Meet The Daycare Staff and Shannon's Mom

Let's meet the staff at the new daycare.

This is the full time staff.  Cassandra (Aviator Barbie) in the middle manages the facility and helps take care of the toddlers.  On the left is Samantha.  She mainly works in the infant room.  On the right is Daphne.  She works with the toddlers.

Faith is a part time worker. She is studying Early Childhood Development in college and this is was the perfect job for her.

I had to show this picture.  Looks like they had a few kids arrive early this morning.

Shannon was reunited with her mom this morning.  If you read my post a couple Sundays ago, you know that I regretted leaving this Barbie Basic at a Big Lots 40 mins from where I live.  I felt she would make the perfect mom for Shannon.  Of course I thought with all the Barbies I have, surely I have this face mold in my stash.  Believe it or not, I didn't   So hard to believe considering the number of dolls I have.  Yesterday I found myself right near that same Big Lots.  I decided to run in to see if the doll was still there.  And there she was.  Shannon was happy and so was I.    

Melanie Seeks Help

Last week after Melanie dropped Nicole off for her horse riding lesson, she scurried to a meeting she scheduled with Tina.

"So Ms. Taylor, what brings you in today?" (Tina)

"Well, I'm having a terrible time dealing with my ex's upcoming marriage and I fear it's starting to affect our daughter." (Melanie)

"I see." (Tina)

"This is my first time speaking to someone like you.  Before we start, I have to ask if our conversation will be kept private." (Melanie)

"Of course.  We believe in totally privacy.  Not only that, we are bound by law to protect your privacy." (Tina)

"Do you mind if I get comfortable?  I always said if I ever found myself in a place like this, I would lay down on the couch." (Melanie)

:"Please make yourself comfortable." (Tina)

"So if I am being totally honest, I HATE that my ex is getting remarried." (Melanie)

"Why do you think that is?" (Tina)

"Well up to the point when he got engaged, I always felt that I could get him back if I wanted to." (Melanie)

"And do you want to get him back?" (Tina)

"That's just it.  My feelings about wanting him back haven't changed.  But I do worry that I won't find someone else to share my life with.  I just wish I had been the one to move on first." (Melanie)

"So no regrets about not being with him?" (Tina)

"Well maybe a little.  But I really think I just don't want him to be happy with anyone else.  I want him to be happy with me." (Melanie)

"But I thought you were unhappy with him." (Tina)

"Therein lies the problem.  I tried to be happy and at first I was.  But the simple life just isn't for me.  I need a challenge.  It got to be torturous coming home and doing the same thing day in and day out." (Melanie)

"So you would rather be tortured than to see him happy with someone else?" (Tina)

"Sounds crazy, right?" (Melanie)

"Sounds pretty normal considering." (Tina)

"You mentioned this affecting your daughter. How so?" (Tina)

"Well I find myself finding excuses as to why she can't go over as often as she would like.  This was never an issue before.  I don't want to interfere with the relationship she has with her father, but I hate that she is bonding with this other woman." (Melanie)

"Understandable.  What's her relationship like with your dad's fiancee?" (Tina)

"Seems like it's good.  Deep down I kind of wished she didn't like her.  I know that's a terrible thing to say, but it would make life a lot easier." (Melanie)

"Having your daughter hate her father's new wife to be makes life a lot easier for who?" (Tina)

"Everything that you are feeling is totally normal.  You are not the wicked ex-wife.  You are a person with genuine feelings.  You have acknowledged that even though Rod was a really good husband, you were miserable.  There is nothing that you have said today that would indicate that being back with Rod would make you happy.  At this point, we just need to work through these scary, but normal feelings that you are having.  I can help you with that."  (Tina)

"I am very concerned about how these feelings are affecting your daughter.  If she has adjusted to the situation, and it sounds like she has, you don't want to do anything to change that.  Trust me, it will be to your benefit in the future.  Not to mention, every aspect of her life will be much better if she is happy with her home life.  The one with you and the one with her dad." (Tina)

"And I know you are right.  That is why I came.  I don't want her to resent me and think I am trying to turn her against her dad." (Melanie)

"So I will put forth a plan for us to help you through this.  You will be okay." (Tina)

"I think so, too.  But there are times when I am not too sure." (Melanie)

"We will have you feeling better in no time." (Tina)

"Thanks Tina.  Just talking about it makes me feel a little better." (Melanie)

"How about we schedule another meeting for the same time next week?" (Tina)

After The Basketball Practice (Video)

I guess I should have warned you that I am moving at warp speed.  This is the second video in three days.  Sorry to bombard you with so many videos and photostories all at once.  (Hint. Hint.  There are a few photostories on the way.)   This is just a family oriented video.  After the photostory of David and his little basketball players, I wanted to have a video version for my YouTube fans.  

