Marlee Had A Little Help From Her Friend

Marlee may only be two years old, but she is very smart. Now that she is a business girl, she has to be smart about her time off as well as the shops and her cooking school that she is opening to the public.
Her family suggested that she might like to go to a pumpkin patch. Of course, she knows that Pumpkin Patches are popular in some of the magazines in the break room. She had seen them laying on a table and had leafed through some of the pictures. She loved them all. There were several to choose from. She even recognized some of the people that were in one picture. She had overheard Grandma B telling someone that there were people she knew in the pictures too. As I said, Marlee is a smart little girl. She had the wheels turning in her little head. In other words, she had a plan. The plan was to pick out two (2) of them and see if she could talk her mama and daddy into taking her to both places. She knew she didn't have a chance, but a pretty little girl could try couldn't she?

Things were not working out the way Marlee wanted them too. She was even going to tell her family that she would go to one place one day and the other place the next day. Her plan did not work. Marlee made a mad face.
Then everything changed. There was Cooper! Cooper was driving a car at the Pumpkin Patch. She couldn't believe it. She thought she had seen someone in the magazine that she knew, it was Cooper! Now she was happier. She waved at him and he saw her and grinned. He was a good friend. Cooper drove over to them and talked a little bit. He was telling them that there was another Pumpkin Patch that was going to be open in a few days. He was going to be there next week because his job here was going to be finished this weekend.

You will never believe it, but the pumpkin patch that Cooper was going to be working at was the other place that Marlee had seen in the magazine in the break room. Marlee squealed and hugged her mama and said, "Mama, please, can we
go to the other Pumpkin Patch too? Cooper is going to be there. I just bet that everybody we know is going to be there. Please please please? I will work really hard and get all my work done and pick up all of my toys, can we please go?"
If you look at the pictures everyone looks very very happy.

Marlee Is Getting Ready For Her Cooking School

The fireman had said  all of the plug ins were safe

and they did have some fire extinguishers. All was ready for the cooking show. They had a photographer and Marlee was so excited.
They were not going to call the television station yet. They were going to do some "dry runs" to practice. Sometimes people get nervous in front of those big TV cameras and reporters. It was important that everyone know their part and Marlee was going through her recipes. She had to decide what to start with. She had several that she and her Grandma B had made in the past. She still needed lots of help because she was only two years old. So she decided to write down some of her favorite recipes. They had made peach cobbler. She and her "B" made cookies. She had made asparagus saute'ed with rocks in her own kitchen which turned out well. Oh, and horse treats. She thought those tasted exceptionally good when she went out on the Ranger to do chores.

The very best thing that she helped "B" with was cinnamon rolls. But those took such a very long time she couldn't do that kind of thing on a television show. At least she didn't know how to. She decided she would start with something simple; banana bread.
Emma had said that she liked to cook and so did Hannah, so she had a good support system. Laila didn't want to cook. She couldn't wait until Halloween was over. She wanted to work in the Gym.
Cooper and Sawyer were kept busy, just making sure everything was working correctly.
Charlie had been helping the Grandmas put everything away, but she wasn't in the kitchens. I wonder where she could be.
Yes, we see you, Charlie. You just love that Costume Shop don't you? That was the perfect place for you to work. She makes a good model for the customers, doesn't she?
After a day of practicing and going through her recipes, Marlee was tired, but happy. She thought that she would be ready for her new cooking show. They had decided on a name for it. It was going to be called, "One More Bite With Marlee". Grandma B smiled and said, "Marlee always says, "One more bite?"  So it shall be; a perfect name.
As always with Marlee, things just seemed to happen. Marlee knew that when you go on TV that you have to wear makeup. She figured she didn't need any help with that, so she put on her own lip gloss. Oh dear! Marlee really really needs a make up expert and a hair stylist.

Marleewood Has Another Inspection

Well, grownups say that news travels fast. Boy does it ever. When Sawyer came to work in the morning he was met with very serious faces. Things had to be done. There was an inspector there after he had left and had a list of things that he and Cooper had to do. Before anything was said or done Grandma B said that from now on there would be a morning meeting to discuss things. Things that happened the day before and things that needed to be done today and things that needed to be done in the future would be talked about.

So it was decided that everyday before everyone went to work they would meet in the break room and plan their day.

