Molly, Neffy, and me...together again !
Mood:  party time!
Now Playing: Dearest son snores.

 

Had a fun half-hour this evening cleaning up Nephlyte and Naru for their photo shoot tomorrow. A long time ago, I promised some folks photos of them both - although Naru is portrayed on the Barbie page, her hair has since changed - and for many reasons, I never followed through.

 

A long, long time ago - about five years now - I got tired of sighingly longing for *somebody* to make dolls of my favorite Sailor Moon characters, Naru and Nephrite (original Japanese) aka Molly and Nephlyte (English translation). Being minor characters who are seldom seen past the first season, it was unlikely they'd be produced by Bandai (the license holder in most countries) in sixth scale. Despite the fact that Sailor Moon had pretty much circumnavigated the globe, no commercially-made dolls of either character was ever made. 

 

Sailor Moon hit the North American airwaves about 1995. I bought several of the made for the US market 'no nose' Bandai dolls, but I never really liked them. A second wave of Moon madness hit in 1998 when Cartoon Network not only re-ran the previous series, but ordered more episodes from later seasons translated and dubbed. Since the original dolls and toys (which were, admittedly, on the campy side) had long since been clearanced, Irwin Toys stepped into the fray. 

 

These dolls were a *vast* improvement, IMhO. They actually had noses, the costumes and shoes were better, and they seemed to have that certain something that the first series lacked. After a big opening, however, these dolls also undersold, leading to most fans finding the entire doll series on markdowns of around $5. each. 

 

In 2001, I was living in the heart of outlet central. I had my choice of three stores to score the Sailor cast at that great price, and I found all but one that I wanted. Saturn was found four states away and traded with an online buddy. So I had the dolls I couldn't afford when they were Japanese imports, didn't like when they first came out...but I had a shelf fulla sailors now ! Wheee ! I found Barbie clothes and even Barbie shoes that fit, and life was good.

 

But...it wasn't enough. I still wanted Molly and Neffy. Should I dare learn to reroot and make my own ? It seemed an outrageous idea at the time. My family was quite strict about my toys when I was a kid - I once got chewed out in whispers at a PTA-based school assembly when mother-unit discovered I'd taken down Ballerina Barbie's hair. In retrospect, it was kind of silly of them to expect me to keep my dolls pristine - they were toys. And I ended up giving them away less than three years later. So the notion of removing perfectly good rooted doll hair because little ole me didn't like it, and then rerooting what I did want...it bordered on heresy !

 

Besides, everyone knew that rerooting was an expensive, exacting skill. If you wanted a doll of yours rerooted, you'd have to send it to a doll hospital a few states away and hope she came back in six months - after you paid the $300. or so bill ! So I fidgeted and thought...and bought two more markdown Sailor dolls, a Moon and a Tuxedo Mask. 

 

I decided to gain some experience before I granted my own wish, so with cheap Sally Beauty Supply hair, junker Barbie heads, and online directions, it began. As it turns out, rerooting isn't that hard. Just tedious as h#ll, and it takes time. I never got good at it enough to watch TV at the same time, but I could leisurely do a Barbie head a month, in colors I wanted. Barbie was still mostly blonde-only at that time, but Mattel was starting to sell other hair colors, too.  Still, there for a while, I was making a childhood dream come true, too - I had a brunette Barbie all my own.  Then one with lavender hair that really looked great !

 

So. It was time. I scalped Moon first, and fitted her with a temporary wig from a Dollar Tree doll - it was the first time I'd done the 'cheap wig' thing ! Yep, Molly was the basis for the 'Give Ken Some Hair' page ! I soon found out that the Irwin dolls weren't quite like Barbie - the head vinyl was thicker, and there was a sort of 'shelf' within that made guiding the needle harder. But I persevered, and when Molly was done, I started in on Neffy.

 

A month later, still in 2001, I had my Molly and Neffy. I was proud and happy. I made my own dream come true ! So...why has it taken me five years to do a simple photo shoot ? Well, there were other things going on. Had some real issues to deal with, and I took my anger and frustration and grief out on myself, and those dearest to me, Beloved Hubby, Dearest Son, and my dolls. I had to put away most of the Barbie-scale dolls - almost all I had - away, so I wouldn't hurt them. How could something I made be worth anything ? I didn't deserve to enjoy anything ! I wanted to destroy both Molly and Neffy, because they were products of me, and I was utterly worthless. So I hid them away, to protect them. 

