"She Took the Loaded Questions Out of Her Head..."

Alright... I've been seriously slacking on Blogging lately. I promise I'll pick it back up once things get settled down - moving is just a short week and a half away, and there's so much to do.

This past week has been one of the best I've ever had!

Once I survived the initial grueling Graduation Practice, things took off smoothly from there.
Rainy Wednesday I cleaned for the party and went over to Smith Prep (my old school) to help paint the walls. It was fun to get messy and share some conversations with both new and old friends. I experienced a minor lapse in judgement when I forgot to pack a snack in case of any mid-afternoon hypos, and ended up having to sit down whilst in the middle of painting with a shiny BG of 61 staring out of the glucometer screen at me. A little frantic that it was going to drop lower and I'd have no way of driving myself home, I was happy to discover that there were boxes of pizza in the adjacent room, and all was well from there. (Lesson learned: I will not forget to bring my snacks ever ever again.) My grandmother came that evening with a suitcase full of dresses to pass down to me - and I went to bed early to be up for graduation in the morning.

I woke up at 5:30am to get showered and prettied up for graduation, wearing an all-white dress to go under my all-white graduation gown. I was elated as I checked to make sure I had the graduation tickets, glucometer, insulin, and graduation cap. On the way we stopped by Starbucks. I was proud of myself - I resisted from getting any carb-laden frappuchinos and settled for a passion fruit iced tea instead. The lady at the register told me "Congratulations" and, with a smile, gave me my tea for free! Several other people in the store smiled and told me congratulations, and I was so excited as I walked out of the store, carefully sipping my drink so as to spill none on my clean gown.

We arrived at the UCF arena and I rushed to the gymnasium where my "class" was lined up on the bleachers, in order, to wait for commencement. I was glad I hadn't brought my cell phone as the teachers had taken to patting students down in order to make sure they had no electronics on them. I wrestled my tiny self through the crowd to the front of the line in order to grab my name card and found my correct seat, then kicked off my shoes and sat down to wait. The teachers all laughed at my bare feet. I had a fun time talking with the other nervous, excited Seniors around me as we spent 1.5 hours trying to occupy ourselves until we could finally march on stage. "Do you think it's too late to apply for Bright Futures? I think the deadline is today..." the guy next to me asked. "Ohmygoodness! I'm so excited!" The girl beside me gushed. Finally, after and eternally long wait, we lined up. Hearts fluttering, we walked through the  back halls of the arena until we finally came to the entrance into the arena. We walked out onto the bright floor, cameras flashing and parents cheering. I was all smiles. It suddenly dawned on me that, although the graduation practices had been long, seemingly pointless and boring as all get out, ultimately, I was glad to have made the choice to go through with it. It was all worth it in the end when, heart beating fast, butterflies in my stomach, I heard my name called: "Lacy Elizabeth Ball, Summa Cum Laude", and walked across the stage to receive my diploma. That moment was one of the proudest moments in my life. After 13 years of hard work, I had finally reached the finish line, and the reward was wonderful indeed.

Friday was the day of my party. Thursday I had worked hard after graduation to make sure everything was ready - that way I didn't have to stress. I had made cookies, sugar-free cake, went shopping for food with my mother and grandmother, and set up the tents, tables, and moonwalk in the backyard. The house was cleaned  and all ready for visitors. The party was fantastic. I got to see friends from as far back as Kindergarten and all of my high school friends. We played Loaded Questions and talked and jousted and ate good food. Memorable Quote from the party: "She took the loaded questions out of her head!" We even got to witness Mr. Phillips, our old teacher, battle Blake to a jousting match. It was terrifying and exhilarating :)

Saturday I went to Rock Springs with my two friends, Emma and Erica. The water was so cold and the initial shock of jumping in made you question whether or not the swim was worth it, but 5 minutes in the water and it was so hot outside that it soon began to feel like bath water. And it was so beautiful! I always love taking a trip to Rock Springs. It's right down the street from me, so I wonder why I never go more. 

That evening I went out to eat with my brother, sister-in-law, and Dad. Sunday we went out to breakfast at Mimi's and did a little more college shopping at Bed Bath and Beyond. I can't believe I'm moving in a week and a half! It was, all in all, a wonderful weekend, and I'll remember it for the rest of my life.

Oh... and my blood sugars behaved wonderfully all weekend. :)