OUR TRIP UP NORTH – VACATION DAY THREE

Today, we awoke early and decided that the rain and rain and rain would not dissuade us from our scheduled intended trip to the “City of Brotherly Love” and apparently, high crime rates…Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  We arrived here and I was already amazed at how much has changed since I moved to TN almost 7 or so years ago.  The Jim and Sir PirateNinjaMonkey dropped me off at the Franklin Institute (now aptly named The Franklin), and they headed out to The Mutter Museum.  I had decided before we got here today that I didn’t think I could handle the Mutter. I’m easily freaked out by things medical in nature and the thought of seeing preserved body parts, and god knows what else pretty much guaranteed that I wasn’t going to enjoy that.  So, I played it safe and sent them to do their bidding.

Sadly, the Franklin left me a little disappointed this time around.  Perhaps it was that at least 2 of the 3 major exhibits were closed or in transition which left not a lot to do otherwise.  I bought the steeply priced, Museum and Movie package for a whopping $28.50.  This included the museum pass, a 3-D movie and a Tuttleman Omniverse Movie.  I skulked around for an hour or more and saw the new multimedia light show in the foyer area where Ben Franklin himself sits (in marble, not preserved like what the boys were viewing at the Mutter).  I then went to the 3-D movie about the Sun which was interesting.  As I walked out, I got a text from the Jim that they were heading our way.  They were just in time for the Omniverse movie.  It was a movie all about the life of VanGogh and it was fascinating and beautifully shot.  I love art, but I admit I didn’t know much about the painter VanGogh himself other than that he had cut off part of his ear and gave it to a woman.  While he did that, the story explained the situation further and discussed his maddening obsession with painting.  It was like a joy and an almost uncontrollable addiction for him.  The movie focused on his lesser known works in the context of explaining his life.  It was fascinating.  I had no idea how troubled he was, let alone that he ended his own life at the age of 37.

While awaiting the movie, the Jim and Sir PirateNinjaMonkey told me that I was right on in my decision to not go to the Mutter with them.  They indicated it was fascinating as it is a medical museum, but I would not have been able to stomach the suspended body parts, the fetuses, the plasticized cross-sections of real people and the giant colon (just to name a few).  Funny thing was that the only thing that grossed them out was looking at specimens and smelling the odor of a museum employee heating up their vegetable soup.  Just bad timing and strong scent.  Eww.

After waltzing around the Franklin, we headed to our hotel, the Sofitel near Rittenhouse Square.  I like my French hotels folks.  We then headed over to Pod restaurant on Penn Campus and while the food was sensational, it was overly priced and small in proportion.  We then got back to the hotel and headed to a local Cosi for some dessert.  I had my favorite, self-made smores with Oreo cookies.  As I write this blog entry, I am sitting in LaBourse the hotel Bar with my husband and good friend and drinking a beautiful Champagne Flight of Moet & Chandon White Star Champagne, Domaine Chandon Rose and Perrier Jouet Grand Brut. I love my sparkling wine.

I now look forward to the wonders that tomorrow brings and I pray that the weather cooperates.

OUR TRIP UP NORTH – VACATION DAY TWO

Sunday was a day of fabulous family, and some frivolity along the way.  The day began with the Jim and Sir PirateNinjaMonkey heading to the vallhalla of outdoorsmen shops, the giant Cabella’s which is near Allentown, PA.  I decided to stay in at my Dad’s and read on the new Kindle and fight with the new usb modem for my laptop which still isn’t working.  After a nap, the boys/men returned and soon afterwards we were descended upon by my FAMILY, not all of them, but a few choice gems!  My Daddy orchestrated a “welcome home” pizza partay with yummy lusciousness from Salvatore’s in Forks.  So we got to dine and dish the dirt with my nephew and his darling fiancee (Sir SodaBread Himself and Lady Teach – what I’ll name her for now until I think of a better pseudonym), my Brother (M&Ms Man), and Dolores fabulous family: Johnny, Joanne, Christine, David, and their respective adorable children.  It was loud and wonderful.  Not a single southern accent in the room (sorry, it’s something I love about being home folks).  We talked about growing up, ragged on my dear Dad and just enjoyed each others company.  I loved it.

After the family late lunch, the Jim, Sir PirateNinjaMonkey and I headed to my favorite food store in Easton, Wegmans.  It’s just overwhelming.  We spent a fair amount of time stocking up on some good food finds and I swore I saw one of my old classmates but I didn’t want to say anything, for fear of being wrong.  We then went to my second of 3 food must haves when coming home…MARYLAND FRIED CHICKEN.  It’s just so good, you wanna cry…tears of joy.  After that, I shepherded Sir PirateNinjaMonkey to a Seven-Eleven in Phillipsburg so he could get a super slurpie.  Then the Jim and Sir PNM took some night photos of the local scene and we called it a night.

All in all, a great day.

FRIENDS CAN CHEER UP A SICK GIRL

For the first time since Tuesday, I ventured out into the public.  Nose ragged from the relentless sneezing, blowing and such; hair unkempt and just managed to be whisked into a ponytail (I love having long hair); just needing to get into the sunlight and enjoy what was a wonderfully balmy day.  I’m still stuffed up.  I’m still coughing up gunk; but I needed to get out of the house.  I was becoming one with the couch and the bed.   So, surprisingly it was a good outing…

Step 1: Go to Pelanchos with a couple of good friends…the Jim, Mister PC (of Please Feed the Monkeys), and Mister AS.  Eat entirely too many chips because you haven’t eaten a lot for a week and laugh a lot.  Realize that we all need to get together more often.

Step 2: Go to Barnes & Noble and find some great new Foster Grant specs to help with computer viewing and have proof that I am aging.  Ah yes.  Some great scores at the bookstore and some new ideas about a side business project for me.

Step 3: Head out to Turkey Creek where I scored some great deals on tarts at Yankee Candle and some fun Clearance Items at World Market…then when checking out realize you notice someone and since you’re getting loopy because this is your first day out in the real world again you don’t say anything you just point and stare!  Luckily, the fabulous Mrs. MBW and Mr. BW (of The House of Flying Monkeys) didn’t hold my sick-chic styling against me.  It was good to see her out and about and being resilient with everything that’s been going on in her world.  She’s a strong one and a fighter and frankly, someone I just enjoy spending some time with when we get the time.

Step 4: Meet up with the CREW at Aubrey’s on Paper Mill Road for a light dinner because by this time, I’m swimming in “you should be in bed-itis”.  Had waaaaay too much fun with the incredible Mrs. AD & Mr. JD and her sister, Mr. PC (from above), and the awesomeness that is Mr. & Mrs. Dotson (of The Dotsons – go figure!).  We dined and dished the dirt.  Found out that Aubrey’s has really delicious cutlery (since the waitress couldn’t understand Maria’s accent); and just had a good time talking and catching up.  We then settled back in at the House of Douglas where we enjoyed the song stylings of Wii Music (courtesy of Mrs. AD), swag from Mr. JD’s movie closet, random you-tube silliness and more….

I’m EXHAUSTED; but I was very happy to be out of the house and trying to get back into normal, non-sick mode.  It’s amazing the effect that friends have on us.  Better than the Tylenol Cold & Flu I had been doing shots with all week long.  Much love and thanks to everyone for a great day.