This diary entry is part 26 of 28 in Lily's diary dated 19 - January 2023

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

OMG I didn’t write!!!  I’m bad!!!  On Friday all the girls came over and we had fun!  Dave grilled, and we played games and it was so fun!  But I forgot to write…

And then yesterday we went to that place at the Temple Mall!!!  Trampoline, wall climbing, all that stuff!  It kind of sucked for Beth because she wore a skirt!!!  She didn’t realize it until she was halfway up the climbing wall and there were a bunch of boys sitting there with popcorn like they were watching a TV show!

Aww.

But we found some shorts for her to put on and she had fun anyway.  Not before they got yelled at by both Sabby and Beth though.  Poor boys.

Beth needs to be more careful about that!!!

But… I didn’t write because I was tired!  All that jumping and go-karting and lazer tagging and all that stuff wiped me out, and we all went home and just crashed!!!  It was so much fun!  I didn’t even know that place existed but we’ll be going back!!!

Temple’s about fifty miles away so a bit of a drive, but still… fun!!!

So all the girls went home today and it was a quiet day.  Thankfully.  I’m tired!!!  All that fun wears a girl out!!! But at least it makes this week a bit better.  Lots of school and stuff to do.  And Beth’s about to start her driving school too!!!

Okay, see you!!!

love you all!!! ❤

This diary entry is part 25 of 28 in Lily's diary dated 19 - January 2023

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

I’m tired.

It’s hard work being a Lily.

There’s always so much to do.

Dave’s a little embarrassed about yesterday.  I don’t know if anyone has ever accidentally pressure washed a cat.  I mean, the cat’s fine, he didn’t get it with the high pressure, he was just spraying things off, but still…  he pressure washed a cat.

Only Dave could do that.

We’ve been walking by him and meowing.  I don’t think he likes it all that much.

Other than that, a pretty quiet day.  Ai told me about her Lunar New Year, and she had a lot of fun.  I guess they went to one of those lantern festivals, you know, the ones where they wear kimono and write their wishes on a lantern and float it out on the lake.  She also had mochi and other fun things to eat.  Japan has the best festivals.  Matsuri da!!!

Hiroshi wants to come to the US, Ai told him how much fun she had and he’s jealous.  Can’t blame the little guy, I guess.

Oh, she loves her dog too!!!  I guess she got a shiba inu!!!    She named it Lily too!!!  Aww!! That’s two dogs named after me, one across the world!  How funny!!!

Okay…  I’m tired.  I’m going to bed.

Love you all!!! ❤

This diary entry is part 24 of 28 in Lily's diary dated 19 - January 2023

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

So Dave got the bright idea after work to pressure wash something.  He really seems to like to pressure wash stuff.  Must be a guy thing.  I can’t deny it’s cool to see things get sparkly after you hit them with a pressure washer.

Problem is, Dave is kind of a klutz.

He pressure washed a cat.

The cat is fine.  It just happened to be walking by as he was spraying off whatever he was pressure washing, saw a cat jump ten feet in the air, meow, and run off.

Never get in Dave’s way when he’s got a pressure washer in his hands.

But.. he was pressure washing the grill.  So tonight he grilled some meat for us on his newly clean grill, and it was delicious. He’s not a klutz when he grills!  Just when he pressure washes cats.

Hahaah!!

Love you all! ❤️ 

This diary entry is part 23 of 28 in Lily's diary dated 19 - January 2023

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

And everything’s back to normal!

I’m going to school and Sabby’s baking and Dave’s, well, Daving, and Beth’s going to school too and David’s getting into trouble.  You know, the normal stuff.  The shop is doing pretty well but it’s kind of humming along – the holidays did really well, now we’re doing okay.  Sabby wants to branch off into light deli food and snacks to get some of that lunch traffic, and I think it’s a good idea but not sure we’re ready for it yet.  Besides, the baker isn’t a deli food maker, she’s a baker.  And we’re a cookie place, not a deli.

