SHOPPING!!!!!!!!(THIS TIME IN BUCKHEAD) & 2011 Reflections

I write this in my Mom's office, on New Year's Eve, December 31st, 2011. You will probably be reading this in 2012, a year yet to come. It puzzles me and flabbergasts me that the year is almost over, that there is only a minute left of this wonderful year. Well, in politics and in the economy the year wasn't the best, and there was plenty of natural disasters that came our way. But two terrible people died, in May Bin Laden, on October 20th Muammar Gaddafi died also, not to mention Kim Jong Il, who was a good person to some and a tyrant to others. There were some lighter matters, the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton one of them. So 2011 was a pretty good year. For me, it was the last year of Elementary School, and the first half of an adventurous and exciting trip around the U.S., seeing everything from prairie dogs to whales, empire state buildings to little rocks that have gained so much publicity, Smithsonian's to little redneck auto shows in South Dakota boondocks. I have seen pictured rocks, sleeping Bear's dunes, tunnels of trees, and many other things, and that was just at one place! I've learned so much and seen so much, I couldn't tell everything about it in three books, 400 pages each! And the best thing about it is, it's not over yet. 2011 has been a truly great year. I got a lot of friends and did cool activities in school, and then sadly (at that time) lost all my friends and missed out of the activities at the school I was GOING to go to. In retrospect and hindsight, I'm so glad we went on the trip, and glad we will continue it following the first days of January. It has been a wonderful year for me, and I look forward to this new and interesting year that is yet to come, 2012. For some people it will be the year the world is destroyed (not likely) for others just another year of work. But I, Andrew B., am excited for the continuation of our trip and the time I'll have. I am sad that in about 10 days we will be heading out again on our trip and will leave our loved ones, but I am also excited. I believe it will be easier to leave this time, knowing what to expect and how fun the first half was. Now, some resolutions, 12 in fact, because it will be 2012, and I think it's fun to have the number of resolutions of what year it is:

1. To Exercise, and bike and run and walk the dogs, a little more, and eat better food.
2. To be nicer to my sister Rebecca
3. To write some blogs that are different than the regular ones about our days, for example about the art of homeschooling
4. To put all our movies we've made on YouTube, I really got to get on top of that
5.To call and email and phone more people I haven't kept in touch with a lot, and to have good conversations with them
6.  Watch T.V. less and do more productive things
7. To play more of my guitar, I haven't played so much as I want to
8. To read more of the Bible, I am in Matthew and want to finish to Revelations
9. To go to church more, to try different denominations and stuff
10. To focus more of my time on writing a story or two, to incorporate our adventures into fiction
11. While in Middle School, in 7th grade (which I'll be in after August) to be kind and humble and not talk about the trip so much, to not judge people and to not become a bully
12. To thank God for what I have, and be grateful and a joy to have as a companion, to not be a bother to people

Well, there you have it folks. Now to the blog.


Early in the morning four days ago we got up and got ready to leave, and got the National Geographic Book. I started a book called Redwall, and it was very good and had a nice plot. We drove over in the Chrysler 300 to Buckhead, seeing all the big pretty buildings and city life. We were going to bake in the deals of the Christmas sales, to catch them before it was too late. On the way over I played a game on my phone, a game where they show you a flag and you guess what country it was. Well, it was hard earlier in my life, but on the drive over I found a part of the Geographic book that had all the world's flag's in there, and the countries that go with it. I beat the game. It was very fun. I also read a little of Redwall. We came into the parking garage of some big mall called Phipps or something, and walked in. It was a big huge mall with many stores and shops, most of them clothing related. There was a lot of people as we went through the first store, trying on numerous leather jackets. I liked one of them, a sleek but bulky and good one. Dad and Mom wanted to get one for me. We put the jacket on hold, with an African American lady named Pam. She was nice. We then went on. We went into Belk after going up escalators and such, trying on different pants, jeans, and khakis. Rebecca and Mom stayed together as Dad and I went and got the leather jacket back. It wasn't much fun. I read the Redwall book as I reluctantly tried on the clothes. Dad and I then sat down at a table as he took a nap. The girls joined us and we went outside. I don't want to describe it a lot. It wasn't very interesting. I speak truth when I say that.

We ate at Smash Mouth, a hamburger joint, and it was very sizzling and beefy. Then we went home, and relaxed for a long time, watching T.V. and reading. It was an okay day. Not the best but okay. We got some good clothing.

I don't like shopping,

Andrew.

Christmas Day

Christmas. The very word means charity, good will, love, and the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is a time to be with family, to do good to others, and to celebrate the very special birth. It really is the best time of the year, on many levels and in many ways. To some people though, it means stress, the overwhelming amount of getting presents, and gifts, prices, budgets, making sure kids believe in Santa, and so much to do, do, do! That's really sad, that that is the definition of Jesus' birth day. When you just pause and take a breath, and realize the truth, it can really be enlightening and yet simple. To enjoy jubilation, celebration, to the Lord. To sing, and have a good time with the family. To read the Bible, do good will, and go to church. That's what Christmas, in my opinion, should mean.

Christmas is a great time though. All the basic traditions are fun to do. For the older folk, it's talking to children and reading a story to them. For the adults, it's having some drinks with all the family friends, and getting that really special drill you wanted, or the red velvet purse from Nordstroms, and being thankful for what you have. For the kids, it's getting the presents and sitting on Santa's lap. But, it should also be for them to know the true meaning of Christmas, something not all children realize. Hey, even the teenagers have a good tradition they like. The mistletoe. And you know what I mean when I say that.

Our Christmas was a very wonderful day. I went to sleep on Christmas Eve with sugarplums in my head, and was also very tired and didn't feel the best though. I had a hurting head and aching ears, not to mention cramps from the parties and a weird stomach hurting. On Christmas Day though, I woke up at 2'o'clock something, and looked around in the quiet dark bedroom, hearing the ticking of the clock and the howling of the owl. I slowly got up and crept into Rebecca's room, not exactly to wake her up but to see what she was doing. I was surprised to see her awake. We both said Merry Christmas as she explained she accidentally made her phone do an alarm at two. We both went upstairs in the dead of night, and saw our sleeping parents. Gently we woke them up and said Merry Christmas to them. They were both very tired, and told us to go back downstairs and continue to sleep. And so sleep I did. As I had a weird dream, I was awoken by Rebecca, who set her alarm at 6:00, and had a wacky idea to wake up the parents and then call Julie and Lauren, for them to come earlier. Reluctantly I got up and went into Mom and Dad's room. Surprisingly Dad was watching a crime show and Mom reading. This time they gave us a better "Merry Christmas" than before. We waited as I got water and lay on the couch; my throat was sore, my head hurting, my ears aching, and my nose stuffy. It was terrible. At intervals I read the Bible, played on my phone, and slept on Mom's side of the bed. I drifted into and out of conciseness. I thought about the day, and did take a shower to unstuff my nose. The funny thing is, after doing that I put on my PJ's, pretending I never took a shower. Before I knew it I was awake, I felt good, but bored. And you rarely see me bored.

It was 7:51, and we waited for the arrival of Julie and Lauren. Lauren had said 8:30 was the time of her coming, and Julie said 8:00. Both kept their agreements. Julie came up and talked to us as we wished each other M.C. (Merry Christmas; I'll be calling it that from now on) and talked for a while before it became 8:20. I was excited to go into the den and see the presents; yes, I admit I was excited. But it didn't matter to me as much as it should've. I didn't want anything particularly for Christmas, didn't have any special wishes or gifts I wanted. I really wanted world peace, but you have to get real on the wishes. Anyway, I knew I was going to get SOMETHING, and I had a few things that would be cool to have, but I wasn't really excited about anything in particular. As I heard Lauren coming up the steps and heard her say,"Merry Christmas!" I looked down to see her coming up the steep stairs. Both my older sisters were dressed in pretty good clothing, and as we sat on the stairs in a good formation Dad took a picture. Then Mom said the magic words. Go on in! And run we did.

The Christmas Tree sparkled with it's exquisite lights and decorations, the sun shining through the window of the room. I saw on what we call the Lollipop chair (an orange chair with the top going back in a twisty cylinder like a lollipop) all my stuff, among them two Lego boxes and packets, underwear, socks, and t-shirts (I was in need of those), on the Lollipop part a nice blue hoody with gloves, a yellow box from National Geographic called an Adventure Projector, microscopic slides (we have a microscope, there is slides with stuff on them you can look at) and many books, among them a National Geographic Almanac, a DK big book called Ask Me Everything, two Sherlock Holmes Novels, and the book the Matt guy at the bookstore recommended, Redwall. For numerous minutes I went through the stuff, thanking my parents for the gift they gave me. The Ask Me Everything book was very interesting, and the almanac was cool to look at also. As we all sat down and looked over the stuff, I saw that Rebecca got a barbie R.V., among other things. Rebecca passed out gifts to the older people, and the person who got them the gift stood over them. In no particular order of when they were received here is what people got:

I gave the thing I got from Gifted to Julie, and she saw they were pictures of different things in life, that made the word Julie. A horseshoe for you, a white line in the road for i, and so on. I got Julie also a little swan ornament, and she liked both the gifts. For Lauren I got a pink dog mat with bones on it, and I also got a pretty picture frame from Gifted. The dog mat was from Mrs. Nelson's, Sylvia's mom's, antique store. We watched with giddiness as Lauren also opened a special gift, a new phone! She loved it, and set it up for the rest of the day, making her contacts and such. It was a Metro PCS. She also got a leaf blower. And some cords. I loved looking at Dad as he opened the presents from me: two skinny wooden white colored blanks with the words "Quiet Please" on them, from a Lady Michelob Golf Tournament. When a golfer was about to swing, they would hold them up to silence the crowd. The cool thing about those was that Dad had photographed one of the games, and he had been scolded for taking pictures at the wrong moment and in the lady's face, and for having the wrong attire on. A man threatened him for doing that. So, him having those things is both a thing that he has a story attached to it, and if we're loud he can hold it up instead of screaming. Two uses for it.

