Aacck, Daria! good thoughts away for your Mom--dust, pollen, leaf mold, or just a bad case of the overdids. None of them good. Hope she and you both can think it's funny in a couple of days.

the schnauzers, thanks for that weather information--I had loooked around a little, but wasn't sure whether I was seing anomalies or whether it really *was* all over the place.

I guess I'll be poring over the pattern books for a while. Maybe a kimono-type draped long jacket?

That sounds very elegant, Rabrab -- in a beautiful silk, one lightly lined, one quilted -- then you'd have them for elegant wear later, too!

Rabrab I have been to many, many weddings in the South (and Florida sort of counts). You can't go wrong in a simple satin skirtsuit in a beige or pastel. It's feminine and elegant. Southern weddings are more into elegance than trendiness. I love your idea of a kimono coat - maybe you could wear a simple dress underneath that's the same length as the coat. The matching lengths are a big look right now, and you could use either item later on (the dress with a cardigan for work, and the kimono over jeans for a night out).

I wouldn't wear the wedding colors, because that's usually the province of bridesmaids and moms. You can wear a subdued version, like more of a sky blue instead of sapphire.

If you don't want to do a coat, you could also wear a cashmere wraparound sweater and either dress slacks or a kneelength skirt. Another idea is a shift dress with a little lace coat over it. Lace gives your arms coverage but doesn't look frumpy.

Here's a brief update on my mom. Not only did she over-garden, but she also needs a Zantac-like drug for heartburn. And everything looked great this morning, but they're giving her a stress test on Tuesday.

My fingers remain crossed for her, Daria.

And thanks for the feedback, Weds; the last wedding I was at in the South was in about 1983 or so, and was a very formal plantation-house afternoon soiree' thing. Not at all what Niece of Rabrab is planning.

I want to thank everyone for their suggestions on American snack foods my boss can send to Canada. She was very happy to have some new stuff to send up there. My temp assignment with the Royal Bank is over, and I don’t think the investment bank I start with tomorrow has an international snack exchange, but if they do, I can help!

TWOP: Improving US-Canada relation through snack food

One last note – GOOOOOOOOOO Lightning!!!!

Aloha ~
I will be doing my cookie & icing test run this weekend. As for the cookie cutter - I just cut out some cardboard in the shape of the cookies I wanted (i.e. triangle flag and/or longer rectangular flag) and just placed the cardboard on the dough and cut around it.
And after I divided the icing in half to make the red/yellow colors I actually painted the cookie yellow and then added the red stripe to the center after the first color was dry. I will let you know how the test cookies come out. The only problem that I faced with the sticky icing even after it dried. But, I have searched the net and someone gave me a recipe and told me that I will be able to freeze and stack without having the icing stick to the other cookie. So, if it turns out, I'll share the recipe if you would like.

A plantation wedding is exactly the sort of thing my sister-in-law is working on. Luckily, I'm a bridesmaid so I don't have to decide what to wear. It's all picked out for me.

If your niece is having any sort of outdoor wedding, wear flats. Otherwise you'll just sink into the ground. A big thing at beach weddings right now is to give out plastic flip-flops in the wedding colors as favors, so guests don't fall all over themselves.

Here's a question for the sewers on the board. I want to buy a sewing machine and start making my own clothes, because Colombian women are really flashy dressers and I can't find anything down here. What's a good quality, fairly inexpensive machine that's easy to use? And are there any good websites that sell patterns? There's lots of beautiful fabrics here, they just all get assembled into halter tops.

Wish I could help, Wes. I have an antique sewing machine that I need to get fixed, but nothing new. Websites that sell patterns would be very interesting -- please post any good ones here.

Since this forum is for a travel show, I was wondering how much of our own countries most of us have seen. I've hit 41 of the 50 states (I'm missing AK, HI, MN (sorry, Miss A), both Dakotas, TX, Louisiana, OK, and NM), and over the weekend committed to visiting friends in New Mexico. My missing states are in clusters: the non-contiguous states, the North Central-West-ish cluster, and the South Central-West-ish cluster. I was just wondering if other people had similar patterns.

