HFIM HOUSE history...Preparing for Thanksgiving!

When I first started the HFIM house,(Home for Impoverished Millenials) in 2017,

(Here's a little history) there were 14-16 single people sharing two large homes connected together. School debt and high living costs in Chicago caused them to form a co-op of sorts with everyone investing in two adjoining old houses and making the repairs and remodeling. In 2022 it was eventually sold. The two homes were separated and totally remodeled, the Millenial gang moved on here and there, and most made a bunch of money based on what they put in funds and time working on the repairs.

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Here's the original setup---minus three rooms in the basement that were the guys quarters along with the penthouse floor left upper.

The two houses are a Mattel Townhouse 2004  and a Victorian mansion (1992)

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Portrait of most of the girls.

The 8 girls Back LtoR: Monnie, Zoe, Raquel(changed to Richelle),Rory,Barbie, 

Vickie-close friend, Sindy, 

Bottom LtoR; Mulan, Lara-friend, and Belle

Missing: Elsa, Anna and Chelsea.

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The guys Back LtoR; Dr Ken, Patrick, Ken's twin brotherKevin-visiting,Danny, Aiden, 

Lower Ryan and Stewart. Missing is Nemo.

Residents were fluid as some left and new people came, always room for someone needing a place to stay.

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Main computer workstation where Sindy plans  menus and food costs. Dinners and Breakfasts, while everyone was responsible for their own lunch.

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Early Original Layout of townhouse and conjoined Victorian mansion before the new second  floor with the original cast in 2017. Three rooms on another lower level were the boys bedrooms and bath and storage.

 

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Many changes happened, here Monnie and Chelsea help Nemo install the new main room flooring.

November 11, 2025

 Story for the Year--2017. 15 Millennials ages 20-27 share a huge house and yard. Elsa is an exchange teacher from Sweden with her little sister, Anna. 

Dr. Ken, Barbie,(with little sister, Chelsea)  Raquel(now Richelle), and Ryan are the primary investors, the rest each put in their share of rent which covers living expenses and the repairs and everyone does clean up and assists in construction.

It is a few days before Thanksgiving and Sindy(a baker and in Culinary School) directs the kitchen.

The HFIM house was a-bustle. With lousy weather forecasted for the holiday weekend, these Chicago millennials were either working or sticking close to what was now their home in the HFIM house. 

Anyway...they are ALL family ----sort of. 

Only a few days away and the girl's are getting a 

heads-up on the prep for Thanksgiving.

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Barbie: I'm  using  the new mixer for cornbread muffins, (Sindy gave her tips and  encouragement.)

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Chelsea: We have plenty of butter and fresh corn for the muffins.

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Chelsea: I'll cut the apples for pies.

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Rory asked, "What else do you need from the fridge besides cream and eggs?"

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Sindy: "Just more butter for the extra stuffing. This is the last Turkey dish; a rolled Turkey breast with stuffing inside.We just need the veggies for the guys to roast."

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Doctor Ken: I'm getting ready to 'operate' on the grill. I'm in charge of roasting vegetables. What's that, Monnie? 

Monnie: Just the vegetables and some stock for gravy. I'm suppose to chill it outside before we make the stuffing.

Doctor Ken: It's really a bit balmy, you can use the ice in cooler over there. Hard to believe it is supposed to snow this weekend.

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Inside-Sindy: Thanks Monnie, I really needed the stock cool. Is Ken working on the veggies?

Monnie: He's got them on the grill right now.

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Later--Sindy: "There! The last turkey is  in the oven. We will be in great shape for Thursday, since everyone has to work the day before. You can never make big dinners too far ahead."

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Raquel and Belle folded napkins for the table. 

Raquel: If everyone extra comes Thursday, we will be over 22? Maybe we will have to eat in shifts.

Belle: I think the boys are working on that...a long table and adding an extension of some sort? Maybe we could use the picnic table? 

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Elsa: The centerpiece is lovely, Mulan. Lovely using wild things from the park and yard. In Sweden we use wheat, cranberries and apples for seasonal decorations, with many candles. At home, by today this three o'clock it is almost dark. They say, we have two seasons-Light and mostly Dark.

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Mulan: We have same, in Northern China, dark long time at night. This table needs some order, I mean organizing. Maybe we should wait for the party on Thursday to know how many?  Meanwhile, where will we eat?

(NOISE from the living room---another fumble or bad call?)

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Nemo:NOT FAIR! Bad call ref, bad call! 

Danny: HORRIBLE CALL, it was in! 

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What a crappy game....I smell food.

Ryan: The girls are cooking for Thanksgiving...all we have tonight is cold Pizza.

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Anyone up for Pizza?

A blown field goal, and the BOYS all groan! 

(to be continued )

The dolls shown were from my own collection or the Grand's collection as are the clothes, which are vintage, or made by myself. Occasionally, I falter and buy something new. (2017 remember). 

Thanks for visiting, and I'll be happy to answer any questions or comments. 

All the opinions and photographs on this blog are my own, unless otherwise stated. 

