NEW YORK/BALTIMORE - DAY FIVE

Well, here we are on the last day of our perfect vacation planned around an amazing man with the most beautiful blue eyes I have finally been able to see in person.  Mr Child, you sir, are truly an incredible man.  I imagined what a book signing with you would be like after reading several of your blog posts found on the Lee Child website. You really do appreciate your readers, which is why I couldn't wait to meet you.  I thank you for allowing me the privilege of meeting you and securing your most wonderful signature in four recently purchased books. As for the book signed for Katherine, the woman I have never met...well, I have a taker already.  Thank goodness, the person I originally bought the book for can use it!

While sitting at LGA this morning I grew weepy and actually had to blow my nose more than once.  Leaving New York proved difficult for me.  It is an amazing city and I really wish I had the opportunity to live there.  Richard says no plans to move are in the works and to get the thought out of my head.  One thing I will miss the most...passing by The New York Times every morning and every night as we traveled to and from our hotel.

After landing in Baltimore we had a wonderful seafood lunch at some restaurant at the airport.  Then we did nothing but sit.  I read The Great Bridge by David McCullough and Richard played games on his phone.  Then I had an unfortunate run in with a little boy in the restroom.  He kept watching me pee through the crack in the door.  To my surprise, he leaned so hard into the door that it burst open, causing me to push it closed with my foot, pinching the poor boys fingers.  He left me alone after that, but I have to say, honestly, I felt kind of bad. He cried for quite awhile afterwards.  I'm hoping he learned his lesson.  In the end, I became pee shy and I'm afraid I'm going to be forced to use the restroom on the plane. 

Things I loved most and actually shed tears over because I'm a goof:

Meeting Lee Child.  Like that wasn't a given.
Being part of the hustle and bustle of New York City.
Walking, walking, and walking the streets of New York City.
Riding the Subway...the people, the music, the tile work.
Walking by The New York Times.  I really do want to work there.
Blogging from my location.  This has been cool.  By the way, my blogging is coming to you from 35,999 feet above the ground.  I have 4 hours and 3 minutes left to this flight.

Another weepy moment:

I recently wrote a blog post entitled A Life With No Mother.  One difficult part of my family life has not been hearing stories about my mother from my siblings.  It's too difficult to speak of her without getting emotional.  While on this trip, I received a personal message from a cousin that I haven't seen since I was very little.  She shared a beautiful story with me about my mother.  It was very unexpected and very much appreciated.  I was happy to read that she was indeed the mother I always imagined her to be.  Thank you cousin for sharing this with me.

Most comical moment:

Realizing I had Lee Child sign a book for a woman with a name I don't know.  Who is Katherine?  I was in the middle of a personal tweet to the intended twitter friend when I realized my mistake.  Thankfully, my twitter friend can actually use the book as a Christmas present.  Just thinking about my error makes me giggle enough to cry.  I'm just glad it worked out in the end.

Well, this me signing off.  I should be posting another post in the near future.  I'm working on the title, but it's something about me being a lizard...or something close to it.  It's starting to get a tad bit bumpy so I better post this before I lose it all.  Thanks for keeping updated on my incredible New York/Lee Child vacation.  I'm so loving that Jack Reacher...and David Trevellyan, Scott Finn, as well as the newest love of my life, Nick Heller.  I'm really liking that Nick guy.

Damn it...a kid just pooped their pants!

NEW YORK - DAY FOUR

Today was the windiest and coldest freaking day of my life! Well, that actually isn't true.  My first winter in Rexburg, Idaho where I flunked out of my first year in college because I was to busy visiting my friends in Utah had the windiest and coldest freaking day of my life.  It was 60 below zero...I fainted on my way to class because it was too freaking cold to breathe.  Today was kind of like that, but without the snow, and the chill factor was probably close to 30 degrees in the wind while walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.  Even so, it was dang cold out.  So cold Richard agreed that I needed a cute scarf to go with my outfit and later a hat, too.  I probably have head lice now because I bought the hat from one of those street vendors and I'm quite positive close to a thousand other people have tried on the same one before I came along (the poor sucker that I am) and bought the darn thing.  Oh well.  The hat kept my lopsided ears warm and helped me snag some great self photos of myself.  For an example, you can check out my Facebook picture, or you can just keep reading this blog post and see the photo at the end.  I'm rocking some pretty decent Reacher Worthy eyes in this photo!!!  And just in case your thinking things are different now that I've finally met Lee Child, you should know that my life will be forever centered around my Reacher Worthiness!

