Friday, August 1, 2008

Flashback Friday!

I'd like to take y'all back one year ago, to August of 2007. I want to share a few pictures, a bit of a story (not a long one, Cara!), and then a not-so-secret declaration, all for today's edition of Flashback Friday.

Last August we spent our annual week at a beach house in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, or as we refer to it, "our beach." No, we're not Hiltons, but we claim this island for our own enjoyment, as it were. Here's some pictures from that trip:

Libbey's gettin' her drink on. Uncle Robbie is famous for his banana/strawberry smoothies, and Libbey thinks she's Big Stuff drinking out of a "big girl glass." I'm not in this picture, obviously.

Here's Scott and Caroline, resplendent (that's for you!) in their beach attire. I'm not in this photo, either. In case you didn't catch that.

And now we have Mandy, my sister-in-law, pretending to be a rock star. We played a lot of Guitar Hero last year, before trading up for the bigger and better Rock Band. Again, I'm not pictured in this shot.
Each year we do a beach photo-shoot with the girls and their cousin, Eliza. (Baby Helen's turn will come soon.) Aren't they just delicious? With a spoon. And, as per usual, I am nowhere to be seen in this photograph.

The lack of visual proof of my existence during last year's beach trip stems from one reason, and one reason only. I discovered Twilight on this trip, and read all three books in the series in rapid succession. Then I reread them. Do not act surprised--y'all should know me by now.

At 12:01 am tonight (OK, technically Saturday morning) the final chapter of the Twilight Saga will be released. Eleven months is a long time to wait, y'all...but I've endured, and my reward will be the glory that is Breaking Dawn. Unless Meyer chooses to end the tale in a way I don't agree with, and then I shall be forced to hunt her down like a dog in the night, forcing her to rewrite it to suit my expectations. Cough-cough.

Post after post of Twilight shout-outs, have I finally convinced y'all to read the greatest love story since Rhett and Scarlett? Don't take my word for it...read Mrs. R's take on it here, as well as Heather's here.

I'm not alone in my fervor and devotion. We want y'all to love it just as much. Yes, we do. That's just the kind of people I am, so naturally I surround myself with like-minded women who share my obsession...er, I mean devotion.
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p.s. As if it's not enough that I'll be reading THE book later on tonight, I just read the best news ever. I have to share it with y'all because I. Just. Can't. Keep. It. In. Guess who made the cover of USA Today? Guess who's the number 1 team in college football?

Thank You, God. I refuse to ask You for the National Championship this season, but I know You know me...and You love me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

33 comments:

Trish said...

I shall form my own opinion.

But secretly we both know that i am going to LOVE it.

I did go in search of the GMA interview from this morning, and i must say she seems normal!

Unknown said...

One of these days I'll maybe possibly read them.... we'll see...

Unknown said...

bizarre, but my liberry doesn't have it. which i know you will not accept as an excuse. ah well.

Caroline said...

Is this as good or better than Francine Rivers? I wish I really loved to read - I read more in college and when I was single, but somehow, marriage and a redhead and blogging (cause I can't leave that out) somehow have sucked all the free time I have left in this world. You've almost convinced me.

CaraBee said...

Thanks, Lula! I love the pictures - your family is sooo gorgeous! I just have to finish the book I'm reading and I'm moving on to Twilight, which I am quite certain will be my next obsession.

Lauren W said...

What cute pictures!!!
Alas, I have yet to read said saga. It's definitely on my list of "next books to be purchased" (yes, I do belive I am going to purchase instead of go the library route with these. I figure if I hate them, I'll just send them to you and you can have an extra set :)).

Heather W said...

Now you've got me all intrigued. I guess I am going to have to go and buy the Twilight saga. You already have me buying the If book. Anything else you selling? Hahaha!!!

Also, you have a beautiful family. I love the beach pics. I will have to let you know that I love Guitar Hero but I am the worst. I get booed off in the first 5 seconds. It's sad but true.

Unknown said...

I finally tracked down the other books in the Twilight saga. It appears they are really popular, 'cos they're flying off the shelves. Hopefully I'll start reading them this weekend.

I'm currently reading the 5th book in The Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Love them!

Re the Bulldog (and yes, I do know who they are!), please don't stone me, but I'm still having a lot of problems figuring out American Football, or American Gridiron, as it gets called overseas.

I understand the passion it generates though. I get pretty passionate about Rugby :-)

Brandy said...

*THE* book was delivered yesterday, but I didn't start reading it yet. Not because I don't want to but I knew from your description that nothing else would get done all night.

And after reading this I know that was the right move...but tonight it's on like donkey kong!

My sweet hubby tried to win me a copy of the new book on the radio this morning. :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my Spot this morning :)
I, too, love Twilight! I still want to read Host but haven't had the chance yet...

Brandy said...

In response to my rant yesterday...

I think Glutton for Punishment is my official title, but they shortened it to President in order to suck me in.

