Thanks for Resilience, Prayers and the Bomb Squad

Three blocks south to Columbus Circle

 

I've written about Columbus Circle many times. Macy's Thanksgiving Parade goes past the Time Warner Center that is located there. There's a fabulous view of Central Park from one of my favorite restaurants. I shop in the Whole Foods in the lower level and I love the holiday decorations and music every December. 

 

 Time Warner building holiday decorations

 

I live a mile and a half north of this area and I am there frequently. My gym is four blocks north. During the 1990s I worked at the location -- our building was torn down to build the Time Warner Center -- and the neighborhood is very familiar to me.

 

My Wednesday activities are very structured. Weight Watchers meeting in the morning, lunch with friends, followed by chair yoga for active older adults and then strength training. If I need groceries, I often stop at Whole Foods at Columbus Circle. Not today. When I got to Weight Watchers I saw an alert on my phone, a bomb at Columbus Circle. Our meeting place is only a mile north.

 

It's hard for me to stay calm when there is a bomb -- even what may be a small bomb -- a mile away. My instinct was to gather up my things, skip yoga and get myself home. But I managed to comment on the discussion at Weight Watchers, enjoy lunch with my friends and our walk to the gym. When we arrived at the location in the first picture, the day was calm. Traffic was moving right along and it was a perfect autumn day. I went into the gym for Yoga and continued with the weight machines. Yoga was the right activity for the day and my extraordinary teacher added a few new positions for us to try, which took my mind off anything happening just a few blocks further south. 

 

I'm thankful for the resilience of New Yorkers, the prayers of friends around the country and the NYPD (Police Department) Bomb Squad, which disabled the bomb found at the CNN mail room. Many thanks for all who rose to the challenge of this day around the country.

 

I know Buttercupland has been quiet. I've been in Knoxville and Nashville visiting friends. It was a great week -- fabulous friends, fabulous weather and fabulous food. There will be a post about my visit and then we'll start to move into the fall and holiday season in New York. There will be lots of pictures and I hope, lots of posts.

 

As ever, thanks for visiting. My wishes for a quiet week ahead!      

 







A Moment in the Life of New York...The Upper West Side Welcomes Spring

This picture was taken Sunday, but it could have been any gorgeous day this week. The flowers are blooming everywhere and it is balmy. Tomorrow is supposed to be eighty. Eighty! I know it's officially spring, but generally this time of year I'm thinking how can I make my winter wardrobe last until May. Tonight I was thinking what spring clothes I can I wear to work tomorrow.

Decluttering and spending update: I achieved my goal of decluttering 100 items in February and am well on my way to making the same goal for March. I have 25 items to divest in the next nine days and I feel confident I will get there. The medicine chest is on my list for this weekend and my closet. I need to figure out what I can wear to work!

My label for March was Thoughtful Spending March. I knew that there would things I would buy on vacation and I did. The sole of my right sneaker -- definite necessities -- was peeling away from the rest of the shoe and I replaced them during the trip. I also left the old pair in Arizona. I bought a t-shirt, underwear and a new weekend tote bag. During my bathroom decluttering I found my sunscreen was outdated and bought a new tube, again not a splurge. I bought a very modest array of gifts -- for one birthday and the office -- and treated myself to a silver necklace and earrings. I did make two splurge purchases, a picture frame ($11.00) that I fell in love with, and a sweet plaque that says "Faith ($3.99).

Now that I'm home again, I have kept to thoughtful spending. I definitely need a few new summer shirts and a   pair of shoes for work. I also need a pair of white capris, but that's the topic of a post to come.  

Thanks to all who visited and prayed for those in Toulouse. Much, much appreciated!

Wishes for a sweet, sweet Thursday!

Eighth Avenue and 44th Street

I took this picture while waiting across the street for the bus. I thought of going over to Shake Shack to have a cup of frozen custard, but when I saw that there was a line out of the door -- at 9:00 P.M. -- I abandoned that idea. Yes, the group of people that look like they're just standing around are actually in line for hamburgers and custard. It was the perfect night to be outside and the custard at Shake Shack is worth waiting for, but I think I'll be back at another time earlier in the day.

