Here We Go Again: Snowstorm Prep 2016

Prepare! Don't Let a #WinterStorm Take You by Surprise. https://t.co/1JnO1HYp5Y | https://t.co/Kr39xluFVE pic.twitter.com/dJQb3I4F9I

— NWS (@NWS) January 22, 2016

Things your bookseller might have in their bag. pic.twitter.com/mPHUQxEB0s

— Strand Book Store (@strandbookstore) January 22, 2016

Now, besides all of the things pictured above - which I have - and  the latter of which could be true for a bibliophile/librarian/ME, I also feel prepared for the IMPENDING SNOWSTORM JONAS OF DOOM 2016. 

I'm good.

As long as the power stays on and pipes don't burst that is, but the major feet of snow is going to end up south of us, at least "write now."

I'm really, really good. My fridge is full for the first time in MONTHS.

Because of the off-site work retreat in CT yesterday, I rented a car for 48hrs to get there, pop up to see friend Jane for dinner, head to my favorite Trader Joe's, and then do some errands today.

I could have done more errands but was doing a neighbor a favor, and due to the storm, the urgency was for groceries and beverages.

Here's my cart full at Trader Joe's, which somehow only ended up being 4 full brown-paper bags,and yet, the exact correct amount for my freezer, minus the packaging for some of the frozen brown rice. GO ME! 

(Dad, apparently I DO have some packing spatial relations after all, thank you very much! AND, despite people being jerks and cutting me off, driving with their hazards in the wrong lanes and not driving some of these CT routes in over 10 years, the car was returned fine, no worries, Susan.)

Not pictured in the stockup:

• the 3 flats of Diet Coke bottles and cans residing at the office (the office is Pepsi-stocked); 
• the stash of bags from Target with staples like chunky peanut butter and more soda for the house; 
• the 3 bags/boxes and easels and whiteboards and materials moved for the retreat; 
• and the trashed hauled.

I'm good for groceries and snow activities.  I've got:

• 20 books in a to-be-read pile,
• a bag full of work from the office, not to mention the remote connection to the office, 
• 2 unfinished baby blankets that I could work on, 
• 15 letters I have to write, 
• blog posts to "retroblog,"
• a pile of personal archiving,
• laundry/cleaning,
• filing/bill paying,
• baking/cooking, and oh yes, vegging.

I think I'm actually running a fever, so I'm off to pop NyQuil, get in my pjs, and crash. I'll wake up to a Winter Wonderland of some sort of storm.

Hunker down, ya'll.

43 Ideas for Birthday 43: NYC Shopping Cart

After standing in line in an Upper East Side Fairway for about an hour waiting to check-out, with a heavy basket in the crook of one arm, and another bag gripped in the other, and then schlepping two very heavy and stuffed bags home in the subway, train, and then home ... I realized some things. 

A) There is a grocery store much closer to home at which I should have shopped. 
B) Why did I decide to shop on the Upper East Side on Saturday afternoon? Before the SuperBowl? WHY!?
C) Why do groceries get heavier the longer and further you lug them?
D) With the distances to travel, I can't stock up on some frozen goods and things.

The problem with a NYC store or one near my Attic is the same as all the others. Having no car means you carry what you can. 

For all the years I worked in the City I resisted getting one of those collapsible grocery carts, because it still wouldn't quite work for me, due to all the stairs that I would encounter. However, with the steep hills, and walk to the local store ... it would definitely be more helpful than hauling back about 50 pounds of groceries, and straining my neck and arms.

Even if it did mean I looked like one of the local little old neighborhood ladies.

Models can be found at: Amazon, Overstock, 

Folding Shopping Carts.org, Rolling Utility Cart.Net, etc.

I'm stubborn, but I do eventually realize I'm being stubborn.

Postscript: Some anonymous friend of Auntie Nettie bought her a shopping cart! It is BEEEYOTIFUL and BLACK and ever so helpful.

Toast to Traditions!

Here's hoping your "Black Friday" was most frugal!. 

I spent 0.00 x 100% again this year.

Now, as for Small Business Saturday tomorrow, 

I will take this pledge again, but in a new location.

