Here are those pictures I promised.

( Pictures!!!!! )


I went on Ebay and took a look at some pearls to go down the line between the blue and the green on the sleeves. Need to find the right bobble, button, bead to put at the junction points on the upper part of the sleeves. Other than that... it's just sew sew sew.

Ok so I need to update on the dress.

Last night I went over to stitchwhich's house and sewed. Got a lot done. Realized I had to take the upper part of the gown apart to cut the pieces for the lining.

I was originally going to use the original pattern. That was until there was a 4 year old and a cup of coffee with my paper pattern. So... need to rip seams ... cut lining... sew back together.

However, we did come to a decision on where to put the lacing. I will take pictures of where I am going to put them before I tear it apart. Side Back. Only I am not going to have the lacing go all the way up. See, my pattern has that seam carried all the way up to the shoulder. So... the lacing is only going to go up to my shoulder blade and then stitched the rest of the way.

I went to Joann's and got the fabric for the under skirt. What I -wanted- was a bottom weight dark green. ~le sigh~ It was not on sail. But what -was- on sail was a black demi-suede. Yeah yeah, not period. But right weight and oh so soft. Not to mention at the sail price I got enough to line the whole dress. ~dances a little~ So I made the "period" sacrifice for the $$ amount. And I think I will win on this one. One day I will have the $$ to make a completely period gown with completely period fabrics. One day.

Will add photos in a few minutes... Have to take them and then put under a cut.

ok so he plan for today is to decide on side lacing or back lacing. The way I cut the pieces won't allow for side back lacing. GRRRRR But I can still do side or back. Any thoughts?

So I asked a few of those women I respect in my Barony about a dress i started working on for 12th Night. And one of them told me that if I had a LJ thread about it, then others could cross post and give me ideas.

So here it is.

My inspiration.....



It is on page 149 of Hispanic Costume 1480-1530 by Ruth Matilda Anderson.

The portrait is captioned as Empress 1526-1539. Isabel de Portugal, Empress of the Holy Roman Empire; North-Italian copy of lost work by Titian (Wien. Kunsthistorisches Museum)

So now... The fabric. Now to all you snarks out there.... let me preface this dress diary with a big fat... I DON'T CARE!
It's pretty and that's all I care about. I know puffy paint is not period. But damn this shit is pretty and I wanna use it.

~giggles~ Bet you can't wait to see the fabric now huh?....


I will have to draw up my plans on what I am going to use and where. But there is the start.

Edit: Here is a close up of the individual fabrics and something i whipped up to help with what i am doing...

Back in high school we sang a Christmas Carol that had a few songs being sung on top of each other.  It started "Good Christian Men Rejoice" then it broke into "God rest ye Merry Gentlemen" and to top it off "The first Noel" and "Come ye lofty come ye lowly" came in on top of all of that. 

Now Gustov Holst has a song called "Christmas Day"   It is close.  But not quite there.   If you could take Christmas Day and smush it up on top of each other then that might be it.    

This is driving me crazy.  Any help would be great! 

Oh and feel free to pass this to your friends who might know. 



~Frustrated~

So I called the Endocrinologist. And WE HAVE A WINNER. I have a slow gall bladder. I got sludge in my tank. So I am being referred to a surgeon and we are going to take it out!!!!

I guess the HIDA scan worked.

So now we know what is causing the alien in my gut pain. And the technical term is Biliary Dyskinesia. Here is the info on that....

( Medical info... )




So... An appointment on July 29 with the surgeon and we will progress from there.

So after the most disgusting procedure I think is out there. Truly Barium is not meant for human consumption. ~shivers thinking about it~

ok so after the tests this morning... reflux. Initial look says I have reflux. So some tums and the little purple pill and i should be fine. I guess. I haven't looked it up yet. Not sure if it causes all the pain i have been in but hey.... it's one answer.

So I am off to look up Acid Reflux and see what the info on the net says.

First of all I want to thank each and every one of you who responded either publicly or privately. There is some things I think I need to do. So to those of you asked me not to quit... I won't. For now.

I will however continue to be myself. And if that means that some people in this group think that I am a dumb blond then so be it. I will not list off for you my accomplishments in life. I will not bring it to your attention of all the things I do. But mark my words. The day you realize will be either be a day of regret or a day of rejoice.

I gave myself a mission in the beginning of this trip, this group... That I would help. I let my own feelings get in the way. I let those who would turn down my help and complain that there is not help anywhere to be found get the best of me.

I will remain Lady Catalina Riquel de Luna. I will remain helpful and encouraging to our newcomers. I will even act as a Hospitaler even if this group feels they don't need one. I am Cat O'Nine of the Cursed Grail. We are here to support our Barony and to welcome newcomers making them feel welcome and finding them someone who has the same interest as them. If that means I give them our Heavy Fighter's numbers then I do that. If that means I put them in contact with someone who does belly dancing then I do that too. And if in the process of me making them feel at home they as to become part of the crew that made them feel welcome... then that is a side effect I cannot control. What I can control is my actions. I will put on my cloak of indifference and ignore the negativity of those around me.

