~~ A Celebration of Life-long friendship ~~ Sew Sweet 16 ~~ Now N' Thens 3/11

[KathyM2]

Wow, you look amazing and I'm so inspired. I struggle with weight too and I know how hard it is. You should be incredibly proud of yourself.

 

[Wood Nymph]

there are lots of scary studies out there about sugar, and along with that, the chemical compounds they put in sugar (and other foods) that are proven to make humans crave more of it..

I had read a book called Sugar Blues by William Duffy back in the 70's which had a huge influence over me.

from Wikipedia:

In the book, Dufty makes the case that sugar is an addictive drug, that it is extremely harmful to the human body, and that the sugar industry conspires to keep Americans addicted to sugar.

The author made so much sense that I just couldn't ignore it.

 

[DMGeurts]

Morning!!! I'm back for a quick check-in!! I have to sorta brag - our Sunday temps here were bright, and sunny and almost in the 70s....DH and I are hoping and crossing fingers that in a few weeks we can say "winter is over and we GOT NO SNOW!!"....bring on the sunshine!

On more good news, I'm down 30lbs!! I check back in with my diabetes Dr on the 20th and she should be happy b/c I'll be down 15 lbs in 3 months since the last time I was in the office..and since my diagnosis..maybe I can even squeak out another 1-2lb loss between now and then...I'm controlling the carbs and keeping my sugar levels where they should be and DH and I are walking every night that we can!

Doggie #2 was SO super stinking cute!! Its shame that she had to go back to "those people" but maybe its a sign that MM needs a friend - we have 2 dogs and we'll always have 2 dogs - they just need a furry friend!! Ours are 2 lab mixes and about 70-74lbs each, so slightly larger than MM but they just love each other and snuggle and play bitey face and can't be without each other!

on a sad note - I had to cancel our June 2015 Disney trip.....

I was all excited to have DH file our taxes this weekend so I could have that CHUNK of change I knew we were getting back so I could pay off the trip - until we ended up OWING a chunk....

now, no Disney trip for me...

BUT, DH still wants a cheaper & closer to home vacation that week, so I'm booking a beach trip for that same time - and since we'd already booked a beach week in late July this means I get 2 BEACH TRIPS THIS SUMMER...

and I have longer to save for my Disney trip in June 2016!!

you are looking GREAT and I'm glad the month went smoothly for you..and it has to be hard that Josh isn't 100% supportive in your plan for eating healthier - it's tough but you're doing a GREAT JOB!!

Nice weather... I'll admit I am a bit jealous... Only 1 month left of the worst of winter... We can do it!

Congrats on your loss! How are you feeling? I bet you feel and look amazing!

Bummer about your Disney trip... but 2 beach trips aren't too bad - I'd take that over nothing. LOL

Thank you... Yes it is difficult sometimes, but I've stuck to my guns and I am proud of myself for that.

So, did you drive past the house numerous times to ensure 'RAT' is doing ok?!? I know i would.
So. Now you don't have a RAT in your house are you getting the house together for a new furry family member?

I know your looking into rescue.

I have not... they live on the other side of the highway... But I do peek in their yard to see if I can see her.

Not yet... Sigh... Now Josh seems like he doesn't want to. :/ Grrrr...

Well, one day, he will come home and I will have a new family member for him.

I'm luck that my DH is totally on board with clean healthy eating ( just have to help he on portion sizes and stopping when full- but he has to do not me). We try and limit the junk the girls have. Friday night they had 2 friends sleep over. One mom said can i bring dunkin donuts munchkins. Of course my DD read the text and was all excited. I told her she didn't need to bring anything. DH said I should have told her no.
Of course she showed up the munchkins. We put them away for the morning. The one DD who read the text, I showed her the ingredient list. She saw how long it was and didn't want it. We sent them home with their friend.

That is awesome that your girls are making such great decisions like that! Great job mom for keeping them educated!

