I woke up Wednesday morning with the crud… it’s just a head cold and a bad headache, but I haven’t felt like doing anything today and I’m going to bed as soon as I get this written. I’ll be fine, but I just need some rest…
I just randomly picked a few posts for you to read… just click the links below…
What did we “leave” behind the countertops? May 2, 2018
If all else fails, go to Plan B… bake a cake! (October 23, 2019)
How I turned a hat into a purse for Maryellen’s new 50’s dress! (April 2, 2016)
Well, I hope that’s enough to keep you occupied for a few minutes…
I will do my best to be back tomorrow!
Blessings, Jeanne
I noticed from your replies to our comments on yesterday’s blog that you weren’t feeling well, so this is no surprise. Don’t worry about us, Jeanne; we’ll chat here on the sofa and wait until you are ready to join us again!
I remember the cake and cupboard posts, but not sure if I saw the one about making the hat into a purse before–at least, I hadn’t commented on it. I think it’s a really clever idea, and I liked your showing us how you took those hats apart somewhat to do other things with the straw (like handles on that purse). Clever!!
I have been sewing for my Leeann dolls lately. I actually have four of them now–an early Leeann, the “leap of faith” doll who I named Becky, Lenida (medium tone–she came in light, medium, and dark) and the new ballet-body Leona. Originally I was going to only have two, and stuck to that for quite a few years, but you know how That goes! LOL
Anyway, they had these “Sew me a dress” kits, with bodices and skirts partly done, but the buyer was to put the parts together and embellish. Originally they were designed for a class, with the idea of swapping trims, bringing your own trims to add, etc. So, I bought two kits. I am now almost done with both! I didn’t use the lace that came with the kits, nor the buttons; I am using the ribbon for the one kit on the other dress, as a sash. I used my own trims and (on one) buttons. I will try to get some pictures of them when they are finished. I still need to take pictures of Bella and Hanna in Their new dresses (made by me), yet, too!!
Take care, and get well soon, Jeanne!!
Those “sew me a dress” kits sound like a lot of fun. Wish there was more of this kind of thing. I remember when I was just out of high school there was a company (it seems to me it may have been Mary Maxim) that had dress kits. Back then I was a consistent size so I bought some of them. The pieces were cut out already (best part) and you had everything you needed to complete the dress. They were a lot of fun. I don’t see anything like that these days but I’m not a consistent size so I probably would end up disappointed anyway.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it Was Mary Maxim, Barbara! It seems they had lots of interesting things like that, back in the day! (And I’m not a consistent size any more, either, plus I’ve very short so have to alter Everything!)
When you think of it, any time we sew, we are sort of making a “kit” of the fabric, pattern, trims, notions, etc. that we will need to produce the garment. The kits, though, are a fun change, plus you do have the alternative (which I used) of adding or substituting other trims, etc.
Too true. But I can tell you it often takes me days to put a “kit” together. I have entirely too many choices. Usually when I was sewing over the years I would pick a pattern, fabric and embellishments in the store for a specific project. Then over time I started buying things randomly at sales and “stocking up”. Mostly I think because sewing was becoming a more expensive way to go than it used to be. I was trying to come up with an array of fabrics to make an outfit for my new LD Greer Adele a few days ago. I was watching a TV show but kept popping up every few minutes to go into my sewing room because each time I was sure I had what I wanted, when I went back and sat down I decided that wasn’t it. The worst part of the embellishing is when you have bins of things but the one thing you want you don’t have. Like the proper width ribbon. I don’t remember much about the TV show, but I did finally come up with everything I needed for the outfit..
I think you are right about the “stocking up” thing; I know I do that when there’s a good sale on. I’ll get several cards of size 4/0 snaps (the size I use on most doll clothes), for instance, or spools of those little narrow ribbons in colors I think might be useful, that sort of thing. Also the little sew-on ribbon roses–can’t begin to tell you how many I have of those! LOL
I’m glad you have everything ready for an outfit for Greer Adele now. Sometimes it does take a few tries to get things just right! Can’t wait to see pictures!
