Countdown to Christmas

Once upon a time, Christmas movie marathons that start airing 24/7 in October would have really irritated New York City Jen. 

Jersey Jen would have secretly watched a few (on the phone with mom, of course) inbetween binging every housewife season on Bravo.

But Florida Jen? Oh, she eats them up with a SPOON.

So, it may be October 17th.  And sure, it isn't even Halloween yet but... 

Bring on allllll the Hallmark holiday romcoms set in a chocolate shop / ranch / castle where a prince / farmer / dance instructor falls for a waitress / kindergarten teacher / advertising executive who suddenly has car / money / man troubles -- and has a BIG misunderstanding -- at class reunion / corporate meeting / charity ball before finding true love and the spirit of the season. 

Sign. Me. Up!

Sure, the plots are predictable, but that's the point: You know they'll have a happy ending. 

Couldn't we all use more of those?

Plus, the wholesome towns, holiday gowns and over-the-top decorations are very pretty to look at -- and all the guys are easy on the eyes too.  There really is something for everyone. 

So heat up the cocoa with marshmallows, grab your coziest blanket (even if it isn't that cold out yet) and allow me to introduce you to... Hallmark's Can't Miss Christmas Classics:

(SPOILER ALERT: Everyone falls in love.)

Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper! (2025)

Plot Summary in 25 Words or Less:
Haven't seen it yet, but an adorable, accident-prone local weatherman falls in love with his highschool classmate/ER doctor while visiting home for a gingerbread festival.

Why It's on the Nice List: Robert Buckley

‘Twas the Date Before Christmas (2024)

Plot Summary in 25 Words or Less: 
A girl on a dating app meets someone who agrees to pose as her boyfriend for a family Christmas Olympics weekend, and winds up falling in love.

Why It's on the Nice List: More Robert Buckley

The Santa Summit (2023)

Plot Summary in 25 Words or Less:
Fellow teachers have lost their mojo, dress up as Santas and attend The Santa Summit, a pub crawl that leads them all to find love.

Why It's on the Nice List: It ends with a banger, It Must Be Christmas

A Biltmore Christmas (2023)

Plot Summary in 25 Words or Less: 
A screenwriter travels back in time to the set of a classic Christmas movie and alters the future when she falls in love with its leading man.  

Why It's on the Nice List: Kristoffer Polaha

A Merry Scottish Christmas (2023)

Plot Summary in 25 Words or Less:
Estranged siblings meet up in a Scottish castle only to find out their mom is actually royalty, they own the castle, and they each find love.

Why It's on the Nice List: A Party of Five Salinger reunion

Haul Out the Holly (2022)

Plot Summary in 25 Words or Less:
After a breakup, a girl comes home for Christmas, gets swept into her cul-de-sac's holiday hijinx, and falls in love with her childhood friend/HOA President.

Why It's on the Nice List: Wes Brown

Three Wise Men & a Baby (2022)

Plot Summary in 25 Words or Less: 
Three grown brothers live at home with mom, and aren’t close until a baby is abandoned at the local firehouse and teaches them to love Christmas and each other.

Why It's on the Nice List: Paul Campbell, Andrew Walker AND Tyler Hynes

We Wish You a Married Christmas (2022)

Plot Summary in 25 Words or Less: 
A married couple on the verge of divorce has car trouble, checks into a cozy inn, and finds their way back to eachother.

Why It's on the Nice List: Kristoffer Polaha and a Llama

An Unexpected Christmas (2021)

Plot Summary in 25 Words or Less: 
A guy and his ex-girlfriend, pretend they are still together for the sake of his family at Christmas, and while stuck in their home, fall back in love.

Why It's on the Nice List: Tyler Hynes

The Christmas House (2020)

Plot Summary in 25 Words or Less:
Two successful sons come home for the holidays, to recreate childhood memories, save their parent’s marriage and fall in love with a high school sweetheart.

Why It's on the Nice List: Robert Buckley (he really never disappoints)

On the 12th Date of Christmas (2020)

Plot Summary in 25 Words or Less: 
Game creators, both vying for the same promotion, pair up to create a 12 Days of Christmas scavenger hunt around Chicago, and fall in love along the way.

