earbobs and pocketbooks

The grandbaby got her ears pierces a few weeks ago. It took some getting used to for me to see her wearing earrings. It makes her seem so grown up to me.

I had adjusted (somewhat) to the small studs they used where she got her ears pierced. Since then, every time I see her, she has on a different pair.

She picks them out herself. Most of them are very groovy.

The pair she had on last night when we swung by her house for a kiss before bedtime were particularly groovy.

I asked,"where'd you get those fancy 'earbobs'?" I asked her.
"Why do you call them that?" she asked me.
Well... I am old school. Can't seem to help myself. I also catch myself saying I am going to the "market" when I mean "grocery store" and I call my purse my "pocketbook." I say "tissue" and hankie" for "kleenex."
I remember thinking my own grandmothers and grandfathers and great aunts and uncles used funny terms to describe things.  It humored and annoyed me at the same time. I imagine that is what my grandbaby is feeling these days...humored and annoyed.
Or maybe just annoyed.

Picking a winner

I have not had great experiences when asked to pick a winner. I've agreed, over time, to participate in community and school events but  historically, it really has not gone so well.
I once was invited to judge a beauty pageant. It was not a happy experience. I recall being whisked out the back way in order to avoid irate parents waiting for those of us on the selection panel.
Another time, I was recruited by a 4-H agent to choose the best entries in a student egg cookery contest. At the time I was the food editor and columnist (among other duties/ titles) at a local newspaper. I wrote of my experience in one of my weekly  columns. The reception of the column, as with the experience sampling some of the entries, was not so pleasant.
So when a few weeks ago, I was asked to help select floats entered in the annual Christmas parade where I live, I hesitated to accept based on those aforementioned experiences. Problem was, the young committee member who solicited my participation is a particular favorite of mine.
I agreed. For how could I say no to someone I hold in such high regard?!

Then I caught a break! My services would not be needed after all due to the parade being cancelled due to weather. Then (wouldn't you know it?!) they rescheduled.  And so it was I was riding in a golf cart up and down the brick streets of my home town, deciding which of the entries were most worthy of prizes. The categories were narrowed by the fact than many of the original parade participants were not able to make the rescheduled event. Even with that, there was some amount of discussion between myself and my two co-workers who were also asked to pick the winners. In the end, we agreed on the winners. There was no tar and feathering. No one got sick or injured or even threatened.
It was, a happy and pleasant experience.
Of course, the fact that I just love some of the young committee members who drove and/or rode along, helped with that. Did I meantion that some of them are my favorites?

planning a grand trip

It is January and I am already dreaming of vacation. Maybe because it is January, I am dreaming of vacation. 

Here is what I am wishing for/ dreaming of: a great niece and nephew tour.

The way I feel about my nieces and nephews is fairly well documented.

I don't see any of them nearly enough. 

Some of them I don't see even remotely enough, due to the distance which separates them from me.

On vacation this year, I would like to remedy that.

I would like to take a trip and plan the stops according to the locations of my grand nieces and nephews.

I have the route in mind.

I would like, even, on the return trip, to swing by and see certain friends I don't see nearly enough of.

But that trip is for another blog post...

Facials

Until just recently, when someone spoke of "facials"  I thought of a deep cleansing treatment at a salon. Not until i became (in)vested in the world of dance, did I learn that there is another definition for "facials."

In the world of dance, or at least the world my darlings dance in, facials are expressions dancers make to enhance the dance.
Apparently, there are extra points given in dance competitions for appropriate "facials." They are not limited to the stage,  or to recitals, or rehearsals, for as you see here, a photo booth, too, can be a cool place to practice expressions upon one's face!

abandonment

 

I found another Francis de Sales quote to share. It, like the "be at peace" quote,  really is a profound statement.  I am thinking of  seeking out a collection of his writings. I can't help but be inspired by them...as I already am.

A Chuck E. Cheese birthday party, circa 1984

The collage stage left is made up of pictures taken at my Amy's third birthday party, thirty years ago. I was very pregnant with her younger brother who turns 30 in just a few weeks. Most of the kiddos in the photos have kiddos of their own now. I still love seeing all those sweet faces, though these days, I don't see some of them nearly enough! 

My new(est) love

 

This is my new love.When I saw this photo my niece posted of her most recent ultrasound yesterday, I wanted to cry. How can I still be moved to tears over a new baby when this one will be my seventh grandniece or nephew?! Just look at that face and you will have the answer.
I love, love, love this sweet baby already. I don't expect I'll ever get over the excited anticipation of these little ones!