Sunday, July 1, 1979

hi: 88, low: 55

Woke up about 11:15. Came home around 1. I ate roast and potatoes for lunch. I watched a Cubs-Mets game. We won 5-4. I worked quite a bit on my rug. I watched The Little Rascals, 3 stooges, Wild Kingdom, Walt Disney. I took a bath. I watched One Day at a Time in my room. Carter says now that Opec has raised their prices once again, a recession is much more likely. Great! I wish life was once again simple and carefree! I watched a re-run of Alice, and the Jeffersons. We juggled around cars. Mike is cleaning some woman's little sportscar, and all of the "little neighborhood boys" had to come around and see it. Bob and family were in the process of moving into an apartment in Chilli. Now, I'm going to watch the news and get the high and low temperatures.

Monday, July 2, 1979

hi: 88, low: 60

I woke up. I washed. I worked on my rug. I watched game shows. I talked to Stacey. I watched the story. I ate Granola bars. Mom and I went to ICC where I registered for Introduction to Radio and TV. After walking around trying to find my classroom, I found out that mine is an off-campus course that will be held at Bergan high school every Tuesday night from 7-9:45 starting August 28. This should be pretty neat! After that, we went to the new K-Mart store across from the mall in the Westlake shopping center. I wish I had big bucks, cuz I saw about 7 magazines with Erik-baby in them that I must have! We got home around 3:30. I dried the dishes for Ma. I watched McHale's Navy. I took a hamburger down to Mike. He asked me to bring his car down so I could fill it up, then I brung it back home.

Stacey calls and tells me she's going to a movie. Does she ask me to come? No! She makes me sick! All she does is brag!

They now have Tom & Jerry on instead of the Odd Couple, so I saw it. It was cute. After that, I watched Little House on the Prairie. I went into my room and packed 3 suit-cases for vacation. I then watched a repeat of WKRP in Cincinnati.

I wrote Stacy a note stating that I'll be in Arkansas until the end of July; and (to make the silly little boy jealous) that I'm going to see Buster in August. I gave him my address.

Fantastic news: we probably won't go to see Buster. Good- I'll never see him again. My life has been wasted!

Aha-Julie has come up with a solution using her incredible algebraic mind. I figure it'll take about 30 gallons of gas to get from Mt. View to Chattanooga. Mom is giving me 25 bucks for vacation money. I won't spend it, I'll give it to Dad to pay for gas! Good idea, huh? I thought so!

I'm watching the Dating Game again. Seems like everytime I do, one of the bachelors is a jock. The broad always ends up picking him, too! All d.j.'s are hams, did you know that? They are; and I'm one of 'em. It's gonna be fun when I finally make it!

Did you know that Erik lost his virginity in a laundromat when he was 13? Boy, he was an early learner! I'd sure like to meet up with him at the cleaners!

Tuesday July 3, 1979

hi: 80, low, 69

Spent about 5 years this morning in the driver's examining station while Mom took her written test and got her license. Then we went to Credit Union and got money. We ate at Long John Silver's. I got 2 magazines with who else? Erik! Next, we went into Chilli to get our prescriptions refilled. We came home. Stacey talked at me. I got more stuff ready for vacation. I stared at Erik. Once again, I got yelled at about going to Chattanooga. Dad says we'll go a day earlier. So I tried to call Mark and tell him, but he'd already left. Now, Dad says just leave it as it is. So, I will! I went out on my bike and gave my parents a chance to talk about me behind my back! Came home. Watched the local news, Tom & Jerry. Wrote Buster a letter to ask him a few questions about Chattanooga. I watched Happy Days, LaVerne & Shirley, 3's Company, Taxi. I talked to Stacey. I'm now watching the 10 o'clock news. Do you believe tomarrow is July 4th already? Wow! The good ol' US of A is 203 years old!

Time for the Dating Game. And what a stupid show it actually is!

Wednesday July 4, 1979

hi: 75, low: 67

I woke up at about 10:30. I washed. I watched the story. I went up and got Stacey, her sister and friends. We (I drove!) went to the Westlake Center and saw "Butch & Sundance: The Early Days." It was okay. Kinda funny. I brung them back home. I came home. I watched the news, Tom & Jerry, Laugh In. Talked to Stacey. All over the place, I can hear fireworks going off, which is all well and fine, but against the law! I'm listening to all of the calls on the scanner for it. Dad, Ma, and I just went outside and lit up a few of our own! Come get me, copper! Mike went up to Chilli to see the display at the high school stadium with some broad.

