I Love Three Day Weekends

This weekend was so fun! Our friends Tim and Julia came for the weekend on Saturday, our foster cat, Oreo, went home to his family and I got to spend time with his Mom's and his baby human brother (who I love so much!), we went to the ballet at BAM, AND Becca bought a wedding dress!

The heavy metal bar on our block, Lucky 13, moved to a new location early this month (we sure will miss seeing those topless lady's having a cigarette outside the place!) and a new place opened up on Friday. Their new sign didn't seem to be ready yet so they opted for a piece of loose leaf paper.

Here's Becca in her bridal robe waiting for the consultant to pull the two dresses she was choosing between! I think the socks add a particularly elegant touch. 

 

The bridal boutique was having a Badgley Mischka trunk show when we arrived. The dresses were so beautiful...they even had a bridal skirt, which I have no idea how you would wear but I kind of wish I had worn it to my wedding!

The weather was terrible when we left for Becca's dress appointment (it was frozen, too-I took a header down our front stoop) and it kept up all day. The weather plus the holiday weekend made the city feel empty, which is always my favorite!

I hope your weekend was the best, too! 

Bullet Proof Vests, Vacuum Cleaners and Bingo with A Drag Queen

This weekend was really one for the books in terms of hilarity.

On Saturday night we slept at John's Aunt and Uncle's house. Uncle Paul happens to work in law enforcement and happened to have a bullet proof vest hanging in the guest room where we were sleeping. Did you know that bullet proof vets are not knife proof? They're not! I would definitely want the bullet proof/knife proof combo situation (does that even exist?) but I guess the bullet proof one was okay to use while pretending to fight crime in their living room.

On Sunday I got into an epic battle with our vacuum cleaner. John had gone to his last day of work on a production of Parade that he was doing so I decided to turn on some Call the Midwife and start cleaning our house in preparation for Sidesmas (which is this weekend!). We have this dust that we use on our carpets that gets all the cat hair up and makes the whole house smell great (its most definitely full of chemicals, but I'll do anything to make our house smell like clean linen). Anyway, I put the cats in the bathroom and threw the dust all over the carpet. I waited 25 minutes, I turned on the vacuum and proceeded to watch as our fancy vacuum blew the dust all over the place. Which is exactly the opposite of what a vacuum is supposed to do. 

I Googled our vacuum (obviously) and read 3 step by step tutorials and watched three videos on how to take it apart and fix it. I got the thing totally apart, cleaned it all out, cried while Joe died from the ulcers on his leg (you kill me, Call the Midwife) and then prepared to put the whole thing back together. Except I couldn't get the head to re-attach. I tried for a full hour and I will not lie to you: I cursed and cried and yelled and then gave up in an exhausted heap. 

Then Becca came over and tried. And tried and tried. And we watched another video. We gave up after I used her hand held dustbuster to get most of it up (a good friend will bring you their dustbuster in an emergency). John came home four hours later and got it together with one firm push. I was never more thrilled and more enraged in my entire life. 

See all the dust? 

After giving up on the vacuum, Becca and I went out to dinner and then met two of our friends at Ginger's for happy hour drinks and some Bingo with a Drag Queen Host. We started the evening with a blue shot (because why not on a Sunday night) and some ciders. 

Before Bingo started, we thought it would be a good idea to get double Gin and Tonics and to tell the man running the show that sure, I would make the lights flicker when someone won and of course Veronica would ring the bell. 

I have a somewhat crippling fear in Bingo (and really all luck drawn games...I'm a mess during a raffle) that I will think I have won, but then have my card check will have not won. And then everyone will think I'm a big, fat cheater and jeer (totally rational, I know). Its a lot of pressure and frankly, I prefer not to win. But YAY Becca won! That was fun enough for me, I think. We yelled and screamed and flickered the lights and she got a picture with a super pretty Drag Queen named Lola that I can't find anywhere. HOORAY BINGO!

