Gnome Sweet Gnome

***This post was initially written in August, 2008***

As I have learned from numerous giggle-filled stories, Jesse and his college roommates, Ian and Larson take practical jokes and general spleening very seriously. Now that they no longer live together, or even in the same cities, they have to find new and creative ways to keep the romance alive.

For the past few years, Ian and Larson have traded possession of a rather disturbing Ann Geddes baby doll that is dressed like a ladybug. I can't recall the details of how the baby doll trade began, but at this point in the game it doesn't really matter. Apparently, the doll was stowed away in Ian's luggage on his last visit to Santa Cruz and has been living in Sacramento for about a year. This past weekend we went to Sacramento to visit Ian and his wife, Mary, and were charged with a very important mission -- to transport the baby doll to Santa Cruz. In order to up the ante, we were also given a hideous, yet charming, gnome cookie jar (from Mary's grandparents' house) in which to stash the doll.

After waiting for just the right time to plant the gnome, an opportunity presented itself today (Saturday, August 30th, 2008). Jesse and I stopped by Larson and Serena's this afternoon to scope out potential hiding places. When we arrived, Larson, Serena, and their friends Tex and Rain, were all elbow-deep in gardening in the back yard. At that point, I knew we had to strike -- and quick! I poked around the living room and found that they have quite an ample fire place. Perfect, in my opinion, for gnomes.

I ran out to the car (where we had kept the gnome for about a week) and Jesse guarded the hallway to make sure I wouldn't get caught in the act of "decorating." I was so stealth that I was also able to snap a few photos to send to Ian and marvel at my brilliance before putting everything back in its place. We stayed for a little while to chat and it took all of my strength to not blurt out "Wow, it's kind of chilly! Maybe we should start a fire."

**Flash forward to November **

But I waited. And waited. Still, no word on the gnome. I determined that they found the ceramic jar and were waiting for just the right time to tell us -- like on Candid Camera. Now, almost exactly three months after our brilliant plant job, I cracked. I had been counting the weeks and days until we could finally stop by their house and have a hearty chuckle over their new beautiful cookie jar. Upon our arrival this evening, I scanned the shelves and tables to see where they had (prominently) displayed the treasure. I was disappointed to find that it was nowhere in sight. Being the skeptical person that I am, I immediately assumed that they found it and were hiding it just to torment my poor soul.

Apparently, the joke was on me because Larson and Serena never use the fireplace. The gnome was still hanging out in the ashes where I left it in August. Even though I ruined the surprise (that might never have even happened) I think they were still stunned. And stoked. It was a good night indeed.