Why Yardwork Consumed My Life for Two Weeks

I’ll tell you what — there’s nothing like planning a big party to get your butt in gear and finish up 90% of your yard- and home-improvement projects! Even after Saturday’s party, my house is the cleanest it’s been in ages. I can’t tell you how good it feels to know that the vast majority of our yard projects are finally done and now pretty much all that’s left to do is maintain. And summer hasn’t even begun.

“Whoa, back up. Party? What party? Why wasn’t I invited?” You’re all thinking it, don’t try to hide it.

Tim graduated from the Teacher Education Program on Friday. Except he didn’t really graduate because, just like all the other grad students in the program, he still has to write his master’s thesis this summer before he gets his degree. But graduation was on Friday anyway, for reasons that I’ve stopped trying to understand. I think he is now a certified teacher, though he has yet to receive the materials from the school that will allow him to apply for licensure. So, no degree yet, no license yet, but possibly a certification . . . yeah, let’s go with that. I suppose Friday night’s ceremony was a celebration of certification that somebody decided to call a “graduation.”

Awesome Aside: Tim gave a short speech to open the evening’s festivities, and in his speech he quoted High School Musical 2. It was, by far, the high point of the evening.

So to answer your first two questions, because of that certification-celebration/graduation, we had a party. And to answer your second question . . . well, there’s only so many burgers and brats we can fit on the grill, so we had to draw the line at close family and friends. Sorry.

Anyway, even though you weren’t there (unless, of course, you were), it was a rockin’ good time. Would you care for some photo highlights? Of course you would!

If I’ve learned anything from my parents, it’s that a whellbarrow/wagon filled with ice is the best way to keep drinks cold and delicious.

How do you know it’s a good party? Free hammock rides, courtesy of on adorable seven-year-old.

Adorable as she was, I just couldn’t bring myself to agree to her request to “please borrow Smalls and take her swimming” as she and her family were leaving. Sorry, cutie, but Smalls has to stay and play with Ben!

For the first time in what feels like ages, we got to party with John and Lauren. It had been way too long since we were all together, and it’s possible some all of us had way too many drinks to celebrate the end of that particular dry spell.

Speaking of drinks . . .

What started with beer and wine . . .

Soon turned into shots . . .

And more shots . . .

Which led to all sorts of fun and craziness, much to Ben’s dismay.

It wasn’t long before the sleepy dogs went to bed, and the rest of us weren’t far behind.

We may have been a bit hungover yesterday, but a headache that causes you to sleep until 1pm is a small price to pay for the good times that were had.

All in all? It was a fantastic party. You should have been there.

(More pictures on flickr!)

May 19, 2008 | Filed Under General Happiness, Mr. Tim's Adventures in Teaching, Photos & Videos, Puppies, Tim 

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12 Responses to “Why Yardwork Consumed My Life for Two Weeks”

  1. Stephen on May 19th, 2008

    Oh, that party was so full of win. I had a ton of fun.

  2. Meg on May 19th, 2008

    It was a truly delightful party.

  3. Brittany on May 19th, 2008

    I love a good excuse for a party. Congrats, Tim!!!

  4. julie on May 19th, 2008

    Ben looks super happy in that picture!

    Congrats graduate!!

  5. Laurel on May 20th, 2008

    Wheelbarrow / wagon? We always go kiddie pool in the Sass household, but your idea is far cuter!

  6. the real jessie but secretly kat on May 20th, 2008

    you think you’re cooler than us just because you threw a party but that’s only because you haven’t seen my ninija turtles lunch box. it knocks your whole party right out of the water!

  7. HollowSquirrel on May 20th, 2008

    Well, I tried to be there, but the bouncer wouldn’t let me past the velvet rope, damnit.

  8. Gary on May 20th, 2008

    Thanks for the invite :(

  9. Marmite Breath on May 20th, 2008

    But didn’t you drink Sangria????

    PS) Congrats to Tim!!!!!

  10. Carrie on May 21st, 2008

    Hi – I stopped via BlogHer … your part looked so much! Scolling down, picture after picture I was waiting to see a lampshade on the dog’s head.

    I just wanted to say that even though I was never here before, you made me feel comfortable having not been invited and relieved that I wasn’t on the road when your guests made their way home.

    Congratulations to Mr. Tim on his Premature Graduation ;)

  11. SJ on May 29th, 2008

    Love all the photos! You guys look like you had an awful lot of fun! Congrats to Tim as well…

  12. Smalls Sunday: Smalls vs. the Watermelon : Sangria Lover on August 10th, 2008

    [...] bought a watermelon for Tim’s graduation party, and when we brought it home, Smalls was none too happy to see that strange thing in her house. The [...]

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