 I took a picture of this family a few weeks ago, but never shared it.  This is the town dentist that you met when Vanessa had to take Tyler in for a checkup.   Dillon, their son, used to be with another family that never got off the ground, so they were disbanded.  I think the husband has a couple of grown kids from a previous marriage.

I Will Be Salsa Dancing With The Stars

So I had to figure out how to sort of make this post doll related.  The Dancing with the Stars dolls was the best I could do.  No, I didn't buy them, nor am I going to buy them.  I am an avid fan of the show, Dancing with the Stars, which begins next week.  Since the show began I've wanted to take ballroom dance lessons and marry Maxim.  I had Maxim on my mind when the ladies at the bacherlorette party had salsa dance lessons at The Den.  You know I live my dreams through my dolls.

A couple of days ago I threw in a non doll related post about Google Offers.  It has opened up my eyes to some wonderful activities here in my area.

Guess what offer showed up today?  90% off Salsa dance lessons!  $25 for 25 lessons normally $260.  I hesitated for a moment.  You know fear can do that to you.  Then I bought it!  This is what I'm calling a full circle moment.

The lessons take place at the Academy Ballroom ATL.  This is their ballroom floor. 

This is Myron "Smoove" Abernathy, the Salsa teacher.  

You can see him in action here.  This was in 2009.

Lessons are on Thursday evenings for 1 hour.  I hope to start next week.  Wish me luck!  Thank you Google Offers!  I wonder if I will find my Maxim there.  Have you stepped out of your box, lately?

New "I Can Be" Fashion Packs

A couple days ago I ran across two new "I Can Be" fashion packs.  I really love what they are doing with these sets.  There is a third one,which is an Astronaut suit.  I didn't get it, but I do feel we need a woman astronaut in our midst.  Who better than Lt. Uhura!  She is actually an Aerospace Engineer who will find herself with an opportunity to wear the suit.  All three of the packs are only $5.87.  Not bad.

This pack comes with a really nice violin.  The dress has music notes on the bottom.  I know it's pink, but I don't mind.  I really got it for the violin.  I considered getting 3 so that I could have a little trio.  Still thinking about it.

Love the karate ensemble.  I considered multiples of this pack too.  Chang actually teaches karate at David's gym.  

I needed a new fashionista body, so I got this one.  Nothing special here except....

the shoes!  Can you say, perfect bridemaid's shoes!  

Of course the only problem is no one will see them under the long dress.  Aren't they adorable? 

What? Darius and Nikki are Headed to Aspen? (Video)

Well it's about time!  They have been postponing this vacation for months now.  Seems like it is finally going to happen.  Nikki is finally using her new luggage she bought from D7ANA.  You know that fancy boutique in Philadelphia.  She just had to have it.

This series is dedicated to my dearest friend Byron.  When I met him in 2000, he was the president of the Black Ski Club here in Atlanta.  Two months after our first encounter, he and the ski club were headed to some country (I'm drawing a blank as to where) to go heli-skiing.  What is heli-skiing, you ask?  That is where you jump out of a helicopter onto the ski slope!  Imagine that!  Hmmm.  I think I will pass.  Don't get me wrong, I love to ski.  I haven't done it often, but it's totally exhilarating to go flying down the mountain without a care in the world, except for maybe that wayward tree you might encounter on the way down.  While on his trip, Byron sent me a photo of him bungeee jumping, too.  Again, I will pass.  

Darius and Nikki will not be jumping out of helicopters.  Nor will they be bungee jumping.  I'm sure they will have a grand ol' time just enjoying each other's company.

Not Doll Related: Loving Google Offers; Video Coming Soon

It's been about 2 months since I since I signed up for Google Offers.  This is a service that emails you daily discounted offers based on your personal interests.  There are other services like this as well.  I wasn't sure what to expect when I signed up, but I have been pleasantly surprised.  Most of the offers are 50 - 60% off the normal price.  Most of the offers that have appeared are food related.  Go figure.  I must have said I like to eat when I selected my interests.  LOL!  But occasionally I get an email about something really fantastic.  The kind of activities you would only find on someone's "Ultimate To Do List (UTDL)".  For instance, last month I received an offer for Hot Air Ballooning.  When I saw it, it momentarily took my breath away.  The price was really good and it was pretty close by.  Who knew?  BUT, Hot Air Ballooning is not on my UTDL.  Skydiving and Hang Gliding are!  So if those every show up, I am soooo there.

Guess what showed up this morning?