Today's business, of course, was getting things done that the Inspector had put on the list. The Inspector had said that the doors needed to be tightened so that critters couldn't get in. What? Marlee especially, was so anxious to get things done so that her cooking show could be on the air. HVMO-TV Channel 2 had already asked when they would be ready to go. Marlee was special to them because she had been a roving reporter for them in the past. They were sorry to see her go, but were anxious to see her succeed in her new business. There was no set date because it seemed like every time they turned around something new came up.
Charlie had given Emma a list of things to pick up at the store, so she grabbed a basket and she and her mom went to do the shopping for that day. Oh oh, she has her shopping basket and her purse, but what did she forget to put on? Yup, that's right she and Marlee, and Charlie all forgot to put on their shoes don't they?
Well, it looks like to me that things are going smoothly for a change. Things are getting done just according to the plan that they had talked about this morning.
The Grandmas were discussing the big project ahead of them with this cooking show. They thought that a cooking school would be really helpful to the young people. They needed help with just the little projects. They were so pleased with themselves once again. They had a plan!!

There was a knock at the door. It seemed like every time there was a knock at the door there was a problem, but not this time. There was a package for Marlee from Grandma Lu. So everybody took a break and watched Marlee open the small package. It was something that they could all use during the cooking school. A copy of a very famous cook whose name was Julia Child. It had all kinds of household hints and easy recipes for the young cooks. How nice of her. There was a note with the cookbook from Grandma Lu and a picture of this famous cook. She told Marlee that tasting the food was the key to good cooking. That Grandma Lu. She's so funny. She asked Grandma B and Nanny what they were going to call the Cooking Show.

They both looked at each other and started making a list of names. They couldn't decide on one. but they knew that they had better decide pretty soon. They wanted to go on the air in just a couple of days. They had to let the TV station know.
While the Grandmas were visiting and thinking about a name for the show they heard Cooper yell, "No, you can't come in here. We don't have a fire. We aren't even open yet."
The Grandmas ran to see what the trouble was. There was Cooper and a young volunteer fireman. He was laying on the floor inspecting the electric plug ins, and wanted to know where the fire extinguishers were. Oh, brother, what next?

Marlee And Charlie Find A New Friend

Marlee went to the kitchen department to see the new kitchens that Cooper and Sawyer had put together. She just couldn't believe she now had two big beautiful kitchens for her Cooking Show. She thanked the guys over and over. She was so very grateful to them for all their hard work. They still didn't know who had donated them to Marleewood because there had been no card in the boxes.
Well, it was time to start planning for the Cooking Show. It was going to take some time and effort to get ready. There was so much to do! They also had to pick out a catchy name for the show.  Once again, Charlie, was in charge of the "to do list" for Marlee. She had a very long list.
First of all there had to be a person to stock the kitchen with pots and pans and dishes and silverware. Marlee had to have a mixer and and plug ins put in the walls of her new kitchen so that she could plug in her can opener and mixer and microwave. She had to have dish soap and hand soap. She had to have a waste paper basket to hold paper trash. She had to have dishtowels and dishcloths to hand wash some of her favorite dishes that might break in the dishwasher.

She had to have a plan too. She needed cookbooks! She couldn't read yet, but she sure could look at pictures and ask the Grandmas which recipes would be good to make. She also needed an assistant. Then she remembered Hannah. She had said that she liked to bake. She had said that she was busy helping her daddy in his shop, but thought that she would ask Grandma B to call her mama to see if sometime she could help her in the kitchens. Marlee and Charlie both looked at each other and said at the same time, "We need a shopper!" Yes they did. The guys were too busy fixing things and getting stuff situated for the big production, so they couldn't do it.  Charlie and Laila were busy in the Costume Shop. The Grandmas were busy supervising everyone and making sure that the customers were getting taken care of in the Costume Shop. They even let people try things on.

Grandma B said, "Girls, look out the window, there is a little girl sitting out on the playground. She is so cute. I bet she would like to be your friend. Maybe she and her mama would even like to help you get some shopping done. Charlie, remember your list and make sure you don't go over your budget. You planned on less money to spend because you didn't know that you would have so many customers in your Costume Shop. You can spend a little more on supplies for the cooking show now."
 Charlie agreed and looked at her books to make sure. She said that she would go outside and see if that little girl would like to come in and talk to them. They needed to have a meeting.
Charlie found Emma and her mama outside just about to leave. They had just stopped for awhile before they went over to the fast food place next door for a drink.

