Time goes fast.....

With keeping up with 3 blogs now I forget my private thoughts one here often. We are a week away from Thanksgiving, amazing. And a month give or take away from Christmas. I am very excited about Christmas this year because of having our apartment in Manhattan. I can not wait to see all the holiday decorating and the energy NYC produces that time of year.

Though I am excited, I am also anxious. I have a minor surgery procedure to deal with on December 7th. I have never really had any type of surgery and I am 47. It is only a polyp in the uterus and d and c but I am still scared. I have only had my tonsils taken out at age 2 and my Wisdom teeth surgically removed at age 17 and 26. So though it is not a big deal it sure is a big deal to me. I am freaking!!

I am taking one day at a time until then trying not to worry. Though as we get closer I am not so sure I will be able to push it out of my mind.

Happy Halloween!!!

New TV Season...........

I hate to admit it, but I was a bit disappointed with the first episodes of season 2 for "The Middle" and "Modern Family" this week. So far though "Vampire Diaries", "Biggest Loser", "How I met your Mother" have been my favorites. I did watch the first episode of "Boardwalk Empire" and I thought it was good enough to watch another couple of episodes to see if I get hooked. I watched "Raising Hope" I thought it was pretty bad, but I will give it 2 more tries. And the "Apprentice" was just like other years, entertaining, but nothing different or great.

I have a lot more taped to watch. So far though...Vampire Diaries and Biggest Losers win for best of the New Fall Season for me. Always love the bad boy Vampire!

TV FALL SCHEDULE RESEARCH TIME!

Went over the new fall schedule to see what new shows are of interest to me to DVR and which old TV shows are coming back. I am ready! I try to have this figured down to a science, but it never fails I get into a show and then it gets cancelled. So I started taping shows and not watching them until a second season is ordered. The only problem it is clogging up my DVR! I have episodes of "The Gates" and "Scoundrels" on my DVR, but I am afraid to watch it and get into it like I did "Eastwick" a story of 3 witches plot after the movie "The Witches of Eastwick" . Another show I got so into was "The Nine" and after the first season they did not even finish the story line boom gone. There is nothing worse than wasting your time getting into a TV show and then it gets cancelled. Time is precious!

Of course I have my old favs coming back.
"Vampire Diaries"
"The Office"
"Desperate Housewives"
"How I met your Mother"
"The Apprentice"
"Biggest Loser"
"Modern Family"
"The Middle"
"Hell's Kitchen"
"Bored to Death"
"Cougar Town"

This alone with my two soaps I tape: All my Children & General Hospital - should fill my time!

I hate not being part of a show that goes big. I lost out on shows like "Boston Legal" "Mad Men" and "Dexter" . I feel if I did not watch it from the beginning it is just to get into it. Though I did watch Boston Legal starting season 3 and got the DVD's and got to be part of that great show. I have season one of Dexter on DVD, but have not watched yet.

So I will be taping many new shows, but the ones I feel may have promise due to what I like and enjoy are the following. "Boardwalk Empire - HBO" , "Outsourced" , "Mike & Molly" , "Detriot 187", "Raising Hope", "The Event", "The Whole Truth" , "The Defenders", "Blue Bloods", "Body of Proof"

I am wondering if I will have any time for life in general after taping and watching shows!

Happy 47th Birthday to me!!

My Birthday!

Happy Birthday to me!!

DAD turns 80!

My dad is turning 80 this week on September 3rd. We had a party for him. Of course he did not want a party and because I am daddy's little girl, my mother put me up to the task to convince him he wanted a party. Dad it will just be a small family and close friend party.....Dad says "OK". Then mom took over and before you knew it over 40 people were invited. Dad walked into the party and says to me "What happen"? I said "Dad, Mom happen"

We had a wonderful day celebrating a man who is TRUELY the BEST DAD in the WORLD! I love you DAD!!

Trying not to forget my life on Long Island

Sorry but I have been so involved with getting a new apartment in NYC and started a new blog on those 14 months that I enjoy there. I will try not to forget this blog and will post updates on career adventures........family life.............and any vacations I might be able to fit in!

Visit my other blog too for NYC updated posts!

http://debsnewyorkcity.blogspot.com/

Title: Inception Review: I thought I was having a nightmare!

Title: Inception Review: I thought I was having a nightmare!

