I am a doll person

There, I said it, I like dolls. I like collecting them, I like dressing them and I like sewing clothes for them. Soon I will enjoy knitting sweaters for them (after I have a little more experience).
I have quite a few dolls. I love each one. I only collect dolls that I really like. Ones that "speak" to me. I have one baby doll, Makenna. She is what is called a "reborn" doll. The others "ages" range from 4-5 to late 20s. I like to dress them for the holidays and the changing of the seasons. I just love dressing them. Oh, and as you can see, I have a male doll. (This one is a Man of Honor doll, affectionately called MoH.( Two males actually, they are companions to two of my appropriately aged and sized female dolls.) LOL The blond doll is a reproduction Bleuette. Bleuette was made in France. I still have a few dolls I'd like to add to my collection in time. Just waiting for the opportunity.

Academy Awards

I have to admit I haven't seen any of the movies that have been nominated for best picture. Or any of the movies the nominees for best actor, actress, or supporting actor and actress have been in.

I do have a couple of favorites though. Forrest Whitaker. I have liked him since I first saw him in Fast Times at Ridgmont High. He is a superb actor and director. He also produces. Meryl Streep. I got The Devil Wears Prada DVD for Christmas but haven't taken the time to watch it yet. She is SOOO talented. All of them deserve to win but these two especially.

Maybe I should join Netflix and make it my mission to watch all the Academy Award nominees. That should keep me busy for a while. LOL

As for the fashions this year,YAWN I just don't think they are as exciting as they were last year. At least none of the ones I've seen have made me wish I needed to have a formal dress.

Knitted Bag

I finished my knitted bag today, adding the handles and the lining. I chose a cotton with a leaf pattern. It's a bright and cheery pink color. I love to pair a bright pink with a beautiful charcoal gray. This is the first of what I hope is many projects. The main reason I wanted to learn to knit was to make a long scarf and some sweaters for my dolls.

White blouse

I need to make a white blouse. I'm thinking McCall's 4079 pattern would make a nice top. It has a collar that will stand up a bit, and I can turn the sleeves up for 3/4 length. I might make the body with a little less ease.

I want to wear it untucked with a black pencil skirt and a red belt, with red peep-toe heels. I would wear silver hoop earrings and wear my hair in a high ponytail. My hair is below my waist, so I think that would just add a bit of flair to the outfit.

I could also wear it with a pair of black or charcoal gray trousers. I think these will make a foundation for a black/white/gray mini SWAP wardrobe. I could also pair it with a gray skirt.

Anna Nicole Smith

After listening to all the news segments about Anna Nicole Smith, all I can think is how sad! She lost her beloved son and had a baby in a matter of just a few days. Dannielynn is going to have to grow up without her Mother and her big brother. I know many people sit in judgment of her for marrying J. Howard Marshall II, saying she only married him for his money. So? what if she did? He was probably a happy man for the time he had left. Besides, how could you not care for a person who is going to leave you a tidy little sum of money when he dies. After all the court battles, the weight gain, prescription medication abuse, she is gone at age 39. In the end, all the money couldn't put Vickie Lynn back together again.

Tattoos

These are pics of three of my four tattoos. I also have a shooting star on my left breast. I LOVE! tattoos. I want to get two or three more. I'd like a celtic knot on my lower back, and a vine of some sort on my left ankle. I'd like to incorporate my son's name in it somehow. I haven't seen one exactly like I want yet. I'm still searching for the perfect celtic knot also. I want it in a deep blue or green.

101 Things #100

For # 100, I decided I was going to memorize a poem by Maya Angelou entitled No Loser, No Weeper.

"I hate to lose something,"
then she bent her head,
"even a dime, I wish I was dead.
I can't explain it, No more to be said.
'Cept I hate to lose something.

"I lost a doll once and cried for a week.
She could open her eyes, and do all but speak.
I believe she was took, by some doll-snatching sneak.
I tell you, I hate to lose something.

"A watch of mine once, got up and walked away.
It had twelve numbers on it and for the time of day.
I'll never forget it and all I can say
Is I really hate to lose something.

"Now if I felt that way 'bout a watch and a toy,
What you think I feel 'bout my lover-boy?
I ain't threatening you, madam, but he is my evening's joy.
And I mean I really hate to lose something."

Tarot Cards

You are The Empress

Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.

The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents,
beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home
decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.

The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

BRRRRR!!!

It's cold out there! I've been living in Florida since 1980. I guess I've gotten used to the hot weather. I don't tolerate the cold very well these days. I shouldn't complain though cause at least it isn't cold enough to snow or freeze, at least where I live. I am concerned about the orange groves and strawberry plants though.

I do miss the cute coats and jackets I got to wear when I lived in Georgia though. but not the cold weather!

I like the fact that, even though "it's cold out there" I can still go to the mailbox without having to spend 10 minutes to "dress" to go out.

I'm a Talent!!

I'm a Talent!

You're a risk-taker, and you follow your passions. You're determined to take on the world and succeed on your own terms. Whether in the arts, science, engineering, business, or politics, you fearlessly express your own vision of the world. You're not afraid of a fight, and you're not afraid to bet your future on your own abilities. If you find a job boring or stifling, you're already preparing your resume. You believe in doing what you love, and you're not willing to settle for an ordinary life.

Talent: 64%
Lifer: 33%
Mandarin: 44%

Take the Talent, Lifer, or Mandarin quiz.

My 101 things List

ok, I know there are 105 things on my list, but I think the extra four things are important.
(006-105)

1. Complete paralegal course with a 4.0 GPA--started 6/13/2006


2. SWAP storyboard and complete items-in progress


3. Learn to juggle


4. Visit Hawaii


5. LEARN TO KNIT, KNIT A SCARF--3/17/2007


6. Learn Spanish


7. Become more familiar with HTML-in progress


8. Create an original art self portrait


9. Complete 10 photographic projects (from previous class)


10. Travel somewhere by train (get a sleeper car)


11. Learn the location and capital of every country in the world (and
    every state in the U.S.)-in progress (10-50)


12. Learn to swim


13. Add 10 pages to my website-in progress (4-10)


14. Collect all 50 US State Quarters-in progress (38-50)


15. Make my own ATC greetings cards


16. Go ice skating


17. At least once each week, read the newspaper cover to cover


18. Go to an opera


19. Finish the crossword puzzle every day for at least a month-(20- 30)


20. Stay caught up on all of my magazines-in progress


21. Start a small vegetable/herb garden from seeds, use in recipe


22. Convert all my CDs to MP3-in progress


23. Read the Bible, from beginning to end-start in Jan


24. Get colored contact lenses


25. See Wayne Newton in concert


26. Organize my photos-in progress


27. Trace my roots


28. Go to see Swan Lake


29. Boob job-reduction


30. Get a diving certificate after I learn to swim


31. Dress form/duct tape double-after weight loss ?? August 2007


32. Make at least one altered book


33. Complete 12 pieces of jewelry-in progress (0-12)


34. CARVE PUMPKIN FOR HALLOWEEN--10/28/2006


35. Learn how to make Tiramisu


36. Start knitted garden coverlet


37. Catalog my CDs-in progress


38. Make quilted piece for hallway doorway


39. Follow Flylady--in progress


40. Learn sign language


41. Do a de-tox regimen


42. Get a professional facial


43. Braid a rug for the kitchen in front of the sink


44. Study and research Buddhism


45. PURGE/ORGANIZE MAKEUP COLLECTION--BUY UPDATED MAKEUP-3-10-2007


46. Re-learn visual basic


47. Update the household notebook with pictures and serial numbers


48. GET ON A REGULAR SLEEP SCHEDULE--10/2006


49. Start getting my nails done again


50. Go through my Photoshop Elements manual and learn cool tricks- in progress (2-19)


51. Build up a 3 month emergency fund in savings-in progress


52. Go to see a play/musical/ballet


53. Change my hair colour and style


54. Make a super hot bra and panty set


55. Learn pilates


56. Buy/learn to use portable GPS


57. Geocache/Go geocaching at least 6 times in 2007


58. Get better aquainted with all the bells and whistles on my digital camera- in progress


59. Make bears/bear clothes


60. LEARN HOW TO MAKE BUTTER CHICKEN--6/25/2006


61. Go to a Naturopath and start a new health regime


62. Make a collection of handmade ornaments for the Christmas tree


63. Have professional photo taken


64. Build a cigar box purse


65. Re-learn to read music


66. Re-learn to play the keyboard


67. PURGE CLOTHING ONCE A SEASON UNTIL ALL I HAVE LEFT IS WHAT I ACTUALLY WEAR


68. Fill in the gaps I have in my wardrobe to make sure I have an outfit for each occasion


69. Sew and review 12 articles of clothing on Pattern Review


70. Have a massage


71. Make paper


72. Clean out inside of TA for restoring


73. Install or build a firepit in the backyard


74. Monthly at home day of beauty


75. Go snow skiing


76. Have a jello shot


77. Get a magazine article published


78. Learn 50 new words-in progress (18-50)


