Prom-A-Palooza!!!
Hell yeah! It’s Prom-A-Palooza y’all!
Now, before we start this, I’m going to issue a disclaimer:
“TSM is not in any way responsible for any uncontrollable desires you may have to listen to Journey, Lionel Richie, Def Leppard (my personal fave) or even Air Supply upon your reading of this post. You waive all claims against TSM should you find your self doing any type of step together, step together, white man’s overbite dancing. TSM cannot be held accountable for any food or coffee spit on your screen upon the viewing of these pictures. In fact, I refuse to be held liable for anything…and I don’t want to speak of this tackiness ever again, mkay?”
You agree? Okay, let’s carry on, shall we?
Welcome to the height of fashion in 1983….Prom Night!
Before we go there, you should know the back story. I had a date. Not the date you are about to see below, but a different boy who asked me months in advance of the prom. The pink fluffy dress had been purchased, the countdown had begun. And then, a few weeks before prom, he dumped me. By dumped me, I mean he avoided me like the plague (remember this…it’s foreshadowing for another event down the road) and when I finally asked him what was wrong, he said this:
“I can’t go to prom with you. I forgot I already asked someone else.”
Oh, yes. He did. I thought that kind of thing only happened in John Hughes movies but I was wrong. After endless teenage screaming and hysterics, one of my buddies conviced the guy who ended up taking me, Ben, to ask me so I wouldn’t be scarred for the rest of my life. Also, you should know I was totally lying in my previous post…there was no drinking, there was no groping, this guy was beyond wholesome. No really, I’m being serious.
So without further adieu, welcome to Prom Night!
A Day That Will Live In Infamy…
That’s me, in all my glory. I have no idea what is going on with the face I’m pulling. Either the sun was in my eyes or I was constipated…couldn’t tell ya.
That’s Ben. Cute, huh? That was my parents house, forver frozen in time in 1972 or so. Check out the elegant bronze elephant in the background, we were all fancy and stuff. What you can’t see is my mother in the background crying and praying on her rosary that her baby girl would not come home “a woman”. No worries, I made it home in tact, much to my chagrin, around 2:00 am.
Ah…the formal pic. You had to pose a certain way so everyone could see your beautiful corsage. In my case…PINK CARNATIONS. Again, I’m all classy and stuff. Check out the buoyancy on that ruffle though…there was some industrial strength glue involved in the holding up of that business.
This was my friend Susan. I was so jealous of her because she got to wear spaghetti straps. My Mom wouldn’t let me have bare shoulders because it might have led to impure thoughts…my shoulders were JUST THAT SEXY. What Mom failed to realize is that years later, the pink abomination I was wearing might lead to hysterical blindness.
You know what two things you can’t get enough of? Pink and ruffles…that’s what.
Also, you know what is funny? Putting lei around your neck and yelling, “Look, I just got laid!” when in fact, you had not…
Shamefully, I just have no idea what this girl’s name is. However, I found this picture and just could not resist for two reasons. First, check out those bad ass ruffles on the guy. Secondly, the look on his face. He’s all…”Ooooo girl, you lookin’ FINE!!!” Which yes, she did look fine, certainly finer than me. I’m fairly certain I hated her on some level for her cuteness even though I specifically remember her being incredibly sweet and nice as well. *Sigh*
(Update: A couple of you were kind enough to thump me upside the head and remind me her name was Bronwyn, which the minute I heard that, I was all, “Of course she is Bronwyn!!” I think I was just blinded by her total cuteness…sort of a deer in the headlights effect….thanks for straightening me out friends of 1983!)
So there you have it, a brief pictoral history of how one girl in 1983 so totally loved Pepto Bismol, she tried to masquerade as a bottle of it at the most important night of her young life.
Now…back to the foreshadowing above. While Ben and I were not an item before the prom, we kissed and I fell head over heels in love. (Man, I did that a lot as a teenager….) We dated for several months after and I thought this was the stuff of “Happily Ever After”. How lucky was I to find my one true love at the tender age of 17? We would tell our children stories of prom night and how we kissed under the glow of a disco ball while slow dancing to “Total Eclipse of the Heart”. We would look at them as teenagers and compare our prom pictures to see who they most looked like at the same age. It would all be great fun.
Except.
He dumped me.
Or rather, his mother dumped me. At some point he got sick of me and I just could not take a hint at that age. I called and called and called…and never got a return call. Most girls would realize something was wrong.
Not me.
