Many, many years ago today, in a magical place known as Poland, OH, a wonderful lady was born. She somehow managed to survive childhood in a house shared with four brothers. She also conquered challenges like inadequate car safety features (I just imagine kids bouncing around a back seat while a death wagon barrels down the interstate), second hand smoke (smoking indoors and having your kids play in the smoke clouds was the norm back then), and the fashion of the 1970s (leisure suit anyone?). In 1980 she made what many may consider her biggest contribution to the world when she gave birth to a beautiful and ridiculously intelligent baby girl. After such a momentous occasion, she worried that she’d peaked and all other life events would pale in comparison. And she was right! But I guess she somehow managed to trudge on. The fact that she got to raise this wonderful child must have inspired her. Below is the soundtrack to many a car ride taken with that young, miraculous girl.
Happy Birthday Mom! I hope you enjoy this playlist; you inadvertently created it by subjecting me to all of these jams through the speakers of a Ford Escort. I still love every single one of these songs and bands, but not nearly as much as I love you!
Number 5: Crowded House- “Don’t Dream It’s Over”
Probably her best contribution in terms of musical talent. Neil Finn is pretty amazing.
Number 4: Bruce Hornsby & The Range- “Look Out Any Window”
Number 3: Level 42- “Something About You”
Number 2: INXS- “Mediate”
I could have listed any song off of this album, but I remember thinking this song was so cool.
Number 1: Rick Astley- “Never Gonna Give You Up”
My Mom was Rick rolling people before it was even cool.
Honorable Mentions:
Anything by-
REM
John “Cougar” Mellencamp
Tears for Fears– Still my favorite 80s group.
Stay positive & love you life!
-Melissa
Today:
Listening to: Editors – Lights
Eating: Leftover pasta
Drinking: H20
Random fact: My mom’s first car was a aquamarine colored Ford Mustang. I think it looked kind of like this:
Quick Stepp 
Happy birthday, Janet!
Well done beautiful and ridiculously intelligent baby girl. You must remember funds were limited so I tended to get my money’s worth out of a “cassette.”
Don’t forget the coolest fashion of the 70’s, bell bottom jeans. The wider the better and they actually were worn below the hip.
My first car (pictured) was a 1966 Mustang, 3 speed my dad gave me. I traded for a much cooler 1972 Mustang Mach 1 in 1975. Sure would be fun to drive today but of course would not even come close to the 55 MPG my Prius gets.
And you’re still cool in your Prius. 🙂