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But Mom said the only people who could hand out punishments were her and Dad, so I ended up serving a DOUBLE time-out for breaking that picture. I figured Wesley deserved a TRIPLE time-out for locking me in the laundry room. But it was getting pretty late, and I knew it would look bad if the Stringers came: and I was still what's inside. So I started looking for another way out. There was a spare freezer blocking a door to the back deck, so I pushed with all my might and gave myself just enough room to squeeze through and open the door.

It was really cold outside, and I was only wearing a T-shirt and pants. I tried to open the front door, but it was locked. I decided if I was gonna catch this kid off guard, I'd need the element of surprise. So I walked around the house and tried all the windows on the first floor until I found one that was unlocked. I then pushed it open and crawled inside. I landed headfirst in someone's bedroom, and after I looked around I realized it must be Laurels.

Like I said, it was freezing cold outside, so I needed to warm up before going after Wesley. But I really regret taking a few minutes to do that, because in the time I was in Laurel's room, Mr. and Mrs. Stringer came home. Hopefully, we can all have a good chuckle about this story at some future Thanksgiving, too. But I think it's gonna be a while before Mr. Stringer is ready to laugh about this one. Wednesday

After blowing my chances with Laurel Stringer, I pretty much gave up on finding someone to take to the dance. It's only three days away, and by now everyone who's going is already paired up with someone else. So I figured I'd be spending Saturday night at home playing video games by myself. But yesterday Rowley gave me some news after one of his Dance Committee meetings that changed EVERYTHING. He said Abigail Brown was upset during the meeting because the boy she was going with, Michael Sampson, has a family obligation and had to cancel on her. So now Abigail has a dress and no one to go to the dance with.

So the stage is set for me to swoop in and be the hero. I told Rowley this was his big chance to come through as my wingman and hook me up with Abigail. The thing is, Abigail doesn't really know me, and I kind of doubted she'd go to the dance with a person she doesn't know. So I told Rowley he should tell Abigail the three of us could go to the dance TOGETHER as a "group of friends." Rowley seemed to like that idea because he's been doing all this work on the Dance Committee and didn't have anyone to go with, either. I figured the three of us could go out to dinner, and at the restaurant Abigail would get to see what a great guy I was. By the time we got to the dance, we'd walk in as a couple. The only problem was that we'd need a ride. I wasn't about to ask Mom for one, because the seats in our minivan are crusted with old Cheerios and God knows

what else. Plus, having Mom along on my date could be a total disaster. IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS JUST YESTERDAY THAT GREG WAS IN DIAPERS! I knew if I really wanted to impress Abigail, I need to rent a limo, but those things cost a FORTUNE. Then I had an idea. Rowley's dad has a really nice car, so I figured we could get HIM to drive us. Abigail wouldn't even have to know Mr. Jefferson was Rowley's dad. If we didn't say anything, she'd just think he was a professional driver. Maybe I'll even get him one of those hats chauffeurs wear, to really sell the idea. Of course, we wouldn't be able to say anything to MR.