 

 I've dealt with a lot of that since - it's not bravery or anything, I just didn't have a choice, it was interfering with my entire life ! - and while I couldn't really look at them, I had them out, and I'd have no more donated or destroyed them than I'd spray-paint the Sistine. My stuff wasn't art, but it was loved...and maybe someday I'd see that, instead of anger and frustration, instead of seeing all the errors and the badly cut hair. 

 

I guess today was that day. I took them down, gave them both a thorough dusting, and brushed their hair for the first time in years. Yeah, it's not perfect on either of them. Molly's bangs still don't cover her Sailor Moon tiara holes, and Neffy's long locks are uneven still. But I remember the surge of power I felt when they were done, the pride at doing what I didn't think I could - or even should - do, and finally having what I wanted and knowing it. There'd never be another set like mine, and that was also wonderful. 

 

So tomorrow, we're doing a photo shoot. It'll be inside, as our camera's still spazzing out at sunshine, but I'm looking forward to it. The lovers smiled at me as I cleaned them, and I felt...connected.

 

Maybe that's what I've been missing all this time.  

Sometimes, I just can't stand it...
Mood:  blue
Now Playing: XM 80s - "In My Dreams", REO Speedwagon

 

I went ahead and posted Mia's new jumper photo on the Home page, because I'd written Beth Colvin (formerly Beth Gunther), author of Crissy Doll and Her Friends, to tell her of the patterns and misc. I knew. Figured she'd rather see the photos on the site rather than get unexpected photo attachments in her e-mail. To make up for that blunder, I'd like to show you a photo of my Belles..

 

Crissy is wearing Interactive Belle's ball gown (Playmates, 2002), Mia relishes modeling 'Before Once Upon A Time' toddler Belle's play dress (also Playmates 2002), and ever-lovely Princess Leia relaxes in a satin and velvet gown from the 'Perfectly Princess' line of soft Disney dolls (Playmates 2003). There is another 'Perfectly Princess' line by Hasbro, but those dolls wouldn't clothe a Leia action figure, much less mine here !

 

And now, to the title of today's notes. Sometimes I just can't stand it. Two years ago, I fell in love with a doll completely out of my league. She was bigger, more expensive, and I seriously believe any of these dolls would self-destruct before allowing herself to be found in a thrift store or yard sale. Plus, her manufacturer tended to attract *serious* doll folk, the ones who bemoan the 853 in their closet while they're pre-ordering their next 167. If I thought the 'country club' mentality of Barbie collectors got bad at times, well, these fans could teach lessons in black-belt snobbery. If they realized they were snobs, it was more of a second-nature with some of these folk. Not all, just some. 

 

Ended up buying the doll - or rather, Beloved Hubby did, as a combined anniversary present and Valentine's day gift. You know her well, her name here is Elphie.  And because of her, my thrift-store Barbie ways kind of bit the dust, along with my interest in Barbie herself. I'm still struggling with the 'Barbie and me' part of my life - does Barbie still have a place in my life ? Is my interest waning now that I truly have a doll who represents me that I'm happy with ? Or was I only into Barbie in the first place 'cause she was cheap ? I had a happy history with Barbie - but what was our future ? Was there one ? 

 

Those issues continue. There's aspects of Barbie I still love, there's others I still hate. Many of my issues are more with Mattel than with their product, but I can't separate them completely. Lotta things Mattel does just burn me up, and I react with noxious glee when I hear Barbie sales are down for the eighth or fifteenth quarter in a row. 

 

(sigh) So, while all this is going on, I find this, while I'm researching a vintage Barbie blouse I bought at a junk shop today (old habits die hard):

 http://dollattic.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/product2482.html

 You really might want to go have a look at it. I'll wait here for a while. 

 

Ok, you're back. So. Evidently Mattel realized it missed the boat by ignoring all the fans who asked for a Barbie-size Wicked Witch over ten years ago, and will soon have its own out in March '07. Despite the fact that Dorothy was originally available in 1994, Glinda in 1995, they've decided to redo the entire line. Dorothy looks even worse, IMhO. http://dollattic.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/product2481.html    <- Same cheap-azz rayon dress, though...'Dorothy' looks less like an innocent ingenue and more like somebody smacked Paris Hilton with a dead fish and dyed her hair while she was out cold. And Pari..I mean, 'Dorothy' is still a bit red-eyed and bleary, and not at all happy about this d@mn yellow road. 

