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Brenda.. it was provincial summer games of '81 where they weed you out for the Olympics. I lived in B.C. at the time. It was in the barebow category and I had only been shooting for about 6 months. Somehow I beat out girls that had been shooting for 20 years and they were not happy with such an upstart. I hardly had any decent equipment or anything. Anyway.... they must have practiced all winter after that because the following year I only managed a silver medal and second even though I shot 200 points better than my first year!! Made 'em raise the bar at least. Do you shoot?
Jane,...I am envious...I love speed in cars and on bikes.... wouldn't I just love to ride in the Aston-Martin! And, on any of my rides...I sure would love to have the knives on my wheels to deter people from cutting me off or running me over....
Do we see any commonality yet in bear makers or are just a very diverse group?.... sounds like we have fun for sure......
Laurie Lou BearsHi Ellen,
I was born in Freeport but I haven't been back to the usa for 35 years as we decided to live here back in England.All my dads side of the family are in the usa although my mum was british.
Back Road BearsI was on a speed skating team in junior high school... winnning many awards... on ROLLER SKATES! I still have my skates and they still fit!
I spent my 21st Birthday in Jamaica with a Mission Team from my church. We taught bible school and began rebuilding a church destroyed in a hurricane. It was an unforgettable experience!
I play guitar, organ, piano and clarinet but I really want to learn how to play the saxaphone!
SanguineCreations1)I was privately adopted when I was 6 years old, my mother was lied too and coerced and I was tricked into what to say to the judge. My mother's are cousins.
2)As a child and some of my teens,I lived in the USA (Minnisotta,Maryland and Ohio)
3) My adoptive father did some of the computer work, in a rocket that went to Mars in the 70's.
What a cool thread!!! I loved reading about everyone :)
Here's a few about me:
1) I've gone on 2 safaris into the Amazon jungle in Brazil.... living on a boat on the Amazon river. It is my FAVORITE vacation and would love to do it again!
2) I used to be a car show photographer (wearing a mini skirt and high heels...hey, I was freelance and it got me business LOL!!)
3) I drag race... we have a 2002 Trans Am that we've been modifying. I don't race competitively.... but just for "test and tune".... where you do race against someone just to see how fast you are and how fast your reaction time is. I'm faster than my husband :dance:
hmm let's see
I have never been on a fairground ride bigger than a merry-go-round (carousel) - not because I'm afraid but because I want to save that experience for some decent theme park somewhere rather than a ricketty fairground ride that we have here. Hopefully going to the Gold Coast bear show in July and that is the Australian home of the theme park so it may just happen!
I am hopefully going back to study next month (Emerging Technologies and Knowledge Management) that's if I can sell enough bears to pay for my study which is looking a tad unlikely at the moment. I am tired of being an underpaid librarian who can't afford to do anything exciting!
I would love to take time out to travel the small towns in America & Canada....forget the big flashy cities, I want to discover all those regional treasures. This has been my dream since I was a little kid. Again I need to sell the bears to fund it....I can foresee an awful lot of sewing in my future 
Just goes to show what makes a teddy bear artist, put it all in a big pot and see what comes out.
The adventure/ daring streak seems to be in most of us.
Lynette
What a bunch of fascinating reading! You guys are so interesting and cool! I want to play, too!
(1.) I went to college (and grad school) in Los Angeles, CA, so I saw lots of celebrities during my UCLA years, especially while out and about in Westwood, where many movies premiere. Some of my favorite personal celeb-spottings included: Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman (they walked right past me, holding hands. She's breathstoppingly gorgeous and reed thin!); John Lithgow (several times); Scott Bakula; Patty Duke; and the entire cast of "thirtysomething" (I spent a day watching them film a scene. It was an unbelievably long, boring process!)
