Summer Stuff

Swim team banquet tonight ... championships tomorrow... picked up our CSA basket yesterday (kids were thrilled we got corn - seems more special when it comes in the basket, I guess ;-).... hubby has returned from NYC with tentative plans for us to get together with another couple there and go to Wylie Dufresne's WD50 (Right. The kids can watch themselves - ??? Would love to, but...). We have one more birthday party this week (three total :-). I just realized that a couple of days ago would have been my childhood best friend's Dad's birthday. He passed away a couple of years after my Dad, so he hasn't been gone long. Great guy - funny, odd, warm - wore Santa ties in July, practiced golf in the neighbor's backyard, did a martini and limburger (sp? - know it's stinky - may not know how to spell it) cheese every night before dinner, Cornell guy but totally down to earth. I have a picture of him in a tux, holding a drink and a cigarette with a party going on behind him - totally him. I another "epitome of him"-type photo of my Dad - in his preppy shorts, holding a cigar, wearing his running shoes on their big wraparound porch - where Olivia and I would sit and play with the cat or talk to my Dad (Olivia like to pick slugs from my parents' impeccable garden much to my Mom's dismay :-).

Seems a lot of my friends have been reminiscing lately. I have too, but... then again.... I always do. One of my old dance friends is back in my world (many are, and... I love it!) - I'm thinking of my childhood a lot these days... Not sure why. It might be because Olivia is starting high school, and that triggers some memories. Might be, too, because my cousins have re-entered my world as well (for a while, it was hard for me to see my Dad's family - go back to the old house, etc. without getting really sad). Whatever reason.... I'm thinking a lot. Speaking of my best friend from childhood, I should mention her here. Paula. Funny, clumsy, adventurous, confident - difficult at times but totally her own person. We did EVERYTHING together - vacations, shopping, sleepovers - in fact, we used to write stories together, journal, create characters, practice pretend play (born actresses ;-).

Need to get crackin' this week. Do I have everything in for Olivia's camp? When should I expect the kindergarten stuff to arrive? Should Enzo take another camp? Should we think about extending Milo's preschool day at all? Is Lil still going to PBT with me for dance class? When can we set aside time to get new Oakland uniforms? Do we need another sports physical? It is part of summer, isn't it? The transition to and from school - a new grade - a new year.

Last "thing".... I am a boxing fan (not sure why - could give you a list of odd reasons, but... have been since high school), and... this triumphant story caught my eye. Sad at first... but has a happy ending. Don't know the fighter, but.... will be pulling for him next time I see his name - Robert Guerrero.

Anyway... have some silly photos. Is your house looking a little like this lately? Enjoy.