NYC is Cursed

 Not really...but NYC is attached to some really wonderful memories but sad ones as well.  I recently won an award of excellence from Skyctc as a supporting staff member.  As a result of the award, I was able to travel to NYC with a group of colleagues/friends to attend the AACC Conference Saturday, April 30 through Tuesday, May 3.  

I've been fortunate to travel New York twice in the last few years that it's starting to feel a bit familiar.  Matt and I celebrated our 20th there back in 2019 and had a blast.  Four years earlier,  I went with my sister to celebrate her 40th birthday.  Days before we left. Matt's dear granny, Lucy Bradford, passed away.  

Many of you close to our family know that my grandfather has been in bad shape for a while.  His mental health was sharp, but his physical health has been in decline for a LONG time.  Every birthday, every Christmas, he would say that same thing..."I didn't get my wish this year."  We all knew what he meant - bless his heart.  Sadly and happily, he left us on Sunday, May 1.  My mom didn't want to tell me and spoil my trip but wanted me to know.  I called her.  We cried.  Happy tears.  My sadness was not being able to be at home with her and my Uncle Mike.  Plans are in place to have a small, intimate service in Louisville later this month.  His obituary link.

Despite everything, my time was still enjoyable in NYC.  The conference was great.  The speakers were incredible.  My colleagues were super fun to be with and great memories were made.

Our small group arrived late in the day on Saturday.  After checking into the Hilton Midtown, we dropped our bags off and went to check in to the conference.  None of us changed.  I think we were all thinking we were "checking in" to get all our credentials and do our health scans.  I was in jeans, nothing fancy - just the comfy clothes I wore on the plane.  Everyone around us was dressed for the conference - business attire, skirts, coats, dress shoes, not us!  We were ushered into the Opening Lecture which was great.  I took TWO things from it.  One, this conference was going to have some incredible speakers.  Two, I was WAY under dressed.  So much for first impressions, right?!?!?

Our Provost Dr. J made us dinner reservations at the Brooklyn Diner.  Food + NYC = sign me up!  After dinner, we made our way over to Times Square.  Is there anything more fancy and Hollywood-like than Times Square at night?  The city was hopping.  We made a big loop and headed back to the hotel.  It was a long travel day, and Sunday was super full.

I was charged with finding a place for us to eat breakfast on Sunday, so naturally I picked the best breakfast place that I knew of in NYC - Junior's.  I've eaten there the two other times and fortunately it was fairly close to our hotel.

After our sessions on Sunday, we took a nice stroll through Central Park before heading over to Tavern on the Green for dinner.  It was a FEAST y'all.  We were treated like royalty dining on delicious appetizers, meals and desserts.  Skyctc totally spoiled us!

 

Monday was somber.  Our plan that morning was to attend the 9/11 Memorial.  It's definitely a must if you've never been to NYC; however, it was my third time.  It was especially hard/emotional to go through after my grandfather's passing. 

After the museum, I convinced our hungry group that NYC's BEST pizza was a few blocks away which was nice and quick because it had begun drizzling.  If you've never eaten at Joe's Pizza, it's a must - a NYC staple and super cheap too (which is rare in New York).

The gala was that night.  Drop...Dead...Gorgeous table settings and ballroom.  We wined and dined and wrapped up all the events of the week/weekend.  

Because our hotel was fairly close to Rockefeller Plaza, I figured that would be a nice place to visit on our last day.  We'd planned to leave the hotel around 1PM to head to the airport.

  

Some of the shops didn't open until 10AM so we headed over to Toasties for breakfast and visited Saint Patrick's Cathedral.  On the way there we passed by (and were in AWE of) Casa Batllo: Living Architecture piece,

Christie’s will present Casa Batlló: Living Architecture, a monumental artwork inspired by Casa Batlló’s facade in Barcelona, Spain. Created by Turkish-American media artist and director Refik Anadol, Casa Batlló: Living Architecture is the first UNESCO World Heritage Site to take the form of a live NFT, with ephemeris created using climate data from the city collected in real-time being projected onto Casa Batlló’s facade.

The monumental and multisensory experience will remain up outside Rockefeller Plaza through May 13, 2022. On May 10, 2022, Casa Batlló: Living Architecture will be auctioned off as part of the 21st Century Evening Sale and will be the only NFT offered during the five day series of Christie’s Spring Marquees Week sales. Ten percent of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Associació Aprenem Autisme and Fundació Adana institutions.

  

The breathtaking Saint Patrick's Cathedral which is free to the public and open throughout the week to visitors.  We did a little shopping before heading back to our hotel.  I wanted to snag some gifts from Anthropologie for Mother's Day.  Love that store and could spend hours in there for some reason!

