Green lunch

Charlie isn't lunching in true NYC fashion.  That is, he's not eating out.  He still totes his lunch to work each day.  It's cheaper, I'm convinced, although I do intend to do some number crunching soon.

We continue to try be thrifty and green, and those two usually go hand in hand.  In an effort to stop using plastic bags all together, I moved to packing lunches in wax paper and reusable containers over a year ago.  Giving up ziploc snack and sandwich bags didn't exactly give me extra cash in the bank.  I'm going to have to use those containers for a long, long time to break even, but I derive a great sense of satisfaction in knowing our house is not adding plastic bags to landfills.

In the past Charlie's lunch contained at least 4 plastic bags.  That's 20 bags per week, and over 1000 bags per year that were being added to landfills.  And that's just one lunch.  Imagine if I were packing lunches for a family of 4 each morning.

Right before moving I found reusable baggies, and I love them.  I think Charlie likes them too.  Who wouldn't smile when pulling out their sammie from this:

Sammie, carrots, and chips

They are dishwasher safe and are easily rinsed out in the sink.  I've got six "sandwich" size bags.  I'm interested in trying the "snack" and "sub" sized bags as well but these have met our needs so far.  Occasionally he'll get a container if he's getting a gooey dessert, but for the most part, it's a few lunchskins tossed into his "briefcase."

We've Moved!

If you haven't yet received our new address, send your contact info ASAP.  Getting things ready for the holiday season mailings.

Lovin'

• Family time
• The playground across the street
• Fellow southerners
• Text messages at 5pm
• Online ordering
• Packages
• Stamped letters
• Yellow leaves
• Tight squeezes
• Little fingers in my nose, ears, mouth
• The orange ball
• New stools
• Skinny pants

Hunting and Gathering

Freddie catches a ride on top of the beer

Part III of a Series:  Gristedes with the granny cart

On Saturday we were dropping the car off in the garage and stopped at the market in the ground level of the garage for a few items.  Gristedes is a chain around Manhattan and the island has a smallish version.  It's about a half mile from the house.

The selection is better than I anticipated, but it's pricey.  And the stock doesn't move as quickly, I presume because people seek out the cheaper alternatives across the bridge in Queens, so it's necessary to check the dates on items.  For instance, we opted for the beer not in the refrigerator case because it had a "freshness" date of December where as the cold beer had a date within the next few days.

We were able to get a few heavier items since we had the granny cart to schlep it home.

For $35 we got 12 pack PBR beer, 2 packs hamburger buns, butter, 2 liter soda, ice cube trays, cream cheese, and a bouncy ball.

Pros:  Easy and relatively close.  The granny cart accommodates more groceries than you'd think, but there needs to be room to set Freddie in there as well.  It's also fine for a walk on the island or over to Queens, but it's not so convenient to push through the subway station.

Cons:  Pricey, limited selection, and questionable freshness on some items.

19 Months

Motor:

• You're trying to peddle your tricycle.  It'd be easier if your legs were longer.  I think we'll look for some blocks to help with that because it may be a long, long time before your legs are long enough.
• You've been getting on the scooters at the playground.  You know better than to push the big kids off their scooters so you just hover until they hop off.  Once on you place your hands on the handlebars which are above your head and with perfect form you use one foot to push yourself along. 
• You are very into throwing a ball.  You like to take turns throwing back and forth. 
• You climb up on the big kid swing so you are belly down and give yourself a push with your feet and swing.  You sometimes ask me to help you get on your bottom so you can swing on the big swings but generally prefer to do it on your own with your belly.
• You can climb onto just about anything.

I love finding you reading your books.

Vocabulary:

• Erin heard as Eeeeee-rrrin"from the tub when you and Dada are finished bathing.
• Open and On have got to be your two favorite words.  I hear them constantly.
• You also ask for food quite a bit...cheese, banana, fish (goldfish), milk.  
• And sadly, I have lost track of all your new words.  It is more than I can keep up with these days.  You constantly surprise me with your new words.  Today it was "geese" after I had told you about the geese over a week ago, and today you saw them and shouted "geese"!  
• You continue to tell long stories that seems so purposeful but I am still unable to make heads or tails of what you're talking about.

You've been stretching out lately when you see the TV on.

Diet:

• Some days you actually get about 200z of milk.  You'd most likely drink 20 oz if it was all Pediasure but I only offer you 8 oz a day of that.  
• As much as you ask for food you still really aren't too interested in eating.  You do love goldfish though.  I can usually count on you eating a cereal bar or slice of banana bread on our morning walk but that's the only thing I can count on you eat...probably because you cannot do anything else for the 6 mile walk.
• You've been eating a lot of peanut butter lately.  
• You're into dipping, especially chips in guacamole and apples in peanut butter.

