Happy Holidays

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Guest Blogging With Owen

Last week Owen learned about my blog. We were eating peanuts and I mentioned that my first blog was about eating peanuts with Owen. I read the blog to him. He asked to hear more. So we read many of the blogs. Then he asked me if I had written any new ones. I had not so we decided to write this one about our date to see the Lion King together. Our day started with an easy, early drive to New York City. When we got there we started walking up 5TH Ave to Central Park. We passed Rockefeller Center and the Lego Store but it wasn't open yet. We went to say hello to the sea lions at Central Park Zoo. We also saw the clock ring with monkeys at 11:00. Then we walked over to get on line at a restaurant called Serendipity. They have famous hot chocolate that we wanted to try. We waited on line for 45 minutes but were no closer to getting in. So we crossed the street to eat at a delicious pizzeria. Then we started walking back to the theater. We walked faster and faster but it still was a long way off. Owen got a cramp from running so much. But it was worth the effort because we got tour seats just in time to see the amazing start of the show with the Circle of Life. It was amazing to see Times Square turn into the African Safari with elephants, giraffes, lions, gazelles and birds. The show was a feast for the eyes with incredible costumes, dancing and singing. When it ended, Owen and I walked around Times Square and visited ToysRUs. We did not buy anything but as always, we checked out the Lego department. It was a terrific day and we both look forward to another date soon.

Turning 40

Turning 40!

It’s official. I am in the decade I once thought of as old. But I have felt no sadness or melancholy about the big 4-0. Conversely, I feel very lucky and happy to have lived this wonderful life filled with health and happiness for the past four decades. I cannot help but think of my friend Eileen and sister Denise who never even came close to this milestone. I have had just enough hardship to appreciate the fact that turning forty is certainly nothing to be sad about.

On my actual 40^th birthday, I celebrated it exactly how I would choose to spend most days, a nice simple barbeque in my backyard with family. We had plenty of time to chat and enjoy the nice weather.

A few weeks later my mom generously treated my sister and I to a weekend escape to Skytop. It was a wonderful getaway for the three of us that included nature trails and heavenly spa treatments and delicious food. The three of us also enjoyed the peppermint spa pedicure (Grammy’s first ever.)

Well- here we are two months later and I am still celebrating! I realize my parents were very wise to realize the wonderful-ness of one-on-one time. I am following their example and rather than doing a single family outing, I am enjoying a birthday date with each member of my family. I thought about a lot of possibilities…. Great Adventure , NJ Boardwalk , Adventure Course and zip line, or Broadway shows.

Last night Laurel and I had our date to Lincoln Center to see War Horse. First we stopped at the Lion King Theater to buy tickets for me and Owen (that will be our date). Then we walked up towards Lincoln Center. We looked and looked for somewhere to eat that would be a treat but not a rip off. As we got closer and closer to Lincoln Center, prices went higher and higher. Five blocks past our destination, we found a perfect place. It was a Jewish Deli/ Restaurant called Lansky’s. After a relaxing meal we walked back towards the theater and settled down for an amazing war drama with incredible horse puppets…. You really have to see it to believe that a life-size horse puppet controlled by three people could so convincingly come to life. It was so nice to spend eight hours with Laurel and have no competition for attention, sibling rivalry or button-pushing. I can’t wait for my next two dates with Owen and Justin.