Feet

Anakin Skywalker has molded on boots.  For that reason I refused to pay more than ten bucks for him, even though he is fully articulated. And even though, in the words of my sister, it would be nice to have a boy child. I struggle putting britches on my Star Trek guys and they only wear ankle boots!   

Look at these things!  Not only are they knee high, they are bigger around than his thigh!   A little research told me that his boots can be removed, but he has no feet.  I carefully removed one boot and promptly glued it back on.  You'll see why in a minute. 

The question of how to get pants on him remained.  My sister suggested he wear a breech clout, since I'd decided to make him Algonquin, but I had a bit of trouble imagining even Barbieville School's relaxed dress code allowing that. I wrestled for 15 minutes to get Stacie/Skipper sized pants on him for his first photo story.  It looked good, but I don't work that hard to get pants on me!  

A donor body was out of the question.  I didn't have any without breasts and even if one of them was the right height, but I don't trust myself to do a leg swap.   

For his second photo story, He wore a pair of adult female shorts and a safety pin.  With knee high boots.  A guest to my home asked why he was dressed like a "dill hole".  I explained and the response was "I bet you never show their feet anyway because you're too lazy to put shoes on them."  He would have won that bet.  For purposes of my photo stories, he doesn't need feet! 

This is why I glued the boot back on.  Not only is he missing a foot, his lower calf is a square peg. 

Cutting down the back seam will allow the boot to pull off fairly easily.  I should have just done that with both boots to begin with, because then I could still use the boots.  Since one had been glued, I had to destroy it in the removal process. 

Now he can put on his britches with ease! 

And if, for some reason, he needs shoes, the WalMart "My Life Mini" high tops work well.

Funny how sometimes the most obvious solutions escape you.

Story 13: The More Things Change

Our story picks up with a slight overlap on last time.  John and Pocahontas have stepped aside to speak privately while Anakin and Roxy get acquainted.

John: You have got some gall, asking me to do this after making it clear that you hate my guts.

Pocahontas: I'm not asking for myself.  Anakin -- 

John: Like Anakin's the first new kid in school ever.  

Pocahontas: The boy's been carried hundreds of miles away by a total stranger.  Yes, it was at his mother's request, but it's still pretty traumatic.  It's almost like he's been kidnapped.

John:  I'm assuming he came from your long lost father?

Pocahontas: God only knows how many other siblings I've got out there.  He ran out on Anakin's mom when he was a toddler, she's got drug problems, and for some reason she thinks he's better off with me just because we share DNA. 

John:  You always were a bleeding heart.  

Pocahontas: And proud of it.  (changes subject slightly) Look, I just want Roxy to help him get his foot in the door.  Something she would have probably done anyway.  She's a kind child.  

After Pocahontas and Anakin leave, John decides to feed his children.  Mace and Stacie come in as they dig in and come over to chat. 

Mace: Hey, Smith!  How's it going, man? 

John: I should be asking how you are.  Losing a wife is never easy.

Mace: I guess we're both widowers now, aren't we? It must have been terrible for you, man.  At least in my case, we saw it coming.  

John: We can shove over if you and Stacie are going to eat.

Mace:  Picking up carry out for my army of grandchildren.  (to Stacie)  Sit with Roxy while I get the food, you little stalker.

Stacie: He calls me a stalker because I follow him around all the time.  I didn't get much time with Grammy and I want to get lots with him.  My other grandparents aren't as cool as the Windus.

Roxy: What about your Mommy's parents?

Stacie: She was took away from them when she was a kid.  I never even met them.

Roxy: Hey, I met Pocahontas's new brother.  He seems really nice.  

Stacie:  Nakoma asked me to introduce him to my friends.  I told her I don't have any but you.  (both girls giggle)  I said I'm a loner.  

Mace comes back with two big bags of food and they leave. 

Roxy: Bye, Loner!  See ya later! 

At school the next day.

Nakoma: Apparently she didn't think to tell him we owned an amusement park.  The boy thought he was in heaven.  (mimics Anakin)  I can see roller coasters out my bedroom window!  

Finnick: That little trailer must be getting crowded.

Nakoma: Not really. I'm used to three people in it, remember?  

Tanner: Keep Barbieville Virtuous wasted no time twisting this one around.  

Nakoma:  Oh, no. 

Tanner: Apparently Pocahontas gave birth to him when she was 14 and he's been living with relatives all this time.  John Smith is his father.

Nakoma: KBV is so full of it.  

Finnick:  Dude, why do you even read their crap?

Tanner:  Zenobia told me about it.  She thinks it's hilarious. 

