Trunk or Treat 2015

As so aptly said in the movie "27 Dresses," the best thing about this (bridesmaids) dress is you can shorten it (or not) and wear it again." Though often said it is rarely true.  However when Melissa chose this bridesmaids dress 25 years ago little did she know I would be still wearing it.  It was used for my Little Bo Peep costume 3 years ago.  This year it inspired this Little Miss Muffet costume and display for my church's Trunk or Treat yesterday.  Thanks to Melissa's dress, some Pinterest inspiration and dad's truck, it all came together for a fun display.

 

 



A bit of an arachnophobic nightmare.  In addition to the giant spider and the one on my shoulder,
there was 200 tootsie pop spiders and a dozen or more plastic ones.

 

Giant spider was made from a yoga ball, large garbage bag, black duct tape,
 pipe insulators and massive google eyes.
 



The kids got to pick their spider (tootsie pop or plastic)
or something from my curds and whey bowl.

 

I made 200 of these over the course of several evenings while watching movies.

 

I am not sure if I was aware at the time of the wedding that this fabric was Waverly.
 If so it was lost on me.  Evidently that is significant in my southern town by comments made yesterday.

 

With the tootsie pop spiders all gone, Spidey is all packed up and ready to go home.

 

Before Curfew

This is a follow up to the post "Tonight" posted 10/9/15

 

Well, so it did not rain Friday night.  It has been raining since but that is besides the point.  However Peter's football team lost meaning there was no party.  Although it wasn't immediately following the game he was home well before curfew.  He says he went to Taco Bell with a friend following the game.  Considering how much he stays in his room, I was actually glad he was out with people.  Thus one more Friday night of raising a teenager has been survived.

A week ago . . .



A week ago tonight I was on my way to my college Alma Mater with three of my college friends. As I was told would likely happen, these college friends have become lifelong friends.  I trust them with my life and well my death.  I consider them close enough friends that each have been named in my will to assist in the event of my death.  That being said I was a little nervous about heading out on a road trip with all of us in one car.  Leanne promised to drive safe and she did a great job getting us to Mars Hill and back in spite of the weekend of rain.  This year marked 25 years since we graduated thus prompting our  homecoming weekend road trip.  We were a bit surprised and disappointed that only one other classmate from our graduation year was in attendance.  Yet the low attendance nor the rain kept us from having a great time.  Melissa thought to bring the yearbooks.  (Not surprising considering she had been the yearbook editor one year.)  We had a lot of fun remembering folks we had forgotten and laughing at our hair and fashion.  During the weekend we found some great places to eat and had plenty of snacks. My mom even sent cookies for nostalgia purposes.  Mom was known for sending cookies.  We laughed and laughed.  To quote Melissa "It was fun to relive being 18 for the weekend." 

 

Here is a little pictorial review of the weekend.

Leanne, Melissa, Me, Tonya
In 1986 we were from 4 different cities in 3 different states.
Now we live within an hour drive of one another.
 

Leanne was our awesome driver. 
Packing her car was reminiscent of packing our cars to go off to college. 
We had snacks for a month and approximately 16 pairs of shoes
 

Melissa found us a great house to rent in our beloved mountains. 
It had a great price and was perfect for hanging out. 

 

The rain didn't stop us from wandering around to see remember the old and checking out the new.
The far building is now a library but we knew it as the dining hall.

The road on the far left leads to what we referred to as Women's Hill.
What a shock to learn that Women and Men are no longer separated into their respected sides.
They even have co-ed dorms.  Oh my!!!!

The Student Union with the famous view in the back.
Amidst so many changes it was comforting to see little had changed in the Student Union.
We even recognized some of the couches!

Homecoming Game
Again the fabulous view with the mountain mist.
We wont talk about who won the game.

In our day this Western Sizzler (now turned church) was one of the only places to eat. 
Now they have so many choices.  They even have a Waffle House!

Frequented more than Western Sizzler by us poor college students was the Texaco with it's snack bar.

Greatly saddened by the loss of this memorable landmark.

We knew Weaverville as a little stop between Mars Hill and Ashville.
It had a Roses and a Hardees.
What a shock to see the metropolis it has become with it's
Wal-Mart, Lowes, Aldi's and numerous eating establishments.
Had awesome meals at Stoney Knob Café and Well Bread Café.
Great Friends and Great Food - who could ask for more!

 

 

Tonight

Tonight I am the mom of a seventeen year old. 

 

Peter had his birthday yesterday.  He and I have had a rough week.  I would tell you it is him and he would tell you it was me.  I know it is him and well the more I ponder I realize a lot of it is me.  His birthday celebration at my folks immediately followed a big argument in the car.  And at one point in the evening I had to leave the house to make three laps around the block to cool off.  I have been hurt by things he has done and said.   I am also not proud of things I have said. I know a lot of it is rooted in my expectations and pride.  And I know I am in desperate need of grace.  As I receive it, I pray I can extend it.   Gratefully today has been better.  While on a little shopping trip (to spend the gift card he received from grandma) we actually had pleasant (as pleasant as it gets with a 17 year old boy) conversation.

 

Peter is at a football game and I am at home living through the anxiety of having my 17 year old "out on his own."  He does not drive yet he has plans to attend a party after the game with friends.  This is contingent upon their school winning the game and if it doesn't rain.  We have discussed curfew, not riding with someone if they have been drinking, etc.  Peter voluntarily showed me where the party is to be located. It is at the home of a boy who attended the military school for awhile as well and I know of the parents.  I believe I need to allow some freedom but it is a bit nerve racking none the less.

 

I am trying to be calm and cool and simply pray.  Needless to say I am praying for rain!