Hello, My Long Lost Pals!

Hello there, all my long lost pals out there! You've all been so kind to ask about us. We're so sorry to cause people to worry.

I haven't been able to blog much lately because mommy's had her hands full with some new developments in her life. We should probably fill everyone in... Let's start with today and move backwards, shall we?

Today was the Atlanta Halloween Blythe Meet and it was a total blast. We really missed some of our regulars, but we got to meet some great new folks!


It was so much fun. We ate, swapped, crafted, and talked lots!


Looky looky here! Dianne crocheted us these awesome little pumpkins. Cute pumpkins should be worn, not just displayed. That way, they will always be with you and never get left behind. So I told mommy to make mine into a headband. Mommy liked my idea so much that she snapped one for Picture 46/365 for the 365 Days Blythe Project.


Lookit how adorable we all look with our pumpkins and headbands!


There were so many lovely goodies from everyone! I will be fat and happy all the way until Halloween! Thank you thank you thank you!!!


Along the lines of other developments...

In mid-September, mom and dad visited Auntie M and Uncle Oidon at Anime Weekend Atlanta recently. I got to go too and we had a good time. I tried on a Blythe hat that Auntie M made for humans to wear. Humans sure do have large noggins.


And on to the more serious stuff... Around the beginning of September, mom started a new job. She's still at the same company, but just in a different area.

It's been really different for her. She loved her old job lots and lots, but she really wants to build her resume with more accounting experience to complement her finance work. Gee whiz, adults are so complicated and serious. All I want is to add some more cupcake eating to my food experience.

She's such a dork that she freaked out when she found this vintage calculator at an antique sale intown. Yes, only finance and accounting nerds collect calculators.


On top of her new job, mommy is taking 7 credit hours this semester, which leaves her way too little time for me. Boo.

And on top of THAT, she's still doing shows and festivals with her jewelry business. There was the Candler Park Fall Fest last weekend. Next weekend will be the Avondale AutumnFest. And then she has the Paideia Art Visions show in November.

When will the craziness stop? I have no idea. Daddy and I keep trying to tell her to slow down, but she is as stubborn as they come.

And finally... Mommy is getting REALLY FAT. It's all in her belly. She says it's because she's growing me a sister. Zelda, Ramona, and I came from a factory in Japan, so I have no freaking clue what she's talking about. This is our only clue...


Ta-ta for now, and we hope to update you all again soon!

A New Cuppy on the Block and Beep*Beep*Boop*Boop to You

This thank you is very long overdue. Willy-Nilly Waterlily and mom had another fun swap recently and the loveliest package arrived. As everyone knows, we love everything that Rima makes.

Our package was Hawaiian-themed and we were so excited. It takes me away from drought-ridden Atlanta.


Mom tried to find a prettier picture opportunity for us to show off our pretty new dresses, but we sadly don't live near any water or scenic places. I hope she'll consider taking us to a tiki bar or something for some tropical fun. Hint hint, mom!!!

AND we have a new kid on the block. Meet Mr. Cuppy! Isn't he the cutest ever? I'll have to go give Butterbear a hug for reassurance that I still lubs him. Mr. Cuppy is just so very very very cute!


So we should really catch up on last weekend, too, don't you think?

Dad went to Dragon*Con with his friend Jason last weekend.

They saw the ever-famous parade... Hmm... Captain America's a bit chubbier (and sweatier) than I remembered.


And they saw lots of geeky-yet-cool gadgets and toys...


And ogled lots of costumed babes...


But, thankfully, mom had nothing to fear. Even with all the flatbellies (as Neal Boortz likes to call them) around, daddy made sure to let her know she was still on his mind.

When he found out that Andy Runton was there, he brought home a signed copy of an Owly graphic novel!


Ever since Jessica introduced us to Owly, we've been totally nuts about him. He's the sweetest little owl ever. Everything about Owly gives me the warm fuzzies because he shows how friendship and kindness make the world a better place.

So since Dragon*Con seemed like so much fun, dad took mom and I the next day. It wasn't long before I got into some trouble, though.

Me: Hmmm... They sure do look familiar... What is going on here?

Storm Trooper: You! Over there! Halt immediately! This is a restricted area!

R2D2: *Beep*Beep*Boop*Boop* (translation: Help!)



Me: *employing the Force on the Storm Trooper* This is not the droid you are looking for...

Storm Trooper: This is not the droid I am looking for...

Me: *sneaking over to R2D2* Let's GO!!!


And R2D2 is now safe again. Yay!!! Of course, mommy had to capture the moment for Picture 45/365 for the 365 Days Blythe Project.

The Big 3-0 and Meet-y Fun

It's been a long time since we've blogged, eh? Well, blame mommy and not me. My hands are much too small to type efficiently and she's been quite unavailable to me.

Harumph. I blame it all on mommy being over the hill. Didja hear? She turned 30 this month. Even in her old age, she's quite happy.