I gave Dad also a painting of hot air balloons (he loves those things) and a book about the story of Google (from Antique Market on Canton Street). What my dad and I do is he reads a book about a company or business, and then I read it, or vise versus. I read the Home Depot book and then he did. He read the Four Laws and now I am. It's a fun thing we do. From Rebecca he got signs that said: "We try to keep it American Made" and one saying "American Made". Rebecca got Julie a nativity set and got necklaces for them both, plus a coaster for Lauren. I got Rebecca a Ken Doll from the Antique Market on Canton Street, and a painting of a dog that looks like Rocky. From Rebecca I got a Pirates of the Caribbean movie, the fourth called On Stranger Tides. I really had wanted to see that movie and so it was cool to get it. She also got me a Captain America Action Figure. From Julie I got three nutcrackers, a cowboy, pirate, and drummer boy. They were short but cool. I like them. From Lauren I got a $30 dollar gift card from Barnes and Noble. It was cool to just relax and open presents, to look at the gifts and to see the person's expression when they recieve your gift. It was really a fun time. This year I liked receiving a lot more than giving. I really did.

Well, Ma Poc and Pop came at about 10:00, and at that time Lauren was on her new phone, I was in the A.M.E. (Ask Me Everything), Rebecca doing the Barbie R.V., and Julie and Mom downstairs making the finishing touches on breakfast. I talked to Ma Poc a little as I put the "Conflict of the Ages" DVD, on the computer. It was the actual pages just on a screen. Pretty cool. I haven't read any of it yet, but I plan to. I also talked to Pop. Vincent came, and he met the grandparents. I showed with the A.M.E. book, and he was very interested in it also. We looked at some cool pages, learning about the movie business, and myths. We all then went downstairs and ate at the dining room table, and got grits and eggs and other things, plus grapefruit and toast. We all ate together and talked of different things, Christmas traditions, old times, and people we knew. It was very warm and good. After staying there for a while and talking some more, and then we went back upstairs and messed with our stuff for a while. That was a good meal, and I enjoyed the time. Later Julie and Lauren opened a few presents, some that I have mentioned earlier.

We settled down and did things of different sorts, playing and looking at our presents. At about noon Lauren and Vincent left to go keep company with Vincent's mom, and Pop and Ma Poc read the newspaper and we helped Pop figure out his iPad. Miguel came around as my grandparents prepared to leave. They stayed for one more meal with Miguel, and we ate some good turkey brown rice chili. It was great. Well after that Ma Poc and Pop left, and we all kind of went into the basement and watched the Animated "A Christmas Carol" with Jim Carey. I brought down the book I had read the following day, and it was fun to have it fresh in my head and read along. The movie had wonderful special effects, and changed the parts around a little to make it new and cool, but it was good nevertheless. We had the room dark and Dad went to sleep, and then Julie and Miguel left. For the rest of the day we hung around, and then went to bed.

It was a great day. Christmas was the best day of the year. I had a great time with family and loved the time I had with them. I liked also celebrating Jesus Christ's birth. I hope you had a good Christmas too. Goodbye...for now.

"Bah Humbug!"- Ebenezer Scrooge.,

Andrew.

Christmas Eve: Grandparents and Church Service

'Twas the eve before Christmas, and all through the house

Nobody was there, except for our dogs and a dead mouse

The peoples all gone, to my grandparents home

In hopes that it would be a good place to roam

The children were coming, all cluttered in their cars

While visions of presents to get swirled in their heads.

While Rebecca in her good dress, and I in my best shirt from a afar.

Had just arrived at the grandparents, them wed.

When out in the sky the sky bloomed free and blue

I looked outside too.

Away to the door I ran like a flash

As I heard cars coming up, as fast as a rash.

The sun on the breast of the fresh grown plants

Gave the looking of photosynthesis to people who rant.

When what to my wondering eyes should I see

But four big wheels, and kids getting out, of an SUV.

With a strong black haired driver, so nice and kindly

I knew in a moment it must be Uncle Andy.

More rapid than reindeer his children they came.

And I said hi to them, and shouted, and knew them by name!

There was Will, and May too, and Libby the oldest.

and when the Greg clan came there was the rest:

Brian, Barrett, and Rachel too!

Now dash away, dash away, dash away to school!

As grown ups came before that mass swirl of kids

When they couldn't get in, they got rid.

So into the living room the children all came

With their hands full of presents for Pop on his b-day.

And then in a short moment, I heard in the kitchen

The steaming and making of each little food.

As I looked in there sneakily, and was going to go walk.

From his room my granddad came, his name is Pop!

He was dressed all in khaki and wool, from his head to his foot.

And his clothes were all tarnished with slogans and he had in his pockets loot.

A book in his hand he had got from his room

And he wanted to read it, just do it when there's a moon

His eyes how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses! his nose like a cherry!

His deep clear voice was doing a wonderful flow.

And the top of his hair was as white as the snow

The part of a chocolate he held chewing in his mouth

And the sound it encircled is really was owww.

He had a round face and a very tall figure

That looked down on me, a perfect lure.

He was handsome and tall,

a right wonderful man

And I talked to him when I saw him, as long as the land.

Some talk of his voice, and a story to tell,

soon gave me to know it was as sweet as sleep in a bed.

He spoke so many words, then gave me a moral,

And made some of the food, then turned away like he was royal

And laying a hand aside of the remote

to the channels he went, as I wrote!

He laid back in his chair, to his cider gave a drink,

And so he closed his eyes as quickly as opening a link.

But I heard him say, before he went to sleep as he might.

"Merry Christmas you, and you have a good night!"

Ok, so I wanted to tell about us getting to the grandparent's house in a poem, but it was harder and longer than I thought. Some parts might not of made sense, so I'm sorry if you're in the dark. But anyway, we arrived at the house, where the Greg clan, and the Andy Clan, also the Mom clan (us) were all there. Ma Poc and Pop (the guy who said the Merry Christmas) had made some of the food, but other people helped. Right, about him going to sleep and eating chocolate, he may have done that, but I only said that to make stuff rhyme and make sense. I just wanted to say it in the famous "Twas the night Before Christmas" poem way, and I did, more or less. It was kind of fun. Anyway, so now I will tell you more. A lot of people took pictures by the tree, making memories. The younger kids including Barrett, who is 18 and has red hair and is tall and deep voiced, all went outside and placed soccer. I was the goalie, and I blocked some shots as well as took one, Rebecca, May and Barrett being on a team. Libby and Will were on mine, and helped out a lot, but Barrett got between my legs. I got dirty on my kakai pants at one point, doing a bad thing since my mom warned me not too. Oh well. We continued playing in the hot sunny atmosphere. I was so excited that tomorrow was Christmas Day, and was enjoying the time. Surely, tomorrow, it would be a sunny day, Christmas, would be sunny also. Surely so. What else would it be?

I went inside and talked to Rachel, Greg's daughter, who I hadn't seen since we left. She has black hair and is in her 20's, I believe. I talked to her about the trip around the world she went on, and what she's majoring in, cultural studies and global policies. It was interesting. She didn't know what country she was focusing on, but she thought she would do the middle east countries. She's so nice and good to talk to. I also talked to Barret about rock climbing, his hobby, and talked to Brian, a tall brown haired guy who is the son of Uncle Greg and Aunt Beth, about him doing business as a major in college. I saw Aunt Beth, who is a small thin lady with short hair, and I gave her that missing trinket from the day when we went to Lunch with Uncle Greg, when Nora, a lady at a store, forgot to give it to us. She liked the thing, it saying "Wishing you Joy" and being a gold rectangle with a bracelet thing that makes it hang. I talked to her also about books, and middle school, and a little bit about the trip and how it's been. Later I asked Pop about how it was to be in the air force, and he told me about boot camp and flying a plane once, that he had glasses so he had to do personnel stuff instead of flying. In his office in a little box he presented to me his dog tags, and they were silver and plain with smooth metal and parts where they were chipped off, two of them. He also showed me little button awards and gold plates, that were a specific rank and title. He told me he had two because if you get killed they leave one with you to identify with, and they take one because they want to remember who you are and your rank. Well, I'm glad he never had to use his two dog tags for that. Really glad.

It was cool to see them though. Still later, after going to the restroom, I saw Dad and MaPoc talking in her office. I joined in, and learned that she had in her hand a little green book with the title on it The Conflict of the Ages. She talked about how her great grandfather Christian Longstretch Poorman was a printer, scholar, and many other things, and that the book was written in 1907, the one she held in her hands. It was crazy to fathom it had survived that long. The book was about the great conflict between God and Money, and all through history it was examined. The cool thing was everything he said still applies for today, that, it was still relevant. Even though more than a hundred years ago, the book still applied for today. I think that's pretty cool. I wanted to look at that very interesting book, and I did, in another part to the story.... Anyway, I played outside some more, laughing with the Andy clan and deflecting shots, but trying not to get dirty. "HEY, WE'RE DOING THE BLESSING! COME ON IN!" someone shouted. I forget who it was. We all went inside, tired and thirsty, also hungry. Every person there crowded around the dining room table as Pop said a prayer, talking of the food, us being grateful for everything in the year, and that we were home for Christmas, and that we were all together ready to celebrate Jesus's birth and glorify him. We also prayed that the Jeff clan would be alright, as they were in Texas for Christmas. I was sad they weren't there but glad they were having fun. I looked around the table, seeing Pop, MaPoc, Greg, Aunt Beth, Brian, Rachel, Barret, Uncle Andy, Aunt Lia, Libby, May, Will, Mom, Dad, Rebecca, and then I looked at myself. It was cool to see most everybody together and to have that good time with my family. I will cherish it for time to come.

