Back Online!!!

It has been forever it seems... Since I've posted. We had a typhoon hit us on Monday, September 10, 2018, at night. The island was without Electricity for 3 days and for us 5 days!! Ugh

Typhoon Mangkhut was to hit us on Tuesday afternoon, so they predicted. Instead it hit us Monday night. The morning of Monday was nice, calm, beautiful. As they say, "The calm before the storm." By Monday night, it was windy and rainy, but nothing too severe. We were told that Mangkhut would hit Rota mostly.

 By Monday, late that night, the power went off. Not sure if it was the storm or the Power company turning it off to prepare for the storm? But, it was out. We just went to bed and prayed the storm would pass with no major damage. Lots of rain, and wind. We heard a crack, but mostly the rain hitting the roof.

By the next morning, Tuesday, it was sunny and you could see all the debris from the trees surrounding our compound. A few trees had broken branches, but nothing major. Phew. Thank you God. So, that morning we walked around the yard and helped Sam pick up leaves, fallen, branches, etc. My brother came down with his family, asking to chill at the beach since there was still no power. So, we went with them for a bit.

 Same thing at the beach, a lot of leaves and branches on the ground. We left them after awhile, and decided to head uptown to see if we could use Wifi. Believe it or not, we parked and used the free wifi here by Docomo. It was good, I got some work done and we went to check our friend's condo and our Cliff condo. Both places were fine. Whew. Cliff had no electricity, just like the rest of us on the island. Most were on generators. We did this for Wednesday also. I listened to the radio station, and heard they would try to get power back on as soon as they could.

 That was not the case. By Thursday, Sara was out of school for most of the week. There was no power to schools and many were used as shelters so they couldn't start school even if they wanted. We drove around during the day to see where the power trucks were in hopes that power would come on soon. Nothing. By Thursday, we stayed at our friend's condo. At least she had power and internet. Whew. It was going to be a long, very long week...

 

 By Friday, again, because Sara school didn't have power restored, she had no classes. One whole week. Ugh. I know she will have to make that up. By Friday night, it felt like this was getting ridiculous, still no power. I heard that 85 percent of the island was online. But, what in the world was taking them so long?!! No answers. There were many other complaining about the wait. This storm was not a major storm, like a few others we've had in the past. So, why was the power taking so long to be restored? I don't know, but there are many theories.

Finally, today, Saturday early evening about 5:41pm, the power was restored to us here, in the out skirts of Inarajan Village. My sister in law asked, "Are we not important?" The only solace I could give her, was to agree with her. Majority of the island was online by Thursday night, the other 30 percent, was those of us from Talofofo, Malojloj, Merizo, and Umatac. It felt like because we are the smaller communities, they took their time to put us back on the grid. All those with more population and more importance, had first dibs. It sad to think, that may be the case.

Something needs to change... Well, the positive to all this hub-bub, is our island did not suffer major damage and no one died. So, I'm thankful for that and for being alive. God's continued blessings to our little island.

I did receive some vintage goodies while waiting on the power!! I will share in the next post!

 Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

Piano Concerto by Bunbun!

 I had this idea in my head of a little concert played by my Rushton bunny. So, I took out few of the stuffed friends that were easy to get too, and put them in place. Then, I also took out my pink vintage toy piano from storage, and the lovely aqua faux fur swatch. Made a little set up and took some photos...   It was fun to create. Like this little guy was playing a lovely piano concerto for his sweet friends...

 I also used the same aqua fur to take some quick pics of these cuties. Love the color in the background created by the fur! Most especially, with my cute polka dotted deer couple!

 This guy came in Yesterday, he's an Astroboy medicom action figure. He has many parts to make him more animated and fun to play with too! I pre-ordered him last year, and he was supposed to be released since July. I guess production was delayed, no worries. I wasn't in a rush to pay! Haha. I love his sleep face most!

 Fun, with the messenger filters!! Haha.

 Also, the prisma app too! Then, I was able to pack and ship these two Cherry chan doll cuties, that were on commission for a friend via stateside. She got the, "Nighty-night Bad Girl Cherry", and "Geek Girl Kill Zombi Cherry"!! They are both so cute too! Glad I was able to help you, Shelley! Enjoy them dear!

Thank you for stopping by! ~ ggsdolls

Kitsch Finds...

Here's what came in the mail...

