Darn near passed out lazy...

 

Current Mood : Beyond lazy and nearly without a pulse...

 

Sunday. Laundry day. Well, let's face it, I only work when Beloved Hubby does, so laundry day could be any day ! But today it was, so I did four loads - two waiting for later in the week - and got it all sorted. Only have Beloved Hubby's hill and Dearest Son's mountain to put away. I'm taking a break before I tackle Beloved's, and all else fails, Dearest's can wait ‘til he leaves for school. Since I have it sorted enough to find something for him to wear tomorrow, there's no rush. But I really wanna get Beloved's done. Oh, and I have a basketload of socks to pair up. That normally becomes the afternoon bus vigil job. Makes the wait seem less long.

Finally - a new page on the main site !

Current Mood : Happily busy

 

 

The few yard sales I found yesterday weren't worth getting out of the car for, so I was sort of in a ‘stay at home and veg' mode. It's yer classic "po' folk weekend", wherein we basically sat around and watched TV and ate stuff found in the freezer. Weekend before rent is usually like this. I slept a straight-eight last night, and awoke ready to go. Maybe I'm simply not getting enough sleep, or like Michelle theorized, the change of seasons busts our collective butts.

 

We were watching an especially boring movie (that Beloved was enjoying) when I remembered that, when I initially found the Liv Dolls ‘My Room' playset, I was frustrated that I couldn't see the whole thing, or even how it worked. The images on the packaging only showed what I could already see ! And it was too new to have much of an online or fan presence. So I decided to add a new page to the site, detailing everything about the playset, to help any other curious doll fans decide if the $20. purchase was worth it or not to them.

 

I viewed this as the perfect opportunity to use the camera tripod Beloved gave me months ago, but as it turned out, the flash bounce with it was just too great. I took much better photos when I held the camera and moved me around. Oh, well. At least I was able to find it !

 

Two hours later, I had the photos done and the text written, and it's published it to the web. Wanna see ?  https://dorriebelle.tripod.com/id47.html  Since Lucretia was handy, I used her for scale, but she really looks good in the photos. I'm thinking of doing another photo essay of the Target ‘Then and Now' Barbie. It's so rare for me to buy new stuff, I like to get the most out of it, with web site expose pages ! Plus, the TaN Barbie looks fantastic with her earrings removed - the included walkman/mp3 player fits right in to the ear holes and looks just perfectly natural ! And doesn't slip or slide off like the ‘headband' earphone sets.

Hey - a picture today !

Current Mood : content

Spent on small toys : $2.08

 

Today didn't start well. Dearest Son was a bit reluctant to get dressed today, but he was OK with wearing the last of the ‘car' shirts. At least, that's what I thought, until I saw Beloved Hubby redressing him in the shirt he wore to bed last night. I admit it, I felt rejected, and said that, if he didn't want to wear what he asked me to make, I wouldn't make anything else for him. And he'd done another end-run around me, which is also problematic.

 

About this time, Beloved noted that the nightshirt was stained - he'd been wearing it all week - so he ended up back in what I made him, but it still bothered me. Beloved and I talked for a bit, and I felt better, but I still wanted out of the house for a while. Since there weren't any interesting yard sales (never are, just after the free weekend), I decided to hit GoodWill and go from there. Two sales had already cancelled. Darn it.

 

It's typical that, when I go out to look for ‘me' stuff on purpose, I always find ‘Dearest' stuff. Today, it was a pair of jeans, a pair of khakis, and a pair of sweatpants, for $6. I also noted that the first big ‘wave' of Disney Princess paraphernalia is starting to hit the thrifts here. I must've found about 30 themed little-girl shirts, dresses, and backpacks today. Was sorely tempted by the Snow White costume, but it would've required extensive alterations to fit the My Size girls. I really need to make them new Halloween costumes, I haven't sewn any in years.

 

From there, I decided to go ahead with my special lunch. While it was being made, I hit the thrift next door. Picked out four of their 50c grab bags - for a cake decoration Barbie miniature, a Han Solo ‘Galactic Heroes' miniature, a kids' meal Star Wars bobblehead for Dearest, and a cute Kelly in an adorable sundress, and matching shoes. Also a fold-away pouch that now holds the digital remote. All the rest's going back to the thrift. And the DecoPak Barbie is today's image. Since I now have three, it's a collection, so they're going on the kitchen windowsill. That way, I'll have pretty stuff to see when I'm doing the dreaded dishes !

