More about Sally's graduation party

We are still talking about how much fun we had at our own party. It seems like ages since we had the party (almost two weeks ago!) but I just have not had my usual blogging time lately. Just a quick recap and a few more pictures:
One of the reasons that I enjoyed the party so much was Toni. I hired this incredible woman named Toni to help with the party. We got Toni's name through Teri (Teri and Chuck are the ultimate party throwers! truly)- After my brother, Tom, died in 2007, we needed someone to set up the food and drink for the reception after his funeral and Toni came to the rescue. So when we were planning Sally's party, I realized that I did not want to be stuck in the kitchen and missing all the fun and I thought of Toni. SHE WAS FANTASTIC! Toni has a three hour minimum but will stay for as long as you need...and my gosh, it made such a difference in my level of enjoyment of the party (and it is all about me!). Toni came an hour before the party started and just started working. She went outside and got everything set up. And since she has done this for so long, she is a total pro and knows just what to do without being bossy. Then Toni came in the house and took over the kitchen. I just gave her a list of all the food and she worked her magic there as well. I asked her what she wanted me to do and she replied, "Go get a glass of wine and relax before the guests arrive. I will let you know if I need anything." AHHHHH! Heavenly!Having Toni there allowed me to really enjoy my friends and family and isn't that what a party is all about?

Another highlight of the party was spending time with Sally's friends. She is blessed with a delightful group of friends and they are fun. What a great age! We especially loved when a bit of a political discussion developed with Lucky, who is in grad school in political science (I think that's what it is) and Jack. Lucky and Jack have had many long, civil, great talks about politics and it doesn't matter that one is liberal and one is conservative (can you guess which is which?!) Some of the other adults joined in and our favorite line of the night was from our friend, Marty. After listening to some of Lucky's idealistic philosophies for a while, he interjected, "Whoaa, take it easy, Thomas Jefferson!" So great, the interface between generations.
We missed having Ann (Tom's widow, though I hate that word in this context and prefer to say Tom's wife) here. She was on her way from Indianapolis and got stuck in traffic on I-65. Anyone who has traveled that highway knows that those traffic issues are like none other on earth. And of course, we missed Marmar.
Here are a few more pictures from the party:
Two sets of sisters with cupcakes
Jack and his mom and dad
Sally and Ruthanne

High school friends (minus our lovely Mere who was out of the country)