And so we find ourselves in finals week.  My version of finals week is fairly different than most people here on campus.  I get to spend most of this week worrying about our big graduation party going off without a hitch at the end of this week.  So while most people around here keep mumbling about exams and studying and grading and such, I mumble about caterers and venues and tickets and speakers.  Allow me to back up a bit.

Every spring, our graduation ceremony is held at 1pm on a saturday.  In order to help out our graduating seniors who are all packed up to move out, and to help their family and friends make it through a 2-3 hour ceremony, we provide a little catered lunch for everyone before graduation - just light snacks and finger sandwiches.  Well, in the past we usually started planning for around 200 people, but this year, I have 300 coming, and there's still the rest of finals week left to let me know!  Also, my boss decided to use the on-campus catering, rather that the company we've always used in the past.  Also, the Dean will be speaking to the group this year, so I need to coordinate his schedule and requirements.  Finally, all of the brick on the outside of our building started falling off this winter, and so our building is being propped up with jacks and 4 x 4's.  Needless to say, we didn't feel comfortable inviting everyone to a party here, so it's going to be in another building on campus.  So - new caterer, new speaker, new venue, and now more people.  It's all making me a bit nervous, to tell you the truth. 

And now, to top things off, my boss has lost her keys.  Not just her work keys, either.  She kept her school and her personal keys together (something I learned not to do my first week here!).  There seems to be no sign of them, but I've turned my desk upside down already looking. ;)

On a happier note, It's bright and sunny and warm out today.  Jason and I spent the weekend cleaning up in the backyard.  Jason finally got the last of the old leaves removed from the beds in the backyard, and got the lawn mowed.  I got the back porch cleared off, the dining set all cleaned up, and I spent a good amount of time removing ivy from one of the old elm trees in the backyard.  A particularly nasty (for other reasons) neighbor planted ivy on her side of the fence before she moved, and now it's invading my back yard and trying to strangle one of my trees!  I fought the good fight, though, and got every last leaf removed from the tree!  Hooray!  Hopefully I'll get a chance to plant the vegetable garden this weekend.  I had planned to do it last weekend, but after the yard cleanup, we were too tired.

Ah well, another work week to rest up, eh?  Finals week - the sweet smell of panic. ;)