Mood:  energetic

Kind of a slow Sunday. The local Marts are completely sold out of both soft Tow Mater and Lightning McQueen Easter baskets - so I'm glad I bought our LMcQ one weeks ago ! I kinda felt a bit 'taken', 'cause I paid $10. for an empty soft-sculpture car with a handle...but the generic ones at Big Lots were the same price ! So now I'm all happy about it, and I need to find out when Easter actually is...

Does it strike anyone else as odd that I get all happy about Easter baskets and when the trash truck gets *all* the garbage out of the can, and on the right day ? I do.  That stuff makes me happy. It's weird.

I've given up on the archway over my studio door idea. Most cheap 'garden' arches are at least fifteen inches wide - that eats too much into the hallway. I could put it inside the door, but your cheaper ones aren't that tall. Plus, there's the door, and I don't want to lose having a door.

So instead, I'm getting a pair of wooden pegs on star-shaped bases. They're only a buck each at Hobby Lobby. Once painted, they'll get nailed to the top corners of the door, to support a curtain-like swag over the doorway that I can change on a whim.  Heck, I can even swing Christmas lights over the pegs if I want to. And gosh knows I got plenty of fabric ! I'll probably still buy some, as what I have is normally a yard or less. I don't have to sew curtains, just hem some yardage. Or I could choose to not even do that - if I use star-printed tulle, which is cheap. Or sew my boxload of single Barbie shoes on to some netting, that'd be unique ! 

Can even make the swag the length I want. It can reach the floor or just graze the corners of the door frame. Depends on what I like. I can't wait to go shopping tomorrow ! If I buy fabric, I'll have to remember to get an extra yard or two, so I can make a matching valence for the window. Don't want more than that, the window's a main light source for the room. 

It's funny. In two days I've gone from '(sigh) I have a studio now that I don't even wanna go into.' to 'Wow ! I can't wait to customize my studio this week !'. I'm really excited about it. All because of an 'In The Pink' post and a party theme catalog I didn't even want. It's amazing where inspiration can originate.

I'm also considering adding a paper umbrella to one corner of the studio.  HLobby had big ones (they'd protect one person from rain for about ten minutes !) for less than $2., in vivid colors. They open and have a 'stay up' band, with a hanging loop on the handle. I've always loved paper umbrellas, no matter their size. Couldn't figure out how to use them until we ate out this weekend - the restaurant certainly knew how ! I'd also love to employ some paper lanterns, but I don't wanna get more ridiculous than I already have. At the rate I'm going, the studio's gonna look like a celestial-themed Chinese restaurant that serves dolls. 

 Is it bad that I think that'd actually be rather cute...? :)

Posted by dorriebelle at 11:31 AM CDT

Updated: Sunday, 25 March 2007 11:33 AM CDT

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Mood:  not sure

Busy Saturday. With the acreage that came with our new place came the job of mowing it. After reviewing web sites and manual specifications, we headed out to get a riding lawn mower.  No way could we afford a new one, so we checked the second-hand venues - newspaper classfieds and pawn shops. And ended up with a great deal ! Our new mower was less than a third of the original price, and aside from a semi-DOA battery and squishy front tire, works wonderfully. I even gave it a spin around the front yard, mowed about half of it in the '4' speed setting. '5' was just too fast for me !

Grass was pretty high, so we couldn't mow it very low, but it was noticeable wherever we cut. I had no idea a riding mower was so much fun ! I'm used to the push kind, which are no fun at all. And since the weather's so nice, I get to go walking during the week - to pick up old bottles, cans, trash, and branches, so the new mower won't get tangled up. Beloved Hubby estimates it'll take most of a weekend to get it all done, and we'll probably need to about every two or three weeks. 

What amazed me is my allergies. Or lack of. With a push mower, I'm normally itching with streaming eyes within a half hour. With our new 'go cart' (giggle), I was out there for nearly an hour, spinning around the tall grass and taller wildflowers, without so much as a sniffle. Turns out those darn crane flies breed in the clover, so I felt darn good about mowing it down. I know crane flies are harmless, but we're ankle-deep in 'em, and they keep landing on my shoulders - no matter how harmless they are, feeling one on your back is a sure creep-out !

Returned the RedBox rented movies - also easy, you can return 'em to any RedBox, not just the one you rented from. The animated Hellboy was OK, but mostly made us want to see the live-action movie again. Which we lucked out on - the shop we got the mower from also had a selection of DVDs. We got the Hellboy two-disc set, in great shape, for just $5.50 ! Wow ! Price on the box was $9., and we thought that was a good deal ! 

