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

[ladylyons]

WOW!!! I cannot believe how big the kids are getting Sandra!!! And you've all been so busy! I love the cake - and of course - Happy Birthday to both Sarah and James! And little Jeffrey is growing so quickly! Everyone is adorable! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks D! It is amazing how fast they are all growing!! Some days I still can't believe I have a 2nd grader, a 1st grader, a Pre K and an 8 month old!! I always said I'd only have 2 but am so grateful for all of them.

I hope V's back starts to feel better! Back pain is never any fun. We're getting ready to take Baby Jeffrey out of the car seat carrier because I'm tired of the bruises on my legs and my back hurting anytime I have to bring him anywhere.

Love that had had a great time with Lynnie!! It's always fun to catch up with people you don't always get to see.

I love Once Upon a Time!!! I wish we had more info on the frozen time line but only time will tell what they do.

 

[DMGeurts]

I hope V's back is better today.

Nice pictures

Thank you Lillian. She wound up at the Dr. More below...

Hey there!
She hurt her back at Church??
Your weekend looks like a lot of fun! Baked potato looks delightful!

Honestly i hope her back feels better. Back pain is the WORST!!!

Hahaha... No... LOL... She was playing ball with the kids outside after church, and dove for it. Josh took her to the Dr. yesterday...

Glad you had a great weekend! Do you know where your trip with your co-workers will be next year?

Hope you have a great day today!

Thanks! Yes, we had a nice weekend. We are planning to go to the Little Falls Craft Fair - here in MN. One of my co-workers just bought a lake house near there, so the accomodations are much cheaper if we do that one instead.

I totally agree on the Once Upon a Time episode. I hope it gets better. I was worried that they were going to ruin it with Frozen...I guess time will tell. Then again I was a Lost watcher so I don't have high hopes but the kids and I have invested too much time to turn back now I hope your dd's back is feeling better.

Yah - I am not a huge Frozen fan - so I wasn't too impressed that they jumped on that whole bandwagon. But - we'll see. Hopefully they don't wreck the show.

Thanks. Josh took her to the Dr. yesterday... More on that below.

D, I think I am all caught up.

It sounds like a near perfect first day. I love that you loved Columbia Harbor House (we were really sorry we didn't get to hit it this trip). All of your photopass pictures are wonderful.

Fun that Victoria went to see the PRincesses while you did some attractions.

Love the pictures with Santos.

Hi Kathy!!! Thanks! I've loved watching your trip on FB!!! Looks like you all are having a great time, both in WDW and Marco!

We just back back from our quick, four night trip to WDW. Wow, was it humid there! Never again in September for us. But we got to ride the Seven Dwarfs ride in the very first row!. That was very cool because there is nothing in front of you.

I watched Once Upon a Time last night and was glad that they didn't change the Elsa/Anna characters too much, like they did with Captain Hook, Peter Pan, and so many of the others.

Welcome back Sue! LOL - Well, at least you know, if you don't like Sept, August is definitely out of the question. Yay for riding SDMT - even in the front row, awesome!

It will be interesting to see how Frozen unfolds in OUAT.

Sounds like a fun weekend!! I loved the pictures from Cranfest too! I need to look up where in WI that is- I don't live too far from the border of IL/WI!

It's right on I-94, north of Tomah... It's probably only a few hours drive for you - if that.

Glad you had a great time at Cranfest. Wonder what you have planned for next year? Love when you see get to spend time with your bff. Thanks for sharing the pics. Looks like you had a wonderful time. Poor V, hope her back is okay and that its nothing serious.

Thanks! We are planning to go to a craft fair north of here, instead of east. It's a few weeks earlier and we can stay for free at my co-worker's lake house. So, it works out pretty good - although - it is fun to stay at the lodge too... We may go back there every few years.

Thanks! Josh took V to the Dr. yesterday... I'll tell about it below.

Thanks D! It is amazing how fast they are all growing!! Some days I still can't believe I have a 2nd grader, a 1st grader, a Pre K and an 8 month old!! I always said I'd only have 2 but am so grateful for all of them.

I hope V's back starts to feel better! Back pain is never any fun. We're getting ready to take Baby Jeffrey out of the car seat carrier because I'm tired of the bruises on my legs and my back hurting anytime I have to bring him anywhere.

Love that had had a great time with Lynnie!! It's always fun to catch up with people you don't always get to see.

I love Once Upon a Time!!! I wish we had more info on the frozen time line but only time will tell what they do.

Thanks Sandra! It's crazy how fast they grow! Josh took V to the Dr. yesterday - so I'll update below.

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

I worked at Target yesterday... I was super busy all day! So, my day just flew by. I love working there this time of year.

