So I thought it would be nice to scan all of my parents old family pictures. I am scanning them and will create discs so that we can preserve these memories forever. And boy did I find some memories. I have scanned maybe 40% of the pictures and I have found some major doozies. Awkward-city.
The teddy bear? Why??
Me. In a cowboy hat. On a donkey.
Apparently Santa and I were not hitting it off.
Easter - circa early 1990s. I'm the short one. I don't even know where to start.
White shoes? That dress! Oh lawd the hair!
Another Easter. This time - 1989. My purse matched my shoes. And please be jealous of those socks.
And last but certainly not least. Miss Awkward 7th Grade.
Band picture. Huge, gold-rimmed glasses. Boy haircut.
Two of my oldest friends (16 years now!) and two of my sweet all-grown-up cousins traveled to Nashville in late June for the New Kids on the Block/Backstreet Boys concert (NKOTBSB). I expressed my love for these two groups in an earlier post. This concert was awesome. From beginning to end, the guys rotated singing the best of both groups. I loved every minute of it. In fears of overloading blogger and what readers do happen to cross my blog, I am only sharing a small handful of pictures.
After the show, my cousin had a great idea to hang out by the buses. Much to my surprise, we were rewarded with glimpes of all four Backstreet Boys. Nick was already in his bus but thanks to my sweet (and normally quiet) cousin and about 50 other girls chanting his name, he came out to wave.
I. caught. it. on. camera. I will be happy forever.
I am planning to write an entire post about my trip to Nashville to see the New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys but I had to share my top moment from my 20 hours in Nashville....
Nick Carter...in the flesh...15 feet away. Made our night.
When I was a little girl, a new "band" came out and I fell in love! I had a bedspread, pillowcases, and curtains with their faces on it. It was Bieber fever of the late 80's. Yes...I had a small obsession with the New Kids on the Block. I have a vivid memory of my dad taking me to the mall to find NKOTB buttons...you know the HUGE buttons with their faces. If I remember correctly, I had a Jordan button, Jon button, and Joey button. Sorry Danny and Donnie. I was a bit discriminatory at that stage. I used to walk around listening to my headphones (ie. cassette player). My dream was to see them in concert but unfortunately that never happened. I was extremely sad devastated when they disappeared
Then!
Now!
But fast forward 7-10 years...
I can remember my friend, G, bringing over a cd (GASP!) of some group from Florida. This group would fill the void that NKOTB left. The Backstreet Boys would be my favorite group thereafter but especially in my high school years. I didn't go as wild with the bedspread and such but that is when I discovered BOP, Teen Beat, etc. Nick Carter was my favorite. Hands down. At the beginning of my senior year of high school (which happened to be my birthday weekend), my friends, including G and another best named N, and I went to Atlanta to see 'NSync (yeah...the one with Justin Timberlake) and after the concert my sweet friends surprised me with a little birthday party and my present was a ticket to the upcoming BSB concert. I was ecstatic!! I saw them in November from the upper section of the civic center and I loved every minute of it.
Then!
Now!
So considering my childhood and teen years was filled with these two groups, you can imagine my sheer excitement for the possibilty of the two groups touring together. In December 2010, I purchased 5 tickets to the NKOTBSB concert in Nashville in June 2011. So peeps, I will spend next Tuesday evening with 4 awesome ladies (G, N, K, and C) and experience a show like no other. I literally can't contain my excitement. I know that as soon as I hear the music to Hangin' Tough or Step by Step that my 28 year old brain is going to revert back to my shy, nine year old memories.
I am not ashamed.
Well, maybe a litte.
No. Wait. I'm not.
Full details, pictures, and more next week! T minus 5 days!
Have you ever purchased something that changed the way you think? I did. I spent $3 on a pair of earrings from one of the wholesale suppliers we use for our gift company. These precious pieces came in with a shipment this afternoon (in which I also purchased a zebra print duffle bag but that's another story entirely). They are round and 3-4 inches in length and have the most adorable summer colors like pink, purple, green, and orange.
Of course I wanted to wear these new additions to work. But I had to find a top. My least-favorite pink sweater came to mind but I quickly squashed that idea. I took a peek in the disaster that I call a closet. I saw a top I bought at Cato's well over a year ago. It is bright orange and ruffly and girly. It didn't fit at the end of last summer. But I tried it on, fully preparing myself for being let down, and it fits! Yes, it fits. It is slightly snug with the tank underneath but it still fits!
Who knew that these gems would unlock a new motivation in me. The top fits but I want it to fit better. Heck...I want to have it taken in. So today I am motivated all because of these earrings. Isn't it funny that you find inspiration in the strangest places. And, paired with white or khaki shorts, this tangerine top and magic earrings will look cute on the cruise.
