I don’t mind weekend busy, as long as I feel it was worth it.
This one has been.
But before I get to that, we spent a week in NYC earlier in the month. BW, Jason, Kat, Griffin, Kayla, Laura and her Mark and me—along with JR, Kayla’s boyfriend, for a couple of days.
We took a big party bus up, as we are many, and nobody enjoyed that more than Griffin. Going along our long, twisty road minutes after we left the house, he threw up his hands. WEEE!! Roller Coaster! So we all joined in.
A few hours later, and we’re in the city where Laura already waited.
We zip up to our home away from home for the week, unpack, and enjoy and appreciate the lovely cheese service, the fruit, the views, and me—I pour a glass of champagne to help shake off the trip.
We take it pretty easy that first day—traveling will do that—order room service, play Monster trucks and Obstacle Course. Jason, BW and Kayla take a walk for some supplies.
The next day, as predicted, it’s raining. Off and on, but the on’s pretty heavy. Despite the wet, Kayla, Jason, Griffin and I head out—with Griffin pushing Baby (his doll) in the stroller. He’s not bothered by the rain a bit. We’re heading to FAO Swartz, and the fun for the wet boy begins.
While he’s interested and enjoying, what grabs him is the remote control cars on demonstration. He picks up one of them in a box, gives me a look, and hands it to me without a word. Okay then! I think he would’ve stayed there the entire day making the cat spin and flip. The only other thing he picks—again giving me a look, handing me the box—is a NYC yellow cab. Hey, his birthday is coming up.
Back home and a fun visit with Griffin’s triplet cousins and their moms. And Kayla, Laura and I grab a little shoe shopping time. Success all around!
Sunday is for the zoo—just Jason, the boy and me. A lovely day after the rain, a nice walk though we compete with the Sunday parade on Fifth. Just like last year, all Griffin wants is to bounce on the spider web trampoline. We finally convince him to explore, which he does, but somehow he manages to wind him way right back to the spider web.
Eventually, we tear him away and with Jason’s phone GPS, make our way to the carousel. This year our nearly 5-year-old boy sits his own horse.
Then he crashed on the couch.
We have our foundation meeting Monday—and since the BIG parade is happening, it’s a good day to stay away from the crowds.
Before we start, while I’m working out, Kat comes up and asks if I have scissors.
I have little, folding travel scissors, but Griffin’s decided he wants a hair cut. We can’t miss that decision!
And Kat makes that happen with my tiny scissors.
Pretty sure we did our Facebook Live, Laura and I, that day. But it blurs.
[Laura here. Yes we did a FB Live and you can watch on this link: https://www.facebook.com/jdrobbauthor/videos/331796992856586/?mibextid=zDhOQc%5D
And Tuesday is for serious shopping. I’m close to finishing up Christmas by the end of it. But before shopping, Laura, Kayla and I head out to The NY Times where I do a podcast. Not sure of the broadcast date, but I know Laura will let you know when we are.
What an amazing building. It’s my first time there. Impressive!
Wednesday is seeing my editor and agent—and long-time friends—more shopping, a lot of hanging out. So good to see them, and have time with them.
Kayla’s JR is in NY for a college program, and as he finishes up, he can stay with us for a couple days. We have dinner out, with our long-time friends, their spouses, before we see our first Broadway play since Covid.
Six. Absolutely wonderful! The energy, the voices, the costumes. It reminds me why seeing live theater on Broadway is so very special.
Kayla and JR head out on their own on Thursday while Jason, Kat and Griffin find a playground. Leslie—my editor—Laura and I have some hang out time before everyone gathers again. And my beloved editor when I wrote for Silhouette, her husband, come over for drinks and dinner.
It’s been way too long! Lovely to see them and share our last night in the city.
The long road home on Friday—why are the east-bound lanes in PA so bumpy??? Then home again to happy dogs. Kayla’s headed out to the Era’s movie, and I figure I have the weekend to deal with all the shopping successes—and the stuff I ordered that came in during our week away.
Which I did. My One More Room resembles a storeroom at a department store, but it’s organized. After all, I have four birthdays and Christmas—so that’s a lot.
Spent the week getting seriously back to work. And that felt just fine.
Then it’s the weekend, again.
The season’s are changing, so that means shifting seasonal clothes—a chore! And done. More packages come in. Opened, organized and set there. Yes! Really nearly done.
