Thanks everyone, for your sweet comments on the costumes and dresses I shared yesterday. I’m sure Susette and Christine truly appreciated your compliments on their outfits. Thanks for chatting among yourselves too…
Now, on a different note… I wanted to let you know I’ll be taking a few days off from my blog. You’ll probably find out more later, but my hubby was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2013 and just 2 weeks ago it decided to come back with a vengeance. It’s pretty scary and yesterday we went to St. Louis to find out what we’ll be doing in the near future. We were sort of thrown a curve ball and I just need some time to regroup and be there for my hubby…
Maybe someone can think of a good doll question and you all can discuss it with each other. You seem to be good at doing that. :o)
So, I’ll check in from time to time just to see if you all are behaving yourselves and hopefully will see you on Monday.
Thanks everyone,
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear, dear Jeanne, my prayers will be with you and George on this difficult journey. Trust in the Lord to meet your every need. As He has been with you on your daily walk, so He will not forsake you now. May you draw strength and courage from God’s promises, and may George be restored to perfect health through His divine healing, remembering Psalm 139:5: “You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head.” Love and blessings to you both!
I am so sorry to hear that George’s bladder cancer has returned; please know you will both be in my prayers as you face this latest storm in your lives.
If it helps…..I know a lady from our former church who had bladder cancer; she had her bladder removed and uses some special equipment, and has done very well since then….this was quite a few years ago, and as far as I know, she is still alive. She was in her 70s when it happened, and I know George is much younger and probably stronger than she!!
Jeanne,
My prayers are with you and your dear, George. I hope you have good news today. Thank you for sharing with us so that we can all add more prayers and healing thoughts for George. I must add that you are one brave lady, Jeanne, to continue sewing and blogging for the past two weeks. I had no idea what you were going through. Hugs to you both!
Dearest Jeanne, I know what you are going through, ands pray that God gives you and George strength in the coming days. You know we have your back, and you have such wonderful readers, who will give you encouragement and strength to overcome this. We certainly do understand the need for you to step back and tend to what is most important to you. Stay strong, and much love to you!
I have a friend whose bladder cancer has returned three times. He’s currently doing two years of chemo and doing really well. There are some amazing cancer treatments available now and I will pray they continue to work for my friend and your husband.
I’m so sorry to hear this is happening to such a wonderful couple. You have been there for so many people just in the short time I’ve been following your blog. I wish some of us lived closer so we could help out in the small ways that add up when confronted with such a challenge. I hope you’ll take inspiration from our prayers for your family. Please try to take care of yourself while taking care of everyone else and know you are in our thoughts daily. Thanks again for the inspiration you are to all of us
So very sorry to hear sbout this unexpected set back for your husband:(
Lots of prayers for both of you.!
Dear Jeanne – I am so very sorry to hear about George’s cancer returning. You are in my prayers. May God comfort you and heal George. Please do lots of research and educate yourselves on the different types of treatment available both conventional and non conventional. I always like to research on mercola.com. In the top search field type in bladder cancer and you will find lots of articles to read.
God Bless
Marsha
Hello, dear friend…want you to know that I’ll be praying for you continually. Y’all are so loved, by so many, and I hope that you will take comfort in that knowledge and of course in remembering also, that we worship The Great Physician. He knows every cell in George’s body and nothing is too difficult for Him. My husband is dealing with a similar issue, so I definitely understand your concerns and priorities. He has decided, for a time anyway, he will forego traditional treatment and try some major dietary changes as per: a book he’s reading that was written by Suzanne Somers and then the endless info he found on cancertutor.com It’s not for everyone, but we’ve sure learned a lot and I am amazed at the difference I see in him. Suzanne was diagnosed with cancer several years back and had great success with dietary and lifestyle changes so my husband thought it was worth a shot. So far I am amazed at the changes I see in him. Again, I will be praying for both of you!! Sending love
Jeanne, I am so sorry that this is happening again. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. (HUGS)
Dear Jeanne
What a blow to hear that cancer has returned. Our good friend has had it as well and even had it removed and we knew him for years and had no clue so even with removal no one would even know.
You take care of your hubby and we will send prayers your way!
