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Post by aln1982 on May 25, 2007 7:41:43 GMT -5
I think Sharon yelled more out of disgusted shock than to be mean. She probably would have been more sensative if yelling hadn't just been a gut reaction (kind of an Abby-like pun there ;D). She always seems to try to be very understanding/sensative and accomidating to MA, especially in this book where she is trying to make a good impression. That makes me wonder if maybe one reason Dawn was so mad at MA was because she felt like she was losing her mom to MA. Thought to consider...
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mckay
Junior Sitter
Posts: 672
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Post by mckay on May 25, 2007 8:15:00 GMT -5
I agree she probably didn't mean anything by it. Honestly, I will yell in frustration, "Look what Spencer (my mother's cat) did to my _____" when he leaves a hairball in a particularly clever place. I love that cat so much I hope he outlives me, but that doesn't mean I'm going to be enthused by his byproducts, especially when it's on my bed.
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Post by booboobrewer on May 25, 2007 13:25:15 GMT -5
Oh, I wouldn't be either. I guess I'm just thinking of my own kitty, and how when he's sick my first reaction is to be concerned/take care of him instead of feeling incredibly disgusted. Even if it was another's cat, I think I would tone it down as well. But yeah, it's to be expected that Sharon would NOT feel that way. It's amusing when at the end of the book MA and Dawn find Tigger in Sharon's lap!
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starrynight
Sitting For The Kuhns
The Royal Diner of Pizza Express
Posts: 4,004
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Post by starrynight on May 25, 2007 14:45:28 GMT -5
^ My mom's friend has a cat who throws up to get attention.
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mckay
Junior Sitter
Posts: 672
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Post by mckay on May 26, 2007 10:07:52 GMT -5
starrynight, that is the coolest thing ever. Although I imagine they feel differently!
Our cats are longhaired, so it's generally not of any concern when they get sick. You can expect at least one well-placed hairball a day!
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Amalia
Sitting For The Braddocks
Her Original Point of View
Posts: 3,664
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Post by Amalia on May 27, 2007 2:17:07 GMT -5
^ My friend has a chair where any surface that has upholstery is completely covered with cat hair. I like to sit in it because the cat will jump into my lap.
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Post by aln1982 on May 27, 2007 7:42:11 GMT -5
^ I would not be able to stand being in that house - allergy city Back to the topic of the book, it seems to be pretty common in Dawn/MA fights that I don't side with either one of them but see both of them as being jerky. Usually, though, it seems like Dawn starts things and then MA gets upset and reacts. Things build up and tensions are never fully resolved. Anyone else see these same issues from this book as coming up again in later Dawn/MA fights?
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Amalia
Sitting For The Braddocks
Her Original Point of View
Posts: 3,664
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Post by Amalia on May 28, 2007 1:32:51 GMT -5
Sometimes, I think that MA overreacts, such as breaking a cup, etc. But, as a whole, to me it seems that Dawn usually starts things.
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Post by sotypical42483 on Sept 9, 2007 19:14:42 GMT -5
I haven't read this for ages and read it last night when I couldn't sleep. I thought the entire book was hilarious!!
The Pike Plague was kind of annoying, but also kind of interesting. Agreed it was all pretty unlikely, but oh well. Liked the continuity of Nicky re-breaking his finger. And mal getting chicken pox? Uggh, that sucks for her. I thought it was hilarious that even Stacey was willing to wear the surgical mask in their house.
Mary Anne and Dawn's fights were SO FUNNY! I also love how they made up like 14 times in the book, but got in another fight right afterwards every. single. time. And Mary Anne randomly being all "hmm I don't think my skirt looks that great on you, I think it's a bit tight" or whatever. Too funny.
I thought Dawn's plan to scare Mary Anne was really stupid and honestly if I was Mary Anne, I think i would have called the cops. Totally would've served Dawn right. Also surprised Dawn never fessed up!
