Ann T Quittys Wardrobe and Random Thoughts

Sara's first haircut

2008-11-27T01:29:00.000-08:00

The before

The during

The after

I am so proud of Sara. She didn't fuss or cry at all. She is such a big girl now.

Finally some change!

2008-11-05T00:16:00.000-08:00

OBAMA WON! THANK YOU LORD!

Perfect blackmail picture someday!

2008-10-31T23:54:00.000-07:00

My Daughter the Dainty Flower!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I 've fallen and I can't get up!

2008-10-10T16:51:00.000-07:00

Well I have really done it this time. On Tuesday I fell down my back cement steps and really hurt myself. I cracked my head on the cement, landed on my tail bone, and finally rolled to the floor on my right side. Needless to say I am bruised and soar. I had a big goose egg on my head which might be a slight concussion, I have a bruise on my ass that is bigger then my hand, and I can't raise my arm to even put a hair tie in my hair. It all rather sucks. Most of all I have taken more advil then have ever done before, I have burst out in tears from pain, and I have orders I need to get done. If only Eric knew how to sew!

I am in pain!

2008-10-02T23:54:00.000-07:00

I can't take it anymore! At this point if I could rip the front half of my face off and clean it out I would. I don't know if it is allergies, infection, or what! All I know is nothing is working to help me. I can't take it much longer. I might have to break down, see a doctor and pay some inflated amount of money to see him. This sucks!

Who needs fake lawn ornaments...

2008-09-11T21:32:00.001-07:00

Who needs fake lawn ornaments when you can have the real thing! This picture of elk is from a sub-division housing area. This is what happens when we build in their back yards.

The most dangerous cake in the world

2008-09-09T04:24:00.000-07:00

I tried this last night and I have to say it works!( Not my picture above. Many have tried this with great results.) The cake isn't to bad. Now keep in mind that the cake is being micro waved so it doesn't exactly taste like a baked cake. Also buy some frosting to put on top. It does make a difference. Then again when does it not. LOL. Overall not bad for a 3 minute cake. Personally I say ROCK!

Minute Chocolate Mug Cake
1 Coffee Mug
4 tablespoons flour(that's plain flour, not self-rising)
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
Small splash of vanilla

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well . Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to share!)

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

I love this pic of Pookie Poo!

2008-08-21T04:13:00.001-07:00

This is why you don't show boat!

2008-08-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

Just look at all that hair!

2008-08-06T08:36:00.000-07:00

New Harry Potter Look!

2008-07-30T00:12:00.000-07:00

2008-06-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

My little girls matching dress

2008-06-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! The family and some friends are going to the Great Lakes Medieval Faire on July 20th and this will be the first time Sara will be dressed up. So of course I had to make her a matching outfit. I know, perhaps overkill, but I think she will look super cute. Not only that but, I can use the dress as a display gown to go with mine when I sell at my booth. I even made her a cute little coif to go with the dress. The only thing that is different is the trim on the dress. Mainly because I couldn't find the one that is on my dress. I think it might be discontinued. :-( The one on her dress does seem to pop. As for the partalet that is under my dress, I think I might put a short sleeve onsie on Sara so it fits a bit better on her. I will need to experiment a little to see what works. I can't wait to take pictures of her in the outfit. I just hope it isn't going to be to hot to wear the dresses.

One of my favs! A Renaissance Jester costume!

2008-06-05T21:06:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite men's Renaissance outfit I have made. I wanted to make a Jester's outfit as soon as I saw this fabric. I cut the fabric on the bias to get the diamond shape with the squares. Once I had that done it was all about sewing the bells on ribbons onto the doublet and pumpkin pants. Of course I couldn't stop there, I made a Jester hat with bells too. With the help of some lovely ladies from a sewing group I belong to I got the porcelain doll head and started the make the Jester's wand. I dressed the wand jester just like the costume. You can see the wand below. I ended up selling the outfit on Ebay. The man in the pictures very graciously to let me use these pictures. It is always so nice to see your work in action. He ended up selling the outfit himself when he changed persona's. So where ever this outfit is I hope it is getting a lot of use.

The Ped Egg ROCKS!

2008-06-05T20:40:00.000-07:00

This handy little thing is a Ped Egg. It is awesome! I got mine a few days ago and finally used it last night. My feet look and feel great. I highly recommend it to anyone who has bad calluses on their feet. For me this comes around every spring when my feet get to breath in sandals again. For me the pumas stones never really worked. So when I would get out the shower I would...bare with me here.... take my thumb nail and scrap the dead skin off. I know it sounds gross but that is what I did. Even then they still looked like crap. I have tried creams with no help, a pedicure by a professional with no help, and a pumas stone on a stick with no help. So I saw this Ped Egg on TV and thought, "I wonder if it really works?" I have seen things on TV for sale and thought, "right, that doesn't work or it isn't worth the money." Then I got a 20% off coupon from Bed, Bath, & Beyond and thought, "Lets give it a try. If it doesn't work then I am only out $5.00." So I asked the girl behind the counter if she heard about these and if they work and she told me, "We sell a ton of these things. Women come in and buy one for themselves and then come back to get them as gifts." A glowing review and I have to admit I totally agree with them. My feet look lovely. The only complaint I have is that not all the shaved skin gets caught in the egg. Most of it does. So I would do this over a small trash can just in case of fall out. So my lady friends guess what you might be getting as a gift... a Ped Egg!

Because real men wear cod pieces!

2008-05-29T16:26:00.000-07:00

So I was going through some pictures on line and found a few good pictures of men wearing Renaissance clothing. I thought to myself, "Now that is a cod piece!" So in honor of the cod piece I thought I would post a few pics of my men's outfit that had a cod piece.