So finally, I called him one last time only to speak to his really lovely mother one more time. She politely informed me Ben was not home. I explained to her (you know, because she didn’t know after hearing from me so many times…) that I had left multiple messages only to never receive a return call. After a heavy sigh (because I’m pretty sure she didn’t want any part of this mess…) she said, “Well dear, if you aren’t hearing back from him, maybe it’s because he doesn’t want to talk to you anymore.”
Holy shit. The revelation.
So needless to say, that was the last phone call I made. And I am eternally thankful to that woman for kindly telling me to stop making an ass of myself in such a gentle manner.
That doesn’t mean I can’t share this one last picture. Enjoy Ben, in full make-up, at the annual Powder Puff football game where the girls played football and the boys either dressed up like cheerleaders or were drill team, like I was.
Yeah, I pretty much ALWAYS get the last word…even if it’s 26 years later.
PS: Here’s the deal…if you want to play along, leave some pictures on your site. Leave me and Jen at Blissfully Caffeinated a comment or shoot us an email and let us know you are in. PLEASE NOTE: If you leave a comment with a link, you will get filtered into spam. At the end of your comment, just give me a shout out that your are in and I’ll go find it. I will post your link below this post as fast as I can but it may take a few hours. I will also not post again until Tuesday to ensure you get maximum viewage on your awesomeness!
THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE:
All Because Two People Fell In Love
Out of the Boondocks and Into the Burbs
Confessions of a College Angel
Dispatches From The Northern Outpost
I’m in! Or at least, my sister is in. Tomorrow bright and early!
Sprite’s Keepers last blog post..Great Expectations
First off, count me in. http://halfasgoodasyou.com/?p=4832
Secondly…I had a guy double book on me for a dance in 9th grade and I was so crushed that I stayed home. You were adorable in your pink puffiness and the first guy (and the second drag queen guy) were both stoopid to not love you back.
Caseys last blog post..Funky Foto Flashback Spin Cycle Prom And Stuff
I’m not at all sad that I didn’t go to prom, therefore have no prom pictures! *sniff*
Drama Queen Jenners last blog post..I Loved Her the Most
Damn…that Ben was cute even in eye shadow! But nowhere as cute as you, Pinky!! That was one serious bad ass ruffle!
After completing my post, which is up now, I realize just how hauntingly familiar our proms kind of were!
http://foradifferentkindofgirl.blogspot.com/2009/05/what-about-prom-blane-no-what-about.html
foradifferentkindofgirl (fakdog)s last blog post..what about prom, blane? no. what about prom? no. WHAT ABOUT PROM!
The 80’s….yeah, um….the certainly did rock.
Camerons last blog post..TMI Thursday: Holy Crap
THE FLASHBACKS ARE COMING SO FAST, I THINK I MIGHT HAVE A STROKE!!! I REMEMBER THE PROM PICTURE WELL NOW AND THE PICTURE OF BEN IS PRICELESS!!!!!!!!! Payback is a bitch and OMFG, has it been 26 years!
Oh, and her name was Bronwyn Ellison and, yes, she was as cute as a little pixie.
I’m in, but The Mister hasn’t scanned mah pics yet.
It’s not that I can’t use the scanner, it’s that I don’t know where it is. He hid it. The hider.
pamelas last blog post..qype dot com.
OMG. The memories! Seeing your parents house brings back so many memories. Also, I love the pic of you and Tonya! Have you kept up with her? I haven’t thought of her in so long. I think I even remember the other girl, Bronlynn or something like that?
What a great post. Would post a picture of Marc Pitts and I from BD or Kimball Senior Proms or even better: Craig Rentzel and his big hair from Duncanville’s prom sophomore year (prom gold), remember that? But- don’t have a website. I rocked some ruffles too.
XO
I really love this – but I have to admit, I don’t have funny prom pictures. I was very camera shy in high school, and we all (all girls school) were big fans of the Ann Taylor cocktail dress for dances. So B-O-R-I-N-G. I just read FADKOG’s prom post and am only just recovering. I don’t think I’ve seen anything like that before – and of course her commentary is priceless.
While I have to agree that your ruffles are rather aerodynamic looking – you were just cute as a button! The 80s really didn’t do high school girls any favors at prom time…but for the era, you were super cute.
