30 Week Picture Challenege - Week 16

A picture of someone who inspires you

Wow.  This picture was taken the day of my wedding.  Why does she look so unhappy?

Ok this one took a long time to figure out.  I can't really describe who 'inspires' me or who I can admire through life.  But I think i may have worked out something for this week...

One person in my life that inspires me is my Aunt Kristy.  Often teased as 'the Amazon' because she is a strong, hard working woman, who seems to fear nothing.  As a child she scared the crap out of me.  She was tough and firm when we were in trouble but was there to help when I got a splinter from the playing in the yard.  She had rules in the house and if you broke them, you were in trouble.  Big trouble.

She was/is a hard worker in whatever she does.  She sewed many of mine and my cousins' clothes.  She worked while putting herself through nursing school (she got her first test when she had to bandage up my chin that I busted sliding down her hallway).  When she wasn't working she was painting/crafting items to sell on the side.  Her hallways and living room were always filled with painted ceramics and crafted dolls ready to go out.

This is probably where I got my start in painting.  She started teaching me how to paint ceramics and often had extra pieces I could paint and take home with me.  Although I got some of my first sewing lessons in her house, it wasn't until years later that I got to expand them.

I admire my aunt because of the fact that she wasn't afraid to work and because she wasn't afraid to discipline.  We did not dare act the way some of these dumb ass kids do these days.  We didn't dare cross that line.  Even today she works full time and then finds time to continue to craft and run her own business.  Some say she's tough and we think she may have gone a little crazy, but I admire that.

I do not have any children of my own but I have several nieces and nephews.  When the oldest was born I swore I would be one of the best aunts ever, because I would be like her.  While some say that as a scary thought, I knew it meant I wouldn't take any crap off of anyone.  And the first time one of the children spit in my face, they wouldn't be coddled for 'expressing themselves' but would have their asses beat for showing such disrespect.

Go Aunt Kristy.