Prom Season!

It's prom season! Pictured is Clay Manny, and I'm looking for a vintage tuxedo for him. A penguin suit. Clay is my mannequin I bought a few years back at an auction. Tell you about that another time. He did get beat up a little bit during the move.

Back to prom...isn't it wonderful when you go out for dinner and all of the high school kids are out in their beautiful gowns and tuxedos...look forward to it every spring! The dresses now are so, so, SO different than...well, from the dark ages known as the late 70's and early 80's.Then it kicks me back to THAT year. The year of prom hell. This was  a very traumatic time.  During my freshman year I was asked to prom. I accepted, and apparently I was too busy (??) to go shopping (??) and my mom went to Des Moines looking for my prom dress. She found it. She found it all right, in the lingerie section. Yep. I went in  a long nightgown. Don't worry, it had a little shawl. Apparently she fell in love with the swiss dotted material. So I went as Swiss Miss to prom. To her credit it did look a little bit like a Gunne Sax dress. She LOVES swiss dot material. Ahhh prom. Great memories.

Not really.  Not only was I wearing a nightgown but I didn't think I needed to wear a bra that night. Naw. Who was worried about gravity then? Mom told me to wear the damn strapless bra, but I knew what I was talking about and it was fine. (Besides, who wears a bra in a nightgown?)  Well, I found out all about the need for that extra material (the camera was huge with a HUGE flash) when the pictures came back a few weeks later. I was mortified! It was horrible! It was beyond embarrassing! I wanted to DIE, DIE, DIE!  Add I hated my short hair and braces. I destroyed all the pictures that I bought. Not really sure about the ones my prom date bought. Did I say how I wanted to crawl in a cave and hibernate for six months? I still do when thinking about that time.

Mother did know best in that situation.  Ughhhhh.  Dresses are so different now.

Well, now that I'm reliving that terrible time, I'm going to stop right here to get a glass of wine. 

Thanks. Wow. Getting a second glass.

Now, this brings me to the reason I posted Clay Manny's picture. I need to get a tuxedo, preferably from the 1970's and put him in the front window. You know, getting ready for prom which is May 04th here, in Gillette.  

Looking forward to seeing the beautiful gowns!


I wonder what the new neighbors will think about Clay....or me....haha!


My Grandma Becker's entry for this day:
April 24, 1990
"Up at 6:30 and got breakfast quite early. Gerald to Beaver Valley at 8:00. Elda's funeral. Stopped to see Helen. She has a lame back. Talked to Leota. Very humid and quite hot and windy. Very tired and lame."



~It's a great day to be alive~ make it a great day~

xoxo
Melody

Saturday night.



And I am being a lazy bum. I decided to not be ashamed to admit that I haven't showered yet. I know, grossss. That event will be happening very soon. It's Saturday night, and Harley Man asked if I wanted to go out or stay in. Obviously I opted for the latter. We are in for the night, with steaks soaking up a lot of love in Harley Man's special marinade. I have my special recipe for baked potatoes soaking up the heat in the oven as well. Corn is ready to go on the grill as well. It's going to be a great night in..last night we met friends and hung out listening to a fantastic band, .32 Below. It was a fantastic night and the band was great, country and rock. They were cray cray good. We are behind the rest of the world and finally watched Django Unchained. I love Quentin Tarentino so I knew what to expect. I liked it just "ok".

Oh WOW!!! Hats off to all that were involved in the capture of the monster brother in Boston!! YAY!! We cheered them last night when we heard.

Hope you have a great Saturday night and are doing what makes you happy!


Grandma Becker's entry on this date in 1990-
April 20, 1990
"Light rain again and very dark and dreary so maybe more will come. Gerald left at 7-Darwin D. to look at the rest of Char. heifers at 7:30. I washed load of sheets and am baking frozen bread. Gerald home by noon. Helped load out 3 loads of hogs for Charles.60 head. I called Ethel Jones (Elda's cousin)."


~It's a great day to be alive-make it a great day~

xoxo
Melody
 

Horrendous week for America.

It has been a week also filled with love, heroism, and unity.

It has been horrendous. Horrendous events starting with the bombs that were filled with hate. Filled with nails, screws, nuts, bolts and God knows what else that were meant to kill and maim spectators and runners. People that were there cheering on their friends and family and people they didn't even know.  They were there waiting at the end of the race to cheer them onto the finish line. Waiting with them were the ticking bombs placed inside pressure cookers. As we know, three people died and many more were wounded and maimed and are still being treated. With the rest of the nation, my heart goes out to the families of the three people that were killed; Krystle Campbell 29 years old and a restaurant and catering manager, Lu Lingzi,a grad student in her 20's, and 8 year old Martin Richard who was a third grade.

