Solid Gold

What did you want to be when you grew up? Are you living the dream, my friend? Yes, by the way, you’re a grown-up, in case you haven’t noticed (and if you’re not, what are you doing on the computer at this time of day? Get back in school!)

When I was a kid, I can distinctly remember what I wanted to be when I grew up. A teacher? Well, sometimes. A mommy? Of course, but being a mommy and having a career are not mutually exclusive, as most of us mommies can tell you. A blog writer? Haha… didn’t really see that in my future. No… when I grew up, my greatest aspiration was to be a Solid Gold Dancer.

Admit it… you wanted to be one, too! Who didn’t?!! Those great shimmery, body-hugging costumes? The 45 second dance routines? The side ponytails they were rockin’? And if you’re not familiar with the T.V. show, ‘Solid Gold’ (either because you are significantly younger than me, or perhaps you spent your youth in the Amish country), here’s a little info from Wikipedia:

Solid Gold is an American syndicated television series which aired from 1980 to 1988, usually on Saturday in the early evening time slot. During its 7th season (1986 to 1987), it was called Solid Gold '87, Finally, in its 8th season (1987 to 1988) it was retitled Solid Gold in Concert.

The main premise of Solid Gold consisted of the "Solid Gold Dancers" doing elaborate (and sometimes borderline risqué) dances to the top ten hits of the week. Many other specials aired in which the dancers would dance to older pop hits as well.

(Wow! You laugh… you learn…this blog has it all…) I can remember begging to be allowed to watch it. Thank goodness it didn’t come on at the same time as ‘Dallas’. (Yes, those of us who had our formative years in the early 80’s... you know just what I’m talking about!) That amazingly catchy Solid Gold theme song (it’s on Youtube if you don’t remember it… but HOW could you forget?!) “Welcome to Solid Gold… starring Marilyn McCoo…”

By the time the show was in its later years, I had moved on to bigger and better things (namely, cheerleading and crushes on boys), and I was a little more practical when it came to my future career (although my mom still swears I went through a phase of wanting to be a trapeze artist, as well).

So, while I did go on to become a teacher, a mommy, and yes, even a writer, in a very unofficial capacity, I still harbor a dream of being on stage, dressed in a shimmery outfit, dancing in front of an audience. If one of the television networks ever decides to produce a reality show called “Dancing with the Stay at Home Moms”, I have just the gal they can call on.