Gifts from Grandmom T

So... I have many a grandma's. A few have passed away, but during my lifetime I have personally known the following grandmas:

White-haired grandmom/Grandmom B/Grandmom Bernero (Dad's mom)
Grandmom Tony/Grandmom T (Mom's Mom)
Grandmania (Stepmom's Mom)
Nana (Mom's Stepmom)
Great Grandmom/Grandmom Calise (Mother's grandmother)
Great Great Grandmom/ Ya-ya (Mother's great-grandmother-whom I don't really remember but apparently I knew when I was a toddler-knew enough to make a scene at her funeral, but that's another blog entry)
Miss Connie (This one is complicated: My mom's boyfriend's mom- even though my mom and him are no longer together I still consider them my fam)
+numerous other adopted grandmoms, like my HS friend Alicia-whose grandmom I call Granny

SIDE NOTE:
I have decided now, before even having children, that I will be called either Mimi or Nonna when I am a granny.

And there were more, I just don't remember them. I have met most of my great grandparents. Despite the fact that I have many grandmas, they are all really unique and different-they all even had different "grandma" names. They range from Italian, Polish, Black (I am not even polish or black), Irish, southern, northern, immigrants, etc. Without a doubt, the most unique of all around would be my G-mom Tony (full name Antoinette). She has many triats that make her unique, but one of the funniest/most entertaining is her gift giving. She is notorious for her presents.

Let's break it down:

REASON 1: re-gifting

My g-mom T has given me, my sister and my cousins our own stuff, and each other's stuff. Coloring books that have been colored in, books that already had our names in them from three Christmases ago, movies we watched a million times, old clothes we barely even fit anymore and accidentally left at her house, a doll I played with so many times that its hair is matted and clothes are faded, you name it! The most scandalous, of course, was when she would give us each other's stuff. When we opened a gift and it was an apparently-used-but-new-to-us item we were really excited and just assumed she got them from a second hand store. We would play with them merrily and happily. Then, one fateful day, me and Missy, and Jenn and Tiffany (my two cousins) would all be at g-mom T's on the same day.

Sarah, "Tiffany, wanna play Barbies?"
Tiff, "Yeah sure"
Sarah, "Ok, here is my Barbie! Isnt she soooo pretty?!"
Tiff, "Wait a minute! THAT'S MY BARBIE!"
Sarah, "not-uh! Grandmom gave me this barbie for my birthday!!!!"
Tiff, "She CAN'T give you MY Barbie, I don't care if it was your birthday!"

This is just a sample. Insert any of our names in the spaces and it could work. As we got older replace Barbie with shirt, necklace, dresser, etc. It all works.

DIAGRAM I: RE-GIFTING

This diagram represent a typical birthday gift from g-mom Tony to me. Contains: my cousin's much used and old doll accidentally left at grandmom's last time she was there. She will never know what happened to this doll. Coloring books I not only already wrote my name all over, but colored in most of the pictures.

REASON 2: "But I got it for 25cents at Goodwill!"
My g-mom T equates a sale with necessity. She will go to Goodwill and buy 15 shirts for $3 and is thus convinced that we would all just DIE to have it. These gifts are not really connected with a holiday or normal gift giving reason. It does include those type of events, but is not limited to.

The scene goes something like this: We show up at g-mom T's house. Within the first few minutes she says, "And before you leave, I have some things for you girls!" We spend the rest of the visit trying out best avoid the topic because we do not want to remind her. Invariably, it is a large Christmas gift bag (no matter the time of year) filled with "goodies" from Goodwill and some old VHS tapes she had around the house. We know what awaits us. Right when we leave, at the last possible moment, she always remembers. "Girls! wait! Don't forget your gifts!!"

