ITALIAN BOY’S CONFESSION

“Bless me Father, for I have sinned. I have been with a loose woman.”
The priest asks, “Is that you, little Johnny Parisi?”

“Yes, Father, it is.”

And who was the woman you were with?”

“I can’t tell you, Father, I don’t want to ruin her reputation.”
“Well, Johnny, I’m sure to find out her name sooner or later, so you
may as well tell me now.

Was it Tina Minetti?”

“I cannot say.”

“Was it Teresa Volpe?”

“I’ll never tell.”

“Was it Nina Capelli?”

“I’m sorry, but I cannot name her.”

“Was it Cathy Piriano?”

My lips are sealed.”

“Was it Rosa Di Angelo, then?”

“Please, Father, I cannot tell you.”

The priest sighs in frustration.

“You’re very tight lipped, Johnny Parisi, and I admire that. But
you’ve sinned and have to atone. You cannot be an altar boy now for 4
months. Now you go and behave yourself.”

Johnny walks back to his pew, and his friend Nino slides over and
whispers, “What’d you get?”

“Four months vacation and five good leads.”

If you are on a tight budget and want something really beautiful to have as your centerpieces, don’t buy flowers.  Make one!  Here’s how…

1 bag hershey’s kisses
1 medium sized styrofoam ball
1 1.5ft long .5 inch diameter craft stick
block of styrofoam
1 pretty planters pot
moss
glue sticks and glue gun

*Most of these items can be bought at a craft store for under 10 dollars for the whole craft*

Glue hershey’s kisses(still in foil) around entire area of stryofoam ball.  Insert craft stick into bottom of ball.  Place styrofoam block inside pot to fit (might need to cut it a bit).  Insert stick into middle of stryofoam block inside pot.  Put some moss over the pot so it looks like grass.  You can touch this up with ribbon or various other things to make it even more festive.  Perfect for a spring wedding.

SHOPPING for that FAMOUS MAKER Diaper Bag versus less expensive but BEAUTIFUL AND STURDY other brands AND/or handmade bags….

Hi there new Moms-To-Be or Grandma’s ! Thought I should write this guide on Kate Spade, Coach vs. other FINE quality baby bags. This could help you when you are choosing that MOST important new Baby Item-The bag you will carry and with a little love on your part…the bag that will outlast all your baby / toddler diapering needs.

The bag you carry  tells alot about your persona. The famous maker bags Mamalanas carries are for the mom/grandma who love to shop and want to wear their shopping prowess on their sleeve; so to speak. These bags are famous for a reason….they are EXTREMELY well made, with authentic leathers; when leather is used and most have OVERSIZED WIPEABLE changing pads. For these gals cost is no object…and here at mamalanas extravaganza 2 WE bring the best-priced famous maker bags we can find to you…they may not be the cheapest on the net/HOWEVER you get what you pay for. OURS ARE REAL!

We wrap all our bags in lots and lots of tissue and GIFT wrap is available upon request for no extra charge. You will receive our PRIORITY mail service and low turnaround time AND we guarantee you will love your new bag or just RETURN IT…see details.

Mamalanas also has the mother in mind who wants style, quality and high fashion in a diaper bag by lesser known diaper bag makers that are VERY comparable to our expensive line in that they offer QUALITY, STURDINESS, HIGH FASHION TOO!

These bags ALSO get the same return possibilities as well as the same priority mailing and FREE Gift wrap. We have searched the web, our local high end department stores too for the best bag for you; whether Famous Maker or Just Plain Gorgeous and quality made timeless diaper bags.

ALL BAGS HAVE TAGS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED AND ARE FIRST QUALITY BAGS.   GUARANTEED

WHEN shopping elsewhere for your diaper bag look for this:

Bags with tags, bags which are returnable; this tells alot about your seller. It is also important in EVERY purchase on the net to make sure you deal with people who have a positive feedback of 98% or higher and check their MOST RECENT COMMENTS because even a good seller can go bad.   Here at EBay, particularly we sellers who carry authentic famous maker bags and products, struggle to sell you what you deserve AUTHENTIC AS STATED bags. Yes, these are more expensive than a knock off bag (which is a big problem in the world of internet sales) BUT the people I deal with and also myself BRING YOU THE SAME QUALITY NEW BAGS AS OFFERED AT UPPER END DEPARTMENT STORES.

