January 2010

Happy New Year - It's the end of a decade

Submitted by Mary on Fri, 01/01/2010 - 11:57am (290 reads)

This song gives me goosebumps. ABBA is one of my favorite bands of all time, and they are a family favorite too. Even my grandmother loved ABBA. This song was written before the start of a new decade - the 1980's.

It's the start of another new decade, thirty years later.

May this decade be as beautiful as ABBA's harmonies.

May your life be like an ABBA song, as it is to Muriel in the movie "Muriel's Wedding." May it be as good as "Dancing Queen."

Louisiana - The Happiest State in the United States

Submitted by Mary on Sat, 01/02/2010 - 10:57pm (339 reads)

It's a new year, and it's time to focus on making the new year a happy one. Gone are the old regrets and negativity. Let's bring on the happiness, hope and positivity!

A couple weeks ago, USA Today published a story on which states in the US are the happiest states,based on surveys of 1.3 million people throughout the US.

Louisiana is the happiest state. There are probably many reasons for this, including the sunshine, the people, the food, the music, the culture, Mardi Gras, and more. read more...

Aging Beautifully

Submitted by Mary on Sun, 01/03/2010 - 11:00am (307 reads)

Those of us who appreciate antiques love when an object has developed a beautiful patina over the years. You've heard antique experts advise people not to scrub antique metals. Objects over time that have developed a beautiful patina are even more valuable than those that have had it's character scrubbed away. read more...

The Second Happiest State in America - Hawaii

Submitted by Mary on Mon, 01/04/2010 - 11:49am (345 reads)

I've never been to Hawaii, but I think when most people hear the word "Hawaii" they have nothing but positive or happy images - sunshine, beautiful beaches, Hula dancers, surfers, palm trees, Tiki bars, Hawaiian shirts, tropical drinks served in Tiki mugs or coconuts with paper umbrellas tucked into the top...

Who couldn't love Hawaii? Even those of us who have never been there love it already! read more...

Space Age Futuristic Fashion of the 60's

Submitted by Mary on Tue, 01/05/2010 - 12:06pm (1259 reads)

Fashion in 1969 by Pierre Cardin. Those hood collars are incredible, and I love those metal pieces! People predicted back then that we would be wearing clothes that were more futuristic looking today. read more...

Florida - Number Three (when it comes to being happy)

Submitted by Mary on Wed, 01/06/2010 - 11:32pm (275 reads)

Florida is the third happiest state in the United States, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (from results of a survey by 1.3 million people in the US). read more...

Like Basketball? Then you'll LOOOOVE this 80's workout!

Submitted by Mary on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 10:31am (287 reads)

You won't need a ball for this work out. Put on your shiny tights, your white socks, white sneakers, the t-shirt of your favorite team, and most importantly, put on your smile! Don't forget to sing while you work out!You might even want to invite four friends over, but be sure to give them the memo on what to wear.

Thank you to wonafan for posting this 80's exercise video to YouTube.

Meet a Happy Collector of Handmade Toys. She lives in the 4th Happiest State - Tennessee

Submitted by Mary on Fri, 01/08/2010 - 3:16pm (297 reads)

This happy woman from Winchester, Tennessee made my day. She has such a love for her collection of simple toys, and she treats her good old fashioned toys with such respect, proudly displaying them, yet unafraid to play with the toys. She has over 1,000 classic toys from more than 30 different countries. What is especially sweet about her collection is what inspired her to collect the toys in the first place. In the 1970's she was teaching a class to children, and the students told her that their favorite activity was watching TV. read more...

Guilty.

Submitted by Mary on Sat, 01/09/2010 - 12:12pm (318 reads)

I'm guilty of doing many of those dance moves in this video. I can't help it. I love to dance, and I especially love the cheesiest dance moves best of all.

I took my first dance class when I was three and I've loved dancing ever since. I can still remember that very first dance class. We marched around to the Mickey Mouse Club theme in a circle, then joined hands as we went around in a circle. I loved the visual effect of everyone doing something in unity, and how I could be a part of it. read more...

Phabulous Phoenix Phashion in the Phiphties

Submitted by Mary on Sun, 01/10/2010 - 7:20am (306 reads)

Or, that should say... Fabulous Phoenix Fashion in the Fifties. But, I couldn't help but enjoy the opportunity to overuse the phact that the "Ph" is an "F" sound in "Phoenix".

The video starts with women arriving in Phoenix off of a TWA plane, where they are greeted by Joyce in her 50's Western Squaw dress. The women go shopping in Scottsdale where Marianne shows off her Squaw dress with Mandarin neckline. Then, they head off to Camelback Inn where we get to see even more 1950's Western clothes. read more...