The Condition of the Roads

In the aftermath of T Bar M, the summer of 1995 seemed to be a quiet time for me.  I appear to be following Jane Austen-esque standards for the priority of conversation in my diary and discussing things such as the weather, books, and films.  Suitable topics for dialogue with Edward Ferrars:  

"The roads were very… dry."  

"Sigh. Looking at these little yellow flowers is so tiring, I need to lie down." 

July 11, 1995

Amy came over on Sun. It was fun! (it rimes) Yeasterday I was kind of sick and I watched "Return of Jafar."  It's not as good as "Aladdin."  Today I'm feeling better.  

Theres not much to do, so bye. 

I feel like there was also a Disney TV show?

July 15, 1995

Hi! How are you? I've been doing good lately.  An occasunal stuffy nose, but otherwise, as fine as a blue band box.  (That just popped into my head.)  Amy came over on Sunday.  It was lots of fun!  Yeasterday we saw a movie called "The Indian in the Cuboard."  It was good.  I've read the book and 2 sequels there's 3, and I want to read the 3rd. 

A Blues Band Box?

July 30, 1995

I'm reading 2 books right now.  "Little Wemon" (again) and "Tom Sawyer" (for the first time).  right now I'm supposed to be cleaning my room, but I'm doing this instead.  (heh heh).  

I saw a really good movie.  Its called "The Jungle Book."  It's the movie.  Not the Disney cartoon.  

I'm not as enthusiastic about TJ as I was.  Well godda go! 

July 31, 1995

Hi!  It's raining! It hasn't rained sence we went to Rockport - a mounth!  It's like, what is this stuff?! I think it's called rain!  Ise sos 'happy!  

I raised my window so I could hear it and smell it.  

I finished up "Little Weman" this morning.  Better than ever!  Today is the last day of July.  To me, summer has gone by fast!  Well, I must continue cleaning my room!  

PS. You're running out!  

I like how I spell it "Wemen" when the correct spelling is IN THE TITLE OF THE BOOK!

August 1, 1995

Hello!  Today I'm almost finally finished cleaning my room!

August 2, 1995

Hi! Today the Nelsons are going to Faimly Camp at T Bar M.  They're going to come by today before they go.  Yea!  I'm working on my splits and streatching out every morning and night before I go to bed.  If I do them both times I put a star on the day on my calender.  I'm doing it for the mounth of August, and maybe I'll be able to do the splits by then, but I'll keep on doing it anyway.  

Did you know that Adam is working at Schliterbon and is taking Drivers Ed?  Well, he is.  And for Drivers Ed you have to get something from school, I don't know what, but today we went up there to get it and 3 new people are coming to our class for 6th grade!  

SCHLITTERBAHN! (Ick.)

Three new people in sixth grade!  At a school that graduated senior classes typically around 15-20, gaining three new students in a single grade was truly an event for excitement and speculation.  

Also, I never got the splits.  Now that I am a (mostly) dedicated yogi, I have some optimism that perhaps I will finally achieve this goal in my 30th year.  

But also my legs just might not do that.   

Camp Notes

June 29, 1995

Hi!  Sorry I forgot to take you to Rockport (oops).  It was really fun!  But I'm soooooo glad to get back!  So cho mo!  Adam's birthday is on July 1st!  15!!!! Oh!  And me and mommy got my new MITTLE SCHOOL uniforms!  I heart them! 

School uniforms. What's not to heart? Look at these kids
having a great time.  For the record, we did not wear blazers. 

July 2, 1995

Hi!  I'm sitting on my top bunk at T Bar M "Sundown" cabin!  T Bar M is pretty cool so far.  Our cabin girls are COOL!!!!!! The skits are sooooooooo funny!  But I gadda hurry 3 min til B-time! 

T Bar M cabin! 

July 3, 1995

Hi!  It's FOB (feet on bunk).  Camp is a lot of fun!  I like all the conselers (very much) escpesically Micky she is SO funny!  Food - so so could be better.  Last night was CRAZY!  We didn't go to sleep till coach nailed the ringleader.  

July 6, 1995

Hi!  Yeasterday we went on the river floating, it was really fun!  My window at camp has a great view!  Camp is fun, but I kinda want to go home.  I mean, I've had a busy June - barely home, so I miss it.  But when I'm not thinking about it, I'm ok. 

My specialty is volleyball and today I returned like the best players serve!  A really good girl came up and hugged me!  She's nice, her name is Shena.  I like a girl in my cabin, her name is Susan.  

At the fireworks on the 4th, a group of guys kept on going oooo, ahhh, oohhhhh, it was so funny.  Well, now I've got to go (write to Sarah).  Love, Lee. 

What's funnier than going "ooooh, ahhhh" while watching fireworks?

PS. I have a top bunk! 

July 7, 1995

Hi!  Today mom and dad (y) are coming for parents day, then their goinig home, and then tomarrow after breakfast we're going home. (can't really say I'm really sorry) 

Today I rode the screamer for the 2nd time! And the grapevine.  Here are demonstrations of both. 

The screamer is SO cool.  The grapevine is fun too.  When I was on the grapevine my legs were shaking SO bad the whole line was shaking.  

This is a slightly better "demonstration" of what the ropes course looked like. 

