From Cezanne to Say WHAT?

I spent my weekend with some reaaalllll interesting folks. It all started off so gently and civil. We went to Columbia to view the art exhibit, "From Turner to Cezanne." We had a lovely evening with Larry, Mary and Baby Griffin and we felt very cultured as we compared the paintings. We saw this pretty lady:

Here comes the 180 degree turn. The following day, we met this fella:


(I bet Renoir never imagined this gentleman and his Lady in Blue would be mentioned in the same breath)

ANYWAY...We were invited to a fish fry with our friends Kristen and Grace. It was held at a rural sight outside Charleston. The hosts were very nice people and I truly appreciate their hospitality. The catfish was delicious.

HOWEVER, there were a few occurrences that left my mouth agape.

Upon our arrival, we were informed that a FIVE YEAR OLD BOY had killed a wild boar and it was going to be thrown on the grill. Now, I've been to plenty of pig pickings, but never got to hear the details of how the pig got there. (yes, I'm a city girl) As we walked into the party, we followed two men carrying the "boar" in a garbage bag. That's when I saw the trail of blood coming out of the bag. (Please picture my face as I saw this.) I also heard how the boar was trapped, shot in the eye and then when he still didn't die, he had to be stabbed. FROM THE FIVE YEAR OLD BOY. Here's his conquest:

I just don't "get" hunting. I probably never will. I'm not against it, I just don't get it.

So, I'm making conversation with folks and trying to appreciate and understand hunting, hunting dogs, etc. That's when I run into my new friend, "Shot." (Buckshot) Now, Shot is truly a good old Southern Boy. I couldn't understand most of what he said. (Steven likened him to Boomhower from "King of the Hill.") He had many interesting stories, and enjoyed sharing them. I was fine until he played a song on his cellphone with references to the Klan, sheets and burning crosses. I'm sure my face bore the same expression as when I watched the boar being brought into the party. Here's his picture with Steven. He didn't want to put his arm around Steven, so thus the pose:

People that know me understand that I am a bleeding heart liberal. So, for me to be faced with such blatant racism and bigotry was very disturbing. When I sat down to write this Blog, it wasn't my intent to criticize him, but more so to share a really awkward uncomfortable situation. Anyplace else, and I would have probably spoken up and against his ignorance. I don't think this was a place where I could have done that. I continued to speak to him, and basically walked away from it all feeling very sad. He's had a difficult life, and has done good by his family to the best of his ability. In another place or time, I would like to think I would have stood up for my beliefs. By not doing so, I feel like I wasn't true to myself; I let myself down by not speaking up. But the really sad part is that I don't think it would have made any difference.

So, while I'm smiling on the outside in this picture, there was turmoil on the inside. Luckily, the other two folks in this picture are the type of people I can "speak up" to and with. But, that's probably because they agree with me, and it's safe and easy.

World's Most Unflattering Picture

Let me walk you through this lovely photo. It was New Years Eve two years ago, and we were in the mountains with L/M and T/M. We decided it would be hat night. (thus the hats)


Please note the bag of Munchos in my hand. Steven looks like he has a Hitler mustache. Bathrobe, lack of makeup, big black feathery hat, silly grins. We are probably pruned from spending way too much time in the hot tub.


Voila! THIS is the result.

Ahhhhh, who cares. It was a great night!

Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens

These were some of Maria's favorite things in "The Sound of Music." Sure, I love whiskers, but they're not my favorites, especially when Mikki rubs those whiskers up my nose early in the morning. But, some of my favorites are......

Toothpaste: Close Up

Color: I'm in my "red period" right now.

Shoes: my flip flops. HANDS DOWN.

Name for a girl: Jayne. (must be spelled that way)

Name for a boy: Hank

Pre-game activity: listening to the whole crowd sing the National Anthem

Joke: "Why did the monkey fall out of the tree?" (answer at the end of blog)

Commercial: the one where the girl asks to borrow dad's car, and she appears to be a young girl, but when they pan back, she's really a teen. Then little brother comes out, dad asks where he's going and he says, "work."

Song at the end of a movie: "Home" by Michael Buble, at the end of Wedding Date. LOVE that movie.

