I was putting on my mascara in front of the den mirror so I could watch Good Morning America when Keith looked up at me and said cheerfully, “Well, isn’t that a cute little make-up frock.” (I think he meant smock.) I looked back at him, using my mascara wand like I pointer and said, “Honey, this is a dress. It’s what I’m wearing to work.”
“Oh!” he said.
“What’s wrong with it?” I asked.
“Nothing’s wrong with it, Baby. I see exactly what you mean now. It’s not a frock for putting on make-up. It’s a dress. And you’re wearing it to work,” he replied. He quickly went back to his newspaper.
I went back to my mascara. And then, for some reason, I got tickled. Tickled enough to nearly have tattooed my hairline with L’oreal Volume Shocking Mascara: Blackest Black. “Poor man,” I thought. He meant to come up with somebody so different than me. But, then again, this entry is not about marriage. It’s about different tastes between people who, ironically, have a strong taste for one another. Keith and I did not start out with one single shared taste. Not one. Not in denominations. Not in vacations. Not in friends. Not in hobbies. Not in jobs. And most assuredly not in wardrobe. And that one, like most of them, never changed. He is all western. I am…not. I don’t know what I am. Neither does he. No big deal except that Keith likes to buy me clothes because that was his sweet daddy’s love language to his mother.
For the first 15 years of our marriage, Keith took every special occasion to dress me like a business executive. Lots of black or navy suits with white blouses. Expensive things for our tight budget. I loved him so much that I acted thrilled but my inner man was asnore. I’d imagine how many conglomerations from Weiner’s (a low-budget, high-clutter department store back in the day) I could’ve mixed and matched for that kind of money. A whole closet full of frocks! He’d interrupt my thought process with stuff like, “I got you this because I never see you in anything like it and thought you could use it.” Where? Taking the kids to MDO? But he was so precious, I couldn’t resist him. I’d think of places to wear it, especially when I had to go somewhere I didn’t want to go. That way I could offer a sacrifice of praise.
The second set of fifteen years, he gave up on the executive look for me and took a giant step upward to western wear. Between the wide open cactus-lands of West Texas and the cold mountain air of Wyoming, my well-worn boots and scruffy leather jackets testify to his celebratory success…in the casual-wear genre. The problem is, he doesn’t just have casual western wear in mind for me. I have a closet full of fancy jackets with studs and fringe on them (a few look to have been be-dazzled) as well as a multi-colored assortment of broom skirts. Though I’m tempted to stop here and make several comments, I’m going right on to the next sentence. What doesn’t help Keith’s shopping variety is his strong propensity to be in West Texas just prior to every special occasion we have: Christmas, wedding anniversary, you name it. Since he’s not one to shop in advance, he invariably panics on the way home then, thanks-be-to-God, remembers that great Texas icon, the D&D Western Store on Interstate 10 at Seguin. (Good Heavens, I just had a flash back to all Keith has taught me about Texas hero Juan Seguin and the history of that town and actually came within a dot of thinking you’d care to hear it.) Awash with relief, Keith eagle-eyes the exit in the horizon and flies so fast that Beanie’s birddog-lips nearly wrap around her head. He then, the way I picture it, commences to have the sales woman ring up everything fancy in my size. Another occasion saved.
And sometimes they’re just darling.
And other times only he is. Every time I see one of the less worn western frocks in my closet, I feel really guilty. Right then I wish I fished or something.
Keith has a small measure of mercy on my lack of good taste since it wasn’t my fault. It was my parents’. They took too long to get to Texas. Back where I come from, western was something you were for Halloween. In Keith’s estimation, tastes are developed early which is precisely why Jackson has had a wide assortment of camouflage in every size from newborn on. Keith intentionally waited to purchase the boy’s first western wear until just last weekend, however, because it’s more sacred. He believes a soul ought to be old enough to appreciate the privilege. He walked through the door from out of town with an arm full of boxes and presented Jackson his first ensemble: a snap-up western shirt, Wranglers and Justin boots. I could have sworn I saw a tear in his eye. (Not Jackson’s. Keith’s. But I’ve had tears in my eyes on my own occasions.) Keith awarded him the prize with all the pride and emotion of a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo first-place bull rider. Praise God, it wasn’t wasted on the boy. To his Bibby’s delight, he is big on enthusiasm. Though he walked a bit strange in his boots at first (kinda like he was walking in meadow of fresh cow patties), Jackson clearly knew he was a stud. He’s already worn the ensemble to church. Amanda says he loves to put the boots on but they have to make sure they’re going somewhere he can mosey since he has to stop every few steps to stomp one foot. And make sure everybody’s watching. Especially Ella or Ava. It just makes a woman swoon every time.
