Evening wear

Thank goodness for a family that sews.
My mother worked in a sewing plant for 10+ years before returning to school when I, myself was in Jr high school. Piece rate work was tough but she was fast and made pretty good money. Easily sewing hundreds of pieces a day.

She taught my sister and I to sew long before we were old enough to take home ec. in school ourselves. I sewed an entire micro beach house closet full of fashion for Barbie and Ken. I sewed many of my own clothes and later sewed clothes and blankets for my own children.

Of my mothers four sisters,  three of them also worked in sewing plants. They are all great with a sewing machine. My mother is the oldest of the five girls. Three of the four of them still sew often. Elaborate Halloween costumes, darling summer capris, and darling outfits for the grand babies and great grand babies.

Luckily, My aunt Diane is recently retired. She was the one who created my wedding dress oh so many years ago...  And she was so sweet to help us out.

We purchased a pattern, some fabric and she created this fabulous dress for my daughters pageant.

Of course, I think my baby is gorgeous. And being a size 3 helps her a little. But Check her out!

The pageant is this Saturday and she has been working her tail off!

Up hours before school starts to practice for and rehearsals for an upcoming school play. A full day of senior year classes. Then two or three hours per evening of directing the rehearsals for her own profile project.

There have been obstacles for sure. Many who could not also handle the double performance/ rehearsal schedule have dropped from her cast. She has had conflicts with the schedule on the venue, and a friend standing in as her right hand man also dropped out.

But she is standing strong, she has not stressed about it. They will be holding a meeting today to see if they are able to still pull together a full cast and continue on. If not, she has plans in place to conduct a school talent show with the proceeds still submitted to her charity.

Wow! I could not be more proud. At eighteen I am not sure I would have the strength, initiative nor the willpower to pull of the play in the first place. But to rearrange and adapt so quickly and undeterred just amazes me.

The pageant will be held this Saturday. Just a mere four days from now.

Every weekend for her is filled with mock interviews, dance number practices, learning to walk like a pageant queen and practicing with her 'little miss'.

Each contestant was asked to find a small girl between the ages of four and ten who will be walking with her, and also performing in part of a dance number with her on stage. My daughter's little miss is a friend of her best friends, a petite four year old girl. Although she was born with down syndrome, she is one of the best performers in the show. She is so excited!

Every night this week my daughter has gone to bed early. She wakes up extra early to complete homework assignments then she is off for the day.

Through all of this (male readers who are squeamish may want to skip this bit) the stress has caused her period to get all out of whack. She has had a period on and off all through this crazy month.

Here is hoping that everything goes back to normal after this month.

I am hoping she wins the queen crown. She certainly deserves it for the effort if nothing else.

But no matter if she places or not, what a great experience and wow what an accomplishment!

Break a leg baby!--- well, you know what I mean.

If Victor Hugo could see the state of our world now.

My youngest daughter has stars in her eyes, she is a drama student and Shakespeare is a love of hers. This year her school put on a production of her favorite among the Shakespearean Victor Hugo's works. Les Miserables.

Try-outs were held in November and although she didn't get one of the few speaking parts, She was ecstatic to be a part of the ensemble groups. And she shone!

Although the play runs for nearly two weeks, the shows have consistently sold out. The school paid a large royalty fee in order to even show this play at the school. Add costumes, sets, and the price goes up. Hopefully they will recoup enough of the costs in order to continue with great plays in the future.

We live in a very conservative area. Les Miserables is set in France in the 1860s. It deals with war, love, prostitution, prison, and poverty. There was some foul language that to most would roll by as pure realism. Giggles and gasps in the crowd reminded me where I was. There is a scene of prostitution and my daughter stood near her latest love interest. I am not sure if I should be worried at just how well she played this particular part.

There were a few younger actors in this play and they nearly upstaged the senior school students. - Nearly.

In her ensemble scenes, My daughter had four costume changes. So much going on.

The sets, the acting, the music, the talent were all amazing. It was hard to believe that this was a group of high school kids.

The two months of set building, practices before and after school and many weekends has really paid off.

I was so proud of my daughter.

Oh! And she can dance too!

I nearly used 4 gig taking pictures. I am so proud of the school, I am so proud of my girl!

What a great performance.

Sometimes I think that the local talents adds a whole element you don't get in Broadway and Hollywood. An element of real vs beautiful.

When we stepped outside, there was a blizzard of beautiful white snow. Beautiful to look at that is. Not as beautiful to drive in, with a very packed parking lot and most of the other cars driven by 16-18 yr olds. But we made it home safely, I canceled plans for a night out, took some cough medicine and called it a night.

