Stuck in the '70s

Final post on old blog

2006-05-11T15:07:00.000-05:00

Hey!

This is the final entry on this blogspot, hosted by Blogger. I now have a blog on my very own Web hoster. I'm leaving this blog up so that everyone can read all of the juicy entries I've written over the past (nearly) two years. My how things have changed -- yet stayed the same! Go to my new blog at http://stuckinthe70s.com/blog.html.

Julie

Mother's Day

2006-05-10T06:07:00.000-05:00

Mother’s Day is coming up in a few days. Sometimes I forget I’m a mom. I wouldn’t expect my two teen-age sons to remember Mother’s Day without a little nudging. I wrote “Mother’s Day” on our dry-erase calendar last week, but mostly for my fiancé’s benefit. I’ve not met his mother yet, and I’d like to do that this year.

I’ve had a few special Mother’s Days since I’ve been a mom over the past 17 years. I remember one in particular when the boys were small and decided to make me the proverbial “breakfast in bed.” That was a nightmare. I spent most of my Mother’s Day cleaning up the kitchen. But, it’s the thought that counts, right? I can say that now.

I don’t really even remember anything special my brothers and I did for our mom on that special day. All I can recall is making some stupid coupons, stapling them into book form and giving Mom to cash in on “hugs” and crap like that. I also remember making a waste basket in kindergarten out of an empty Baskin Robbins’ ice cream container. I painted it blue, glued some construction paper flowers around the top rim and wrote “Mom” sloppily in crayon on one side. Dad still has it in use under his bathroom sink.

My mom was what we now call a “stay-at-home” mom, although she did everything but stay at home. Oh, she was always there at the house when I was – that is, unless of course, we were out shopping together. She was always there when we came home from school or on the weekends when we came in from long hikes up the creek or playing “kick the can” on a summer night.

But, by day, Mom was out and about. She would be out yard-saling with my grandma or my aunt; or she’d be helping in one of our classrooms as a “room mother.” Sometimes, she’d be gone on a club bus trip she’d arranged to Chicago or St. Louis or some other exotic destination that just happened to have a huge shopping mall. Other times, she’d be preparing for a Cub Scout meeting or teaching 4-H kids how to draw. Lots of times, she’d be out puttering in the yard, adding the touches that made it pretty, or inside, keeping the house clean and tidy, or getting the next meal ready.

Mom made camping trips seem not so far from home by bringing most of it with us. She did all the packing, and she never forgot anything.

My mom was pretty popular with the neighborhood kids, mainly because she made a sweet ice tea you could stick your sock to if you spilled some on the kitchen floor – and we always did. She’d encourage our Kool-Aid stands and usually buy half of it herself when business was slow.

If you’ve got a mom handy, just spend some time with her this Sunday. Or, if she prefers, get the heck out of her sight. It’s not the flowers you give her or the meals you try to prepare her in her domain that you and she will remember. Just spend your day treasuring her and being grateful for all she’s done for you and all she will do.

I miss ya, Ma.

Web site down temporarily

2006-05-05T08:25:00.000-05:00

Hopefully, some of you have found your way to my blog even though Stuck in the '70s is down for the moment. I'm trying to get this worked out with Yahoo, my Web server. They take $12 a month from one of my credit card accounts, and it wasn't there to take this past month, although it is now; and I've been unable to get Yahoo to update my credit card information online. So, today at lunch, I'll be calling Yahoo to get that fixed, and the site should be back up as soon as possible. Sorry for the inconvenience. Times are tough, and money's been a bit tight.

Thanks,
Julie

Welcome to T&C Shopper's First Issue

2006-05-04T09:49:00.000-05:00

(Blogger's Note: Below is my first column for the Towne & Country Shopper, published 5/4/06. Future columns will appear on my "Reminiscin'" Link.)

Welcome to Towne & Country Shopper.

You hold in your hands our first-ever issue. Hang onto it -- you may be able to sell it on Ebay for 5 times what you paid for it several years from now.

We’re glad to be able to present this new paper to north central Arkansas, and have lots of plans for serving you in the future. Ten thousand copies of Towne & Country Shopper will be distributed in the area, including Independence, Jackson, White, Stone, Sharp, Lawrence, Cleburne and Izard counties. In addition to ads from area businesses, we’ll offer space for your display and classified ads at great prices, along with some community news and information about upcoming events in the area.

The Shopper is the brainchild of our general manager, Ted Stepanek. Ted’s got umpteen years of experience in print media sales and was behind the startup of a similar paper in Indiana. About a year ago, while Ted and I were working together at another local shopper paper, we would dream about taking our show on the road. Why, with my newspaper and graphic experience and his ability to drive sales, Ted said we could have our own paper and make it exactly what we wanted and what we saw the readers desired. We had the skills, but not the technology. Now, a year later, we’ve got all the modern equipment, to go along with our abilities, to bring you the nicest tab possible.

Of course, keep in mind, this is our first issue. So, we’re a little thin on the classifieds. That’s where you can help out. Our classified advertising rates are $2.50 per week for 30 words. Not too shabby. You’ll find a form in this paper to fill out and get us your ads.

We also welcome news of your group, church or organization’s events. You can mail them to us at 848 Harrison St., Batesville, or e-mail me at towneshopper@sbcglobal.net. We’ll get them in here as space permits.

I’m excited to have my hands on the computer to create a weekly shopper paper and the outlet for said creativity. See, I’ve been in the media business in Batesville for 24 years now. I’ve thought several times, after having worked for every media outlet in the area, about leaving and going to another newspaper out of town or out of state. In fact, last month I went to Florida for a job interview at a newspaper there and received a pretty decent offer. However, life is complicated when you’ve got a couple of teen-agers and roots so deep in the Ozarks it’d be near impossible, if not at least painful, to tug them out. So, I’m staying here in this beautiful part of the country with its friendly people. The Shopper provides me the opportunity to get out of selling appliances at the local home improvement warehouse (where I was obviously out of my element for about 10 months) and back into my field.

Some of you may know I’ve written a column for a couple of different publications, and I’ll be doing the same here. Mainly, I enjoy writing about growing up in the 1960s and ’70s in American suburbia. But, I’ll also write about stuff that affects us in the 21st century. You won’t find any political jargon in this column, or usually anything that’s gonna rub anyone the wrong way. Hopefully, it’ll just be good fun and reflection. And, hopefully, our Towne & Country Shopper will be something you grab up each week with your iced tea, sit out on the porch and look for some good bargains or find something you’d like to do over the weekend here in our neck of the woods.

ARRRRRGG! The swelling!

2006-04-25T15:22:00.000-05:00

Well, shoot. I've had this stupid cast on my leg for a week and a day now, and it's driving me crazy!!! The worst part, I thought, was having to use the dad gum crutches. Now, as of yesterday, however, I've found the worst part is the current swelling!

Yesterday, at the end of the work day, my leg began throbbing, and the cast felt like a pumped-up blood pressure cuff on my calf and foot. The sweet baboo, having been a big city firefighter and rescue unit guy for 20 years, told me to sit down and put my foot up higher than my heart last night. That wasn't very lady like, me sitting on the couch with my foot propped up on the back of the it. It helped temporarily. But, again today, the bloating is back. I'm about to borrow the baboo's jigsaw to cut this damn thing off. May 15 is a long ways off.

After much pondering, I finally shut the door on the Florida job yesterday (they made me an offer last week). That's kind of a bummer. The thought of moving far away to a different land is intriguing. And, the possibility of furthering the career is nice too. However, the whole thing is not very practical.

What is more practical at the time being is the Towne & Country Shopper. Our deadline to get the first paper out (for May 4) is a week from today. It's falling together, and it looks like I'm going to be able to write a column for it as space permits! That will be cool. I'll be writing the first one about midlife crisis; and I'll be sure to post every column on my Web site on the "Reminiscin'" link.

Ran into a former co-worker yesterday while going to lunch with another former co-worker/friend. It was kind of ironic how the three of us now work for three different shopper-type papers in the same town, holding the same position at our respective papers; and the geographic locations of said three shoppers form a triangle on the same street and block in town -- and here we ran into each other at the same fast food restaurant on the same day. The former co-worker who I had not arranged to eat lunch with asked me what I was up to and how things were going at the home improvement warehouse. I told her about my new job; and then she asked apprehensively about my current squeeze.

It's to be expected that my girlfriends would ask with caution about the man. I'm sure they're figuring I'm going to say, "Aw ... he was a loser and I got rid of him a long time ago." But, it's very refreshing that is NOT the case, and I am indeed able to say that I can't find a dang thing about him I don't like. Oh, of course there's the usual man-type things, like grunting or nodding answers to questions, or not noticing or acknowledging when I'm upset or in a foul mood. That, however, doesn't compare to verbal and emotional abuse. He's truly a great friend and the best supporter I've ever had (other than my parents, of course). So, all is well -- and, gosh, it's lasted over 5 months now! I'm going for a new record.

The boys will be finishing up the school year in another month. I have mixed feelings about those guys, even though I love them more than life itself as any mother oughtta. For the most part, they give me no grief. The oldest one just completed a run as the lead in his high school drama department's production of "Beauty & the Beast." Ironically, he played the beast, a TV character for whom his father and I named him. He's going to his first prom in a few days, and the tuxedo is rented. The youngest one just got another Saturday school detention yesterday -- this one for throwing crumpled up wads of notebook paper at "a jerk" in class. He's constantly talking back to me, lying to me and manipulating me. He wears me out with his constant arguments and "why can't I this" or whatever. Although I do miss them during the summer while they're at their dad's, a part of me is looking forward to that peace and quiet this year.

My brother, Mike, and I went flea marketing last weekend. I was mainly in search of stuff for my new retro kitchen -- in particular Merry Mushroom stuff. I have plenty of canisters, salt shakers and such. I'm looking for curtains, switch plates/outlet covers, spoon rest, etc. I shouldn't have done all that walking around without the crutches, though, because I'm feeling the effects of it now.

Well, boys and girls, I'll sign off here. I'll be keeping you updated more often, hopefully. I've got lots of new info to post on the Web site this weekend (I hope), including the fact that the elusive Buster Bradley of 1978 diary fame is missing again. He was apparently "let go" from his last job at a Fort Wayne, Ind., radio station last June, and I have lost track of him. If any of you know his whereabouts now, please drop me a line at julie@stuckinthe70s.com. (No, I'm not stalking ... just like to keep up on the career.)

Julie

Remodeling goes on, foot in cast, new job

2006-04-17T20:18:00.000-05:00

Well, I'll just give you a quick report tonight on recent developments.

I spent last Monday through Tuesday in Florida at my friend Sarah's in Spring Hill. Interviewed Tuesday at the Citrus County Chronicle for a copy editor's job. Haven't heard from them. Started a new job here in town Thursday at the Towne & Country $hopper, a paper my friend Ted & I are starting with backing from an area couple. I'll be graphic design, editor, etc., and Ted is sales guy. I'm already enjoying it, especially the hours.

My brother, Mike, Nick and I went to Silver Dollar City on our season passes last Saturday. It was crowded, but we had a lot of fun as usual. The sweet baboo stayed home & worked for the painting company as well as did more work on the kitchen. At left are some recent pix. All of the appliances are in the house now, but not hooked up. You can see the orange countertops. The wall color will match the countertops, and the cabinets will be glazed an olive green. Diablo, my kitty, is checking out his reflection in the new gas range.

I went back to see the orthopaedic guy today and now have a cast on my left foot. I told him how that big ol' shot did nothing, as did the pain pills, so he's put it in a cast & I got crutches. Not supposed to put any weight on it for four weeks. Somehow, immobilizing it is supposed to make it better. Make the spur go away? I doubt it.

Well, I'll sign off here. I'm getting tired. More later...
Julie

Sneak Preview

2006-03-30T22:16:00.000-06:00

Thank you for your comments! Things are plodding away here at the '70s house. I'm not going to write tonight because I need to hit the hay, but more stuff is developing, and I'll fill you in over the weekend.

Meanwhile, the countertops have arrived and are now in the house. Don's bringing the base cabinets back in and will refinish them in my chosen "moss" color where they stand. The color you see on the wall is just the orange primer, and the final color will be the same as the countertops. It's awesome! He's working that second job, so time is a precious commodity, but he's hard worker, so it's getting done, and it's getting done right. I'll post more soon!
Julie

Of Feet and Florida

2006-03-25T22:24:00.000-06:00

These are some exciting times.

I guess I've always been one of those people resistant to change -- which would explain why I claim to be "stuck in the '70s." However, I have always liked the latest electronic gadgets such as any computer evolution, digital cameras, digital voice recorders, PDAs, etc. I dunno. I guess when it comes to life changes I'm reluctant.

Anyhoo. ... I went and saw the bone doctor Wednesday. That was a bummer. I waited 2 1/2 hours for the bastard. His time is obviously worth more than mine. He came into the room for 2 seconds (I literally counted "one one-thousand, two one-thousand" in my head - and he was gone). He asked what was wrong with my foot. I said I thought that was up to him to determine. He poked at my heel with his forefinger and thumb & muttered something about me needing an "injection," then he scurried out the door and told the nurse waiting there to give me the injection. When she appeared with a huge needle, attached to a gallon jug of some clear liquid, I said, "Wait just a minute ... I have some questions about this." Then, I started to cry. It was out of frustration, and perhaps a bit of wimpiness. I'm not a sissy at all when it comes to pain, and so, I'd mostly like to think it's out of frustration. I want a doctor to at least take a couple minutes to explain some things and answer some questions. She said she'd get the doc and I could ask my questions. Finally, after another half hour or so, he came back in and immediately started slatherin' my foot up with some iodine or some such crap, preparing to shoot that thing into my heel. I asked my questions and barely got them out before he was pounding that gallon jug of cortezone stuff into my foot. In answer to my "how long is this going to help?" question, he said "three or four months." In answer to my "when will it feel better?" question, he said "a day or two."

Well, doc, it's been three days, and my foot still hurts like hell. That didn't apparently do. As I've talked to several others at "work" about this situation, those in similar categories said these are miraculous shots that bring instant relief. Hello! Didn't happen. Guess I shall see by getting in touch with said doctor's office Monday and seeing how much longer I'll have to wait to see what the next step might be. But, I would indeed like to begin walking again and not hurt.

Last Saturday night, my brother Mike and I went to Powhatan, Ark., on a ghost hunt with my ghost-huntin' group. The courthouse and jail were really cool; built in the 1880s. I hadn't been on a ghost hunt since last August. I was rarin' to go, but my bladder and foot were not. We made a couple of map errors (and by "we," I mean "I"), so it took us 2 hours to make a 43-mile trip. It was cold, dark and misty by the time we got there, and my heel was achin'. We had brought cots and planned to camp out in the courthouse. However, there were no bathroom facilities inside the courthouse. We would've had to venture outside in the middle of the night (and I knew I'd have to more than once) to use the facilities. So, we cut out before midnight, but had an enjoyable time, and I think the group may have captured some good evidence among us.

Don and I went to Harrisburg Thursday night to meet the boys' dad halfway between here and Memphis. They'd spent the first part of spring break there with their dad. It was a quiet several days around here, but it sure did go quickly, and major life changes are taking place. During the week, number one son turned 17 on Wednesday. Unbelievable. At that age, I had my '73 Monte Carlo and was cruising to the mall to meet my mates at every opportunity. So, I feel for the teen when he wants to get out of the house and do something. I can't afford to help him get a car or insurance. And, he can't get a job if he doesn't have transportation. It's a viscious catch 22.

The sweet baboo has taken a second job to help defray the costs of living around here, bless his heart. He's helping to paint the new mansion of an un-named NASCAR driver who hails from this town and has decided to take over a Ford dealership and retire back here to his hometown which he denied ever being from for a few decades. I don't get into NASCAR and couldn't possibly care less about any of that rubbish, plus I know someone who was in the same class at the local high school and says he was always a jerk. But, at any rate ... the sweet baboo is working during the hours he's not at his "real" job with this paint company contracted to paint this mansion, so the kitchen remodel is on slow motion. However, I know the sweetie is anxious to get it done also, so he has been working the regular job, working the extra job and then coming home to work in our kitchen. The initial coat of orange paint for the walls is there, and the "pumpkin" colored countertops are supposed to come in Monday or Tuesday. So, he is working to get the walls done (ceramic tile flooring is all done) so he can move in the base cabinets and install the countertops and new sink and appliances. I'll post some pictures here as that develops further. Anyone I mention it to makes fun of me (except, of course, those of you who are also stuck in the '70s), but I will show them because this is gonna be the coolest-lookin' kitchen ever!

Most life-changing of all has been my contact with a Florida newspaper about a job opportunity. I had a phone interview with the newspaper for a copy editor's job last Sunday. I thought it went pretty well. The copy desk boss who interviewed me told me they didn't have it in their budget to fly me down there to complete the interview with the managing editor or editor-in-chief. But, a few days later, I got an e-mail saying they have decided to fly me there for the rest of the interview. I don't want to jinx anything, but this sounds really good. I'd not mentioned anything about job-hunting in another state to my dad because I didn't want to bring on un-warranted fretting. However, when I got the e-mail about the interview flight, I called Dad and told him the whole thing. He, of course, said he would miss me but says he doesn't want anything to stop me from "doing what (I'm) built to do." I told him we could be in constant touch via cell phones and e-mail, and of course, I would drop everything and come back here if he needed me at all. So, the flight is being arranged, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. The sweet baboo and I are trying to work through all the details a major life-changing move like this would introduce, and I know we can deal with it. I've found a real keeper this time.

