Kkhymn's Corner

So today my Blythe girls met some new friends. More dolls of course, but this time they are not Blythes. These are adorable, affordable dolls that are available on Amazon, Ebay and other Doll Collector sites. First meet Tiger, a mini Sonny Angel doll. These dolls are popular in Asia right now, and are modern day Kewpie dolls. These are miniature, pocket sized ones, with an animal theme.  I just had to get one cause of their happy butts! They are between $8 to $10 each, including shipping. They are often sold “blind”, meaning that you will get a doll based on the theme you purchase. You won’t know the exact doll you will receive from that theme collection until you open your package. These miniature Sonny Angels are about 3 inches in height, made of hard plastic with no moving limbs, and the heads can pop off. But, the heads can easily be placed back on the body. You can see by the pictures below, how cute they are next to my Blythes …

And now meet LuLu. She is a Lil Cutesies doll. And, I am so in love with her realistic and adorable features. The Lil Cutesies dolls can also be found on Amazon, Ebay, and other Doll Collecting web sites. You may be able to find them at your local toy store too. The prices range from $7 to $13, depending on where you shop. Sometimes these dolls are also ordered in a “blind” box, so you don’t know which one you will get until you open your package. Some places do sell them individually however to make sure you have the one you want.

LuLu has the most amazing hand painted eyes. Her hands, feet, fingers and toes are just adorable. And all her limbs are moveable. She is about 8.5 inches tall, and made of soft vinyl. My monkey loves LuLu, and I think the dolls have decided to take over! That’s ok with me. Maybe the world would be less complicated and happier if we all went back to our childhood for a little while to play with our dolls and toys again.

I am still waiting for my happy butt dances. It will be another week or so before the effects of the Botox fully kicks in. My legs have been screaming in pain the past few days. The weather has changed to winter storms and I know that has not helped my pain levels either. But, I am doing ok. Just knitting more sweaters for my girls and watching my addiction to dolls grow. I think I am officially a “doll collector” now.

Find what you love and hold on to it, or just do it. Live and love one day, one hour, one stitch at a time.

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Just wanted to share some photos of my girls. Blythes are so photogenic!

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I have Blythes on the brain. Really, I do. Yesterday’s procedure of Botox in my butt went fine. The only problem I had was after the procedure. I was completely nauseated and  threw up saltines and Sprite all afternoon while in recovery and even afterwards when I got home. I was able to rest when I got home, and finally found something that stayed down later in the evening. Of all things, it was ice cream. Today, I have been able to eat without nausea or trips to the bathroom. My butt is sore but not screaming as loudly as before.  And, it will be another couple of weeks before I have happy butt dances.

But back to Blythes on the brain. Yesterday, I had a wonderful team of doctors, anesthesiologists and nurses. While I was in recovery, the anesthesiologist and nurse asked me who Senorita was. Apparently when I was going under the influence of anesthesia, I asked them for Spanish girl names for my Senorita. I did not remember any of that conversation with them at all. See? Blythes on the brain. I explained who Senorita was, and they gave me the perfect name for her – Xiomara. It is Spanish – Aztec in origin – meaning “famous warrior” or “prepared for battle”. I just think it is perfect for her. Saying the name out loud is even more beautiful; it sounds like Zio-Mahra. I can say it all day to her and smile every time.

Well, back to resting and recovering. Too tired to even knit today. Now you know the story behind Senorita’s new name, and that I truly am crazy in love with my Blythe girls.

Senorita has a New Name

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So, this morning I am heading to the hospital to get the Botox injections in my butt! Yay! I am hoping for a happy butt for the holidays. And, the miracle would be if it lasted longer into the new year. The last time I did this procedure, the effects lasted about 3-4 months. I really need it to work a bit longer this time. The rest of my body still needs a lot of help with their pain and suffering, but I will take what relief I can get. Sometimes with all the chronic crap, you have to focus on what is working for you instead of what isn’t to get through each day.

