The Drama Continues...

I don't know what it is about COLAs and injuries for me...last time I had a COLA, I fell and broke my right wrist. This time, I missed a step going down Jen's stairs and landed on the landing (hence, it's name) on my butt. In the process, I twisted my left ankle. Bad. I had come close to doing this several times in the past, but always caught myself. But not this time.

I sat in pain for a few minutes, and it eventually subsided. We went on our merry way to the bank, lunch, and then took the subway to Chinatown and SoHo. I was doing fine, but then my ankle started hurting more and more. By the time we decided to leave SoHo, I could hardly put any weight on it. So the subway was out.

We decided that it would probably be a good idea if I had my ankle checked out at the hospital, so Jen hailed a cab and off to Lenox Hill Hospital we went. And it was a busy afternoon. Lots of sick people, a dog bite (by a vicious Yorkie), stomach tube needing changing, and little barefoot me, trying to shield my foot from being bumped by one of the zillions of people in the ER.

Two and a half hours later, I was released - instructions and cane in hand. But alas, no good drugs. Bummer. They did not show me how to use the cane...and I guessed incorrectly! Diane set me straight in this morning's phone call. Before going back up the six flights of steps for the last time for a few days, I stopped at the grocery store for food and the liquor store for some white zin. I'm set.

I hope to be back on both feet no later than Monday...cause I have to be available for work on Wednesday!

Is it Friday already?!?

I had a fun time hanging out in Virginia with my Mom and sister Diane. I got to play with Mom's dog, Sammy (my other sister), who sleeps in a very unusual position.

I also spent time at Diane's house, where I totally freaked out when I felt something crawling up my leg - it was Caicos, her crazy conure, who just loves to attack me! He was looking for blood, and I screamed! Fortunately, she caught him before he was able to puncture my neck with his blood-thirsty beak.

I spent a nice evening with my friends Kathy, Robyn and Lisa. It's always great when you can pick up where you left off with your friends...!

Then yesterday, I was back on Amtrak heading to NYC for a final few days with Jen before heading home to CO. The house manager gave me a seat in the theatre to watch "In the Heights" - I had seen it once before...but as I watched it last night, it was as if I'd never seen it before! I guess I didn't understand it the first time and since then, I've heard the music a lot, and I understood things a lot better. It was awesome.

And last, but not least, is this beautiful cherub. He/she/it is painted on the wall of the ladies restroom at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (where "In the Heights" is playing). This was the only cherub, however, that didn't look like a male truck driver...

Nancy's Other Kid

I would be remiss if I did not include a picture of Nancy's other little girl, Missy!

Nancy drove Jen & me to Trenton, where Jen got on a train to NYC and I got on a train to DC. Then Nancy continued on to the Philly airport and hopped on a flight to New Hampshire! Doesn't anyone stay home anymore?!?!

I am now at Mom's apartment - she is feeling a lot better! I'll bum around with her and Diane for the next few days before heading back to NYC and Broadway bowling!

Out and About in NJ

Last night, my sister Nancy treated me and Jen to dinner and a show! She took us to Houlihan's for delicious prime rib and then she gave us tickets to see Idina Menzel (Tony award winning actress from "Wicked" on Broadway) at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ. It was an awesome show!

Idina from afar...

Idina

Nancy let us sleep in this morning, and Jen found herself a nice pillow and blanket to snuggle with. This is Mandy, one of Nancy's little girls.

And here's her little boy, Adam. He's a cuddly little bear!

Here's my lovely daughter making a true fashion statement...

Out and About in NYC

Last night while Jen worked, I took a stroll around Times Square.

This used to be a headless mannequin...

Tallying up the sales from Intermission...

Selling to the after-show crowd...

Go see this!!! Sebastian the Crab is awesome!

Times Square at night.

Coming soon to a theatre near Jen...

Jen's place of employment...

Rest in Peace, Whitney and Natasha...

What a horrible week it's been. Whitney, an 18-year-old girl from Colorado Springs died in a tragic accident at a 7-11 gas station and is being buried today. And Natasha Richardson died in a freak ski accident and was honored last night when the lights on Broadway dimmed for one minute in her honor. What is going on?

My heart was breaking for these families. All I wanted to do was hug my own daughter and make sure that she was okay. Then I get the call from her that her boyfriend has broken up with her...I got on the first flight the next day.

There's nothing like being there for your child when you can swing it - and having taken this month off...it's worked out well. We've been able to talk, relax, and have a little fun, too!

