Day 61: Ginger, Hanging Out

 I received this email from Ginger's day care D is for Doggy today, with this photo attached:

 One of our handlers (anik) took the cutest picture of Ginger and we wanted to share it with you. We hope you enjoy it.

Enjoy it!?! I love it to pieces. And I love that we have a day care that sends us adorable photos of Ginger during the day!

Day 59: Visit Old Friends and New Babies

Brianne Rose, not quite 2 months old

Just call this the summer babies!

Today I'm in lovely Cumberland, Rhode Island visiting my very dear friend and former college roommate, Jennifer, and her sweet brand new baby girl, Brianne. I'm happy I picked this week to visit the girls because Jennifer's husband Mike is on a business trip and a new mom can use some back up sometimes! That means I get some special one on one time with Miss Brianne, but I'm not complaining. As long as she's happy and not crying, like she is in the photo!

Day 58: Hanging with Ginger

I'm seeing a theme in my photos -- Ginger and my feet...

Day 57: Don't Forget Your Priorities

Ginger and me enjoying a sunny Sunday on the porch

When I say that having a dog is like having a kid, some mothers roll their eyes at me. But what I mean is that having my dog -- my high strung, high maintenance, easily sickened, demanding dog -- means, more often than not, putting this creature who can't feed or take care of herself before myself and my needs and desires. 

For example: today, I wanted to go to the beach with Shawn and our friends. It was a gorgeous, warm summer day, totally making up for yesterday's grim sky and sprinkling showers. But a couple people were staying behind to clean up the house. Not wanting to leave the dog home alone without one of her owners being here, I decided to stay home and hang out with the Ginger.

I'm sure the dog would have been fine if left alone with our friends. But just in case I wanted to be there, to protect my baby and keep an eye on her so she didn't run into the road and get hit by a car (worst case scenario). Sure, I missed a glorious day at the beach, but there will be more later this summer. There never can be another Ginger. 

What's more, I take pleasure in spending as much time as I can with Ginger while I have this time off from work. I'm going to miss the little girl when I'm sitting at my desk each day.

Ginger spies a bunny

On the way home again

Day 56: Sometimes You Just Have to Order the Rice Krispie Pie

Rice Krispie Pie at John Scott's Surf Shack

Our friends are spending the weekend with us in the Hamptons this weekend. Last night we had an amazing home-cooked lobster roll feast and today we went to the beach. It was rainy and cold and miserable, definitely not an ideal beach day. But after the beach, we went to our favorite food spot by the beach, John Scott's Surf Shack. And, nothing brightens up a rainy day like ice cream! So we ordered a giant slice of John Scott's Rice Krispie Pie -- a Rice Krispie treats crust filled with mint chocolate chip ice cream, topped with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Yum!

Day 55: Travel With Ginger

We missed Ginger while we were in California. Even though she's not the biggest fan of the car trip, she loves being out in the big backyard of our share house. And Ginger has never met a bag she doesn't love to jump into.

Earlier this week, post-haircut

Ginger has loved climbing into this bag since she was a puppy

Today we headed back out to the Hamptons after two weeks away, and boy were we happy to have Ginger along for the ride. She loves the beach house more than any of the humans in it; between big backyard, the huge house to run around in and lots of new people, dogs and wildlife to interact with, Ginger is one happy bitch in Westhampton. Plus, we don't have to miss her or -- even worse -- pay someone else to take care of her when she's right there with us!

Waiting for our ride to the Hamptons

Seriously, could this dog be any cuter?

Day 49: Let Yourself Recover

This whole summer, so far, has felt like a lot of work. Vacation shouldn't feel like work! But with all the travel and juggling work and taking care of Ginger and Shawn and myself...this summer has already worn me out!

We got back from the West Coast LATE on Wednesday night/Thursday morning. Our flight, which was scheduled to land close to midnight, was delayed. And after waiting for what seemed like forever for our luggage, we realized that the international terminal at JFK was super busy. There was a traffic jam outside the terminal at 2 a.m.! So, our car was late meeting us at the gate and we didn't get home and to bed until 3 a.m. I think -- I lost track of the time. I was thoroughly exhausted from head to toe, which is not really the way you want to feel when you come home from vacation!

Thursday I traveled up to Stamford to pick up Ginger from my parents/dog sitters and then came straight home to meet a friend for dinner. If it was any other week,  Shawn and I would have packed up and headed out to the beach on Friday. But it was just too much. We were both wrecked from a week on the West Coast, complete with endless wine and mounds of Mexican food. And between the long drives to and from the wineries and staying in a house with seven other people -- including three children between the ages of 2 and 6 -- our trip to wine country was not especially relaxing. The thought of packing up the dog and going to another house full of strangers for a weekend seemed even more daunting. So, for the first weekend this summer, we decided to forego the Hamptons and just stay home in New York City for the weekend.

