Who wants to watch a Monster Movie?

Hello future readers,

I sat down to watch television, and was looking through the TV Guide. I saw that on Saturday night, "Dr. Shock's Monster Movie" was going to be on.

 Now, monster movies aren't really my scene, but I had been trying to think of a way to thank Danny and Sunny for sticking up for me with Jennifer. I know a lot of my friends like monster movies, so I thought I could have another pajama party, complete with junk food and Dr. Shock! So I asked my mom and she said yes, (have I mentioned how far out my mom is?), and I got on the phone and called all my friends.

I was in luck. That "Father/Daughter Dance" was on Sunday night, so everyone said they would be here! Outta site!

The next night, I popped some corn, put out some cookies and candy, and got into my jammies. At 7:30 my friends started to arrive.

We spread out the blankets and pillows, got out the junk food and camped out by the television.

I had never watched Dr. Shock, and I don't mind telling you he was more than a little creepy!

Tonight's movie was called "The Monster Who Wouldn't Die".  Here are some scenes:

Wow, was that monster scary! Wendy screamed twice, Robyn kept hiding under the blankets, and Danny ate almost 2 pans of Jiffy Pop! I'm still not all that wild about monster movies, but getting together with my friends is always a groove.

Are there monster movies in the future? Stephanie thinks that people in the future will be too smart to believe in monsters, and Danny thinks they'll be machines that can make people into projections so they'll actually be in the movie whenever they want! I don't know about any of that, you'd know better than me. I do know that even though I'm nine and I know there are no such things as real monsters, these movies still sometimes scare me. But I'll never get tired of pajama parties!

Until next time, future readers!
Your friend,
Julie Newman

It's good to have friends!

Hello future readers!

This past Friday we had a half day of school, because the teachers are getting ready for our annual "Open School" night. That's where the parents come to our school, sit at our desks, talk to our teachers and check out all of our work. When we get to start the weekend early, it's time to celebrate! So Danny, Sunny and I went to Sam's Snack Shack after school. If you're a kid, this is the best place in town to eat! Since Springfield is a small town, we don't have places like McDonald's, but we think Sam's is much better! Not only do they have hamburgers, french-fries, sodas, and shakes, but they have pizza, corn dogs, and ice-cream, too! You even get to eat free on your birthday! Sam is super-groovy to us kids, and that makes coming here fun. So we all ordered ice-cream cones; Danny had chocolate, Sunny had Tutti-Frutti, and I had pistachio.

Well, we were eating our cones, and talking about what we were gonna do over the weekend, when Jennifer walked over to our table. (groan!)

She said hi to all of us, and asked what kind of cones we were eating. She said that she was eating strawberry, 'cos it was her favorite flavor. I knew she didn't come over here to talk about ice-cream. I was just waiting for the bomb to drop. Then she started jabbering about "Open School" night, and that she knew she was doing well in class, 'cos Mrs. Alden said so. (groan again!) Then she asked if Sunny was going to the "Father/Daughter Dance" at the Springfield Hotel next weekend. Sunny said she wasn't sure. Then she looks me straight in the eye and said wasn't it ashame I didn't have a father or I could go too!

Boy, has she got some nerve! I was just about to open my mouth to tell her off, when Danny jumped outta his chair! I thought he was gonna punch her out, or something. But he told Jennifer that was a crummy thing to say and why did she have to be so mean to me all the time!

I've never seen him so mad! He kept yelling at her, and saying that I was one of the nicest girls he knew, and that I had parties and sleepovers all the time at my house, and if she didn't act so creepy, she would probably get invited to some of them!

Then Sunny told her that if she didn't knock it off, she'd tell every girl in the 4th grade not to talk to her ever again! And they'd probably listen, 'cos Sunny is pretty popular.

Well, I guess Jennifer felt pretty embarrassed, 'cos everyone in the place (including Sam) was giving her the "stink-eye". She said she was sorry, and she wouldn't be mean to me anymore. Then she took her strawberry ice-cream cone and left. Wow! I never knew my friends cared so much. If Danny weren't a boy, I would've kissed him! Instead I just smiled and thanked both him and Sunny. They said it was no big deal, but it was a long time coming. They told me that they didn't say anything before, because they thought after awhile, Jennifer would probably just cool it and get along like the rest of us. They didn't think she'd keep hasseling me. Well, I don't know if Jennifer and I will ever be buddies, but at least she knows the score, now. But who knows? Maybe someday, she may learn what a dynamite thing it is to be a good friend and to have good friends.

