Marlee Said "No, No More Pitchers"!

 Most of the time sweet little Marlee likes to have her picture taken, but  not today. She was intent on writing a letter to Santa Claus. The other day she was told that there was this old guy with a white beard that liked little kids to write him letters. He wanted to know what good little boys and girls wanted for Christmas. Oh there were lots of stories about that old man. Even though Marlee is only two (2) years old, she had heard some of them alright. Some of them were kind of silly. Old fat men can't come down the chimney. At least she didn't think he would fit. And she certainly didn't believe that you had to have a chimney for Santa Claus to find your Christmas tree. She also knew that some children didn't get Christmas gifts just because their parents didn't have money to "help" Santa.  Marlee gave a big sigh. She didn't like that part. She needed to talk to her Grandma B about that part. Maybe there was something that she and her "B" could do about that.
Another thing that Marlee knew was
that sometimes "magic things" happened at Christmas time. She had heard a little bit about that too. She loved to go on adventures and many of them were magical that's for sure. So Marlee was going to go along with the story that Santa Claus knew if she had been good or not.
She also knew that there were lots and lots of Santas that helped the Real Santa Claus. She saw them in stores, in parades and also in pictures. He usually had a red suit on. He had a white beard and little bitty glasses, but sometimes he didn't have his glasses on. He was kind of like Grandma Lu, she didn't always wear her glasses either. Marlee noticed that he was always a happy old man and laughed a lot. Marlee liked to laugh a lot too. So in her mind she decided that she liked him even though she had never met him. Someday she would like to talk to him though.
Well today, Grandma B had told Marlee that she should probably write Santa a letter so she could tell him what she wanted for Christmas. So Marlee thought, yes, that was a very good idea. She had an idea of just what she wanted for Christmas, but it would not fit under the tree. This wish was a very special one. She did not want her picture taken until she was told that if she wrote her letter to Santa, Grandma Lu would mail it for her. Once her "B" told her that, she decided to let her take her picture.

I think about the same time that Santa gets Marlee's letter, the mystery may be solved that has been going on in Marleewood for several days.
Before Marlee started writing her letter she had to think of the exact words that she wanted to say. As you can see she has a small smile on her face.
Marlee, like I have said many many times is a smart little girl. She is getting older and also wiser. She is letting Grandma B take her pictures, but she has a plan. She has a serious plan. No smiles noted at one point.
Then since "B" said that she needed to send the letter to Grandma Lu, she did check the address for her on her tablet. She wrote the address on the envelope and then stuffed it in there as best as she could.
The next time we read about Marlee and her letters we will see the "Other Letter" that she slipped in that was written to someone else.
After she was finished writing her letter to Santa, she thought that her Grandma B's tree needed a little something extra. Hmm I wonder if that was part of the plan?
What is it that they say about Cardinals, again?
Hmm, I think I saw her put a letter on that Cardinals wings.
What was going on?
The magic of Christmas comes in many many ways. This just might be one way.

Felix Got Kicked Out Of Marleewood!

Oh my goodness people were so upset because Grandma Lu had to leave yesterday. She was so allergic to cats all she could do was sneeze over and over. She said that she would come back if the cat was gone and she needed clean quilt on her favorite old easy chair she loved to sit in.
Grandma B and her friends and Marlee too, all cleaned and put a new quilt on the old easy chair for her. The quilt was a very special quilt that was made by a friend of Grandma Lu's. She didn't even know that Marlee had gotten it in the mail. Grandma Lu's friend, Kathie, wanted to donate some things and the quilt was one of the items.
Before anyone did any cleaning of the chair though, Marlee's Papa had gently picked up Felix and set him outside. He also put his food and water dishes out on the patio with him. He would stay outside until he could find out who Felix's owners were.
You just can't even imagine how angry Felix was.  He got his back up and made a low growl.The very idea of someone throwing him out of a nice warm building! Especially the thought of him being a special agent incognito (disguise) was just unheard of. Well the two (2) secret agents that he was reporting to would hear about this, that's for sure. He would get extra seafood on the side plus special food for at least a week when this job was done.
Here is the quilt that everyone was talking about. Isn't it pretty? I think that Grandma Lu will love it on her old easy chair, don't you?
While everyone was busy getting the sitting room ready for story time with Grandma Lu, Emma was having so much fun decorating a Christmas tree. She had come up with a plan of saving a lot of time by putting as many ornaments as she could in each hand. That way there was no bending, stooping, or stopping to slow down her fun. Isn't Christmas time a fun time?
Emma and her family had come in and so had Sawyer. He was having a ball decorating a tree too. He even had a Christmas hat on. Just look at those smiles on the children's faces; priceless.
Well Emma and Sawyer were having fun but something happened when they were going in and out the door with their decorations. Yup. you guess it!
Felix, that little stinker had made a wild dash in the door without anyone seeing him. I wonder where he went to. Where ever Felix is, he is very very smart. He knows that Grandma Lu very likely will start sneezing if he isn't careful. So he very carefully and quietly searched and looked all around until he found the perfect spot. Can you see him?

