Resin Junkie

Sitting here while G is in bathtub and D is surfing the net looking at coins and stamps. I split my grant money with him so we can enjoy our hobbies. I think I am going to save mine for the NYC Dolpa June 9 and 10. I am excited about it and know I'll need lots of money for the festivities. I want to order an FCS and perhaps get some accessories + enter contests. I want to do everything.

Still, I can't help but moon over Dollstown and Koodoll (Since seeing Zagzagael's gorgeous boy on DOA.) There's always a new doll I want. Isao is still up there and perhaps the IM Hound and maybe Yukinojo. And, of course, there's Hypermaniac. I love them all.

Speaking of the dolls, I have been contemplating selling some- my NotDoll V-Janus girl (in my userpic), my SoulDoll Paris with the face-up I gave him, Soulkids Tiffee and Harang (girls), and AngelRegion Angelica. I have a fantasy of selling my minis with all of their clothes and accoutrements and paving the way for more SD's. I would keep my Dollti, Volks and Hypermaniac. Those are really my dream dolls thus far and while I like the others, I can take them or leave them at times. I'm not as enamored of them as I am the latter three. I feel like I could spend more time on my Dollti, Volks and Hypermaniac if I sold the others. I just don't know.

Sample listings:

1) Soulkid Harang bought new from Contemporary Doll Shop in clothes and wig + eyes she came with. Extra wig and clothes included.
2) Soulkid Tiffee bought new from Contemporary Doll Shop in clothes and wig + eyes she came with. Extra wig and clothes included.
3) Souldoll Paris bought on eBay with clothes and eyes he came with. No wig.
4) Notdoll V-Janus bought on DOA from Ravendolls, who modded doll's eyes. Comes with wig and red eyes. Problem with head cap not staying put. This is a general problem with most older Notdoll dolls.
5) AngelRegion Angelica bought new from Contemporary Doll Shop in clothes and wig + eyes she came with. Extra wig and clothes included. Original sock has a small rip in it where it became caught in doll's ankle joint.

Thinking about a trip into the city soon. I planned an itinerary of the Carnegie Deli-American Museum of Natural History (IMAX Mars movie + exhibits)-Chinatown (Canal Street, Wing Fat Shopping Mall, Buddhist temples, Columbus Park, Aja Ichiban, and a coffee house for coffee (but, of course) and dim sum.) Then, dinner at Brother Jimmy's BBQ at Grand Central before heading home.

Yeah, Oscars on Sunday night. Oscar party for sure. Was invited to a party at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck by a UF member but don't feel like going as I want to be home with D and G for the Oscars.

Happy New Year! We spent the entire day on home improvements. Went to Home Depot and got a ton of stuff. I set up my gashapon on top of the curio cabinet the other day and they look great.

Also, G goes to school on Wednesday. He's so excited as are we for him. And, next Monday, I talk to G. It's been months, literally. I am so happy!

One of my New Year's resolutions is to put every bit of memorabilia into scrapbooks that I have laying around in big containers. We moved several of these huge Rubbermaid tubs and I am determined to put every thing- photos and programs, menus and matchbooks, scraps of this and that, into a scrapbook. I don't scrapbook using the cut outs and themes and such. I just glue it in!

Got two other editing jobs and am waiting for payment from the Foundation for the Mid-South grant. From that, I want to buy a couple of new dolls. Dollstown Bandi and perhaps another Dollstown or a Hypermaniac.

It is cold. 39 doesn't seem too cold but for some reason, it is.

Had a nice day today- unexpected. Went to lunch with D's boss. We've become friends and we had tea at A Spot of Tea in Rhinebeck. The Cornish tea with currant scone, clotted cream and preserves, meat pasty with mixed greens and a pot of tea, of course, were all very good and the atmosphere of the teahouse was lovely and quaint.

We then walked a bit and visited Rhinebeck Hardware, still going out of business as it's been for the past two months. Not much left but got a pretty dish soap dispenser made in Portugal for the kitchen. From there, went on to Mills Mansion as C wanted to take me there. Lovely Greek Revival property begun in 1832 and finished in the late 1800s during the Gilded Age.

Was asked to be on board of directors of an arts organization here and will consider it definitely. An honor and most necessary to support area arts and to also further the cause of wider access to the arts for everyone and not just a few elite.

Want to start a book club but don't want to spread myself too thin as I want to be active in G's school.

It's freaking cold here. That is all. I hope we can make it through the winter and they say the cold part hasn't even gotten here yet. This is bone chilling cold- the kind that sinks into your bones and creeps up your legs right under your jeans. The only solace I can find is silk long underwear and wearing a stupid ski cap to bed when I'm really cold. We have the heat, of course, but who wants to turn it up to 75 and broil + get dried out?

