Goodbye July...
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: XM 71 - Watercolors

 

Kind of a dull Monday, too. Summer school is over, which is good as Leia-chan's radiator leaked again Saturday afternoon. Took Beloved Hubby some lunch at the shop, and there was another puddle. But she drove home fine. I think I put too much water in her the other day,  and it's possible the leak is the excess venting out under pressure. At least, we hope.

 

Hancock Fabrics has another 'half-off the notion wall' sale Friday. I'll probably go, get some snap fasteners. Ordered a bunch off eBay a few weeks ago, but most were too large to use. I mean, these things are ginormous ! I had to go back and look at the auction page, as they didn't look that big when I bought 'em. Oh, well. Live and learn, and don't do it again !

 

Ever since our W-M reorganized, the notions are few and none. There's now one card of snaps, four sizes to the card. One size I can't use, and it's 1/3 of the card. It's good I don't want any more fabric, because that's been about halved. I'm sure Hancock's and Hobby Lobby love that ! 

 

Got to watch an episode of the live-action Sailor Moon TV series on YouTube.com. I knew it'd be cheezy, but whew. I feel sorry for the actors. The 'sailor' uniforms look to be about half foam-rubber, half Lycra, and the actors actually look small inside the clothes. They got a fantastic Queen Beryl, but the poor guys playing minions Nephlyte and Kunzite are really having to ham it up just to make their over-the-top costumes move with them. I'm still making the mental adjustment to Naru (Molly) being accentless and having only a red tinge to her hair, and Neffy being a *real* redhead. I mean, his hair is Crayola red ! 

 

 Also, most of the actors have to play against digital sparkle effects that of course aren't there, and a tiny remote-control toy Luna, so it can't be easy for them. What's kind of cute in a cartoon really looks...ridiculous in live-action. Odd as it sounds, the live-action is more cartoonish than the animated series ! 

 

Speaking of red, I made Leia a blouse today - a simple shirt from Fashion Doll Fun, enlarged a bit. Sleeves are still tight, though, so I'll have to fix that on the pattern manually. Looks good with the shorts I made yesterday. Photo's been added to the tunic suit one on the Barbie page.  Got the snaps sewn on and everything.

 

Not sure what tomorrow's gonna bring - except August !  

Of course I'm out of my mind - it's dark and scary in there !
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: "The Aristocats" - as "Herbie" had to go back to the video rental store

 

Quiet day. It's also Day #2 of me not going to Prego. Helps that Beloved Hubby needed the terminal for work, but I'm done there, as stated before. After reading a few choice comments Friday - no eavesdropper ever hears well of themselves -  I really don't belong.

 

I do belong in front of a sewing machine when I'm in the mood for it, though ! Knocked out a pair of Leia shorts, but couldn't print up any more patterns (Hubby on terminal), so I sewed snaps on a bunch of backlogged doll clothes. Dearest Son appreciated the company on the sofa, and even consented to watch an MST3K episode. Unusual for him, because even though he can sing most of the theme song, there's other tapes he'd rather watch. 

 

So, once that was caught up, I was again at a loss. Leafed through some old doll magazines, played with Son.  Took a nap. So it was a quiet day. You'd think I'd get bored enough to clean, but I don't think anyone gets that bored. And every so often, especially after a turbulent week, it's good to just meander in your mind. 

Moving on...
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: "City on Fire" - MST3K DVD, Season 0 (the KTMA years)

 

Sorry I'm late getting today's entry going. Usual Saturday - everything going on at once !

 

I'm still recovering a bit from yesterday. Been wondering if I didn't misread some posts, kinda smarting from a few insults that mention me without using my name. Oh, &%$@ it. I did what I felt was right, and I did it without insulting anybody. Something others on that damh Prego pit clearly can't accomplish. Thanks, John, and everyone else who wrote without referring to me as numerous other creatures.

 

I sometimes think that the way to tell if you did the right thing is by how much it hurts.  There's been several times I stood up for myself, and several times I've had to go away and lick wounds for a bit before I could stand up again. Part of the cost, I know. 

