Scenes from Wicked

Who knew you could get scenes from Wicked on youtube??? Well, I suppose you can find anything there... Anyway, here's some non-Christmas related news, just cause I like Wicked and want to post the scenes I like!

These were the ones I could find. I still want to see if I can get "For Good," "What Is This Feeling?, and "As Long as You're Mine."

The Wizard and I:



Popular (I could totally rock this song if given the chance!):




Defying Gravity:

Featured Christmas Movie # 3

Love, Actually! A very Christmasy scene, albeit kind of a sad one.

Anatomy of a Dress: Part Three

Worked hard all afternoon and have an ALMOST finished product. I have to put in the zipper, the skirt lining and get the bottom hemmed, which of course I have to do on the model!


Here I am, working on the main skirt with the purple fabric!


The bodice pinned to the skirt layers, before sewing!


The "finished" product! (See above, as it's not exactly done yet!)

My model will likely be trying it on again tomorrow before I put the zipper on. Then I'll get the skirt lining in over the weekend and put on the zipper. Finally, she'll try it again on Monday and we'll get to the hemming stage!

I must admit - this pattern scared me before I started. I wasn't sure the final product would go well, but I went slowly and carefully and followed the directions meticulously and I am absolutely THRILLED!!

Christmas Quiz of the Day

You Are an Angel

A truly giving soul, you understand the spirit of Christmas.

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

Most Amazing Thing EVER!!!

Click here!

After the first one, I got a little carried away...

Click here.

Click here.

And click here

Picture of the Week

Our favorite Christmas-themed picture, from last year's Roberts Family Celebration!


Yup, that's my dad!

Featured Christmas Movie # 2

A classic: A Charlie Brown Christmas! In this scene, Linus explains the meaning of Christmas.

Anatomy of a Dress: Part Two

So yesterday I made the whole bodice of the dress. I probably would've gotten to the skirt as well, but I didn't have the right markings on the fabric and left the pattern at work!


The bodice pieces, cut out of the purple fabric being used. It's nice and soft and apparantly doesn't wrinkle - I barely had to press it before cutting.


The inset, just starting to pin.


The inset, all pinned and ready to go.

Then, I forgot to take pictures, but I got the inset in and lined the bodice, with the understiching, which I had never done before!


The finished bodice.


The "whole" dress - really just the bodice with the front skirt pieces laid on it to see how it would look. Obviously the lace will go on both sides, but I haven't cut it yet. I just wanted to see the whole thing a little bit, and how it looked with the sash - I love the contrasting pink!

The dress was met with great excitement today, and I'm excited to finish it. The back panel is a little small so I'm going to simply add a little bit of fabric on each side, totaling about an inch or two so that the zipper fits well and doesn't cut off any breathing - which would not be good for someone who needs to sing!

Can't wait to see the finished product, especially when it gets tried on!

Anatomy of a Dress: Part One

In non-Christmas related posting, I'm helping out with the costumes for my schools production of The Music Man. I am designing a dress, using this pattern from Sense & Sensibility. They had some perfect ones to use for the 1912-ish era, when the Music Man takes place.

I insisted on designing the final dress for the Marian character, partially because I had a vision in mind and partially because the student playing her is one of my students! Anyway, I went out and bought the fabric this weekend and today put together the lining to fit it on the student tomorrow. Then we'll get to work on the dress itself. I'm really excited to actually put something to use!

Here are some images:


The design for the dress; I traced the person from the pattern envelope and just colored in my design; I don't have a picture of the fabric today.




The above two are the lining pieces being put together to test for fit tomorrow


The bodice put together in lining.

Hopefully tomorrow we'll have the full bodice to show you!

The Official Countdown!

Create yours at BlingyBlob.com!

My countdown actually goes to the 23rd, as that's when the Roberts Fake Christmas is this year - and then the celebrations will continue until the 25th!

A Messed Up Christmas Quiz!

