parcel day interlude

I think Mr Postie must have known I was studying at home today as I received 3 parcels. All of which I would have had to collect from the post office in the early morn the following day had it been a normal working day today.

In no particular order I received my Snorgtees T shirt that I won in the cool Fuel My Blog competition in October. It is just like the one in their advert if you click on the link above. It is brilliant albeit a bit on the dress size but I will wear it and FMB have asked for a photograph of everyone who has won one....... now that will be interesting...... mmm should I wear it as a dress or be a bit more modest lol ???

Another parcel was from my longest best friend 'J' whose name has cropped up in my diaries a lot. We have been best friends for 30 odd years. She sent me a beautiful poetry book for my birthday. No she hadn't forgotten, she is just like me, buys ahead then the darned thing sits there until we have time to queue up in the post office. Thank you 'J' it is just exquisite.

And last but by no means least a parcel from Australia. Nurse Myra you have the most excellent taste. A beautiful compact mirror and body butter that will make me smell like an angel and have the softest skin of cherub :-)
Accompanied I might add by a rather hysterically funny card hee hee


So a week has passed since my birthday and I am still celebrating.
Oh and if that wasn't enough to make me smile today FMB has invited me to become a writer on their most excellent site. They must be totally insane (in the nicest possible way). I am so thrilled ........... Thank you everyone :-)

31st January 1979

Wednesday 31
Came home at 11.00 (was there any point in turning up ??)
Washed my hair
The snow has nearly all thawed now.
Cleaned my bedroom
Phoned Sam
He was in a better mood tonight
Played netball this afternoon
Quite a boring day


I came across this today in the 70s material I have

I do doodle a lot when I am in meetings or on courses.
Here are some interpretations of what your doodles mean and you can compare his to yours

Strange though there is no interpretation that fits the doodle I did (& they usually do look like this) on a course a couple of weeks ago, should I be concerned !!!????

30th January 1979

Tuesday 30
Home at 3.45
Got a lovely letter of Sam
Phoned him and he was a bit grumpy (oh the good mood from yesterday didn't last long!)
Nobody is speaking to him at home
Fi came round for a coffee
Watched TV about 'rape' (ermm lovely viewing????)

Ok the results from last night are as follows

as I thought we are all 'sports' :-)

29th January 1979

Monday 29
College at 9.00 = boring
Wrote to Corinna and Sam
Found out addresses of colleges for Sam
Washed my hair
Sam phoned
He seemed very cheerful
I was so glad

I thought tonight we would have a little quiz from the Schoolgirls Album 1975........ 'Sport or Spoilsport'
Answers out tomorrow :-)
I scored 25 (in answer to question 2 I would certainly have stuck something on the culprit but it wouldn't have been something similar lol)

28th January 1979

Sunday 28
Got up at 10.00
Went for a romp with Sam and his Afghan round the village = glorious in the snow
Took some photos
Sam's mums cousin came down so we went for another walk
Got soaked in the sleet
Left at 7.30 pm for the train
didn't want to come home
Got here at 10.30 pm

What I haven't noted in my diary is the change of number 1 over here from YMCA to Ian Drury
make of that as you will? Quite brilliant.

27th January 1979

Saturday 27
Got up at 11.00
Went to Stafford in afternoon
Bought makeup, stockings and belt
Also bought Quincy Jones single
Went for a meal in the Woolpack = great
Had a good long natter with Sam
Really love him

I have no idea what the Quincy Jones single it was but I do like the soul sound now and am a Qunicy fan but back then I guess it was more going to be a disco track like 'Ai No Corrida' in the early 80's


but this track is fabulous combining Barry White, James Ingram and maybe some others.



Looking at events in 1979 I thought I would see who was born this year and is now in the public eye.


Pete Doherty - oh Pete is famous for drugs and his relationship with Kate Moss. He is in the band called Babyshambles and apparently he was also once in the Libertines but nobody liked him!!!

Morena Baccarin - actress in Serenity
Bob Bryar - Drummer in one of my Teen's favourite band's My Chemical Romance

Tom Chaplin from the most excellent 'Keane'


John Hennigan - or Johnny Nitro
Jennifer Love Hewitt - amongst other films 'What did you do last Summer'
Evangeline Lily - of 'Lost'(what a lot of brunettes that year)
Micheal Owen - he used to play for Liverpool F.C. & England and my Teen wanted to marry him when she was a pre teen (I am not allowed to mention that fact to her now lol)

And last but at no means least Heath Ledger. Such a tragedy, so talented, young and lovely.

26th January 1979

Friday 26
Go to Stafford on 5.20 train
A train got derailed at Bootle (one of the train stops between Southport and Liverpool )
Left college at 3.00
Went to Binns for a coffee with Cheryl
Train = late
Left Cheryl at 7.00
Sam was waiting for me = very very cold
Went to the Swan & the Woolpack
Sam gave me a Barry White single (still got it!!)


Like all Teen's I loved going to the cinema/ pictures/ flicks, still do. I was looking to see what was showing in 1979 ...... many have be saying to myself 'it is never that old?' but they are! For instance 10 & Bo Derek with her plaited hair (as well a figure to die for)



Other classics were

The scary stomach bursting Alien

Buck Rodgers in the 25th Century (so cheesy)

The China Syndrome what a thriller of the time
Clint Eastwood in the excellent Escape from Alcatraz
The weepy Kramer v Kramer

The Life of Brian classic lines such as Brian's Mum 'he's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy!' - superb comedy. It was on the telly over Christmas and it still makes me laugh.
Check out the quotes here)

Apocalypse Now a great film & soundtrack

Muppet Movie - I didn't see this until I watched it with my teen when she was little

And the Age of Aquarius film Hair - all that hippie culture, sexual revolution &
controversy

25th January 1979

Thursday 25
Got a necklace & card off Corinna in Germany
It snowed really heavily
Sam phoned
He has been thrown out of the house as he told his mum to get stuffed (oops!!!)
Went to Tiffany's with Fi, 'J', Stan, Mike etc (whilst poor Sam is homeless I am partying hee hee)
Fi went with Tony R (awww!!)


