Joy!

Yesterday, I got to spend the afternoon with a friend and tonight I got to spend the evening with another and it was divine! Pure joy! Yup, that about covers it!

Yesterday morning, I got up and headed into the city. Now, when you’re from NYC and you don’t live in Manhattan, when you say you’re ‘going into the city’ that means into Manhattan. I needed to clarify that because a few years ago talking to someone, when I said I was going into the city, they thought that meant I was going into the town we lived in.

I got put together, headed down to the Staten Island Ferry, found a place to park and grabbed the shuttle, then waited with everyone else and got on the ferry, found a place to sit and took in the sights and sounds. The people, all walks of life and different reasons for traveling this vessel. Some people just take the ferry back and forth between Staten Island and Manhattan, it’s a lovely trip and it’s free! It was fifty cents at one time, but that was a very long time ago. You used to be able to take your car on the ferry, that cost money, but now, it’s just people.

You get a great view of the NYC skyline and the Statue of Liberty. Everyone crowds around to see Lady Liberty and then people gather on the deck before docking, to see the skyline as it gets closer. It’s also beautiful at night, so peaceful. I love seeing the tourists clamoring to take pictures, it’s fun.

Off the ferry to meet CWB, what are the odds, last minute trip for me into NYC and she’s going to be at her husband’s family for a holiday dinner, perfect! They drove in, she took the train to meet me and we had lunch, walked, did some damage at Old Navy, go figure! They were having an amazing sale you couldn’t pass up! I got a new hat and glove set and then a hat/glove/scarf set, too cute for words and CWB got a scarf and hat set, were adorable. Are adorable! Oh! On the way to wherever, we passed Kleinfeld’s! Do you watch ‘Say Yes to the Dress’?! This is Kleinfeld’s in NYC!!! OMG! Now I know where it is!

Then…we were passing by Goodwill and saw a bag we both loved so… we bought the bag together and we’re going to share it! That means we have to see each other at least every year and bring the bag with us! Our own version of the traveling pants! Ha ha!

How could I forget, we walked a little ways up and found a Christmas Market! I so love Christmas Markets! There were shops and shops and more shops of all shapes and sizes, well, the shape and sizes were the same, but the contents all different! Jewelry, cards, kids stuff, holiday stuff, food, gifts, you name it! And crowded and wonderful and just what we love! Sigh!

What an amazing time we had, we’ve known each other for so many years, we figured since about 1981! Yes, gasp, oh my! Since we started in middle school and we saw each other through so much! And as things happen, we went in separate directions and thank goodness for Facebook, reconnected so many years ago with passing contact and a visit and then…sometime in the last year or so ago, seriously reconnected and here we are, thick as thieves! We need more of these visits!

Back to the ferry, wow, the subway train and stations were really clean, I don’t remember that from childhood! I got the ferry and as I was walking to the terminal, I saw a merry go round of fish made of sea glass, it was so cool! Don’t you think?!

On the ferry, a nice ride and then I walked to the Winter Wonderland at the Staten Island Yankee Stadium. It’s a winter festival with pop-up shops, games, Santa, a skating rink, slides, music, an ice bar and food. What more could you want. This was definitely something that would be more fun with friends, well, more fun with little kids, but it was still fun to walk around and take it all in. Perfect winter night out with the family!

And…as I walked around, I heard something that told me it’s Christmas season. Bruce Springsteen singing “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town!” Until I hear that, I never feel it’s Christmas. Ahh…

Then it was time to find my car, get some food, Chinese restaurant I haven’t eaten at in years! Then head home to watch Christmas movies, wrap gifts to ship out! Be on the lookout friends and family, packages are on their way! I should have taken a picture of the pile, it was impressive!

Today, I got up, finished wrapping some gifts, attempted to go to see Star Wars, but it was sold out, so back to the house and surprise visit from ‘Mr & Mrs The Bs’. It was great. I’ve known them since I was a kid, I’ve told you about them and you might remember, they are LBK’s parents. We caught up, laughed, talked family, travel, work, well, work for me, they’re both retired

After they left, I ran some errands and eventually went out to meet HW, a fabulous friend from middle and high school, for dinner. We had the best time, talking, laughing, being completely goofy. We talked family, kids, nieces, grandkids, love, life, the pursuit of happiness, travel. Hmm..anything we didn’t talk about? No, don’t think so.

We couldn’t believe how long we’ve known each other either, since 1981, what the heck! I actually met both CWB and HW at the same middle school. I have to say, I’m so glad my parents got a variance to send me to that school! She is funny, fabulous, full of life, piss and vinegar, sass, you name it. Could be why we get along, oh yeah, she’s a red head! Natural though! Ok, so maybe I’m a little jealous of that one!

And again, thank you to Facebook for reconnecting us, I really am thankful, we were good friends in high school and as adults, different relationships, but when I come back home, she’s one of the first people I think of to try to see.

Then it was home and I was going to do something and ended up talking to DLP for a few hours! What a day I had! I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings! Keep you posted!