I slept in until 9am this morning, I cannot remember the last time I did that. I suppose I needed it. And woke up to the beautiful snow and clean clear blue skies.

 

No Miserables here.

Girls Night Out- Then Climbing the mountain

What a great weekend. As I mentioned in my last post, the girls went with groups to MORP. And as is the tradition here in town, they have 'day dates' prior to the actual dance.
I think it is just an excuse to get out of the house longer.
My older daughter started out their 'group day date' our house. The theme was neon and they were expecting black lights. They purchased a 6-pack of men's white T-shirts and used some bottles of neon glow paint we had used to paint the switch plates in her room when she was younger. I was really impressed as they created some adorable shirts. One of the guys had to work that day and so his date painted his shirt for him. They got a little TOO creative when he mentioned that he wanted a coconut bra on his. Lets just say, his shirt was 'bra-less'. Please don't be hatin' it was intended as a joke. And truly more cartoonish than anything. Teen-age potty humor. (and if you look at some of the pictures, you can pick out Colton- and why he deserved it. Look for the diaper skirt)
They had also purchased some glow sticks, grass skirts (which they also painted) and some leis for the party.
When Colton arrived, they showed him his shirt and he turned 10 shades of red. Then he said 'I cant wear THAT to dinner!' But put it on anyway. My daughter was laughing so hard she totally missed a picture but this is a family friendly blog anyhow. Honestly if I didn't take pictures they would have none!

So they finally let him in on the joke and gave him his real shirt sporting a neon orange skull. Anyone interested in a T-shirt with a rather ahem, inappropriate theme?
They headed out for laser tag then dinner at a Japanese steakhouse, then the dance, I hear that there were not near enough black lights and my girls hogged the few there were all night.. I didn't teach them to be so selfish- really.
My younger daughter and her group spent a day in the park. They grilled steak- yes steak. I did not go shopping with her. I understand that one girl brought a TV with movies! I don't understand TV - at the park??! They too had some rad neon clothes, but I didn't get to see them and they took NO pictures! sigh. They both had a really great time. I cannot believe they are already getting so old. And I am so proud that they are able to spend this time in groups and I don't fear their integrity. Good girls.



Well, its official. I just cant seem to keep still in this lovely weather.
After letting the girls sleep in after their late night out I woke them up with a promise of breakfast out. Then after I had them in the car, mentioned that we should once again take the opportunities that the weather is giving us to enjoy the mountains.
And so we headed into the wilderness once again. This time I knew right where we were as I grew up in this particular canyon. Well not literally, but we camped there many a weekend.
the road we wanted to take was still blocked as it is early in the season and high altitude snow often makes them impassible. We drove as high as we could then pulled into a parking area. We got out to stretch and I saw a trail head and talked the girls into a short hike.
we took some great pictures of the gorgeous trail. But about 2 miles in, my younger daughter began to feel ill and we headed back down. Still worth it!
she slept all the way down. We stopped in a few picnic areas to view the swelling river on our drive down.

We talked about how fast the river was moving and how deep with all the winter run-off. I said how sad it is to think that this is the time of year when toddlers who are not watched closely fall in the river. it can happen so quickly and I can't imagine the sorrow of the parents.
And wouldn't you know it! the nightly news had just such a story. Breaks my heart! And makes me a little angry too... hold on to your babies!

Prom went off without a hitch

Well, we got the dress completed and school appropriate and The knight showed up sans stead and armor to whisk her away to a true Italian dinner and then they danced the night away until the morning light.

I am so happy that she went. Although she has been to many dances, I did not want her to miss her prom. And there is nothing better than to have a fun date, and he was fun. Cant you tell by the crushed hat?

His boutonniere matches perfectly to her dress and see that HUGE flower that she is holding? She is not holding it, that is her corsage isn't it awesome? I am not an expert on flowers but I think it is a Zinnia. I doubt there are any teenage boys out there reading this blog, but if there are, get your girl one of these awesome flowers.

I also had a night out on the town. My friend and I do it almost too often but Saturday night there was a band playing at a nice club we frequent. I love this band and have not had opportunity to hear them play for many years.

Saturday night they were as good as ever. Also, a usually dead bar was a lot busier. My friend and I danced until we were wishing for some cool air which made the drinks go down a little too easily. I was nursing an upset stomach and after a few too many western swings spinning me like a washing machine agitator, I was ready to go home.

It was nice to get out...again. And much better than the nights she and I sit and stare at each other while men pass us by. We still are not sure why. We do get attention but usually from the really seedy creepy types, or else men old enough to be my father. No offense dad!