You love snuggling with your sip cup.  I can hear you take a swig of water during the night.

Appearance:

• Those 12-18 month clothes are still fitting nicely.  Your winter wardrobe is a step up in size and is going to be pretty big on you.
• We've seen a 21 on the scale.  I am hoping you're gaining weight.
• You are cutting 2 of your 2 year molars.  The two on the left, upper and lower, are trying to push through.  You'll grab my finger and put it in your mouth to check things out every once in a while.  I sure hope they break through soon because I can tell you've been uncomfortable.
• You need another haircut.  It seems to grow more quickly in the back.
• I love your long dark eyelashes.
• Blondie!

Likes:

• Running
• Climbing
• Bambi...you've started noticing the television more and have been asking that we turn it on.  You'd specifically like to watch Bambi but can be easily sucked in to any cartoon.  We definitely limit TV viewing.
• Stomping and jumping in puddles.
• Bathtime is back on your favorites list.
• Books
• Hugging your tigey
• Music.  You love when the ipod is hooked up to the speakers and we dance around the living room.  You also ask for the music to be turned on in the mornings on our walks.  

Dislikes:

• Even though you ask for the squawking penguin to be turned on you immediately want it off once it starts up.  
• Most foods.  You scrunch your nose up and shake your head when offered something that's not on the list of usuals.

Personality:

• You're pretty outgoing although you seem to be giving some shy looks to more and more people lately.
• You always ask for kisses by puckering your lips in the direction of the person you're soliciting a kiss from.  Today you requested a kiss from Mel, the doorman.
• Stubborn.  You know when you're doing something that's off limits, and you'll do it 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 times before finally complying with my redirection.  Standing on the furniture is an example.  I'll say "feet on the floor" three or four times and place your feet on the floor before you finally concede.  Sometimes if told "no" you respond with a frustrated "no, no, no" yourself.

Sleep:

• To bed each night between 7.00 and 7.30
• Up each morning between 6.30 and 7.00
• Your napping 2-3 hours in the middle of the day, but a few days the past week you have had trouble going down.  I think your new teeth may be interfering.

Potty training:

• We're doing it.  You're on board so far.  We'll see where this goes.
• You've been sitting on the potty once or twice a day over the past couple weeks.  You REALLY want to wipe your bottom and put the paper in the toilet.  You also like to hop off and flush and watch the paper go down.

Ready or not

Apparently potty training began during the Saints' game today.

 

He wanted on the potty, and didn't want his diaper back on afterwards. 

Lately he's been lying down for a diaper change, but it's empty.  And then as soon as he stands up he poops.  He knows.  He'll tell me poop after the fact. 

He gets a look and stands still for a moment, for both big and little jobs. His cues are subtle but they are there.  When I am paying attention and notice, I offer the potty, and he gives a quick "yea" and runs to the bathroom.  Unfortunately he's usually only able to squeeze out a little once he's there after the majority has been deposited in his diaper.  

I don't exactly feel ready for this.  There will be accidents.  That's just part of it.  It will mean our days will be a bit crazier.  There will be more time spent in the laundry room.  And it may not even be time.  We'll try it for a few days and if things don't improve he'll slip right back into diapers for a few weeks before trying again. 

Here we go.

At home

Feeling at home in Home Depot

Neither of us feel as though we fit in this city.  You'd think with the vast diversity there'd be someone or something that we could relate to, or at least feel like just another part of the mix.  But we don't.  It's odd, really.

Most box stores don't even feel like the suburbs at home because the aisles are never stocked because of the large number of people constantly in these stores.  But today at the Home Depot in Queens Charlie zipped through the aisles gathering supplies.  For a minute I kinda loved Home Depot.

NOLA Friends

• Spicy seasonings
• Who Dat treats
• 18 month hand me downs
• Operation 10.5
• Mrs. Butterworth
• Stroller schlepping
• Walking, walking, walking
• Dumpling slurping
• Hot & Crusty verbage
• Long term planning
• Margaritas
• Looking the part
• Map reading
• Chinatown
• Marathon walking
• Elevator hunt

Thanks for the visit, Em! See you soon?

Tipping

Was I supposed to tip the Fresh Direct delivery guy?  Didn't think of that until after the fact. 

I tip 20% at restaurants for good service.  Wait staff makes less than minimum wage with the understanding they are earning their cash.   I tip drivers delivering my supper, especially if it's raining,  but I think they are making more than a waiter so what's the standard tip?  Is it a percentage of the meal?  Can the driver really provide you with excellent service deserving of an above average tip?

But does a bartender really need that obligatory buck for popping the cap off my beer?  But if he muddles the bitter and sugar cube to create a perfect Sazerac do I tip the dollar most give for opening a beer or a percentage or more?

What about Starbucks?  Tip on my iced coffee and soy or just some perfectly frothed skim milk?

I've been thinking about tipping a lot lately since we now live in a city with lots of "services" provided.  Everything can be picked up and delivered.  Everything.

So help me out here:

• What do you tip at a bar?  Is that always or it depends?
• What do you tip at a coffee shop?
• What do you tip at a salon or barber?  What if they own the salon?
• What do you tip the guy who picks up your laundry?  And do you tip when he delivers it as well?
• What do you tip for bagels delivered?
• What do you tip for Chinese food delivered in the rain at 11pm?  Is it different if it is delivered on a sunny afternoon?
• What do you tip for a manicure?  Or a pedicure? Is it a flat amount or a percentage?
• What do you tip the cab driver?  
• What do you tip a tour guide?
• What do you tip a waiter?
• What do you tip movers?
• And do I tip the guy delivering my groceries from Fresh Direct?
• Is this a regional thing?  Does the etiquette vary by region?
• Who else are you tipping?

Hunting and Gathering

Part II of a Series:  Fresh Direct delivered

I sat on the couch, scrolled, clicked, entered my credit card info and then less than 24 hours later my groceries were delivered to my door.

Gotta love that.  Fresh Direct is where it's at!  Their truck is outside our building doing deliveries several times a day.  You can see them all over town delivering.

It took a while to find my products on their site, but now I have my favorites set up and ordering will be much easier.  I even have their app on my iphone and can drop things in my cart on the go as I think of them.  Delivery costs just over $5 per order when ordering at least $30 in groceries .  You can select your delivery date and several short windows of delivery times throughout the day.

$80 got me 3 lbs lean ground beef, 1 gallon Silk soy milk, 1/2 gallon organic milk, 5 lbs potatoes, zucchini, asparagus, 2 loaves garlic bread, goldfish, cake mix, pudding, bouillon, 2 bags pretzels, canned organic pumpkin, 32 oz organic yogurt, oatmeal, and lasagna noodles.

Pros:  Easy, easy, easy.  The selection is pretty good, and better than Trade Fair.  The delivery is quick.  There are a wide variety of organic products available and they even have a stinky cheese section. 

Cons:  The zucchini and asparagus look fine, but I'd like to check out my fruits and veggies before purchasing.  You know sometimes I want an avocado to be 2 days out from ripeness and sometimes I want it ready to use or it's nice to pop a grape in your mouth in the market before committing to buy 3 lbs.  While its not outrageously expensive especially considering the price of groceries at some markets in Manhattan, many items are more expensive than going to Trade Fair.

And the boxes?  I wish I had a use for them, but they just get broken down and put in with the recycle.  Seems to me that there'd be a system for Fresh Direct to pick up and reuse them especially since so many New Yorkers are getting these boxes every single day.

Lovin'

$400 spent and just enough space to put it all

• Costco shopping with the car
• Refrigerator full of groceries
• Tiny footsteps pounding through the apartment
• Favorite recipes
• "Bite, bite"
• Planning gumbo
• Football on the tube
• Beer drinking
• Library books
• My secret stash of Halloween candy
• Reading before bed
• Mary Poppins
• Cool grass and crunchy leaves

Mornings in the park

This weekend our mornings were bagels and Central Park.  I must say, it was lovely.

Our moving "to do" list is vanishing, and time together feels easier this weekend.

The line out the door at Bagelworks varies in length but seems to be ever present.  It's worth the wait for sure.  Since it's on Charlie's walk to the subway he'll definietely be bringing home a half dozen every now and again, especially if Freddie requests it. 

"Bite, bite, bite."  He may gain some wieght finally with the cream cheese he consumed.  We're learning the nuances of bagel ordering, including just how toasted you like your bagel.  The sourdough bagel is the one to get here.  I also just may learn to love lox on my bagel.

The weather is cooler now and the streets and subway are a little less hectic on the weekends.  I can actually pause and take a minute to check out my surroundings, figure out where the elevators in the subway station are, and orient myself with our new city.

We stuck to the east side of the park.  We found two great playgrounds, one with a giant granite slide.

 

We sat on benches and strolled under the elms.  We chatted and giggled, watched people, and explored.  We're figuring it out.

Pee!

 

He peepeed on the toilet tonight!

After running around the house naked while I ran his bath, he left three puddles.  I caught him in the middle of one and told him peepee goes in the potty, scooped him up, and sat him down.  He then did his usual of checking out the penis and tightening up the stomach muscles and squeezing out some pee.  But this time on the toilet!

This isn't the official start of training, or is it?  I've got the gear.  I've read the books.  I'm watching his cues.  I just am not ready quite yet.  I have been looking over the calendar but am yet to mark an official start date.  Almost.

Licensed

My driver's license arrived in the mail.  Not that I'll be needing it.  I wonder how long it will be before I am behind the wheel of a car again.

I am now a registered voter in New York.

And I got a NYC library card, which I am getting plenty of miles on.  I am preparing to load my ipod with some ebooks downloaded from the library.

Hunting and Gathering

Part I of a Series:  Trade Fair via the jog stroller

Making groceries takes on a whole 'nother meaning in these parts. I have a few options and today it was heading over to the Trade Fair in Long Island City, Queens.

Freddie, in the jog stroller, and I were going to make this grocery trip part of our morning walk, combining exercising and homemaking. 

It all begins with the Roosevelt Island Bridge, also known as the 36th Avenue Bridge, over to Queens.  We live south of the bridge, but this view is as we approach the bridge from the northern end of the island as we loop around on our walk.  If we'd walk straight to the bridge from our building it is about 1/2 mile. 

We head to the elevator in the parking garage to get us to the pedestrian entrance on the bridge and cross the East River into Queens.

Off we go.  Not much traffic on this little bridge during the day.  We continue through Queens, totalling about 1.3 miles from our building, to the market.

There's not room for everything inside the store so they take advantage of the sidewalk.  Chips, soda, bottled water and some bulk items are under the awning.  Delivery trucks lined the street so I couldn't really get a better photo.  Next time for sure.

The market, like Queens, has a diverse clientele.  Many languages are spoken, and I was the only one of the few English speakers throwing around the y'alls.

Inside it's just a tiny market with most of what I need.  Just a tiny market, with animals hanging by the butcher.

It's still got the head and the eyeballs.  I stare.  Freddie points. We are obviously new here.  (FYI, I circled the butcher case 20 times to get this photo.)

back on the bridge

I carried one shopping bag in so my purchases are limited to what the stroller basket and bag can hold.  I've got nearly a mile and a half walk home, so this isn't the time to get 24 rolls of toilet paper or 2 gallons of milk.  If I only had space to put those items at home anyway.

Almost to our building

Pros of this trip:  Trade Fair is cheap.  I got bread, eggs, avocado, tomato, bananas, apples, cabbage, 2 cake mixes, sour cream, 3 packs bacon, and a few other odds and ends for about $40.  The jog stroller makes it easy to contain Freddie.  There's lots for Freddie to see and we pass lots of different folks on the street to interact with.

We're home

 Cons of this trip:  Obviously this isn't happening when it's snowing or raining.  Having Freddie in the stroller really limits how much I can schlep back as well.  There are a few things I'd like to get but Trade Fair doesn't carry, like Chocolate soy milk.

I've gathered for the day

Every day and every thing is an adventure for us these days. 

The kitchen window

Freddie calls out for "Dada" a few times a day but seems to have some cues in the evenings to know that it is getting close to Dada's arrival home and calls for him more frequently after 5pm.  Charlie usually sends me a text message when he's heading out of the subway station just about home.  So I then ask Freddie if we should check for Dada.  He gives a quick "yesh" or "yeah" and runs to the kitchen window.

Can you see Charlie waving?

And we both watch for Charlie to come into sight.  Freddie immediately gets giddy when he lays eyes on Charlie and calls to him through the window.  Once Charlie's in the building Freddie is off to the front door where a giggly reunion ensues. 

