So last night, I couldn't sleep. At all. I actually pulled an 'all-
nighter', which I'm paying for today,
lol!
Around 3am, immediately following the Biography show on Billy Idol (I still love him!), I found myself watching a show entitled, 'Being Mick Jagger'. As a long-time Stones/Jagger fan, I was quite impressed with the show and it got me thinking...
I got my first Stones album in 8
th grade, after my then best friend turned me onto 'Paint it Black'. The album was stop sign shaped and the cover was like nothing I'd ever seen before (coming from a home where Conway
Twitty and Loretta Lynn were the norm,
lol). I loved every song on it and so began my infatuation with 'Bad Boys' just like Mick! I couldn't avoid it, who could after hearing 'Ruby Tuesday'?
Fast forward a few years, to late high school. By then I had become a mess, complete with ra
ggy jeans and t-shirts, a slew of bad boys of my own and more than a few unhealthy habits. I had albums (& 8 Tracks) by
Aerosmith, Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Nazareth (thanks Terri!) and Kiss. And I had 'Some Girls' by the Stones. So did my on & off again bad boy of the moment. On the road, at the Drive-In, around friends, etc., we immersed ourselves in the sound, and the lifestyle, of the Rolling Stones.
Fast forward a few more years; I'm in my late 20's, a single mom of 1, clean & sober. And the Stones are clean and sober, according to the gossip. But they're touring to promote 'Steel Wheels' and I was certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this would be one of their last tours. I mean, they're getting OLD! So I coughed up $25 for the ticket, even though I'd never paid that much before for a concert. I justified it though, after all, it was the Stones! Getting there was more difficult than usual, what with babysitters, old cars and limited money, but we made it in time to see 'Living Color' open the show at the old Cleveland Stadium. When the Stones came on, I was awed! The sights, the sound, the smells (
lol), everything was just like I always thought it would be, save those 3-story blow-up dolls for 'Honky
Tonk Women',
lol! They delivered a show that I never would have imagined for guys their age, who lived as hard as they lived. It is still one of my favorite concerts ever, even though I have paid far more for tickets since then!
So, I'm watching this show in the middle of the night, reliving all these memories and it
occurred to me...I've loved the Stones for over 30 years! I can hear certain songs, see concerts, etc, and recall who I was at that time; where I was, what I was like, etc. That's cool. I have the same feelings with some other music, but I can't think of any one person/
group that has been around consistently and are still at it now...when I'm old, wearing bifocals and waiting on my first grandchild to arrive!
To the Stones, thank you Mick, Keith, Brian, Ronnie, Bill & Charlie (and anyone I missed)! Glad to have you along for the ride-Here's to many more miles!
Gift table
The cake; white with strawberry center and buttercream frosting! 
Rylan's presents!
Guest table centerpieces!
Beginning of the food table decor!
Ships Ahoy, It's a Boy!
Opening gifts...
Checking them out!
BeeGee demonstrating her handmade baby sling!
Rylan's bouncer!
More gifts!.jpg)
Joni-Master of Ceremonies and Photographer At Large!
Mimi telling another one of her tales!
Smile!
I love you Rylan!
Rylan's Mom!
