October 6, 2011

i didn't see ina. or martha

I had fabulous plans to play Where's Waldo with you all last week and make you guess where I went on my trip.

I was going to post pictures like this....


....and give a prize to the first person who could name the location of this lovely lighthouse.

Doesn't that sound like fun?

I think it sounds like lots of fun.

But like many of my great ideas, follow through was its downfall, and before I knew it, I was right back at home. It seems a little anti-climactic to make you guess where I was a week ago, when I am currently sitting in my cozy house in my sweatpants, drinking my coffee just like every other day of the year.

But this time last week, I was visiting my oldest son and his lovely wife and cruising around The Hamptons and pretending I knew how to say words like Quogue and Ponquogue and Cutchogue.

I was also repeatedly enjoying amazing pizza and bagels, and eating my body weight in cheesecake and ice cream. I was under direct orders from my sister to eat a Friendly's Reese's Peanut Butter Cup sundae, and between that and the coffee caramel ice cream shake that is my daughter-in-law's current favorite breakfast, let's just say I'm glad I brought my fat jeans and leave it at that.


I love that I can now picture my people in their habitat. I love that I know what their house looks like, and where they go for their morning coffee.

I don't love that I will forever be extra jealous when they tell me they're going out for New York style pizza pie while I'm eating my Papa Murphy's take and bake and crying just a little.


We finished out the visit with a trip to the city.

I got to ride the subway.

I got to ride in a taxi.

We visited Ground Zero and even though we couldn't really see much of anything, I'm glad I went.

We ate dinner in a cute little Italian restaurant with Laura Dern. She was behind a curtain that the waiters neglected to close all the way, but as a result of the experience, I feel the need to watch Jurassic Park again.

I went to Radio City Music Hall and saw Cirque Du Soliel's Zarkana.

I stepped in various and assorted questionable substances in the city streets and slept in a fancy city hotel.

I made three different trips through Penn Station, and if it weren't for the fact that my son was my knowledgeable escort all three times, I would absolutely, positively still be there wandering the dark caverns of the New York City underground, with absolutely no clue how to get where I was going.

I know my trip touched only the tiniest tip of the New York iceberg, but it was just the perfect sized bite for my first visit to The Big Apple.

Dear New York Son and Daughter-In-Law,
I miss you!
I'll be back, and that's a promise.
Love,
Ma

40 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful trip so glad you had your guide so you could back to us!!

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  2. Your daughter-in-law sounds like a truly amazing and wonderful individual and I base that solely on her breakfast choices. That's all I need to know. :-) Isn't NYC incredible?!

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  3. Sounds like a fantastic trip. I used to live in NY and only went to the city once for the weekend. We ate at the most fancy restaraunts for just pizza!

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  4. Family, fun, good food, adventures = priceless!
    xo Cathy

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  5. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. The only good thing about your family being on the East coast is that you get to enjoy the adventure that travelling brings. My son in law is in the military and he is getting ready to move my daughter and granddaughter far away. But I echo your sentiments, I will definitely be visiting them as often as possible. Glad your back safe and sound. Patty

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  6. Aw, that sounds like a great trip - I hope to make it to the Big Apple someday!

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  7. Teresa what a fun post! I live in Westchester, just 45 minutes outside of NYC (like lots of families my hubby works in the city but we live outside). Sounds like you hit all the good spots. Next time you must, must stop at all the fancy trim shops, paper goods and fabric shops on 6th Ave in the 30s. The city never fails to provide good tales and memorable adventures, despite the street gunk and swarms of people!

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  8. Montauk light house of course!! Sounds like a ball!! You did all the fun things and smart girl to bring those fat jeans for well....just in case. Unfortunately mine do not only get packed for trips but are now doing a full time gig:)
    Thanks for sharing..beautiful pictures, glad you had fun and hope you will be back!

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  9. You're HOME! Missed you sweet friend. Your trip sounds amazing. I'm so jealous. Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, but never been to NYC. So glad you had a good experience, and that you had wonderful tour guides.

    I have "ridden the rails" in DC, and THAT was also a scary experience. Couldn't have done it w/o my seasoned BIL and SIL. We all had a buddy so that nobody was left behind. Because... it happens.

    Welcome back! ~Sally Wally

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  10. LOL! I would have been looking for Ina and Martha too! The Hamptons look amazing, and I am glad you you had fun in NYC!

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  11. First: Red alert! Red alert! Your followers are currently at 666. I just can't feel good about that. Maybe I'll queue up a false identity just to get you over the hump.

    Now: This trip sounds divine. I really like you. And your people. Would your daughter-in-law mind if you hooked us up as pretend virtual friends?

    Any word on the other trip to NYC????

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  12. I put out a 411 Alert on Twitter and it looks like the issue has been duly resolved.

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  13. I am happy that my city treated you kindly! Visit us again! xo

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  14. Isn't it wonderful to visit where our children make their homes and for them to show you the things that they love and are important to them. I know you had a great time and they were so glad you came for a visit.

