Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[BonTexasNY]

2 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I was there once and some guy spotted the pager on my belt. He came up to me and asked if I had any drugs to sell.

A bit of history for those not in the know:

 

In the 1970s and 1980s Bryant Park earned the unwelcome title of 'Needle Park'. High crime rates and drug sales defined the park. It was poorly maintained, under-used and dangerous. In 1980 the Bryant Park Restoration Corporation was formed and was assigned with the task of revitalizing the park.

 

Fast forward to Bryant Park today:

 

[Ocean Boy]

13 minutes ago, BonTexasNY said:

A bit of history for those not in the know:

 

In the 1970s and 1980s Bryant Park earned the unwelcome title of 'Needle Park'. High crime rates and drug sales defined the park. It was poorly maintained, under-used and dangerous. In 1980 the Bryant Park Restoration Corporation was formed and was assigned with the task of revitalizing the park.

 

Fast forward to Bryant Park today:

 

Next you can cover the 42nd street transformation.

[A&L_Ont]

We went over to Sharon’s today and helped her set up the table for our Boxing Day feast. 
 

 

[Ourusualbeach]

On 12/22/2023 at 1:24 PM, ValerieJo said:

I would like to add our "Happy Holiday Wishes" to everyone.  

 

We have a busy few days coming up.  Today I'm finishing up the wrapping and the groceries.

 

Tomorrow, we have a fun event planned (that we were just surprised with).  Apparently during the summer, the company my son works for had a golf outing with a charity auction.  He bid on the one of the prizes and won it.   So, several family and friends are invited to attend a performance of Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Little Cesars Arena (where the Detroit Red Wings play).  He won a suite, so we will all enjoy the show from a great vantage point.  I'm really looking forward to it.

 

On Sunday morning the kids will all come over for brunch and presents.  Then on Monday we'll all head to my brother's house for a visit with extended family and dinner.

 

May you all have a joyous season!

 

Val & Doug

 

On 12/22/2023 at 2:19 PM, Arzeena said:

I love Trans Siberian Orchestra. Have been to quite a few performances, although I am not at all a "concert" person.

May you, Doug and family have a wonderful season! We are looking forward to seeing you both on Bella 2 and telling Doug that I recognize him from the CC picture! LOL!

I hope you enjoyed the concert.  We saw them 2 weeks ago in Toronto.  Our second time seeing them live.  

[Ourusualbeach]

@harryfat1enjoy your cruise.  Wish we didn't have to change that 8 day to the 6 over NYE but sometimes the kids school schedules are hard to predict.

[Ourusualbeach]

Wishing everyone an early Merry Christmas because something will come up and before you know it over a week will have  passed and I'll be reading another 27 pages of posts getting caught up.

 

A crazy week for sure with trying to get ahead of the game with making final payments and other things so that there won't be much to do over the next week. 

 

We leave on the 27th. DrIve to Florida, a couple days at theme parks and then board the Odyssey for the 6 night NYE sailing.

 

Enjoy the holidays!

[Sunshine3601]

1 hour ago, A&L_Ont said:

We went over to Sharon’s today and helped her set up the table for our Boxing Day feast. 
 

 

 

Beautiful table setting.   I would like to take the class on how to fold napkins into the shape of a tree.  Where do I sign up?

[Sunshine3601]

17 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Wishing everyone an early Merry Christmas because something will come up and before you know it over a week will have  passed and I'll be reading another 27 pages of posts getting caught up.

 

A crazy week for sure with trying to get ahead of the game with making final payments and other things so that there won't be much to do over the next week. 

 

We leave on the 27th. DrIve to Florida, a couple days at theme parks and then board the Odyssey for the 6 night NYE sailing.

 

Enjoy the holidays!

Merry Christmas to you and your family🥰    Here's hoping for a nice easy drive to FL with great weather for your holiday!

[A&L_Ont]

4 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Beautiful table setting.   I would like to take the class on how to fold napkins into the shape of a tree.  Where do I sign up?

I’m sure Sharon would show you. 😀

Edited December 24, 2023 by A&L_Ont

[A&L_Ont]

Our Christmas Eve dinner tradition has begun. We are watching Family Guy Christmas episodes before dinner. 
 

 

 

Edited December 24, 2023 by A&L_Ont

[BonTexasNY]

6 hours ago, George C said:

Yes when I grew up they played in Brooklyn 

After the Dodgers left Brooklyn,  Ebbetts Field seats were placed in NYC parks, one of which was in a housing development a few blocks from where I grew up.  Kept them as is including seat #s.

1 hour ago, Ocean Boy said:

Next you can cover the 42nd street transformation.

