Dolls

No vacations for us either Between the unexpected $3500 for the chimney issue, $800 for Eric's trip to the ER, $500 for his oral surgery, whatever we are going to be billed for all the tests that were run on Eric last week, AND the $100 it takes to fill up our van - just no way we can take a vacation. We couldn't last year because of the $5,000 it cost us when we had to drill and add a new pump pit and piping out to the lake because of the flooding issues in the basement. It was worth it though because we haven't had a flood since *knocks wood and crosses fingers* The expenses of owning a home, property and kids (two and four legged) just never end!

Yes, the bass and amp were a good deal. The package is usually $400 plus shipping and it was on clearance for $200 and free shipping! Justin was beside himself and was all "please Mom - can we order now? There is only 2 in stock! PLEASE Mom?!" What could I say? I got a big hug and an "I love you! You are an awesome Mom!" Well, I guess that was worth it.

I am sure your babies think you are awesome and love you for getting them new shoes!!

Yes, I will pretty much enjoy the day. It will be active for sure! Isabelle will be my only challenge since so many older kids here at one time makes her shy and clingy. But she is the most adorable little girl and I love her so it's OK. That is why we will bake together. Hopefully they can play outside, but it is suppose to get to 90 degrees so they may not stay out all that long. The sun has felt so hot to the skin lately. The good thing is they can play in the cul-de-sac island with the huge trees to shade them.

So have you written to Nancie yet? I can't wait to see pix of what you want her to make!

Have a great day! Talk to you later!

So how did your day go? Are you totally wiped out? I know I would be!

Yes, my husband is getting a lot of expensive dental work done too...2 crowns and a new night guard....Those unexpected medical bills really hit hard don't they?

Well, I have a busy evening again tonight. Just got home from a haircut, and have to go walk the dog before my friend arrives with her horse so I can help her with some training stuff!

TTYL!

Oh no - crowns are killers on the bank account I have several. For some reason my nerves kept dying under my fillings and I would need root canals and crowns. So costly. Plus $2800 for my bridge. Really sucks!

Actually my day was great! The kids were all well behaved and had lots of fun. They played ball games outside, built forts inside, made a city out of Legos and Waffle blocks, played board games and guessing games, and listened to music and danced!

I made both chocolate chip muffins and double chocolate muffins! They all said the double chocolate muffins were awesome! We had stuffed pizzas for lunch. Not a bad way to make $250 in one day!

Hope you are happy with the haircut and have lots of fun with your friend and horses!

What a cute emoticon! Glad you had a fun and lucrative day yesterday!

I bet you are out with your mom today on your weekly shopping and lunch day.

My friend and I did have a good session with her new horse. She got on and rode it around for the first time (for her) and the horse did quite well. The previous owner had not ridden her for a year, so the horse is a little rusty and green, but does know a few things which is good.

I have'nt contacted Nancie yet because of all the money I spent on ordering that new doll body for my MNF head. I am hoping to sell a few things to help with the new doll clothing fund.

Well, better get back to work!

Hi! There are a few cute horse emoticons out there! Glad your friend's new horse is doing well!

Yes, just got back a little while ago. We hit a few stores and brought back lunch to eat at her house. She bought me that flatware I've been wanting! She says it's an anniversary present. Our 21st anniversary is July 26th. So that was great! I also got a pasta scooper. I've been wanting one of those. I think it will make getting spaghetti out of the pot much easier that the ladle we've been using all these years I grabbed some cute white sandals on clearance for $5! I NEVER can pass up cute shoes on clearance that cheap. Than we ran to the grocery store and I loaded up on all the things I needed to make Eric's mushy foods for 5 days A few different mac and cheese recipes, lots of ready made mashed potatoes and lots of eggs to scramble. Got some cottage cheese, pudding, ice cream and fudgecicles. I couldn't think of anything else. We have several cans of soup already so he can have some of that too.

I get what you mean about Nancie. I cannot ask her to make Glinda for awhile yet. Maybe in a month or two after we pay all of Eric's latest medical bills and Justin's Senior Portraits.
Well, gotta run. Rob is off and we are grilling dinner. Talk to ya later!