(Hugs)
I had a knot in my stomach when you mentioned you were heading to St. Louis. It did not sound like a trip to the American Girl Store. So sorry to hear the news, but know that many including me are thinking of you and and your husband and hoping for the best outcome. Keep your spirits up.
To keep up the “Dolly” conversation….
What was the first doll you really “loved”
Mine was a big compo “Mama” doll that was my favorite. I got her for Christmas when I turned 3. She had a big round smiley face and could wear baby clothes so she always had lots to wear. When I was 11 my Mom talked me into giving her away…I didn’t want to but I was “too big” for dolls? Silly Mom…..
So sorry to hear this.. I will be praying for you, your hubby and also the Drs that will be treating him.
My first doll that I remember was a Chatty Cathy. I recently bought one from Ebay.
Hi sweet Jeanne,
I lifted you up in prayer as soon as I read your words. I prayed that our Lord comforts, gives strength. I claim a complete healing for George in Jesus name.
Remember we all care about you and your family. You’ve are a part of my daily routine, I feel like you and your dear family are dear friends. I’m sure all of us here feel that way. Keep strong in your faith.
Hugs
Ingrid
Jeanne,
I’m so sorry to hear this. As others have mentioned, it’s amazing that you’ve continued with your blog these past 2 weeks. I guess it could be part therapy, but you DO need to take as much time as you need to take care of your hubby, and if that includes or doesn’t include blogging, so be it. He certainly has given so much in his devotion to your church and it’s member’s need, now it’s time for him to be enveloped in their care, comfort and prayer. He and you are in my prayers.
Dear Jeanne,
I am so very sorry to hear this. How I wish that I lived closer so that I could help you at this difficult time. I know The Cleveland Clinic here in Ohio has a renowned cancer treatment program. I, too, am amazed that you kept sewing, blogging and answering posts these past two weeks. Maybe it helped to focus on something else at least part of the time. Know that I will be lifting both you and George in prayer and have trust and confidence that the Lord can do anything and He holds George in His hands- Isaiah 49:16 See, I have graven you on the palms of My hands and Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
My thought are with Kristoffer and Rebecca as well.
Many hugs,
Laura
My first doll was a Madame Alexander Victoria baby doll from 1966. I received her when I was a little over a year I believe. I named her Lala as that is how a first pronounced my own name. I still have her wrapped in tissue paper in the cedar chest, but I think I’ll get her out now that I’m “into” dolls.
My early doll was Tiny Tears. She was fed many a bottle of water and wet her diapers often. Still have her and the wonderful handmade wardrobe. I especially remember the pink linen coat and matching bonnet with little bouquets of flowers on each side made by my grandmother. But my real favorites were my Ginny/Muffie dolls from the 50’s.
Wellie Wishers at ToysRUs. We went to Toys to pick up a drone for grandsons birthday in a couple of weeks, and they had a huge display of Wellies and accessories. They did not have any American Girls, just Wellies. Appear to be the same price as Kohl’s. The one I ordered for granddaughter direct from AG, free shipping, came today. A very cute, I think, Camille.
Thank you everyone, for your kind and gracious thoughts to me and George. I love every one of you!!!
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne:
So sorry to hear about your husbands illness. I have been away from the computer for awhile
as we are moving and have been very busy trying to get everything packed. With 55 years of saving everything (ugh) it is hard to let go.
You and George are in my thought and prayers. I hope all goes well. I will be following every day. Love Sylvia
You have become part of our lives and routines, and you are, as everyone says, in our thoughts and prayers. You have created a web/network of your own, which allows us to support you a little and to help each other.
As I continue to struggle to get my life in some sort of order, Sylvia comments that she’s been saving things for 55 years and it’s hard to let go. What a help that is — just knowing that she knows how I feel. At the same time, reading all of this reminds you that a lot of us know too well some of what you are going through. I think it helps to know that you are not doing this completely by yourselves. Keep taking care of George and let him keep taking care of you.
Kathie Welsh asked about the first doll we ever “loved”….
I would say it was my rubber drink and wet baby….she was maybe 10” long or so, and had molded hair and painted eyes. Mom made some simple clothes for her, and our neighbor found a little portable bathinette which she gave me so my baby could have a bath. I had also bought things like plastic pants and extra bottles at the dime store. Oh, my, that baby got bathed and fed and changed and powdered and creamed!! I just loved her to pieces!!