Thoughts - 

I'm surprised I don't mention this in my diary, but doing the screamer and grapevine were actually HUGE events for me.  The previous summer, I'd tried to do the screamer (essentially a humungo swing...you ooched yourself off of the repelling tower then went into a free-falling drop), but chickened out and made the walk of shame back down the repelling tower stairs, instead of swinging to the ground in glory.  All year I thought about it, purposing in my heart that I WOULD do the screamer the following summer.  And so I did.    

Chippen Awee

June 7, 1995

Hi!  I'm at Corpus.  It's my last day here.  HOOHOO.  But MOMMY'S coming home tomarrow!  And I'm hopefully going to a ballet workshop next week, I think, and I got to get in shape - I've been laying around like a slob. Hum de ho. B-B! 

June 11, 1995

Hi!  Today Holly is going to camp and the Nelsons came by here and ate lunch and chit-chatted before they took Holly to T Bar M.  After they came back, Rick took Bonnie and me to go swimming in the spring fed pool.  It was cold - the first few seconds!  It was really fun.  Then we went to eat at Molly Joe's!  And then they left. 

The freezing waters of the spring fed pool!

 Tomarrow me and mommy are going to a Myra Worthen ballet studio, for a worckshop.  It will last two weeks, 9AM - 1PM, but not on Sat or Sun, I don't think.  But you have to try out for it and what if I don't make it?  My ambition is to be a ballet star, and I want the best of everything.  I'll write tomarrow and tell you if I make it.  Love, Lee.  
PS. I gotta go to BED!

Hmm...Another "ballet star" who had to have the "best of everything."
Maybe it's good my ambitions took a turn. 

June 19, 1995

Hi! Today isn't "tommarrow" but I did make it.  But it's not very fun.  In fact, I don't like it at all!  It's boring, it's hard, it's long, it's not at all like Connally's.  Well, when the Nelson's got here we played a lot and went out to eat. It was fun!  On Friday we're going to Rockport!  YEAH!  

June 20, 1995

You know that feeling of satisfaction when you have a (partialy) clean room?  We're going to Rockport in (not counting today) 2 and a half days! YAHOOO!  Then T Bar M one week OVERNITE camp and then nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

T BAR M! Center stage for my childhood and teenager summers. 

My two favorite cartoon shows are - 1.  Goof Troop  2.  Aladdin.  De're fo tunndy!  (Note: I have no idea what this dialect is that I was attempting. None.)  But did I ever tell you that I have to write a Revolutional story for Mrs. A for next year over the summer?  MAN!  Its harder than I thunk!  Talk about Writer's Block! But somewho or oder I godder start chippen awee.  Whell I muset gor.  Bee Bee!  

Yes! This show! I think a spinoff of A Goofy Movie, which I
remember quoting endlessly with my friends.

Thoughts - 

Is it actually possible for any rising 6th grader to "lay around like a slob?"  Doubtful.  I think there's a minimum amount of energy necessary for them to burn in a day before self-implosion. 

Ah, the Spring Fed Pool and Molly Joe's.  Two New Braunfels institutions.  I have very fond memories of the Cookie Monster dessert at Molly Joe's.  Sadly, the restaurant is now gone, but I think people are still using the pool.   

I find it funny that in this section of passages I seem to be encountering the grind of hard work necessary before producing anything of worth.  Myra Worthen's was a much more challenging studio than the one I'd gone to before, so the atmosphere of hard work and seriousness is basically what I'm complaining about in the entry above.  Also, as way of explanation, my 6th grade teacher, knowing how much I loved to write, asked me to write her a story set during the American Revolution over the summer, which is why I'm encountering writer's block.  

Maybe this lapse into odd baby-talk was my way of coping? :) 

May Miscellany of 1995

Revisiting these old journals really has been a window, not only into my past self, but into the minds of the students I work with now, in terms of what's important to them and how they probably interpret events. 

Miscellaneous reflections after reading through these entries:  

1) My spelling is largely improving, which makes the errors all the more strange looking. Although Beethoven remains a very difficult word. 

2) My use of the word "cool" as an all-encompassing adjective was...probably very annoying to the adults in my life. 

3) My reasoning on church membership was absurd. Except I was 11, so...right on track?

4) The narrative about the ballet recital is a hoot.  I now understand the focus on developing students' chronological writing skills in my grad classes.  Apparently, it's rather difficult to communicate a chain of events clearly.     

May 4, 1995

Hi! April is finally over! 22 more days and we're otta here! 17 more days till Piano recital.  I'm playing a Scott Joplin song and Fur Elise by Beetonvan.  Strange combo - huh?  We finished our dance in ballet and got our costumes!  There so pretty!  They look like Juliets!  Empire wast, puffed sleeves, pink ribbons, and white gauze! 

The "Juliet" I'm referring to was the glorious Janie Parker in Houston Ballet's production,
which I probably saw with my mom and grandmother earlier that year.   

PS. It's awful the way they beheaded people left and right in the middle ages, huh. 

May 20, 1995

Hi!  Schools almost out (yeah yeah yeah) Schools almost out, (yeah yeah yeah) Arn't I tallented?  (HAHA) 

Tomorrow is my piano recital and I'm playing Fur Elise by Beetoven and The Entertainer by Scott Joplin.  I hope Amy can come but she has a bad sunburn on her legs and feet.  