But otherwise, we’re doing well.  cat-girl has a bunch of regular clients that come around to see what she’s dressed as, and buy cookies while they’re at it.  There’s actually a webpage that popped up called “What’s she wearing today?” where every day they post a picture of her costume.  She seems to like the attention, but I wonder how good it is.  Katie seems dead set against it for herself, and I don’t blame her, but I can’t deny that cat-girl really drives business.

And what gets me is, cat-girl somehow wears a completely different costume each day.  She mixes and matches, but no two are alike.  Today she dressed like a Japanese schoolgirl maid.  I have no idea how she pulled that off, but she did.

Valentine’s day is coming up, so we certainly have to do something special for that.

But we’re doing alright.  Everyone’s getting paid, we’re building up a nice nest egg, and the employees seem to be happy.  I don’t know what else you could ask for.

Okay!!!  Marie needs walked and Beth needs brushed!!!

Love you all!!! ❤

This diary entry is part 22 of 28 in Lily's diary dated 19 - January 2023

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

And I’m feeling a lot better..

I guess I had a low grade fever because it broke last night.  I woke up all sweaty and then after tossing off the covers went right back to sleep, and I slept well this time!

So I’m better now.

Even Lilies like me get sick sometimes.

Sabby wanted me to stay home and rest, so she took Beth to school.  I felt like I could have gone!  But she said no, stay home and rest.

She really does take care of me.

And gave me another helping of that miraculous triple chocolate creation!!!

So I spent today watching YoouTube and doing homework.

Marie says hi!!

Love you all!! ❤

This diary entry is part 21 of 28 in Lily's diary dated 19 - January 2023

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

I’m still sick.

A little worse than yesterday but not too bad.  Just a little stuffy and blah.  Awww.

You know, I’ve never told you if I’m vaccinated for COVID.  I’m not going to tell you, either.  I might be or might not be, you’re not going to know.  The thing is, I’ve watched people get really silly over it.  Some people think that everyone should be vaccinated, some people think that no one should, and some people just don’t care.

So if you want to think I’m vaccinated, you can.  If you want to think I’m not, you can too.  It’s kind of like what my pajamas look like.  It’s none of your business!!!

I don’t think this is COVID though.  If it is, oh well.  It’s not bad.

But I spent the day resting.  It’s nice to rest every now and then, don’t you think?  Just resting and watching YouTube and eating chocolate.  Sabby brought my some ice cream and ginger ale – nothing better than ice cream and ginger ale!!!

Well… not at the same time, I guess.

She brought me triple chocolate chunk ice cream with chocolate syrup and chocolate whipped cream!  And chocolate sprinkles too!  It’s the brownest thing I’ve ever eaten!!!

And it was DELICIOUS!!!

I always feel better after chocolate.

So I’m going back to sleep.  Maybe I’ll feel better tomorrow.

Love you all!!! ❤

This diary entry is part 19 of 28 in Lily's diary dated 19 - January 2023

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

I’m a little sick today.

Nothing really bad, just a sniffle and feeling blah.

So I didn’t do much today.  I laid in bed and just kind of vegged out.  Sabby told me sometimes you just need to take some time and veg out, so I did today.  I’m still not feeling great but I’m alright, I guess.

Jack came over with a huge cup of hot chocolate and a huuuuuge chocolate bar.

I love that boy.

He always knows just what to do.

And “just what to do” usually involves chocolate.  And when it doesn’t… well, it usually involves chocolate, anyway.

Anyway, he stuck around and we listened to some funny stories on YouTube.  Involving – you guessed it – Karens.  I swear they go to a school or something for advanced karening, it’s always the same thing.  “Help me find this.” “I don’t work here.” “yes you do. Now help me find this.” “No, I don’t work here.” “stop lying to me! you’re wearing the uniform!” “No I’m not!” “I want to speak to your manager!” “Buzz off!” and then usually she starts slapping or hitting, the police get called, she starts lying up a storm, there are cameras, and she gets carted off.

It’s always the same story.  I don’t get it.

Maybe the people telling the stories are making it up.

But I’ve run into a few karens.  I don’t think they are.

