One of my favorite Christmas Goodies

This beautiful necklace with my boys name stamped on the chrams without the birthdates. Got it here from One Life Jewelry. She has gorgeous jewelry and is reasonably priced. Thank you DH I haven't taken it off yet.


Yeah I wish . . . anytime I can throw in his picture you know I am going to.

Your favorite Christmas gifts?

Happy New Year!

I hope that 2009 brings you all an abundance of happiness, health and good fortune. I am not very good at New Year resolutions but in 2009 I want to be happier and healthier. This will mean saying "no" more, taking time for myself, and spending more "fun" time with my boys. What about you?

Plop, plop, fizz, fizz

Ever feel like you have that kind of hungover feel but you haven't been drinking? I have eaten so much crap this last week and the stress of family, the snow, canceling and rescheduling Christmas, that I feel like the morning after an evening of serious partying with out the funny stories. I am having a very hard time getting going. But on a funny note, got up early this morning to take BB2 to speech. Get there bright and early and yep they are closed for the holidays. OOPS!
One more week of school out for the kiddos and I am going to try and do more with them. Isn't it sad that Christmas is my favorite holiday and I did not really enjoy it this year . It just came so fast and I thought I was prepared but I really wasn't. I know, I know it is always the same time of year but with me being in NY that first week really put me behind. The snow threw another wrench into it because the boys had 3 extra days off and I was snowed in, couldn't really drive anywhere. I feel like I just got all my decorations out and now it is time to put them away. Anyway, enough of Debbie Downer. It was great to see our newest niece, she is a little fireball and darling. Also found out that one of DH's closest friends actually reads my blog. Hi Bill! Leave comments. How was your Christmas?

Norad Santa Tracker

Want to know where Santa is at all times today for your kiddos? Go here. Need some proof for the kiddos? Ned from Peyton Place shows where you can go to get photographic proof of Santa in your own home. Enjoy! "Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!"

Holiday Wishes

Merry Christmas to you and your families! Here's to many wonderful memory making moments.

Phew!

First of all thank you all so much for your words of supprt and your help. This is now where I am at:

DH saw how upset I was when he got home and he took the dripping box to our Macy's to return it. Not only did they credit our account for the smashed snowglobes they also returned the mailing fee. No problems and apologies a plenty even though it wasn't their fault. Hello corporate... take a lesson from Alderwood Mall Macy's!

This morning bright and early at 7 am Gina, a manager from the New York Store, called. She needed to set up pick up of the broken globes. ???? Apparently I misunderstood yesterday, I was not going to have to pay for shipping them back. But they were charging me for new ones until they received the broken ones back. But it didn't matter because my Knight-in-Shining Armor husband already took care of it. One less thing to get f-ed up on their end. She said they were shipping them out today and I will be receiving them tomorrow. She called back with the tracking number later and informed me there will be a little something extra from Clinique in there for my troubles. Why Clinique? Oh yes, this is the manager of the Clinique counter taking care of me. Gina actually went beyond the call of duty to help me even though this wasn't her department. She wrapped the globes for me personally, after finding the last 2 in the store since they are sold out. She kept calling me back to let me know where she was at in the process. So a shout out to Gina at Herald Square and to Alderwood Macy's customer service ladies. They were able to take this bad bad bad situation and turn it around to save a customer and make a little boy happy.

Today is definitely a better day!

Frustrated to tears

When we were in New York we went to Macy's where I found the coolest Snowglobe for BB1. It had a New York Scene in the globe witha subway train around the bottom. It was perfect for him since he requested a snowglobe from the trip. Timi also bought one for her niece. We had them mail it since we wouldn't have room in our luggage, and we are not allowed to carry them on because of the liquid. That was on December 5th, no sign of the globes. Today I spent an hour on the phone with many different departments of Macy's to track where the globes were. After numerous run arounds, disconnections, etc. I FINALLY got to a real live person. She got the information with the promise to call me back. WTH!!! Ok she called me back with the tracking number. Come to find out I purchased it on the 5th they mailed it out on the 11th and it sat in Redmond on the 18th until today. The doorbell just rang and there was the box. Super excited because here it is before Christmas as we thought it would be since we bought it on the 5th. I open the box and it is soaking wet on the inside. Both globes are shattered. I am devastated.

