SBC: Some Shopping, Some Lobster, Some More Shopping!

It took over 6 months but we were finally able to celebrate Kathy's birthday today!  We were going to go to Mohegan Sun but thinking the ride was too long..back and forth, she asked to do some shopping and more importantly have the lobster special at City Island.  No one complained (not that we would...after all - it is her birthday and her choice) but even so...I don't think any of us had a problem with her request.  The thought of eating that delicious lobster filled all of our heads and we were more than ready when we arrived at the restaurant.

We first did some shopping at Rego Center.  The girls rode in on the subway where I picked them up from the Forest Hills station.  We made stops at a local dollar store and Lots Less.  Then we went to Kohl's. Aldi's and Costco.  We had split up...some went to TJMaxx, Century 21 and Payless.  After devouring our lunch, we drove to College Point where we stopped at BJ's Target and Deal$.  Yes, baby...we are all shopped out!  But how great it was to have the Sister's Birthday Club all together once again!  Happy Birthday, Kathy!!

My starter: New England Clam Chowder...Kathy & Connie had Manhattan CC
(shown in the background)and Winnie had a very good looking salad!

Connie & Kathy

THE LOBSTER!

Birthday girl with her cake

Enjoying!!
(Photo by Connie )

The Gang's all here! YAY!

Take Me Out to The Ballgame!

Last year was the first year in a very long time that I didn't attend a Yankees game.  With Derek hurt, A-Rod in the drug scandal and the Yanks playing lousy, I lost interest.  But with Derek announcing his retirement, I knew I would catch at least one game.  It was with absolute delight when I opened Tom's birthday gift to me and discovered 2 tickets for opening week.  I had asked him to join me but last week, he suffered an injury while playing basketball.  Possibly a torn ligament but we'll know more when he sees his doctor next week.  Instead, Nikki accompanied me.

 

There is definitely something about going to a baseball game.  I love seeing the field at first sight.  And the players running out to start the game.  And sitting in the stands, hoping for a win, wishing my team hits a home run, possibly catching a foul ball, cheering with strangers who are co-fans and so on.

 

My tradition is making sausage, peppers and onion hero to bring to the stadium.  One of the nicer allowances of the Yankee arena.  I made two to share with Nikki and we ate them wholeheartedly.  The seats were phenomenal.  Second level by third base so that Derek was always within view.  The weather would have been perfect if not for the wind so it was a little chilly.  I regret not bringing my Yankees blanket.  The team has changed quite a bit.  I miss Mariano and Robinson Cano and there were some players I didn't know at all. Otherwise - with a home run (by one of those "unknown to me" players), a win against those dreaded Red Sox (4-1) and Nikki for company, it was a most enjoyable evening.  Thanks, Tom (a fabulous future son-in-law)!!

Upon entering the Main Hall

From our seats

Thrilled to be there!

Derek (bent over - taking off his guard) after his first hit at first base - circled in red

Nikki & Mickey

BFF + RR + ICHI UMI = GREAT DAY

Too blessed!!  That's me!  I have terrific friends and family!  Although Winnie has celebrated my birthday with me quite a bit already - today she was treating me to my special lunch.  Ichi Umi...my request.  I love this place...so pretty and more importantly...fantastic "all you can eat" sushi.

We started with VIP tickets to The Rachael Ray Show.  Because it's a tape show, we never know ahead of time what the show will be about or if there will be a celebrity on.  We were the first group to be admitted. Nice perk.  RR gives bottled water and a variety of Sara Lee pastries, brownies and muffins.

