Dance Recitals and Summer Picnics

Summer's officially here with school out for most kiddos, including my 3 year old who celebrated her last day in Country Village Montessori School with a school-wide/family picnic. Pigtails commemorated the day (act of Congress - read on) and my son also had a great time roaming the playyard! Another clue that summer abounds - it's dance recital season, and our last Baby Ballet class at Kathy Blake's

was a dress rehearsal. Our first ever miniature bun! Sparkly hair gel! Tutu!!! She barely lets me comb her hair in the morning, so I prayed that the bun up-do would be straightforward... (Remember, you're reading the blog from the lady who wears no makeup, and hasn't bought hair gel in decades.) We survived and she loved her little red lips too!

Summer migration of Homo studentus universitatus

Well the summer migration has occurred. We traveled to Colgate University to collect our Homo studentus universitatus (HSU) We left Manchester optimistic albeit a bit tired. Our second son had his senior prom the night before. Tim had his friends over for a pre-prom gathering complete with parents, clicking cameras, endless cleavage (why don’t I remember seeing cleavage at my prom?) and luckily no breezes to create havoc with hem lines! They all looked so grown up and everyone got home safe and sound!

Upon arriving at HSU’s dorm, we noted incredible chaos. Trash littered the hallways, mold spores emanated from the carpets, beer bottles stacked in the corners (I thought the drinking age was 21yo??). I had to use the rest room but decided against it because I was afraid of the plague. We did get out of there in one piece but I’m not sure whose stuff we actually took home. I did not recognize some of it! We looked like the Clampets traveling down the NY Thruway with the windows open, while it was raining, because the stench was overpowering. I was anxious to get home and dreading it at the same time!

Having little kids is so great!

Having little kids is so great! I love the wonder on their faces when they discover something new! In the recent hot weather, I broke out the ole sprinkler. I took it forgranted that a 3 year old and a 19 month old have no idea what this is for (outside of watering the grass)! After watching them transfixed on the metronomic back and forth, I decided in full civvies that I had to be their fearless mommy. Off I leapt into the chilling cold, with streaks of water marked in my clothes! My son took off after me with glee and even stuck his face in it with me! My daughter, however, required a piggy back ride through the water, as she does not like getting wet! Oh to be young again!

Homo Studentus Universitatus in the wrong place at the wrong time

It seems that a small male grouping of the species was spotted walking, late one spring night, from town after devouring pizza (which is a basic staple of their diet) back to their hovel at the University when the creature, completely oblivious to his surroundings (thought he was back in Kansas aka Amherst) hid behind a tree and decided that the roots needed a little watering. Unfortunately, he was spotted by one of the small town’s finest, who’s mission is to quell any improper behavior in this little college town, and was slapped with a ticket and court date. The poor, naive creature was under the delusion that if he dons a tie and sport coat (which has been crumpled up in a bin underneath his bed since August) he will look like a responsible college dweller and they will go easy on him....

“How did you do today in court?” I asked, holding my breath. “Did you wear a nice shirt and comb your hair?” Exasperated, he says, “Mom, I could have shown up in my boxers and they would have given me the same fine. I can’t believe that I have to pay the same amount of money as a kid who was fooling around and ran out into the street, nearly causing a four car pile up!” Of course, I said what he didn’t want to hear, “Life isn’t always fair, dear.” While hanging up the phone I smiled to myself … another painful but important life lesson! (He would kill me if he knew I put this out there for all to read but he probably won’t find out because he doesn’t think I even know what a ‘blog’ is!!)

A Great Comedy Show!

Loretta LaRoche – if you haven’t heard her, you must. We had a staff event at her comedy show at the Palace Theatre on Saturday. The staff had a great time, and so did me and Deb! Not knowing what to expect, she was a great blend of comedy with traditional values and psychotherapy! It’s reassuring to know that women of different cultures are still women – we “obsess” and we are the same. What is different is the clothing! Smaller and more revealing over the years! Ai, Ai, Ai! Tsk, tsk, tsk!

Dr. Deb visits Washington DC...her old stomping grounds.

I attended the American Association of Orthodontists annual meeting in Washington, DC with my husband, Steve.

We took a little time from the three day convention to sightsee on bikes. We visited the monuments and the National Gallery of Art. While taking in the sights, I was still in “ortho mode” observing various profiles and making observations about what artists from various time periods liked to portray.


Just before leaving, we visited where I went to dental school, Georgetown. Even though the dental school closed its doors in 1999, all the buildings remain and have become part of a research facility for the medical school.

Dr. Diane is 4 Months into her Invisalign Treatment!

So I’m almost 4 months into Invisalign treatment (my total time is just over 1 year). My quick observations of my experience so far… 1) Don’t realize how thirsty I am until I take them out and my lips stick to my teeth! (The aligners are filled with saliva and your lips don’t stick to the aligners so you don’t realize you’re parched!) 2) VERY hard to tell progress from one aligner to the next, so we are giving progress shots every few visits – don’t lose faith! 3) Wish that I wouldn’t eat as much since I’m supposed to have these in 20-22 hrs/day! My very fast eating, has only gotten that much more disgustingly faster! 4) SO GLAD I’m going through this, as I would’ve never really understood the challenges our Invisalign patients endure!