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

[All7OfUs]

I'm ready for spring here!

ME TOO!!

Oh Liesa, that toilet! Well... there are no words.

You are so ready for a vacation!

It was gross, but at least the part you sit on wasn't that bad....

but the smell.... oh that smell!!

 

[englishrose47]

I got mine a couple of years ago. I had money in our medical spending account that I had to use. I really like them, but they can be a pain in the way you describe, that you have to keep switching. What're you going to do?

I just ordered my 2nd pair of Transitional lens and I LOVE them !!! They work great in winter too !!!

 

[maroo]

Wow!

I have no idea how I missed all the pictures?!?

I love the toilet. When we were in Turkey we had to pee in these things that were really low to the ground? And I think we had to PAY to use them? Am I dreaming that up? (I know you are not in Turkey, but sorta close?)

And the ice on the trees does look beautiful - although we already have to almost roll me around now, I can imagine I WOULD be rolling around with as many layers as I would have for -30!


But...I have to say....the baptism pic........ Makes it all worth it, huh.

 

[All7OfUs]

I just ordered my 2nd pair of Transitional lens and I LOVE them !!! They work great in winter too !!!

Hmmm...thanks, Rosie, that may be just the ticket!! I suppose Lens Crafters could do them up in time- there'll only be 2 weeks between getting back and my trip.

Wow!

I have no idea how I missed all the pictures?!?

I love the toilet. When we were in Turkey we had to pee in these things that were really low to the ground? And I think we had to PAY to use them? Am I dreaming that up? (I know you are not in Turkey, but sorta close?)

And the ice on the trees does look beautiful - although we already have to almost roll me around now, I can imagine I WOULD be rolling around with as many layers as I would have for -30!


But...I have to say....the baptism pic........ Makes it all worth it, huh.

No, you are not dreaming. There are Turkish toilets all over the place here. We actually call them that. You squat to use them. But here's the funny thing. The locals here have such a paranoia about getting cold or even touching anything cold they get UP ON THE TOILET SEATS, and squat and do their business up there! So, whether it's Turkish or not, most still do a squat job.

Sometimes, when it's super clear and cold, the ice sublimates right out of the air!! And the air all around gets all sparkly, like there's diamond chips floating all around you! It's so pretty!

yes, the work has made us stick it out for 9 years. Nothing else would have enticed us.

 

[that's nice]

Your weather is crazy there! Almost as crazy as it is here!!!

They are calling for snow from 0'' to 18'' in CT tonight!! You know how small this state is. That is a big range!!!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Over half way around the world, we've come together, in virtual search of the elusive best souvenir from each country. I can say that I've been having a great time exploring all the options and fun banter in between!

And now we've reached the, in my humble opinion, most tranquil and peaceful of all the Pavilions of World Showcase- Japan.

The difference with this one installment, is that I'm really not looking for more ideas; I've already chosen exaclty what I'm doing/getting.

I mentioned earlier that I'm doing one big splurge with my souvies, and only one person thinks they know (was that you Rebecca?). Wait no longer, my friend- here it is:

I can't tell you how excited I am to do this!! But let me give you some back story to help you out...

In April, 2008, after our WDW trip, it had been 6 weeks since my DH and I had seen each other. He is sometimes a big baby when it comes to separation like that, and even has a hard time with 2 weeks. (Carissa, I dont' know how you 2 do it!) He missed me so much he greeted me with a strand of pearls!! It is the ONLY piece of jewelry he has EVER gotten me aside from my wedding ring. I don't mind; I really don't wear a lot, and would rather save my money and feed my hobby habits.

Anyway, I was very touched! I love them!

So, my thought was: Wouldn't a matching ring be really elegant to go with it?? Now, you must know, I am a huge nail biter. A ring isn't going to be all gorgeous looking, but knowing that I got it to be paired WITH my strand will be very nice indeed!

Here are some examples that I found on the Pearl Thread that you can find
HERE

By the way, did you know you have a chance of getting any color of pearl? I hope mine is close to my strand, which is a creamy color.







One small caveat...

I just discovered I am about $500 over my budget for this trip!!! It may be that this will be something that goes out the window after I do some more number crunching today. In which case, I'll just pick the pearl for $15 and forego the ring setting for another day.

 

[All7OfUs]

Your weather is crazy there! Almost as crazy as it is here!!!

They are calling for snow from 0'' to 18'' in CT tonight!! You know how small this state is. That is a big range!!!!

It's snowing right now here, but just a little.

That is crazy! It's like someone got lazy behind the modelling computer and wanted to get to his cozy house and family??

 

[that's nice]

It's snowing right now here, but just a little.

That is crazy! It's like someone got lazy behind the modelling computer and wanted to get to his cozy house and family??

This station is calling for 0-14''

EDIT:: Well they changed the map! LOLOL

The shore is getting hammered with rain now and the hills are getting hammered with snow. For a state that is 70miles X 100 miles, we do get a huge range of weather.

 

[All7OfUs]

Hope you're all hunkered down and cozy!!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Nope! 6 weeks of spring, 6 weeks of fall. Our Sept and Aprils are quite nice.

Yep, sounds like southern AZ. Our nice months are Nov and March. April to Oct can easily be over 100 on many days, but i can't complain about the winters. A high of 30 would extreme, even if lows are often around there. You've been there 9 years!?! I can't imagine. We have been in AZ three and I'm trying not to concentrate too hard on when we can leave.

