I AM A BOY!!!

Ok, Sundee and Tara. I don't remember all the details, so fill us in.

As I recall, Tara was teasing Sundee. Apparently, Tara thought Sundee was acting boyish, maybe the way she dressed, the way she acted, I don't remember. But Sundee kept having to defend herself - "No I'm not!... No I don't!... Nuh-uh!..." And in the end Tara teased her to the point that she'd had it. In an attempt to end this once and for all, she desparately declared that she was a girl and was not a boy...and sadly she mixed up her words: "I AM a BOY!!!"

And Tara said, "See? I told you!"

Tara the Beauty Queen

Ever since her hair became curly, I wanted to have Tara's hair. I admired how she did it and I frequently tried to mimic her hairstyles--especially during the big hair and big bangs era of our lives. I couldn't wait until I was old enough to wear make-up and get my ears pierced like Tara. I thought she wore cool clothes and I was always excited when she passed down some of her clothes to me. (Actually, I still get excited when she passes clothes down to me.) When she was in high school, I remember thinking she was the epitome of cool--she had cool hair, wore cool clothes, make-up, and earrings and I wanted to look like her.
I also admired her singing ability. She was so good. She got in good choirs and got solos in choir concerts--I specifically remember the Oliver song that she sang (where I think she kicked a girl with her boot in what was supposed to be a stage kick, but in the performance ended up being the real thing because of the adrenaline rush of performing for real). She was really good in that part and I felt proud that I was her sister. I couldn't wait until I was in high school and could be just like Tara.

Big Sister Summer

Okay, so in 10th grade I was this little mouse and Summer's shadow. I felt so cool because Summer would let me hang out with her and her friends sometimes. She was a big-shot, totally awesome senior. It was really empowering to my little timid self that she was my sister and that she included me in things all the time. I kind of had this prestigious title among her friends and other kids in the school and even among some teachers of "Summer's Little Sister" that I was proud of. Summer was so capable at the things she pursued and I happened to like many of the same things, so I followed in her footsteps. In 11th and 12th grade, I had many of the teachers she had had and so when I went into the class the teachers already had good expectations from me because I was related to her.
And then later after we left Utah and returned to Arizona, Summer came down and again took me under her wing for the small amount of time she was down there. She tried to help me meet people and find opportunities. Too bad I didn't follow her back up to Utah when she went to BYU. Maybe I would not have taken 4 years to get my Associate's degree and still be trying to get my Bachelor's at 30 years old!

Sontay

Remember when I called Sundee "Sontay" for a little while. I can't remember how it started, but I think the speaking in accents thing had something to do with it. Anyway, I liked calling her that, but Mom didn't. So I stopped. What an obedient child I am!

Jannie, the Bug Lady

When ever there was a bug intruding upon the household, the person to come and save the day was... JANNIE! She was brave! She was fearless! She was also younger than me so I could boss her around. ("YOU get the bug! You saw it first!") I am forever grateful that she would kill the roaches and crickets (especially crickets)! There was even a time that there was a lizard in the closet! I tried to be the big sister and take care of the situation myself. I groped and grabbed and finally snagged it by the tail and YUCK! The tail came off! I wanted to vomit. Unable to pursue the attacker further (due to trembling limbs and a weak stomach), I stepped back and let the pro go at it. After struggling a great deal under all the clothes and shoes and toys, she came out victorious. Jannie saved the day again!
I talk a good fight, but when it comes down to it, I am always afraid that they will get me before I get them... And their tail might come off.

Tiffany Doo-Dah

I've always heard this great story about Tiffy when she was little. I guess she and Mom would sing the song "Zippidy-doo-dah, Zippidy-aye! My oh my what a wonderful day..." but they would change the Zippidy-doo-dah to Tiffany-doo-dah, which she just loved! Well, she went to a baseball game with the family, if I heard the story right. Somehow she got separated from the group, and got lost. A stranger found her crying and decided to help her.

"What's your name?" the stranger asked.

She sniffed and replied, "Tiffany."

"What's your last name?" the stranger asked.

"Doo-Dah."