November | 2013 | Kkhymn's Corner

I have been going nuts this month with my new Medicare plan, and discovering how much just a few of my prescriptions on my long list of medications will cost me. I will have to make some serious decisions about my medication list, stop taking some of the ones that I simply can not afford, and hope that my body will survive it. Basically. even with insurance, I can go broke from my medical bills. I may have to go to Planned Parenthood to afford my Depo Provera shots, which are not always covered by Medicare. I went ahead and got the shot, and am hoping that I don’t get a $300 bill for it. Ugh. Life really is insane when your body has gone to crap.

Paris and Johnny

But November is my birthday month so I am trying to enjoy it as best I can. It has turned into a dolly birthday month, with wonderful new additions to my growing collection. I even got a vintage doll collecting book!

Tony got me a Pullip Taeyang Willy Wonka doll for my birthday gift this year. I have not gotten any boy dolls yet, so I was not sure how he would fit in. But it has been wonderful to have him! My Pullip doll Paris has fallen in love, and I have too. His name is Johnny William, and they make the perfect doll couple.

I have discovered that Taeyang dolls fit Ken doll clothes, so I have been on the hunt for vintage and new Ken doll clothing. Even the Twilight doll clothing fits the Taeyang dolls. The shoes for Ken are often too small for Taeyang dolls, but sometimes you can purchase shoes for Taeyangs from the Pullip Style web site.

This month we also went to an antique doll store! An entire store of just antique dolls! It was heaven for me. The store is Dee’s Place of Dolls in Covina, CA. You can find their Facebook page here. Charlene, the owner, is the sweetest person. Her mom started the store, and she grew up in it. They have been around for more than fifty years, and they even repair and restore dolls in their dolly hospital. She has the best selection of vintage dolls I have ever seen – an entire wall of Ginny dolls, rare Madame Alexander dolls, Effanbee dolls and more! This place is a one stop shop for vintage dolls, and I am so glad it still exists. Charlene even teaches a porcelain doll making class. I hope I get some doll making lessons soon!

Patsy Joan and Ginny

So you know I had to come out of the best antique doll store in town with at least one doll. I have been drooling over several antique girls on eBay, and really wanted a Ginny doll and an Effanbee Patsy doll. She had both, and they are now my birthday girls too. I got a 50th birthday Effanbee reproduction 16-inch Patsy Joan doll. She even came with a birthday cake! I also got an 8-inch Ginny doll, from the “Kindergarten Cute” series. She is a brunette with pigtails.

I really have to learn how to sew clothes for these girls, cause finding clothes to fit them have been a challenge. especially for Patsy Joan. Patsy’s body is the same length as many baby girl dolls out there, but her arms, legs and waist are much smaller than today’s dolls. Cabbage Patch and Waldorf clothing are too big. I have found some Patsy Joan dresses on eBay, but they are not always budget friendly.

For my Ginny doll, I have discovered that LaLaLoopsy doll clothes do fit her. And, finding Ginny doll clothes on eBay or Etsy is easier too. I still want to learn to sew clothes for this girl. cause then I will be able to modify patterns and make clothes for my middie Blythe girls too, who are the same height, but slimmer.

Giddy Up

Some of my other dolls have found new homes with dolly RAKs (random acts of kindness). I am also still knitting toys and monsters for RAKs too, when I manage to find my knitting mojo. Soon I will be knitting for an American Girl doll that is coming my way. My friend and I decided to do a dolly trade. She is going to get my Waldorf girl Georgia Rose and I am getting one of her customized American Girl dolls. At least clothing and accessories for them are plentiful. I just need a dolly wardrobe budget. And to win the lotto to pay for my medications. LOL.

One last helpful tip. Here is a list of dolly measurements for some of the popular dolls. It can help you as you knit, crochet or sew clothes for your girls.

Still struggling and living one day, one hour, one stitch at a time. But my knitting and dolly therapy will hopefully keep me sane while I navigate the insanity of my chronic life. Remember to scream and cry when you need to, but remember to fight the bad with the good and practice random acts of kindness.