The joy of thrift-store grab-bags !

Beloved Hubby told me, as soon as we woke up, that his birthday was one of the nicest he’s ever had. That started the day off on a good note !

With the purchase of a new-to-me vintage pattern box last week, I realized I had some organizing to do. So I dragged out all my paper printed patterns – it took two trips – already in two pattern boxes and scattered about, and got to work. I now have one box of fashion doll patterns (Barbie, Monster High, Elphie), a box  of baby doll patterns (mostly for Timey Tell), and a loaded box of AG. Once it was all done and arranged, I set up a simple checklist / database, too. And that doesn’t even include all the digital and PDF ones, just the commercial paper prints. Whew, I have tons !

Also went through yesterday’s thrift grab-bag. I scored a dozen lovely, lacy handkerchiefs, two with holes, two with a monogrammed ‘W’. Can use them all after a quick wash ! The fabrics all seem to be from an abandoned attempt at making an AG or infant-size Elsa costume – they got as far as the bodice - from teal sequin and silver dot fabrics, with lots more remnants. I also got large pieces of ice blue satin, strands of two sizes of plastic pearls, a half-spool of dark blue ribbon and a still-sealed reel of white with green dot grosgrain.

There was also a package of Velcro ™ sticky-back dots, two large balls of soft, nubbly burgundy yarn, several random patches, satin and paper cords, an untouched package of shoelaces, and a still-intact package of pressure wrap, like the kind medical staff uses when you donate blood, to hold the cotton ball down, but green and wider.

It took me a few minutes to figure out, but I also got a pink and black  SpiBand wrist/ankle cuff. It was half wrong side out and kind of strange-looking, but once the site showed me what it was supposed to look like, it made sense. It’s a Lycra workout cuff that can hold small things, like ID or locker keys. It would probably also work as a light wrist brace, it’s very comfortable. Love my new, useful $10. 

freebie !

Was gonna re-donate the burgundy satin cording, but Mercy-kitty attacked it with such zeal, it’s hers now. She’s been with us a year and a half, and is still so much a kitten. (sigh) She gifted us another dead wren this weekend, so I clearly need to engage her more at home.

Happy Birthday, Beloved Hubby !

Woke up hoping therapy’d been cancelled, but no such luck. Most of the message chimes I heard were to wish Beloved Hubby a happy birthday. I’m glad he’s had so many good wishes. We can always use those !

So after getting him ready for another day – if it rained, he’d be home early, but no such luck – I dragged myself though the morning and got ready to go. Therapy went well enough, although the Needy member I was finally honest with said she’d been told much the same by her mother last weekend, and broke down in tears. It’s a long story and not mine to tell, but she’d stopped taking her meds and it was all our therapist could do to not hospitalize her on the spot.

By the time group was over, everyone but me had flown, possibly uncomfortable afterwards, even though they'd all agreed with me. I ended up driving her home. She has an appointment tomorrow, and if she misses it, our therapist will have her admitted. Hope she’ll be all right, I still feel rather guilty.

Rebelliously, I went to the OldTown thrift and had some fun. Found three pair of much-needed shorts for Beloved, a MLP-sized Mystery Machine and a Build A Bear Toothless dragon, complete with saddle, for Dearest Son. I scored several more kids’ clothes for pocket change, and was given a fabric scrap bag ! Evidently, I’m only one of three or four shoppers who buy them, and the first one of us to show up would get it. I can’t wait to go through it tomorrow.

Paid a bill while I was in the area, and was invited to help myself to their promo table. I left the cookies, but got a nice notepad, a fidget spinner, a foam mini football, and an oversized paper clip and pen, all emblazoned with the company’s name. Felt a little greedy, but they actually urged me to take more. So, yay, nice notepads for all ! And a spare fidget spinner for the truck.

Didn’t mind waiting for the train to get the sodas for the rest of the week – it was the train on the other track out of sight that moved at a glacier’s pace. But I was soon home, and delighted Dearest with his newest goodies. He’d spent the early afternoon decorating a card he’d selected last month for Beloved. So sweet !

Speaking of, he was home early, but not drastically so, and he decided to play in the garage. I got his favorite meal and we watched a movie together, the three of us. He loves his new router ! And thanked Dearest for his thoughtful card. Hope his birthday was nice for him, too.

