You know, chickens really do run around after their heads are cut off. It's gory and gross, but true.

Okay, so on thursday, we heard that someone may be coming over. One of the customers at the shop was going away for from Friday to Tuesday(on a cruise I think) and her thirteen year old daughter couldn't miss any more days of school. She was going to see if her friends could take her, but for some reason she didn't have anywhere to stay.

And somehow, she ended up at our house. I'm going to call her Saber, because her 'animal' has been a white Siberian tiger, and tigers make me think of sabers. Anyways. Saber was VERY outspoken, demanding, and likes rap and pop music. She snatched my laptop early in the evening and kept turning 'Souja Boy' on as loud as she could. If not that, she was obsessively insisting we play 'I Wanna Be A Rockstar' by Nickelback. I like the latter, but nowhere near as much as she does. *sigh*

It took a lot of my patience, understanding, and hospitality to get through this weekend. I'm positive she found me boring, indecisive, and irritating. Because *I* insisted we actually follow the rules. I knew the girls couldn't watch some of those youtube videos. My munchkin sisters, naive in their protective lifestyle, kept sneaking in out of sheer curiosity to see/hear it.

Friday, Moony was able to come over for the first time in three weeks. We glomped her, as usual, and fell into our weekend ritual - play and sing at the piano, drink mountain dew, Moony and I draw a chibi collab, and we goof around with tons of relaxing and chattering.

By this time, there were enough little kids going ga-ga over Saber that I didn't have to think of ways to amuse her. Of course, she was a novelty to the little ones, with her tons of eye makeup and the hands on the hips stance, and the constant use of 'oh mah jeeeeze!', so she could revel in the fact that she was so popular with them, and I could enjoy Moony's quieter company for a little while. Unfortunately, at around bedtime, the little kids went to bed, and the four of us(Moony, Saber, MTM, and I) went upstairs to bed.

In the evening, Saber got ahold of my computer and asked me about MSN. I helped her(with her shouting, "Mascii, heeeelp me! I need your help! Help me!" every two seconds) make an MSN sign in, and she then demanding all the MSN emails of anyone she could. I think I avoided that one entirely. She got Jordan's, MTM's, Moony's, and a couple other people, I think.

*siiiigh* She chatted with poor Jordan for a couple of hours, and was soon demanding a declaration of love from him every five minutes. I feel sorry for the guy, I really do. I get the feeling he is easily intimidated, but he is sarcastic enough to survive.

Anyways, by the time we went upstairs to bed, Saber was declaring that she would date him if he didn't live several states away, and that he said he loved her(and meant it). My mom said no more msn for the evening(I wasn't on it, and MTM was on mostly because Saber told her to, because she wanted someone to talk to), but Saber started asking/telling me to go get my laptop so she could go on MSN.

I said no. She said why. I said because I'm not allowed to have the laptop in my room, and she could very well get it herself, thank you very much. She said my mom scares her, and that I should get it. I avoided answering that question, and turned the subject to something she could handle - makeup. She offered to do my makeup(she never got around to it) and I picked up random things and asked her what they were. My naivety astounded her("That's to brush your eyebrows! Gosh!"). Imagine how surprised she was when she learned I've never been on a date in my life, much less had a boyfriend. She continued to demand from us kids for the weekend if we wanted to go to public school, and I said no. I once considered it, but now I would do it only out of curiousity. I've learned from Saber that yes, kids really ARE like that, it isn't just me getting the negative side of things, as usual.

I could see Moony getting increasingly irritated by Saber, and she didn't seem to be enjoying herself much at all, though when she first came, she was super excited to finally see us again. I asked her about it while Saber was jabbering to MTM about Jordan, and Moony said that Saber reminded her too much of her older sister. Her older sister is pretty much a brat, from all I can tell. Hard to say for sure, since Moony never invites us to her house(she wants to escape all that, methinks). At one point, Saber kept calling out "Jordaaaaaan!" and Moony hit her hard with a pillow, shouting that she should just shutup already. Saber laughed. I tickled her. Saber squealed and told me to stop. I didn't. We ended up making noise to irritate my mother. Mom called MTM and I down, warned us about "the games of some children to get attention" and told us there was to be no MSN for anyone. (cue pointed look here)

/>The next day at MT class, we all four went together. I saw disaster brewing. Moony can't take part in the dancing because of her horrid dizzy spells, but she joined in the singing happily. We sang Bring Me To Life, Bohemian Rhapsody, Coffee In A Cardboard Cup, and...um...*thinks* there was one more, I'm sure.

