Category: Diary

This diary entry is part 2 of 31 in Lily's diary dated 16 - October 2022

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

It’s Sunday!!!

Well… not that it means much.  I went running, the rest of the family went to church, I came home from running, I did some playing around on the computer, practiced piano, studied Japanese… you know, the usual stuff.  It was a nice, quiet day.  I like nice, quiet days.  Have I said that?  I do.  My life doesn’t seem to have a lot of nice, quiet days.  Aww.

It’s nice and cool (well, sort of), so I took Marie for a nice, long walk.  She had a great time, as always.  Sniffs things, pees on things, sniffs the things she just peed on, pees on them again for good measure… you know, being a dog.  She met a few friends on her walk – she always wants to meet any dog she comes across, and mostly the other dogs are fine with that – they love walking too.

I don’t have any big plans this week.  Classes, classes, more classes, maybe seeing Jack…  but we’re both busy too, so…  I wonder if that’s normal?  Sabby says it is.  But we do have to make time for each other.  I think we will.  Oh, and Halloween is coming up too!  I think Dave and Sabby and everyone are going to be putting the Halloween decorations up soon.  I… still have mixed feelings about Halloween, but I do have my cheerleader costume now, and at least it’s better than the maid costume.

And then the elections – from what Sabby says, that should be kinda painful all on its own, and then… Thanksgiving!  I know what I’m thankful for.  Everything!  I’m thankful for everything!  But I wont’list that out until Thanksgiving!  Everyone will be looking at their watches!  Hahaah!!!

Emiko wants to come over soon.  I think next weekend.  I want to see Aika and Mika, and they want to see Marie, so it all works out!  Maybe we’ll all go to the waterpark again!!  YAAAAAYYYY!!!!!

Okay!  I gotta go!

Love you all!!! ❤

This diary entry is part 1 of 31 in Lily's diary dated 16 - October 2022

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

What an eventful day!

So after breakfast, Dave and David and Sabby and I went over to the new bakery, and got the keys.  We walked around a bit and Sabby and I talked about what we wanted and how it should look, and Dave said “that’s great, but we’ve all already agreed on a plan”, and Sabby and I pouted a little.  But he’s right.  It’s a nice plan, too.  We went home, and Dave and David immediately went over to the Home Depot and ordered a whole bunch of building material.  I guess they’re going to do a lot of the work, but Sabby and I will help if needed.  That’s fine with me.  I’m pretty handy, but not in a “putting walls in a building” kind of way.  It’s good man bonding time anyway, David needs a lot of that.

While they went back with sledgehammers to knock out walls (eeep!), Allison’s mother dropped her off for a few hours with Milo (her dog, it’s a white fluffy small thing.. a maltapoo?)  We piled her into the car and we went over with Marie to Jack’s place to pick up Lily and Grace.

Sooo many dogs!!!!

The… seven?  of us then went over to a dog park and let the dogs run loose.

OMG did they have fun!  First they sniffed each others’ butts… then they just went nuts!  Ran around chasing each other, play-fighting, play-wrestling, just had a great time! Grace was rolling around with all three of them too!  It was cute! After an hour we went back to the house and had grilled cheese sandwiches and mint chocolate chip ice cream!  (It’s Allison’s favorite!)  Then her mother came over and picked up her and Milo!  That was fun!

I like mint chocolate chip too but I prefer the really chocolatey stuff.  You know, triple chocolate fudge chip with hot fudge and chocolate whipped cream!

After that I took Grace home, and went over to HEB to see Jack in his native element!!!  He was happy to see me but busy.  I understood.  He did introduce me to his manager though.  She was standing next to the door looking all managery – not doing anything herself but watching everyone else do stuff.  Yup, manager.  I gave him a quick kiss and while I was there, picked up a few things we needed.

Very quick, though.  The manager gave us a bit of stink-eye.

Right now his job is picking up carts from the parking lot, but I guess they’ll train him as a cashier soon.  A lot of high schoolers and college students work there, so there’s a lot of turnover.

