The Return of the Charli-doll

Brad has set up the equipment to make "Charli-dolls" again. This is a craft invented by his grandfather, Charlie, and manufactured in his home for many years. When we cleaned out his house in California, we packed up the essential Charli-doll stuff and shipped it "back east." Last week Brad and his father bought some plastic eggs and we started drawing the faces. The other day Brad produced a proto-type...the first Charli-doll made in several years. I think his satisfaction must have been equalled only by Saruman's when the first Uruk-hai burst forth from the muddy earth. (Except Brad did not bellow, "You shall eat Man-Flesh!" as he beheld his fresh creation. Although, he may have. I wasn't actually there. And the Charli-doll did not immediately reach out and murder someone.)

ANYWAY...This afternoon, Grandpa and I went out to Michael's to get some new yarn- the biological material of these dolls. He seemed totally stunned at the massive variety on display in that store. I forced myself not to think of the piles of industrial sized spools of yarn that we had to throw away in California, just because there were too many of them to send back. We bought several skeins, and then hopped over to Target, to peruse the candy aisles. Candy, you see, is the other essential biological material of these dolls. Why else do you think I would be involved? Candy? I'm there!

We found Jelly Bellies with no problem...in fact, there were tons of those little bins where you can shovel out your own chosen amount and assortment of jelly bellies into a little bag to buy....But it was more cost effective to just buy the pre-bagged kind. I was wandering the aisles looking for LifeSavers- another, even more crucial biological material- and failing utterly, when I came around the corner and had the distinct impression that Grandpa had been sampling the jelly belly wares. Oh dear. I suppose one or two would be okay, and I guess that's all it was...but seeing as how there was no little "Sample- 5 cents" box, like those Brach's candies displays have sometimes, I did not feel comfortable enough to nab a few myself, using the old "five finger discount." I just ignored it, and stepped into the next aisle, hoping that if some security guard came careening around the corner and nabbed him for shoplifting jelly bellies, that I would be far enough removed to not be seen as "in cahoots" with this man. And I didn't exactly want to confront him on the scene because that probably WOULD bring the authorities running...

We did manage to get safely away.

( To be fair, I'm sure Grandpa didn't realize that he wasn't supposed to be eating the Jelly Bellies from the bins...)

And tomorrow...the production continues, full scale! ( Albeit, with LifeSavers a la California, which means they may be of questionable age...So if you happen to be the lucky recipient of one of these dolls in the near future --which you probably won't, because I know they'll be gone in about ten minutes flat to all the children of the neighborhood--I advise you to skip the LifeSavers. Just go straight for the Jelly Bellies- inside the plastic-egg head.)

Wedding Nightmare

Okay. What is the deal with stressful dreams of late?

Last night, I found that I was at Fairwood, getting ready to attend Jeff and Fritha's wedding. Uh, change of plans, I guess. I had thought they were going to get married in Florida...but ...WHATEVER. So, they asked me to sing at their wedding- in real life, not just in the dream- and as I made my way to the chapel, I realized that I didn't have my guitar. It was up in my car at Fairview. Argh. So, with minutes to go before the bridal processional, I had to charge up the hill - in the cold, gray rain- to find my guitar. And then, as I entered the church dragging the guitar, panting, puffing, bedraggled- somehow, still moments before the wedding started- I realized that I was also missing the piece of paper on which I had written the words and chords of the song...I was inches from wild-eyed panic. Man! Talk about irresponsible and disorganized! I was so glad to wake up and realize it was all just a dream. I hope this isn't a bad omen about my performance at the real wedding- still six weeks away. Now I'll be real careful to make sure I bring the guitar and music...

Usually, it's the bride who has nightmares about her wedding. I can't imagine Fritha being so stressed that she would have bad dreams about it...so I guess I will volunteer to take care of that aspect for her.

That Turner Team!

Last night I dreamed that I went to China with the Turner family. Well, in the dream, their name wasn't The Turners...but it was them just the same. We were in some bus station or airport or some such place and some woman came up and started asking me some questions. Her English was remarkably good; I was impressed. While we were talking, the Turners left without me! I remember being totally panic stricken, not knowing where to go. Alone! In China! The things nightmares are made of! Later in the dream, I sat alone in the dark airport/bus station and heard the Turners on a radio program. Apparently, they had all ended up in a very leaky tent and so I was sort of relieved that I hadn't stuck with them. I mean, come on...Who would take a damp tent when you could have a dark bus station in China all to yourself?

What does this dream signify? Does it signify that I feel abandoned? Does it confirm the age old truth your parents drilled into your head: "Don't talk to strangers!"? Does this mean I am being called to China as a missionary? Does it suggest that the Turners are a hasty bunch and not to be trusted? Does this prove the Proverb wrong, " Better a dish of vegetables in a lonely bus station, than the king's vittles in a leaky tent with The Turners." ?

( In reading this post to Brad before publication, he said, " At this point, I think you're high from illicit narcotics.")

Yes, I am thoroughly nuts.

I also dreamed that one of my front bottom teeth fell out. But not on the China trip. There would be NO interpreting that strange combination.

P.S. No Turners were harmed during the making of this post. In fact, I really like the Turners. Especially Ruth. I think Ruth must have tried to not leave me behind in the dream. But the rest of them must have just swept her along. There's no way of really knowing.