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

[EEs*Mommy]

Glad that she had an uneventful day at school. Boo on the teachers that did not get her work for her! I think in your case I would consider the same (changing dates )
Congrats on becoming an LLC!

 

[nowellsl]

I have to say, I don't blame you for reconsidering your dates for next year! It's not worth it for A to miss school if it is going to cause problems for her when she gets back! We had to change our trips drastically when DD was in middle and high school. During college and even now that she works full time it's almost impossible. Lucky for us we can do lots of 2 or 3 day trips since we live close!

 

[solana131]

Sorry I've missed a few days D...been a busy few days around here. Love the Crazy Days bags. I know every single one of them will have very happy owners

And the Lady & Tramp bag is fantastic! The stripe fabric is so pretty, and I too love how the applique just pops on this one.

Congrats on the LLC Very exciting move forward for you!

And as I said on FB, don't worry if you have to move dates around. Only you know what is best for your family. I have some pretty major things going on right now, and DH & I have been having lots of talks lately. It is not certain that we will even be going at all in 2013. Or we may have lots of money and be able to take a couple trips. Won't know much until spring time....

My vote for the extra bag (if it's not too late) is for a more general one...not a character. Like the castle bag, or my balloon bag....maybe one with Spaceship Earth, or the Tree, or something that incorporates all 4 parks. Daisy is a pretty darn good idea too! She would be fun to do too because the interior fabric would be so fun!

Oh and I'm so glad A's transition back into school has been going okay. I've been thinking of you and her alot lately!

 

[Terkina]

I would love to see a bag with Eeyore on it ♥

 

[KatMark]

i would love to see a bag with eeyore on it ♥

ditto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Restrasz]

I let my daughter miss a week of high school both her freshman year and her senior year. We let all of her teachers know very early. She graduated salutatorian of her class. She worked hard before we left and had to do catch up after both trips. I firmly believe that that special time with her family and the many things she learned made it all worth while. She had very busy weekends on our return getting her school work in order but,she talks of those trips often! Our children grow up so fast we have to enjoy every minute. Whatever you decide to do will be best for you.

 

[ladylyons]

Glad to hear that Allie's first day back went good and that things are going back to normal.

Only you know what's best for you and your family in regards to your trip. Maybe if your able to give even more advance notice the girls could get a big headstart on the work they need to do. Playing catch up is never any fun.

 

[cajunfan]

My boarder says now that Disney owns Lucas Films, you need to make a messenger bag with Darth Vader on it! (or YODA or a Storm Trooper or R2D2...!) Oh and he says that is yo make a Princess Leia bag, the wallett could be shaped like her hair buns....things to think about for your December Auctions...

Lynn

 

[nannye]

Keep in mind some of the teachers may be a little easier in the homework department if it is advanced notice, also with the girls having good grades and good work thus far. as a teacher I know I would. School is important but so is quality family time.

What about a Peter pan bag for your auction.

 

[mommy2mrb]

happy alli had a good first day back...bummer about not getting all her homework, but sure she'll be caught up soon.....as you know I'm not against taking Megan out of school for trip, have done it plently of times, but already know high school will be so much harder to keep up so unless it is absolutely necessary I won't take her out, you and Josh will figure out what works best for her and your family!

the lady & tramp bag is adorable! congrats on getting your LLC, perks you can write off some of your household bills, etc = the percentage of your sewing room compared to your house

 

[NiniMorris]

Seriously...can you please make an ugly bag!!!

I keep having to close the computer when Miss B comes in the room! And she does not like bags....

Hmmm...we are trying to work on an August trip for next year...the Grand Princess will turn 6...a long weekend from the 23 to 26...



Nini

 

[DMGeurts]

Looks even better being modeled!!

Glad Alli had a "normal" day back at school. What a bummer that she still has so much work to make up. Schools should really schedule "Disney Breaks" - a random week off in the school year not tied to any holiday so people can go on vacation without big crowds and high prices.

We will probably reschedule our Universal trip because my DH decided to insulate our attic and I know he will not have everything done before Thanksgiving. We are having lots of visitors this year who will be staying with us for Thanksgiving so we need to put the house back together and then I need to clean. Oh fun!!!

Congrats on becoming a LLC.

THanks Liz. That's a bummer about your Universal trip... HOpefully it will get put back together on time, and you can still go.

I just don't know what to do about our trip.

I'm glad the atmosphere at school was better for Alli. It's too bad about the additional work and being behind even after all the hard work she did while at home. I don't blame you for starting to re-think your trip. It's a tough decision.

No, I don't have a picture of my L & T skirt. My Mom probably does, but it would be black and white. I'll see if I can dig one up. That would be a hoot!

Congrats on the LLC! You've hit the big time!

Thanks... Not sure about the "big time"... I just feel more protected - that's all.