Thursday July 5, 1979

hi: 72, low: 51

Today was kind of humorous. I woke up around 8:30, with a little help from Mom. I washed. We took our suitcases and junk into Aunt Dot's and put it in her trunk. We all went to Sheridan Villiage. I withdrew 10 bucks from my account. We went to the grocery store. We came home. I Neeted my legs. While I was in the shower, I had my foot on the soap dish scrubbing it, (my foot, not the dish!) when all of a sudden it broke off! (the soap dish - not my foot) It came completely off the wall and fell onto my foot and cut my toe! I turned off the shower, and told Mom. What an experience! My toe hurts!

I talked to Stacy. I watched Mork. I washed my hair for tomarrow.

Friday July 6, 1979

hi: , low:

1st Day - 25 to follow

We woke up around 3:00. Dad drove us to Aunt Dot's. We left her place around 4, and got here about 1:30 or 2. It's been cold and/or raining the entire time. We have a stinko tent. We went to Silver Dollar City. The whole place has gone commercial. So many people! We went in the flooded mine & on the train. We dined in the mine. I met a real nice waiter whose name was Casey. He was a sweetie! I like him. We only saw a little bit of SDC. We're thinking about going on down to Arkansas tomarrow.

Saturday July 7, 1979

hi: , low:

2nd day - 24 to follow

After getting up, and eating breakfast, we decided to come on down here! It took about 3 hours. On the way in, we ate at the Rainbow Cafe, and stopped at the Nu-Way grocery store. I got the book Alien. We also stopped at the P.O. I had 3 pen-pal letters waiting for me. When we got to the house, it was about overgrown with weeds, and the driveway was washed out. I got my room all fixed up, I washed my face and hair. We sat on the porch. I watched Erik on a disco show called Dance Fever. Watched about 1/2 of a repeat of CHiP's before the TV started to burn up. We went back out and sat on the porch for awhile.

Sunday July 8, 1979

Peoria - hi: 79, low: 63

3rd Day-23 to follow

Woke up. Took pill. Washed face. Ate breakfast bar. Answered pen-pal letters. Wrote Stacey. A girl came by on her horse and talked to us for awhile. Her dad's the one who built this house. Obviously insane at the time! We ate hot dogs for lunch. My toe still hurts. I think it has a scab on it now. I sat on the porch hours on end swatting flies while Ma & Aunt Dot sewed on stuffed toys. Then, I got totally crazy! I went inside & continued my letter to SD. I washed my feet. I'm fat! The t.v. ain't workin'. Fine! I took a bath and put my p.j's on. I'm going to bed.

Monday July 9, 1979

Peoria - hi: 80, low 60

4th Day - 22 to follow

Mom woke me up as usual. We went to Batesville. I got a bunch of cards and 2 Monte Carlo keychains, and a Honda one for Buster. We ate at the Taco Hut. I had 4 tacos. It rained a lot. I got no mail. I mailed SD a letter. I wrote her another one. We called Dad. Patricia is letting us use her radio. I'm getting a pretty good FM station.

Tuesday July 10, 1979

hi: , low:

5th day - 21 to follow

Today we went to Blanchard Springs Caverns. Our tour guide was pretty neat this time. He knew what he was tlking about. I enjoyed the tour immensely. Then we went to the Ozark Folk Center, stopping at a couple craft shops on the way. We walked around there and ate. On the way back, we stopped at the Good Ole Days Ice Cream Parlor. When we got back, I washed and wrote to SD. I ate a whole can of Rotini. I took a bath. We played about 3 rounds of Uno.

Wednesday July 11, 1979

hi: , low:

6th day - 20 to follow

Woke up. I got dressed. I ate breakfast. I got a Memphis station FM-100 with the most hilarious jock! I love him! His name is Ronny Jordon. He was naming off people who have won Sky-lab crash helmets. He said Ester Alpurn. Then he said, "Ester, get away from that wheel barrow, you don't know nothin' about machinery!" He reminds me of Buster! Sky lab landed in the Indian Ocean. I got a letter from Stacey. I sat around all day.

L.G. came over. I gave him the air mattress I got him. He sat for awhile, and we all talked.

We got the little portable t.v. working. Not too well, but it works. Can't wait till Dad gets here!

Thursday July 12, 1979

hi: , low:

7th Day- 19 to follow

We went into Mt. View. I ordered a photo t-shirt with Erik. We did our laundry. We ate at a deli and had pepperoni pizza. I got 2 letters in the mail, and we got one from Dad & Mike. L.G. came over and talked for awhile. Then he asked if we wanted to ride down to the White River. So we all crammed into his truck, with me about on his lap. The road was real bad. We didn't make it to the river. I wrote to SD when I got back, then I watched Mork.

Friday July 13, 1979

Peoria - hi: 87, lo: 65

Got a letter from Stacey in the mail. Washed & conditioned my hair. Watched the story. Listened to Ronny Jordan this morn. Dad & Art arrived about 2. I put my junk away. We all ate green beans & taters.

