I'm Home, Physically...

But "I left my heart in New York City"...oops, wrong tune, isn't it????

Seriously, DH and I had an AMAZING time in the Big Apple. I'm going to recount some of it here and I'll add pics once I get them uploaded.

First of all, I am a total baby when I fly. I'm OK when I get up there; it's the take-offs and landings that make me a wreck. The thought of flying with my dh while the kids are on the ground, makes me even more of a wreck....I know, I know, it's a bit of a "sickness" called "CONTROL"! I told DH that I would fly to help me get over my issues....and I'm SO GLAD that he followed through on it. Having him next to me was much better than flying alone...which is what I usually do.

It took us TWO hours to make the 30 minute trip into the city from the Newark Airport on Wednesday afternoon. I had to face another one of my issues as we inched our way through the Lincoln Tunnel on a bus with other buses, taxis, cars, and tunnel walls only inches on either side of us. Again, not so bad with DH by my side.

DH told me that most of the shows had been sold out and some right up through March. He asked if I wanted to know "Plan B"...and he brought out the tickets for three shows. I LOVE the theater...and was totally excited about this part of our trip.

Wednesday night, we ate a magnificent meal and then we saw,
Monty Python's Spamalot a 2005 Tony Award Winner. Now, I am not a Monty Python fan, but this show WAS funny!! I enjoyed it. We walked to our little "home" on 42nd Ave. and 2nd St. It was quite a ways...but what a view as we passed through Times Square, Grant Park, and Grand Central Station.

Thursday, we went down to Battery Park to see the Statue of Liberty. The line to get tickets for the ferry stretched forever. So, we skipped waiting all day in the line, looked at the Statue from the shore and walked down Broadway. We saw Ground Zero and went into a deli across from the former South Tower. AMAZING! We also enjoyed walking through a mini-museum that has been created at the site. It was sobering to see artifacts from that horrible day. People were so quiet. Some cried. No one was loud. And no one moved fast. It was just a stillness in that place.

We saw Canal street....it was PACKED with people. We enjoyed visiting a local pub to rest our feet and people watch. We got back just in time to prepare for another MAGNIFICENT meal and head to The Producers starring Tony Danza. It was even funnier than Spamalot (in my opinion). I hadn't seen the movie and only sort of knew the music. It was GREAT fun!

Yesterday, we bought a bus tour for my sore tired feet. I wore new shoes the first night and I totally DO NOT understand how people walk around in their Prada shoes on the streets of New York. (And, Heather, I totally know how your Mother broke her leg there!!) So, to give my blisters a break, we took the tour. Anyway, we saw all of Uptown and Harlem, Downtown Manhattan, and Brooklyn on this. It was quite informative and a great way to cram a lot of "sites" into a short amount of time.

Last night, we ate at a great restaurant (dh did a GREAT job planning dinners)! It was another quaint restaurant with fantastic food. Then, it was on to the most coveted tickets we had....for WICKED!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have the CD for this show and LOVE the music.

It was stunning! I was riveted throughout. The scenery, the vocals, the theater....it was all....well....PERFECT!!! In fact, I want to go grab tickets to see it in February here (C, C, and Mom, let's stop talking about it and DO IT!). There simply was no way to stay in your seat after it was over....it screamed ovation. WOW!!

As with most "dreams" it all ended too soon...but probably right on time. I have a little head cold and definitely noticed the place getting more and more crowded in preparation for the Times Square festivities tomorrow. There is NO WAY I would be caught dead in that crowd. Walking through crowded Times Square two nights ago and imagining that number magnified by thousands, again confirmed that to me.

If I didn't say it before, I'll say it here...DH and I never really had a Honeymoon. We have not really gone on a true vacation together alone in 20 years. After these glorious three days, I know that we will not wait another 20 years to do it again.

I love you, hon!! And, to quote another song,

"Thanks for the Memory!!"

Start Spreadin' the News....

I'm going to be a part of it..............

New York, New York!!

