Noomi

A month before Easter, my friend who has a gorgeous horse farm had a stray kitty show up – actually it climbed into the window of her daughter’s room and climbed into bed, snuggling and purring … scaring the poor daughter and son-in-law to death because they don’t have any kitties.  They took her to the vet, as the daughter happens to be a veterinary assistant while she’s finishing up college, and found out that it was a Mama-to-be cat.  Easter weekend she had her kittens. 

Zach and I drove out to the horse farm, and visited Mama cat and her 5 babies.  One was Siamese looking with tabby markings, one was black with a milk mustache, and there were the three Tabby girls that looked just like their mother, except two were twins and one was the runt, very delicate and small and a cute little monkey face… We picked “Monkey Face”.  Like a tiny little marmoset….

8 weeks later, my little girl went to be spayed, and was dropped off with me at work… to have and to hold forever, till death do us part… She’s the most beautiful little Tabby girl, loving, snuggling, and sweet.  She’s won our hearts forever. 

Her name is Noomi. 

I was terrified that Habibi would be aggressive and hurt her, but instead….

NOOMI is the aggressor – she jumps on him, bites him, scratches him, hits him, chases him, scares him, bats him away from the food bowl, bats him off my bed when he and I are snoozing together… my giant, 11 + lbs. Persian boy goes running… grumbling.. but running because of a 3 lbs. little terror-mite. 

Occasionally, in the middle of the night she gets scared and come running, crying onto my bed, climbs up on my neck, back, shoulders and purrrrrrrrrrs and licks my face till she falls back to sleep.  I love it… Habibi will sleep on my legs/feet in the winter to stay warm, and once in a blue moon, like the other afternoon, he’ll take a nap with me and snuggle, but it’s rare and few between that he’s that loving.  So, this little Noomi girl is a lovely change, finally, finally, I have a snuggle bug!!!!!!!!!!  I hope she stays that way, always.

Thank GOD for Z-packs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come on Year 2012 and Bring Me GOOD HEALTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

After months of on and off, but taking every single dosage given, of Cipro (Strong Antibiotics) for the Bronchitis and Sinus Infection I have been unable to get rid of... finally feeling better, I go out to dinner Friday, despite feeling a bit tired and having a bit of a headache... it was fun... sat at a huge table with a bunch of crazy friends for a couple hours till the live band came on, and I couldn't handle the noise - slept and slept and slept the next day till BFF got worried and came around to check on me... I said I had a bit of a back/neck ache, hurt all over, kind of queasy... but other than that - I putt putted for the next few days around the house, sleeping a lot, and then came Monday morning... I felt like "puking" for lack of better words - and had to cough, which felt like murder to my brains, had such a migraine, and I hurt, hurt and hurt some more... so called in sick, got an emergency appointment in with doctor, and the nurse said:  That was the fastest Strep Throat Positive I've ever gotten!!!!  The fever seems to be the worst of it... when the fever comes on, I just can't get comfortable, I hurt, I get too cold, too hot, and I just lie there - sort of comatose... wishing for it to end!!!!  Now... with the Z-pack in the system - I'm back to work... no headache, no bone aching/joint aching pains, but my throat feels a bit sore, not quite right...but I have to be quite right soon!!!!!

Friday - YAY - I get to see my baby boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Packing him up and moving him home!!!! Thank goodness his best friend is driving down with me to help - this way if I do relapse, he can drive!!!    

We are borrowing my employer's huge SUV, one of those Suburbans that is the size of a small school bus... plenty of room for Kidlet's belongings, his friend, and me... 

I was opposed to his coming home, to giving up on liking the University he was at, but since he's been on the ball, took the initiative to set appointments and already be accepted for transfer to a local State college, I'm actually relieved and very happy of the idea of having him back in the nest... I don't know how long that feeling will last!!! hehehehe... But... I could use the pick me up of having my baby home for a bit!!!!

