Missing Childhood: Polly Pocket

I was looking through the blogverse the other day, and came across this article by Chrystal over at Yumeating, about getting rid of beloved toys that her daughter was outgrowing, and it got me thinking about the toy I miss most from MY childhood. The Original Polly Pockets.

Back in the 90's it seemed like every one of my friends had at least three or four of these freaking lockets, and the envy was real. I grew up with not a lot of money, so I never really got the newest toys, but thankfully my friends let me play with theirs, and let me tell you, I was so in love with these it was sad.

The original Polly figures weren't anything to toot your horn at, but they were tiny enough to fit in the miniscule rooms and environments held in the lockets, and that was good enough for me! I had huge adventures at my fingertips, living out everything from the dainty princess, to the happy housewife, and much more. Most of the lockets only had a couple of moving parts, if any, but that didn't limit my imagination any less. I could dance with the prince in the castle courtyard, or have tea in the sitting room, or just go to the mall like to oh so amazing teenagers I couldn't wait to grow up to be.

Look at this magical mofo! It has lights and everything! That was some advanced tech for my childhood.

 After a year or so of pining almost desperately for a Locket of my own, I was surprised one day with this freaking amazing set. The Polly Pocket Magical Mansion. I was OVER THE FREAKING MOON, and for a few more years, I did nothing but play with this set, living out dreams of fancy adulthood with the M.A.S.H husband I had decided on.

And then one day, I just didn't play with it anymore. It eventually got sold for a fraction of the price at a yard sale, and I had decided that my time with Polly was over. It's sad really, to realize you've outgrown something you so loved as a child. But here's the thing about adulthood....you gain the ability to once again own the toys you loved as a kid! So if anyone happens to know of someone with a Polly Pocket Locket that might be rotting away in an attic or something, let me know. I want to give it a good, and very loving home again.

Where there any toys from your childhood you would love to have again?

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

Ralph...

Sometimes I come across useless videos or photos that make me laugh, and sometimes I come across useless videos or photos that make me let out an unholy and inhuman pterodactyl screech in sheer joy.

This is one of those videos.

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

Fallout Shelter: Not Your Normal Apocalypse Game

This is NOT a sponsored post. It's just a game I'm into, and I wanted to share.

Well, I got a new phone a couple of weeks ago, and I've been spending a bit of time browsing the Google Play store looking for apps or games to amuse me in my spare time. I don't normally find a game I really get into, but then I spotted this little gem: Fallout Shelter.

As an avid PC gamer, I came across the Fallout franchise when it went on sale a few months ago on Steam. I bought Fallout 3, and have been hooked ever since! In Fallout 3, you play as a Vault dweller, who is forced to leave the safety of the Vault, and explore the nuclear fallout landscape (called the wasteland), in search of your father. The entire franchise has a very 50's feel to it, and the distinct art style reflects that. Thankfully, the Fallout Shelter app keeps with the feel of the original games!

Unlike in the other Fallout games though, you don't explore the wasteland or see the horrors it holds. Instead, you play the role of a Vault Overseer, who is in charge of keeping the dwellers in your vault happy, healthy, and safe from everything the nuclear apocalypse has in store for them. You build rooms that give you basic resources, such as water, power, food, medical supplies, and more. You place dwellers in the room that best suits their SPECIAL skills, to help you gain more resources.

I was thrilled to see SPECIAL being used in this app, since it's such a vital set of statistics in the main games. SPECIAL stands for Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility and Luck. Each of these stats plays a huge role in the app, and will dictate what dwellers you can put in what rooms, how fast resources are gathered, etc.

But Fallout Shelter isn't just a boring level-builder game. Oh no! You're also tasked with repopulating the now desolate world! Or...at least starting by filling up your vault. You can create more dwellers by placing a male and a female in the Living Quarters, and well...just waiting for human nature to kick in. What else can you really do to entertain yourself in a subterranean community where work and survival comes first?

You can also send dwellers out to explore the wasteland, where they will bring you back caps (bottlecaps are the in-game currency), new armors and outfits to equip your dwellers with, and weapons to help fight off the raider attacks to your little hive of safety!

Overall, I'm incredibly impressed with how well this Fallout app came out. It ties in well with the main franchise, but is good enough to stand on its own as a credible game. If you're a fan of the franchise, I can't suggest this download enough! If you've never played the main games, I still suggest giving this little app a try. It's fun, it's unique, and it's a good way to waste some time.

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

Blood Drop Amigurumi Free Pattern!

Well, here's a first for me! Thought I would share a pattern I made for a little blood drop!

I crocheted this little droplet for a phlebotomist friend of mine who needed a little pick me up, and thought I would share the pattern! It's not too difficult, and I managed to get through it in about an hour. He would be perfect for those nursing and medical friends in your life!

Magic Circle tutorial can be found here, if you don't already know how to do one!
sc =  Single Chain
st = Stitch
sc2tog = Single Chain 2 Together (Tutorial HERE!)

Row 1.)  6 sc in magic circle = 6 stitches
Row 2.)  2 sc in each st around = 12 stitches
Row 3.)  1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next around (repeat 6 times) =18 stitches
Row 4.)  1 sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next around (repeat 6 times) = 24 stitches
Row 5.)  1 sc in next 3 st, 2 sc in next around (repeat 6 times) = 30 stitches
Row 6.)  1 sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next around  (repeat 6 times)= 36 stitches
Row 7.)  1 sc in next 5 st, 2 sc in next around  (repeat 6 times) = 42 stitches
Row 8.)  1 sc in next 6 st, 2 sc in next around (repeat 6 times) = 48 stitches
Rows 9-13)  1 sc in each st around = 48 stitches
   *Insert Safety eyes between rows 12 and 13 if you're using them. You can sew on felt eyes after fastening off at the end.
Row 14.)  1 sc in next 6 st, sc2tog  (repeat 6 times) = 42 stitches
Row 15.)  1 sc in next 5 st, sc2tog (repeat 6 times) = 36 stitches
Row 16.)  1 sc in next 4 st, sc2tog (repeat 6 times) = 30 stitches
Row 17.)  1 sc in next 3 st, sc2tog (repeat 6 times) = 24 stitches
Row 18.)  1 sc in next 2 st, sc2tog (repeat 6 times) = 18 stitches
Rows 19-20)  1 sc in each st around = 18 stitches
Row 21.)  1 sc in next 4 st, sc2tog (repeat 3 times) = 15 stitches
Row 22.)  1 sc in next 3 st, sc2tog (repeat 3 times) = 12 stitches
Row 23.)  1 sc in next 2 st, sc2tog (repeat 3 times) = 9 stitches
Row 24.)  1 sc in next st, sc2tog (repeat 3 times) = 6 stitches
Rows 25-26)  1 sc in each st around = 6 stitches

Fasten off,  and weave tail through last row. Make sure to pull tight!
Pull the loose end of yarn through body using a yarn needle, and cut off the excess!

There you have it! You're own little blood drop! I hope you enjoy!

Love and Lightning Bugs,