No thrills airline

2008-05-29T12:31:00.000-07:00

Ah yes. With the airlines now getting rid of free nuts and charging you to bring luggage with you on a trip, this clip has even more meaning then when it was first aired on the Carol Burnett show.

My baby is 1 today

2008-05-27T09:39:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it! My baby is a year old today. It is a bitter sweet day for me. On one hand my baby girl is starting to walk, play, and be a big girl. She can hold her on bottle, feed herself puffs, and sit up to play with toys in the bath tub. On the other hand she is no longer my little tiny baby. To hold as she falls asleep on my chest, to fall sleep when she was in her swing, and wear her cute little footie onesies.

It was one year today that this angel came into Eric and I's life and I haven't regretted a single moment of it. I thank god that there was a way for me to become pregnant with her. I thank god that she came out ok with no complications or health problems, and I thank god that I was able to keep another human being alive for this long. LOL On a serious note, I thank god for her being in my life. I feel complete.

Happy birthday my pookie poo.

My father-in-law

2008-05-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

All week long I have been looking for the right words to say to my husband, and how I feel about the passing of my father-in-law. It has been hard for me to express the sadness I feel. The pain, anger, and the overall hurt. Dave was a good guy. Even though I only knew him for the past 15 years I felt that he truly liked me and thought I was good for his son. I don't feel like he ever held back around me when he needed to get something off his chest or had a bad word to say about me. Even if he did I don't think he would say it. Some of the things I will remember about him is his tractor rides with the kids, playing games with all of us, working on the pool in the summer, and how he always wanted a belt and wallet for his birthday. After he got his belt and wallet he had to come up with something new. Not to mention his penchant for being a smart ass when he could. Perhaps maybe that's why I liked him. We share that. He was also so excited over the fact that I started my own business. He kept telling me I would need to get employees some day.

I guess what I am angry about is the fact that he won't get to know Sara and vice-versa. I got to know my grandparents and spend time with them. I have fond memories of playing golf with my grandfathers, going camping with them, and going for bike rides. I even remember eating the best hamburger I ever ate from my grandmother. It is hard for me to think that Sara won't have those type of memories about her Grandpa Williams. He won't get to share in her first birthday and take her for a tractor ride.

I guess I am also angry at the fact that he smoked for such a long time. Even though the doctor told him he needed to stop he didn't. He smoked cigs for most of his life and I know it is hard to give the habit up. I guess I was just angry at the fact that I knew what was going to happen and there wasn't a damn thing I could say or do to make him see that. Doctors talk about lung cancer but that isn't what kills people; it is emphysema that kills people. It is what killed Dave.

Over all I just have a sense of loss. Knowing that he isn't around anymore. That if Eric needed help his dad won't be there. Knowing that none of our parents are immortal here on Earth and that some day I will need to do the same with my parents. I can't even bear the thought of losing my Buster puppy let alone a parent.

I am also sad at the fact that Eric couldn't be there when he passed. I know that things happen for a reason and he didn't want Eric to see him that way. It is still just hard. I have been seeing Eric beat himself up over the fact that he didn't take enough pictures of him with Sara or videos of them together. It breaks my heart.

I have been crying off and on over the past few days and little things have set me off. I cried when Eric told me about his passing but what really made me cry was when Eric brought a small part of his air hose home. Sara would play with it when she was on his lap. As Sara played with the hose I couldn't hold back my tears. Suddenly Eric was consoling me instead of the other way around.

I know that you are going to read this Eric and I am sorry he is gone. I am sorry you will not see your dad again. I am sorry if you think I was harsh about his smoking. I knew he wasn't going to make it out of the hospital but I didn't want to say anything. I wanted you to have hope. Most of all I am sorry we couldn't spend more time with him at the end.

Wherever you are sir, what ever you might be doing, I hope you are happy. I hope there isn't anymore pain. I hope that there is plenty of air to breath and lots of people to talk with. I hope you know what you meant to us still left behind. Over all a loving man.

We all will miss you.

All I want is some good looking plus size clothing!

2008-04-22T16:53:00.000-07:00

I have been a plus size gal for many years of my life and it has been a bummer. I know I am fat and I have grown to accept it. I am never going to be a size 10 or less and I know that. I came close once when I was in college but I did nothing but exercise my life away. I don't have that kind of time on my hands now. Granted I would love to be a size 14 again but unless I go on a drastic diet and liposuction program I don't see that happening anytime soon.

The main reason I bring this up is I recently saw a lovely blouse I was interested in buying. For this blouse to fit I would have needed a solid 3XL size to give me enough room. Now this is nothing out of the ordinary for me since I have an extremely large chest. I wear a size 40I bra. I have always had a big chest. Even when I was close to a size 10 I wore a 36DD bra. So getting shirts big enough hasn't bothered me. So I go into the store to check out the sizes on this shirt. They only go up to a L-XL. I was bummed. The store lady comes over and asked if she could help me. I told her I was interested in this lovely blouse but it wasn't big enough. So she insisted I try it on. I am thinking, "HELLO LADY HAVE YOU LOOKED AT MY CHEST?" so I thought well I would give it a try. Needless to say I should have gone with my first thought and not even bothered. I came out and said there was no way. She said, "Let me check the catalogue and see if there is a bigger size offered. HOPE! at last nothing. The biggest sized offered is a L-XL.

