I’m wiped out. We’ve been very busy this week and we’re tired. The furnace/oil burner had to be repaired yesterday. Can’t wait to see that bill. We had been waiting since Monday for them to come and look at the problems. One was water leaking from a – I would say release valve, but it’s really a copper pipe. So I had to put a largish pan underneath the pipe to catch water, then go downstairs at least twice a day to dump the water. On Sunday, I noticed oil leaking as well. We now have a big oil spot on the cement. Anyway, that turned out to be a loose connection, and the water leak required a new part. We’ve had so many repairs in the last year. It’s disheartening. And expensive.

With the heavy rains following the foot of snow we had, we also have a wet basement. Since our home is so old, we have always had a wet basement but this was a lot of water! So it was rather like a deluge. The dehumidifier is working overtime.

Also, I’m supposed to drive to Rochester next Tuesday, but now it looks like we’re getting snow here (and in Rochester) so I might have to leave a day earlier than planned.

I watched and noted a run-through of Dial M for Murder – through a link on Vimeo. Also disheartening. I’ve had exactly one hour to work with each actor. That’s it. I can no longer do my work at the level I have in the past. And it’s not just me; the length of rehearsal time is less, which means the director and actors have to work way too quickly. If I didn’t need the meager amount of money I earn, I would retire. But I can’t turn down work.

Anyway, this has been a tough week for me, physically and emotionally.

Enough of that. Just needed to vent a bit.

Pretty Chloe in a hat and sweater made by Natalia in Ukraine. I don’t know how she does it! I can knit, but not at this level. The artists who make clothes for any doll, but especially Blythe, are so talented.

Reader Vicki requested a picture of this girl. She spotted her in a photo of the studio.

She’s a 16 inch fashion doll by Robert Tonner. She’s from his Ellowyne Wilde line. If you’re unfamiliar with Robert Tonner, just google him. He has been designing dolls of every kind for years and years. He sold his business a few years back, but has entered into a partnership with Rachel Hoffman (who owns a doll shop in Denver, CO) and every year they hold a Virtual Doll Convention where he debuts about 4 new dolls. I happened to discover this world of dolls last year and managed to snag this beauty at the last minute (several months ago.) She’s so gorgeous. Her name is “Bright Ideas.” The discovery of these dolls is what led me to Gene Marshall dolls.

My favorite line of his is Ellowyne Wilde and eBay is full of examples of those whimsical and magical dolls. They had amazing clothing and hair styles and beautiful faces. They are highly collectible. I’d love – someday – to obtain a few of those older dolls, but if I  can’t, I’m plenty happy to have my Bright Ideas.

I met Robert at Wonderland of Play. What a nice man! He told me that Bright Ideas was his personal favorite in his latest line. He also lives just about 30 minutes away from me to the north – so he’s a neighbor.

Okay.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.