Game Show: Price is Right (circa Bob Barker)

Current TV Show: Being Erica

Pitcher of all time: Greg Maddux

Nail Polish Color: Over Exposed on South Beach

Classic Album: Songs in the Key of Life, Stevie Wonder (that's today's choice, anyway)

Cooking Odor: butter, onions and garlic all cooking on the stove

Summertime food: fresh home grown tomatoes, loads of salt and pepper. YUM.

Hairdo: pigtails. Any age. Any sex.

Day of the week: Thursday

Musical: Les Miserables (I cry every time)

Soap: Lever 2000

Flower: Tulip

Farm Animal: Pigs

Men's cologne: Brut 33. NO FAIR LAUGHING.

New Habit: BLOGGING! I love having an avenue to express myself. But, the best part is reading other people's blogs and learning so much about the way other people live. What an absolute treat!

OH! The punchline: Because he was dead!

Thursday Night Self Esteem Check

My boss's second oldest child is getting married this weekend. My boss and I have worked together for a LONG time and I'm happy to attend and support and celebrate! Steven is taking pictures at the rehearsal and the wedding brunch, so we'll be around a lot of people over the next few days.

I do enjoy weddings, and it doesn't matter how many people I know. (One of my favorite weddings of all time was the one where the only person I knew was the bride.) So, I'm not overwhelmed by the fact that we don't know many folks attending. I'm not worried about making conversation with strangers. I don't even mind that I'll probably be alone for most of the festivities.

What I DO mind is the fact that I tried on three or four dresses and now I'm suffering from a severe self esteem setback. First of all, my mirrors are the meanest things on the planet. Surely, things don't look THAT scary?

See this color block (or lack, thereof) in the left hand corner? That is the color of my skin, only not as pretty. I am so pale. Oh, I do still have the remnants of an early spring sunburn/farmer's tan, that should look pretty awesome with my sleeveless dresses.

Everything I tried on looked like this:

Oh, and I got my hair cut yesterday. I'm known for changing my hair frequently, and my motto has always been, "the funkier, the better." But, I had an epiphany when I looked at myself in the mirror this morning: I have Adam Lambert's hair now. (only mine is multi-colored, and on a much older body)

So, if you need a good chuckle this weekend, please picture my very white skinned body strutting into the wedding wearing Homer Simpson's muu-muu with my Adam Lambert hairdo.

Sigh...

Prom 2009

This has been an extremely hectic couple of weeks. When I went to prom, there wasn't as much that went into it all. Things sure have changed. Taylor and Justin have been planning forever. (or, so it seems anyway) I think we all got caught up in the madness of it all. I know it seemed like all of last week was one giant "lead up" to the big night.

When the day finally arrived, it seemed that it flew by. First off, it was hair, then car exchanges, then getting ready, then dinner, then pictures, then prom. After we met on Daniel Island for the kids to take pictures, we went home and collapsed. It was then that I reviewed Steven's pictures. And, even though I had seen Taylor with my own two eyes, I was overwhelmed at how absolutely beautiful she looked. So, Taylor, if you read this, please know how very proud I am of you. You looked so pretty in your dress. And, I loved your hair and shoes. Justin, you looked very handsome, even when your hair blew out of place with the wind. Julie and Kyle looked beautiful as well.

So, now it's all over and behind us. No more proms. Next stop: GRADUATION.

Saturday Night Blogging

Just a little survey I stole from Facebook: (not feeling very creative tonight, I'm needing direction. PROM pics coming tomorrow, I promise!)

Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed? We don't have closet doors in our bedroom, it's wide open!

Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel? Always. I love those little things.

Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out? In. Then, as the night wears on, they become untucked.

Have you ever stolen a street sign before? Nope

Do you like to use post-it notes?Yes, my favorite size are the little ones.

Do you cut out coupons but then never use them? Never use them.

Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?I think I'd have a better chance at surviving the bee attack?

Do you have freckles? No

Do you always smile for pictures?I always make the dumbest faces.

What is your biggest pet peeve? Prejudice

Do you ever count your steps when you walk? Yes! (especially going up stairs)

Have you ever peed in the woods? Yes

What about pooped in the woods? Heck no.

Do you ever dance even if theres no music playing? Oh yeah.

Do you chew your pens and pencils? No

How many people have you slept with this week? One

What size is your bed? KING. LOVE my bed.

