Cordelia: Adventures of a Real Doll

Budapest and Vienna!

2009-07-26T12:51:00.001-07:00

Wanting to escape the Houston heat, Cordelia embarked on a Eastern European adventure with a new friend, Susan.

Cordelia eats at the most famous cafe in Budapest - Gerbeaud - and finds out why stretch pants are essential.

What girl doesn't like crystals? Certainly Cordelia loves glitz and sparkle.

After walking all day, Cordelia searches for the perfect fine wine!

Cordelia is in Vienna at the Hofburg Castle gardens.

Good for what ales you! A cold beer at a patio cafe in Vienna.

And just a few hours later, yummy weinerschnitzel! (Her seams are splitting.)

Finally, a manly man! Just what she was looking for. Too bad she is too full to make a move!

She hiked to the top of Buda Hills in Budapest to meet this fellow.

Enough exercise! What about a Viennese pastry! Which one to choose?

Just another handsome Hungarian man.

Ooo La La! Provence and Paris

2009-02-15T12:15:00.000-08:00

Ah, we started our European adventure at the frescoes at le Chateau de Versailles! We are just 20 kilometers outside of Paris, but it feels like centuries away from the world as I know it.

Truth be told, I have always felt most at home near the water -- (although it's hard for a girl like me to get wet). Here in Provence, the waves lap gently against the boats.
Frankly I can't get King Louis XV out of my head. I do so love a man in armor. I daresay he wouldn't have a noticed a girl of my stature in his court, do you think?
Here I am at a lovely Moroccan restaurant in Paris. A glass of red wine, anyone? Merci!
The Eiffel Tower my friends! To think that just three short years ago, I was a librarian just dreaming of visiting France! Dreams really do come true!
Oh my! {hiccup} Another stop along the coast of Provence.(Yet another) glass of wine at Le Grille in Avignon.
The Notre Dame Cathedral. My ancestors were vestments on the altar in the 15th century.
My pals! I travelled with the French class from Spring Cypress High School. Dear children! The boys loved me, the girls wanted to be just like me. I have so much to be grateful for. Au revoir!

Cordelia Gets a Job at Buffalo Exchange (in Brooklyn)

2008-11-17T19:33:00.000-08:00

So I haven't worked in a few years. How hard could it be?
My manager warned me not to get too friendly with my coworkers - but I just felt a connection with Sean.
Of course I did my best to stay on my side of the store.
Pretty soon customers were FLOCKING to the store. I think it's my innate fashion sense. I have a way with people.
I love working here at Buffalo Exchange, really, I do. But I can't help thinking I'm meant for bigger things...

I don't know. Sometimes I ride the subway for hours, thinking.

Cordelia goes to Brooklyn

2008-09-07T09:16:00.001-07:00

Cordelia a-float

2008-09-07T08:39:00.000-07:00

I am looking for my very own Popeye the Sailor Man!

Here I am at The Sono Baking Company & Cafe with a scrumptious raspberry tart. Handsome waiters always leave me with a craving for something sweet.

At Playland in Rye, New York. Much like the by-the-sea carnival in The Five People You Meet in Heaven.

Cordelia goes to Nashville

2008-05-20T14:52:00.000-07:00

Cordelia's 2008 Itinerary

2008-02-19T14:52:00.000-08:00

March
Oui oui --- Gay Paris!
Barcelona

April
Nashville

October
Translyvania (no lie!)

Santa brings Cordelia a man!

2007-12-20T13:10:00.000-08:00

When last we left our heroine, she was enroute from Vegas to the Big Apple. From JFK, she was whisked by limousine to the Barclay Intercontinental, where she began her delightful Christmas weekend.

She met dear friends for dinner at Toqueville's, caught shows (Mama Mia, Avenue Q, The Color Purple, Radio City, to name a few), brunched at Tavern on the Green, and risked life and limb on Canal Street to snap up a few Coach knockoffs for friends.
The lightly falling snow, the tree in Rockefeller Center, the skating rink in Central Park--it could not have been more ideal. But what made it more perfect is this: Cordelia fell in love. (That's him with the stripes...)
(Christmas card to Joe: I am so over you! Happy New Year! Signed, Cordelia)

They skated at Rockefeller Center, window-shopped along Fifth Avenue, lit a candle at St. Patrick's Cathedral. But will the love last? CAN love last between a reckless human heart and one stuffed to bursting with polyfil?

