Or something?

So I didn't take as many pictures as I wanted in Memphis, which was sad, but c'est la vie. I got pictures with some of my favorite people, so that was good :)

Friday was good, I wandered around campus and ran in to a bunch of professors and friends, walked a WHOLE lot which was probably good for me since I kept bouncing from place to place with friend after friend! I do miss that about Rhodes-- if you're ever bored, all you really have to do is just walk around campus and you'll run in to a good number of people!

Thankfully, the sick went away pretty quickly after Wednesday night. My stomach was a little rocky for a few days, but I powered through-- nothing's gonna keep me from Central BBQ!

Friday night we went to dinner with Jan and Marc and then helped them pack, showed Jan all the stuff I picked up for the boys, and hit the hay!

Saturday morning I got up early and went in for an early lunch with Sophia at Central, then headed over to help out with Bid Day and ended up getting tons of balloons for them at Party City! It was great to see the girls again, and my friend Mary ended up going AOII!! I was SO excited! (still am, in fact) After that, I headed back down to Southaven and chilled out for a while before Wayne and Amanda came over. My back went out so we missed going to Sophia's birthday party and seeing Megan (my globe-trotting Watson Fellow friend; because two Megans are better than one), but it was really great seeing those two, especially Amanda since she lives in Seattle now!

Sunday we got up and had to head back home since there had been some issues while we were gone. Jeremy's birthday ended nicely, even if the True Blood finale was the worst season finale ever, and we went home to start our work week!

Here are some pictures, surely there will be more after this weekend's race and general friend hanging outs.

Balloons filling the Panda!

Me and my Grand Little Jill!

Me and the balloons in the Panda

Me and my Rose Buddy, Lissa!

Hel, Stel, Jess, Bess-- AOII is the best!

Faith, Hope and Charity <3

India's dress pretty much rocked

The whole chapter (including a Pi Chi!) before being Escorted!

New babies with their pledge banner!

Seniors!

Juniors!

Sophomores!

NEW BABIES!

"I don't know, I just figured I could do it by myself?"

(aka, India being goofy)

Hope you've all enjoyed this picture post-- we've got a big weekend coming up, so I'm sure it'll happen again! Thank goodness it's Friday!!!

Re-mem-mem, re-mem-remember, AOII, sisters together

Laughing, singing, doing whatever, we have fun when we're together!

Thursday started rush for us and it was SO much fun! The girls did a really great job, we had fantastic return numbers, and the room looked fantastic-- I'm even borrowing some of the stuff for the wedding! They had cute little red paper lanterns and mini chandeliers that were too pretty. I didn't go last night, but I did go today for Philanthropy and I was really proud of our girls. We apparently always have trouble competing with Breast Cancer Awareness (ZTA's philanthropy, I think), but I feel like they really pulled off a touching and pointed argument for ours-- Arthritis Research! Preference Party is tomorrow, and I'm soooo excited-- I can't wait to see how they do it here! I was also pleasantly surprised to hear one of my favorite AOII songs for the exit number, it's the one in the title line :)

This week was long at work for some reason-- probably because it started with the tan van supposed to have been ready for the afternoon run and then it wasn't so we ran all over the place and had to switch vans around and were late for some schools and Sally had to use her car to go pick up from Avondale and ICS... it was a total mess. Argh! And it's like the kids know when you're having a bad day; they decide to do everything they know they're not supposed to do! Then, Friday, right as I finalized the deposit, one parent walked in with a check for payment! Blargh.

We also got a chance to go to the children's consignment sale and pick up some stuff for Valerie and the now two boys that they're adopting from Africa in a couple of months. We got two car seats for $25, and tons of clothes and toys, enough to last them a month or so in cold weather in Indiana and a couple of things that will work under coats and that they'll hopefully fit well enough to take back to Singapore with them as well as some nice clothes for church and whatnot.

Hope everyone's weekends have gone well, and I'll post more when I know more :)

Yeah, yeah

So it's been a few days. I know you're all dying to hear more of my ticking-clock baby lovin' or rambling about my wedding, but just in case...

Watching the kids for Meg and Michael was really great, I love those kids so much-- and Julian, what an absolute HOOT! I think I taught him how to say "touche" which should be amusing. Three year olds, not so much with the actually grasping French parlance. As much of a nutter as he is, he does love his baby sister-- "My baby!" --and apparently spent part of the afternoon trying to convince Meg that HE was the one who carried Violet for 9 months! Every minute over at the Kavanaugh household is an episode of "Kids say the darndest things", I think. Also, it was nice to see Meg and Michael. I kept Meg up late (again) talking about the wedding stuff, and family stuff, and shared my invitations with her (which she seconded and approved), and poking at the baby who ate a little and then totally conked out. We both agree that babies are hilarious.

Sunday was low-key, but I got to catch the MotoGP race from Motegi which was nice. Even though that weekend in Indy was traumatic, I really enjoyed the race, and spending time with Jeremy, Josh, and Sarah! Sadly, Nicky Hayden got put out in the first lap by Takahashi, but Pedrosa didn't end up in first so I'll take what I can get.

Monday was loads of fun, it was our last AAC meeting of the year at CPK. I got there early to sit out in the commons at Atlantic Station and work some more on the Treasury office (I'm the financial adviser now for Gamma Sigma, and it looks like I'm going to do a really good job-- I'm so excited!) overhaul, and sat and talked to Vicki for a while outside while we waited for Lizzy and Becky. Dinner was OK, the best part was the appetizer. I know a lot of restaurants "known" for something don't usually have other good food, but CPK usually does! I got a panini that wasn't really anything special (though at least the Caesar salad was good), I don't remember what Vicki got, Becky got the Thai linguine which was good, but not stellar, and Lizzy got the pesto penne which wasn't really anything special, either! We also split desserts, which *were* pretty good and we certainly didn't mind spending the money since they had a deal that 20% of our check went to the Arthritis Foundation!

Anyway, I'm starting to get a little more excited about next year. It looks like Jeremy and I will be in Atlanta (since I can stay at Palate if I can't find a job anywhere else), which is really nice. I know I mentioned getting back in touch with all my old friends and their families, but I'm also really attached to these girls at GSU! Don't get me wrong, I would be ALL OVER being on AAC for Kappa Omicron, and I know it would make Rachel and Rebecca so happy, but I feel like not only do they need really good, solid, consistent leadership and alumnae support, but that I really am a part of the chapter now. Maybe that sounds silly to other people, but they really are like my sisters-- I love them, even though I want to shake them sometimes, and I can't wait to see what wonderful things they do with their lives and this chapter!

Tonight at work was SLAMMED. Thankfully, Matthew and Derek helped out in the dishroom, I don't know how we would have made it through otherwise! As a result, I'm able to keep my commitment for the collections payment this month for sure, and I can buy a bathing suit to take down to Florida with me! Huzzah!

Oh, and Jeremy and I are going to (most likely) split my gas to go down to Florida this weekend. I'm really excited, I miss him so much I almost can't stand it sometimes!

Off to bed with this tired girl! Ciao for now, pals!

WHOOO ALPHA FAMILY!!!!

Just because I can't find my jersey (and haven't been able to for years-- I'm SO SORRY Martha!!!!) doesn't mean I can't show my pride for the bestest Alpha family around!! From my grand big Swiggett, to my big sis Martha, my AWESOME littles Lauren, Caroline, and Cate, and my grand littles Valisa and Jill! We're the John Deere Darlins and we ROCK!

I miss you girls! I can't wait to see you all again-- and to meet you, Jill!