Celebrating a Milestone ~Congratulations to our Emily on Her Graduation Day

Congratulations to this group of classmates 

as they celebrate earning their Master's Degree.

(Our Emily is on the far left)

This processional is for the 2,000 graduate students.

(The undergrad commencement ceremony took place earlier in the day 

at TD Garden with 25,000 people in attendance.)

Hubby and I were unable to attend 

for a number of reasons...

however, our awsome son-in-law

was the best correspondant.

Graduate Selfie...

Non-Grad Selfie.

The Graduate's Hubby had this view of the stage...

...and at home, I had this view of the stage.

I got home from school just minutes before she appeared.

Thank you Northeastern University for providing 

the graduation ceremony live-stream on your site.

Where's Waldo?  Where's Emily??

Bottom and slightly right of the center...

returning to her seat.

And here...center of the photo,

showing off her diploma.

Emily with her classmate and friend, Katrina.

Here they are adorned with the traditional graduation leis,

thanks to Katrina's mom.

And here are the graduates with their main support crew!

Congratulations, Emily!

Congratulations to your classmates.

We are so proud of you.

Take care,

~Natalie

photo credits go to Emily's Hubby, Jake.

Thank you for making us feel like we were there with you!

Dance...like no one is watching...

Johnny Cavelle has retired after 40 years of teaching. The Cavelle Dance Studio was the dance studio in our community. There are other programs that promote themselves as recreational dance programs, but Johnny Cavelle was professional. You got there on time, went to the bathroom before class started, did not talk or chew gum. To graduate you needed to study and pass exams. Johnny would bring in examiners from the National Cecchetti Council of America. Here are the girls with Johnny, now 72, and with Miss Vickie, his #1 assistant, who will open her own studio this fall. This was performance week and oh, so many sweet memories.
During Performance Week, our life was all about dance...practicing in the living room and preparing the costumes. You see, the costumes were ordered and distributed to the girls in a baggie about the size of a bread bag. At home, we would take out the contents...a tutu and lots of extra parts...head pieces, chokers, arm bands, flowers, bows, etc. And it was up to each mom to guess how to put it all together. Often we needed to be prepared to make changes right there at the dress rehearsal.
So, the Costume Preparation...pressing yards and yards of netting, making barrettes out of lace and silk flowers, attaching clear elastic to hats, stitching straps in place, shortening pants, cleaning shoes...
Finally...Dress Rehearsal Day...This was an all day affair...One had to wake early to pack a Mommy Bag...safety pins, bobby pins, dippity doo, hair spray, mascara, eye shadow, lipstick, a stapler, healthy & not messy snacks, water, extra tights, the rehearsal schedule, the rules, the checkbook and camara.
The rules...Johnny put on a professional show because everyone was expected to follow the rules. Hair in a bun, no bangs, no part, if you wear a part, it was to be centered...no exceptions...Shoes were to be polished (with toothpaste) and tap shoe ribbons were to be washed...and pressed...and bring a pair of dad's old socks to wear over your shoes in the hallway...no flash photography...dancers need to stay in the dressing rooms..with no food and clear beverages only...stay in your seats (this rule for moms and dads)...leave dancers in the dressing rooms till end of performance... Now, while all of this sounds strict...I realized the importance after attending a recreational dance recital and the Johnny Cavelle Dance Performance. There was a difference. Johnny put on a show.
Independence...when girls reach middle school age, they don't need their moms and the Mommy Bag anymore. They pack their own stuff and ride with older sisters and they all help each other out. The Moms were left at home to worry if they would have the right stuff at the right time...pink tights, black tights, nude tights, fishnet tights, hats, arm bands, scarves, canes, ballet shoes, tap shoes, jazz shoes, character shoes, both shoes...

Johnny Cavelle Dance...it has helped shape the lives of over 24,000 young men & women. It is a large part of who our daughters are today. They are self-disciplined...they are graceful and poised...they are creative and expressive.

They are Johnny Cavelle dancers.