I've hit 25 states. My plan for vacation next year is to fly to Seattle, rent a car, and spend two to three weeks driving back and hitting 23 of the ones I haven't been in. I'll have to catch Alaska and Hawaii some other time.

I'm visited 7 countries and 41 states. I've lived in 3 countries (on 3 different continents), 5 states and the District of Colombia. I'll get to add Europe next year when I move to Sarajevo.

WedsAdams, you might want to check out this website. I just googled for it, so I can't really verify its worth, but it looks pretty decent. If anything, just check some of the mfr websites for Butterick, Vogue, Simplicity, and McCalls. I know those are four brands my Mom (a seamstress) has used for years.

I recently got myself a new Singer sewing machine, a Scholastic model -- I chose that one because not only was it on sale, but because the important moving parts are still metal. Do be careful of some of the less expensive machines; they tend to use plastic, which clearly is less durable.

As for patterns, that site erin recommended probably has the biggest selection online that I've found. (I went hunting for cloak patterns a few months ago, so visited just about every site that sells patterns online, I think!)

Different patterns seem to fit differently, however; I tend to be a bit thicker in the waist, for example, so find that McCalls patterns fit me best. Butterick are usually too tight in the waist, even though the measurement is allegedly the same. I've learned to really adapt patterns to fit myself; my goal is to actually buy a dressmaker's dummy one of these years, and then I'll do a LOT more sewing, I suspect!

As for the geography quiz, I've visited (or lived in) six countries (not including the US), have lived in ten states, and visited all the rest at some point, I believe, except for Alaska and Hawaii. Can you tell I love to travel? Papa Tiger lived in the Far East for 23 years, and has been everywhere on that side of the Big Pond -- or in the middle of it! He worked as a contractor installing computers on every US-affiliated island in the Pacific in the mid-80s, so has done such things as dine on taro root and sea cucumber with the chief on Yap. And we won't discuss his constant references to his many trips to Australia, which turn me brilliant green with envy. My life is so dull by comparison.....

Geography quiz, hmm? States visited: 14 (3 just the airport). Canadian Provinces visted: 3 Countries other than US/Canada visited: 7 (1 just the airport), though under current politcal boundaries it would be 8. I'm kind of embarassed about my low state count, but I guess I can take comfort in the fact that states are bigger out west.

I missed the really fun travel in my family (military, far east, my parents have loads of pictures of TAR-type places in the early 70s) by virtue of not being born yet.

The company I work for has a number of offices in Hawaii, and it seems like they send people there right and left, but they have not yet sent me. Maybe I need a new job title.

Weds I use a New Home. It's about eight or nine years old now, and it wasn't top-of-the-line even when it was new, but it's handled everything I've thrown at it, from three layers of heavy felt, to flat-felled seams on denim, to chiffon. Unless you're really into doing machine embroidery, you don't need a gazillion decorative stitches, or a computer interface, no matter what the saleslady tries to tell you. I've used it off house current, off a 150-foot extension cord while camping, and off an inverter attached to a car battery. Thing just won't quit.

I've also got a 50+year-old Singer "Featherweight" that I use when I need really fine control over the length of the stitch, since it allows me to set the stitch length whereever I want it. The New Home has preselected settings to choose from. (Featherweight? thing is made of cast iron --literally-- and weighs about 35 pounds. I suppose it was a lightweight for the time.)

If all you want is basic straight stitches, I'd honestly look for one of the old iron Singers--they're the ones that have the least to go wrong, and no matter where you find yourself posted, you'll probably be able to find someone who can and will work on it if it does need help.

I'll do some digging for pattern sources and get back to you.

I'll also have to think about the geography question...

ooohhh Geography - I've hit 33 of 50. I'm assuming that flights 'over' states doesn't count!? I've also been to Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, and Japan (born there).

Have any of you seen the Last Samuri? I've got it coming from Netflix and am curious what to expect.

So, if this season starts on July 6, does that mean TARCon is around November?

Eh, I'm just trying to come up with a reason to post.
I wanted to apply to TAR 6 with my baby bro, but now I can't, as I was accepted to law school, so I might not even get to TARCon now.
Thems the breaks, huh?

