The perfect remedy...

For the past weeks I have been struggling with my health, have been facing fears and seeing Dr's, having tests and now await results. Through all of this, there have been a few things keeping me sane and so much to be grateful for.

One of these is my dear friend Mardi. She has checked on me, emailed me, and cyber held my hand as I headed off for tests that terrified me. During these past weeks, Mardi also (out of the blue) decided that she might like to adopt her very first Blythe doll. You should have heard my squeels of excitement when she told me. Mardi and I have always shared so many common interests and while it never bothered me that she wasn't 'into' Blythe, I secretly hoped that one day she might like one of her own.

I quickly set about finding her the perfect Blythe and shared her excitement as she opened her very first girl from her box - such a fun part of adopting Blythe. You can read all about Mardi's first Blythe HERE. Then, without mentioning anything to Mardi, I decided her Blythe needed a sister, so I ordered one for her and she arrived on Wednesday, just when Mardi was needing some distraction as well. You can read all about her second Blythe, and birthday present from me HERE. I truly believe that Blythes are a wonderful distraction, and a little bit of quiet in a busy day. I am thrilled to share this hobby with Mardi now too.

While on the topic of Blythe, another person who I am super grateful for is Jodie ($nuffy). I met Jodie at the National Blythe meet last year and instantly found a friend. Jodie has the most amazing talent in styling and photographing Kenner's (original Blythe dolls from 1972). When Jodie offered to do a little makeover for one of my Kenner's, I was beyond excited. To see the transformation of my Charlie girl was beyond amazing, she looked so very stunning. Here is what she looked like before I sent her for a visit with Snuffy.

And here she is after her transformation. Jodie buffed her face, styled her hair and added some blush, which brought out the colour of her lips so much more. To say I was blown away is an understatement. I was thrilled!

And as if this wasn't enough (which is totally was), Jodie also made me the most stunning 'Up in Flames' one of a kind dress and matching hair clip as a gift. I couldn't believe it. Jodie is one of the most generous people and it just proves to me once again that the Blythe community is filled with the most caring and generous friends. I am so grateful for this.

Last weekend was the Sydney Blythefest, and was something that I had been working towards attending for many months. I had been stitching madly, made and donated 5 outfits and a dolly quilt (forgot to photograph them), and also made 70 hair bows to pop into each of the gift bags.

You can imagine my utter disappointment when the tough decision had to be made on the morning of the meet, that I just wasn't well enough to attend. Thankfully my lovely hubby stepped in and was happy to attend and take the children for me. They were also so excited as they planned to enter competitions and meet up with online friends. It was set to be a wonderful day. Thankfully they kept contact with me throughout the day and also entered my dolls into the comps I had planned on entering.

Imagine my surprise, when one of my dolls won. My lovely Charlie girl won the Beauty Kenner competition and won the most amazing prize. All of the thanks to that win went to Snuffy though, so I happily packaged up and sent the prize down to her. You can read all about her reaction and see the presents I sent to her HERE and HERE.

One of the dear friends I hoped to meet at the meet was another online friend, Cassy. Cassy and I chat daily on Flickr and share photos and talk all things Kenner and Blythe. Cassy has also been checking on me while I have been unwell, and being such a supportive friend. I was so disappointed not to be able to meet Cassy (and so many other dolly friends) so will look forward to a mini meet soon. Cassy also spoiled me and sent home the most gorgeous dress that she made for me using a vintage handkerchief. I just love it and can't wait to meet Cassy in real life too.

If you would like to see some of the photos from Sydney Blythefest, you can see the photos that Emily took HERE. I wanted to say a HUGE thank you to Mandy who organised the event and made it so special for everyone who attended, and also because she was so understanding that I wasn't well enough to attend and help too.

My dear husband has been a wonderful support too. While juggling his two jobs, he has taken time off work to come with me while I have tests done, and listen to my worries and complaints as well as taking the kids where they needed to be. He also spoiled me greatly by paying off a Kenner I had on layaway while he was at the Blythe meet, and brought her home for me. I will share all about her in another blog post, but here is a photo I took of her yesterday.

He also spoiled me this week by picking up a new handbag for me. Those who follow my blog will know that I have been on the lookout for a new yellow handbag all year. The one that I cherish has started to fall apart, so I was hoping to one day replace it. While doing some online looking and wishing, I came across this one at Sportsgirl, and hubby agreed to pick it up after work for me. I just LOVE it and can't wait to be out and about again and able to use it.

I have so many other people who I am so grateful for. My parents who have helped so much with running around, doing dishes etc and who are always there and willing to help even when I am too embarrassed to ask. My students who have understood when I have had to cancel classes these past weeks, my twitter friends who have checked on me daily and understood my absence and my children who have worried and put up with me and my lack of energy too. I am grateful for dear friends who have emailed or sent me a text to check on me as well.

And finally, (because this blog post is super long), yesterday this box arrived for me from the lovely Emma of Ballarat Patchwork. I was so excited to see what was inside.

Upon opening it, I saw that Emma had spoiled me once again with a beautiful card, a perfect Mug and some delicious fabrics in super soft and pretty colours. I love them all and am so grateful to Emma for spoiling me and totally brightening my day too.

As you can see, I have had SO much to be grateful for while I have been unwell. I just wanted to say thank you to my dear friends and family for their help and support and for spoiling me so much too. I am hoping to be 100% again as soon as possible too, it's really no fun being unwell. Thanks for reading along and sharing a little of what has been happening in my world these past few weeks. I have more to share so will blog again soon. I hope all is well in your corner of the world xx Janelle