Monday, December 8, 2014

Laura is a teenager today


Hard to believe the ten year old turned thirteen today. She has developed an independent and lovely sense of self and still runs up the stairs two at a time. Like all her siblings she is unremittingly cheerful.

When the walls of her room became populated entirely by her portraits of unicorns it was time to corral her direction, and the lovely Mrs. P is guiding her, through still life of squash and fried eggs. Mrs. P’s hip replacement is not progressing perfectly and she had to give up most of her teaching. Laura and one other student she kept, drawing away at the kitchen counter.

Art seems a part of Laura, like running up stairs two at a time. It is expressed in things she can control, like her drawing. Her style in clothing could not be imitated. Most of both girls’ wardrobes are either hand-me-downs or thrift store.  But as these two are at the end of the sibling and cousin line, where come the pass alongs? From adults. A friend of Jan’s is downsizing and sending the tiny clothes she wore thirty years ago. Laura selects carefully and rocks her choices.

Ann sent a backseat full of good clothing from her eighties office days. Blouses, nice tees that were outgrown, and the like. Watching Laura select what to keep was so interesting. The tees went to the donate pile. The office blouses were “keep.” Sometimes I wonder if she’s embarrassed by not looking like every other girl in class, but I don’t think so.


On my cell phone; a blouse from Ann. Look at the beautiful quill work. 
We were waiting at a nursery for our plants to be rung up;
I just took the picture.

Laura loves skirts, and probably dresses, too, but is limited to her sources, I think. I took Emily to help me find her a skirt to go with the leggin’s that flash up the stairs, two at a time. We didn’t hit pay dirt before I crapped out (my limit is thirty minutes before I seize up), but we did pass this dress, and it said “leggings and her blue jean jacket” to me.



Laura’s birthday present, on Helen, my faithful studio model of woven scarves.
Helen has no legs, or I would have found leggin's.
Helen does have perky little breasts, like the sister-in-law she was named for.
That was so long ago....

23 comments:

  1. Happy birthday to Laura. And tell her it is far out the best not to look like everybody else; it's called style.xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. good for Laura. she knows herself and does not need to look like all the other teens.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hari OM
    Happy Birthday Laura!!! I always dressed differently... still do! Your granma has an excellent eye for your style! Hugs, YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy birthday to Laura. Long may she continue to take steps two at a time and revel in her artistic nature. And style.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy birthday Laura, to change from a 10year old to 13 so quickly but they all do it.
    Merle............

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy Birthday, Laura. It's easy to see that you're a woman with class!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Laura looks lovely in her blouse. Her special day is nearly over by the time I'm typing this, but hope she had a great one.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy Birthday vintage Laura.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Happy Birthday, Laura. You look beautiful in that blouse. I am a long-time fashionista, so I know you have good taste.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
  10. happy birthday to the new teenager.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy Birthday,Laura (who will rock that outfit!).
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Happy birthday Laura!! I like the picture of her in that blouse; very classy!

    betty

    ReplyDelete
  13. A young lady with a sense of style...and of self.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Happy Birthday Laura - you have been a great teacher for her.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your opening line is so great. And then...to draw...and to choose interesting clothes...and, well, the whole post leaves me wanting to compliment you for knowing how to love the individual and her for being one.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Really, really, great, fashionable outfit, and that blouse rocks also. It is wonderful that she is such a cheerful individual who finds things that are just right for her.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Happy birthday, Laura.
    Aloha from Hawaii.

    ReplyDelete
  18. A very happy birthday from here in the Yorkshire Dales Laura.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Your granddaughter sounds delightful. Clothes don't make the person -- personality does. She seems to have lots of that plus since she has an artist heart her sense of clothes will be fascinating -- barbara.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Happy Birthday Laura, a bit late, but never mind. The blouse is really lovely and that pink dress will look great with leggings going up the stairs two at a time.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Belated Happy Birthday, Laura! Dressing off the beaten path shows your artistic leanings just as much as drawing does. And the bonus is that it's often cheaper as well. What's not to love?!

    ReplyDelete