Run, run Monday
Now Playing: XM 71 - Watercolors

 

Mondays are normally busy. The usual back-to-school shuffle, plus Dearest Son's speech therapy, a weekend-trashed house and a bunch of errands tend to leave me with not much time to do 'my stuff' every time Monday rolls around. On the plus side, I start to really wanna sew when I can't, so it ends up good.

 

I'll head up to Dollar Tree tomorrow, for another spider-web doll sweater. When I was in high school, my best friend Becky and I had the same shirt. We didn't go shopping together, we'd each chosen that particular blouse weeks apart. But it was special to us, and most of the time we'd both wear it on the same day, even though it was rare for either of us to suggest coordinating our wardrobes. So I think Crissy and Isabelle will match, mostly because I remember a pastel blouse from around 1983, and it's a good memory.

 

Hopefully, whichever charity gets these five denuded Dollar Tree bears will find them some happiness, too !

 

Beloved Hubby's CD and Dearest Son's book arrived. When Hubby gave me the cash a while back, I went to Amazon to order both. It was one of the few things I was certain about purchasing ! Well, Son is in love with The Volkswagen Beetle, has even said he's taking it to school for reading time tomorrow. That is, if he remembers. He's alseep with it right now...

 

Sorted some doll shoes, got some stuff put away. But I think I need sleep more than craft work right now. See ya tomorrow ! 

Slow, slow Sunday...
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: 'Please Twins' - anime rental from the comic shop

 

Not a lot going on. We're home, but everyone's so tired ! I'm just leafing through old doll magazines, thinking of straightening my dolls, maybe redressing a few. Thinking of getting another pair of 'Hello Kitty' high-top keychain sneakers - but I can't make up my mind if I want the green ones or the blue ones !

 

Decisions, decisions... it's extra-funny because it'll be at least a week before I can buy 'em !  

Who knew I had affluenza ?
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: "And Now For Something Completely Different" -VHS bought on closeout from local video shop

 

Got off my big rounder and selected three more Dollar Tree Halloween bear sweaters. There's four different ones, so I'll probably go back and get another 'spider web' one. That way, either Crissy and Isabella can match, or Isa and Belle can. Still undecided if I'm going to split 'em down the back, or leave 'em as-is. Frankly, I'd rather make something new than adapt something I bought cheap. 

 

Found out that there isn't much of a difference in Disney 'Lil' Princess' doll feet and Crissy's. The DPrincess dolls' feet are a bit wider and shorter, but so far can fit into any non-Ideal shoe I've bought for Crissy. Including the Hello Kitty high-top sneaker keychains I bought last week. And the ones I got from the yard sale down the street. Isabella's feet are a bit longer than Crissy's, but she can wear most of the same shoes, too.  So, rather than segregate their shoes like I used to, they're all gonna be in one box. Of course, other dolls with different sizes (Barbie, Elphie, My Size, Timey, etc.) have their own boxes, but since the Princesses and their 'big sisters' can wear the same stuff, why not keep it all together ? I can always try stuff on when I'm changing their clothes.  

 

Random-selected an old Doll Reader, one I bought about four years ago. Inside was a pattern for a SuperSize Barbie party dress and a high-waisted dress for Baby Chrissy. I never thought to try a SuperSize pattern on Crissy, and when I bought the magazine, I didn't have Baby C. So that was a lucky find...or, actually, 're-find'. 

 

Haven't been on eBay in a while, but finding the goodies in DR, I kind of want more of 'em. There were two doll pattern books published by them, but since I have no idea what's in 'em, it seems silly to shell $20. or so for each. There's a darn good chance I won't be able to use anything in either. I wish people who make doll pattern books would at least list what fits who on the cover ! I wouldn't mind more Crissy patterns, but I don't need an era-appropriate day dress and riding habit to fit a mid-1800s Jumeau in a size nowhere near any of my other dolls. Sure, I could adapt, but I already have tons of stuff that I don't have to touch - that I haven't gone near yet ! 

 

I guess having everything doesn't stop any of us for looking around at more... 

