The Heart-Throb with "Feathered" Hair!

Ok, I had to save the best for last...

I remember this show starring the hunk David Cassidy! I just LOVED him!!! I also had a thing for his half-brother, Shaun Cassidy. I was an adult before learning that Shirley Jones is Shaun's Mother and David's Step-mother. Far out. I remember wearing my hand-me-down (from my "cool" cousins), baby-blue bell-bottoms with Shaun Cassidy's face airbrushed on the lower right pant-leg. It came with a matching t-shirt too. I digress.

Anyway, as I was going back on YouTube, listening to a lot of David Cassidy and the Partridge Family, I couldn't help but think his music was quite contemporary. I mean some of it could totally be played today and no one would even know it was from the 70's. I think I need to add their songs to my iPod. Maybe if I'm lucky John Mayer will do a remake of this sexy song... enjoy! :)

Can't Ya Dig the Sunshine?

It's true... I loved the Brady Bunch when I was a little girl. I especially loved their singing. Growing up in a family with 7 kids, born in 8 years, I always secretly wished we would take to the road and start our own singing group... Sort of like the Von Trapps meet the Bradys... hehehe.

This was my favorite of all of their songs. They sang all of their own stuff too. I found out later that the guy who played Peter was actually tone deaf, and so most of the time his mic was muted. Guess that's why the only "solo" spot he had was in "Time to Change" when they had is voice crack. Funny. Anyway, enjoy "Sunshine Day" and all of their totally, far-out, groovy moves! Oh, and I have to admit... I'm sorta likin' Greg's White Jeans... Ain't No Shame... hehehe

Monkee-ing Around

Hey, Hey! It's the Monkees! Here's another show I LOVED when I was little, cuz I loved the music. I also thought their slapstick humor was pee-your-pants-funny. Sort of a "Musical 3 Stooges" routine. This has got to be my favorite song of theirs. Enjoy!

Far-Out Musical TV

I remember when I was little, there was something that you don't really see anymore. Musical Television. And I don't mean "MTV".

Some shows were centered around a musical group while others had music fairly often, though not in every episode.

In deciding to highlight some of my favorite Music Television this week, I didn't realize how many there actually were until I tried to narrow it down to four.

Here are some I remember:

Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters
Donny & Marie
Hee Haw
The Muppet Show

I am not gonna tell you the rest, as it will spoil my surprises for the rest of the week.

My earliest memory of such "Musical TV" was The Ozzie and Harriet Show when Ricky Nelson would play at the local dance club. Enjoy!

Journal Journey: He Broke My Heart

Fact: I've only been dumped twice in my entire life. The first time was 20 years ago; I was 15. The second time was 6 months ago... I was...er, um, yeah... 35. Grrr...Big-D.

Fact: Both times sucked. Both times I felt like my heart was going to explode right through my chest cavity and burst into a million pieces on the ground in front of me. Must by why they call it heartache.


Sunday July 23, 1989

This past weekend was Youth Conference. It was really great, except for one main thing. Eric. I suppose you could say that Eric let me down. We had a talk and he said that we should just be friends. But he hasn't seemed to act very friendly lately. Like today, when I said hello, he didn't respond. But no matter what happens, I could never hate him. A big part of me still loves him because we shared so many things that were like secrets to everyone else. We told each other things we never told anyone else. Right now I'm feeling like a big part of me is missing; a part of my heart. It's like I had a nice package, neatly wrapped up and then he came and untied it.

Fast forward to age 18. I went off to college at BYU-Hawaii. Eric was there, serving a mission for our church. There were a lot of "coincidences"; too many for this one post.

Age 19. I was engaged and having several doubts. I wasn't certain. And yet, for some reason I said "yes" anyway. I flew home for the summer to attend my sister's wedding just a few months before my own. I remember this incident like it was yesterday and think about it All.The.Time.

Monday July 12, 1993

There are many emotions I am feeling right now. It seems lately that everything is so confusing... just this past year Eric and I talked several times. Then, shortly after Christmas, shortly after meeting [the man formerly known as my husband] I talked to Eric on the phone. It just didn't seem like we had anything to say anymore. I thought perhaps that I was finally over him after four years of pining over him. And I'm not in love with him anymore; I mean I am getting married to someone else. But maybe you just never really forget your first love.

