I'm leaving tomorrow morning and we don't have a hotel for the weekend. I met a girl last night that told me the neighborhood our original motel is in is not ideal...at all. So onward we go.

posted by Kristen at 2:49 PM   

I love you, Jackie!!! (She called on her way to work today to tell me she saw a license plate from Maryland and thought of me. What a rockstar roadie!)

posted by Kristen at 2:47 PM   

AND my parents offered to pay my way home for Thanksgiving! I'm COMING!!!

posted by Kristen at 10:08 PM   

If you're bored, give me a call! 212-479-7990.

posted by Kristen at 8:15 PM   

Also, I'm only 3 ft from the MTV awards. Ok, 30 miles.

posted by Kristen at 7:54 PM   

Tomorrow I only work a half day too and have Monday off!

posted by Kristen at 7:53 PM   

Today has been the best day yet..ok, maybe equal to other best days. We had 2 playdates, I got a manicure, pedicure, and eyebrows waxed, made a new friend, and learned about a BIG secret! Yay for Thursdays!

posted by Kristen at 7:53 PM   

I just looked up a map of Washington D.C. to see where our hotel is from everything. It's RIGHT BY the White House!!!!!!!!!

posted by Kristen at 2:25 PM   

Panera just put chai on their menu yesterday. I'm in heaven! As I was drinking it last night, I was trying to decide if it was really as good as I believed or if it just tasted like Kari's house on a Saturday morning. Either way, Panera's gained yet another lifer. Kacey....!?

posted by Kristen at 12:45 PM   

It's been raining all day. I get the blues when it rains. AND I have a 2 year old to entertain....indoors! What am I going to do all winter?

posted by Kristen at 12:43 PM   

PS. I got the new Dixie Chicks CD! It's FANTASTIC!

posted by Kristen at 11:29 PM   

Tomorrow I'm getting a pedicure and manicure!! I'm SO excited! Oh, and we're having a big, huge playdate/picnic at the park with my nanny friends and their children.

posted by Kristen at 11:28 PM   

Kari fixed my internet!! YAY!
NOW, you can finally leave real, live comments and I should get them! Thank you!

Today we worked on potty training and training potty mouths not to swear. Yes, I'm a nanny...meaning not so much glamour as I hoped you would be imagining. Oh well...I love it and it's keeping me here...in the hub of the world happenings!

posted by Kristen at 11:27 PM   

Is anyone getting errors with this page?? I decided I was a computer programmer last night and revamped stuff. NOT a good idea.

posted by Kristen at 7:23 AM   

Have at the comments girls!!! Had to switch services, but this should work better. SMOOCH.

posted by Kristen at 10:53 PM   

It's SO going to be Justin...

posted by Kristen at 10:13 PM   

American Idol was on tonite.

posted by Kristen at 10:13 PM   

Jacob thought it would be a fun adventure to dump a bottle of bubbles on his head this morning. He forgot to remember that it's SOAP. We had to have an early tubby today.:-(

posted by Kristen at 11:43 AM   

My dad's the cutest ever! He sent me a box full of his homemade cookies! They were accidentally delivered to the wrong house so I had to pick them up...and proceeded to meet the father of a very cute college boy! WAY TO GO DAD!!!!;-)

posted by Kristen at 11:41 AM   

I was just reading some of my recent blogs and I sound like a huge party girl. Seriously, I've been having a BLAST with Jacob. He's the sweetest thing ever created! I guess that party side is just coming through because I'm trying to stay busy and not homesick.

