#SherlockLives and so do I!

What? I had pneumonia earlier this autumn, because that's what I do every year, apparently. So, NOT DEAD YET!

I thought, in lieu of newer pics for the moment, I'd post a couple of Martie pics I'm especially fond of, to reassure everyone that this blog is still kicking. I've got a review of Pabol doll eyes cooking, so look for that soon. Ish.

Whoops. Wrong Martie.

Review: A beautiful 18" girl direct from China.

I had a heck of a time coming up with a title for this post, because I'm still, after some research, not totally sure what name or company or factory this doll came from. I bought her from Aliexpress.com after seeing a picture on Pinterest that was (mis)labeled as an 18" Adora play doll. Here's the pin:

"When did Adora put out something like this?" I thought, and started googling, because wow. Ever fall in love with a doll from just a picture or two? Yeah, that's exactly what happened. I Had To Find This Doll. I found out quickly that this was not an Adora doll, but otherwise couldn't find her anywhere. I. Had. To. Find This. Doll.

Review of Zylie & Friends Adventuring Bear Doll ZYLIE!

Disclaimer up front: the lovely folks at Zylie & Friends contacted me by email in mid-August to ask if I'd like to review Zylie on DBB, and sent me the bear for review. By coincidence, Zylie arrived on my birthday, which was a very nice bonus surprise.

Let's take a look at Zylie the Bear, shall we?

Hey, kids! School's started!

My job requires a LOT of paperwork, especially at the beginning of the school year, and I'm glad I have dolls in my office to help out with some of the small stuff. Patsy and Sunny have been very helpful in taking papers out of the printer and telling me if the paper runs low.

My own personal Copy Crew!

The second page is taking a long time. 

Refilled and ready to go!

Well, that was a chore! Time for a break.

We're going to the zoo! How about you?

It was my birthday weekend and I wanted to go to the zoo! We have a great Pittsburgh Zoo and it's always a lot of fun. The weather was gorgeous, in the 70s and with a cloud cover--lovely day. Usually in August the temps are in the 90s with insane harsh sunlight, which makes me miserable, so I couldn't have asked for a better day. Of course, Martie came along, because what's a zoo trip without Martie?

Ready to go! 

Let's think of something to do while we're waiting.

I'm working on several posts--one about our zoo trip, and three doll reviews--that probably won't be up until a little later in the week. School is starting and I work at the University of Pittsburgh, so work is really hectic right now.

Meanwhile, though, have a couple of pics I took of Martie at the School of Nursing's August graduation:

This ballroom in the University Club has SRO by the time the graduation ceremony started. We took advantage of the quiet before the storm.

Martie's watching the peregrine falcon (who lives on the 36th floor of the Cathedral of Learning) circle around in the sky. The squirrels and pigeons have all taken cover!

And now she's watching all the happy people coming in from the parking lot next door.

Eyes on this space as the week progresses!

What I did on my summer vacation.

I'm a little teapot, short and....HEY! Charlie! Don't rub your eyes! Stop it! 

Ack, I forgot. Old habit. 

You still try to adjust your glasses that you don't wear anymore, too. That's kind of funny, though, so I don't tell you. 

Let me see if you hurt your eye. 

Too close, Martie! 

Well, how am I supposed to help you after these cataract surgeries if you won't let me see? And it's time for your eye drops, so do that now, please.

You're very helpful, Martie, thank you.

Hey, about that eyeball surgery--did it hurt? Were you scared? Did they use big knives? What about that suction thing, did it suck up your whole eye? Was it bloody?

Oh, good grief, Maudlynne! No, I've told you several times, it didn't really hurt, I was only scared before the first one but the anesthetist was very good, they used teeeeeeny little instruments, the suction thing wouldn't hold a single hair on your head, and there was barely any blood at all.

Hrmph! That's no fun! Next time, tell it better! With lots of BLOOD!

Uh, no. But I think I should tell the readers what we're talking about!

