~Aug 2013~ Sew what~We've gotta find a way back-Part II- TR link posted - 8/31

[cogero]

Ahem...

Important anouncement...

PAID IN FULL!!!

Disney's Port Orleans
Resort - French Quarter
Check In: August 20, 2013
Check Out: August 29, 2013
Number of Adults: 1
Number of Children: 2 (age: 15, 14)Guest Information
Guest Names
Mrs. D G
Miss A G (age 15)
Miss V G (age 14)
Price & Payment
Vacation Package: $xxxx
Insurance: $xxxx
Grand Total: $xxxx
Deposit (USD) Paid: -$xxxx (Last payment made on June 27, 2013
with )
Balance (USD) Due: $0.00 (Balance Due: July 06, 2013)
Accommodations
Disney's Port Orleans Resort -
French Quarter
Downtown Disney Resort Area
2201 Orleans Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Check In: August 20, 2013
Check Out: August 29, 2013
Length of Stay: 10 days, 9 nights
Disney Resort Hotel Category: Moderate Resorts
Disney Resort Hotel Room Type: Garden View
Flight Transportation
None Selected
Ground Transportation
Disney's Magical Express Complimentary Airport Service
(booked January 8, 2013)

D~

That is awesome congrats.

 

[ladylyons]

Yeah!! For being paid in full!!! Such a great feeling!!

 

[DMGeurts]

This is probably my favorite of your "vintage" photos so far. (And no it isn't because you took the fanny pack/water bottle off) I like it because it's not your typical "in front of the castle" photo. I like that you are sitting down and have the girls on your laps....so cute...and what special memories!

I am pretty certain that we are sitting down because we needed a rest. LOL I just wish it was a clearer photo.

Just had to chime in to say that Crush and Squirt arrived yesterday! I am so in love with the bag and wallet! As always they are sooo much better in person that in pictures. And that's saying a lot because they are awesome in the photos! One thing that stands out in person is how gorgeous Crush's green eyes are. I can't wait to use the bag.

D~ - thanks again for making such beautful bags. Hope you have a very productive day in your sewing room.

Awesome Ariana! So happy you like them - that is a such a cool set... No one ever does Crush that big or on his back.

I am tired reading everything you did.


Our items arrived yesterday and we are totally in love, Thank you.

Chiara... You often do way more than I do. LOL

So glad you like everything!

for being paid off!!

Yes - I am soooo excited!

I'm bummed - my lanyard did not arrive yesterday. It will more than likely be in the mailbox when I get home today. I started ripping off the lace on the dresses and opening seams. Not exactly sure just how I'm going to fix these dresses yet, but I keeping running the options through my mind. This is how I finally figure out solutions to things. Hopefully it doesn't take too long!

Sorry it didn't come the other day - I hope it came yesterday... Everything has tracking on it, so let me know if you don't get it today.

Kat update: The PTs had her up and "walking" yesterday morning. The video her dad posted brought tears to my eyes. Then yesterday afternoon she was moved to an acute rehab hospital in Baltimore, where she discovered the food was not nearly as good as at Walter Reed! She goes back to WR in about 2 weeks for the heart procedure. The colon seems to be healing well. Her blood levels are good, so no more transfusions for now. The hospital in Balto. is only about 45 minutes away instead of the 1 1/2 hours that Walter Reed was, so we will be able to visit more often, and her dad and step mom can move back home and out of the camper!

So glad that there is such good progress being made... She is such a strong, strong woman.

Congratulations! Don't you love ZERO balances!!

I do... Now I have to pay for "everything else" LOL!

A zero balance and air tickets always make the trip REAL for me! Next October can be booked on July 10, I can't wait! Then I'll be one with a count down! Have a great trip to the lake and "leave your worries behind". Ruth

Yah - it's the air tickets that do it for me... Once I have those - I know I am GOING, just don't know that I will have anywhere to stay when I get there. Now, I know we are GOING, I know we will have a place to stay when we get there, and I know we will have food to eat... and I am pretty sure we will have park tickets too - soooo close to those.

Love seeing that zero balance!!!

Me too!!!

I really like the True Lemon..Haven't tried the raspberry lemon one but I will if I can find it!
YAY

I seriously need to find these! The sound delicious!

I completely missed the PAID IN FULL post So congratulations! Doesn't it just feel great to have the trip paid for?

Yes, it does - I just feel like it's CRUNCH time in a BIG way, and I have soooo much more to pay off yet!

Love the castle photo!!! You have been soooo busy, you're like the energizer bunny, wow!

And of course, I love your castle bag!! So awesome!

Thanks! Yah - I am trying so hard to get Alli's bag done before we leave, and it's just not looking too promising.