As I write this the city of Boston is on lockdown as the FBI and law enforcement comb through the neighborhoods looking for one of the monster brothers who is responsible. The other monster brother was killed in a gun fight overnight. These two monsters also ambushed and killed MIT Officer Sean Collier as he sat in his car.


And with the rest of the nation, my heart aches for the small community of West, Texas after the fertilizer plant explosion. At this time 12 people have lost their life, and over 200 are injured.

It has been a horrendous week in America, but over the next few days and weeks there will be stories told and written of many heroic acts stemming from Boston and Texas. There already has been and it is so humbling and inspiring to read of these good people who didn't run away but ran towards the critically injured to see how they could help. All of the first responders in Boston and Texas. The volunteers at the Boston Marathon.

Boston Bruins fans came together to sing the National Anthem at the first game after the marathon bombing. If you haven't seen the video, grab a kleenex. 

One thing that will never fade and will prevail in America is our pride and our willingness to help the sick or wounded or down on their luck. We comfort the families of those whom have lost a loved one. We have charity events, we raise money and awareness for those that may need it. We care.  We come together like that. No one or no thing will ever take that away. There is no way we can bring back lives that were lost. But we will surround those families with love and support.  Even in this horrendous week in the United States of America comes good - and good will prevail.


My prayers to Boston and Texas. We are here for you.

Now here is something that will make you smile:

My Grandma Becker's entry for this date in 1990:

April 18, 1990
"Windy and cool a.m.
Tired today so just taking it easy. Dustin here an hour and half. Gerald had "green car" trouble fut finally got it fixed. Saw Helen a short while and took summer clothes to her.
Evansdale to eat. Very good food. 500 at Jim's. Air chilly and damp. Sure feels like rain. All very tired! Too much Easter, I guess."




~It's a great day to be alive-make it a great day~


Melody
xoxo

Friday and Feelin' Fine!

Woke up this morning to sun but the clouds have been steadily rolling in so there goes my plan for the snow to melt. There's a chance for rain and or snow all weekend and snow for this Monday and Tuesday. The Snow Miser needs to go into hibernation. We need sun! Hoping this moisture will help the drought. Glass half full today!

Yesterday I missed National Pet Day, darn it. Well, it's on my mind now. These are my two creatures:

Mr. Pretzel Potpie Judge and Miss Pippi Jackpot Judge

I love them. They have helped me through some pretty rough times in the last few years. Just knowing they are there, waiting, and happy to see me can dry a few tears pretty fast. They are always there. Now if they would do the dishes that would really help. On the other side of all that cuteness and energy is an evil side lurking. My fiance can attest to this as well - even when they are sleeping or mysteriously have sauntered away they may have left us a present on the floor. It's so special. It's the kind of present neither of us want. Anyway, they are both long hair Chihuahuas and are known to "sing". I'll have to post a video-it's pretty funny. Well, I'm probably the only one who finds it funny.

Miss Pippi Jackpot (Her AKC name is Bonni Jo Johns. She didn't look like a Bonnie so thus the name change) is eight and hails from Soldotna, Alaska. Because of that she has street cred. Takes a lot being a little chihuahua and flying in cargo. She's known as Pip or Pipster on the streets back in her homeland. She thinks she is a rottweiler.That part is VERY annoying. This will no doubt get her in trouble some day.

Mr. Pretzel Potpie's background is a little sketchy. I had run in to buy a bag of dog food from a pet store and there he was, all 3lbs of him. Looking at me through the cage. It was love at first sight and a couple of days later he joined the family. I suppose he has street cred as well because of the cage situation. His nickname is Pretz or just P. or P Diddy. Or Pretzeeee.  He knows he is a chihuahua and has no problem cowering in a corner or running away from a rottweiler. Most of the time he can't run straight ahead of him because he is constantly twisting in circles. It's just how he grooves. It's so weird.

In honor of National Pet Day:

 Top 10 Most Popular Pets

Dog
Cat
Gerbil
Bird
Turtle
Fish
Horse
Snake
Ferret
Bunny

Top 10 Most Popular
Pet Names

FEMALE 1. Bella 2. Molly 3. Lucy 4. Maggie 5. Daisy 6. Sophie 7. Sadie 8. Chloe 9. Bailey 10. Lola

MALE 1. Max 2. Buddy 3. Rocky 4. Bailey 5. Jake 6. Charlie 7. Jack 8. Toby 9. Cody 10. Buster

                                              Miss Pippi shortly after arriving from Alaska.

Happy Friday everyone!
You may follow Miss Pippi on facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Miss-Pippi-Jackpot-Judge

or Twitter: https://twitter.com/MissPippiJudge

Grandma Becker's entry on this day:

April 12, 1990

"Chilly - warmer day later. 

