Rewarding Weekends

This weekend I put in 17 miles. For me, this is pretty impressive. Without injury yet with a little pain but not overextending myself. I was able to run those miles with my ladies Danielle, Jen, and Tara, and if without them, I would’ve never ran. Okay, maybe three miles but never 17. 11 of those miles on Saturday morning, were done between two of Staten Island’s many parks. We have the most parks in the 5 boroughs. A fact I learned while preparing for the Miss Staten Island pageant some years ago. Clove and Silver lakes provided us with many morning hellos to some familiar faces and nature: The trees, the flowers, the waterfalls, the ducks, the birds, and of course the dogs. The first 10 miles were done and we thought it was over. I was glad it was over. My hips were hurting due to a slip at work and the impact of the run combined. My mind was over the loops. So we snapped a shot or two, chatted until one of us left, and then, I actually said, out loud, who wants to run more? Silly me, I knew my road racers would definitely want more! So one more loop and we were pooped. Good thing I had nothing planned on the agenda afterwards; Except that half priced Frappuccino at Starbuck’s Happy Hour from 3-5PM everyday now through May 10.
Then came Sunday morning and I texted my lovely lady Danielle to confirm she was running though the trails with another Staten Island Killa Bee Billy, the trail run leader. Yes I made that title up but if it weren’t for him, I’d still be in those trails. So we headed into the trails. I heard it was going to be painful. But I thought we’d ease in to that. Nope!! That’s not how we roll. So up a hill we went. And another hill. And another. You get the picture. This trail run encompassed a lot of hills. And this is exactly what I wanted out of the trail run. I wanted terrain. I need those hills in my training and I am glad I didn’t wuss out. Not even a repeat at the very end of the 6 miles. Thanks yellow and red for getting purple to move her ass! And then off to little man’s baseball game I went. But first, a stop to do grocery shopping.
The baseball game was great. Dan did amazingly. And my sisters and their families showed up to cheer him on. I never let him know they were coming until they actually parked at the field. I hate to disappoint. He was so excited that they came; proud that he didn’t strike out; and impressed he caught a few balls. We all enjoyed the game and his enthusiasm that day, even though we were still wearing our winter coats in MAY!
After the game, I was able to sneak in a pedicure and then off to make Dan’s birthday wish list at Toys R Us. The best idea created. Okay, not the best idea ever, but you know what I mean: A very smart idea. Then came cinco de mayo.
Ahhh I remember those days when I partied with the best of them in Chevy’s parking lot. But this year, it was a work day and a day off for little man. So he came to work with me. Dressed in his suit shirt and tie with fancy shoes, he was ready to take on the office. Some morning hours were spent setting up his race cars against some Star Wars characters in a battle until a co-worker entered the office. He got quiet but yet continued with his game. Then the coworker got him some extra tools around the office to make a ramp and garage for some car racing. Super happy with this until I said let’s ready or write something. He decided to write a story. Picture the opening of Star Wars where it starts “In a galaxy far far away…” Well his story became a one lined, one page typed story with illustrations. He decided that he wanted to sell his story. The price was set at $40. Oh no little man. Let’s be realistic. How about 50 cents I said, then he replied no, two quarters, I will not take just 50 cents. He knows that 2 quarters equals 50 cents but his wheels were turning. He had a plan and a reason behind it…
I think that’s enough reading for now.
Until the next blog entry.

 Dan the man and his family plus Daniel S photobombing

Dan the man and fam

 Me and my girl Danielle after 6 trail miles.  Billy was camera shy.

 Me, Jen, Danielle, and Tara on the bridge at Clove Lake after 10 miles.

 

Danielle, Dan and I while selling Dan’s autographed book!

National Family Play Date Day Fun aboard the Norwegian Breakaway

Play Date-I had mentioned in the last couple of entries-May 10th was the day!  And we were aboard the Norwegian Breakaway! 

When you think of a play date, what comes to mind?  In the old days, it was go to you neighbors house and told your kids “I’ll see you at dinner time.”  Now it is: I will accompany my child to a stranger’s house and I will sit and chat with the mom while the children play together.  But it is never rarely that little man and I have a play date, just him and I.  Well, actually we do play pretend, do obstacle courses, play star wars and power rangers.  But I never make it an appointment on my iPhone.  I never make a point of it.  It just happens-when it can.  Yet everything else I schedule, this is one thing I don’t and I should.  It is just important to make that play date with your kid as it is to remember a birthday or go for a mani pedi.  So for now on I vow to make a play date with my man!

However, a scheduled date was made.  On May 10, my family-my sisters, niece, mom, and little man had a play date.  It was National Family Play Date Day, and my niece came up with a scavenger hunt.  Our date was set.  She compiled the list and we were scheduled to run around the boat and locate things like salt and pepper shakers, a picture with a crew person, etc. 
My team, the blue team,  was mom, Allison and me.  Niece’s team, the white team, was Dan, Michele, and her. 

You know who we thought was going to win right?

But we were proved wrong!!! 