Kate Coveny Hoods last blog post..I Cried Yesterday
Oh. My. God. Mary Anne, when you said you had a pink ruffled dress, I just couldn’t imagine in my head that it was THAT pink and had THAT degree of ruffle. That is the most awesome thing I have ever laid my eyes on. I love it so much I can’t express it in words. I would make out with dress. And even those ruffles can’t hide your gorgeous self.
It’s weird that after all this planning our prom stories are so similar. Except for the fact that I did get drunk and stoned on prom night.
Love you and definitely mean it. Prom rocks!
blissfully caffeinateds last blog post..OMG! It’s a totally rad prom flashback extravaganza!
[...] pictures of herself in high school. (Actually, she looked pretty cute to me.) You have to check out her blog to see the pink taffeta ruffled jobby she wore to prom because her shoulders were too sexy to show [...]
oh. my. GOD! It’s like so totally embarrassing! But I put up my high school pictures.
Lynn @ human, beings last blog post..Prom-a-Palooza
I love flash backs to the 80’s. I think I had your same hair style!
Kathys last blog post..Dancing with strangers-Happy Friday everyone!
Seems to me, at the time, we weren’t thinking about how funny these pictures would look in 20 years. But now, I can barely stop laughing when I look at my high school photos.
The Dental Mavens last blog post..Remember When Anybody Could Afford To Buy A Toothbrush?
Here’s me in all my virginal glory:
http://unmitigated.typepad.com/unmitigated/2009/05/who-wants-to-invite-sister-m-virginity-to-the-prom.html
Middle-Aged-Womans last blog post..Who Wants to Invite Sister M. Virginity to the Prom?
Dang. Always read the fine print. Okay. I’m in!
Middle-Aged-Womans last blog post..Who Wants to Invite Sister M. Virginity to the Prom?
Okay, so we won’t go into the age thing, but I wasn’t at prom in the 80’s or I would sooooo be in. Don’t ask my age though.
But I looooove the pics! That was awesome.
Amos last blog post..But next year, I want money.
Class of ‘96 with my sweetheart, here is my post:
http://morganrnl.blogspot.com/2009/05/spin-prom.html
Laufas last blog post..Super Hero Room
I will read your post later. I must go to work sometime today. Anyway I wanted to tell you that I posted about Prom in 1978. http://michele-dogslife.blogspot.com/2009/05/prom-1978-style.html
Micheles last blog post..Prom 1978 style
I put mine up as part of the Spin Cycle earlier this week, but here it is: http://www.jbsitedesigns.com/?p=3611
You’re not alone in the Pepto Bismol pink formal.
Jans last blog post..Tell Me Lies, Tell Me Sweet Little Lies
That dress is a hot pink hot mess! Oh my goodness! I love it. Can I borrow it?
You of course look absolutely beautiful.
Kats last blog post..Because I don’t have Twitter…
I didn’t come here to point and laugh. I really didn’t. Because you look adorable in your GIANT PINK RUFFLE.
And didn’t have prom at my school, so I never went to one. No pink ruffles for me. I still feel deprived.
And how awesome that you can post pictures of a guy who dumped you 26 years ago? THIS AWESOME!!!11!!!
At times like this, you really have to love the internet.
Poppy Buxoms last blog post..I don’t know whether you’ve noticed, but I have a funny last name.
You certainly did get the last word in with old Ben. Maybe he and Bronwyn ran off together.
I can’t scan pictures either — else I’d post my yellow ruffly prom dress (no spag straps for me, either). The look was “Gone with the Wind-y” but I couldn’t carry it off.
The Lawyer Moms last blog post..The Joy of Boys
This put a BIG smile on my faced.
Also Bronwyn looks like one of the Olsen twins, so I got kind of excited, too. Not the young Olsen twins. The much older NYU Olsen twins
I also participated in Prom Friday…Post should be up at 7:30PCT… Oh, I have to wait!!! ???
Patience, Friday Feeders.
PAPAs last blog post..White River Rapids
your dress is effing GLORIOUS!
I’ve got a post up. thanks for hosting!
jennis last blog post..Gonna Party Like it’s 1994
HIS MOM DUMPED YOU!?!?!? That is far more horrifying than Pepto Bismol pink.
Writer Dads last blog post..The Classroom is Only a Baseline
OMG. I love the ruffled dress!! It just needs a plunging neckline. I hope you’re making up for lost time–barring your shoulders.
You and FADKOG have inspired me. I just posted some pics on my blog. So,
I’M IN
Meg
prefers her fantasy lifes last blog post..Why Pens, Prom Dresses and San Francisco
[...] The Stiletto Mom [...]
