Following are excerpts from my 1978 diary, updated as I can find time to escape the '90s and start up my "wayback machine." I was 15 years old. All of the spellings, grammar, etc. are left original. More will follow soon!

Fri. Dec. 1, 1978

Went Christmas shoppin after I got my paycheck. I got everyone something except for mom and Bob. Bought myself a couple tapes.

Sat. Dec. 2, 1978

You ain't gonna believe what happened today! I'm still in shock!

Well, the roads were so icy, I didn't go to work. I called in sick.

Anyway, L.G. called! Mom had sent him a card & forged my name & sent him one of my Olan Mills pictures. It seems the guy is in love with me! Good Lord! He sat there on the phone telling me how gorgeous & beautiful I am! He asked me if I'd go to a movie with him the next time we come down! So I figured why not? When he asked when we'd be down next, I said next spring. Well, he said that's too long and that he'd be up in about 2 weeks! My God! I can't stand the guy! He is gonna drive in all the snow all the way up here just cause he wants to go out with me! Oh no! He's a creep! He's an old man! Yuck! I'm scared to death of him! He just sat there telling me how he's been wanting to date me for a long time now, but thought dad wouldn't let me! Damn right! Daddy ain't too pleased with the idea! God! I don't know what to do! I don't want to have anything to do with him. HELP ME!!

Sun. Dec. 3, 1978

Today, Mike bought a X-mas tree. Our lights didn't work, so dad decided to get new ones. I went along. At K-mart, I bought "Mork" boots. I really love them!

Rosanne came over at about 2 o'clock. We had fun listening to records and I showed her my station. She really liked all of my stuff.

We didn't get any snow.

Mon. Dec. 4, 1978

Today was horrible almost. I killed myself in P.E. Somehow, I twisted my ankle about completely around, then Cathy came down and landed on it! Oh man! I can hardly walk! My ankle is all swelled up.

I had to work from 5:30 to 10. First, she had me collect the returns, then I had to relieve the door guard! Then I had to work the register. My sweetie wasn't there.

By the time I got home, my ankle was worse than ever!

Tues. Dec. 5, 1978

Ma & dad let me stay home because of my ankle. But I had to go to work in the toy department pricing things. It was much funner then working the register! But I have to go back to that tomarrow. I found out that guy's name is Neil. He was there tonight. He shaved off his mustache. He grew it for his sister who lives in Omaha, took a picture of himself, then shaved it off!

My ankle is real swelled up. Hurts like you-know-what.

I saw my English teacher at work tonight.

Wed. Dec. 6, 1978 (Dad's 50th birthday)

Today I got kicked out on my sore ankle and sent off to school. I wore my Mork boots, and they were the topic of conversation in every class.

In English, we went to the auditorium and had to sit through an hour of some stupid gospel group. They stunk!

We didn't do anything in typing but sit around.

My ankle is now black and blue and killing me! I called in & told Karen I wouldn't be into work.

I won a friend's feud game that I entered. It was really easy and I won first prize! She sent me a little name pin and said that the other part of my prize will be coming later! I wonder what it is? I guess I'll just have to wait & see.

I watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

Uncle Cow and Aunt Fish came over a half hour to wish Dad a happy birthday.

I watched Steve Martin on the Johnny Cash Christmas show. He's great! I wrote to his fan club asking for some info.

Thu. Dec. 7, 1978

There was 4 inches of snow on the ground when I woke up. But of course, good ol' IVC had to go! In English, I picked a bunch of neat classes I'm gonna take next year.

I didn't have work.

I watched Benji X-mas, and Pink Panther X-mas. Then Robin Williams on a salute to Jimmy Stewart.

I was listening to my radio and found stations from all over. On one, they talked French & played Japanese music. Another was from Canada and another from Little Rock! That's what I call, "Far out."

Fri. Dec. 8, 1978

I liked today. It snowed for awhile this morning.

In Art, I didn't work on my assignment.

In English, Mrs. C. let me & Rosanne do the bulletin board up nice and Christmassy. I made snowflakes.

In typing, we had a substitute. At least she didn't have white hair with pink in it!

In P.E., I got dressed but didn't play.