So thank you...you tiny plastic wonders. You behold a unique power.
The wonder of social media! In a matter of seconds, my Facebook friends and Twitter followers can see what I see. I was looking through my mobile uploads album on Facebook and found some interesting moments over the past year or so.
Hubs mopping. He loves to mop. And vacuum. And steam-clean our carpet. I'm a lucky girl.
This is our friend Jim. We were at Pump It Up (you know...the fun inflatables place) for a birthday party. He thought he was being cute. But in 10 seconds, I had this image forever captured on the internet. Good thing you can't see his face.
Wing Fest at my in-law's! We bake 10lbs of chicken wings and I make some awesome cheese fries for this event.
Family reunion. Southerners can eat. We each brought a soup or stew in a crockpot (it was November). Some people went a little crazy (ie my Mother with 5 crockpots full of stuff).
A random moment of creativity. Zebra Fabric + Glass Plate + Mod Podge = awesome plates!
There is some joy in helping your parents get ready for a costume party. There is a lot more joy when you get to do your dad's nails for said party.
Tupelo, Mississippi. We stopped at a gas station outside of town on our way to Tunica earlier this year. In case you live under a rock, Tupelo is the birthplace of Elvis Presley. And in case I have never mentioned it, I think of Elvis as a family member. He (in some way or another) has been a constant presence in my life since birth.
This is a scene of a random work night with Amanda. You can see pins, thread, fabric, and of course chocolate.
My dog has a love/hate relationship with the car. He LOVES to "go for a ride" but he freaks out once he is in the car. His favorite spot is in the driver seat (most always with me) with the window down. But, he only watches from afar. He doesn't dare stick his little head out the window.
This is what happens when you don't have power for 5 days so [first] you can't see and [second] you have run of out of white socks.
This was my view Thursday afternoon when we pulled up at our hotel.
*Disclaimer - the following statements are my own opinions. I have not seen the new version of True Grit so I can not rightfully judge anything about the movie. This post is meant in jest and should be taken as so.*
When I first saw the trailer for the 2010 remake of True Grit starting Jeff Bridges I honestly thought it was a spoof. First, why on earth is Hollywood remaking so many movies? Second, why would you remake a movie as well known as True Grit staring the most awesome cowboy actor ever - John Wayne.
I have grown up with John Wayne movies. My "pawpaw" was a huge John Wayne fan as is my mother. My favorite movie is El Dorado and I quote it regularly (Hubs thinks this is annoying). So, as an avid fan of The Duke, I was simply appalled that the Coen Brothers would remake such a "classic."
I can never see anyone attempting to play the part of the rough Rooster Cogburn than John Wayne. Even now as I read the Oscar nominations and see that Jeff Bridges as been nominated, I cannot bring myself to watch this movie. No offense to Mr. Bridges but....it just isn't right.
Possibly, the Coen Brothers and the actors are playing tribute to a historic character, and even more, the larger than life actor who portrayed him, but I still don't know if I can handle the pain of seeing Jeff Bridges onscreen as Rooster Cogburn. Ain't gonna happen.
1. Hubs and I went to see The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader. It was in 3D. I'm not exactly a huge fan of 3D but once the movie started, it wasn't so bad. I enjoyed the movie and not to mention that Ben Barnes as Prince Caspian looked hot is my favorite character.
2. I desperately wanted a road trip on Saturday but that didn't happen. Instead, I ventured out to Old Time Pottery. Definitely not Hubs' favorite store so he stayed home. I love browsing by myself. I can take my time and not feel rushed. I bought a fabulous rug set for our bathroom (if we ever get it painted).
3. I love Ross! I bought a Polo Beverly Hills purse for $15 (regularly marked $95 then down to $65). I don't care for brands...I really just liked the size but I thought my find was pretty great.
4. Ash, Jim, and EK came over for dinner. This dinner led to Hubs and I purchasing an XBox Kinect (I'm sure a blog or 8 will come out of this). It is a freaky little contraption that uses your body as the controller. Scary!
5. In other news from that night, EK is HUGE! She is 13 months now and walking and doing a ton of baby talk and her legs are 8 feet long like her mom's. Where as the time gone??
6. Quick trip to our favorite place in the world - Sam's. I love buying in bulk. My cabinets look like a grocery store.
7. It is glorious to have a Monday off work and you get paid for it! We were closed for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. A and I spent the day working on jobs for our store.We Amanda monogrammed all day.
8. It still blows my mind that Little N (A's baby) can not only talk but make complete sentences and I can understand him and he knows what he wants. He is growing too fast! He watched about 95 episodes of Diego (you know...from Dora) while we worked.