So just remember DECIDE PRIOR TO BIDDING/BUYING a handbag, tote or diaper bag what you are willing to spend …THIS will tell you whether you should buy KATE SPADE, COACH, JUICY, PICKLEBOTTOM or just maybe you will be just as happy with WELL MADE diaper bags-not as pricey-such as VERA BRADLEY, TOMMY HILFIGER, GAP, POTTERY BARN, NORDSTRUMS BAGS like Banana Hannah or a CUSTOM made heavyweight bag which include nursing blankets too. You decide but go into this with your research done first.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING is watch the shipping. Diaper bags are generally larger and cost around $12.99 to ship…if someone offers less than that-it is a bargain! International shipping on diaper bags runs between $24.99-$32.99 depending on country. 

Remember honest stores on Ebay like our own sell the same quality bags as you get at the mall or on sale at various high end department stores, some even at the factory….just read the sellers feedback comments to see how other patrons liked their purchase and then SAVE YOUR GAS, YOUR ENERGY, YOUR TIME and STILL SAVE MONEY

BUY your products on Ebay where protection for you does exist through EBAYS fraud investigative system…if it is a knock off  it is not allowed on EBay and will be dealt with swiftly and as long as you have done your homework as we have suggested above, you should have complete confidence in your buying transaction.

Paper mache is one of the most versatile crafts around and has been used for centuries! There is no right or wrong way of doing it. There is not even a right way to spell it, ie paper mache or papier mache. It is the perfect craft for young and old alike. Children to Grandmothers love being creative with paper mache.

The web is full of recipies to make your own paper mache items with papers and glues. But this can be time consuming and you may not get the results you are looking for.

If this doesn’t fit your schedule or crafty desires there are many pre made paper mache figures, boxes and shapes. Paper mache book boxes like shown below is just one of the many items you can find listed on eBay in the category of Papier Mache.

paper mache

The versatility of this craft is amazing. Paper mache can be useful as well as decorative. Paper mache manufacturers are now targeting tole painters and scrapbookers. These techniques work extremely well with these mediums. Tole painters have used wood items for years as there base product, but now the designers of paper mache are creating items of the same styles which enable the crafter to achieve the same results.If painting is not in your realm, you can decopauge paper mache with paints, fabrics, papers, wood cutouts, beads, trims, buttons etc. Just about anything in your craft room can be used to create beautiful unique items. The availability of such diverse shapes give many options to the crafter. These products can be used for wedding boxes, storage, home interior design and more. Whether your tastes are country, primitive, cottage, victorian or eclectic, paper mache fits the decor.

If you are in the market for classic vintage lingerie than look no further! Buying vintage lingerie on eBay can be quite fun and a learning experience. Vintage lingerie is something that is desired by many people believe it or not! The newer lingerie of today does not compare to the soft and subtle materials of the eras gone by. Sadly enough, soft nylon satins, rayon and such are not created in today’s lingerie.

When shopping for your vintage piece, make sure it is genuinely vintage. eBay makes searching such a breeze! You can search by catagory, keywords, or era!

The following CONDITION GUIDE is what I recommend when buying or selling vintage lingerie:
MINT/NEVER WORN: Although rare for vintage lingerie and clothing, using this condition would mean never worn, still with original store tags, and absolutely no flaws.
MINT TO EXCELLENT: Clothing can have SLIGHT wear, no flaws, usually no store tags.
EXCELLENT: Clothing shows USUAL wear due to age, handling, storage and occasional use, may have ONE or TWO small flaw that is noted and is in wearable condition.
GREAT: Clothing could have some surface flaws, minor stains, missing buttons, small holes, etc., with all flaws noted and in wearable condition.
FAIR: Clothing usually is not in wearable condition, sold as is, and normally sold for “study pieces” or for use of the material, etc.