Weekend Miscellany

This weekend was a good one, boy oh boy! I know a weekend is going to be good when I have a 3:00 Friday meeting with my friend Teress and we get a milk tea before it. There's a great place near our office, Kung Fu Tea, and the line was literally out the door when we got there. I'd recommend getting a large milk tea, "less sugar". The "less sugar" is important, because if you don't say it there is so much sugar in it, you get a headache and will bounce around your office with the jitters.

ALSO our one of our administrative assistants ordered me the clickable version of my favorite pens. These new versions are so great and I want one million of them.

Friday night me and Stephanie had date night at a super cute Greek restaurant near her apartment. A word about Stephanie's apartment: it is the apartment I would like to live in when I am a full blown adult. Its got three bedrooms and a dishwasher and a washer AND a dryer and my most favorite thing in the world: cement floors in the kitchen. I love that apartment.

Saturday John worked the high school's Homecoming and I spent the day at Nanny's with my Mom and Alyssa. Then I went to babysit where I promptly put a three year old to sleep and then started watching Call the Midwife. Do you watch Call the Midwife? My Mom and sister have watched it for years but I never wanted to because who wants to watch a show about British midwifes in the late 1950s who ride bicycles all over the East End of London to deliver babies? EVERYONE is the answer to that question...EVERYONE should watch this show. I'm only three episodes in and its SO good! I'm now watching entirely too much television, but I say why the heck not, am I right?

Then I took my third cab ride over the Manhattan Bridge in one week...I know I say it all the time but taking a cab to my home is my actual favorite thing in the world (after Call the Midwife, guys).

On Sunday John worked again (this time with the High School Robotics Club) and I spent the day with sixteen cats. Sixteen is not an exaggeration...there were actually sixteen cats (five kittens) at our adoption event!

This is Tito and he's the coziest!

On Sunday night I returned home and then held our cats all night. It was a day full of cats AND Leo McGarry's funeral on The West Wing (I told you I was watching a lot of television). It was the saddest thing ever UNTIL I Googled it AND HE DIED IN REAL LIFE. I can't even. AND now Josh and Donna are awkward and in love? I wait six seasons for them to love each other and they're this awkward? I'm super disappointed.

I hope you're Monday isn't terrible (you know, some people have super serious distaste for Mondays). We're going to the West Coast in four days! VACATION!

RadioLoveFest at BAM: IRA GLASS IN PERSON!

Two years ago John and I went to a movie theater in Long Island to see a live broadcast of This American Life. It ended terribly. So when NPR announced that RadioLoveFest would be at BAM and that This American Life was going to be there, I was more than a little excited. But then the tickets sold out. SOLD OUT. I was devastated!

BUT THEN Facebook told me that they were adding a 10:00PM show! "That is so late," I thought. "BUT IRA GLASS IN PERSON!" I screamed to myself.

And then I looked and there were still seats in the second row available! And so, with barely a second thought to the price (which honestly was fairly reasonable) I bought those tickets.

I felt confident in my purchase because unless Ira dropped dead of adorableness and/or journalistic brilliance in the middle of the performance there was basically no way we were going to have to leave halfway through like the last time.

On Saturday I was so excited that I made us get there more than an hour before the doors opened. We went across the street for a drink (because apparently we do that now?) and at 9:30 I told John we had to go in. He kept telling me that we weren't going to lose our seats because you know, they were assigned, but I was insistent.

That was a mistake though, because the good people who work at BAM had no idea how pushy NPR listeners are. They also did not have a plan to allow the 7:30PM audience out while letting us in. It was a hot mess in that lobby with a lot of pushing and mild aggression but then, we were in! And the stage was SO close! I've never sat in the second row for anything and I think I had an unrealistic understanding of what that location meant. What it means is that there is only one row between you and the stage!

Here's my thing about public radio: I love it. And I listen to it a lot: in the morning when I put my makeup on, on my walk to the subway, when I'm at work, while I cook dinner. Literally all day. I listen to it live,  John listens to it (though less than I do) and my Mom listens to it and every week we say "Did you listen to This American Life this week?" If we're in the car together on a Sunday, we listen to it.

