Can't help m'self...

 

Current Mood : Luxuriant with my splurge

Spent on Embroidery designs : $10.50

 

Yes, I'm a bad girl. But I still don't think ten bucks every three or four months is that bad. Never mind that I've barely set foot in the Lab since I set up the Fashion Mall, and haven't crafted anything in an age - I wanted those designs, and got 'em !

 

It was the dress form designs' fault. I could have put off the rest, but I fell in love with those. Especially the wire one with the roses trailing off it. I swear, the next purse I make is gonna be a denim roll-bag - with about ten dress forms embroidered all over it, so I can justify having all of these !

 

I also bought seven other sets, ranging from sexy girl line art (often called redwork) to free-standing lace that works beautifully as crowns for dolls. I'm looking forward to making a couple of these ! I also snagged another redwork 'music' set, mostly for the antique radio and Victrola record player pieces, and some tiny miniatures that'll look good as either earrings for me or on a t-shirt for a doll. I also got a new set of bookmarks and some ocean-themed shell ornaments that are just gorgeous. Most of these I'd had on the site's wishlist for months, so I was lucky to have cash when she had a sale. Seven sets for eight bucks is a great deal !

 

Unfortunately, I didn't get the 'Star Chef' design. It's from another site, so I'll have to snag it later. I just already feel bad about grabbing all the others ! Greedy me...

 

Pennies from everywhere... add up to a wonderful bank deposit just when it's needed !

 

Current Mood : Gently amused.

 

Dearest Son and I had a great time grocery shopping. And, as is standard for me when I've not bought anything in a while, I didn't find a single thing to want. I was hoping to see the new Fashionistas at Mal-Wart, but they just got in a bunch of the '09 series instead. Which was kinda funny, since that spot's been nearly vacant for weeks. I remain glad I didn't buy the 'ballerina' themed set of Barbie clothes, because no matter how they strive for an edgy fashion vibe, the outfits still look like stuff kids would wear. The pastels just don't help, seriously.

 

We had so much fun, I overspent. Used all the cash I had, and got Checking down to.... (drumroll please) four cents by the time the dust settled. I was soooo lucky I didn't overdraw it. Once the cold groceries'd been put away, I grabbed the penny jar, an old canister I Dumpster Dived nearly a decade ago, and we headed out again. For some reason, this place has pennies everywhere - I can barely sweep without finding a few - so I've been dumping them in the canister for a while. I could barely lift the thing, so I figured there may actually be ten bucks in there, but heck, if it was fifty cents, I'd be happy just to get checking a bit closer to black !

 

So I was literally floored when the bank told me there was $37.46 in there ! Wow. That's been the highlight of the day, so... sorry it's short, but I'm sure you don't wanna hear me rant for three pages about the 'Athena' Barbie ($149., don'cha know) not having legs. There's also rumors she doesn't have an arm under the shield, either. (sigh) And Mattel's wondering why sales are so crappy...

 

For my own 'little chef' - but I like it, too.

 

Current Mood : Riding a wave of relief !

Current Image Notes : I really want this design from Planet Embroidery next ! So cute !

 

For some reason, the latest TLC Hoarders : Buried Alive didn't record earlier this week, so I made sure to get it today. Maybe this evening, when things are quiet and still, I'll watch it.

 

While it's a pretty ordinary day, it's also exceptional. We're gonna make rent, and thanks to the 'horse rent', I get to go grocery shopping tomorrow. I can't wait ! It's been three weeks since the last trip, and while I'm glad we ate things down, I'm really gonna enjoy restocking. Cashed the horse-check today, and got milk and eggs already. Amazing how simple things bring joy when you haven't been able to take them for granted.

 

Beloved Hubby finally had time to look through our paint stockpiles and didn't see anything he wanted. He has lots of browns, but that room is already dark - brown would make it like a cave or a grave ! He's completely out of lighter colors. So this weekend, if he has time to paint, we'll buy what he wants, instead of having him settle. And BIL can use some of these browns in his new bedroom, that's his favorite color. Beloved has one reddish-brown that's very elegant, BIL will probably love it.