Feeling rejected I left the store. Now why is it all the nice looking stuff is made for a woman a size 14 and smaller. I looked in a plus size store and everything looks like a sack! I don't want to wear a sack! I want to wear something pretty, airy, and creates a shape other then round! Not only that but there doesn't seem to be a middle ground. It is either all made for older ladies or for overweight Huchie-mamas! I don't want to look like a grandma but I don't want to look like a hooker either! I just want something that is nice, casual, and elegant. Who buys this crap for stores to sell!? I am thinking it is either some skinny bitch or some brain dead man with no style! I mean really, who in the hell thinks multi-colored paisley shirts look good!?!?!?!? Not only that but if I do find something nice to wear and it is big enough it doesn't fit right. Either the shoulders are to big of the bottom half is to tight. I think I am doomed to be naked!

One of my favorite Italian Renassance dresses

2008-04-11T22:51:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite Italian Renaissance dresses I have made. It isn't traditional fabric but the cut is based off a period pattern. I have the ties on the side of the dress so it will fit a wide array of sizes. I have made a few of these dress ensembles over the years and I love the way this one turned out. I also like this one:

On this dress I have the ties sewn into the pieces instead of through grommet holes. Also the front panel comes out if you want to create a different look.

Best surprise party ever!

2008-03-26T21:55:00.000-07:00

Coming up is the anniversary of one of the best surprise parties ever! Let me set the the scene for you. In the below post I talk about the Wooster Rotary Auction. I go every year and stay till the bitter end. I like to see how much things go for. Last year I was 8 months pregnant with my first and only child little Sara Marie. My plan was to get a dry sink and turn it into a changing table for the baby. On the first day a lovely dry sink came up. I bid on it and it went for over $200.00. I couldn't justify paying that much for it so I let it go. Besides I had a different one to bid on the next day and I was hoping to get that one.

The next day arrives and I feel like crap. I got up and told Eric I wasn't feeling all that well and thought about just staying home but our fiends were coming down for the auction so I thought I better go. Plus I really wanted that dry sink. So off I went and I waited for my loving husband to arrive later after he was done at work. Showing up late, very late I might add, he finally made it there before my auction for the dry sink came up. What he didn't know was I had planned a surprise of my own. To buy him something he always wanted to replace from his childhood. A Pinchinco game. I won it and was so excited to show him. He arrived sweating, and out of breath. I asked him if he was alright and he said, "Yes. I just had a bunch of running around to do." I showed him the game and I became the coolest person in the world that day.

Little did I know the reason why he was late and sweaty. He was helping to plan a big surprise Baby Shower for me. At some point I had expected a baby shower to be thrown for me by the coolest BFF around Ms. Trixie Ray. However, I had expected to be told about it ahead of time. This is when my Husband, BFF, Andy, Shannon deuce, and Kevin decide to through a surprise baby shower. Throw me off my guard.

My husband had been asked strange questions when he arrived at the auction like, "Is the football in play?" or "Is the notebook orange?" I didn't think anything of it mainly because my friends are just plan strange to begin with. At one point my husband said he needed to call his Dad on the cell phone which I thought, "Why? It is almost over."Then my dry sink came my in the cue. Eric said he would bid because of my loss of the other the night before and he knew I was upset about it. Pregnant remember!? Anyway, we got up there and I told him, "If it goes to high stop bidding. I will stop hitting your leg when it gets to high." The dry sink went up to $200.00, I stop hitting but he kept going. AHHHHH! I later found out that he got it because there were people in our house and they were all waiting on us to get there. My plan was to bid on something different down the list if I didn't get the dry sink and Eric couldn't take that chance. After we won and paid for the item Eric said to me, "I need to eat. Also i don't want someone to steal my Pinchinco game." I thought to myself, "No one is going to steal your damn Pinchinco game." I wanted to stay but I relented and we went home. I followed Eric home and noticed a bunch of cars parked on the road. I thought, "Wow, someone must be having a party." Eric parked and was running up the sidewalk with his game in hand and I thought, "What the hell dude! And you were worried about someone stealing it and here you are running with it!?" I pulled into the garage and this is when the fun starts.

I went up to the door, put the key in, and the door opened. My first thought was "Oh my God Eric didn't lock the door!" Then it went to,"I hear voices, Who is in my house and Oh God don't take my TiVo!" The lights were on and I walled in to confront the people in my house! That's when "Surprise!" The pictures below are the first pics of me walking into the house.

I can truly say for the first time in my life I was speechless. I am never speechless, ever! I couldn't talk for a good full 15 minutes. This whole time Eric was calling the house and letting them know we were late, then we had left, and finally, "To the people in my house, we are here. Hide!" Andy and Kevin almost didn't make it for the big reveal because they went to the store for beer and went through red lights to make it back in time. What a cleaver deception.

All I can say is, I have wonderful friends, a loving husband, the coolest BFF, and a $225.00 changing table. I am truly blessed.

Auction time again!

2008-03-26T21:31:00.000-07:00

As many of you know it is time to go to the Wooster Rotary Auction in Wooster, Ohio. this auction is frickin' big! Hundreds of stuff to bid on. The Wooster Rotary hold this auction to help raise money for the community and it has become a look forward to event for many years now. Here is a link to the auction and a list of all the items being sold. http://pages.sssnet.com/rotaryclub/
This year we are selling some items that I got at the auction and simply no longer have room for or have replaced through the years. My husband is even selling some of his comic books. 2 great big boxes full of books. I am hoping for some good money from our fine items. We are selling a wooden rocking chair, 5 kitchen chairs, a lovely round table, and the comic books. However, any money I make will more then likely go towards the buying of new things.