I was looking at his face during a discussion about this life change the other night, and I had this weird feeling of "he's always been here" come into my head. Only rarely do I have weird shite like that come into my head, and it's usually involving my mom or another family member or loved one. But, this time, it was a feeling as though Don had always been with me and would always be there. I feel that he's always been a part of me, and this whole thing is just falling into place as it should. We need to get out of our current situations, and God is just opening the doors. I pray daily that I make the proper decisions to benefit everyone involved. I don't want to screw anything up for anyone, and I only want to make things better for the rest of our lives. Sounds hokey, yes. But sincere ... yes.

Well, that's enough for this novel tonight. I'll write more as it develops. Please continue to drop me a line at julie@stuckinthe70s.com, or leave your comments here on the blog.

Julie

Overweight & middle-aged?

2006-03-16T22:20:00.000-06:00

Hey, what's happenin'?

Well, no comments on that last entry, 'eh? Sorry 'bout that. Another bummer, I reckon. I've just gotten lots of questions about some of my diary stuff and wanted to provide some background. It's cool.

I went back to the doc's yesterday & he poked around on my heel (the first visit, he just looked at it from afar). This time, when he actually felt it, he said, "Oh -- bless your heart." He said right off it felt like a bone spur & sent me for Xrays. I got a call today from his office, and the nurse there said I have a spur on the calcaneus. Hmmmmm .... as I figured, that's a fancy medical word for heel. He's made an appointment for me with an orthopedic surgeon and told me at the time of my visit that the surgeon would probably "whack the thing off." Well, all's I know is it hurts like crazy now.

I skipped work yesterday afternoon after the Xrays because I was in the middle of an 8-day gig at the local home improvement warehouse and my foot was hurting worse than ever. When I returned today, there were at least 24 boxes all lined up in the aisle by appliances, waiting to be cracked into and displayed -- refrigerators, ranges, washers & dryers. I spent 8 hours there on the cement doing nothing but opening those damn boxes with my wimpy-ass box cutter, busting the appliances out of the boxes, dragging them to empty spots and setting them up, along with carting off other appliances that were already on display that weren't supposed to be, to make room for the new ones I'd ordered for the display. It was a nightmare, and by far, the worst day I've spent at that wretched place in the 9 months I've been there. My foot was killin' me by the time my shift was over at 7, and I wasn't far from tears (have I mentioned I'm a wimp?).

Meanwhile, I'd told my dad about the calcaneal spur. As Dad is want to do, he researched it on the 'Net. The link he sent me was very informative and described my problem to a tee. However, the one part that sticks in my craw is this: "Most sufferers are people who are overweight and middle-aged. This is due to the shock-absorbing fat pillow under the foot shrinking over the years and becoming less effective." SAY WHAT?!! Now, THAT was uncalled for.

I'm not fat, but I do realize I'm overweight. Even more so since I've become happy in a relationship and don't have two grown men without jobs sucking me dry, in addition to two teen-age sons for whom I work to provide sustenance. Now, with the sweet baboo here, who is actually working and helping with bringin' home the bacon and such, I've been able to do some serious grocery shopping, and we're all putting on weight. However, these three scrawny guys can stand to put on the weight, and I can't! Diggin' for those Weight Watchers books tomorrow.

I talked to a chick at work who says she has a bone spur on one foot &, rather than surgery, she gets a cortezone (sp) shot every six months. When I asked her if it hurts, she replied, "Worse than having a baby." But she does it because she's too "chicken" to have an operation. I remember natural childbirth quite clearly. I told her, "I don't wanna have a baby every six months. I'd rather have the surgery." In fact, I'm dreaming about the chance to spend a day or two in the hospital and actually get off my feet and REST (and have people wait on me). This 9 hours a day on the concrete, never being allowed to sit down, is for the birds -- and the peons. I don't like being treated as a peon, and even worse, I hate having to work as one.

Got a couple things cooking, jobwise, though. Keep your fingers crossed for me please. Also, I've heard from a friend in Pennslyvania whose paper shut down, and she's out of job, so she can identify with being an "out of place" journalist. Sucks. Children -- don't choose journalism as your career field. Every time I run across a kid who asks me about it, honestly interested in it, I tell them, "You won't make any money. Pursue something else." Rocket science, perhaps.

Anywho ... Just one more day to go, and then I've got three days straight off in a row. I'm wanting to go on a serious ghost hunt overnight Saturday. Haven't been on one since last August when we went to the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs. This one is at a courthouse where there were lots of hangings. I'm still kicking it around because of my foot, but I think I'll probably go. Then, on Monday, I was gonna go shopping in Little Rock and bring my Dad because he likes to get out and do that like Mom and I did. Now, he's saying he doesn't want to; but I know that's for my own good. He wants me to stay off my foot. I say ... I'd like to do it now because I may be down for a bit after some surgery. Might as well limp around in pain now and enjoy going to the stores. A true shopper at heart, 'eh?

Well, I'm gonna sign off here. The search for the 1980-81 diaries continues .....

Julie

Birthday, kitchen blues, etc.

2006-03-13T00:00:00.000-06:00

It's past my bedtime on a Sunday night, but sometimes I get hyped and just have to "write things down." My friend, Cathy Sondag, and I used to write what we called "stream of consciousness" stuff. We'd have a "slumber party" just the two of us, and write, longhand with a Bic Banana and a piece of notebook paper, just what we were thinking as we thought it. We got to where we could write almost as fast as we were thinking and then we'd read back what we wrote. Great stuff. I think that's where my "style" comes from now.

Anyhoo ... Thank you to those of you who wished me a happy birthday and even gave some insight to my pysche. I appreciate that. Really made me think. I like to think. Right now I'm still in an "I don't know what I want to do with my life" mode, and any different angles are appreciated. It's all good, as the kids say now. My feet are killing me, and I went to the doctor about my left heel in particular this week. All day long, all week long at your home improvement center on concrete is taking its toll. I'm used to sitting on my arse and typing all day, and this is about to do me in. He gave me some medicine, not a painkiller, mind you, but an anti-inflammatory, and it's not doing squat, so I'll probably go back for an Xray next week.

One of you asked about my diary entries and wanted to know what "the story" was when I said, "I watched my story" or "the story." It was "Days of Our Lives," of course. I have watched it as long as I can remember. My earliest memories, other than those of being in the crib and watching/hearing Dad play his sax, were of watching "Days of Our Lives" with Mom. So, I continued to watch it into adulthood and still do when I can. My friend Josh Taylor went from playing Chris Kositchek to playing Roman Brady on there, and Lord knows, I must keep up.

As for the 1980-81 diaries, they have yet to be found. My sweet baboo cleaned out much of the wooden shed this past week before the Oscar party, but I forgot to tell him to be on the look out for the 1976 denim-style suitcase which contains the "lost episodes." I've now informed him, and he's gonna help me search. As far as I'm concerned, that senior year is some of the funniest, most angst-ridden stuff yet. It includes times when my parents left me alone for a week at a time and went down to Arkansas to work on the house and I went to school and carried on at the house on my own.

Another writer alluded to the fact that I "skipped school" a lot. I didn't skip school at all. I was sick. I had thyroid disease. I missed a lot of school due to the complications of that. The only time I really "skipped school" was on my birthday when my mom would take me shopping. The other times, I would really be sick and was wasting away. I've been 5'9" since fifth grade, but during that time, I went down to about 89 pounds because I was so sick. The doctors tried lots of different medications, including radioactive iodine, which was a nightmare to swallow. It depleted the bone marrow and they said I may never be able to have children, but when they got the medicine regulated, I began to gain weight and was soon dubbed "Sasquatch" by the mean boys in junior high. I didn't write any of that stuff in my diary because it hurt so badly and still does when I really think about it. My parents took me to L.A. and Hollywood in the summer of 1976 when I was 13 after I was diagnosed with thyroid disease because the doctors told them I might not make it. I was sick and throwing up the whole time, but gosh, we had fun.

Hope that answers some of your questions about my diary, and I'll go on to other things. I really don't mind answering any of them now. It was just a painful experience at the time that made me a bit of a freak; and my senior year was the most difficult because I had the surgery to remove my thyroid on Groundhog's Day 1981 and missed the entire second semester of my senior year. When I tried to go back to class, I had this tremendous incision on my throat and looked like F*!#in' Frankenstein and everyone gave me hell at school. I wrote about it in my diary up until the moment they wheeled me away for surgery, and then I didn't write again for a month or so until my 18th birthday. I will gladly share it when I find those diaries.

Back to 2006 --- the kitchen renovation proceeds slowly but surely. The baboo is only able to work on it a day or two a week. And it was a bigger undertaking than either of us imagined. I've got a picture of the current situation above. I've also included a picture of the beautiful roses he sent me at work on my birthday last week. What a guy.

Well, it's getting very late. We're gonna watch an episode of "Family Guy," then better turn in to get back to work tomorrow and do more damage to my foot. I've got a job interview coming next week at one newspaper and my resume in at several others, so keep your fingers crossed!

Julie

Happy Birthday to me!

2006-03-03T06:23:00.000-06:00

Hey!

Well, I got up at 5:30 this morning so I could accomplish something -- like more cleaning before tomorrow's Oscar party, but I've spent my time on the 'Net, updating the site (poor Jack Wild) and answering e-mail. Oh well -- that's more fun anyway! :)

Sorry my last post or two was such a bummer. Thanks for the encouraging correspondence from those of you who read the blog! I've really got nothing to be bummed about at all. Guess I was PMSing and pre-birthdaying. Ha, ha. Things are getting whipped into shape for the party. My sweet baboo spent all day yesterday putting down ceramic tile in the kitchen and doing some tidying for me. He has today off work too and is gonna continue, bless his heart. He was so worn out when I got off work last night. He's something else.

I'm gonna make this a short one. Just wanted to say, I have lots of stuff to be happy and excited about, and I'm gonna enjoy turning 43 today, dammit!

Julie

Party in the ghetto

2006-03-01T00:36:00.000-06:00

I'm preparing for my 12th annual Oscar party at the moment. The house is a mess. I still have the same concerns as when I entered the last post a few nights back. Some of them are weighing heavier on me than others. The job hate thing can be dealt with, but I don't know how much longer. The clutter around me, however, is almost more than I can bear.

This party started in 1995 as a "divorce party". When the ex caught wind of it, I thought I'd better call it something else. I have always been into movies. In college (liberal arts college, I might add), I studied film. I can't watch a movie to this day without looking at the angles and lighting and analyzing. So, I've been following films ever since. Some friends recommended "Wedding Crashers" as the funniest thing they've ever seen so I recently put that in my Netflix queue and wasted a couple hours on it the other night. Rubbish.

Anyway, the house is torn up, and even though I live in the ghetto and have for the past 16 years, I've always been able to make my house presentable for my Oscar party. This year, I'll have a number of guests here and my house is destroyed. I ain't complainin'. I'm gonna have a totally new kitchen. You wouldn't believe the squalor (hey, that's a good word) we've been living in.

So, this year is a great challenge. I keep reminding myself that the people I've invited are my friends, and they will work around it. However, I have to work around not having a kitchen sink or stove or, in fact a f**in' kitchen.

Today, the temp got up to 75 here in northcentral Arkansas, and I went topless at lunch. Don & I had the same hours, so we chose to cruise in Connie the Convertible Cruiser for the lunch hour. That was sweet. But, then I came home to the house and the kitchen and the yard mess and the "ghetto." True midlife crisis. I could've probably gone till the boys went off to college, and had the mini van and lived with the leaks and damaged floor, etc. But, we'd be miserable. So, this year's tax money went to fixing the leaks and the kitchen. However, I couldn't live with selling appliances that are damaged and don't work. Every day I get calls from people who I've sold stuff to, and they say their stuff is failing. I tell them, "I'm just a peon." I can't fix their stuff. I just sold them the stuff. This sucks.

I talked with my friend Sarah tonight. We are sorority sisters. She's in Florida and working at a paper, doing what I do. I'm sending my resume. I dunno where I'll end up, and by age almost 43 (I'll be 43 Friday) I oughtta have something figured out.

At any rate ... I have no right to complain. I've been the "single mom" for 11 years now and have found someone to share my life with who understands me. We can talk about all of this stuff and not hide anything. That's what I was longing for and have written about in this dang blog since the time I created it. So, why am I writing?

Therapy, I guess. No one has to read this stuff. And, I don't expect you to. I'm grateful for those of you who actually tune in and read. That's cool. And, I don't mean to bring you down, man. I guess I'm writing for selfish reasons because I have to get it out of my system. I'm happier than I've been in 17 plus years.

I'm just confused about what to do next. I'm a-fixin' to turn 43 in a few days, and I can't imagine where I thought I'd be at that moment when I wrote the diaries I've published on my Web site. I didn't even fathom living that long. I remember in one of my diaries doing the math to figure that I'd graduate high school in 1981, and now, I should have a 25-year reunion this summer. Well, the class president was a pothead and didn't arrange any of them like he was supposed to, so who knows? Hell ... our class motto, even published in the yearbook, was "We party hearty and have lots of fun 'cause we're the class of '81." I didn't party hearty. I was a nerd. So I guess I missed out on the fun. Kim Browder, Darcy Fisher, Sherry Colwell, Caren Meyers, Lori Closen, Kathy Krog, Stacey Dunkelberger ... I'd like to meet up with you and I'm comin' to Illinois this summer. But, these are my friends who I'm sure won't be at the reunion. If you're reading this, please get hold of me ... julie@stuckinthe70s.com. I'd rather visit with you than go to an ol' reunion any ol' day!!!

OK ... it's after 1 a.m., and tomorrow is the only day off I have before my big party, so I'd better sign off. I've put up a "before" picture of the kitchen and will sure put up an "after" one when the time comes. So, thank you for staying tuned!

Julie

Progress

2006-02-26T01:55:00.000-06:00

The progress is carrying on. I've been wanting to write in a diary for sometime, and I'm jonesing for a diary.

I'm up way past my bedtime and I will have to be at "work" in less than 8 hours. But the discussion goes on about work. I'm not retail. I'm a journalist. That sounds kind of snooty right now, but I don't care. Any time I complain about hours, the manager says, "Well, you're in retail." That's when I respond, "Well, I'm a journalist who needs a job in this BFE town."

So, the results? Looking for a job for which I'm qualified , not neccessarily in this town. However, tonight I had a bit of a breakdown considering Dad and the boys and all. I don't like the idea of uprooting the boys, although I know they're young and will get over it. So, I had a discussion with them and let them know the three ofus are the "core." We stick together no matter what. However, my Dad is detrimental (sp) to everything. After losing Mom a couple years ago, I will not abandon my dad. Tonight while I've been thinking about sending my resume to several newspapers and such I have thought about the fact that I can't leave my dad here to die. If I had known that my mom was checking out I would've done things so much differently. My dad rocks. My dad is enjoying life. He loves the internet. He loves my brother and me being here for him I'm sure. Is it wrong to put my dad above my children? I dunno. My kids are flexible and will grow and be good I am sure. They're good boys. So, Dad is No. 1. And, Dad always said, "Sis, You've gotta look out for number one." However, this job I'm in is a dead end and has absolutely nothing to do with my training in journalism or what I would like to do. I hate it. Absolutely hate it. I don't sell things. Couldn't sell Girl Scout cookies. But, that's what I'm judged on every day. I talked someone out of buying a dishwasher the other day because it would be too loud for them. Thank God I don't get a commission because right now I'm honest. I told that woman it'd be too loud and she'd have to turn her TV up in the trailer.

Any rate, I'm looking for a job, hopefully "back home" in Illinois, for which I qualify and will prosper. Meanwhile, that seems selfish. I have the boys to consider and uprooting them from the home they've always known, although struggling. And, Dad. ... Dad doesn't want to go back to Illinois. However, he's become much more open minded. So, if I can just let him know that whatever I choose to do, it'll be based on him and NEVER -- EVER leaving him alone to deal with anything ...

I had a major Mom break down tonight. Haven't had one of those in a long time. Doesn't get easier, just farther apart. I see my battery is running down, and I'm typing back in the bedroom on the laptop, so better save this before I lose it. I'll update you soon.

Scattered update

2006-02-16T00:34:00.000-06:00

I don't have my glasses on for this update, which means I may make some mistakes. The glasses are in on the bedside table, and I don't want to disturb the sweet baboo. :)

Things have been happening so rapidly around here that I haven't really had a chance to make an entry in my "online diary."

