Shameless Boyfriend Bragging

When Mom suggested that I use the blog as a forum for a Jeremy brag-a-thon, I was only to happy to oblige! Jeremy is formally graduating on May 9th - he finished classes and received his diploma last December, but on the 9th he walks across the stage in a funny hat and gets presented an award by President Sexton, and I'm just so proud of all his achievements in the past year...and I want all of you to know how cool he is!

Over the past two years, Jeremy has, more or less singlehandedly, fostered environmental awareness at NYU - first by founding GreenArch, a coalition of students, faculty and administrators dedicated to University sustainability. Additionally, GreenArch served as a much-needed locus for networking professors and administrators with environmental goals across the whole univeristy. Next, through GreenArch, Jeremy advocated for the existance of an Environmental Studies major in the College of Arts and Sciences, where none previously existed; the major is set to be avaiable to students this fall. Finally, he conducted a two-semester in-depth study of the university's environmental impacts (keep in mind that NYU has more than 100 buildings, a huge transportation fleet, its own power plant, its own recycling center, and a population in excess of 50,000 people), culminating in a fantastic report (which can be viewed here). He gave dynamic presentations of this report to hundreds of people on dozens of occasions during his last months as a student. The awareness he raised led the university to make the biggest university wind power purchase in the world, and the 11th biggest in history. Many other sustainable practices are in the works, ranging from greenroofing to CFL lighting to LEED certified construction and renovation. NYU also collaborated with Jeremy to create the Sustainability Task Force, a team of 50 administrators, faculty, and students dedicated to designing and implementing a Green Action Plan.

Along the way, he earned the Morris K. Udall Foundation federal scholarship for cutest picture ever, I mean, Leadership in Environmental Policy (perks: a trip to Arizona with all the US' great young environmental minds, and a hefty sum), two Presidential Service Awards (one for himself, and one for GreenArch), and a Gallatin Special Service Award. He also managed to graduate with honors and a degree in Environmental Values and Public Policy.

When the university realized he was graduating, and that they were about to lose their most valuable environemtnal activist and indispensible cross-campus networker, they created a position for him and hired him on as head of the Sustainability Task Force. In his first six weeks, he has been responsible for allocating significant funds to his choice of environmental projects! Not only that, but Jeremy was featured in the alumni magazine "Gallatin Today" (you can read the feature here), and will be featured in this May's Brownstone, the Washington Square magazine, as on the the top twenty most influential people on campus. There will be an exceptionally snazzy picture. =)

So that's my killer boyfriend, people. He also sweeps the kitchen and irons his own shirts. Woohoo!

Shamelessly plugging,
Kate

A Few of her Favorite things ...

Just wanted to make you smile on your Birthday!

Mom

Our bit of Irish Spring has a Birthday....

It is 12:00 midnight, April 28, 2007. Kate was born this day, 23 years ago.

I sent her an email today asking her some birthday questions, and in true form I got this wonderful reply:

A list of my favorite things? Like, ever? Hehehe okay, here goes:

My Favorite Things (in no particular order)

Huge fluffy down comforters
Wearing corduroy overalls in the privacy of my backyard
The sea
Beating Jeremy at Scrabble without cheating
Successful baking endeavors
Big, old trees
Sloths!
Islands
Netflix
Honey
Barbara Kingslover
Growing stevia
Ireland
The painting Mom is doing for me!!!
Selkies and mermaids
All the kids in my life
Meyer lemons
Annual garlic festivals
The play "The Skriker" by Caryl Churchill
Soup
Squirrels
Sushi
Really captivating nonfiction
Kittens walking on my face
Not having TV
Full moons
Owning lots of books (I derive great satisfaction from this)
Nature documentaries
Free-form poetry
Using food in the shower, like avocado masks, brown sugar exfoliators
Spoken word performance
Thunder
Nostalgic music that is crappy but makes you emotional anyway
Fishmarkets, Greenmarkets
Progressive children's literature
The unusually large earthworms in my garden
Painting the walls crazy colors
Rosy childhood memories

Okay, I've been making this list for like half an hour, i need to stop. ;)

A special birthday memory: You know, at this point it's hard for me to separate the memories from the pictures. But I definitely remember how badly I wanted to pull that plastic ballerina off the cake and play with it. I also have vivid memories of homemade gifts from Anna and Helga, and how I watched you (Mom) to know how to appreciate them. Oh! That fabulous party where we all slept in sleeping bags in the basement! Camping with Bo and Tom and Lindsay in the rain, being rescued by Dad's ominous headlights; the fabulous Fifteen photoshot, of course. Two years ago, only a few months after I met Jeremy, he and a few friends threw a surprise party for me, complete with homemade decorations and a cake they baked themselves.

