Curses to cortezthekiller!! She's made me pull out my slam book from '94-'95. Gah. Let the madness begin.


Clubs I've Joined

Honor Society
Mu Alpha Theta
FCA
SADD


Courses and Teachers

Spanish II Mrs. Bush
Trig/Algebra III Mrs. Kyzar
Computer App/Keyboarding Mrs. Jeff / Mrs. Wingate
Physics Mrs. Beaty
Accelerated English III Mrs. Reynolds
U.S. History Mrs. Stuart
Band Mr. Sanders / Mr. Tyson



My Best Friends

Tara Denman, Stacie Tadlock, Kim McBrayer, Denise Blake, Shereen Sarwat, Jason Byrd, Michael Backes, Tim Cullinane, Chrissy Johnson, Lacy Reed, Rose Butler, Cathy Triplett, Kristy Tackett, Karl Bombich, Brian Rutledge, Jennifer Hodges, Brandy Spears, William McInnis


What makes us friends

We're all different.


Things we do together

Go to Kosciusko, New Orleans, "SNO" [to the outside reader, this stood for "SNeak Out"], "Go to Movies" [I'm assuming this means we went anywhere but the movies!]


What I like best about my friends

They're always here for me.


Hang Outs

Brandy's house, Kim's house, Seller's Market, Sonic, Metrocenter, Northpark


Most Embarrassing Moments

When Ryan Saul picked me up and stuffed me in a bass drum case.


Favorite Sayings

Mr. Dees - "Park and Blow!"
Kristy Tackett - "Do you want me to do a cartwheel?" [sarcasm]




Autographs

Big B,
What's up? Give me a hearty barbaric YAWP!! Don't forget...carpe diem! Anyway - I'm looking forward to this summer and band camp - woo woo! Well, I'll see ya later brah!
--Tara D.


Brandy,
It's been fun knowing you for the last 3 yrs. Hope you have a fun summer. See ya next year when we are seniors. Later, Will Mc


Brandy,
Hey! I had A LOT of fun in Spanish. (Even though I'll probably fail). Hopefully we'll have some classes together next year. Call me up this summer and we'll go roller-blading around Clinton.
'97 April


Brandy,
Hey! It's been swell getting to be better friends with ya! I wish I didn't have to leave y'all a year before we become SENIORS! We must keep in touch! Love ya lots!
Denise Blake


Brandy,
Well what can I say! We're gonna be SENIORS! Oh my gosh! I can't believe it! It's about time - don't ya think? Well, all these years you've been the greatest friend. Thanks! I wouldn't have made it without you! Just remember - I'm ALWAYS ALWAYS here for you! So, this summer is gonna be one big party - and so will next year! I can't wait! I love you!
Stacie T.


Brandy,
Hey babe, has this been a year or what? I know we weren't very close at the beginning of the year, but now we're back and we're BAD! Just remember the party life is much more fun during the year, but we'll still have a blast during the summer! Class of '96 Kicks! (and so do you j/k)
Love,
Amy W.


Brandy,
Hello this is Brandy2! I had tons of fun in Physics and lunch. I am glad we became friends this year. Remember we are rulers next year and talk about fun. I am going to miss "Dale" how about you? Ha,ha. I had fun at your party. Have fun this summer, of coarse you will have fun when I am there. I love Robbi! I love you,
Brandy Spears


Buenos Dias!
Estoy mucho alegre, porque esta casi verano! Diviertete! So much for Spanish. I hope we have Spanish III together next year! Wish me luck with "you-know-who"! I need it. Keep in touch via modem. Don't get into too much trouble! (Amo "Pepe")
Con amor!
Jenn H.


Brandy,
Hey! Well we finally made it through the year. Sorry, but you have another year left. I had fun in Physics while you and the other Brandy made fun of me. Don't ever forget the fun time we had that night that we waited on Karl until 2:00 in the morning, and I fell out your window later that night. Well, good luck next year in band. Me and Tim won't be there to pick on you. Don't go to MS State. I might go there. Stay away from me! j/k
Dale Furr


CPHDB,
Hey girl! Homeroom was fun! (Yeah right!) Oh, so was Computer App!! Have a good summer! I'll miss you! Maybe I'll come and see you at Sonic! Well, I guess I better let you go, for now, but not forever.
Love ya,
Chrissy (sponge)


Buena Nachos! Hi. I'm sorry we didn't talk more in homeroom, but maybe if we had you wouldn't have written something so nice in my book. Have whatever kind of summer you want, and yes, I do want fries with that.
Matt Johnson (come get a movie sometime)


