MarytheKaytheBlog

Friday Flashback: Old Pictures Make Me Sentimental

Today, because I am still hacking up a lung, and because not much exciting happens when you spend an entire week in a sick chair (other than finding a NEW SHOW to watch on Netflix...Scandal!!!), I thought it would be fun to post some old pictures.  

Pay attention...some of you older friends might even see yourselves today!

 

Let's start things off with a bang, shall we?

Oh my.  Is this not the CUTEST Kindergarten class you've EVER seen?  Looking back, I think it is amazing that I continued growing up and going to school with every single person in this picture.  Well, except for sweet Dana Blume, who moved away shortly after this picture.  Can you guess which one is Dana?  I always thought she was SO PRETTY...and I was always jealous of the beauty pageant crowns on her bookshelf.

Can you tell which one is me?  Look for the long-haired version of my Sara Beth...front row, long dress with the white shoes.

Also, one of my BEST FRIENDS through ALL of my growing up years...is Matthew.  Yeah, he's the lady-killer in the Fonzie shirt.  All the girls thought he was SO cool with that shirt, and we'd always get him to act like Fonzie.  I giggle to think...he enjoyed that attention just as much as we enjoyed giving it to him.

And, Mrs. Braswell our teacher?  She was everything you could ever want a Kindergarten teacher to be.  Soft-spoken, loving and kind, creative, and FUN.  

Okay, I'll stop talking about Kindergarten now.  As you can tell, it was a good year for me.  *grin*

 

This next picture is in honor of my little hometown, where they GOT OUT OF SCHOOL this week for SNOW!!!!!  Hooray!!!  Well, not exactly snow.... maybe just the tiniest bit of sleet.  My big sis described it as 1/100th of an inch.  

Oh boy, can I remember the days when we PRAYED for snow...we keep our noses glued to the windows, just BEGGING the snow to come down...  A snow day in my hometown was like a very happy national holiday.  

Needless to say, it did not snow often.

With those dresses and white tights, I suspect this was a Sunday.  I'm sure we couldn't WAIT to get home to sled, make snowmen, and throw snow at each other all afternoon long...or until that sad bit of snow melted.

 

This next picture is in honor of Sara Beth, who JUST THIS WEEK asked me, 

"Mom, what is a station wagon?"

I didn't find that very easy to answer...  Except to say--"It's what our family ALWAYS drove.  The Buick Electra Wagon.  Usually in baby blue."

Is this one a Buick?  I don't really remember this one...I was probably 3 in this picture.

 

My mom doesn't always like when I post pictures of her...But, I've always thought how beautiful she is in this one!  Doesn't she look just like Jackie O?

 

Okay, any Campfire Girls out there?  Did you have this Camp Fire Song Book?  This is the little navy blue song book we always took to Campfire Day Camp at Camp Wotapi.  (Does Camp Wotapi still exist?)  Ah, and Miss Shuff, still leading all her Campfire girls in her 50s and 60s, wearing summery sleeveless camp shirts and knee-length shorts and bright red lipstick, drawn just bigger than her actual lips.  She had the loveliest gravely cigarette-voice Southern drawl.  

Just seeing this book makes me think of the song, "Kookaburra."

Koo-ka-burra sits on an old gum tree...Merry, merry king of the bush is he, Laugh koo-ka-burra, laugh koo-ka-burra, Gay your life must be.  (are you singing along with me??)

 

Ah, and this next picture is in honor of one of my BEST FRIENDS all the way through junior high, high school, and college!!  We actually met on the very first day of 7th grade.  Here we are in our flag corps uniforms. (It was a little windy that day.)  Miss you, Stay-Jack!!!

 

This next (and last) one wasn't that many years ago.  This picture just makes me SMILE...because we were trying so hard to snap a decent family Christmas picture.  We were in FREEZING South Dakota, and my sweet wittle bald baby did not want to smile...  Oh, how I want to rub that little bald head and pinch those wittle cheeks!  (NO!  I am NOT talking about Dave!!!!)  And my darling little blond girl, always grinning and enjoying the fun adventures...

Okay, I'll step off Sentimental Lane now...  Thanks ever so much for indulging me!!

Happy weekend, sweet friends.  If ya need me, I'll be right where I've been all week...sitting in my pitiful sick chair.  

