August 21 --Two Anniversaries!

One anniversary I do remember, while other--well, not so much. 
***OK. The anniversary I do recall happened when I was all of 15 years old. Yep. On this night, August 21, my BFF and I were driven to the Iowa State Fair, in Des Moines by her mom and older brother. Any other time we would be hankerin' for some good ol' Iowa corn dogs or even a look at the infamous butter cow--but not this time. Nope.
*****This night was my first ever Osmond Brothers concert. This is way before Donny sang with Marie or Jimmy being the Long Haired Lover from Liverpool.  This was the five performing Osmond Brothers. We sat in Section B, Row 4, seats 11 & 12.  Back then Donny threw a purple cap out the audience. Alas, if I had raised my hand, I might have caught it. The cap went to the girl directly behind me. Such heartbreak at 15. :) Nonetheless, it was my first Osmond concert. The memory makes me smile to this day. Here's a link of the Osmond Brothers on Flip Wilson. When I saw them that night, I made up my mind I would see them somehow--some way--in concert. And I did. 
**********And the anniversary, I don't quite remember?  Tucked away in a tackle box (yes, a tackle box, my mom painted gold) is a calendar.  Well, just one month actually.  August. Each day, my Mom wrote something on it--especially that Dad had gall bladder surgery, and when they paid $25 to the doctor.  Just a word or so on an August day to show plans or Mom's happenings. I read each day, as if to have a connection with my mom. Especially on August 21.
**On the calendar, my Mom wrote how she wrote her mom a letter (who lived just 40 miles away). The letter was to inform Mom's mom, that she was pregnant--with me.  I was my parents' fifth try for a baby. I can only imagine thoughts and fears my mom had. If this pregnancy would go horribly wrong like the others. I wish I had a copy of the letter my mom wrote that night.

*****On this night, I smile at both memories--even if I can only remember one. 

Donny Osmond Fun Friday FlashBack

I'm so into Dancing With The Stars--have been since I got curious when Dallas Cowboy Great Emmitt Smith danced all the way to the hoisting glass ball trophy. And this season, Donny Osmond has my full attention. I like a couple other guys, like Iron Chef Guy Mark and the Boxer Guy--but Donny....

Yea, the Osmond Brothers filled my 1970's and really beyond, with alot of good memories! I can see alot of you smilin' and rememberin' too. And you know Kodak Camera company made such a mint off all us Osmond fans :)

So because it's Friday, and just 'cause I like this splash of fun, cue up a little ditty to show how Donny had the movies even THEN: Yo Yo!

May 8, 1978 was Monday

I knew I needed to grow up, eventho I still ached do all those fun things folks, in their 20's do. Yet, something happened that day. Something inside of me must change, I reckoned because:

Donny Osmond got married.

Yep. Life as we knew it ended. I've said before, originally Donny was not my favorite Osmond. His older brother Merrill was. Not until The Twelfth of Never (the song, not a calendar date) did I begin to fathom Donny not being half so bad. See, his voice changed. Donny sounded a bit more interesting to me, than during that "Puppy Love" stuff. Being honest. As I ventured to around the country concert dates and had a chance to chat with Donny--he was always very nice. His 70's nickname for me was "Crazy." So, indeed, I liked Donny.

Then Donny gets up and gets married. Co-workers gave me every newspaper clipping they could find on the wedding. What would I do, they asked? Did I still like him? Sure I did, yet it all felt funny. Donny and I weren't best friends. We never shared ice cream, but it felt like someone close to me ended our relationship. What of me? Was it time to get serious about life? Be grown up? Not stay out until 3 am and go to work 5 hours later?

I tried to be grown up. Be responsible--like Donny was. To look back, I can't blame him getting married. Donny had done ten times as much as anybody his age. In a sense, he had to grow up quick. To wed so young seemed like a given.

Fast forward 31 years to today. Donny and his bride Debbie are now grandparents. That thought seemed so far away in those 1978 days. I couldn't believe Donny got married as I vegged in my studio apartment with the black, brown and white shag carpet all for the $180 a month-utilities paid. And now to celebrate their 31st anniversary and what of me?

Today I boldly went where alot of men (and women) have gone before, and will go alot this weekend: the new Star Trek movie. Just got two words: LOVED IT. A smile rarely left my face through out! Not had THAT much fun at a movie in such a long, long time, ALL the way front start to finish. Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto were superb as Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, respectively. I can't say enough except I LOVED IT. Hey, I'd even say pay full price -I did- and have no regrets. I can't believe I ever doubted to even see this Star Trek. What was I thinking?

What a time to remember. The picture posted here, I once showed to Donny and Debbie. They both smiled and Debbie said, "Oh, how cute!" Then today, a movie reminds of a time once was and makes me look forward to tomorrow. Big time warm feelings on both.

As for me being all grown up. Well, some folks might think so while the others would say not so much. That I bounce around like a yo-yo instead of staying on one road.

And what fun is that? Except to be a segue to cue up The Osmonds Brothers to get the weekend started with a little Yo Yo. This clip is from Flip Wilson's show, in 1971, and another smile of how things once were.

I am blessed.