Monday, July 20, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The 4th of July 2009
It was a great 4th of July filled with fabulous weather and lots of family. My perfect kind of day.
Nikki came up with Tom for the first time and we won’t talk about the disastrous drive they had but I was just thankful they kept going instead of giving up and returning home.
Evelyn, Mark & Xavier were also in attendance making it extra special. We were planning to celebrate Xavier’s 14th birthday and his graduation from Middle school.
And although we had a great time, it did make me think of past Independence days. For awhile, when my dad was still alive and the upstate community was at its height of popularity, it was very festive. And HOT! I didn’t have my own house then and would arrive by bus or car after work. Nikki would already be there arriving earlier in the week with my parents. My dad would have fireworks and when darkness descended, the kids would stand outside in a circle holding sparklers or incense sticks while different poppers, star-twirlers and various other fireworks were being set off. All of us oohing and ahhing and the kids screaming or giggling. It really was carefree and wonderful. And the kick-off to the season.
It’s still an unofficial start of the season. And I was happy that we had some warm weather. When Nikki & Tom showed up….finally…Xavier couldn’t wait to take Tom on in basketball and while they were shooting hoops, Nikki got Kris to play some tennis and catch. The rest of us sat out on my deck chatting and laughing.
Kathy made delicious BBQ ribs…2 kinds…an Asian variety (“Is this the Asian one”?) and an another that had a spicy rub. She also made her famous cornbread souffle. I made Lime Adobo chicken with chimichurri but hardly anyone touched it. I also put out a tossed field salad with avocado. We had too much food. Evelyn brought sweet corn on the cob and had a contest with Kathy on who could eat it neater and had a cleaner cob. Kathy won. But I think she’s had a lot of practice.
Nikki baked a birthday chocolate cake for Xavier and we presented it with his gifts of Xbox games.
The only thing that was missing and did change the whole dynamic of the get-together was Miranda who was away at sleep-away horse camp. Yep…it was a lot less drama, less noise but she is our own sparkler and we missed that a lot.
Nikki came up with Tom for the first time and we won’t talk about the disastrous drive they had but I was just thankful they kept going instead of giving up and returning home.
Evelyn, Mark & Xavier were also in attendance making it extra special. We were planning to celebrate Xavier’s 14th birthday and his graduation from Middle school.
And although we had a great time, it did make me think of past Independence days. For awhile, when my dad was still alive and the upstate community was at its height of popularity, it was very festive. And HOT! I didn’t have my own house then and would arrive by bus or car after work. Nikki would already be there arriving earlier in the week with my parents. My dad would have fireworks and when darkness descended, the kids would stand outside in a circle holding sparklers or incense sticks while different poppers, star-twirlers and various other fireworks were being set off. All of us oohing and ahhing and the kids screaming or giggling. It really was carefree and wonderful. And the kick-off to the season.
It’s still an unofficial start of the season. And I was happy that we had some warm weather. When Nikki & Tom showed up….finally…Xavier couldn’t wait to take Tom on in basketball and while they were shooting hoops, Nikki got Kris to play some tennis and catch. The rest of us sat out on my deck chatting and laughing.
Kathy made delicious BBQ ribs…2 kinds…an Asian variety (“Is this the Asian one”?) and an another that had a spicy rub. She also made her famous cornbread souffle. I made Lime Adobo chicken with chimichurri but hardly anyone touched it. I also put out a tossed field salad with avocado. We had too much food. Evelyn brought sweet corn on the cob and had a contest with Kathy on who could eat it neater and had a cleaner cob. Kathy won. But I think she’s had a lot of practice.
Nikki baked a birthday chocolate cake for Xavier and we presented it with his gifts of Xbox games.
The only thing that was missing and did change the whole dynamic of the get-together was Miranda who was away at sleep-away horse camp. Yep…it was a lot less drama, less noise but she is our own sparkler and we missed that a lot.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Peruvian Gifts
Nikki returned home this morning from her trip to Peru with Tom. She spent 9 days there visiting Lima and hiking Machu Picchu. From the sound of things, she ate fabulous food and had a tremendous experience - I am awaiting to see her 1000 photos.
More importantly is what she brought home to me! Prior to her trip, she threatened to get me a Peruvian poncho a la Ugly Betty..but more colorful.
Of course, I would LOVE anything she got me but a poncho is just sooo not me. I asked for a key chain...preferably with my name. I have a thing about that. LOVE seeing my name!! More so because it's hard to find. So if ever I see anything that has "Esther" printed on it...I buy it!
I had gone to Acapulco when I was 23 and was alone on the beach. A peddler came by and said he had necklaces with my name. I scoffed. No way! But he was adament. I challenged him and told him my name and he opened his black case and pulled out a gold necklace with a huge ESTHER plaque! OMG!! And as much as I was amazed, I actually passed on this one!
