Most of the time I do not feel ashamed to be collecting AG stuff, even though I am *technically* an adult. Sure, sometimes my sisters will heckle me for keeping up with American Girl after all these years, but still I usually do not let it bother me. Today, however, was the first time that I felt like the odd man out about my hobby. I went to the doctor today. I was talking about my new job, and she asked me what type of things was I buying now that I had "so much money" (I don't). I told her that I was using part of the $$$ to buy things that I collect. Of course she then asked me what was it that I collected. "American Girl dolls", I replied. She gave me a blank stare, as if to say,"You still play with dolls?" Sometimes I worry that I'm wasting my time. I still care about my Molly doll-she's been w/ me for a while-but now I'm uncertain about whether or not this is normal to care about American Girls anymore. Any thoughts?
[editing to clarify: It's not so much I'm questioning whether this is a worthwhile hobby--because it is. Saying it isn't would be a slap in the face to the 400 strong members on this board. The thing that puzzles me is how quickly I picked up this hobby, seemingly out of nowhere. I thought for sure that I had lost interest in AG dolls for a long time. Then one day, I started looking through all my Molly stuff and *BAM* I was re-hooked into it.]
<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ March 07, 2006 02:31 PM: Message edited by: doobiedots ]</font>
You should have asked her what she collects and then gave her the blank stare back. Chances are she may not have known what american girl dolls are. There are over 400 american girl collectors on HB so I don't feel like I'm alone. I like to point out that AG dolls really hold their value unlike some things that other people collect that I would call clutter. To each his own...
I'm no adult, but I don't really see how you could question whether or not it is normal. I personally think that being normal is overrated, lol (I'm frequently told I'm weird, and I always reply with, "Thank you!"). Anway, all the members on this board love (I hope) collecting AG. It's a fun hobby, and if some random person doesn't appreciate that it makes you happy, then who cares?! As long as you enjoy collecting AG things, that's all that matters [img]smile.gif[/img] !
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">LOL!!!!! I thought the same thing!!! [img]smile.gif[/img]Originally posted by Ashley's Mommy:
You should have asked her what she collects and then gave her the blank stare back.
<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ March 06, 2006 06:38 PM: Message edited by: brazilian_girl ]</font>
I actually asked her if she knew what American Girl dolls were, and she said yes. I have to remind myself that there is a reason message boards like this one are created. It really isn't that big of a deal in retrospect. And I totally agree w/ your statement about the quality of American Girl dolls.
You should not feel bad at all. If the collecting dolls makes you feel good go for it. I'm a collector at heart. I have a big collection of Dicken's Village houses and Possible Dreams Santa's. Most of them cost in the $50 dollar range. I only get to enjoy them for 1 month out of the year (although before AG I used to leave out one of each during the year.) I love being able to see the dolls everyday of the year! Others collect stamps or coins or whatever. If you enjoy it don't worry what others think. Enjoy them!
My dear grandmother made dolls and always had her dolls around her until the day she died. I say who cares...if it give you pleasure collecting don't let what others think bother you.
I'm sure that if you knew all about dear doctor you might make a blank stare or two also!! [img]eek.gif[/img]
Life's too short!!!!!!!!!!! [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img]
Over the weekend, on my trip to Zion (Sophia's album is coming soon!) I felt really weird about carrying Sophia around, especially on the hikes...at first. It seemed like everyone had a comment. However, more often then not, they were positive. Some people did whisper and laugh a little, but I figured that they weren't having near as much fun as I was. No need to question your AG joy at all. There are plenty of adult collectors out there, and here on the board!
I know that look! I started to like AG dolls at an age where my perants wouldn't buy things for me much any more and expected me to save up my money and get a job. I don't *play* with dolls, I'm just *obsessed* with them! [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img] If you know what I mean. [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]biggrin.gif[/img]
I relish the fact that almost everyone thinks I'm weird and differnt! I encourage my daughter to march to beat of her own drums, not someone elses! It makes my DH proud when someone comments on how different I am and I was lucky enough to have parents that encouraged almost anything I was interested in. How boring the world would be if everyone liked the same things and did everything the same. We're all special and different even though we have some of the same interests. Who cares who does or doesn't like it. I hate housework and tend to do the 10 minute tidy when company comes over. Well my mother in law who is the neatest housecleaner in the world came over one day for a rubber stamping party and there was a great big cobweb hanging on the pie safe in the dinning room. She noticed it immediately and pointed it out to me.
My response.......Well, that just adds to the antique quality so that you get the whole picture.
She laughed and shook her head. I meant every word. I would much rather spend my free time doing crafts with my daughter who is growing up way too fast than to pull out the refrigerator and clean behind it. When I'm dead and gone no one will remember me for a clean house and normal life. Hopefully they'll say something like,
"Remember how funny she was? Always buying doll stuff and collecting everyones junk to use for crafts! She sure never worried about her house!"
My sister is 35 and still collects designer Barbies. She has no children so you can imagine.
A neighbors child tried to make my DD feel bad about playing with dolls. She told her only babies do that. Well my DD came back with,
" My mom said that people shouldn't make other people feel bad and make fun of them for things that make them happy. I would never let you or anyone else take away something that I like just because you say I shouldn't."
The little girl's mother called me and told me about it and how glad she was that it happened.
Guess what?????
Her daugher asked her mother if she could her Barbies back out of the attic so she could play with them. Her mom asked her why, because she thought the DD was too old for dolls.
The DD replied, "Mom, that's silly. I've always loved my dolls and there is no reason why someone should make me feel bad because of it."
Moral of the Story:
If you love it, and no one gets hurt and it's legal, do it. The only one that will be affected if you stop doing something you love is YOU!!!!
Relish in the fact that you are you and you are different and be proud of the fact that you are!
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