Hey Brandy,
The last two years in band have been great, huh? I guess you'll be having fun next year on all the trips. I'll be up at State, yeah! If you ever go to Memphis stop by and pick me up. I'll call you about Cats sometime. Have fun in Spain. Don't get too tan. You've been a good friend. Sorry, I ran out of room. See ya around.
Tim Cullinane


Brandy,
I had a great time talking to you in homeroom this year. I also enjoyed seeing your tweety collection.
Tonya Renee Jones


Brandy,
Hey! Well, I know we've had fun in Spanish even though I don't know anything, but you know! I'm glad we became good friends this year - it's been a lot of fun! If you ever want to start on the corner - you have $3 from me - remember? We need to go rollerblading this summer! P.S. - G'EH!! Don't ever forget it! [I think I did, 'cuz I have no idea what that means!!]
Love ya,
Lacy


Bra,
Hey girl! I had so much fun in band and when I got my butt photographed! If you ever show anyone that picture, I'll kick your butt and take a picture. See ya this summer.
Love ya,
Cathy


*******************************************************************************

Hopefully, I'll have the pictures scanned tomorrow!

fd_captain's thoughts on being a latchkey kid made me think about something I should write down. It's the first time I ever remember feeling terribly violated.

I was in the fifth grade, so I guess I was 11 or so. Both of my parents worked, so I would take the bus home, go to the back door, take the key from the hiding place, and let myself in.

On a day that seemed completely normal, I followed my usual routine. But this time, when I went to open the back door, I found that it was already open. The wood on the door frame was split, and when I looked at the solid metal deadbolt, I found that it was bent in half. My first thought seems funny to me now. It was, "Maybe my dad came home early, forgot his keys, and just had to bust in the door." I stepped inside and peered into the living room. I didn't see anyone, and nothing seemed especially out of place. But it just felt wrong. That first fleeting irrational thought quickly left my mind, and fear spread over me quickly.

I didn't have any thoughts in my mind as I ran to the neighbor's house. There wasn't room for a thought; my brain was comletely filled with panic. I ran through the woods and up to the door of Freddie's house, the lady who lived next door. I pounded on the door, and she opened it.

"Someone broke into my house!"

She said, "What??"

At this moment, I wanted to strangle her. Having to say it the second time felt like torture. I don't know if that was because I was in a hurry to call the police, or just because the words seemed so unreal when I said them out loud.

"SOMEONE. BROKE. INTO. MY. HOUSE!!!!!"

She quickly brought me inside and called the police. I guess she called my parents, too. I waited at her house until my parents came to get me. The police came and checked out the house to make sure no one was inside. My parents and I walked through the house taking inventory of what had been stolen. Our big TV in the living room was gone. I find this interesting: when I came home and found the door open, I didn't notice the TV was gone. It was pretty big, so there was a big empty space where it had been. I don't know why I didn't notice it. I guess I was just in a panic.

We walked through the living room and down the hall to the first bathroom, which was my bathroom. There was shit on the floor. Literally. Shit. The people who had broken in took a dump on the bathroom floor next to the toilet.

They had stolen a lot of things. All the obvious stuff, like TV's, VCR's, etc. I can't remember what else. None of it really mattered. They had stolen my innocence, trust, and security, and that was something I would never get back. We found out that the robbers had been watching us for a while. They would sit in a van on our street and watch our house to see when we came and when we left, so they could break into the house when we weren't there. While I am grateful they didn't have the balls to do it while we were home, the thought that someone had been watching us disturbed me.

We got an alarm system for the house. No one ever broke in again. But it didn't matter. The fear would never leave me. I don't know why it imprinted so heavily on my mind. There are a million worse things that could happen. And that have happened. Maybe it just stands out because it was the first moment in my life where I realized I couldn't trust people. That human beings are nothing more than animals who shit on each other's floors.

Here is a note I wrote to my Aunt Carolyn (also called "Moo"). I'm not sure at what age this was done:



And she did keep it!



And a random childhood photo....



A tutu and high heels? Sarah Jessica Parker TOTALLY stole her look from ME! Sorry, S.J., but it looks like I was the original trendsetter!

A note passed during Miss Anthony's science class in the 6th grade:

Jason wants to French kiss you in the party room at the bowling alley



And he did. It felt weird.

Childhood photos can be seen here.

4-15-89 Sat.

Today I had a bowling birthday. I got 76 points. I got a lot of great presents and this diary.

