80's Hip And Auld Lang Syne – Good Bye 2008

She’s a beauty…a one in a million girl…Remember that tune? Neighbor Carol, you look hot.

I can’t think of a better way of closing out the old year and begin a new one than to get a glimpse of the past.

Our 80’s themed high school reunion Christmas party this year had some great get-ups. The 80’s were filled with ruffled mini-skirts, big hair-sprayed bangs and halter tops. I’m so glad those fashion ins are gone with that decade.

Good-bye 2008. For those who were met by misfortune this year, I pray that 2009 is kind. For those of you whose year saw joys, I pray God continues to bless you richly.

For me, I’m always sentimental at times like this, the passing of time is not something I celebrate. I always wish for more of it. I want to savor each moment because I know it’s fleeting…this life of ours. I miss those who have come into and left my life, especially those who I loved deeply, like Brother Dennis. I miss the times I felt the most joy, the birth of my kids, the day the husband asked me to marry him. I know these events will never be replicated, never to happen again.

But the promise of the new year is there…just give me a moment to reflect on the one just past and cry a little.

Photo Release

I post a lot of pictures of other people. I think people are fascinating to photograph. But it’s a lot harder to get the essence of a person in an image than in an animal or a tree. The down side is that they can see their images and give you – uuummm – constructive criticism. So I had the husband draw up this legal document on a napkin. I then asked Neighbor Mary Ann to sign it.

She was not at all cooperative.

I had taken some pictures of her that I wanted permission to publish. They are pretty raunchy.

She wanted to know if they would make her “famous”.

“Uh huh,” I say. Neighbor Carol says, “Maybe you can make some money with them.”

And with that, she signed on the dotted line.

So here’s the photo in question.

Here’s a close up. We can get pretty juvenile, I know. Worth the wait huh?

High On Mountain Dew

This is the girl after one Mountain Dew.

I encourage parents never to have it in the house.

“She’s so quiet.”

“I’ve never heard her voice.”

Well, we have, and then some.

She can ham it up better than, well, the rest of the family it seems.

Time to counter the Mountain Dew effect with some Benadryl.

Watch What You Say

Miss Janelle was at the boy’s guitar recital. She whispered to me, “I love your website.” I was slightly taken aback since I only see Janelle once in a while and didn’t realize that she even knew I had a blog. Thoughts were racing through my mind. I was trying to think about the things I’ve said on this blog, whether they were appropriate for a seven year old to read. I thought, “Oh no, her dad’s a church elder. I’m probably going to be kicked out of the church.” Then I thought, “I hope she didn’t read the bunco posts.” And I thought, “I said bleeeep on one of my posts.” Is that a bad word? I’m not a role model, I hope I didn’t warp her for life…I’m starting to get hysterical here.

She said, “I like the pictures of the animals.” I let out a sigh of relief. Though I did post a picture of a horse’s butt. AAAhhhhh.

Note to Miss Janelle’s parents. This week will be raunchy week at Life Signatures. It will be full of pictures of what happens when people have too much sugar, bodily functions and some neighbor pictures. Perhaps Miss Janelle should stay off the computer this week. Just warnin’ ya.

What Santa Brought Me

I received some wonderful gifts and I love them all. Here’s a couple that reflect the “me” in me so well.

Once I spilled an entire glass of wine on my new computer, the very one I’m typing on right now. I had it one month. The husband thought I may need therapy because of it. I supposed a computer is not meant to hold a pool of wine. I wasn’t blogging, drinking and blogging don’t mix. So now thanks to Santa I’m perfectly safe with a set of wine glasses without stems and with a lower center of gravity.

A coffee cup from the Douglases with “Bunco Queen” embroidered on it. The crown is perfect. I love this. It’s green, my favorite color. Miss Leanne is such a talented seamstress.

And I got a dog from my boy. I think this is my favorite. When I take my glasses off at night, I put them under the pillow. I know, I know. So the boy got me this to put on my night stand.

It’s so adorable! Now I’ll always know where my glasses are.

Hope Santa was good to you too! What chu git? What chu git? I wanna know.

AAAaaachie!

I spent all day at our church on Christmas Eve. All day.

We had a hilarious Christmas skit this year. It was based on the tv sitcom “All in the Family”.

I was transformed into a child of the 70’s again.

You got Meathead and the Magi. Yup.

Our church as a reputation for edgy, cutting edge, pushing the edge Christmas pageants.

Our drama ministry is called “The Edge”. Ha. People find it funny and entertaining and touching all at once.

My favorite character is Miss Beth here doing a killer Edith Bunker. I am totally missing the acting gene. I can’t even pretend to feel well if I don’t. I wear my feelings on my sleeve and I process situations openly. And sometimes, I’ll say things that are just a little too honest. I am also missing the diplomacy gene. It’s a curse.

I love this picture of Elder Gary with a cigar in his mouth and the children’s choir behind him. He (Archie) reminds me a lot of my Uncle Jim who I adored as a child. It was only after he passed away and I became an adult that I realized his world view was Archie-like. He was a product of his time and environment and I still love him even so.

I hope your Christmas was truly a time of peace and joy.

Silent Night

Silent night…

Holy night…

All is calm…all is bright…

Have a wonderful, blessed Christmas.

Joy To The World On Electric Guitars

It’s not Christmas until there’s a recital or two, or three.

We had to fight with the boy in order to get him to put on a decent shirt. He put on the husband’s shirt but kept on his jeans. You gotta pick your battles. And he looks rather dapper.

Actually, he looks handsome. He really doesn’t like to wear long sleeves. Look how far up the arm the sleeves are.

Here’s Lost And Confused Adolescent Teen Daniel. Lost and confused is what we call all of the boy’s teen friends. And here’s one reason why.

He and the boy are good friends. Last year Daniel went skiing with us and is going to come with us again this year. I saw his mother at the recital and she said she didn’t know he was coming with us this year. Doh. Apparently all of the planning betwen him and the boy didn’t make it back to Lost And Confused Adolescent Teen Daniel’s mom.

They all live on another planet and just visit their parents on earth every once in a while.

Have a wonderful Christmas Eve with your family and the ones you love.

House And Garden – A Not So Tranquil Bedroom

This is Neighbor Sue’s bedroom. It’s gorgeous. The beautiful calming blue on the ceiling and the walls makes one feel like they cocooned in the finest silks and linens. The elegance of the curtains is majestic and frame the bed like a regal headboard. The creams of the sheets are reflected in the ornateness of the matching lamps, adding texture and symmetry and…anyway, looks good.

Then the neighbors pay a visit and instead of having coffee in the kitchen, we are having wine in her bed.

After all, what’s a master bed if all your friends can’t come over and use it too?

Look! Now we’ve messed it up!

Maybe Neighbor Steve won’t know if we make the bed.

Neighbor Sue has a beautiful home. I’ll show more of it to you soon, though I’m sure she’s not going to allow us in the bedroom again.

Wait…that pillow’s crooked.

Desperate Housewives, December Edition

Nothing gets me in the holiday spirit more than a good game of bunco.

And all the goodies you can eat.

Neighbor Kay has the most beautiful home. I think this will be House and Garden week on Life Signatures.

Neighbor Kay thought of everything, right down to the Christmas cactus.

We also love the Christmas wine.

Not even Boone can look ridiculous in a pink boa.

When are you leaving my house? I want to take this off, pink’s not my color.

Please don’t put anything else on me. You can leave now…really.

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