Happy Halloween!

Time for the holiday tradition from JuJu's Musings....

Okay, I'm thinking this young lady might have eaten her Halloween candy early this year.  And, is it just me, or is that the BIGGEST broom ever?  Oh, and frankly little girl, no, you don't look like a regular witch.  I see no signs of warts.

 Creepy.

Creepier.  Does this look like a KKK robe to anyone else?  And, what's with the very large animal in the background?  If these two came trick-or-treating at my door, I'd scream!

 Creepiest?  Lady looks like she's had a few pumpkin ales, and her date ain't much to look at.  (although, I do like her shoes)

And finally, every one's favorite party game, DUCKING for apples.  I'd like to see that one played out.  Happy Halloween!!

Jenifer Elizabeth Farrington

Well, she's Jenifer Elizabeth Farrington Mooney now.  But, back when we were young teens in Terre Haute, Indiana, she was Jenifer Elizabeth Farrington.  27 Letters, one more than the alphabet.  Any time I think of her or her name, that tag goes along with it.  I've thought about this smile for many a year now.

I moved to Terre Haute my sophomore year, and it was a very traumatic move for me.  But, Jenifer, along with some other great people (including her mother) helped me transition.  Jenifer became my best friend.  We lived right down the street from each other, and we did all the normal things 16 year old girls do.  As a matter of fact, I had my first drink with Jen.  (Tickle Pink in Mark Kruzan's van.  I believe Fleetwood Mac was even singing, "The Chain" at the time).  You all know I moved my senior year, and then it was college, life and the real world set in for both of us.

Well, last night, Jenifer came to town.  I haven't seen her in 18 years, right after our daughters were born within days of each other.  And, prior to that, it was probably another 10 years.  In all honesty, we really haven't "hung out" in close to 30 years.   She and her good friends came to Charleston, from Indianapolis,  for a long weekend of girl time.  Jen invited me to join them.

I was so nervous.  It felt like a blind date to me.  But, as soon as I saw her, that all went away, and all I could do was smile.  Of course, my smile is nothing like her mega watt thing.  She had that smile on her face when she came out of her mama!  I just wanted to look at her all night.  All the years slipped away, and it certainly didn't feel like so many years had passed.  Once again, she made me smile and laugh.

I promise it won't be another 20 years between visits Jenifer.  In fact, I think it will be just a mere two weeks?

My hope for everyone this weekend, is that they reach out to someone who they miss, or haven't seen for awhile.  It is SO worth it. 

Mid Week Mute

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

You know, I'm starting to see a trend when it comes to my Tuesdays.  

They're starting to suck on a consistent basis.

  Let me just show you a picture that sums up my day perfectly:

P.S.  Steven just got the car washed prior to this.

P.S.S.  The car wash fellas stole .75 from the car.

Sigh.

Beach Blanket Wedding (warning: photo intensive!!)

Man, I love a wedding.  And a beach wedding in October?  Even better.

Weddings have everything!

 

You might get a dog walking down the aisle.

All your friends are gathered together to celebrate a special day.

Everyone is dressed up in their Sunday finery.

Often times, the last time you were all dressed up was at the LAST wedding.

Or, maybe at a charity event.

There's always a cute girl wearing a cuter dress.

Followed by a beautiful woman wearing a beautiful dress.

Vows, tears, rings and kisses.

First moments of Mr. and Mrs.

This wedding even had Swedish twins.

Oh, and then comes the food.  This was seriously the best dip ever.  It may look like scrambled eggs, but it was artichoke yumminess.

And CAKE!

Creative little touches are everywhere.  

You're gonna get your standard boy picture.

And your gorgeous girl picture.

And we all want our picture with the bride (a fellow MANU FAN!)

And the groom.

Then, there's the party ship/boat that has been passed on to each wedding and baby shower.  (always being updated, as you can see)

And, the requisite photo WITH the bride and the boat.

It's a day of celebration, new beginnings, great times, great food, CAKE, some Irish dancing, some ship swapping, but most of all love.

Congrats to Karl and Denise!

Happy Friday Surprise Goodie

Steven bought this for me today:

Ohhhhhhhh, I'm such a lucky girl.  I'm sitting on the couch watching Dave perform in Brixton, England.  I'm not sure the crowd knows what to think of him and his antics. 