I'm going with Eric Womack. He gave me a birthday present and he didn't even come to my party!



4-18-89

Lori Dykes took a picture of Eric and me. We put our arms around each other's shoulders. It felt great!! Heather P. said, "He's going to hold your hand at lunch." He didn't, but that's O.K. There was too many people.

I "heart" Eric!



4-23-89

Friday when Mrs. James was out of the room, I was doing my work and Heather P. whispered, "Eric's going to hold your hand!" Eric heard her and said, "I want to make sure it's O.K. with you." I said it was and we held hands. I loved it!



4-26-89

Friday I'm going to spend the night with Heather P. We are going to walk over to Eric's house. I hope we can also ride her go-cars.

I "heart" Eric!



5-1-89

I didn't spend the night with Heather. I'm supposed to go to the Metro with Eric. Mom won't let me, but maybe if I tell her Heather is going she might let me.
Anyway, today Eric had something to tell H.P. She made me sharpen her pencil while he told her. She told me he wants to French me and wants to hug and hold hands and stuff like that.

I'm
In
Love!



5-3-89

I'm spending the night with H.P. next weekend. Eric is having Tray spend the night. We're going to the Metro and to Diamond Jims. Eric's going to French me sometime that night. I'm nervous! H.P. is going with Tray.



5-4-89

I'm really excited about Friday. Today I have Eric a note that said: You know I love you with all my [I taped a candy heart to the page here]. If we were together I would give you a [I taped a Hershey's kiss to the page here]. Love, Brandy He gave me this note today. [Whatever that note was, I no longer have it.]



5-8-89

It's nearer Friday! YAY!!! Here's a conversation Eric and I had last week [I no longer have those notes, either.] I can't wait! Tray and H.P. might kiss.



5-10-89

Today Eric told me we don't have a way to get to the Metro. But Tray and Eric are coming over to H.P's house. We're gonna jump on the trampoline and stuff like that. I wonder if we're still gonna kiss??



5-17-89

You will never believe it! We kissed! On the lips! Wow!



5-24-89

Yesterday I dumped Eric. Who will I go with now?



5-26-89

I'm now going with Aaron Holloman! He is so fine! I "heart" him!

Mon 5\9\88

I am sick. I have high fever. My throat hurts when I swallow food. I missed school today and will tomorrow. I got some barfy medicine that tastes and looks like paint. I have some penicillin. (sigh) At least I'm not eating in the barfateria. So long!

Brandy



Monday 5\9\88

School is almost over. I can't wait 'till summer! I will go to an art class and to a Mystery camp!
School isn't so bad though. Mrs. A. Edwards took us outside. We had to play kickball! I didn't even know how. Gotta go!

Bo



Tuesday 5\17\88

2 more weeks untill school is out! I am counting down the days. The last 3 days we have final exams, but we get out at 1:00.
I'm so mixed up about boys! I like some, I hate some. The ones I really like are #1 - Marcus Cupstid. #2 - Stephen Pruden. And #3 - Conner Coleman. Marcus is my favorite. He asked me today, if I could have a kitten. I'm just not sure if he likes me.

Yours mixed-up tonight,
Brandy


Monday 4-10-89

I'm in 5th grade. I've had 3 boyfriends this year. Tray, Andy, (yuck!) and Eric. I'm still going with Eric. He might take me to the Ratt concert! I hope I can go.
Moo got a new house and 2 puppies. Part shelty. Jeff and Grace.

Sinus Headaches!!!

I'm having a bowling birthday party Sat.
4th place in O.M. Just IN Time (cars) A medal for best in spontaneous

Monday, May 26, 1986

Dear Diary,

Well school is almost over. We have 5 more days of school. A funny thing happened today. A brown and black dog came into our room and left dog prints on the floor! Last Sunday I went swimming with Emily and it rained but we stayed in the pool. Well, it is time for me to go. I will tell you more later. HAVE FUN THIS SUMMER!

Your friend,
Brandy



Wednesday, July 16, 1986

Dear Diary,

Pontotock has had thier 150th birthday. I went to Libertyland the day after the Statue of Liberty's birthday. I had fun. There was the tornado, tilt-a-whirl, revolution, train, bumper cars, and little cars that I drove. And other rides. I have a giant flower and a teddy bear I got there. Well that's about it. Bye!

Your pal,
Brandy



Saturday, July 19, 1986

Dear Diary,

Today I went to the Planutarum. It was space day. There was movies, a coke robot, clowns, games, and balloons, and moon walks. It was very fun!