 I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions

 or products shown, or from where I shop. 

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Tuesday Turn About

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Thank you for your cooperation,

 Sandi Magle

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'S in the City Party': Fashion, Bling and of course SHOES! PHOTO HEAVY! Maybe PG-13?

                                                                   Ad-Free Blog

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Barbie and Chelsea put the finishing touches on the party buffet table for the SATC Party.

Barbie: Wow, you did a great job helping me with all the food Chelsea. 

Chelsea: What is SATC?

Barbie: Well it's series about girlfriends and some movies, too. Really celebrating friendship.

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Chelsea: Okay. Well, I liked helping. Maybe I can get some extra-credit in my Home Economics class! I really liked making the sushi rolls, that was FUN. 

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Barbie: There's the doorbell. It's Melanie and Melissa.

Chelsea: Hi, Melissa! 

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Melissa: Wow, Chelsea, you weren't kidding when you said there would be lots of food. Thanks for having me Ms.Roberts.

Melanie: Thanks so much for inviting us. My hubby is off at a game party and this was such a good idea to have a real 'Girls Only' option.

Barbie: Why don't you two go up to Chelsea's room before everyone gets here.

Chelsea: I already took snacks up there.

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(Next to arrive is Trish)

Trish: Thanks so much for the invite, I can't stay long, this week is SOOOOO busy at the shop...with Valentines Day. I won't be able to stay for the movie. 

Barbie: I totally understand, stay as long as you want, and you look so adorable. 

Trish: Well, just don't look at my hands, I REALLY need a manicure, I must have a thousand rose thorn cuts.

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Barbie: I know what you mean--I haven't seen my legs since Christmas.

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Doorbell: Brrrinnnnng!

Trish:(Wow, what a spread, dumplings, I love stuffed  dumplings.)

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Barbie: Lots of choices! Help yourself!

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Finger food and tasty too!

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Melanie: Hi, I'm Melanie. Barbie and I are in the same exercise class and my daughter is friends with Chelsea.

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Trish: I'm Trish I own the flower shop down the street. Wow, those drinks look awesome. 

Melanie: Sure do, and extra bottles on the side if you want to add some. Wasn't this a great idea, I loved all the movies and the tv series?

(Over across the room)

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Denise (R): How have you been, Richelle. You are looking very 'Carrie' for this party. This is certainly better than enduring another football game. 

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Richelle: *(Chuckle) This outfit was an excuse to unearth some 90's clothing. I was just home to Wisconsin and didn't have the heart to get rid of this. And you must have be channeling, 'Samantha'. That's an awesome jacket.

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Denise (L): You really have to 'DO' my office, Richelle, if you have time. It bores me to tears to work in there---it's so bland. 

Richelle: I would be glad to assist you in any way, say later in the week?

(Upstairs Ken and Joe are watching the game, and the girls are ...trying to eavesdrop.)

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Melissa: It's been ages since I've had pizza and a shake. Foofie really likes me.

Chelsea: Well, she just wants to lick your face! There sure is a lot of noise coming from downstairs for a 'ladies party'.

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Vickie: Sorry, Zoe and I are late. We didn't miss any gossip, I hope?

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Vickie: I'm a very old---Carrie---maybe, but this was such a great idea. You all look sooooo GORGEOUS!

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Vickie: Is it getting warm in here?

Group: (Female wolf whistles....Take it all off!)

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Midge: Let's get a photo of all these SHOES.

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Vickie: Oooh, now what's in those cocktails?

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Barbie: Green is a lime concoction of pineapple, lime and some sherbet. The pink is strawberry-lemon sherbet fizz. You can add more of your own poison.

Denise: Divine, make your own POISON, love that!

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Barbie: Okay, everyone, let's go around and name our favorite person or thing in 'S and the City' and Zoe, you start.

Zoe: Maybe Charlotte, I'm pretty shy like her.

Melanie: I definitely loved all the shoes...they are a character aren't they?

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Richelle: Why are you smiling, Midge?

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Midge: Well, the clothes and shoes of course, but, ahhhh, but, um, oh, my favorite...

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(blushing)my favorite has to.... 

be 

DRUM-ROL-L-L-L-L=L PLEASE!

(SCREECHING RAUCOUS LAUGHTER)

Trish: If ONLY, I'll second that!

Barbie: Here's to Mr. Big and girl-friendship and learning to love ourselves, just the way we are! CHEERS EVERYONE and bottoms UP. 

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Richelle:  And for supporting each other, and this great party!

Meanwhile: Upstairs in the den the game is still going on, forever in fact.

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Ken: This is a great game----did you hear that coming from downstairs? 

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Joe: I don't know what they are doing, but some sort of cheering, whoa...a First Down!  

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Chelsea: Wow, that's a lot of noise coming from downstairs. And my sister says we are loud.

Melissa: What is 'S and the City' anyway?

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Chelsea: I don't know, but I sure want to find out 

about 

MR.BIG?

Melissa: Maybe he just has a BIG personality?

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 Please do not use my photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. 

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