You Are a Losing Lottery Ticket!

Full of hope and promise. But in the end, a cheap letdown.

What Crappy Christmas Gift Are You?

Featured Christmas Movie # 1

What better way to kick off the holidays than with a scene from "Elf!"


Unfortunately it cuts off at the best part - when Buddy begins actually singing in the store, but you get the idea!

Let the Christmas Countdown Begin!

We're only one month away, so we're doing a holiday theme for the next 30 days! Depending on your opinion of the holiday, you should either be very afraid or very excited!

Of course, as my family tend to celebrate Christmas at least three times, these festivities will begin starting December 23, 2007, when the Roberts side of the family does Fake Christmas. We will continue to our traditional Christmas Eve celebration with the Russell side, and then it's off to Pam's house for Christmas Day (unless I get a better offer... just kidding!).

Thanksgiving Highlights

Help! I've been eating pie for three days!


We're REALLY happy about Thanksgiving.


Pam's Labyrinth, according to mom!

Photo Gallery Updated!

Thanksgiving is over, but we can still enjoy all the pictures from the day - well, in our case, the weekend!

Click here to see the pictures or, as always, click the link at the left for the entire photo gallery.

Movie Recommendation

Enchanted! It was really cute! Here's the music video of the song from it - "Ever Ever After" - sung by Carrie Underwood.

I love a good satire and I love a good love story so here's a good combination!

Ever so bored...

And so I'm taking some quizzes again!

Which Winnie the Pooh Character Are You?
	You are Piglet. You are timid, quiet, and like to stay in others' shadows. Though your shyness can irritate some, you are courageous when it counts and are always loyal to your friends.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am posting today to celebrate, as I will likely be taking a break from posting for the next couple days as the internet connection upstate is SLOWER than molasses, and we're headed up there at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning.

I managed to scrounge up a Thanksgiving picture. Here's Katherine LAST Thanksgiving, helping herself to some mashed potatoes.

Picture of the Week

I didn't have any good Thanksgiving related photos, so here's me and Joe in Disney World with Chip and Dale back in 1993. We really should go back someday! Who's in for a cousin's trip to Disney World???

Yay! It's Thanksgiving Day (well, almost...)

Thanksgiving isn't until Thursday but that doesn't mean we can't start getting into holiday! Here's some Thanksgiving Spirit at its finest!

That would be "Addams Family Values," for those who don't know.

Can you tell that I'm bored??

Which Office Character Are You?
	You are Pam. You are sweet and likable, but your shyness makes it hard for you to express yourself sometimes. Regardless, you are always there for your friends and will usually come out of your shell to help anyone.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Watch out for my rage...

Which Friends Character Are You?
	You are Ross. You're intelligent and adored by your parents. However, your lack of social skills causes you to talk too much and try too hard. While your friends pick on you for your nerdiness, they better watch our for your rage.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Super Quiz Game Notes: Game # 8

As I have yet to get my hands on Katherine's video of her reading the notes, this will have to suffice for now - the FINALLY typed up version.

We'll all be upstate for Thanksgiving again (including Carol, James and the boys!!!) so I expect another game will take place very soon!

The Official Society of Super Quiz
New Lebanon Region
Game # 8

Date: October 6, 2007

Recordkeeper Niblet Telbin

Cabinet Members:
Bort Trob, President
Pot Luck Kcultop, Vice President
Lorraine Eniarrol, Vice President
Niblet Telbin, Vice President

Other Members:
Farter Retraf, Upper League Member
Crier Reirc, Upper League Member
Belcher Rehcleb, Upper League Member
Julius Suiluj, Upper League Member
Songbird Dribgros, Lower League Member
Tidy Ydit, Lower League Member
Hollywood Doowyllooh, Lower League Member
Slime Emils, Junior Member
General Lareneg, Junior Member
Thing One Enogniht, Junior Member
Thing Two Owtgniht, Junior Member

Members Present at Game:
Bort Trob
Pot Luck Kcultop
Niblet Telbin
Farter Retraf
Crier Reirc
Belcher Rehcleb
Hollywood Doowylloh *NEW*
Songbird Dribgros *NEW*

Occurences:

(Pre Game)

Farter has suggested that we should turn the fan once the game starts. Good call Farter.

