Wednesday, September 10, 2008

I'll have Today's Special with a side of nostalgia

I woke up from the most curious of dreams over the weekend, one starring Muffy Mouse. Muffy! Yes, you heard me correctly: Muffy. Mouse.
I attended a flagship year-round elementary school (go Orchard Eagles!) where the idea was to attend school year-round, taking longer breaks throughout the year. My mom always worked, thus, I was farmed out to the grandma's most everyday of being "off-track." I loved it. Among other nostalgic memories of that time with my grandma's was the luxury of watching TV. The boob tube. Watching TV was a novelty and special privilege because there WAS NO TV at my house. So if you quote something funny from "Full House" or "Saved by the Bell" I might respond with a deer in the headlights look only because I have no idea what you are talking about. But at grandma's house I was allowed to watch shows like Sesame Street, Reading Rainbow, and Today's Special. Thank you, grandma. This tiny exposure to TV in my kinder years saved my childhood and afforded me the gateway to a well-rounded and happy adulthood. Or not. You decide.
When I woke up with Muffy on my mind, I went straight to the internets and lookey what I found:


Jeff! Jodie! Sam! Muffy! Nostalgia overload. I can picture my ponytailed 6 year old self now: hand-me-down cutoff's and a raspberry stained t-shirt - sprawled out on my grandma's shag carpet, elbows propped up on a giant green pillow - totally and completely sucked in to the giant 20 inch box in front of me. My favorite part was when Jeff and Jodie jump into the stars and turn into rainbows (1:11). Brilllllllliant! The more I searched around, results just got better and better and better. Back then I thought the TXL Series 4 computer was A-MAZE-ZA-ZING. Turns out, I still do.
Which shows bring you back to your youth?

13 comments:

The P*dunc's said...

Ok, first of all, you should be a fabric designer, because every time I come to your blog and see the new design, I think FABRIC!!! Do it, ok? I will buy some!

And second: Oh my! This had me smiling and maybe even a little tear came to my eye as I watched this. I always wanted to try a liver? and onion sandwich and I wanted to live in Muffy's house!

Tuttles said...

I LOVED this show! I wish they had more shows like this these days! I loved the Care Bears and My Little Pony shows the best when I was little.

Two Wheeler said...

I don't think it gets much better than Today's Special!

kami @ nobiggie.net said...

I so remember that show. So old school! Love it!

cathy said...

Oh I totally remember this-I also used to love the carebears and Chip and Dales Rescue Rangers-I used to fantasize about living in a tree and rescuing things just like them.

j e s s i e said...

I am getting little a glimpse of a memory of this show. Like you - I didn't have tv after the age of about 9 or so; and yes it's the only reason I turned out the way I did! =)
I remember the one with donald duck and he'd dive into his coins, and the gummy bears? What were those called? I'm wracking my brain and can't figure it out.

Wildings said...

K, I had totally forgot about Todays Special. I loved that show, I would watch it all the time! Good memories!

Debbie said...

I LOOOOOOVE LOVE LOVE, Todays Special. I also love and miss Fraggle Rock and Fantasy island. I wish they still had cool shows like this instead of the dumb a@# educational shows.

travdean said...

I wasn't a big tv watcher as a child. This video definitely left me with the "deer in the headlights look". I have never heard of it. Jen was singing along though.

tjneumann said...

Holy Nostalgia Smack!I loved that show. And I just realized that Sam reminds me of my Grandpa Mo. I wonder if that's why I always liked him. Thanks for having that dream and then sharing! It's crazy what our subconscious minds remember! I also like The Polka-Dot-Door, Tom & Jerry, Scooby Doo, and Casper the Friendly Ghost. Oh- and Smurf's and The Littles. Clearly watching TV wasn't as restricted in my house. :)

C*K*J said...

Oh hooray..hooray...hooray! I can't tell you how much this made me smile! Gotta love Today's Special!

Young Family said...

Do you remeber "The Polka Dot Door" that was another good one. Maren.

jarv said...

Oh what a fun trip down memory lane!!