How was your cook-out last night? I bet it was good!

I am considering entering the Dollzone photostory contest just for the heck of it. There are some really good prizes involved and I do like doing photostories. You can use other dolls besides DZ as long as you use DZ dolls is my understanding at this point. I'm sure I would'nt have a chance of winning, but I may throw something together with some of my new Midnight circus photos. I have kind of come up with a semi-lame story line ideas I will share with you to get your feedback.

Stay tuned! I will probably start working on it this weekend if I have time.

How is Eric doing so far?

Eric is fine today. The surgery is tomorrow morning. We will be leaving here at 8:30 AM. We have to be there at 9:00. Surgery is scheduled for 9:15 and should take about 2 hours. Thank goodness he will be put out and not have to be awake for it. Then there is a recovery time before we leave. We will have to stop for meds.

I hope we are back home by 1:00-1:30 ish as Justin's bass and amp are scheduled to be delivered tomorrow via UPS. Justin is suppose to be at the new Batman movie at that time. He already has his ticket. I am worried they might not leave it. I am not sure if it is something that needs to be signed for.

Cool that you might enter the story contest! You might win something! I think your photo-stories are some of the best I've read/seen. I can't wait to see what all you have in mind. I am sure it will be great!

I think we had the best pork roast on the grilled ever last night! I marinated it for two days in a Caribbean Jerk marinade. The outside got that great tasting dark crusty coating and the inside was tender and just awesome! We had garlic mashed potatoes and a summer veggie blend with asparagus! All so yummy!

Carribean Jerk Pork Roast and the fixings sounds divine! I have not been in a cooking mood this week, but got some stuff to make this weekend so we can have some meals for a change. When it is hot like this, our appetites are decreased...which is good!

I bet Eric is eating his heart out today knowing he is going to have to be on liquids/soft foods for 5-7 days after his surgery..no wonder you made a special dinner last night!

Thank you for the lovely compliment on my stories... I think you are my only fan, but my most treasured for sure! I am going to need your feedback for sure! I am not going to go to a bunch of trouble and will use the photos I have already taken. I will do one more shoot to get what I need to make a story and see what I can come up with. I wish we lived in the same state/town, so Milo could be in it too... Oh well...

I will be riding after work, so will talk to you later tonight!

Aw, Milo would have been thrilled to be a part of your story! He and Val would look so good in pix together! That would have been great fun!

Yes, that is one reason I cooked a great meal last night! He loves pork roast and pot roast! His faves! He works tonight so I knew he wouldn't be able to eat a big dinner with us tonight. Justin works too. They both were off yesterday. All 4 of us were!

Well, today got totally messed-up Eric came home from work a little early last night (9:00) saying he didn't feel right to his stomach. He went right to bed. He slept OK, but when I woke him up at 7:30 AM to shower and get ready for his surgery he looked really pale. He said he did not feel well at all and before I knew it he was vomiting in his bathroom So I had to call and cancel his surgery for today. We all were so bummed because Rob, Eric and I all had taken work off for it and were all mentally prepared (let alone all the cheeses I bought ) and we all just really wanted it behind us. They had no openings for another surgery until August 29th - which is after he will be back at school. Hopefully his schedule will work out so that he does not miss many classes. He has thrown-up a few times now and still feels pretty weak and out of sorts. He doesn't have a temp though. Whatever it is the timing sure sucked.

Justin gave away his ticket to see the new Batman movie today because we got an email last night that his bass and amp were being delivered today by 1:00 PM and he decided he wanted to be home for that - especially since at the time we thought nobody would be home and he didn't want the huge box out on the porch - just in case. Besides, he was so anxious to see it. It is black and shiny and very cool! The amp is really nice and a great size for his room. So one son very happy, the other not so good.

I was all dressed and ready to go at 8:00 in the morning so I hit Walmart and Jewel and got everything we need for a week. At least I got that much done early before it got hot. Justin wanted me to make another salad like I did last weekend so I wanted to get everything I needed to make that. It is rare to get salad in him - so if I have found something he likes I will make it every weekend!

