The Orphans

Here are the orphans. Stella is wearing the yellow slacks she arrived in and a wonderful poncho from Jane.

The Steel Brothers Have Found Romance in Melton East

A week or so before I rescued the AFs from an untimely trip to the land fill, I found miss Lili Caron (far left) at the local Goodwill. She had a ton of Hula type hair that was nasty! As she was only 69 cents, I had to rescue her. I removed the worst of the hair which was full of rubberband melt and gave her a boil wave. She and Maximilliam hit it off right away. Not to be outdone by big brother, Maxim set his sights on Darla Baker, an amiable young blond who arrived in Melton shephearding a pair of young orphan girls. The 3 of them were from a charity thrift store and had been consigned to a box, unwanted by the Bratz-loving girls who freaquented the shop. They are Stella (10" Skipper, ) and Rowena ( Kelly sized doll in a molded riding outfit.) They are awaiting The migration of Meltom proper to find families. I will post a picture of them next.

New Guys, New Clothes

Here are 2 of my new (to me) AFs
On the left is Gregory Whitsett a GI Joe Storm Shadow Cobra Ninja.
In Melton, he is another survivor of the cataclysm that created The Island of Melton.
The mask (molded on in RL) hides disfiguring facial injuries.
Next to him is Maximillian Steel, my 3rd Max Steel. To distinguish him from his brothers, I have aged him a bit.
Back story: son of his father's first marriage, about 17 years older than Maxwell (1st Max Steel in storage in Albuquerque) and 19 years older than Maxim Steel (here in Bonham.) I found a group of 4 AFs thrown out in trash removed from a house that was cleared out subsequent to the eviction of some undesireables in the neighborhood. Gregory and Maximillian both have their right thumbs amputated at the middle joint. Very strange. Max's sweater is from Stelrolo; his pants were madse by me from a fabiic remnant and fabric glue (no sewing machine here yet, sigh.) Gregory is wearing a new Ken outfit. He looks like a ninja cowboy, LOL. I am in deep need of shoes for both of the Max Steels: Ken-sized if anyone has any extras. Also a pr. of shoes for a 10" Skipper. I am pretty broke right now, but could pay later once we get on foodstamps, hopefully this month as I have an appointment this week. I think I sent everyone my new address. Thanks in advance, those poor dolls make me shiver just looking at their bare feet. It is really chilly here, in the 20s at night when I do most of my dolly play.

Here is Mitzi hanging out in the Christmas tree---it is her first Christmas---she wants to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season from TuMani

All the Best to You

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year

Jane and the Dolton Gang

Repeats

Well I still haven't got Dolton decorated yet, just no inclination I guess. I never get into the Xmas mood until after the fact for some reason. This is last year's tree from the Heights, which is still sitting here, decorated LOL

Most of our snow (IRL) has melted and it is supposed to rain today, so what's left will disappear. But the weatherman has promised a White Christmas because another storm is approaching.

I'm still crocheting afghans for xmas gifts which of course won't be done, but we are not seeing the recipients until mid January so that gives me some time, yet.

Some of our stores here and in Toronto have decided to stay open 24 hours to allow for more shopping time and hopefully thinner crowds. I think it's a great idea and would definately be shopping in the wee hours if I had gifts to buy.

We are going to friend's places for xmas day and dinner, so I won't even have to cook this year. Which is good since I am working both xmas eve and boxing day (26th). I'm sure there will be people out wanting lottery tickets no matter what the season. I don't know yet if anyone won the $30 million, but I can tell you it wasn't me LOL

I'll be posting some pix from other years on the Dolton Blog.