So currently I am on the phone with corporate trying to deal with this. First lady I talk to everything is going fine and then we get disconnected. I call back and here I am explaining the story to a new customer service rep. Now I thought Macy's was supposed to be king in customer service but I am certainly not finding that to be so. I have never experienced such a run around before. My biggest complaint, why did it take 6 days to mail these items out when the girl wrapped it right there at the register while she rang us up???? And then why did it sit at UPS for 4 days??? Why do they not have protocol available to find your items??? I am so angry and upset right now I want to spit. I think I will be canceling my card, mailing a letter to corporate and discontinue shopping at Macy's.

BTW I am still on the phone waiting . . .

*** UPDATE***

After waiting on hold for an hour (not on their toll free number) I get someone at the Herald Square Store . Gina was very helpful and efficient. She was going to try and locate 2 globes for me since they are sold out and call me tomorrow morning to let me know if she has found any. Not an hour later she calls to let me know she has found two however the boxes they are in are not in good shape and they will have to re-pack them. Oh and also I need to send back the broken globes to them at my expense. However, they will charge my credit card again for the new globes and then refund me once they receive the broken ones. The more I am thinking about it the more I am thinking I don't need these globes. I am appalled at the "help" and at what they feel is satisfactory. I think I am going to take my purchase to my local Macy's and have them refund my credit card, pay off my bill and close my account.

Can you believe this?! Especially during these economic times. What the hell Macy's???!!!

Snow, snow, and more snow

Dear Mother Nature,

Although I have always dreamed of a White Christmas and love watching my boys building a snowman. One (two days) tops would be more than enough to accomplish these requests. This is getting just a little ridiculous. I think a foot of snow out front is taking it a little to the extreme. And now we are to expect more? My cookie decorating soiree' was already affected, do you mean to ruin Christmas too? Please don't get me wrong it is beautiful and we've had a good time playing outside but can you stop now so my brother and his family can drive here for Christmas. I would also like to be able to drive places with out my husband having to chauffeur me every where because I'm such a big wimp when it comes to driving on the ice. Also Jim Forman needs a break on reporting about Snowstorm 2008. Thank you ever-so-much.

Sincerely,

WSULaura

The End - New York

On our 5th day in NY we decided to finally put our NY City Passes to use. We were hitting Museum Mile.
This time we got on the right bus bright and early and headed uptown. Some of the sights.



The Apollo theatre in Harlem. We just rode through there. The brownstones were AMAZING! According to our guide it is now an up and coming place. Largely due to Bill Clinton setting up his office there.

Next stop was the Museum of the City of New York. Laura from a Dozen Eggs recommended this museum to us and I can't thank her enough. It wasn't crazy crowded and it really was just about NYC which we loved. She was a plethora of information for us. Tried to go to Balthazar Restaurant but it was booked (we waited to late into the week). Also tried to get into Magnolia Bakery and there was a line outside around the corner. Fa la la la this time of year I suppose. Next time for sure and maybe we can meet up with our NY savvy friend. Thanks Laura!

Next up on our museum tour: The Guggenheim

Here we are waiting in line. Hmm what can I say, I am really not a Modern Art fan. I think it is because I really don't understand it. The cafe rocked and we had a delicious meal there that was very reasonable. I really was just happy seeing the 2 Picasso's they had and would have left but we walked up to the very top. They did have Catherine Opie exhibition. She is an American photographer. Well after seeing some of Michelle's photographs (like the one below) I think she should have her own show there as well. Sorry Mom not really my cup of tea.

Michelle's photo from the Empire State Building. Doesn't it feel very New York?

By the time we reached here, The Met. We were kind of museumed out. Which is too bad because I would have much rather spent time here than the Guggenheim. Have you read "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" by E. L. Konigsburg? One of my favorite books from childhood that made me really want to go here. Ahhh well NEXT TIME!

We hopped on our bus here and went to the end of the line which dropped us off here:

The Plaza Hotel. Isn't it gorgeous!