For mommy's big 3-0, she made me pose for Picture 43/365 of the 365 Days Blythe Project.

Here I am with the chocolate cake that daddy made for her. He makes it for her every year and she loves it every time.

Last weekend, mommy and Maita spent some fantastic quality time together. Then again, any time with Maita is quality time.

Beka/pigwidget recently made a Heather Bailey Square Deal pincushion and mommy thought it would be the perfect project for an afternoon with Maita.

How fun, right? It reminds me of a big, fat, yummy brownie. Too bad it isn't a real one.

Maita also gifted mommy with our favorite things: Sweet Pockets cupcakes, the Hello Cupcake! book, and a cute little felt owl/penguin/seagull that I have officially named Shy Guy (the one of Nintendo fame, of course).

Of course, mommy wouldn't let me get away without taking a picture for the 365 Days Blythe Project. Here I am with my nom-licious cuppycakes and Shy Guy for Picture 44/365.

We scarfed down our Lemon Sunshine, Red Bean, Happy Monkey, and Raz Taz in record time. They were too yummy to resist. I dare you to try.


The fun doesn't stop there... Oh no... Today, we got to meet up with some fabulous folks at the Blythe meet in Vinings. It was so much fun.

Can you believe that the now 1-year old Atlanta Blythe group has been so lucky to have had dolly friends join us from as far away as Arizona, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Tennessee? It's been amazing!


Today, we had lunch at Vinings Inn and cupcakes at the new Vinings Sweet Pockets location. Mmmmmm mmmm! We have to give a hearty shout-out to Lennie. (You may recall that Himawari and I went to cupcake bingo on Easter weekend.)


Her cupcakes are hands-down the BEST in Atlanta. Delicate and light cupcakes that are juuuuuuust right in every way.

When we arrived back at home, it appeared that my plan for world domination has been successful. My lovely auntie M has begun the workings for the Molli Club. Of course, the universe revolves around me, so I get a little Molli statue (no, that is NOT Dora) and all the dollies wear their hair just like mine.


Yup... Let the brainwashing begin... Repeat after me, "Molli Molli Molli..."

And the Fishies Said...

Last week, all my grammas and grampas visited us... Both the Ps and the Js were here. It was a time filled with family and fun!

Gramma and grampa J were here for a short period of time, but we still had a great time together. Gramma J has picked up quilting and mommy couldn't be more excited. Hopefully, mom and dad will take us to North Carolina to visit them again soon and mom and gramma J can sew together.

Gramma and grampa P stayed with us, too, the next couple of days and we went to the Georgia Aquarium on Tuesday. I'd never been there before, so it was loads of fun.

I got to see all kinds of interesting fishies and swimming thingies. The otters were the cutest. I do believe they are quite the mischievous types. You can just tell.

While we were there, mommy made me pause my fishy-watching for Picture 42/365 (my, aren't we behind!) of the 365 Days Blythe Project.


When I came home, I got to tell Zeldy and Ramona all about it...

Me: Yup, I saw fishies. Lots of fishies. Aren't you jealous?

Ramona: Gawsh, I wanna see fishies.

Me: Maybe next time. You're the little sister.

Zeldy: So what were they like?

Me: They swam really fast! And the fishies said "gobble, gobble" all over the place.

Zeldy: *dubious stare* Are you SURE they said "gobble, gobble"???

Me: *angry stare* Yes! They said "gobble, gobble"!!! End of story, Zeldy.

Fun Fourth!

Ahhh... I love the smell of independence in the morning. Happy belated Fourth of July everyone!

After Ramona's great work in Butterbear's rescue mission a couple of weeks ago, mom decided that she deserved a little vacation. So mom and dad took Ramona with them to North Carolina for the weekend.

On Friday, they went to Biltmore in Asheville.


Mom and dad have been to Asheville every year for the past four or five years, but have never been to Biltmore. Can you believe it? My parents are such cheapskate fuddy-duddies! So they finally went and lucky Ramona got to see everything.


They took a tour of the house and Ramona said it was really nifty. It was the biggest house she'd ever seen. She said everything was amazing. It's humongous and decked out in every detail. There are 43 bathrooms! A bowling alley! And an indoor pool! Wow!!!

Pictures weren't allowed inside, but here is Ramona waiting to take the tour. Color me green with envy at her purty Eurotrash helmet and House of Pinku dress! Mommy really gave Ramona the Princess Treatment for her fantastic helicopter skills.


There were lots of nifty twists and turns throughout the whole house. So they got to rest their heels a bit, Vanderbilt style, on one of the terraces.



Even the gardens were amazing!


Ramona saw lots of lotus flowers and lilies in the Italian garden too.


And, apparently, Ramona is growing up quick. She noticed that this one statue looks a little different from us gals. Naughty, naughty, Ramona!