Tuesday's trials

Ugh. Left two hours early for my VA Advanced Cardiac Failure appointment, one to make the drive, one to find a parking space. Seem ridiculous ? A little, but it still took me 20 minutes to find a slot, and it was sheer luck I found a kind Vietnam vet leaving a space I could use. The truck in front of me parked on a grassy divider, and by the time I was done, it was gone but two smaller trucks had taken its place. The ‘No Parking’ zones were loaded with sedans.

Poked around the small PX (post exchange, military store) for a few, but not even the 75% off shelf had anything of interest to me. Tried a sample of Victoria’s Secret ‘Love Addict’ cologne – I may have to get some of that soon. Still have most of a bottle of ‘Pure Seduction’ left, though. Headed up to my appointment only 20 minutes early.

So, as usual, it ran late, but it wasn’t until 40 minutes past my time that I got notified that I should have had blood drawn, so it had to be done right now. And, by luck of the universe, the lab was slammed, and most of the people that came after me went before me, for some reason. By the time that was done, I was over an hour past my appointment, and hadn’t had it yet.

Long story short (too late !), I got gently chided for my weight and had a couple prescriptions raised and lowered. Due to that, I have to go back next month. Arrrgh. Already dreading it. Found that the ‘20% possible chance of rain’ actually meant ‘monsoon’, and I’d left the windows down as it was already hot during my 8am drive. My increasingly damp butt drove straight home and arrived safely – six hours after I left. I was exhausted.

So was Beloved Hubby. He’d not had a good day either, and came home early. We discussed our Tuesday trials and came to the conclusion that a snack and a nap were good ideas. I still have my old ‘medical anxiety’ plaguing me the night before, so I was already darn wiped out.

Felt much better afterwards, and we chatted more and laughed at my trusting WTF (What The Forecast) for my sarcastic weather needs. The storm caught him by surprise, too – nearly all the forecasts called for thunderstorms tomorrow. We’re taking it easy tonight, and I got therapy tomorrow, but after that, I’m doing family, house, and me stuff for the rest of the week !

Grape Monday

Rather quiet day, I finished cheap-serging my material, using up eight little spools of cut-rate thread, and got the bright colors into the wash. The darker ones will have to wait a bit longer.

We ate all but two of the pizzas and pizza rolls this weekend, and Dearest Son had one today. Since the ’10 for $9.’ sale ends tomorrow, and I wanted the 99¢/lb. grapes, off we went. We got samples of three cheeses – I loved the creamy Colby Jack, but the Camembert was too sharp for my taste – and small pieces of cake from the bakery. It’s a very nice grocery ! Got the few other things we needed for the week, and headed home.

That got boring, so I took Dearest to the new thrift, and we had some fun. He selected DVD/BluRay discs of Frozen (ours is acting up) and Cinderella III : A Twist in Time, one of the less odious Disney sequels. I actually kind of liked it.

I found a quarter yard of white velvet – not the stretch stuff, the real thing ! – and a quarter yard of laminated paisley. I’d been wanting to try that, but the only place that carries it is Hobby Lobby, another place I only rarely visit. Also picked up a pretty embroidered vintage dishtowel. I selected a gorgeous sand-dollar beach coffee mug from St. John in the Virgin Islands, it’s a marked improvement over my old black plastic pen holder. A starry blue infinity scarf and spring-green purse were half off, so I took the chance. There were a few other bits- including a doll size handgun from the ‘Free’ box ! – but that was the majority of our hunt.

Dearest discovered that the movies still had the Disney Movie Rewards code leaflets inside. Nothing ventured – and three minutes later, my points increased by 250 ! We now have enough for a free Diamond Edition of Cinderella or Little Mermaid – soon as he decides which.

My Frito Pie came out well, even though it only had a nodding acquaintance with the recipe. Decided to add the half-eaten can of chili and the going-fast enchilada sauce from the fridge, and I’m glad I did.

Up early as usual tomorrow – I love spending the morning with Beloved Hubby – but I have to go, too. Advanced Heart Failure clinic at the VA Med Center at 10am. I’ll have to leave at 8 – to get gas, make the drive, and find a parking space !

Lathe-y Sunday

Beloved Hubby volunteered to work today, but got very involved in the lathe project and bagged it. It’s amazing how far and how fast he’s come with it. Went to Harbor Freight to snag a few bits and bobs – he used the 20% off coupon, I used the ‘Free 4-In-One Screwdriver’ one. Those things always vanish around here. I joked that I should gather a dozen of them for his upcoming birthday !

