Gifts & Jason's Graduation

As I mentioned in my last post I received another gift package in the mail Thursday. I had no idea that my blogging buddy Diane who blogs at Partners In Prayer For Our Prodigals was sending the package. It was a total but most welcome surprise when Lamar brought the package in from the mailbox.

She had that box jam packed with goodies, let me tell you! If you looked at the slideshow you can see all the treats and adorable baby things she included. There were things for Emmy but also things for me and Jessica. Diane thought of everything!

There was a package of Cream of Wild Rice Soup mix in that package that I couldn't wait to try so I prepared it for my supper. It was wonderful! I love wild rice and I happen to know that Jessica doesn't like soup, so the soup became mine by default. There's a picture of the prepared soup in the slideshow.

Diane also included some pretzel rods dipped in white chocolate and drizzled with milk chocolate. They are called Minnesota Birch Logs and they really do resemble birch logs. A lot tastier, though!

There was a package of chocolate truffles and mini chocolate bars. Let's just say the truffles were good and leave it at that, shall we?

I couldn't resist opening the little bottle of Minnesota Maple syrup so I could sample it. It's delicious! Now I'll have to make some pancakes to go with the syrup. I might even let Jessica have some of it. She loves waffles and pancakes. Oh, wait. When she got married I gave her my waffle iron. Jessica can make ME some pancakes or waffles and I'll let her sample my maple syrup!

Diane sent 2 adorable and very meaningful books, one for Jessica and Emmy and one for me to fill out for Emmy.

Jessica and Emmy's book is a sort of miniature baby book to record memories and milestones in their lives.

My book for Emmy has questions to answer about me and my family history, memories and impressions from my life.

The onesy and the dress with matching Teddy bear are adorable! I can just see Emmy wearing the dress and toting the bear around under her chubby little arm.

Diane, I was just floored when I saw all that you had sent to us! Thank you so much for the lovely gifts, my friend. I love every single thing and I can tell you put a lot of thought and care, not to mention LOVE into each item you chose.

I am constantly amazed and touched by the love and generosity of my blogging friends. Y'all are the BEST!Changing the subject a bit, I also mentioned in my last post that my son in law, Jason was graduating Friday night. As it happened Lamar and I did get to attend his graduation and I took a few pictures.

Man alive was it hot in that gymnasium! No air conditioning, just those huge wheeled fans, but they were so loud that when it came time to actually begin the program they turned off the fans! Oh, mercy sakes did it ever get hot in that little gym. It was miserable and poor little Emmy was unhappy.

She's a lot like her Daddy, her Mama and her Grandma. I'd much rather be cold anytime than hot and they are that way too. But Jason takes it to the extreme. He likes it Arctic in their apartment, and I'm talking 60*F. I like to be cool but even I have to cover up sometimes just sitting in their living room. Jessica just bundles Emmy up and she does fine.

I digress, though, and the point was that Emmy was hot and uncomfortable so Jessica took her out in the lobby for some cooler air. The doors were open to let in some of the cool breeze but none of it made it into the gym where the graduation ceremony was taking place. Jessica missed Jason getting his diploma because she was out in the lobby with Emmy.

I'd love to be able to say I got pictures of Jason receiving his diploma but I would be lying. You see, they only turned on 2 rows of lights in the gym because the lights get so hot and they were trying to keep it as cool as possible in there. It wasn't much brighter in there than your average cave and it was still miserably hot.

Sooo....only a few of my pictures turned out to be any good at all. I took lots of pictures, I promise you, but most of them look like pictures of a big black nothing. I tried using my fill flash which is for outdoors and long distance shots and it was useless. Nothing more than a spotlight would make it bright enough in there for decent pictures. I tried my dangdest, though.

The pictures that did turn out halfway decent were taken after graduation was over and they turned on all the lights and turned the fans back on. If you'll notice the background behind all these pictures it's still darker than the inside of a black cat.

I asked Jessica if Jason was nervous before the ceremony or just ready to get on with it and get it over with. She said that he just wanted it over with and behind him, plus he wanted out of that cap and gown.

When it came time for the graduating seniors to present their Moms with a white carnation there were a lot of hugs and tears. I think Jason and his Mom might have had shiny eyes right then. I know there were a lot of tears during the valedictorian's address and the slideshow of pictures from the seniors' childhood to the present, a few of mine included.As of late Friday evening as I type this I still have no idea what will be happening as far as my Sunday Dinner or Memorial Day plans. Hopefully by late Saturday evening when I do my Sunday Dinner post I'll know more about my plans, but don't bet on it. Oftentimes I'm the last one to know if I'm cooking, having sandwiches or eating out. It all depends on my sisters and my family's plans. As usual I won't fight too hard if anybody wants to eat out but it's too early to call it right now.

I'm going to put the blog to bed and wish everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend. Don't forget our men and women in the armed forces at home and abroad as well as those who fought and died for our freedoms.With all her problems we are still blessed to live in the best place in the whole world, the United States Of America.

May God richly bless you all, dear friends and family.