Yesterday We Celebrated Our Would Be 16th Anniversary

My husband and I had a whirlwind romance, which resulted in us getting married four months after we met.  No, I wasn't pregnant.  Everything was so magical and amazing that we just went for it.  We hadn't even gone to the movies before we got married.  I still can't believe it happened the way it did.  We got engaged after our first official date, which was a concert to see the Stylistics, The Delfonics, and a few other folks. At the time I was looking forward to our 10th and 15th year anniversary.  We decided that year fifteen I would get another wedding band to match the one I had.  Sadly we only stayed married 4 years.  When what I believed was our would-be 10th anniversary (turns out it was our 11th), I called my ex-husband out of the blue and told him we needed to celebrate.  He didn't really want to, but we did.  We went out to dinner and I insisted on paying for my own dinner.  I guess I should have paid for both since it was my idea.  He was noticeably nervous the whole time.  I remember saying, "What's wrong.  It's not like we haven't eaten together before."  After dinner, I said thanks and I will see you in five years to celebrate again.  Well that five years was June 2011.  We tried to celebrate it then, but life got in the way.  We finally celebrated our would-be 16th year anniversary yesterday.  He cooked me a really nice dinner complete with freshly brewed Jasmine tea and wine.  He was much more relaxed than he was five years ago.  We had a really nice time.  I sure hope we are both here to celebrate our would-be 21st anniversary.

June 26, 1995. I was 26 yrs old.  We had an outdoor wedding at the park.  We rented two pavilions. One for the ceremony and one for the reception.  It was the kids idea and it was fine with me.

I made the invitations.

My brother gave me away.  My husband sang me down the aisle to "A Whole New World".  This was the first time I had my hair cut that short.  It's hard to see here, but it was an awesome cut!  The back was layered for days.

My twelve year old stepdaughter, Alicia, played the flute for our musical selection. My 16yr old stepdaughter, Angelica, was the videographer.  It really was a family affair.  All of the kids played a part.  

Lord knows I didn't remember what my cake looked like until I took out the pictures today.

We were sooo happy that day.

Hard to see my ring, but it is a beautiful champagne diamond ring and my wedding band had diamonds all the way across.

I had a serious tan that day.  So did my ex, but he needed one.  The kids really made me feel loved and wanted from day one.  This is the daughter who recently called to tell me she was getting married in this same park as a tribute to us.  She also asked for my help because she didn't know anything about weddings.

My 8yr old stepdaughter Carmen holding my dog Teddy.  He doesn't have on his doggie tuxedo like I thought.  I remember now that I got the doggie tux shortly after I got married.  That is my then 10 yr old stepson, lil' Russell.  He used to have a big curly fro, and every time I see Julian (from my videos) I think, he looks just like lil' Russell.  All three seem to be in a reflective mood.

My ex with hair.  My ex has a lot of qualities that  Rod has.  He's very outdoorsy, a great cook, and a wonderful father.

Shortly after our wedding, I won a Service Excellence Award at Kodak and the prize was a trip for two to Disney World.  Who was babysitting the 5 kids, 3 dogs, and a cat?  The kids' mom, who stayed in our home with them the week we were away.  She lived over an hour away and it was just easier.  I have to say babysitting because at this point she was only attempting to see the kids about once a year.  See there is hope for Melanie, Rod, and Danielle.

Disney really is the most magical place I have ever been to.  This horse and carriage was just sitting outside our hotel.

We don't know these little girls, but we asked them to get in so we could take their picture.  So if Rod and Danielle end up in a horse and carriage you will know where that idea came from.

Here are my five full-time stepchildren.  My oldest, Angelica was 16yrs old and my youngest was Cedric who was 6 yrs old.  They were a fun bunch.  This was me introducing the gang to my mom for the first time.  Imagine her surprise.  

I didn't get the ring on my would-be 16th year anniversary, BUT, I did return my ex's wedding band to him yesterday.  So there was a ring exchange.  He had no idea that I had it.  When I took it, 11 yrs ago my thought was always to pawn it.  I am very glad that I didn't.  Now if I could just find my rings..... 

