Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Shazam...this has turned into quite an interesting thread!
I am going to go to the extreme here and tell my age.  I am {{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}}}}} (shivering here, hyperventilating too)....60 years old.  I have no idea what I am doing, being 60 years old because I still think the way I did when I was, never mind....you'd have to ask my lovin man, David...for a true analysis on that subject.
BUT, I mention that only because, I have been in the hospital twice in my life...once because I had a hole in my lung (brought on by laughing too hard at a joke in study hall and I had a weak spot, which blew like a tire) and I am here to tell you that when air is escaping into you chest cavity...thats HURTS like the devil.
The flip side to that was, the ambulance drivers were just sooooo cute and one came to visit me during my hospital stay. (yes, they actually let you stay in the hospital back then)

The other time was a few years ago, for an endoscopy...which I take Prelosec for.

I guess, I am bringing this all up, because I belief whole heartedly in proper diet.
Jane one of the things that the Dr. who did the endoscopy told me, was that soda pop is one of the leading culprits to stomach problems and yet people drink it by the gallons.  So not only does the aspertame cause problems, the 'fizz' does a number on you too.  It is great you got off that junk.

When I was very young , growing up in an Italian/Jewish neighborhood (in Ohio) and not being either one, I had a unusual childhood.  Each of these peoples had a different way of life than I did and I learned a lot.  Most all of them were business owners and had large families. 

One very old Italian grandma who was a centurion, but did not look like it and always made me eat something whenever I went to their house because I was so skinny...put me on her heafty lap one day and told me to never eat things that were artificial and I would live as long as her....then promptly smashed my skinny little face into her VERY large boobs!!!
Well, I never forgot her words or her boobs...I was sure that if I ate what she ate, I would also be well endowed...NOT!  but her advice seems to be holding pretty true.

I try very hard to stay away from veggies from 3rd world countries.  I do my best at my own little garden.  I take very good care of my body and give it only the best!  altho, I have to admit, excercise is not number one on my hit parade! and with this heat and all the rain we have had this summer...I sit in my chair sewing yorkies and mice and do leg lifts. :lol::lol::lol:

I am not a fanatic by any means, I do love my 'cheesies', but I think that all the chemicals can really do a lot of harm, more than we realize.  I also try to stay away from too much sugar.  I can actually feel my body react when I over indulge in the sugar pantry.
I cut back on my sugar intake about 5 years ago and it was like coming off drugs.  After my body accepted it and altered itself to the change, I cannot tell you how much better I feel and  I get a very real reaction when I endulge in more than my body likes.

I don't do this in an attempt to lenghten my stay here on earth....I just want it to be the best ride possible.:lol:

Nanc......

Oh, and I am reading the book right now called "The Yeast Connection" by William Grook, MD...has anyone read it?

Heather, it can be an expensive hobby, it just depends on how involved you want to get into it.  I have been collecting equipment for quite a few years...sell some jewelry, buy more stuff !  You know, just like bears!!:lol:

Jane, we are a bunch of clever gurls!!  I am trying to pull some of the talents out here, hoping to 'inspire' others to share their interests.

Kim, what have you made lately....anything? Show us, show us!!  Fimo clay and the likes, has come along way in the jewelry field.  There is some gorgeous things made using polymer clays.

Lisa, those little darlings must be protected from everything, you are so right.  Wire wrapping sounds like so much fun and I can see where one could get hooked on it very easily and very fast.  The last jewelry show I went to have some fantastic pieces that it was hard to even detect they were wire wrapped.  They were truly exceptional.
Nanc.....

Dilu and girls...I probably drink over 8 glasses of water a day, in fact I am sure of it..but have never really counted.  I always have a glass of water beside me and when I go anywhere in the car I take a huge glass of fresh water with me.
The reason is...once you start drinking water, you will actually CRAVE IT.  Well, I guess I should say, that I do!!
I love water and drink it when we go out to dinner too...another plus, since drinks are over a dollar.  You just get used to it.
I also know about the toxin thing too, Dilu.  It is a good way to wash it all out.  My sister-in-law does a fast once a month, but I cannot because of another problem...but she swears by it.
  I have never tried it because years and years ago, I was so engrossed in an oil painting that I was doing, I forgot to eat breakfast, lunch and it was about 9:00 at night when I started feeling bad and went to the kitchen to get something to eat.  I passed out and was taken to the emergency room and they entered me as a possible appendicitis...gave me an IV of sugar water (?) and I came around just great.  The next morning the Dr. came in and asked me if I ate anything yesterday.  WELL, NO...I was painting!! 

Drink up ladies!!!

nanc....

