Saturday 9: My Girl

 

My Girl

Saturday 9: My Girl (1965)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1) Temptations' lead singer David Ruffin sings that he has sunshine on a cloudy day. How does the sky look where you are today?  It is Friday night, so dark and the moon is full.  However, we have had sunny days in the 60's and expect the same on Saturday.

2) He maintains that even when it's cold outside, to him it feels like the month of May. What's your favorite month?  Ok, I think of summer as my fun free time, so I will go with June.  I love July also, but I start getting sad in July knowing school will start soon.  July flies by for teachers.  We love the kids, but always need a break.  This year is especially hard for me.  The behaviors we are seeing are over the top.  I have 6 runners (they run out of the classroom) or run away at recess (4 year olds).  I have never had this the whole time I have been teaching.  I am tired.  That is why I am not around much anymore.  I am around, but not online.

3) In addition to their vocals, The Temptations were known for their stylish suits and choreography. Are you a better dancer or dresser?  I am bad at both, so I will say dresser, since we have to dress somewhat nice for school.

4) Today, nearly 60 years since it's release, "My Girl" is one of the most popular karaoke songs. Do you know the words? Yes, we sang this song in high school choir.  Love it.

5) The Temptations delighted Mets fans when they performed "My Girl" live at Citi Field during the playoffs last month. The World Series is now over and the 2024 season is on the books. How did your baseball team do?  I don't even know...last?  I watched maybe 3-4 games.  The St. Louis Cardinals have not been fun to watch lately.  Hopefully we can bring up the young talent and hope they work out moving forward.  Just spoiled by the Hall of Famers.  I sure do miss Yadi, Pujols and Wainwright.

6) "My Girl" was written by Ronald White and Smokey Robinson. Smokey grew up with Aretha Franklin, and he's said they played together in the sandbox. When you were little, which playground activity was your favorite: sandbox, jungle gym, swings or slide?   swings.  I still love to swing with the kids if I have the chance.  Our new playground does not have many swings though.

7) In 1965, when "My Girl" topped the charts, Winston Churchill died. One of his favorite sayings was, "I am always ready to learn but I do not always like to be taught." What's something you learned recently?  I have learned that my job is stressing me this year out a lot and that Karl, Josh and I need to make fun plans so we have things to look forward to.  We are stuck in a work and go home routine.  I have said this before, but we are going to make an effort to do this and hopefully it will help.  

8) British-born comedian Stan Laurel also died in 1965. He's been cited as an influence on Jerry Lewis, Dick Van Dyke and Matt LeBlanc. Without looking it up, do you know who Stan Laurel's famous partner was?  Ok, I am just guessing.  Since these are comedians that were influenced, is Stan Laurel half of Laurel and Hardy?  

9) Random question: Imagine we Sat 9-ers are taking you to a restaurant for your birthday. Do you find servers who sing "Happy Birthday" cute or annoying?  I would love it!  Especially if it was a big group of 9-ers!

I am excited to come and visit you guys!  I am going to get some sleep and I will be by soon.

Tuesday 4 Meme- Reaxing

 

Relaxing

 

Hello!  Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

Do you keep busy all the time?  Many people don't take time to smell the roses. What about you?

1. When was the last time you sat down and relaxed and allowed the weight of the world to melt away?  I try to do this over the weekend so I can recharge for the next week.

2. what things do you find most relaxing?  How often do you get to do these things?  I mostly watch Hallmark movies to relax or read.  I can get movies in, but I need quiet to read and Karl is home on the weekend.

3.  What things wind you up and keep you from relaxing?  emails from the school or parents contacting me at night.

4. When was the last time you treated yourself to something, anything that is special?  I haven't done this lately, but I am thinking about doing some Christmas shopping tonight and I may go get some new tennis shoes.

Tuesday 4 Meme

 

Bath Time

Hello!  It is nice to have you back again for Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

There is something lovely about a nice hot bath on a  cold autumn night after a busy day isn't there?

Growing up our home had an old claw foot tub and I loved to fill it to the brim and sit there until my toes were like prunes.

Can we discuss the secrets of the bath?

1.Do you take baths or showers?  Is there a reason you prefer one to the other?  I take showers.  It just seems to go faster for me and I am usually trying to get ready for work.  It is also getting harder for me to get out of the bathtub.  ugh.

2. Once a day shower or bath or do you have a different schedule?  once a day shower in the morning.

3. What are your favorite soap and shampoo?  I use the gold Dial soap and Biolage shampoo and conditioner.  I am excited to read the answers for soap on this one.

4.  Back in the day many loved Jean Nate spray after a bath.  My mom enjoyed Avon's Skin so Soft.. what do you like in the way of skin creams, oils or sprays?  I just use Curel lotion in the fall/winter because my skin gets drier or St. Ives in the spring/summer.

