Sunday, December 13, 2009
Writing from SLO
Thursday I was scheduled at the BloodSource, but my pulse was too high
and I was deferred. I think in addition to hurrying from work, the
worry about getting ready for the SLO trip had me pretty stressed. I
didn't really mind being deferred. I considered returning to work for
an hour and a half, but decided against it.
After a bit of trying to get things done at home, I took a break
to join the Single Adult service project wrapping gifts for Christmas
Promise. I met a couple of Miriam's friends. It was my first Single
Adult activity. I don't expect to do many. I really don't have time,
energy, or much interest. I am not "looking".
We left home about 11 Friday morning, stopping at Costco for gas
and Winco for snacking food (both of which were on the way, anyway)
before truly hitting the road. It was raining pretty much all the way.
We went straight to Costco SLO to replenish the gas (32 mpg) and buy
pizza to take to D&T's.
After eating, we helped a little with party preparations. Teresa
had done tremendous amount of work. Friday night we helped make little
chocolate graduation hats. She put Giradeli squares on top of
truffles. And a little dot of frosting on top. Sounds simple They
looked great! Everyone was very impressed.
Debi and Miriam stayed in Sacramento for parties Friday night and
drove to SLO together Saturday morning. Debi's party was a Harry
Potter themed birthday party (for a 25 year old). Debi went as a
Death Eater. She had thought about being a Patronus, but that was too
much work. She drew a Death Mark on her arm. She had a little
trouble getting it the way she wanted it and rubbed part of her arm
raw 'erasing'. Ouch!! One little boy at the party told her she was
V's wife and expecting V 's baby. Who, of course, would be evil so he
(the little boy) would have to kill it, but he wouldn't kill a baby,
so he'll wait until it grows up a little. Apparently, Debi herself was
not evil. (such is her charm)
As they got on the freeway, Miriam & Debi saw a guy spin out and
get stuck in the mud. They stopped and helped him get his car out.
Aren't you proud of them?! They knew it wasn't a trap because they
saw it happen.
Dad made a day trip to come to the Graduation, helped a little
with party prep, and came to the party for a while before driving
back. It's a good 5 hours each way, so he put in some effort to be
there.
It poured rain on and off - mostly on - all day Saturday. D&T
dropped Dad off as close to the ceremony as they could, then the rest
of us drove to the Institute for free parking. We had left the house
during a bit of nice weather so I left my rain jacket in my car. (We
drove over in DT's & Miriam's cars.) We scurried through pouring rain
on sidewalks like streams as David directed as across campus, ducking
in and out of buildings. Apparently Cal Poly has no security worries!
We sat in the risers. Teresa directed Dad to her Dad, step-mom, &
sister Amy who sat on the main floor. Just a note - you can see better
from the risers.
The ceremony moved along fairly quickly. They held 3 ceremonies
in that gymn (the Mustang Maniac's Asylum). As we were leaving,
announcers were urging us to move along quickly as another ceremony
began in 40 minutes! I think we were seated 40 minutes before our
ceremony.
I liked that the speakers talked about qualities of character,
service and life-long learning. Good speeches.
Of course, I was a bit teary watching all the graduates come in.
When ours were up for their presentation, I was concentrating on
trying (without great success) to get pictures with Teresa's camera.
Poor Teress! She was wearing cute, strappy sandal-like heels. Halfway
through the ceremony the heel broke almost totally off one shoe and
she had to walk across the stage like that. When we got to the cookie
and punch reception area, she threw away her shoes. Most of us
repeated the splash dash back to the cars and David drove back for
Dad, Teresa, and Debi (who stayed 'to keep Teresa company').
We had about an hour to get set up for the party. D&T had
originally hoped to have a BBQ party in the yard. Fortunately, when
they asked the landlord for permission, those nice people said they
would have the house available in case of bad weather. Teresa put on
quite a spread! I don't know if I will be able to equal it for the
Sacramento Graduation Celebration Jan 2. Taquitos, mini tacos,
emanadas, egg rolls, 7 layer dip & chips, the chocolate graduates,
chocolate mints wrapped in green & gold (Cal Poly colors), peanuts,
veggies, I don't know if I am remembering everything - and pineapple
juice mixed with bubblies for a yellow-gold punch. It was all
impressive and delicious.
Continuing Monday, December 14, 2009 in Sacramento
Sunday we only went to Sacrament Meeting. Worse, we, and By that
I mean mostly your sisters, convinced Teresa to cut out as well.
(David was providing two-deep in Primary.) I made sandwiches and
rested. The girls looked at Debi's Klutz Learn to Crochet book. Teresa
went back to church for choir. We headed for home. Although we had
not planned it ahead of time, our car and the girls followed each
other all the way to Consumnes & Power Inn. When we started, the
weather was partly sunny. We drove through sunshine and showers, more
showers, and torrential rain. It eased up again s bit as we got to
Sacramento. We found the house still standing and the animals all
alive. Anna had had an accident in the kitchen and Atilla had pooped
in Joseph's room. Probably AFTER Matt Welge had been over to take of
Anna in the morning - and clean up some cocoa Anna had gotten into.
Today we did some but not nearly all of our Saturday chores. Do we
EVER do them all? We also went to see Whales and Dolphins in 3D at the
Imax theater. Tonight we watched Star Trek which Joseph had rented at
a Red Box while shopping at Raleys. Star Trek was the more enjoyable.
But we stayed up too late! Good night!
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