Oh. My. God. What WERE You Thinking??

Over the last couple of days I have been looking through old pictures. Many of them were so outlandish that I had to scan them and share them with the world...because, that's what people do when they have a passion for any type of photography...right? It led me to a 2-day project of scanning in various pictures from back in the day. Some of the pictures deserve to have their stories told...I mean...well...you'll see.....

Back in the late 80's I discovered the most awesome band ever. I thought nothing of the fact that they wore more makeup and hairspray than I did. Who is the band you ask? As if you have to ask, right? Poison.

Poison was my first ever concert. My cousin Chris took me and my cousin Missy to see them in South Carolina when they were touring with David Lee Roth....and so began my obsession with everything Poison...I will proudly admit that I have seen them in concert 5 times. Although, I'm sure you couldn't just have guessed that by the sheer volume of Poison posters behind me.

My dad (Pop) is an amazing wood worker (is that what they call people that like making things with wood? Wood worker? Wood artist? Wood maker?). He would make me random Poison things. See, dads do that kind of thing. Even though he thought the music was like listening to wounded cats screeching....he humored me.

The picture above makes me giggle now. Back when it was taken, I thought I was the coolest teen in the small town of Hitchcock. It's funny now looking back...as different as I was from the rest of my cowboy boot, MC Hammer Dookie pants wearing friends....it didn't matter. And yes....I did succumb to the Dookie Pant craze...but hey....please don't tell anyone, OK? I mean it.....I really don't want that to get out. People would think I was weird or something.

Around my freshman year of high school I started to morph into more of a girly girl. Well, as much of a girly girl as I could be. I still don't understand the art form called shoes. I moved from a head of "frost" (of which turned florescent green by sheer accident one day by making the intelligent decision to go swimming right after I had it done) to what can only be described as tidal wave hair. Hold that thought...I'd like to discuss my green hair for a bit if you don't mind.

Even as much as I loved Poison (and yes, that was the color of my new hair), I didn't love that I had bright green hair. I'm about to disappoint you for a moment by telling you a little known fact. If you don't like to be disappointed....please skip this next part...OK? No? Well don't say I didn't warn you!! Did you know that vinegar does NOT work on everything as you may have thought? I'm here to tell you that I was extremely let down when, after 5 bottles of vinegar, (and smelling like a horrid pickle) that I still had green hair. My green hair slowly faded. That was also about the time that my sister Angie and I had the bright idea that a frosted hair-do would look fantabulous with a "bowl" cut. No, please don't shake your head at me.....I'm serious. I proceeded to let her stick a bowl on my head and make 4 perfectly shaped bowl layers in my head (sorry, I just love making up words...that should be a word..so from this day forward....fantabulous is a word....at least on this blog it is).

We proudly went to display her artistry to my parents and bless their hearts.....they held it together. Of course, the "I'm so sick to my stomach that I'm about to throw up; how COULD you do that to your hair??" look totally gave them away. I have to give them props though...they only did things like make us walk ahead of them at the mall....We laugh about it then but a bowl layer with frosted florescent green hair wasn't exactly the thing back then.

OK back to the tidal wave hair. That was a true art from in and of itself. I mean...you had to get it to perfectly flip back while remaining smooth in the front despite the can of hairspray that you had to use to keep it from moving. I still giggle when I see the one above. Don't you just love how it drops off to the right? It's like a wall or something.

It was so stiff and high that while I was on the dance drill team called the Swingerettes, I had to wear my hat toward the back of my skull. The tidal wave wouldn't give an inch. I'm ashamed to admit (not really, I think it's pretty funny...but work with me here) that I was convinced that my hair style was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Really. I mean it.

Lets move on, shall we? I'd like to discuss the next picture. The helmet head picture. Correction, the tidal wave helmet head picture. Pardon me while I say something to myself....

Self, what WERE you thinking? I mean, really? really?? Come ON. And what's with that inch thick makeup that you allowed to be caked on by a country bumpkin of a hair dresser (the same one that did the helmet tidal wave hair)?

Did you know that the entire day of my Senior pictures....my hair didn't move once. Not once. This is one of the times that I think...of all of the pictures taken throughout school...this one is going to live in my year book forever. People (myself included) will look at this picture, shake their heads and giggle.

