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

[mblc14]

Slowly getting back to reading some DisBoards again...I'm enjoying all the DVC talk going on, I'd love to buy somehow someday, just not now and trying to determine where to stay if we go in June.....decisions decisions. Rent again, stay off property with friends, or try a Mod??

Glad to hear that it looks like you're going in October. Would love to go in the Fall sometime, the parks look awesome. Good luck with all your bags that are starting to get fired up!! So excited that I was able to get on the March waiting list!!

 

[sewmess]

Whoo. . .and I thought missing two days was bad...try a week!!

Stitch looks great & I like the lining.

Glad to hear MM's back to his happy, nonlimpy self.

October is a great time to do Disney. We usually go between September and October because of my job schedule, but after our first MNSSHP, we've made a point to go in the fall.

For those who go the lanyard route for their cards et al, that wallet is perfect.

Anniversary trips are good too. of course, the next anniversary trip DH and I are planning on taking is our tenth, in 2 years. To WDW.

 

[ladylyons]

Welcome home!! Glad you made it home safe!

 

[DMGeurts]

I'm HERE!!!!
How I missed this on your siggy i'll never know.. Probably you didn't type it slow enough for me?!?

OK going back and reading all 40 pages!!

Hey Mo!!! Glad you made it over here. Yah - I have issues typing s.l.o.w.

Soooo... Did you make it through all 40 pages?

Have a great weekend! Hope you accomplish everything

Thanks!! It was a lot of fun!

I have been ordering poly vinyl mailing envelopes from Etsy. I found a few sellers from Korea that sell them in hot pink, purple and orange. They are so fun!

Have a fun weekend! I hope you find lots of stuff you love.

I was thinking of ordering the Tyvek type envelopes... Uline has a distribution center on DH's route home from work, so it would save me a ton on shipping since I can do order pick up. I just need to get off my rear and place the order. I am not sure why I am waiting, because right now, I pay $2+ per envelope... These are 75¢ each and saves me the inconvenience of a trip to town. Yah - I need to get this done.

Unfortunately, I didn't find anything I loved. I am more of a modern decorator, and everything there was country/primitive... So, I got sucked in by all the food sample stands, and I purchased a ton of snacks to bring home.

Slowly getting back to reading some DisBoards again...I'm enjoying all the DVC talk going on, I'd love to buy somehow someday, just not now and trying to determine where to stay if we go in June.....decisions decisions. Rent again, stay off property with friends, or try a Mod??

Yay!! Glad to have you back Mike! I know, I agree about DVC - I still hope to buy one day... Once the girls go off on their own and we have tons of disposible income.

Did you enjoy renting? I am just concerned that something will happen and I'll be out all that $$. I think, for the time being, we are better off taking advantage of FD and staying at a Mod... The girls love FQ anyways.

Glad to hear that it looks like you're going in October. Would love to go in the Fall sometime, the parks look awesome. Good luck with all your bags that are starting to get fired up!! So excited that I was able to get on the March waiting list!!

We love WDW in the fall, and are super excited to be able to go again. I just wish we could do a longer trip in the fall, I always feel like a week is too short to get everything done, so we are running around like maniacs trying to do it all and see it all... then we come home exhausted and the girls have to go right back into school - that is the part I am struggling with the most. If we go over spring break, they get a week to recouperate after we get home. I am still really struggling with it.

Super excited for you to have LG on my waiting list! That is one lucky little girl you have there!

Whoo. . .and I thought missing two days was bad...try a week!!

LOL - I can't even imagine!

Stitch looks great & I like the lining.

Thank you!

Glad to hear MM's back to his happy, nonlimpy self.

Yes, me too - we were so worried!

October is a great time to do Disney. We usually go between September and October because of my job schedule, but after our first MNSSHP, we've made a point to go in the fall.

I know, I LOVE MNSSHP! It is just the best... My favorite is the parade.

For those who go the lanyard route for their cards et al, that wallet is perfect.