I was absolutely thrilled to see Denis Leary on the show. I LOVE him especially from "Rescue Me" but having seen him on different talk shows, he's very down to earth and funny.  No exception today.  He was so much fun!  Then RR did an interview with Brooklyn Decker - very good.  And we got to see 2 segments of cooking - Thai chicken lettuce cups and baked fried chicken and cole slaw.  On top of that, we received a giveaway of 2 of RR's frying pans!  We go to these shows never expecting anything so it's always a delight when we are fortunate enough to get a gift.  Better yet, they will be sending it to our homes so we didn't have to carry it to lunch.  I even got to chose my color: red

We walked over to the restaurant after the taping...we were starving and so ready for food!  It was after 1pm and the crowd was already thinning out - fine by me.  There was still plenty of food laid out.  We feasted!  It was as I remembered and I appreciated every bite! Thanks to my BFF!!

North End Grill

Today was my birthday brunch date with Leslie.  We have known each other 15 years and have been faithful about getting together at least twice a year for our birthdays...if we see other more than that in one year, we consider ourselves lucky.

A few years back, I thought it was better if the person treating the birthday girl decided on the day's activities.  We usually meet in the city and we try to get to an area we haven't visited before.  We've been east side, west side, uptown, downtown and it's been loads of fun.  Today's choice:  Battery Park City - North End Grill.  I had to admit - haven't been in a very long while.  Certainly not since 9/11.  I've never even heard of North End Avenue but looking on the map, I realized I knew it fairly well.  I worked near there 30 years ago!

Instead of driving, I took the E train.  To the World Trade Center stop...last one on the train.  I did that every day for a long time.  I hadn't done it in even a longer time.  It was strange and brought back many memories.  When I came out of the station and was on the corner of Vesey and Barclay...whoosh!  I was standing next to the post office that I had to visit every Tuesday to send in my ARC report (airline ticket report).  Again...a lot of memories.

As I headed west...it looked less and less familiar...so much has changed.  But then, some of it sparked recognition.  But the bottom line, it all looked really beautiful.

The restaurant is gorgeous.  Staff was lovely and food, scrumptious.  Excellent company goes without saying.
After lunch, we walked towards the promenade & the river...again, an area I used to go during lunch in nice weather but haven't been in 30 years.  It was tremendous to see so many people enjoying the day - the plaza was bustling and filled with families, friends, couples & tourists.  Lots of puppies and babies.

Leslie and I found a sunny spot and basked in the warmth, catching up on our busy lives.  It was simple...Superb.

Leslie started off with a "green juice" that was surprisingly delicious
& extremely refreshing

"The Basket": Pecan Sticky Bun, Peanut Butter Pan au Chocolat,
Cherry Chocolate Scone, Maple Bacon Croissant

Soft Scrambled Eggs with ramp, bacon on grilled toast

Didn't order dessert but was surprised with this "birthday" sorbert!

No way to miss which way to the restrooms!

C-c-c-hanges!!

Change.  For the most part, I hate it.  If something works, why fix it?  And even if it's supposed to be better, faster, more productive - my first reaction is to rail against it.  A lot of it has to do with having to learn new things.  I hate that.  But sometimes it can't be helped.  Things become obsolete and an upgrade is mandatory.  Well...then, I learn it and then it's:  how did I ever live without it? 

 

For someone who rarely changes if she can help it...the last few weeks have been an eye-opener.  I have changed so many things, my head is whirling.  But it all ended up to my benefit...which is the only possible reason for any change!

 

First:  My health insurance.  No one wants to really think about that.  When I was young - never thought about it.  Even when I started my first real job and health insurance was included...still didn't think about it.  It was just part of the job.  I rarely went to see a doctor so it never crossed my mind.  As I got older, then it became important.  Now...it's essential.  When I left CSI, I had to look for personal health insurance.  OMG. It was frightening what was out there.  But I found the least expensive one and was covered.  But 5 years into it, the rates just kept going up.  Incredible.  That's why I went back to work.  To offset the difference of the increases - not even working to pay the whole premium. 

 

But then Winnie enlightened me on Obamacare.  And I am grateful she did.  I signed up and was deemed eligible and the day I canceled my health insurance was scary but freeing.  I can even quit my job now.  Something to think about.

