The real life of a '70s pre-teen ...

Webmaster's note: All spelling and grammar remain original, and what you see is actually what appears in my 1970s diaries. When this month was written, I was 10 and 11 years old and in the fifth and sixth grades at Mossville Grade School (Illinois). Days skipped indicate I didn't write in my diary on that day. BTW, don't quit reading -- it gets much better as the years wear on!!

Wednesday, January 16, 1974

mom started diet
Sonny & Cher were great!

Thursday, January 17, 1974

Dear New Diary,
I'm glad I got you tonight. Your woods neat. I just finished listening to Abracadabra by the Defrancos on the radio. Band was fun.

Friday, January 18, 1974
(Brett's B-day)

Dear Diary,
since your my new diary I'm going to show you around it is 9:22. I'm at school right now. I'm going to take my spelling test now. I just finished it. We had to write definishens. Brought radio to school. I'm in mr. berg's class. 5th grade last one in the First row room no. 29. Next gym in gym we danced. It is now 3 minutes till ten. I just got back from gym. Mrs. Jezek told me ***edited by Julie -- using pencil to scribble something out****.

Saturday, January 19, 1974
(Grandpa B. Birthday)

Uncle Bert died.

Sunday, January 20, 1974

had to write sentences.
Mom has to go to Iowa Tuesday morn. for Uncle Bert's funerl. she'll be back Wednesday afternoon. By!

Monday, January 21, 1974

half day of school
went to venture
got record "Abra-ca-dabra" and on the other side "Same Kinda love" by the Defranco family featuring Tony. Speeking of the Defranco's their gonna be on at 6:30 Thursday Jan. 24, 1974 channel 25 and I'm gonna watch it! By!

Wednesday, January 23, 1974

Mike's B-day

Thursday, January 24, 1974

DeFrancos were good Fanriffic!

Saturday, February 9, 1974

Dear Diary,
I sure am sorry I haven't been writing! Went to Northwoods mall today, got Encyclopedia Brown boy detective, and new, size 2 reed for sax. Coming write along in band. Speaking of coming along Ricky came over. On my birthday I get a real neat Defranco album. Carol Burnett now,
Goodbye

Wednesday, February 13, 1974

Defrancos were on Sonny & Cher tonight

Saturday, February 16, 1974

Sonny's B.D.
Bob moved.

Sunday, February 24, 1974

Dear Diary,
I'm feeling down to day. Ricky is mad at me, and Sonny & Cher split up. But cheer up listen to this, it's out of a joke book: Two astronauts were riding in a rocket. Unfortunately, one fell out. Fortunately, there was a big pile of leaves below him. Unfortunately, there was a rock in them. Fortunately, he missed the rock. Unfortunately he missed the leaves. Ha Ha! Bob came over.
Bye, Luv ya!

Tuesday, February 26, 1974

Dear Diary,
I hope you liked my joke. I was sick from school today so was Mike! 6 days till my birthday. Joke: How come the man thought his life was like Charlie Brown's? Answer: Because he works for peanuts and his wife is snoopy. Ha Ha! Get it?
Bye, Luv Ya!

Wednesday, February 27, 1974

Dear Diary,
not long until I get my DeFranco album! I just wrote someone named Laurie Mayer. She is going to be my pen pal. I will mail the letter tomorrow. She lives in New Jersy! I'm starting to write a new book called Cathy Swop. I hope my pen pal is neat. I know you are!

Thursday, February 28, 1974

Dear Diary,
I get to be in spelling bee! Wendy Caesy and Sally Naya were calling me pea-lice pants. They kept it up and almost made me cry. But Jennie Pickford stuck up for me. I still have a couple friends. I can't face them tomorrow! Today I recieved Bday card and 3 dollars from Grandma & pa B. Bye, be my friend!

Friday, March 1, 1974

Dear Diary,
It's been a long day, but I made it. And I also got that great Defranco album boy is it neat. I'm listening to it right now. I'm in their fan club now! isn't that great?! I Luv it, and you! See, ya!
Bye!

Saturday, March 2, 1974

Dear Diary,
today was a fun day. Bob came over, and we all had a hot dog roast. Mike is gonna sleep out in the play house. Speaking of Mike, he gave me a card and a rubber Gorilla for my Birthday.
Bye, Luv Ya!

Sunday, March 3, 1974

My Birthday had fun!

Sunday, March 17, 1974

Dear Diary,
today I ripped off a bic 4 color pen, a flare, a pac of gum, a cap gun, a padlock and some certs. I saw Bob's trailer today. It is neat. Mike ripped off some gum, a padlock, a bic 4 color, a regular pen. We both did pretty good!
Good Bye, Luv ya!

Thursday, March 28, 1974

Dear Diary,
I try'd out for track today. How much do you wanna bet I won't make it! I bet Cathy did! It was cold and I was scared.