First Full weekend in NYC

Well we officially spent our first full weekend in NYC....and wow the things you see as you walk down the street. My husband and I are waiting at a light waiting to cross and he turns to me and he says "I think I hear peeing" I am like "HUH?" I turn around and there is a phone booth and someone peeing there! Come on! There are tons of places in NYC where you can find a toilet. There is a Starbucks on almost every block and so many other options.

Friday night we went to a neighborhood sports bar called Landsdowne Road. On the way back to our place walking up 10th Avenue, pretty active, I notice a parking lot with a car running with its lights on, but no people in the front seat. Oops all of a sudden the car is moving back and forth and there are people in the back seat.....do I need to say more????

Well we did have an enjoyable weekend....walking, getting back & foot massages, seeing a movie and just feeling part of the city. And watching all the characters walk on by..... I LOVE NEW YORK!

Title: Grown Ups Review: Should have been funnier with so many comedians

Title: Grown Ups Review: Should have been funnier with so many comedians

Retirement????

Ok, everyone and even I have been calling me quitting my travel consultant job "my retirement" I am only 46!! Way to early to be retiring. I want to call it that I am retiring from being a "Travel Agent" only. Not retiring from working, though I do not have a job right now! Yikes!!

I have always loved to work. When I turned 16 all I could dream of was getting a job and making money. By age 19, I had 3 jobs! Jewelry Manufacturer during the week, Jewelry Store on Friday nights and Saturday and selling costume jewelry at flea markets on Sundays. Is it the fact that I started so early, and worked so much, why I am so burnt out right now?

Like I have said to many before I can not imagine it will be very long until I am working again and enjoying it like I once did before!

Goodbye to being a Travel Agent

In 1989 I left the jewelry business after 10 years, pregnant with my son. I had my son in April of 1990 and after 3 months of being home decided I needed to do something work wise to keep my sanity. I loved to travel so I approached a local travel agency in Douglaston Queens and asked them if they would train me. In 1990 the internet was not really so popular and hotels were still depending on sales through a brochure not a website. It was a totally different world.

Well in 2 days on June 30th, after 18 years (2 years in between I took a break and went back to the jewelry business) the time has come to move on. I can no longer sit on the phone, at a desk and on the computer all day at an office job. I did love being a travel agent. Most of my clients were great to deal with and I will miss many of them. I got to go on so many many vacations. I never thought selling travel would last after 9/11, it did come back some, but then the recession hit and booking on the internet (everyone thinks they are a professional travel agent). It just was not the same anymore for me.

I have always thought of my life of careers in stages. I can not see myself doing the same thing my whole life. So I have enjoyed 12 years in the Jewelry business (retail and mfg) 18 years as a travel agent, and next ?????? I guess I will figure it out, I always do.

And the count down begins.............

Less than a month away till I get my new Manhattan studio apartment........I am SO excited!

Shopping for a bed and mattress this weekend. Since that is one thing that is pretty much needed immediately on July 15th.

6 more days in my life to be working as a travel agent. It has been a good run of 17 years of selling travel, but life needs changes. I could never in my wildest dreams stay with one career all my life. Just like the gypsy in me likes to move (10 moves in my life time) I need to learn new things and follow different paths. So my first 10 or so years in my life was jewelry sales & mfg. The next 17 years or so was travel agent and sales.........now at almost 47 and a son who is 20, it is time for another chapter of my life.

New York City here i come...............................................

Just one more for the road........

Decorating the new Apartment

I am so excited and stressed about decorating the new place. It is only a studio, but I want it to be my perfect home away from home with a decor that my husband and I enjoy. We love Mexico so we are going with a colorful theme.

I bought some pillows and working with many colors makes life a bit easy....I just bring my handy pillow everywhere I go!

Will miss my NYC Kimpton hotels!

I loved my stays at the Kimpton Hotels of New York!! Though I am really excited I will be moving to my own apartment to use in Manhattan....I will miss those days of staying and 70 Park Avenue, INK48 and Eventi. Though I do plan on being back to the INK48's roof top bar from time to time...it was awesome with great views.


INK48 room - INK48 view from roof top
Even my doggie Shannon will miss her stays there!!!!!!

INK48 Roof top

Eventi Room Views from room at the Eventi

YAY!! Signed a Lease on a Manhattan apartment!

Well I am still sorta in shock and never thought in my wildest dreams that this day would really happen, but Richie and I have a Manhattan apartment! Well not just yet, we get it on July 15, 2010.....but it will be here before you know it! The building is a luxury rental with awesome roof top deck with unbelievable views!