Our flight home was smooth and painless.  We got back to BG around 7, and I was excited to see my sweet family.

Our girl is home for the summer.  Not sure if I've mentioned it or not, but we are thrilled having her back.  However, she's always on the move.  She had planned to go back to Louisville this weekend for Derby and then to Myrtle Beach for a few days.  She's been painting a cooler for her boyfriend Adam for the trip.  Who knew this was a thing?  I guess because I never did Greek life, I wasn't aware.  She's been working on her cooler for two weeks.  I thought she did a pretty great job.  

 

 

A few other noteworthy events worth mentioning...Isaac went to SWHS Junior Prom a few weeks ago.  Having a son go to prom is nothing like having a daughter.  I knew I would have pictures, know all the details, be involved in all the fun of hair, makeup, etc.  My son, not so much.  However, I did decide to tackle flowers with the help of my bestie Larie.  Flowers are expensive y'all!  Honestly, I'm not sure flower arrangements get any prettier than those at Kroger.  I knew I could find a gorgeous bouquet, which I did, with hot pink as the requested color.  I'd purchased some black satin ribbon and corsage pins and viola....

 

Magic Happened!

 

I got a few pictures before he left and waited for the professional ones by the talented Tori Thompson.  I thought he and his date were stunning.

SWHS had an awards day and this year was extra special to me.  Our older two have gotten lots of awards and recognition through the years, but I'm pretty sure neither of them have won a class specific award.  Miles was recognized this year by his English 1 teacher Ms. Casey Stephens. 

We are super proud of how hard he has worked with was evident on his Pre-ACT where he scored a 28 in English/Reading.  School has never been easy for Miles although he's always done well.  I think much of your education experience is having a teacher that truly believes in you and pushes you the right way.  Ms. Stephens has been wonderful and knows how special and smart Miles is.  We truly appreciate her!

  

   

Derby and Mother's Day all lumped into one weekend.  It was a chilly, fun weekend eating and enjoying life.  Our Chef at Skyctc whipped me up some tasty bourbon balls for race on Saturday.  We also brought along our Derby glasses that Doug (Matt's granddad who passed away earlier this year) had collected.  It was fun unwrapping them all and seeing all the designs/winners/years, etc.

My three moms!

Tell Me Whatcha Hate About Your 40's

 

I'm 45 y'all! I took the plunge this week and tried my first ever ICY Hot Pain Relief patch.  I'm in love with yet another thing that gives me comfort in my 40's which is the decade where things break.  It seems like ever since I tore my Achilles a little over a year ago, more and more things are simply falling apart.  I bruise easier and for no reason.  I might open a jar or be stirring something and my finger gets randomly bruised.   If I lift weights or try to do some strength exercises, my muscles hurt. My shoulder has been hurting for about a month which I can only attribute to some floor exercises I've been doing.  It's more difficult to lose weight these days and working out feels like a chore.  I can only imagine what it will be like in my 50's?!?!  And these are just the health related things.  My emotions are entirely another subject.  I know It doesn't help that my eldest Karson is 200 miles away at school, meaning a large CHUNK of my heart resides in another city. Isaac is going on a college visit over spring break, left for Boston Monday, and is quickly approaching his Senior year.  Miles is a total beast and towers over me and will be getting his learner's permit in the fall.  I'm not sure I like this new phase of life I'm in but am trying.

Yesterdays surprise gifts were a stomach and headache.  Matt and I both ended up at home with the same ailments.  Bleh!  It wasn't the way I had planned to spend my 45th but not shocking either.  My stomach is delicate these days.  We'd already planned to do our taxes that evening and didn't want to reschedule that.  It always feels good to get that out of the way anyway.  Big day of celebrating - stomach bugs and income taxes.  What can I say we are party animals!?!?!  Before we left for our taxes, we'd dropped Miles off at the gym so afterwards we picked him up.  On our way back home, we saw the saddest couple struggling to make it up the road walking.  I'd bet they were in their mid 30's but not sure.  The wind was AWFUL, and the man had terrible cerebral palsy.  He'd fallen down to the ground when we pulled up to the shoulder and offered them a ride.  They were literally going to a hotel about quarter mile up (so not far at all), and we're pretty sure had walked quite a distance based on where they told us they had eaten.  They were so pitiful and yet very appreciative.  They didn't ask for anything or expect it, but we slipped them $100.  

We were over at Matt's grandparents house a few weeks ago going through things and came across a cross-stitched framed picture that Debbie had given her dad which said:

  What I Spent, I Had; What I Kept, I Lost; What I Gave, I Have

The only thing that truly counts is the special moments we have with the people we love.  