Took Dearest Son to Dollar Tree. I didn’t buy anything for me, but I got Super Glue and several of the newly-restocked one and one and a half inch paintbrushes for Beloved. Those are in a thrifted coffee mug in the garage with the others now, a small bouquet of bristles surrounded by ‘I Came. I Sawed. I Fixed It !’. He really likes those brushes.

He was also interested in that polishing cloth I thrifted last week. He was going to need one for a lens located on one of his tools. He showed me what he wanted, a buffing wheel to spin on his drill, and together, we made one ! I cut circles out of the cloth and stitched them together, all the while amazed that my KJ (sewing machine) actually could sew through such a thick stack of thick fabric. He installed the center hardware, and it worked perfectly ! I told him if he ever needed a felt one, I could whip one out in minutes. And I have plenty of felt !

Prepped dinner – pork sirloin steaks in oniony gravy, low and slow cooked for six hours. When we were ready to eat, I stirred up garlic mashed potatoes, and shucked fresh corn on the cob. Not a lot of leftovers ! Steaks fell off the bone when I tried to take them out of the gravy.

Think I’ll try Frito Pie tomorrow. About all I need is a can of pinto beans !

What is with all these abandoned Build A Bears ?

Got to stay up late and sleep in even later with Beloved Hubby, then we all got to it ! He surprised me with my favorite takeout sausage biscuits, I returned the favor by making a soda run a few hours later. Have to keep him hydrated while he works on projects in the garage. He salvaged several cabinets that had to be remade – clients are forever changing their minds ! – earlier this week, and made himself a nice storage area in the garage with them. He’s working on new tables for his routers (a cabinet designer’s right-hand tool) and saws, and hopes to start on a lathe. He’s a mechanical genius, and I love to watch him work things out.

However, it is steamin’ hot in there, with super-high humidity, and even nearly stripped, I got tired fast. So I hung out as long as I could, then did my own thing for a while, but checking in to make sure he was OK and hydrated.

Took Dearest Son to Goodwill for a bit, and found two more dressed Build A Bears. I claimed the jeans and a purple dress, he wanted the ‘Beary Nice’ t-shirt. The bears will end up re-donated. He found a Ty Beanie MLP, the Applejack his collection lacked. Now he has them all ! The nice can opener I bought doesn’t work (&^%$ !), but I found a couple books, so all’s well that went well !

After a late-afternoon nap, I cheap-serged most of the fabric pile, which served several purposes. It got my ‘sewing eye’ back into play, and prepped it all for the wash, so I don’t have a huge tangle at load’s end. Also used up cheep thread and reminded me that I should be shot for buying or even looking at more fabric. At least it kept me from wanting to visit Jo-Ann’s !

I’m getting tons of e-mail coupons from them, every day, sometimes twice a day, occasionally even on my phone. Jo-Ann’s is about a half-step away from sending me a note offering to fill the bed of our Ranger-truck with sale stuff for $11.75. Funny thing is, I’d still debate going if they did ! I got too much of everything now.

Food Friday

Happy Friday ! I had a fun day, mostly in grocery stores ! Local one offered 10 Totino’s pizzas or pizza rolls for $9., and Dearest Son was thrilled. Had to be careful with funds, but I got some soda, the pizzas, the bread Beloved Hubby likes, and a couple markdowns – and still had enough left to take Dearest for a 7-11 Slushie. While the cheese pizza rolls I selected tempted me, I cleared out some leftovers instead, and had a Babybel cheese.

Trying to be more aware of my eating. Had a random thought last night, that people with healthy self-respect don’t eat like I do. Even Beloved couldn’t argue with that, and it made some choices easier. Long as I kept myself busy off the computer, I didn’t think so much about all the good things to munch in the kitchen. My therapist once said that my choice to not self-medicate with drugs or alcohol made me a rare bird, but I admitted that I do the same thing with food. It’s time to put those crutches down. There’s too much for me to do to obsess over potato chips and cheese, and I’ll have more time to do ‘em when I’m not so blasted hungry all the time.

I miss walking. But it’s 90° with 90% humidity at 7am here. Really need to break out the Wii Fit system again, I’m just being lazy.

Perhaps ironically, Beloved said my cooking has really improved over the past few months. Actually, I’m simply trying new recipes and adapting what I know to what we have, but the results have been pretty good. Plus, slow cooker ! Evidently the one we got as a wedding gift was malfunctioning, I couldn’t cook squat in that one. Now I’m amazed at how easy it is, and how tender meats get ! I’ve discovered that I taste meals better when I drink water instead of soda, so it’s been easier to cut my carbonation, sugar, and caffeine down. But I can’t resist his coffee ! It’s rare to brew a pot in summer, but when he does, it’s like a warm hug, every time.