After Jack got home work work, we went on a date.  It wasn’t anything huge, we went to a Chinese place and had some Chinese food.  Jack says he likes it, but it’s not real Chinese food.  I guess the same way HEB sushi is kind of Japanese-like, but not really sushi.  Then we went back to his place, and cuddled on the couch with his family while we watched a movie.

It was nice.  But it always is.  I love the way his family lets us be affectionate with each other without giving us dirty looks.  I had my head in his lap and he was rubbing my scalp.  HEAVEN.

We didn’t really have any time to ourselves but that’s okay.  Maybe next time.

And now it’s time for bed.  It was a nice day.  And it’s cooler outside too!!!

Love you all!!! ❤

This diary entry is part 28 of 29 in Lily's diary dated 15 - September 2022

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

It’s Friday!

Jack is working tonight.  But we’re going to go out this weekend!  Yayyy!!!  His school is going okay.  I think he made a couple of friends.

I just didn’t feel like posting last night, and I get a break too, right?

It was a pretty quiet day, but it’s not quiet now!  The girls are over!!!  Me, Liz, Beth, Crystal, Diana… and Allison’s coming over tomorrow so the dogs can have a play date!  That sounds like fun!!!

And also tomorrow we’re going to take lease of that new storefront and start renovating!!!  The guy we’re leasing it from really does have some connections, Dave drew up some plans and they’re already approved!!!  Wow!!!  Being a structural engineer, Dave knows his way around plans and has some architect friends too, so… it all works out.

I guess having a mysterious benefactor does have some advantages, too!

Gotta go!  We’re going to play truth or dare!  Carefully…

Love you all!!! ❤

This diary entry is part 27 of 29 in Lily's diary dated 15 - September 2022

HI! It’s me! Lily!

A sad Lily.

A really bad hurricane hit Florida today.

I know it’s not the first time a hurricane will hit, and it won’t be the last.  I mean, after all, Katrina was one of the reasons I was abandoned in the first place.  And I don’t know anyone in Florida.  But it’s still awful.  I can’t imagine winds of 140mph.  That’s just excessive!!! And all that rain and flooding and people on roofs… aww.

But I’m sure it’ll be okay.  Sabby says they’ve got a good governor.  I’m sure he’ll get them help when he can.

Emiko was telling me a while ago about Harvey – a hurricane that hit Houston a while ago.  Flooded out the city.  Even Austin got some of that!  Sabby was telling me about that!

Well, in better news, Jack got a job!  He’s working at HEB, you know, the one over on Greenlawn.  It’s not far from him and I hear they’re a good employer.  He’ll be working after school and on weekends.  I hope he’ll still have some time for me!  But I guess I can’t blame him if he doesn’t have too much.  I’m sure we’ll figure something out.  Maybe I’ll go there and make questionable purchases and make him blush!  Hahaha!!!

So remember that prank that Sabby and I were going to do?  We did it tonight!  Hahaha!!!  So the prank was…  the three of us dressed up like cheerleaders, went downstairs, and did a cheer for Dave!  “Give me a D!” “D!!!” “Give me an A!”  “A!!!!”  “Give me a V!”.. .well, you know the drill.  We did pom poms and everything.  He was actually blushing!  Hahaha!!!

And then after that, Sabby went over and sat on his lap, and whispered in his ear.

Then they went upstairs.

I…  umm…  that wasn’t what I expected to happen.  I knew Sabby seemed way too easy to convince.  Hahaha!!!

So Beth and I looked at each other…  went over to Liz’s house, and gave her a cheer too!!!

She fell over laughing!!!

Mostly because we looked up her name and described the hanzi! hahaha!!! “Give me a grass on top of a stop!”  “GRASS ON TOP OF A STOP!” “give me a grass on top of a right!”  “GRASS ON TOP OF A RIGHT!”  “What does that spell?”  “ZHI RUO!!!”

Hahaha!!!

And then we went home and changed out because both of us felt silly in cheerleader outfits.  But I’ll save mine for Jack.  Hahah!!!  I know you read this Jack!  I bet you blushed!  Hahaah!!!

Oh, I guess I’m in a mood.

I did eat a little chocolate.  GIMME CHOCOLATE!!!!!