I dozed off a bit and he just rubbed my back and it was soooooo nice and soothing.  Of course, the door stayed open.

Anyway, at dinner, Beth brought her boy friend (not boyfriend) over.  He seems nice enough.  Packs away the food, but seems to be well mannered and seems to respect Beth.  He’s pretty smart too – smarter than me – so they have that in common, at least.  She put on some light makeup.  Sabby didn’t really approve, but, well, she is growing up.

Katie came over too, and she gave him the third degree.  Said something about “I’m pregnant because a boy couldn’t be responsible and that won’t be happening to Beth.”  He just looked embarrassed, and Sabby said “Katie, they’re not dating yet.”  She turned red and didn’t say anything else.

I guess I can see where she’s coming from, though.  It must be a tough position to be in.

Dave did give him kind of a short version of the kind of third degree that he gave Jack.  They’re not dating yet but he said something like “She seems to like you and it’s in the contract.”

Then he said that even if they’re not dating, he can still hurt her, and he’d better not.

Anyway, I went back up to my room after dinner and Sabby brought up a root beer float.  Awwww.  Tasted good, too.  No chocolate, but Jack took care of that earlier.  haha!!!

Okay, I’m going to sleep, maybe I’ll feel better tomorrow.

Love you all!!! ❤

This diary entry is part 20 of 28 in Lily's diary dated 19 - January 2023

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

Sunday is Chinese New Year!!!

And, well, I’m half-Japanese.

We had a PARTY!!!!

Emiko and family came, and Liz and family, and of course me.  We’re trading red cards and having Chinese and Japanese food, and playing Chinese and Japanese music (I get to play some J-Pop and J-Metal too, as well as traditional stuff) and treats too!  We’ve got mochi and daifuku and onigiri and pocky too!!!  And the Chinese folks brought their snacks – I don’t know what they’re called but they’re delicious!!!  Some kind of meat dumplings, and potstickers, and fried wontons (those are so delicious!).

And we’ve got Ramune and milk tea and boba and Japanese drinks too!!!

Beth and David are pigging out!!!

They’re not usually too keen on the Asian stuff – I mean they don’t mind but they don’t go out of their way for it – but they’re having a great time!!!

The Chinese folks are trying the Japanese stuff, and the Japanese folks are trying the Chinese stuff, it’s a real melting pot tonight!!!

We’re all wearing our traditional outfits (Jack is hot in his).  I mean, Dave and Sabby aren’t but they’re gaikokujin in this celebration.  But they’re welcome, of course!!!

Grace is wearing a small version of a traditional Chinese outfit, and she’s just the cutest.  But she always is.

It was lots of fun!  We ate and drank (Dave seem to like sake) and, well, talked about rabbits I guess.  Haha!!!  Grace kind of conked out on the couch but we put a blanket over her.  She’s so cute when she’s sleepy!

Oh, I didn’t say – Jack slipped something into my red envelope!!!  It was.. a promise ring!  AWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!  He told me he can’t propose yet but he wants to someday, and maybe on Chinese New Year.  I told him that I’d look forward to that day, and he doesn’t have to get a really expensive ring, just one from the heart.  He gave me a hug and kiss, and I returned it.  Everyone hooted and hollered and they finally broke us up after a minute, but I’m so happy!!!  It even fits!!!

Okay.  Gotta go now.  I’m tired, that was exhausting!

Oh… I didn’t write last night.  We were playing a family game and by the time it ended it was late, so I just went to bed.  It happens sometimes!!!

Love you all!!! ❤

This diary entry is part 18 of 28 in Lily's diary dated 19 - January 2023

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

And, well, it’s more school, I guess.

A boringly boring day!!!

But I guess boringly boring is good in its own way.

Beth asked Sabby if she can start learning how to drive, and, well, I guess Sabby couldn’t say no, right?  After all, she let me.  She can’t get a real license until sixteen, but she can start the process.  But I have a provisional license, so I can’t teach her.

Which is probably for the best.  Let them deal with that!  Haha!!!

But I guess she’ll get signed up soon.