Grandma Lu Had To Leave Without Telling A Story Today!

It was another cold day in the small town where Marlee and her friends lived. Marleewood, the thriving little business was doing well in spite of their young partners and friends' age and inexperience. They did have older friends and grandmas of course, which tried to steer them in the right direction. They have had definite ups and downs but lots and lots of memory making experiences. Their business is a very new one of only about three (3) months.
Their first really big production was the first One More Bite cooking school which was televised. It produced so much free advertising that everyone was overwhelmed and exhausted.
Things had settled down but then Halloween and the popular Costume Shop went over so well that Marlee had to ask for help from the local grocery store. Debbie, the owner was more than happy to help when Marleewood ran out of candy for the trick or treaters.
Thanksgiving came and went with stories and memories galore being made by new friends and volunteers.
Christmas was getting closer therefore,  the  Costume Shop is now being called the Holiday Shop which will sell merchandise for all the holidays in the future. Charlie, Marlee's partner is doing a really good job by keeping within her budget.
For awhile Marleewood was always out of snacks. Snacks and things to drink were of a short commodity for awhile. Sawyer had donated money, then more and more people started cooking and baking in the extra kitchen. It took  more and more volunteers that's for sure. Emma helped one day and so did Grandma B. Today a friend of Grandma B's and Grandma Lu's is making hot chocolate and some bread pudding for the crew because it was such a cold dreary day outside. Isn't that nice of her? Her name is Grandma Pat.
Once again in the door rushed Grandma Lu along with the cold air! Everyone was happy to see her. Why was that again? Oh yes, they loved to have her tell them stories didn't they? Yes, and she was always willing to do just that as long as there was a soft chair, a hot drink and always a snack. Oh that Grandma Lu!
As Grandma Lu went to sit down in her favorite old soft chair, there laid a cat! He had a blue and white toy. Grandma Lu was allergic to cats. She always knew when there had been a cat around because she sneezed. "Achoo! Achoo!" "Oh dear, I don't think I can tell a story today. I probably will keep sneezing." When she got up to leave, Felix gave her the cold shoulder, turned around and curled right up on that chair. Well, that wasn't very nice was it? Felix just seems to me to be a very unfriendly cat. I suppose in his line of "secret agent" business he can't make friends even if he wanted to.
Well Grandma B and Marlee were not a bit happy that Grandma B was going to leave without telling a story. Grandma Lu assured them that she would come back soon if the cat was gone and a clean blanket or quilt was on her favorite chair.
Felix heard what Grandma Lu had said. He thought, "Ha, we will shall see about that, Grandma Lu. I don't want you messing up my secret operation here. I have it made. There is not one (1) but two (2) kitchens! I can have a snack anytime I want plus get the "job" done for my buddies."
Felix didn't have a clue who he was tangling with. Marlee had a very good friend at Grandma B's Mini Farm. Stashia...She just might be the answer, but how was she going to get inside Marleewood? I have a feeling if Marlee asked for help Stashia would find a way.

While Marlee Is Away The Cat Will Play!

