My Doll Haven

Everyone Needs Playtime

In our hectic, modern lives, many of us focus so heavily on work and family commitments that we never seem to have time for pure fun. Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, we stopped playing.

When we carve out some leisure time, we’re more likely to zone out in front of the TV or computer than engage in fun, rejuvenating play like we did as children. But play is not just essential for kids; it can be an important source of relaxation and stimulation for adults as well.

There doesn’t need to be any point to the activity beyond having fun and enjoying yourself. By giving yourself permission to play with the joyful abandon of childhood, you can reap oodles of health benefits throughout life.

Saturday

Who Came Home in 2019?

There were very few additions to my collection of BJD's and play dolls in 2019.

Only two BJD's ~ Lucy Locket (Liz Frost Willowmenia arrived in Nov.) and Buttons the Tailor (Fairyland Pukifee Jude arrived in Dec.), which you have seen recently, bringing my total BJD collection to 85.

And just three play dolls ~ Annie Rose (a Vestida de Azul Paulina), JR (a Zapf Jolina) who is fully articulated but not actually a BJD and Camille (Corolle Les Cheries). These all arrived in September, which meant the playdolls rose to 45. Hopefully, this will be narrowed down quite a bit this year, as I plan to keep mostly the smaller sizes . . . 14" and under.

I want to sell all of my 16" Disney Animator dolls, unfortunately I'll probably have to let them go for much less than I paid for them, which is a disappointment, especially as I went to the trouble of knitting them all new outfits (although I did sell one doll last year, it wasn't an Animator).

However, my fashion doll collection had a huge influx from Integrity Toys. Between January and October there were ten arrivals, four of which were Poppy Parkers, bringing the IT total to 12. I also pre-ordered a two doll gift set which will arrive in April this year, so I'm not sure if that counts as a 2019 or a 2020 purchase.

Of course there have been some clothing changes with this lot, which I might add, will change again in the not too distant future . . . well at least I have plans, but right at this moment very little motivation. Nevertheless, as soon as I can get my butt into gear and begin sewing again, I promise the changes will be awesome.

As my grand total has reached 142 (which is far more dolls than I thought I would ever own), I have no plans for any additions this year (apart from those on pre-order) and I shall endeavour to reduce this amount down to 130 by the end of 2020. Wish me luck! I think I'm going to need it. :)

Thursday

Rain!

Yes, finally the heavens opened up yesterday and dampened things down in the fire ravaged areas of our continent. Hopefully it's enough to stop new fires forming, but it is a double-edged sword, as there are warnings of lightening strikes and the potential for flash flooding, particularly in the burnt-out areas of NSW and Victoria, which are now vulnerable to landslips and trees coming down.

Australia’s horror bushfire season has so far burnt through more than ten million hectares of land, killed twenty eight people and destroyed thousands of homes nationwide.

However, on a more positive note, this is the first morning in some time, where I've actually been able to breath in air instead of smoke! So it's time to get on with things and bring some form of normality back to my blog. 😊

But first, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated to the Bush Fire Appeal, WWF and WIRES and those who continue to support those in need.

-oOo-

My PukiFees, Macaron and Biscotti, thought today would be a good day for a bike ride.

Hope you are all enjoying a good day. :)

Wednesday

Adopt a Koala

URGENT APPEAL: Across the country, over 8.4 million hectares of Australian land has been burned to the ground. That’s more than the Amazon and Californian fires combined. Over 900 million animals have lost their lives, and 480 million animals have been killed by fire in NSW alone, including thousands of koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, birds and other iconic wildlife. Your support is urgently needed to care for injured wildlife and restore their homes.

ABC NEWS

If you would like to make a single donation or adopt a koala, please click on this link WWF and it will take you to the World for Wildlife Fund.

WWF is one of Australia’s most trusted conservation organisations. Their work would not be possible without financial support from our community. If you would like to help them, please make a donation, or adopt a koala. Thank you!

If you cannot afford to donate, please spread the word by posting messages on your blogs.

WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc.) ARE ACCEPTING DONATIONS VIA PAY PAL, CLICK HERE IF YOU WISH TO HELP RESCUE THESE ANIMALS.