Tilly’s Garden Dresses

I like shopping at Tilly’s when I want to shop and don’t have money to shop. They have nice, cute things and low prices. You can get maxi dresses and rompers here cheaply. These are pretty casual dresses.

Nautical Dress $29.99

$19.99 Floral Dress

$24,99 Floral Dress

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Wow!

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Sad Day

My friend’s husband died. So young.  Pulled from the earth at an unexpected moment. They had it all – a beautiful family and life they worked hard to build – gorgeous home, cars and a summer vacation planned. And now he’s gone.

My mind fills with pictures – pictures that I just looked at three weeks ago. And their stories….her face would light up each time she told a story about her him. They were still in love, even after all these years.

My heart hurts for her…..for her children.

This is why people say to cherish life.

RIP Mike.

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Television Repair 101 – flashing lights

I love technology – computers, music players, televisions, etc. I don’t like when technology breaks because every repairman wants to make a lot of money to fix the expensive gadgets.

During the summer, my Samsung television would go off intermittently. The television would flash two lights on the display. I tried timing it to see if it was overheating, but sometimes it would the television turn off after 5 minutes and sometimes after 25 minutes or even 3 hours. I went online to research the problem. I thought the Samsung site would be helpful, but it wasn’t. What was helpful was users who shared what they did to fix the problem.  I love that!

There are two problems that the Samsung can have. One involves:

The other involves changing the lamp. I read through how to change the lamp and decided it would be easy to do. I ordered the lamp from Amazon here . When it came I put it in the closet until this past weekend when the television had three flashing lights.

I will be back to finish this shortly and provide pics.

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Getting ready to be a pilot

Although I may be the worst driver in the world, I’m actually a decent driver in the air!  I’ve been taking flying lessons for 16 months now.  And I am getting ready to take the pilot’s test. I have almost 60 hours flying time and my instructor said I’m ready today.

Some people think that a 16 months is a short time to get a pilot’s license – it’s not. There are many people who learn to fly in a month or two. I didn’t have the time or money to pay for that many lessons in that short of a time. It’s an expensive hobby! I didn’t realize it was so expensive when I started, but I have wanted to be a pilot since 1999. I flew with a friend of mine who let me hold the controls for a minute made me realize that I wanted to do it.

Anyway, I am excited and nervous to take the test in the next few weeks. This summer we’ll be flying all over!

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Birds, Everywhere!

I love birds….any type of birds. The woman who owned this house before me and her daughter loved birds.  Before living here, I didn’t even like birds or knick knacks. But now, I am obsessed with putting cute little birds everywhere. 

My new obsession: these two PB sandpiper birds – too cute.

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Make It or Break It

I’ve been watching this show on ABC Family for three years now – Make It or Break It. The show is so sweet. It started out with four main gymnasts and has evolved into one leaving the show and being replaced by several new gymnasts.

Payson Keeler played by Ayla Kell. Payson is the sweet, shy and level-headed gymnasts. She was hurt last season and the season before, but seems to be strong this season and a team favorite. Lauren has a boyfriend named Rigo.

Lauren Tanner played by Cassie Scerbo. Lauren is the sneaky, bad girl of the show. They seem to be phasing her out now by giving her character a heart problem.The problem was never found before this season, but all of a sudden it is life threatening. As the season develops her heart condition is shown to be something about it racing and beating irregularly when she does gymnastics. Payson finds this miracle surgeon who is able to perform a quick TV surgery and Lauren is soon back on the beam. Lauren qualifies to compete (just barely because the show needs that tension of course).

Lauren’s father, Steve Tanner played by Anthony Starke was also a big part of the show, but it appears they are already phasing him out as he didn’t show up for the show the girls put on. He shows up later in the season when Lauren is in the hospital and needs an operation.

Kaylie Cruz – Kaylie is the star of the show. She’s a great gymnast even though she has a troubled personal life. She battled anorexia and her parents divorce. She has a boyfriend named Austin who is also a gymnast, but it appears that he is very interested in his career after being a gymnast and making money. Kaylie’s parents have appeared on the show this season. Her mother, Ronnie Cruz is played by Rosa Blasi and her father Alex Cruz is played by Jason Manuel Olazabal.

These girls are getting older and will probably be let go by the show soon because of their age. So they added a few young gymnasts.

Jordan – a gymnast with a lot of determination. She and Kaylie were in the same gym many years ago and are rivals. Jordan comes from a foster family and also has a troubled past.

Kelly Parker – A younger gymnast who had a mean streak, but has been able to work her way into the viewers hearts by having a change of heart.  KP has a crazy mother who in past episodes has shown she is obsesesed with KP’s money and the potential for future income. KP quits gymnastics and they show her as a friend of Kaylie’s in the stands later in the season.

Coach Otis and he’s working on coming up with the new Olympic team for the girls.

Emily Kmetko played by Chelsea obbs – last season Emily was phased out.

Since Emily is gone, they also phased out from the show after season two, Emily’s mother,  Chloe Kmetko’s character played by Susan Ward and her boyfriend, Damon Young played by Johnny Pacar.