Yesterday Marlee got a message on her  tablet that she and her cousins were needed at the local cafe. The workers there didn't have time to decorate for Christmas so they asked for some help. Asking for help is an important part of growing up. There are some things in life a person just needs a little help with. Marlee was glad to help as were her cousins. Although Marlee had a very busy life she could spare an hour or two (2) for her community. Once she got to the cafe she had such a good time. Her great grandmother was there too. Such fun. Marleewood was forgotten for awhile. The girls decorated and giggled and even had a snack break with suckers! Then they posed for pictures. Marlee and her cousin, Olivia became friends that day. As friends often do, they gave each other a hug. Marlee told her a secret. She told her all about the mysterious blue 4 wheeler. She said, "It's  always gone when I show my Grandma B."

She told Olivia that A.J. was a true friend. He believed that she had seen the blue 4 wheeler when no one else did.
Liam's mom picked up Marlee and thanked her for helping her out with the tree decorating. Marlee told her that she was most welcome.
Soon it was time to go back to work at Marleewood. She needed to have that meeting with Charlie and the Grandmas. She wanted to tell them about her ordering merchandise for the Holiday Shop and also she wanted to see if any more Christmas trees had been decorated there.
It was looking so pretty there nowadays. She loved it there.

As they were about to leave Marlee saw the blue 4 wheeler when she looked out the window! She grabbed Olivia's hand and said, "See, you can see that blue 4 wheeler, can't you?" Olivia nodded her head and said, "Marlee if you say you saw a blue 4 wheeler I believe you, but I didn't get here in time; sorry."
Once again Marlee didn't have any witnesses to the blue 4 wheeler.
However, back at Marleewood there was a witness. That unfriendly visitor, Felix, the cat. He can smile, and he also is a hacker! He knew exactly where Marlee was going because he could see her location on his cell phone. He is in cahoots with those two (2) secret agents!
 I just knew it! Marlee needs to have a witness that also sees the blue 4 wheeler. I wonder who will eventually see it too...

Marlee Is A Slowpoke This Morning!

 Marlee was worn out from all this working stuff.
Boy, getting up in the morning is hard work. Then you have to eat breakfast, get washed up, hair combed, and lip gloss put on, dressed and your boots on and coat nowadays that it's cold outside.
 This morning was especially hard for Marlee because Grandma B insisted that Marlee's "Baby" be dressed before she took her to work with her.
It took her several tries as you will see, but she got the job done.
Today Marlee has a busy day ahead of her. She is going to go to different stores and do some price shopping. It seemed like to her that maybe Marleewood's prices were too low. The people just seemed to flock there to shop. Surely it wasn't just because they offered free Daycare. Of course, they also offered some homemade snacks too. Well, she would go anyway just to make sure. Charlie had some ideas for ordering things for the Holiday Shop and she wanted to make sure that they had enough profit (making some money) to order new things. Charlie had always done the ordering herself, but she thought she might check things out too. She had invited Lollie to go along with her just for a second opinion.
Marlee got her coat and boots on and got in the Ranger. Grandma B was going to take her into town to Marleewood. She was going to meet Lollie and go from there.
When Grandma B and Marlee arrived at Marleewood all of their friends had gotten there first. Why? Because Marlee was a slowpoke this morning. Hmm. Do you ever want to stay in bed later than you should? Probably most folks do.
There were Christmas trees getting decorated throughout Marleewood. Oh it was going to look so pretty.
Well, she had to get going. Sometimes when Marlee makes up her mind to do something not much can stop her. (Big grin)
When she and her Lollie got to the first store she showed everyone what a good shopper she was. She even pointed out the fact that some of Marleewood's prices were too inexpensive. They probably weren't making as much money as they should. She would have to hold a meeting with Charlie and the Grandmas when she got back.
She was really glad that she had ordered more Christmas merchandise at higher prices. Hmm...
When Marlee got back to Marleewood she was so happy! The Christmas trees were starting to look good already.
Brandon had helped decorate one. It looked very nice. But there may be a problem in the Daycare. It looks like Liam is on his way to discovering the beautiful Christmas tree decorations! Oh oh, but again there is a mama helping in the Daycare so all is well.