I mostly wear clogs with socks to go out but boots if it's raining. Have my brown and black boots now and G has a cute little pair of Uggs. We need to get him another pair of cozy shoes for his school indoor shoes. He starts on January 3 and we are very happy with the school. It's a hike across the Mid-Hudson Bridge to New Paltz but it's worth it. It's totally unique and seems like the perfect place for our little man.

The philosophy is Waldorf and they believe on acknowledging the body, mind AND soul of human beings and not just driving ABC's and 123's into young minds.

They don't believe in forcing academics on children and don't start them on reading and writing until around first grade. Still, D and I will break with Waldorf tradition and teach G reading and writing at home as we've been doing for about a couple years when he began showing an inclination for these things. We're not going to sit him down with workbooks and work him silly. He can learn at his own pace.

He'll go to school four half days a week and on the day he's home with me all day, we'll do things like go into Manhattan together and check out museums, maybe see a show.... The train takes less than two hours and it's so convenient. Catch it in Poughkeepsie and it lets you off at GC.

Anyway, the school is structured around cyclical daily rhythms and the activities are meaningful and meditative. All children in higher grades must learn how to knit and they all carve and sculpt their own bowls out of hardwoods. They learn practical skills yet they also learn advanced studies. When we toured the school, 8th graders were learning geometry and there was a class, I think it was 7th grade, working on physics. And there are no books. The children learn from the teacher and create their own books. Also, no grades. No standardized tests or multiple choice. No usual homework. WE LOVE IT!

Okay. I have to say something about NY drivers. We've never seen so many red light runners- EVER. Incredible. You stop at a yellow light and waves of cars go speeding through the intersection as you stand still. We've heard about/seen three accidents in the past couple of weeks- all on Route 9. Crazy road.

I put a bid on an album by a group called Nantucket. I am psyched as when I was 11, they were the opening act for my first concert- KISS! I had the album as I got it right after the concert so I could relive that magical night at the Hollywood Sportatorium (sp?) but I don't have any idea of what happened to it. Oh well.

Well, I think we're set for Christmas. Just wish we were set to live in our home. We're still getting situated and I feel a bit anxious still. So much has happened. I want to relax into a routine.

I've also been neglecting my Dollfies lately. I was on eBay earlier, bidding on the album, and I happened to see ISAO on there! He's missing a jacket, though? I didn't know version 1 came with a jacket? Well, I am not into buying Dollfies just now. More like into Raymour and Flanagin living room suites! Just have to clear out the living room. Thinking about eventually turning the den into a movie room of sorts but for now it's a den and the living room will be more formal YET also something we can use every day. We're thinking maybe a leather couch, love seat and chair and perhaps a corner armoire that could easily store/hide a TV so that it's not visible when it's not in use.

Speaking of T.V. (and computers)- both are Waldorf no-nos. So, D and I aren't true anthroposophists. We are also just learning Rudolf Steiner's pedagogy and educational theories so we have a lot to digest. We're not going to ban T.V. and computers 100% in the house. Plus, G. HARDLY EVER watches T.V. or plays on the computer. It's more like building things and Legos.

~Until later~

Well, it's been some time since I've posted. The move took its toll on us as it's been stressful being in between homes and having so much uncertainty hanging over our heads. Since my grandmother's passing and then our dear cat's passing owing to kidney failure at 15 years of age, the seller pulling out of the house sale in NY and red tape when buying our new house, we've finally settled in.

We are still unpacking and organizing but the house is shaping up. Our main project is the library where we have the bookshelves, but it needs to be painted as the former owners had it done in pink with purple and pink flowers- just awful but perfect for the teenager who used it for her room. So, our books are in boxes in the garage and I am eager to free them and rediscover them. Still, I have plenty on my night table. Finished Jeanette Walls' The Glass Castle and am reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter. Jesus Land is next and Papillon. So many. Also am reading Sylvia Plath's unabridged journals, which are always intriguing, enigmatic, inspiring and sad, all at the same time.

We have the tree up, believe it or not, and we have lights and a Santa and reindeer in the front yard plus lit wreaths on the upstairs' dormer windows so the house is in a festive state of disarray!

The weather is quite different from Mississippi. The past few days have been chilly and rainy, and yesterday, a fog descended upon the area. We're hoping for snow but it doesn't look too good. Everyone has said the really cold months are January and February so we'll have to wait, I guess. Still, G is getting a sled for Christmas and what a bummer if there's no snow. Friends of ours sent us three snow shovels and they're so cute. D's is the big one, mine is the medium one and G's is the small one. Like the three bears!

