June 25, 2006
June: Birthdays, Graduation, Hardship
This has been a very busy month, especially with the two girls graduating and several birthdays being celebrated! Yesterday we went to Pennsylvania to celebrate my mother-in-law Alberta's 70th birthday. She was certainly surprised! Her daughter Debbie and my FIL Fred did a great job planning everything.
Other June birthdays: my dad turned 77 on June 20 and nephew Sean was 19 just this past Saturday. Niece Amber had a birthday June 10 and that was combined with her 8th grade graduation party. Heidi and Kristin both graduated.
Tomas is having surgery to put tubes in his ears tomorrow morning. 
The hardship we are having has to do with the fact that things are so slow in the sheet metal trade. Ted is still out of work and we have more expenses than we planned for. I got a ticket-to-work from social security and hope to get a job out of it!
Two Mystery Thrillers
I've decided to give mystery thrillers a try this summer although I'm not usually a fan of the genre. I finished two recently and really enjoyed one but not the other.
The one I didn't enjoy much is called White Male Infant by Barbara D'Amato. Truthfully, I thought the premise was an interesting one: the father of an adopted child (supposedly from Russia) learns that his baby could not have been born there--and so who is his son in actuality? It turns out the father is a pathologist and happened to get a sample of his son's bone marrow or spinal fragments from a test for leukemia. The doctor noticed the sample was fluorescent and began to wonder why. It turns out that only a specific antibiotic could cause such a thing to happen--an antibiotic not available in Russia. Meanwhile, it turns out the little boy did not have leukemia.
This dad kept wondering and worrying about that sample. I wondered if I would go to the lengths this doctor did--it almost seemed to me like maybe he really didn't want the child after all because after his first attempts to research the child's background instead of giving up and feeling relieved he had a healthy son, he kept going. He began looking for missing children reports and trying to match the boy's physical characteristics with parents who'd had their babies stolen--very noble, don't get me wrong. But believeable? Eh.
If the author stuck with this character, I think I would have enjoyed it more. Instead, she introduces a whole bunch of "cardboard" characters with little or no substance to them. The worst of these stereotypes was the doctor's father-in-law. There was little to no imagination in them and that's too bad.
I'd give the book a 5 out of 10. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone as a great read.
On the other hand, I enjoyed Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child very much! I'd read one of their books last year, Still Life With Crows and while I enjoyed the FBI character very much--Agent Pendergast--I didn't care for the story. Later, I read some reviews about a series of books about this agent character and his evil brother. I have to say I was intrigued and interested in giving them a try. I knew there was a trilogy but wasn't sure which were the first two. Anyway, I went onto Book Swap and requested several books by the authors. This book was one of 3 I requested and received.
What a thrilling story! I couldn't put it down towards the end. The remains of 36 people murdered by a serial killer in 1880s New York were unearthed by a company about to put up a new building. Agent Pendergast took an early interest in the case, enlisting the help of a museum archealogist to help him identify the victims and to find out what had happened to them. As they began to unravel the case, a copycat killer turned up and suddenly Pendergast's life was in danger as well as anyone who helped him. But why?
I learned quite a bit about Agent Pendergast and why he was so interested in such an old case. I'm looking forward to reading the other books now. I would give this book an 8 of 10 and definitely would recommend it to others!
June 22, 2006
The Graduates: 12th Grade
Here comes the graduating high school class of 2006!
Here's our graduate!
The graduates take their seats. The boys sat on the opposite side of the field. I'm not sure why they separated the boys and girls. Alternating green and white gowns would have looked cool!
This is one of Heidi's closest friends. Her mom made a lei to go around her neck. I think the family is originally from Hawaii but I'm not sure. The mom did tell me it's a Hawaiian tradition. I'm glad the stuffy administrators allowed her to wear it, it looked cool!
We got better pictures at this graduation and it was definitely easier to sit through it!
There goes the rolls of toilet paper!
The graduates file off the field. See Heidi? She's in the center, just behind the tall African American student.
Things were so hectic we didn't get any family pictures but TB did get this worthy shot to the end of the day.
June 21, 2006
The Graduates: 8th Grade
Kristin and 3 of her friends won the Presidential Academic Award for Excellence. All four kids gave short speeches. TB knew Kristin was writing a speech but had no idea what it was for. This was a very pleasant surprise for us!
These kids won the principal's award. Good for you three! :)
The chorus sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" and it became pretty emotional for the graduates and their teacher.
Unfortunately, none of the pictures of Kristin or her friends getting their diplomas came out. :(
Kristin and some of her friends right after graduation. Two or three of the kids weren't around to be in the picture--they were looking for parents or had to leave.
Kristin's having a small get together tomorrow with her friends as one of them is leaving for the west coast for the summer.
Way to go, Class of 2006 from the junior high!
Later: high school graduation
Graduation Daze
Yesterday surely was a day to remember for us! We had two graduation ceremonies to attend with one daughter graduating high school and the other graduating junior high!
The highpoints: the pride in watching the girls graduate with honors and awards. Heidi wore a gold cord with her gown indicating her B-plus GPA. Kristin won just about every award given out at her ceremony. We are so proud of them both!
Everyone was so excited and happy and everyone looked "spiffy"!
The lowpoints:
Kristin's graduation was held at the community college gym and we all had to sit on bleachers for 3-4 hours, depending on what time we arrived. Why the gym and not a comfortable auditorium? There was a speaker from Ft. Dix who quoted extensively from some obscure colonel's memoirs about making a charge at the battle of Gettysburg--this at an 8th grade commencement?