List in hand and we were off.
We immediately ran up the stairs to get the things on the buffet level, ran back down to the waterfront level to get the remaining things and then back to the room.  Whoever returned first with all things in hand won.

Who do you think we thought was going to win?

Well, the blue team returned first, way ahead of the white team. 

We are accused of cheating but that’s subjective because I don’t think the rules were clearly stated.  The only rule we heard was you must get all things on the list.  We will leave that challenge for another day but what’s fair is fair.  BLUE team won!!!  
Even though we thought the white team would score big!

Check out the Active Family Project for more info on keeping active with the family and locate activities in your area by clicking here!!  Happy Summer Fun!

Breakaway from these chains..Sail away from your mind…

Okay so last blog entry was a little off.  It really wasn’t my voice.  Well it was…but I was told that I sounded like a snooty food critic.  Wait, I’m not a food critic???  I think my humor really didn’t come through, as the time on board the Norwegian Breakaway was awesome, just some flaws…we all have flaws and don’t we LOVE to hear about them so we can improve?  That’s how I roll…

I also think my entry could have been off because I have not been feeling well.  I don’t get it…I eat healthy…for the most part…I sleep 7-8 hours a night…well I put my head to the pillow at 8:30 PM and wake up at 5:30 AM, and then there are those nasty creatures that wake me up during the night…dreams…thoughts…birds!  And I exercise…Why don’t I feel like the 22 year old I am?  Oh wait, that’s Taylor Swift’s new song, not my age.  Crap!  Okay why don’t I feel like the beautiful, energized, outgoing 30 something woman I am??? I need to call that doctor for the enlarged lymph node, and and that mammogram too.  Thanks to the peeps for reminding me. 

Anywho, let me try to get my tone right for this next “review.” 
If you asked little man how this cruise was-he would say AMAZING!! And when are we going again?  Oh wait, he did say that…”So, we are coming back in July mom?”  Yikes…

So here in a nut shell, or a clam shell-Spongebob and friends are on board, get it?- are the remaining features of the ship that I would like to highlight. 

Dan the man asks: “How are they surviving up here?” Smart kid…

Pool/Water Area-2 pools-1 family 1 adult.  I preferred the family one…SMOKE was surrounding the adults only area.  Bar included. Yes, I HATE smoke.  I love adults, and especially when I am on a trip with no kids, I really like adults.  But the pool is small with barely any room to sun.  Yes, my favorite thing at the pool!  So my next trip I need to upgrade to the Haven or something!  The water area for kids was awesome.  Water but not too much water.  Dan hates to have water spilled over his head but he loved it here!  And the slides.  I was way too scared to go on the freefall.  Maybe next trip…But little man was tall enough to go on the “blue” slide and he loved it.   He would have gone on more times but so much to do in so little time.  

Sports Deck- My niece played some basketball here and loved it.  We also played miniature golf.  It was fun.  As fun as miniature golf could be.  Can you hear the sarcasm?  But it was nice hitting golf balls as we passed the Statue of Liberty.  Rock Climbing-little man, myself, and my niece all attempted.  None of us made it to the top but I swear I went the furthest up!  I am a bad ass with my Spartan Race self, and Tough Mudder electricity, okay not yet, but daunting is the best word to describe the feeling when I looked down around me and saw the open waters as I was reaching for the bell. Next time, I do it better!!  Then there was the rope course which we did not get to do, again, it was the weather and the fitting so much into so little time.  It did look like fun though.  Next time.  Yes! 

Entertainment-We sat in on the dueling pianos which I always love because I am a singer!!  Yep, I am the one screaming out Brown Eyed Girl or Sweet Caroline at any bar or party and here was no different.  Both of the entertainers kept up the jokes and had a great flair about them. We went twice. 

Then we saw Rock of Ages and Cirque du Soleil “Jungle Fantasy.”  Rock of Ages was just as good as the Broadway performance I saw and the theatre was very nice.  Seemed smaller than others but great viewing.  Cirque was very awesome according to little man.  There was a full 3 course meal given there and I hear it was yummy.  I actually didn’t attend.  i decided to take a trip to the gym.

The Gym-Spin room!  So sad I didn’t sign up for FlyWheel but the bikes looked amazing.  Maybe on my next trip.  Did some cardio and there were a lot of machines.  Much more in comparison to other ships I have been on.  And I did an ab class which was also great.  Instructor was very knowledgeable and kept us going for 4 rounds…
Kid’s Club-what’s there not to love.  It was clean, safe, friendly and inviting and Dan wanted to stay there all the time!  But since it was a short trip, it was only short trips that I allowed.  This was our time to experience a boat.  But it did give us the opportunity to do “adult” things in the evening.  He loved it!

Drinks-They were FREEEEEEE!!!! What can I say?  However they did run out of lime so I couldn’t get a mojito at one bar.  Thought that was weird.  But hey I opted for a chocolate martini instead…the things you have to do!  Ice Bar-Usually fro $20 you get two drinks and 30 minutes to chill.  Literally chill..  And kids are allowed in too.  They get soda.  What a fun thing to do in a half hour.  Short and sweet…and cold!

