tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post1331690395522134234..comments2023-10-23T16:46:38.407-04:00Comments on The Drawing Board: Graduation GiveawayKate D. Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741487310708719748noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-71998624709196309362014-05-18T13:20:30.054-04:002014-05-18T13:20:30.054-04:00When I graduated from college it was such a great ...When I graduated from college it was such a great feeling. It had been a hard struggle, commuting over an hour each way while raising two young girls as a single mom.Annettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14359275615846149201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-10680480978309043612014-05-17T00:05:07.489-04:002014-05-17T00:05:07.489-04:00Both my daughter and son are planning to enroll in...Both my daughter and son are planning to enroll in college next fall -- my daughter to earn another degree and my son to get started (finally!) on his. So, hopefully, my husband and I will be celebrating two graduations in a few years. <br />k(dot)castanette(at)hotmail(dot)comKMSChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13086175522805264979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-38553066859827667802014-05-16T16:17:56.243-04:002014-05-16T16:17:56.243-04:00I had my daughter 3 days after my Junior year was ...I had my daughter 3 days after my Junior year was over when I was 17 and just over a month old. Next week she is graduating high school! I graduated on time and went on to get my nursing degree. I haven't always been home with her as a single mother, but I am so proud of her. She hasn't had a great relationship with her Dad for about 8 years now. I'm proud of her, because she is who she is. She doesn't care about what people think. She has a few close friends, and doesn't care about or try to be popular. She's not into boys (or girls-but I wouldn't care if she was) and wears jeans, a Beatles or Elvis Tee and a hoodie everyday. She thinks high school boys are immature and doesn't feel the need to impress them; she has had a few bf's but she is more interested in doing her thing. She has been volunteering at our local animal shelter (Friends of Michigan Animal Rescue) EVERY Friday for 5 or 6 years now with my Mom. What high school kid gives up their Friday to volunteer that you know?! I'm just so proud of her. She has really pulled it together and brought up her grades to all A's. She surprises me with her interests: Elvis, the Beatles, Horticulture, History, Military History, JFK, her hedgehogs, and her latest and biggest: Jacqueline Onassis-Kennedy. I don't know where she gets it! I cared SO MUCH what people thought of me in school, and she doesn't. I'm proud of her as a young lady and my best friend. I've been through a tough time, and she has forgiven me and has been my biggest support. We also lost my sister to cervical cancer when she was 14. She has been through so much and has came out a better person. Sometimes I wish I was more like her. I am SO grateful to God that she is my daughter and I love her more than anyone in the world. Thanks for letting me share about her :) It's funny because I had no idea what baby names her popular when she was born in 96. It turns out that I named her the most common-Ashley and her last name is Smith. There were 2 other babies in the nursery with that first name, and one of them was another Smith-but spelled differently! She is on Name Alert at the University of Michigan health system. But she is definitely the most unique person I know ;)Karriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09186655510311203493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-49767337234679806232014-05-16T09:08:12.272-04:002014-05-16T09:08:12.272-04:00Those collections are gorgeous! Two quick stories...Those collections are gorgeous! Two quick stories: I went to nursing school in my mid-thirties and was chosen to give the speech at graduation. I looked out at my two young sons, both of whom had supported me so much and saw the pride in their eyes-I told everyone about their support! It was so wonderful. Then, my youngest son had agreed to go to college as long as I could find him a major that allowed him to not take a math course. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Mathematics. I love that kid!!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923601935003269227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-11035826116968246122014-05-16T08:43:47.371-04:002014-05-16T08:43:47.371-04:00I LOVE your stuff- these bed collection are stunni...I LOVE your stuff- these bed collection are stunning. My own graduation was what comes to my mind. I recall the joy of my entire family being there to celebrate as I was the first one on both sides of my family to do this!QuilterBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03030087991212381217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-17179281799476003362014-05-15T21:41:05.773-04:002014-05-15T21:41:05.773-04:00So proud of my hubby for getting his Masters. That...So proud of my hubby for getting his Masters. That is such an accomplishment!!!Paulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12259304114678655273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-20945042345893373622014-05-15T21:38:52.398-04:002014-05-15T21:38:52.398-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Paulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12259304114678655273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-82117804697333742962014-05-15T18:49:17.850-04:002014-05-15T18:49:17.850-04:00I am very proud of my husband for finally completi...I am very proud of my husband for finally completing his BS degree. As he said it took him 30 yrs (served 28 yrs in the AF) but he finally did it. He tells everyone that life gets in the way esp with workers but you can complete your degree even if it takes one class at a time. Just be committed to finishing. He graduated on May 10, 2014. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06247727969701154748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-57605420423977797932014-05-15T17:43:19.660-04:002014-05-15T17:43:19.660-04:00Oh Kate, I LOVE your designs!!! In fact, I just or...Oh Kate, I LOVE your designs!!! In fact, I just ordered one of the featured quilts above for my bedroom and I can't wait for it to arrive any day. My favorite graduation memory was when my oldest graduated son two years ago. I homeschooled him all the way through so it was a very special time of celebration. Now I have four more that I am homeschooling. :)Teaching with TLChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07296031817263414066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-83071186635441165072014-05-15T16:04:44.887-04:002014-05-15T16:04:44.887-04:00Ashley, I'm so sorry for your loss. The "... Ashley, I'm so sorry for your loss. The "Erin" flower that blooms every year without fail ... is magnificent and heart-rending. The high school graduates ... what an unbelievable gesture of kindness .. and, taken together, a real testament to the goodness of Erin and of your family. Shine on.Kate D. Spainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17741487310708719748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-81114980371209600352014-05-15T16:02:46.598-04:002014-05-15T16:02:46.598-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Kate D. Spainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17741487310708719748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-5299564968882787512014-05-15T15:48:09.266-04:002014-05-15T15:48:09.266-04:00Go for it, Dr. Paula! That sounds like a great nex...Go for it, Dr. Paula! That sounds like a great next pursuit. What area of design are you interested in? Any chance landscape/waterscape design? All the best to you and your family. Kate D. Spainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17741487310708719748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-40158119682967429952014-05-15T15:46:32.680-04:002014-05-15T15:46:32.680-04:00Laurie, what a transformational and hope-filled st...Laurie, what a transformational and hope-filled story. Congratulations -- I'm sure you were a great help too! All the best to your stepdaughter in her important pursuits and to you and your family.Kate D. Spainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17741487310708719748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-58530744480093244182014-05-15T15:44:48.048-04:002014-05-15T15:44:48.048-04:00Robin, the tale of your mom is very inspiring. You...Robin, the tale of your mom is very inspiring. You, your family, and the people she cares for through her work as a nurse are extremely fortunate. Thanks for sharing your special story. Best to you, your mom, and your family.Kate D. Spainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17741487310708719748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-45561948145484716852014-05-15T11:17:56.363-04:002014-05-15T11:17:56.363-04:00Every year around this time, I think of my cousin ...Every year around this time, I think of my cousin Erin - who we lost at 17 years old right before she would have graduated. She was a light on this earth. I always think of the things she would have accomplished, but was just not meant to be. However, I still see her around me, as I replanted some flowers from her garden into mine, and they bloom every year without fail on her anniversary. It's like getting a hug straight from her. One thing I will never forget is her graduating class - and her entire school - lined up to meet with our family. All of those kids touched our lives that year and I will never forget it. (side note - those graduates are from an area where just graduating high school is a HUGE accomplishment - so proud of them and will always think of them). Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15994065405192509814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-65771475190312913882014-05-15T10:46:51.653-04:002014-05-15T10:46:51.653-04:00There are no graduations coming up in our family a...There are no graduations coming up in our family as all the little ones are only just starting Kindergarten. I am incredibly proud of my own graduations however. I did a degree that I followed up with a Master's and then a PhD. they were hard work but incredible fun at the same time as I worked in freshwater biology at the time and got to combine work activiteies with studies. Since moving 10 years ago I had to give up my fisheries work but now I have a wonderful family, I have had time to develop my passion for sewing, quilting and creating and now I am considering returning to college once the boys are a little older so that I can do some design studies and look forwrad to more graduations to come perhaps. Paulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05720108165449491078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-61606182882992336322014-05-15T10:45:55.232-04:002014-05-15T10:45:55.232-04:00My stepdaughter is graduating from high school nex...My stepdaughter is graduating from high school next month and on her way to university to become a nurse. She went from almost dropping out of school two years ago, to moving in with us and becoming an honor student. She has worked