Back at the diner, Whitney clocks in right after school.  Ben Kishi is sitting at her first table.

Whitney:  Eating out?  Things must be looking up for you. 

Ben: Just having coffee, actually, but things are looking up.  The store is paying for me to finish my degree.  I did have to promise to work there at least five years after graduation, but I was already planning to do that.

Whitney: How are you going to manage that?  Working full time and going to school full time?

Ben:  Claudia can stay with the Pikes or the Montezes after school.  It's not even for a year, and she's already welcome at both houses, so it works out.  Who knew Violet was doing me a favor when she fired me?  

Becky:  Violet?  At American Splendor? You were the guy she fired?

Clara: I knew you looked familiar when we saw you at Orientation. 

Ben: And here I thought you just talked to me because I was so sexy. (laughs) Yeah, I was the guy with the snoopy little sister.  

Clara: She fired you for releasing confidential client information, didn't she? 

Ben: No.  She fired me because my sister and her friends asked for the information, Violet was rude to them, and then their parents were angry.  I didn't give them the information.  

Becky: Why did your sister want private information about the print shop's customers?

Whitney:  It was KBV - you know, the group that's spreading all the rumors about the mayor candidates and their friends?  Two of Claudia's friends are Taylor and Nikki Pike. 

Clara: The mayor is actually worried about that?

Becky: It's so obviously speculation.

Whitney: Gossip can kill a career.  KBV could ruin things for a lot of people. 

Rose-Grace's plans for a peaceful afternoon at home are interrupted by a visitor. 

Brent: My source has tracked down the phone number.  She knows who KBV is.  I spoke to a lawyer and he said the insinuations can be considered libel.  

Rose-Grace: Brent, I told you, acting against them only lends credibility to their claims.  

Brent: Honestly, at this point, I don't even care.  They can cost me the election.  

Fred: Step-mommy, I know I'm in-trump-ting, but they are telling fibs.  Telling fibs is badder than in-trump-ting, right? 

Rose-Grace: Fibbing is worse than interrupting, yes.  But it's just not that simple.  (to Brent)  Do what you feel you must.  I'm not getting involved unless laws are broken.  I have more faith in the people of this town than you, obviously. 

Anakin goes to Pocahontas's office when he gets off the school bus.  

Anakin: I have a question.  Why do you hate Roxy's dad so much? 

Pocahontas: That's an adult matter, Anakin. 

Anakin: Roxy said it's cause he had two girlfriends in school - you and Roxy's mom.  I don't understand the problem.  Our ancestors had more than one wife all the time.

Pocahontas (seeing that she's not getting out of this): When our ancestors did that, the wives knew about each other.  The wives were okay with it.  John told me that he was only dating her to appease his parents.  He told her that I was just a friend.  

Anakin: Oh.  I don't think Roxy knows that part.

Pocahontas: I'm pretty sure she doesn't.  John doesn't want his daughters to know what a jerk he was. 

Anakin: Is he still a jerk?  

Late evening, in a small apartment complex.  A knock on the door answered.

Esmeralda: I know who you are and what you've been doing.  What I want to know is why. 

Feeling Froggy

I went on a crafting tangent today.  While out running errands, I was sucked in by the gravitational pull of Dollar Tree.  Dollar Tree is one of the few stores with "dollar" in the name that actually have everything for - you guessed it - a dollar!  They have the trifolds My Froggy Stuff uses to make backdrops.  Huge ones - and for only a buck.   When I got home, I pulled out my crafting supplies and set to work on Barbieville.

This thing is large enough to make two backdrops on each side.  I debated cutting it and decided just to make them upside down from each other, like John and Pocahontas are demonstrating. 

Stationary that looks like old-fashioned wall paper on the back.  Each sheet is about eight inches by six, so it's going to take several for a room.

Wrapping paper and Washi tape.  Not sure why the pipe cleaner twist tagged along.  

Pictures, stickers, and a calender I've not chopped up.  Yet.

Here we have Pocahontas's office.  The wallpaper is gift wrap, the trim is washi tape, and the smaller wall art is stickers.  The big one is from the calender.

The day care center.  Aren't those piggies adorable?  (They came with some clothes I hoped would fit somebody - they're meant for toy pigs and the sleeves were coming out of the chest.  FAIL!) Again, papered with gift wrap and washi tape.  Other wall art is stickers, a cut out from the calender, and a random picture.

Middle School classroom.  I'm not too keen on the border around that white board (Large index cards) but I love the portrait of Harriet Tubman!  Apparently any drama at Barbieville Middle School will take place in the History classroom. Wallpaper and border, once again, are gift wrap and washi tape.  