Exercising my Perspective

Already Friday...again, a hectic week. I did have a chance to practice the Murry Banks theory on perspective... 'Is this a 10 or a 2?'

For example,Wednesday brought computer problems at home. Our desktop crashed, thus no wireless internet for our laptop either...I could not blog...could not list an item in Etsy shop...could not check emails...Is this a 10 or a 2? Probably a 2.

Computer problems at school. All the grades I had entered into 'Infinite Campus' on Tuesday had not saved...Is this a 10 or a 2? Probably a 1.

Intentional damage in the foods lab...can you tell that the faucet is just dangling from the sink? This is a new school, new kitchens...Someone did this on purpose...a 10 or a 2? A 10.

Lack of support from the office...I took the names of the students that work at this station to the office, thinking that a principal would bring them in for questioning. I was told that I would just have to talk to them myself. I plan and prepare for 3 different classes. I correct papers & projects for 120 students. I registered the 18 students in my advisory group for classes next year. I do not have time to play CSI. A 10 or a 2? I'd say...5

And then on my way home, I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a couple of things...and the checker asked me if I want my 'Senior Discount'? OK, Ladies, when you are only 52...is this a 10 or a 2?

All I can say is...I maybe won't go back to that store until I am eligible for my senior discount...

Crazy Quesadillas ... Crazy Monday

Today in Fitness for Life class:
Crazy Quesadillas1/8 cup refried beans
2 whole wheat tortillas – 8”
1/3 cup shredded Colby and Monterey Jack cheese
Salsa
Sour cream

· Use a table knife to spread beans on each tortilla. Spray electric skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Preheat.
· Place one tortilla, bean side up in skillet. Sprinkle with cheese.
· Top with other tortilla, bean side down.
· Cook over medium heat about 3 minutes or until cheese begins to melt. Turn and cook about 2 minutes more.
· Serve with Salsa and Sour cream, if you wish.

This recipe fits the curriculum so well as we can look at the

• goodness of whole wheat
• protein in refried beans & cheese
• fat content of white vs. yellow cheese

But the biggest surprise...Sour Cream
Regular = 60 calories; 50 calories from fat; 5 grams of fat
Light = 40 calories; 25 calories from fat; 3 grams of fat
Fat-free = 30 calories; 0 calories from fat; 0 grams of fat
I think this is alarming...I told the kids that if they are still using regular sour cream, that it's almost like putting Crisco on their food. I hope they learned, after this taste comparison, that when adding sour cream for a garnish, the fat free is just as good as the regular.
Crazy Monday
It was Monday...and it felt like it all day!

• tired and hit the snooze button twice
• between seasons, couldn't decide what to wear...is it hot or is it cold?
• forgot to plug in curling iron, so when ready to do hair, iron wasn't hot! This was not a big deal...just had to do things out of order, which made me feel more disorganized than I really was...
• grocery store didn't have price on whole wheat tortillas, but if they had...only 8 in package, compared to 10 in package for flour tortillas...would need calculus major to figure which one was a better buy...
• by now, it's 7:20 am, and I needed to organize for lecture/discussion and set up for lab...from here on, it's a pretty routine Monday.

I just had to take a breath and remember the words of our motivational speaker, when faced with any situation (either at work, or as a parent) that would tend to stress us out...

Is this a 10...or a 2?

Well, nothing I had going on was even a one. This is great advice for anyone, in any situation. It's all about perspective!

So Much To Do Saturday

This entire week's focus was on the start of school. It is such an exciting time. Shiny waxed floors, new school supplies, new clothes, anxious students, hugs of welcome. Our opening day's keynote speaker talked about attitude and keeping things in perspective.

This graphic, complements of Mandie of Hollyberry Corner, is a good reminder for everyone!

Since all of my time and energy was spent in my classroom, my home looks neglected. My list of things to do is growing faster than I can cross things off. Since both daughters are away at college and husband is golfing, I can really make tracks!! Best wishes for a great day.