Road Trip

Saturday morning, before the grandparents head to the airport, most of the moving team gathers in the Pike kitchen to plan their route.

Tanner:  Looks like a pretty straight shot. 

Lee: That's a toll road.  

Frodo: We're gonna need lots of restroom stops since Nakoma is with us.  Women have to powder their noses a lot.

McG: What an incredibly misogynistic thing to say, young man.

Frodo: What?  Oh, no, ma'am!  I got nothing but respect for women.  (Looks to the twins.) Help me. 

Tanner: No way, man.  (laughing) You're getting McG Roasted!  

Finnick (laughing): You opened that big mouth in front of the wrong lady.  

Nakoma: Frodo gets racist stuff said to him because he's black and he makes fun instead of getting mad. I guess it's a defense mechanism.  But he's cool.  Doesn't mean a word of it. 

McG: It's wiser than a fistfight.  Take a lesson from your friend, Tanner. 

Frodo: Now who's getting McG roasted?

Four arrives as Finnick programs the GPS.

Esmeralda:  I expect regular updates like when you're on the road with Bapo.  

Frodo: C'mon, man!  Kiss your mommy goodbye already!  

Esmeralda: Would you like a goodbye kiss, Frodo?  (throws him a kiss before leaving)

They drive through the night.  Nakoma and Frodo nap in the back during Tanner's turn at the wheel.

Tanner: How're thing going with you and Tris?  She allowed to date yet? 

Four: Technically, yes, since she's eighteen now.  But she still lives under their roof.  We're good, though.  She might go along this summer when I apprentice with Bapo.

Tanner: How's Bapo feel about that?  

Four: As long as she's willing to help with work and follow the rules, she's welcome. The hard part is convincing the Priors a Gypsy camp isn't really a rolling orgy. 

They arrive at Lee and McG's early the next morning and are set to work.

Lee: I made a reservation for you at a RV park about halfway home.  Driving through the night isn't going to be feasible with both The Tank and a rental truck.  Even with five drivers.

Tanner: Bringing the horse trailer was a good idea.  I'm glad we saved you a little money on the size of your rental.  

Frodo: I'm just glad I don't have to drive The Tank.  I could kiss you.

Lee: Please don't. 

McG: Are you sure you can drive this vehicle, Nakoma?

Finnick (teasing): What an incredibly misogynistic thing to say, Grandma.  

Nakoma: The Tank is actually easier to handle than the park's tram.  Granted, I don't drive the tram at highway speeds.  At least not with people in it. 

McG: The park's tram?  (remembers) Oh, yes, your family owns the amusement park. I look forward to seeing that.

Finnick: You'll never believe how much this dignified matriarch loves roller coasters, Nakoma.  She's like a whole different person once that first hill climb begins.

Nakoma: You'll love the Windigo - that's the new one going up.  Maybe I can get Pocahontas to let you be a First Rider.

They stop for the night, as instructed, after a fast food meal (they are teenagers, after all).

Tanner: Did you guys know Whitney gets harassed all the time?  

Nakoma: She says it doesn't bother her, but I can tell it does.  She even has a thing for a certain party but won't ask him out because of it.

Frodo: Oh, it is me?  Because she should totally ask me out.  

Tanner: You got a thing for Whitney? 

Frodo: Not if you do.  

Wow! I did it!

Today, I got my usual three o'clock call while I was at the grocery store.   The Boy said "I stopped on the walk home from school to steal a drink.  You have a box on your welcome mat."  "Yeah, that's Dumbledore.  Toss him on the desk."

He was in the freezer.  Poor guy.

First order of business, Muggle clothes.

I was very pleasantly surprised by the hair.  Nice and thick!  (I'd heard differently.)

Now, about that beard....  I originally intended him for a head swap, plain and simple, because of the beard. Why, oh, why?  Not only is it hard plastic, it's attached to his face all weird.  If you take it off, he looks like the kid who got fused with a gas mask on Dr Who.  "Are you my mummy?"

Rebuilding his entire lower face, which has been done, is beyond my ability and inclination, but I've seen where some have trimmed his beard and it looked pretty good.  So... I braced myself for the coming disaster and tried that.

Well.  Here he is.  Not bad, if I do say so myself.  

And now I've got that Bellamy Brothers song in my head.  

"He's an old hippie and he don't know what to do..."  

Thank God It's Friday

Coming home from school.

Tanner: I wonder why the 'rents beat us home.    

Finnick: All I know is that Dad said the girls didn't need to ride the bus because they already picked up the little ones.  

Nikki: I hope nobody burned down the store or city hall. They still haven't caught the arsonist.

Finnick: Raven said they're pretty sure that was personal against her mom and Midna.

Tanner: Like Clara has no personal issues against the mayor?  Everyone knows it was her.

