July 22-July 23, 2005

BUFFALO HERE WE COME!!!

What a long 48 hours it was for me! Friday Morning, I was up at 7am, to head over to the Epik's house to pick up Kendra and take her to camp for her last day. After i dropped her off, i had to make a few stops on the way home. One was to Home Depot to pick up a gift card for Atik, then i had to hit the bank and get my money changed over. After that i headed home, where i was hoping to have a nap before getting ready.

Unfortunaly for me, i still hadn't packed. So i ran around packing and getting myself ready to leave the house by 1230pm. Who woulda thought it would take me 3 hours to do all of that! I was out of the house by 1230pm and then headed back to the Epik's house to pick Diane up and head downtown for Kendra's show. The show was to start at 2pm, and we got down there in record time. Parked the car and headed into the building.

We sat around and waited for about 45 minutes before we were ushered into the back studio. Silly me, decided to sit down in the backrow. Of course it wasn't raised seating, and so for most of the show, all i saw was the back of the ladies head in front of me. I could have stood up, but by the time i realized to do that, the standing area was already 2 rows deep! I was able to see most of the body movements, just not much footwork. And let me just say, these people go ALL out! There were so many flowers and presents...as if it was a full end of year show or something - i mean it was only 3 weeks!!! And they clap at EVERYTHING! I was kinda getting tired like 2 dances into the show. All in all, it was a good show, the kids all did a great job.

After the show, we headed to Mr. Greek Junior for lunch. Grabbed a quick bite, then i dropped Diane & Kendra off at home and went out to pick up Melissa. When i got to Melissa's apartment, she was already downstairs with her bags, and her wedding dress. We raced down to the store since everyone was extremly anxious to get on the road. When we got to the store, Melissa tried on her wedding dress for us, which i have to say is beautiful (note the pictures below). And then we got the store closed up, the car packed and headed out to Buffalo.

We were at the border crossing by 730pm. There were DOGS going up and down the rows of cars! In all my years of crossing the border, that was definatly a first! We got across the border then took the 190 south to the 290 east and exited Niagra Falls Blvd. and proceeded to the Holiday Inn. It was a nice hotel with of course and indoor pool. We were barely in the room when everyone started jumping up ready to go swimming (and I thought I was the crazy one!)

We were in the pool by 830pm, and didn't get out till around 10pm. Between the pool and the hot tub, it was loads of fun. Katie let me try the Dirty Dancing lift, which i ALMOST got, before Katie's hip bone went RIGHT into my shoulder! After our lovely swim, we went upstairs and got ready to go for dinner. We went right down the street to the Denny's! OMG we were all soo stuffed after it was crazy!

When we got back to the room, Katie was the first one changed and in bed, and pretty much fell right asleep when her head hit the pillow. Sylvia and Melissa got to share the King Bed, and Katie and I shared the double couch. Which actually was pretty good to sleep in! Sylvia & Melissa were up and in the pool by 630 the next morning, and as much as I wanted to join them, i couldn't even open my eyes. Katie & I slept till 830 when they came back, and then we all got ready to head out to breakfast.

We went to Denny's again (but a different Denny's) and had a big breakfast so we wouldn't have to worry about lunch. We then headed out to the Walden Galleria Mall. Sylvia & Melissa both got Leather jackets ($80 & $40 respectively), and surprisingly i didn't buy too much at the mall. I got a sweater for my dad that says "I'm Retired Do It Yourself" for only $5.98, and i got some other things but nothing too exciting.

After the mall, we headed down to the Outlet Mall. Where i dropped some good coin at Aeropostale. Got some cute little skirts, a few nice shirts and a zip sweater all for under $25!! And of course there were good sales at Old Navy and Rue 21!!! I mean a skirt for $2.50??!?! What more could u ask for? We had dinner at the mall -- Good ol' Panda Express for me. Then slipped over to Marshall's, where Katie found an interesting napping place (see picture below), and I walked out empty handed!

After Marshall's we were finally off to Target, the one place everyone was waiting for. Melissa found all the stuff for her bathroom, which she was really excited about, and we also got stuff for her kitchen. I got a shirt for my brother for his birthday and of course my Treseme which i desperatly needed!

We then made a quick run to Walmart so i could pick up sheets for my cousin's wedding. And then we headed to the border. I was HOPING to see Joey Fatone and then we wouldn't have to be stopped, but i knew we were going to get taxed! And of course we did, but the guy didn't even look at our receipts, just put down an estimated price and sent us to pay. They didn't have to check the car - thank goodness, cuz it took a LONG time to pack everything away! And then we were on our way back home.

Sylvia was dropped off first, and then Melissa, Katie joined me for the drive back, and made me go into her house and make sure no one else was there lol! And then i was home by about 130am! It was a VERY Long 48 hours, but lots of fun!

till next time...

July.5.2005

Day 2 of Playing Mom!!

So i'm here at the Epik's house, on my way to bed...tomorrow will be Day 3 of Babysitting Kendra...for the past 2 days its been more like playing mom. Waking her up in the morning, getting her ready for dance camp, making breakfast, etc. Its interesting to say the least.

When i dropped Kendra off at camp on Monday moring, i had to stick around for the 'parent meeting'. I did feel kinda silly being the only non-parent there, but she wanted me to stay so i did. Then headed home to my house to finish cleaning before my own parents came home.

When i picked Kendra up from dance camp, we got some ice cream on the way home, and then i made dinner when we got home. We then went swimming at Broadlands Community Pool, came home, had some dessert and went to bed.

Today we did basically the same thing, but i went to work today, and her mom came home from the hospital and was home when we got back from camp, so that was exciting! We got to go swimming again, and this time Cathie joined us. We were in the pool for longer today than yesterday, which is always fun :) We also got to have Swiss Chalet for dinner - yummie! I am staying at least one more night...i might go home tomorrow, at least to sleep, but come back to get Kendra up in the morning. I'm just really missing my own bed and pillows and my icebox of a house! But we'll see...

till next time...