Well.. sick people at work, bringing and sharing their germs, that's how I got so sick... here I am back at work... I'm staying away from everyone, not using the machines, or the kitchen stuff... keeping to myself... I'm probably not contagious anymore - I hope!!!  I honestly wish I were still in bed, but I cannot afford anymore time off... this has got to be the worst year in history for my health... I don't ever remember being this sick so many times in my entire life... once or twice a year is one thing - quite the norm for me - but every month!!!!  Ridiculous... I take loads of vitamins and immune boosters, I clean my hands till they dry and split, use anti-bacteria stuff like crazy... I don't share drinks, food, etc. with anyone, and I lately have been quite the recluse and no kissing, smooching with anyone... so... I can only pray 2012 will bring better luck and better health!!!!!

“The things that make me different are the things that make me.” ― A.A. Milne

The things that come to mind that make me smile, bring happy memories, fun filled times, and love and joy ... with a photo or a thought ... of such things, and I feel peace ...

Being silly with hats in Mexico Exhibit at EPCOT with the Kid...

Laughter that brings tears to your eyes and chokes you all up.....

Being a Mother... the proud mother to the Kid... infinitely and indescribable motherly love....

Traveling with the Kid to NYC, Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt, Brussels, Paris... you name it...

Seeing another generation of strange humor and ability of turning that smile upside down....

The joy of friendship... even friends in low places... like in this very dark and blurry picture at a club where we were showing off our intelligence in a Trivia Contest...

The warmth, the comfort, the delicious taste, of a good Latte...not to mention the bit of energy it gives to keep you going...

The treasure trove of sweetness found throughout my travels of Europe ... Schneeballen in Germany... I don't dream of sugarplums - I dream of Schneeballen and Belgian Chocolate....

Walks on a cool winter day on the beach... and the birds... they are a funny lot.

Driving through the countryside in South Germany and looking to your right and looking to your left and this is all you see... Sunflowers as far as the eye can see... breathtaking and glorious... natural beauty ....

The Blue Ridge Mountains  just an hour or so North of my birthplace... so beautiful.... and serene....

Cucumber roll with Wasabi and Soy Sauce ~ I could live off of this if the soy sauce didn't make me puff up like the Stay-Puff Marshmallow Girl... the first time I had sushi was with my parents when we were waiting to see Oklahoma on my 13th birthday!!!!

The little secret lanes and streets you find when exploring Paris (Marais)... I could SO live in one of these little apartments ... so much history, so French, and even has a little memorial garden for a family that was lost during WWII, a lovely place to sit and listen to the birds...

Autumn foliage and surprise little parks with historic covered bridges in South Carolina...

The flower market in Amsterdam... if I lived in Amsterdam, my home would always boast a beautiful bouquet to cheer the spirit!!!!

The Music Museum in Brussels, Belgium, is my favorite of all, situated in this Art Deco building, it houses the most incredible collection of instruments and you get to walk around with headphones... listening to each instrument... I have spent hours and hours in this museum, it is never boring, along with it has a rooftop cafe!!!

And, we cannot forget that not only take out Chinese is scrumptious, but a Habibi in the bag is hillarious!!!!!

"A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in."~ Robert Orben

When I spent two weeks in an apartment in Gent, Belgium, my son and I came down with strep throat.  I have to say, being in a foreign country, sick like that and with a sick child, it’s a little scary, even with the trip insured to the hilt “just in case.” But, the Kid was sicker than I was, and so I found myself going totally “stir crazy” after a few days of antibiotics, with me feeling much better and him still feeling groggy and miserable.  I just about put myself into Debtor’s prison with calling my Mom to whine… she told me, “Go get your hair done, get out and do something, the Kid will be fine for a few hours lying on the couch and watching TV without you”… The Kid was 16 years old…he had the phone in the apartment to call me or my landlord, if necessary. 

So… my few hours away from the Kid, ALONE, in a lovely city in Belgium – I was in Heaven.  I went and got my hair washed, colored and styled… then I walked along the streets window shopping, sat on a bench by the river and watched all the little tour boats go by … then I went and did some shopping for a special dinner.  It was Summer, it was beautiful out, so I thought a lovely dinner on the terrace of our apartment overlooking the canal would be so perfect!  I picked up some items at a gourmet shop, cheeses at a Fromagerie, wonderful cherries and plums at a little corner fruit stall, bread and pastries from this incredible Jewish bakery, and then I went to “Dille & Kamille” on the corner by our apartment… bought a beautiful little hydrangea plant, colorful placemats, candles, napkins, tea leaves, a tea pot, tea strainer, and a few other things … and we dined outside in this little festive terrace, having this incredible meal I cooked… and the next day… Kid and I were both back out in the world of touring Belgium, together again…

We "Mos Def'nitely" Love Amsterdam.....