Manhattan Monday - Wandering the Line

As the Big J's fiscal year came to a close, I realized that I had some personal days off that I would "lose" if I didn't take them, so I took a couple of Mondays off. Fortunately for me, one of these Mondays aligned with a day that my friend Michelle was planning to visit from Miami.

Last Monday, I spent the day running errands around Manhattan. First I had to take the train in, get poppy seeds from Spice and Tease at the Grand Central Market, get money from the ATM, tickets from the machines, and then schlep over to a branch of the New York Public Library. Turns out the iconic Schwarzman Building at 42nd Street with the lions protecting it, doesn't have a drop-box for returning items. Good thing the Mid-Manhattan branch is katty-korner to the big cats. I don't like to have over-due items. It's a professional guilt thing.

Then it was off to the Chelsea Market to get some goods for various parties last week before meeting up for lunch with Michelle. The Market is a little touristy at times, but if you know where you are going and exactly what you want, it's easier.

 

(blurry iTouch photos from inside the Market)

It had been a while since I'd been, and turns out the shop, The Nut Box, that I was going to see has revamped down from having pre-packaged and bulk fruit, nuts and candies, down to just pre-packaged. I *might* have gotten too much, between that shop and the Chelsea Market Basket Company. I didn't realize how much I actually was hauling around the rest of the day until I got home and unbagged 9.5 POUNDS of assorted nuts, snacks, grains, and fruit. No wonder my shoulder was killing me.

After a deliciously long chatty lunch at The Green Table (get the red quinoa falafel platter, trust me), some coffee for Michelle and a wait in the line for the restrooms, it was off to wander the High Line.

The last time I visited the High Line was in the winter, with Jane, a few years ago. What a difference a season or two can make (and switching cameras!) The second section was open, lush, and the area is blossoming up around it. In addition to art being made on the Line,

 art is being added by Line, by buildings around it,

 

 and on billboards in the area.

 

It is so nice to see the hard lines of the City open up to green spaces, 

 to have spots of color, unexpected views, have nature disguise and reveal new things.

 Like the various backyards, patios, and other special spaces that people carve out for themselves.

It was so easy to fall back into conversational rhythms, relax, regroup, and get caught up in the High Line, that the sudden summer thunderstorm that rolled in was a surprise. 

Whoops. There are the clouds. Maybe it's not a good idea to be elevated, on a line with metal tracks, or hiding out under the metal scaffolding that leads to the part where section II and III of the High Line will meet up. Needless to say, Michelle and I got out of there, and wandered through the rain and puddles back to the subway to head back to Grand Central for our trains back to various destinations.

Thanks again, Michelle, for always making time to squeeze me into your New York itinerary! I'm so glad that we're able to pick up where we leave off - and that you get my weird sense of humor when we stumble across weird vignettes like this!

Happy Third Birthday Elle!

Hey Elle!? Can I interrupt your birthday candy consumption to tell you a few things?
I love how you are growing up to be such a wonderfully loving big sister to Nathan.I also adore how you like to hang out with your big cousin Drew, even if he doesn't seem to appreciate it as much.I love your fearless spirit -- one that likes to hang about and horse around with your crazy Auntie Nettie.I'm glad we got to spend time together over Christmas. Just "you and me -- Not Amber. Not Nathan. Not Mama. Just Elle and Aunt Nettie!" I hope you had as much fun as I did.

I'm glad that you helped your Poppa rake the leaves in the backyard, and then helped Mama out with the shopping. You picked out all kinds of yummy groceries for the family. Thanks for helping take care of the dishes and the cooking too.

I'm glad we got to hang out at the farm. You did such a good job taking care of the horse, picking out the crops, the chicken eggs, and then raking the field. Your Grandma Ollie Jane would have loved to have you around as a little helper. You must help Grandma Virginia when you see her on the ranch to be so good.

But Elle? We are a little worried about your penchant for the Pirates and the Construction Workers. Not that there is anything wrong with a good Pirate (your dad is one after all), and girls can be builders too ...

How about you stick to butterflies, rainbows, dancing around in the breezes, and stay out of the drivers seat for a little while longer? Please? I'm already gray enough and we don't need to talk about the family driving record.













Happy Birthday my little Elle! I love your snuggles and I love you so much,

xo
Auntie Nettie -- who made this orange because "write" now, that is your favorite color.