I pledge allegiance....

I noticed something the other day when I looked at this childhood picture:

Well, the first thing I noticed was that Sarah and I were little fashionistas. We somehow knew that Sarah, with her olive skin, would look better in pastel pink than I would. (Although we did go a *bit* heavy on the rouge.) Poor Jessica got the leftovers when it came to dressing up. But she was so durn cute, so it didn't really matter what she wore. (I'm guessing that it was one of my little brothers that took this picture - based on the fact that the tops of our heads are cut off. Although, it looks like we both had questionable haircuts, so he probably did us a favor.) Anyway.... do you see what I'm doing with my hand? It's like I'm ready to say the pledge of allegiance. It wouldn't be noteworthy if it wasn't for this:

Here I am, about 20 years later, still saying the pledge in my photographs. What's up with that?

I'll be absent from the blogosphere for at least a week, as I'm headed to Knoxville to "present" my paper and get all published and what not. Try not to miss me TOO much.