CAMP CROOKSTON. I mean, there should be an entire blog about Camp Crookston. Not an entry, an entire blog. But alas, I am having a hard time maintaining one blog, so someone else will have to make that one. The Crookston Moment nominees for today and yesterday are...
1. The Camp Crookston talent show. Paige taught everyone how to bow in proper Korean style, There was a trumpet/trombone duet, a community guitar sing-a-long, and even a ballad about Camp Crookston written by yours truly. The prize ($10) went to Taylor, for his amazing horse jumping skills. Hooray for Taylor!
2. Taylor's Camp Crookston shirt. On the front it says, "Camp Crookston 2009." On the back it says, "Lah-dee-fricken dah. Be excited or you will be eaten by the fox." I simply love to watch the Camp Crookston dynamic around here. Basically Mrs. Crookston and the cousins love it, and the Crookston siblings loathe it but act happy because if they don't they will be slain by their overzealous mother. Do not mess with her. YOU MUST LOVE CAMP CROOKSTON!
3. Yesterday, Carly and I went out, *ahem* "wedding shopping." Allow me to note that neither one of us is engaged. At all. Not even a little bit (can you be a little bit engaged?). I didn't want to pretend to be a bride, so Carly put my promise ring on her left hand and pretended to be getting married. We talked to people at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, David's Bridal, and Joanne's Fabrics about her "wedding." She answered all questions without a moment's hesitation - it was actually kind of freaky... She's marrying Jack Webb next May. He just graduated from GVSU with a degree in Chemical Engineering. She's not having a flower girl, but she and her mom are going to Chicago to look at wedding gowns next week. I tried very hard to be a good fake maid of honor and not burst out laughing...it was tough a few times. She didn't treat her maid of honor very well, though - she told me to braid myself a headband with her wedding colors and wear it every day until the wedding. She also told me that if I made one more bad suggestion, I was fired as maid of honor. I shall remember this treatment, Carly!!!! (the people at the stores were sympathetic to my plight - I know it).
4. Taylor is weird about pets - I am not sure why this has not made it onto this blog before. He will be playing with Cindy and say something like, "Ooooh, you're so cute! I just want to squeeze you until your eyes pop out!" Whaaaaaaaat? He said that about a puppy at Drue's graduation party. I sometimes wonder how he feels about people...will he secretly squeeze my eyes out in my sleep one of these days? We shall see. Only time will tell.
5. Taylor, Carly, and I were watching a show on TLC called, Say Yes to the Dress. Basically, it's a show about brides who go and try on wedding dresses. Kind of a dumb premise for a show if you ask me. Anyway, it got to the part where the bride came out and showed the dress to all of her friends and family, and she started crying. Carly said, "Oh my gosh. That is so dumb. Why would anyone cry at something like that? Christine, you better not cry when you try on your wedding dress, or I will punch you. That is so weird." She then turned to me and said, "Oh my gosh, you're actually crying!" I was. At a TLC show. FML.
6. I was looking up experiments to do with my Kitchen Chemistry class. First of all, we tried to make fireball bubbles. That was an epic failure. I went to go research more things and realized that I needed rubbing alcohol. I looked up from the laptop and said to the girls in the bedroom, "Do you guys have any alcohol?" Shelby and her friend Lizzie looked up, pleasantly shocked, and Shelby was like, "Yeah..." to which I realized my mistake and said, "Uh, no. Rubbing alcohol for a science experiement." Ha ha...
The winner for today is...#3. I just don't know anyone other than Carly who would do something like that. It was hilarious. Maybe one day in the far off future, on the chance that I do get engaged, I'll just hand over the ring and let her pose as me for the entire engagement and then just show up for the wedding and see what she did. I like this plan. I'm sure Rex would be really excited about me saying, "Thanks for the ring. Here you go, Carly. Go nuts." *sigh* Alas, it was a fun game for a while anyway. Shelby said that next time she gets to be the bride.