I agree - There are times when I just carry my wallet on the lanyard, because it works so perfectly.

Anniversary trips are good too. of course, the next anniversary trip DH and I are planning on taking is our tenth, in 2 years. To WDW.

I wish I could talk DH into WDW for our anniversary... But he drew the line. The closest I can get is a DCL cruise, and even then, we really can't book it for several more weeks - which is really cutting it close, IMO.

Welcome home!! Glad you made it home safe!

Thanks Sandra! Me too!

I had a great weekend at Cranfest 2012! I won't give you all the play by play... but we had an amazing lodge - I was very overwhelmed by how many lodges there were... When we booked, we were under the impression that there were 5 or 6... Oh no... There were over 800 lodges! It was insane! We needed a map to find ours, because they all look the same, and even then, because we got there in the dark - it took us several tries to get to ours.

Here's a few pictures of the lodges, and some of the scenery:

It was beautiful though... We had a 2 bedroom with a kitchen/dining/livingroom. And we had a lot of fun!

Livingroom area: This was taken after our first day at Cranfest... Um - 9.5 hours of non-stop walking (I compared it to a full day at MK) - we were all so tired that we had to put our feet up.

Diningroom area:

Then, this is the main lodge with the pool... It was very nice, but we didn't end up using it... Next year we plan to. Here's the link to better pictures on their website: http://**********bearslodgewarrens.com/

Then, somehow we were locked out of our room... So, little Karen had to climb through the window... I didn't have my phone ready for photo taking - so all I got were the "after" pictures...

And then, here's all of us (except Sarah - she was taking the photo), enjoying our Cranberry Jubilee (cranberries and icecream) at Cranfest our first morning. L to R: Nancy, Linda, Karen and D~

The gorgeous fall leaves on the way home... It was just so pretty!

Thanks for letting me share about my weekend (not that you had any choice... )

Today I am working on my next bag. Josh got my cold - so he is upstairs in bed (today is his regular day off) - poor guy is just miserable.

I hope you all have a wonderful day today.

D~

 

[mommy2mrb]

looks like a fun weekend! love the fall color on the trees! the lodges look very nice!

 

[solana131]

That place looks beautiful! I'll have to check into that if I ever have a vacation that isn't to my parent's or Disney! Looks like something both Bill and Bradey would love.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Looks like an awesome weekend! The foliage is gorgeous!!! Our leaves are just now starting to turn.

 

[cogero]

It looks like you had a nice time.

I love fall leaves but totally hate that it means winter is coming

 

[babynala]

Sounds like a great weekend. The lodge looks really nice and so does the main building. Hope you get to enjoy it more on your next trip.

So, your girls get 2 weeks off at spring break????

How is Max doing these days?

 

[dianemom2]

That looks like a great girls' weekend. The lodge looks like lots of fun! And the ice cream with cranberries looks yummy!!!!

 

[miprender]

WOW what an awesome place. That indoor pool area looks amazing, but I can't imagine having 800 cabins

 

[KatMark]

D, I finally found you! I obviously have a lot of catching up to do and will do so as soon as I can.

 

[DMGeurts]

looks like a fun weekend! love the fall color on the trees! the lodges look very nice!

It was a great weekend. I wish I would have found something awesome for my sewing room though.

That place looks beautiful! I'll have to check into that if I ever have a vacation that isn't to my parent's or Disney! Looks like something both Bill and Bradey would love.

Yes!!! I'd totally meet up with you!

Looks like an awesome weekend! The foliage is gorgeous!!! Our leaves are just now starting to turn.

Yah - ours are just starting to turn as well. It was beautiful out there, and the weather was perfect for craft-fairing.

It looks like you had a nice time.

I love fall leaves but totally hate that it means winter is coming

I agree - I HATE winter!

Sounds like a great weekend. The lodge looks really nice and so does the main building. Hope you get to enjoy it more on your next trip.

So, your girls get 2 weeks off at spring break????

How is Max doing these days?