Theater Tuschinski, Amsterdam

I’ve been watching the new season of Dexter, and when I first saw Mos Def was playing in it, I immediately texted the Kid and told him; and of course he said he “had” to see it… and … I know that the mention of Mos Def reacts the same on the kid, as it does on me… why? 

On one of my visits to Amsterdam with the Kid….

We were sitting in our "assigned" seats at the Tuschinski theater (using the tickets that Chris {my dear Dutch friend I love so MUCH} got us with his press pass), and this guy sat down next to the Kid... I would glance over at the Kid and see the guy next to him and think he's "familiar"... and throughout the movie they'd laugh, giggle, joke and then high fived or shook hands, something or other - the guy was alone... and we walked out of the theater and I said, simultaneously with the Kid, “OH MY GOD, that was Mos Def!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” When we looked for him in the exiting crowd, he was gone.....  

Now every time I see Mos Def – of all the millions of people in the world - I am reminded of the fun we had on that trip, the incredible art deco movie theater, the fun day we had when we rode around the tram system with Chris to flea markets and some touristy sites, the nice little lunch for hot soup and tea in the Flower market... we had a wonderful time!!!!!  And, who'd have “thunk it,” Mos Def was all a part of it! 

The poster from his show at the Melkweg.  We did not see the show there... but we did see another artists' show at the Melkweg - quite an experience!!!!  AND, of course, the tickets were a gift from our beloved Chris!!!

A quote from Mos Def, and could it be from this visit to Amsterdam:  "And remember don't high post when you're far from home, and high posting when you're all alone." ~ Mos Def

"I hope to see London once ere I die." ~ Henry IV, Shakespeare

Reading about my second trip - I see less "enthusiasm" but probably because I was dragging my grandmother around with me, who had had a bad head cold... she wasn't as "enthused" with our trip - sadly, it seems, it didn't meet her expectations.  I also did not mention that throughout this entire trip I was having to wear a special brace on my foot/ankle because I had a stress fracture ... but we still managed to have a LOVELY time!!!!!!!

Thrilled Again to Have Gone to London

(2002)

Part 1 of our 2nd trip to London...

October 1st my son, my grandmother, and I left on United Airlines for London. I have to thank United Airlines for the wonderful flight! We arrived that evening in London (Heathrow), and were whisked off by the car arranged by the hotel to The Gallery Hotel, So. Kensington, 10 Queensberry Place.

The Gallery Hotel is a charming boutique hotel that offers full English Breakfast, in a good neighborhood ½ a block from the Natural History Museum, also right around the corner is the V&A and the Science Museum. It is also close enough to many good restaurants, the South Kensington Underground station, ATM machines, and some nice shops. We had booked a triple room which was on the backside of the hotel, and was quiet, except for when one evening a rather heavy footed person checked in upstairs (but it was only that one night that was noisy). The hotel had some pros and some cons..our room was not the nicest, as I peeked in a few that were very elegant looking, ours did not even have light bulbs when we first walked in (almost on the shabby side)! The breakfast room was understaffed and disorganized, though breakfast was hot and delicious when served. The daytime concierge had a bit of a bad attitude, but the evening staff was wonderfully good natured and helpful! The butlers were friendly, polite and doted on my son. The bathtub was wonderful and the water was scalding hot - definitely a plus!!!! And, best of all was the computer available for the guests to use.

October 2 - Was spent seeing the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum! My son was enthralled with all those bones and artifacts. We left the museum and headed for Trafalgar Square (lots of construction, not allowed to feed the pigeons anymore), where we went to the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, and then had a light snack at the Crypt at St. Martins. (Meanwhile, the Underground strike was on this day, so travel was by foot and cab) That evening we went to see Taiko Drummers at the Royal Festival Hall, which was absolutely incredible! Afterwards, we walked across the Thames on the pedestrian bridge, and it was just as we were crossing the bridge that Big Ben struck the hour, which just really etched a memory in my brain! The chill of the evening, the sound of the water under us, the lights of the old buildings lining the river, it was just breathtaking, with Big Ben adding to it all! We grabbed a pizza on the way back to the hotel for dinner, nothing special, just quick and easy. We were totally exhausted.

