Jamie, Brandy and Christy in front of the fire truck that pulled up due to a false fire scare the night of the cocktail party.

I so love these girls!!!

The insert image feature isn't working for me? I click the button, and get nada, where as normally it brings up another window so I can insert the url to the pic. Have I accidentally changed some setting? Or, is there another way to post a pic?

As usual with techno geek stuff, I am confuzzled.

Ignore, this is just a test

My tanned Butterfly Urethane Narae. Faceup and top by me, darling jeans by CA Jewel.

Julie was sweet enough to make Abby these jeans as a welcome home gift, what a living doll!

Hmm, for whatever reason it's not letting me insert a pic, so I'll try again later.

Meanwhile, you can see her here:
http://www.thedollpage.com/photopost/data/500/598IMG_4495-med.JPG?2876

I decided that during my class, Athena needed her own specialty cup of coffee. So, this morning I took one of my blank plastic cups and turned it into a Starbucks latte!! Too much fun.

It's amazing what can be done with a printer, some acrylic paint, cotton balls and testors spray sealer.

I might have to make a few of these to sell down the road ;)

I finished up the classroom examples this morning, and finished packing and organizing. I feel totally on top of things and it feels GREAT!

All that's left to pack will be my camera (cause I might want to use it in the next couple days), the stuff for my fur babes at the kennel, and my special hairbrush and comb (don't ask, but I can't live a day without em.

So, this afternoon, I actually have time to begin working on the NEXT thing, which is getting ready for Jud's grad school college roomie and his son to visit for five days of Comic Con, two days after we get back from Dollectable. So, that just means cleaning the blinking house. I won't finish it, but I sure as heck will have a good head start before we fly out Friday for Dollectable.

After we get back, I need to make Po some goofy outfit for Comic Con, something comic related of sorts, and THEN...

Do up two centerpiece dolls for IFDC, and pack for that trip..

Then shortly thereafter get ready for Austin, BJD con.
My competition stuff for that is all done, now I just need to finish up my hostess table gifts (can probably do that in about 6 hours), do a commission for a friend, and basically pack for that.

Yep, I am pretty organized this year for sure!!

I absolutely can't wait to see everyone at Dollectable in THREE days!!!!!

And all I want to buy are Zagzagaels suede boots, and a really cool OBD necklace for Adam (SA Husky) my Dark Knight/Pirate dude.

That less than a week before Dollectable, my favorite sewing machine would freeze up while I was trying to finish the last couple projects I need for my class.

Grrrr. It's my little Janome machine that has never been serviced, and I put serious miles on sewing machines so it was bound to happen sooner or later,but the timing just sucks.

Oh well, the Green Monster (my 1960 New Home machine) was recently serviced, so I will just have to use it to finish up this stuff.

What a pain.....

Tagged by clochetterd

Tagged by
clochettered

A) People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs & replace any question that they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves.

B) Tag 8 people to do this quiz (removed the annoying "cannot refuse to play" part). These people must state who they were tagged by & cannot tag the person whom they were tagged by. Continue this game by sending it to other people.

1. Which celebrity would you like to meet and why?
Colin Firth, just cause he's completely yummy

2. What do you do before bedtime?
Watch TV with hubby

3. What will your dream wedding be like?
I had it, on the beach!

4. What is the city of your dreams and why?
Paris!!! It's THE Art city.


5. Are you an introvert or extrovert?
Extrovert, for sure. Not a shy bone in my body.

6. Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?
Both are equally important.

7. Do you trust easily?
WAY too easily

8. If the person you secretly like is already attached, what would you do?
Make a friendship, period.

9. Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days?
Minor ongoing stresses with my stepdaughters, and the fact that I am 20 lbs overweight.

10. Do you have a good body-image?
It's not great these days

11. Is being tagged fun?
Sure!

12. What websites do you visit daily?
ebay
CNN
Constant Chatter
Zone of Zen
Den of Angels
LJ

13. Who are currently the most important people to you?
My darling husband, my parents

14. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?
Very upbeat, involved and fun!