Nibler has suggested the taking of photos during our inspirational Super Quiz experience.

Farter approves. (Crier: “Are submembers allowed to approve?”)

Crier has suggested that she will take the responsibilities of Lorraine.

Belcher is missing!

(During Game)

Belcher is going first.

We will be using the “B” side of the cards.

Pot Luck has requested that other members shouldn’t interfere with Niblet’s recordkeeping. She is quite capable.

Belcher has received the first star.

Belcher should review the rules more often in between OSSQ sessions seeing as she often forgets important aspects of the beauty

There seems to be a slight blemish in the Pot Luck box

Bort has referred to Farter as “Belcher.”

Our substitute Overseer of Rituals needs to wait for every member before initiating a ritual.

Hollywood must wait for Crier to initiate the ritual before she begins.

Bort has informed us that she will not be participating in the next ritual because she will be photographing.

We neglected to turn the fan as Farter suggested. Hollywood has decided to take care of this.

Pot Luck has stated that he believes that Crier may be a more successful Overseer of Rituals.

Retarded, but amazing.

We have received a visit from Julius’ dog, Gomez.

The new rules of not participating or participating in your own rituals will be further discussed and recorded tomorrow.

“That hurts. I’ll love to play another day though.” – Pot Luck

Crier and Farter both suggested to leave the circle for a moment.

Hollywood has forgotten to ask to leave the circle.

Belcher is waving her arms in an odd fashion.

Niblet is very impressed with the members ability to unify the rituals.

The members are showing off their categories.

“Every little bit helps towards Omni.” – Bort

President Bort has made a blunder in the scoring.

Pot Luck just bit his tongue.

Niblet only clapped twice when three claps were required.

Niblet has received her first star in spelling.

Belcher has helped Pot Luck with a question (inappropriate).

Farter just answered a question as “ether.” Niblet then said, “Do you know the structural formula for ether?” Farther answers, “No.” Niblet said, “Me either” and Pot Luck made the fantastic pun “me ETHER.”

“I hate this game,” says Hollywood; “Those fightin’ words,” replies Crier

Niblet has suggested that Belcher face the circle during the ritual so her energy will be contributed towards the achievement of Omni.

Belcher has requested to leave the table and her turn has been skipped. On her next turn she will have two opportunities. (I just wrote that all down for nothing/we’re going back to Belcher.)

“The ear h.a.s. three bones – hammer, anvil and stirrup.” – Bort

Hollywood has abstained from a ritual in protest.

Belcher is the victor!

The final scores were as follows:
 Belcher – 6 stars (Sports, Movies, Mostly Music, Travel & Leisure, Spelling), 2 bonus points
 Pot Luck – 4 stars (Science, Sports, Spelling, Words), 2 bonus points
 Bort – 4 stars (Science, Travel & Leisure, Spelling, Words), 1 bonus point, 2 points Geography
 Crier – 4 stars (Science, Pot Luck, Travel & Leisure, Spelling), 2 points Mostly Music, 2 points T.V.
 Farter – 4 stars (Science, Famous People, Mostly Music, Spelling), 2 points Pot Luck
 Songbird – 3 stars (Pot Luck, Travel & Leisure, Spelling), 1 bonus point, 1 point Movies
 Niblet – 1 star (Spelling), 2 bonus points, 2 points Science, 1 point Sports, 2 points Mostly Music, 2 points words
 Hollywood – 1 star (Spelling), 2 bonus points, 2 points Words

Well, this is just NOT consistent...

I took this test to see what Sesame Street character I was cause it was on a different site than the other one, and this one had VERY different results. Now I'm the Count! I think that sounds much more like me!