We were served food! In the little kitchen I got an interesting orange thing that tasted good and some lasagna. For some odd reason, I keep having that food at places. There was also salad and hot cider. I sat at the table where most of the old guys sat, the guy adults. Their conversations were not interesting to a kid. I tried to move where all of the younger people sat, in the living room talking of cool things, but Dad stayed me and said I should sit here, that I would have a better meal on a flat surface like a table, not in my lap. Reluctantly I stayed 'til I finished. But then, sadly, I got a headache. I tried to stay still and sat down on the couch by Aunt Beth as my fellow kids kept asking if I could go outside. I was unstable to do so. I had an Advil though and felt better. At that time everyone had finished eating and we all got seats as Pop opened his presents, as his birthday is on December 24th, Christmas Eve. That can be a good and bad thing. Anyway, he got mostly shirts and jackets and things from the Andy and Greg clan. They were cool. What did our clan get him? Well, we had gotten him an iPad and had already put all his contacts and account settings in, and gave it to him earlier in the day. We showed him some of the nooks and crannies of the device. We didn't want to show it to him then because it would be so late in the visit and... well it was just better to do it now. He liked all his presents.

Okay, I must admit something. I have said things in the wrong order. You know how I talked about seeing the dog tags and Poorman book? That was before everyone arrived, when we were there with them at 10 and 11. I forgot. How about talking to Aunt Beth? That was when I had a headache. I'm sorry. I forgot.

Rebecca spoke her bible verse she was to do later at the church service, Luke 2:8-16, the shepherd verse. It was very clear, slow, and good. Her diction was profound. After that each of the kids (Barret, Rachel, Brian included) were given a little brown box with a see through green and red bow, that had a silver circle inscription below it. With difficulty I opened it, and everybody opened it and had seen their presents before I did. Pop helped me to open it, and then I took off the bow and opened the box. Inside was a decorated in green and red printed letter, with my name at the top. MaPoc wrote it, and it was about how the year was full of trials and tragedy and many different things, explaining that the book was written by C. L. Poorman, and that she scanned it on to a DVD. It goes into a computer, and you can read the original pages like that or print it out. It was really cool, me wanting to read it. I was really excited to read it. It was in a CD case, and had green background and gold words, and many swirls. Also in there was rolled up money, forty dollars. I thanked my kind grandparents a lot, a lot. That was very nice of them.Will and Pop read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" together, switching off. Will did a great job all in all. Such a cute little guy. After that we had dessert from a big brown tall chocolate cake, and people left except us.We wished them Merry Christmas. I read a little kids book called "The Littlest Shepherd" about a little shepherd who witnesses the birth of Jesus. Also one we got at Nashville, combing Santa and Jesus into a story. I read the bible and we left to go to home and then to church, where we would listen to a service, in which Rebecca was a part in. We left their house, going to see them tomorrow. We left at 3:45.

Well, we drove home and went to the restroom and got water and such; Dad stayed in the car and took a nap in the front seat. Rebecca got ready for her speaking part that was going to happen. We then drove to our church. It had take us a long time, as it was 4:45 when we got home and 5:00 when we left. We got there at 5:15, 15 minutes early. Dad and I dropped Rebecca and Mom off and they ran up the steps to the sanctuary. We parked the car and looked around to find a parking spot. It was so crowded, the church being big and it being Christmas Eve. Then Dad finished his drink and we went inside. It was very very crowded in the lobby as Dad went to the restroom and I looked at the paintings of the apostles they have there. Then we went into the sanctuary, seeing the countless people sitting and talking. Thousands of people all right there in that place, all conversing and having different conversations, all the moving heads, all the minds in the very room, in the pews, on the stage, in the balcony, outside in the lobby, all coming together to celebrate Christ's birth and praise his name! It was a great and wondrous sight to put eyes upon. I couldn't believe it. With Dad we saw Mom waving to us in the middle of the pew, and we passed a lady with blonde hair who Mom talked to later in the night. I sat between my two parents as Mom told me Rebecca sat in another place, by her fellow speakers. Then I read a little of my Bible I brought until the prelude started, soft and steady organ music. The service... had begun.

They went through the whole Christmas story, with the verses spoken from various books, Matthew, Luke, John included. They paused for lighting the advent candle, Dr. Mike Long talking about the preachers in Kenya who need money to get their textbooks, and good songs like "Joy to the World" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing". It went from the decree sent out, to Gabriel visiting Mary, to them going to Bethlehem and settling down in the manger. Next Rebecca came up to the mike, and Pastor Long adjusted it to her size. She did the verse just as good as at Pop and MaPoc's house, and I'm very proud of her. Next a girl named Jessica did the wise men part, and an old lady named Cookie did the end. She's one of the best speakers I know. She took me under her wing when I did the verse one year, and so it was cool to see her again. There was "Silent Night" and "Oh little town of Bethlehem" that was played. It ended with the song, "Go tell on the Mountain". But that wasn't the real end. Then ushers lit the lights of the choir, and everyone on stage got their candles lit too. Then they went down the rows, continually lighting it. The last year, I had held it and then got burned, dropping it into another person's pew. They were alarmed but a nice black haired guy smiled and handed it back. The year before I also burned myself, but didn't make that much of a scene. This year as the lights of the room dimmed and the lights from the candles were being lit, I wanted to not burn myself this year. Would I be just as unsuccessful, or would I prevail? I was about to find out.

Mom gave me the light, balancing it into mine, the fire burning as it hit the speck. It was surrounded by a circular plastic, so I thought I was pretty safe. I held it with both hands as we did a good, everlasting prayer about keeping the light alive even in the darkness of life, of remembering this moment, that "light" as Dr./Paster Long said, "God's light, will prevail over all darkness." "Now, before you throw these candles away, just look at this image for a second, and remember this whenever you are in need or don't know where to look, because God is your place of refuge." I looked around, at the millions(it seemed) of lights in the room, the small dots of yellow in one large group, all of the people just silent, cherishing the moment. It was really great to go to church on Christmas Eve, to be with my family and to be able to celebrate the birth of our Lord with all of our church family. I loved that moment of the day the most, I think. Not getting presents the following day, or doing fun things on our break from traveling would equal that moment. It was special, serene, and everlasting. But simple, yet steadfast and strong. That moment, was I think the best part of the day. Long did a great sermon on that note. It wasn't just talking about celebrating that very special birth, it was something else too. Overcoming darkness with Jesus's light. That light, is faith. The Christian Faith.

Well, the lights came back on as we blew out the candles, and Rebecca came to our pew. I congratulated her at her awesome job. She really did great. I am also glad I didn't get burned this year. Sad, too, it would've made for a good story. Oh well. We deposited the candles, went down the stairs of the lobby and got outside. Well, Mom, Dad and Rebecca did. I talked to my old babysitters, Laura and Stephanie. They are both brown haired, young adults. They're nice. I said hello to them before I went to the restroom, and then when done I went outside. We talked with the two sitters for a while in the moonlight before going home. I said a silent prayer in the car when everyone else had gone in. Then, I went inside. Mom made food for the following day with Rebecca as I watched It's a Wonderful Life with Dad. Such a wonderful (see what I did there?) movie. I'm sure you know the plot. Everyone does. Anyway, we watched all but the end, it ending at 10:00. I left Dad's office at 9:26, as asleep and and my head hurting as an epidemic victim. Dad tucked me in as I drifted off to sleep. I was excited for the following day, Christmas Day, the best of all days. It was to be fun, a good time with family, and a relaxing time. But, that's another blog, isn't it? Goodbye for now.

Go tell it on the blog post! Over the websites and everywhere! Go tell it on the blog post, that Jesus Christ is born!,

Andrew.

Bourne Family Christmas Party

Well, on the 23rd of December we cleaned up and made food for the party that was to take place later that day, with all of the Bourne's, just the Bourne's, none of the half cousins as we allowed to stay at Dean's. I woke up as Valerie and Gutto cleaned, and I took a shower on the top level before they cleaned that part. It was weird, them being there as we dressed and showered. Kind of weird. Less weird than mechanics repairing our R.V. though. While we showered. That was weirder. Not as weird as when a random truck guy wanted to see the inside of our R.V., and he looked at everything while we ate pasties. We barely knew him. Yeah, I've had a lot of weird experiences with people in my houses or R.V.'s. But anyway, it was weird.

Zach called me again, like he did while I was at the party the night before. He asked if I could come over, and I gave my mom the phone as she agreed. Dad and I drove over in a sports car, talking about some things. I was excited to go, to miss all the boringness of waiting for the people to come. I like doing it, but I also hate it too. It's complex. We drove over, and came in their neighborhood as I told Dad when to go right or left, over hills or down them, past houses and into streets, stuff like that. We came to their house on the block, and Dad drove off after I went up by the door and was led in by Zach, my friend. We went up the stairs to his room and he talked about a thing called a Bey-Blade, and we got some sticks together, and fake weapons. A bat, a fake sword, a fake nerf gun, and some others. Then we went outside and played to our hearts content, jumping on rocks and fighting air in his forest, also running on the front side and doing a whole episode. It was awesomely fun. Hours past as they felt like minutes, and we ran around, fought dragons, loons, jumped on trains, did some cool things in a battle and saved the world. We used the weapons hard. It was a good plot too. Well, pretty soon we got really tired and had some drinks, collecting my stuff. I got my fake phone I lost, and some other things I picked up too. Dad came. Mr. Howell and him talked a little before we drove off after a great play-date. From there we went to a Chick-Fil-A, and I waited in the car for like 20 minutes while Dad stood in line to get a Chicken Nugget Plate that was to be huge, for the party. It was like 4:50 then, and we had to get home before 5 when people would come. The nugget were on my knees as we drove to the house. They were so hot, and I now know what it feels like to have your pants on fire. We crept and parked in the grassed area by the trailers and trash cans, and I was very dirty from Zach's house. Our plan was for Dad to go inside the regular way, and for me to go through the woods around and go to the parents bedroom, to go downstairs and get some clothes, and to creep back upstairs and take a shower. I got out of the car, and entered the way into the long covered forest.

