I'm Not Coming Back

After a few terrible weeks of ill health, it was topped off by the death of my sweet, sweet Thomas. My immediate reaction after the shock, was so much anger, then the tears ... the thought of this wonderful, gentle, funny little dog who had brought us so much joy was gone in an instant was almost more than I could bear. He didn't even reach his 1st birthday.

WAITING TO HAVE HIS PJ's TAKEN OFF

We have a 40k speed limit in our street and if the driver had been doing so, the outcome may have been quite different.

Needless to say, I understand accidents happen, but this person is a DOCTOR and only lives two doors down from us . . . she didn't even stop. Both hubby and I are appalled by this persons complete lack of compassion.

We did receive a lovely card & flowers the next day, from strangers who were passing by at the time.

This came as a complete surprise, it restored our faith in the human race and made us feel that not all people are complete shit heads!!

WATCHING TV WITH HIS DAD

RIP THOMAS 19/10/21 - 27/9/22

However, this latest episode was the last straw and I just don't feel up to blogging any more, so I bid thee farewell and hope you all have lives filled with good health and great happiness.

Thank You

In response to your kind messages, I thought it was time to bring you all up to date with what's been happening around here.

Firstly some good news ~ Thomas is coming along really well and has been simply the best addition to our family, and just like a baby, he takes up so much of my time.

17th April

Not long after his first grooming session, looking like a real poodle. Of course he doesn't stay like that for long, his fur grows so fast.

On 8th June he finally found he had a voice. If you turn up your volume, you'll hear him practicing his bark.

30th July

He is the first dog we have had who actually adores wearing clothes. He had been groomed recently and had just had a bath, so he's wearing his favourite sweater to keep him warm.

As you are probably already aware, no doggy wardrobe would be complete without PJ's, and he has three sets ~ this orange milk and cookie set, his green sleepy cuddly koalas and blue night time bumble bees. Around seven 'clock he's asking for his PJ's, then it's up on the sofa for a cuddle and snooze until our own bedtime.

His favourite toys are his glow ball and his squeaky panda and squeaky hedgehog which he plays with all day long. All of which are quite manky now, both the panda and hedgehog have had their heads chewed off and the ball has to be washed often as it gets covered in dog slime. I cannot do anything without a little nose poking me on the leg to say "play with me mum", but I wouldn't change a thing.

The studio is finally finished, though there is heaps of stuff lying around which I am listing on eBay (it's very time consuming), so when it's all gone, the studio will be ready for viewing and I will post pictures.

On the downside ~ I'm still not ready to come back to regular posting, but I promise, I will try to catch up on your posts soon.

Love to all my readers, hope you are all well and happy, until next time.

P.S. I'm sorry, even though I can read posts blogger is stuffing me about when I try to comment, so you may not see my usual sig.

Time Out

I have been trying to clean out my studio, but things are moving much slower than I'd like. Having a six month old puppy underfoot and renovations has left me feeling like blogging is too much to handle, so for my own well being I'm going take some time out.

Although I shan't be commenting on your blogs or writing on mine, you will always remain in my thoughts.

Introducing Mila

My first dolly purchase for 2022 ~ Mila is a wonderful new Götz Happy Kidz doll designed by Elisabeth Lindner*.

She is 50cm/19.5" tall, has blonde rooted hair which is worn loose, but with two plaits pulled together and decorated with her best cat hair slide, fixed stone grey eyes, freckles and 9 points of articulation.

Her face paint is very natural just like a little girl and she even has an upper eyelid of real fibre eyelashes. Mila wears a strawberry pink pleated dress with sequin sleeves and her pretty ballet style shoes have long ties which Mila ties into bows around her ankles to keep them on her feet just like ballerinas do.

The Happy Kidz body is modelled on a typical 10-11 year old girl and Mila's high quality, real looking hair is durable enough for washing, combing and styling.

I have wanted a doll with this face for years as her face sculpt is very different to those I have by Hildegard Günzel, but in the past she's been snapped up before I've had a chance to buy her. I'm so pleased I didn't miss out this time.

*Elisabeth Lindner was born in Detmold, Germany in1951. She is self taught in the art of doll making and has become very successful. Elisabeth has attended exhibitions in Europe and has won several prizes. She made the Coca Cola ™ dolls for Franklin Mint and made casts for the Lison company until 1997. Her designs are also made at the famous Götz doll factory.

