New Jersey Falcons Time!

I've posted this link in the past.  Every year since it began I've been following the New Jersey falcons that nest on top of a building in Jersey City.

http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/education/falconcam/

The original female must have "aged out" as a new one has appeared this year.  I believe there has been two males.  Many years back one of the males was found injured on the sidewalk and went to live in a rehab place.  A new male moved in and took up residence at that time. 

I saw the one falcon on the roof this morning.  Sometimes I just leave it running in the background while I'm online and take a look every few minutes.  The camera scans out over the Hudson River and you can see NYC too!

"R" as in Amazing RACE for Alphabe-Thursday

Welcome to Alphabe-Thursday sponsored by Ms. Jenny at Jenny Matlock..."off on my tangent."  For a list of this week's participants head over to Jenny's blog.  This week we are studying the letter "R" as in The Amazing RACE.

The Amazing RACE is one of my favorite TV shows.   Teams of two race around the world trying not to get eliminated.  The first team to arrive at the last pit stop wins one million dollars.  The RACE seems to bring out either the best or the worst in people.

Another one of my favorite shows is Downton Abbey.  I'm fascinated with the British lifestyle, fashions, drama, history, etc. of that time.  Sadly, I'll have to wait almost another year for season six to air.

My imagination runs wild sometimes.  Wouldn't it be fun to see the cast of Downton Abbey run the Amazing RACE?

Here are the teams I've come up with so far (in no particular order):

Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson:

I'm a romantic.  I think they're so cute together.  They seem to keep their emotions in check which will help them on the RACE.

Anna and Mr. Bates:

 I don't know if he'll be able to keep up with her.  He might be a liability on this team.  Anna is so nice.  The other teams will like her, but she might be too nice for her own good in this RACE.

 Robert and Cora:

For the most part they're pretty compatible and that can only help in the RACE.  However, they're also quite spoiled.  No one on the RACE is going to stop and spoil them.  They're on their own here.

Mrs. Patmore and Daisy:

 

 "Yes, Mrs. Patmore."  Remember those days?  Daisy no longer says that every other sentence.  I think they respect each other and that can only help on the RACE.

Lady Mary and Lady Edith:

I just had to put them together.  There's always one team that does nothing but bicker right from the get go.  Let the fireworks begin!

Lady Rose and Atticus:

I had to keep the newlyweds together.  I told you I was a romantic.


These are the teams I've come up with so far.  Maybe you can help?

I like Tom.

I just don't know who to pair him with for the RACE.  I want someone nice for him.

I don't like this Tom.

I'd love to hook him up with someone mean, sneaky, and difficult.

Sorry Violet...

...you're too old for this RACE.

Maybe I should put Dr. Clarkson and Lady Crawley together??

Decisions, decisions, decisions.  Perhaps you have some ideas?  We need 11 teams here.

Then Phil can say, "Downton Abbey, the world is waiting."   "Travel safe."

Now travel over to Ms. Jenny's blog and thank you for visiting.

Why I'm slowly hating Pinterest...

Up until a few days ago I was for the most part enjoying Pinterest.  It was a great way to keep track of doll and doll things I enjoyed on the Internet.  Suddenly, everything changed.

My feed now contains things I find objectionable.  I think it might be because I've followed Pinners for their doll boards, but I didn't check out their other boards.  Now that stuff is popping up in my feed.  I've gone back and unfollowed most of the people that have other boards besides doll boards.  I'm hoping this will take care of it for me.

If anyone knows anything else I can do please let me know.

If things don't change I'm going to delete my Pinterest account.  I'm kind of disgusted with the whole thing.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

This is a doll post.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!

From my Vogue Ginny Dolls

(L-R: Vogue Modern Ginny, Vogue Vintage Ginny, and Vogue Vintage Reproduction Ginny)

 

 

Learning about Pinterest

Pinterest has been a learning experience for me. 