I received a text from Josh at about 10:30, saying he was leaving work to take V to the dr. She didn't make it very long at school yesterday. According to the dr. - she pulled a muscle in her back. She has a Dr. note for 5 days off of Gym... We may keep her home form school today too - because her backpack weighs about 50lbs (no joke), and I don't think she needs to lug that thing all over school today. We'll see how she feels this morning after giving it a break yesterday.

I took Olivia out for dinner last night - I haven't seen her much since we've been home. Robyn took Alli last Thursday and she is taking V this Thursday - it's fun to be able to spend one-on-one time with each of the girls.

Today... I should be in my sewing room - but I have to run into town. I also have a hair appt this afternoon, so I am not sure how much sewing time I will get today? Which means I might be pulling a working weekend. I'll see how the rest of my week goes.

This morning is also a weigh in day for me... I have not weighed for 2 months. I am quite certain that I will not see a gain or a loss. I've made some changes - which I talk about in my blog - hopefully those changes get me out of this rut, because as much as I like taking this journey slow - I'd like to see a little progress every now and then.

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

D~

 

[Chicago Mo]

Poor kid, Hope for a quick recovery on her back!

I miss Chevy's..


Miss you!

 

[ljcrochet]

I hope her back is feeling better.

 

[Clio]

I hope V.'s back gets better soon. Fifty pounds of books is a lot to be carrying around all day. It's a wonder more kids don't end up with back problems.
Cranfest looks like fun. It's nice that you and your coworkers are friends and can do stuff like that together. Most of the people I work with are a lot younger than me.
I got my suitcase out on Sunday. Now, if it would just pack itself. the weather next week is supposed to be in the low 80's during the day and in the 50's and 60's at night. I'm not should how to pack for that. My daughter and son-in-law are all excited that they can wear their costumes and not be overly hot.
Today is my last day of work before vacation. It's a mid and should be busy as they're dumping the backroom so there'll be lots of stuff to go through.
Have a great day.
Liz

 

[lovedonaldduck]

Sorry to hear about V's back. I hope it is feeling better.

I think it is awesome that you and BFF are spending one on one time with each other's girls. It is so important for girls their age to have positive female influences in their lives. And also great to establish a relationship separately from you - just in case they ever run into a problem they might feel more comfortable talking to someone other than their mom about. I really think you are doing this parenting thing better than most and it seems to come naturally to you. Congrats on doing an unbelievably difficult job well.

Thanks for the reminder about your blog - I haven't checked in over there in awhile, it fell off my radar.

Hope you have a great day!

 

[solana131]

Oh no.....I hope V's back heals quickly. I'm home with a sick Bradey this afternoon. We had a field trip this morning and he was fine. I get to work and 30mins later they call me to come pick him up

Totally agree with you on the OUAT season opener. It was good.....but I think it could have been a little more exciting. Hopefully they are setting us up for some excitement next week

 

[Terkina]

Glad to hear that your day at Target flew by.

I hope V's back gets well soon.

 

[Iamthequeen]

I hope V's back heals quickly. Its tough to maneuver with a sore back.

I watched OUAT this week and found it to be confusing, but I didn't watch it last year.

I think sometimes you just need to shake up your routine, whether its your eating or exercise. Your muscles get used to repetitive motion and work more efficiently. You really need to try something different, but I'm with you about spending so much $$ on an exercise video.

I have been totally slacking since we got back from Disney , and I know that I would feel better if I was moving more. I can see a difference in my thighs from before, and I want to keep that up. Now I just need to get the rest of routine back in motion.

 

[sewdisney]

I am sorry to hear about V's back. I do hope she gets feeling better soon. Back pain is terrible! Here's hoping for a speedy recovery

 

[DMGeurts]

Poor kid, Hope for a quick recovery on her back!

I miss Chevy's..


Miss you!

Thanks! She seems to be doing much better this morning.

Hahaha... I miss Chevy's too... And you!

I hope her back is feeling better.

Thanks - she seems to be doing better this morning.

I hope V.'s back gets better soon. Fifty pounds of books is a lot to be carrying around all day. It's a wonder more kids don't end up with back problems.
Cranfest looks like fun. It's nice that you and your coworkers are friends and can do stuff like that together. Most of the people I work with are a lot younger than me.
I got my suitcase out on Sunday. Now, if it would just pack itself. the weather next week is supposed to be in the low 80's during the day and in the 50's and 60's at night. I'm not should how to pack for that. My daughter and son-in-law are all excited that they can wear their costumes and not be overly hot.
Today is my last day of work before vacation. It's a mid and should be busy as they're dumping the backroom so there'll be lots of stuff to go through.
Have a great day.
Liz

Thanks! Yes, their backpacks are super heavy - they never use their lockers. Victoria doesn't even know the combonation to her's. LOL And it's the same locker she had last year too... I am not even sure she knows where it is? LOL

Yay!!! Super excited to hear you are getting ready to pack!!! That's the most fun part! I hope you have a great trip!! And I hope your last day at work went well.