Anybody have more exciting weekend plans than that?

Christmas Memories and Crazy Gifts: Guest Post

I thought it would be fun this week between Christmas and New Year's to do something different.  I have asked a couple of my friends and family members to write a guest post about something holiday-related.  

Today, please welcome my dear friend Carissa, as she recalls some crazy gifts, and time with family at Christmas in Indiana.

Christmas to me equals family. And for years we spent Christmas with our extended family in Indiana.

I grew up with my Uncle Rich, my Aunt Andy and my cousin Jeff.

We were all a part of each other, my family and theirs, for as long as i can remember.  A big roaming, loving, laughing unit of 7.  We traveled together, we gathered together, we ate together, we played together, we swam together, we gambled together, we road tripped together, and we christmas-ed together.

I relish memories of my time with them through the years.

And I especially relish memories of my Aunt Andy and her crazy Christmas gifts.

I certainly can't remember the gifts exactly.  (Well, there was that red boa, and the Lilly family sweatshirts, and the crazy pajamas....those I remember.)

But what I mainly remember was the anticipation.  The anticipation of opening the Aunt Andy gift.  Because just like Aunt Andy herself, you knew the gift would be feisty and full of life, sassy and a little unrealistic, but CHOCK FULL of spunk and BRIMMING OVER with personality.  You'd have no idea what do with the gift after you'd opened it, but you wouldn't be able to wipe the happy smile off your face as it sat in your lap.

My Aunt Andy passed away about 5 years ago.  And life without her in our family has not been the same since.

I miss her smile, I miss her laugh, I miss her gifts, and I miss her bravado.

When I think of crazy christmas gifts, I think of Aunt Andy.

And I wish so much there would be one sitting under the tree this year.

Let's Go Retro...Linky Dinks

Well, hello, ye lads and lasses!  I don't know about you...but I am kind of tired of all the poe-litical talk.  Instead of delivering a very scholarly discussion on the Electoral College and its diminutive algorithmic homonyms, I thought we could have a little FUN today.  (Not that algorithmic homonyms aren't fun, mind you!)

But, let's take a break from our divided country, and chat about things we ALL can agree on!  

Let's chat about The Good Ole' Days!!!  Now, I understand that for some of you, those days may be not quite so far back...  But today--we're talking about the 1970s and 1980s, baby!!!   Come on!  Join me in the FUN!

 

Oh, NOTHING takes me back to my childhood like this.  My sister and I played with this for hours and hours on end.  Sometimes, my big brother would even join in the fun...as King Kong, that is!   Or, when he wanted  to mix things up...Godzilla.

 

When my daughters were younger, I bought them books on tapes and cds because of this little 1960s and 1970s toy--the GE Show 'N Tell Record Player.  I spent hours and hours listening to stories like The Three Bears, Jungle Book, and Robin Hood.

(Click here if you can't view the video below)

 

Speaking of watching things...how many of you looked forward to watching filmstrips in your elementary school library?  I just loved it when Mrs. Reynolds picked me to TURN THE KNOB on the projector.  Remember that?  

(click here if you cannot view the video below)

 

 

These companies sure had GREAT jingles...because (cough cough) 30ish years later I still remember their quirky little tunes.  Do you remember any of them?

Come on!  Sing along!!!

Monchichi

Coke makes ME smile!

Does your bologna have a name?

Who wouldn't want cereal that was magically delicious?

My favorite part is the You think you're really Mr. Groovy part

 

*Sigh*  I'll never forget my 13th birthday--the day I got my OWN phone!  It was aptly named the "Princess" phone.  Just recently I asked my sister if she remembered our "Children's Line" phone number.  I am proud to say that I still remember it--862-5802.  Oh yeah.  Wonder whose number it is now? (Oh, and by the way--it was a BAD IDEA to list our number as "Children's Line" in the phone book.  There are some icky perverts in the world...)

 

 

Okay, enough walking down the misty-eyed memory lane...  But, before I go...Lookie what I found on Pinterest under "Retro"

Source: google.com via Tish on Pinterest

 

Hmm...that sure looks familiar...I think I remember seeing that lovely RETRO fashion on a cool RETRO DUDE...

Smile, honey!  You're the STAR of today's RETRO post!!!!!  Everybody say "Hey, dude!" to this handsome, and 1980s fashionable, fella!