So to see Ira Glass say "From WBEZ Chicago its This American Life...I'm Ira Glass," was a big deal! I almost died and I squeezed John's hand so hard he got mad! Ira Glass gives me mutant strength!

You basically feel like you know these people (or maybe I'm just a weirdo) and then there they are in front of you saying the words you hear them say every week!

The show was great. Philip Glass was in the opener. THE Philip Glass (who is apparently Ira's cousin). They did a musical adaptation of this story they did a year ago about a kid in Florida who fell for an undercover cop at his school who was posing as a student. He got marijuana for her and ended up arrested with pleading guilty to a felony. Mike Birbiglia was there and told a story that required a roller skating mouse and Ira being dressed up as a cat. 

There were two musical performances by Stephin Merritt. Halfway through the first song John leaned over to me and said "I think that's the guy from the Magnetic Fields" AND IT WAS. We LOVE The Magnetic Fields. Admittedly we are not die hard fans because we didn't know the name of the lead singer but they are one of the few bands John and I agree on and he was there! Needless to say I loved every single second.

This is how happy I was at the end. Also, the man behind me is an insane combination of John's step-dad and his Uncle Paul.

I've already decided what I'm seeing next year at RadioLoveFest! Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me (which was sold out this time), This American Life, The Moth and Radiolab. Mission: front row tickets next year for This American Life for me and my Mom.

In conclusion: Saturday night was the best night ever and Ira Glass you are a dreamboat.

Monday Morning Blues

I have a major case of the blues this morning, you guys. It is pouring like the end of the world outside! So much water falling from the sky and onto my head!!!

This weekend was literally the most perfect we've had in forever. There were friends and food and a whole lot of productivity AND Ira Glass...four of my favorite things!

On Saturday Jay was in town! We had breakfast with him, Becca and Shannon at The Brooklyn Star in Williamsburg. "How do you know about restaurants in Williamsburg, Kate?" you ask. I do not. I literally Googled "Brunch in Williamsburg" and this place was the first place that came up. High five, Google! Highly recommended!

After brunch Jay had to go to work so we headed to Lowe's to get some backyard supplies. I decided to have a Birthday Barbecue this year (because I don't really like birthdays but I do like when everyone comes to our house) and our backyard needed some serious work. (The party isn't until the last weekend of June, but I thought it would take us three weeks to get it into shape).

We didn't buy these lanterns but we did buy mulch. You know who buys mulch? My parents. They buy a lot of mulch. I've never felt so married in my life.

Becca and Shannon were the best friends ever and helped us clean up the entire backyard AND our porch. John and I cleared about six bags worth of leaves last weekend (pick your leaves up in the Fall, friends. Just trust me) but we hauled out about eight more on Saturday.

We underestimated the amount of mulch we needed (amateurs) but we got more on Sunday (I know you were worried). Which means John and I went to Lowe's twice in two days. Just call us Lenore and Paul (those are my parents, in case you didn't know). Once, my Dad went to Lowe's FOUR times in one day! I can't remember what it was for (maybe cauk? Or something to do with the cabinets?). So we don't hold the record for Lowe's trips, but it was a lot for us!

Here's an in progress picture! I also got hanging plants...I love hanging plants!

On Saturday night we went to see This American Life LIVE at BAM. Obviously that will be its own blog post because guys...Ira Glass in person. And did I mention we were in the second row? AH!

Sunday was filled with a trip to Trader Joe's, John's signature breakfast burritos in our newly cleaned backyard (!!!), a trip for me to Queens to help Stephanie get boxes for her big move to Brooklyn next weekend (extra !!!!) and macaroni for dinner. Our house is extra clean, our backyard is usable again and this week is a four day work week for us! Which means Monday is actually my Tuesday so blues BE GONE!

Hope your weekend was lovely!

