For All My Facebook Friends...

Does this look familiar? Some people on Facebook do not understand the reason I posted this picture as my profile picture. Not only do they not understand the reason, but they sort of just don't get it. I am enjoying making all of you wonder...

But I'll tell you what it is- the best that I can...

When my sisters and I were younger, our older cousin was into acting. He made up these little shows that were similar to Mr. Rogers, only very much of a dysfunctional Mr. Rogers. He was dressed as a nerd (glasses, bow tie, pocket protector, etc...) and did really lame things. His (fake) audience of children did not like him and he was pretty much "a failure" (as he would say). It was the Pewter P. Baxtermire, Junior the 3rd Show. (Yes, that was his entire name.)

Well, my sisters and I enjoyed making up our own Pewter shows at home and sending them to Grant (our cousin) to watch and laugh at. It was just a fun thing we did in our family. And actually- a lot of our "inside joke" phrases came from Pewter.

Molly (my younger sister) wanted to have a family talent show on Thanksgiving. She even wanted the adults to do something. My first idea was to do a funny dance with Jeffrey- but we all know him... no way! So my next idea was to do a Pewter show. My cousin, Sally would be there and would be sure to love it, as well as all my sisters. Oh! And to think of how proud my parents would be of me!!! The brothers in law? Yeah... that's where I got a little nervous. I didn't want Ben, Paul, Matt (OR JEFF, EVEN!) to see me act like a nerd. But everybody convinced me it's pretty much a daily activity for me, and nobody would be too shocked by it.

So I gathered up all my nieces and nephews and used them as my audience. My mom told me it was so scary how well I played the nerdy part. My sisters all laughed quite a bit at me. I think my brothers in law were kind of in shock. Jeff just really didn't get it. But the kids!?! This is the best part!!! Pewter was introducing himself, and asked each child what "his or her little name was." Eloise (4) totally made up a name for herself! It was hilarious! They all got really into it. I tried to ditch story time, but Laurel (7) asked me "Weren't you going to read us a book, Pewter?" So I read the book, but the kids looked nervous at the scary part (of Pewter and the Beanstalk), so I slapped the book closed and said "This one's too scary. Let's not read it." And all the kids shouted "Noooooooo! Keep reading! We're not scared!" Pewter stated how he was a "grown man" and Jackson (5) laughed and replied "No you're not. You're a lady." I guess my costume didn't fool him. But it did fool Laurel! Laurel told me she thought I was a man at first! And Peyton (5) told me that he knew it was me all along because I was wearing the same pants I was wearing earlier that day. (Can't fool that kiddo!)

So, to this day, my nieces and nephews (well, the ones in Minnesota) all call me Pewter. It's okay. At least I don't have something too huge to live up to like the rest of you do!