Monday, April 1, 1974

Dear Diary,
great day! I bought a school newspaper today. It's neat sorta. I am cleaning my room right now. Nothing more to say. sorry. Bye, See ya. P.S. 1/2 day Thursday, no school Friday.

Tuesday, April 2, 1974

Dear Diary,
I'm watching Maude now, it's a repeat. Then there's a wearwolf movie, then there's there academy awards, then there's BED! I was sick today. Am I starting to write better? Hope so!
Love,
Julie

Wednesday, April 3, 1974

Dear Diary,
Defrancos were on academy awards last night they were fanriffic!

Sunday, April 14, 1974

Dear Diary,
sorry I haven't been writing. But I couldn't find the key. I found out my finger's not broke. Lots of Easter Candy! Gotta clean my room. Gotta go!

Tuesday, April 30, 1974

Dear Diary,
Tonight was fun. I got 2 pen pals awhile back they live in Calif. we heard Peirce band boy do they make us lousy. Today Mr. Kinney told us to brush up on the concert material and that he has a surprise for us Thursday. I wonder what it is! Tell you about it Thursday. Mr. Kinney has a real neat suit on today light blue pants and jacket, dark blue shirt, white tie, and black and white shoes. His first name is Dave. He has a green Gran Torino. BEAUTIFUL! He is.
We are going camping this weekend.
Dad has a surprise gift for mom.
MEMO: Concert May 22, 1974 I play in it!

Wednesday, May 22, 1974

concert good

Saturday, May 25, 1974

Mr. Kinney married to Sarah.

Tuesday, May 28, 1974

Dear Diary,
sorry I haven't written could not find key. Mr. Kinney got married the 25th darn! He's so neat! Mom's helping me clean my room. Sonny and Cher separated. DeFrancos at Peoria Fair July 15 2:30, 6:30, 9:00 PM going at 2:30! I'm going at 2:30! I'm getting his autograph for sure! Got yearbooks today! Got a mouse, Smokey!
have to feed rabbit! Bye!

Thursday, May 30, 1974

Dear Diary,
fun day
Tomarrow last day of shool!
Picking up rest of room!
Bye!

Monday, June 3, 1974

Smokey died. (the mouse)

Tuesday, June 4, 1974

Went to shore acres

Wednesday, June 5, 1974

Dear Diary,
Sonny & Cher OK. Cher has Boyfriend Sonny is living with his mom & dad and Chas. He's going to have his own show soon! Yipee! He has no girlfriend. He is still very handsome. Cher's a show-off now, she thinks she's so big just because she's not with Sonny any more.
Bye!

Thursday, June 6, 1974

Dear Diary,
got real old Sonny & Cher record they sound so different! Tomarrow's mom art class at 10:00.
Good-Bye!
P.S. The record's called "It's gonna rain."
Neato!

Friday, June 7, 1974

DeFrancos in Texas 6ix Flags today through the 9th

Friday, June 14, 1974

Got Defrancos new album boy it is groovy. DeFrancos at Mo. Six Flags today through the 16th.

Sunday, June 16, 1974

Dear Diary,
I was just read back on my old diary and like on Dec. 4 I said how cute Mr. Kinney is. Man is he cute! Get to see DeFrancos at fair! saw Angie and Unes' today Angie's hair is a lot longer. I've been haveing marching band. Mr. Kinney told me I do good. Guess what? This year we get to go back to silver doller City Oh I have so much to tell you tomarrow. Good bye!

Saturday, June 22, 1974

DeFrancos in Cape Cod Mass.

Sunday, June 23, 1974

DeFrancos in Buffalo New York

Friday, June 28, 1974

DeFrancos in Indianapolis

Saturday, June 29, 1974

DeFrancos in Chicago.
Dear Diary,
I have a surprize for you the 2nd of July. Today went to a real big ol' farm house Beauty-ful! Gomez is sitting by me now.

Tuesday, July 2, 1974

Got my hair cut looks jus like Tony's. Well, maybe not just like his

Thursday, July 4, 1974

Pretty fireworks.

Saturday, July 6, 1974

Sandy is going to lend me her tape recorder so I can record the Defranco concert then I will buy the tape off her. fantastic. Don't read this until you read the next page.

Sunday, July 7, 1974

Dear Diary,
I can hardly wait till I get to see Tony! Mike is trying to sneak my diary. But he won't get it. Vacation is soon. I have been listening to my Defranco album. I have more to tell you. Since I didn't write yesterday I will write the rest on the proceeding page.

July 12, 1974

Ricky (my boyfriend) came over he's still real cute but I don't like him as much as I used to though. When I told him he could come over he said, "Oh Boy," so. I guess he still likes me. I smeared him in Monopoly (naturally). Well 2 days to see Tony and DeFrancos, cool man. They are hip. espesially Tony.