Schroeder, I guess you know what a mind-f*ck you let yourself in for by going to law school, but congratulations anyway. If your first year class schedule is anything like mine was, then you'll likely have a class that night that ends after TAR is airing during August and September!

Yes, congrats on law school, Schroeder! You know already it's a major grind, but I'm sure it will all work out fine. I just hope it doesn't mess up your TAR-viewing schedule -- I mean, what's important? :-)

Good job, Schroeder! Which school are you going to?

Leaving no stone unturned with this geography business...

I've visited 4 of the 6 states of Australia, both territories, and so far a total of 18 other countries. That list is expected to grow to 20 after my little (!) visit to TARcon at the appropriate time in September.

At least I hope it's the appropriate time. I've got a non-refundable booking at a glamourous hotel in Hong Kong at about 60% off the rack rate, and that's for September 16. Therefore if the TAR5 finale is any other date but September 21, I will not be a happy Australian!

Actually, I'll trail something I'm curious to find out. Apart from myself, are any other overseas TARflies making plans to be at TARcon this year?

I've been to 22 states in the US and 13 countries, so I guess I better get a move on. However, I have no real way of counting, but I've probably been to close to 400 Broadway shows. If you added up all those ticket prices, I probably could have afforded a plane ticket around the world.

My count is 25 States (I'm half way there) and 15 Countries that I've been to.

Lord knows how many Broadway shows I've seen - I used to keep track but stopped doing it after a while.

I won't be happy either. I'm destined to be at a career fair (I have to be there since I'm kind of representing a couple organizations), which is destined to fall on that day (or 9/28 assuming TAR does). Hopefully, just because TAR is on Tuesday doesn't mean the season finale has to be. Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll have the finale on Wednesday (or even better, Thursday).

Geography: 36 States and 10 Countries. It's been a goal of mine for awhile to hit all 52* states and get a tacky souvenir from each. Other than Hawaii and Alaska the ones I haven't visited are all in one cluster from the Northwestern states heading into the western part the of the Midwest. It was only five years ago that I first traveled outside of North America, but I've hit 8 countries in the in that time, so I guess I have a good international start. I think I'm a bit travel obsessed!

I'm also planning on buying a sewing machine so it's nice to hear the advice. Don't think I'll be sewing clothes though. I mainly want to make pillows, curtains, etc. It's from watching all the home shows. They make it look quite easy. Who knows, if I really like sewing maybe I will move on to more difficult stuff.

eta:
*I know there's only 50. Stupid brain fart or something...

8 countries, 35 states, 2 Canadian Provinces, 0 broadway shows.

3 of those states were 'drive-thrus.' The others I haven't hit are Alaska, Hawaii, and most of the ones in the Northwest and North-Central part of the country.

Unfortunately, no big travel plans this year, but I may do some short day trips close to home.

7 Canadian Provinces, 8 US states and 28 countries. You can add at least one to each if you count airports only - I don't count looking at Nashville, Pittsburgh, Winnipeg and Belize through glass. I need some more states, definitely.

And thanks for the congrats, guys. Really, all four of my friends know, so I have to tell people on here I've never met by slipping it into the Meet Market threads.
I've worked two years to get accepted (as many Buffy fans know when I spilled the season 7 promo tape back in '02).
Plus, I only sent out one application, I'm really happy. My older brother is the quarterback for a team in France, and my little brother is the quarerback for a college team in Texas, but my parents get to brag about me for some other reason that working as the sports editor (I'm really just a sports copy editor, but that word gets dropped a lot)
My two cousins on my dad's side have kids and my mom's side either dropped out or only got a bachelor's, but law school tops all that! As long as everything holds up, this July 4/Thanksgiving/Christmas, they'll be talking about ME!!!!

I took my LSAT back in December '02, so I've been working a long time toward this.
Plus, the law school is here in my home town (high school diploma, junior college degree, college degree, some graduate classes and now law school, sigh, I'll never move away from her), so I don't have to move, and I can still pick part-time work, as the job is downtown, too.