What do I hope to do on my birthday? Well, for starters, I'm delighted to have two of the most important people in my life, Jeremy and Alexandra, with me to celebrate. Jeremy and I are going to start off the morning by visiting the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens (weather permitting), where they are celebrating Sakura Matsuri, the annual cherry blossom festival. Not yet sure what the evening will bring, but I'm certain it will involve delicious dinner and caramel cake (yes, I'm baking it for myself!) and laughing with the ones I love.

I hope not to be rained on, or to eat the whole cake myself.

And of course I will miss you all! So many of you have been present for my birthdays in the past, and made me feel that much more special with your kindness and love. I'm grateful for every birthday that passes, and all the days in between, with this fabulous family.

K

****************

Now this is a girl who knows what she likes, enjoys life to it's fullest and remembers every detail!

So all hail Botanical Gardens and caramel cake enjoyed with Jeremy and Alexandra! You are indeed special and very much loved by your family in GA/CA and TN, Kate. We wish you the best life has to offer, and today, we wish you a Happy, Happy Birthday!

May God always bless you.

Mom

Today was a good day...

I came to Northcroft yesterday to rest and paint for a couple of days. I find so much peace here
and oh how I love to paint, walk, visit with the Olivers, read, watch a little television and get some extra sleep, while I am here.

I prayed for each of you precious people this afternoon as I walked with God along the mountain road. I am painting a photograph that Kate took in Ireland to give her for her 23rd birthday on
the 28th of this month, and thinking about her as I do. Terr sent me a couple of emails today to let me know he was thinking of me, and I felt loved. :) My walk this morning
took me to the Olivers and as they are both in wheelchairs,
I looked for things I could do to help them out. I got to fill
the bird feeders, sweep the floor, empty the ash bucket and go to the cellar and bring up some can goods for cooking.
Mrs. Oliver gave me a crossword puzzle book. I seldom leave that house without something!

I borrowed a trash bag and picked up trash on my walk home...

I just wanted you to know, life is good. I hope you take time out of your busy lives to see how wonderfully blessed we are.

I stuck my head out the window of the "tree house" and took this picture. I could almost see you all playing in the cold water. Oh, how I love you.

That was my day....and how was yours?

-Mom/Mimi/Merry

Top Choice for Ford!

Hi Family (from Molly),

As most of you know, Ford got into his top choice for school for next year -- Woodward Academy -- which goes into 12th grade. he is really excited.If you want to check it out, go to:http://www.woodward.edu/home/

Woodward started out as a military academy and there are lots and lots of rules and structure (which Ford is fine with). He will wear a uniform (blue shirt and khaki pants basically with a certain kind of shoe). This is going to be an interesting transition from a boy who only wears tee shirts and jeans with holes in them (and never ties his shoelaces).

Woodward has 100 acres (!) and is the biggest private school in the continental U.S. so there are lots of options for classes, sports, etc. He will take the MARTA train which he is excited about. A big change from being at a school 5 minutes from me like he has been for the last 8 years!

MFC/mpc...(can't wait to see Ford in uniform!)

What would I do without Grandchildren!

Isabelle came to visit tonight and we played Beauty Shop.
I'm sure you will all agree, Mimi is a pretty good hair dresser
and Isabelle is a pretty girl.
(Note: When asking Issy why she ask so many questions, she replied; "Because that's my job!". :)

After a hard game of baseball (see Grandad's comment in the last post), Joe vegged out and watched TV on the sofa.



Can you tell,
I love being a Mimi?

Post Birthday

Some pictures are just too good not to post. This one was taken at Morgan and Grandad's birthday dinner, Friday the 13th. Like all the girls (women) in our family, their light shines.