 

Am I getting this Barbie Witch ? Oh, hell, naw. In many ways, Mattel did me a major favor by ignoring its fans once again, leading me to explore other alternatives. But I still feel like they're yet again riding other manufacturer's coat-tails. Elphie is still a vastly superior doll - even in their own studio photos, their WW is stiff armed and not as expressive. But it does look like they took careful note of Tonner's pensive expression and gave it to theirs, as well.

 

I know, it's silly of me to get upset about it. Mattel's gonna do what it always does, market and sell whatever'll make them money. The fact that it's too late and too derivative for some of their intended audience won't matter a whit to them. At least they didn't make their WW ugly - but then again, neither did Tonner, and theirs sold, big time. It's just like Mattel to rip someone else's idea, or let someone else go first before they decide to throw in. 

 

It saddens me that I'm once again disappointed in Mattel - when I thought I didn't care anymore.  (sigh)

I sew, therefore I exist. So there !
Mood:  not sure
Now Playing: YouTube - the promo for Star Wars Lego II !

 

Sort of an up-and-down day. I'm happy because it looks like The Monarch and Dr. Girlfriend are back together (Apologies - that makes zero sense if you're not a Venture Bros. fan), *and* I found out that Star Wars Lego II is available for PCs, so I don't have to wait until we can afford a PlayStation 2 ! 

 

I sewed a new ensemble for Mia - using the Doll Reader pattern from Aug/Sept 1987. Mia now has panties, a hair scrunchie, and a jumper dress that match, and look really cute on her. For some reason, Doll Reader patterns never have 'cut 2' on them anywhere, and it's rarely mentioned in the directions. Yeah, I know, it's not often necessary- I mean, you're always gonna have to cut 2 sleeves ! But on this one, it would have been nice to know you needed a front skirt and a back one. I ran out of lace, so about two inches in the back is trimmed with a different kind. I promise to post a photo tomorrow. Right now it's kind of late, and I still wanna Blog some more. 

 

Had another few  'Do I exist ?' moments today. The fabric I used for Mia's clothes came from GoodWill. Surprisingly, the Crissy doll is gone, but Cinnamon is still around. They moved her to the cabinet display. Anyway, found this floral remnant that reminded me of the roses in Mary Englelbreit fabric, and I liked the background shade of blue. Knew it would look great on Mia ! So I went to buy it...and I entered another personal wormhole. Lady in front of me was debating whether or not to buy the stuff she brought to the register, one piece at a time. She also wanted to see about eight things on display behind the counter and some just-donated jeans. Not a big deal, I wasn't in much of a hurry. I just think things go easier when you've already made up your mind what to buy *before* you take it all to the cashier.

 

The pair behind me had a shopping cart full of stuff, too. I had this one bit of fabric, and that was all. So, of course, they open another register, and while the second cashier looks dead at me, starts ringing up the folks behind me. Of course, the lady in front of me is still debating the tarnished silver service and wants a bigger discount on the swim trunks...

 

I know I shouldn't take it personally. It's just that, when the cart-folks were all done and rung up, and the lady in front of me is still haggling and shopping, he again gestures to the person behind me and rings her up. This time I'd about had it and deliberately stood behind her. Maybe sometime this week, I'd get my 25c remnant...

 

Well, I sort of did. Despite the fact that it was less than half a yard, he charged me the full yard price. By now, I just wanted to be gone. I slowly counted out the change using the smallest coins I had. I know, I'm petty. But at least he won't need pennies for a while. I had quite a few.

 

I'm still trying to figure things out. I know no one meant to ignore me.  But d@mn, that's how it felt ! And they wonder why I don't go out much...

 

At least I exist when I sew ! And despite the slight errors in Mia's outfit, it's darn cute, and I'm proud of it. I hate to cut myself off from people, but it's a lot less damaging to my psyche when I do !

 

Maybe I'll feel better after some sleep...or a small shot of Captain Morgan in my orange soda !  Wheeee !

Ever wonder if you exist ?
Mood:  incredulous
Now Playing: XM 71 - Watercolors

 

I mean, really wonder if you actually have corporeal form ? Sometimes I wonder. Just yesterday, when I had to do the run-around for the right color drinks for Dearest Son's turn at snacks, I went to the Mart. Yes, one could (and probably should) say I had it coming. But anyway...

