Moving Day

 After Tae left, Carly was too excited and anxious to sleep. She knew the movers were coming in the morning and she still had things to pack up. She spent time doing some painting and when morning came, she called the school to take a vacation day. 

After the movers had left and she had her box of personal items, she took one last look around the place.

How did I ever fit 15 people in here?! Although it looks much bigger without all my stuff. Well, the new place isn't any bigger, so parties will still be cozy. So many good times in this house. I will miss you, house - my first home on my own.

 As she sat waiting for her ride to the airport, she couldn't help but think about him. Did she ever not think about him? Not a day had passed since he disappeared from the school in the middle of the night, that Carly didn't wonder what had become of him. Her first best friend and they had so much fun together. She dare not tell her friends about him, they would certainly tell her what her head had always told her - if he wanted to find you, he would have. Oh, but her heart would have none of that. She knew that something had kept him from finding her, but what. She could find no record of him when she searched - like he had just vanished. 

She took one last look at her sunflowers before her ride showed up. 

Not very pretty in the winter, but at least he would know I was here, if he came looking.

Copperdale Explorations

 Carly spent most of her last Sunday in Copperdale just walking around different neighborhoods wondering what she might discover. She had her camera with her and was taking pictures. Although she knew she could always come back, she didn't know if she would get the chance. 

She found this old abandoned house that someone had told her about. It is beautiful in its simplicity.

And she found a rare frog there. 

She headed back towards civilazation. She loves the homey feel of Copperdale. 

And she stopped for a hot chocolate and sat for a bit in town. 

When she made her way back home, Tae was waiting for her. She invited him in to watch a movie with her.

Carly: So, where do you think you are headed next month, Tae?
Tae: I wish I knew, but I just don't know yet. 

Carly: Well you know wherever you end up, you will always be able to come and visit. We will miss you.
Tae: I will definitely keep in touch and come to Gibbi Point when I can to see da ladies. 

Friday Night at the Thriftea

 Carly wondered how she could have lived in Copperdale for almost a month and didn't know that every Friday night was an actual fashion show. She stopped in after going to the gym and ended up running into some friends and thoroughly enjoyed the fashion show. Oh, and this was a first at school on Friday - she usually does OK, but today she aced her exams. And there's talk of being valedictorian! 

So, back to the fashion show. First up was our own principal, Mrs. Prescott wearing a ... what in the world is she wearing!

And Jace was out shopping for a new outfit. 

Next up was Mrs. Bjergsen who is usually fairly stylish. I didn't know at first what Carly was doing. She started doing thumbs down and booing at the fashion show people. And then I saw everyone was doing it :) That posing is great though! 

And last up was Starr Adam, but more interesting is probably what Geoffrey seems to be wearing. What is it with that mask at my Thriftea!

Carly sat with Jace and Savannah for a bit. She and Savannah are no longer enemies and they have a full friendship bar again. Carly made sure to compliment Jace on his hat and Savannah's outfit was really cute. 

And then Honey and Wolfgang came in, but not together. Carly said hello as she was leaving. Did I make Wolfgang a bro or was he always a bro? Carly got a bro hug from him. 

Happy Harvestfest!

 Since Carly spent last HarvestFest on her own, she decided to invite her new family over for dinner. She made a grand turkey feast and a strawberry pie and then invited her friends to a dinner party. It was pouring rain outside and for some reason they all stood outside the front door holding their umbrellas, so Carly decided to call them to the meal. 

The girls sat down and enjoyed the meal and there was of course lots of gossip and secrets. 

Carly: Honey, did Jace really tell you he likes you?
Honey: Yes, and it was very sweet but I told him that while there was nothing particularly wrong with him, I wasn't interested. 
Irene: I think he's cute.
Carly: Me too.
Cebolla: You think everyone's cute. 

The girls kept eating and talking. 

Cebolla: Carly that was really good. 
Carly: Thanks, but seriously, what happened to Tae and Jace? I thought I saw them outside with you?
Irene: Who knows with those two?

Meanwhile out on the patio, Jace is sitting in the rain eating the old sourdough bread I gave him.

Tae: Bro, why are you sitting out here in the rain? Da ladies are all inside enjoying a turkey dinner.
Jace: I didn't want Carly's watcher to see me eating.
Tae: Well, I guess I will join you and eat some sweet potato pie in the rain.
Jace: I hear there's a strawberry pie. I'm going to try to grab a piece real quick.

Carly: Jace, my watcher can see you with that pie.
Cebolla: You are going to catch a cold out in the rain!

Jace: I don't think she saw me.
Tae: I am sure she saw you. And why am I sitting in the rain eating pie with you?

Irene: C'mon Jace, you have to come inside. 
Honey: Yes, you should come in and eat your pie. 
Jace: Only if I can grab another piece.

In the end, Carly was so happy to have all of her friends come over and share the HarvestFest meal with her and she made sure to tell each one how thankful she was for each of them.

Carly Back to Basics

 Carly has been trying to find her way in the world and floundering a bit here and there. Perhaps it is just the process of discovering herself. She knows she loves cooking, baking, writing, painting, photography, fitness, wellness, gardening, fishing, tattoo art, handiness, and dancing. As she jogged through Copperdale, she stopped at the little gazebo, gazing out over the town she has called home for what feels like a lifetime. So many friends and great times, and some heartache, but still she sensed she was missing something. Or someone. 

Some of her friends seemed to have it all figured out, even starting university already. Or at least they knew what they wanted to do later in life. Or they had found someone special. She was so happy for their accomplishments and joys. She knew she could graduate early too if she wanted. Just today, that burglar called and asked if she wanted to. 

And Mrs. Prescott didn't even seem to mind today when Carly decided to work on her latest children's book at her desk. She waited patiently for the bell to ring so Carly would get out of her office. 

Carly: Hi Mrs. Prescott, I'll be done in a minute.
Mrs. Prescott: That's OK dear, I am just catching up on my social bunny. 

After school, she found a new outfit on Trendi - keeping it or re-creating it. Looks like an 8AM Monday class at University outfit. 

And Carly did make it to Lllamacorn Scout, so she is probably going to quit scouts now. She's been writing and painting, but she hasn't published any books yet.