I would love to see a photo, if you can find one.

So sorry about the extra work Alli has to do now.

I love your lady and the tramp bag. Congrats on becoming an LLC.

Thanks Chiara.

So glad that things went well for Ali at school yesterday; but on the extra work!

Thanks Kathy... Yah - all the extra work is really frustrating.

Love all your bags you are making for your Crazy Days

I am so happy to hear that Allie went back to school and your community can get back to some form of normalcy.


Congrats on becoming a LLC I am an accountant by profession though not a Tax Expert and always do my taxes. We have rental property and I have always had great luck with Turbo Tax. And I know you can also use it if you are an LLC so you will have be able to do your own.

Thanks Michelle.

That's good to know about the taxes. I am really not too worried about it. I know, for a fact, that I did not make any $$ this year - it may look that way, but once it goes on paper - I think I will be surprised at how little I actually did make.

OK lady and the tramp IS my FAVORITE!!!! SO adorable! blah on the work the poor kid. How much more stress can these kids handle!!!
OK going back into hiding...

THanks Mo! Please don't hide - come out and play.

joining in again. I haven't noticed this tread before now :embarrassed:
Anyway now I'm here and I'm looking forward to follow you again D~

I was wondering where you went! It's great to have you back!

Glad that she had an uneventful day at school. Boo on the teachers that did not get her work for her! I think in your case I would consider the same (changing dates )
Congrats on becoming an LLC!

Thanks Callie... I know - it's so frustrating. And in my experience, it seems like the teachers pack on the work even more if they know you are going on vacation. And they are a lot less lenient on when the assignments are turned it.

I have to say, I don't blame you for reconsidering your dates for next year! It's not worth it for A to miss school if it is going to cause problems for her when she gets back! We had to change our trips drastically when DD was in middle and high school. During college and even now that she works full time it's almost impossible. Lucky for us we can do lots of 2 or 3 day trips since we live close!

I hate to have to change our trip around - but the end of Aug, crowd wise isn't too bad - however - weather wise... UGH. How bad can it really be in FL in Aug? It's gotta be close to the same as MN in Aug - because of the humidity...

Sorry I've missed a few days D...been a busy few days around here. Love the Crazy Days bags. I know every single one of them will have very happy owners

And the Lady & Tramp bag is fantastic! The stripe fabric is so pretty, and I too love how the applique just pops on this one.

Congrats on the LLC Very exciting move forward for you!

And as I said on FB, don't worry if you have to move dates around. Only you know what is best for your family. I have some pretty major things going on right now, and DH & I have been having lots of talks lately. It is not certain that we will even be going at all in 2013. Or we may have lots of money and be able to take a couple trips. Won't know much until spring time....

My vote for the extra bag (if it's not too late) is for a more general one...not a character. Like the castle bag, or my balloon bag....maybe one with Spaceship Earth, or the Tree, or something that incorporates all 4 parks. Daisy is a pretty darn good idea too! She would be fun to do too because the interior fabric would be so fun!

Oh and I'm so glad A's transition back into school has been going okay. I've been thinking of you and her alot lately!

Thanks Suzi.

Hmmm.... Your talks with DH sound very interesting... Hopefully it means more trips and not less.

Thanks for the bag ideas too...

And thanks for thinking about us... It's been a rough few weeks here - but hopefully everything is back to normal now.

I would love to see a bag with Eeyore on it ♥

ditto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I let my daughter miss a week of high school both her freshman year and her senior year. We let all of her teachers know very early. She graduated salutatorian of her class. She worked hard before we left and had to do catch up after both trips. I firmly believe that that special time with her family and the many things she learned made it all worth while. She had very busy weekends on our return getting her school work in order but,she talks of those trips often! Our children grow up so fast we have to enjoy every minute. Whatever you decide to do will be best for you.

I agree Ruth. I guess my issue with our Oct trip, is that I will be pulling them directly from class (probably in the middle of a school day) and going straight to the airport. When we arrive home, they go back to school the next day - I just don't think that will be very beneficial to anyone, and I know the girls will be so tired. Hopefully my brain can figure it out soon.

Glad to hear that Allie's first day back went good and that things are going back to normal.

Only you know what's best for you and your family in regards to your trip. Maybe if your able to give even more advance notice the girls could get a big headstart on the work they need to do. Playing catch up is never any fun.

Thanks Sandra... Well, we tried the advance notice when we went to The Netherlands... I started notifying their teachers 6 weeks out... It was a total nightmare and like pulling teeth to get all of their work. At the end - I finally had to tell a few of their teachers that they would have to grade their final grades for that year - not including those assignments - because the teachers didn't give them time to do those assignments... And they had so much notice. It was really bad. So, I just have this fear that this will happen to them again.