Which Sesame Street Character Are You?
	You are Count von Count. You are down-to-earth (mentally, not physically), mature, and precocious. You have many talents, and many friends that appreciate your quiet level-headedness.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

By the way, I enjoy that his full name is Count Von Count. Never knew that before.

I'll keep you posted on other family member results. On the last test, Emily got Big Bird, Lindsay got Cookie Monster and Joe shared my results of Bert (we've begun trading paper clips and bottle caps recently).

Save the Date!

On Friday, January 25, 2007, I will be performing in a chorus show at work. All are welcome to attend - tickets are $5 and all the proceeds will go to charity. The show was excellent last year and promises to be great this year as well. Come and see me sing in person - with a little solo again!

Picture of the Week

Here's Katherine, with her "boyfriend" Crabbe - really Jamie Waylett, the kid who played Vincent Crabbe in the Harry Potter movies. We took this when we were at the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban premiere. We also saw the kid who plays Draco Malfoy, one of the Weasley twins and all the other cast members were onstage.

This will brighten any bad day...

Click here for a good laugh. If I know my family (and I think I do!), you guys will all get a kick out of this website, featuring publicity photos of Swedish pop bands from the 70's.

Here's a preview:


If you go to the home page and scroll down, the link will take you to the worst interior decorations in Europe, which is also funny.

New Photos

I added some more photos to the 2007: Firm Trip album in the photo gallery. View them here.

"Mine WAS impromptu."

My favorite scene from the The Office (British version).

Top Ten Ridiculous Laws in Britain

I found an article on MSN.com today that discussed the top ten most ridiculous lawns in Britain. I liked them so much I felt the need to share.

Most ridiculous British law:

1. It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament (27 percent)

2. It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British monarch upside-down (seven percent)

3. In Liverpool, it is illegal for a woman to be topless except as a clerk in a tropical fish store (six percent)

4. Mince pies cannot be eaten on Christmas Day (five percent)

5. In Scotland, if someone knocks on your door and requires the use of your toilet, you must let them enter (four percent)

6. A pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants, including in a policeman's helmet (four percent)

7. The head of any dead whale found on the British coast automatically becomes the property of the king, and the tail of the queen (3.5 percent)

8. It is illegal to avoid telling the tax man anything you do not want him to know, but legal not to tell him information you do not mind him knowing (three percent)

9. It is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament in a suit of armour (three percent)

10. In the city of York it is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow (two percent)

Picture of the Week

In this picture, taken somewhere between 1988-1990 I would guess, Jordan and Kara show off how small they were by both getting into one of the kitchen cabinets at their house.

Happy Birthday, Willa!

Today Willa celebrates her birthday!

I really like this picture of Willa and Grandma

Photo Gallery Updates!

Pictures from my recent trip to the FIRM studios are now in the photo gallery. Link to the gallery is on the left.

Happy Birthday, Paul!

Today Paul celebrates his birthday!

This picture is from North Carolina 1997, when we dubbed Paul "Fish Dude."

Back from the FIRM!

I'm back from the Firm studios in Columbia, South Carolina to visit the people largely responsible for my losing so much weight a couple years ago. It was great to meet all the instructors from the videos at the FIRM and the bodyFit studio and to meet all the great people I've been leaving messages back and forth with on the FIRM boards.

Here are a few pics:

Me in my new Firm shirt.

Me and Rebekah Sturkie - I had a personal training session with her

Nancy Tucker (Instructor), Deb (Firm Believer), Allie Del Rio Pointer (Instructor), Christine (Firm Believer) and Me

bodyFit Instructors: Christa Riley, Suzanne Bates, Nancy Tucker, Crystal Burgess and Renee Holler

Jack Masquerades as John Lennon

Here's a picture of Jack's Halloween costume from last night.


Apparantly he was a big hit at the kiddie Halloween parade in our neighborhood.