Until next time, future readers!
Your friend,
Julie Newman

I'm Julie Bunny and I'm Coming To Town!

Happy Easter, future readers!

Well, actually tomorrow is Easter Sunday, but I thought I'd get a jump on the fun! I saved up my allowance for 2 weeks to buy a bunch of chocolate Easter Bunnies!

Last night I was watching "It's The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown", and it gave me a groovy idea. (I hope there are still Charlie Brown TV specials in the future). Anyway, in case you don't know what it is, in the last part of the show, Snoopy (Charlie Brown's dog) delivers eggs to all of Charlie Brown's friends.  Well, I thought I could help the Easter Bunny this year by delivering chocolate bunnies to all my friends around the neighborhood! But I would have to look like a bunny, so I got out some scissors and construction paper, and got to work.

You can't be a bunny without ears! So I made myself some!

I think I did a pretty good job. I got out my purple Easter Bucket (it holds more than just a basket), and put the bunnies in it.

I was just in front of my house, when I met Stephanie, who was on her way to the store. So I gave her a chocolate bunny. She was surprised and very happy.

I walked past April and Wendy's house, and found them out on their front lawn, playing dolls.  I gave them their bunnies, and they told me how sweet I was. Awww, that was nice.

I turned the corner and kept walking. I saw Robyn in front of the candy store, about to get some gum from the gumball machine. I thought she'd rather have a chocolate bunny instead. I was right. Robyn loves anything to do with chocolate!

I went down to the playground and saw Danny riding his skateboard. I knew he'd never turn down candy. He thanked me and told me I was pretty cool, for a girl.  Haha, Thanks Danny.

I didn't see Sunny or Lisa anywhere around, so I went over to Sunny's house. She was playing Connect Four with Lisa up in her room. I gave them each a bunny. They both thought it was groovy that I was sharing goodies with them.

I had been walking a long time, and my feet were getting tired, so I went home. When I got back up to my room, I saw something sitting on my bed.

My mom poked her head in the door and told me that she was very proud of me for spending my whole allowance on my friends and giving them candy, and she decided give me an early Easter surprise! Outta site! I've said it before and I'll say it again, my mom's the grooviest!

Wherever you are, and whenever you are, I hope all of you have a really super Easter!

Until next time, future readers,
Your friend,
Julie Newman

The St. Patrick's Day Party!

Hello future readers!

Erin Go Bragh! That means "Ireland Forever" in Gaelic. That's the language that Irish people speak. I hope you all had as much fun on St. Patrick's Day as I did. (If you're still celebrating it in the future!) When I told my mom that Susan and Raychel for coming for a visit, she was more than happy to help me put together a party for them! Gotta love my mom, she's outta site! She went to Woolworth's and found a whole bunch of green party stuff! Groovy! I spent all morning setting it up!

I invited all of my friends. I was really excited for my new friends like Lisa, Robyn and April, and my old friend Wendy to meet Susan and Raychel. I knew they were going to hit it off. Raychel and Susan didn't know I was throwing a party. I wanted them to be surprised! When my friends arrived, they couldn't wait to get things grooving!

Lisa passed out the hats, Sunny served the punch, and Robyn put on a record. Stephanie was at the window, looking out for Susan and Raychel.

Stephanie came over and told me she saw Raychel and Susan walking down the block towards my house! YAY! They were almost here!

Raychel walked in first. She had a dynamite tan, and looked really pretty. I almost cried as we hugged each other. I missed her so much!

Susan came in next. I really liked the green shirt she was wearing. I was so happy my friends were back in town!

I gave them each a party hat, and told them to help themselves to the goodies. Lisa and Robyn came over and introduced themselves to Susan.

Sunny took Raychel over to meet Wendy and April. Raychel loved that they were almost dressed like twins!

Danny was really happy to see Susan and Raychel, but especially Raychel. They both love old horror movies and could spend hours talking about them.

Well, we ate, danced, sang and told funny stories until it was time to go home. Susan and Raychel couldn't stay. They both have other relatives here in Springfield they wanted to visit before they left town again. It was so hard to say good-bye all over again. (sigh) But this time, it was easier, because I know they'll be back soon, and I do have my other friends to hang out with. Before Susan and Raychel left, my mom wanted to get a group picture with all of us in our funny hats.

We looked like a bunch of leprechauns! Even though I hated to see my friends go away again, it was still super having them back here, even if only for one day. I had a really nice time at my party and I know all of my friends did, too! I hope you had a great St. Patrick's Day and great friends to celebrate with!

Until next time, future readers!
Your Friend,
Julie Newman