Meanwhile Back at Hotel Monaco...

With all the guests that are headed to Morristown, I was a little concerned about not having enough food at the reception.  I alerted Adele to the potential problem and she jumped into action.

Paul is the head chef at Hotel Monaco.  He is taking a call from his boss, who announces she is on the way down.   Oh, this can't be good.

"Hey Paul.  So how are things going with the Taylor reception?"  (Lauren)

"We are doing well.  We are pretty much on schedule."  (Paul)

"Well, I hate to do this to you, but I just got a frantic call from the wedding planner and it seems like they need to add about 30 more people."  (Lauren)

"They need to do what!  There's just no way.  I can't prepare food for 30 more people." (Paul)

"I know it's a major inconvenience,  but we need to figure out something fast."  (Lauren)

Paul walks around the kitchen thinking.  Lauren isn't too far behind him.

"You know you are going to owe me big time if I pull this off."  (Paul)

"I wouldn't ask you if I didn't trust that you could work your magic."  (Lauren)

"You don't have to keep buttering me up.  I will figure out something." (Paul)

Lauren is elated.  She thanks Paul then heads back to her office hoping there isn't another crisis waiting for her.

Paul has been here for over a month now.  He's been hanging out with his wife and two kids.  No time to chat now.  He has to get back to work preparing more food for the out-of-town guests.  Can't wait to see you guys!

Lauren is wearing another wonderful outfit from Gabi-mates.  I have been meaning to share the whole outfit with you, but haven't gotten around to it.  It comes with an awesome vest coat, leather boots, and a leather handbag. 

Daddy's Home!

It was an interesting morning as I attempted to give some of my new doll heads bodies.  It was a very trying experience.  I was trying to use bodies that I had on hand until I get new bodies.  The problem with some of the action figure bodies is the height.  Some of the bodies are shorter than the Barbie bodies.  Spending $20 - $50 on a body that turns out to be shorter is not something I want to do.  So I may have to get real creative to get what I want.  

Racquel's husband has finally arrived in town and we are all thrilled.  What a hunk!  Racquel may have some problems keeping the single ladies in check.  Where's Halle?  Has anyone seen her lately?  Maybe she skipped town.   That could be a good thing.

Here he is in all his glory.  I tried him on several bodies.  None of which really worked.  The body that his head actually fit made him shorter than Racquel.  He is currently on Darius' body, which he will not be keeping.  His head doesn't fit this body.  I have it rigged so that it works.  If I can find an Integrity body that is not so expensive, I will creatively alter the body and/or the head to make this body work.  It is a great height for him.  For now, he and Darius will share this body.  At some point they will need to be in the same scene together.  He will need his own body by then.

These are my new dolls.  The gentleman on the left is the action figure I introduced you to a week ago.  He is really nice looking.  Forgive me for having him in that awkward pose.  He didn't make a great dad for Leslie.  I haven't figured out what role he will play yet. I really like him, but there are a couple of downsides.  First of all, his head is a tad small.  Secondly, his feet and shoes are one and the same.  Sort of like Bratz doll.  This is kind of odd for action figures. 

His feet are incredibly big.  Good thing they are nice shoes since they aren't removable.

I love this face.  I took a chance on buying her head.  I don't like the female action figure bodies, so I wasn't sure what I would do with her.  She is on a LIV body, but I had to cut away parts of her neck in order to make it work.  It turned out really well!  Now I have an Asian teenager.  I love Momoko dolls, but they are not in my budget.  This is my substitute for the Momoko doll.  She is about 18 years old.

Last, but not least. is Grandpa.  This is Leslie's father.  His body is temporary too.  I just had to use something until I can get a body that works better.  I am really excited to incorporate grandparents into the stories.

BB 2.5's Husband Called. He is on the Way!

Sometimes the stars just align up perfectly.  Today has been one of those days!  As you know, Barbie Basics 2.5 arrived yesterday and I desperately wanted her to have a husband.  I had someone in mind before she got here, but after seeing her in person, I wasn't sure about my choice.  This morning I took a look on the internet to see if I could find her a suitable husband.  I ended up on ebay.  I saw a couple of unpainted head sculpts.  One was of Denzel and one of Will Smith.  Don't get excited, I said UNPAINTED head sculpts. I wasn't sure that I wanted to take on that task, but at $19 shipped, I was at least willing to look at the guys other items for sale.  Low and behold, there he was!  My male holy grail!!!!  It was just his head, but I didn't care.  It won't be hard to find a body for him.  I think I have one here that will work.  I had totally given up on ever having this guy.  He has been so hard to come by.  The going rate is about $200, last I checked.  The painted head's starting bid was $29 shipped!!  Unbelievable.  There were 6 hours left on the auction and there weren't any bids yet.  With an hour left on the auction, I found myself getting very nervous.  There were still 0 bids.  I never bid until an auction is almost over.  Thirty minutes to go and I started getting worried that I would completely miss out on even putting in a bid.  What happens if my internet stalls right before I get my bid in.  I started dreaming up all kinds of "what ifs".  So at 22 mins to go I put in my maximum bid of $35.  And I waited.  Three minutes left.  No more bids.  Two minutes.  One minute.  WHAT!!! Some fool is trying to steal my doll at the last minute. (If that person is reading this post, I apologize for calling you out your name.)  Unfortunately for them, their maximum bid was $35, too.  So it went to me.  I WON!  I WON!  Oh, I need a drink now.  Even though I didn't think I would ever have this guy, I would have been in mourning if I would have lost him at the last minute.

Isn't he just gorgeous!

So he and Barbie Basics 2.5 are married and have been living in Atlanta for the past 5 years.  They are both originally from Virginia, and they are returning back home.  She and Antoinette are best of friends.  They went to high school together and have remained friends ever since.  We will definitely find out more about this couple soon.