The Girls in Vegas

My girlfriend, Winnie & I have never traveled together. Odd considering we have been friends since we were in grade school. We started talking about doing something and last April, convinced our sisters in joining us for a Vegas getaway - just us girls. Winnie found a great deal at the MGM…3 nights at $85 per night (includes tax) - 3 meals daily at their Grand Buffet, poolside cocktail and $20 slot play. I found a $250 roundtrip airfare on Jet Blue and Kathy, my sister made arrangements for the Donny & Marie show. Donny was Connie’s (Winnie’s sister) teenage idol. Kathy researched and booked us smacked up against the stage!! Donny & Marie shook our hands and they put on a great show. It was the highlight of our trip.

Six months passed and before we knew it, we were ready to board our flight. We each checked a bag and I insisted we sit near the back because I have a thing about room in the overhead. We also reserved the aisle and window seats in row 21 with the middle seat free in the hopes that no one would take it. It was, after all almost a 6 hour flight! And we lucked out…we each had the middle seat free.

When we landed, Kathy & Connie went to get our luggage while Winnie and I were able to check in at the MGM right at the airport…what a pleasure! From there, we took a shuttle to the car rental center where I reserved a car from Dollar Car Rental…and once again, it was a breeze. We even got to choose our own car - we opted for a gray 4-door Ford Focus. And we were on our way!



We stopped at a Walmart to pick up water and snacks. Found our way to the gigantic hotel and breezed our way to our rooms by-passing the lobby that had people lined up checking in. Our rooms were on the 25th floor opposite each other. Both had great views of the strip and were roomy and comfortable.

Suffice it to say, we ate our way through Vegas! Oh my! Prior to our trip, the thought of "all you can eat", 3 times daily was a dream but in reality, it’s hard to do! It is A LOT of food! Our first night dinner was great particularly because our server was attentive. Breakfast was my favorite - the waffles and bagels and lox were greatly appreciated. We had lunch once. We never did all 3 in one day!

We walked all along the strip much to Kathy's dismay. We did a lot of window shopping mostly for souvenirs and both Connie and I loved seeing our names on any items. “Connie” is not so difficult to find. “Esther“…well…let’s just say I was in “Esther” heaven!



There was quite a lot of laughter. We didn’t disappoint. We teased Winnie immediately as we drove from the airport to the hotel. Months ago, she suggested we could walk from the airport to the hotel! And yes, while it probably is walk-able…we kept pointing out to her how there was NO ONE walking! Then there was an incident at a hotel. We four walked in with an Asian family. It never seems to fail so we looked as we were part of the group. I mentioned this to Winnie and suddenly she was hiding in a corner. Kathy & Connie were ahead of us and I was befuddled. The sisters stopped to see what happened and we all thought Winnie was crying. It turned out that Winnie decided to try to keep our distance from the other Asians and well…let’s just say…you had to be there. Good times, good friends, good fun!

With all my “Esther” key chains happily in hand…an explosion of “Esther” items or sightings came to being. JC Penny had a pair of boots named Esther…I bought them in black.



The New York City Opera revived “Esther” the opera last Friday. But I also saw on a morning show some bimbo trainer calling a belly roll an “Esther”…harumph...what’s up with that??

Birthdays, Dinosaurs & Baseball

My girlfriend, Ronna who I have known since 1983 - meeting at Home Lines Cruises where we worked together - turned 50 in August. I went to her home in Virginia to celebrate and as it happened, her daughter Izzy (Isabel-my god-daughter) had her 9th birthday a couple of days before my arrival so it was a double whammy.

I flew from LaGuardia to Dulles airport on United on a 50 seater. I hadn’t flown in 2 years which that in itself was a wonder. I was a bit of a basket case prior to getting to the airport but not because of actually being in the air. No…I was freaking out over getting through security. I didn’t want anyone to single me out or have any of my things thrown away because it wasn’t allowed. While I was at home, I was manic with my one quart sized bag. Putting items in, taking it back out and then back in again. It was ridiculous. I finally put it to rest and am happy to report that it went through x-ray with nary a glance from the TSA’s.