Well I had fun, Bye!
Brandy


at this point in the diary, I switch to cursive writing

Tuesday, 2-4-87

Dear Diary,

School is almost over and so far I've made all A's except 1 B in English. I am also in Accent! [note: Accent was our gifted student program] My teacher is Mrs. Martin. I love her! My other teachers are, Mrs. Jordan, Howell, Purvis, and Glenn. I like them all. Oh in Accent we are doing O.M. [note: O.M. is Odyssey of the Mind] I am doing the Decision Structure. It uses balsa wood. Things are fine in the upper classes too.

Well gotta go!,
Brandy



Tuesday, Aug 18, 1987

Dear Diary,

Well summer's almost over. It went by so fast! The first week of summer I went to Mama Pat's house. Then I went to M.C. for two weeks. New Atlantis is for Accent kids only! [note: here, I switch from cursive to print] Then I went back to Pontotoc to go camping. It was bor-r-ring! Then I came back home, and we have a swimming pool now and I stayed in it 8 hours a day! I have a great tan! AFter a while I went bak to Pontotoc. Then I came home and went to Laurel for a week! I got to see my cousin Amy! Boy, did we have fun! We wrote a play newspaper and got money for it! We went swimming and to two movies! SUPERMAN 4 and SNOW WHITE. On Amy's birthday I got presents too! a basket, 5 dollars, and paper dolls. It was fun!

I am ready for school to start back. I want to go to ACCENT because Mrs. Keys is teaching. Oh yes! I almost forgot to tell you. I got a new kitten! She is calico and I named her Velcro. Butch likes her too. He plays with her a lot!

Well gotta go,
See ya later alligator! Ha Ha
Brandy

Tuesday, March 4, 1986

Dear Diary,

Today I got six books at the bookstore, a giant dog, and new shorts, and this Diary. My mom got a bunch of stuff too. She spent one hundred and eleven dollars. We got a lot of stuff.

Your friend,
Brandy



Tuesday, March 11, 1986

Dear Diary,

I am very happy. Today I got a birthday present. And it is not my birthday.

I got a new dog! He is a boxer. We named him Butch. He is very playful. He sleeps a lot. He loves feet. When you try to walk him you almost step on him! He did very well going home. He climbed up in my lap and slept all the way.

Love,
Brandy



Monday, March 17, 86

Dear Diary,

Today mom and moo got a new car! Mine is blue. It is really neat. When you open the door the seatbelt reclines. My mother is not very happy with it. I like it very much. After this week it will be my birthday! It is March 24. It will be a CABBAGE PATCH BIRTHDAY!! Just like this diary!

Your pal,
Brandy



Friday, March 21, 1986

Dear Diary,

I am glad today is Friday. We only had one thing of work to do at school. The rest was fun. Mrs. Hillman gave us a choc. egg. Mrs. Robinson gave us some gum. Tomorrow is my birthday party. Well I gotta go now. I'll tell you about it tomorrow.

Your writer,
Brandy



Thursday (day), April 30, 1986

Dear Diary,

Today we had a fun day. It is a day where we go out for 30 min. or an hour. We play lots of games! One of them was my favorite. It was the balloon pop. You had a team. There was two teams, (with 13 people.) You took a balloon and ran to a chair. You would sit on a balloon until it popped then you got up and touched the next person. It sort of hurt. It was very fun!

Your best friend,
Brandy Lee




Thursday (night), April 30, 1986

Dear Diary,

I had very much fun tonight. We had a family-fun-fair at Lovvet. There was pony rides, dunking booth, football throw, balloon dart, water gun games, bean bag throw, fishing, cookie walk, and others. I rode the pony's four times. I rode the horse Chase and Cholate Sunday. It was very fun. I finally dunked somebody! It was Mrs. Nancy.

Your Pal,
Brandy Lee

When I was three or four years old, my parents and I moved into an apartment in Clinton, MS, while our real house was being built. The weather was warm, and I was sleeping with my window open. I awoke in the middle of the night to hear a growling outside my window. "A bear!" I thought, and quickly got up and shut the window, even though I was on the second floor. The growling stopped, and I went back to bed. A few minutes later, I heard the bear again. I was terrified. I jumped out of bed and ran to my parents' room to tell them that there was a bear in our apartment. As I opened the door to their bedroom, the growling got louder. The bear was in their room!! As I carefully approached their bed, I realized the growling sound was not a bear. It was my mother...snoring. I had a good chuckle and crept back to my bed.