Got Gauge

80's Meme - 80's Hair Friday!

I am back from vacation and have stories to tell and pictures to post. I'll download pictures over the weekend to share.

When I saw the warning earlier this week at Robin’s and Sharon’s blogs, I started putting the word out for a picture. Ann came to the rescue with a couple of pics from the height of fashion era. As I’ve been de-cluttering the house I’ve come across a few gems from the 80s and I’m so bummed I already packed my scanner. I have some really good prom shots. What a dork I went to the prom with . . . two years in a row! Silly girl. He was cute but such a Mama's boy it wasn't even funny.

I still remember the outfit I wore the first day of high school. It involved a wide white belt, a tank top, large shirt and white pants, with flats. In words this outfit sounds like some of the current fashions, only with that lovely 80’s flare. And I think a pair of earrings that were as large as my bangs were high.

Shall we get started with my walk (like an Egyptian) down memory lane?

Peg your Z.Cavarrici's (or Jordache), clutch that industrial size can of Aqua Net (or other secret weapon spray), and raise that lighter to the tune of a power ballad. Gnarley! We are going 80s today, people! Show us your 80s hair!

Here are the rules:
1. Expand on the questions as much as you can. It makes it more fun for the rest of us.

2. Show us your hair, whether it be preppy or skyscraper bangs. Post some photos and make it fun. We promise not to laugh, we have them too!

3. If you get the meme from a blog, leave a comment on that person's blog so they can see your responses.

4. Post links to any videos or music from http://www.youtube.com/ or imeem.com to your blog that help you and your readers to relive the 80s.

5. Party like it's 1999.

I'm sporting my favorite two-tone jeans and the hair is rather tame. This was taken with my Kodak disc camera. Ann on the other hand was sporting a rocking good 80's outfit.

A helmet, mullet. Nothing says the 80's like this picture. We went "across the river" when we turned 16 and had it done. I was not having a good hair day. But I bet we went to Chi-Chi's.

Here are the questions:
1. Preppy or Rocker: That’s a tough one. I was somewhere in between. I read the Preppy Handbook but I didn’t really follow it.

2. Z Cavarricis or Guess Jeans and Espirit or Benetton? It was more Gloria Vanderbilt and Jordache. Calvin Kleins. And definitely Levis. Always a pair of Levis in the mix.  Can someone please tell me why we pegged our jeans? Fold and roll. Careful! Not too tightly because you had trouble sitting if you did that. What was the point? It was not attractive at all.

3. Favorite Pop song of the 80s: Like Sharon, I have a few.
"Rock Me Amadeus" by Falco: I remember staying home sick one day and playing this over and over and over again.

“Call Me Al” by Paul Simon: The Graceland album was my Dad’s favorite. I adore this song as it always reminds me of wonderful times with Dad.

"Fly Girl" I used to really like this song. I knew someone who used to play it a lot and tell me I was his Fly Girl. Now that I listen to it, it's just funny. How silly.

“Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles: Another Dad favorite and it’s not from the 80’s but it’s from my 80’s.

“Wild Thing” by Tone-Loc: another Dad memory. I got to drive his Jeep as soon as I got my license and this was my tape of choice for the adventure. I left it in the car and it was always a battle to get it back. Until he moved it to the kitchen stereo and than it was just too funny to watch him dance while making meals in the kitchen, so I moved on to another tape.

“Turn Back Time” by Cher: 7 people in my car playing that song over and over and over again. We even added echoes.

“99 Red Balloons” by Nena This song makes me happy.

"Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega: I think it paints a great picture. I have always wanted to be the one straightening my stockings

And HORRORS, I adored Milli Vanilli. Yes, I did!

Beastie Boys! Every. Single. Song. Loved it. Licensed to Ill.

Humpty Dance . . .  oh goodness. How could I forget dancing to this at the prom with one of my teachers.

And “Lean On Me” still makes me stop and remember a very special two people. Well one special person and one unique person.

4.  Most Annoying Pop song of the 80s
Not sure that I have any that annoyed me. Even the most annoying make me remember something. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” bugged me a bit after it was played 975 times a day.

