Dinner at Vino's (Part I)

Julia, Jackie, and Christie arrived at Vino's early for their bi-weekly meeting to discuss the wedding plans.  The wedding is only a few months away.

A little background on the family.  Christie, Julia (Ann) and Jackie are the daughters of Julia.  Julia (Ann) the eldest was named after her Mother.  Her family calls her by her middle name "Ann".

Julia (Ann) and her spouse (Joe) have one daughter Julianna and one son Jacob.  They were were high school sweethearts.

Christie and her spouse (Curtis) the second born have two sons Darryl and Dexter.  Christie and Curtis were also high school sweethearts.

Jackie and her spouse (Charles) have five daughters and one son.  Nicole, Chandra, Dallas, Charles Jr (CJ), and twins Sade and Samantha (Sam).  They met their first year of college.  Charles and Jackie are also the proud grandparents of Ashley, Amari and Kaleb.

You will meet the families soon. 

*        *        *        *        *        *        *

Meeting at Vino's....the sisters have already ordered and have spent their early arrival time to chat and catch up on the latest happenings within the family.  Christie likes to gossip a little.  She has filled them in on the latest saga with Vino (restaurant owner) and his wives.

Christie (yellow dress), Jackie (red/white jumpsuit), Julia (Ann )(red top)

Jackie:  I wonder what is taking the girls so long to get her.  I have things to do.
Christie:  Oh, Jackie please.  The only thing that you do on Monday night is watch tv.

The sisters eat, talk, and laugh for about 20 minutes.......

Jackie:  Thank goodness they are finally here.

Julianna, Dallas, and Ashley arrive for the dinner 

Dallas:  Ashley, no running sweetie.
Julianna:  She sees her Nana, so Auntie time is over.  

Ashley:  Grandma, Grandma!!
Jackie:  Hey, Grandma's little pumpkin pie.  How are you Princess?
Ashley:  I am fine (giggle).

Julianna:  Hi Auntie.  My apologies for our lateness.  We had two late night appointments.  

Christie:  Hi sweetie.  I figured as much.  How are you?
Julianna:  Muah (kiss on the cheek) I am well.  How are you?
Christie:  I couldn't possibly feel better.

Julianna:  Hi Aunt Jackie.  Muah (kiss on the cheek).  You look lovely as always.
Jackie:  Hi sweetness.  Thank you and so do you.

Dallas:  Hi Auntie Christie.  Muah (kiss on the cheek).  How are you?  Mom looks mad (snicker).
Christie:  Hi Puddin'.  I am well.  Don't pay her any mind.  She has had two glasses of wine.   She will be okay.

Dallas:  Mother Dearest.... Muah (kiss on the cheek)  Why are you giving me the evil eye?
Jackie:  We have been here for over an hour already.  My favorite show comes on tonight and you know how I am when I miss an episode of Orange Is the New Black.

Julianna:  Hi Mom.  Muah (kiss on the cheek).  I am sorry that we are late.  I tried calling you.
Julia:  Hello.  Honey, my phone is in my purse.  It is rude to have it on the dinner table.

Ashley:  Auntie Christie, your hair looks so pretty.
Christie:  Thank you.  I love yours too munchkin.

Dallas:  Mom, you have DVR.  We are here now, and I am sure that Daddy will record it for you.  Oh, and I need to borrow this jumpsuit.
Jackie:  Rolls her eyes at that comment.  I hope your father records it for me.
Dallas:  Are you kidding?  Dad lives for YOU.

Dallas:  Hi Auntie (kiss on the forehead)  How are you?  I have the items that you asked me to pick up for you from Pinky's.  Your sisters are going to be envious. (giggle)
Julia:  Thank you Cookie.  You are such a doll.

After the greetings, and a second apology for their tardiness, Julianna immediately starts their wedding plan discussion.

Julianna:  Auntie, will you please start by giving us an update on the bouquets.  When can Jabari and I see them?

To be continued in Part II.

Thanks for stopping by.

Be blessed!  

All White Halloween Party

In October 2014, someone from one of the yahoo groups that I am a member of hosted an event where members were encouraged to post pictures of their So-In-Style dolls having or attending an All White Halloween party.  I was super excited and started to gather the things that I would need.  I took my pictures, was ready to load them up and BAM!  I was not able to post my pictures because I was still learning my then new computer and was not sure how to load them up nor how to actually post the pictures to the yahoo group.  Precious time is spent just preparing for a photo shoot so there was no way that I was not going to share these pictures.  So although a year later,  the season has rolled around again...what better time to share with you all than now.  Enjoy!

                    

                    

  

Kara (standing), Trichelle, Marissa, Grace, Chandra (standing)

       

Not SIS, but because I love her so....AND she is so darn pretty!

Furniture (sofa) by Van's Treasures

Thanks for stopping by.

  Be blessed.

Dollar Tree Find!

Look what I found at the Dollar Tree for $1.00!!!!  I was totally surprised.  I picked him up and thought, this can't be true.  I heard children running in the store and I thought at any given moment some little kid would come to me and say "excuse me but that is my doll".  I picked up a few items that I went in there for and made my way to check out.  I held my breathe as the cashier scanned my items and then....the doll.  She stated "I didn't know that we had these in here".  I said, "I am so happy that you do.  Do you have any more?".  She said "no, but we will probably get some more in our next shipment".  Can you guys believe it...$1.00!  Wow!  I am not sure who he will be in my stories or who he will date.   Here is a mini photo shoot of TJ.  I am thinking of calling him Kyle.  What does he look like his name should be?


              

Of course I had to give him some facial hair.

              

              

His friend Mike came by to give him a welcome.