TuMani news

I was finally able to get some home presents wrapped today as the past couple of weeks have been completely crazy. Last week I worked all week getting ready for our Christmas pageant at church. If three nitwits hadn't thrown away our costumes and backgrounds it would have been much easier. Luckily I was able to save one copy of the pageant itself. I typed and printed one copy of it and Jaime took it to work and made copies and then we laminated the front and back covers and sprial bound the pageant and music together. All our electric candles were also disposed of so I bought little flash lights and passed them out to the audience so they could see the music to sing along. All in all the pageant turned out well---it wasn't perfect but this year "all" children were included instead of just the preacher's two brats. They weren't too happy about not getting to be Mary and Joseph again this year but I picked the Mary and Joseph this year----it was a young couple that had a new baby. Sunday morning when everyone was getting dressed in their costumes it sounded like it was supposed to sound---lots of giggles and complete controlled chaos. After the pageant was over I kept the kids in their costumes long enough for all parents, grandparents, great grandparents and what not to get all the pictures they wanted---they were very pleased. Yesterday Jaime's company had their Christmas office party---it was the first Christmas office party they had every had --Monday I made twelve pounds of fudge to go into holiday tins for some door prizes and then Tuesday I made construction equiptment shaped candy for part of the food platters. She said they had a full house at the party ----there was some food left over so we ended up with leftover "little smokies" , assorted cheese and assorted crackers---we are having party food for supper tonight.

My picture today is of Stacey London and Clinton Kelly from TLC's "What Not to Wear" I think TuMani will have some new residents Christmas, too. Need more coffee.

Harry fits right in

Thought I would show you that Harry has made himself right at home here.

Very mild here today, snow is melting but there is more expected by the weekend. Supposed to stay mild for the rest of the week too.

My neighbour (Elly) keeps asking me where I put all the dolls that I am (constantly) buying. I tell her I always find a spot to fit them in! But one day my house will blow apart at the seams ha ha ha!

I'm off to work shortly. Check the Dolton blog to see the latest sweater I got for my Venetians!

Have a great day everyone, we're half way through the week!

New Venetian

As I said on the Yahoo Blog, Harry Potter has come to Venus to live. He was bought unintentionally as I was given the wrong doll. I had wanted Ron Weasley. But both are on sale @ MFD so I am going back on Thursday to pick Ron up. Venus needs males anyway. And since these guys come in Tuxedos, they will be dressed appropriately for the New Year's Ball. Or maybe for something else that I have in mind, hmmmm we'll see.

Harry is standing on his own. I draped his cape over his stand. The stands for these dolls are crappy. For the money that you pay for them, the least you could expect is a decent stand to hold them up! *rant*

Snowing Again in Dolton

Well I am finally getting into the xmas mood! I think LOL I found these blue snow flakes that Yvonne sent me and so added them to the snowfall scene in Dolton. I notice a few residents out walking in the snow. They better bundle up cos I hear it's gonna get colder!

Chapter 4 will be posted shortly on the Dolton Blog

New Additions to Dolton & Silkendale

As promised here's the pic of my latest residents! The superman is an AF doll kinda like Max Steele. Of course I decided to buy the Pink Ribbon Barbie even though she is exactly the same as the Healing Hearts Barbie. I wanted them to be twins but I think there is gonna be triplets as the 2007 Barbie in the blue gown is also the same doll. Only her hair is shorter. Still pondering that family issue LOL

Of course I couldn't resist a bargain. Both the HF Silkstone Barbie and the Fashion Insider Ken are going for $25 (plus taxes). Geez the suit alone for the Ken is worth that much! If anyone wants a Ken, just lmk cos there were still some left at that store.

Stay tuned as I have dreamed up a little scenerio.

Genevieve's Story - Chapter 2

Is now up on the Dolton Blog (2nd post for today - first is of a Dolton scene). Looks the pix are in the right place to match with the story line. Oh I do like this blog feature!
I'm off to work shortly. Have a good day everyone.

Genevieve's Story Starts Today on the Dolton Blog

Here's a pic from one of the chapters in Genevieve's story. You may remember that Genevieve has spent the last 6 months (IRL) in Tu Mani recouperating from a hip/leg operation. She had previously been in a coma for over 10 years. I have since written her a story of her past and what life should have been before her "accident" up to the present day, when she returned home from Tu Mani. And of course her future in Dolton! Check the Dolton Blog for the story and pictures to go with each chapter.