It didn't exactly work the way we planned. Deanna and her family came, but I got in the forest, basically hidden passing by the pool and grass. I went to the top of the uphill woods, then going down and getting on a deck and going by a door which opened in the den. After that I went up the stairs to the patio and door for the parents bedroom, watching over the pool, swings and deck. I looked through the see-through door and saw the bedroom, and turned the nob. It didn't open. I tried it again. No open. I was inwardly screaming. I went downstairs to the door going to the den, and opened it up, hoping that maybe no one would be sitting in the ultra comfortable room of our house, where there's a lot of chairs and places to sit. Blade sat in the spinning chair of my computer desktop. Rebecca, Nathan and the four toddler cousins were all on the floor. Dean, Danielle, and Jennifer were seated about the room. Mom was by the round table in an old comfortable chair. It was an awkward moment. They said hello, but for the most part they were cold, because I wasn't even there when they arrived. They thought me tacky, and kind of weird. I saw Miguel and Vincent also in there. Stares were exchanged. Inwardly, I hit myself in the face.

Mom said I didn't need to take a shower, I should just dress into something else. I went and got in the outfit I had worn before, it being miraculously clean. Jeans and a blue shirt with Navy Pier on it, something I got from Chicago. I then stayed around a little, and talked to Miguel, Julie's boyfriend. He has red/orange hair, a beard and is kind of pale. He's nice, and funny too. He likes history and books, and also he is in his 25-30's age range. He has a kid named Michael. I said hello to the eight year old fun kid. Vincent, Lauren's boyfriend, sat by Miguel in a chair by the fireplace. He was deep in his iPad, although he did say hi. I went downstairs after talking with those people a little, and saw Daniel and Joshua, and took pictures for them. They were bad though. I looked in boredness at Julie and Mom making dinner, and went around to see Blue, Jeff, and some other guys in Dad's office talking. I went downstairs and saw Nathan and Rebecca playing wii, I talked to Michael a little and played with Emily, Emma, Phillip and James, them running around the house after our dogs and also playing barbies. It got annoying, but worth it.

After that people got served up, and I ate at the dining table with Vincent at the far end and Lauren by him. Still on iPad. I moved my lips silently and said with moving them to Lauren, "Is he gonna do that the whole time?" She smiled and said I was beyond my years. While I'm on this subject, let me describe Vincent. Blue eyes, kind of bald, thin and nice sometimes, but at other times a smart alack and tries to leave you speechless, to beat you in a game. At one point we were talking about Mark Twain and I brought down by 8 book collection, and told a little about each one. And then he said I didn't say anything about them, even though I did. He probably wasn't even paying attention. Now, he can be nice and I'm happy for Lauren if she's happy. He is just interesting. Don't get me wrong, he's nice, smart, and tells good stories, it's just sometimes he can be....well, don't get me started. I'm changing the subject.

Well, the party was fun as we talked of different things and played with the kids, and when everybody left I was both exhausted but sad the fun was over. We then went to bed. It was a good day. I summed it up a little too briefly, but I am tired. I admit it. Well, goodnight.

My nostrils are talking to me!,

Andrew.

School Friends Party at the Red Door Playhouse

Well, I am seemed to be six blogs behind. On the 22nd I finished the Ulta one, and so I didn't have to blog that day. Then the next we were really busy and had yet ANOTHER party, and so I was so tired at the end of the day I didn't blog. Of course the next day was Christmas Eve, and who does optional work on Christmas Eve? I thought it highly pardonable, stating that probably no one would be reading it on that span of time, as it is the Christmas Season, and so I didn't write. It was a time to be with family, to relax, to celebrate Jesus's birth. Now, of course I didn't do it the next day either.The day after that I was lazy and we went shopping. No blog.The day after that, too busy. The only consquence of not writing for the six days is that some people have to wait for the next addition, and that I have to write four blogs in a day or two. Well, let's get started, and wish me luck! (Oh, and I hope you had a MERRY CHRISTMAS! I certainly did.)

Long before the party, in the hours of the morning and afternoon, all we did was cook, clean, and get ready the house for the party that was to happen on the NEXT day, where the Bourne Family would come to our house. Brought clothes up and down, made beds, got the drinks ready to get to the RDPH, none of this would seem interesting to you adventure readers, would it? Well, I'll come straight to the part where we drove in the pouring down rain in the suburban and one of Dad's black sports cars. We parked down in the parking lot, and jogged up the walkway with the boxes of soft drinks. The rain came down like the machine guns or the shrapnel in WWII, and hit upon us, trying clearly to get our attention. They competed for it, the little raindrops did, hitting each other of the shoulders or slamming themselves into other drops, in midair. Little rascals. I had a hoody on, and Mom a big bulky jacket, and Dad one with a fedora, and Rebecca with.... well, I don't remember what she had on. Oh well. Anyway, we went inside as we came in with the pop and a little bit of beer for the grownups coming.

We were soaked, on the outside, but we were to be spared better than later guests we would see. Seth and Leah had nice decorations and paper snowflakes on the ceiling, also clearing off the whole counter for the food to get on. Dad pulled up with his car and he and I made numerous trips in the rain getting stuff up. We put all the stuff in their small fridge as I took out a big present, that thing I had gotten at the Antique Market on Canton. The Charlie Chaplin book. At a break in all the go-go, I handed it to him by the sound equipment behind the balcony where the stools are with the couch. He opened it up and was very excited, flipping through the pages and explaining how instead of pulling up a lot of movies from Chaplin on the net (as he did while I was in the class; that's how I learned of his love of Chaplin), he could show him all the pictures in there. He put it on display on a large desk on the way going down from the stairwell. He said he had a present for me from video-taping all those three plays. But just then, Dave Fast, a big guy with a goatee and a Packers hat who owns Phish Food and was going to cater to us came in. I never learned the secret destination of the gift. Would I forget and never receive it, or would I find this very mysterious object? Only time, would tell.

When Mr. Fast, our caterer, asked Seth what was the quickest parking spot which would be the closest to the playhouse, Seth and Leah said it was okay for people to come upon the area of red brick sidewalk and grass, right in front of the playhouse. I didn't get to see him pull up, but I did see the truck there, him taking stuff out of the trunk. Metal plates, flame heaters, and slates, and square bowl things that lasagna, Cesar, and garlic rolls got put into their places. Mr. Dave Fast did that very FAST, if you will. I'm sorry I just had to say that. I had too. Anyway, quickly the tables and benches and chairs were all ready, the food all hot and steaming, and our clothes were dry. As I stood idly upstairs, Lauren Lerma and her daughter Lisney arrived, which big jackets on and an umbrella. Mrs. Lerma talked to Mom as Lisnny went down stairs to keep balloons in the air. Keely came into the building from the upstairs way, and Henry and his family from the bottom part. I told her that her friend was there and she told me Henry was there. We switched friends. I welcomed my friend and his family, and they put away their coats. Henry joined in that balloon thing. One by one friends came, Sara, Alyssa, Jason, and Austin. The Goodloe's came, and were soaking wet, as they didn't bring coats or jackets. Ryan, Mrs. Goodloe's son with blonde hair and being in fifth grade, had a blue and red t-shirt (imagine) with water in his hair, clothes, shoes, and even in his eyes. He looked like a guy who didn't get into the ark before the flood came. Really. I'm serious.

People started arriving not by one by one now, The Gould's, The Singer's (check Sylvia, Jason and Sara Shelton, and the Singer's blog post) and even the Andy Clan, without Andy at first though because he had to work. They came by families, a few families at a time. Libby, May and Will seemed thunderstruck at all the wild kids playing with the balloons and fighting to get them, and stayed in one place idly for a while. They didn't really know anyone here except for us, and so they didn't know what to do. Furthermore, Will got a cold from the rain and sat down for a while, sick. They thought they would leave then and there. But Will still wanted to try to stay for a little, and so they did. Henry, Sara and Alyssa stayed with each other mostly, talking and playing. Then Mary Beth arrived. Brown hair, kind of short, wild but nice too. I hadn't seen her for 6 months, although she didn't exactly say anything the first time she saw me. We then said hello. But it was awkward. Ryan hung with those four as they annoyingly texted on their phones sometimes. I went upstairs and hung with the parents a tiny bit, seeing the different parents and talking of different things. I went back downstairs and saw Austin and Jason talked in a corner, together. A lot of Rebecca's friends got all fine with each other, and most of them played with the balloons. You couldn't take it away from them. They loved it so much. Running, keeping them in the air, fighting with them, it was Heaven to the 9 year olds.

About this time, the Poje's came and Elise and Julia joined Rebecca's group. I hung around with Weston a little, but I went everywhere making sure everyone was content. Mom says that's how you be a good host. Will got better when he ate, and Libby also got to talk to some people. Westin met with Sara Singer and they talked; they were in the same preschool class and so they talked of old times and weird friends they knew. I'm glad Westin had somebody to talk to. It was good. As I was doing something, Seth asked me if I wanted to do a blessing before everyone got their food. Well, he didn't exactly ASK me, it was more saying Mom wanted me to. I was pulled into it, but I'm glad I did it. In the sound booth from a microphone I did a small, but sufficient, prayer about thanking everyone was here and for the food. And then everyone was served up, but some of the sixth graders (sara, alyssa, henry, mary beth) didn't get food yet. They were on their phones (save Henry), not even socializing except for a little. What has this world come to? Really what has it come to? People will have friends they haven't even met but know on texting. There will be no reason to go out to lunch with a friend, you can just face-time him with the push of a button, in the comfort of your home. Don't think I'll go to work today, I can do everything in my office of my house. Robot, walk the dog. Robot, clean the house. Computer, read a book to me. Don't need to exercise, I can just trim off all of the body fat by a special new device. Hmmmmm..... I need to tell my daughter something, instead of going down and telling her, I will send her an email that will speak out of her phone. No need to tell my wife I'm going to work, no need to even talk to any of my family today, I can write it all on tiny keys of a computer or phone, and socializing is no longer needed! Computer, crank up the car, teleport me in, my leg is asleep. Robot, pour me a glass of coffee, my arm is tired. Is this where the world is going to? Let's hope not. Next time at a party, talk to people. Please do. Please.

