Sentimental Saturday

This past week my family headed back to school after a shorter Christmas break than we're normally accustomed.  You can bet I am praying for some snow days.

8th grade Orlando, Florida

Goofing off at Jr. Beta Nationals

This will be Ren's very last semester of high school.  I can't believe it.  Where have the years gone?  In just a few months she will be walking across the gym floor and taking her diploma (well the cover, at least) from her principal's hand while her daddy calls out her name.  It is sure to be bittersweet, just as many things this year have already been.

8th grade 

On the way to Pigeon Forge, Tn. for the annual Jr. Beta trip to Dollywood

As a little tribute to her I will be digging back through the past twelve years or so of her life and posting a pic or two or three each Saturday.  Let's hope my scanner will survive this walk down memory lane.  So if you're like me and enjoy looking at other people's pictures, be sure to check in each week for some of my beautiful gal (and you can bet I'll throw in an embarrassing one or two along the way.  I'm just kinda devious that way).

8th grade

With one of her best friends, Lexie, getting ready to have their group cheer picture taken for the paper

Have a great weekend!

Click on any picture to make it larger.

On Your Birthday

Today, you are seventeen.  Where has the time gone?  With each passing year I see less of the little girl who clomped around in oversize shoes, less of the girl who was carried down the sidewalk by her daddy with her long legs – yes, even then – dangling from beneath a pale pink skirt on the way to ballet, less of the  little girl who could play with her Barbies for hours, and more of the young lady you are becoming.

But no matter how old you become,  nor how far away from me you may one day live, you will always be my little girl. 

Happy birthday, my darling daughter!

 

Love,

Mom

P.S.  If you would like to take a stroll down memory lane for this most glorious day you can do that HERE.  I'm sure it will put a smile on your face - or you might just laugh at what a wuss I am. ;)

Dear Old Golden Rule Days

School days, school days
Dear old golden rule days.

Their very last "first-day-of-school-picture" together.

Readin' and 'ritin' and 'rithmetic
Taught to the tune of the hickory stick.

 

 Can it be?  My beautiful senior.

You were my queen in calico
I was your bashful barefoot beau.
And you wrote on my slate 

"I love you, so"

My handsome second-grader.

When we were a couple of kids.

Just How Quickly Do Thirteen Years Go By?

If you had asked me that question in late 1995 or early ‘96 I would have probably answered, “rather slowly I’m inclined to think.”    Now, with a new, particularly special school year soon upon us I am of a different opinion.

A few weeks ago Ren sat for her final session of senior pictures.  Although several casual shots were taken, the main purpose of this shoot was to capture the senior picture.  There, posing for her formal portrait, I realized my daughter was sitting for her last school picture.  

And with that photograph it began...the beginning of the end of an important chapter in her life.  What started with a kindergartner’s shy grin and little white bow is ending with a black drape and Clinique lipstick. 

cRaZy HoT in Tennessee

Good Monday, friends.  We here in Middle Tennessee remain stifled by record-breaking temperatures.  It’s cRaZy HoT, y’all!!!  As I was saying to John the other night, the ONLY good thing about the heat wave we’ve been experiencing is that it has been a dry heat.  I can somewhat take heat. I don’t do humidity very well.

This past Friday the temperature in Nashville reached 109 - the hottest ever recorded.  Some spots north of Nashville, which is where I live, were even hotter I think.

Ren’s senior pictures had been scheduled for that evening and we were asked by our photographer, who is also a dear friend, if we wouldn’t want to reschedule.  All other sessions had.  Knowing how busy our schedule would become in July, I decided to go ahead and have them taken. Of course, had it been humid I would have absolutely had to cancel.  Ren does not do humidity well either.

Luckily, the session turned out great, and except for once, when she was wearing a fairly tight headband and longer dress as part of a Bohemian ensemble, Ren didn’t even break a sweat.  Having said that, we did go prepared, which helped ensure neither she nor her makeup melted.

Here’s what it takes.