In Driver's Ed, I took a test on limited traction. Mike picked me up from school.

Dad got home just in time for us all to zoom me up to work and be there by 5. She put me in lane one right by the doors so I froze.

I talked alot to that sweetie, Neil! I sure do like him. I know he likes me tooo; he's always teasing me. Tonight, I wore my hair in a pony tail.

We were on break at the same time. He stared at me the whole time.

Rosanne came by with her sister.

I had to do returns.

I got my paycheck! It was more than I thought it would be. It was $36.27. I thought it would be less cause I called in sick twice.

Sat. Dec. 9, 1978

Today was average. Prunella came this morning right before I left for work. But it didn't hurt quite as much as usual. I took Pamprin this time.

I had to work from 9:30-5:00! It was a total madhouse! The lines were huge and non-stop all day long! On my lunch break, I bought mom's X-mas present; a cozy blue robe for 17 bucks! My Neil was there. He calls me his "rose colored glasses girl." I like him!

I watched Jim Stafford on Hee Haw, Then "Rudolph's Shiny New Year," "Love Boat" & "Fantasy Island." Now, I'm watching the news. "Sat. Nite Live" is on in a couple minutes. It is one degree outside! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

It's supposed to get even colder tomarrow!

Mike finally broke up with that fat, immature, freshman girlfriend of his; and right now he's out on the town looking for some "wild and crazy chicks." I hope he finds a much better one this time! My brother deserves the best!

Speaking of brothers: Big brother Bob's wife, Sharolyn has not had the kid get! It was due on the 20th of last month!

"Saturday Night Live" is on now. It's my fave show next to "Mork and Mindy."

I hope Mr. Snyder tells me I'll be driving this week. He told me week before last, that I'd be driving last week.

Snookums is over there curled up sleeping in front of the fireplace. It really comes in handy during a cold winter like this! (The fire-place, not the cat).

Well, I'm gonna quit here so I can turn off the light and enjoy the Christmas tree!

Sun. Dec. 10, 1978

Howdy!

Today was alright, I guess, I had to work from 10:30 to 6 today. I get paid time and a half on Sundays. Kim and the Brem's came by. I chatted with cutie Neil again. Tonight is the employee X-mas party, and he wanted to know when I was gonna be there. I said I wasn't, and he kept trying to talk me into it! Truth is, I really wanted to, but I thought it was next week. If he would have asked last week, I would have gone! Crap! Oh well...I told Stacey that Neil was comin' by to take me there at 7! Ha, Ha!!

I ate enchillada's and watched t.v.

Mon. Dec. 11, 1978

Today was pretty fun. I tried to talk mom into letting me stay home because I had to work all week-end. But she wouldn't let me.

After school, ma took me to the Lakeview Library so I could check out the book that has the Broadcasting magazine address so I can suscribe to it. They didn't have it there so they called the Peoria Library & they had it. I applied for a card and checked it out. Ma & me are each paying $17.50 so I can suscribe. I'll mail it tomarrow.

I watched the Flintstones Christmas. Today was thrilling.

Tues. Dec. 12, 1978

Today was kinda boring really.

I didn't do nothing.

Oh yeah, I did get to drive home and did a great job!

I didn't have to work. I was on call and they didn't call.

I built a snow-woman, and Mike built a castle!

Wed. Dec. 13, 1978

Today was good. I liked it!

We wrote checks in business class. It was alot of fun.

We registered for our junior year today. Well actually, we finish registering Monday. I'll be taking: American Lit., U.S. History, P.E., Consumer Ed, Health, Creative Wrtg., Journalism, Oral Interp & Drama, Public Speaking, Practical Speech!

Then, senior year, I'll take: Mass Media, 2 Dimensional design, Independent living, Social Problems, Comp & Grammer

Pretty good, huh?
After school, when mom picked me up, we went shopping.

We went to Jack & Bills and I ordered me a school jacket!! I've got to pay for the whole thing myself! All together, it costs $65.10! I paid $10 down, and I'll pay the rest of it in 5 weeks when I get it! Ain't that neat? I love it! It's alot of money, but I really do want it!

