~ Aug 2013~ Sew what... We've gotta find a way back! Part I!!

[babynala]

And if I look closely I think I see Cheryl peaking in from your neighbor's window

.

 

[NiniMorris]

OK... I have been up for an hour and a half .... waiting not so patiently to see how things went last night with Josh...


Nini

 

[DMGeurts]

love how your room is looking! all the cute little touches!

hope you can get the go ahead about the trip!

Thanks!!! I am really lovin' just adding a few things... And I love even more that most of my pictures, and all of my Donald items were gifts.

Wishing you lots of this stuff with talking to Josh tonight!!!!

Thanks Oopsi!

I am really behind so let's see what I can remember....

-love the Sorcerer Mickey bag and wallet

-great update from Charlotte

-very jealous of your sewing room, it looks so nice. I am still trying to figure out if it is best for me to have it in our dining room or down in the basement.

-Good luck talking to Josh tonight!

-oh love all the updates on your ADR's. I am thinking for our June/July trip we might try WCC.

Thank you!

That's a toss up about the diningroom/basement dillema. I will say that when I had mine on my diningroom table - it was a huge annoyance... Only because we have an eat in kitchen, and no official diningroom, so at every meal I had to clean up everything... I spent more time cleaning up my mess (I think) than creating it. Now that I am upstairs with my sewing room... I LOVE that I can put a project down, and pick up exactly where I left off - instead of digging everything back out again. But I don't love that I am so removed from the family. I've had to make it so that I only "work" up there certain hours... While Josh is working/kids are at school, unless I have something that I really have to get done. Otherwise I just feel so disconnected from Josh and the girls - and they really feel that too. Once the girls get home from school (or shortly after), I come down stairs and begin dinner, we eat dinner and spend time as a family in the evening... Which is more like - I swing MM on our swing.

So, if you move your sewing room, it just really depends on where your family is in "life" and if it's something that can be done?

I love your counters and have a question: do you have a specific place for cutting your pieces out or do you just use a section of the counter?

I so wish I had the time and energy and to get it more organized. I'm working on it SLllllooooowwwwwwly: I just got all my thrift store t-shirts organized and binned up so they can stay fresh before I use them.

My screen name is sewmess for a reason. I get messy when I sew and mysewing room is a HUGE MESS.

PS - Good luck with The Talking tonight. You have a good leg to stand on with the deposit all sewn up (pun intended)

I do have a place to cut... This is a photo of my whole sewing room when we first finished it early last summer... My cutting area is on the left - which is sometimes annoying that I can't access it from 3 sides - but I've gotten used to it, and I've been able to make it work for me. My room is just too tiny to have an island for cutting - which I did want. LOL Just /luckyto have the room in the first place.

I also get messy when I sew, but I've been working very hard to try and keep it neat and tidy over the last few months. For a while there, it was a total disaster. LOL But I am finding that I enjoy being in there much more when it is clean and orderly - so I've been working on ways to organize some of my rough spots and cleaning up as I go. So far, it's been working for me.

Good luck talking to Josh tonight! I hope things go smoothly! Your sewing room is looking terrific! It is very put together looking.

Andrea was on the Disboutiquers thread this morning so I know she's around and ok.

Thank you!!! And thanks for letting me know about Andrea... Glad to see she is OK - I am sure she is just busy. I'll have to try and head over there today to tell her I miss her.

I hope Josh is in a good mood tonight so you and the girls can chat him up. Just make sure he knows that going to Disney does not equal getting a new puppy while you are away.

Good luck

LOL Thanks Liz!

Love the sewing room! Everything looks great!!

Good luck tonight!

Thanks Sandra!

Good luck!

Thanks Erin!

Your sewing room is so pretty and cheerful. I would love to sew in there And if I look closely I think I see Cheryl peaking in from your neighbor's window

Sending PD that Josh is in a good mood.

LOL Thanks... Actually - what you see "peeking" in the window is not Cheryl - it's actually a statue of Mary from grotto at the church across the street. Not sure how you could confuse the two? I am sure that Cheryl will totally delight in your comment though.

Sending you some with Josh tonight!

Thanks!

I've been following along! im stopping in to say good luck! Sending some pixie dust your way!

WELCOME!!! And thank you!