Wish I still had her, and the accessories!! But, in 1960, when I was 14-1/2, we were moving to Seattle from Michigan, and mom said I couldn’t keep All my dolls. I chose her (and all of her stuff) to give to a neighbor girl–and cried afterwards! I should have given away my storybook dolls (which were just decorations) instead, I guess, but she was the smallest of my “play dolls”.
However, I guess if there’s a plus side to all this, it’s that I didn’t have to watch her rubber body deteriorate with time, as it surely must have done….and probably had already started, I suppose. I have no idea what kind of doll she was, and have only seen one like her once, in a photo of a bunch of little girls and their dolls that was in a Reminisce magazine a few years ago. Still don’t know what kind she was, but that little girl’s doll looked like mine!
Hi Charlotte,
I’m a Reminisce and Reminisce Extra reader also. My daughter who is only 27 LOVES the magazines. We started getting them a few years after my grandfather subscribed when it first started in 1991. My daughter has saved every copy. I love going to antique store and my latest thing is looking for little doll items for my doll girls.
Sorry to hear about your lost dolly. My mom is about three years older than you and she had a rubber doll and composition dolls. We think one may have been a Horseman.
They were all lost after she had scarlet fever.
Thank you, Laura; I first started reading Reminisce when my parents subscribed–well over 11 years ago (Daddy died 11 years ago). In fact, I still have quite a few of the older ones here, and am reluctant to part with them because the old ones had So much more info in them (and much less ads!).
I’m sorry to hear your mom lost her dolls; it was quite common at that time to destroy all the toys owned/played with by someone with a highly infectious disease like scarlet fever. I’m sure it was hard on the children, to have to lose toys that way. Now they just clean them with sanitizer or spray with Lysol!
Yes, in our (your mom’s and my) generation, Horseman dolls were quite popular. I have a Horseman “mama” doll, with a stuffed body and vinyl head. I also have Ideal’s 15″ (I think) “Princess Mary” doll, hard plastic body/vinyl head with rooted auburn hair and a walking mechanism She looks very much like the Toni dolls, but didn’t come with all the hair stuff, so was less expensive. I also had my “big doll” (that’s how I referred to her) with a vinyl head and rooted hair; her body was “magic skin” (rubber) and has deteriorated to the point that her head has separated from her body! I also have the clothes my mother made for those last two dolls–they both had complete wardrobes!
Charlotte,
I don’t know if you will find this or not, but I also had one of those rubber drink and wet baby dolls, Betsy Wetsy! How I loved that doll! I especially loved feeding her, giving her a bottle, and kept giving her water until she was full, and I mean full, of water! She had water leaking out of her arm and leg joints, eyes and neck! I always seemed to give her her “milk” while sitting on nice furniture, and my mother was always scolding me for doing that! Of course, I was just fascinated with playing with water and my doll! I loved that doll though, and I really don’t know what happened to her, but she will forever be in my memories!
Linda, I always thought mine was a Betsy Wetsy, but I think they had inset eyes and/or real hair, and mine had neither, plus the B/W face isn’t the same as what I remember mine to be, so it was probably a less expensive version. I surely did love her, though! And, yes, I can remember water leaking out her neck sometimes, especially if I tried feeding her too fast! LOL The plastic pants did take care of the wet diaper, though!
I’m going to start a new topic and if Jeanne is checking in it may give her some comfort and encouragement.
HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED A MIRACLE FROM GOD IN YOUR LIFE? I have, in fact two.
When my daughter was born I had chosen to breastfeed her and at two weeks she cried for 12 hours solid. The pediatrician sent her to our children’s hospital for some tests. She had to be tested for Hersbrung’s which would have required immediate surgery or cystic fibrosis and we all know how scary that is. After a few harrowing days she was diagnosed with the inability to tolerant lactose ( the sugar found in milk )and also problems digesting protein. She has long outgrown the protein problem and can also have milk in the form of cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt and real milk in small amount of one glass a day.