Cinderella 3 was actually pretty good - it's the best Disney-direct-DVD sequel I've seen, but that isn't saying that it's The Empire Strikes Back or nothin'.  Just that most Diz movies with numbers suck canal water through a rusty pipe lined with asbestos. Even the sequels without numbers get pretty lame (coughhackReturnOfJafarwheeze), it's usually just a retelling of the original story with one or two new characters filling in the spaces for the defeated bad guys from the hit film. C3 isn't much of an exception, but I did enjoy it. Not enough to buy it, but I may rent it again sometime. Animation was gorgeous, and they actually gave ole Princey a personality ! He may be the first Diz prince who 'has a life' !

We lazed about for the evening. While I was out for a few groceries, I checked to see if McD's had the miniature Wicked Witch of the West Madame Alexander Happy Meal doll - nope, not yet. Ours had Glinda and Dorothy. Why in the world would I want them ? (grin) At least Dearest Son got a Ninja Turtle Happy Meal. It's a cheap hitting, kicking toy, but so are the NJ characters.

After he crashed from some good, satisfying saturated fats, Beloved Hubby started a new AMV (anime music video). He found out that three of his previous ones are in the Top 100 in Japan's YouTube. That'll encourage him for days ! :) So I was free to go tear up my studio.

Ever since I saw that one lady's doll room on 'In The Pink', I've been obsessed with being happier with mine. So I went through all the doll props - five copy-paper boxes worth - and...well, there wasn't much I wanted to give up. Six months ago, there were six boxes, I got rid of a lot then. What I have now, I want to keep. But it was taking up too much space, and made the studio look crowded. I'm still wondering how I had all this stuff at our much smaller previous place !  

So I took a tip from the ITP images in my mind, and moved all the prop boxes into the closet, and put the doll clothes on top of 'em. That makes the closet crowded as hell, but it has doors. As the weeks go by, I hope to substitute some of the worn-and-torn cardboard boxes and recycled bedding bags for nice storage containers, for the props and clothes. If I get one every week or three, it won't be such a large outlay, and it'll get me what I want. Storage that's easy to get to, that allows me to keep what I really like.

Even with this minor change, I like my studio a lot more. It doesn't look so crowded now. Oh, there's still tons of doll and sewing stuff, but a lot of it is hidden, and I know exactly where everything is. I'm even thinking of doing an archway over the door, just for fun.  Saw one I really loved in a party catalog, but I think I can emulate it for less than $99.95 plus shipping. 

Still planning on some car cleaning tomorrow. Do you know I haven't been to any of the local thrift stores since before we moved ? This place really is good for me ! :) 

Posted by dorriebelle at 11:50 PM CDT

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Mood:  caffeinated

Beloved Hubby and I got to go out for a bit tonight - we had a wonderful dinner, and did some window shopping. Our local Big Lots has the Cinderella castle (Barbie sized) marked down to $25., and I was tempted, but ultimately didn't get it. We're still pretty broke, and I already have a big Barbie castle from a yard sale.

Now that the weather's getting nice, it's about time to start work on painting it. It's a great structure - even if they did cheap out on maybe .00002 of a penny's worth of plastic so it doesn't stay folded closed for more than three seconds - but the overwhelming pink is just too much for me. Once I invest some time and energy in painting it, I'll play with it a lot more.

I also have to fix the rotating tower. Hey, something's always gonna be missing when you pay $5. for a toy that was $125. a year before.  Mattel does sell a replacement, but it's four times what I paid for the whole thing ! So I'll make something, maybe from foamcore or a Pringles potato chip can.

About the only thing we 'bought' besides dinner is a couple of movie rentals. Tried out the RedBox kiosk, you may have seen 'em at McD's or grocery stores where you live. It was kind of fun, and not at all difficult to use. And it's great to get new movies for just a buck a day ! We got the new animated Hellboy movie, and I went ahead and rented Cinderella 3, just for fun. Hubby just started one, so I'm gonna make this kinda short. 

We're all done with the garage, but I never had the time - or interest, I was darn lazy today ! - to clean out the car. Sunday's usually pretty boring, so I'll probably catch up then. Spring break's nearly over, and I'm really looking forward to getting back to our normal schedule.

Truth be told, I think Dearest Son feels the same way ! 

