My ABCers . . .

Fair warning:  long personal story ensues.

(and I'm not one for personal stories on blogs but here goes anyway).

I'm taking you back to January 1970.

I was in college and had just met my future husband

who hung out with a group of guys he had just met upon his return from Nam.

We had mutual friends (although we didn't know it yet)

and these friends were

fun

had great girlfriends

fabulous dancers (and I loved to dance).

We all hung out.

And the girlfriends became great friends.

We called our group of guy and gal pals *The Armadillos*

because you had to be thick skinned to hang out with us. 

(We even have a stuffed Armadillo as a mascot.  He's been with us since the '70's . . . but I digress.)

I will say

I have never had so much fun,

laughed so hard

or partied as much as we did *back in the day*.

Some of us even worked together at TWA

therefore

we traveled together.

We became family.

Some of the boyfriends, husbands, whatevers came and went

(and some have stayed and put up with us)

and one of our best pals passed away from ALS.

But no matter what, the gals have stuck together.

Many moons ago, us gals named ourselves the *ABC's* - Armadillo Babes Club.

 
Here are some of us circa 1982

We got together last weekend and had a blast.  No matter how long it is between visits, we never lose a beat when we're together.  Like I said . . . family.

One of my ABC buddies has been battling cancer.  She is such a fighter and full of inspiration.  She was able to join us Friday night and even had a few sips of a cocktail.  It was so good to see her.

I made this Graphic 45 tri-fold for Kathy.  From start to finish, I had her in mind.  Looking at Graphic 45's Steampunk Debutante and Renaissance Faire reminded me of Kathy.  The women depicted in those papers are beautiful and strong, just like Kathy. I hope it reminds her that, no matter what, she's in my thoughts and prayers daily.

 

 

 

 

Armadillo Babes, I love you all

and Kathy, you know we're here when you need us (and even if you don't).

PS: If you'd like, there's more photos of this project on Graphic 45's blog.

Comments

[Mary Walker]

just Beautiful Nancy, what a great gift for your friend.I WILL SAY A PRAYER FOR HER

[Victoria Sturdevant]

Beautiful! Such a great card/gift for your friend.

[rebecca]

Super work and lovely thought
Rebecca

[ellen vargo]

WOW! This is sooo much more than just a card! Love the design, love the way you embellished, just love everything about it! I know your friend will cherish it. Aren't old best friends just the BEST? Hang on to your ABC's forever!

[Sue Benedick]

This is so great. The message is very uplifting. I too have 3 friends going through breast cancer at this time. So I appreciate the thought for anyone battleing cancer.

[Edna Tetley]

I shared your post and the picture with a current co-worker and former TWA employee. Her name is Terri ( nee Diekhoff) Reynolds and she recognized a couple of the ladies in that picture.

Thank you for sharing the background story.

[hilde janbroers]

gorgeous tri-fold!!!!

[Terry]

Such an amazing tri-fold! For sure it will be treasured! You asked about the embossing on my dragonfly. After I colored it with the distress inks and sprayed the inks with GM, I stamped it on the CS. Once that dried, I just patted embossing ink over it and then clear embossing powder, heat and then cut it out. I think that was what you were asking, but if not, LMK! Have a great week!

[lynnef]

Nancy......what a wonderful story!! How FABULOUS to have such a great group of gals as friends!! Your creation for Kathy is just A~MAZING and am sure it will inspire her and lift her spirits!! What a WONDERFUL friend you are!!