Why It's on the Nice List: Tyler Hynes (even better with a beard)

Five Star Christmas (2020)

Plot Summary in 25 Words or Less:
A mysterious travel writer visits a B&B, so the family pretends to be guests for a good review, until their daughter falls in love with him.

Why It's on the Nice List: Victor Webster

Now, I know what you're thinking...

These movies all sound the same!  But trust me, they are VERY different. Sort of.  Besides, these are just the ones I've loved since 2020.  If you want a real treat, watch my favorite Hallmark movie of all time from 2008, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, aka Fonzie Christmas. 

And if you feel like playing my version of Hallmark holiday bingo, download your cards here.

(See, I told you Florida Jen was all in.)

Merry early Christmas, everybody!

Brave New World

How is it 2025?!  

It feels like it was just the year 2000 -- a brand new century, half a lifetime ago. 

Remember all the hullabaloo around Y2K?  Banks will collapse! Flights will be grounded! Power grids will implode! The media had us whipped up into a frenzy. 

That seems so quaint and simple. 

Now, it's all about artificial intelligence. And nearly 100 years after Aldous Huxley put pen to paper, AI is taking over our brave new world...

On the one hand, it is EXCITING. I love new stuff! On the other hand, it will be pretty horrifying when a robot that's smarter than Elon, richer than Oprah, sportier than Serena, and sexier than Beyonce (or Madonna, in her heyday) steals my boyfriend.

Oh, who am I kidding? I won't have a boyfriend.

Anyhoo, one day AI will do literally everything for us. Except fold fitted sheets.  That shit is hard.

A win for the humans!

I guess it's only fitting that I asked ChatGPT to help me with this blog post. My request was simple: Write a rhyming poem on how great it is to be named Jennifer. 

It came up with 2 different versions in 2 seconds flat. To be honest, they are actually pretty good.  Then I asked it for a regal portrait (see above). It's giving Game of Thrones vibes, but I don't hate it.  Finally, I asked it to make me into an 80s doll. 

That one... not so much. (Scroll to the end to see what I mean.)

I guess I flew too close to the sun and got burned.  Let that be an AI lesson for us all.

Now, for the poems. e.e. cummings, e.eat your heart out...

Jenny from the Block (But Make It Jersey)

I’m Jennifer—call me Jen or Jenny,

One name, three vibes, I’ve got plenty.

From Bronx-born roots to Jersey streets,

I walk with rhythm, skip no beats.

A Leo queen with fire inside,

Long brown hair and fierce green eyes.

I speak my mind, I hold my ground,

And lift you up when feeling down.

Got that charm you can’t define,

Half big heart, half punchline.

From shopping malls to midtown lights,

I’ve worked real hard and soared to heights.

So whether it’s Jenny, Jen, or J,

A loyal girl in every way.

On city blocks, in garden skies,

This name? It’s legend—no surprise.

The Glorious Burden of Being Jennifer

They named me Jennifer—golly gee,

Like half the girls in ’73.

You shout my name across the mall,

And seven Jennifers will call.

In class I was Jen #4,

Behind a Jen, two by the door.

Our teacher sighed, “Just use last names,”

And thus began the nickname games.

There’s Jenny, Jen, "Nif" and “Fer,”

(Last two are weird, do not prefer.)

There's also Jenn with extra n,

A silly spell, like whyy or whenn.

Yet still, I love my name with pride,

Rolls off the tongue like theme park rides.

It’s friendly, cute, a comfy shoe,

And rhymes with… well, just very few.

So here’s to Jennifers, all around,

The finest flock that can be found.

We laugh, we lead, we own the show—

Even if folks call us all J Lo.

Nice job, AI! But go back to the drawing board on this one... she's creepy.

#TeamUSA

I sometimes forget that I'm French.

From food to fashion to films, I identify most with my Italian side. 

But from my last name, to the 7 years I studied en Français, to that one time I visited Paris, to my beloved Louis V Neverfull large tote, to the fact that I can literally eat my weight in fluffy croissants, I remember... 