On Monday is DARE graduation and we get to wear our DARE shirts and jeans all day!  

It's difficult to communicate to anyone who did not wear school uniforms
how notable and exciting a "casual dress day" or even a "DARE t-shirt day" was on the Bracken campus.

I went swimming today, it was so much fun!  

Summer, were are you?  Just around the corner.  But schools in my way! 

I hate school.  (Well, the work part.) 

May 25, 1995

Hey!  on Wednesday at ballet, Dorthy came to dance with us.  It was pretty cool!  

Today we went to the Riverwalk for our 5th grade graduation!  It was fun!  Tomorrow is the last day of school!  I'm so excited!  Well I'de better go and clean my room!  

Yaaaay 5th grade.

May 28, 1995

Hi!  You know I really want to go to church at Shepherd of the Hills.  I mean, I like ACBC but, I just feel more at home at Shepherd of the Hills.  The preachers good and plus almost everybody from school goes there.  (TJ & Amy)  Like, a lot of middle schoolers and high schoolers.  

Well, yeasterday we had the first major rehersal in ballet.  It was pretty cool.  

Friday was the last day of school - YES! 

Mommy leaves on Tuesday, BOO-HOO.  

This is where "Mommy" was headed for a week or two, along with dear Auntie Mary,
leaving the kids with the dads.  My nearly-30-year-old present self says,
"GOOD DECISION, LIBBY AND MARY!"

June 3, 1995

Yo!  The ballet recital was cool!  Jennifer and Betsy picked me up and took me to a hair place and they did my hair in a bun and plastered (I mean plastered) my bangs back (Since mom is in London and Aunt Jeniffer isn't to sure of herself).  Then when we got home Betsy caked on base, blush, and maskara and some other junk.  Then we grabbed the costume and left for Lila Cockeral (The place where we had our recital - it's huge!)  Then we got to the dressing room and I got into my costume and Betsy caked on more base, blush, maskara, and lipstick!  

Then I got everything done and Jennifer and Betsy left to go sit with daddy in the seats.  Some of the girls were acting up but I streached out.  Finally we were called.  We're Dresden Dolls who are up in the attic.  A girl Dorthy finds us and we come to life.  After our act is a maypole scene with 3-8 yr old dancing.  Since it takes so long to organize the "babies" they put a screen behind us and behind the screen is the babies.  After our act, the screen rises and there they are.  Set to jet! We are behind a curtain, while the overture is playing, it's closed.  We where all talking and laughing while it was playing.  Of corse - there were several false alarms.  But finally it was ready.  
I don't think I messed up.  

Today we called mommy!  She was good.  But, I miss her.  But, tommorrow I get to go to Corpus!  YEA! And see Hol-Hol and Bonster!  (Otherwise known as Holly and Bonnie)

Tonight we watched a movie called "From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweilder."  It was good!  I had already read the book (wouldn't you know it?!)  

So good.

Although the experience didn't make it into my diary, I believe this Mommy-goes-to-London trip was also the first time I operated a washing machine, thus learning the life lesson that teal underwear will cause white socks to become a pale shade of blue.  

PS. Beheading people WAS awful.  

No Noticable Cuts

Note: The heading of this entry is a revealing window into my decades-long battle with how to spell the word "Saturday."  Even post-college graduation, I would pause while writing and briefly wonder "E or U?"  I'm delighted to share that now, in my 29th year, I believe I have finally mastered the word. 

Saterday 

April 15, 1995

Hi!  Yeasterday (another tricky word) we had lunch with the Nelsons!  It was really fun!  Today me and mommy went to Beth's house and me, Beth, Sarah, Josh, Jared, and Elisha had an Easter party!  It was a lot of fun!  Tomarrow is Easter!  Cool, huh?  Well, now I'm going to play King's Quest V!  

Kings Quest V was a CD-ROM computer game to which Adam and I devoted many hours.  A king loses his castle and family somehow and has to travel around his magical world with his friend the owl searching for them and encountering adventures.  Like drinking tea?

I mean, you had to fight a Yeti by throwing a pie in his face! How awesome is that? Sadly, there was a glitch in our copy that caused the computer to basically shut down every time we reached the final, climactic showdown with the evil magician, so we never knew how it ended.  Bummer.

Sunday 

April 23, 1995

Hi!  Yeasterday (there it is again) I shaved my legs for the first time.  I didn't get any noticable cuts!  I saw a movie at Amy's called The Princess Bride. It was really good!  Well I can't think of anything else to say so - bye! 

Woa - the first time shaving my legs AND seeing The Princess Bride all in the same day?!
That's one exciting day.

And I'm still quite relieved when I have no "noticable" cuts after shaving.

In Your Face, Becky!

Note: Wow. This entry reads like I downed a double shot espresso into my little 5th grade body.  I don't mention the romantic escapade again in the diary, but I'm pretty sure "the relationship" lasted about a day.  It's just too funny not to share.  I think the experience is made better if the entire entry is read aloud super fast in a high-pitched voice. 

