Flashback Friday

November’s theme: “Family Ties.” Post pics of you and your family, immediate or extended.

Where October went, I have no idea. But here it is November already and time for a new Flashback Friday theme. This month we are celebrating family.

I’m thrilled because next week, I am headed out of town to see much of my extended family. My sister is getting married and so everyone will be there - aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents.... It feels like the last time I saw many of these people was seven years ago at my own wedding – how sad is that?! But since our moving to Oklahoma, I have had little opportunity to go back east and visit with my relatives and I can’t tell you how sad that makes me.

It just seems like life passes us by so quickly; and for some reason we don’t seem to take the time to spend with loved ones. These two girls are my cousins, Gina and Tabitha (who will probably kill me for posting this photo on here); and my brother and I are the ones on the backs of the bikes. This was taken in West Palm Beach, Florida (our favorite place to vacation growing up).

Obviously a lot of time has passed between this picture and now. Life has led us all down different paths and each of us now has our own families to take care of. Unfortunately life and distance has caused us to grow apart; but when we do get together every few years, it’s as if we’re magically transported back to when life was simpler.

Flashback Friday

October’s theme:  “Costume Party.” You can post photos of you or your children dressed in some sort of costume and it doesn’t necessarily have to be a Halloween costume.

Since tomorrow is Halloween, I figured I had better at least post one Halloween photo this month.

I think the last time I dressed up for Halloween was my freshman year of college for a sorority party. I went as Mini Mouse – 1. because I like Mini and 2. because it was cheap; and you know how all college students like cheap. So, are you all dressing up this year? If so, I would love to hear what you plan on going as!

And don’t forget next Friday starts our new Flashback Friday theme “Family Ties”. Simply post pics of you and your family, immediate or extended, and link up!

Flashback Friday

October’s theme:  “Costume Party.” You can post photos of you or your children dressed in some sort of costume and it doesn’t necessarily have to be a Halloween costume.

Look at me go! I think this is the first time I have published Flashback Friday early, well, in quite some time.

In college, it seems like I was constantly dressing up for one thing or another…I think a lot of that just comes with the territory of being in a sorority (or as we called them “Social Service Clubs”).

We were constantly have one themed soiree after another.

From Luau’s

to Disco Parties, and then even during our annual “Spring Sing” show…  it seemed like the fun would never {and I do mean never - in the most sarcastic way} end! : )

Flashback Friday

October’s theme:  “Costume Party.” You can post photos of you or your children dressed in some sort of costume and it doesn’t necessarily have to be a Halloween costume.

I am somewhat obsessed with history…family history to be exact. I think it’s so interesting to know not only the names of the people from which we descended but their stories as well.

For the past year or so, I have been diving into the history of my dad’s side of the family. I have enlisted the help of aunts, uncles and cousins and the information they have passed along has been intriguing to say the least.

Among the information, they have also sent photos; and you know how much I LOVE photos. What amazing things I will have to pass on to my children!!

One photo was actually of my dad as a little kid, dressed up in his favorite Zorro costume. With this month’s theme being “Costume Party", I couldn’t help but post it.

Seriously, is that not the cutest thing you have ever seen?! My boys would have totally dug an outfit like this!!

 

Flashback Friday

 October’s theme:  “Costume Party.” You can post photos of you or your children dressed in some sort of costume and it doesn’t necessarily have to be a Halloween costume.

For those of you who are new around here, I used to be an ice skater. I have skated since the age of four; and when I went to college, I began coaching the sport. It wasn’t until I had my first child, that I gave it all up.

There are some days when I really miss it – the smell of the ice, the feel of my blades gliding along the slick surface, the complete freedom of movement from my head to my toes. I really do love ice skating!

There are, however, things I don’t miss about the sport – being at the freezing cold ice rink at 4 a.m, the jarring feeling when you fall, the nervousness that makes your belly ache when you are about to compete or perform, and the globs of makeup that would break your face out for years (at least that’s what I continue to blame my acne on), and the heavy, awkward costumes that would keep you from jumping high or spinning fast.