2008 Dolls

Here's a couple of new gals that Mattel is releasing next year. What you think about them?
I do like this gal, she's called My Melody Barbie. She retails for under $40 so not too bad.











Tarina Tarantino Barbie, what can I say? With Tarantino in the name you know it's gonna be gaudy LOL I do like the hot pink hair though. But the outfit "GAG" *puke*

Shameless eBay Plug & New Blog

Fashion Editor Silkstone - deboxed but complete with box, stand and COA:
http://tinyurl.com/2bg8vh
BIN or Best Offer, No Reserve!

I finally got around to posting some entries to my Craft Blog:
http://dianestanley.blogspot.com/

I'm still nursing this darn cold (flu?) and busy crocheting some baby items for Brianna & Chris's friends' newborn. My first time making booties LOL

Enjoy your Saturday! :)

Stories to Come

I am currently working on 3 different stories. One of course is the book I am writing which is mostly finished except to proof it. Plus there is Genevieve's story which is still in progress and another story which takes place in Venus that I started last year but have rejuvenated it with the new residents. For the next little while I will be posting tease or preview pix from each of these stories. Since the blogs put the entries in order as posted any story would be backwards from the beginning so these previews won't matter which order. But I will title them and let you know which story they belong too.

A few years back Marg, from MFD gave me a wonderful prop which has been sitting in the Heights for some time now. It was used as the stage for the Bratz Singing Group. The group has left to go on tour now (probably to Dolton Proper or most likely Bratzville) so I can now use this prop for my other stories as planned. Check out the Dolton Blog daily for pix. I may post the odd one on the Yahoo Blog for those of you who can't readily access the Google Blog. Comments (good or bad or suggestions) are always welcome! Sometimes things you (inadvertantly) say to me turn on light bulbs in my brain LOL

So we will start today's preview pix with the latest ad in the Dolton Chronicles as follows....

DOLTON HEIGHTS CLOTHING STORE
TO CONTINUE IN CELEBRATING THE GRAND OPENING OF THE LOFTON MALL, THE DOLTON HEIGHTS CLOTHING STORE WILL BE HAVING A HUGE SALE THIS COMING SATURDAY.
DROP BY TO SEE THE NEW FALL FASHIONS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE.
FREE COFFEE AND DONUTS WILL BE PROVIDED COURTESY OF JOHN’S COFFEE SHOP HERE IN THE HEIGHTS
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Note: this scene is still in progress (as it will be a big one) However I will be posting some pix of the shopper's and what they bought as "ads" for the store. This will be shown on the Dolton Blog.

A package from Canada!

Diane was so excited...a box arrived from Thornbecks...in it was a new dress along with several ponchos and boas!

Hmm...which boa to pick?

I like this one...

Thanks Jane!!!! :)

Come and See

I've increased the population of Dolton once again, tonight. Come to the Dolton Blog to see who she is. Also I've created a poll, that hopefully you will all vote on.
BTW check out MFD.net to see the new hunk that Tonner has made. I may have to add him to Venus!

Shoppingggggggg!!!

Well I'm off to MFD to pick up another future resident today *big grin* Check out the Dolton blog later this afternoon to see who she is.
Hint: She's a Venetian!
I am also posting on the Health Blog today. If you haven't been there for awhile you are 4 entries behind LOL
Catch you all later!

Snow Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!

Yahoo! Real snow! Jack even had to get the snow blower out as the stuff was heavy. Snowball and snowman type! It snowed all across Canada last night even on Vancouver Island (hahaha).

Only 4000 Made

Anybody seen this gal?

Anybody Seen This?

Has anyone seen this Ken outfit? I sure am interested, if you have.