Poor Leia-chan...
Mood:  down
Now Playing: XM 150 - Uncensored Comedy - I need the laughs.

 

My poor car Leia-chan has developed an oil leak. Pretty bad one. In addition to her sporadic radiator problems, and the myriad other issues (window doesn't work, speedometer and gas gauge don't register, broken door handle on the outside driver's door and inside passenger's, etc.), it isn't worth the $600. under-the-hood fix. So we've obtained a van from family, and it needs a bit more work than we'd thought, but it'll be OK. I'm kind of excited about the van - we pick it up tomorrow - but rather sad about Leia-chan. 

 

As far as dolls...I'm taking the rest of the week off, I think. Maybe tomorrow, I'll go get the other Dollar Tree Halloween bear sweaters, but that'll be about it. I'm still rather disconnected, but at the same time, I want to have some fun. But when I have time - and time's been a rare thing lately - I end up sitting around. Gotta get off my butt before it braids into the chair ! 

 

Dearest Son was at the doctor's yesterday, but was still ill and tired today, so he stayed home. He's taking his 'no artificial colors, no sweeteners' prescription without complaint, which tells me he knows he's sick !  Still, he was pretty upset  that he didn't get to go to school. It's funny, because he's already hit the 'I'm bored with school' doldrums, according to his teacher.

Umm, hi ? It's me. I'm back again...
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: Dearest Son snoring, CPU fan whirrr...

 

Hiya.

 

Didn't mean to scare anyone Sunday - there was a lot going on, and my sprained psyche decided I needed to deal with it all NOW ! Most of it's the usual 'How can I be 40 years old already ? I still haven't figured Life out yet, and at least half of it's over ?' thing that most humans get, one way or another.

 

Part of it is the also-usual family stuff, a wicked cold that waylaid all of us, and coming to the quiet realization that, no matter what's next, we'll find a way to deal with it. Always have, always will. That is Life, now that I think about it.

 

Part of it is knowing I don't really fit in anywhere around me. My religious affiliation is atypical, I'm rather large, I play with dolls and read Japanese comic books... usually I celebrate diversity in any form. For some reason, it was very alienating this weekend. I felt so adrift ! So, of course, I had to take it apart and examine it from a few thousand angles until I got tired of it, smacked it back together, and went back to living. All this introspection gets exhausting. Believe it or not, even I get tired of thinking about me after a while. 

 

I'm being over-simple, as I doubt you'd want a tiptoe through my tribulations when you probably have your own. There's a time in life where everyone takes stock and looks around, and where they go next is determined by what they see.  I usually get this every Fall, but it's never been this intense and painful before. I'm still undecided about some things, but it's not a huge issue anymore. Life does have a way of going on, even while you're trying to figure yours out !

 

Anyway, so all that up there won't be a total waste of your time, here's a new photo :

 

 

Doesn't Cindy (Disney Lil' Princess Cinderella, Playmates) look so cutely 'goth' in her new sweater ? Color's off a bit - the spiderweb is actually gold thread, not orange, but it looks great anyway. This particular sweater came from Dollar Tree today. It was originally on a cheap stuffed bear, and comes in several designs and color combinations.

 

How cheap was the bear ? Well, the bear's chest under the sweater wasn't sewn closed ! That's right, it's really an autopsy bear, or maybe a horror-movie victim, ready for action !

 

But I think it was simply a cheap toy. Still, pulling out stuffing while removing the sweater was a unique experience I hope I don't repeat with the next ones. I'm definitely returning to DTree tomorrow - to get sweaters for Belle and Ariel, and also Crissy. It fits her, if a bit short in length, so it'll probably fit Isabella, too. I may split the sweaters down the back and add snaps so they go on the dolls easier. There's some 'torso bulk' (i.e., the sweater is a bit rounder than the dolls) that would be eliminated that way, and improve the fit, as well.

 

Dearest Son is still sick, so we went to the doctor today. Yes, it's just a cold, but the poor dear was up at night coughing this week, he coughed so hard last night, he threw up and couldn't stop coughing. We cleared the possibility of pneumonia or other ailments, and got a prescription.  He's doing much better, but I worry about him going back to school tomorrow. He can't wait, after being stuck at home with Momma, and knowing it's School Picture day - and there's two new Cars outfits in the closet ! He's actually rather vain about clothes when they're his favorite designs and characters.

