Rhonda from the Bluegrass

Here is a link to a company that exclusively sells Mexican miniatures: http://www.mexicoetc.com/minis.html Also, when I was doing my hacienda, I frequently checked the Ebay dollhouse miniatures section - I searched under Mexican, Mexico, Southwestern, and Spanish. It was amazing how much stuff I was able to find on Ebay.

Thank you all so much . . . your well-wishes mean more to me than you could ever know. I am feeling really disheartened . . . they had to put off his surgery because my nephew had taken an aspirin a couple of days ago - he just didn't know it would be a problem. So, my brother, his wife and of course, Keith had a long, tiring weekend and now Keith is going to have to think about this until they can safely schedule it. They are having to allow an entire day for the surgery although they are hoping it will take approximately 6 hours - they have to allow extra time in case complications come up. Another thing my poor nephew has to worry about now is that they told him they will have to slice the top of his head off to operate and won't be able to re-attach it for 6 weeks (due to some kind of special thing they have to do to it). So, needless to say, he is completely afraid of the whole process, and he will have to be very, very careful to keep his bandaged head safe and out of harm's way. Also, when my brother got his family back home, all of their water pipes had frozen up, so my brother is having to try to work on those instead of getting some sleep. I'll just be glad when all of this is behind us. I would trade places with my nephew if I could . . . I am already 50 and have lived a lot of life. Since I can't do that, I will just have to keep on praying, and gratefully accepting all of your prayers as well. Once again - thank you all so much. You have got to be the kindest group of people I've ever known. 2010 (and now 2011) have been way tough, but having all of you here to help me is a beautiful gift . . . one I will always appreciate.

Oh, wait a minute . . . that might be just the parts. I will have to dig, but I have a 555, so if need be, I could scan mine & email them. Sorry about that!

Roy, despite the highly questionable decision of the judges to award the meth lab house a prize, I have to say you shouldn't be embarrassed you entered. I entered, too, and none of knew that this was going to happen. Your entry is FABULOUS, and I know all of us thought you would be landing a TOP prize (which you most certainly should have). I am glad you entered - I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to see your incredible artwork - it is beautiful, interesting, and museum quality.

I just sent Ernie an email telling him what I thought of his endorsement of such an entry. I agree with you, Steve . . . I won't support anyone who awards a prize to such an entry . . . I think that by awarding the prize, that was endorsing the idea that meth labs are no big deal, not the huge problem that sensible people know they really are.

Amen to that! I am not a Facebook member, but I hope somebody will tell Ernie how tacky that was! Plus, I think it's tacky that he's posted the winners on Facebook, but it's not on the Miniatures.com site yet.

I'm sorry you are disappointed. I have been fortunate in the past with the Reutter pieces I have purchased . . . they have all been exceptional quality. I did hear someone say that the recent pieces have lost some of the original quality. I know the owner of the Reutter line married someone a while back that was also into the dollhouse miniature line, and I heard that when they combined their companies/ideas, Reutter went downhill.

The directions and schematics are right here on this forum . . . I found them when I did a San Fran search. You can right click each page and then download it from your own computer. http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/i...&album=1791 The above link is where I found them.

Hi, Carin! Welcome to the forum! You are in the right place here . . . we're all dollhouse addicts! After you make 5 posts, you can put photo albums up . . . I can hardly wait to see your Pierce and the rest of your minis!

Hi, Rob! I am so glad to see you on here. I loved hearing about your collection, and I hope that you will be able to post pictures on here soon. You are allowed to post pictures after only 5 posts, so you are on your way! Anyway, WELCOME to the forum!

Hi, there! I am delighted you are joining in. You are going to LOVE building dollhouses . . . it is relaxing, fun, and exciting. Plus, this is a great place for a "green newbie" to get lots of helpful information. Welcome on board!!!

Thank you all so much for your kind words, well-wishes, and prayers. I got bad news this morning regarding my nephew . . . after a consultation with the surgeon, we found out that his tumor is at least 10 times bigger than they thought, and it is urgent that they get it out, so he has already been admitted and will be operated on first thing tomorrow morning. They said that if it got any bigger at all, he would go into seizures. We are all so scared for him, so please keep those prayers going! I picked Liam (my cat) up at the vet this morning, and I am literally praying that, this time, he can keep from having a relapse. With the $400+ vet bill I had today, I've already spent going on $2,000 on his medical care. And, worst of all, is that I didn't have it to spend. I don't know how I am ever going to recover or catch up financially. Anyway, I am glad to have my little fellow back and he (and his siblings) are thrilled as well. Today is the last day of my "vacation", so it will be back to my horrible job over the weekend. Sigh. How I hoped I would win the lottery while I was off. . .