Riley and Friends

The toy fairy came by yesterday and dropped off 3 cute little ponies for my Riley/Kish dolls to play with. They are Grand Champions: Sunny (Arabian), Rusy (westphalian) and Sandy (mustang).

TuMani news

Queenie and Wolfie have new neighbors---Snoopy and the Peanut gang have moved next door. Last Saturday when Jaime and I took off trash there was an almost new filing cabinet at the dump and it insisted that it come home with us. It has been sitting in the garage and this morning I inched the table with Queenie and Wolfie's house over enough to get it to sit beside it. I was able to get all the stray spray gathered up and put in the bottom drawer and the grass clippers and hedge clippers in the top drawer. If you look closely you will see a couple of dogs from Family Guy visiting as well as my very old dress me doll---she is wearing the yellow gingham bonnet and dress. When I was moving the table with the large house over I was lazy and didn't take all the dolls off it or unload the table and of course the dolls fell over---boy did that tick them off. I told Meg they were turning the air blue out in the front---said something about they knew there were earthquakes in California but thought they were safe in Tennessee :)

What! Another Shopping Spree!!!!

Yessireeee! I was at it again! Took my neighbour to Sq. One and of course the only thing open that early in the morning is Walmart! Well I did need bread and cat treats, so what better excuse to go in eh! LOL

WM had toys on sale!!! Population of Dolton increased by 1 And I got a few other goodies too. The Bratz bathtub was only $5.00 Check on the Dolton blog to see if it fits any of my residents! Can you see the safety pin handle? It's so neat!

Then I hit TRU who also had a sale as I wanted to pick up an Xmas gift for someone so I decided to buy this baby room set as I had been eyeing it for a scene in my story! It was on sale too!

Oh and I saw the Day To Nite gals with the guitars, Barbie and the Raven haired gal. They are $25. there so I am going to wait and see if they come on sale.

Now I have to get ready to go to work. Snow is expected and the sky sure looks threatening! We'll see. The winds are strong again today so maybe it will pass us by! Oh the flurries are just starting as I write this!

Latest Poncho Fashion Show

With the chilly weather, my residents are happy to receive these warm ponchos. This time I made some for the smaller folks too.

Note: I will be posting later on the Health Blog, about Fibromyalgia. Stay tuned.

See Ya!

Here's Legolas Ken on his way to live in Crofton. He will be heading to the post office later this afternoon.

FANTASTIC!!!!

I went early this time to the big big big big not so big Toy Show, this time. I must have been inbetween crowds cos it wasn't packed. Neither was it as big as previous years. Still it was great. As per my usual routine I checked the perimeter before going up and down the aisles. Not much and I was starting to feel disappointed, but I knew better!
After purchasing some doll clothing and wigs from an elderly couple who are at every show, I started on aisles. Lots of cars, star wars stuff and really old antique junk that didn't interest me. But in the distance I started to see pink boxes, oh I knew what was coming. I took my time and....
Check the Dolton Blog to see what I got!
Hint: Dolton and Silkendale both got population increases!

Yep Another Shopping Spree

While a lot of Canadians are heading across the border for bargains, I found a few here! All our stores are having major sales to try and keep the shoppers here in Canada.

Check out the Dolton Blog to see pictures of the loot! And to see who is in the blue boxes!

Both Dolton and Venus got new residents. I'm in the mood to shop! Xmas is only a month away!

I was supposed to buy the Mistress of Ceremonies for the Jazzie Barbie series but she has a fat head and I really didn't like her. Oh well the other gals can still go on with the show! That scene will be coming up soon!

The Nascar Barbies were only $10 (11.50 with tax). If anyone wants one let me know! The Citrus Obsession will be a daughter for Rodina (same doll) and the Build a Bear is an xmas gift for my friend Debbie's daughter. And the two new Venetians are from the Alice in Wonderland Series.

The clothing is all new. I only bought this package because I saw a skating outfit inside!