This coming spring, they are off March 7-17... I'd be willing to let them miss a bit of school, so the earliest we could go would be the 2nd (Saturday)... We really liked that 9 day trip last time, but said that if we did it that long again, we'd take 2 days off. But if we do our 7 day trip in the fall - we'd go down on Saturday and come home the following Saturday, so they'd only get one day to recoup after our trip instead of 5. I just don't know what to do?

Max is doing well - he is back to his normal annoying 7 y/o self.

How is Curtis doing?

That looks like a great girls' weekend. The lodge looks like lots of fun! And the ice cream with cranberries looks yummy!!!!

It was a lot of fun and everything was so yummy. It's unfortunate that not only did I have to sample everything - but it was so good, I had to bring some home too... Popcorn... Tortilla chips... Mustard... Bloody Mary mix... Salsa... Dip mixes... I would have saved a lot of $$ if I would have just stayed home.

WOW what an awesome place. That indoor pool area looks amazing, but I can't imagine having 800 cabins

Yah - it was very overwhelming... But we did have fun.

I worked in my sewing room all day yesterday. I managed to get my newest bag totally cut out & quilted. I also worked on some of the appliques for my Super Secret Project - since i had them sitting right there and ready to go. Today, I will be working on my applique for my bag, I hope to start and finish it, and get some of the assembly done. I really doubt that will happen, because I have to finish by 12:30 so I can take my lunch, shower and be at my hair appt. at 2.

Josh is still sick. He went back to bed yesterday morning after the girls went to school, and he didn't wake until 4:30pm! All he has is a head cold - I am amazed at how much pain he can tolerate when his back or neck is bothering him - but head colds just knock him out. He is up and moving around this morning, so hopefully he is over the worst of it.

I am going to try and sneak in a little bit of a Charlotte TR this morning... I have just been so busy, that it's been off my radar lately.

I hope you all have a marvelous day today!

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

D, I finally found you! I obviously have a lot of catching up to do and will do so as soon as I can.

Hi Kathy!!! It's great to have you here! Sorry about all the catching up - I won't be the least bit offended if you just pull up a chair and start here, I promise, you won't be missing much, except my ramblings, because there hasn't been any trip planning done... Lots of DVC info about 10 pages back though... If that interests you? Anyways - WELCOME!

D~

 

[DiznyDi]

Had out-of-state company and got a little behind. I'm slowly getting caught up.
I hope your girls are doing well in school. Poor Max! Our 4-footed family members leave paw prints on our hearts. I hope he continues to heal. Your girls week-end looks wonderful! Ohio is cold and rainy. I could really use some clear skies and warm sun. On the plus side - our leaves are changing also. So beautiful watching the warm fall colors change the landscape.

Your ice cream with cranberries looks intriguing. Were the cranberries fresh? Dried? Hmm may have to try that one day. Last years F&W festival had the cranberry bog - so interesting!

Can't wait to see your next bag! Ahh the suspense.......

 

[DMGeurts]

This was the BIG day!!! Our huge Dismeet in Charlotte, I was super excited to meet some of the best seamstresses that have inspired me and taught me so much.

Let me start off with pictures of all our coordinating shirts... Beth designed it and Marianne helped her work out the kinks - they turned out so cute! Almost everyone made their own - using whatever thread colors they wanted... This is Nicole's:

Marianne and I left her house to go meet Liz (Babynala), Beth (Blyssfull) - and Kristen (mkwj) at Starbucks. We all caravanned to our first meeting place of the day... Charlie Rector's - Long Creek Mills - Thread Shop... This place was amazing!!!

Mr. Charlie has been winding spools of thread on these vintage thread winders for 60+ years. He took all of us into the back room, and proudly showed us all of his machines, and how they worked. He also told us, if properly oiled and maintained (which he has done), these machines will last another 100 years (sound like anyone else you know? LOL) I see a "hidden Katie"...

Ms. Linda took little Finn 'out back' to see their cotton plants... It was so sweet of her - they all seemed so genuinely excited that we were there.