July 13, 1974

Dear Diary,
Guess what! Dad got our recorder fixed ain't that great?! Speaking of greatt. Only one day till we get to see Tony and the DeFrancos. Two till vacation. I will bring you on vacation with me, okay?! We'll also take the recorder with us. I have $11.75 to take with me. Oh boy will that be fun. Bye.

July 15, 1974

Read October 14th please!.

October 14, 1974

Sorry I haven't been writing, for so, so long. Wowee! I saw the Defrancos. They were great! Shook hands with Tony! Guess what some other great boys called Bill, Mark & Brett Hudson, The Hudson Brothers! Brett is my fave. boy is he cute! He's fanriffic! Tony's still the best. I like Brett the same as Tony.
Love,
Julie

October 15, 1974

'Bot getting married Nov. 16, 1974 at 2:00. Sonny's new show is nifty! You know how I told you Mr. Kinney is cute, well he's not! Bill is 25 Mark is 23 Brett is 21 What I mean is they are very fanriffic

October 24, 1974

Been to busy to write I'm in 7th & 8th grade band now. Hudsons are getting better every day. I get to see cute Ship now every day. got a magizine with an abolutly great poster of Tony in it I WON A CONTEST TO MEET DEFRANCOS!!!!!!!!!

October 26, 1974

Dear Diary,
Regina is staying all night. Went to see Huck Finn & Tom Sawer. We both think Jeff East is cute! Hudsons show was great! Editor's Note: Picture of Jeff East at right is scanned from a full-page pin-up in my Feb. '74 issue of Tiger Beat magazine!

Tuesday, November 12, 1974

Sorry I haven't written nothing interesting has happened I'm going to stay all night with Regina Thursday. I'm watching to tell the truth now. It has a rodeo clown on it now. It just snowed for the first time of the year! Didn't snow long enough though. It's getting cold!!!!

November 15, 1974

I didn't get to stay all night with Regina cause it snowed. Boy you ought to see the stupid looking shoes & clothes I gotta were to the wedding! boy are they dumb! I also gotta get my hair fixed! Hudson Brothers are on Sonny Sunday, I can hardly wait.

November 16, 1974

Dear Diary,
Bob got married today it made me cry!! Bob sure looked handsome!! My feet are killing me because of these stupid shoes!!! Stayed all night with Sandy!!

November 17, 1974

Dear Diary,
The Hudsons sure were handsome on Sonnys show.

Thanksgiving, November 28, 1974

Dear Diary,
boy am I stuffed. this morning at 8:00 the Hudson Brothers hosted a parade boy are they cool!
They were great on Sonny!!
Defrancos are still just as good as Hudsons! Hudsons were on Merv Griffin & they said they have an album out now. I'm getting it for Christmas!!!

Friday, November 29, 1974

Dear Diary,
today It was an ordinary day. It snowed again. Right now I'm sitting on my bed watching "Miracle on 34th Street." Well that's about it.
Love,
Julie
P.S. Hudsons are on their show tomarrow.

Tuesday, December 3, 1974

Dear Diary,
today I asked Ricky if he still likes me. I haven't got the reply yet. Mark McDermaid really loves Regina. He keeps saying to her, "Hi Honey" & "Hi sweetheart!"

December 4, 1974

Dear Diary,
Ricky doesn't like me but I don't care!
Love,
Julie

December 8, 1974

Dear Diary,
today we put up the Christmas tree, sure is pretty! Guess what! I got a Christmas card from the DeFrancos!!!!!!!!!!!! If you don't believe me just look at it!
Love,
Julie Fidler

Thursday December 12, 1974

Dear Diary,
We are going to have a concert Monday for the PTA, and tomarrow we'll do a concert for the entire school. I mean the whole scool, man! All the teachers and kintergarden thro 8th grade. Mr. Kinney is really neat, still!

December 20, 1974

Hi! Guess what? Do you want to hear something that makes me mad? I don't get to see Hudsons tomarrow cause we got to go to a Christmas party! And there's noone to record it for me! I'll kill em, I'll kill em, I'll kill 'em! Darn it!

December 21, 1974

Guess what? I didn't have to miss Hudsons!

December 22, 1974

We went to Northwoods today. I saw a really old Hudson Album! the boys sure did look different! Mark had a beard! And Bill's hair was all frizzy! Brett looked okay!
P.S. Sonny's last show was on tonight!

December 25, 1974

Dang it I didn't get the Hudson album for X-mas! I'm getting it for my B-day!

December 26, 1974

Jack Benny died

December 28, 1974

Hudsons were great! I don't know if I told you or not but I got a Christmas card from the Defrancos!!! Every time I see a picture of Tony I think of the card! I got another magizine with Defrancos and Hudsons in it. It has a neat poster of Tony and one of Brett also!

Sunday, December 29, 1974

Today they had a tribute to Jack Benny I watched it

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