My Minions Love Me

The other day, one of my adult minions (the mother of the one I mention here most frequently - he's technically a grand minion) asked if I wanted to tag along while she and her son ran errands.  One of the stops was planned to be a thrift store I don't usually get to visit.  

I found this for twelve bucks.  That price justified dipping into my February thrift store fund a bit early.  Thrift store funds are separate from doll funds, since I do buy other things there, so I'm still being good about the Harry Potter splurge.  Turned out, the minion bought it for me since everything was half off for old folks like me!  YAY! 

The whole house is intact and even sticker-free! Well, not the whole house.  Apparently this particular model had a kitchen piece...  the only part of it was the fridge door. 

When I first got and set up my big dollhouse, I had the following conversation:  "Where's the bathroom?"  "In the basement."  "There's no basement."  "Sure there is.  It's pretend, just like the stairway hall you're standing it."  I did eventually divide the attic and put in a bathroom, but that basement bath (and laundry room) remained.  After all, a family that size has needs!   

This bit will be that room, if ever I want to show it in my photo stories.  The only thing missing is a picture for the frame above the toilet.  (Sorry this shot is so blurry.  Apparently a tiny earthquake hit Barbieville.) 

Back of the bathroom.  I have no idea what this will be.  Shelving unit and frames need filled.

Frames in the main room also need art in them. 

This was meant to be a roll-top desk and either a large picture or flat-screen TV.  I'm not going to worry about replacing the lower sticker.  I'm just going to pretend that recess does not exist.  With my plans, whatever I put there would be rarely seen anyway.  

The bushes on the outside also need replacing.  

This stuff was crammed in the shower.  Freddy already claimed the bookcase.

Time to get out the stickers!  None are big enough for above the nonexistent desk or the shelving unit.  None look remotely like bushes for the outside.  But I'll do what I can.

The mystery wall gets a triptych.

This one was really hard to size because of the raised detail.  It's still off center, but I've decided it's that way on purpose. 

Roses for these spots.  I haven't found anything for the larger rectangle, but I want it to at least sort of match.  Unless I find a "television" or something to suit my specific plans for this set.  And no, I'm not gonna tell you yet what those plans are!

I totally stole scrap booking stickers from the minion who bought me this.  Messy bookshelves!  I'm keeping my eyeballs open for a "television" to put behind the opening panels.  

All told, I'm a happy Jeanie.  I get spoiled and so do my dolls!  

Morning, Noon, and Night

Morning 

Taylor:  What's going on?  Why is Samantha crying?

Gabriella:  He's back.  I guess he got expelled again. 

Taylor: I can just imagine what he said to her.

Kevin: Actually, he's only spoken to one person since he got here, and it wasn't Samantha.

Samantha (crying): I thought she was my best friend.  How could she...

Alex: I don't know.  But don't let them see how upset you are.

Draco: I hope my parents find a new private school for me quickly.  I loathe having to associate with the likes of these people.

Charmaine: I know what you mean.  I wish my folks didn't insist on my attending public schools.  

Draco: I wonder about your parents, Charmaine, I really do. Are you certain they're as wealthy as they appear? 

*****

Noon

Fred: This is Silver Stream.  She's a mare.  That means girl horse.

Orlando and Samara: Ores!

Fred:  When you get big like me, you can ride her with a grown-up.  When you get big like Stacie, you can ride her all by yourself.

Pike: Fred, get down before you fall and spill the babies.  I've already got Dr. Potter here, I don't want to have to call an ambulance.

Fred (climbing down):  Are the doggy and kitty okay?

James: I can't say for sure until I run the blood tests, but they appear to be healthy.  You'll want to make an office appointment to get them fixed?

Fred: Why we gotta fix them if they're hell-fee? 

Pike:  I'll explain that later, Fred.  Say, James, I heard we might be neighbors soon. 

James: We're closing on a house right down the block.  Hope to be moved in by the wedding.  You've got an eighth grader and a third grader, don't you?  

Pike: Taylor's an eighth grader, but Stacie's in fourth grade.  You have kids that age? 

James (chuckles): Between the two of us, we have one of each sex in both grades.  She's got girls, I've got boys.  That's why we needed a bigger place - either of our two bedroom homes wasn't up to the job. 

Pike: Does she still think Rose-Grace is out to give the whole town to the amusement park?

James:  That's why we bought in your neighborhood.  It'll be the last one gobbled up. (Turns to Angus)  Now that I've dealt with the creatures that could have come into my office, it's your turn.