No drama - and I got a llama (napkin) !

Things always get better ! Got to go to that new thrift I saw a week or two ago, and had loads of fun – didn’t buy a single doll, though ! Thanks to sales and a nice proprietor, I spent $6.50, but got a yard of summer-print knit fabric, over a yard of woven in an equally wild print, three lengths of flannel, a red napkin with llamas stitched on it, a pair of infant shorts, a never-used polishing cloth, a vintage pattern box, two Archie comic collections, and a book on antique Valentines. Should have asked about the DVDs, there were several Dearest Son would have liked. I’ll go back there !

The red llama napkin will become a doll poncho, and I’m hoping the infant shorts will fit Ms. Elsa. Debated snagging a sale Build A Bear pattern online, but I already have several infant onesies awaiting alterations for them, and how many shirts does a bear need ?

In the heat of the day, I wound bobbins with old or cheap thread – the kind on those black plastic bobbins, I find those a lot – and did a little housework. Tomorrow, we cheap-serge the remaining and new fabrics, get ‘em into the wash.

Didn't even go today, and therapy drove me crazy !

Got a great night’s sleep. . . and the day started to go downhill right after I left for therapy. Was early to take the old copper pipes we replaced to the recyclers’ – but their scales were broken, and she didn’t know how to grade or answer any of my questions. OK, fine. Back in the parking lot, my phone chimed. One member messaged that she had nowhere to take her dog, so she was bringing him to Group, another said that was fine, she was bringing her six-year-old daughter, because now that school’s out, she has no child care.

I turned the truck around. For one, I’m allergic to dogs, and was unwilling to take a chance I could tolerate this one, so soon after being sick. And second,  it’s not like we can discuss adult topics freely with a child in the room. Plus, I admit it, the sheer ‘I’m doing this and you can deal’ attitude out of both of them ticked me right off. Especially since one of them is the same uber-needy, rather passive woman who expects everyone to take care of her without doing much herself. If you want my opinion, every week we’re both in therapy is the same, she hasn’t done anything about her situation but complains that it hurts and nothing’s changed. No one wants to challenge her since she’s about as ill as me. Of course, they got no problems challenging me. . .

As it fell out, the kid wasn’t in the conference room – the dog was – but that meant someone else had to act as a surprise free babysitter for over two hours. For some reason, that ticked me off even worse. The group was still scheduled when both of these. . . women lit up the group chat with complaints that the therapist dared act ticked about the kid and dog, to the point of questioning her right to do so. I’d about had enough of these entitled boundary-jumpers, but didn’t want to carry tales to the therapist, so I merely called and came clean about my concerns and told her I’d support whatever she decided. Meanwhile, these two were text-lobbying for other members to side with them, with one declaring, “You get us both, or none of us’, and I was almost happy to say, “Bye !”. Didn’t, of course, but this was clearly bringing out the mean in me.

Therapist called back to say that the dog was no longer welcome (not a service animal), and Needy had to make new arrangements for child-care, she understood both sides, but had to keep a safe environment for the group, not cater to whims and thoughtlessness. I told her what was bothering me, she told me to let Needy have it, that my views were not only reasonable and well-thought out, but could help her see from other angles besides her own. Hope I don’t hurt her. She also wants me to examine why this situation bothered me so. Next Wednesday is gonna be interesting.

Beloved Hubby posted FBook photos of his cabinets in progress, and they are gorgeous. They made one of his friends sigh in envy ! I got his favorite chips and Dearest Son preferred a rare MLP pony to snacks, so I got him a cheep frozen pizza. I got a box of Triscuit ™crackers to go with the spreadable smoked gouda – I can’t find generics like them anymore. Once I shook off some of the salt and spread on some cheese, they were completely delicious.

Got dinner early-prepped for the slow cooker – crispy chicken legs with potatoes and onions – and relaxed for a bit. That’s the only problem with a crock pot, meals on a whim require planning. Then I vacuumed the long-neglected hallway and cleaned up my recently moved jewelry armoire. Hoping this weekend to reacquaint m’self with all my gems. And start wearing them !

Space, Owls, and Smoked Gouda

Regrettably, I’ve decided to skim the rest of The Princess Diarist and return it. That’s rich, coming from someone who rambles the way I do, but if you think I’m meandering and too stream-of-consciousness (which I am !), I’m bathroom stall graffiti next to Carrie. Whoof. She exhausts me.