CAMP CROOKSTON DAY 2 TOMORROW - STAY TUNED
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Day 20
I have GROSSLY neglected this blog - I deserve to be tarred and feathered. I apologize to all who follow it. Unfortunately, a combination of a busy life and fitting in with the Crookstons to the point where they seem less weird has caused the downfall of my diligence. I really need to keep it up, though. Perhaps I should have a rededication ceremony with this blog: "I, Christine, take you, this blog, to write in as often as possible so as to record the events that happen at the Crookston household and not forget them ever, until death parts me and you or until I move out of this house, whichever comes first."
Okay, glad that's taken care of.
The Crookston Moment nominees for the past few days are:
1. I played volleyball at 1:30 in the morning with Taylor and three of his friends. The ground was cold and wet, and the ball kept slipping through our fingers. Taylor decided we needed more players, so he drove down the street and picked up his friend who snuck out of her house to play volleyball. I never did anything like that - perhaps I need to live on the edge more.
2. While hanging out in Carly and Shelby's room, Shelby spontaneously broke out into humming "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas." This family is crazy about Christmas. Mrs. Crookston watches It's a Wonderful Life in the summer, there is a picture of a snowman outside my bedroom, and there are ice skates by the front door. Umm...it's June, Crookstons. Perhaps you didn't get the memo - Santa's not watching right now because he's on vacation. You don't need to up the spirit until November, and you'll still get perfectly fine presents.
3. Carly completely hijacked this baby named Isaiah. She said that he is so cute, and if she has a kid like him she's going to have seven. Otherwise, she's giving her kid back. I'm not sure exactly how that would work, so let's all just hope that Carly's future children are cute.
4. Taylor and I had a long conversation about when it is okay for someone to kill themselves. My answer was never, but Taylor had all of these fictional instances when he said it might be okay. Let's just hope he never finds himself friendless and weighed down by the guilt of killing hundreds of people in the Nazi genocide of the Jews. The world would miss you, Tay Tay.
5. After riding Taylor's horse Wrigley, the Crookston's grandparents brought us all Blizzards from Dairy Queen. This is a good Crookston moment because it combines all of the elements of living here: farm life, heavy emphasis on family, and good food.
6. Did I mention Beyonce the toad's new friend? I don't think I did. When we (Taylor and I) went to go visit Beyonce the toad, we found that she was hanging out with the CUTEST little gray field mouse. We have decided to name her Rhianna.
7. Mrs. Crookston's ducks died. :-( This is sad, and not in and of itself a good Crookston moment. The Crookston moment is when I got a voicemail at work that said something along the lines of, "Christine? Is Rex coming over tonight? I mean, could you please ask Rex if he would come over tonight? Because I have this gun, and I want him to kill something." She is still seeking vengence on whatever ended the lives of her feathered friends.
8. Carly just called Eric in my room. Here is the literal voicemail: "Schmuggly Bear, this is Carly. I can't find my phone so I'm on Taylor's. Call me back. Love love love. *kiss* *kiss* *kiss* la la la." WOW...
9. Carly's grandparents decided to play the newlywed game with Carly and I, and she did surprisingly well. She correctly guessed a few (least favorite teacher at KAMSC, pizza or steak, favorite animal, favorite musical, etc.). YAY Carly.
10. TAYLOR - STOP DISSING MY DRESSES! I CAN HEAR YOU IN HERE! I DO NOT LOOK LIKE A MOTHER OF THREE IN THAT! >:-0 Take it back, or we are no longer friends.
11. Carly went on theknot.com to show me an average wedding timeline. She was on a site that was 380 days from "Carly and Elijah's" wedding. I asked "Who's Carly and Elijah?" before realizing that Carly had created a personal website and timeline for her wedding to Elijah Wood. Good luck with that, my friend. Good luck.
12. Carly, Shelby, and I each chose two words to describe our future weddings. Mine: joyful, romantic. Carly's: glamorous, celebratory. Shelby's: classy, sparkly. I can't wait to see how they actually turn out.