In the olden days we always went a long with it. But after years of piled up garments that didn't fit (she is ALWAYS shocked she didn't get the right size), that were ugly (but this IS the latest fashion girls, I see it in all the magazines!), or for a grown business woman (from the 90s) even though I was only 10, old nicknacks, stained books, and other such items we started to get REAL with her. But, it was pointless. All the NOs in the world will not stop her. As we try to discretely unload our christmas bag, she comes along and adds more stuff in. I have "accidentally" forgotten my stuff many times. This leads to her running out of the house as we are pulling off. But all the ugly 25 cent clothes in the world are not enough to make you coldly drive away from your running grandmom lugging giant christmas bags! The more aggressive we are, the more she is: "JUST TAKE THE DAMN THINGS! I won't buy you anything else then!" Then we feel guilty, even though we ALL know she will have more stuff for us when we come back.

DIAGRAM 2: 25cents @ GOODWILL

This diagram represent a random gift. G-mom was out doing her rounds at goodwill and found this little number and thought that at 10 years old this was just the business suit I needed. Please note the 1982 shoulder pads. When I was 10 it was 1995. "Where would I wear this grandmom?" She then shrugs and says, "I don't know, something will come up, JUST TAKE IT!!" Please know this garment is preceded by 20 other garments that are just as fabulous- by now she is pissed that I am turning stuff down.

REASON 3: Family Heirlooms
Somehow, my G-mom T finds herself in possession of furniture and items that once belonged to my great and great great grandmoms (they were both born in Italy and brought some stuff from there), my great Uncle Ben and Aunt Dee (He traveled the world as a marine in like the 50s or something and had all kinds of cool crazy stuff), and other elderly family that was born somewhere else or traveled, or was wealthy, whatever the case. So we all (my cousins, mom, sister, myself) all often go on treasure hunts around her house. She has three bedrooms in her current abode we all do a general sweep every time we go there. Most of the time g-mom T will gladly pre-gift you a piece of furniture you cannot currently take. There are risks to this of course. She will most likely tell someone else they can have it at a later date. One time I wanted this desk that was my great great grandmothers and once it was pre-given to me, I had to call her often to remind her NOT to give it to anyone else. She was baffled that I would even assume she would do such a thing, but promised. One time when I was visiting her and mentioned the desk my cousin Jennifer was there and broke out in anger! "Grandmom! You told me I could have that!" Luckily, that time, g-mom stuck by giving it to me. It's always a coin toss. In the end I actually got the desk, in my possession- out of her house. woop woop!

DIAGRAM 3: FAMILY HEIRLOOMS

This diagram represent little treasure discovered by one of us. G-mom either wont give it up yet or told us we can have it when she dies. So we have all decided, asked, and been told that it can be ours. Hence our imaginary name tags. We all have many items currently at my g-mom T's house that we "own" and will fight about.

REASON 4: The Rare Gem
Despite it all, every once in a while my g-mom T stumbles across something really cool, unique or awesome. See, it isn't that Goodwill, the Salvation Army, the sales rack at Kmart, and various yard sales don't have cool things. It is just that not EVERYTHING there is a treasure, despite the low price. It is rare indeed that she finds something we want, but an awesome win for whoever gets it. All else are jealous beyond measure. You NEVER know when it will happen either. It is purely luck. Even though we are jealous, we are also happy for that person to a degree, because it was a triumph. lol.

Much congratulations are offered to the lucky winner and my g-mom as well. We are pretty honest with her about the stuff she gives us- so it is important we let her know when she was victorious. This may fuel her more, I don't know, but you can only be so negative to ur granny until your just WAITING for a reason to be positive. Afterall, she means well.

DIAGRAM 4: THE RARE GEM

This diagram represents the extremely rare diamond in the ruff. It is just something she found, she doesn't know where or when, and she thought you might like. It was almost missed because it was in a random small box thing that hidden under some shirt you do NOT like. This has lead all of us to actually become pretty thorough with our searches through our stuff. Sometimes we don't even find the treasure until we are home and have had a chance to sort through what we intend on dropping at a Goodwill.

I abosultely LOVE my grandmom Tony. Over the years the gift giving has been a nuisance, annoying, has caused many follow up trips by us to drop stuff back off at a Goodwill, and led to many many fights. But it has also been the source of great stories, a lot of laughter, some treasures, and discovering history of our family story. Her gift giving is shockingly notorious (no exaggeration), and from her heart.