I've got a new car, a new man and a new kitchen. Life is good! Here is a picture of the new car -- a midlife crisis, maybe, you think? It's an '05 purple PT Cruiser convertible. I was having problems with the Mom-mobile van and decided to trade for this little beauty. Not much room for the boys' legs, but I'm ready to get something I can enjoy. Can't wait for warmer weather. The new man is not that new. Met him in June. Started dating in mid-November after his ex had thrown him out and filed for divorce in October. His divorce was final in early December, and now I have realized that I've found the one I've been looking for all along. I knew there must still be some "nice guys" out there besides my brothers, and here's one right under my nose. Now then, we're upgrading my crappy kitchen. The house was built in 1980 and had still had the harvest gold range when I moved here in 1991. It finally gave out. I got my tax refund and used my Home Depot "Christmas bonus" (a 20 percent discount) to order new appliances and get all the flooring, etc., and my kitchen is gutted at the moment. I'll show you some before, during and after pictures soon. Of course, I'm redoing in a Brady Bunch style and will have a very Brady kitchen.

I've ordered orange countertops, and my man has matched the countertop sample to paint the walls the same orange, and the cabinets will be a moss green. He's putting down the ceramic tiles tomorrow.

This will be the first Valentine's Day in about 12 years that I've actually gotten a Valentine present. Been a single mom tending to her kids that whole time, except of course the 7-month celebrity marriage in which I didn't receive a Valentine. Now, this guy, my sweet baboo, had only one tattoo, and it bore the name of his wacked-out ex. For Valentine's Day, he had that tattoo obliterated, and made into something different with MY name on it. I would've never expected that or guessed what the present was. I never said anything or had a problem with the current tattoo -- I've lived with those before. But this is a committment and a fantastic gesture. It's weird how well we get along and how we think on the exact same plain. Never a cross word in the 8 months I've known him. Plus -- he's the same age as Brett Hudson! Woo-hoo! Hairy chest and all.

If you've researched anything about moleskines, know that I'm trying to keep mine up to date and write all this stuff down. I don't know why. However, I can say, I have my mom's mom's (my Grandma Biddison's) diary from the early 1900s and my mom's diary from her childhood to my adulthood, and I want to keep something in writing for my boys to save so that they can see into the mind of their mother. Hopefully they'll see that I've always had their best interest at heart, even though my parenting style has had to evolve and change to meet their era accordingly. Boys -- just don't get into it until I croak, OK? ;)

I've got so many more things in mind to add to the Web site, including all your suggestions and links. They'll be added as I can, and I hope to get back to that after the kitchen remodeling. You'll see some pix of the remodeling and the very Brady kitchen. It's taking extra long to get the countertops because I picked "Pumpkin" as the color. They think I'm an oddball at Meyer Laminates in Little Rock where they're coming from and laugh at me daily, but I'll have my Brady counters, dammit! Ha, ha.

I'll sign off here and promise to update again soon. Life is a soap opera.

Jules

Leif Busted for Heroin: Can You Still Love Him?

2006-01-21T12:42:00.000-06:00

Leif Garrett, who just turned 44 this past November, was released from jail Friday after being busted for heroin. Bummer, man.

As you '70s fans know, Tiger Beat magazine doesn't miss a beat. I ran down to the local convenience store and found the current issue to get all the news that is news on Leif's recent charges.

At left is the cover I scanned in from this latest issue. I don't know about you, but I'm definitely entering the contest! :)

Poor Leif. I'll write more on this later. Meanwhile... feel free to leave your comments. (By the way, this is the actual cover from exactly 30 years ago this month, with a few slight Photoshop alterations as a collaboration between my brother Mike and myself. It doesn't get any better than this!)

Stay cool,
Jules

Incomplete review

2005-12-28T00:27:00.000-06:00

My review of the Captain & Tennille DVDs/CDs is not quite done. I almost had it done before Christmas, then life interfered. I'm gonna post what I have here so far, and on my next day off, I'll finish it up! Here goes ...

Welcome me back from a trip to the 1976-77 television season. I’m watching ABC and a television variety show featuring my two favorite people of all time (not counting Mom and Dad, of course) – Daryl Dragon and Toni Tennille aka The Captain & Tennille.

In the mail the night before last, I received the much-anticipated DVD set of “Captain & Tennille: The Ultimate Collection.” Much-anticipated by me, and others I am sure, since we have not seen any of these gems in almost 30 years.

I became a fan of Toni & Daryl’s in 1975 when I was 12 years old after hearing their Grammy-winning “Love Will Keep Us Together” on the radio. I saved up my allowances to buy the “Love Will Keep Us Together” and “Song of Joy” albums and was beside myself to learn they would be featured in the fall of ’76 in their own TV series.

Many who read my diary entries on my Web site now would be surprised to learn that I fell in love with Toni before I ever had thoughts about wanting to be the future Mrs. Daryl Dragon. I watched them on “The Midnight Special” and “American Bandstand” before they got their show, and Toni’s charisma, beauty and voice had me hooked. She was contagious. I wanted to be exactly like her when I grew up. Then, after the show came about, I fell for Daryl too; and going through puberty at the time, some of my thoughts were probably pretty inappropriate, I imagine.

When the show aired each week, I would hold up my audio tape recorder, before the days of VCRs and TiVo, and shush anyone else in the front room, lest their voices and coughs and such appear on the precious tape I’d play back and listen to again & again. Although I haven’t seen these shows in almost 30 years, they stick in my head, probably partly because of the old audiotapes I wore out, but mostly because the music was so memorable.

I knew at the time that Daryl was not likely the dork he was portrayed to be with his hat jokes and his love for the Bionic Watermelon and all. I could see he was a musical genius at the time, and it was confirmed with each vinyl recording I bought. I finally learned what a great person he really is, and also how much a “human” he is, when I sat and wrapped with him for over an hour in a park in my hometown in August 1978.

These DVDs are priceless to the true Captain & Tennille fans like myself, “the originals” as Daryl calls us. Your kids will find the comedy skits cheesy, and my youngest son got a chuckled out what he dubbed “the shirtless gay male dancers;” but nobody can deny the musical talent of Daryl and Toni.

I was really hoping for some commentary on the DVDs from Daryl and Toni, telling us their thoughts, feelings and experiences about making the show, so that is missing here. There are a few “extras” on Disc 3 of the 3-disc set, though, that are a lot of fun. Probably the best “extra” is the video of the Captain & Tennille’s hit single, “Do That to Me One More Time,” written by Toni about the way she felt after the first time Daryl kissed her. The song itself is beautiful, and those who missed the hatless Daryl in the New Orleans TV special in which they “buried” his hat, are treated to him sans yachting cap.

The old shows are a real reflection of the mid-’70s to be certain. Aside from all the gay disco dancers, which I don’t seem to have any recollection of, there are plenty of feathers, balloons, sequins and such.

Happy Holidays - Review & Updates forthcoming

2005-12-23T21:15:00.000-06:00

Hi All!

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve already, and I just wanted to say howdy and let y'all know I haven't forgotten about you or this Web site. We'll be celebrating the holiday this weekend together, my family and I, and I'll hopefully get some time next week to do some updating to this blog and my site.

For those who have asked, and I appreciate it very much, my Dad is doing very well this holiday season. He goes to the doctor every couple months for a checkup and remains cancer-free. He's in great spirits and generally enjoying life very much. His spirits are always good, and he's always there for me to lift mine.

I have almost completed a review of the Captain & Tennille DVDs/CDs, and that will be posted here on this blog next week.

As for the rest of my life, I've run into SH2 again since the last writing, but it doesn't really faze me. He was just a tiny blip on the radar screen of my life. I'm currently involved with a wonderful guy who treats me like a queen.

More later, during the Christmas week!

Julie

The Importance of Class Rings

2005-11-10T13:42:00.000-06:00

I made a phone call the other night to the boys' father. I asked him to split the cost of our 16-year-old son's class ring. Vincent's a junior this year and has asked to purchase a class ring. I told him he could have one on two conditions -- that he doesn't give it to some girl; and that he doesn't up and lose it. Knowing I'm the proverbial struggling single mom, he said he'd settle for the cheapo $59 job. I didn't even want to look at that one in the catalog (but when I did, it looked like a lousy garage sale wedding ring). His dad is still discussing it with the stepmother. Doesn't matter. Vincent's getting a nice class ring. His dad told him that it wasn't really necessary to get a class ring. Pardon me, but I disagree 100 percent.

Getting my class ring meant everything to me. (See my diary entries in September 1978 when I got the kit from Josten's to order the ring; and again in November 1978 when I actually received my $68 ring.) I was a sophomore at the time. That was a big fat hairy deal. I ordered a girl's version of my big brother Bob's, even using his birthstone, the ruby. I thought I was ordering stuff to go on the side of it like Bob had, but apparently, with the chick version, the band was too thin for that. Regardless, I loved and still love my high school ring. I took pride in having no school pride, but I wanted that damn ring. Then, later, in college, I was sure to order my college ring. I still wear them with pride. Both of them, one over 20 years old, and the other over 25 years old, still have way more meaning than all of my wedding rings. (boy, that sounds bad)

Bob allegedly gave his class ring to some chick. He mourned its loss for a long time, but it miraculously showed up in the dirt in the back yard at 1122 Brookview Lane when Claude the mutt uncovered it several years later. He was ecstatic to have it back!

My mom loved rings, necklaces, bracelets, watches, earrings and jewelry of all sorts. She loved to wear rings so much that, at times, she reminded me of a white, 2-eyed, female version of Sammy Davis Jr. She agreed back in the day that I MUST have my class rings, and I knew she admired and envied them because she had dropped out of high school when she was 16 and never got a class ring. She went on to beauty school but dropped out of that because she said students had to name every single nerve in the head and it was too overwhelming. She always wanted a class ring. She also always wanted her high school diploma and seriously regretted dropping out.

Finally in 1992, when Mom was 64, she decided she was going to get her high school diploma come hell or high water. She always excelled at English, writing and spelling and loved everything about history. But, similar to me, she hated math and didn't believe she was any good at it, let alone CARE about it. Still, she knew she had to master a high school level of math to pass a GED exam. Not only did she have to pass math, she had to pass 1992 math -- not the simple math she remembered from her school days.

Now, Dad is the one who always helped me make it through my math classes without failing. He helped me get a D in Algebra I my freshman year, instead of an F. I can still remember sitting on the green front room carpeting with Dad, Algebra books spread out in front of us, sobbing, while Dad tried to get it through my thick head why "X" equaled this or that when "A" was this and "B' was that. Who gave a crap? When would I ever use THAT? All math ever did for me was give me serious headaches.

So, when Mom became determined she would get her high school diploma, she asked Dad for his help with math. Dad was a design engineer for Caterpillar Tractor Company. At almost 77 years old, he still explains everything in mathematical or scientific terms. Mom attended some classes at the local high school to study for her GED; and she and Dad spread the math books all over the dining room table while he patiently tutored her.

As the testing date approached, Mom was, of course, apprehensive. Dad told me on the phone he was confident. He told me Mom had mastered the math, and in reality, she knew it all along because she was "one smart cookie" and had done all the family's bookkeeping.

Mom went to the local high school for the all-morning GED exam. When the results came in, she had passed with flying colors! Heck, she'd have been at the top of her class. She was invited to take part in the graduation exercises, and along with the invitation came information about ordering a class ring and her graduation gown and cap.

Mom wasn't going to let this opporunity go by without taking part in the pomp and circumstance she had missed out on almost 40 years earlier. She ordered the cap & gown and took great care in getting that all-important class ring, complete with her August birthstone.

Dad, the boys and I were so proud to attend Mom's graduation ceremony on May 13, 1993. She stood among her peers, all at least 40 years her junior. She couldn't wipe that smile off her face, and neither could we. Her gold class ring came in shortly thereafter, and she wore it proudly, rotating it with the rest of her jewelry.

The day before she died, Mom asked me to fetch her jewelry boxes, go through them with her and pick out what I wanted for myself, but I refused. I told her there'd be plenty of time for that.

Her class ring now sits in my bedroom, in one of her many jewelry boxes. I wear it now and then, rotating it with her Mother's Ring and the wedding and engagement rings the doctor took off her fingers for me at the hospital.

Yes, class rings are not only necessary, they're important and meaningful. They're something you've earned that you should remember forever. So, tonight, Vincent and I fill out the paperwork from Josten's. Tomorrow, he'll take my deposit check to school with the order form; and soon, he'll be the very proud bearer of one beautiful and meaningful piece of jewelry.

Happy Halloween (what's wrong with kids today)?

2005-10-31T17:31:00.000-06:00

Well, Happy Halloween! My favorite holiday of all holidays! It's 5:40 p.m., and nary a single trick or treater has come to the house. My 12-year-old is out hitting the neighborhood in the rain on his last time 'round. What's wrong with these kids now adays? Are they letting a little rain stop them? Or is there some kind of parental interference? We live in the Bible belt, and there's a church on every corner here. Heck, there's as many churches on the corners here as there were taverns on the corners in Peoria where I grew up. No one in my family ever went to taverns; but no one was forced to go to church and miss trick or treating either. I guess all the kids in this small town are discouraged by the rain (wimps) or they have been dragged off by their overzealous parents to church gatherings. We need to teach them what kind of hell they will face if they go out on Halloween night begging for candy. I hate that this tradition is dying out and dying out fast! People of my generation UNITE!!!!! If you haven't done something about it this year, then pledge to do something next year before it's too late!!! What's the world coming to when you can't set the kids free to go door to door to get candy? I went out today on my day off (waited till then so we wouldn't eat all the candy beforehand) and bought 5 bags of candy. I'm so frustrated. My best memories of growing up in the Wonder Years neighborhood of Brookview were Hallloween, and I refuse to let it die! I've lectured the boys tonight on having their kids trick or treat, and their grandkids, even when I'm gone. Even if it's no longer a holiday, boys, please let it go on!

OK. Off that soap box. I had today off and made one of those Newport runs. On the way home, I made notes on an envelope to myself so I'd remember what it was I wanted to write about in my blog. Of course, I abreviated in my notes, seeing as how I was driving at least 55 mph while I was writing them. I see as I look at the envelope upon which I took notes that the first one says "Tom." Hmmmm .... I have no idea what that was. I hope I'll remember it tomorrow.

The next one says "Mom." Of course, I know what that one is about. Mom. It's coming up on two years since Mom died. I was going to say "since I lost my Mom." But I didn't lose my mom. I know where her shell is. It's in a graveyard here in town. She's not lost. She died. I learned working in journalism for 20 years that people who die are not lost. They do not "leave this earth to be with their Father. " OK. This has nothing to do with my religious beliefs. It has to do with the Associated Press and AP style. I was in charge of page 5 at the local newspaper for quite some time, and that included the obits. The editor always said when someone was reluctant to write an obit to remember the first three letters of funeral were F-U-N. So, have fun with it. But, Aunt Bertha doesn't leave this existence to be with her maker in the AP style obits, she dies. At any rate, I know that my mom is now enjoying the company of her sister, my Aunt Dorothy, and her parents, my Grandma and Grandpa B. But, in AP style, she died. That is EXTREMELY hard for me to grasp, even almost two years later. How could that possibly happen? In my religious beliefs, I know that she is there, doing OK; heck -- she's shopping at the Mall of Heaven with Aunt Dot and having a big ol' time. But, I know in my heart that she's missing me too. I'd love to take in that Mall of Heaven with her. We were such tremendous shopping buddies that I hate to go shopping now (and rarely do) without her. She and Aunt Dot are shopping there with "no interest" and wishing I was there to throw things in the basket.

I had several other things written on my notes to put in this blog tonight. I understand what they were, and they can wait. I'll write again soon. Meanwhile, the rain is still coming down on this Halloween night. Nicholas made his first round and is now out on his second. He's convinced his way-too-old brother and the neighbor friend to go on the second round. A couple of trick-or-treaters have indeed fearlessly come to the door in the pouring rain. They're probably too big to be trick or treating, like my boys, and some of them aren't even wearing costumes. But, they're carrying on the tradition, and they received two handsfull apiece of the good expensive candy from me.

Below, submitted for your approval (or your amusement or your reading pleasure or whatever you choose) I'm copying and pasting something from my oldest son, who will be 17 in March. He reminds me of myself in so many ways; and he is turning out just as I had hoped. He cares WAY too much about the people in his life, and he is very observant of their plight. He is torn on what he wants to be when he "grows up." He has been playing Nintendo since before he was born. He's best at the video games. It's an extension of his body, like the umbilical cord. Thank God he doesn't go and hang out with the "bad types." He is so much like me in high school, (he's a junior) that he has picked "uncool" friends and is into drama and art. No, he's not gay. He definitely digs the chicks, but I won't get into that here. He's going to be a great catch for someone some day -- I hope not TOO soon. He's tuned into all the life that goes on around him while being too book smart to catch some things. In his English class this week, he was supposed to write an essay about a "folk tale," -- something that is true that he can account for firsthand that he experienced. I knew nothing of this assignment until he asked me my permission to write what you see below. I didn't realize my disastrous existence stuck in his psyche so much, but I should know better. I told him when he wrote it that I didn't want him to name any names, but it became apparent that he couldn't do that with this. So, I said, "OK," and I'm hoping child services won't come take the boys away. Ha, ha, -- half-heartedly. These guys are what matters to me most, and nothing else shall come before them. Vincent has always known that, and he has always been grown up enough to deal with what comes his way. So, I will leave you with his essay for English (reprinted here with his permission), but I will *** out the name of the loser he has written about. His essay was not my choice, not my idea and yada yada. Just interesting to see how a son saw it through his eyes. Here goes ...