I guess I'm a little naive.  I thought it was an online bulletin board where you could "pin" things that you wanted to save and come back to later.  Perfect for my doll hobby.

I started "pinning" pictures of Vogue dolls, outfits, furniture, etc., that I wanted to save for reference.  I'm kind of selective with what I chose to "pin."  For instance, I want a 1954 Vogue Ginny doll outfit on a 1954 doll.  I won't "pin" a picture of the outfit on a 1956 doll.  I like to type a description and mention the book I use for reference.  I'm doing it for my own information and perhaps I can help someone else learn more about these dolls and their accessories.

Then I started noticing people following me.  I'd go and look at their "pins" and couldn't understand why they'd want to follow my doll "pins."  It was obvious by what they were "pinning" that they had absolutely no interest in dolls.  Then I started noticing that some people had thousands of "pins."  Like some have over 100,000 "pins."  With all that "pinning" do they have time to go back and look at them?

Then it dawned on me.  They just follow everyone in hopes they'll follow them in return.  It's all about the numbers. Sorry, but I'm not going to follow someone that I have no intention of ever going back to visit.  It doesn't make sense to me.

I was reading a lady's blog a while back and she was saying how people recommend "pinning" at least 27 "pins" a day.  Apparently, they're trying to bring traffic to their websites and blogs that way.  I guess I can understand if you have a business, but why would anyone just want to "pin" 27 things just for the sake of "pinning?"

I noticed that one lady with over 100,000 pins has now added a notice to each of her boards stating, "Pinning politely is appreciated.  Raiding is not."  She also threatened to block anyone that took more than five of her "pins."  I thought that was kind of funny.  I've had people "pin" a bunch of my "pins" at one time and I took it as a compliment.  Besides, I don't own any of them.  Even the ones I've uploaded directly from my computer.  Once they're out there anyone can have them.  If I wanted to keep that from happening I wouldn't upload them to Pinterest.

I enjoy "Pinning."  It actually helps me learn more about the dolls I love.

Please, if I ever get anywhere close to 100,000 "pins" stop me!  I can't help but wonder how many hours that would take.  It sounds to me like some people are spending way too much time online and taking Pinterest way too seriously.  It's suppose to be fun!  At least that's how I look at it.

Jill and Ginny's new clothes...

 Time for a doll post.

I decided to dress my vintage reproduction Vogue Jill and Ginny in these nautical outfits from 1959.

I had Jill's outfit for a while, but it was missing the anchor on the bodice.  I finally got around to cutting one out of some white felt.  Ginny's dress was a recent eBay purchase.  Both needed ironing and that's basically all that I had to do.  They were in pretty good condition for their age.

I've lived in this house for over a year and I still don't have my doll collection organized.  I've just go too much stuff!  I need to sort through it all and decide what to keep and what has to go.  I'm thinking about only keeping the dolls, clothes, and furniture that are in really good condition.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

"Q" as in Favorite QUOTES

I dropped out of Ms. Jenny's school some letters ago.  I haven't posted anything on my blog for quite a while, but decided to check out Alphabe-Thursday this week and join in QUICKLY.

I have a couple of QUOTES that I enjoy.  In fact, I have them on my sidebar.

This one by Lily Tomlin is a real favorite of mine...

 "I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that.  Then I realized I was somebody."

And this one always makes me smile.  I'm not known for good organizational skills.  The author is anonymous.

"Organized people are just too lazy to look for things."

Now head over to Jenny's blog for a list of this week's participants.  Thank you for visiting.

Dear Boston...

Today I thought of you and decided it was time to take my flag down.

At times I've been envious.  However, enough is enough!  As pretty as it is in New England I do not think I'd fair well with that much snow.  So, out of respect for you I've taken my flag down.

Christmas is officially over.  Reid helped me tie up the tree and today we took it over to the storage unit.  It had been sitting in the dining room corner undecorated for a while.

Spring comes early along the Texas Gulf Coast.  I noticed yesterday that the tree in the backyard was budding.