I’m cracking up at Kat and Jenni’s comments.
blissfully caffeinateds last blog post..OMG! It’s a totally rad prom flashback extravaganza!
just jumping around and seeing them all. I am linked at Blissfully Caffienated
That dress OMG it was freaking great!
Joys last blog post..Spin Cycle: Can I have this dance?
I’m sorry, I just had to come back to take a peek at that dress one more time! ROFL!! Wherever did you buy that beautiful frock? So far, from what I’ve seen…you are the clear winner!
Peggys last blog post..Prom-A-Palooza
hi! i played along too.
i heart your ruffles! but more than that – bless your mom’s heart! do you have brothers? she would have such an easier time with boys. they can’t come home preggo!
bexs last blog post..Ghost of Dances Past
I love the pink ruffles. They work!
You know I had to join in the fun, but I think your pictures are way better!
Mos last blog post..Like, Totally ’80s
Check out those ruffles!! Let me go search through my scrapbook and see if I can find a pic.
Linda @ My Trendy Tykess last blog post..I’m the good neighbor
I love that dress! I think Prom may be a synonym for ruffles. Mine had ruffles, too, only they were on the bottom half instead of the top half. There is something to be said for getting the last word, I totally wish I had a blackmail photo of my Senior prom date, that’s for sure. I read FADKOG’s post this morning, and was inspired to post my pictures as well. What a wonderful and fun idea you guys came up with!
chasitys last blog post..Oh Why O, Oh Why O, Did I Let You Shave My Hair-O
I love this blog, it’s always full of useful info. Keep up the great work!
This entry made me all nostalgic and stuff. High school! Prom!
I need to dig out my prom pictures. My hair wasn’t big but my bangs were like glued to my forehead because I had no idea what to do with them. I also have a pinched expression on my face for most of the pictures because I can’t walk in high heels properly.
Ambers last blog post..Honestly, I Had To…
I joined in at the Spin Cycle and she directed me here…
Here’s my prom post!
http://cdhmomma.blogspot.com/2009/05/spin-cycle-prom.html
cristins last blog post..Garden Photos
OH! MEEEEE!! I posted a pictorial too, on my Spin Cycle Me section of my blog!
I LOOOOOOOVE the dress! I didn’t actually spit coffee on my computer screen, but I did choke on it.
I’ll explain to my kids at some point, “Shut up, I was cool dammit.” The sad part is…Still have all those gowns, too. Because I’m cool like that.
For all the damn dances I went to, I never ONCE won Homecoming or Prom queen. (Yes, Jessica, I KNOW YOU HAD THE WHOLE CHEERLEADING SQUAD VOTE FOR YOU! Bitch. Your gown sucked.) (I’m not bitter, or anything.)
Ack, the ruffles!
Sadly my scanner is not hooked up to my computer or I would SO be there!
I enjoed laughing at you, I mean with you though!
tuesdays last blog post..The Latest
What great pictures! The 80’s were so pink and ruffley! I have no idea where my prom pictures are………(if they even had cameras back then).
You look so cute, and your shoulders look so wholesome.
This is my first visit to your blog. Oh My God. I love the ruffles, *snort* Who doesn’t have the sad prom pictures? I would rather die than post mine thanks (though I totally love seeing all the others!). I wore burgundy velvet with peach roses at the neck line if that helps get the image though (circa 1995)
Found you from the Dayton Time!
My Regular blog: http://bloggingmama-andrea.blogspot.com
Andreas last blog post..I Don’t Get It
Wow. Um…wow. That really IS fuschia, isn’t it??
I’m more fascinated with that Bronwyn girls blush. Those are some rosy apples, girl.
Mine’s up! (finally – stupid photobucket)
Keelys last blog post..It’s GRADapalooza, if you’re Canadian
I’m NOT in and you know why.
Great pictures!! I love your dress to pieces! And I love Ben in full make up.
Connie @ Young and Relentlesss last blog post..Summer Passports
I’m in too! Couldn’t resist, how fun!
http://shawnaellis.blogspot.com/
Shawnas last blog post..Prom?? Not here. But check out my grad.
I am so in. And I think the first dress on my post should be almost the color of the dress you have here (maybe a tad more on the peach side). So, feel good in knowing that 5 years after this, it was still a “great” color.
And what’s with the double booking? The rat should have had to find you a date after that. Or given you a gift. Or died. Whichever. Great idea!
