Holiday time in the Big Apple

Getting through the crowds on Broadway, frenzied shopping mania and Christmas tips for building personnel are all part of the NYC full-service holiday experience. Was easier last year before I had a roster of clients all trying to tuck in year-end work, but I'm glad to have the work and just turned to eBay for much of my shopping ;-)

There really is a tree in Washington Square Park right in front of the arch on the 5th Avenue side. Lots of lights, and looks very pretty at night. We've been having such delightfully warm weather this year (it's probably due to Global Warming so maybe I shouldn't be so happy ), that I took a moment to go to the park, and then take a walk to Union Square (didn't notice if they had a tree - I was on a mission to Trader Joe's, still my favorite store).

As far as proceeding on The Renovation, well, we've agreed to start thinking about it again one of these days. The very good news is that the new-and-improved version of Coleman double-height queen size blow-up beds crap out within a month or two, which means they're still under K-mart's return policy. I've got the pack-up, bring back and exchange for one without big airbumps (6 or more inches higher than the rest of the bed!) thing down pat, and the people at K-mart have been really nice about it.

And the fridge-ette, aaaah the joys of a fridge with a compressor! The little freezer compartment (about 5" high) actually keeps things pretty much frozen, if you don't put a lot of stuff in there. No light in the fridge was an unpleasant surprise, but really - who cares???

So life continues at the end of my first year in the Big Apple, though lately it hasn't been very interesting....

Oh Happy Day - Cold can be Good!

Right before Thanksgiving, I told Jay that he couldn't have a turkey because it wouldn't fit (either before or after cooking) in the teenytiny cooler. "Hmmm," he said, "maybe we should get one of those hip-high refrigerators."

Back when that was my idea, Jay said "we don't have a place for it, and it's a waste because we'll be getting a new 'fridge in The Renovation anyway. It's his idea now, and quite a good one.

We ordered the GE unit in the hopes it would be quiet and of decent quality, and it came in thanks to nice delivery guys. I was able to buy and refrigerate (are you ready?) a Half Gallon of milk, not just a quart. AND cheddar. AND orange juice. AND I made jello (diet). AND fit in more than one night's food. AND margarine. And a half-dozen eggs, but it could hold a dozen easily if I want to. AND more stuff.

Major happiness in Greenwich Village today! I want to give the darn thing a name and buy it Christmas presents (which might be pathological, if somewhat interesting...).