Dinner with an Old Friend

For Valentine's Day this year Brian bought me a plane ticket to visit my parents. I'm here in Utah now relaxing and enjoying NOT being responsible for anything. Ahhh... It's a welcome break before the craziness that is "May" in our house which this year will include Kirk's 18th birthday and graduation from high school.

Mom and Dad wanted to take me to dinner at Maddox Ranch tonight. When I realized that my friend of fifteen years, Vicci Mendez, lived not ten minutes from the restaurant, I had the audacity to call her with one hour's notice to see if she would come with us to eat. Like the true friend she is, she came running and joined us for dinner. We talked and laughed long after the food was gone. It SO fun to see her again!!

I'm at a Loss...

My father has long been the family poet. He especially enjoys Ogden Nash and Shel Silverstein. He's often called upon to take pen to paper when someone retires or graduates or has some significant event in their life. He has many favorite poems that he likes to recite from memory.

Kirk's Honor's Senior English class is studying Shakespear's sonnets. It was an assignment to write one of their own, being graded on meter, the right number of lines, emphasis, etc. Clearly my son is not moved to thoughts of love and longing by Shakespear's body of work. He put whatever creative juices he inherited to work and this is what he turned in:

Whene’re I am sitting upon my loo

That beautiful white ceramic latrine

I will most likely be taking a poo

The experience is all but serene.

And if you happen to be passing by

At the time I’m emptying my colon

The odor you’ll smell will probs make you cry

And your eyes will become very swollen.

But once the job’s done the relief is great

The Charmin is so quilted and cushy

From the toilet seat my cheeks separate

And I pull my pants back up o’er my tushy.

I turn off the light and I light a match

And with a flush my feces I dispatch.

Yes he turned it in. I just...what does a mother say to that?! Maybe instead of cardiology he should look into proctology.

Thank You P&G!

Kirk found out today that he was the recipient of a $2,500 scholarship from the Procter and Gamble Scholarship Fund! Every little bit helps!

Giddy, Stunned, and a Little Smug

March 25, 2009


Dear Kirk:


I am pleased to inform you that you have been admitted to the University of Chicago, Class of 2013. Congratulations! You should be proud of the accomplishments and promise that led to your selection.

We feel a particularly strong responsibility to admit students who are not only qualified but who are ready to continue the crucial business of educating themselves. You have been selected by our faculty and admissions counselors because you recognize the pleasure—the absolute joy—to be found in active, creative learning. Our decision was not based on numbers but on your achievements and your words, a difficult determination to make but one that gives proper honor to the University and to you.

You have the chance to be part of a school with a glorious history and an exciting present. We look to you to help us grow, to grow with us, and to be part of a tradition that elevates us all.

Yours truly,

Theodore A. O’Neill
Dean of Admissions

All Out Blitz

It's a wonderful thing to be loved. Centre College is working hard to let Kirk (and us) know how much they want him to attend school there. Today we received a personal phone call from the president of the university (at the request of the football coaches) letting us know how much they admire Kirk as a player and potential student. Specifically, President Roush wanted us to know as parents that this team of players were the kind of kids Kirk should be hangin' around with and the kind of academics of which he's not only capable, but will benefit him in his future. We can feel love...but will financial aid love us as much?

Options are a Good Thing

Kirk was accepted to Miami University today. They don't want him for football, but it's nice to have other options when it comes down to actually making a decision.

Another Top Choice!

Kirk received notice that he was accepted to Centre College yesterday. This is one of his top choices. We're waiting to hear on financial aid.

Kirk was also chosen as a Prom Fair model for his high school. Four formal wear stores are chosen to participate in this fair. There are twelve boys chosen from the upperclassmen who wear a tux from one of the four stores all day to school. They do a runway kind of fashion show during all three lunch periods. He's responsible to encourage students to rent from the store he's representing and he has to hand out coupons and brochures. For doing all this he gets a free tux rental for prom. Sounds like a good deal to me! Last night we took him down to the formal wear store to get measured. He was very pleased with himself for being fitted as an "athletic build."