Category: Diary

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

My fever broke this evening.  Now I just feel really weak.  But I was able to go take a shower, so there’s that.  I was smelly.  I’m not anymore.

But I went out and sat by the fire with everyone, and it was nice.  They offered me some marshmallows, and I roasted a couple, but I don’t really feel a lot like sweets.  That’s how you know I’m sick!!! I just wanted something savory.  They grilled me up a burger, and that hit the spot pretty well.  Jack stayed with me all day.  I really need to hold on to that boy… if I can.

He seems to feel the same way.

There’s enough electricity here to charge phones and run a small fridge, which is helpful.  But not much more than that.  Just a couple of outlets we kinda fight over.  But we keep the big ol’ lithium packs charged on one of the plugs, so there’s lots of places to plug in a phone without fighting over that.  And Dave sent along a car battery inverter too, which is HELLA convenient.

I woke up this morning and found Grace cuddled up to me too…  and that was really nice in its own way.  I hope I don’t get her sick, but if so, that’s her own fault.  I didn’t ask her to.

Maybe I’ll do a small hike tomorrow.  Depends on how I feel I guess.  I still feel pretty weak.  What a time to get sick…  but maybe it was a good thing.  Jack really showed me how he feels…  and it’s really making me think.

A couple of the adults went to town today and picked up some food for tomorrow.  They don’t have a huge selection and it was pretty expensive (and it’s like half an hour away), but they had enough that we’ll have a decent Thanksgiving feast.  I think…  all told, I have a lot to be thankful for.  I hope I actually get to see the canyon, but if not, well… it still was alright, I guess.  The sunrises here are really pretty.

Yuki seems to be having fun.  She says that for all of Japan’s natural beauty, there’s nothing at all like this there, and she’s glad she came with us.  Liz brought her violin and did a little concert at the edge of the canyon, she said the acoustics were better than the shower!

Love you all!!! ❤️

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

I’m still sick. Today wasn’t easy.  I just laid in my sleeping bag most of the day and slept.

But Jack has been taking so good care of me.  I can’t actually believe how much he’s taking care of me.  Everyone went off hiking today and he stayed behind.  I was cold and he got in the sleeping bag with me – and just warmed me up.  He fed me soup (Dave’s worrywart nature saved me again), he read to me until I fell asleep…  he helped me walk to the restroom.

I don’t deserve him.

But I’m so thankful for him.

They almost packed everyone back in and went home, but I didn’t want them to do that.  A long car ride would probably be worse right now anyway.  My sleeping bag is warm, the air is fresh and nice, and Jack’s taking better care of me than I ever imagined.

Don’t worry too much about me.  I’m not having any real trouble breathing, just a little coughing and sneezing and runny nose and fever.  There’s actually a doctor a town over and the people who run the campsite called him, and he gave me a once over.  They saw me being helped to the restroom and were a little worried.  He said it’s just a virus and it’ll have to run its course.  Not really news to me, but it helped Sabby feel a bit better.  He didn’t ask for any money, so we got him a pastry from the cafe.  It was nice of him.  But I guess that’s how small towns work.  I have a feeling Sabby’s going to send him some cookies.  A LOT of cookies.  And you know that’s not an idle threat from Sabby.

It’s night right now.  It’s so dark outside.  Jack’s sleeping next to me.  His parents don’t seem to mind, I guess they figure I’m sick, what are we going to do?  They’re right.  I don’t want to do anything but sleep.  I’m going to put this tablet away and cuddle up to him now.  He’s so warm…

Love you all!!! ❤️

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

I’m sick.  Really sick.  Not hospital sick but I feel awful and just want to sleep and eat chicken soup and I’m cold and…

Jack’s taking care of me.

I love Jack.

I’m so glad Dave wanted us to pack medical stuff.  It’s saving my life right now.  Definitely figuratively, maybe literally.

I’ll write more when I’m not sick.

Love you all!!! ❤️

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

We made it to the campsite.  It was another long drive, but we’re here.  There’s cell service but it’s spotty and I’m having a tough time writing this, but it’s working, kind of.  It was another day of the same, you know, endless driving, etc.  But it’s really pretty out here.  I didn’t know the desert was so pretty.  We set up a few tents.  There’s a bathroom but it’s shared, and a shower we can use but it costs a buck or so.  Fortunately they take credit (how’d they pull that off in the middle of nowhere?).  There’s a little gift shop and cafe too but it’s not really all that.  I guess, what did you expect from a campsite though?

It’s pretty cold but the sleeping bag is warm and there’s a place to have a campfire, so that’s nice.  They set one up and it’s really nice.

I’m… feeling a bit off, though.  I slept most of the way and I’m still tired.  I’m going to sleep.

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

We’re in El Paso!!!

We got a couple of rooms…  Yuki, Liz, and I are in this room.  Jack, Grace and his parents are in their own, and Liz’s parents got their own room.  I guess that’s understandable.  Yuki and Liz are playing cards right now.  Liz is teaching Yuki some card games.  Like “Doodle”, that one’s fun.