Nascar Racing Experience $199 for a three-hour driving experience ($399.99 value) 

  •   Drive an authentic NASCAR race car 

 •   5-minute timed racing session 

 •   Drive by yourself—no lead car to follow 

 •   In-car radio communications 

 •   Use at locations nationwide 

No, this isn't on my list either.  But could you imagine!  This Google Offer system really gets you thinking.  It also lets you know of some incredible things that are happening right in your neighborhood.  I am really considering expanding my list.  

So far I have only purchased one offer.  It is to a Tea House here in Roswell.  They have over 100 different varieties of tea.  The offer is for unlimited tea and you are served a 3 tier plate with scones, cucumber sandwiches, and some other type of pastries.  The normal price is $24.  The Google price was $9.  Can't beat that.  I was planning to go this week, but I may push it off until next week.  I will feel like some of  my dollies sitting there sipping tea and eating cucumber sandwiches.  This was on my list and thanks to Google Offers, I will be able to cross something else off the UTDL!

Just thought I would share in case anyone is interested in expanding their horizon.  Sign up for the emails is free.  

I shot a video last night and it's almost ready!!!  Should be up at the latest, tomorrow.

The New Daycare Opens Next Week!

The parents in Morristown are ecstatic about the new daycare.  Right now they have to take their kids to the daycare two towns over.  So having one right in Morristown will be ideal.   There are still a few finishing touches left to do, but they will be done in plenty of time for the kids arrival on Monday morning.  Let's take a little tour.

This is the toddler room.  It has been sectioned off into zones.

There is the miniature home zone for cooking and taking care of stuffed animals and baby dolls. 

I opened the little cabinet I bought from the Dollar Tree so you can see what a great piece it is.

Here is the crib and the stroller from the Only Hearts Club, that I recently bought at JoAnn's Fabrics.

Moving on to the rougher side of town....

Here you will not only find monster trucks, but you will also find cute little self walking monsters.

I think the cute little monster is terrorizing Elmo.  He looks awfully frightened.  Or maybe he just remembers the last abuse he took at the hands of eager little, fur pulling, toddlers.

A glimpse of the reading area. 

Right next to the toddler room is the infant room.  They are still trying to figure out the best layout for this room.  They still have to hang all the pictures and add a little more color to stimulate all those curious little eyes.

So come back next week.  The new daycare will be buzzing with excitement.   

Adele Checks on the Church

After the cake tasting session with Rod and Danielle, Adele and Sydney head over to the church.  Adele just wants to get an idea of how the wedding will flow.  

Seeing how big the church is in person, will also help her figure out if the guest list is too large.

She rests for a moment as Sydney plays in the aisle.

She takes a moment to reflect on her own situation.  The wedding has taken her home search a little off course.  Her husband keeps inquiring and she keeps stalling.  She's having a lot more fun with the wedding planning than looking for a new home.  And with the wedding only a month away, it's crunch time.  

Right now, she and Sydney both need a nap.  She's too tired to get up and leave.  Just a few minutes more.

Terrance and Racquel Relaxing on the New Sofa

After a long day at their jobs, Racquel and Terrance get a little adult time after putting Shay down for the night.  They are resting on the new sofa.

When I finished this sofa, I thought of Ralph Lauren.  Not exactly sure why.  It's a tweaked modern design with square contoured back pillows.  Currently available in my Etsy shop.

The two blue striped throw pillows are the same as the sofa fabric on the other side.  This gives a lot more versatility.  You can completely remove the back pillows and just use the throw pillows if your dolls are slightly taller than 1/6 scale.

Here you can see the square contoured back pillows.

"Honey, how do you like my new nightie." (Racquel)

"It's nice.  Come closer so I can examine it further." (Terrance)

"Closer...." (Terrance)

"That's better.  This is sooo much better than being in the office."  (Terrance)

"Well I sure hope so, or I'm losing my touch."  (Racquel)

"You are definitely not losing your touch." (Terrance)

"Have I told you how much I love you today?" (Racquel)

"Yes, but I love hearing it, so feel free to tell me again." (Terrance)

****Wahhhh****

"She can't possibly be awake already." (Terrance)

"Give me about 10 mins.  She just needs a paci and a little back rub and she will fall right back to sleep.  Don't move." (Racquel) 

"So where were we?"  (Racquel)

"That was quick and see I didn't move." (Terrance)

"I'm going to get a night cap.  Would you like one before we take this to the other room." (Terrance)

"Sure.  A night cap would be perfect." (Racquel)

I sure am glad they are moving off my new sofa.  They look so good on it, I may just have to make them one.  But this one is for sale in my Etsy shop.