The Comeback Kids

I was inspired by Katy's blog (www.saltwaterkate.blogspot.com) about the reunion of one of the greatest Boy Bands ever—yes, I would be referring to New Kids on the Block! I had no idea there were even talks of *possible* comeback for Donnie, Jordan, Danny, Jon and Joe! I seem to remember on a show like “Where are They Now?”, each “kid” stated that he had no desire to get back together and slather on Icy Hot in order to swing their legs from side to side while singing the lyrics: “Oh-oh-ooooooooooh—the right stuff”. And yet? My prayers have been answered!

Then I got to thinking about all the other great things from my childhood that have been creeping back into the mainstream...the Strawberry Shortcake dolls that I never collected, but sniffed like crazy when playing with the ones my friend, Erin, had; the Pound Puppies that I adored (my dog was named Cookie and she has 2 puppies named Chocolate and Chip); the My Little Ponies that graced everything from my sleeping bag to the little plastic stable I had to house them all in...and my favorite (mainly because of the name), Care Bears! I'll admit that the Care Bears were a tiny bit gay (and I knew this even as a child), but they were pretty cute! And I loved those little plastic hearts on their butts...I’ve always enjoyed that attention to detail...

Not to be outdone by a bunch of toys, also making an appearance for the first time since grown women actually thought scrunchies and teased hair were hot (!), we have Van Halen AND American Gladiators...two things that I just KNEW were over for good—whose return was out of the question, but yet...here they are!

My point is that we need to have faith—I think we will be rewarded for our perseverance when we wish for things that will benefit all mankind! That is why I ask you to join me in wishing/hoping/praying for the return of the following:

10. Microwaveable S'Mores! They used to make this years ago—in a wrapped package was a puffy layer of marshmallow-y goodness between graham cookies slathered in rich chocolate. All you had to do was just stuck in the microwave, and in seconds, you had the most delicious after-school treat imaginable...and you don't have to smell like a campfire or burn your fingers to get it!

9. Swatch Watches—not only because they looked cool, but because I haven't been able to clearly define any romantic relationship after these were phased out. How am I supposed to know how a guy feels about me if I can't wear his swatch?! (So what if you couldn’t tell what time it was because of all those rubber bands we put on top…the swatch was about MORE than just telling time…)

8. Arrested Development. Nowhere in this blog did I specify that the beloved had to be from the 80's...this show was the best show ever and I miss the Bluth family terribly...(If you aren’t already a fan, I urge you to do yourself a favor and get the DVD’s! You won’t be sorry!)

7. Everwood. Same thing here—another show wrapped before I wanted to say goodbye to the characters. (Yes, my longing may have more to do with my inappropriate crushes on Ephram and Bright, but whatever—it was still a good show…)

6. She-Ra: Princess of Power! She-Ra was my hero—a powerful female influence (my accessories do tend to look like something She-Ra would choose); I like that she wasn't just created to give He-Man a love interest (They were cousins!), but she was awesome in her own right...I think girls need more of that rather than bullsh!t like Bratz...

5. Fruit Corners brand Fruit Roll-ups! I know that we have Fruit Roll-ups on the market, but they are NOT the ones from when I was a little kid and would inhale them every time I faked sick and pitifully requested/begged my Grandmother buy for me. The REAL ones had bits of fruit and seeds and tasted like actual fruit...imagine that...

4. Magic Middles. These were the best cookies of all time! They were hard cookies with pockets of gooey chocolate in the middle (hence the name—genius, right?) I still remember the tragic day I went to retrieve a box of them while I was shopping with my mom and found that I was DENIED. I think that traumatic experience has some bearing on my stock-piling junk food that I love...(hence the pantry filled with 6 cans of Salt & Vinegar Pringles and 10 packs of Valentine’s peep hearts).

3. Jem and the Holograms. If only for the music videos, I long to have this show back on the air! The plotlines are still relevant (how to deal with Misfit bitchez; doing the right thing and always coming out on top...) and the fashions were incredible—it was like Sex & the City for kids (if there could be such a thing.)

2. Roller Racers! These toys were my FAVORITE!!! Yes, it might've looked like a lame wide bicycle seat on small wheels with a handle bar that you put your feet on and wiggled back and forth to get going, but it was soooo much fun! If I could get my hands on one of these now....well, I'd probably swerve into the traffic on Line Ave...but I'd die a happy girl!

1. SOLID GOLD! Because? As many can testify: it's the business. AND so I can fulfill my lifelong dream of being a Solid Gold dancer! I’ve dreamed for years—YEARS—of this show making a triumphant return and saving the opening spandexed-befeathered spot for me…sigh…

Come on—who's with me?!
What would you like to bring back?

*Here's Katy and me at the NKTOB concert last October!

What wine goes with chicken, again?

My upbringing was a pretty strict Southern Baptist one. The way my mom put it: “if it’s fun, then you can’t do it—for religious reasons.” This means that there was never a drop of alcohol in our house growing up.

It wasn’t until I was in college that my dad found out from his doctor that a daily glass of red wine is good for his heart. I had to inform him, though, that the jury was still out on the benefits of Mad Dog 20/20, so he should probably throw that out bottle in the back of the freezer.

“Deacon Brazzell” still gives me a hard time any time I order a margarita (please note that the first time I did that in his presence, I was over the age of 25!), but he sure wants to “taste” it each time—you know, to see why I wanted to order one…

Anyway, I tell you this to preface my shopping trip this past Saturday. My friend, Emily, came to pick me up so we could check out her Aunt’s new store, Wine Styles—a cute little wine & gift shop (on Line Ave—definitely worth checking out! www.winestyles.net ). I talked to her Aunt Mary about my wine preferences (namely, anything that doesn’t taste like rubbing alcohol…I like Pinot Grigio and fruity Zinfandels). I held back the detail that my wine choices are usually based on the attractiveness of the label. She recommended something “crisp” for me that she was sure I’d love. (Side note: they also have a monthly wine club you can join as well as wine tastings on Friday nights if anyone is interested!)

I felt so sophisticated walking out the door with the long, custom bag with twine wrapped around the top…but with it was a naughty feeling of : "I'm getting away with something"... almost like: "it’s against the rules to have this in my home—out in the open!" Because I was feeling brazen, I later decided to make a trip to World Market and get myself some proper wine glasses. I ended up getting a cute little wrought iron wine holder for my kitchen, along with a couple more wine choices--I couldn’t pass ‘em up; the bottles were adorable!

Seeing my newest collection displayed proudly in my kitchen makes me feel like I’m announcing the fact that I’m an adult who makes her own decisions (!).
…but I still have room in the closet for them, in case I chicken out when my parents visit. ;)