I have mentioned 'Jackie' Magazine a few times during this journey through the 70s. It was certainly the teenage girls bible, it covered fashion, music, true life stories, horoscopes and of course 'Dear Cathy & Claire'.
Dear Cathy & Claire were the problem page girls or 'agony Aunts' who would answer an array of teenage angsts.
What a brilliant job that must have been making up the answers to them.

Here are some examples with70steen's replies

Dear 70s.~ My boyfriend gave me one driving lesson recently but I drove the car into a ditch. Since then he's refused to teach me again. He says I only confirmed his belief that women make useless drivers.
70s reply~ I read into this that you are blond like me. I assume you were naturally applying your lip gloss at the time of the incident and using the rear view mirror to check your hair? My advice is dump him!!

Dear 70steen~ I'm really miserable. I've been going out with my boyfriend for three months - and he is the trouble.
You see it is his hair. My hair is shoulder length but his is a good 5 inches longer than mine - honestly!
I love him a lot, I'm sure I do. He's a fantastic boy and he's good to me in almost everything. But if we go to the pictures, usherettes laugh and snigger at him. If we go for a walk, there are always kids hanging around and laughing at us.
My parents get upset with me and they tell me that all our neighbours talk about me. My boy tells me he loves me, but if he did surely he would get his hair cut when it is making life so miserable.
Should I finish with him?
70s reply~ I think I smell an air of jealousy as you can't grow your hair as long as his!!! My advice is that he finishes with you (are you sure they are not laughing at you not him btw???)

Dear 70s~ My boyfriend is absolutely obsessed with films & T.V. programmes. After he has been watching a western,he develops a Texas drawl and a John Wayne swagger and after a James Bond film, he acts very cool and man-of-the-worldish.
It's most embarrassing when we're with a crowd as all of our friends laugh at him. How can I cure him?
70s reply ~ Dump him and pass me his number, he sounds a complete hoot (he may need a bit of hair cut and a groom though) and you sound sooooo boring & miserable !!

Dear 70steen~ I am really fed up because everyone -including my parents- are against me.
I'm 13 and I want to get engaged to Steve, who's 15. We've been going together for 3 weeks and are really in love.
I am attractive, although Steve is nothing to look at, which makes me think that I love him for himself. My parents are being completely selfish about the matter.
70s reply~ you are 13, big headed and he is ugly! My advice is that your parents ground you until you are 21.


Dear Cathy & Claire
I would like a change of career. I was thinking of becoming an 'Agony Aunt' What do you think???
70steen

Thank you

As my special day draws to a close I would like to say a really special thank you to you all.

I am truly over whelmed by the kindness of thought you have shown and the true friendship that has been passed across many many miles today.

You are all certainly a rare bunch of very special people with souls of angels and stars in your hearts

24th January 1979

Wednesday 24
MY BIRTHDAY (not telling which one you have to page back and work that one out!!)
Got loads of cards
A digital watch £10.00, a book voucher, a Boots voucher, writing paper & some mittens
Played netball & we lost
Went for a meal at the Schooner Inn = good (would have had scampi, chips & peas or gammon, chips & peas!!)
Sam phoned
Wish he was here!


I am an Aquarian and it is the age of Aquarius! When does it end?? Does any one have any idea??


I am true to many of the Aquarian traits, take no notice of the negative one's lol

Original and inventive
Independent and intellectual
Friendly and humanitarian
Honest and loyal

I plucked a few things from the 'safety net' to see the differences of view on astrology there are

This one is quite true.


Best quality: Enthusiastic
Worst quality: Argumentative

Most compatible signs
Sagittarius Gemini, Libra, and Aries.
There was one that said 'with a fellow Aquarian' well I know that won't work because my ex was one too

Anyway I have tried Sagittarius & Libra ... gorgeous but !!.. I guess only Gemini & Aries to go

I wonder if it is going to happen today with my horoscope?

From Jonathan Cainer - Imagine Mozart in a room full of research scientists. 'Excuse us,' they say, 'but we need proof that you really wrote that symphony. Compose us something else, whilst we shine these lights and strap these devices to your forehead.' Great art is not created to order. Nor can intuition be turned on and off, like a tap. Sometimes you have it when you don't seem to need it. Sometimes you need it, but it's nowhere to be found. Today, though, if you go very gently, you'll reach a truly wise conclusion. Once you have had your chart cast, you can then go on to look at where the planets are right now - and where they will be in 2008. (HUH????)

& from Russell Grant - Friends are coming out of the woodwork to help you. Don't think you can undertake an important project alone. In the past, you've insisted on taking the solitary route. By accepting assistance from others, you'll avoid problems you made in the past and strengthen loving relationships Someone who recognises your artistic abilities could urge you to attend a lecture. Be sure to follow this recommendation, as it will have a profound impact on your life. (ooooooo!!)

