I'm glad that everything fell into place so well for you. It sounds like Victoria's special event could not have worked out better. It is nice that she was able to have so many family members there. That was nice to have something special for her, too, that day.
It looks like the graduation party went well. Everyone looks relaxed in that picture. I hope Allison enjoyed her party. You certainly worked hard for it.
I know that you will miss Allison a lot while she is gone on her European adventure. In spite of the fact that she will experience a lot of wonderful things, she will miss you, too. Just make sure you can do International phone calls without it costing a fortune.
Yes - it was extra special to have something very important to both girls on this day - it was really cool.

We are very proud of her!
It did go well, and Allison was very appreciative of it. It was just a lot of fun and very much worth it - all of the hard work and preparation, I am so glad we did it. It is such a relief to have the house - at least the main parts of it - finished.
It's going to be tough - it truly is, but she will have a wonderful time and I keep trying to remember that.
Are you settling back into life after your trip?
I was watching Facebook waiting for pictures!!! and nothing. blah.
Well my friend you must keep busy now as the more time you have to sit the more time you have to think.. No thinking!
so i have that solution on your Not a photographer and a seamstress.. keep it in your thoughts. and just leaving it out there.
Glad it all went great!!!
Yah - because dumb me didn't take any pictures.

Well, I took 3... Pretty disappointed in myself.
I know - I am trying hard not to think about it - but it's hard.
Hehehehe... You can come and take pictures any time you want.
It's a relief to have it over and to go back to my "lazy" life.
Sounds like a wonderful, busy weekend. I'm glad everything worked out for the party. Good luck this week getting Allison ready for her trip.
Thanks - it was a lot of fun... Now the hard part begins.
It looks like everyone had a good time! I can see the beauty of that counter even covered in food!
I'm with Mo on this one...stay super busy this week...less time to ponder things!
From someone who has been there...it will be tough at first when she goes, but when you see them doing what they were meant to do out in the world, you will be able to breathe and say it is all good...and so worth it!
{{HUGS}} my friend...
I think everyone had a good time? I hope they did anyways.

Ahhh - good - LOL - I was so disappointed that after all that work, my kitchen was totally trashed for the whole day
I hope so - thank you for that.

Hopefully it's much easier than what I am anticipating.
It looks and sounds like the party was wonderful! And I'm so glad you relaxed a bit last night! I know this will be a difficult week...many, many, many hugs for you....you're in my thoughts and prayers!
It was very nice and very fun - glad it's over. LOL
Thank you - I am making my way through it, one day and one moment at a time. I think she is purposefully doing things to annoy me - there are times when I tell myself that I can't wait for her to go... But I truly don't mean it... gonna miss her like crazy!
So glad the party went well and that the weather was nice. You never have enough time to spend with everyone when you have a party like that.
So nice that V was able to showcase her work.
As for Allison, I wish her safe travels and a wonderful time ~ (I hope she shares some pictures.) I know how difficult it will be on you watching her go. I will be thinking of you and sending you hugs.
True - I was so bummed that I didn't get time with everyone. Thankfully they are all understanding. We were very lucky with the weather - we could have made it work inside - but it would have been tight.
Yes - we are so proud of her - such a wonderful opportunity and to be able to have something so special on a day that was about Allison too - it was really cool. We couldn't have planned it better.
Allison will be sharing pictures, for sure. It's going to be an amazing and memorable time in her life - and I cannot wait to hear all about it.
Thank you.
Well, weight loss and activity is not easy as you know. I'm sure you'll be back to it soon enough! Deadlifts are my favorite with squats coming in dead last. As in super dead last. I love feeling strong and healthy so it's all worth it.
I jumped ahead...like way ahead!
Your kitchen looks great! Love all of the colors and the counter is beautiful!! Also, I bought those same curtains you have in your living room last year at Pier 1 (my favorite store!!) but once I put them up, I thought they clashed too much with my very colorful paisley rug and so they went back to the store. It was a sad day.
Love, love, love the poster V made for Alli. So cute!!
Congratulations to Alli on her graduation! What a lovely and bittersweet time in her life and yours and Josh's as well. I am so not looking forward to my son's graduation next year. It makes me so incredibly sad to even think about. Proud but still, so sad for so many reasons.
Congratulations also to V for getting accepted into Art School! Wow!! That's amazing and you must all be so very proud.
You have a beautiful family and I'm so happy I have 'rediscovered' you. It dawned on me that you're the one that made Kathy's Dumbo bag awhile back when I asked her about it after seeing her post a picture. You have a warm and genuine spirit and that's a beautiful thing.
Also, cupcakes?!! Ahhhh...I could eat my weight in cupcakes. Smart of you to send them away!!
I don't blame you for skipping ahead - there's too much chatter to read about all of it. LOL
I am back at it - maybe not as hard core at the moment as I typically am - but I haven't fallen off the wagon completely - so that's a blessing.