Taylor: Oh, no.  I remember the last time we came home to a scene like this. 

Lee: I promise it's good news this time.  Well, we think it's good news. 

Fred: They moving here!  Gonna live in the spooky house!

McG: Your grandfather has finally talked me into semi-retirement.  I've registered here in Doll County as a substitute teacher and we've bought a small home here in town.

Pike: Knowing you, it's a handyman's special. 

Lee: Of course.  Fred tells me it's even thought to be haunted.  

Pike (to the kids): Tanner and Finnick are taking the RV and helping with the move.  Your grandparents will fly, of course, but you're young and healthy enough to handle the road trip. It's a three day weekend and you should only have to miss one day of school.

Tanner: Better ask your girlfriend for permission.  There's a dance this weekend.

Finnick: She'd kick my butt if I didn't go.  Have you met Nakoma? 

McG: If she has a strong back and parental permission, she can come along.  The same applies to any of your friends of driving age.

*******

Later, McG finds Tanner alone in the kitchen. 

McG: Why are you brooding?

Tanner: I'm not brooding.

McG: I've been married to Lee for nearly fifty years.  I know brooding when I see it.  

Tanner (chuckles): Okay, you got me.  My friend Whitney...  well, she had Wilma when she was Nikki's age. I don't know how it happened - you know, if she was a victim or if she was just wild then - but she isn't a slut.  Guys at school... you get the idea.

McG: I can guarantee you that a girl Nikki's age who has a baby has likely been victimized.  Only by a lack of education, perhaps, but that's not the issue.  Your classmates believe she's promiscuous and that bothers you.  Why? 

Tanner: Even if she was, she don't deserve to be treated that way.  They just...    

He's interrupted by Stacie bursting into the room and hugging McG.  

Stacie: I'm so happy you're coming to live here!  

*******

At The Overlook that evening, Pocahontas is surprised to find Esmeralda and Marcus.  

Esmeralda: We're just cleaning up.  

Pocahontas: The Potter/Granger wedding.  I'd forgotten all about it.

Esmeralda (chuckling):  Do you always forget about events at your own venue?  

Pocahontas: More often than I'd care to admit.  (laughs) You don't have to stick around and do my employee's jobs.

Marcus: I told her that's why the old hippie was here, but she doesn't listen.  The woman is stubborn as an ox. 

Esmeralda: That old hippie has his hands full with the mess in the kitchen.  

Pocahontas: Well, I would have been planning to help him if I remembered there was a wedding here today.  I won't stop you if you insist on staying.  You can tell me about the wedding while we work.

Pocahontas has managed to convince the Eatons to go by the time the support group arrives.  

Pocahontas: Did everyone have a nice Valentine's Day?  I got flowers from a secret admirer. 

Ben: Don't look at me.  No offense, but you aren't my type.  

Pocahontas:  None taken.  You aren't my type, either.

Becky: I'm glad the middle school doesn't do the class exchanges.  It was crazy enough trying to get Ron and Ginny settled without that.  By the way, Ben, your sister has been so much help to Ginny.

Ben: Claudia said she's a firecracker.  That's a compliment. 

Becky: The only problem Ron's had is some boy named Malfoy.  He keeps asking if he can punch the kid in the nose.  

Nova: If that boy's any relation to the Malfoy on the college board of directors, he probably needs a punch in the nose.  That man treats us like dirt.  I'd use a different word, but I'm trying to be polite.   

Pocahontas: Why would he treat the students like dirt?  

Nova: I'm not a student.  I'm a janitor. 

Pocahontas: Oh, I'm sorry.  I just assumed. 

Nova: Didn't Mariko tell you I'd joined this group?  

Pocahontas: Nakoma's friend?  You're the aunt who scrubs toilets?   

Wrestler Lady Review

The sole of my shoe fell off.  I'd also just gotten my truck back from the family mechanics and had cabin fever.  Funny how just knowing you can't gallivant around makes you want to.  Anyway, I went to my local Wal-Mart for shoes and (of course) had to check my thrift stores and clearance shelves. 

I've seen the wrestler ladies on other doll blogs and videos, but never in person.  I knew they were quality toys, but I'm honestly gobsmacked by this gal.  She's got some heft to her and her joints are a little stiff.  She must be made of thicker plastic than most.  

I mean seriously, look at that arm!  She's downright Amazonian.  More like an "action figure" than a "doll", to be blunt.  Not that I'm complaining.  I'm all about the girl power.

Her feet seem to be in much more realistic proportion than most dolls. Her big toe is actually apart from the others.  I wondered if she could share shoes with McG.

Hers are a little loose on McG.  McG's were too narrow for her.  But since shoes are rarely worn around here, I don't think it will be a problem.

