Dishes Of Water And Flower Petals

By the time Grandma Lu and Marlee and several other children and even some grownups had picked out their flower petals, flowers, and acorns, Grandma B had gotten a snack ready for the group. She had seen just how many people were happy that Grandma Lu had not taken a substitute teaching job. They loved her stories and the time that she spent at Marleewood. They also loved the part about her loving snacks because then they got to have a snack too.

 Bradshaw and Andy were even there. They hadn't been to Marleewood for awhile.

Soon there was a knock on the door. There were Hannah and Brenna. Such fun everyone was going to have. Just like the saying goes; The more the merrier!

Grandma B helped Grandma Lu hand out petals and acorns to those folks that didn't have any. Soon they were ready to hear what Grandma Lu had to say. Grandma Lu had never told a story in the Community Room before. She always sat in her easy chair. This was kind of exciting. The children liked being part of the story.

 Grandma Lu said, "Now we need a saucer with some water in it." The children looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. They didn't have a clue what Grandma Lu wanted water for. Grandma B had heard what Grandma Lu said. Soon she had saucers of water and set them on the tables.
Grandma Lu said, "Okay, now each of you put a flower petal in your dish of water. Make sure only flower petals go in the water. You will see why in a little bit."

In the next story we will find out just why the children were putting flower petals in little dishes of water. What fun.

Flowers, Acorns, And Marleewood Children

The next day when Grandma Lu drove into the parking lot she saw Grandma B's car. She grinned to herself. "Yes, old girl, you do love this old building. It is full of memories you have made here. Well, another day for day dreaming. Let's see if Marlee has found that book for me to read to her. I haven't read that story for years and years. It may be a little too old for her. I'll have to see what I can do with it. As she walked towards the door she looked down and smiled. The flowers that the children had planted for her at her Wish Party were blooming. There were even some acorns that had fallen on the ground from the big old oak trees. "Hmm, I think I will have Marlee come out and help me pick some of these flowers and acorns. We will have a little story book party."

Of course, Marlee was all for going outside with Grandma Lu. She loved flowers and had to take a sniff or two.  She said that she would carry in some flowers and flower petals and some acorns. It was like looking for treasure and she had lots of fun. Grandma B came outside too and watched the two smelling and enjoying the flowers. She heard Grandma Lu tell Marlee that one of the flowers was still what you call a bud. It hadn't spread out so you could see the whole flower. But if you spread the pretty pink flower petals apart ever so gently you could see different parts of the flower. "Did you know that a lot of flowers can make new flowers all by themselves? See this tiny tiny part? It is called a stamen. Well this is part of our story today. Let's pick a flower and I'll show you just where a little girl named Tiny was born."

By the time the two got their flowers, petals, and acorns brought in, other children had arrived. They had heard that Grandma Lu was back and was going to tell a story. They wanted to smell and look at the flowers too. They also started picking up flower petals and acorns. They were having such fun. Soon they all went into the Community Room to get started with today's story.

Marlee And Grandma B Are Grumpy

When Marlee said that she wanted to go to Marleewood this morning, Grandma B said that she was too busy. She told Marlee that she had floors to wax and the yard to mow. She was kind of grumpy. Well sometimes when one person is grumpy it's kind of catchy. Soon other people can become grumpy too. This was the case with Marlee and Grandma B today. Marlee even made a face at Grandma B when she asked if she could have makeup and she had told her no.

She was still kind of grumpy when there was a knock on the door. When she went to open the door there stood Grandma Lu.

"Where have you been Grandma Lu? I have missed you. I want you to tell me stories and you haven't been to Marleewood forever!"

"Whoa Whoa little one, What in the world is the matter this morning? I haven't been gone long. I just went to the school for a couple of days. Are you going to invite me in or what? Does Grandma B have the coffee on? I sure could use a snack. Have you been baking?"

Grandma B came out to the door and had a big smile on her face. "You are just what the doctor ordered this morning. We are kind of grumpy today. What have you been up to?"

Well, Grandma Lu grinned at her friend and said, "You know exactly what I have been up to. You and Mrs. K set me up to get a job at the school so I wouldn't be sad that the children went back to school. Well, it was interesting to say the least. Do you have coffee or do I need to make it? I'm needing a snack. Marlee, do you have your tea set ready?

Grandma B smiled and got some blackberry cobbler and the tea set on the table. There were smiles and laughter and lots of talking.