My second one occurred during what could have been a fatal car accident. I was taking my daughter to preschool at our church which was about 15 miles away. I was driving a new route ( the third time on this route) I put on my turn signal to turn left and the car that hit me had passed the car directly behind me. He was in my blind spot as I turned. The car behind me laid on his horn. I don’t know about you, but I usually interpret a horn beep as “hurry up, your delaying me” and proceed faster. That day I stopped and the car hit my front left fender about halfway back.. If I had gone faster he would have broadsided my driver’s side door. As it was he threw my car from the main road into the road I was turning but off the road into the cornfield a few yards. I was knocked out a few minutes ( I know because the police car that happened to be coming the other way up the road and the driver who was behind me were both at my window when I came to. My daughter and I were basically unharmed ( a little whiplash and sore).
The one thing I clearly remember as well is an angel (white figure)on the hood of the car pushing back against it right before I was knocked unconscious.
Plasm 91:11 For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Just last night I prayed that our newest little kitty’s snap test would come back negative as I’ve fallen in love with her and it was.
God performs miracles both great and small. Anyone else care to join me?
Thinking and praying for your family, Jeanne. May God perform a miracle for George.
New Dolly update:
American Girl Samantha with accessories will be available at Costco in early November. I may buy one for my grown daughter.
A Girl For All Time has two new dolls, Modern Girls. 10% off first order.
agirlforalltime.com
Wouldn’t want anyone to miss out. 🙂
Jeanne, lots of thoughts going towards you.
Laura,
I had an accident similar to your second “miracle”. I was approximately 8 1/2 months pregnant (this was over 20 years ago) with my third child, on my way to a OB appointment. I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection downtown. My 3 year old was in the car seat behind me. When the light turned green, I took off, but someone decided to run a red light in the opposite direction. She t-boned me, but fortunately hit me ALSO on the drivers side fender. Had I been a second faster, or her a second slower, she could have killed three of us in one fell swoop. That baby ended up being a C-section, but miraculously I didn’t deliver her until she was due (or a little after she was due), and she was born healthy!
Keeping you and your hubby in my prayers Jeanne.
I love Laura’s story, and C’s. I think that lots of us have an incident in our lives where we might easily have not lived, but for some amazing reason we did. Few of us are lucky enough to see an angel (or at least a figure in white) trying to save us, but both of you had the enormous blessing of seeing your child/children uninjured as well. A friend who hit something while going 70 on his motorcycle stood up afterwards and noted that his new jeans had a hole in the knee and one boot was a bit scuffed, said that he felt he had been saved for something. For a long time I waited, wondering what great thing he had been saved for, but now I think that it probably happened without either of us noticing. We all meet and influence people every day — as Laura says, there are miracles great and small. We play our parts and move on and every choice makes a difference of some kind.
I’d like to say thanks to Joy for the information about Samantha and the new Girl for All Time dolls. I wonder if Samantha is a pilot — several years ago I saw something that said she was, at least then, the most popular American Girl. I do enjoy the relatively small American Girl Place stores, but I recognize that not every town can have one — the nearest one to me is so far away that it would be a real expedition. Are any of you that are connected to the AGPT (or something similar) site aware of more information about this?
I’ve been watching the Girl for All Time line since I first discovered it. The British experience is different from ours — no Land Girls in our history, and no Tudor ladies. I keep wondering if Jeanne needs a Girl, given her interest in historical costume. It’s not really fair to Jeanne, given all the things she has to take care of, but if you were going to add one doll to her collection, what would it be, and why?
Sorry for the second post, but I just realized that I could do some of my own research. Here’s the first thing I found:
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y — The popular American Girl line of dolls and accessories will be available for the first time at Toys R Us, just in time for the holiday season.
While some American Girl dolls are sold by other stores, including Kohl’s, the big-box toy chain will become the first U.S.-based retailer to feature an *actual American Girl shop.* (emphasis added).
The 700-square-foot American Girl “boutiques” within the stores will feature the dolls, including a basketball player, a fashionista, and a girl in a wheelchair, and all manner of pint-size accessories for the dolls.
Toys R Us will carry two versions of the dolls, the smaller, lower-priced “Wellie Wisher” and the custom “Truly Me” line.
