labor day weekend

John and I flew to New York on Friday afternoon 

with plans to spend the night in the city,

then drive out to the Hamptons on Saturday morning.

However,

we just couldn't wait.

We braved the holiday traffic

and arrived in Sag Harbor 

early Friday evening

with plans to meet Stephen & Christina for dinner.

We were  thankful

that Stephen was off his crutches

and walking,

while recovering from his 23 stitches 

man vs. clay pot

Hurricane wound.

ewww...

Realizing it was Labor Day weekend,

we knew the wait at any restaurant would be hours, 

so we grabbed a couple of bottles of wine, glasses,

and a blanket.

We departed with the plan 

to put our name in at a restaurant in Sag Harbor,

then sit on the boat and have cocktails until we were called.

Christina first checked Sen

and as predicted,

the wait was 2 1/2 hours.

We elected John to try the American Hotel

to see if he could use any of his contacts to 

"work some magic." 

We couldn't have been more surprised

when he came jogging back across the street

and said, "Five minutes!"

Woo hoo!

I love, love, love

the American Hotel.

It's history, reputation,

and ambiance are unequalled in the Hamptons. 

It's so old world and cozy

and my favorite part is 

running into friends 

each time we are there.

It's the perfect place for lunch, dinner,

or a nightcap.

Just be careful when asking for the wine list.

They are rumored to have
one of the largest wine libraries

in the country
and they'll bring you

something that looks like a very large picture album

and you can get lost for days reading about

all of the possible selections.

We had an amazing meal.

The lobster bisque was divine,

as were the glasses of rich red wine, 

perfectly cooked steaks, buttery potatoes,

sweet strawberry shortcake, and every single morsel

we consumed.

We laughed, told stories,

caught up,

and reveled in each other's company.

It was the perfect start

to a wonderful weekend.

a conversation

Last Thursday night,

I tried to call John.
After several attempts,
I finally reached him.

This was our conversation:

Me:
Where ARE you?

John:
 I'm at Sebonack Golf Club
in Southampton -

at an event.

It is Ah-mazing.
Unbelievable.

You wouldn't Believe the view!

The way it overlooks the Peconic Bay

is breathtaking.

You should be here!

You were on the invitation.

Me:

Whaaaa?

John:

Yeah, you were on the invitation.

You're on the committee.

Me:

Really?

John:

Yeah.

Me:

Was it an e-mail invitation?

John:

No. 

It's a reeeally nice printed invitation.

Me:

Hmmmm....

Could you Send it to me?

...I'd really like to see it.

 It's true.

I do live two separate lives.

Grits & Caviar

after irene

I am very thankful that Irene

was not as strong as expected.

However, 

my heart goes out to all  

who were affected.

Our house fared well,

as did John - 

who mostly slept through

the storm.

He is without power

like 5 million others

and that,

we can live with.

Here are some pics

he sent me yesterday:

only in the hamptons

say it ain't so

I am an optimist

- an eternal optimist.

I haven't worried 

one minute

about this hurricane...

until tonight.

John cancelled his trip home

to stay and take care of business

- wines and vines and horses.

Oh,

and our home!

When I moved back to Georgia,

I didn't want to leave 

the life I had in NY,

so I left

Everything -

my treasured children's pictures,

my favorite oil painting,

my cherished persian rug,

and my beloved india ink drawing.

Hmmm....

maybe that wasn't such a great decision.

And all that's just stuff.

After losing my brother, 

I will never feel the same about possessions again.

John is there

and I'm a little worried.

Although, I will admit...

I wish I was there.

I'd have a hurricane party

in the wine cellar!

mini masters

 John and I were contacted by a friend yesterday.

He asked that we send him

the best Mini Masters 

pictures of C

from this summer.

I had a blast

scrolling through 

and picking out

my favorites.

Here are a few:

She was actually riding in this pic.
It looks like she was standing still.

I could pick

a thousand more...

What a summer.

hoppy monday

We had a wild bunny living in our Sag Harbor yard this summer.

The kids loved it.

They would pet it and

even feed it carrots.

I felt like 

Peter Cottontail 

had dropped in for a visit.

I wonder if he misses us...

summer reflections

As I fall into the sobering reality

of a full time job,

it makes me wax nostalgic

on that vague memory

called 

summer...

We enjoyed our annual trek
to Sunset Beach.

When we arrived,
it was late afternoon
and perfectly picturesque.

John 

managed to score the 

perfect table.
The view was 

Insane.

It grew

more and more

beautiful

as the sun set.

We talked.

We laughed.

We ate.

We savored

Andre's rose'.

And

as usual,

closed the place

down.

Aaaahhhh,

summer.

Thanks for the memories.

class pet

I'll get back to those fancy Hampton posts

one day soon, 

but right now

my job is consuming me.

Here's a reason I love teaching:

My student today: 

 "Mrs. Nida,

my mom said I should inform you

I'm bringing in a class pet."

Me:

"Oh, reaaaallly?"

The student:

"Yep.

You're going to need to get 

A Lot 

of 

Crickets

to feed it..."

status quo

Have you ever

changed everything

and questioned why?

Things were rolling along quite smoothly

and then...

you make a big change.

Next, you wonder why you ever did

something so crazy.

Welll....

all week

I've been questioning why.

Why on Earth

did I decide to go back to work

Full Time?

Life was rolling along 

pretty well.

It has been a crazy week -

orientation and meetings all week

and required evening events.

I'm Exhausted.

For those of you who don't know,

I am a Teacher.

I am also a Believer.

I Believe in this school.

I Believe in the Mission Statement.

I Believe in the Standards of Excellence -

both Academically and Morally.

I am here because

I Believe.

I moved my children back from New York

 to attend this school.

I never Dreamed

I would have the opportunity to work here again.

All week,
I have been amazed
at the professionalism
of my co-workers.

I  will be moved

Monday morning

during convocation,

when flags from 43 countries

representing the student and faculty population 

are displayed.

I have the Most Amazing class.

It will all work out.  

I Can Do This.

(right?)