Hi!

This is Diane. I went to graduate school with Allyson (and Tania, too). Allyson entered the program a couple of years after me and as you all know - once you've met her, you can't not love her! I am so fortunate to have her as a friend.

I still live in Tucson because I ended up meeting the love of my life here (also named Mike), so here I have stayed. I was never so happy as when Allyson decided to come back. As I know that will end once she and Bubba have settled, I've got to milk the time left for all it is worth! We've had the pleasure of meeting up with Bubba twice now when he's been in town and are so happy that two such nice people have found each other.

It sounds like all of us getting together somewhere to do something for her might be tricky even on the wedding weekend. I'm undergoing treatment for cancer right now, so I don't know whether I'll be able to travel - although I love to and might be able to swing it if the timing was right. One question I have about that is, if there is travel for Allyson involved, then there would be travel costs for her, no? Does she have plans to travel to Portland or any of the other locales (besides Tucson of course) that we could piggy-back on? If not, then I would be willing to pitch in for her travel if that was necessary.

I wonder if there's a way to have a "virtual" bachelorette party? I'm not the most creative of persons so I'm not sure how this would work. Maybe we could each pick an activity for her that we can arrange (or if it is in Tucson, I can arrange) or all pitch in on creating a day for her that she would enjoy? A little pampering, a little vino, some crafting, perhaps? I don't know...Or if she does have travel plans already to various places, then maybe we can create a multiple-city virtual bachelorette party?

Aside from a venue, a mosaic sounds wonderful, though - and I'm happy to contribute to any gift. I am sad to say that I don't have many pictures of us despite her years here. I'm sure this dates me, but I didn't get a digital camera until this year and haven't had a working camera for, well, a long time. I could probably come up with something, though! I am envious of you artists out there. I can't even draw a circle!

Thanks for setting up the blog, Pam. And it is great to e-meet the rest of you. I've heard lots of wonderful things about all of you.