Then Marlee said, "I really did miss you, Grandma Lu. I found a book that I want you to read to me. Do you have time now that you aren't working at the school?"

Grandma Lu beamed with happiness. "I sure do. Why don't we go to Marleewood tomorrow and I'll take a look at that book you found, okay? You said it was called Thumbelina, right? I kind of remember that story. It's rather a long one though. You and Grandma B had better bake up some snacks to take in with you. I might get hungry, you know." Then she chuckled and continued to visit with her friend and played with Marlee and Whittlee Jo.

Pickle Chiffon Pie

Grandma Lu had gone home and told her husband about the new school and what they were trying to accomplish. She said, "You know that old book that I wrapped and hid? Well CoraLynn found it and put it in the kitchen because she thought it was a cookbook. I'm going to that school tomorrow and tell the story of the Pickle-Chiffon Pie. I wonder what they will think of it. You know the photographer made fun of my clothes and hat. I wonder if that person was hired on purpose to learn some kindness. Interesting Mrs. K. Interesting. You are already making a difference because I didn't say anything mean to him. I smiled at him. Hmm. You and your teachers just might be on to something."

The next day Grandma Lu spent a lot of time on her appearance. She wanted to look extra special for her first time telling a story at the new school. So she put her new hat on and for a special touch she decided for extra special luck to wear her three leaf clover earrings. She didn't believe in things like that much, but she needed all the help she could get. She wished her shirt fit a little better, but she decided it was okay.

When Grandma Lu got to the school the students were already on their way into the gym. When they got themselves settled Grandma Lu walked out onto the stage and said, "Hello, I'm Grandma Lu." She found herself frowning because she could hear scuffling and snickering. She heard children as well as some grownups talking about her outfit. She heard one person say "Look her top. It doesn't fit right, and who wears green cloverleaf earrings? Another person said, "Does she always wear costumes when she goes out?" When she heard someone say, "I think she needs to go on a diet. She's really fat." She thought for a moment and said, "I'm sorry my clothes don't meet with your approval and I'm sorry you think that I eat too much. But you know what? I like what I'm wearing and most people like me, so today I want you all to listen very carefully while I tell you a story. It's a story that I have read to my children as well as many many other children until the cover is about to fall off. I think many of you need to hear this story. It just might make you see me in a different light. So I would appreciate it if you would please listen quietly. Thank you."
The noise continued. Then Grandma Lu thought about that new Smart Board. There was one on the stage. She hooked the computer up to it and started a video for the students and teachers. All of a sudden there was complete quiet. No one was talking; they were listening to the video. "Hmm, maybe this new technology has a good twist to it. It seems to be working already. Hopefully their attitude will be just a little bit better because of my old book and the benefit of the new technology."

While the students at the new school were watching Grandma Lu's video and hopefully learning about love and kindness, little Marlee was missing Grandma Lu and several other young children were too. They wanted their Grandma Lu to tell them the story of Thumbelina. Marlee had found it with some other books at Marleewood.
 Marlee couldn't read the words, but it looked to her like a tiny little baby, flowers, toads, moles, and birds and a fairy godmother; the perfect story.

The School Of Kindness

When Grandma Lu walked into the kitchen she saw a very familiar face. It was CoraLynn. She was cooking something that smelled out of this world. CoraLynn smiled and said, "Hi Grandma Lu! Look what I'm making; homemade pizza. Doesn't it smell good? It's one of my favorite things to make. Mom knows I love to cook and helps me in the kitchen at home if I need it. She says she's my supervisor."
In this new school we do things a little different. We do acts of kindness here for students and teachers that might need a boost. Mrs. K says we make a smile instead of a tear. I love it here."

Grandma Lu was quick to look around and sure enough there was a grownup in the kitchen keeping an eye on CoraLynn, but also other students that were cooking.

Grandma Lu thought of Marlee and how much she loved to cook. The other day she made noodles with her Grandma B.

Grandma Lu looked up and saw her book and reached up to get her book before it fell off the shelf. CoraLynn said, "Is that your book, Grandma Lu? I saw it in the computer room and thought it belonged in the kitchen." Grandma Lu smiled and said, "I can see why. It's called Pickle Chiffon Pie. Did you think there might be a recipe inside?" CoraLynn nodded her head yes.

Grandma Lu said quietly, "Actually there is a recipe in this book."
She quickly went to Mrs. K's office and said, "I want this job, but I want to start tomorrow. Could you please arrange it so I could have a story hour with the students in the gym? I have a story I would like to tell them. It goes along with the name of your school. The School Of Kindness."