Changing the subject, people were served as they went in the buffet line, most of Rebecca's friends sat at a big long table with benches on either side. The 6th graders still didn't come, but I was hungry so I sat by one of Rebecca's friends sisters. And oh did she burp. And fart. And breath. And burp. And fart. Burp. Fart. Burp. Fart. It went on and on. I scooted away. Westin came down and I sat next to him, and we talked about some stuff, like a book I read and he's reading, some other things too. I ate a good thing Fast made, a chocolate berry cake thing. Very good actually, although the words probably make some people go away. After eating I went down and talked and hung out and talked and hung out(it's not cool anymore for a 6th grader to say play, although that's what we did, with those balloons.) As people finished their meals, Seth said in 15 minutes the improv show, the entertainment, would begin. I had to answer a lot of people's questions what improv was, saying to them, "It's where people on the stage act out a skit from the audience's suggestions, and we'll do improv games and fun things like that." Libby and her siblings were ready to leave, but wanted to see the show too. They kept asking when it was gonna be, when, when, when! By this time everyone got into the seats, Rebecca's friends on the left side on like the second and third row, and mine all along the back. I sat with the phone four, Westin with me, also Austin and Jason, and Ryan, our parasite. 10 minutes 'til show. All the adults on the right side of the chairs, saying embarrassing things about their over self conscious 6th graders, or pre- teens. The actual 6th graders call themselves tweens, as in twelve. Their were more than 60 people there, all the people swarming into those chairs and on the balcony, it was crazy. 5 minutes 'til show. More explaining. 3 minutes. 2 min. 1. Seth comes on stage with a spinny wheel with words on it. It's kind of little. Then he said that people will come from the audience and spin the wheel, then it will land on something, Seth will explain the game, and pick the people for it, from the crowd. One of Rebecca's friends spun. The game was Props. Leah and an actor at the playhouse named Crystine did an example, the game being two on two, using a prop from a bag and making a scene out of it. Kristin, Rebecca's friend, got on one team and Samantha on the other. Leah's team got a big tube cylinder thing, and Crystine's team got some thermometer. They were more creative, as they had a smaller less easy thing. They won, although Seth said it was a tie, because they were littler kids. The games continued.

I can't tell you EVERY single one, but I will broach you on the highlights. Right after the props game Seth asked Rebecca and I to come down and do "This is a Pen" the world's shortest play. Seth has taught it in classes, thousands of times, and we asked him if we could do it. We got on stage, and were handed a big pen. Seth wanted us to do the basic, boring one, which would not be fun and would not display acting abilities, it needed little to none of them at all. Here it is:

Person 1: This is a pen(presents pen.)

Person 2: A what?(confused.)

Person 1: A pen. (like duh!)

Person 2: A what?(dumbly)

Person 1: A pen!(Clearly annoyed.)

Person 2: A what?!

Person 1: THIS IS A PEN!

Person 2: Oh, it's a pen!

Which is really quick. We wanted to change it around, with characters and emotions. I became a butler presenting to the royal queen a pen, and we also did a pirate version. Laughs were made by the audience. It's fun to think off your head. It was fun there. Other people did cool things, and Will and Austin both spun the wheel. Will felt better. After some people did some funny and cool games, everyone although the things were cheesy laughed and enjoyed the time. Rebecca and I were called up again. Some other people didn't go up yet, and so I protested that some one else should be in the spotlight. Together, Mom and Seth both said, "WAIT, YOU'LL THANK US LATER." Two stools were brought and we sat on them. Blindfolds too. They put them around our necks and shielded our eyes. "Comfortable?" Leah asked. "Oh yes I love the combination of cotton and wool blending on my eyes. Laughs from the audience. Seth explained that friends of mine and friends of Rebecca's would speak into a microphone, using their real voice, and we would have to discover who it would be. The whole back row was brought up, the 6th graders. The first one was the easiest. But the next ones wouldn't be.

"Detective Andrew, come in. We have a base operation in progress."

"Hello Henry." I answered.

"What's up Andrew?"

"Nothing much what about you, Austin?"

"Hey Andrew." I knew it was a girl's voice, but I hadn't heard it for so long. Mary Beth!

"YOU'RE MARY BETH!"

All of these answers were correct. There were more to come.

"Welcome back Andrew."

"Why thank you, Jason."

Laughs erupted from the audience as I improvised, and said some funny things.

"You know what time it is?"

"I can't see any watches, Alyssa." (More laughs.)

"Yo, Andrew."

"Don't try to fool me into thinking your a boy, Sara."

The last happened to be hard. It was a high but clear voice, and I had no idea what friend it was. It could've been Ryan, or somebody doing it again. I asked Seth if people were allowed to go again. I kept asking for the person to repeat themselves. I couldn't get it. Finally Rebecca said "It's Charlie!" after I yelled it was a girl. I felt sad for Charlie, that he thought he had a girl voice. I told him later I was sorry. Poor little dude. Rebecca got most of hers right. Then we went back in the audience and a few of my friends laughed over us and we talked about it a little. A game I liked that later happened was called Emotional Interview, where kids go in line and constantly change emotions in front of a principal at a school they want to go to. Sylvia did a wonderful job, changing from giggly to sad to happy. Henry was hilarious also. Christine, the lady who was the principal, acted along with them. It was a really good. Mom took great pictures of all that happened, but I wanted her to act as Mr. Shelton and Mrs. Towey(Mary Beth's mom) did a funny robot "This is a Pen." I wanted her to do something. I confronted her about it, saying it would be the best Christmas Present ever. The wheel was spun to Word Tennis. I saw her whisper in Seth's ear something. He said in the microphone that I wanted Mom to do it. She got on stage, and Leah faced her off. The way you play is Seth gives them a category and they scream stuff out at each other, and you can't reuse a word or stall without giving one for three seconds. The subject was fruits and vegetables, and it was funny as Mom tried to keep up with the professional actor Leah is. She blundered and gave up, so Leah one. Later in the night, Mary Beth and Alyssa took off their gloves and went toe to toe, and Alyssa valiantly won. It was a fun night.

Everybody (and I mean everybody) lined up to play a game called All in All, where four people start out in a car and a hitchhiker stops them on the road. They are a character, and the other three people copy that character and are those people until they all switch, and so the driver gets out and the passenger becomes the driver, and the hitchhiker in the backseat is a back passenger. This process goes on and on. The line was very long, it going up the stairs. I was at the back. Everybody had a long time to make up their part as the line moved up. I was by Westin and my school mates, some people deciding on Twilight(barf) characters. Westin wanted to be Santa but someone took it. So he did a mime. The cool thing about the game was, the vehicle was an R.V. and I picked it's destination, them going to somewhere in South Dakota. I was supposed to pick a town. There's not many in those states. Leah said Mitchell, where the famous Corn Palace is. A lot of people in line did pirates or country people. Westin was a good mime. I had to think fast, and so I became a journalist. Henry an old man. Alyssa a country person. I don't remember what the others were. That was a fun game.

Next, we did a little sing-a-long as Rebecca sang "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer" and Elise sang "Jingle Bells". I was given a book version of the Night Before Christmas poem; I had practiced it earlier. I was given a microphone, sat on a chair, and started. It was fun to recite it. Here it is, with my ad-lib and changing it around a little.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.(sound effect of mouse) ok maybe a mouse but nothing more.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas(that's Santa Claus for you yanks.) soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.(I don't know what a sugarplum is but they danced.)
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.(10 hrs to be exact)

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.(caused some damage too)

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,(pause for effect)
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.(it was tiny although it had all those toys in it.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,(even though he was little and old)
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.(they took out some shingles, but he's Santa, he's above the law)
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.(And he hurt his butt too.)

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.(looked like a chimney sweep)
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.(creepy guy.)

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.(although it was covered with soot and ashes)

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.(He was a smoker!?)
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!(shake belly for audience)

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!(haha)
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.(I mean, what is he gonna do, toy me to death?)

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,(which side did he do, switch side for audience)
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,(pause, What did he exclaim?)
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

I got a lot of applause, and later grown-ups and kids said I did a very good job. It was very, very fun.

And so ended the improv show and games. Mom made a nice little speech about embracing the times when everybody isn't so busy, and she gave everyone grey blankets with pink lettering saying Embrace the Margins. People started to leave, and we wished them a Merry Christmas and stuff as dance music came on, the Cupid Shuffle and Macarani. Then it became chaos. People dancing, running outside in the rain, hiding behind bushes and scaring kids, going up stairways and looking into windows, waving to people on the road, popping balloons on prickly bushes, doing all sorts of crazy things. I tried to stop them. To no avail. But as I said, people started leaving, and they settled down. I got really tired as I stayed with the grownups, and then collapsed on a chair. I said goodbye to my friends, thanked them for coming, and wished them a Merry Christmas. Pretty soon it was just the Poje's and us. We got the food and stuff to the cars, as I met Henry in the parking lot and said goodbye, I slipped down a hill and got really muddy in the evening rain. I grasped stugglingly a piece of dirt, the rain and mud oozing down my body and back. Materials came into my eyes as I slipped down, down, down. I went inside the playhouse and washed up in their bathroom, remembering the promised present. I asked Seth about it. I opened it, it being in the sound booth. It was a black journal, with a thing on the front saying. THINK. CREATE. RECORD. I thanked Seth for the journal, and he said his best ideas come to him while he's traveling, that if I followed those simple steps I would be great at it. Well, we left after that, and drove away. It was 11:46 before we got to bed (party ended at 11:30 I believe) and 12:04 before I went to bed. Crazy.

That was one of the best nights of my life. Great entertainment, fun time, good food, and it was awesome to see my friends there. Sure, it was crazy and hectic, but it was worth it. Before I end this very long blog, let me thank Seth and Leah for all their hard work and for the journal. You guys are awesome. I have done so much stuff there, and had so many memories. I'll never forget the Red Door Playhouse.

Goodbye for an hour or two. I got a lot of blogs to do so I'll be back after I have breakfast.

So hungry,

Andrew.