15. What’s the last song that got stuck in your head?
Don't Worry, be Happy

16. What’s your favorite item of clothing?
Jeans and T-shirts

17. What's better: to give or to receive?
It's better to give, but fun to receive!

18. What's the first thing you notice in people?
If they smile directly at you

19: Let's say there's a worlwide lightspeed spreading disease. No cure. people are dying real fast. After months of thorough search and people's blood testing (to check if they're infected or not). Turn's out the only thing needed to complete THE cure is your kid's blood. Do you sacrifice your kid for the sake of billions or not?
Don't have a kid, but if I did and this situation happened YES, I would sacrifice the kid for humanity

20: What were your parents going to name you if you'd been born the opposite gender?
Eric

Okay, now tagging: Anyone who wants to play!

I have been really busy taking care of projects for the various doll cons, and getting generally excited about going to them. I have accepted that my Butterfly will not be here in time, so have warmed to the idea of just using Athena (large Narae) as my Summer con doll.

Dollectable: Everything for my class is done except for making the film of me actually sewing the two items I will be teaching. Jud has this week off from work, so we will do that this week in case it needs some editing before the con. My original thought was to simply play a DVD on Jud's laptop, but if I get the 25 people that Kelly thinks I might have, that would be very hard for them to see, so Jud may borrow a projector from work. I am a little stressed about this film, because it won't be scripted ( I honestly wouldn't know how to script it), but will just be me talking through the steps and Jud filming them.
I am thinking of taking some stuff to sell at the swap meet. Lord knows I have way too much doll crap (especially wigs) and if I could move those out without having to ebay or ship them, it would be great!
I am looking forward to shopping at Dale Rae Designs, who has recently become my favorite shoe supplier for my girl dolls.

IFDC: Nothing to do for this except create a couple centerpiece Barbies. I will do that right after Dollectable. Thank goodness the themes are super simple ( a Hippie chick and a Toga chick) or I'd be stressed about getting those done on such short notice.
I am not gonna do centerpiece dolls for IFDC next year. I'll find some other way to be of help to Jim, as I just have absolutely zero enthusiasm for doing Barbie remakes anymore.

Austin BJD Con: Now this is the con I am really looking forward to, and spending lots of time getting ready for!
My table gifts are about half done, but I will have time to finish those in between IFDC and Austin, along with a commission, so I am not feeling pressured about that.
This past week I have been working on my entry for the competition, and it's almost done. I only have one set piece to work out and finish, and make a final decision about a wig, then that will be complete and ready to go. I am excited about this! The theme is "At the movies", which means the possibilities are pretty endless. I originally had an idea that required two dolls, but I scratched it in favor of the idea I am persuing, with one doll. I am determined that this is the Summer of travel with one doll only. Boy, is Athena ever getting alot of focus of late. LOL

My biggest challenge for Austin is making sure everything (including my set and table gifts) will fit in my one medium sized suitcase. Which also has to hold my clothes and essentials. I have designed this set with that in mind and think it will work pretty darn well. Of course, I keep thinking of new stuff I could add to it (like lighting), But am trying to keep everything for it as simple and uncomplicated as possible.

I am so impressed with Sherri, who is the coordinator of Austin. She is offering sooo much for the money we pay in registration, it's not even funny! I teased her that she is becoming a regular Jim Faraone (IFDC Organizer who is known for pulling so many perks from our registration fees, that we wonder how he manages to do it). At Austin, a buffet dinner, a breakfast, a banquet dinner, AND a convention outfit are all being included in the registration price of $165. That is pretty farkin' amazing if you asked me!!

Next year I MAY drop going to one of these cons. It's alot for me as it stands now, but if I do drop one, it sure as heck won't be Austin. IMHO that one is becoming THE BJD convention and is not to be missed.

That's about it for now, time to get back to work!!

Heisted from clocheterd

Rules:
* Post 3 things you've done that you believe nobody else on your F-list has done.
* If anybody responds with "I've done that," add another thing.
* Encourage your friends to paste this into their own journal to list the unique things they've done.

1. Been a competitor on a TV Dance show

2. Lived in Central America

3. Produced, edited and published a National magazine for nine years

They have an order update page on their site that they rarely bother to update. The order page STILL says that order #70 will ship late June, BUT, several people on DOA have written to ask about their orders and are being told that orders #66-69 are now held up due to the rainy season. Those poor people ordered in February for chrisakes. And if they are still waiting, who knows when order #70 will be ready.

Anybody want to wager a guess?

My guess is I'll be lucky to see that doll by September, and December is more probable.