Mr. Charlie even took the time to show us how he winds the bobbins on this machine...

Look at how well behaved Phalen and Finn are! (I stole this picture from Marianne...) Another hidden Katie...

And look at these millions of spools of thread that Mr. Charlie has single-handedly wound himself... This is just one row of - - 5 or 6 rows just like it, maybe more?

They had a map hanging up in the front of their store - a few of us put pins into our home... Me - trying to figure out how I am going to put my pin in - it was waaaaay up there.

I was super excited to do this - as you can see... Sometimes, I am just the biggest dork.

And a picture of me - taking pictures of Jessica placing her pin.

Then, Mr. Charlie was kind enough to come out of the back and pose for pictures with all of us...

Mr. Charlie and Beth chatting it up...

Mr. Charlie with the entire group - I know I am totally going to mess this up - L to R: Marianne (Mphalens), Jill (not sure of her Disname), Nicole (mommyof2princesses), Kristen (mkwj), Jennifer (DisneyTeacher01), Liz (Babynala), Mr. Charlie, Jessica (Can't remember her Disname either), Tammy (Disname?), D~ (Dmgeurts), Kim (The Moonk's Mom), and Beth (Blyssfull).

Here's Marianne's picture - it's much better than mine...

As we were leaving, Mr. Charlie came out to bid us Good-bye...

Marianne snuck in a picture of all of us by all the cars as we were leaving (hidden Katie)...

And, me taking a photo of Marianne, taking a photo of us...

I also wanted to take a moment to recognize Miss Katie (Kim's oldest dd) - she became our "Photopass photographer" all day, there were several moments through out the day, that Katie had 15+ cameras strung on her arm... and if it wasn't for her, we would have none of these awesome group pictures... So, Katie - if you are reading this... THANK YOU!!!! And if you look closely, you can see one of the rare photos I have of Katie... She is in about the center of the picture with the cars lined up - wearing a pink tank top... I am going to have to start looking for "hidden Katie" now.

Up next, the "famous" Mary Jo's Cloth Shop.

D~

 

[babynala]

GREAT UPDATE. I had such a great day, meeting and spending time with everyone. Katie was very good about taking pictures with lots of cameras and phones. All the kids were so well behaved too.

Curtis is all better and back to being his energetic 7 year old self, sounds familiar.... That flu really did wipe him out and the dehydration and not eating put him out. We followed up with the doctor on Thursday and she said it has been a long time since one of her patients had to go to he hospital for the flu but she was glad we took him in because he blood test results indicated that he needed to be.

 

[DMGeurts]

Another thought crossed my mind... What if we went in June?

We could leave the girls' last day of school, and stay forever.... We wouldn't have to worry about cutting our trip short because of school, and the girls would have 10 weeks to recouperate before going back to school.

Annnnd, my birthday is in June...

Any thoughts on June? Weather? Crowds? Experiences?

D~ <--- who is a bit concerned that she will belong to every month of FB groups for 2013 because she can't make up her mind.

 

[solana131]

D~ <--- who is a bit concerned that she will belong to every month of FB groups for 2013 because she can't make up her mind.

Too funny! July was super duper hot and crowded, and I'm sure June isn't that much cooler, but probably a little less crowded. And one thing to think about....yes it is hot, but when it is hot at home too you really don't notice it as much. It's bad when you go from northern winter to hot hot FL, but when it's summer up here it's really not that different. I would never bring hubby in the summer, but once Bradey gets older, I would do it again I think.

But I'm a little sad because I was just going to tell you that we have changed our plans and now are thinking Oct too Well, maybe next time we will meet up.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Another thought crossed my mind... What if we went in June?

Any thoughts on June?

D~ <--- who is a bit concerned that she will belong to every month of FB groups for 2013 because she can't make up her mind.

But I'm a little sad because I was just going to tell you that we have changed our plans and now are thinking Oct too Well, maybe next time we will meet up.

NO! You simply can't! See, now we can have a Dismeet with you, us and Suzi...PLEASE stick with October!