So, I'm looking forward to TAR this summer, but I really was going to try and come to TAR Con. Even my little bro (he's a college fresman) really likes the show, and I was suggested that we try the "big gay brother/little straight brother) plug to give us an edge. I mean, the gay angle worked for law school. Plus, I just know that Cons are fun, and I wanted to me Miss Alli and Sars. I hear they're not as scary as they seem on the boards.

Oh, and 10 states (mostly on the way to Mt. Rushmore), plus London and Paris.

22 U.S. states, 1 Canadian province, England, and Japan, and a brother sewing machine. I'd like to visit more different countries - I keep telling Mr.MV that his research group needs to have their next conference in Spain or Italy so I can come along.

18 states; 19 if you count having layovers in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh as equivalent to being in Pennsylvania. And the only place I've been to outside the US is Toronto twice. I love traveling; it's just been a case of time and/or finances not working out. I definitely hope to rectify this in the future.

And congrats, Schroeder!

I'm enjoying hearing about everybody's sewing adventures, especially those involving old sewing machines -- mine, like my TV, is older than I am. Does anybody know of a good source of bobbins for old machines? I can't seem to find any at the stores that look like the one (!) I got with the machine.

Is it wrong that I'm all excited because TAR General Gabbery has taken over Survivor Previous Seasons in my profile as most active area again?

ETA: Foo. I just remembered two more states (Utah & Michigan). So that makes 16 (5 airport only and two others only on ground transportation).

Unless you're counting states of delirium & confusion, there are only 50 states, so you're that much closer to your goal.

21 states, although Ohio is airport only and New York is two airports and a bus ride between only. The bus ride is exciting, though, unless you avoid looking at the traffic and where the driver is going.

6 countries other than the U.S., although just an across-the-border trip to Mexico. And we stayed in the airplane in Nigeria (thankfully), so it really shouldn't count since my feet never touched Nigerian soil or airport tarmac as the case may be.

No Broadway shows, although it's been a dream for a long time.

Congrats on law school, Schroeder!! That's great!!

A word of, well, reverse warning, I guess: I know everybody says it's horrible and hard, but it's all just a ruse, I promise-- I LOOOOOVED law school!!! Seriously-- best 3 years of my life up to that point (I need the qualifierthere cause, quite frankly, the last few years have kicked all sorts of ass, too... but law school was AWESOME.). You obviously worked really hard to get there (which I totally admire, btw), so enjoy it!!!

Oh, and on the other topic in play right now: I've no idea how many states or countries I've visited, and I am not equipped to do the kind of higher math it would take to calculate the number of Broadway shows I've seen. What's google squared?

Ah yes, as already witnessed I've visited delirium and confusion often.

wtf, I just got to my approximate number by thinking about the last 20 years of theater going, and figuring 20 shows per year, so I'm not even counting childhood shows, when my trips were much less frequent. And I don't have the patience to search through my childhood home closets and count old Playbills.

The Broadway shows thing is hard. I'm guessing about 10. Cheap group rates while going to college in NY really helped there. I saw Phantom three times.

I've counted 22 states that I've visited, plus I live in Dodge City.
I think I had a layover in MO, but I'm not positive. I'd have to check my "shot glasses of many nations (and random airports) collection" to be sure.

I'm up to 19 countries so far, but I counted Diego Garcia and the Acores...Diego is like 3,000 miles from anything, but it's British Indian Ocean Territory, so literally...oh, I don't know. And the Acores belong to who again? I could look it up but I've got too many windows open as it is.

Belize and Guatemala are next on my list.

The Acores are the same as the Azores, no? Portugal, then.

I think I'm up to 11 countries, plus I put my foot in Germany & stradled 2 continents once (Europe & Asia in Ekatarinberg). And US states? I know I've visited at least 22, plus lived in DC. Additionally, I've peed in New Jersey, Delaware, Ohio, South Carolina, and I think North Carolina, and unlike most Illinois natives, only drove through Michigan, never visited nor peed.

eta many moons later after remember a morning conversation about visiting a state. My mind is Swiss cheese.