Ginny had put up a sign in the hallway that was just perfect for the season. She did this herself.
There was another tree that was also in the hallway. When someone had come in the door evidently they had let in a visitor. His tag said Felix. Marlee leaned down to pet him, but he hissed at her. When she  jumped I think that cat smiled!
Marlee didn't have time to think about it because she heard a message alert on her tablet. She was being asked to do some community service for a local cafe in her small town. She and some of her cousins had to be at the family cafe to decorate their tree as soon as possible. How can she do that with all of her responsibilities she already has? Marlee will find a way because Marlee has learned from her Grandma B and her parents and other loved ones the word "favor". It is a simple word, but an important one. Marlee had received many favors and kindness from the people in her small hometown. This includes television advertising, donations, and quick fixes for snacks and candy at Halloween. They had helped her by not charging for their work and volunteering in the Daycare. So another busy day for Marlee and her friends! If I know Marlee she will have another fun adventure while she is returning a favor of kindness.

Felix

Daycare, Deliveries and Donations At Marleewood!

Things were hopping at Marleewood this week. The Daycare was full of children and babies because of the increase of shoppers. The babies required lots of things to make the Daycare a great place for babies and children to stay. Marlee didn't have to worry too much about spending any money on things though. Donations were coming in on a regular basis. Folks were more than happy to donate things that they didn't need any more.
Of course, sometimes the donations of cribs, and toys and equipment for the children caused a parking lot traffic jam because of the cars and pick up trucks. It seemed like some days they were all there at once wanting to unload their donations.

Marlee and Charlie and the Grandmas were grateful for their small town kindness that's for sure. However, Marleewood Daycare was getting overcrowded with things. There was hardly room for the children!
There was a small recliner and a crib and  changing tables and all kinds of baby toys. There was even a huge Micky Mouse!
There were dolls and stuffed animals galore.  Marleewood had extra rooms if need be.  Marlee and her friends hoped that business would be steady, but not crazy busy. A person would like time to play a little and have a snack.

Marlee  was only two (2) but she was becoming quite the business woman. You saw Marlee  on the computer this morning ordering some things for Charlie's Holiday Shop. Did Charlie know that she was going to do this? Not likely, I'm afraid. This in grown up words is called, "The right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing." Marlee and Charlie were partners so they should be talking together about orders especially since it was pretty late in the season to be ordering things. They all want the Holiday Shop to be pretty much empty in about three (3) weeks. Let's see, if Marlee orders things now it will take a week to get to Marleewood. Who will deliver all of these things that Marlee ordered? Will they come in a truck, or a van, or something else...
Where were those two (2) secret agents? What did they look like? Was there in fact only two (2) of them or did they in fact have an accomplice right there in Marleewood? Oh, probably not, Marlee's friends would have spotted someone that was a secret agent I would think.
Marlee had not seen or heard anything about that blue 4 wheeler lately. She would listen sometimes and look out the window just to make sure, but she didn't see or hear a thing; thank goodness. She was too busy to be worried about things that no one else saw or heard.
Tomorrow she was going to go price shopping at some stores. Marlee wanted to make sure that her prices were right. While she was out, Charlie and the Grandmas were going to start the Christmas tree decorating at Marleewood. They were going to put up a lot of trees. They all felt that the Christmas Spirit was needed this year. Sometimes people get sad this time of year. That's hard to believe isn't it? Well, some people don't have family and friends like Marlee does so when they see everyone else be happy they get sad. So the folks inside Marleewood decided that decorating for Christmas and offering folks snacks and friendship would help take some of that sadness away for at least a little while. I have a feeling that's why Marleewood is so busy. People love the feeling of being part of Marlee's family. People talk about Marleewood calling it a Home Away From Home.
Well it was about time for Marlee to get her coat and hat on so she could go to work. But before she did that Marlee thought that she would take just one little peek out of the window to make sure everything was alright before she left for work.