No one won the $20 million last night so next week it's $22 million (so far).

Today's jackpot (different lottery) is $26 million. Still haven't bought my ticket yet for that one.

I worked last night and it was a friggin' zoo! I had to stay an extra 1.5 hours because the lineups were so long. I'm afraid it will be like this until xmas now. That's okay more dolly money for me spend *grin*

See you on the Dolton blog.

New Dolls Coming Out

Here's some of the new dolls coming out. The Grease gals are in a set. But Mary Poppins, Bert, and the kids can be bought as a set or separatly. Although the kids come together. They are Stacey size I believe. Lastly is the Dallas Cheerleaders! I will have to get the brunette for sure! These look like the they have the Model bodies. Will wait to see them in person first.

I'm also drooling over the Interview Silkstone Barbie! Bit pricey but....

Oh and the Jeff Gordon Barbie is only $10 this weekend at MFD, anybody want one?

Population Increase Again

Yep just like the title says, Dolton's population has increased, this time by 3. I had a dentist's appointment today and so to treat myself afterwards I headed out to shop *grin* At the mall where my dentist is located is a Winners store, they sell mostly Name Brand clothing but at a discount. I've never seen anything that I liked there except for the toys. I couldn't believe the prices, cheaper than Mattel and Samko! So I dove in LOL Then I went to TRU where they had B1G1Free Barbie, which I indulged in. I also bought more wool, this time at Micheal's and more of the polyester wool at the Dollarama. I did buy myself some new p.j.'s at Sears as all the lingerie was 30% off. I also bought Jack some new thermal underware as a major winter storm is predicted for tonight and tomorrow, so if it arrives, then he will need to get the snow blower out! LOL
I'll have pix of the goodies on the Dolton blog, shortly. See you there.

udate from TuMani

The weather here has been too warm for a regular November and that always bothers me cause I am afraid we will have tornados. One year it was like this in December and there was a tornado on Christmas Eve in Brentwood that killed a couple of people. It is supposed to turn cooler tonight and there are snow flurries in the forecast for some areas . Last week was Jaime's birthday and I got her a new kitten. Her name is Mitzi and she is all black except for a white spot about the size of a quarter on her lower tummy. She is five months old and has an underbite that makes her look a little like an English bulldog. She is a shoulder monkey---Shadow was a shoulder monkey and we have missed that since Shadow left.

This is a picture of Mitzi laying on Jaime's back. She weighs about three pounds(maybe) The other kitties have accepted her. Diannah adopted her the minute she saw her which surprised us cause Diannah is sort of a bully with her brothers. Her brothers and mother love Mitzi too. Ed has taken up with her and so has Asuka---Pedro and Cassie are a little jealous but I have seen them groom her and play with her so there is no hissing except for Piper who just wants to be left alone in her laundry room. I think Piper was mistreated befor she came to live with us. She is getting more social but it may take months for her to feel like exploring the entire house.

Monday was our wedding anniversary--thirty five years. Where has all the time gone? I can't believe that Meg is going to be sixteen in January. So far she has no interest in learning to drive---doesn't sound like a typical teenager maybe I better check that birth certificate again :)

I have been thinking about making a TuMani blog but am undecided--what do you think?

Still Saturday Here

Okay so it's Sunday evening IRL, but it's still Saturday up in Lofton. I forgot to post some of the pix from the yard sale.

Here's Diane at her section. For more pix go to the Dolton blog.

Just a Note

If you are looking to see if anyone posted or replied on a previous post, from the Dashboard, click on Posts. It will take to you a long list of all the posts and beside it shows how many comments were made on that post. That way you can check and see if someone replied to you or made another comment on the same blog entry. Sure saves going through them all to find out who posted what and if someone answered your post.
Hope this helps.

Package arrived today!

Well, I got a very nice surprise in my mail today, a package from Canada! Here is a pix of all the wonderful things that were in the box. Have a great weekend everyone and thanks Jane for the package of goodies for Crofton!