This is a general suggestion as well as for Jeanne. Having had Covid last year before it even became a “thing,” and having had a negative flu test, I suggest having a rapid test for the virus just in case. It’s free! I essentially lost a year to recovering.
I also just saw a TV spot last night about an monoclonal antibody IV treatment being given on an outpatient basis which stops it in its tracks. It’s also free. My sister-in-law who is over 80 and lives in Houston had a positive test and got that treatment and was immediately better. I hadn’t heard about it at that time. The physician stated that people need to ask for it within the first ten days for it to be effective. He couldn’t understand why this possibility it isn’t being shared more widely. It’s the same treatment the past president was given.
Get well quick!❤️
Susette, yesterday I received an email from Medicare about the monoclonal treatment and where one can get it. It seemed odd that they are giving it at only one hospital but at two other locations here, but good to know in case one of us here develops something from one of the new variants. I’m with you that getting a rapid Covid test should be top priority for Jeanne.
Please take as many days as you need. We will understand and want you to get well.
I’m agreeing with Connie this morning. Hurrying back when you need to be resting just encourages the cold to hang on longer. Jeanne, have you considered taking the whole weekend off.
Those of us with pictures to share might send them to make next week easier.
Then I’m agreeing with Susette. Be checked out, avoid George, and, if you do have COVID, ask about the treatment she suggested.
All of the rest of us need to write that down in case we need it. We need all of us here on Jeanne’s couch, and all of us well.
Thanks for thinking of us Jeanne, even when you are aren’t feeling well. Hoping that you head out somewhere today and can get a rapid Covid test. It is especially necessary as you have George to consider.
Get well soon!
Hoping to get some dolly pictures today, but the daffodils where I wanted to photo are not looking good. Late again.
You take all the time you need to get back on your feet. Easter is coming up and I know you want to be able to go to church on Easter. I’m remembering back to last Easter when our church was closed for in-person. David and I were there as volunteer members of the choir for our Facebook service. But it wasn’t the same. This year we are in-person and while still restricted to numbers with three services all who want to will be able to come. And they’re even having the egg hunt this year.
I really enjoyed the changing a hat into a purse post. I have the opposite problem. Evidently my MA 18″ dolls have smaller heads than the AG girls so all the hats I bought are too big. Straw purses might be a good use for them and they can be embellished in so many ways. I believe the hats you have will fit my H4H dolls. They have large heads but not as big as the AG dolls and I haven’t been able to find hats the right size for them. They are either too large or too small.
Saying prayers for your quick recovery. The very thought of painting with a head cold is a non-starter.
Hope you feel better, Jeanne. Rest and take care of yourself for as long as you need to. Drink plenty of liquid too. Snuggle up under a blanket and rest, rest, rest. All of us send you hugs.
So sorry to hear are under the weather, Jeanne, and I agree with others, you need to get tested just for peace of mind. Yours and ours both!
I will be getting my dolls ready for Easter this weekend, and will send more pictures when I get it all set up. I agree, you should just take the whole weekend off and rest!
I hope you feel better, Jeanne, and get plenty of rest. We had a severe storm overnight with very high winds and a possibility of tornadoes. I was up and down often during the night in case we had to pack the cats and head to the basement. Ended up sleeping in over an extra hour this morning and now my whole day was thrown off.
Thanks for the treatment info, Susette. I’m bookmarking this post.
So sorry you aren’t well Jeanne, make sure you rest well.
It was interesting seeing your older posts. I hadn’t seen them as they were before I joined the blog so it was fun.
You said a couple of things yesterday that I wanted to note. At the market we basically get a 3m x 6m space and provide our own tables etc. Sam has a Gazebo that she will bring for shelter or shade depending on the weather, though if it starts out wet it will be cancelled. Fortunately the weather forecast is good. It would be a shame if it was cancelled, it was last year due to lockdown but hopefully it will go ahead tomorrow.