I know because I did.
But that doesn’t mean I have a mind to wear them.
My make-up smock.
The big day.
Trying to get a picture of the all-important Wrangler tag.
Tags: Jackson
Beth this post blessed me so very much. The picture of Jackson is so adorable!
Ladies please keep me and hubby in prayers, heading to Germany for a mini vacation on Sunday. Hubby has to go for business with the Army and I get to tag along. (Safe travels for us, and protection for the kids as they stay behind with the sitter)!
Thanks Siestas! Love ya!
I did Breaking Free not too long ago and if I do recall correctly, you sported a mighty fine broom skirt in those videos!! 🙂
I love your make-up “frock”. However, I don’t think my husband would let me wear it. I am trying to be stylish (I have no sense of fashion, I’m just a plain ole West Texas girl), but my hubby doesn’t seem to like the style now. So I guess I will just keep on wearing what I’m wearing so my husband won’t give me that look and think to himself, “You’re going to wear that?” Ah, husbands. Don’t you wish they could be in our shoes for just one day?
And even though we live in West Texas, we are not cowboy-ish. The only time that I dress up like a cowgirl with boot-like clogs (I don’t even have real boots) is for the rodeo coming up. It’s exciting and fun, but I don’t like to dress like that often. My hubby does own a couple of pairs of boots, but he looks cute in them.
Jackson looks like a cute little cowboy. He needs to get on that horse in his room and ride it like a cowboy in his cowboy clothes! Just precious!
What a fun post to come and read after a long day of classes and such! I love your “make up smock”! So cute 🙂
I have never loved you more.
Nice to know my man’s not alone. I loved it on the Sunday morning (2 weeks after baby was born)when he said, “Oh, when will you be dressed and ready for church?” Unfortunately for him, I was dressed and ready for church – and wrestling with Post partum depression and tears. I thought I looked pretty good!
Praise God for grace and mercy!
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
This is just too funny. You are so cute in your frock and I’m so thankful that God gave you the gift of writing. No need to physically be in Texas when your words almost have us feeling like we’re in the room watching. I know it’s said so much but it’s true, thank you for sharing your life with us. We are so blessed to have you as a friend and sister in the Lord.
Beth!! I breathed such a sigh of relief when there were photos at the bottom–I was dying trying to picture the “frock” –it is so cute just like you. I am proud that Keith knew that word and used it in a sentence–it shows his feminine side–don’t tell ‘im I said that he may ban me from the blog.
Jackson’s cuter than George Strait in the outfit–
Did anyone tell the yankee blogger (I say that with tons of love)that MDO is Mothers Day Out? Love to all the siestas!
Leigh ATL
Love your make-up smock, I mean dress! That post was too funny! And Jackson makes a mighty cute cowboy!
Too Funny. Make-up Frock, I am so sure. If only men had the same good taste as their wives’. Mine knows better than to buy me clothes, he just gives me a gift card. And I love him dearly for it.
Jackson is too cute in his western wear. I can see why the ladies swoon.
God Bless
1. Great taste in mascara!
2. Personally, I’d love to hear the story of Juan Seguin, but I think that’s because I’m a die-hard Texan who is somehow stuck up here in NYC. I miss Texas History lessons.
3. Adorable outfit! Yours, that is.
4. And Jackson’s too, obviously! Miniature cowboys are definitely the cutest!
Beth,
Does this mean that you’re friends with the new camera? It looks like you’ve uploaded and downloaded pictures all by yourself. Way to go! I can get them from the camera to the computer but that is it. Hope you’re having a great Friday.
Love,
Katnap
I got a tear in my eye too, from LAUGHING at you. You are soooo silly. And, I was expecting to see some of those “Western Frocks.” Keith’s comments sounded so much like something my Daddy would say, trying to be sweet, but not knowing exactly how to articulate it.
Thank you for keeping us laughing. Laughter does the heart good.
As if guys knew what wardrobe really meant…:) Enough said:)
I am lucky I can get my man dressed up in a nice Christian verse t-shirt and jeans…and Oh Lord, sometimes if I don’t check…
He wears the alligator boots…
I try to be on guard:)
Be Blessed!
this made me laugh out loud!