Pike: Hey, you were already scheduled for today.  I figured you'd offer to check them anyway.

James: Yeah, I probably would have. If all the blood tests are good, then they're going to need names.

Fred: I'm the boss of getting ideas.  You got any?

****

Night

Midna enters the data for today's business while Mariko and Whitney clean the diner for closing.

Mariko: Back of the house is done.  Once Whitney's done cleaning the tables, we can mop...

Someone knocks on the locked door.

Whitney: Jeez, people, we close at ten.  Read the sign!

Mariko: Oh, crap.  That's my aunt.  Something must have happened.

Midna:  Let her in.  I seriously doubt Nova Nakano is going to rob me.

Mariko:  What happened?  Are Dad and Mom okay? 

Nova: They're packing for the move.

Midna and Whitney:  MOVE?!  

Nova:  Don't worry, Mariko isn't going with them.  That's what I've come to tell her.  (To Mariko) Since you were so upset, your dad and I worked things out.  I'm moving into the house with you so you can stay here in Barbieville.  

Mariko:  Thank you!  Oh, Nova, you are the best aunt ever! 

Nova: Now, about that two week notice Mom told you to put in tonight... You can still do it if you want, but your new guardian is totally okay with you working as long as your grades don't suffer. 

Mariko: Why would I want to do that?  I love working here!

Nova: I figured as much.  I loved it, too, when I worked here. 

Mariko:  Wait, what? 

New Folks In Town

I did something yesterday and then promptly hid my credit card from myself.  I decided to use my monthly Barbie budget toward said credit card until it's paid back down, and go ahead and get the Harry Potter dolls.  My local Wal-Mart didn't have Ginny in stock, but she's on order.

Imagine my surprise when I saw these!  I didn't even know they were making a Draco Malfoy!  I put the school uniform Harry back on the shelf and got the Quidditch Harry.  

Draco is all done up in his gear and ready to catch the Golden Snitch!

Harry:  Not while I'm around.

Draco:  Joke's on you.  We each came with a Snitch.

Harry: Bummer.

I made them trade clothes.  They are mad at me now.  

The pants and shirts are separate pieces.  The Quidditch boots were really hard to remove, mainly because they go around both ankles and knees, but how often do my dolls even wear shoes? 

Hermione, McGonagall, and Ron.  I'm not going to go into great detail as far as a review goes - lots of those floating around the Internet, but I'll sum up.  They have the five standard points of articulation, as well as knees, elbows and wrists. The vest/shirt/tie combo is one piece but the britches and skirt are separate.

I also found  Fashionista 110 and nabbed her.  After I dragged my 14 year old minion out from under the nearest display, we came home and I head-swapped her.  The donor body is a Liv from the body drawer.  (Let the bodies hit the drawer!  Let the bodies hit....  No? Be that way.)

Nova:  I'm shorter and can't wear my shoes now, but I can move! 

McGonagall will be the matriarch of our beloved Pike family.  This means a Star Wars character and a Harry Potter character spawned a Star Trek character!  (Sounds like a bad fan fiction.)  

The blended Potter-Granger family.  James (a thrift store find) stands behind his sons Harry and Dan.  PJ sits behind younger daughter Emma with older daughter Hermione.  James, of course, shares the name of Book Harry's dad. I've not decided his vocation yet.

Nova and Mariko Nakano.  Nova is Mariko's aunt.  Stay tuned for more details on them.

Ron waits for his sister to arrive so they can join the fun.  Draco wonders what fate has in store for him.  So do I, Draco.  So do I.  Your existence surprised me. 

Saturday In Barbieville

Rose-Grace hurries to the store after getting a call from Pike. 

Rose-Grace:  What is it?  You sounded like you were crying.  And why did you...  (looks in the big box on his desk)  Oh.  It was your allergies.  

Pike:  Garbageman found these two in the dumpster.  Batgirl cleaned them up and fed them.  

Rose-Grace:  We can't have a cat, honey.  You're allergic. 

Pike:  Didn't you make Ash and Soot a temporary home in the horse trailer at some point?   We can get them checked by a vet and go from there.

Rose-Grace:  I suppose we could use a barn cat.  If she's well.

Mariko works the early shift at the diner.

Mariko: Sorry about the wait.  Our fryers weren't quite ready when you ordered.

PJ:  No problem.  Mariko, this is my daughter Emma.  We're house hunting today. 

Mariko: I didn't know you had a daughter.  Nice to meet you, Emma. 