La Bamba and Ulta(or: The Blog with the Two Weird Names)

Yesterday found us as we drove in Mom's suburban through the wet nasty forests of Canton, to drive to my grandparents house. At the same time, Dad was driving to the house from the dealership in Lineville. I really want to see those guys again. I wanted to go when Dad went for a week, but he said I had to do schoolwork and stay at home. He went two other times, but one time he left without asking and the other time I was going to Alyssa's so I couldn't go. People at the dealership who are reading this, please know I want to come but situation disallowed it every time. My deepest apologies to you all. Jason, (and I know you read this often) please tell everybody that if they don't get the message from the blog. Thanks Jason. Merry Christmas to you guys!

We arrived in Soleil and then in their house, and went inside. Mom stayed in the car for a little doing something while we hugged MaPoc and Pop and also talked. Ma Poc showed me an old dirty newspaper while Pop looked at a natural disaster book with Rebecca. There were several young children all around each other, and a caption read: All the Good Little Children of the valley our awaiting Santa's visit and in the middle was a brown haired little girl, who was cute. She had the biggest spot and picture. Ma Poc asked me to find out which one was her, and I kept looking at her face and the ones on the paper. The one to the left of the big one and the big one itself both looked like her. I pointed to the big one, saying the other one could be it too. She said I was right and said the other was her best friend. At the bottom of the page was her name with other names too, Peggy Poorman (maiden name, now it's Jordan). It was cool to see her in a newspaper, and her as a child. Later Mom came and I talked about books a little with MaPoc, and showed Pop the Charlie Chaplin book. We later went to La Bamba, a Mexican restaurant in a shopping center outside of their community to the left, where a Publix also was. We walked in, and got a booth/table by the bar. Their were cool paintings of the Inca's and Aztecs, and also one of Frida Kahlo. The unibrow lady. I know too much about her. I could tell a lot. But I won't.

A nice little girl served us, but at one point she gave Ma Poc sweet tea instead of unsweetened, and messed up our orders. She had a lot on her shoulders. There were three waitresses in the big restaurant, with 12 tables to serve, more coming every second. So each waitress had like four. They needed more people working, and the manager was on his computer and phone have the time. It was madness. The food was good though, although I had too big of a meal and I didn't eat all of it. We talked about the route we're gonna take, which I think will be to Florida and then under Alabama and Mississippi. We talked about places we're going to go in the west too. Then we paid and left the restaurant. We got back to their house and watched a 30 minute program we had gotten at the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN. We saw it in a theater and bought the DVD. See Lorraine Hotel, Civil Rights Museum and SUN Records for details.

They liked the story and the way it was laid out, and after that we left, after seeing a notebook filled with phrases and stories and quotes from Pop. One Christmas in '98 Mom asked Pop to fill some in, and he did. I read avidly about him loving the song Zipadee do da and saying "Ok so you got there!" I remembered as Mom always told me he always said those things, and it was cool to get them from two sources. And to learn about his stories was cool too. That book will be a treasure some day.

So we drove away. We stayed and wrapped Rebecca's present while she was in her room, and then Dad came home. We talked with him in casual and fun conversation, and Julie came back. Rebecca, Julie and Mom made chocolate chip cookies for the Bourne Christmas Party we were going to have on the 23rd. They made some other stuff too. It was funny when I came down from blogging, I was practicing telling Julie in a foreign accent something, when I said it, unaware of her being by the tree placing presents down. She laughed about it. We all talked and ate tuna before I went with Rebecca and Julie to a make up and lipstick store. I should've never gone. On the way there in Julie's red jeep, Rebecca got a bloody nose. Having nothing to put it on (such as a handkerchief or towel, she cupped her hands, making them bloody too. She looked like the flag of China. We had nothing in the car, and so went to the back of the store. Julie helped Rebecca clean up in the bathroom and I went into the men's and went to the restroom. She got better and we stayed in the front looking at make-up. Well, they were, I was in my book and looking on the Internet from my phone. All the girls, the smells, the powder, and all the aroma was suffocating. I felt like I was being squeezed by a python. I fell victim to girlsmellallroundroommakingmefeelbad Syndrome. I read about the Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol. On the way back, we talked about Romantic and Gothic writers of the 18th and 19th century. It was a heated subject. Back at home we goofed around in Mom and Dad's room, them already settling down for the night. I then slept in my room, Julie in the basement, and Rebecca in her room only to go up to Mom and Dad's. I had a good day. This was the fast version, because I'm about to go to Red Door Playhouse to have food and entertainment and see some of my friend's I haven't seen yet. But you'll learn about that tomorrow. For now, bye. The next blog post will be very... interesting.

My arm pits smell. I need deodorant,

Andrew.

The Gould's and Shopping on Canton

Can you believe that Christmas is in 3 days? It is hard to believe. December has gone so, so, so fast! It feels like just yesterday we arrived in Rowell on the 25th of November. Although it has gone fast though, I feel satisfied on what we've done. We've seen a lot of friends and family, had a good amount of adventures along the way, and enjoyed the relaxation of being in our own house. I'll tell you, it's weird to sleep in my room again, to get used to it. Being in a regular bed again, not having to make it every night, and it's eerie to have a room to myself again. I am a little uneasy sleeping there as I was so content and comfortable with being in the front of a 45 footer R.V, with everyone else in the same room, really. I've gotten used to it by and by though. I looked through the little bedroom with all my mom's old stuff in it, down in the old part of the house. I saw an old book that was published in 1936, and other things like paintings of Mom's grandparents. It's a cool little antiquey room, with a high bed and a little doll house, an empty fireplace and a filled closet, a dresser with Mom's favorite animal, a lamb, and a red old chair. A wooden door goes out into the screened porch, where our porch is to the right of that, with a small pond and little garden. On a stone deck in front of the screen porch and left to the porch are metal tables. Inside our comfortable blue chairs and a big window in the wall, where you can look over all this from a staircase. I don't know why I described all of this. I wanted to tell I looked in that room and saw all my Mom's old stuff a few blogs back, but I forgot so I might as well look at it now. It wasn't my mom's original actual room, but all the furniture is hers. It has a small mantelpiece with an old mirror and black and white photos. It's a nice old room. I like it.

Sorry, I got sidetracked. I now will talk about Christmas. I love Christmas time, celebrating Christ's birth and all the decorations and traditions, hanging lights and singing songs, being with family and seeing the person's face light up as they receive their present. It's a great feeling. Playing in the snow, throwing snowballs, sledding, drinking hot chocolate and eggnog, waiting for Santa Claus (St. Nicholas for you English people) to come, going to my grandparents house on Christmas Eve and seeing family, all are great. The best is realizing Jesus died for our sins and celebrating his birth, and the second best probably going to the awesome church service on Christmas Eve. I'll describe it the day we go to it. Still though, even though I like Christmas, I want the month of December to go slower. Oh well. Now to the blog post about yesterday, December 20th.

Yesterday I finished the Left Behind book, The Mark, and it was very good. Thrilling too. After finishing it, I saw Mom and Rebecca go to go eat with somebody, and I blogged on my computer with the dogs in Mom's office with me, in a spinney chair. I was seated in it, but they got in it and took all the room so I sat in another, having them behind me so I could see them. I shut the doors so they couldn't get out, but pretty soon my stomach started growling. I carefully left the room and put a stool and a waste basket in front of two of the doors. I went down in the kitchen and got a banana and breakfast bar, going back upstairs. They looked so cute licking each others ears. It was a lot cuter than the cats I sneezed upon the prior night. I moved my chair from the desk to in front of the small slim T.V. that's in the room, and turned it on. I watched a little of CNN as I ate. Then after eating I turned it off and blogged again. Good news on. Pretty soon after that Rebecca and Mom came up, and Mom said Rebecca and I were going to do a play-date (if I can bear the word) at the Gould's while Mom "does something" she said with a suspicious smile. Steven would later tell me she was getting presents for us. I sat in the bed, and Rebecca didn't feel good because of what she ate at the restaurant (eggs) and I for some reason didn't feel good either. We both didn't really want to go to their house, but we felt okay after a while and Mom said if we felt bad when we got to their house she would take us home.

We drove over to their nice house, with a large lawn in the back with trampoline and tree house, and Christmas decorations galore. It's a nice big house like you would see in a neighborhood. We parked and knocked on the door of their garage, and were welcomed by the still in pj's Mr. Gould, with his close cropped army style black hair. Then I said hello to Mrs. Gould, who's hair was in a pony tail, brown or red. We said hello to both of them. Then I saw the red haired Betsy and the shaggy brown haired Steven, who is the age of Rebecca but yet Rebecca usually plays with Betsy and me Steven. We all (the kids) went down into their basement, which has a big red couch and T.V., and a lot of kid stuff. The difference between the basement when we left and now was at the foot of the stairs down was two desks with desktop computers on there, Steven's and Betsy's. On the left was where they stored everything, a dark room filled with stuff. Past all this is a bar with counter and doors going down to their dad's office and a bathroom. There is also a door going outside to a back porch. They have a nice house. As we thought about doing a play and what play we were going to do for their parents. A Christmas Carol was suggested, and stuff about Santa was too. It took a long time for us to finally agree on something, and when we did (we chose A Christmas Carol) we couldn't agree on costumes, setting, or what time it was going to be, or what the three ghosts of Christmas would be. Steven wanted to be the devilish like future ghost, but I suggested him being a robot, because that's in the future. Betsy and Rebecca argued about a particular dress, and everybody didn't want to be the part they were given. It was madness. My stomach ache came back, and I went to the restroom at one point. We then abandoned this idea of a play and walked outside, via going upstairs and out the deck. Their shaggy dog Oscar came out too, and we played with him in the lawn, but I took it easy. Rebecca and Betsy swung on a wooden board swing, and I looked at their cool fort. It has an actual tree going through it, two slides, a ladder going upstairs and swings and a separated part. It's cool. But Steven told me it was unstable AFTER I had jumped on it, and then went down a slide and walked to the really unstable part. I got off that. That could of been ugly.

