• Jun. 17, 2008

Hey there.  Yes, I know, I havn't written in a while.  I havn't really had anything to write about.  For now, all we're doing is getting ready to leave for colorado (at last!) and cleaning and cleaning and cleaning. :^)  And we went to the lake this week, and last week.  But that's not really big; we always go swimming in the summer,  which by the way is happening this Friday! Summer officially starts this week! Of course when it starts we will be driving across Kansas and a few other states.  Hopefully we won't meet any tornados on the way. Big tornados anyway. The last time we went across country I was six and Sarah was ten, but she did not want to stay in Kansas through the night, she did not want to get hit by a tornado.
There were a few small one zooming around, but sarah was sure there would be a big one. Like in the wizard of Oz. But we won't need to stay in Kansas this time. We only need to go a little ways into Colorado to get to our condo.

So today, I will do my laundry, put some clothes in my suitcase, put some books in my backpack, and clean my room! And maybe play some piano.

Random fortune for the day: Stop searching forever - happiness is just next to you.   In my case, yes, my pointe shoes are right next to me.

Question: What is your happines? Soccer? Music? Books? Comment and let me know. See yah!  I do beg your forgivness if I spelled something incorrectly. My spell check is indisposed.

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• Jun. 4, 2008
June

So very sorry I have not written in a while,  it's been pretty busy. Hmm. I cannot seem to remember where I last left off. Well, for starters, last week I went to the dentist. Thankfully I do not have any cavities, but of course there was the same old thing "She needs braces." duh. The past 3 years dentists have said the same thing. I'm getting bored of it. But this time the dentist gave some literature to me about the different orthadontists in Virginia to look at. Chances are that I will get braces in September.  (why me?) harrumph.

Anywayz, enough about gloom and doom. Lets see.... well, Arin was here for a while. But then she had to leave on Monday. :o( But you can read about all that on my sister Sarah's blog.  I got to go shopping on Thursday, or Wednsday. I can't remember. I got some cool new clothes and a swimsuit and a green polka dotted purse (so cute!).  Nothing else really happend.....yet. I'll be writing later.

See yah!

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• May. 19, 2008
The Spring Gala

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• May. 9, 2008
Check it out!

Be sure to check out the end of this page to find a cool new toy I put on! Sarah put something like it on her blog last christmas, but this is for my birthday instead of Christmas. Thank you, and have fun!

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• Apr. 28, 2008
Trip to D.C.

So, as I might have told you all earlier, the 7th grade religious school was going to take a trip to Washington D.C. to see the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the zoo. (I know, weird combination, huh?) Well, yesterday we 7th graders took that trip.  I got to the Synagogue with a bag and a lunch, to find that half of the people were already there waiting for the rest of the kids to show up. Once they did we were all organized into groups to go in different cars with different parent chaperones. The girls went into one car and the boys in another, and two other boys in a smaller car. About 15 minutes into the 3 hour drive we pulled over by a gas station to get some drinks and go to the bathroom. After that, one of the girls went over to the boys' car, because all the seats were filled in the girls' car and it was very crowded.

After a while and much reading from me, we came to D.C. and past the Washington monument to go into a parking lot. It was about 6 blocks later that we finally came to the museum. Once inside (after being searched by security, of course) we were given sheets of paper by our teacher, Rachel, who met us there, with questions we had to answer as we went through the 4 floors of the museum. We only had two hours to do all this and it was kind of hard to look for everything and still mull over everything. I did not fully accomplish these two tasks completely. But at least I got all of the answers for the work sheet. There was this one hall with a bunch of burning candles all around. That was pretty cool.

After we were done with the sheet, we had a few minutes to go into the gift shop, there were a lot of necklaces and expensive jewelry in there, but all could afford (and all that seemed interesting, really) were two neat rocks the said "Remember".  I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do with them, but I'll find something. ;o)

Once we were done with the whole museum, we walked all the way back to the cars, with one of the girls making a slight detour to get some D.C. shirts, and we drove to the zoo. We had about 5 minutes to eat lunch, which didn't give me very much time. (I don't know how anyone would expect me to eat all I needed and talk with everyone else in the 5 minutes we were given. Some people would say I am not social enough ;o})  And then we walked around past the cheetahs, and wanted to see the elephants, but they were somewhere in Florida because they were redoing the place the elephants would stay in. We came to the bird house and saw lots of peacocks who posed and showed their feathers for us. Then we walked back to see the pandas and go into the zoo gift shop where there really wasn't anything interesting except a cute little pink panda purse. But I'd already used money to buy the rocks, and that money was from Daddy's lending. I didn't think he would appreciate anything else bought.

