summertime is story time.

At least to Sunny. She only leaves the story she's writing to eat, drink, and occasionally take pictures of us dolls outside. The rest of the time she's cooped up in her room, writing away. I wonder what her story is about... She won't let any of us look at it, let alone read a page or two. I wonder if I could write a story if I wanted to. I'm reading the Hunger Games series right now (I just finished the second book, Catching Fire), and it seems like figuring out a plot as complex and intertwined as the one in those books would be quite difficult. But, then again, my blog has kind of been a story.

Speaking of stories, I have one to tell you! But don't worry, it's 100% true.

*

Yesterday I went to the boardwalk to watch the sunset, get an icecream cone from my favorite icecream parlor, and walk on the beach. Ruthie and Addy decided to tag along with me, which I wasn't exactly happy about, but they turned out to be not nearly as annoying as I'd thought they'd be. After we bought our icecream cones (I got Rocky Road, Addy got mint chocolate chip, and Ruthie got plain vanilla), we climbed the stairs that led from the boardwalk down the rocks to the shore. I took off my sandals and let my feet slide into the sugar-white sand. The smell of the salt water immediately greeted my nose as we waited for the sun to sink low in the sky. The sunset was so picturesque. It was one of those sunsets that seemed to dye the sky not just orange, but pink with streaks of lavender and rose. Addy was too busy poking a fiddler crab hole with a piece of driftwood to notice, but me and Ruthie couldn't peel our eyes from the horizon. I could tell Ruthie was thinking that this sunset was something straight out of a fairy-tale.

She had a sad look on her face as we walked through the wet sand, the waves tickling our feet. "What's wrong, Ruthie?" I asked. It was true that Ruthie and I weren't the best of friends. But, still, she was one of Sunny's dolls, and that was a sisterly bond in itself. And sisters look out for one another.

Ruthie pretended to straighten out her sundress, but I knew she was just trying to avoid my question. I decided not to bother her any more and just enjoy this perfect summertime moment.

Then she spoke up.

"I miss... I miss Aaron."

"Aaron?" I asked. "I don't know any dolls named Aaron around here."

Ruthie shook her head. "That's the thing... he lives on Long Island, where Addy and I used to live. He was my friend... maybe more than a friend, and I haven't seen him since I left. Even when I left, we weren't on speaking terms so he barely said good-bye to me. This sunset... it reminds me of him. We used to watch sunsets back in New York every night during the summer, always telling each other how every summer we'd watch them together. This is the first summer where I haven't watched the sunset with him... He and Addy and I were the Three Musketeers, but him and I had always had something...special."

I was quiet. To me, it sounded like Ruthie was in love- something I have yet to experience. From the books and movies, love seems like it's glorious, but at times also very sad. I wished I could understand how Ruthie was feeling, but I couldn't. All I knew was that Ruthie needed to straighten things out with this Aaron person. "Ruthie, you need to talk to him," I said.

Ruthie's eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head. "No! No! No! He hates me. If I tried calling him, he'd probably hang up on me! Or worse, not even pick up! No. I can't. It would be a disaster. Wouldn't it, Addy?" She turned around to look at her friend, but there was no Addy. I spun around, too, and saw her at least twenty yards ahead of us, grasping what looked like a bottle in her hands.

"Hey, guys!" shouted Addy. "Look what I found!"

Ruthie and I exchanged a curious glance and raced towards her.

"I found this bobbing in the water," she said, holding the bottle towards us. There was a yellowed paper in the bottle, slightly damp from the water that had managed to find its way inside.

"We... we... we found a message in a bottle," I said, gulping.

*

We haven't read the message yet. We showed the bottle to Sunny, who said we should read the message now before the water that got to it fades away the writing. I talked it over with Ruthie and Addy, and they think we should wait to read it a little longer. The suspense is killing me.

As for Ruthie's problem... I don't know what to do. Ruthie and I have never really been the best of friends, but after hearing about Aaron, I have a new respect for her. I may have no experience in the love department, and I'm not sure if I know anyone who does, but, still, I feel it's my responsibility to help her out. I have no clue how, but hopefully I'll think of something. It's time for Cali Cupid to work her magic. :)

~Cali

Disney World Bound!

(picture courtesy of Google Images)

Hey, everyone, it's Cali! If you're reading this, Sunny, her family, and our new custom Rapunzel doll will be on their way to Walt Disney World! She's bringing her laptop since her room has Wifi so a post with WDW photos and photos of Rapunzel will be posted later this evening. Also check our Flickr because lots of photos will be uploaded there, as well. Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

Cali***

A Special Day

Tomorrow is a very special day for me and Sunny- our first ever blogoversary! The same day as tomorrow last year was the day we started this blog. We had no clue it was going to have 54 followers or even get comments! A special thanks goes out to Maggie who helped a lot with Crazy for Cali. I don't know if she still reads it, but if she does then thank you x 10! :D

Since tomorrow is going to be a big day, I was thinking we could do a little celebration! Unfortunately, I don't know what. Something special and out of the ordinary... any ideas? Please post your thoughts on the "celebration". It can be along the lines of a photo-story, a video, or even just a photoshoot of some sort. Thanks, everyone!

