This is how it happened. I'm a member of the Baby-sitters Club (which I'll tell you more

about later), or the BSC. Through the BSC, I had taken a job baby-sitting for Jenny Prezzioso, a three-year-old. After her parents left for the afternoon, Jenny got really sick. She had a fever of one hundred and four degrees. I couldn't reach her parents so I called all of the numbers the Prezziosos had left for me, but no one was home. Finally I called 911. The operator sent an ambulance right away and we took Jenny to the hospital.

It was a very scary experience, but Dad was impressed with my responsible behavior. That gave me the courage to talk to him about being allowed to grow up.

Now I dress the way I want, which is still pretty conservative. I mean, I wear the latest styles and all, but I don't go overboard. My dark brown hair is no longer in pigtails. In fact, I recently had it cut short (to my chin). It’s bouncy and very easy to take care of. I talk to my friends when I want to and — are you ready for this? I have a steady boyfriend, which would have been a major no-no before. What can I tell you about Logan Bruno? He's cute (I think he looks just like my favorite star, Cam Geary), and he's charming, especially with that southern accent (Logan's fromLouisville,Kentucky). He's a great athlete, an extremely nice guy, and a member of the Babysitters Club. Well, not a full-fledged member.

Logan's an associate member, which means he helps out when we have too many jobs and not enough sitters to go around.

Back to my dad. Once he realized that I didn't need to be watched so closely, hejdis-covered that he could get on with his own life. Which was great, and that’s how I ended up with this wonderful new family.

You see, it all started when I met Dawn Schafer, who had just moved to Stoneybrook with her mom and brother, Jeff. Dawn's family had been living inCalifornia, but when her mom and dad got divorced, Sharon (Dawn's mom) returned, with her kids, to the place where she grew up — Stoneybrook. Dawn and I quickly became friends. Then a truly amazing dung happened.