Sunday, August 10, 100

It’s near midnight and time to call the cab.  I could actually walk to where we’re going next, but the air is too crisp and breezy outside, letting everyone know that fall has arrived.  

We leave the Wynn-Diesel home with Ryan sitting in the den, relaxed and cozy, with a really good movie on television.

Vin comes downstairs to find 2 of his 3 favorite ladies, drunk-dancing and raising the roof! lol  (Both of them had a few too many cocktails at Bayside Bowling. Loren’s already in bed for school tomorrow.)

Vin: Oh laaaawd...Mom, you ain’t tired yet?

Carmen:  Boy, you betta get on outta here with that..I’m not old. *they all laugh*

Jina and Carmen end up dancing pretty late into the early morning hours, til they almost pass out.  It was a great birthday for Carmen.  :)

After the game, some of them went to get drinks at the bar.  Tina aka Aunt T and Loren spend some time catching up, it’s been awhile.  And Vin chats with Cookie Lyon about his workout regimen.

They move into the little VIP section Tomika created for them, waiting for Carmen to join them.  As she walks towards the group, everyone starts singing “Happy Birthday To You...!”  And a pretty red-headed stranger says a soft “Happy Birthday” as Carmen passes by.  

Loud familiar chatter fills the air in that section of the room, as the family exchanges jokes and lively conversations.  Jina’s sprinkles some of her new jokes into the mix and more laughter erupts!  They sip their tasty cocktails for an hour or so more....fully enjoying each other’s company.

The lanes were crowded, thankfully Tomika had already rented their two lanes.  Everyone separated into 2 teams, with Ryan, Carmen, Jina, and Tomika on one side.  And, Vin, Usher, Miko (pink hair), and Cookie Lyon on the other side.

Miko is an acquaintance of Carmen’s who takes piano lessons from her.  It was nice for her to come by.  Cookie Lyon just happened to be there, trying to meet new friends.  

Tomika’s in beastmode...she lit the lane on fire!  Carmen celebrates!

Behind them, Tina stands to root for her hubby Usher’s team, as Cookie delivers her ball..and it looked like Cookie might pull them ahead, but naaah....

Ryan & Carmen’s team yells:  Look at that form, Jina!!  We gonna win!

The family arrives at Bayside Bowling which was made by @mysimsloveaffair

And Tomika Cunningham is waiting for them.  She’s decorated a section with balloons for the guest of honor!

Carmen: Tomika! I knew you were in on this! Give me a hug, thank you so much!

Tomika:  Yeah the girls called me and said I could arrange some bowling for you guys!  I wanted to do something, chile.  I’m glad to be a part of your special day, Carm.  Happy Birthday!  I set up two lanes for us to bowl...we just have to separate into teams.

Carmen:  I don’t think we have enough people, do we?  Is Sabien here?

Tomika:  Nah, he couldn’t make it..he’s got a political rally up in Windenburg today that he had to speak at.

Carmen: Aww, well tell him we said hello!  I hope he’s recovered from that butt whooping Ryan put on him yesterday!  You know I heard all about it. Every boring detail..Ryan wouldn’t shut up. lol  *mocking Ryan* ..“I beat tha Mayor!” 

Tomika laughs: Oh my goodness! lol  Well, it’s not just Mayor that he wants, he wants to be President, chile.  So, he’s working hard on that.  But yes, Sabien was plenty butt hurt over his loss. Our guys are so intense!  Why they gotta be like that over a chess game? 

The Wynn-Diesel-Raymond family ate and enjoyed their Tilapia dinner with lively conversation..some even grabbed seconds!

Jina and Tina had a moment to catch up with each other, and Carmen played a lovely song on her new guitar as well. :)

Then Ryan asked everyone to quickly change clothes if they wanted to, and follow him and Carmen over to Oasis Springs...

Carmen:  What’s in Oasis Springs, Ry?

Ryan: We’re going to the new Bayside Bowling alley.

Back at home...Ryan greets his wife with a kiss

Carmen: You gotta see what I found at the Flea Market, baby!