23rd January 1979

Tuesday 23
3rd Train Strike
Missed Sociology
Got 2 Birthday cards.(it's still not my birthday yet!!)
One off Auntie M (the mother of my cousin CK, he who provided me with all the games over here at Christmas) & one off a neighbour
Also a pair of earrings & £5.00 off Kate's dad
Phoned Sam & Fi
Got a Student Rail Card for £7.00
Playing netball against Christ the King tomorrow (no not THE Christ the King ... a school called that name lol)



I love fashion (hey I am female) & the history of fashion so when I came across this little, yet very thick, book last year for £1 in a cheap shop I knew I had captured a bargain.
It has brilliant photos from 1900 - 1990s fashion. These are a few of the ones pre 1970s


not sure this lady is a 'lady' btw
Oh and this one C1995... a wooden corset? (maybe Penfold could emulate this with his plane)


I have rooted out some 70s haute couture as this is 70sland

These lovely ladies were 'hostesses' working on British Rail Advanced Passenger Train in 1972

& these were Air Stewardesses on Southwest Airlines, Texas in 1972 serving cocktails such as Passion Punch & Love Potion

Just into the 70s with this look called the 'garnny look' Oh come on who wants to look like your granny (Miss Selfridges maxi dress in black, brown, purple and black £11.00)

1973 'wide beach pyjamas and shoulders of the 30s' those feathers would definitely get in the way!!

1973 'coffee coloured knickerbockers with a peplum bib top' .... no way you could go to the supermarket dressed in these !!!

From Nina Ricci's Autumn /Winter collection in fuchsia pink with just a hint of shimmering sequin boob tube = £550 ( was earning £4.00 a day as a Saturday gal)

A more affordable Mary Quant fluid boob tube dress 'Shoe-fly-pie' ? £38.90
Mustn't forget the shoes!!

22nd January 1979

Monday 22
Caretakers Strike N.U.P.E. (I guess the Winter of Discontent was still going)
3 pickets on the gate at college (wow)
Wrote to Sam
Washed my hair
Went to 'J's for an hour
Then went to Tiffany's for some tickets Got 20 (huh??? I wonder what these were for?)
Sam phoned he said the snow was really deep there



In my earlier ramblings I wrote about Tiffany's. It was a night club at the end of the road where 'J' & lived. Originally I think it was a cinema, then a night club called the Moulin Rouge, then Tiffany's. Sadly now it is a pub/restaurant.
But how cool it was ~ no expense on taxi's and if you forgot your lip gloss you could pop home for it.
The photo below of the then Moulin Rouge was taken from the top of our road


I thought I would have a root around and see what the top 10 chart singles were for this week I 1979. YMCA was still number 1.

Number 2 was Ian Drury - Hit me with your Rhythm Stick. I had a sort of love/hate relationship with Ian Drury's music. I think being a Shallow Hal type teen he just wasn't attractive ... I know but that is how it is when you are a girlie, but I did quite like some of his music.

Number 3 was Racey - Lay your Love on Me. No sorry I was never a Racey fan ... I know there is someone out there who has told me they are .......... you know it doesn't make you a a bad person! lol

Number 4 was Earth, Wind & Fire - September. Love E,W&F so great to dance to, later in 1979 I went to see them on concert, fabulous.

Number 5 was Olivia Newton John - A little More Love. I must admit I thought Olivia was gorgeous and was so jealous of how she looked... she was so skinny. (One the You Tube clip I have linked to there one of the comments that made me smile was 'Olivia helped me reach puberty' I bet she did lol)

Number 6 was Paul Evans - Hello This is Joannie. I had to look this one up as I didn't instantly recognise it ... I do now !

Number 7 was Chic -Le Freak ..... no didn't like this at all

Number 8 was Elton John - Song For Guy. Gosh I can't believe this is 29 years old !!!

Number 9 was Funkadelic - One Nation under a Groove... what a great dance track



Number 10 was Driver 67 - Car 67 . Not a favourite but I have not heard this since 1979 I think ?

I am smiling to myself as I am rooting out tracks on You Tube & typing this ......I am in competition with my Teens 'tunes' currently it is this........... perhaps Racey wasn't that bad after all lol

21st January 1979

Sunday 21
Got a necklace off Sam for my Birthday = great (but it ain't my Birthday yet!!)
Got up at 11.00
Woke Sam
He stayed for dinner
Went to Stan & Mikes houses
Every thing has cleared up (ish) from last night
His train was late from Ainsdale I hope he got his other train at Liverpool


This is the area where I work and what it was like today. The river that flows past my office must have been at least 8 -10 feet higher than it should be ..... on the photos I saw that swan he was just sitting it out waiting on the 'patio' of the pub ( they wouldn't serve him as he had no ID).... It was fascinating to see as obviously the swan knew to just sit it out whilst the humans stressed about it. Anyway to say it has been 'a bit wet' here today would be the understatement of the year



From 1975 advice how to keep your hair in tip top condition. I remember rinsing my hair in vinegar because it made it glossy also I would sit outside in the sun with lemon juice on my hair . Woh how did that fry your hair but it made it really blonde. Also a beer rinse was another top tip for great hair .... what a waste lol


Fun in the sun .... the advice was how to not look like a lobster. .......erm no advice about the effects of the sun rays on your skin then hey?
I didn't come across the 'SPF', 'Factor what ever' until many years later ..... gosh 'J' and I would spend all day (& I mean from 10 - 5) on the sand hills at the height of Summer rubbing butter on ourselves so we would tan quicker and returning feeling ill .... could that be sun stroke perhaps??? By the grace of god we are both ok (so far) ... how scary is that????