Disappointment Turned ...

to bliss when I received a text from a friend this week. I had been feeling very down and even a little annoyed at missing out on Kamo. However, thanks to her, we have Thomas, who will be coming home with us on Sunday ... I'm over the moon!

Thomas is a five month old apricot toy poodle, though these photos were taken a little while ago by his owner. He's grown a little and his fur is a little longer now, but he hasn't lost his charming good looks.

I'll share some more photos once he's settled in.

As Promised

I have new photos of the renos to share, but only of the kitchen, the studio is still a work in progress (and so far very little progress). 

The reno has been done by my hubby and myself with the help of an electrician (who did the kitchen wiring, downlights & new ceiling fan in the dining area and connected the range) and plumber (who disconnected our gas and will connect our water), which in Australia must be done by a qualified professional.

Here's the before photo~

Here's some work in progress ~

As you can see, we ripped out everything. Then closed off the doorway to the studio, had new wiring installed and laid the floor. After that we installed the cabinets, all with drawers, apart from two pull-outs and the corner cabinet with a carousel, so I now have easy access to everything.

Next hubby tiled and I painted, then my new Smeg induction range & hood were installed and cup handles were added to the cabinets. Finally the benches were fixed in position and the farmhouse sink installed, though I am still waiting for water to be connected to the sink (our plumber has Covid). I initially thought of having black shelves, but thought it may be too dark, so ended up ordering another benchtop which we can cut to size for the open shelves.

Unfortunately, until the benchtop arrives, it look a bit crowded because there are a few items sitting there which have to be moved to the open shelving.

We have delivered several boxes of kitchen paraphernalia to the Beechworth Op-Shop, which they were very grateful for I might add. I also sorted my linen closet out and boxed up all my old sheets, duvet covers and and table clothes which were in great condition, but no longer suitable for me. Our mattress size has changed and so has the dining table, from round to rectangle ... so they will be delivered next trip.

Honestly, I have no idea why I kept them in the first place ... do you hang on to things just in case you may need them later and find yourself overrun with clutter or is it just me?

Now on the dolly front, very little is happening there. I haven't been looking and at present have no desire to look, but I'll let you know if I do suddenly find someone.

We have also applied to adopt a new doggy, his name is Kamo and he is almost 10 years old. Even though we would have preferred a younger dog, we think he would fit in here so well, but we are on a long list which, according to "The Victorian Dog Rescue Group", has to be assessed to see if we are suitable. HUMPH!

So apart from the next stage of our renovations, which will take us some months to complete, I have very little to write about. Thank you to all of you who have been commenting on my blog even though I have neglected you for months, I hope you all remain healthy and happy.

I'm Still Here!

... and I'd like to send a special thank you to Linda, Dee, Quinley, RM, Chiriann, Maribel, Xaya, Barb, Dorian, Niina, MC, Mia, Uschi and Alasse for your very kind New Year wishes.

Things have been very busy on the home front since we decided to make the most of summer and the salad come BBQ season to renovate our kitchen. Hubby has been extremely busy coping with all the hard to do stuff, while I have been busy working as his TA (tradesman's assistant) and managing the order & finance department.

There was a lot to do, as we wanted to close off the wall to the former dining room (now studio) and turn my galley kitchen into an L shape with an island. This meant redoing the floors as well. I have taken a few before and in progress photos, here's one, but I'll wait until I can show you the finished kitchen before sharing them all.

Looking through the wall into the kitchen . . . gas heater & doorway removed, along with all the previous kitchen cupboards etc.

The studio is also getting a makeover, so I shan't be on the old 'puter for a little while yet, but like McArthur ... I shall return!

I hope you are all keeping yourselves safe and healthy. I shall try to catch up with your blogs soon.

Happy New Year!

Let's hope it's better than the old one . . . I wish you all Good Health and Much Happiness.

A brief update: I purchased 24 new dolls in 2021 (a mixture of fashion, play & vintage Robert Tonner dolls) and sold off 20 (which were mostly all Disney dolls). I have no plans for future dolly purchases in 2022, but I have learnt over the years to never to say never!