 

Anyway, it's not like dwelling on it improves the vintage. Crap is crap, it's just new crap or old crap. About the only difference is how much of it you allow yourself to smell before you do something about it. 

 

There's a new Leia photo on the Barbie page. After the super-tight black skirt mess, I remeasured her, but it didn't change the DSD pattern. So I went into the 'Ease' menu and added 3/4" ease to the hips. It's just a fix for that one pattern, but since pants and the red skirt fit fine, I didn't want to alter the measurements any more than I had to. I'll just have to remember next time I use peachskin fabric.

 

New skirt worked up fine, and I think it looks good. I love making simple skirts and pants. If things come together well, they each take less than an hour. Unless ya gotta fray-check stuff. And peachskin frays like anything !

 

Didn't have much time for more sewing today - Dearest Son barfed in our bed Friday afternoon and didn't say anything. He wasn't acting at all ill. He's fine now, too. Just meant I had four loads of laundry this morning, and actually, those pillows needed it anyway. For fun tonight, I drew a '53' logo on his chest in purple Cars marker, and he raced around the house, pointing to it and saying he was Herbie. Why do I get the feeling that his first car will be a Beetle ? Was sorely tempted to add red and blue stripes...

 

Well, I'm going back to bed. My tummy's hurt off and on since Thursday, and believe it or not, that makes me tired ! I't's long been my storied opinion that when your bed isn't sanctuary, isn't the most comfy place in the whole house, something may be a bit wrong !  I love our bed...

OK, that's it. I'm done. Prego can burn in hell without me.
Mood:  irritated
Now Playing: XM 71 - Watercolors (a calming effect sorely needed right now)

By everything that is holy on this mud-ball planet, why did I have to waste time at Prego during lunch today ? (heavy sigh) First it's the "Oh, I must have these 6587 dolls coming out this year - does anyone want the 8764 I bought last year ? I'm cutting back." attitude that pervades the place like a roiling stench. But I ignored it and made visiting Prego a part of my life while I waited for my first of only two Tonner dolls to arrive. It felt so good to be part of a group !

 

Then it's the "I'm such a wonderful guy- I own more dolls than you've eaten meals in your life, and I'm playing stupid games with all of you because I know I can, and my little minions will grind anyone who dares disagree with King W. - that's me ! - into figurative dust. I'm selling dolls you can get cheaper anywhere else, but where could you get the panache that comes from the doll being in my possession for 36 hours ? Have I bragged to you lately about all I have, and made you feel poor in comparison ? No ? Well, remain standing and I will, since I don't want you to be left out of the glory that is W." butt-plug. I didn't want to believe anyone could be such a self-centered, mindless braggart, so I said my piece, tried to understand. Came to the "I have a quarter-million dollars worth of dolls, and here's how I dust every mother-lovin' Swarovski-crystal bearing one of them"  follow-up post and knew he was what I thought he was in the first place. So I ignored him, too.

 

I ignored the ‘How can anyone possibly *like* that Wicked Witch doll ? She looks like something out of a Concentration Camp' comments. While that is opinion, couching it as ‘how can anyone not agree with me ?' was rude and judgmental. And now, I know it's merely typical.

 

It was about over when they provided support and encouragement to a woman who's swindled over 30 others, stolen, embezzled, lied under oath, and is even now trying to abuse bankruptcy law. But, according to Prego, that's OK, because she didn't swindle or screw over any doll people. Or anyone that they know. So we should support her, and never say a negative word ! People, I know right from wrong. What she's doing is wrong, even if she isn't doing it directly to me or anyone I know. Who you support shows me who you are. And if you're so d@mn determined to plug those holes in your life with her stuff, it shows me you have no scruples, no sense of fairness, no concern for anything not within the grasp of your desperate fingers. I've had enough desperation and stupid choices in my life. I don't need yours.