22nd January 1979

20th January 1979

Saturday 20
Got up at 10.00
Work 11.00 - 5.00 £4.00 wages
Met 'J' at lunch time
Got home washed my hair & had a bath
Went to Follies with Sam, my brother, Bev & Stan
Had a row with Sam over that stupid girl
Every time I went to the loo & came back she was all over him
I don't know what I am going to do? (give her a smack that might work!!! No of course I wouldn't!!!)



Coincidentally today I received an email from a family friend in Ontario about the 70s so it gives my scanner a rest this evening as I will post this.

IF YOU WERE A GIRL IN THE 70'S...
You had that Fisher Price Doctor's Kit with a stethoscope that actually worked.

We used to play doctors & nurses a lot in the early 70s (not yet a teen then). I had a plastic kit similar to this but my stethoscope certainly didn't work. My friend Fi had actual pill bottles full of sweets .... it just wouldn't happen these days (for one you could never open the darned things)

you owned a bicycle with a banana seat and a plastic basket with flowers on it.


no such luck I had to have a sensible bike with a basket and a handy case on the back called a 'shopper bike' ........ so embarrassing it was a bit like being made to wear sensible fitted Clarks shoes when your friends had fashion shoes, or the time my mum made me get ski pants with stirrups under the feet when bell bottoms had just started to be fashionable !!!

You learned to skate with actual skates (not roller blades) that had metal wheels
Loved skating (still do) both roller and ice....... but no roller boots for me in the 70s we have extendable ones which you had to get the wrench on to undo and secure the nut underneath. They lasted for ages because as your feet grew so did the skate .... at least mine had rubber wheels though


You thought Gopher from Love Boat was cute (admit it!)

I am admitting nothing !!

You had nightmares after watching Fantasy Island
.
possibly !!!!!!

You had either a 'bowl cut' or 'pixie', not to mention the 'Dorothy Hamill'.
People sometimes thought you were a boy
.
what did I say in a post a day or two back 'had my hair cut really short' & my Teen calls it 'man hair '

You owned 'Klick-Klacks' and smacked yourself in the face more than once


They were called 'Clackers' over here and my right wrist was always bandaged up due to severe bruising of 'God's notch'

Your Holly Hobbie sleeping bag was your most prized possession.


No sleeping bag but remember copying the drawings of Hollie Hobbit

You wore a poncho, gauchos, and knickers.

I had one like this in red with white tassles lol

I think you will find we called thses cullottes and the tight legged one knickerbockers

You had the Donnie and Marie dolls with those pink and purple satiny shredded outfits

Oh what I would I have given to have a Donny doll .....swooon

You had a pair of Doctor Scholl's sandals (the ones with hard sole & the buckle).
ooooo I have horrid memories over these shoes involving sunbathing, discarded broken glass and a severely slashed top of my left foot ... several stitches later and a hell of a lot of pain has meant I can't wear certain shoes even now.

PONG! ('video tennis' ) was the most remarkable futuristic game you've ever heard of !


Brilliant but I don't think we called it PONG!

You completely wore out your Grease, Saturday Night Fever, and Fame soundtrack record album.
You tried to do lots of arts and crafts, like yarn and Popsicle-stick God's eyes, decoupage,
or those weird potholders made on a plastic loom.
You made Shrinky-Dinks and put iron-on kittens on your t-shirts!

Don't know what Shrinky Dinks were but certainly I was iron- on queen

You used to tape record songs off the radio by holding your portable tape player up to the speaker.

hee hee oh yes!!! But then panicked as it was illegal lol

You glopped your lips in Strawberry Roll-on lip-gloss till it dripped off
It was a big event in your household each year when the 'Wizard of Oz' would come on TV.
You and your girlfriends would fight over which of the Dukes of Hazzard was your boyfriend.
Your hairstyle was described as having 'wings' or 'feathers' and you kept it 'pretty'
with the comb you kept in your back pocket.
When you walked, the 'wings' flapped up and down, looked like you were gonna 'take off'
You spent hours in your backyard on your metal swing set in with tent pegs The swing set tipped over at least once.

Shrinking Violet Conclusions

Mostly A's - English Rose

Mostly B's _ a Lily



Mostly C's - an Orchid



Mostly D's - a Bluebell


Mostly E's - a Violet



Mostly F's - a 70s Sunflower

19th January 1979

Friday 19
College = boring as usual
Stan phoned for Sam (hey he wasn't here)
Sam came up = in a great mood I am so pleased (oh I guess he was on his way then)
Love him
It snowed= great
My brother is on his way back from Somerset (I bet not so great driving home !!)
Got a letter off Corinna (my pen pal in Germany)

It would be a brave person indeed to call me a shrinking violet.. I certainly am not these days.
This is a quiz C1975 from the Jackie magazine that asks the question (OMG it was a bugger to scan!!)

I came out as an 'F' ~a Sunflower (the first 'F' I have been pleased to get), this is pretty apt 30 odd years later I doubt it would have been the same 30 odd years earlier .......
what did you come out as ? Results tomorrow if you choose to do the challenge!!

album for DP

Having trouble with the old PC here to put this together for DP ......
So we have

Band -

Biscuit Fire publication controversy

Image -

Song Title - I'm merely a disguise



Oh forgot to mention earlier whoever sent this (you were anon) you are a definite NO on the dating front....... sorry

Interlude swoon

Evening (Morning, Afternoon) everyone.

Many of you will instantly recognise this chap
If you don't then then I will give you a quick run down. (I tried to run him down once but he has one of those motorized zimmer frames and got away)

This is Daddy Papersurfer.

He is a poor old pensioner who has dreams of sailing away in a pea green boat or was it a luxury yacht.... ??? Can't quite recall just now. He is incredibly grumpy, which I believe does happen to men of that certain age. He is owned by the lovely TG who deserves a medal in my book for valour, patience and shin kicking. He has two lovely sons who obviously take after their mother although Penfold is appearing to take on some traits of his old man but if he carries on surfing I am sure he can resist the 'force'.

