Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts - Sep 5

Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts is hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. This is a chance for book bloggers to dabble in areas besides books (but those are welcome too). Share your plans for the weekend, a rant on people not using their turn signals in parking lots, or your love of Sunday morning mimosas.

Welcome to September! I hope you had a nice Labor Day weekend. We took the girls into NYC as a belated birthday gift for the Lil' Diva (I should probably stop calling her that since she turned 17 last month).

We walked to Central Park on Sunday since Monday was going to be a scorcher. There was a little fair going on with amusement rides for the little ones. They posed in front of that and did some walking on the rocks. Sunday night we ate at John's Pizzeria and did some shopping in Times Square. Monday was filled with breakfast at a local cafe and more shopping (gosh, I swear that's all the girls like to do). The ride home was pretty easy, but we saw a ton of traffic driving back into New York Monday afternoon.

The kids in Central Park

Climbing rocks in Central Park

Times Square - Sep 2

Window shopping at Macy's--Found these cute piggies I would like to have in my house

We are happy that dance starts this coming weekend. The Lil' Princess might have soccer practice before dance. She will definitely be beat by the time she's done. 

It's a full work week for me. I keep hoping to take some time off to clean the house, but it never happens. I guess going to NYC instead of staying home to clean doesn't make me sound too worthy of sympathy. :) 

Hope you have a great week.

Mailbox Monday - December 28

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

Welcome to the final Mailbox Monday of 2015. Last week I missed this great meme because the family visited New York City for the holidays. One big change from last year--police officers carrying assault rifles in Times Square. Part of me is comforted by the extra security. The other part is freaked out by what the world has become.

We started off our trip by visiting Radio City Music Hall to watch the Rockettes in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. It's always a great show.

The girls and their friends took their last ride on the Toys "R" Us Times Square Ferris wheel. Sadly, this store is closing. 

We did some Christmas shopping in the city (rode the escalator up to every floor in Macy's) and spent a good part of the next day in Central Park because temperatures have been unseasonably warm this December.

I hope all of you had a great Christmas. We had two days of celebrating. It was a quiet day with just us and the in-laws on Christmas, but Saturday the whole gang was here. 

One book was under the tree for me. It is one I've wanted for a while, so I am thrilled.

Robert Reed gave his life for his country in the early days of World War II. His sacrifice was honored when his widow and son were presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor. At Christmas, the final decoration Marge Reed hangs on the family’s tree is that medal. Rather than being a symbol of honor for young Jimmy Reed that shining star represents loss, pain, and suffering.

Yet a message delivered by one of Robert’s fellow soldiers and a mystery letter found in a Bible put a father’s sacrifice and faith into perspective and bring new meaning to not just the star hanging on the Christmas tree but the events of the very first Christmas. Then, when least expected, a Christmas miracle turns a final bit of holiday sadness into a joy that Jimmy has never known.

That's it from me. Did you receive any books for Christmas?