(Originally posted February 6, 2019)
Snippets from my five-year diary.
February 6.
*1970 (age 11): Was dismissed at 2:00. Had spelling test. Geog project due.
I attended Catholic school, first through eighth grade. In Feb. 1970, I was in the 6th grade. We had early dismissals on Fridays (always a plus). While I didn’t relish having spelling tests, I loved Geography. We used to do these projects where we’d make a “product’s map” of a country. After outlining the country, then we’d place stacks of toothpicks (lumber), sugar cubes (sugar), rocks painted gold (you get the idea). One of my favorite memories.
*1971 (age 12): SAT (Did usual Sat chores and had usual Sat.) Dad gone. Robin & Christy and Penny stayed overnight.
Saturday was chore day. My dad gave me a long list, and I couldn’t watch cartoons or play with friends until the list was finished. There were two exceptions: One-I was excused from chores on my birthday. Two- when Dad went out of town. For some reason, I wrote the boring chore stuff, then crossed it out. I was given a reprieve because my dad went out of town!
*1972 (age 13): SUN – Went to Clare Noblitts today. Had fun. Babysat.
The Noblitt’s were our next door neighbors. I spent a lot of time over there visiting the wife, Clare. They also had a poodle “Pepe” who would love to play catch with a tennis ball. I also babysat a lot once I turned 13. The pay was minimal, but I enjoyed the cash.
*1973 (age 14): Tue – Today we started doing our English speeches – we changed desks – Greg’s in front of Me and Diana’s in back. Kim’s on the side.
I remember one particular English speech where I researched and spoke about what was worn during the Elizabethan time period. I even went to a costume shop and rented one, to use as a prop during my speech. All was going great until I came to the “codpiece.” I froze. I couldn’t explain where it was actually worn. I think my teacher stepped in and started clapping, giving me the chance to sit and hide my blushing face.
Changing desks – yes, it was always wonderful when best friends were on all three sides.
*1974 (age 15): Wed. Well I really can’t think of any great thing that happened at school. After school – took pictures for my photography picture story. Also mom got me Ayds! Hopefully I can loose weight.
I loved my photography class. I remember borrowing a 35mm camera and taking all kinds of pictures. We had to develop and print them too. Sometimes things would go wrong, and the film would be ruined. So much for that roll of film.
Ayds – the chocolate diet supplement candies that were supposed to help people lose weight. (Yes, I wrote ‘loose’ – I shudder to see that misspelling!) I don’t think the supplements worked, although they did taste okay. I remember being, what I considered overweight, (140 lbs.) in 10th grade. I thought losing would make me popular. By 12th grade, I’d finally lost weight by playing tennis and eating better. At 118 lbs. football players started asking me out. I remember telling one, “If you wouldn’t ask me out when I was heavier, you can’t go out with me now.” Boy, I had guts back then.
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Note to self: I’m proud of you for sticking up for yourself. Though you didn’t go out with the star quarterback, it’s okay. You deserved much better. High Fives.