The Dorothy outfit came today! It is awesome! Toto and the basket are just perfect - even Justin thought so. He said Toto in the basket looked like something from a greeting card! So maybe I will get around to changing Rylee and getting some shots later.

Gotta run, my MIL just walked in and says she has a problem with her car. I'm going to go see what I can do to help.

Hope you are having a great day and I will TTYL!

Just a few quickies! The sun was gone, but they give you an idea. I can't believe I didn't make sure to get a shot with the shoes!! Also, I cannot braid that wig! It is way too silky and layered and just wouldn't braid nice. I may go looking for a wig with braids. There is one made by Goodreau just for Goodreau Girls, but it looks more like a Pippi Long Stockings wig to me.

Oy what a day you have had! Some very good, some not so good things to deal with! Hope Eric recovers soon from his flu! I heard there is a summer bug going around and hitting people hard. Gah I cannot spell or type tonight...must get food!

I think you should make some of that gourmet mac and cheese this weekend anyway! Some good comfort food after being sick will probably be just the right thing for him.

Rylee looks so perfect in her outfit!!!!!!!!!! It is really one of the cutest doll outfits I have ever seen! You have to post it on Flickr and lable the tags BJD, Goodreau dolls, and MSD so people will see them! I just can't get over how adorable that Toto is! That Nancie is truely an artist! I hope I can sell some stuff soon to fund a new outfit in the next month. I just have to decide what I want too. I have picked out the eyes I want for the new doll, but have not found just the right wig yet. Then I will have her character solidified and know if I want to go ahead with the Lily dress for her and for the Lily doll that I will have someday, or go with something different!

Anyway, I am going to rustle up some grub for us now and a big glass of wine for me...it has kind of been one of those days at work where things did'nt go quite like I wanted them too.

Thanks! I will let Nancie know how much you like it! I hope you have some luck with sales so that you can commission some outfits with her. As you can see the quality is amazing! Yes, she is an artist! I cannot wait to see how amazing the Glinda outfit will be!

I promise that one of these days (after more practice outdoors) when I get some really good shots of "Alice" and "Dorothy" I will learn how to do the Flickr thing.

Eric is feeling a little better. He finally felt well enough to eat a little toast about an hour ago. He is still weak and just lying down. He is really upset. He so wanted this over and to be all healed before classes begin. Now he will miss some school about the first week or so that they go back Plus having to go to classes swollen and bruised!

I will make some of the gourmet mac and cheese but I don't want him to eat dairy or anything too rich until at least Sunday. Those things too soon after a stomach upset usually do not sit well. If he feels really good by Sunday afternoon I will add some mac and cheese to the menu. We are grilling chicken legs and breasts on Sunday so I think a good mac and cheese will go OK with that.

That's sure a cute baby kittie avatar you have there!

Glad Eric is feeling better! I wonder if he had food poisening.

I really think the wig you have on Rylee is fine. I don't know about the Pippi Longstocking look either! That little Toto has the cutest expression on his face!

Yes, I looked around and I do not see a wig that is any closer to Dorothy so I am sticking with this one. For a lot of the movie she has her hair down and curled - I guess that is after they fixed her fancy to see the Wizard - so I could always change her to the other black wig that is curly. For now she is a pigtailed Dorothy instead of a braided Dorothy

I agree, Toto is a total cutey patootie! I am so pleased with all of it!

Thanks! I don't know how long I will keep the kitty avatar, but I saw it on ONTD and I just fell in love with it!! Cutest little kitty ever!

Eric is feeling pretty close to normal now. He didn't eat much yesterday and what he had here was all new groceries. He comes in contact with so many people, and all that exchange of cash, that I think he just picks up lots of germs. Also, I just think he catches things easier or can't fight them off. Justin has not thrown-up since December 18th, 1998! Almost 10 years!! It was two years June 11th for me and many years for Rob. Eric - seems to happen to him about 2 or 3 times a year.

Here is the Glinda dress I am going to ask Nancie to make.

Ack!!!! I adore that dress! What a perfect one you found!