My husband also has a pension for buying strange and unusual things. One year it was a small cheese box with a jingle Santa and a Canadian Mountie in it. He was so proud of that purchase. The best story is of my friend Marni. After a screwed up attempt at buying a rocking chair for herself, she was bound and determined to buy a small child's rocking chair for her son. The time came around the end of the auction and she stood up, got in view, and started to bid. Unfortunately she was bidding against a dealer and the price had sored to a high 100 dollars. Once she had won the bid she cried in a determined and stern voice, "405!" The high light of the auction. As she went to pay for the chair the people bidding against her thought she was a dealer and was jacking the price up. They soon realized after watching Marni's son standing on the chair that she was indeed not a dealer. They apologized. She still ended up paying $100 for the chair. Afterwards she put her hand to her check and said, " I just bought a chair for $100.00 for a 3 year old. He'll probably break tomorrow." It lasted a little longer then that but not by much.

We have a few new people coming in for the auction this year. Here is hoping they get auction fever too. After all there might be whale vertebra again this year to bid on!

adult smurf? WTF!?

2008-03-21T04:24:00.000-07:00

Words fail me.

In honor of St. Patty's day

2008-03-16T17:06:00.001-07:00

In honor of St. Patty's Day I made this Irish over dress last year. The black linen has wonderful embroidered shamrocks all over it in kelly green. I thought a kelly green skirt would look perfect under this dress. I had a hard time selling this dress. I really loved it. If I ever come across this fabric again I am so buying. This time I will make a dress for myself. :-)

when will Lee make a new post

2008-03-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

Missing (in) Action

So I have checked in on Lee's blog every once and awhile and nothing new has appeared on her blog. Now I know Lee reads this blog and the other various people I have linked at the side of this blog so I am hoping this will be a HINT to Lee to post something new. Perhaps from this month. LOL

top 5 chase scenes

2008-03-09T22:06:00.001-07:00

Last night Eric and I saw the Bourne movies again. What a great series of movies if you haven't seen them. Well, anyway we got to talking and I asked him what his top 5 chase scenes were. Here is our list.
Honorable mention: Indian Jones and the Last Crusade. Scene: Indy and dad on the motorcycle.
A great scene with good interaction between Harrison and Connery. Always a cleaver idea to use a road blocking stick as a lance. LOL

Honorable mention: Bond, Tomorrow Never Dies. Scene: Michelle Yoeh and Perice Bronsen on the motorcycle being chased while being handcuffed together.
I have to say this was cleaver. I loved the way they bickered on the bike as they tried to get into a good spot to drive the bike.

5. Blue Brothers. Scene: end scene being chased by everyone and there brother.
When you can have that many people chasing you its got to be great.

4.Bourne Ultimatum. Scene: foot chase through the roof tops and apartment buildings.
What a great chase scene. Two chases going on at the same time. We have Bourne being chased by the police and Nickles being chased by the "Asset". What a great way to shoot the scene too.

3. Bond Casino Royal. Scene: Chase on foot through the construction zone.
Any scene where two men are chasing each other on a beam that high up in the air has to be great. Not the mention the great foot work were Bond finally catches up with his man.

2.Bourne Supremacy. Scene: Car chase through Russia
I love the chase through Russia. It starts on foot and quickly leads to the cars. I sure would have hated to be the person trapped in the tunnel when those two cam through. Not to mention the poor Russian woman who got her truck stolen by the Russian assassin then smashed into pieces. You know the Russian government isn't going to replace her car.

1. Blues Brothers. Scene: car chase through the mall.
This scene speaks for its self. Who wouldn't want to drive their car through say the gap or Victoria secrete.

How I can tell I am a mom now

2008-02-24T09:14:00.000-08:00

I can tell I am a mother now mainly because I can sing with all the songs from Jack's Big Music Show now. I knew this would happen over time. The more you play with your children and let them watch TV shows there is bound to be one that they love. For Sara it is Jack's Big Music show. We have done the "wiggle dance" and the "Mel polka" since we have been watching and she has loved every moment. It has gotten to the point that she even recognizes the show when the lady at the start talks about how this show teaches certain skills. We do the theme song together and have fun singing along. I have gotten to the point that I don't even need the music to sing the song with her.
Am I going insane?! Perhaps. I would like to think that it is becoming involved in my daughters life and enjoying the things she does. On the other hand maybe I need to get out the house a little more often. Below is a picture of my daughter watching the show. Such utter joy!

I guess I don't need to sew

2008-02-12T16:40:00.000-08:00

I guess I don't need to sew anymore. Everything can just be made from balloons! LOL

Star Trek "Q" Hat

2008-02-07T01:49:00.000-08:00

I was hired to make a hat for a man looking for a hat that "Q" from Star Trek wore in I believe two episodes. "Q" had put humanity on trial and wore a hat that looks like a scholars hat from the renaissance period. The same style hat was worn by the judges in Harry Potter during the wizard trial in "Order of the Phoenix". The "Q" hat is square at the top with gathered fabric to the center. It is made with black velvet. I think it turned out ok. I hope he likes it. What do all you think?

Why dogs bite people! part 2

2008-02-03T06:58:00.000-08:00

Identity Crisis 2. Moo? Not only that but am I a cow or a steer?

I hate to tell you this but I don't have any boobs there!

I want to suck your blood!

OH NO HERE COMES THE WIND AGAIN!

You have go to be kidding me! Do I look like a bunny to you?

I falling over, I am falling over...........!

Why dogs bite people! part 1

2008-01-31T18:18:00.001-08:00

Shalome!

Bombs Away!

I am having an identity crisis! Meow?

I mean really, do I look like a reindeer to you?

I am Thundar the Puppy and I am here to slay the dragon in this fair village!

