I have a slight confession to go along with my mystery today.  And actually, I have more of a mystery quiz than an actual mystery mystery.  But I made the rules, right?  I can totally do a mystery quiz!

Here’s the confession part.  When I was 11-years old, I was a hugely obsessed fan of a certain daytime television show.  Now, I know that 11-years old is probably a bit young to be watching steamy daytime TV, but to be completely honest with you, I began watching this show as a toddler while sitting on my mother’s lap sucking my thumb.  At least that what she tells me.  Forget Big Bird, mama; give me my damn drama!  And to this day, I can clearly remember certain summertime storylines that I would just live for.  I could be outside roller-skating in the driveway with friends, but when it was time for my show, the skates came off and the bag o’ snacks came out.

Anyhow, there was a particular love triangle storyline on this show that completely enraptured my budding, pre-teen, unromantic nature.  The story affected me so much, in fact, that I actually took pencil to pretty pink stationary and wrote to one of the actresses involved in the plot.  Truly, I haven’t a clue as to what I wrote in that letter; however, I do remember that I wrote the letter on this exact stationary, which I found in my now infamous attic:

Lulu is obviously a very strange bird if she can remember the exact stationary that was used for the letter.  But I was very proud of that stationary.  It was a very grown-up thing to own.  Nevertheless, several weeks after I mailed the letter, I received a reply in the form of a glossy, picture postcard from the actress herself…with a short note in her own awful, squinty handwriting. 

This is the front of the card (I pixelated the name because that is part of the quiz. Pay attention, people.):

And this is what she wrote on the back of the card.  In all-caps:

Dear Lulu,

Thank you for watching <show, underlined> and most of all for writing to me.  I enjoy playing the role of <character> on the show.  The cast is great!  I would like to know more about you.  So write again soon.

Best –
<actress>

I’m thinking that it’s probably not a good idea to ask an 11-year old girl to write back with more info about herself, because in all likelihood she will, and then you’re stuck in a pen pal situation that you probably don’t want to be involved with in the first place, because you have an actual career.  And stuff.  On television.  And what is an 11-year old doing watching steamy daytime TV anyway?  What this actress should have said is that that daytime TV is nothing but trash, and that I should be writing to my congressman.  Or Big Bird.

So, I dutifully wrote back to her with God knows what information.  And then, many weeks later, I received another reply.  Clearly, this woman was bored, or else I was her only fan:

Now granted, a large portion of the postcard is pre-printed drivel.  But if you’ll notice along the sides, she wrote some personal notes in the same awful, squinty, all-caps handwriting:

Dear Lulu,

Thank you for the picture.  You are most attractive.  Keep up the good work in school!  <Show> is #1!  It is so exciting!  I just filmed a segment for Love Boat.  Watch for me this Fall.  Let’s keep in touch!

Fondly,
<actress>

Oookay.  Obviously I sent her a picture of myself (why?), and she thinks that I’m attractive.  Not cute, as in little girl cute, but attractive.  Even in my adult life, I don’t think that anyone has ever said that I was attractive.  Interesting word choice, but whatev, because I obviously rocked in school.  At least that’s what I told her. 

And I love the fact that she’s plugging her guest appearance on The Love Boat to an 11-year old, which I totally watched, by the way.  And finally, you’ll notice at the end of the letter that she urged me to keep in touch, which I did.  Twice.  But she didn’t.  Hence, the end of our relationship.

So, now that you’ve totally lost interest in this so-called mystery, I’m wondering if anyone knows the name of the daytime show on which this actress appeared in 1981, her character’s name on the show, and her actual name?

Oh, and while you’re thinking, I have another quick confession:  I TiVo this same daytime show every freaking day.  It’s a sick, mindless obsession, I know.  But I find it hard to break a 37 year addiction.  I blame it all on my mother.

P.S.  When you’re done here, go check in on the mysteries over at Madame Queen and Full Hands Mom.  They are both looking for some much needed advice.  Also, if you missed Alpha DogMa’s mystery last week, go check it out, y’all!
 

If they ever have a need to give one away, I will dutifully volunteer to take one.  Or three.  Especially little Aaden…the one with the glasses.  He totally reminds me of the little boy from Jerry Maguire, but with dark hair.  And slightly less spike.

Anyone else addicted to this show?

Step 1:  Prepare snacks snack.

Step 2:  Prepare party area.

Step 3:  Prepare viewing area.

Step 4:  Dress in your best evening attire.

Step 5:  Welcome your guests guest.

Step 6:  Get comfortable and let the party begin!

It’s just been one of those days, people.