Fashion Models:
Photo Story Friday

Hosted by Cecily and Mama Geek

It has been a labor of love ...

as well as ...

Fulfilled every redneck fantasy my cute cowboy husband has ever had ...

It started out looking pretty pitiful ...

Pretty darn hopeless ...

Downright awful - sitting very "redneck-like" on the driveway by my house.

It (obviously) was a fixer-upper ...

Requiring a lot of work ...

And searching the land far and wide for missing parts.

It needed some serious body work ...

Pieces of this monster hung from tree limbs to be inspected, banged on and painted.

And then there was more painting.

And more painting ...

All while continuing to search the land far and wide (okay - the internet) for an extensive list of missing parts.

And then one day ...

It started to look like a pretty nice car ...

It was coming together with its shiny new paint job and sparkling new chrome.

Until one day recently ...

Almost two years into this Mustang project ...

The announcement finally came ...

IT IS DONE!

(THANK THE LORD!)

So, the car was a gift to our twin daughter's, Courtney and Chloe, for their 17th Birthday.

They only recently drove it to school (once their dad got the A/C put in it).

A football player stopped the girls in the parking lot. "Who's car is that?" he asked, envy in his eyes.

"It's mine," Courtney answered shyly.

"You've gotta be shi**in' me!" he exclaimed.

"Nope - it's ours." Chloe smiled proudly.

"What kind of engine's in it?" the burly football player asked, his eyes wide and curious.

*blink blink*

"I dunno. Loud." Courtney answered quietly.

The moral of this conversation is: Football players that would know the size engine in this 1969 Mustang are probably more deserving of such a sweet car than twin girls that are more interested in a functioning A/C and loud speakers.

The only problem with the completion of this two-year project is ...

Now ... my cute, redneck husband is searching the land (and the internet) far and wide for a new piece of junk car to restore for the boy child.

*sigh*.

-

Hosted by Cecily and Mama Geek

My Photo Story Friday is over on my other blog if you'd like to go HERE to check it out.

Have a GREAT Friday!!

-

Hosted by Cecily and Mama Geek

Most of you know that I'm writing a novel.

Some of you are probably really tired of hearing about it.

(If so ... maybe you can come back next week - read the post I'm drafting about SEX).

I've recently completed my fourth round of edits and feel that I'm about 85% to 90% through. It won't be long before I am seriously going to be searching for an agent.

During the process of writing this novel, I have fallen in love with my main character.

Her name is Laney. She is sixteen years old and I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring her life and learning her story.

A couple of months ago, my daughters, Courtney and Chloe, were asked to do a painting for their advanced art class where the concentration (for this specific project) was "white on white". The painting Courtney did was of a beautiful girl.

One day ... I walked by this beautiful painting that was leaning against the wall in our family room and realized -- That's my Laney. She is exactly the vision of the girl I have in my head (well, except for the blue hair).

I picked up the painting and took it to my room. I propped it on my desk. It has been there ever since and she - this beautiful girl - has become my muse during the process of writing this novel.

She watches me and she listens to me.

She speaks to me through her guarded expression and beautiful face.

Every day I sit at my desk ...

I look into her eyes ...

And I write her story.

I'm a big believer in the old adage that everything happens for a reason.

I don't believe it was an accident that my daughter painted this beautiful girl.

I think she was Laney ... all along.

Courtney brought her image to life ...

And I am ... telling her story.

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When you search for me ...

With longing eyes ...

Please know I see you

When you speak to me ...

With gentle words ...

Please know I hear you

When you reach for me ...

To touch my hand ...

Please know I feel you

When you call for me ...

Above all others ...

Please know it thrills me

When you talk to me ...

About your troubles ...

Please know I'm listening

When you smile at me ...

With joy filled eyes ...

Please know I'm happy

When you are near me ...

My heart ...

Feels you

Hears you

Touches you

Sees you

Reaches out

For

You

-

Hosted by Cecily and Mama Geek

"No, I'm not a great painter neither am I a great poet."

