An Invasion of a "STRANGER" Kind.... NEW THREAD IS UP!! Go Thee NOW!

[All7OfUs]

Oh my gosh, that's so great to have the "official" plans. I can't wait to hear about your experience moving from Resort to Resort. We are doing that for the first time in July, and I hope it goes smoothly. How awesome is it that you're staying at the Poly?!

I hope the transitions are smooth too. I'm not really nervous about it at all. We're pretty sure Mary is driving, so it will just be a hop, skip and jump from place to place.

At least that's the way it's supposed to be.

I am so happy you have a plan and it is one that everyone seems at peace with and happy about. It sounds like a great trip!

I think we really pulled off a "let's make everyone happy" coup!! I'm nearly dancing on my tippy toes- like a huge burden has been released from my shoulders. NOw the hard work of packing up the house and figuring out what to save, give away, chuck, etc...

 

[pipersmom]

Hooray! For having all the dates worked out! I agree..you should jump on that airfare before it goes higher! I'm just about doing a happy dance for you sitting here in my chair! So cool that the kids will get a mini-vacation with your parents as well.

 

[All7OfUs]

Thanks, Amanda!! Yeah, I think you're right, I really should just do it! There's no way it could go lower.

Mom and Dad are talking about taking the kids to Mt. Rushmore. They would be super stoked about that since they've seen and love National Treasure II. It'd be really cool. They've basically only seen my parents a few times since they were born. So, I'm really happy that we can start the bonding thing all over again with them!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Yay!!!!

Phew! I can just hear the weight being lifted off your shoulders! I'm so glad for you that you've gotten some solid plans in place for the move, and the trip. I know you were feeling like you were a little bit in limbo - now you can start making plans for the future. What great news!

 

[maroo]

Maroo will likely begin her drive on the 2nd, and arrive on the 3rd. She needs to work on that day, so arriving sooner is out of the question. I’m totally fine with footing the bill for that night myself. So, she would arrive around 12 or 1 (I’m guessing- correct me if I’m wrong, maroo!) and get checked in.

That is probably pretty close! I will leave Jackson in the afternoon and probably stop in Tallahassee. That would put me arriving in DW on Friday around noon.

It feels GOOD. In fact, it feels VERY good to have this nailed down; changes now are pretty unlikely!! Let the real planning begin!!

Uh. Ok...This part made me chuckle!

 

[maroo]

PS - Liesa - call me. I have a question before I move stuff around.

 

[All7OfUs]

Yay!!!!

Phew! I can just hear the weight being lifted off your shoulders! I'm so glad for you that you've gotten some solid plans in place for the move, and the trip. I know you were feeling like you were a little bit in limbo - now you can start making plans for the future. What great news!

Thanks so much, Rebecca! It is a wonderful feeling to have some direction now. Before it was just too many unanswered questions to even consider doing anything- almost paralyzing. Very good to have some direction now!

That is probably pretty close! I will leave Jackson in the afternoon and probably stop in Tallahassee. That would put me arriving in DW on Friday around noon.





Uh. Ok...This part made me chuckle!

I"m a pretty good guesser then!

I thought it might make the Queen of Frequent Changes chuckle a little.

 

[glennbo123]

DH calmly, with a perfectly straight face, told me that “he’s planning a little trip for himself to climb Mt. Baker” for quite soon after we get back. Ahhhhhhhhhhh, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWW we know just why it’s a “hurry and return” sort of deal. So, as you can see, we both want to get the “bee in our bonnet” things out of the way before real life kicks in full force. When he said that, I can assure you there was much heckling and snort laughing!!!

That must have been funny. I hate those "confession" discussions.

It's cool that with your new plans you get to return to Portland with LeeAnn. It's good to have a travel partner.

Hey Glenn - where in PA do you live? I live in Camp Hill which is a suburb of Harrisburg.

We're in West Grove, a small town in Chester County....down in the corner near Delaware and Maryland.

 

[All7OfUs]

That must have been funny. I hate those "confession" discussions.

It's cool that with your new plans you get to return to Portland with LeeAnn. It's good to have a travel partner.

yeah, they are rather uncomfortable at times. I'm sure the rum helped lighten things up!!

That will definitely be fun to travel back with her!! We can swap notes and reminesce!!

 

[eandesmom]

The plan sounds GOOD!

And it sounds like it's a nice slow introduction back for all of the kids which is a blessing.

I love it!

 

[All7OfUs]

The plan sounds GOOD!

And it sounds like it's a nice slow introduction back for all of the kids which is a blessing.

I love it!

I think it's a good plan for all involved. Slow for the kids, rest and fun for me, great for my parents and sisters, gets the older girls back in time to start school if they are going to, and it gets me back sooner than later so DH can climb Baker.

God is Good! All the time!

 

[KathyRN137]

So, there you have it; The Full-Monte, pork barrel, version of the finally-resolved saga of The Belle Battalion Getting Their Trip Dates Settled.