Pike's office was renovated.  This time I used the stationary.  He kept his mini postcard wall art.  The window is matting from a photo frame, the same scenery shot as before, and some stickers for a bit of color.

The backdrop that was Pike's old office became an Elementary classroom.  The wallpaper is both stationary and gift wrap.  Clerestory windows provide some sunshine.  Stickers for wall art.  The educational posters are a bookmark and a bit cut off a box of Little Debbie snacks.  Whiteboard is a large index card, bordered by washi tape.

 If you look behind it, you can see I added a picture to the other classroom.  It's a famous painting of a Civil War battle (Antietam?)  which I found after I thought that room was done.

All told, I consider this a job well done.  Anyone want to come help me clean up the mess?

Story 12: Surprise Brother

Coming in after school, Nakoma is surprised to find this on the kitchen table.  

She complies, only to be told to get on a video chat because it will be easier to explain face-to-face.

Nakoma: What is going on?  Where are you?

Pocahontas (angry): I'm in tidewater Virginia.  Our ancestral home.

Nakoma: Is everyone okay?

Pocahontas: That depends.  Are you worried about the man who ditched Mom when we were still in diapers? (realizes she's being a... um... meanie)  Sorry.  It seems we weren't the only ones he did it to.  Nakoma, we have a nine-tear-old brother.  His mother begged the courts to track down Mom so this boy could be with family.  She's got a drug problem and can't... 

Nakoma: Are they going to let you bring him home?  Where are we going to put him?  

Pocahontas (touched): You don't even bat an eye, just offer him a place.  

Nakoma (embarrassed): Isn't that why you're out there?  To do the same thing?

Pocahontas: Only after I discuss it with you and get approval from the courts.  I know you were looking forward to your own room, but I guess he's getting Mom's.  I met him today.  He seems like a good kid.  

Nakoma: I don't want to stay out here in the boonies by myself.  Is it all right if I crash at a friend's til you get back?

Pocahontas: Try Finnick first - I'd like them to talk to Stacie.  She should be in his class, right?

Finnick catches his parents putting the babies down for the night and getting ready to do the same.  He puts Nakoma on speakerphone so she can explain the situation.  

Pike: I don't know, son, letting your girlfriend sleep over could set a dangerous precedent.

Rose-Grace: Don't be silly.  We can trust both of them.  (to Finnick) Go pick her up.  I'll make up a bed for her on the couch.

Nakoma: Thank you so much.  

Rose-Grace: Think nothing of it.  This is going to make for some lively breakfast conversation. 

Finnick: Thanks for trusting us, Step-Mom.  

Rose-Grace: I figure it's a miracle when your dad and I get privacy in this house, you two sure aren't getting any. It's not that I don't trust your intent.  I just know about temptation.   (laughs when both of them blush)  

Pocahontas: Thanks for coming.  I wanted Anakin to meet Roxy.  He's the little brother I never knew about and he's come to live with me and Nakoma. Roxy, I know he's a bit older than you, but will you help him out?  Show him around at school? 

Roxy: Stacie said we might be getting a new kid in her grade.  Is that you? 

Anakin: I start school Monday.  Is Stacie the fourth grader you told me about, Pocahontas? 

Pocahontas: Yes.  Roxy is in third grade, but she and Stacie are friends.

Roxy: I'm supposed to be in second but I'm really smart.  

John (teasing): She's modest, too.  

The adults excuse themselves to speak privately, leaving the children to chat.  

Kelly: How come you got yellow hair if you're a Indian?

Roxy opens her mouth to scold Kelly.

Anakin: Lots of people don't know that, Roxy.  Don't be mad at her.  (to Kelly)  Most of us have a least a little white blood nowadays. I guess I just show it more than my sisters. 

Roxy: You have a different Mommy.  Maybe she's whiter than Kida was. 

Anakin: Maybe.  Do you like Pokemon?  

Rusty's Hair

When I got Rusty, I found a spot on the back of her head that had been cut.  The hair there is only about two inches long.  I discovered, though, that it could be disguised with certain hairstyles.

Like braids

Or a pony tail

But as time goes by and her hair sheds (as we all know doll hair will do when combed), that spot became more and more obvious.  Tonight I sighed heavily and made myself do the inevitable.  It took hours and I have a splitting headache now.  

The result: a shaggy bob.  Good thing I was never really into hair play. 

Story 11: Perspective

***A word of caution.  Today's episode deals with death.***

Our story opens in the Mayor's Office.