Hair at 9:30-

Washed  and ironed lace doilies and blouse-

Quite breezy by noon. Gerald home from Aplington 5:00.

Church at night - Lovely Service-

Home at 8:45"

 

~It's a great day to be alive-make it a great one~

xoxo

Melody 

 The Masters and THEE Johnny Orr. 

 I need to work on my game.

First of all, did I tell you that Thursday is my very favorite day of the week? Well, it is. Even though I have no plans tonight to go out and live it up on Main Street in Gillette, Wyoming a girl can still get her groove on. Whatevs, I haven't even showered yet today and it's just gross. I've been unpacking and sorting stuff all day; so ya, I've been working. Hard. HA! 

With The Masters starting today everyone is talking golf.  I do like to play, but I'm pretty awful. Plus I hate my golf bag. Anyway what I really like to do is socialize, drive the golf cart as well as get the prettiest balls I can find. Whatever. I hate to participate in any sport that I'm not at least "good" at. I just have never practiced golf and that is what it would take for me to at least not miss the cute ball I'm teeing off. But, I do like to socialize and love to get in on a fun round in charity events or couples night.

Let me get back to Johnny Orr- but I needed to let you know how my skills roll on the course. 

When I was working at the radio ranch we were a major sponsor of a golf tournament at Beaver Hills Golf Course in Cedar Falls, IA benefiting the Alzheimer's Association and Coach Orr was the guest speaker as this directly affected his life. His families life. His wife had Alzheimer's.  That year I was a "Champion" in the Cedar Valley for the Association, creating awareness for this devastating disease. Let me tell you, thank your lucky stars if you do not know anyone that has Alzheimer's. It is horrible.  My Grandpa Pollock was one that was in the clutches of this deathly disease.  He is dearly missed. Love you and think about you so much, Grandpa! Oh the stories I could share about his life....In time.

Back to the golfing and Johnny Orr. Well, I'm at Beaver Hills (The "cool" peeps call it Beaver for short. Notice I added Hills. Thank you.)  for the event, and find I'm in a foursome that included "The Chief" - (my boss at the radio ranch),  one of his cohorts, and Johnny Orr. THEE JOHNNY ORR. The former head coach of the men's basketball team of the ISU Cyclones. The coach that led ISU to their first NCAA tournament like in forty years. The Johnny Orr that remains one of the winningest coach in Iowa State history. It was a crazy moment for me. My palms were sweating.

Seriously, I was really excited and happy to be able to be on the same team!!  Even though I hated my golf bag, and I was experiencing head phone hair (looked like a pinhead) from being on air that day I was pretty damn excited! Until I remembered he will end up hating me because he likes to win. And I like to win, but I do realize I am horrible at golf. Ugh. I had to use the bathroom before we teed off I was so nervous about being the worst on the team. At least I had cute balls to play with. 

We were well into the game and the four of us were having a blast and he didn't seem to notice that I sucked. BAD. "The Chief" reminded me. Every few minutes. Well, I had a couple good shots.  Until it happened. Oh my gosh I remember it like it was yesterday. To me it was in 
S L O O W W W motion.

I    ALMOST   KILLED   THEE   JOHNNY    ORR. 

That's right. Your girl, right here. 

 I got a club out of my icky bag. I got a cute ball and teed up. My cute ball had to go aloooong way.  I tried my hardest to hit it like no other. I tried my best to keep my head down.  Well, it sliced. Towards Johnny Orr's temple. And I mean it was a dead ringer for his head. Left side of his head, to be exact. The temp.

"The Chief" yelled, Johnny saw it coming, and I stood there with my pin head and my mouth open. I almost killed Johnny Orr. OMG I wouldn't want to see those headlines. Well, Coach Orr was pretty slick on those cleats because he shucked and jived and ducked VERY fast and it missed him. I thank my angels I didn't take him out. I probably should have thanked his angels as well.

The game wrapped, we had a wonderful dinner and he was an excellent, entertaining speaker and Champion in the name of Alzheimer's. We shook hands and I'm pretty sure I could see the fear in his eyes.

Yes, with the Masters this week it brings back memories. Memories that I need to practice my swing. Too much of a slice. From what I'm told anyway. I'm not going to bring up the fact I almost killed Johnny Orr anymore. People out here in Gillette don't know.  I just need to get out there and practice, dang-it!

 I'm going to shower.


Grandma Becker's entry for this day:

April 11, 1990
"Much cooler-Doing few things around the house. Cleaned around refrig. Gerald repaired catches on cupboard doors! Had expected to take Helen out for lunch but too windy and chilly. Wrote a note to Eugene Baldwin in rest home in Iowa Falls. 
Went to Freeman's to eat & "500" at Jims' - very chilly evening."
   

~It's a great day to be alive-make it a great day~ 
   

 
xoxo
Melody