Ryan:  Aah-aah-aah...shh.  *he smiles at her* Go get pretty..and don’t take all day...meet me in the kitchen.

She doesn’t ask questions. She smelled the good food as soon as she entered the house.

Tina heads for the den so she can take the heels off her aching, swollen feet..and greets Vin there watching the Sunday football game.

Carmen is overwhelmed when she rounds the corner into the kitchen and sees all the effort put into making her day so special.  They’ve gotten gifts! A lovely basket of goodies and a guitar!  They’ve made homemade candies and Jina has made her favorite dish...her delicious pan fried Tilapia. Not to mention, all the beautiful decorations! Her birthday is everything she wanted.  Her family is all there!

Carmen:  You rascalssss..*laughing*  This is so beautiful. I’m so grateful to have such a healthy, loving, wonderful family..thank you all!  I got my guitar! Yayyy!  

Ryan:  You deserve so much more, baby. And I hope you and I have many more years so I can give it all to you.  I love ya.  

Ya’ll ready to dig in?  

Everyone: Ohhh yeah!  

Ryan removes his sunglasses and closes his eyes to give thanks for the food and for his family, and most of all, for his wife and all that she does.

Ryan: The food looks and smells good, Jina...Let’s eat! We got thangs to do!

Carmen: There’s more?

Just as Jina got a clean getaway from her mother’s prying questions, Carmen’s phone rang again..this time, it was her oldest twin, Tina, asking if she’d like to go to the Flea Market.  Of course Carmen said yes..she’s been wanting to go for several weeks now.  Carmen loves a good deal on knick knacks and collectibles.

They hug each other at first sight. 

Carmen:  Tinaaaaaa...how are you sweetie?  How’s my lil grandbaby baking in there?

Tina: lol The baby’s fine, and I’m doing great, Mom..it’s so good to see you! Happy Birthday!

Carmen:  Thank you!  It’s been awhile, hon!  You called on the perfect day.  This is wonderful..I’ve been wanting to get to San Myshuno to see the knick knacks. lol!

Carmen makes her way over and spots a lotus candle light set that she immediately goes ‘ga-ga’ over!

Carmen:  Ouuuuu! Looka these, Tina!  I know just where to put these at home.  $60 bucks, tho...?! Hmm...lemme talk to this lady over here.

Tina knows how her Mom is once she starts shopping and hopes they don’t have to be here all day, the spicy smells coming from the food kiosks are making her queasy. And Daddy & Jina would kill her if she lost track of time.

Carmen walks over to Bella Goth and starts talking her down on the price..She ended up paying $45 for the set, and is pretty happy about it.

She and Tina meet some new people, like Lucious Lyon, who’s in an awful mood. Carmen tries to cheer him up with her witty sense of humor, but he wasn’t having it and in a very threatening tone he asked everyone at the table to leave...and they all did.

Everyone knows where to find Carmen if she isn’t upstairs..she’s in her music room in the basement. 

Jina comes in to find Loren already there.  She notices her Mom on the phone with her friend from next door..so she quietly asks Loren to go take her bath and get dressed, she’s pulled out a couple outfits and placed them on the bed for her.  

Tomika Cunningham called Carmen first thing this morning, to wish her a happy birthday.  But it was what Tomika didn’t say in that conversation, that has Carmen’s curiosity peaked.  See...she knows her friend.  And, Tomika never asked what her plans were.  The ‘police officer’ in Tomika always wants to know whats going on.  There’s never a time when she doesn’t have 30 questions for everything. lol  ...Carmen’s gut instinct tells her..it’s cause she already knows her plans.

Jina hugs Carmen:  Happy Birthday, Mom..the big 4-0!

Carmen:  Thank you, babygirl! I may be 40, but I still got it. *they laugh but Carmen turns serious*

  ...Jina, we’re all alone...now, spill the beans.  What are ya’ll up to?

Jina *avoids eye contact*:  Do I hear the baby crying...?

Carmen *looks at her with that Mama look*:  I know you’re up to something, Jina Ann.  I asked you guys not to make a huge fuss and I meant it.