My boarder says now that Disney owns Lucas Films, you need to make a messenger bag with Darth Vader on it! (or YODA or a Storm Trooper or R2D2...!) Oh and he says that is yo make a Princess Leia bag, the wallett could be shaped like her hair buns....things to think about for your December Auctions...

Lynn

LOL Lynn... Maybe... That's a pretty good idea actually.

Keep in mind some of the teachers may be a little easier in the homework department if it is advanced notice, also with the girls having good grades and good work thus far. as a teacher I know I would. School is important but so is quality family time.

What about a Peter pan bag for your auction.

Well, I hope so... I am just not sure? It seems, around here anyways, that kids get punish for not being in school for vacations. It's very frustrating - they don't have an issue with them going - but there is no leniency in the homework dept either. Very frustrating.

happy alli had a good first day back...bummer about not getting all her homework, but sure she'll be caught up soon.....as you know I'm not against taking Megan out of school for trip, have done it plently of times, but already know high school will be so much harder to keep up so unless it is absolutely necessary I won't take her out, you and Josh will figure out what works best for her and your family!

the lady & tramp bag is adorable! congrats on getting your LLC, perks you can write off some of your household bills, etc = the percentage of your sewing room compared to your house

Thanks Lisa... I feel the same way... I just don't want the girls to be so overwhelmed at the beginning of the year - especially V.

Seriously...can you please make an ugly bag!!!

I keep having to close the computer when Miss B comes in the room! And she does not like bags....

Hmmm...we are trying to work on an August trip for next year...the Grand Princess will turn 6...a long weekend from the 23 to 26...

LOL Nini... Hmmmm.... A long weekend in Aug - eh?

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

Well, I had kind of a rough day yesterday... This is not something that I am usually very public about... But the local elections were very personal for me, considering that my City Council seat was up for re-election and I was running. I've held the seat through 2 elections. It's been a rough year for our small community... During a mandatory adoption of a new City Code book, our long time City Clerk resigned, and during the process of hiring a new one, our Mayor resigned, then our Treasurer resigned. We had this huge turn over, but through it all, we trudged along and ended up with a fantastic Mayor, and a strong Council in the process. There were many things that were discovered during all of this, big errors from past Councils, and 10 years of Treaurer's records that had to be completely recreated (at a huge expense to the City), because of the errors and missing info - and just general neglect of "tabling everything until the next meeting" and never making any decisions... In the end, it has left the current Council in a spot were we have A LOT of major expenses - and being a small town - not a lot of $$ to take care of them. Fast forward to 2 nights ago... Select townspeople received a letter on their doors, asking people to write in "long time residents"... The very same long time residents who put our city in the prediciment it's in now - the former Council and Treasurer. These are people who have been to only 1 meeting in the 4 years I've been holding my seat, and complaining about our way of handling the town's problems from their bar stools... Literally.

Well... They all won... Each and every one of them. I told myself, that if they did win, I would graciously accept it... But I am very sad. We were just finally getting a handle on all of our town's issues and finally getting to a spot where we were resolving them - and not just temporary solutions either (as had been done in the past - if anything at all).

On the plus side - our Mayor did get re-elected, and she is a strong Mayor... So, I pray, for our town's sake that she is able to stick to her guns and continue on. I also hope that these people realize that this town can't run they way they ran it before - legally - the new City Codes won't allow it.

So, I, and the other Council Members, will be sitting on the other side of the bench now - making sure that our voices as citizens are heard. But honestly - I just want to be sick, because these people have no idea what they are doing, and that inability to run the town is how all this happened in the first place.

But - whatever - I am over it.... I will finish up my term and move on, knowing I did the very best I could.

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

Nothing else exciting is happening...

I got my hair cut yesterday. I love my new stylist.

I worked on my applique for a little while - but with all my errands I had to do yesterday, I didn't get as far on it as I would have liked.

I work at Target today... So, I won't get in my sewing room at all.

But tomorrow, I will be back at it hard core.

I hope you all have a wonderful day today.

D~

 

[disneychic2]

What a disappointment about the city council! I don't know what people base their decisions on when voting. I really don't! I'm sorry you and the rest of the council were voted out. I know you would do the right thing and make the right decisions. It has to be so frustrating to have to leave with the job well started, but not finished. I know you'll keep your eye on things and if those people who have been voted in have any sense at all, they'll be asking you and the other outgoing council members for advise! (fat chance I know!)

Hope you have a great day at Target and that all the people you come into contact with are happy and friendly!

 

[DMGeurts]

So... I have done the breakdown...

We don't have a lot of options available to us for trip dates...

We have the entire summer...

Or we have October...

The benefits to a summer trip - most importantly, the girls won't miss school. We can go as along as we want to, and not have to worry about missing out on anything. This is huge - and possibly a deal breaker. The days I am looking at are low crowd days - lower than October. There are a couple of people thinking of taking a trip during this time that I would love to meet.