I did receive some really nice Facebook messages and texts throughout the day.  My sister and Paul came by a little later and spoiled me with some goodies.  Matt and Miles got me some flowers and had planned to pick me up something from the mall which apparently has weird opening/closing hours.  The security guard told them it was closed when they walked up at 7PM.  

My dad and I share a birthday month.  Isaac was super excited to give Pops the Predators hat.  They love talking hockey these days and swap Preds stories.

As I mentioned, Isaac left in the wee hours of Monday headed with a group to Boston.  I've not heard much from him since, but I have been following his teacher Mr. Jenkins on Twitter where he posts updates (and I catch glimpses of Isaac).  A friend of mine has also been sharing pictures with me since her SON likes to give her updates.  I'm happy this year seems to be somewhat "normal" for these Juniors.  What a treat!!!

 

Boston is COLD!  I was fortunate to assist Matt with two student group trips there when he taught AP US History at South.  Layers are needed.  Period.  Isaac took lots of layers thankfully but still looks chilly.

Lots and lots of pictures in no particular order.  Their Boston travels have consisted of college visits (Northeastern, Harvard and MIT), Quincy Market, New England Holocaust Memorial, Fenway Park, the Freedom Trail, Bunker Hill, Boston Tea Party Ship, USS Constitution and Isaac's TWO highlights including professional hockey and basketball games at TD Garden - Boston Bruins vs Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Celtics vs. the Miami Heat. 

He'll arrive back in Bowling Green late this evening - close to midnight.  I can hardly wait to see him and hear about his adventures.  If nothing else, Isaac knows how to have FUN.  

Since we're covering trips, Karson got to take a quick trip to the windy city over UL's Spring Break.  While many in college went south, she and her friends flew north and loved every minute of their time there.  The went to Second City, the Field Museum, Fine Arts Museum, Skydeck, Navy Pier, did some shopping and did a bus tour of the city.

Spring break is right around the corner, and the weather keeps teasing us with warm and cold days!  Let's hope warm days are here to stay soon!!!

Missed a Month

The month of February was a quick one, much like most months these days.  Between school and work, life moves forward like a speeding bullet.  We celebrated Valentine's pretty low key - at home with the boys enjoying some grilled steaks, potatoes, salad and rolls with some romantical music in the background.  We missed our girl but was glad she got some spoiling from her own boyfriend.

 

She's been working hard and continuing to excel at school earning the Dean's Scholar award.  

Paul has been doing some contract shifts in Louisville since January.  I love that he takes her out and spoils her when he's there.  He also arranged for her to get to shadow a CRNA at the hospital he's working at.  Isn't she the cutest in scrubs?  She's been doing research and attending some healthcare career option/planning for the her future in the industry.  

After giving it a lot of time and thought, she decided to formally withdraw from her sorority Sigma Kappa.  While I won't get into the specific details behind her decision, simply put, she doesn't have the time to devote to it, nor the energy.  She's wanting to spend her time investing in her career path and things that truly interest her.  Between school, work and her social life, her sorority felt more stressful than fun.  It was a very mature decision, and we are proud of her for trying it out and committing to it for this long.

She and her friends participated in UL's RaiseRED for Norton's Children's cancer Hospital.  It was an all-night dance marathon event and super fun and raised over half a million!!!

Our girl came home for a quick visit this weekend.  It's always nice having all our kids under one roof.  It makes things feel complete.  She got a massage, got her hair fixed, painted her toenails, did some shopping at Girls Day Out...we soaked up our time with her =)!!!!

Look at our boys..eh-hem...young men!  Miles is at the gym all day errrrday!  Just kidding, but he does go a lot.  He joined Workout Anytime last month and is fully committed to his routine.  Gaining some size and strength should help him with his golf game.  The season is right around the corner.  We're anxiously awaiting getting his new irons and wedges in!!!

Welcome to the GUN show folks!?!?!

The semester is slowing starting to wrap up.  Both boys have the ACT tomorrow.  Miles will take the PreACT and Isaac will have the actual one.  They've both registered for classes for next year.  How is that I will have a SENIOR again???  Time to start planning.  Isaac has done well with his dual credit classes, and we are in the process of scheduling him for his fall/spring DC classes with Skyctc.  It's a lovely perk being an employee =)!!!!

Isaac in his foods class practicing his cutting skills with Playdoh.

 

  

Even though we aren't fully invested in high school basketball season anymore since Karson graduated, we still have fun watching local teams play as well as Kentucky games at the Sadler's house.  March madness is still real!!!  Not looking forward to Spring-ing forward next week!  We are enjoying some of this lovely weather though!!!