Calling all Chicago DISers #2

[Crissup]

slo Glad to hear the stuffing came out good. I've heard other people say it was good too. I think the whole thought of it just freaked Tony out!

I finally got curious about this and found the official recipe page at White Castle's web site...

White Castle Stuffing

 

[Bunchkin]

Good Saturday Morning all!!

It is Saturday, right? The kids have been off all week and I'm loosing track of the day!!


Going to the book store in a little while. Lauren needs to get a book for her Literature class. It's always more money to be spent for this one teacher she has. We just spent $75-80 on an Indian project she had to do for Social Studies for the same teacher. She got a 100% on the project and paper she wrote but still....that was a lot of money for one project. And nothing could be pre-made, as in no Indian figures or teepees/pueblos. Everything had to be made from scratch!!
And on top of it all, I had to help her make it all/assemble it when I was really sick the other week!!!



Dan Nice to see you stop by!! Hope all is well with you and your family!!


slo Earlier this fall we told Lauren that there is no Santa....and no tooth fairy, Easter Bunny, etc. It was AWFUL!!! She's been asking questions about them all for the past couple years and she knows kids that don't believe in them any more, so we told her the truth. She was not happy, but she got over it, for the most part, the next day. And she did agree to not tell Hunter the truth and play along.
The kids have put Post-It notes on a few catalogs we got, like from Target and Walmart, Toys R Us. It's harder now to shop for Lauren. She doesn't want all the kid toys anymore. She wants a video camcorder, money/gift cards, an MP3 player (she already has one but she'd like a larger capacity one and with video), a Wii ( which we bought already and is from ) and I might get her some AG stuff, probably Samantha outfits since she is being retired (she already has the doll).
Did you get the new catalog that has free shipping? I think free shipping is until tomorrow. I'll have to check on that.
Hunter is easy to shop for. He wants everything and likes everything!!!

 

[Crissup]

No more "Best Kosher" brand hotdogs. They made a great dog too!

Sara Lee to close South Side meat-processing plant, laying off 185 workers

 

[macraven]

I finally got curious about this and found the official recipe page at White Castle's web site...

White Castle Stuffing

i checked out the link. it looks like something i could make.
i do have one question though. do you think the frozen white castle burgers would be just good as the fresh ones in the stuffing?

it would be cheaper for me to do the frozen ones than drive to a white castle at the mall area.

Good Saturday Morning all!!



slo Earlier this fall we told Lauren that there is no Santa....and no tooth fairy, Easter Bunny, etc. It was AWFUL!!! She's been asking questions about them all for the past couple years and she knows kids that don't believe in them any more, so we told her the truth. She was not happy, but she got over it, for the most part, the next day. And she did agree to not tell Hunter the truth and play along.

how old is lauren?
when i told one of my son's and he had a break down over it......
he was in the 6th grade when i told him as i thought he needed to know.
and it would help prevent the annual fights he had with the kids at school since he definitely believed in santa and the other ones completely...


and a very good afternoon to all my chicagoland homies today

 

[irish dancer]

Hi guys! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. It has seemed like the longest weekend ever - I love it . DH is very sick with a head cold though, poor guy is really dragging.

We had MIL/FIL/BIL for dinner on Thursday. Everything came out GREAT. I really love Thanksgiving dinner, and I've been enjoying the left overs for the past 2 days .

Got my outside lights and decorations done today and wanted to do the tree but I think that's going to wait. DH isn't in the mood to drag that all out of the attic and I'd like to curl up with a movie tonight anyway.

I had thought about going out for Black Friday shopping but decided there wasn't anything that I HAD to have to get up that early and fight those crowds. I've never done Black Friday and will have to try it one year.

slo - my DD was nervous for her First Reconciliation, I too wanted to ask her when she came back but decided it was private and I should butt out.
*Thanks for the Corn Pudding receipe, will have to try that. Sounds yummy!
**Yikes on the deer butchering, sounds very yucky.
***Congrats to Stephanie on her basketball success, she must be very excited. Kind of a bummer that she had to hold back.

mac - sounds like PT is going pretty well, I hope you're able to recover quickly. Don't ya just hate insurance companies?! They can be so aggravating!
*You miss Black Friday shopping?! Yikes, I was reading online about a poor employee at Walmart in NY (I think) that was trampled to death in the rush. It is beyond my comprehension what anyone couldn need/want that would warrant that behavior.

disneygal - phew! Your schedule makes me tired just hearing about it. I hope you find some time inbetween both jobs to get some rest!

Donna - your Chicago weekend last weekend sounds wonderful. We did watch the parade on and off. Made me wish we were there!

Hersey - congrats to Alex on the Nat'l Jr Leaders Conf. Is it held in Wash D.C.? My DD was invited to something like that but we didn't send her, the cost was nearly the same as her entire year tuition for regular school not to mention she was already missing a week of school for our Oct WDW trip. She was bummed but I told her it was just too expensive.