My younger daughter went to a friends to put together a DVD for a friend who moved. We were all busy doing our own thing. We all need these nights.

We all came home about the same time and were too tired to talk about our evenings until the next day. My daughters face just lit up talking about the night out! Whilst pulling the 2,456 bobbie pins from her hair.

I love having girls!

Its raining on prom night.....

Well, it will be. The Forecast calls for rain.
But it is more than just the clouds in the sky that might rain on this prom night.

Tomorrow night will be my older daughters senior prom. I am so excited for her. I was lucky enough to go to two senior proms, both mine and my ex husbands. We went to different schools but dated most of our high school years. (which is not what I wish for my girls at all)

My daughter has a pretty steady boyfriend which I have my own opinions about however she is not attending prom with him. As I mentioned in an earlier post.

The boy who offered to take her in his place, ended up not being able to go something about school grades or another teenage misstep which his parents felt warranted missing an extracurricular like a dance. Although we had found a killer dress for her at a going out of business sale, just before Christmas she was not going to be able to wear it because she had not found a date.

One of the many things that make me proud of my daughter is her ability to make and keep friends. She is a great person with a big heart and it comes back to her in large quantities from friends. Well, yet another boy has stepped up. She will be going with another friend and I am so happy. She is still steady with the boyfriend and I asked her how he was handling this?
She said, she talked to him and told him if he does not like to go to dances, that she is not going to miss it because he doesn't want to go.
Good for you my girl!

Tonight I turned down a drink with some friends so that I could work my charm on her dress to make it school appropriate. Adding a panel to cover skin that might show through the lacing. Very stringent dress codes in this school. She is working tonight and missing a night with the girls isn't bad because we are going to see a favorite band of mine playing tomorrow night anyway.

My other daughter, my baby, is also gone this evening and I am now enjoying my quiet evening.
I am proud of her too as she is just now attending an anti-prom party. Although she is only a sophomore and shouldn't be worried about not having a date to the prom, she and a group of girlfriends who are dateless for the festivities tomorrow night have decided to get together and have their own fun. Why they chose to celebrate the night before prom, is beyond me unless a girl or two are still holding out hope they might still get that phone call?
Way to be babe! party without the boys! Can be just as fun.

You will have to wait for a later post to see the dress, it is worth it! I would take pictures now but I just don't think it looks as nice on the hanger.

Busy times in this household. I hope I can handle a late night out after my first full work week in three months. I am sure I will be able to. But Sunday morning might be another story. For all of us! Might have to pop in a movie and become one with the sofa.- and each other.

When you think they will make a Mistake

I believe one of the hardest things to do as a mother is to support your children even if you know it may be the wrong choice so that they can learn for themselves.

Last weekend while my parents were in town, we made a stop at the store for a wrap that would match my daughters new prom dress. It is a halter neck and the school dress code requires that shoulders are not bare. It was a fun but quick trip to the store and also a three generation group with my mother, I, and my daughters.

This may sound absolutely absurd, but when we couldn't find any material or short jackets that matched the rainbow of colors in her gown, we happened by the housewares and linen section of the store and believe it or not, a curtain panel in the exact colors, and fabric as her dress... strange I know, to wrap a curtain panel around my daughter, but it is just a panel of material and already hemmed. I will post pictures in a future post and you can judge for yourself.

But- the point of this posting is far from that. The issue is a boy my daughter, a senior in high school is dating. I try my best to be there to listen to my children, to be a sounding board, and offer up my opinions and suggestions but I also try not to meddle. They are all getting old enough to make their own decisions with a little guidance from me.

I have mentioned on this blog before the difficulty having dating age daughters without a father figure in their lives, this week is no exception. Although that is not to say it would be any easier if there was a father here.

Here is a synopsis of the discussion:

Me: "I have not heard you mention _____ lately. What is going on? Everything o.k.?"

Daughter: "He is mad at me right now."

Me: "Why is that?"

Daughter: "He doesn't like that I am going to Texas to work this summer. He says he doesn't DO long distance relationships and it will never work"

Me: Well I was proud to hear that you told him you were going anyway and that if it was meant to be that you would be together when you got back. That it was important to you."

Daughter: "Yeah but I don't want him to be mad at me."

Me: "I know, but you will regret it if you give up your dreams for him. Especially at the age of 18. You have to follow your own path and if he is with you then that is great."

Daughter: "It is hard. He also doesn't want to take me to Prom. He hates dances, says he feels stupid when he is dancing, like everyone is watching him. So he wont go. The last dance he went to with me, he was a jerk and ruined the whole night."