Sorry that you had to give the dog back. I would be looking out for her closely. I get so upset when I see people not taking care of their animals. I know you will be getting MM a friend soon. We have 2 dogs, and one is a rescue. Best decision that we made.
Snowing, Again here. It's supposed to snow until Tuesday. It started Sunday. We might see the grass come July!
Stopped at my brother's house over the weekend. So much work was done and they are in the final stages. Just some primer, paint and trim. So excited for them to get out of that hotel they are living in.
Have a wonderful day!

It's hard to look out for her... Even though she is only 3 blocks away - she is across the highway, so the only time I can even see the house she lives in is when I am coming/going from home. But if she ever shows up on my doorstep again - I won't go searching for her owners.

Yikes! We are supposed to get snow here today... I told Alli last night to prepare herself to drive home in the snow.

Glad to hear your brother's house is coming along so nicely - I sure hope they can move back in soon! It will be a relief to everyone - most especially them, I am sure.

As for the puppy (I REFUSE to call her Rat) If she lives 3 blocks away, I would definitely be on the lookout for her. I really despise people that treat animals like that. I would not get a new puppy for MM until you are sure the "owners" of the puppy take better care of her.

Well I thought of you when I was grocery shopping this weekend. Matt & I are going to work on some better eating habits. I can't say that we will do the Whole30/Primal/Paleo thing, but definitely trying to eat less processed foods. I like shopping on the edge of the supermarket. And I am going to try to make my own Ghee. If it doesn't work out, I have ordered it from Amazon before, and they carry the same brand I have used at Publix.

I need to get to planning some of my trip...we are down to 87 days!

I am definitely on the look out for her... but I have yet to see her. I am just praying they treat her well and were able to get the other dogs into the vet - otherwise they will all be sick again. Sigh. I do know this - if she ever shows up here again, she'll be staying.

Great job... Even small steps in the right direction will be very impactful!!! I am very proud of you! Ghee is super easy to make! And I love it home made way better than the purchased stuff... I sure hope it turns out well for you. It's one food I've kept in my diet after the whole30 - although, I probably won't make it or use it quite as often now because I can eat regular butter, and that is so much easier... but ghee is much tastier - so we will see.

Whoot! 87 days!!! So jealous!!! I can't wait to start planning Alli's graduation trip!

Well, I don't have an instant dislike for "Rat" but that might be because they are my initials R.A.T. I do, however, have a distinctly unpleasant taste in my mouth about her treatment at the other people's house. If they have multiple dogs and one destroyed her collar, they may have unsociable dogs. Praying that she finds her way back and you just keep her. But I'm being a bit...independently minded today, so that may be coloring my ideas.

I know the power of little changes. I went on a cooking tear once and we had made from scratch dinner for three days in a row! I felt GREAT.
I have almost cut soda (or cokes as we call them down here) out of my diet. Drinks of choice are water, seltzer & plain black coffee. Every once in a while I take a sip of coke (generic soda for all you yankee types) and that's where the 'almost' comes in.

Our weekend was not fabulous. Our annual fundraising event was Saturday, so I was working and Sunday Cale just wasn't feeling well. We also noticed that T was limping, and we were really worried until I remembered that he had - in over-exuberance to see Cale when he got home Friday - skidded out on the deck stairs - or there is always the possibility that the cat (Her Buttiness) scared him and he skidded out in the hall. He was better on his morning walk today.

Hope everyone has a fabulous week! And V gets to FINALLY do her weekend with baby.

I know - that was my thought too... I dunno... I am just praying that we did the right thing.

Yay for cooking 3 days in a row! The key for me, is to cook in big batches so I have leftovers for lunches and other meals.

Glad to hear that T is doing better... It's always so hard when our animals aren't feeling well.

Wow, you look amazing and I'm so inspired. I struggle with weight too and I know how hard it is. You should be incredibly proud of yourself.

Thank you!!! And welcome! I am happy you are here and you took the time to say hello!

I had read a book called Sugar Blues by William Duffy back in the 70's which had a huge influence over me.

from Wikipedia: The author made so much sense that I just couldn't ignore it.

Very interesting... Way beyond their time! I'll have to go look that book up. Thanks Sue.