It sounds like Mattel is trying to give exclusives to various stores. It will be interesting to see where this is going. Does anyone have more information?
I think Jeanne needs A Girl For All Time doll because of the fashion aspect as well as the fact that there are very few outfits available on Ebay. They are a nice size for kids at 16″ and the perfect size to be a younger sister for the 18″ AG’s.
Second choice would be a 13″ Mini Maru designed by Dianna Effner, available now, and much less expensive than the Little Darlings.
The information on Samantha coming to Costco in early November, was in their magazine. Our Toys store has only the Wellie Wishers. I don’t think every store will have both the Wellies and AG. Maybe only the bigger stores?
We all need new dollies. 🙂
Hi Joy,
Do you have a Mini Maru? I’m interested in getting one, more for use as a model. I would rather fit pattern pieces on a cheaper doll than on my beautiful little Darling.
I stuck her with a pin a while back and now I worry every time I make an outfit. I wonder if her measurements are the same?
Marilyn,
What a fun question. I would love to see Jeanne make clothing befitting an English royal… back in the days of Henry the 8th, the clothes were just so beautiful.
I haven’t ordered one yet, but they are 13″ and designed by Dianna Effner, so I am hoping they should have the same measurements. Since they are quite new, I don’t know if the measurements are available. I thought it would be fun to have a Mini Maru as a buddy for my new and only LD. Wouldn’t it be nice if Santa would bring one?
Hi everyone,
It’s me and I can’t thank you enough for all the links and well wishes and dolly talk and miracle stories and hopes of new dolls. :o)
It’s funny …I was on the computer this afternoon looking up some links when I thought a “fun” link might be fun to look up. Guess what I looked up? A Girl for All Time! It’s funny you were discussing it among a few of you. I don’t really know anything about those dolls.
Thanks for all the chatter…sometimes when I feel overwhelmed…I just start at the top of the comments and read them all again!
Thanks everyone…I’ll see you in a few days!
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, I am praying for you and George and will continue to do so. Hugs, Carolyn
It’s wonderful to hear from you. We are all missing you and hoping for the best. Glad our comments are helping a little bit. Missing you, Susette
Lovely to hear from you, Jeanne. I’m glad you like reading your blog. It’s not as interesting without you and is missing pictures, but you are doing the right thing, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. I hope some of the news you are getting is good. Before chemo, they gave me a list of at least 5 pages of possible nasty results. I made them skip the “if you are pregnant” part because I was 68 and considered it unlikely. The good thing is that no one gets all of them, or even most of them. However, you never know which ones you’ll get, or how many, or for how long.
As far as dolls go, the Tudor Girl for All Time is on sale now. I wonder if she’s going to disappear or just return to her usual price. I’m quite fond of Clementine, the Land Girl, but if I were choosing for Jeanne, it would be the Tudor one, Matilda, because of her long hair and no bangs, which makes her more period inclusive. I think they are the same size, or close, to the Wellie Wishers, which would be useful. The question is whether or not they would wear similar styles. What do you think?
If you want your AG to wear Tudor clothes, Carpetina.com has patterns that are supposed to fit AGs. If anyone has tried one of the patterns, it would be nice to know how you feel about them.
As far as I know, they have not nixed any of the girls yet. I am no expert. I too like Clementine, but ended up with Amelia. She is a beauty and no bangs. Love their stories too. And the GFAT are 16inches. A bit taller than the Wellies. But, who knows if they may fit them. If I could break out of the box the Wellie one I just received for granddaughter I could compare them. No, can’t do that. Maybe I’ll hold her up to the box. Tomorrow.
Joy
So good hear from you, Jeanne, and glad the blog chatter is a little bit of comfort for you. You have a wonderful blog group here, like sisters of a sort, and we all love you and care about you. I agree with Joy that we all need new dollies; they add such joy to our lives. I tore my rotator cuff a couple of weeks ago and so have not been typing on the computer much, but I continue to read the entries, and I keep you, George and your children in my thoughts and prayers. Blessings to you, Jeanne.
