News travels fast ...

All the Flaggs have their phones glued to their ears today. (Literally, I couldn't get their arms to bend to the proper position.)

 

Betty Flagg phones her parents with the good news.

"Mom! Bob is home! He's okay - just a little tired."



"Oh my dear, how wonderful!" says Mrs. Drapeau. "Where has he been all this time.

Betty explains, "Bob had amnesia and his sister Felicia found him in California. When he saw her his memory came back and he came home as fast as he could. Patsy and I are so happy."

"I am so glad dear." says Mrs Drapeau. But she feels something is not right.

As soon as she gets off the phone she tells her husband. "Dabney, we must go to Betty's immediately. Bob's come back and he says he had amnesia."

"Dorothy," says Mr. Drapeau, "Why don't you let the kids have some time alone. Bob's been gone a while. They could probably use some privacy. Call Betty back and tell her we will take Patsy for a few days."




"No, Dabney. We must go to Betty right away. People don't get amnesia in this day and age. Something fishy is going on. Hurry up and pack."

Next Betty calls her sister Bridget and tells her the story.

Bridget tells Betty how wonderful it is, but she is suspicious too.

She can hardly wait to get off the phone so she can pack up her three kids and hubby Bill Banner and go to her sister.

Meanwhile Felicia, Bob's sister is calling her mother.

"Mom!" she says. "Bob's home. You can't imagine how surprised I was to run into him the last time I was in San Francisco. He disappeared because he had amnesia."

"Bob's home!!" says Mrs. Flagg Sr. "My dear, I will be on the first plane to Bob and Betty's house."

 "Okay Mom. We'll see you there. Philip and the twins and I are driving up there in the morning."

"Did you hear that Freddie?" Fern says to her brother. "We are going to see cousin Patsy. I wonder what trouble she'll get us into this time. I can't wait."

"Okay dear, I'll see you all then. I'm going to call your cousin Debbie and let her know." Mrs. Flagg Sr. hangs up then redials the phone.

"Hello," says Debbie.

"Hello dear, this is your Aunt Flavia. How are things there in your Dream House?"

"Everything is fine here Aunt Flavia. How are you?"

"I have good news, dear. Bob is home. The family is going to Bob and Betty's to visit him. Why don't you join us there?"

"I would love to Aunt Flavia. I'll take the train up tomorrow."




I wonder if anyone remembered to let Bob and Betty know that company was coming. It looks like the Flagg house is going to be pretty crowded. Stay tuned.

P.S. On my travels with Daphne I picked up a bag containing 11 Flagg dolls at one of the antique markets. All were dirty, some were damaged, and all but two were missing their clothes. I have had some fun cleaning, restoring and finding or making clothes for the family. I still need to get some paint for rubbed hair and shoes, but all are dressed now and ready for a family reunion.

Hugs,
Susan

Meanwhile, back at the Flagg's ....

When we last saw the Flagg's Patsy and Bucky were very busy. They didn't mean to be naughty. They were just curious and having fun, but Mrs. Flagg was not pleased and now they are having a time out on the stairs. Patsy is glad she has Bucky for a friend. A time out is not so bad when he is with her. She wishes she could have another orange.



















When the door bell rings Mrs. Flagg in in the living room cleaning up bread crumbs and orange peels. The carpet was such a sticky gooey mess that she had to send it out for cleaning and put a new one down. She likes the new one better though. It is very elegant, and all hand made.















"Mom, there's a guy at the door in a cool outfit," Patsy calls. "Maybe he's another delivery man." Bucky growls excitedly. He isn't afraid of this uniform.



















Mrs. Flagg is curious and worried to see a Mountie at her door. "Hello Officer," she says. "What can we do for you?"

"Well, Ma'am, I am here to investigate your missing person report. I believe you reported one Bob Flagg missing. Can you tell me when was the last time you saw him alive."

"What do you mean 'alive'? You can't possibly think Bob is not alive, can you? My sweet, dear, considerate husband. The best friend a woman could ask for and a wonderful father for Patsy. He just disappeared one day, and now you think he is dead!?!"

"Calm, down ma'am. I didn't say he was dead or that you had done away with him. Just the facts please. When did you last see him"?




















Before her mother can answer Patsy yells. "Mom, the delivery man is here again!" He is bringing us a person!"

What?!" says Mrs. Flagg. Then, "BOB!!! Bob, is it really you?"













"Betty!" shouts Mr. Flagg.