“A Stupid Thing to Say” by Vincent

My ex-stepfather, from here on out to be known by the name of ***, was an idiot. A sweet, witty idiot at times, but still an idiot. He was also a mean drunk. He never physically abused any of the family or anything, but he was always talking about wanting to get into a fight. One night, while I was eating dinner with him and Mom, we were at the Duck blind and he and my mom were having a few drinks. My mom is definitely not a heavy drinker and any occasions having to do with a few too many drinks merely resulted in a late night up listening to lots of 70’s music.
***, having just recently entered our family, was trying to get used to some of the weird things we do. Like when you go over to a friend’s house and spend two or three days. Around the same time that we got ***, we lost my grandmother. My mom and grandma were very close and it was a heavy blow on her. That night at the duck blind was probably around 2 months later.
Somehow, whenever *** and my mother were drinking, *** got onto the subject of my grandma’s death and then my little brother. Everywhere Mom turned there was something to remind her of grandma so that she spent a lot of her time, those two or three month or more, close to an emotional breakdown. ***’s view was this. “It’s over now. Stop crying about it.” That really is, just about what he said. The rough summary of it, anyway.
After some more pointless chat about Mom “overdoing it” with the crying and the memories and such, he got on the topic of my little brother. Now, I can’t say that I didn’t agree with him about some of the things he said, such as, “He’s spoiled.” Or “He has hardly been disciplined.” Because he is spoiled. I do all the chores and cleaning, because, if he isn’t asked, he doesn’t do a thing. But this is beside the point. The point is that *** was going about saying all this the wrong way. For example, he used a few choice words, that I might not say around small children or angry mothers, to describe my younger brother.
This is the point that leads to ***’s ever ominous downfall and exclusion from our family. At this point, Mom stands up crying, having already tried to talk to *** about Nick, and leaves the Duck Blind. Also, she leaves her eldest son, moi, with the drunken guy. But, if I were in her position, I probably would have done the same thing. She has a high respect for my intelligence, which I have always appreciated, so she called her friend and had Michelle come and pick her up.
After about 10 minutes I realize, knowing my mother, that she wasn’t coming back. I ran this past ***, but he says, “No, no. She’s just in the bathroom. She’ll come back.” Twenty minutes later, we exit the Blind Duck and she’s nowhere to be seen. Of course, we start getting worried because we figure she must have walked somewhere. So we drive home, looking for her on the way, and call her cell phone when we get home.
In the end, we found her at Michelle’s, and *** and Mom resolved their differences for the moment. There was a well-built façade of happiness for another 6 or 7 months, and then *** signed his own divorce papers and went back to the insane woman that he was trying to get away from when he married my Mother.

Watching Orlando, Enjoying Days Off

2005-10-20T15:16:00.000-05:00

Wow. To have a day off. This has been great. One of the very few things that rocks about these weird hours working at the nation's second largest retailer is having some days off during the week when the boys are away at school, and I can get some housework done, work on the Web site or slip into the '70s without interuption. Again, last night, and every day at work, I run into someone who says, "Aren't you a writer?", "You're an excellent writer. Why don't you write any more?", "I miss your columns in the local newspaper", "Why are you working here?" Thanks for depressing me, folks. Nah ... I know they don't mean to. They are complimenting me for what I like to do best, and now, because I'd just as soon not move away and pursue what I like best in a bigger, meaner town, I'm working at a retail store. Yada, yada, yada ... you've heard it before. But ... the best things about being where I am now are the people (I have some great co-workers who are a hoot to be around) and the fact that I've stayed in the same town I love and not uprooted the boys. At any rate (I say that a lot, don't I?) I do appreciate these days during the week I have off (even though I work almost every weekend) so that I can do some stuff I enjoy while the boys are away at school.

Today I was able to hit the store and get some replacement bulbs for my collection of lava lamps. Then, I made a Newport run (which, in this case, means I went to the nearest wet county and bought some Old Milwaukee and Captain Morgan spiced rum). Then, I returned to the house to scan in some more of my favorite old magazines and put them on my Web site and Ebay for sale. I won't let any of them escape this house before I've scanned them and kept them for posterity in my computer and on CD.

I had a really weird dream last night that women my age will appreciate. I won't go into great detail here. But I will say that Johnny Depp (also born in '63) was my new boyfriend in the dream. It involved me bringing him to a family reunion. He changed outfits every "scene", and my dad told him how "Pirates of the Carribean" was the last movie my mother saw, and she thought he was extremely gay. My brother, Mike, was also not impressed with him in this dream and told Johnny to his face that he had not heard of any of the movies in which Johnny had starred. Johnny, however, jumped through hoops for me and even dressed up like Michael Jackson for a family reunion talent show, complete with a chimp puppet.

I got a rejection letter from the job for which I had applied. That sucked out loud. Those people must be ignorant. I figure they had someone else in mind and were just required to advertise the position. The form letter that I received said something about them continuing to look for someone who meets their needs so I would no longer be considered. Losers! I outlined how I met every single need they advertised and also happened to have at least 20 years of experience in every single one of those "needs." Who knows? All I know is I can say that the college I attended and graduated from 20 years ago is not what it used to be and they are apparently sucking up to "the man" now and don't want someone who is devoted to the old ways who can vouch for what a good college it USED to be!

This afternoon, after I returned from the Newport run, I decided to watch some more of the Tony Orlando DVDs while I put some magazines up on Ebay. Oh my goodness! This is like soft-core porn to me. What an embarrassing thing. All of the old feelings flood back in. I don't know just how much I wrote about Tony in my diaries, but I know I (as the daughter of an excellent artist -- my mom) drew sketches of him all the time and listened to all of his albums over and over. I never missed an airing of his variety show and dreamed constantly about growing up and running away with him. There's something about those dark, mysterious Latino-type guys. I always went for the ones with black or dark brown hair and brown eyes, and they were always from some place far away from Central Illinois. Freddie Prinze, Tony Orlando, Tony DeFranco, Rene Simard. They didn't grow them like that in the cornfields of Mossville, Illinois. Watching Tony Orlando now and knowing that he is so close (just a few hours away, living near Branson, Mo., makes me crazy!). I went up there on several occasions, hoping to meet him. I've met a bunch of my other '70s faves there. Branson is a mecca for '70s stars that Julie likes (read -- folks from the '70s who are NOT cool). But the one time I thought I'd connect with Mr. Orlando, it fell through. That's probably good; because I'd hark back to the long, flowing beautiful black feathered hair and the tight bell bottoms, and I'd probably sweep him off and stuff him in the Mom-mobile minivan. (sigh)

You know I love the weather gadgets. My dad had gotten one that has a remote sensor that you put outside so you can tell the temp outside and the one inside, and it also has an atomic clock (ooh -- ooh -- ooh). I had to have it, so I bought it today. Look out for weather reports from northcentral Arkansas. Dad is 76 years old and constantly grows with the Internet and gadgets. As a design engineer for Cat tractor co., he has always loved gadgets. He's been into computers since at least 1982 and can't seem to stop himself from getting on the 'net and ordering the latest gadget.

The "Ghost Hunters" on Sci -Fi wrapped up their season last night with a show filmed right here in Arkansas. I told you about Mike and me going there to the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs back in August. It was an awesome trip, and I right away told the leader that we wanted to spend the night in the morgue. We sat down by the autopsy table all night, video taping and trying to capture EMFs and EVPs. I still haven't had the chance to look at all my evidence. The Ghost Hunters team, TAPS, caught their most convincing evidence ever there in the same room where Mike and I hung out. Be sure to catch the rerun if you didn't see it the first time.

Well, I'd better check on those pumpkin pies. The boys will be home soon, and I'll need to make sure homework is getting done and that no one escapes their grounding. Thanks for all the correspondence and reassurance that you are like me and vice versa!

Jules

Rainbows, Campers & Chance Encounters

2005-10-13T19:20:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been awhile since I've written in this "online diary." I've had a lot of comments about my old diaries from the '70s as well as site visitors asking if I had found my1980-81 diaries to add to the site to complete my high school years. No, I haven't found those diaries, but the truth is, I haven't had the time to look! The hours are still sucking. When I work the "early" shift, I'm off in time to get supper and help with homework. When I work the late shift, it's almost my fuddy duddy bedtime when I get home, and homework goes undone, and notes come home from the junior high and high school. Apparently, someone needs to hold a kids' hand around here to make sure homework gets done and turned in.

I've thrown in (above) a couple pix I took recently. One is, obviously, a rainbow. I took this pic from my front yard. It hadn't even rained that day; and I couldn't get the entire rainbow in the picture. But, nevertheless, it was beautiful, so I snapped the pic. The other is from a few weeks back when I actually had a weekend off from my job at the country's second-largest retailer. It's of my brother, Mike's, 1978 Dodge camper van, parked at the Silver Dollar City campground, The Wilderness, in Branson, Mo. We had a ball. Of course, the trip fell on my one weekend off and the weekend that the boys, incidentally, were to spend the weekend with their dad. So, it was for the best they weren't with us because it was only a test run of the disco camper. If we'd have broken down on the test run, we would've sent the most spry along the Ozark Mountain roads for help. (Go for it Nick.) All went well. I don't know what kinda gas mileage that thing makes, but Mike paid for the whole trip, so that was groovy. We had color TV, in fact we had CABLE satellite TV; we had the gas cook stove, we had the refrigerator, we had a shower and working toilet, we had wireless internet on my laptop, we had no tent to pitch, and by the power of God, we had no rain -- a true Fidler miracle!!!! We had fun. This weekend, another well-deserved weekend is coming. One boy is going with us -- the other is going on a Boy Scout camporee (sewing patches on his uniform shirt as I type), and fun will be had by all. Gone are the days of roughing it in the tent with a little propane heater to keep us warm on those late October nights -- although it made for family togetherness one ex-husband surely couldn't understand or appreciate. That's some serious together quality time. That's an experience to write home about. That's time spent together that has been wasted previously working to put food on the table. Anyway ... off the soapbox.

Speaking of working and such, I've been doing just that however I can since I quit the last job and the job before that and the job before that. People in town come into the store and see me there and wonder what the hell I'm doing there. Well, the answer is -- I've worked at every damn media outlet in town and do NOT want to uproot my family and move elsewhere. So, a woman's gotta have a job to support her family. Therefore, I report to work daily in the retail field in which I've had no experience except for the 2 months I worked at Kmart when I was 15 in 1978. I'm constantly asked what someone, with so much experience in the field of journalism and a college degree from a respected institution, is doing there, hoisting appliances onto people's trucks and having sand kicked into my face when some customer thinks I'm unworthy or I don't know how to answer their questions. I'm there because I need a job. Period. I recently learned of another job in town, right up my alley, in my chosen career field and training, for which I more than abundantly qualify. I submitted my resume a few weeks ago, have contacted the boss in charge of hiring there and haven't heard a word back. Again, God works in mysterious ways. Why would the Big Guy want me hocking dishwashers rather than writing feature stories to promote a college I attended and love? Who knows? All is not said and done where that is concerned though, and I still have my fingers crossed things might develop.

As an appliance "specialist," I was finally scheduled this week to take the "Selling Appliances" course at another store in our fine state after having sold appliances for the past 4 months without the class. Ain't nothin' special about me asking people if they want to buy a refrigerator. Ain't nothin' I ever cared to learn about Express Freeze. But, today, I found myself getting up at 4:30 a.m. to go to this other store in a town 2 1/2 hours away to take this required class. Called the boys umpteem times on the drive to make sure they were up and at 'em and not going to miss the bus. My co-worker and cohort, who has been in hardware since the store opened in mid-July, has been moved to appliances and given the new title of "appliance specialist." So, she and I headed down there to this other store at 5 a.m. She is the same age as me, and I truly enjoy being around her. However, she had an issue arise with her young son overnight and spent the night in the emergency room. She called me early this morning to let me know she'd had no sleep and wasn't sure about going on the trip. She ended up going, and I picked her up on the way. A real trooper. It was supposed to be a 2-day class, and we were encouraged by a manager to get a motel room to stay in this other town overnight so we'd be there for the second day. Neither one of us could do that and leave our children at home to fend for themselves. We planned to drive back home tonight and return tomorrow. So, we got lost and missed the exit and went a few miles past the store, but found our way to the class about 10 minutes after it started. The teacher, who works at that store, was kind enough to wait on us.

About an hour into the class, I was contently listening to the teacher when the door in the back of the training room opened, someone came in, and the teacher said, "You're wearing glasses. I didn't know you wear glasses." I, naturally, looked behind us to see who the teacher was talking to. I felt the sudden urge to vomit. Not because this employee was hideous or anything, but because it was my second husband. I had not spoken with him since Dec. 7, '04 on the phone and hadn't seen his face since Dec. 4, the night before I asked him and his leech-like buddy to get their stuff and get the hell out of my house. The only contact since then had been a couple of very ugly e-mails from him. He couldn't be found for the divorce filing, and I went on with it and got the divorce without him being present or signing anything. Last I knew, he was living in such and such town, tight with the psycho woman he was trying to get away from when he and I got together and deejaying at a local radio station. And, one of the ugly e-mails had encouraged me to remove quite a bit from this blog (which I did).

Our eyes met, and I knew he clearly saw me in the classroom. He said, in his big radio voice, "Yeah, just tryin' to keep a low profile." When this teacher was in my town to teach a training class before our store opened, I had to miss a half day of it to go to divorce court to get rid of this parasite. I had told the teacher, when I showed up late and he asked what my deal was, what my deal was. When break time came today, I said, "Remember the divorce I was going through when you were teaching the 'Selling Kitchens' class in *****ville? Well, the guy with the glasses is him." Apparently, he finally decided to get off his ass & get a real job (despite having to pay child support) and could afford to get the contact lenses I wouldn't pay for. Shame he can't pay me back for all the things outlined in the divorce agreement. At any rate, I ran into him face to face again a couple of times at the store while my friend and I were there. We exchanged a "Hey," and that was it. There were so many things I wanted to and should've said. But, that's over, and I've done a real good job of getting back to normal around here. It was just one of those Fred Sanford "It's the big one Elizabeth" moments. I hope I never have to be reminded of that stupid 18-month mistake in my life ever again.

On a lighter note, I received a review copy of the DVD box set of the Tony Orlando & Dawn shows as well as CDs of all of their albums. I already owned all of their albums, but was very excited to get them on CD for my re-listening pleasure. Now, the DVDs were a real trip. A real trip in a time machine. My youngest son takes all of these trips willingly with me. We watched all of the shows. Lots of guest stars and silliness. I especially like the parts at the end of each show where Tony & Dawn come out and interact with the audience. There was no lip synching on this show. They were really singing and had an orchestra. Tony was really wearing those tight pants and platform shoes. It was exactly as I had remembered it, and I fell in love again! You can see from my old diaries I was truly in love with Tony Orlando. Freddie Prinze makes several appearances on the show, and the DVDs include Freddie's guest-hosting experience on the "Tonight Show" with Tony shortly before he committed suicide. I know Tony & Freddie were very close friends, and Freddie's death was devastating to Tony. At the time, I didn't understand the whole thing. I held animosity toward Freddie for doing such a thing (and still can't understand it). But, now, after losing my own mother (and best friend) I can truly understand the devastation and depression Tony went through.

Don't know if I told you about getting reaquainted with an old friend or not. She was an instructor when I was going to college and not that much older than me. We became very tight, but she moved off after a divorce and followed her career path. Earlier this year, she moved back to this area and got back in touch. I'm so glad. We've been able to hang out a bit over the summer and still. She had been living in Hot Springs for several years most recently, so she and I were able to go for a fun and devil-may-care weekend there together. Now, she is seeing a former boyfriend from that area and has mentioned a friend of his who I "must meet." Cool. I'm game, and I'm available.

Well, I'd better sign off here. I'll try to keep you up to date more often (I always say that). But, I will. Until then, as Red Skelton would've said, "Good night, and God bless."

Julie

Weather from the front porch

2005-08-25T15:34:00.000-05:00

Current: 93F 3:37 p.m. CDT
High: 109F
Low: 80F
Precipitation: Trace (less than 1/4")

As many of you know, most of my diary entries in the late '70s started out just like I've typed in above. I was big into watching the weather man every night at 10 o'clock to see what the day's high and low temperatures had been. I recorded them every day in my diary, whether I was in Arkansas on vacation or at home in central Illinois. Well ... I had today off work and went in search of some weather equipment -- as cheap as I could find. We don't have a local TV station here in BFE, Arkansas, so the weather report (from Little Rock or Jonesboro) is not exactly accurate when I watch the news every night. Ends up, I'm sure, the $6 digital thermometer and $1.95 rain gauge are maybe almost as accurate as a local weather channel's. Says we got to 109 today on my new digital thermometer. Gosh. That's with the thermometer attached to the metal front door on the porch. It sure as heck felt like that outside. OK, enough of the weather report.