April, you did a great job on those adorable little chairs! It is fun to make the things for the houses, but sometimes (with my crazy work schedule), it's just easier for me to buy items if they are available. Having said that, though, when I do have time, I love experimenting with making things. I made all of the fixtures in my little Holistic Center except for the acrylic shelves and I have to confess I enjoyed fooling around with them.

It is adorable, and you've done an excellent job adapting it. Yes, I also love this scale but it sure would be easier if there was a lot of stuff available in this scale, wouldn't it! I always see the same sets of furniture inside so I am hoping someone will come out with good quality quarter scale kits for furniture soon.

Mary, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my prayers and thoughts. Sending you hugs, Rhonda

Here's an update: * My nephew has been seen by a specialist this morning, and is awaiting a surgical date at the hospital. My entire family is praying for his surgery to go safely, and for the tumor to be benign. The enormity and fear of the situation has really hit him this morning (he's never had any surgery before) and he is really getting nervous. We are all, too, but are trying to be strong for him. * My cat, Liam, is an in-patient at the animal hospital, is on I.V.'s and catherization, and I am praying for his return to good health. I really can't afford another huge vet bill, but what can I do? The poor little fellow was supremely displeased at me for taking him back to "that place", but I knew he was going to need more help than I could give him. * My mother seems to be feeling some better, but I am keeping tabs on her via telephone because I know that if she gets worse again, I will need to drive up and make her go to the hospital. Did I mention that this sure wasn't the "vacation" I had planned on???

Thank you all so much for your kindness. I have been in tears all night . . . my nephew is dreading his ordeal, and he, his parents, and all the rest of my family are deeply fearful of the outcome . . . my cat (Liam) has been worsening by the moment and I fear his time on this earth is literally in the moments now . . . my Mother still feels horrible and I cannot imagine how my family could ever live without her - especially myself. She has always been. not only my caring mother, but my best friend. I feel myself sinking into despair, despite my resolve to "be strong" for my family. I am in this deep abyss, and I don't know how to climb out. I feel cursed, afraid, and weak . . . and I hate feeling this way. I thank you all so much for your caring messages, and especially for your prayers. My family is truly struggling in a quagmire of despair, and any loving prayers we can get are deeply appreciated and most certainly needed. I am 50, but I feel as if I have weathered an eternity already. There is nothing left - I must rely on faith to sustain me and those I love. I know that those of you who who have survived these hellish depths understand. Your friendship, caring, and prayers are all so deeply appreciated. I will certainly keep you posted as the resolutions to these situations are resolved . . . regardless of HOW they are resolved. So tired, but looking forward to better days . . . Rhonda

I started my vacation today, and was looking very forward to a visit from my brother. However, several things happened today to put a screeching halt to my original vacation plans. First of all, my mother (who has very precarious health due to kidney disease) is very, very ill and I think should be in the hospital. With recent changes to Medicare, she doesn't feel she can afford it, and I am terrified for her. Secondly, my nephew went to an eye doctor today for a routine visit, and after an exam, was sent immediately to a hospital where an MRI was done, and it was found that he has a brain tumor. He is only in his 20's, and we are all terrified because we don't know whether the tumor is benign or malignant, and whether the surgery will be dangerous. From what I understand, this tumor is located about in the middle of the brain. Third, the cat I've been nursing back to health (Liam) for the past few months had a relapse today, and while he back on treatment, I can clearly see that he isn't looking good and I may lose him. As many of you know, I had an absolutely horrible year last year, and I was (literally) praying that 2011 would be a kinder year. I could sure use any prayers that any of you may have to spare. I thought about canceling my week of vacation, but then realized I might be needed to help my family, so I will remain off work . . . but, that will be all my vacation for the year, and it sure wasn't what I had in mind. I won't mind that, though, if all comes out all right.

While I can think of a couple examples where this is true, that's not actually what I was remembering . . . I was thinking more along the lines of someone being inspired by, and emulating, someone else's ideas. I'm not going to talk specifics, but a lot of the members will know exactly what I am referring to . . .

The only thing that concerns me about offering both scales is that I am afraid the judges would naturally lean toward the "cute little half scale" pieces. I think the poll is a good way to determine which of the two scales should be offered. I am also really glad the kit this year will be a lot different than the previous two years . . . that will help keep out entries that are inspired by previous Spring Fling entries and offer up more originality.