It's this little thing called life, it keeps getting in the way of our remodel! Posting seems to have taken a backseat to the following: big event at my work, spending more time with the little Lawrence's, STILL cleaning out our old house (will it ever be finished and rented?) Chip's birthday, an unscheduled trip to CT for last minute passports, spending time with family and friends and of course, drinking wine :-)
On Christmas morning Chip surprised us with a trip to the Bahamas and then up to FL to visit Mickey, the Sullivans and Papa for a few days. It's going to be a whirlwind and our first official trip out of the country with the girls. Let me preface the next sentence by saying that Chip and I are fairly intelligent people. So the fact that neither one of us thought twice about the fact that the girls were going to need their passports blows my mind. To be honest we probably would have showed up at the airport without the docs had it not been for Chip's fraternity brother who we are traveling with. He called over the weekend and asked if the girls had their passports. I was at work when Chip called Saturday morning with the news and I immediately went into a full blown anxiety attack that I couldn't shake for the rest of the day. Of course it didn't help that practically everyone at work told me there was no way I was going to get passports in time for our trip. Once home my night consisted of reading every single word on the government travel website. Thankfully it is possible with a bit of driving and some extra dough! Our choices were NYC, Boston, St. Albans, VT or Norwalk, CT. We nixed NYC and Boston immediately, for obvious reasons - mainly parking. Norwalk was closer so 4:45AM this morning with a bagful of snacks, new software downloaded on to their Fisher Price computers and Madeline playing on the car DVD Chip left for CT. Three hour drive there, 15 minutes at the passport office, 3 hour drive back to Saratoga - crisis diverted! Seriously though - how in the hell do we all juggle this stuff.
Since we are leaving within the next few weeks I definitely don't anticipate doing much renovating (or blogging) except keeping it clean and tidy and doing laundry (when in the hell will the laundry ever slow down???) We have managed to get a few things done - Chip started the guest 1/2 bath downstairs. I did my research on Pinterest and this pic was my inspiration. Plus, since the walls were in such horrible shape we decided on wallpaper- why not just cover them up, right??! Our generous neighbor gave us a few rolls he had left from his dining room renov and it couldn't be more perfect. We love it! (thanks Teele!!!) Here are some pics of Chloe's reorg and the beginning of the guest bath.
Complete disaray
left side of the disarayment
some organization
next up...window treatments (besides the blinds)
in need of: window treatments and wall art/accessories but still looks 100% better!!!
Life has been hectic as usual. No time to post with being away (sans kiddies I might add!!) Superbowl weekend with my awesome Brother and Sister-In-Law and work events all this week. But I HAD to share this post from another Saratoga Springs, NY blogger, You Idiot! I've been reading this blog for over a year now and I laugh out loud at every single post. Well, their last post just took home the prize for most awesome - I even had to add a couple of spots I've come to like *blushing*!! Also, loved the shout-out to our friends, Pete and Gina's, Harvest and Hearth! Below is the post but make sure to follow their blog - and be prepared to laugh!
(Source: You Idiot!)
Hey Saratogians, Valentines Day is right around the corner and instead of suggesting a bunch of places to take your loved one for a stupid sappy romantic dinner that will most likely end up in a fight, we're gonna suggest something that will put a little spark back into that boring old relationship of yours.....
The best public places in Saratoga Springs to have car sex!
1) Behind Kings Tavern next to the dumpster - Go during the weekday when they don't have events. Get your car as close to the back of the building and near the dumpster to conceal yourself from the fuzz.
2) Gidean Putnam parking lot - Park your car in the lot closest to SPAC and make sure you park in between the lamp posts, it's not as lit up. And if you get busted just tell them your guests at the hotel on your wedding anniversary.
3) Skidmore College parking lot - Enter the college from Broadway, take the first right onto the campus main road, then take the second right into a sketchy looking parking that has construction equipment, remove clothes, have sex!
4) The parking lot on Division Street, across from Clinton Street, behind the white building - That parking lot was made for fucking.
5) Upper Phila Street (Between Henry and Circular) - The street is barely lit on that part of Phila and the people who live in the neighborhood are cool enough that they won't give a shit if the car is a rockin.
6) The ally behind The Local - The ally is a bit of a tight squeeze, and hopefully that won't be the only thing that's tight.
7) Hearth and Harvest parking lot - Pizza then sex or sex then pizza. Either way, it's a win win situation.
8) Malta Drive In - This one is seasonal, so it won't do you much good for the upcoming Valentines Day. Perhaps you can give a coupon that promises nookie during a double feature. And seriously? Does anyone actually go to watch the movies?
9) Racino parking lot - It's a huge lot with no lights. Fuck like crazy.
Below is my guest post for Mamatoga while she takes a short blogaternity. Thank you so much Jenny for the opportunity!
I grew up in the ‘Burbs. I say that with a twinge of sarcasm since
almost everywhere in upstate NY is considered either Suburbia or farm
country. There are a few true cities in the Capital Region; Albany,
Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs (just summarizing – not
intentionally excluding.) Having spent my tween and teen years growing
up in Ballston Spa I’m biased in saying that Saratoga Springs is by far
my favorite city in the area. To be honest I haven’t found too many
small cities that can compare. For me, Saratoga Springs encompasses
what every small city should strive to be/have; community driven,
friendly residents, beautiful architecture, history, delicious
restaurants, one-of-a-kind shops, not to mention several famous
landmarks (Saratoga Battlefield and the Saratoga Race Course to name a
few.) My love affair with Saratoga runs deep!
After over 10 years in the Suburbs (Malta) we uprooted the family to
downtown Saratoga Springs. We had been contemplating a move for quite
some time waiting for that perfect opportunity to arise and that it did,
in a fixer-upper on Regent St. So, here we are and it’s an adjustment.
Let me preface by saying that I’m in love with the change. I adore our
old house, creaky wood floors and all! And I know in 6 months-time the
renovations should be close to complete and we will be more settled into
our city life. But honestly, it’s still a pretty big change. I like
our neighbors – but adapting to living 10 feet away from your next door
neighbor as opposed to 50 yards away in the ‘Burbs takes some getting
used to. It reminds of the scene in “Big” where the two boys are
talking to each other through their bedroom windows. We’re that close.
I guess I’m just accustomed to my privacy and also protective of my
children’s privacy. On the other hand I get a huge kick out of waking
up in the morning, going down in the kitchen to grab some coffee and
waving to my neighbor through our kitchen windows. A cup of sugar is
only a few steps away (or a wine opener in our case!) Another
adjustment for the family is the traffic and noise. Thankfully this was
just minor. The traffic on Regent St. is minimal and the noises, well,
you get used to them just as you do any house noises. One such noise we
were super excited to hear were the fireworks on New Year’s Eve. A
quick walk out the front door onto our porch and low and behold, we have
the ultimate porch view for Congress Park Fireworks. New house bonus!
As I sit here writing and thinking of other city v. country living
comparisons all I can come up with is how lucky we are to have found
this house in the town we love and how much I can’t wait for the girls
to grow up here. I would be remiss if I didn’t say that I also cannot
wait till the summer to take full advantage of our location. I see
Friday night Happy Hour cocktail sessions with family and friends on the
front porch, walking downtown to meet up with friends, riding bikes with
the girls and Chip around the Eastside, a leisurely walk to the track to
catch the 1st race or down to the Farmer’s Market and family picnics in
Congress Park…just to name a few. In my opinion this city has the
best of both worlds and I for one couldn’t be happier about it.