Tonight I realized for the first time that I really do miss MN. I stuck the Gear Daddies into the cd player and the first song was "Dream Vacation in the Dells"...uh, yah. It's supposed to be a funny song and I started crying cuz it said "Interstate 94" in it. Who knew you could miss a road??

posted by Kristen at 10:57 PM   

I'm not a lush! FOR REAL! (except when Jackie's around)

posted by Kristen at 1:17 PM   

Oh, and my dad's sending me beer. I told him the story and he feels my pain. This is why I love him so.

posted by Kristen at 1:17 PM   

Well, yesterday was a shopping day! I got to see a new mall and had Applebees all in one afternoon! WHEW!
Last night I had a date and it went very well. We went out to eat, had a couple drinks, and saw "Signs"...which I proceeded to have nightmares about (well, maybe not really. But it was scary).

posted by Kristen at 1:16 PM   

Kacey and I went to Summit tonight to drink at "The Office". It was nice...except for the old people.

posted by Kristen at 2:35 AM   

The party went over very well and apparently Matt had no incling! YAY for Brooke! Lots of kids, drinking, and rain=panic attacks and happy memories.

posted by Kristen at 2:34 AM   

I've had to learn the hard way that New Jersey (or the East Coast for that matter) doesn't carry Michelob Golden Light. WHAT? Is this place legit? However, in an odd twist of fate, they do carry Corona Light!! Kick it!

posted by Kristen at 2:33 AM   

On Sunday I have a date with H&M and Ben Affleck...or Aaron as the case may be.

posted by Kristen at 12:13 AM   

In NJ, resist=reeses. I told the server I was going to resist dessert and he brought me a reeses pie. I like it here!;-)

posted by Kristen at 12:13 AM   

NO WAY! I did a search for "Jersey Girl" and got this!!!! Twilight zone.

posted by Kristen at 12:07 AM   

I've decided I must stay here long enough to be able to play Bruce Springstein's "Jersey Girl" at my wedding.

posted by Kristen at 12:05 AM   

Oh, and I love soda.

posted by Kristen at 8:13 PM   

Today was a day of domesticity. Tomorrow is Matt's (Jacob's dad) surprise birthday party. Therefore, Brooke stayed home with us today and we went to the Farmer's Market, did laundry, made cakes and cookies (that didn't work), and cleaned. CRAZY! I have officially decided I like my life without children or a husband. They're lots of work!

posted by Kristen at 8:13 PM   

I'd like to give a shout out to my mamma-mia who turns 30 for the 19th time today!! I love you!

posted by Kristen at 8:10 PM   

I've decided to ATTEMPT being a social butterfly. Tonight I have organized a gathering of all the nannies I have met or have been meaning to meet. We're going to a bar...so it WILL be fun!;-)

Oh, and for the geeky part. The teacher in me made a phone list for everyone. Shoot me, please.

posted by Kristen at 6:33 PM   

I left for 3 hours this morning. When I got back, I had 5...count them...FIVE voicemails!! Wow! That's a record. See, mom? I AM loved!;-)

PS. I went to the zoo and, yes, it was great! We saw monkeys that looked JUST like my brothers...and turtles!!

posted by Kristen at 2:03 PM   

I am now a real, certified, no-bull, full fledged teacher! I got my certification in the mail today! Along with it, however, I also got a packet of bills which also show me how certifiably grown up (aka SCREWED) I am!! Oh, to be 3 again!

posted by Kristen at 10:31 PM   

Apparently my mom got a cell phone for her birthday! Welcome to the 21st century mom...only a little late!

posted by Kristen at 7:30 PM   

Today the cleaning ladies came and cleaned my room. Phew...it was getting scary in there!;-)

Also, tomorrow I am going to the zoo and a Barnes and Noble story hour with Jacob and the new neighbors. They seem super cool! I'm excited!

posted by Kristen at 7:28 PM   

Brooke gets to talk to Matthew Perry on Friday for an interview!!!!!!! How jealous am I? I told her to tell him how much I love him but apparently Jennifer Capriati has dibbs. DAMN, HOT CHICK.

posted by Kristen at 7:26 PM   

If Kari can have comments, then so can I! C'mon everyone, write to me!

posted by Kristen at 7:24 PM   

Last night I FINALLY got to see "The Wedding Planner". It was SO cute! I also got to binge on sweet and salty treats! SCORE! Leah's the bomb!!!;-)

posted by Kristen at 7:44 AM   

Pretty sure I have mouth cancer.

posted by Kristen at 7:43 AM   

I'm going to Washington D.C. over labor day weekend!!! I'm SO excited!

