LisaN

I have a pretty good rapport with my USPS office down the end of the road. There is one that is closer to my shopping, but they are a description I won't mention here. I have gone into THAT office and saw people milling about, heard the bell, Looked at me standing there, and went on about their business. Did I mention they watch tv also? And bring their pet chicken's eggs to hatch under light bulbs? One of the postal ladies in there made a point of telling me she had to bring the eggs to work with her because they were 'getting ready to hatch,' (I was simply buying stamps, and looking at the stuff stacked ontop of the file cabinet--didn't know what it was) So that is why I go to my postal carrier at the end of the road. They are small, but they are nice and quite efficient. I also can go in early and get shipping quotes on items from them, they are really great. I have had more problems with UPS than USPS, believe it or not. I have shipped two items through UPS and never again. They have a racket going on where they will not guarantee anything unless THEY pack it--for a fee, of course. ;) I have often wondered why they just don't say,' Stick 'em up...' :lol: I feel for you, it is distressing to be expecting a package and it never shows up.

First thing that comes to mind with your name: are you going to expand into other venues besides minis? Bee's nest is a good name. If, you are going to specialize in miniatures, then maybe you need to add something that describes the business you are in. This is just a thought, especially business-wise. Maybe the Lil' Bee's Nest?

Why does the cat hold it in UNTIL you have just finished cleaning the litter pan? I don't know that one Melanie. Are you sure your cat & my cat Henry aren't related? Henry decides that after the litter box is 'clean' is the time to go in to his 'office' --did I mention he likes to drag socks in there with him? Why do they make it so hard to correctly fold fitted sheets? Just as bad as a roadmap. Because miniaturists hate housework as a rule. Take a tip from me, which is much quicker. ROLL the sheet up and stuff it in the closet. That way it falls out all by itself when you need it again. ;) How much does the air cost in a half filled bag of potato chips that you paid $1.49 for? HMM....let's figure this out. 1.49 for your bag of chips. (From now on only pay .99 cents, that way you get the air for free!) Maybe the air is included so you can burp better after eating chips. (I am a pro at chip eating, it's a family tradition, like Hank says!) I've got some for ya'll: Why do they call it a teacup poodle? Does it drink from a teacup, fit in a teacup, or only prefer tea to drink? Why does the dishwasher and the washing machine konk out at the same time? GRRR...... Why does the mail person who delivers the mail deliver your package of minis at the END of the day, like at 5 pm? Or tear your mini magazine but deliver the useless free advertisements in one piece??? Why are Rice Krispies so noisy? If they snap, crackle and pop, aren't they shorting out? If they are defective, shouldn't their names be: Broken, Defective, and Backfire? ;) I thought these were just funny...........

Oh, this is a subject I remember! ;) During college I majored in early childhood education, and worked in a day care center. The age group I took care of in my class were 13 two year olds! Had more stamina back then! ;) Actually, everybody here is right. Don't rush the kid. Encourage the kid. Clap your hands make a big todo over their 'success' I had parents who threw a fit when the poor child would go throw all of their potty pants and had to go home in a diaper. Turns out that the poor kid was scared to death of the toilet. So it isn't good to rush them. She's probably ready, especially if she's begun to take the diaper off. One thing I found in my experience was a set routine of putting them on the pot. If you are a working mother, this might be hard, and not feasibly possible. Imagine doing this with 13 two year olds who had different 'schedules'--some were just beginning to learn, some were pros, and some were what I called'pot-sitters' which means they knew what they were supposed to do, but weren't ready, or did not know how. Keep sitting them on the pot on a routine, and it will happen. If they have a set routine, then it will help a bit, and they might start going to sit on the potty by themselves.

The movie will be an entertaining piece of fiction but as far as rethinking my faith based on a movie, don't think so. And Tom Hanks needs to fire his hair dresser, if he has one! What someone said is right, the hair would distract you from any plot the movie might have! ;) I liked him better in Forest Gump & Apollo 13. Da Vinci is one of my favorite artists too, I have books with his drawings and he was a genius, but many people forget he was also ahead of his time by centuries. I wouldn't even attempt to read the book if it wasn't at least interesting. So I will probably wait for it on dvd, I'm watching my budget also.

Colin, great to see you here! I love the LLBean catalog, it has great sportswear in it. Love the title , I have some cousins in Maine.lol!

I know the term 'boot' over here can refer to a lock called a 'boot' that is put on cars in private parking lots when they do not pay their parking tickets. This was a popular item when I worked for a security company and we checked the parking stickers....but I am digressing. I actually have no idea what a 'boot' sale is --unless it's the English term for a sale similar to a yard sale.