It's not that I couldn't accept the wait. I am just pissed that they don't give honest information on their site, or when you write to them. Before I ordered my Butterfly, I wrote to DF and asked them what could I expect in terms of wait. They wrote back with the same damn June info, and assured me that was when the dolls would ship. So, I assumed that would be plenty of time for the doll to arrive prior to conventions. The truth, clearly is a whole different story, and I really wish they would just be up-front about it.

Honestly, I feel that they are really taking advantage of their customers by not keeping that order page updated with accurate information. It's extremely lazy on their part, and piss poor business practice. I feel manipulated in a way. I would not have ordered this doll specifically as a travel/con doll if I had known what the REAL delivery times were.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

I guess since Tim Russert's untimely death, I have been thinking alot about father's. Tim wrote a wonderful book called "Big Russ and Me"
http://www.amazon.com/Big-Russ-Me-Father-Son-Lessons/dp/1401352081

When I read it, I was moved to tears, many times, and also related so much to Tim's experience with an emotionally, reserved, father.

My use of the word reserved is carefully chosen. Ten years ago that word would have been replaced by "emotionally distant."

I am a Baby Boomer. The daughter of a man who was born in 1930. He is the adopted son of an also distant, yet wonderful man.

My father, to the best of my knowledge, was never really emotionally nurtured. He was taught to be tough, responsible, thinking, and on top of the traumas he had to go through in life, he was taught to be in control of everything, at all times.

My father faced all of this, at age fourteen, when his own beloved father sent him off to military school, and cut off
the only emotional lifeline/connection my Dad (the boy) felt sure of. My Daddy loved his Dad. Beyond belief he loved that man, and I often think, he has loved that man more than any other human being in the course of his life.

I am my father's first born. And, now that I am older, I often wonder and imagine how difficult it must have been to be a father at 24. And my Dad wanted to be a good one. Knowing my Dad, he wanted to be the best one.

My Dad has never taken on any job, where he did not strive to be the best. He is the quintessential top achiever. And my level of admiration for him has never wavered.

He is still the man I most admire. He is still the man I am proudest of. And, as I get older. I realize just how much like him I am, and I am grateful that he is my father.

Sure, I am of a different generation. A "feeling, talkative, expressive" generation. And that whole approach is SO not my father.

My natural approach makes him uncomfortable. Talking about feelings is hard for my Dad. It has always been hard because in his generation you didn't do that. It would have been perceived as weak, or out of control.

Extracting words of love from my Dad, is like taking blood from an angry Dog. You can't make it happen. And if you demand too much, you might get bit. So I learned, to take statements he made in pride of me, to mean love. And you know what? It made me a tougher, stronger person. Able to take big knocks in life (and OH BOY, have I had em) and bounce back up.

I am a PollyAnna, in part, because my Dad never let me dwell too long in that cesspool of my angst and emotion. His favorite line to me as a child/teen was "buck up".....

And you know, he was right. Life ain't easy. There will be trauma, and events out of your control.He taught me that, other people will probably never behave as you want or expect them to. But, you DO have control on how other people, and life events impact your life.

Dad, you are an amazing man. I am proud to be your daughter, I could write 20 pages easily on all the gifts of education you have given me.

But, as we both know, I tend to be verbose, so will end this with a simple thank you.

I love you Pat Patterson, MY father, my Dad. And I always will.

Perhaps it is because Tim was so much of my generation (he died, at only four years my senior.) Perhaps it is because he was one of the few television journalists who could be completely impartial during an interview. Perhaps, it is because Meet the Press was my form of Sunday worship.

Whatever the reason,I am incredibly sad today.

Many journalists have passed, President's have passed, dignitaries, Hollywood stars and other prominent people have passed, but NONE have affected me so deeply.

I really loved the guy. I looked forward to his intelligence, his warmth, his integrity and honesty; and, I actually feel a personal loss that he won't be here during this momentous election, to share, and guide me through all of it's intricacies.

RIP Tim, you changed the face of journalism for the better, and you will be sorely missed by this fan of yours.

I have been working on my class for Dollectable, and aside from making the demo film ( a film of me sewing the items I am teaching people to make), I am almost ready.

I am also working on my table gifts for Austin BJD Con, and really happy with how they are turning out. It looks like my table has filled up nicely and includes: Kat, Lin, Grace of JPoP and her daughter, and Julie and Cheryl (if they decide to come). So, I still have 3 to 5 slots and hope some interesting people want to hook up!

