Vintage Photo Friday: Halloween circa 1979

I always had home-made costumes.  Check it out - I was a bum!  Awesome!  Okay, so I was 2 years old, and who knows if I even had any costume ideas.  Mom slapped a stocking cap, sunglasses, and a beard of mascara on me and I was good to go!

For years I was jealous that Tina had that store-bought Genie costume.  I was jealous of a lot of classmates store bought costumes.  And now that I've got a kid at home, I realize, wow, those store bought costumes are crap!  And expensive!  So, home made costumes aren't that bad.  It just sucks when you're a kindergartner and a home made Smurfette, and Jodi Carr has a store bought Smurfette costume that everyone compliments...  *sigh*

Now, just for fun, let's look at what's in the background.  The big huge console TV that lasted for about 20 years.  Top shelf on the left - a case of 8-track tapes.  Various book sets (looks like maybe a set of encyclopedias?).  How many of these things are unknown to teenagers these days?

Very, Very Pinteresting... Pinterest makes me want to spend my life crafting.

Yes, yes, I've joined Pinterest.  There's a little "follow me on Pinterest" button at the bottom of the page.  I can't figure out how to make a "Pin It!" button on my blog posts, so I've made pins from some of the stuff on here.  Obviously, if you'd like me to make a Pin, let me know.

I know that I have a tendency to have a compulsive personality.  

Freshman year of college I spent more hours than I would care to imagine in the computer lab on chat 

(chatting with someone just across our very small campus, btw).  

I was obsessed with checking the Cookie Lee site when I became a consultant.  

I find something new and I'm All About It!  It's a small reason I'm not on Facebook.  I've tried very hard not to spend too much time on Pinterest, but, well, yes, I have pinned things that I will probably never do.  I really wish, however, that I'd known about Pinterest when I was in the early stages of planning the wedding.

What I've learned since I joined Pinterest is that I really wish I could spend more time doing crafts.  

I would spend my life crafting if...

...money were no object.  

Crafting can be expensive.  Even if you are up-cycling, it costs to buy the stuff at thrift stores, as well as anything else that you need to complete the craft, like glue or paint.  Also, I have to work.  We are not independently wealthy  so I can't live a life of crafting leisure.  But I'd sure love to try.  :-)

...I were sure I could turn crafting into a viable business.

Yes, I would love to be able to make all these cool things (sweater pillows!  itty bitty glass magnets!  puffy balls made from t-shirts!) and sell them in a store for a profit, but, hey, let's face it, I can't imagine a world where I could do it.  Not even on etsy.

...I had the space to put all the stuff.

We live in a 3 bedroom condo.  Sounds big, right?  Sorry, it's not.  We have about 850 square feet (or "sqeet" as CR once accidentally called it when she was shopping for carpet).  That's a couple of 11x11 bedrooms, a 9x11 bedroom, and a fairly small living room/dining room.  I have a 2x4 table against the wall in the bedroom-turned-computer room.  There isn't the room for the projects or all the stuff needed to make those projects.

...all the ideas in my head weren't already all over Pinterest.

I like to think that I have original ideas.  But I don't.  Pinterest has shown me that.  I had that idea to turn a sweater into a pillow like 8 years ago (also, flannel shirt - very worn and comfy flannel shirt), and it's all over Pinterest.  Is it just me, or has the Everything Must Go On The Internet mindset we all have forced all people everywhere to realize that we're not unique, we don't have unique ideas, and yes, we are succumbing to trends even if we don't realize it?  Who else here put a bird on it without realizing how trendy it was?  Yeah, me too.

So, how would you finish this sentence:

If I could, I would spend spend my life _____________.

Vintage Photo Friday - my broken arm

Me, Becky, Tina

When I was four years old I fell off of the monkey bars and broke my wrist.  If I remember correctly, I had a removable cast that went in the freezer.  I could be completely wrong on that - I was only four!  It's not like my memory is perfect from those times!

Looks like we are playing on/around Grampa's old tractor.  I have no memory of my hair being that long, so this picture really surprises me.  I do think Tina's wearing a Strawberry Shortcake shirt.  Lucky!  I wish I had a Strawberry Shortcake shirt...