Anyway, yesterday I saw Eric at church. He came home from his mission. I was surprised to see him there as I turned to walk out of the chapel. As I walked towards him, I looked at him and he looked at me. I tried my best to smile at him, as if to say hi. He sort of nodded back and gave a half smile. As I reached the point where he was standing, I paused and we looked at each other for a brief moment. His eyes told me he had lots to say. My heart ached for him. I knew that he was going through something. There were so many things I wanted to say to him; wanted to ask him. I wanted to know what everything meant from the last 10 months. I wanted to know how he was. I wanted to talk to him; to hug him and to have him want to hug me back. I wanted to tell him everything would be okay. I said nothing. I walked on. I am engaged to someone else; in love with someone else. He seemed to understand.

Experiencing my most recent heartache this past year has brought me back to this one pivotal point in my life several times. I know that the life I am living now is a direct result of the choices I have made thus far and I am truly grateful for my children. I realize that my experience may be somewhat altered today if I would have made a different decision back then. But I do not want to live with any more "what-if's" when it comes to love.

I want to give my heart and my trust and I want to give it with everything I can. And then, after I have given everything, when or if it doesn't go my way, I can move on in peace.

I'm not trying to move mountains here... just looking for that thing called love.

Journal Journey: My First Love

Today is a continuation from yesterday's Journal Journey. Eric's mom finally instituted a 20-minute time limit to our phone calls. Guess she didn't know I was a talker, tee hee. At least they were local calls, right?

Anyway, to bring you up to speed, I was 15 1/2 and not allowed to date yet. Eric was 16, almost 17. He and I came up with a plan. Eric had an older brother; I had an older sister. We set them up and they became boyfriend and girlfriend like right after their first date. Woo-Hoo! Many times our scheming involved Eric and I "tagging along" with them places. (By the way, how was that NOT dating? hehehe)

My sister and her beau sometimes had a little teensy problem keeping curfew. I think this might be one reason my mom would let me tag along. Perhaps she thought my sister would have a better chance of getting home on time if I went too???

Sunday June 11, 1989

During church [Eric & I and our two siblings] made a plan to hang out at Eric's house after a youth fireside. Rachel G. wanted to stick around too. So we all played HORSE in the driveway. Of course Rachel is into basketball and won. I didn't really even pay attention to the game. Mostly, Eric and I just held hands and talked. Soon, Rachel had to go home, so my sister and her boyfriend said they would drive her. Eric and I stayed behind. We talked a lot about our goals and our future. I told him how our friends said we'll probably end up marrying each other. He said he wanted enough kids to form two basketball teams. We both want lots of kids.

After a while, [they] were still not back and Rachel only lives a few minutes away. Soon, Eric's dad came outside. He asked where they were. We told them that they went to take Rachel home. Eric's dad said it was ok for him to wait outside with me until my sister came back to get me. Well, I don't know how much time had passed, but it started to get a little windy and chilly and of course dark out. We didn't want to go in the house, cuz his parents and little brothers already went to bed. So, we decided to sit inside the Suburban in the garage.

Then we heard the door from the house to the garage open. It was Eric's dad again. We didn't want to be caught in the suburban, cuz we didn't want his dad to know we had been kissing. So, we ducked down. I was nervous, cuz his dad walked right next to the car and was standing right outside the window! I was sure he saw us. I tried not to make a sound. Finally he went back in. We started giggling. Thankfully my sister got back a few minutes later.

Friday June 23, 1989

Today Eric and I talked on the phone. We shared a lot of our thoughts and feelings with each other. It was really neat. I have never met a guy like Eric before. We told each other how we felt about one another. He told me he loved me. Other guys have told me that, but it was different. They just wanted to kiss or something. And I never told those guys I loved them back. With Eric it is different. I know he meant it because of the way he said it. He makes me feel that I am special to him and that I matter. I feel the same way about him. I feel that I am in love with him. I told him I loved him too. It is the first time I have said that to any guy.

