Blogging and such...

Wow! I can't believe it has been three weeks since I've blogged. Of course this has happened before, but now that I'm out of school, and out of work, I was hoping to increase my writing time.

We had a great time on the East coast. Most people have seen the photos on FB. If not let me know and I can post a few favorites here. The most memorable part of the trip for me was D.C. The immensity of the monuments and buildings is breathtaking...really a fantastic visit.

When we came home I got out my sewing machine, ready with all good intentions. The fabric is waiting for me to decide what to do. I have some ideas, just no real motivation (can't believe I said that!). I'm just enjoying relaxing for now.

Andrew is scheduled to work on a friend's Eagle project today. Hopefully he'll start planning his soon. The goal is to do the actual project in May or June next year. So far he's been busy with summer homework and having fun. He's leaving for Boy Scout camp on July 4. He comes home on the 11th and leaves again (as a counselor-in-training) on the 18th for two weeks.

Jessica opted not to go to Girl Scout camp this year, although she is going to a leadership camp at the end of July. She also has homework and has been busy with friends.

Joe and I are enjoying being home. We, too, have been hanging out with friends. Next summer I expect things to be slightly different, since it will be Jessica's last before heading to college. We've been watching favorite movies and enjoying our summer television shows.

I've got to put marinade on tonight's chicken. Joe is making potato pancakes to go with it (not my favorite, but a good use for leftover potatoes). I'll probably slice some zucchini to grill. Not sure about dessert. Maybe just sliced watermelon. Easy breezy dinner on a hot day!

Graduation party....

It was a lot of fun! Lots of great food and drink, plus fabulous company.

These are the beautiful flowers my mom sent me!


Julie and Tricia


I'm really not telling anyone to get out, just pointing at something (dog?)


Julie


Scott and Tricia


Julie and Tricia



Scott and Tricia...again. The party continues on, even after most have left!


Mike


Henry and Pedro


Scott



Chris



The guys


The girls
Tricia, Lynda, Julie, Diana, and Cathy

Great day for a run...

I'm a walker by choice. My treadmill gives me a great workout, especially on the incline. Today I ran. It's a good way to ramp it up a notch. Now that I'll have more exercise time I'm hoping to work up to running more. We'll see.

Lots to do today. Jessica and I are getting haircuts, plus Andrew needs water shoes for Saturday. My graduation party is Saturday, so the house-cleaning starts today. The menu is set, all that needs to be done is the grocery shopping and a trip to BevMo.

The weather has been weird. Rain, gloom, clouds. It will probably turn sunny as soon as we leave for NYC.

Missing Alaska

When I read my various cousins' BLOG and FB postings about the beautiful weather Alaska is having I miss it something fierce. Even though I live in a temperate climate that allows me to enjoy outside activities all year round, there is something to be said for the splendor of Alaskan mountains and daylight visiting hours until 11pm. Maybe it's family that I'm missing, or at least that sense of connectedness one can only have around relations. Whatever it is, it's in Alaska.

It's early am on Friday. Jessica's surgery day. We are all prepped with ice cream, pudding, mashed potatoes, and plenty of pain medication. After her surgery I have some classwork to do, hopefully finishing all the requirements of one class today. I have my ticket for Sex & the City tonight at 7pm. Haven't thought of what appetizer to bring to the pre-party. Usually I have options on hand, but I've been too busy to think about it. Plus with the yucky weather we're having I don't want to do anything but be a bump on a log. Sunday we're going to a graduation open house,and on Sunday evening we're going to the Sammy Hagar/Heart concert. Should be fun.

Commencement

Today went well. I still have one more week left. My last two finals are on Saturday, then I can breathe a sigh of relief. My history professor gave the invocation at Commencement today. It was nice to meet him (weird thing about online classes, no face-to-face meeting of students or professors). We connected using cell phones. Another great thing about technology...it allows us to connect in ways previously not possible.

After the ceremony we came home for a bit, then picked up Andrew from NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training). He had two weekends in a row of training, but it is a fantastic program, and will most likely help him get a job next summer (he wants to work as a counselor at BS camp).

The series finale of Lost is on tonight. Everything seems to be coming to an end, or actually, crashing to an end. We go, go, go for months, then Bam! It all ends. My first priority is to pick up Lord of the Rings. It's been a while since I read it. Joe gave me a new copy for Christmas, but I just haven't had the time. I have my next two quilts planned out, but I think I'm going to wait on those until we come back from the East Coast, at the end of June. It is not a good idea to leave projects out for the cat to get into. The weirdest thing is the weather. Normally we have had many 80 and 90 degree days, with a 100 day thrown in there. It barely hit 70 today, and is supposed to rain two days this week. Bah!

Before the ceremony



Accepting the "diploma"
(the real one comes in the mail in July)



Walking across the stage