 

I bought a new (second-hand) cabinet that, with judicious shuffling, improved the storage in the Studio, and even opened up a bit more floor space. I'd been looking for something to re-do the fabric storage with, but all I could find in my price range was a TV stand ! I tabled (ha-ha) the notion for a while, but Tuesday I found a glorious 36" long open-face cabinet (like a long, squat bookshelf) with an adjustable shelf at GoodWill for $7.  Some dings, but once it's buried in material and notions, who'd notice ? That took up most of Tuesday while Son was in school.

 

It almost makes me want to sew again, and soon ! :) I've really missed it. Hopefully, this weekend, I can get back to it. I think, sometimes, we have to 'give up' stuff we love for a bit, so we can appreciate having it to enjoy all over again.

 

That said, I would have loved to see the look on Son's teacher's face this week. We did a family 'scrapbook' assignment, which included bits for everyone's hobbies. I pasted photos of Beloved Hubby's paintings and guitars, and Son's trains and Herbies, and for mine, a shot of all the dolls, and the one of Elphie and Fiyero posed by my sewing machine, with the note, "Mommy has 55 dolls ! She loves sewing for them, and even has a website all about them".

 

His teacher probably concluded that  it explains some of Son's behavior... 

Please pardon the mess...
My mid-life crisis arrived yesterday, and I'm still unpacking my psyche for evaluation and restructuring. Back soon. 

Still sick...but getting better...
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: XM 80s - 'Dr. Heckle and Mr. Jive', Men At Work

 

I hope I pull out of this power-cold soon. I'm supposed to volunteer at Dearest Son's school tomorrow. Poor Beloved Hubby was up half the night, listening to me wheeze, scared to death I'd stop breathing. So I put him to bed right after dinner. I'm not wheezing anymore, but I'll definitely be sleeping upright tonight. I hate to make him worry.

 

But we had a little time together at lunch, and he gave me a surprise - a buncha cash ! He says it's to spend any way I want to, but I can't think of anything. I retrieved the Cars fall outfits we had on layaway for Son, and ordered the CD Hubby's been wanting, and the VW Beetle book Son's been interested in. Still, even with hours on Amazon, eBay, and Half.com, I never found anything I wanted.

 

I literally can't think of anything. I have more patterns and fabric than I'll ever use, even if I live to be 112,  I don't want any other dolls, I can make most of what doll and me clothes I want, I got the last three CDs I wanted a few weeks ago and for Christmas, and I can't think of any movies, either. Even the stuff I used to search eBay for...just doesn't seem interesting anymore. Just more clutter.

 

I may go up to Hobby Lobby between dropping Son off at school, and going back to volunteer. Still, even my sewing supplies are burgeoning, so I don't know what I'll find there that I'll want. Maybe hit a bookstore. I just can't think of anything right now. Maybe I'll make a donation...but to whom ? 

 

Too bad I can't buy health !  

Relapse.
Mood:  don't ask
Now Playing: XM 80s - IT (think it's up to mid-1982 by now...)

 

I thought I was well on my way to recovering, but I'm even sicker today. Going back to bed. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.  

Improving...slooooowwwly...
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: XM 80's - "IT" !

 

XM's 'IT' is fantastic. Second time I've heard it, it begins on 4 (the 40s channel), and keeps going until every song that's ever charted has been played. They've played all day and are now up to April 1980. It's incredible !

 

Still sick, but doing better. Dearest Son returned to school, but it looks like it's making the rounds - several of his classmates were out today. I'm on the downhill part, but Beloved Hubby is where I was yesterday. Blasted miserable. About all I can do is feed him and put him to bed when he comes home.