Would you like to know something? After that hairtastrophy (get it??) I never went back to a country bumpkin stylist. Ever. Again.

And lets not even get me started on my caterpillar eyebrows.



But you know what? All of these pictures are great memories because they tell a story of a happy teenager. A teenager who's parents let me express myself freely. They didn't understand my obsession with everything Poison, or my weird taste in jackets....but they let me get through that phase on my own. They let each of us express our individual personalities with our clothes, music, and lets not forget....our interior design talents.

Mom and Pop,
I'm not sure how I ended up with such great parents, but thank you. Thank you for letting me be weird. Thank you for letting me figure out on my own that green hair wasn't "the thing". Thank you for making me into the person I am today. A person that doesn't look back on these pictures and hide them in shame....but one that is confident enough in herself that she can laugh at them with fondness as she shares them with the world.

Sincerely,

I Really am Normal Now. Really. Well, Mostly...

See what happens when you visit my blog??? You get random tidbits into my life....things you may or may not have even wanted to know. But now you do.

Strike a Pose!

This past weekend I went to see my BFF Erin. She is seriously one of the closest friends I've ever had and I wish we lived closer together. But....while I was there we did a photo shoot starring...ME! I'm always the one behind the camera so this was a blast.


I think I look like my mom here. Every once in a while I will see one of my facial expressions and think....I can totally see my mom! Dontcha think?

I do believe that this one is probably one of my favorite pictures. Although, I'm not sure I look very curious...I think I might look like I'm pondering something....

Wanna know a secret? This one was all about the shoes. What better way to show off sassy red shoes than to stick yourself in front of a cool wall???

Most people that know me, know that I'm not one that loves 'scenery" pictures. I'm more of an urban type...(note my cool backgrounds and wall color)...however....there's something to be said about sitting on a tree trunk that is bigger than you are.

We found this abandoned old gas station that was right up my alley. Do I look like I could be part of Charlie's Angels? I think I armed that gas pump pretty darned well if I say so myself!

Doesn't this just scream danger?

Erin threw this one in there because she loved the candidness of the entire thing. I'm sure she said something very witty that made me lose my concentration and crack up. She had this thing about not stopping the shoot even though I decided to break pose. Hmmpphhhh Erin....please quit shooting me when I'm not in character. Thank you.


I think she is a wonderful photographer and even more....she's a wonderful friend. We had so much fun together...catching up....and getting lost. Yes...just so everyone knows....she's as bad as I am with directions. But....she gets lost even with a navigator...I do believe that means that she takes the cake for the directionally challenged. Erin, sweetie, you know I love you! :D

Sincerely,

She Who Hasn't Updated this Blog in Like....Forever

PS- New pictures of Ethan coming soon!

Click here to see more of Erin's photography

Hanging with His Homie

Do you see this picture? I said something incredibly witty, and my niece Jaiden cracked up. I'm good like that. I crack wise jokes and make people around me laugh. OK well not really. But in my own world, I'm witty. Actually, Jaiden spent the night with us Saturday night and in this picture, she was in the process of throwing a ball at Ethan's head and cracking up. Ethan thought it was funny too. I guess I wasn't "in the know" for this particular situation.

We went to the park the next day where Ethan tried to give me a heart attack. He's discovered how to climb the "kiddie rock wall". He's quite good at it actually, but that doesn't make the mother in me feel any less panicky every time I see him climb this thing.


There is a super model in our midst. When there is a camera shoved in her face, she does the exact opposite of Ethan. She strikes a pose. Ethan on the other hand has started telling me "no more pictures". The poor child, if he only knew what was in store for him in the next 15 years. I don't have it in me to tell him that this affliction I have is not going to go away any time soon. I guess he'll have to figure out the hard way.

But my niece, she hasn't been around me enough to learn that I have this handicap. So, she is perfectly happy to pose whenever I sneak up on her with that black thing attached to my face.



Ethan starts off cooperating. He is just happy to be at the park running off all of his energy.

And JaeRae is perfectly happy to go down the slide. Over. And over. And over.

I often watch Ethan and try to think back to when I didn't have a care in the world besides climbing and sliding. Son, enjoy it while it lasts.

Of course, this shot is the epitome of what the joy of childhood looks like. I got this same look on my face when I realized that I could keep my same blog look and not change it to something else.

