collectingmanysmiles-blog

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Lance explored a “forest of glass insulators this past summer! 

It was a world unlike any he’s ever seen before! 

So many insulators to see, so many to explore and observe up-close! 

Just stretchin’ out on another insulator! 

Climbing, exploring, experiencing! 

Hop, hop, hop! 

Hello, it’s Lance! 

Time to climb! 

He had a blast that day! 

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When you’re a brave super hero and skilled in the kitchen also! 

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When you’re a short person and a tall friend needs comforting and you’ll do anything you can to comfort them despite your lack of height! 

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Lance found an older juicer and decided to explore it!

I reminded him not to bonk his head, because that would probably hurt. 

Hangin’ out with a juicer!

Can you spot Lance?

Who else can say they’ve hung by their feet from a juicer?

Juicer “gear” that’s taller than Lance! He was impressed! 

Lance uses the juicer head as a mirror! 

Yep. He’s a good-looking fella! 

Lance trying to raise the juicer’s head! (Or eagerly tugging the hand of a gentle-giant, mechanical friend?)

Lance’s temporary modeling attempt. (You know....that dramatic, gazing far-away expression and all?)

Hey look, everybody! A slide! Wheeeeeeee! 

*bonk!*

Impressions: A mushroom! 

Lance is glowing! What is this magical power he possesses?!

I think it’s safe to say that the juicer is Lance’s new favorite thing! 

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There’s nothing like lying back on a bed of soft moss and watching the clouds drift by on a nice day! 

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More Adventures with Lance

Lance has had some fun times, lately! He tagged along with me on a weekend family trip and brought a friend, too! 

Lance offered to help with some sweeping this past weekend. I told him the help was appreciated and to make sure his dirt pile didn’t get scattered. 

Lance and his friend, Erma, took up an energetic game of ping pong the second day....

Erma won. 

On the third day, Lance decided to try his hand at portrait photography, with Erma as his practice model. He did pretty good! 

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My little classic green figure, Lance, loves to try new things, which includes trying playground equipment that’s many sizes too large for him. Yet this doesn’t stop him and he always perseveres! 

He managed the climb quite well for a guy of his shorter stature, and when he reached the top, he paused to enjoy the view. Then without warning, he slid down before I could react, hence the lack of sliding photo. ;) 

Swinging is another favorite activity of Lance’s. 

Getting started can be tough but he remains optimistic throughout! I have to admire him for that. 

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Another Return....

I apologize again for the long gap between posts. I’m thinking it’s time for new photos to be taken! 

As for my collection: Playmobil set #3781, still sealed, came into my possession three weeks ago, and I cannot even begin to describe how thrilled I am to have found this set! It shows up in my collector’s book in 1988/89 and then again in the 1991/92, but I’ve yet to figure out which release my set is from. I partially assume it’s the ‘91 release simply because it’s almost hard to believe an original set like this remained sealed for so long. Either way, I’m glad to have it! 

And this second photo is a shot I took before assembling pieces and adding the stickers to the truck. Everything was included! (I also apologize for the rough photos, I’ll take better ones soon!) 

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It’s Been a While....

It has indeed been a while, and I apologize for the silence. I’m hoping to get things rolling again here on Collecting Many Smiles. 

I’ve scored a few new fantastic purchases that I’m still losing my mind over. And with each new add-on (not just additional accessories mind you) it expands the photo opportunities. And that’s also very exciting! 

Has anyone added awesome additions to their collections?

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Recent Events

Pictured below is the visual evidence of why I didn’t get much sleep Halloween night. Thanks to smiling miniature roommates, they decided partying well into Halloween night and into the wee hours of the following morning was the right way to do things.....which wasn’t inaccurate. The piano-playing was just a bit on the noisy side thanks to the giant green troll who played it with boulder-heavy hands. 

And because of the piano-sitting lady hitting high notes in frequencies that destroy human ears. 

Great party though! It was quite impressive! 

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Happy Halloween!

Costumes, candy and surprising your friends all makes for an evening of fun! 

When your parents enjoy their costumes so much, they start acting weird and it’s embarrassing.

Trick or Treat!

Who is wearing the ghost costume? Or is this a REAL ghost?

It’s a friend! 

The spook becomes the spooked! (Apparently, this guy’s ghost costume wasn’t convincing enough.) And the boy threatens to throw his bag of candy while chasing the non-scary ghost off!

The evening of Trick-or-Treating eventually comes to a peaceful end as the festively-attired family walks home. What’s your favorite Halloween activity?

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The Little Ghost Writers

So if I’ve spent a good amount of the day writing, I’ll take breaks during long stretches, and my little ghost writer assistants step in and crank out more pages for me. All I have to do is chime in little reminders such as, “Don’t forget to end each chapter in a cliff hanger.” or “That dialogue needs some more tension.” 

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A Fan of Fire Extinguishers

Here’s a fellow who, as an experienced fire fighter, likes to collect any antique fire equipment......although by the looks of it, he may have gone a little overboard this time. 

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I have returned!

A two-week trip kept me occupied and I didn’t update Collecting Many Smiles. But now I’m back and will do my best to get back into the swing of things! 

In the meantime, here’s a photo of two fans during a Minnesota Twin’s game!

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Dogs love us always. And we should always love them, clear to the end, and even after they’ve gone. A blessing so brief should never be taken for granted. 

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“Hey you! Bub! You in the back! You goin’ to tell me where ya want to go or what?”

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After a long day of work in the city, it’s time to hail a taxi!