March 9, 1995

Dallas likes me!  Can you believe that?  And I like him too!  It's wierd isn't it?  (Note: Ha! Yes.  Liking people is SO wierd.)  I knew because TJ and Dallas are best friends, and tomorrow the speech meet - oh and I'm going, I'm saying "I have a dream" - so we put our chairs in a cemi-circle and played "gossip" and at the end when we were all leaving Dallas said "I know what I would have said, It's about Lee!"  I kept on bugging him and finally I said "Sarah, make TJ tell you!"  So she did and she started cracking up!  and I'm all "What? What? Tell me!" And she did!  And I felt kind of wierd.  Then I asked TJ if it was true and he said "Yes" and told him I like Dallas too!  Beth told me later that after I left Dallas asked Beth if I liked him and Beth said, "Lee would kill me if I told."  And TJ said "Yes, she likes you!"  And Beth said Dallas started jumping around majorly! Anyway, I'm happy and now when this brat Becky at ballet asks me if I have a boyfriend I can say "yes!" 

After all, what's the point of liking someone if you can't brag about it to your arch-nemesis at ballet? This entry is quintessential example of why I'm glad I've kept a journal throughout the majority of my life.  Without documentation, I would've forgotten all about this, but thanks to the trusty college-ruled single subject blue notebook I kept from 1994-1995, the moment is recorded in all its pristine, 5th grade ridiculousness.  Too bad I didn't write about the "break up"....if it could even be called that? Maybe we just went to school the next day and acted like nothing had happened?  What happens in the "gossip cemi-circle" stays in the gossip cemi-circle?  

Valentine's Day & '90's Jeans

Feb. 13, 1995

Tommarrow is Valentines!  I'm giving out Beauty & Beast cards.  Evan tho I'm 11, my favorite cartoon is B.B. and then Lion King, then Aladen.  Disney's coming out with a new movie "Pocahontist."  I don't think it will be that good.  

Tomarrow we have to wear red, white, and pink.  Hey!  At least it's not uniforms!  I'm going to wear my rock-washed jeans, and a T-shirt.  I wanted a white one - but I don't have one so I turned one arounnd.  And a BEAUTIFUL vest daddy bought me!  And my prarie boots and my silver hoops clip-on earrings.  

On Friday me and daddy went on a date.  To the mall and to a camo and lace dinner (Father and daughter) at church.  It was fun! 

I feel like Lisa is sporting a pretty solid example of what I remember as "rock-washed" denim.
This is a super intense looking scene from Saved by the Bell.  Maybe they are discussing their own chosen outfits for Valentine's Day.  

March 11, 1995

Hi! At the speech meet I got "supirior" on "I Have a Dream!"  Now I will tell you about ballet. 

This girl in my class, Becky is a real nerd - I do not like her.  Margo, the teacher's daughter is my best friend in ballet.  Sarah is a showoff but I geuss I juged her because shes been nice lately.  But she comes only once a week.  And Becky comes 2.  So does Margo.  So she saves me.  

Another dramatic day in ballet.  

Note: You GUESS you judged her, 11 year old self?  I'm amazed you had time to learn how to pointe and pirouette at all what with all the judging going on. 

The March Onward to Adalessonts

...In which my mean streak is further unveiled.  Or is it just childish carelessness/ignorance?  No concept of judgement and the harm it can cause?  Also, my 5th grade crush is revealed, and I wax philosophical.   

Jan. 19, 1995

Tommarow Adam has a game so I'm staying. Whopeedodahdeday! Games are so much fun! 

Jan. 27, 1995

Hi! Tonite Holly, Bonnie, Rick, and Mary are coming for the weekend. I can't wait! Today is Friday. Ashley is gone. I didn't really like her that much.  She's a snob, and she flirts with all the boys!  I'm a little glad she's gone!

Well see ya.  I can't really concentrate.  Because I'm listening to A.L Radio station!  (Amy and Lee's)  We tape each other, you know.  

Feb. 2, 1995

Hi! Holly and Bonnie were great! I had so much fun! Geuss what? I'm going to the Math Olypics! With Craig, Gyran, and Ryan.  (Edit - The second kid's name was actually Garyn, but apparently I didn't know how to spell my classmates' names, despite the fact there were less than twenty of us.)  Dallas was going to go, but he didn't want to, so Craig's going.  I wish Dallas was going.  I think he likes me!  Maybe he's just my friend.  Well, I'm his friend.  TJ is my friend.  I mean, I don't come to school passionately in love with him anymore.  

Oh wow. Adalessonts.  The Worst and Best years of my life.  Today in PE I was really mad.  At everyone.  Then I went outside and asked God to help me.  He did!  (of corse.)  I was filled with love for everyone!  

For the speech meet I'm memorizing "I Have a Dream." It's so good.  And I'm writing a book called, 'The Land Below the Sea.' I think it's the best I've ever written.  

Ya know. In my last diary, I didn't really tell you my deep down feelings.  In this one I do.  

Note: Sadly, I have no memory of "The Land Below the Sea," and no evidence of it remains. A great work of literature, lost to time.  And those really are my deep down feelings.  

DARE & Chocklate

By 5th grade, my spelling and grammar had vastly improved from my first entries back in 1993, but there are still plenty of fabulous mistakes.  I find that I become meaner in my writing as adolescence approaches.  My comments regarding the "new kid" are kind of terrible.  Looking back (and reflecting on my current experience with students), I truly believe compassion and tact are skills that, like anything else, require work.  

