This is for Joey...

Last weekend, as the temperature pushed 90 degrees, I decided it was time to open the pool. It takes almost a full day to remove the winter cover, hook up the pump, remove the return caps, attach all the railings, screw in the diving board and clean out the winters accumulation of dirt and bugs. The pool looked pretty good. The winterizing chemicals must have done their job.

Ian took the Ceremonial First Swim of the Year on Saturday.

Can you say shrinkage?

Ian still needs to put in the light. A task that involves being underwater for long periods of time or lying on the deck with your arms, head and upper torso in the water. Ian is balking! I need the light in the pool before the Cinco de Mayo party on Friday. Hope for another heatwave...or maybe I will buy Ian a wetsuit for his birthday.

The water is already up to 62 degrees. I promise to have the pool water at a refreshing 80 degrees by graduation.

Spring Track in Central Square

Unlike Rich & Diane, when I attend Ian's sporting events I rarely take any photos...I barely pay attention. There's always someone to talk to and we are usually solving the world's problems...stopping to look up and cheer for Corcoran periodically. This week, I actually had my camera in my bag and I took it out to take a picture. NOT of Ian...but of Rashied who had grabbed 2 handfuls of Easter grass (from where?) and was leading cheers.If you look carefully to the right, you can actually see Ian running in the 3200.

The cheer was so funny, I had to take a video. If you watch carefully, you can see Ian cross the finish line in 2nd place!

This is the picture showing Coach Hohm talking to Ian. Coach is telling Ian he had a great race...but he was DQ'd for forcing the other guy into an outside lane. Who knew? I thought that was a race tactic. Apparantly, Ian was pissed because the guy was in his draft. Whatever that means.


Ian must have confused DQ with GQ for a little post race stylin'.....

Not the only artist in the family....

Roberts Elementary was selling Gertrude Hawk candy for a fundraiser. As I was browsing the catalog trying to figure out what to buy, thinking ahead towards Easter, I spied little chocolate cows. Perfect for Rob! The box of cows stayed hidden in the cupboard for a month while I tried to decide how to display these chocolate bovines for Easter morning. Finally, about 11:00 on Easter Eve I had an idea. I would recreate a painting of Rob's that included cows and put the chocolate cows in the picture. There I sat at the kitchen table with the original painting (it's the background on my laptop...he would never let me near the original) and my box of 24 Crayola Crayons.



This was harder than it looked. I only had 5 different shades of green and blue to work with and Rob doesn't seem to use a lot of solid colors. And I color best with a thick black outline to work with. I really tried, for about 5 minutes, and quickly lost interest. I resisted the urge to add a big red barn and a strip of blue across the top for sky. I really like the way the light from the window adds dimension and texture to my scene.



Rob appreciated my efforts.

Opening Day

Rob and I always attend the Chiefs Opening Day at Alliance Bank Stadium. This year, my attendance was up in the air until the last minute. Opening Day was Thursday, April 9 at 2:00 and I had to work. I usually take a Personal Day...but the 9th was the day before the 10th which was the first day of Spring Break and contractually I am not allowed to take the day before a vacation off. Luckily, the JD school district had the 9th off as a contingent snow day...since we didn't use any snow days this year. Humorous because Syracuse City used 5!


It was a beautiful sunny day, 55 degrees with a light breeze and I was able to get a little color in my face. Always a bonus!

Rob is less excited this year since the Chiefs have severed their long time affiliation with the Blue Jays and are now the AAA team for the Washington Nationals. He is having problems changing his allegiance and now his team is without any ex-Chiefs. I hope he recovers.

We did get to see 2 Chiefs end the game with 1.000 batting averages. That's new!

Chiefs lost to Rochester, 4 - 7.

Change in Paths Taken

Every year, the Easter Bunny leaves a trail of foil covered chocolate eggs from Ian's room to his Easter basket. We have had our mishaps over the years...including a dog jumping over a baby gate to devour the trail. This year when I was getting the newspaper, I noticed the chocolate egg trail ended...in an odd spot with no basket. I found the basket in the coat closet but clearly the trail had been hampered with. Figured this mystery out very quickly when I found the crumpled colorful foil next to the cold air return. Somewhere there is a mouse family celebrating Easter...but not for long!

No change...bills!

The affluent suburban elementary school where I work is a hotbed of criminal activity. The art teacher is our "bookie" and we place bets on everything. At any given time, staff has the opportunity to place money on American Idol singers, Survivor survivors, and Amazing Race teams. And of course, there is sports. NCAA basketball is by far the most popular gambling experience at school. Every year, I plunk down $15.00 for Rob, Ian and I to submit our sheets. The best I can ever hope for is last place...and the prize?....my $5.00 back. Rob & Ian are usually a little closer to higher scores. This year, I declined to submit a sheet but found myself in the enviable position of being a winner no matter who won, since I expect Rob & Ian to share. On Monday, it was announced that Rob would be in 2nd place if UNC won and Ian would be in 2nd place if Michigan State won. Rob was more than willing to share his 90.00 second place prize with me. What a nice guy. Ian wondered if I would be sharing if I had won. Good question.

Oh, and if you vote...vote Lil!

GO BIG RED!

After careful consideration and a very generous scholarship, Ian has decided to attend Cornell. Decision Done. Over. What a great feeling.
Now I only have to mail out the $400.00 deposit. Does anybody have $400.00 I can borrow?