I just have a lot of work to do ahead of me... Thankfully I have a Disney trip on the horizon to look good for. LOL
I think I am right there close to you... I enjoy deadlifts very much, but I really detest squat day... I am not sure if it's because of my weak knees? Or if it's something else? I've really had to play around with my form and my foot placement, to be able to get the proper form, yet not feel weak in my knees as badly... It's been a process for sure.
Thanks - the kitchen was so much work and such a mess - I am so glad to have it over! I love my living room curtains, but I still feel like they throw my room off in some way - I still haven't decided if they are staying up or not? I may try to look for something different at some point - but until then, I do like them a lot, so they are staying.

I am just having issues, now, with the fact that my living room is such a different style than my kitchen is, and they are connected.

I just keep telling myself, that's how it would have been 100 years ago, the living room would have been much more formal in a farmhouse than the kitchen was... So, then I am OK with the difference. LOL
It's been a difficult few weeks with her graduating, and definitely bittersweet... but it's even harder now that she is leaving. I knew this day would come - but I am not looking forward to having her so far away for so long. I still cry about it a lot... Hopefully I am done crying by the time I have to take her to the airport, because my crying will just make it all the harder for both of us.
Thank you - we are so very proud of V - such an amazing accomplishment for her! The talent she has, just blows me away!
Thank you.

Yes - i did make Kathy's Dumbo bag - one of my favorites. I am glad you are enjoying my PTR... Looking forward to getting back to all things Disney again!
The cupcakes are GONE - thankfully... Josh took most of them to work with him yesterday... We have one lone straggler left that Josh claimed last night... So hopefully that temptation is gone. I find, once I allow sugar back into my life - I have a terrible time getting rid of it again. It's going to be a rough and dedicated few weeks ahead of me, for sure.
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Well, I don't have much to update on from yesterday... I worked out right away yesterday morning.
Allison and I had to run into town right after... She has been having some ear and throat pain - and I just wanted to be double-double sure that she didn't need to be on antibiotics or anything before she leaves... I want her going over healthy. So, the Dr did a strep test, and also a full mono panel just to be safe... If she doesn't have any of those things - she is instructed to go on antibiotics, which we already have on hand, just to be safe.
We also had to run a few errands in town.
I came home and went straight upstairs to work, and I worked all day. I was able to finish last weeks order - which was a difficult one and set myself up to start this week's order today... Just praying I can stay caught up through the next 2 weeks, as Allison leaves and I adjust to a different family life.
The flowers we gave Allison for graduation on the table, I love having fresh flowers... And also my Starbucks Disney mugs from Cindy on my China hutch - not the place I want to display them, but I do want them out for the time being - so this is where they went until I get the shelves up for my coffee nook.
One of our neighbors was coming for dinner last night - but she had to cancel at the last minute, which was a bummer - but we totally understood. It feels good to have my kitchen back again, so I can do things like that!

We are not big entertainers - but we are social people, and enjoy gathering... So, I am looking forward to just being able to have people over again.
Last night, Allison worked on her thank you cards from graduation... Gonna miss this girl!
That's about all for yesterday...
Today is a heavy lifting day - so I will be doing that right away.
Then I have to run to town this morning... And I will be working all day.
I promised Allison a day of shopping tomorrow for all of her last minute items - so I need to work hard today to be able to take tomorrow off.

Just trying to get through this week.
I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Pixie Dust to all of you!
D~