I have these 2 key chains...top one is from San Francisco - bottom from Hawaii. I also have a beautiful wooden pen with my name engraved on it which I found in Bar Harbor but I can't seem to locate it and you know it's driving me crazy right now.
Well...Nikki pulled out my first gift. WOW! I LOVE it! (already attached to my car key)- even she couldn't believe she found this for me!
And then my second and third..gorgeous alpaca wool scarves. So soft...really lovely.
As thrilled as I am for Nikki - I am more thrilled that she is home, safe and sound.
More importantly is what she brought home to me! Prior to her trip, she threatened to get me a Peruvian poncho a la Ugly Betty..but more colorful.
Of course, I would LOVE anything she got me but a poncho is just sooo not me. I asked for a key chain...preferably with my name. I have a thing about that. LOVE seeing my name!! More so because it's hard to find. So if ever I see anything that has "Esther" printed on it...I buy it!
I had gone to Acapulco when I was 23 and was alone on the beach. A peddler came by and said he had necklaces with my name. I scoffed. No way! But he was adament. I challenged him and told him my name and he opened his black case and pulled out a gold necklace with a huge ESTHER plaque! OMG!! And as much as I was amazed, I actually passed on this one!
I have these 2 key chains...top one is from San Francisco - bottom from Hawaii. I also have a beautiful wooden pen with my name engraved on it which I found in Bar Harbor but I can't seem to locate it and you know it's driving me crazy right now.
Well...Nikki pulled out my first gift. WOW! I LOVE it! (already attached to my car key)- even she couldn't believe she found this for me!
And then my second and third..gorgeous alpaca wool scarves. So soft...really lovely.
As thrilled as I am for Nikki - I am more thrilled that she is home, safe and sound.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Go Yankees!!!
Nikki and I went to the new Yankees stadium last night. Although a beautiful night, it was pretty windy sitting all the way near the top along with the birds!
We're pretty high up!
Wearing my Yankees hoodie-b-day gift from Nikki
The stadium is gorgeous and we enjoyed the whole experience especially with the Yankees winning 9-1 against the Orioles. A couple of home runs (A-Rod and Texiera) certainly makes for a great game!
The Great Hall - great meeting place
Entering the stadium, they allowed food and bottles of water. And they don’t even need you to transfer it to a clear plastic bag. I like it!
Miss Yankee of Liberty
Nikki made a friend…as she seems to do a lot these days! A row of guys sat in front of us and one of them (Andrew) took a liking to her and sat with her a bit. He was also a little tipsy but it was all in good fun. After he left to smoke a cigarette -he never came back as Nikki predicted since she felt he would never find his way back!
I discovered “Garlic Fries” - omigosh…they are wicked good! Nikki said she is going to try to make them and I hope she does! I would prefer not having to pay $6 to eat them again!
Worth it!!!
I have always loved that first moment of entering a ball park. It is just exhilarating to see the green field and baseball players. I remembered one of the first times I was at a game and the vendors would come around hawking their wares. A guy was throwing bags of peanuts through the air and people were catching them! FREE PEANUTS…or so I thought and grabbed a bag - delighted at my prize…until I had to dish out $5! That was an expensive lesson especially since I don’t even like peanuts! Suffice it to say…I never made that mistake again!
Leaving the stadium at night...so pretty!
The crowds descending...
We're pretty high up!
Wearing my Yankees hoodie-b-day gift from Nikki
The stadium is gorgeous and we enjoyed the whole experience especially with the Yankees winning 9-1 against the Orioles. A couple of home runs (A-Rod and Texiera) certainly makes for a great game!
The Great Hall - great meeting place
Entering the stadium, they allowed food and bottles of water. And they don’t even need you to transfer it to a clear plastic bag. I like it!
Miss Yankee of Liberty
Nikki made a friend…as she seems to do a lot these days! A row of guys sat in front of us and one of them (Andrew) took a liking to her and sat with her a bit. He was also a little tipsy but it was all in good fun. After he left to smoke a cigarette -he never came back as Nikki predicted since she felt he would never find his way back!
I discovered “Garlic Fries” - omigosh…they are wicked good! Nikki said she is going to try to make them and I hope she does! I would prefer not having to pay $6 to eat them again!
Worth it!!!
I have always loved that first moment of entering a ball park. It is just exhilarating to see the green field and baseball players. I remembered one of the first times I was at a game and the vendors would come around hawking their wares. A guy was throwing bags of peanuts through the air and people were catching them! FREE PEANUTS…or so I thought and grabbed a bag - delighted at my prize…until I had to dish out $5! That was an expensive lesson especially since I don’t even like peanuts! Suffice it to say…I never made that mistake again!
Leaving the stadium at night...so pretty!
The crowds descending...
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Tap Tap Tap...& Twirl
Today was Miranda's performance with Alvin Ailey and she showed off her tap-dancing and ballet. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take any photos of the actual show. Darn!
