And a big THANK YOU to each of you for your comments and willingness to help me out of the impenetrable web of confusion that was the Dolly Dingle Valentine Swap! lol I don't remember the last time I laughed so hard at my own ineptitude! (a fine word coined by my son Paul) Elizabeth, you are always good for a thousand laughs...I am finally crying "Uncle" on this one and retiring it to the archives of Swaps of Valentines Past. May the jillion little cowboy and cowgirl valentines rest in peace in their new homes. Amen.
Meanwhile, back at the valentine sweat shop that has become my craft room, (a "sweat shop" while weather outside is two degrees is quite a feat...) I have completed the little fabric collage quilt, finished a valentine candy box album, and am in the process of creating a sweet treat valentine surprise for hubby dear.
Our wedding anniversary is Feb. 17th...we will have been married 30 years! Can you imagine!? Someone putting up with the likes of ME for that length of time? Holy moly! The man is either a saint or a glutton for punishment! lol
This is a very young "us" ... it's a Silver Dollar City "tintype" photo...which meant the clothing, (tie and Velcro applied) the cabin...all props. So no, it's not an authentic wedding picture...we actually got married in the living room of a dear little preacher and his wife (with the smell of fried chicken wafting in the air.) The little lady came out of the kitchen with her hands covered in flour, wiped them on her apron, sang a rousing rendition of "I Love You Truly" (I kid you not) and then disappeared to tend once again to their dinner.
The ceremony lasted perhaps 15 minutes. We paid the man his customary "honorarium" for the ceremony, and then flitted off to begin our luxurious honeymoon...a trip to K-Mart. :-) (Would this man spare no expense?!) We were young, broke, and newly transplanted in Oklahoma (during the oil boom)...we made a mad dash across the Texas state line to Gainesville, TX for the brief nuptials.
Anyway, 30 years later, we are more in love and have more fun than we'd have ever imagined...we are SO looking forward to more days/weeks of travel in the canned ham!
More soon! Paula Clare
