Kristy also decided that keeping a notebook and a record book would help our club to be efficient and organized. The notebook is more like a diary. In it, each of us writes up every single job we go on. Then we're responsible for reading the notebook once a week to find out how our friends solved sitting problems, and to stay in touch with the lives of our clients. The record book is where we keep track of all kinds of information: our clients' names, addresses, and phone numbers; the rates they pay; and notes about the children we sit for regularly, such as whether they have food allergies or special fears, or have to take any kind of medication. These things are extremely helpful to us.

    Sometimes when I think about all the great ideas Kristy has had for the BSC, I'm amazed. At other times I think that's just part of who Kristy is. She's always had great ideas. I should know since she and Mary Anne and I grew up together. Before our lives began to change, our families lived on Bradford Court. Kristy lived across the street from me, and Mary Anne lived next door to her. (Now I'm the only one who still lives on Bradford Court.) Anyway, even when we were little kids Kristy had one great idea after another. Who knows why?

    Kristy's family is a pretty interesting one, as far as I'm concerned. She has two older brothers, Sam and Charlie (they're in high school with my sister), and a little brother David Michael (he's seven). Her dad walked out on the family when David Michael was just a baby. For a long time, Kristy's mother struggled to support her four kids by herself - and she did a terrific job.