What is your Song of the week?This week it's "Bonkers" by Dizzee Rascal

Is it okay for guys to wear pink? Absolutely

Do you still watch cartoons? Yep. I love them.

Whats your least favorite movie? Hm. Dumb and Dumber?

Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some? Why would I share that??

What do you drink with dinner? Water or unsweet tea.

What do you dip a chicken nugget in? Usually honey mustard, but if at Chick FilA, their Polynesian sauce.

What is your favorite food? Pasta

What movies could you watch over and over and still love?Steel Magnolias, 16 Candles, Shawshank, Forrest Gump

Last person you kissed/kissed you? Steven

Were you ever a boy/girl scout? Girl Scout!!

Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine? Nah, but I don't have a problem with it.

When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper? Surprisingly, within the past week!

Can you change the oil on a car? No

Ever gotten a speeding ticket? Just a warning. (knock on wood!)

Ran out of gas? no

Favorite kind of sandwich? Tuna with onion and mayo. YUM!

Best thing to eat for breakfast? Bacon and Eggs. Hands down!

What is your usual bedtime? Sleep time? 10

Are you lazy? With a capital L

When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?a Gypsy

What is your Chinese astrological sign? No idea?

How many languages can you speak? one

Do you have any magazine subscriptions?Not anymore, used to get Sports Illustrated for years!

Which are better legos or lincoln logs? Legos!

Are you stubborn? not really. (I think someone will argue with this...)

Who is better...Leno or Letterman? Letterman

Ever watch soap operas? Yep, AMC and OLTL

Afraid of heights? Yes

Sing in the car? Yes

Dance in the shower? No

Dance in the car? nah

Ever used a gun? No

Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer? Family portrait when Taylor was a baby.

Do you think musicals are cheesy? I love them! I'm a hopeless romantic!

Is Christmas stressful? Yes

Ever eat a pierogi? Nope

Favorite type of fruit pie? Hm. Apple?

Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid? Singer, or anything else famous.

Do you believe in ghosts? yes

Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?yes

Take a vitamin daily? no

Wear slippers? NO

Wear a bath robe? only in the mountains

What do you wear to bed?j Boxers and a tshirt

First concert? Pure Prairie League and the Flying Burrito Brothers

Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart? Target

Nike or Adidas? Nike

Cheetos Or Fritos? Cheetos! (crunchy)

Peanuts or Sunflower seeds? Can I have almonds?

Ever hear of the group Tres Bien? NO?

Ever take dance lessons? Shag lessons at church one summer?

Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing? This is such a loaded question.

Can you curl your tongue? no

Ever won a spelling bee? Yes!!

Have you ever cried because you were so happy? Yes, many times.

Own any record albums? yes

Own a record player? not anymore

Regularly burn incense? no

Ever been in love? yes

Who would you like to see in concert? That I haven't seen- Bruce Springsteen, Sting

What was the last concert you saw? DMB

Hot tea or cold tea? Iced tea

Sugar or snickerdoodles? Sugar

Can you swim well? yes

Can you hold your breath without holding your nose? yes

Are you patient? Ha!

DJ or band, at a wedding? I always prefer live music.

Ever won a contest? I don't think so?

Ever have plastic surgery? No

Which are better black or green olives? black

Can you knit or crochet? no

Best room for a fireplace?l Bedroom

Do you want to get married? Yes

Who was your HS crush? Pete Grimes.

Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way? Not anymore.

Do you have kids? One of each!

Whats your favorite color? I'm going through a red phase right now.

Do you miss anyone right now? Always

Did you watch, Next Great American Band on FOX? no

1980 and 1981 Prom Memories

Do you remember this little flower here on the right? Baby's Breath. Or, the bouquet filler. Back in my day, EVERYONE wore it in their hair. OH, we were sooooooooooo creative.

With all of Taylor's prom preparations this week, I've found myself reliving a few of my memories of prom. It's been quite a few years now, and many of my memories have faded. I do remember quite a few things though, and before I forget any more of them, I figured I'd share them! Of course, as with anything and any of my stories that are 25 years old, I tend to embellish. That being said...