Sue Ann, you always have such sweet things to say about everyone else's work. 
Thank you so much.
Do you make jewelery of any sort?

nanc.......

Dilu, I know that you will think that I have totally flipped out...but do you drink enough water?

Dehydration can be the culprit in many types of headaches.  you would not believe what all can be caused by dehydration.
My daughter found out the hard way with her 2nd child...she went into pre-mature labor brought on by dehydration.  Her doctor  went into a  VERY lenghtly discussion about the subject (after they got the labor stopped) and it causes muscle problems, migrane headaches, premature labor...the list goes on and on.

That is not to say you have to drink just water.  Juice is fine too....but no soda pop or iced tea.  Everyone drinks lots of iced tea at this time of year, but that actually aggrevates the situation, in that tea dehydrates your system as well.  So if you drink soda or tea, besure you drink lots of water too.
I had a very bad headache one day (had it for 2 days), and I was visiting a nutrionist (not for me, he was a personal friend of ours)...I mentioned I had to go because my head was just killing me.  He brought me 3 large glasses of water and made me drink them one right after the other.  Within a few minutes I started to get relief and within a half hour my head ache was gone.  He also took both hands an applied a great deal of pressure to my forehead and the back of my head.

I only mention this because it....WORKED!  You might want to watch yourself and make sure you drink plenty of hydrating fluids.  I do now !!!:D

Nanc........

She is so adorable Shari...I have been working on soft sculpture dolls too and I just absolutely love it.  so much fun.  I only do them for myself.
You have done a wonderful job on your very first...it is a lot more work than one would think, to make these little cuties.
Thanks so much for sharing the pictures.
AND thankyou Sue Ann for your sweet compliment!!!
Nanc.....

In some of the past threads, I noticed that there were a lot of you gals who dibber dobbered in jewelry making too.
I have worked in jewelry for quite a number of years.
Thought I would post a ring I just finished for a lady...she supplied her own stones.

I hope these don't turn out too big...if so I will try again.:lol:
Anyway, I would love to see some of your work.  Please post.  I can't see enough jewelry photos. :lol::lol:

I have to work on getting better pics...the second picture has the late afternoon sun coming in on it and the ring picked up all the colors.
nanc......

Hi Shari..

I am posting one of my needlefelted yorkies with a Millette I made.  They just seemed to go together .
The Millette was not part of the auction...I think I will make her a yorkie just to display with her in the cabinet.  Yeh, right...in my spare time

I hope this doesn't show up too big.

  Shari, if you are in a bear funk...I sure don't see it!  Wow, I just love him.

If he is a larger bear (I can't remember) and you want to continue to do needlfelting, you might want to invest in the 3 needle holder.  That really gets you up and moving.  You have 3 needles poking at one time.

Nanc........

Gosh Shari...It worked fine for me.

I wonder if she let it go long enough for the pictures to load?  Sometimes ebay is very slow and then for people like me who still have dial-up it is even slower.

I have to tell you that this bear is just wonderful.  I love mixed mediums in art and Finian has it all!
Just adorable.  I sure hope he goes way up there, as well he should! AND I mean that!!!
Nanc.........

Oh Doodlebears (Jane)...:(  you have every right to feel sorry for yourself...I feel sorry for you too!  I wish I was your friend next door and I could come over and help you.
I have a precious little prayer you might enjoy.  It goes like this:

Dear God,
Please remind me that I can do anything for a little while.
I can do repetitive chores...I can do unpleasant things...I can do difficult tasks and I can be surrounded by difficult people under the most unpleasant circumstances.
I can do all of these things, that I have convinced myself that I am afraid to do.
Please remind me that I can do anything for a little while.
I can feel uncomfortable.
I can feel inadequate, unworthy and ill equiped and still move forward in a positive direction until I feel better.
I can feel unsure and my faith waning and my strength draining and still accompolish something good, something great and something worthwhile.
Please God remind me that I can do anything for a little while.
When I feel like running away or turning around...when I am making excuses and trying to find a way out.
When I am whinning , complaining , feeling sad and down...(and feeling so bad about not being able to go to the bear fair)
please God remind me that no task is too small, unimportant  or insignificant. (and my health is top priority)
Please God remind me that I can do anything for a little while and while I am doing all that has been given to me to do, remind me to give you praise For the ability to do anything at all !!

Remember...you need to take good care of your body, (take it in for a tune up) so you will have the ability to go to the next bear fair!!  YEH!!!:D

Now here is your hug {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I have sent a little prayer and a hug....anything else?

Nanc.......

