Kara has a sunburn. She was outside for most of last Sunday at a racetrack in East Bridgewater, watching her husband compete in a karting race (he did very well until the final laps, when his kart pooped out). Wisely, Kara applied SPF 30 before she left the house. Unwisely, she did not reapply the sunscreen until later in the day, when someone commented that she was "looking a little pink." By then, it was too late. When Kara got home and looked in the mirror, what she saw was not pink, or even red. It was MAROON.

Kara has spent the last three days taking anti-inflammatories, wearing loose-fitting clothing, and discovering the relieving (if brief) effects of aloe. Also, she has endured much ridicule from Jenna, who believes her sister very closely resembles a well-done hotdog. (For reference, see the above photo of a Hot Dog Person, as grilled by Jenna, aka Dr. Franken-furter.)

Instead of the aloe, Jenna suggested generous applications of mustard and relish. To this, Kara replied, "Ha, ha, ow."

This evening, Kara and Jenna were waiting outside the Providence Mall when they saw a lady approaching. The lady had what at first seemed to be a small dog on a leash. As it came closer, it seemed more like a chubby ferret. Then, it jumped up on a nearby fence, grabbed it, and hung upside down by its toes. Clearly, this was no ferret.

Jenna talked to the very nice lady and found out that the animal is known as a kinkajou or honey bear (pictured above). They are native to Central and South America and are related to raccoons, cats, and pandas, though the kinkajou most resembles a slow-moving monkey with the face of a bear cub. They are docile and sweet and make very good pets. The kinkajou grabbed onto Jenna's hand while she was petting it; supposedly it has a stronger grip than Kara, which isn't saying much.

Jenna was very affected by the experience of meeting the kinkajou, and specifically, holding its strong tiny hand and looking into its big, dark, teddy bear eyes. One might even say she is besotted.

We know you've all been waiting to hear about the results of our Facts of Life trivia contest. Many thanks to those of you who participated — specifically Karen and Kim, who impressed us (and frightened us just a little) with their speedy and very accurate responses.

The final Academy Award winner who worked on the show (in addition to George Clooney, Cloris Leachman, and Helen Hunt) is Paul Haggis, who won Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay for Crash this year; he worked on The Facts of Life as a writer and executive producer. (We're actually more impressed by his work on Facts, though perhaps that's just us.)

Stay tuned for future LaReau Sisters contests. We've got plenty of cool stuff to give away to lucky winners!

We thought we'd never get a chance to see Blair, Jo, Toot, Nat, and Mrs. G again. We were wrong.

The first to correctly answer these four The Facts of Life trivia questions (just click on "comments" below) will receive a signed copy of Rocko and Spanky Have Company —

1. What was the name of the boarding school the girls attended?
2. What were Blair, Jo, Toot, and Nat's last names?
3. Which Brat Pack member got their start on the show?
4. What other popular show was Facts a spin-off of?
A BONUS PRIZE will be offered if you can name at least two of the four Academy Award winners who worked on the show.

Good luck, fellow 80s TV junkies!

Two nights ago, Kara and Jenna watched a very special documentary called Grey Gardens. This film is not for the physically or emotionally squeamish, nor is it for children, nor is it for anyone who can't appreciate the following: dysfunctional mother-daughter relationships, decrepit mansions, wearing one's clothes upside-down and secured with safety pins, unorthodox headwear, shrill singing, impromptu patriotic dancing, liver paté, cats, fleas, and knowing what is "the best costume for today." Grey Gardens is also about raccoons, and how their activity can mark the passage of time, when they're fed the proper amounts of Wonder Bread and Purina cat food. You really have to see it to believe it.

Of course, if you don't have the time or inclination for this extraordinary film, you can pay a visit to Kara's house, where just this afternoon she went into an upstairs room and came face to face with a squirrel.

Yes, you read that correctly. The insufferable varmint scurried behind some boxes, creating a ruckus that upset Kara's cats to no end. As the younger felines cowered, Jenna's considerably-older-yet-sprier cat sprang into action, nearly burrowing under the door in an attempt to root out the offender. A few moments later, Kara's call for backup was finally answered, as Jenna emerged from her studio brandishing an aluminum yardstick, a large flashlight, and a look of unbridled squirrel-hating rage. She was part-superhero, part-Bill Murray from Caddyshack. She was The Verminator. Clearly, the squirrel took one look at her and high-tailed it out of there, because we never saw him again. The room was searched. A hole in the eaves was eventually found and plugged. All, for now, is well.