Sunny's birds and animals are awesome. She has made me some wonderful items, I would highly recommend her. Her prices are reasonable also.

Wendi, it's a great house. Any ideas on what you're going to make it into?

Years ago out of college I worked in an organic grocery store chain, and it was an experience. I learned to like alot of the healthy foods (and cook them) but it is very time consuming and expensive. That's not to say that you can't eat healthy and inexpensively, but I would give her a few items to think about, (personally, I don't know how you held a straight face when she told you she wanted to be a vegan, and wanted everyone to eat that way--I myself would have laughed ) 1- Does she have a job that brings in the money to pay for the fresh fruit and veggies? Nutti had a point, eating this way not only takes time, but money, and lots of prep work. This is where I would point to the stove, refrigerator, and the mixing bowls and ask her--'what are you cooking tonight?' :lol: 2- Will she be able to get regular checkups? Holly had a very valid point--teenagers need vital nutrients to keep up with their hectic schedule. Show her your medical health insurance cost and she might think twice. Alot of this is about power too. Let's see what hoops I can get Mom to jump through. It seems to me reaction is what she is looking for, more so than the actual lifestyle, I find when I don't over-react with my ten year old, it goes alot easier. The teen years are a difficult age, because they are trying to find out who they are. Nutti, the boy craze has half way started about here too. I don't look forward to the boy craziness that will set in a couple of years or so. Luckily, Amanda is going through sports craziness now--or the tomboy stage.

My mother is always coming up with something new, so it is hard to say what stuck the most. I would have to say my mother inspired me subconsciously as a child, she was an Avon sales rep, on and off for over 20 years, I think. She taught me needlepoint when I was nine, and how to make potholders when I was between 6-8. She also taught me how to sell them to the family members for a quarter-- B) so I would have money to buy stuff for my Barbies! Things my mom told me, and I remembered, when I was listening: 1- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 2- Diamonds are a girls' best friend. (that's debatable--I love my dollhouses too much!) :lol: 3- Never wear white after Labor day....? (can't remember on this one...) 4- Save a little for a rainy day.... 5- Ice, rubbing alcohol, and Vicks vapor rub can cure just about anything. She has more, but at the moment can't remember them all.

Susanne, you have encountered the yard sale fiends that I spoke of! They will descend on you like buzzards. Sometimes you get the dealers or pros who just go and buy the stuff before You've even set up. My mother & father live in a prime location where it is easy to sell just about anything --the old gentleman next door is famous for selling antiques that he simply is given, or scavenges. Thrift stores are great for buys. It is simply amazing what people will throw away, and it's easy to pick up for just a few dollars. You want the really great thrift stores, who don't have a high idea of the value of their junk. I generally do not have yard sales inthe county where I live, most of the people here are too busy going to the river or the mountains, so it is really pointless to have a yard sale. I usually combine my stuff over at my mother's house.

It does have a look of DHE, doesn't it? But when I examined it closer, the wood is what gave it away. Hubby knows his wood, and said he can't get this thickness in birch anymore, or if he could, it would be hard to acquire. Brian's book has some great ideas on chamber pots, stools, kitchens, etc. Heidi, I too was taken to yard sales and flea markets as a kid. My dad worked with one of his coworkers who ran a side flea market business, selling tools, that was quite lucrative. To this day, (over thirty years later--he's still selling!) I can go to the outdoor flea market, and find him there. I grew up with his kids, so we were all flea market and yard sale kids. That family must have some rockin sales! I believe the hunt for finding that 'find' is more of a thrill than the actual find itself! Well, I created the partitions and papered in some of the walls this evening. I will stain the stair runner and treads, tonight I just painted the backs white, and painted some of the hallway walls warm white. I have some great ideas as I was papering, and it is really going to look awesome. Look in the community.webshots.com/user/lisaneault

Why not sand the outside exterior like Holly mentioned, and really rough it up good so it will take paint? Do a faux finish on it, and this is the fun with faux, you could do a sponged look, (pick out your base color, like you would with a crackle finish, in this case I would use a warm white or a soft buttercream) and then take a contrasting color paint, also in a soft color, and use a sponge to sponge it on with. Another idea is to create a faux marble effect, and after the sponged look is dry, take a liner brush and create 'veins' in a contrasting color. Decide what color marble you wish to simulate first, at Home Depot in the cabinet department they have chip samples of the marble you can do full size counters with. If your heart is set on a dark color inside, why not just line it with a dark velvet, or even a lighter color in pastel satins? This would give your glassware a lush look, and that white would not be so glaring on your glass pieces, also it would look like a real antique or gallery case. These are just a few ideas--and don't be afraid of messing up--remember it's only paint! But definitely rough up the case's exterior first, you wish the paint to adhere.