Sabby and Dave are now cuddling on the couch and seem really, umm.. happy.  And Marie is whining and needs a walk.  So I guess I’ll do that.

Love you all!!! ❤

This diary entry is part 26 of 29 in Lily's diary dated 15 - September 2022

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

Quiet days are nice.

I like quiet days.

This was one.

Beth and I went to classes, we came home, and that was pretty much my day.  It is cooler!  Yay!  The daytime is 90 or so, but the low is 60!  I went for my run this morning and it was nice for once!!!

Yes, I’m still running.  I don’t talk much about it because there’s not much to talk about.  I get into running clothes, run, come home, and then I’m not running anymore.  Jack runs too, but not quite as religiously as I do.  He’s pretty fit though.  Thankfully.

Before I run I take Marie for a quick walk – she loves it.  Just wanders around sniffing everything.  Dogs are funny that way.  They love to smell stuff.

This evening Dave grilled!  Yay!  Have I mentioned I love it when Dave grills?  Only every time he grills!  Hahaha!!!  I asked them if they’d consider getting a pool, and they weren’t too enthusiastic.  It’s not that they don’t want one, it’s just that there’s not enough room and they’re expensive to install and maintain.  Besides, there are waterparks if we really want to get wet.  I guess.  Would be nice, but not the kind of thing you raise a fuss over.  Besides, they’re kinda right – waterparks are way more fun.

Anyway, it’s nice to have a day where military guys in helicopters aren’t showing up wanting cookies.

You know… that really was weird.  It seems the weird stuff always happens to me.  I guess that’s to be expected with my history – or lack thereof.

This weekend we’re taking possession of the new storefront and bakery.  Dave’s going to come with us and help us plan a remodel.  It’s making a significant dent in Sabby’s savings but Dave’s really confident that she’ll make it up quickly, considering how prodigiously fast and good she makes her cookies.

I started doing the books for our new LLC, and… well…  we’re well into the red right now.  But that’s what happens when you start a company.

Love you all!!! ❤

This diary entry is part 25 of 29 in Lily's diary dated 15 - September 2022

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

Oh!  I got so distracted by the cookie situation and the date with Jack that I forgot to tell you that I met Liz’s boy friend!  Not boyfriend, but boy friend!!!

His name is Jayden, and..  well, he seems pretty nice, actually.  He’s just average looking – not ugly, but not hot like Jack either.  But he’s smart!  He’s at least as smart as Liz!  And he seems to treat her well too.  I told him what had happened with her previous date (she blushed) and he looked offended.  Said something about “boys like that giving boys a bad name”.  He said he’d be crazy not to want to touch Liz, but not that way.

I didn’t get the same vibes off of him that I got off of Kevin, so… he’s alright in my book.  But I told him I know forms of martial arts and I don’t even know what they are, so if he doesn’t want to be kung fu chopped or karate kicked or judo whapped, then he needs to keep his hands to himself.  Unless invited.

He gulped.  I won’t lie, that was cute.  I think he’ll be fine.

So he and Liz went on a date, and apparently he was a perfect gentleman.  Remember how Jack got me a big piece of chocolate cake?  “What’s your richest, most chocolately thing, and how big a slice can you make it?”, I think he said.  Awww.  He did something similar for Liz.  He…  gave her a necklace.

No, not anything gaudy.  He’s a high school student.  He can’t afford that.  But it was a rhodium plated chain with some very pretty red and blue gems, and apparently they were real gems.  It was surprisingly tasteful.  Heck, I don’t wear jewelry often, and I’d wear that!  She thought it was too expensive, but he said he got it from a thrift store, and she was worth every penny he did pay for it.

So…  I didn’t know that was the way to Liz’s heart, but he did.  She let him put it around her neck, then looked down, looked at him, then pounced on him.  Their kiss didn’t end for quite a while.  Awww.  Looks like she might have found her Prince Charming.  I told her to be careful, and she is, but she’s so besotted now.

As long as he behaves, I’m happy for her.  Maybe Liz and I can double date with Jack and Jayden.