After The Bachelorette Party

"Rod, what are you doing here?!" (Danielle)
"I didn't know I needed a reason to be here." (Rod)
"You don't.  I just wasn't expecting you." (Danielle)

"I wanted to make sure my lady got home safe." (Rod)
"That's sweet of you.  Are you sure that's the only reason you are here?" (Danielle)
"Well, I also wanted to make sure you didn't bring home any leftovers." (Rod)
"If by leftovers, you mean men, I wouldn't have brought them here with my mom and the kids.  I would have gone to their place." (Danielle, smiling)

"Oh really?" (Rod)

"Wow!  I think I need to go away a little more often."  (Danielle)
"How much DID you have to drink tonight? (Rod)
"I'm going to check on my mother.  I shall return." (Danielle)
"Hurry back." (Rod)

"Mom, what are you still doing up? (Danielle)
"Hello sweetie.  You know I don't sleep well.  I'll take a few catnaps throughout the night and I will be fine.  How was the party?" (Mom)
"It was wonderful.  Leslie did a really good job.  I wish you would have come.  They would have enjoyed meeting you." (Danielle)
"My bachelorette party days are over.  But I can't wait to meet all of your friends." (Mom)
"Did the boys behave."  (Danielle)

"The boys were fine.  Jacob was a little fussy before bed, but he fell asleep pretty quickly.  And of course Julian was Mr. Helper." (Mom)
"Glad to hear it." (Danielle)
"And poor Rod was a wreck.  I don't know what he thought you were going to be doing at this party." (Mom)

"That's funny.  I must say those Salsa dancers were pretty caliente!  I don't think my hips will ever be the same after that."  (Danielle)
"Well you may not want to share that with your husband-to-be.  His imagination was already getting the best of him."  (Mom)

"Well goodnight, mom."  (Danielle)
"Goodnight sweetie."  (Mom)

Wedding Colors and the Leopard Handbag

In case you didn't know, the wedding colors are pink, gray and white.  I found this gift bag at the $1 store a couple days ago and thought it was perfect to use to decorate the reception hall.

This was the initial $1 store item I bought months ago that steered me towards the pink and gray color scheme.  I still may add some hot pink in the mix.

I sleep with many things.  My laptop, magazines, an occasional doll, etc.  It makes life easier when I can't sleep.  I just roll over and start working.

This is one of several magazines that I have been sleeping with the past couple of months.  It is dated 2006. 

I was shocked this morning when I looked at the magazine pile and realized the handbag on the front was almost identical to the one I received as a gift a few days ago.  See yesterday's post for details.

No wonder I got teary-eyed when I first saw that little purse.  Let me go see what else I can put in my bed to see if it will come to me.  I wonder where Darius is.

My Asian Community Just Got Bigger

My Asian community just grew thanks for a recent dollypusher friend.  First of all, this is the name she used for herself.  I just happened to agree with her.  What is a dollypusher, you ask?  It's very similar to a drug dealer. LOL!  It is a person who recognizes that you are addicted to dolls and sets out to offer you dolls for sale, knowing that with the right deal, you will crumble in a heap and holler 'uncle'. She initially offered me two different dolls, that I wasn't interested in buying.  The second doll was a Janay doll, very similar to my Antoinette doll.  I said no, to both dolls.  She mentioned that she would be sending me a little package of goodies for Morristown.  Yippee.  So like any good doll addict, I asked her if she had anything else for sale.  She mentioned a Kyori doll that I thought was a decent price, but with the Canadian shipping, and the fact that she is not on my list, I was okay saying no.  Not to mention, most of my Asian dolls are on smaller bodies.  An Asian doll on an FR body just wasn't what I needed.  She replied that she had been rebodied on a DG body.  Hmmm.  That's interesting.  After seeing pictures, I told her to give me a few days to think about it.  So I went to ebay to check to see how good the price really was.  Turns out the price was really good.  But I still thought of all the things on the list that I could put that money to.  Let's face it, we weren't talking about a $20 doll.    

This is my Asian community.  It is growing by leaps and bounds.

Here is Chang (dang he fine) with his younger sister to the right, his daughter to the left, and his wife Sunni in front.

This is dad to four of the ladies. I haven't named him yet.  He owns most of the Asian cuisine restaurants in Morristown.

This is one of his daughters, with her husband, who happens to be Chang's younger brother.  They are pictured with their daughter.

This is daughter #2, with her two daughters.  She probably has a husband, but he's not here yet.

Daughter #3 is the youngest of the four.