Last Game of the Season: Stoughton vs. Monroe

Last Thursday was Rhy's last game of the season.  She was nervous/excited/sad all at the same time.  I was just *hoping* she would get to play.  She'd only played 3 plays all season.  It's the sophomore team, Coach - let them all play!

I was being wimpy and didn't go with Jeff for the beginning of the game because of the weather.  But when he started texting me with the scores, I knew I needed to take the camera and go see our girl play football.  The Vikings were up by 5 touchdowns!

Rhy got put in 3 or 4 different times!  And unfortunately my camera didn't do a very good job at capturing the awesomeness of it all...

So I obviously need some help...  Anyone have any advice on taking night-time action pictures?

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful Husband!

Three years ago today Jeff & I had our first date.  Shortly after that I knew that he was meant to be in my life.  Forever.

A year ago today I was lucky enough to get to marry my honey! I feel both like time is flying by so fast and like our wedding was a lifetime ago.

The poem that I would have had as a reading at our wedding (not in the Bible so we couldn't) was Love by Roy Croft.  Sweety baby honey darlin', this is for you...

I love you,
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am
When I am with you.

I love you,
Not only for what
You have made of yourself,
But for what
You are making of me.

I love you
For the part of me
That you bring out;
I love you
For putting your hand
Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish, weak things
That you can’t help
Dimly seeing there,
And for drawing out
Into the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else had looked
Quite far enough to find.

I love you because you
Are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple;
Out of the works
Of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.

I love you
Because you have done
More than any creed
Could have done
To make me good
And more than any fate
Could have done
To make me happy.

You have done it
Without a touch,
Without a word,
Without a sign.
You have done it
By being yourself.
Perhaps that is what
Being a friend means,
After all.

Jeff, I love you!

Today is my Dad's birthday.

And I texted him a Happy Birthday greeting and he texted me back!  For those of you who know my dad, you know that this is a major big deal!  Dad's actually been texting for over a year now, and I floors me every time! 

Thanks for everything Dad!  Especially thanks for sharing your birthday with Jeff & I a year ago today!

Vintage Photo Friday - Abe Lincoln and 1985 fashion

Okay, so you'll need to forget that today's Saturday.  I had this really good idea to share an old photo once a week, but I don't want to wait another 6 days.

Let's all just bask in the glory that is 1985.  Oh, man, what a year (decade, even) for fashion.  In this photo you can see that we took a family vacation over Christmas to Washington DC.

Now, lets look in greater detail...

Old Honest Abe up there, he always gets it right - his fashion sense is classic.

Then, Timo (our exchange student from Finland), on the left, is sporting the always popular tourist look.  Look closely and you can see his camera around his neck.  Other than that, it's all pretty normal.  Track jacket, sweat pants, white sneakers.

Dad is next to Timo.  He's wearing his Navy pea coat and what I always referred to as his Dr. Zhivago hat.  He got that hat around the time that I saw that movie, so I've always referred to his fur has as his Dr. Zhivago hat.  You'll also notice that his glasses have a bit of a tint to them.

Then there's me.  I think this photo was taken shortly before the Fashion Police showed up to arrest me.  First of all - Del Monte stocking hat.  Awesome.  John Deere green coat with yellow zipper.  Gnarly.  And blue shoes to match my blue pants.  Rockin'.  If I wasn't wearing the hat you'd be able to see my Little Orphan Annie hair.  Thanks for the home perm, Mom.

Last but not least, there's Tina, the stylish high school freshman in her high school jacket and Princess Di haircut (also permed).

Seriously - the 1980s - what's not to love?

Tune in each week for another Vintage Photo Friday!

Happy Birthday Trekker D!

Seven years ago today I was trying to sleep off the previous night's Oktoberfest party, and I received a call that my sister was in labor!  Imagine my surprise since she was scheduled for a cesarean later that week!

I got in the car, got on the road, and by the time I made it to the hospital (almost three hour drive), the baby had been born and he had been named Trekker.

6 or 7 days old

This was not the only time the little guy decided to go against the plan.  He's been known to say to me, "I'm hungry.  Can I have a snack of candy."  I've also seen him respond to the answer "no" by using a stool & chair to climb up onto the counter to get at the snacks he wants.  Little stinker!

