CHANGE IN HOW I SPEND MY TIME

This is fairly ironic. When nothing is going on but the same old meetings, I have time to blog but little to say. All month long we have lived exciting, eventful lives but I was too busy to blog anything. Time to try to catch up!

June 8, 2009 Scholar-Athlete Dinner

We attended the Section III Scholar-Athlete Dinner at the Rusty Rail in Canastota with 500 other over-achieving athletic kids. This is Ian's first taste of what it will be like at Cornell...surrounded by only the brightest. We shared the table with Janise Carmichael and her coach and family. The dinner was great, the speeches short and the kids were made to feel very proud about their accomplishments. The evening was very nice...even if it was sponsored by Coca-Cola! Ian has a cool patch, a plaque and he took all the unopened bottles of Powerade from the tables.




June 9, 2009 Honor's Night

Let me give you a taste of how dysfunctional Corcoran High School is and the way I fit in so perfectly. As President of the Corcoran PTSO, I had to give out the PTSO Scholarships at Honor's Night. Not a big deal, I had to be there anyway because Ian was receiving an award. The school called and asked me to stop by the office so I could sign the scholarship certificates before the ceremony. Not a problem. We arrive, find a spot to sit and I sign the certificates. It's just about that time that it dawns on me that I have to give these girls their scholarship check! Do you think I remembered to get the checks from the treasurer? Didn't even cross my mind! I was so caught up in the other 50 million things that were going on in my life that I didn't even have anything prepared to say when I introduced these young women. All I could do was shake their hands and whisper "I forgot the check. I'll bring it to school tomorrow." While I am stressing about the checks, Ian casually mentions that I am in the program....giving the opening remarks. Nobody told me! Apparently, it is tradition that the PTSO President speak at Honor's Night. Last year's president didn't mention this and it would have been nice for someone at Corcoran to give me call to let me know. After expressing my displeasure to the principal (he is used to this) I thought about what I would say. About 5 minutes before I was supposed to give opening remarks I walked over the principal and told him I was set...had my thought all planned out. I planned to take the podium, raise my outstretched arms and say, "where the fuck were all you people for the PTSO meetings?" I think he sprayed his drink across the table.

We sat toward the front and Ian kept talking about this trophy sitting on the table with all the awards. He had been coveting the trophies with gold cups that some of the kids received at Varsity Night. Who knew his biggest dream was to drink out of a big trophy? What a goof....he wouldn't stop talking about this trophy.

Who knew being the male Scholar Athlete meant getting your name engraved on the E.S Powlesland trophy that will sit in the trophy case for eternity? The trophy has names from 1966 and there are three other people from Wellesley Rd. I have never seen Ian so excited about anything in his life. He gets to keep the trophy until the end of summer. I think he slept with it on the first night....















In addition to the trophy, Ian was recognized for having the highest SAT grade and for graduating Summa Cum Laude and a few other things. I thought we might frame the President's Education Awards Program certificate that was signed by President Obama....but that paled next to the trophy.

June 13th and 14th - Allentown Art Show

By far, Allentown is the best art show that Rob attends. We always have great weather, Rob sells well and we get to spend time with our friends, Rich and Karen. While it was hard to leave my yard, house and pool during the nice weather, there is something so relaxing about being at this show. I finally realized that this is the one venue I can't control. Rob sets up and arranges and speaks with the buyers and I wander around the other booths and read my book. I like this! As a bonus, Rich usually comes and hangs out both days and helps with the tent. Nice!

The Allentown area has beautiful architecture, unusual shops and bars and quirky people. The art is high quality and Rob has repeat customers. The show is huge and both days were so crowded.

I spent a lot of time just watching people....



Why did this guy remind me of Uncle Tom?














Karen, Rich, Zoe and Ian at the end of the 2nd long, hot day.

I'll tell you all about the party in the background at a later date and the way I amused myself on both days.