July 1-8th 2018
Central NY
Finger Lakes, NY

We had a little going away party for Stacey. It was sad to say goodbye, but I am very happy for her and her new position. My professional life has been moving along too. I have informed my supervisor about my plans and have discussions upcoming for two possible internship placements. I'm still a little fuzzy about school and enrollment, but fairly confident that I will be an unemployed student again by the end of August.

What a crew. We had chicken wing pizza in honor of Stacey. This was her absolute favorite to get at the work café.

 

Stacey cutting the cake.


The gangs all here...Missing Renee  & Stefanie. We will miss you Stacey.

Saturday, Mark was eager to bet some horses and I was eager to get out of the house. We took the day and made our way to Finger Lakes Racino.

It had been a long time since my last visit to this Track. Mark and I decided it had to have been before my youngest was born. It was definitely before the track became a racino and opened up the casino part. We started off the day with some slot machines, had some lunch at the buffet and headed up to the track. We headed to the paddock to look at the horses about to race.

Looking good.....

Mark's pick, the number 1.

My pick, the #5- Her name was Miss Marion. I choose her as Marion Indiana was where I was born.

And they are OFF!

Miss Marion won. To bad I actually didn't really bet. We spent the rest of a beautiful early afternoon watching the races before heading back towards home. During one of the races a filly up and ran right through the  metal bar leading back to the paddock. Guess she was NOT having it. Lucky neither the jockey or the horse was hurt. 

Back home I prepared for an evening our with friends celebrating David's birthday. The celebration was held at Muddy Waters in Baldwinsville. The restaurant is right on the Seneca River and very relaxing. I had never been and found it will be a future stop as the both the food was good and I simply love places like this off of a river, lake or ocean.

I had poutine. Yep..simply french fries with gravy for my meal. David, Pat and Carmen, (and Me too) all grew up together. I have known these guys since I was about 4-5. I went to Kindergarten with David. Pat was my first love and Carmen lived two houses away.

Pat and Ann

Tiffany and her husband Jorges also joined up. Tiffany if Davids niece.

David- the birthday boy

View of the river from our dinner table. Pretty hun.

Mindy and Carmen

The band played both the Beatles "You say its your Birthday" as well as The traditional Birthday song for David. Happy Birthday my friend.

After dinner we headed out to a place called the Tiki Bar.

They happened to be having a 4th of July celebration and we all got glow sticks. Fun Fun.

Mindy and Tiffany. We ran into a coworker, as well as seeing Stacy and Serina. Stacy (a friend not my co-worker) reports that she will be moving to Florida at the end of the month. She has been dealing with a messy divorce and financially has no other options. That sucks! Her children are doing well however. One just graduated with honors from a local HS. Renee and I, Double trouble!!!

As the night progressed we were told there were fireworks....I was thrilled as I had not seen any on the 4th. In fact I think I was asleep before any fireworks could be shot off this year. Well we had work the following day.
Well I was super excited....

Happy 4th of July everyone. What a wonderful day and evening full of family and friends.

great show too.  TTFN