Graduation, Good-byes & Good News

One of Simon's best friends, DJ, graduated from Fairport High School last night. He spends so much time with us, he is definitely part of the family. Technically, he is anyway. He is Steve's nephew (DJ's mom, Debbie, on the right, is Steve's ex-wife's sister). That's me, not actually drunk at all in spite of appearances, in the red. The kid, Peter, on the end is DJ's mom's aunt's son. DJ's great aunt's son? Makes him what? I'm not good with that stuff.

The ceremony was nice, normal. It was at the Blue Cross Area, but half was curtained off so it didn't feel as enormous as other times I've been there. (Bruce Springsteen played there in 2003 - was the last time I was there.)

Several of the speakers spoke of how these kids will remember this night for the rest of their lives. It feels like that to the kids now, I'm sure. But I'm here to tell you my only memories of high school graduation come from photographs really. Can't remember a word that was said. Then again, it's been 31 years. Damn, every time I say that number, I freak out, just a little.

Simon couldn't believe I made him go, couldn't believe the ceremony was two hours long and couldn't wait to get back to his real world the second we left the building. He played games on his cell phone and text messaged his friends during the ceremony so there's another benefit to this electronic age. He had something to do, he wasn't all fidgety and annoying. Much.

Simon has been acting so, so . . . 17ish lately! He and I have been like total oil and water lately. This too shall pass. (And Mom and Dad, I once again feel compelled to offer a blanket apology for my teenage behavior back in the day. I know, I was normal and Simon's normal - this is one of those rites of passage of growing up.)

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Monica's last day at work is today, but I'm off today to finish up the painting of the bathroom and start on the bedroom. I secretly called her daughters earlier in the week and found out she loves cheesecake so I baked this Oreo Cheesecake for yesterday.

1 (20 oz.) package OREO chocolate sandwich cookies
1/3 cup margarine, melted
3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
4 eggs, at room temp.
1 cup dairy sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Finely roll 30 cookies; coarsely chop 20 cookies.

In bowl, combine finely rolled cookie crumbs and margarine.
Press on bottom and 2 inches up side of 9-inch spring form pan; set aside.

With mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar until creamy; blend in eggs,
sour cream and vanilla extract; fold in chopped cookies.

Spread mixture into prepared crust. Bake at 350 degrees F for 60 minutes or until set.

Cool on wire rack; chill at least 4 hours.

Halve remaining cookies; remove side of pan. Garnish with whipped cream and cookie halves.

I think it might have been only the 2nd cheesecake I've made. I was afraid I baked it a tad too long and it would be dry. It wasn't. It was killer - we ate it at 8:00 am.

The card that everyone signed, made her cry. Score! She said she'd read it at home. We said our good-byes but I know we'll be in touch. Email, maybe lunch.

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Jen and I went the The Wine Trek at lunch yesterday to pick up my cards and pictures. Good news! Pam has found another location and she wants me to be in that store too! She also said she's not going to ask the other handmade card person back. Extra good news!

It will be in the village of Victor and she expects to be open August 1. She said it's the smaller type of location she always wanted and the big log style store was her husband's bigger and better idea. She seemed really happy about it. She won't call it The Wine Trek because that confused people too much, thinking it was a wine store. (It's located on the Finger Lakes Wine Trail. We have a winery in Fairport and lots of wineries south of here but even I didn't know there was such a thing as The Wine Trail.)

So between getting ready for MJ's home show in October (largely holiday items) and my own rack of cards at Pam's new place in August, in addition to the usual web & word-of-mouth orders, I think I'll be plenty busy. I'm also working on a brochure for the optical market, selling my glasses chains and in February I want to do a mailing of a brochure of my flower cards to area garden stores. Busy, busy!

I've had my leftover pizza for breakfast, perused email, written this entry - so it's time to take a shower and get busy with the painting. There's not much left on the bathroom - then I get to slap some teal paint on those drab white bedroom walls. Pictures to follow, of course.