Daddy Papersurfer (or GOG) spends his day in a cupboard (cabinet if you are from across the pond) forgetting his thoughts as quickly as they appear in his pea brain (maybe it was a pea green boat??).

If he is sent a meme he protests that he doesn't 'do' them but I have seen some evidence in his cupbaord that indeed he does!!!

He is generally surrounded by goddesses from around the world... Sylvie, Nurse Myra, B4by, Cow Girl Betty, Olga, tNb, Sugar Queen, Shinade and of course Fracas and many many more (sorry if I didn't mention you by name here) and is grumpy about this too at times....

I have noticed that he has been added to Fuel My Blog as a writer (Kevin & Sylvie do you realise 'just' what you have done??)

He daily writes his direbloggerhea… but apparently not today for some strange reason. It seems that an Automated creature has taken over his blog. Now this automated thing decided to blog about me. Offering me to the gentleman on the web!!

Sheer genius ...... I know Daddy P could never have thought about it himself and maybe he should gracefully hand over his blog to the Automan in future? Just a thought!

Since the posting I have been inundated with requests for my company. As you may imagine I have had to sort the wheat from the chaff.

It starts tomorrow with this chap

now how could I refuse?

For the next 6 days I have chosen these

I know it will be a bit exhausting but what is a girl to do? I have bought some new smalls in the sale and have polished my platforms ready to go.

I know some will be disappointed but I would like to say thank you to these chaps for their kind words of undying love for me :-) One day chaps you will find the woman of your dreams.

GOG is he a relative of yours??






So thank you Auto Man sending you a big big X and hug :-)

Interlude..... rock'n' roll album

Ok ..... this is from dear Fracas from a place in Canada I can't spell
& you can read all my REALLY blond moments trying to do this if you click on the link above


I am a technophobe (yes I am not too proud to admit it!), I don't have swish hardware so my album cover is not fancy but hey randomly the song title came out pretty apt!!

Please have a go it is fun .. I hadn't realised there were 'random' search engines it's great (yes that is how not techno I am !!)

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first article title on the page is the name of your band.
2. http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.
3. http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.
4. Use your graphics program of choice to throw them together and make your band’s album cover. My graphics program is a pathetic Coral basic version but what the.....

18th January 1979

Friday 18
2 day train strike (remember this is the Winter of Discontent)
Had my hair cut = short (gosh I remember this it was so short, as my Teen would call it 'Man Hair' I was so sorry afterwards)
Phoned Sam at work and we had a nice chat
Sam phoned this evening and he was really narky with me
Here's hoping things are better tomorrow
Phoned 'J' had a great gossip and laugh (you can always rely on your girlie chums lol)


Now through the 70s in my informative years you will have seen that I had a crush on a different boy almost daily (it is still the same now as I have noticed this with my Teen and her chums) But I always had an eye for dark handsome type ... namely Donny, then Bryan and latterly David
Imagine my amazement when I stumbled on this bit of info! ....... what their faces tell us from Jackie Magazine C1977.

A step by step analysis of what their faces mean and ours too ...
This is from the Jackie album

So he is prone to jealousy as he has a 'mono-brow' as my Teen describes it. Can't say I noticed that! but Donny would have no reason to be jealous lol

Bryan is stubborn and domineering .... yes he is binned! Plus as a grown up he looked a bit weird

David is another 'mono-brow' so jealousy again ............... is there a pattern here??

After that analysis you can look at your own face! (eeek)



Ok this is me ..
Very romantic (yes), impractical (no I am very practical) idealistic (yes), sensitive (hell NO), poetic(yes)
makes bad decisions over love (erm Yes)
Head rules heart (yes and no)
not easily deceived (yes) and is over suspicious (yes)
sociable, friendly, full of fun & likes to flirt (oh yes)
Whitty, chatty girl who is a bit flirty? (yep yes)

So only 2 & 1/2 no's amongst a sea of 'of yes'... seems quite an accurate analysis??


So who are you ?

17th January 1979

Thursday 17
Gave Rob the £1 I owe him (it was for the subbuteo I had bought off him for Sam)
Came home for dinner & had a bath (huh??? had a bath at lunch time ???)
Had a student for Sociology
Tried to phone Sam but his phone isn't working
It's a long time since we've never spoken in a day (oh those heady days before mobile phones and the internet ..... sigh!!!)

These black & white (orange) scans are from an article about the circus at the Blackpool Tower Circus in the 70s.

As kids we visited Blackpool a lot, in fact a summer holiday was not complete with out a day trip to the Golden Mile, a go on the Pleasure Beach and a donkey ride across the sands.
When my father died in 1967 the Children's Home Charity sent Mum & us kids there for a week in a guest house. Volunteers ferried us there and back in their cars (I threw up in the back of one of them...... hey I was only 5 and it was a bouncy suspension Citroen).

My Mum still blames that week for some onward excess weight gain as every night the landlady would dish up tapioca, rice pudding or semolina!! Of course non of kids would entertain it so Mum would eat what she could of the 4 puddings and wrap the rest in a handkerchief, putting it down the loo when no one was looking so not to offend (my thinking is that if she had told the lady we didn't like it then she wouldn't have carried on serving it !!.. well that is me and that is my Mum!!)


I have certainly been to the Tower Circus on many occasions latterly as a Mum myself where my young daughter was crying hysterically as these papier-mache huge headed clowns danced around the rink .... but that is another story!

