Long Island Love

Good Afternoon!

I am really trying to be better about getting here on more of a regular basis and on account that I am indoors today to catch up from our weekend away I decided to sit down and make time to tell y'all about our fabulous weekend! I mentioned on Friday that I was preparing for Jason and I to head out when he got home from work and anticipating a long drive ahead. As you can imagine traffic in New York City is never a treat but on top of that a Friday night didn't help matters much!

I will tell you although it will see that I took a lot of pictures I didn't! Truth be told I am sad about that because it was beautiful! But having said that as I mentioned in a previous post about my addiction to my phone I am really trying to curve that! Chris and Samantha were so gracious to invite us up there and we were so enjoying our time to be honest I didn't even think about my phone, and therefore there are a lack of pictures. We'll make do though!

Anyways shall we take a look at the pictures I did take?

Jason arrived home around the same time and I was ready to head out the door! He had a quick shower and we headed out the door! We live basically right beside the Holland Tunnel which was about to be the biggest pisser of the whole drive! Its genius if you ask me that they have 14 lanes of tolls at $13.00 a pop and then it instantly goes down to two lanes, if that's not asking for a cluster screw I don't know what is!

Makes Perfect sense right?

I was anxious to drive through Manhattan, obviously I wasn't actually driving but we have never driven through Manhattan (really it was all smart thinking on our part) in all our years there and driving through New York! Of course our GPS is crap and Jason instantly went into a frenzy which in turns throws me into a frenzy because we have the same argument over the stupid GPS and directions all the time. I'm just saying, our GPS screws up all the time and I insist Jason looks at a map and makes sure he knows where he is going FOR SURE before we get on the road to avoid the same mess we seem to experience every time we travel, and he never does... hence the drama. Thankfully we have phones, which I suppose were helpful.

As soon as we got into Manhattan I knew exactly where we were, and although I am sure the traffic would have permitted it Jason refused to let me out to get a purse on the side of the road! Ha! I seriously would have done it. 

Ignore the fact that these are not the most fantastic quality of pictures as they were obviously taken through the windshield. I didn't feel like hanging out the window was the best decision as there were police everywhere directing traffic, I mean we had somewhere to be an all. 

The traffic wasn't this bad the entire way but we definitely encountered traffic like this on parts of our drive. I didn't think it was too bad though, not nearly as bad as I was expecting! I suppose Jason was the one driving though, I was chatting away about anything and everything and singing away to the radio.. time flies when you're having a good time! 

We arrived to Chris and Samantha's house around dinner time and they were gracious enough to have cooked quite the chicken dinner. Jason was in chicken dinner heaven, that is absolutely one of his favorite meals so things were starting off pretty fantastic! We enjoyed the wonderful meal they cooked and then headed to the beach for sunset! Chris and Samantha grew up on Long Island so naturally they know all the best places to go, and are so fortunate to be surrounded by the ocean and have beaches so close to them. 

We packed a cooler with beer (Priorities!) and headed out the door! If you know me at all you know that I love the beach and what better time to be there then to catch a fabulous sunset.. and fabulous it was!

The beach was amazing and the weather was perfect for a night at the beach! Not too hot and not too cold! Sadly there was no bathroom so us ladies kept are drinking to a minimum, like hell I was going to pop a squat in the middle of the beach, especially with the lack of privacy. Although lets be honest I wouldn't do it if it was completely desolate. It was great to be out on the beach in my bare feet, I absolutely love summer and we really have been taking advantage of it as much as we can but let me tell you there is nothing better then beaches and boats for the summer!

Once the sun was completely gone and the bathroom was much needed we headed back to the house for drinks! It was great to catch up with Chris and Samantha, we haven't seen them since Alaska so there was lots to catch up on! They are in the midst of planning their wedding and its really such an exciting time! We thoroughly enjoyed the night and headed to bed excited for the next day on the boat!

We woke up the next morning to the best New York bagels ever! I was pretty happy to start my day that way! While everyone was finishing getting ready we headed to get some deli sandwiches for our day at the beach. Unfortunately the day was overcast but still warm so we were anxious to get out on the boat, it did my heart good to see Jason so happy. He had talked about going and visiting all week and being on the ocean in a boat is really his happy place.. it honestly could have been pouring rain and Jason still would have insisted on going! 

I was so excited to get in the boat, the water was calm and I was anxious to see what our day had in store! Some of the beach houses were absolutely incredible, but there were also a lot that were damaged from hurricane Sandy and it was so awful to see. On our trip to the beach Chris told us so many stories from his childhood and it was bitter sweet! I love being with someone in their hometown hearing about their childhood and listening to stories.. its so wonderful, but it was bittersweet because of a lot of his memories were in places that were destroyed by Sandy. You don't really understand the devastation until you see it first hand, we were in Alaska at that time and I remember it being so hard for them to be away from home at that time and although you hear stories and see pictures its nothing like seeing it in person. 

These wonderful ocean side restaurants and bars are just gone. Sandy brought so much destruction and devastation and rebuilding wasn't always possible. Its sad to think that lack of funds or fear of what may come took away these wonderful once full of life places. 