79. Plant roses in back yard


80. Make soap/bath bombs


81. Lose 5 pounds a month for 15 months-in progress (20-75)


82. Make homemade marshmallows and roast over an open fire


83. Become Microsoft Office certified-in progress


84. Cook barbecued/smoked ribs on the grill


85. Find a great black dress and buy it (or make it)


86. Take a firearms course


87. Say I love you in 10 languages-in progress (3-10)


88. Review 12 books on Amazon-in progress (2-12)


89. Take a photo every day for a month


90. Go to Christmas Mass


91. Get a pedicure


92. Re-decorate the Bathroom


93. Make/buy a bathing suit


94. Decorate for Christmas-really decorate, with the nice stuff


95. START A ROTH IRA ACCOUNT-6/9/2006


96. Re-learn French


97. Learn to make Creme Brulee


98. Landscape front yard-in progress


99. Go for one month without complaining at work- in progress


100. Memorize a poem


101. Make 4 pairs of pj's


102. Do a mini triathlon after I learn to swim


103. Learn how to do mechanics on Mike's TA


104. Document accomplishing each thing (photo or journaling)-in progress


105. On Day 1001, make a new list

2006 Summer Reading List

I'm moving my summer reading list, which I haven't completed as yet into a post. I am still having a hard time getting my list to look the way I want it to under this new template. I'll post on the books as I complete them.

Buddhism for Beginners by Thubten Chodron

Cell by Stephen King

YOUNGER NEXT YEAR FOR WOMEN BY CHRIS CROWLEY, HENRY S. LODGE

The Triumph of Individual Style by Carla Mason Mathis

MAGIC HOUR BY KRISTIN HANNAH

Tesla by Margaret Cheney

The Casebook of Forensic Detection by Colin Evans

THE HOUSE BY DANIELLE STEELE

The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown

7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA BY LAUREN WEISBERGER

Night by Elie Wiesel

My dogs

This is Buddy. I got him in 2001 a couple of months after my son died. My husband (at the time) saw him running thorugh the neighborhood when he was driving home from work. He told me about the cute little dog and I asked why he didn't bring him home. We went back out and it took us about 20 minutes before we found him. After asking numerous people if he belonged to them or if they knew where he lived and getting negative answers, we decided to keep him. We introduced him to Pongo, to make sure they got along.

Buddy had to be treated for heartworm. I believe that's why he was allowed to "escape", because as anyone who has had a dog treated for heartworms knows "it ain't cheap". But, I'm so glad we kept him. He's been a wonderful companion as has Pongo. I refer to Pongo as the old man now instead of "moma's baby dog" since he's almost 11.
Pongo was also a rescue dog. We got him from someone who had gotten him from the SPCA. When we notified SPCA that we were taking ownership of him they told us they had 35 male Dalmations whose name was Pongo. I'm sure we should thank all those parents who decided to get one for their children even though they did no research on the breed. And wouldn't say no to them. (Please note those last two sentences were dripping with sarcasm. I am an animal LOVER, especially dogs and elephants.) I believe that taking in an animal makes him/her a part of the family and makes us responsible for them. If you can't or don't have the time, please don't start the job.
Okay, I'm off my soapbox now.

OK

I've tried a new template, but it isn't exactly what I'm looking for. And it's not taking some of the HTML I used on the old template. I'd like more control over what and where I'm putting in. I can't get some of the old links to work from the images I had. I guess I'll need to put a lot more work into this now. I'd like to start posting pics of the knitting projects I'm working on, and the sewing projects I'm planning.

I saw a really cute jacket at Walmart the other night. It's made from denim and had small ruffles down the front and on the sleeves. The denim was slightly faded and not stiff. I'd like to try to make one like it, but I have a hard time finding denim that I like. It looked well made, not like some of the things Walmart sells. I didn't get it because it didn't fit me the way I'd have liked it to.

Knitting

On the 5th and 12th I took a 2 hour knitting class. I now know the basics of knitting, how to purl and how to knit. I'm working on a charcoal bag now. Once I've completed it I'll take the second class. In it I will learn how to make four small swatches of different patterns. Ultimately I want to make sweaters for the dolls in my collection.

I went through my doll fabric stash and found several items I had started but not finished for some reason. Next week after I finish the bag, I'm going to pull them out and start working on them.