The Halloween Reps

"Happy Halloween, everyone.  Vanessa was sending me out to share the good and bad news.  I made her come along, since she was in charge of the Halloween celebrations.  The big party and trick-or-treating is not going to happen as scheduled.  Vanessa, our faithful leader, started preparing things well ahead of schedule, but it's just been really busy.  The whole idea of costumes, candy, and all the other treats planned, just became too much.  She did get our sock dresses made and a few decorations up.  Oh, and we did bring along a couple of our trick-or-treaters.  I'll go get them now."  (Danielle)

"So here is Jacob, my little tiger and Alicia, the lioness.  Julian was upset because he didn't get the costume he wanted.  Yes, he wanted a batman costume and they were out of it in his size.  He is pouting and saying he's not going trick-or-treating.  He will be okay.  So we hope you all have a wonderful safe Halloween.  Don't eat too much candy."  (Danielle)

The start of the Halloween table.

"Come on guys.  It's time to go."  (Danielle)

HAPPY HALLOWEEEEEN!!!

FYI: The window backdrop came with my Todd Sweeney barber chair.

Melanie Has Been Spotted (Photostory)

Shantavia has just arrived at one of the local spots.  She is meeting Naisha for a very late lunch.

"Are you sure you don't want that drink now?" 

"No, my friend should be here soon." 

Over in the corner there is another late lunch happening.

Melanie and Noland are celebrating winning their latest case.

"I must say, we made a formidable pair on this case." 

"The prosecutor didn't know what hit him  He thought he had this case won, for sure." 

They both start laughing.

"There you are."  

"Hey, girl.  Let's grab a table."  (Naisha)

"Can I get you ladies something?"  (Bartender)

"Can we place our lunch order with you?"  (Naisha)

Over in the corner something strange is happening.  Noland has reached over and is now touching Melanie's hand.

"I like seeing you laugh.  I'm so used to seeing you be so hardcore in the court room.  It's good to see you relax." 

"Noland, please don't."

"Are you saying you haven't felt a spark since we've been working on this case?  I know I have."  (Noland)

"We spent a lot of time together over the past couple of months and it's not unusual for two people to get close under those circumstances."  (Melanie) 

Shantavia and Naisha placed their lunch order with the bartender then seated themselves.

"So are we going to take the girls trick-or-treating tomorrow?"

"Jada is going trick-or-treating with her dad, and I have a date with Bruce."   (Shantavia)

"Are you serious?  This Bruce guy has been cutting into our time.  I'm not sure that relationship is going to work out for me."  (Naisha)

"Leave it to you to make this all about you."  (Shantavia)

"So are you saying you won't go out on a real date with me?"  

"I don't know what I'm saying, Noland?

"Well, at least you didn't say, no."

Hmmm.  We will have to stay tuned to see what happens with these two.  Tomorrow we will take a closer look at Melanie's outfit.

New Playsets Found At Grocery Store

This is one of the new playsets called the Nursery School Teacher.  I ran across it today at Aldi's grocery store.  Aldi's is a discount grocer that carries mostly food and a few odds and ends.  They had a couple of the new Barbie playsets, a couple of Monster High dolls, some Disney dolls, and a few packs with a Barbie doll and a couple of outfits.  They were a little cheaper than retail.  The other playset available was the new Arctic Rescue set.  Both the playsets were $17.99.   I'm not sure why they were there since they are very new. 

It comes with two little girls that I found interesting.

They are about the size of the Happy Family toddlers.

Here she is compared to Jacob, who is the same size as the Kelly doll.

The baby is the one from the Mattel I Can Be A Babysitter playset.

They wanted to show a couple of their toys.  I don't know why they painted that baby's hair bright yellow.  Nothing a little paint and sealer can't fix.

The little playset is a nice size for the toddlers. 

There is also a little table in the set that changes from a lunch table....

to an arts and crafts table.  

Not much to say about the Barbie doll.  It's the standard doll included in playsets.  Would be nice to see something different.  All in all, it's a cute little playset.  I bought it mainly for the toddlers.  I like having different faces in town.

Adele Gets a Dress for Church

Did I tell you guys I am a collector of fabric, too?   This is not a desirable hobby I have.  It is what it is.  I always have these grandiose plans when I am in the store buying fabric.  By the time I get home I've usually moved on to a new project that doesn't involve fabric.  So one of my goals is to cut and sew something, from every piece of fabric I own.  Which brings us to Adele's new church dress.  I'm not sure what I originally had in mind for this fabric, but I loved the print and the colors.  I wasn't planning for this to be a Fashion Royalty dress, but I just love sewing for them. 