Notice the hooves for paws. Poor dog.

The Spoiled Under 30 Crowd

2008-01-31T18:08:00.000-08:00

The Spoiled Under 30 Crowd

If you are 30 or older, you will think this is hilarious!!!! If not, send it to your parents! They'll think it's funny!

When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes about how hard things were when they were growing up; what with walking twenty-five miles to school every morning ... Uphill BOTH ways .. Yadda, yadda, yadda. And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way in heck I was going to lay a bunch of junk like that on kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it! But now that... I'm over the ripe old age of thirty, I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today. You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a dang Utopia! And I hate to say it but you kids today you don't know how good you've got it!

1. When I was a kid, we didn't have the Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the library and look it up ourselves... In the card
catalog!! (Do you even know what a card catalog is? Didn't think so!)

2. There was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter.. With a pen! Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox and it would take like a week to get there!

3. There were no MP3's or Napsters! If you wanted to steal music, you had to walk to the record store or get your parents to take you! Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and mess it all up!

4. We didn't have fancy stuff like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and somebody else called they got a busy signal, that's it!

5. And we didn't have fancy Caller ID Boxes either! When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your mom, your boss,
your collections agent, you just didn't know!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances!

6. We didn't have any fancy Sony Playstation video games with high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like 'Space Invaders' and 'asteroids' and the graphics…there weren’t any! Your guy was a little square! You actually had to use your imagination! And there were no multiple levels or screens; it was just one screen forever! And you could never win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster until you died! Just like LIFE!

7. When you went to the movie theater there no such thing as stadium seating! All the seats were the same height! If a tall guy or somebody with a hat sat in front of you and you couldn't see, too bad!

8. Sure, we had cable television, but back then that was only like 15 channels and there was no onscreen menu! You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find out what was on! And there was no Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday Morning. Do you hear what I'm saying!?! We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons!

9. And we didn't have microwaves, if we wanted to heat something up, we had to use the stove or go build a fire ... Imagine that! If we wanted popcorn, we had to use that JiffyPop thing or a pan with HOT oil and real popcorn kernels and shake it all over the stove forever like you were doing a work out.

10. When we were on the phone with our friends and our parents walked-in, we were stuck to the wall with a cord, a 7 foot cord that ran to the phone - not the phone base, the actual phone. We barely had enough length to sit on the floor and still be able to twirl the phone cord in our fingers. If you suddenly had to go to the bathroom, " guess what we had to do..... ,Hang up and talk to them later.

That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have got it too easy. You're spoiled!!You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in 1980! These facts fit our grandchildren. If I went way back to when the people I am forwarding this e-mail to grew up, it would be like speaking to you in Russian.

Regards, The over 30 Crowd

Civil war dresses

2008-01-31T09:46:00.000-08:00

So I have had a lot of people checking out my civil war dresses so I thought I would put these up. These are dresses I made for myself (center), Trixie ( red), and Candi (blue). I think we all look pretty good. :-) I have since taken my collar off and replaced it with a handmade knit one, added more period jewelry, and added a day cap instead of the hat. My dress was made from homespun fabric. Light and breezy. I want to make a new one but I don't know what pattern to use. I am thinking about using a day bodice with a peplum instead of the one piece work dress. Something a little dressier. Here are some different picks of my dress.

To Funny!

2008-01-26T14:26:00.001-08:00

This is why I love my friends. I laughed out loud when I saw this sketch by my fiend Bruce. Power to the role-playing geeks out there!

You can see a close up of the sketch at this link

I am finally over the flu!

2008-01-25T23:16:00.000-08:00

I am finally over the flu! After 12 hours of throwing up, 18 hours of sitting on the john, and often doing both at the same time, I am finally feeling better. There is nothing like running to the bathroom every 10 to 15 minuets to see what else will come out of your body. I also managed to throw up in everything in the bathroom. ( don't worry I have totally disinfected everything in my bathroom.) I hope and pray I don't get the flu again this year.

Heath Ledger is dead

2008-01-22T14:25:00.001-08:00

I am in complete shock! I can't believe he is really dead. It makes going to see Batman even more important for me. Rest in peace Heath. I shall always remember you in A knight's Tale.

Actor Heath Ledger Dead At 28
Sources: Death May Be Drug-Related; Pills Found Scattered In NYC Residence
NEW YORK (CBS) ― Heath Ledger, who was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in the critically-acclaimed movie Brokeback Mountain, has died, sources tell CBS 2.

The Australian-born actor was just 28.

He was pronounced dead at 3:26 p.m. in his downtown Manhattan residence by his housekeeper, who discovered him in cardiac arrest and called 911, an NYPD spokesperson says. He was apparently scheduled to have a massage in his apartment this afternoon.

Sources tell CBS 2's Scott Weinberger the death may be drug-related and that there were pills scattered around the room.

Ledger had recently separated from his wife, actress Michelle Williams. The couple have one daughter, Matilda.

He is appearing in the next installment of the "Batman" movie opposite Christian Bale as the infamous "Joker" and was in the midst of filming "The Imaginarium Of Dr. Parnassus."

Other well-known films Ledger appeared in include "The Patriot," "A Knight's Tale," and "Monster's Ball."

Ledger would have turned 29 on April 4.

Get your Sara on! New pic

2008-01-18T19:17:00.001-08:00

Here is the newest pic of my baby girl. She is wearing her jedi princess outfit that a wonderful lady made for her. I belong to a great group of ladies and we all sew and make lovely costumes, quilts, and general stuff. Thank you for the lovely sleep sack!