*********************************************************************************************************

I had a great sewing room day yesterday. Last week's order was a lot labor intensive, so I am happy to have it finished. I also put some time in on an order that I didn't finish a few weeks ago. I am hoping to get that done tomorrow. I am technically scheduled "off" in my sewing room this week - but I am using this time to work on an order for a friend. And to catch up.

I even had a short nap yesterday - it was nice.

I made a really good dinner... bacon, boneless/skinless chicken thighs, onion and broccoli slaw sauteed... I had a baked sweet potato on the side and the family had noodles and alfredo sauce on the side. It was delicious - and I have the leftovers for lunch today.

Gus came over for dinner... He brought us a beautiful bouquet of flowers for the table... He is such a sweet and thoughtful boy!

I took photos of a few old pictures I found in an album I'd forgotten about...

Josh and I when we were still dating...

And my foster family and I when I was in 10th grade...

Then I had to go get V last night, so I took Alli with me to practice some night driving... Granted it was on a dirt road - but night driving is night drivng, I guess.

Today is a Target day for me, so hopefully it goes fast.

I hope you all have a wonderful day... Prayers and good thoughts go out to all of you!

D~

 

[Terkina]

I HATE this new site. I don't get e-mails anymore when someone replies on this thread so then I forget to come by and check if there is a new update here One more thing I don't like about this new site is that I can't find the date when each reply is written.

I'm so sad to hear about the dog. The "owners" doesn't sound like good people.
I'm so sorry to hear about he septic system is broken. Crossing my fingers that it doesn't cost too much to get it repaired.

What a bummer that V didn't get to have the robotic baby this weekend. It's a little bit funny to hear about the girls having robotic babies over the weekend because that's something we don't do in Norway.

The storm they warned us about wasn't bad at all here. We didn't even loose the power. Yesterday evening it sounded like it was a bigger storm outside that they haven't warned about. Today they are warning about a new storm coming tonight and staying here until some time tomorrow. A lot of roads are closed today north of Tromsø. So those who are on their way to or from Sweden and Finmark county aren't getting anywhere.

 

[Terkina]

It looks like you replied here while I replied because when I posted my post a new post from you were there
I'm glad you had a good day in your sewing room yesterday.
How great that you go out with Alli and practice driving often.

This weekend I have made mini Selbuvotter. Selbuvotter is mittens knitted a special way with a pattern. I'm going to mount them on a keyring.

 

[Chicago Mo]

LOVE LOVE the old pictures!!!

umm i can't wait to see what you have in mind for a surprise and josh with your furry friends.

 

[Clio]

That's so sad that you had to give the dog back to people like that. Maybe she'll find her way back to you.
Hope your day at Target goes fast. I'm working a later shift today. They're going to be taking apart the photo lab today. We're going to get new kiosks(ours are about 9 years old) and new creative printers. HP is no longer in the retail business so we're going Fuji equipment. The one hour's are Fuji so everyone will be new. Friday and Saturday we get trained.
Have a good day.
Liz

 

[dalayney]

T!hose flowers are gorgeous! I adore fresh flowers in the house. During the summer our farmers market in kenosha down by Lake Michigan has these drop dead beautiful bouquets for only $8. Otherwise I buy myself a lil bouquet at Aldis for $3.99.
Love love your dating year pictures. You two were adorable!
Have fun with the driving lessons

 

[RunnerMommyof4]

Your post made me laugh...scheduled off in your sewing room. I got a sewing machine hand me down from a great aunt who insisted I needed to learn. Let's just say 10 years later and it's still sitting on the storage shelf. I've learned to look at it but sew I have not.

 

[DMGeurts]

I HATE this new site. I don't get e-mails anymore when someone replies on this thread so then I forget to come by and check if there is a new update here One more thing I don't like about this new site is that I can't find the date when each reply is written.

I'm so sad to hear about the dog. The "owners" doesn't sound like good people.
I'm so sorry to hear about he septic system is broken. Crossing my fingers that it doesn't cost too much to get it repaired.

What a bummer that V didn't get to have the robotic baby this weekend. It's a little bit funny to hear about the girls having robotic babies over the weekend because that's something we don't do in Norway.

