My Exclamation Point Life!!: Thanksgiving in New York

As we near Christmas, I am still thinking about Thanksgiving! Mine was different from what it has ever been before. The plan was for Susan, Rob, Madeline, Susannah, Nick, and me to spend the holiday in New York. It was the year for Jay and Terri to be with her family in the Houston area. Just one week before, howsomever, Susan had a partial knee replacement. She did so well that she almost was able to participate, but it did not seem prudent at the last minute. So...I flew to New York alone on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving!

I remember praying before I left home that things would go smoothly. I actually was thinking of my being ready on time, having a safe trip to the airport, and smooth passage through security...but you know that verse in Ephesians which says that God is able to do more than we ask or even imagine? Let me tell you... I experienced that promise!

I was ready on time, if not a leetle early! My driver, Betty Cook, was on time as always. She got me safely to the airport as always. I breezed right through security. I had no travel anxiety at all. I had asked for a wheelchair in New York, not a bad idea in the new terminal where I arrived at LaGuardia! My "driver" there wheeled me quickly to luggage claim, then I held my breath as we approached the infamous taxi line. What? I didn't see the line! The reason? There wasn't one!

Speeding by!

Yes, there was a line of taxis, but not one of people!

I was delivered to the charming little boutique hotel where I was staying...Hotel Belleclaire. It is on the Upper West Side near where both Madeline and Susannah and Nick live. I kinda fell in love with this hotel.

You will notice that I did not share a picture of my room!

That is because it is described as "very European."

Transcription: "Tiny"

First order of the day: meet Lilo, my great grand dog #1 at Susannah's and Nick's darling apartment.

It was definitely love at first sight.

Then Susannah, Nick, and I Ubered to dinner with Madeline and great grand dog #2, Nora, at Jacob's Pickles.

Love at first sight twice in one night! How can a Mimi

be more blesssed?

We dined "al fresco" so Miss Nora would be welcome! It was just slightly chilly, so those animal print things are my gloves!

Since I opted out of early rising and experiencing crowds to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, Susannah came over on Wednesday morning and we walked to see some of the floats as they were parked and waiting. Madeline had to work. Boo. You might recognize some of these.

See the Macy's star?

Then on Wednesday afternoon...

Why, that's Linda Jane Lynn Stovall front row at
The Music Man!!!

My trip back "home" from the show was almost as exciting as the performance. Since it would take me hours to maybe get it on this blog, I will just post it separately! Sufficeth to say, the whole afternoon was an unforgettable experience.

Still on Wednesday, Madeline, Nora, and I got to experience

Five Napkin Burger! And exotic margaritas!

See sweet Nora down there?

On Thanksgiving morning I got to go to Madeline's darling

apartment, which I had not seen before. In fact, it was my first time ever to be in a New York studio apartment.

We had breakfast and watched the parade together.

I brought croissants and Madeline had this beautiful

fruit and delicious coffee!

Must always pay homage to one of Stovall Construction's

major benefactors!

Remember seeing this float in yesterday's pics?

Susannah and Nick got up at 4 A.M. to get front row spots

for the parade! (See why I watched on TV?) Nick's family

was in New York, too, so here is a picture of them in their

marvelous vantage point!

And then the Big Event! What a Thanksgiving feast we had at Carmine's--Upper West Side! It was so festive, bustling with

families and the most pleasant servers! We were joined by Susannah's dear high school friend Hannah Usry and her sweet husband, Davis Richardson. I want you to just look at the wonderful food we were served! And it was all just as delicious as it looks! A true Texas style feast!