Where in NYC is Gal in the Middle

My sister, oldest nephew and I visited New York City recently (more about our trip soon).

We took in Times Square our first night there...can you find us on the large screen that captures live video of visitors?

Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Here's a hint...we may be circled below and I may or may not have a camera in front of my face!

As much as Times Square is so iconic to NYC, it's one of my sister's and my least favorite places there.

Way too many people in way too small of a space...if I wanted to be shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of strangers, I'd head to the subway!

Way too commercial...hopefully international visitors branch out from the Red Lobster, Applebee's and Olive Gardens located there to experience other unique NYC eateries. (Nothing wrong with those listed above but I can eat at those in Indy...I want something different when I'm in the big city!)

Way too easy to get turned around...my sister and I both had problems navigating within Times Square. I had trouble navigating the streets of NYC period but my sister was a wizard with the map and always got us to where we wanted to go, except in Times Square!

Way too everything!

Can't wait to share more about our trip...stay tuned!

What I'm Loving Wednesday Tired Style

I'm loving that harvest has started in my neck of the woods! It's still early in the season, but I did catch Dad unloading the last of the corn in his first field last week.

Unfortunately, the crop has been affected by the drought that many of us experienced this summer so harvest will probably be much quicker this year. However, we are thankful that there IS a crop out there. Many farmers can't say the same this year.

I'm loving that I have the next four days off of work! I have a silly habit of hoarding my vacation time until the end of the year (our year end is 9/30) and then having to take several days off so as not to lose them. Luckily, I work for corn & soybean farmers and they are a bit busy right now (see above) so our office slows down a bit this time of year.

I'm loving that I spent my first day of vacation with my two nieces and one nephew as a stand-in babysitter. We built a cool sheet tent behind my big red couch. Why? Because my nephew asked me to.

We had a good time, even with my youngest niece deciding to "paint" herself with her own poo (sorry for the oversharing but I had to) during her afternoon nap.

I'm loving that my baby sister asked me what I got done today. I told her that I watched a 19-month-old, 23-month-old and a 4-year-old. That's what I got done today! That and some browsing on Pinterest...

I'm loving that Starbucks has decided to load their free drink rewards coupon (that will come after 12 drinks, not 15) right to my card instead of sending me a postcard. I swear that I don't always get them!

However, I'm quite sad that they are taking away the free syrups. I may have to start re-considering my signature drink OR try to re-create it at home like I did this morning...

I'm loving that I spent last Friday night with a handful of ladies - both farm gals and not - touring some wonderful farms in Johnson County, Indiana - including Keegan Poe's farm in Franklin. He talked to us about how he raises his cattle, how he sells freezer beef, pork & lamb direct to consumers, and we visited the pasture to meet his herd, including this gal (or fellow, I'm not sure).

We finished the farm tours at Mallow Run Winery in Bargersville and learned that unlike the corn and soybeans, Indiana wine grapes endured and even flourished in this summer's drought. After the tour of the vineyards and the wine-making barn (not sure what to call it), we even got to taste! Yum.

I may or may not have taken 4 bottles (the box fits 4 bottles!) home with me and wishing I bought a couple others.

I'm loving linking up to What I'm Loving Wednesday over at this kind of love.

Dreams of NYC

The Big Apple better watch out...my posse and I are heading your way soon.

via

Well...at least two of my sisters, a friend and I are taking our first trip to NYC. I'm going to consider them my posse because the trip was my idea!

I am probably more excited about this trip than I have been about a vacation since my first (and second) trip to Kauai...or paradise as I call it.

I'm not sure if my excitement is because I've never been to NYC and there's so much to do and see...

OR if it's because so many of the shows I watch on TV are set in the city.

Here's how I'm envisioning our visit going...

Cue dream sequence music...


We'll be picked up at the airport in a taxicab by Ranjit from How I Met Your Mother...

via

and he'll drop us off at MacLaren's where we'll suit up and be AWESOME!

via

The next morning we'll get up and grab a coffee at Central Perk.

via

Before heading out for a day of sight-seeing and shopping.

We might even end our evening at a fabulous bar doing some karaoke like this Fab Four...

via

What? You don't think ANY of that will happen. Really?

OK, I admit that my dreams of hanging out on the couch at Central Perk with Monica and the Gang probably won't come true.

But what about all the cool places I see in the reality shows that revolve around NYC.

We could stop by Mood and pick up some fabrics...

via

and run into Tim Gunn who will tell us to "make it work!" I think this would totally be the way he'd look at us if we were to try and design an outfit for him!

via

Or we could just go into Second Time Around - the cool upscale resale shop featured on Bravo's Fashion Hunters.

via

I'm pretty sure I still can't afford anything in the store even if it's priced 75 percent off the original price but wouldn't it be fun to browse?

Then we could grab a bite at one of the city's many food trucks...

via

Maybe we could even find the Korilla truck from the Great Food Truck Race show. I'd love to find out if they really did add money to the till.

No matter what we end up doing, where we end up visiting and who we end up seeing, I know the trip will be great.

Any suggestions on must dos while we are in town? Send them my way!

Dreams of Travels

This summer is super busy for me at work so I have NO vacation plans in the near future.

So, as much as I'd like to go here...

Source: google.ca via Megan on Pinterest

or here...

Source: nationalgeographicexpeditions.com via Megan on Pinterest

or back here...

Source: airninja.com via Megan on Pinterest

I don't think I'll be going ANYWHERE for a while.

But I've promised myself some vacation time in September and/or late October, possibly a long weekend in New York City with my sisters.

Source: google.com via Megan on Pinterest

I've never been to NYC but have always wanted to go there and see a Broadway musical.

Source: None via Chandra on Pinterest

So, I'm looking for suggestions, travel tips and recommendations.


What show(s) should we see?
Where should we stay?
Where should we eat?

Don't be shy, any help is greatly appreciated!

Oh Vacation, Where Have You Gone?

I've been back at work for a week and haven't really had the time to think about those busy, yet fun days of our oh-so recent family vacation to Disney World.

But I do miss the togetherness (the big guy in the back isn't one of the family)...

the sweetness...

 

the silliness...

the joy...

 

the pool...

 

the naps...

 

and especially the boys!