Not all of the costumes were that way, but there were some that were just ridiculous; and then there were others that despite their weighing more than my two-year-old, left very little to the imagination and thus left you freezing your hiney off.

Flashback Friday

October’s theme: “Costume Party.” You can post photos of you or your children dressed in some sort of costume and it doesn’t necessarily have to be a Halloween costume.

I spent the beginning of my third year of college abroad with some of my closest and dearest friends. We lived in Vienna, Austria but were able to travel to 20+ countries while there. It was an amazing experience!

While there, we all celebrated Halloween together. Since spending money on costumes was not really an option or a necessity, we got creative with what we could find in our rooms.

I opted for a rather scary Goth look since I had just purchased this really killer black Euro-coat; and my friend Jonathan went as David Hasselhoff because it seems like everywhere we went, Europeans loved the Hoff.

All of my friends got even more creative.

Some used duct tape, other’s used bed sheets, while Jayna, Lynn and Mandy used some of their adorable accessories and t-shirts they had in their suitcase.

We really had such a blast. It’s so hard to believe that it was exactly 10 years ago that we were all there – unmarried, no children, and the world and all of its possibilities at our fingertips.

Flashback Friday

September’s theme: “Dear Old Golden Rule Days” – post any type of school photo, whether posed or candid.

You guys are going to have to forgive me; but I’m going to have to forgo today’s Flashback Friday. My parents are coming into town on Sunday, my house is a disaster, my fridge and pantry are completely empty, and I have five million photos left to edit before this weekend’s session; and to top it all off, there is no school today (can you sense my excitement? - {rolling eyes}). So basically it is just the same ol’-same ol’ around the Brookshire household.

I am going to go ahead and post the linky that way if you still want to do it, please feel free. I will try to get around to your blogs this weekend and see what crazy photos from your school years you posted.

Next week is October, so you know what that means – it’s time for a new theme. October’s theme is “Costume Party.” You can post photos of you or your children dressed in some sort of costume and it doesn’t necessarily have to be a Halloween costume.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Flashback Friday

September’s theme: “Dear Old Golden Rule Days” – post any type of school photo, whether posed or candid.

I originally had something else planned to post for this week’s Flashback Friday; but with Patrick Swayze loosing his battle with Pancreatic Cancer on Monday, I decided to change it up a little bit. Rather than posting a photo from my school days, I have decided to just post a story.

Patrick Swayze got me into a lot of trouble as a pre-teen.

I’m pretty sure I was in the fourth grade. It was my first year in a public school. And let’s just say my parents were pretty…conservative.

Dirty Dancing had come out on VHS and everyone was talking about it. I begged and pleaded with my mom to let me watch it, knowing full-well the answer would be a resounding NO because dancing was of the devil. (I’m just kidding. Those were not my parents’ exact words; but that was pretty much the general idea. And don’t worry, they’ve lightened up ALOT since then.)

So I went about my sheltered way and missed getting to talk about the craze with everyone else.

Then one week, I got an invitation to a slumber party. I was so excited. My first real slumber party! All the girls at school were talking about it and I was thrilled to be a part of the conversation again.

Friday evening finally rolled around and as my mom was dropping me off, she leaned over to kiss me goodbye and to tell me that if the girls were planning to watch Dirty Dancing, I should call her immediately and she would come pick me up.

Sure enough, the evening rolled on and once we were all settled into our sleeping bags, one of the girls popped Dirty Dancing into the VCR. My conscience was yelling at me to call my mom; but my desire to fit it got the better of me. I of course stayed and watched the move – and LOVED it – but I knew that if my mom ever found out, I would be in a load of trouble.

If there is one thing I learned growing up, it was the fact that moms ALWAYS know. And if I learned a second thing while growing up, it was the fact that I am a terrible liar.