It is only a studio, but it will be our home away from home. Some people get a summer home by the beach or up in the country, but we want our second home to be in the city that never sleeps "NEW YORK NEW YORK"

The building has a gym, great outdoor areas and club house, plus a doorman and concierge. Nice extra amenities.

The building is brand new no one has even lived in that aparment yet, which is really nice. I can't wait to decorate!!

Started Weight Watchers today

Time to get back to taking care of my health!!

I am back....

Sorry for hiding for a bit.

I am back.....and trying to remember, hey I have a blog!

Just went to Florida to visit my Uncle Pete & Aunt Yvonne, at "The Villages" in Florida. And my new cousin who is 2 years old, "Maxie"

Goodbye to Empire Diner

I found out today that the Empire Diner located in Chelsea NYC will be closing thier doors this May. It has been there for over 30 years and has been enjoyed by many locals, celebrities and has been featured even in movies like "Men in Black".

I lived in Chelsea from about 1985 to 1988 and frequented that diner. Even after leaving the city it was a place I would always go back to here and there. Just recently met my buddy Peter there for brunch and glad we did since I doubt I will be able to get back there for another time before it closes next month.

I was so excited that I may be getting an apartment in NYC again after all these years and I planned on enjoying weekend brunch with my doggie "Shannon" in tow at the Empire Diner.

It really saddens me. The Empire Diner is a staple of New York City and will be much missed.

Rice for Sale

Right about now I am at day 3 and sick of the rice diet solution. Will stick it out a bit longer otherwise I will be stuck with all this brown rice!

Bathroom finally done

Bathroom updates have finally been completed. The tile shower area was redone with Bathroom fitter, new plumbing and new shower doors. So far I am VERY happy with thier product. Also we replaced the old 80's grey sink and toilet. Last finishing touches was re-grouting the tiles on the walls and floors.

Here are the BEFORE and AFTER pictures

AFTER PICTURES BELOW:

Abbott & Costello meet the power outage

So on Monday night around 10pm Costello calls Abbott..................hey Abbott....do you have electric.....ummmmmm.....I was sleeping I dunno.....Abbott gets up and says "well we have some electric but not all electric." Hey Abbott should I turn on and off the main curcuit breaker switch....I dunno....I guess if you want too......(learned you should never do this) Hey Abbott it did not work.....Ok Costello I guess we have to call an electrician.....hey Abbott I do not have off until Friday (even though the eletric has effected the boiler, the hot water heater, the refridge. and Friday is 3 days a way.

A woman's work is never done.....she must step in on even the simple issues. Of course no one can take off ever for issue. Tuesday morning 8am called an electrician, called LIPA and got to the root of the problem. The tree was fraying the electric wires to the house. Electric was back on and running by 10:30am. Electrician comes and I decide to get an estimate to upgrade our electric up to code......2-3k this will cost Abbott and Costello...now if one of them took off maybe it wouldn't have cost them so much....HA!

Sometimes I call them Frick and Frack, Laurel and Hardy or Abbott and Costello.

MLKJJ Hanging out

Lets find the Septic Tank Day

X marks the spot

Tomorrow is the big day when they come in and rip up my driveway and walkway. The previous owners of my home were not too bright and decided to put a driveway/walkway on top of the Septic Tank.

Centro Vasco vs El Quijote

Hands down "El Quijote" wins. I was shocked sitting at the bar to be told that you are not allowed to order an appetizer while you wait, even though they told us it was a 20 minute wait that turned into a 1 hour wait. Also funny thing was I started to talk to two other couples at the bar and they had been coming to Centro Vasco for years and they never heard of El Quijote?!?! I told them they should try it....hmmmmm maybe they should hire me to drum up business for them!

We decided to go to Centro Vasco so my husband could experience a large lobster (they are known for this) We shared a 5 lb lobster which was good, but nothing like our experience of the daily double at El Quijote.

Many many moons ago I dined at Centro Vasco while they brought a 28 lb lobster around to show, the thing was huge. Here is a 25 lb casualty hanging above the bar.

Walked a Million Miles!! Love NYC!!!