Sorry to hear about V's back. I hope it is feeling better.

I think it is awesome that you and BFF are spending one on one time with each other's girls. It is so important for girls their age to have positive female influences in their lives. And also great to establish a relationship separately from you - just in case they ever run into a problem they might feel more comfortable talking to someone other than their mom about. I really think you are doing this parenting thing better than most and it seems to come naturally to you. Congrats on doing an unbelievably difficult job well.

Thanks for the reminder about your blog - I haven't checked in over there in awhile, it fell off my radar.

Hope you have a great day!

Thanks - she seems to be doing better this morning.

Yes - I firmly believe this. I didn't plan, when the girls were little, to have someone else in their lives that they could count on - it just worked out that way. But I am so happy that I have BFF in a place where they trust her and can talk to her - because, like you said, kids don't always feel comfortable talking to their parents - and I am thankful that BFF is able to help them navigate things much like I would - or at least help them talk through talking to me, if that's what BFF thinks is necessary. It is very important to me that they trust her, which is why I purposely don't pry in their conversations or ask what they talk about. Even if she is my BFF and the girls are my kids - if it was something I really needed to know - she would help them figure out how to tell me, so she didn't have to betray their trust. So, in 10 years, I hope that there is someone in your girls' lives that they can count on and talk to when they aren't comfortable talking to you - because no matter how much you love them and how great of friends you are - that day will come, so it's good to be strategic about it now.

And thank you for your compliments on my parenting skills, trust me when I say that my childhood and home life was anything but stellar... Due to my mom's illness I lived with lots of relatives, lots of foster homes, lots of group homes... I was lucky that each home I lived in was a good home, with people who genuinely cared about me. So, to give me a compliment on my ability to be a good parent is the highest compliment you could ever give me.

I saw that you posted on my blog yesterday... I will go over there at some point today and answer you.

Oh no.....I hope V's back heals quickly. I'm home with a sick Bradey this afternoon. We had a field trip this morning and he was fine. I get to work and 30mins later they call me to come pick him up

Totally agree with you on the OUAT season opener. It was good.....but I think it could have been a little more exciting. Hopefully they are setting us up for some excitement next week

Thanks! She seems to be doing better this morning. I hope Bradey is doing better too... Poor guy!

Yah - OUAT was a bit disappointing... I hope it gets better. After last season of Downton Abbey being so awful, I sure hope that OUAT doesn't follow the same path.

Glad to hear that your day at Target flew by.

I hope V's back gets well soon.

Thanks Lillian, it seems to be doing better this morning.

I hope V's back heals quickly. Its tough to maneuver with a sore back.

I watched OUAT this week and found it to be confusing, but I didn't watch it last year.

I think sometimes you just need to shake up your routine, whether its your eating or exercise. Your muscles get used to repetitive motion and work more efficiently. You really need to try something different, but I'm with you about spending so much $$ on an exercise video.

I have been totally slacking since we got back from Disney, and I know that I would feel better if I was moving more. I can see a difference in my thighs from before, and I want to keep that up. Now I just need to get the rest of routine back in motion.

Thanks Tess! It seems to be better this morning.

Yah - you might need to go back and watch the missed episodes - there were a LOT of huge things that came into place last season.

Possibly? I don't know what else I can do to shake it up... I never do the same routine twice in a week. I am going to give this 30DS/NROLFW/MFP combo a good dedicated try this month and see where it brings me, I am confident that my issue is lying in my diet and not my excercise.

Oh Tess... I know how hard it is to get back into it after a trip - believe me, that's all I seem to talk about on my blog. But even doing something small will help you find the right path again. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

I am sorry to hear about V's back. I do hope she gets feeling better soon. Back pain is terrible! Here's hoping for a speedy recovery

Thanks! She seems to be doing better this morning, which is good.

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

Yesterday was a nice day - sort of...

I had to bring the girls in to school first thing - Alli had a test, and I didn't want V riding the bus with her back a wreck.