I am half French too!

And oh la la, France sure put on a show last night. 

You know, I don't usually get swept up in Olympics Fever.  The last time I remember really following the games was when Michael Phelps was sweeping up gold medals in Beijing in 2008. 

But this year just hits different.

The stunning venue absolutely plays a part. I don't think there ever was a more beautiful sight (or site). For the first time, the opening ceremony didn't take place in a stadium but in a whole city. 

Magnifique! 

And I am looking forward to seeing how Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky and Sha'Carri Richardson fare.  But maybe more than all that, I think as a country we really need something to unite us. 

Right now.

A reason to cheer!

We live in a time where we are reminded daily of the things that divide us -- especially in an election year. But the Olympics gives us a chance to celebrate being the UNITED States of America.

Remember that? It's in the name!

So, I'm all in with the Red, White & Blue. I've even got my official Ralph Lauren-designed tee, sweatshirt & tote so I can have all of the style and none of the skill of #TeamUSA. 

At least I'll look good...

This spectacular show kicked off with the flurry of a thousand can-can girls, even if she was a little soggy from the rain. Since the Olympics symbol has 5 rings, here are my 5 mesmerizing moments from the truly dazzling opening ceremonies:

That Beautiful Boat Parade
How cool was it to see 200 countries float down the River Seine smiling ear to ear with colorful flags waving? I even learned about few new ones! Each team was full of hope and hard work on their way to the torch lighting ceremony. And the rain was no match for our flag bearers Lebron James and Coco Gauff who led nearly 600 emotional athletes in a “USA! USA!” chant as they cruised to the Eiffel Tower. Bonne chance, mes amis!

Heavy Metal Marie Antoinette
Who needs medals when you have metal? The French Revolution was in full swing with Do You Hear the People Sing from Les Mis. As bright red ribbons spilled over the sides of the Conceirgerie down to the cobblestone streets, dozens of Marie Antoinettes held their own decapitated heads as headbangers rocked the river. A spectacle to behold.

Hold Me Closer Flying Dancers
Gravity-defying acrobats were swinging and swaying on stilts twenty feet in the air making for a wild ride over the Pont Neuf bridge, which was as wet as the water below. It was so graceful and yet so nerve-wracking. I still don't understand how they did it!

Her Heart Will Go On
There were many great muscial moments, but it was Celine Dion who brought down la maison with her stunning performance of L'Hymne À L'Amour (her first time singing in public since a sad medical diagnosis). Perched with her pianist on a balcony of the shimmering Eiffel Tower, high above the City of Lights, she was a showstopper. I saw her once at Caesar's Palace in Vegas with Cirque du Soleil and back then she put on a helluva show. It was so moving to see her in this gorgeous finale.

Up, Up and Away
What began with a masked man leaping across rooftops to a steel horse gliding down the river to a steady stream of A-list athletes, the torch was passed from person to person until it lit a flaming hot cauldrom, turned hot air balloon, in the Tuileries Garden. It was a glowing send-off to a fabulous four-hour fête.

After all THAT, I say, bonjour et bonne chance aux États-Unis! 

Let the games begin...

(And because I really couldn't choose just 5 moments, here's a whole bunch more pretty stuff.)

Jessie's Girls

Rick Springfield was my very first concert. 

It was July 26, 1985 and I was just about to turn 12.  We went as a family, which also made it my 7 year old brother's first concert too.  

You're welcome.

I don't really remember what I wore, but I know my mom dressed him in a button down, khakis and loafers like he was going to an insurance convention.  

We piled into our gray Chrysler LeBarron on a sweaty summer day, and cruised on down Route 3 toward Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, NJ. This venue changed names a few times over the years, to Continental Airlines to Izod to Meadowlands, and now I think is closed, but it used to be a pretty happening place.  It was also the spot where I saw my first concert with my friends at age 15 (on a school night!).

It was Bon Jovi. Yes, I am the quintessential 80s Jersey Girl and had the hair to prove it.

Anyway, back to my first love, Rick, aka dreamy Dr. Noah Drake on GH. 

