Long Long Time

Well, it's been a long long time since I've been here! A lot has happened and a lot has changed. I can go into some of that later. In the meantime, here's a video. It uses some new video of Calista and Bob taken here in Florida (I've moved), and it also combines some older footage that I've used in a previous video. Oh, and I'm actually in the video (my face, not just my hands). I hope that you've all been well!

Calista's Diary Entry - Summer Separation

Dear Diary,

Since we had so many snow days this year, we had to make up some of that time at the end of this school year.  For a while I felt like the school year would never end, and I was so anxious to start my summer.  If I had known then what I know now, I would have been happy to spend the extra days in school.

Bob told me that he needed to talk to me, so I met him in the hallway after class.

He told me that he wanted to talk about what was happening this summer, and I was excited, thinking that he wanted to make plans to hang out together.  Instead, he gave me the upsetting news that he is going away this summer.  He told me that he was leaving for a vacation with his family the day after the last day of school, then boy scout camp, then sleepaway camp.  Sleepaway camp?  Really???

I asked him how long he would be gone, and he told me that he would be gone almost the entire summer.  What???  My shock and my unhappiness must have shown on my face.  Bob took me by the hand and told me that it would be okay, and that the time would fly by.  No it won't!  I'm used to seeing Bob almost every single day.  I look forward to seeing Bob.  A summer without him seems like an eternity!

I asked him how long he's known about this, and he told me that he's known for a few weeks.  Weeks???  My sadness quickly turned to anger as I asked him why he didn't tell me.  He told me that he thought for a long time about whether or not to tell me, and he said that he did not want me to be upset for that amount of time, and that he just wanted us to enjoy ourselves at school, on the field trip, and just hanging out.  I said that he should have told me!  Bob gave me a big hug.

He apologized for upsetting me, and told me that he really thought that he was doing the right thing.  He asked me if I had enjoyed the time that I've spent with him over the last few weeks, and I said yes.  He asked me if I would have enjoyed it as much if I had known that he would be gone for the summer.  I said that I probably would have been upset the entire time.  He gave me a kiss on the cheek.

Bob put his arm around my shoulders and smiled at me, and he tried to get me to smile, too.  I didn't feel much like smiling, but I tried.

He told me that he needed to see that smile, and needed to know that everything was okay, and that I wasn't going to stay mad at him for 3 months.  I told him I'd see him later.

I stood there and watched him walk away.  I wanted to just grab him and ask him a million and one questions.  I am so confused and angry and hurt and disappointed.  I did not grab him, I did not tell him everything that was on my mind, I just watched him walk away.  And when he was out of sight, my feelings erupted.

You just don't know how long I've been wanting him to hug me again, and to hold my hand again.  I've really wanted him to kiss my cheek.  But all this affection, what does it even mean?  He's leaving!  Is that good-bye?  Is that how he says see you later to his buddies?  I hate this uncertainty so much!  He didn't even say that he'd call while he was away.  He didn't say much of anything!

What it all comes down to is that I really care about him a lot, and now I have to prepare myself to be without him.

Calista's Diary Entry - Field Trip

Dear Diary,

Today I went on a field trip to Dog Iron Ranch in Oologah, Oklahoma, which is the birthplace of Will Rogers.  It was so interesting and so much fun!  Something that caught my attention even before we arrived at the ranch was a small replica of the house that Will Rogers was born in.  I wished that I could stop there for a few minutes to take a closer look.  I wished that I could bring my dolls there to play.  Maybe I will one of these days.

Me and Bob had a good view from the balcony of the house.  We were enjoying watching the others below, and just talking to each other.  He seemed like he had something on his mind.

It wasn't long before the others joined us on the balcony.

It was cool in the shade!  Mira got right in between me and Bob.  

We went back down to the porch, and Mira still positioned herself in between me and Bob.  Okay, she was starting to bother me!  I felt like Bob had something to say to me, and that maybe he would say it if the others weren't around.

We were able to go inside the house also, and it was so interesting to see how people lived in the 1800's.  It's so hard to imagine what people did before computers, TV's, cell phones, cars, etc.  But I have to say that the house and the land are really beautiful!  OMG, is that an OUTHOUSE over there on the right?  I've only seen those in old movies!  I guess that there's a lot that I take for granted.

 I wandered away from the others to have a look around.  The house overlooks Oologah Lake.  The view is breathtaking.

There were a lot of animals.  We saw some Texas Longhorn steers. On the grounds, there were goats, rabbits, donkeys, horses, chickens, peacocks, etc. 

Speaking of peacocks...

I'm not sure, but I think that this may be where they made the horseshoes.

I wanted to see what was inside the barn.  There were some goats and some horses.

The workers at the ranch are EXTREMELY nice, friendly, and helpful!  They saw me looking at the goats and petting them, and asked me if I wanted to ride.  I was nervous about it, but how could I pass up that opportunity.  They helped me onto the goat, and it was a fun ride!  YEEEHAWWW!

