Scanning Away

When I read through my magazines, I tear out the pages of interest as I go. Some are recipes that I will use later and I put them into my little cookbook. Others are filled with creative ideas I don't want to forget. I have a folder that I keep these idea pages in for future use.


But, today I decided it was time to be more green and get rid of the paper but save the ideas. So, I scanned the torn out magazine pages and saved them to my computer (these items will be saved to my external hard drive, as well).


Now, it will be easy to bring up these great ideas and free myself of the paper clutter. It has me thinking...what else can I scan and save and toss the paper overload???


Here are some of the ideas that hit me:

Graduation 1984

So, as I reminisce through some of my old photos, I am reminded of some really great friends and times in my life. My best friend in high school was Veronique Pirrone and we had tons of fun together. We got ourselves into a bit of mischief back in those days. We would go to The Wave (a punk rock bar at the beach) when we were just Juniors (underage) in High School (sorry mom and dad)! And we both loved the Stray Cats, Adam Ant, The Police, The Psychedelic Furs, and many many other alternative bands. We graduated from high school in 1984. Here we are on our graduation day. This was by far one of the top 10 days of my life. My 4th grade teacher came to my house that day to give me a graduation gift, my sisters presented me with a beautiful sapphire ring, and my parents threw a fabulous graduation party for me!! It's fun to look back at these not so perfect pictures and remember the good times.

It's Flashback Friday!

Ok, it has been awhile since I posted some scanned photos. So to liven things up around here (lots of tension when one's life is under construction) I thought I'd post a lovely duo of photos.

Let's start with the first picture. Here we are the three Ruesch girls. Are we hot or what!!!??? It's me, my sister Linda, and my sister Kathy standing outside of her apartment in Alexandria. Oh, and a red hot fashion note...the cute little Pappagallo green button purse (the ones with all of the different covers...circa 1980-81) is now quite hip and trendy at your local Old Navy store. I just saw one there today. Oh, and Linda's cool Candies pumps were one of my all-time favorite pairs of shoes. My mother wouldn't let me own a pair! So there I am at about the age of 14...right in all my hideous glory.


So, on to another photo taken in 1989 at my friend's boyfriend's house. There we are in our ultra short skirts, slouchy tops with shoulder pads, and major pouffy hair. Let me tell you we thought we were lookin' hot that night...I am quite sure. I'm in shock that almost 20 years has passed since that picture was taken! Could I please have those pretty tan legs back!

Bonnie, me, and Sherry

Youngster & Art Work

People have been commenting on the similarities between me and the girls since viewing the photos of me as a child. I had a request to post a picture of the young John. So, here he is: I am guessing this is in 2nd or 3rd grade (maybe 1972 or 1973...no date on the back so not sure). Isn't he a cutie???? And I can clearly see Lily in his eyes, eyebrows, nose, and mouth. I see hints of Shelly in his face shape and eyes.

I scanned some of the recent artwork from the girls. I plan to continue doing this in an attempt to streamline our art collection. The first piece is from Lily. I like the hats on the snowmen. Next, Shelly is working on the letters "L" and "M". Her Love picture makes me happy...love the colors and the backwards E. And, the monster picture is so clever. Love those teeth.

Shelly and I did a bit of organizing this morning. We took all of the DVDs out of their cases and assembled them into a notebook style CD/DVD holder. I removed the inside cover sheets from the DVD packaging and put them all in a ziploc bag for future reference. So, now ALL of our DVDs are in one place that is easy to transport from room to room or to the car. Very pleased with this.

The Pictures Just Keep on Comin'

Ok, as if you haven't seen enough incriminating photos of me as a young girl, I thought I'd add another. Here I am in front of our house on Abbey Drive modeling by the big tree. This was taken in May of '78. That is just a month after I turned 12. Wow, I am rockin' the tucked in shirt, belt, and jeans look. And apparently it was mandatory that my eyeglasses needed to be about 1/2 the size of my face.