Some of you were talking about collections and what happens when someone dies and Jeanne, you mentioned your sewing room so that made me giggle a bit. In our previous house, you know, the one that we lost after the 2011 earthquake, I had a sewing room behind the garage. It was slightly smaller than the one I have now but just as packed. People used to say “what are you going to do if you have to move?” My stock answer was “it won’t be my problem, I’m not moving”. Well guess what? It was my problem lol. What a nightmare.
I have a couple of pictures I can send, not of dolls though, I still haven’t got to those. I really hoped to have something made by tomorrow but the bags took up a lot of time and doll outfits don’t sell that well, in fact all the ones I have sold went to the same little girl.
Take care and get well soon
Feel better soon Jeanne. Sometimes you need to take a few days off and do nothing.
Hugs and feel better wishes
Ingrid
Me again, After leaving my comment I went back and read the comments. I have to agree with Susette and Joy in getting a covid test and getting the monoclonal antibody IV treatment if it’s positive would be my next step for certain. Thinking back my covid experience started with what I thought was just a cold. No temperature, headache and runny nose.
Dear Jeanne, just take care of yourself. We will all be here when you return.
I hope you feel better soon, Jeanne.
Today we found out my Dad has glaucoma. He has to be on eye drops for the rest of his life. I hope he won’t lose his sight.
Take care!
Karen
Karen, my sister (two years younger) is showing signs of glaucoma but they said they got it in time to stop the progression and, while she may lose a little of her peripheral vision, with taking drops she should be good to go the rest of her life. The first thing the eye doctor asked her was if anyone in her family has had it. I guess that is some kind of indicator.
Thanks, Barbara! I am glad they were able to catch your sister’s on time to stop it from progressing. My dad’s pressure was high up in the danger zone, and I am not sure how far along the progression is. They were having trouble getting it to go down and put in three different kinds of eyedrops every 15 minutes for about three hours yesterday. I think my younger sister has a higher risk of getting glaucoma for some reason, but I don’t know of anyone else in the family who has had it.
Karen, you might want to talk to his eye doctor about it (and he will have to give permission for the doctor to talk to you–one of the necessities of our times, I guess), and here is why.
Years ago my mom (who has been gone for 14 years now) was diagnosed with glaucoma. Hers was low-pressure wide-angle glaucoma (which often doesn’t show up with pressure tests until the optic nerve has been damaged), and I could tell from the “hyper” way mom was talking about it, she was worried about going blind (she had an aunt who went blind, although I don’t know the cause). So, I called her doctor, told him who I was, and that I knew mom was worried about this, even though she didn’t say so in so many words. He talked to me and told me that, most likely, she would NOT lose her vision, although she might lose some peripheral vision (the “wide angel” part). I called mom and told her, and she calmed right down! So do talk to your dad’s doctor, get more information, etc., and then you can talk to your dad more knowledgeably about it.
As it turned out, although my mom was on eye drops “forever”, as her dementia advanced, she didn’t use the drops any more, and finally was no longer able to get out to the doctor to do the necessary vision tests. Even so, she still had some vision left many years later. She even watched a video (on the very small screen of my camcorder, held about a foot in front of her) of my performance of a handbell solo, and could see it well enough to recognize it was I who was on the screen! That was a little over a year before she died. And she always lit up when someone she knew walked into her room at the adult home she was in the last 5 years.
Thanks, Charlotte! It would be good to know more details about his condition and how far along it has progressed. It is nice to know that your mom still had vision left to see that well. Although I am sorry to hear she got it and dementia as well. I hope I never get dementia. I used to work in a nursing home, so I know it can be difficult to deal with. Also, my grandma had a very bad case of it. Thanks, again. Karen
You are welcome, Karen; glad I was able to help/encourage.
Sadly, arterial dementia (what used to be called hardening of the arteries) didn’t Run in mom’s family, it Galloped. Mom and both her surviving siblings had it, their father had it, several of his siblings (although not all 12 or so) had it, and their father had it, too. So far, I’m 75, and I don’t have it, but I seem to take after my dad’s side of the family more, and they all lived to be late 80s into the 90s (Uncle Don will be 97 this year–he’s the last one) and sharp as tacks their entire lives! So I hope that will stand me in good stead. (However, my brother takes more after mom’s side of the family; so far, though, he’s good–and he’ll be 74 this year.)