Oh my goodness gracious! What a precious make-up frock and an even more precious Jackson in his boots!
Thanks for sharing pictures…I was so hoping to see one of the frock when I started reading!
My house is opposite as well. I am a North Carolina graduate (go Heels) and he is South Carolina grad. He is quiet…I don’t shut up. He is an engineer and LOVES math…I teach elementary school and don’t like math! Country boy, city girl…
He bought me a dress way back in the day and I hardly wore it. He noticed and was so offended that he vowed to never buy me clothes again (and he has stuck to it for 12 years!). Now he buys purses (which I love) and gift certificates! 🙂
Keep making make-up smocks look great!
Oh sweet heavens!!I’m so glad I’m not the only one who loves L’oreal mascara! Their Volume Couture mascara is just the best thing and they make it in Deep Auburn which, for this redhead who has searched pretty much everywhere for good redhead mascara, that is saying something! Chanel has a nice one too but Hello! $30 for mascara! Puhleez! But I digress…
Love the frock!! And I too have not an ounce of taste in common with my sweet husband, or at least I didn’t when we were married. 10 years together, 8 1/2 of them married, we’ve come to appreciate different interests and tastes of one another and even found a few in common. My computer-geek, motorhead husband was blessed with 2 darling girlies and when the 3-year old wanted to help him replace the starter in his truck last weekend I think I saw that same tear in his eye!
Hugs and prayers to you all as you count down to the wedding!
Christine
I’m sorry, but this line is a classic: “Back where I come from, western was something you were for Halloween.”
Amen to the Justin ropers. Every member of my family owns a pair and the kids received their first pair around Jackson’s age. Life as it should be. Do tell me you have a pair, Miss Beth. If not, we may have to send you back to Arkansas…It’s a requirement for staying here in this grand ol’ state.
Love the cute dress! You look way too young to be a mama with grown children and a grandchild!!!
Just started Stepping Up last night and I am SO excited to step up to that next level with Jesus! Had me some ‘face down’ time today, how humbling…..
Oh my word!! Jackson looks proud to have his new boots and you are right, Keith looks mighty proud to have presented his grandson with a pair of boots and wranglers! Let me also add that you look mighty cute in your smock/frock. Loving the hair!! My ex husband was proud the day he bought our firstborn his first Stetson. We live in the Nashville area now, plenty of places to wear it. LOL!!
I was in Payless the other day and thought of you and then I saw your shoes you posted on here. Love them! What a fun post! I am sure you all are so busy as the wedding nears and I am so happy for all of you!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Love,
Patty
p.s. I just started Stepping Up with a group of 40 or 50 (lost count) women at our new church. I am praising God for leading us to a home church! I have been a Baptist all my 43 years but we are now in a non-demoninational church and I love it just the same. God is good and by the way, I went face down in the bathroom and what a time I had with God! I can’t wait to get into this study/homework!
All that dress needs is a good pair of western boots and then you are good to go!
I’m a TN gal but I AM only kidding.
Perhaps you could ebay your western wardrobe and use the proceeds for the boots Jackson will surely need in the future.
My dad is 6’4″ and wears cowboy boots everyday with his jeans- even when he was the only one not wearing a 3-pc suit in the office building! I feel bad now that I insisted he wear real shoes with his tux for my wedding ! I did say he could change for the reception (he did).
(giggling)
1) My roomie deems me an ’80’s child’ (even though I’m a wee bit later) b/c of my love for puffy sleeves, and big dresses…I’m a girl-gone-preppy, but not afraid to wear my baseball cap (which I’m currently wearing)
2) I can’t get past the idea of getting you a bedazzler. Mercy! Did my Mom try too hard with some of my shirts back in the day! lol!
3) And I heard about your man sending Trav some ‘real boots;’ I laughed b/c Nate was the one that helped Trav get the ones he has – Bless our non-Texan man’s heart 🙂
I love the way you love your man! Inspires me to love all the things that make my man so “unique.” Mine is everything I’m not too and after 11 years it’s easy to look at our differences as a negative rather then remember that that’s why I loved him in the first place! I fell in love with him because he was the only one who could really make me laugh and our sweet Lord reminded me of that after I asked Him to recently. I’ve been laughing again ever since! What a GREAT God!! He makes the old new again!
oh my… that’s too precious. i love it. especially your “make-up smock”.
regarding wranglers: a few nights ago i caught the tail-end (pun intended) of a show called “my redneck wedding”, and someone in the wedding party didn’t think it was enough to wear wranglers every day, so he got the label tattooed on his bum, where the tag would be if he WERE wearing them. thats what i call Representin.