October 3, we walked to Kensington Gardens where we took pictures of everything in sight. My son had an assignment for school to sketch something of interest every day, so we stopped and sat at a bench while he sketched some scenery. Then off to Kensington Palace, and more picture taking, and then had lunch at the Orangery, where we had some incredibly delicious Zucchini (Courgette) soup, scones and tea. From there we left for Hamley's for my son's shopping spree. My grandmother and I went to the top floor and got some tea and waited for my son to do his shopping. Hamley's was packed! After that we caught some double decker buses (I cannot believe we had never been on one for the last trip!) and we headed across town for Harrods, where we dragged the grandmother around - buying tea canisters, coffee, candies, etc. to bring back for friends and relatives. For dinner we went to Khans of Kensington and had a fabulous feast of Indian food, it was extremely reasonable and delicious, and only about 2 blocks from The Gallery Hotel.
Second part of my report....

October 4 - Off we went again, this time we took the tube to Westminster station and then caught a boat up the river to Hampton Court Palace. The boat ride is 2 ½ hours. We saw many things that you do not see by train or car. The captain of the boat gave us a nice tour, explaining a lot of the history of sites, and even some homes of celebrities such as Lord Archer’s, Michael Caine, and several others. The boat has a little kitchen, so they served hot drinks, which is needed with the wind off the river at this time of the year. I enjoyed it immensely, and I especially loved seeing all the house boats and the little islands. We visited the palace, and this time saw a lot more of it than the last visit. This time we visited Henry VIII’s apartments and I believe, Queen Anne’s apartments. Afterwards, we walked down the road to Pizza Express where we had a bite and then caught the train back to the hotel, just in time to get ready for the play, Bombay Dreams. Now, that was definitely a highlight of the trip! Bombay Dreams’ music and dancing is just so contagious! When we left the theater, my son and I could not help but sing and dance our way around, hahahaha.

October 5 – Westminster Abbey, what an incredible place to visit. We paid the fee for the little hand held phones that give you the audio tour, and I definitely suggest getting it. We spent a lot of time there reading the engravings. We also went to Covent Garden, where I shopped at Lush…I bought ballistics, soaps, shampoos, deodarants, and lots of gifts, I had 3 huge shopping bags of Lush items, so we went back to the hotel. We took it easy and wandered around our area, and had lunch at La Bouchee, a French restaurant in So. Kensington, where the food was definitely delicious, reasonably priced, and the service was excellent. My son and I went to Bloomsbury that evening and had dinner at Malibar Junction on Great Russell Street, approximately 1 block from the British Museum. That is our favorite restaurant, the price is perfect, the service is excellent, and if you like Indian food, it is the best we have had yet! After dinner my son and I wandered around Oxford Street, window shopping and stopping for some coffee before going back to our hotel.

[Harrod’s purchases: Chocolate-Orange Coffee (gift for friend, and it is wonderful!), Coffee in Fancy Tins, Tea in Harrods’ tin, Chocolates, Lemon drops in fancy tin, and a few baked items for late evening nibbles]

[Jones Bootmaker – purchased shoes that are incredibly comfortable and chic]


October 6 – We headed over to Brown’s to meet a friend from Fodors and her niece for lunch. We made it to the restaurant early, so we wandered around the neighborhood and I bought an antique painting of a greyhound and a bronze statue of a greyhound at a little antique shop, on a little street closed off from traffic (the proprietor bargained with us, so I bought the little oil painting of the greyhound and the small statue for approx. £75). We had a wonderful lunch with good company! Also, the dessert was to die for – sticky toffee pudding! That evening we went to La Bouchee (French restaurant on Old Brompton Road) again for dinner (the Coq au Vin and wine was wonderful – 3 of us ate great meal and bottle of wine for £85)! The waiter remembered us and was very friendly. After dinner, we wandered around Old Brompton Road looking in windows.