 

I got lazy today, and didn't do much. Didn't get much sleep last night, but I got a lot of laundry done and put away. Plenty more where that came from ! After the grocery run, I hope to get some dishes done, and maybe restart laundry Friday.

 

I've about got my desk settled in its new spot - the bag of papers and desk junk got sorted and stored, with a lot of the junk going elsewhere. Since I actually got to go out and come back, it amazes me how good the house looks from the doorway, without that clutter-magnet table overflowing with papers and unidentifiable miscellany. DFIL picked up the table already, I just hope it's not such a magnet at their house.

 

Dearest Son has been learning to cook, with simple things like ramen and cheese toast. He's announced he wants to be a chef, and will cook eggs for everyone tomorrow. Since it's still gonna be a thin weekend - rent week is always lean ! - I'm hoping to sew him a chef's hat and apron, embroidered. I've had kids' patterns for that for forever. Here's hoping I can find them again, since my Patterns file hasn't been reinstalled yet.

 

It's awful that I used to back up the Patterns every time I scanned or grabbed a new one, but from what I can find, I haven't burned a backup CD since September 2008. Now, for the embroidery designs, I've discs for every month, sometimes two ! Since a 'new' computer is a good reason to go through all the back-up discs, I did that tonight, and pulled all the 2004 to 2007 ones. Those will probably get stored off-site, possibly at Beloved's parents' house, and I'll keep the more recent ones. After I figure out which ones have patterns and photos on 'em ! Sometimes I tucked a random file or two in when I was burning backups, to fill the disc. I've found the doll pattern ones already, and spent quite a few hours transferring from them back to the 'new' hard drive.

 

But really, the reason I haven't burned any new discs is because I haven't needed to. It's actually been that long since I got new doll patterns. I've been hoarding PDF files of crafts like milk crate covers and storage boxes instead. Now those are gonna be real fun to find all over again. Still, I'm glad to have what I do - I'd probably have a full-tilt breakdown if all my doll patterns vanished completely.

When did I get a social life ? I'm still not sure I want one...

 

Current Mood : Mentally snoring

 

I'm wiped out ! We had family over last night, and they didn't leave 'til late, then another family member called at 4am in a financial panic. (sigh) I was tired when I got up, and it's been go-go-go all day ! I don't know how Beloved Hubby put in a full day of work after all that, but he did. I put him to bed early tonight.

 

Unfortunately, family came by when the house was still torn up, from Beloved Hubby's Studio renovations and furniture swapping. Only place with uncluttered seating was our computer area. This bothered me, so I busted butt for two hours and got the living room invitingly clean. Dearest Son cleaned up his play table, which was hip-high with toys and junk, and I got to vacuum. Twice in one month ! It's almost a shame the rest of the place is still a disaster. Poor Beloved has zero time to finish his Studio, much less finish my computer repairs, fix DFIL's truck brakes, and everything else piled on him lately.

 

So I've tried like heck to take as much off his shoulders as possible. We finally got to use our Dumpster this week, and we had trash waiting for two weeks to go in there ! I got that done for him, and ran a few errands for him. It's 10pm, but I have laundry going, so he'll have fresh clothes tomorrow. Put two loads away already - one I had in the dryer, the other was sheets I had on the line that just needed to be fluffed a bit. Once the load drying is done, I'm bed-bound !

 

I'm also doing as much computer work as possible. I really like Windows 7 ! I swear, it makes my monitor look better, and all my software really flies. I've installed PaintShopProX2 already, but I'm not gonna load PSP 5.03. If I'm ever gonna learn how to use PSPX2, I have to use it exclusively. Sure, 5.03 loads quicker and does most of what I need it to, but X2 has a wealth of features I haven't studied yet - and never will if I have a simpler version of it. I also used my backup CD-R of embroidery designs to reinstall them. I was very fortunate to have a near-complete backup. I haven't bought any new designs or really even downloaded any freebies since I burned the disc.