Want to spend a little more time in Retro Land?  Check out my Good Ole' Days Pinterest board!!

Now, go ye forth and enjoy your weekend!  See ya back here on Monday!!

What cool retro stuff do you remember?

Memories of the Hidden Halloween Candy

Seeing all of the glorious aisles and aisles of candy, set up for Halloween, just makes me smile.

Oh, not just that I have a little (big) sweet tooth.  (And we all know I do.  Unfortunately.)

But, I smile because I'm reminded of my childhood...and my mom's secret stash of Halloween candy--purchased every year, just as soon as the candy displays were put out.

You have to understand--we didn't have much candy around our house.  It's not that candy was forbidden; my mom just bought mostly healthy food.  Junk food was usually reserved for gas station purchases on long car trips.  Oh yeah, and for Halloween.

This memory of the hidden stash of Halloween candy always makes me smile, because it was a house secret--that my brother, sister, and I all shared.  We put aside the bickering when Halloween rolled around.  Siblings have to stick together when there's secret candy involved.  We'd conspire after school--just in time for a little afternoon snack:  One of us would watch the door, while the other two would climb up, barefoot, onto the counter, to reach the very top shelf of the very top cupboard.

Ah, and when we'd find the stash, we'd find a treasure trove of candy bags.  And my mom didn't scrimp on Halloween candy.  She bought the good stuff.  The Mars snack size candy bars, the Hersheys mini bites (we always left the Special Darks behind), and the Brachs' candy corn.  Always Brachs for the candy corn.

We thought we were SO SNEAKY, making a small hole in the plastic candy packages, and only pulling out a couple of pieces every day.  As Halloween got closer, we'd start getting a little concerned about getting busted.  I mean--it was OBVIOUS the candy bags were pitifully smaller.

But, wouldn't you  know it--just like magic--that stash was always replenished the day before Halloween.  And, oh boy, did we ever think we'd hit the jackpot then!

Nobody got in trouble, and MORE CANDY!!!

Nothing was ever mentioned between kids and parents about the candy stash.  Sure does make me wonder now if the kids weren't the ONLY ONES doing the pilfering...

Growing up, what did you conspire with your brother or sister?

Photo credit

Senior Prom Memories...Twenty (something) years ago!

Has your town had Senior Prom yet?  Ours is this coming weekend, but we've been seeing girls in pretty satin dresses, and uncomfortable-looking guys in tuxedos around town for a couple of weeks. 

Just this past weekend, on my girls' night out, we ran into a Prom couple--all decked out--and walking into a MOVIE.  Thankfully, I was with my friend Janna, who is not shy about talking to strangers, and she asked them if they'd just been to Prom.  The young couple grinned, and the fellow with the royal blue bowtie puffed up his chest, grinned a cheesy grin, and said, "Yeah, and I PROPOSED to her tonight!" 

My friends and I all looked in amazement at this young couple, this baby couple, who surely didn't seem old enough to be walking into that movie with the uncomfortably long you-know-what kind of scene...much less old enough to be going to the late movie after a Senior Prom!!  But, here they were, grinning and holding hands like young little love birds.  We asked the girl if she said "yes"--to which, she said, "Of course!" and patted her little rounded belly, "I'm due in October!"

All righty, then.  Prom is a little different these days, I guess.

But, back in the glorious 1980s, when I went to Prom, NO ONE was ever pregnant at Prom.  Or, maybe I was just naive.  Okay, probably so. 

But, seeing all the girls in their pretty Prom dresses, always just takes me back.  In honor of all the Prom nostalgia,  I thought I'd share my own Prom pictures.  But first--guess who STILL has her Prom dresses???  Oh, yes I do!!! 

Before I show you the truly retro 80's Prom pictures, I thought it would be fun to have a photo session with my girls.  When I asked if they wanted to try on my Prom dresses, they ran to my bedroom closet before I could even finish the sentence.

I bet their daddy will not like these pictures.  (Sorry, honey!)  I am sure these pictures will conjure up for him visions of shotguns and large redneck men threatening skinny adam's apple boys...already terrified of some certain girls' crazy-eyed daddy.

I hate to say it...but I think my husband will rather enjoy terrifying interested boys ringing our doorbell.  But, I guess daddies do need things to look forward to, don't they?