I also think that the cycle of items in and out of Goodwill through our family probably helps keep them in business.

A COUPLE of GEMS

Detail of portion of lid of box that belonged to great grandmother. I use it as my "treasure chest" to keep small mementos and stuff in.


A cool watch with Native American/"western" theme- even has turquoise beads. I love this watch! She recently gave me a pair of turquoise and silver (not real sliver) earrings that I like to wear with this watch. I got the two pieces like 10 years a part- but this is the magic of g-mom T gifts!

Moral: appreciate all aspects of family, and cherish the elder ones. SHOUTOUT TO ALL THE GRANNIES OUT THERE!


NOTE: later this week I will be adding a pic of me, Missy and grandmom Tony

Quote of the Week: 6

This is kind of a Quote:
Just had to share with everyone out there. A little gratitude and perspective go a long way. This is something to consider when we are complaining about the dumb little things.

They Got Hugo!

Ladies and Gentelmen! Hugo and I have been through it ... AGAIN! Hugo, of course, is my Handsome Honda. If you don't know, shame on you for not reading my blog more often.

Wednesday I left work early because I was just not feeling well. I pull up to my house-that only has street parking- and there are no spots on my side of the road. I pull a U-turn and park on the other side of the street. I hate parking there. Why? Because at 7am it becomes a no parking zone. The meter maid and tow truck are there promptly at 7:01am ready to get people. All of my roommates have been towed before, and I have almost been towed before. Being ill as I was I just decided I would move it later. I needed nourishment and sleep. So... I spent the rest of the evening getting some well-needed rest and doing some laundry and cleaning.

Fast forward to Thursday morning. I woke up refreshed and exuberant about my day! Today is a NEW day! I walked outside to meet up with my darling Hugo and was instantaneously struck with the fact that I did NOT move Hugo, and he certainly was NOT across the street. So I calmly decided to walk up the street. There are times I have had to park a few blocks away and maybe I am confused about where I left my car.

Well this wasn't the case. I just continued walking all the way up the street and ended up just walking all the way to work. Luckily I only work a mile away. I proudly kept my cool. I got to work and googled where my car may have been taken. I located Hugo, arranged a ride, and was off. And all very calmly, I might add!

Of course the rain is pouring as soon as I get in my friend's car. Then we get lost in Baltimore. Then we knew where the damn impound lot was, but could not get in because Baltimore and its wretched 83 ramps and stuff are confusing. We finally arrived and I was in line waiting. I calmly waited FOREVER, even though there were only 2 people ahead of me. Then I notice a big fat sign: they essentially only accept cash. However it was my lucky day because there was a cheap-o ATM with ridiculous fees right behind me. But I refused to withdraw until I knew the amount. I then heard the man tell this lady her total, "$282.00." I was paralyzed. This was the moment I was now only acting calm and collected. I knew for a fact I only had $200 in my account. I said, "Umm, excuse me sir...Sir? Is that the normal price?" Surely this woman did something truly horrendous, like park in one of those pregnant lady spots while not being pregnant. Or maybe she parked across TWO handicapped spots. Something truly bad in the realm of parking. These hopes were dashed when he responded, "It is sometimes $272.00, it just depends."