Mom picked me up the next morning as scheduled and as soon as I got in the car she asked if I had watched Dirty Dancing. “What?” I asked. (I always ask “what?” when I’m about to lie. I guess I think it’s going to give me a few more seconds to get my story straight; when in reality, it just gives me away. The thing is I knew I did it, but I just couldn’t stop myself.)

Anyway, my mom immediately knew I was lying and for the first time in my life I was grounded – from what and for how long I don’t remember. All I know is that Patrick Swayze was the cause of my early childhood delinquency.

Flashback Friday

September’s theme: “Dear Old Golden Rule Days” – post any type of school photo, whether posed or candid.

Oh. My. Word!! These photos just keep getting better and better. You all must realize how much I love and adore you, right? I mean seriously, the fact that I would post such horrific photos on here should attest to that fact. Yeah, I got nothin’.

Apparently though, I went through a stage where I thought hunter green was a good color for photos. Why? I have no idea! Simply tragic! And check out those eyebrows!

However, did you know that blazers and padded shoulders were back in style? This photo should be a warning to all those who choose to follow said fashion style – in 15 or 20 years, you’ll look back and say, “What the heck was I thinking?!”

Flashback Friday

September’s theme: “Dear Old Golden Rule Days” – post any type of school photo, whether posed or candid.

I seem to be on a roll of posting embarrassing photos of myself, so why stop now?

When searching through some of my old school photos, I came across the following portrait. Seriously, what says “school” more than one of the cheesy class photos?! Can you pick out which one I am?

Flashback Friday

August theme:  “Water, Water Everywhere” - post photos of lake, pool, sprinkler, ocean (you get the point) fun.

Do you remember a while back when we were posting photos of “Black Tie Affairs” for Flashback Friday?

Yeah, well I do; and  if I remember correctly I had at one point said that “I use to not be so cool. My eyebrows were untouched, I permed my hair and my keen fashion since had not yet fully developed” and then I posted a pretty embarrassing photo. Yep, that’s the one.

But let me tell you something…THAT photo has got nothing on the ones I am getting ready to show you.

OH. MY. WORD!! Yes, that is me on the left. I wish I could tell you when this was. I am sincerely hoping it was the 80s – because, again, with the perm…Really?

Oh, just wait it gets worse – A LOT worse.

So even though I do not know when these photos were taken, I can tell you that they were taken in Panama City, Florida. My friend Jennifer and her family invited me to tag along with them on one of their family vacations.

As to who was actually in charge of packing my suitcase…well, only the good Lord knows the answer to that one.

Flashback Friday

August theme:  “Water, Water Everywhere” - post photos of lake, pool, sprinkler, ocean (you get the point) fun.

Yes, I’m still here. I have just been overwhelmed with this first full week of school, editing photos, and just really trying to establish a routine that works well for me and the rest of my family.

But you know I can’t miss a Flashback Friday – so, here are yet some more pics of my childhood and the time we spent in West Palm Beach, Florida. These were taken in May of 1980 when I was a little over a year-and-a-half old.

Me with my dad at the beach. W00-woo look at those legs (my dad’s not mine)!! Me with my mom. (I am loving my weird-o swimming device!)

And me at the pool…Since my granddad’s place didn’t have a pool, one of the hotels graciously let us use theirs. If I remember correctly, the staff of the hotel knew us by name because we were there so much.

Flashback Friday

August theme: “Water, Water Everywhere” - post photos of lake, pool, sprinkler, ocean (you get the point) fun.

I decided to stick with some oldies but goodies again this week. The following photos were again taken in West Palm Beach, Florida in 1979; but this time we were enjoying some time at sea aboard my Granddad’s new boat which he had named Mi-Sue-Deb, after my dad, my mom, and my aunt.

Apparently I was 8 months old going on 16.

My very handsome Granddady and me…I can say my Granddad is handsome, right?

Hey Dad, don’t you think you should be keeping your eyes on where you’re going?

Mom, you were so cute with that lime green hankie on your head : )