Besides Jeff's going toCalifornia , we had a few other problems with the divorce and the remarriage. Mom had to get used to Tigger, Mary Anne's kitten. Mary Anne and I had to get used to sharing a room (which didn't work out, and now we have our own rooms). And then there was the big food issue. That's what we were faced with as we tried to plan our party.

Mom and I eat healthy things like raw vegetables, tofu, and brown rice. The thought of eating red meat makes me want to barf.

Mary Anne and Richard are completely opposite. It seems that they'll eat any old food. (Like hot dogs! Ew, ew. Yick!) When it comes to eating, Mary Anne and Richard don't worry about their health much at all.

"These peanut butter log things might be okay," said Mary Anne doubtfully, as she pointed to a recipe in the book. "Only I wish we could use some normal peanut butter instead of that natural stuff."

"Look," I said, starting to get just a little annoyed. "Why don't you make some snacks your way, and I'll make some my way. Then we'll see whose food gets eaten first."

"Good idea," said Mary Anne with a smile. "I want to have those little hot dogs wrapped

in biscuit dough. And I saw this recipe for individual pepperoni pizzas that you make on English muffins."

"Yuck," I groaned, as I covered my mouth and puffed up my cheeks.

Mary Anne shook her head. "How can you say that? I love those little hot dogs. They're so adorable. What's that cute name they call them? Oh, yeah, pigs-in-a-blanket." She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost three. "We better start writing our shopping lists," she reminded me. "Your mom told us to be ready at three-thirty to go food shopping."

Mom had gone to pick up Jeff at the Pikes'. (It was a Friday, but Mom's company had given them the day off for a long weekend.) "She'll probably be late," I said. "You know how much she likes to chat with Mrs. Pike."