Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life: Day 248 ~ A Kinder & Gentler 80's and Me

The 80s! The decade I took over my life completely ...

It was as if right after graduating high school in '81 fashion, music, and life all went BIG! From big hair to big shoulder pads; from parachute pants to leggings and leg warmers; and YES I also dabbled with neon colors, did my aerobics (leg warmers and all).... honestly, I think "leg warmers" took over the 80s.

I have to admit, I had leg warmers in almost every color under the rainbow, including in rainbow! Shoulder pads... I was never without them!

Besides a decade full of fabulous (being sarcastic here- lol!) fashion, there was 80's music. We were given the new talents of Madonna, as well a reinvented Michael Jackson.

Everyone, and I mean everyone, had at least one copy of Michael Jackson's self titled "vinyl" album, that and Thriller.

Oh my gosh... the 80s also gave us such talents like Cindy Lauper, Adam Ant, the B52s and even Billy Idol. I didn't like new wave music, did I? lol. There was also the likes of REM, Duran Duran and the Cure.

As the 80s matured, music... I don't want to say music matured especially with the likes of boy bands like New Kids on the Block, New Edition and Menudo (Ricky Martin and co. wink, wink)

Then there were the "hair bands"! Poisen, Cinderella, Ratt and Motley Crue are a few of the bands lucky enough to receive such honorary title. GNR! That Axel Foley took rock by storm! Now that I look back, Guns and Roses were big!

There are so many more bands! I think of one band and then another pop into mind. Berlin, Spandau Ballet... It is almost never ending. Be certain to know that there are many, many more bands. If I didn't mention a particular band, it does not mean that I did not like them. One thing is for sure, I liked a variety of music. If it had a beat and I found myself tapping my feet, you can rest assure that I had the album..

The United States had Ronald Reagan (two terms) and George H. Bush.

Rock Hudson dies in 1985 of aids... impacting the sexual world forever.

Addison, 4 days old,
with mommy

January 28, 1986, was a very sad day, when space shuttle Challenger exploded 74 seconds after liftoff at Cape Canaveral, Florida killing all seven astronauts. I remember this as if it was yesterday.

I was also blessed with my first born son in the 80s. July 8th, 1987 at 3:34pm, my life was enriched forever more. One of two beautiful people that came from my first marriage (my first marriage... hmmm... also a gift from the 80s.).

We were also given the microwave and VCRs! which immediately outlived the briefly lived betamax players. Now, we were able to cook faster, record movies, sports events and even soap operas! The end of watching commercials! Can you say fast forward?

ET, Platoon, Good Morning Viet Nam and Rain Man were some of the great movies that were contributed to the 80s. As well as, Beverly Hills Cop, Back to the Future and The Breakfast Club. Some wonderful movies! There are so many more!! I can't believe all the movies that impacted most of our lives during these times.

I have to mention Dynasty, Knots Landing, Married With Children, Roseanne and of course Oprah! and... and... Cabbage Patch dolls! ... Tanning salons... and sneakers! Everyone started really wearing sneakers to more than just sports, working out and playing tennis.

The memorable, most watched wedding.... Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

Finally, the 80s also blessed us with the sweet sounding voice of Whitney Houston. Coming from a family tree that was not shy to talent... daughter of the glorious gospel singer, Cissy Houston, the cousin of 60s sensation Dionne Warwick. Whitney, was the mother of beautiful Bobby Kristina Brown, 1 month shy of her 19th birthday, her daddy Bobby Brown and Whitney were married for 15 years. Their marriage ending in 2007.

As I am writing my post this evening, the entire world is saddened in learning of Whitney's death at the young age of 48. The story is still unfolding.

My heart and prayers go out to Bobbi Kristina, and the rest of Whitney's family, friends and loved ones.