Be careful what you wish for:

Times Square near 42nd St., circa 1965

 

Times Square today:

My friend and I used to walk from Central Park down to Times Square often and have chocolate ice cream sodas at Howard Johnson's.  I haven't been back, but I hear it turned into an urban Disneyland without the rides.  I saw nothing wrong with how it was in my day.

[George C]

16 minutes ago, BonTexasNY said:

After the Dodgers left Brooklyn,  Ebbetts Field seats were placed in NYC parks, one of which was in a housing development a few blocks from where I grew up.  Kept them as is including seat #s.

Be careful what you wish for:

Times Square near 42nd St., circa 1965

 

Times Square today:

My friend and I used to walk from Central Park down to Times Square often and have chocolate ice cream sodas at Howard Johnson's.  I haven't been back, but I hear it turned into an urban Disneyland without the rides.  I saw nothing wrong with how it was in my day.

I remember as a kid arguments who was the better centerfield Willie ,Mickey or Duke , of course we knew it was Mickey 😁😁

Edited December 24, 2023 by George C

[maggieq]

4 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

Will do.

 

 

Pups have been laying on my leg while watching Christmas movies. Linda is upstairs finishing wrapping.

@Sea Dog they are beautiful.  Would make a lovely Christmas card. 😊 

[Lionesss]

Merry Christmas Eve to all who share their lives here on the best thread. 
 

A special thanks for letting me post my story times now and then. 
 

Be safe. 
Take care. 

[Sea Dog]

2 minutes ago, maggieq said:

@Sea Dog they are beautiful.  Would make a lovely Christmas card. 😊 

I’ve tried this year and they have not cooperated. I did get a great one of Penny and Maggie that I turned into a Christmas card.

 

[helen haywood]

Mine would be captioned “Sure hope Santa doesn’t wake us up!”

 

 

[maggieq]

1 hour ago, Sea Dog said:

I’ve tried this year and they have not cooperated. I did get a great one of Penny and Maggie that I turned into a Christmas card.

 

@Sea Dog precious 🥰 

[lenquixote66]

7 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I was there once and some guy spotted the pager on my belt. He came up to me and asked if I had any drugs to sell.

Nobody ever approached me on a NYC street .People told me I had the appearance of a police officer.

[maggieq]

Has anyone heard from crystal?  I do hope she comes back to let us know how she is doing.  

[lenquixote66]

1 hour ago, BonTexasNY said:

After the Dodgers left Brooklyn,  Ebbetts Field seats were placed in NYC parks, one of which was in a housing development a few blocks from where I grew up.  Kept them as is including seat #s.

Be careful what you wish for:

Times Square near 42nd St., circa 1965

 

Times Square today:

My friend and I used to walk from Central Park down to Times Square often and have chocolate ice cream sodas at Howard Johnson's.  I haven't been back, but I hear it turned into an urban Disneyland without the rides.  I saw nothing wrong with how it was in my day.

In 2006 and 2007 I would often meet a friend at 34 St.in Manhattan.We would walk to the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge,go somewhere for lunch and then walk to the end of Central Park.We would rest fior a while then walk back to Penn Station.

[lenquixote66]

This afternoon we had the belated extended family Hanukah Party.My wife’s sister,the oldest person present led a discussion asking everyone about their childhood Hanukah memories .Mine were a bit vague.My mother had three nephews,brothers who all married women who celebrated Christmas.My childhood memories were going to my cousin Mary’s apartment in the Bronx for Christmas dinners.

[aussielozzie18]

29 minutes ago, maggieq said:

@Sea Dog precious 🥰 

+ 1 ❤️

[ReneeFLL]

21 hours ago, aussielozzie18 said:

Gorgeous bag 🌸🍾

Thanks, it's one of my holiday gifts from Mike.

 

12 hours ago, Arzeena said:

 

THAT handbag looks gorgeous !!!!!!!!! Is it a Mary Frances or a Renee original? What a lovely work of art!

Can I lie and say it's a Renee original?  😁😁  You are correct, it's a Mary Frances. Up next (or soon) my other holiday gift. Hint, hint, it's another MF. Can you guess which one? I'll buy you a drink if you can guess.

 

Edited December 25, 2023 by ReneeFLL

[HBE4]

11 minutes ago, aussielozzie18 said:

+ 1 ❤️

 

Christmas wrapping with cats = Not a good idea. 

 

Lenoard claimed this as his own. It's the 5th gift he has claimed as his own. 

 

 

[aussielozzie18]

3 minutes ago, HBE4 said:

 

Christmas wrapping with cats = Not a good idea. 

 

Lenoard claimed this as his own. It's the 5th gift he has claimed as his own. 

 

 

You can’t get mad at that handsome face 🥰

 

Thanks for sharing your New York photos.  It was great to see the Bryant Park Christmas tree beautifully lit up. We only saw it in the daytime.  Looks like you & your step-daughter had a great time.