In the 70s and before it was a time when animals were used in circus's, it is not so prevalent now-a-days because of animal cruelty and so on... actually I used to be bored stiff when I went to them.

However, I just love the description added to these photos trying to make them appear interesting.

Now I want to meet this guy
Rudy Horn and his amazing balancing act hee hee



These next 2 are just begging for a caption!
In this one I reckon the tiger is saying
'right you distract him looking over there and then I will grab us some 'kiwis' for lunch'



'Can I borrow your ickle people & strimmer DP?'

For Gail

images scanned from Schoolgirls annual 1975

16th January 1979

Wednesday 16
1 day train strike
My brother took me to college
Bought a handbag for £5.99
Phoned Sam but he was out
He phoned back later
He is still grumpy with me about the weekend I wish he wasn't
Phoned Fi I feel so pissed off
He lives there I live here
He works in the week
I work on Saturdays but have college all week
It is so awful



From the Schoolgirls Annual 1975, I came across this quiz. Now I ask you? I was an early Teen then Donny was (& still is ... if you are reading this Donny :-) ) my dream boat, it was disco's, platform shoes, bell bottom pants, making up dances to songs in our front room, lilac eye shadow and later lycra pants trying to look like Sandy from Grease. We wanted quizzes about how to tell a boy fancied you, what do your friends really think of you? and other such important stuff!

How on earth would a Teen know the answers to these old people...... it's the sort of stuff you would find in your parent's record collection which to Teenage ears was sheer hell. I would struggle now with out the aid of the safety 'net........... so how many can you guess???

15th January 1979

Tuesday 15 (13 months) (for those new to here this is how long I had been dating Sam)
College = boring
Came home at 4.00
Skived sociology (I have so got to remember this if or when my teen skips college!!!)
Wrote to Sam
Phoned Sam
He was really grumpy as I am not going down to see him this weekend but going the next
Did an essay on the digestive system (how exciting!! NOT!)
Watched TV
Went to bed (as you do)



Now here is something else I know I tried in the 70s. Not exactly these wax crayon things but updating outfits or bags with iron-on transfers, sequins, ribbons etc. It always ended up looking like a load of old tosh and me wishing I had never ruined a perfectly good article of clothing.

Now dress making is a different matter. I loved (still love) sewing and I know I made a hideous maxi dress just like this in sewing at school C1975

Interlude

As some may know I am not one for 'memes' but there are some that make me sit back & think about who I am and what I am about ... this one from Sugar Queen
So I sat back and considered the 10 Love /Hates questions (5 Loves & 5 Hates)
These are my answers

1. I love to eat: Cheese! So bad for the cholesterol. But there are so many fine cheeses out there that have to be ate.
2. I hate to eat: Tomatoes, cooked peas (raw are fab) and rare steak
3. I love to go: Art galleries and museums I so love to explore new artists and the past with all its mysteries
4. I hate to go: To work but must as it pays for the life style I have
5. I love it when: My Teen gives me a hug. We had such a close huggy relationship all her life but now she is a Teen it is as and when she needs one
6. I hate it when: People judge others through press reports with out appreciating the differences there are in culture and life around the world.
7. I love to see: Something new in every day because it is there if we only chose to look
8. I hate to see: The ill manners and couldn’t care less attitude of some I come across daily in commuter life.
9. I love to hear: Laughter whether it be a child or an adult (laughter is so good for you.. I do it a lot :-) ) as long as it isn’t at the cost of others
10. I hate to hear: Prejudice and ignorant ill informed rants from people.

I am not Tagging anyone btw

14th January 1979

Sunday 14
Got up at 11.45
Sam left at 12.45
I went to meet him at Waterloo
Watched TV
Stayed for tea then his grandparent's took us to Liverpool
Sam went back to Stafford and his grandparents brought me home
I so hate it when he has to leave
Phoned 'J' & Fi


From the Judy album 1979....... all I can say is
'why would you be bothered'???
Also why is it in metric I thought we were still imperial then??

Alternatively you could make something really trendy like this !!!

13th January 1979

Saturday 13
Got up at 9.30
Woke up at 7.00 am
Worked 11 -5.00 got £9.40 cos of overtime after Crimbo
Met Sam
He spent £70 plus on clothes .. sexy beast (erm & you know how he could afford it ? He got a Burtons credit account. I guess he is still paying it off now!!)
Went to Follies 'til 2.00 am Sam hit his head as he slipped on the ice
He proposed to me again (rofl.... nothing to do with hitting his head then???)


I saw this today in one of those cheap end of line places ... just couldn't resist it!!! I wonder how many thousands were printed in Taiwan before they realised

Back to the Judy album as I know Nursey can't take any more footballers (yes it is Football here ok I know Soccer across the Pond ;-) )
This is a piece about the rise of Roger De Caucey and his bear Nookie

I'm sorry but there is something a bit wrong about a grown man called Roger, with his hand up a bear **** called Nookie

This You Tube is from 1987... he is on from about 50 seconds in ... but for the Brits of an age who remember the time watch the next bit, a little ditty which is quite amusing :-)

12th January 1979

Friday 12
It was cold & very icy as it snowed last night
Got home at 4.30
Went to Fi's with Sam
Hel & Mick were there too
Sam went to Formby to meet some mates
I stayed at Fi's
We had such a great night
Bought some cider and we practiced make up
Fi made me put rollers in

I know Nurse Myra is a little freaked out by the SHOOT footballers but I couldn't resist this bevvy of 'beautiful' 70s moustaches. If it was an article about them I have just included a snippet.

So which one would you choose............??