Started reading another library selection, Baking Powder Wars, which is quite satisfying. I’m still early in, getting a history lesson about women, cookbooks, and bread, something ya wouldn’t normally find fascinating, but it is pretty interesting.

Today was another great day. Had to pick up Dearest Son’s prescription, so we wandered around. Got a few other things we needed, and some sale goodies. Mostly three wheels of Laughing Cow spreadable smoked gouda wedges and two baggies of Babybel cheeses, all half-price. Not sure why, none of it’s near expiration or on recall. Ah, well. Half price makes it more yummy !

Also, most of the infant wear was on markdown. Remember the onesie I found for $2. ? That whole section was half-price ! I got a blue ‘space’ print for my neon star Build A Bear and a pink ‘owls’ print for my AG dolls. Pants and shoes were also on markdown, along with a onesie three-pack I really liked, but $1. is a lot easier to justify than $4.50. Besides, how many shirts do dolls and bears really need ?

Once home, I was busy, busy. Washed, dried, and put away four loads of laundry and rewarded myself with a gouda wedge. Sooo good. Shuffled some clothes around and cleared off the sofa from a convention of hoodie jackets, then moved my jewelry armoire into the bedroom/playroom, out of the way. Been meaning to do that for weeks ! So I had another wedge. Yeah, those aren’t gonna come near their expiration date – unless they’re still on my hips !

Had the dinner Beloved Hubby requested – extra meaty spaghetti – half done by the time he got home. We were all in a pasta coma less than an hour after that. He had a great day, too – he’s working in the house of a guy who runs plumbing in new homes, he’s done that for more than a decade. And he told Beloved that he’s the best carpenter he’s ever seen. High praise he should hear more often !

I am so darn sleepy. . .

Lovely Day !!

Today. Was. AMAZING !!! Beloved Hubby was as tired as me, so we both went back to bed, enjoyed a little extra cuddle time. My favorite way to start the day ! And my tummy issues were finally leaving me alone – the absence of pain was wonderful. The energy I’d been using to not be miserable now had other places to go !

While I only lost a tenth of a pound, most weekends I gain, so I’m happy with it ! The bakery ‘day old’ shelf had my favorite ciabatta rolls (too expensive at full price, I’m the only one crazy for them), and found peppermint hot chocolate mix on markdown. Soon had everything I needed and on a whim, got some frozen popcorn shrimp for dinner this week, then hurried home – the MLP collector set that Dearest Son scrimped and saved for was due in !

And, there it was, safe in a big, huge box with a smile on the side. The rest of the mail was delivered, too – my book ! Doll Junk appeared out of nowhere ! Far as I knew, it was still in New Jersey. It’s a great book, too. I can’t wait for some quiet time to savor all those questionable fashions pages !

But I had neglected chores to do first. Got some laundry done, including most of the cheap-serged new-to-me fabric remnants, and a load of very necessary socks. Got some dishes done, too, enough for dinner and then some, but not complete. At least the kitchen’s cleaner now !

Beloved worked loooong, hot hours and was mentally and physically exhausted once home, so I made a quick dinner of the shrimp and green beans, with some stale bread reborn as cheese toast. I served it with a fine red, Kool-Ade Black Cherry, if you’ll pardon my blatant brand-dropping. Livin’ large, ya’ll ! Dearest proudly showed off his newly-deboxed ponies, and it was a joy to see him so happy. We basically didn’t let Beloved do much but select his own shrimp, then let him relax and be still for a bit.  

                                                       

Slowly slogging through Carrie Fisher’s Princess Diarist, but it’s rather taxing. To tell truth, I never finished Postcards From The Edge, it was like marching through vegetable soup. Not difficult, and smells very nice, but I had to keep stopping to empty carrots and peas outta my boots. I guess I was expecting lush, sighing thoughts about ‘Carrison’, but so far, I have a long-winded detail of her getting smashed at George Lucas’ birthday party during Episode IV filming, and waaay too much about Koo Stark. I was soon feeling like Dorothy lost in Carrie’s word-poppy field, and closed it for a while, to recover.

I think I’ll stick to some of Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar series tonight. Otherwise, I’ll never sleep.

I have got to start taking pictures again. . .