Brent: I've got some information on KBV.  My source found the contact number on some paperwork in American Splendor's back room and -- 

Rose-Grace:  I'm going to kill Candy.  

Brent: Why would you kill Candy? She isn't my source.

Rose-Grace:  Either way, Brent, we can't do anything with illegally obtained information.  KBV could press charges against us and blow the election for us both.  We need to --

Kyra (entering): Sorry to interrupt your meeting, but you have an urgent phone call.  I'll see Mr. Spiner out.  You'll want to take the call in private.

Rose-Grace:  Has something happened to one of the kids?

Kyra: Not the kids.  Mr. Spiner, if you'll follow me.

Brent:  Of course. 

Across town, in the manager's office at Barbieville Grocery, Ben Kishi finalizes the paperwork for a new and better job. 

Ben: Thank you so much.  I was just hoping to get a job stocking shelves!  

Pike: You're just a few credits away from your business degree.  I've got a call in to the head office about helping you finish that degree, but in the meantime Batgirl can show you the ropes.  She's my head cashier.

Batgirl: I can't speak for the boss, but I was livid when my girls told me what Violet did to you.  Her loss is our gain.  

Ben: Claudia will be thrilled.  She blames herself for my quitting college.  And for Violet firing me. 

Pike: You made a lot of sacrifices for her.  Claudia's lucky to have you.   

Pike's cell phone goes off.  

Pike: I better take this.  Rose-Grace doesn't call during the work day.

Batgirl: We'll leave you to it. 

The kids come in from school to find their parents and Fred waiting for them.  They have company.

Rose-Grace:  Sit down.  We have news.

Fred: Grampa Mace is here!  

Tanner: Yes, we see Grandpa Mace.  He's a little hard to miss.

Fred: Grammy went to Heaven.

Taylor (crying): No, she's supposed to be getting better!  That's why you went to live there.

Mace:  Sweetheart, there was no getting better.  We moved there so she could live out the rest of her life at home.  I couldn't take care of her all by myself. 

Nikki: No.  Not yet.  

Stacie: She hasn't even been my grandma that long! 

Mace:  Boys, I have ask you for a favor.  Grandma donated her body to science, but we're going to have a service for her.  After our pastor speaks, I'd like for one of you to say a few words.  She was so proud of loving you just like you were blood.

Tanner: You're doing us a favor by asking.  

Finnick: What my brother means to say is that it would be an honor. 

Tanner: And what my brother means to say is Tanner's going to do it because Finnick is a wuss. You know Nakoma had to ask him out?  

At the funeral home, Tanner starts his speech with a chuckle.

Tanner: At the risk of offending people, I gotta say it.  Grandma was a hottie in her youth.   (Scattered awkward laughter from those listening.)  This picture was taken on her wedding day.  We had to crop Grandpa out so his giant Afro wouldn't steal the spotlight.  

Mace: It's true.

Tanner: Seriously, though.  When my dad married Rose-Grace, Grandma sent out fake birth announcements for her four new grandchildren.  She never qualified it by saying we were stepchildren.  She never held it against us that we didn't carry her DNA.  "As if that matters" she'd say. (blinking back tears) She was only my Grandma for a couple of years, but she's gonna be with me forever.   

Pike hurries home to take the horses in for the evening.  He finds a familiar face there.

Pike: Dad?  What are you doing here?

Lee: My son lost his mother-in-law.  What do you think I'm doing here?

Pike: Is Mom with you?

Lee: No, but she sends her love.  I stopped at the service, but it was already breaking up, so I just came out here.  Didn't want to be rude.

Inside, later 

Rose-Grace:  Candy!  You came home early!

Candy: I'm only here overnight.  I wasn't going to stay away if you needed me. (Takes a seat)

Lee (coldly): Candy.

Candy: Lee, how are you?  

Lee: We're fine.  Is your career going well? 

Candy:  Can we not do this?  It's been almost five years.  

Mace:  Whoa, man, are you mad at her for divorcing your boy?  

Lee: She abandoned her children.

Candy: Oh, I did not.

Mace: It's not like she dumped them on the roadside.  She knew they were in good hands.  She's there for them if they need her.  She's just not the day-to-day Momma type.  

Candy: Thank you, Mace.

Lee: You do have a point.  If she were still his wife, Rose-Grace wouldn't be.  

Mace: Samara and Orlando wouldn't exist.  You gotta admit those two make the world a better place.

Lee: Another valid point.  (laughs) Now, someone please explain to me this Keep Barbieville Virtuous nonsense.