Doll sale misunderstanding... darn Craigslist !

Current Mood : slightly miffed

 

Major thunderstorm last night - we lost power about four times between last night and this morning. So, when the bus was about 20 minutes late this morning, we went inside, so I could check for any delays. Of course, that's when the bus showed up - we made it, but really had to run for it.

 

So I figured I'd best double check, see if that doll sale I wanted to go to was still on. When I tried to find it, using the street address and the city, it wouldn't come up. Did with the street address... so I reread the ad. Doesn't mention the actual city or town, just the street name. Cross-referenced a business mentioned in it - and it's about 40 miles from here. Well, shoot. Same exact street address is here, too. Oh, well. At least I wouldn't have to get out in the rain so early today. No way was I driving in rush hour traffic through Capital City to get there.

 

So I did some housework and frittered around. Beloved Hubby was home early, so I ended up taking a bit of a nap - the thunder kept waking me up last night, so I didn't sleep well. Tomorrow, I'm gonna hit a couple yard sales that I know are local, and maybe the GoodWill, since I haven't been there in months. And I'm still hoping for a special lunch in the bargain ! 

 

Oh, and the near-endless blizzard of papers from Dearest School has begun. It's ironic to me that most companies I deal with bug me endlessly to ‘go paperless !' with my bills, but I end up with over a ream of event flyers alone, in every color imaginable, every school year. I can't use scrap paper fast enough to keep up !

Yawn.

 

Current Mood : Yawn. 

 

Another day down the ole tubes. About all I did all day was cook meals and get Dearest Son to school and ready for school tomorrow. I have got to get off my butt. All I want to do is sleep ! I have no idea what's wrong - I'm taking my medicines, and going to bed at a good hour, but I'm still barely awake all day, and that's with glasses of sugar and caffeine, aka, soda. Dearest seems to have perked back up, but Beloved Hubby and I are still lethargic and sleepy. I hope we're successfully fighting off something.

 

Found a yard sale that starts tomorrow - the ad says they have older Barbie dolls and clothes. If they do, I probably can't afford anything, but I'm going anyway. I found another overdue library book to turn in, a bill payment to mail, and there's a thrift store on that end of town. I may even spring for a non-leftover lunch, depending on what I spend on stuff.

 

In the meanwhile, it's nearly bedtime, thank Everything. If I did anything else as much as I've been sleeping lately, I'd be bored of it by now.

Got a few things done, but then went right to sleep !

 

Current Mood : Perked enough to shop a bit, but still tired.

Current Image Notes : Here's the two dolls I've purchased recently, in the 'kid couture' outfits I bought them in. While most adults wouldn't pair tutus with t-shirts, it's still darn cute ! 

Spent on dolls : $5.92

Spent on patterns : 54c

 

 

I think the whole family's coming down with something. We're all constantly tired and almost always prefer sleep to activities or even the plentiful new TV shows. I'm trying to dig out of my sleepy rut, but it's not going well.

 

Went grocery shopping - Mal-Wart's got a ton of stuff on markdown from the toys and doll sections, but when it's $15. instead of $18., it's not much of a motivation to ‘buy now !'. So I only bought food and a new pair of pants (and markdown underwear) for Dearest Son. I was surprised to find that his favorite pants were about two inches too short, and very tight on him, this morning. Too bad we were already running a bit late when this was discovered ! I sent him in another pair that fit a bit better, but has permanent stains, so they've been ‘weekend wear', not school clothes. I figure, I can buy a pair of new pants a week as part of the grocery money, and in a few weeks, he'll be ready for winter. The clothes I bought this weekend are the next size up. Well, when it comes to Dearest's clothes, ya buy what you can, especially when you find it so cheaply.

 

Also dropped off library books and donations while I was out. Found a pattern that duplicated one I bought earlier, for sewing machine covers. Last time I bought McCall's 5017, it was missing all the ‘cat' related pieces, for the kitty-themed cover and pincushion. So, I bought it. I'd already donated the missing pieces one, noting on the envelope what was absent in Sharpie marker. Also found a Ken outfit from 1996, still in package. Nice brown penny loafers, they'll look great on Leia.