Oh, and yes, I'm doing fine. Just had one crying fit this morning over her leaving and then got over it. I like it here!!!!

posted by Kristen at 11:49 AM   

Kari left.

posted by Kristen at 11:38 AM   

We had the bestest day ever yesterday minus the 150 degree temperatures...
Did the tourist thing and even got to see the David Letterman Show studio and a city flea market. It rocked.
When we got back last night, all of Maplewood's electricity had been out for hours. It was horrid heat and scarily dark. At about 10PM the lights came back on and the a/c began again.

Today we swim and hopefully Kari will be feeling better. She's very sick.

posted by Kristen at 9:40 AM   

Today we are tourists.

posted by Kristen at 10:34 AM   

Last night was very very exciting. Well, for one, My Friend Kari (as in My Little Pony) is here. We went to Hoboken (aka Hobo Land) and harrassed the locals, bought a cheap umbrella, bought a bottle of cheap booze, and sat on a random stoop (just like real alcoholics!!!!). After much discussion and too much bacardi, we went into the bars. It was a very fun night.

posted by Kristen at 10:34 AM   

Guess who drove into New York today THROUGH Manhattan!! That'd be me!! I'm so proud! Kari's here now! Right now she's napping cuz it's been a long trip for her and early morning. Tonite I think we're headed to Hoboken to check out the bar scene. Should be fun!

posted by Kristen at 3:58 PM   

Tonight I get to go to a comedy club called Rascals with Leah. It should be really fun! AND I get to drink for the first time since I got here! How excited am I???

posted by Kristen at 7:13 PM   

We had a New York campfire last night!!!!! While eating chinese, they brought us our own personal fire! It was WONDERFUL!! Well, we THOUGHT it was a restaurant but I guess it was a chinese truck stop...apparently that's what some of the customers thought it was, anyway, because they brought their giant sleeping child and a pillow into the very nice restaurant wearing jeans and a t shirt. I laugh.

posted by Kristen at 9:21 AM   

As Kacey leaves me today, Kari comes tomorrow. I'm SO SO excited to show Kari around the City!! Who's next?

posted by Kristen at 9:18 AM   

oopy...Kari wins! She's coming on Saturday!! YAY for me!!!

posted by Kristen at 6:17 PM   

Whoever comes to visit me first wins the kewlest friend prize! I mean, seriously! WINK WINK!!!!

posted by Kristen at 2:10 PM   

I've discovered my soul mate. He's in college here. His name is Ben. He has one year left of his program and will graduate in May with a degree in photography. He's a wonderful artist. Coincidentally, he's from Minnesota too!!! He grew up there and plans to return when he graduates and is just out here for the NY experience as well. The two months we're apart after he graduates and I am still here as a nanny will be difficult but if we make it through it is truly meant to be. We'll get married and live happily ever after in the Rowles' basement.
Where oh where is Ben?
Well, sadly enough, he's a figment of Kari's and my imagination. Apparently he's really out there though. Perhaps I'll meet him tomorrow.

posted by Kristen at 10:12 PM   

I think I have pms...

P as in present.

Too much information? Sorry. It makes me feel better to share it on the INTERNET. I have a support network there.;-)

posted by Kristen at 12:23 PM   

Jacob and I went to a library story hour today. It was horrible... the lady was OBVIOUSLY unprepared and did not realize that she was talking to 2 year olds and not a 4th grade class. It consisted of about 20 babies crying, throwing tantrums, and being unable to fathom sharing. And this dorky lady kept passing balls and novel items around the circle, thinking they were going to be able to pass them on. I think it might have been better if I were not trained as a teacher. She flunked.

posted by Kristen at 12:23 PM   

And Kari, it's about time for my next burned CD!! I'm waiiiiiiiiiting!

posted by Kristen at 1:16 PM   

Seriously, people! WRITE EMAILS TO ME! I miss all of you!

posted by Kristen at 1:16 PM   

So, I'm getting super excited at how many of you are checking this webpage every day! Thank you so so so much for all of your support and curiosity! Unfortunately, I haven't much to tell you today. I had Jacob all day yesterday and so today is dragging. We went to the mall to keep cool. I see that it's coolish in MN but here, it's hitting near 100 degrees!! INSANE! It's claustrophobic! Can't even breathe! My dear Kacey's having a rough time now so I can help her in return. I think we'll have movie night tonite.

posted by Kristen at 1:16 PM   

Brooke and Matt get to go to the Bruce Springstein concert tonight in Madison Square Gardens!!! Woe is me...

posted by Kristen at 1:26 PM   

Kacey and I have applied to be on "A Makeover Story"!!!! Wouldn't that be the KEWLEST???

posted by Kristen at 1:24 PM   

I talked to Kari tonite and remembered some things I must blog about. Weird, I feel another list coming....

1. In New Jersey it is illegal to pump your own gas. It's all done by dirty boys. HMMMMM....
2. The night that the miners were rescued in Pennsylvania, Jackie and I were there! It was amazing and so inspiring to talk to the people in the town. What a miracle!
3. There's a pool in this town that is HUGE...and there's a snack bar. Jacob and I are going to worship the sun this week.
4. I have to pee.

posted by Kristen at 6:59 PM   

Brooke told me today that I've had a whole lot of funnest days EVER lately...she doesn't realize that really I HAVE!! hehehe.

posted by Kristen at 6:55 PM   

I had the funnest day EVER today!! It was absolutely surreal! We saw Les Miserables and it was incredible. Did I cry? Maybe. Also, SO many other things happened in the span of the last 12 hours that I'm going to make a list. If you have questions on any of the points, that means you should email me, duh!

1. Broadway Play...best one ever...
2. Got flashed my old fat man in Times Square
3. Kasey sliced her toe open
4. Dined and dashed at Jekyl and Hyde Club
5. Took the 9:11 train back to Maplewood and were convinced death was near
6. Plotted how we were going to save the day using makeup and binoculars when the train was highjacked
7. Got random boy #42 to put my car mirror on for *FREE*
8. Ate ice cream :-)
9. Had boobs stared at :-0
10.Became more knowledgable at James Bond trivia thanks to random boy #37

Yah...eventful day. Now I must sleep. Going to church tomorrow!! YAY ME!

posted by Kristen at 10:38 PM   

AND I just realized I made it through my first week as a real nanny with only one sad day! Pretty good huh!? I'm SO happy here. Truly. Although I miss my Minnesota family/friends (one in the same), I'm making great connections here and having the time of my life. Les Mis is tomorrow (well, today)!! EEKS! What will I wear???

posted by Kristen at 12:34 AM   

We went to Barnes and Noble tonite and were rejected at Arby's so we had a picnic in the parking lot...heheee. I also got a great new CD. The artist's name is Amy Rigby and she's bitter and funny. Check it out!!

posted by Kristen at 12:32 AM   

So, I'm going to attempt to put my new mirror (that cost an entire limb) on by myself. How much will you pay me if I can do it??? HMMMM???

posted by Kristen at 1:52 PM   

I'm going to Les Miserables on Broadway!!! Kacey and I are going on Saturday...she bought the tickets today!!! I'm PUMPED!

posted by Kristen at 11:22 PM   

I just discovered the kewlest analogy in my life! As I was driving home from dinner at the Olive Garden and thinking about my broken mirror, I realized that the irony of me just getting to New Jersey and then having my REAR VIEW mirror hit off is amazing! No more looking back! From here on in, it's only forward... but honestly and literally, I really do need a rear view mirror on my car. Therefore, I'm headed to Saturn tomorrow to burn some of my newfound moneyflow. :-(

posted by Kristen at 11:15 PM   

Happy belated birthday to my sweet cous, Tonya and happy current birthday to my favorite rock star roadie, Jackie. I love you girls!!!

posted by Kristen at 11:57 PM   

So today went a LOT better than yesterday. I'm doing great and had a happy day with the cutest boy ever. We went to the library and had a play date. Tonite, Kacey and I went to Panera's for supper and the ice cream parlor where we met some mighty cute boys...and I DO mean boys!;-)heheee.