 

But today, they crossed the line. It's the same line they've crossed over a few hundred times, but I'm finally pizzed enough and weary enough to not want another helping. So you don't have to read it - enough folks left enough hints for me to find out what everyone's cheezed at *now* - here's the situation. There's a travel doll - if you choose, you can be part of the doll's journey. You take photos, add souvenirs, etc. while the doll is with you. Then you pack it all up and send it to the next person in line. Ancillary rules : Post photos while the doll is with you. Post any additional photos to an online photo album, so the next person can post their images without competing with yours.

 

Fairly simple rules. Yet one site star, who routinely posts numerous photos nearly every day, chose to ignore them. Even when it's not a travel doll, she posts four or five versions of the same photo - same dolls in the same positions with the same props, with only the camera that's moved - in each of her ten or so photo posts every week.  Fine, whatever, I simply avoid ‘Shutterbug' posts unless I wanna see the same stuff over and over. She does a lot of detail and prop work, and that's fine. Happy she has something to do with the long days. But she continued to post an entire album of travel doll photos every day, it seemed - long past the time she packed the doll and sent her along. In fact, the next person rarely posted any images of the doll's stay, so as to not compete with Shutterbug. The doll has even gone on to the person after that, with only two photos that aren't Shutterbug's posted.

 

The next person - let's call her Patience - to get the travel doll had enough after about a solid week of continuing Shutterbug photo posts. She nicely reminded Shutterbug to let her post her photos, and Shutterbug could put hers in the photo album. Patience didn't want to compete with SBug, but the doll was gone to the next person, and she hadn't been able to post anything yet, due to waiting for SBug to finish. SBug said she wasn't keeping Patience from posting, so as far as she was concerned, they could both post at the same time - ‘cause SBug certainly wasn't gonna stop.

 

Well, this started another of the clique wars. And I am done. Rude little comments obliquely referring to this minor incident continued to pepper the messages for days afterwards, which is annoying. If I don't know what's going on, folks, and if it's best left alone, quit referring to it ! Well, you know how I am, so I soon had the whole stupid story.

 

Of course, someone had to make a ‘I can't take all this negativity, I'm leaving !' drama call, and of course, the few people who took Patience's side were ‘evil, insensitive nasties' who should be ignored, lest all the nice people leave. Um, guys, look around. About 20 people post messages. Everyone else either just posts stuff for sale, or lurks, probably scared of setting off another drive-by insulting, or unwittingly crossing a site star with (gasp !) a different opinion !

 

I'd had it when one little Pregoite said that some mean nasty people just like to hear themselves talk, so I let her have it. I'm mean and nasty because I have a different opinion ? Well, you're gonna hear mine, honey. Like it or not. Only reason I didn't get involved with the Bankruptcy B!tch situation in my post is because I didn't want my words deleted until someone read them, d@mn it !

 

So you don't have to go lookin' for it, here's a cut/paste of my words. I don't have the clearance to post hers, so I'm not going to. If you're interested, it's easy enough to find. I am done with Prego. They're doing quite well on their own path without me.

 

So everyone who doesn't agree with your opinion is an insensitive jerk ?

Posted by Dorrie on 7/28/2006, 3:07 pm, in reply to (deleted)

Umm...maybe it's time for me to leave, too. Seems like every time there's a minor difference in opinion here, no matter what the topic was, those who don't agree with the majority are mean, evil, insensitive nasties. Yes, what was said before could have been said in a more kind fashion. But from what I can tell, the tone wasn't the issue - the message was. I happen to agree with the 'mean, evil' side. Have on several previous occasions. I also think that Sybarite dolls look like men in drag. Those views doesn't make me a bad person. They don't intend to offend those who think differently. Just means I'm someone with her own opinion who learned long ago that Prego didn't wanna hear anything but 'oh, wow !' and 'sorry your cat is sick'. So I don't share my views here. By the words of your post, anything against the collective opinion is wrong and evil. I'm not part of the Prego Collective. I am me. I will not always agree with everyone, and that doesn't make me a black-hearted troll. Just means I don't agree with some folks sometimes, and I know not to say anything or risk a board-wide condemnation, because I dared to cross the more-valued and very vocal members. If anything, the ones who spoke up at least are brave enough to do so. Or would you rather everyone who didn't agree with everyone else just go away quietly ? It would be a quieter group ! When people can't share their opinions honestly, without fear of being trounced on, or stirring clique wars, what you end up with is a yes-person group. If that's what you want, be happy ! I only come by once or twice a week, and now I see that's a waste of time. To think, I was just gonna go without any drama... At least my absence will balance out Wayne's ! DB, signing off.

