Have You Seen Color Infusion 2016?

I'm sure some of you have already seen the new "In The Mix" Color Infusion dolls that are showing up this week.  This is the first collection that almost has me opening up my wallet.  This is not a detailed review of the collection.  You can see more info about them on this blog post, if interested.  I just need to post something doll related and I'm still not feeling inspired to do much since Buttercup's passing.  I did get excited about this new set of dolls.....

Image property of Integrity Toys

I love all the outfits and accessories.

Image property of Integrity Toys.

When I saw this lady, Dree Hill, I immediately thought of Darius.  I think he would be very excited to have her in town.  Of course, fiancee, Nikki, gave me the side eye (which I painted away months ago, not sure how she pulled that off) and said, "Don't even think about bringing her to Morristown.  I told her not to worry, for $110 I could buy someone a new KidKraft house.  Lol.

Image property of Integrity Toys.

I like this lady, but I like her outfit more.

Image property of Integrity Toys

This was another standout for me. Again, not enough for me to open my wallet.  His name is Tenzin.  I'm looking forward to seeing him on other blogs in the future.

These dolls are available for preorder at the Integrity Toy dealers.  Here is a link to the list of dealers.  

Have a great weekend.  Hopefully I will feel like doing a story or two soon.

Sad Day in Morristown

"Goodbye baby Buttercup.  You will be sorely missed."

Remember Buttercup?  She was the little dog I rescued off the streets a couple years ago.  Sadly yesterday she took ill within a matter of hours and had to be put down.  It was so unexpected, which is making it so much harder.  She hadn't been even remotely ill.  She was her same perky self all day.  The vet said it was an autoimmune disorder and it wasn't anything that she ate.

She was the sweetest dog you would ever want to meet.  She loved people and always wanted to be held like a baby.  I nicknamed her 'baby' Buttercup.  She would just lay in your arms as long as you would allow.

Of the three dogs that are still here, two of them were her children.  Her daughter seems to be fine, but her son is still walking around looking for her.  He was a momma's boy and the two of them were thick as thieves.  Luckily he is really close to me, too, and I will have to give him a little more love in this time of sorrow.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!  I didn't have time to do a proper Valentine story, but I wanted to share a couple of gifts I received from my neighbor.  In 2011 I blogged about a Barbie crochet book that I have in my library.  You can see that post here.   I haven't found the time to learn how to crochet any of the items in the book, so I was trying to find someone who could crochet them for me.  I loaned the book and a Barbie doll to my neighbor a couple years ago.  She enjoys crocheting afghans.  I thought she might be a great candidate to either make the clothes for me, or to teach me how to make them. It took her a long time to get motivated to try the Barbie outfits.  After a year of very little progress, I retrieved my book.  She ordered her own copy, and finally tried to make the pink and black outfit from the cover of the book.  Her gauge was a little big and so was the outfit.  Roberta was happy to hear that.  She thought it was a perfect Valentine Day church outfit.  She didn't think a bright red outfit would be appropriate for someone her age to wear to church.  

After my neighbor finished the first outfit, which took forever, she crocheted the sweater, hat, and scarf, below in a matter of days.  She's taking a break to crochet some baby gifts, but I think she will be back to making Barbie clothes soon.  I'm excited because I finally have someone who will be able to teach me how to read a crochet pattern, so I can make some outfits myself.

Dasia's New Duds

Dasia has been fairly quiet, enjoying her ever expanding wardrobe.  She has allowed me to get a few other things done without requesting something new.  We knew that wouldn't last long.  It started with the fur, shown below.  Of course, she needed a nice dress to go with her fur.

A bronze, bodycon, ankle length dress.

The dress looks nice with her new fur.

I had this beautiful faux fur in my material stash.  Dasia was all too thrilled.

The Talk (Photostory)

Dinner is over and Danielle is relaxing with a cup of cocoa and chocolate chip cookies.

The boys are in their favorite room in the house, playing with their new cars.  Do you get the feeling their are a little spoiled?

These cars are the perfect size for the road on the rug. 

Rod volunteered to clean the kitchen.  He's almost done.  He's contemplating the upcoming conversation with his dear wife.

Upstairs Danielle is also anticipating her conversation with Rod.  She doesn't like being kept in the dark, and she wants him to come clean.

With the final dishes washed, Rod makes his way to the living room.  Danielle keeps her eyes fixed on the t.v. 

She takes a sip of her cocoa as Rod removes his shoes.  She has yet to look in his direction.