Funny now to think that at 15 I could have been in love with someone. But Eric was my first love. I loved him as much as any 15 year old possibly could love another. A first love is so paramount; at least for me it was. No other guy could hold a candle to Eric in my eyes. Truthfully speaking, Eric has always had a piece of my heart. I don't think one ever truly gets over his or her first love, do you?

Once again, stay tuned tomorrow for the final "chapter" of my first love...

Journal Journeys: Then There Was You

Some of you may recall a few weeks ago when I posted this post: Journal Journeys: The Doorbell Ditch. As I had mentioned then, I've been rereading through my old journals. Here is more of THAT story... Just keep in mind that I was 15 1/2 and a bit of a dork... :)

Thursday May 12, 1989

...[writing about other boys]...Then there's Eric. His family moved into our ward at church a few months ago. I have had the biggest crush on him since the first time I saw him. I really like him and I think he might like me too, but I can't always tell. Anyway, Eric seems different than the other guys at church. I guess time will tell if he likes me too.


Sunday May 14, 1989

[This was the entry of The Doorbell Ditch in which Eric basically makes it known to me that he likes me.]


Wednesday May 17, 1989

Tonight at church I saw Eric. With other guys that I used to flirt with, I always knew it was just infatuation or for fun. I never really had strong feelings for any of them. But Eric is different. Not only is he totally good looking, but he is kind and courteous and totally funny, and well, just plain great! Little does he know I think the world of him. We get along so well, he seems perfect. He comes from a family of six kids and I come from a family of seven. I daydream about him all the time and fantasize that we'll like get married one day and have like ten kids or something. But, it's just a fantasy, and he would probably think I was weird if I ever told him that!


Saturday May 20, 1989

Yesterday when I was on the phone with Eric, he told me he would take me out as soon as I turned 16 and am allowed to date. That is like six months away. So, as you can imagine I've been in seventh heaven all weekend. We always have the best conversations. We call each other like every day. Our phone calls last for 2 or 3 hours and usually we have to hang up because his mom doesn't like him tying up the line. I wish they would get call-waiting, like we finally did. At least now my parents rarely tell me to get off the phone.


So... totally dorky, right? Yeah, I told you. Anyway, as you can tell, I was totally twitterpated over this guy; he was like the cheese to my macaroni. He was the moon to my darkness and the stars in my eyes... stay tuned for more tomorrow! (like slowly ripping off a band-aid...you're welcome.) :)

Flashback Friday: Remembering Eddie's Father

Does anyone else remember this show??? "The Courtship of Eddie's Father". I was really little, and yet, I remember it well. I loved the opening song.

Too Much Talking, Missing Assignments and Amish Marilyn

I struggle with my teenager and his grades. If I thought strangling him would help, I'd do it. I've threatened. I've restricted. I've cried. I've stripped him of anything fun. I just don't know what else to do. He is social and would rather attend school for fun verses learning. He doesn't see the point of half of his classes. I keep telling him that I will not be able to afford college for him and that he needs good grades. I also tell him that he would not enjoy repeating a year and therefore should apply himself. What's next? Military Academy? Charter School?

I wish I was home when school got out so I could make sure his homework was done right away. He has little organizational skills, and I fear he is just being lazy. Plus I worry that if he doesn't develop good study habits now - what will happen when he is in the real world? Am I nagging too much? Should I just let up? On the up side he is smart. He is smart enough to do the work and pass the classes. He is well-rounded. He is super funny and clever and extremely creative too. People like him. He is an overall good kid. Please send me your advice with what to do with his grades...

Speaking of grades... I was looking through my one and only box of childhood mementos. My mother saved all of my report cards and most of my state and national test scores. I don't ever really think I realized how well I did. In fact, I remember telling my friend that pretty much every report card said the same thing... "Too much talking" and "missing assignments". For some reason, this is what I remember. However, when thumbing through my report cards, I only came across those comments ONCE. How is it that I remembered those statements as being "the norm"? Did they really impact me that much?

