My husband took me to NY and it was fabulous.  I’m pretty sure we walked on every street in Manhattan.  We skipped seeing a show this time and decided to spend all our time walking, shopping and eating in as many different neighborhoods as we could.

We stayed at the Westin in Times Square. We’ve stayed all over the city, but  Times Square has its advantages because you can get anything you need 24 hours a day.  We shopped in Soho, got a foot massage and back rub in China Town, and spent Sunday afternoon in Central Park and at the Met.

Oh, and the food.  We ate hotdogs and roasted nuts and cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery in the West Village and Billy’s Bakery in Chelsea.  We ate pizza and Chicken Parmesan at Da Nico’s in Little Italy.  We had the best wings and BBQ at RUB in Chelsea.  And one of my favorite spots for breakfast is The Cupping Room in Soho.  We had pancakes and waffles and fruit and bacon that was to die for.  We had croissants and danishes from Dean & Deluca in Soho, Italian pastries in Little Italy and donuts from The Doughnut Plant.  I guess I don’t need to mention the little tiny bit of weight that I gained on this trip.  But it was so worth it!

I miss it already, but it’s always good to be home.  My family is so wonderful to take care of my kids.  They planned fun stuff for them to do and got them to school.  We definitely wouldn’t have been able to go if it wasn’t for them.

Here are a few pictures of the trip.

The view from our room

Jewelry shopping in Soho

Fresh fruit shakes in Times Square

Tweeting from Billy’s Bakery in Chelsea

I do this every year.  My kids go back to school and I think about all the free time I have and all the great things I’m going to accomplish.  I NEVER remember that life turns into Nascar and I’m trying to keep up on a moped.  I mean, once school starts, I’m bombarded with fundraisers and parties and tests and essays and ball practice and club meetings.  Just look at my unmanicured nails to see how crazy it is around here.  Ewwwww!

Between volunteering in all three of my kids’ classes, I’ve realized that I’ve possibly overextended myself.  A few weeks ago, we had Grandparents’ Day and you should have seen me.  I was running from room to room, making sure everything was perfect for all the grandparents.  I wasn’t in charge, just a helper, but running between three classes plus trying to see my kids perform in the program, was insane.

A week later, I hurt my back and lived in my bed for two weeks.  I told my husband I wouldn’t complain for a long time  about having to do laundry or dishes or any of the everyday stuff.  I was so anxious to get out of bed even if it was just to clean something.  Well, a long time is apparently about a week because my back is better and I’m already overwhelmed and fussing about all the laundry.

I’m trying to get a grip on our schedules and just go with it.  I guess what I’m saying is that I’m like a lot of other moms.  I have a lot to do, very little time to do it and I stress over getting it all done.

But in the words of Joy, “Oh it’s gonna be did!”

Happy Birthday, sweet baby!

This little towel absorbs the excess water in my hair which means it takes less time to dry.  And less time with the blow dryer means less damage to my hair.  That’s really important to a girl whose hair is, ahem, chemically enhanced.

Aquis also makes a small hair towel, but I prefer the turban because there’s a little button that secures it on my head and keeps it from falling off every time I lean over. These turbans are available at Amazon and several online stores as well as places like Bed, Bath and Beyond.  They’re well worth the price especially if your hair takes forever to dry.

If you have a product that you can’t live without, please share it with me.  I need an excuse to go shopping.

Her newest album, ‘Closer’, is due out October 7 and contains more greatest hits.  Luckily, she has included two new tracks.  Hooray!  She blames her absence from the music scene on the fact that she had her second daughter, Taja (her older daughter is India) and is engrossed in being a mom.  Whatever.  I guess that’s okay.  She’ll just need to make it up to me by touring soon.  I’ll be there fo sho!

Here’s a list of all the tracks on the new album.

Getting back to my good qualities, I really am a decent person.  But sometimes, temptation is too great.  Something comes along and despite all my willpower, I completely cave.

That happened last week.

It  all began when my sister and brother-in-law came over.  I guess I’m partially to blame.  I never should have let them in the house.

The moment I got a good look, I wanted it!  As I stared, I began plotting and scheming.  How was I going to get this dog for myself?  I’m telling you, if you saw it, you would understand my obsessive thoughts.

My sister confessed that she felt the same.  See, it wasn’t even hers.  It belonged to a friend.  She was only keeping it for the week.  And it was turning even my sweet, quiet sister into a conniving woman.  We had to have it!

So, what horrible thing could destroy two good women?  What spawn of evil could make us consider stealing or kidnapping?  Well, here he is.  He’s a Maltepoo and his name is Rusty.

Unfortunately, his owner ripped him from our lives and I never got a chance to steal him.  How could she take her own dog from us?

Maybe there’s a chance we can still get him.  I’m going to work on a plan.  Bwahahaha.  See you soon little fella! ♥

I love…

-All the little things my husband does for me, like filling up my car, buying me magazines that he knows I like, & leaving a light on for me if he goes to bed first.

-When my husband plays with the kids.

-Hearing my 3 year old really laugh.  It’s contagious.

-Seeing my 10 year old son be a gentleman.  He’s so cute holding the door!

-Watching my 8 year old daughter ride horses.  She is in her own perfect little world.

-Chocolate frosting.  Need I say more?

-Going out with my mom and sister.  We ALWAYS have a fantabulous time no matter what we do.

-Sitting on the beach.

-Vacationing with my husband.

-Going out to eat.  I love not having to cook.

-Reading inside when it’s raining outside.

-Fried green tomatoes.

-Getting a neck and scalp massage when the shampoo girl washes my hair.  I’m falling asleep just thinking about it.

-A hot cup of hazelnut coffee.

-Family dinners.

-Playing cards with friends and family.  OK, winning card games against friends and family.

What do you love?

Anyway, the mascara that gives me spectacular lashes is called Imju Fiberwig and I love it immensely.  Not only does it give me noticeable lashes, but it doesn’t smudge or run.  I wore it on our trip to Chattanooga at an amusement park and at the end of the long, hot day, there were no raccoon eyes on this girly girl.

If you ever see me in person you might ask yourself, “That girl is excited about THOSE lashes?”  Please remember that I have horrible, nonexistent puny little wanna-be lashes.  So of course I’m going to be happy when a product creates something from almost nothing.  My lashes would be almost invisible without it.

This mascara is a must for those of us who weren’t blessed with good lashes and those of us who aren’t coordinated enough to figure out false ones.

Before heading home, we took the kids to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum for a train ride.  The tour included a ride through the Missionary Ridge Tunnel that was completed in 1858 and was constructed by hand using picks, shovels and black powder.  We also got to see how a train is turned around which was really cool.  We saw several old engines and  cars that dated back to  the Civil War.  It’s always nice to throw in a little learning on a trip.

The drive back home was not as relaxing.  We missed our exit and the two hour drive turned into a three hour test of our patience which we failed. At least my 3 year old slept a good part of the trip.  When we got home, we ate dinner at PF Chang’s.  That calmed us down a bit after the extra time trapped in the car.

It really was a fun weekend.  We did stuff for the kids the whole trip and I think that’s good.  Most trips, we don’t plan completely around the kids, but this one was for them.  And they loved it.  They kept thanking us for the trip.  Mission accomplished.

I think my kids often think of me as “unreasonable, don’t-understand-us-at-all, you’re-so-unfair” mom.  As of this post, I’m now “awesome, super-rockin’” mom.  I’m sure that title won’t last, but I’m basking in the moment.

If you can’t stand not knowing how incredible day one and day two of our vacation were, you’re in luck.  Just click the links and you can read all about it.