Before & after

Yesterday and today were spent with the babies and the Barbies. These are dolls donated to the thrift store at Mount Seymour United Church. Every so often, I gather a bunch together and get them ready for re-sale.

They're naked because all their clothes get washed and, sometimes, ironed. When I started out, I had not many clothes and had to buy some at garage sales. Now I have overflowing laundry baskets full of clothes for all kinds of dolls. I know I have more clothes than I will ever have dolls to wear them. I try to keep the small things organized in zip-lock bags but somehow my effort is all undone in the first half-hour of work. Reminds me of when I was in the dorm at university. Before going anywhere, we'd try on all the clothes we owned. Some made it back to the closet - most didn't. I have to say that the Barbies are the worst offenders.

I wash every one and some need a lot of scrubbing. It's quite amazing what little girls - and boys - do with and to their dolls. The hair is cleaned, brushed and combed. De-tangler is my best friend, especially with Barbies. Many have their hair cut very short - they usually get a hat of some sort. The babies are the grubbiest but there are frequently 'tattoos' on the Barbies. I even had one this time that had two black eyes. Not bad eye make-up but bruises! Who knows what that kid was thinking about.

Then the costume choosing begins. I have a lot of fancy dresses and that's what the little girls love. We have noticed that moms frequently come in to buy the Barbies as 'loot' bag fillers for birthday parties. I'm sure that some even come back to me. Now, I'm seeing those big-headed Bratz dolls and I don't really enjoy them. Except for one thing: their footwear. Each doll has stumps instead of feet. Just snap on another kind of boot or shoe which are so big that they don't disappear like the tiny Barbie shoes. I can never keep enough of those around. And I have a lot of singletons.

The babies always look so sweet when they've been bathed and dressed. No matter how odd the face or ungainly the stuffed body, each one takes on a personality. They are more interesting than the fashionistas because they seem more real. And the production line moves quickly with them. They take up so much space but don't take a lot of work. Most don't even have hair.

I love my job but I'm glad it's over for a couple of weeks. The pile will be as big again by then. Don't they all look happy to be given another chance to be adopted?

Farms, music and garage sales

This is what baby goats do when they have an audience. This kid was happily munching at the bits of straw which were stuck on mom's hair.
We went with Becky & Charlie to visit the animals. Charlie loved the rabbits and Becky was happy patting the sheep. Maybe a future spinner/knitter? We also liked the colorful birds although, strictly speaking, they aren't farm animals. But there they were and the macaw said 'hello' to us much to Charlie's surprise. After the farm, we came home to eat our picnic lunch. It was hot and we'd walked and looked long enough.

Last night, we went to the first ever free concert at the new Lynn Valley Village Center. It was a rousing set of R&B a la Blues Bros delivered by Jake and Elwood. Lots of fun and lots of people. The weather was perfect: hot and summer-y and party inspiring. The little girls (about 5 years old) were having a great time dancing at the front of the stage for most of the hour-long set..

We noted that most folks had brought their own chairs and since we were close to the shops, ran in and bought a couple (on sale, wahoo!) to tale home with us. We figured we'd know if we could carry them comfortably on the walk to and from the event. Success - and readiness for next Friday night.

This morning, we started really early on the huge list of garage sales listed. Our first two yielded lots of interesting stuff. Then it wasn't as good until the end. And I bought a Barbie cruise ship! I had to have it...we think it would make a good 'bank' to encourage donations to our cruise fund LOL No plans but best to be prepared, right?

Oh, and I got lots of Barbie clothes and - best part - a bag of shoes.

We've been home washing and finding storage for the rest of the day.

More shoes, please

Barbies are always losing their shoes. Maybe they think shoes grow on trees. I have a whole tray full of shoes and boots to complete the costumes of the restored Barbies. I have lots of clothes: tops and bottoms, ball gowns and swimsuits. I can make their hair look fashionable even though it may be matted and frizzed. But I spend hours pawing through the shoe stock. Yesterday, I needed white heels - or pink, if no white - and up came 8 white shoes. Not one matched another. I had 5 pink shoes and not one matched. What do these young women do with the other shoe? Do they leave it at Ken's house and cab it home with just one shoe? Do they imagine that Ken will come calling round with the missing shoe and propose a lifetime of bliss?

But I can't just throw out all the singles. When new donations of dolls arrive there are always stray shoes. And, sometimes, one or two match some singles I have. Somehow, it all works out eventually. Maybe that's what Barbie is hoping for, too.