I want each of you to know that your sweet birthday calls were cherished and appreciated by your father. More than anything else it was just what he wanted. I wish you could have seen his face when he receive of them. It was a good day.

-Mimi

Double-header Day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY TO GRANDAD AND GRANDDAUGHTER, MORGAN! AT EASTER BRUNCH, FAMILY BIRTHDAY WISHES AND GIFTS WERE GIVEN. TONIGHT THEY WILL HAVE A QUIET DINNER TOGETHER IN CELEBRATION...well maybe Mimi, Molly, Shannon and Ford will join them, but I donno. :) One thing that I do know... Friday the 13th is a lucky day for all of us!

Boys at Play...

They may do some strange things in California...
but I can hear the "PLAY BALL!" all the way to
Atlanta. Wouldn't Grandad have a big time watching a couple more grandson enjoying the sport of it all? You must write or call and tell us about your games.

In our book, you're already a winner!

-Mimi

EASTER 2007 was hopping wonderful!

Easter 2007 Album

Enjoy our Easter album. What a glorious day! Early morning we sang praises to the risen Lord, followed by brunch, two egg hunts and family time the rest of the day. Just click on the text link above and be sure to smile...

-Mimi

The Queen Mum and Queen's day of honor coming June 9th

Yes, it's true. Queen Mum (Nana) and Queen Mimi turn 80 and 60 (respectively) this year. In true Queen fashion, we will honor this royal guard with a proper celebration. On June 9th we will roll out the red carpet and toast the women in their lives who have helped shape them into who they are today. The celebration will take place in Murfreesboro in true southern tradition. (More details to come). We look forward to honoring these two women--the two who have shaped OUR lives as well.

Proverbs 3: 13, 16.."How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding...long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor."

We honor you for your faithfulness, your wisdom and for your undying love for us . For which God has honored you with a long life filled with riches and honor beyond worldy measure. Your lives are a living example of God's promise fullfilled.

We look forward to our day of celebration!

GOOD FRIDAY in JERUSALEM

The angelic face of Tom, the blacksmith, and his family appeared in Jerusalem this Good Friday evening, telling the crowds of people of the things Jesus had done before they took Him away. He was sincere and deliberate in his delivery and introduced his family with authority.

After a while the older children and his wife reminded the blacksmith of more stories he should tell about Jesus. Young William (with some help form his siblings) passed out hand made nails that they had made for the people to see. The kind of nails that went into the hands of sweet Jesus. Mingling among the others were TLC MPC and KPC, wanting to help the blacksmith family of long ago and desperately wanting to hug the precious looking children. They were beaming with pride and taking pictures galore.

Tom, Kim, Andrew, Emily, Will, your gift to our Lord on this Good Friday, will not go without fruits. Together you can move mountains for Christ. Tonight, we were a witness. I am now ready for Easter…
Happy Easter Family,
Mimi

A Birthday Wish Granted!

For his birthday, Joe wanted to go to a Thrasher's game with his dad. Tonight was the night for that birthday wish to come true. I understand that the Thrasher's lost but it was a really exciting game and Joe and his Father had a great time! (We can tell by the smile on his face.)

To our newest "9" year old, I say, I'm one of the biggest members of YOUR fan club and I wish you love, happiness and lots of playing time in the coming year. Happy Birthday Joe (4-7-98)...We love you.

-Mimi

Thespians Galor!

Today, The Wesleyan Schools presented “The Easter Story”.
Costumes and set were phenomenal. The children did a
wonderful job telling us about how Jesus returned to
Jerusalem, drove the money changers out of the temple,
had the last supper with his disciples and washed their feet,
went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray, was betrayed by
Judas Iscariot, was arrested, tried, crucified, then was
buried and resurrected on the third day. It was touching to see
children act out such a great story…and I believed.

Andrew played both a townsman and a High Priest.
I was ever so proud of the job he did. He was clear and precise;
never leaving his character. Like Morgan in the Lion King,
it was a job well done and I know we will see more of this very
fine actor in the future.

Our own, not so doubting Thomas, was the best dad techie working back stage. Mama Kim took film and Will colored, ate "church candy" and was very quiet while Bubby was on stage. Emily got to leave her class and sit with us, so as a family we watched and learned.

I’m looking forward to being with you all on Easter!

-Mimi