OMG

What am I gonna do? I ran out to my friend's car and started making phone calls. Everyone I know was broke. DAMNIT! This is when I broke down and started to cry. I thought I would make it through this ordeal stressed, but dry eyed- afterall "I am a new woman!" Luckily a friend was able to help me out with some 20s. Thank you God. I went back in and emptied my bank account and awaited my destiny. By the time it was my turn, there was a steady stream of tears, but I am ardently trying to speak. I was was so mad at myself for crying. My total: $282.00. DAMNIT!!!!! I handed over my money and I only had $260.00. After a frantic phone call, my friend that drove me ran in and handed me a 20. God bless his soul. I was shaking and stammering andwas a hot mess. This is when I really broke down. There was a lady there to catch the breeze with the man behind the glass and they were chatting merrily as I was having a nervous breakdown. Meanwhile, the security guard chick did not taking her eye off me. Then he said, do you have 2 more dollars? DAMNIT! I didn't. I start digging through my bag. Everyone: the man behind the glass, security chick, and chatty cathy, were all watching me as I have snot and tears running down my bloated and red face and was digging through my purse for change. I am truly an UGLY crier. Truly ugly. And unfortunately I had given 50cents to a homeless man at the gas station, and some other change to the change jar at my studio. DAMN me for my giving nature! I was a mere 75 cents short.

DIAGRAM I

This diagram represent Sarah when she is crying. Not pretty. In fact... hideous. Blotchy, snotty, gooey, Viking-man-looking, hot mess. This is with what those at the impound were subjugated.

I called my friend again... "Do you have 2 dollars?" I felt like the biggest ass. My friend left work to take me to get my car, already let me hold some money and now I am calling hysterically for 2 dollars. I was really trying to hold it together too. I genuinely was. I was coaching myself, "MAN UP SARAH! MAN UP! ITS NOT THAT SERIOUS!" But a new sob would inevitable follow. The man behind the glass heard me on the phone and I guess decided to charge me the "reduced rate" of $272.00. But I was grateful! God bless his soul. I ended up getting change back-which I gave to my friend. I already owed other people some money from this mess, the less the better! When I left they all were still looking at my like a zoo animal. Chatty cathy said, "I hope you feel better hon." I think the security chic thought I was about to go apeshit, she watched me through the window until I left the lot. lol.

FINALLY! After a mile walk, getting drenched, being lost in Baltimore, hitting up friends and fam for money like a freaking beggar, causing a scene, emptying my bank account, and getting snot all over my sweater, we were reunited!!!


moral of the story: $282.00????? Forreal Baltimore? With that kind of money being made there should NOT be giant ass pot holes all over the city! goodness gracious I am officially broke.
moral of the story 2: good friends really come in handy-appreciate them!
moral of the story 3: sometimes a few tears can save you 10 bucks- Shout out to the man behind the glass! woop woop!

Me: from A to Z

I am stealing this idea from my chapter sister Sharmia's blog

(This is an old pic, but I feel it successfully captures my personality...lol)

A. age : twenty six

B. bed size : sadly... a twin (one day I am getting a california King I swear!)

C. chore you hate : washing the dishes (and pairing my socks after laundry)

D. dogs : 0. However, little bro has dog named after me and Missy: Julia Roxy SarahMelissa Bernero

E. essential start to your day : a HOT shower

F. favorite color : Jungle Green and Hot Pink

G. gold or silver : Gold

H. height : 5'2

I. instruments you play : I once played the clarinet...a long time ago lol

J. job title : Graphic Designer, Director of Project Management, Actor

K. kids : 0

L. live : Baltimore

M. maiden name : Bernero (best name EVER)

N. nicknames : Miss B, B, Sarah B, Sar Bear, Sarah Ba-nara, Sebbie, Sassy Sarah

O. overnight hospital stays : 0

P. pet peeve : being mean for no reason (and being close minded)

Q. quote :‎"When I am alone I am not aware of my race or my sex; both in need of social context for definition." -Maxine Hong Kingston

R. righty or lefty : right

S. siblings : 5

T. time you wake up : ranges from 4 am to 7:30 depending on what is going on that day

U. university attended : Towson University

V. vegetables you dislike: peas (yuck!)

W. what makes you run late : I rarely do, but when it happens it's because I'm unprepared.

X. x-rays you’ve had : when I broke my arm as a kid, and when I fell down some stairs in middle school

Y. yummy food : SUSHI!

Z. zoo animal favorite : Panda Bears!

Pepsi Aristocrats

For a while, when Missy and I were little, it was just me, her and our Dad. He did the best he could do with two little girls. He was pretty strict about certain things. One of those things was Pepsi. Dad drank it many times a day, but Missy and I did not get it very often. When we did, we were so excited that we had a ritual.

