Labor Day Weekend

It really could not have been more beautiful out this past weekend. It was idyllic, really. We spent a solid 6 hours on the boat, just hanging out and going tubing. So much fun. Now the reality of fall sets in...

Anniversary Trip

Note: I intended to publish this earlier, but got side-tracked. I think it's still worth posting, though.

Last weekend, Eric and I took the most wonderful anniversary trip to, of all place, Watkins Glen. Now I'm not bashing Watkins, I'm just saying that when most people think of the town, they think of race cars, which is really what Watkins in known for. Eric and I are not race fans. Not our style, I guess.

Anyway, we wanted to get out of town, but not so far out that there was going to be a lot of travel time involved.

We began our journey by taking a mini tour of the lower Seneca Lake wineries. I have to say, I thought the Cayuga Lake wines were sweet, but they tasted downright savory compared with the Seneca Lake wines! We checked our five wineries: Lamoureau Landing, Wagner, Logan Ridge, Penguin Bay, and Hazlitt. I'd have to say my favorite was Hazlitt. I'd had their Red Cat wine before, which in this area is famous for being the leading cause of one night stands. I also really like Penguin Bay, which is new (built 5 years ago). Eric's favorite, Logan Ridge, resembled a biker bar! There was a dog sleeping on the ground, deer heads on the walls, and country music playing.

When we were done tasting, we dove to Watkins Glen, and to the Idlwilde Inn, this neat, old B&B on a hill overlooking "The Glen" and Seneca Lake. This place is really cool. Evidently it was in complete disrepair about 10 years ago, until it was bought by the two couples who own it now. They've really done a fantastic job of fixing it up. It's beautiful.

Dinner was spent at a place with a great view, but not great food, and afterward, we walked along the pier, and though "downtown." It was really nice to get away, even if it wasn't that far :)

Boating

One of my favorite things about living in Ithaca is having access to the sublime Cayuga Lake. Cayuga is the largest of the Finger Lakes (although not the deepest; that wards goes to Seneca) and I in my opinion, the most beautiful. Our friends, Kay and James own a small motor boat that I am fortunate enough to be invited out one about once a week in the summer. Although the boat has seen better days, it serves us well and has only caught fire twice. One time it only ran in reverse, too, but that's beside the point. The point is, it get us to the middle of the lake where we can sit, enjoy a beverage, go swimming, and generally soak up the sun. On Tuesday night we enjoyed the most beautiful sunset. Kay said that the pale, misty blues, purples, and pinks made her understand Monet. I said it made me understand hotel paintings circa 1986. All joking aside it was really beautiful. Next time I will bring my camera and post pics.

Kittens

One things I neglected to mention yesterday is that Eric and I are the proud parents of two kittens! We adopted them from a co-worker of mine at the end of June, and they are now a little over three months old.

Their names are Lulu (that's the girl) and Gil (boy) and they are black, American shorthair cats. We've been having a ton of fun with them! They are truly evil little things; they claw at and run up and down our new furniture, hide behind the stove, and try to climb the curtain, but despite all of this we really love them. They can be incredibly affectionate - so much so that it just melts your heart.

I took them to the vet on Monday for a check-up and despite being only 2.5 and 3 pounds each, they have already doubled in size! Here is a picture of me with both of them, and one of Gil, being a wildman.

Aaaand I'm back

I've re-committed myself to writing on my blog. I got a fancy new layout and everything! So here goes.

Since I last wrote I got married, got a new job, and a new, older sister (more on the sister later).

Life is good! I'm still working at Ithaca College, this time as the Event Coordinator. I like it here. I work with really great people, which is so important. I'm also still working part-time toward my Master's in Communications.

We just celebrated our one-year wedding anniversary! The wedding was fantastic. Better than I could have ever imagined. Here's our picture. Aren't we fancy? More pictures of the day can be found at www.shaiphoto.com/ericaeric

I'll write more later, but I wanted to get this started.