DH whisked me away to New York City. We will see three Broadway Shows in three nights. Our days are pretty open so we can explore this city. Last night, we saw Monty Python's Spamalot. Tonight we will see The Producers....And tomorrow night???

WICKED!!!

I am so excited to see all these shows. I have no idea HOW DH got tickets to all these sold-out shows...but I'm glad he did!

I've gotta' go....I'll blog more later...and maybe post some pics when I can.

Menopause....One More Time!

You may want to read last year's post regarding Menopause the Musical before you read this one.

This year, it came back to my hometown. As I talked with my Mom, Stepmom and SIL about birthdays, I really thought we just needed a "Girls' Night Out". So, they agreed to go see this musical that I enjoyed so much one year ago.

Last night, was our night. There was no "Estrogen Induced" fit like last year, no. But, there was a HUGE ball of testosterone sitting in front of me! I told the girls, "Boys don't belong at this show." This man was BIG. It was kind of like having a wall erected between me and the stage. Just before the show started, I did ask one of the attendants if all the seats were full. They were. She offered to come help me find a way to "wiggle my chair" so I could see. I reminded myself that I wanted to be calm and I sat down.

Actually, I could see fine 90% of the time. We laughed until we cried. It is just a funny portrayal of "Woman-hood" and all that (ahem) maturing has to offer! I had to laugh though, at one point the place was erupting in laughter and the two men in front of us (the wall and his friend) who were there with two women, just sat staunchly. They didn't clap. They didn't move. I'm thinkin' they knew they simply did NOT belong in a show about female changes!!!! I can almost hear them in their best Desi Arnez impression, "LUCY, you got some 'splainin' to do!"

WE were smart enough to leave all the boys in our families (and there are PLENTY of them) at home. We topped our evening off with a trip to Panera's for some coffee and pastries.

I think we should do it again, sometime. Girls???? What do you say???

Tripping Jesus....

OK, now I am sure THAT title makes you go, "HUH?"

As I said, we are in the Windy City of Chicago this week for the Reading Association Annual Conference. Today was pretty much an "on your own" day as the conference sessions don't start until tomorrow. We are staying right on the Magnificent Mile...so there was plenty to keep us busy....but to stay out of trouble (and debt), we decided to go to a show this afternoon: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was the winner.

The theater is a quaint little theater near the water tower. We sat down (in the very last row) and put our shopping bags next to the emergency exit door beside our chairs. Before the show started, one of the ladies in our group said, "I hope there's no emergency." We made sure the bags were mostly out of the way, but were certain that we could move them fast enough should the need arise.

The show is a hysterical little musical that chronicles the annual spelling bee competition. It features several "misfit" type characters vying for the top prize. (As an aside, one of the characters was played by James Earl Jones II...who has a PHENOMENAL voice.)

About an hour into the show a few of the contestants are out and the over-achieving Asian girl stands up to spell some long words and she cries out, "Oh, dear Jesus...."

Suddenly, through the emergency exit door in a white robe, complete with light-up heart, and smoke runs Jesus! Imagine our surprise as the door opened...there was no time to move the bags (like we thought there would be if necessary). Nope...he simply jumped right over them and into the crowded theater. Actually, I am quite surprised he didn't trip and roll right down the stairs!

The song was great as the girl and Jesus share a conversation about winning and losing and Him loving us anyway.

And almost as quickly as he came in...he ran BACK out through the Emergency Door.

I laughed. I thought how often I DO put things in between me and Jesus. And I thought about the fact that he simply leaps right over them to get to where He needs to be....

It was a gentle, but strong reminder that:

I am so thankful that HE doesn't get tripped up over MY junk....and that He loves me whether I win or lose.

A Contrast in Characters

And my "Get-the-golden-rule-under-your-belt-one-way-or-another-week" continues!