I bribed Saber in sitting by us, but she blatantly refused to sing. Neither Saber or Moony danced. We worked on Nicest Kids In Town(it's getting hard...ponies and spins and grapevines, etc. Yipes) and us girls on Forget About The Boy. Unfortunately, the teacher lost her paper with the routine for the latter, and we didn't know it well enough, so she was frustrated. They were proud of how we were doing, though. All things considered, us being a bunch of grungy teenagers. Saber began mouthing off about the Forget About The Boy dance after we finished, and complained that it was taking forever to go home. Apparently she didn't like what Forget About The Boy implied, saying she could, "never forget about JORDAN". Moony looked like she was in her own mind, in a secret happy place. I smiled and said that it was only saying for girls to ditch the meanie-head boys, not nice ones. Just the sleezeballs. That appeased her for awhile, though once in awhile she would mockingly sing, "Forget about the boy, forget about the boy...pu-leeze." She said the dances were stupid, and the songs were, too. I refrained, though MTM didn't find it so easy. The two of them spat a couple of times, with lots of rolling of the eyes. Moony would cross her legs, and hold her hands up and you could imagine her saying, 'Ummmmm' in that "be at peace with yourself" stance, you know what I mean? Anyways. Class was okay, except for Saber.

I found out after class that Saber was on her period, and she needed pads. Immediately. I silently screamed in my mind, 'Well, that explains a lot!' and then got my bro to come pick us up, asap. He got lost. Saber complained loudly. I offered her tampons, but she said those were awful and she would never use them, then complained that he was taking 'like, eight years!'. Moony and I exchanged looks, and I offered her a comforting hug. Saber got impatient while we waited and went with MTM to find a dollar store, while Moony and I waited outside for my bro. We were grateful for the few minutes of silence, and I apologized for Saber being there and irritating us. She said it was okay, and she just wanted to be near us.

When they returned with no pads, Saber continue to jabber on. When my bro got there, I had to explain to him off-handedly that we needed Walmart asap, and that it was an emergency. Naturally arguing with me, it took some convincing to get him to go, and then Saber and I went inside while everyone else stayed in the car(I couldn't help thinking they were lucky, even though it was stifling in the car). Saber walked back and forth in the wrong direction, muttered about the wrong pads being the only ones, how she only needed one but had to buy a package(with the money my dad gave me for our lunch, of course. I don't get money from dad. Ever. So I hated having to offer it to her, but I wanted her to be quiet). Then she wanted to use one THEN pay, but I convinced her to pay before taking any out of the package - I did NOT want to convince them we weren't stealing. No freaking WAY.

We didn't get home fast enough. Unfortunately, we had to take Moony home after a couple more hours. I felt bad for giving her such a bad time(usually it's her relaxing day, I'm sure it wasn't this time), but at least it was one more day finished. *siiiigh*

Sunday my adopted bro was able to come over, and Saber found him adorable. Not being able to go on MSN(though she tried to convince me to let her on numerous times) she then forgot Jordan and decided my adopted bro was going to be her husband, and they were going to have six kids. Being the adorable, cute boy that he is, he didn't argue to have her gush over him and carry him around while he stayed over. He fell asleep on MY shoulder during the drive though, so I know he's still my buddy, too. *grin* And he laid across my lap and let me run my hands through his lovely curly hair while we were at my cousin's house, too. I love that kid so much. He doesn't have the best family life, so it's a big deal for us to unofficially adopt him. We've discussed him moving in with us lots of times, but he isn't yet old enough to make that decision yet.

/>Mother's Day evening we spent at our cousins', so we had some fun there. I felt like I had to babysit Saber, since she started putting makeup on my adopted bro(yes, you heard right) the moment we turned around, and she often interogated the little kids, trying to get them to ask their moms if they could go to public school instead of homeschooling. But with such a small house, and so many adults, she didn't do anything too bad. We rarely go to my cousins' house on Sundays, since they then beg us to go to their church with them. But mom and dad(and us big kids) know that it'll just end up being their preaching at us and saying we're in the wrong again. And again. And again. So we only go if they promise there'll be no services.

After dinner, the rest of their church(like, five or six people total) came over. And started setting up chairs in the living room. We quietly got ready to go, and we left.

My younger bro had to go home that night, so Saber wasn't in a great mood. I read and finished the book The Thief, deciding she would talk to me if she felt like it, otherwise she could find something else to do. She hovered over my shoulder for awhile and asked if ALL I did was read. I said no, I just wanted to finish this book. She asked if I read lots. I said I did. She said why. I said because I like to. I'll end that conversation there.

I ended up finishing the book while everyone else watched Thumbelina. Saber fell asleep watching it, and I had to wake her up so we could go upstairs to bed. She was a lot quieter that night. MTM was getting really annoyed, and avoided her at all costs. I didn't see her much this weekend.

Monday morning Saber had to wake up for school, and I woke up with her. Unable to go back to sleep, I went downstairs and laid with my mom in her bed - we chatted a little, and spent some time together. That's what I like about homeschooling - I'm really, really close to my parents. As in, tell them everything close. As in, all I need is a look from mom to know she's upset about something, or if she needs me. And vise versa. She can tell when I need to be left alone in my anger and when I need someone to talk to. Sometimes I think she's paranoid and over-protective, but there's a very thin line for 'perfect parent', and it's impossible to hit the mark every time.