And yet, there still remains a sound in the walls. A sound, as John Irving would say, of something trying not to make a sound. As Little Edie Beale would say, Horrors!

By popular demand (Katie), the LaReau Sisters bring you "Gonzo's Guide to Breakdancing," an excerpt from one of our favorite childhood periodicals (from Jenna's own archive), Muppet Magazine.

Of course, we love the timeless fashion tips, such as "write the name of your crew on your t-shirt with magic markers" and "it looks great if your shirt and your shoelaces are the same color." But there's also a handy vocabulary list, for when you're chillin' or buggin' out with your fresh crew. And of course, there are some VERY fly moves exhibited here. FYI, Kara's specialty is the "spider in the air," while Jenna has already mastered the "1990" and "backspin."

Anyone care to battle? We're ready to throw down the cardboard. (Those with wack moves or attitude need not apply.)

We don't want to alarm anyone, but we saw something very strange and vaguely familiar in the sky today. It was yellow and round and shiny, and for the few fleeting moments it was visible, it made everything on the ground seem bright and warm. Can anyone shed some light on what it might be?

In other shiny happy news, Jenna delivered the interiors today for our next Rocko and Spanky book! Yippee! She celebrated this accomplishment by drinking half a glass of Prosecco and promptly falling asleep in a chair. (Three guesses who finished what was left in the glass.)

Also, Kara saw a review of UGLY FISH in Kirkus recently. While it wasn't exactly bubbling over with praise, it did recommend the book "for Gorey, Dahl and Belloc fans." Not too shabby!

The LaReau Sisters are happy to report that they now have matching pairs of Vans sneakers! (No, we DON'T, says Jenna.)

Okay, they're not identical. Those are Jenna's (top), and those are Kara's (below).

Kara has never had Vans before, and finds them very comfortable. Springy, even. She may even want to buy herself another pair. Jenna says, STOP COPYING ME.

Jenna advises those who really want to ape her style to "wear the same outfit for four days, don't shower, sleep upright in a chair, and eat all your meals in front of your computer."

Kara tried this. She had an unfortunate accident earlier today involving her surge protector and some particularly juicy canteloupe. Perhaps she is better off just being herself. Although the Vans are very comfortable, and allow her the freedom of movement she needs to perfect her moonwalk.

Again, Jenna says, STOP. COPYING. ME.

1. 50-count assorted Munchkins from Dunkin Donuts. We were especially pleased to find jelly Munchkins in the box. (Though not for long. Mmm...jelly.)

2. One of Jenna's greatest influences will soon have his own reality show.

3. A very nice person wrote a great customer review of Company on Amazon. Keep 'em comin', people!

4. The weather. Finally, finally, the sun is out. It's relatively warm. And the birds are singing (Kara's favorite sound, other than the coffee maker beeping).

5. Kara gets paid on Friday. Hooray for groceries!

So...what makes YOU happy these days?

Recently, Rocko and Spanky and Kara and Jenna got together to talk about themselves and their books. Here’s how it went —

Kara: It’s great that we finally found a time to get together!

Jenna: No kidding! You guys have been hard to get a hold of lately.

Rocko (adjusting sunglasses): Yeah, we’ve been on tour ever since our book came out.

Spanky: Can someone pass the circus peanuts?

Jenna (passing the peanuts): Here you go. They’re stale, just like you like ‘em.

Rocko: So how do we do this chit-chat?

Kara: Well, we thought it would be helpful to explain how we all work together. Does anyone want some coconut soda?

Spanky: Me! Me!

Jenna: Sure, I’ll have some, too.

Rocko: I hope that’s regular. I’m on the All-Sugar Diet.

Kara (pouring soda): Okay. Can anyone remember how we all got together in the first place?

Jenna: I don’t know. I feel like I’ve known you all forever.

Spanky: Me, too.

