Digging through some old photos the other day, I came across this gem from the very first week I ever laid eyes on Dan Zielske.
The lake in the background? A very flooded Lake Grapevine in North Central Texas. It's so obvious looking back that Dan was laying it on pretty thick here, as if to say: "What do you think about my ability to do THIS, Cathy MacDonald?" Either that, or he was trying to flash me.
One old photo leads to another, and I found myself scanning this one:
Taken somewhere in early 1992, it reeks of Awkward Family Photos. My slight head tilt and high water pants, combined with Dan's Spandau Ballet haircut almost seems to insult our then puppy's last remaining shred of dignity.
Then that old photo led to this one:
I know. I've trotted this gem out before, mostly because it is totally awesome.
But you know what they say…nothing says piece de la resistance like skating photos from the 1970s.
I know, I know. The elegant and playful flip of my top hand almost makes you weep.
If I had a dime for every time I heard that one…
Thank God for scanners.
Lydia W. says
Niiiiice!! Thanks for sharing! : )
Cheryl Sue says
Love it! These are truly gems! TFS!
dawn says
Thanks for a little chuckle this morning. Love it. I recently showed our kids some older pictures of me and hubby when we met and were dating and they can’t believe it us especially their dad he had a lot more hair back in the day and would perm it, so funny. They always get a good laugh at us and what we were wearing also. I love the puppy in your picture so cute.
judy in huntsville [al] says
love it! We too have a ‘family’ photo with a pet or two before the kids came along — but the look in your dog’s eyes is hilarious – like, “I’m not having any of this!” Thanks for sharing!
Kendra B says
Awesome!!! Thanks for sharing . . . you crack me up!!! 🙂
MilliD says
LOVE those old photos! By the way, I live about 4 miles from Lake Grapevine! lol
Lana says
I so thought that was a photo of Dan and Aidan at first! Great pics.
Robyn W says
OH MYYYYYYYYYYY
can i just say thank you ….not just for those photos, but the dialogue to go with those classics….i feel so much better after that laughing
Barb M. says
Thanks for the laugh. Old photos keep us humble.
Denise Hubbard says
Congrats Cathy on the HUGE honor from Ella Publishing!!!! You are so deserving and I am so thrilled you were recognized as one of the “Most Influential Scrapbookers” – NOT that there was any doubt!
Betheroo says
I started a project two days ago to scan and preserve old pictures. I committed to posting at least one each day on my blog. It’s such fun, and since I use Stacy Julian’s Library of Memories system of photo filing, I have been able to make connections between some of those photos that I might otherwise have been missed. Loved seeing your old pics!
cathy says
Aw, thanks. It’s a very nice thing.
Erika says
I swear just reading your writing has made me a better journaler…You’re so funny! So real! I love it! Also, I love the Diet Pepsi theme to your old photos, lol. Two of them have actual beverages in them and your last one has all the colors of one! 🙂
Mart says
Oh….this is why we scrapbook…we want to get to the “OMG” pictures and SPIN the story before other family members do!
Donna Tullis says
lol…no really lol…you totally crack me up! man if i could bottle you…i could make a fortune off it…you are like a dose of comedy straight out of the bottle…thank you cathy!
Donna Tullis says
lol…no really lol…you totally crack me up! man if i could bottle you…i could make a fortune off it…you are like a dose of comedy straight out of the bottle…thank you cathy!
Kay Gregory-Clark says
Was that really your HAIR??? What a riot.
jody says
I loved that you gave your dad an autographed photo 🙂
I have no comment on the hair…I lived through the 80’s as well LOL
Michelle910 says
I can’t believe how much like you Aidan looks…especially in the pic you just posted of you in the 80s and the pic a while back with Aidan with her hair all done up with hair gel. Those two pics alone would make a good layout!! Your blog is a highlight for me every day…
Cathy Weber says
I love the “back in the day” pics. It makes me feel so much better as I look at my Jennifer Grey “Dirty Dancing” perm from back when. I just finished my first month of The Monthly. I’m waiting for ScrapbookPictures.com to send it to me. I really love it. My husband even snapped a picture of me yesterday because he thought it would be good for this month’s pages. He thinks I’m nuts about scrapbooking so for him to suggest a photo, it really means something.