The storm they warned us about wasn't bad at all here. We didn't even loose the power. Yesterday evening it sounded like it was a bigger storm outside that they haven't warned about. Today they are warning about a new storm coming tonight and staying here until some time tomorrow. A lot of roads are closed today north of Tromsø. So those who are on their way to or from Sweden and Finmark county aren't getting anywhere.

Awww... Let's see if I can help you figure this out... So, first the date/time each post is written is at the very bottom of each post, rather than the top, like it used to be.

Ok - now I am not sure about the email notifications... but I *think* if you go to the very first page of this thread - at the top right (above my first post), it has the "thread tools" option and a "watch" button that is clickable... I think if you click on the "watch" button, it will allow you to add email notifications to your options? Not certain about this... Let me know if it works/doesn't work and I'll try to help you further if needed.

THanks Lillian - I was so sad that the dog had to go back. We drove past the house yesterday and I didn't see her out - which is a good thing, I guess as it was cold and snowy.

I keep meaning to ask Josh what is going on with the septic at the lake... We've been so busy this week, I haven't had a chance.

I am just glad you checked in... I was starting to worry about you yesterday because the last I'd heard is that you were prepping for the storm and potentially no power. So, glad you didn't get the storm and you are doing well. Only a few more weeks of winter for us here - well a few more weeks of the worst of it anyways... Trying hard to power through. Thanks for checking in Lillian.

It looks like you replied here while I replied because when I posted my post a new post from you were there
I'm glad you had a good day in your sewing room yesterday.
How great that you go out with Alli and practice driving often.

This weekend I have made mini Selbuvotter. Selbuvotter is mittens knitted a special way with a pattern. I'm going to mount them on a keyring.

Those are really cool!!! I love them! You are so talented! I love the colors you chose and the pattern... Very awesome! Thanks so much for sharing!

LOVE LOVE the old pictures!!!

umm i can't wait to see what you have in mind for a surprise and josh with your furry friends.

LOL - I think they are a bit creepy... At least the ones of Josh and I... We've changed so much!

Um, yah... Sounds more and more like it isn't going to happen... Josh said - if a new pet happens to fall into our lap, we will keep it, but we won't go and pick one out. Sigh. Bah-humbug.

That's so sad that you had to give the dog back to people like that. Maybe she'll find her way back to you.
Hope your day at Target goes fast. I'm working a later shift today. They're going to be taking apart the photo lab today. We're going to get new kiosks(ours are about 9 years old) and new creative printers. HP is no longer in the retail business so we're going Fuji equipment. The one hour's are Fuji so everyone will be new. Friday and Saturday we get trained.
Have a good day.
Liz

I know - it was hard. MM is sill pretty sad - I think he was in love?

My day did go really fast, actually - which was good. I hope you had a great day too! Oooh and have fun with the new photo lab equipment... We run all Kodak stuff.

T!hose flowers are gorgeous! I adore fresh flowers in the house. During the summer our farmers market in kenosha down by Lake Michigan has these drop dead beautiful bouquets for only $8. Otherwise I buy myself a lil bouquet at Aldis for $3.99.
Love love your dating year pictures. You two were adorable!
Have fun with the driving lessons

Thanks! It was so nice of Gus... He is so thoughtful - I wish I was more thoughtful like that, but I am not. But I do love fresh flowers - for sure... and I always try to get new flowers when I go to Trader Joe's.

Hehehe... Yah - I think it's a little creepy... We look so weird! And we've changed so much!

Thanks - she is doing great! I took made her drive home from school in the snow storm, and then I took her out again last night to drive in the dark in a snow storm - she is doing fantastic!

Your post made me laugh...scheduled off in your sewing room. I got a sewing machine hand me down from a great aunt who insisted I needed to learn. Let's just say 10 years later and it's still sitting on the storage shelf. I've learned to look at it but sew I have not.