It was a loooooong drive.  The “adults” (Yuki and Liz and Jack and I are technically adults so I mean the “real” adults) switched off driving and we all sat in the backseat and chatted and slept or whatever.  Grace sat in the same car as us and the adults (except for the one driving) stayed in their own.  West Texas is just a whole lot of absolutely nothing.  We stopped for lunch in a diner in one of the small towns, and got some snacks and took a bathroom break at rest areas and in some small town convenience stores.

Yuki was really interested – she’d never seen small town America before.  She says small town Japan is a little different, it doesn’t feel the same at all.  I don’t know if I ever actually visited a small town, but I guess?  After lunch we just spent all our time sleeping, though.  It’s really kinda monotonous.

But fun too.  Except Grace got a bit carsick.  Aww.  We got her some medicine and she slept it off.  That took a bit to clean up though.

In the diner, someone recognized Yuki.  That shocked everyone, but Yuki most of all.  She was gracious and gave them an autograph though.  It was a couple of teenage boys, they were kinda gushing but Yuki seemed flattered.  I think she expects it in Japan, but here it just hits a bit different I guess.  Maybe in a small town all you’ve got is YouTube, and you’re probably going to at least get a glimpse of Yuki there if you troll around there long enough.

We spent a little time in the pool after dinner, and now we’re going to turn in – we have to leave early again tomorrow.  This isn’t a really nice hotel, but it’s nice enough, and it doesn’t have to be nice for just passing through for a night.  I’m a bit more tired than usual, some sleep would be good.

Sabby’s being a worry wart but I’m sure it’ll be alright.

Love you all!!! ❤️

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

We leave tomorrow morning!!!  Early!  So I can’t post for long tonight!!!  We’re all packed up and have the cars and everything!!!

I’m going to say goodbye to everyone tonight so I can just leave without waking everyone up.  Yuki is staying over tonight too.

Sabby’s being a worrywart and making sure we made a list and checked it like fifteen gazillion times.  Finally I had to tell her that checking it once more isn’t going to change anything.  She grumbled but backed off a little.  Sometimes you have to tell her she’s being a little extra, but at least she listens.

Going to post from El Paso tomorrow night hopefully!!!  We’ll probably get there a bit late because you can bet there will be bathroom breaks, and some food breaks probably aren’t a horrible idea.  The cars are pretty big, but it’s still nice to stretch your legs.  I don’t think I’ll be able to run tomorrow either.  Aww.

Anyway…  wish us all luck!!!

Love you all!!! ❤️

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

Because we’;re all going to be out all next week, we had a girls’ night out tonight!!! It was fun!!!  They didn’t come over, but we went out.  We all went to the main event over on 183 and played a few games, then we went to get some fast food.  Fast food isn’t the best, but it’s nice once in a while.  I like a good burger.

Crystal was telling us how good she’s getting on the guitar!  Truthfully, I don’t believe her.  I mean, yes, I absolutely believe she’s improving – you can’t practice as much as she does (her fingers are mush, aww) without improving, but it’s still only been a few weeks.  And she doesn’t really know how to read music or anything.  She just knows how to play some chords and some of the notes.  I mean, that’s great, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t want her thinking she knows more than she does.  Always more practice needed.  She’s not gonna be shredding.  At best she might be able to play a simple three or four chord song, and probably haltingly.

Again – it’s great!!! I know she’ll get good.  I just want to keep her realistic.

Beth, Crystal, and Diana are planning their own mini-outing next week.  They have to be home for Thanksgiving, but Beth has her full license now (yay Beth!) and so they can go places.  They can’t rent a hotel or anything so they can’t stay overnight, but they can find lots of fun stuff to do next week.  They haven’t decided, but they’re leaning towards going to San Antonio to the riverwalk for a day.  Sabby’s really nervous about that, but she also knows that she can’t keep Beth little forever, so she’s being a worry-wart.  They’ll be okay.  Beth can handle herself.

Doesn’t stop Sabby from annoying the snot out of Beth, though.  And Beth has to take it or Sabby might say no, and Sabby’s kind of looking for an excuse anyway.  Beth knows how to behave when it’s in her interest though.

The other parents are okay with it too, but apparently they’re being just as much of a worrywart, and there’s lots of phone calls and texts going on between Sabby, Maria, and Desiree about all the preparations and making sure the car is good and Beth’s up to a long drive and all that.  Apparently Crystal and Diana are getting the riot act about behaving in the car and not distracting Beth, and Beth’s getting read the riot act about being responsible, keeping her eyes on the road, etc.  Wouldn’t surprise me at all if Sabby puts in a dashcam and points it inward.

Crystal and Diana aren’t really old enough to drive yet, so…  it’s all on Beth.

I’m half expecting Sabby or another of the parents to tag along, and that might yet happen.  I think they’ll let Beth drive, but…  they haven’t really decided yet.  I don’t think I’d blame them.  That’s a long first trip for Beth.  And also they can bail them out if something bad happens.  Well, we’ll see.  I’ve got my own stuff to deal with, I guess.

Anyway, it was fun.  I wonder if I’ll be able to sleep tomorrow night.

