So, I’m back! Trying
to keep up, but setting up the museum takes all I’ve got these days. It is a small, but temporary space, a chance
for us to begin while we pursue a larger building for our permanent home.
My friends have stepped up in unimaginable ways, from
Michele, who made the building available, to Diane, her business partner who
has helped with supplies, and costumes, and doll accessories, to Dick and Nancy
who have offered their help in so many ways.
Gloria, Caroline, Clara, Jill, Marie, Kathy, and Nancy S.,
and everyone else who has donated dolls to us, to the Friedken family for the
little trike, and to everyone at Good Will, Salvation Army, Erin at Rescued,
Dennis of The Treasure Chest, and our many friends in the antique and thrift
community who have helped me, and given me encouragement and advice. I wish my Mom and Dad were here, and my doll
friends now gone, Mary Hillier, Stephanie Hammonds, Mikki Brantley, and so many
more wonderful writers and doll artists, my friend and pen pal, R. Lane Herron
who currently writes for Doll Castle News, and so many others.
Believe in your passion, follow it, and you will be
happy. Success is measured not by
monetary gain, but by true happiness. It
has taken me my entire life to get here; I started collecting when I was three,
and I never met a doll, or toy, I didn’t like.
I studied, my folks helped me travel, my Dad carried home dolls from all
over the world, even one given to me from executives of Mitsubishi. My mother made them, repaired them, dressed
them, and put up with old things, which she really didn’t like. At least, not at first; she changed her mind
later. My husband, Dino, has been a huge
help, my editor, my best friend, my navigator in this journey. Our friend Greg,
gone too soon, believed in me, and Mark, our other friend, contributed a lot.
I’ve had antique adventures with my friends Rosie, Lori,
Nancy T, Danyelle, and more. My Aunt
Rosie and Uncle Tony looked everywhere for old dolls for me, and Rosie made
them in her ceramics studio for me. My
Uncle Tom brought one home each week for me, and my Uncle George cruised Berkley
We hope to open November 30, 2019, Small Business Saturday;
for the first time in a long time, I’m looking forward to something, and the
sun is shining again. Thank you to all
who read me blogs and postings, and to those who have bought and read my books.
Thinking outside the Doll House, A Memoir, will be out
soon. You can read my entire doll story
there. Thank you, and I love you all!