First, we sat down at our little plastic blue and faux wood fisher price table with the matching chairs. Then my Dad got out our "special" cups. Truthfully, they were just the smallest cups we had. Little ceramic dark blue mugs with a white inside. He filled them up and set them down in front of us.

We thought we were so fancy! We pretended to be rich aristocrats having tea time with our little finger in the air. We were not in the kitchen, sitting at a flimsy plastic table next to the fridge. We were HIGH SOCIETY, in a fancy parlor room with waiters and intricate furnishings! We did not gulp this soda down. It usually took quite some time to drink the entire contents. Please remember these were SMALL mugs! But we rarely got Pepsi and this was SERIOUS! It united us in a way that few other things could. Pepsi was like gold to us.

One day we were lucky enough to have Pepsi, and we went through our ritual as usual. In the midst of our "rich lady chatting," an argument was born. Not very shocking. In fact, the only shocking thing is that we hadn't argued during Pepsi time before. Well, stupid little Missy was sassing me and would not shut up!

Finally, I said, "If you say one more thing, I am going to..." At a loss for something truly horrifying, I had to think fast. I looked down and saw my Pepsi. "... will splash my Pepsi in YOUR FACE!" I immediately regretted it. Was my Pepsi worth it? My anger had certainly gotten me committed to something stupid this time!

Then Missy said, "No you won't, you DON'T have the courage! You're stupid!" (or something along those lines)

"I'll do it Missy!!!!"

"NO YOU WONT!"

My rage took over. I looked Missy right in her hateful eyes, reached down to my Pepsi cup and splashed it right at her stupid face!

I have attached a diagram of the moment of the Pepsi assault.

DIAGRAM

As you can see, this is is the exact moment before impact. From the above angle of this diagram you cannot see Missy giving me a dirty look. She did not see the Pepsi coming.

The last thing in the world Missy suspected was that I would waste my Pepsi on her face. I don't blame her, it is the last thing even I thought would be happening. Unfortunately, we both did not take into consideration the little sister factor. Little sisters have the power to make us exponentially more angry than we thought possible. Perhaps because we love them so much. All of my Pepsi was gone. It was sad, and I regretted loosing out on my rare Pepsi moment. However, the look on her face was worth it.

Moral of the Story: Don't let your anger make you do stupid things!

Quote of the Week: 5

"And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow."
-Gilbert K. Chesterton

This is so true. I am feeling kind of down today and there is also a monsoon going on! The rain doesn't usually bring me down- the rain and I tend to be at peace (unless I am trying to get somewhere via Hugo the Handsome Honda/Hoopty). This is just a coincidence, but an interesting one. So whether the rain is literal or figurative, I find this quote to be true. We must endure the rough times to get to the good times. Sometimes, those rough patches are necessary for us to appreciate or even recognize the following good. At other times, those arduous moments in life are advance payment for the success ahead.

Always keep your head up and fight for those rainbows. They are inevitable. If you don't see one, your aren't looking in the right place!

Have a good Monday!

image above: picture from googling rainbows! Check out the link to see this amazing photography

Letters to Jesus

I was the "idea girl" when we were growing up-which isn't saying much. Unless we were with Katie K, I was the de facto leader of the group. One day Missy, me, and our cousin Danielle were at my stepmom's house (before she was my stepmom- I suppose she was my Dad's gf at that time) and we were bored. I don't know who originally brought up writing letters to Jesus, but it became imperative!

After a few moments discussion the issue of delivery came up. This was no issue for me. When I was a kid and Missy or Danielle asked me a question, whatever popped in my head I took to be the truth. What happened to pop into my head at that moment was simple:

We merely need to throw our letter up in the air so the wind can catch them and take them right up to Heaven.

This theory was questioned by my obviously novice-to-Jesus-letter-writing-little-sister. However, I let her know that God controls the wind, so he will know our plan and make sure they make it up into the clouds where heaven is located. Duh!