~*~
When taking measurements on yourself please use this following illustration:
~Buyer’s Take Note~

Thankfully eBay if FINALLY pulling auctions that are in the wrong categories! Lately there have been a slew of MISCATAGORIZATION on vintage clothing. LOOK at the TOP of the auction, the category is right there and I am most amazed at how so many items are in the wrong categories! Anyhow, check the labels, for example:

Miss Elaine~40’s still in production
Shadowline~40’s still in production
Barbizon~20’s still in production
Vanity Fair~30’s still in production
Olga~50’s still in production (although her nightgowns went out of production in the early 90’s)
Frederick’s of Hollywood~30’s or 40’s still in production
Victoria’s Secret (started as a mail order catalog) in the 70’s still in production
Warner~30’s still in production. (interesting side note, Warner’s invented the A,B,C,D Bra Cup sizing)
Komar~50’s still in production
Val Mode~Late 30’s and still in production
Gilead~50’s to still in production
Lily of France~late 1800’s to still in production
Hollywood Vassarette (Munsingwear)~40’s to still in production just under the name Vassarette
Bali~30’s still in production
Wondermaid~30’s or 40’s still in production
The following are all OUT of production and great finds:

Intime of California
Cattani of California
Lucie Ann~Claire Sandra
Van Raalte
Jenelle of California
Rovell
Youthcraft
Eye Full Flaum
Henson Kickernick (later Kickernick merged with Henson)
Radcliffe
Yolande
Michelene
Odette Barsa
Gossard
Artemis (later Gossard merged with Artemis)
Leona
Deena (not really sure if still in production)
Gaymode, which is really JCPenneys, but they do not produce the line any longer.
Aristocraft
Glydons
Christian Dior (not sure if they still produce lingerie)
Rago (mostly foundations, and not quite sure if still in production)
Bien Jolie
Juliana
Movie Star (Not sure if still in production)
Seamprufe
GMc
Radelle
Lady Lynne
Mary Barron
Trillium
Lady Leonora
Fischer Heavenly Lingerie

Please email me if you have any doubts in regards to any purchases you have made here on eBay and I can let you know if they are TRUE vintage or not! The *EBAY* VINTAGE CATAGORY FOR NIGHTGOWNS IS THE FOLLOWING:
1939 to 1946
1947 to 1964
1965 to 1976
1977 to 1989 and coming soon thru the grapevine 1990 to 1999

~On Feedback~

Buy with confidence by reviewing a seller’s eBay feedback. I personally feel if there are more than ONE NEGATIVE in a month, or like 5 to 10 negatives in ONE year, you need to raise some concerns about your seller and think twice about bidding! Sure, there will be one or MAYBE two negatives, but when you start seeing 5, 6, 7, and 8 in a YEAR?!? I’d be raising some big time concerns. After being on eBay for all these years, I’ve seen all kinds of excuses that these seller’s make for their bad service, one famous excuse is “I can’t please them all”.

Before you bid or buy on eBay, it’s important to know your seller. Always look at your seller’s feedback ratings, score and comments first to get an idea of their reputation within the eBay marketplace.

Each comment and rating - whether positive, neutral or negative - is an opportunity to understand the history and experience of a seller, a chance to form your own opinions, and a visual cue to help you make a smart buying decision.

Guide to buying Ice skatesWhen looking for a pair of Ice skates you want to make sure you are getting the right fit. Most all skates run different then your street shoes size. Also make sure that you are getting the correct width for you foot this is very important too. Buying the wrong size skates can cause blisters and can also cause the boot to break in incorrectly. Always ask a lot of questions or go to the nearest skate shop to get help with a good fit. Support is very important when it comes to skates and what level of skater you are also. Do buy trouble to say money. Your foot should feel snug in the skate and your foot should lay flat. Toes should be able to move just a little not alot. Remember the best skates are made of leather uppers and will stretch after you have been skating in them. Just a few tips to make sure you are getting good quality and a good fit.