I haven't even needed a light jacket the past few days.  I took a walk around the neighborhood and the weather was perfect.  Perfect doesn't last long here.  We basically have two seasons...a little winter and a lot of summer.  Summer can be miserable.  My days of walking outside are limited because of heat and humidity.  Soon I'll be driven inside to walk at the mall.

 I think I spend as much time inside as they do in Boston, but we just do it at a different time of the year.

ETC., ETC., ETC.

I haven't had much computer time lately.  I've been working on getting all the Christmas stuff packed, organized, and put away. 

I had rented a storage place over by the old house but the price kept going up.  The place changed owners three times while we were there and the last time it appeared to me to be going downhill a little.  I noticed trash in the parking lot and the rat traps were gone.  It made me wonder if they still had an exterminator treating the place.  After I brought the Christmas stuff over to this house I decided to go back and get everything out and try to rent a place over here.

The new place is about four blocks from the house and our unit is half the size of the old one.  A lot more convenient and a lot less expensive.  I'm going to store the things that won't be damaged by the heat and humidity up in the attic.  I have everything else over at the storage place now except for the tree.  I need to find a box.  I had one of those large canvas bags they sell for trees, but the first time I picked it up the bag ripped.

I'm so envious of all of you that have basements.  I'm afraid we're too close to sea level.  There are no basements here! 

Today is a beautiful day outside.  If it gets any warmer I can start complaining about the heat again.  :)  It won't last.  It is the end of January and we'll still have some cold days in February.  (Cold to us anyway.)  I spent some time cleaning the outdoor furniture.  It was pretty yucky looking and there's no way anyone would have sat in one of those chairs.  A little bleach and some scrubbing had them looking inviting again.

I haven't had time for Alphabe-Thursday and I've been a little brain dead when it comes to ideas.  I hope to be back there soon.

I entered a Gingerbread House contest sponsored by Ann at Paperminis.com.  Ann sells 1:12, 1:6, and 1:3 scale paper minis for dollhouses and dolls.   I won second place and my Ginny dolls were thrilled.  You can see in this picture how they helped.

I've made quite a few of Ann's paperminis.  Over the holidays I finally finished putting together Barbie's Dream House for my dolls.  (http://www.paperminis.com/other-scales/fashion-doll-kits.htm)  I hope to set up a scene soon with the Ginny dolls playing with their Barbie dolls.

I was in the resale store and saw a dollhouse kit.  Someone had started putting it together and I couldn't resist.  For $25 it came home with me.  It's a Beach Bungalow.  Of course, I still haven't finished the dollhouse I started in 1981, but I plan to work on that one in 2015 and get it finished.  Reid's cat climbed on the roof and broke some of the gingerbread trim so I think I'll start with repairs there first.

I also recently took a class to learn some painting techniques with Cee Cee Caldwell's chalk paint.  Yes, I know there are a zillion You Tube videos, but I prefer the personal touch.  I hope to start painting some furniture soon before it gets too hot in the garage.

"H" as in HOUSTON TEXANS for Alphabe-Thursday

It's time again for Alphabe-Thursday sponsored by Jenny at Jenny Matlock..."off on my tangent."

This week we are studying the letter "H" as in the HOUSTON TEXANS.

I think I've lived in Texas way too long.  I actually love football now.

It's a great diversion for me.  When the HOUSTON TEXANS play my mind zeros right in on the game.  All of my worries are shoved to the side.  For three hours I concentrate on football.

Football has helped keep me sane the last five years or so.

Sadly, this season is over for the HOUSTON TEXANS.  I'll still watch the playoffs and the Super Bowl, but not with as much intensity.

I'll still grab the sports section of the newspaper to see if there's anything about the TEXANS being reported.  I'll still tune into Sports Radio 610 occasionally to hear what they're saying.  I'll look forward to the draft.  Before you know it football will be back.

