2 Weeks in Texas...

 I left for Texas a week before Thanksgiving. Spent a total of two weeks with my son and his partner as they waited to welcome their new baby boy.

I arrived on a Monday, November 17th around the afternoon. By about Wednesday night early Thursday morning my new grandson was born. It was an awesome time and to watch my eldest child become a father a 2nd time. But this one was special because he was able to be present for his child's birth and not deployed.

It was a simple week after the baby and his Mom came home. My son spoiled me and I did a little shopping and eating at new places I haven't tried while there. We spent the holiday just close to home and made a special meal, while watching Kramas.

 

 

I even went shopping on Black Friday at a store called, Five Below. There was an ad I saw on Tiktok about the Squishmallow plushies. You get a tote and try to fill the tote with as many Squishmallows as you can with no more than 10 plushies. Tev and Monica chose some and I got some. All for about twenty-five dollars plus tax. It was fun to try to fill the bag! I also saw this retro dancing flocked Santa at Walmart. I was tempted to buy, but was good and didn't. Haha!

By December 2nd I was on my way back to Guam. This was the latest I've traveled anywhere. We usually try not to travel during the holidays because of traveling on 'standby' status. But, I was very lucky and made it all the way back home without any major issues. I also checked the mail boxes I had received while away and below are some of the items that came in.

I made another order through gameanimefan.com for more LADS merch and I got a lot of cool items above. This time I chose the 9 mystery scoops for any of the LADS. So many cool items too!! I even got Caleb's necklace, Yippee!! Below, I got a lot of two plushies, a vintage Japan pink elephant and a Rushton mouse!! Both are already added to my shop. By the way my shop is open for your shopping pleasure!
 

 

Please do stop by and check out what I have still available. Well, that is all for now. I hope you had a wonderful November and December to start!! Christmas will be coming up soon! Gosh how this year has just flown by!!

Happy holidays and Happy thrifting!

Thank you for looking! ~ ggsdolls 

Trip?! Super Quick Pls!

 On Mother's Day weekend, I decided to go for a quick trip to Narita, Japan, and Sara joined me. I was on a mission to find a doll. So, here's what we did...

I picked up Sara early from school Friday and we had our bags packed and our flight was not until 5pm. We got to the airport early. The flight was fast and made it into Narita, Japan by 8pm. We took the shuttle bus to our hotel and checked in. By then, we were exhausted. I just made a quick stop at the convenience store within the hotel and went to bed. This time we stayed at the Narita Tobu Hotel. Not our usual place, but still lovely and a lot more roomy as compared to Narita Gateway.

My breakfast above. I decided in order for us to get to where we needed to go we had to take a taxi to Aeon Mall since the hotel's shuttle service didn't run until after 11am. We got to the mall, and it had just opened. We went to Patty's first, as Sara wanted to check if there was a plush kitty she saw from our last trip still there, and it was!! I saw some new Swimmer items on the shelves and simply just looked around. We made our way to the music store to take photos of drum sets for Sam, which was one of his wishes for us to do. Then, we were by the gatcha machines and got some gatchas for family. Finally, to the store I needed to check out for the doll I was searching for...

I went around the store once and saw nothing. So I figured I'd ask the clerk and sadly, he said that particular doll had sold out! NOOOOO! Ugh. We left the store and decided to go eat lunch. Especially because we had to make our way back to the airport within a few hours. 

Welp, I did remind myself, that even though I didn't get to buy the little squeak doll I was searching for, that I did go somewhere for Mother's Day and it was Japan for a day! Who can say they can do that?! Not many, Haha! In the end, I got Taby her stickers she wanted, Sara got her plush Kitty, Sam saw the drum sets available and I got to get off the rock for a bit. All in all, it was good and I did enjoy myself. We made it back to the airport and caught this bus above, to get there on time. We were back on the island of Guam by 11pm that Saturday night. It was nice and though I didn't accomplish the mission, I did experience a little getaway! Yay!

Since I could not find this particular doll online or on my quick Narita trip. I decided to reach out to my friend in Japan. I asked her if she could help me locate the dolls... AND... Reiko went above and beyond and found the dolls!!! Haha! They arrived to me yesterday! Yesss!! So here are the dolls below...

Iwai Co. made mini versions of the crawling baby squeak doll in red, blue, pink and yellow. These mini versions do not squeak. My friend was able to find me three of the colors.

I've had the vintage Iwai Co. pink squeak doll back in 2010. I had bought the regular sized one for Sara when she was a few months old. She played with it for a bit and then when she didn't want it anymore. I sold it in my shop. My friend Feerique on IG found a mini version from her travels to Japan. So I've been on the hunt since then. Reiko helped me to get a few extra and will add them to my shop soon!

Next, I got this adorable worn Rushton kitty in and worked on her the past 2 days. She is a lovely pale gray and white color. Just needed a bit of washing and refluffing and TADa!! She was good as new. I listed her this morning about 30 minutes ago and she sold fast!! Oh my!