Around here

Evening Walk, Roosevelt Island on the left, Manhattan on the right

• Freddie and I have figured out our routine.  It includes morning and afternoon trips to one of the playgrounds on the island.  I am just about ready to add "field trips" to our days.  
• Monday mornings will include going to the Moms' group so Freddie can play with the 35+ toddlers that attend.
• Wednesday mornings will include story time at the library on the island.  I think I may seek out other library story times in the city and add these to my list of potential field trips.
• I ordered a dresser online marked down 80%.  Style is not perfect, but the price is right.  The alternative in our price range (cheap!) was something from IKEA but Charlie doesn't have much time for furniture assembly these days.  Fingers crossed the "back ordered" dresser eventually ships.
• I'd still like another storage piece in our bedroom.  There is room, but I am not sure how to take advantage of the space cheaply and keep it aesthetically pleasing.
• We're working on getting a big boy bed for Freddie with a trundle that will double as a guest bed.
• My feelings about New York still stand as a nice place to visit, but not sure I want to live there.  I'm working on making this a three (or four) year visit. 
• Charlie's a bit overwhelmed.  He's trying to put in longer hours with a new job, keep up with the 70+ hour weeks his colleagues put in, finish corrections and binding of his dissertation, and have dinner with his family each night.  And occasionally get some sleep.
• Fall, what's fall?  I think it's arrived.  The temperatures are cooler, the windows remain open, and I'm pulling out the fleece.
• The camera is out so I should be taking more pictures.  That means more regular posting.

If there was ever any doubt

Black and gold on game day

This place ain't NOLA.  We were the only three I found wearing black and gold today.  Beyond that, no one even muttered a Who Dat, Get Crunk, or Ya You Right.  Sigh.  If that wasn't enough, those damn academics Charlie works with planned a function for this evening.  Um, even if you're not a Who Dat, the game does begin the NFL season and every red blooded American should be sucking down cold brews catching the game. 

So I'm on the couch, windows open, snuggled under a blanket, waiting for the game.  And crying a little bit.  Ok, a lot.

Lovin'

Charlie leaving for his first day of work on Friday.

• Everything in its place
• Sleeping with open windows
• Chicken and potatoes made in my kitchen
• Calls for Dada
• Magnets on the refrigerator
• Mail room surprises
• Visit planning
• Saints' season anticipation
• People watching from my kitchen window
• Smiles from strangers
• Sleeping in my bed next to my husband
• Hot dogs
• Five languages, excluding English, being spoken in the subway car
• My shiny red granny cart

Day of Rest

Moving in on Friday was a fiasco, and that's putting it mildly.  I'll spare you the details but being that I'm used to the "Big Easy Factor" in doing business in NOLA I was surprised by how shocked I was by the experience we had.

But it's over.  We paid the hefty fee, sweat and cursed, and all the boxes and furniture from our POD made it into the apartment by 2pm on Friday.

I had my doubts about it all fitting, and it was pretty jammed in.

Thankfully, help was on the way.  Jessica arrived at 6pm, and immediately cracked open a Miller High Life for each of us, rolled up her sleeves, gave Charlie and me some orders, and started opening boxes.

Since there is not much space, moving things around to just unpack and see what was in boxes was tricky.  Finding places for everything after thinking "what in the hell did I pack this for?" proved difficult as well.  But everything has a spot.  That is pretty amazing.  Not only are the dishes in the cabinets but there are pictures on the walls.

Jessica worked wonders.  And for all of her hard work she got to see the bus and subway to and from LaGuardia, Target in Brooklyn, and Costco in Queens.  We did eat Hebrew Nationals at Costco though.  So she got a little of the NY experience.  I actually think that those three outings did provide her a healthy dose of the city.  Everything is an experience here.

Hanging around in our pjs after everything is all done

We are in search of a dresser or two to complete the moving in, and then nothing else is allowed to come into this apartment.  There is not an inch of space that is unaccounted for.  Pictures to come soon.  Promise.

Present

Sorry for the lack of posts.  I know what you're thinking...I should have lots to write about.  And I do.  The problem is that I am having a hard time wrapping my head around everything.  I am not sure I can put to words my feelings much less the experience just yet.

I haven't even been taking any pictures, if you can believe it.  It's been difficult for me to absorb everything and the camera can sometimes impede that as well.  So I have just be wandering, aimlessly, physically and mentally.  Just ask Charlie, my map reading, destination bound husband.

Speaking of Dr. C, he's doing well, but getting a dose of the same shock.  I hate to speak for him, but I am pretty sure this is a bit overwhelming for him as well.  He's been over to work to take care of paperwork, insurance, and the like.  Tomorrow though is his first day in the lab with his new boss, as the wind and rain from Hurricane Earl make their way up the east coast.  I should have got him some cute rain boots, monogrammed with his PhD credentials.  

We've just got the internet and the furniture arrives tomorrow, so hopefully in the next few days I'll make my way to the desk and peck out a few posts.  Stay tuned.

At home