Kara: I remember getting the idea to write about you two when Jenna and I were living together. Being roommates and sisters was a pretty funny combination.

Jenna: Yeah, in more ways than one.

Spanky: Ooh, I just got soda bubbles up my nose.

Rocko: That’s because you drink too fast, Spank.

Spanky: I can’t help it — circus peanuts make me thirsty!

Jenna: Anyhoo, Kara and I always wanted to do a book together, since she’s a writer and I’m an illustrator.

Rocko: I’d call you more of an arteest. You really know how to capture my essence.

Jenna: Oh, stop. Flattery will get you everywhere.

Rocko (winking): I know.

Spanky: Hic! Can I have more bubbly?

Kara (pouring soda): Drink it slow this time.

Jenna: Uh, where was I? Oh yeah — I was thinking about getting a dog and naming it either Rocko or Spanky.

Rocko: A dog? I’m insulted.

Spanky: Me, too — Hic! — I think.

Kara: Well, those seemed like great names for characters. So those names inspired me to write the first three stories.

Jenna: You wrote the first three in one sitting, didn’t you?

Kara: Well, I don’t like to brag . . .

Rocko: I like to brag. Check me out — I look GREAT.

Kara: Ooookay, let’s talk about how we put the books together. Each day, we get together and give each other suggestions.

Jenna: I give you suggestions for the stories. And you give me suggestions for the art.

Kara: And sometimes we just brainstorm new ideas for stories. We have quite a list now.

Rocko: So how many books are there? It’s SO hard to keep track.

Kara: Four for this series.

Spanky: Wowee. You sure are busy.

Jenna: You two are a full-time job.

Kara: And I already HAVE a full-time job.

Rocko (looking in refrigerator): You got anything else to eat around here?

Jenna: What happened to the circus peanuts?

Spanky: Oops. I thought those were just for me.

Kara (whispering to Jenna): I’ll get them some more snacks. Why don’t you talk about how you put the art together?

Jenna: Right, the art. Well, first I do lots of sketches. Then I pick out the ones I like and put them together into layouts. That’s called a dummy.

Rocko: What’d you call me?

Jenna: No, no. The sketches of the book are called a dummy. Next, I go shopping.

Spanky: I like shopping!

Jenna: Me, too. All of the objects in your books are cool things I’ve come across that I thought would be fun to work with — like maracas, vintage cards, yarn, kraft paper, googly eyes —

Rocko: And US!

Jenna: Yes. And sock monkeys, of course. I was saving the best for last.

Rocko: Of course.

Jenna: Then I take everything — the drawings, the layouts, the cool stuff —

Rocko: And US!

Jenna: Yes, and the piece de resistence — YOU. And I put it all together on my computer. And then I play — that’s a secret process that I’d like to tell you all about. But then I’d have to kill you.

Rocko: Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with us.

Spanky: Playing is fun!

Jenna: You said it. (to Kara) How are we doing with those snacks?

Kara (setting bowl on table): Here you go.

Rocko & Spanky: OOH! POPCORN BALLS!

Jenna: I think they like them.

Rocko (munching a popcorn ball): So . . . basically you two do all the work, and Spanky and I sit back and have fun.

Kara: And eat all of our food.

Spanky: I bet I can fit a whole popcorn ball in my mouth.

Jenna: I bet you can, too.

Kara: Actually, I was just kidding. Doing that work ends up being fun.

Rocko: And sometimes having fun ends up being work.

Jenna: For instance?

Rocko: For instance, having to pry a popcorn ball out of Spanky’s mouth.

Spanky: (muffled noise)

Kara: Oh, dear.

Jenna: I’ll get some pliers.

Spanky: (louder muffled sound)

Kara: I think this chat is over.

Rocko: Word.

Warning: DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ATTEMPT TO FIT A WHOLE POPCORN BALL IN YOUR MOUTH.

Yippee! Rocko and Spanky Have Company is officially on sale today!

Hope you'll check it out at your local bookstore. And if they don't have it, tell them they have gone bananas (and not in a good way).

P.S. Be sure to tune in tomorrow for an exclusive interview with the LaReau Sisters AND Rocko and Spanky!