Unexpected Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day can be depressing.  I have no boyfriend.  I had to eat my heart shaped pizza alone.
However, all was not lost.  I have a brother.

A few days ago, I shot an idea I had for a photo story.  However cute I thought it would be, I had no idea my brother was going to make it into the sweetest animation.  I beg of you, watch this video.  Not only did he write the music, but he animated every photograph so that each flowed into a little movie.

I am in love with how this turned out, but I'm especially in love with my brother and this incredible gesture of talent.  Here are some of the photos from the story if you don't wish to go through all the effort of clicking on the link (but I suggest you do because it would make me incurably happy).

Happy Valentine's Day!  I hope yours was as full of love as mine. 

Sydney 

P.S.  I received my own card in the mail today from a "secret admirer" with a $25 American Girl gift card enclosed.  Today was unexpected.  It was a special kind of happy.

The Superbowl for a Doll?

Oh good, it's football time.

Let us all gather around the television and watch men in tights lunge after a ball while the people we love scream and yell.  I think this is such a splendid, intelligent notion.

Yes.

In years past, I have retreated up to my room to hide under the covers with Netflix or book.  However, today I will not be so lucky.  You see, my father tactfully bribed me to sit through the entirety of the game.  If I watch--and the Seahawks win--he will buy me a new American Girl doll.

At first I thought he was joking.  A doll = a football game?  How could I possibly say no!  Perhaps the Seahawks may not win, but what if they did and I let this fantastic chance merely slip through my fingers because I didn't wish to watch men run across the screen?  I can like men if I have to.

I'll let you know if I survive.

In other news, here are some photographs of Jack.

Yeah, see what a real man looks like?  You wouldn't find him wearing tights! 

Nah, he's good with simply wearing tight jeans.  They're so much groovier and you don't feel obligated to hurl yourself at a ball (or other men) while wearing them. 

I'd even go so far to say that he's a stud in his new outfit.  Yeah, don't let it go to your head, Jack. 

Let's have everyone root for the Seahawks so I get my doll, because this is a good plan.  Otherwise all of my watching will be for not. 

First Boy Custom: Jack and His Twin Sister, Gypsie

All through adolescence, I never experienced the "hating boys" phase.  Until I was seven, my best friend was a boy.  He then went through his "hating girls" phase and that was the end.  I stayed loyal and true to the thought of us going on our adventures after this temporary set back, but unfortunately, as he began to gradually rise from this needless repelling of the opposite sex, he moved far away--and that was the end.

Can I stop talking about boys now?  I was trying to be clever and tie this story into my photographs, but it kinda dissolved into a miserable parking lot puddle of memories.  Let's not go back.  Nay, let us look at the present moment: this is Jack, and he is a boy who would never hate girls or move away.  What a gentleman.

Formerly a Nellie, I scalped him mercilessly, stuffed him under a bed, and awaited the arrival of a wig from Monique.  This took a while.  I then put it on his head.  Ta-da!  A boy.  A boy who looks like a boy (as opposed to a boy who looks like a girl).   This was the ultimate goal. 

And here he is looking all studly in his button up shirt with the sleeves strategically rolled to make him appear handsomer.

Oh, and did I mention?  He has a twin. 

Gypsie, his sister, was created with a Marie Grace and Ruthie Wig.  I wanted them to look alike, but still have a different face mold.  

Double the trouble?  Double the cuteness?  They sure didn't double my bank account.  That's okay.  I kinda like them anyway. 

I Return With the Next Installment!

Was my cliffhanger suspenseful enough?  Did I manage to drive you all to madness while I sat here behind the scenes laughing at my little scheme?

That's as good as an apology gets, folks.

Before we get into why I haven't posted in four months, let me ease your dying suspicion.

Part 2: Gypsie's Grandfather 

 On her mysterious adventure, Gypsie was toting her Radio Flyer full of American pride to her great grandfather's grave.  

He died during WWII

While you should be debating if all this time between blogging ventures was worth the second installment, please don't.  Logic will rule in your favor and out of mine.

So, let's count my excuses according to month:

In July I worked at two summer camps, plus my father's birthday landed somewhere in the mix.  I auditioned and joined a lindy hop dance team, and I had a sleepover with a friend, which totally took up all my time and creative effort.  

Of course in August I didn't have much of anything going on besides rehearsals and the beginning of swim lessons.  I got this fantastic notion of becoming a lifeguard and I was positive I could do it in a month.  Evidently self confidence isn't the only component needed.  

September welcomed me with an impromptu Chemistry course along with our pretentious state fair. 

