Campy Nostalgia: A Visit to Southfork

For years during my childhood, Friday night meant two things in my house, Imo's pizza and Dallas on television. The Ewings and the Barnes and their family feud was how my parents and I would kick off the weekend. It was a big haired, shoulder padded, cowboy hat wearing weekly tradition.

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So imagine my excitement when I had the chance to visit SOUTHFORK ranch earlier this year. The hubby was in training, and I got to join him in Dallas for a few days. While he was in class I snuck out and headed to Parker, TX. I spent the afternoon touring an iconic television homestead. It. Was. Epic.




It was on that tour, that I realized that soon, very soon, TNT would be airing an all new Dallas! This time around, John Ross and Christopher (J.R. and Bobby's sons) will be the one battling it out. It's a whole new generation of campy, oil soaked, television drama.

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And it all starts tonight!




Unfortunately, they weren't filming at Southfork the day that I was there. But, the house was used for location shoots for the new series.  The whole tour staff was happy to share stories of how wonderfully sweet and friendly Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray and Larry Hagman all are. I slurped up every bit of name dropping goodness like any life long Dallas fan certainly would. I was in geeky, fanatic heaven.




My trip to Southfork definitely made my first trip the Longhorn state totally memorable. Not only could I check another state off the Ultimate To DO list, I got to take a step back in time. As bizarre as it is, Southfork is a cherished piece of my childhood. Here's hoping the new series is an equally guilty pleasure.


Is there a television location from your childhood that you'd love to visit?

Gladly Inked for Life

Last week I wrote a post and mentioned my tattoo. Little did I know it would spark some curiosity and provide the perfect inspiration for a whole other post.

First some background. I've been incredibly fortunate in my life to have a few pretty significant friendships. One was a friend through middle school, high school and a few of my many college years. He was a confidante, a buddy and someone who could ALWAYS make me laugh. When he died, entirely too young, it was one of the first experiences I had with losing someone who had been important to me.  Though we weren't super close at the time of his death, I didn't handle it very well. It wasn't a pretty time for me emotionally. There was definitely a whole bunch of relying on chemical crutches to get me through the pain.  At his wake, I remember talking to a few mutual friends and deciding we would all get tattoos to remember him. Our friend's Irish heritage made the tattoo design easy to decide on.


Fast forward a year or so and several drinks later... During a night on the town, a friend and I were between bars and walking by a newly opened tattoo shop.  He turned to me and jokingly said, "Want to get a tattoo?" I surprised even myself when I said, "Actually, yes." There was never a question in my mind what I wanted. And I never had a moment's hesitation.

I sat down in the chair and waited to see my new "ink."  Half-way through the process I must have been looking a bit sallow because the artist asked me if I was feeling alright and offered a trash can if I was feeling sick to my stomach. First off, if there was one thing I used to be a pro at - it was the proverbial drunken yak. But, until that moment I hadn't felt sick to my stomach AT ALL. I was in a bit of pain, sure, but I was fine otherwise. Well, until that jerk mentioned the trash can. You get the idea. Thankfully it was a boot and rally kind of situation. I ended up surviving the process and walked out on my own two feet.

In the end, that night left me with one of my favorite things in the whole wide world. Now, I'm not sure if anyone else ever got (or even remembers discussing getting) a tattoo. But, mine is incredibly special to me whether they did or they didn't. I've never, ever, ever regretted the decision - as emotionally charged and liquor fueled as it was. 
Now it's your turn! Let's hear about YOUR tattoos...
{p.s. this was the most awkward photo shoot EV-ah}

(First Ever) Fashion Friday

Man, I’ve been in a funk today. Something feels off and a little icky.

I tried a bunch of stuff to shake it with very little success. I could barely survive exercising this morning. I was truly out. of. breath. When I came home, I tried to eat; no dice. I tried to perk up with a shower; I still felt like crap. I drank a cup of coffee; nothing. I finally resigned to just laying down and taking a 45 20 minute nap/siesta.

I guess part of it is that I didn’t sleep well last night. And let’s face it, that never makes a day bright and shiny. But, it also could be that today is the yuckiest of all of the days of the year. Today was my annual gyno appointment. Blechhh. Don’t get me wrong, my doc is a lovely lady but I can’t say that I EVER look forward to seeing her. Even AFTER I wait 60+ minutes in three different waiting rooms. It’s just NOT what I consider a fun experience.