 

And there it is. I've deleted Prego from any bookmarks, and if you see me there again, you have the perfect right to slap me upside the head with a wet, three-days-dead trout. Or any other deceased fish of your choice.

 

Don't I have better things to do ? And better people to share my life with ? You betcherass I do.

Tupperware and tight skirts
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: "Herbie: Fully Loaded" - for the third time today...

 

Kind of a busy day today, too. Ran Beloved Hubby-based errands today, and Leia-chan drove fine. I think I may be filling her up with water, too much, and the expansion's what's causing the leak. Hubby's gonna have a look this weekend. Her coolant tank levels are hard to read, so it's difficult for me to tell if she needs more or not - or when I'm adding more than necessary.

 

Errands run, I took Dearest Son to GoodWill. He found a car that folds a bit, which causes the doors and hood to fly open. I'm assuming it's simulating a car crash, but what the heck, he loves it.

 

I found a blouse I liked and just as we were walking up to the register, I spotted a handful of Tupperware miniatures, keychains and magnets. I have a few already, from when the Barbie 'must have everything' monkey resided on my back in an all-weather tent and was considering bringing relatives for visits. While I thought mini Tupperware was clever, the pieces  were actually a bit big for sixth-scale, so I rarely used them. Most came from a short-lived thrift store, some were from an Avon and Tupperware dealer's booth in a flea market. 

 

At 25c each, I scooped up two of everything - red hard plastic bowls with trademark lids, white softer plastic bowls with blue snap-on lids, and these large 'big gulp' kinda drink containers that I later discovered were miniature mixers. You can see the lot on the 'Tonner Taste' page.

 

Also did a bit of sewing. Another DSD pattern - the tunic I did yesterday, the skirt was tonight. Just to show how photos lie. I made the same skirt in red first, to test it out. Fit was great. So I did it again in black. Same actual pattern - the very same one. While the red fits fine, this one, in thinner material, using a slightly more narrow seam allowance (adjusted during the sewing), is so darn tight, I could barely get it on her. 

 

It's not that the red fabric is stretchy. It isn't. Neither is the black 'peachskin' material here. But I get to re-make it tomorrow, maybe adding a bit of ease to the hips. I have no idea why thinner material with a slightly lesser seam allowance would be tighter, but there it is.

 

It's rather a shame, because here, it looks darn good ! 

 

At least it's not a total loss. With a slight repositioning of the snap, it fits standard Barbies just great. Annoying, but I'd rather fit it to another doll and make another - it's not like I don't have more fabric ! - than scrap the whole thing. It's only an hour, start to finish, but I do like to have something to show for my sometimes off efforts !

 

 Plus, I Fray-Checked the whole thing. This peachskin stuff frays with no encouragement from me. I think it took more time for the F-C application than it took to sew the skirt ! So I'm glad it's not going into the trash. I swear, though, one day, I'm gonna edge an entire doll outfit in clear nail polish. It's cheaper, smells as bad, and it's easier for me to brush that stuff on than it is to get that perfect F-C bottle squeeze tension going while I drag fabric over the tip.

 

And, heck, I know what I'm sewing tomorrow ! Since I'm gonna redo the pattern, I may make it a bit longer. As-is, it's kind of an 80s look, with those slightly oversized buttons, but I do like it.  