 

That got me thinking. (Look out, Universe !) Back when the same hard drive was giving me trouble - necessitating all those purchases in December '09 - I learned that my CD drive wouldn't burn discs for backup. So I put the important stuff on a little $10. USB jump drive. Dug through three before I finally remembered where I tucked the blue one away, and - all right ! Most of my journals and photos were backed up after all ! Yaaay ! True, most of my doll photos and any journal or blog entry past November 09 is gone unless they reside on the defunct drive, but heck. Most of those doll photos and blogs are already on my site and blog, so there's no huge loss. The important stuff - images of Dearest and Beloved, and most of three years of journaling - truly was on that little jump drive. What a relief ! Now I'm truly in no hurry for Beloved to sift through that old one.

 

We had to download a mail program, which was surprising. Windows Mail had always come with most Windows updates, but not 7. S'OK, it's not like there aren't dozens of other free programs out there. We snagged Mozilla Thunderbird, and it's pretty nice. I don't have filters installed to weed out the spam, but I actually like seeing it all when it comes in. That way, I can dump it all at once, instead of having to remember to go through the 'Junk Mail' folder sifting for real messages.

 

Wake me when...oh, just let me sleep...

 

Current Mood : Was invigorated by all the changes, now just plain tired

 

Whew. Still recovering from all the renovations yesterday. I'm still amazed how much better Beloved Hubby's Studio looks, just with texture on the walls. The blue is mostly covered, which is 90% of it. I hated that blue when it was on my Lab walls. It somehow makes everything darker, and almost depressing.

 

He hasn't had time to even choose a color from the gallons of paint we have, much less paint it. He also textured the rest of the hallway, so I had to take down all the stars I had hanging up there. Frankly, the hall looks better without all my tacky treasures, so I'm gonna keep my favorites and find places for them elsewhere, and donate the rest.

 

I've come to a similar conclusion about my desk. The space we have for it in the former dining area doesn't allow for the hutch, so I have a much more open area now. I wasn't sure how we'd handle the printer and paper trays, but Beloved was on it. He reinforced then cut the hutch right where the printer shelf was, so I now have a partial hutch, and that fits. Without the rest of the hutch dictating how space is used, my desk is much more open, and much nicer when I don't have a ton of stuff cluttering it up. I redid a few things and changed how I stored others, and since I'm right by the window, I think I'll really like my new computer space. Especially since the chibi Millennium Falcon still has a spot on top of the printer hutch !  While it's plugged in, I haven't needed the printer, so it's not been turned back on yet.

 

Dearest Son and I are side-by-side, and I'm back-to-back with Beloved. I also feel better having a closer vantage point at what Dearest's viewing online. Only problem is, all this shuffling around has completely trashed an already messy house. I swept and emptied my desk, but that was about all I had time for. Tomorrow, I'm cleaning the living room if it kills me ! We inherited a recliner earlier from Aunt S., and this weekend got the matching glider. That got moved into the space my desk was in, so now we have an actual living room with seating. I love it.

 

Beloved's Studio reorganization freed up two TV trays, and today's cleaning cleared a third one and the coffee table. So now, we eat there. What the heck, we normally ate there anyway. At least we're together when we do so ! 

 

And just think ! Once all the extra work is finished, I still have tons of laundry and dishes waiting for me. Wheee.

My Sunday with Mud.

 

Current Mood : Pleasantly exhausted.

Current Image Notes : I have no idea if this his the brand Beloved uses - what we burned through today was leftover from a job site. But I know I've seen this box around before, more times than I can count !

 

Today was going much like any Sunday when Beloved Hubby's home - we've all slept as late as possible, and then we spend most of the day frittering around on computers or watching TV, just letting the hours eddy around us. It's nice. Especially when yer broke.

