Jake and Jenny

I saw these a long time ago and figured I HAD to own them. To my knowledge there are only two books - On the Farm and On the Town. - Perfect for us. For Jake is a city mouse, and thus I the country mouse. Or doggies, in this case.

Aren't we cute all snuggled in bed after a long day on the farm?

Christmas is coming...

... the geese are getting fat. Please put a penny in the old man's hat.

Christmas songs will start soon enough without my prodding - so nevermind that.

But - with Christmas approaching - it DOES mean that some stores are already carrying their Christmas ornaments and decorations. And what to my wondering eyes should appear? - more German ornaments for my collection (and $2 cheaper than the past few years!). So I had to indulge.

My newest Steinbach friends:

Russian Santa

Bavarian Boy


Honey Bee


Halloween Devil

What a doll...

I had a doll growing up - one of those bald-headed babies that blinks and cries when you flip her over. The doll suited me well, I think. I had doll clothes for her, and I think my brother even liked her when he was a baby (or maybe he just enjoyed having a friend that didn't mind when he'd bite her fingers and slobber on her face.)

Well, I'm all grown up now - or I should be. When I think of dolls I'm reminded of my grandma's display cases, full of dolls she's collected from all over the world, and even a few she made and hand-painted!

Hm... Thinking back, Barbies were cool too. I had 15 - that's a lot of fake body proportions. I wonder if my Barbies were smart. I really can't remember the conversations I made them have, or if they even spoke. I only remember changing their clothes and brushing their hair. Maybe my fantasy Barbie world lacked sound.

Anyway... Why all this talk of dolls? I found a new doll I really like. Or rather many new dolls I like. It started with finding the Pullip doll.

These are fashion dolls that are made by a Korean company and sold by a Japanese company. They were first released in '03 and continue to be released monthly with occasional special edition dolls.

Not only are these dolls adorable (ok, some are just downright sexy), but they are fully posable and have really great outfits/costumes. They would make great dolls to pose for pictures. They also have a really "unique eye mechanism that allows the eyes to move back and forth, and wink, using levers on the back of the head." Fun.

[Image from Pullip Style]

While researching Pullips I found all kinds of interesting dolls...

Momoko Dolls...

[Image from Pullip Style]

Toffee dolls...

[Image from The Valley of the Dolls]

Taeyang dolls...

[Image from Pullip Style]

Zombuki dolls...

[Image from The Valley of the Dolls]

Too bad they're all so expensive.

A laundry list

[Image by ingorrr]
I have a laundry list of things to do. Atop it is ... Laundry!

In an unfortunate turn of circumstances all of the washers and dryers in my apartment building (there are only 2 each) are broken. That means that my pile of laundry has taken over the 2nd bedroom, and is starting to spill down the hallway. Not literally, though it very well could be.

So tonight my laundry and I are going to take a little trip to the laundromat. How exciting. My 2nd time only to the wondrous world of washing machines. How... domestic.

Number nine, number nine, number nine...

Happy 09/09/09 all.

Fun 09/09/09 and Number 9 Facts:

1. Today is the 252nd day of the year. 2+5+2 = 9!

2. 09/09/09 is a Wednesday, which has 9 letters, as does September.

3. Baseball is full of nines: 9 players, 9 innings, 9 strikes per inning...

4. The animated sci-fi flick "9" about 9 robots was released today..

5. Beatles Rock Band was released today - Revolution 9 anyone?

7. Kitties cherish the number nine - 9 lives, that is!

8. 09 +09 + 09 = 27 = my age today

9. Nine is no longer with us because 7 8 9! (Seven was very hungry.)

Rainy. Day. Blues.

This picture exemplifies how I'm feeling. Tonight was a gray, rainy night. I like rain, but sometimes it's just... depressing. Maybe my emotional rut started as a result of my walk home in the rain. I was the protagonist in the classic "girl gets soaked by passing bus" scene. You know, one of those huge splashes, where anyone around finds it really funny to see the tidal wave hit the poor pedestrian. Ugh. At least I made some kid on the bus smile.

[Image from procsilas]

Off the hook

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth. Though, I have been constantly busy since... June. But I'm finding a bit more time now, so blogging shall once again commence!

The leading ladies in my life (aside from Mom) are all up to their ears in crochet and knitting projects. I've jumped on the bandwagon myself, though my project shall remain secret!

Needless to say, I'm periodically suffering from "Crochet Hand" -- explanation below. :)

Earlier this year I started an amusing way (maybe just amusing to me?) to name my injuries, aches, and pains. It started with the now infamous "Pong Knee" where I nearly dislocated my knee while playing ping pong -- don't ask.

It's quite simple Action/Object at time of injury/ache/pain + Body Part.

Crochet Hand.