Thanks for your kind thoughts and for joining me in Margaritaville. Couldn't have better company! My spirits are improved and I'm ready for the next contest that comes along. We had another glorious pre-spring day today and it's difficult to be sad when it's sixty degrees in February.

As always, wishes for a sweet Friday!

Two Moments in the Life of New York

The first moment happened at the drugstore tonight. It was a rough day at work. Meetings, pressure, a comment from someone in authority that ruffled my feathers a lot and in the midst of this, a run to the dentist for a fitting for my crown. Nothing really terrible, but one of those days where I focus on how many days are left in my present career. I chose several cute Valentines's, always good for the spirit, but I still must have looked sad. I heard a voice say, "Smile, gorgeous." This greeting came from a much younger man I've never met, and I smiled and kept smiling. Maybe he was just one of New York's eccentrics and says this to every woman he sees, but I'll take it as a compliment. Thanks, Mr. Stranger.

A moment in the life of Broadway and West 64th Street. This statue caught my eye a few weeks ago.  

Update on Low Spending February...The Valentine's made a major dent in my $16.50 allowance for the month, but it was $9.00 well spent and I think several people will be smiling on February 14th. On the decluttering front I have made a major dent in magazines and I am very pleased. It's not perfect yet, but moving in a good direction. Tonight I made an appointment for clothes and a few household things to be picked up. This weekend I hope to finish the magazine effort and will report back on my progress. I also got major decluttering and shredding done in the office and am feeling great about that. 

Wishes for a sweet Friday!

A Moment in the Life of New York...Central Park

A quick moment in Midtown Manhattan. Central Park is in the background. 

Yesterday was devoted to beginning work on a new cap. I didn't look forward to doing the work, but I do like my dentist and her staff and it was nice to not feel rushed and to have the afternoon for my sore mouth to recover. It was a cold day to take pictures, but I did get a photo of one Moment in Midtown Manhattan with Central Park in the background. This is one block from my dentist's office. 

Wishes for a terrific Tuesday!

A Moment in the Life of New York...Downtown Flushing

I had an evening meeting in downtown Flushing Queens tonight and I was struck by the liveliness on the streets at 9:00 p.m. in the winter. It was a relatively mild January evening, but still it was a cold winter night.  This is not the most elegant picture, but I thought the signage and the activity on the street interesting. This is an area -- not too far from CitiField (aka Shea Stadium) where the Mets play -- with a large Asian population. I didn't have time for dinner in the area before the meeting, but I need to research restaurants and return soon. The restaurants and bakeries looked so interesting and I am a terrific fan of Asian food. I would be happy to receive any recommendations.

No Spending January is progressing well. No new clutter and another bag of paper discarded. I even decluttered for fifteen minutes this morning before work. That is a first!

So Long! We'll Miss You...

...But we can't wait to see you next year!

A successful No Spending January (NSJ) day. No money was spent on stuff, though I did buy lunch today and two cups of coffee. I have discarded a bag of paper and half a dozen magazines. I read today's mail and discarded it. This could get to be a habit!

01/01/12

Welcome, 2012...

You began on the most beautiful first day of the year I can remember. The sky was blue and the sun was bright and there was not a drop of ice or snow on the sidewalk. I began the day with a yoga class followed by a stretching class with a friend. I actually got myself over to the class at 10:15 a.m. and it felt so good to be out on this lovely morning. Last year we were knee deep in snow and this year, close to winter paradise. I'll take it as an omen of good things to come. 

I'm starting a series of random photos of New York City. I like to share the sights I see and I know you all like to see glimpses of New York, but often there's not enough for a post. From time to time I will post a photo as...A Moment in the Life of New York. Today's moment is at the diner around the corner from my apartment. I saw several restaurants where people were waiting in line for brunch. This is my local go-to place for a quick breakfast out or a salad with friends. 

A Moment in the Life of the Upper West Side

 New Year's Eve was a fun night. The food at the restaurant was delicious and the portions generous. My dinner tonight was stuffed lamb and barley. We had delicious mini-stuffed cupcakes -- definitely a post in the future -- and champagne, conversation and laughter. I can't ask for a better start for the year.  I hope all citizens of Blogland had an equally good evening.

Hugs, prayers and wishes for a sweet week and a sweet year!