Meet Abby Blythe

I have been busy with my Blythe girls. And before I go, I want to introduce you to Abby. She is the last girl for the year, as I have completely run out of funds for another doll for awhile. She is a Nostalgic Pop Blythe, and I have customized her a bit with new makeup and eye chips. All the girls are clamoring for sweaters for Christmas, and thank goodness for my knitting mojo! I am even taking my   knitting with me today while I wait for Tony to pick me up after work.

I am still fighting my own monsters, but appreciating the love and hugs that surround me. And, creating and playing with dolls! Taking life one day, one hour, one minute, one stitch at a time is not always easy to do. It is much easier to be sad or angry about the past and all the things you used to do, or  to worry about all the things that can go wrong with your body in the future. It really is hard to live in the present moment, especially when the present moment isn’t always fun to live. But somehow, you have to just do it. Live for the moment right now. Appreciate life as it is right now. And, push on through. Find ways to cope and grieve with the bad stuff that is happening – whether it is knitting, playing with dolls, sewing, painting, cooking, gardening … scream and cry when you need to but then, take a deep breath and remember to keep on living.

Life is too short to be stuck in our past lives, or to worry about future ones. If life is too hard to deal with, take things one day, one hour, one minute, one stitch at a time.

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Inside Her Coffin

My Senorita Blythe is here! Carmen Madison has already welcomed her to my Blythe family. They had a nice private chat in the garden today after she arrived. As I get closer to Halloween, I plan on displaying her in her coffin and letting her be the center of attention when the trick or treaters arrive! I am hoping Tony takes me to Olvera Street in Los Angeles this month so I can take some pictures of her celebrating her holiday – the Day of the Dead.

I am planning on giving my Senorita a name soon. She is definitely the best distraction as I wait to hear if I am cleared for the Botox injections for my butt pain.

Life is full of surprises. I have been in such a dark placce recently, and I really did not know how I was going to find my way out of it. Somehow, my Blythes have helped me find my knitting mojo and cope through the sadness, pain and grieving that my body does every day. As I celebrate Day of the Dead with my Senorita, I will continue to live one day, one stitch at a time. Learning to grieve my past, what my body no longer can do, and still celebrate the present life that I am living. A life with Tony, my kitties, and the support of my friends and family. Even as we grieve the deaths in our lives, we are reminded to live and breathe again.

You can see more pictures of Senorita’s arrival in my Flickr set here. AniO’s items can be found  on Facebook and on Etsy. Her Facebook page is here, and her Etsy store is here.  I am so grateful to her for this labour of love and dedication. Senorita has a very special place in my heart and my Blythe doll collection!

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Welcome Senorita

Senorita Blythe

Knitted Sweater for My Blythe

Ok. So last week I hit nearly rock bottom. I really had to find the light again in this dark tunnel, to save my sanity and my life. I had to find my way back to my stitches and knit. Tony took me to Michael’s last weekend, and I picked up a few items for Halloween. But then I saw some pretty sock yarn that was superwash, self-striping, and a mix of cashmere and wool. I had to buy a skein or two.

“Why am I buying yarn when I haven’t knit in forever?,” I thought to myself. I brought the yarn home, and actually had to search through my closet for my knitting needles. Yes, it had been that long!

I decided to knit something for my Blythe girls – a sweater, or maybe a hat? It would not take much yarn or time to complete, giving me the reward of finishing something on my needles fairly quickly. I decided on a long sleeve sweater. I had to frog the pattern a few times before realzing there was an error in the instructions with the stitch counts. But, once my head figured that out, my hands cooperated enough to find my knitting mojo again.

And thus, my Blythe has their first fall sweater! Woo Hoo! I realize even more how it important knitting is in my life. It was either knit or die this time around. Really. I chose to knit, and not die. I need the yarn therapy. It really is more than a want or desire to craft. Knitting is life saving therapy.  It really does help me cope with monsters and overcome the pain, fatigue and chronic crap. It teaches me to focus on one stitch at a time, and not all the other stuff around me.

You can see my notes on the sweater I finished on my Ravelry project page here. Now I have to get to another sweater for my other girls … or maybe a hat! I will survive. Living one stitch at a time.

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