Thoughts on Sasha Collecting and a Confession...

It can be very easy to get caught up in the whole Sasha 'thing', wanting more and more dolls...there is always something different that you haven't got and would like.  The last couple of days I have done some hard thinking, partly due to a comment that was made to me a week or so ago and then when I was offered one of my 'dream dolls' from my wish list.  With more and more people blogging about their wonderful dolls and of course ebay and Shelly's fabulous Sasha site, it is very easy to get caught up in the whole 'wanting' mode, often thinking that we 'need just one more'.  But it doesn't really happen like that does it?  There is ALWAYS just ONE more of course, it is knowing just when to stop for a while and take stock and learn to really appreciate what you do have.  I think in many ways those people with just one or two dolls have got it just right.  I know I would find it very difficult to have just one or two dolls.  I am a collector by heart and nature and have always collected something in one form or another with dolls being my main hobby (besides music & clarinets) the last few years. Since my injury & operation and the subsequent nerve damage, dolls have largely taken over and given me much distraction and solace as well as helping me focus on the positive by allowing me to still be able to create things through sewing and knitting.

Anyway after speaking to a lovely friend last night I got to thinking as she helped put things in perspective for me.  In the last year I have been very lucky with the dolls my husband has bought for me, and the ones I have bought for myself.  I need to appreciate the ones I have rather than continually lusting after some more (for want of a better phrase).  I am gong to remove most of the items on my wish list - after all it just puts a type of pressure on me that I don't need.  

I have no idea what expenses I may to incur while visiting my parents so need to prioritise what is important. So although I was offered one of my dream dolls, and one that I would dearly love to own, her being exactly what I had envisioned, it is sadly not to be at this point in time.  Who knows maybe later in the year I may be in a better position to save some money to buy another doll at some stage.  But I will think first, before rushing in.

Sometimes we need a wake up call.  I believe I have got so absorbed in trying to cope with the continual pain and inability to play music, teach and work that I have tried to 'buy' my happiness and distraction, and yet really I have it all already.

Having had that wake up call, around 4am this morning, I need to tell my friends that I also have a confession to make.  Last year, quite a few months ago now, Mark bought me a 1967 NP Red Hair Ballet girl and I have felt so guilty about having her ever since she arrived.  I have felt guilty about letting him spend so much money on a doll (although she was cheaper than some I have seen!), it has seemed like madness and I have also been almost too scared to do anything with her and she has just stood on my desk staring at me unnamed...Her strings are very loose and she flops quite a lot and her fringe has been trimmed significantly, but she is still beautiful.  So I really haven't been enjoying her, or appreciating her like I should.  So silly.  

Anyway, today after receiving a beautiful outfit I bought from Ebay, I decided to start appreciating and enjoying her.  I tightened her strings, did her hair and dressed her in the new outfit that really suits her beautifully.  She has also finally been given a name, Lucy.  So without further ado let me introduce my lovely Lucy for you.

Her arrival...

Sasha welcoming her...

Helping her out of the box...

Dressed in a lovely Dolly Doodles outfit...

Finally, after some primping and tightening of strings and dressed in her new beautiful outfit, made by Wendy (ebay seller bambino*bello), Lucy finally feels like she belongs.

A stray hair over her face

 Cuddling her special teddy.

Well I bet you didn't expect that?!