Larry once called in to a radio show with a woman who was giving the meaning of names.  Basically, "Trekker" means someone always on to move...

look at those blue eyes!

He's definitely the youngest child!  He wants what the older kids have - he's told his mom to just go and he'll stay home alone.  Ha!

Trekker didn't know what to think of me with my make-up and fake eye lashes.  He didn't even want to look at me in the van on the way to Jennifer's wedding!

As the story goes, when Trekker was getting his tux to be the "ring bear (rar!)" he said "I not gettin' married! I not dancin'!"  And then, what did that little boy do?  He totally danced his cute little butt off!  He was breakdancing, and he invented a new dance that we like to call The Penguin.  Wear a tux, bend slightly at the waist, keep your arms at your side, and just wiggle a bit.  That's The Penguin!

There is not a shortage of pictures of Trekker.  He is often asking his mom to take a picture of him.  She said that he gets a prop or two and gets his picture taken.  His mom is the prop in that one up there...

This little boy is growing up now.  He's in first grade!  Tina said that, unfortunately, he's pushing the boundaries and rules, but hopefully he'll start listening and being good again before we get too close to Christmas...

Happy Birthday Trekker!  I hope you have a good day on your birthday!  Love you kiddo!

After the Garage Sale - an update

It was a blustery day here in Wisconsin on Saturday.  I think the high temp was in the 40s.  And I spent 7 hours outside at my garage sale.

The night before I was able to figure out where to put everything for display.  I couldn't put everything up because I wanted to put some stuff in the driveway - the only way people would be able to see the garage sale from the street.

Rhy helped make garage sale signs, Jeff got me change, and I updated the Craigslist ad with some pictures I took when most stuff was set up.  We were ready!  I got up entirely too early for a Saturday so I could shower and look presentable - you don't want to scare your customers, you know - and I made a list of corners for Jeff to put out signs.  He went on his errand and I went to set stuff up in the drive.

Not too long after 7AM people started arriving.  A few commented on how early I started the sale.  That brings me to...

#1 = Schedule your Garage Sale start time based on what season of the year it is.

I was not thinking when I started the sale at 7AM.  I was thinking of the summer months!  I wasn't thinking about the fact that the sun now comes up around 7AM...

I had a fairly decent flow of traffic.  Most people bought something, except for the men who came alone.  They were looking for outdoor items, and Jeff was not selling any hunting or fishing items.

#2 = Advertise.  Be specific.  Include pictures if possible.

I only advertised online on Craigslist and a few other websites.  A decent number of people commented on the Craigslist ad.  I took advantage of all 8 available pictures, and filled the spots with pictures I took the night before.  At least one group of women came specifically because I had included in the ad that Jeff would entertain offers on the motorcycle.  One woman said that she doesn't garage sale, but saw the ad on Craigslist, and she bought a set of dishes and a knife block for their new cabin up north.

#3 = Put arrows on your Garage Sale signs!!!

Seriously people!  Put arrows!  People do not know all the street names, and if they're at an intersection, they might not know which way to turn!  I included arrows on my signs, the address was kinda small, but that's okay because I was pointing people in the right direction.  And some people said that they stopped by on the way to or from somewhere because they saw the signs.  Yes!

#4 = Decide on the goal of your Garage Sale.

Is the goal to make money or to get rid of stuff?  I've always priced stuff low at garage sales.  Most things at our garage sale were $1 or less, and only a couple items were more than $5.  Obviously our goal was to get rid of stuff.  We made $125.  Not too bad.  I spent about $15 total on the sign frames and price tags.

#5 = Decide what to do with your leftovers.

I knew that we needed a plan for What To Do With the Unsold.  We're giving the clothing to a clothing pantry.  I'm keeping some stuff like the Christmas items, the Smurf glasses, and the doilies.  The rest, I'm calling St. Vinnies to come and pick up.  But you know what?  Seems like we only have about 1/3 of what we started with!  That's just amazing!

#6 = Clean up the garage right away.

Jeff and I got everything put away as good as possible tonight, so the car is now back in the garage.  No more sleeping outside for the Legacy!

All in all, it was definitely a successful garage sale.  I doubt I'll have another while we live here...