Thank you! Key to finding dollhouses at yard sales, bazaars, etc. GO EARLY. I know in my heart if I had not got there when they were just beginning, this dollhouse would have been snapped up. The sale was so huge that people would go up to one of the church staff members who wore a cash apron, and marked the item sold after you paid for it so you could still go about and shop. I wasn't taking that chance--I lugged it to my car and put it in the trunk--it was a perfect fit. I hate to say this, but go to big yard sales, big bazaars, or even large, big flea markets. (Places that have good junk! :lol: ) stands to reason in my yard sale forays that nice areas have nice 'junk'....I picked up some of these yard sale tips from various people I know that go foraging every Saturday. They make lists, plan their 'strategy' as they call it, and can drive up and decide if there is good stuff in one fell swoop. I plan to put up a hallway where the stair placement is, so some more walls will be needed. I might magic brik it in, and use a combo of brik and stone quoins--this house definitely looks Georgian. For anyone wanting to do a Georgian house, you need Brian Long's Book called 'The Authentic Georgian Dolls' House' I bought that book in Florida along with his new Tudor & STuart dolls house book, the books are well worth the money and give a historical accuracy and ideas that can't be beat. He & Kay are lovely people; I believe he will be doing his apothecary shop workshop in Sturbridge coming up in June. I played with the stairs last night, and they are ready to be put together! What is really neat is these stairs are handmade! The bannisters and bulstrades are a little large, I will have to buy some. I will probably get to work today staining & painting the stair treads, and seeing if I can get them assembled, so I know how much space I will need to work with in the hallways. But that is what I have up for now.

I know! It is so neat how so many wonderful hobbies can be done in mini. I bought myself my mother's day present, and birthday present today with hubby & daughter Amanda. There it was calling--and I had to have it. Don't know where I will put my yard sale find, but it is too fabulous to pass up! I am thinking of putting legs on this one, and letting it have pride of place somewhere! Wendi, thank you for your compliments on my poor little custom. It was an old vintage kit that had belonged to my father in law, who was a vet and suffered from severe diabetes, becoming blind as a result. He had bunches of these animal resin kits that you could paint or customize, and he was quite good at carving, and painting. So I decided to practice on one, and was quite pleased how my first try came out--I'm looking int o what it takes to do custom horses. I have heard many opinions on the subject, on model horse blab, from airbrushing to pastels to oils and acrylics. That horse was painted with acrylic, and I etched the hair or fur markings into the body. If you can find some old breyers in classics, I think you could do amazing things with them, you are so talented with the mini animals! :lol:

Was watching the news this morning with hubby and drinking coffee at 6 am when they began announcing the yard sales! They suddenly announced a huge church bazaar yard sale, so off we got dressed, dragged Amanda out of bed, and away we went. This yard sale was huge. Ever had one of those days when you feel lucky? Well today was my day. Dollhouse lucky. There she was, all thirty-two inches tall of her, sitting neglected with maskin tape in the morning dew yelling, buy me! Ten minutes later I had hubby antie up and we were lugging the dollhouse to the car. :lol: Remember how we were talking of collecting houses? This dollhouse was a find--she is made of good solid wood, and has hinged doors on the front like the english dollhouses. A damp grocery bag taped to the top of the roof had miscellaneous chrysonbon parts in them, nice kits. This whole house was homemade, even down to the stairs and some of the partitions. It was papered with shelf and wrapping paper in awful colors for this house, but I soon got rid of that with some warm water and lysol wipes, came right out with only a little residue left behind with the ugly wrapping paper. I took pics, the pictures are in my webshots album: http://community.webshots.com/user/lisaneault I thought at first it might have been a gloucester, or another gl kit, but it has the look of a handmade dollhouse or model. In fact it looks like a model of a house made into a dollhouse as an afterthought, just from the look of the kits, and the joints and the way the doors are hinged. Enjoy looking at the pics! I've included some in this post! B)