My wish for the "boys"

2008-01-11T12:43:00.000-08:00

I am not sure how many of you who visit here go to the sketch of the day site, for which I have a link to, but just recently my friends over there were confronted by a viewer to do something more with there talent. For those who have not been there the three guys who have the blog are extremely talented artists. I can only wish to be able to draw as well as them. I wish I had a small pink full of the talent they have.

I have known one of them for at least 10 years now, one for at least 5 years, and the last one for about a little over 2 years now. They all went to art school together and are extremely creative and talented men. They started the sketch of the day to get there spirits recharged and enjoy art again. Something I am sure we can all relate to. I my self get burned out making chemise's and skirts all the time.

For years I have been wanting these guys, plus the "boys" ( see picture to the side) to create something. Come up with a story, create a comic book hell, something! We have a couple of great story tellers and creative minds in the group with a couple wonderful artists. Not to mention a couple of wonderful writers who could put all those thoughts into something great! So why haven't they done so yet?

THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO KNOW!

Ever since I have known my husband and he introduced me to the world of roleplaying geek-hood, I have know him to be an imaginative, creative person. I think it is one of the things I truly love about him. I have always wanted him to do something more with this creative ways. We wrote a child's book with cute little poems that I would love to see one of the guys do the art work for. Something to pass to Sara as her own personal book her dad and "uncles" made for her.

With that said I wish these guys would be creative for themselves. Do something that they could make and say I did that. I made and sold something of my own effort. No one else told me to make this, no one hired me to make this, I made it with my own reasons, own creative talents, and with my own personal pride. I don't think there is to much in life more gratifying then that. When I make a gown and it turns out to be completely lovely and I sell it to someone who loves it, it make me feel great pride that I created something. Personal fulfillment. I wish these guys could do the same. Not the dress making but the fulfillment. lol I wish they could find what the word above in Chinese is. Bliss. I want them to find their bliss. Do something big in their spare time. Work on it slowly at first if they want. I just think that if they started working on something they would find bliss. Bliss in knowing they made something for them.

New Renaissance costumes for sell!

2008-01-08T12:23:00.000-08:00

I have some new dresses up this week on Ebay. I am hoping they sell this week. Mainly because I have become busy again with sewing. It never ends! LOL

A different Civil War Ball Gown

2008-01-04T16:10:00.000-08:00

It seems many people have been looking at my Civil War Ball Gown. So I deiced to go ahead and add a new picture of a gown I did in the past and sold on Ebay. This dress turned out very nice. I used the same pattern for the bodice I used in my dress. Other then that I added some different things. I think this dress has more bells and whistles then my dress did. However, I still like them both. The pictures below are some close up shots of the sleeve with sleeve jockey and the back lacing. You can also see the bertha.

If Harry Potter was Goth

2007-12-29T09:56:00.000-08:00

Sara and Santa!

2007-12-21T17:49:00.001-08:00

A super cute pic. The only thing that was wrong is Sara wouldn't look at the camera! There were to many moving things to look at around Santa. So this is the best we could get.

Sara in the family Williams gown

2007-12-16T23:15:00.001-08:00

This turned out to be a cute pic. Eric's mom wanted a picture of Sara in the family christening gown and this is the pic I chose to fix up and look professional. We put her in the wooden cradle my dad fixed up.

Here is the other. Girls with meat on their heads!

2007-12-15T19:57:00.001-08:00

My responce to my husbands call, Human Tetris!

2007-12-15T19:51:00.000-08:00

So my hubby put down a challenge for the best Japanese game show clip. Here is my entry into the funny.

Don't buy a Polaroid 40 inch LCD HD TV

2007-12-14T16:58:00.000-08:00

DO NOT BUY THIS TV! My husband and I bought the TV you see above a Polaroid 40" LCD HD flat screen TV from Circit City. We bought this TV on black Friday for a very good price. I was really excited about it. We finally got the wall mount up, all the wires in the right place, got a new entertaiment stand to go under the TV, and watch the wonder of big screen viewing. In 12 hours, YES 12HOURS, later the TV died. No picture or sound. As we looked up the TV under Circit City website and read the reviews, we came to understand we were not the only people this happened to. Apperantlly this TV is a piece of CRAP! You have to wait 4 to6 weeks for a part from Polaroid. If this is a common problem then why haven't they recalled this TV! So, Eric and I will be buying a new TV under a different name brand. Since we are still under the 30 days for return we plan on getting our money back! If you want to avoid this headach don't buy a Polaroid! Stick to Camara's Polaroid!

My Civil War Ball Gown

2007-12-10T20:08:00.000-08:00

This is the Civil War Ball gown I made for myself a few years back for the Civil War encampment weekend in Zoar, Ohio. I love the dress I made but I have worn it for the past 2 civil war events now and it is time for a new one. I would like to make a sheer one but I am not sure if I want to go through the all the work that it takes to make one. Plus I haven't found a good pattern I like yet. At least I have 2 years to think about it. LOL

The dress is made from a plaid taffeta. I am wearing a corset underneath the bodice and a hoop skirt with a petticoat under the skirt. The bodice is lined and has boning in the seams. There is pipping around the arm sycs and all the seams. The puffed sleeves have a sleeve jockey with black beading hanging from it. Across the bodice I have a sash with rosettes at the top and bottom. In the center is a button and tassels. The skirt is a 3 tiered flounced skirt with set in waist band. Along the bottom of the tiers I have black ribbon for accent.

cute pic of Sara for the month!

