoo which are timed with music. ahh! It makes my heart happy.


It's not Christmas at my parents house without breakfast casserole. Every year my mom makes homemade cinnamon rolls and a ginormous casserole. We wake up, not before 9am, eat breakfast at the dining room table, and then open presents....one by one...youngest to oldest.


It does not feel like Christmas without Christmas music. duh! I've been listening to it non-stop at school, in the car, and at home. Even on the worst of days Christmas music puts a smile on my face.


What are your holiday "must haves"?


-H

Funniest Christmas Song EVER

FYI someday when I have children, they will be singing the chorus of this song on our answering machine at Christmas time! I think it's hilarious!

Oh, I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas
Mommy and Daddy are mad.
I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas'
Cause I ain't been nuttin' but bad.
**************************************************
I broke my bat on Johnny's head;
Somebody snitched on me.
I hid a frog in sister's bed;
Somebody snitched on me.
I spilled some ink on Mommy's rug;
I made Tommy eat a bug;
Bought some gum with a penny slug;
Somebody snitched on me
**************************************************
Oh, I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas
Mommy and Daddy are mad.
I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas'
Cause I ain't been nuttin' but bad.
**************************************************
I put a tack on teacher's chair
Somebody snitched on me.
I tied a knot in Susie's hair
Somebody snitched on me.
I did a dance on Mommy's plants
Climbed a tree and tore my pants
Filled the sugar bowl with ants
Somebody snitched on me.
**************************************************
Oh, I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas
Mommy and Daddy are mad.
I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas'
Cause I ain't been nuttin' but bad.
**************************************************
I won't be seeing Santa Claus;
Somebody snitched on me.
He won't come visit me because
Somebody snitched on me.
Next year I'll be going straight;
Next year I'll be good, just waitI'd start now, but it's too late;
Somebody snitched on me.
**************************************************
So you better be good whatever you do
'Cause if you're bad, I'm warning you,
You'll get nuttin' for Christmas too.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Dear Mother Nature,

Did you forget that it is December? I DO NOT want to go to school today! Where are the snow and fog delays? If you can't provide me with a delay, do you think you can get the weather below 40 degrees so we can have warm and cozy inside recess? In case our vice principal doesnt know...IT IS STILL COOOOLD AT 41 degrees and teachers do not want outside recess duty! You don't have to snow a lot you know. Just enough to give me 2 more glorious hours of sleep.

Work on that please.

-H

Sunday, December 6, 2009

the pony.

Prior to my wedding I spent a year not cutting my hair. I was growing it out so I'd have options and curls on my big day. After my wedding I chopped my hair off. About 6 inches. It was a drastic change and I got great feedback from my new husband and friends about my new look. : )

Well. I had fun with my sassy new do....but then I realized that I was missing something very important and vital to my style. The ponytail.

Ponytails are perfect for Saturday mornings, lazy school days, and perky afternoons. I missed the pony.

I am proud to report that I have grown my hair out so that it is just long enough to make a baby ponytail. It's like the world's tiniest, most pathetic pony, but I am super proud. ha ha

As a tribute to my dinky new ponytail I am going to show you the many perky, elegant, and sometime tacky ways you can wear a ponytail.....enjoy!
A normal ponytail

A high ponytail.
A low ponytail.

A ponytail that actually looks like the tail of a horse.....

An updated side-pony.

An outdated side-pony.

A good......

The bad AND the ugly....all in one....

Happy Monday!

-h