For dinner, mom and dad took Ramona to their favorite restaurant in Asheville, the Laughing Seed Cafe. It's the yummiest!


After a night of rest, Ramona got to wear her kawaii Willy-Nilly Waterlily dress for a day of antiquing in Brevard. Mom was worried she'd lose her matching kerchief, so she made Ramona keep it in a safe place.

Mom and dad took Ramona to O.P. Taylor's too! It's the greatest, independently-owned toy store ever. There are toys everywhere of all kinds. Dolls, puzzles, board games, craft sets, model trains... You name it, O.P. Taylor's has it!


Brevard is known for its white squirrels. Silly Ramona, those white squirrels aren't real! When Zelda and I visited last fall, we got to see a real one. Maybe Ramona will see a real one someday.


Ramona returned on Saturday with all her stories. Blah blah blah... But she deserved all that fun and all her pretty new duds. She's a pretty great sister!

Rescue Mission!

Butterbear went missing and we think we figured out who the culprits are. Time to initiate the rescue mission!

Zelda quickly devised a strategy. She showed me the details and I committed them to memory. There would be no time to mess with notes.


Zelda: The red house is the target. Mom and dad will provide the access to entry. You must move quickly and extract Butterbear with no harm to the enemy. Mom and dad will leave immediately and Ramona will airlift you from the scene. Got it?

Me: Got it.

Zelda: You only have one chance. Don't mess up!

Me: Don't worry - I don't make mistakes.


At the scene, everything went as planned. I stalked the house while Mom and dad distracted Jessica and Phil.


As soon as the coast was clear, I snuck inside. I wasn't to harm the enemy, but I was armed just in case things went south. Hostage situations are highly unpredictable and I didn't want to take any chances.


Luckily, the culprits gave up without a fight. No cans of whoopass needed.


Me: Hang on Butterbear! We're getting out of here!

Butterbear: Hurry! Those people are scary! They made me eat healthy food!

Me: Those scoundrels!


Sure as smarty-pants Zelda planned, Ramona showed up with a helicopter. Who knew that she was a pilot? Well, it came in handy for our exit.

Ramona snapped Picture 41/365 of the 365 Days Blythe Project from the helicopter (she's a multi-tasker too!) to remind us to never lose track of Butterbear again.


And Butterbear is now back home, safe with us... Thank you all for your support during these tough times!

P.S. For your peace of mind: no Blythes, bears, or humans were harmed during this rescue mission.

San Francisco - Day 6 (and Present-Day Shenanigans)

Finally! We are at the end of our San Francisco recap. I know you guys are ready for pictures of new happenings.

Day 6 was the last day of the wonderful and fantastic trip to San Francisco. We had a mid-day flight, so we made sure to squeeze in a little bit of extra eating and sightseeing right before we made our way to the airport.

Mommy snapped Picture 39/365 of the 365 Days Blythe Project to remind us the lovely time we had on our trip.


First, mom and dad stopped at Tartine again for more delish yummies. A grougere and quiche hit the spot. And then they stopped at Alamo Square to see the Painted Ladies. What a picturesque view!


And that was it - farewell to San Francisco! I hope we can return very, very soon! We had such a wonderful time reconnecting with old friends, meeting new friends, seeing beautiful sights, and tasting the most delicious food. It was truly an experience we will never forget.


And, now, we flash forward to this past weekend...


It was so incredibly hot outside this weekend that I told Zeldy she should go to ICE on Saturday with mom and dad. I missed out on all the indie craft goodies, but I made sure to eat all the popsicles while they were out. He he he. What? I was hot! I needed those popsicles. Yups.

While she was there, she got to meet Missy and Raoul of Hello, My Name is Missy. Missy is a Blythe gal, too! Sweet, right? She gifted us with a pair of totally rad 80s-inspired tights. Man, I'm fighting Zeldy and Ramona tooth and nail for those. Big hugs to Missy and Raoul!

Mom's fun finds at ICE:

• Some adorable Hello, My Name is Missy buttons to go with her Happy Orange
• A fun necklace from Talulah B
• Unicorn-y and rainbow-y goodness in nifty kit form from Sublime Stitching
• Good ol' readin' chart for me from The Small Object

Mmmm! What crafty goodness!

And, now, we leap forward to Sunday...

Mom and dad hung out with their pals Jessica and Phil. Mom and Jessica sewed some new duds for us B gals while dad and Phil waged battle for world domination. Mommy snapped Picture 40/365 of the 365 Days Blythe Project to remind me how demanding I can be at times. (We all KNOW a girl needs lots of new clothes, though!)


After we returned home...

Me: Zeldy, have you seen Butterbear???

Zeldy: Hmmm... No, I haven't...


Me: WHAT??? I thought you were watching him!

Zeldy: I thought YOU were watching him!

Me and Zeldy: AGH!!!


Our only clue...


Where could Butterbear be??? *sob*