Claude Monet

It's often so much easier to recognize the potential in others ... than it is to see it in ourselves.

I sometimes tell my children, "Make sure you use all of your potential - it's a gift - never waste it." I often tell them this when one of them has put forth less than 100% effort towards accomplishing a goal or completing a task. I tell them, "Imagine what you could have achieved if you had done your very best."

I can see the potential clearly in each of my children - these 4 children that I totally believe can make a huge difference in the world if they set their minds to it. I, however, have had far less luck identifying and focusing my own potential.

That is ... until lately. Lately, I've been very determined to commit enormous amounts of creative energy and focusing my potential on something I believe I am good at.

It has taken approximately 45 days to put 75,703 words to paper (and I'm not done yet).

My mind is either running a course to a completely chaotic and totally consuming nervous breakdown or ...

I have a story to tell.

I will continue to write and edit until each word is perfect and each sentence flows into the other eloquently ... and this manuscript becomes a complete and utter masterpiece - even if only in my mind.

If these pages are indeed the bones to something more than the rambling thoughts of a woman gone mad ...

If these words are indeed the foundation of a story meant to be shared ...

Then ...

I will complete these writings in good time and ...

My time will have been well spent.

In the end ...

It may never be a story worth selling ...

But ...

I will still know that I remained committed ...

Focused my potential fully on achieving my goal ...

And that will be something.

Imagine ... a tormented and struggling artist named Claude Monet - not believing he was a great painter.

Imagine ... what he might have accomplished had he been truly aware of how talented he was - truly aware of his full potential.

I have to believe that Monet was in fact achieving his full potential but ... what if he wasn't?

Either way ... what amazing hope he inspires for the rest of us.

"I'd like to paint the way a bird sings."

Claude Monet

-

Hosted by Cecily and Mama Geek

I had another post I had intended for Photo Story Friday this week, but I am going to save it for another time.

I would like to use my You And Me post (below) as my story for this week. I published this story on Wednesday, but I think it is a post that tells a beautiful story - one of the best stories of my life, and I am not ready yet to push that post into my archives for no one to see again. I don't write enough about my precious twins and I worked very hard to pay tribute to my love for them through these photos and this post - I just want to keep it up a little longer.

So ... if you have not seen this post - I hope you enjoy it. If you have - thanks so much for coming by earlier this week to share my precious twins with me! And, if you just can't get enough of Kellan and all of her writing, you can go over to my blog at mySA and read the post I have up over there called, That Boy - He Knows A Little About This And He Knows A Little About That .

Have a great weekend, everyone!

-

Hosted by Cecily and Mama Geek

Katie Couric's Farewell Interview With Sarah Palin

So, Sarah ... what will you do now that the campaign is over?

*slight Fargo accent*

I'll be headin' back to Alaska - get back to work.

What's the first thing you plan to do when you get home?

The first thing I 'm gonna do is ... get outta these clothes they made me wear - get back to wearin' my soccer-mom clothes and camo gear. Kick off these doggone high heeled shoes and slip on my comfy sheep-skin slippers. Then ... I'm gonna make a big pot of delicious moose-meat chili.

What will you do with all the clothes, Sarah? Did the campaign let you keep all the clothes?

Well ... I just kept 'em. I really didn't ask anyone - I just packed 'em in my moose-skin suitcase and I'm sneakin' 'em back to Alaska with me.

I didn't ask for all them clothes, but I earned 'em!
I know I said they were gonna be donated to some charity after the campaign - but, I lied 'bout that. I'm gonna take 'em home and sell 'em in a garage sale - make me some money.

Is that right - a garage sale?

Yes, Katie - that's what us soccer moms do with all the stuff we don't want - we sell the stuff in garage sales.

And what will you do with the money?

Oh ... I'll probably buy some ammo and maybe a new pair of huntin' boots. It's moose-huntin' season, you know - up 'er in Alaska.

So ... do you have any other immediate plans?