In 1....Romeo Benetti - AC Milan. Here we see him in his cellar with a vintage bottle of Italian wine..
In 2 ..... Drew Busby - Heart's 'his entire career has been concerned with making life hectic for 'keepers' '

In 3....Mickey Walsh - Blackpool (he looks quite cute there actually)

In 4 .... Stan Rankin - Glasgow United 'you must be able to last the full 90 minutes'

In 5 ......Kenny Payne - Forfar 'remember that when I am dribbling circles round you'
In 6 ......Don Gillies - Bristol City
In 7 ......Terry Yorath - Coventry
And finally in 8 .....Graeme Souness- Liverpool 'in January 1978 Liverpool paid £352,000 for him'

11th January 1979

Thursday 11
Got up at 10.00
My brother took me to college
I wore a skirt (hadn't realised that it was an exception with me then too., but it must have been as it got in the diary)
Tried to make chocolate eclairs x2 what a disaster
(oh I so remember this they looked like brown slugs both times. I was kept behind after lessons because I just couldn't get it right)

Fi came round at 7.00
Sam phoned 5 times (awww he must have been missing me)

Watched Dracula films





Back to the 70s SHOOT annuals for how professional footballers behaved at home

Andy Gray ... he was obviously single then with tomato sauce and copies of football mags in bed with him and what is that wall paper about ??

Gordon Hill..... now this was a 70s status symbol 'How big is my fireplace'. Folk for years after have tried to remove such monstrosities from their homes. I think that one would have taken a few skips.Oh is that a Betamax video I see

John Richards ..... professional footballers are not generally known for their flower ranging capabilities..... but here is John with his 'WAG' (I don't think they were called that then??)

10th January1979

Wednesday 10
Train was late
Got to Tech at 9.05 (whoops 5 minutes late!!)
Came home at 11.00 & washed my hair (was there ever a point in going in??)
Went to Drill hall (?? no idea what this is about)
I am doing dress making
Phoned Sam but he was playing 5- a -side footy (football or soccer with only 5 players as opposed to 11.. indoors)
He phoned back at 11.00
They lost


As there is a small reference to footy up there I do have in my possession some 'SHOOT' annuals from the 70s (left languishing in the loft after the divorce!). So here are a couple of scans from them that amused me.

Check out the stack heeled shoes for men over the dark haired moustchioed chap's right shoulder and the HUGE ties


Now this is Billy Bremner
Famous for playing at Leeds and an all over lovely chap. I just love the caption to the photograph. For goodness sake it has learner plates on it and it is no Maserati/Porsche that the players today would drive it looks like a clapped out Lada

9th January 1979

Tuesday 9
College at 9.00
Didn't do much came home at 3.30
Letter off Sam
Posted his letter
Sam phoned spoke to him for about 1/2 hour
Tony R came round with some photos of Follies = ok I suppose (bloody awful our faces are unrecognisable hee hee )

Ok from the Judy Annual. Why oh why do they insist in these darned books in encouraging you to be creative. Now I love sticking and gluing with the best of them these days I do Altered books ... soooooo therapeutic as an adult in a stressy life....... but as a kid you would spend hour upon hour doing what it said 'on the box' and it would turn out rubbish. The disappointment you felt was huge, not as a very small person though because anything you did then was a masterpiece but certainly it happened when you were at that age where you could recognise the difference from 'brilliant' from 'crap put it in the bin' (remember the Blue Peter Advent calendar, 2 wire coat hangers, tinsel and 4 candles??... and for you boys the Thunderbirds Tracy Island ... did it ever look like it said on the box? NO!!)

I defy any of you to make this and make look good when you can buy a perfectly good calendar for £1.99 in Wilkos ($1 from Walmart for across the pond)!!!

8th January 1979

Monday 8
Back to college = ok (ish)
Got a letter off Sam
Wrote him back
Social Services was cancelled (this was part of my Food and Nutrition A'level curriculum. It was quite intensive, the cooking was fine but not so fine was the chemistry of food and social care.... a living nightmare.)

My brother = home from Iran, Dubie (ok I know it's Dubai !!) & Frankfurt.
Mum is so happy (I bet she was! Being a Mum myself now I know just how worrying it would have been for her. But me as a Teen.... yes I was worried a bit but it meant I could hang out in the lounge without being chucked out by him. It was quite horrid at times being the youngest of 3 with 2 older bro's)
Sam phoned
Petrol Strike is nearly over hurray (all part of the Winter of Discontent)



Any way never mind the Winter of Discontent... here we have the fore runner to internet dating 'Dial a Boyfriend'. It is so funny you can even cut out a hair style for your lucky boy ..... the worrying thing is and many of you may not know this but in the 1970's Daddy Papersurfer was a model. I can certainly see the resemblance can you???

Scanned from the Judy Album for Girls 1979

7th January 1979

Sunday 7
Got up at 12.00
YMCA =Number 1 (couldn't find a decent original versions but here are 2 'different' ones)




Did Sociology essay (I guess I started on the 3rd (page 1). Oh those happy days of hand-writing essays before we had computers, crossings out, writing many pages then re-thinking the whole thing again and re - writing eee those were the days ... NOT. Nurse Myra I looked for the essay on vinegar, whilst in the loft, but it is no more I am afraid (the penny has only just dropped on that subject btw hee hee) )

Phoned Sam
My brother is in Dubye ? (yes ok Dubai we didn't travel a lot in my day) & then Frankfurt
He should be home tomorrow, thank goodness.
(he went out to Iran on the 12th December 1978 just as the uprising started in Tehran. I have been listening to the advice about not travelling to Kenya just now. It would seem that there was not so much public information then about travelling abroad in times of hostility)
Sam phoned at 9.00
My brother is going out with his girlfriend again

image scanned from 'Judy album for girls 1979'

6th January 1979

Saturday 6

Work 11.00 - 5.00 £4.00 wages = not very busy
Bought a chain £1.00 for over my shoulder (this is the only image I could find of how it sort of would have looked ... but you would never catch me wearing a blue T-shirt!!!!*snigger*)


Fi gave me her grey cowl neck jumper
She came round
Sorted out my bedroom
Phoned Sam
He had been sledging at Cannock
My brother split from his girlfriend (younger of the brothers)

images scanned from 'Judy album for girls 1979'

I always thought Fiona Fullerton was soooo pretty & Nookie Bear was rubbish!!!!

