Neighbors

Dear family,

Butter is perfectly boiling over the stove, just about to grab the sugar to make my world famous Aunt Sandy's brownies when I look in the deserted cupboard... NO SUGAR!! I've never messed up on these brownies guys, never burnt em, never been too salty, always just right and here I am with no sugar. I quickly throw on my rain boots and tell my companions to follow me. I didn't know my plan exactly but I knew I had to act quick. So my plan is to knock on a neighbors door and ask for just two cups of sugar. I don't know if it was the fact that I was a missionary or that mom never let me go door to door with Happenings books so I'm not very experienced but no one was opening and Hna. Palmer was too embarrassed to come to the door with me. But I love me some neighbors! You guys know that. I know more about them then probably all of them think just by listening to conversations or talking to them. So I thought today I'd let you know just briefly what it's like to live on my street where the old folks home across the street smells like Millhollow rotten bacon year round and behind our house looks exactly like way before Brooke Bishop's time when the trees and plants were very overgrown. I don't wanna know what kind of Texas creatures are living in there.

But our neighbors.... oh our neighbors how I love them! First and foremost-Joe! How I love Joe. He leaves every morning 7 a.m. to take his son to work. He's not working just maning the house taking care of his son with down syndrome. Usually buys his plants at Lowes for .99 but occasionally home depot if they are having a sale. He likes woodside village but is looking for a home. He didn't answer and his car was gone... usually means he's grocery shopping.

Next neighbor- don't actually know their names, only somehow know their dogs names Isaac and Gypsy. Every time walking in I'm like, "hna palmer, should i say hi?" she's like, "noooo don't embarrass me!" me- "Issac, Gypsy good morning!" I have no idea how I learned their names and their owner is so confused too! But one night like 9 o'clock he knocked on our door and that would be so normal if we were normal humans but we for some reason thought we were like getting bombed. Hna. Palmers like hiding behind the couch. I go to the door and yell, "who's there?" he's like, "Ummm, it's your neighbor just wanted to tell ya you left your car lights on." I swing open the door. I was like, "Sorry sir no one has ever knocked our door so you just scared us." Needless to say he thinks we are freaks so of course he wouldn't answer when I come knocking for suggy!

So I try Baby's mom. Baby's the black cat and her owner is just as old and fragile as an antique bag of frames. She supports nightgowns so you know me and her get along real well! From what I've observed she likes mashed potatoes and green beans when her kids bring her dinner. Wasn't home or couldn't hear me... one of the two.

Next neighbor I tried to ask but Hna. Palmer wouldn't let me is the twins... ohhh the twins. We aren't sure if they are twins or just married but they have identical long blonde, stringy hair and sometimes when I shower at night I wake up in the morning looking like the twins... I hate waking up looking like the twins! We also aren't sure if they have some sort of drug lab going on but it's very suspicious. They are always out on their back patio cooking and smoking weird things. So one night I decided to ask them... "whatcha cookin?" they look at each other and back at us... very slowly reply "chhhhiiickkkonnnn leeggggsss??" really? I wanted to bust in there and take the lid off but couldn't get the courage....

I then tried Grace. Born and raised in France. Looks just like the Flintstones lady. She wears one High heel and one flat because one of her legs is shorter than the other. She wasn't home and then I remembered that she's allergic to humidity so she moves to Las Vegas for half the year. She's a hoarder but when I asked her how long she's been a hoarder she said, "it's called "collecting!" i love collecting! and Hoarding so i love grace!

Next I tried Chores and Gladys. African American couple. Every Saturday morning they take the taxi to Walmart and sometimes we are lucky enough to help them carry their groceries up the stairs. They support Walmart insolation bags... great buy in Houston. keeps your food cool for up to 12 hours!

Joelle... walks his dog all day everyday with two cigarettes behind his ears... and always tells me. "Christ is coming you know. Christ is coming!" He was addicted to cocaine in 1901 he says... I think he still might be addicted because he should be far dead if he was alive back in 1901. gotta love the people on my street! so many treasures you'll find!

I tried Judy but you guys know her... NEVER HOME....So as I sadly walked back to the house so sad that I couldn't make my brownies for Alondra's baptism. JOE JOEEEEEEEE I REPEAT MY FAVORITE NEIGHBOR joe just popped out of nowhere and I was so surprised and happy to see him I think I scared him when I yelled his name and ran towards him with my measuring cup. Joe saves the day always! He always knows the weather, the stats about Texas. You name it, joe's got it! so I made my delicious brownies and took him and his wife some! 

And I took them to Alondra's baptism interview. Her baptism was so so sweet! When we asked her who she wanted to baptize her... there is this elder that just came in a couple weeks ago and he's super super tall so she's like, "I WANT THE GIANT!" and it was a really really sweet baptism! She is the cutest little girl ever! i love her so much! The primary president spoke and she just started bawling she said, "Alondra, I thought you were lost for a while. I didn't see you in primary for so many years and I hate when one of my children gets lost. But now you will never be lost because you have the Holy Ghost. So even if your mom doesn't bring you to church I will come get you!" It was such a beautiful night last night because CHRISTIAN walked in and wow i've never seen him so happy! ahhh and he was just telling me how happy he felt so much happy to handle! he was telling me how he skyped kevin and the whole family came on. He said, "Ah it was so scary! i met like everyone in your family they are all so nice but i didn't know how to express myself in your language."

well fam, I love you guys so much! I love you more than the zoo giraffes that I'm going to pet today with my district at the zoo!!! i love giraffes and i always wear my giraffe necklace. his name is harold he's a good guy! love you so much

tony flony baloney

baptism pics! this is Alondra and her mom

the giant she wanted

christian's back and Hna. Johnson came for the bap! love these people

we have no idea who this guy is... the mom's boyfriend just left for the streets like a week ago... next thing I know this guy is just in the family photos... awko