October 7 – We took the tube to Piccadilly Circus, walked around window shopping again – Regents, looked in Burberry (got my perfume, Weekends), and many other shops. That evening I met my friend from Fodors again, and we ate at a restaurant called Circus (£15 for three course pre-theater dinner). The food and company was wonderful (I hope we can get together on our next vacation!). After dinner we walked through Leicester Square, where she waited while I jumped in a cab back to the hotel.

October 8 – Early morning visit to Victoria & Albert Museum, son loved the weapon room, I loved the jewelry, what a huge museum, so much to see! Had tea in the little museum cafe, and then a walk through Hyde Park, I took the child to his favorite place, Hamley’s. From Hamleys, we went on to Harrods for High Tea (£16.50 per person). It was very pleasant, sitting out in the glass room over looking the roof tops while sipping tea and eating scones, pastries and sandwiches. That evening the hotel made reservations for our last dinner in London at a restaurant called Al Bustan, a Lebanese restaurant on Old Brompton Road, around the corner from our hotel. It was the perfect “last meal” – the service was impeccable, the food was delicious (£80 for three of us again, lots of food ordered and wine), and to the hotel to sleep – as the driver was picking us up at 4:30 a.m. the next morning to take us back to Heathrow.

It was a wonderful vacation, and I am still wishing to go back because I did not get to see the Imperial War Museum or go on the London Eye….

We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment. ~Hilaire Belloc

I cannot even explain the emotion I feel when I re-read these posts on my first trip to London.  There was such joy and fun in the whole thing, it was as though my dreams came true... I had romanticized and dreamed of England and visiting it for years and years, and the great thing - nothing burst my bubble of joy, it was everything I wanted it to be, everything it could be, and more.  When I think back on the trip, I don't think back and remember annoyances or anger or anything negative of the kind - only how fun and adventurous and exciting it ALL WAS!!!!  The Kid has always been my best travel companion - we mesh together well when traveling... and I am so happy for that ... because I believe the best gifts I've given him were all the memories he has of his vacations abroad.  

Part Three

Thrilled to Have Gone to London

Okay, back on line again, thank you all for your responses! So, we have taken our visit to London very seriously - enjoying it so much, the people, even the smells and sounds....We took another long walk - ended back at Trafalgar Square because my son HAD to feed more pigeons. Come to find out (after the fact) they do not approve of pigeon feeding at Trafalgar Square! Well I must look like a professional photographer or just easy to approach because I was taking pictures left and right of couples and families - Meanwhile, my son being the only one in a pack of tourists to have biscuits to feed the pigeons - well, needless to say he must be a part of a lot of family vacation photos that day. 

Grabbed another cab and went to the London Dungeons for my son - something he would enjoy! It was very gruesome with Dungeon workers in costume who were very lively and with a really positive and upbeat attitude discussed the instruments of torture - okay I am feeling a little lightheaded - it was stuffy, stale and then the stories! AHHHHHHH!!!!!! So, I was relieved to get out of there when we did - fresh crisp cold air to bring us back to normal! Then I looked around, not the best area of London - looked a bit seedy - looked around some more - no cabs!! Warnings of Pick Pockets everywhere - now I am very nervous.....but I grabbed kiddo and started moving - and was so relieved - there we were all along right there at the Underground station with cabs..... 

Next trip - off to the Tower of London - not gruesome - sad about certain beheadings and assassinations, interested in the history as I have read so many books where the queen and her children were locked away in the Tower.....or the many traitors, etc.....so I was really interested in everything about it. We got our picture taken with a large stuffed teddy bear dressed as a Beefeater - then took off to find a real one! Not settling for anything but the real thing. Found ‘em surrounded by American Tourists - - when it was our turn they started (Beefeaters) to tease my pale, blonde son because he was trying to convince them he was from Florida....this was a common statement, when he says he is from Florida, they state "we thought Florida was sunny, you are too pale....." I loved the walk through the White Tower because it had so many pieces of armor, weapons, portraits, etc. - and my son and I loved the story about the Welsh prisoner of great girth who tried to escape, but because of his size he broke his rope and plummeted to his death - hitting his head straight into his body making him bizarre looking when they found him - yuch, but still interesting! We ended the tour through the Tower with a walk around the high wall where we saw the Tower Bridge in the Sunset all lit up just like a bridge out of a fairytale - very pretty!!! A MUST SEE!!!!!