I guess giving gifts on a date is a Chinese thing.  Who knew?  It’s just, Jack gave me chocolate.

Beth has a boy she’s interested in in classes.  Apparently in her advanced math class, there’s a boy there that’s at least as smart as her, and to hear her tell it, cute too.  She’s not allowed to date, but I’m going to talk to Sabby and see if we can’t at least let her bring him to dinner.  Even if they can’t date yet, she needs friends.  And her sixteenth birthday is coming up fast.

She’s almost sixteen!  She’s really beautiful now!  She lost all her baby fat and she’s kind of a stunner!  Maybe she could be a model!  I have that olive-toned half-Japanese skin – nothing wrong with that and Jack says it makes me look really exotic.  But she has that kind of milk chocolate skin with long, curly hair and a slim body.  She’s so pretty now!  I hope it works out for her, I really do.  But even if it doesn’t… there are other boys.  And I’m sure they’ll be falling all over themselves to date her.

Anyway, that’s the news.  I hope it works out for them both.

Jack started school today!  He seems alright.  He says it’s very different than Ohio, in a good way.  There’s all the cliques and other stuff, but the other kids seem friendly for the most part, and I think he’ll get along fine.

Hey, did you know Allison has a dog?  She never told us!  She wants him to meet Lily and Marie!  I think we’re going to have a dog play date soon!

Love you all!!! ❤

This diary entry is part 24 of 29 in Lily's diary dated 15 - September 2022

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

Well, they didn’t waste any time, did they?  In fact, I’m a little amazed at exactly how fast that happened.  If I had to guess, those cookies went right to Fort Hood, then hopped a plane right to DC, and took a helicopter to the pentagon, because this morning I heard that the cookies are a hit.

I mean, seriously, a hit.  The way my “benefactor” described it, an entire office at the pentagon stopped work completely so that everyone could rave about how good the cookies were.

And on a weekend, at that.

Let’s see, how did he or she describe it…  “These cookies are so good we should send them to foreign embassies as a goodwill gift.  In fact, when you’re set up, we’ll be your first order, and might do just that.”

Well, to be fair, Sabby did pull out all the stops.  She made the triple chocolate chocolate whipped cream espresso drizzled cookies.

In other, I’m sure quite unrelated (hah!) news, we got a phone call today from someone who just happened to have a space available for lease at a very attractive rate.  The owner used to work in the intelligence services.  Yes, I’m sure quite a coincidence, indeed.  He also knows people in local government who can fast track our permits, and…  umm… wow.  Sabby’s over the moon!!!  She can make cookies full time!!!

Well, benefactor, I still don’t know who you are, but thanks.  And I’m still nervous.

Oh, and he or she had something to say about that, too.  “You’re right to be nervous.  What happened is… unfortunate.  But not your fault.  People at my level of government think blame is very important.  And blaming a fourteen year old girl for the negligence of others is not what we do.  We owe you a very large debt – the kind of debt that causes us to send out helicopters to pick up cookies.  Keep making us proud.”

Well, I’ll try.

I went over to Jack’s house today.  His family was there, and we went out to one of the grills at the complex and had a small picnic.  It wasn’t Dave-grilling, but it was delicious nonetheless.  They made teriyaki beef on the grill, and then put it over rice with spices.  It’s.. um… really good.  Then Grace and Jack and I ran around and played some games, and we went to the pool and splashed around for a while.  Dave and Sabby don’t have a pool.  They have a nice house, but no pool.  So that was nice.  I love Jack, but I love Grace too.

Maybe if Sabby does really good with her cookies, they’ll put in a pool.  That’d be nice.

Anyway, gotta go.  Marie is whining.

Love you all!!! ❤

 

This diary entry is part 23 of 29 in Lily's diary dated 15 - September 2022

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

So…  as you may have noticed, yesterday no one came to pick up cookies.  This morning, however…

We heard a ruckus outside. We opened the door, and there was a military helicopter landing in a parking lot near the freeway!

Then a couple of guys in full uniform came out, and walked resolutely to our door.

Sabby answered.

“Umm… can I help you?”