    Buying original art is different from purchasing mass-produced art or materials in the public domain.  Many people are not aware that strict rules govern the purchase and use (or misuse) of original art.  With the advent of computers and digital technology, it is possible to copy virtually anything that appears on a screen, as well as anything an artist creates. That does not make it legal, however.
    The law is explicit about the fact that all original art is the property of and copyrighted to the creator or artist, and unless the artist signs an agreement with the purchaser, he or she retains the rights of ownership for the purposes of copying,  printing editions or otherwise altering or reproducing the work in question. 
    In other words, if you buy an original piece of art, you may not photograph it and make prints, or use it as a logo, or use it in any other fashion without written permission and some form of compensation agreed upon with the artist or his agent. 
    I was once hired to do a magazine  illustration, for which I was to be paid a set fee.  When the issue came out, I was stunned to find that the editor had virtually copied my design and put it ahead of my drawing in the publication, making it appear as if I had copied them!  They were obliged to pay me an extra fee and apologize for their blatant plagiarism. 
    Now it is even easier to download images and alter them, or take photos and use them.  People may think that the artist will never notice, but often images find there way into the art community and soon someone is facing a lawsuit for stealing the artist’s work.  Consider how you would feel, for example, if you had worked for hours, days or weeks on something that was your own creation, only to find someone on a corner selling stolen copies of it!
    Artists get especially annoyed hearing things like, “Oh, you’re so talented…it’s so easy for you so could you just do this drawing (photo, painting, scupture) and donate it for our cause?”  Or, “Do you mind if I copy this for my friend?”  No, it’s not “easy” and furthermore, many of us spent years of study, innumerable dollars and often years of living on the edge of poverty or in it before getting any recognition. 
    Art can be subjective- I feel you should never buy a piece of art unless you love it.  Don’t buy because you think it will be worth a ton of money in the future.  There are lots of trendy artists whose work becomes “hot” for a short time, and then they fade into obscurity.  Buy art because it speaks to you, because you find it beautiful, thoughtful, humorous, whimsical or mind-boggling.  Some of the finest collections of art in the world were put together by collectors who just picked the pieces they loved.
    To summarize:  Art is the property of the artist/creator.  Once an original piece has been purchased, the artist still retains all rights to copy, alter or otherwise reproduce the art, unless he or she signs away those rights or portions of them in a written agreement, which usually involves some compensation to the artist. Any other copying constitutes theft.
    Please visit my store, Skybird Arts, to see some unusual original art, and Happy Buying!

What follows is some experienced advise on how to obtain YOUR OWN Chicago Cubs Autographs. All it takes is a little work and a little luck. I have divided this into 5 sections:
Mailing to Spring Training
Mailing To Wrigley Field
Going To Wrigley Field (including VISITING TEAM AUTOGRAPHS)
Misc. Player Appearances
The Cubs Convention
MAILING TO SPRING TRAINING

The Chicago Cubs have Spring Training at HoHoKam Park in Mesa Arizona from mid-February to March. In general, players are more lax and excited to get the season started, and in turn may be more prone to answering their fan mail. In 2003 & 2004 I wrote to Mark Prior and in one months’s time got an autographed card back in the mail !! Kerry Wood was a complete bust.. Even though this information is for the Chicago Cubs specifically, YOU CAN APPLY THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO ANY OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAMS (simply Google their Spring Training site).Here’s what to do:
Obtain TWO envelopes, one smaller than the other. Two stamps. One or Two baseball cards of the player (or 3 x 5 index card or whatever small flat item you want signed. Don’t get greedy and mail out five !!).

Address the large envelope to:  (The Player’s Name / CHICAGO CUBS ) , c/o HO HO KAM PARK, 1235 North Center ,  Mesa, Arizona 85201. Place a stamp on the envelope

On the smaller envelope, address it to YOURSELF. Also, please place a STAMP on it. (this is important. Do not expect the player to pay for the return envelope).
Write a very brief letter to the player, telling them why you want their autograph or wishing them luck in the season or telling them why they are great!
Put the letter, small envelope, and protected baseball card(s) into the large envelope and mail it out.
After a few weeks time start running to your mailbox every day to see if you have successes. Keep in mind this is no guarantee and it could take several months. For instance over the years Sandberg, Sosa, & Kerry Wood never ever responded (to me), while I’ve gotten Mark Prior with no problem for several years in a row (see below). Rookies are good to obtain in Spring Training, as they are usually successes.

my 1st Prior autograph - 2003 Spring Training success.
MAILING TO WRIGLEY FIELD

Once the season starts, follow the steps above , but mail to the player c/o WRIGLEY FIELD, 1060 W. Addison St. , Chicago, Illinois 60613

FYI - Several years ago I also wrote to Ron Santo c/o Wrigley Field, however I got back a stamped signature (not a real one)
GOING TO WRIGLEY FIELD (INCLUDING VISITING TEAM PLAYERS)

