Today’s packing day for our big 10th wedding anniversary trip to New York City. I just checked the weather forecast and I better bring an umbrella! Trying to figure out which coat to bring has been bad enough! Do I go for total warmth, in my new double-breasted full-length wool coat in black cherry which will be too heavy for me to carry when I am not wearing it – or do I go for more casual but still warm, in my chocolate color car-length down jacket with the faux fur collar? I think the down is going to win, since it is light as a feather! (pun intended)

We’ve been planning this trip for a couple of months. We decided ten years of marriage was something to celebrate, especially since we don’t know hardly anyone married as long as we have been. When we visited Paris in 2000 I declared then the next time I wanted to go to a huge city and get freakin’ lost trying to use the subway, I wanted to at least be able to read the signs and we must go to NYC. Looks like it is finally happening. And no, you won’t find us anywhere near Times Square when the ball drops so don’t waste your time looking for us on camera. You could set your DVR for Monday morning, tho, since we plan on standing outside of The Today Show holding a cheesy “Married for 10 years today” sign and waving frantically at our friends back home.

I have once again not planned this vacation. We know which museums we want to go to – but not when. We know a few others sites we must see – but we’ll figure it all out when we get there. Our trip to Italy two holiday season’s ago was equally unplanned and it was great. Steve was in charge of the airline reservations, the requirement being that they were non-stop and we are splurging and flying first class for the first time. I did have some input as to what hotel we would stay at. I wanted to stay at The Benjamin, one of only a handful of certified Ecotels in North America but the $700+/night was hard to stomache. Then I was looking at trying to go budget hotel so I would have more spending money but I just can’t go all the way to NYC and stay at a TravelLodge for $380/night. Your accomodations should be part of the experience. So we looked for a compromise on experience and cost and were happy to find Morgan’s, in the $500/night range. Vanity Fair Magazine calls it “The handsomest hotel in New York”, altho it’s been 20 years since it was remodeled by hip designers and world-renowned architects. There was quite a bit of press at the time. I also know we will be in the heart of it all, right on Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. It’s going to be a heck of a weekend! We whipped out the credit cards to make this trip happen. Not proud of it but it only happens once.

Check back as we will be blogging from New York. Steve has a new wide-angle lens for the camera and I imagine I will spend some time standing around while he fiddles with his new toy. I will miss Sophia and Steve says he will miss our kitties but it is a short trip and we will be back before we know it! My sister with baby and husband in tow are coming to stay and take care of everyone for us, eat our food, and burn up the plasma television as she goes into cable tv overload.

We’re even going to the airport in style by way of a town car service. Boy, I have to get up early tomorrow!! What am I going to pack!?!

Don’t be calling me for any showings this weekend since I am OUT OF TOWN!