So, here are our precious darlings that caused their daddy to tell me way back when I was first pregnant with them...  "I sure hope I don't have to go to prison some day because of some boy."

First, I would like to introduce you to Sara Beth, who is modeling her mama's Junior Prom dress of a pastel pink moire taffeta.  This Mrs. Hanry couture dress has a sweetheart neckline with spaghetti straps, with a dropped waist cascading into a 2-tiered ruffled tea-length skirt.  The outstanding feature of the dress is the over-sized bow on the back of the dress that Mrs. Hanry herself designed.  This dress is a classic example of the preppy year 1987.

 

Our next model is Rebecca.  Rebecca is modeling a Senior Prom dress of black satin with a black lace overlay, fabrics specially selected from Hancock Fabrics for this very occasion.  This dress is also a Mrs. Hanry couture, featuring a strapless sweetheart neckline of the shiny black satin.  The fitted bodice gathers gently at the waist to fall into a full tea-length skirt with a lace overlay.  This dress also features the dramatic over-sized bow, once again a Mrs. Hanry original design. 

 
 

 
 And without further ado, I present to you...1987, in all of its glory!!!  Please welcome MarytheKay and her dear friend Stacey!  MarytheKay and Stacey met on the first day of junior high, and were the best of friends all the way through high school.  How fitting that we have prom pictures together.  *smile*  (I miss you, StayJack!!!)
Okay, do you see the pink high tops?  Yes, I was very proud of those shoes. Actually...I wore pink dyeable heels (of course), and took the high tops to change into.  Oh yeah--tha's a dancing girl you see there!!!  I am very sad to say that I can't find my Junior Prom picture with my date.  Junior Prom was actually my FAVORITE dance...with none other than John David.  (Little shout out to John David! I'd better shout loudly...I'm pretty sure he doesn't read this blog!)

 

Drum roll for the Senior Prom, folks...  Please help me usher in 1988, in all of its glory...

Sadly, no high tops for this dance.  I am sure you're not looking at my shoes, though.   You're looking at my hair--wondering how in the heck did I get it so tall?  I hate to confess...that is natural cowlick height, baby.  There is a little White Rain to smooth it, but that cowlick is doing all the manual labor.

(My fire engine red fingernails make me giggle a little.  Va Va Va VOOM.  Those nails remind me of my very first professional manicure, earlier that day.  Miss Sheila was so kind to me that morning.) 

Oh!  Forgive me for being so rude!  I would like to introduce you to John David.  By the time Senior Prom rolled around, John David was already an important college boy.  We went to this dance as just friends (note the yellow roses - for friendship).  The fact that he still drove down for the dance, and kept his promise to take me to Senior Prom meant a lot to me, and surely exemplified his integrity.  Now, the fact that he kept looking at his watch all evening did not mean so much...  (Oh, you know you did!!)  But, a girl can't have it all, now can she?

Before I close, I'd like to say that these Prom dances for me were wonderfully and innocently fun.  I know there is a lot of talk these days (and on t.v. shows) about the heightened pressures of Prom night.  That was not my experience at all.  My experience was all about dancing and laughing the night away with a group of good friends.  My prayer for our daughters is that they will be able to have the same innocent and memory-making kind of fun someday.

And, of course, if their dates have anything different in mind...they can consult the scary man in the back seat holding the shotgun.

(*Much of this content is re-posted from last year.)

Friday Fun...Long Lost Television Shows

This week, I wrote about how excited I am about the upcoming Fall TV premieres.  In honor of all the fresh TV coming soon, I thought it would be fun to take a walk down television memory lane.    *cue the sentimental music, Napoleon*

Here are some of the shows I used to love watching.  Do you recognize them all?

(Hint:  Hold the mouse over the picture for the answer)  But see if you can name it first!

 

 This may be my ALL-TIME favorite show.  If you didn't love this show...well, then we probably cannot be friends.  Dave and I wanted our daughters to love this show as much as we did, so we bought all 9 seasons!
 

 Ah.  I used to drive over to my future sister-in-law's apartment to watch this.  Sometimes she'd even cook for me!  Mmm, chicken and dumplings.  Was it on Thursday nights? 