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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Mood:  a-ok

Still puzzling over my repeated failures at reproducing vintage Barbie fashion #1625, Modern Art, with Aileen's Petite Fashions pattern #135. Wrote to a doll board for help, and received an idea - e-mail the current copyright holder and let her know about my issues. I already found the owner's home page, so sending a note should be no problem.

It's kind of funny. I first saw Modern Art in a Manos Barbie book The World of Barbie Dolls. I'd found it in a used book shop for less than a buck. I soon had it creased to that page - I loved the collar and the vivid green color. Actually found green fabric with tiny white roses on the dollar tables at the Mart, and couldn't wait to make my own Art. Tried to figure out how to do the collar on my own, and I had some solid ideas, but couldn't quite get the shoulders right. After a year or two of fussing, I bought the APF pattern. And then didn't use it for another year or two.

I never noticed that it wasn't just a green cotton dress. Oh, it's a green cotton dress, all right - with a layer of chiffon over it ! That's why it's rather rare and kind of expensive to find in good shape. The fragile chiffon layer didn't survive many childhoods.  It tears, stains, and pulls easily. Simply put, if it's less than $75. on eBay, it's torn in some fashion. Or just plain raggedy, fit only for a pattern. But darn it, if I'm gonna shell out for a vintage dress, I want my doll to be able to wear the thing !

So that's kind of where I still am. I studied it again, but I'll probably wait for an answer before I attempt it for about the 20th time, it seems. I played with Doll Shop Deluxe for a few minutes, printed out a new Fiyero Matthews pattern. Maybe I'll get time to work on it tomorrow.

Spring Break has just flown by ! But I've gotten a lot done ! (sigh) Still gotta scrub some toilets, though... 

Posted by dorriebelle at 9:13 PM CDT

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Mood:  chillin'

Got the last five boxes off the floor of the garage, and it's all put away, boxes are in the van for recycling. The box I planned to unpack Thursday is already in the house, too, and I forgot - there's stuff in the white car we hurriedly threw in there, gotta go through that, too. So I already know what I'm doing Thursday !

Since I got the last of the stuff out of the garage - and I'm as close to done as I can get right now - I ended up cleaning the neglected kitchen this evening.  The dishwasher, for some reason, doesn't clean the top rack at all, so I just hand-wash everything, and use the dishwasher as a drying rack. I think it actually takes less time this way. I'm just very lazy about doing dishes, 'cause I hate to.

Dearest Son asks nearly every day how much longer his Spring Break is. Right now, he's spread out the heart-themed quilt his Dearest Aunt made him, and it's Radiator Springs, with Cars characters parked and driving along it. We never found the official Mattel playsets - and from the prices I saw on eBay last Christmas, very few people did ($$$ !) - but it doesn't matter, since he makes his own. Seeing him play makes me want to, but I'm bleepin' worn out ! 

Beloved Hubby brought me a little snack-size Snickers candy bar. I really enjoyed it ! I'm starting to believe that small is better, especially when it comes to food. Been so sick lately, my 'tight jeans' are a bit loose, and my 'regular' ones need a belt. Or maybe it's just spring...

And before I forget - happy Equinox ! 

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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Mood:  chatty

Didn't dig anything out of the garage today - put myself on 'light duty' so I could be well-rested for the heavy stuff tomorrow. Plus, my tummy still hurts from whatever I did to it yesterday, and I don't wanna make it worse. So I'm just doing regular catch-up housework instead. Swiffering the bathrooms, dishes, laundry. Boring, but needs doing all the time.

Tuna's nearly recovered from her foot injury - but one toe is still swollen. Not sure what to do about it. If it's still big next week, we'll take her back to her vet's. She can jump as high as ever, and she doesn't limp or anything. She even let me touch her foot yesterday, without flinching away or getting claw-happy. Beloved Hubby made her a cat toy yesterday, from some yarn, a bow I removed from some ratty doll hair, and the adjusting wand from some window blinds. She went after it like a feline posessed ! 

Dearest Son came home from his grandparents' early, but that was fine with me. We missed him ! And he had a ton of toys to put away from my garage sifting. Next weekend he visits, I'm gonna really have to go through his room. Big as it is, it's so fulla toys, he can barely walk through it.

So, again, not much on dolls, unless you count some growing anticipation of having a week to sew starting next Monday - if not Saturday. Sometimes it's more fun when you put it off a bit, make it something to look forward to.  

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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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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