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Looking at a Vintage Shop Online – A Thread

I love A-Thread – they have beautiful clothes that aren’t too expensive.

Updated 8/8/12 because all of the stuff was out of stock!

$19.99 Cute Skirt   More skirts here.

Double Leaf Dress $49

Floral Popover Top $59. I know that’s a bit high, but this top is so cute.

Cute Fall Dress – Back Cutout $42

Great bag – $75

A-Thread doesn’t know me or anything like that – I just love fashion!

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Everyone Doesn’t Die From Cancer

Three days before Christmas I had a slow motion conversation with a friend I’ve known since I was a kid. It was the type of conversation inwhich bad news was delivered and it felt like every word played in slow motion.  “I have cancer, Marlene” my friend whispered through tears.  The words rang over and over in my mind and the word CANCER echoed in my mind over in over as I tried to console an inconsolable woman. She had just left the doctor’s office and hadn’t even told her husband.

I wish I could tell you that I said something wise to my friend, but I didn’t. But I did say something hopeful….”Everyone doesn’t die from cancer…..You will kick it’s butt.”   And in the weeks that have followed, I have cried each time I got off the phone or even thought of my friend because I know how awful and hopeless she was feeling.

After months of treatment….my friend received the news today…..Her cancer is in remission. We hugged and cried – this time tears of joy……Thank God!

I’ve had a hard year with a lot of deaths…….sometimes hope is all I need to see through the rain.

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I love Agrarian.com

I love http://agrarian.com   This is Williams Sonoma new site which sells plants, seeds, gardening tools, chicken coops and even honey bee houses. Now naturally I can’t have a chicken coop in my Brooklyn backyard, but I love these charming seed packets and burlap wrapped plants:

 Have you ever wanted to make your own Ricotta Cheese? I am going to try to do this during the summer because I hear the cheese tastes great!

Agrarian.com even has directions to make Kombucha

Oh and this post is not sponsored by Williams Sonoma or Agrarian. I just LOVE gardening and I am very excited about their new site.  Have you seen my backyard?

I grow my veggies on the other side of this yard. There aren’t any yet because Spring has just started in Brooklyn.

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Huge Fire April 11, 2012

The area was covered with firetrucks and ambulances today – 76th Street and 6th Avenue in Bay Ridge – 2 alarm fire. 100 firemen. Everyone was safe.

See the picture here: https://twitter.com/#!/toddphoto/status/190175029646987264/photo/1/large

http://www.dnainfo.com/20120411/bay-ridge-bensonhurst/two-alarm-fire-breaks-out-bay-ridge-home

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Best Fabric Store in Bay Ridge

I usually don’t have the time to go to Michaels Craft store so I mostly go local in Bay Ridge:

1) J & A Fabrics – April 2017 Update – J& A Fabrics moved to 90th Street and 5th Avenue (the old Robicelli Bakery spot). I am so exited about their new store because it is a lot bigger. They used to be in a cramped store on 83rd Street between off 3rd about 3 or 4 stores from the corner while walking towards 4th Avenue (Home Abstracts is across the street from it). They have fabric from floor to ceiling and a good amount of trims too. They even sell nice upholstery. I love this store. 

http://www.yelp.com/biz/j-and-a-fabrics-brooklyn-2#query:fabric

3) Norma’s Craft Store on 3rd  Avenue between 79th and 78th Streets sells ribbon.  If you need crafting supplies, talk to Norma because she will order it for you. Her shop is awesome and she is very responsive to helping people in this community get what they need. You can also message her on Facebook.  718-921-9200

4) Khan Fabrics and Notions – slightly outside Bay Ridge 6211 – 18th Avenue Brooklyn 11204  718-234-7323  Facebook page  – A lot of choices in solid color fabrics (very few children’s patterns or cutesy pattern like florals…..one polka dot – black and white only) good prices, a moderate amount of trims but nothing like Beverly’s had. They do have a large selection of zippers. I don’t love the store because it’s just solids in different materials – cotton, velvet, lace etc.

2) CLOSED – Beverly’s Trimming Shop – 79th and 5th Avenue  CLOSED in 2016  7820 5th Ave….this place had amazing items

5) Juanitas Bridal Store on 58th Street & 4th Avenue  has every type of ribbon and  trim imaginable – they are cheap too!  

6) Golden Thread – 4610 New Utrecht Avenue

7) Michael’s Craft Store doesn’t sell fabric, but they do have crafts and yarn. There is one on Atlantic Avenue.  There is also one at  410 Gateway Drive (it’s in the second mall at the Exit 15 (Erskine exit) on the Belt Parkway. 

8) YARN – When I need special yarn for a project, I head to the Brooklyn General Store at  128 Union Street – outside of Bay Ridge   They also have fabric at this store too.   

9) If you are missing Beverly’s Trimming Store there is Daytona Trimming at 251 West 39th or Botani Trimmings  on 36th Street in Manhattan. There is also M&J at 1008 6th Avenue and  Tender Buttons 1143 – East 62nd Street in Manhattan – Button Store

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