Our Weekend in Jacksonville

We had a great time in Jacksonville. We had two rooms at the LaQuinta (pronounced La keen ta--Mom). Our room had a separate  "middle room" where you see Barb and Linda.

A separate Dining room where you see Kathy enjoying a muffin.

Mom here preparing pizza in our own Kitchen.   But we preferred hanging out on the terrace having a little drink. It's what we do best. 

  

I don't know why the text won't go where I want it to go. Oh, well.

Sex and the city anyone?

Sorry this is completely unrelated to the holidays and family, but I must share my excitement over my celebrity crush that I met last night (divinely beautiful in person)...ignore my ugly mug

She is starring on Broadway right now. She was sensational, so we hung around after to express our adoration.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

I thought it was time for a change even though it seems I am abou the only one let posting and/or commenting. I'm sorry I can't be with all my family this year but thrilled that I can spend it with my kids. Christy is so excited about hosting Christmas at her house this year and I am excited to be going to her house. I wish I could be in Florida with the majority of the family but things just don't work out the way you plan, sometimes. I actually have to work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and they actually expect us to work New Years Eve, but the builders are going to find a new agent in town who isn't going to accommodate them. I may be fired the beginning of the year and I really don't care. Que sera, sera.

We are so Lucky!

Your Three Words

OK, Everyone, here is a task for you. You've probably seen on GMA or some news programs, the videos of people holding up a sign with three words that sum up their week, their year, their life. Well, I plan on making a video including everyone. I think we can do more than one per person possibly. If you'll be at my house, we can film it there. If you're not, can you send me a video? Or at least a picture of you and your sign. I just saw some on you tube if you're confused, go to youtube and search GMA your 3 words or something like that. Ok, so have a think about yours and send me something, or see you at christmas!!

Kilroy

As I said on Facebook, I went to a quilt show and at the very end, in the back corner was this very small quilt. I almost crapped! Diana couldn't understand why I was so excited and had her take a picture. I mean when you think about it, there were quilts from all over the world; truly amazing quilts that I couldn't even begin to tackle. And then in the very last turn was this very simple, small quilt. It sure did make my day! I sure miss DAD!

Hayle had her phone and computer taken away, she was bored!!

Wake Up People

Where is everyone? I am like Nancy, I get up and go to the blog to see what is going on with the family and I feel like this has become a diary that only me and Nancy share. Occasionally Mom or Kathy chime in. We actually look forward to hearing from the rest of you. Don't think your days are boring until we tell you they are. Tell us about your day and we'll be the judges.

Surely Charlie has some news about NY. And doesn't Brittany work in the fashion industry? I know there is excitement there. She travels all the time. Bridget, you are looking for a house aren't you? Linda just had a new grandson--still waiting for some pictures. Barbara just came back from NYC--HELLO BRAUN FAMILY-- wake up and tell us your stories.

Ok, so today I have a closing and after it is over I have to drive all the way to Cumming to bring the check to my office. Then I am showing homes tonight at 6:45--yuck. That was scheduled by my partner. Then I might try to swing by the camera club meeting. That's what I have planned so far. Yesterday I drove all the way to Blue Ridge to take pictures of the moon with Michael and it began to rain as soon as we got our cameras set up. We never saw the moon. Four hours of driving and no pictures. Oh well.

Thought I Would Change it Up

I thought if I made a change we I might get someone to respond. This is Sweetwater Creek near my house. John and I went there the other day just so I could take some Fall pictures. We were only there a few minutes and it started to rain so I didn't get much. Oh, well.

Wales Should be Your Next Vacation Spot

Some of the places I have been.

Time for A Change

This is the bridge from England to Wales

Welcome to Wales

This is the bay in Cardiff.

I arrived safely and having a great time. Nancy and I are going to London in the morning. We are taking a train in and going to a lot of the highlights. We are going on the London Eye. I should have some amazing pictures tomorrow.

911 Memorial photos

I had the opportunity to see the 911 Memorial tonight, so I thought I would share my pictures. The construction around the site is still ongoing. The depth of the hole left by these buildings is unbelievable. The fountains are a beautiful tribute. Hope you all enjoy the photos.

911 Memorial

10 years later

My night journey to the WTC site...

9/11/11 - Ten years later

Nancy needs an update...

Nancy requested an update from the family, so I'm obliging. Sorry if everyone gets tired of hearing about my times in NYC. Things have remained incredibly busy since getting here. We have finally opened after the earthquake and hurricane. What a way to start in NYC. The students are already having too much fun/experimentation with drugs and alcohol. I've had 3 students transported to the hospital for alcohol and one arrested for marijuana possession. Did I mention that this all happened in the last 5 days? Today I met with one resident who told me about her fake ID, so I had her surrender that to me (this was a first). I love that these kids are so willing to open up to me. You never know what you're going to experience when you wake up in this job.

