Restoring Christmas Memories

Restoring Christmas Memories

Secret Santa Blog Hop



Return to the main blog hop page and directions here.

On Thanksgiving this year, my sister brought me a very special gift, a restored Christmas toy. Patty Playpal was a three-foot tall doll who could actually stand up all on her own (if you posed her just right.) The Christmas I got her, my grandmother even made me a dress to match Patty’s. She was my companion whenever I played house. I have a picture of the two of us playing together (I'm on the right, in case you can't tell us apart).

Patty, however, had two defects related to her construction. Her head and arms were connected together by some very strong rubber bands. Because of her size, I first tried to drag her around by wrapping an arm around her neck and pulling. Her neck extended and then retracted, pinching my arm. I learned quickly to avoid doing that. Her arms also had tendency of disconnecting from the rubber band.

My sister and a friend also decided that Patty needed a haircut, and they obliged her. The first picture is obviously prior to the "trim."

When we found her in the attic after my mother passed, Patty wasn’t in good shape—slightly bald, armless, and with about forty years of neglect.

The restoration was phenomenal. Patty’s head and arms were reconnected, her face repainted with just the right amount of blush, given some new clothes, and her hair trimmed and styled (such an "in" feather cut). She’s now resplendent, as you can see here. My sister gave me more than just a restored doll. She also presented me with some restored memories of Christmas past.

 What about you? Is there a special toy or other item that brings back memories for you? Leave a comment below for a chance at a copy of REINDEER WARS or follow the directions below for even more prizes.

Secret Santa Blog Hoppers:

The hop runs from midnight Dec. 17th to midnight Dec, 19th.

You get three entries at each blog stop. One for answering a question at each blog stop, one for following each blog and another for commenting. You don't have to do it all but it gives you a better chance if you do. So even if you stop by just one blog you can win. Hope you will keep hopping though.

After you are finished hopping send Tabby (careydoucet@yahoo.com) an email and tell her which blogs you went to and what you did at each. You are not required to go to every blog to win but the more blogs you go to the better your chance of winning is. Send info all in one email.

Return to the main blog hop page and directions here.