Vintage Hairstyles

I have always had a passion for all things vintage.

I remember in high school, wishing I could wear poodle skirts

and saddle oxfords.

I was afraid of what people would say....

I tried to raise my children in a WEIRD way...

go against the norm.

"See yourself through God's eyes, not the world."

I love my girls and love their desire to please God.

I love that they accept my vintage style and also

find some things they try themselves.

I regret that I didn't step out from the norm when I was

younger.....I am so glad my girls do not have this fear.

Seeing how cute their hair is...makes me want to grow

mine out.....NAH!  I just like the short better....plus, I

get headaches too easily with long hair.

24 Years Ago Today.......

I was 19.

I was young and in love.

I didn't know what love really was.

I married my high school sweetheart.

I am pretty sure people didn't expect us to last this long.

I remember on my honeymoon, having

a mini-panic attack.

I was repeating to myself....I can just get

a divorce if it doesn't work out.

I made myself sick...literally.

I was sick for our entire honeymoon.

I survived.

We managed to graduate college.

We managed to raise three beautiful girls.

We managed to go against the cultural norm

of divorce.

We've managed to stay married.

I almost feel sorry for those who haven't experienced

a lengthy marriage.

I know I can honestly say, I am truly, madly

deeply in love with my "Carl".

No, our interests aren't the same....he has his

hobbies and I have mine.  We appreciate that

about each other.

It works for us.

We've grown up together....we've been with

each other longer than we were with

our own parents.

We are ready for next year...the big 25!

We are going to just hit the road and check

out some diners, dives and drives!!!

SQUEAL!!!!!

I love you Carl!!!  I really really do!!!

I would say I DO all over again!!!

Turkey Hunting.....

 Meet my 3 turkeys!

Regan, Carly and Sydni.

I probably took 15 pictures of this pose....this is the ONLY

picture where all three are somewhat looking in my direction!

 I gave up on open eyes......

 There were some turkeys who actually wanted their pictures taken.....

 This turkey is really hard to capture....she never stops talking.

She also does NOT like having her picture taken....I think

I proved she can take a good picture.

 This is our family portrait....yes, I am the glamour queen on the ground in

the front.  I had to set the timer on the camera and it was a very

very long run to reach the group....

that is as far as I made it before the camera CLICKED.

I was quite impressed I was even in the frame....

Mental Note:  Must. Exercise. More.

 My sister, Julie and her husband, Donald.

I really should put the picture before this...he was

really BITING her face....and that got the

laugh response!

 My mother and step-dad.

I just wanted to see what silly poses I could

get them to do....

It sure wasn't hard...they just jumped on

whatever I said to do.....

We laughed so hard, we might have

let out a little pee in our pants.

 Sister again with her daughter, Laura.

Three generations....almost.

My twin nieces, Cortney and Lindsay.

They are such sweet blessing to this family.

Not just a "gansta" pose.

Laura, on the left, is preggie with baby #1.

Brittany, on the right, is preggie with baby #4.

They are sisters-in-law.

The twin, Lindsay with her husband, Stuart and son, Tristan.

Like I've said before....please don't judge them by their

choice in clothing.  They are family and we will love them

even when they wear such despicable clothing.

My sister, Terri and her husband, Vern.

As you might remember, Terri is the

one I force beg to do the Christmas

parade thing with each year.

I wonder if he even realizes the cougar woman is about to attack....

 The other twin, Cortney and her special guy, Chris.

Such posers.

I must admit, 2010 was an awesome Thanksgiving holiday!

I had a wonderful time laughing, loving and sharing with the families.

Thanks guys for sharing with me!

Wheeee...Have You Seen the Original Beverly Hillbillies Car?

My daughter's college has a 3-story museum...and in this museum is

this sweet find!

Here is Sydni with a friend.
For some reason, she doesn't seem as excited as ME....

Just think....GRANNY sat in this car!!

I could have sat in the car too...they wanted $10.00 to do it and to take a picture...THEY take a picture and you BUY it....

Look! There is even a picture of the whole family....now I

feel 'special!!

What are the chances that a little ole college in the Ozarks would end up with this gem?

If you ever get to College of the Ozarks, stop by their museum and

look at this 3-story marvel.

This place has more stuffed animals than I think I've ever even seen live.

Update on the office/studio makeover.....still working on it....counter top should be in this week or next!!

Do They Ever REALLY Grow Up?

I think NOT!

Yep, every year for the past several years, this middle child of mine has had to celebrate her birthday along with 200 other children because her

birthday falls during Vacation Bible School week.

She has never let it bother her...and if it did bother her, she never let it show.

This year is different....

This year, she is all alone.....

This year, she will become a legal adult.....all alone.

This year, she will celebrate at work because she is an independent gal and is working to pay for her college.