Mrs. K smiled and said, "You know some of us got together a long time ago and decided that we couldn't change the world, but we might just be able to change a small part of it. We were seeing young folks being bullied as well as grownups. There seemed to be so much sadness and anger all around us. We had a meeting and decided that we needed a small school that would help people, both young and old feel better about themselves and make their world a better place for others. You know the old saying, 'The most contagious thing is a smile?' Well that's our Mission Statement. The teachers here are part of the plan. Some of them were bullied when they were in school. Wouldn't it be great if we just made a little headway into helping people be more kind?"

"We decided that some of your children that have been part of Marleewood would be wonderful role models for some who have not had that opportunity. So we have integrated or put them with others that haven't been to Marleewood into our school to spread kindness whenever they can. Their parents were all for it. It hopefully will work out well."

Grandma Lu agreed thoroughly. She couldn't wait for tomorrow. She also had a mission, just not in writing.

Grandma Lu Wants Her Picture Taken On Picture Day

Grandma Lu "followed her nose" to the wonderful smell of banana bread. She was right. It led her to the cafeteria where two wonderful friends met her with wide smiles. Brenna was with her mother. "You are just in time for some banana bread, Grandma Lu. We heard you were in the building and wanted to make you a snack. You will have to hurry though because today is Picture Day. We want everyone to look their very best on Picture Day because these pictures are dear to the hearts of the students' parents and family. They are often saved for years and years."

If you know Grandma Lu she loves to sit and visit and have her snack and coffee and rest a bit. Being hurried was not one of her favorite things to do. As she sat there she watched the children going to the gymnasium to have their pictures taken. "Oh, my school pictures were terrible," she thought. "But I look pretty good today. Maybe the photographer will take my picture when he finishes with the children. I haven't had my picture taken for a long time. Yes, I think I will ask. She got up and took her dishes to the window at the cafeteria. She saw something out of the corner of her eye, but thought, "No, it can't be my book. I put it by the computers all wrapped up in a brown paper sack. Hmm, I'll have to come back and check it out after I get my picture taken."

When she got to the gymnasium she saw children that she knew; Avery and Finnley. Oh they looked so nice for their pictures.

Grandma Lu kind of tilted her head to one side just like her dad used to do when he was thinking. She smiled and walked over to where the photographer was and said, "I would like my picture taken too, please when you are finished with the children's photos. I think my family and friends would love a picture of me."

The photographer smirked at her and said, "Surely not dressed like that, do you? With a hat and an old yellow sweater? Pictures are to bring back memories of loved ones, so people always try to look their best."

Grandma Lu started to get angry and almost lost her temper, but she remembered what Mrs. K had told her. So she smiled and said, "Yes, dressed exactly like this. My friends and family love me just the way I am. I want them to remember me just like this, thank you."

After Grandma Lu had had her picture taken she decided to go back to see Mrs. K and started walking down the hall. She happened to think about her book. She thought, "Surely my precious book wasn't in the kitchen, was it?" So she turned back and walked to the kitchen and looked through the serving window and this is what she saw.

"Good grief, that's my book. Someone took it and unwrapped it. It's in a kitchen where it might get lost or hurt. It looks like it's going to fall off the shelf. Mercy, I'd better go see what I can do to get it back."

I Will Not Talk In Class

Mrs. K said, "I think the best way for you to understand a Smart Board is for you to watch a video. It's actually quite simple. You hook up a laptop computer to this usually four or five foot white board that hangs on the wall. The teacher chooses what she wants the class to see and bingo! All of the students can see at once. They can also write on it even with their fingers. I saw a video where they had a tennis ball in their hand and were writing with it. They also can erase something if they make a mistake just by swiping it away with their hands. Amazing how this technology works, isn't it?"

"Yes, just amazing. But I can remember writing on the blackboard 20 times "I will not talk in class. Well, I liked to talk back then sometimes without raising my hand first."

Mrs. K thought she was going to choke, "Back then? How about now? I think you still love to talk a lot," she chuckled. But that was a form of punishment that doesn't happen anymore. It's kind of like bullying or shaming a student. If you think about it you still remember that punishment after all these many years. That's not a good thing."

"The old fashioned blackboards are now called chalk boards. Times change and we have to change with them, don't we?"