Get out and vote!  

Tuesday 4 Meme- Lunch at Woolworth's

 

Lunch at Woolworth's

Click to see full size.

It's time again for Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.   

Prices are soaring and there is no end in sight!  Wouldn't it be nice to go back in time to do our buying? Even restaurants were affordable back in the day.
You can click on the menu to see it full sized. 

I worked  two full time jobs to help put my kids through school.   One of those jobs was Woolworth's. 

1. Did you ever eat at Woolworth's?  no

2.  What would you order from this menu?  I would order the #2 Cheeseburger platter.

3. Woolworth's had banana splits and    Sundaes.  Do you like Sundaes? What kind?  yes, I like a turtle sundae with hotfudge and caramel.  I like butterscotch also, but harder to find.

4. What restaurants are you favorites and what do you usually order?  We go to Applebee's and Cheddars.  It depends on my mood what I order.  Sometimes a cheeseburger and sometimes a club sandwich from Applebee's.  Cheddars has more choices I enjoy.

It would be great to go back in time!  I cannot wait to read your answers about Woolworth's and your favorites.  I have never been. 

I have been so busy with school.  In fact, this week is an example...I will be there until 8:00PM in a meeting on Thursday night.  It is also Parent/Teacher Conference time next Monday.  I am excited to catch up a little with you guys.

Saturday 9: I Get Around

 

Saturday 9: I Get Around (1964)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) 60 years ago this month, the Beach Boys were singing that having a cool car and helped them get girls. In your teen years, what did you drive? Ford Fairmont...probably about a 1980 or so.

2) They are searching for a new place to party. This weekend, will you be visiting any bars, theaters or restaurants?  no, but one of my teacher friends and I are planning to go see It Ends With Us...based on the book we read.  Has anyone seen it yet?  Was it good?  The book is very good.

3) When Brian Wilson was forming the group, he turned to his friend Al Jardine, his brothers Dennis and Carl, and his cousin, Mike Love. Though most of their songs were about cars, beaches and surf, only one of those founding members was a surfer: Dennis. Do you enjoy the beach? Are you good on a surfboard?  Love the beach, no to surfing.

4) They were originally from Hawthorne, California. Hawthorne was the early childhood home of Marilyn Monroe. Since Marilyn was one of the most iconic women of the 20th century, we know you recognize her image. Have you seen any of her movies?  Yes, Josh and I have watched a few together.

5) "I Get Around" is included in Endless Summer, the greatest hits compilation released in 1974. Influential music critic Robert Christgau said Endless Summer should be part of any basic record library. What's one of your favorite CDs?  I do have the Beach Boys CD that Josh got me for Christmas that is a favorite.  My actual favorite is probably The Cars.  It was one we listened to in college a lot and it just takes me back.

Let's look at the summer of 1964.

6) The #1 film of the summer of 1964 was Walt Disney's Mary Poppins. Have you seen it?  I don't think I have seen it all of the way through.

7) President Lyndon Johnson accepted the Democratic party's nomination at the August 1964 convention in Atlantic City, NJ. Atlantic City is known for casinos and gambling. Do you often play the lottery, bingo, or any other game of chance?  We will pick up a power ball ticket every so often.

8) Billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was still a baby in the summer of 1964. What was in your most recent Amazon delivery?  I got some new socks.

9) Another little one born in '64 is Mariska Hargitay. The star of Law & Order: SVU is the daughter of a well-known movie star. Without looking it up, do you know who her mother was?  nope. (I looked it up though).

Fun fact.  I love the Beach Boys and I have seen them in concert two times.

We had Open House on Thursday night, I love meeting my new kids.  We start on Tuesday with kids.  The summer flew by.  Here is me with the rest of the pre-K team.  I am the old one in the middle. ;)  We are in my classroom. ♥

Saturday 9: Annie's Song

 

Saturday 9: Annie's Song (1974)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) 50 years ago this month, we were all listening to John Denver rhapsodize about nature. He singles out walking in the rain as a particularly lovely experience. Do you enjoy walking in the rain?  Not really.  When we have had droughts in the past, I have been known to stand in the rain, but just a normal walk in the rain, no.

2) Denver wrote this song on a ski lift in Aspen. He clearly relished the ride, but ski lifts are problematic for those who suffer from acrophobia, or a fear of heights. Acrophobia plagues approximately 5% of Americans. Are you one of them?  Yes, I have a hard time with heights.

3) John Denver recalled that this song just came to him as he looked down on the beauty of nature. Can you recall a time when something you saw in nature touched your heart?  When we drove by the mountains on our way to Florida, I cried at the beauty of them.  I want to go stay in the mountains in a cabin and just stare at them.

