"Lions and tigers and bears...oh my"

I started this post about a month ago, but am just now getting around to finishing it.  Ooops!

I was not Dorothy and Nick was not the Tin Man, but Graham WAS the Scarecrow!  No trick or treating this year, but we couldn't pass up the opportunity to get dressed up.

Like, Love and Don't Like

This week, I like yellow golf balls. Growing up, golf balls were white and no one felt slighted for the lack of options. If you wanted a non-white golf ball, you went to the putt-putt course at the beach. But these are the 90’s 00’s Aught-Teens and separation from the norm is rewarded. Most manufacturers now provide a yellow option (and sometimes orange) to their golf ball models but I credit Srixon for kicking-off this trend a few years ago. Their marketing campaign smartly proclaimed that balls that are easier to see are easier to hit. They related a yellow ball’s high visibility to science and completely bucked the belief that yellow balls should only be seen at driving ranges. I’ve recently enjoyed playing yellow golf balls because, for one thing, they are much easy to find when I shank them into the woods. I’ve grown accustomed to them now – maybe I’ll stick with them for a while.

This week, I love the Chris Farley I remember. I borrowed Chris Farley’s biography from my best friend who doesn’t want to be named on my blog. I’m old enough to be consciously aware of Chris Farley and the success he received from Saturday Night Live and his films in the mid-1990’s. But private, behind-the-scenes information wasn’t available back then like it is now. Sure, Chris Farley was known for having a bit of a drinking problem back then. But I remember being shocked when I learned that he died of a drug overdose. This book really opened my eyes to the demons that he battled while he achieved his success. He made so many people happy but caused himself so much pain. After I finished the book, I went to YouTube to watch some of his old clips. He was so, so funny! It’s a shame that his personal struggles ended something that created so much joy for others.

This week I don’t like Preston Leatherman. You may not know him by name but I guarantee that you saw his viral video last holiday season. Let’s refresh your memory:

Mr. Leatherman (if that is his real name) became sort of a case study for me. When I learned that he was a musician, I figured that many doors would open to propel his entertainment career thanks to this immediate introduction to the world. I began following Preston on Twitter to keep up with the many ways he would capitalize on the popularity of his video. After following him for a year, I’ve learned that he spends a lot of time recording “music”, making occasional appearances at small colleges and generally spending most of his time in Nashville. I also gathered that he is struggling internally to determine if he’s on Team Chick-Fil-A or Team Muppet, if you know what I mean. Even though he recently released a new music video, this kid is basically the anti-Kardashian and squandered his chance to grow his first lucky brush with fame into more fame. This is most likely due to his…talent…but I like to think that he nobly passed on many offers to become the next big celebrity. It sounds better that way and helps me mask the fact that I wasted precious time hoping to watch his star rise.

Fall Sewing

I apologize in advance for this post....  This will not be of any interest to people who don't sew, but it's what I have been doing a lot of lately so I thought I would share.  I have been busy sewing/smocking/appliqueing to get this boy a fall/winter wardrobe.  This is some of what I have done so far...

 Some applique shirts and turtle necks (Lawnmower, Chunky Letter, Circle Patch, Helicopter)

Pants!  The green, red, and navy are corduroy and the others are Fabric Finders navy gingham

I smocked this bubble which he has worn the past two months.  Pattern is Maja Heirlooms "Cory's Bubble." Everyone that sews should own this pattern.  It is so easy and works for a girl or a boy (only difference is the sleeves.)

 Patriotic jon jon for Election Day.  Fabric Finders plaid and pattern is Children's Corner Johnny.

We had our pictures made a few weeks ago and I made this outfit for the occasion.  Brown micro gingham..again Fabric Finders. and the pattern is Creations by Michie' "Knicker Yoke Overlay."

                                                                          

Wow can it really be time to start sewing for Christmas?   Here are some Christmas pajamas that I monogrammed.  Pajamas are from Blanks Boutique.

More Christmas projects coming soon!

Like, Love and Don't Like

This week, I like Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm. Although it’s taken a back seat to the Presidential election and Hurricane Sandy, last week’s news about the sale of Lucasfilm to Disney is HUGE. This transaction offers so much potential to pump new life into the Star Wars saga and extinguish the harsh feelings that millions of fans have towards creator George Lucas for his sense of abandonment and disconnect. And, oh yeah…those last three first three (???) films were terrible. This deal is wonderful and much good will come of it. However, it’s the visual capabilities that Disney can bring to the big screen that I’m most looking forward to. There are already ample amounts of storylines with which Disney can work and we've been told that the next Star Wars film will be released in 2015. I can’t wait! 

This week, I love sweatpants. Sweatpants are great for two reasons: warmth and comfort. We’re still in that period of Alabama “ roller coaster” weather but when Mother Nature decides she want to be chilly, the temps can be downright cold (and then 75 degrees the next day). Thanks to my sweatpants, I can take what Mother Nature dishes out. Sweatpants are also the preferred pants for horseplay with a 10-month old. The thickness of my comfortable sweatpants is just enough to muffle the sounds of my creaking knees when playfully crawling after said 10-month old. Sweatpants are definitely what the Minotaur would were if it had human legs.

This week, I don’t like Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm. Although it’s taken a back seat to the Presidential election and Hurricane Sandy, last week’s news about the sale of Lucasfilm to Disney is HORRIBLE. There is so much wrong with this transaction – namely the threat of tainting the exclusiveness of the Star Wars saga that creator George Lucas worked so hard to protect. Disney’s licensing machine is sure to send us all into a state of Yoda overload (we're almost there now). And how will Disney handle the continuation of the Star Wars story? These are some of the most cherished and beloved characters of all time – Disney cannot simply toss a patchwork film together in hopes that it will succeed on the title alone. That approach is exactly how we got those last three first three (???) terrible films. Disney has already projected 2015 for the release of the next Star Wars film. I can’t watch!