So in we went. Here is Michelle and Genine in the lobby. We went to see if we could have High Tea in The Palm Court. Ha ha yeah right, totally booked. But the lovely hostess recommended going to The Champagne Bar where we could get coffee, tea, and treats. So off we went.

Me and Michelle hamming it up in the glamorous bar area.


Timi and Genine. It was so decadent. We spent a good 2 hours there enjoying our Vueve Cliquot and people watching. Not to name drop ... but we did see Betsey Johnson.

We also met the nicest women there. They have been coming to NY annually since they met 20 years previously. Shout out to our new friends Ruby and Marilyn. Two classy women who have definitely inspired us.


Here we are with them in front of the tree.

Another NY institution. Creator of the Little Blue Box. Timi went in and got her cupcake charm.


Michelle's husband works here and we thought this was a cool sight to share with him. Can you just guess what part of town this is located?

Flashy police station that was tiny.

On our very last morning Michell, Genine and I packed our bags and checked out and then headed for The Empire State Building. Timi had been there on her last visit so she went off to peruse the Shabby Chic Store.

Here we are after waiting 2 and a half hours to reach the top. Yes, we are still smiling.

Rockefeller Center from the top of the building.


Some gorgeous views from our talented friend Michelle.

And that was the end of our trip. we headed straight to our hotel from The Empire State Building and our car was there loading our luggage to take us to the airport.

Truly a wonderful and memorable trip. I cannot imagine going with anyone else. Thanks ladies!

New York Day 4

Thursday started out a lot later. We rolled out of bed at 9 and didn't leave the hotel till 11. We were planning to jump on our bus but we weren't quite sure where to catch it. So we just started walking looking for the nearest pick-up point.



Here we are trying to figure out where that was. Did a whole lot of this. Each time we pulled out the map someone would stop to help us find our way. Every New Yorker we experienced was so friendly. Didn't really find it so we just kept walking and got lost, but in a good way. Look at what we discovered.




NYU



A church along our way.



Washington Square? Finally we made it to our bus stop on Bleeker street. Before we got on we stopped at Rare for a burger and fries.




Here we are waiting for the bus. Michelle is demonstrating how to hail a cab.

The view out the window of the bar and grill. Taken from inside with Michelle's fancy schmancy camera.

Loved this bike and the photo.


One of NY's finest.

So we hopped on the bus and get going for about 2 stops to Canal Street. The tour guides recommended if we wanted a good knock-off to go with the ladies that come up to the bus. Well this is where she took us...to a van (not this one but one like it up the street). Genine and Timi got some cute bags! Michelle and I had to play it on the down low and walk the neighborhood while we waited.


Caught the bus again and this time got off at the twin towers.




Building is coming along. It is very surreal and I am sad to say the fire station closest to the site that became a memorial is now gone.


From there we walked down to the water and walked to Battery Park. Just look at some of the pictures.

Looks familiar doesn't it.

Looking across at Hoboken, NJ

Looking a little tired from all the walking. So we walked up past battery park to another of our busstops and caught it back up to Times Square where we got off and walked to Bloomingdales to do some shopping. After picking up a few gifts and asking some locals where we might find some good pizza. We caught a cab and headed to John's Pizzeria on Bleeker street.



Yummmmmmm! It was great and we got all of our husbands matching t-shirts so they can start a band or at least look cool when playing Guitar Hero.

Candy Cane Meme

Preppy Sue has tagged me for a Candy Cane meme. The instructions are to copy, paste, answer, add a question, then tag the 3 bloggers with the most recent updates on your blog feed/roll.

1. What is/are your favorite Christmas Movie(s)?

Love Actually, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, The Year with out a Santa Claus, Miracle on 34th Street (both), Auntie Mame ( Rosalind Russell version) and It's a Wonderful Life.

2. Favorite Christmas Song?

Baby It's Cold Outside - Doris Day and Bing Crosby, Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt, and all of Harry Connick Junior songs off of his Christmas CD's

3. Favorite Holiday Memory?

Going to look at lights in Ballard, baking cookies with my mom, decorating, and opening stockings Christmas morning

4. What is your favorite cookie/treat to make?

Spritz and sugar cookies

5. Have you ever made an igloo?

No, never. I think it is because good snow is hard to come by here in the Seattle area.

