My Turn! Much has happened!

While Noel has been blogging the 12 days of Europe, I've been not blogging. More like, I've been too busy to need to interject into Noel's narrative, but now so many things have come and gone, I'm just going to jump in an share, and then we can get back to the exciting Noel stories.

WISC: We had a potluck/planning meeting. I'd had to postpone this one week to improve attendance, but we've decided on a new format (hostess' choice), and mapped out a calender for the months to come. Success! All this the day before we left for the...

Wood Fire Kiln: My ceramics class came to an end as we took our pots out to the kiln to fire them. The firing was fun, we had a good group (including Joe, our teacher,'s parents- who came bearing cookies), and saw a lot of wildlife. I had the 4am-noon shifts both days, which I managed with my partner- Matt hung around splitting wood. Besides the snakes, baby robins and other birds, we rescued a pair of unweaned kittens we found beneath the wood pile. Rescued them to the Animal Rescue League that is, although both Matt and I felt a bit emotional about letting them go. I am pleased with how this batch of ceramics came out- I must have learned a lot about what to expect from last time. (The matching cups in the photo were Joe's- he's made 250 as favors for his wedding. Yeah.) We unloaded 72hrs after we stopped firing (the ceramics were still warm!) (Not hot, Mom), to have time before we left for...

Kelsey's Graduation! (and visiting in-laws!)- 3 for 3- and none of them moved back home (yet... for long). Mom and Dad and successful empty nesters! While the stated purpose was to see Kelsey graduate (BA in Communications- Nice work!), we actually got to hang out with Noel and Jessie and Matt's Dad and step-mom a lot. While not eating awesome food (in Saulsalito, or Lagunitas Brewery, Ghiradelli Square or home cooked by my favorite greek chef), we took in the Golden Gate Bridge, stopped at the Ferry Terminal Market, rode street cars and trolley's in San Fransisco and got to spend time with the family. Although we had some delays on the way home, we did arrive in time for...

Waz's Defense! Matt's BFF here is a grad student in my program, who will now be known to all of us a Doc Zonk. Well, me at least. He gave a great seminar, was articulate and poised with his committee, and now has finished his career as a grad student. We were really excited to celebrate with him and his family, but I'll admit I'm feeling a bit melancholy knowing this is just once step closer to the impending move to Virginia.

That pretty well settles the running score. It is officially sticky summer here, so we are camped out inside next to the AC for a few months. Matt just heroically swapped out a pinch flat on the car (lucky a few blocks from home), while I cooked some eggs that I am hoping pass for dinner. After two solid weeks out of the house, I've got some catch up work to do on the homemaking front. I think I'll start with laundry...