There has been a lot of great stuff too. I did a bus tour of the city last night with some of the residents. On Wednesday, I went to a spoken word event with Jesse Eisenberg from the movie The Social Network, and yesterday Alec Baldwin was our guest speaker for first year convocation at the Beacon Theatre. He and our university president are hilarious. I've posted a picture from my 4th row seat at convocation and another picture of my nightly view from my apartment.

I also forgot to mention that Diane Lane was in my building on move-in day. She is stunningly gorgeous. All in all, things have been going well. The job and the city have kept me busy. I'll continue to post as this journey continues. Maybe between Nancy and I, we'll draw people back to the blog. I don't do well with facebook anymore, so lets see how this works. Much love.

I had the opportunity to take a sunset cruise around Manhattan last night so I thought I would share some of the photos. I've just wrapped up week number 2 at NYU. We are just one week away from the student staff arriving and 2 weeks from all residents. Hope everyone is doing well.

Sunset cruise

Week one

My first week at NYU has just wrapped up with a HUGE free dinner and open bar at a local restaurant. I have learned so much and still have SO much more to learn. The staff is amazing. Incredibly welcoming and offer lots of assistance. I think I'm going to love it here for a long time to come.

Next week should be fun because we find out which VIP residents will live in the building. It is the most sought after for 1st year students. In the past 2 years, Denzel Washington and Bono's children have lived here (haley joel osmont of the "sixth sense" also dated a resident). I had an opportunity to go to dinner with one of my faculty as well. He runs the French program here and consults for our program in Paris too. He is awesome and has great plans for the building this year. There has been lots of talk about all the things we get to do here with Broadway shows, going behind the scenes, taking ski trips, etc. I'm incredibly fortunate and will continue to share the excitement in words and pictures.

I must also give thanks to Rick, Cherie, Bridget and Mike for housing me on my adventure up here. Also, Bridget and Brittany for letting us join them for brunch on Sunday.

Lastly, thank you so much to mom and dad who helped make this home. It was really nice to come home from the first 2 days of crazy training to see my parents. Continue to take care of my little girl too. I miss her greatly.

Hope everyone is doing well.

NYU Update

I've finally been given my specific assignment in the Office of Residential Life and Housing Services at New York University. I will be working in the Hayden Residence Hall (building info from the NYU website can be found here) as the Residence Hall Director. I will have an assistant director, resource manager, and two faculty-in-residence. The building is situated on Washington Square Park with great views of the Empire State Building.

It's so nice that the former president of NYU lives in the penthouse of the building, which takes up the entire 18th floor. I will be moving up there at the end of this month with tremendous help from my mom and dad. My first day will be August 1.

Fresh from the Garden

These are just a few of the vegetables from our garden that we have enjoyed.  The green beans seem to be coming along just fine, just got our first cucumber, the carrots don't seem to be doing to well, and we just planted pumpkin for the fall.  For those of you who did not know, we replaced the pool with a garden and it has been fun to watch everything grow.

Crum-Coated Broccoli & Cauliflower

oh my God, you guys! I made this tonight, and it is RIDICULOUS it is SOOO good!! And good for you! It's in that Cuisine Lite book that I got at Bridgets, so Bridget you may have made this. This serves 2 and is 3-1/2 points on weight watchers

2 cups each broccoli florets and cauliflower florets (a small head of each)

2 egg whites, beaten

2 TBS canola oil

1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs

3 TBS ground almonds

2 TBS grated parmesan cheese

1 TBS chopped fresh parsley

1/4 tsp kosher salt and ground black pepper

preheat oven to 450 degrees. coat a baking sheet with nonstick spray

cook broccoli in microwave for 2-3 minutes

cook cauliflower in microwave for 5 minutes

mix egg white and oil in dish. stir crumbs, almonds, parmesan, parsley, salt & pepper in a separate dish.

dip florets in egg mixture, then dredge in crumb mixture. arrange on baking dish and bake for 8-10 minutes.

BONUS-Dipping sauce-3 TBS dijon, 1 TBS honey, 1 tsp whole grain mustard, mix together!

Christmas in Florida!!

Hey Everyone! We are now Florida homeowners!! And we plan on having a Florida Christmas this year. It's only a 3 bedroom, but it's kind of a big house. I will come down to FL some time between now and xmas to start getting furniture in it, and Hayle and I will be there from the 15th of December to start getting decorated and all ready. Who will be joining us?!?!?! If you haven't seen it, the address is 2310 NE 47th st, lighthouse point. I'm SO excited!!!