Dancing, Chevys, and an Open Letter to the John Austin Family
Well, the BHEA event was *very* fun. What a neat group of ladies. It was a real blessing to be a part of things and I was so thankful my friends Angie and Pam were able to come and help lead a round table discussion. PLUS I got to see my fabulous friend, Phyllis, who I’ve not seen since Florida. And it was exciting to meet Linda Hobar. She’s a cool lady; I hope I didn’t scare her. I’m such a groupie. Her Mystery of History books are just SO fabulous.
Ok, I have some interesting news. I’ll start from the beginning and give you the whole chain of events.
First of all, my family has been moping around – especially Coie – because since *somebody* went and moved away, we’ve had no Annual Abingdon Barn Dance to look forward to this Fall.
And I only mention that because I’m guessing that’s why I dreamed about Laurie Bluedorn last week – they also have a barn dance every year, except for some inexplicable reason they have their barn dance all the way up in Hudson IL, which is about nine hours away from us. I know, it makes NO sense.
Anyways, I dreamed that I was in some convention hall with Laurie, and I said, “Hey, if you have a dance this year I really want to come” and she told me, “Um, uh, er, uh, …sorry, but we only allow locals to attend”.
So naturally, when I woke up, I let her know how offended I was. And then she let me know that they are having a barn dance again this year and that we should drive up for it. But she didn’t just leave it at that… she THEN hinted (challenged?) about having another Dance-Off (two years ago she and Harvey MOPPED up Geoff and me in a Virginia Reel show down – actually, that’s not true, I still maintain the whole thing was rigged) and if that wasn’t enough, she says that Harvey Bluedorn will be playing the electric guitar.
Seriously… what’s a girl to do under that sort of provocation? So we are going. We’re driving up to make the third annual Bluedorn Ball on Nov 7th, and we cannot WAIT! Plus, they have a CHEVYS Fresh Mex up there! Oh my heavens. I really cannot wait.
And now, if there are any of you out there who are as compulsive as we are – and I know there is! – I’m extending the invitation. This party is open to all locals and non-locals alike. HERE are the details. Do try and make it! It is going to be so fun.
And now… the following is an open letter of appeal to the John and Julie Austin family:
Dear Julie Austin,
I am saddened and grieved and otherwise particularly unsatisfied with your recent decision. I appeal to you, publicly, and ask that you reconsider your decision and say YES you WILL indeed meet us in IL and referee the 2nd Bluedorn / Igarashi Dance-Off Challenge. If *we* can drive up to IL, then *you* certainly can, too. Be compulsive like us and throw caution to the wind. Sure, gas is pricey, but there are ways to compensate. Have a bake sale, or put some of your chickens up on Ebay.
Listen, Julie… here are 5 reasons why you should come up to the Bloomington Barn Dance
#5) It’s gonna be the funnest event *ever* in the whole history of 2008. #4) The fund raiser is for a *very* super excellent cause #3) Bobo cordially expresses his compliments and requests Mrs. Austin to be his partner in the Virginia Reel. #2) Laurie got a picture of her iphone tattooed on her right bicep. She said she’d only show it to me if I could get you to come up, too. Isn’t that right, Laurie? Tell her it’s true so she’ll come.
And , the #1 reason why you should come) Laurie and Harvey drove ALL the way down to come to YOUR barn dance, it’s only right that you drive up to theirs. It’s the Christian thing to do.
I’m serious, Julie, you just have to make it. You just HAVE to. I’ll bring cookies. Just think about it, and then say “yes”. Or don’t think about it and then say “yes” — that’s what we did, and just look how happy we are. And don’t read the Thinking Toolbox. My logic is sound. Trust me.
In other news – and this really is news – my Blog Truant Daughter #1 actually posted again. Unbelievable. |
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September 28th, 2008 - Posted in Uncategorized | | 25 Comments 25 Responses to ' Dancing, Chevys, and an Open Letter to the John Austin Family 'Leave a reply |
on September 28th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
If the Austins come, I WILL get a tattoo.
on September 28th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Well, I checked out the details link, then went to google maps to see how far it was from us. 1200 miles. I asked my hubby if that was too far to drive for a barn dance, and he gave me the weird eyebrow look. Maybe next year when the little one is bigger. Take lots of pics!!
on September 28th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Something tells me I won’t be driving to the barn dance from my new home either….but if you’ll pay for the tickets I’ll be there with bells on. Just to see that iPhone tattoo, frankly.
