An Unexpected Gift

A very large mysterious package came in the mail shortly before Christmas. What could it be? A dress form from my parents! She stood downstairs in the living room for a few weeks - scaring the entire family regularly. My son spoke to it (it was dark) thinking it was J, A dances with it every time he comes over....scared the snot out of me when I came in from the garage. She's upstairs in my sewing room now, still catching me unawares at times. Can't keep calling her "she" or "the body". Hopefully she'll solve the fitting problems I continue to have.
Here "She" is :o)

Suicide, House, neighbors, dogs, PB&J, STD's and accents

Welcome to the December 4th version of Thursday Thunks!

1. Have you ever not thought about the possibility of suicide?
I don't understand this question...Have I ever NOT thought about the possibility of suicide - doesn't this kind of imply I think of it always? Anyways, I've never thought of actually killing myself.

2. How many dogs have you owned in your life? What kind? What were their names?
The first was Brandi, a cocker spaniel, then came Mookie, the Black Lab, then Beau, a Weimeraner.

3. In one word, what do most people describe you as?

4. Do you watch HouseMD? Why not?
I do occasionally - reruns.

5. What irritates you most about your neighbors?
I have great neighbors. The people I have a problem with are the folks who walk their dogs and don't pick up after them. I was raking leaves the other day and came upon a "deposit" - needless to say I was pissed. I don't have a dog and it really chaps my butt to have to clean up after someone else's dog.

6. Have you ever called someone in for some sort of abuse or neglect on humans, animals or property? No

7. What color is the sky in your world?
today it was a thin, soft, heathery gray

8. Did you see those 2 planets that everyone is talking about this week?
I tried, it was too cold to stay out long the way I was dressed (flip flops, t-shirt)

9. Would you like to submit your own question for future Thursday Thunks?
No

10. Do you have a skin condition? Are you gonna tell us what it is? No

11. Have you ever had an STD? No

12. Do you do any crafts?
Oh yes, I start many crafts. I sew, and bead, and scrap to name a few.

13. Peanut Butter & Jelly - what flavor is the jelly?
Has to be grape, and it needs to be jam NOT jelly

14. Stripes or polka-dots? both

15. What accent drives you crazy? Is it a good crazy or a bad crazy?
I love Scottish accents....that burr, definitely good crazy. :o)

Meme Express....Grinch

Today, the Meme Express prompt is “Grinch.”

Did you read Dr. Seuss’ classic Christmas story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, as a child? Absolutely!

Do you watch the animated cartoon each year on television? Every year, without fail. If my grown children are around I torture them and make them watch with me.

Do you have your own copy of it? Yes, the animated version.

Did you see the Jim Carrey version of The Grinch in a cinema? I took my kids to see it...fell asleep but woke in time to see Christmas saved :o)

Did you purchase the movie? No.

Which did you prefer, the animated or live-action version? Positively the animated one - it's a classic!

Do you know any real-life Grinches? Well....it's not nice to call folks out like that.

Have you ever acted like a Grinch? I'm sure I have, in a moment of frustration, called off Christmas in the distant past (Probably while trying to fit Tab A into Slot B on the endless Barbie and Ninja Turtle toys)

Who is Cindy-Lou Who, anyway? She looks eerily like my sister...

Butterick 5186

I've been in a sewing funk lately. Seems like every sewing project I start ends up a turkey (remember the eggplant knit dress?). Even when I follow the directions to a "T", cut out fabric meticulously, sew exact 5/8" seams, grade & clip, baste and tack....blah, blah, blah...it's all for naught. The garments just don't fit properly.

So I decided to increase my odds...I chose a pattern that doesn't fit closely. Butterick 5186 was my choice. It says it's a "Fast & Easy" pattern and it was...really!

Because of the disappointing history I've had of late, I chose to use some inexpensive stash fabric - a dark brown stretch cotton. I made view A with view c sleeves. This pattern has a very wide collar - which is what drew me to it to begin with. After the front facing was sewn I tried it on...the collar was waaaay too wide for me so I took off 3.25 inches of it and I'm very happy with the results. Adding 2.5 inches to the length was a power move. The only closure it has right now are the ties but I have plans to add a large fabric covered snap.

I wore it to work on Monday with a baby blue turtleneck underneath and since I was feeling so froggy from that success, I wore the eggplant colored knit dress on Tuesday.

I am a Bette

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Bette!

You are a Bette -- "I must be strong"

Bettes are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Stand up for yourself... and me.


• * Be confident, strong, and direct.


• * Don't gossip about me or betray my trust.


• * Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side.


• * Give me space to be alone.


• * Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don't flatter me.


• * I often speak in an assertive way. Don't automatically assume it's a personal attack.


• * When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try to remember that's just the way I am.

What I Like About Being a Bette

• * being independent and self-reliant


• * being able to take charge and meet challenges head on


• * being courageous, straightforward, and honest


• * getting all the enjoyment I can out of life


• * supporting, empowering, and protecting those close to me


• * upholding just causes

What's Hard About Being a Bette

• * overwhelming people with my bluntness; scaring them away when I don't intend to


• * being restless and impatient with others' incompetence


• * sticking my neck out for people and receiving no appreciation for it


• * never forgetting injuries or injustices


• * putting too much pressure on myself


• * getting high blood pressure when people don't obey the rules or when things don't go right

Bettes as Children Often

• * are independent; have an inner strength and a fighting spirit


• * are sometimes loners


• * seize control so they won't be controlled


• * figure out others' weaknesses


• * attack verbally or physically when provoked


• * take charge in the family because they perceive themselves as the strongest, or grow up in difficult or abusive surroundings

Bettes as Parents

• * are often loyal, caring, involved, and devoted


• * are sometimes overprotective


• * can be demanding, controlling, and rigid

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy