If these walls could talk...

We have been blessed beyond measure. We have been blessed with a sacred haven, a place to escape to when the world is too much (which is often.) We have been blessed with a place with no cell phone service, and no internet. We have been blessed with a place where we can meet friends and family, cook good food, and generally be rowdy.

Last week, we said goodbye to this amazing blessing. If those walls could talk, they would tell of some hilarious times playing mexican dominoes. They would tell of the days Brian and I spent there after our wedding (although I would rather they didn't speak about those particular days...) They would tell about 4th of July traditions, and Easter bonnets and birthday celebrations, and mostly, they would speak of love.

Our family has been blessed with a place where love for each other has come alive, but really, that's all it is- a place. We carry incredible memories with us of the lake, and I'm so grateful for a place that's brought us together again and again. But as we say goodbye, I am remembering happy memories, love, and looking forward to the future.

New York, New York!

I've hesitated on posting about this wonderful experience because I don't think that words could do it justice! We were recently blessed beyond measure when we were able to take a trip with my mother to New York City. We were able to find inexpensive air fare, had a free place to stay (thank you, Lou & Marty) and Mom was so generous in paying for some of our incidentals and meals.

I'm such a drama queen- I really love acting and experiencing live shows- so New York is my kind of town! It's kind of surprising that I've never been before because Mom and I have talked about this trip for such a LONG time. Also, Brian and I had said for a while that for our 5 year anniversary (which we celebrated on July 31), we would like to go to NYC. Oddly enough, we combined both of these dream trips into one fantastic adventure.

We traveled really well altogether, but it would have been a blast to have Dad with us (he told us to have fun- he didn't care to come.) Fair enough- one less chief (and a very opinionated one at that!) to deal with!

We had so much fun running around the city, purchasing handbags and pashminas in Chinatown, seeing the sites, visiting the Met, eating great food, running to catch trains and the BEST part: seeing two FANTASTIC shows!! We saw Phantom of the Opera on Sept. 10, and Wicked on Sept. 11. I'm familiar with Phantom- know the music and story even though I'd never seen the show- and it totally lived up to expectations!

Wicked was unbelievable. There's really no other way to describe it- the music, story line, set and actors were unreal. There's no comparing Phantom to Wicked, but I think I was overwhelmed at HOW AMAZING Wicked was.

I was so excited to see my good friend from high school, Susan, for brunch and dinner on Sunday. In fact, Sus was able to guide us around the city- we ate wonderfully because of her! She's lived in the city for a while, and it was so fun to have a local who knew all the fabulous places to go and eat. Jason, Susan's fiance, got to join us for dinner on Sunday as well- I'm so excited for two of them!!

I love New York!!! We were so sad to leave!!