The end of the bras...
Mood:  lazy
Now Playing: "Herbie: Fully Loaded" - DVD rental I'm getting kind of tired of seeing...

 

Man, Tripod is slow today. But,  heck, it's free, so I shouldn't whine.

 

Busy day, unlike yesterday. Well, yesterday was busy too, no time for any doll stuff. But today, I got tons done. Rendered the last three bras into component elements - I now have four new colors of elastic and buckles, not to mention hooks and eyes. You can' t imagine how glad I am that's done. Have no idea why I felt such a compulsion to do it all at once.  And I made Leia a new tunic from a DSD pattern. Fit's OK, but the sleeves are tighter than I wanted, and I found out that, for some reason, it printed a much smaller seam allowance than I'd programmed.

 

So I tweaked her arm measurements and printed out a new pattern. Hopefully this one will work, just not sure when I'll have the time to try it. I've forgotten what sewing in sixth scale is like - itty bitty collars, tiny wee facings. I'm also thinking of making matching skirts, one red, one black, since I put black buttons on the tunic...

 

It's also funny how little fabric it takes for Barbie-size sewing. I've made Leia pants, two dresses, and a tunic blouse, and the scrap of brick-red I've used for 'em is still useable and plentiful. I have miles if not parsecs of fabric, so I don't know what the heck I was thinking when I bought it all, when a full sixth-scale doll wardrobe uses about a third of a yard. So no new fabric for a while. Got the new Hancock Fabrics ad, and it sat for two days before I even glanced at it. About all that's interesting is the half off notions wall Aug. 05. Not sure if I'll find anything. But I'm already thinking of getting another package or three of black and white buttons...

 

The Butterick 224 pattern I have - the one I bought for Leia but never used - shows a cute vest, blouse, and skirt, modeled by a still-earmuffed Leia doll on the envelope. Unfortunately, the seamstress used people-size buttons, so it looks way off.  I think these buttons look a bit big on Barbie-scale clothes, but comparing them makes 'em look better !

 

Leia-chan, my car, had a minor leak today. (sigh) Wednesdays are just not her day ! She got us home safely, and Beloved Hubby'll check her out tomorrow. Not planning on going anywhere, so that's fine. Leia-doll's tunic took longer than expected - over two hours ! - so not a lot of housework got done today. Imagine that, I sewed instead of scrubbing the bathtub !  

Leia-chan's Monday shakedown
Mood:  lazy
Now Playing: "Beauty and the Beast" Special Edition DVD

 

Had an early-morning grocery run, so I decided to give Leia-chan a test run. She's performed beautifully all day. No drips, no leaks, nothin'. Here's hoping it stays that way - it'll be a while before I stop checking and worrying each time I get in or out of the car !

 

Was exhausted tired this afternoon, so I napped through most of it. Sometimes Dearest Son let me sleep, other times, he woke me for no discernable reason. When I finally woke up feeling better, I found that he'd fallen asleep next to me ! So while he napped, I got my housework done and finished ripping up another bra I started yesterday. Then I ripped another one apart. Aside from larger pieces for my own clothes, I should never need elastic again ! Plus, I have three new colors of plastic sliders and o-rings for belts and accents !

 

Not much else going on. I'm hoping to try an easy 'Fashion Doll Fun' blouse for Leia tomorrow, then maybe a skirt and a pair of shorts whenever there's time. And I only have four more bras to rend into component elements. After that, if I *ever* buy another yard-sale bra, it's for sure to be something special. 'Cause my fingers hurt from the seam ripper !

 

Tomorrow I promised to take Son to Dollar Tree. I already went through all their backdrop posters, so I doubt I'll find anything for me. But it's always fun to look !  

