"Costumes" o' the 80s

I know you've been waiting anxiously for the next installment of "'Costumes' O' the Decades."

Oh, you mean you haven't been holding your breath? Well, I'll refresh your memory: back around Halloween, I was inspired by a funny e-mail circulating online to post some pictures of some of my happenin' getups from the 1970s. They were good enough that they could now be used as costumes, thus the "Costumes" --well, you get the picture.

So on to the 80s, totally my favorite decade.


"With my poofy sleeves and bubble skirt, I feel oh-so Debbie Gibson-esque!"






Girls, do any of you remember "Units" clothes? If not, the best way I can describe it is....well, modular clothing. They were the cat's galoshes in their hey day. So feminine and flattering with the angular lines, which come in handy if you're auditioning for Devo. My friend Laura here borrowed this outfit from me and actually made it look better than I could. Take care to note also the peg leg cuff at the bottom of the pants leg, popular also with fashionable gents of the day.

And here we have a vast array of the awesome bangs of the decade. Aqua Net hairspray must've been giddy over their stock prices back then. But please note that I can't make fun of my friends who are in this picture, because at the time I could only aspire to their coiffured greatness, fer sure.




And for the finale, a nice hair and fashion combination. The Laura Ashley-ish florals with flouncy rows of ruffles, the buttoned collar...ah, the epitome of style. My sister was my hair idol, with the big, broad bangs and overall Bon Jovi hairstyle tribute (your words, Sister). At the time I was growing out a baaaad haircut (no storytelling by you, Sister!), so I could only stand next to her and hope that some of her hair glory would make its way to me.


That's it for this episode. In the future I'll tackle the 90s, although that'll hit a little closer to home since it's relatively so recent! Until then, let's not take ourselves too seriously and smile, knowing that what we're wearing today could someday end up in a blog post like this. =)

3,650 Days

Today is our 10th wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary, David! Ten years ago today (hard to believe...time has passed so quickly!), I was a happy, excited bride. What an amazing day shared with lots of family and friends.
Of course, I'll be saying all of these things to you in person, David, but I also want everyone to know how much I love, appreciate, admire, and respect you. You are truly an amazing man who loves God and loves me beyond what I could've imagined. I only hope to be the best wife and friend that I can be for you.
(Thanks, readers, for indulging me today!)

Plug

Do you like great photography, fiction, creative paper artistry, and/or clowns who can whip out spot-on impersonations of Nixon?


I'm feeling link-ish today, so if you like any of the above then I have some sites for you.

Photography
Here is a link for a great photo-a-day blog by David Bryant. Reflections of Creation
More keen things to see by photographer Kara Bryant... Kara Bryant Photo

Fiction and other writing
True treats for those who appreciate a good read, by author Travis W. Inman-- Travis W. Inman's blog (The Blundering Discoverer)
...and his web site: Travis W. Inman's web site

Paper crafting
When you visit designer Christi Snow's blog, you can't help but be inspired... Altered Ambitions

Confession: you won't find the Nixon clown thing in these links. ...I'm still working that up myself.

Pause

Which is your favorite month of the year? Of course, January is everyone's best-loved month, right?

Okay, probably not.

Ten or 15 years ago January was last on my list. Back then I didn't like cold weather, and January just seemed like a bleak, blustery, colorless month that had to be endured. I wondered if a person could get in on the bears' hibernation deal.

What changed? Maybe it was when I got married in a January wedding. Suddenly there was a permanent bright spot on the calendar that time every year. Also around that time I launched into my transition from a hot-weather loving/cold-weather shunning girl into quite the opposite.

Whatever the reason, I now really like the first month o' the year. While not my absolute favorite, it does have its charms. Yes, after Christmas and New Year's, life resumes with the hustle and bustle of daily routines. ...But overall, there seems to be a quiet simplicity that hushes the land. A brisk stillness that can be seen in bare tree branches and blankets of snow. It's as if nature has paused for a moment.

It's a welcome chance for me to pause as well, reminiscing with a smile about the holidays, being grateful for countless blessings, and feeling hopeful about the time ahead. Maybe that's also why I'm drinking hot chocolate more often--it's a chance to warm up and take a moment to stop and just think...often a rarity in our busy days.

(At least that's the reason I tell myself as I take another sip.) =)

A spot of poetry

I've been reluctant to create a new post, mostly because I've loved pulling up the blog and seeing David's cozy picture of our den (sigh) at the top of the page. I love his photography. You can see some more of in tucked in the archives of this site. If you go there, you might also want to read his latest blog entry. It's very touching. Okay, plug is over. --But the race is on: the Christmastime flavor poll has heated up, with pumpkin spice and eggnog neck and neck. Poor tabasco.

Let's have a little poetry. Before I inflict my latest scribbles on you, though, I'd like to pay tribute to one of my favorite wordsmiths. ...A giant of a man immortalized in the classic movie, "The Princess Bride." Yes, I'm talking about Fezzik, the great rhymer. Let's listen in...

Inigo Montoya: That Vizzini, he can *fuss*.
Fezzik: Fuss, fuss... I think he like to scream at *us*.
Inigo Montoya: Probably he means no *harm*.
Fezzik: He's really very short on *charm*.
Inigo Montoya: You have a great gift for rhyme.
Fezzik: Yes, yes, some of the time.
Vizzini: Enough of that.
Inigo Montoya: Fezzik, are there rocks ahead?
Fezzik: If there are, we all be dead.
Vizzini: No more rhymes now, I mean it.
Fezzik: Anybody want a peanut?

Genius. I'd hate to go up against Fezzik in a Rhyme-Off. Do any of you have the gift for rhyme? Anyway, that movie always brings a grin to my face, and I'd thought you'd like a smile, too.

Okay, (big, sudden transition)...here's some other stuff I wrote tonight:

Eyes search, looking into inky blankness
Peering for Something
--sensing nothing.
Only consuming chill and cavernous echoes provide company.

Yet in time the day comes and gently washes away the opaqueness,
Revealing it all - much closer than life - it startles,
Filling the horizon and sky
reclining regally on a throne of ancient rock,
yet also
seeming to
Lean in over all below--watching, and
Watching over.
It displays the sifting of snow like powdery hair that was
Always pale with wisdom, soft hairs without number.

Gossamer crown of cloud in place, it
Whispers
(to those who take notice)
that it will be unmoved from this throne,
Even as darkness returns for a moment.

Oh, Christmas Tree

Is your Christmas season already hectic and hurried? In the midst of it of all, I hope there's a place in your home or your memories that is restful and comforting. Here's mine: this is a picture that David took in our house last Christmas. I love our little Christmas tree forest and our fireplace. The sight of the trees and the sound of the crackling fire never fail to relax me.

I wish I had some impressively deep insights for you in this post. Instead, I offer simply a prayer that you can carve out a time and place to rest in the warmth of Christmas and its true meaning.

Yee haw!

My inner Texan has been unleashed! I've been enjoying a "girls weekend" in Texas with three very good friends and the kind husband of one who tolerates all of us invading their house. I'm so thankful to God for these weekends with them, although I do miss my sweet husband very much.

...But even though I love my New Mexico home, it does this Texas girl's heart good to see the Lone Star flag flying lots of places. My only disappointment has been the absence of the famous Cinnamon Roll cappuccino at the Chevron in Colorado City. (sigh--What happened, Chevron? It was just there a year ago!)

So life is pretty good when you get to have new adventures with wonderful friends and your biggest worry at the moment is where to get a tasty caffeine fix. These are times to treasure.