Otherwise...memories of DARE, selling candy to raise money, and ballet.  

Oct. 24, 1994

You know what?  Since we live in New Braunfels, TX, we're right by San Antonio.  So we're so used to it we pronounce it San'Ntonio.  Outsiders pronounce it the right way.

Ya' know I bet, when people think of Texas, cowboys come to mind, Oh well I'm a true Texan who remembers the Alamo.

Jan. 17, 1995

Happy New Year!  Actully, it's a little late for that, so, Happy Birthday, daddy!  No, It was on the 2nd.  Hummm?  Back to School?!  Yipee.  We went back on the 2nd, daddy said he always went back to school on his birthday.  Poor him!  

Well, we had a holiday yeasterday.  The new kid, did I tell you about him?  Anyway, he's boring, rude, and not very nice looking.  

Jan. 18, 1995
Hiya buddy ol' pal!  Geuss what?  5th grade in BCS gets to do a DARE program!  The guys who does it is named Depady Reynolds.  Well, I think its Depady.  Anyway it's cool.  DARE stands for Drug Abuse Resistant Education.  Dare to keep kids off drugs.  We get a namecard, a workbook, and a pencil.  He said we'd get a T shirt too. 

Today we got world's Finest Chocklate to sell.  Last year we sold it for heaters.  This year its for the new beuldings septic tank.  (Ewwww! But hey!  We need to go to the bathroom!)  And new tables for lunch.  (We need them!)  In the car I was opening the cardboard box w. little sisors and ruiend 4 candy bars in the prosses!  And now I am 4 dollars short, but have slitly ruined great chocolate!  

Well did I tell you?  I found a ballet school!  It's Connally's School of Dance.  In San Antonio. Since we live in New Braunfels its a long drive.  I go on Mondays and Wendays at 6:00-7:00.  I'm in class 3A.  Well, I'd better get on with homework.  Whew!  Up untill 4th grade I didn't have homework exept in kindergarten and I had to decorate a cardboard gingerbread man.  Now I know it all too well.  Hoh Hum.  

Highs and Lows

This post represents some of the thrills and disappointments in my life during the fall of 1994.  The blow-by-blow account of our Thanksgiving trip to Disney World is quality stuff.  After rediscovering that entry in my old diary, I actually called my parents and (laughingly) thanked them again for that trip, which, from an adult perspective, sounds like it must've been a bit stressful...Your teenager lost in the park for several hours in pre-cell phone days while your elementary aged kid gets sick in multiple ways? Yeah.  In my memory, however, it was a wonderful time, despite the unfortunate incident at the MGM Backstage tour.   

Oct. 18, 1994

Hi!  My birthday was great!  Me, Sarah, Amy, and Beth all went ice-scating.  It was great!  I got a calendar and a stamp, a book, and a friendship necklace with Simba and Nala on it from "The Lion King."  Which I think is better than Alladan, and is tie with Beauty and the Beast, wich is GOOD!  

Tommorrow I'm going on a field trip!  We're going the IMAX to see Antartica and to the Buckhorn Hall of Fame. (Only in Texas)  I'm going to wear my long-sleeved shirt that's dark-green and marroon flowers all over it that I got for my b-day and my rock-washed jeans and prarie boots, my hair down and pulled back in a bow.  

Oct. 25, 1994

Today I get to hold the flag or Bible in chaple.  Oh, the privledges of a 5th grader!  Sometimes, not all, but some we get to do car patrol.  

Oh Well.  Goodbye!

Oct. 26, 1994

Yipeeee!  I am so exited!  I don't care if thats not spelled right!  Julie, Miss Toby's (my ballet teacher) helper, said I could make the company!  Company!  (thrills)  Company is a group in ballet you have to be chosen to be in it, you can't say "I want to do it."  And you have to have 2 years to be in it.  I only was in the summer 'till now!  She said me and a girl named Avery have ability! 

Oct. 30, 1994

Adam is so mean to me!  Tonite I was cleaning my room and listening to a tape.  Adam kept on flipping off the light switch.  I was so mad. 

Nov. 15, 1994

I have bad news.  Ya'now the Company?  Well its quit.  One more lesson and no more.  Julie, the teacher, has to go.  Horrible. 

Nov. 25, 1994

Hi!  Sorry, I forgot to take you to Disney World!  Well, I came down with a sore throght.  The first day was ok.  We went to Epoct, World showcase.  I had to go to the clinic and altered plans.  Then the place we planned out at lunching didn't evan igsist, so we ate at France and I got Belle's autograph. 

Then Adam got lost and it got drizzly and I felt misreble so we went home.  Later Adam called and we found him.  The next day we went to MGM, my favorite.  We went to the Great Movie "Ride."  Which I enjoyed exept that a little girl cried at every scary scene.  And Muppet 3D was good.  I loved Idiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and Star Tours.  

The next day we went to Magic Kingdom and rode all 3 main rides which were fun, I was disapointed in Space M, it was supposed to be really scary.  But I guess after riding the Rattler at Fiesta Texas 2 times, "ha."  Next day Future World at Epcot.  Was good.  I liked "Jorney into Imagination."  At the end it shows a 3D film and a dog sneexed and you get wet!  Ewww!  