A Quick Trip to Vegas!!!

2007-12-18T08:48:00.000-08:00

I am soooo-oooo-ooo tired, what with my aunt coming to live with me (more later). But I had PROMISED Celine I would get to Vegas for her 717th (and FINAL!) show.

How could I say no? Celine has been so good to me over the years. [That's her waving goodbye to me...I just love that girl!] But I told her, "Celine, I don't have much time! I have to make a flight to New York City tomorrow. My people are expecting me!" She said she understood.

I barely had time for a Belini and Brazilian wax at the Belagio!

But after Celine's show, I found myself on stage with the Fab Four. They say I have the voice of an angel, and I am inclined to agree, but I had promised Celine that as long as SHE was playing Vegas, I wouldn't open my golden throat. But now that her show was over...I could finally sing!

And I WAS singing, when a woman with fiendish red nails snatched me up to make me her own. "You must sing at my son's Bar Mitsvah!" My knees were weak, my head was spinning. How to escape?

John, Ringo, Paul! But my shouts fell on deaf ears. She stuffed me into her Vuitton travelling bag and made off with me!

But not for long. It is not for nothing that I was technical advisor to MacGyver all those years. I ESCAPED! But only by a strand of yarn! No matter. I live to travel another day. More from the Big Apple!

Oh no! Cordelia's aunt is coming to live with her!

2007-12-04T08:51:00.000-08:00

Ophelia Payne, (Cordelia's aunt on her mother's side) who has worked as a librarian in Rhode Island these past 57 years, has sold her belongings and moved to Texas (by way of the Artgirlz World Headquarters!) to live with her favorite niece after her husband of 62 years ran off with one Fanny O'Rear (who ran the senior's bingo night at the Free Will Baptist Church and apparently was *doing more* than lining up numbers, if you know what I mean) leaving Ophelia broken-hearted but determined to make the best of it with a new start in the Lone Star state. More news to come!

Last day in paradise...

2007-11-07T14:43:00.000-08:00

The view from my room. Ah, the breeze off the ocean.

Every place I visit I fall in love with...but I must go now.

It's hard to lead a private life nowadays. When I broke up with Owen, I knew it would be hard on him. But I never thought he'd try to kill himself. Thankfully, my name was kept away from the paparazzi...

Day two in Puerto Rico: what a crazy coconut!

2007-11-06T14:50:00.000-08:00

Nothing beats a hot cup of joe by the pool first thing in the morning.

I went to the beach, got too much sun apparently and IMAGINED I uncovered a long-lost child. I should have used more sunscreen.

We took a motorboat ride and I drove. This is the life for me!

When they told me we were going to visit the Kings, I thought they meant a couple of Elvis impersonators! It's probably not obvious from this photo, but they *ALL* had such wooden personalities...

Is it me, or is there something slightly crazy about this coconut I met. I can't stand a nut with a hairy back. Ewwwww. Get AWAY from ME!!!!

Day one of sightseeing in Puerto Rico

2007-11-05T13:53:00.001-08:00

A beautiful day for sightseeing, no? First, though, I give thanks at the Catedral de San Juan. I hope there is an early mass...

Here I am along Puerto Rico's 300 miles of sunny shoreline. I take a moment to rest at one of the balnearios, or state beaches. Funny, there is no one here, and the wind is starting to blow...

Whoooosh. Oh no! Aiieeeee! Perhaps this is not the best place for a 12-oz girl filled with fiberfill.

I just wanted a little sun on my shoulders--you know the feeling.

God, my feet are KILLING me. It's been a long day.

"Senora, senora, could I have some lime and a little salt, por favor????"

Cordelia takes off for Puerto Rico!

