December 9,2018

We are well underway in our 2018 Christmas season. This year we have pared way down from our production values of the past. We are making about half of what we have made in the past. It is a much more sane way to do things! No more 14 hour days! Looking forward to a blessed Christmas season with family. Rita and I send our very best to you and your family Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

been waaaay too long!

New Years Day 2017! Happy New Years! This year begins a new avenue for our Little Darlins Nursery business to enter. In the past, our main focus was making "custom" reborn dolls. This means you would choose hair and eye color, clothing, etc. Now we hope to offer some "ready-made" dolls. Which means we make the doll at our own discretion, and you simply purchase it. Instead of waiting about forty-five days, it would be delivered in three to four days. We will still offer the custom, but this is a new way we can reach our customers. It will be interesting to see what becomes of it! Happy New Year everybody! David

Mason, a Christmas joy!

On Saturday my sister Linda Sue took Rita and I to our annual Christmas pageant. It is always a wonderful break from the craziness of making dolls just before Christmas (even elves need a break!). The beginning features some wonderful Christmas choral selections performed by different chorales my the Citrus Hill college. Its my favorite part. Absolutely love it. But! I got to meet Mason. A five-year-old bundle of Down's syndrome enthusiasm and hope. Mason was antsy as all five-year-olds are, anxious to see Santa. Mommy dutifully laid out the program for Mason so he could understand that he had to wait. First the singing, then the intermission and a snack, and then Santa! Mason was, at first, a little overwhelmed but so excited at the same time. Mason did pretty well waiting. He played with the seat and played musical laps with Mom and Dad. Things went as Mom had said. Singing. Intermission. Snack. Its time! The lights dimmed. The music brought the few stragglers to their seats. The music came to a crescendo! The curtain rose! SANTA!!!!!! I must tell you, this old mad relived his joy of Christmas in that very moment. Little Mason, held in Daddy's lap, had a look of joy, excitement, and absolute bliss, and clapped like no one ever has. That very moment, will live inside me forever. Mason was ensconced from then on in Daddy's lap and love, and paid rapt attention to the entire program. Finally, he got to go up on stage to meet Santa and get his candy cane treat. My absolute joy was watching him. In one moment, I got to relive the anticipation of Santa, the Christmas joy of Christmases past, the joy of being a Daddy and giving that to my children, and I felt a part of it all. Isn't that what we all want? To be a part of it all. I loved it so very, very, much. Thank you sis. Thank you Mason. David

The move...

It has been way too long since I last posted to my blog! Since my last post we have painted the office and installed new carpeting. AND NOW! Our doll making production area is moved out of the dining room where it has resided for six years, and is fully ensconced in the office. Rita finally has her own computer. All the doll clothes are hung up in a closet instead of on a table or hanging on a drying rack. We are next to the printer/copier. All my fabrics and patterns are in sight so I can plan my next outfit and know what supplies I need. We have a much cleaner, neater environment. And if it does get messy, we can shut the door! We have a dining room! We can actually eat there. And invite people over without having to rush around and make room. There are still a few little kinks to work out, but it is good. Rita and I both are looking forward to the Christmas rush with a little more hope in our hearts. We have made plans about decorating for Chistmas. It won't be at the last minute, rushing around with loads of stress. Hope is in the air. Orders are coming in. We prayed long and hard that the Good Lord would bless our efforts. We prayed He would help us move into the office. He did. Now we pray he bless our little dolls that they will be a blessing to their new mommies. Thank you Jesus. Just plain, thank you. My cup overflows. David

Rudeness is as rudeness does.....

Yesterday Rita and I did our monthly shopping at Wal-Mart. We bought about four hundred dollars worth. Being frugal, we do the price comparisons that Wal-Mart offers. On their ads, they allow you to price match any competitors ads. That means we can get their meats, produce, dairy items all at sale prices in one store! Doing this comes at a price though. It takes a lot of time to ring up our order. We explain to people behind us that it takes a while and they may want to get into a different line. I figure, its their choice. To me, doing this just makes sense. If I can get quality items for much less money in one place, then we will have more money in my pocket when we are done. Rita and I work hard for our money. We worry about our business. We weather through the lean times. We work our "tooshies" off in the fat times. But it is our money. We earned it. So when we are in line, and we explain to you that it will take some time to ring up our order, believe it. Yesterday, an older "gentleman" became very frustrated. He started yelling at the cashier. She was new, it wasn't her fault. Then the worst part happened. He became racist. Our clerk was Hispanic, new to her job, and a bit frustrated. She was doing her absolute best to follow the rules and ring things up right. She had to ask for clarification on a few items. It just takes time. When our rude "gentleman" started speaking VERY loudly, I told him he wasn't helping and asked him to calm it down a bit. He was rather chagrined. A bit later, he said in a very loud voice "she doesn't even speak English!" I responded very firmly that she spoke very good English and stared him in the eye. He knew I wouldn't budge. He walked away spouting his invective at anyone that was in earshot. Disgusting. At least he went away. The clerk was rattled and stressed out. There is no excuse for behaving badly. He had the choice. He was told it would take a while. But he didn't get what he wanted. He wanted it now. And he didn't get it. Luckily, the clerk had more class in her little toe than this man had in his entire life. She was tired, frustrated, and rattled. She thanked us for being patient, and we apologized for that man. At least she didn't have to ring him up. I seriously doubt that man felt even the slightest bit guilty for how he behaved. Rudeness. No excuses. None. David

To paraphrase....

Yesterday is a memory. Tomorrow is but a dream. But today, THIS day, is full of possibilities. Its a new day, make it yours! David

On this Labor Day

I enjoy the end of summer, the chance to celebrate the end of one season and the beginning of another. On this Labor Day, I must work some. Yesterday was a day off. Really. We took a day off. We talked, read some scripture, enjoyed one another's company, ate, and ate some more. I truly love spending time with my sweetheart. Everyday. The blessings just keep piling on. Being with Rita, makes me want to be a better man. Sometimes I feel like I don't deserve her. It is so darned easy to become complacent. Doing the same thing, day in, day out, makes me feel like I am living life by rote. But, now and then, Rita does or says something that makes me laugh, or puts me in awe, and I am reminded that I messed up my last relationship and don't want to do it again. I have been given the ultimate second chance in life. I need to make sure Rita knows how much I love her. Everyday. David As always, your thoughts and comments are always welcome.