Post-apocalyptic Barbieland fallout - Meet Sindy

Hi everybody!

The last post seemed to cause a little distress. A number of readers were very concerned about the welfare of Barbies due to the conversion of Barbie-land to Willow Ridge.

To reassure everyone, I invited Sindy, the realtor for the Middle doll community, to give you some information.

(You know, in hindsight, it would have been a lot smarter to have met at her office! I forgot how big the Middle dolls are!)
With a little creativity and the moving of furniture, we made it work.

I would like to introduce Sindy. She has been a resident of Oak Leaf for about 37 years! Sindy is one of the original "Barbie" sized dolls that remain from Builder Sam's childhood.

Hello!

(Geez, thanks Isabelle, now everyone knows I am the old lady around here!)

I look pretty good for a nearly forty year old doll huh? Anyway, I just want to assure you all that the Middle doll community still exists and continues to thrive! We have not been eliminated or packed away. "Barbie-land" was just an overflow town, created for play by human children.

Thank you all for being so concerned about our welfare! We have more than enough room for our homes and recreation.

Well, I hope this allays your fears as Willow Ridge begins its transformation.
Merry Christmas to all.
Cheerio,
Isabelle and Sindy

Package from Clarabelle

"Mail is here," yelled Kinsey from the door.

"What are you doing here when you are supposed to be on vacation?" I asked. "I thought you were going skiing."

"Yes, I am on my way," said Kinsey. "But I had to come by the office to drop off some keys. It looks like you have a package."

"How exciting!" I exclaimed. "All we usually get is bills."

It was from my sister, Clarabelle!

"Well, I will be on my way and I'll let you enjoy your mail. See you next week, Isabelle."

"Have fun Kinsey, and don't break a leg!" I jokingly called as she disappeared through the door.
I sat down and began reading.

"My dearest sis, Issy,

How wonderful it is to hear that you are well settled and have a job as a property manager. Congratulations! I always knew that you would do well. . . ."

It was a rather lengthy letter letting me know how she is, and what she has been up to.

"I am currently enrolled in culinary school and I am loving it. . . ." 
Wow, my sister is becoming a cook! She has one year left of her apprenticeship and is hoping to come out and see me when she is done.

". . . Inside the box you should find a wallhanging that I had custom made by the famous blacksmith, Eleboril. Hopefully it will make you smile. Loving hugs and kisses, Clara."

I could hardly wait to open the big box.

When I opened it, I saw the most incredible wall sculpture and tears sprang to my eyes.  

As young elflings, I would always draw a house very similar to this. I said that one day it would be my castle that I would live in forever. I cannot believe that Clarabelle remembered and had it reproduced! This is so special to me.

I will definitely hang this on the office wall. I really miss my sister.
Cheerio,
Isabelle

Yard Work Begins!

The time has come for yard work to begin over at the office. Earlier in the week I had consulted with Luka as to what I wanted for the property.

My vision is to have lots of plants under the window areas contained by white picket fences. I also asked for a gravel path leading up to the front door.

Luka arrived bright and early with his vehicle loaded with all sorts of garden tools.

He immediately began mapping out the area for the new pathway.

After a huge pile of topsoil arrived, Luka filled his wheelbarrow and took the dirt to the sections he had marked out.

 Luka was very busy and after a few hours of hard work, it was time for lunch.

 I invited Luka to enjoy his lunch inside where it was cooler, but he said that he preferred to eat outside while on the job. It made him feel more connected to his project.

In the afternoon, the gravel for the front pathway was delivered. It was interesting watching the garden begin to take shape.

At the end of the day, Luka and I discussed the types of plants and flowers that have been ordered. He thinks they should be arriving sometime this week.

And a good day's work deserves a high five!

Cheerio,

Isabelle

Bessie's Meeting

Sunday morning, 7am.

I was updating some computer files when I heard a familiar voice. "Hello Isabelle!" It was Bessie. "I didn't know that you worked this early on Sunday mornings."

"Hello stranger!" I said jokingly. "I could not sleep, so I thought I would come and get some work done. I haven't seen you in quite a while."
"That's true," she said. "Actually, I have been away to see my sister. Good news! I have been able to sort out my finances and I am ready to buy my own shop, so I need to set up an appointment with you sometime this week."

"Well, " I said, "you know what they say: there is no time like the present! If you have time, we could do it right now."
Bessie's eyes grew big. "Yes! That would be fabulous! I was on my way to the farmer's market, but I can do that later. I am so excited  about finding a little building of my own!"
"Then let's get down to business!" I said.

I took notes as Bessie explained everything she wanted. I have never heard of a more informed client in all my life!  Bessie had obviously thought very long and hard about this. She wanted to pay cash only, and realized that with her particular budget that her options would be limited.

We looked through the inventory, and Bessie decided that she really does not want to do any renovation work at all. I told her that she could have something specially built, and that is how she wants to proceed.

I have a little more research to do, and I will get back to Bessie later in the week. This is now technically my third client! So much for having a 'grand opening'. Kinsey wants to have big celebration, but I am quite happy to just put an 'open' sign on the door. We will see.

Cheerio,
Isabelle

Meeting Miss Kinsey Mio

This evening I had to make a pit stop at the office to pick up some papers that I need to look over before my final exam. Good thing I did!
I knew the minute I walked through the door that something was amiss. There was a STRANGER sleeping on the couch and the office was SPOTLESS!

 Something very weird was going on.

 At first I thought I must be in the wrong place.  My desk was moved and there were books organized neatly on the bookshelves.

 Here lay the stranger.

Wait just a MINUTE! This is my office! Who was it and why was she here?

 Hmm, how does one go about waking someone up?

 Just then she opened her eyes and asked who I was.
"Umm, isn't that a question I should be asking?"
"Oh, yes, I am Kinsey," she said. "If you are Isabelle, then I am your new personal assistant."
"Personal assistant?" I queried.
"Or secretary, if you prefer."

 "You hired me a few weeks ago from the internet," Kinsey informed me.
Suddenly memories came flooding back of the credit card fiasco. I do not exactly remember hiring a secretary but I wouldn't put it past me.  Oh well. "Great to meet you, Kinsey. I love how you cleaned up the office."

 Kinsey showed me how she had organized the office and had changed it for better flow.

 I could not help thinking that it did seem to be more logical. I think I am really warming up to the idea of my own assistant.

 "I met Bessie earlier. She told me that there are no hotels here. Perhaps I could just camp here at the office until I can find some suitable accommodations?"
"Nonsense," I said briskly. "You can stay at my house until we work something out. I am exhausted and I bet you are as well. Let's grab a pizza and we can talk over dinner."
"Sounds good to me!" Kinsey retrieved her small suitcase as I pushed all my papers into my bag.

 And off to my house we went.

Cheerio,
Isabelle