Oh my gosh, Shelli...I was thinking the same thing! (no, not about no more chocolate chip recipes)...I was thinking we should make a cookbook. The recipes that have been coming in are top notch.
You're so good with words...think up a catchy name.

Sue Ann, you will be missed by everyone.  Your in-put (an of course those recipes) is enjoyed by all of us.  I hope when you get back you will tell us all about your book.

I am working with a dear friend who is suffering from Bi-Polar.  That is very much like PTSD, I assume.  She was present during a bank robbery and then shortly after, her mother passed away.  This has just been too much for her and she rarely leaves the house.  We have changed her diet and her therapist has seen a significant change in her...so that is a good thing.
nanc.......

What a nice thread Jill...I wish we could all get together and meet.

It is such a shame that the only means of communication is our keyboards....but then we are able to share pics and have a good time, which is a major accomplishment and so much fun.

And, when I am up late...I sometimes log on just to 'hear' the chatter from our group.
So nice to hear that Judi is as sweet in person as she is on 'the air' !!
Nanc.......

Dilu, I wondered if we were going to get more out of you that ...lean cuisine !!

I am in Atlanta, GA...well, actually half way between Atlanta and Chattanooga.  Very close to the mountains (Appalacians), which we love to visit, it seems, everyother weekend.  This past weekend we went up for some wonderful Georgia peaches.  Yummmm.  I immediately came home and made a pie and that was all we had for dinner :lol::lol:.  I haven't made a pie in quite a while, so it was a real treat.

I am always beating chicken breasts down with the 'tenderizer thingy'...sometimes just throw them on the grill and then other times rolling in bread crumbs with added spices...but boy Dilu, when you start talking about fresh Basil, you have my full attention!  I love basil and grow it in my garden like other people grow corn. ;)

Amanda, I will sure try your mushrooms.  We eat a lot of Portabellas.  I like to marinate them and throw them on the grill to use in place of a burger.  LOVE EM...by the way, when preparing a 'Port for any recipe, always take the gills out.  They supply nothing and add a dark brown icky color to anything you make with them.

Sue Ann, it all sounds good.  I love summer squash ( I am pretty much a Vegan, not for any reason...except I love veggies and sometimes get grossed by eating meat.  This has just come on me since I have gotten older.  I used to be quite the meat eater, but not anymore.

Shelli, first I have to ask (and I am probably the one one who didn't get it) but what is PTSD?
Your recipe sounds so much like one that we use all the time too.  My step-mother gave it to me...it is so easy and so good.
equal parts (you can even use teaspoons as measure for a tiny salad)
           Ketchup
           Cider Vinegar
           Sugar
           Oil
Shake it all up and do the hoochey koochey ~~~~~~~
It is great alone but a lot of time I will through  blue cheese in it and/or fresh herbs.
I will definitely try yours this week...it sounds even better.

Marie:  The fat free cheese isn't too bad...you might try a cheese called  "Lorraine"...very good!  If you can't find it pre-packed...ask for it at your deli.

and Daphne, sweetie...get 'cookin !  Here in the south macaroni and cheese is a way of life and some of the recipes border...gourmet!  I don't have any tho because I never make it.  Hummm, I will see if I can find you a true southern mac and cheese recipe.  Asking a southern woman for a recipe is about as insulting as asking one how much they weigh and totally a waste of time.
I once heard that if you want someone to tell the truth, give them a mask to put on...but I don't think it would help with these old time southern gals. :lol::lol:

Enjoying all the wonderful recipes here..thanks to you all.
Nanc.......

oh no Lisa...not the wet noodle!!!  I promise, to never, never say that again... is this what is known as tough love?     and thank you for all your wonderful advice as well.  You're a sweetie!!! for sure.

Laura, that is a great idea about the ebay ID...I have my new one and I don't plan on changing it.
But I do want to get a web site up and running, so Shelli, would I be able to make any changes to my avatar?  If not that is just fine, only checking.

nite all and thank you gals, I absolutely love this chat group.
nanc....

Yes, Yes...shelli, I will do all that tonight.

Here we go again, with being a nobody. :rolleyes:
I don't have a website or a URL or a company name. Hummmmm, what can we do to 'fudge' it?

I am still trying to figure out the web thing.  I have a friend who is trying to tell me to go with some host or something because she will get a commission.  But I don't know about what she has to offer.  I want to do it right the first time and I do know that I want to be able to change pictures myself, not have to wait for someone else to do it.
I will go to your website tonight and put in all the info.  I am so excited to see what you come up with.
Nanc.......