Then we went back to shul and had our parents pick us up. I can't think of anything else to say, and I had better get ready for ballet. So I'll write later! Bye!

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• Apr. 25, 2008
Monticello

Hello you all.  On Wednesday some of our friends from Connecticut came over here in Virginia to visit. They were seeing practically all the sights there are to see in VA, and yesterday, mom, Rachel & I went with them to see Monticello. The last time I went there was in 2003, so I didn't remember it very much. When we got there, there was a two hour wait for the tour, so we bought tickets, rode the bus to the house, and just strolled along the outside till it was time for the tour. We saw the vegetable patch, and leaned a lot about the slaves that worked there, we the graves, the slave quarters, the kitchen, the front lawn, and practically everything else. Then we finally got to take the tour of the downstairs of the house. The only thing I remembered was the library. But the rest of it was pretty cool too. And then, after Monticello, we went to the downtown mall in Charlottesville. We had Chinese food for lunch (too bad we couldn't eat the fortune cookies:`o( ) and then we went to the cat store, where Rachel and her friend, Celina, had the time of there lives. They adore cats.

After that, we came home and the Kestachers (the family that visited us) invited us to swim in their pool at the hotel. This time Sarah came with us, but only to stick her feet in. The rest of us went all the way in. I did not intend to go all the way underwater (my eyes have some reaction to chlorine) but as I was backing away from Celina and Rachel who were playing cats and trying to get away from the shark by splashing him with great gales of water, I sort of turned backwards, tripped and fell underwater inhaling a great deal  of chlorinated water up my nose. I always seen to do that when I swim in a pool. When we were done with the pool, we went over to KOHR BROS. custard creamery and had ice cream for dinner. I got a peanut-butter and chocolate swirl dipped in chocolate ice cream cup. Then we said goodbye to the Kestachers and went home. 

That's all I have to tell! Goodbye! 

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• Apr. 22, 2008
The Return of the Nutcracker

And then the “great fun” began. Frank wandered over to the kitchen and set everything up. “Ready!” he whispered to Clarissa and James who were watching from the staircase. “Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!” He started to scream. “Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!” Their mother came racing in from the hall. “Why what’s wrong dear?” she asked. Frank just screamed. This was their chance. Clarissa and James walked past the kitchen just as Frank started to throw things around. “ Dear! Please stop it this instant!” their mother screamed. At long last James and Clarissa hopped onto a bicycle for two and headed toward town. They must have looked very odd carrying a bunch of large mice, but they cycled on. Once they got to the pet store they were nearly out of breath. A new worker was working at the desk. “May I help you?” she asked when they got to the desk. “Yes!” said James. “We would like to donate these animals to your store.” “Of-of course…um…right this way-” the worker led them to a storage room where tons of cages were kept. “Just put the, er, things in here.” she said. “Thanks! Bye!” Said Clarissa. And off the children went.

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• Apr. 15, 2008
We interrupt this program.......

News Alert! News Alert! This is the week before Passover and the Richardson house must be completely clean by Friday! This is a common household procedure also known as H.E.L.P! AKA:Helping Exterminate Leaven for Passover.

Well. We haven't exactly started cleaning or Passover, yet. But once we get started it will take all day and all night. Today I will be starting on my room, whilst the washer and dryer people will put our new washer and dryer in, and then we will start on the real cleaning. The problem is we also have ballet to go to. So most of the cleaning will actually be on Friday. I only found out on Saturday that we will not only have the Epstein's over but we will have the Isaak's over too! (they are another family from shul.) We are going to have 13 people for Passover counting my family! As Professor Trelawney would say:"Never forget that when 13 dine together the first rise will be the first to die!"  Naturally I completely do NOT believe all that hogwash.

But anyway, in a little while we will be leaving to go have a birthday lunch for mommy (yes I know it is not really her birthday but we are having it before passover so she can have a cake), we are going to the Michie Tavern for lunch cause Mom wanted to go there for a long time, and they are only open for lunch. It should be fun. I've never been there before. 

