Anticipation

Almost 5 years ago, I bought my first unpainted resin, a UVM Yesteryear. And three months ago, I finally packed him off to be painted.

Just got the email that the artist is done and my last payment is there, so he'll be on his way home soon. If the blizzard doesn't slow him down, that is.

Can't wait to see him.

Today's gamble

I haven't bought many flea market horses in a while, and usually don't find any screaming deals, but I may have gotten close this time. I stopped in one of the local antique malls yesterday and found two slightly overpriced vintage Breyers - a glossy charcoal Fighting Stallion and a black pinto Western Horse with a snap saddle, $65 each. I've got a snap-saddle WH already, although mine is missing an eartip. This one had both ears, but is horribly yellowed. Same for the Fighter, he's so yellowed that the tag said "gold mane" on it. But, the dealer had everything 30% off, so I thought about it overnight and went back for the Fighter today.

After the discount, he was just under $50. His paint job otherwise is very nice, as far as I can tell. Minor eartip rubs, but the eyewhites are there, and no major rubs anywhere. Hopefully he'll clean up nice. He can be my rehab project for the year, although sunning him may have to wait for summer.

Black Friday Breyers

In a moment of insanity, I drove 40 minutes (1 way) to do my only in-store Black Friday shopping - at Tractor Supply, the land of 20% off Breyers. I could have gotten the Christmas Horse online for the same price, but I was hoping they'd have some of the Classic family sets left. Turned out the only one left was a Far Ute Keno set, and given the lousy masking and overspray on the stallion, I decided to pass on the set.

I did come home with Jewel, the Classic Trail Ride set, and a pair of Schleich moose (mama and baby), but passed on Far Ute Keno and Bet Yer Blue Boons or whatever her name is. I had a hard time finding all the Breyers at first, TSC likes to split the toys up and put a bunch of the gift-type horses (Xmas, etc) in a separate toy-gift area. Which was on the other side of the store from the regular toy area, and there were enough people there that getting from one side to the other took a while. I also got to stand in line for 40 minutes, and was probably lucky that I'd waited until almost noon to drive down. Apparently at opening time, the credit card machine was down, and checkout was taking a while.

Finally

After 4 years, I've finally sent my UVM Yesteryear off to be painted. I hope it turns out well; it was a spur-of-the-moment decision based on an artist's post to HaynetExchange, offering limited painting slots this fall.

JCPenney SRs

My set of the JCPenney Stablemates was delivered this week. First time I've seen any of the G4 molds. Of the 3 in the set, I like the "dressage horse" the best. The "Para dressage" horse is so-so - the feet look gigantic, and something about the head/neck area looks a tiny bit off to my eye. The "endurance horse" also isn't bad overall, other than (mine anyway) having blobby ears.

I do wish the factory workers would be a little more careful cleaning seams on the SMs. (Not to complain - I've got vintage SMs with atrocious seams.) At least one of my SMs had some overzealous seam-cleaning, and ended up with a flat surface on the front of a hoof.

I do love the red bay on the Shetland. I'd like that color on almost any mold.

Escondido

Well, Escondido is here. UPS timed it so that the box wasn't sitting out in the lovely torrential downpour, which is good.

Escondido is described as a palomino, but I'm not convinced yet. The mane & tail are very close to the colored parts of the mane & tail on Treasured Moves, and the body color is dark enough that, combined with the mane & tail shade, I'd lean more toward sorrel for this one. Sooty/smutty/dark palomino is possible, I guess. Have to wait for the sun to come out so I can get a look in some good light.

Delayed gratification

I wasn't able to line up someone to pick up an Escondido for me at Breyerfest, so I've been watching Ebay. Then, I luckily checked my email while on a vacation weekend, and managed to see Breyer's email about the extras being sold online. I gave in and bought one (for much less than the $225 "buy it now" prices on Ebay).

Made a quick run to the mall today, hoping that UPS would be as late as they were last month. Nope. Came home to a yellow & brown UPS sticker on the door. And since it's a holiday weekend, the next delivery day is Tuesday. When I'll be out on an errand again. Rats!