Dinner at the Jackson Home

Remember the Jackson family?  We haven't seen them as a family since the New Year's Eve Party.  Just to refresh your memory there's Sam (dad), Jacquelyn (mom), Chandra, Tanisha, and Robin.  Just in case you are keeping track, there is another Jacquelyn in town.  We haven't seen her in quite some time. 

The Jackson kitchen

"All I have left to do is this salad."  (Mom talking out loud)

Tanisha is the first to arrive.

"Hi mommy.  Do you need any help?"  (Tanisha)

"Hi Nish.  Dinner is pretty much done.  I'm just finishing the salad.  I hear more voices out there."  (Mom)

"Oh, Robin and them are here, too."  (Tanisha)

Robin and Ron enter the kitchen.

"Hi mom."  (Robin)

"Hello Jackie"  (Ron)

"Hey guys.  Where's Courtney?"  (Mom)

"You know where she is.  With her grandpa."  (Robin)

"Tanisha, can you please set the table?  Don't forget to set an extra plate for your auntie."  (Mom)

"Will do."  (Tanisha)

"Well it's about time you come see your Nana."  (Mom)

Jacquelyn gives Courtney a hug and a kiss.

"No, I can't hold you.  I'm still preparing dinner.  As a matter of fact, why is grandpa carrying you around anyway.  You are a big girl, now."  (Mom)

"Tell her, that's what granddads are for.  To spoil me rotten."  (Dad)

Mom returns to her salad, shaking her head.  Dad takes a seat and Tanisha takes her turn to give Courtney a hard time.

"Why are you with my dad, all the time?  He's my dad.  You have your own dad.  I want my dad back."  (Tanisha)

"Leave her alone, Nisha, before she starts crying."  (Dad)

*DING DONG*

"I wonder who that is?"  (Mom)

"I'll get it."  (Robin)

Shortly thereafter, Chandra enters the kitchen.

"Hi mom."  (Chandra)

"SO?  Did you get it?"  (Mom)

"I GOT IT! (Chandra)

Mom hugs Chandra and lets out a little scream, loud enough that Tanisha comes running into the kitchen.

"What happened!"  (Tanisha)

"Your sister got the part."  (Mom)

"Oh, I know.  She already told me, but she made me promise not to tell you."  (Tanisha)

"Now all of a sudden you are good at keeping secrets."  (Mom)

"What happened Grandpa?"  (Courtney)

"Your aunt Chandra finally got a good paying job that can justify all that dancing she does."  (Dad)

"I heard that Dad."  (Chandra)

"Oh honey, you know I'm proud of you.  So is my wallet."  (Dad)

"Did you finish setting the table?"  (Mom)

"All that screaming made me forget what I was doing."  (Tanisha)

Tanisha returns to setting the table.  Robin returns with the last invited guests.

"Look who's here."  (Robin)

"Oh Jordan, I am so glad you could make it.  I know how hectic your schedule is at times."  (Robin)

"Well it's been so long since I've been able to make a family dinner, I felt it was long overdue."  (Jordan, Sam's sister)

"Well have a seat.  We can catch up a little while I try to finish this salad."  (Robin)

"Hello sis."  (Sam)

Jordan walks over to say hello to brother Sam, then takes a seat.

"First let me congratulate you on the new grocery store.  I love that it is so close."  (Robin)

"Thanks.  It is doing quite well." (Jordan)

"So are you working on any new projects?" (Robin)

"Well I won the bid for the new Art Museum in town, so me and my team have been busy finalizing the plans."  (Jordan)

"Wow, that will be nice to have in town.  We need more cultural places here."  (Robin)

"So Miss Courtney, how was dance class?"  (Chandra)

"Good." (Courtney)

Robin does eventually get that salad made, as they continue to chat.  Tanisha finally finished setting the table and the family gathered in the dining room and had a nice dinner.  The Jacksons try to do a family dinner at least once a month.

Note:  Chandra was sporting her new Monzieur Z Flaunt It body.  It's not a perfect match, but close.  The Flaunt It Dolls are available at Integrity direct for $25.  Jordan is carrying the nice handbag that came with the doll.  Warning: the clothes for the Monzieur Z dolls are not easy to remove. 

The Day After Part 2: The Dance Studio

It's about 11am on Sunday. Tanisha is in the studio with one of her instructors, Maurice.  For the most part it is a family day. She attends early rise service with her parents, and later in the evening she will have dinner at their house.  Her sisters try to make it  as often as they can.