Okay, I'm going to be done now since I need to work on my lesson plans for tomorrow's Kitchen Chemistry class. Plus, Carly is pacing around my bedroom in her underwear waiting for me to be done writing so we can talk (not joking). The Crookston Moment today is....#3. I like hearing Carly's future plans. They're almost always so...imaginative and unconventional? Yes, we will go with that.
Okay, glad that's taken care of.
The Crookston Moment nominees for the past few days are:
1. I played volleyball at 1:30 in the morning with Taylor and three of his friends. The ground was cold and wet, and the ball kept slipping through our fingers. Taylor decided we needed more players, so he drove down the street and picked up his friend who snuck out of her house to play volleyball. I never did anything like that - perhaps I need to live on the edge more.
2. While hanging out in Carly and Shelby's room, Shelby spontaneously broke out into humming "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas." This family is crazy about Christmas. Mrs. Crookston watches It's a Wonderful Life in the summer, there is a picture of a snowman outside my bedroom, and there are ice skates by the front door. Umm...it's June, Crookstons. Perhaps you didn't get the memo - Santa's not watching right now because he's on vacation. You don't need to up the spirit until November, and you'll still get perfectly fine presents.
3. Carly completely hijacked this baby named Isaiah. She said that he is so cute, and if she has a kid like him she's going to have seven. Otherwise, she's giving her kid back. I'm not sure exactly how that would work, so let's all just hope that Carly's future children are cute.
4. Taylor and I had a long conversation about when it is okay for someone to kill themselves. My answer was never, but Taylor had all of these fictional instances when he said it might be okay. Let's just hope he never finds himself friendless and weighed down by the guilt of killing hundreds of people in the Nazi genocide of the Jews. The world would miss you, Tay Tay.
5. After riding Taylor's horse Wrigley, the Crookston's grandparents brought us all Blizzards from Dairy Queen. This is a good Crookston moment because it combines all of the elements of living here: farm life, heavy emphasis on family, and good food.
6. Did I mention Beyonce the toad's new friend? I don't think I did. When we (Taylor and I) went to go visit Beyonce the toad, we found that she was hanging out with the CUTEST little gray field mouse. We have decided to name her Rhianna.
7. Mrs. Crookston's ducks died. :-( This is sad, and not in and of itself a good Crookston moment. The Crookston moment is when I got a voicemail at work that said something along the lines of, "Christine? Is Rex coming over tonight? I mean, could you please ask Rex if he would come over tonight? Because I have this gun, and I want him to kill something." She is still seeking vengence on whatever ended the lives of her feathered friends.
8. Carly just called Eric in my room. Here is the literal voicemail: "Schmuggly Bear, this is Carly. I can't find my phone so I'm on Taylor's. Call me back. Love love love. *kiss* *kiss* *kiss* la la la." WOW...
9. Carly's grandparents decided to play the newlywed game with Carly and I, and she did surprisingly well. She correctly guessed a few (least favorite teacher at KAMSC, pizza or steak, favorite animal, favorite musical, etc.). YAY Carly.
10. TAYLOR - STOP DISSING MY DRESSES! I CAN HEAR YOU IN HERE! I DO NOT LOOK LIKE A MOTHER OF THREE IN THAT! >:-0 Take it back, or we are no longer friends.
11. Carly went on theknot.com to show me an average wedding timeline. She was on a site that was 380 days from "Carly and Elijah's" wedding. I asked "Who's Carly and Elijah?" before realizing that Carly had created a personal website and timeline for her wedding to Elijah Wood. Good luck with that, my friend. Good luck.
12. Carly, Shelby, and I each chose two words to describe our future weddings. Mine: joyful, romantic. Carly's: glamorous, celebratory. Shelby's: classy, sparkly. I can't wait to see how they actually turn out.
Okay, I'm going to be done now since I need to work on my lesson plans for tomorrow's Kitchen Chemistry class. Plus, Carly is pacing around my bedroom in her underwear waiting for me to be done writing so we can talk (not joking). The Crookston Moment today is....#3. I like hearing Carly's future plans. They're almost always so...imaginative and unconventional? Yes, we will go with that.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Day 15
I CAN STAY!!! Break out the champagne! Throw some confetti! Let's have a parade! Hire a clown!
