Jetskiing and Racquetball. What a day!

Okay, so I broke down yesterday and bought a new playset.  It's the new 3 seater jetski that comes with the Stacy doll.  In my defense, I've been wanting the new Stacy doll with straight arms.  Purchased by herself, she is $10 with a bent arm.  She comes (with straight arms) in a set with Barbie for about $22.  Not interested in buying another blonde, unarticulated Barbie doll, so I never even considered buying that set.  So when I saw the jetski a few weeks ago, I was a little intrigued.  I wasn't happy about the $26 price tag, so it stayed in the store.  I decided to wait for a sale.

Did it go on sale?  No!  But with gas prices being what they are, I decided the potential $5 I would save when it went on sale, wasn't worth the headache and multiple trips to multiple Targets looking for it, just to say I got it on sale.  I would spend more than that $5 in gas alone.  Logic prevails and I got my jetski. and new Stacy doll.

I have to admit it was the inner tube that attaches to the jetski, that pushed this set from "do I really need another jetski?"  to "got to have it!".  Sometimes the little things do matter.  With Labor Day approaching, I'm thinking some of the families need to get out and have some fun on the water.

NEW PICTURE:  The jetski can also accommodate adult dolls.  Now Brad is a lot taller than most of the fashion doll men.  So the normal size man would probably look a lot better.  The waist holder is adjustable to fit small or large dolls.  Awww, can't you see Rod, Danielle and Julian or Nicole riding this.  Or Julian, Nicole, and Rod.  I wonder who I will put in the inner tube?

This is a new Barbie and Stacy set I saw on www.Target.com.  I haven't seen it in the stores yet, and have no plans to buy it, but thought it was cute, and it worked well with the jetski theme.  There are quite a few new dolls and doll sets out there, that aren't showing up in the normal channels.

 Now to the racquetball....

Yesterday, I FINALLY got to play racquetball for the first time in about 3 years.  Racquetball used to be my drug, I mean sport, of choice.  I would play 3 - 4 times a week.  When I wasn't at work, I was on the court. I played in local and national tournaments for a few years.  I briefly thought about trying to go pro, but the pay wasn't good enough.  So yesterday I played three games and it felt incredible, especially since I had contemplated selling all my racquetball stuff just a few months ago.  I was on the verge of giving it up completely.  I've decided to go out swinging!  LOL!

Dec 2010, I did a video with me and Leslie playing racquetball.  Since I couldn't play at the time, I decided to enjoy my sport through my dolls.  

The Ladies Reunite for some Girl Talk

Danielle and her friends have not seen each other since the wedding.  Danielle has put out a call to try to get all the ladies together for a drink.  

They decide to meet at this new local spot downtown.  It has a nice outdoor patio perfect for sitting and shooting the breeze.  Lisa and Sunni are the first to arrive. 

They chit chat a little before the other ladies arrive.

Antoinette and Danielle arrive at the same time.

They greet the other ladies then proceed to take their seats.

"We should probably secure a couple of seats from the other table if she isn't going to use them."  (Toni)

"Oh, that's India.  I need to say hello anyway."  (Danielle)

"India, how are you?" (Danielle)

"Well hello!  I haven't seen you since the wedding.  How was everything?"  (India)

Danielle gives her the politically correct response about how great everything was.

"Do you mind if I steal a couple of chairs?"  (Danielle)

"No, go right ahead.  I'm eating alone today."  (India)

Danielle takes two chairs and heads back to her table.

"Okay, now where's the waitress?  I need a drink!"  (Danielle)

"Oh, that doesn't sound good."  (Toni)

The waitress seems to be a little preoccupied with the bartender.

Toni, Lisa, and Sunni engage in conversation.  Danielle is a little perturbed about the waitress.

"Sunni, I hear business is really picking up in the real estate market."  (Toni)

"That is an understatement.  People are flocking here from all over.  My condo sales are through the roof."  (Sunni)

Leslie and Vanessa have finally arrived.

"Hello, hello.  The sexy people have arrived."  (Leslie)

Danielle gets up to give her maid of honor a hug.  She hasn't seen or spoken to her since the wedding.