See!? Don't you just want to have a myocardial infarction when you see him climbing this rock wall!? Oh, sorry...I get carried away sometimes. Like when my son decides that 4 1/2 is old enough to become Spider Man.

Speaking of my son....we had the following conversation last night at bed time:
Ethan: "Mommy? How do I go to sleep really fast?"
Me: "Hmmm....I'm not sure."
Ethan "Do I just shut my eyes tight and tell myself to go to sleep?"
Me "That's a good start. Yes, try that."
Ethan "OK Mommy, I'll try."


See the difference in height? They are only a year apart. My son is a giant. That's what happens when you have a daddy that is 6'2". I have to remind myself sometimes that he's not as old as he looks. I have to remind him of that fact too. A lot.

Because, he already thinks he can drive. He also thinks that he can pick up hitchhikers. I tell him that is not acceptable, but he does it anyway. Errr...wait. Is that my niece in the picture? Sorry, I get carried away sometimes. Ethan? It's OK to give your cousin a ride but no strangers!

Of course, he's stubborn like his daddy. You can't tell him anything. Ethan has never met a stranger when it comes to another child. Our child is a social butterfly. He takes after me.

PS- I have a few pictures that Ethan's Aunt Angie took Saturday. I'll try and get them posted tomorrow.

Peace out, yo!
(slang for "good night")

Self Absorbed Today

A little birdie (birdy?) told me just the other day that I don't have many pictures of myself on my blog. Of course, because it's my blog, I'm normally the one behind the camera. But last month, in an effort to take pictures of my new hair cut, I took about a trillion pictures of myself. It's always interesting trying to do so and frankly, I almost deleted each and every one....but since we are close, intimate friends....I figured I'd post a few.

This was also one of those moments that Jerry just shook his head and then promptly ignored my obsessive camera behavior. Oh look, that girl in the picture has some good looking nails! Sorry, I was admiring my fingers.

In this one, I look like...well, I'm not sure what I look like....hmmm....holier than thou maybe? Be gone peasants before I squish you with the toe of my boot. Err..or something like that.

There really isn't much to my point tonight. Frankly, I'm just rambling. I do that sometimes. It's an affliction that I have. Rambleitis. Wow! There is a camera hovering over that girls head! How DOES she do that? Sorry, sleep deprivation sometimes causes me to drift in and out of reality.


Please. Please. No autographs today.

And while we are on the subject of rambling. Well, not really but go with me for a moment. Would you like to know what I love about Windows Vista? Automatic spell check! On everything. How did I ever survive without it?

Oh and I'm having a very hard time finding new shoes to wear to work. Mine are falling apart but I refuse to buy any that I have to break in.

And one last thing:

Smile...and the world smiles with you.


Sincerely,


She Who Should Just go to Bed Instead

The Life Behind the Lens

Whenever something happens, I have an unnatural urge to document it behind the camera. This is something I'm told that only other photographers understand. Please note that I use the term "photographer" loosely. This affliction baffles almost everyone I know. You see, it's hard to explain something that I can't put into words. Sometimes I just feel the need to snap a picture of whatever is going on at any given moment.

That's why I am continually baffled every time Jerry expresses surprise when I jump to grab my camera when something interesting happens. To me, it's as normal as breathing. To him? To him, I'm just plain weird. Although, every single photographer friend of mine reading this understands where I am coming from.

So last night was no different when (as kickoff started on the Superbowl) our satellite went out. Not five minutes later, the sky opened and the most amazing thing happened. It started raining Sonic Ice! This weird occurrence went on for about 15 minutes as I frantically ran from the front door to the back. Snapping. Pictures. Like. A. Mad. Woman.....

It's not every day that it rains Sonic Ice.

Doesn't it look like it's snowing? Our windows were being pelted and we were thoroughly convinced that one was going to break...but did that stop me? No. I was too worried that I might miss a Kodak moment. Jerry (in typical Jerry fashion) just shook his head and ignored me. Well, he ignored me after he said for the gazillionth time "Why do you always feel the need to take a picture of everything?" In our household, that is now a rhetorical question. I could get all anayitical and state that maybe it's because I lost all of my childhood pictures and now I'm OCD about Ethan having plenty....Or not....


No, I really don't think it's that. Not anymore anyway. I think it's just a photographers addiction to capture a moment. The need to document life through a lens.