In case you want an exact layout of my master plan, please look below:

DIAGRAM

In this Diagram you can see each step mapped out. Utter genius if I do say so myself. (brushing shoulders off)

And we did just that. The whole time laughing and giggling at this incredibly awesome plan. We didn't mention our plan to Trisha (stepmom) or anyone because we wanted to surprise them. We made a LOT of letters. I mean a lot. This was in case a few got lost in wind, insurance is always good for this type of thing.

It turned out to not be a windy day. After throwing them up in the air, they all came RIGHT back down. Missy and Danielle asked me what we should do. I thought about it a second. "Nothing, God knows our plan, he will get them." We all went back inside.

I don't think God knew our plan, because it did not work. A little while later my stepmom started yelling at us about trash all over the yard, and all the neighbors yards, etc. At first I was like, "trash??? I don't know anything at all about any TRASH." I was really perplexed.

We go outside, and our letters to Jesus were ALL OVER THE PLACE. My stepmom's neighborhood was in an area with row houses that had tiny little yards, but the people of the neighborhood took really good care of their little patches. It was all very tidy- but compact and close. The wind picked them up alright...and dropped them all over the neighborhood. It was a disaster. I tried to explain what were up to, but no one wanted to hear it. They MUST have thought I was special.

It was pretty upsetting that God didn't make sure the wind got our letters to Jesus. When the three of us finally got done picking up all the "trash," we had a pow wow. After a bit of discussion I told Missy and Danielle, "Don't worry, God knew what we were trying to do... that's good enough."

They agreed.


Moral of the story: Sometimes it is the thought that counts. (oh and not all ideas are good ideas! haha)

Quote of the Week: 4

This week, we are getting a little deep people!

"To accomplish much you must first lose everything."
-Che Guevara

This is one of those quotes that has many layers. We all know our Che basic facts, and can therefore draw our initial conclusion about what he is referring to. If you do not know about Che Guevara, please check out this info: Che Guevara

To me, a truly effective quote is like art: it means something different to different people. For those of you who do not know me, or know me all that well, my DREAM is to be a successful actress. No, more accurately, to be so successful in the entertainment industry that I become an icon. I have always been a storyteller. I have always been a ham too. I am my most happiest when I am connecting and sharing. I would love to touch the lives of millions of people by being an educated and knowledgeable entertainer, humanitarian, and human being.

I believe that to achieve that, I have to become not only a great artist in my craft, but the best person possible. Power means responsibility. It is imperative that I lose all the crap fed to me through media, culture, and society. A happy person, in their true form, does not always align with what we are taught. A woman's role, a man's role, children's view of their parents, a person's relationship with God, what material things we "need", the figure that makes us beautiful (but not healthy), are all things taught to us. I want to lose those preconceived notions and truly relearn to listen to my body, and retrain my mind to think clearly.

We do not have to be what they say, or eat what they tell us to eat, or believe what the media and gov tell us to believe about lands far away. If I do not lose everything I have been taught (by those with an agenda), than I cannot effectively achieve the greatness I aspire towards.

We often accept and celebrate definitions of ourselves that are negative. This is my call to everyone to lose the weights of your definition imposed from others and accomplish the greatness we all have inside of us to be truly amazing human beings!

(ok, i am off my soapbox for now! And done with the run on sentences too! lol)

pic above: two pics of mine, Photoshopped ( a stormy sky and quote written in my journal )

The Rat!