4. Hair Metal or Heavy Metal- Who was your favorite performer and favorite song?
Not really either. More Hair than Heavy. But I preferred Southern Rock and hanging out with the boys in the band.

5. What posters were on your bedroom wall or college dorm room?
I didn’t hand posters on my bedroom walls.

6. What concerts do you remember most from the 80s?
Tiffany. Argh! And one of my mother’s boyfriends took me to see Kenny Rodgers, Sawyer Brown and some other group, maybe the Statler Brothers?

7. Favorite 80s movies
Howard the Duck, Dirty Dancing

8. Favorite 80s movie quotes
I don’t ever remember movie quotes. But I do sometimes say, "no one puts Baby in the corner."

9. Top 3 most memorable pop culture moments of the 80s for you.
Everyone at school watching Challenger explode
Cabbage Patch Doll Mania (Mrs. T somehow, someway got a bunch of us one.)
Cable came to town!

10. Favorite 80s cartoon
Smurfs. I really liked the Smurfs.

11. Favorite 80s commercials. Now this is my area! I adore advertising and marketing.
“Where’s the Beef?”
The talking butter carton, Parkay
The second one (starts at 39 sec) here was one of my FAVORITE games, Digital Derby 
This is a great compilation of 80’s commercials. You’ll feel just like you are watching Whose The Boss, Growing Pains, Different Strokes, One Day At A Time or the one with the girls at Boarding School, why can’t I remember the name of that show! Tootie, Natalie, Blair and what’s her name. 9:35 is Simon Says! Another great game I had and loved. (look at 41 secs and 3:39 for Where’s the Beef?)
Can you forget the egg laying bunny? And the Kool-Aid guy? This is a good overview of commercials, none are full length but you will surely have a good walk down memory lane! Zestfully Clean!

Big League Chew! The Crash Dummy, Smurfs and Super Golden Crisps. And we can NOT forget the Clapper.

12. Boy George or Wham?
Boy George

13. Favorite one-hit wonder
Lipps Inc Funky Town

14. INXS or Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode but not until college.

15. Poison or Warrant
Poison

16. Did you ever meet a rocker or 80's pop icon? Where were you?
Madonna. I danced with her in New York. Thought it was an impersonator at the time. Nope. We were hanging with Madonna. Wonder if we would have had as much fun if we’d known. Now it makes since why Club 21 was empty. So it doesn’t really count. Otherwise I can’t think of any 80’s rockers or pop icons I’ve met. Sports people from the 80’s yeah.

17. Snap bracelets or Jelly bracelets?
Neither. I’ve seen both but we did friendship bracelets.

18. Fess up. Who had the garden weasel bangs? Did you ever measure your wall o' Aqua Net love?
I had GREAT 80’s hair. One of the highest compliments I’ve ever received was from the boys on the bus. I think Steve R. started it. They said it was obvious I got up early every morning because my hair always looked like I’d come straight out of the beauty shop. **be still my heart**
But shhhhh, I didn’t use Aqua Net. I used a bottle of something that Miss Virginia stocked at the A&P. It was so much better than Aqua Net. It was glue in a bottle. It was our secret. There was never, ever a bottle on the shelf, just an empty space. She would keep it in a hiding place. It was a green bottle.
My bangs would go straight up. I thought I was 5 foot 9 for most of high school.

19. Favorite 80s sitcoms
Different Strokes and that one with the boarding school girls.

20. Is Jon Bon Jovi still hot or what?
Yeah. Very much so.

21. "Double Dare" or "You Can't Do That on Television"
Neither. I don’t remember either of those shows.

22. Who was your favorite Brat Packer?
Judd Nelson.

23. Jellies or Reebok Pumps
No Jellies. I’m still anti-plastic shoes. Seriously, I don’t care how comfortable Crocs are, they still look stupid. Farting might make you more comfortable but it’s not acceptable in public. My theory is that Croc wearers are those who would not understand this and well . . need I say more?