Other organizing must be done on Saturday, but I get to it.
And it’s Sunday. Time to make soup—three bean and ham for this gorgeous, sunny fall day, and why not make some facoccia bread to go with it? BW’s out splitting wood (not with an axe, he has a splitter) and I spend the bulk of the day in the kitchen.
It’s nice, harvesting some herbs for the soup, the bread. And seeing my gardens still blooming. BW will watch football, and I’ll just veg the rest of the day.
I believe I’ll do just that, with an adult beverage.
Nora
I saw Six a few weekends ago and love it as well
ALL the lanes in Pennsylvania are bumpy, no matter what direction. lol
Griffin’s growing so fast! Kayla’s turned into such a beautiful young woman. Glad you had such a great time visiting.
Sounds glorious! Thank you for sharing! Soup sounds wonderful 💛
Sounds like you had a great time. Only been to New York twice. Once when I was little and once a few years ago. Very overwhelming both times. But I live in Idaho and Eve should really give it a try. By the way, Eve is my imaginary best friend. Thank you for her.
Thanks for the update. Your littles are growing so fast! So nice to visit old friends when possible. Shopping sounds like fun, too. Glad you all had an excellent visit /trip.
And just what would we do without those adult beverages? Slainte!
Thank you for sharing. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip, seeing friends and enjoying New York. The pictures are beautiful – Griffin is sprouting and still a darling. Kayla has become a lovely young woman. The soup and bread look delicious.
I feel like I went on the trip, too! Thanks 😊
Love the picture of Grifffin on his Horse! Brought back so many memories!
Thank you for sharing?
Thank you for sharing your trip with us! So much fun!
Thanks for sharing your trip. Enjoy reading about your travels and family. Love your books
I love it that you treasure your family and friends so much! The party bus up to NYC and the happy, fall adventure you all had! Just wonderful! Griffin looking up at you with his big, sweet eyes, as he handed you a couple of gifts he wanted, and you sweetly buying them for him. So sweet! You make every moment in life count and appreciate everything! Thanks for sharing your joy with us!
I laughed when I first saw Griffen on the beautiful horse, with human legs pictured below. For a moment I thought family had put a horse head and rear end, on backwards, then realized it was a Roundabout. Thanks for sharing.
Awww man! Any trip to NY is a treat! Glad ya’ll enjoyed it, but it’s always good to go back home. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your adventure in NY with us. Kayla is a beautiful young lady, Griffin is a doll. No haircut pics?
I’ve never been to NY except through JFK. I left through there in 1978 to return to Germany as a civilian after I got out of the army, then my husband and I returned through there because of all things we brought home a cat from Germany. No grandfather clock, no baby, just a cat-lol.
Maybe someday one of my great nieces and I can fly up there and see the city.
Sounds like a busy weekend. Thevlittle one sure knows how to wrap you around his fingers! LOL. That part is actually fun though.
Someday I’ll get to NY. In the meantime I get my fill from the ID books!
Always fun to read about your trips. Griffin growing up too fast. Family fun. Thanks.
I love reading about your family and your adventures. You’re right on the money about the roads in Pennsylvania. They are awful. I live here so I know. I don’t know what they do with our tax money.
I laughed when you mentioned that BW was splitting wood with a splitter, not an axe. My husband is my splitter with an axe and he does it for exercise to get a stash ready for winter fireplace burning. This is part of his exercise routine for playing senior men’s softball. He plays with 70 to 85 year old men in league and tournaments.
I’m with Griffin!! Love that carousel – rode it once years ago when visiting NYC with a college friend. We were the only ones on it and the operator decided we should just stay on – our ride was half an hour. Almost missed our subway/train home!!!!
Sounds like a wonderful trip with family and friend visits! Your soup and focaccia bread look yummy. Thanks for sharing!
We’d love to see Griffin’s haircut, esp since done w little bitty scissors! Go Kat!
LOVED the NYT interview! Thank you for defending women and reading! In a galaxy far,far away, I was a Librarian which means reading is a passion…I have yawned over many books, even snored through some…BUT never, ever over a Nora Roberts! And, oh the memorable characters you have created….!!!
Wishing you and yours Happy Birthdays, and Holidays filled with joy!!
Well said!
I always love reading your newsletters! Griffin is a handsome little guy who knows what he wants, that’s for sure! Thank you for the updates. I too, would love to see his haircut.