My mom had glaucoma too, and like the other people mentioned here, used the eye drops with great success for many years. The side effect is nice — it stimulates eyelash growth. The longer she lived and used the eye drops, the prettier her eyes looked.
I need to tell my sister about this “side effect”. We had a younger sister who had a double row of eyelashes and big blue eyes. She had the most beautiful eyes. Beth and I always wanted her eyelashes. I will tell Beth she has a chance now.
Yikes! I don’t think my dad would be happy to hear about that side effect! Hehe
Jeanne Sorry you are not feeling well. I was encouraged to read about the monoclonal treatment if it is COVID, that is really good to know in case anyone gets it. Thank you for the older posts–they were interesting–stay in bed and get better.
Jeanne
So sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Listen to what the sofa ladies have said and rest, rest and rest some more. As women we often don’t because we think we are needed 24/7. Over the last 12 years with my health I wish I had listened to that advance each time I was discharged from the hospital or feeling poorly.
I think you should think about the advice given in regards to having a COVID test done. It only takes a few minutes of your time and you can’t be too sure you don’t have it with the symptoms being so similar to other issues. I just received a email from Medicare about the Monoclonal antibody IV treatment and jotted that down in my notes in my doctors portal. Also put it in a notepad on my phone for my caregiver as she goes to all appointments with me. You just never know and I wonder why it isn’t being used ore often. You have to ask for it but if you don’t know about it how can you?
Feel better and rest over the weekend. We aren’t going anywhere.
I so remember the kitchen post. Kevin and Keith don’t look like angels, but big wings would really be a nuisance when crawling or lying under cabinets. Nevertheless they were angels. I loved the notes you all wrote.
I don’t remember the apple cake but I can imagine how good your kitchen must smell when you make it. I must remember to order apples next time I get groceries.
The Guardian printed an article yesterday that said, “I’ve been vaccinated” is the new “Hello, how are you?” in NYC. This is also true in my family. We know it’s not perfect, but right now it’s our best hope, and we’re finding that we are now really are feeling more hopeful. It makes a surprising difference.
Jeanne — get well soon, and don’t worry about us — we’ll be here when you get back.
Dear Jeanne and Sofa Sisters, does anyone follow the blog by Allison Hernandez called Munecas Poupees and Dolls?
Here is the link in case you are interested:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ucxl6iI7Zfei4iNA2FG5Q
She is young but she has been around in the doll world for quite some time. Her postings are always interesting to me. In her latest one she discusses “Choosing The Right Doll.”
In a few of her postings, she does a tour of her doll room. I LOVE doll room tours!
Hi Dorothy,
Hope you are well. Funny, you also follow Allison. I love watching her youtube video’s. She has some really pretty dolls. I recently watched her show some of her most valuable dolls. Dianna Effner’s little Darling made her list. She showed one of her Popovy Sisters dolls, I have a small obsession with them, the dolls are so different and unique and wigs the sisters make for them are tiny little art pieces. I’m so intrigued with these dolls but not sure I can justify spending a few thousand on one. I understand the wait list can be over a year. I am a very impatient waiter! lol here is a youtube video of the sisters creating their dolls. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH5exTEFVhw
Very interesting video of the Popovy sisters. Such talent. I wonder if they ever make child dolls? Guess I’ll have to take a look. 🙂
Dear Ingrid, I do follow Allison. She is so knowledgeable. I like that she supports new artists. I don’t know if I would spend one thousand dollars for a single doll either, although I have three Little Darlings so, collectively, that kind of speaks for itself (laugh).
I liked Allison’s posting on insuring doll collections. I really need to do this.
I also follow Martha Boers of Antique Lilac. She creates the most amazing costumes for her dolls and the develops very lovely stories about the dolls.