Enough of that...we headed out early today to check out a couple of museums.  We went to the Guggenheim and then headed down the street to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Both places provided us with unlimited amounts of knowledge, if we were really paying attention, and most importantly, warmth.  I have to admit, by day four of our little adventure, it became really clear that my efforts to be more Reacher Worthy by doubling my workouts for this trip didn't help me much.  I'm sore. Really, really, really sore!  But sore is good.  New York has helped me to firm up my bottom and strengthen my leg muscles, too. I can't help but be truly appreciative of New York City for their willingness to build a city that allows people to exercise.  I'm feeling much healthier already and loving the extra five pounds I've dropped from my butt this week.  Thanks!

Other adventures led us to the Brooklyn Bridge where I scored some great pictures while freezing my a** off.  It was totally worth it and could have been much worse had I not stopped to purchase that fake cashmere scarf and lice infested hat from that lovely street vendor on Fifth Avenue.  I'm so thankful for these people that stand in the cold all day long just waiting for people like me to come along.  I almost snagged a great purse this evening, but apparently I had made a promise to Richard that I wouldn't buy any purses while in New York.  I must have been feeling extra guilty about spending so much money to plan a vacation around Lee Child.  I have to say, Richard was impressed with the lecture at Barnes & Noble.  This means that he in one step closer to accepting my new found passion for reading and personally meeting and thanking every author that I feel has made my life better.  I also think coming to New York proved useful in that Richard has grown fond of this great city and has even mentioned coming back. 

We ended at Battery Park for another walk through and then headed off to grab some dinner from Carnegie Deli.  We are currently sitting in our hotel room trying to figure out how we are supposed to eat ten pounds of meat between the two of us.  Seriously, if you want to suggest to us a place to eat, please give us instructions  on how to avoid butchering an entire cow for the occasion.  I'm starting to feel guilty about it.  The cheesecake, however, was delicious.  Here's to us going to bed early and packing our stuff up all while trying not to burst into tears over leaving New York.  And just in case your interested, my head has done nothing but itch ever since I suggested the head lice thing.  I truly was kidding around, but now, I'm kind of getting worried.

NEW YORK - DAY THREE

Well, apparently I was so involved in my blogging last night that I didn't hear my husband tell me that we were starting early today.  I didn't get to bed until after midnight and was looking forward to sleeping in.  Nope, didn't happen!  The alarm woke me at six this morning. When I complained, Richard didn't care too much and made it completely impossible for me to go  back to sleep.  We left the hotel just after 8:00 this morning and stopped for some Hot Chololate and donuts at Dean & Deluca.  I love Dean & Deluca!  I've been dying to go there ever since Nick Heller bought those cookies in Vanished by Joseph Finder.  When I found out that we could find a Dean & Deluca in every major location we were planning to visit in New York City, I was totally beside myself.  I dreamt of Nick Heller once.  There was no conversation and I was in the wrong coffee place, but still, it was a great dream.  I'm hoping now that I've actually been in a Dean & Deluca that I can dream of Nick Heller again.  Only next time, I'd like a little conversation.

After breakfast we headed to Rockefeller Plaza and wandered around taking pictures.  The wind picked up and I was dying to buy a hat, but I didn't. A decision I regretted all afternoon while I was walking the streets of New York with winds gusts that froze my ears off.  I found one that I really, really like and I'm hoping to purchase it tomorrow.  We took a walk through Saint Patrick's Cathedral and admired the beautiful artwork in the stained glass windows.  The statues of the Saints were so beautiful and the organ was magnificent. 

Later we ended up in the Diamond District by accident.  Does anyone really walk there intentionally and if so do they really drop the kind of cash that is required to walk away with an item there?  Holy Crap!  It was so difficult not to look.  We were strolling around and then out of nowhere I noticed this beautiful pendant hanging in the window. It was so beautiful and shiny and sparkly and perfect!  I made the mistake of stopping to point it out to Richard, which led to a store employee inviting me in to try it on.  Honestly, I figured at the most the thing had to be worth fifteen grand.  NOT!  For $776,034.00 I could own a really cute heart shaped pendant that I would never wear for fear of losing it.  When we told him we weren't interested, he actually wanted to know what price range we were looking at.  He was CRAZY!  They are all CRAZY in  the Diamond District.  I still had a great time snapping shots of the windows.