LOL!
Brandy

Live.Love.Eat said...

Wow. I now have to see what the buzz is all about on this Twilight. I hadn't heard about it until recently and then I just read Mrs. R's writeup on it and it seems everyone is reading it.

Tori said...

So... I finally found these at our local libraries (helps if I spell her first name correctly in the search)... but they are all checked out! I'm waiting until Alex starts back at school (and I finish the book I'm already reading) to check again and possibly reserve a copy.

Mama Dawg said...

I can't get it until late this weekend, but you better believe I'll stay up until it's finished.

Shelley said...

I have completed Twilight and New Moon. The library does not have Eclipse and I don't want to read the new one until I have finished the third one.
I'm still not sure how these things are going to work out...all I know if I hope that Victoria heifer gets her heinie run off. Yeah and the Volturi, YIKES!!!!

Pinky Roth said...

My precious little girls! They look so sweet and innocent...but we know better. I have not read your Twilight books yet, but who knows maybe someday.

Mom

Tiffany said...

Amen

Marrdy said...

Beautiful pictures! Could you just rip each page out of that new book tonight and fax them to me so I can read it too without waiting....this is quite out of control!!

Insane Mama said...

Two things you NEED to know:

1)I finished Twilight in two days, onto #2 now

2) My brother's name is Rhett

Sissy said...

Breaking Dawn better have the ending I am hoping for or I will be joining you on that trip to Utah. I am actually a little apprehensive to read it because I don't want to be let down. Sad, I know. But I saw today that B/N is releasing a chapter of J.K. Rowling's newest book...I didn't know she was still writing.

Live.Love.Eat said...

Me again, you just have me so intrigued by this series I had never heard of before. This is what I read online:

"The runaway success of the series has been largely been fueled by online fans, Dayton added.

All of the activity happened in the blogosphere and social networking sites, and that's really where this thing took off," he said.

scargosun said...

I have been putting off buying it b/c I have a stack that I need to get through first but I will be getting them soon. Love the pics!

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

You are so sweet to offer to send it to me when you are done. But I think my name will come up quickly at the library. Does Scott know you are buying more than one copy?! My only issue with waiting for my library copy is that I'll read a spoiler or something.

Maybe I'll break down and get it tomorrow. Maybe :-)

Melissa said...

Just wanted to pop in and say hey. I'll have to come back to read later. I'm off for a fun filled Orlando Weekend....:) XXOO

Swirl Girl said...

I am never in any wonderful family pictures either. Someone has to take the pictures right?

The beach picture is delicious. I'd use a ladel not just a spoon!

Anonymous said...

Those pics are great....the girls are beautiful in all their blondeness!

After reading Mrs. R's post yesterday I had resigned myself to start these books...and of course forgot about it til reading your post today...so I'm off to Amazon to look for the books now!

Angie's Spot said...

I'm FINALLY catching up on my regular reads this week! Love the beach pics of the kids. Those just melt my heart everytime. And I'm simply going to have to pick up the first 3 Twilight books because I know y'all wouldn't steer me wrong. :-) I only do paperbacks and as long as it takes me to read books, this new one will be out in paperback by the time I get to it. Enjoy your weekend of reading!

Unknown said...

Lula I am right there with you on the Twilight series. Fortunately for me I just happened upon Twilight on Mother's day this year. Since hubby was taking care of our son I used my leisure time to read Twilight. I read and read and the next evening I had hubby watching our son and I drove as quickly as possible to the book store and picked up the rest of the series.

I was done with them all by Thursday. I joined Twilight Moms and had a forum to discuss the books. We have a Twilight Moms group - I missed the get together last week but will be there this month to discuss "the book."

Anyhow, I understand. But I will not go to the party tonight the idea of attending a "prom" with a whole bunch of teens and waiting in line - gotta pass. But my copy is reserved for the morning!

Heather said...

Why is it that your children are always photographed with "smoothies" that resemble adult beverages? That is cracking me up.

Now I have to go freak out because there's only SIX MORE HOURS LEFT until my darling Edward and I are together again.

Claremont First Ward said...

Last years pictures are so great!

KristiLU said...

Just so you know the #1 football team at the start of the season is almost never the #1 at the end. Sorry although I would love to see it, a championship is no guarantee.

LaQuintamomof3 said...

Just have to say- you have one beautiful family-- I usually agree with you!
But you have hoorible taste in football teams ;-)

Love from your friend in the so cal desert who is a trojan fan! we are ranked #2- hope it means we try harder!

Hope you are having a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

LEIGH ANNE: OMG

I have stayed on HHI every august for the past 11 years. OMG... you could've had ME to talk with! You should've seen me this year- b/c I'm an August 08 Twilight convert... I read through Twi on beach day #1. Then was SUPER pissed on beach day #2 b/c no one would drive me ALL THE WAY to wal-mart to get me books #2-4. Day #3, i got the rest of the series. I am not pictured in any 2008 Hilton Head family photos either :)