The flight was quick and smooth. Although it was light rain, we didn’t have any turbulence….thank goodness. I had flown to Dulles many times and knew the lay of the land but having been absent for 2 years, didn’t know all the new construction that had taken place at the airport so actually got lost. I was to meet Ronna upstairs at “arrivals” since it’s less congested and we have done this dozens of times with no problem but this time, I couldn’t find my way to get to that level. I had to ask information which was quite amusing because the agent thought I was meeting someone who just arrived on a flight. I finally got outside and found Ronna and all was well.

Then I was up and running, so to speak. After taking me directly to Costco after the airport, we went to pick up the kids from school. I helped Izzy with her homework which was something I haven’t done in a very long time -if ever! (Sorry, Nikki) That evening was quiet. We were gearing up for the rest of the weekend!

Friday morning was somewhat leisurely. I was able to wake up late (9am) and relaxed while Ronna ran on the treadmill. After lunch, we went to Target where I picked up the cutest nightgown printed with puppies for Izzy and also a Webkins stuffed animal…the red fox. We picked up the kids, Izzy, Derek - her 10 year old brother and my god-son and also Zack who is Derek’s best bud since he was an invitee to Izzy’s birthday party that night along with 6 other of Izzy’s girlfriends. Oh…and these 9 kids were staying overnight. Whew!

Derek.Izzy & Zack

Mark, Ronna’s husband works for Turner construction (they built the new Yankee stadium among others) and they had just obtained a suite at the Verizon Center. Mark reserved the suite for Izzy’s party to see the show “Walking with Dinosaurs”. All I can say is WOW!! It was fabulous. The suite, (my first time in one) was something I almost wish I didn’t get to experience since now that’s all I want - was really a luxury. A private bathroom…a bar…comfortable seating and delicious food and snacks - plus a great view of the show. The show was incredible with very life like and life-size dinosaurs. The production was very well done resulting in one of Izzy’s friends to exclaimed “This is the best show ever!”



The McKennas

As you can imagine, the girls had trouble settling down in their sleeping bags in the basement. It was incredible what 9 year old girls talk about!! Everything from fashion, the latest songs, kissing and would you believe pole dancing! My bedroom happened to be there also but I was so tired that I didn’t even care about the noise. Ronna said they finally all fell asleep by 12:30am after numerous warnings.


The girls

I had to get up early the next morning. Derek’s first little league game was Saturday morning at 9am. I wanted to go with Derek and Mark to be able to catch the whole game. This year, Derek is a Yankees! And he chose to be number…2...!! It was a perfect morning for a game and they won 9-7. Derek walked at his first at bat and then had a hit at his second at bat. It was really fun and exciting and I enjoyed it tremendously. They have certainly improved from the last time I saw them play.


Derek at bat with a hit

We had an hour break before taking off for Mark’s company picnic. Hamburgers, hot dogs and pulled pork along with all the fixings was the menu. A dessert contest supplied the sweets. The picnic ended with bingo where Derek was one of the winners. We spent quite a few hours there and moved on just prior to dinner time.

Derek is a rocker at heart. Ronna discovered a place called “School of Rock” geared towards kids who want to form a band and perform. At the end of their semester, the kids get to perform at a local club and that night there was a performance which the family wanted to check out. I didn’t know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. The vocals may have been so-so but the instrumentals were…awesome. It was pretty great and Derek loved it. After the 2 hour show, we ordered Chinese take out to have at home. The kids crashed as soon as we got home.

Sunday was a day set aside for Ronna and myself. This was our spa day and I treated Ronna to a facial, massage and lunch afterwards. I myself had a 75 minute massage that was very welcomed. After lunch, we strolled at an outlet and once again we had simply wonderful weather. Dinner was at Kobe which is their favorite hibachi/sushi restaurant for celebrations. Each and every time I have visited, I have dined there. We had an early evening so that the kids could get to bed being a school night. Izzy read to me for 20 minutes before succumbing to sleep.