Why, yes I do.

I plan to enter the Mrs. Alaska Hottest Soccer Mom Contest this comin' February. You know I love a good beauty contest.

You certainly are a beauty.

What will your talent be?

I could always play the flute. You know I'm a darn good flute player. But ... I think I'll probably do somethin' with plumbin'. You know that Joe The Plumber fella taught me a thing or two 'bout plumbin' - just might come in handy.

*blink blink*

I see you are wearing new glasses, Sarah. Is this is new fashion statement?

These here were a gift from Elizabeth Hasselbeck - you know, from The View. She was so sad when we lost the election that she sent us all gifts.

Did you receive any other parting gifts - besides the glasses and the clothes?

Why, yes I did.

This here soccer ball was given to me by Barack Obama. Isn't he the sweetest thing?

We wish you luck, Sarah.

We sure are going to miss you on Saturday Night Live.

Don't cry, Katie - I'll be back!

I'm goin' back home to Alaska - gonna learn some stuff, meet some people, travel some and ... get more 'sperience under my gun belt.

You might just see me in 2012 - runnin' for President of these here United States.

You haven't seen the last of this moose-shootin'-soccer-mom-Joe-The-Plumber-lovin'-smokin'-hot- Alaskan'! Nosiree!

And there you have it - the farewell interview with Sarah Palin.
It will be fun to see what she does next - you know - beyond the garage sale and Mrs. Alaska Hottest Soccor Mom contest *hee hee*.

From everyone here at CBS - Good Night.

Hosted by Cecily and Mama Geek

So ... last Friday (for Photo Story Friday), I introduced you to Alexis' friend, Sally. I followed her through her day - took photos, and told you the story of "Sally's Busy Day". Some people said they would like to see Sally again and we might just see her again soon, but ... this week, we are going to meet another one of Alexis' friends for a Photo Story Friday interview.

Interview With A Flat Girl

"It's very nice to meet you ... Flatsie."

"Thanks. I'm so flattered you picked me to interview."

"Is Flatsie your real name - or is it a nick-name?"

"It's my real name. I was named after my Aunt Flatsie, on my mother's side. My brother - his name is Flatten. My sister - her name is Flattest. My daddy - his name is Flatter and my mother - her name is Flattey. We're all flat. I'm the youngest in the Flat family."

"And ... where are you from, Flatsie? Where do you live?

"Well ... in Flat, Texas - of course."

"Is there really a place - Flat, Texas?"

"You've never heard of Flat, Texas? It's about 38 miles southwest of Waco. It's where all us Flats live."

"Is that your last name - Flat?"

"Yes - Flatsie Flat, of the Flatter Flats from Flat, Texas."

"And ... do you live there with your family?"

"Oh, yes. We live in a flat just above the filling station, across the street from the Flat Feed & Seed."

"Your hair is beautiful, Flatsie. Do you do it yourself?

"Thanks. Yes, I do. First I flatten it with the flat iron ..."

"Then I braid it. This is how I always fix my hair."

"What do you like to do in your spare time, Flatsie?"

"Well ... I like to watch a lot of TV on our wall mounted flat screen. And, I like to go to concerts. Last weekend I went to Waco with some friends from Flat, to see Rascal Flatts."

"So, you went to Waco. Do you travel a lot?"

"Not much. I don't want to travel too far - and risk falling off the edge of the earth. It's flat, you know?"

"Those are lovely shoes, Flatsey. Do you like shoes?"

"Boy - do I! These are the only pair of heels I own, though. Being as I am so flat - I usually wear - flats. I have lots of flats."

"What is your favorite food?

"I'd have to say ... flat bread. My grandma Flat makes the best flat bread in all of Flat!"

"Thanks so much for the interview, Flatsie. I'll walk you to your scooter."

"Oh My! I have a flat tire!"

"And ... wouldn't you know ... I left my tire jack back at my flat in Flat and ... all I've got is a flat-head screwdriver here in my scooter trunk."