 

Taxes.  I have had my accountant, Bill do my taxes since I started at CSI.  He did the company's and our personal returns so I never had to think about it.  I continued on with him until this past year when he was raising his rates and I felt my return was very basic and didn't warrant a $300 plus bill.  I spoke to Kathy who has been doing her own the last few years.  She used Tax Act and gave me a walk-through.  I went ahead and although I hit a small glitch which thankfully Kathy helped me through it...in the end, it was fairly easy.  It cost me $14.99 and I received my federal refund within the week!

 

Then my cable bill.  Winnie mentioned that the rates are going up.  I am on paperless statements and automatic payment so don't see anything and rarely take a look.  But I went to take a look.  I called to see what Time Warner could do for me...a long-standing customer that seemed to be paying a lot for very little.  They were able to decrease my monthly cost by about $10 and include HBO and Cinemax for 12 months.  So now I'm paying less and getting more.  Pays to make a call.

 

And yesterday....Verizon Wireless.  My cellphone.  I have had my smartphone for 4 years now and although I can upgrade to a new phone for free every two...I chose not to.  Some of it had to do with change.  More had to do with the $15 data plan I purchased at the time and then they did away with it and I didn't want to pay for a higher plan.  So I got "grandfathered in" and I felt no one was the wiser.  But the other day, for some reason or another, I looked into their calling plans and lo and behold...they are again offering a $15 data plan but for more data!  I had 150mb and now it's 250mb.  Still nothing like 1G but certainly more than I have been dealing with.  On top of that...for the same rates I have been paying, they include unlimited talk and text!  I had 450 min and no text!  Time for a change!

 

Went to the Verizon store in the mall and a lovely young lady, La'shelle helped me.  I was at first cautious...because when I had tried to upgrade on-line - choosing a new smart phone and all...they kept saying my device needed a "higher" plan.  I was not willing to go $30 - $40 - $50 higher for more data.  No thanks.  If they could give me the $15 for the 250mb and the Talk & Text - I would even be willing to stay with my old phone.  But La'shelle assured me that it was okay.  Maybe it wasn't because it took a lot of maneuvering for her to get me into place but into place she got me.  I was all set!  With my new Galaxy phone and new plan and same cost...I was/am a very happy gal!

 

In the last 3 weeks, I have accomplished quite a bit.  I saved on my insurance and taxes and got more for my money on my cable and phone.  I'll probably still fight against change - especially if you spring it on me - but I have to admit....it's more good than bad. 

The Palm - Lunch & Shopping

Today was a mother/daughter - girls's day out.  Winnie had tickets to The Chew and Nikki & Liz were joining us.  A real treat.  It was the afternoon taping so we didn't have to get up too early but long story short, we ended up being denied entry due to over-capacity.  Instead they offered us VIP tickets for a future taping.  Seemed such a waste to have spent over an hour waiting in line and then have nothing to do.

I had wondered what we were going to do about lunch and had the idea to finally use my $100 The Palm gift card I received at Wendy Williams show.  I asked if everyone was agreeable to walk the 16 blocks to get there and everyone was.  Thank goodness.  As we walked along Broadway - we spotted some of the Easter eggs "hidden" around the city.  

 The Palm was a perfect choice.  Nikki & I opted for the 4 course "Business Lunch" - each choosing the Caesar Salad to start, Filet Mignon with "half and half" - their french fries and onion strings and for dessert, Nikki went with the cheesecake while I opted for the flourless chocolate cake.  Winnie had the chicken, bacon, avocado sandwich and Liz - tomato soup and Mozarella, tomato and basil appetizer.  Using the gift card, I still received a balance of $20 to use for another time!

Filet Mignon and Half & Half

Winnie's Choice

Liz's Choice

Desserts

After lunch, Nikki came back to Queens with me where we did some shopping at the Rego Center: Costco, Payless, Kohl's and Aldi's.  We did a nice little dent in our wallets.  And were happy to do so.