I am excited to announce the beginning of work on my own website Lovvbugg.com . I am hoping to have it running smoothly as soon as possible! Be sure to check back often to see its progress.

On my 4th birthday, she presented me with a dollhouse she'd had made for her by a carpenter nearby. The family for the dollhouse was made of Madame Alexander 8-inch dolls (Dick Whittington, my favorite story character at the time, was Maggie Mixup and lived in the attic!) and the furniture all came from Neiman-Marcus or was made by Mother. (I am sure it must have been in the Last-Call sale becuase we were far from rich!) She bought the dolls undressed, something that has been impossible to do for many, many years, and she made the most beautiful clothes for them. She must have sewed on them for months in advance. She gave me presents all during the day, after I had finished breakfast, after lunch, after I did a good job with my nap. I can remember that day very clearly because it was so much fun!

My mother took my play very seriously. She understood very well how important play is for a child. She always made sure I had the most creative toys she could find. This was because of her own parents and Auntie, as well as because of her art school training. I was excited when I saw my first American Girls Collection catalog, not long after the first three dolls were introduced. A friend brought it to me. It made me want to be a little girl again so much that it gave me a funny feeling in my stomach! Fortunately I had two little girls of my own. A few years later I had my third little girl. Lucky me! We slowly made quite a collection of items for our dolls.