#14

Man, this fireplace was the site of many a game. I remember playing Strawberry Shortcake here. Sarah came home from kinder and had a fit when she saw Liz and I playing. Poor Sarah. Life went on without her while she was away. Sidenote: I remember the first time I missed cartoons. I had never realized that could happen. I thought they were just on when I turned on the tv. I was playing down at Lisa and Jaimie's house when Mom came and got me. I don't know why she told me that I had missed them. Perhaps it was in the course of some conversation, but that was the part that stuck out to me. I was all about Woody Woodpecker.

Back to Strawberry Shortcake, and all other imaginary games we played. I was always the bad guy and/or outcast. In this game, I was the Purple Pieman. Smurfs - Gargamel, Papa Smurf, and Brainy, the loser who got tossed out any time I said, "Papa Smurf always says..." Sarah and Liz divided the room in half for Barbie houses. I got the non-walk-in closet with no light for mine. I sat on top of all the shoes. The clothes hung over my head. And when I knocked on their doors, they were always busy. Even when we played The Wizard of Oz with the neighborhood kids, I was the Wicked Witch, and I had to sit behind Christina Herrera's scary banana trees until the 3 times I made appearances: Munchkin land, apple trees, City of Oz. Oh wait - I got to melt, that's 4.

And I remember it fondly and happily. I believe I really enjoyed it while it was going on. I always liked to play on my own. I even miss sitting in the closet. Did I mention they made me keep the sliding door closed?