Charlie asked them both if they would come in and talk with them and Grandma B. They needed some help at Marleewood. Grandma B would explain everything to Emma's mama.
Emma and her mama were taken into the break room. Yes, there were cupcakes and drinks for everyone. A.J.'s grandma had sent some over the other day when he was on duty as a security guard.
Grandma B started out by telling Emma's mom that now that the Costume Shop was up and running well, Marlee wanted to have a cooking show. She needed lots and lots of help. She agreed with the girls that they needed a shopper to get the things on Charlie's lists. There were so many things that were needed. "B" and Nanny asked Emma's mama if she thought that the two (2) of them could help them out. They all talked it over and they said yes, that they would help them as long as it wasn't full time. Emma needed her naps in the afternoon. They all said, "So do we!" Everybody laughed.
Shortly after Emma and her mama left there was a knock at the door. Marlee opened it and the man said that he was a health inspector. Their kitchen needed to be inspected before they could open the kitchen for their cooking show. He told the Grandmas that he had to make sure everything worked good and that the kitchen was the right size for their new equipment, and that all of the doors were able to be locked tight so that no critters could get in there when everyone went home at night. Now why would he say that? Now I'm afraid that he knows something that we don't!

Marleewood Almost Lost A Customer

The Costume Shop was restocked after their wonderful sales yesterday. They sold so many costumes that the shelves and racks had to be restocked with things that Grandma B had purchased. It seemed that all was well, except that one of the volunteers had not come to work. When you have a job, even if it is as a volunteer if you can't come to work, you need to call in so that people don't worry about you. Laila was not alone according to this picture. She was not only with her daddy, but she was at her Grandma Carolyn's house eating cookies and drinking milk.

The Red Hat Society had furnished snacks for the opening day of Marleewood, but they were all gone. It's just amazing how many people that were at the opening of the Costume Shop.
Laila was not the only guilty party of eating snacks and not working. There were a couple of more people that were also. You can see in the picture, Marlee got caught eating a snack instead of getting to work.
Sawyer got tired of working so hard and not having any snacks so he thought he just would try out that stove in Marlee's new kitchen. It worked just great. They now had pizza and milk and dessert and all kinds of things. He was a good boy and was going to share with the others.
But the kids just were not paying attention to business I'm afraid. They had a customer that had money in his hands; but there was no one to wait on him. If it hadn't have been for Grandma B and Grandpa Fran talking about Grandma Lu just then, Charlie would have lost a customer! There was a little boy waiting and waiting to buy a costume, but there was no one to wait on him. Oh dear!

Everyone had so much to learn about running a business didn't they? Well Nick bought a costume and it was just perfect for Trick Or Treating. At least that worked out okay, didn't it?
There was something else that Grandpa Fran told "B". He said that since Grandma Lu had worked so hard lately he had sent her on a vacation to visit some of his cousins. She had told him that she wanted to go to Washington D.C. also to the Smithsonian Institute. Whew! That's a really big word. That Institute has lots of big buildings called museums.  Museums are places where they put very important things on display like the Costume Shop, but none of the things are for sale. They are just to look at. We can't even touch things at a museum because a lot of things are very old and might break. Each thing that is on a shelf or a wall has a piece of paper that tells everything about it. Sometimes museums have videos that also tell people about the display.  Some big museums have tour guides that tell people all of the important facts about special things. Museums are so interesting. They keep pieces of history for people to enjoy, just like this story will be someday.
 We are going to learn just why Grandma Lu wanted to go there. I think it will have something to do with those big kitchens that were delivered to Marleewood yesterday.

Marlee Finds Out Just How Big A Surprise Can Be!

You may remember there was a little boy and his grandparents that had been driving for hours to get to see Marleewood. Orion wanted a pirate costume. He had heard that there were actual pirates working there, but he thought maybe that was just a joke, but just wasn't quite sure. When they got through the doors, sure enough there was a pirate there to greet them, but she was just dressed up to be a pirate; it was just make believe. However, the discount price was real. He got his costume for just six (6) pennies that his Grandpa Fran had given him.

 While this was going on there was pure chaos going on in the back dock, in the Costume Shop and out in the playground. My goodness, do all new stores have all this confusion when they open up? 

People were buying so many costumes that the shelves of masks and the hanging costumes were starting to empty out! Here Charlie thought that she wasn't going to make enough money to buy Christmas decorations. But, when the shelves are bare, what happens; people may leave. So they had to start restocking or in other words taking all of those costumes out of the boxes that Grandma B had bought and price and hang those up too. Wow, what a sale! They just wanted to hug Happy Hank they were so happy. Charlie quick grabbed a costume and put it on just so she would have one for Trick Or Treating. Marlee did too, but guess what? It was an old costume that "B" had saved from last year. Marlee didn't care, she still loved it. She was sure that her mama had chosen her a new one this year from the costumes that Grandma B had gotten. She showed Charlie a picture of her wearing it that "B" had pinned onto it. Wasn't  that a cute picture?