I am very happy that the parents Crookston have decided to let me stay for the summer. This is exciting - for me and for you, the blog observer.
Unfortunately, because I was at work today and then came back and slept, ate chicken fajitas (delicious), and then went to ice cream with my dad, I spent almost ZERO time with the Crookstons. Therefore a "Crookston Moment of the Day" is not really feasible today. Sorry, guys! I will resume posting moments of the day as soon as I am once again able to observe your weirdness.
I am very happy that the parents Crookston have decided to let me stay for the summer. This is exciting - for me and for you, the blog observer.
Unfortunately, because I was at work today and then came back and slept, ate chicken fajitas (delicious), and then went to ice cream with my dad, I spent almost ZERO time with the Crookstons. Therefore a "Crookston Moment of the Day" is not really feasible today. Sorry, guys! I will resume posting moments of the day as soon as I am once again able to observe your weirdness.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Day 14
DAY 14! The two week trail period is up! I did not get a chance to talk to Mr. or Mrs. Crookston yet, though, so the jury's still out on if I passed and get to stay here or not. Until a more definitive decision is made, though, THE BLOG LIVES.
The nominees for today are:
1. Mr. Crookston was complaining about all of the money he spends on Taylor and his horses, but then someone (Taylor's teacher? Horse friend? I don't know) said, "When Jesus comes back He's going to be riding a white horse, and me and Taylor are going to be riding with Him but you're just going to fall off."
2. Mrs. Crookston literally kicked me in the butt today for not telling her what I was doing after work. I was told by the siblings Crookston that this treatment is commonplace. CALL CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES!!!
3. Rex and I invited Carly, Shelby, and Taylor to go to Dairy Queen with us. Carly and Shelby opted not to go since they didn't want to "completely ruin their workout." I asked Taylor if he wanted to go, and Rex said, "What, you invite Taylor on our dates now?" to which Taylor replied, "Um, I believe she invited you on our date." Okay, Taylor, we went to Qdoba ONCE. It was not a date. And, if you want to go on a date with me, I expect more than SPLITTING CHIPS next time, okay? Okay. Thanks. Much love.
4. Taylor makes Cindy be a bear and also a fat rat. This is cute - I wish I could adequately portray it on this blog. He's catching up to me on creepy weird rat love, but he's still got a ways to go.
Today's winner is....#1. It mixes perfectly the religious yet farm focused attitude that lies among these family dynamics. Hopefully I'm still living here tomorrow....
The nominees for today are:
1. Mr. Crookston was complaining about all of the money he spends on Taylor and his horses, but then someone (Taylor's teacher? Horse friend? I don't know) said, "When Jesus comes back He's going to be riding a white horse, and me and Taylor are going to be riding with Him but you're just going to fall off."
2. Mrs. Crookston literally kicked me in the butt today for not telling her what I was doing after work. I was told by the siblings Crookston that this treatment is commonplace. CALL CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES!!!
3. Rex and I invited Carly, Shelby, and Taylor to go to Dairy Queen with us. Carly and Shelby opted not to go since they didn't want to "completely ruin their workout." I asked Taylor if he wanted to go, and Rex said, "What, you invite Taylor on our dates now?" to which Taylor replied, "Um, I believe she invited you on our date." Okay, Taylor, we went to Qdoba ONCE. It was not a date. And, if you want to go on a date with me, I expect more than SPLITTING CHIPS next time, okay? Okay. Thanks. Much love.
4. Taylor makes Cindy be a bear and also a fat rat. This is cute - I wish I could adequately portray it on this blog. He's catching up to me on creepy weird rat love, but he's still got a ways to go.
Today's winner is....#1. It mixes perfectly the religious yet farm focused attitude that lies among these family dynamics. Hopefully I'm still living here tomorrow....
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Day 13
Happy Father's Day! Today was a good day of family and fun. Only one more day until my "two-week-probation" period is up. Wouldn't it be a drag if the parents Crookston decided to kick me out and then I had nothing else to write in this blog? *GASP* Oh I shall NOT let this happen. Anyway, the nominees for today are...