We also had celebrities attend our sorority parties. Celebrity dates -- yes, these guys went out with college girls (the dogs!) -- that attended Tri-Delt parties during my UCLA stint included: Alan Thicke (most people know him as the dad from "Growing Pains"); Robert Hays (the pilot from the "Airplane" movies); and Woody Harrelson (the bartender from "Cheers." ) I just can't tell you how weird it was to see some of these guys making out with my girlfriends!
On a similar note -- one of my friends was the personal assistant to Priscilla Presley while we were at UCLA.
(PS I am not an autograph seeker or a gusher; I just look a little when I see these folks pass by!)
(2.) My sister is a hard-nosed attorney and a Lieutenant in the Navy JAG Corps, and she's married to a Secret Service agent, who's also ex-Navy. To call this couple "armed and dangerous" would be a serious understatement!
(3.) When I wanted to reschool in nursing a few years back, BB -- before bears! -- I had to take a few pre-requisites for the nursing program. I took Nutrition, Anatomy, and Physiology, all at the same time -- and with special permission, because Anatomy is usually a pre-req for Physiology.
I've always been a dedicated student but I surprised myself when I got the top score in all three classes that semester. I was, and still am, really proud of that!
Chaska, MinnesotaOh this is fun to learn about everybody. Here are some information on my life:
1) I lived in London, England, Cairo Egypt, Taipei, Taiwan. I did not live in the USA until I was in my teens (Dad was in the Navy and thus we lived everywhere).
2) All the way through high school I had dreams of becoming a hair dresser (I practiced on the dogs and got quite good at it). I announce to Dad I selected the beauty school to attend after high school, he calmly announced "I will pay for beauty school but first you much try college. I will pay for college for as long as you want to stay in and if you don't like it, I'll pay for beauty school". WHAT!! Oh for goodness sake, I was not happy about it. Off I went to enroll in college. Dad ended up paying all the way through a Master Degree!!!
3) I collect the following: cookbooks, vintage costume jewelry, shoes, purses and hats.
4) I love the following TV shows: 24, Boston Legal, American Idol, The Unit, Martha Stewart, and Antiques Roadshow.
Posts: 1,836The adventurous and daring streak is going to crash and burn with my post :crackup:
On a 5 hour flight to Las Vegas I consumed an entire bag of Dum Dum Lollipops out of pure fear.
I've entered only one online essay sweepstakes ever....and won a years supply of Vermont Bread.
I was born in the Philadelphia area, but spent so much time with my Scotish relatives that I spoke with a pretty noticeable accent in the early years. My mom has a tape of me reciting the three bears and hearing myself say "cool" at age 2 is pretty funny/cute. (My great uncle Jimmy who visited frequently is considered an innovator in Pipe Band Drumming and pretty well known and very respected in those circles in the US, Canada, Scotland, etc )
:hug:
~Chrissi
What do you mean Chrissi? If you are afraid to fly and you did it.... that is pretty daring! and.... even if it is not physically adventurous...you entered a contest@ that is adventurous/adventuresome.... and you won yet! good for you! still putting yourself out there I say. As with bear making..... some are slightly more adventurous and forward thinking than others.... .... and yes...even daring...... well, enough so to give it all a try anyway. LOL .... Anything new to us is an adventure really............and we all seem to be keen on trying new things.
We seem to be ......adventurous, daring, innovative, proud of our accomplishments yet somewhat humble at the same time..... willing to share a bit of ourselves in the interest of getting to know each other better and being part of the family of TT... what a crew!!..
me too me too
-I was in the Canadian Navy for 6 years as a sonar operator, and part of the boarding party!!! They let me play with guns....I had a Sig Sauer 9mm and an MP5 assualt riffle, not to mention an Asp baton..travelled a bunch and have been to Hawaii, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Tonga,to name a few!!
- I also have two tatoos, paw prints on my hip (got in Sydney Australia at the Steele Lotus), how fitting, and tinkerbell on my right ankle (cover up of a heart with wings I got at 13!)
- I have only been creating Artist bears since March 2006, although I have been involved in arts in some way or another all my life...
Hugs,
Krista
Brandon BearsI'm jumping in with both feet. Hope they don't land in my mouth !