very hard towards reaching her dreams. I am suppose to be making her a graduation quilt which is not going very quickly so would love to win one for her.Laurie Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17335786710789108254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-25272570032157824832014-05-15T10:20:52.211-04:002014-05-15T10:20:52.211-04:00My mom had me when she was 14, I was her way out o...My mom had me when she was 14, I was her way out of an awful home. She married my dad, and are still married now for almost 38 years! She quit school to take care of me. When she turned 36 she decided to try for her GED so she could go to nursing school. She took a practice test the first night of her classes and passed the GED that night! She enrolled in nursing school, never missed a day and worked full time as a nursing assistant while attending. She graduated with the highest honors in her class! That was almost 15 years ago, I am still so incredibly proud of her! She has always been able to accomplish whatever she has set her mind to. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03641759903983313561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-62788707044693400572014-05-15T08:13:17.141-04:002014-05-15T08:13:17.141-04:00Your daughter Sarah probably learned a lot about t...Your daughter Sarah probably learned a lot about the uncertainty that comes with most plans. Glad you and she all got through it. Thanks for sharing this with us, Susie. Best to you and your family.Kate D. Spainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17741487310708719748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-46551360384232518622014-05-15T08:11:53.950-04:002014-05-15T08:11:53.950-04:00Sarah, "slog" is what a lot of our accom...Sarah, "slog" is what a lot of our accomplishments require! So glad to hear about your husband and your accomplishments. Keep up the great work. Kate D. Spainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17741487310708719748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-71932135299183292572014-05-15T08:10:56.711-04:002014-05-15T08:10:56.711-04:00I admire them both, too! Excellent, Anna! Thanks f...I admire them both, too! Excellent, Anna! Thanks for sharing. Best to you, your sister, your mom, and the family.Kate D. Spainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17741487310708719748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-53886800345537962282014-05-15T07:47:32.870-04:002014-05-15T07:47:32.870-04:00My daughter, Sarah, managed to graduate from colle...My daughter, Sarah, managed to graduate from college in spite of her parents. We had previously lived in the Florida panhandle but my USAF husband got transferred to the Washington DC area as she started her sophomore high school year. We planned to return to FL when my husband retired in 3 years. The Air Force had different plans and, when my husband couldn't retire as planned, Sarah started college in Pensacola at University of West Florida where she waited for us. After completing her freshman year in Florida while we remained in Maryland, we finally returned to Florida. Too bad it was short-lived. We returned to Maryland a year or so later, leaving Sarah behind. <br /><br />Sarah chose to go to college in Florida knowing her parents would be there with her shortly. She persevered and went on to graduate from UWF in spite of our change of plans, which left her almost 900 miles away. I was and am still so very proud of her!susieflooziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964041886835604269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-46125238657277005882014-05-14T15:25:09.680-04:002014-05-14T15:25:09.680-04:00I was really proud of my husband when he graduated...I was really proud of my husband when he graduated. He did a 4 year course, which he actually ended up spending 5 years taking. My course was only 3 years and I found that hard enough! Plus he then had to work for a year in his profession to be fully qualified, it was such a slog for him. Although I think I am even more proud of him now as he has progressed so quickly since he graduated and loves what he does!Sarah_L_Nhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214574005362961149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-34417221124957400412014-05-14T12:30:11.306-04:002014-05-14T12:30:11.306-04:00Two spring to mind and they were incidentally in t...Two spring to mind and they were incidentally in the same month a few years ago. One was my sister, who was graduation from veterinary school. She's the second one in our family to have a Dr. added to the front of her name, and I'm super proud of her for making it through. The other was my mother, who - at just over 50 year of age - had graduated with a master's degree in accounting. She had finished her bachelor's degree just a few years before and started working full time while also continuing to go to school. I admire both of them for their hard work and determination.Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17306504793699710978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3195628004017882302.post-27778389988409600352014-05-14T09:15:16.570-04:002014-05-14T09:15:16.570-04:00Go, Nathan! My goodness, your son sure has a work ...Go, Nathan! My goodness, your son sure has a work ethic ... and what a difference he must be making for the vets and the people he counsels. Best to you and your family, Dawn. BTW -- You're in luck; we have limited quantities of Good Fortune ... just inquire via e-mail to help@shopkatespain.com Kate D. Spainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17741487310708719748noreply@blogger.com