Also today after lunch Rachel and I are going to clean mom and dad's bathroom for $2 each. I know it's not much but he said we could "save up" for something. I happen to be saving up for a laptop of my own, but it will be a while till that happens. In the meantime, I have a lot to look forward to this month and the next (and the next and the next and the next!), so I won't be completely bored anymore. ;o) I'll have to sign off now, it's about time to leave for Michie Tavern. See ya Later!

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• Apr. 11, 2008
The return of the Nutcracker

The next morning Clarissa wondered if what she thought was a dream was true. The answer to this question was easy; the trundle bed was next to her. It looked like James was on her bookshelf. “Where?” Then from out of nowhere came a nutcracker hopping off the bookshelf, which turned into a boy of twelve. “It’s really amazing that you can turn into a nutcracker!” said Clarissa. “Well, it is cool, but it feels really weird. Now, we ought to get rid of this vermin.” He pointed to the cage and the sleeping, tied up mice. “I think that we should take them to the dump.” said Clarissa. “The dump?” “You know the place where you dump things.” “Well… they might escape.” “Then I have no idea.”

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• Apr. 8, 2008
B-O-R-E-D spells what?

I am BORED! BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED!
 What in the world am I supposed to do with out ballet? There is no room in the house to dance! All I can do is stretch in the living room! I've tried making stuff for my dollhouse but that turns into boredom too! I can't go out and add things to my *fairy house*; it's all rainy and cold outside. I can't play tennis either 'cause it's cold. AND nobody will play with me anyway. *sigh* What in the world do I do? At least I am getting better at piano so I have something to do when I'm bored.       I cannot wait until Saturday!

I am not being negative, however. No, that is not happening. I have stopped being negative long ago. I will figure something out. After all, it's only a few more days and I won't be bored anymore. Then comes Passover! YIPPEE! Passover is my favourite holiday! I love Matzo and charoset and matzo-ball soup. And best of all we are not alone like last thanksgiving. No, at last we have friends coming over.

I cannot really think of anything else to say, I have run out of thing to say. So I guess I'll see you later!

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• Apr. 3, 2008
Hello Everybody!

Just an update on everything that's going on! I'm reading this new book mom got me, it's called The Scarlet Stockings. It is (of course) about ballet, but I haven't even gotten halfway through it yet, so I don't know completely what it's about. The weather is dismal here, it's all rainy and gross looking. But I have also started on a new fairy house, down in my part of the yard. Rachel did the living room and I did the kitchen. It's so cute! It has it's own little stone fireplace and an herb line above the counter. I think I should start the bedrooms next. If any of you have some ideas, please feel free to share them with me! I'd love some new ideas.

Even though Sarah says that a bumblebee means *spring has sprung*, somehow I don't think so. There are no, I repeat, NO leaves on the trees at all. None. Whatsoever. Also, when the spring chicken will come is also a mystery because we have plenty of Robins around, as well as so many ladybugs you could eat a meal of them (not that I would, you know) and mom says that ladybugs don't count anymore as something to see for the spring chicken to come. Typical.

Ballet is going alright. I was able to take an advanced class (at last) this past Saturday because class was cancelled the Thursday before, what an enormous relief! It was actually challenging for me! We did fouette pirouettes, pica turns, and lots of other fun stuff!                                         My mind has gone blank now, I shall have to write later. Goodbye!

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• Mar. 26, 2008
Return of the Nutcracker

