Military Ball

On May 12, as part of Armed Forces week celebrations, there was a Military Ball. This event can be attended by members of all branches of the armed forces who are in western New York. In past years, Duane has helped with parking cars and other duties, as part of the New York Guard. This year, however, we attended, because Duane was being awarded the "Soldier of the Year" for the New York Guard in western New York. This was a huge honor! We were so excited about it. Because we have not allowed our children to attend school dances and the proms, we told Jeremiah he could invite a date to the Ball. He chose to invite a good family friend who is in Civil Air Patrol with him. It was a first date for both of them, even though they aren't "dating" and are just friends. We found out that Erika would be home for it just in time to get her a ticket, but regrettably, didn't know that Alesha would be home.

We decided it would be a lot of fun for all the girls to get ready together, so we all headed over to our friend's house on Saturday morning. Alesha was our personal cosmetician and did everyone's makeup and helped the girls do their nails. Arlene did the hair for Laura Beth and myself.

Alesha kept us well entertained during the process with her imitations, accents, and antics.

The dresses were hung by the chimney with care...well, actually they were hung from the roof in Bethie's room so they wouldn't wrinkle.

We all keep our fingernails cut short, so we indulged in long fake fingernails. Erika's had to come off the next day for work at Burger King, and I kept mine for a couple of days. I couldn't type very well with them, though, so they had to go.

We were getting ready with one eye on the clock...we had just finished dressing when the men arrived, looking splendid and handsome in their uniforms. They had wrist corsages for each of us to match our dresses.

Well, to bed I must go...the saga will be continued.