THE DEED IS DONE!

My grand daughter told me that from now on, she would introduce me to her friends as "the surgeon".  I suppose that's better than "the butcher"!

Be that as it may, the Spanish dancers' legs are gone and - so far - replaced from hip to knee.  But she got her revenge!  Since I find it impossible to wear a dust/particle mask, my glasses AND safety glasses all at the same time, I went without the safety glasses while sawing off her clay legs and am paying dearly for my negligence.  My eye lids and  tear ducts are so itchy I feel like ripping them off.  Suffice it to say, my eyelids are so red and swollen, I look like I've been on a month long bender.  OTC drops and baby oil help, but doubt they will be a cure.

SO.  while senorita's clay thighs were drying, I cut out a pair of Teddy Bears.  One will be for my grand daughter's significant other who has a huge collection of stuffed animals.   Teddy is a light brown, will have a shock of curley red hair and  - If I can make a decent pair - flip flops.  I worried about a colorful tee shirt for him until I saw some really loud toddlers' socks at Publix. BINGO!

I also have a hat box I'm going to refurbish for my grand daughter.  She makes costumes for all sorts of events, and I know she has a hat or two that could use some protection from their five cats.

--- AND IT'S GETTING EVEN WORSE

I guess I'd forgotten how long ago I made the Spanish Dancer because her skeleton is made of wire.  No wonder she wobbled and the clay cracked.  I tried last night to make repairs and even my best glue wouldn't grab and hold.  So, I'm seriously thinking of removing her legs entirely and starting at her hips, build new legs using dowels as the skeleton.  Dowels don't bend and the way I construct my dolls makes them very sturdy.  I simply could not in good conscience,  allow one of my dolls go out if it wasn't at least 100% my best effort.  So I'm going to give the grass/weeds in the back yard a quick cut with the weed whacker then cut off the dancer's  legs.            

A VERY BAD SITUATION

I've offered the Spanish Dancer doll to auction for the Chachi fund.  Bidding to begin Nov. 1 until Dec. 1.  For almost two years, I've stared at that doll, unhappy with the position of her feet and legs.  So last night, I cut her left foot off and removed her from the base. It wasn't as though her feet and legs were pristine; both legs and feet had cracks due to the stress of being out of alignment with her body.  

So now, I must somehow, set her firmly on her feet in a natural position even if it means reducing the look of action.  And I must make the repairs look invisible.  Get busy, Cora. 

I NEED A SOCIAL LIFE

I really do.  Question is: am I up to it?  Mentally, yes, but the old bod has limitations, as does the old pocketbook.  So I've decided to join the Piece Makers quilting group.  They're creative and the dues are reasonable.  I can always just not show up if things get too "political".

And I've put in an application with Michael's for "seasonal" employment.  Another situation where I'm going to learn (if hired) just what my body can handle.  It's been sedentary for far too long!

And, of all things! I offered to read my own story Peggin" to the kids at Wolfson Children's Hospital.  It's very short, about how a skinny fifth grader out smarted the school bully.  I'm scheduled for Jan 19 from ten-thirty to eleven-thirty.  Provided they feel the story is acceptable.  I sent the entire 12 pages for their review but they may find it hard to read (aside from the 30 year old ink jet printing) because the story took place in the Bahamas and the dialog is in Bahamian dialect.  If they decide against it, I'll be fine with their decision.

SO.  I've obligated myself to do these things and now must put my money where my big mouth is.

SEPTEMBER SONG

MY September song is usually a loud, frantic clashing of unfinished projects.  I really need to put aside my current doll (she of the Styrofoam head) since she has no deadline, finish the re-design of my Christmas stocking pattern then get cracking on Stella Skelly, because she has an ADQ deadline of March 15.  But with the holidays taking a big chunk of that time, I will have to pick up my pace.

AND - I'm working on head number THREE for current doll.  The original gourd head was too big.  the second head - of Styrofoam - was a good size, but I sanded it until it was TOO SMALL!  I'm now working on my very last small Styrofoam egg.  If I screw this one up, the whole thing gets put away until after Christmas.

GOT TO LISTEN TO MY GUT --

I KNEW her head was too big.  But I kept working on it.  I painted her face and hair pattern.  I'd put glue on her neck and before it could dry, pulled her head off the neck.  There are times I simply don't listen to my gut - the voice in my head - whatever.

SO.  since I have no smaller egg gourds than the one that now resides in the "spare parts" box, I've cut down a small foam egg and covered it with clay.  Maybe it will be dry tomorrow.  I really hate using the soft white foam because it simply can't stand up to the man handling I tend to give it.

I will eventually get this new head finished - or make yet another if necessary.  Of all the dolls I've made, I've given up on only one and she could still be salvaged.  She is the victim of my inability to think far enough ahead - like I had to cut off both of her hands at the wrist because they were molded to her hips which left no way to get her slacks on.  Chalk it up to just one more "self-taught" lesson

ROAD BLOCKS AND DETOURS

I seem to be making zero progress this week.  Right shoulder so painful it interferes with my driving and wakes me at night.  Aspercream and OTC pain pills offer only temporary relief..  Consequently, I'm getting very little sleep and can't stay focused on anything.

Wound up last week with a package from my sister in CA.  She belongs to a sewing/craft group and always checks the members' scraps after class.  She collects those pieces she feels are big enough for making doll costumes.  She checks out neighborhood yard sales and snaps up anything - usually a piece of fur or jewelry - she feels I could use.  When there is enough to fill whatever box she has on hand, she mails it to me,   Receiving that box is like having an extra Christmas or two each year.