I can pretty much say that I have never been totally shut out when I’ve gone to Wrigley and have committed to trying to get an autograph. It’s easier, however to obtain VISITING TEAM autographs than Cubs players. YOU MUST GO TO WRIGLEY ~ 4 HOURS BEFORE GAME TIME. Visiting teams enter at the corner of Sheffield and Addison. Players have the option of taking cabs to Wrigley or waiting for the team bus. You’d be surprised how many players take cabs. If you hang out at the corner I just mentioned you will eventually get an opportunity to ask a player for an autograph (along with about 30 other people!). Some turn you down, some sign for just a few people, a few guys stand there and sign for everyone. Back when I was going, I must say that Jeff Bagwell and Tom Glavine would sign for EVERYONE. I also remember getting Ozzie Smith, Bobby Bonilla, Dale Murphy, John Smoltz, Paul Molitor & Robin Yount (exhibition game actually!) just to name a few. If you bring cards to sign, you must be able to recognize the player and quickly get his card out to try and autograph…. if your a novice, it’s easier to bring a baseball.. this way you won’t have to worry about not recognizing which player you have walking your way !

The Cubs come in on the other side of the park on Waveland, across from the Firehouse. They drive in and park in a small parking lot, which is pretty much all penned in now (years ago, we had access to all sides of this fence, & I actually got Ryne Sandberg & Rick Sutcliffe on the same day that way) Today, you are at the mercy of them exiting there car and coming to the fence… not very successful pre-game. You can also try AFTER the game.

The ballpark opens TWO HOURS before game time. Once the gates open, the visiting team batting practice should still be going on. Rush to some strategic areas along the first base (CUBS) or third base (Visiting Team) walls and once in a while you will get lucky. I remember getting SAMMY SOSA this way back > 10 years ago (see below). Try to get to the first row near the dugouts. The elderly Andy Frain’s will let you stay there up until 45 minutes before game time (maybe 1 hour, I don’t remember). Once that time hits, they turn into badgers and start snarling at you to leave. Another area you may want to hang out is near the bullpen practice mounds near the outfield sides.

Believe it or not, Sammy used to come out before game time and sign!
MISC PLAYER APPEARANCES

Keep your eyes and ears open for player appearances throughout the year. Some are for free, some are for charity. Many time there are small advertisements in the newspapers for upcoming player promo appearances. If you listen to sports radio in Chicago (WSCR or ESPN-1000) occasionally they are plugged.
THE CUBS CONVENTION

Needless to say, the Cubs Convention is a definite place where you will get at least a few autographs. What’s nice is you will also get RETIRED PLAYERS also. Keep in mind you are competing with 10,000 other rabid fans. This event occurs every winter in either January or February at the Chicago Hilton, downtown Chicago. Here’s one hint though : You can have more success just hanging out in the lobbies and outside ballrooms than actually standing in line for 3 hours to get one autograph!

 Every year at the Convention there is a raffle to win the right to get a high profile player. Here is my Ernie Banks autograph obtained by me on a Sunday of a Cubs Convention ~ 6 years ago. NOT FOR SALE. I have not won a raffle since, but I’m not complaining !

Since the Convention has just passed, I have decided to not delve into this much more for now and will update this after the 2006 season.

I have found the most beautiful cat tapestries here on ebay.My entire bedroom wall is covered with the lovely finds I have found here.For funding I sell books and other misc items in my own ebay store,then I have been able to browse vintage and other lovely tapestries with my earnings to support my own hobby : ) To care for tapestries you can simply vacuum them lightly or dust them off and apply fabrez air fresh spray when needed.These work quite well in most cases.

Biorhythm is the study of the three main natural life cycles. These Biorhythmic cycles are: Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Cycles.  They start at birth and repeat in numerical patterns throughout a person’s life. The patterns go through: low, high, and critical days in the Biorhythm Cycles.

Why is Biorhythm Cycles so important?

Did you know the Airline Industry study Biorhythm of their pilots? The Airlines want to know when their pilots are having double and triple Biorhythmic Critical Days to avoid accidents. These double and triple critical days usually only happen two or three times a year. So the Airlines are wise to use Biorhythm to help keep the skies safer.

Biorhythm Cycles have many usages. But the one of interest here is the sex of a child.  Did you know that a mother determines the sex of the child? Well the sex of the child is determined by the alkaline and/or acid in the blood at the time of conception. The trick is that Biorhythm and alkaline / acid have patterns that are interrelated. Therefore, Biorhythm is a secret tool to use in determining boy or girl baby for a couple. 

Please visit my e-Store and purchase the Bio. Shower e-Card for your next Baby Shower!

Thank-you so much for stopping by!