10th Visitor of 2014 & a Weekend Trip to Niagara Falls

This trip started out like any other, little did we know this trip was going to get a little stressful and a little wacky. Arriving at the gate on Friday night at our designated boarding time I knew something was fishy when a completely different flight was boarding. With our flight status still stating “on time” we just waited. Moments later with no announcement the board changed from “on time” to “one hour delay.” Moments after that is when we hear this announcement: “We apologize but flight #**** to Buffalo has been canceled, please see the help desk for rebooking options.” Without thinking I ran towards the help desk knowing if I was not somewhere near the front of the line we had no chance. The manager on duty announced that we have all been rebooked on the 6:45am flight Saturday morning. Delta would cover a hotel for the night and transportation to and from the hotel. Joe, my mother, and I decided to take the hotel and even though we would only get one night in Canada to make the best of it. We arrived at our hotel in Queens around 11:30pm, cracked a beer to unwind from the craziness and then and went straight to bed knowing we had to be up bright and early the next morning for our flight.

Fast forward to the next morning, we are all sitting patiently at the airport waiting to board our 6:45am flight when we hear this announcement: “We apologize but the flight crew was told a takeoff time of 7:40am so we currently have no crew for a 6:45am departure.” Once on board our now 7:40am flight we are asked to check our boarding passes to make sure we are all going to buffalo, a little strange but ok. Twenty minutes later we are all asked to take out our boarding passes to be shown to the flight attendants. After another fifteen minutes some customers are demanding answers and so yet again we receive another announcement: “Our current count is off and we need everyone to double check they are on the correct flight or we will be unable to takeoff.” An additional fifteen minutes later a women gets up from her seat and tells the attendant she thinks she is supposed to be on the next flight.They remove her from the flight and start to finally prepare for takeoff.

Thirteen hours after we should have been arriving at our hotel we finally made it. We quickly dropped our bags in our rooms and went exploring.

That night after a short nap we were back at it enjoying a nice dinner and some fun in downtown Niagara Falls.

All in all it was a great trip and we would love to go back sometime when we have more time to really tour more of Canada.

Weekend Wrap-Up - 8th & 9th Visitors of 2014!

Our lives have been busier than ever these past couple of months but we were able to take a break this past weekend and host two of our best friends. The trip was intended to be a surprise but me being my nosy self caught wind of something fishy and starting asking questions. Over the weekend we were able to spend time in Manhattan and also escape up to Westchester to unwind a little. We did everything from karaoke, brunch, sightseeing, and just plain celebrating.

I do wish we had more free time to visit and catch up but it was an awesome treat to see them and show them around. As always we hope they come back very soon!

Weekend Wrap-Up (8/29-9/1)

Joe and I packed up the truck on Friday night and headed out of town to go camping in the Catskill Mountains. I have not been camping in years so needless to say Joe and I were both very excited. The weather was not perfect the entire time but we did get one full beautiful day. I know I have been saying this a lot but it was so nice to get away!

It was defiantly a challenge to drag myself into the office this morning. 

Happy September!

Weekend Wrap-Up (8/15-8/17)

This weekend Joe and I were invited up to Lake George to spend the weekend with our neighbors at their lake house. It was exactly what I needed, it was great to get away from it all and unplug from the daily grind. Although I did panic just a tad because I was not going to be able to accomplish anything around the house this weekend but I managed to put that out of my mind for a few days.

As usual Joe and I insisted on stopping by Sonic Drive-In on the way home just like we used to do every time we went to the lake in California. It's funny how some traditions follow you no matter where you live!

Weekend Wrap-Up (8/8-8/11)

This weekend was nothing other than a typical summer weekend. This weekend we completed the following:

•  Dog-sitting again! :)
• Walked Butch to the library on Saturday because he is famous there
• Recycled all the bottles and cans that have been left at our house ($23 worth!)
• BBQ on Saturday night
• Four mile hike with both sets of neighbors on Sunday morning
• BBQ'ed lunch after the hike
• Five loads of laundry done and put away
• Movie day/night with the Husband 

 

All in all it was a very relaxing weekend and cannot wait to be sitting at the lake next Saturday!

On a side note I would like to wish one of my best friends a Happy Birthday!! (yesterday) 

I hope everyone had a great weekend, Happy Monday!

Weekend Wrap-Up (7/25-7/27)

I cannot say for sure if I will be sharing a Weekend Wrap-Up after every weekend but lately we have been having so much fun. This weekend we were invited to a Wedding for one of Joe's fraternity brothers. We had such an amazing time dancing and catching up with old friends. Personally, I love weddings it gives everyone an excuse to take the time to dress up and step out of their everyday routine to celebrate the newly married couple while at the same time have an amazing night out with your best friends/family.

We knew Saturday night at the wedding was going to be an eventful evening so Friday night we kept it simple and BBQ'ed with the neighbors. I made two new Paleo recipes that are perfect for BBQs and I will be sharing this week so stay tuned!

Sunday we spent most of our day cleaning and organizing the house. Two sets of neighbors and the landlord are planing a gargle sale (or Tag Sale as they say in NY) at the end of summer. Currently, I spend any free moment organizing and finding stuff to sell or donate. To me a clean and organized house can do wonders for mental health and everyday attitude. On Saturday afternoon Joe and I went to a friends house to get ready and relax before the wedding reception. I started talking about how their apartment was always neat and tidy and how I would love to be more organized. She then quickly took me around their apartment to show me all her organization secrets and tricks. I was instantly inspired and might be sharing some before and after organization pictures while I get my house into shape. (That is if I am not too ashamed to share the before pictures!)

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Weekend Wrap-Up (7/18-7/20)

It was a busy busy weekend! On Friday our landlord surprised us with a fire-pit for the backyard. Of course we had to try it out right away. We enjoyed sitting by the fire for hours until we turned in for the night.

Saturday was our neighbor's birthday and she wanted to celebrate by taking a dinner cruise in New York City. We boarded the boat and spent four amazing hours eating, drinking, dancing, and enjoying the New York City skyline. 

I am still exhausted from the busy weekend but it was worth it. The cruise was something we will remember for years and is something I have always wanted to do.

Weekend Wrap-Up (7/11-7/13)

This weekend was packed full of fun. Friday night I returned home from work and started cooking dinner for Joe and our neighbors. In the middle chopping carrots I looked out my kitchen window to see the third town parade that has assembled on our street this year. Friday was the annual Firefighter's Parade and it was awesome to watch from the comfort of my own home.

After the parade and dishes Friday turned out to be an early night but a good start to the weekend. Saturday Joe and I cooked our standard eggs and turkey bacon to start the day. This is our go-to breakfast for Saturdays and Sundays. We love starting the day with hot breakfast and Joe brags that I make the best eggs around.

From there we took a trip with the neighbor to the recycling center to collect a huge $19.00 return from the cans and bottles that have been left at our house after BBQ's. We decided to return the money right where it came from and BBQ that night. Wanting to stray from the normal BBQ food we opted to enjoy cod, oysters, corn, asparagus, chicken, and steak for dinner. (This was all on sale!) We enjoyed a fun evening with both sets of neighbors that lasted well into the night.

To end the weekend all the neighbors were invited to a local Italian restaurant on Sunday to watch the World Cup. Not only did the owner open the restaurant just for us but everything including drinks were on the house. Although we didn't order more than one drink we did order half their menu. The food was amazing and it was the best way to round out the weekend.

Cheers to summer!!!