Hello from NYC

Hello from NYC!

Yesterday was chaotic and exciting as Scott and I traveled from VA to NYC for our midweek getaway. In the morning we made sure that Robby was set up to hold down the fort by himself for a few days before we packed up and headed to Pennsylvania. While Robby is house and dog sitting, Timmy is hanging out with my mom and sister. Much to his chagrin and despite his pleas, we did not agree that he was old enough to stay home with Robby. After grabbing a quick dinner for the train, we hopped onto the Amtrak and headed to Penn Station.

We arrived in the city around 8, which allowed us time to check in and walk around Time Square for a few hours. It was a really nice evening! Today we are going to explore before heading to the Billy Joel concert. I am ridiculously excited for this show! 

NYC

 In an effort to thwart getting sick(er), I spent much of yesterday trying to hydrate and rest. Over the past week this virus has traveled to every member of the family and it seems that I am its last victim. Thankfully I've got some good 'Mom Immunity' going. The virus that forced Scott into bed for three days is keeping me uncomfortable but fully functional. 

I'm feeling better today which is quite a relief because we have big plans afoot. This afternoon Scott, Timmy and I will head to PA while Robby and Friend stay in Virginia. We are going to drop Timmy off at my Mom's house before heading to the train station. Our final destination is New York City for the Billy Joel concert tomorrow.

My Mom bought us tickets to Billy Joel's final concert at Madison Square Garden for Christmas and, months of patiently waiting, the day has finally arrived. I am ridiculously excited! The concert is tomorrow but, after much discussion, we decided to extend our trip an extra day so that we can relax and thoroughly unwind. 

Unfortunately we made the decision to extend our trip after our original plans had been cemented. We couldn't get another night at the hotel I booked for the concert so we were forced to make a reservation at a different property. We will have to switch hotels tomorrow morning but, since Scott and I travel light, it won't be a problem. 

NYC, here we come!

dinner

 After a weekend of vomiting and feeling lousy, yesterday Timmy woke up feeling happy and well. After consuming a banana without becoming ill he proclaimed his good health and started to ask about his Hibachi do-over date. True to our promise and despite my recommendation that we wait for another day to allow more time for his stomach to settle, we ended up going out for Hibachi last night. I have never known a kid to delight in a meal experience as much as Timmy adores Hibachi. 

While Timmy feels better, this morning I woke up feeling icky. I'm going to take a nap in the hopes that I can sleep off whatever is bothering me. I have a lot going on this week and I can't afford to be sick!

Rockets and Hibachi

So much for the best laid plans. I was looking forward to spending the weekend outside with Timmy and Friend because we have been forced inside for so much of the summer.  With a forecast calling for cooler temperatures, I had Timmy ready his rockets for launching. This weekend was going to be fun, busy and spent outside. 

Instead, I spent the weekend inside nursing Timmy back to health. He woke up vomiting and with a high fever. He was devastated that we were not going to launch rockets or go to hibachi, although he agreed that he would not enjoy either experience in his current condition. I tucked my little guy into bed, turned on Spongebob and tried to make him as comfortable as possible.

While Timmy was sleeping and recovering, I was able to concentrate on my work project. I accomplished so much over the weekend that I'm starting the new week feeling ready to go. (I'm grasping onto that silver living with all my might!) By last night Timmy was starting to feel better. He migrated from the bed to the living room when his fever broke and he even ate a little before going to sleep for the night. 

Hopefully he will wake feeling recovered and ready to go. Unfortunately we are supposed to have rain all day, so the rockets will have to wait another few days before they can fly. 

Cooler

The heat this summer has been unreal. Even after I thoroughly spray down my limb with antiperspirant spray I often begin to sweat out of my liner within an hour.  Being surrounded by hot air is already miserable. Add a slippery foot to the equation and I tend to avoid the environment altogether. I really miss having a pool. Sigh.

While I am not made for summer, I am thoroughly loving these cooler temperatures. Friend, Timmy and I were able to escape outside for several hours, enjoying the cooler air. The next few days are supposed to be on the cooler side and I intend to enjoy the opportunity. I'm tired of hibernating from the heat!

Timmy has been spending the past few days 3d printing rockets to launch. I think today might be the perfect opportunity to go to the park and see if they can fly. I feel badly that we haven't done a lot of fun activities this summer. I know that it has been a relatively boring summer for Timmy but with everything going on it is difficult to carve out fun. Today will be that day!

Unfortunately I'll be enjoying playing outside without Scott, who is in bed with Covid. Although he feels crummy his case appears to be relatively mild and hopefully he will be fully recovered by the end of the weekend. In the meantime, I see a lot of television binging and afternoon naps in his future. 

Cooler

 After a sweltering streak, the heat has finally broken. Yesterday afternoon the skies opened up and a cold downpour thoroughly soaked everything for nearly an hour. Timmy and I, both eager for something fun to do and to cool off, happily ran into the rain to play. We were thoroughly drenched by the time we came inside, but it was a lot of fun.

This morning the temperatures are already 20 degrees cooler. Friend, who has been miserable in the heat, was happy and prancing when he felt the temperature difference. I know that it isn't going to last, but my goodness I appreciate the reprieve. I am not made for summer.

Richard Simmons

It is strange how a celebrity death can feel like a personal loss. Over the weekend Richard Simmons passed away and I must admit that I am genuinely sad. Although I've never met the aerobics guru, his tapes became an important part of my daily routine during a very difficult time of my life. 

Graduate school was a difficult time for me. I had moved to another region of the country without knowing a single person. Unlike undergrad school, where I quickly formed friendships, I discovered that dorm life changed significantly between the two universities. I was incredibly lonely.

I was so lonely that I began to play Richard Simmons tapes in my room just because he was so upbeat and motivating. When I felt like I was spiraling into loneliness, I grasped onto him promising that he believed in me, and that I could do it. Between the zippy music, the fun moves and his motivating commentary, Richard Simmons' tapes became the background to my graduate school experience. In my mind, the two are forever entwined. 

Richard has been out of the spotlight for many years although he had made a quick return to social media. His posts of motivation and wild self-acceptance always brought a smile to my face. When I heard that he had passed I was truly shocked. The world has lost a great cheerleader at a time when they are desperately needed.