Oh Beth, you look so cute in the “make-up frock” just like a little girl as fixed up for her first day of school. And oh how adorable, Jackson looks like such a big cowboy. Most guys do look good in wranglers and cowboy boots, which so reminds me of my wedding day. My husband has always been a country boy, cowboy boot man. On our wedding day the coordinator came to the brides room in a tizzy and all flustered holding a pair of tuxedo dress shoes. She marched up to me and in no uncertain terms told me that my husband to be refused to wear them and was wearing of all things cowboy boots with his tux! She went on and on about how I would have to insist that he change shoes. The pictures would be ruined if he wore cowboy boots in them! I told her I did not care if he was barefooted as long as he was standing at the front of the altar when I walked down the aisle! She just could not believe that I would be o.k. with this. You know what, the wedding pictures turned out fine and that was 20 years ago! He still loves his cowboy boots and wears them most place we go. So hang in there grandpa Keith!
Ok…Mrs.Beth…you must tell us all where you got that “frock”…puleeessseee.
BETH! I’m sooo proud of you! You posted pictures on the blog! The first post I read was the one where you were having such a difficult time posting a picture & I was hooked! Love those babay boots, too!
Thank you for the bright light you shine – isn’t it awesome to think that God’s gonna have all of us with different tastes in heaven – and all in unity!!
ummm…where’d you get that- and the shoes…too cute!! Yeah- my hubby wouldn’t get why I would where that either- he thinks khakis and a polo are the only way to go (I have a California transplant as a hubby- so the western thing baffles him too- thank goodness!) I love to dress up, dress down, pretty much I just like to shop and have to try to wear all that I buy!! 🙂
Thanks for sharing that…it made me laugh..and your two cowboys look precious together!
Thanks Beth for sharing and what cute photos. Hope Amanda is ready for Jackson wanting to wear his cowboy boots with everything even when they don’t match (especially with shorts). Can’t wait to start the Stepping Up study this weekend!
Thank the good Lord that men are not made like women! We would laugh a whole lot less. I have often wished my husband was not so good at finding things in my size. Love the frock. I am so glad that you have figured out the camera.
Saks Fifth Alley – that’s my taste-
wildly expensive clothes….after they hit the closeout racks 🙂
Keith’s clothing story reminds me of my husband’s. Our first Christmas, he casually asked me what my favorite clothing store was. Not realizing he was thinking of buying clothes for me for Christmas, (which is dangerous territory for any man) I told him my VERY FAVORITE store ever. Poor guy, he just figured that’s what women’s clothing was supposed to cost. That year…and for years to follow …. he lavished me with full outfits of stuff like $200 sweaters, $500 blazers, and $75 cotton turtlenecks…and I’m talking prices from 20 years ago! We gals like to gripe about them, but sometimes men are simply just a hoot! (and yes I did fess up.. eventually!)
Aren’t you both just darlin’!! (and Keith too!)
My husband just doesn’t get it that you don’t take off or put on clothe/tops (unless it is button down) after you have just made your face all purddy! I tell him you put on this face and then take off your turtlneck and see what happens!! LOL
You sure said it! It’s all about taste. That dress is adorable! But men don’t “get” dresses like that – the really cute ones!
Let me tell you what I envision you doing in that darling dress… this morning I just listened to session 4 in Stepping Up — you talked about everyone in your office praise dancing to CiCi Wayans one day when you had received lots of answers to prayers… Now that my dear Beth is a PERFECT dress for praise dancing! (And the shoes too)
‘Reminds me of my favorite Calvin and Hobbes cartoon–Hobbes keeps saying smock over and over, driving Calvin crazy. Then Hobbes, tops it all of with this phrase, which I think you should take up, “Knock my smock and I’ll clean your clock!”
How’s that? Did you smile? I hope so, cause no matter what outfit you wear, your smile makes it the prettiest 🙂
Love ya!
holly
That looks like one proud poppy!
