Two Decades

My graduating class in high school was the first in our city to have been together since 7^th grade. As we trucked along in our awkward middle school years, our school was converted to the high school and well, let’s just say we grew up there. With over 400 students, in theory there were enough of us to get lost in a crowd, but I never did. Seems like I remember just about everyone when I look in the yearbook.

Man, I can’t believe I kept up with that thing and I really can’t believe we are gearing up for our 20^th high school class reunion. Towards the end of our senior year I remember being in the cafeteria and a group of us trying to calculate this year. Math never was my strong suit. But I know enough to figure out that 20 years equals not one, but TWO decades.

For the most part, we couldn’t fathom what 2013 would look like, feel like or be like. I remember someone mentioning Jetson cars, flying from one location to the next.

Some of us were glad to move on to bigger and better things. Some of us were convinced high school was the best time we would have in our lives. Some of us wanted to kick rocks and run as far away from our hometown as possible and others couldn’t imagine living a day without Mohawk Valley air.

But all of us were clueless about the people we would become, the things we would do and the places we would travel. None of us predicted Facebook keeping us in touch with each other and allowing a sneak peek into each other’s lives and families anytime we want. So as I review our official announcement of our upcoming reunion this summer, I am kinda of excited. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRUQic-OxCM

Now with that excitement comes some reservations. I mean, I don’t really remember who I had beef with, I hope they don’t either. And I don’t really remember a whole lot of names, I hope they don’t take offense, but I’ve been busy the last two decades; you know….living. In addition, I ain’t really trying to be the chick who doesn’t look the same, so off to the gym we go for the next four month.

But oh what fun it will be to show my husband why I know all the words to Love Shack and to taste tomato pie and to introduce him to folks who knew me, when.

I have mixed feelings and a ton of emotions about Utica, NY, but it will always be the place I grew up, the place I learned how to be a good friend, the place I met so many wonderful people, the place where I was introduced to more cultures, religions and ethnic backgrounds than some people meet in a lifetime.

I guess it’s true what people say, time really does fly when you are having fun, and home really is where the heart is and a part of mine will always be in tucked away off exit 31 from NY Interstate 90. See you in July Proctor family.

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Fit for a Princess

About six months ago my then 3 year-old daughter asked to bring in birthday number 4 with a princess theme and real princesses in tow.  At the time, I remember thinking what a tall order. Where in the world am I suppose to find real princesses? So me and my small circle of friends accepted the personal challenge and got to work. Then, after visiting a skating rink, my little princess changed her mind and the theme. She wanted to skate and wanted all her friends to skate too.

So on Saturday, March 30, 2013 we went skating to help Morgan celebrate her 4^th birthday; all 42 of us. Yes, you heard me right 42 people drove at least 20 miles from several different directions to meet us at a small town skating rink. Luckily, it was a holiday weekend and not overcrowded.

I think the owners figured out real quick that we were used to beating to our own drum. We didn’t use their birthday décor, we brought our own, including plates and flatware. We didn’t use their cake and ice cream…we brought our own. We didn’t even let them serve the food; we had our own servers. We have routines. We like things a certain way and I am grateful to have friends that always help me execute those ideas.

Yes it’s true her birthday is a production and what is a production without a crew?

So I have a few special shout outs: Many thanks to my husband and “the best daddy in the world” for designing the buttons for her guests and writing the necessary checks; my sister and Morgan’s personal hair stylist and auntie for hooking up the rainbow beads and cornrows; my cousin, soror, friend, photographer extraordinaire and Morgan’s Godmother for designing the special cake toppers; my cousin, friend and sudo-auntie for picking up cupcakes at two different locations and my friend and sudo-auntie for staying up all night to design and make labels, buttons, gift bags and everything else.

Yes, the crew was fabulous, but so were the guests. At least three babies left kicking and screaming against their wills. As a fellow mommy, I feel for you guys, but as a party host…that was one heck of a shindig.

And after countless hours and hundreds of dollars the entire fiasco was summed up by her two-second birthday wish as she blew out the candle “I just want to say thank you God, I have the best mommy and daddy in the world.” Is that even a wish? Well, with that said, she is either the sweetest baby in the world and we are blessed to have her OR we are entirely gullible and she has us right where she wants us. Either way, that’s one more birthday for the books and as soon as I recover it’ll be time to gear up for Garrett’s birthday in July.

4th Birthday wish