Emma: She has two.  Me and my sister. Do you have any sisters?

Mariko's reply is drowned out by shouting from the next table.

Clara:  You said you wouldn't give my information out!

Violet: Those kids didn't have a court order.  The police did.

Raven: Hey!  Don't be jumping on my mom! 

Clara: Mind your own business, Hoops!  

Violet: Raven, keep out of this.  (to Clara)  Can we discuss this like adults?

Mariko, recognizing Clara from the previous incident, hurries into the back.  Midna bursts out of the kitchen and confronts Clara. 

Midna:  This is the second time you're created a disturbance in my diner.  Get out and stay out.

Clara:  This is a public place, Red.  

Midna: This is a privately owned business.  I have a legal right to protect it, and to protect my customers.  

Clara: You're gonna call the cops over a little yelling?

Midna: I already have.

Back home, Finnick and Fred join the animals in checking out the new arrivals.

Finnick:  If they couldn't keep the pets for some reason, why do something so cruel?  

Rose-Grace:  You'd think taking them to a shelter would be obvious.  Your dad said the security camera got a good look at the woman who did it.  

Fred: Kin we call them Brownie and Whitey? 

Finnick (laughs): I can see it now - the black mayor in her yard yelling Whitey.  

Rose-Grace (wistfully): To be four again and have no clue about the political climate.  (to Fred)  We aren't going to worry about naming them just yet, sweetheart.  But you can be in charge of collecting suggestions.

Kin As Parents holds its first official meeting at The Overlook.

Ben: Nova's our only other official member, so we've got a 75% turnout.  Not bad for the first meeting.

Pocahontas: Growth takes time.  Anyone got any news?

Becky:  I have news!  I got custody of my cousins, a job, and a place to live.  

Ben: Wow.  You've been busy. 

Becky: Well, the home and job are connected.  I'm going to be the residential manager for those new townhouse apartments on the Beach Highway.  

Ben: What about school? 

Becky: It'll be tricky, but I can stay in school.  Might have to do some classes on line.

Ben:  Aren't those income based?  Can you get me an application?

Doll Envy

One of the bloggers I follow shared a picture of the dolls she'd bought in 2018 - it was more than Barbieville's entire population!   I can't do that.  I'm on a very limited income, and so have to be very choosy.  That said, I do have some plans for Barbieville.    

Lots of my fellow Internet Doll People are reviewing the Team Stacie dolls right now.  I've even posted about the boy in the line, mistakenly thinking he had the exact same head as the Babysitter Inc boy.  Of this line, I'm eyeballing the scientist, the gamer, and the artist.  I plan to call them Janet, Layla, and Todd - after past friends of Stacie.  But they aren't a priority because they aren't very well articulated.  Just the standard five points.

The ones I'm prioritizing are the new Harry Potter line.  Articulation, check.  Kids, check.  Elderly folks, check.  Well, one elderly folk - I'm not charmed by Dumbledore's beard.  It's hard plastic.  If you look up under it, it's not touching the chin at all.  It's like they molded it separately and glued it to his top lip.  I'll only get him if he's ridiculously marked down and then likely use him as a donor body.  I planned to start slowly buying this set in January.  But then I saw...

  

...these two on eBay.  The seven inch, fully articulated Harry Potter dolls from the 1990s.  Got them both for less than one of the new dolls is priced at and both are in excellent shape!  I'm saving the names Hermione and Harry for the new line, though, so these two are Emma and Dan after the actors who played the roles in the movies.  There is a Ron, also, but he seems to be rare and therefore expensive.  I doubt Rupert will ever live in Barbieville.  

Since the Grangers in the books were dentists, I've decided PJ is Dr Granger, mother of Hermione and Emma.  Dan and Harry will be siblings. Ron and Ginny will remain the siblings they already are.  The family make-up of the Potters and Weasleys in Barbieville is undetermined at this point.

Another one I want is Fashionista 110.  I just love her face and that green and black hair!  She isn't a priority because of articulation.  I do have donor bodies, though, so she's ahead of Team Stacie.  

Of course, there's always room for a bargain, but as it stands right now, these are my only planned purchases.  If Publisher's Clearing House shows up at my door, though, I'm gonna be the one giving Doll Envy! 

PS: None of these photos are mine.  They're mostly from Amazon.  Emma and Dan are the pictures from the actual eBay listings where I bought them.

New Year, New Drama?

Shortly before the store closes on December 31st, Pike takes a meeting with Mr Guinness.  He wants to know exactly why his son Ryan was fired.