 

 Oh my word.  My husband and I found this series, and rented the discs from Blockbuster.  I can remember many LATE nights...because we kept wanting to watch just one more...

 

My sister and I must have watched this after it was syndicated...We watched it in the afternoons after school.  Uh, no WONDER it was funny--look who the stars are!  Did anyone else watch this?

 

 My college roommate and I watched this show faithfully.  (Hi, Roomie!)  We would exercise during the commercials, cause we were athletic kind of girls.  Or not. 
 

 How about another medical drama?  Uhm, and is that Denzel Washington and Mark Harmon?  Who knew?  Anybody remember Howie Mandel blowing up rubber gloves on his face?

 

Childhood memories...  Quick!  Name the man on the right...  Hint: He's wearing green...
 

This one's a tougie!  Anybody remember it?  I LIVED for the scenes when they'd show those magic rocks.  I was mesmerized by the magic rocks... 
 

One of my all-time favorite shows.  These early ones were my favorites, too. 
 

 

"What you talkin' 'bout, Willis?" 

 

I will be really impressed if many of you remember this show about twin sisters.   I loved it, though!

 

My brother, sister, and I ALL loved this show!!  Double points if you can NAME the characters!  "Hey, hey, hey!"
 
I also REALLY LOVED this show.  It made me want my dad to call me "Kitten."  I always thought that was the sweetest thing!

 

Okay, okay, I could go on all day long.  This has been FUN remembering all these old shows! 

HOW MANY did you know?

What were some of YOUR FAVORITE t.v. shows? 
 

Throwback Thursday--It's 80's Prom, Baby!

 I don't know if your town has had Prom yet, but ours did a couple of weeks ago.  It's been so much fun looking at all the pretty Prom pictures online!  I have to say--it made me a little nostalgic...

So, in honor of that nostalgia, I thought I'd share my Prom pictures.  But first--guess who STILL has her Prom dresses???  Oh, yes I do!!! 

Before I show you the truly retro 80's Prom pictures, I thought it would be fun to have a photo session with my girls.  When I asked if they wanted to try on my Prom dresses, they ran to my bedroom closet before I could even finish the sentence.

I bet their daddy will not like these pictures.  (Sorry, honey!)  I am sure these pictures will conjure up for him visions of shotguns and large redneck men threatening skinny adam's apple boys...already terrified of some certain girls' crazy-eyed daddy.

I hate to say it...but I think my husband will rather enjoy terrifying interested boys ringing our doorbell.  But, I guess daddies do need things to look forward to, don't they?

So, here are our precious darlings that caused their daddy to tell me way back when I was first pregnant with them...  "I sure hope I don't have to go to prison some day because of some boy."

First, I would like to introduce you to Sara Beth, who is modeling her mama's Junior Prom dress of a pastel pink moire taffeta.  This Mrs. Hanry couture dress has a sweetheart neckline with spaghetti straps, with a dropped waist cascading into a 2-tiered ruffled tea-length skirt.  The outstanding feature of the dress is the over-sized bow on the back of the dress that Mrs. Hanry herself designed.  This dress is a classic example of the preppy year 1987.

 
 

Our next model is Rebecca.  Rebecca is modeling a Senior Prom dress of black satin with a black lace overlay, fabrics specially selected from Hancock Fabrics for this very occasion.  This dress is also a Mrs. Hanry couture, featuring a strapless sweetheart neckline of the shiny black satin.  The fitted bodice gathers gently at the waist to fall into a full tea-length skirt with a lace overlay.  This dress also features the dramatic over-sized bow, once again a Mrs. Hanry original design. 

 
 

 
 And without further ado, I present to you...1987, in all of its glory!!!  Please welcome MarytheKay and her dear friend Stacey!  MarytheKay and Stacey met on the first day of junior high, and were the best of friends all the way through high school.  How fitting that we have prom pictures together.  *smile*  (I miss you, StayJack!!!)
Okay, do you see the pink high tops?  Yes, I was very proud of those shoes. Actually...I wore pink dyeable heels (of course), and took the high tops to change into.  Oh yeah--tha's a dancing girl you see there!!!  I am very sad to say that I can't find my Junior Prom picture with my date.  Junior Prom was actually my FAVORITE dance...with none other than John David.  (Little shout out to John David! I'd better shout loudly...I'm pretty sure he doesn't read this blog!)