What it's Saturday Already!!!

Well I decided to start on the scenes for the yard sale since the cold weather is moving in and I may not be able to play much longer up in Lofton. The furnace has been running steady now, although I am not cold *grin*

As usual check out the Dolton Blog for the rest of the pictures!

I hope you have all enjoyed your day in Lofton! It's been an eventful one hasn't it!

At the Newsstand

"Here's your paper, Mr. Cagney. Special large edition for you."

Jimmy: "Boy it's thick this week!"

Summer: "Sure is!. Lots going on. There's a new health section added. And of course all the ads for the Mall Opening. "

Jimmy: "Thanks Summer. Oh and I'll take that chocolate bar too." *wink*

Note: check the Dolton Blog to see what's in the newspaper!

Part 3 of the Lofton Mall

"Wow! Look at this place!" exclaims Genevieve. "I never knew this place existed."

Note: Come to the Dolton Blog for the rest of the pictures. There's lots.

Where's Everybody Going?

To find out go to the Dolton Blog!

Pssst! Did you Hear the News?

Girls are anxious to see who's in the box!
Peaking! Ah it's only his feet!
Gasp! He's sooooo cute!

All the tongues are awagging since the news came out there's a new male in Venus! The girls are all excited as there were only 18 males in Venus. So as you can see there just aren't enough men to go around! Let's take a peak and see who the new guy is!

Ahhh but you have to go to the Dolton Blog to see who he is! LOL

Do You Know Her?

I got this gal at the Value Village today. Does anyone know who she is? I also visited MFD today and picked up my Jazzie girls. They are gorgeous! Oh and Venus got a new resident! A male! Yippee! Pix will be on the Dolton blog later this evening.

Population has increased in both Dolton (6) and Venus (1)

Welcome!

Welcome to the Grand Opening of the Lofton Shopping Mall!

Inside you will find many stores, a theatre, a full grocery store and of course a food court. Hope to see you there!

Ihave put some old pix of the Mall (on the Dolton blog) but of course it had to be expanded due to the influx of residents moving to Lofton! The new version will be shown in the coming blogs. The older pix are to refresh your memory of the Mall.

As you know Lofton is in my attic. All sizes of dolls reside up there, the orphanage which holds little kids, some Doltonites in their own houses and cottages, and of course many Venetians have taken residence up there.

More and more businesses are being opened each week. So stay tuned for updates and little stories to go with them.

Note: these little stories have nothing to do with my latest novel. I wrote the final chapter on the weekend, just need to do some proof reading before I send it out to you. But more on that when it's ready.

New Marsha Hunt Doll

This is the new Marsha Hunt Doll. She is in the Gene line up. I really like her from the pix that I have seen of her. When I go to MFD (hopefully tomorrow) I will check her out. I know you will like her Max cos she has really red hair! LOL If I like her in person, she will be my xmas gift to myself.

Hope the picture shows as it was copied.

Dusting Tip

I have discovered a dusting tip that might help with all those set ups that have gotten dusty but you just really don't want to move everything to dust and set back up. I have some set ups that I really like and just don't want to change dolls---use canned air like you use to clean your computer keyboard, etc. I use it to clean my artifical wreaths too. Swiffer type things are nice for some things, but I love the canned air---I start at the top of the house and blow all my dust down toward the floor and then clean it last. It has made my cleaning for the holidays much easier and a can of air actually goes quite far---I saves me so much time it I find it worth the cost. I can usually find the canned air at Big Lots or Walmart and don't have to pay the expensive price the computer stores charge.

It Just Fits!

Talk about Close!

More pix will appear on the Dolton Blog as I start filling! Stay tuned!

Hmmm Mauve!

Here's the lucky gal (my very first Gene doll) who received a sweater that I won on ebay last week, from my friend Karen who lives in B.C. She goes by the name "thishasyournameonit" She has made over 100 sweaters for me in past 3 years or so. And many of my dollies are happy to be wearing them.