We all got on the trampoline as my stomach ache came and went, we played dead man and other games of that sort. It started raining, only drizzling though, and so we all played in the grass again. My stomach got back, me having it growl and ache. I told everyone the situation and that I might need to go home, then went inside to face Mr. and Mrs. Gould. They were at the dining room table, doing Christmas cards. "I don't feel so good and I think I might have to go home." Mrs. Gould was sympathetic, asking what was wrong and saying I might want something to eat or drink, or to lay down. Thank you for doing that Mrs. Gould. I really appreciate it. Mr. Gould was like that too, although he left in the rain to go mail cards and go to the bank. I later read A Christmas Carol in their den. I texted Mom that I was sick, and although Steven tried to entertain me, I still wanted to go home. Rebecca and Betsy by this time were playing in Betsy's room, and I later learned from Mrs. Gould that Mom was out at lunch with someone. I then called her. No answer. Voicemail. It must've been in her purse, and in a loud restaurant I wouldn't hear it if I were her. She finally texted back that she would come to pick me up. Rebecca left her shoes outside in the rain so she ran to get them before Mom came. Then Mom came, and she talked to Mrs. Gould a little before we got into the car. I was sad that I ruined the play-date, and that I made both Rebecca's time and mine shorter, but I was really sick. I went home, ate a sandwich, and relaxed for a long time. I gradually got better. Rebecca was mad at me for the lessening of the time, but I couldn't have done anything, save keep being sick and continue to be at their house. Rebecca went to the Tropouer's house, and we went shopping for Rebecca, Lauren and Julie.

We went on the popular Canton Street, in Old Roswell, and parked in a large parking lot of an antique market building, which is up the hill away from the other businesses. I'll describe it when we get to it, in time. We parked in a place that faced another littler building, by a road. We passed and walked along the awesome shops of Canton Street. A restaurant called Inc and another Salt, all the numerous people and the small walkways and street, the cold wet air moving along as other people did, it was cool to see the black shirted employees of Inc. again, and all the familiar shops, galleries and restaurants. We went into a small shop called Gifted, with all kinds of regular day items turned into sculptures and art, made by people who are GIFTED at that. They bring in stuff and get part of the sale. We saw cool coasters, cups with letters, girl clothes, and other things. It was cool, I guess. I got Julie and Lauren both cool presents. We left that store after they bagged our gifts, and they helped us very well. After that, we went across the street to a two story brick store, that was faced a different way then the others. It was Go With the Flow, a canoeing and kayak store. We saw around there all the equipment and clothing for the sport, and I asked to go to the restroom. The girl said it was upstairs. I went up wooden stairs where pictures of people were all around me, and looked at all the hanging canoes. In the back corner of the big upper level I found a storage area, with a window and loose boards. I have to admit I was scared. I went to the restroom in a dirty orange bathroom with window, with a high sink and brown and white toilet. The only good part of that place was looking out a window in that area, where I looked at the staircase going down the side of the building, and a little alley I had looked at every day for my life for a while. I had always wanted to get on those stairs, and although I didn't do that, I stood close to them and saw it from a different angle. It was cool I guess. We went out of the store after that, and then went to a bakery where we talked to a nice French guy. I for some reason like to listen to French people, try their foods, and learn about their culture and language. I don't know why, I've always thought them as kind of cool in a way, I guess. I can't very well explain it.

We went to our car and put the stuff away, then walked in the yellow antique market with all the creepy statues in the front. We browsed around and I saw a Charlie Chaplin book, of all the films he was in in pictures. He was an old actor I like, in the era where it was black and white, with no sound. He overcame that obstacle and had the best facial expressions, becoming one of the best in the time period. It was red and bulky, but only ten dollars so we got it. I also got a cheap present for Dad there. We went further back and saw unthinkable things, even a silver fiberglass huge hand with it's palm out, with the fingers painted either orange or green. I sat on it and took a picture of it. It was unreal. Later in the back when it went downhill, I saw old wooden radios from the early 1900's, and blue diamond topped canes. In the way back of that huge store, I saw G.I. Joe's from the '50's and a wonder woman doll from 1941. We saw $400 wooden phones with the black spinney thing on the center of it, and the black phone part. Numerous old crafts, statues, record players, phonographs, books, and other things. There's more I haven't talked about, but I can't tell about EVERYTHING in that store. We got a thing for Rebecca, and then got in the car and drove to her play-date, picking her up. We went back home, and I slept soundly. It was an okay day, even though I got sick. But, I got presents for people and I saw some pretty old stuff.

Twas the Night before the 23rd, and all through the blog,

Andrew told about his adventures, but he didn't fight a dragon named Smaug,

It was written so long, for the readers with care

In hopes that it would not be bucked from a mare. -

Andrew.

About Hair, Roswell Eye Clinic, Antique Store, Alyssa's House

Yesterday fate took us to three businesses where I know three ladies, and it also took us to the house of my friend, Alyssa. Shall we begin? This will be an interesting blog post.

I was the shaggy dog yesterday. Bangs well over my eyes, hair everywhere, a complete ape. Mom was annoying by it and wanted it to look good by Thursday when we would have a Christmas Party, and so she called up our best hairstylist and dear friend, Shirley at About Hair, a salon. Monday was her day off, but, nevertheless, Mom wanted it DONE, done I tell you! And so do you know what she did dear reader? She got us an appointment with one of Shirley's employees, a lady named Lynn. We were going to go to that later in the day. Even though Shirley would have loved to do it and will be sad when she finds out we did it without her, it was mandatory (I love that word) that we should have it done. Let's back up a little though. About two hours or more before we left, Rebecca and I got traveler clothes on, backpacks and hats and stuff, and we played a game that we were in South America looking for a lost city. We were almost killed by lava, almost sacrificed by evil Indians, and dodged exotic animals of all kinds. It was fun. I had a big blue Nerf gun and shot our enemies down. We were sarcastic to each other as we pretended I was a street smart army guy and her a genius professor who knows nothing about the outside world. We deciphered riddles, tried to find food, and learned to use our heads when faced with no other resource...literally. That was kind of not a good idea.

We relaxed and sat down and watched T.V. while waiting to go to the haircutter. Then we drove to a shopping area in Roswell where About Hair was by J.C. Christophers. Boy had that place changed, with the fountain outside gone and new remodeling done. It was big with open rooms, and had a green color to it. We waited in chairs facing a big desk while Lynn finished up on another person. Then I saw the pretty blonde haired lady. As Mom described what she wanted to do on my hair ( I wasn't listening honestly). Lynn nodded and put suggestions and input in, showing really she cared and was very precise. She brought me back and she snipped snipped away, combing, razoring, washing the whole thing. We talked a little. She asked if my school system was out yet, me drifting away to another subject. I admit I didn't tell her about the trip. I didn't want to. I was tired of explaining it, tired of talking about it, it was nice to talk of different subjects and not talk about the trip for once. It made me feel normal again. Not an outsider, nomad, superstar, or anything else. Just Andrew. And that's the way I like it.

She did a good haircut though, and it looked really good. It was just a little trimmed but making me look normal. We paid, thanked her and left in the car. Mom was to go get her glasses from the Roswell Eye Clinic, where I would try to see my writing mentor Nancy. She works there as an eye therapist, helping kids develop their eyes and do little games and practices through it. I met her in there, and she saw I liked to write. I'm okay with my eyes now. Ever since then, she has been helping me edit stories and we have emailed, written, called, and kept up. She even helped me with making Stuck In Space, which Seth did into a little video project. We came up to the medium sized building in a triangular shape, with a helicopter on top. Long story. We parked and saw all the glasses and other things in the store area, entering into a waiting room where chairs, a big weight was, kid stuff and a counter where a lady sat in another room. Mom went to get her glasses, doing that whole process while I went to the lady at the desk and asked her about Nancy. "She's here today. You have an appointment? Need help with your eyes?" She was black haired, young and pretty.

"No, I just want to... um.... see her, yes. "

"Okay I'll call her out." I waited and read the Mark (left behind book) while I talked to a plump blonde haired lady about the series and a book called Heaven is 4 Real. She was interesting and nice. Then she came out. Nancy. Short, brown haired, slight jersey accent, she hugged me and we talked a little before she said she had a patient back in her room, and that although he was there, he was doing an exercise. She invited me to come back there to talk. After telling Mom I went back through a hallway, seeing that old familiar room with the computers, desks and closet in the back. We talked about the trip as I watched a kid with an eye patch over one eye make a puzzle out of a design he saw a few feet away. It brought back a lot of memories. Good times. Lost times.

I put down some contact info as Nancy said she would get together with us at a later point. I enjoyed seeing her, even if it was short. We left after that, to go shopping at an antique store before going to Alyssa's House. It was across the street in the middle of two other businesses, a wooden store with a porch. Sylvia, Rebecca's friend, her Mom works there. We walked in seeing a balcony with an extra floor. Mrs. Nelson, Sylvia's Mom, was there and I saw her brown hair and glasses. She helped us out as we looked around. I saw old books, records, coke signs and even Tarzan tapes. A portrait of General Lee, jewerly, and other things. I can't tell you who or what I got though. My lips are sealed. I did buy a cool Sherlock Holmes book. She helped us as we bought A LOT, and we lost track of time. We bought too much, spent too much time there, and only came upon their house 40 minutes late. Alyssa had texted me where I was as I tried to explain. They have a pink brick house. We knocked on the door in the garage. Alyssa, blonde/brown haired skinny and a little short, answered the door. I saw her mother and I said hello to her. Mom confirmed pick-up times as we went into Alyssa's room. We talked about different things, school, subjects, and the trip a little. We talked about the things in her room a little, the portraits of her in a dancing school and other stuff like that. After being in that room we went downstairs in their basement and played some wii sports. It seems like everybody has that wii thing now. It's getting very popular. I don't like it THAT much, but I'm game to play it. We did bowling and boxing, and she creamed me at bowling and I her at boxing. It was pretty fun. Enjoyed the time.

