Fall 2006
Happy Thanksgiving! 
Ok, so we didn't have turkey but ham. That's ok...it was great! My grandma just had knee replacement surgery and she is not feeling good at all and didn't want us getting into the kitchen a lot so grandpa picked up a ham and we just had an easy afternoon dinner. My brother Jeremy came over and we watched football and ate yummy Thanksgiving dinner. Then he brought us over to his apartment to hang out. It's been an easy day. Right now I'm watching movies and catching up on emails. Tomorrow I have to make up some schoolwork. My mom and I had gone on a field trip the other day to the Tonto National Forest Monument and so I didn't get to do my schoolwork. Now I have that day to make up. But the monument was awesome. It was the Salado cliff dwellings. We had a 1/2 mile hike up to them and it was so cool because you could see out over the Roosevelt Lake area and it was beautiful. The Salado people lived in the dwellings during the 14th century which is amazing to think about because they lived on the land of the desert mountains. We saw a tarantula crawling around and one of the tourists touched it...yuck! It was huge! 
| The people who lived here in the 14th century farmed in the Salt River Valley and also did hunting and gathering of the native wildlife and plants. They were craftsmen and produced some awesome looking polychrome pottery and intricately woven artifacts. Many of the objects were on display in the Visitor Center museum.
The monument is located in the Upper Sonoran ecosystem, known for its characteristic saguaro cactus. Other common plants include cholla, prickly pear, yucca, agave, ocotillo, and an amazing variety of colorful wildflowers. The saguaro cactus is everywhere and it is really a cactus that is not found anywhere else in the world. Anyway, it was a great field trip. Oh, I wanted to let you all know that I made a part in "Alice in Wonderland" at Desert Stages Theatre. I'm going to be a talking tree and a card. I was really nervous at the audition because it has been 4 years since doing a play at Desert Stages but I love that theatre and have missed being a part of it. So many of the same people are there and they recognized me and it was like a homecoming. I'm really sad that Gerry Cullity died and it is so weird not seeing him there. I keep thinking he is going to come in the building at any time. There are three other skaters that I know of that are in the play too! Shayna Moellenberg (spelling?) is actually Alice! She is also going to JNs this coming week. Then there are two other skaters from Polar Ice in Chandler. I'm so glad I'm back in Arizona. It feels like the pieces are coming back together finally and that I'm home. I'm also really loving my new church, East Valley Bible Church. Check it out on the web at www.evbc.org . My friend Kaylie is there and I"ve also met some new friends. | Kaylie and I used to go to the same church when we lived in Scottsdale at Camelback Bible so it's really cool to be back and have her as a friend again. I feel so privileged to be able to have so many of the same friends. Sometimes it feels like my life in Nebraska never happened. It's really weird. I mean I met some great friends there that I still have but it's like my life never really happened there....everything has just kept going here. Maybe it's like it was a journey and now we are back home. |  | | |  | |
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November 5th, 2006:
I've been sick with a really bad cold the past couple days. UGH! I hate being sick. My brother was sick with a cold last week so I probably got it from him. I only have a week until my test so I'm trying to get well and prepared. Keep saying prayers for me, ok?
Halloween was a lot of fun. I dressed up in my costume and my mom took lots of pics. We went to the Tempe Kiwanis Park Family Halloween Festival. Max, my dog, went with us too. I participated in the costume contest. I didn't win but it was awesome! I had so much fun! There was an entertainment stage with some good acts. This guy had a dog act and also did some tricks himself and was funny. He juggled with fire too! There were tons of games to win candy and there was even a haunted bus. Parents, teens and kids were all dressed in costumes. After we had our fill of the carnival we went to a neighborhood haunted house called "The Haunt". It was free and the line was a block long to get in. My mom and I hung onto each other and had a blast going through it. It was scary but not too bad. There were actors that would jump out and chase. Freddie Kruger was there! ARGH! He was really scary!
Ok, gotta get to bed and get my rest. .God bless,
Sarah Kidd
Saturday October 29, 2006:
I'm so sorry for not keeping this journal going better. I have been so busy and can hardly have any time for myself. First of all, my school online takes a lot of my time. Because I moved and got started late in the year I have so much more to do. I have to finish on time. Then, I have been working with my mom some to help pay for my skating.
I'm really loving being back in Arizona. Last night my brother, mom and I went to a high school football game at the high school where my brother graduated from. It was so much fun! Our team lost but it went down to the last minute. Our team is still going to the playoffs but this was a rival team game so it made it even more exciting. They have not won the state championships since my brother played on the team, which was 10 years ago! I hope they can make it through the playoffs and get into the championship game. My brother's best friend is the offensive line coach there. Jeremy, my brother, used to help out with the defense and he may do that again sometime but he is working so much right now that he doesn't have time to help the team out.
I've got my Halloween costume ready....yes, I'm going to out for some fun on Halloween night. There is a fun carnival at the City park by our house that is huge every year and it's for families so my mom and I are going over there and I'll be in my costume. I'm going to be a "witch"....a cool "witch". It's just for fun. There are some fun haunted houses in the neighborhood that are free and I love going through those too. Halloween is the start of the seasons. I love this time of year!
Ok, am watching the Halloween on Ice show that Nancy Kerrigan is putting on so I'll write again when I can.
Love,
Sarah Kidd
Friday the 13th (October):
I had the best time at the SW Pacific Regional Championships. First of all, I placed third and received a trophy and flowers. It was very exciting for me. The best part, though, was just skating and competing. I love being out on the ice performing and just plain skating. It's the best feeling. I loved being at the competition because I was able to see my friends from California again and was able to see some amazing programs. There are so many great skaters in this region and it was so motivating to watch and learn. Now I"m ready to get back to training and working towards next year. I am working on my intermediate moves right now and am planning on testing them in November, as well as my freeskate. Then, I'll begin learning my novice moves and will test them later in the year.
We are living with my grandparents for awhile, until we can get to where we can afford our own place. My skating and training costs so much money so grandma and grandpa are helping out by letting us stay with them. It's still more than my mom can handle but she is doing the best she can and is working hard to try and pay for the expenses.
I think one of the best things about being in Az is being close to my brothers and grandparents. I like having my family close by. I miss some of my friends but I'm happier here than I have ever been.
Ok, gotta go so I can rest but I'll write again in the next few days. I wanted to say I'm so proud of all my skating friends who competed in the regional championships. They all did so well. And thanks to those who helped out financially so I could attend the competition.
Sarah Kidd 
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Sarah K 
October 2, 2006:
Ok, so I'm trying to stay updated. I haven't been too good at it because we don't have internet yet. We have to wait for the wireless company to set something up outside. It's through the city. So, I am limited right now with internet opportunities. Ha! Anyway, my mom is working some now and I'm so excited with skating. We leave for regionals on Friday. YEA! I'll be working really hard this week on my program. I'm also starting with the Theatre on Ice team at the Alltel Ice Den today. I'm kind of excited about that. I love theatre stuff. I'll also be auditioning for a play with Desert Stages in November. I have not done any plays since Gerry Cullity (founder) died and I'm wondering if it will be sad when I go back. He was so wonderful! We are still getting settled so we are just getting things started one thing at a time.
Ok, gotta go. I have a lot to do today but I'll write again.
Love ya all,
Sarah K
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