5th January 1979

Friday 5
Got up at 9.00.
Phoned the telly man as colour telly now = kaputt
(oh my no TV. It was great the old TV's, the picture would start to roll and you'd give it a bash on the top and the picture would right itself, normally)
He fixed it. It was a tube.
Wrote to Sam
Fi rang
Phoned Sam at 8.00
Watched TV all night (suppose I could now it was fixed)
Washed my hair and had a bath

image scanned from 'Judy album for girls 1979'

(sorry about the font above it has gone to pot ... )

1st - 4th January 1979

Monday 1
Fi left at 1.00 (oh I guess she must have crashed over)
Sam came round at 2.00
Made a snowman 'cos the snow is very thick
Sam stayed for dinner & tea
He got the 5.57 (oops) train to Liverpool and the 7.21 (oops again) train from Lime Street to Stafford
Phoned him.
He got delayed because of the snow and got home at 9.00 ish

Tuesday 2
Got up at 1.10pm (what?? 13.10 tut tut)
Had a bath & watched T.V. all day
Wrote to Sam
Wrote to his grandparents a thank you note
Sam phoned at 9.30
Snow nearly all gone.
It hailed heavily
Love Sam
'J' phoned

Wednesday 3
Went to Liverpool with Fi
Bought a skirt from Capricorn for £5.99 & 2 rings. 1 for me, 1 for Sam.
Rang Sam he said it was bitterly cold in Stafford
Wrote him a letter (what another one?)

Thursday 4
Got up at 11.00
Phoned the telly man
Got a letter off Sam & posted one back to him
Telly man took B&W telly to be fixed (that is black & white television for those who are to young to have never lived in the B&W world of TV viewing)
Fi came round at 8.00
Sam phoned at 10.00.
He is not coming up this weekend (boo hoo)

Well..................................

I have done it. I have entered the loft space of my Victorian house. Despite it being boarded for storage the soot from years of coal fires still finds its way around up there.
So after an hour or so of rooting I was like I had actually been down a mine!!

Any how, I found my cycling proficiency test certificates 1972 (cool I can now ride a bike), my autograph book from 1973 when I left primary (so funny but also has my dear nana's autograph there too who died some years ago), some interesting 80's fashion magazines, my wedding shoes in fact quite a lot of wedding memory bits (eek), a 1983 diary, the Schoolgirls album from 1975, loads of 45s, old postcards and letters off folk (which of course I had to read) and .............. tra la my 1977 & 1979 diaries.

They were hiding in the tea chest of no return. It is a massive deep box which I have not been to the bottom of in 20 years.

I galloped through 1977 because of no diary so I have had a bit of a quandary tonight as to whether I should revisit 1977 now or carry on with 1979??
After quickly looking through them I have decided to carry on with 1979 and maybe revisit some gems in the 1977 diary once 1979 comes to an end.
The other thing I found up (which I was given by a friend ages ago before I had any idea about doing this blog) is a 'Judy ' annual from 1979.
As I go through '79 I will pop images up from the album too.

So rest assured I will be around for a little while longer than I thought! Pops I know you will be thrilled hee hee

Dear Cathy & Clare

Dear Cathy & Clare
I seem to have voyaged through the 70s at a rate of knots. I find myself in an awful situation - the last year of the decade with no diary. What am I to do??
I have visited many places since I started this is adventure in 1974
& I can't believe how quickly it has passed me by.
I had so many 'crushes', it seemed in the early days almost a different boy every day, was it a Paul?
a Pete? a Phil? a Brian? heart throbs all of them!!!!
I had a full size Starsky poster on my wall
but my heart was always true to Donny
Although now I do have Sam who is a lovely boy. But How can I be sure he is for me?
I have done the hair styles
Oh and the shoes..... what great shoes through the 70s

I love being 5ft 8" tall

Then there was the orange pants
& this ultimate fashion statement

I have read in your magazine 'Jackie' about regression hypnotherapy.
Do you think that may work? Do you think it would take me back to 1979? I am scared that I would end up as a pantry maid in 1879 in a big house with the stable boy trying to steal a kiss with no return to today. Destined to spend my life in poverty with 15 children. Don't get me wrong I do like children but don't feel ready for such a commitment. Can you get pregnant from kissing a stable lad standing up in the scullery????
I must say it does appear a little expensive though at £15.99 1/2p a session! I only earn £4.00 a week selling shoes.
Or should I just spend a day looking through every box I have in the loft, battling spiders and other creatures that may live in the dark up there?

Please please help, I don't know what else to do!!!

70steen

p.s. I did like your article about 'How to make sure you're not invited back' such as 'start a fight', 'be sick over the cat' & 'pour your drink over your hosts dads 200 year old, highly polished pearl inlaid harpischord' very useful advice indeed as most people I know have harpischords in their front rooms!!!