Our decision to stay home and recoop ended up being the best decision ever. Today we slept in and had a leisurely brunch. Later in the day we meet our friends for afternoon drinks in the West Village and I realized how much I don't want to even look at wine right now! We ended up at the Spotted Pig where Shawn and I split the epic burger and chicken liver toast. Yum! We went back home, picked up Ginger, and brought her to our friends' apartment uptown where we ate pizza, drank beer and played Head's Up until everyone's iPhone batteries ran out.

I am fully aware that I am the lamest person alive. All summer, Shawn and I have spent our weekends grilling and drinking wine at a house near the beach with our dog and friends. We haven't been out late drinking at bars and clubs and we don't explore the trendy new restaurants of the city or Hamptons. But even our lame Hamptons life was too much for us to take this weekend, and I'm glad we decided to stay home and recharge. Everyone needs that every once in a while.

Day 48: Catch Up With Old Friends

This summer has already been a whirlwind of travel to Westhampton, Florida and California. But the summer's half over, and I have to remember to catch up with people I love in NYC, too.

So, today Ginger and I took a long walk with Lauren, who just got back from her own travels in Portugal. There was lots to catch up on, and I hope to have more long walks in the summer weeks ahead.

Ginger enjoys her favorite part -- Madison Square Park -- during our walk with Lauren today

Day 46: Become Educated About Wine

Today I am feeling very full of wine. We've been drinking pretty much nonstop since Shawn and I drove from San Francisco to Sonoma to meet up with our friends Scott and Miko. Luckily, we hired a driver, so all four of us could partake in the wine tasting and copious consumption. Even now, as we sit on a place en route back to NYC (we're on Virgin America so I'm watching So You Think You Can Dance, too) Shawn and I are sharing an overpriced bottle of wine we purchased at SFO as we waited to board. It's a twist off top and they gave us paper cups at the shop where we bought it with sandwiches for our dinner. Only in Wine Country.

After today, I think I will detox a little from wine. Between our summer share house, Long Island wineries and this trip, I've drank more wine this summer than I ever have before -- I'm pretty sure -- in my whole entire life. But, this trip has been so educational, too. Because Scott is a member of the wine clubs of the various wineries we visited, we were able to take part in some of the best, interactive, behind the scenes wine tours out there. 

The tour at Inglenook began in the vineyards

On Monday we went to Napa and visited a few wineries, starting with Inglenook, a beautiful French chateau property owned by the Coppola family. We got a special tour of the vineyards, tank room and barrel caves and ended with a special wine blending experience with cheese and snacks.

Shawn among the Inglenook barrels

On Tuesday, we started the day in Sonoma at a winery called Repris, where we went up the side of mountain overlooking the vineyards in the valley.

Shawn and me at the top of the hilltop at Repris

A panorama of the valley

Tasting in the caves

So what did I learn? I learned how grapes are harvested and when, how they are hand picked, how
 they are crushed, how the wine is fermented and aged, how the barrels are toasted, how wine is preserved and how each step and choice a winemaker makes can effect the taste and quality of a wine. I learned that no two wines are the same -- barrel to barrel, year to year. You might like a pinot from 2011 but hate it in 2012. I learned how long it takes from when you first plant a winery to when you can drink that first bottle -- close to a decade. I also learned that each winery has a different technique and different things they hold sacred. Each one firmly believes that they do it best and their wine is the best. But, it all comes down to taste and personal preference.

And I learned, about myself, that I love wine. I am not discerning. I like all kinds and flavors. I know what I like when I taste it, but I my palette is not refined enough to care to drink one or two things all the time. I like variety. And what I like one day in one situation will change for the next. I'm okay with not being a wine aficionado. I know what I like when I taste it, and that's all that matters to me. I had fun learning about wine, drinking wine and exploring the vineyards and caves of so many wineries on this trip. I want to come back to Napa and enjoy some of the restaurants and resorts here as well. Some day.

But for now, maybe I'll lay off the wine for a little bit...

Day 43: Visit Wine Country

Shawn and I are in Sonoma County and Napa with friends visiting wineries for the next few days. Shawn's friend Scott is a member of a number wine clubs, so we have gotten some very cool, exclusive experiences so far -- with more to come. Here's some photos from our first day of adventures:

Wine tasting and lunch at Hartford Family Winery

Exclusive tasting at Chateau Montelena

Fish at Chateau Montelena 

Chateau Montelena winery tour

Drunk and happy

Wine and cheese at Freemark Abbey to end the day of tastings

I suggested that Shawn buy this wine because my grandmother was Josephine

Day 42: Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge

Day 41: Visit Old Friends

Me and Erin at brunch in San Francisco

One of the main goals I've had this summer is to catch up with people who I have lost touch with over the past two years. Business school can be hell on your friendships.