*A note from Sunny*

My camera broke yesterday (it had some stupid defect that cost as much as a new camera to get fixed). We returned it for a Nikon Coolpix L110 and we're really happy with it's results. It's 12.1 megapixels and has 15x optical zoom! I'll probably be posting some pictures taken with it on Flickr later today. :)

Cali***

Sunny at the Barn

Sorry about not posting too frequently even though I said I would. Unfortunately, even though school is out we've still been busy doing various things like Sunny spending the night at friends' house, then at her grandparents', and then Chloe's exciting trip to Homosassa Springs (pictures soon!). But, I have found time to POST!!!!

Anyways, like I said, Sunny spent the night at her friends' Haley and Annie's house. As usual, they went to the barn where Haley and Annie both ride. Sunny had super duper fun and took TONS of photos. Here are just a few:

H and A's horsey!

Her nose. :)

The much-loved "barn kitty" who Sunny said calls these stables home chills in a plastic chair.

Sunny on H and A's horse. She wanted me to write that she looks terrible and is sorry but that's sort of what you wear when you are at the barn, lol. xD

Sorry that this post is slightly on the short and off-topic side but I promise to post pictures from Homosassa later this week. Bye!

Cali***

Meet Angel

I cannot believe what Sunny did! I just can't! I was totally not suspecting to get a dog when we went to the pet store this morning to get some fish food, I wasn't even suspecting we'd look at the dogs! But Sunny said I could look and something absolutely, positively amazing happened- she said I could pick a dog, any dog at the pet store!

I nearly died. 

Like I said in previous posts, my friend/roommate is allergic to dogs and cats and basically anything with fur so this was a total surprise. Sunny said that the dog had to sleep outside at night because that's practically the only time we're all in our dorm together. I agreed. Of course I wanted a puppy but my friends definitely come first! 

I looked at every dog. Every single one. This was probably the only dog I'd ever have so I wanted to pick the right one! All the dogs were cute, though so this made it extra hard to choose :-(

Then, in the second-to-last cage, was a medium-sized brown and white basset hound. I guess you could say it was love at first sight!

"Is this the one you really want, Cali?" Sunny asked. "She really isn't all that playful."

It was true. The basset hound was mellow and quiet while the other dogs seemed rambunctious and were barking nonstop. But I didn't care! This dog was the dog for me!

"Yes!" I said, grinning.

Sunny just smiled and paid for the dog. And then it was official- I owned my very own dog!

As we drove away with the cute basset hound and some fish food, I couldn't help but wonder what to name the dog. After a lot of ideas, I finally came up with Angel! I think the name fit her perfectly.

Here's a picture of Angel and me sitting on my favorite red chair:

And a picture of Angel:

I am just so happy! I can't wait to tell my friends. They'd love to see Angel...even Noelle! :-)

I got to go! Bye!

Cali***

Going To My Great Grandparents' House

Last night I went to my great grandmother's house for a sleepover. My great grandmother and grandfather are very nice and good cooks. Before dinner they let Sunny go outside and take pictures of me by the lake. It was so peaceful and serene- for just a few moments I was completely mesmerized by the beauty. I forgot about school. About Nellie. About Madi moving.

 

Then Great Grandma Regina called Sunny and I in for supper. 

We had macaroni and cheese and hotdogs with raspberry juice. I smothered my hotdog in catsup and mustard...yum! 

Then we went into the guest room where we found Jaycee, their cat sleeping. Luckily, we were able to get her to pose for a pic. Isn't she adorable? If Noelle were there she'd have be sneezing like crazy! Noelle's allergic to animal fur so even being in the same room as a cat or dog can make her sneeze and her eyes itch.

 

After dessert and a quick dip in the pool we decided to watch a movie in the living room. Then it was nearly 10 o'clock so Great Grandma Regina went into her bedroom with Great Grandpa Frederick and Sunny and I went back into the bedroom for some good ol' snoozing. This morning we woke up at 8 o'clock and had eggs and bacon. Afterwards we went back into the pool and then waited for Sunny's mom and dad (my grandparents) to pick us up. It was a very fun night and it got my mind off school for a little while anyway. 

Too bad the weekends go by so fast. At this time tomorrow I'll be listening to Senora Montoya talk about the Civil War :-( On a more positive note, next weekend is Labor Day! Hooray! 

Have a great Sunday, everyone!

Cali***

Birthday Surprises

Today is my grandma's birthday. She has gotten lots of presents so far (clothes, a pretty bowl, a new novel and a purse from Sunny and Sunny's sister) but I got her a present, too! Sunny helped me make her this really cute card with colored pencils. When we finished we stuck the card in a bag and put pretty yellow wrapping paper in the bag. When I gave Grandma her gift she was so excited!

After we had Grandma's "Birthday Breakfast" of Eggs-In-A-Basket (that's eggs in whole wheat toast- my absolute favorite breakfast food!) Grandpa announced that tomorrow we are going camping! I love camping and this was good news for me, too! Grandpa said me and Jane were going with them! I practically fell out of my chair at this news ;-) Sunny says she's going to post an album on her Picasa of our camping trip. A link will be available on Sunday afternoon when we get back. 

Thanks to everyone who has commented! Bye! ;-)

Cali***

Photo Shoot

To keep my mind off the Coach Potter Try-Outs, Sunny suggested a photo shoot. I agreed and put on my favorite outfit ever. Even Jane and Noelle participated. It was actually fun and Sunny said she got a lot of good shots of me in the outfit. Hopefully, it did take my mind off photo shoots--even for only 30 minutes or so. I still can't believe he's having try-outs. We never had them before. Well, I'm really sorry about all this worrying...Sunny says I tend to be somewhat of a worry wart about certain things (soccer being one of them). Okay, hope you liked the pictures.

Cali***