I asked Sabby if they were going to get her a car like they got me a car, and she sighed.  I guess she hadn’t thought about that, but she kind of has to if she’s going to be fair.  So we’ll see what they come up with.  I think they’re going to wait a bit because prices are cratering now.  I guess that’s fair too.  So… we’ll see what happens.  I’m not sure I want to drive with Beth, but they don’t want to drive with me, so…  I guess we just have to deal.  All of us!  Hahaah!!!!

Sabby kind of wanted me to share but I told her I didn’t want to.  Not because I don’t like Beth, and not even because I don’t trust Beth, but because I need my car and if it’s going to crash I want to be the one to crash it.  Sabby seemed to understand.

Katie was over for dinner tonight.  She’s a little sad.  I asked her why she gets sad around children.  She said because she’s going to have one, and the child won’t have a father, and it makes her sad.

AWWWW.

But I guess I understand that.  I’m sure she’ll find someone!!!  Maybe I’ll put her name out at church!  Hahaha!!!!  Ummm…  no.  I won’t do that.  But she needs a good guy who will help raise her child and not leave her and be a good dad.  But Dave can be a grandpa!!! I said that at the table and Dave almost spat his food out.

Hahaaha!!!!

I hope he doesn’t do something stupid with cayenne pepper again.

But I think he’d be a good grandpa.  I could see him putting the baby on his knee and telling it stories and putting it on his shoulders… that’d be cute.

But it’s Katie’s baby, so we’ll see.

I think Katie will be a good mom.

She just needs some help.

I guess we all do in one way or another.

Okay, bedtime!  Marie’s whining!

Love you all!!! ❤

This diary entry is part 17 of 28 in Lily's diary dated 19 - January 2023

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

And school started again today!!!

It was fun, I guess.  It was school.

But hey, education!

So now Jack’s going to school, and I’m going to school, and Beth’s going to school… everyone’s going to school!!!

Oh I forgot to mention that yesterday was Martin Luther King day!!!

Well, truth be told, I don’t know a lot about Martin Luther King.  Sabby explained it a little bit, like she did last year.  She explained that back then there were a lot of people who wanted black people to be separate from white people, and he didn’t like that, so… he fixed it!  And they killed him for it.  Aww.

Sabby says he’d be so angry at the way people are trying to separate themselves again.  Maybe she’s right.

He said something like, “I have a dream that one day my four children will be judged not by the color of their skin, but the content of their character.”  Me too!  I mean, I’m half asian.  Remember on Friday how that lady tried to say I wasn’t Sabby’s daughter because I’m asian and she’s not?  How rude!  But I think I have an okay character!  Sabby says I’m a little gullible, but I’m nice!!! And Sabby’s nice too!!!  And so is Dave!!!  And Beth and… well, David too, okay.  All of us are nice!  And I’m half-Japanese, and Sabby’s black, and Dave’s white, and Beth and David are half-black half-white… oh, and Liz and Jack and Grace and their families are Chinese too!!!  (Bet you forgot that!) And Emiko is Japanese and Bill is white and Maria and Diana are hispanic…  we’re all sorts of different colors and cultures… and we still all love each other!

Isn’t that what Martin Luther King wanted for all of us?

Hmm, about the only thing we’re missing is middle east!  But Sabby says Jesus is middle eastern, so we got that covered too!  Hahaha!!!

Marie represents dog, and Cat represents cat…  we’ve got species too!!!  Hahaha!!!

Oh and on twitter… there’s lots of Japanese people who post pictures of hamsters!  Hamsters sleeping!  Hamsters eating!! Hamsters on their wheel!  Hamsters looking pensive (well, as pensive as hamsters can be).  Hammies all over the place!!!

It’s cute!

So we’ve got hamsters that aren’t judged by the color of their fur, but the content of their… ummm… character.  What kind of character do hamsters have anyway?  Aww.  Now I want a hamster.  Hahaha!!!

Okay!  Good night to my extremely diverse and yet very peaceful and happy readers!!!

Love you all!!! ❤