Fall 2009

Back to School, September

On Wednesday, September 2nd, I started my senior year of high school. (Mom shot my senior photo, at right.) I'm taking advanced calculus, American history, AP English (lots of Shakespeare), mechanical engineering (pretty cool), physical education (required by state law for graduation), health (via the Internet to fit it into my schedule), Symphonic Band, and Jazz Band extra early each morning. On top of that, I've committed to building a go-cart for my senior project, and I need to get my college applications filled out. Then, of course, I'm working 15 hours at Target each week to pay for gasoline and girlfriend expenses.

.....Augh!!! Beam me back to gradeschool, Scottie!

Although I did rent a tux, Emily and I wanted to save money for bigger events yet to come (like Senior Prom), so when Mom volunteered to serve us dinner, I accepted. 

Dinner at Café de Rie turned out to be pretty successful. First, the parents came over for formal photos [from left are Emily, me, Alanna, Matt, and Claire]. After they left, Mom served us hors d'oeuvres dressed in black and white waiter togs.  Then we sat down in the decked-out dining room for a four-course dinner of bruschetta; green salad with strawberry vinaigrette; salmon, garlic mashed potatoes, and cheese broccoli; and cheesecake with strawberry sauce made by Matt. No alcohol, but Mom poured us Diet Coke in wine glasses. 

After dinner (and a ridiculous amount of female primping), we left in Mom's car to watch the movie Fame (lame) and then go to the dance (which would be fine if only the DJs would stop playing rap music! How can you dance to that?!).

Halloween, October

Emily and I went to a Halloween party at Robbie's house. Yes, I'm Mr. Procrastinator, so we didn't decide on our costumes until October 31st. Emily looked great as Little Red [right]. Afterward, it occurred to me that  I could have worn granny clothes over the wolf's mask. But then, later in the evening I would simply have been a cross-dressing grandma because the mask was so hot and stuffy that I couldn't wear it very long, so maybe it's best that I didn't. No matter. It was Saturday night and a good party.

Thanksgiving, November

I celebrated Thanksgiving twice, Thursday at Dad's and then Friday at Mom's. That was a lot of eating!  I earned my food on Friday, though, because I had to be at Target at 5:30 AM for Black Friday sales. I've never seen (or, unfortunately, participated in) such insanity! Thankfully, I was home from the melee by 11:00.

I made the cranberry salad when I got home. We also had turkey roulade, wild rice, garlic mashed potatoes, fried stuffing, broccoli with cheese, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin ginger pie with cranberry glaze. 

Mom went to get Grandma from Cascade Vista, where she was staying for a few weeks of physical therapy, about mid-day. Grandpa, Bonnie, and Bonnie's sister Jackie and her husband, David, arrived a little later. We had to put an extra table in the family room to fit everyone (Sofia and I sat at the "kids'" table, sigh). There was lots of conversation among the grandparents about the "good ol' days",  and the meal was really good. 

Mom said that she was thankful that all her family could be there [right]. At the time, I was, too. But now, looking back and knowing that it was Grandma's last visit, the memories are even more special and important.