As I recall this was taken right before Christmas late in the evening. The baby, Ashley, had been sick for several days. Neither she nor I had gotten much rest in that period of time. Studly Doright had just come off a week of working the midnight shift at Northern Natural Gas in Sunray, Texas. He was exhausted and almost as cranky as Ashley and I were. Only three-year-old Jason was in a good mood.
Cue a knock at the door. Studly’s brother-in-law, Steve, and Steve’s dad, were standing on our porch. Steve had a brand new camera and was itching to try it out. On us. Oh mercy.
Reluctantly, I agreed and the result was the American Gothic type image on display in this post. Never one to enjoy having my picture taken, I’m pretty sure I was thinking horrible thoughts about the photographer. Sorry, Steve, if you’re reading this. Thank goodness none of the stuff I wished on you came true. Not yet anyway…
A few years after this was taken our son said, “I really don’t like this picture. It makes us look poor.”
“Well, son,” Studly said. “We were poor.”
“And exhausted,” I added.
At the time, I didn’t like it either, but now I kind of love this old photo. Steve, I forgive you.
Peace, people.
Praying for Eyebrowz 
Oh, that smile on little Jason! I am gonna tune out you poor, tired people and focus on that adorable little face!!
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He was the cutest little guy.
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What a great photo! Was it taken in the late 70’s? If so everybody was poor in the 70’s. Lol
If I showed you pics of me with my oldest when he was little I look like a hippie mom.
Either way, it’s fun to see life when we were young and exhausted!
Isn’t it interesting how over time our opinions about photos change? This captures a moment in time. Priceless!
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This would’ve been early 80’s. Our daughter was born in October of ‘80
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Ok close enough. The late 70’s and early 80’s had similar fashions. Lol You guys look like a kids! My oldest was born in 73 and my youngest in 1988. So in 73 I looked like a peace & love hippie and in 88 I had shoulder pads and slightly teased hair. Lol. A very different look. Haha. But it’s fun to look back at pictures.
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We were kids!
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Yes you were! 😉Too cute!
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Thanks!
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I like it, too. Like a scene from a made for TV movie. Studley resembles a young Josh Brolin.
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He does indeed!
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Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
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Doesn’t matter what era, sick babies and cranky parents always look the same! And siblings never get sick at the same time, prolonging the parents misery. I remember that all too well with chickenpox, two older siblings and a brand new baby. Thank god for breastfeeding. Baby got some immunity from me.
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I’m surprised any of us survived those days.
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I cherish bad photos of friends but, naturally, not of myself!!
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I’m so non-photogenic. When I take a good picture I treasure it like gold.
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I feel ya there!! I used to love any photo of me. Now, with wrinkles and dark spots and fallen jowls, I need about 100 to find 1 “acceptable”. “Good” is pretty much impossible!
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I’d be happy with one out of 100!
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Honestly, I almost said 1,000! Usually, after 20 bad pics I give up!
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That’s close to my limit, too.
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Such hard days to get through actually. But look at you both. Still stars despite being cranky. Always good to get out the old pics.
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Sometimes the hard times bring back the best memories.
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Oh they do actually.
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It is wonderfully expressive of all you say. And our kids need to know we were once poor and have come through so they don’t have to be.
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Thank you!
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Studly definitely looks like he’s just come off a long shift here. But I just LOVE the ’70s fashions!
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We were the opposite of stylish.
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I love the look on your face!
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Ha! I was not a happy camper.
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