When my sister and I were younger we were very different people from each other. We are much more a like now, but then, we were waaaay different. I was the independent, bossy, take charge, outgoing, amiable older sister. Missy was sweet, quiet, very shy and timid, and afraid. Especially afraid of getting in trouble. If you read my blog you know Missy is a good person to have your back. However, I would not ask her to lie. I am not telling Missy if I ever commit murder because she can NOT lie. Even to this day. So imagine when she was younger. Not only could she not lie, she couldn't break the rules. Here is a diagram that explains the two of us in very basic terms:

DIAGRAM 1: SARAH v. MISSY

Please note that we are both probably wearing jelly shoes and our hair was almost never this tidy. We were rambunctious children to say the least. Also, my arms are crossed in an "I'm the cool sister" way (in case you couldn't tell)

One day we were at breakfast eating some oatmeal that Trisha (my stepmom) made us. At some point I wanted to get up from the table but Trisha said, "When you finish your oatmeal." She then walked out of the kitchen. After a whole bunch of that's not fair talk between Missy and I, I decided I was DONE! I told Missy my plan to dump my oatmeal in the trash. Missy was aghast! "Sarah! don't you'll get caught! Don't do it!" I was not hearing it. I got up and while Missy earnestly tried to plead with me I strategically dumped my oatmeal in the trashcan. By "strategically" I mean, down along the side, and using my spoon to brush other waste on top, and then crinkling up a few napkins and putting those on top of it all. Remember, my step mom is a sharp cookie. So I knew I had to go the extra mile. Missy watched wide-eyed and terrified. Then I confidently put my bowl in the sink and walked out of the kitchen proudly. On the way out the door I told Missy, "You better not say anything!!!" after she tried to plead with me to stay with her.

I went somewhere and played happily with something I am sure. Only a couple of minutes later Missy showed up with a smile on her face. I KNEW she didn't finish her oatmeal! She was notorious for multi-hour standoffs at the kitchen table with food she did not want to eat. I questioned her and she said she did it too, with a giggle. I had a really bad feeling. "You hid it right? You didn't just dump it on top?!" She looked horrified, "Yeah I just dumped it!" I was devastated! I knew she was going to get us caught. Being as we weren't very good at being sneaky, we decided to not venture back into the danger zone. Nothing is worse then being caught red handed.

I have drawn up a diagram to show you how creative my oatmeal tossing was in comparison to Missy:

DIAGRAM 2: SARAH v. MISSY OATMEAL TOSSING

Please note that mine was hidden deep down with articles on top. Missy literally dumped her bowl contents on the TOP and even left the lid open! Not sneaky

Hoping for the best we went about our day. Hours later we were with Trisha at some store. Missy was in the shopping cart, and I was walking next to it. Both of us had all but forgotten about our brush with adventure that morning. Out of nowhere Trisha said, "So, I was going to take you girls to Chuckie Cheese today, but someone dumped their oatmeal in the trash this morning. Missy?"

CHUCKIE CHEESE??? OH EMM GEE! The worst thing to lose is Chuckie Cheese! We loved it there. It was the holy land of awesomeness, prizes, pizza, games, a ball pit! And STUPID Missy ruined it all for both of us. I didn't know if I was in the clear, but I was blown.

Immediately following Trisha's comment I see a stubby little finger pointing at me. It was attached to my little sister sporting a horrified face. A face that I then hear spout, "SARAH DID IT FIRST!!!!"

I was shocked and appalled! She literally ratted me out so fast that I hadn't taken a breath to recover from the shock of loosing Chuckie Cheese. She cracked under the "pressure." She wasn't even questioned about my involvement! Let's pause and comment on the fact that Trisha knew it was Missy. That's all I'm saying.

At the end of the day, my little sister narked on me, and we didn't go to Chuckie Cheese!
THE RAT KEPT ME FROM THE MOUSE!


Moral:
Don't commit crimes in front of little sisters

Stereo

I have to post this video. I abosultely love it! It is so cute...and when my *prince charming* comes along we can sing this song together! lol. Yes, I am corny! (ps. I have a crush on travie)





Plus, I (and most Americans) have a connection with stereos... singing along loudly as a kid with my dad and sister, belting out Mariah Carey loudly (and horribly if you remember), playing mixed tapes, pretending I was a rap dude with my little tiny stereo on my shoulder, even my Barbie had a (hot pink) boombox stereo. And I didn't even have a Ken for a long time. Music before dudes, ok? LOL! So many fond memories of stereos (and music)!

ENJOY!