Cooper and Sawyer didn't have time to pick out a costume before they were all sold. They too, knew that their parents would have chosen them something.
They were both in the back of the building called the dock. The dock is a place where big trucks back up to to unload things. Well, there was something to unload alright. Sawyer had gone outside and dodged people waiting in line to go find Cooper. He was just leaving the fast food place ready to go to his grandma and grandpa's house. Sawyer said, "Cooper, you got to come quick, we have a problem at Marleewood. There are huge boxes I can't unload by myself. The truck driver told me to go get some help. Somebody sent Marlee a really big surprise and we not only have to unload it, but find someplace to put those big boxes."
Cooper grabbed his tools out of his truck and ran after Sawyer. When they got there they discovered that there were two (2) big boxes.
Who in the world would send Marlee not one (1) but two (2) kitchens? That is a mystery isn't it? Where was Grandma Lu again, hmm I wonder....

The Red Hat Society Makes Marleewood's Opening Very Special

Marleewood was going to open its doors in just a few hours. Everyone had finally buckled down and gotten to work. The costumes were hung up and priced. The displays of masks were priced as well, thanks to Grandma Phyllis and the other volunteers.

Happy Hank had advertised Marleewood on television. The news had gone all over the country. People were lined up waiting for them to open. Many people had driven for hours waiting to get a glimpse of just part of the new business venture that the youngsters and their Grandmas were bound and determined to make a success.
As always when you are in a business such as Marleewood, surprises are not always welcome. But today the surprise was just wonderful. The Red Hat Society had called and wanted to honor Marlee as an honorary member. In fact the Chamber of Marlee's small town had more or less pooh poohed her because she was so young. The Red Hat Society said that she was a fun loving and good little girl. That's what their motto is; make friends and have fun and do good for others. They had brought their outdoor decoration to help Marleewood look just wonderful.
They all gathered outside and Mrs. Jo Ann gave a little speech and welcomed Marlee and her partner, Charlie to the business community. She told Marlee that she was so happy that she and Charlie had decided to open their business in her hometown. She and all the people out on the parking lot cheered and yelled and got all lined up to come inside. And guess what? They brought snacks and sandwiches and cookies and drinks for everyone. There were row after row of cookies and candy too! What a wonderful thing to do not only for Marleewood, but for the community as well!
Grandma B and Nanny were just astonished. They couldn't find the words to say thank you enough. But they didn't know what to do with all of those people.

About the time that the Grandmas were going to have a nervous breakdown, two people walked up to them in full Pirate Costumes. They asked if they could volunteer to get everyone lined up and let only so many people in at a time. They were friends of Grandma Lu's. She had told them that she had a feeling that Grandma B and Nanny could sure use their help. She thought that dressing up in costume would be fun for the customers as well as the staff inside. I think that she was right! They made themselves useful at once. They even split up and took opposite ends of the shop, but they still needed some security. So A.J. came to the rescue! He helped direct the people single file, ten at a time. And guess what those first ten (10) people did get a discount. They got to buy their costumes for a penny for every birthday that they had had. So if you were 6 years old, you could buy a costume for six (6) pennies. How cool is that?

Marlee was so busy that she even forgot about getting a new car. I wonder how long that is going to last. She is a determined little girl and works hard at getting what she wants.

I would like to say that everything went smoothly during the first day that the Costume Shop was open, but I have to tell you; it did not. The only one that knew about the problem was Cooper. And boy did that little boy have his hands full. There was a Good Samaritan that had donated something to Marleewood and even Cooper needed help! I wonder how long that Sawyer is going to be visiting his Grandma. He just might be the answer.
And there is another question; where was Grandma Lu? I thought friends were always there to help each other. Hmm. Maybe there is another turn of events coming up.

Marleewood Is Late Opening The Costume Shop

Marlee and Grandma B had a not so happy conversation about a new vehicle. B told Marlee she already had a convertible. She didn't think that she needed a new one every year. Marlee told her that when they were at the big store she had seen just the car that she wanted. It was pink, her favorite color, and it had a top so that she could drive it in the winter. She reminded her Grandma B that she had passed her driving safety course. She also reminded her Grandma B that she had been working really hard and that she had at one time worked  hard when she was little and bought a Big Wheel. Some of her money she earned as an ice cream shop model and doing chores at home and at Grandma B's Mini Farm.