Anywho, I was laying around before the appointment kind of wallowing in my funk. I was doing the count backwards from when I HAVE to leave the house to figure out exactly how much longer I can lie around resembling a slug thing. It’s a special skill to be able to procrastinate to the EXACT last moment before rushing around in a panic to get ready and get out the door. It’s only something I’ve been working on for like 30 years. So, obviously, I'm really good at it.  Lying there, I decided to check Facebook for probably the 20th time since I woke up and I came across one of those Living Social posts. My friend had posted this:

5 Albums That Remind You of High School

(Notice I deleted her name and “disguised” her face to protect the innocent)

In about 5 seconds I was feeling soooo much better. I couldn’t have picked a better "5 albums" to remind me of all of the fun parts of high school. Her choices were epic and made me smile. They brought me back to my senior year, put a huge smile on my face and inspired this look:

*Flowery Dress: I’ve had since High School (I definitely accessorized it differently back then though... think hemp necklace, Birkenstocks, joint in my bra and a newspaper pass to get me out of class for the rest of the day).
*Black Boots: I’ve carried them waaay into spring (per Emery’s suggestion). Also seen here & here
*Scarf: Birthday gift from my sister (who has her last day of undergrad TODAY – I think). She got it at the St. Louis Art Museum where she’s had an internship this year… VERY PRESTIGIOUS since she’s the only undergrad they invited!!! (Yes, I'm bragging about her amazingness.)
*Jean Jacket: I bought from the Gap probably 5 years ago for $10! (Though it's 80 degrees outside, you knoooow hot cold it is in those doctor's offices.)

After getting dressed, my funk began to lift. I got in my car, opened my sun roof and screeched every word of Rites of Passage at the top of my lungs during the drive to the gyno. I survived the wait appointment and shouldn’t have to go back for another year.

Moving forward, I intend to listen to every one of those albums this weekend! Funk be gone, I say!

Thankful Thursday: Episode 48

Inspired by the fabulous Promtacular! which I discovered just yesterday, I have a little something to share with you.  It is Prom season after all.  How about a walk down memory lane?

Welcome to Prom 1994

That's me in the red dress that is perhaps 2 sizes too big for me. And yes, yes those are suntan pantyhose several shades darker than my actual skin. How nice of you to notice.  What this picture ISN'T communicating is that the dress was brocade so that made it a little tough to get the shoes dyed-to-match.  But, don't worry, I got the job done.

And because, Homecoming was a tad flashier... get a load of this.  It's true.  I'm wearing an electric blue sequins dress. Truth be told, I kind of still wish I had it...the dyed-to-match pumps MUST go however. (hangs head in shame)  Oh, and I promise I would wear a bra if I ever put it on again.  One bright spot, at least this time I found a shade of pantyhose closer to my pasty white skin tone.

Episode 48: "Today I am thankful for... fashion memories."

I love that I can look back and laugh at high school and more specifically at what I wore.  Because I am secure in the knowledge that I NEVER have to go back nor do I ever have to wear suntan pantyhose again (God willing).

So today, I am thankful.

Alright, now it's your turn.  What did you wear to Prom??


*In case you're wondering, my date to Prom was the same guy who took me to Homecoming.  However, due to my irrational FEAR of his wife I am hesitant to post 2 pictures of us on the internet lest I provoke her wrath.

Memory Lane - Graduation Edition

With all the high school and college graduations going on, I've gotten a bit nostalgic. Digging through old pictures is one of my FAVORITE treats, and this seemed like a perfect excuse to do just that.

Let's take a walk down memory lane...

Yes, that is my high school graduation shot. Good thing I have these pictures to prove I was there, because there isn't much of the evening that I remember. I graduated from Parkway South High School in 1994. That's right. 15! years! ago! Judging from the pudgy cheeks and humidity affected hair, I definitely would say I've gotten better with age. I'm there with my Pops, Mom and the BF at that time. I include him because in those days he was my world, and quite frankly, a high school graduation picture without him just wouldn't be complete.

I had to throw this shot in, just because it's one of many big hug shots of me and my Grandpa Paul. Without a doubt one of my all time favorite photos.

Six years and many, many packages of ramen noodles later came college graduation. Go ahead, get it out of your system... Yes, it took me 6 years to graduate from college. I did take some time off, but I also messed around a lot. You know, changing majors and whatnot. Once again, Mom, Dad and my grandparents were on hand to watch me collect my diploma.

That was 9 years (and 10 jobs) ago! I graduated with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with emphasis in Psychology, Sociology and English Literature. Those last 2 sentences really make me sound like an employer's dream don't they?? What I find entertaining is that today I'm not any more certain what I want to be when I grow up than I was then... On the bright side, my attitude has changed. Back then I felt pressure, like I needed to figure it out. Now, though, I'm more comfortable just waiting to see where life takes me.