"Bob!!" cries Mrs. Flagg

They run to each other and embrace.

















































"Bob, I was so worried! I thought you were dead." says Mrs. Flagg. "Where have you been?"

"It's a long story," says Bob. "But I'm home now. I missed you."

"Hi Daddy," says Patsy. "

















"Patsy, my girl!" How are you?"

"I got a dog. His name is Bucky, and we ate the bread, and oranges and Mommy got mad." says Patsy as she hugs her daddy.





















"You mean the bread and oranges the my sister, Felicia, and I sent from California?" asks Mr. Flagg. "With the note saying I was coming home?"

"We didn't get the note." says Mrs. Flagg. "The delivery man lost it. I had no idea you were coming home."

"Well, ma'am," says the Mountie, "It looks like I have solved another case. If everything is fine here I will be on my way. Hey, delivery guy, can I get a ride with you?"

"Sure, hop on," says the delivery man, realizing there will be no tip, even though Bob was one of the heaviest deliveries he has done in years and it was mostly uphill on the bicycle.

















The Flags wave goodbye and call their thanks. Mrs. Flagg feels like she is in a dream. Mr. Flagg is happy to be off the bicycle seat. It wasn't very comfortable, and the delivery man grumbled and complained the whole time. Patsy wonders what her father brought her and if he has any more oranges. Bucky wonders who this new guy is and if he will have to guard Mrs. Flagg and Patsy from him. Bucky is a very good dog.

"Let's go in the house and open that lovely bottle of California wine to celebrate," says Mrs. Flagg. "Bob, I can't believe you are home."





















When the family is settled on the couch with the bottle of Rosé and a glass if milk for Patsy Mr. Flagg starts to tell his story. It is a long, long story, but it has a happy ending.
















Will we hear of Mr. Flagg's adventures in a future blog? We will have to wait and see.

Hugs,
Susan

A Mysterious Delivery from California

Mrs. Flagg and Patsy are enjoying breakfast in their cozy kitchen. Bucky is close by, hoping Patsy will spill her cereal or drop her toast. Mrs. Flagg is about to pour herself some cereal when the door bell rings.


"Now who can that be?" asks Mrs. Flagg. "We aren't expecting anyone are we?" she asks Patsy. Patsy shrugs, but can't answer because her mouth is full.


At the front door they find a delivery man on a bicycle. He has a large basket balanced precariously on his handle bars.

"Oh my goodness!" says Mrs. Flagg. "Is that for us?"

"Yes ma'am," says the delivery man, "All the way from California."

"From California!! We don't know anyone in California," says Mrs. Flagg, "Who can it be from? Is there a card?"

"Well ma'am, there was a card, but it blew off the basket as I was riding over here, and it flew away. I didn't see where it landed." He just didn't want to get off his bike and chase it.

"You have a lovely uniform, by the way." says Mrs. Flagg.

"Thank you ma'am. They make us wear it. They think it makes the deliveries look more classy, but it's hard to ride a bicycle in these pants, and the buttons on the vest get caught on the packages. It does scare away dogs though, so it is safer to do my deliveries."

"Yes, I wondered where Bucky went. he usually comes to the door with us," says Mrs. Flagg.

She looks at the basket again. "Oh my. This is very exciting and very mysterious." says Mrs. Flagg. "Patsy, what do you think? A basket from California!"

Patsy isn't listening. She is fascinated by the delivery man's bicycle. She would like to try to ride it, but she isn't sure how to get on.

Besides the delivery man is ready to leave so she has missed her chance.

"You ride safely now. And thank you for bringing the basket!" calls Mrs. Flagg as her rides away.

"Thanks! Ride!" calls Patsy, wishing she had a bike.

In the living room Mrs. Flagg unpacks the basket. It contains California wine, oranges and sourdough bread.

"What a thoughtful gift," says Mrs. Flagg. "I can't imagine who sent it. What a mystery, If only he hadn't lost the card."

"Mom, can I have an orange?" asks Patsy.

"Not right now," her mother says, "You just had breakfast. Speaking of breakfast I had better clear the table. You and Bucky leave that basket alone. You can have an orange for lunch."

Yes, Mom." says Patsy says as her mother leaves the room. But she isn't really listening. She and Bucky are busy.

A few minutes later Mrs. Flagg is on her way upstairs. "Patsy," she calls, "I am going upstairs to make the beds. Remember what I said and stay out of that gift basket.