Grandma B told Marlee that she would visit with Marlee's daddy and mama and see what they thought. Right then and there she hoped that her daddy especially would be on her side. He helped Marlee work out a budget before so that she could work doing chores and save some money. He knew that she was a responsible two year old.
 When Marlee was at that store she had secretly taken a picture on B's cell phone. (Yes, Marlee knows how to operate a cell phone. That story will be told at a later date.)
Marlee also had a secret stash of coins in a big green bowl that she had been saving for something really important that she might want someday. That pink car probably counts as something important.
In the meantime, Hannah, Laila, Sawyer, and Charlie were all working really hard in the Costume Shop.
They had put out the word that just the Costume Shop at Marleewood would be opening on Monday. Oh, they so did want a few customers that bought some costumes. They had way too many of them. Halloween was just a few days away. If they didn't sell them, there was no way that Charlie could buy Christmas decorations, and pay back Grandma B some of her money that she had spent for costumes.

Grandma Phyllis just happened to walk in with some snacks. She looked around at the mess. She said, "Oh my goodness, I think you folks need more help. Is it okay if I help you put prices on some of these masks and costumes? I'd be glad to help. Grandma B gave her a big hug and said, "Oh boy, would we love the extra help. Sawyer is a good help too. If you could look at Charlie's books she has the prices that she wants for all of the things that are already hanging up and on the shelf. You might like to start with the masks. They will be the easiest to finish before tackling all of those costumes. Thank you so much."

Grandma Phyllis went right back to the Costume Shop, but there was a surprise waiting for her. The little two and three year old helpers were laughing and giggling and dressing each other up in costumes. Oh dear. Work was not being done. Poor Nanny, she was unpacking costumes and attempting to keep the little ones working, but it just wasn't working. She also hugged Grandma Phyllis. She needed another friend, that's for sure.
 Unbeknownst to Grandma Phyllis, Sawyer had heard Marlee asking and begging Grandma B for a new car. He thought he just might help out Marlee so he went to the break room to offer Grandma B his opinion. So he wasn't working either!
Oh, my, I wonder what Grandma B is going to say about that?

In the meantime word had gotten out that the Costume Shop was going to open sooner than the other shops would. But how could they open the doors if not everybody was doing their share of the work?
There was a little boy waiting for it to open. He and his family had been in the car for hours traveling so that they could be some of the first people to see Marleewood. He told his Grandma Rhonda and Grandpa Brian that he wanted to get a pirate costume. There was a lot of work to be done inside before the Marleewood Costume Shop could open its doors, but hopefully they would be open soon. Orion just had to see some of those costumes.
 I wonder if they would give a discount to the first ten people that came in the doors. "B" and Nanny would help the volunteers count to ten (10) if they needed it.
I have a feeling that Joshua and Cooper need to help out. I sure do hope that they can be found. The last time we saw Joshua he was playing out on the playground and Cooper was at the fast food joint talking trucks with  Charlie, and Sawyer.
I wonder how Marlee is doing convincing Grandma B to buy her a new car. Do you think that Sawyer will help Marlee? We will see the next time we read about Marleewood.

Grandma B Is Still Tickled, But Nanny Is Not!

Grandma B was still chuckling to herself  about the guinea pig food incident when she asked  Nanny to go over to  the fast food place to make sure that Charlie and Sawyer were there. It was right next door to Marleewood so they didn't have any streets to cross. So Nanny ran next door and sure enough there they all were with Cooper just hanging out. Also as expected, Cooper and Sawyer were talking about their new vehicles, but Charlie was interested too because she loved to drive the green go cart. They were having a good time when Nanny walked in. Nanny was not a bit happy. "Charlie, you and Sawyer were supposed to be working in the Costume Shop. Also, young lady, you are never to leave without asking me first." Well, there was some discussion going on because about that time, Sawyer saw his grandma walk in and said, "Oops, I just got caught goofing off. Okay, guys, let's get back to work. Grandma Phyllis, could you spend some of my money on some snacks for us at Marleewood, they are  all

out and we got hungry. Here you go, there should be enough for us all something to snack on later on when we go on break." Sawyer's grandma assured him that she would do just that and also put in some extra money of her own for drinks.

Everyone left happy and ready to go back to work. The guys and Charlie were still talking about their trucks and four wheelers and of course, Charlie's green go cart.  It was looking like the Costume Shop might just be ready to be opened by Monday. They sure hoped so because some of the costumes had to stay in the boxes. There was not room for all of them. Sawyer got in his four wheeler and Cooper in his truck.  When they got back to Marleewood there was a strange car in the parking lot. Oh my goodness, it was Laila! She had driven to work.