This year, she won't even be close enough to get a birthday hug and kiss....

This year, her mom will miss her terribly and will stay awake until midnight just so she can be the first to send her a birthday text.

This year is bitter sweet....my once shy child is now all mature acting....

Well, at least that is what I HEAR from OTHER people.....

I love you Squidnee...thanks for giving of yourself all these years for the glory of God! I know you prefer twisted balloon animals instead of jewels in your crown....so, HERE YOU GO!! ;)

HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY!!!

Time to Spread Her Wings and SOAR.....

I know it seems like just a few weeks ago that we were celebrating Sydni's graduation....oh, wait.....we were! Now it is time for her to head off to college!

Yes, she only got a two week summer break.
She got her car loaded as much as a tiny itty bitty car could get loaded....

I was almost certain the doors would bust open on the road....

Her new luggage didn't even fit....had to ride in the back of the FARM TRUCK.

Yes, it was like the hillbillies heading to school....

I'm sure we did her proud.

Her bike is making the trip....

She gets to spend her first year at school with her car locked behind a fence Monday through Friday....ah, the joys of Freshman campus life.

She has very very important decisions to make....

.....such as WHICH DESSERT???

She isn't far from the farm life....these are the dairy cows

ON CAMPUS!

Time to check in and see what lovely room she gets....

See, isn't it lovely???

Her new roommate left her a very sweet note welcoming her to the room....

She gets to share a bathroom w/ 3 other girls.

This is the HIGH LIVING dorm....she only gets to enjoy this for the summer.

In the fall, she moves to the FRESHMAN dorm....COMMUNITY BATHROOMS for the entire FLOOR and much smaller rooms....YEEHAW!

Look really close....there she is waving GOODBYE!

Goodbye my sweet girl....spread those wings and soar!

Life as we knew it is now forever changed.....

I am going to go get my box of kleenex and some ice cream....I will be alright.

You? You will be just fine!

I LOVE YOU GIRLIE!!!

Love,

Mom

So...Exactly How Does a Homeschooler "Graduate"?

First, we start by finding a really pretty dress!

Then we borrow a cap and gown from a public school kid....we especially score big when that public schooled kid has an honor sash....

Hopefully, you realize I am just kidding....

The sash is for National Technical Honor Society.

We buy our own gowns and caps and tassels.

We are in a homeschool group and all the parents of seniors work an entire school year planning the graduation.

All seniors design a special display of their life for all the guests to "ohhh" and "ahhhh" over.

Sydni's has the pizza hat at hers because she has been employed in the pizza industry since she was fourteen.

There is a girl, Sprite, yes that is her name...so, she used SPRITE cans in her theme.

Here they all are looking pretty for their OFFICIAL picture as a class.

Then we take a goofy pictures wearing 2010 glasses....

The seniors made a banner for the reception area...

each grad had their own section to decorate as they chose.

Sydni likes PINK.

Reception table....for some reason, I didn't take pictures of the reception area.

Believe me when I tell you it looked spectacular!

Sydni gave the opening prayer.

Since this is a Christian homeschool group, we can do things like that....

A 5 picture slide show is shown of each graduate....here is Sydni's baby picture.

While the pictures are showing, Mom and Dad pre-recorded a love letter to their graduate. Yep, it is a true snot slinger!

Here is her Senior picture....my how time flies!

Another special moment is when Dad gets to hand the diploma to his daughter.

Sydni gave me a rose.....

We even had a great speaker, Joe McGee.

All in all, the ceremony lasts almost 2 hours for our 18 graduates.

Then we head home for the PARTY!!

My sister, Terri, is ready to TAKE CHARGE on the pink bike....MY PINK BIKE.

For some reason, she kept getting it confused with her NO BIKE.....yah, she has NO BIKE.

The manly men use a mother of all grills to cook up about 100+ hamburgers.....

We have a special cake made...well, this is really the 2nd special cake SINCE THE LADY GAVE OUR CAKE TO SOMEONE ELSE!!

Yah...seriously...so, she gave us a smaller cake to go with the big cake in hopes that it would smooth everything over.

It did not.....but it sure tasted good.

We got the yard decorated and prepped for the visitors....

We lit the fire pit....and made s'mores!

The kids played FREEZE TAG....yah, I loved it. We didn't have to wonder if they were sneaking off and drinking or doing things they weren't supposed to do....they just played a mean game of FREEZE TAG....LOL.

The adults and little bitties...enjoyed the FIRE PIT!

The night ended with a special dance for Sydni and Ryan...her fwiend. Did I mention he is her 'pecial fwiend?

Everyone was gone by 11:15 and we took some time to just go sit by the fire before retiring to bed.

We couldn't have been blessed with a more beautiful day and turnout....thank you to all who helped make Sydni's day very special indeed.