This is Tori and her mom, our town pediatrician.  That Tori doll is gorgeous! This picture doesn't do her justice.

This is the pediatrician's sister, with her daughter and granddaughter.

And here is Kyori!  She is daughter #4.  She is an actress.  So back to the story.  After checking out the price and thinking about it, I decided to buy the Kyori doll.  But every time I got ready to send the email that said I would buy her, I would stop in my tracks.  As you can see, I really didn't NEED another Asian doll.  My community had been progressing quite nicely and within my budget.  The dollypusher must have been able to sense my dilemma.  All of a sudden I get an email that says, if you buy Kyori, I will throw in Yue Sai Wawa, a Japanese doll for free, and I think I can find her an articulated body.  It was a wrap after that!  What do we dolly addicts like to hear?  Free and articulated.  Heck, we all know she could have probably just thrown in an articulated body without a head, and gotten me to say yes.

I am very happy that my dollypusher enticed me, because this doll is gorgeous!  

Here is Yue Sai Wawa.  This isn't the best picture of her, but my what a nice doll she is!  She has a nice sweet young look to her.  She will be the younger daughter to the pediatrician's sister.

And as promised, my dollypusher did have a wonderful care package for the ladies in Morristown, which wasn't dependent upon the Kyori purchase at all.  I am only sharing a few items.  There were some clothes, shoes, other accessories, and a few more purses that didn't make either picture.  When I saw the purses, a let out a squeal of delight.  I love dolly handbags and these will look nice in Ni'Chalet's.  Racquel may have to expand her shop soon.

Here are a few more purses and a cute Asian chest.

Oh goodness, we have an intruder....

Dominique came to get the leopard handbag.  She has been lurking around my sewing machine trying to see if I have started her wardrobe yet.  Now that she has claimed the handbag, I know she is not going to let me rest until I make her some clothes.

Special thanks to Megan for being such a great dollypusher.  I love both dolls and all the great items you sent for the ladies!  Much love to you.

My Valentine's Gift to You.... A Bridal Shower Video

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.  I had plans for a mini Valentine tribute, but that is not going to happen.  Most of the couples in Morristown are celebrating the day.  The guys flooded the flower shops and the ladies at least looked at new lingerie.  Most of them didn't buy anything remembering what a waste it ends up being for the amount of time it is actually seen.

I did finish the bridal shower video.  I'm glad it's over.  I didn't make any new food, except for the bridal cake.  It didn't come out as planned, but it's there.  I successfully added balloons which I am ecstatic about. I needed one more balloon, as you will see in the video, but I couldn't make one more thing for this video, not even a balloon.  I just wanted to get finished.  I am imagining the balloon popped as she was putting them up.  

Leslie, being the maid of honor, was in charge of the affair.  She decided to just have it in her backyard.  The weather has been unseasonably warm and  she decided to take advantage of it.  Debbie of Black Doll Collecting, I think Sunni is wearing another outfit from your box.  I tell you it is the gift that keeps on giving.  I never imagined I would use so many of the items so soon.

So here are my balloons.  Almost looks like I blew them up, but I didn't.  They are oval Easter eggs from Hobby Lobby.  I bought a big bag with pink, blue, green, yellow, and purple.  Perfect balloon colors.  The bag of about 20 cost 87cents.  This week all the Easter stuff is 40% off, so it will be even cheaper.  I've attached straws as handles for the moment.  There are better options, but I couldn't think of them in my time crunch moment.  I cut the straw tops so it would spread a little bit over the end of the egg.  I put a little glue on the egg itself, then I secured it with tape.  I'm excited to have an easy way to make balloons.

Back in November I saw Paulette of limbe dolls at a doll show.  There she presented me with a St. Regis lace ensemble to give to Danielle from her doll alter ego Paulette, who lives here.  She also made a card with it's own little envelope.  To say I was impressed is an understatement.

This is the inside of the card.  Can you say adorable?  

To see what Danielle's ensemble looks like and to see a tutorial on how to make your own, visit the post entitled "I'm Your Woman"  at limbe doll's blog.

To see what other goodies Danielle received on her special day, you have to watch the video.

WOW!  I can't believe YouTube picked this picture!  Incredible.  I love when the stars align and everything is just perfect.  Someone would think that I planned this, but I didn't.  I just got goosebumps.