24. Favorite pizza parlor arcade game
Alan, the hot pizza maker guy. We went out for a bit. Oh wait, arcade game. Miss Pacman or Q-bert.

25. Deep South "Good 'ol Boys" or "L.A. underground vigilantes wanted for a crime they didn't commit"
Dukes of Hazard for sure! I could do the General Lee slide. And oh my the crush I had on those two boys. I wanted to drive the General Lee.

Added question:

What else reminds you of the 80s? Jams, Boones Farm Tickled Pink, Sun Country Wine Coolers, Boom Boxes, LOUD stereos with thumping bass in cars, t-tops, baby oil and iodine, Band-Aids, Slurpees every day before cheering practice, break dancing, Friday Night Videos.

Funny because when I look back on the 80's it's the decade I grew up. At the beginning it was all about Cabbage Patch Dolls, cartoons and games. At the end it was about boys, music and clothes. I guess everyone has their gowing up decade, right?

If you are reading this consider yourself TAGGED. If you are a regular lurker, why don't you take this as a opportunity to come out and introduce yourself. I'd love to hear from you. Let me know where I can reach you back though. Blogger has a nasty habit of giving the "no reply blogger" response.

3-2-1 Steamers!

I'm gearing up for my Annual Girls Trip to Cliff. So if you don't hear from me in a bit . . . I'm unplugged! Hooray. Nothing like a week of just relaxing to really be able to relax and enjoy. No checking emails, no presentations to prepare or conference calls to run. Nothing but  . . . well nothing.

I just need to decide which knitting project I'm going to take with me. I'm thinking just the Smock Top.

I am going to pack my workout clothes and try to actually lose a few pounds while I'm there. I would like to hit the next "decade" prior to my birthday on August 1st.

Everything is going well here! Hope all is well in your world!

Happy Knitting! Happy Relaxing!

Double Dog Dared

I simply can't pass up a triple D. She put it out there. You should do it too. Double Dog Dare you.

1. Who was your first prom date? That would be Raye. Just looked through pictures the other day. He wasn't even that cute. But my dress ROCKED! I think I dated him for his car.
2. Do you still talk to your first love? Nope.
3. What was your first alcoholic drink? That's a tough one. I'm thinking it was most likely Boones Farm Tickled Pink. Or Pickled Tink as it was called after too much of it. Or it could have been Sun Country Wine Cooler in the 2 liter bottle.

4. What was your first job? Working at Payne's.

5. What was your first car? 1979 Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Valera, depending on which angle you looked at it. It was red, it had be wrecked a few times so it had pieces from the Plymouth model. I had personalized plates. I also had 8 people in there one time. And a case of beer.

6. Who was the first person to text you today? No one has texted me today. Do you get text messages every day? I don't.

7. Who is the first person you thought of this morning? The Husband.

8. Who was your first grade teacher? I had two. The first one was MEAN and got fired. She was awful. Kids cried daily. She yelled and banged her fist. Nasty lady. She was also very racist. I remember one day she said, "I'm not giving any of you white kids any candy." She also called kids stupid and would laugh at them if they had trouble reading. Yikes! I can't even stand to think about her. The second was Mr. Volter. He was nice and fun. He was also a cab driver in NYC. He tried so hard to make us all enjoy school again. We'd sing songs and laugh.

9. Where did you go on your first ride on an airplane? Florida.

10. Who was your first best friend, and are you still friends with him/her?  Jeff is the first best friend I remember. We were 5. He moved out of the neighborhood and I went to visit him once. We didn't stay in touch.

11. What was your first sport played? This is a tough one. I will go with tee-ball.

12. Where was your first sleepover? Probably my Grandparent's or my Auntie's house. Non-family related perhaps Teresa's house.

13. Who was the first person you talked to today? The Husband.

14. Whose wedding were you in the first time? My cousin Debbie's, scroll girl. I gave out little rolled up scrolls, I don't know what they said. I think the first time I was a bridesmaid was my mother's other daughter's first wedding.