1. At Texas Corral for a Father's Day lunch, I ordered water with no ice. Drue leaned across the seat and said disgustedly, "No ice?" Then Taylor got excited and said, "Look, Christine, two more words that he said to you!" It is true that Drue and I never speak. I had to record this latest exchange in my blog - I will treasure it always.
2. Again at Texas Corral, Taylor stole crayons from the hostess station so that he could color a kids menu (which was also stolen from the hostess station). He enjoyed writing the "F" word on the menu and then coloring over it with crayons so that no one would notice, but I DID notice. Taylor, you are a PROFANE little man, and I do not apprecite you defacing what should be a fun kids' activity menu. For SHAME.
3. Carly completed her grueling three-hour work week at Victoria's Secret today. I'm considering signing her up for a clinic on how to destress and become less of a workaholic.
4. This one is about ME! I am putting myself in a Crookston moment of the day! I went home to see my family for Father's Day. This was fun. My family and I were talking, and I was telling a story about something. My Dad started to interrupt me when I held up my hand and said (in a very Carly/Shelby/Taylor snarky fashion), "Um, excuse me? I wasn't done." My family looked at me for a moment and then I said, "Oh, yeah, can you tell I'm living with the Crookston's yet?" They can. I am turning into one of THEM!!!!! Terrifying.
I'm going to say that #1 wins today simply because the chances of Drue ever appearing in this blog again are very slim. I should definitely let him win while he's in here.
1. At Texas Corral for a Father's Day lunch, I ordered water with no ice. Drue leaned across the seat and said disgustedly, "No ice?" Then Taylor got excited and said, "Look, Christine, two more words that he said to you!" It is true that Drue and I never speak. I had to record this latest exchange in my blog - I will treasure it always.
2. Again at Texas Corral, Taylor stole crayons from the hostess station so that he could color a kids menu (which was also stolen from the hostess station). He enjoyed writing the "F" word on the menu and then coloring over it with crayons so that no one would notice, but I DID notice. Taylor, you are a PROFANE little man, and I do not apprecite you defacing what should be a fun kids' activity menu. For SHAME.
3. Carly completed her grueling three-hour work week at Victoria's Secret today. I'm considering signing her up for a clinic on how to destress and become less of a workaholic.
4. This one is about ME! I am putting myself in a Crookston moment of the day! I went home to see my family for Father's Day. This was fun. My family and I were talking, and I was telling a story about something. My Dad started to interrupt me when I held up my hand and said (in a very Carly/Shelby/Taylor snarky fashion), "Um, excuse me? I wasn't done." My family looked at me for a moment and then I said, "Oh, yeah, can you tell I'm living with the Crookston's yet?" They can. I am turning into one of THEM!!!!! Terrifying.
I'm going to say that #1 wins today simply because the chances of Drue ever appearing in this blog again are very slim. I should definitely let him win while he's in here.
Day 12
Okay, I realize this post is a day late. Sorry, followers of this blog (Carly and Taylor). Here are the nominees for Day 12:
1. There is a toad living under the horses' water tub. It's name is Beyonce, after Mrs. Crookston's butt (she claims they have similar derrieres). Though Carly may disagree with this naming choice, she was overruled and now it is online so it is official.
2. When I said that I hate the movie Return to Me, Mrs. Crookston said, "What do you hate about that movie?! There's nothing in that movie to hate! You hate things like The Matrix, not Return to Me!!"
3. Carly and Taylor have kissed. More specifically, Taylor kissed Carly. He kissed his sister - ewwwwww. I wonder if it felt like a tied game - I have heard these feelings are similar.
4. Carly shared a fantastic story about Drue coming in and borrowing a bra so that he could practice unlatching the back of one while making out with his girlfriend. He put the bra around a pillow and laid on her bed, hugging the pillow, while trying to undo the bra. I'm sorry, but why do guys find this so challenging? Good thing they don't have to wear bras or they would be trapped forever since they can't seem to get them off.