Rippin' up bras...
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: 'Space Travellers' - MSTK episode on ancient VHS

 

Yup. That was most of today, rippin' up bras. Not mine. Ones I got from yard sales and such. If you look at the new Leia photo on the Barbie page, you'll see her latest dress has a white ribbon belt with a silver buckle. That buckle used to be the sliding adjuster on a bra. So, whenever I come across interesting or unusual colors cheap, I buy 'em. Take 'em apart, salvage the sliders, the hooks and eyes, the o-rings, the elastic, the bow, etc. I even have a couple of interesting 'belt buckles' that used to be front clasps on Victoria's Secret brassieres. Just need to rename a doll with something that starts with a 'V'.

 

Taking bras down to their component elements is easy. Seam ripper and scissors is about all you need, and you can get a lot from a well-chosen one. I keep 'em in a sewing bag - you can take them apart anywhere. Although you might get stared at in the library... 

 

And, as mentioned,  I made Leia another dress. This one was adapted from a pattern in 'Fashion Doll Fun' by Lynda Milligan and Nancy Smith. If you ever wanna start sewing for your dolls, I'd recommend this book. Most of the patterns are easy, one piece outfits in basic shapes that would adapt well for other doll sizes.

 

Since Leia isn't as narrow as a standard Barbie, the 'Everyday Dress' wouldn't fit without some changes. I scan all my patterns, so I printed a fresh one as-is, split it in the middle from neckline to hem, then spread it apart, taping it to scrap paper and paper-fitting until I had one that would go all the way around her. I then taped it well and made a test garment. Not bad, but I want a bit more fullness around her butt next time. Still, it was easy to alter, and it's basic shapes with simple sewing. Not counting the alterations, it only took about a half hour to sew it, start to finish. 

 

I also redid Leia's photos. And wrote a short book about fitting her. Sheesh. I redid the photos to save space, and ended up with a huge block of unbroken text instead !

 

I got to read and watch 'Herbie:Fully Loaded' again, per Dearest Son's request. It helps that star Lindsey Lohan is mostly dressed. From the promo photos, I thought the film would be butt-ruffle skirts and elastic cleavage from start to finish. I have a bit of fondness for Herbie, having grown up in the late 70s - and he spit water at me from his driveway at Disney-MGM during Spring Break 1990. Hard to believe it was so long ago...

 

I've had fun at YouTube.com. Just about every MST3K short is on there somewhere, and I've watched videos of other stuff I still don't believe I saw. In case I haven't said it in public lately, I freakin' LOVE the internet !

 

Beloved Hubby did some work on my car this evening, so here's hoping. With 109 degree days, I can't help but worry about Leia-chan, but I have a cell phone and I'm never far from help, so it's not so bad. I just need to calm down and get my butt to bed !

 

Hope your weekend was stellar - and as nice as hearing from a great friend ! :)  

Batman and Herbie...with some Leia.
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: "Herbie: Fully Loaded" - a surprisingly good DVD rental

 

New Leia photo on the site - here's the same outfit, different angle ->

The photo makes her look shorter-waisted than she is, and the pants' crotch looks low, too. But it's all angle. Everything fits - well, the blouse arms are a bit tight. I misread my notes. Maybe if there's time tonight, I can make another. Blouse fabric is super-fine recycled men's shirt that frays like nobody's business.

 

Rented several movies yesterday - so far Batman Begins and Herbie: Fully Loaded have been surprises. I guess I'm nostalgic a bit, working with my Princess Leia doll, but... frankly, the latest Batman was what I wanted for another movie series. Namely Episodes 1 - 3 of Star Wars. 

 

After being a dedicated LucasFan for twenty years, it was hard for me to see that the man I so admired was just a man. One with his own family, and out of touch with the fans.  Hell, it's not like GL owes us his life. It was our choice to throw tons of money at him. I guess I expected too much when, given unlimited funds, unlimited special effects, and unlimited control, he told the story he wanted to, instead of telling us the story we wanted to hear.  IMho, the 'story'. buried as it was in digital effects and delivered by actors who clearly don't give a wet Wookiee, was unlimited crap. Shoulda seen it coming when Return of the Jedi was such a....fuzzy-wuzzy disapointment. Empire Strikes Back seemed so real. So adult. Like we were growing up, growing jaded, growing hurt along with the series. So for Jedi to be almost "Disney does Home Alone", well... I kinda felt cheated. Just like I did in 1999, 2002, and 2005. I have to keep the 'new trilogy' from tarnishing my memories of the ones I loved.