2007-12-10T20:04:00.000-08:00

Apple cheesecake

2007-12-10T19:42:00.000-08:00

For everyone who had some apple cheesecake at the party here is the recipe.
(please keep in mind it will not look like the one above. It will taste better and look almost like the one above. LOL)

The easy way for busy people on the go:
Pillsbury Pie Crusts 9 inch ( comes in a 2 pack)
9 inch pie pan
1 can of Comstock apple pie filling ( you can create your own filling if you prefer)
Apple crumb topping

For the cheesecake part:
2lbs. Philly cream cheese. (2 packages)
3/4 cup sugar
1cup sour cream (small container of sour cream)
2large eggs
1tsp. vanilla
2tsp. flour

Cake: In large mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese and sugar. Beat until thoroughly mixed. Beat in sour cream. Stir in eggs, slightly beaten, vanilla and flour, only until mixed. When thoroughly mixed pour into pan with pie crust.

Prepare the apple crumb topping as directed on the package.

Bake cheese cake at 400 degrees for the first 10-15 minutes. Turn oven down to 300 degrees and add the apple pie filling on top. Try to spread it out evenly. Add the apple crumb topping across the apples. Place back in the oven for 45 minutes. Allow the cake to cool in the oven with the door propped slightly open for 3 hours. Refrigerate.

Welcome to Christmas

2007-11-25T17:50:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is now over and NOW we can start to celebrate Christmas. Pull out the lights and tree with ribbons and bows. Most of all it is time to deal with bad Holiday drivers, rude people trying to get a good deal on a present and yelling at the cashier when it doesn't ring up right, and general douchbaggery. I personally love the Christmas time of the year but I can do without the ill will of most people. Perhaps I like to see acts of kindness for no reason. Perhaps it is what the true idea behind the season is all about. I don't know, but I would like to think that people are still kind for no reason then just be kind. I don't think people are kind anymore. There is a lack of respect for others in general. I hope that whoever reads this post thinks about doing a kind act at least once this season for no personal gain. Give food to a food bank, donate to Coats for kids, or even it is to give a person your parking spot at a store. What ever you do I hope this post has given you a reason to do it. If you do happen to have an act of kindness or you have someone else give you an act of kindness post it here. I would love to hear it. Re-new my faith in this Holiday. If you are one of those who says to hell with other people I have a perfect song for you to listen to.

What happened to Thanksgiving!?

2007-11-16T08:43:00.000-08:00

What happened to Thanksgiving? In recent years it seems like Thanksgiving is passed by for instant Christmas. Poor Thanksgiving just gets looked at as a day to eat some turkey and then shop for Christmas. The stores are filled with Christmas stuff already, people have already put up their Christmas decorations, and the thanksgiving decorations have already been marked down to 50% in the stores if you can find them at all. So What happened? Do we not care about Thanksgiving anymore? Should we just forget about this holiday completely?

I Say NO! Fight to keep Thanksgiving alive! A turkey deserves to be cooked and eaten! We need to celebrate the turkey, stuffing, and green bean casserole! Most of all we need to come together as a family and remember we all love each other enough to bring food to eat and be thankful for what we have. To give to others who go without and to give without the thought of what is it going to get me. I think Thanksgiving needs to get it's props again. Not just a forgettable holiday anymore. So lets hear it for Thanksgiving! Be thankful for what we all have in our lives!

The Medusa is Victorious!

2007-11-16T08:37:00.000-08:00

The Medusa is Victorious! Somewhat. My Hench Woman won the game in the end but, I beat Craig! HUHUH! I got my last phase in Phase 10 before Craig so the Medusa is the Victor! Once again the Medusa beats the Craig. I say bring on the next challenge.

The Medusa is coming!

2007-11-05T15:49:00.001-08:00

This weekend coming up I will have the pleasure of kicking my friends butts in a game of Phase 10. I guess I should explain myself before I go on. A while back in time my ever so loving husband branded me with the name Medusa. You see, every time we get together with my BFF and Andy to play cards we play Phase 10. My husband seems to think I am a super competitive person when it comes to games. I guess I am because of being an only child. Playing games was a fun time growing up and was only done when the grown-ups were done playing or during holidays. So yea I guess I am a bit competitive. My husband says I have an MO when I play. I say,"Oh woe's is me. I am so behind and will never win. I have a crappy hand." Then I turn around and crush everyone at the table. So he started to call me the Medusa. Even going as far as to imitate the Medusa one night making fun of me. So instead of getting mad or upset about it I have deiced to embrace the title.
So this weekend coming up will be the big test. Will the Medusa win out on the night. It is going to be a big night of card playing. Not only will it be the Medusa and her husband with the BFF and Andy but, it will be Craig and Mandi playing as well. Craig has already told me he will crush the Medusa with the weight of 10,000 waterfalls. Little does he know that waterfalls mean nothing to the Medusa. Only pain and crying from her opponents. Together with her HenchWoman, Craig will be crushed like 10,000 grapes being pressed and stomped on by fat Italian women to make wine. He shall be nothing but a husk like the grapes left over from wine making.
May the Medusa Turn him to stone!

A sad day for a lovely gown

2007-11-01T23:26:00.000-07:00

Its a sad day for this costumer. I recently got an IM from a customer of mine who bought many things over the past 2 years. She told me that the dress above the kirtle with hells gate gown, was the only thing to survive a fire she had in her home. Unfortunately, the dress below, the Tudor gown, was lost to the fire. The dress below took many hours to make since I put the pearls on by hand one by one. Very sad. So here is a moment of silence for the dress that was lost.

Get your Jedi Princess on!

2007-10-29T00:52:00.000-07:00

Here is my little Jedi Princess! I didn't make the costume but... she still looks great! Next year I will make her costume and it will be awesome! I just had to dress her like Princess Leia.