Grandma Lu didn't answer her friend. If you knew Grandma Lu she was thinking really hard. This started out to be a joke, but it had ended up as a learning experience for her and she didn't know if she liked it one bit. Once again she sat up straight in her chair and said, "I think it is time for me to watch that video, but first you need to take me to the cafeteria for a snack. I smell something really good."

Mrs. K chuckled and said, "Okay, but on the way you can take your time and look at the hallway decorations and peek into the classrooms. If you want the job let me know and I will set up a schedule for you with the second graders when they need a substitute teacher. Don't worry about security because everyone knows you are in the building. I have made everyone aware of that. My husband called and reminded me that was something very important for me to do. Not everyone knows you, you know," and smiled at her friend.

Grandma Lu slowly walked down the hall thinking about her own school days when she was in elementary school. Security? That was something that must have been kept quiet. She never remembered having to have security in her schools. She could remember one teacher rapping her knuckles with a ruler during penmanship class because her fingers weren't raised up high enough from her Chief tablet. That hurt and embarrassed her. Her face felt warm just remembering that mean teacher. "I don't think anyone dared cross that old woman," she thought. Her smile wasn't full of joy when she thought of that teacher. "She was the security in that building. That's for sure. I wonder what made her so mean."

"Well that was a long time ago. On to new and exciting times. I'm so hungry. Someone must be cooking something wonderful. I am just going to follow my nose until I find the cafeteria. Oh, I think I know what it is. I think I smell banana bread! Yummy!

                                              **********************

I included a YouTube video that shows us how a teacher uses a smart board. One teacher told me that they are especially nice to show educational videos on. As I searched there are several different kinds and prices. Home school teachers also use them in their homes. Grandma Lu will continue to learn new things while she is in the new school as well as finding herself involved in a mystery.

Grandma Lu Says Times Have Not Changed

Grandma Lu had hidden her precious book in the room where Joshua was coloring. She was playing a trick on her friends in response to her friends setting her up with a make believe under cover job of being a substitute teacher at the new school in town.  They had told her that there was a valuable book missing and that they needed her to get it back for them. She knew it wasn't true. They just didn't want her to be sad that the children had gone back to school. Even Marlee had been busy. She was taking dance lessons, going swimming at her lollie's house, and even went to the zoo and a friend's birthday party. She and her Grandma B and Papa were always busy at the mini farm too. She was getting so big.
As Grandma Lu walked down the hall to the Principal's office she smiled and thought, "Marlee has changed into a young lady since her baby sister, Whitlee Jo joined their family and she had her third birthday."

Grandma Lu had been seen by several of the students there that knew her. They knew she loved to wear hats and tell stories. They also knew her love of sweets. She always made sure that Grandma B and Marlee made snacks for her and the children and friends that dropped by Marleewood.

"Boy these halls are long! They must be making these halls longer than they used to. It seems like everything has changed nowadays."

Mrs. K was in her office and greeted her old friend with a grin. "You know, Grandma Lu, you might want to quit wearing those silly hats of yours. They are out of fashion nowadays you know."

Grandma Lu touched her hat and gave her friend a sad look. "You don't like my hats? I love my hats; but you don't think I should wear hats here at the school."
Mrs. K said, "Well, I didn't want to say anything, but people might talk. You could never go undercover looking like that. You know that, don't you?"

Grandma Lu slowly took off her hat and nodded her head. "Yes, I suppose you are right. I won't wear it anymore."
Suddenly Grandma Lu straightened her back and sat down on a chair. She put her hat back on her head and said, "Well, do you want me to do this job or not? You get what you see old friend and I will be wearing my hat!"

Mrs. K chuckled and nodded her head and said, "I wish more people were like you, my friend. I see children hurt all the time by other children making fun of them; sometimes for the silliest things like wearing glasses. Sometimes grownups can be bullies too. I didn't mean to hurt you, Grandma Lu. I wanted to see if you could hold your own in this new world of ours. Times have changed you know. I'm afraid you might encounter some bullying towards you."

Grandma Lu said, "No, I don't think times have changed. You know I was bullied when I was just six years old by an older boy. He followed me to my grandma and grandpa's house. I went there for lunch sometimes. He was walking on the opposite side of the street. He kept yelling at me saying that he was going to beat me up. That happened two days in a row. Of course, both days I arrived at my grandparent's house in tears. I was terrified of that boy! Finally my grandfather found the bully and settled matters."

Grandma Lu answered her friend by saying, "Okay that's settled. Now I want to know two things; what is a Smart Board, and where is the cafeteria? I need a snack."