Jack is putting my new cabinet together for me. It is going in the spot where Gene is standing now. So I shall be busy the rest of the day inserting dolls. Gene, however is adamant she is NOT going back into a cabinet and wants to stay out and show off her new sweater LOL

In the background of the second picture, you can see Marilyn (Gene in navy gown) looking rather envious and probably wishing she too had a sweater to wear. Hmmm, oh Karen!!!!

Seen Posted

GIGANTIC
MULTI FAMILY
YARD SALE
in LOFTON
NEXT SATURDAY
WEATHER PERMITTING

NOTE: This is a fictional yard sale for the Doltonites.

I also posted on the Dolton and the Health blogs yesterday.

Keeping Jack

Although I have had the Jack Sparrow doll for over a year now (26th July '06) it has taken me almost this long to decide to make him a resident. He will join the Silkendale clan. For two reasons; 1) they need males LOL and 2) he is in their height group. I had put two of my President dolls (JFK and FDR) in that nationality also. So Jack will fit right in, as all politicians are a bunch of pirates aren't they! LOL

And the third reason, he will be in the Silkendale clan is he has run off with, or kidnapped one of the silkies!!! Can you guess which one? There may be a short story to go with this pic. Stay tuned!

Note: She wouldn't fit over his shoulder without falling off that is why she's positioned this way. But I'm sure you get the idea!

BTW I also posted on the Dolton blog today, showing off two of my newest outfits that I won on ebay!

More Ponchos, this time for Dusty doll

Since this wool was a bit thick, although not as bad as most of my wool, I thought the poncho would suit my Dusty doll. But it also fits Barbie too, as you can see.

Instead of the eyelash trim, which doesn't look good on the thicker wool, I tried this type of trim instead. Not sure what this yarn is called but I do like it. It's 100% polyester, yet has no stretch. I used to use this yarn as trim on my doll coats when I was sewing a few years back. I am also currently crocheting scarves (for real people) from it.

Funny how the hats turned out so different, yet they were both made exactly the same!!

Today is gloomy but not cold. I have to go to work early today as the jackpot is $35 million tonight!

Catch you all later.

Busy Day

No pic today as I was out and about for most of the afternoon. Went to IKEA and picked up another cabinet for the Heights. Now I have to wait for Jack to come home and put it together for me. It will be the 5th one for this room!
Busy busy busy at work. Jackpots are high again, not because of no winners, there are. But a couple of times during the year the Lottery Commission adds extra money from winnings that have never been claimed, for whatever reason. If you win the lottery here in Canada, you have a year to claim it, otherwise it goes back into the pot. So each week now the jackpot has been 20 million and growing. It's $35 million tomorrow! I may have to buy a ticket LOL
Also today, two packages arrived with sweaters that I have won on ebay. Two for my Venetian gals, one for a Ken and a coat/dress/sweater for a Barbie. Later this week I will get the residents dressed in their new attire.
It's much cooler here but still my kind of weather. I am one of those menopausal women still running around without a coat, while the rest of humanity are bundled up in parkas and scarves! Gee whiz it's not really that cold out. But the wind makes it feel that way. At least I have resigned myself to wearing shoes and socks, up til Sunday I was still in my flip flops LOL
As I mentioned it is really busy at work and so I am working every second evening now. And most likely will be until xmas. Still crocheting like mad when I am home as I am making (and hopefully finishing) all the xmas gifts this year. Well it's a plan anyway LOL
Anita wrote from Sweden and she now has 5" of snow on the ground. So I guess winter is there to stay now. Out in western Canada they got some snow too (Alberta) so I guess it's coming this way eventually.
If I have some time I will post on the Health Blog later, check just in case. But tonight is my big TV night as I have shows running back to back right through from 7 p.m. until 3 a.m. If I can last that long! Writer's strike south of the border won't affect my shows as they are all Canadian made. Plus there is always hockey if I am tv desperate LOL
Well I'm off to start supper. Going to make those chicken fingers again, that I posted on Diane's recipe blog, last month. They turned out pretty good last time even Jack liked them. He's not one to eat that kind of food. But I am always looking for something different to do with chicken! Instead of bread crumbs though I am using crotons laced in garlic.
Anyway hope you all are doing well out there. Oh Max, I finished your items. Do you want a pic before I package them up? LMK okay.
Catch you all later, or tomorrow.