Bunchkin - your Thanksgiving at Starved Rock sounds great. We thought about going out but I just couldn't bring myself to do it, then again about 4hrs into cooking I was wondering why I had insisted on cooking .
*Did you guys get any good deals yesterday? I had the "Santa talk" with DD11 last year. There was talk at school and she responded that it couldn't be her parents "they would NEVER buy us all that stuff" . She really didn't want to believe me when I told her, I think she still has some doubt but keeps quiet due to her bro and sis.

piglet - I'm so sorry about Hanna Andersson, I know you were excited when you got the job. Too bad it didn't work out, shame on those girls! I hope your BP gets back to normal now.

to everybody else!

Have to run, the timer is beeping for the lasagne in the oven. Have a great night everyone!

 

[macraven]

did you hear about the 3 to 6 inches of snow for sunday night/monday morning?

don't worry, most of the snow will be by the lake.
which i am a mile from......

 

[roseprincess]

did you hear about the 3 to 6 inches of snow for sunday night/monday morning?

don't worry, most of the snow will be by the lake.
which i am a mile from......

Don't scare us, mac

 

[KimRaye]

She knows I'm Santa, so I keep telling her that Santa needs to know, so Santa can take action Pretty soon, I"m just going to get Mia, and be done with it.

Kelly is getting Mia for her 12/8 BD because she's wanted her since last year, when Mia was new, and Kelly loves ice skating so, after almost a year, she's getting Mia, which I bought after Christmas last year.

Kelly just found out about Santa this year, last week, actually. She asked, again, and I thought - it's time! How much longer can I milk this? I think she suspected, or heard elsewhere, and I figured it best to be honest with her after all these years. I was the one that told BOTH my kids. Geesh, nice Mom, huh? They were both almost/or 11yo. Come on!

It's kinda sad tho, too. My babies are all grown up.

 

[KimRaye]

slo Earlier this fall we told Lauren that there is no Santa....and no tooth fairy, Easter Bunny, etc. It was AWFUL!!! She's been asking questions about them all for the past couple years and she knows kids that don't believe in them any more, so we told her the truth. She was not happy, but she got over it, for the most part, the next day. And she did agree to not tell Hunter the truth and play along.

Nicole. I was debating telling Kelly as I spoke. I also told her she is now in the elite, worldwide group of parents and people that keep the Santa spirit alive, and don't tell anyone else, unless they already know.

 

[KimRaye]

I had the "Santa talk" with DD11 last year. There was talk at school and she responded that it couldn't be her parents "they would NEVER buy us all that stuff"

THAT is funny!!!!

 

[HERSEY]

Mac SHHH maybe the "S" stuff will not find us if we stay quiet.

Alex is hoping for a day of from school. I just told him dream on.

Kim When I told Alex he was afraid of letting on in case the presents stopped. He thought if he said anything the gravy train stopped. Silly kid

Has anyone gone out to do any actual christmas shopping? I only got a couple of things for Alex. I just am not in the mood yet for christmas shopping.

 

[slo]

Today we are going to the mall to get the girls Christmas pictures taken, and then for them to see Santa, and to get their picture taken with him too. I have such a love/hate relationship with this day. I hate it, because of the stress of getting the girls looking all Christmasey and perfect, rushing to the mall, and thinking of the perfect Christmas items to bring from home to put in the picture with the girls (the props at Sears stink). I love it, because the pictures always turn out great, and people love them. One year, Sears used one for their example in the studio - I was very flattered!!!!!


This is Stephanie's first year of sitting on Santa's lap as a "non-believer" To back peddle a little - Stephanie asked me to give her the truth about the Easter Bunny on Easter Eve I was honest with her, because now that she has had her first communion, I really want her to focus on the real reason for Easter more than the Easter Bunny. Right after she turned 10 (this year) I told her that I was going to be honest with her with more things, because I feel she is older, and she is mature enough to handle it (I really want an open line of communication between us, and I want her to know that when she asks me a question, I'll answer with honesty (w/ discretion (sp?) of course) ). So the first thing she asked me, about 5 minutes later, was about Santa. So I answered her honestly, and told her that it was Kevin and I. She basically already knew (from friends at school), but just needed it confirmed by me. I told her though, that if she told her sister, that I would be so mad, and then Santa gifts would be over forever. I told her that if she keeps her sister believing, that there's a strong possibility, that she'll still get gifts from Santa when she's driving I also told her, that telling friends who believe is totally forbidden (her best friend is 8, and is still a strong believer, and her mother would like to understandebly keep it that way). I also told her how much I love the spirit of Santa, and that now she can just have fun with it. She's still acting like she believes in Santa, which makes me happy, that she can still have fun with Christmas It also makes me happy, because Katie won't get any negative vibes from her, to make her an early non-believer. I don't know if any of you remember me talking about how I have The Polar Express bell (one for each girl), and I've been waiting for the perfect time to give it to each DD. This is the perfect year for Stephanie!!! The bell will be tucked somewhere that she won't see it until all Santa gifts are open, and then there it will be. A symbol on how even though she doesn't believe in the actual person anymore, that the spirit of Santa and Christmas is in her heart, and as long as she hears the bell, it will always remain in her heart



