Giveaway

Twelve years ago on July 31, 2011, I released my first post on the Fifty and Not So Glitzy blog site. Obviously, I sped past being fifty long ago but I am still guilty as charged for being not-so-glitzy.

If I were one of the cool kids, this milestone posting would involve a giveaway to the readers, especially if there is reposting involved. Sorry, dear readers. I have no peach-colored mixers, Perky-Pet bird feeders or 148 Ways to Use Zucchini cookbooks to release. But, I do have a few photos to share with you. If you have followed me for any length of time you know I rarely post personal photos. But a dozen years of blogging has softened the edges of my resolve so here are my anniversary-giveaway-photos. Feel free to chuckle, gasp or look away. You have been warned.

I am the chubby-cheeked blondie on the right. My older brother is next to me and my cousins are joining the party. My sister is perched on the table. My mother always baked an angel food cake for our birthdays and used little carousel figures to decorate the cake. I am sure we were told to smile for the camera first and eating the cake would be second. Such obedient children.

Long before video games and television, my sisters and I would play dress-up for hours. I have the old lady look going but I have no idea who or what my sisters are portraying. No matter. It was the process that counted.

My mom was always a teacher at heart. One summer day she took us to a local rock shop. Apparently, she thought it was a moment that needed a photo memory. I am not sure all of us were enthralled by the field trip but it was a break from our usual routines. Our oldest brother is not included so he must have had a good excuse. Chores, most likely.

No, this is not me practicing a ballet move. I am using my best climb-over-barbed-wire technique to get across a fence. I have no idea who took this photo, long before cell phones were at the ready. Needless to say, I have not practiced this skill for a long time.

This is me in typing class, circa 1973. I do not know if I was trying to hide from the camera or if I had just made a serious typo. Trust me, computer editing is one of mankind's greatest inventions. Although, I do miss the "ding" of a completed line of writing.

Here I am in all my finery for my Junior-Senior Banquet. The theme was Garden of Friendship and, oh my, what an enchanted evening it was. In case you are wondering, the handsome dude in the picture would become my husband a few years down the road. Never underestimate the power of a lot of streamers.

Proof that the handsome dude and I got married, circa 1976. A mauve tux with a pink shirt is a sign of true love for sure.

I am in my zone with this one. I have played piano for weddings, funerals, church services, nervous flute players and senior centers. I think this picture was taken at my niece's wedding. It looks like I had a little too much dippity-doo in my hair but nobody focuses on the pianist. Unless you mess up.

Graduation day for my Master's degree. I am with my mom who was always a great cheerleader.

And some things never change. I still love Cheetos. Lots of them. Cheers to twelve years of blogging.