At the last day we went to M.K. to make daddy ride Splash Mountain.  Then we went to MGM and went on the Backstage movie tour.  It was good but near the end I kinda had diarria in my pants.  Pretty uncomfrtroble.  So momy put 2 of those pads on my undies and we went on Star Tours and the Magic of Disney Anamation. I'm tired.  By by. 

The One With Lots of Cheering

As I move up the grades in my journals, my entries become increasingly more NORMAL (Dec. 30 '93 entry - holla!) as I record with detail the chronology of my school days or what books I'm reading.  However, there are still a few gems scattered throughout, so I am planning on continuing this blog until I just plain run out of material.  However, I might skip big chunks of time with more frequency.  But for now, we enter...Fifth Grade. 

Sept. 25, 1994

Hi! I (heart) 5th grade!  And guess what!  For Thanksgiving we get a whole week off!  So...Were going to go to

DISNEY WORLD

Florida

Yippeeeeee!  I may be almost 11 but I can still apreceate Disney magic! An were gunna fly an the flight starts at 6:30AM and we're going to have to get up at 4:00AM!  Anyway.  It'll be fun!  We're going to Epcot, Disney World, World Showcase...etc. etc.  Actually, that's all so no etc.  

Sept. 26, 1994

I can't wait till next year, Mittle School!  Lockers!  Volly-ball and basket-ball teams!  Lock-ins!  Yippeee!  Yahoo!  

Oct. 7, 1994

Hi!  Sorry I haven't written.  But I have been busy with school.  My grades in history are good.  I might teach history when I grow up.  But I mean, you also have to mimorize a whole bunch of stuff.  This year, we mimorized the American Creed.  It was pretty easy.  But we're going to have to mimorize part of the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE and the GETTYSBURG ADDRESS!  Ahhh!  Anyway, I'm not too sure about Lanuage.  I really hate Lanuage.  When I teach school I'm going to make lanuge fun and easy.  

Haveing Beth was fun.  We went to Mr. Gatties that night. 

AND NOW FOR THE BEST NEWS OF ALL, Sunday's my birthday!  But I'm having my party tommorow.  YEA!  YEA!  YAHOO!  

We're going to the Crystal Ice Palace!  And um (yes, the 'um' is actually written) on Monday 'cuz Sarahs one day younger then me, Sarah's inviting me and Beth to her house, we're going to spend the night.  

Well were at Pizza Hut, Gotta go! 

Eat Your Furts and Vegys

I discovered this little gem while going through a batch of old papers and drawings.  It must have been written even earlier than my first journal entry, as my spelling/grammar/handwriting is crazier than anything I wrote in '93.  I have no idea what inspired me to write this piece of healthy eating propaganda back in the day, but here it is: 

Eat Your Furts & Vegys

Once apon a time ther lived a littel boy whos name was Ben he had a sister named Lucy and he had a Mom and a Pop.  One day when they wher edding ther dinner they had meat and mashed potados whith butter streming of the cripsickn and they allso had carrets and appel and sallry.  

Ben did not like the carrets and appel and salary.  So he just did not eat them!  His Pop said "Ben eat your furts and vetebels." 

"I do not like them" said Ben

"O-boy!" Said Lucy, "I get his pece of cake!" 

"Cake?" Said Ben "I did not know we had cake!" 

"Well we do" said Mom. "Lucy and I made it wall you wer palying ball."

"Ooo.." said Ben.  "Can I have a littel bit ove butter on my fautes and vegys?" 

"Shur." Said Pop 

"And just remember" said Mom. "Eat your futes and vegtibels!" 

"Ok," said Ben. 

And after dinner they all had a pice of homead cake and Lucy said "I wald of gotten tou pices if Ben wauld not of eten his fruts and veges!" 

THE END

Oh Brother

In which the varied emotions an almost-5th grade girl might have towards her dearest older brother are expressed.  

August 1, 1994

Hi!  I'm very sorry I haven't written.  I've been kinda busy!  I think my handwritings getting better don't you?  Well, this year I'll be in 5th and then...

MITTLE SCHOOL!

'Cool!' The school built another building and 3rd and 4th and 5th.  We'll be way out there! 

August 2, 1994

Hi!  Did I tell you on July 1st was Adam's birthday?  He's 14 now!  This year he'll be in high-school!  Yesterday night when he was tring on his new unaform (elementry, mittle, and high all have diffrent unaforms)  He looked so tall!  I felt like a silly unimportant little sister.  Ahhh! BOO-HOO! Oh-me-gosh, Adam will be driving soon!  I won't let him drive me to school!  Hey!  Guess what?  On Fri we're going to Houston!  Cause we going to see a ball-game, well Adam and Dad are.  Us girls arn't.  

PS. I saw The Lion King! 

August 3, 1994

Hi! I'm doing a lot better on keeping my journal!  I'm almost finished with it I've had it for more than a year!  Well.  I can't wait till Friday.  (We're going to Houston)  Well, I need to clean my room.  

PS. The Lion King's good. 

August 5, 1994

AH! Adam makes me so mad! He wanted to show me some dumb cave in the woods.  I didn't want to go but I went and we went all over the woods and we got mad finly we came out a street away from our house.  We walked home angerly.  

The Nelsons are at Faimly Camp at T Bar M and they're comeing to talk at 1:00 and it's, 11:54 now.  Before they come I'm going to roller-blade walk to the mail-box to mail 2 letters.   