Erin is one of my closest and oldest friends, despite the fact that she lives on the opposite coast. When we met, she was living in Brookly and we were coworkers. A few short months after our friendship started to grow, she decided to move back to San Francisco, where she settled with her now-husband Ben, way back in 2007. For a few years, our employer (my former employer) would fly her back twice a year for meetings and holiday parties, but recently I've been trying to see her once a year or so. Two years ago, a group of us girls went to Santa Fe together. Last year, I saw her briefly on a business trip, then she flew out to New York to come to my wedding -- without her hubby and 8 months pregnant! If that's not friendship, I don't know what is.

When Shawn found out he had a business meeting in LA this month and we decided to spend a few days in Northern California wine country afterward, I decided to fold a visit with Erin into the start of my trip. So while Shawn went to LA for a few days, then spent a night with friends in Newport Beach, I flew to San Francisco on Thursday and spent two days with Erin, Ben and their baby Paxten.

I was so. much. fun. I loved spending time with my old friend, laughing, crying, catching up, cooking lemon spaghetti and agreeing that it was good but not like our favorite spot in the city, Supper. One night we went to a nice girl's dinner at a lovely San Fran hot spot called Flour + Water, where we drank wine and ate pizza and ordered two desserts. What could be bad?

I also loved meeting little Pax and getting to know her sweet little personality. I was thrilled to witness her first assisted steps with a little alligator push toy that she didn't seem to have any interest in before today. The more of my friends' babies I am meeting, the more surprised I am to see their husband's heads on a little baby's body. Pax is pure Ben as a baby girl. She has red hair and fair skin and is already pretty good at giving you a withering stare. That girl is going to be trouble!

Though I only got to see Erin and her family for a short visit, I'm so happy I got to do it. It's one of the highlights of my summer so far! I wish I could see them more often.

Day 39: When in Doubt, Take the Dog to the Emergency Vet

Ginger's trip to the emergency vet

My dog is very intuitive, and very spoiled. Tomorrow, I'm heading to the West Coast to meet up with Shawn (who left Tuesday) and we're spending a few days in Napa and Sonoma County with friends. Yesterday, I brought Ginger up to my parents' house, where she'll stay for the week while we're away. 

As soon as I let her into my parents' backyard, Ginger started having what sounded like a coughing attack. She would cough for a little bit, and then it would sound like she was having trouble breathing. This went on most of last night, but when she fell asleep she seemed okay. This morning and afternoon she coughed again periodically, but it wasn't too alarming.

She has done this before. Sometimes we think she is choking on the grass she eats up hungrily every time she's in my parents backyard. Sometimes she does it at home or in the Hamptons, and we've diagnosed it as reverse sneezing. It's scary to witness but it is ultimately not detrimental for the dog.

However, as the day progressed and her episodes got more prolonged and intense, I started to Google "dog cough." If you're a pet owner, never Google "dog cough." Turns out, a dog coughing can indicate everything from kennel cough (which she is vaccinated against, though that still might not prevent infection) to a heart condition. Sometime after dinner, Ginger started sneezing/coughing and didn't stop for what felt like hours (it was probably 10-15 minutes). She was still doing it when I called the emergency vet in Stamford that my dad had brought Ginger to the morning of my wedding (another long story). I tried to let the tech there hear her. I tried to record her doing it on my iPad. She didn't stop, even as I loaded her into her travel bag and my mom drove through pouring rain and thunder and lightning to get to the vet. Once we arrived at the vet, though, she seemed fine.

After a few minutes of waiting, a very nice vet examined Ginger. I showed her my video. She tried to induce Ginger into sneezing, coughing or something. No luck. $150 later...Ginger is fine, it was just reverse sneezing as I had suspected all along.

But, I'm leaving tomorrow. And now my parents and I have the peace of mind that, if she does this again while I'm away, it's not something fatal. Hopefully, she won't need any more vet visits before I get back next week!

Day 36: Get Ginger to Do Better in the Car

Ginger slept all the way home in the car today

Okay, this wasn't something I had thought was possible one month ago when I started this blog. Somehow, our carsick, anxious dog has transformed in the past few weeks. Ginger still drools like crazy at the mere sight of a car, but she's getting much better at riding in a car for a few hours without vomiting all over whatever lap she happens to be sitting in.

After countless trips back and forth to the Hamptons, we finally have a dog we feel comfortable bringing on trips in the car. She doesn't really enjoy it, but I think she's started to understand it's the price she has to pay to spend time in the fun place with the grass and the bunnies and her parents. She even enjoys sticking her head out the window now! She's a dog transformed.

Day 34: Don't Let the Rain Get You Down

I hate the rain. I especially hate the rain when it ruins a holiday and keeps us from spending time at the beach.