Ronna and I ended up chatting and reminiscing until 2am! But I did learn something new. Football. I never understood the game but they were watching the Giants/Cowboys game and Ronna walked me through it and I was lucky that it was a very exciting game for a first-timer like me. I think I will be a Giants fan.

I flew home the next afternoon. A very jam-packed few days that have left me a bit turned around so that it will be a few days before I settle back into my routine. But I am glad I got to celebrate my good friend’s big year and Izzy’s creeping closer to double digits.

Ice-Skating and Brunch...a Great Combo!

I have never really won anything big…the first time I felt I won something was a Halloween night that my parents allowed Kathy & me to go trick or treating. I received the typical candies but one place where a party was going on, I got a can of orange soda! Jackpot!

I had accepted an invitation to a benefit that my sister Evelyn was involved in. It was Oct 3, 1991. I brought Nikki along and although details are vague now, I believe it was held in SoHo somewhere. There were balloons that held prizes. The balloon that Nikki and I chose had a wonderful prize. Mark, my brother-in-law said it was the best one. It was brunch at Tribeca Grill and I think the value was up to $100. The restaurant had opened just a year earlier to much fanfare and rave reviews - one of the owners being Robert DeNiro.

I decided to make it a girls’ day out. It was March 22, 1992 and both Nikki’s and my birthday had just passed and Evelyn’s was coming up in April so it was also celebratory. I invited my sisters Kathy & Evelyn along with my niece Kristina and of course, Nikki. Nikki (age 7) had been ice-skating a lot and I had her fitted with skates that cost me at least an arm if not a leg! I had it all planned. I ordered a stretch limo - at the time, my company had been doing a lot of business with a limo company and Ed, the owner and chauffer had become a good friend. He picked up Kathy, Kris, Nikki and myself at my place in Queens. Then we drove into the city to get Evelyn who was living in Manhattan at the time. From there, Ed dropped us off at an ice-skating rink on 34th Street and the East side.


In the limo with their favorite Aunt Bicky

We skated around…I am always surprised how it just comes back to me…like riding a bike except I don’t know how to ride a bike! It was quite cold and I think this was a first for Kristina. Kathy wouldn’t skate so she was the photographer.








Nikki in her very expensive but very pretty skates

After our session ended, it was time for brunch. We were driven to Tribeca Grill where we had a great time. Since none of us drank, the 5 of us were able to have entrees and it came to about $100. So perfect!

It was such a luxury to have a car and driver just waiting for us wherever we went! The girls loved seeing the wide spacious inside along with bar and TV. We dropped off Evelyn and then was returned to Queens. It was simply a lovely date spent with some of my most favorite people in the world.

Peek-A-Boo!

I was watching Sunday morning TV and CBS was show-casing the Met's new exhibit of "The Model & The Muse". Models & fashion and the evolution through the years. The commentator mentioned the 60's when clothes started to be more di-constructed and women didn't wear bras, corsets or slips. This invoked a memory of me standing on Mulberry Street at one of the side entrances of my grade school P.S. 23. It might have been lunch time when we were allowed outside of school and a bunch of us were playing or hanging out. A young slim caucasian woman walked by. She was wearing one of the first see-through blouses - sheer & white in color. Oh, I know...Scandalous!! She passed us with nary a glance. But I remembered the boys were agog - their eyes bulging out and mouths hanging opened. Oh what a ruckus she caused this little group. In all honesty, I didn't know what the big whoop was but their reaction caught my attention. If I could have, I might have tried to wear one but at 10 or 11 years old - it wasn't easy to find! LOL...who am I kidding?? My mother wouldn't even let me wear bell-bottoms!

4th of July - Part 2

Thanks to Nikki....Miranda made it to the party! :-)

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.

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.