6. Do you love Starbucks?

This time of year it is a tall, reduced-fat egg nog latte for me, while normally it is a grande non-fat latte, but I am finding the peppermint mocha to be quite a treat as well. So I 'd say yes, I do love Starbucks. In fact, I am thinking about buying stock.

7. What makes the perfect snowmen?

Snow, kids, good gloves, carrot, rocks for the eyes, scarf and a hat. Then hot cocoa and spritz cookies to warm up.

8. Not sure what happened to #8 so we'll move on...

9. Best gift you have ever received?

I don't remember how old I was , 8 maybe, Barbie Townhouse with the elevator. OMG they have it on EBay. A very big deal because my parents did not have a lot of money and this was expensive back in the day. I loved that toy and played with it forever.

10. What is the snowman's name on Rudolph?

Sam the Snowman ( yeah I looked it up on google)

11. Silver or Gold?

Silver because it closest resembles Wazzu's colors of Crimson and Gray (anytime I can give a shout out to the alma mater)

12. What is your favorite Christmas decoration?

My vintage ornament tree and the 3 carolers from my mom's house that she gave me last year.

13. What's your Christmas decorating style?

On crack. The more the merrier.

14. Do you hang stockings?

Yes we do. They were all crocheted by DH's grandmother before she got Alzheimers. Very sentimental.

15. How many days do you celebrate Christmas?

It feels like the whole month of December. Really we go to MIL's on Christmas Eve and then everyone comes to our house Christmas day for brunch.

16. What was your favorite ornament on the tree as a child?

The one's my mom made when she was a child. She gave me a few this year.

17. Where will you be spending this Christmas?

MIL's Christmas eve; extra special this year because SIL is here from Kansas City with our new niece. Christmas day here at our house.

18. When do you open presents?

Christmas eve and Christmas morning.

19. Real tree or artificial?

3 artificial. Or, as we like to call them, "everlasting faux".

20. Is there any chance you'll have a white Christmas?

We are home to day for a snow day and the weathermen are predicting a white Christmas here with this cold front blowing through.

Okay, I'm tagging...

Quintessential Procrastinator

The Pink Clutch

Pink in a Sea of Blue

Thanks Preppy Sue, that really was a fun one and brought back some great memories.

New York - Day 3 and randomness

Me and Genine in the bitter cold at the Today show. We got our sign on tv for a few seconds and then Meredith Viera came over and shook our hands. Plus...she called me honey!
Then it was time to go.


Off to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.







Yes, we are really here. No matter how bundled up we were, still couldn't get warm. The sad thing was it really was nice when we were there. It dropped down to 10 degrees the day after we left.


Ellis Island



Views from the tall lady.

Brooklyn Bridge

How New York, the ferry from Staten Island.

After we spent the afternoon admiring the past. We hopped on the tour bus to be dropped off at the Tenement Museum on the Lower East side. It was a great way to get an idea of how the people coming to Ellis Island lived . Totally recommend this museum!

From there we walked to our next destination: Lucky Cheng's.

That's right, a Drag Queen Cabaret show! Nothing but the best for us.

The razor-sharp hostess of the show. Can you guess what song she sang?

One of our waitresses.

Too much fun! And...the food and drinks were tasty.

I had a Laila Pop and a Pink Pussy. Hee hee.

Happy Blow Job to me!

I am sorry I have been absent from the blog. I am, like everyone else, way busy with the holidays. Between decorating, school volunteering, baking cookies, buying presents, addressing envelopes and taking care of sick kids I am being pulled in all directions. I am bummed because I was supposed to meet up with one of my favorite bloggers today for lunch and had to cancel because of a sick kid and a clumsy kid. Oh yes, BB1 was up all night with an ear infection, finally fell asleep at about 3 am. BB2 when getting ready for school, stepped on a piece of toothpick that got wedged up in his heel. He comes screaming to me and I got some of it out but didn't think I got it all. Called Dh to come take him to emergency room because he is hollering about how much it hurts. DH gets home, pokes around with needle and nothing in there. I got it all. Rush to catch bus and call back school a third time to say BB2 will actually be there. Comedy of fuckin' errors.