We knew the rain was coming. All the weather forecasts said it would. But, when we woke up this morning we were not also expecting a power outage. Since yesterday was a gorgeous, sunshiny day, I instantly regretted spending the day at wineries instead of at the beach. There's only a handful of things to do at the beach when its raining and going to wineries is one of the few things -- like outlet shopping -- that you can't do in the city. I was in a bad mood. The rain was bumming me out and the idea of even more people filling up the house when we couldn't even flush the toilets was really bumming me out.

The rain bums Ginger out, too

As the rain lifted and the power in the house restored, Shawn and I ventured into town to take advantage of the better cell service there. He needed to send some work emails; I needed to get out of the house. Sunshine and coffee proved to lighten my mood. By the time we got home, I was feeling better.

It rained on and off all day, but I stopped feeling bad about it. Instead of wallowing, we went to our favorite place near the beach for lunch and tried to avert our eyes as the Coney Island hot dog eating contest played while we ate. I drank Corona and ate coconut shrimp. We stopped at the butcher on the way home for hot dogs and hamburgers for a good old fashioned Fourth of July BBQ. At dinner, eight of us crowded around the big dining room table. Then we all walked down to the bay and tried to light lanterns that were supposed to drift into space. They plummeted swiftly into the water instead.

Our group in the house this weekend included three dogs aka the Westhampton Wolfpack

Day 33: Wine Tasting on the North Fork

Happy 4th America

Today was a gorgeous day. But instead of spending the day at the beach, we decided to do a mini tour of wineries on the North Fork of Long Island today. Here's the view from Kontokosta Winery, our first stop of the day and the only winery we could find that was along the water (though, I have to admit, we didn't look that hard).

Gorgeous day, gorgeous view

From Kontokosta we made our way to Shinn Estate Vineyards, which Shawn and I were surprised to learn was started by the same couple who run one of our favorite West Village restaurants, Home. We had some wine and cheese at Shinn, but we were getting kind of hungry and pretty drunk (except for our designated driver). 

Our last stop was our new favorite, Martha Clara. It was our third time this summer visiting and, for the first time, we got pitched to join their wine club. Shawn, an easy target, gladly accepted. We walked out with lots of wine at a discount price, but we couldn't be happier. It was by far the best decision we made all day.

Summer 2014 has officially become, for us, the Summer of Wine.

Day 32: Brave The Train To The Beach

We're so spoiled! Every weekend we've gone out to the beach so far we've been able to drive, either by renting our own car or catching a ride from friends. Since our friends came out to the beach a couple of days ago, we knew we could get a ride back with them if we took the train out.

It is Wednesday, so even though it's a few days before a long holiday weekend, we thought it might be a little less crazy to take the train out to Long Island today instead of on a regular summer Thursday or Friday. It was maybe slightly less crazy, but the midday train was still packed enough today that there were people standing for part of our ride.

The most worrisome part of the trip was traveling with Ginger. Though she is generally better on a train than when she is traveling in a car, she still can be whiny and temperamental, wanting to climb out of her bag or sit in your lap or wander the train car. Or, she can be relaxed and great. It's really hit or miss.

Ginger  being a good girl, en route to Westhampton

The trip from NYC to Westhampton on the train requires you to switch trains in Queens. We got seats together during the first leg, but when we switched trains Shawn and I had to sit a few seats apart from each other. Ginger started to get antsy. Since I've been home from school and work these past few weeks, she has become increasingly demanding. If both Shawn and I are together with her, she wants to be able to keep both of us in her line of sight. She refuses to walk with one of us while the other stays home, something she previously had little problem with. And when we do take her for a family group walk, if one of us falls behind, she'll put on the brakes and crane her neck until she spots the straggler and they join the group. No one is ditching Ginger while she's on duty.

Ginger's new sense of keeping us all together came through on the train. As she sat on my lap in her bag, a row behind and to the right of Shawn, she started to whine to find him and sit with him. He was on the phone, so he didn't know she was trying to get his attention. Not wanting to offend those sitting around me, I shushed  her and tried to sooth her the best I could. That's not really the best way to ride in a train for two hours. I just wanted to read a book or play Candy Crush.

Eventually, the train started to empty out and Shawn and I were able to move next to each other. Then Ginger started whining for another reason: she had to pee. Over the years, I've gotten a pretty good sense of when Ginger needs to go to the bathroom, when she's hungry, when she's feeling sick or when she just wants to play. As she looked wistfully out the train window and even started scratching at the glass in an effort to get out, I knew she needed to go.

Thankfully, we were less than an hour from Westhampton when Ginger's urge arrived. We made it safely to dry land before Ginger needed to relieve herself on my lap. And that was really the most eventful part of the trip. Other than that, our day was pretty normal and nondescript. We cooked dinnner, drank wine and played games at the beach house with some friends while our dogs played together. It was peaceful, it was simple, it was a great way to start a long holiday weekend.