Mood:  don't ask

I'm so proud of Dearest Son ! His therapist says he's done. He's at or above expected goals for his age group, and since their waiting list is long and they can't just keep him, he's done !

We both cried. I'll miss the place. I'll miss the people and the patients and the staff and the parents.  This summer's going to be really interesting. Think I'll start taking us to the library after school on Mondays. Since we're used to being away during that time frame, it'll do us both some good. 

In keeping with this week's goal, I unloaded six boxes from the garage, and emptied two more that were in the house but not distributed. The box level in the van is above the windows. Gotta get those to the recycler's. Boy, what a job ! But there's a lot less in there now ! Two or three more days, and the garage will be empty, save for Beloved Hubby's stuff. And some furniture that's too heavy for me to move !  

Unfortunately, while I was reading, I had a cough that turned into a choke and I must've pulled something in my tummy. For about three hours, I couldn't sit or stand in any position in comfort. They were honestly worried about me at the therapists'. I thought it had eased, until I sneezed in the parking lot, and pain exploded in VistaVision dimensions. Actually saw stars.

A few hours of nap eased it considerably. Still don't know what I did to myself - it still hurts a bit to cough or laugh. At least I was able to watch a movie with Beloved Hubby, though ! :)

All's well that ends well - can't wait to get to the end of that garage ! And being so *&%#$ing sick... 

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Tuesday, 20 March 2007 7:12 PM CDT

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Mood:  incredulous

I honestly don't know where today went. I did laundry and some dishes, and the day was gone. At least I don't have to be up early for school tomorrow !

But I do have to start excavating the garage tomorrow. Wish me luck ! 

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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Mood:  happy

It really is gorgeous. Puts our cheap TV at just the right height and angle, and holds our entire DVD and VHS collections. So as you can imagine, it's pretty big ! And just beautiful. You can tell how much I love it - I vacuumed the living room before it got put into place, and after !

Kept waking up last night, so I'm tired today. Haven't done much of anything. Swiffered the floors, swept, and did the Cinderella act (hands and knees scrubbing) on some spots - about half don't come up. But at least the floors are clean. 

I haven't been much on the computer lately either. Seems like I'm too busy with other things to spend hours on discussion boards or misery maven sites. I know it's for the best, but I kind of miss 'em, even though I don't really want to go back. Seems like a lot changed when we moved.

I just hope some of it changes back ! 

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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Mood:  a-ok

I don't know why I seem to avoid the new studio. It's all set up, and I've even sewn something, even if it does look like crap...still, you'd think I'd be in there, day and night. Maybe I'm sicker than I thought ! I sleep a lot, that's for sure.

Next week is Spring Break. Both the University and the public schools are off all week. Since we'll be mostly home, I've decided that the goal of the week will be to get all the stuff out of the garage and put away. That'll keep me busy !

Then, I'll set up the next week's goal - sewing every day ! :)  

Sorry if I'm rather distracted. Having some trouble with a family member. Not Beloved Hubby or Dearest Son - thank Everything ! I'd get into it, but this is supposed to be a doll blog, not a 'if Person Y doesn't get off my back about Situation Q, I'm gonna go off on Y like an overstuffed rocket !' blog. I'm trying to be happy here, even though I'm sick - there's a lot to be happy about. But Y doesn't seem to like to see happy. (sigh)

At least there's the weekend to look forward to... 

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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Mood:  lazy

Still ill, but it's clearing. Dearest Son had a party at therapy today, and got to ride the golf carts. He's so happy - I just wish I had more energy to play.

Beloved Hubby fixed the shelf - turns out I should have angled the nails, not pounded 'em straight in. At an angle, the bracket 'catches' better, and doesn't slip. I'm just glad Elphie and Fiyero are safe.

I really need to do something with the MSB dolls, besides hang up their clothes. But they got tons of outfits already ! :) 

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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Mood:  cool

Honestly, I'm starting to wonder if I'll *ever* be well again ! Haven't gone near my sewing room today, and about all that happened with dolls is that the shelf I put up fell down, dumping Elphie and Fiyero to the floor - on top of MSB Casey, which knocked her over. (sigh)

I think I'll just rest a while. Then go clean up the mess, and prevail on Beloved Hubby to re-hang that shelf for me... 

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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Mood:  irritated

Well, it's something I've tried - and failed at, miserably - several times before. But this time, it wasn't so bad. Maybe 'not quite so miserable' is more apt...

One of my favorite vintage Barbie dresses is 'Modern Art' - a simple knee-length cotton dress, slightly off the shoulder with an overlay of organza and a rolled organza collar. Long time ago, I bought the Aileen's Petite Fashions version of it, #135. About a month after buying it, I tried it, setting the first of a chain of failures off.

The directions aren't the greatest, to start with. It never mentions when to sew the shoulder seams - far as I could tell, you *never* do ! It also doesn't say when to turn the organza/cotton bodice right side out, or mentions that the armhole seam and back seams will be visible. Even on the 'finished item' image, the collar isn't as low as it should be. 

Yet, for some reason, I decided to try it again today. After all, it's been at least two years, and it could be that I got frustrated back then and read what wasn't really there - or misunderstood. Two years is long enough to garner some new skills and calm down. And I still really like that dress...