9. Pancakes (made by Hubs) for dinner was great. Easy. Fast. Almost no cleanup.
10. I almost forgot...the highlight of my day was a nice conversation with the police. At 10am. On my off-day. I can't go into too much detail because... of pending chargesI was bribed to keep quiet ok...honestly becauseI don't want everyone to think I live in the crazy, redneck capital of the world where I had to "call the law" on someone. It will be a story for the grandkids for sure though.
Forget getting ready for a snow day...today is a very special day. Today is a very historic day - Elvis Presley's birthday! As I have previously stated, I grew up thinking Elvis was a member of my family. My dad has always been a huge music fan (most especially an Elvis fan) so naturally that interest in music passed on to me. Seriously.
Movies -
Elvis didn't make Oscar-worthy movies but I always enjoyed them....well most of them. My favorite movies are Blue Hawaii and Girl Happy. In the movie Blue Hawaii Elvis' character, Chad Gates, is a tour guide and at one point he ends up driving a pink Jeep. As a young girl, that pink Jeep was my dream car! On a trip to Graceland when I was 5, I had my picture taken with the Jeep. I was in heaven. This event took place again at age 23. I still want that Jeep. But, I digress...
Music -
Elvis had 149 songs to appear on Billboard’s Hot 100 Pop Chart and had over 150 different albums and singles that have been certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum. I don't know what I have a favorite song because I love so many of them. But here is one favorite -
My own personal Elvis facts...
1. I wrote a pop culture on Elvis paper in high school and received an A+.
2. My mom owns (and uses) Elvis luggage.
3. My dad knows the names of Elvis' signature suits and the time period in which they were worn.
4. Hubs and I and my parents all stayed at The Heartbreak Hotel on our last trip to Memphis.
5. I can quote several Elvis moves and it annoys Hubs. It's Fun. I can do it to John Wayne movies too.
Here are a few Elvis facts....
1. Until his late teens, Elvis was a blond.
2. Elvis won three Grammy awards...for his gospel recordings.
3. Elvis' birth certificate read, "Elvis Aron Presley" but his tombstone reads, "Elvis Aaron Presley."
4. Elvis is a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
5. In the most recent poll, more than 10% of American's think Elvis is still alive. I do not.
1. I had a marathon photography day on Saturday with three sessions! Lots of sweet families.
2. I am now addicted to The Vampire Diaries.
3. Sunday afternoon spent going through old home movies with my Dad made my heart feel good.
4. Had a conversation with my aunt where the words, "My butt came in but I haven't tried it on yet," were spoken. Apparently there are such things as butt pads that you wear over your underclothing to give you definition. That is all I will ever say about that topic.
5. Top of the River has quite possibly the best fried pickles in the world.
6. Hubs and I fell in love with Sourdough bread. It makes for a GREAT BLT!
7. We watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. I knew it was only part 1 and I read the books so I know what happens but it still left me longing for more. I had no closure!
8. The "little" cousin that I used to try to carry around and pretend she was my own personal baby doll is now a beautiful 22 yr old woman. It is fun to be friends with her as an adult and hang out.
9. I loved hanging out in the backseat with my "niece" Ava on Saturday night. She talks 90 mph...too bad it is all baby talk and I can't understand a single thing.
10. I am starting this Monday (three day workweek) with a creme filled Krispy Kreme doughnut. Don't judge.
8. I wore my knock-off cowboy boots when we went "out on the town." I felt like a million bucks. And nobody knew that I only paid $25 for them at Academy.
9. If I tell Hubs to please be careful not to get stuff on his brand new pants...it's like I just doomed him. Or it could have been that McRib (nasty) he was eating while I was driving us up I-65.
10. If you put diamond studs with a Carhardt brand baseball hat and Bass Pro Shop tshirt, you can totally look like a million bucks.
I want to share with you a little story. Growing up, most children have an imaginary friend. I was no exception. When I was young (3-4 yrs old I guess), I had an extra special imaginary friend named Bosh. Bosh was my best friend. He went everywhere with me. I made my parents make Bosh a plate at mealtime and kiss Bosh goodnight. My memories of Bosh are kept alive by ALL of my family members - apparently I had such a strong belief in Bosh that random family members still ask me about him.
Bosh was my height - so about 3ft. I don't think he was a young boy but rather old because he had a job - he made nails (as in the kind you use with a hammer).
Bosh - age unknown
Being an only child at the time, Bosh was very real to me. It's pretty crazy that my favorite childhood memories are of my imaginary friend. My pediatrician assured my mother than my "friend" was perfectly normal and I had a very active imagination. Amen to that.
I'm not sure when Bosh went away. I don't know if he hung around until my baby brother was born or if he left when I started kindergarten. But, I thought I would share a moment of my childhood - my friend Bosh.
