Let's bring this DEAD blog back to life!! Sorry I haven't posted in so long. It's been worrying me to death, however, I'm working against several deadlines the likes of which I haven't dealt with since I actually worked. I'm starting to feel like I do actually work. I will share some art sneak peeks soon.
Natasha came up with this wonderful idea of having a Virtual Vintage Prom. Well, I decided, since there is no way I can take the time to make a cool vintage prom dress, I would share with you some photos from my FAVORITE prom ever. 1979. That's vintage. This night was definitely one of the most fun nights of all my high school years. Just one of those perfect nights where your hitting on all cylinders and the alcohol produced adrenaline rather than puke.
Before the prom, a group of us had a hotel room. I really don't think my parents knew that. I'm quite sure they would not have approved. Now days they have party buses and the parents set it up! Anyway, we had a room. Well, Greg (my best friend Lisa's boyfriend) and I had a screwdriver guzzling contest. I know we got into the high teens. Can't remember if we made it to twenty. (So glad my kids don't read my blog!) Greg was Lisa's boyfriend throughout most of our high school years and I loved him so much. He was just sweet and mild mannered. Fit well with Lisa who was not sweet and mild-mannered! On this occasion I had just broken up with the boy I dated throughout most of my high school years (he was a couple of years older than me and out of school) so I went to the prom with a former boyfriend who was a good friend and a part of our group. Now, that's groundwork for a GOOD TIME.
This first picture is the standard prom shot taken in my living room. Can you guess which one is me???? I'll let you ponder it.
All the photos in the 70s were taken with a Kodak Instamatic. Worst camera ever made. Look at the graininess. Photos taken in the 50s and 60s are better than these.
Next, we've finished at the hotel room and we are at the prom. I'll just tell you I was IN LOVE with everyone that night. The LIFE of the party. I danced and danced and danced til, as you will see, my hair was nothing but strands of sweat. The party pic photographer was with me at all times. Everyone at the prom started calling him my personal photographer! When the proof photos came back and were hanging on the wall outside the office the entire school was a buzz because there were pictures of me in EVERY SINGLE row of proofs. I didn't believe it at first until I went to look at the proofs myself. Dear God....it was a fact! I always loved posing for the camera and when a photographer is willing to follow you around all night.....well, it doesn't get much better than that for a ham like me.
This is just a smattering of the pictures I have. Trying to show the progression of the evening. At one point Lisa and I wrestled in our prom dresses. One of these pictures shows the beginning of that wrestling match.
This next picture is of me and my beloved personal photographer Steve. I'll never forget him as long as I live. Greg Menefee took the photo with Steve's big ole' honkin' camera. Remember, Greg was my BFF Lisa's boyfriend???
So, if you didn't already figure it out, I'm the girl in the fuchsia dress. Imagine that! I severely reduced the pixel size of these photos so I could upload them quickly. I'm sure they won't be too clear. Oh well, it's not like it's art. Many of you will be pleased to know that I HAVE CALLED the satellite company. Laura sent me a link to a Tim Holtz video the other day and it took me two hours to load it. I sent it to Erik (my neighbor with satellite high speed) and it took him 16 seconds. I hung up from him and called immediately. Not sure why I've waited so long. Had no idea it would make that much difference. Yes, I'm a doof.
Since I had the pictures out, I thought I would show you a couple of me with my long-time high school boyfriend. The one who was already out of school. Now this dance (it was a '78 Christmas Dance) was pretty much a disaster. First of all, Nick would have been mortified had I gallivanted around the Great Hall of the Myriad dancing and sweating and laughing constantly. Second, Lisa's boyfriend (at that time) David, puked all over himself and our table. Then the candle on the table caught my shawl on fire! If you look at David on the far left of this photo, you can see he's about to hurl. Come to think of it David was always screwing things up. I'm glad she dated Greg through most of those years. One time, Lisa and David were on their way home from the lake and she was asleep while he was driving. He stinking fell asleep at the wheel causing the car to roll! It's a miracle he didn't kill my best friend and himself. To save my life I can't think of his last name. It's killing me. It's on the tip of my tongue....starts with a B. I think. How could I forget such a thing??? The last photo is Nick and me all prim and proper.
That was a fun little trip down memory lane. I'll be back soon with some current art projects. Oh! and Vintage Christmas Wallpaper Packs. I do believe I will cut some. Please let me know if you are interested so I can have an idea how many packs to make. I'll try to show photos of the papers later today.
Whooboy, those old dance pictures were fun. LOL
Posted by: Sarah | November 20, 2007 at 09:57 AM
Great prom memories, thanks for sharing all the fun with us.
Posted by: Pearl Maple | November 20, 2007 at 10:45 AM
Wowzer girl- you were the life of the party! Thanks for sharing your "wild" side with us!
Posted by: Beth Leintz | November 20, 2007 at 11:42 AM
omigosh.
i'm having a major flashback. i have no pics to show and i dont think i would if i did lol.. it would be too traumatic. now you - i'm in shock - i had no idea you were such a party girl. ooooeeee. you do look a-dorable however. so pretty. lovely dresses too. isnt it funny how the dresses often are timeless but the tuxes from the 70's - lordy you know it was from back in the day. and you know Luke is the spitting image of you in some of those pictures. its amazing.