The boat ride was great and we soon arrived at our destination. Another pro to an overcast day was the fact that the beach wasn't busy at all.. oh, and did I mention it had a bathroom? WINNING! Chris and Jason got the boat set up and our stuff out while Samantha and I set things up on shore! 

The beach was fantastic! We had a great day, and it really didn't matter that the sun didn't come out! We so enjoyed being out the beach and just hanging out! It really was a fantastic day! We headed back to the docks around 5:00pm so we could get ready to do to dinner. As if Jason wasn't already having the time of his life we were going to Texas Roadhouse for dinner! 

The rest of our weekend was fantastic, we are so grateful to Chris and Samantha for the invite and the fantastic time we had! They were so wonderful to us and we really hope to get together again soon! Sadly Sunday Samantha had to work and although I didn't believe it would happen after Saturday night Jason was up on Sunday morning and ready to hit the road in order to avoid the traffic! Sunday's weather wasn't much better in Long Island so we headed out. 

The traffic wasn't that bad believe it or not! We had moments but the drive seemed to go by super quickly!

On the way home we had some great views of the city! I may not want to live there anymore but there is no denying the beauty of that amazing city! On our drive we ended up going over the Koscuisko Bridge on the Brooklyn/Queens Expressway (yes that's the correct information, I made Jason look it up to make 100% sure! Anyways while we were driving over this bridge we saw the most magnificent graveyard! Now don't get your knickers in a knot, its not morbid! It was extremely beautiful, a wonderful eternal resting place! Its called Calvary Cemetery. 

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The place is just amazing, the headstones are works of art, the back drop is incredible.. and area is vast! This place is nothing short of amazing! 

So that was the deets on our wonderful weekend! If you are in New York visit Long Island, you won't regret it! See the beaches, have the bagels and love every minute of it like we did! 

I am headed off to finish laundry and all the fun stuff that comes along with Monday's! I started ready a fantastic book yesterday and will most likely finish it tonight so I will try to review it this week, also stay tuned for my great burrito debate, which ones are worth your time.. seriously, take my word for it, I am an expert!

Happy Monday all!

Blogmopolitan Quiz # 2

I made it back here again today! Who would have thought, I don't every really participate in Blog link ups but I thought I would give this one a whirl! I love Erin's blog over at Two Thirds Hazel  and missed out on her last quiz so I am partaking now! This is basically a Saturday post, or were going to count it as that! 

Have a great weekend!!

Photo Dump Friday

Happy Friday Y'all!

I have meant to post more this week and it has gotten away from me, I need to start just writing posts and then scheduling them to be posted so I don't seem to be slacking so bad.. haha but I say that now. Honestly its summer and I am out during the day and then Jason is home early and we have dinner and usually get out for a walk or whatever in the evening.. last night we did just that and didn't get home until after 9:00pm and at that point I want to get Jason's lunch stuff ready for the next day, have a shower and go to bed. I'm not a morning person and getting up early makes me want to go to bed early.

Anyways this weekend we are headed to Long Island for the weekend, Jason worked with Chris in New York and I got to know his fiance Samantha in Alaska.. they live on Long Island and had invited us out for the July 4th weekend but we had already made the plan to head home so Chris invited us for this weekend. I really looking forward to it, the weather is suppose to be fantastic and as far as I'm told we will spend most of the weekend out on the boat and eating yummy food, I think its going to be fabulous! Besides I love a change of scenery at any point in time!

So I have to get ready for my day, we are actually leaving tonight and I have some running around and stuff to do before Jason gets home, hence my early rising! I truly think a picture is worth a thousand words... so here is 20 of them telling you whats been going on in my part of the world lately!

I burnt my arm last week and believe it or not it looks worse then this now.. its disgusting! Burns are gross and last forever!

Miss Ava, I am quite smitten with her truth be told! She is such a little doll. She is just learning to walk and constantly bobbing around like a drunken sailor, I love it!

Jason's breakfast last Sunday.. enough said. 

Wednesday morning this week was a bit chilly, we headed down to Hoboken for a walk where they have an island built out of the boardwalk to represent the Swiss Family Robinson tree house, its pretty cool!

The kids found a little sand pit with a water table and were in love!

Ava included, this was the time of her life!

Lily & Ava

Yesterday this brazen little bugger introduced himself!

He wanted in whether I liked it or not. 

Last night we headed out around 7:30pm for a walk.. it was gorgeous out!

That big cement thing at the end of the pier is the right above the Holland Tunnel, we walk over it every time on the way to Hoboken.

The clock tower to the left is part of the Hoboken train station.

The night was great, we stayed out for quite some time, we are really taking advantage of all the nice weather we can although Jason is completely over summer! I know.. he's nuts! Jason is more of a cold climate person and with living in the south, being in Peru and then summer starting he has had enough! 

Well I'm off to get ready and meet Mel and Myles for an early outing and then I will get back here and do what I need to do! I am taking my actual camera this weekend so hopefully I will have some good pictures for you all. Also stay tuned for the great burrito debate as Lindsey and I went to Chipotle this weekend and it was my first experience!