 

Had errands to run - I keep forgetting it's Tuesday ! - and on the way back from the last of 'em, I decided to stop in a thrift store I haven't been to in a while, mostly because they're not open Saturdays. Found an Alto Sax music book for Beloved Hubby, a fire-engine sweatshirt for dearest son, and a pattern for me - well, actually, for Cabbage Patch dolls and kids. It makes simple jackets and pants, and it's in Dearest Son's size. There's girls all over the pattern envelope, but a jacket's a jacket. Still have to see if all the pieces are there, but for a quarter, I couldn't resist.  

 

On the way to the register, I found this doll. A soft-body Belle, from Playmates 2003. I think she was a 'Princess Diva' or something, I vaguely remember them from the Marts. For a buck I bought her, too, and her removable dress fits Leia !

 

Isn't she lovely ? Now, if I could just figure out what that doll line was called...they had a Cinderella, too...

 

 

Still honkin' sick...
Now Playing: XM 23 - 'The Heart' love songs.

 

Ok, so we turned off our TV two years ago. I know almost nothing about the American Idol craze, save for a few winners' names. One is nearly a local girl, the newspaper is there with a hanky every time she sneezes, so we can be informed about how she felt during and after said sneeze, consequently, I haven't been allowed to forget her name, although I'd like to. Anyway, XM Satellite Radio's channel 23 - The Heart, love songs 24-7 - seems to play AI recordings fairly frequently. So here's my question - do all AI alumni have a song with 'one moment' as the theme ? I swear, I heard two like that, nearly identical songs from different 'winners'. Urgh. I may be sick again...

 

I'm still miserable, but the cold has gone from 'drip' to 'chunk', which is entirely too much information for you, and I apologize for icking you out. Some people shed inhibitions with alcohol. I get waaaaay too personal when I'm ill. Beloved Hubby has a minor version of the same thing, and Dearest Son, who brought this %$#@ thing home from school, is nearly recovered.  

 

Haven't done much but sleep. Oh, I did join DeviantArt a few days ago, posted some doll customizations you've already seen on the site. It was mostly to thank Doc Hammer for that I-still-love-it poster for DragonCon, I had to join to leave the message. So I posted the home page photo of Elphie wearing the poster shirt. And posted a few more. And some later. If you wanna see, I'll post the link, but it's nothing you haven't seen or read already.

 

http://dorriebelle.deviantart.com/   Heh. Looks a lot like the address for the main site, huh ?  

 

It's kind of suprising I did that. Ordinarily, I wouldn't feel confident about sharing my hobby anywhere but here. And it's one thing to make off with web images and make a doll clothes out of 'em, but to tell the image creator...? That's confidence bordering on near arrogance for me. But I did it. Wheee.

 

Beloved Hubby ended up getting Labor Day off after all. He was all set to work, but it was raining there. I've let him have the terminal so he could write. Still, he's sick, if not as miserable as me, so when he got tired, this baby was mine, all mine !

 

Not that I'm really doing much with it. There is some secondary guilt I wanna talk about though. Remember our neighbor's dogs ? The ones that barked for hours and woke me up at least three times a week at 3am for no apparent reason ? The one our neighbor, their owner, ignored, even though they were barking about two feet from her bedroom windows ? 

 

Well, they're gone. Have been since Saturday. They got out somehow - I know when they get into another neighbor's fence, he puts them out of his yard to run free, but they always go back to their yard. And here's my guilt. I saw them running loose, and didn't do a darn thing to corral them back. I figured they would on their own, they have before. Their owner wasn't home, not that she would have answered her door anyway. She herself said Friday that she needed to 'do something' about them, the property management co. had leaned on her some about 'em. Probably due to neighbors calling about them being in their yards and the ceaseless barking.

 

But knowing it all, I did nothing. I honestly thought they'd go back on their own, and chasing dogs in the rain wasn't something I was gonna do when I was already sick. I do feel vaguely guilty about it, mostly because I haven't been awakened at 3am since Friday night. Haven't seen her, and for all I know, she's relieved, but I'm happy they're gone, so I'm guilty as heck.  My karma's probably in the toilet.

 

Haven't done anything doll-related since I finished Elphie's shirt. I keep meaning to make Fiyero a t-shirt, but I just don't have the interest and energy going at the same time. I need to go get some cold medicine, or something. Maybe they make one with a guilt reliever, too...