We also went to the mall and K-mart. I got Bob & Grandma's X-mas presents.

Oh man! Do you believe this, I have to work 10, count them, TEN, hours on Saturday! What fun that'll be, huh? Guess I won't get to go to Holley's Christmas party. Crud! It sounded like it would be pretty fun.

Oh well, at least I'll be rakin' in the dough to pay for my jacket! I can't wait to get it!

I watched Frosty, and my favorite; Nestor the long-eared Christmas donkey.

Well folks, I gotta split. Be talkin' at ya later!

Sat. Dec. 16, 1978

Today was an eventful day. I was awaken early by mom who told me that my neice was born and my big brother Bob had delivered it!! It came to the farmhouse before they had time to get to the hospital! Isn't that neat? They named her Miranda Noel! Pretty far-out, huh?

The next event is that I quit work! Yup, I hated it! So, I called in at about 9:30, and quit! Then me and ma celebrated by going out and shopping all day. It was alot of fun.

We watched t.v.

Sun. Dec. 17, 1978

Once again, I was awaken before my time. Mom showed me this article from the paper. Ain't that neat?

I drove up & back to the new Kroger store by Venture. It was fun and the store was neat.

Bob and Chaddy came over ate lunch and stayed for awhile. It was fun.

I made oatmeal cookies.

I watched t.v.

Mon. Dec. 18, 1978

Today was okay. I had to stay the whole day cause of my schedule change. I can't stand this new art class!

We had tortillas for supper!

We watched Charlie Brown and Twas the Nite X-mas.

Tues. Dec. 19, 1978

Today was neat. I got to drive with Mr. Snyder. I did pretty good, and he says I have nice turns! ha, ha.

In bowling, I didn't do so good. I didn't even look to see how much I ended up with.

Mom picked me up after school so I could go to the doctor's and get a blood test for my thyroid problem. Then we went to Ben Franklin. I bought an I.V.C. stockin' hat to match the coat I bought.

Wed. Dec. 20, 1978

Today was good.

In study hall, I started to review the stuff I've learned in my radio manuals.

The weather was horrible.

You'll never guess who I got a Christmas card from? Yup, ol' what's his name! Inside, he wrote, "Dear Julie, I hope you have a very Merry X-mas, and the best new year yet! Thanks for your friendship! Buster :)" Well, it made me feel pretty good. It's the first time he ever wrote "DEAR Julie." Called me it, but never wrote it.

Well, I wrote back, and sent him a Christmas card.

Thur. Dec. 21, 1978

Today was fine.

I drove with Mr. Snyder. I got to cross 4th Street 4 times! Two with light & 2 without! I did pretty good!

In English, Rosanne made some good candy stuff made out of chocolate, butterscotch, chow mein noodles, and peanuts. It was delisious! I read my poem.

Fri. Dec. 22, 1978

Today was okay too. We got out of school an hour early. I tried for mom to stay home, but she wouldn't let me. We did nothin' at prison.

Stacey and I exchanged presents. She gave me a necklace with my initials "JFM" on it. Them ain't my initials!

I had my first lick at night driving. Oh man, what a bummer! Just as I pulled out into the highway, the car stalled. I about had a heart-attack! We got it started, Then, it stalled AGAIN!

Sat. Dec. 23, 1978

Today was good.

I woke up and cleaned my room.

Then me & ma went in to the mall to pick up more pen-pal reprints.

We came back & I helped clean up the house for company.

In the mail, I got back some stuff from the FCC.

Still no snow. I hope we get some by X-mas.

Everyone came over. It was pretty fun. Sandy's beau is ugly!

We watched Saturday Night Live

Oh yeah, Bob & Chad came over for awhile.

Christmas Eve

Woke up around 8:30.

I drove me, ma, dad, & Mike to Grandma Fidler's. I did a pretty good job. We gave her her presents. Little cousin Carma was there. I drove home too. Wow! I had to make 2 left turns on the way back!

Dad started the fire place. We ate, drank, were merry, and played a few rounds of Master Mind in front of it, while I played records on my stereo for us.

According to family tradition, we got to open 2 presents each. I opened 1 from ma, it contained p.j.'s & a bracelet like the one I got what's his name (only lady style) with my name engraved, And the other was incense from Mike.