Went and got my semi-annual haircut today. I always go every six months (whether I need it or not) and get my hair cut. A gal named Julie (what could be cooler?) always does it perfectly. She was a little reluctant to cut it for me as short as I wanted today. It was getting pretty dang hot on my neck out in the lumber yard, loading those !@#$*!# appliances on customer's pickups, so I asked her to really give it a whack. As always, though, I stuck with my '70s feathered style. There is no one I've ever known who can do it exactly the way I want it like Julie can. She's the same age as me (or a little older -- is there anyone older than me?) and knows exactly what I want. In fact, she's been cutting '70s-style hair since it was originally "in." So, here's a self-portrait (never mind the double chin or overlapping upper lip) to show you just what a fine job Julie does in the feathering. Notice the detail and fine feathering job. Also, please, notice that there's not a gray hair in the batch. No coloring, just no gray yet (except for that one I found over the weekend, and it's long gone now). This should grow out into a fine Michael Gray shag.

I went and saw "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" a few days ago. I loved it. It wasn't raucously funny, but it was quite enjoyable. I'd sure like to find a guy like that. You know, about my age and half-way innocent and not putting sex as No. 1. Right ... anyway, the movie is brought to you by Judd Apatow of one of my all-time fave shows, "Freaks & Geeks." It also features Seth Rogen from "Freaks & Geeks." (Hint -- answer to contest right there, boys & girls.) Speaking of "Freaks & Geeks," I saw a preview while I was at the cinema for "Waiting." It's a movie that will probably suck which has in it John Francis Daley. This little cutie was born in 1985 (just four years after my oldest son) and played Sam Weir in "Freaks & Geeks." He looks exactly the same as in F&G but taller. Gosh! I miss Freaks & Geeks!!! "Waiting" is scheduled for an Oct. 7 release.

Also, while at the movies, I saw a commercial for Coke. Now, get a load of this ... they were doing the "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" bit, but they said "I'd Like to Teach the World to Chill." That's not the WORST part, though. In the middle of the song, the white guy playing the accoustic guitar broke out in RAP! Oh for gosh sakes! Rap, people. Rap sucks. Rap sucks worse than country. Rap takes no talent whatsoever. Rap is not music. Back in the day, we had the "Disco Sucks" people, and I'll give them that. I love disco. But rap, on the other hand, truly sucks. And, it's bad enough that every dang commercial on the television now features rap, you have to go and ruin the classic Coke song of the '70s with it? Ugh!!!!

I also saw a preview for the remake of the 1977 movie "Fun with Dick & Jane." This one's going to star Jim Carrey. Also brought to us by Judd Appatow. I love Jim Carrey, but I must say the Hollywood folks truly appear to be running out of ideas and can only gather entertainment from the '70s and rehash it. I'll be sure to check it out when it comes out Dec. 21.

Well, I guess that about covers it. The boys are home from school, and it's time to make the enchiladas. I'll try to write more often and do intend to use the blog as a diary as I can. Problem is, this thing goes out worldwide, and I can't exactly give you all the juicy details all the time as I could in the '70s when there wasn't as much "grown up" stuff happening. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more.

Stay cool,
Jules

A Huntin' We Will Go!

2005-08-08T20:25:00.000-05:00

Hey cats & chicks!

How's everything goin'? All is OK here. Work is sucking, but oh well. I was excited about working at the new store a couple months ago. Now, it ain't all it's cracked up to be. I'm sure it would be lovely if I liked to work odd hours, never see my children, have one weekend off every two months (I kid you not), stand on solid concrete all day where I'm not allowed to sit down on a chair, lift refrigerators and other various appliances into people's vehicles in the 100-degree Farenheit lumberyard and so on. However, all that stuff's just not my bag, man. My friends all think I've died or joined a cult; and everyone who comes in to shop at the store and sees me asks why I'm not writing anymore. It's a great company to work for, and they do offer some benefits I couldn't have gotten had I stayed with the two part-time jobs I previously held. But I sure long for those weekends off and time with my family and friends. So, ladies and gents, please keep your fingers crossed for me and your prayers uplifted (if you're so inclined) that I get a job more to my suiting. For the time being, there are teen-agers to feed and bills to pay.

I've been enjoying chatting with some of you on AOL and Yahoo messengers. I'll continue to turn those on when I get the chance to get online. Add me to your buddy list. I really like reminiscin' with you about our childhoods.

School will be starting soon, and I know the boys are thrilled. They're off on a vacation with their dad and stepmom right now, but school starts late next week. I can't belive I'm going to have one in junior high and the other a junior in high school. I remember all too well the thoughts that went through my head at that age, and it scares the Dickens outta me. Of course, you can see what I'm talking about in my diaries on the site.

One thing I'm really excited about is an upcoming paranormal investigation. Seems like they're getting to be all the rage lately with various shows on TV including "Ghost Hunters" on Sci-Fi (which I never miss). However, I've been at it for over 3 years on the official investigations. Before that, I was always interested and feel that Mom and I had a special bond to communicate over the miles and without actually uttering a word. I know she was a "sensitive," and on some of my former investigations, I've also had feelings and experiences that would lead me to believe I am also. I've not gone on a "formal" investigation since just before Mom passed away late in November 2003. Wasn't much in the mood for it, ya know. Plus, the first group I joined up with ended up being the "Peyton Place/Dating Game" of ghost hunting groups and were only interested in doing each other, drinking, drugging it up and using the Ouija board as an investigative tool (all of which led to me meeting and marrying SH2). Last year I joined a responsible, respected group and will go on the granddaddy of all investigations with them soon. We've been invited to investigate at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Ark. The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS from "Ghost Hunters") recently investigated there and filmed one of their Sci-Fi shows to be aired this season. Not quite on the Atlantic Coast, is it guys? I love their show, and I wish we could have all the equipment and vehicles Sci-Fi could provide. At any rate, check out the link to the Crescent, and keep me in mind while you watch the "Ghost Hunters" episode. I'll be sure to upload some evidence here if I capture any; and as always, you can keep an eye on my group's site at The Spirit Seekers.

What a bummer to have lost Peter Jennings. I've watched ABC's Nightly News ever since Walter Cronkite of CBS died. Those who know me know I wanted to be "the next Jessica Savitch" (those early '80s diaries coming as soon as I locate them). I admired the early TV anchor people from my youth because they were truly journalists and hard-hitting. Not like every pageant queen bimbo who says on her pageant interview these days when asked what career path she wants to follow, "I want to go into TV news." They're in it because they think they're good looking. They don't have the first clue as to what it takes to be a REAL journalist like Jessica Savitch or Peter Jennings! They think the whole thing is about sitting behind a desk, reading a teleprompter, smiling and having unbreakable hair.

Have I mentioned, other than the job, how happy I am lately? It's so nice to have my family and life the way it should be. Sure, I'd love to meet Prince Charming, but through 42 years of trying, I've learned that longtime friends and family ALWAYS come first. And, like Dad has always said, "Look out for Number One, Sis!"

Take care, and thanks for your continued support!!
Jules
P.S. I had to take down the comments because of one idiot. Sorry, y'all. And, a kind thank you to the one who wrote about my diaries. I'm looking forward to seeing your school pix!

Now, it's REALLY official!

2005-07-12T22:31:00.000-05:00

OK! As of one week ago today, it's really official. Signed by the judge and the clerk. Wow. Like a great weight lifted off my shoulders. I feel like I can actually be myself again, and it's as though the whole stupid thing never happened. As far as I'm concerned, that whole thing was a big lie, because the stuff he said to me the whole time we were together is nil and void since he returned to a world he said he was trying to escape when we met. At any rate, I've been financially used and verbally & emotionally abused, and anything I might say here on this blog cannot be taken in a libelous manner because anything that is true fact is not libel. I'm done with it. I'm moving on and going on with life, which is now great as I know it. One last picture is posted here, thanks to my brother, who has artistically rendered this snapshot of me and husband No. 2. Sums it up.

We went camping last weekend at a place not too far from here, in the hills of the Ozarks on the shores of a beautiful lake. Many, including Bozo, would say they would not like to do such a thing as it includes "roughing it." Well, let me tell you otherwise. We set up an 8-man tent on a slab big enough to accomodate four such tents. We ran the electrical cord to the screened in porch and watched DVDs on the 13-inch color TV of "Trailer Park Boys," "South Park" and MTV's "The '70s House" while talking to friends and family on the cell phone. We arose the next morning to a warm shower at the restrooms next door, plugged in the electric skillet and fried up bacon and eggs. This time, we didn't get rained on, so that was an advantage. If that's roughing it, I'm all for it. The lake was beautiful, and we bobbed around in the water for 3 or 4 hours until we were sufficiently bronze.

The brand new Home Depot in our town will open tomorrow night briefly; then we have the grand opening the next day. I'm a little nervous about it, but I know all will be well. This is a great company to work for, and I LOVE walking the floor daily to see all the cool new stuff in stock.

The night of grand opening, I'll be heading to Little Rock for the Donny Osmond concert. The day I was hired and learned the grand opening day fell on the same day as the Donny concert, I told the manager I had front row seats for a concert that night. Forgot to tell him about the divorce court date, but you see what was priority. So, I'll be headed down there to meet a bunch of other Old Ladies before the concert at a pizza joint nearby and will scream loudly while wearing my purple socks and Donny cap! :)

I've been adding a lot of magazines to my Web site and putting them on Ebay after I've scanned them in. Hope you'll go check them out.

Well, it's past my bedtime, so I'll sign off here. Let me hear from ya, and I'll do my best to write more often here!
Jules

It's official!

2005-06-29T19:59:00.000-05:00

Woo hoo! Everything's official today. I'm single. The guys will be beating down the door now. ;) Back to a normal life as we know it.

I started a new job at The Home Depot a few weeks ago. I'm a kitchen specialist. Should be fun. It's a brand new store that opens July 14. (Same night as the Donny Osmond concert. Don't ya know that when they offered me the job, I told them I'd have to miss grand opening night because I have front row, center stage tickets!) I'm lovin' it so far, and by golly, there are so many projects around the house that I'm looking forward to ... starting with the crappy ass kitchen!!! I'm shooting for that Brady look, you know -- with the orange cabinets and avacado green countertops. Or was it green cabinets and orange countertops? Oh well. (and shag rug in every room -- Home Depot sells it, you know!)

My youngest son and I were in a wreck last week while taking a brief vacation in Branson, Mo. We were on our way home, stopped at a stop light that was just changing to green. Before I could even get my foot on the gas pedal, a garbage truck (of all flippin' things!) came barreling up behind us and smashed into the rear end of my minivan!! Both of us screamed (although I'm proud to say my boy didn't scream like a little girl -- it was a very manly scream). Cops came. The ambulance came. We went to the hospital. The van was totaled. We're OK, aside from some bruises and neck pain. Well, at least I'm gonna get a "new" van out of it. Too bad I can't get that '65 Mustang convertible I really wanted.

Got a whole lot going on with the Web site. Check the contests page for some summer fun!

I'll write more this weekend to update you all.

Jules

And the Beat Goes On

2005-06-10T00:05:00.000-05:00

My goodness. It's been almost a month since I've written here in my blog "diary." All kinds of stuff going on. I'm constantly updating the Web site and listing new stuff in the Ebay store.
In the personal realm ... well, I've never given you any untruths from my perspective. I learned while majoring in Media Arts in college that anything that is true fact cannot be considered libelous. Therefore, nothing I have ever posted on this blog is libelous or untrue. However, I yesterday removed some of the blog (did keep it on the hard drive for posterity) because I heard from a certain party who was very upset that I had posted such things about him. I would like to move on and pretend like the last 18 months or so never happened. I used this blog as a form of, I dunno, therapy -- more like a release -- to get some things off my chest. I've gone back to being myself, like it or not, this is the way I am, I enjoy thinking about my excellent childhood and sharing it with those who want to remember growing up in the late '60s, all of the '70s and some of the '80s. Anyone who lives in my world shares that, and we always have fun talking about it. At any rate, I never meant to hurt anyone with any of my posts, just to speak my feelings. I will not hold back in the future, Stuck in the '70s devotees. I will, however, try not to "diss" (not my term) anyone who has been involved in my more recent life (say the past 20 years or so). I'll continue to keep you updated on what's going on now, and more importantly, if you have any questions about how the '70s diary turned out (and I've gotten quite a few lately), just feel free to ask, and I'll post the answers here. Yes, I did get a VCR (in 1981 while I was in the hospital), and yes, I have been in touch with Buster.
I apologize for my bummer of an attitude over these past 6 months. I'm back to myself and ready to move on. I do not hate men, as one of my sons was under the belief. :) I simply wish to either be alone or share time with someone who likes to talk about the same stuff I do and isn't always looking for an argument. Non-confrontational -- that's me. Easy-going, that's me. So, hey, if you're a guy who wants to talk '70s and doesn't mind a chick with tons of baggage (right), drop me a line. julie@stuckinthe70s.com
Cool.
Julie

On a Lighter Note

2005-05-13T10:51:00.000-05:00

The boys and I are preparing for a weekend camping trip to Branson, Missouri, where we'll visit Silver Dollar City. Great fun! I couldn't possibly count the number of times I've been to Silver Dollar City. We started going there in about 1970, and it was so much fun, I always said I wanted to work there. When I was about to graduate from college, I applied for a position and worked the summer of 1985 there in the Tintype photography shop. That was one of the coolest times of my life. I ended up not staying, though, because I had gotten engaged to a guy in the town where I was living, and of course, we missed each other and couldn't stand to be apart. Oh brother. I could've still been working at SDC right now and having the time of my life. Oh well. At least we have our season passes, and we can hit it any time we'd like. For a picture of me in 1975, when I was 12, at Silver Dollar City, be sure to check out my "Photos" page on the web site at http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/photos.htm.

I'm still looking for a full-time job. Working 20 hours a week at not much an hour isn't cutting it as far as paying bills and feeding the boys is concerned. I'm enjoying the freedom to work on the site, do freelance feature stories for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and sell stuff through Ebay, but it doesn't all add up to the house and car payment. Speaking of Ebay, I've opened up my own store on there. You'll have to check it out at http://stores.ebay.com/stuck-in-the-70s. I've got a lot of good stuff there from the '70s and '80s, along with a bunch of videotapes I no longer want to keep. I'll continue throughout the summer to put more and more of my magazine collection up for sale in the store. Much of it will be with a good "Buy It Now!" price so as to avoid the Ebay fees incurred when something is put up for auction. So, be sure to visit the store once a week to see if there's anything you'd like there. I have more '70s teen magazines to put up, after I've scanned them for the Web site. They include Tiger Beat, Dynamite and 16.

I always liked Tiger Beat the best because they had such nice color pinups of all of my faves. Tiger Beat was kind of the squeaky clean magazine for teen-age girls. I also took some guilty pleasure in 16 and its sister magazine, Spec, because they had "naughtier" stuff. 16 had the ol' Adonis Gallery of pictures of the guys without their shirts and the topless pinups of all the hunks. Yeah, baby. I remember my mom saying you couldn't tell this or that guy was a boy if he didn't have his shirt off. They were all kinda pretty.

I've been watching Ellen Degeneres' talk show lately -- TiVoing it every day. I've always liked Ellen. The funny thing with me is, every single time I find a female star who I think seems like just a normal, regular woman, and not a glamour doll, who I can identify with, she ends up being a lesbian. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I still like them all just the same. I mean, there's Ellen, Rosie, and I've always liked Jodie Foster. Although Jodie's not "out of the closet" and MAY NOT be a lesbian, I do wonder. Like I said, they're not all dolled up all the time, and they seem to have excellent senses of humor and similar interests to me -- then, BANG! guess what? They're gay. I'm thinking of turning lesbian. After all, I've had pretty dang crappy luck with men. Maybe a relationship with a woman would be easier and longer lasting. I'm kidding of course. Stupid men.

Anyway -- where I was going with that was bad school portraits and bad prom pictures. Ellen's been featuring bad school pictures on her show that are just hilarious. I enjoy the ones from the '70s best of course and have sent in my own sixth grade picture from 1974 or '75. We'll have to keep watching and see if she uses it. It includes a bad perm my mom gave me and one of those crocheted vests she made me, atop a Western polka-dotted shirt. OK, I know you're dying to see it, so I will put it on my Web site soon. I'd also like to see your bad school photos from the 1970s and may put them in a special gallery on my site. Please e-mail them to me at julie@stuckinthe70s.com. Ellen's also showing silly prom photos with funny fashions. I'd love to send her my prom picture but NO ONE EVER ASKED ME TO GO TO THE STUPID PROM!!!!!!! No bitterness here. In fact, no one ever asked me to go to any dance during high school. I should've just gone anyway, I guess, but there was always the feeling and pressure that you had to have a date or you were a total loser. Guess who Ellen reminds me of in her 1976 prom photo? Jodie Foster in "Freaky Friday." See?

OK. That's about enough for this post. I've gotta finish getting some stuff together for our camping trip. Let's see those mamby pamby sissy girls like Paris Hilton and Brittney Spears pitch their tents in the Wilderness area of the campground!