I haven't visited that many states (13), but I've managed to hit a few countries, including UK (lived there for a year), Japan (lived there 4 1/2 years), the Netherlands, France, Canada, and Ireland. After my honeymoon in September, I'll be able to add Germany, Switzerland, and Austria to the list. High on my wish-list are Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Greece, and (while not technically a country, I consider it as such) Scotland. I would love to travel more, but with my limited funds and my bestest travel buddy (my fiance) in med school I don't get to very much - thus my need for TAR!

If you drive through a state, does that count?

Damn, it better, otherwise the 10 states that I hit in the sixth grade headed from Texas to Mt. Rushmore suddenly becomes 2.

Newman44, I count it if your foot touches ground at all. Othewise, it's a gray area.

I've visited 46 states (missing Alaska, North Dakota, Vermont, and Delaware). I just hit Hawaii last month--absolutely beautiful. I've lived in 7 states and one country (Japan). I've visited 7 countries, mostly due to a great high school trip with my French calls that gave me a taste for travel that I'm still working on satisfying. We were really hoping to go to Portugal on our honeymoon, but after a wedding, there ain't much money left over so we went to the San Juan Islands in Washington. I guess I need to visit Canada someday soon since I'm not that far (live in OR). Once we get the grad school out of the way, maybe we'll have more money and time for travel. Right now it's mostly hiking that gets me out of town.

Yes! That's how I got Idaho and Michigan. I'm personally not counting airports, otherwise I would add Minnesota.

I've been in 3 Canadian provinces, which is the extent of my travel outside the U.S. And I've lived in 7 states and the District of Columbia. Broadway shows? More than 10, less than 20.

I haven't checked out this thread in a long time, but I like the looks of sharing travel info! I used to live in Belgium, so I had the opportunity to travel to or through almost all of Western Europe. I tell people it's easier to count the countries I haven't been to, than the countries where I have been. So let me see if I can figure this out...

As far as Western Europes goes, I have not been to Scotland, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, or Austria.

I have been to Estonia, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Egypt, and South Korea.

As far as states, I'm not so well traveled. I have been to CA, OR, ID, NV, UT, WY, MT, CO, TX, MN, RI, MA, CT, NY

And only been through AZ & IL.

I have never been to Canada, Mexico, or Hawaii. Pretty sad, huh?

Ok, I got 35 states and DC. I'm missing the Pacific Northwest, California, and the Northeast (except for New York, New Jersey,and DC, I've got nothing north of Virginia and east of PA. I'm also missing South Dakota and West Virginia and the two non-contiguous states.

Foreign countries--only four, since I don't remember crossing the border into Canada although I think we did--I was only about four or five on that trip.

Broadway shows? Zip, zero, zilch. National touring companies? 2.

jennblevins you might try Here. I've never dealt with the man, but he's been recommended on a couple of boards and claims that if he can't find it, then it's not to be found.

SurlyBooty, I like the idea of actually stepping in a state for it to count.
I have counted 19 states, 6 countries and 6 Broadway shows...Les Miz 5 times.
Washington State is probably the most random for me, being from NY.

Rabrab, I sense a challenge here. We could get together and do the "you didn't invite us but we're here" tour. First, we show up on Miss Alli's doorstep, because I have to knock off Minnesota. Then, we track down Amanda and Chris in SD. And make them take us out for Buffalo wings. I'll buy the first pitcher of beer.

Not that I actually know how to find these people, since I find stalking to be a tad uncouth. Hell, I haven't even Googled my college boyfriend, or anything like that. But it would be a fun trip.

Any word on when the next Harry Potter book comes out? Any good websites to keep updated on the status? I've found a few but they're so heavily populated with teeny-boppers *squee*ing about their fanfics, I'd rather just take the suggestion of those "in the know."

That means you guys.

Oh yeah, and I managed to see Les Miz three times in LA while I was in high school. Not that I was a crazy fan, just that people invited me twice and then my french teacher took us. And that is about it for my large-scale musical experience.

erinjsnark, I'm so glad you asked. Not that I have any info but I do desperately need some.

I like that idea, Daria! Anybody else we're missing that we need to descend on?