We have been having a nice visit with my parents who have been here since 11/18. We will be excited once we have our new home to ourselves as we haven't had time to settle in as a family, but we do so appreciate all my parents have done for us in the way of watching G for over a month and everything they've so generously given us, time included.

Since they arrived, we've spent most of our time unpacking and D, of course, has spent most of his time at work but is taking time off once the holidays are over.
We found a Waldorf school for G and are thrilled. It is a wonderful nursery school through 8th grade place and we're enamored of it. It's perfect for him.

We've also traveled to Rhinebeck quite a few times and across the river to Woodstock. Love it everywhere here. Just gorgeous scenery and very friendly people.

Things are going well.

;)

We close on the house tomorrow! G and my parents are coming up this weekend and my parents will stay through Christmas. It will be lots of fun. Can't wait to get out of this gatehouse. It's exhausting as you can't really rest here. The beds are uncomfortable. The air mattress lost its air at 1 a.m. in the morning a couple nights ago so that we had to climb the stairs to the uncomfy beds!

This past weekend was lots of fun. Went antiquing and got an Ansonia gingerbread clock and Daybreak print by Parrish. Love them both. Also went to Woodstock and had a blast walking around. Got some Tibetan incense and met the kind woman running the store. We exchanged phone numbers and she is involved with Karma Triyana Dharmachakra so that now I am a bit more comfortable with going there for meditation/visits. I think I may just do this instead of going to the one in Wappingers as Woodstock really isn't that far from us and it's a beautiful drive.

We ate at Joshua's and had very good falafel then went to a chocolate shop and got a half pound of chocolate peanut butter squares- like bits of heaven (though in no way better than the penultimate candy bar- Violet Crumble!)

We also bought an awesome bedroom set and are contemplating a living room set. Went this evening to buy mattresses for G's bunk beds. Also, went to the Target in Kingston (a trek!) to get the camping/bear decor for G's room. Got precious sheets with brown paw prints on them, a gorgeous quilt/comforter with patches and teddy bear/campground applique plus a matching pillow to go with it. Also got a blue backrest that goes with the set, a cute wood lapboard (The back is brown material stuffed and sewn like logs!), wall hooks shaped like bear paws on which G can hang his jacket(s) and such, a lamp with a lantern base and plaid shade, and a clock shaped like a bear with a fish pendulum. For the other bed, I got simple red flannel sheets and a green coverlet. His room will be darling. Also got curtains for his windows.

Tomorrow, the cable/pc/phone people will be up to connect everything and then on Thursday the movers will deliver our household goods. Friday is mattress delivery and bedroom set delivery. Yay!

Went to talk to F today and after the first of the year, it was decided I will help with some of the curatorial aspects of the properties. I am an eager volunteer and one that will be here for the long-term. F took me on a short tour of part of the mansion and I got to see where the archives are kept. It was a thrill to be inside there and to see the grand opulence of this Gilded Age manse.

Well, I am beat and am going to climb into bed with a book in a bit. Reading The Glass Palace and it really is wonderful. Next on the list is Jesus Land and Papillon plus finishing Brothers by Da Chen, whom we met at Barnes and Noble a couple of weeks ago when he visited to promote his new book as did his wife Sunny. It was an awesome experience and he signed my book and D's in calligraphy taught him by his grandfather.

Ciao!

The train runs at all hours. The Metro North to the city sounds like it's outside the bedroom window. I hope we get into our house SOON. We're waiting for radon tests and then we'll hopefully reach a compromise with the sellers as to what they're going to fix. The inspection uncovered a few issues that should've been fixed before the house was put on the market, especially since these issues are the law in this state. One was the boiler either being raised to 18 inches above the ground in the garage or walled off and the other was the installation of proper electrical outlets + carbon monoxide monitors. Cannot believe a house with six kids in it does not have these monitors. A few other issues like condensation between the panes of glass of one of the double hung windows in the master bedroom means the seal has broken and the glass needs to be replaced. Also, a few other things. The owner is balking but we'll see. The realtors are talking! We really love the house and the land it's on and we would love to live there. I think it is nicer than the house we initially were going to buy.

It has been quite chilly here and I am surprised at how much I have to bundle up to go out during the day. I've been running to the post office daily and to Barnes and Noble for Internet plus the stores and Stop and Shop, of course. I would like to meet-up with some Dollfie collectors and may do so soon.

It is early a.m. and couldn't sleep. Woke coughing with these darned allergies. Argh. Anyway, we're in New York and still in a state of flux. We just bought a house at the end of last week. Let's hope the sellers don't back out of this one. I think the last one was a fluke and it would be odd if the same thing happened again.