posted by Kristen at 11:56 PM   

Did you know I have some really good friends. Yo.I'm feeling better and looking GREAT!!;-)

posted by Kristen at 6:54 PM   

As stupid as this may sound, I'm having a "missing the fam" day today. Kinda sad. I know I've not been gone more than 2 wks...it's just the idea that I can't make the jaunt home.

posted by Kristen at 12:09 PM   

Tonight Cindy and I went to TARGET! Man, did I miss that place! I bought a cordless phone, a cute baby boom-box, and extension cords...how's that for a 15 minute spree?? The poor family I live with had a rough day however! A bat decided to mosey on into the dining room during dinner, the garbage disposal got clogged, and the dishwasher decided to loosen its hinges before bed as well!! This house is beautiful and SO worth the pain...but why must there be pain in purchasing a house?? SERIOUSLY!

posted by Kristen at 12:23 AM   

Oh, I forgot to tell about my day yesterday!! It was SO SO much fun! I finally got to meet a couple other nannies around here that the nanny agency set me up with. Kacey and Cindy are both working within 15 minutes of my house and they are wonderful! First Kacey picked me up and we went to Panera for lunch. MMMMMM. Then Cindy met us there and asked if I wanted to go into Manhattan. We hopped on the train and set off for the big city! They are hilarious and I actually feel like I will be able to be my weird self with them!!! YAY!! We went to the same area I went on Saturday...Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, and the ice cream shop. Then we headed to Soho and Greenwich Village. EXCELLENT shopping and sites. We ended up back in Times Square and had dinner at Planet Hollywood with a waiter that Kacey made sing for us!!heheee. I didn't get back here till very late last night cuz of train difficulties but it was worth every minute. Hopefully we'll be able to get together again very soon...

posted by Kristen at 1:17 PM   

Well, it's Monday and my first official day "on duty" with Jacob. It started out very rocky...first he had to warm up and then I started laundry and the basement flooded partially! CRUD! That there is my luck. heheee. Did that sound Minnesotan enough? Yah, so the rest of the morning went very well..we had so much fun cooking and mopping. Who knew? Now he's sleeping and when he wakes up we will go to the park...I promised. And as Jacob quotes hourly, "A promise is a promise. A deal is a deal."hehee. What a sweetheart! I'm SO happy here and feel very lucky to have found the family I am with.

posted by Kristen at 1:11 PM   

Today I went into the city with a friend and we discovered all of the mysteries of NY. We visited Ground Zero of the World Trade Center which was INCREDIBLE. We also saw the Statue of Liberty, went to Chinatown for dinner, and saw Times Square at night. I rode the subway for the first time!! WOW! Also, a very non-english-speaking woman had an easy sale when she offered me a live turtle for $5. FOR YOU FIVE DOLLA!

posted by Kristen at 12:27 AM   

So here's a wrap up of the day:
Got to sleep in
Discovered someone HIT MY MIRROR off of my car last night! ERRRRR...
Visited the mall
Got a makeover
Ate Chex Mix
And am presently doing laundry!

Exciting, huh!?

posted by Kristen at 7:06 PM   

I get to go shopping today at this very elite mall! I wonder if they have a dollar store. After all, that's about what I can afford at this point.:-(

posted by Kristen at 10:34 AM   

I got to sleep in for the last time on the weekday today. I think they saw I was obviously tired yesterday so they gave me this gift of sleep. It's amazing how wearing moving is...and adapting.

Oh, and I got a phone call from another nanny yesterday who lives very closeby and is the sweetest thing ever. We're going to do something on Saturday so no more worries! Then on Sunday Jacob has a birthday party at the neighbor's. Ah...sweet suburban life!

posted by Kristen at 10:33 AM   

I'm in a mini panic right now because the family I'm living with is leaving for the weekend and I don't know anyone or where stuff is really...not sure what I'll be doing then. EEKS! Is anyone coming this way???:-)

posted by Kristen at 2:36 PM   

Today I followed Jacob through his entire routine...and I think I got it. He's a breeze! We went to the park, read books, swam in the mini pool, and after his nap we're headed to the neighborhood pool. I love that kid!

posted by Kristen at 2:34 PM