Tonight, my friend, Elaine took me to see Grease at a local theater. She received these two tickets for her birthday a couple of weeks back. Since dh is out of town, son 4 stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's, and the older boys had plans, we decided at the last minute to take ds 3 with us. I called the theater to make sure they had tickets available and was told, "You come in early and the box office manager can work his magic." For those of you who read my Menopause the Musical blog...relax...we are NOT going to the "box seats" this time!

As promised, the box office man did find us a seat in the same row, just 6 seats down from our two seats. Since we were in row three, we thought this would be best...and we thought for sure that people might not mind just scooting over one seat so son 3 could sit with us and not have to sit alone. After all, he's only 11.

Seats 11 and 12 showed up---season ticket holders. They were a nice older couple who had just come back from watching their granddaughter perform in the same musical in Connecticut. Definitely proud grandparents. In our conversation, we explained that we were hoping people might be willing to shift in the row to allow son 3 to stay next to us. The gentleman said, "That shouldn't be a problem...but you never know. You know how people sometimes are." He assured us that he and his wife would be happy to move if the seat next to them stayed empty.

It looked pretty promising until moments before the show when seats 7 and 8 showed up. Now I should make sure that every reader understands that we live in a community with many retirees and people who have earned the "right" not to budge from what they want when they want it. And, unfortunately, many of them exercise that right on a regular basis.

We tried to explain to these two people our predicament and asked kindly if they were willing to shift ONE seat to the right so that ds 3 didn't have to sit alone. The man said emphatically, "I paid for seats 7 and 8 and I will NOT sit in seats 6 and 7!" Am I the ONLY person who thinks this was absolutely ridiculous????

DS moved down alone to seat 3 to wait and see if we could shift the other way. In the meantime, the lady and husband with attitude snuggled up next to me in their seats and did not say another word. I admit that I had to ask forgiveness for my thoughts at that moment...but restrained from saying anything to them. (With help, maybe I'll get this rule thing down, yet.)

At showtime, the seats next to our new friends in seats 11 and 12 were still empty...we all moved down at their suggestion...and ds 3 sat right next to the people who have earned and exercised the "right" not to budge. Actually, it centered us more than we already were.

We thoroughly enjoyed the show.

Now, I realize this truly WAS a contrast of characters. See, the people in seats 11 and 12 explained to us that they are Christians and don't see why people have to be so rude and inflexible. We learned a lot about these two people during the evening and really enjoyed our time together. Seats 7 and 8 never spoke to anyone else the rest of the evening. They didn't even look like they LIKED each other much less anyone else around!

I told son 3 later, it's a lesson that we all need to remember. When we have the opportunity to demonstrate kindness for others, then we need to do so like the people in seats 11 and 12.

I only have one question: I wonder if this cancels out the pizza experience?

(disclaimer to all retired persons: I am well aware that there are wonderful people living out their retirement years with compassion and kindness. I also know that my comment about those retirees living in our area in no way applies to everyone. In other words, "If the shoe doesn't fit, don't wear it.")

One additional menopause detail...

It occurred to me this morning that the lady who was throwing the fit at the window was in the box seats that would be equivalent to President Lincoln's. I'm thinking "Peter Pan Man" was probably glad to lock us all away from the rest of the crowd!

Oh well.

Menopause the Musical

Today I went with a couple of friends to see Menopause the Musical. We weren't five feet in the door before we knew that we WERE in the right place.

Last week, I purchased tickets online. All was well. I got the confirmation email. Now, you know that they never ask you for those things...so I left it at home. We walked into the large lobby of the theater and the room was filled with women of all ages. When we got to the box office, there was a woman in line being quite hormonal with the man tucked safely behind the glass. She was in a fit because her tickets were lost. I thought, "Wow, she really DOES need to be here!"

I walked up to the lady next to the man behind the glass and I told them I was there to pick up my tickets. They said, "There are no tickets, do you have your confirmation number?" Of course, my answer is "no". Inside I was thinking, "They NEVER ask for that!" She said, "I am sorry but I can do nothing without the confirmation number."