I've even found a way to combine my love of football with my love of dolls.  I know it's a rather strange combination.

Please excuse my absence last week.  Real life got in the way.

Now head over to Ms. Jenny's blog for a list of this week's participants.  Thanks for visiting.

"F" as in FAN for Alphabe Thursday

Merry Christmas and welcome to Aphabe-Thursday sponsored by Ms. Jenny at Jenny Matlock..."off on my tangent."  Today we are studying the letter "F" as in FAN.

I am a Houston Texan's FAN.  Years ago, I was a Houston Oiler's FAN.  I watched the games, yelled and screamed when everyone else did, and occasionally attended a game at the old Astrodome.  Then the Houston Oilers moved to Tennessee and became the Tennessee Titans.  Houston was left without a football team.

Thanks to Mr. Bob McNair the Houston Texans came into being in 2002.  I have to admit that I never completely understood football and when the Texans offered Football 101 classes for women I went.  I got the general idea, but decided I needed more in depth study and bought the Idiot's Guide To Football by Joe Theismann.  I bought it at a used bookstore so it wasn't the most up to date copy, but how could I go wrong reading a book written by a New Jersey boy and former NFL quarterback?  That dog eared book is an important part of my life during football season.

I've come a long way, but when Marc Vandermeer (the voice of the Houston Texans on Sports Radio 610) and Andre Ware review plays I'm always amazed at what they see compared to what I see.  How in the world do they see so much in a 15-20 second play?  I've learned a lot, but I still have a long way to go.  However, the knowledge that I now have makes the game so much more enjoyable for me.

I've come to love football.  I don't paint my face with the team colors or wear crazy costumes to the game.  I don't boo the opposing team.  I applaud them.  After all, it wouldn't be much of a game if the other team didn't show up.  Although I like to see my team win I still enjoy the game even if they lose.  After all, it's only a game.  I guess I'm a more laid back FAN than most.

I sit in my seat until the very end of the game.  There have been times when there weren't too many of us left in the stadium (the 2013 season was a good example of that), but I've paid for the entire game and they don't give partial refunds if you leave early.  Why leave anyway?  I'm a Houston Texans FAN all the time...win or lose.

I'm proud of my Texans.  I believe our team owner has certain standards.  There are players out there that would probably never wear a Texans uniform no matter how good they play.  Yes, I think Mr. McNair really wants to win, but not at any cost.

The season is almost over.  I try to remain optimistic, but our chances of going to the Super Bowl are pretty slim.  Our quarterbacks have been falling like flies.

That's OK.  There are more important things than winning a football game.  Yes, Houston Texans FANS...you heard what I said.  I just want to see Texans Offensive Tackle David Quessenberry win his game...the game of life.  In June he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  You can watch the video and read about his progress here.  The team had a fund raiser and sold shirts that said, "Texans for DQ."  My son and I committed to wearing those shirts to every game this season.  His diagnosis hit close to home for us.  It took a few years, but my son successfully defeated his opponent...Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  Now it's David's turn.  When I watched the video I cried.  So much of what David said I had heard my son say.  My heart went out to his mother too.  I have a pretty good idea of what she's going through.

 
 Cancer certainly does not discriminate. 

This FAN wants a big win.  I want to see a healthy David Quessenberry take the field next football season.  For now that's the most important win for this Houston Texans FAN.

Now head over to Jenny's blog for a list of this week's participants.

My Dolls Last Minute Christmas Activities...

THIS IS A DOLL POST

My Ginny Dolls have been busy doing all the last minute Christmas baking.

This year they're making cake balls, a snowman cake, and lots of cookies and candy.

Their friend Muffy dropped by in her Santa suit.

The Christmas tree is up, the mantel decorated, and lots of presents are under the tree.  The kids enjoy shaking the packages and trying to figure out what's inside.  The girls are wearing their Christmas outfits, but little JJ will only wear his football uniform.  He better watch out because the Elf is on the shelf.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!