Life Lately According to My iPhone

Morning coffee run before Becca's move on Saturday morning. I also ate an egg sandwich on an English muffin because it makes her nervous when I don't eat breakfast.

Burritos and a million margaritas to celebrate Jared's birthday. Not pictured: John picking me up in our car from the subway station upon my return to Brooklyn. Thanks, babe.

New breakfast find thanks to Teress. Kolache Co at 520 DeKalb Avenue. All sorts of delicious.

This is Sapphire. She was at the event that I worked on Sunday afternoon and holy crap did I want to take her home. Luckily, a handsome man adopted her! Byeeee Sapphire, I hope your new dad gives you a better name!

The Weekend According to My iPhone

Guys this is what my desk looked like on Friday. I was so unhappy about it.

On Saturday, Becca and I did a million errands which included seeing her and Shannon's new apartment. Which, did I mention is a block from us? Seriously a block. To say we are excited would be an understatement (I think Shannon is mostly excited to be so close to our barbecue, our backyard and Dilly but that's OK).

We also got our nails done, went out to lunch AND to Trader Joe's. The Trader Joe's trip wasn't particularly successful because they ran out of sunflower seeds in shells. RAN OUT OF THEM. People of Brooklyn, how many sunflower seeds are you eating?

And then we got Shamrock Shakes. A word of advice: do not mention Shamrock Shakes to Becca unless you intend to actually get them. She means business.

Saturday night included board games with John and his siblings which I did not win. I never win, its really the worst.

Yesterday was a lovely brunch with Alyssa and our cousins and then whoops I took a two and a half hour nap in our living room with the sun shining into our window (I love you daylight savings). I don't have any pictures because, you know...nap.

Happy Monday! 

Our Weekend in Pictures...

This weekend was so great!

Saturday involved a haircut (for me, not John) a trip to Trader Joe's and dinner at my Grandmother's house with my parents and sister.

Saturday night, John and I took a harrowing drive to Queens (seriously the pot holes in this city are intense these days) for frozen yogurt and a drink with some of our friends. Our walk home from the bar took us past this somewhat creepy leather chair.

Yesterday I spent all day with cats that are available for adoption! Are you in the market for a cat or kitten? WELL go to this website and see the cats (and dogs) that K9Kastle has available.

John came to visit me a few hours before my shift was over and I introduced him to all of the cats and he didn't even flinch at their cuteness. I however basically exploded every time I pet one of these cats. That picture is of Ray, an 8 year old kitty girl who is blind and has asthma. I would have convinced John to take her home were it not for her asthma. Because my husband has asthma and that is enough for one house. We're also both still dealing with how things turned out with Mim and think that when we finally are ready for a new kitty cat family member, she will need to not have a chronic health condition.

Even if you're not looking to adopt a pet, you can come visit them or me on Sundays at PetCo Unleashed in Brooklyn..I think I'm going to be a regular volunteer!

Hope your weekend was lovely! Happy Monday!

Family Trip to Atlantic City

For my Aunt Lau's 50th Birthday, our entire family (minus Nanny) went to Atlantic City to celebrate. Before I continue with this incredible picture heavy post, a few words about my Aunt Lau (but brief words because she's going to not even like that this is being posted on the internet).

My Aunt Lau is the greatest. Like the greatest, greatest. When I was little, she took me to Disney world like three times AND took me to see the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center in the middle of the NIGHT and took me to see the balloons get blown up before the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Basically things no one wants to do with children, she did with me numerous times! Now that I am no longer little, we Facetime...sometimes when she is cooking, sometimes when I am holding Mim or when Dilly climbs on me, sometimes after I come home from Happy Hour on Fridays and I lay in bed. Sometimes we go out to dinner and sometimes we sit at her kitchen table in Connecticut and drink Shocktop and color. She is the best and I love her.

NOW her birthday weekend started out by me needing to retrieve these balloons from the lobby. This is what they looked like before I carried them.

This is what they looked like while I was carrying them. I would like to tell you that they got to the hotel room totally untangled but that would be a big fat lie.