An interesting note to this photo. The house in the background was where my friend, Kim Craig, lived. We played together all the time. She was quiet and loved to play Barbies, school, and kickball...all my favorites. When she was in 10th grade and I was a 9th grader she died from spinal meningitis. At this point, we had moved and I hadn't really seen Kim in about two years. I found out about her death before school started while I was attending a club meeting. My mom, who taught at the same junior high I attended, came to the classroom and told me. Instantly, I had flashbacks of our days hanging out together...inventing games, making forts, and hiding from her brothers. I was so stunned and shocked, I don't quite remember my reaction. I just remember that it was a sad day and with that day so many memories seemed to fade.

Hip Cool People of the Early 80's

Be sure to click on this one to make it bigger. This photo is from August of 1980. Those are my ultra hip parents at Kings Dominion. I love this picture and its cool retro feel. Again, love these two people!!!

Dean DeCarlis

When I was in 6th grade, this fella really got my heart pumping. His name was Dean DeCarlis and he was absolutely adorable. He had sandy blonde hair, a great tan, and the most beautiful blue eyes. I think he jump started my boy crazy fever. I worshiped him throughout 6th and 7th grade. Eventually, I got over him. I really don't even remember him once we hit junior high in the 8th grade. And by 10th grade, we were both at different high schools.

So, as I rummage through my old photos to scan them, little bits of my history come back to haunt me. When I look at this photo I don't really pay much attention to the skinny boy in the photo, but I reflect on the person that I was at the time. I was a young girl who was skinny, had acne, wore glasses, and had braces...wow, could I sound much more awkward!!?? Anyway, I was insecure and so hopeful that someday somewhere I would find a fantastic boy who would love me. And, I did. It just wasn't Dean DeCarlis.

Randomness

1. I think the beloved laptop has gone kaput on me. So, I now have my own little screen to log into on John's laptop. All is good.

2. I just realized I can sync my iPod to 5 different computers...duh!!!

3. Lily was beyond thrilled to go with me to Shelly's school this morning. Lily and I spent the morning together running errands and being just 2.

4. Lily used the rest of her Justice gift card on a really cutte bed canopy. I need to photograph its cuteness.

5. I am thinking that a miniature beagle would be a fun dog to own...one day.

6. Speaking of dogs, here I am with my Aunt Sue's dog, Max. Isn't he pretty?? He is now gone, but I really loved his big fluffy fur. Oh, and the dog on the left...yes, that's me in 1978 (12 years old).

7. I am rethinking my New Year's Resolution word. I think I may just go with last year's...Simplicity. That word worked well for me and I think I'll stick with it.

8. I was thinking this morning about how and when my computer fascination really began. I realized it was in 2000 when we moved to North Carolina. As sad as this sounds, the ol' computer became my good friend. And...I actually made several cyber friends via the electronic box. I guess that's why I still continue to enjoy being on the computer so often.

9. I have no idea what we're having for dinner tonight.

10. I need to make another Nifty Nine...haven't done that in quite some time.

All for now!!!

Paper & Glue Layouts

So with the introduction of this scanner into my life, I can now show some of my "real" scrapbooking layouts. I scanned some of the 8 1/2"x11"s that I have on hand. Here are a few:

I also scrap in 6x6 and 12x12. If I can figure out how to scan and stitch the 12x12s, I'll post some of those, as well.

Twiggy

When I was in high school, I got the nickname of Twiggy from a few friends. Just wanted to share the origin of this nickname with those of you who know me now...not quite as Twiggy, huh???

In the first photo I am enjoying a walk on the Virginia Beach boardwalk with my Aunt Sue and my dad. We are all quite stylish in this photo, don't you think???

In this picture, I am posing with my Grandpa Ruesch. I think the Twiggy roots may be traced back to him. What do you think????

Back to the Retro Photos

Just wanted to post two photos of some of my favorite people.

The first photo is one of my parents at the cottage in Pennsylvania. It was taken in 1978 and there they are on the screened porch together. I really like this photo and I really love them.

The second photo is of my sisters, Kathy and Linda. They are another pair of my favorite people. Kathy was 21 and Linda was 19 at the time of this photo and I was 12. They were both cool, hip college students and I thought they could do no wrong. Really things haven't changed much. We are all a bit older, but I still have the same great feelings about them both. At the time of this photo, I remember that they would frequently head out to all of the cool bars in town while I stayed at home and sat on the steps crying...really! I so wished that I could go with them. Oh, and, one of my favorite activities with them was cruising around in the blue VW while they both cracked the car windows and smoked...nice, huh? But I loved it!!!