Besides....without pictures, what would I talk about on my blog?


Sincerely,


She Who Treats the World as if it's a Fishbowl

2008 Revisited

OK so it seems that every year good things and bad things happen. Every year we learn from our mistakes. It is really amazing to sit back and think about everything that has occurred throughout the year and realize that so much has happened.

• My SIL welcomed her son into the world.
• A friend of mine got married.
• My paternal grandmother passed away.
• I spent the entire year in school.
• Jerry had a major job changed that required a huge adjustment.
• Ethan shaved his head.
• A friend of mine got divorced.
• I sprained my ankle and it still hasn't healed.
• Ethan cut his own hair.
  
• My step-sister and I reconnected.
• We marked a year of a friend being gone.
• I discovered Facebook, The Pioneer Woman, and TMZ.
• Ethan shaved a piece of his hair. Again.
  
• The Twilight Movie came out!
• I finally found a hairstyle that I liked.
• Hurricane Ike wreaked havoc on our lives.
  
• I got a new phone...and then promptly dropped the new one in milk.
• I kicked it into gear with my blogging.
• I discovered how much I adore Photoshop.
• I made some new friends, and divorced some others.
  

While some of the things that happened were light hearted, others were significant but all of them shaped me into to who I am today. All in all, this was a good year. My work thrived, my son i s healthy, and lord knows...I'm almost done with school.

What am I looking forward to in 2009? Lots. Mainly getting a break from school before I enter into the MBA program. I gave up setting new year resolutions years ago. I just never keep them. I'm not going to outline what it is I'm looking forward too, I'll just write about it as it unfolds.

Excuse me while I take a break from my deep thoughts to ask Ethan to quit bouncing his ball off the television.

OK, thank you for your patience. As I was saying, I think it will make the new year more interesting if I just share my experiences as they happen instead of trying to predict them. Of course, when I finish school in May, you will likely hear me singing a chorus from the top of a mountain. And when the second Twilight Movie comes out, I'm likely to start doing the Running Man or Rodger Rabbit to celebrate the occasion.

Excuse me one more time while I ask Ethan to please quit trying to give me a heart attack before I'm 34.

Ahem, sorry about that. It's hard to sink deep into myself to share my thoughts as my four year old tries to shave like his daddy does.

I will also strive to break Ethan's fascination with cutting his hair and shaving his head.

While this next part is not a resolution but more of a self improvement goal, I will give you a glimpse. Once I'm done with school in May, I am going to devote much wanted time to improving my photography skill.

So my five readers, I hope you took something valuable from 2008 and apply it to 2009. For those of you that had a bad year, I hope 2009 shines for you. Kiss your kids and tell them how much you love them. Tell your loved ones how much you value their presence. Forgive someone. Learn something new. Kick one bad habit. Embrace your weird quirks. Dance with your young ones and act silly. Reconnect with an old friend. Hold hands with your spouse. And thank God every day for the extra day you have on this earth.

Here's to the new year and a new beginning.

A Christmas Message

This year, especially the past few months, has really been a roller coaster. We've had some unexpected turns in the road that have taken us down a different path. While it has not been easy, and we as a family have had to re-adjust, it has made the meaning of family so much stronger for us.

Ethan is four years old this Christmas and his innocence is so refreshing. We have decorated for Christmas, made cookies and Oreo truffles, sang Christmas songs, and have really gotten into the spirit of Christmas. I have started talking to him about the birth of baby Jesus and what Christmas means but I think maybe next year it will mean more.

Tonight after we went to look at Christmas lights, Jerry and Ethan baked cookies for Santa. Then we made reindeer food and he sprinkled it all in the yard for Santa's reindeer. I cherish these moments because I know at anytime, some random child at school will ruin the belief of Santa by telling him that Santa doesn't exist.

We also went to the store today to get stocking stuffers for the two stockings that Ethan was making for his cousins tomorrow. He then helped me wrap some gifts. I'm not sure if I have told you this, but Ethan is a big helper. He loves to help. He helps us clean, cook, and bake. If you are doing something, he pitches in to help. So, it was no surprise when he wanted to help wrap the presents. We encourage this so that he feels valued.