1.)  Make sure you have a great photographer who works quickly.
2.)  Use a sweat resistant foundation.  Ren wore Clinique’s new Stay-Matte.  I have to say I was impressed.
3.)  If possible, bring along a personal make-up artist for retouches.  We are lucky to have one in the family.  Thanks, Meg.
4.)  Keep a dry hand towel handy for blotting away moisture around the face and neck.
5.)  Have a personal-sized, battery-operated fan.  This has been a lifesaver for Ren on multiple occasions.
6.)  Pack a cooler with some cold water and a bag or two of ice OR
7.)  Realize the one being photographed will probably need a straw for sipping water - lest we smear some lipstick - so head to the local Sonic.  Be prepared:  3 medium ice waters and one large cup of ice will cost you $2.29.  I was rather shocked.  

I can’t wait to see the rest.

Well, stay cool, my friends.  And please, say a prayer that everyone in need of rain will get some much needed relief soon.  

Her Junior Prom

Well, hello again, blogging world.  Mr daughter's Junior/Senior prom was this past Saturday evening.  This was her first to attend and she had a ball, and one of the best parts for me was that I was able to witness most of it - thanks to the hubby's job as AP at her school!  Of course, Ren was less than thrilled when she first learned we would be there but, in the end, she really didn't mind it so much.

She invited Jay, one of her good friends on the football team, to be her guest.  Now, I know I am biased - a lot -but I thought they made a handsome pair.

I also think we may have found Ren's signature color...coral.  I really like how the color just meshed so well with her skin tone and hair.  In case you're wondering, the dress is by Sherri Hill.  I didn't think I would ever like one on her as much as I did her last formal, the white La Femme, but I do think this is my new favorite.

Well, I'm off to bed.  I think I may enjoy falling asleep listening to this nice spring storm - so long as it doesn't get too stormy.



P.S.  You know I can't pass up an opportunity to include a John-Heath moment...On Saturday, he was asked if he thought his sister was pretty.  He said he did but he also let it be known he preferred one of her friends.  According to him, she was one smoking hot lady.  Smoking hot.  Not sure where he heard that.  Andy Griffith, Spongebob, or iCarly? 

Houston, We Have a Car!

The search for my daughter a car is finally, and by finally I mean thank the good Lord I don't have to go through that again for ten more years, over! Seriously, it's a good thing John-Heath is ten years her junior because I think it will take that amount of time for me to get in the mood to car shop for a teenager again.

After one unsuccessful estate sale and pouring over Craigslists and online used car inventories for every car dealership in a hundred mile radius for the past several weeks we were finally able to check that little project off our to-do list this past Saturday.

Ren with her new car - which she named "Jeanie".

Ren is now the proud owner (well, primary driver) of a VW Jetta - used, of course. Considering on her first trip to the local Sonic she exited in the opposite direction as everyone else we figured it was best she get one already a little "broken in".

A Realization

If I had five bucks for each and every time my daughter has made it known that she can’t wait to be out of this house I would be a millionaire. Well, maybe not a millionaire, but I definitely could have paid cash for her braces.

Like all teens she is very public about looking forward to growing up and gaining independence and, behind the rose-colored glasses of youth, she can get a little cocky about it at times, too.

A few nights ago, a day after registering for her final year of high school, I think the reality of growing up and what it means to be independent finally began to hit home, and my daughter, who can be a pretty relaxed, why-worry-about-it kind of girl, was scared.

Sitting in complete safety and comfort between her dad and me in bed, the questions, accompanied by very wet eyes, started…What if I don’t know for certain what I want to do? What if the job I think I would like to do takes me out of state? What if you change your mind once you’ve already taken several college classes? How do you even start going to college?

For each of us there is always that first time our glasses get a little cloudy. For Ren, it was Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 9:00 p.m.

Countdown to Prom

My how things can change. Only a month or so ago Ren was absolutely dead set against going to her prom. Words like stupid, ridiculous, and should be just for seniors were commonplace anytime I approached the subject of it with her. But let a girl find a nice guy to go with and just the right dress and she's now singing a different tune, albeit in her normal laid back way.

