Cman & Philip's Excellent Adventure.

The past two weekends have been crazy fun for all. Seriously, I felt like I was playing hooky for two Sunday's in a row. It was liberating and rebellious all in one! Why you ask? Well, you see, EVERY. SINGLE. WEEKEND since May, we have been slaving away at the hizzy. Now, don't get me wrong, we both very much understand that unless Merlin or Harry Potter show up, the house isn't going to fix itself so we are the Merlin's and HP's of this novel, but 6 months into this and not really getting a break to do anything fun takes its toll. What ever shall this newlywed couple do? Enter a one year marriage anniversary and visiting friends from an island far, far away. Ok, not that far, but I couldn't swim it!

Sunday, October 16th, marked one year since Ed and I said I do. I know I've said this probably a hundred times before, but I thought that would never happen. I honestly feel like marriage is a perfect, natural fit for us and I was excited to plan a little celebration. Since we got married in Williamsburg, Brooklyn last year, we thought it would be awesome to go back to MyMoon (where we got married) and enjoy our first anniversary meal there. However, Brooklyn is a long traffic filled drive just for chow, so I planned a whole day. I got us tickets to see the Broadway show - Ed's 1st!! - Rock of Ages. 

We caught the matinee which was great because we were able to hit up a few pubs for a few pints before we went to be seated and departed early enough to catch all the Park Ave and FDR traffic we could ask for. The show was AMAZING. Holy sheet!!rock people go see it. Seriously, Ed and I were clapping, singing, and laughing the entire show - yes, you read that correctly, Ed was loving it! We both were. After the show we found an Irish pub in the theatre district (thanks, yelp!) and each enjoyed a black and tan. Dinner at MyMoon was delicious as always and really made the anniversary an anniversary.

The weekend after our anniversary, Kathryn and Philip flew into town and we had visitors! Kate and I have been friends for just about 30 years and we all just adore her husband, Philip...especially a certain 13 year old I happen to know. They currently reside in Bermuda (I know, right? Jealous much? I know with winter here, I am!) and we don't get to see them nearly as much as we did when they lived in Boston...so this was a treat! Sunday we all went into the city and stayed at the super fancy Carlyle Hotel which is on the upper east side. While Kate was in training (boo!!) Philip, Ed, Cman, and I all went on a tour of Manhattan on Monday. We gave Philip the reins in terms of what he wanted to see and we toured the whole island! 

Originally we all wanted to hit up the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, but it is sold out for a month! Booo! So, instead, we first went to Central Park and the Central Park Zoo. We saw all sorts of awesome creatures and got really close to some really crazy looking red eyed peacock type bird. We also found a parrot to befriend which then came super close to pooping on Cman. 

After we finished at the zoo, we hailed a cab and headed downtown to the World Trade Center site (Ground Zero). Dude(ette)'s I cannot believe the amount of construction and rebuilt growth this area of Manhattan has experienced! Last time I was in this area it was depressing, and a smoldering hole, and businesses were still shut down and torn apart from the falling debris of the former World Trade towers. Now, well maybe also due to the nut-job hippies occupying Wall St, it's busy!! The buildings are gorgeous and huge and we found a great ... can you guess it?? Pub! for lunch...

Due to the insaneness of the Downtown area, we decided to head back up to Midtown and see the Empire State Building and Rock Center. When we got there we tried to get tickets to the Top of the Rock (which Ed, P, and I have never done - Cman had), but the tickets were ...ready for this?... sold out until 4:45pm. Ugh. So, we decided to tour Rock Center instead. We walked down a block to the Ave of the Americas (6th Ave) and what did we find there?? (Well what did we find besides Radio City Music Hall) Magnolia Bakery. O.M.G. peeps, this place is what dreams are made of. Want to see why??

Yes. That is Red Velvet Cheesecake with a homemade whipped cream top and an Oreo chocolate crunch bottom. Now, anyone who knows me, knows that I do not eat desserts, that is unless its a non-chocolateish cheesecake. This was heaven on a doily. Now before you go patting me on the back for chomping down that whole giant cheesecake, Ed and I and Cman shared it - even though Cman had his own.






Connor told me on the train on the way home that this was the best day ever and that he too wants on iPhone. The former I was/am so, so happy to hear and glad that his sleepover in a posh NYC hotel (The Carlyle) was fun and his day playing hooky and galavanting through NY on foot and cab with his best peeps made him one happy, albeit a lil spoiled, kid. The iPhone part...he's still only 13. I barely trust myself not to drop it and kill it, let alone a 13 year old. It may be a little bit before the iPhone part comes to fruition for him.