 

But shortly before noon, Beloved announced that he was gonna clean up his Studio, and get it more like he wants it. He's spent so much time in there on DBIL's tattoo, the mess, clutter, and crappy wall color finally got to him. For whatever reason, his Studio is the same ugly weird blue that my Lab used to be, except it never had the odd purple iris wallpaper border orbiting the ceiling. That summer I cataloged all my patterns I spent in there, and I could swear, the walls depressed me. So hearing that was gonna go bye-bye made me wanna help in any way I could.

 

While we went through papers, outdated catalogs, office and school supplies, and tools, replaced the ancient power sockets with grounded gang boxes, and we also talked a lot. That was the best part of the day. We discussed what we wanted to do with our current living situation, and decided that having my computer in the living room, his computer in the dining area, and Dearest Son's in the Studio didn't work well for us. But how could we improve it with the space we had ? I suggested ditching the dining room table, and using that space for all the computers. The table is really just a raised magnet for junk we don't wanna deal with, and on the few days a year it's clear, we don't eat at it. It's just waiting for the next tsunami of mail, bits of AirSoft weaponry, tools, doll magazines, class papers, and drinking glasses. Occasionally some keys get lost in there, to add to the fun. It's hard to let go of the idea of a family dining room, but sincerely, we weren't using the space well. I'm kind of looking forward to relocating, even though I'm not sure exactly where Beloved plans to put me. I just know it always felt just a bit weird to have my computer in the living room.

 

So, while we waited for the texturing to dry, we broke down the dinner table - DFIL took it - and began moving things around. Dearest's desk got brought out of his room and into the dining area, and soon his computer was back up and running. We decided to move mine tomorrow, so I'd have time to empty the hutch and get everything on it arranged. Unfortunately, while we had the power off to change the electrical sockets, my limp-along hard drive finally bought it. Arrgh. About all I'd backed up to CD-Rom was the embroidery designs, trusting the Backup Monkey program to grab the rest and store it on the new terrabyte drive we got me for Christmas. Too bad that didn't work. I just get gibberish when I try to access any of the files.

 

My old drive may yet be recoverable, but it'll be a while before Beloved can get to it. And, frankly, if my files are there, they'll be there next week or next month. Or not. No rush. About all we could to was load a fresh copy of Windows 7 - something else we bought at Christmas but hadn't used yet - on my mostly unused new hard drive. So, while I have a computer, nearly everything I had on my 'old' one is gone. Oh, well. At least I'll have tomorrow to reinstall Stitch Era Universal, Pulse Ambassador, Word, Paint Shop Pro, Firefox, the printer drivers...

 

Looks like it's gonna be a busy week !

Domesticity...can be fun, if you pick your tasks.

 

Spent on Doll Clothes : $1.

 

After having the doors open to the outside nearly all week, to ‘blow out the winter', with the heat off, we awoke to two inches of snow on the ground. 63 degrees yesterday, and snow today. How insane can the weather get ? It's mostly melted already, and the streets look wet, but not icy, since it's already in the mid-thirties.

 

Beloved Hubby woke me up with pancakes ! How sweet. I got to watch a couple reruns of ‘Magic's Biggest Secrets Revealed' with the Masked Magician - I love those. If you didn't get to see ‘em on original run, the premise is a Masked Magician runs through numerous classic and favorite illusions, to the chagrin of other illusionists, who stick to the Magician's Code - a working magician never reveals the Art of Magic's secrets, or how a trick works, lest he or she wish to risk the wrath of the others. Kinda silly, if you ask me, since even Houdini wrote books detailing his secrets, both before and after his death, via ‘ghost writers' (giggle) granted the permission and information. It seems to me more of a ‘protect your job' thing than a ‘protect the Art' one.

 

Anyway, after three or four specials, the Magician revealed himself, basically saying that with advances in film effects and video games, Magic was getting lost in the shuffle, and Magicians were relying on tired old tricks instead of creating new ones. At least with this series, people talked about Magic again. I learned that, far from mere eye candy, the assistants are well-trained, versatile men and women who truly support the show. After watching an episode or two, I have to keep myself from sweeping gestures and high-kicking through the house for several days.