 

Several times I had to dodge out of someone's way. Really. Twice I had to dive into an aisle I had no intention of visiting, once I had to swerve to avoid these people who, while they were clearly awake and pushing large steel shopping carts, just were not registering anything beyond whatever occupied them. Blank faces that didn't reflect anything, any emotion, any recognition. After the third 'duck and cover', I had to beat down the insane urge to on-purpose smash into the next 'Obliviant', just to get them to recognize that, yes, other people do occupy space and have mass...often not five feet from their noses. Even if all I got was the blank "WTF ?" stare, at least it'd be focused on someone...not oblivion.  

 

To add to the fun, the cashier addressed the person behind me in line, while I was standing right there.  I'd made two efforts to recognize her, but I didn't get a grunt in reply. So I went home in a funk, trying to figure out if I did exist or not.

 

What's sad is, I'm still not sure... 

Saw an interesting Barbie today...
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: XM 150 - Uncensored Comedy

 

Had to go back to the Mart today - Dearest Son's turn to provide the class snack is Friday. I had the snack, but bought the wrong drinks. Since the classrooms have new carpet (!), they've asked us to not send red-colored drinks. I bought a box of various flavors, and one of them's red. Darn. So I had to return 'em and get Capri Sun pouches, which are not artificially colored (i.e., staining). 

 

And, like all of us do, I hit the Toys section, even though there's rarely anything there that's interesting. The big Barbie movie-tie-in for 2006 is 'Twelve Dancing Princesses', as you're already probably aware. I have to admire it - instead of selling one doll, you have the chance to push twelve ! Wonder how many princes there are...?

 

Anyway, there was one that was a bit different. Heck, she was almost Elphie size ! Here's a link to the doll I'm talking about - 'Dance With Me Barbie' -> http://www.kbtoys.com/genProduct.html/PID/4718147/ctid/17?cpncode=12-12655931-2&srccode=cii_9324560

There's also an African-American version of the same doll. IMhO, she's prettier.

 

According to various websites, she's 15 inches tall - I measured her from en pointe feet to crown at 14, but she's in a plastic sarcophagus - either way, a bit shy of Elphie's height. I'd consider buying her to rip the outfit, but the doll's $55. at the Mart, and Elphie wouldn't wear a pink tutu on this planet ! 

 

Still, it's a neat doll. Has three modes - she'll dance on her own to her music, will teach you to dance by showing the position, or you can put on these little sensors and she'll copy your moves. Pretty darn cool ! Her arm and leg joints are similar to those of Tonner dolls, and her feet are permanently in pink ballet shoes. You may wanna check her out, add her to your holiday 'I'm a good person' list.  

 

Today was another run-around day. The van, now christened 'White Jade Dragon', or 'Jade' for short, needed a tire replaced and another one plugged. So I got that done early. Then I had to exchange kindergarten beverages, and by the time I got home, I was hungry ! Well, shoot, it was close to lunch...

 

Beloved Hubby came home, and we had a nice lunch together. He worked on Jade for a bit, and then it was time to pick up Son. So it's been busy, about all the 'doll time' I've had besides with the dancing Barbie, is researching Mia patterns and clothes. 

 

For a doll I didn't have until yesterday, I have numerous sewing patterns sitting here, just for Mia. There's some in Doll Reader (Aug/Sept 1987), a few in Sewing for 20th Century Dolls. I have an up-and-down relationship with 20th Century. After numerous attempts to get a Crissy pattern to fit a Crissy doll, I'm a bit reluctant to try it for other dolls.

 

Oddly, the Crissy failure is a bit of a mystery. The Crissy on the cover is wearing it, a madras plaid sundress. It's described as 'an original tagged dress', but I'll be d@mned if I can find it anywhere. I've combed through all the photos in Beth Colvin (published as Beth Gunther)'s Crissy Doll and Her Friends, of her official wardrobe by Ideal and the Christmas catalog extras, for all sizes and all manufacturers, and that dress *does not exist, anywhere, for any of the Crissy dolls, in any size*. Adding to it, the plaid is a bit large for the doll, and Crissy is wearing too-small-for-her Velvet doll shoes. 