It was after all the guests had left ad Clarissa was in her room examining the Nutcracker. It was amazing that he did not get hurt, from a fall like that. She put on her pajamas and climbed into bed. Almost a soon as she got comfortable, she heard squeaking. Clarissa looked over at her Nutcracker. Then suddenly-what happened? The Nutcracker was there one second then gone the next! She looked down on the floor. A shocking sight met her eyes. A huge mouse as large as a stuffed bear was staring up at her. Then it spoke: “Behold! The great queen of holes-land, Sabrina, comes!” There, sitting on the rug, was the very mouse that had run across the living room that evening. Clarissa wondered if she was dreaming. But she did not have time to ponder that because the mouse was talking. “Bring me the Nutcracker!” she said. Clarissa was shocked to see that the Nutcracker was in a cage and was being brought up the Sabrina the mouse. Another shock followed. “Who are you?” asked the Nutcracker of the mouse. “I am Sabrina, the daughter of the great mouse with seven heads!” she shouted. “I have come to avenge my father who died at the hand of your father!” “That is not entirely true.” said the Nutcracker. “It was not fully my father who killed yours. It was by the hand of this lady’s grandmother” he pointed to Clarissa,”that your father is dead.” “W-what do you mean, Nutcracker?” asked Clarissa. “First call me James,” said the Nutcracker, “and second, your grandmother was Clara, who married a nutcracker like me, but he was enchanted to look like a nutcracker when he was really a prince of candy land, but he was free when the great mouse was defeated by your grandmother. And now I, the nephew of the free nutcracker also known as Franz, have re-taken the form of your nutcracker to save you and your family from perishing under the hand of the gang of mice and, until now, I have not known the name of.” This as all very confusing to Clarissa. All she could get out was: “So…you’re my cousin?” “Well I suppose so.” said James. “So how come I never met you?” Clarissa asked. “Because while your mother was born in candy land, she lived there till she was ten, and then her parents decided that she would not be raised in candy land. So they sent her to a boarding school with her memory wiped. Now I was raised there because the land would need a successor eventually and I was the only boy so far. And I still am.” “Also“, said Clarissa, “Why didn‘t you break when Frank dropped you?” “Well-” James started to say. But Sabrina interrupted him; “When that loathsome human dropped the Nutcracker I did all I could to stop it from hitting me. So I used my powers to make it float on air. Okay, enough chit-chat. Let’s get on with it!” Sabrina did not look very happy. “We must bring both of you to court to bring justice upon the criminals who dare threaten my life!” “I don't think so!” said James. And in a flash he was out of the cage and on top of Sabrina. “N-no! Stop it! Tell him to stop!” the mouse screamed. And then, like magic, she was in the cage and all the guards were tied up with Clarissa’s jump rope. “How did you do that?” she said incredulously. “It’s a secret.” said James. Just then he transformed into a 13 year old boy: his true form. “This is what I really look like.” he said. “I shall have to transform back eventually tomorrow, but it’s very late and,-” “What is it?” asked Clarissa. “Well, I have not had a good night sleep for a while, since I became a nutcracker. So…do you have another bed I could borrow for the night? I am sure a good night’s sleep will bring back my strength. After that, you and I'll find something to do with the mice here. They won't stand long with out their leader.” “I will think of something." said Clarissa. And yes of course, you can sleep on one of my beds. I have a trundle bed right here.” And she pulled the bed out. “Thank you” said James gratefully. Clarissa climbed into her own bed while James climbed into his. “Goodnight my new cousin.” Said Clarissa. “Goodnight Clarissa. Said James sleepily. And then they both fell fast asleep.

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• Mar. 24, 2008
An almost normal week.

Well, Dad is gone now, to Colorado, to help Grandpa recover from his surgery (I don't really know what kind) and now it's just us girls. Last night after Sunday school and all the house work, we watched Easter Parade, The Last Mimzy, and some Doris Day movie. And we got to have some ice cream with the  shell sauce on top, my favourite kind! On Friday we went to the Reform service at the synagogue instead of the Saturday service. It was interesting. The sermon was more of a lecture than anything, and I expected more people to be there. We are going again this week, and I hope Rachel will be able to stay awake through the oneg afterwards, but I doubt it. We didn't stay for it last week, and even though there is a Bar-mitzvah this week, I don't think we will. Anywayz, on Saterday mom and I went to a school play at the Tandem school, where my friend Jay goes. It was called Cafe 007, though it wasn't really a play. More like a series of skits, songs and poems. A few of the things I didn't really get, but the rest of it was very funny. On sunday morning we went to sunday school as usual, and for class we all saw a movie called Escape from Sobibor, its about an escape from a death camp in Poland.  I think that's about it for today. I'll write later. See Yah!

