Problem, need help!

[felicityprincess04]

Okay this might be kind of confusing [img]redface.gif[/img]

My very first doll was Kirsten. By very first doll I mean I got her when I was around 5. I cut her hair, I scratched her vinyl, tore the cloth on her body, and took her everywhere. She has silver eye, her toenails and fingernails are painted and chewed on, and to sum it up, shes basically a mess. [img]graemlins/whatever.gif[/img] However, I still have her but I don't really consider her part of my collection one because she just looks horrible!

At the same time, I'm trying to thin out my collection. In another post someone suggested putting away some dolls for a couple of days and seeing what it would be like without them. I'm probably going to do this with my AGT 22, Josefina, and Marisol. And while they are in storage I won't consider them part of my collection...it would make me sad by doing so. By putting them away unless I could absolutely not stand being without them, they will be away for a while and not be part of my collection.

I know, it sounds mean! But it's the only way to do it without selling anything. If I put those 3 away then I would only have 5 dolls, but I plan on getting another AGT next year, and then one more doll, and this is where the Kirsten problem comes in...

I want Addy...she would be my only African American doll and I LOVE her stories! But I promised myself only one more doll. So, one of my questions is should I buy Addy, or fix Kirsten? It's actually a really hard debate because Kirsten was my very first doll and I would feel guilty just leaving her neglected still but Addy is just so cute! And I can't decide what to do! Help! What would you do?

And about the thinning the collection thing...does that sound too harsh? What would you do? I frankly have no idea how I'm going to do this. I wish I could just sell some dolls and not have any emotion about it but when I think about selling a doll all of the great memories come back! [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img] I saved up for Josefina for almost a whole year when I was a kid, AGT 22 I got in NYC, and Marisol is my LE! I've confused you all, I know. Lol. Well, if anyone can help, please do!

Thanks!
Elle [img]graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

[dornroeschen]

One thing I know for sure is, I would never be able to give up my first doll, no matter if she looks like a zombie or still as good as new. She would be very special - not just talking about AG's in particular could be any make, just the fact that she's my first doll.

As you said she's been with you for most of your life and had many adventures with you. However, you also mention the special value/memories Josefina, AG22 and Marisol hold for you. So I think you're not really ready to give them away. Try putting them away for a short while, you'll see how you feel about them then.

[jamieplus3]

I agree with Brigitte. Don't ever part with your first doll. My mom did not save my favorite doll from childhood, and I ended up having to buy one on Ebay a few years ago. (For those who were around in the 70s, she is a Baby Crissy... the one with red hair that "grows".) I am glad I have the "new" Baby Crissy, but it is not the same as if I had my own original doll.

As for the others... I think you should just not worry about how many dolls you have, or what kind of promises you make to yourself (such as only getting one more doll). Circumstances change, and you never know... you might have a whole wing full of dolls in your mansion some day. [img]smile.gif[/img] In the meantime, rotate them in and out of display every once in awhile, according to what you have room for. Everyone needs a little change in scenery every once in awhile. [img]smile.gif[/img]

As for the Addy/Kirsten thing... I would get Addy since you seem to really want her. You can always fix up your Kirsten a little later.

Good luck!

Jamie

[aggirl479]

My first American Girl doll, Kit, whom I received for my seventh birthday back in February of 2001, is the most special of all of my Amerian Girl dolls. Although I love all three of my American Girl dolls, Kit is the most special to me because she was my first one. I would never be able to give her up! She does look pretty bad (shiny, dirty vinyl, marks on her face and legs, etc.), I don't care. I would love Kit no matter how she looked. So, my advice to you is to keep Kirsten no matter what. Even if you feel like you might want to get rid of her now, if you do, you might regret sometime in the future.

[cami713]

I agree with what's already been said.

Deffinitly fix up Kirsten, as she was your first doll. That will mean so much more to you in the future.

We sent Samantha in to the hospital for a new head, as her hair wasnt as curly as it should have been, before I put my dolls away for a few years, I was really pleased when she came back as gorgeous as ever, (still a PM head, I'm happy to say). And I'm even more pleased I did it now that I'm back into the dolls.

I think the idea of putting a few away, but not selling, is a wonderful idea, if you're feeling overwhelmed. I wouldn't do that because I love having the dolls model clothes!

If you want Addy, you should get her, too. She's lovely, and her books are some of the best AG books.

If you restore Kirsten, how are you going to go about it? Getting a new AG head? rewigging her, or what?

[felicityprincess04]

Yes, new head ONLY. No new body replacements, just a body cleaning. Do you think I would have to pay for the cleaning seperately? [img]graemlins/hmmm.gif[/img]

[kitti515]

Unless you need to get rid of dolls for financial reasons, I would strongly advise that you keep all your current dolls. I think your storage plan sounds like a good one. Regarding the Kirsten/Addy debate, I think you should get Addy if she really appeals to you. How much you want to fix up Kirsten is your call - you could try to just clean her a bit yourself (as another adventure?), or you could send her in. I personally would feel odd sending in my Lissie for a new head, but I'm just weird like that, and if your doll really needs it, it might be the best thing. I just think you should think about the head thing carefully. You can't get the old head back, so make sure you wouldn't miss 'the old Kirsten'.

Good luck with whatever you decide. [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img]

- Becca