1. I've been adopted twice. First time paternal Grandparents 2nd time by foster parents
As an adult my search for Birth parents resulted in heartache and more unanswered questions.
2. I collect childrens antique chairs for my mohair bears.
3. I was a cheerleader in High School. A fact my Grandaughter finds FUNNY !
4. I just turned 50 yrs. old. I can STILL do a cart wheel - Just as good as my Grandaughter !
Donna A.
Wild Thyme OriginalsOh this is SO interesting!!!!! Here's a few really strange ones about me.
1. Like Jodi, I live about thirty minutes drive from the town where I was born!
2. I had made many of my major life impacting decisions based on whims and misinformation. Example: I have a B.A. in Philosophy, and was working on my Masters Degree with the intention of obtaining a PhD and teaching at a university (you know... up there in the ivory tower! :crackup: ). Well.... I was nearly though with my Masters I was just starting the hardcore work on my thesis, and looking at schools to apply to for my PhD... I was meeting with my advisor and talking about the availability of teaching posts at various schools. He says to me, "Well, being a woman, you should have no problem finding a teaching position, most universities are actively looking for female professors in their Philosophy departments." I was in a really bad mood that day, and I took his comment (which was probably offered merely as encouragement) as an offensive, sexist statement. Furious, I averted my eyes to the cork board that hung behind his desk. On the board was an old newspaper article which stated that philosophy majors statistically did well on the law school entrance exam. Well, rather than tell him off and/or let him explain his comment, I marched out, walked down the street to the School of Law and picked up an application. I never went back to the Philosophy department and never got that Master's degree..... I DID get into law school, and I did meet my future husband that very day (he was a third year student who worked in the admissions office a couple of hours a day!) So some good did come out of it! All my major decisions seem to have been made like this though....
3. I have a tail!!!! Really! 
Actually, it's a fairly rare genetic "whoopsie"... and no, it's not visible or anything like that! The coccyx (tailbone) is made of four vertebrae that sort of fuse together during embryonic development. I have a small protrusion at the end of my coccyx which is actually an extra vertebra! So, my tail bone is a good inch or so longer than what it should be. It's not really visible... but you can feel it (ewwww! :crackup: ).
The only time my "tail" has been an issue was when my children were born... my dr said to make sure that I told the attending physician that I had this condition, depending on the position of the baby I guess that the extra bone can require a bit of extra navigation! So, while in active labor with my first baby, here I am screaming on about having a "tail." :dance: I ended up with a C-section for an unrelated reason, but after the birth, the dr did ask if he could bring in a couple of medical students to check out my extra vertebra.... Though fairly unremarkable... it actually really quite rare!
Kim Basta
Flying Fur StudiosWow, this has been really interesting. I feel I know you guys so much better.
I've thought long and hard and I and can only come up with 2, you'll see why.
1) I worked for Yukyuk's for years ( a comedy club ) So I've had very close relations to all sorts of famous comedians. If they're funny and they do stand-up even a little, I've met them. I would even write their paycheques.
My favorite moment came when having lunch with Dave Coulier ( from full house ) he laughed and told me I was a complete looser when I told him I used to love the show full house! LOL
2) that's it. There is nothing else very interesting and CLEAN I can share with you gals. I hate to offend :crackup: Maybe I'm not the only one? who knows........... :crackup: :twisted: :twisted:
Jane Perala Designs Ltd.OK - me too.
1. Born in Stockport, England 57 years ago. Emigrated to Canada at 9yrs old.
2. Love dogs and horses, and still have my second horse "Smokey" - although quite old now, like his owner. :crackup:
3. On my 3rd and FINAL marriage. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. :crackup:
Jane P.
Posts: 434My Baby Picture...
2.) I have done work for Martha Stewart along side with some other ladies in designing designer pillows for K-mart.
3.) In High School I sang in the choir and took art lessons. I also took gymnastics (You wouldn't know it now though!! LOL :crackup:)
My High School Picture...