I remember that Karma is a bigger bitch than I ever chose to be. I remember that it is not for me to judge or to save the world, but by making myself and those directly around me happy the world will become just a little bit better.

I thank nature for the storm today. I have missed the electricity in the air. The renewal of spirit and the awe that such storms create. I look forward to thew new blooms on my tree as the rain feeds the very roots that made it strong. I reflect on this and make adjustments to my own life.

I will have a lollipop and remember that even though a DumDum is small, it has enough flavor to brighten a day for a few moments. And I laugh at the similarities of a simple candy and my life.



Edit... This was my Budda quote of the day...
Wherever there is light, there is shadow; wherever there is length, there is shortness; wherever there is white, there is black. Just like these, as the self-nature of things can not exist alone, they are called non-substantial.

Now how cool is that?

So... I let my top blow off like Mt. St. Hellen's. But ya know.. It's my journal and I can say what ever I want. Some of the people responded to me. And some of them I have not responded back to. I don't have the energy. I just can't bring myself to care today. I wonder to myself if I made a debate about all of my issues in person would it make a differance? If I called out the specific people I had an issue with at a meeting would I just be a bitch with a chip on my shoulder or would they actually listen? Would me taking the time to address each individual in an email or letter actually accomplish anything. Does it really matter? Would anything change? Or should I have my husband move me and my family to a new area and start over.

~head desk~

And after a mad outburst ... the total lack of caring comes next. The what does it matter... no one is listening anyways. I am just the "airhead ditzy girl" who no one really pays attention to the fact I am educated and really... I am pretty fucking smart. I may not be in mensa... but who said I couldn't be. Life is full of choices. And I chose to be a tree hugging dirt worshiping hippy who actually likes the smell of flowers in the spring. I got absolutely giddy (jumped up and down) at the fact my Formosa tree has bloomed at 3 years old. These are the things that bring me joy. Walking through a friends weaping willow brings me joy. And it's not because I am simple minded. It's because I haven't forgotten that these are the simple joys of life. And all of you who dwell on stupid shit.... let it fucking go. There are small miricles around us every day. My pond is full of tadpoles and baby dragonflies. This to me is better than anyone snarking me and my habbits in a group that doesn't give a shit about me or my family.

So.. If my life is to play with my tadpoles on a breezy day as the dragonflies land on my shoulder... then maybe I don't need the stress of a group that is more worried about everyone else and how they play then themselves and Karma.

I may resign as Lady Catalina Riquel de Luna and just be Cat O'Nine, pirate. Does it really matter any more? Really?

Have you ever had that last straw put on your back that just breaks your knees?!

How many times can you offer to "volunteer" for a "volunteer organization" and get told to shut your mouth and look pretty? Or more to the point... take that and shove it where the sun don't shine?!

How many times can people talk nasty about you right infront of you before you say fuck it all and walk away?!

So they wonder why they can't keep people in the group. They wonder why the new comers run for the hills. Are they fucking serious?!

Have you taken a look at yourselves lately? Lets just pass around the same jobs to the same people and fuck the new people. How long do I have to live here before I am not a new person? How long before I don't play with you and I play with the larger group?

Ya know... I have done really well to keep my anger and personal views about this subject in my head. And maybe just bitch around the house. But I can't do it any more. When the questions are asked of "why" and no one has the guts to say the truth... well... maybe it's just good that I wasn't there. I wasn't at the meeting that the question was asked.

............


To those of you who know what I am talking about... The icon is for you. I am not going to offer to do another job. Been told that I can't do it anyways so what's the point. Not going to help the core.. the core has not let me help them. Screw it. I am not the shining star that you were hoping for. But gee... I wonder if you know that it's because I hear you. All those things you think I don't hear. And by the way... it hurts. I am human too. I have feelings. And if you don't think I am good enough for do things your way... well maybe it's because your way needs a breath of fresh air and you should take help where you get it or don't expect anyone to stick around in your clique.

So fuck it all. I have my friends who enjoy the game I play. And if you don't like it (even if we created the group to help your ass out) then you can bite me. I will carry on with my ship. I will carry on with the goals and mindset of people I find trustworthy and admirable. And for those who would like to retrieve the knife out of my back... I'm right here!

I know I have been MIA for a while. Sorry about that. But I have found something that takes all my attention and actually uses my brain... somewhat.

So I had promised myself four years ago I would never get involved with World of Warcraft. That it was a stupid game like EverQuest. I had tried EQ at one point and hated it. But about a month ago my neighbor gave me a free trial voucher. ok.... so I will try it.

