Send in The Clowns (Again)

The summer between 10th and 11th grade (1987) I worked at Camp Happyland, first as a Jr. Counselor, and then as a Lifeguard. It was exciting to live away from home and to have a substantial paycheck. (Much more substantial than my previous job as a kitchen assistant for the local homeless shelter.)

One of our few camper free days was also the first Payday and trip to the local shopping mall day. I was determined to buy an awesome doll with my own cash. I wanted a Sasha, or an Effenbee John Wayne. My hopes were dashed. Sasha's were no longer produced, and John Wayne was right out. After morosely wandering and watching Beverly Hills Cop 2 with other staff, I entered the Hallmark and saw this sweet clown. I turned my smile upside down and purchased it.

This is "Taffy", a Precious Moments Doll produced by the Jonathan & David Corporation of the Philippines in 1985 (one of the first 10 dolls produced by the company - according to their website). The clown is 16 inches tall with a cloth body and a vinyl head and limbs.

Raggedy Ann Update

The first thing I did with my new Raggedy Ann was wash her clothing. I hand washed with Woolite, being careful to keep the snaps, zipper, and purple ribbons out of the water. I remember from my childhood that the ribbons bleed. (Boy, do they bleed!)

I let the outfit dry flat and then ironed the pieces.

Then, I inspected each piece.

The underwear is discolored - red/pink bleeding at the shoulders, and brown/yellow ageing on the legs and cuffs. The elastic is intact but not tight, and the ribbon is missing.

The dress is in pretty good shape, except: one of the ribbons has been cut short, the collar is stained pink/red, and there is a small whole in one of the sleeves.

The apron is fine, but could use some spot cleaning.

Next up? Washing the doll.

My First Doll Luncheon

I attended my first Doll Luncheon yesterday at the Crowne Plaza in Timonium, MD: Lady Baltimore Doll Study Club's Halloween Luncheon and Costume Party "Bewitched by Dolls".

It was originally scheduled for October 29th, but was rescheduled due to the freak snowstorm.

The tables were beautifully and whimsically decorated for Halloween.

Each table had a Fancy Nancy lovingly dressed  as a witch by the members of the club.

The one at our table was a gypsy/fortune teller.

The Program (program lite, as the presenter put it) was a slide show on how dolls celebrate Halloween, including some scary and gross dolls found on Ebay. 

After lunch the games began, starting with the costume parade.

In this photo is a Modern Witch (me) and a Movie Star on her way to the Oscars.

Raggedy Ann, Witch, Charlie Chaplin, ...

Halloween Pirate (Chesapeake Doll Club)

Some of my table mates.

These are some smart and talented ladies. As a team, we won the "The Price is Right" game.

The Loot!

The small ghost was my costume contest prize for Sexiest Costume.

The cat box is the souvenir doll for the luncheon. Isn't it beautiful? Do you see what is hiding in the Jack-O-Lantern?

The prize for the "The Price is Right" game.

The rest of the loot.

The Madame Alexander Wicked Witch of the West, the pail, and the 2 small pumpkins were the small centerpiece prize. The book was the "Left-Right" game prize, the rest were table favors.

I had a wonderful time and cannot wait to attend another event. Maybe next time I'll win a Helper Prize.

At the Zoo

I had the opportunity to visit the San Diego Zoo this week. I have to admit that one of my favorite parts of the day was visiting with the Giant Pandas.

Now what to buy as a souvenir in order to commemorate the trip?

Choices were difficult. Sooooo many pandas to choose from.

Even huge pandas.

Eventually I decided on this one.

It is about 13 inches long and very soft and petable.

Yeah! Pandas!