What would a mom in the 70s write a blog about?
I woke up this morning to help get my kids ready for school. They had set their alarms and were getting dressed. They had each chosen their clothes last night. My nine year-old was wearing bell bottom jeans, a fringed poncho and clogs. My six year-old was wearing a plaid jumper with white tights and Mary Janes.
I did their hair. I brushed my nine year-old’s hair into a middle part and pulled it back into two barrettes. Her hair is long like Susan Dey from The Partridge Family but she wants to get a short Dorothy Hammil cut. I’m not so sure that is a good idea. For my six-year-old, I made two pigtails and tied them with red bows. She looked just like Cindy Brady!
I walked into my avocado green and yellow kitchen to make them breakfast.
For my older daughter, I toasted a chocolate pop tart, and the younger one had a bowl of Lucky Charms with milk.
While they ate breakfast, I made their school lunches. My younger daughter gets peanut butter and grape jelly on Wonder Bread with a bag of Fritos, a Devil Dog, and a can of apple juice. My older daughter gets bologna and American cheese, also on Wonder Bread, with a can of Hi-C, a Hunts Snack Pack, and a Twinkie.
I closed the door behind them as they left. They walked down the street by themselves towards the bus stop to catch the Elementary School bus.
My husband had already gone to work so I sat on the couch with a cup of Sanka and watched The Price is Right.
When it was over, I walked into the kitchen and picked up the handle of my bright yellow wall phone and called one of my girlfriends. We recently got push buttons on our phones, so now I don’t have to turn the numbers on the dial anymore. It is so much easier to make a call now – technology for a mom in the 70s is amazing!
The phone also has a very long cord so I am able to walk around most of the kitchen while talking.
I chatted with my friend while I ate my breakfast, which was a bowl of Wheaties. I have to be honest – I only bought them because the very handsome Bruce Jenner is on the box. I sprinkled some sugar on them so that they would taste better.
My friend and I gossiped, both about people we know as well as celebrities. We had just heard that someone in our neighborhood is getting a divorce – scandalous! There is also a rumor that Farrah Fawcett may be leaving Charlie’s Angels. I certainly hope that isn’t true. I love that show and she is my favorite angel.
After we hung up, I needed to do some housework. I vacuumed the shag carpet and put away last night’s dishes. Then I sat down with a cigarette and another cup of Sanka while I made a list for the grocery store.
I showered and washed my hair with my Gee, Your Hair Smells Terrific shampoo. I also splashed on some Jean Nate.
Then I got dressed and did my hair. I wore my Gloria Vanderbilt jeans with a cowl neck sweater. I feathered my hair with my blow dryer. I wish it looked as good as Farrah! I threw on my Dr. Scholl’s sandals and my Diane Von Furstenberg oversized sunglasses and hopped in my car.
I drive a station wagon, which is great when you have kids because they can jump around in the back. I put my new Fleetwood Mac tape, Rumours, into the 8-track player and listened to The Chain. I love Stevie Nicks.
I ran into the store with my list in my hand. I needed some Swanson TV dinners, Fish Sticks, Drake’s Coffee Cakes, Tab, and Scooter Pies. I grabbed a pack of Freshen Up gum for myself. I also went to the drug store for some make-up. I was out of blue and green eye shadow and I also bought a little pot of lip gloss.
I was home in time for All My Children. I just love Erica Kane!
I made myself some tuna salad, grabbed a bag of potato chips, and sat in front of the TV to watch my soap.
Later, my kids walked in from the bus stop after school, but they just dropped their stuff in the house and ran out to play with the neighborhood kids. I told them to be back by dinnertime. I then got to watch The Edge of Night.
They came running back into the house a little later to get money for the ice cream man. I gave them each 50 cents and they ran back outside. I could hear all the kids outside yelling “STOP” at the truck. I hope they bought ice cream and didn’t use the money for something like Pop Rocks. Mikey’s stomach exploded from that stuff.
A couple of hours later, they came in for dinner. I made them a can of Spaghettios because they had a babysitter coming. My husband and I were going out with friends.
The girls put on their nightgowns and I told the babysitter that they could stay up for Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley, but had to go to bed as soon as the shows were over. I left the name and number of the restaurant we would be at in case they needed to call.
We met friends at Beefsteak Charlies. We all ordered steak with mashed potatoes and the all-you-can-eat shrimp bar. I also had my favorite drink – a Tequila Sunrise.
A new disco just opened up so we decided to go check it out. I was happy that I had changed into my spandex top and Candie’s, and that I sprayed on some Charlie perfume.
The place was really cool. The disco ball was sparkling and there were flashing strobe lights everywhere. We danced to a couple of songs, I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor, and Le Freak by Chic. When The Hustle by Van McCoy came on, the whole dance floor was doing the steps. It was a lot of fun.
We got home and paid the babysitter. She makes $1.50 an hour and we were out for four hours. She made $6.00 – she must have been happy!
I am looking forward to tomorrow. We are going to see a new movie, Saturday Night Fever. It’s supposed to be really good.
Stacey Feintuch is a freelance writer who lives in northern New Jersey with her husband and two boys. And she’s Stacey with an E opposed to this site’s co-founder, Stacy.