 

But the big buy of the day was a two-doll baggie. I got new still-on-store-shelves Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty dolls in awful outfits - they also had the new Belle. But I just wanted SBeauty. She greatly resembles Agatha's mother, Lucrezia Mongfish-Heterodyne, in Girl Genius. Looks like I'll soon need to brush up on my Victorian corsetry to dress her accurately. I've been wanting one, and contemplated splashing out $12. to $17. for her new, so it was great to find her for just $3.99. Cinderella, who is similarly nearly perfect, if badly dressed, will probably be donated.

 

I seem to be overflowing with blonde dolls lately. Guess I've made my peace with it. Appropriate during Barbie's 50^th, huh ?

I'm still wiped out - it's making me nervous.

 

Current Mood : Still lazy, surprisingly.

I'm not sure what happened today. Beloved Hubby wasn't feeling well, so he was home...and once Dearest Son was home, I stretched out on the sofa. And fell asleep for nearly four hours ! I had no idea I was so tired. I woke up often enough - Beloved and Dearest were working on the latest Lego set, with its attendant exclamations and sounds - but I still fell back asleep every time.

 

By the time I woke for good, it was nearly 7pm, no one had eaten, much less worked on Dearest's homework or anything. So I whipped together a quick dinner (Chicken Pasta Salad) and we did homework (just some reading) and got Dearest into a bath. Got him into bed about a half-hour later than I wanted, but considering the day, it wasn't so bad.

 

Didn't get much done today, as you can expect, when I was awake. Kitchen's still wrecked, but I made an embroidery design out of that Hello Kitty silhouette. Hope to stitch it out later this week. It was so nice outside this morning, we had the door and some windows open, which brought in a buncha flies. Darn flies.

 

We went out for a bit, since Beloved had a few errands to run. Mal-Wart had a ton of toys on markdown, in preparation for early holiday stocking. Most of the ‘World' Barbie dolls were down to $20., and the remaining 50^th Anniversary repro and classic stuff was marked down a few bucks, but not much. For example, the magnets that were about $1.50 were down to $1., and the repro Barbie case was $15. instead of $18. or so.

 

On the newly reorganized shelves, the Liv dolls were plentiful, but I decided against getting one. Same for the Moxie (i.e., ‘These aren't Bratz !' from Bratz manufacturer MGA) dolls. But it was nice to see new things out there. 

 

Called Big Lots, and ours didn't get any of the Adult Collector dolls, not a one. Which is fine with me. I wasn't sure if I wanted one because they were a great deal cheaper, or if I wanted because I really wanted the doll, at any price. I'm glad I don't have to decide, actually. I gave Beloved the $20. I had in reserve for it, since he was broke, and I still had a few bucks. I may hit the thrifts later this week, just because I haven't in so long. I also have a backseat-load to drop off. And some more-overdue-by-the-day library books !

Oh, and I forgot to tell you - Dearest Son won me a new doll or doll furniture from playing the 'Pink Ticket' game that came on my new doll. Only kids twelve and younger can play, so I let him. And we won ! We also 'won' a $5. coupon off our next doll purchase, but the thing wouldn't print out with the newest Firefox update... which I'd just downloaded and installed Friday. (sigh) Maybe next time. In the meanwhile, I'm wondering if Mattel's sending a package or a gift card...

Nodding off Sunday

 

Current Mood : Amazingly lazy

Current Image Notes : Here's the box back for the doll I bought yesterday. Tomorrow, she's still in the box, and you get to see !

 

Not much of nothin' happened today. Dearest Son is home, Beloved Hubby is tattooing Friend with the art he's been sporadically working on for a week or three. I downloaded the last of the designs I wanted from the two sites I have a membership to, so all that's left is waiting to see if I want anything new between now and the day I cancel my subs. Tonight before bedtime, I'll burn a backup disc.

 

I know I'm doing all this design downloading to rekindle my interest in embroidery - I haven't been near Brody in weeks. I think sewing for eleven straight days burned me out worse than I thought.

 

Dearest came home with the ‘Kaya' American Girl Happy Meal set. I'm gonna see if I can find the ‘Molly' one - if I was suddenly given my choice of any AG doll, I'd get her. She's always been my favorite, long before Pleasant Company became a Mattel subsidiary. It'd be fun to get the paper doll version. If I don't, no big deal, I'm sure I'll find one at a yard sale or at a thrift store sooner or later. According to the box bottom, the next toys are Barbie and Hot Wheels !

 

Brought in all the weekend's finds, but aside from dumping Dearest's ‘new' clothes into the hamper, I haven't done anything with any of ‘em. I may keep the bistro table top, and just add a simple tablecloth. But I really have to redo the seat cushions.