As a pre-bday treat, we had floor seats a few rows from the stage. I don't think I understood how special that was at the time, but I know now. I do remember the excitement in the air when the lights dimmed as 'Til Tuesday opened and sang their one-hit-wonder, Voices Carry. 

Hush, hush! You might say ol' Richard's a one-hit-wonder too, but you'd be wrong. Sure, Jessie's Girl was #1 on the charts and in my heart in August 1981 (which, incicentally, is also when MTV was born), but no doubt if you were alive and had ears in the 80s, you've heard most of these catchy ditties:

• Jessie's Girl
• Love Somebody
• Love Is Alright Tonite
• I've Done Everything for You
• Don't Talk to Strangers
• Don't Walk Away
• Bop 'Til You Drop
• I Get Excited

So, imagine MY excitement when I heard he was coming to Florida's Friendliest Hometown. Nearly 40 years later, my mom and I were able to come full circle and relive an awesome memory from a lifetime ago.

As a treat this go round, I came thisclose to buying an autographed guitar for a cool $1K just to get to go backstage and meet him. But alas, cooler heads prevailed (aka my mom) and I settled for a t-shirt and an autographed Working Class Dog CD (which I can't actually play bc I don't have a CD player anymore, but is still befitting this trip down memory lane).

And at 74 years old (whaaaat?), Rick put on a helluva show. 

Singing and strumming and dancing and prancing across the arm rests in the audience to the tune of Human Touch. Iconic. He belted out all the songs above (which he also wrote), plus a few more including a surprise rendition of 867-5309/Jenny -- which is NOT his song, but it is MY theme song.

It's like he knew I was there...

So here's to you, Rick Springfield, for letting us feel like teenagers again, making us all wish we were Jessie's Girl and teaching millions the meaning of the word "moot."

Goodbye, Friend

I can't wrap my head around Matthew Perry's sudden death yesterday so I thought I'd come here and blog it out.  

It may sound crazy, but I feel genuinely sad over his passing, almost like I lost an actual friend. And maybe I did? 

Maybe we all did.

Friends began at pivotal point in my life, at the beginning of my senior year in college. Every Thursday night, my 7 roommates and I would order Chinese food and a keg of Bud Light, hang out in our CT beach house off campus and start the weekend a little early watching our older, cooler "friends" who lived an hour's train ride away in NYC.

I just turned 21 when the show began in September 1994 and I was 30 in May 2004 when they aired the last episode. As the Friends navigated their way through adult life, lessons and loves, so did I.

Friends became my happy place.

And in the past three decades, it is a place I've visited, and revisited, and re-re-visited often, especially during hard times when I really needed a smile. 

I love every character. I know every episode by heart. I laugh at every joke. I can recite every line. Watching this show is like wrapping myself up in the coziest blanket with the sweetest smell of home.

Could there BE a more perfect theme song? I'll be there for you.

Learning in recent years how much Matthew was suffering with drug and alcohol addition while Chandler was bringing millions of people -- like me -- so much joy makes me super sad too. But it doesn't change how I feel about the show. Watching those seasons, knowing what I know now, I'm even more impressed with his talent as an actor and his timing as a comedian during those dark days.

He seemed earnest in trying to get his life back on track, but maybe his body just couldn't take it. Couldn't recover anymore. My heart breaks for his friends, Jennifer, Courtney, Lisa, Matt and David. Mourning one of their own at age 54 feels so wrong.

It wasn't supposed to end like this.

RIP Chanandeler Bong. I'll miss you. Thanks for the laughs, Matty, may you rest in peace.

I'm a Barbie Girl

You've really been living under a rock if you haven't heard: This hot-girl summer belongs to Barbie. 

For nearly 65 years, the planet has been obsessed with a blond-haired, blue-eyed, 12-inch-tall hunk of plastic. 

Her name? Barbara Millicent Roberts.

Love her or loathe her, Mattel and Warner Bros have put on a Master Class in marketing for the movie, with a dizzying 100+ brand partnerships in place before one fuchsia frame ever hit the big screen.

It is literally impossible to avoid catching Barbie Fever. 