Who hasn't "walked home angerly" with a sibling?  Below - me and my bub at a much younger age than the above entry.  But we weren't nearly as cute circa 1994.  

Airplanes and Awards

In which I am so excited about the surprise airplane trip (was it my first airplane trip? I'm not sure) to Houston that I am slightly incoherent.  

March 18, 1994

Hello!  Know how I told you that we were leaving on Sat?  Well, maybe NOT!  After recess Mrs. Alldaffer told me that Mrs. Brockmier, (the libraryian.) wanted me  Well she needed me for telling her some good books.  Later Mrs. A. came in and said, 'don't you think it's time to come back,' then I saw mommy poke her head in.  I thought, whats momma doing here?  Mrs. A. said, "Do you want to go back to Art or go with your parents.  Daddy was there TOO!  "Go where?"  I said.  "Airplane," they laughed, airplane, yes!  We went and got on the car, daddy drove us to the airport!  Adam is coming by himself tomorrow.  When I looked out of the window I saw the cars, they looked like busy little ants, and the houses looked like tiny plastic toys!  When I saw the swimming pools, they looked like little turquoise dots!  It was fun, I had peanuts and water.  When we got to grama's house Holly, me, and Bonnie played and played, and played, now I'm in bed so, night night! 

March 20, 1994

Today is Momma's B-day!  I made her a little heart cardbord case that she can put her combs in.  Grandma gave her a glue gun and Mary gave her poporie.  

The Nelsons went tome yeasterday, and we go home tommarrow.  Today we went and saw three short ballets.  I liked the last one the best. 

May 18, 1994

Hi!  We had to do chaple yesterday and we did it on Sam Houston!  Dallas was Sam, Sarah was his wife and I was his mother-in-law!  My lines made everyone laugh!  

The other kids did stuff too. 

May 25, 1994

Ouch!  Right now Mommy's doing my hair!  Yeasterday in chaple was awards day and I got honer roll and perfect attendance.  Mrs. Liles, (our PE teacher) gave everyone a PE certifacite and to each class she gave a pinck ribbon for 4th place, bronze meadle 3rd, silver for 2nd, and gold for 1st in how many miles you ran.  In our class Sarah got 4th, Beth got 3rd, and I got 2nd and Ryan got 1st.  I could have gotten 1st if I had ran only like 3 more miles, he only beat me by like 1.  But I don't care really. 

Lee's Story Book Edition 2

I believe it was around this time (spring of 1994) that the long-anticipated sequel to The Very Interesting Advenchors of Ted, Fred, and Sarah! was penned.  Although the spelling and grammar is improved (thanks, Mrs. Alldaffer!), there is an unfortunate lack of dramatic action.  Critics may wonder why the author sacrificed the salty character of the nightwatchman for two new, bland (though chocolatey) characters.  Wonder away. 

Here Comes, TED, FRED, & SARAH! 

And 2 new characters! 

Chapter One

Mrs. Harmon quikly put in Pete's sandwich, 2 quarters for a soda a peach and two brownies.  

"Pete!" She called. 

"Com'en," called Pete. 

Later Pete was strutting on the sidewalk wisling a merry tune on his way to school.  He swung his paper sack lunch, he had used to have a lunch-box, but had lost in by the dump.  It was strange, he knew exactly where he put it, but when he came back for it next day, it wasen't there! 

But what he didn't know, and you know if you've read my first book, "Ted, Fred, & Sarah," is that the lunchbox opened somehow and a good fary came along and turned the sandwichs and cookies alive with hands and arms and a preasent of each giving them some roller-blades. 

Sadly, the illustrations for this story are in black and white.   Maybe I was going for artsy? 

Chapter Two

Arabiscus the fairy, which turned Ted, Fred, and Sarah into live was having a casul "fly" along the street.  She saw a little boy leaning against the fence of a dump.  She smiled, this was the dump which she had turned two sandwiches and cookie alive, she grinned wider at the memory.  

"Boy, am I hungrey!"  She heard the boy say.  "I missed breakfast!"  

The fairy remembered her breakfast, cloud biscets and dew-juice.  

"I'll have something from my lunch."  Said Pete (for it was,)  "I'll have my brownies."  Pete pulled them out.  "Ew!  Nuts!  Whatd'd mom pack brownies with nuts"  Muttered Pete, dangling the brownies in his hands. 

Arabiscus frowned.  She liked brownies with nuts.  

Pete's fried Josh walked by.  

"Hey Josh!"  Called Pete

"What?"  Josh said stopping. 

"Want some brownies?"  

"Uh, sure..." Said Josh; Pete usaly didn't give away desserts, he shrugged. 

"Here."  Said Pete, stuffing them into Josh's hands.  

The bell rang.  "I better go." Said Pete.  And ran off.  

Josh didn't care if he was late or not, so he unwrapped the brownies.  

"EW!  NUTS!  What a tricker, Pete knows I hate nuts."  Josh grumbled.  He looked over at the dump.  "Hey, what are dumps for?"

He shrugged, and threw the brownies over the fence.

Chapter Three

"Sigh.  This must be a habit!"  Said Arabiscus softly as she watched Josh walk away.  She flew down to the brownies and toched them lightly with her wand.  Slowly they sprouted arms, hands, less, feet, and a face. 