As he was leaving he spotted Nadja

                 

TJ (for now):  Hello, pretty lady.  My name is TJ.
Nadja:  silence...
TJ:  May I please have a moment with you.
Nadja:  No! (She kept walking without ever looking back).

It didn't take him long before he bumped into Nikki who had plenty of conversation for him.  Those FR girls can be some mean girls sometimes.  Lol!


Thanks for stopping by.

Be blessed!

Sisterhood of the World Blogger Award

Thank you Debbie Black Doll Collecting for the nomination!  I am honored to participate.  :-)

Also thank you Shasha atelierniShasha for nominating me as well.

Award Purpose:  “Sisterhood of the World Blogger Award recognizes the unique voices of women bloggers around the world.”

What you need to do:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you, linking back to their site.
2. Put the award logo on your blog.
3. Answer the ten questions they have sent you.
4. Make up ten new questions for your nominees to answer.
5. Nominate ten people.

The questions that I have been asked to respond to are:

1)  When did you publish your first blog?
My first blog was published on June 12, 2011.  Wow, I did not realize that it has been 4 fours.  Time really does fly.

2)  What inspires you to write a post?
I am usually inspired by something that I have on my long list of projects.  I normally just flip through my binder and start the process of choosing who will be in the post and how I deliver it.

3)  Other than your blog, what else do you write?
I am not currently writing anything.  I have written a couple of poems and a couple of short stories.  I never finished the short stories.  Maybe one day I will revisit them.

4)  Has any of your other writing been published?
No.  I barely have shared them with others.  I use to be extremely shy.

5)  How long have you been a collector?
I have been an official doll collector since 1995.  I have always had a love for dolls.  My Mom purchased my last Barbie doll when I was 16 years of age....stating that I was too old for dolls.  Well that was then, she actually purchased several dolls for me as a adult collector before she passed.

6)  List everything you enjoy collecting?
I love, love teddy bears (my first true love before dolls), nickels, fabric (because I am not doing much of anything with it right now), unique ink pens, and collectible shoes.

The Right Shoe

7)  How do others feel about your collection?
My family does not have much to say about my collection.  I believe that they think it is cool.  Usually if one of my siblings come by for a visit with a friend, they usually ask me to  show them (the friend) some of my dolls.  As for others, they seem to be okay with it...atleast to my face.  Lol!  I have one friend who thinks it is silly and had no problem telling me so.  That gave me permission to express to her that I do not care what she thinks.  This is my hobby.  I absolutely love it and I do not care how anyone feels about it....next!

8)  If you could purchase anything you enjoy collecting, what would it be and why?
I would purchase the Nini Momo Atlanta doll that my friend Rita has for sale.  I just can't at this time pay that amount of money for a doll.  I am just not there yet.....sigh.

9)  Please share anything about yourself that you would like your readers to know?
I would like the readers to know that I enjoy reading each and every one of your post.  You guys are the best!!

10.  Share one thing about yourself that would surprise most people?
I am very modest, but if I could (had the right body and age was not a factor) I would love to get a belly ring....don't judge!   Of course that will never happen.  Lol!

My ten questions for my nominees are:

1.  What inspires you?
2.  If you could have one wish to come true what would it be?
3.  Who is your number one hero and why?
4.  What is your favorite thing to collect for your dolls?
5.  Who is your favorite doll artist?
6.  What is your ultimate grail that you would love to have?
7.  Name one word to describe yourself?
8.  What is your favorite snack?
9.  Have you ever been embarrassed about your collection?
10.  Are you a "player or displayer" (in the famous words of Jewell).


Most bloggers have already been nominated so I am going to list a few.  If anyone reading this and you have not been nominated, YOU are it!

Nominees for the "Sisterhood of the World Blogger Award" are:

Tracy India 
Valsays
Emma

Thanks for stopping by!

Be blessed!  :-)

Vickey

I introduce to you...Troy (and Mike 2)

Yep, two post from me in one day...No it does not mean that it is going to snow.  Lol!

I decided that due to my busy week/weekend, I wanted something to do that would be relaxing and not take too much energy.  Yes, my bedroom could use a little tidying up, but I wanted to do something that was fun.  I looked around my room and thought "now what can I get into".  I saw a Tuesday Morning bag in my chair and thought whatever is inside, I will debox.  I knew that the bag contained a few dolls.  The first doll that I pulled out was my Divergent dude.  I had totally forgotten about him.   I decided that I would customize him and add him to my story.  Tracy India left a post stating that "she could not wait to see who this Troy was that has Gracie all frazzled".  Hmmm, I thought.   He is cute, so I believe that this will be my Troy.

Divergent 2014

I decided to give him a total different look.  I wanted to change his hair color to make him more ethnic.  I decided to use a black sharpie to make it happen.  The following picture is a side view.  I was kind of nervous as to how he would turn out so I didn't take many pictures as I went along.

Side view - I should have taken more pictures

Back view - Tats are original

And here he is.....

Miquel "Troy" Maddox 

I fluffed out his hair with the tip of the sharpie which was serving as two purposes.  For one I was able to continue to change the color of his hair and two, the tip lifted the hair very well.  I still need to go around the edges some more.  It is a permanent marker, so I am a little hesitant to do so.

I decided that I like the look so much and decided to give him a little face lift.  I am very pleased at how he came out and Gracie is happy too.

Gracelyn and ex-beau (for now) Troy

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I decided to repaint Dallas boyfriend (Mike) as well.   The first pic is how he looked before.

Dallas and Mike
This is from my Happy New Year post on 1/1/15

First repaint - sorry for bad pic

Second repaint

Final - the mole under the eye was removed

Michael wants to show off his tattoos too.  Lol!  I put these on him.

Dallas can't stop looking at her man's new look.  I like how this repaint turned out in comparison to the first pic.

Thanks for stopping by.

Be blessed!