5. Mrs. Crookston has a barrel of "fertilizer" brewing. It's made mostly of horse crap. She goes and stirrs it and looks like a weird farmy witch brewing a magical plant-boosting potion.
6. While the content of said conversation is not fit to print on this blog, Carly, Taylor, and I stayed up until past 2:00 playing the "secret game" where everyone goes around and tells secrets. Most of them were just dumb, and then Carly practically fell asleep and the party had to end because we were all in her room.
And the Crookston Moment of the day is....#6. Staying up late and doing things that will never be relevant to life is very commonplace, even expected here. It's actually pretty fun - how have I not discovered this before?
1. There is a toad living under the horses' water tub. It's name is Beyonce, after Mrs. Crookston's butt (she claims they have similar derrieres). Though Carly may disagree with this naming choice, she was overruled and now it is online so it is official.
2. When I said that I hate the movie Return to Me, Mrs. Crookston said, "What do you hate about that movie?! There's nothing in that movie to hate! You hate things like The Matrix, not Return to Me!!"
3. Carly and Taylor have kissed. More specifically, Taylor kissed Carly. He kissed his sister - ewwwwww. I wonder if it felt like a tied game - I have heard these feelings are similar.
4. Carly shared a fantastic story about Drue coming in and borrowing a bra so that he could practice unlatching the back of one while making out with his girlfriend. He put the bra around a pillow and laid on her bed, hugging the pillow, while trying to undo the bra. I'm sorry, but why do guys find this so challenging? Good thing they don't have to wear bras or they would be trapped forever since they can't seem to get them off.
5. Mrs. Crookston has a barrel of "fertilizer" brewing. It's made mostly of horse crap. She goes and stirrs it and looks like a weird farmy witch brewing a magical plant-boosting potion.
6. While the content of said conversation is not fit to print on this blog, Carly, Taylor, and I stayed up until past 2:00 playing the "secret game" where everyone goes around and tells secrets. Most of them were just dumb, and then Carly practically fell asleep and the party had to end because we were all in her room.
And the Crookston Moment of the day is....#6. Staying up late and doing things that will never be relevant to life is very commonplace, even expected here. It's actually pretty fun - how have I not discovered this before?
Friday, June 19, 2009
Day 11
Today there are no nominees for Crookston moment of the day. It isn't because nothing note-worthy happened, but rather because this one Crookston moment just beat everything else by so much that no other moments from today are even worth nominating. It just completely dominated. The 100%, winner-by-far Crookston moment of the day is...
Taylor and I decided to go to Qdoba and split some chips and guacamole because we can't afford anything else. He decided to drive the van, and he didn't want to leave his lemonade at home so he brought it with him. I must note that he was drinking his lemonade from a wine glass, complete with ice and a lemon garnish on the side. He got in the van and put his wine glass of lemonade in the cupholder. Seriously. Then, we began driving this gigantic van down the road, and Taylor heard the song "Redneck Woman" come on over the radio. He rolled down the windows and blasted the music while singing along (loudly) and sipping his wine-glass lemonade. I'm so glad this wasn't white-trash-esque or anything. I just...I mean...I don't even have some witty commentary to go with this. What can I say? There are no words. Congrats, Taylor, you definitely win today.
Taylor and I decided to go to Qdoba and split some chips and guacamole because we can't afford anything else. He decided to drive the van, and he didn't want to leave his lemonade at home so he brought it with him. I must note that he was drinking his lemonade from a wine glass, complete with ice and a lemon garnish on the side. He got in the van and put his wine glass of lemonade in the cupholder. Seriously. Then, we began driving this gigantic van down the road, and Taylor heard the song "Redneck Woman" come on over the radio. He rolled down the windows and blasted the music while singing along (loudly) and sipping his wine-glass lemonade. I'm so glad this wasn't white-trash-esque or anything. I just...I mean...I don't even have some witty commentary to go with this. What can I say? There are no words. Congrats, Taylor, you definitely win today.
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