Had a great weekend at the "Indigo Chelsea" hotel on 28th between 6 & 7th. We arrived on Friday night late around 9pm. We drove in because of our doggie "Shannon"















We have been bringing her along for two reasons our vet we use to board her at went up to 40.00 a day. And they count by the day not by 24 hour period! What a rip off. So if we drop her off Friday and pick her up on Monday (no pick ups allowed on Mondays) That is 160.00 added on to a vacation away?!?!?!? SICK!! So I find hotels in NYC that are Pet Friendly and free for Pets to stay. And we are loving "Indigo Chelsea!"

This time we parked on the street so sweeeeeeeet no extra charges for doggie or parking. It is not as easy as it use to be to park in NYC they now have these complicated signs that are so confusing when you read them with double meanings. I even called the number on the sign "311" and they didn't understand it either when I read it to them!










The hotel is in the Flower district which brought up many old memories for me. I use to live on 23rd street between 7 & 8th and I would walk to work on 32nd and 5th. So I walked through the flower district many a time. Chelsea has many new of these 3 Star type properties. One thing I really liked about the "Hotel Indigo Chelsea" was the room had hardwood floors. That is so much more sanitary to me than carpets. Carpets in hotels to me are pretty darn disgusting. The people that worked at the "Indigo Chelsea" hotel were friendly and nice. Everyone loved our doggie "Little Lassie" is her new nickname through out the city.





We woke up early the next day to get ready and start our day of breakfast meeting my buddy Peter. (by the way he is a few years older than this picture now)








And Peter and "Little Lassie" got along really well. (maybe it is because they both only eat Gluten Free diets?)

We ate at one of my all time favorites in NYC - "The Empire Diner"


















Ok so "Little Lassie" is really not use to walking much. She walks from our house to the corner and that is about it. She is a typical Long Islander that would go to the store down the block in her car instead of walking. We start off walking 28th and 7th to 23rd and 10th.....she gets to rest when we all eat breakfast and Empire Diner (beautiful day to eat outside at the Empire Dinner with the doggie at our feets)

After a yummy breakfast my buddy Peter decides he will be the doggie babysitter so "Little Lassie" does not have to sit in a boring hotel lonely. (hmmmmm now I have a Pet Sitter! Ha!) So we walk to our first appointment from 23rd and 10th to 42nd and 11th. Not bad.....Peter and doggie get to rest. We look at the furnished apartments at Silver Towers to compare if we took unfurnished. Not impressed at all with that option. The other apartments are nicer with great views of either the Hudson or Empire state building. Finished up early headed down to the Hudson. Got the doggie in her first adult dog park experience. (she went to a doggie park once before when a puppy) funny thing is she could care less about socializing. Also why is there always one dog in the dog parks that is a bully or wants to rape all the other dogs. It is an interesting past time to just watch all these dogs running around. Meanwhile my dog just hung out under the chair we were sitting on taking it all in too.

So now we head from there walking up along the Hudson to 54th and 10th. We stop to see apartments at the Archstone W. 54th. NOT impressed. No views yucky facilities.....Silver Towers still look so much better.



Oh nooooooooooooo guess what..............we now have to walk from 54th and 10th to 28th and 6th!! And the "Little Lassie" refuses to drink water! I mean I have already downed 3 bottles of water on this nice sunny day in NYC....we get to about 32nd and 9th and now the dog looks like she is about to pass out. I felt soooooooooooooo bad. She did make it back. I right away put a bowl of water out, the poor thing tries to get to it but looks like she was downing tequila shots all day and staggersto the water dish. Poor "Little Lassie" She drinks and drinks and drinks. And the collapses to sleep.








Even I, the one who can never ever naps, passed out for 2 hours for a nap before our evening out in NYC.

Springtime & home updating

Well the weather is sunny and nice and it is only the second week of March. Maybe just maybe we will have an early spring to make up for the early winter we had with a snowstorm in early December. Winter usually doesn't bother me, but I have to say I am so "OVER" this winter.

The month of March is all about the home. First we are updating our Master bedroom's bathroom. "Bath fitters" will be coming in to re-do the shower (yay no more tile in the shower!) and a new sink and toilet will be coming the following week. Last I need to have the tile on the wall re-grouted but I am failing at finding someone to do this. That will be the final touch.

After the bathroom is finished....I will have to battle the cesspool. We have no real understanding of this area and believe we have been getting ripped off from cesspool companies. So I will be dealing with a third company to see what they say. I can not wait for the day I move back to the city so I never have to worry and this type of "crap" (literally) anymore!

Below are the before pictures of the bathroom...........