Today, I have the inspection in the morning. I'll meet our realtor there and D may try and take off for a while to meet me there and see the house again. I am going to take lots of pictures. I love it as does D. I hope G loves it, too. My parents still have him and will bring him up once we get settled. I think the hardest part has been being away from G. We miss him so very much. We're sending another package to him tomorrow with Babo, another UglyDoll to go with his first one-- Jeero; a Lola and Charlie DVD and a PlayMobil fireman to go with his fire station my parents bought him. We sent him a Halloween-inspired box of candy, a plastic pumpkin drinking container, a book from a movie he'd seen with my mom, and a Match Box car and truck, in orange, of course.

My parents say he's doing great and hasn't cried or appeared to be pining away for us. When we chat on the phone, which is every day, sometimes multiple times a day, he sometimes is too busy to talk for long so this makes us feel good- that he is having fun and occupying his time. Although, a recent odd development is his watching Howl's Moving Castle over and over and over. He's never been one to watch a lot of TV or watch things again and again. I think he's on his sixth time of watching it. When he and I watched it together for the first time, I had my doubts that a four year-old would take to it as he did but he did and he loves it. I tried to get him to be Howl for Halloween but he is adamant about being a dog. I bought a costume on eBay and had it sent to him at my parents'. I miss him soooooooooo!!!!!!!

Speaking of G, I need to go to some preschools and find out about enrolling him. I don't know if he's going to opt to go when he gets here or if he'll want to wait until after the first of the year. D. and I decided to give him that choice since he's been in transit for a while now with the move and staying with my parents and such. He's flexible and adaptable but we don't want to push him, especially since he's been doing so well. It's just preschool and really, I think he's learning a lot more outside of school than he'd be if he were here going every day and then returning home to this and having D. and me running here and there trying to finalize the house sale and the move of our things from West Point to our home. When will the latter occur? This is the kicker. We want to CLOSE yesterday!!!!!

This weekend was really fun in spite of the transitory phase through which we're going. We were going to the Sheep and Wool fest in Rhinebeck but it was kind of windy and chilly so we opted for a walk around the town, ducking into shops to browse and sometimes buy and then to Foster's for hot pastrami sandwiches on rye and a little cafe (accent over e!) for mocha coffees and snacks before returning home. We were sure we weren't going to eat dinner after those sandwiches and late afternoon snacks but I ended up making my awesome basil pesto and goat cheese pizza. Yum.

Today we went to the Poughkeepsie Galleria, a nice mall with quite a few upscale stores. We bought a box of chocolate orange truffles and did some shopping with a mocha coffee break in between and then on to the Eveready Diner for Reubens of corned beef, sauerkraut and cheese. The food in NY is out of this world. Such a difference from the deep fried everything in the South.

We did buy G. snow pants and a snow jacket plus another jacket for when he won't be in the snow but just out and about. It is a gorgeous soft courdoroy with a down lining and fur hood. Have to get him some boots for snow and apres ski. Maybe Uggs for the latter and Merril, I think, for snow boots. Not sure, though. Want his toes to be toasty warm. I don't have a clue when it comes to winter outfitting.

Oh, and let me praise Stop and Shop. I love it and am so glad to be rid of that mass merchandiser W.M. where the fish is exported from China. What happened to "Buy American"? Anyway, Stop and Shop has the amazing candy bar Violet Crumble. How do I love thee, oh Violet Crumble? Your chocolate is smooth and velvety. Your honeyed crunch is a perfect accompaniment to the chocolate's silkiness.

Well, after the inspection tomorrow, I think I'll go for a coffee and perhaps to Krishna Groceries for some Indian foodstuffs. Have to still check out the Amish Market. Found awesome apples- Honeycrisp type. The fruit version of a Violet Crumble. Delectible.

There was a Palisades meet-up this weekend and as much as I would've liked to go, with D. and me being in this transitory temporary phase with respect to our abode, I think we need to stick together until we make the move to the house. It's just crazy. Next week is a NYC meet-up and again, I would love to go but don't think I will push for this unless we are free and clear with respect to having things to do. We'll see.

Will try and go back to sleep now...

Happiness is a web cam!

Just wrote a scathing letter about the problems we've been having with my Jeep and the FOUR visits to the dealership, two with failing brakes, in the past couple of weeks. Sent it directly to Daimler Chrysler and expect to hear something.

D is home. Picked him up from Jackson yesterday and today we have errands and Monday we have the Jeep and miscellaneous, hopefully to include the closing on this house. Tuesday we make the trek up to NY.

Had some tearful goodbyes Friday with friends and the grant people- J, M and M. I will miss everyone SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH.

I am sick with some sort of allergy-sinus infection. Lovely!

Good to have the hubby home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH, BABY!