However, no matter how it big may think it is for its britches, the fair did invite my brother and I to class up the joint with our snazzy singing duo.  We performed thrice on an unknown stage in the middle of the building everyone avoids.  

But at least we tried. 

At the end of the fair I started my first quarter of college.  And now, with it being November, I'm still working on my first quarter of college.  You don't have to be Sherlock to figure out my life in October.  I think Mrs. Hudson has even a fair shot at guessing.

And thus are the conclusionary tales of me.  Now go outside and rake the lawn!  Your decomposing leaves await you. 

Fireworks and Radio Flyers

I have great hope that my fellow Americans celebrated Independence Day with a scrumptious bang yesterday evening.  Sorry England, but you should be mourning your loss of the rebels...therefore no party.
I did in fact think ahead for this auspicious occasion for all of my lovely followers.  On Monday evening, I happened to shoot some photographs.  Of a doll.  In a field.

They make me happy.

Obviously that should be enough to make you happy too, but I don't want another Boston Massacre, so the pictures will be uploaded shortly.
But to make this a bit more interesting, I think I'll add a bit of suspense.  Because that leaves the reader coming back for more.  So, let me introduce to you the world of parts.


Part 1: The Mysterious Wagon

What can Gypsie possibly be doing with this vintage Radio Flyer wagon?  Is there a mysterious mystery going on that you must wait for until next time?  Well, you'll have to figure that out for yourself while I go back to bed.  It's firework hangover time. 

Summer Crushes

This post will probably not interest many of you.
It should, though.  Because it interests me.  And I'm running the blog.  So read on.

I have a mission today.  It is to educate you and you're brains which may know nothing of this photo.

This is 'The Man.' 

I do not have many crushes, but when I do begin to start feeling myself falling into the orbit of never ending love, I will know one thing.  He is dead.  It's a terrible habit of mine.  I should probably shake it somehow, but, my darlings, who would want to after looking into those dazzlingly blue eyes?  

Black and white photographs have a very swaying affect on how you view a person.  They make him (or said person, naturally) more dashing, more chivalrous, and more...more positively perfect.  But dear old Frankie, The Man, doesn't need to be taken down to grayscale.  Especially when displayed with these two.

Yes, even in color I still feel a bit weak at the knees.

IT'S FRANK SINATRA.  Who wouldn't?  Oh yeah, I guess Bing Crosby and Dean Martin are in there too...don't want to let them feel left out.  

But alas, they are all deceased.  Gone with the wind.  Dead beyond repair.  And yet, even with such hopeless information, you will never encounter a groovier trio of magnificence.  Classy, I think the word is.  Smooth.

So be educated and follow my lead.  Please swoon over dearest Frankie and listen to his records and watch his multiple movies.  I have a scrapbook in his honor.  When I am sad, I look at it.  And then I'm not sad.

P.S. Here's a doll photo as a reward for looking at photos of old men in suits. 

In Summer

I'll finally see a summer breeze blow away a winter storm; and find out what happens to solid water when it gets warm...

Most certainly it is summer.  We're having the most ordinary summer weather here.  Yes, summer.  Thanks for the rain.  Of course we were expecting you.  Enjoy your stay. 

But honestly, I could not be more elated to have a no school life.  College starts this fall and my homeschooling days are over.  I am off!  Onward my voyage to become more learn-ed and smart-ed.  My finals are over, my registration is done, and here I am, filling my brilliant mind with such a stimulating occupation.  

Indeed my friends, I am babysitting.  And I am tired.  But to move aside from this incredibly fascinating subject, let me bring you to the attention of a doll.  Because we all know why you're here.  

I am very happy with her eyes.  In fact, I think I'll tell her.

To whom it may concern:

Your eyes are spectacular.  You looked into the sun just the way I asked, even without your sunglasses perched across your nose as the eye specialist advised.

Sincerely,

The Photographer

And by the way, this book is far above and beyond.  It's better than the sensation of popsicles on your tongue after a run.

And then you must climb trees.  It's a summer 'yes.'  If you haven't, I pity you.  But don't climb my tree.  For it is mine.  Find your own.

 Of course, if you happen to climb my tree with roller skates, by all means do so.  I will watch through the lens of my camera.  

All in all, the first two weeks of my little summer have been good.  But it's time for a sleepover with myself.  You know the kind; Pinterest until dawn, PollyAnna playing in the background, and then sleep.  Sleepy sleep with no words popping into my head like babysitting, run, or get up.  That is my happy.  It will come, dear friends.  I have hope.