I am impressed that your hubby likes to shop for you. Mine doesn’t care for that at all! We had to buy him a suit the other day, which is his first one since he graduated from college, and he came out with the coat tucked in the pants! He is such a pain (goofball)! We had to buy it for our upcoming cruise, I thought that was a worthy reason. He doesn’t think he should have to wear one because it’s a vacation and who wears a suit on vacation?
He’s hopeless!! 🙂
BTW, cute dress!
Beth,
I am a Texas girl transplanted to North Carolina and you just gave me a taste of home-thank you!! I am sure that I could match your bedazzled jacket with my sequin(i don’t know how to spell that word, anymore :)) denim jacket with the giant texas flag on the back and my oh so cute red ropers! The ropers to be tucked into the boots, of course. I haven’t worn them in years since it was kind of 1990’s Texas rodeo fashion, but it brings back great memories. Thanks for making my day with this post!
love,
sarah
Pinehurst, NC-homesick for San Antonio!
So THAT’s where all the cute skirts and jackets come from! Who would a “thunk it”. Keith is your fashionista. I’ve loved them all. We all can’t wait to see what you wear when we watch you speak. One friend of mine has to only listen to you on CD’s because she gets so distracted by what your’re wearing. Hah! And that little wrangler heiney is the cutest thing. Is there anything cuter than a “tod” in little cowboy boots? My little girl wore a pair of red ones with star cutouts and rhinestones. She wore them with everything – even her princess holloween – I mean “Fall Festival” costume. Thanks for the blog. I love you Beth for being shallow and deep all at the same time – king of like the ocean!
Heidi in Georgia
I’m about to fall out of my chair laughing. Thanks for making my day. It’s been a ‘heavy’ week, and I sure needed this to send me into a good weekend. 🙂
I’ll have to tell my husbands, other people marry their opposite too. Love it!
BTW: checked out the Dior Addict lipstick – very nice! 😉
Can I just say how sad I am that I won’t be able to meet you all at the Siesta fiesta? #3 is due that very same weekend and well … I don’t think you want me going into labor during the fiesta … I hope you all have fun and think of me.
beth-love the frock!
i have a man who’s also not afraid to shop. 🙂 not western…but i got a list of my own:)
it too is his love language tward me…his dad once bought his mom a station wagon.
lovin life in Him!
lisa
You people slay me. Especially since my idea of Casual Friday at work is 2 inch heels instead of my typical 3 inch, and my beau just moved to Houston and thinks Texas (we’re both Tennessean by birth) is the greatest place on Earth, mainly because it agrees with his assortment of 642 different kinds of boots.
Do you know how much boots cost? More than my 3 inch heels, my friends.
😉
Little Tex looks a lot like Grandpa Tex!!
And…I hafta ask…do Texans bronze their baby’s first shoes or first boots?
I have laughed at your story today because I haven’t heard the word “frock” in years!! Cute!
(Speaking of styles, Beth I remembered you sharing about the article you read on a more modest trend this Spring, well, I saw bermuda shorts everywhere in Target yesterday…YEAH)!
D&D Western Wear…I know it well. I went to high school at New Braunfels High, just a few miles from Seguin . I once saw George Strait at D&D Western Wear, and that made the trips there oh so worth it! Thanks..loved the blog 🙂
I’m sorry, how old are you Beth? You look like you are 17 in that picture! You are so cute, frock and all!
And oh, little Jackson is cute as a bug too.
Thanks for sharing….
Goodness gracious!! I have never left a comment on the blog. I’m more of a lurker, but I HAD to comment on the picture of Keith and Jackson! How adorable. That proud Grandaddy with his Grandson. That is a true “Kodak” moment. Beth, when you get that granddaughter, I can’t wait to see her outfits!! They say that fashion comes and goes, so who knows, she may be really into that western wear hanging in your closet!!
Thanks so much for this blog. Just being a lurker is totally rewarding!
Julie
Well, aren’t you just beautimous! 🙂
Been there- 13 years to a Bama Cattleman. If my cowboy sees me in boots and camo, I better be ready to “tend to my ministry”, Lord help me if I drive his truck with a cowboy hat on. He was excited when the western look became stylish, and we could buy boots in the mall. He likes to make purchases for me at the tractor supply store. I relate to this blog.
Beth, your eyelashes look so full. Very shocking how much volume they have ;).
I kinda like Keith’s boots. A real lived-in, comfortable pair of shoes.
And your tiny white flowers are so pretty in your backyard garden!
Tell us, are you ready for a wedding?