I will be in my sewing room all day today! I plan to finish appliqueing the wallet for this next bag set and I hope to post pictures this afternoon... This is turning out to be a really awesome bag - it's such a unique character, and I doubt I will do another like it for a long time.

Once I finish this bag, I don't start my next bag until Tuesday. So, I have a few days to work on the "secret project" - which is exactly what I plan to do!

Last night was kind of a crazy night... The girls and I had the best of plans to talk to Josh at dinner... But then the little neighbor girl cut her finger slicing apples - dad had to take her to the ER for stitches, so her little brother came over to our house and had dinner here with us until their mom came home from work.

Soooo, I had to circimvent the girls and we had to reorganize... After dinner, once the little guy goes home - was our new plan.

It was fun having the little guy here though... He is so cute!

Anyways - we had dinner and the neighbor boy went home... then Josh was on the phone with his step-mom, then his dad called... It was kind of hard to find the right moment to talk to him- but we did.

All of us sat on the swing together (including MM... ) and Alli started off with "So Dad.... We were thinking.... We all really want to go to Disney again...." Followed by a big long 10 minute silence... Then Allison followed up with a high 5 for V and I - because no answer = Yes? Well, not quite... Josh told the girls to "go away"... Uh-oh... Once they were gone, I reassured him that is was't just me... I promise!

So, this followed with a big long discussion about how the girls and I enjoy doing this together, and we have a lot of fun. Josh understands. And he compared it to his fishing/hunting trips. But at the same time, he really wants to do family trips with all of us together. We were supposed to go to South Dakota this summer - but we never made it, we just ran out of time. And this is a trip that he really wants to take together. He also wants to take the girls to D.C. - And I would LOVE to go there too. I also begged him to go to Disney with us again - but he refuses - it's getting to the point where he detests Disney. I asked him if he would come if we did a cruise/WDW and just came down for the cruise portion... That was a firm "no" too. Most of it is because he wants the girls and I to experience other places, and he feel like we are always "doing Disney" so we don't know what else is out there, I explained to him last night, it's like no other place... Yes, we can go to SD and D.C. and those are vacations, but I can't go there and set my worries aside, at Disney I get to be the child too. I think he understood that.

So, in the end, the girls and I got "Official permission" to plan another trip to Disney... With 2 conditions... I also have to plan 2 other trips over the next 2 summers - one to SD and one to D.C. Then - we also have to get a code of some sort... No code = no trip. On the plus side, if we don't get a code for Spring Break, we do have permission to go at another time, when there is a code.

Josh truly understands that we only have a few years with our girls left at home. But both of us understand that we will have lots of time to travel once the girls "grow up" - and there are many other places we want to see. The sad part, is once the girls leave the nest, I will have no one to go to Disney with anymore.

Josh also understands that I didn't have much of a childhood growing up - so Disney is that place I can go to relive the way it should have been. And even though it doesn't hold the same appeal to him, I think he finally sees why it does for me.

So, the official count down is on, and I have a ticker!

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

You know...after the girls grow up and away, you can still go to Disney... I still go at least once a year...and Cheryl goes every once in a while!

I'm sure Marianne will let you tag along.... don't worry! We will get you there!

Nini

 

[dianemom2]

I'm glad you got him to agree to letting you go to Disney. I can see how he'd want you all to go away together too. I agree that Disney is a place where an adult can be a child again. That's what DH and I love about it. We are both so responsible in real life that Disney is such an escape for us. We plan to continue going after our girls grow up. Let me know when you are ready to plan your DC trip. We live about 45 minutes outside the city and I can give you some good tips/ideas. We also went to South Dakota three years ago and it was fabulous! I'd love go back there again too.

 

[NiniMorris]

Interesting...my quote didn't come with me...


Anyway... I never think about DC as being a fun trip...we lived there for a few years, and after that, the only time we went back was to Walter Reed for my middle son's cancer screenings. I was sooooooo excited when they decided we could do them locally!

It would be like someone wanting to come to my back yard and thinking of it as a fun vacation! LOL! Really hard to imagine!

 

[babynala]

Sounds like you had a good negotiation. It sounds like a win-win for everyone since you get to plan 3 vacations. I really want to take the kids to DC but I think I will wait until Curtis is a bit older, although I think he would enjoy it the most. We also want to do a trip out west but we think it would be better if the kids were a bit older. Hmm, you've inspired me to research that too. They might be the perfect ages.