Sunny, I know exactly what you mean about collecting the older GL kits. I would love to own a Brimble's mercantile, and know where I can get one, just been short of cash and once I give in--I will have to build. Not to mention having a an Arthur, Pirates'c ave roombox, and Queen's Row that aren't finished. But ebay is probably the way to go for those hard to find items. Weird looks. Am I crazy. I must be, why else would I be living with wall to wall kits from my own collection, and stock, and minis all over the place? <_< People's faces when they come into the house are comical--they will keep talking, but their eyes wander everywhere--so one day I came in, and saw what they saw! A dollhouse in the window, another one beside the computer, complete with yard, driveway, and car--scenes in the kitchen, minis on the entertainment center, the mantel, the side coffee table, minis everywhere! The one great thing about it is my husband loves the hobby too. I really couldn't enjoy it as much as I do without him to bounce ideas off of--he will sometimes come up and challenge me. Can you do a scene in this container? (I have been challenged to do a scene by him in everything from a jar, a can , an old cigarette case, or even do a scene in an old cardboard box--) It's curious that men have stereotypes. I sometimes find men enthralled with the structures at shows, they really get into it. Even men who might not be into models, or trains, per se. I frequent Hobbytown alot, and they aren't surprised in the least when I tell them, I need windows for this scale project I'm working on, or I need...I am kind of relieved, because if you can translate the miniatures into train scale, you can usually find anything you need. Has anyone had this hobby mushroom into another hobby? I got into trains (I desperately want a N scale train, hubby wants HO, and we both want a Garden railroad) but I have been lusting after model horses also--I love Breyers. I am especially into the classics but I love the traditional scale too--1:9th scale. And I like to dress them out--the classics are perfect 1 inch scale. The stable mates are 1:24th, I think, but don't quote me on that. Right now I am lusting after a laundau on ebay that I can't afford and it is in stable mate scale! So now not only do miniature dolls, accessories, houses, trains have crept into my hobby, so have model horses. My stable is pretty big right now--I have about three to four stablemates, six tradionals, and three classics. :lol: That's the great thing about this hobby, what you cannot afford or realize in full size--you can have in mini, and in any scale! My kind of hobby!

I heard about this on a miniature group on yahoo. I met Tom & Kari in South Carolina on the way back home from a show at Miniature Memories. He and Kari were delivering to Joan and the new line they were delivering in 1/2 inch was simply remarkable. He was a truly, 'Wonderful Person' as we sockees called him in GSOLFOT. 'Man creates art, but only God can create an artist.' --(I may have misquoted here, but describes Tom well.) He will be truly missed.

Heidi, I really feel for you. I do not have FM, but I do suffer from pain, intense migraine pain. The older I get, the worse it is. Today I had an episode. It comes over so quick, it is hard to explain. You'll get up in the morning, eat your breakfast, drink your coffee, and all of a sudden, within an hour, intense pain. I have lived with this for years--ever since I was a teenager. Today the pain was short because I took my pain medication the doctor prescibed--I call it miracle cure! :lol: It relieves the constriction in the blood vessels. Since I am older, I now suffer from time loss, loss of concentration, etc. I had a migraine for only 6-8 hours today, sometimes they have lasted 12-18 hours. That's not fun, especially the nausea-- you get quickly dehydrated. Luckily, these headaches only come two or three times a month now--when I was a teenager, that many times a week. Tracey, go to the doctor. Don't blow off your appointments, take care of yourself. I too dread going to the doctor. Such a pain--but well worth it. My husband wanted to know more about what was causing the pain--so he has visited all of my doctors with me--take your hubby along, and just explain everything to him. I know Chris understood more and really asked the doctor questions I hadn't thought of before. One of my doctors recommended massage, and I have to say when I go to the gym and sit in the jacuzzi, my back pain and headaches abate more--I also sit in the sauna after a dip in the pool and the jacuzzi sit--this might help you with the chronic fatigue, since it is so relaxing. Alot of my headaches can be triggered by not eating regularly, or exhaustion, or nerves too. So water therapy is really helpful. Take care of your health everyone, or else you can't mini! Isn't that a bummer to be sick and not be able to create on your dollhouse? I know it is frustrating for me. :lol:

Why not buy a small hexagonal specialty paper punch, and punch out the tiles in cardstock and use Quick Seal from Home Depot for your grout? Or a paper template where you could find the hexagon small enough. I know Michael's sells the clay cutters small enough in the polymer clay section, and you could also use a Kemper cutter too, if you are going to use clay. The Quick Seal will work with the clay tiles as well as the cardstock also. If you need a terra cotta floor I would use the DAS clay, this dries pretty quick.

