A Surprise For Julie

Told from Grace's point of view

~

 I walked in the front door, dragging my feet. Volleyball practice was particularly exhausting today.

 I walked in my room, and was greeted with the sight of Cecile sitting at her desk, hunched over a textbook.

 "Hello, Cece," I said cheerily as I untie my shoes. "What are you working on?"

 Cecile turned around and looked down at me. "Oh, hey, Grace. I'm working on geography." She made a face as she continued, "How was volleyball?"

 I set my shoes at the foot of the bed and replied, "It was fine. However, it was particularly tiring."

 Cecile grimaced and said, "Well, I guess you can relax for the rest of the night!"

 She closed her eyes and leaned back, allowing her arms to drape over the sides of her chair. "This geography class is going to be the death of me." 

I giggled, knowing exactly what she meant. 

 "Oh, by the way, Julie texted me earlier and told me that she won't be home in time to make dinner. She told me that she wanted you to make dinner."

 I closed my eyes and groaned. "She has done this to me the last three times that she was supposed to make dinner!"

 All of the sudden, I had an idea. "Cecile, if you need me, I'll be in the kitchen." 

 Cecile muttered a quiet "okay" before turning back to her reading.

 I got up and ran into the kitchen, absolutely tickled with my new idea.

 When I emerged into the kitchen, I saw Nicki and Marie playing cards. Marie was muttering something about Nicki cheating.

 Nicki scowled. "You know Marie, I can still hear you when you mutter! And by the way, I am not cheating. I have just been saving my eights, whereas you never do!!" Nicki placed down a five of clubs and smiled slyly at Marie.

 I stop and watch their game, chuckling silently to myself. "What are you guys playing?"

 Nicki looked up from her cards and said, "Crazy eights, and by the by, I am totally dominating!!" She returned her gaze to the final card in her hand, and watched Marie place her card.

 "HA!" Nicki cried, tossing her card onto the pile and raising her hands above her head triumphantly. "I WIN AGAIN!"

 I laugh lightly and say to Nicki, "Do you know when Julie will be home?"

 Nicki furrowed her brow and thought for a moment. "She told me after school that she would be home around five-thirty. But she said she may run a bit late."

 I smile looking at a clock on the wall. It was five forty five. She should be home any time. "Okay, I'm going to start getting ready to cook." I pulled out some pots and pans and started prepping for dinner.

 I heard a thump behind me, so I turned around. Felicity was standing in the archway leading to the kitchen, her hair appearing messy and matted. 

 "Grace," she said in a scratchy voice, evidence of her horrible case of the flu, "can I get some water?"

 I nodded and turned to fill a glass as she turned to wash her face at our small vanity.

 I tapped her shoulder and said, "Here's your water. Try to get some rest, okay?"

 Lissie nodded feebly, accepting the glass of water. She left the kitchen and thumped up the stairs.

 I went back to the counter to prep the ingredients for dinner, but soon heard the front door slam. 

 Thinking it was Julie, I emerged into the hallway, feeling excitement bubble up in me. 

 "Oh, hey, Grace. What's up?" I smiled, knowing that Julie can't be far behind her.

 I returned to the kitchen with Molly close on my heels. I replied, "I'm just getting dinner ready."

 Molly got a granola bar out of the cupboard and sat on the floor, grimacing all the while. "Wait, wasn't Julie supposed to make dinner tonight?"

 Nicki replied first, "Yeah, she was, wasn't she?"

 I turned to Nicki and said, "Oh, just wait until she gets home, I'll make her cook, don't you worry."

 At that moment, the front door slammed again, and Julie emerged into the kitchen, carrying her basketball equipment.

 "Julie!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands into the air.

 Julie's eyes widened and she bolted for mine and Cecile's room.

 "Oh, no you don't," I said. "You're going to cook whether you like it or not."

Julie rolled her eyes and said, "Okay fine, Grace. I'll cook."

We both walked to the counter and finished dinner, with Molly, Marie, and Nicki's laughter echoing throughout the kitchen.