I'll take many pictures tomorrow and will try to have them posted ASAP. Grandma Wendy and Papa Ronald sent him a big box of presents and it's been an act of congress keeping him out from under the tree. He has spent tons of time lingering by the tree in hopes that I would let him open just one. We do have a tradition that on Christmas Eve he opens one present (pajamas to wear to bed), so he got to open that and a Santa "baby" that he's been asking for. I thought it was appropriate to have his Santa sleep with him tonight.

To all the family and friends that we can not be with this season: Have a blessed and Merry Christmas. May you also take a moment to remember why we celebrate Christmas. Enjoy the children and embrace the little moments.

Love,

Mikki, Jerry, and Ethan

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Santa's Email Message to Ethan

Let me just tell ya that this was an enormous hit with Ethan. Basically you just type in your child's name, some basic information, and then upload a pic...Santa will email you a personalized message! Ethan was answering Santa just like they were talking. When he saw that Santa had his picture, he was thrilled! We go through a daily routine of telling him to be good in school, listen to his teachers, and be nice to his friends. We just want to establish at a young age the importance of being kind and listening to his teachers.

We chose to have the message say that Santa knew he was trying to be good in school and Ethan immediately perked up and said "I need to tell Miss Sheila!!!!!" Miss Sheila is his teacher.

Anyway, you can check out Ethan's video. Let me know what you think!

Click here for Santa's Video.

Pigs Really Do Fly

OK so maybe pigs don't fly but well...you could knock me over with a feather right now. Let me start by saying that the one thing I love about Texas (well one of the things) is lack of majorly cold weather. You see, if a person could be allergic to cold weather, it would be me. Picture imaginary hives...picture imaginary puffy eyes and sneezes. All right, all right, I know you can sneeze and get all puffy for any number of reasons but this is my "virtual" allergies we are discussing. I lived in NC for 4 years and for the most part it was OK; except for those evil months that it was cold. I'd cringe, and glare at the weather as if I could see it. I'd try and will it away. It never worked.

Yesterday here in the Houston area it was in the 70's. I adore the winter when it's in the 70's. Winter like that makes my heart sing. Then today came and nearly froze me to death. Those hives I just told you about were there...Well, they would be there if one could be allergic to cold weather…but never mind that, I’m talking in circles now.

Jerry came inside a few minutes ago and informed me that he and Ethan were throwing snow balls at each other. I scoffed at the idea..Snow in Houston? I don’t think so. At least not the kind that would actually stay on the ground!

Hmmm…that sure is suspicious stuff in my flower bed.



Oh my! What is that on my van?



It does give my Christmas stuff a bit of a Christmassy feel, don’t you think? Is “Christmassy” even a word? For the sake of this post, we’ll just act like it is. Thank you.



Santa sure seems to be enjoying himself this fine evening. Hi Santa!



Do you know how hard it is to take a picture of snow? Hard. My lens was trying to focus on so many different snowflakes that it was confused. It was as confused as I was. I’m still a little baffled. I can admit that since it’s between friends.



This is a brand new experience for Ethan. Although he saw snow when he was a baby in NC, it’s nothing that he remembers. He is absolutely delighted to be throwing snowballs at me while I’m trying to take his picture. Hmmpphhhh



I have no idea what is on his face. Let’s just act like that’s not there, shall we?



He was way too distracted by the cool white stuff to bother with smiling for the likes of me. Mommy is an afterthought at the moment.



Ethan? Don’t you dare throw that at me! I’m serious!!!!!

Fat lot of good that warning did for me…..see that big white ball flying at my head? It hit me.



Yes, it’s definitely the hives I’m getting. I wonder if there is an ointment for an allergic reaction to cold weather.



AN HOUR LATER:

OK so once I heard on the news it would be back in the 70's in a few days, I couldn't resist sneaking back out and snapping a few more pictures. I hope my flower bed makes it.

It doesn't look very positive, does it? See that weird little miniature palm tree looking bush in the middle of the picture? That's my favorite plant. I love that plant. I have no idea what it's called. I'm sure it doesn't like cold weather either.

My poor tree bush thingy. I hope it's OK too.


Well, my van does look pretty with white, doesn't it?



I'll probably take more pictures of this anomaly tomorrow.



Sincerely,
She Who Should Live in the Tropics
Or alternately
OK I’ll Suck it up and be Happy for Ethan