I have two centerpiece dolls to make for IFDC, and this year I am just NOT getting into it at all. Thank God the themes are easy (Toga and Hippies), so I should be able to turn out a couple OOAK Barbies on those themes really fast, and feel I can get away with last minute on it if need be.

I am debating whether or not to try to do up a costume entry for Dollectable. I have a cool idea, but it's super involved, and I am really not sure if I have time to do it. Plus, I'd REALLY like to do it for little Abby (my as of yet not arrived Butterfly Narae), so this probably isn't gonna happen, as I just KNOW that doll won't be here on time.

I DO think I will do up an entry for Austin. It will mean traveling with big dolls, but Oh Well, it's not like I haven't done that before.

I've got a great commission project to do for a dear friend, that I am getting excited about. Not sure when I can start it as these con obligations are all so close together, and coming fast, but I am researching, looking at fabrics, and over all super looking forward to doing the project.

Gotta gear up this next week for the Wedding meet-up, which should be alot of fun. Champagne punch anyone???

I finally got this Golden Compass test to work for me without asking me to join all kinds of stuff.

Sooo, here's my results!

Your Score: The Honest Soul.
You scored 7 Extroversion, -1 Sensitivity, and 21 Openness!


You are a talkative, open kind of person. You wear your heart on your sleeve, and you trust people not to break it. In a way, you are as honest and trusting as a child. You are comfortable with who you are and have a strong sense of self, but you are also a little sensitive. Hurtful remarks, especially from people whose opinion you value, have the power to wound you terribly.

You tend to be open about your thoughts and opinions, and you find it difficult to hide your emotions from people. You like to share your thoughts, opinions, and emotions with people, and to hear theirs in return. When someone disagrees with you or offends you, you will take them up on it, whether they are friends or strangers. You don't mind a friendly debate, but become upset when things get hostile. You wish that people wouldn't take everything so personally, but simply think calmly about things.

You have a close knit group of friends and family for whom you would sacrifice almost anything. You don't like big parties full of strangers - you would rather spend your time with the people whom you really care about. You need a private spot where you can retreat when the world gets to be too much, but you want to be able to emerge from your "den" and find your loved ones there to heap love and affection upon you.

Your daemon would represent your loving, open nature, and he or she would probably spend a lot of time encouraging you to be independent and to do the right thing.

Suggested forms: Dog, Otter, Marmoset, Saw-Whet Owl, Songbird, Chinchilla.

You scored higher than 83% on Extroversion
You scored higher than 56% on Sensitivity

You scored higher than 91% on Openness

~~~~~~~~Kind of interesting, the results are very similar to a really extensive Horoscope I had done one. In addition, I once met a Native Medicine Man at a Sweat Lodge retreat who told me my Totem animal was an Otter. (look at the daemons tests suggested forms for me).

I love this girl!!



I dug out Steely Dan's CD and listened to it this morning. Lord but those guys are fantastic!

And just because I am bored, here are the lyrics to the song which inspired the name of my girl.

Lyrics by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen

Up on the hill
People never stare
They just don't care
Chinese music under banyan trees
Here at the dude ranch above the sea
Aja
When all my dime dancin' is through
I run to you

Up on the hill
They've got time to burn
There's no return
Double helix in the sky tonight
Throw out the hardware
Let's do it right
Aja
When all my dime dancin' is through
I run to you

Up on the hill
They think I'm okay
Or so they say
Chinese music always sets me free
Angular banjoes
Sound good to me
Aja
When all my dime dancin' is through
I run to you

http://apps.facebook.com/advocatesquiz/

Kind of fun to take!

And of course, in terms of my answers, there were no surprises. LOL


Left (Liberal)

Liberals usually embrace freedom of choice in personal matters, but tend to support significant government control of the economy. They generally support a government-funded "safety net" to help the disadvantaged, and advocate strict regulation of business. Liberals tend to favor environmental regulations, defend civil liberties and free expression, support government action to promote equality, and tolerate diverse lifestyles.

I am having a doll wedding meet-up (not my kids this time) in two weeks, so of course, the whole "A" team had to get dressed up for it.

Between deciding what everybody should wear, and/or making a couple of em something new, it took me about six hours to get everybody outfitted and dressed for this occasion. Whoa.

Only one who isn't dressing up is Po, but then nobody can see him besides Aidan anyway, so it doesn't matter. :)