Love you all!!! ❤️

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

So much stuff to do, and I have to deal with school too!!!  Aww!!!  Dave gave me a present today, he bought one of those really honking big lithium batteries that can keep my phone and other stuff charged.  I mean it’s massive – apparently it can charge a phone for like fifteen times, and it has a solar panel too.  So everyone gets to charge their phone.  Everyone’s happy!!!  I guess we’ll see if we get reception, but at least it’s one less thing to worry about.  We’ll put the solar panel out during the day and charge our butts off at night.

It cost a pretty penny too, I guess Dave’s a little worried.

He wanted to buy us a starlink too, but it looks like they’re backordered, so we’ll just have to make do.

Dave actually took us shopping, and he had a really big list of stuff we hadn’t even thought of.  Liz’s parents are really grateful that he took charge, they’ve never been camping before, and Dave’s pretty thorough at this kind of stuff.  We almost forgot a can opener!!! Aww!!!

I’m bringing my tablet too.  I hope I can make good use of it, but if not, I can at least play games, I guess.  Dave told me that I should only use it when I need, the whole point of camping is to go hiking and spend time with people, everything will be here when we get back.  Dangit, he’s always right.

He also suggested we bring along some medical stuff.  You know, just in case.  He’s kind of being a worrywart but he helped make up a medical bag.  He got some dehydrated chicken soup packets.  Guy thinks of everything.  We have common medicines, like aspiriin, cold medicine, etc.  Hope we don’t need it.

Anyway…  just a couple of days to go!  I’m excited!

Love you all!!! ♥

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

I didn’t post last night because we were busy making preparations for our trip!!!  There always seems to be more to do.  Last night all of us went out into the backyard and practiced putting tents up.  It’s hard work!!!  Even Jack was confused.  Dave had to come save the day.  He’s an engineer!!!  After he did what every engineer who’s a man hates to do and read the manual, we figured it out pretty quickly  He made us put them up, stow them, put them up again, and stow them again, until we all knew pretty much what we were doing.

Dave’s a pretty good engineer and an okay teacher.

But then it was late, everyone went home, and I went to bed.

We’re all looking forward to it.  I’ve heard great things about the Grand Canyon.  It’s a… ummm.. big hole.

At least that’s what David calls it.

He’s not really wrong.

But saying the Grand Canyon is a big hole is kind of like saying I’m a woman.  I am, but I’m much more than that!  I’m a Lily!!! And the Grand Canyon is a Grand Canyon, not a big hole!!!

And if you call me a big hole I’ll smack you!!!

We leave Saturday morning.  It’ll be fun!! I hope.  But…  but I still don’t know if I’ll have net there.  Maybe I will.  If I do, I’ll post something!  Or maybe I’ll tell Sabby how to post here and send her my entries if everything’s spotty!!!  Maybe she won’t mind.

Maybe I’ll have to bribe her with chocolate milkshakes.

It’s worked before.

I’m the chocolate monster, but she’s not far behind.

Anyway, I’m sleepy.  I guess I’ll go to bed now.

Love you all!!! ❤️

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

Today was pretty fun.  I decided to take Beth on a sister-date day.  After they all got home from church, I told her to put on something cute, and so did I, and we both went out for a sister-date day.  It’s like a date day, but with sisters, and no goodnight kiss.

Haha!!!

Yeah, you silly billies, any kisses are cheek kisses.  I swear…

Anyway…  we went to the mall and I took her around and we bought a few things.  Then I took her to a nice place to eat and we had a dinner – no mall food court for that girl!!!  Then I took her to Main Event and we did bowling and some other stuff.  She likes the coin pusher games – they’re pretty fun actually.

I haven’t forgotten what she told me earlier – about wanting to be included.  Sometimes I really can’t.  You know, like with the trip Liz’s family is taking.  They include me for a reason, and they don’t include Beth because that reason doesn’t apply to her.  It’s not that they don’t like her – they really do – but this is something for family, and… for some reason, they made me family.

But she and I need to spend time together sometimes.  And days like to today are really important.

After all that, we went just spent some time chatting.  I don’t get to spend enough time with her, just chatting.  She puts on a brave front, but she gets scared and worried sometimes just like everyone else.  She really worries about Crystal.  Crystal seems to seek me out sometimes when she’s having a tough time – I am her onee-chan – but I think that leads to Beth feeling left out, and she is Crystal’s best friend.  I guess I understand.  Sometimes you need a best friend, and sometimes you need an onee-chan.  But sometimes… the best friend wants to feel like she makes a difference too.

Maybe sometimes I should direct Crystal to Beth.  Not because I don’t want to be there for Crystal, but because Beth does.

Otherwise… a pretty quiet day.  Sabby’s making plans for Thanksgiving.  Even if I’m heading out to the Grand Canyon with Liz, well, life goes on here, right?  She’s going to have a big shindig and everyone’s invited.  Sometimes I wonder how Sabby fits all the people in the house, but she always finds a way to make it all work.

Yuki is a little bummed about not having fried chicken, but, well… we’ll be at a campsite in the middle of nowhere.  No KFC.  I’m sure she’ll survive.

Love you all!!! ❤️