Monday was a lot easier, until we got a call from my aunt. Mom put down the phone and said that my aunt is leaving her husband, and that they were all on their way to our house. I halted for a moment, and told her that I've known for a couple of weeks, since Ally took me aside and let me know. She told me it as a secret, and I didn't think it my place to tell mom or anybody. I said the only reason I hadn't told her was because I knew she would find out soon enough. I feel bad that I didn't tell her. She wished she could have had some warning, to be able to let her sister know she was there for her.

My cousins have hardly ever stayed the night at our house. We prepared as best as we could. It's been hard on some of the kids more than others. One of them(the second oldest) had to have a shoulder to cry on. Ally is barely 12. The youngest is only a couple months old. All in all, my aunt has five kids as well. So it's been pretty hectic since then.

Saber went home Tuesday, spending most of Monday night grilling Ally on why she didn't want to go to public school, and telling her that she was going to marry my adoptive bro. She tried to put makeup on the two oldest girls, but their religion doesn't allow for makeup or haircuts. Again, she was center of attention, so I got some time to myself at last.

I wish I could say we had enjoyed her being here, but all I can say is that it's been educational. I'm proud of my mother for raising five kids at home. It's not as easy as it seems. NO, KC. I'm not an idiot when it comes to socializing. I'm not the most extroverted, and I don't play the games some kids do with other people's minds. I don't go for the popular clothes and actors. I'm not desperate for a boyfriend. I don't think I need a man or friends to make me who I am. I don't have resentment for my mother, which Saber does, bigtime. I know my mom will be there for me, even if I turn out to be a highschool dropout. Even if I'm gay. Even if I turned around and started being cruel to her. Even if I have horrid grades, or started playing those games. I am 100% positive that my mom will accept me for who I am. Same with my dad. I know my sisters and I will always be friends. I know my brother loves me, even if he hesitates to hug me nowadays. I know WHY he is the way he is, and I love him for that. I don't need lots of friends. I just need a couple of people who are important to me. I don't need a Gucci bag or a hairstraightener. I have books, and the eagerness to learn. I don't need to be famous, I just need to make it through today.

I enjoy Moony's company a thousand times over. I pick my friends according to who they are. I didn't start talking to Moony because she was the quiet one, or because we were in the same group. I saw something in Moony that I liked. I saw someone I could talk to. Someone who could talk to me. Call it kindred spirits, if you will. I'm one of those people that don't get close fast, but when I do, I'm loyal until the death. I'm also protective of the people I love - I watch out for my sister, for Moony, for Ally, and others. When I ask someone how they're doing, unless I'm doing it for people I don't know for politeness' sake, I REALLY want to know. I'm seriously curious. I'm honest. I can blend and spend time with almost anybody. I've learned a lot more about molding to another person's personality after this weekend. I got a taste of public schooling, and I don't like it. I don't hate it, but I don't like it. I can get my socializing in college, or...you know what? My entire life. I won't be holed up forever. When I break out, I'm going to be confident and patient, and I'm going to be the best friend I can possibly be. I hope you're happy with your life. I'm going to make the best of mine.

*sigh* Having the cousins over has been trying, but nowhere near as trying as Saber. It's great to be able to spend time with Ally and her younger sister. I've gotten them all addicted to the song "We Will Rock You"(I'm obsessed with Queen right now, in case you didn't notice). I chose the song because a couple of them can actually keep time with their feet(well...one or two...lol) and they like its simplicity. I've learned all the words to it, if only I don't get them switched around. Oh..and K(mom's friend, who is really like a teenager my age, despite being in her 20's with three kids) found me a song to start working on that she has sheet music to. I can't remember the name of it now, but it only goes up to the D5. The one note I'm working on. I want to pick a high, challenging number, but I have to tell myself to go one note at a time. *siiiigh*

I scratched my foot while carrying my cousins' stuff in, on a long nail near the doorway. It was attached to this thing for the screen door, and it left a mark about three inches long. Yeaaah..I'm not accident prone, I swear. *grin* It isn't really deep, and it doesn't really hurt that bad. It looks worse than it really is. I hope I get a scar. That would be pretty cool. K said it looked gruesome. I said it was too bad I can't stomp my feet during We Will Rock You until it heals. She laughed. She still finds it hilarious when I break out into random song.

By the way, her youngest daughter(we'll call her...Beth?) is SO FREAKING ADORABLE. She's my favorite, and vise versa. Everytime I see her, she screams out my name with glee and gives me a big hug. I scream hers and return it. She has this freaking cute accent, so her 'hello' sounds like 'hewwo' and her 'sorry's sound like 'sowwy'. ^_^ I love that kid.

Hm...there was something else....I can't think of what it was, but I will soon enough, I'm sure.