My brother was in town visiting, right after we returned from Disney, so today is the first relaxing day, before I need to get cleaning. I need to go through toys, as we are bursting at the seams. Finally I got my brother to look at Disney stuff for our trip next year, he has been noncommittal. Last year he had a sick MIL, but when we went on our trip, he wished he would've just planned on going. So even though he's noncommittal, I know he wants to go. It will be a different trip, as my mom is also gonna go. We will have to change our pace, but a family trip is needed at least once. I have ppp pics to edit, more sewing to do, and summer is only so long.

I sure hope you can get your brother to commit to a trip, it sounds like it would be a much needed family vacation.

Oh.... yeah for a zero balance!!!!!!

Whoot!

I was a soda person, but I had to break myself. Actually it is a Dr. Pepper addiction, but none to be found in Disney. Last year I drank soda and felt terrible. This year, in an attempt to save money, I drank mostly water (had a few sodas and frozen cokes...yum! ). But this year, felt much better. So I decided, water really worked better for me. And I also detest artificial sweeteners. Now that I'm home, I'm still trying to drink water with meals, so then maybe I only have 1 soda tops per day. I used to drink 2-3, 32oz Dr. Peppers a day (yikes). I also lost 8 pounds, added benefit.

Boy I'm chatty today, have a great day!!!

You know what - I was the exact same way... LOVED soda - but it got to the point that's all I ever drank. Last year, when we were in Disney - I barely remember drinking any water at all - and I just felt awful. It's been months (since maybe Christmas) since I have had a soda... It is very addicting and I know that once I have one, it will be so easy to just drink it all the time. So, I avoid it like the plague.

I hope you had a wonderful day, as well.

Yay! I am going next Oct too. We are "patiently waiting for the priced to be anounced"

Congrats for paying for the trip, how exciting!!!

Thank you! Super excited!

Congrats on a zero balance and being PAID IN FULL!!!

What an awesome feeling!

I am super relieved! And I will had a week before it was due... Couldn't have cut it any closer IMO. LOL

YAYYYYYY!!!!!!

You are always so busy. Honestly I don't know how you do it.

I love the castle photo. We have so few photos with us all in them. Good for you for getting the whole family in the pictures.

Have a wonderful weekend!

I have no idea how I do it either Dee... LOL.

I think we asked some random guy to take the picture? I don't even remember anymore. LOL

I hope you have a wonderful weekend too!

Okay, PAID IN FULL HAPPY DANCE

That last photo is my favorite of all of them so far. You're just such a cute family!!

And you stuck pretty darn close to your budget and got quite a bit of stuff. Good for you!

Awww... Thanks! I like my family too!

Overall - I was happy that I stuck so close to my budget... I wish it would have been cheaper though. <--- Forever a tightwad.

That is awesome congrats.

Thank you!!! SUper excited!

Yeah!! For being paid in full!!! Such a great feeling!!

Yes!!! So happy and so relieved!

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

I worked most of the day in my sewing room yesterday... I logged 12 hours on the main applique on Alli's bag... and so far, I have logged 10 on this one - and I am still not done! I do see the light at the end of the tunnel though... It's close. I bet this one will be right around 12 hours too... HOpefully I don't decide to get any more brainy ideas... This bag is definatly one of my most AMAZING bags ever - and very much Over The Top! I cannot wait to show you all... I was hoping to do that today - but it is looking very doubtful, as I have a very full day... But I am going to do my best.

I have a fruit salad to prepare this afternoon. And a frog eye salad. I also have to dissect the rotissirie chicken... but I think I will make that salad once we get there. As it is - I think I will rope the girls into helping with the fruit prep - that will make it go soooo much faster.

I still have to finish laundry and pack... Hopefully I can get that done quickly, as well.

The girls want to run to town - they both have babysitting checks to cash from this week. I was NOT planning to go to town today at all, but if we don't go today - they will have no spending $$.

And I have a few billing tasks to do today, as well... Both with my business and with the household budget.

I hope to have all these "other tasks" done in under 2 hours (minus the trip to town)... and I hope to spend the rest of the day in my sewing room.

Last night was Victoria's Show Choir concert - it was really nice! You could tell that they all worked hard!

Afterwards, Alli took BFF and I out for icecream. V wanted to ride home with Josh in the Jeep with the top off, so they missed out.

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

Trip news...

Victoria got some unexpected Pixie Dust yesterday... She was cleaning out one of her wallets, and she found a Disney GC with a barely readable receipt wrapped around it... She said "Mom, I think there's $$ left on this?" So, I gave her the website name, so she could look it up... Sure enough - it has a balance of $20.75! She was pretty happy about it.

I told the girls that they have to pay for all of their own souvenier $$ this time around. I suggested $100 to bring with - which shoulnd't be a problem for them, since they are doing sooo much babysitting this summer.