It feels GOOD. In fact, it feels VERY good to have this nailed down; changes now are pretty unlikely!! Let the real planning begin!!

Fabulous! Must feel sooooo good!


Kathy

 

[that's nice]

I'm so glad you have a plan now...(not like you didn't have one before)

Your plans sound great!!!! I am sad now that we changed our MAW dates to December... we would have been there the same time as you! Did I mention that we even did this? LOL

Time to get down to bizzzzzzzznesssssssss.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

The mount baker thing totally reminded me of my DH. I know when he starts out with "What are we doing" on a certain date that means that there is something HE really wants to do then.

Glad you've set your dates and can move forward. It all sounds good.

 

[reelmom]

Congratulations on getting everything settled. I'm sure it is a huge relief to your family. It's amazing how things work out when we "allow" God to have the control that is His to begin with.

 

[All7OfUs]

Fabulous! Must feel sooooo good!


Kathy

It sure does, Kathy! Perfect smilie!!

I'm so glad you have a plan now...(not like you didn't have one before)

Your plans sound great!!!! I am sad now that we changed our MAW dates to December... we would have been there the same time as you! Did I mention that we even did this? LOL

Time to get down to bizzzzzzzznesssssssss.

You did??!! Now that right there seriously bums me out- and I know it will bum maroo out too! Kona for breakfast woud've been so fun!

Righty oh! Time to get onto bizzzzzzzzzznesssssssssssss!!!

The mount baker thing totally reminded me of my DH. I know when he starts out with "What are we doing" on a certain date that means that there is something HE really wants to do then.

Glad you've set your dates and can move forward. It all sounds good.

See? IIIIIIIIIIII have to hurry back from something I've been planning (literally) for 2 years, and he comes home from the Northwest with an idea. OK, WHATEVER...

Thanks so much! It's really coming together now!

Congratulations on getting everything settled. I'm sure it is a huge relief to your family. It's amazing how things work out when we "allow" God to have the control that is His to begin with.

It's so true!! I knew that we just needed time to have something work out, but little old antsy me wanted to figure things out all by her little lonesome. Does feel good when He works it out for the BEST!

 

[that's nice]

You did??!! Now that right there seriously bums me out- and I know it will bum maroo out too! Kona for breakfast woud've been so fun!

Righty oh! Time to get onto bizzzzzzzzzznesssssssssssss!!!

Well called MAW and changed December to our 1st choice and Sept. our 2nd choice. Mel would have a harder time getting time off from work in September. I actually could of been a part of 'Strangers'.... wouldn't mind being a part of 'Peeps' too!!

 

[All7OfUs]

As we continue around the Lagoon, we've come to the 10:00 mark on our Shopping Tour Around the World!! Enter with me the Piazza San Marco in search of Italian treasures.

This was the one souvenir in all of World Showcase that started the whole mania of collecting one from each country in the first place, as I've had my sights set on a certain something from here since April, 2008.

Take a look at these:



This is positively one of my favorite shots of all from our April, 2008 trip! The colors, lines and textures are all beautiful, to be sure; but even more so, the mystery surrounding these Carnival masks intrigues me. So, the enquiring mind piece of me took over, and I did some research into what these masks were all about. I found these two WONDERFULLY done websites and thought I'd pass them along to you.

Take a look:

http://www.maskitalia.com/

http://www.maskitalia.com/maskhistory.htm

That April, 2008 trip was quite a budget affair, and there was no extra for splurges like a $75 mask. Alas, although this ladies' trip won't be a "budget" affair, there is still no room for a $75 mask. But my love affair with the masks themselves has not gone away. I thought and thought, and a stroke of brilliance came to me. What about seeing if there is a pin with a mask design?

Remember that Allears "Shopping Around the World" website I showed you earlier?? Well, they were kind enough to answer my question about whether or not there was such a thing. Sure enough, the shops in Italy DO have them, and they cost around $8-$12. I'm willing to splurge a little here, as this will most likely end up as a gift of Rebekah. In fact, since I'm getting one for her, I may end up with 2 that I like, and let her choose between them.

So, let's review, shall we?

Mexico: paper flowers or mini maracas or chili pepper swizzle sticks
Norway: a straw ornament
China: chopsticks or a bamboo rice picker hat
Germany: lace or a wooden ornament
Italy: a Venetian mask pin



Click Here for: A Soldier's Perks- Pt. 8, Stumped in the Good 'Ol USofA

 

[MKBekka]

I think those masks are SO cool!! Pins are a great idea, but pins for me is an even BETTER idea!!

 

[All7OfUs]

I think those masks are SO cool!! Pins are a great idea, but pins for me is an even BETTER idea!!

They are very cool, and I'd love to have a real one someday; meantime a pin will have to do. Don't worry, I'll pick a pretty one out for you!