 

Well, I still have my imagination. My only doll remaining from childhood. And the memories of a thrilled eleven-year-old. I understand that there's gonna be a new release of the 'original' movies (SW, ESB, ROTJ) as seen in theaters. No new 'special edition' footage, no additional sound editing, nothing that wasn't there in 1977, 1980, and 1983. I'll probably want it. Heck, I still sometimes watch my old VHS versions. The ones where there are no fan squabbles about who shot first, Greedo or Han. The ones I loved. 

 

Aaaanyway... Beloved Hubby worked darn near all day, so I gave him a break and picked up Dearest Son from his grandparents'. We all need some time alone. I finished cleaning the house while he was at work, and did some banking. There was some confusion about the deposit - I thought I'd shorted the bank, but I forgot I had that $20. from the day before. Glad I got that sorted out ! Tonight we saw Herbie, and it was better than I thought. Son loves just about all car movies, so we've seen the others in the series, and most make me cringe. I actually enjoyed H:FL. 

 

Tomorrow, we get to work on Leia-chan, my car. Hubby's gonna try to fix the radiator instead of replace it. I mean, heck, I've driven her twice in 102 degree temps without even losing much water. It's possible we can repair it, but we won't know until we dig in.

 

Wish us luck ! 

Leia and Leia-chan
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: XM 150 - Uncensored Comedy - I need the laughs.

 

We got Leia-chan, my car, home safely. Only took one gallon of water to fill her reservoir, and she drove as if nothing had happened Wednesday. Go figure.

 

Since Dearest Son was at Granny and Grand-dad's, I went through most of his toys. What a job ! Two and a half hours, and I didn't get 'em all. There's some in the 'Cocoon' I have to go through, too. (the cocoon is where the TV and family room is) Only two bags of broken parts this time. Got 'em into the trash and the trash out ten minutes before the collection truck came. Whew !

 

It was unusual for him to have this many toys - and I pondered why. We really haven't been buying him much besides Cars miniatures and modules for his LeapPad. Then I remembered. Very few of this year's Christmas toys have bit the dust. The Thomas the Tank Engine Ultimate set has been surprisingly durable. Even now,  it's snaking under my feet, and it's in daily use. Many of his requested vehicles have been quite sturdy, too. 

 

Debated going to GoodWill - with Leia-chan unsteady and there not being much I needed, it seemed silly. But when you add in 'house-bound since Wednesday afternoon', it doesn't seem quite so reckless. I did want one thing - a shallow plastic container for Son's Hot Wheels-size cars, but GW was unlikely to have one.  Still, it'd do me good to get out for a bit.

 

And, they had a perfect shallow plastic bin that fits right over the other one his cars are stored in - for just 99c !  Found two books for Beloved Hubby, too. Ironically, I didn't find anything for myself, but Hubby told me to go ahead and get one pattern I'm looking at. Yaay ! I'll order it later this week. 

 

Oh, and I did get the shoe pattern, finally. Ordered it at the first of the month, two mere pieces of paper. It just arrived today. For some reason, even though I used PayPal the day I 'won' it, the seller took over two weeks to mail it. Guess I should be happy I got it at all. Man, I am so done with eBay and Prego. Both give me a lotta grief for very little pleasure.  

 

I'll probably post a new photo of Leia's clothes on the Barbie page tomorrow. Leia the doll, not my Leia-chan car ! :) I forgot that Barbie-size  clothes are a little harder to sew than Elphie's. But it's like realizing a long-ago dream to sew for Leia. And when it comes out good, I feel amazing ! I forgot how beautiful she is.

 

Yaaay ! Hubby's home ! Gotta run - have a good Friday night !