"So good to see you, girl."  (Leslie)

Leslie grabs a seat and says hello to the other ladies, while Danielle says hello to Vanessa.  Of course everyone is happy to see Vanessa out and about. 

"Boy it is good to see you.  How are you feeling, hon?" (Danielle)

"So much better.  I'm still a little weak, but I had to get out of that bed."  (Vanessa)

"Hello ladies.  Sunni and Antoinette, I haven't seen you guys since the wedding.  You guys look wonderful." (Leslie)

Vanessa and Danielle take their seats, and Vanessa gets bombarded with questions.

"Okay woman, how are you feeling?  Are you sure you should be out here? "  (Lisa)

"I'm doing fine.  I just had a sinus infection that would not go away.  Truth be told, I probably shouldn't be out here, but I had to get out of the house.  I'll probably get a frantic phone call when Keith realizes I've slipped out."  (Vanessa)

"Well you take it easy and know we are here if you need us."  (Sunni)

"I know.  I think just being out with you ladies will help me get better even quicker."  (Vanessa)

"Ladies, are you ready to order, now?"  (Waitress)

"More than ready."  (Danielle)

The ladies put in their drink orders.  The waitress returns pretty quickly with the drinks.

"Alright woman, spill the beans."   (Leslie)

"What are you talking about?  What beans?"  (Danielle)

"What the hell happened at your reception?"  (Leslie)

"Oh goodness, I almost forgot about that fiasco."  (Danielle)

Danielle proceeds to tell the story about Freeman.  Antoinette chimes in occasionally to fill in parts of the story.

"Now that's trifling.  Why would you mess up someone's wedding like that?"  (Lisa)

"You poor thing.  I would have been livid."  (Sunni)

"Well I wasn't thrilled about it, but I had to support my husband.  Can you imagine not knowing where your dad was for all that time?  I couldn't be selfish at a time like that.  He's just too good to me."  (Danielle)

"Unfortunately, that is not all the drama we have had to deal with since the wedding."  (Danielle)

She takes a sip of her drink then proceeds to fill the ladies in on the Melanie drama.  Even though she is taking the high road on this one, it feels good to be able to vent to her girls about this.  

"Please tell me Melanie didn't do that?"  (Toni)

"I almost forgot that she was your sister-in-law."  (Danielle)

"Yes, but I have never condoned her bad behavior.  I swear, sometimes she just goes overboard."  (Toni)

"Wait a minute.  Maybe I didn't hear you right.  She said what to Julian?!"  (Leslie)

"You know I was ready to go over there and strangle her with my bare hands."  (Danielle)

"Girl, we can still go find her now!"  (Lisa)

"No.  I have since decided to try something a little different.  I don't want to be her enemy.  For the sake of all the children involved, I am going to try to handle this in a civil manner."  (Danielle)

"Well if that doesn't work, and she needs a beat down, call me."  (Leslie)

"Leslie, you have been watching too many of those Real Housewives shows.  Nobody is going to be beating anyone down.  I don't want to be bailing you out of jail.  Let's remember, she is an attorney.  I'm sure she'd be quick to file charges against you."  (Danielle)

The ladies continue their girl talk.  Shooting the breeze can be freeing.  Danielle is happy to get together with the ladies.   They have formed such a special bond over the past year.

Vanessa Gives an Update on her Sickness

"Hello everyone.  It's me, Vanessa, reporting to you from my bed.  Yes, I am still sick.  I've been trying to do the right things to get better.  Not much seems to be working.  Maybe it will just need to run it's course."

"This is my nightstand which is filled with some of the things I've been using.  I've also been eating chicken soup and plain broth."

"My poor nose is tired of being blown."  

"My husband and kids have been real troopers.  Well Alicia, hasn't been quite as understanding, but Tyler is being very helpful around the house.

"Tyler brought in his goldfish to keep me company.  I had to move him across the room.  The way the tissues were flying, I didn't want him to become a casualty.  Look at that dust!  Sorry, I haven't been able to houseclean since being sick.  Amazing how quickly that dust accumulates."