So, that ends our journey-filled two Sunday Funday's. We loved having Katie and Philip in town and can't wait to see them again in a month! But, for right now, it's off to RHN to get that puppy finished! Thanksgiving is a mere 3.5 weeks away and we need to get the renos done and moved in before that! Eeek! Here's to crossing every extremity including our fingers that we make that deadline! I leave you with a picture of the BFF's. 

happiness pie!

Oh and one last thing...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EDDY!!!! 

Ahhhh, Hello? Is Thing On? Bueller? Bueller?

I've been absent for two whole weeks with no sick note! Oh the shame! I feel like such a rebel bad ass. It's cool, peeps, someday I'll teach you the ways of such rebellious behavior. For now, however, we stick to the newbie-goody-two-shoes ways and learn of why RHN has been out sick with no sick note. Hell, you know what? This will be my sick note!


First off, we have been working at RHN. Oh yes we have. And we have actually made progress. Oh yes we did. The bathroom looks AMAZING. Yep, that's a big pat on the back for the doers of magic at RHN. (Ha! I just said magicians in the longest way possible. I'm a knucklehead.) The extra long pipe in the kitchen that was blocking us from installing the new hardwood flooring pieces (Thanks Mr. & Mrs. Toth!) and the rest of cabinets has disappeared too. Poof! Oh hey, maybe you have you no idea of which debacle I speak of. Ok, let this doer of magic explain. In the kitchen by the door to the deck there are heating radiators (they're everywhere actually) and one of the heating pipes was this awkward perpendicular piece that shot off the wall, was in the way, and had no cover. Wtf? The piece wasn't significant in that it was literally only about 2 feet long. So, what does a couple doers of magic do? We (ok, Ed) drains the system, cuts the wtf pipe at the angle, drills another hole in the floor, adds in additional pipe to the cut piece, fits it to where the old wtf pipe was, solders it up, re-pressurizes the system, hopes to holy cheese the solder holds, and wham! no more wtf pipe. See? Magic. Captivating. No? Did I actually hear a "ooohhhh...ahhhhh...?" Now we can repair the u-g-l-y your motha ain't got to alibi pieces of ruined hardwood and finish installing those damn cabinets. Geesh.

Before Magic

After Magic

The bathroom has a fully tiled floor and shower. Hi-tech, right? It also has window moulding, floor moulding, a new-non-pink bathtub, outlets, lights, a fan, a newly painted ceiling and walls and get this, a new-non-pink-toilet. Yep! We (ok, Ed, again) installed the new eco-friendly smart flush toilet on Sunday. All that's left to do in the room is install the vanity and sink and the sconces. I also still have to get a shower curtain, rod, accessories, etc., but that should be the easy and fun part! Oh, right, and I'm still depriving you of pictures.



The master bedroom has been primed and painted. We went with the same gray that is in the living room for two reasons: 1.) Ed really liked the color and it goes with our bedding beautifully. 2.) We had a little over a half gallon left from the living room. We won't be touching the master bath just yet, however we do have a plan and while it's nothing crazy, it's going to require some demo and obviously time - both of which we are either in the mood for or have time for right now. To the back burner it goes!


I picked up two free chairs on the side of the road this weekend. They are awesome, but need paint and a reupholster. I am psyched. 


RHN had some visitors this weekend - Kathryn and Philip and Rick and Stef - and so far our blood, sweat, and tears has received nothing but giant thumbs up all around. The initial reaction of all that come to see the origin of our stress hizzy, always have the same first reaction - holy sheet!rock!! This place is huge! Which when I actually stood back and looked at the hizzy, it is big and the renovations and additions have only made it look bigger and more open. The fluidity of the whole space makes me happy. Well that and the fact there is no longer the loooooonnnngggg list of craptastic fails hanging about staring at me in the face and taunting me. Yea, the nanny-nanny-boo-boo's were killing me. So, with my sick note complete, I bid you farewell. Well, that is until I tell you about a few non-RHN related adventures that have taken place in the past two weekends... Yes, they were beyond fun. And no, no one was arrested.

One Year Ago.

One year ago if anyone would have said to me 'this time next year you will be knee deep in renovating your home that you own' I would have said 'yea right. I was born at night (Ed and I both were, actually) but not last night'. Well, one year later Ed and I are nearing the end stages of our massive undertaking that is RHN (just the really big renos. there is still a billion other projects) and every time we walk into RHN we are still in disbelief that we own it. We are still in disbelief that the source of most of our stress still manages to bring us a sense of happiness, of pride, and of accomplishment - and Mama cannot get enough of the joint!

