Gone for September

I'm just going to stop apologizing for being tardy for the blog post party because I was taught that a sincere apology implies making a concerted effort to avoid repeating the faux pas. So, given my track record of repeatedly missing Sunday posts, I feel the most respectable and realistic thing to do at this point is to vow to you, the faithful few (possibly fewer given the nearly 2 month long lapse in posting) that I will put my all into the posts that I do write. So, here it goes...!

September came and went leaving so much in her wake. Last month began with a trip to South Florida to join my big fun Italian family in celebrating my grandmother's 80th birthday. No wait! Actually, last month began with my completion of my doctoral degree requirements! On September 1, I completed the final requirement (a year long internship) and earned my Ph.D. THEN Ian and I went to Florida for a 3 day celebration of Grandma's birth and the 6 children, 10 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren that followed (plus spouses and countless granddogs).

When the last party died down leaving The Haags (actually only one of us) with one soaking wet wallet, a broken camera (status post a swim in the Intracoastal), the kind of sunburn you can only afford to get once in a lifetime, bruises resulting from extreme tambourine playing (don't ask), and one hangover with a side of regret...we packd our bags and loaded up Gramma's Explorer for our Key West adventure.  (It was probably in everyone's best interest that we left the scene at that point anyway).  Actually, when Ian and I began making plans to go to Florida for Gramma's birthday, we decided that we would extend the trip to include Key West as a kind of first anniversary gift to one another.  We were there for a couple of days and had an amazing time filled with fantastic food and drink, adventures on a rental scooter, six-toed cat sightings, and the list goes on. 

(Do any of you notice a pattern in the pictures Ian and I take?)

So, with full bellies and peeling backs the Doctors Haag returned the Explorer to Rita Rentacar and spent some quality time with the proprietor before we made our way to the Ft. Lauderdale airport. 

It seemed that while we were tanning our hides in Florida, the summer had set on Albany and autumn had arrived.  Ian and I needed to turn the heat on when we got in the car at the airport!  Needless to say, I was not a happy camper.  Although autumn is my favorite season, I like it best when it comes when I'm ready for it.  Is that so much to ask? 

Once we got home, I had about 48 hours to regroup and repack for the week-long road trip to North Carolina that I planned at the last minute.  Thankfull, my little southern stint afforded me another week of summer-like weather before having to truly face the reality of the impending Albany winter that follows the beauty of fall.  So, Abby and I loaded up in the car and left Ian to be a bachelor of sorts once more.  Tune in to the next post to see what happens....!