Bringing a little bit of my "then" into my "now".

[ErikaRobin]

Recently I discovered the Boomerang Channel, and found myself transported back in time to the simpler days of my youth. I watched with my daughters as the Hanna-Barbera star spiraled onto the screen and I felt positively giddy.

There they were! The Smurfs. The Snorks. The Pink Panther! Remembering it all so fondly, I was excited to introduce my own children to those classics.

I know it’s not the cartoons I love as much as what they represent to me. They call to mind a short version of me hopping off the school bus, running home and being greeted by the smell of dinner already filling the house, and most likely the after school snack of cookies - made with love, by Mom. There were no responsibilities except that of keeping my own room clean…ish. The days seemed so long but so full of…just…everything. I miss them.

Yes, I am a child of the 80’s, raised by the cathode ray tube. I had Pac Man Fever and “Atari thumb”. I remember too well that it was video that killed the radio star. I know how important it is to “keep them away from bright light, don’t get them wet and never feed them after midnight”.

I watched Courtney Cox long before she was Friends with anyone. I sported a jean jacket with a multitude of different inappropriate pins and wore fluorescent shoelaces. I owned a Swatch. I knew Tootie’s real name was Dorothy.

Yes, I could kick your butt at tetherball.

I was a Toys R Us kid who was stuck on Band-Aids. I was an Electric Company fan, who later watched Rita Moreno doing sitcom guest spots and half-expected her to shout “Hey, You GUYS!”

I wanted to be a DoubleMint Twin. I tried the New Coke, hated it, and subsequently danced for joy when they came out with Coke Classic. I owned clacker-balls and Weebles. I danced my cares away down at Fraggle Rock.

I’m glad to have a sort of window into Mommy’s past through these shows. I did have a pretty happy childhood and seeing them again reminds me of more simple pleasures that my kids will appreciate because although those days are gone, they are not forgotten.

One more thing -
Gee, your hair smells terrific, but I sunk your Battleship!

Deal with it.

 

 

(Visit BlogLikeNinja to read more written by crazy people like me.)

[sherriet]

Feb. 25, 2009 at 12:12 PM

We love Boomerang!  Toons were awesome then.  Our kids didn't know what they were missing.

What Swatch did you have?  I had a gray one.  It's around here somewhere....

[clairandamjones]

Feb. 25, 2009 at 12:18 PM

I got every single 80s reference.  Is that normal? 

For me, it's not Hanna-Barbera that brings me back to my carefree childhood as much as it is the Looney Tunes.  Watching Wile E. Coyote fail (again) at blowing up the Road Runner with Acme products, hearing Tweety Bird talk about the puddy tat he tawt he taw, and "being vewy vewy quiet....we'we hunting wabbits!" is like a small fountain of youth. 

[Fistandantalus]

Feb. 25, 2009 at 12:35 PM

Ka-ka-ka Kwiki!  The Koala!

One Banana Two Bananas Three Bananas Four!

The Robonic Stoooooges!  (what were Hannah and Barbera smoking?)

[Guinhyvar]

Feb. 25, 2009 at 12:53 PM

I was gettin' down at Fraggle Rock, too, dude. I think I saw you there that one time... you had that thing on your head... oh wait, those were your BANGS? Oh, my...

*runs away laughing maniacally and wearing Erika's leg warmers*

Goonies never say diiiiiie!

[ErikaRobin]

Feb. 25, 2009 at 1:13 PM

Jenna, give me back my legwarmers!  

(Original Poster)

[RanaAurora]

Feb. 25, 2009 at 1:13 PM

Rowan's in love with Boomerang now.  It's fascinating for me, definitely.

[Guinhyvar]

Feb. 25, 2009 at 1:16 PM

I'm too busy dancing like I've never danced before...

[ErikaRobin]

Feb. 25, 2009 at 1:17 PM

You're a maniac.

(Original Poster)

[Fistandantalus]

Feb. 25, 2009 at 1:37 PM

Only on the floor.

[JoyeAustin]

Feb. 25, 2009 at 4:12 PM

It's like we grew up side by side.