Hi there! And welcome! Super happy to have you here and reading a long! Hehehe... You sound like me - 5 years ago... Now, after teaching myself how to sew - Here's the link to my "learning how to sew" post - if you are interested: http://www.disboards.com/threads/se...tfits-custom-park-bags.2792274/#post-42492753 Anyways... Thanks for stopping by - and welcome to The Dis!

**************************************************************************************

So, yesterday was a Target day... Not much exciting happened.

We did get a snow storm though - so I made Alli drive home in it... She did great! I am really proud of her. Having the skill to be able to drive in the snow is super important... And it's a whole different animal to be able to drive in the snow in town vs. driving in the snow in the country - and she needs to know both. So, after dinner last night - after it was dark... I took her out again. She needs 5 hours of night driving... So, I figured it would be a great idea for her to do some night driving in a snow storm. Again, she did great. I know many parents are probably scared to let their children drive with only a permit in the snow - but like I've said before - this is her only chance to learn, so we need to take advantage of it. It sounds like Josh is taking her out in the truck tonight, because she needs to learn how to drive a truck too. She is doing fantastically - I am so proud of her!

Let's see... Um... Oh - I got my new drivers licence in the mail yesterday... What a difference! I only had to lie about my weight a little bit this time... Sadly it was only 35 lbs less than the last lie I told on my old one. LOL Comparison for you all - I don't think I even look like the same person:

I will be working out this morning... Then...

Today is a sewing room day for me... I plan to finish up that order I'd set aside a few weeks ago. Then I plan to start on the bag for my friend. Maybe squeeze in a nap later?

Anyways... Nothing exciting to update today.

I hope you all have a wonderful day! Prayers and good thoughts go out to all of you!

D~

 

[Chicago Mo]

Um, yah... Sounds more and more like it isn't going to happen... Josh said - if a new pet happens to fall into our lap, we will keep it, but we won't go and pick one out. Sigh. Bah-humbug.

So... What i am reading is:
You and kids go to the shelter or wherever. pick out an adorable doggie bring it home Moose will be thrilled
when Josh gets home say LOOK what followed us home. OR have said doggie come around the house when he is walking in act like you have never seen the dog. and POOF you have a new companion...

 

[DMGeurts]

Day 6 Part 4

After we parted ways with Chiara and family - we worked our way around the World Showcase...

Victoria went on ahead because she wanted to meet Jasmine and Aladdin. They really enjoyed her autograph skirt and her pillowcase.

Eventually Alli and I seperated from BFF and O... But not before we had a mini photoshoot...

Alli and I worked our way around to meet up with Victoria again... It took us a while to find her, but eventually we did.

The girls and I decided to hit up France for our beloved Napoleons... Mmmm... We sat inside for quite some time enjoying the atmosphere and air conditioning...

We continued to try to meet up with BFF and O... But, we had to stop for every Photopass person we encountered...

So did BFF and O... I'd trained them well.

Finally - BFF texted me that they were in the UK waiting in line for Mary Poppins... There wasn't a Photopass photographer there, so I needed to come with my phone if I wanted pictures... Ok - we were on our way.

We started making our way back to Future World together... There was a ton of construction and detours along the way.

Did we ever make it back?

Link to Day 6 Part 5

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

Day 6 Part 5

Making our way through the maze of construction...

We decided we needed a bio break...

This is where we enountered the NICEST bathrooms... The CLEANEST bathrooms is all of Disney.... Right there in Epcot folks. It was super swell. These bathrooms are located in the same building as Club Cool - on the back side.

Club Cool you said? Oh yes... I didn't tell BFF about this one either. Oh Beverly... Hehehehe...

Yes, I am a terrible friend... But it is for their own good - I promise.

We decided we'd had enough of Epcot for the day... So, we were making our way to the exit... True to form - stopping for every Photopass person we encountered...

As we were walking to SSE so Olivia and Allison could do one last ride... Allison noticed a family walking ahead of us - wearing a t-shirt advertising the local newspaper... So, Allison shouted out to them, and they stopped for us. As it turns out - not only were they neighbors, but they actually live in our neighboring town - the one I work in and the one the girls go to school at... It was pretty cool to do a "Non-Dis-Meet" with our neighbors... We took a photo of all of us together, traded names so we could be Facebook friends, and we all went on our merry way.

