Day 27

The last few days have been action packed - so much so that I need to think back and consider what I am going to put in this blog entry...hmmm... I supposed I will start with July 4 (yesterday).

1. I love the Fourth of July - it is my second favorite holiday behind Christmas. Naturally, I walked upstairs on the morning of the 4th wearing red, white, and blue. Imagine my dismay when I meet Taylor dressed in pink. PINK! No country has that as their national color! I gave him some crap about being unpatriotic, and then I walked up to find that his sisters weren't much better. Carly was wearing a powder blue shirt with a coral necklace, and Shelby was wearing white. I wanted to try to inspire some patriotism in them, but it just wasn't working. They said that their mother made up for their lack of holiday spirit, but I didn't believe them. I was disappointed that such a joyful, otherwise dramatic family would show such disregard for such a fun holiday. I should not have doubted Mrs. Crookston. I think she sucked all of the patriotism out of her children and then blew it out of her head in the crazy fireworks headband she was wearing (also out her toes in her fireworks pedicure). I took pictures - actually, they deserve their own nomination.

2.




Oh, and she wanted me to make sure I mention that as I took these pictures she was singing "God Bless America." Yep, she sure was.

3. After we went to the 4th of July parade, as we walked home Taylor told us all that he is going to die in a car crash (!?). Um, yeah. He says he's just always had this "feeling" that that is how he is going to die. Then we started discussing funeral plans, and a totally fun holiday started to become slightly more morbid...but this is coming from the guy who wants to squeeze my rat until her eyes pop out, so you just never know what he's going to say.

4. All of the Crookstons (and their mom's side of the family) went golfing. End of nomination. Let your imagination see how that went - I know I am.

5. Today, Carly, Rex and I went to go see The Proposal. It was a good movie - I enjoyed it. Rex sat between Carly and I, and we had a great time. At the end of the movie, there was the inevitable cute, mushy part that comes at the end of all chick flicks. Rex turned to me and noticed I was crying (don't judge!). He turned to Carly to tell on me and have a good laugh with her, but then he noticed that she was crying too! He rolled his eyes skyward as if to say, "God, why did you let me come to a chick flick with two emotional girls?!" I mean, come on - it's a chick flick. What did he expect? I bet he was secretly crying on the inside.

6. Taylor and I have a secret handshake where we both pretend to be rats. It's pretty fantastic - ask to see it sometime if you want.

7. I hurt my toe kind of badly today, and in such a good, friendly, sympathetic fashion, Carly and Shelby decided to think of all of the things they could do to the toe that would be "a worse idea than putting ice on it." Among the options were: cut it off, tighten a wrench around it, let Wrigley "clomp" on it, run over it with Rex's truck, step on it (Mr. Crookston's contribution - not very original), and a myriad of other options. This makes my toe hurt worse to even type these things. EEEK! What loyal, supportive friends I have.



Let's be honest here, #2 has the "Crookston Moment of the Day" in the bag today. A picture is worth 1,000 words, and she has four of them. I just don't know what to do with this family sometimes, but I am loving every minute of this craziness. For the first time in a very long time, I don't want summer to end.

Day 24

*Yawn* I just got back from a double blind date (well, only half of it was blind), and I am very tired so I only have a second to write, but write I shall. The nominees for Crookston Moment of the day are:

#1. Carly and I's "double blind date." We went out with Rex and his best friend Kyle. It was really fun, and Kyle was very impressed with Carly's music knowledge and band preferences. Honestly, I was pretty impressed with them too. I had no idea she knew all of these eclectic bands. It wasn't until afterward that she admitted to me she only had heard of those bands because of Alyssa, and she was trying to say she liked music that Alyssa likes since Kyle seemed to like that type of music. Ha ha...come on, Carly. I'm sure he would have been impressed by your affinity for Broadway showtunes!

#2. Carly and Taylor's "fight" because Carly's blog post from yesterday was a rebuttal to mine, and Taylor took my side and said that my blog is better. HA! I WIN!

#3. I came home from the double date to find Taylor carefully tending to Cindy and wrapping her in blankets. He berated me for leaving the window open in my room because Cindy's paws were getting chilly. Can I please mention that it is JULY?! She would have been fine, Taylor, but your 5 star treatment of my rat is, as always, appreciated.

#4. This morning Paige (the Crookston's cousin) came downstairs wearing only a shirt and some underwear. She said, "Sorry I don't have any pants. I forgot to bring some." I responded, "That's fine. I won't look." She looked at me defensively and said, "No, you can look! These are clean underwear!" Okay, thanks Paige. I would hate to see unlaundered undies, but since they're clean, all is well.

#5. Speaking of underwear, this morning I found Shelby's underwear in the yard. I texted her to find out what it was doing there, and she said she had no idea. I mean, how does one's underwear jump from her upstairs room to the middle of the lawn? She later discovered a "solution" to how they might have appeared there (something about falling out of her pants? Ask her if you want the story), but I still thought it was funny/random.

The winner today is...#3. The Crookstons really love their animals, and Cindy has been wholeheartedly adopted by all except Carly and Mr. Crookston. We're still working on them.

Day 23

Day 23 of me living here, and Day 2 of Camp Crookston. Can you imagine if we were on Day 23 of Camp Crookston?! *shudder* That would be crazy. The nominees for today are...

#1. Mr. Crookston accidentally blowing up a firecracker in the bonfire. This is only funny because no one was injured. The explosion was nice, though.

#2. Tyler, the Crookston's cousin, started to tell a story about when he forgot to bring his chapstick camping in fifth grade. Taylor, Alli, and Ginny didn't care about this story and started a rousing chorus of Veggie Tales tunes. A few minutes later when the sing-a-long was complete, we were all silent for a moment before Tyler said, "And so my lips were really chapped."

#3. AS THIS IS BEING TYPED, I can hear the "campers" in the tent outside my window. Junior Counselor Taylor is leading them in a sing-a-long of "Right Round." Great, Taylor. What's next? "Blame it on the Alcohol"?! Please, teach your little cousins more of these great songs.

#4. Carly and I had a bobsledding race on her kitchen counter. I'm pretty sure I won, but it's hard to tell since we weren't actually moving. We just sort of wiggled around and made hissing noises (which were, obviously, our sleds skating along the ice). She took a break to text Shelby, though, and I inched ahead. Therefore I think I won. Gold medal for me!!!

#5. By request, Taylor is submitting a story to this blog: He was with his friend Cole who asked Taylor if he would ever date a black girl. Taylor said sure. Cole wondered if the Bible had any laws prohibiting such a union. Taylor said, "Yes, Cole. God loves black people less. We should not speak to them." He didn't actually say that; I added that part. I'm sure it was what he was thinking, weren't you, Taylor?

The winner fro today is #4. Something like this would not happen anywhere but at the Crookston house. It simply wouldn't. There's no way. If you have happened across this blog and aren't at the Crookston house, go try bobsledding on your counter. It won't work - you'll just look silly. It's only cool here.

***EDITOR'S NOTE*** An unnamed anonymous reader has complained about yesterday's post. She claims that the information about the so-called "Carly" was false because a person can indeed be "a little bit engaged." She says this "Carly" was only searching for wedding things out of interest for her friend, and not because she is a crazed wannabe bridezilla who is living vicariously through her surrogate sister. As the editor, I would like to say that the post from yesterday stands as written, and nothing will be retracted. Every word is true. Take THAT, you unnamed anonymous reader! I write this blog, so I have the power! HA!

Day 22

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

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.

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.

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....