Then I came home, lifted and weighed/measured myself... My lift went great. I decided to go back to my New Rules Of Lifting For Women lifting routine - it was great for me last fall/winter - and I have high hopes for this round too. I think I was just getting too lazy with my lifts? As suspected, my weigh in/measurements did not go well... I had not weighed/measured in 2 months - and in that time I only lost 1.8 lbs and some of my measurements went up and some went down... Pretty disappointing, considering how hard I work. But I knew that's what the verdict would be, as there has been virtually no change in how my clothes fit me. And considering what's been going on the last 2 months... Disney and BMT... Well - I had a lot to get through. So, now I am picking up again and I've decided to be a lot more dedicated for the month of Oct - I need to get past this, or I will never reach my goal... I would love to reach my goal by next spring/summer... but as time goes on, my goal keeps shifting little by litte... So next summer's goal is my initial goal, but I have a feeling it won't be my final goal... Besides size - I want to be fit too - and that will forever be a work in progress.

Anyways... Back to yesterday...

I met up with BFF... I needed fabric... So we went to Joanns (which I rarely do) - but I was out of red... Seriously - RED - I use that color all the time, I cannot be out of red. LOL

Then we went out to Chipotle for lunch... So, day two of committed journaling of my food in MFP - and I decide to do Chipotle... Dork. But - I did good.... I had a steak fajita bowl with rice, meat, veggies, tomatoes, sour cream and lettuce... It was very good. And no stomach problems. I think it's the guac/avocado that does it to me?

I picked the girls up from school - took them to Starbucks... Yup - I had one of those too... But I journaled it all.

We all went to my hair appointment... Now I am all fresh and cute again.

Leftovers for dinner... Hung out on my tablet for a while... Went to bed.

Today is level 2 of 30DS.

I have to run to town this morning... Need eggs and sugar.

Then I will be in my sewing room all day working on my next order.

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

D~

 

[Chicago Mo]

YAY! Didn't get sick!

I did like Once upon a time!!! Thought it was adorable!!! So all of you are finally caught up?!? aboot time!!!!

Glad V is feeling better. hate back pain.

Enjoy your JoAnn red fabric day!!! Can't wait to see your new creations!

 

[lovedonaldduck]

I knew you had a non-traditional childhood, but I don't want to pry. That probably set the foundation for you to be such a great mom. I think you make some really smart parenting decisions and I think the young women your girls are reflects that.

I have some fabulous girlfriends and aunts so hopefully the girls will gravitate towards one of these ladies as they get older and I can help them foster these one-on-one relationships. So important for them and for me

Hope you have a great day today!

 

[Terkina]

Sounds like you had a busy day yesterday.
I hope you have a great day and that you get done everything that you have planed for the day

 

[sewmess]

I totally misread you being out of red to Joanne's being out of red and I was completely flabbergasted. How, in the world, would a store who's quilting section is as large as Joanne's be out of red? What kind of management/ordering system do they have there? Did some crazy Alabama fans come and buy it all up - well, probably not up there with you, but it might happen here. Don't even try to look for houndstooth in August.

Then I re-read and realized that YOU were out of red. That made much more sense.

We're back and it was a different kind of trip for us. Mostly because we got sick. At some point I'll segue the PT to a TR and share the highs and lows.

 

[ladylyons]

Thanks Sandra! It's crazy how fast they grow! Josh took V to the Dr. yesterday - so I'll update below.

Yes they do grow to fast.

Ugh for a pulled muscle and 50 lb back packs. Don't miss those days at all. But now I swear I carry a 50 lb diaper bag!! Hope she starts feeling better soon.

 

[DMGeurts]

YAY! Didn't get sick!

I did like Once upon a time!!! Thought it was adorable!!! So all of you are finally caught up?!? aboot time!!!!

Glad V is feeling better. hate back pain.

Enjoy your JoAnn red fabric day!!! Can't wait to see your new creations!

Yay!!!

Hehehe... We are all caught up... Alli has never watched it - and doesn't want to start. Josh is still back in Season 3 - so we won't let him watch season 4 yet. So, it's just V and I on Sunday nights.

Yes, she is doing better - day by day.

Hehehe... I had a nice day in my sewing room yesterday.

I knew you had a non-traditional childhood, but I don't want to pry. That probably set the foundation for you to be such a great mom. I think you make some really smart parenting decisions and I think the young women your girls are reflects that.

I have some fabulous girlfriends and aunts so hopefully the girls will gravitate towards one of these ladies as they get older and I can help them foster these one-on-one relationships. So important for them and for me

Hope you have a great day today!

No worries - that is probably the most I will ever say about it. Thank you for your compliments - they mean the world to me.

Yes, I hope your girls do too - it will be so helpful later in life for them... And for you.

Thanks - I hope you had a great day too!

Sounds like you had a busy day yesterday.
I hope you have a great day and that you get done everything that you have planed for the day

Thanks Lillian! Same to you!