We had passing showers all afternoon. The high school commencement was supposed to be held at the middle school football field--I don't get that at all if it was sunny. If it was raining, graduation would take place at the community college. At 4:30 the superintendent was supposed to make a decision and it was to be posted on the education channel--but it wasn't. Several of us weren't sure where we were supposed to go so we went first to the community college--and it wasn't there. Heidi was pretty upset at the chaos but I think it was a little better because her friends' families were going around in circles too. It wasn't just us. Anyway, we all made it to the middle school and not a drop of rain fell thankfully. Meanwhile, at home just 10 miles away the power went out in a storm. Go figure.
Here's our view of the field for Heidi's graduation. I am so glad that it ended up being outside! I don't think I could have endured any more sitting on the bleachers. TB and I brought our folding chairs (nice soft canvas), plenty of drinking water and his camera. We watched with the family of one of Heidi's closest friends throughout high school.
More pictures coming up!
June 16, 2006
Feline Friday: Wee Pals
Is this adorable or what? This is our grandson Tomas making up to Mouse. I think he was trying to copy Mouse's nap position.
Interesting specimen, says Mouse, but not feline.
Well, at least he's not a dog!
More Cat Friday stuff? Try these:
The next Carnival of the Cats will be hosted at Mind of Mog
June 15, 2006
8th Grade Formal
What a busy month! We have two kids graduating from schools this year: Heidi is a senior, graduating high school and Kristin is moving on up from junior high. The 8th grade class has a formal at the school last Friday and Kristin was escorted by one of her good friends, Ryan. Ryan's mother and TB must have snapped 2 dozen pictures before the kids were able to get away and enjoy the party!
I'm not sure what this was about, but she sure is expressive isn't she?
Ryan arrives with corsage...
After much papparazza-ing, they finally manage to get out the door, into the car and off they go to the dance. We went to pick Kristin up when the evening was over and everyone had had a wonderful time!
By the way, Linda fixed Kristin's hair, isn't it pretty?
June 06, 2006
Books I've Read Recently
I thought I would enjoy Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden more than I did. Don't get me wrong--it's a great book! I am amazed at how well Golden writes the voice of a female character. Not only that, the character speaks in a rhythm and style that makes me picture Japanese gardens and tea rooms in my mind. I was "hooked" in the beginning--a young girl is sold (with her sister) into a sort of slavery. Chiyo is a beautiful child and so she goes to a geisha house; her unfortunate sister is sold into prostitution. Life is hard for Chiyo and it's even worse because of a sadistic geisha named Matsumomo. I'm not sure why Matsumomo hated Chiyo so. Maybe it was insecurity? She was afraid of the child's beauty? After being disgraced, Chiyo meets "The Chairman" and he becomes her lifelong "crush"...I guess that's what you'd call it. Even though she has better friends than The Chairman, she pursues him and betrays the man who is kindest to her, the best friend she had. I didn't find it too believable but...so much of the book was fascinating and I didn't mind the parts that were boring or didn't make sense. A good read, but not for the beach.
If you are a Lost fan, you must get and read Unlocking The Mystery of Lost by Lynnette Porter & David Lavery. It has everything you could possibly want: character studies, episode synopses, theories, pictures--it'll help you get through the long summer doldrums without the series.
I read Wicked: The Life & Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire as part of a book ray. To find out more about book rays, go to Book Crossing and look under the FAQs. I had very mixed feelings about the book. I thought the basic idea was pretty cool--the witch (Elphaba) isn't really wicked, she's misunderstood. She's insecure and awkward because of her green skin and feels like a social outcast. My objection was that the story didn't stay with her. It shifted to other characters like Galinda and Boq, who didn't seem to be ultimately all that important, and there was a lot of confusing politics involved. I got the idea that the Wizard was more a Hitler type than a kindly bumbling grandfatherly type. It was okay. Some people will love it and others will not. Give it a try and see.
For another bookring, I read Couldn't Keep It to Myself: Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution (Testimonies from our Imprisoned Sisters) by Wally Lamb and inmates at the York Correctional Institution. Wow! This was a heart-breaking, inspiring book made up of the stories of women who were in desperate circumstances growing up (many sexually abused) and overcame some of the ugliness to write some powerful stories about their lives. I was very moved by the book and I sure would recommend it to anyone!
June 02, 2006
Prom
Another event filled day! I picked Heidi up just before noon and took her to have her hair done for her prom. She didn't want an "updo" and decided she would have her hair cut a little in front and the curls ironed out. Well...Heidi's hair doesn't want to be straight! Still, she looked so pretty!
Click on the extended entry for more pictures!
Heidi's corsage
Getting ready for the prom, she endured having her picture taken. She doesn't like it but knew this was a special occasion and so she didn't complain! :)
Seven of the 12 kids going together posed for pictures. The other 5 were somewhere in the house, getting dressed or hiding from the parental photographers.
Check out the prom coach! The dozen friends split the cost of this luxurious limo.
My baby's off to enjoy her prom. Have a wonderful time, dear Heidi!
June 01, 2006
Awards Night
Kristin's school presented awards to the students this evening. In spite of the heat in the auditorium (why aren't un-air conditioned schools better ventilated???) we had a great time. Kristin got to sit with most of her friends--although she was going up to the stage more times than she was sitting! She got so many awards and pins we just about lost count. We are so proud of her! Some of the pictures from this evening:
It wasn't easy for TB to take pictures because we were sitting all the way in the back and the lighting in the auditorium was off. Kristin is hugging one of her favorite teachers who is retiring this year.
Kristin got awards for her participation in Model Congress, ROGATE, the student council, drama, honor roll, Teen Arts...and one that was a complete surprise but big honor was for most improved in band. She started learning the saxophone in September and did so well she was performing with the band within just a few months.
"For those of you who are going to rock on, we salute you!" I think that's what they said...
Afterwards, we got the friends together to pose for some pictures.
These are some of the best days of their lives! Rock on, kids!