NYC was fantastic!

NYC and the Grace Crop was just a great weekend all around!

Thursday, I left the office at 4pm and unfortunately it was raining and there was road work so what should have taken 90 minutes took 2.5 hours. After that, I met up with my mom in Pennsville (thanks for the help, Jeff) and we the rest went pretty smooth. When we arrived at the hotel, Mel was already alseep - but she had been up since 2:45 Seattle time.

Friday morning, we (Mel, my mom, my new dear wonderful friend Teri and Karen "I'm always up for a trip - heck a dog fight in back baldey"and me) got up and out and our first stop was Tinsel Trading. I love their displays but you know - the new store not as much fun. I honestly did not buy one thing. We checked out a few more places in the Garment District and then headed back to the hotel and dropped off packages and coats (weather was about 60 - perfect for just a sweater). Next we headed up town - one thing I always forget - yes the street blocks are short - but the ave blocks are LOOONNG. We eventually took a taxi. Next destination was Dylan's Candy Bar - fun! Then we wanted to have lunch at Serendipidity but the wait was too long - we went across the street to Patsy's for pizza and it was delish! We then went back to Sere... for a frozen Hot Chocolate. Then we headed to Kate's Paperie, and it was almost 4:30 by this point. We skipped our fancy dinner at Sardi's (just needed a rest) and then left for the theatre. Wicked was awesome and I was so pleased with my eBay tickets! We walked home from the theatre and fell fast asleep.

Saturday, we headed to Staten Island for the Grace Crop. We used this car service and I HIGHLY recommend them. If you ever need a car service in the NYC area they are great. Well priced, on time, they call when they are en route and then again on location! I can't stop raving about them. The Grace Crop was fabulous - Barbara and her friends do an outstanding job. As soon as we arrived, Kacey and Kristin started screaming! What a welcome! The food is so yummy - good NY Italian food. And the door prizes -

this pic is everyone from my table that won - notice who is missing?? yes me no luck continues!! Everyone at my table won but poor poor pitiful me. Second year in a row.

Sunday, we headed back to Staten Island to have have brunch at Kristin's home. Her home is beautiful, the table was beautiful, the food delicious and she even had cucumber water. She also has many scrapbook home decor projects around her home which are so much fun to check out. We of course headed down to the scrap room. We rushed out of there to make the 1:21 to the city and the 2:00 ferry. I finally rode the Staten Island Ferry - that was very cool! It was a little foggy but we could still see the Statue of Liberty and some skyline pics. Kristin had said Century 21 was 30 seconds from the Ferry - UH more like 8 blocks. We checked out Century, it was very crowded and then had lots of good buys (but not rock bottom prices) so I was ready to go about 3:30. I still had the trek home - which went very smoothly - I got taxi's quickly, the train was a quick one, traffic was easy and I was home by 9.

It was so awesome to have my last hurrah before I become a mama! Mel flying in from Seattle - it was so great to see her. Teri and Karen are so much fun and a laugh a minute and they were great traveling companions - always up for whatever. And having a weekend with my mom - another nice addition to her 65th year!