Now the hair appointment is made and the "make-up artist" (cousin Meg) is lined up and today we will return to The White Room to pick up her dress, which was purchased a couple weeks ago but had to be ordered to get a size that is a better fit (plus, it'll be new and not one that was tried on by two hundred other girls and their deodorants).

After trying on about a gazillion dresses, Ren, along with her entourage of three, decided upon a Sherri Hill. You can see a bit of it above. It is a lovely dress, and one just a little different than the others she's owned. I have to say, and forgive me while I brag a bit, I thought my daughter was absolutely beautiful in it, even if she wasn't wearing any makeup that day and had her hair just thrown up in a messy bun.

Another great thing about this dress...she already has the shoes and earrings to match, which made her dad very happy.

Lucille

I thought I would show you a corner of Ren's room. If you'll remember, we're almost finished redecorating it. This shows you her new wall color. We got rid of the Chocolate Mousse and opted for a shade or purple, Ren's favorite color. I can't remember off-hand the exact color, but it's from Lowe's. You can't see it in the picture but her ceiling is also a very, very light shade of the color.

This dress form was one of the first things we purchased to go in her room after we finished building the house. Ren's older cousin/childhood idol had one and you know how that goes. I think I found this one at Home Goods, but as it's been almost five years ago, I can't remember.

I have heard that, especially in Canada, dress forms are nicknamed "Judy". Ren calls hers "Lucille". Can you take a wild guess as to one of her favorite old television series? Here's a hint...if she had a male dress form she would call him Desi.


As you can see, Lucille's main job, other than occupying the the corner between the third and fourth window (yes, that fourth window, the very one), is chief necklace holder. Doesn't she look like she's ready for Mardi Gras?

Linking up to

The Polka Dot Closet's Dress Form Ball.

"Mono y Mono"

Hello there, friends. I thought I would check in with you just so you’ll know I haven’t fallen from the face of the earth or been thrown in jail. Considering my clumsiness and oft short temper John would be quick to point out both those scenarios could be completely plausible.

So, here’s a brief recap of what we’ve been up to at the Tire Swings hacienda.

Ren has mono, as in nucleosis. She has been one sick puppy this week, and as of this writing still is. Poor thing, she can’t even blame it on a kiss from some sweet boyfriend (she’s stubbornly single). Being sick because of love could be tolerable in a romantic sort of way - think Marianne and Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility - but being sick because someone sneezed all over a door knob, etc. just stinks.

According to our in-house specialist Dr. John-Heath, her outlook is bleak. For evidence he produced a Weekly Reader brought home from school showing how germs are spread. He described each step as he pointed to the pictures in the article and concluded with ..."and then, Ren, you die."

Speaking of John-Heath, he is still loving the iPod Santa brought him for Christmas. His favorite games are Angry Birds, Temple Run, and Cars 2. Cars 2 frustrates him to no end and, if it continues to produce the weeping and wailing we hear coming from his bedroom, may soon be accidentally deleted from his menu.

As for me, I stayed home with Ren Tuesday and Wednesday and went back to work for part of the day today. Now, I cannot pretend I don’t like being home from work (high pitched squeals of delight have been known to be produced at the very thought of it), though naturally I would rather it be under better circumstances. I also wish it were drier weather. It seems like it has rained in Middle Tennessee for a solid month. My driveway, what’s left of it, is proof.

I blame that rain, along with my husband and the fact that yesterday was trash day for the minor fiasco I got myself into. TBC...

Ren's Room Redo - Part 1

This project has been/will continue to be a work in progress so Ill have to share it with you in chunks.

Old room. Faux window, as if she doesn't have enough real ones.

Every few years I feel the need to redecorate my daughter's room. As children grow, so do their needs, tastes, & personalities. When we moved into our house Ren was in the 7th grade. The color of her room -Chocolate Mousse- was chosen because it matched an itty-bitty portion of a "Paris" canvas picture I had bought for her the Christmas before. I thought I/we would love it.