Miranda was gorgeous as usual and danced beautifully! Made all of us want to start taking classes.
After the show, I was able to snap away and so instead of sending photos to everyone, I will just post it here for all to see. Enjoy!
Miranda & her ballet teacher
Miranda & her beautiful friends & fellow dancers
Evelyn, Mark & Miranda
Miranda & her Nana, Shirley
Tom, Miranda & Nikki
Miranda & her favorite Aunt
Miranda was gorgeous as usual and danced beautifully! Made all of us want to start taking classes.
After the show, I was able to snap away and so instead of sending photos to everyone, I will just post it here for all to see. Enjoy!
Miranda & her ballet teacher
Miranda & her beautiful friends & fellow dancers
Evelyn, Mark & Miranda
Miranda & her Nana, Shirley
Tom, Miranda & Nikki
Miranda & her favorite Aunt
Friday, May 8, 2009
My Baby's Babies
I think Nikki was born to be a mother. She is very maternal and children gravitate to her. At a young age, any child younger than she would immediately be drawn to her. We noticed that first when a little girl that Stan’s mother was baby-sitting just plopped down in Nikki’s lap without knowing her. We were all perplexed but the little girl seemed so happy and settled in.
And time hasn’t changed that. We hear a lot of “I want to sit next to Nikki!!” whenever we are around little girls. I have to admit, I love Nikki’s patience, compatibility and enjoyment with children.
But I believe it is innate since no one ever taught her how to be with kids. And it started a long time ago with her ‘babies” and she was a very serious mommy. I know a mommy is not supposed to have favorites but Nikki had a favorite and her name is Stacey.
I don’t remember exactly when Stacey came into our lives but whenever it was, she was here to stay. She traveled so much with Nikki that she had her own passport. -that Nikki made for her.
1990
1994
In Jamaica
In Montreal
Everyone who knew Nikki also knew Stacey…that was a given. Of course, she had many other kids and occasionally but rarely, someone else would come along on our trips. Goldie came on a Disney trip with us and on the plane ride down, Nikki’s Virgin Bloody Mary (sigh..yes, that was her drink of choice) spilled all over the doll. UGH. The condo we were staying at had a washer and dryer and we had to wash Goldie. She was a rag doll with long blonde curly hair. The tomato juice washed out but the stuffing moved around and poor Goldie was never the same after that. She lost her stuffing in her neck so her head wouldn’t stay up. For the longest time, whenever Goldie’s name came up, Nikki would gesture to her own neck and sadly shake her head while tilting to the side. But she was still loved.
To this day, her babies are still in her old room - just sitting and waiting for their mommy to come and visit.
And time hasn’t changed that. We hear a lot of “I want to sit next to Nikki!!” whenever we are around little girls. I have to admit, I love Nikki’s patience, compatibility and enjoyment with children.
But I believe it is innate since no one ever taught her how to be with kids. And it started a long time ago with her ‘babies” and she was a very serious mommy. I know a mommy is not supposed to have favorites but Nikki had a favorite and her name is Stacey.
I don’t remember exactly when Stacey came into our lives but whenever it was, she was here to stay. She traveled so much with Nikki that she had her own passport. -that Nikki made for her.
19901994 In JamaicaIn MontrealEveryone who knew Nikki also knew Stacey…that was a given. Of course, she had many other kids and occasionally but rarely, someone else would come along on our trips. Goldie came on a Disney trip with us and on the plane ride down, Nikki’s Virgin Bloody Mary (sigh..yes, that was her drink of choice) spilled all over the doll. UGH. The condo we were staying at had a washer and dryer and we had to wash Goldie. She was a rag doll with long blonde curly hair. The tomato juice washed out but the stuffing moved around and poor Goldie was never the same after that. She lost her stuffing in her neck so her head wouldn’t stay up. For the longest time, whenever Goldie’s name came up, Nikki would gesture to her own neck and sadly shake her head while tilting to the side. But she was still loved.
To this day, her babies are still in her old room - just sitting and waiting for their mommy to come and visit.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
We Voted for St. Thomas
My last plane ride for 1990 was in November and I flew to Houston to attend a computer course for the airline system we contracted to use in the office.
But prior to that trip, I made a quick getaway with Nikki to St. Thomas. It looks as if I took Nikki out of school over Election Day. She had started kindergarten in September. But in all honesty, I don’t remember doing that but it was only one missed day.
We stayed in a 1 bedroom condo with a kitchen. The property was right on the beach and Nikki, once again made a friend.
But prior to that trip, I made a quick getaway with Nikki to St. Thomas. It looks as if I took Nikki out of school over Election Day. She had started kindergarten in September. But in all honesty, I don’t remember doing that but it was only one missed day.
We stayed in a 1 bedroom condo with a kitchen. The property was right on the beach and Nikki, once again made a friend.
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