Later!
Jules

Sweet 16

2005-03-22T23:45:00.000-06:00

Number One Son is 16 years old today. Wow. Unbelievable. He's with his dad (and my son #2) for spring break this week. Only Tuesday, and I miss them already. How did he get to be 16 this quickly? The scary thing is, I remember being 16 -- CLEARLY. I'm gonna lose him soon. By the time I was 16, I'd already had my heart broken seriously once. There were other "boyfriends," but at 15 1/2, Buster (not even a boyfriend by the proper definition) was moving to another state, and I was sure it was the end of the world and life as I knew it. My poor sweet 16-year-old is the same way I was. I've already seen him with a broken heart twice. I'm gonna kick these girls' asses, I swear! Like me, he finds one, remains loyal, and won't let go -- for nothin'! I've come across some of his notes to them. I've seen his instant messages (yes, sadly, because the world is filled with weirdoes and perverts, I monitor him closely). I know he's poured his heart and soul out to a couple of girls who have walked all over him. My teen-age son is, in my humble opinion, what every girl would hope for. I'm hoping I've brought him up right, and he knows how to treat girls. He's extremely sensitive and caring (too much so). If he ever takes time out of his online role-playing games and looks at this, I'm in trouble. And, of course, he's a looker (gosh -- must take after me). This one somehow has always put others before himself. I'm sad I can't say that for little brother who is always looking out for one guy -- himself. Sweet 16 always knows how to read Mom's moods, always knows when to give me space, always knows when to steer his brother in what direction. Well, he's been the man of the house since he was 6. Both boys have always indulged me when it comes to my '70s stuff. They listen to my old boring stories of how things were when I was growing up. They've worn the "retro" clothes I've gotten for them, and neither one has complained. In fact, both seem proud to be different and would defend their old mom in any situation. The youngest, especially, likes to dress in '70s attire. The oldest is starting to grow out of that and get too cool. In fact, this past week, some girl or another suggested he comb his hair "forward" instead of back. He has beautiful thick wavy hair like his father and it doesn't require much work. I've always taught him to, when it's wet, just run that comb through it, straight back, and go on with your morning. But, at the choir festival (somehow this boy can sing) he was brushing his hair back before the performance and some girl smacked him over the head with a brush and told him to brush it forward. OK. I'm hip. I've seen Jesse McCartney -- he looks like he got in a southbound windstorm facing south. His hair is all combed to the front like he's going bald in back. His hair is also straight. This doesn't work quite so good if you have thick wavy hair. But, No. 1 Son is trying it anyway. After all, the chicks dig it. Thank goodness, both boys have strong opinions and don't outwardly care what others think. So, when it came time to sell some clothing on Ebay from the '80s, No. 1 asked what he could do to help. I used to wear boys' jeans and parachute pants because I was so thin I liked the way they fit (now called boy-cut jeans). No. 1 is tall and thin and fits perfectly into the old Levi's I had back in the day and the vintage '80s pants I'm willing to sell. So, he posed for pictures for Ebay. I told him I could cut him off at the waist or put a black rectangle around his eyes if he didn't want anyone to see who he was. "Aw ... I don't care," he said. Not easily embarrassed. Well, I happen to think both of my sons are Tiger Beat material. Guess I'm a bit biased. I went ahead and uploaded the pix for Ebay to sell the ol' parachute pants I bought in 1983 or '84, and No. 1 was a willing and seemingly seasoned model. I jokingly put in the description that the "cute guy" isn't included with the pants. (I remember Mom going through the Sears and JCPenney's catalogs, looking in the men's clothing sections, and saying "I'll take one of those and one of these in brunette.") My Ebay listing hadn't been up more than an hour before I got the first "question for seller." The prospective bidder asks what are the chances of getting more pictures of the "cute guy in the parachute pants"? Part of me (the part like my mom who pushed and pushed trying to get me to enter beauty pageants -- unsuccessfully) said, yeah, that's right, that's my boy. Another part said, "Wait a minute. I'll kick your ass."
So, what's the point of this whole blog entry? My son is 16 today. He and I -- we're both just going through a phase.
Stay cool,
Jules

A Day for Fuzzy Socks

2005-03-09T15:30:00.000-06:00

I spent most of today on Ebay, posting some stuff that I'd like to sell. Most of it has something to do with the '70s. I've given it all my personal Stuck in the '70s touch.

It's been cold out today, and we've even had a spitting of snow. It was the perfect day to stay inside, wearing sweat pants and fuzzy socks.

My brother, Mike, and I plan to go through some stuff at Dad's house this weekend. There are some things that were Mom's that we may not want or need to hang onto. I know there's a lot of it that I want, and it would hurt me to get rid of. However, there is some stuff that we don't really need to keep. So, we'll be going into a joint Ebay venture with that.

I appreciate all the support I've received in the comments to this blog and in the e-mail. Those who are stuck in the '70s are a good crowd, I tell ya.

Well, I'm gonna go fold some laundry now. It's about time for the boys to get home from school.

Stay cool,
Jules

Yeah ... well

2005-03-08T19:46:00.000-06:00

Howdy!

How is everyone doing? I've been enjoying the comments you have been leaving, and I've also been enjoying "chatting" with some of you online on the instant messengers. Look on the front page of my site for my user IDs for AOL and Yahoo if you'd like to catch me online to gab sometime. I met a really nice sixth-grade teacher who is interested in "Lidsville" and I was able to send her the theme song. Seems the kids are studying the '70s (ancient history, right?), and they fell in love with the song while visiting my site. I wish they would've entered and won my Lidsville DVD contest!

One commenter wished me a happy birthday -- a fello Pisces. This commenter had hoped for the traditional McD's blowout. I must say I never had any birthday parties at McDonalds as a kid -- but Shakey's Pizza was a fave place. I had my last real birthday party there when I turned 16 in Peoria, Illinois. I got my driver's license that day and drove home in dense fog. I'm sure it's documented in my diary.

Pete was talking about finding some great stuff at a thrift store last weekend. We went to a flea market/yard sale at the county fairgrounds last weekend. I was thrilled to death to find a great big collection of Sears Merry Mushroom stuff! I'd love to sell it on Ebay, but it looks so great in my kitchen, and what a bargain I got.

Pete mentioned the King Kong 1976 remake. Didn't that have Jessica Lange in it? I don't remember watching that one. He also mentioned "Carrie." Now, there you go! I'm well-known as a Stephen King afficionado (sp) amongst my mates. My first encounter with Stephen King's works was in my Oral Interp and Drama class sophomore year at IVC High School in Chillicothe. My friend, Shelly Shover, read "The Man Who Loved Flowers" from SK's "Night Shift" collection. I was fascinated with that last bit about the guy bringing the hammer down. "Can someone really write this stuff and have it published?" I asked myself. I got the book immediately (I think it was 1977) and then read "Carrie", "Salem's Lot" and "The Shining" -- the only ones Steve had out at the time. I saw "Carrie" when Mom allowed it, after its initial run, and was very pleased at how closely it stuck to the book. Since then, I've tried to watch Carrie 2 and a remake but it makes my stomach hurt. In fact, all that has been done with Steve's works lately is rather sickening. Some proud moments include "Stand By Me," based on the short story "The Body", the movie "The Green Mile" and of course "Shawshank Redemption." I had some hope for "The Secret Window" because it starred Johnny Depp (whom I love -- go '63 kids), but it sucked. My son, who will be 16 in another week, is big into the "Dark Tower" series by Steve. Personally, that is my least favorite stuff, and I've only read the first two. It's too other worldly for me. I like the stuff that could happen here and now, in the daylight, in our world!

Pete also mentioned "Alien," the best horror movie ever made. My folks took me to see that one in '79. I've never seen my mom and dad jump during a movie before. Freaked us all out. Excellent!

Meerelda wished me a happy birthday via the comments and turned 41 last month. Hey, chick, you're catching up to me! Sounds like you had a groovy birthday party. Wow, what's it like having a husband who understands that you like '70s stuff and even caters to that? I'm envious. Glad you had a great time, and keep on truckin'!!!

As for life here, all is well. I think I'm experiencing some stuff women in their 40s are expected to experience. I always wondered what a hot flash was like. Gee -- I think I know now. They're not quite so bad as the serious mood swings. Other than that, I feel great and am so grateful for all of the family I've had all my life and the friends I've had around this little town who have known me for over 20 years and know that I'm a good person.

The annual Oscars movie gathering went quite well. We had a good turnout, had lots of fun and no macho nachos were spilled. It was great! I even fired up the turntable, and we listened to some Beatles and Bee Gees.

To end on a lighter note ... watch Napoleon Dynamite. That's all I'll say about it right now -- but I must say, even though it takes place in the present day, if you're into the '70s, you'll really dig it.

Stay cool, and stay tuned. I'll be writing more in this little Web journal this week as time permits.

Jules

Another Year Older

2005-03-04T15:25:00.000-06:00

Gosh! Time flies when you're not stressed out! Things have been enjoyable here since I last wrote in this blog. Let me count the ways.

Last weekend, Dad and I traveled north and got my brother, Mike, all moved down to Arkansas. It's sure great to have him around. Oldest brother, Bob, also came along, and we all had a really good 4-day visit. The only thing missing was Mom, but we could all feel her there in spirit. Now, Mike will join me and several of my close buds for my 11th annual Oscars movie party tomorrow night. We always have a big time.

Meanwhile, I've been having fun working on my Web site, adding to it and holding more contests. I have received two of Donny Osmond's new CDs and will be giving those away, along with Joe Cocker's new CD. I'm also working on some cool stuff to sell on the site.

I turned 42 yesterday. I wasn't really dreading it like I did the big four-oh. I wasn't thrilled about it either, mind you. But it didn't hurt at all. This morning, while looking in the bathroom mirror, I spotted two or three gray hairs.

Welp, I guess that about wraps it up for now. I'll try to be more regular about writing to keep you up to date on the site and what's been going on around here. I enjoy reading your comments, and yes, one commenter was correct in sensing a note of sarcasm when I called my fellow co-workers lovely. I can only think of a few who'd I'd call that, and they're still my friends.

Later gator!
Jules

Spring Approacheth

2005-02-17T11:49:00.000-06:00

Hey all!

Lots of changes going on around this joint. I quit my regular full-time job Monday. That may not have been too bright because now I'm only working part time and trying to make extra money with other ventures to make ends meet. However, I feel like a great weight has been lifted. That place was extremely stressful and the most abusive environment I've experienced since I got my first job at age 15 in 1978!! So, even if I have to worry about money now and then (mostly now), at least I won't be suffering the wrath of the higher ups who just like to take things out on the little guy.

Meanwhile, working just three days a week is going to give me the time I've been hoping for to go through closets and the two sheds where I know I have some stuff stored that someone might want. I've got all my old '70s scrapbooks and other memoriabilia stored out there, as well as toys, dolls, books, etc. So, if it's not for sale, at least I can take pictures and put them on my site.

And speaking of the site, I've been working on it a lot lately. Yesterday, we had a record 4,575 visitors. We've been averaging anywhere between 2,500 to 4,025 a day. I'd like to think it's all the cool extra stuff I'm adding that's bringin' 'em in! Too bad I can't play with my site all day long every day and make money doin' it! :) I've added more '70s magazines and will be updating with more links, info and pictures on all of the pages on my days off.

Stay cool, and happy "near spring!"

Julie

Blogging and the First Amendment

2005-02-09T23:02:00.000-06:00

The First Amendment is free speech, right? You'll have to excuse me. It's been a long time since I took my Constitution test. We had to take it in eighth grade to go on to high school. My dad helped me remember a lot of the stuff for the test by remembering the first letter to some stuff (like a list of presidents and amendments). I also need to watch my Schoolhouse Rock DVDs again. I saw something on the news tonight about bloggers being fired from their jobs due to stuff they wrote on their blogs. Now, that's just crazy. It's about as crazy as the company in BFE that's firing people because they smoke. And Virginia is passing a law where anyone wearing pants that expose their undergarments will be fined 50 clams. Well -- I gotta agree with that one. I don't want to see your thong. As far as I'm concerned, and this is what I remember from when I was in junior high and high school -- thongs are those sandal things you wear on your feet in the summer, and if I can see your underwear, then you're a Polock. Remember Polish jokes? Thank you Archie Bunker.
At any rate, something you put on your blog should not affect your job. What you do in your personal life should not affect your job -- of course, unless you wear one of those thong underwear thingies and let people see it. Then you should be banished. If your pants are so short that people can see your socks between your shoes and the bottom of your pants legs, then you're a Polock, and you should be fined 50 smackers. Therefore, Michael Jackson is a Polock and we should add 50 bucks to his fines, court fees, punishment, whatever. I'm just kidding, people! I really am not a bigot -- I'm just comparing my growing up days to what's going on in the world now. Things have gotten so politically correct, that it's ridiculous. And this is coming from a woman who is a self-proclaimed liberal. At any rate, I would hope I won't be fired from my job over anything I put here on my blog or on my Web site. But, just in case, let me say that I won't be saying anything about my employer(s) or co-workers. Gosh darn, they're all just lovely. I need a backup plan. Can anyone help? When will things stop sucking? Where IS that wayback machine when I really need it?

Gettin' Things Rollin'

2005-02-01T15:49:00.000-06:00

Howdy!

It's a blustery day here in northcentral Arkansas! They're saying we may get a mix of rain and snow tonight and tomorrow. Bring it on! Maybe I'll get stuck in my driveway and be forced to stay at home and watch old movies and stuff I've TiVo'd! Boy, there's something I wish we had in the '70s -- TiVo. I don't know how I functioned without it, let alone without a VCR!!! I remember my quest for a VCR in '78 or '79 when the price tag was over $1,000. My parents got me one after my thyroid surgery in February 1981. They were sure great like that, and Dad's still willing and able to help me out in any way he can. I've had several people e-mail me about how lucky I am/was to have parents like mine. They're completely correct!

I'm having a ball updating the Web site almost daily. I keep finding more and more stuff to do with it. I think I'll put a more prominent link to this blog on there for diary fans to check out. I still can't imagine what I did with my 1980-81 diaries. Gotta get on that spring cleaning!

We welcome February -- I'm ready for spring and new beginnings!

Jules

Eddie's All Right

2005-01-27T08:57:00.000-06:00

Boy, that last post was a bit of a downer, wasn't it? Sorry 'bout that folks!

Dad's still in the hospital this morning. I went to visit him last night, and he's doing MUCH better than he was this past weekend. He's ticked off about having to be in the hospital, and he's ready to come home. So, hopefully, he'll be home by this evening. My brief visit with him in his hospital room was priceless last night. The last time I set foot into that hospital, it was to meet him in the ER where Mom had been pronouced dead the night of Nov. 23, 2003. That night has played over and over in my head millions of times as I'm sure it has in Dad's. But, we never make mention of it. It was surreal, to say the least. Last night, however, Dad was in top form. And, by that, I mean he was Dad at his Daddest. His personality and his "sharpness" have not been this Richard Fidler-like in a long time. Those who know my dad know how he loves to explain, in great detail, how mechanical things work. I'll never forget his "lecture" on the vacuum tube when I was studying radio/TV broadcasting. Last night at the hospital, I imitated for him the sound my van's engine was making and asked if that was because it needed oil. Dad launched into a very detailed and informative explanation of all kinds of gears and gadgets and how they go up and down and do this and that. I couldn't really hear what he was saying because I was too busy feeling my heart swell within my chest. I couldn't help but smile, and it gave me such a good, warm feeling inside to have Dad there with me in a place with surroundings that can be so devastating. Dad's alive and doin' fine, and he's determined to stick around for a bit and continue to share his "Dadness" with those who love him. I wish I'd have gotten out my voice recorder. It was handy in my purse, but I didn't want to embarrass him or make him stop what he was conveying.

I interviewed Butch Patrick by phone yesterday on my lunch hour to talk about the release of the DVD box set of the entire Sid & Marty Krofft "Lidsville" series. That was sure a hoot! He seems like a nice guy, and his recollections of being 16-18 years old, making the show are pretty humorous. He was completely candid and honest with me during the interview, and I appreciated that. I'll be trying tonight and/or tomorrow night to get the technical glitches edited out of that interview and upload the audio to my site. Should be fun to listen back to. Also, I received three copies of the "Lidsville" box set in the mail yesterday. The boys and I broke out the first two episodes and watched them at Dad's house last night. Oh my goodness. Tell me those people weren't on drugs! I was 8 when the show came out, and I remember even then, thinking, "Lord, help us all." It's so much fun to watch the town where everybody where's a hat, and everybody knows where it's at. I'll be beginning that "Lidsville" contest this coming weekend, and I'm going to make it a little tougher so that only true fans of the Web site can enter. I'm thinking of a way to do that right now, and it'll probably involve a password or require you to answer a Krofft trivia question in order to qualify to win.

A phone interview with Leif Garrett's in the works. Looks like he may have a CD to promote later this spring, and I'll be lined up to talk with Leif about that.

If you have any suggestions for the site, feel free to e-mail me at webmaster@yahoo.com. I'm still rebuilding it and have a lot of links to add once I get the chance. If you were once featured on my site, and your link has disappeared, please resend it!

Life is OK. I know I was whining and complaining the other night, but we're all allowed that once in awhile, right? Thanks for all your support. I enjoy using this blog as an outlet and hope, once I get my mind cleared of some personal relationship and financial matters, I'll be in the proper mindset to continue my "Reminiscin'" column that previously appeared in the Arkansas Weekly and the Batesville Daily Excuse, er, I mean Guard. :)

Take care,
Jules

Countdown to Eddie Munster

2005-01-25T21:00:00.000-06:00

Hey youse guys! (remember that from the Electric Company?)