“Yes, ma’am.  We’re here to… ummm… pick up some cookies?”, they said, sounding a bit unsure of themselves.

“Oh!  Wait here.  Come in.”

They came in, and stood in the living room looking a little out of place.  They took their hats off, which was nice.  But soon Sabby came out with a few tins of cookies, all wrapped up nicely with a bow.

“Thank you, ma’am.  We’ll be off now,” they said.  “We have to airlift an old lady to a medical appointment.”  They said this with a completely straight face, but a little side glance at each other told us they were being a little silly.

“Not a problem,” she said.  “Enjoy.”

“Not for us, ma’am.  General.. er, I mean, these are for someone else.”

Sabby and I looked at each other, and I swear the guy who slipped up was blushing.

“One moment,” she said, and ran into the kitchen and came out with a small box of cookies.  “For you.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” they said, and walked out the door.  A couple of minutes later, we heard the helicopter spinning up and taking off.

Ummm… wow.  All that trouble, just for Sabby’s cookies.

Sabby looked at me.  “Umm..  is that what we’re spending tax dollars on?”  She shrugged.  “I won’t ask.”

Probably wise.

I…  I’m not comfortable.

I’m not comfortable because apparently what happened to me was so important and has the attention of people so high up in the government that they can dispatch two military guys and a helicopter just to pick up some tins of cookies from Sabby.  That…  I’m glad they’re on my side.

I’m not upset… but I’m nervous.

What happened?

Otherwise, Jack and I went on a date tonight.  I let him choose where to go tonight.  He took me to Congress Bridge to see the bats!!!  They all flew out from the bridge like swarms of birds!!!  The sunset was nice too!!! Then he took me to a nice steakhouse and we had a lovely dinner.

After which he took me home.  I told him we could go back to his place sometime soon, but not tonight.  He understood.  Dave and Sabby invited him in, and we all watched a movie.  We cuddled up on the couch.  Beth looked a little put out, but I just gave her a dirty look, and she sighed and watched the movie.  I… really don’t blame her, in a way.  If I were her I might be a little jealous too.  After the movie Jack kissed me goodnight and went back home.

It was a very nice date.

So…  a couple of military guys came in a helicopter to pick up cookies.  How weird can things get???

Love you all!!! ❤

This diary entry is part 22 of 29 in Lily's diary dated 15 - September 2022

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

It’s Friday!

Today after classes I went over to Liz’s house – her family and Jack’s family (kind of the same, right?) wanted to have dinner and they invited me as well.  I guess they really do consider me a part of the family.  I dressed up nicely and went over, they made some traditional Chinese food.  It was delicious, as always.  There was a little grilling (the conversational kind, not the Dave kind!).  They asked us if we wanted children eventually.  Both of us blushed hard.  I think so, but we’ve never talked about it!

… Maybe we should, come to think of it.  We’re not quite that serious yet, but would be good to know, I think.

I mean, I think I want children someday.  Not now, of course!  But someday.  I mean, Grace is cute.  I’d like a little girl like Grace.  But then, I might get a boy like David, so…

David’s not a bad kid, but I wouldn’t want to be Sabby!!!

Anyway, it was a nice dinner, and then Liz and I came back here to watch a movie.  I’ll go somewhere with Jack this weekend, but not tonight.

Beth is over at Diana’s house.  I think I told yall that it’s repaired from the tornado now?  Yay!  So it’s just me and Liz.  But that’s alright.  I need to spend more time with Liz anyway.  She’s my best friend and my boyfriend’s been taking up a lot of time.

Ai wants to meet Jack too!!!  She thinks he’s hot too.  Sigh.  Everyone seems to think he’s hot.  I guess I’m lucky?  He’s just Jack.  Hot, yes, but Jack.

Oh, Allison had to have her baby teeth removed today.  Awww.  But I hear she was brave and didn’t even need much pain medicine!  I hope when she’s feeling better she gets lots and lots of ice cream!  Chocolate ice cream with whipped cream and cherries!!!

Anyway, I gotta go.  Marie needs walked and then Liz and I are going to my room to chat and sleep.

Love you all!!! ❤