More MJ Visit Pictures

After getting Keva asleep, MJ spent a few quiet hours with Keva's mom, Nyla, dad (yet unnamed)  and her grandfather who lives with them. As you can see, dad is getting a little bored with all of the girl talk and is nodding off. Grandpa just seems to be very thoughtful about the topic.

It was just like in real-life. Having company, MJ, made me see even more clearly all that needs to be done around the houses and other areas. I am vowing to get on these repairs and remodel projects promptly and on a regular basis. Window frames, wall decorations, painting and window dressing are on the top of my list. Keva's bedroom still has updates which are ready to be added. Currently, I am working on three stores in the mall also. They make good locations for the stories.

I have Pretty Pleaters for making draperies, so I will continue to practice using them so I can hang some in the living room below after I frame the windows. The tabletop is actually for a ceiling medallion. I plan to replace it with a glass or mirror on the table.

Jenna's room is actually the attic of this house. 

 

Since her television still has not been replaced on the wall, Keva is excited that MJ volunteered to read her a story.

I wish I could get the true colors of this room. Believe me it looks much better up close.
 The paint isn't even pink. It has a bit of lavender mixed in.



A quiet evening with more friends



MJ and her new friend Jenna had a great time in Jenna's family
 room watching The Little Mermaid

This is the right half of the attic family room in the picture below



The white house has the attic family room shown in the above pictures

 



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On The Road Again...

Hi,
Everyone! I hope your holidays were wonderful whatever and however you celebrate. Mine was so full I am just getting back to MJ! She is all packed up and will be leaving in the morning (Friday). The hosts don't know until the last minute when she will arrive and that is just in case she gets held up in the mail or customs. I am the last visit in the United States. This was all put together and started in 2012! I can't believe how time is flying! She has been to 11 hosts in several different countries already. Each host decides where she will send her next. Twenty four people around the world were chosen with a two year window of travel.

 We all will miss her; my family, my wonderful true friends,  my dolls and those people she and I met together. We had such fun! This is an experience we will never forget! My grandchildren are still learning about the places she has been.

 I  have a few more pictures and videos that I will share in a few more posts even though she will be on her way to her next host/auntie. Oh, by the way, I call her hosts "aunties" because that is what R/L MJ calls us. :-) There were so many other places to take her but time would not allow.

There are two things I wanted to add about South Carolina.    

                                    
1. You are never more than a few miles from a train track. The South Carolina coast is an open waterway for cargo from all over the world. That cargo can end up anywhere in the US!

                                                    

2. The other thing is the statewide rivalry between Clemson University and The University of South Carolina. It goes back a couple of centuries. You will see signs of one or the other or both all over the state.

                                                    This is a Wal-Mart display     



This is a common site in any Wal-Mart.
Sorry for the blurry picture. Taken with a cellphone

Last, not in any way least, I was so excited to receive my gifts from the other hosts. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I didn't know whether to show them or not. I don't want to spoil the surprise for the future hosts.  I hope they all love what I sent them also.



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Chilly Night-Warm Hearts

South Carolina is full of "Historical" Towns. There is a lot of pride in their history and traditions, many of which are still practiced. MJ and Willie enjoyed a night of "Family Fun" in one such town, Fountain Inn.  

 



This is the scene of the great date

 

CEO and president of the Chamber of Commerce was the ambassador of the Family Night. He knew he had MJ in his pocket from the very beginning

 

MJ recognized these folks right away! She remembers seeing them on the Steve Wilkos show in November 2013! I sure hope they reconcile with Granny one day.

 

MJ is sitting pretty on Mr. Squarepants' nose

MJ is cool as a cucumber riding on Larry the
Cucumber.

 

Pooh literally had MJ in the palm of his hand.

 

I think there is some kind of rule in South Carolina that you MUST have funnel cakes at every fair and function

OK, so what are the Oreo's for?

Ever hear of fried Oreo cookies?

Nothing like a romantic horse and buggy ride...sigh!

 Or the excitement of a carousel ride...giddy-up! (turn down sound...very loud!)

Just because it takes a teacher to appreciate a teacher :-)

I don't know...because he is so beautiful I guess! lol

Set next to the outdoor activities is this center.

 

MJ had to get a little closer to that gingerbread man to make sure he wasn't another dessert
 

A tribute to the original inhabitants in this area

Many Cherokees lived in the "upstate" area of South Carolina  



This display memorialized one of the first store owners in Fountain Inn...he owned a "meat shop" and lots of land when it was extremely cheap

 

Peg Leg Bates was known all over the world for tap dancing with just one leg!  He hailed from Fountain Inn.



Peg Leg Bates never let losing his leg stop him from dancing! Here, is his first wooden leg he used .

 

These are real cotton balls just as they grow in the field

Tools and other items from history

Is that a tiny gift
Santa is holding with care?

 

Awww it is MJ!

MJ's bio said she loved Christmas and knows in her heart that Santa is REAL! Oh well, I guess there is no argument here!

 

Taking a little time getting to know one another better.

 



PEACE!

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Holiday Shopping Everyday Gossip

 MJ's first stop in Home Town is Carmen's house. This is the house which got me back into the hobby. My first two granddaughters were born and I wanted to refurbish it with them. I am on my second remodel and still working on it. LOL Two new windows were added on the second floor. You can see the one on this side.

 

Most of the locations you will see here and for the rest of these special posts are in progress or repair. You may see some of the progress or changes. Some, are the homes of the regulars, but may be used for something else while MJ is here.

I made the brown coat Carmen is wearing last year.

 

MJ and Carmen have a good laugh about her travels.

MJ describes her encounters with some of the handsome men she has met.
They talk and talk and talk

 Carmen and MJ get up early, after laughing and talking late into the night, to go shopping. Something they both enjoy. We will see a few familiar faces and places along with a few new ones.

Carmen took MJ shopping at Niecy's boutique

Customer to Niecy: Is this on sale too?

Niecy: Yes, this is also "buy one get one free." Will this be all?
Customer: Yes.



The shop is bustling. It seems everyone is doing their holiday shopping. MJ and Carmen leave to go to the shoe store next door.

Carmen made an excuse to come back to the boutique to price the necklace MJ liked. She just might buy it for her going away gift. Then she leaves again.



GLADYS BELL!
 Thank goodness MJ is in the shoe store next door or else she might have been the subject of a little gossip! Who knows?

 

Gladys  Bell waits until everyone has left. She is up to something I can tell!

Gladys Bell: Well, hello there little mama!

Niecy: Gladys Bell! You startled me! How are you?
Looking for something for Beth for Hanukkah?

Gladys Bell: Oh, ah YES, That sounds like a great idea!

Niecy: I have something she might like.
 Look at the look on Gladys Bells' face!

Niecy: These new bangle bracelets just came in. She might like these. I know she usually wears gold




 

Gladys Bell: So, uh, how have you been feeling these days Niecy?

 

Niecy: Well, to be truthful Gladys Bell I have been a little tired lately. This must  be the busiest holiday season I have had since I opened! I am not complaining! Just tired.

 

Gladys Bell: Oh, I see.

To be continued...

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