 

So I have no idea how it's an 'original tagged dress'. And I could never get  it to fit. Finally figured it was for a Velvet-size doll, and modified it as best I could - it's the tenth photo from the top, the one with the heart-shaped buttons. This was about the sixth effort, and I never went beyond just the bodice. I'll probably try again, since Mia shares the Velvet body. 

 

Yesterday, I had a bit of time, so I gave Leia her own page. Moved the 'Flight Suit' photos over, too. Mia now has top honors, and I'm hoping to have some time to sew tomorrow. In the meanwhile, I still have to snag another DTree bear sweater, and clean some house. It's getting harder to walk in here every day !  

I bought a 'new' doll !
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: XM 150 - Uncensored Comedy

 

It's hard to believe, but I did. After all the 'I got 55 dolls, and that's enough !' statements, especially. Regardless, I bought a new-to-me doll. I've seen her before, in magazines and books, but wasn't interested. Still, I'd never seen one in-person, so to speak, and once I saw her, I couldn't leave her there. Besides, $4. was pretty darn cheap !

 

Please welcome Mia !

 

'Mia' is the issue name for this lovely 'grow hair' girl from Ideal. Yup, she's a member of the Crissy doll family. She's the same size as Velvet, listed as 'Velvet's Beautiful Friend' on her box. From what I can find about her in Crissy Doll and Her Friends by Beth Gunther, she was only out for one year, in 1971. Her eye color is listed as blue, but my Mia's look green, and I love her brunette locks ! Her hair works perfectly, no white eye mold, and aside from some play-wear scratches and some light dirt, she's in fantastic shape. If my Crissy's hair had been this nice, I wouldn't have had to reroot it !

 

On the left, of course, is her 'Before' photo. She even has matching panties under her 'Native American' costume. The shoulder seams are coming apart, and there's no hemming anywhere, the neck, sleeves, bottom edges, all raw, nothing's hemmed. It's kind of a shame, as the design's very nice. The moccasins are cute, but they're tied on with string. On the plus side, that means they'll fit most of my dolls around here, but on the negative, they're pretty saggy. 

 

And there she is on the right, cleaned up and re-dressed. She fits the outfits I've made for the Disney Princess dolls, even this one, which was altered to fit the Princesses from separates I made for a Baby Face doll. Her feet, however, are narrow like Crissy's, noticeably more narrow than the Princess dolls'. Here, she's wearing simple slides I made for her 'big sister' Crissy, but they're too big. Looks like I'll need to make her shoes all her own. Yup, after years of being a bit jealous of Isabella and her little sister Belle, Crissy now has her own little sis. :) 

 

GoodWill also had another Crissy, but 1) I already have a customized-by-me one and 2) she wasn't in very good shape. I'd never seen one of the poseable 'Movin' Groovin' Crissies before, and didn't like the super-loose waist. Her head also looked smaller, for some reason. I couldn't get her hair  to work, and her waist wobbled alarmingly.  Plus, her shoes were missing and her dress was sprinkled with rust spots, so there was nothing really there for me.

 

There was also a Cinnamon there - at 12 inches, she's the smallest of the Crissy family, listed as Velvet's little sister on packaging. She's the smallest doll in the Crissy line, but I've never really cared for her in particular. Much as I hated to break up what had to have been a Crissy collection, Mia was the only one I wanted. That impish grin is irresistable in person !

 

It was so funny. I was touring GoodWill, nothing in the Toy section you know I always check first. Unless there's 'fresh stock being placed' wagons out. I've found more dolls in the 'fresh stock' than on the shelves ! Anyway, nothin' in Toys, and my cell rang. Chatted happily with Beloved Hubby while I continued poking about. Rounded the bookshelves and - doll feet ! At first I thought they might be BabySitter's Club dolls - they're Crissy-sized, and can share clothes. Much more likely to find them (1991) than Crissy (1968) at a thrift store. But as I warp-sped my way over there, I found those three girls. Still have no idea why they were in the VHS bin, but it was a lucky find.  

 

I just hope Crissy and Cinnamon find good homes. I'm sure that, with a bit of TLC that all doll lovers have lots of, they'll be beautiful and happy.  Only problem is...now I have to go BACK to Dollar Tree, because I need another Halloween bear sweater ! Kinda wish I'd gone to GoodWill *after* I went to DTree today ! I swear, I'm the only one who's bought those ^%$# bears...

 

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.