 On ebay, I found this lot of four Eden lithograph girl art prints. I love the frames and to find all four was a nice touch. Now, I can use two of the frames for other kitsch art prints. I do have the "Pensive" one already, but this version is nicer and no warping from water. Yay! These will be added to my collection. Then, I found on etsy this cute vintage sleepy puppy. His head is fully rubber, and I replaced his bow. No tag sadly, but I'm sure he is a "My Toy" plush. He measures about 10 inches long. He will live with my other plush friends for now.

 Next, I bought a fellow collector's creations, hellodollfaceshop, on IG. Molly makes these cute an amazing plaques with vintage craft plastic and rubber faces! I've always wanted to get some of her creations, but they sell out fast! This time, I was able to snatch up, 'Prudence', a sweet girl duck and she is a magnet. Love that duck face too! The other is 'Louis', and he likes tea, cakes, cookies, and looking spiffy with his bow tie and top hat. I just love his rosey cheeks most! LOL He's already hanging up on my wall.

 Molly was so sweet she even gave me a few gifts. I was in shock, honestly! Because the little gifts she gave me, were exactly what I've been searching for. If you recall, when I made the little ducky plush, I actually had a Lot of 2 ducks, 2 lambs, and 2 chicks rubber faces. When I was cleaning out my craft drawer, back in May, I must have accidentally threw the bag away. I've searched, high and low, since we got back from our summer vacation and they are no where to be found. Long story short, Molly gave me 2 lambs, and 2 owl rubber faces. Mind you, I didn't ask her too, she did this out of the goodness of her own heart. I couldn't believe my fortune and her kindness! Thank you sweet Molly for the gifts, I will treasure them! Please check out Molly's shop on etsy and facebook! She has amazing creations! I will definitely treasure mines!!

 Last, is another hand made creation by KCAgalma on etsy. She makes cute little furry plushies with similar Rushton type faces! So, of course when I saw her list this cute bunny, I just had to get one! He arrived, safely, even though the envelope he was in was crushed, and the tin can he was packed in, was crushed as well!!

 This OOAK bunny is about 7 inches long. He can sit up and arms, legs and head slightly movable. He's so darn soft and that face is just adorable. Very unique and will go greatly with my other hand made cuties!

 I almost forgot, I ordered some more business cards, my last set is just about finished. Moo does great with the smaller cards too and I like that there are more of them to use as gifts. More cuties in the pile too! Yay!

Thank you for looking! ~ ggsdolls

The Wonderful World of Nursery Kitsch!!

I wanted to do something a bit different from my usual posts. This time, I wanted to talk with you about the latest trend in vintage collecting... "Vintage Nursery Kitsch!" It's actually been around a few years now, but it's taking instagram by storm! I'm talking about the cheap nursery decor of the 50s through 70s, ceramics, dolls, toys, etc. Melanie Martinez is into it, and you can see it in her music videos, especially the latest one, "Madhatter", with Rushton type friends she interacts with.

I noticed it when I first signed up with instagram. Now, more and more of the collector friends I follow, and collect with, the more and more I see this trend in their collections too. Sadly, this vintage stuff ain't cheap, how odd is that, 'kitsch' isn't cheap these days!! Haha. 

It's like walking into their room, and all their decor is in pastel colors of blue, pink or yellow, or not, but still showing lovely, vintage ceramic nursery planters, figurines and decor. It's simply hard to resist. Since being on IG, my bedroom space is all pink and blue pastel with a lot of nursery decor in it too! LOL I'm also, absolutely smitten with Rushton Toy Company stuffed animals, along with Gund, My Toy, Knickerbocker and others!

Kitsch decor: Meyercord decals, come to mind, often sweet fuzzy bunnies, bears, ducks, etc. One can't resist, this on their walls, vintage doll cabinets, closets, and chairs. Ceramic planters, figurines with big eyes, and the like, of lambs, bears, cats, puppies, etc.

Kitsch Art: Big eyed waifs is another must, adding a lost little girl or boy, with Margaret Keane's style big eyes. Just as she said it, "The eyes are the windows to the soul." Beautiful boys and girls from Mojer, Lee, and Eden, just to name a few.

Kitsch Dolls and Toys: Rushton Toy company, bunnies, lamb, 'Chubby Tubby' bear, baby chicks, squeaks by Edward Mobley, Iwai, Ninohira, Woodland dolls, and more.

Even in Japan, the collectors there do the same, as well as in South Korea! It's nice to see what others collect and how the vintage things they find, makes each of us want something similar to decorate our spaces with. Well, for however long this trend lasts. I say enjoy it and decorate your favorite space, as much as you want! Like my sister always reminds me, "We only live once, we might as well enjoy it!" So true Lita, so true!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls