South Dakota-Finale

The reception was a good time as well. I got all sorts of pictures, both appropriate and inappropriate.

This was a nephew of the groom, AKA Cowboy-in-training.

This is what my husband did during part of the reception. Notice Lee on the left and the object of his attention on the far right. Even his fanaticism couldn't help Iowa win : (


Brother-in-law of the bride. Notice the white boots peeking out from under the table.


This may be a bit catty, but I thought the bridesmaids' outfits looked like pajamas. Please notice the MC Hammer pants with bejeweled flip-flops and the sheer belly of the ivory version..

This was the back of the dress. Notice the buttons that couldn't quite close and the wide open back. I am just glad it wasn't my back-chub poking out of the back.


Lee and I dancing. Notice my oh so original outfit (Even I am not safe from my scorn).


Lee's cousin, Jackie, and I had to have our picture taken with Wyatt Earp.


In SD even the larger, unathletic-looking gentlemen are fantastic dancers. This guy was throwing his partner all over the floor. It was quite impressive. Lee was a little bit jealous while watching this guy's skills.

This was my favorite outfit of the evening. If you click to enlarge, you will be better able to enjoy this man's formal wedding attire.

These are the pictures that I am most proud of. I risked my life and limbs to take pictures of these men's belt-buckles (but what appeared to other guests as me taking pictures of random men's crotches). I hope you appreciate it.

See if you can pick out the belt buckle of my mother- and father-in-law.

South Dakota Part 1.5

So, Saturday morning we awoke bright and early to go see Mount Rushmore, a place I had never been but wanted to see. We drove through Cottonwood, pop.12. There was a actually a sign that said that as we drove through. Have you ever heard of Wall Drug? Yeah, I hadn't either. Apparently it is a famous drug store in Wall, South Dakota. If you ever wondered what Wall looked like, I hope this satisfies your curiousity:

Mount Rushmore was beautiful. I loved the majesty and awe that seeing it inspired. I just stood and stared for a long time trying to take it all in. Each face is approximately 60 ft from chin to top of the head. In case you were wondering, the four presidents were chosen for specific reasons. Washington was chosen to represent the birth of out country. Jefferson was chosen to represent the expansion of our country (the Louisiana Purchase). Lincoln was choen to represent the preservation of our country (southern secession). Roosevelt was chosen to represent the development of the country (construction of the Panama Canal. There is your history lesson for the day.

When we got back from Mount Rushmore, we went to the wedding (you know, the reason for the trip). The wedding was in the bride's backyard. These are my in-laws dressed for the wedding. Who knew they were such cowboys?

In addition to lighting the unity candle, they "poured the grain." There was a jar with grain and a jar with corn kernels. They pour them together to symbolize the coming together of two families.

Instead of a card basket or gift table, they had a horse trailer to collect the presents. I guess that makes it easy to transport them home as well. I thought it was a novel idea.

PS. Don't you think this groomsman looks like Wyatt Earp? I did.

South Dakota Part 1

So...I went to South Dakota with Lee and his parents for his cousin's wedding last weekend. I had never been to South Dakota before in my life as I am sure many of you have not. FYI there is not much there. We drove over 600 miles across barren land and ended in the middle of nowhere (AKA Philip, SD pop. 800). We made pretty good time and had time to rest before the rehearsal dinner. We even made a little time to go to the "horse sale." We went to the sale barn and watched some of the horses and foals being auctioned off. Here is a little taste of the action:



Then, we were off to the Rehearsal Dinner. I had never been around authentic cowboys. These guys were the real deal. The hats, jeans and belt buckles were hilarious at first, and then they started to seem normal. Yikes!

These are just some guys sitting around chatting at the rehearsal dinner. Notice the supersleuth camera work.

This handsome cowboy is Lee's cousin, the groom.

This handsome cowboy is the father of the groom...can you tell by the stance?

neighbors

The other day I came home from walking Petunia and I noticed a man painting my neighbors' house. The neighbor lady had been telling me for some time that they were going to be getting it done and now that time had arrived. I saw him perched atop the ladder and I knew I needed to act fast. So I ran inside to grab my camera (Sorry Blogyn, I left the holster at home for the walk). By the time I got back outside he was climbing down.

You might be asking yourself why this is funny, but don't worry I am getting there. I also noticed the painter's truck outside my neighbors' house. I almost laughed out loud when I connected the two. Here is the picture of his truck:

Again you might be asking, "Blog Stalker, what is funny about an old Ford truck?" To which I would answer, "Look more closely." For if you looked closely, you would see that the poor old painter has a handicapped license plate. Am I the only one that finds it odd that the man can climb a ladder and paint the second story of a house, but needs to park as close as possible to the grocery store door? I hope the humor is not lost.

So if that didn't make you laugh, picture me trying to perform a stealth photographic mission without my neighbors or their painter noticing. I was hiding behind bushes and cars and slipping unnoticed into the shadows...

What Not To Wear...

...the special 60+ version.

Last weekend I helped with an event Saturday morning. One of the first ladies to arrive had committed a fashion crime that many grandmothers have also committed. The dread tucking your shirt into your underwear. I know alder women think it helps keep things in place while also smoothing any lines, but it is only a liability.

This poor lady had no idea:

Sadly...it was much worse in person.

I didn't want to single anyone out, so I also noticed an older woman wearing an all white linen dress with a vividly white brassiere. Up here in the "North" we don't (AKA shouldn't) wear white after Labor Day. Just ask Emily Post if you don't believe me, or whoever her fashion counterpart is...

>

Good Girl

Allie and I went one little trip to the outlet mall today. I told her that if she was a good girl I would buy her a present. She was fairly well behaved, so I bought her a new accessory. She thought she needed it, but I thought it was more of a want. The sales lady told her that it was chic. There were plenty of colors to choose from, but she liked the pinkish one. I guess she is pretty girlie. Here is a picture of Allie and her new scarf:

For those of you that aren't familiar...let me introduce you to Allie, my purse. All of the display purses in the store had cute scarves tied on them. I was a sucker, I know; but she was being good...

I'm cute...Maybe

This year in my 3rd hour class i have a 9th grade student who has had a lot of medical issues. He has a large brain tumor which is currently dormant; he had a stroke in 4th grade which left his right side partially paralyzed. Despite all of this, he is the nicest kid with a great attitude; a real pleasure to have in class.

So...this morning I was writing something on the board and I heard a soft, "Mrs. R.?" So I turned around and walked over to said student. I knelt down next to his desk and asked what he needed, to which he replied, "You look cute today."

My heart almost melted as I said thanks and returned to finish writing on the board. I could not believe how sweet that little freshman boy could be. It was then that I remembered a key piece of information...he is mostly blind (100% blind in the right eye and can only see peripherally in the left). Then I laughed to myself at being complimented on my appearance by a blind kid.

So the question remains...is my beauty so great that you don't need vision to see it or do I look better blurry and with parts missing?

This was my stylish husband posing on his way to the awards dinner Friday night. I wasn't invited to I didn't get to take a picture of him on stage receiving his prize.

We had to get all dressed up for the main awards ceremony followed by cocktails, dinner and dancing... Notice our obedient child watching us. On a side note, the dress and the shoes total less than $30 and were purchased in Arizona. Thanks Last Chance and My Sister's Attic.

Our self-portrait turned out better than the one taken by the sqarebow professional (nanny).

Q: What is the first sign of an eating disorder?
A:You take a picture of your dessert.

Q: What is the second sign of an eating disorder?
A: You take a picture of yourself eating dessert.

Friday, Last Period...

My seventh hour class was driving me nutty today. I posed the question, "Do you guys have any ideas about how we can get more accomplished during our time in here?"

One student said, "you could tape our mouths shut..."

Another student (the most verbose) said, "yeah, you should tape mine."

I told them that I would provide the tape (I did not put it on their mouths for fear of lawsuits), and proceeded to pull a large roll of duct tape out of my bottom desk drawer. The verbose student pulled some off and taped his mouth closed. The girl sitting next to him felt bad that he was the only one, so she taped hers closed as well.

Needless to say, there was about 5 minutes of quiet during the 55 minutes class period. By the way...it was spirit day, can you tell?

Would you let your children be in my class?

Cheeky

I guess they were right, celebrities have too much influence over young girls, huh?

I wish I was kidding...

Two new "creatively" spelled names: Kaytelynd and AyDin. I couldn't let those doozies sneak by, could I?

I hope you all have a relaxing holiday weekend.