Apple Dumpling DesignsI have nothing remotely exciting as some of you...but here's a couple you might find interesting if not funny...
1. I'm actually rather shy especially in a group and tend to be a quiet observer.
2. When answering the phone, I'm often asked "is your mommy home?" which is rather annoying. I've even been question when calling in to excuse one of my kids from school if I'm REALLY their mother. Fortunately, by now they recognize my voice.
3. As a freshman in high school, I started the year as one of the shortest girls in my class. By the end of the year I was one of the tallest having grown 6 inches. By the end of my senior year I was the tallest girl at not quite 6 feet.
Hugs,
Posts: 2,203I hate being asked if my Mommy is here!
I want to play too!!!!
I was born and still live in the same city( Peterborough, Ontario, Canada ) as were both my parents and my husbands parents. My Mother is still living and just turned 92 this week- still lives on her own and drives her car.
I am a registered nurse and worked in Public Health for 35 years as a school nurse, visiting new babies , teaching prenatal classes, sexually transmitted disease control and started the first birth control and sexual health clinic in our city. I was known as the SEX lady as I did many public speaking engagements on all aspects of Sexuality including talks in penal institutions to the inmates. As a result of my involvement in the foregoing I am also up on the wall of honour at my local Secondary School
Have been involved in various crafts since being married to my high school sweetheart for 46 years this August
Have two wonderful children, a son and a daughter and two delightful grand- daughters and a baby on the way for my daughter after 4 miscarriages
Love reading about everyone who has responded so far!!!
Hugs
Gail
Posts: 2,203Awe congrats on the grandbaby!
Strange BearsOk here goes
1/ I only have one sister but grew up with all 13 male cousins as next door neighbours (grandfather owned all the land and gave a house to each of his children) so I feel like I grew up in a large family. Our backyards all connected as one
2/ When I divorced my first husband I was short of money so free-lanced a photgrapher for newpapers and magazines at the car races and ended racing cars semi professionally. (influence of those 13 older male cousins)
3/ I and another manager reported our bosses to the government for illegal practices in the finance industry and the court case is now a precedent in law taught at university. My bosses actually tried to have both Neil and me stopped from giving evidence. Neil was severely injured in a hit and run and I was attacked and beaten while leaving my new job on the night before the court case. :dance: :dance:
bears by beesley TMAwe! What a great subject Jenn!
Well now lets see... I have a tatoo on my left shoulder of a baby angel which I got when Garnet turned 50 and I had taken ill and we being from the old school thought we were being so rebellious! (My Mother is rolling in her grave as we speak!)
I was a Human Resource Manager in a large bank for many many years before I was no longer able to work. I really miss the going to work each day and having something to think about and people to help.
Garnet and I have been married for 33 years and I have only just turned 50. Yes we were babies when we married. He lived down the street from me as kids and I could not stand him. I originally went out with him to make a friend of his I liked at the time jealous! What a load of crap that was! Look at me now!
I received a drama scholarship when I was 17 for a very prestigeous drama school The Banff Scool Of Fine Arts. Like a dummy I did not attend I got MARRIED instead!
I have lost my Mom, Dad and Dear Brother Bryce at the age of 46 and ask that all cherish their families as you never know!
Well, the rest I will leave to your imagination as a girl has to have some mystery! 
Hugs Louise
Gosh, some of you have led such interesting lives. Mine pales in comparison. Since this thread came up I've been wracking my brain, little pea that it is, for some tiny morsel of intrigue. Alas, I got nothin'. What you see is what you get with me.
I have no college education and no formal art training. My two highest honors are being married to my soul mate for 25, almost 26 years, and having two children who've grown into fabulous adult human beings. I believe in God and giving more than I receive. Goodness, I sound like a Girl Scout!! Oh wait!! I was a Girl Scout!!
Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta
bears by beesley TMAleta Darling! I think those are the most wonderful acomplishments!
hugs Louise
