I loved today

Last week in Central park. It was bursting with color & there was something about
the shape of this tree that drew me in.

I was invited by a friend to teach a card class to some girls who reside in a treatment center full-time. It reminded me of my days as a teacher in a similar setting. There's something about teaching that crowd that I really like.

Mr. E was describing some artwork he did at school and said, 'that thing is a courtney-topia.' I like courtney-topias, don't you??

Just noticed today that my watch was still on NYC time. It's nice to know that time is irrelevant in my real life...ha! yeah, right.

Upon arriving home from the card event, my husband had the house vacuumed, dusted and the bathrooms scrubbed. Seriously, I am so spoiled.

I wore tights today. I love tights, I always have. These are extra cool because I bought them in New York. They're mustard yellow and have a herringbone pattern on them. I'm loving the tight trend right now & hope it sticks around.

Only a few more days until some family arrives for my favorite holiday. Over indulging on a feast and acknowledging how much my cup runneth over with blessings is the best occasion & reason to celebrate of the year.

Have you seen this yet? I just watched it for the first time; it makes me warm and fuzzy all over. What did you love about today??

thrilling. amazing. exhausting.

New York was fantastic. Despite coming home without my iphone (it got stolen in the subway), the trip was epic. Even that episode could fall in the 'epic' category though, because I got to spend time with the NYPD because of it. Not everyone gets that experience, right? Lots to say but right now I'm still tired and the laundry and unkempt house are a top priority.

Be Thankful

Mr. E and I got our tom turkeys ready the other day and now we're busy thinking of things we are grateful for (not a hard task). Each morning we add one to another feather until turkey day arrives. He likes to draw pictures which will make for a very fun turkey by the time it's complete.

Tomorrow

...bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, they'll be sun!

Tomorrow, I love ya...tomorrow, you're only a day away...

Tomorrow a dream comes true for me.

I recall watching Annie as a girl and daydreaming about walking the streets of New York just like her. I loved her spunk....and those rags to riches stories were (are) so appealing!

Leapin' Lizards...let's hope that it's everything I've dreamed of all these years.

Evening of Excellence

We took on the theme of a county fair this year for our Young Women's Evening of Excellence. It turned out so cute & was a fun night in honoring the girls' achievements.

Here's the invitation, which I think would be darling as a birthday party invite.Each table had a value ribbon attached and the girls presented their 'county fair' entries. These were projects or other things they have completed throughout the year.The refreshments were typical fair food & very tasty: caramel apples, homemade root beer & popcorn.Every girl was able to participate in a couple of games. We had a dart game, bean bag toss, fishing pond, stringing fruit loops on a string, mini bowling and doughnut eating. When they completed their game, their mom stood and talked about what they've done and achieved during the year. Some moms even got lucky enough to participate in the pie eating contest.Then some dads got their turn being the turkeys in the turkey shoot. The smiles on the girls' face when they managed to hit the 'turkeys' was classic.

Overall, a very successful night and definitely one of those nights where I come home so grateful to work with these amazing young women. They each have so much to offer the world. I hope they continue to set goals and see their dreams come true.

Phillips vs. Goodwood, i.e., stinks vs. doesn't stink

Today I had a freak gasoline fight accident (name that movie.) I stopped at Phillips 66 to get gas. As I pulled the pump out it was already engaged & suddenly I was fighting to stop it & gas was spurting everywhere. It took at least a minute or two to get it un-stuck but by that time 2.6 gallons of gas were rolling down the hill in the parking lot. I hurriedly stuck the un-stuck pump in my car & proceeded to fill the tank. Upon completing that task I went in and explained the unfortunate incident with the gas. Counter girl, who had vampire eyes, i.e., special contacts, got on the phone with manager. Manager said there's no way they can credit my card. Manager suggested I call Phillips corporate. Manager says they had no way of knowing the pump was broken. To that I wanted to say, "Duh, I had no way of knowing it was broken either!" Manager....blah blah blah. Manager stinks. Mind you, the $4-5 that's on the line here is not that much. I waste more than that all the time, i.e., a gym membership that's gone unused for a month, but in the spirit of good customer service I wanted recompense!

This whole experience was ironic/funny/strange because it was the polar opposite of something that happened last week at Goodwood BBQ. I met a friend for lunch and we each ordered a sandwich & onion rings to share. When they served our sandwiches, our onion rings still had not come. I simply asked about them and waiter said they'd be right out. True to his word, within 4-5 minutes our oh-so-delicious rings, i.e., the biggest and best you've ever tasted, were being consumed. No big deal. I didn't think anything of it. Not ten minutes later a man, i.e., manager, came by and asked how our meal was. Perfect, delicious, we said. He apologized for the delay and stated the onion rings would be taken off our bill. Wow, I was stunned. Then, another shock. He said in addition if we desired dessert we could have that on the house. What service! Goodwood manager does not stink.

Moral of the story?
Eat at Goodwood. Don't buy gas at Phillips,
and
Zoolander is a really funny movie.

My lil' Guy

The photographer that came to mr. E's school this year had a guys & dolls theme with all the props and costumes. I think it suits him very well. In fact, he looks like a regular performer behind the camera.

What is up with him looking like he's 10 years old?? He can't grow up any faster....where's the pause button??