So you are moving to Oregon now? How far back do I need to go to read about that?

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Enjoy the pearl diving my friend! That's on our "Next Time" list.

 

[All7OfUs]

Yep, sounds like southern AZ. Our nice months are Nov and March. April to Oct can easily be over 100 on many days, but i can't complain about the winters. A high of 30 would extreme, even if lows are often around there. You've been there 9 years!?! I can't imagine. We have been in AZ three and I'm trying not to concentrate too hard on when we can leave.

So you are moving to Oregon now? How far back do I need to go to read about that?

I lived in Flagstaff for 4 years during/after university (NAU). LOVED IT!! Working at the Snobowl was pretty fun.

OK, here's the run down...

Now- August 18-- HERE in Crapistan

Aug 18--- Travel to Bowling Green, Kentucky where my side (mostly) of the family lives. Visit for 2 weeks.

Aug. 30--- DH and 1 daughter travels to Portland to settle in. Youngest 2 kids set out on a road trip with my parents, driving back to Portland. I set out to Wash. D.C. with my Bowling Green sis to visit D.C. sis for a few days.

Sept. 2--- I fly to WDW for The Week 'o Freedom

Sept. 13- Spring??--- Live in Portland. Repatriate ourselves, fix up rental house to sell, sell it.

Spring--- Move to my in-laws home in West Salem, OR.

Does that make sense?? I know it's complicated, and a hideously long process.

Enjoy the pearl diving my friend! That's on our "Next Time" list.

We went to a pearl diving exhibit in the museum in Dubai. Apparently that was main stay of the economy there for centuries. It was fabulously interesting. They can hold their breath for like 3 minutes or more!! And get this... the divers themselves only get like 10% of the profit!

 

[carissanboys]

My husband is the same way, Liesa. And that's why I worry about him being away far more than I worry about myself or the boys. We're used to him being gone and we stay busy and do okay. But, he's a homebody and he greatly misses his family when he's away.

On our 2nd trip, I did the pick-a-pearl thing. I knew I wanted it ahead of time. My plan was to get one and have a mother's ring made. My middle son's birthstone is pearl and my other two boys are both emerald. Here are the pictures of us getting the pearl (I let Sully pick out the pearl):

Unfortunately, there were no settings for rings with an emerald. We decided to look at DTD because they have a stand there that does the pearls too. But, they also didn't have anything for a ring that was what I wanted. I decided to go with a necklace instead and ended up with this:

I love it.

 

[that's nice]

Hope you're all hunkered down and cozy!!

OF course we are!! It is pouring rain here now. Wonder if it will change back to snow?

OK, here's the run down...

Now- August 18-- HERE in Crapistan

Aug 18--- Travel to Bowling Green, Kentucky where my side (mostly) of the family lives. Visit for 2 weeks.

Aug. 30--- DH and 1 daughter travels to Portland to settle in. Youngest 2 kids set out on a road trip with my parents, driving back to Portland. I set out to Wash. D.C. with my Bowling Green sis to visit D.C. sis for a few days.

Sept. 2--- I fly to WDW for The Week 'o Freedom

Sept. 13- Spring??--- Live in Portland. Repatriate ourselves, fix up rental house to sell, sell it.

Spring--- Move to my in-laws home in West Salem, OR.

Does that make sense?? I know it's complicated, and a hideously long process.

I love Crapistan!!!!!! I wish we could name a country or state that... hummm maybe we can change New Jersey's name to that?

Your process may be hideously long but it is so exciting!!!!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Sounds busy! I like having stuff like that to plan for, but, after 4 moves in 5 years I detest moving. It helps you get organized, that's for sure.

 

[englishrose47]

Morning Liessa !! The Pearls were a Big hit last September with the kids !! We didn't do the settings but they loved picking them out and the whole performance of the opening etc !!!!!

 

[glennbo123]

A looong time ago, way before kids, Judy and I got to spend a couple of days in San Francisco. We were walking around the tourist spots and came upon a pick-a-pearl stand. I think the cost was $5 and Judy asked if she could get one. I was thinking, "Sure, $5 is a bargain." Now, if I were the Great Biscuit I would write something like "Oh innocent, innocent Biscuit." So I guess I'll have to go with "Oh innocent, innocent Glennbo". I was clueless and didn't realize that then we had to pick a setting, and back home we had to get a necklace. I didn't regret it, I just didn't see it coming.

I gave Judy pearl jewelry after each of our kids were born. They're special to her, obviously, but more so because I had never heard of "Push presents" or "Baby baubles", and neither had she at the time. I hadn't planned on getting anything, but after I saw Lauren being born I thought, "that woman needs a gift!" and wound up picking out some pearl earrings the next day. Then with the others I stuck with the theme and got her a bracelet and necklace.

 

[pipersmom]

Woohoo for pearl picking, we're planning on doing the same thing, but I'm going to order the cages from ebay when we get back. I had planned on getting them before we went, but Piper being in the hospital blew that plan! I thought it would be a neat souvenir that all 3 of us could have alike. :

 

[maroo]

Ok....

Now I just HAVE to get a pearl!

So......about that budget!

Call me.

 

[MKBekka]

Mommy's gonna buy me a pearly ring with my money though...