Sorry, I’m a bit ticked. Finally ordered Doll Junk : Collectible and Crazy Fashions From the 70s and 80s last Friday, before Memorial Day. Since I was trying to go my usual ‘cheap’ route, I bought a used one. Darn bookseller’s ‘third party shipping handler’ hasn’t sent it to USPS yet, it’s still in New Jersey, although they did at least stir themselves to print a USPS label, so they can mark it as shipped. And I went with that particular bookseller because all their reviews started off with ‘got it much faster than planned !’ over and over.  It’s supposed to be here anywhere from Monday to next Monday. I’m already doubting it. Meanwhile, the MLP set Dearest Son finally saved up enough to buy Friday evening will be here Monday. And the prescription I ordered from the VA Tuesday will be here Monday. Arrrgh.

I know, I’m whining, first world problems, waaaah, I’m not getting a book about doll clothes fast enough. But it is darned annoying when they took your money already – last week, the day I ordered it, in fact – but they’re just sitting on it. Hope it’s keeping someone’s butt warm.

Otherwise, it was a nice Sunday. Harvested the dirty clothes and cheap-serged fabric crops from the bedroom, ignored the growing pile of dirty dishes. I feel too sparkly from my freshly cleaned Goodwill earrings to scrape plates right now. I miss wearing huge, silly earrings. May start up again, Heavens know ridiculous jewelry didn’t go out of style with the 80s ! Plus, what I have from ‘back in the day’ is now vintage !

I did ask if I could buy the rest of the mismatched, broken jewelry tray after I’d found all the earring mates I could, but was gently refused. They have to send it to ‘the bins’, which is basically where Goodwill merch goes to die. We have a Clearance Center about 45min. away, but I’ve heard so many horror stories about them. ‘Don’t go without gloves’, ‘human poop clothes’, ‘aggressive eBay resellers’, and ‘increased per-pound rates’ make Dumpster diving sound preferable.

As caught up as I can be !

Hope nobody worried - just took ill and exhausted. Mostly my over-active stomach, but it does take a lot out of me. No hospital stay, Thank Everything. Didn't get much done, and all I could do yesterday was cheap-serge the bundle of fabrics I thrifted a couple weeks ago. 

Felt better for the first time in a while, so after rounding up coupon-discounted Croissanwich breakfasts for us all, I decided to hit a thrift. Not much this time, but I found a lovely sweater-like Oshkosh shawl that’ll look great on Ms. Elsa after a good wash, and a floral purse that sang to me. It’s nice and big, with lots of pockets. Last one was just too small.

Helped sort earrings again – not sure why I do, they don’t even give me a discount for them, much less pay me ! – but I get ‘first pick’ of the ones I  pair up, so there’s that. Got two oh-so-80s pair, one very similar to a favorite set from my delightfully misspent youth. If I hadn’t stepped on one and broken it, I would have worn them out. The other pair is just plain huge and tacky, right down to the sparkly faux gemstone, but I liked them, so they were mine.

Since most of that jewelry basket was broken bits and singles, I asked her to sell me two that had no match as a set, and the nice employee agreed. So I also got a tiny coral-colored cameo (the back on it is bent) and a glittery single star. I intend to wear the star with a silver moon I already have. The cameo, of course, will become doll jewelry.

I was thinking of touring the local thrift next, but the ‘Flea Market TODAY !’ signs caught me, so I quickly changed direction. $5. there got me a book on SuperCars with specs for Dearest Son, a pair of brand-new White Stag black flats (had to remove sticks and tissue to try them on !), a Best Buy-dressed Malibu Barbie, and a dressed Kenner Dusty, complete with shoes and tennis racket. I confess, I never liked Dusty, my childhood friend Lisa P. had one, and despite all ads to the contrary, never thought of her as “America’s Most Beautiful Doll’. She was kind of gimmicky, a product of her time, and was an odd attempt to bridge ‘fashion doll’ and ‘sports doll’, although most girls really into sports tended to avoid dolls altogether, at least where I was from. At least Dusty’s hair never got tangled in her active lifestyle !

Dusty’s main attraction was that I’d always heard that ever-frugal Kenner used her body for their 1978 Princess Leia, minus the elbow and wrist joints, and pull-back swing that enabled Dusty to play oddly rigged sports. This is why Leia’s torso spins so loosely. Like her sisters, this Dusty has meld marks between her hip and crotch, something I’ve never seen on a Leia – and I’ve seen LOTS of Leias ! I doubt mine is sporting authentic Dusty wear (Velcro, for one, since in the mid to late 70s, even Mattel still used snaps on everything), but it fits well. The shoes are definitely hers, so my Leia probably just got a new pair of green-and-white sneakers ! Yes, you can expect a comparison soon.

And I can never resist a Malibu Barbie !