I remember one teacher not liking me because I was NOT Amish. Let me explain. We lived in Northern Indiana, close to one of the largest Amish settlements in the country. We were going to move from the city school district to one in a neighboring town. This is where much of the Amish lived; in this town. Anyway, when my mom registered us for school, I found out that I would be in the same class as my Amish cousin, Daniel. The teacher's name was Ms. Christner. She was conservative Mennonite and therefore wore the prayer covering and simple dresses, etc. She was probably about 60 years old at the time. Well, to make a very long story short, let's just say Ms. Christner had a preference for the Amish kids. In her opinion they were quieter, more respectful, and hard workers. No doubt, all of those things were true. Basically, she just didn't want any trouble makers. And we all know that the English Kids (that's what the Amish call the non-Amish --"English"--cuz we speak English) are more out-spoken and therefore obviously a handful. Ok - so back to the story... Daniel had announced to the teacher that the new girl coming was his cousin. Ms. Christner was delighted -- until I arrived. She took one look at me and said, "You're not Amish!" Almost as if it were an accusation. "Nope," I said. "I am not Amish." She looked at me with disgust and pointed to my seat. It seemed I could do nothing to please this woman, hard as I tried. My hand-writing wasn't as neat as the Amish Girls'. And my desk was ALWAYS messy (especially compared to the Amish girls). And adjusting to a new school in the 4th grade and trying to fit in, I guess I was a little quirky. She was right, though. I wasn't very organized that year. I guess I didn't really enjoy school that year. Here is what she wrote at the end of the first semester: "There were several times that Emma could not find her completed assignments." Now, in my defense, I was for sure I had turned them in and SHE had just never given me credit for them.

At the end of the second semester, look what she wrote on my report card:

"I enjoyed being Marilyn's teacher." What the Freak??? It was clearly MY report Card and SHE wrote the WRONG comments!!! Of course she "enjoyed" being Marilyn's teacher; Marilyn was AMISH!!! Lol!

In Middle School, as we started taking placement tests, I would score in the 80th or 90th percentile nationwide in everything except for Science. I hated Science, and I was sure it hated me too! In Science I always scored in the 60th percentile. It was never in the "above average" section; always in the "average". I don't know why, but for some reason, I thought this was bad. Anyway, I let myself believe that I wasn't any good in Science, so I never really tried. Look at what my Science teacher wrote on my 6th grade report card during the first quarter:

No beating around the bush on that one, eh? Nothing positive at all to say... simply "too much talking". You can almost hear the implied exclamation too.

I did have a few great teachers in High School, whom I will never forget. My friend Celise & I had Freshman Biology together. And contrary to my difficulty in the Sciences, Celise aced science. - no problem. Being the quirky freshman that we were, trying to fit into high school, we goofed around a lot in all of the classes we had together. In biology we even pulled pranks with the "leftovers" from the dissecting unit - - but that's another blog in and of itself. Anyway, one day after class, Mr. Schultz asked me to stay behind to talk to me. He told me that I had a C in his class. He told me that it was apparent that I liked to have a good time in his class, but that while my friend Celise had no problem with the material, my grades were another story. He told me that if he thought a C was my best effort, we wouldn't be having this conversation. He stated that even though Biology might be hard for me, there was no reason I shouldn't be able to pull a B. He then said that during his lectures he goes over every answer to every question on the quizzes and tests and that if I just took notes and paid attention I should do well.

I was amazed. I was shocked. I goofed around in his class - he could have easily just stuck me in the back of the room and ignored me, waiting for the semester to be over. Instead he took the time to encourage me and tell me that I had worth. I worked my butt off in that class, because I wanted to test his theory. He was right. Because of him I started taking notes in every class. And I managed to stay on the honor roll all through high school and graduated with a 3.67 GPA.

Funny, how I forgot about all of that until looking at my report cards. Funny how those few negative comments made by one or two teachers was what had stuck in my mind all of these years as being "the norm".

That being said, I don't want the "negative" comments to stick in my son's mind. I want him to want to earn better grades. But I also want him to believe that he can achieve it and that he is worth it; because he is.