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  15. what a happy journey - I haven't been to the northeast in so so long. All the things you describe sound absolutely delicious and perfectly adventuresome! -diane

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  16. Teresa, this was so fun to read. I especially liked this: "the perfect sized bite for my first visit to The Big Apple." But Teresa, Teresa, Teresa, your visit to the Big Apple isn't quite complete--the reason why? T-H-E- M-A-G-N-O-L-I-A B-A-K-E-R-Y. The best bakery in the entire universe. They opened one in Chicago a week ago or so, I live in Dallas and I want them here too. Very much.
    But in spite of missing out on the best bakery in the galaxy it sounded like you had a spectacular good time. Now it's back to the quiet and majestic beauty of Montana. It's a tough life but someone has to live it! :)

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  17. It looks like you had the MOST fantastic time. I always thought people that live in that town just have to be the coolest! : ) The pizza sounds scrumptious!

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  18. Looks like you had a wonderful time! Like you, I need to be able to picture where my people spend their time. It makes me feel closer to them even if they're far away.

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  19. You're so lucky your kids live in an exciting place to visit. My daughter just moved to... O.. hi...o. Not looking forward to going there someday.
    Teresa :-) in Oregon.

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  20. Dear Santa Clause,
    Vicki here...I was wondering if I could have Teresa as a mother-in-law for Christmas this year. Thanks. Oh, and I still want to keep the hunk of burn'n love that I signed up for marriage with 13 blessed years ago. He is a keeper. Cute too. Just that I always wanted a mother-in-law that I could eat pie with and talk "fat pants" talk with. I promise I've been good all year. That's all I want for Christmas. And maybe a puppy.
    Thanks,
    Vicki

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  21. What a nice vacation! I'm still waiting for the chance to visit the Big Apple. It sounds wonderful. Though you will have to be satisfied with Papa Murphy's pizza, I'm sure it was nice to return to the farm. There's no place like home.

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  22. Shannan was killing me. So glad you are outta harm's way now! I am going to NYC in November for just a long weekend. I was there about 20 years ago and went up in the Towers. I want to visit there. The Hamptons look beautiful. Maybe I can sneak in a visit there and kick it with a celebrity. Hopefully not one of those freak reality show wives though.You killed me with Jurassic Park...maybe you should watch her in Grumpy Old Men. Better movie I think!

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  23. for a taste of Friendly's PB cup Sundae at home visit me and check out the pb sauce on my blog. Tastes just like Friendly's. Your brave visit to the city sounds like fun. I would definitely need a guide too!

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  24. Reading your blog hungry is like going to the grocery store hungry...not a good idea. Now all I can think about is pizza and ice cream! :)
    p.s. Thanks again for being a great stranger!

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  25. i was wondering about you? glad to see you were enjoying yourself!

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  26. awesomesauce! What a fabulous place to "have" to visit. It sounds like you experienced many of NY's offerings. I'd say you did good. Love the pictures.

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  27. Wow, my heart skipped a beat when I saw the Montauk Lighthouse! I lived on Long Island my whole life, until we moved to NC and now PA. Montauk was one of our favorite places, we went all the time. Did you happen to get to the North Fork of Long Island? That is where hubby and I bought our first house together and where our hearts are. The farms and vineyards are amazing. Glad to know you went to the city, I am not a city girl but it is definitely fun to go once in a while.

    And yes, the pizza and bagels, oh my, how I miss them! :)

    Blessings,
    Johanna

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  28. Wow, sounds like a great trip! I will never forget my first trip into Penn Station.

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  29. Dear Teresa, sounds like you had a wonderful visit with your son and new daughter. You deserved a nice get-away. Julie

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  30. Sounds like an amazing trip - lucky you!

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  31. It is my wish to visit New York, i am 60 now but will do it hopefully before i am 70 God willing. So glad you had a lovely time with your precious Son and Daughter in law and hope you can visit them again soon, love your post xx

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  32. Aren't those taxi rides a little scary? And Friendly's Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Sundaes are the best! I have been to New York a few times for hair shows, but I never got the chance to do the touristy things. I would like to go and do that sometime, just once. But I am definitely not a city girl! Glad you enjoyed yourself and got to spend some time with your people!

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  33. Lovely pictures! Glad you had an awesome trip!!!

    Nancy

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  34. Oh my goodness! You were right here on Long Island near me--Quogue...isn't it beautiful? And being so near NYC a treat! The best place to live, they'll be happy here!

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  35. Not sure where I've been lately but I missed this one.... It sounds like you had a fabulous time! I know what you mean about picturing people in their habitat! My daughter was in Toronto for almost 8 months before I visited... afterwards it was nice to picture them at home or other places they frequented. Speaking as a mom, it made me feel a lot better when she was so far away! It was also a bit scary being in such a big city and a HUGE airport (the airport all by myself too)I'm sure glad I made the trip and even better... happy that they're back in Seattle, just a couple of hours away.

    It sounds like your trip was fabulous... and the weather certainly looked good with beautiful blue skies!

    ~Chris

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  36. Sounds like a great rip!! Yopu alwasy get the most amazing photo shoots wherever you go too!! I was lucky enough to go to Long Is once too and had a ball. Have never been to NY though, only through it. You make me want to do it...Great post!!

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  37. Oh gosh...I'm having so much trouble with blogger and posting comments. It makes me re-register most times and many I lose the comment and have to re-do it. I should proof and spell check before I do, huh? Sorry!!

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  38. Next trip . . . Give a shout out to Ina and I am sure she will meet up with you. Visiting NYC is a must for each/all of us . . . Thank you for your wonderful photos and telling us about your trip!

    A visit to Meadowbrook Farm is one of my favorite treats . . .

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  39. Did you really eat your body weight in cheesecake and ice cream? It sounds to be like you were in heaven eating this yummy foods.

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