Commencement 2017

   Four years ago, both of my boys graduated, on the same day, and I  missed a lot of it because I was in the middle of treatment.  This weekend, both of my boys graduated again, and this time, I was there.   Thank God for my sons, for their education, and for battles won.

We landed in Nashville on Thursday morning.  Our first stop was  Tootsie's for some great music and a few cocktails...

...followed by some unexpected awards for T.  (He would have put on a tie if he had realized he was actually winning stuff.)

Then on to Husk for a celebratory meal.  Excellent service....awesome menu...delicious food (get the chicken)...

...beautiful venue!

Friday morning T became an MD.  

After Vanderbilt's traditional strawberries and champagne, we headed to Edley's for some  of Nashville's finest BBQ, before heading to the airport.  We had a plane to catch...

for M's graduation on Saturday morning.  I think he actually looks like an economist.  Don't you?

We all celebrated at M's house with some Kansas BBQ.  (If you ever find yourself in Atchison, Kansas, check out Chuck and Hanks BBQ.  You won't be disappointed.)   M was really happy to have his Godmother (Sister #1) and his Grandmom there supporting him!

 Next stop was the River Club for more celebrating...more food...more toasts...more family togetherness....

Sunday was a beautiful Mother's Day....but more importantly, it was S's birthday.  I was so excited to be able to celebrate with my darling daughter-in-law. 

On Monday we squeezed in one more gastronomic  experience before saying good bye to T, S and C, and starting our new diet.  BRGR...best burger in KC....pretty darn good milkshakes too.

Friends, my cup runneth over....

Fuel for Finals

Big T and I had fun this weekend sampling wine while supporting the Nelson on Friday...

...and  sporting some derby duds while cheering on  Irish War Cry on Saturday.

But, the best part of my weekend was delivering some brain food to some of my favorite students on Sunday.

Friends, when M sent me this text, I headed to the kitchen.

This is a lot like lasagna, but a little bit easier because 

you make it with different noodles.

Here are the layers (cut each in half to end up with two layers of each):

1.  12 oz of medium size noodles--cooked and drained 

2.  1 cup cottage cheese, 1 cup sour cream, 1 package softened cream cheese, combined and seasoned to taste

3.  1 and 1/2 pounds ground beef, sautéed in 3 T butter, stir in 2 (8 oz) jars of Prego

4.  Shredded Mozzarella cheese (16 oz)

Bake at 350F for 30 minutes

I am hoping it helps them stay fueled and focused for their last set of finals!

Pray Before You Play

On May Day this week Big T and I were back at C and B's high school for the dedication and blessing of their outdoor grotto, which is a part of their new turf field and track complex.  The headmistress, in her wonderful welcoming speech, said, "We need to pray before we play."

That idea has really stuck with me this week, as I tried to remember to pray before I....spoke to C about her potential move across the country, or even before I merged onto the highway on my way to my favorite antique shop out in the country.  We all know about the sports team that yells "Our Lady of Victory, Pray for us" before they break from the huddle.  But most of us don't know about the renowned surgeon at Johns Hopkins that prayed over my best friend's breast tissue before he sent it to pathology.  Prayer is for the big things and the little things, and can be  a group cheer or a silent plea.  I think God is happy to hear them all.

Play Group: The Next Generation

Friends, one of my very dearest friends (and fellow survivor) came into town this weekend.

The old playgroup gang, aka "the porch ladies" were getting together.  We had something big to celebrate.

We were all neighbors, and each other's life lines, when our kids were born...and now one of us is becoming a grandmother.

It doesn't take much for us to throw on our pearls and crack open the chardonnay, but is there a better reason than one of our babies having a baby?

Look at these darling centerpieces....

We did the popular "please bring a book instead of a card" request....this children's bookshelf from 

Pottery Barn Kids worked perfectly.

We were thrilled to honor our first new mom, and our first grandmom, in such a fun way.   

The Book Report

When I began this book, I was very skeptical.  It seemed like such a weird plot.  But I pressed on because it had been highly recommended, and Friends, I loved this book.  It is really about the wisdom of those who have lived a long life...their lessons learned that I am just starting to understand after a half a century of living. And it is about letting our experienced loved ones choose their own destiny because they know way more than we do.

I love Addie Moore:

"I made up my mind I'm not going to pay attention to what people think.  I've done that too long--all my life.  I'm not going to live that way anymore."

This book sure made me think about my own aging parents.... they still have so very much to give and I still have so very much to learn.

Healing Garden

We had a beautiful sunny and 70 weekend in KC...so, Friends, I headed for the garden....one of my favorite places on earth.  As I dug in the dirt, I thought of my treatment season of 2013 when I wasn't allowed to work in that sacred space.  Thank You, God, for letting that chemo work, and for letting me heal.

If you are having to stay out of your garden this season, hang in there.  You will be well soon.  That chemo is vicious, but it works.

Good People

Yesterday, instead of taking these two for their  evening walk, Big T and I went to hear a survivor, Joe Dittmar speak.  He was on the 105th floor of the north tower on 9-11.  In his telling, he focuses on all the good people that he encountered that day...their selfless acts of courage.  That is what he wants us to know and remember most.  

 Those who helped me survive-- took me to chemo and radiation,  brought my family dinner, prayed for me... my nurses, my doctors, my family, my friends...their acts of kindness are what I, too, remember most.