Marlee had woke up from her nap and couldn't hear anything going on inside the building, so of course, she looked out the window. Everybody had a vehicle but her! Oh, she was not a happy camper. She thought it was too cold for her convertible. She needed a new car for the winter time. Look very closely at the pictures. What are all of the children driving? Did the go cart have a top? Does Cooper's truck have a top? Does Sawyer's 4 wheeler have a top? I don't know if Marlee paid any attention to that or not. I think it was just the fact that she wanted a new car.
She proceeded to go tell her Grandma B that she wanted a new car because everybody else had one.
Do you think that Marlee will get a new car, or will Grandma B tell her no?
I think that there is more to worry about than getting Marlee a new car, but Marlee thinks otherwise....

Marlee, Charlie, And Sawyer Are Missing

Well sometimes when people want to help you, they actually cause you more work, especially if their "help" is unexpected. Well, Deidre's help was unexpected, but oh my goodness all of those costumes were free! That was so nice of her. Sawyer, Charlie, and Nanny were all very busy hanging up costumes and putting masks on the shelf. They were tired, dirty, and hungry. They had just finished up when they heard Grandma B and Marlee come in the back door. They knew that they had been shopping for more supplies and things to sell in the gift shop. But they so did hope that there were snacks for their break time. Nope! No snacks. Well, Sawyer decided he wasn't going to work anymore if there were no snacks, Charlie thought he had a good idea, so she and Sawyer went outside.

 So Nanny and Grandma B had a visit. They had no clue that Deidre had given them the very generous gift of a truck load of costumes. But when Nanny looked around the room there was box after box of what she thought were supplies. Grandma B said, "Guess what, Nanny, Marlee and I found the best deal on costumes, so we bought some for the Costume Shop. Nanny put her hand to her head. She had a headache and needed to sit down. She sure could use a cup of coffee. Grandma B saw that something was really wrong and asked her what the trouble was. So Nanny told B about Deidre's gift. Then B said, "Oh boy, now what?"
Nanny's answer was, "You can fix me a cup of coffee my good friend and see if you can find something to snack on while I see if we have any room for any more costumes. If not, there is only one thing that we could do and that is to open just the Costume Shop early. If we can sell some of these costumes, we will have room for the ones that you and Marlee bought.

To add trouble to their already existing problems a little girl came walking in and said, "Hi, I'm Laila, and I want to work in your gym. I have some equipment that I brought with me. I love to play catch and run and jump and exercise. I love to dance and dress up for fun. I really like to talk so I could teach classes in the gym, don't you think? I could work free until you guys get Marleewood up and running."
Grandma B and Nanny gave each other "the look" and smiled at Laila and said, "Well, our gym isn't open yet, but how would you like to help out in our Costume Shop?
We think we are going to have to open it early because we have way too many costumes. Do you think you could help us sell costumes to people?"
Laila thought a minute then said, "If you showed me what to do, I sure could, but just until you open the gym. That's where I really want to work." They all agreed that the Costume Shop was going to open in the next two days. It would take some doing to get everything ready, but with Laila's help they thought they could get it done.

After Laila left, the coffee was ready. Nanny went to get in the refrigerator to get something to eat and she let out a scream! "What are you doing with guinea pig food in our refrigerator? Have you lost your mind, Grandma B? What if I would have eaten that?" Oh "B" laughed so hard, she said, "Oh Nanny, we were getting supplies in for the Pet Shop. Marlee wanted to have guinea pigs for sale. So I brought in some veggies for the guinea pigs. It wouldn't have hurt you. You are silly. Have a cup of coffee. When we are finished, we will all go back to work. We need to work as a team to have everything finished to get the Costume Shop ready to open day after tomorrow." Nanny laughed too. They had their coffee and made lists on what needed to be done and who was going to do what.
They suddenly realized that Marlee and Charlie weren't anywhere around. Of course, they started looking all around for them. Marlee had found a place for her and her baby to take a nap, but where was Charlie?
Charlie and Sawyer are both gone from the playground. Someone said that they saw them in a green go cart headed for McDonalds. Oh boy, I guess the Grandmas have to keep a constant supply of snacks on hand.

Cooper has a need for speed and I'm afraid that Charlie might forget she has a business to attend to. And Sawyer? Well that young man loves his four wheeler and so does Cooper! Those two might be cooking up a plan! We shall see what they are up to the next time we read about Marleewood.