 

In between my little chorus line exercises, I decided to go ahead and cut Odette's hair, since it was cut to her chin only on one side, with the back and opposite side left original. It really looked odd. I damped it down, and used a rubber band to wrap her hair around her neck, then tugged it up until the cut edges were just barely under the rubber band still. Cut as close to the band as possible, in hopes it'd be even, then let her relax and dry. We'll see how it looks tomorrow.

 

I was surprised to see there was a flea market at the Fairgrounds this weekend, since the usual Craigslist ad wasn't up. Not much there, and I really shouldn't have been surprised. I did spend a dollar - on a vintage striped knit top identical to the one in Barbie's Resort Set (#963), but in red instead of blue, and an 80s turquoise mini-dress with pink triangles applied to it. Even though I found out it's  1983's Fashion Fun #4808, "Right In Step", and it was shown with matching pink cowboy boots, sold separately, I'll probably still peel the pink triangles off.

 

But ya'll know me, I'm more into the vintage striped shirt. Shape-wise, it's identical to what's pictured on a Bubblecut in today's image. Filthy, with one shoulder unstitched - thread still attached - but without any picks or real damage. It's soaking in my takeout tub ‘washer', awaiting a few more shake-up cycles before it's out to dry and then, in for repairs. It has that cool vintage tag and everything.

 

With everything I scored yesterday and today, I actually bowed out of Dearest Son's promised trip to TRU. He really wanted it to be a ‘guy thing' with his Daddy, and I was OK with that. Beloved was kind of tired anyway, and if I went, I'd be in the doll section for ten minutes, minimum. So, while my guys were gone, I raided Dearest's former Star Wars toybox - now there's a bit of everything in there - in search of the missing parts to his former Galactic Heroes Millennium Falcon (that's mine now). Found the cockpit canopy and the satellite dish, the two pieces I was hoping for most. Poor ship looked naked without them !

 

Still missing the quad guns up top and the boarding ramp, but I can probably ask Dearest to find ‘em for me for a couple more Deloreans. But even if they're never found, I'm OK with how it looks now. Later this week, I'll dig the Han and Leia figures that go with it out of my jewelry box memory drawer and pose them on the shelf under the Falcon. That makes me happy. 

A local GoodWill has a Grand Opening - and Dorrie is there !

Spent on Dolls and Doll Stuff : $10.80

 

Today was yet another ‘Dorrie Fun Day', and I stupidly went out, even though I really should have stayed in. Still, I'm glad for a nice time during a beautiful day.

 

I hit Dollar Tree first, since I wanted to see a few of the items in their online ad. Mainly, their new dolls ! We all know they're cheap blow-molds, but sometimes their clothes are worth grabbing. But not this time. Yikes. I'd feel bad about clothing dolls I was giving away in what those were sold wearing.

 

Nothing really new in crafts, either - I wanted to see the ‘hanging wood ovals', since they'd make for good ‘frames' for stand-alone lace embroidery. With a lace initial attached, it'd be a thoughtful, easy, and inexpensive gift. But like the dolls, they were just too dirt cheap to buy. I could get Beloved Hubby to cut me a couple of circles from scrap lumber in his Shop, staple a hanging loop of tulle to the back for nearly free. If I shaped the edge with his router (learned to use one in Shop class back in Jr. High - I'm sure Beloved would give me a refresher course if I asked), I'd be light-years improved on the DTree ones. So, maybe later, we'll make a few.

 

I examined hairbrushes and headbands - the fabric and elastic ones I can make, and every plastic one I've ever owned was a choice. Did I want comfort, or did I want my hair out of my eyes ? If it hurt, my hair stayed back. If it felt or looked good, it soon fell out, or my hair did. I may make a few fabric/elastic ones, just for kicks.