New doll - and playset - today !

Current Mood : Fantastic !

Spent on doll and doll stuff : $40.75

Spent on cardstock : 75c

 

Got a late start today - Beloved Hubby was home, waiting for a check. We passed the time chatting, watching Law & Order episodes we'd saved to the DVR, and Greek mythology shows, and later, cleaning up a bit. The last of the hall-cluttering donations went into Molly for Monday's drop, and I tidied my desk up a bit. Check arrived, and we headed out for lunch and a quick trip to the comic shop. Chibi Vampire #7 is the best one so far !

 

So I didn't get to the Flea Market - last time this month ! - until 2pm. Even though it goes ‘til 5, most sellers were packing up, or had already gone. So I didn't find much, just an ice-cream parlor style table and chairs set for my American Girl Battat clone girls, Debbie and Jenny. I need to redo the seat bottoms and the table top, but it was quite nice for $3. !

 

It was also ‘free yard sale' weekend here. Our town actually charges $10. for yard sale licenses, but they also do a freebie once a year. Usually just after school starts, ostensibly for back-to-school clothes shopping. Despite my late start and the growing heat, you could barely go a block without a sale or three - and I bet I couldn't pitch a rock from one sale without hitting another. I stopped at a few, but only found some clothes for Dearest Son - three pair of jeans, two pair sweatpants, thermals, a jacket, and six shirts - and a box of card-stock I can embroider, for $6.

 

Unfortunately, most of the ‘sales' were just people dragging useless, broken stuff out of the garage and out onto the lawn. I soon got tired of it, and headed off to Target. I'd decided to treat m'self to a new doll - the ‘Then and Now' Barbie store exclusive. And I wanted to look at the Liv dolls, too.

 

But when I got there, the Liv dolls were completely sold out, and the Juku ones just looked too haunted and anorexic. The Barbie exclusive was still on sale - $14.99 down from $16.99 - but I also liked the Liv closet/room playset. So I got both ! There's both in the photo above. The ‘My Room' closet opens to a fold-down Murphy bed, and the drawers in the cabinet work. It's very nice ! There's lots of printed-on-the-wall frames I can change to my own images, and it folds away to nearly nothing.

 

Big Lots is advertising Adult Collectable Barbies for $15., but my stores only had the same stuff they had last week. When I asked, I was told the stockers would be in Monday, and I was welcome to call after 10am, see if dolls were among the shipments. So, we'll see.

 

I did get more dolls, of a sort. Since it was our turn to pick up Friend from work, we stopped off at a McD's for a late dinner - and I got a kid's meal. It turned out to be the Julie American Girl book/doll set, and it's really cute. There's a brief story of her era (70s), a craft, stickers, and backdrops for the included paper dolls. I adore Julie's avocado-green kitchen ! To me, it's funny that the miniature paper dolls are about the right size for AG dolls.

 

A little more TV, and it's bedtime. Tomorrow's another lazy day, but I'm looking forward to it !

Things seem to be settling down...thank Everything !

 

Current Mood : Improving !

Current Image Notes : This is the newest Hello Kitty incarnation - the HK Silhouette. It looks very...familiar and vintage to me, somehow...

 

Bus was here again at 6:45, so while I'll have us ready at 6:30 to be on the safe side, we've already got a good schedule and an easy morning rhythm, so I hope it stays the same. I got another call today, informing me that his drop-off time would be about 20 minutes earlier, they redid the route. When I asked about pick-up, they could only say they didn't think that changed. (sigh) I wonder sometimes if anyone over there really knows what's going on, big-picture-wise.

 

I was wiped-out tired, even after a decent night's sleep, so after my guys were gone, I went for a nap. Ended up sleeping in uninterrupted peace and happiness for three solid hours, waking up with about a half-hour to spare before the AT&T tech was due to arrive. Luckily, I'd already showered before waking up Dearest !

 

And also, he didn't arrive until about ten minutes before the end of his ‘noon to four' window. He also did a ‘forced recovery' on our box, which kept all the ‘record this' programming, but erased everything we already had recorded. Oh, well. I'm sure we'll have it filled up soon. And that all those CBS Beauty and the Beast episodes I had will be back on eventually.

 

Between sleep and general tidy work, my day pretty much vanished. Not sure what the weekend will bring, but I'm looking forward to it !