Originally Posted on The Sitcom- August 2, 2010
So with the heat of the summer, I thought it might be nice to cool off with a Summer edition of Woman’s Day Magazine, dated August 7, 1978. Yeah, memories.
In 1978 I was a sophmore in high school, wearing my Olivia Newton-John headband and legwarmers, dealing with acne, prepubescent boys and major teen angst while trying to remain invisible as I ate my ladel shaped mashed potatoes in the school cafeteria.
Good times.
But actually 1978 was a year that would later become a major turning point for all prepubescent teens. It was the year the cell phone and video games were invented. Life would never be the same. Oh, and it was also the year Ashton Kutcher, Kobe Bryant and Josh Hartnett were born.
The first article in this 34 year old magazine deals with getting organized. Yep, an issue for most of us even now. I’m guessing that this article might just help me get my ducks in a row. Lets look at some of the suggestions:
1.- Buy a notebook small enough to carry around with you to write down your errands and general notes.
This I do, but my little notebook has no errands in it. For some odd reason, it is full of crafty ideas that pop into my head in the middle of the day. Chores? Well, they’ll get done eventually. As soon as that paper mache dries and I finish sewing those pillows. Priorities. Oh wait, is there a sale at Michael’s? Well, better write that down…
2. Make “appointments” wth yourself to get chores done.
Um, yeah. Well, I’m pretty good at cancelling appointments. Especially when Toddlers and Tiaras is about to come on. I’ll give myself a stern look later for missing that “appointment”.
3. Know when to stop. When your muscles are aching; quit.
HA!
4. Barter- if a job is distasteful, see if a friend or relative might be willing to take it on in exchange for a service from you.
Ummm…any of ya’ll need a bit of quilling done in exchange for doing my laundry?
Hello? Anyone out there?
5. Double up on time. Clean while cooking.
Yeah right. I’m not very good at multi-tasking. I get involved in a project and forget about everything else, resulting in eggs that mysteriously explode and a few burned tidbits that I can’t pass off as just a bit dark. They say charcoal is good for you right?
6. Promise yourself a reward.
Yeah, I’m all about this one. Maybe if I can succeed at doing the laundry, cooking dinner and knitting a sock at the same time, I can treat myself to a bunch of new craft supplies? I’m sure the hubby would be thrilled. But then again, who am I kidding? He’s used to eating hockey pucks for dinner, and I’m sure he loves me for my disorganized self, so why change? In fact, I think I’ll reward him with a hand knitted mustache snood for being so patient with me.
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Speaking of dinner, it appears that the health food trend had not occured yet in 1978. To the left here, we have the yellowy-ist dinner I’ve ever laid my eyes on. So yellow that it most likely glows when the lights are dimmed. This is a bachelor’s yellow smorgasbord. Velveeta cheese, noodles, frankfurter chunks, more cheese, a bit more yellow food coloring, and a handful of peas and tomatoes to make it healthy, all mixed together in a yellowish in-your-face fashion.
Awesome.
To the right, we have a bazillion different versions of Oscar Mayer meats. I could be wrong, but I don’t think there is as much variety in lunchmeats today. At least I can say I’ve never seen Headcheese in the lunchmeat section. And I hope never to. Just sayin’.
Here is proof that the Snuggie is NOT a new thing! My personal mission is to discover if the Snuggie has actually been around since ancient times. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen it depicted in several scenes painted by Monet and on the walls of the Egyptian tombs. I will keep you informed as I delve further into the past, but it will only be on the “need to know” basis. Some secrets are meant to be kept…
And finally, we have to swing by the crafting section because, well, this is a craft blog after all. And we see that in 1978, they were still looking for ways to stretch the dollar. Here we have a wine rack made out of wood slats and drapery rings. Hmmm.. not bad. Unfortunately, they put it with a mirror frame composed of pine lattice and cooked noodles tossed with white glue. Yep, that’s what I said. There is no need for further comment. Bleh.
To the right is a loaf pan painted black and attached to a redwood post, forming a classic looking pathway light. The perfect use for my loaf pans as I still haven’t gotten that cooking thing under control.
And I don’t even have to paint mine. They are already black! Sometimes a bit of charcoal cooking is a good thing…
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
You are sooo funny,but true in some of what you say, I can relate to what you’ve said here!
Your a blast, you make my day !!!!
Paula
Loved this post. You make me laugh and enjoy remembering the “good ole days.”
This was a great one! I loved the 70′s.