From Progressive insuring her Dream House and AirBnB renting the real thing, to Gap selling matching Barbie clothes for you and your doll and Google exploding in fireworks for Barbie searches, the whole world's gone positively pink.

And I'm hooked!

The best marketing is rooted in emotion -- who among us couldn't use a hearty dose of nostalgia? A taste of a sweeter and simpler time. She's like a tiny toy time machine, transporting us to a cotton candy world swirling with happiness and fun. 

It's the ultimate escape. 

After all, Barbie Pink isn't just a color. It's a feeling. Like Tiffany Blue.

Why is life in plastic so fantastic? Well, maybe in an increasingly gender-neutral society, the Barbiecore trend gives everyone permission to unapologetically embrace all things girly.

And me? I LOVED her. 

Still do. Check out all this stuff I'm getting for my birthday -- I'm 50, not 5 -- yet the highlight is the original 1977 Barbie that started it all when I was just 4 years old.  Even at that young age, I knew Babs was special.  

This wasn't a babydoll to feed and diaper. This was a grownup! So I dressed her in sequins and feathers because MY girl was going samba over to Studio54.

Over the years, Barbie's caught a lot of flack for creating unattainable beauty standards. And sure, with anatomically impossible measurements of 39-21-33, her original rib cage couldn't fit all her organs. 

But who needs a pancreas anyway? 

Here's one thing I do know: Barbie is meant to be FUN! Remember fun?

Barbie can be ANYTHING. A pinup girl and an astronaut. A cowgirl and a scuba diver. An aerobics instructor and a train conductor. A rock star and a vet. 

Isn't that the point of make-believe?

To me, that's still pretty inspiring.  

So, I'll be the girl in the pink Corvette, driving off into the sunset. I hear Ken's waiting back in Malibu at the mansion with a couple of frozen margs...

Celebs Turning 50

What do the Google co-founders, a vampire romance novelist, an intern with an infamous blue dress, a teen supercouple from 90210, a supermodel who coined the word "smize" and ME all have in common?

We were all born in 1973!

In my quest to embrace a new decade, I've decided to round up the celebrity cool cats who are in the same boat as me. In this case, Larry Page & Sergey Brin, Stephenie Meyer, Monica Lewinsky, Tori Spelling & Brian Austin Green and Tyra Banks -- and about 100 others.

Is that a spoonful of sugar to help this medicine go down? Yes.  

Is it working? No, no, not really. 

But I'll give it a try! So, here's a partial list of the legends, luminaries, top bananas, MVPs and wannabes who turn 50 this year...

Actresses

• January 31: Portia de Rossi, Ally McBeal
• February 15: Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
• April 2: Roselyn Sanchez, Devious Maids
• April 8: Emma Caulfield, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• April 11: Jennifer Esposito, Mistresses
• May 16: Tori Spelling, Beverly Hills 90210
• May 17: Sasha Alexander, Dawson's Creek
• June 21: Juliette Lewis, Cape Fear
• July 21: Ali Landry, Doritos Commercials
• July 23: Kathryn Hahn, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
• July 26: Kate Beckinsale, Serendipity
• August 6: Vera Farmiga, Bates Motel
• August 22: Kristen Wiig, Bridesmaids
• September 7: Shannon Elizabeth, American Pie
• September 25: Bridget Wilson Sampras, Billy Madison
• October 3: Neve Campbell, Party of Five (& Scream)
• October 3: Keiko Agena, Gilmore Girls
• November 2: Marisol Nichols, Riverdale
• November 7: Yunjin Kim, Lost
• December 3: Holly Marie Combs

Actors

• February 25: Anson Mount, Crossroads
• March 24: Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
• March 26: TR Knight, Gray's Anatomy
• April 3: Adam Scott, Parks & Rec (& Party Down)
• April 14: Adrien Brody, The Grand Budapest Hotel
• April 28: Jorge Garcia, Lost
• May 27: Jack McBrayer, 30 Rock
• June 1: Adam Garcia, Coyote Ugly
• June 15: Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
• June 16: Eddie Cibrian, Sunset Beach
• July 3: Patrick Wilson, Hard Candy
• July 15: Brian Austin Green, Beverly Hills 90210
• July 23: Omar Epps, Love & Basketball
• July 29: Stephen Dorff, Deuces Wild
• Sept 18: James Marsden, 27 Dresses (& Enchanted)
• November 26: Peter Facinelli, Twilight