And that was the end of that. I was hooked. The kids liked watching me play. It was addicting. So much so that the Hubby started a trial account too. Now we have two accounts and we play together. Oh and that whole addiction thing... we passed to Ivarr too.

So.. Curt and I were talking about it. This game that sucks your life away. What is it that makes you constantly want to play. Well, there are many aspects to that. First you have the hundreds of character possibilites. Granted there is only 10 main types of races. Then the classes there are about 7. But the details.. hair, face, piercings, skin, and they all change. You thought DnD took a while to make a character... yeah, think about trying to make the face just so... Yeah, that was fun. So you get into the game and you start to quest. This guy will tell you to talk to that guy. That guy wants you to kill a few nasty beasts. Come back and WHAMO you leveled up. And so it starts. The constant desire to complete the next task. Make your Character better through training and better armor and weapons. To level. And before you know it you are saying "just let me finish this quest" And it's 1:00am. OR WORSE!

It even gets better... or worse from your point of view. So now there are other people out there doing the same things. And you join up and chat while you do it. Help each other to succeed. before you know it you are moving to a new area with a few friends. And then you find out that there is a guild out there that will help you out. BONUS! So now you are part of a bigger group that will help you get your armor, and help you quest. The levels keep comming. Before you know it you are being asked for help from someone lower than you.

It's social. And it never ends. When the game puts Christmas lights up around the towns in the game and then has fireworks on new years. It's just too cool. There are even little accomplishment awards that you can get for doing silly things. Like hugging an enemy after you killed them. "Make love not Warcraft" There is always something to do.

So, you strive to make yourself better. Meanwhile your friends are there to help you out. You talk about the game and life. No one gets angry if real life gets in the way. And in the game... you are never really alone. Isn't that what the human spirit is really looking for? A place to belong, to be appriciated, accepted, and to make yourself better? I applaude Blizzard Entertainment on thier game World of Warcraft. So much thought has gone into it. So much detail. Job very well done!

So... back to the game.

And for all those out there that are players too....

Server: Balnazzar

Seruu lvl 47 Orc Warrior
Annaseruu lvl 18 BloodElf Priest


.........


Update:
AnnaSeruu made lvl 25. Last night. See.... Goal+work=acomplishment level after level.
Seruu was my main but the guild needed a healer so I am leveling up a priest.

So here it is 5:40 in the morning of St. Lukes. 

Did I finish Jeanmaire's challenge.   NO!
Did I pull something out of my ass last minute for another challenge...  yup.

What is it about me that I can start MONTHS in advance on a project and I can't complete it.  It's not that I don't want to... but...  My God!!!  This is getting rediculous.  I have a shit ton of started projects around the house.  And I can't bring myself to finish any of them.  I could have cheated on the project.   But I set out to hand sew the whole thing.  I was done with the dress rather quickly but i never got to the apron!   I am dissappointed in myself.  But I am at least happy that I didn't just sew it up with the machine. 

Anyway, I will take it as a work in progress.  No documentation, and let it suck.
As for the other challenge I pulled out of my ass....   I kind of like it.  I don't think my documentation is good enough but eh....  I am not really competing to win.  I just wanted to have something to put in today. 

I hope both Laurels understand my position.  A mom with very little help from dad.  And losing touch with the SCA for a while.   I will blog about that later.  Right now I need to start coffee!!!!!

Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz ...

You Are a Katharine!

 

For those of you that have been trying to get ahold of me and failing miserably...

I have a new cell number. 757-202-7578

The old number that you may or may not have had is Casey's number. So if you want to call the kids keep that number and change it to Casey. But change my number to the one above. Sorry it has taken me so long to get this out ot everyone.

Catalina / Melissa

more cat pictures


more cat pictures


more cat pictures

For those of you who know John Shipman, aka Orufu husband to Dianna aka Alexa...

He is in the hospital today. He is having emergency sergery to have a softball sized tumor removed from his chest. Yes it is cancer. No I don't know what kind. It is lodged between his heart and his lung. He has fluid on his lungs and is having a hard time breathing. Can't keep food down and having all sorts of internal problems. One of the best heart surgeons in the area is going to be removing the tumor from him today. He is at Norfolk General.

As for details on the family. I have Raven with me. Summer starts this saturday and she will stay here while Alexa works. Joe is in Chesapeake and is handling it ok. Kyle is on the boat but he knows as well. Alexa has been by his side since he was admitted last night.

While some of us may have our differences with John, he still needs our prayers. So does his family.

Yup you read that right. I got him here kicking and screaming. Well it was more like I kept making him read over my shoulder stuff or reading things to him that were cool. So... welcome jean_maurice I know I like him.

I wouldn't kick him out of bed for eating crackers!!!! Of course there is more room on the floor.... hmmmmm.....