I took a bath. I'm bored. It's yucky here!

Saturday July 14, 1979

Peoria -- hi: 89, lo: 66

9th day - 17 to follow

Woke up. I couldn't get Ron on the radio to well. We went to the P.O.. I didn't get no mail. I watched -- my pen ran out! - some cartoons. We went into the Mt. View cafe and ate lunch. I'm so fat! I just have to quit eating. I saw a blouse and a belt in town I must have. I want to wear it when I see Buster. If I wasn't such a blimp! The Brem's came over. They brought pizza. We shot fireworks with Turner's & L.G. L.G. asked me to play cards with them, but it was past my bed time!

Sunday July 15, 1979

Peoria - hi: 85, lo: 72 10th day - 16 to follow

Aunt dot and Uncle Art left this morning. It's not nice to say - but I'm glad! We went into the Brem's property. We're planning on going swimming with them tomarrow at Blanchard Springs. We went to our 6 acres. I sat in the truck while M&D picked black berries. On the way home, we stopped at the Nu-way grocery store. Once back home, we ate corn on the cob. I Neeted my legs and pits. M&D made blackberry jam & I ate a gob of it on wheat bread. I laid around & watched the news, Disney, salvage, Alice, & Carter's speech. Mr. Carter's speech was great.

Monday July 16, 1979

Peoria - hi: 83, low: 67 11th day - 15 to follow

I woke up around 9:30. I recorded some of Ron Jordon. We met the Brem's at the swimming hole. I got a tan. On the way back, we stopped at the Kentucky Fried Chicken and the Nu-way. I got 2 letters from SD. I answered her. I made punch. I watched Lucy, Little House on the Prairie, WKRP. L.G. came over for a couple seconds. The electricity just about went off a couple times. We sat on the porch and watched the lightening. I got this new pen today cause my other ones kept running out. I can't wait to see Buster! It's gonna be so good to be close to him, and kinda get things rekindling. I love that guy so much! Don't seem like I been gone 11 days already!

Tuesday July 17, 1979

Peoria -- hi: 75 low: 60 12th day -- 14 to follow

Got up about 8:30. Recorded Ron. Went down to P.O. with Ma. I got no mail. I watched the story. I egged my face. I took some of the movie film on Dad painting the house. I watched MASH, Our Gang, Bozo, Popeye, Get Smart. Boy do I hope Prunella don't ruin it for me. I don't care if she's here, as long as she don't make me fat, zitty, and sick! HELP!! Watched Carol Burnett. Ate ice cream. Mrs. T. brought us some home made pickles. I watched Donald Sutherland in "Don't Look Now." It stunk!

Wednesday July 18, 1979 (HALF-WAY THROUGH!!)

Peoria - hi: 77 lo: 51 13th day - 13 to follow

I got a letter from Grandma, Stacey, and I got the key chains I had made for her & Buster. We went to Mt. View. I got that belt & blouse I told you about. Cost me $19.06! Had a long john at bakery. Did laundry. Went to grocery. Came home. Wrote GM & SD. Watched t.v. Made some spaghetti. The Youngers gave us some potatoes & okre. Then Burton came over & gave us tomatoes, potatoes, & yellow squash. I got a tick on my arm, but he came right off with a little Campho-Phenique. I took a real good bath. I took my pill and a Tums. 2 weeks ago from this very moment, I'll be with Buster! Boy, am I gonna be nervous!! Lord, help me through it! I'll try not to barf all the way to Chattanooga. HELP ME!

Thursday July 19, 1979

Peo - hi: 91, low: 55 14th day - 12 to follow

Woke up just in time to miss Erik on Dinah. Uncle Don & Brats came over. We went to the P.O. I got 1 pen-pal letter. Came back & snacked. Watched the story. Wrote to SD. Elgee came over. He did a card trick for us. Mom took a couple pics of me & him. Thrillsville! We baked a cake in the electric skillet. We had home grown potatoes for supper. I watched Mork. Mr. and Mrs. Brem came over. Elgee's eyes popped when he saw a pic of me & Mark (Buster). He said I'd better hurry home to that good lookin' fella. I will, I will! I stink. I sat on the porch.

Friday July 20, 1979

Peo. hi: 78 lo: 55 15th day - 11 to follow

We went to the Mt. View dump & got rid of a bunch of garb. We stopped at The Hair Place. It was a ladies trailer. She trimmed me. Did a good job and got rid of all the split ends.

We ate pizza at the Deli. My Erik shirt ain't in. We bought a gas stove/oven. The L.P. guy delivered it. To test it, I made C.C. cookies from scratch. Unca Don & family visited. We ate supper. Watched "I Love Lucy" and "Different strokes." Washed a bit.

