Sunday, September 9, 2007

Dear Diary

The other night the kids and I were looking for something in the storage room, and came across a box of my old journals. I pulled out the first journal I ever wrote in and started reading. It was just too hilarious not to share. And so, for lack of anything monumental to discuss, I bring you highlights from my 2nd grade journal. Note: All spellings have been left in their original form (and McKay was quick to point out all the grammar errors to me. Thanks, kid). It also is much more priceless in my scratchy handwriting, but I don't have a scanner at home. You get the general idea.

November 17, 1981

Today is my 8th Birthday. It's ben real fun. I got a night gown, A shirt, under wear, flower Brett's, raido, hair dryer, Cindrella tape, crayns, Book. I got a Snow white Birthday cake. I got A pen. And pizza for dinner. At school my class sang to me. we saw Mickey and the Beanstock And half of DumBo. And I got A card from the Insurance Company. Tomorrow is Craig's Birthday. Its Been such a nice day today I'm glad Its my Birthday today.

[Oooohhh, a card from the INSURANCE COMPANY. I was special. That proves it.]

_______________

November 24, 1981

Today at scool the Teachers Dubble Jumped Rope. Mr. higley fell. We All laughed at him. We saw a Dafey Duck Speceal. My cousens came over and me and Craig got 3 dollers. Its been so much fun. I have a cold that won't go Away. Mom said I was groanded tell my Room was clean. I have had so much fun today. It's been fun.

_______________

January 21, 1982

Today Mr. Higley said He could read MiNds. But I don't think he is telling the truth.

[That Mr. Higley...reading minds. Ppfffiishh. He was no match for my keen intellect. Couldn't fool me!]

_______________

May 5, 1982

Today is matt's 3rd birthday. he is very happy. he got cars, underwear, briches or pants. he got a ball, swiming suit, shorts, tank top. We had a barbcue. I ate: 1 hot dog, 1 ham burger and a peice of cake. Craig, Jhon, and Robert rode my Bike. I played with Rachel, and LeANN, and Kara. The next birthday will be dad's. I'm sure it will be fun. Today Dan went to the holgo zoo for a feild trip. I can hardly wait til summer because we get to go swimming. Matt scartched up my face today also.

[There is no way I could eat a hot dog, hamburger, and a piece of cake in one sitting today. At least not without a diet coke to wash it all down. And if Matt ever wants to know what he got for his third birthday...it's all there for posterity to treasure. And see, I was making lists even back then! Yes, I have always been crazy. And I am sure that Matt only got away with scratching my face because it was his birthday. I totally would have tattled on him. I was THAT kid, oh yes I was.]

________________

October 24, 1982

Today Mom is not feeling very good because she is going to have another baby. When she has babies she does not feel very good. Daddy went Dere hunting and got a Dere. It was a buck. Tomorrow he is going to go get it because he left it at the cabin.

[I think if I were Mom, I'd probably not be feeling good knowing that I was going to have deer meat in my freezer for the next six months.]

________________

September 12, 1983

Sunny day at home. At school cloudy day..

To begin with to those who come after me I would like to apologize for not writing in my journal for so long. I don't want anyone else to know that Stephanie and Erin and I can't sit by each other because Miss Pectol said we can't cause we talk too much. I think she is mean!! She is always so grouchy. I also hate school because the teachers get paid to make us miserable. They make us waste our P.E. time practicing going from class to
class and I hate it. Well at least the day is Over. It was O.K. today.

________________

So there you have it - a peek into my second-grade soul. It's funny to see just how many quirks I still have today. I especially enjoyed reading the list of foods I ate and apologizing to those who come after me for not writing so often. I'm sure Jane Austin did EXACTLY the same thing. Do any of you have childhood journals you'd like to share?


22 comments:

Wendi said...

That's too cute. My daughter is almost 8. It didn't occur to me that she might be old enough to write in a journal. I mean she has her writing notebook at school but that's it. That picture is fabulous!

Bridget said...

I love that you made mention of a birthday card from the insurance company! And recognizing that teachers get paid to make your life miserable. That was hilarious. Also the random capitol letters. I will have to dig out my journals. That was great.

Tip Junkie said...

What a treasure! I didn't have the patience to write in my journal. It's really too bad. What a bonding moment you were able to share this with your kiddos.

Annie said...

Great idea! And very interesting to learn that you were not always the clean queen (but have apparently always loved to have a good chat with your friends). Priceless.

Cara @ Gardenview Cottage said...

My husband (has a whole collection up at the ranch that we love to sit and read when we are there. His whole family are huge journal writers and it's fun to get a glimps into their childhood as an outsider! Five boys and one girl, talk about some good stories in those books!

{B}dreamy said...

Haha, I love it! Oooh, a card from the insurance company! I think I still get those... hey, we have close birthdays! *B

danandcindy said...

This was a pretty boring post, since I've already read all of your journals when you were playing with Stephanie and LeANN...

Travelin'Oma said...

My first diary entry when I was 8 recorded that Russia sent the first satellite into space, and it was named Sputnik. Then I said I loved Kent Spencer because he lifted me onto the swing. I don't ever read my diaries, (although I still have a few) but I do remember things because I wrote them down.

Jake said...

These were soooooo cute! I have boxes and boxes of my old journals in the basement. Like you, I am always amazed at the similar themes in my writing from 8 years old til the present...usually I wrote about the books I'm reading, my diet goals and the people that annoy me! The more things change the more they stay the same...

Scrapbooks by Amanda said...

How fun!

June Cutoff Cash said...

This was hilarious. I recently found my fifth grade journal, which I got for Christmas, and I did that same list of what I got. You did it TWICE, once for you and once for your brother!

Have you heard about the book with excerpts from diaries and letters from junior high and high school? It's called "Mortified" and I almost threw up, laughing.

Musings of a Housewife said...

That's classic. I'm glad I didn't keep a diary to record for posterity my 2nd grade thoughts and dreams. :-)

Hey, you've been tagged for a clothing pet peeve meme, if you're interested.

Unknown said...

That was really fun to read. It makes me want to dig out my old journals...I was only 2 when you wrote those! Holgo Zoo...I need to go there sometime!

mahina said...

that is so great! i wish i had kept a journal when i was in elementary school. i can only imagine what i would be writing about! i have journals from when i was a teenager and they are all about boys! i know, sad, but true!

how fun!

Alison Wills said...

Hi Christie,

I found your blog through Kelly's (I'm Jeff's sister) and I really love reading about all your adventures...

Ali

Alison Wills said...

Hi Christie,

I found your blog through Kelly's (I'm Jeff's sister) and I really love reading about all your adventures...

Ali

Anonymous said...

Journals? check
To Share? uh, no way.

By the way, what's with the bridal veil? Were you really a child bride or is that for first communion?

Michelle said...

I love that!! Great job on writing and then saving it. Your kids will love that one day.

Holly said...

I think it's great you saved these, and shared snippets with us. I used to keep a journal--with big gaps, but still--now blogging seems to have taken over. I hope to find a better balance!

Chatter said...

That is awesome! I wish I had journals from that age. I think I'll encourage my kids to do that. Thanks for sharing.

Rochelleht said...

My first entry in my 8 year old journal talks about Mt. St. Helen's letting off steam.

Sparky said...

Hey Jerk!

Yuo naver rote abuot mee! At lieced I can spel beter then yuo.

Undy