We walked back to Time Square and  had lunch at Junior's.  I had so many people Facebook me this week to tell me about it that I made sure to add it to my list of places to go.  Stopping proved to be a mistake.  My muscles became so stiff that I could barely move when we got up to leave.  We stopped at the Yankee store and bought us some Yankee stuff just because we could, and because it would have been senseless to not do so.  A hundred bucks later...we were on our way to the hotel to rest for a few minutes.

We wandered through a section of Central Park and took some photos. It's a beautiful place and there is so much to look at there.  Richard and I decided that we definitely want to come back to New York.  This is the most amazing city I've ever been to in my  life.  The sounds, the smells, the food, the people.  I love all of it so much already.  I'm truly going to miss this place when I leave. Later we went to the Empire State Building and took the elevator to the 86th Floor where we looked at the view and froze in the wind.  Then we road the elevator up to the 102nd and looked at the view again.  I fell in love with the elevator control operator.  He was the cutest man I've ever laid eyes on.  He even posed for a picture with me.  After stopping to pick up some NYC Fried Chicken we headed back to our hotel.  That's where we are now, watching The Blind Side on television while I sit in bed typing this blog post and resting my extremely sore ankles.

I'm hoping to be able turn the lights out early tonight so I can be well rested in the morning,  Tomorrow is our last full day in this beautiful city and we still have two museums to hit and a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge.  The Brooklyn Bridge has an amazing story behind it.  You can read about in The Great Bridge by David McCullough.  The first part of the book actually brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion.  Dang it, does crying turn into a normal occurrence when you turn 40?  If so, I wasn't warned and I'm having a hard time adjusting to it.  Well, this chick is out of here...I'm headed to the tub to soak my weary bones and prep for a good nights rest! Now, if I can just keep Richard from turning on that alarm clock...

NEW YORK - DAY TWO

Today was fantastic.  We left the hotel around 10:00 this morning and headed to the Financial District to scope out the Borders where Lee Child would be doing his book signing.  We took a quick stroll through  Battery Park and wandered the grounds of Trinity Church.  Then I stood in line at the book store and after a short wait was introduced to Lee Child.  His eyes are just as beautiful in person as they are in those pictures I've been seeing in the back of those books he's been writing.  When the book store employee told him I had flown in from Salt Lake just for his book signing, he seemed a little surprised.  Actually, I believe the first words were, "no you didn't."  Then when I told him that it was indeed true, he said, "are you crazy..."  So not the words I was going for.  I think I responded with, "no, I'm in love."  And I don't think I bothered to clarify that I was in love with Jack Reacher either.  It didn't matter though, he seemed very appreciative that I would plan my vacation around him and was very kind.  I have to admit that I was a little star struck.  I meant to get a book signed for a friend as a surprise, but when asked I gave them the name Katherine.  What the heck was that about?  I know a Kathy and a Katie, but I don't know a Katherine.  I guess I'll be doing a creative book give away on that ridiculously lame book blog I've got. 

After the book signing, we headed back to the hotel for just a few minutes and then took the subway to Yankee Stadium.  A game was happening today and we wanted to feel the energy there while eating what had to be the most disgusting hot dog I've ever had in my life.  New York, I'm so disappointed!  I'm a fan of hot dogs and I really expected better things from you.  Nonetheless, the energy was still happening and the horrible dog was worth it.  We then headed back to Trinity Church so we could take a walk through the Cathedral and admire the stained glass work and the intricate woodworking inside.  I have had a love for Cathedrals ever since I was a little girl.  Sometimes I really wish our LDS Temples were a little more ornate.  We continued to wander around for a little while before heading back to the hotel again to rest up for the evening book signing at Barnes & Noble.

Barnes & Noble!  Remember that dream I posted on my book blog about the police waiting for me at Barnes & Noble and arresting me for stalking?  Well, there was an officer inside the building when I arrived, but she didn't seem to be looking for me and no arrest was made.  I was surprised to find out that not only would Mr. Child be doing book signings, but he would also be doing a short lecture on Worth Dying For as well as a question and answer session with the audience, all while being filmed for a CBS special to air on Sunday morning.  It was amazing and made me so thankful that I decided to hop that plane to New York.  Afterward, I had the opportunity to stand in line with a lady named Nermin who was kind enough to pose for a picture with me.  She was thrilled to hear about my vacation planning around my favorite authors and was happy I chose to come to New York to see Lee Child.  Actually, I just think Nermin was happy to meet another woman that loves Jack Reacher as much as she does.  I really do have a soft spot for that guy.