I watched "Huckleberry Finn."

A pen-pal (Nicki Ott) from Pennslyvania called around 9, and we talked for about 45 minutes.

Christmas

All of us woke up about 6:10.

Me & Mike opened our presents first. I got from him: a Stretch Armstrong; from Bob & family - a macreme key ring, & heart jewelry box; from Sandy - an official skate-board jersey; from Nicki - a Siamese cat perfume decanter; from Aunt Dot - a satin blouse, & rubber ducky; from ma - a shirt, Super Master Mind, robe

Me & dad played 3 rounds of S.M.M. So far it's tied.

Jerry, Carol, & Carma stopped by & viewed a few home movies.

I drove my car down to Con. & Mike drove us back.

We had a turkey dinner here at home.

Went to Aunt Dot's. Steve, Judy & kid were there. Aunt gave me S.M.'s Wild & Crazy Guy tape (the cassette, not 8-track) so, I'll have to exchange it!

Then went to Brem's. Dennis got one of those Merlin computer games. I love it! Lots of fun! Me & Daniel played a couple games of M.M. We came home.

Tues. Dec. 26, 1978

Today was really neat. Me, ma & Aunt Dot went shopping. At Venture, we exchanged the Steve Martin cassette tape for an 8-track and I got me a Merlin!! It's fun! Then we went to Murphy's. It is closing, and everything is 25% off. There, I got a B.G.'s poster-pen set, and a new pair of Wrangler blue jeans.

On the way home, we stopped at McDonald's and got chow.

I played Merlin a bunch & listened to my new S.M. tape.

Stacey called and asked if I could stay all night. I said I could.

I washed my hair, put in rollers, and used the new hair dryer dad gave mom for Christmas.

Mike came home. We ate left overs and listened to my S.M. tape.

Ma & dad brought me up here to Stacey's at 7. We played with Merlin for an hour, then watched 3's Co., and a tape of Battlestar Galactica. Made popcorn, played crazy 8, old maid & Merlin.

Wed. Dec. 27, 1978

Today was pretty good. We woke up around 10. I had apple pie for breakfast. We watched Happy Days & a tape of "get smart." Then we went to Neptune tropics. Then to a movie at the Beverly theatre called "the Body Snatchers." It was the weirdest thing I've ever seen. I loved it though. Really gross & scary. They brought me home.

I made me & Mike enchilada's with tomato soup. They were dull tasting.

I called the Y and asked about the media class their gonna have. Sounds neat, and I'm gonna take it!

I took a bath and tried out the rubber ducky that Aunt Dorothy gave me for Christmas. Floats just fine!

Thurs. Dec. 28, 1978

6:15 p.m. -- Today, I drove Mom into Chillicothe to the doctor's to get her thyroid pills. Then, she drove me in to Peoria to register at the Y for that media class.

We went to al's Hobby Shop and stopped at Thompson's on the way home.

I ate lunch. Watched my story, then answered a few letters.

I went on the air from 1:30 to 3:30.

Then, I watched Steve Shortridge on Dinah. Then, The real McCoys.

During the news, I answered more letters and wrote this.

8:47 p.m. -- Bob, Sharolyn, and the new kid came over about 6:40. Chaddy didn't come cause he has a bad cold. We watched Carol Burnett and a hilarious repeat of Mork & Mindy.

Stacey called after that, and talked at me for 15 minutes.

Me & dad played some Super Master Mind.

Rosanne called and asked if I could come over this Sunday. I said, "yup." She's gonna call back Saturday and let me know how to get there, and what time to come.

The snow is really coming down out there! It would wait till now to snow! It was supposed to snow for Christmas, but did it? Noooooo! So much for your average "mild" winter!

Have you noticed how I've just kinda been stalling, and not really talking about anything of a great significance? That's because there are only a couple of days left of this year and look at how many pages of this diary I still have left! I have a neat 1979 Snoopy diary already picked out all ready and waiting to be started!

Right now, I'm watching Barnaby Jones as dad tries to figure out the code I've made for him in Master Mind. This show has really been great.