She even had her original tag. I also got 2 Rushton hand puppets in. A Dutch girl and 'Cluny' Clown is the name of the other. Cluny has a squeaker inside him. I think the hand puppets are just as cool to own and they don't take up much space too! They are also listed in my shop and sold as a set.

Lastly, this adorable lipstick case with Holly Hobbie on the front. Made in Japan by Sunstar, it is similar to one I have with anime girl art on it. I may sell this one? Not sure. It will be summer starting tomorrow, Friday for the kids on Guam. So I hope you enjoy yours when yours begins!

May you make great memories this summer! Happy Thrifting!

Thank you for stopping by! ~ ggsdolls

Settling in...

 It feels great to be back home. Since we've gotten back, I must admit I miss being at Disney. It was so much fun and just to be out an about. After we got back to Jacksonville. I did do some quick shopping at the local Goodwill there.

We had gone to the one closer to Kalani's apartment. That's where I found this lovely ballerina music box below. It was caught between a plastic bin fill with stuff and the metal shelf it was on. I tried to turn to pull it out, but not luck. Then, Taby came over and she asked me what I was trying to do. In one just a few seconds, she was able to get it out. Looking closely at it, I figured I could upcycle it and make it cute again. So, that's what I left that store with. In the second Goodwill we made it too, it was closer to the beach side of JAX. So, the video you see above is what I took, while in there. I found this adorable crib planter music box, but it was missing something on top. Not sure what it might have been though?

But, from some other examples online it may have been a ceramic sheep or bear? I also saw these matching vases, and lots of cute things, but nothing I wanted to go home with. So it was just the adorable music box. She is in a lovely gray and pink color, and is missing just one ballerina. So I will see if I can find a replacement or use something else to fill in the space. I may repaint part of it and add some other embellishments. I think also too because we had gone to the stores after 12pm, most of the early risers got the goodies already.

Yup, $5.99 is what I got it for. Still not so bad and it still works too! Just too cute! When I picked up a pink slip box from the mail, I got this lovely TV tray for kids. I found it before leaving for my trip. In Canada, it is a lovely vtg plushies dream tin tray. It got beat up a bit, but still adorable. I can't wait to display this piece in my side of the room soon! It's quite large too! It's also funny how things you had in your ISO show up right when you are needing the cash for other things... I found this lovely Cortendorf girl wall plaque. This one in particular is a lovely piece because she looks a lot like Tadie Muz! I was surprised to win it prior to my trip also and she arrived safely to me from WA! Yay!

The past year and half, I've been leaning more and more towards baby items, no surprise, right?! LOL I got myself these 2 lovely Washi tape on Etsy. One with adorable nursery vtg kitsch art, and the other of course with Meyercord cute animals. Great for adding a bit of cuteness to your scrapbook or decor! What do you think? I received this adorable bisque 1920s style girl before I left. She can hold a tiny bouquet of flowers. In this case, the seller put some purple dry flowers. Too cute! And, I also found this lovely pull toy Deer, a mint in package toy from Toys R Us. Gosh, the memories...

This Irwin roly poly doll rattle came with her original box. I found him available on an IG seller's account. She has been added to my Etsy shop too. Love her colors and the box's graphics too! Yup, another Meyercord decal below. Large size too. Minty and from Canada. He is a great addition to my little Meyercord collection. I also found this lovely carnival plush kitty. His multi-colored body and face was what drew me. Definitely unique and adorable. I've added him to my shop as well.

These adorable pin or badges in Japan, I got Monday. I believe the Bambi pin is about late 1950s, made by Walt Disney, as it has the WDP initials on the back. A great addition to my toy jewelry collection. At the same time I found the Bambi pin, I found these 2 ballerina pins. Both made by the same company I believe. I have the pink ballerina in my collection already, so this will be my 2nd pin. The blue is newest to me, as I haven't seen this style, until now. Too cute!

They are just extra special to me. Well, I need to get into working on commissions now. As I have a few on there way. I hope you all are having a great summer, no matter what you decide to do.

Thank you for stopping by! ~ ggsdolls

Guam is Featured in United Airlines Magazine 'Hemispheres'!!

On my quick trip stateside to take my father back to Lacey, Wa., we came across the United Airlines magazine "Hemispheres" in our seat pockets. The cover featured Guam, and inside a bit about my mother in-law!! How awesome is that?!

If you like to take a three day trip to Guam without leaving the comfort of your home or computer desk? Then, read this awesome article below!! I did swipe a few copies for myself along the way as souvenirs!! LOL and I've added it as a link on my "More About Guam" page at the top! Enjoy!

Thanks for reading! ~ ggsdolls

On a Quick Trip!

I'm away from home on a mini trip!

In Narita Japan!

Gashapon machines!!

I will be Stateside for a bit! Hope you all are having an awesome week!?

Thanks for checking my blog often! ~ ggsdolls