2007-10-23T13:09:00.001-07:00

It's harder than you think to get through airport security these days. They thought my hair was a hiding place for a sharp object! And can I help it if my body sets off an alarm every time I go through (I have that effect every where I go!). And don't even talk to me about renewing my passport! They said I didn't look anything like my picture. Well duh! That was before I had a new coat of Clear Cote on my face.

Viva la Mexico!

2007-09-03T10:22:00.000-07:00

Ah, my friends, meet Esmerelda, my twin-sister-from-a-different-mother. Esmerelda lives and loves near the Tulum Ruins in Mexico.

For three blissful weeks, we were like little girls again--sharing secrets in the coconut trees. We played on the beaches, carefree and full of life.

Yes, we were like two peas in a pod. Until, that is, Esmerelda insisted I meet her cousin, Hay Guana. [HINT: look c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y at the picture.] "Look Esmerelda," I told her, "I didn't come to Mexico looking for love."

"Just one date," she begged, "he's not as reptilian as he first seems, and plus, he has a good job!"

"Let me think about it," I told her. What was one date, after all?

So, to please Esmerelda, I went out with Hay Guana. I tried to keep an open mind, but it was not so easy. I had to look away when he walked toward me--he wiggled in such an unnatural manner. Plus, he lisped--it was really more of a hiss I think. "I can't do this," I suddenly cried. "I can change," he said. "No, I'm smart enough to know that you're NO CHAMELEON!" I screamed, and stomped off.

At first, I was worried about telling Esmerelda about my disappointing date. But not to worry! Esmerelda embraced me, crying, "No romance is worth our friendship--let us pay homage to the ancient goddesses to keep us away from all bad relationships!"

And we rejoiced. But my happiness was short-lived. We met a crabby hunk on the way back from the beach... "Meet my friend Cordelia," Esmerelda cooed...

Sometimes, my friends, as painful as it may be, it is best to move forward alone.

Cordelia goes into the eye of the hurricane!

2007-08-20T15:14:00.001-07:00

That's right, Cordelia is somewhere in the Yucatan penisula. I'm hoping she will miss the hubbub caused by Hurricane Dean. I am anxiously awaiting word of her safe homecoming tonight.

I'm practically famous!

2007-07-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

Excerpts from Autumn 2007 Art Doll Quarterly interview with Cordelia:

ADQ: You have been flattened by a car, hoisted up a flag pole, chased by dogs, and yet, you always bounce back. What’s your secret?

Cordelia: It helps that I’m filled with premium polyester fiberfill for maximum resiliency and loft. I mean, of course those things were traumatic, but frankly, I’m made of tougher stuff. You learn to pull yourself together (tip: have plenty of upholstery thread on hand), reinforce your joints and take a few turns in the dryer with a fluffy towel. Do that a couple of times and you’ll be good to go.

Note: Just about all photos of Cordelia are by her good pals Neva-Susan. See the adventure that started it all here.

Out of my gourd

2007-07-19T19:19:00.000-07:00

Here I am -- surrounded by gourd-ian angels!

Say it ain't so, Joe...

2007-07-19T19:13:00.001-07:00

I know what you're saying... I never should have gotten involved with that hard-plastic man! Now he's with that BRAT(Z)!

Cordelia: it's not the same without you

2007-07-18T07:10:00.000-07:00

[Cordelia is on an adventure in Laguna Hills, California -- and we haven't heard from her...we're expecting her return any day now...]

There's a hole in our hearts when Cordelia's away. Hope to see you soon Cordelia!

Cordelia goes cosmo

2007-07-06T14:50:00.000-07:00

I had just ONE cosmopolitan, and suddenly, I was the queen of Dance Dance Revolution. I met the most handsome fella, Hal, but turns out he's already met the love of his life, and it's not me.

More than a bad hair day

2007-07-06T14:49:00.000-07:00

I don't know. I just feel like I've been RUN OVER. Some days are like that.

Will work for fiber

2007-07-06T14:42:00.000-07:00

I'm Cordelia, and these are my adventures. To start, I've quit my job and struck out on my own.