"I could give you a ride - if you'd like."

"No - that's okay. I'll just call my brother, Flatten - he'll come right over here and fix it in nothin' flat. He's an expert at fixin' flats."

"What on earth happened? Why are you lying on the ground, Flatsie?"

"Oh ... I'm okay. The wind just blew me over - flat to the ground. That happens sometimes. I'll just lie here flat on my back and rest a while until Flatten comes to fix this flat."

And, there you have it. An exclusive interview with Flatsey Flat, from Flat, Texas. I believe we all now know as much as we ever wanted to know about a ... flat girl.

*Note: This was my doll when I was little. She is at least 40 years old. I believe her name was Flatsie - at least that is what I always called her. These were very popular for a while - these little flat dolls. They came with all sorts of "flat" accessories - so cute (I still have her flat baby carriage - but no flat baby ?). I think they need to bring these little dolls back. The doll is only about 3" tall - not very big and ... she does look a lot like Paris Hilton - doesn't she?! Maybe she'll come back as Paris in a future PSF - that might be fun.

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I have a Canon Rebel XTi.
I got it last Christmas.
I have very little clue how to use the thing.

So ...

One of the things I swore I would do - once the kids returned to school in August - was to get that Canon out and ... learn how to use it.

The other day, I asked one of Alexis' friends if she'd help me out - model for me - let me take some pictures of her. After I took lots of photos, Alexis helped me put together this little story.

Hope you enjoy our story and photos ...

Sally's Busy Day

"Sally ...! Uh ... Sally!"

"Yes."

"I need you to model for me - let me take some photos of you with my Canon Rebel XTi."

*silence*

"Would that be okay? Sally! Would that be okay?"

"I'm really very busy - you know. I have lots to do. I have a very busy day."

"Oh well ... that's okay. I'll just follow you around - snap some pictures. You won't even know I'm there," I sling the Canon Rebel XTi over my shoulder. "Hey, Sally - I see you got yourself some fabulous new sunglasses."

*silence*

"And ... is that a new hat?"

*silence*

"It's lovely. And ... I just love your pink Crocs! They're those lace up ones - aren't they?"

"Where you going? Sally! Where are you going?"

"I told you ... I have things to do."

"Okay, then -- I'll just follow along," and off we went. "Whatcha doin' now, Sally?"

"I was thinking about going for a swim - if someone would leave me alone."

"Oh - but Sally! You still have on your hat! And your skirt. And ... your lace-up Crocs!"

"You just back off! I have so much to do and you are talking too much and just getting in the way!"

*SPLASH*

"Did you have a nice swim, Sally? Did you?"

"What are you going to do now?"

"I'm getting my exercise. Thought I'd go down the slide a few times."

"Can that really be considered - exercise, Sally? I mean ..."

"Be careful ... Sally!"

"Oh, Sally! You lost your new sunglasses!"

"Wheeeeee ...!"

"I thought I'd swing for a while."

"What are you doing now, Sally - working in your garden?"

*silence*

"Are you taking a break now? Who is this, Sally? Is this your little dog?"

"What is his name?"

"HER name is - Fifi."

"Oh ... she is cute! Can she do anything? I mean - like tricks?"

"Well ... she does know one trick," Sally said, and took Fifi out of her bag. "If you pull her tail," she showed me, "The hair on the top of her head gets shorter and ... her tail gets longer. See ..."

"WOW! That is some trick, Sally. I've never seen any dog ever do that trick."

"Oh ... is that the door bell? Are you expecting someone?"

"Who is your friend, Sally?"

"This is Lelo . She's here to teach me to hula dance."

Oh, Sally - you dance the hula beautifully!

"OH MY, Sally! You were swinging your hips so hard - your skirt fell off!"

"Time for a nap now, Sally?"

*SNORE*

"Okay, then. I guess I've taken up enough of your time and took plenty of photos. I'll leave you to rest - you've had such a busy day."

"Bye, Sally. See you later."