5th grade, circa 1988

Quick, who will be the first person to say something about my BANGS? Oh my, evidently, we used a great deal of Rave hairspray that year. Yep, that's me in the 5th grade.

Chris saw my picture and asked me why I was so surprised? Didn't I know he was about to take my picture? Did I forget it was picture day? LOL. He was laughing at me! Then I pointed out that I was in the 5th grade and already wearing a bra, and how Karsen was not too far from that age....he stopped laughing then. LOL.

Karsen knew right away that it was me. She said we had the same hair. LOL, Aw, we do. <3

Dylan said, "No offense, Mom, but you were wayyy prettier than I thought you would be." Um, thanks for that compliment?, Dyl, I think?! LOL ?!?!

5th grade, VW elementarty in Raleigh, NC~our family had just moved from the country life to the big city when my Mom re-married (a horrible man). My teacher, Ms Jones, was very mean, and I was bound and determined to let her know that I already knew everything she was trying to teach me. That bought me a trip to the principal's office.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/kjcLiippHmo1e9veZaNpRpIAo1_500.jpg

Dirty Dancing was made the year before, and I wore Keds (without socks like on Dirty Dancing) and jean shorts (like Baby). I started a club that year on the playground. My "exclusion criteria" for members bought me several more trips to the principal's office. My sister and brother and I started competitively speed-skating that year. We won a few trophies. My siblings and I lived at the pool all summer long and swam like fish. My cursive hand-writing was "perfect". I loved a boy named Hamilton, and competed with him for highest grades in the class. I did not actually speak to him until 4 years later. By then, my heart had moved on. 11 years old.

It is hard to believe that was 22 years ago, I remember it so clearly. I have changed so much, but in many ways I haven't changed a bit!