It's a garden party

If you don't know Donna T., well, let me assure you that she's a basket of blessings and beauty in one, tough, funny, and charming package.  She hosted a bridal tea party for me, and we invited our colleagues along to celebrate with us.  She left us thirsting <punny> for more Donna time, as well as time at her spectacularly warm and inviting country homestead.  The T.'s home is a testament to family, creativity, and craftsmanship.  I could write an entire blog post on Mr. T.'s carpentry, artistry, and engineering talents.

But on to the gal time bonding, because, honestly, that's in a typical female's top five favorite pursuits.  We had the best of estrogen, sans the drama.  We had chickens running amok, minus the poop.  We had culinary delights and tasty beverages for the palate.  We had lovely little humans, and we EVEN had our own guitarist serenade us!  I mentioned Mr. T.'s numerous talents, right?

I'll let the photos tell the rest of the story:  http://piangenti.shutterfly.com/pictures/229

Blackboard will want me to be a BbWorld VIP blogger because...

Disclaimer:  the post title will not be included in the BbWorld mandated 100 words or fewer count because, well, I reserve the prerogative to establish my own rules in my blog.

"…I sometimes take roll in the classroom with a megahorn.  Because I know a key to keeping middle school students on their toes is to fool them into believing I’m JUST.a.wee.bit loonier than them.  Blackboard will want me to blog at BbWorld because I can bring zip to the doo-da, while effectively and richly communicating with anyone who will listen just how vital a role public education plays in our culture. I’m passionate about painting a picture through words, particularly when related to placing students first.  Always." #BbWorld13 @Blackboard

I wrote this piece that was, amazingly enough, published in Newsweek's "My Turn" column:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2008/10/10/i-am-not-a-babysitter.html

A teacher will do just about anything to leave campus for a rare lunch away, at a table, seated in a chair, including riding in the hatch of an at-capacity vehicle:

Megahorn Maiden

 Real men marry teachers. 

"They will never, EVER forget this shower!"

I haven't stopped ranting exclaiming that statement since Andrea hosted a most magically magnificent spa bridal shower - a SPASHER!  For me.  Me, me, me, me, me, meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.  Honestly, I always thought I'd feel super awkward, selfish, and too "center of attention-ish" <in a negative way> to be the shower recipient but after this experience, well, I'll be transparent here again and admit - that treatment ain't half bad!  Even in the midst of semi-silence while I was in between gifts and many pairs of eyes were awaiting, I felt zero awkwardness.  Zilch.  Zip.  Nada.  Maybe I'm not as selfless as I thought.  Snort.

Now, onto the highlight of the shower:  the spa.  My friends are still raving about Andrea's creativity and generosity.  What gal doesn't love a spa day?  The massages, the pedicures, the manicures, the steam rooms, the saunas, the refreshing beverages...oh my!  It was, hands down, one of the single BEST and most enjoyable days of my life.  I am so fortunate to have friends and family that gathered around, "showering" me with fun and love.

Andrea, you knocked this out of the park, over the bay, along the street, and down the rabbit hole.  In line with several of my friends having asked, "Where can I find an Andrea," I'm incredibly blessed with a best friend connection that's spanned many years, many miles, an international date line, and more bottles of 'cham-pan-YA' than we care to tally. My cup runneth over. I'm just so, so, so spectacularly grateful and appreciative for her friendship.

Andrea also surprised me with my first "grown up" handbag, and here it is, pictured with one of the other top shower gifts of the day, compliments of Alexis, my precious, the megahorn***:

Speaking of top shower gifts and surprises, my Mudda blew me away with my first "grown up" camera that I never suspected I'd actually own.  I've thirsted for an SLR camera for years, YEARS I tell you, but I'm entirely too frugal to invest in one and I tossed it onto the wedding registry merely for kicks.  Photography class, here I come!

"They will never, EVER forget this shower!"

After the spasher, we enjoyed a long, late lunch at a nearby cafe.  Grace and Emileigh (my niece, 2.0) entertained themselves, while the adults dined and chatted, by taking many dozens of selfies and posed shots in the restaurant, in front of the restaurant, and near the restaurant.  The novice junior photographers would then reveal each photograph taken by trotting back to our table, touring the perimeter, while showing each pic, to each gal in our party.  Good stuff.

Photos of the day:  http://piangenti.shutterfly.com/pictures/139

***Alexis hijacked and coveted my precious megahorn so frequently immediately after I fired it up with batteries, that I was left with no choice but to purchase one for her as well.  I could falsely claim it as a selfless act on my part, but it was 100%, sheer self-preservation.