I had most of the same problems then as now, but it did look better. I used cotton and tulle instead of cotton and organza, and I used thread that glared in its non-matching brightness. So the 'finished' bodice looks like crap, but it's closer to the original than I've ever been. I still think it's badly written, for a pattern, and not really that close to the vintage version, but unless I wanna go after it m'self, I can't whine too much. I'll probably try again tomorrow, with some other fabrics, so I can show ya what I mean. 

It's just so frustrating to *buy* a pattern - and then find out it's screwed up ! In my overstated opinion, if I'm gonna shell out hard-earned, the author should have his/her crap together. Makes me glad I don't buy patterns from any source anymore. Seems like I'd often be better off making 'em myself, all the frustration and wasted time and materials could at least be headed towards a goal.  

Posted by dorriebelle at 8:15 PM CDT

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Mood:  a-ok

...I wanna take a nap soooo bad ! But I actually did some stuff today - got a few more boxes moved from the garage to where they belong in here, put away Mt. Clean Laundry, and did dishes. Realized that, while I hate doing dishes and laundry piles up fast if I'm lazy for a day, I didn't mind doing it. I love this place that much.

Did discover a few minor things - there's fleas in the garage, the dishwasher doesn't work, and beetles thrive in the laundry room. But these are all work-aroundable. Heck, I hate doing dishes, but by the time I get 'em ready for the dishwasher, they're 90% clean already. Won't take much more effort to just wash 'em, and use the washer racks as a place to dry them. Garage just needs a sweeping out with borax, same for the laundry room. Now that I've organized Beloved Hubby and Dearest Son's closets, putting laundry away won't be such a chore. So even the negative things aren't so bad.

All the housework didn't leave me much doll time - yeah, I'm still sick, too, but I'm nowhere near as tired and sleepy as yesterday - but I got the sewing machine set up and running. It's right under the front porch window, I can see Son when he plays from the sewing chair. Got the new fabrics I bought last month cheap-serged and ready for tomorrow's laundry.  Hard to believe it's been nearly three weeks since I sewed anything at all !

Maybe I can get Rick Hunter measured tomorrow, or just sew a bit. It's funny, you'd think with a sewing room all my own, I'd be chomping at the bit to get in there, but for some reason, I've been reluctant the few minutes I haven't been ill.  

And does anyone but me think that this year's Daylight Whatever Time really tanks ? I'm driving Son to school in pitch darkness !  

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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Mood:  down

...I just wish it was by choice ! Cough's come back with a vengeance, and the only thing that keeps it at bay, even a little, is an allergy medicine. That conks me completely out ! No joke, I've fallen asleep writing this much.

so I'm gonna go lie down. Just hope I'm 'closer to specs' tomorrow. Hope your Daylight-whatever-Time is going better than mine ! 

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CST

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Mood:  bright

 As promised, doll stuff ! Just now found the USB cable for the camera, it's been gone all week. Gosh, am I glad to have that back !

While I haven't had any sewing time since Lisa Hayes-Hunter's dress and jacket were done, I did have some time to shop today ! Had a 40% off coupon for Hobby Lobby, so I headed there first.

I always hit the markdown shelves and walls first. Ya never know what yer gonna find. I snagged some silver silk rosebuds (18c for 10), some gold grommets (20 for 25c), and finally got the mannequin I've been wanting for some time - with the coupon, it was still $9., but it's perfect for hanging my scissors, and I just love it. And now I don't have to keep sighing over wanting one anymore !

I also found the shirt Fuu (Magic Knights Rayearth) is wearing. It's a scrapbook dealie, but with some scissors, Fray Check, and snaps, it fits slight-figured Fuu just fine.

The mini t-shirts retail for $3., and come with a tiny metal coathanger. This one was on markdown for some reason, for $1.79. If you're curious, you can see the whole line at http://www.eksuccess.com/ . Just type in 'mini t-shirt' in the box. You may have to root around the site to see 'em all - the one Fuu's wearing only shows when you do a search for Tinkerbell. 

It is tight at the neck, so I just hand-hemmed the back opening and added snaps a bit down from the neck. I could probably add a bit of fabric to the back opening so larger-figured dolls could wear this, but I rather like it the way it is. So many outfits hang on the smaller-bodied dolls.  

Fuu herself has a story. I used to go to anime conventions, and I wanted a Fuu doll so badly ! But I didn't have $80. - yup, import dolls cost a ton ! However, at the next convention I went to, Fuu-chan was only $30. Wheee ! I had my Fuu, at last. And I found out that some of my con-friends had also bought Magic Knights Rayearth dolls, too, so we played on the floor of Mariah's room while our guy friends cooed at the spectacle. Then went to watch a Jackie Chan movie. 

Her hair really is like that, right out of the package. I need to do something with it. Her original costume, armor, and glasses are 'round here somewhere. Unfortunately, the dress I had her in has transferred a bit of red to her legs, so I have to treat that soon. I've often thought of switching her head to another body, as she has the unfortunate 'legs wide apart' sitting posture. It'll just be a while before I can find a body pale enough for her head !  

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 9:56 AM CDT

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