 

Drum roll for the Senior Prom, folks...  Please help me usher in 1988, in all of its glory...

Sadly, no high tops for this dance.  I am sure you're not looking at my shoes, though.   You're looking at my hair--wondering how in the heck did I get it so tall?  I hate to confess...that is natural cowlick height, baby.  There is a little White Rain to smooth it, but that cowlick is doing all the manual labor.

(My fire engine red fingernails make me giggle a little.  Va Va Va VOOM.  Those nails remind me of my very first professional manicure, earlier that day.  Miss Sheila was so kind to me that morning.) 

Oh!  Forgive me for being so rude!  I would like to introduce you to John David.  By the time Senior Prom rolled around, John David was already an important college boy.  We went to this dance as just friends (note the yellow roses - for friendship).  The fact that he still drove down for the dance, and kept his promise to take me to Senior Prom meant a lot to me, and surely exemplified his integrity.  Now, the fact that he kept looking at his watch all evening did not mean so much...  (Oh, you know you did!!)  But, a girl can't have it all, now can she?

Before I close, I'd like to say that these Prom dances for me were wonderfully and innocently fun.  I know there is a lot of talk these days (and on t.v. shows) about the heightened pressures of Prom night.  That was not my experience at all.  My experience was all about dancing and laughing the night away with a group of good friends.  My prayer for our daughters is that they will be able to have the same innocent and memory-making kind of fun someday.

And, of course, if their dates have anything different in mind...they can consult the scary man in the back seat holding the shotgun.

 

When Mama Kat mentioned a writing prompt of prom dresses, I knew I had to link this one up!  Click here to see some of the other crazy retro (or not so retro) prom dresses, as well as some great writing.  Thanks, Mama Kat, for a great Weekly Writer's Workshop!

That time in high school when I matched my bedroom

 First of all, if you are waiting on the edge of your seat for the recipes for strawberry cake--and the strawberry icing so good you'll CRY...  Well, is there any way you'll extend me a free pass and let me post that next week?  Oh, pretty pretty please???  It's just that I have to sew some quilts for children who don't have any--plus, I am also cooking meals to take to 5 families in the hospital.  Also, I am reading War and Peace to my children, and we are only on chapter MCXVII.

Oh, ALL RIGHT.  Have it YOUR WAY.  I admit.  I just want to lie in bed and watch some television.  But, I promise--it's really good t.v.   Meaningful, life-changing t.v....like Parenthood, if you're so nosy to know.

But, still.  I promise to post the strawberry deliciousness recipes next week!!!  IF, for ANY reason, you MUST have that recipe this weekend or you'll DIE--e-mail me and I will help you out.  Honest.

So...to make up for not posting the recipes like I promised earlier this week, I will post an unflattering picture of myself.  From high school.  Where I--honest to goodness--Match. My. Bedroom.

I am not even sure if I realized it at the time.  I just think this PHASE of my life could be entitled:

The Mauve and Teal Phase.

Those two colors were like baby angels playing miniature harps in both my ears. 

Teal green curtains with mauve flowers?  Check

Mauve chintz rocking chair?  Check

Mauve silk flowers?  Check

Teal green bedspread?  Check

Teal green CARPET?  Oh yes, CHECK.

 

And...for the Campfire Christmas formal, when Darren bought me a pink silk rosebud corsage...   Check.  Check.  Check.

 

 Oh yes.  Yes, those ARE mauve shoes.  Mauve leather shoes.  Currently unavailable in today's market.  But in 1986?  Available in dozens of styles.

Young girls of today:  That stylish haircut of 1986 was called a bi-level.  In today's terms, it could be referred to as a mullet.  But, a soft, lovely mullet, don't you think?

Throwback Thursday - Spring Break Memories

 Today's post is in honor of all of you heading out on Spring Break trips.  Or, perhaps you've just returned home from one, and are still trying to catch up on the laundry...  I just thought it would be fun to post some retro pics of some of our favorite family Spring Break trips.