Me: "I know. But if he doesn't like to dance, he should support that you do, and that your senior prom is a very important day to you. That really isn't fair of him."

Daughter: "Well, another friend of mine found out that I would be missing my prom and offered to take me, but ______ said If I go with him, we are done. Then he told me that his ex girlfriend asked him so he should just go with her, and then I can go with ______ and we will both get to go. I told him that was stupid, that if he was going he should just go with me, that the only reason I would go with _______ was because he wouldn't take me."

Me: I think this is all jealousy talking here and jealousy can be a terrible thing. Even more so at age 18. You are too young to go through this stress. High school is for fun and joy. You need to do what you think is right, but I think you will regret it if you miss your prom, because HE wants you to. I love you and hate to see you hurting but I think this is controlling behavior on his part and it is abuse.

Daughter: "Yes I know. But I don't want to make him mad at me."

I walked away and let her have some space, I had told her all I felt that I could. a Little later, she mentioned something about buying prom tickets in advance. I Asked "Are you planning on going to your Prom?" Then she said yes, I don't want to miss it. ( I think she is going with the 'friend' not the boyfriend.'

Senior Prom is next Saturday, one week from tomorrow. I am hoping with all my heart that it is a fairytale of an evening for my daughter. I will post pictures and hopefully a great story of her evening here.

The Pictures are back!

I am falling behind on my blog-

Seems the times that you don't have time to sit down and type out a few sentences, it is often because you are so busy. Out doing a TON of stuff that you would LOVE to be writing about and sharing. Such is the case this week.

The previous post was a bit on the unhappy side so I would like to share some happier times.

First off- The girls got pictures back - from not just one dance but two- their mother is very slow.

First- Homecoming, the evening I described in an earlier post- don't they look darling?

Rachel and Devon

(On the town in London it appears)

And then both couples:

Chantel and Jake

Rachel and Devon

Later- The first week of October, was Sadie Hawkins- and Time for the girls to ask the boys-

Jake had a family commitment, Chantel was to work that evening so Rachel and Devon were going alone. Turns out, Chantel ended up getting off work for her Color Guard performance that afternoon, and not knowing when they would be home, she just ended up taking off the entire day and night. Hours before the dance, not wanting to stay home and do laundry with her mother, Chantel called some of her guy friends, and found a date. Cody ended

up rearranging some other things and they double dated. This worked out well as I was in my most comfortable, favorite, stained and thread bear sweats, settled in with laundry and a good book, so it was nice I didn't have to chauffeur the girls. Here are the pictures:

Cowgirl Rachel and Indian (?) Devon.

Then the group:

Chantel and Cody

Rachel and Devon, and Kailee and I don't know her dates name.

Rachel was kind enough to point out to me, the obscene view up my older daughters skirt.... HELLO! Can the photographer not see that???? Yikes! Turn her the other direction for Pete's sake!!!

And honestly! why in the world can my daughter not feel the breeze? That prickly heat running down your neck that tells you that your 'nether regions' are on view to everyone around???

Well then there is her mother, blogging her and showing all the world. At least from this view- you cant see much. But all I can hope is that this picture was taken fast.

I guess guys aren't as into the 'costume' and dressing up as the girls! But- They had a great time and that is what matters. It is funny - crazy how the difference in my daughters personalities shows- even in pictures like this.

Update: As you can see by the difference in the two different dances pictures, Rachel decided (not the first time) she didn't want to be a blond any longer and went very Brunette. Personally- I like either color with her features, not many can pull that off- but she is my only blond child, so I suppose that is my preference...

And then Chantel called me during their first day on fall break ( a couple days they get off from school in the fall equivalent to spring break, mostly created I think because of the high interest in hunting season here in Utah) to tell me she was headed to get a hair cut- Well, to most everyone else in the world, this sounds really mundane and silly- a regular haircut or trim is part of every day life, well, silly as it may sound, at our house, it is a luxury. It is just something we don't get on a regular schedule as our money is tight and well, honestly, with girls with long hair, Inst that noticeable if you don't. We are lucky enough to have pretty thick and healthy hair, and because I have such thick hair, a color at the salon usually ends up costing me over $80 and an entire day. So I have been reduced to color out of a box- until things get paid up.

ok, but back to Chantel, since the dance at the beginning of the month, look what she has done!

Absolutely adorable!!!

Silly girl! keep your eyes open!

Well, still not a beautiful shot.... But you can see the difference in the length...

I think it suits her well.

What about you? Rachel- Blond? Brunette?

Chantel- Long? Short?