"So I'm here.  Let's talk."  (Rod)

"I'm listening."  (Danielle)

"And what is it that you would like me to say?"  (Rod)

"Rod! I would like for you to tell me what is going on with Melanie,."  (Danielle)

"You and I both know that Melanie is prone to going overboard.  I didn't see the need to discuss her antics."  (Rod)

"It mattered enough for you to discuss it with Tony and not your wife.  I think you owe me an explanation and an apology."  (Danielle)

"And what exactly am I apologizing for?  For protecting my wife and children from a hateful woman?  It is my job to protect you guys and I will never apologize for doing my job."  (Rod)

With those sentiments, Danielle's tone softens.  How do you argue with a man who just wants to protect you.  "I just want to be kept in the loop.  I hate being blindsided."  (Danielle)

"I will do my best, but you have to trust me.  When there is something important to tell you, I will.  Melanie is full of drama and sometimes she says things without thinking.  I just have to let it all play out.   Do you trust me?"  (Rod)

"Of course I trust you, but..."  (Danielle)

"No buts."  (Rod)

Rod starts taking the hot chocolate and cookies from Danielle.

"What are you doing?"  (Danielle)

"Didn't you just say that you trust me?  Just relax and go with the flow."  (Rod)

Rod puts Danielle's feet in his lap.

He then starts massaging her right foot.

"Mmmm, that feels good."  (Danielle)

Rod just keeps on massaging without speaking.

Danielle is in seventh heaven.  She decides not to let Melanie stress her out or bring a riff between her and Rod.  It's just not worth it.

As Rod starts pressing on pressure points, Danielle gets even more relaxed.  She leans back and closes her eyes.

"If you keep this up, you are gong to have a very good night, tonight."  (Danielle)

He looks up at his wife, without stopping the massage.  He's tempted to pick her up and carry her to the bedroom.  Then he remembers the kids are still up.  Dam*.  

Speaking of the kids, they have divided up the cars between them.  They each got three of the same color.  The extra colors were black and green.

"Are you ready to go again?  I'm ahead 4 to 1."  (Julian)

I found the cute little cars at the Cracker Barrel last night for $3.99.  I can't believe how perfect they are.  Looks like Rod dodged a bullet.  He's so smooth.

Dinner Time at the Taylors (Photostory)

Hey guys.  I've been a little off kilter lately.  You know how it is when your computer is acting up.  I haven't revived my computer yet, but I have a loaner for now.  I'm not able to use my normal photo editing software, but I did the best I could with what I have.  This is just a short story to lead us into the next two stories, which will happen before the weekend.

After the ladies left, Danielle prepared dinner for the family.  As soon as she heard Rod's car in the driveway, she sat his dinner on the table.  She was hungry.  Apparently, Julian was too, because he made his way to the table without being called. 

Jacob was a different story.  He was busy riding his motorized four wheeler he got for Christmas.  

"Did you wash your hands?"  (Danielle)

"Yep."  (Julian)

"The word is yes."  (Danielle)

Just then Rod enters through the garage.

"Mmm, smells good in here."  (Rod)

"Hi honey.  Hope you are ready to eat.  Dinner is ready."  (Danielle)

Before Rod can get his next words out, Julian starts screaming.

"JACOB, STOP!!!"

"What in the world?"  (Danielle)

"Mommy, make him stop."  (Julian)

Danielle looks over and sees Jacob ramming his toy repeatedly into Julian's pool table.  Clearly he hasn't quite figured out the steering system.

"I'll get him."  (Rod)

"Honey, just put him in his seat.  It's time to eat."  (Danielle)

"Whoa, nelly.  Let's turn this off."  (Rod)

Jacob looks at Danielle and laughs.

"Bad Jacob!"  (Julian)

"I don't think he meant to do it.  I'm sure he's sorry."  (Danielle)

Rod washes his hands and takes his seat at the table.

He grabs Danielle's and Julian's hands and blesses the meal.  

"Amen."  (Rod and Danielle)

"Amen!"  (Julian)

"So did you and the ladies have a good visit?"  (Rod)

"Yes, we did.  I got all caught up on all the happenings around town."  (Danielle)

"How was your time with your dad?"  (Danielle)

"Interesting, as always."  (Rod)

"Interesting how?"  (Danielle)

"I'm starting to think he has someone in his life, but he hasn't really opened up about it yet."  (Rod)

Rod turns to take a bite of his dinner.

"Hmmm, seems to be a lot of that going around?"  (Danielle)

Rod pauses.  He's not 100% sure what she is talking about, but he can tell from her tone that it's not good.

He looks up.

"What do you mean?"  (Rod)

"It's just something that Antoinette said earlier today that kind of caught me off guard."  (Danielle)

Rod is clueless.  He has no idea what she is talking about.

"Mommy, can we have ice cream for dessert?"  (Julian)

"I ate the last of the ice cream yesterday, but how about chocolate pudding?"  (Danielle)

"Chocolate pudding is for snack time not dessert time."  (Julian)

"Well excuse me."  (Danielle)

"Eat your dinner and I will find you something suitable for dessert."  (Danielle)

Rod has yet to take his eyes off his wife.  He is racking his brain.  Then it dawns on him.  Maybe his brother Tony told his wife about Melanie.  He's not sure if that's it, and he's not spilling the beans unnecessarily.

"Are you going to tell me what she said?"  (Rod)

"We'll talk about it later."  (Danielle)

Rod knows that look.  His wife is not happy.  He's pretty sure this has to do with Melanie.  They eat the rest of their dinner with very  little conversation.