I thought Dawn was really rude when she was talking to Jeff about mary anne and saying things like "oh, Jeff, YOU understand because you're my REAL brother. Mary Anne is just my STEP sister" I mean geez. and the beginning where she is soooo appalled that Mary Anne would have the audacity to catch her mother's bouquet (though I loved the description of Mary Anne allegedly "practically killing" people in the process, lol).
Was the part about Mallory's scars in unmentionable places REALLY necessary? Disgusting! Nobody cares! Well I guess Kristy or whoever asked cared, but I certainly don't!
Oh and when Claudia was babysitting, Mallory was basically one of the charges and had to ask permission to take a BATH. And claudia tells her NO!! WTH?!?!??! Seriously?!?!?! a) why is Mal even asking?! I mean if you wanna take a bath, take a bath! it's not like she's 6 years old! and b) why on earth did Claudia say she needs to wait and ask her mom?! WTH?! It's a BATH!!!
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Post by Kylie90210 on Sept 9, 2007 21:18:57 GMT -5
I liked that, cause Mal seemed 11 for once Even though this is a Dawn book, I side with MA. I mean, her life has really changed more, if only just, and Dawn was pretty mean at times.
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Post by aln1982 on Sept 9, 2007 23:16:19 GMT -5
^ I haven't read this one for a while so am not sure the specifics on the bath thing but can actually see several reasons for Mal to ask if she can take a bath (maybe her mom had said not to for some reason, maybe Claud needed her help right then, etc.) But again, I haven't read so am not sure the specifics and won't comment more about it until I am ;D I also thought Dawn was really mean in this book. I wasn't too thrilled with MA either but Dawn and Jeff's plot seemed immature and mean. I know Jeff is only 10, which is why I also always wonder why Dawn went to him for help (maybe because he's her "real" brother). Sotypical, I never thought about MA calling the cops but you're right. It would have served Dawn right ;D I might have done it, too, because I get really scared now every time I even hear something bang into the house. (My dad is super paranoid - and I guess understandably so - about this now, too)
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Post by morbiddadestiny on Sept 9, 2007 23:28:08 GMT -5
to be fair to dawn, she DID initiate a discussion at the end of the book with her family about how they all needed to be more communicative and stop trying to please each other. at least i think that was this book, or else i feel like a fool.
also, ew mallory. i don't want to hear about your bath (what was it again? an oatmeal bath? i was thinking 'buttermilk bath' at first but that was what wilbur the pig got in charlotte's web) OR scars in unmentionable places.
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Post by sotypical42483 on Sept 10, 2007 11:59:40 GMT -5
I don't think ANY 11 year old should have to ask to take a bath when they have the freakin' chicken pox. Also she wasn't helping Claudia. She was just in her room, she was being watched and was considered to be a sitter basically only in case of an emergency.
And yeah that discussion was in this book, morbidda.
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alula
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 406
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Post by alula on Sept 10, 2007 14:40:43 GMT -5
I tend to be more sympathetic to MA in this book, just because she's going through the stress of moving in addition to the new family. Also, and my bias may showing, I'd find it a lot more stressful to have to adjust to someone who left random stuff all over the place living into my house than someone who went around organizing things and tidying up! (I think Sharon is a perfectly nice character, but if I had to live with her I might go insane.)
The only thing I can think of about the bath is that there was either something about running an oatmeal bath Claudia didn't understand or didn't want to do (I don't remember them being a lot of work to prepare or clean up, but it's been awhile), or else that with as many people as are in the Pike house, it's so much of a pain to coordinate bathroom time that Claudia didn't want to deal with it herself and wanted to let Mrs. Pike figure it out. The latter I can kind of sympathize with, lol--I'm always curious about how big families work that out.
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Post by sotypical42483 on Sept 10, 2007 15:58:27 GMT -5
It wasn't an oatmeal bath, it was baking powder. And I think mallory could figure out how to do it on her own, she didn't need assistance. Coordinating bathtime? I'd assume they have two bathrooms?
Wow I have never defended Mallory so much in my life, lol.
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