When it was my turn to get my books signed...again, Mr. Child was kind enough to acknowledge that he remembered me from earlier.  I had no problem admitting that I had dedicated today to him and that I had been Facebooking and tweeting about it on Twitter all day.  When preparing to sign the second book (yes, I bought four copies today), I told him I just needed his signature so I could give the book away on my book blog.  That comment led to him asking for the name of my blog.  When I told him, he recognized it and said, "so that's you, you're Andrew's fan."  Yes, Mr. Child, I am Andrew's fan.  Truth be told, while standing in line I was plugging the David Trevellyan series to Nermin after she stated she was having difficulty finding another author that she liked as much as you.  I also plugged Joseph Finder's Nick Heller series.  Please forgive me, but I really love to read and I meant it when I told you that I was a huge fan of Mr. Grant.  I'm also, however, an equally huge fan of yours and I will forever be thankful for your kindness even though I am secretly dying to know just what was said to you about my book blog.  It's an honest passion, that book blog of  mine.  I have your brother to thank for that.  If I hadn't stumbled upon Even by accident I never would have discovered my secret passion for crime fiction, and, as I told you, I never would have discovered you!  Thanks for the kindness, Mr. Child.  I'm signing up to be your friend on  Facebook and will anxiously await your reply.  When you asked if I was your friend tonight, I was a little nervous.  I never signed up to be your friend because I didn't want to betray your brother.  But then, when you think about it, I kind of already did that by making you my first author to plan a vacation around. 

In the end, today was wonderful.  I also had the opportunity to meet Maggie...I love Maggie!  Maggie Griffin is a hugger just like me!  I can't wait to see you next year at Bouchercon!  St. Louis here I come!

NEW YORK - DAY ONE

So we're here and this place is absolutely amazing!  I actually found myself wiping away tears upon on our landing at LGA.  The view from our side of the plane was spectacular.  I'm totally in love with New York and I have this overwhelming urge to actually move here.  Can you imagine that?  Me!  I want to move to New York?

Our cab driver, Amm Hasahm, was the nicest family man I've ever met.  He's been a cab drive in New York for 20 years and told us some great stories about his time here.  He is from Bangladesh and loves living in America.  He actually went back to his home after his first ten years, but then decided to return.  He told us he took a road trip with his friends a few years ago and spent two weeks visiting places like Chicago, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and of course places like Canada and the Niagara Falls. Amm just seems so kind.  I really wanted to pull out my camera and take a picture, but I'm not sure people in New York are going to be good with stuff like that.  I did however meet these great college kids from LA on their first trip to New York and I bet if I had asked, they would have had no problem with my picture taking,  especially since the one lady had the coolest luggage on the planet.  We hit off from the beginning. I really like meeting people.  My only regret thus far is not asking if they were on Twitter.  Well, maybe I'll remember that next time.

Other cool things- we changed planes in Chicago today.  I had the best view of the skyline.  Chicago is a beautiful city and I really can't wait to mark that off my list of places to see and explore.  Our hotel isn't in a bad place and it is really nice with free wireless!!!  Jaime, our hotel guy, is really super kind.  I really like him and if he is here tomorrow night I might just take his picture!!! Thank you Ellis, my love, for letting me borrow your little notebook.  It is sooo cute and I totally love it. 

Well, we're going to check out the maps and plan our activities for tomorrow.  Tomorrow I am going to the Lee Child book signings.  I'm hoping that the weeping I experienced today doesn't carry over to tomorrow.  The last thing I want to do is break down in tears like an Elvis groupie!  Just one question...should I attend both book signings?  I'm thinking yes since Lee Child is the reason for this little New York vacation, but I don't want to come across as a crazy chick.  Oh, who  cares!  At least I'm a cute crazy chick.  It could be worse, right?

I better sign off for now.  We just checked the room for bedbugs.  We're clear!  Richard scored a pack of cigarettes under the bed...now, if only we smoked!  Love to you all!  Sabrina O.