Not wanting to throw a fit like the lady next to me, I stepped away from the window and called home. Son 3 answered. I have him get the email...find the number and he dutifully said, "Mom, your tickets were confirmed for 2:00 on the 19th. That was yesterday, Mom." I'm not sure but maybe HE was thinking, "YEAH she definitely belongs at a play about menopause!"

Near tears, I looked at my two friends who had trusted me to get their tickets. I said, "I wouldn't have done that...we work on Fridays at 2:00!" Debra reminded me though that my head has been in a thousand places this week.

I marched up to the window and talked to the man in the Peter Pan shirt who had just finished being scolded by the woman. He said, "What's your name?" I told him. In my head, I was repeating, "I will NOT be like that lady! I will NOT be like that lady!" And truthfully I did pretty well until he said, "I found your tickets, they were for YESTERDAY at 2:00!" I swallowed hard and said, "Well, what can you do about it?" Just like it was his mistake. I was wondering if he was glad that this show that has been held over several times since May is ending tomorrow.

At first he said, "Nothing." But, in a short instance, he said, "Wait a minute. I can give you a box seat." I am sure my face told all..."a box seat?" My mind was thinking, the only box seats I know of are the ones like President Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated or the multi-thousand dollar ones at the football stadium. I said, "I'll take them."

We walked up to the second floor and, sure enough, we were escorted through the exclusive door to the "box seats" right up on top of the stage....picture the pictures you have seen of Ford's theater and we were in the box directly across from where Lincoln was sitting.

It was as if it was our own performance. And we enjoyed every minute of it. From "Change, Change, Change," sung to the tune of "Chain of Fools" to "My Husband Sleeps Tonight" sung to the tune of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." It was great fun....and a reality check at the same time. See, I thought I'd be going to see about something I have watched OTHER women go through and that I'd experience some day in the future. I guess my ticket-buying experience drives home the reality that "someday might be closer than I think!"

Walkin' After Midnight

Last night my Father-in-law and I went to see Always...Patsy presented by our local dinner theater. This is the story of Patsy Cline and her friend Louise and includes about 24 of Patsy's songs. It really was a fun evening.

It seems that we have enjoyed our common appreciation for country music since I started dating his son 20 years ago. My dh has NO tolerance (much less appreciation) for country twang music. It simply doesn't appeal to him. I, on the other hand, was raised around it and enjoy it. My FIL and I connected early on in this area as I went to the hoedown gospel hour with him while we visited our local Christian retreat center.

Last night, we put one more notch in our "love of country music" belt. He called me this morning to say that one of the things that he enjoyed was being able to "connect with his mother" a bit. His Mom...it seems....wore the same belt that we now wear. She shared this love with her sons because her husband didn't really care for it (hmmm????I am really wondering about those genes that are passed down through generations!) Anyway, I think great memories came flooding back for my FIL (and for me). He even shared a memory of going to the Ryman Auditorium with his family as a kid to see the Grand Ole Opry and then driving all the way back to St. Louis after the show was over!

Now I HAD to get some perspective on this trip. Today I mapquested from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN to St. Louis and mapquest says this trip is 307 miles. Today it would take 4 hours and 49 minutes to get there. I am not sure what interstates did or did not exist at this time. I know that cars were slower...so I suspect that this could have taken upwards of 6 hours.

Memories also came flooding back to me. Patsy died before I was born...but I am no stranger to her music or the genre. I have been to the Grand Ole Opry a few times with my family. I love it. I know most of her songs as well as other oldie but goodies that you would hear there because of the times we spent there.

Back to my perspective of FIL's experience however, if you stay until the end, you are there until about 11:00pm. If you drove back to St. Louis after that, you'd be looking at driving until 6:00am. WOW...that's pretty impressive! Now, I know another reason that country music is a memory for my FIL.

We didn't really "Walk after midnight" last night (although we sang along with her)...but we DID have a wonderful time revisiting and connecting with this legendary singer and the country music that we both love. Thanks for this memory....it's a keeper!