Can't wait to see your new bag and I will TRY to wait patiently for your new secret project. I hope it gets you closer to your Disney trip.

 

[WDWCP96]

Yeah for getting permission to go to Disney. As for the DC trip you will have to schedule a DISmeet while you are here with me. I hope a code comes up for Spring Break.

 

[DMGeurts]

I'm glad you got him to agree to letting you go to Disney. I can see how he'd want you all to go away together too. I agree that Disney is a place where an adult can be a child again. That's what DH and I love about it. We are both so responsible in real life that Disney is such an escape for us. We plan to continue going after our girls grow up. Let me know when you are ready to plan your DC trip. We live about 45 minutes outside the city and I can give you some good tips/ideas. We also went to South Dakota three years ago and it was fabulous! I'd love go back there again too.

Yeah for getting permission to go to Disney. As for the DC trip you will have to schedule a DISmeet while you are here with me. I hope a code comes up for Spring Break.

Nini too....

I am not ignoring the rest of you... But I did want to get a rough price quote for the DC trip in the near future... Can you all recommend a good hotel to stay at? Cheap is always good - but I would also like something that is reputible and easy access to all the good stuff - so I realize that cheap might not be in that category.

D~

 

[cogero]

We want to go to DC but I will most likely pull the kids out for a long weekend at some point because I do not like DC in the summer.

We are also planning Europe at some point and Hawaii.


So happy Josh said yes. Happy planning.

 

[NiniMorris]

We want to go to DC but I will most likely pull the kids out for a long weekend at some point because I do not like DC in the summer.

We are also planning Europe at some point and Hawaii.


So happy Josh said yes. Happy planning.

My son wants to go on a River Boat cruise in Europe....it has been over 25 years since we were there last... he wants to show it to his daughter....

 

[dianemom2]

Nini too....

I am not ignoring the rest of you... But I did want to get a rough price quote for the DC trip in the near future... Can you all recommend a good hotel to stay at? Cheap is always good - but I would also like something that is reputible and easy access to all the good stuff - so I realize that cheap might not be in that category.

D~

My advice would be stay outside the city near one of the Metro stations. Most of the hotels around us have free shuttles to and from the metro. I'd say that a great place to stay is the Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg. It has a Marriott, a Springhill Suites and Courtyard Marriott right there in the middle of a large area of restaurants and entertainment and shopping. I'd say that the hotels there would run around $100 per night or a bit more. If you stay down in DC you can easily pay double or triple that amount. The thing to remember about DC though is that except for a Tour Mobile tour which you'd want to do on your first day here, most of the attractions are free. All the Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo and the Capitol building are all free. The Metro will cost you about $5 each way per person. I think there are some kinds of special passes that out of town visitors can buy but I'm not sure. It is also a great idea to combine Washington DC with a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia. It is about a 5 hour drive to Williamsburg. A lot of people will come and spend 4 days in DC and 3 days in Williamsburg.

 

[BabyRapunzel]

Yeah on the official trip! That is very exciting news for you, now you can really start planning. And love the Sorcerer bag, too cute!

 

[miprender]

So, the official count down is on, and I have a ticker!

D~

But I don't think you have to worry about when your girls are all grown up. I think they will still want to go.

My advice would be stay outside the city near one of the Metro stations. Most of the hotels around us have free shuttles to and from the metro. I'd say that a great place to stay is the Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg. It has a Marriott, a Springhill Suites and Courtyard Marriott right there in the middle of a large area of restaurants and entertainment and shopping. I'd say that the hotels there would run around $100 per night or a bit more. If you stay down in DC you can easily pay double or triple that amount. The thing to remember about DC though is that except for a Tour Mobile tour which you'd want to do on your first day here, most of the attractions are free. All the Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo and the Capitol building are all free. The Metro will cost you about $5 each way per person. I think there are some kinds of special passes that out of town visitors can buy but I'm not sure. It is also a great idea to combine Washington DC with a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia. It is about a 5 hour drive to Williamsburg. A lot of people will come and spend 4 days in DC and 3 days in Williamsburg.