Thank you.

A cool thing about Blogger is that it tells me, the blogger, my 'stats', like how many views it gets, what posts, referred by what websites, etc.

I see that a lot of people have read the post about Daniel heading to the 'stan.  Looks like someone, I assume Bethany, put it on Facebook.  All I can say is that if Bethany has as much support in this time as it takes to have 60 people read that post, then she is one lucky woman.  Please, continue to be her support system.  It makes me feel better to know that she has you.  I'm all the way over in Wisconsin and I can feel the warmth!

Any hey, new cousin, if you make it to Wisconsin, you have a place to visit & a place to stay!

Rylee - the TEENAGER!!!!

Exactly 13 years ago today I was anxiously waiting by the phone.  I was in college, final semester, and about to become an aunt for the second time.  *squeee*

Earlier that semester, on the first day of Policy, the professor had to reschedule his evening exam, all because I told him I would not be there on October 4th.  

Him:  "Why won't you be here?"

Me:  "My sister will have her baby that day."

Him:  "Excuse me?"

You don't know how many 21- and 22-year-olds don't know what a C-section is until one changes the exam schedule.

Back to October 4, 1999.  Finally, I had to leave my apartment and head to campus.  As soon as I got to the computer lab (because back then not everyone had a computer; in fact, probably less than 50% had computers) I called my mom (using the lab phone and a calling card - before everyone had a cell phone, you know) and found out that Tina had a GIRL!  

baby Rylee-roo with her mama!

first birthday with her mama!  I really need to scan in some pictures that aren't of Tina...

I wonder how many people wondered why I was jumping up and down in the computer lab?  When she said they named her Rylee, I totally mis-guessed the spelling, but that's okay.  "Rylee" fits that girl.

At Loretta's house

not actually her beer...

note the juxtaposition between the NIU sweatshirt and UW hat...

The girl does her own thing and has fun while doing it.  Now she's taller than me, funnier than me, has always had more luck than I'll ever have, and is way better at sports that I would ever wish to be.  Thank God!

Happy Birthday Rylee!  Love you!

A true teenager, bored and tired!  (credit)

9-27-12: Stoughton vs. Fort Atkinson

Last week the Vikings played against Fort Atkinson.  Unfortunately Jeff couldn't be there, so I didn't completely understand everything that happened.

Also unfortunately, Rhy didn't play *sad* but Stoughton did win *happy*.  Rhy was even jumping around on the sidelines because she was so happy with how the game was going, so that's a good thing - she was enjoying it.

Hopefully this week she will get some playing time.  You listening to me, Coach?

Luckily, I got a couple of in-focus pictures, which is something that I struggle with at night.

Unluckily, I just missed Eli with his arm around Rhy - which was sweet.  I need to find a good mix of watching the game and being in my camera...  Any advice, sports parents?

Vintage photo of the day - Smokey likes to play dress up.

Don't tell me you never did it as a child...

The difference is, Smokey liked it.

Also, this was the couch that Mom & Dad purchased shortly after I was born.  And when I was a freshman in college, my roommate & I purchased its twin from the Salvation Army.  Ahh, memories...

***Editted to add:  My family has never been very inventive on pet names, which is why we had Kitty, Momma Kitty, Boots, Bun-Bun (a rabbit), and my sister now has a cat named Smokey.  Recycling at its finest...***

Godspeed, Daniel.

isn't he handsome?

 Today my youngest cousin, Daniel, is deploying to Afghanistan   This is his second deployment.  He got home last summer, and while he was home, we were treated to a wedding.  Daniel and his lovely bride were married just before Christmas, and have had about 9 months of marital bliss.

Daniel was caressing her hand through most of the ceremony.  It was really lovely.

Why does it take this kind of a situation to remind us of all of the people affected by the war?  Hopefully we all remember those who are serving, both overseas and at home, but do we remember the families, the spouses, children, parents, siblings, friends, family?

So, today, I ask you to stop and think, say a prayer, send good thoughts, to Daniel, Bethany, their families, and everyone in and affected by the Armed Services.

Problem is, until he gets home again, my stomach will churn every time I see an e-mail come from his sisters.

Stay safe, Daniel.  We love you!