Saturday, March 7, 2015

Finding Friends in New York City



Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world. Constantly color your picture gray, and your picture will always be bleak. Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor, and your picture begins to lighten up.

There are so many stories to share about our recent trip to New York City - the food! the shopping! Helen Mirren! The Waldorf-Astoria! The Fricke! - but I felt that my first post ought to be about some of the fine people who pop in here from time to time to share their thoughts on some of the random nattering that I do.

This is no fancy blog - I am not modelling my constant clothing purchases, not travelling to exotic places all the time and rubbing shoulders with the rich and the famous.

I live in a small place in a small corner of the world.  I have a budget.  I could use to lose some weight.  I am mockingly optimistic, even when things go wrong; I believe none of us get out of here without some terrible heartaches along the way, but then I see a sunset or talk to someone who is living an interesting life, or I eat a good plate of french fries and I think "hey, it's all worth it, isn't it?"

And having friends, however we come by them, create the colour of our world!

So I am always thrilled when anyone stops by here.  And I know many are shy to comment and that's okay as I can talk to for many (and do!), but I do delight when someone says something and mostly they say nice things because mostly people are nice, especially to people who are just plodding along like me!

Imagine my delight when a bunch of them agreed to come to the city for a cup of coffee and a meet and greet!  It was so much fun to put faces to names of people who've stopped in here or whose blogs I have long admired.  We met at FIKA cafe, a good (and random) pick by Louise she of Ingredients fame and soon to be my designer of choice (she probably thinks I am joking about this but I am serious!).  The company included Barry and myself, Louise, Knityarns, (and her patient son!) Well Fed Fred, AJC Shopping Habit, and Teacups.  Sadly, Marie was unable to make it due to a personal matter, and can you believe it - she dropped a gift off to me at my hotel - a gorgeous scarf from Anthropologie?  I was touched!  And it was funny when we walked in as Fred knew me right away!  What a delight!  We laughed and people shared stories and we got lots of recommendations for good restaurants.

if you want to see the picture, go here!

I will not tell who is who, as some people prize their privacy and I am not one to break it!

Suffice to say, everyone was delightful and interesting and so kind to us!  We had a wonderful time and hope to see you all again soon!

Tomorrow, I think I may discuss The Queen.

In the interim, my good pal Dani was discussing the snow on her blog yesterday.  I giggled when I saw the pictures as they reminded me of the scene in Crocodile Dundee when he says "That's not a knife, THIS is a knife..."

And thus, a picture of Barry standing in his parent's driveway last week.  Ours is nearly as bad..

Note: this is NOT at the end of the driveway where
the plow has gone by - this is how much snow we have gotten.
For reference, Barry is 6'3".

Yes, we are a long way from being snow-free here.....

Have a happy Saturday!

xoxo wendy







23 comments:

  1. I had to see the picture. You and Barry look like real New Yorkers in your version of all black ;). Glad you had a fabulous time with the ladies. God has decided to finally bring out the sun...wonder if it's Jennifer's trip to Tennessee that caused this.

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    1. BB - you made me laugh out loud! It is funny; I had a suitcase full of black, but to meet these wonderful women, there was no way I was wearing black! I am glad Jennifer brought you the sun!

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  2. That NYC rendezvous had to be fun although I'd have had to tease and taunt 'MisLedFred' over her Louisa May Alcott/Little Women blasphemes during Dani's bookclub then I'd suppress (hopefully) her urge to strangle me with a strong cocktail...although that just might tighten her grip.
    Great trip. Great pic. Great attitude!
    My goodness I now feel like a sissy over our winter. I think you're eligible for condolence cards from Siberia.

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    1. GSL - she is smart as a whip, but of course you knew that! Hmmm - I may send you a ticket to come help shovel it all!

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  3. Aw how fun! Well not the snow pile next to Barry, but getting together in NY :) Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip!

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  4. NB definitely has us beat for snow. That's insane! Love the expression on Barry's face, it says it all.
    So happy your meet-up went so well, I would have loved to have been there. Very much looking forward to hearing all about your trip. And you know I love your attitude towards life, you've definitely helped me re-adjust and get myself out of some setbacks.
    Happy you're home safe and sound, we missed you.

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    1. I know, the snow is bizarre! We took the snow with us when we went to NYC as well, snowed 2 of the 4 days. We left on a sunny day. sigh....

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  5. Congrats on the meet-up! Glad you had a good time.

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    1. Thanks Miss Hexicon! I skipped "our" painting this time, as I had Vermeer on the brain!

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  6. Hi Wendy, welcome back! I can just imagine how much fun you all had at your meet-up! Look forward to hearing about the rest of your trip.

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  7. What great fun! You have readers because of your intelligence, humor and shining humanity, m'dear and fellow optimist. So glad you had a wonderful trip without major travel delays ( I recently missed a whole meeting in DC b/c of the weather).

    Our driveway is nearly that snowed in; fortunately, I am not there to see it! Life is about quantities: I love snow, but there is a limit.

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  8. It was such a thrill to meet so many talented and interesting blog friends at our NYC coffee.. The couple of hours we spent just flew by as everyone shared stories and got to know each other a little better. Wendy and Barry are every bit as warm and charming as we all suspected. Even though the weather was not very welcoming for them, it looks like they are used to much worse! The trip was one week too early since the melting is starting here today as verified by the water which has begun dripping in off the roof in through a window. And Blue Booby just for the record I was wearing navy with a bright coral coat. New Yorkers don't wear black 100% of the time !!! Lol!

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    1. I coveted your coat!!! It was fun! We trudged up 5th avenue from the Fricke to the Met on Thursday and felt like Dennis Quaid in that snow storm movie (which AMC is playing A LOT these days!). It was such a pleasure to meet everyone! We will be back!

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    2. It was wonderful to meet everyone. Teacups- I neglected to tell you at tea, that you were sporting the most perfectly tied scarf I have ever seen. It looked gorgeous! I am hoping for a 2016 reunion : )

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  9. Wendy!! So good to finally meet in person, and to meet the other bloggers! The 2 hours flew right by. I am just sorry I was so tired at the time but I've resigned myself to being chronically exhausted while school is going - I think the university feels it is their duty to put everyone through the mill. Maybe wait until you see my designs before you decide on them!! Midterms are starting now, and I hope to have at least a couple projects done to show - will post pics on Instagram!

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  10. Wendy and Barry,
    Thank you for the invite. My son and I had a delightful time. When we left, his comment to me was that he thought it was a gathering of incredibly bright women. I thought so, but was pleased he thought so : )
    I am looking forward to updates about your literary career, when you feel like posting. I hope your trip was all you had hoped- and I hope it was enough to entice you back to NYC again!
    Oh, and AJC and I decided that your photos don't do your incredible skin justice. You are blessed with the complexion of a child!

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    1. Okay - you and AJC send me your addresses! I am sending you bouquets! That is so nice of you to say, since I feel like one big chapped skin these days! And tell your son right back at him!

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Kindness is a virtue...