We we actually thinking of doing DC or Williamsburg for April vacation but the kids nixed that idea. So I think we will be driving to Disney

I loved Williamsburg when I went in HS and would love the kids to see DC but I might wait a few more years when DS4 is just a little older.

 

[dianemom2]

We we actually thinking of doing DC or Williamsburg for April vacation but the kids nixed that idea. So I think we will be driving to Disney

I loved Williamsburg when I went in HS and would love the kids to see DC but I might wait a few more years when DS4 is just a little older.

Sightseeing in DC is really heavy on the museums and monuments. I'd think that if you wait until DS is about 8, that would be perfect.

Williamsburg on the other hand is much more interactive and so is Jamestown. We took our girls there for the first time when they were 4 and 5. There was so much hands on stuff for the kids to do. They've been back twice since then and they don't get tired of it. I sewed them "Felicity" dresses when we went the last time and we must have had 25 people ask us where they rented their costumes. If you are driving down to Disney, it isn't far to veer off and spend a day or two in Williamsburg on the way there or home. Once you are around the Richmond beltway, it is around an hour from there to Williamsburg. Of course, what kids don't want to go to Disney if they have a choice though. LOL!

 

[tinkbell13]

So much to catch up on! First, I love how you did the Boo bag. Your creativity never ceases to amaze me! And then you go and post pictures of your Sorcerer Mickey bag. I think this has to be my favourite bag yet. I loved Sorcerer Mickey as a kid and still do.

Second, congrats on getting the go ahead for another trip! I have the go ahead from DH too . . . for 2016! Although, I hope to change his mind on the date. I am hoping to go back again in 2014. Hope you get your code so you can go as planned!

The sad part, is once the girls leave the nest, I will have no one to go to Disney with anymore.

Just say the word and I am there!

So, the official count down is on, and I have a ticker!

Yay for tickers!

 

[mommy2mrb]

for a yes!!! happy you can plan the trip now!

DC is fun - we went back in 1996, stayed in town, but can't remember...Williamsburg is fun too, Megan was 2 1/2 - she called it "Whirlyburg" you'd be close to Busch Garden too!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

So happy to see that your trip is official now! We talk about DC trips, too, but like others have said, we feel like we should wait until DS is a little older. That will be a great trip for your family! I now realize how lucky I am to have a DH who "gets it" and loves Disney ALMOST as much as I do! And you are blessed to have a hubby that is understanding enough to help you live your Disney dreams even if he doesn't have his own!

BTW~ A thought hit me this morning that made me VERY excited...I started getting Christmas $$$ from a new "source" last year...I may be able to order an even bigger and better SerendipiD~ bag than I had originally planned on!!!

 

[LadyBeBop]

Subbing.

Earlier you said that you have only been sewing for a couple of years? Learning to use a sewing machine is on my bucket list. I've tried several times. The last time was 20 years ago. And the only thing I accomplished was getting my auto insurance terminated.

One night, after sewing class I accidentally backed into my instructor's car.

I really want to learn to use a sewing machine. Right now, I don't have one. I think I gave it to Goodwill soon after the last sewing disaster. Right now, Crafty is offering a course on how to use a sewing machine. I might just take it. From there, who knows?

I crochet, and I've won blue ribbons for my crocheting. But it takes weeks, or even months, to crochet an article of clothing or a stuffed animal. I've been working on the same Giant Mickey Mouse doll since the beginning of the year. Hoping to get it done by Christmas. It's going to be close.

It is also a great idea to combine Washington DC with a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia. It is about a 5 hour drive to Williamsburg. A lot of people will come and spend 4 days in DC and 3 days in Williamsburg.

About five years ago, DH and I along with my Dinlaws spent a week in Williamsburg, and took a day trip to DC. I think it only took about 3 hours from Williamsburg to DC. I really want to spend more time in DC. Maybe after Disney, DH and I may go up there for a week. But that won't be until 2014 at the earliest.

Oh, and I love South Dakota. Of course, you'll visit Mount Rushmore. But take some time out and visit Wall Drug Store. And the Corn Palace.

 

[chipdale74]

I think it's great to take a girls only trip. I cannot wait to take one with my DD who is only four. My DH said he wants to go for her first trip but after that I can take her alone. I cannot wait for mommy and Maddie time in Disney. We may never come home