The unexpected happened. "MEOW!" we heard. I looked around at the couches and the T.V. and other things in the world, afraid of the thing that makes me alergic. I then saw the unthinkable. An open ceiling tile showed a framework of wires and a wooden piece where facing me was a white cats face, a cat named Mutson. Alyssa was hilariously laughing, and tried to get the kitty down. It had gotten through by way of another entrance which was in another room. After numerous attempt to get it down we made a stack of pillows and cushions for it to jump on. No kitty jump. Mr. Howard got involved, and tried to take it down, as I videotaped the cat in the ceiling. "The Cat in the Ceiling!" It will be a great video online. It was funny though. The cat went back the way it came, and came out the door. About this time Alyssa's Mom came down and told me my mom was in the driveway. I said goodbye to Alyssa and her parents as we left. I am glad I saw my friend Alyssa. It was awesome to see her. We went home, and I ate chicken from publix, later getting a stomach ache. We watched a movie called "Cars 2" which was thrilling, and spy actiony and a funny and child friendly movie. Very good. After that we went to bed. I got a haircut yesterday, saw an old friend, bought some gifts for Christmas, and had a fun time with Alyssa. The next day though, would not be as bright and... healthy, as the first.

Platter, putter, against my sill

Water, water, never still

So sad and wet forever frets

I can't remember the day that happiness you met,

Andrew.

Day at RUMC

Roswell United Methodist Church. I spent almost my whole day there two days ago. In the morning we got ready, taking showers, eating breakfast, getting dressed in church garb, such as long collar shirts with dark red and grey, for me anyway. Then we drove to the church, parking and going into the large huge sanctuary. When we walked in, the congregation was already singing and then they did a nativity playact with people reading from the Bible out of mikes, other people singing songs in between this time, with people pantomiming being shepherds, Mary and Joseph, and angels. They didn't do the wise men though, as they came three days after, not at the very night. How can you blame them, one was from Africa, another Greece. That's a long way from Bethlehem. Their caravan got delayed, a camel broke down in mid trot. Still, three days isn't too bad. Anyway, their acting was nice. The person in charge of the drama asked me to be a shepherd by phone, but we only got the message after the practice. I'm kind of glad I didn't do it. It didn't look fun, to just stay still while the people sang, in a position of fear or terror. After that they lit the four out of five candles that have some official title....hmmm...., oh well, they lit some candles. After that they did an advent.... that's the name for the candles! Ok sorry I just forgot. Advent Candles. Anyway, after that they talked about a mission trip and other things in Africa, where they teach people to become ministers. It was very sad to hear about all the children and how little food, water, and utilities they have. Very sad.

Closing songs and a benediction, then the service ended. It was a really good service. The nativity scene thing made me remember the true meaning of Christmas, and the songs were great. We went into the big, lobby, going down a lot of indoor carpeted stairs and then the stone outside ones. Mom, Dad and Rebecca went to the car, and I headed with my bible up a hill to the youth building. I saw Mr. and Mrs. Gould, plus their children Betsy and Steven. They are our friends, and they went quickly inside after saying hi for a minute. I'll describe them at a later date, as I am seeing them today actually. They had to leave because they were involved in yet another nativity scene, and so ran in with Mary and Joseph garb. I walked through a path on a field, then up to the yellow twisted house looking building, three floors in all, the Dod. I checked in with Mr. Sawyer over a technology thing, and then stayed around in the lobby before going back into the lounge. There I casually talked to Sydney and a kid with glasses, brown hair named Jackson, who I later found out was the son of Jason and Jennifer Scott, Jason Scott being a youth minister. Jackson is nice. We all talked of girls and school and church, you know, kid conversations, joking around and throwing doughnut boxes at each other. Oh yes we did.

We were called to go into the little Sunday school room, where we sit around a large table, do a lesson,(after checking in on a piece of paper on the wall) talk about Christ and different things, and then after that either break into smaller groups or either staying together, depending on the size of the group. The room is called Corinth, others Israel and other famous places of the bible. The bible is full of so many great stories, it's incredible. In there we talked about whether it's good to be inside or out of the box, me thinking Mr. Dorvee (the man doing the lesson, nice, brown haired, smart, knew we were going on the trip) meant being boring or creative. He meant being inside or outside of the box for God, wanting God to be in the box with you, as in go with your life and don't do anything out of the ordinary, or go outside of the box for God, doing good works and administering the gospel. He asked what would we do if a guy needed money on the street, what would we do if he asked? I told about the Louisville Kentucky incident in which we gave money to a guy who needed to get on a bus. In return, he did a back flip onto and off of a wall, telling us that he was a Karate master. Dad had said he scammed us, which might or might not be true, and other people told of other experiences. We later talked about the story of Zechariah and how he didn't believe the angel and didn't want it to happen, and then how Mary accepted the circumstances and pledged herself to God. It was a very good lesson, although some rowdy boys were doing silly things and lessening of the fun time of it. Oh well. That's life. Make it into cranberry juice.

At the end we all left, and I talked to Mr. Dorvee a little about the trip. We did read bible verses in the lesson too, I forgot about that. After talking I waited around for Mom, talked to Jackson a little, about Kendall and Sydney and their relationship. Then I found out he was Mr. Scott's son, and suddenly a lot of stuff made sense. I waited on the porch and inside for Mom, and she finally came, and I went with her into the car. For the next hour or two I would read those unputdownable Left Behind books, blog, and chill out a little. We wrapped a present we had gotten the day before, an awesome black flashlight that is long as a stick, has lights on it's sides, and can change colors. Who was it for and why did I reveal it? It was for someone, in a game called Dirty Santa which the kids at RUMC were to play in the Fellowship Hall, after eating and seeing the iHope thing. I was going. It was to be very fun.

At 5:45, Mom and I got into the suburban, with present and five dollars for the meal. We drove over, and I was dropped off, without my money. So when I came into the fellowship hall, seeing middle schoolers and high schoolers in a line getting tacos and salsa and other Mexican foods, I had to stay put until Mom came in to make sure everything was okay, which she said she was going to do. Everything was all pumped up for Christmas, complete with elf hats. By one entrance was a table with ladies taking money. I stayed below the radar, even though I saw a few of my friends. Zach was there. He had his costume on from a prior day, the mailman thing. I then saw Mom, and she gave me the money. I then paid the nice ladies at the table and picked up a plate, going through the line with the people handing me things. It was from Moe's, a restaurant Julie and I went to one night. I sat at a table seeing Kendall and his friend he brought, a nice black haired guy named Riot, which was what I thought was his name until he confirmed it as Wyatt. Embarrassed was I. I wanted to talk to them, but they were only on their phones doing little games, and so I quietly took my plate to a room in the back, where the performers, including Zach and Sydney, were staying. Mrs. Cheryl had prior told me I could do that if I wanted. I told Mom (she was still there, with Rebecca, wanted to stay for Rebecca to see iHope) that I was going and explained why. I came into a small room with the same round tables as in the other, kids of my age all about. I knew most all of them. As I sat down, I talked to Zach a little before JJ, a nice lady who works there said, "Okay, 8 minutes 'til show! Everybody finish up." With that everyone got up and put away their plates, all in a fast measure. Zach and others were sorry that they had to leave. A few of the teachers stayed, and then left. But that wasn't the worst of it. I said, "Well it could be worse" as a rain drop from the ceiling came onto my plate and one in my head. This was very, very lonely. It was sad too. I finished up though, and walked off. Such is the life of a traveler.

At Kendall's table again, the show started and it was as great as I saw it the last time, with the music, sound, lighting, acting and band all being good. I had seen it before on another Sunday, which you can see in Sunday the 11h, a blog of mine. At the end though they finished it before doing a certain song, Mrs. Cheryl came out and acknowledged it. She also made it do again, and then they did it well. Mom took some good pictures. After they did it we sat in our tables as Jason Scott made a few announcements. About this time Zach left, with his Dad. Jason told us to get in two groups to play the Dirty Santa game, and I went on to the right with only a friend named Mitch, and Sydney. Other people I knew were on the other side. He explained everyone was going to be in a circle, and people would start either going to the table and getting a present or taking a present from a different person. A present could only be bought 3 times. We got into the back of the fellowship hall, into a circle. I was by Sydney and an older awesome mentor I have named Chad. It was to be an interesting game. People started going, mostly getting gift cards and maybe a CD. There were cool ones though, a lava lamp and a 20 questions thing. Not many people stole from each other, they just kept going to the table. There was a lot of 7th and 8th graders, and only a few of us, 6th graders. It finally came to Sydney's turn, who was on my left. She went to the table and came back with my wrapped snowman papered gift, my flashlight. She didn't know it though. I laughed and had some guilty looks. She opened it and I proclaimed it was mine, yes mine. She said, "Oh yeah! You talked about getting a flashlight." I guess she liked it, and she kept laughing about how she got it from me and other things. Well, it was then my turn. I can't say I was excited, because, most of them were gag gifts. Over at the little table I saw a basket full of different gift cards, and little bags with paper hiding the gift. I picked the biggest of those. Back at my circle I opened it, and behold! An angel nightlight!

I have to admit I was disappointed. A nightlight. Really? There was something else though. A green little cardboard box, which I opened. In there was a silver square tag with a slot in which paper goes. It was the tag to a suitcase, with instructions and all. This was worse. A lot worse. I was disappointed. I admit it.

Chad, who didn't go to the table, stole the flashlight from Sydney. She was reluctant to give it away. She did though. After the game, everyone made barter deals as they switched their presents outside of the game. I kept pursuing people to trade but couldn't get anyone to take two presents: one that was a baby gift, and one an adult one. When people started leaving Sydney kissed Kendall (gross,) I ran around chased by Jackson's little sister and horse played, and I confronted Morgan and we made up. By that I mean we were okay with each other, and that neither one of us was mad at the other. Happy ending. Jackson and I were the last to go. I saw Mrs. Scott again. She has brown hair and is thin and nice. Mom picked me up and then we went home. Dad laughed over the gifts I got. I then went to bed. I had a good day at church and had an awesome time playing. Goodbye for now.