I noticed a resemblance, but that might just be the arched eyebrows.  I've decided she's the Auntie who keeps trying to turn Pike's kids into dinosaur scientists.  Undecided, though, about keeping her name Eva Marie...  

UPDATE:  I've decided to call her Morgan.  A strong unisex name with connections to magic.  (Because of who her mommy is.)   I'll be deleting the comments with suggestions, but please don't take that wrong!  I love having some feedback! 

Valentine's Day

Nakoma and Anakin stop in at Pocahontas's office, as usual, on the way home from school.

Nakoma:  Look at this insane box of chocolate!  I told Finnick I'm going to gain back all the weight I just lost and he said he doesn't care as long as I'm happy.

Anakin:  I volunteered us to help her eat them.

Pocahontas: Take these home with you and put them in Mom's blue vase.  

Anakin:  Wait, what?  You don't have a boyfriend or anything.  And Roxy's dad promised to back off.

Pocahontas: John swears it wasn't him.  There was no card.

Nakoma (teasing): Looks like you have a secret admirer, Sis.  He even knows your favorite flower. 

Pocahontas (laughs):  It's hardly a secret.  Just put them in the vase when you get home, please.  Do your homework if you have any and, Anakin, your room is trashed.  I want it clean by the time I get home.

Anakin (groans): Do I have to? 

******

At a nearby Asian buffet, Midna waits with the Baxters for a table.

Midna: With the planned changes, I'm going to have to hire more staff. 

Violet (eyes on laptop): I see that.  The logistics of all this...

Detective: I hope you ladies aren't discussing the case.  

Midna: Not at all.  I invited Violet to dinner so I could offer her a position as my office person.  I really hate paperwork and she's a qualified candidate for the job.  It's a win-win.

Raven (laughing): Office person?  That is a prestigious job title, Mom, you better jump right on that.

Violet: I think I'll include a title change as an employment clause.  

******

Doll County Sheriff's office.

Detective: Thank you for your time, Mr Kishi.  I am satisfied there's no need to talk to Claudia, but thank you for the offer.

Ben: Well, I know you spoke to her friends.

Detective: And that's why I don't need to talk to her.  She was with the Montez girls at the time of the fire. I've seen video footage of the three of them wandering around the mall.

 

Clara is in the waiting area outside the detective's office.  

Clara: Seriously?  They think you torched the place?

Ben: I was recently fired, so yeah, I'm a suspect.  (Keeps walking.)

*****

Tanner runs into Whitney at the day care.

Wilma: Hi, one of the twins.  A bad person burned Mommy's work down. 

Tanner: I saw you walking.  If I'd known you were coming here, I would have given you a lift.

Whitney: I won't mind if you give us a lift home.  Wilma's too big to carry that far and her little legs take forever to get anywhere. 

Whitney: Thanks for the ride.  Do you need gas money?

Tanner: Nah, it's not that far out of the way.  You go and get ready for your hot date tonight.

Whitney: Hot date?  What are you talking about?

Tanner: You had all those Valentine cards in your locker.  I figured... No?

Whitney: Those were indecent proposals, Tanner.  I get a locker full every year.

Tanner: Are you serious?  Why would you get dozens of -- (Looks at Wilma playing in the snow.)  Oh, yeah.  Who was it?  Tell me who it was, every one of them.  

Whitney: I'm not gonna tell you.  I know what people think. 

Tanner: Stupid people.  I know you ain't like that.  So you don't have a hot date tonight? 

Updating Sets

One of my four-scene backdrops I made from a trifold had an unfortunate accident.  The barn and the park entry were not used much, so I felt they were no great loss.  I turned the Middle School classroom (on the intact trifold) into an Elementary School classroom.  The Overlook, though, is Barbieville's major venue for things like weddings!   

The first of my trifold backdrops at an early stage of development. Pocahontas and John demonstrate how each side has two scenes, one upside down when the other is in use.

I got this folding house and knew right away it was going to be the new diner. You can see the old diner backdrop behind it here - I showed in an earlier blog how I turned a "My Life As" dressing room into a diner.  

I guess Midna got a little drunk celebrating her new place of business.  

Removed the diner's wallpaper and started covering with Contact Paper.  I decided to make this the Middle School's cafeteria/auditorium, thus quieting the voice in my head that kept asking why Guinness was teaching two different grades.  

Any school common area needs a few encouraging posters, so I grouped them around the window.  The rest of the wall will be used for signs as needed by the plot - activity sign-up sheets, maybe.  The drama here can happen in the lunchroom, which is probably more in keeping with reality.

I found a nice barn.  It's another "My Life As" but will work for Barbies.  The flip side is a dressmaker's studio with a cityscape view.  No dressmakers in Barbieville and certainly no cityscape!  But it works for me because I need a new Overlook.

Just in time for the Potter/Granger wedding!