The Bicentennial Birthday

The year that I turned 10 (1976), my mother planned a Bicentennial party. This was to commemorate my birth, as well as, the nation's. She went all out for my birthdays. My mother was a woman before her time. She included all of the cool matching items and thoughtful party favors. I once had a Price is Right party where my sisters were the girls who rang up the amount of money and modeled the prizes. Fun, fun, fun.

I wore red, white, and blue for this event. Oh, and in 1976, I was a colonial woman for Halloween that year. Obviously, another idea prompted by dear ol' mom.

So, in honor of Shelly's party tomorrow I thought it would be fun to post photos from a Louise party! That's me in the glasses and the white tennis outfit with the red racquet on it. The girl with the other white shirt and red trim is Kristin. Her birthday was the day before mine and I believe this might have been one of the many combined parties we had. Her mom was not nearly as clever and creative with her party skills as my mom.

Modeling, a Dog, and a Baby Doll

The first two photos are from a modeling gig I once had. Ok, I was 3 and doing some various poses for my sister, Linda, who was completing a Girl Scout badge...but, hey, I was her model. This is when we lived in Rockville, Maryland. I only have two memories of that house. The first was when my dad and I went out for a walk one afternoon. I was pushing a baby doll stroller and police were all around the neighborhood searching for some guy who was holed up in one of the houses. I remember we had to get back to our house quickly. The second memory is when our dryer caught on fire and my mother sent me to the neighbor's house across the street. I stood at her door and watched the fire trucks arrive. I remember being really afraid that my mom was still in the house. As a side note: all was well...the dryer, my mom, and me.

Moving on, the next photo is another sweet shot of dear ol' Lucy! Boy I sure did love her.

And finally for today, a photo of me taken in 1975 on Christmas day. There I am in my jazzy new peach outfit with my precious little baby doll. Ok, I guess the baby doll thing is genetic.

More fun photos to come. Shelly's birthday party is this weekend. So, some of the pictures might acutally be from this decade when I return.

Cat Eye Glasses

I think I have mentioned here about the time when I was 4 and had to get glasses (and discovered this while having my eyes tested at the little red schoolhouse in Kodiak, Alaska). Well, those ultra cool glasses are pictured in the photo below. There I am in the middle with the blue cat eye glasses on and the way cool mustard yellow sweater. Those two crazy cats on either side of me are my sisters, Linda and Kathy. Note their way ultra cool hairdos and attire, as well. We are posing in front of glaciers at Glacier Bay in Alaska. Now that part is cool!!! Just wanted to share another snapshot of my scanning life!!! Oh, and here are some answers/comments from my mother regarding an earlier post (Back in Time Jan. 3):

LUCY----DO YOU THINK WE NEED A NEW CHAIR????

MINI----I THINK DAD WAS WEARING THE GLASSES HE JUST GOT RID OF. (ENGLISH TEACHER ENDING SENTENCE WITH A PREPOSITION!!!!!)

MOM AMM ME----WAS TAKEN AT THE HOUSE ON STATEN ISLAND NYC IN 1934.

YOU---WAS TAKEN AT PENNYS IN ROCKVILLE---DRESS WAS MADE BY GRANDMA ANDE, NECKLACE FROM G & G RUESCH.

LOVE MOM

Further Back in Time

Well, before there was a "me", there was my mom (and dad, of course). This is one of my favorite photos. It's older, cool lighting and colors, and includes my grandma Ande who I never really knew. She died when I was 2 1/2 and I wish I had known her.

An interesting note: my first real memory is of her memorial service when she died. I remember being in the funeral home and she seemed to be surrounded by pink flowers. I remember my mom or my dad holding me up to see my grandma.

This photo also includes my Aunt Sue (Ada Mary) who is my mother's sister. Not sure when the photo was taken, but love everything about it. My mom is the one on the left (Helen Louise Ande).

I am loving this scanner!!! :)