During my junior year, I was "slated" to go to prom with Pete Grimes. (remember this name, there will be another blog about him at some point) Pete was a senior, so I had to ask him. A week prior, we had a misunderstanding, and I took back the invite. (BIG MISTAKE FOLKS) So, there I was a week before prom with no date. I ended up going with Joey Armstrong. (how great is that name?) We went "as friends" as he was dating another girl at the time, but she was not allowed to go to prom. (her name was Eva Carson, she was the baton twirler at our school)

I wore a very boring white Gunne Sax dress. I had baby's breath in my hair. My hair was ONE color. (gasp!) I looked like a big bowl of vanilla ice cream. BLAND.

At dinner, I walked up to the salad bar with my date, tripped and fell right into the retractable plates. Embarrassment number 1. I wore shoes similar to this (complete with the white color) and couldn't walk to save my life. How do you think I did dancing?

Prom was fun, my best friend was on the court. SHE looked pretty that night. I honestly don't remember if I danced, but I had no disappointments at the actual prom. Joey was a fun date, NO pressure at all. I remember feeling close to my friends that night.

After prom was awful. Just awful. A-W-F-U-L. All I could think about was how much better it all would have been had I gone with Pete Grimes. Enough of that year.

SENIOR PROM! I moved my senior year, and thus, didn't know that many folks. Again, I asked my date to the prom. Catch a load of his name: Robert Rupert. Robert and I had gone to elementary school together and both moved to St. Louis our senior year. So, we hung out together more by necessity, than desire. I wore THE most hideous dress. I am 5'4 and somehow I thought THIS would look good on me? ( NOTE: this is not me, but another poor soul on the Internet with a similar dress)

My date was 2 hours late picking me up. (he locked his keys in the trunk of his car, and apparently never passed a phone on the way to pick me up) There are no photos of the two of us together, as my dad was so angry, he had to stay upstairs when he did finally arrive.

He gave me a corsage of white carnations. Thanks for all the thought you put into that one dude.

Again, I had BB in my hair.

Again, it was BROWN.

We were so late, that our dinner was cold.

Robert Rupert was the same height as me, and because I had a hoop dress on, it was impossible to dance.

The prom queen wore the same dress as me, but she was 5'9 and GORGEOUS. (and tan)

I wore overalls after the prom.

And still had the BB in my hair.

I guess these memories are why I worry for Taylor and her prom. I'm sure I'm living vicariously through her. I know one thing, I'm not letting anyone go NEAR her with baby's breath.

Last Quiet Sunday (for awhile anyway)

(NOTE: In preparation for Prom 2009, I share with you, pictures of Prom 2008)

I realized that today may be the last quiet Sunday I have for quite awhile. You see, my daughter is a senior in high school. She started the year as a junior, but quickly realized she was ready to get OUT of high school, so she changed her schedule and took on some extra classes in order to do so. So, voila! Here we are just a month from graduation.

Next weekend is the prom. Any of you that have daughters know the amount of preparations that go into this event. (Granted, boys also have to get ready, but girls are something ELSE.) You have to worry about the dress, the shoes, the flowers, the hair, the dinner, the after-party plans, more worries about the hair, different worries about the hair, etc.... (did I mention the hair?)

Yet, it's all worth it when they spitshine and get cleaned up so purty. Last year, Taylor and Justin went to the prom "as friends." They decided one week prior to the prom, that they would attend. As we started taking pictures, they wouldn't even stand close to each other. Luckily, Justin's mom stepped in and posed them, otherwise, we wouldn't have any of them in the same frame, much less "touching."

The more things change, the more they stay the same. ..So, here we are in 2009, and Justin and Taylor are going to the prom together, again. Only, now, they're dating. Or going together. No wait, it's "going out." (I can't keep up with the lingo) Justin has become part of our world and part of our family in the last year. I feel like I have TWO kids going to the prom this year. They have been planning for MUCH longer this go 'round. Instead of going out to dinner, the guys are cooking for the gals. They picked out Justin's tux together. They've discussed shoes, hair, flowers, etc! And, both T and J are wearing shoes they can wear again after prom. (Vans) Such practical children?

I love these two and hope they have a great prom and time leading up to graduation. I hope you'll be able to indulge me a few stories (and a lot of tears!) over the coming month. Mama's so proud.

And, I don't think we'll have any problems getting them to stand together in this year's pictures.