Posted by: Tracy | November 20, 2007 at 12:05 PM
I LOVE it!!!! They look just like my photos...Kodak instamatic!! hee hee remember when it had the little attachment to make the flash higher? Seriously, I love the 70's....
Posted by: Karin (creativechaos) | November 20, 2007 at 01:36 PM
Mildred,
You certainly told the G, I wish there were something lower than G, version. If your boys only knew...the good thing is I do and one day will relish in telling them about all--ALL of your antics.
Good pictures. I always wondered what, "Nick" looked like now I know. The guy who is between you and Lisa in the close up looks like Tyler Florence for real!
****An editorial addition by the author****
William is full of crap! I did not tell the G version of my junior prom. For crying out loud how could it possibly be worse than almost 20 screwdrivers at 17???? I think he's mixing my early 20s with my teens and I wasn't that bad. It's just that Mary Richards (Tyler Moore) was "bad" compared to William!
Thank God my dad has absolutely no idea how to work a computer!
Posted by: William | November 20, 2007 at 01:48 PM
fun!! YOu have so many pctures from the past!!! that is great treasure them!
jessi
Posted by: jessi nagy | November 20, 2007 at 04:25 PM
You are a scream!!!!! I love your stories and your photos!!! The photographer looks younger than everyone, so funny! THanks for joining in and for being such fun! I'm updating the list now, taking me a while!
Posted by: Natasha Burns | November 20, 2007 at 04:38 PM
Sounds like you just had a blast and this is the way it should be at your real life prom!! This was a fun blog Prom..."I could have danced all night....."
bj
Posted by: bj | November 20, 2007 at 05:33 PM
Donna
Thats some vintage 70's photo of your prom you have. Party you sure did! and you looked lovely...thanks for sharing such treasured pictures.
Ta, Adla
Posted by: Adla | November 20, 2007 at 06:29 PM
so funny...I hate pictures from that time too, always yellowed. I think I might have one picture --standard in the living room for mom-picture from prom activity. I kind of fell into the William sort of person in high school. "father knows best" was a racy time compared to my life--ha
Posted by: Sherri | November 21, 2007 at 01:15 AM
so nice to see you at Natasha' virtual prom! im loving your photos - how pretty are you??
sounds like such a fun night!
Posted by: Anastasia | November 21, 2007 at 02:13 AM
Hi there, I'm here via the virtual prom! Really enjoyed reading your post and all those pics - how cool are they! Love the 70's fashions, I remember wearing those styles just as I entered my teen years, what clingy dresses they were!! Had to laugh at that pic of the photographer - he looks like such a baby!!! Really cool post - thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Linda | November 21, 2007 at 04:06 AM
Really nice!! I looked at these and "saw" my husband at exactly the same age, same era...and thought how can that be...really eerie how clothing, beards, hair styles can make you see someone else!!
Posted by: cherie | November 21, 2007 at 04:21 AM
Loved the pictures. Isn't it fun to relive fun times
Karen
Bluemuf
Posted by: Karen Young | November 21, 2007 at 07:34 AM
I just love your post. Those pictures remind me of us (I met my husband back in '79 at the age of 17). The brown-yellowish atmosphere at those kodac instamatic pictures just scream:' genuine 70-ties', I think. Thanks for taking me back to memory lane! I think I will stay here at this prom for a while (aaah to be 17 again!).
btw I collect everything and also vintage wallpaper...I will be back...LiLi
Posted by: LiLi M. | November 21, 2007 at 08:31 AM
Awesome pics!!! That David totally looks like he's gonna puke, lol!! You look so cute in your pretty, satiny dress!
Posted by: Dara | November 21, 2007 at 10:51 AM
Your post cracks me up. I read the whole thing. The photos are great. Nothing like vintage 70's fashion.
Nerissa
Posted by: nerissa | November 21, 2007 at 06:14 PM
Love all the photos of your prom! Sounds like it was quite a night! Love all the 70's fashion!
Posted by: Bejeweled | November 21, 2007 at 06:24 PM
Really enjoyed your real life experiences, I do detect a naughty twinkle in your eye!
Posted by: Rachael | November 22, 2007 at 01:07 AM
ROFL Donna, just seeing your pics brings back a lot of memories of my own high school days :) Glad you had a good time chica!
Posted by: Sue McG | November 23, 2007 at 03:55 PM
Donna... Oh I love seeing these old photos!!! I guessed the wrong girl in the first photo..lol. You were such a gorgeous girl!
Posted by: Heather ~ Pretty Petals | November 24, 2007 at 08:40 PM
HA! I pegged ya right...gah...those pics take me back. You were a wilder woman than me...LOL. What a trip down memory lane, thanks for sharing. Love when you and Will "discuss"...LOL.
c
Posted by: Cindy | November 25, 2007 at 11:52 AM
Par-tay!!!! Love the cool retro photos!!! Looks like my prom!!! You look like you had tons of fun, and isn't that the point!!! Looks like lots of fun memories!!! So glad you shared these great moments!!!
Posted by: Barbara | November 25, 2007 at 06:50 PM
Dear Donna,
I throughly enjoyed your Prom tale!
Plus, this was Real not Virtual! Just great. You are just as pretty at the end of the soirée as before the screwdriver competition! So much FUN and thank you!!
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | November 26, 2007 at 08:05 AM