4) Wildly successful here in The States, John Denver's popularity didn't extend to the United Kingdom. In fact, "Annie's Song" was his only major hit. But it was a big one. Denver's version reached #1 in 1974 and then in 1978 James Galway hit #1 on the UK charts with an instrumental version. Do you have a favorite instrumental recording?  The Entertainer by Scott Joplin.   It is played a lot at the theme park here, so I heard it as a kid and I have always loved it.

5) John Denver's first-ever guitar, a gift from his grandmother, was displayed at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix. Have you visited a museum yet this summer? If not, do you have plans to?  I haven't.  Karl and Josh visited The National WWI Museum in Kansas City while I was in St. Louis for my teacher conference.  They loved it.

6) In addition to the guitar, Denver also played the violin (or "the fiddle," as he called it). If a genie appeared to magically enable you to play the instrument of your choice, which would you choose?  Piano

Let's look at the summer of 1974.

7) Elizabeth Berkeley was born. She's best known as Jesse on the Saturday morning teen sitcom, Saved by the Bell. What Saturday morning TV shows do you remember fondly?  Smurfs, Looney Tunes

8) Hall of Fame pitcher and Cardinal great Dizzy Dean died. How is your baseball team doing this summer?  The St. Louis Cardinals are 59-57...I sadly haven't watched much this summer.

9) The biggest summer movie was The Longest Yard starring Burt Reynolds. What's your favorite Burt Reynolds movie?  I love Burt Reynolds, I will say Smokey and the Bandit.

This week we start back with teacher meetings and Open House is Thursday.  The following week the kids start!  Here we go.  That was a fast summer.

Saturday 9: Ghostbusters

 

Saturday 9: Ghostbusters (1984)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

This month we're going to recall Summer Songs. These will all be records that topped the charts during August.

1) Number 1 on the charts in August 40 years ago, "Ghostbusters" was written quickly. The Ghostbusters producers originally approached Lindsay Buckingham to write the movie theme. Buckingham took a long time to say no the film's production date could not be changed. That left Ray Parker Jr. only a few days to come up with a song. Do you work well with a tight deadline?  I do.  A deadline actually gets me to get busy and work.  If I am able to procrastinate, I will.

2) Parker recalls he got his inspiration from a late night TV commercial that kept encouraging viewers to call, call, call. What's the most recent business that you phoned, and why were you calling?  My mom had a small car accident last week and I called the mechanic about getting her car fixed.  She is fine.

3) The music video (linked above) was directed by Ivan Reitman, who also directed the movie. It features a variety of celebs saying "Ghostbusters!" None of them were paid for this, they all did it as a favor to Reitman. Have you more recently done or received a favor?  Received!  Josh and I just came back from my classroom.  He helped me get the furniture in place and unpack my boxes.  It only took us an hour or so, but if I would have been by myself, it would have taken a lot longer.

4) In 2009, Ray Parker Jr. made the Ghostbusters theme available as a ring tone. What's your phone's ring tone?  It was one on the phone...Erik Satie Gymnopedie.  I used to have ring tones and text tones assigned to the people that contact me regularly so I would know who was calling or texting, but after a couple of phones, I got tired of putting those tones back on, so I just used what is on the phone now.

5) This song is so enduringly popular that a 2020 documentary about Parker is titled, "Who You Gonna Call?" If you were to write a memoir or authorize a documentary about your life, what would you call it?  I don't think about things like this.  I have no idea.  I read this question to Josh and he told me he already wrote his memoir.

6) Early in his career, Ray was in demand as a session musician. He played guitar on the records of some of the 70s most successful female singers, including Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and Diana Ross. Of those ladies, which is your favorite?  I love all of them, but I will say Tina Turner.

Let's look at the summer of 1984.

7) Released in June, the original Ghostbusters was a huge hit throughout the summer. Have you seen it? Did you see the sequel that was released this past spring?  I saw Ghostbusters when it came out, I was 14 years old, so kind of perfect for that age.  I never really thought the sequel would be as good as the original, so I didn't see it, but if I ever see it available to watch on streaming, I probably would.

8) Beverly Burns became the first female captain of a Boeing 747. She was a pilot for People Express Airways, an airline which later merged with Continental, and Continental then merged with United. Do you recall which airline you flew when you took your first flight?  I have never flown, we have always been able to drive where we are going.

9) Ronald Reagan joked about bombing Russia during a mic check for a radio interview. He was embarrassed when the comment was leaked and broadcast around the world. Have you recently felt embarrassed?  When we were in my classroom, several co-workers came in to say hi and I had on no make-up at all.  I know they don't care, but I always have on make up at school.

Tomorrow-August 4th is Josh's birthday!  He is turning 26.  Happy birthday, Josh! ♥