 

I snagged a couple of neat bamboo potholders and placemats that'll make fantastic flooring or wall décor for the dollhouse or photos, and snagged a few things we needed around the house.

 

I'd planned to drive a bit further, hit the GoodWill. So I was amazed when I saw the thrift store had relocated across the street ! When did that happen ? An up-and-coming MegaChurch used to be there, before it moved to a massive custom ‘compound' just off the highway. So I scootled over. Grand Opening ! I saw what must've been hundreds of folks pushing carts laden with cheap China-made coffee makers, water filters, tea makers, and small stand mixers, and what must've been just as many kids screaming for toys. All brand-new. I found a large bedding bag with several Barbie dolls and clothes sealed inside for $7., and joined in the fray. I left with the bag, some dog-based books for Dearest Son, a heavy silver star candy bowl, a nice portfolio, a coloring book, a bear wearing what would soon be a cute blouse and jumper for Timey Tell,  and VHS copies of The Black Cauldron, Mary Poppins, and Mars Attacks. Also a really good poppy-seed bagel and a small cup of apple juice.  Whew !

 

I got everything inside at home when I suddenly remembered - it's Friday. If I wanted to get the dog and cat food we needed, and not be at Mal-Wart all day, I'd best get going. Got the groceries we most needed, then sat down to digging through my Barbie bag ! Long ago, I discovered that my idea of a great day was to obtain a huge bag, box, or any other conveyance of dolls, and spend a short eternity sorting through it all. If I don't keep a single piece of it, that's fine. The $5. or $10. I spent is like buying a ticket to a movie. It's perfectly OK with me if I don't leave with anything but the experience, the entertainment, a bit of imagination, and the fun !

 

So, all that said, this buy was kind of a mixed bag. There was plenty to dig through, but not much I wanted to keep. I now own a Bratz doll, and I can't wait to ditch her. She's well made, really, and if it weren't for the rather ‘KMA'* smirk on her oversized head, I'd probably kind of like her. But the half-closed eyes, FM heels, and one-sided smile just make me think of jaded...um, ‘tradeswomen', which wasn't helped by the fact that this Bratz in particular was nude under a black and purple fake fur coat. Next to her, the string-bikini-wearing Butterfly Art Kira also in the bag looked downright wholesome.

 

I also found a blonde Barbie wearing the 1997 red and white ‘ribbon candy' Happy Holidays gown, another blonde in a lovely but generic brocade and gold gown, a third blonde in a knockoff green nylon dress, Jasmine in a generic pastel princess dress, and the Barbie Holiday Sister from 1998, nearly complete in her black and plaid gown, headband and jewelry, missing only shoes. I'm keeping the two holiday gowns, probably for alterations later. Dearest can have the 1997 bright-pink Vespa clone scooter - he already has one -  and I'm redonating the magnetic paper doll sets.

 

I'm keeping the two pairs of Ken pants and jackets, including a very nice Miami Heat basketball jacket from 1998, the green Pretty in Plaid dress, and the pink and blue swirl-bodice princess dress. I already have it, but I really like it, so I'll probably alter that one, too.

 

While trying to figure out which Princess originally wore the swirl bodice dress, I got a better look at the blonde Barbie wearing the red and white Holiday ‘candy' gown. She had slots on her back, and a battery panel, but no on/off switch. An even closer look showed she lacked the standard embossed panties, and she had a twist waist, where the embossed ‘©1966 Mattel, Inc /Indonesia' trademark was unusually large, and was even a bit smeared-looking. She also has graceful hands with separated fingers, and a very pretty face. Understated makeup, and a lip color that suits her pale skin tone. I'd about given up on non-bubblegum or watermelon pink lips on Barbies lately !

 

A few minutes of research - aided by a familiar gown in the pile - showed that she was originally Odette, from the 2003 Swan Lake series ! Her missing light-up wings originated from a pink plastic rectangle hidden by her hair, that plugged into the now-empty slots. I'm assuming the pink part also held the on/off switch. Her dress came with her, but that's all, and her hair's been badly cut on one side. Hmm. I may keep her, see if I can finish wrecking it. I love her soft expression. Just not sure she's gonna like being called ‘Odie' by pretty much everybody at Chez Insanity.