Casino-SMOKEY!  Great machines and tables!! I love me some roulette!  But did I say SMOKEY????? those carpets are going to be destroyed by July! 

Oh well, stairs and elevators worked well.  Public bathrooms clean.  A good time by all.  Can’t wait to sail away to Bermuda.

Hey mom-are we upgrading to the Haven??

Next blog entry will be about our Family Play date for National Family Play date day, May 10! We had fun…did you???

Blue Team is #1 even though the White team might disagree!

You make me feel like I’m the only girl in this world…but I know I am not

I usually just start to write my blog entry on the computer…but this week I went old school.  Pen to the paper!!  But here is the final product.

This week has been very eventful, literally CHOCK FULL OF EVENTS!

Friday: Went to a basket auction at little man’s school where my best friend is a teacher-awesome teacher BTW Happy Teacher Appreciation Week-a great way to hang out kid less while benefitting the kiddies.  We were able to enjoy libations and laughs.  I didn’t win anything but that didn’t matter, much.  I would’ve liked to win the outside garbage pail and the grill.  How mundane? Well, since Hurricane Sandy took those away in the raging waters I aimed high! 

Saturday: Woke up early, after a late-midnight-night and went to train OCR (obstacle course race) style with my team.  Yes, my injury did not allow me to do it all, but I gave it my all.  Great to see some new members, one who is “family, ” and a lovely new lady Bee, who is as funny as me.  Well not really as much as me.  But close.  Then a trip to the cemetery to take care of grandma’s plot.  It’ll be five years that she has left us, and I miss her each and every day.  Growing up in a house full of women, she was our rock.  She would’ve loved my little silly boy, as she only was able to enjoy his first year of life.  And he would’ve enjoyed running downstairs to escape from mommy.  A nice retreat to eat all the goodies she had to offer.  I have to say though, the woman lived a fulfilling life, and if September 11th didn’t kill her, Hurricane Sandy would have.  Better for her to have passed peacefully where she wanted to.  Her life lives on in that house!
After the cemetery, a communion celebration was on tap.  The service was very good, a very nice church family and the party was even better.  I always find it enjoyable where friends are invited into everything like they are a part of the family.  And in this case, Jen’s family just did that!  Her family is funny, caring, and full of energy!!  Onward to some good eats and drinks and some leisure walking over Cinco de Mayo weekend.  Just wished it was a little warmer so I could’ve enjoyed the breezes coming off the water. 

2nd Master’s degree Ceremony Gram and Dan always with me

Monday: Work…blah blah blah… Then I was invited by Jen to a special blogger event sponsored by Merck and She Speaks.  A wonderful time to talk about the Active Family Project.  This is not the blog entry that I will dedicate to detail the event as it deserves its own.  But a quick note: NATIONAL FAMILY PLAYDATE IS MAY 11th!!  DO IT and make a date with your family!  I am…while cruising for Mother’s day Courtesy of the Katie Show celebrating Sandy Moms-another blog entry worthy of more deatil.  Then picked up little man, played hide and seek in the park, drove to Toys R Us for a birthday present, ate at the Chinese buffet-don’t judge me-drove to Shoprite for some necessaties, and then drove back home to finish homework, bathe and SLEEP!!!  What father can do all this in one day??? Another aspect of the blog entry related to the Active Family Project.
    

Elizabeth Hasselback and me

This is one long post…but I live one interesting life…REALLY? No!!!

Tuesday: Meeting in the City, oh Bloomingdales and Dylan’s Candy Bar…how you are calling my name.  Oh wait, is that a call from the school nurse coming in?  Why yes.  Little man needs to get picked up!
Raced home to get him yet some short hours later he was feeling much better, even though I did get blamed for his illness.  This happens. 
Dan: Mom, my tummy hurt, you gave me too many Cheeze Its. 
Me: Well why did you eat them all? 
Dan: You didn’t tell me not to eat them all. 
Jeesh.  Gotta love this kid!  Well since he was feeling well, a date with the best friend and a sleep over with grandma later…Off to Rihanna we went.  A great show and my first at Barclay’s Center.  We were shining bright like diamonds once we were dancing to some great hits.  Say my name, say my name…Stay…
Onward…
Wednesday: RAIN….UMBREL-LA-LA-LA!…Flooding…Meeting…oh please don’t flood my home.  A birthday party with Dan’s friend from school-also known as his brother-oh and his “wife.”

The Three Amigos

It’s Thursday..maybe baseball will be cancelled…since it’s RAINING again!
And tomorrow is Friday!  Aren’t you glad…for SO many reasons-yes blog entry almost over.
For me Friday brings a Mother’s Day cruise to NOWHERE!!! Yes, the “Karlsberg” women and Meggy Meg and little man aboard the Norewigan Breakaway.  Brand new ship!!! I am sure it will be a Mother’s day not to forget. 

Bon Voyage and Happy Mother’s Day to all of you-women and men alike.


Mom and Gram, oh and me & Joann in the background.





New Year’s Eve Dec 31, 2007 Gram, Dan, and me