She Wears Strange Hats But Loves Us

Grandma Lu had not yet had a chance to talk to Mrs. K about the Smart Boards and lack of blackboards when she looked out the window and saw some other children that she knew. There was CoraLynn with her backpack on. "Hmm, so she goes to this school too. How interesting. I may see a lot of the children that come to Marleewood if I pretend to take this undercover job. I'll have to see what Mrs. K has to say. I don't know if I can even bluff my way through this new world of technology."
She straightened her back, took a deep breath and made her way through the hallways and saw more children that she knew.

Grandma Lu cringed and tried to hide her face when she saw and heard two familiar children's voices. "Hi Grandma Lu what are you doing in this new school? You are too old to go to school," they chuckled.

Grandma Lu decided to grin and bear it and laughed and said, "Oh Arianna and Cameron! You startled me. I didn't know you went to this new school."

"We just started here. What are you doing here?"

"Oh I'm just here looking around. I'm on my way to the Principal's office. Am I going the right way? I get turned around pretty easy."

Grandma Lu quickly walked away not waiting for an answer with a cheerful backwards wave and hurried down the hall.

As Arianna and Cameron were walking down the hall to find their separate rooms, Cameron asked his sister why Grandma Lu always wore hats and strange clothes. Another little boy, Orion, heard them talking and said, "Oh, Grandma Lu has always worn hats, but we love her because she loves us. She makes sure that we have snacks at Marleewood and tells us fun stories. I wonder why she is here too."

It was soon going to be time for classes to begin so the children continued on their way never giving Grandma Lu another thought. The first days of school are so exciting.

Before Grandma Lu had made it to the Principal's office the precious book that had been wrapped with loving care with a brown paper sack to keep it safe was no longer laying beside the computers.

Smart Board? What's A Smart Board?

Grandma Lu was all dressed and ready to tour the school. She was about to put her hat on and thought, "Well, old girl, you can do this; it should be fun."

She drove up to the school and walked up to the door. She took a deep breath and walked right into the Principal's office. She was greeted with a grin and said, "Oh I am so glad you decided to come to see what we do here, old friend. Besides that, I hope you decide to take the undercover job. We really need to find that missing book that I told you about. It belongs to a lady that always carried it in her purse in case we called her to substitute teach at the last minute. Remember I told you that it was no longer in print and was very very special to her. She not only read this book to the students, but she also read the book to her children when they were small as well."

Grandma Lu gave her a small smile and said, "I'm very interested in this new school. I can't wait for the tour of the rooms. I can just smell the chalk dust now."

The Principal, Mrs. K, looked at Grandma Lu strangely, but said, "Okay then, let's get started." As they walked down the halls, Grandma Lu smiled when she saw the Back to School sign; "Clever," she thought. As they walked down the halls she looked through the doors and could see children sitting on the floor listening to the teacher. "That's the way it should be. I love it when children listen to their teachers or to me for that matter,"  she grinned to herself.

Grandma Lu saw many chances of hiding her book if she could just get a chance to get in those school rooms, but they all had teachers in them already. "Hmm, what to do, I wonder?" she thought.

They had passed by several rooms when it dawned on Grandma Lu that she hadn't seen a blackboard. "Why don't the rooms have blackboards in this school? How do the teachers show children how to write and read words without blackboards?"

Mrs. K chuckled and said, "Well, most schools don't have blackboards anymore. We have white dry/erase boards and smart boards."
Well, Grandma Lu was at a loss. "What in the world is a smart board? she wondered. I guess I'm not smart enough to figure out what a Smart Board is." Next thing she knew she saw Joshua. She knew Joshua's brothers. They were in school, but Joshua was too young to go to school. Why was he here? Besides that he was sitting by a lot of computers. She didn't see any teacher in that room. "Is it alright if I go in and say hello to Joshua? I know his brothers and mama."
Mrs. K told Grandma Lu to go ahead and say hello to Joshua because she had to answer a phone call. She said, "Just come back to the office when you are through. We can have a talk then."

Grandma Lu quietly opened the door and watched Joshua color. She looked around and saw many computers. She wondered why there were so many computers in this room. She thought back and remembered that she had seen computers and IPads in all of the school rooms. She was going to ask Mrs. K about that. She knew that computers were very expensive. She didn't understand all of this technology in the school rooms.