Robyn, V and I found a curb to park our behinds upon and waited for Alli and O to do their final ride in Epcot...

We stopped for a few Photopass photos in front of SSE...

We exited the park at exactly 3pm and boarded the bus for FQ...

It's a pretty early day for us... What did we do next?

Link to Day 6 Part 6

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

Day 6 Part 6

Sadly - I don't have many photos for this update...

We all returned to FQ...

BFF and I decided we wanted to hit DTD one last time. We were going to take the boat, but there were high winds, so yet again - we had to take the bus.

The construction at DTD wasn't a bother to us at all, as far as transportation goes.

We hit WoD... I picked out Alex and Ani bracelets for the girls... Allison got the Disney "A", and Victoria got Cinderella Castle - they were completely sold out of the Disney "V" - which is what I wanted to get for her. After inquiring at the Guest Service desk - it was sold out in all of WDW and discontinued. Oh well. Both girls love these bracelets.

BFF and I took the bus back to FQ to start packing.

Tomorrow is a FULL MK day, and both of us wanted to be mostly packed so we didn't have to worry about it the following night.

We did really good at packing, and all of us were in bed by 10:30pm.

Link to Day 7 Part 1

D~

 

[KathyM2]

Loving your report!! So cool that you ran into people who live so close to you. I love when stuff like that happens!!

 

[RunnerMommyof4]

Omg did you make the polka dot Minnie Mousebbag? Are you on Esty? I've been searching for one...I love love love the photos where everyone's poses and a Disney character appears. Since I'm still new to this...is that something we have to request, get a special package etc? Thanks again for the link I'm going to check it out. My DD want those potato sack looking dresses made. Guess I should start somewhere.

 

[Chicago Mo]

That's awesome you met someone in your neighborhood!!! WAY COOL!
Of course the PP pictures are awesome.. That Stitch one is my favorite. as you know we have the same one but from AK.

Good job on packing! record time!!! Wow you got in and out of DTD pretty quick! it was a total MESS when we went.

 

[goofymimi]

I'm kinda new to posting comments on trip reports, but I love reading them. You are very inspiring, both with your weight loss and healthy living, but your sewing is remarkable..I fully understand about the weight and health issues, I am down 88 lbs.. It is an ongoing thing for me, I have been doing this for 3 years now.. I am envious of your trips with your daughters, They seem to be so much fun.

 

[dalayney]

I love the pictures with Stitch imposed on them. It's so awesome how the girls still love to pose and ham it up. I don't think my 16 yr old son even wants to go anymore. Breaks my heart as he used to love disney.

Does Stitch still say something on the monorail? His little gibberish? Kinda before or after the announcement?

 

[Wood Nymph]

I love my girls and I love spending time with them - these memories from our trips are some of our favorites... I so wish I could stop time and just keep planning trip after trip.

I love reading about all your plans, too. You make it a lot of fun with your outfits. Your trip reports show how much fun you are having.

This is where we encountered the NICEST bathrooms... The CLEANEST bathrooms is all of Disney.... Right there in Epcot folks. It was super swell. These bathrooms are located in the same building as Club Cool - on the back side.

We found these bathrooms when our five year old grandson needed one after drinking too much Bibo at Club Cool. Now they are our favorite bathrooms at Epcot.

We decided we'd had enough of Epcot for the day... So, we were making our way to the exit... True to form - stopping for every Photopass person we encountered...

Your Photopass photos from this day turned out really nice. You all look so happy, too. It seems that this trip was a big success.

As we were walking to SSE so Olivia and Allison could do one last ride... Allison noticed a family walking ahead of us - wearing a t-shirt advertising the local newspaper... So, Allison shouted out to them, and they stopped for us. As it turns out - not only were they neighbors, but they actually live in our neighboring town - the one I work in and the one the girls go to school at... It was pretty cool to do a "Non-Dis-Meet" with our neighbors...

We were at the Biergarten and one of the couples seated at our table was from the town next to ours. The other couple was from Austria. What are the odds of that having?