~

So, I guess it wasn't really a "surprise," but I couldn't think of a better title. xD Oh and sorry for the horrid quality. It was rainy when I took these photos, so my room was dark. Flash=ick!

What'd you all think? Do you think we should write more stories like this?

Viva la Vida~An AGPS

I used to rule the world

Seas would rise when I gave the word

Now in the morning I sleep alone

Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice

Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes

Listened as the crowd would sing

Now the old king is dead long live the king

One minute I held the key

Next the walls were closed on me

And I discovered that my castles stand

Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing

Roman cavalry choirs are singing

Be my mirror, my sword and shield

Missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain

Once you'd gone there was never

Never an honest word

And that was when I ruled the world

It was a wicked and wild wind

Blew down the doors to let me in

Shattered windows and the sound of drums

People couldn't believe what I'd become

Revolutionaries wait

For my head on a silver plate

Just a puppet on a lonely string

Oh who would ever want to be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing

Roman cavalry choirs are singing

Be my mirror, my sword and shield

My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain

I know St Peter won't call my name

Never an honest word

But that was when I ruled the world

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh 

I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing

Roman cavalry choirs are singing

Be my mirror, my sword and shield

My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain

I know St Peter won't call my name

Never an honest word

But that was when I ruled the world

~

Credit to Adi for the Lyric Photoshoot

What did you guys think? I really wish the photos had turned out better, but I think they look okay. 

So, here is the story behind the photoshoot. This year, I have been in a European History class, and we recently discussed the French Revolution. It has been my absolute favorite unit (and no, not because of the blood and gore) of all of the events we have covered. I love learning about the French Revolution because the reasons for the Revolution are so complicated. My second reason for doing this photoshoot is that my favorite song is Viva La Vida by Coldplay. I didn't know it was based on the life of Louis XVI, but as soon as I began to learn about the French Revolution, the lyrics made sense. Before, I loved it for the music, after all, I am a musician. But now, I love it for its meaning and the music. The girls are dressed up in clothing that represents the time period, and most of their outfits remind me of Marie Antoinette, (I recently read a book about her; it was fascinating) who was the French queen during the Revolution. They all have blue, white, and red ribbons in their hair because those are the colors on the French Tricolore, which also originated during the Revolution:

Image Credit 

Anyway, that is the long and complicated explanation of why I took these photos. :) Also, sorry about the black specks all over the photos. My mom's camera has a bit of dirt stuck inside the lens that has never seemed to go away, so we always get strange black specks all over the photos. :)

 I edited a few photos for fun. :)

Oh, that reminds me! I was looking at all of the editing features that Pic Monkey has, and one of them is a double exposure! I learned how to create a double exposure with Photoshop in photography the other day. It is SO complicated, but it results in really cool photos. I would post one of the photos I edited, but all of the pictures I took were of June, my mom, and little bro. :P Just try Googling double exposure though; it looks so cool! When we get Photoshop on the computer again, I will try editing a photo of the girls and show it to you. :)

I should have another post up in a little bit. ;)

 P.S. I thought I would include a family photo we took the other day as well. :)

Extra Information:
Music Credit: Coldplay
Dolls: Molly Historical, Felicity Historical, Cecile Historical, Nicki GOTY 2007, Marie-Grace Historical, and Julie Historical
Camera: Nikon D40
Clothing:
Molly: Brocade Holiday Dress (2013)
Brocade Holiday Dress Flats
Red Ribbon from Meet Outfit
Felicity: Felicity's Tea Dress and Shoes
Cream Ribbon from Molly's Holiday Outfit
Cecile: Meet Outfit (All pieces)
Nicki: Felicity's Holiday Gown
White Heels
Blue Ribbon from Rebecca's School Outfit
Marie-Grace: Felicity's Gala Gown
Flats from Plaid School Outfit
Red Ribbon from Molly's Meet Outfit
Julie: Felicity's Meet Dress
Heels from Rebecca's Lace Dress
White Ribbon from Felicity's Meet Outfit