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)
We just got back from our little trek to Branson, and had a wonderful time! Lest I bore you with details, I must say that we went into a toy store in Silver Dollar City, and lo and behold, they seemed to have the complete collection of Queen’s Treasures for Little House on the Prairie, plus the Laura doll herself! They even had the covered wagon! Laura, I know, you must be excited to hear that! We also visited the Laura Ingalls Wilder House and Museum in Mansfield, MO, on our way back home and took some pictures. They have a new Welcome Center, just opened this past spring, and it has a wealth of treasures, a gift shop, museum, and information. It looks like a horse barn!
Jean, I am constantly thinking and praying for you and George, and it is good to see you pop in to say a few words! I certainly miss your blog in the mornings, and am surprised at how much a part of my life you have become, plus all the wonderful ladies who read your blog! We had a terrible internet connection while on vacation, so I didn’t get to write much, or even get to read anything! Sorry about that!
Linda,
I’m glad you had such a wonderful time. I am really in love with the QT LHOTP collection. Someday I may buy a set or two. My daughter spent years being into pioneer life. We read all the Little House books a number of times, made recipes from The Little House Cookbook that was mine as a child, and watched the TV series (still love to watch the TV series). The family room had a “covered wagon” from chairs and blankets set up often. How fun that you got to see the Laura doll, the covered wagon and all the other treasures. I was asked often as a child if was named after Laura Ingalls. I was born in 1968, so no, that was before the TV series skyrocketed the name for those a little younger than I. My mom hear the name from a very elderly lady at church named Laura and loved it.
I was looking for Halloween candy and was reminded of the blog conversation from last year — we agreed that we need handouts for people with allergies and diabetes. I didn’t find much, but I did find some small hot wheels cars and some washable crayons. Jeanne mentioned cute pencils, and I just now remembered a party store in Boulder. I need to check that out. I need something for the out-of-kindergarten set.
I offer a choice of candy or pencils, and have for many years now. Michael’s often has packages of 10 Halloween (or other styles) pencils for a reasonable price, and I stock up when I find them, since pencils last forever! (Unlike candy! LOL) I think other stores often have packages of pencils, too.
Another option would be stickers; some stores offer packages of multiple sheets of stickers, specifically for trick-or-treat (Michael’s, among them). Kids seem to love both!
In the St. Louis area, and maybe other areas around the country, we have Teal Pumpkins put out in front of people’s houses that have treats for children with allergies. If you see a teal colored pumpkin in front of a house, you can take your kids there that have allergies, and they will have treats for them. A good idea in this day and age of so many allergies!
How wonderful to hear from you, Jeanne. A Girl For All Time dolls are really neat. I like Matilda, Amelia and Lydia a lot and the clothing and accessories are very pretty. Clementine is very sweet as well. She reminded me so much of Cynthia from “Call the Midwife” if anyone else watched that show. I have no intention of getting one though because a don’t want a different sized doll that will require different clothing-
I’m thinking about and praying for you and George. Do some research at the Mayo Clinic if you haven’t. It’s where I go for medical information. Hope to hear from you again on Monday.
I asked at Maru and Friends about the exact size of the new Mini Marus. I received a reply that asked if I could measure my Little Darling and then she would check if the measurements were the same. Strange why she just couldn’t give me the measurements. Anywho, I sent them back and am awaiting an answer, probably not until Monday.
Laura, I would love to have that Little House wagon. But, I’ve decided to make my own. I think it would be a lot of fun to do a pioneer scene. And I think your AG’s need a little sis, aka A Girl For All Time. Hee Hee
Missing your posts Jeanne. Know you are probably covered in paperwork and digesting possibilities. We’re all pulling for you and George.
Joy, I knew you would know or know how to get that info. You are AWESOME! tyvm
Tonight Jeanne may be back on, putting together tomorrow’s post. Returning on Halloween. That’s funny — you are the least scary person I know, Jeanne.
If you are too busy, we’ll understand. But if you are back, WELCOME BACK, JEANNE.
Linda, I’ve seen article about teal pumpkins, but I haven’t seen one for sale. On the other hand, I haven’t been many places where one might be. I’ll keep looking, and I’ll bet someone else on here does know.
Marilyn, you don’t find teal pumpkins, you spray them! Just get one of those fake pumpkins from Michael’s or any craft store, and spry paint the pumpkin. That way you can use them year after year.
Great idea! Thanks.