When I was a child, I lived in a beautiful house in Philadelphia. the house was purchased in the 50's by my grand parents, and then purchased from them in the 80's by my parents. When I think of great times from my childhood, I always picture the house and our beautiful back yard which held a gorgeous Mimosa tree. I remember playing with my Sylvanians under this tree and having so much fun. The scent of Mimosa trees is probably one of the most beautiful scents I've ever smelled. My neighbor a few blocks down has a Mimosa tree, and I can not express in words how much I enjoy walking past it in the spring, when the flowers are in bloom. it truly brings back amazing memories and fills my heart with joy. I'm not sure why I chose to write an entry about this tree. for some reason when I walked passed the tree today, I pulled off a small branch with the flowers on it, and carried it down the street with me, smelling it and remembering such great times. I always knew that once I owned my own home, a Mimosa tree would have to be a part of our yard. I want my children to have the same sweet memories brought on by the scent of Mimosa trees in their future.

I recently drove past my old home. we haven't owned it in many years, and I was curious as to what it now looked like. When I saw the house and the yard, I was appalled by the condition it was in. the tree I once loved was gone. it was chopped down and all that remained was a sad stump. the rose garden next to it was nothing but a muddy section of dead and dried weeds. and the grass throughout the yard was dried and yellow. there was a foreclosure sign in the middle of the yard, to no surprise. I was disgusted how someone could buy that beautiful house and turn it into that. I pulled my phone out and quickly dialed the number on the sign and asked about the house. it was now for sale for only a shocking $45,000. I wanted nothing more than to go straight to the bank and get approved for a mortgage so I could buy it, and return it to the way it used to be; but I couldn't. the neighborhood was in just as bad condition as the house. by my feet were dirty needles and empty bags of drugs. I shook my head and returned to my car, where I drove home with my mind and memories crying. I wanted to find the person who did this and kill them. after about a week, the memory of the horrible condition the house was in faded, but I was still left with the wonderful memories of my childhood. as sad as it is, I guess it wouldn't make a difference if the house was still in the condition that my family had left it or not. all that matters is that it was beautiful while I was there, and that it is still beautiful in my mind.

I recently ordered the Lambrook Sheep sister from a seller on Ebay. Prior I had only the Sheep mother and felt she needed a child. So a month ago, I ordered her, and sadly she never arrived. I contacted the Ebay seller, who provided me with the tracking number. USPS said she was delivered to my apartment, but she never was. After weeks of calling them and stopping by the post office to see if she had been found, she magically appeared in my mailbox this morning! thank god. I was beginning to feel like she was lost forever. And since I haven't much money to spend on Sylvanians recently, I felt like it was such a waste. Sure, I didn't spend much on her, but still, money is money. And Sylvanians are so expensive, that it would have crushed me to lose that money, and her. Well, I'm glad she showed up so she can finally join her mother at home! Her mother greeted her with a big smile and happy tears.

I have been falling more and more in love with the standing/posable babies every day. There is just something about their tiny bodies, huge eyes, and little knitted outfits that are irresistible. I now know why there are so many accessories for these adorable babies. I never understood the point of the Tea Cups or the Ferris Wheel. I thought "why would these little babies have their own amusement park?!" but now I know why, because it's friggin' adorable, thats why. I would love to add a lot more of these beauties to my collection. I'd very much enjoy the Silk Cat baby, Buttercup Cat baby, and possibly the Lambrooke Sheep baby. They're next on my list. Sadly, I haven't any money to buy any more Sylvanians, at least not for a few months. Next accessory on my list is the Donut Stand and some patio furniture. I was hoping to have some patio furniture for my Sylvanians before 4th of July, so I could photograph them BBQing, and enjoying fireworks, but that will have to wait for next year.

Baby Patrick Deer wants so badly to be able to climb on the bed all by himself, but he is still too small. Thankfully he has his big brother, Pete, to help out! "Don't worry, Patrick," Pete says to his little brother, "One day you'll be big enough to climb up on your own. Until then, I'll help you." Little Patrick smiles at his big brother as he lifts him onto the bed. He is so glad to have such a wonderful brother who helps him out, shares with him, and looks after him.

I received my primrose nursery figures about two weeks ago, and I must say, they are amazing! I wasn't going to order them, but found them at a great price and I just couldn't resist! Now I find myself wanting to order the pre school so they will have a place to learn. Their pre school outfits are so tiny and adorable, they make it hard not to love them. They are a MUST for any collector. I find myself just admiring them a lot, and wanting to carry them around in my pocket. If I had the money, I'd purchase the pre school outfits for every one of my standing baby/toddlers. Sadly, neither of these babies have parents yet, but I'll be working on it. Actually, I don't think there are any parents for the Ivory Dogs; but I'll be looking out for them. I've had my eye on the Ivory Dogs (Spotty & Stella's Swimming Adventure) for some time now, but just haven't made the purchase yet as I always wind up finding another figure I'd rather order instead. And unfortunately, I am not made of money!

Make A Wish!

The women of the Macavity Cat Family woke up this morning and decided it was a beautiful day to take a walk through the park. Mrs. Macavity has been so busy since having twins, that she barely has time to take walks with her daughter, Anna Lucia, anymore. While walking thru the park and admiring nature, Anna Lucia spots something she's never noticed before. "What's that?!" she exclaims, running towards it. "It appears to be an old well." Mother says, "If you throw a penny in and make a wish, it might come true." Anna Lucia scrunches her nose, "I have a penny!... but it's the one father gave me this morning for candy... but I could WISH for candy!" Without thinking it over, Anna Lucia tosses her penny in, closes her eyes, and yells "I wish for candy!" But to her surprise, there was no candy when she opened her eyes. "Where's my candy?" she asks dissapointed. "Well honey, wishes don't happen immediately. Sometimes you have to wait a while." Mother explains. Anna Lucia sighs, "How long? Because the last time you said I had to wait a while for a little sister, I had to wait almost an entire year!"

Greeting The New Neighbor

Mrs. Slydale Fox Greets her new neighbor, and brings her wonderful daughter along! Ms. Snow Rabbit is not only new in town, but she is a new mother as well. Maybe Mrs. Slydale will have a few tips for her on how to raise such wonderful children! Ms. Snow Rabbit has been having some trouble unpacking in her new home, since her twins are crawling now and getting into so much mischief; so Mrs. Slydale fox has volunteered her husband and son to help her out. "My husband can help you move the furniture," Mrs. Slydale offers, "and I can watch the twins for you so you can get some things put away. It's the least I can do." Mrs. Slydale is such a wonderful neighbor!