Yesterday, Jen got us a couple of student rush tickets for $30 each, for front row seats to see "The Little Mermaid!" One of Jen's friends has the leading role of Sebastian the Crab - so it was fantastic to see him in action! Rogelio put us "on the list" so we could visit him backstage after the show and get a quick tour. We also accompanied him on his way out the stage door, and the crowd let out a roar when he appeared! After he finished signing autographs, we headed with him over to Broadway bowling!

This was my second time, and I got to bowl the entire evening since they were short-handed. Jen and I did really well. I picked up an 8-10 split after betting $10 with Justin, a guy on our team! What a shock that was! The bowling alley supplied St. Patty's Day cake and cookies - it was a sweet treat!

Today, we were SUPPOSED to go to SoHo and walk around and window shop...but we're still in jammies, watching TV and relaxing. Even though I don't understand why tragedies happen, I am so glad that I was able to get to my little girl and be there for her.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

I took advantage of the beautiful weather today and spent some time at our local zoo. It is absolutely incredible...a must see for everyone who comes to Colorado Springs!

One of our two hippos - the other was inside swimming in her pool.

Mom & Dad gorilla just hanging out.

Baby gorilla was nearby - couldn't decide whether it should stay inside or go outside.

This orangutan had the right idea - a picnic lunch out in the sunshine.

The turkeys were being annoyed by a woman just standing there gobbling at them!

A porcupine in a tree. I didn't know they climbed trees!

A mountain lion that was not too happy being inside an enclosure...

Two grizzly bears playing in the water - there were large fish in the water that I was hoping a bear would try and catch while I was standing there...

All wet from his quick bath!

Bald eagle in the grizzly enclosure.

This peacock was hiding on top of a wall...but I still found it.

A kangaroo just kind of hanging around.

One of our three elephants scratching himself on a post.

Naptime for the monkeys.

Our newest baby giraffe and its Mommy.

How do you do?

Very well, thank you!

Giraffe crackers are so delicious!

Another youngster in the giraffe yard.

Poles come in handy for itchy faces.

Show and Tell Time

I have accumulated quite a few pictures on my camera, and today's the day that I share them with you!

Memorial Park in Colorado Springs -

a view of Prospect Lake and Pike's Peak (in the background).

Another view of Prospect Lake with Pike's Peak.

Can you tell that it was a nice day out? I just drove around town snapping a few pics.

The Broadmoor Hotel.

During my last visit in NYC in February '09, my sisters came into the city to see "Guys and Dolls." Nancy came in by train and Diane arrived by plane, and they got in early enough that we had time for breakfast and a visit to the "American Girl Doll Store."

On one of my first excursions when I got home from NYC, I got hit by a rock! It came flying towards me after a FEDEX truck ran over it on I-25. It was large enough that I could see it coming...so what did I do? I slammed my hand on my car horn. What a dumb rock...it totally hit me anyway.

I made a surprise trip to Virginia last weekend - one of the things I did was to accompany my nephew Matthew and my sister Diane to the Open House at Matthew's new school. And guess who was in one of the classrooms, just waiting to meet me? Rob Pattinson from "Twilight."

When we got back to Diane's house (more like a zoo), Mom and Natalie and all the animals were waiting for us! That is Caicos, the crazy conure, on Mom's shoulder.

And Sammy is by Mom's feet.

Caicos loves his brother, Matthew!

But you'll never see me with Caicos on my shoulder...the last time he got near me, he bit my neck. You should see the way he eyes me when I am in the room...

And we can't forget Puck, the African Grey that Diane rescued.

Or Natalie, holding her sister Roxanne.

"This is MY MOM, and I'm not gonna share..."

Oh yes, you will!

Last night, we got the pleasure of witnessing one of Greg's employees getting married! This is a picture of her husband, Isaac and their son, Isaiah. The wedding and reception were held at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center in Pueblo, CO.

Here's a picture of beautiful Krystal being accompanied by her father who was home from the war to see his baby girl get married. Their first dance was to "I Loved her First" by Heartland - there wasn't a dry eye in the room.

Another picture of the beautiful bride and her proud Daddy.

She wore a beautiful gown.

Isaiah doesn't seem to interested in watching his parents get married.

Nor does the cute little flowergirl, Taylor!

There was a wonderful buffet of Mexican food - enchiladas, green chili, beans and rice, as well as a butter pecan wedding cake with an awesome frosting. There was lots of dancing - rap, rock, Hispanic, as well as a few line dances - the Electric Slide and the Chicken Dance! And yes...I was on the dance floor for those two dances...!