June 15, 2009

Bright Lights, Big City...

In April I had the pleasure of traveling with my Mom and Sandra to New York City. It was the first visit to NYC for Sandra and I. Mom went over 20 years ago with one of her crazy-crazy friends but believe me people, that is a whole other story!

The trip was wonderful - even though someone ordered up a monsoon for the majority of the time we were there - oh, and I guess I should mention the temperature was somewhat chilly. Still we suffered through!

We picked up our "City Sights" 48 hour-hop-on-hop-off bus tickets and hit the streets. I don't guess there is a Manhattan neighborhood we didn't cover on one of those trusty buses at least once; as well as, Brooklyn. We were even lucky enough to see Queens courtesy of a great driver we had on the way to the airport as we were leaving town!

Now, a little bit about the layout of a "City Sights" bus. They are considered a "double-decker" bus although there is actually only one level (the top) used to carry passengers.




Some of said buses are partially covered with a thick, clear plastic top and others are not.



One would think that during monsoon season the folks at "City Sights" would choose to only run those buses that are at least partially covered but NO, they run them all. They are kind enough to sometimes hand out what they term as a rain slicker - however I believe most people might see it more as a table cloth for Barbie's Dream House.

The "City Sights" tour is definitely a great way to get the lay of the land. The tour includes an real-live-official-tour-guide as well. Some of them are a little sketchy, others maybe not quiet as much.

We took the obligatory carriage ride through Central Park.



It was every bit as charming as you might think it would be - not to mention the carriage driver was kind enough to loan us his blanket. In Central Park we saw it all - skaters, bikers, kids playing on jungle gyms, baseball fields, tennis courts, lakes, Shakespeare Garden, dancers, painters, Strawberry Fields, Tavern On The Green, the Children's Zoo. My goodness, I could truly go on and on!

We also visited the world famous Tiffany and Company, St Patrick's Cathedral, The NY City Library, Ground Zero, Rockefeller Plaza, Washington Square. Well, you name it I think we saw it and it was all very impressive!

The highlight of the trip for me was seeing Phantom of the Opera and Jersey Boys on Broadway. I was absolutely in awe of both productions. They are completely different shows of course and, in my opinion, the perfect shows to see for a first trip to Broadway.

I'm currently begging Mark to take me back one day, preferably during the holidays. I want to see all the sappy tourist stuff - especially the tree at Rockefeller Plaza. I also want to take a second ride through Central Park - this time with Mr Love of My Life snuggled up in the carriage beside me. New York is truly unlike anything I've ever seen before and I look forward to the next time I am fortunate enough to experience another little bite of the Big Apple.

Catherine Evonne

The morning of April 7th was pretty typical around our house. Mark was off to work - actually I was about to cart him off to the airport for a quick business trip - when his cell phone rang. He glanced at the Caller ID and said, "Cory Hendricks". And yes people, that was the beginning of Mark and Kim's marathon trip to Lubbock! The call came in at 9:00 AM and at 1:00 PM we were in Lubbock and ready for our Granddaughter to make her grand entrance in to the world. And, a grand entrance she did make - be it almost 12 hours later!

When I look at Cate my heart swells with love. I can't wait to watch her grow, to see her first tooth, to see her little bottom crawl across the floor. I can't wait to hear her first words and see her wrap her Grand Daddy ever so sweetly around her little finger. I want to be there to teach her to build a sand castle and chase crabs with a flash light. To be a part of her life is such a gift from God and I already cherish every moment we will share with her. I look at Cate and the sweetest song goes through my mind - and it is just for her and Cory and Jess...

Isn't she lovely
Isn't she wonderful
Isn't she precious
Less than one minute old
I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn't she lovely made from love

Isn't she pretty
Truly the angel's best
Boy, I'm so happy
We have been heaven blessed
I can't believe what God has done
Through us he's given life to one
But isn't she lovely made from love







Where Have I Been?

Actually I've been a lot of places lately and I plan to memorialize each of them here sometime between now and the end of eternity (multiple posts to follow!).

First things first though. In March I decide the Reaves' master bedroom needed a serious makeover. Of course, what I deem to be a simple 5 day project can never actually end up as such.

It started out as planned. We, well not actually we but the contractors re-textured the ceiling and walls, installed crown molding, trim and new baseboards, painted, ripped out the carpet and installed new flooring. The crown molding proved to be a little challenging as our entire home is apparently, well, crooked. Several days and lots of frustration later they somehow got it done.

Now, more about the room. The walls are the color of Hershey's Cocoa and the crown molding, boarders and bedding are white.



I went junk shopping and found a couple of old antique doors. Senior Reaves got crafty and mounted them for me and we now have a funky new headboard.





We added a gorgeous Persian style rug and some powder blue accents and we now have a warm and cozy master bedroom that I love.





I have as of yet to hang anything on the walls and am considering not doing so. There is something very calming about having a warm, simple room to lie down in each night. The room almost has the feel of a space from long ago - soft white linens and big fluffy pillows - they inspire a feeling of times gone past. The days when Ma Maw and Pa Paw were young, when folks slept with their windows open and enjoyed the breeze - a breeze whose movement created shadows across the wall that softly rocked them to sleep at night.

I love that one can create such feelings and conjure up memories by using color, texture, fabric, light. What a fabulous gift from God the senses are.