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• Mar. 13, 2008
No title...yet

Right now I'm listening to some of my Fave songs to calm me down; Dancing through life, Little Wonders, Wunderkind, stuff like that. I am, for some reason, feeling very low in spirit. *sigh* It figures. Today is the 13th. Grace is now in Florida (the lucky duck) and I won't be able to talk to her for two weeks. She only just told me. But, at least I'll be able to go to Florida this year, in December. For a week my family and I will be going to Disney world. In December. IT"S SO FAR AWAY! And in the meantime I will be gong to the Family reunion, and the summer intensive. And we have not even started to rehearse for Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! We have to start that tomorrow. Q: How many of you had to break your things to get a new one? Sarah, Mom and I are trying to figure out how to break our microwave. And our bread machine. Right now we are out of ideas that aren't completely obvious. I really wish I could get my own laptop. But they are too expensive. I also would like to get a new jacket, skirt, and shoes. Hopefully my new business will help that. Yes, my new business. I am selling books of Dad's and Mom's on amazon. Mom let me take full credit, and Dad let me take half. The whole thing is Pot Of Ink, originally my card making business. Nothing else really is new today. See ya later!

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• Mar. 5, 2008
The Return of the Nutcracker Con.

It was the night of the Christmas party and Clarissa was up in her room putting on her best dress. It was red and black with a little brown belt around the waist. She was admiring herself in the mirror when suddenly, a horrible idea struck in her head. What if the Nutcracker was too old to withstand such large nuts in his mouth? But she supposed it was too late too change her mother’s mind. Oh well. She would just be extra careful when she cracked the nuts.

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• Mar. 2, 2008
Hello

Good afternoon people. I am sorry I have not blogged for a while. But I hope that in the meantime you have enjoyed some of The Return Of The Nutcracker. Mom and Sarah and Rachel have left for Connecticut leaving me to take care of the house for 4 days (I know, its cruel) but at least I have a good time yesterday. Dad and I went to Beth Israel and we were able to stay through all of the lunch afterwards (we ate lunch with one of my friends from Sunday school;  Jay, his mom, someone else, & the rabbi, later on,) before we had to go home so that I could get ready for ballet rehearsal. While I was in rehearsal, Dad went to see some of HIS friends from Beth Israel, their son is also in my 7th grade class (ironically enough HIS name is Sam). After rehearsal, dad and I went to see a movie: The Spiderwick Chronicles. They left out TONS, and TONS of stuff, but it was still good.  Then dad and I went out to dinner (some steak house or something). It was a buffet, so I did not have to have any meat at all. Unfortunately, while I was eating my cole slaw, I started to have a coughing fit. I don't know why, but I am still coughing from being sick 2 weeks ago. Then we came home and let Rosie out (she was soooo mad at us) and went to bed. At last.  As luck would have it the dog and cats found it extremely amusing to constantly wake me up with meowing and barking. I was pretty tired today at Sunday school (though I was not the only one who was tired) but I got though okay. That's all for today folks! I'll try to write again tomorrow but I can't guarantee anything. See Ya! Rebecca

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• Feb. 18, 2008
The Return of The Nutcracker Continued...

The next day after school, Clarissa had her ballet lessons to go to. The class would be performing at a hospital nearby for some soldiers. Luckily enough, Clarissa had her own little solo to do; she was quite a talented little dancer. Her teacher, Miss Dortank, had had a mother who met Tchaikovsky when most of the town lived in Russia. They had then come down to America in hope of finding better land. They did and that was how Clarissa’s family came to be so rich. They owned large farm. But that’s enough of history; let’s get back to ballet class. Clara was packing up her things when someone said at her shoulder: “I’m looking forward to the party next week, Clarissa. It will be so much fun!”

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• Feb. 13, 2008
The Return of the Nutcracker Continued

Meanwhile, Clarissa was exploring the deep, dark corners of the attic with great interest. So far she had found a little rag doll, a whole box of tin soldiers, a toy bunny, and a strange little bed that looked remarkably like the one in her own room. She knew that the large one had been passed down since the 1900’s from her grandmother Clara, from whom she was named after. She had never met her. She wondered why this miniature bed had been made to look like it.

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• Feb. 12, 2008
YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Hi! I've just checked my e-mail inbox and I found an e-mail from Central Penn. Youth Ballet and it said that I'd been accepted into their August ballet course! YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY! I'm am so, so happy!  I've been anxiously waiting all week long and now I have finally found out! I will blog you later when I find more about it. But for now thats it! Bye All!!!!!! 

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• Feb. 8, 2008
The Return of the Nutcracker

I have decited to let you all read my story. You will have to read it in parts though. I hope you like it. Here it is.

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