I am looking forward to finishing up Alli's bag, so I can move on to V's bag... we were talking about it last night, and I think we came up with a pretty good idea... I hope. We have changed this bag so many times (sticking with the same theme though)... I need to start making it, so we can stop changing our minds. LOL

Alrighty... I need to get a move on my day... So much to do - so little time!

Here's your photo for today... Awww... the ol' Barnstormer... I am sorry, but the Great Goofini just doesn't do it for me... This was V's first "coaster" and she loved this ride so much.

As a side note... I will be adding photos of my auction bags over the next several days, so I can link to them in my Table of Contents... Please don't feel like you need to like them or anything - I just wanted to have a place that the photos can be viewed.

Have a wonderful day everyone... Continued prayers for all who need them.

D~

 

[Luvchefmic]

YES !!! Paid in Full !! Terrific news Double yes to found GC with over $20......I had some major pixiie Dust today too scored BOG for CHRISTMAS !! Watched that site like a hawk and when I saw an opening I was !!


OK...WHAT is Frog Eye Salad ??? I know you are super busy but HAVE to know

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

OK...WHAT is Frog Eye Salad ??? I know you are super busy but HAVE to know

I am so glad you asked, because I was wondering myself.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

We got our shipment yesterday. All I can say is, "WOW!" I can see how people get addicted to your stuff. Already, I am praying that you will do another auction before our trip. The girls fought over the bugs life bag. I was hoping I could use it. So far, Marissa has claimed the bag. Chelsea has claimed the Dot wallet and matching lanyard and Jacob will use the Toy Story wallet and lanyard. How did I end up with nothing? I now know I also need to try to get on the custom order list when that opens up again. Thanks D~!

 

[Luvchefmic]

I am so glad you asked, because I was wondering myself.

she better answer I am picturing the old hag with Merlin brewing up something

 

[Iamthequeen]

My lanyard did come yesterday!!! Now Charlie has a custom to use too!

Frog Eye Salad:
Prep Time: 35 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Ready In: 55 Minutes

Ingredients:
1 pound dry ziti pasta
1 onion, chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
1 1/2 cups sour cream
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1.Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.
2.In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.
3.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
4.Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

My lanyard did come yesterday!!! Now Charlie has a custom to use too!

Frog Eye Salad:
Prep Time: 35 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Ready In: 55 Minutes

Ingredients:
1 pound dry ziti pasta
1 onion, chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
1 1/2 cups sour cream
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1.Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.
2.In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.
3.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
4.Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.

Now this is confusing me. I googled Frog Eye Salad and all I got were recipes for a fruity pasta salad with pineapple, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, whipped cream and little macaroni pasta type noodles.

Glad your lanyard came yesterday.

 

[DMGeurts]

LOL - sometimes I wonder about you guys... I even gave out all the recipes I was using for all of the salads I am making in yesterday's post - links and all! LOL This time I made the LINK in a bigger font, so you don't miss it.

*Frog Eye salad... Recipe
*Italian Pepperoni salad...Recipe
*Curry Chicken Salad... Recipe
*Fruit Salad... No recipe... Just cut up a bunch of fruit and berries and mix in a bowl - no dressings. Num!

D~

 

[Luvchefmic]

Now this is confusing me. I googled Frog Eye Salad and all I got were recipes for a fruity pasta salad with pineapple, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, whipped cream and little macaroni pasta type noodles.

Glad your lanyard came yesterday.

and where are the "frog eyes" ? boy can we take the least little sentence & run with it and Tess except for the sour cream in my house that was called
"Poor Man's Lasagne" when sausage and lasagne noodles and "real" gravy ingredients couldn't be put in the family budget

sorry D we must have been sleeping ! put on a Frogg Togg & eat Frog eye salad !

 

[DMGeurts]

For those of you who are interested... I just FINALLY finished Alli's other applique... And ifyou are keeping track - it took me 14 hours of stitching... For at total of 26 stitching hours on her bag... YIKES... But it is AMAZING - and I think she will love it! Can't wait to show you all!

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

At the rate I am going... My girls will have amazing bags for our trip - and I will carry my stuff in a paper sack...

D~

 

[Iamthequeen]

Sorry about the recipe. I went back and read it and realized I copied the wrong one. I thought I was using the link that D~ provided, but obviously I was wrong!. The frogs eye salad does have pineapple, mandarin oranges and pasta. My bad.

 

[Pixiedust530]

At the rate I am going... My girls will have amazing bags for our trip - and I will carry my stuff in a paper sack...

D~

OH the sacrifices we make for our kids! This sounds about right! HOWEVER....I hope this does not end up being the case. You deserve to have a nice new bag to carry also! Good luck getting everything accomplished. I can't wait to see Alli's bag!