Child Stars

• May 5: Tina Yothers, Family Ties
• August 1: Tempest Bledsoe, The Cosby Show
• October 9: Steve Burns, Blues Clues
• October 10: Mario Lopez, Saved by the Bell

Soap Stars

• February 7: Victor Webster, Days of Our Lives
• February 9: Colin Egglesfield, All My Children
• March 17: Amelia Heinle, Young & the Restless
• June 15: Greg Vaughan, General Hospital
• June 26: Rebecca Budig, All My Children

Reality Stars

• January 2: Will Kirby, Big Brother
• January 3: Jenni Pulos, Flipping Out
• January 23: Julie Oliver, The Real World NY
• June 22: Carson Daly, TRL & The Voice Host
• July 17: Tony Dovolani, Dancing with the Stars
• August 5: Reza Farahan, Shahs of Sunset
• August 17: David Bromstad, My Lottery Dream Home
• October 1: Alex McCord, Real Housewives of NY
• October 4: Jen Shah, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
• October 26: Phaedra Parks, Real Housewives of Atlanta
• November 9: Nick Lachey, Love Is Blind Host
• November 12: Ethan Zohn, Survivor
• November 27: Samantha Harris, Dancing with the Stars Host

Broadway Stars

• February 2: Marissa Jaret Winokur, Hairspray
• November 19: Savion Glover, Bring in da Noise

Musicians

• March 30: DJ AM
• April 5: Pharrell Williams
• May 23: Maxwell
• June 10: Faith Evans
• June 26: Gretchen Wilson
• August 8: Scott Stapp, Creed
• August 22: Howie D, Backstreet Boys
• December 11: Mos Def

Magicians

• April 4: David Blaine

Supermodels

• March 12: Eva Herzigova
• May 25: Molly Simms
• June 1: Heidi Klum
• December 4: Tyra Banks
• December 5: Shalom Harlow

Comedians

• February 20: Andrea Savage
• June 30: Sebastian Maniscalco
• August 24: Dave Chapelle
• October 26: Seth MacFarlane
• December 28: Seth Myers

Athletes

• February 4: Oscar de la Hoya, Boxer
• February 28: Eric Lindros, NHL
• March 23: Jason Kidd, NBA
• July 23: Nomar Garciaparra, MLB
• October 6: Rebecca Lobo, WNBA
• November 5: Johnny Damon, MLB
• December 2: Monica Seles, Tennis
• December 7: Terrell Owens, NFL

Authors

• October 9: Simon Sinek, Start with Why
• December 24: Stephenie Meyer, Twilight

Newscasters

• February 6: Amy Robach, GMA
• April 1: Rachel Maddow, MSNBC
• August 30: Lisa Ling, CNN
• November 8: David Muir, World News Tonight

Newsmakers

• January 22: Larry Birkhead, Mr. Anna Nicole Smith
• July 23: Monica Lewinsky, Bill Clinton Intern
• September 5: Rose McGowan, Harvey Weinstein Whistleblower
• September 12: Tarana Burke, #MeToo Movement

Politicians

• March 20: Ronna McDaniel, RNC Chair
• July 16: Tim Ryan, OH Congress
• August 3: Chris Murphy, CT Congress
• October 1: Devin Nunes, CA Congress
• December 9: Stacey Abrams, GA Congress

Entrepreneurs

• February 10: Charlotte Tilbury, Cosmetics Founder
• March 26: Larry Page, Google Co-Founder
• July 28: Anne Wojcicki, 23 & Me Founder
• August 21: Sergey Brin, Google Co-Founder

So, I've got about 5 months left before I join this club. 

That's enough time to win an Oscar, Emmy, Tony & Grammy, play pro ball, publish a novel, learn magic, run for Congress, become a child actor AND a Real Housewife and invent something as great as Google, right?