The drawbacks to a summer trip - it's HOT! I have several Dismeets planned for October, and I wouldn't get to meet any of these people I have wanted to meet for a long time - this makes me sad.

The benefits to an October trip - Dismeets! MNSSHP! Cooler weather (hopefully, but not likely)

The drawbacks to an October trip - The girls missing, potentially, 4 days of school at the beginning of the school year. No flexibility in our trip dates at all. Must travel during Columbus Day weekend - and be in WDW for that event = higher crowds.

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

Now, I have worked out both trips financially - you all are going to LOVE this...

August trip, staying at Shades of Green... Dates August 19-29

SoG (with 40% off discount) = $738
Town Car = $125
Tickets (Stars and Stripes pass) = $1098
Food = $2000 - 10% - 5% = $1710

Total = $3671

Now... There is the potential option (maybe Nini can help me with this?)

The military tickets are being offered right now... I know, from reading here, that I can activate them back to back... However - being that Josh isn't with me, how many tickets can I get and activate? I think I am limited to 5 aren't I? And I would need 6. I would love some validation on this.

OK - same trip... FQ, Aug 19-29, DDP, 10 day MMW base tickets and ME =

$4757 -10% -5% = $4067 + tips

SoG is a savings of approx $600. Is it worth it? I know I've been struggling with this for a while.

OK - on with October... 11-20th... No military discounts offered on rooms or tickets at this time frame.

SoG = $1089
Tickets = $1098
Food = $1710
Town Car = $125

Total = $4022

Same trip booked with Disney at FQ, DDP, 9 day MMW base tickets, ME =

$4521 -10% -5% = $3865

So, in the case of our October trip - it would be cheaper to stay on Disney property.

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

Why do I have to struggle with this so badly?

I know - everyone says to do what I need to do, and I will make the right decision...

But I just don't know what decision is the "right decision"...

Why does high school have to be so difficult?

I really want to go to Disney with out the added stress of worrying about the girls having to catch up when we get home - and potentially not being able to.

D~

 

[nowellsl]

I really want to go to Disney with out the added stress of worrying about the girls having to catch up when we get home - and potentially not being able to.

D~

How do the girls feel about it?

 

[mommy2mrb]

sorry about the elections, dirty politics is never good...my mom's city is running into the ground because of it! good luck and keep voicing your say!

good luck with the trip decision...I could never go in the summer, you and the girls will figure it out...just step back for a couple days and then revisit it!

 

[Pluto0809]

As I work for County government, I feel your pain with the elections. They are always an anxious time for the employees. There was one Commissioner elected this time that I'm worried about. I'm hoping he doesn't turn out as incompetent as he looks on paper. At least it's only one.

As it looks like my October trip is tenitively back on, I hope you guys come then! But of course you have to do what is best for your girls.

 

[DMGeurts]

How do the girls feel about it?

Well... They both want to go in October - for sure.

They both want to stay at FQ - for sure.

Neither of them want to stay at SoG - for sure.

They don't care about school work - for sure.

sorry about the elections, dirty politics is never good...my mom's city is running into the ground because of it! good luck and keep voicing your say!

good luck with the trip decision...I could never go in the summer, you and the girls will figure it out...just step back for a couple days and then revisit it!

Yes, I am afraid for our town, as well. Hopefully our current Council can get a few things wrapped up before the new Council takes over - like the budget. The only thing we have going for us, is that we completely redid the City Code book, and because of that - there is no way they can go back to the old Codes (which is what they want to do) - legally, they just can't. I have to take comfort in this, and the fact that because a portion of this was a special election - 2 of the seats are up for re-election in 2 years... I will run again and until then - we will all be at every meeting, making sure they are holding up their portion of the Oath.

As I work for County government, I feel your pain with the elections. They are always an anxious time for the employees. There was one Commissioner elected this time that I'm worried about. I'm hoping he doesn't turn out as incompetent as he looks on paper. At least it's only one.

As it looks like my October trip is tenitively back on, I hope you guys come then! But of course you have to do what is best for your girls.

Thank you... that means a lot that you understand. I guess, if I could even tell you half of the story - you'd be shocked beyond belief... I just pray our town survives this fiasco.

I have no idea when we are going to get to WDW... but we will get there. LOL

D~

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Well... They both want to go in October - for sure.

They both want to stay at FQ - for sure.

Neither of them want to stay at SoG - for sure.

They don't care about school work - for sure.
D~

This made my day!!!!

 

[nowellsl]

Well... They both want to go in October - for sure.

They both want to stay at FQ - for sure.

Neither of them want to stay at SoG - for sure.

They don't care about school work - for sure.

Well that doesn't help with your decision does it