I had plans to eat at Pizza Express that evening, it was right around the corner from where we were, right near the Wagamamas - but we were so exhausted we ended up eating in our room and watching British television - okay what a hoot!!!! My son and I were in hysterics - when we saw a new talk show  called The Kumars at No. 42 - it was just too funny....and we saw Rex the Runt and loved that too..... Zach (my son) and I still repeat funny lines to each other from some of the shows we watched that night - wish we got to see them here!

• I will end my report with these last posts - and I have to say I look forward to a warmer weather trip in England, so I can see more flowers and greenery and enjoy longer days. I envy those with employment opportunities that move to London - if I had that offer I would be gone the next day!
  
  We spent our last day with a friend, a journalist in London, that we were able to meet with - I had not seen her in over 20 years! We all bundled up and headed for Camden Market. It was on a Friday so there were not too many crowds. We went from stall to stall and little shops, all full of very interesting and sometimes very strange/unique items! In one store I was tempted to get my hair woven into Fuschia dreadlocks and buy a silver outfit that looked like something Judy Jetson would wear! My son loved this area - he saw girls in their outlandish clothes with fun colored and spiked hair - or some with hardly any hair and hardly any clothes! We did a little souvenir shopping for friends in USA. My son wanted fish and chips, so we asked a shop owner along the way and a woman overheard our question and walked us to the best little fish & chips place - it was hidden on a small side street and I could kick myself for not jotting down the name - but it is one of VERY few in that area....in a red front, lots of windows. The people in the restaurant were terrific, that is the people who worked there along with other diners (locals)! They took
  pictures of us being silly and pigging out on our HUGE orders of fish! I think we sat there for a good 90 minutes! I am thankful to such a lady who would walk us “strange” people to this fantastic little place! It was very cold when we got outside and the rush hour was beginning and we had a play to catch! Good byes to friend after a frantic search for an available taxi....and off to Mamma Mia! 
• Mamma Mia was really fun and silly.... and my son, who loves when I play my Abba cd in the car, definitely enjoyed it! We were surrounded by an older crowd, a lot of Germans, and they  were just as funny as the show - their enthusiasm made you really get into wanting to sing along or tap your feet, etc. At the end of the show, everyone let loose and danced and sang and clapped to the music and songs, I think that was my favorite part! It was not a play for the serious!! Just perfect for not so serious people, like my son and I. After the play we took pictures of a pub - I believe it was called the Three Greyhounds - Greyhounds, of course - and then walked back to our hotel. We ate at the Malabar Junction again and had an even better time there than the first!
  
  Went back to the hotel, slept, and got up to head sadly home...............our driver up and early waiting for us - we chatted through the hour long - maybe 45 minute drive to Gatwick.....
  
  Great Russell Street was where we stayed - a 4 star hotel - very business oriented, not a touristy hotel by any means, but they treated us like a Queen and Prince - I did not run into one single unhelpful or unpleasant or dissatisfied employee - they all acted like they were happy to see me and my son, and they went even to the extra length of making us at home by getting my son a Black Cab and Double Decker Bus toy for his birthday and arranging for the tickets to Mamma Mia. From the day I made the reservations till the day we left, I was satisfied with my choice of hotels. It was small, in a red brick building that I was told was once a place where they had Union meetings. It was within walking distance of so much - just perfect for us - and we were on a floor that was extra quiet and pleasant - never really running into any one in the halls....everyone was working or at meetings. I would definitely stay there again! Their smiling faces and warmth was what began a terrific vacation.

  The hotel arranged for the purchase of our tickets to see Mamma Mia...I called them 3 weeks before we arrived, and they had the tickets waiting for us when we checked in...it was wonderfully simple. The hotel was called the Gt. Russell Street Hotel, 16-22 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3NN, UK.
  Tel: +44 (0) 20 7347 1000 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7347 1001. The hotel was not inexpensive, but worth every dime spent.