"Who are you?"  They asked Arabiscus at the same time. 

She laughed, her laugh was like the tinckle of bells.  

"You," she said, pointing to the boy brownie, "are Mr. Nut, and you," she said pointing to the girl, "Are Mrs. Nut."  

Quickly she told them their past, and gave them each a pair of roller blades.  "You'll find friends if you go there."  She said, pointing to a little red lunchbox.  

Chapter Four

Ted was singing at the top of his voice, "Fiagarol, Figarollll!  Figarol, Figarolll," (etc) It was something he had heard on a old broken radio.  "TED!"  Screamed Sarah, stopping from ploishing the quarter on the wall with a bit of rag. 

"You have sung that, figural enough!  You..." She stopped dead, then her face turned scarlet, Ted looked up from snickering, and Fred raised his head from reading a corner of newspaper, Mr. and Mrs. Nut stood in the doorway.   

"I...I...who are you?"  Asked Sarah, stunned.  

"I'm Julie Nut," Said Mrs. Nut shyly.  

"And I'm Matt Nut."  Said Mr. Nut. 

Note the decorative quarter on the wall.

Fred got up, taking everything calmly, as usaly, as stuck out his hand, Mr. Nut shook it.  "I'm Fred, she's Sarah, having a little trouble with Ted over there.  Have a seat."  

Fred waved his hand to two rusted thimbles covered in white linen from a napkin.  

"Yes, tell us about yourselves."  Said Sarah, feeling she ought to put a word or two in.  So Mr. and Mrs. Nut realated how they had come to life and how the fairy gave them rollerblades.  

"Was the fairy's name Arabiscus?"  Asked Ted when they were through. 

"Yes, how'd you know?"  Asked Mrs. Nut. 

"That's what happened to us!"  Said all three at the same time.  

So the five talked deep into the night untill it was 12:00am. 

Chapter Five

Next morning Mr. and Mrs. Nut, Ted, Fred, and Sarah, got up to walk around the dump to find a home for the Nuts.  

The night before Sarah had fished out some ugly, holey, pea-green leg warmers from a pile of junk, cut off a square, and the Nuts, slept cosily on that, that night.  

Soon Ted pealed off a newspaper from a lump and found a telephone.  

"Hey!  I tell you what," said Fred, looking thoughtfuly at the phone.  "See this hole in the phone?  Let's go in it and clear away all the wire and junk, and ya'll can live here!"  

Mr. and Mrs. Nut looked each other then nodded.  So next morning Ted, Fred, and Mr. Nut set to work on the telephone.  

Sarah and Mrs. Nut sat on thimbles and made house supplies.  Sarah was teaching Mrs. Nut how to make pillows out of a few strands of yarn.  

"Cris-cross, twist, pull ugh!  Oh Sarah!  How do you do it?"

Sarah smilied proudly.  "Well, Mrs. Nut," 

"Do call me Julie."

"Well, Julie.  Pretty soon you'll be doing as good as me, just, criss-cross, twist, pull, gently, criss-cross, twist, pull.  Now when your at the end of the piece, tie it onto the next and continu."  

"Sigh.  Sarah, I'll never make a pillow out of this!" 

"Did you see the pillows you slept on?"

"Yes."

"This was how I made them!" 

"Sigh.  Criss-cross, twist, pull, criss-cross, twist, pull."

In a few days Ted, Fred, and Matt Nut, stood proudly in frount of the telephone survaing their work.  The telephone was cleared of wires and junk.  I's shiny black reciver leaned against the polished phone.  They where done with their work, but the girls still had some, no, a LOT of work, they had to, set up furniture, clean the cloths, set up important things, and every which-way and which-thing you could think of! 

(Note: Apparently Ted, Fred, and Matt Nut were not progressive enough to help the ladies?  Or vice-versa?  Hmm...I'm seeing a paper titled Gender Roles in the Junk Yard..) 

Finly everything was finished. 

The lads calmly observing the ladies rushing about.

Chapter Six

On quiet, rainy afternoon Sarah sat on a thimble drawing on a slightly battered piece of white leather with charcoal.  "What are you doing, Sarah?"  Asked Fred.  

"Drawing a map of our house and the Nuts house." 

"Can I see it when your done?"

"Sure." 

Later a new picture was hanging on the wall. 

Who wouldn't want a ground plan of their own house and their neighbor's house hanging on the wall? 

Chapter Seven

(Note: In true classical form, we end with a rhyming verse....sorta)

On sunny day in the mounth of May, 

Sarah, the Nuts, Ted, and Fred went to the back of the dump where the poppies are red. 

They had a picnic and the grass was green. 

Oh! The prettyest sight you ever seen. 

THey lived peacefully in the telephone and old lunch box. 

But they had lots of adventures, LOTS!

But know it's time to go, 

Oh HO, 

Next time they have an adventure I'll write about it. 

Matt Nut, Sarah, and Ted (or Fred)

Fred (or Ted) and Julie Nut.  "Orvio" = my approximation of "Au Revoir" 

Sadly, this is the last story of Ted, Fred, Sarah, and their boring neighbors the Nuts.  Unless I write another one called The Return of the Nightwatchman.