I had cataract surgery on both eyes, the right on July 1 and the left on July 22, and I can't believe how much brighter and clearer the world is now. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go for regular eye exams, because I don't want any of you to lose your sight!

Here's some information about cataracts and cataract surgery:

Cataract facts from the National Institute of Health.

Cataract surgery procedure by WebMD.

Cataract surgery video on YouTube.  If you're squeamish, do NOT watch this! I watched a few videos of surgeries before I had my first one done, which helped me a lot by showing me what was going to happen. Most people, however, really won't enjoy this video at all. It's here if you need, it, though, or, if you're like Maudlynne and just like looking at gross stuff.

Welcome back, cowgirl!

Lookit who we found while we were cleaning: our dear friend Jessie!

Martie was very glad to see her and got right to work helping her freshen up.

We found a Christmas-in-August outfit for her, and gave her a fluffy ponytail for summer fun.

There's no knowing what kind of trouble these two will get into together.

OMG I CanNOT Believe.....

.....that it's been 2 and a half months since I posted here. It's been a rather tumultuous summer so far, and I just could not keep up with my dolly world, I'm sorry to say. However, things are settling down, and so WE'RE BACK, BABEH! And does Martie ever have dish on me:

Keeping her quiet may involve new clothes and some shoes. And much chocolate.

My Little Bossypants.

Why are you looking at me and Larry the VooDude? Get back to work on those graduation applications!

My daughter Alexandra made Larry, and makes lots of other neat VooDude felt things, too! Trust me, you're going to want them--you NEEEEEED them. Her Etsy shop is at  VooDudeXing, and there will be neat items to buy there later today!

Hi, guys! What's new with you all?

We're still here, everyone! Charlie's been preoccupied with work (graduation certification is a real pain), and writing some stories that I'm not allowed to read. Drop us a comment and tell us what you'd like to see Martie do (be nice!) in the next week or so, and we'll get as many pictures as we can!

This is where my job lives.

My office is slowly taking shape, and here's a few pics:

Fiona is less than impressed.

Back to work!

Flora has a treat!

Flora has a gummi bear! Look, it's so big next to her!

Flora, honey, it's candy, not a toy. You eat it. Oh, no, don't cry! Of course you can keep it. What was I thinking? 

Seriously, don't argue with a faery. Just. Don't.

SPRING FEVER!

Martie and the very first dandelion we saw this spring:

Then we saw the lovely flowering trees, and stopped for a few pics. I hope the flowers survived the storm we had last night--high winds, driving rain, and hail. We'll check on them after work.

Just another day at the office.

In which we are bored while waiting for the printer to decide to actually spew forth the necessary print. It's not really a slow printer, but the 2-sided stuff takes a little longer.

Fee is out of focus--she must have moved.

Martie has found the hat she wants:

Also, I made Martie's dress, one of my favorites. 

Fine, if you're going to get all distracted with "Sherlock"....

....then I'm going to blog about your blogging about me blogging about you. 

Ahhh, my darling Martie. I'd be lost without my blogger.

Beautiful teeny things.

Just a quick update from my (truly dreadful) phonecam, as I finally managed to get Flora into some clothes:

Isn't that little dress the sweetest? Flora's also got her own baby doll now and a little "trunk" with her important treasures. The dress is from The Bead Loom Gallery on Etsy. 

A room of one's own.

Flora came with me this morning to "help," which to her meant re-organizing the paper clips so that they weren't all higgledy-piggledy in my desk drawer. Put them down, sweetlet, and show us your new travel case. 

Isn't it nice? It's vintage, still needs a bit of cleaning, but she likes it very much and is proud to show you her very own tiny house.

Of course, it isn't furnished yet, as we only just got it from eBay, but it's still a good play space. She's gone back to her very important clipping work, and bids you all a lovely evening.

Robert Tonner is trying to give me a heart attack.

I mean, I mean....well, LOOK at her!!! You can pre-order this stunning doll at Tonner online.

AIR GUITAR!!

Robin's rockin' in the free world!