GAWT IX

This GAWT trip was differrent from all others in two ways.  First, Brent and I decided not to arrive at our usual midnight on Friday, and so took the day off.  Second, so many of our Brooks family members were unable to join us this year so we needed to fill the bus with some friends.  This was the first time it was not totally a family trip.

We left very early in the morning and arrived at Taughannock State Park by 10:30 in the morning.  It was a beautifully crisp morning and an easy hike.  As you can see from these pictures, the views were spectacular too.  The Taughannock Falls is the highet waterr fall in the United States at 215 feet high, making it 33 feet higher than Niagra Falls.

 After our hike, we drove into my birthplace, Auburn, to have lunch with my cousin Memory and her husband Paul.  Paul had just had back surgery a week or two prior to this trip.  I think he's crazy, but he made it through the trip and grimace through the pain.  It was nice to be with just the two of them without the crowd so we could catch up on each other news.  I so wish we lived closer to each other.

We still had quite a bit of time before we needed to be at the hotel to surprise my folks and go to dinner with everyone.  Brent and I decided to hit some wineries on the east side of Cayuga Lake that we had never been to before.  We hit 3 and they were all pretty good.

 Saturday we all hopped on the bus and went to Sweedish Hill.  This is a good one because they open early and because they offer some sweeter wines for those who like such things.  Personally, I think they have some pretty good sparkeling which was my first purchase of the day.  Below you see tthe donkey Doobie.  We had heard a viscious rumor a year ago that Doobie bit the dust, but we were assured that Doobie was alive and well and here's the picture to prove it.

 Our friends Drew and Ginny Bitner and Dave and Bea Walters are reviewing the list of wines available for tasting and are making their selections.

 Here's the family making the first big decision of the day. When you've just had your coffee (or diet coke in my case), you're not really thinking of wine. Ha!  Who am I kidding!  We had no trouble at all.

 Is that Brent pontificating?  hehehehe.

 My cousin Memory with Paul and the ultimate trouble maker, Tony.

RJ, Tony, Judy, Memory, and Jaqui are listening intently.  I think Jacqi just wants more wine!

 Tony always takes our camera to snap some shots of Brent and me.  Good thing too or I'd never be in the pictures!

 Mom, Dad, and Rick displaying our family T's.

 Bonnie and Winnie enjoying the beautiful day and the spectacular landscaping.

 Mine brither posing at Leidenfrost.  This was a new one for us and they had some good stuff.  Worth a stop.

 Red Newt has long been one of our favorites on the east side of Seneca.  We like their wine and we love their restaurant.  Here's our server with a flight of reserve reislings which were yummy  As much as we like this place, their prices are totally out of hand.  Way pricey, and I don't think people bought much there because of it.

This trip was differrent for us, but every bit as enjoyable as ever.  I hope that more of our family will be available next year.

Renaissance Faire

Last year, I took Gwen to the Renaissance Faire as a trial to see how my knees would hold up walking around all day.  Gwen and I had so much fun that we decided to go again this year.  Grandpa felt left out, so we decided to let him come along.  The first thing Gwen wanted to do was get her hair done.  Last year it was the very last thing we did and Gwen wanted to have her hair French braided again.  Something different this time was using a spear to grab the brass ring.  When the let the unicorn lose, it swings down pretty quickly, but Gwen had a good eye and got the ring..  the prize was a gummy bracelet - she was tickled pink!



 Hmmmm, who're the crazy kids with the gargoyle?!!

 Gwen wanted to ride the wild boar.

 Gwen told me on the way to the Faire that this year she was brave enough to ride the elephant.  I thought she might back out, but she marched right up and climbed on the elephant's back.  What a diffeence a year makes.

...and the Winner Is.....

The girls are old enough now that they enjoy going Christmas dress shopping with Grandma. As a result, I now know the locations of all the little girls clothing stores in the Capital City Mall. And also where all the bathrooms are! LOL!

On a Friday night a few weeks ago, Kylie and I had dinner at the food court. Kylie was very specific that sshe wanted pineapple pizza and french fries with salt and ketchup. Between Sbarro and Boardwalk Fries, we were golden. We tried on only three dresses and were able to narrow it down to two. Kylie thought she'd like to have both of them, but I told her we needed to narrow it down because she needed tights and shoes to go with the dress. She chose the first dress from Macy's. Unfortunately the picture doesn't do the dress justice. The top is black and the bottom is white with silver and black. With silver tights and pretty new black patent leather shoes, she'll be stunning!

The search for Gwen's dress was interesting. She generall still likes the little girl dresses with the big pouffy skirts. They are getting hard to find as she moves from the little girl dresses to the larger sizes. My Mom saw a really pretty one at Penney's and as therre was only one in Gwen's size, she snapped it up. Gwen liked it okay but wanted to go shopping....of course! What little girl wouldn't choose a shopping trip! We tried several that she looked good in and one beautiful emerald green number that Mom and I loved, but Gwen settled on this red dress. Very different than what I expected her to choose, but she is tickled with it.

Clothes shopping with the girls is great fun. But, I have to wonder what these clothing manufacturers are thinking. So many of the dresses were nixed simply because they were inappropriate. At 5 and 7, they don't need to look like a flapper or worse a little ho. I have to wonder not only about those making some of these dresses, but the parents who allow their children to wear them. I'm lucky that both the girls understood when I said, "no, that dress is inappropriate."

It Is What It Is

I had what I hoped, yet again, would be my last appointment with my orthopedic surgeon. He and I are both really happy with my right leg. It's got plenty of flexion and works pretty darn good. The left one...ah, yes, the left one. The left one is simply not as good as the right. It doesn't have as much flexion, it has more stiffness, and I have pain in the outside of my calf when I try to do certain things.

When Dr. Meade examined it he said he could feel the scar issue and he said there was some fluid in there. Well he removed the fluid (and can I just tell you that it hurt), and gave me another shot of cortisone. He believes the pain in my calf may be related to my sciatica - it is not a mechanical issue with my knee. He said that he has seen this issue correct itself up to five years out from the surgery. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that within 3.5 years it will be better.

Anyway, to sum it all up, it is what it is. What it is today is probably what it will be tomorrow, next month, next year and so on. While I may still have some difficulty coming down stairs and while my bike seat is still 1-2 inches too high, I can walk without pain, I am going to yoga, and I am going to boot camp (of all things!). I have my life back and I'm so grateful.