bwahahaha
on September 29th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
I wish *we* could come, but road tripping to IL from the North Pole would take about 4 years, and I’m certain we’d miss it altogether. what I can’t figure out is how you’re able to ‘scrape enough together’ to road trip to IL but not to get your stuff out in CALI and see us when we’re there next month! psh. I see how it is. your priorities are MESSED UP. 😉
j/k i’m just jealous
on September 29th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Jess, if I could make it out to Cali for as cheap as it’s gonna be to go to IL, then I’d go there every other month! Plus… Coie is paying for all of it. ha ha snort
on September 29th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I hereby solemnly swear to accompany Mrs. Bluedorn and aquire a tattoo of my own if the Austin family wil be present at the IL Barn Dance of 2008, with your permission of course, Momsie.
on September 29th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
It sounds like *so* much fun… my perception of these homeschool heroes is ever-changing every day… LOL I will have visions of the Igs and the Trivium people in noisy cowboy boots, spinning with delight under the Illinois moon… (for some reason, there’s lots of twirling hair in my vision!) Have fun… I’m jealous too Jess.
on September 29th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Coie, I also hereby solemnly swear to also get a tattoo if the Austin family will show up.
And Julie Park… it’s not a cowboy barn dance, it’s an 1800s dance. Think “Pride and Prejudice” type of dancing. It’s like that. You ought to come!
on September 29th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
OH OH OH! That’s right by me!! We will come!!! Yiippeeeee!!!!!!!
on September 29th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Wow, you are actually not going to be too far from us at the dance. Not sure whether we would really want to come though since we don’t dance and we have a lot of littles here.Blessings.
on September 29th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
This is a mean spirited post. I would have to FLY to your area to get to go. So, yeah…thanks for rubbing it in that it’s THE most fun thing EVER.
thanks.
on September 29th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
So, would I get to chose what these tattoos are?
We will be working soon on an appropriate response to the “open letter”.
on September 30th, 2008 at 8:09 am
I am SO glad you came and you three did an awesome job. I would have liked to continue that discussion for another 3 hours! Linda was fabulous, though. You should have seen how cute she was when she came back home and put on her jeans and t-shirt for an outdoor party. Way too cute!
on September 30th, 2008 at 8:58 am
choose
on September 30th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Oh how I miss you… I “reposted” the name of the song so you could at least look up the words. It’s “Give me Your eyes” by Brandon Heath
on September 30th, 2008 at 9:12 am
I sure wish I could join you. Maybe someday.
I hope you have a great time.
Ruth
on September 30th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Hello friend,
I listen to all the fun you all have and I’m jealous. What fun, barn dances? Who knew folks still did those things. See more reason to move out of CA.
By the way, yes, my car was dumped and recovered the following day with 10K worth of repairs. I am still waiting for it back a month later, (sighhhhh).
Pass my hugs on to Phylis.
on September 30th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
LOL you are so funny. 🙂 I think coming to CA is a REALLY good idea. You work that out, missy!! 🙂
Kate
on September 30th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Jul, I’da never even notice that you spelled that wrong, but thanks for pointing it out. and NO. you don’t get to choose mine. Maybe Laurie will let you choose hers, tho. I think I’ll get a “Property of Geoff the Great” design…
on September 30th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
It would be so awesome if the Austins came up to IL. But what’s so great about a tattoo? I’d like to see you get a tutu. Then you can wear THAT to the Barndance…*snort chuckle chuckle*
-Ryann
on September 30th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Hi Jen,
Thanks sooo much for leaving little J.D. a comment. I told you I was going to use your idea! My daughter is currently working on her fall story as well, so check back later for that one. (I have to say, it felt really weird having a “bloggie celeb” -that would be you- visit my blog. I hope I don’t feel so weirded out next time! Please visit again, but maybe use a code name so when ‘JenIg’ pops up in my comment section, I won’t get so nervous!)
AND…I would LOVE to be a fly on the wall when all these christian women walk into a tatto parler asking to get inked! If Julie goes to your barn dance, you MUST all walk into the tatto parler together…with all your children in tow…wearing long skirts…carrying bibles! What a hoot!!!
And somebody has to pull up the parlor on a Harley!
on September 30th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Oh my. I REALLY want to get a contingent of Thomsons to that dance!
on September 30th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Two points:
1. I said I’d get a tattoo, but I won’t wear a tutu.
2. There will be no “Pride and Prejudice” type dancing (maybe one dance at the most). This is a barn dance — Virginia Reel, square dance, etc. Barn dancing is much more fun!!
Also, I think I can talk Johannah into manning an art table — you pay some $$ and she’ll draw your name in calligraphy and a little quick picture.
on October 4th, 2008 at 9:16 am
RESPONSE POSTED HERE:
http://parentingwithpurpose.net/
on October 29th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Actually the response to the open letter is here:
http://www.parentingwithpurpose.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=952&Itemid=5