Guinness: I am at my wit's end with this boy.  You'd think he would have learned his lesson when he and Tanner were suspended for fighting, but that was just the beginning.  His behavior just keeps getting worse.

Pike: A lot of your kids have worked here over the years and they've always been excellent employees.  Frankly, I'd hoped the entire thing with Tanner had been a misunderstanding.

Guinness: Sadly, no.  He tried to tell us that Tanner lied about the entire situation, then claimed Tanner just couldn't take a joke. One of my older daughters is dating a man I fear is influencing Ryan badly.  It doesn't help, I'm sure, that we've spoiled him rotten.

Pike: It's always a struggle not to spoil the youngest.  (Uses PA to summon Batgirl)  Most of the older ones have moved out of town, haven't they? 

Guinness: All but Ryan and two daughters in college.  

Batgirl joins them and recaps the incident. 

Guinness: And the customer was your ex-wife, Mr. Pike?  Your children?

Pike: Most of them were my children.  A friend of Stacie's was with them.  

Batgirl:  Ryan was out of line to say anything of that sort to any customer.  

Guinness: You're preaching to the choir, as the saying goes.  I just want to be certain I have all the facts.  (Thinks for a moment.) Ryan, perhaps, needs a reminder of just how fortunate he has been in his life.  Thank you for meeting with me, Mr. Pike, Mrs. Montez.  I'm satisfied Ryan's termination was warranted.  

*****

Doll County Day Care is hosting an overnight for the little ones of the town.  This way parents can enjoy New Year's Eve without worrying about babysitters.  He's even booked a band!  

John: Thanks so much for doing this.  The kids are thrilled.

Zenobia: A gig's a gig.  And we don't get many, since we can't perform anywhere that serves booze.  I'm the only one in the band of drinking age.

Tanner: Also, our sound is...  well....

Whitney: Eclectic is the word you want, Tanner.  

Roxy: Your babies are so cute.  I wish Daddy would get married and have a few.  Does Zenobia have a crush on my dad?  Kelly thinks she does.

Stacie: Zenobia's just a big ole flirt.  She acts like she has a crush on everybody.  Tanner says she'll get married about the time you-know-where freezes over.

Roxy: Oh, look, Anakin's here.  He didn't know if he was coming.

Pocahontas: Go on and help Stacie with her little sister and brother.  

Anakin: Roxy's helping her.  

Pocahontas: Anakin.

Anakin: OK, OK.  

Pocahontas: I'll pick him up before lunch tomorrow, but can't promise a specific time.  

John: No problem.  He's a good kid.

Pocahontas: We had a long talk yesterday about his mother.  Well, about forgiveness in general.  He made an interesting point about you.

John (nervous): Me? 

Pocahontas: He said I need to practice what I preach.  I was laying it on pretty thick about how his mother made mistakes and...  well, you get the idea.  

John:  Really?  

Pocahontas:   That's not to say we'll be picking up where we left off.  But I'm willing to accept your apology and at least be friends.

Wilma:  What you drawing? 

Freddy: My big brothers and your mommy and Zenobia.  I gots to write the band's name on it, too.  

Wilma: We'll have to get a big kid's help for that.  I can't write big words.  Can you?

Sarcastic Fringehead performs.  Whitney changes any lyrics to make them kid-friendly and leads the entire party in "Auld Lang Syne" before the nap mats come out and everyone settles in to watch the ball drop on TV.

Freddy: How come you guys are staying here?  You didn't drink no beer or nothing.

Tanner: No, but there's plenty of morons out there who did.  Besides, some one's gotta help John with all you rug rats.

Freddy: If you don't need my help with the babies, I can go sleep with Bobby and Ty and Anakin.

Tanner: Go ahead, kid.  We got this.

Freddy:  Nap time rules!  Boys on one side of the room, girls on the other.  

Anakin: Samara's a girl and she's over here with the boys.

Ty: We don't wanna sleep with no stinky girls. (Tanner says something and Finnick snickers.)  Make her go over there.

Bobby: Samara's mommy and daddy said it was okay because those are her big brothers.  Besides, she's not on our mat. 

Stacie and Roxy stay up late but all the younger girls don't even make it to midnight.  

Zenobia:  I can't believe Tanner said that.  Even I know better than that.

Whitney: He knows better.  That's why he only said it loud enough for us to hear.  

Zenobia: When are you going to do something more than make googly eyes at him?  

Whitney: As if he'd want a girl with my history.  Besides, I think he likes Mariko.