The contents of Ren's closet moved to the bonus room while we painted. Yellow arrow indicates the Paris print with itty bitty patches of the soon-to-be-gone chocolate mousse, aka mauve.

Ren's room has four windows. Yes, four…three across the northern wall and a 4th one on the western wall. Believe you me, I still gripe about that fourth one even to this day. I mean, I get codes and all, but it's not like if the house caught on fire she wouldn't have three more to crawl from, not to mention the two other windows in her bath and closet! The most eyebrow-furrowing thing about that fourth window (other than the fact that it killed perfectly good wall space)…it’s all of 12” from the 3rd window. I’m sorry, but I just can’t imagine ANY scenario in which Ren would be forced to exit her room from a window and would have to use that 4th one, instead of the 3rd one. Okay, back to the issue with the wall color.

Because of the amount of light, etc., the color ended up looking too MAUVE. Now, don't get me wrong (especially if it is your favorite color), mauve is a pretty color. I think it's a soothing color. But having had it in our first house in the late 80's/early 90's...carpet, wallpaper, placemats, lacey baskets, you name it...I was done with it. No more mauve. I tried to make it fun and cute but it just never felt like a good fit for Ren, even with all the Paris do-dads.

When I was growing up I had one pair of tennis shoes (Cugas - yuck!) and one pair of Sunday shoes.

So about a year ago we began the process of redoing it. Now, most of the bigger changes were made right away, so it's not like we've been working on it this whole time (I'm not quite that ADD). I'm only a couple steps from being finished/as-good-as-it's-going-to-get. The light at the end of any tunnel is a welcomed sight.

The Beatles and a Barbie Dream house. What more could a girl want?

Ren's "Letter to Santa"...2011 Edition

At 16 now, it's been a few years since Ren has actually written a letter to the big guy himself but she always manages to get her list to the right people. Isn't it funny how, as children grow, their toys become smaller but the price tags get pricier!?!
Okay, this picture didn't show up quite as clear as I had hoped so, in case you've already taken out your contacts for the night or don't have your "readers" handy, I'll type it out for you below, too.

A new laptop, camera or Predators tickets

An eclectic assortment of DVDs

Lots and lots and lots of clothes and assessories

Desperate Housewives Season 7

Law and Order: SVU Season 1

Jewelry

Something BRIGHT RED

and...

A Car!!!

(She wants a Volvo or an Audi, and has lately mentioned a Jetta, but told us we could pick for her. Isn't she thoughtful?)

This last one is going to have to be a belated birthday/belated Christmas gift. December has gone by too fast and been waaayyyy too busy to do any car shopping.

I'm sure your children, like mine, have already finished writing their letters to Santa, but more importantly...has Santa finished?

Oh, My!

Well, my daughter took her road test yesterday to become a completely legal driver and...

So, while I think it could be a good idea to invest in these...

I know I will most definitely be doing plenty of this...

Watching your children grow is wonderful and frightening all at the same time.

Ghosts of Halloweens Past

Tell me, where does the time go?

Ren

Clown - (1 month old)

Elephant - (1 yr.)

Winnie the Pooh - (2)

Big Bird - (3)

Lady Bug - (4)

Raggedy Ann - (5)

Wicked Witch of the West - (6)

Egyptian Princess - (7)

Flapper Girl - (8)

I believe this was after we had watched Chicago, another one of my less than prudent moments as a mother.

50's Girl - (9)

Gypsy - (10)

Cat Woman - (11)

This was meant to fit tightly, and boy did it ever! You can tell where the pleather started ripping.

Pricess Leia - (12)

She still has yet to forgive me for making her wear this. I wanted her to match her brother, Yoda.

Mardi Gras Mask - (13)

A Bronco's Fan - (14)

Last year, she was sick and didn't dress up.

John-Heath

Lamb (5 months)

Ghost (1)

Yoda (2)

Cowboy (3)

Pirate (4)

Monster (5)