Lunch With Ben Today -

What a wonderful afternoon today. I got to see Benjamin after not seeing him for nearly 6 months. This is the longest I've gone without hangin' with Ben! We went to Lenny's for lunch and ate our sandwich at the outdoor table at work which has the open-air view pictured above. We had a great time catching up a little and he was introduced to all my coworkers. Welcome back to your second home Ben!

ICE CREAM TRADITION for Dean and David

David Bartky and I grew up with an innate awareness of the famous APPLEGATE FARM as the place to get your ice-cream fix. When we were kids, both our families took trips there to get ice-cream as often as possible. It was a real treat to look forward to - not just running down the block to get some Carvel (which was ALSO very good!). So David and I have been promising to take our pals there. Finally we got around to it and not surpringly , after 38 years, it's STILL a hot spot for families who are more than happy to wait in line to taste their wonderful ice-cream and now, frozen yogurt and other combinations such as chocholate covered frozen bananas, chocolate dipped soft-serve ice-cream, specialty sundaes, etc. So far we have taken Joaquin, Sean and Ed. Who's next? Simply request and we'll work it out! It's in Montclair, NJ, by the way!

Ben Arrives this week!

-Photo from this past weekend-

Welcome back to New York Benjamin. We have all missed your sparkly smile and your gifts of Santo Domingo Coffee! HA! Benjamin will stay for at least 6-8 weeks and then return to Santo Domingo to get the Christmas tree set up for our big Christmas celebration ! Safe Travels to Benjamin.

Birthday Excursion *postponed*

Sunday was set as the day to give Joaquin his birthday gift. His gift was a day in the city going to a few places to celebrate his Birthday. J had an amazingly challenging week last week, including 4 (count them) 4 final exams, plus his normal full work schedule which included him witnessing and assisting with 4 Euthanasia cases at the Vet. Hospital. By the time Sunday rolled around he had zero energy and simply slept for hours and hours. So he decided to cash in on his gift when he is 100%. The gift is as follows. 1. Take NJ Transit to the city and head up to TAO Restaurant on the upper east-side for a drink. The largest Asian restaurant/bar in the city. Check out "decor" photos on their site if you want to catch a glimpse of the16 foot Buddah in the space. Next stop is set to be Il Bastardo, a restaurant with Northern Italian food. Next stop was to stop by Barnes and Noble to pick up a book that J wants "The Golden Compass". After that, we are set to have a walk in Little Italy for some dessert.

Luis Abel in my shoes

I miss my shoes, but he can have them and grow into them! Apparently Luis Abel can now say my name. So, it's a start!

HEY HEY...what's been UP?

Checking in. - Well, things are in a nice rhythm for me these days. I've been taking the 8.15 train into HOBOKEN
and connecting to the PATH train to arrive at 23rd and 6th at 9.08!




So basically DOOR to DOOR I'm looking at 1 hour on the road to get to my work.
My Hoboken train is a lot calmer than the trains to PENN STATION. I always have a seat and can pull out my laptop and either do some work, or click around for fun. I always have my iPod with me, taking in some music or watching an episode of Lucy or whatever I've converted to watch on it!

Innocent! - Good job on the leaf Ben!

Funny TALKING Dogs

Benjamin today!

click pic to see larger version

RUTH HANGIN' WITH JOAQUIN

Pic from INWOOD

J Snapped this on the corner of Broadway and 200th street in Uptown Manhattan.
That's THE CLOISTERS in the background at the top of the hill there!

Pics from Sean's Tea

click on tea cups

FIND URUGUAY

Where in the world is URUGUAY? see this interactive map to have a look! MAP link

Ruthie and Joaquin work out!

Watch Ruthie and Joaquin get a little workout in! - VIDEO

Stain Stain go away...

ARE YOU FILMING MY STAIN? - video

Ladies Slow-Dancing

Two dear little ladies slow-dancing VIDEO

PASS THE URUGUAIAN QUICHE

Watch video of the Quiche being passed. WATCH NOW!

VIDEO OF KEARNY HOUSES

Click here for video of KEARNY HOUSES. My old neighborhood where I grew up!

What does a Uruguaian BBQ in KEARNY look like?

Here is the kiddie table at the BBQ.
Click here for complete collection of photos from the Uruguaian BBQ over Labor Day weekend!