Dilly ...thank you so much, that does give me a different perspective.  I understand what you are saying completely.
I have tried to break into the bear world...really I have.  When I came up with the brain-storm to make a needlefelted yorkie, I submitted it to Teddy Bear and Friends for possible inclusion in Bears and Bruins...and wouldn't you know that the lady who copied everything I was doing, also submitted a picture of hers and Mindy put hers in.  I cannot tell you what that did to me.  Not only was she copying me, she got recognition for it being her original idea.  So I just, frankly...gave up.
That made me feel like, what was the use.
Kind of like the old saying...crime pays, I didn't have a cadillac, so I stole one and now I have a cadillac.

I have read with great interest what Shelli put in about the dead lines for Toby.  I think I am going to give it a shot this year.  I just never knew when and how.  I will need to figure out how to edit the photos correctly to their guidelines...but I feel like Eileen.  I want to go for it!  The most they can do is say NO...they can't eat me!!

So see, maybe I can become a somebody...you are right!
nanc...

oh Shelli....I love Rita's new avatar.
I know I told you not to make mine because I wasn't going to stay on...but I missed all you gals so much and the fun chats, I had to come back.
So, I have changed my mind.  Do you wnat to practice on me too? still?
I hope so. 
I don't have many pictures left since I had to do that destructive recovery from the spysweeper download.
I saved my pictures and my documents to a disc (burnt one)...but I am afraid to download them all back on for fear I might have something in there that I copied that would corrupt me again.
Let me know...I do have my little miceys and a york.
nanc........

oh girls, I just tried a new recipe last night that was really delish!  But you have to like sauerkraut.

Chicken Ruben
In a casserole dish:

4 chicken breasts.
Salt and pepper these.
On top of the breasts: put a 16 oz can of drained sauerkraut.
Next layer: sliced onion (Optional, I did and it was soooo good)
Next layer:  4 slices of swiss cheese
Next layer: half a cup of Thousand Island dressing
Cover and bake 1 1/2 hours.

If you like sauerkraut, you will love this. 
I used to have a chicken recipe that won the nationals, from a lady in Montana.  It used sauerkraut as a stuffing to tenderize old hens :lol::lol::lol:...anyway it was so delish...the sauerkraut acts as a tenderizer and moisturizer.

MARIE...this could easily be made fat free.  Use your fat free cheese and weight watchers Thousand Island.  Oh no, your location is Japan...maybe this German dish isn't to your liking.  WEll, try it anyway!!  You may get a real surprise.  I will definitely try your recipe...but I love fresh tuna so I may use just as it is.

Laura...my mom used to make a dish where she would smother pork chops with cream of mushroom soup and cook slowly all day.  The pork juices would cook into the soup and make a wonderful gravy.  I will certainly try this one too, it puts a different twist on moms old recipe.

nanc......

oh Judi, it is so nice to have you back...but I  know you had a wonderful time.  I love Disney, I don't think we ever grow up, really!
Koda looks like your precious little bears, with all that facial expression going on! 
Judi, I wonder if your problems came from all those records that got lost.  I hope you can get it straightened out without too much hassle.  How awful.
I know when you get back to 'bearing'  all the problems will just magically go away.
glad you are back 'in the fold'...stay home for a little while now.
Nanc........

I am stepping off the bear trail here for a minute...but we all live in such diverse places and I read somewhere that the average family (certainly not saying WE girls are average) has 7 recipes that they use over and over.
I would love to try some recipes that a tried and true.  Have anything that your family really loves?
I will post a couple later, but I just wanted to get this going in time for dinner :D
nanc....

AWWWW Sue Ann and Hayley....thank you so much :)
I didn't say that to glean such sweet comments....I was just stating a fact....but I sure loved what you said!
It made me feel good.
ummmm wah !
Nanc..........

I have really enjoyed this thread and I hope it keeps going....thanks Shelli for starting it.

When I was into making original porcelain dolls and shops started carrying them...dummy me, made editions of 100.  By the time I was done, I was down to editions of 5.

I learned VERY fast that....'when something is expected of you, it ceases to be fun'

I feel like this is ART not a SCIENCE...and I get requests to make something twice and I hate it.

If I do decide to do one (price being the determining factor for me)...I make sure they know it may look better or it may look worse....but it will NEVER look the same.

I have to tell you , you girls do fantastic work.  I really love to see the pics everyone displays.

Nanc........

Well, Dale sounds like a pretty nice fellow , I certainly hope he pops on during my stay here.

Shelli, your he-mote is just adorable...I would hate to see a man get a hold of it and turn it into a she-mote!!!:lol::lol:

nanc....

Who's Dale...Is my 'Newbie' showing?

Hi Dale....!!!  Read and learn, this is exactly how women think :lol::lol::lol:

Not signing my name here.

Guess Me If You Can