Wow, so much for the daily journal thing, huh? It's just not the same when you're an old lady with a full-time job, 2 kids and 7 or 8 cats to take care of -- trying to write in a daily diary -- as it is when you're a teen-ager in the 1970s and early 1980s with nothing to do but go to school, do homework and hang out with your friends at the mall. There doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to write in a diary. Plus, I guess viewpoints are just different once you've reached a certain age, had to deal with a divorce or two, burying a parent, fighting city hall, office politics, house foreclosures, shutoff notices, your kids' teen angst and general bitterness that comes with adulthood. It's just not so innocent to write in a diary, "Woke up. Went to work. Came home. Cooked supper. Took the kids to Scouts. ..." blah, blah, blah. Face it. I'm a tired old woman. :)

I have, though, been enjoying doing almost daily updates on my Web site. It does take me away from this bitter adult world and all the things a single mom has to deal with -- or any grown-up my age has to deal with for that matter. That sounds awful whiny.

Dad went back into the hospital yesterday, but he's going to be all right. Looks like they might spring him tomorrow. That'll be good. I've had waaaaaay too much drama over the past year and a half for my liking. I'm hoping for a very boring next several months.

I took a peek out into the old metal shed this weekend, trying to figure out where I've stashed my teen diaries. I want to type in 1980 and Jan. through June 1981 for those who would like to see how the high school years turned out. I couldn't find them right off the bat. Looks like that diary update may need to wait for spring cleaning.

I'll try to continue here with somewhat of a diary and make it as much fun as possible, as compared to the teen years. Of course, a lot of that was filled with heartbreak and various woes once you really look at it. Tonight, I'm just glad to be home, have my boys home safe and sound and watching TV in their rooms, Dad snug in his hospital bed, looking forward to getting back home with his aging bod. Home's a very comforting place ... a place where we can truly be ourselves. When you've taken someone into your home, exchanged some vows, and still don't feel like you can truly "be yourself," then you ought to know something is amiss, 'eh? You'd think. From here on out, I'll be nothing else. Hell, I'm not even gonna try. This is what I am after all these years, and this I shall be.

None of this make sense? I can't make much out of it right now either. That's the sad thing about looking back -- because we know what the future holds. All the optimism, dreams and hopes that didn't come to fruition. So, then, I say, stay stuck.

Here's to the '70s!
Cheers,
Julie

Fun with the Web

2005-01-06T20:49:00.000-06:00

OK, so I didn't get back here the other night. Sorry 'bout that! I was gonna continue my diary-type entries, but I got into updating the Web site with my new ideas. I think it's going swimmingly. (hey, that's a great word) At any rate, things are going OK here. I deal with the 21st century when I absolutely have to and meanwhile, I dabble in the '70s. So, check out the site and see what I've updated and changed. You can now go back to '74 in my diary entries because that year is complete. I'll be working on '75 and '76 within the next few days. I'm still going over pages to find the broken links and missing pictures from the great server crash of '04. But, fear not, for I will get the site completely resurrected!

Have a nice day!
Julie

A new diary?

2005-01-04T12:44:00.000-06:00

Hey there!

I'm on my lunch hour so I have to make this quick -- I intend to get back online later this evening if I can get my teen-ager off my dang computer for a moment. I've been attending a seminar this morning (and it's really boring), so my thoughts have wandered. Instead of taking notes about the seminar, I've been taking them about what I want to do with my Stuck in the '70s site. Lately, and over the years in fact, I've gotten quite a few great, and encouraging e-mails, from people who are a lot like me. Imagine that. Just when you thought you were alone in the world, you find that there are "relics" (as one poster said) like us. Your words of encouragement and kindness mean more than you can possibly know. This web site has grown into a real extension of me in which I originally thought no one would ever have an interest. Thanks for proving me wrong! There's so much I want to do with it, and like I said, this morning I've been thinking about what would I want out of a site like this one? Many people have enjoyed reading my '70s diaries -- which I will finish this weekend with '75 and '76. I've been hearing a lot about blogs in the news. People changing the shape of the news and politics and such. I sure as heck have no interest in doing that!!! I mostly couldn't care less about politics in 2005! Now, 1975 -- that's a different story. Ha, ha. So, I am going to try to blog at least several times a week, maybe daily, and use this sucker as an online diary. It won't be near as personal as my teen-age diaries were because there's some stuff I could probably get sued over (like blood from a turnip, I tell ya). Anyhoo ... I'll be back later this afternoon. I've got lots of ideas about the design and development of Stuck in the '70s and what I want to do with it.

Thanks for tuning in. Even if I don't get a chance to answer all of the e-mails you write, I read every one and take them to heart -- including those I get that say I suck. Those ones bring me down for a lot longer than the nice ones lift me up, unfortunately. Guess that's the Pisces in me.
Later 'gater!
Jules

Hey, hey, hey!

2004-12-29T10:21:00.000-06:00

I went to see the "Fat Albert" movie the other night. I must admit, I got a big kick out of it. Kenan What's-his-name was great as Albert. It kept the same good-natured general feeling the old cartoons had. I only have a couple complaints. Mushmouth didn't really talk like Mushmouth. I wish they would've done it the way Mushmouth talked in the cartoons. In this one, he needed a translater. Also, Rudy wasn't a smart aleck and didn't have the classic Rudy walk. Other than that, it was great fun, and I'd recommend it to everyone in our age group. I was the oldest one in the cinema the other night when I went (out of all 8 of us), and I'm sure none of them remember the original cartoons.

Things are going OK at Stuck in the '70s. I've introduced the second contest -- this one for "Dazed and Confused" DVDs. The winners of the "Buck Rogers" contest should've received their DVDs by now, hopefully.

We got seriously snowed in over Christmas. Sunday and Monday the boys and I were able to travel the 45 miles or so though the Ozark Mountains to visit Dad. He's doing so well! Again, I appreciate all the prayers and good thoughts.

Jules

New contest; Holidays approacheth

2004-12-20T21:34:00.000-06:00

Howdy there!
Just wanted to let y'all know the contest winners for the Buck Rogers DVDs have been chosen and notified. Their DVDs will be in the mail on my next payday. Yup ... I ain't makin' no money off this site. But, hey, that's cool. Because I enjoy playing with it, and once you start making money from something, it takes all the fun out of it. I really appreciate Special Ops Media for sending me the contest DVDs for this and our new promotion to give away "Dazed & Confused" DVDs. Now THAT's an excellent movie!

Well, things are settling down here at the ol' Fidler household nicely. It's awful quiet around here while the boys are spending some time with their dad but that's a-fixin' to change and there will be much ripping open of packages. It's always been a tradition in our family to sit by the aluminum or plastic tree on Christmas Eve and shake our packages and make intelligent or silly guesses as to what's in them. We'll probably spend some time with Dad over the holiday weekend ... that is, if we don't get the 4-8 inches of snow the hack weatherman is predicting. Give us some good ol' packing snow for making snowwomen, dude! :)

Well, ya'll stay cool, and stay tuned. One of my resolutions in '05 (God, that sounds freaky!) is to update nearly daily on this blog with diary-style entries reminiscent of my '70s diary. I also promise to get the rest of the '70s on there and key in 1980 and Jan. to June 1981! Woo hoo!

Jules

Is it Friday yet?

2004-12-14T16:02:00.000-06:00

Well, things are putting along nicely. I must say, I DO realize (and at age 41, I'm not naive) that there really may be no "perfect puzzle piece" for most people when it comes to a mate. And, some folks don't really believe in soulmates. I DO believe in working hard on a marriage, and I DO know when that becomes impossible. I've reached that point twice before current events. Both parties have to do some changing and giving and working. When one or both throws his or her hands up in the air and says, "I know this will not change," then there's not much you can do. Meanwhile, I thank God for the support and company of my good girlfriends and family members. They are the ones who have known me for 10, 20, 30 and 40 years.

We're drawing closer to Christmas as you know. I believe that means a 4-day weekend for yours truly soon. I worked some on the site last night and hope to get many of those broken links and images fixed before the end of the year.

Not much else to say from here. It's freakin' cold, and I'm really grateful we got the new furnace installed at the house when we did.
Julie

Good Lord -- What a Year!

2004-12-10T14:22:00.000-06:00

Wow. I've always heard that the Lord won't dish you out any more than He thinks you can handle. Now, what I'd like to know is: Just how much does He think I can handle? And, if that's true ... why do people have nervous breakdowns? And, what exactly IS a nervous breakdown? And, why haven't I had one yet? I'm getting tired of being "the strong one."

Last Sunday, my husband of seven months moved out of the house. Geeze. There's a new record for the Fidler family. One I'm sure not proud of, and one I'm bound to be stinging over for a while to come. I REALLY wanted it to work out, and I'm sure he did as well. I don't guess we really realized just how fundamentally different we are until we'd been together in the same dwelling for awhile. Each of us tried to change and tried to change the other, and it would have never worked. I was divorced (legally) from March 1995 through May 1, 2004, and most of that time, I was very happy as a single mom. However, I've always been looking for that perfect puzzle piece to fit right in there and be a part of our happy family. Apparently, this fella was not the right piece. Oh, I don't feel like it at the moment, but I'm sure I'll always be looking for that piece. Before plugging this last one in, I thought I was certain. I thought it was one of those "meant to be" soulmate kind of things. Is there such a thing? I realize two people have to work hard to make a marriage work. We both said we were willing to work hard, but it seems now that there are things that just cannot be fixed, and I guess it's better we call it quits before it gets worse. Next time, however, (IF there is a next time), I'm going to fashion a quiz.

My dad is doing great. He drove this week for the first time since before his surgery and is getting around quite well. His spirits are much improved, and he's looking forward to when my brother moves in with him this coming February.

The tree is up. The new furnace is installed. The cats have been de-fleaed. The cheeseball ingredients have been bought. And we're almost ready for the holidays and winter. The presents under the tree have still not appeared, but that will happen in small doses.

The Web site will grow this holiday season as I'll have time to myself on my hands. The Buck Rogers DVD contest has drawn quite a few entries, and more contests are coming. Please feel free to write me at julie@stuckinthe70s.com with your ideas, suggestions and comments.

Meanwhile, I hope you have a great holiday season. If you have a significant other and children and parents, please remember how special they are. Tell them or show them you love them; and above all, be kind.

Jules

Missing Mom

2004-11-23T09:47:00.000-06:00

A year ago today, I lost my mom. I'm not going to write a big ol' bummer of a post because of this. I'm mainly OK today. It was this past weekend that I was a tremendous mess. I sure do miss her. I can't believe it's been a year. Last year, she died four days before Thanksgiving, and the funeral was the day before Thanksgiving. There was no Thanksgiving dinner at our house last year. This year, we're gonna make it different. The hubby and I are going over to Dad's house, while the kids go with their dad to a different city. And we're going to whomp us up a real Thanksgiving dinner. I've bought a turkey breast, cranberry sauce, brown and serve rolls, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn and I'm even gonna try my hand at making some pumpkin pie tomorrow night.

Dad's doing very well. He went home from the hospital Nov. 12 and is doing pretty good at getting around and getting himself fed, etc. A home health worker comes out daily to check on him, thank goodness. He's so happy to be home. The power of prayer.

Happy Thanksgiving.

APOLOGY TO TONY DEFRANCO

2004-11-09T09:10:00.000-06:00

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2004 -- PUBLIC APOLOGY TO TONY DEFRANCO FOR STUPID, STUPID MISTAKE Oh man -- I've never felt like such a blooming idiot in my entire life! Pull up a bean bag chair, and let me tell you about it.

Just a little background: Early this year, my husband-to-be (a radio producer) suggested I make a radio show from the stuff on my Web site. I did and we did. I used phone interviews with the Captain and Tennille, Jim Stafford, Donny Osmond, Mickey Dolenz, Davy Jones and others in the show. The fiance edited them all up nice for me and put the shows together (they'll be available soon on this site and have run numerous times on an Internet radio station). We put together 10 great shows with '70s music, trivia and stuff about my life in the '70s, along with the great interviews. Well, people wanted more, so I sought out more of my favorite '70s stars to try to interview and include. I was lucky enough to get my very favorite from the early '70s, Tony DeFranco, to agree to a phone interview. I talked with Tony back in February, and he was very kind, polite and accomodating.

Just after that, stuff kind of hit the fan around our household. The husband and I both lost our day jobs and were scrambling to make ends meet in some other way while dealing with various other garbage. At any rate, that's no excuse ... but we never got around to putting together any more of Stuck in the '70s radio shows. Husband put my taped interview with Tony on a CD at my request and handed it to me. When he gave it to me (I hadn't listened back to it), he said, "You sound like a giddy 12-year-old girl. I've never heard you so excited." Well, he was right, and I was so embarrassed, I couldn't stand to listen back to the interview myself, and I never have.

Later in the summer, I switched servers for my site, giving us much more Web storage space, so I decided I would start putting audio on the site. Because I could see my interview with Tony was the smallest file size, I thought I'd start with it to see if it was going to work. So, I thought, "The fans will love this -- an unedited phone interview with Tony DeFranco!"

Problem is, I had forgotten two VERY important things. I had told Tony my husband would edit it before we used it; and I forgot that Tony had, in good faith, given me some personal information in that interview that he didn't want everyone in the entire doggone world to know.

Yes, you guessed it. Me, the DUMBASS, just uploaded that sucker, proudly said, "Look what I can do!!" and didn't think for a moment about those two things.

I violated Tony's trust; and now I have probably managed to become the least favorite person of someone who compelled me to spend every allowance on Tiger Beat magazines. (Heck, I'm still paying 15 bucks apiece on Ebay for them.) If I'd have ever thought Tony DeFranco would know who I was, I'd have died. Now he DOES, and I do just want to die! UGH!

Just as soon as I got an e-mail from Tony yesterday, pointing out my terrible snafu, I removed the DeFranco interview page that was linked from the audio page. Then, I made it worse and told him I thought I'd uploaded the unedited version. How could I explain that it was just out of stupidity and forgetfulness that I put that interview up there with his personal information? It sure wasn't out of any kind of spite or hatefulness or disrespect. It was just because I'm a moron.

OK, if you're still following along, I want Tony and everyone reading this to know that I truly, truly, truly, truly, truly, truly feel like crap for having uploaded that audio file to my site without listening back to it and without asking my husband to go ahead and edit it for me. I feel as though Shrek or someone really huge has kicked me right in the chest and knocked the wind out of me.

I've learned my lesson, but possibly at Tony's expense and may have even threatened his safety and most certainly his privacy. If you are one of the (hopefully) few who listened to the interview on my site and took the time to jot down that personal information and act on it -- don't do it again! There's no need to make the situation worse.

OK, I guess I've said about all I can about that. Now I just pray Tony will forgive me -- and I'll pray, like the scarecrow, for a brain.

My Dad --As many of you know, Dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer in September. He's still in the hospital today, but he is finally starting to progress. Thank you to everyone who has offered prayers and support. It has really helped.

Would you believe?

2004-10-21T08:34:00.000-05:00

Quick update. Dad was released from the hospital Tuesday and readmitted Wednesday. Dadgummit! I hate to see him so sick like this. But, he still isn't strong enough to take care of himself at home, and I can't be there all of the time due to the harsh reality that I need to work to pay the bills.

Anyhoo ... I still hope to update the site this weekend, and finally get out the Halloween decorations! October is sure slipping by quickly.

Happy Halloween!
Jules

Dad's release

2004-10-19T08:37:00.000-05:00

Hey y'all!

Good news -- Dad is being released from the hospital today, three weeks after his surgery for cancer. It seems like it's been a helluva lot longer than that to be sure. He's still very weak, but he's also very anxious to get home. I'll take off work part of the day today to deliver him to his home about 45 miles away from where we live. I talked with Aunt Phyl and brother Bob last night to tell them the news. All the thoughts and prayers have really helped.

Now, with Dad on the mend, I should be able to do some of the things I've been meaning to do, including updating Stuck in the '70s. I've gotten lots of good links and ideas from youse guys, so I'll be adding those soon. If you think of any more, don't hesitate to write to me at admin@stuckinthe70s.com.

Stay tuned to the site for holiday memories!

Have a nice day!
Jules

Family Matters

2004-10-08T08:33:00.000-05:00

I am happy to report this morning that Dad is finally improving and moving slowly on the road to recovery after his surgery Sept. 28 for bladder cancer. There's been some trouble regulating his heartbeat, and with blood clots, low blood pressure, etc. I think they're finally getting that lined out. He's eating solid food and finally getting up a bit and taking some steps with the help of a walker. We don't have a clue as to when he will be out of the hospital. He's still in PCU (Progressive Care Unit) right now, but there is some rumbling about moving him to a rehab-type wing before too long. It did my heart good to see him up and eating biscuits and gravy and bacon this morning before I came in to work. Thanks to everyone's prayers, I think he's gonna do all right.

In other news, I've been looking at some other blogs. Check out www.peoriapundit.com. He's a guy, same age as me, born and raised in Peoria, IL, my hometown. I enjoy reading the stuff about the area "landmarks" and such, although I couldn't possibly care less about the politics. To get away from the politics and hear another Peoria woman's thoughts, visit http://lollygaggin.blogspot.com/. Pam is a chick with whom I can identify! But, my VERY favorite blog to read is Prison Pete's. Check him out at http://prisonpete.blogspot.com. He'll give you an insight to our lovely federal prison system and what it's like to live there. Interesting stuff indeed; and it doesn't hurt that Pete is a genius with a good sense of humor.