Sure. But first, I'll take a nap and dream of a time when I was half as old and twice as cute!

See ya later...zzzzz.

Made in 73

Welp, it's finally here.  

The year I turn ffff..., fiiiii..., fiffffff...

Ugh just I can't say it.  

So I'll say this instead: The year I turn 25x2.

I've actually got 8 more months to come to terms with this cold, hard fact. To embrace it, even!

(Hold my hair: BARF.)

Suffice it to say, I've got a long way to go.

My journey to jumpstart this golden jubilee starts with a look back.  An appreciation post, if you will. Turns out, some pretty cool stuff happened in 1973! 

So, let's disco down to the time machine and check 'em out...

Cost of Living:

• The year I was born, the average family income was $12,900 and the minimum wage was $1.60 per hour
• A new house cost around $32,500 and the average monthly rent was $175
• Average college tuition at a public four-year school was $358 and $1,561 at a private school
• A gallon of gas averaged 39 cents
• A first-class stamp cost 8 cents
• In the grocery store, eggs were 69 cents a dozen, Oreos were 59 cents per package, peanut butter was 99 cents per jar and two rolls of toilet paper cost 14 cents

In the News:

• The US population was 211,908,788
• Nixon started his second term and the Watergate scandal dominated the front pages
• The landmark Roe v. Wade case on abortion rights was decided
• Paris Peace Accords were signed, effectively ending the Vietnam War
• The twin towers of the World Trade Center opened in NYC, becoming the tallest buildings in the world
• Skylab launched to become the world’s first successful space station
• The Endangered Species Act was passed
• For the first time in U.S. history, women were allowed to serve on juries in all 50 states
• A 6-day hostage drama inside a Swedish bank began the psychological phenomenon known as "Stockholm Syndrome"

Top Entertainment:

• The Godfather won Best Picture at the Academy Awards and Marlon Brando declined the award for Best Actor 
• Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut and Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach were bestselling books
• The Exorcist, American Graffiti & Charlotte's Web all opened in movie theaters
• All in the Family, The Waltons, Sanford and Son, M*A*S*H, Hawaii Five-O, Maude, Kojak, The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour and The Mary Tyler Moore Show were the most popular shows on TV
• The Young & The Restless premiered as a new daytime soap opera
• Schoolhouse Rock! was born during Saturday morning cartoons
• Bette Midler won a Grammy for Best New Artist and Roberta Flack’s Killing Me Softly with His Song  swept Best Pop Female Vocal, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year
• Crocodile Rock by Elton John, You're So Vain by Carly Simon, You Are the Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder, Bad, Bad Leroy Brown by Jim Croce and We're An American Band by Grand Funk Railroad topped the music charts
• Hip hop was born at a birthday party in the Bronx

Top Sports:

• George Steinbrenner bought the New York Yankees
• The Dolphins beat the Redskins in Super Bowl VII, and are still the only team in NFL history to achieve a perfect season
• The cost of a Super Bowl ad was $88,000
• The NY Knicks won the NBA championships
• The Oakland As won the World Series
• Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup
• Secretariat won the Triple Crown
• Jack Nicklaus won the PGA championship
• Billie Jean King & Bobby Riggs played tennis in the famous Battle of The Sexes (she won)

New Inventions:

• Garlic knots were were first baked in the ovens of Ozone Park, Queens
• Stove Top Stuffing first appeared on grocery store shelves
• Carl Sontheimer created the Cuisinart
• Betty Morris of Brookfield, Wisconsin whipped up Shrinky Dinks
• The first mobile phone call was made by Motorola in NYC
• Air bags were first used the Oldsmobile Tornado
• MRI technology was developed to surpass traditional Xrays for diagnosing medical issues
• Michaels first opened their doors to the delight of crafters everywhere
• Federal Express began operations in Memphis, Tennessee, on their first night 14 planes delivered 186 packages to 25 U.S. cities

And the #1 baby's name was... Jennifer!

No surprise there, it was the most popular girl's name for 15 years running.  Seriously.

I'll be processing this new decade over my next few posts, so come along for the ride.  I'd love the company! But let's take it slow, nobody's got time to break a hip.