Saturday July 21, 1979

Peo - hi: 83 lo: 61 16th day - 10 to follow

Watched cartoons. Got letter from SD. Made tacos for lunch. I washed my hair. It's too short. I'm too fat! I sat around & was totally bored! I wrote to Buster. I watched "I Love Lucy." I started to watch a Marx Bros. movie, but turned to CHiP's. Viewed Love Boat. Ate one of Mrs. Turner's pickles. I look like a fat old man. I went over to Turner's & got our roast & reminded them about SD calling tomarrow.

Sunday July 22, 1979

Peo - hi: 87 lo: 73 17th day - 9 to follow

Today was a much more eventful day than yesterday. I met P. Turner's other brother, Otto. He's a year older than me, a football player, likes everything I do & is pretty nice. He asked me if I wanna go out with him Sat. to the park & play tennis. I said yes. At 3 SD called at the Turner's. It was good to talk to her again. Later Elgee came over & had 4 beers. He took us to his brother's saw mill. I was thrilled. I made a big yummy pizza. I'm having a grand ol' time. I'm God's gift to all men!

Monday July 23, 1979

Peo - hi: 89 low: 64 18th day - 8 to follow

I sat around. I got stuff from ICC in the mail, & the C&T news letter. Dad is making a temporary back porch. I made popcorn. I cleaned up my room. I watched television.

While I wastching the funniest WKRP ever, M&D were at the Turner's partying. I'm sick of this! I wanna go home. Wish I could just skip this week! I love Peoria!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday July 24, 1979

Peo -- hi: 87 lo: 69 19th day - 7 to follow (getting closer!)

It rained. We went into Mt. View. Did laundry & ate at Rainbow for Mom & Dad's 30th wedding anniversary. I got a letter from Stacey. I drew a picture. I ate some Brown & serve rolls. I want to leave. Mom is being crabby. I'm also home sick. I sat around and watched t.v. This sure as hell is a waste of good vacation time. I could be having fun at home. And Buster is making me mad! If he don't write, I'm gonna kill him. I hate this. I wish it were next week.

Wednesday July 25, 1979

Peo hi: 81 lo: 70 20th day - 6 to follow

Rained again. Didn't get no mail. Me & Ma went to Batesville while Dad stayed here & worked on stuff. Over at Turner's I tried to call Buster but I got an out of order recording. Mike called to see how things are going. I watched t.v. Including Carter's press conference & a history of 60's music.

Thursday July 26, 1979 !

Peo. hi: 83 lo: 70 21st day - 5 to follow

Got a letter from Stacey. Sat around. Watched the story. Ate chili. Went to Mt. View. My shirt ain't in yet. It's been 2 weeks! Came back. Sat around. I can't wait. It rained a whole bunch, and there were flash flood watches for the entire state. I saw Mork, LaVerne & Shirley, Barney Miller. I wanna go home. Only 5 more days till Buster! Help me. Hey! Good news! Prunella arrived around 8 this evening! She'll be gone by Buster time. It's just like I asked the Lord! He is gonna help me after all! PTL!!!

Friday July 27, 1979

Peo hi: 82 lo: 71 22nd day - 4 to follow

It rained the whole day long. I sat (laid) around all day. I left on my p.j.'s. M&D got the mail. I gotta letter from Stacey. She sent a bunch of info on the motels in Chattanooga. I wrote Buster (that dummy) a note. I watched t.v. and wrote on a letter to Stacey. The rain has been non-stop for over 24 hours. I hate Prunella, and I hate wearing a pad!

Saturday July 28, 1979

Peoria - hi: 86 lo: 70 23rd day - 3 to follow!!

I sat around all day. I thought about Buster. Mom thinks he don't care if we come or not, and I'm beginning to wonder. I want him, but I doubt if the feeling is mutual. I hope God will help me through this. I need a letter from Mark!

Sunday July 29, 1979

Peo. hi: 84 low: 79 24th day - 2 MORE TO GO!!

Sat around. Did my hair. packed. Ate. Sat around.

Tuesday July 31, 1979

Peo. high: 82 low: 70

Recorded a couple hours of my favorite jock, Ron Jordan. We went to the P.O. were Dad met an old guy & some senile coot of a croney bag that couldn't tell whether I was male or female! We went to Blanchard Springs Caverns and took the Discovery tour. We ate at the Rainbow Cafe. We packed up the truck. Watched a bit of t.v. Ma & me made pizzas. The Turner's & Otto came over & helped eat it. Otto gave me his address. We're gonna write to each other.

Stay tuned for August 1979:

• "The Amityville Horror" premieres
• Shopping for school supplies
• Erik Estrada in critical motorcycle accident
• Driving Grandma
• Junior year begins!
• I get a call from WCLL about a job.
• School security guard "Pinky" shares Playgirl
• I join staff of high school newspaper