I went outside again and had a closer look at the donkeys.  I petted them and everything.

Bob found me.  He said that he had been looking all over for me.  I told him that I just wanted to get away from the group for a while, and that Mira was really getting on my nerves.  He told me that she was getting on his, too.

I was feeling so self-conscious because it was extremely windy and my hair was blowing all over the place.  I kept trying to hold it down in front of Bob, but he told me to just let it go.  He said that I looked cute with the wind blowing through my hair, and that I looked "vibrant" with my hair blowing around and framing my face.  Vibrant?  Me?  Really?

We were alone, so I just asked him if he had something on his mind.  He hesitated for a second, and then said that we should just enjoy today.  He said that this had been one of the best days of the entire school year, and I had to agree with him.  We spent our last few moments alone sitting on a bench and watching the lake, sometimes talking, sometimes not.  And then it was time to go home.

Calista's Diary Entry - Ice Ice Baby

Dear Diary,

This winter has started off with a bang!  We have had another winter storm that has covered us in a sheet of ice.

The trees are covered with ice and the branches are bowing and breaking under the weight.  The power lines are covered with hundreds of icicles.  Thousands of homes and businesses in our community are without power, and many are dealing with property losses due to trees falling on roofs and vehicles.

Road conditions have been hazardous, so we have not gone anywhere since Friday.  On Saturday, we lost power to our home.  We put our perishable food items into an ice chest and placed that outside.  The fireplace was our main source of heat and light.  We had candles and flashlights and cell phones for light (which we tried not to use much so that we would not run down the batteries).   My grandmother is here, and she cooked breakfast in a cast iron skillet on coals from the fireplace, and taught my mother how to make fireside stew.  We played bored games - I mean board games, and we talked a lot.  

Today I was ready to get out of the house.  I was beginning to feel trapped.  When I asked if I could go out, my grandmother jumped in and said "Don't go out there!  You could fall and bust your head wide open!"  My mother asked her not to say such things.  My mother let me go, telling me to be very careful and not to go far.

We have some impressive icicles on the house.

I don't recall ever seeing a cactus covered in ice before.

Bob saw me outside and asked if I wanted some company.  Of course I said yes.

I would be in SO MUCH TROUBLE if my parents saw me climbing this tree!

At least I wouldn't be in trouble alone.  Bob and Calista sitting in a tree... 

That's all, just s-i-t-t-i-n-g.  :)

Calista's Diary Entry - Snow Day

Dear Diary,

There was a bad winter storm here, so school was closed today.  Yay!  I spent time hanging out with friends from school.

Kana and Briana Joy tried to make a snowman, but the snow wouldn't pack very well.  Their snowman looked pretty sad.

Dominique threw ill-formed snowballs at people.  Skipper was not amused.  Eventually, we all ganged up on her and threw snowballs that mostly fell apart before they hit her.

There was a layer of ice under the snow, so we had to be very careful when walking around.  Kiara nearly slipped and fell.  That would've been embarrassing for her (but funny for us).

The best part was that I got to spend time with Bob.  We spent some time just walking and looking around.  Everything was really beautiful with the layer of snow.

We made snow angels.  :) 

Today was a really great day.  Don't get me wrong, I like school, but I have to say that getting an unexpected day off was great.

Calista's Diary Entry - Halloween Carnival

Dear Diary,

Tonight I went to a Halloween carnival with my friends Kana, Briana Joy, and Big Janet and I had a lot of fun!

There were indoor activities, and they also had a few rides and games outside.  Others from my school were there.  Bob was there.  :)

Skipper was there with her boyfriend Kevin.

Jenna and Kiara were there together.  Jenna was dressed as a witch.  I overheard a girl saying "How fitting" and another girl said "Which witch is which?".

There was a lot of good food there.  They had some humongous pecan pies that were so delicious!

I spent a lot of time hanging out with Bob.  We went on a hayride.

We also rode on a big monstrous duck.

Some of the things were kind of creepy, but not really scary.

One thing that was rather frightening was a huge jack-in-the-box.

And there was a huge hairy spider.  Even though I knew it was fake, I didn't want it to touch me.  It gave me the shivers!

There was also a big snake that kind of made me feel uneasy.

There was just so much there to see!

And so much there to do!

Eventually we went outside and I did not see Bob much after that.  I didn't know where he went.  Dylan came over and asked Big Janet if she wanted to ride through the Haunted House with him and she said "yes".  Well they came out with big smiles and holding hands!  I can't wait to talk to Big Janet to find out what happened!

A while later, I saw Bob.  He was playing a game, trying to win a prize.  I felt a little disappointed that he was not spending time with me riding some of the rides.

Just when we were about to leave, Bob came over to me with a huge Teddy bear, and he gave it to me!  I was shocked!  I almost couldn't get my words out.  I said "What...  Oh my....  How did you....  How long did it take you to win this?"  He told me that it wasn't a problem and handed the bear to me.  I didn't know what to say other than "thank you!"  

I hugged my bear in the car all the way home.  :)))))))