My little firecrackers

I kid y'all not, I can't say enuff good about vickiveesdollclothes.  When I want something cute for So Surprised Suzie, a lot of times Vicki's the one who's got it.  Case in point.

It's another little bell bottom set like the one Suzie wore during most of the spring, but instead of a headband it's got a cute hat.

Hats were kinda a thing in the nineties, when Suzie was also a thing, so this works.

But Suzie isn't my only little firecracker this year.  Hey, when do I ever have only one to show???  Here's Kyle and Jettivee in their outfits from AdollableByRita on Etsy.

Mama supplied these, of course.  She loves dressing my dolls as much as I do.  Believe y'all me, it's greatly appreciated. 

And of course, there's Terri Lee, mumpy and grumpy as always. 

There was a thunderstorm moving in when I took that picture (last week), so that may have concerned Terri Lee some.  She's not a big fan of thunderstorms, but luckily for her the storm fizzled out before it got here.

It's hot today, but the humidity isn't as high as it was last week.  No storms in the forecast as far as I know, either.  Not today, anyway. 

I plan on doing as little as possible today.  I'm not even gonna bother with fireworks, though I'd like to.  I'll explain why in a future post.

Happy Independence Day,

RagingMoon1987

First day

First day of summer, y'all!  Or would it be the first day of winter in the southern hemisphere???  Here the temperature has already hit the high nineties and stayed there for about four days, but I'm not looking at this summer with the same measure of trepidation.  Mama and I are taking measures to make sure our animals are comfortable, and while they will still have to spend some time in our hot houses a solution is in the making.  We're gonna get a big outdoor kennel, one that has an awning to keep the rain and the sun off, and I'm excited!!!  We're gonna put in some igloos in case they want those, and a little swimming pool for them to drink out of, and...ah, it's gonna be great.  I don't know how much longer Mama's three dogs are gonna be around (the oldest one is probably about fourteen), but I think they'll like it.  We're also working on a catio for the cats; we're down to eight all around now.  Sir Lancelot died of some trippy cat disease, and Mama's Mittens died of old age, so now she's got Vladimir and I've got my bunch.  I have a rhythm chant to keep the names straight, though without Lola and Sir Lancelot it's not so rhythmic.  Allie-Callie-Lily.  Bobbie-Tommy-Chessie.  Adric the oddball.  Seriously, he's my weirdo...in a good way.  Either way the animals will get moved and I think they'll like their new surroundings.

In dolly news, today's post is a short one, of Jettivee keeping cool under the big tree in the backyard.  Y'all can probably see how gloomy the weather has been lately.  It's been warm and a little muggy, but there's also been a fair amount of rain, hence Jet's blanket.

I don't like wearing white myself because I always manage to get it dirty...so I take my American Girl outside in her brand-new white clothes, because I'm a complete idiot.  Hey, at least I remembered that blanket.  Or a beat-up pillowcase, the one I use to wash Cabbage Patch Kids and Magic Nursery dolls when they need it.  Anyway, Jettivee is riding out the heat with papaya and cocoanut milk.  Mmmm, I love cocoanut milk.

Stay cool, 
RagingMoon1987

The big four

For classic rock fans the term "the big four" refers to the first four British bands to make it big in the U.S.:  the Beatles, the Who, the Stones, and the Kinks.  I like all four of those bands and thus refer to the big four often, but when one is a hardcore American Girl fan there's a different kind of big four.  For some reason these four are held in higher regard than most.  #2 and #4 are on the top row, and #11 and #15 are on the bottom.

By luck of the draw I have #15 and #4, better known to me as Jettivee and Silver Bird.

I understand why AG collectors scrabble for a first-issue #6 since those are rare, and I think I can also fathom why #4 is special since her head is unique.  But the other three...believe y'all me, I mean no hate at all towards these dolls, but I do wonder why collectors seem to love them.  When one pops up on the Failbook group I'm in everyone goes nuts.  These dolls have a lot in common, I'm noticing; they're all brown-eyed brunettes, and none of 'em are white.  Both Silver Bird and Jettivee LOOK fair-skinned in my pictures, but believe y'all me, they're not white dolls.  Jettivee is dusky, and Silver Bird has a golden cast.

None of 'em had short runs either.  All four dolls were released in 1995 and all four were available for over a decade.  #15 had the shortest run (she was discontinued in 2007) and #2 had the longest (she was retired in 2012).  Compare that to #48, who was released in 2009 and retired in 2012 and is also something of a unicorn for some collectors.  Based on all that I'm wondering why these particular four send American Girl collectors into a collective tizzy.  They're cute dolls, no question, but then so are the ones available for purchase now.

As for me myself, I'm glad that I've got Silver Bird and Jettivee in my bunch, but I won't turn my nose up at either #2 or #11 if they should appear for a good price.  Jeez, I'm such a glutton!  

Love to all, 
RagingMoon1987

Sunday randomness: Jettivee finds her name

It's warm, windy, and a smidge threatening today, but that didn't stop Jettivee Bargo from climbing one of my trees.

I told her she'd get her new dress dirty, but since when do the kids ever listen to me?  Anyway, Mama and I got some lunch while the weather remained calm, and after that we visited the graveyard where my dad is buried.  While we were there Jettivee saw a familiar name on another grave marker.

The woman's name is Jettivee Campbell.  She is buried next to her husband and a stillborn son, both of whom died in 1959.  Ms. Campbell lived to be 89 and outlived just about everyone in her immediate family.  Her Find a Grave memorial can be found HERE.  Clearly she still has someone who cares about her, as she's got new flowers on her grave.

Rest in peace, ma'am!  Thank you for the name!

Love
RagingMoon1987