 

[Luvchefmic]

At the rate I am going... My girls will have amazing bags for our trip - and I will carry my stuff in a paper sack...

D~

you better get some well deserved rest AFTER you show us !!

Sorry about the recipe. I went back and read it and realized I copied the wrong one. I thought I was using the link that D~ provided, but obviously I was wrong!. The frogs eye salad does have pineapple, mandarin oranges and pasta. My bad.

love ya Tess

 

[babynala]

I finally saw the castle bag pictures on my computer and I was totally amazed. I never say this because I love all your bags but I think this one is my favorite. I REALLY love the personal "castle show"

Obviously everyone is pleased with their auction wins! I know they will enjoy carrying them too.

It is easy to find that stuff in a big bottle....less easy to find it in the convenient travel size. The big bottle is a PIA to carry around! I bought out my RiteAid as well as two other RiteAids in surrounding towns once I found the small size. I can get them on Amazon too....but I think 27 bottles is enough

OK, I need to know - what is this stuff?

Ahem...

Important anouncement...

PAID IN FULL!!!​

D~

Awesome. Congratulations. I am in awe of your efforts to plan and fund this trip all on your own (using your creative talents no less).

Kat update: The PTs had her up and "walking" yesterday morning. The video her dad posted brought tears to my eyes. Then yesterday afternoon she was moved to an acute rehab hospital in Baltimore, where she discovered the food was not nearly as good as at Walter Reed! She goes back to WR in about 2 weeks for the heart procedure. The colon seems to be healing well. Her blood levels are good, so no more transfusions for now. The hospital in Balto. is only about 45 minutes away instead of the 1 1/2 hours that Walter Reed was, so we will be able to visit more often, and her dad and step mom can move back home and out of the camper!

Glad to hear about Kat's progress. Glad she is closer so you can visit.

How did I end up with nothing? I now know

For those of you who are interested... I just FINALLY finished Alli's other applique... And ifyou are keeping track - it took me 14 hours of stitching... For at total of 26 stitching hours on her bag... YIKES... But it is AMAZING - and I think she will love it! Can't wait to show you all!

D~

At the rate I am going... My girls will have amazing bags for our trip - and I will carry my stuff in a paper sack...

D~

Well I do remember you saying you found your old tried and true fanny pack so you could always use that. Plus you won't have to worry about getting dehydrated when you have your handy dandy water bottle on your hip. I am starting to wonder if Alli's bag is going to be your first UPFP (Ultimate Park Fanny Pack). Don't all teenagers want a fanny pack?

 

[sewmess]

Okay, I'm going to have to look into this True Lime stuff too because I Looove Lime! (but not margaritas - go figure) And even though I have no problem whatsoever with plain H2O, a little flavor is nice now and then.

Good luck on your sewing...my shoulder has decided that it's going to be a pain - literally, so I should be taking time off from my sewing. I need a new sewing chair; DH thinks that's why it bothers me so much when I sew. The shoulder - not the chair. He pointed out that when I do hand stuff while watching movies my shoulder doesn't hurt so much.

Hurrah for being Paid In Full!!! I love seeing that, whether I'm sending a notice to someone or I'm getting it.

Can't wait to see July's auction stuff.

 

[jkfandel]

Crazy how exciting that is being paid in full ~ Congratulations. I'm almost there.

That was some great pixie dust for V finding the gift card and loved the picture too.

Can't wait to see the finished bags for your trip and the next auction too.

Geesh how long does it take you to quote all your replies every day. I almost feel bad posting because I'm keeping you from your sewing room but now that I've started I don't want you to think I've gone missing. Just in case I get caught up in life I hope you have a great week and enjoy your time at the lake. Oh yes, Happy 4th of July and 4 days off from work (for me)!

 

[lovesdumbo]

LOVE that castle bag!!!! So clever with the personalization!!!!!!

Congrats on being paid off!!!

Congrats to V for found Disney money!

At the rate I am going... My girls will have amazing bags for our trip - and I will carry my stuff in a paper sack...

D~

Can't wait to see Alli's bag! Don't you have any of the bags you used last year?




I found the True Lemon web site where they carry all their products. I would like to try their True Grapefruit. I found a coupon for a free box of 32 plus free shipping if you spend $10. They charge 4.99 for a box of 32 or 16 cents/packet. They also have boxes of 10 for $3.99.

I also found the lemon & lime on www.minimus.biz I've used them a lot-they have all sorts of travel size/single serve things. They charge 10 cents per package which seems like a great deal but they only have lemon & lime and I can't really tell if the packet size is the same. They have free shipping if you spend $20 and I often order some snacks, cereal and personal care items to be shipped right to my hotel. They are on the west coast so I order about 2 weeks out to be sure it arrives on time. They do a super job of keeping all the food items away from the non food items.