Hi everyone!
I have a great sleep and feel very rested... which is great as I had a lousy sleep in the hotel the night before. We couldn't control the heat and so the room got SO HOT that I felt like getting up at 3 am and opening the door to let the snowstorm in to cool off the room. Found out later that my parent room was just as hot and mom wanted to open the door too. LOL
Isn't is amazing how our own bed always feels the best? I think so.
Well, here's the scoop. We all went in dad's car and he did the driving.
On our trip to Calgary, I stopped counting cars / trucks in the ditch after I got to 16... and we were only 45 minutes out of town. These were cars in the ditch from the storm earlier in the week - you could tell that some of them had been there a day or two as they were completely drifted in. A couple had fresh tire tracks and looked like they had happened that morning. The further south we went, the fewer snow drifts at the side of the roads.
We made good time and had a good trip. The roads were bare when we traveled - we were checked into the hotel by about 5:30. We met up with Heather and BF and she got her shoes to wear for grad. Then we all went to Chili's for supper. It was fun! When we left Chili it was snowing again and we had a good inch on the car to scrape off. Since we didn't all fit in the car, my dad drove me and Rebecca back to the hotel, then went back to get the rest and drove Heather back to her apartment. On the way, she took him past where grad would be so we'd know where to go in the AM.
In the morning, we had breakfast at the hotel and then cabbed to grad. Parking is a real pain at the university and very expensive as well, so taking the cab was a great choice. Heather told me that you can book a cab in advance, so I did that and he was right in time. It was still snowing and icy when we left the hotel, so I was sure glad we had come on bare roads the night before. We got there a little early, so had time to explore the campus a bit. I can see why Heather enjoyed her time there, as the mezzanine and atrium was a very beautiful spot and had a great food court attached. There were lots of students milling around, cramming in homework and studying. Just because Heather was done, not all the departments were done with classes.
The grad all wore their new chef's jackets - part of the grad ceremony. Each one had their name embroidered on the jacket, just like you see in Food TV. That was kind of cool.
There were several awards presented and a couple of trophies. Some were given to first year bread bakers and the rest for the completed program.
Heather was present with an award - for "leadership skills, professional promise, skills development, great attitude and volunteerism". She's a volunteer at heart - always doing something for someone else or volunteering to organize group events and functions (I think it runs in our family LOL) .... and so when the criteria for this award was first read by the MC I just knew that they were describing my daughter. There were several other awards I thought she might have been up for, but this was the only one that focused on volunteerism - and I've known how much she's volunteered during and after class so it didn't surprise me when they called her name.
I actually cried. Not sure why - but as she was heading to the stage, I'm sitting in the back with tears in my eyes. OK... so I was proud of her. I admit it.
After the ceremony, I went back to the hotel to check out. Rebecca went with her dad (who was also there) and they had lunch. Heather went to the Grad Banquet and the reports I heard was that the food was awesome! (it was catered by the students of the cooking school and they all graduate today). No, I did not go to the banquet. Heather was only allowed 4 tickets and of course her BF had one. Since her dad refuses to be civil to me, I knew that it would never work if her parents went to the banquet - so I talk her to use my ticket and take my mom instead. and to take her dad's ticket and take his mom instead. There was no way I wanted to spoil her day by having such negative energy at the table that there would have been if she had tried to take us both - and I would never have put her in the position of having to choose between us - so I figured it was "our" problem, not hers, so we were the ones who should loose out, not her. Apparently his mother really objected to this plan, but she did finally agree to come. My mom and my ex MIL can be civil to each other - due in part to the great women that they both are. At the last minute, Heather was able to get another ticket, so she was able to take my dad as well.
Everyone enjoyed the lunch -- mom said they had lamb and many many things she's never tried before, but everything tasted great. My dad even raved about the Brussels sprouts - and he NEVER likes any vegetable other than red cabbage.... so it must have been good! 
By mid afternoon, we were heading back home. Heather had a grad party 
to attend that was for students only and she had arranged for her dad to drive here and BF there as it was way across town. I spoke with her just a bit ago and she says she had a lot of fun and got home some time after midnight.
Monday at 9 am she's on a plane to South America. ... Chili.... that's where the student tour is heading. I know she has a lot to finish this weekend - packing and even some shopping... as she's still looking for a swimsuit. The next few days will speed by. Wish I was there to help her and drive her to the airport - but hey, she's a college grad now - so she's quite capable of doing things for herself! 
Well, there's my report. I know you were thinking of me and you're cheering her on. I really appreciate that!
Now as for the weather.... well, it's stopped snowing - the forecast is for warm on Saturday and warmer on Sunday so by Monday I would expect all our snow to be gone - which would be a good thing considering that next week is May!
I guess I better tackle some of my Friday To Do's. Have a great day everyone. I love you all.
Hauke
Enjoying the lazy days of summer!