Roberta says
In 1989 I lived on a street that backed up to Lake Grapevine’s flood plain. We walked to the lake sometimes in the evening. Fun times. I could have met you.
C. Rayevich says
Cathy. YOU. ARE. AWESOME. LOVE LOVE these pics
xo
Kim says
I think it’s funny that Pepsi makes an appearance in two of these photos.
Maureen says
That artichoke hair of the 80s always gets me. Fashion is so weird, isn’t it.
Your dialog is amazing Cathy. I wish I knew you in real life and I don’t say that often. Or is this the Real Life and you really live in the ether???
cathy says
Artichoke hair. NICE!
cathy says
I once loved that magical elixir…sigh, those were the days.
Sarah says
As for your kids… those apples didn’t fall far from the tree… they look like a very nice blend of both you and Dan. Great pics! Thanks for sharing. Love your blog!
C says
If you EVER bottle your sense of humor and “real” writing and decide to sell it – count me in! I scraplift many of your ideas (thank you) and I just wish my journaling could equal even half of your style. You’re so real. You’re so funny. You’re so YOU! THANK YOU and keep it up. I look forward to checking into your lift each day – thank goodness for your blog. (BTW – because I’ve been so inspired and encouraged by you – I’ve gone back to exercising daily … and even though it’s only been a few days, I feel so much better about everything. You were just the “push” that I needed.
C says
Not checking into you lift – but life. Sorry about that.
C says
I didn’t mean, checking into your “lift” but into your life. Sorry about that.
cathy says
aw, thanks. I appreciate that. and good for you. just get out and do it!
nitasha says
AWW…I needed that giggle today! Fun times, Fun times!!!!
Kaystar says
First- congrats on being in the top 9! Although, how could you not be? I think you are definitely #1 in the top 9. And second – I love your sense of humor. Love love love it. I especially loved your take on that picture of Dan at the top. And on your roller skating picture. Thanks for being you – abridged or unabridged. PS Can’t wait for the class to start!!
Jamie Danford says
Bwahahhaa! I can’t decide which one’s funnier.. the mystery bulge hanging from D’s short in the first pic, or the fire extinguisher beside the fireplace in the second one. These are comic greatness! 😉
Jamie Danford says
Bwahahhaa! I can’t decide which one’s funnier.. the mystery bulge hanging from D’s short in the first pic, or the fire extinguisher beside the fireplace in the second one. These are comic greatness! 😉
Marina D-K says
You are HILARIOUS! Your blog makes my day everyday…haha…it reminds me of stuart on MadTV “look what I can do”…haha
Bea Medwecky says
You are such a joy to read. Do you think a person who did not major in journaling and is now forgetting difficult words such as purse, or camera, can one day write as well as you do?
And congrats on being so influential.
alexa says
But I LIKE the 1992 one!
cathy says
Well sure you could! i mean, part of my journaling style is to just write like i talk. I try not to worry about sounding smart, or having excellent grammar. And then, i just write from the heart. I think people worry they dont sound good enough, but if youre telling stories about your life, trust me, it is good enough!
cathy says
thats because youre a very smart woman. ; )
Jenell says
I am amazed at how much Aiden looks like you – the photo of you and Dan sitting with the puppy is adorable and your kids sure didn’t fall far from that tree.
Thanks, as always, for your uplifting sense of humor. I agree with other readers – you should be either on Comedy Central or at least writing a book.
alexa says
And you do mick-taking so beautifully! 🙂
Christy says
Hi Cathy,
Totally off subject but i am cleaning up music on my ipod today & would like the songs you listen to while running. I know you have talked about them on your blog but i can’t find them.
Thanks,
Christy
Keely says
Love you girl!! I swear we are sisters from different misters. You crack me up!!
jtgmbb@hotmail.com says
You are sooooo the coolest! Love your blog soooo much.
Laura says
Texas 1989 pic – What is Dan doing that you captured him in this pose?!
cathy says
Leaping for joy because he met me. ; )
cathy says
Why thank you. : )
Carol says
Wow, one of the 10 most influential scrapbookers of 2010! Yay. They got that right! Good on you, Cathy Z. Your students are proud of you.
Carol at Kal