Check out this bad boy! I am seriously addicted to burritos!

Alright, I'm really outta here! Have a fantastic weekend!!! 

My Life in the City..

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Enough Said!!

If you don't know this about me, I am terrified of birds!!! They are the sneakiest, sketchiest little rodents I have ever seen! Yes I know they are actually rodents but they might as well be, they are dirty and probably full of diseases.. I hate them! 

Yesterday Mel and I were sitting in the park and Myles was chasing the birds around, these birds that happen to be a little more socialized in the city because people freakin' feed them. I swear I was jumping around and so skittish Mel probably thought I was on something.. oh how I hate birds! 

Anyways the last two days have been quite miserable weather, MUGGY as all hell and rainy which really limits outings because who wants to get stuck in a down pour, you know? Regardless I have managed to get a lot done which is always a good thing.. but let me tell you I really miss the sun! The weather is looking to shape up around Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning so activities should be looking up as well. 

This weekend we are planning to head to Long Island for the weekend to stay with friends and the weather is suppose to be fantastic so I cannot wait!! 

I hope you are all having a fantastic week, and if not its still early and things could very well look up! 

Clothing Today... or Lack Of!

Well hello there,

I bet you didn't think I was going to make it here today.. well neither did I. Although we are not having great weather I take advantage of being able to get outside every chance I get! I look forward to summer all year and although we live in the South and see a lot more of it then most people I still feel like it is never enough.. I am already dreading a northern winter so I am taking advantage of every bit of warm weather I can. Truth be told I am seriously considering going home for winter, otherwise I might be EXTREMELY cranky!

Speaking of summer part of what I love about it is the warmth which tends to mean less clothing which is a double edged sword.

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True story! I love flip flops and summer dresses but this year being a size that I am not happy with it has been really hard to get comfortable with myself in summer clothes. Having said that just as much of an issue has come from the fact that apparently this year under dressing is the way to go! A couple of weeks ago I was at the mall and stopped at quite a few stores to try on some denim shorts... WELL, let me tell you! I will be the first to admit that my ass is on the larger side, girlfriend has more junk in the trunk then she cares to admit but I have purchased denim shorts before that my ass cheeks didn't completely hang out of, where did they go? (The ones I bought before don't fit anymore, I'm talking about this years version). Apparently purchasing denim shorts means flaunting what your Mama gave you... is that really appropriate? Am I too old to be shopping in these stores? Is it appropriate at any age to walk down the street ass out? What am I missing here? 

I have a problem with this because I feel like regardless of your shape or size, this has a lot more to do with level of self respect. I know this is more geared towards young girls, and to be honest that is probably worse! 

Crop tops? OK fine, when you are petite and can rock them.. please do so!! It is a trend that I wish I could partake in but I am just not the right size. I mean there is a difference between the cute appropriate little crop tops that are sported with high waist jeans or skirts and then there are the crop tops that you want to bring to the owners attention in case they didn't know.. that you can see their boobs. 

I seriously considered posting a picture to represent my idea of appropriate and inappropriate versions of crop tops but the pictures available are exactly what my problem is with them and I just couldn't bring myself to post them. Crop tops are a HUGE thing here in Jersey and let me tell you they are NEVER worn in the cute fashionable way.. they are often worn in the PUT ON A REAL SHIRT way! I tell ya!

Why are clothes getting smaller? Why are we encouraging females to wear less and less? It hurts my heart where we are in regards to self respect and I guess I feel the general idea of what it takes to get a man? I have a hard time believing one would barely dress for themselves? Don't get me wrong, I'm really not bitter because I'm not a size 0 and can wear whatever I want because when I was a lot smaller I didn't wear stuff like that than either. 

I guess I just feel like tops are see through or short so your belly shows, shorts are so short your hooha is not much of a mystery.. why wear clothes at all?

Do you know if you go into places like La Senza Girl (Canadian version of Victoria Secret for young girls) you can get padded bras and thongs for 10 year olds? I mean really? 

I'm not going to jump into the big debate about having self respect, but I think its something to consider. Instead of focusing on how we look why not focus on our health, because I promise you if that is a priority the body shape will come. 

I know sex and nudity has become appropriate on TV and in magazines but can we please keep it off the streets? Just sayin'.. 

Having said all that I will say, for those of you who wear what you want and feel comfortable in whatever you put on no matter what shape or size you are, I may not think its always appropriate but I envy your appreciation for your body and the fact that you don't care what anyone thinks. I wish I could wear a bathing suit and feel comfortable and not care what anyone else at the pool thought, but I cant. I wish I could get dressed everyday and where the first thing I put on because I'm comfortable and don't care what anyone thinks but I fear that will never happen! Be yourself, own it and love it.. I respect it! 

So for all of you that are proud of your body and rock it.. I encourage you to check out Shop Mucci on Etsy and purchase one of these!

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That's my rant for the day! Hope y'all had a fantastic Monday that was a little less rainy then ours!

Cheers.