graduation ~ how is this possible?

 Here is Cass (formerly known as RR) making friends with a snake. I do not like snakes but Cass is special indeed. What a pleasure watching Cass turn into this lovely and VERY talented person. Soon Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid will be heading to Savannah for the SCAD graduation ceremonies.  I know, the years zip by. At least Cass has not befriended any alligators, to my knowledge. Congratulations!

and we celebrate 21 years!

 Cass (formerly known as RR) returned for college break and today will celebrate their 21st birthday and man, those were wonderful years and they sure sped by. For a long time I saved the answering machine tape when Mr. Blogmaid called from Stanford Hospital to report that mother and child were doing GREAT. Happy Birthday to Cass who is a very talented artist and an extra special human being. 

yesterday and today

 Yikes, I neglected to take a photo of Doug, Barb and me out at the Hard Knox on Clement Street. Ox tails, mac and cheese, sausage/beans/rice, po'boy, corn meal muffins, etc. More birthday toasts and catch-up talk ~ lots of left overs. Thank heavens for Pepcid AC before they picked me up. This morning I'm using the RR coffee mug because she returns from college for a nice long holiday break and there is great joy in Pumpkinville (and SF). 

celebrations galore

 Yesterday RR turned 19. Wow. Today I will see her and the Blogmaid family around the Thanksgiving table. This morning I am using Husbando's coffee mug because we always loved this holiday and worked well together brining The Bird and mashing potatoes, etc. Then we would do the dishes and talk about our guests and fall into bed with smiles.

Savannah and SCAD and change galore

 The Blogmaid Family and my heart are all in Savannah currently as RR gets settled into her dorm and new SCAD college life. The bottom photo was actually from Stanford where Atlas the horse is now living. This is a very exciting week and I appreciate all the updates and photos. I had never heard of SCAD and now all sorts of  "oh, my friend went/taught there and loved it." 

a very special day indeed

Congratulations to Ryan and her wonderful parents! RR is with her friend Bella in the top photo and of course Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid in the middle. Lots of food and fun yesterday at the graduation party. So privileged to be part of this family. 💔
 

the Grove and the Grad

 Yesterday we met for hot dogs and all the fixings at Pat's Grove where we spent so many happy hours during the pandemic. It was good to catch up and eat too much. Today it is all about RR and her graduation ceremony and party. There was a gentle rain last night and the world feels fresh.

RR goes to the prom

 How beautiful is RR? Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid have done an outstanding job raising this delightful young woman and soon she will be off to college in Savannah. I have about 150 prom photos and videos here to enjoy ~ oh, what a night. Next we have graduation and I too have a new dress. More later...

the decision was made

 The talented and delightful RR will be attending the Savannah College of Art and Design in September. I will avoid the so soon? she was only four last week! kind of thinking and just celebrate Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid's daughter and the many adventures that lie ahead for her. Sincere congratulations!

all clear on the tutu front?

 Of course you all got the tutu = 22. 2022, Happy New Year. There was a time, not long ago, when RR wore a different color tutu everyday and the Blogmaid would send me delightful photos. When I became aware of the Tutu Stage of Girl Life I quickly noticed how universal this seems to be here in America.

...and just like that (snap finger)

 RR, wonderful daughter of Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid, became an adult yesterday. Yes her 18th birthday and the world rejoices. Happy Birthday, dear Ryan!

one would think...

 ...that at my advanced age I'd be used to the speedy passage of time. Well, I am not. Here is our annual back-to-school photo of RR as she heads to her final year of high school. And she drove by herself and all sorts of grown-up stuff and of course she is a straight A student. Sheeeeesh. Good job Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid! 

March, six years ago

 Here is RR in a dress that her grandmother made for the Blogmaid. I had such a positive response to my blog time travel that I will now do this whenever I want to. Thanks, Redundant. And please do not miss the head of Sabine here, sweet little dog. Now I will jump back into 2021, with a curtsy.

RR was 17 yesterday ~ how beautiful, how smart!

 

an early birthday gift

Our friend Sally sent RR these delightful dolls, or action figures, if you prefer. Ryan will be 17 in November and no, I can't believe that either. So ~ three dolls in this photo. Good one, M.A. 

back-to-school (sort of)

then

yesterday

RR started school yesterday, from home, of course. She is an A+
student at Mercy, but you already guessed that. Kids these days
have to be so resilient, as do their parents. Tough times. Oh and
congrats to RR for passsing her test ~ now she has a driving
license. Way to go and good job Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid and RR.

Atlas and Ryan

RR's sister, Claire, took this fabulous photo the other day. Mutual love.

celebrating the 16th

RR = Sweet 16

Some of the grown-up fans of RR

The weather was nasty yesterday, but we all braved the rain and floods to
celebrate RR's 16th birthday at the home of the Blogmaids. It was a warm
and happy gathering with these adoring women and RR's papa who did
all the cooking and of course he waited on us tirelessly. Lovely day in
Half Moon Bay, aka Pumpkinville.

sixteen reasons

Impossible as it is to believe, RR turned 16 on Saturday. She is such
a smart, talented and very nice addition to this world. Happy, happy
birthday to dear Ryan Rosemary, daughter of Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid.

way to go!

From the Blogmaid's email this morning:
RR is taking apart her PC because it’s not working and she looked up 
how to fix it online and she’s just going for it. I had to help unscrew a 
few of the tighter screws, but her bravery and problem-solving are inspiring.

I use YouTube now too to help me with major projects. For instance,
if you hammer a thumb tack into the top of a bottle cap it will dismantle
the impossible-to-open child safety feature which I have grown to hate
so very much.

Next I'll be fixing my computer. Not. But I so love that Ryan is doing this.