Patsy doesn't answer. She and Bucky are way too busy to listen.

I wonder if this mysterious basket has anything to do with Collette;s discovery over at My Realitty. Check this out!

Mrs. Flagg and Patsy move in

It has been a busy day for Mrs. Flagg and Patsy. All the neighbours from the 3/4" side of town pitched in and donated furniture for their new house. They even gave Patsy a dollhouse, toys and a little kitten.

Finally the dust has settled and everyone has left. Mrs. Flag and Patsy are on the front steps waving good bye.

"Say thank you to our lovely neighbours, Pasty" Mrs Flag instructs her as she runs down the steps.

"Goodbye! Thank you. thank you so much!" calls Patsy waving both hands.

"Patsy come back here!" shouts her mother. "I want to show you the house."

"Look at our lovely living room." says Mrs. Flagg. "We even have a piano so you can take piano lessons!"

"Aw, Mom. Piano lessons are boring. whines Patsy.

"You may think that now," says Mrs. Flagg. "But you will be grateful that you know how to play when you are older."

"Sure," says Patsy, but she is not really paying attention. She is distracted by the elephants on the mantle piece and the painting of the ship that hangs over it. She has never seen such things.

Her attention is caught by a noise in the hall. It's her new dog, Bucky.

"Mom! Bucky wants to see my room! Come on!"

"Okay dear, but come and see my room first. It's lovely." Mrs Flagg follows Patsy up the stairs.

But Patsy isn't doesn't come into Mrs Flagg's room

And she isn't in the hall where her new sewing machine is.

Mrs. Flagg finds Patsy in her new room with toys all over the floor.

"Mom!" yells Patsy. "Look! A dollhouse, a doll carriage, toys and dolls! And it's not even Christmas!!"

"My Bed has a pink coverlet! There's even a kitten! Mom, am I dreaming?"

"We are very lucky, aren't we my dear, to have such wonderful neighbours?" says Mrs. Flagg.

Mrs. Flagg is still smiling as she looks at her new kitchen.

After years of neglect, dust and second hand smoke she and Patsy are in a happy place filled with love.

She knows that soon Mr. Flagg will find them and maybe then there will be more little Flaggs to join them in this lovely house.

Mrs. Flagg is so happy that they found their way to this wonderful place.

A home for Mrs. Flagg and Patsy

Thanks for all your votes and wonderful comments on a family for the Lundby house. Mrs. Flagg and Patsy had just pulled ahead of the Caco's in the votes when a new development changed the outcome.

I know Florine and CM were teasing me when they said the only solution was to buy another house, but look what showed up on Craigslist.

I think Mrs. Flagg and Patsy might be quite comfortable here until Mr. Flagg shows up from wherever he is right now. (Sorry Melvin, but she thinks Mr. Flagg is still out there somewhere and she is prepared to wait for him, as flattered as she is by your notice.)

This house is so incredible I just couldn't resist. I have been through all my books and searched the web and I can't find anything like it. Some of you may know more than I do, but I think it is a one of a kind and hand built.

Each timber and decoration on the outside is put on separately. The outside was once landscaped judging from the glue marks on the 'grass' around the house

The family I got it from said they bought it for their daughter about 10 years ago from an old woman who had it as a child. They said the house was 50 or 60 years old when they got it - so I am guessing the house is from the 1940's.

The house is in excellent shape on the outside. I can't see any missing timbers. The inside is also in great shape although some of the wallpapers are torn here and there.

The floors are wood patterned shelf paper. I don't know if they are original or were added by the family who had it before I did. They aren't faded at all.

The scale is a little confusing. Downstairs could be 1" scale, but upstairs is very low ceilinged and just fits the 3/4" dolls.

In the pictures below I have asked Mrs. 3/4" scale Caco and Miss 1" scale Caco (who came with the house) to demonstrate the scale of the house.

As you can see Miss 1" Caco looks right at home at the bottom of the stairs, but Mrs. 3/4" Caco's head is almost touching the ceiling upstairs.

You can see them together in the front hall, outside the front door and each one standing at a different door outside. The kitchen door is quite a bit smaller than the front door.

Now that I see these pictures here I am thinking that the house is actually supposed to be 3/4" or 1:16 scale with really high ceilings on the main floor, so it is perfect for the Flaggs and has an extra bedroom for Patsy.

More pictures of the inside are below. I am going to look through my furniture and see what looks good in the house. I will show you in a future blog.

Hugs,

Susan