Mama Badgers last blog post..Prom Spin
Sorry I’m so late, but my post is finally up. I think I may be the oldest one here. Crap.
Laurins last blog post..My Prom, er…Graduation Dance – 1984
If I could have found a single picture I would be participating! It’s like you would think I wanted to forget high school ever happened or something….
These are a hoot though!
Dana’s Brains last blog post..For Tricia
I am in! I love your pictures and the Pink pink of the dress. It takes courage and a heart of gold to post and wear them and you did it wonderfully!
Angels last blog post..The News on Prom is:
I updated my blog to show the like, totally cool okay? cars I had.
[...] This Flashback Friday (a first here, but probably not the last) is brought to you via Papa (who was sadly promless) and organized by Blissfully Caffeinated and The Stiletto Mom. [...]
I found out about the Prom Flashback Friday from Papa and have posted pics from my Junior and Senior year proms. Thanks!
I don’t have any prom pictures to share because I was not asked to prom. (insert sad sigh here)
Bobbis last blog post..Is Everything Ok In There?
That ruffle is definitely a deterrent to anyone considering seeing more of your shoulders or anywhere else. Thanks for sharing. I could not post in time so sorry I missed out on this!
that ruffle is uuuh-mazing!! for real.
Thank you so much for linking up to me! I had a crazy busy day yesterday and was totally late to the party (as usual).
Loving these pictures!
ChurchPunkMoms last blog post..Prom-a-palooza! It’s Dancy-Dance Time!
The pink ruffles are awesome!!
HAHAHAHAHA. I am dying here. Those are some crazy ruffles. I mean, they’re not just ruffles, but they’re like ruffles on crack, hairsprayed stiff.
)) What great pictures. I will have to see if I can compete. 
) Just dyin’ here!
Fragrant Liars last blog post..Pants on Fire
Hey – “Unmitigated” is linking to “Human, Being”. Just wanted to let you know. I’m really enjoying these! What a great idea!
Kate Coveny Hoods last blog post..Flashback Friday: Kate and Oliver’s Excellent Adventure – Part II
Great pictures. I’m class of 82 and these bring me back.
DrZibbss last blog post..Waiting For Guffman. Nothing Ever Happens On Mars. Funniest Movie.
Writing mine even as we speak. One good memory sparked one painful one, so I’ll have to include both, though the painful one has no pictures.
Shieldmaiden96s last blog post..Ruth Lydia Craley- 12/17/1919-05/06/2009
my prom was a nightmare and thankfully I don’t have one photo to show you. what ever happened to your dress anyway?
jessica Berns last blog post..I’m not paranoid but then again only paranoid people say that, right?
Wow. Now that is some hot prom ass. Can I borrow that dress for my 6 year old daughter? I’d like to keep her from getting laid as well…
Out-Numbereds last blog post..Stop Crying, Dumb Ass…
Hey I played along too, I read through the Missus at Dayton time. Thanks for getting this started it has been a riot!
Jills last blog post..Prom-a-pa-looza or Holy Photo upload, Batman!
Awesome 80’s Prom Story…thanks for putting it all out there for us. I was class of “86″ so styles look all too familiar….so just out of curiosity, have you heard from old Ben in recent years?
Reinventing Dads last blog post.."That" annoying question
Oh my. That just made my night.
DCUrbanDads last blog post..Dizamn this is fun
Yo, VERY sweet post. I now have a hankering for some Lee Press-On Nails, a spiral perm and some frosted lipstick! Nice!
I REALLY want to participate in this but, alas, all my embarrassing prom/formal dance pics are archived in a state-of-the-art museum also known as my parent’s garage. They live 2,000 miles away. You should seriously get to see me as a high school freshman going to my first formal wearing a royal blue and white tux with my hair flat-top style. I was so Miami Vice it wasn’t even funny! If I can get my mommy to find some photos, scan and email them to me, I’m in! In the meantime, I’m going to slip into some acid-wash jeans and listen to some Rick Springfield or maybe some Hall and Oates.
PROM! I can’t believe anyone would pass you up! You looked very delightful and VERY pink. I laughed hard when I saw that you were busted for posting pics.
I finally put my prom pics up today. I had a rough time finding them. The only thing amazing about them are the size of my eyebrows. Honestly. I needed a good tweeze.
steenky bees last blog post..This Post is About Midguided Choices in Semi-Formal Wear and Prom, But Mostly About Misguided Choices in Semi-Formal Wear