 

 

*Kiss My Assets... or Assessments, possibly.

Well, I bought the $3. SStar doll anyway...

 

Current Mood : Mad-scientisty

Spent on Dolls today : $3.24

 

 

But it's not like I didn't have plans for her ! (evil laugh) Had to run up to Mal-Wart this afternoon, snag a well-earned Bakugon Gauntlet for Dearest Son - they still had three in the markdown section, where he saw it. And for almost half the price TRU's still asking ! Is it bad to brag about your ten-year-old's bargain skills ? 

 

What he really wanted, though, I couldn't find, either in Markdowns or the Bakugon section, so we may be off to TRU this weekend. Anyway, long as I was over in Toys, may as well peek...wow. The endcap that held well-scaled erasers last week now featured a box display of SuperStar ‘tribute' dolls, still priced at $3.

 

Thought it over for a minute. That was a really loud dress, and I wasn't sure I still wanted it... but then I remembered. When the photos of these ‘tribute' dolls came out, everyone lamented that it would have been ever so much cooler if they'd made a real SuperStar for that box. I kind of know why Mattel didn't - I'd only paid $10. for the My Favorite Doll version of the SuperStar, a serious markdown. It didn't make real sense to make more when Round #1 didn't sell. With a more current face and body, sporting an ‘update' of the classic scorching-pink disco dress, it'd hold appeal for both kids and collector adults, even at the $12. original price point. At $3., though, she'd be darn irresistible, which is probably why our TRU and Target are completely sold out. It's entirely possible that the only reason Mal-Wart still had ‘em was because they got put out so late.

 

The idea hit me, and I grabbed one, chortling slightly to myself. This was gonna be fun...

 

Got home, and pulled my new doll out of the box. From the bottom, of course. Cute molded-on Barbie logo panties, and the as-promised non-bending legs. Dress was cute, but the was uber-cheap stiff costume satin was already fraying at the Velcro, and the boa is half white elastic, where it won't show. Not much for the doll, or her usual 'horrible in the back' hair, but truly, she wasn't gonna matter at all in a few minutes. I removed her jewelry, took note of her starry pink platform FM heels, and dug through my culled dolls and my regular cast of characters before settling on Charlotte as my makeover ‘volunteer'. Comparing her to the box back, she had the requisite bent arms, no bangs, big smile, and single-color blue eyes I'd need for my current little project.

 

Dressed her in Tribute's clothes and jewelry - the dress doesn't close in the back, and I had to auger her ears a bit for the thick earring posts - and posed her in the box liner. About three dozen trials and minor adjustments later, she looked good, in my opinion, and I had a deeper understanding of why Mattel staples new doll heads into the box liners with those annoying t-shaped plastic tags. I still hate ‘em, and don't know why they always use two, but I can see why now.

 

A few photos later, and I had what I wanted - a real SuperStar tribute doll ! For now, she's by the My Favorite Doll SuperStar, and she may well stay there. Y'see, you can't tell now, but she has slightly damaged feet and a loose neck. I was about to donate her. Now, I can keep her forever ! Best of all, though, is that I got what I wanted.

 

Ever considered making yourself one ? I'm gonna go post this on In The Pink, but I wanted ya'll to see it first ! Later, lovelies !

Nearly 24 hours Drama Free ! Happy St. Patrick's Day !

Current Mood : Pretty good, actually.

 

Current Image Notes : It's a cheapie light-up Belle pen, bought on sale three years ago, still never used.

