A Gnome in the Hand

Franchesca Diaries

I changed into my comfy clothes, and then Weezy and I had a lovely dinner together. Well, she had her bottle, and I made mac ’n’ cheese. I was starving, and it’s the only thing I know how to make.

After that, I unveiled her belated birthday present…one of those little baby xylophone things!

Franchesca Diaries

It was a definite hit with the Weez. And she’s pretty good at playing it. I’m hoping she inherited Mom’s musical talent. Then she could make it big and go on Solid Platinum and I could tour with her and run into Joel…

Sigh. Nice little fantasy there.

But back to Weezy. She may have Mom’s penchant for playing, but I think she also shares Rico’s talent for torture. Very unfortunate.

Franchesca Diaries

OK, to be fair, she wasn’t trying to choke the life out of Taz. She was just snorgling him a bit too tightly.

I guess as long as she didn’t inherit any of Dad’s, erm…“talents”, she’ll have a bright future. Cross your fingers, Weezy, cross your fingers!

Anyway, after I put Weezy to bed, I noticed Marcella was looking a little desolate, so I took her out of her cage and talked to her in a stupid baby voice.

Of course, Rico walked in just as I was saying, “Do you miss Joely Joel? I bet you do. I miss him, too. Yes, I do!”

Not one of my prouder moments.

Franchesca Diaries

For a moment, Rico looked like he was going to unleash a torrent of ridicule upon me, but instead he got all excited and started telling me about some old guy who lives at the nursing home where he works.

I put Marcella back into her cage while Rico went on and on and ON. I’ve never heard him blabber so much. Apparently the old guy is a former politician and is going to teach Rico the “ropes”, so to speak. I’m a little scared by that.

Franchesca Diaries

You know, I just realized…Rico had the night off tonight. And he went to work anyway. Rico, the kid who hated the very idea of working in a nursing home. Yeah. Weird.

Since we had a little time yet before bed, Rico and I watched “Haunted Housewife”, which is a new show about this woman who marries a ghost and has kids who can visit the spirit world. Ooooh.

The show was almost over when Mom came home from her hot date with Dad. I guess poor old Pops was so exhausted from carousing that he had to go straight to bed. Teehee.

Franchesca Diaries

So Mom was the one who had to take the brunt of what happened next.

You know how Bernie was gone all night? Well, apparently he was getting himself into a wee bit of trouble. But I had no idea what that trouble entailed until later on. Rico and I just heard the front door shut and Mom talking in a low voice to a man who sounded very angry. Naturally, we ran out to see what was up.

Franchesca Diaries

It was Mr. Roth, our neighbor, with Bernie beside him.

“I don’t want to see this happen again, or I WILL call the police,” he was saying. “My wife is a very proud member of the Gardening Club, and she was none too pleased to have her yard trampled upon!”

“Yes, of course, Mr. Roth,” Mom said. “I understand. It won’t happen again. Bernie, go upstairs and go to bed. We’ll have a long talk tomorrow.”

Bernie flew past us, obviously upset. Rico found it all very amusing.

Franchesca Diaries

I didn’t find it amusing at all. I was worried about poor Bernie. I mean, the kid is harmless! He wouldn’t trample upon anyone’s lawn unless he had a darned good reason.

While Mom went to check on Weezy, I checked on Bernie.

(continued on Page 3)

16 thoughts on “A Gnome in the Hand

  1. Yay! Fran is back! Joel gets to play where Llama Mama has played? That must be one very big very awesome venue! Way to go Joel! You’re on your way to the big time! ;) But yay for him calling to share it with Fran and Boo! to Alicia. She needs to stay out of other people’s business. :| Dad’s clubbing clothes are wonderfully atrocious and poor Bernie the Gnome-nabber. How sad (loved the pictures with that though!) And little Weezy is so cute! Surely she’ll never get into any trouble… I wonder what is up with Uncle Elvis and the garden club lady… hmmm…. A wonderful update with Fran! More! More!

  2. Yay, more Fran! Such intrigue with this update, wow. A shame she didn’t get to talk to Joel longer, but family calls and waits for no man, LOL!

    Poor, poor Bernie. Though I think it’s pretty funny one of his bullies wears a beret and geek glasses!

    Elvis and the Garden Club Lady? Ooooh…

    Wonderful update, Jen!

  3. *suspense*suspense* :)
    Quite excited to see what Alicia and Thatcher and all of the others are up to – and I wonder whether Elvis and the Gardenlady will hook up ;)
    Nice one!

  4. Fran … Fran … Fran is the MAN!! WOOHOOO!!! I loves me some Fran. :O) She’s so SPUNKY!

    Yes, Rico is an evil spawn of Satan … which would imply that Fran’s dad is Satan … and with that kind of dress sense … who the hell knows? *cackles* I can’t believe he did that to his little bro. His bro LOVED that gnome that Fran went out of her way to get for him. GRR!!! I think Fran SHOULD go over to the neighbors and give them a piece and a half of her mind. GO FRAN!!

    And that … *UGH* … was so annoying that her family was bugging her while she was on LONG DISTANCE with Joel! I mean … she’s not spoken to him in FOREVER! Gotta love the teenaged drama. *cackles*

  5. Fran is awesome! I love reading her narrative. I’m in agreement, I’d love to see her go over and give Mr Roth some whatfor about the gnome. Uptight somethinsomethin.

    Joel is doing great! Awesome that he gets to play somewhere Llama Mama has played. That’s so cool!

    Fun update!

  6. Very cute update! Weezy is so cute, and Joel is looking mighty cute too! And poor Bernie. All he wanted was his gnome. What a shame. Hopefully Fran can get it back for him!

  7. YAY!!! Fran is back and a wonderful update! LOVED the kitty picture, in fact all the photos are amazing, especially the lighting, great job!

  8. aww, i wish Fran could talk more with Joel! Too bad she got disturbed so many times! Hope Joel won’t think too much about thatcher. How on earth Rico smuggle that in the roth’s yard?

  9. Yay! More Fran! Aww, my heart is breaking that she didn’t get to talk to Joel longer. And LOL @ her dad and his nightclubbing shirt! Can’t wait for more! :)

  10. I loved this update. The pics were fantastic! The details and perfect lighting and postitioning of everything were spot on. I can’t get enough of Fran =D

  11. I’ve just finished reading the fran updates. good to see her back I guess for some reason Thacther’s mum thinks him and Fran should be together.

    I was wondering where did you get the outfit that the garden lady was wearing?

    See ya