Fri. Dec. 29, 1978

Exactly one year ago tonight I called Buster for the first time as "Julie of IVC."

Today has been okay so far. The time is now 4:20 PM. This morning, Dad went out to help Bob move back to his mobile home. He can't afford the rent on the big farm house.

Me & ma went to Peoria to take back a book on radio I had checked out. Then we went Bergners where I got some gray mittens to match the school jacket I'm getting. Then we went to the Lakeview library where I picked up my library card and checked out another book. Then came home.

Stacey called. She left for, I think it was Indiana, this afternoon.

I made an appointment to get my hair trimmed and styled at Bergner's beauty salon Tuesday at 12:30.

Me, dad, Bob & Mike ate pepperoni pizza.

I watched that hunky Richard Hatch on the Dinah show. He's a fox.

Me & ma looked through an old box of stuff. It was pretty fun.

Rosanne called and wants me to come over tomarrow at 1 o'clock. I'm gonna. It should be fun. She's pretty cool.

I watched the news, then Carol Burnett.

I watched Wonder Woman perform a brain transplant, and the Hulk destroy an animal labortory while playing a few rounds of Super Master Mind. The time is now 8:40. Boy do I have an incredible case of indegestion!

Isn't my writing improving a great deal? Thanks, I think so too!! Actually, I write this way all the time except for when I'm in a hurry.

It is now 10:10 PM. I am watching channel 31's news now. At 10:30 I'm gonna watch the movie, "Charly."

Boy, ain't it going to be a barrel of fun reading this stupid diary some day when I'm an old lady?

Time for the weather: We had a hi of 35 and low of 31. It's 35 now. We had an inch and 1/10 of snow. It's raining now.

How am I doing at wasting pages?

Well, I gotta split. It's time for Charly!

Sat. Dec. 30, 1978

Today, I would say for the most part, STUNK!

In the morning, we went to the grocery store for food.

When we got back, I made lasagna from a Chef Boy ar dee kit. I called Rosanne, and told her I would be a little late.

My visit at her house was a night mare. It wouldn't have been so bad if she didn't have a little sister. The kid is a real immature brat!

Rosanne gave me a Steve Martin poster for a Christmas present. I stayed for about 3 1/2 hours.

When I got back to my own humble home, I made a batch of choclate butterscotch and noodle things.

Then I planned out my Dusty Larue and the top 122 program for tomarrow on WFIZ.

The Last Day of 1978

Today wasn't the greatest. I woke up at about 9:30.

I colored in the Stand By, and On the Air signs that Dad made me.

I went on the air at 10:30 and finished at about 4:10. That's the longest time I've ever been on!

It's been snowing constantly all day long and it is still coming down! They say that it is almost impossible to drive on the roads. But did that stop good ol' Mike? No, of course not! He MUST get out and party - the fool!

Dad and I are playing Super Master Mind right now.

My hair is greasy!

It is now time for Walt Disney with Scrooge McDuck. Dad is still trying to figure out the secret code.

This is really stinky, ya know? It's 11:10. Mike's at a party, and mom & dad crashed almost an hour ago. Some fun I'm having on New Year's Eve.

Well it was midnite 12 minutes ago for Mark down in Tennessee. I love him! I hate to think of what he must be doing now.

Now, it's 11:15, and I sit here celebrating New Year's Eve by myself. Just me & my Welches grape juice, watching some old lady sing about her melancoly baby.

I'm old enough to party! I'm no little girl anymore; but no one invites me to any parties. When I'm a jock, I will be the party! I can't wait till I'm 18!

It's almost 11:30 and time for Erik Estrada as he hosts New Years Rockin' Eve '79. He's a hunk! Did I tell you he was on Love Boat last night? Well, he was!

Lord, please let '79 be a happier year than '78. Though '78 was happy because of my close encounter with C&T. And I was always so happy when I was with Buster. No one ever made me feel so great! I haven't been half that happy since he left. I hope that in 1979 I can either meet a better man that will help me forget about him or have him come back to Ill.

I don't believe this: only 15 minutes until 1979!

As soon as it turns midnite - I'm gonna do something crazy I'M GONNA GO TO SLEEP!!