Jaime has new job

Jaime has a new job---after being out of work for exactly two months and beginning to droop around the house she is now employed full time. It is really funny (make that strange) the way it happened. She had responded to dozens of online applications through both Career Builder and Monster and was contacted by a temp service called Woods Temporary Service. They sent her to interview with Enterprise (yep the car company) they told her to dress business casual---she went business casual --dress pants, jacket and knitted blouse---seems their idea of business casual is to have their business jackets off---she said it looked like everyone was just getting ready to go or coming back from a funeral. Then they (Woods) called her the next week and offered her a telemarketing job----we hate telemarketing so why would we do that to someone else ???? She emailed some friends she had worked with at Pinnacle and told them the work search was not going well and she was looking for a receptionist job and whether it was in construction she didn't care. All day long on Tuesday we were working with Meg's computer and the email wasn't opened. About eight that night we got through and ran the email and their was one from one of the girls she had worked with that has a job at another construction company needing help. Seems the dog jumped out of the SUV and took off in one direction and her boyfriend's leg took off in another and he broke both bones in that leg and had to have surgery and she was out of work all week with him. Her boss had told her the Friday before the bone break incident that she could hire a receptionist and someone to help her file---they had been hiring temps and seems these girls did not have any idea of how the alphabet worked---in other words the files were in a mess. Seems Katie needed someone to fill in for her the remainder of the week---Jaime said she could do that cause it wouldn't be enough money to mess up her unemployment benefits so she went in for Katie on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Friday morning the boss asked Jaime if she would like to work with them -----he called her references and had her take some personality tests----we were concerned about them but she came through with flying colors. He called her the following Monday and told her to come in on Tuesday. After they talked about her salary he asked her if she could start that afternoon and she told him she had brought her lunch with her so she started full time last Tuesday at ten . She will be making a little less than she was at her last job---but her drive is only twenty minutes from home and she works from eight until four thirty and the people have personalities. She is allowed to wear jeans (as long as they have no holes ) and sneakers if she wants to. We went out and bought some black jeans and one pair of dark blue this past weekend. We are planning a polyester dress pants burning :) The only thing she can't wear is tee shirts but she can wear her cute tees on the weekends.
We had storms pass through last night and there is a cold front on the way for tonight so I guess the growing season is over---I can put up the lawn mowers until spring :)

New (Temporary) Set up in the Heights

For the past two days I have been moving, tearing apart (book shelves) and rearranging a small area in Dolton Heights. Today's pic is the result. It is temporary as I realized I have just enough room to insert a new cabinet! With 2" to spare no doubt LOL So Tuesday I'll be off to Ikea for another cabinet for this spot. Then my Silkstones can move back into the Heights and the Venetians can move back into the dining room cabinet where they will have more room to 'entertain'!
It's cool here today, my kind of weather. But....the weatherman predicts snow by the end of the week! I doubt it will stay if it even comes at all! Probably just snow showers, enough to make driving hazerdous.
Been really busy at work, crazy actually cos the jackpots for all the lotteries are high and xmas shopping is upon us! I'll be working 3 nights this week. Dolly Money *grin*

Check out the Dolton Blog for more pix.
Hope you all are having a good weekend!

New arrival in Crofton

Hollywood Hostess arrived today and was deboxed immediately. I love this doll's face! Full review on my yahoo blog for those who care. ; )