15. What was the first thing you did this morning? Opened my eyes.

16. What was the first concert you ever went to? I don't remember. I do remember the first concert I bought tickets for was Tiffany. Seriously, I was working at Busch Gardens, she was there. I got like 3rd row seats.

17. What was your first tattoo or piercing? I got my ears pierced at 5. I got them as a present for going through, yet another, EEG. That glue SUCKED getting it out of my hair. I HATE lemon scented nail polish remover. First tattoo is of the sun kissing the moon goodnight.

18. What was the first foreign country you went to? Canada

19. What was your first run-in with the law? I don't really remember the first "run-in". Perhaps the time they stopped by to tell me and my Mom that I really shouldn't be driving around at 14. I explained I had to move us. It was logical. And I didn't leave the island but once to go get Mom from work. But I don't think that was really the first one.

20. When was your first detention? It's yet to happen.

21. What was the first state you lived in? Virgina.

22. Who was the first person to break your heart? Josh, Charlie or John. They were the three main heartbreakers of all the girls. First grown up one I'll keep to myself thankyouverymuch.

23. Who was your first roommate? Ann Marie. I never had to share a room with my parent's other child. So it would be when I was living at Ann Marie's house in High School.

24. Where did you go on your first limo ride? New York City! And it was fabulous. Simply a wonderful night that I will never forget.

Let us know if you posted the questions. Some fun ones!

Happy Day and Happy Knitting!

Checking In

I hope everyone had a happy and safe 4th of July! We played in the annual Swingers Tournament. Or "Husband Swap." It's a great deal of fun with the group of couples we golf with regularly. The Husband won Best Net with his new wife of the day. I came in second low net with my new husband for the day. All around a good, fun day of golf.

I walked since I didn't hit the gym as much as I should this week. And I can feel progress in my quest to get more healthy. I usually struggle up #4 when we tee off on the back nine. No problems yesterday! I'm stil a bit bummed about the scale number but I can see and feel progress!

Today I packed, packed, packed. The house is slowly but surely getting less cluttered. I think I will try to "move" every 5 years. It's eye opening how much stuff you (meaning me) collects. Must change my habits and patterns.

I came across a few letters from my other Mother today. She's really an amazing woman. Not too many kids are so lucky to be so loved and encouraged. Re-reading her letters from college and after I graduated warms my heart to no end. Her honesty and support helped shape me more than I think I ever realized. And I thought I was aware of it. I kept those letters so that I can remember to share that some honesty to others in my life. There is nothing like the handwritten words of support and love.

I also discovered I have too many unused tea pots and cups. I must have a tea party once we get settled.

Off to get ready for a cookout tonight. I need to not focus on house stuff.

Happy Day!

Stomach Ache!

When we bought our current home, it was easy. Our Real Estate Agent was the "Aunt" of a dear friend of ours. And that family has become our family friends. We still hang out with her husband and children.

It was like having your Mom walk you through opening your first checking account kind of easy. The sellers were the original owners and again, it had that kind of feel that a distant cousin was selling us their home. Just wanted a young couple to have a home to settle down and start making memories. (Okay, I think they wanted us to make babies and raise children here like they did.) They even gave us the low down on where to set the thermostat during summer and winter months. Not in a creepy way, a nice, kind, gentle way that made you feel good. They told us stories and gave us the rundown on the 'hood. (my word, not theirs) It was such a wonderful experience all the way around.

So I know that no matter how secure I feel with our current Real Estate Agent and no matter how nice the sellers are, it's not going to be the same buying experience. It's going to be a waiting game, a test of patience and it's going to give me a stomach ache. Wait, I already have one.

Deep breathes and faith. I think I'll call Granny's and have her say some prayers. At 1238 months, she's lived a long time and I think she's got the hot line number.

I'm off to find the floor in the pantry. I can't wait to have the counter space to have my bread machine out all the time. I used to make bread at least once a week. Nothing like the smell of fresh baked bread to wake up to in the morning! I would slice two and take them to the gym for my workout buddy. Knowing it was there got us through that Friday workout!

Happy Knitting! Happy Day and I hope you have a happy stomach!