"I've been trying to get a little work done, but every time I wake up, my laptop is missing.  That's my dear husband who thinks I should do nothing but rest.  We work-a-holics don't get better by completely resting.  We have to work in between resting.  But I understand his concern.  After about 15 minutes of doing something, I need another nap.  Just getting this room ready and this night gown on to talk to you wiped me out."

"So I'm going to take a quick nap, so I can go find my laptop.  I'm sure someone from Morristown will be talking to you again tomorrow.  Me?  I will most likely still be laid up in this bed.  Have a wonderful day!"

Even Darius Was Relaxing at the Pool

Prelude:  After all the Danielle and Melanie drama, I needed a relaxing story.  So I went back to the pool.  This dio was still up because I knew I wanted to do one more story before dismantling it.  At the time I shot the pictures, the sun was perfect.  I had a good ol' time.  After finishing the pictures, I went ahead and dismantled the dio.  Then I went to the computer to edit and post.  DRAMA ensued when I realized all that time I didn't have the camera card in the camera, so I had NOTHING!  So much for a relaxing story.  My old camera would never let me shoot without a camera card.  This new camera just lets you go on your merry way, just shooting up a storm.  My first, second and third thoughts were, "I'm not doing it over".  But Darius was in swim trunks.  They really should see that.  So I redid the dio and shot pictures, again.   The sun was no longer perfect.

 My son, Tyler and his friend Dillon, are playing ball in the pool.  

China and her daughter, Taylor are there just enjoying the water.

Of course my daughter, Alicia, is harassing her brother every chance she gets.

Darius has a couple of days off, so he and Nikki came with Kendra to the pool.  She really wanted to get out of the house.

China's sister, Sylvia and her baby, Sophie are hanging out, too.

 

Jason and Lynn have just arrived with baby Layla.

"So how's the water?"  (Sylvia)

"Cold, but it feels good."  (China)

"Mommy, I'm thirsty."  (Taylor)

"Hand me the water, and I will give you some."  (China)

"Did you forget the juice?" (Taylor)

There is whining in the background.  Baby Sophie is looking for some attention.

"Honey, her swim lessons start in two months.  I was thinking we should bring her to the pool at least once a week to get her used to the water."  (Lynn) 

"What's wrong little mama?  You should be sleep by now.  Is it too hot?  Come on."  (Sylvia)

"MOM WATCH THIS."  (Tyler)

"Stop yelling.  I'm watching."  (me - Vanessa)

Alicia is quickly making her way to the ladder.  I jump into action to catch up with her.

"And where are you going, missy?"  (me-Vanessa)

"Are you sure you are ready for all that baby and toddler action, sis?"  (Darius)

"I am more than ready."  (Kendra)

 

"And when are you going to be ready?"  (Darius)

"Ready for what?!" Nikki

"Babies and toddlers."  (Darius)

"We already agreed that kids would not fit into our lifestyle." (Nikki)

"Well a guy can change his mind, can't he?"  (Darius)

"No.  A woman can change her mind, but a man does not have that right."  (Nikki)

The boys are taking a break from the pool.

"Mom, can Dillon and I play Xbox when we get home."  (Tyler)

"Dillon's mom made it perfectly clear that he is to come straight home after swimming."  (me-Vanessa)

"Can't you call her?"  (Tyler)

"DARIUS!"  (Nikki)

"Well, I'm waiting for an answer."  (Darius)

"These shoes cost $300 and they are not waterproof."  (Nikki)

"Wrong answer."  (Darius)

"Okay, okay.  I will reconsider our agreement.  Now put me down."  (Nikki)

"Do you really want me to put you down?"  (Darius)

"Yes, because I don't trust you around that water."  (Nikki)

"You can be so silly sometimes."  (Nikki)

"I just know how to negotiate and get what I want."  (Darius)

"Darling, that was not negotiating, that was blackmail."  (Nikki)

"It's the same difference.  We are just using different terms."  (Darius)

Jason and Layla are getting acclimated to the water.

"Honey, is it cold?"  (Lynn)

"Come in with us, and see."  (Jason)

"No, I can't get my hair wet.  I won't have time to do it before work tomorrow."  (Lynn)

"Your hair keeps you from doing so many fun things."  (Jason)

"I don't expect you to understand."  (Lynn)