The computers and one little boy gave Grandma Lu the opportunity to hide her beloved book by one of the computers in this room. Joshua was busy and the lady that was there wasn't paying any attention to her after she had said hello. Grandma Lu visited with her friend's little boy and quietly took the book that was wrapped in a brown paper sack and put in-between two computers. She told Joshua goodbye; told him he was doing a good job with his coloring and made her way to the office to get some questions answered.

Noise, An Old Chair, And A Tear

When Grandma Lu got home she took her hat off and told her husband that her friends were trying to make up a job for her so that she wouldn't miss the children at Marleewood. She told them their made up story of a missing book and laughed. He just shook his head and said, "They are messing with the wrong woman. I feel sorry for them." Grandma Lu grinned and said, "Well, they didn't know it, but when they offered me this silly make believe job I found myself thrilled to death to do something really fun. Pulling a prank on those three will be more fun than I have had in years."

At Grandma B's house Marlee was asking her Grandma to go to Marleewood. "I want to see Grandma Lu. I miss her. She hasn't told me a story forever!"
Grandma B laughed and said, "Well, I think she is busy today. She might be getting a new job at the school. We will have to wait and see."

"Why does she want a job? She needs to tell us stories and especially eat snacks. She keeps us busy making snacks for her." Grandma B and Marlee both grinned thinking of their Grandma Lu and her love for sweets.

Marlee said, "Shall we make some cupcakes for her?"
And cupcakes they made! They even had cherries on top. Marlee was sure that Grandma Lu would love them.

Grandma Lu's husband could hear her out in the kitchen making a bunch of noise. "What are you doing out there? Sounds like a herd of cattle going through the kitchen!"

Grandma Lu laughed and said, "Well, I'm going through some of my old books and emptying out boxes. It needed to be done anyway. But I am busy getting ready for my tour of the school tomorrow. I want to take a surprise for them; a book that I think will fool them. I should have something that will work in all of these boxes."

Well Grandma Lu had made such a mess of empty boxes she took them down to the basement. While she was down there she discovered something that was so old that she had forgotten she even had it. She sat down on an old chair and as she read the old old story she felt tears roll down her cheeks. When she was finished, she put the book under her arm and carried the two pieces back up to the kitchen. You see the book was so old that it had fallen apart with age, but mainly with repeated turning of the pages. She was busy looking through the brown paper sacks that she saved. She took one out of the pantry, grabbed some Scotch Tape and scissors and started her project on the kitchen table. When it was done she sat back took a look; wiped her eyes and said, "This should do it. Farewell, my friend. Don't worry I will see you soon."

Sometimes Hunches Pay Off

Grandma Lu enjoyed seeing her old friends at the cafe, but she had a feeling that she didn't know the whole story. They wanted her to go undercover as a substitute teacher in their new school to look for a missing book. "I think B has something to do with this little scheme of the so called missing book story."
 She looked behind her and her friends were still in the cafe. Their car was still parked there. "In case they catch me I will say that I have forgotten something on purpose," she grinned to herself. She turned back and quietly went back into the cafe. She grinned, "I was right. I might be getting up there in years, but I wasn't born under a cabbage plant. They are trying to make me happy by giving me this make believe job. I might just tell them I will take it to have a little fun with my old friends. This is much more fun than a teaching job."

Grandma Lu stood in the shadows and listened to Mr. and Mrs. K talk on speaker phone to Grandma B. "No, she didn't take the job. She asked us so many questions we thought we were done for. She wanted to know how much she was going to get paid. Then she wanted to know how many days a week and what hours. B, she said she wasn't qualified as far as her education in this state, so I had to tell her that this was a special assignment and wouldn't count as a regular teaching job."

"Good grief, it was crazy. She finally said that before she took the job she wanted a tour of the school someday. At least we got her that far. I don't know if we can get her to take the job or not. What are we going to do if she turns us down flat? I know her. She may think something is fishy."

Grandma B made a face. "She just might. Just hang in there. Maybe when she sees the kids she will want to stay and be a substitute teacher after all. Don't worry yet."

"Well, well, well, my friends. It is time to play! I can't wait to pull a few tricks on these dear friends of mine. They want me happy? I will show them happy. I just can't wait to call them tomorrow and tell them I want a tour of their school as soon as possible. I have a plan. But first I need to get out of here before they see me. I need to go home and do a few things to get ready. I know the very first thing I am going to do. Hee-hee."

Marlee came out to the kitchen and said, "B, you need to get off the phone. Whitlee Jo is eating all of our snacks. Make her stop, B! The snack basket is almost empty!"