This week marks a certain time one year ago that I wish I could relive every year for the rest of my life. This week marks a certain time one year ago two families were embracing a merge, and love was the dominant feeling. This week marks a certain time one year ago I was stressed out and blissful all in one emotion. This week marks a certain time one year ago Cman and I were the two happiest and most grateful people on this planet. I seriously cannot believe it's already been a year. I seems like yesterday Ed and I were taking engagement pictures in Brooklyn.

Photo by great Ronnie Scavetta

Photo by the great Ronnie Scavetta

One year ago we were also celebrating our wedding shower - theme: luau party. Let me tell you, our bridal party knows how to throw a shindig like no other. Marilyn and Tyler started the afternoon off serving Mai-Tai's and decorating us with lai's; that set the tone for the rest of the day. Ed and I were overwhelmed by our families and friends generosity towards us - plus, they threw a gig that was so Kelly & Ed it was ridiculious. 

Me, Ed, Ma, Pa, Mar, Tyler, Mandy, & Will. 

Katie, Myself, & Bridget

On that same weekend, one year ago, the guys set off on a journey with the 'party girl', Ed, to area brew pubs to celebrate Ed's bachelor party. Meanwhile, us girls went off on our own journey to local area wineries to celebrate my bachelorette party. I cannot express to you in words the amount of fun us girls had touring area wineries. In a limo. Serenading the limo driver, Gary, by belting out Journey. It was the most fun I had had in at least ten years. I kid you not. Both the girls and guys ended the night at Max's on Main with delicious grub and more festivities.

Mar, Jen, Elle, Myself, Kate, Bridgy.

My posse at Benmarl. Don't be jealous.

After almost 30 years, some things never change.

The Groom-to-be getting smooches at Max's.

This Sunday marks our first wedding anniversay. Holy sheet!rock!! I cannot believe I'm typing that. The past year has served Ed and I a lot of emotionally difficult and joyus occasions, and regardless of those times, we both haven't lost sight of what's important to us...

The Brandt's.
Photo by Ronnie Scavetta

The Norton's.
Photo by Ronnie Scavetta

Connor and Myself
Photo by Ronnie Scavetta

The Bells. My Mom was with us.
Photo by Ronnie Scavetta

My Dad and Mr. S. Almost 30 years later.
Photo by Ronnie Scavetta

Mar and Tyler.
Photo by Ronnie Scavetta

Brothers.
Photo by Ronnie Scavetta

Will and Mandy.
Photo by Ronnie Scavetta

Friends.
Photo by Ronnie Scavetta

Friends.
Photo by Natalie S.

Remembering what's important in your life is easy to forget when you're stressed out because of daily life. I want to thank all our friends & family for being so amazing. We are extremely lucky to have you all in our life. We big puffy heart you all - a whole bunch. So, with all that said I have one last thing left to say. 

Happy #1, Ed. I love you.

Photo by the fabulous Ronnie Scavetta

Football Sunday Fundays.

And the GMEN pulled a win outta their ...  against the Cardinals. Whoot-whoot!!


This weekend at RHN didn't really boast any crazy undertakings or epic projects. Well, that's not entirely true. Ed did tile the bathroom floor and THAT was an epic project. It's gorgeous, but it seriously gave Ed a run for his money. He was using language that isn't G rated - hell, I'm not sure it was R rated either. Regardless of language used, the floor is slammin' and I'm proud of my foul-mouthed hubs. Oh, you want to see a picture of this gorgeously amazing marble floor we speak of? Nope. Too bad, so sad. When it's done we will share. Patience grasshoppers.


While Ed was romancing the bathroom floor, my dad and I installed the pendant light in the kitchen above the sink. I love it. We have a different fancier bulb to jazz er' up a bit. Also, I really wanted the light to hang lower - 12in instead of 6in, but considering (again) our heights, we would be whackin' our foreheads on it. Damn being tall. 

I primed the wood trim in the master bedroom and master bathroom. So exciting isn't it? Dad also fixed a few patches and Cman mowed the lawn, voluntarily, while mama tried to eat the mower. It is hilarious how much the dog hates the mower. She doesn't do this to the vacuum so we aren't sure what makes her want to destroy the mower. To document said hilarity, I made a very short film to share with you all.   

Driving home we saw a really amazing sky. It doesn't happen here in NY all that often - well not as often as our Bermudian and Virgin Island counterparts, plus I had a view of 84 not the turquoise waters of the Atlantic and Caribbean. So, until we finish the bathroom, I leave you with a winning night for the GMEN on Sunday Night Football. Whaaaa-what!