I guess the different geographical locations in the US & Canada chitlins and grits would sound somewhat strange or 'weird'. Hominy and grits are basically the same thing, they are a grain. I guess you don't love what is served all the time; as a result, most people are amazed I am from the South and dislike eating grits--most have never heard of hominy. I remember traveling to New York with my parents when I was young and being surprised at the look from the waiter when I asked for iced tea w/ lemon to drink at breakfast--my parents would sometimes have iced tea in the mornings too--and one cup of coffee with their eggs, and other breakfast. It was just good. One thing that was awful smelling were cresses my grandmother used to cook on the stove. She had been taught how to pick them--so she knew what to pick and what not to pick. Cresses fetch a high price in the supermarket today per pound, and they smell like old socks stewing on the stove. Cresses are greens, and they are best when eaten with alot of vinegar, if you can manage it. I prefer kale or cabbage with lots of pepper and vinegar--yummy. :lol: I have ate game, and while I will eat it, doesn't really thrill me. Rabbit is somewhat a little too gamey for my taste, but it probably wasn't prepared right. One thing that is really good is fried green tomatoes. I love them--when they are cooked and fried just right, they are crunchy! And sweet potato fries! Those are really good! :lol:

What a flashback! I'm from the south and I rate chitlins and fatback up there together. They DO smell the house up and arent' too pleasant to look at or smell! :lol: I rate hominy up there--it's so icky looking. I will eat grits, but they are so tasteless it's no wonder our ancestors flavored them up with ham gravy or butter, syrup, anything. I'd rather eat oatmeal. :lol: The weirdest thing I have ate is monkfish appetizers in our local Japanese resturant. And Alligator deep fried bites at this Creole resturant in Fredericksburg--they were both quite good, and didn't taste fishy or too salty which really turns me off on fish, calamari (rubber bands taste) and crabmeat and oysters. My family will eat lobster and crabmeat all day long, it's far too salty for me unless dipped in butter. Love scallops and shrimp and clams though. My favorite is kind of mild, I love potato chips and onion dip. I also love spinach dip--and it depends on the dip--it's an acquired taste. Hubby is one of the unfortunates who will and has tasted everything. I think his most adventurous was monkey brains at some dinner he attended with his parents as a kid. Squid is one of his favorites--now that is really gross. B) , but he loves it. He and my daughter love the sardines--they usually spread it on crackers with goat cheese, (I love goat cheese! ) One of my favorites if the potato chips run out, is port wine cheddar cheese on saltines..yum! That stuff is good!

Tracey, your dolls are so sweet! Did an artist from the CDHM forum create them? It looks like her work. I have a family of dolls, two Miss Mabel (named after my grandfather's 1st cousin) and Miss Prune I received from a friend. They currently reside in the Arthur(Olde Shelby Cottage.) Along with a little girl doll I have had for years since I was a child, she is made of celluloid? and is jointed. When I went to the MD show in 2004? Chris bought me and Amanda some wonderful dolls. Amanda got the doll dressed in gawdy Victorian red called 'Scarlett' and I got the family. Lady Georgiana and her daughter Tessa, the governess Eleanor, and the chauffuer Arnold. Arnold and Eleanor hope to be married, but are still living with Lady Georgiana and her brood. She has a baby, and currently is visiting Miss Mabel, her husband's aunt. So they are quite crowded. I have a doll that needs to be assembled who will reside in the Queen's Row. Her name is Tasmin, from the doll class on there. Still working on her in my off moments. I'm currently looking for a husband for Tasmin, since she has such a grand house. lol! Mr. Bannister has his doll emporium, and right now that is where he lives, 24-7. He likes tinkering with his toys and does not much care for the elderly spinsters who are trying to tie him down, he would much rather be creating dollhouses and fixing dolls for the children who clamor to buy the toys in his store. I have a whole family of replica 'penny wooden' dolls like the kind Queen Victoria used to play with, by an artist here in Va. named Fred Laughon. They are some of my most precious collectibles, since they are so very fragile and in one inch scale. They haven't found a home yet, I would love to design and old fashioned house like the antique Bliss homes to place them in.

I am in mostly the same boat. We live in the country and it's almost about ten miles to the main road. No running down the road five miles to the store for anything special, it will have to wait. Gas topped out here at 2.99 and some places 3.00, 3.05, and 3.09! This is not good, especially since a local gas station and little resturant we go to alot had big stickers saying 10% enthanol! So it looks like one or two days a week will be for running errands, shopping, etc, and cutting back on those extras. Thank goodness I don't have my former job, where I used to commute.