Hey are those Barbie Wizard of Od dolls? I love those. That Glinda is beautiful. FC , where did you get that Mac and Cheese cookbook?

HI!

Thanks Luca! I think it is the perfect dress too! It looks so much like the one from the movie!

Aerwin, those are Tonner dolls. I do not really know anything about them. Not sure if they are Barbie size or bigger. Tonner has dolls in many movie character clothes for $150 and up.

I got the Mac and Cheese book from Amazon. I get used cookbooks there all the time. I look for ones that say "like new" and make sure the seller has a high approval rating. I have been extremely lucky! The mac and cheese cookbook looks like it was never even opened!

This is the one I got. Click on "27 new and used from $5.00"

http://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Food-Cookbook-Macaroni-Potatoes/dp/0517228246/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216467598&sr=8-3

Here is another one - I was torn between the two, but for me hardback always beats paperback.

http://www.amazon.com/Macaroni-Cheese-Marlena-Spieler/dp/0811849627/ref=pd_sim_b_1

I got this book at the same time! It has amazing recipes for great and different types of grilled cheese and hot cheesy sandwiches!

http://www.amazon.com/Great-Grilled-Cheese-Innovative-Sandwich/dp/1584793384/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216473322&sr=8-1

Oh my goodness. I am going to get that second one. AND that grilled cheese one. I love mac and cheese. It is my favorite. The only reason I am not vegan is because I cannot give up cheese. Eggs and milk I can give up but cheese is my weakness.

OH GOOD!! I am glad I was able to interest you in new cookbooks!

The Grilled Cheese book is really awesome! I want to make most all of the sandwiches!

You know, I know you can just look recipes up on the internet for free, but I just LOVE having an actual cookbook to look through!

Some new pix. I rearranged the table.





Before I rearranged. I like that you can see some of my boy figurines!





Shyla in the carrot wig! She looks gorgeous!

Your new display looks gorgeous! I just love your office to pieces! It is a very special place!

I am so excited! I am going to get a gift certificate for my husband's birthday for a hot stone massage today! His birthday is Monday BTW!He loves those and I always struggle with what to get him! I will also stop at the fruit stand and get some fresh berries. I will make his chocolate torte tomorrow!

I am like you and FC Aerwin! I adore cheese and could never avoid dairy. I just choose some lower fat versions and use it in moderation, but regularly! Could not imagine living without milk and cheese. Just would not fit in with my Mediterranean diet style of eating.

I got this outfit for 15.00 for the new character...she will be a dark spirit. I am not crazy about the crushed velvet fabric, but love the cape and I think photographing it without a flash will improve how it looks. I have also decided on a black and white mohair wig I am going to get. I wonder when I will get the body, then I will get the eyes I want that are a maroon color. When I get her put together, I will need your help naming her.

EEEKK!! I can't believe you got that for $15!!!!!!!!!!! It's awesome!!

Thanks! I love my office too! I am cleaning out my desk drawers today. I just stopped in to check and see if you were here while I was cleaning.

A hot stone massage? I never even heard of one! I've been living in the cornfields for too long I guess Sounds great though! I think I would be more excited about the torte though! But that is just me

Oh, you know how I love to look for names!!

I have no clue how long it will take for my new doll's body to get here, but now I am getting excited! Now that the decisions for the wig and eyes have been made and I am acquiring clothes, as you know, the anticipation grows!

I also want a pinkish red wig for her and a black JPOP one I liked, but I will wait on those until the right deal comes along. There is another dress on Ebay I am following for Ellowyne that should fit that I like that starts at 22.00 starting bid. It is really pretty. My girl needs a white flowing dress too when she does her photoshoots with the unicorn...

Milo looks so tall with all his harem sitting down! It cracks me up!

Quote :

I am not crazy about the crushed velvet fabric

OOOH That would make me love it more. You know those retro crushed velvet bedspreads? I love those. My husband however will not let me put it on our bed. heh.

FC I cannot wait to try that mac and cheese cookbook!! Like I said meat and eggs were easy for me to give up but Lord I love cheese. Oh how did your son like that Weatherwoks shampoo? I think it works fairly well.