"You did well.  I just need you to work more on your extensions."  (Maurice)

Maurice leaves and Tanisha starts preparing for the upcoming class she will teach.

Chandra, who normally teaches the class with her, stops by to make sure everything's okay.

"Hey Nish.  Sorry to cut out on you .  Do you think you will be okay?" (Chandra)

"You know if I had an audition, I would cut out on you, too.  Good luck!  Break a leg." (Tanisha)

By noon, the dance studio is filled with lots of little girls and their parents.

The older girls know they need to stretch.

Most of the parents will stay in the lobby, while some choose to leave and come back when the hour is up.

There's Shannon's mom.  Wow, I didn't know she had two more kids.  Girlfriend has been busy.

"Alright ladies, let's take our places."

"Well there's my niece.  Come on in."

Ron and Robin are running a little late this morning.  That's Ron from Hotel Monaco.  He typically has Sundays off.

"Awww honey.  Don't you miss dancing?" (Ron)

"Sometimes." (Robin)

"Well hello there, cutie."  (Mrs. Hart)

"I didn't know you and Adele were sisters.  It's a small word."  (Toni)

Speaking of Adele.... Scene from a future Day After post.

Robin's Kitchen and the New Pens

Turns out it's Robin's kitchen.  Remember her?  She and her mom own the Bridal Boutique where Danielle bought her wedding dress.  She has just returned from the store, picking up a few things she needed for her daughter's school lunches.

"Okay, let's get these things put away." (mom)

"Can I help?'" (daughter)

"Yes, Mommy can always use some help.  I'll let you put some things in the refrigerator.  We will have this stuff put away in no time." (mom)

Let's take a peek and see what she bought.  I see peanut butter and jelly, pickles, tuna, Snapple type drinks, yogurt, mozzarella, and ooooh some chocolate ice cream bars.

30 minutes later, Robin's sisters, Tanisha and Chandra have arrived.  They are meeting to decide what to do for their mom on Mother's Day.

"Would you guys like a drink or something to eat?"  (Robin)

"Nothing for me.  I just ate." (Chandra)

"Do you have Sprite?"  (Tanisha)

"And how is my favorite niece?  Have you been practicing those dance moves I showed you?"  (Tanisha)

"So what did you guys come up with for Mother's Day?" (Robin)

"What about a Spa Day?  She could get a massage, maybe a mud bath, a facial, the whole works" (Tanisha)

"I was thinking of a gift certificate to Ni'Chalet's.  Mommy could use a new outfit." (Chandra)

"I like both ideas.  Of course, we would have to request a female masseuse because Daddy is not going to go for some man feeling all over his woman"  (Robin, laughing)

"You are so right about that." (Chandra, laughing)

"Daddy is so controlling.  I don't know why Mommy puts up with that.  I'm not going to let some man tell me what I can and can't do."  (Tanisha, not laughing)

"Well, Mom and Dad have been married a long time and I think Mom let's Dad thinks he's in control.  Personally, I'm not willing to get on Dad's bad side over a little massage."  (Robin)

"Here, here."  (Chandra)

Robin leaves the room momentarily to see what her husband wants.  Her daughter decides to tag along.

Chandra decides to have a drink after all.  She finds some freshly brewed iced tea in the refrigerator and helps herself.

"So are you coming to the studio, later?" (Chandra)

"Yes, but I have to stop by the mall first.  They are having a sale at Macy's.  Don't you want to come with me?" (Tanisha)

"Tanisha, every time I go shopping with you, I spend my money and you come borrow what I bought!  I am on to your game now."

"Alright.  So are we going to go with the spa day?"  (Robin)

"Yes, and I think she should have a male masseuse.  Who wants some woman feeling all over them?"  (Tanisha)

"Anyway..... I will make the arrangements.  I'll pay for half and you guys can split the rest." (Robin)

"Split the rest?!"  (Tanisha)

Here is a family portrait of the sisters with their parents.

 THE NEW PENS:  I made two more pens yesterday.  So Mother's Day gift is taken care of.

This was the wooden one I made yesterday.  It's a lot prettier in person than is reflected here in this picture.

The second one I made out of corian, the same stuff they make counter tops out of.  The process is the same as the wood pens, but it takes a lot more elbow grease to make this one.  But isn't it purrdy?

So here are the three pens I've made so far.  Pen making can be addictive.