I totally misread you being out of red to Joanne's being out of red and I was completely flabbergasted. How, in the world, would a store who's quilting section is as large as Joanne's be out of red? What kind of management/ordering system do they have there? Did some crazy Alabama fans come and buy it all up - well, probably not up there with you, but it might happen here. Don't even try to look for houndstooth in August.

Then I re-read and realized that YOU were out of red. That made much more sense.

We're back and it was a different kind of trip for us. Mostly because we got sick. At some point I'll segue the PT to a TR and share the highs and lows.

Hahahaha... That was super funny - gave me a good chuckle this morning. That being said - they only had one bolt of red in the kind I use... That is a little worrysome.

I hope to hear more about your trip, please let me know when you post about it - I've been horrible these last few weeks about going into the PTR section... It's so hard to go there and read when I don't have a trip to plan.

Yes they do grow to fast.

Ugh for a pulled muscle and 50 lb back packs. Don't miss those days at all. But now I swear I carry a 50 lb diaper bag!! Hope she starts feeling better soon.

LOL Don't forget the baby in the carrier too...

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

I had a great workout yesterday morning. Level 2 30DS is a LOT of plank work - and hard plank work... but I am getting much better at them and my endurance is getting better too.

I also had a nice sewing room day... I didn't get as much done as I'd wanted to, but it was nice to be up there and back to work again. I feel like such a slacker lately.

Gus and Alli went out after school yesterday, and then he came over when he brought her home.

Victoria did some volunteer work at church after school.

Josh and I hung out all night on our tablets.

It was a pretty boring evening here.

Today...

I will be doing my NROLFW routine this morning. Today will be the first time I am doing deadlifts since I hurt my back doing them in June... I am a little nervous. I am going to start out with much lighter weight than I was lifting back then - and no Olympic bar, for now.

Then I will be in my sewing room all day.

Victoria is going out with BFF for her dinner after school.

Alli has a photo shoot tonight...

So, it will be a sort-of crazy evening for us.

I hope all of you have a great day today! I am hoping to do an update either today or tomorrow. I also need to post last week's bag - and I think the week before too... I've been bad about posting them.

To all of you!

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

Thursday, August 21, 2014

I was up at 5:45 - I didn't want to be up, I had slept really well, and it was hard to crawl out of bed. But I did.

I went down to the Food Court for breakfast... A banana for me, cereal for Alli and beignets for V.

I woke the girls systematically at the times specified... Alli needed to get ready - so I woke her every morning right after I got back from getting breakfast. Victoria needed all the sleep she could get - so I woke her with just enough time to change and eat - about 30 minutes before we had to be down to the bus.

We never opened the doors between our rooms until we were all up and moving. This worked out very well for us for the duration of our trip - it gave us our time apart.

The girls sat outside this morning, and ate their breakfast on the walkway...

We were out the door for Typhoon Lagoon at 8:15. The park opened at 9am this morning - we were doing good! However - the parking lot for the park didn't open until 8:30 - so the first TL bus made us wait for the next TL bus.

A few pics at the bus stop:

We arrived at TL, not many people ahead of us. We all got into the park, but V had Magicband issues - so the CM with the Ipad had to come over and scan her MB... She was let into the park after that.

A few pics on our way to our chairs:

We chose 5 chairs in the shade on the left side of the pool.

The girls left BFF and I and headed up to the big slides.

As a side note... I just have to say - I LOVE my swimsuits from Lands End! Not once did I have to adjust them, or feel like I was falling out of my suit. They are just the best! And I loved this Black and White color scheme I purchased this year - so much so, I purchased another suit just like this in my goal size for next summer.

Finally - we went on our first slide - Gangplank Falls (the family raft ride)... This one, you have to haul your own big huge tube up the steps - that was interesting, and VERY comical for the people following behind us.

Then we rode Keel Haul Falls - just the regular tube ride.

Then back on Gangplank Falls again...

Finally - it was starting to get hot, so we jumped into the Lazy River... Went around twice.

At this point - we started to wonder if we would ever see the girls again?

We hadn't seen them or heard from them (we weren't carrying our phones) since they'd left us that morning...

Link to Day 2 Part 2

D~

 

[kittylady1972]

Awwww....GREAT waterpark photos! We spent some time at BB for our trip recently, but of course no real photos since we weren't carrying phones with us. I love the Magic shot!

 

[Chicago Mo]

AWW!!! I love the picture with Sebastian!

Sorry you had to wait so long for BFF and her smoking.. Why did she need new shoes?

Adorable Swimsuit!




Question!!
WHY is it taking me DAYS to download MM?!? I hate this!