2007-10-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

This is a customer order I have done for a teacher. The plan for her class is to show the German flag as a part of heritage days at her school. I thought what a cool idea! So what do you think? Does it capture the idea of the German flag?

Poll Results!

2007-10-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

It seems June has the most votes! Here's to June!

2007-10-24T15:27:00.000-07:00

And it starts already! I can't seem to keep the hands of the boys off my daughter. Is this a sign of things to come? I don't know. I do however know that not only do I have photo evidence of Tobey feeling up my daughter but he is starring at Sara's chest. Ahhh, get use to that little girl. If she is anything like her mom she will have a chest that will command attention. I do know however that one whole chicken has now come off the dowry if she marries Tobey. LOL! Photo doesn't lie!

Picture says a thousand words

2007-10-18T23:30:00.001-07:00

I really don't need to say anything else!

Way to busy!!!!

2007-10-17T02:28:00.000-07:00

I know it is good to busy but WOW I am super busy this October. I am hoping to get everything done. Then again it is hard when things seem to be going wrong at every turn. Between family issues, teaching issues, and finding time to sew, I hardly have time to spend time with Sara. I thank god I have my husband. I can't seem to tell him enough how much I love and appreciate him. Well, I guess I just have. :-)

Nothing but Love Eric, Nothing but Love. Happy Sweetest Day!

a new word

2007-10-17T02:24:00.000-07:00

So I was playing Bingo on POGO and had a really bad card. Nothing seemed to be working out. So I posted on the message that my cards were "craptastic". One of the ladies in the room laughed and loved the words and thanked me for a great word. I of course told her to use it when ever in good health. It is always a good feeling to bring a smile to a complete stranger. :-)

I want this shirt! Ghost Hunters

2007-10-15T20:18:00.000-07:00

This is a super cool shirt and I love it. First off I love the show Ghost Hunters and this is from their website. Second, I wish they could show all the stuff they can't show on the show. Isn't that what we all watch for?!?!? Ok SciFi station, let them show the evidence we want to see. Who cares if it is scary. We want proof! That is why we watch. That is the reason behind the show, getting proof and debunking the crap. Now don't get me wrong they have showed some cool stuff. The chair moving in the lighthouse, the lighthouse with the shadow people, images of black figures, the figure in the locker, and voices on EVP. ( If you don't know EVP just watch the show. They explain it all. Not only that but it has become a drinking game. Every time it is explained in the show take a drink. ) These things just are not enough. Not only that but I would love for them to do a live show at Waverly Sanitarium. I think that would be a kick ass night! SHOW MORE! Here is a link to their web pages.
Click Here!!!
Worth checking out plus the show. Keep it up boys and make SciFi show more!

New Poll Up Now!!!

2007-10-14T18:57:00.001-07:00

So what is your Favorite Month of the YEAR! Vote now!

Renaisssance Faire 2007

2007-10-14T18:41:00.000-07:00

I vend at one Renaissance Faire a year in Medina, Ohio. I loved the two day faire. It was super fun. Here are a few pictures of the booth. Even though it rained the second day we still had a good time and good sales. Enjoy!

This is my BFF "Trixie Ray" in all her glory. Talk about lookin' good girl!

This is the booth. Does it say, "Come in and buy something!"

My favorite picture of Sara yet

2007-10-14T18:32:00.000-07:00

No words can say just how cute this picture of Sara is. Thanks Andy for this one.

2007-10-14T17:30:00.000-07:00

Halloween is always a busy time of the year for me. Ok, October is the busiest time of the year for me. Between making costumes, teaching school, and finding time to spend time with family and friends it seems impossible to get anything done. On top of that it is hard when you get a cold and you feel light headed every time you move. LOL Here is hoping I can get everything done. Even thought October is busy it is still one of my favorite months of the year. The leaves are turning and it is starting to cold. It isn't to cold to sit around a fire and not to hot that you roast with sweat rolling down your face. It is time for pumpkins and apple cider not to mention loads of candy from trick or treating. :-)

The most recent Irish Overdress I sold

2007-10-05T14:36:00.001-07:00

This is an Irish Over dress I recently sold on Ebay. A lovely Stewart plaid / tartan. I love to make these. I have one that I wear when I do vendor work. I really need to make one for myself again. The one I have fit pre-baby and I look a little like a stuffed sausage. LOL I know the dress is suppose to be tight and hold the "girls" in and up but the last time I worn the dress I felt like the "girls" were being shoved into my throat. Talk about cleavage! LOL I guess the good thing about it was Eric didn't complain. LOL

I love this one

2007-10-04T23:49:00.001-07:00

This is my dress. I made this a few years ago and amazingly enough I can still fit into it after the baby as come. This picture was from when I was still going through some of the sewing process. I don't have the jewels on, I don't have my partalet on, and I don't think I even have make-up on. LOL Not only that but you can see the straps from the corset I am wearing! Hopefully I can get some better pictures wearing it. I love this dress!

Welcome to my random thoughts and outfits

2007-10-04T23:35:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome one an all to Ann's random thoughts and outfits of the day. After much prodding and poking from my hubby I have created a blog. I hope I can keep up with it since I have so much to do in a day. Between sewing, creating, sleeping, taking care of the baby, working as a teacher, cleaning the house (sometimes), loving my husband, reading email, taking orders, answering questions about my garb, sleeping....
I thought this would be a great place to show off some of my work I have done and some recent thoughts of the day. After all it can't all be work and no play. LOL I hope you enjoy the blog and look forward to hearing your comments!

Jennifer
aka the multi tasker