But, I'm loving watching Dave in a foreign land, and seeing the folks warm up to him, his music and his ways.

(Oh, and by the way, I get to see him perform HERE IN MY TOWN in 26 days!)

Mid Week Mute

Let's Walk Down Memory Lane

Music has always been a very big part of my life.  I can't remember a time when I wasn't singing.  My dad used to say how I would drive him crazy when I sang in the shower, because I "never finished a song." 

Today, as I sat at work, I turned on the 70's channel and heard a Carpenter's song, "Superstar."  Oh, I used to love this song.  I listened to the Carpenters for so many years.  I remember when I lived in Peoria, Illinois, that I heard, "Close to You" for the first time.  We must have had the album in our house, as I can recall it as I look at the picture today.

I listened to the "Now and Then" album and learned all sorts of oldies.  Of course, I thought they were Carpenter originals.  (Johnny Angel, Fun Fun Fun, etc)  I used to mimic how Karen Carpenter sang, and I have to give her some credit for teaching me phrasings and vibrato.  Of course, my voice is much higher than hers, but I do think trying to sing like her probably helped me extend my vocal range.

We sang, "Top of the World" at Russell Elementary School.  I always watched TV specials where she and Richard were performing.  I loved that she played the drums; how cool was THAT.  I still associate rainy Mondays with her soulful voice.

Hearing her sing today brought me back to so many songs of my youth.  I used to have one of those portable record players, and I would listen to 45's and albums. Remember stacking up the albums so they would play continuously?   On Sundays, I would listen to Casey Kasem's Top 40.  (Oh, how I loved the Long Distance Dedication!)  I listened to my mom's albums, (Judy Garland), my brother's albums (John Denver) and my dad's albums.  (Willie Nelson)  I loved all of them. 

We listen to a lot of music nowadays, but it's nothing like when I was a kid.  And, those songs meant so much to me.  I can still sing the lyrics from those songs.  Ask me a song from recently, and I have no CLUE what is being sung!  Is it that I can't hear the lyrics, or I'm not taking the time to listen?

I'll close with some of the songs that really moved me, and always take me back when I hear them.  If you are so inclined, please share some of yours!


Ambrosia:  How Much I Feel
Harry Chapin:  Cat's in the Cradle and the one where he's the taxi driver
Queen:  Bohemian Rhapsody
Willie Nelson:  Blue Eyes
 Supertramp:  We had the 8 track.  I love how they changed tracks mid song
Fiddler on the Roof Soundtrack:  Anetevka, Anetevka....overworked, underfed, Anetevka
John Denver, The Carpenter's:  Any and all albums

Barry Manilow:  Looks Like We Made It  ( slow danced to this with Steve Lanier in the 8th grade)
Elton John:  Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, the whole album
Stevie Wonder:  Songs in the Key of Life
Grease, Saturday Night Fever and Xanadu
Starland Vocal Band:  Afternoon Delight
Captain and Tenille:  Love will keep us together
Three Dog Night


Yeah, I think it's time for me to hit the shower and start singing.  And, maybe this time I'll finish the song?

Window Shopping

For years, Steven, Taylor and I have played a game when we go downtown.  We window shop and pick the outfit that suits us best.  Well, we would normally never shop at any of these stores, and probably never buy any of these clothes.  But, it's always been a fun game for us. (especially when Steven has to pick a dress!)

In the spirit of shopping, I thought you might like to play with me this time?  (My choices follow the original photo!)  I apologize for the glare in many of these pix, but some show some interesting things!!

Which glamorous dress would you choose to wear to that fancy cocktail party, darling?

 

And, if I were a fine hunk of a man, going before the court to try the biggest case of the year, which would be my power suit?

I have a fancy date, and want to make sure I dress to impress.  I wear which pair of shoes?

Always a bridesmaid, or always a bride?

You know, when I entertain in my fancy backyard, I like to amuse with my aprons.  My choice of these three is....

And finally, which one of these pairs of shoes, which I will never be able to afford, do I wear when accepting some type of super fantabulous award?

(those shoes are so HOTT!)

What are some of your choices?  I'm curious!!