 

We LOVED visiting our grandparents' house in Florida!  We didn't, however, love the loooong 2-day drive there.  Poor Ginny--she always had to sit in-between John and me, that little space where the arm rest would be...because that's where the upholstery "lines" were.   Somehow on those trips, I always got sucked into a game of Thump Knuckles with my brother.  Word to the wise:  If my brother ever asks you to play Thump Knuckles--RUN AWAY.  That boy can draw blood in one single blood-curdling thump.  (The same goes for the ever-popular game Hot Foot.)  Shout out to the Buick Electra Wagon!!!

 Fast forward about 12 years:   Before Winter 2011, the PREVIOUS Blizzard of the Century occurred at the beginning of this Spring Break...where we spent 3 days in airports and airport hotels trying to get from Arkansas and Texas to Washington, D.C.  It sure was worth it once we got there!

 Washington, D.C. helpful hint:  Ask your Congressman if he/she knows any janitors--especially at the Capitol.  Our Congressman was friends with the Capitol janitor, and we got a VERY COOL behind-the-scenes tour at the very top of the Capitol dome. 

 We even got to go outside the Capitol dome!  No, I wasn't a unicorn that day--that's the Washington Monument coming out of the top of my head!

 

Another fun Spring Break... Austria!!   I'll never forget this day--as we were out sightseeing, it started snowing the biggest snowflakes I've ever seen!  It was absolutely gorgeous, and just how I imagined it would look in the Alps!

I sure love this picture of my dad, sister, and me!!  Oh look!  Tapered jeans!  You young kids call them "skinny jeans" now...

We had 1 day set aside to ski the Olympic slopes in Innsbruck.  There sure is a story about this day...  In our family, this is The Day We Do Not Speak Of (well, at least 2 people don't speak of it!!!  Ha!)  I'm not real sure what that sign says, or what it means...but I think it was an omen of the stress about to happen on the slope below...  Oh, heck--you want a hint?  Let's just say that at one point, there were 2 bottoms slowly scooting their way down the slope...

Does anyone remember when windsuits were really popular?  You know--those jogging suits made of synthetic fabric, that made a "swishing" noise as you moved?  In case you don't remember--take a look at these mighty-fine windsuits below...  I never could figure out how the sophisticated Europeans always knew we were Americans...   Puzzling, isn't it?

 

 Change of scenery!  This may be my FAVORITE Spring Break of all time!!!  Our family traveled to Maui to my favorite resort ever--the Kea Lani.   Nothing says tropical like an open-air hotel lobby...aaahhhh.

Who are these cute, tanned, and skinny kids?  Oh, all right--only one of them is tanned...even though the other one worked ALL WEEK on it.  Some things in life are just unfair.

 
 If there's one thing my family likes to do on vacation, it's EAT.  (sorry for outing you, family--but we know it's true!)  I sure do love these good people.  Ever last one of 'em.
That native man at the end of the table...is my husband.  It's just not fair, people. 

Okay, I leave you with this sassy photo.  Who do I think I am, trying to pose all cute?   I didn't realize it yet when this picture was snapped...but we had hiked up to this overlook...shocked to discover one of Maui's nudie beaches.  Eeeekk!!!!  (heh heh heh, she said "nudie.")

 
 If you'll note...there are no exotic Spring Break pictures in the last decade or so...  Isn't it funny how parenthood leaves you too broke, too tired, and too frazzled for exotic?   Oh well, I wouldn't trade these broke, tired, frazzled years for ANYTHING.  Surely exotic will still be there again someday...  Right?  Right?  Hello?  Is anybody there???

Happy Spring Break, good people!!! 

What are some of your favorite Spring Break trips from years gone by?
 

Favorite Christmas Clips from the 80s!!

 Happy almost Christmas, everybody!!!  I do hope you have all your shopping and wrapping done...Because if you do not, then I bet you are awfully grumpy about that.  If so, then do I have a DEAL for YOU!  I searched around until I found 3 of my favorite shows/movies of the 1980s (aka, the Glory Days), and found some Christmas clips to help cheer you up, and get you in the Ha Ha Ha holiday spirit.

Boy, they sure don't make 'em like they used to, do they? 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Do you have any favorite Christmas clips from the 1980s?  You babies, surely you've seen some RERUNS!!

As this holiday gets closer, I just want you to know how MUCH I appreciate you for stopping by.  Some of you have been so kind this year, and have encouraged me so much with your kind words.  I wish you the merriest of Christmases this year! 

Now, I'd love to hear about some of your favorite 80s Christmas clips!