Take care, and have a good weekend!!
Julie

Dad update

2004-10-04T09:31:00.000-05:00

Well, I just wanted to give a little update on Dad's condition. He underwent surgery for bladder cancer last Tuesday, Sept. 28. He is doing fairly well and was moved this past weekend from the ICU to something called the PCU (Progressive Care Unit). They are having a hard time regulating his blood pressure and heart rate, so he is unable to get up out of bed much to build up his strength.

Aunt Phyllis Fidler from Chillicothe, IL, came down to be with us last week and spent nearly a week here in Arkansas at Dad's bedside. She's one cool and truly caring lady. Her husband, the late Carl Fidler, was my Dad's brother. It was good moral support to have Aunt Phyl here during this trying time.

I know in my heart Dad's going to recuperate -- it's just very slow going. All of your continued thoughts and prayers are honestly appreciated. Thanks to everyone who has shown support. It means a lot to this '70s chick!

Peace,
Julie

Dad

2004-09-27T11:04:00.000-05:00

As those of you who come to my site regularly and have read my diary pages know, I've always been quite close with my parents. You probably also know that my mother died a few days before last Thanksgiving. That's been devastating. Even with all that, my Dad's done pretty well and has been able to keep a stiff upper lip. At age 75, Dad had only been in the hospital once in his life before last week when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. The big "C" word, of course, freaked us both out when we heard it. I remember when the doctor told Mom she had breast cancer. It was a rough road after that for all of us.

Well, tomorrow, Dad will go to the hospital for some seriously major surgery to deal with the big "C." I'll try to keep you updated on this blog. I won't be updating the Stuck in the '70s site again for a bit until things calm down and I know Dad is OK. So, this will be the place to tune in to find out how things are going other than with the site.

I appreciate the kind emails I've gotten and all the understanding and patience. Just goes to show you, those of us stuck in the '70s are a good lot of good folks!

Thanks man!
Jules

Being preoccupied

2004-09-13T08:26:00.000-05:00

Good morning ladies and gents! And a fine cloudy, fall-like morning it is here in Batesville, Arkansas. Looks like we're going to get a bit of rain from Hurricane Ivan. Those poor Florida folks! Doesn't make me want to move any further south. Arkansas is enough for this midwestern Yankee.

Anyhoo ... I haven't had the time to update Stuck in the '70s lately. We had a really busy weekend. Saturday was my company's annual picnic. That was pretty cool, but it was hot and sticky all day. Then, Sunday, the oldest son invited his girlfriend over for dinner.

As far as Stuck in the '70s goes, I have uploaded Mike's new weekly "Joey" comic. Keep reading them, because if you grew up in the late '60s through late '70s, you're going to see some of your childhood there.

I'd better get the nose back to the grindstone. Thanks to everyone who's checked out my blog. I appreciate it. Stay tuned, because the Web site is only growing bigger and better, and things are really looking up for our clan!

Stay cool!
Jules

Coming Right Along

2004-09-07T09:10:00.000-05:00

Good morning boys and girls!

Boy, it was hard to get out of bed and get back to work after that 3-day weekend. I spent most of Labor Day working on Stuck in the '70s. I've added five new pages, and I'm quite excited about growing them! They are Audio Files, Mossville Memories, Family Photo Album, Family Recipes and Joey Comics. You can go to all of these pages from the front page. Those five new buttons are right there on top of the navigation bar.

The next couple of weekends are going to be pretty busy with company business and the company I work for, so I don't know when I'll get to do the next serious update. However, I'll keep you up to date on that in this here blog!

Stay cool,
Jules

State of the Site Address

2004-08-31T14:46:00.000-05:00

Sorry I’ve not taken the time to update this blog for a few days. I did, however, work on my Stuck in the '70s Web site over the weekend. I was able to resurrect several pages from a 100-meg Zip disk upon which I had saved the site 4 or 5 years ago. So, the current state of the site is probably a bit worse than it was 4 or 5 years ago, although plenty of stuff exists on the site that wasn’t there 4 or 5 years ago, PLUS, it's going to kick ass soooo much harder once I'm done with this revamping!

Here’s a rundown of what is up and running to at least 2000 standards (and I’m doing this as much for your benefit as for mine so I can kind of take an inventory of what needs yet to be done):

The front page: http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/
The store: http://www.cafepress.com/stuckin70s
What’s New: http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/new.htm
My '70s diary: http://www.geocities.com/stuckinthe70s/
Brush with Fame (needs updating): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/fame.htm
'70s Links (needs updating): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/sites.htm
Reminiscin’ Columns (images are missing; MANY more columns to come, new and old): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/columns.htm
Fads & Threads: http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/fads.htm
Movies (needs updating): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/movies.htm
Message Board (I haven’t even looked at this in months, but it’s up and running): http://pub41.ezboard.com/bstuckinthe70s82773
That '70s Chick (my life story in a nutshell – career and marriage info needs updating): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/chick.htm
'70s Teen Celebrity Magazines (some missing images; plenty more magazines yet to be uploaded): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/magazines.htm
Collectibles (up & running, but in serious need of update to bring back to 2004 standards): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/collectibles.htm
1970s vs. Now (the page exists but has no info restored to it yet): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/1990s.htm
Autographs (good to go, but more to come): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/autographs.htm
Cars (up and running; submit your '70s cars links to me at cars@stuckinthe70s.com): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/cars.htm
Cartoons (needs updating): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/cartoons.htm
Teen Idols (some images missing, some links might be broken, more idols need to be added): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/idols.htm
Movies (page exists, but images are missing and links may need updating): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/movies.htm
Music (page exists, but images are missing and links may need updating): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/music.htm
Toys: (page exists; images are missing; in need of SERIOUS weeding and update): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/toys.htm
Television: (page exists; many images missing; probably some broken links; update begun but needs finishing) http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/tv.htm
That '70s Show (the page is there, but soon to disappear – there are plenty of sites on the ‘Net dealing with this show that jumped the shark, as far as I’m concerned, last season; so, if you wanna look at it, go ahead, but it’s outdated, images are missing and links are probably broken; it won’t be there after Labor Day and may go bye-bye before that): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/70sshow.htm
Feedback (I need to figure out whether I want to keep this page or not; in serious need of update): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/feedback.htm
Freaks & Geeks: (See “That '70s Show” page entry above, minus the bit about jumping the shark; F&G still rules, but there are plenty of other good pages on the ‘net about it – perhaps I put some links to those on my TV page or '70s links page?) http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/freaks.htm
What We Bought (page is up; images missing; links may be broken; needs updating; if you want to add something about a '70s product, write to me at products@stuckinthe70s.com): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/products.htm
Site Map (probably needs updating and weeding): http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/sitemap.htm

Taking the site in a more “personal direction,” these are some pages I’m wanting to add to the site (send your suggestions for additions to me at comments@stuckinthe70s.com):

Joey Comix: My brother Mike’s weekly comic strip about Joey, his friend Kenny, Kenny’s sister Dusty, their families and adventures in a 1970s Midwestern suburb. You will also be able to purchase Joey comic books from this page.
Family Photo Album: Nothing but photos, with “cutlines,” of course, from the 1970s. To include members of my family, friends, places, things, pets, etc. This’ll take some serious scanning time, but should be lots of fun.
Fidler Family Recipes: My mom’s recipes for good Midwestern family cookin.’ May also include recipes from grandmothers and other relatives. You will also be able to purchase a cookbook from this page.
Memories of Growing up in Mossville, Illinois: writings, links, pictures and other bits (such as "What I Did on My Summer Vacations") about what it was like to grow up in this small central Illinois area from 1963-1981.
Inside the House (out in the garage and in the yard): What we used in the kitchen, how we decorated, where to find “retro” stuff for maintaining that avocado look.
Holidays: A holiday-specific page that will change, depending on the season, with memories, pictures and links to how we did up holidays in the '70s.
School: Remembering classmates, schools, classes, teachers, pranks, pep rallies and more.
More? I’m brewing much more. Let me know if you have any ideas.

With the 3-day weekend coming up, yours truly will be playing with Stuck in the '70s much of the time. Please keep checking back and check this blog for updates!! In the meanwhile, please feel free to leave your comments on this blog. I'll try to answer everyone's questions and comments!

Thanks, and happy Labor Day!

Jules

Hump Day Already, Working on Web Sites

2004-08-25T09:26:00.000-05:00

This week is already going by so quickly; I can't believe it's already Wednesday, and only 6 more days until September, for gosh sakes! I wish Septembers in Arkansas were more like Septembers in central Illinois when I was growing up. The cool, crisp air, blue skies and colorful trees were always so refreshing. Makes me think of hikes through the woods in our "Wonder Years" suburban neighborhood and "discovering" the old Mossville cemetery. One could only get there by foot, and you could still see the old wagon path.

By the way, my pumpkin patch is looking good this year. I think I'm going to have the most sincere one, and when the Great Pumpkin visits, he's going to leave me a whole bunch of toys and candies! :).

I'm still trying to resurrect Stuck in the '70s, but it's very discouraging because so much was lost, and there is so much to try to redo. We'll get there, though -- just not in a small amount of time.

Well, I'll sign off here. More later!
Julie

Big Brother, Lemony Snicket, etc.

2004-08-24T08:12:00.000-05:00

I had the chance to work on the Web site Sunday, but doubt I'll get to do anything with it on work nights. I'm too pooped, for one thing; and there's school work and dinner, laundry and dishes to be done.

Yesterday I borrowed the first Lemony Snicket book from the library. I think it's called "The Bad Beginning." So far so good. I can see Jim Carrey as this Count Olaf guy in the movie. I'm going to try to read all the books (10 of them) that are out before the movie comes out this holiday season.

I'm so excited that it's Tuesday. As pitiful as it sounds, my husband and I have become hooked on "Big Brother 5" on CBS. I've watched each season from BB2 on up, but this is a first for him, and he's even funnier about it than I am. We were disappointed the TiVO failed to catch Saturday night's show, but we were able to get caught up through cbs.com. I'm glad Nicomas put the twins up. They need to go. I think Drew or Cowboy should be next. I hated to see Will go and would like to see Marvin win the whole dang thing! Yeah, I'm hooked.

Well, thanks for staying tuned. I'll let you know as I update the site. I'm going at it a piece at a time. I have to locate lots of pictures and rescan them for many of the pages.

Later!
Julie

Goin' Nuts

2004-08-23T13:19:00.000-05:00

I am really goin' crazy here. I worked a big chunk of the weekend to resurrect the Web site and had hoped to have it back to normal by today, but I can now see it could take years, as it took years to build the original site.

I appreciate those of you who have written to let me know of your empathy. Your patience and support means a lot. I'll chip away at the site bit by bit and eventually, all the pictures and stuff will be there. If you have a link to suggest for any or several of the pages, write to me at stuckinthe70s@yahoo.com, and I'll see to it that it gets put up quickly. Rather than try to figure out what all I had on those pages in the first place, I'm going to go to my e-mail and use your suggestions of what you'd like to see on the site, and upload that first. So, now's your chance to help me build back Stuck in the '70s the way you want to see it!

More later ... stay tuned!
Julie

Web site down (for now)

2004-08-20T07:59:00.000-05:00

!@#*#!*#!!

To anyone who found this blog from my Web site, http://www.stuckinthe70s.com, WELCOME, and THANK YOU for caring enough to find me here. If you read yesterday's entry, you'll know that I am in the midst of changing servers. Little did I know that would mean I would lose my ENTIRE WEB SITE!!!!! All of those pages formerly hosted by Cox Internet are gone, gone, gone. I thought they would be transfered over, but now I can't get to them! So, I will be calling tech support tonight after work to see if the files still exist somewhere in cyber space where I can get to them. If not, then I will have to recreate my entire damn web site from scratch. Looks like it's gonna be a looooonnnnngg weekend. Luckily, I had saved my front page on my computer -- but that's the only page I have saved. The rest just resided in cyberspace. (I've learned a very valuable lesson here, folks.)

So, here's how you can help. If I have to create the site from scratch again, that means I'm not going to have all the groovy links and stuff I had on my former Web site. So, if you were linked on any of Stuck in the '70s pages and don't find yourself there on my site any more, please resubmit your link to me at stuckinthe70s@yahoo.com, and I will place you back on there. This is going to be a pain in the arse, I can tell you, but in the long run, it may mean a more efficient and better-looking site (trying to look on the bright side of life). Diary pages, hosted on a free server, should still be accessible. This also includes the magazine pages, I hope.

Please stick with me, and come back and try the buttons to the different pages. If it doesn't work, please come back again the next day, and hopefully, by Monday, Aug. 23, I will have it all worked out, and back up and running.

Thanks for your patience. I'm going to put my head in my hands and cry now.

Julie

Growing Pains

2004-08-19T16:27:00.000-05:00

Well, boys and girls ... I tried to add a link to this lovely blog to my Web site last night but kept getting a server write error. I'm so fed up with that server. In fact, I got so fed up, I switched servers!! Get a load of this -- I was only able to fit 10 measley megs on that server, which explains why Stuck in the '70s is spread out over, like, four Web servers (three of them free). Now, with Yahoo as my Web host, for a dollar less month, I'll get 2 GIGs of Web space. This is going to allow me to put sound and video downloads on the Web site as well as lots of other good stuff!!! And, it'll all reside at the same place and be easier to upload and update. I, for one, am excited about this plan.

First day of school went relatively well for the boys. The oldest was busted while trying to take a big sombrero to school and the bus broke down on the way home. Son No. 2 did OK and is ready to get his trumpet tonight. We'll be going to our friendly neighborhood discount giant to do that as soon as I get out of work.

More later as I'm able to finally get things updated on my Web site again.

Band Instruments, School Supplies & Tiger Beat

2004-08-18T12:43:00.000-05:00

This weekend, I'm going to put links to this blog on my Web site, www.stuckinthe70s.com, so I can get some feedback from visitors. NOTE TO VISITORS: If you're not nice, your comments will mysteriously disappear. So, keep it clean and friendly please.

That said ... school starts tomorrow. We've got to get a trumpet off lay away for my middle son. Ah yes, starting school band. Makes me think of Mr. Kinney and when I began fifth-grade band at Mossville Grade School, playing my dad's alto sax. I didn't like playing the sax so much, but I loved Mr. Kinney, the band director. (sigh) I specifically remember a powder blue leisure suit he'd wear with a dark blue dress shirt, white shoes and a matching white belt. Now, THAT's dreamy.

We're going to have to go shopping for school supplies tonight or tomorrow. I do love the smell of new crayons or crispy white notebook paper. New text books smell almost as good as lilacs or honeysuckle to me. Luckily, we store up school supplies in a big plastic tub each year, so we won't have too much to buy.

I won an auction on ebay this morning. I'm so excited. This little beauty is the September 1973 issue of Tiger Beat magazine. What's so special about that issue, in particular, you ask? Why, it was the first time I ever bought Tiger Beat. I had ridden my bike down to the Convenient store, saw the cover, littered with cute boys' faces, and snatched it up. It was at that moment that I fell in love with Tony DeFranco. I was 10, and Tony was 14. My husband wouldn't be born for another three months. ;)

Sophomoric

2004-08-17T09:47:00.000-05:00

Well, here it is Tuesday morning. I meant to play with this blog thingy last night, but we got into supper (Velveeta shells & cheese and golden whole kernal corn), and then the hubby wanted to watch "Once Upon a Time in Mexico." We rented the DVD last Friday and have to return it tonight. He'd watched it the night before last but wanted to share it with me. Sweet. Antonio Banderas and Johnny Depp. I used to think Antonio was pretty hot until a friend who was an extra in "White River Kid" told me he's extremely short and acted like a son of a bitch every time she saw him. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Then there's Mr. Depp. Yeah, baby. Born in '63 -- there you go. I've liked him in everything. Well, maybe everything with the exception of "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." That was just hard to watch.

We were gonna go to the oldest son's thingy at the high school last night. It was some kind of "welcome" thing for sophomores. At his high school, high school starts with sophomore year. Go figure. So, at the junior high last year, he wasn't called a freshman (although I called him that), he was called a 9th-grader.

Sophomore year. Boy, do I remember that. It was the only year I didn't buy the school yearbook. I looked like a greaser or something in my yearbook picture because my hair was so oily, even though I washed it every morning, and I had zits all over my forehead. It was the year of driver's ed -- 1978-79. I'll never forget learning to drive in an icy central Illinois winter.

Well, better get back to work ...

Creatin' a Blog

2004-08-16T17:25:00.000-05:00

An hour ago, I wasn't really sure what a "blog" is. Now, I've created one to be a companion to my Stuck in the '70s Web site. Woo-hoo! This should be a pretty cool.

I'll plan on this to be a place where we can do some remiscin' and some commentary on the world's current state. Or whatever. I'll try to write something at least a few times a week about what's on my mind or, again ... whatever.

Let's see ... today? Today has been a real Monday. Went by very slowly at work. Mind you, I'm grateful for work. Very pleased to be employed. :) In fact, I'm going to sign off here and write more later because I've still got plenty of work to do.