 

I think a good part of my ‘feelin' pretty good right now' is due to finally updating yesterday ! The hang-up is often photos, but occasionally, I don't know what to write, either - especially when there's drama I don't want to bog ya'll down with, or I'm too sick to really do anything of interest. Usually, though, it's the Image of the Day that's also the Issue of It. Sorry for throwing random graphics up this week, but it was either that, or string along updates for another week or so. I write nearly every day, and miss it when I can't or haven't, so it bugs me when I don't have much to say !

 

Thanks to the Family Drama, Beloved Hubby's more or less off for the rest of the week, so he's catching up on stuff he wants to do - helping DBIL move, doing some tattooing, upgrading the AirSoft weapons stock. After all he went through with dear ole Drama Llama, I'm glad to see him enjoy his days, even if we are pretty broke as a consequence ! Heck, we've been broke before, I'm sure we'll be broke again. Part of me clings to the little faith I have that things always work out, and money is always something you can obtain more of later. Life, however, isn't nearly as negotiable.

 

So, while he's hangin' and helpin' DBIL, I finally quit messin' around and did some Lab work. When I got Prince Ken from the thrift a couple weeks back, he was nude, but he came with elements of three different princely costumes. Honestly, Mattel, I'd rather have full-length pants and cheep shoes on the guys than more of these useless knee-high breeches with tacky boots or stockings. Still, I keep them, since menswear is always harder to find, and ya never know when the Castle is gonna host a ‘Kings and Queens Ball', and all attendees will need costuming. But it is annoying to sort through a round dozen tuxedos (all one piece), fifteen jerkins, and eighteen pairs of breeches when you want a t-shirt and jeans for one of the guys. So I reorganized the menswear box while I had it open - and now all the separates are on top, tuxedos are at the bottom, and costumes/kingly garb are in the middle. I'm amazed at how many shirts the guys have, now that I can see them !

 

Speaking of the Castle, it was folded up before I put the Fashion Plaza together, but it was still squarely in the middle of the Lab floor. I had no idea where to put it. Or the box to the Plaza - it was not only too good to ever ditch, but I'm still charmed by the bit of tape and Christmas wrapping paper I found clinging to the back. Awwwww ! I found a small space for the Plaza box, but what to do with the Castle... Hmmm. At least it folds up nearly flat. I positioned it in front of the fabric crates, where it hides the profusion of craft boxes on the bottom row. I rather like it that way.

 

That left a few dozen bits and bobs to store, and that's been slow going, but at least I have floor space again. And I don't dread going in there any more ! Repaired a pair of Beloved's sweatpants - the waist drawstring had vanished -  during a break. One less thing on the Lab floor ! I also removed the cross-your-heart elastics from Grandma Heart, and her hair is almost perfect. I'm keeping one elastic on a bit longer, since it still sticks out a bit, but by the time the weekend's here, her hair should be just fine. I completely forgot to damp it down a bit, so I may do that later.

 

Beloved came home with a surprise for me - the miniature Eiffel Tower I got in Paris ! I'd wondered where it'd gone. It's nothing really special, just a dime store souvenir sold by the millions annually, but... well, it was mine, and I missed it. Not enough to worry anyone over - it's not like we can jet back overseas because I misplaced a $2. souvenir bought 25 years ago. But I'd kind of been looking for a replacement whenever I dug through trinkets at thrift stores and yard sales. Turns out, he and DBIL discovered it while cleaning out the shed behind DM & FIL's house. We'd stored some stuff there, and I thought we had it all. Not quite ! After a quick bath, it's going in a place of honor in the Lab tonight.

 

Well, as the day ends, DBIL's tattoo continues, and Dearest Son is keeping company with the guys. The Lab is cleaner, but cluttered corners and full boxes await further sorting, and stand as reminders for me to not seek more of anything anytime soon. I repaired the fraying dishcloth that's also been floor debris for weeks, and filled some bobbins. In short, the kind of activities we called ‘d!*king around' when I was a kid - but now I know how necessary they are to adults. They're quiet reminders of peace and hope in days that frequently involve chaos and crap and clutter. And they don't cost a dime.

 

But they are priceless. Hope you had some d!*king around time today.