Not normally her style, but Adele said she can wear it to church.

I'm thinking of making Sydney a coordinating outfit, with the lavender being the main fabric.

Give us one last pose, Adele.

Sometimes I cut corners when I am sewing for my dolls, but not this time.  I made this dress as though I was going to sell it.  The bodice is lined in the lavender fabric.  All the seams are nicely finished.  I even ironed every little piece as I went along.  Patting myself on the back for not being a lazy sewer.  

What Happened to the MyScene Crew?

The other day I was undressing my Top Model Nikki doll.  She was wearing a beautiful light blue dress with a ruffle down the middle.  For a split second I was thinking it was a dress from one of Mattel's exclusive lines from many years ago.  Then I remembered it was a MyScene dress from a Madison doll I deboxed not too long ago.  Which got me to thinking.  Where the heck is the team that made the MyScene clothes and playsets?  Did Mattel fire this crew?  The clothes were stylish and well made.  The playsets were much sturdier and nicer looking than the Barbie playsets.  Just because the MyScene dolls are no longer, doesn't mean the clothes and the playsets have to disappear, does it?  Below are a few pictures of MyScene dolls, all currently available on ebay for sale.  None of them are my listings, or my images, but I just wanted to point out the clothing and a couple of playsets.  There are many more examples.  

Nikki wearing a MyScene dress.

They made the cutest little coats and jackets!

The men were very stylish.

Just an example of the quality of their playsets.

Hey Mattel, can we get clothes and playsets like you used to make for MyScene dolls?  Inquiring minds want to know.

Meanwhile at the Other Taylor Home.... (Photostory)

Danielle and the kids have returned home after a fun filled day with the neighbors.  Rod and Freeman are still out fishing.

Danielle has fallen asleep on the sofa.  The boys are upstairs taking a nap.  They were exhausted after running around all day.

*BRRRRIIINNGGG,  BRRRIINNGGG* 

"Oh goodness, I must have fallen asleep."

She can see from the caller id that it's Rod.

"Hello honey.  How are you guys making out?"  (Danielle)

(pause)

"That's great.  So you're on your way home?"  (Danielle)

(pause)

"We're fine.  (pause)  No. The boys are sleeping."  (Danielle)

(pause)

"Okay.  I love you.  I'll see you when you get here.  (pause)  Be careful."  (Danielle)

Danielle takes a nice long stretch before heading to the kitchen to do the dishes.  She figures she has about an hour and a half before Rod gets home.  This leaves enough time to do a few things upstairs and get dinner started.

She needs to do a couple loads of laundry, but decides to save that until tomorrow.

She wanted me to show you her laundry area just off the kitchen. 

With the dishes done, she decides to quickly check on the boys.

They are still fast asleep.  All that running around really tuckered them out.

"Awwww, look at them."  (Danielle)

Danielle contemplates waking them up.  Too much sleep and they won't be able to get to sleep later.  She decides to go start dinner first.  Waking up Jacob could lead to a cranky toddler and this in turn could make dinner preparations a little more challenging.   She first heads to her bedroom to straighten up a bit and then back to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

She decides on fresh fish for her and Rod, and hot dogs for the boys.  They don't get hot dogs often, so they will consider this a treat.

She is preparing fish that Rod caught the last time he went fishing.  

She hears keys in the door.

"Honey, you're home.  That was fast."  (Danielle)

"I guess I was anxious to get back home."  (Rod)

"So how was the trip?"  (Danielle)

"It was really good.  Dad and I were able to clear the air.  I think we are going to be okay."  (Rod)

"That's wonderful.  I know how much that was bothering you."  (Danielle)

"I missed you today."  (Rod)

"I missed you, too."  (Danielle)

After a sweet hello kiss, Danielle heads back to the kitchen.

"Ah, you're cooking the fish I caught."  (Rod)

"Speaking of fish, where is your fish from today?"  (Danielle)

"I let my dad have it all.  We still have quite a bit here."  (Rod)

"Ah, that was nice of you."  (Danielle)

"He was happy. Well, I'm going to go take a shower."  (Rod)

"Ok.  Dinner will be ready soon." (Danielle)

Rod steals another kiss before he leaves.

Danielle watches as leaves.

"You sure you don't want to join me?"  (Rod)

"I would love to, but there are going to be two hungry little boys looking for some food soon."  (Danielle)

"Ok, but you don't know what you are missing."  (Rod)