We had drinks and snacks in Aunt Lau and Aunt Lyd's hotel room and I took this adorable picture of John and Jonathan. Seriously, I think my husband is the cutest man on the planet when it comes to babies (side note this is the first time I've said "my husband" on the blog and I think I'm totally freaked out about it).

We also took a million pictures in front of the photo booth that me and Alyssa put up! We are photo booth pros since my Bachelorette (don't worry those pictures are coming soon).

Then we went out to dinner where we were met by our crazy waitress. I think she maybe wanted to be part of our family? Or she was hitting on the men as she rubbed John, my Uncle Zinny AND my Dad's shoulders. TOO MUCH, Crystal the waitress, please walk away!

Guys, I don't even usually like cake. Aunt Lau's Birthday cake was literally the most delicious cake in the history of cakes. We all looked at each other and basically screamed "QUICK MORE CAKE!"

After dinner, John and I told the grown ups that we would take the kids back to the hotel room so that they could gamble. "I am great with babies and my cousins love John AND we brought board games," I thought to myself. Mickey and Jack wanted to change in their hotel rooms, so obviously John and Alexander waited for them to come out and fart on them. I wish I could say this was Alexander's idea, but it was definitely John's.

Jonathan was sleeping in the stroller when we got in the elevator, but then these two loud drunk women got on with us and started screaming and woke him up. I literally gave them the middle finger when they got off, I was so annoyed. John took the big boys into the room to play games and I wandered around the floor with Jonathan praying he would fall asleep. He would not and he was less than thrilled. Moral of this story: I am not ready to have a baby.

The grown ups finally arrived back and gave Jonathan the bunch of balloons which I assumed that babies shouldn't play with? But he loved them and ran around forever!

And then the next morning we ate breakfast and sat at our table for three hours. It was the loveliest weekend ever. Happy Birthday, Aunt Lau!

Five Weeks Weekend!

Five weeks until our wedding and this weekend was the last one until November 9th that isn't packed to the brim with pre-scheduled activities!

We had friends stay with us this weekend (thanks for coming, Tim and Julia!) and we had such a nice time! On Saturday, we went to Queens to get the girls' dresses fitted. The dresses look so nice, and I'm so excited to see the girls in them the day of the wedding!

On the drive home, Ashley sat in the front seat to help me navigate home because Stephanie had proven herself a nervous co-navigator and a nervous parker on the way there. Despite my high hopes for Ashley, she proved herself a worse co-navigator as we ENDED UP IN MANHATTAN. Seriously. We went right over the Williamsburg Bridge and suddenly we were in the Lower East Side.

Screaming and laughing ensued when we realized what was happening, along with my frantic instructions to Ashely to get the EZPass our of the center console. Note to you all, you do not pay going over the Williamsburg Bridge OR the Manhattan Bridge, which we went over to get back to Brooklyn.

Ashley and Stephanie both seriously thought I was going to let them get out of the car in Manhattan to get themselves back to Queens and Jersey City. No, I am not letting you out so I have to navigate myself home! They're both out of the wedding, so I'm looking for two new bridesmaid's to tag in (I'm just kidding, but seriously they are terrible co-pilots).

After the dress fitting I went to Nanny's house to have dinner with my parents. Also, I made Holly pants out of my scarf because I feel her butt hole is too exposed. Also YES she is standing on the counter.

On Saturday night we went to our friend Jon's apartment in Long Island City for Game Night! I don't usually participate in Game Night because they usually hold it on Sunday nights (I don't like to do anything but get ready for the upcoming week on Sundays) so everyone was super surprised to see me there!

You should all know though that I kept up my reputation as able to fall asleep anywhere when I opted out of the second game and fell sleep on Jon's couch. I should be embarrassed but really, I am not.

Yesterday we headed to Williamsburg to the Brooklyn Flea!

There were about a million things I wanted to buy. AND we found a slightly creepy playground on the way out!

Hope your weekend was lovely!