Donna - What a beautiful post

Dan - Always so good to see you Tell Marie to come join us

Bunchkin - We have so many AG Catalogs around here As soon as they come in the mail, the girls swipe them, and I don't get a chance to see them I'll have to check out the website to see if they are offering free shipping - thanks for letting me know!!!!
**That project was alot of money!!!!! Stephanie hasn't had to any real elaborate projects yet, and I"m so glad. Stephanie struggles more and more with school everyday, that a project like that would really stress her out I'm sure they are in her future, but I hope not in her immediate future

Crissup - It's so sad when you hear of more and more places laying people off

Mac - I'm sure you can use the frozen, just remove the pickle

ID - Thanks for the congrats to Stephanie
**Lasagna!!! That sounds so !!!!
Maybe I'll pick up a frozen one today, and make that for dinner tonight (Gordons makes a good lasagna).

Rose -

Kim - I agree about it being sad about your child not believing in Santa anymore I'm sad about Stephanie, but I"ll be super sad when Katie doesn't believe anymore I"m hoping that I have another 5/6 years to play Santa for her (if Stephanie's really smart, she'll do everything to keep her believing, because she'll reep the benefits ). Are you going to still give Kelly presents from Santa now that she doesn't believe? When both my girls don't believe anymore, I'll still do stockings, and a fun gift from Santa. Nothing huge, just a fun, little, something





Well, it's time for me to jump into shower, and then get the girls up, and fed. Both of them are having their up with fake hair today, so I don't have to stress out to much about that (unlike other years when I curled it). I bought Stephanie new fake hair, at a hair supply place, and it wasn't cheap, but it looks great!!! I can hardly wait to put it on her - it'll look like I spent hours on her hair, and I really didn't

Have a good day everyone!!

 

[slo]

Mac SHHH maybe the "S" stuff will not find us if we stay quiet.

Alex is hoping for a day of from school. I just told him dream on.

Kim When I told Alex he was afraid of letting on in case the presents stopped. He thought if he said anything the gravy train stopped. Silly kid

Has anyone gone out to do any actual christmas shopping? I only got a couple of things for Alex. I just am not in the mood yet for christmas shopping.

We posted at the same time
I'm sure Stephanie will be wanting a snow day too, as soon as she sees the first flake fall I keep telling her not to think that way, because it's better to be out earlier in the summer for pool days, instead of being home now for snow days I don't know why she gets excited anyway, because she has to go to work with me all day, it's not like she can be home and sleep in

I've done some Christmas shopping.
The Grandmas are done Stephanie's stocking is done Katie's stocking is 1/2 done The girls gifts are done (their new bedrooms) The rest I need to buy online - so I don't need to go out I'm not in the mood for Christmas yet either, but I think it's because November went by SO fast for me This month has gone by faster than October, and that shocks me, because that was our vacation month I have a feeling December will fly by fast too, and before I know it, I'll be taking all the Christmas decorations down, that I just finished putting up this weekend When I was a kid, my dad would tell me how fast time went by when you were an adult, and I thought he was crazy. Now that I'm an adult, I know he was totally right!!!!!!

 

[Bunchkin]

Good Morning all!!


Acutally having to think about going out today and buying the kids snow boots is depressing!!!
Why do their feet have to grow so quickly???


slo I just looked in the most recent catalog and it stated the free shipping was through to yesterday!! UGH!!
Good luck with the picture taking today! They always come out so cute!
In regards to Santa, I told Lauren how there was a real St. Nick in Germany and how his legend basically grew and grew, but that adults carried on his tradition and now it's her job to help us do that with her brother. She still wants to believe in the 'idea' of him and that's fine with me. And she did write a letter to him along with Hunter when he did his. We just bought the Polar Express cd from Target last week and it came with a little bell attached inside of it.



Hersey We've done some shopping. But I told the kids we were cutting back this year, like a lot of people are. Basically because we OVER buy for our kids every year!!!
So far we have the Wii and Wii games for them, DS games, movies, board games, an MP3 player and video camera for Lauren, some clothes, and a few other small things so far for their stockings.
Lauren just said earlier that maybe she's get a snow day too!


Kim It's really hard to break your own kid's heart! I never felt so bad!


mac Lauren is 11yrs old and in 5th grade. For years she's asked questions, so it was time.


irish dancer I ALWAYS have Thanksgiving at my house! And the idea came up about going out so I jumped at it! I love to cook, but I'm just not in the holiday mood this year.
Your smart to have avoided the shopping crowds! I didn't want to have to deal with all the crazy people..... so I sent DH to do it!!!!

 

[macraven]

bunchkin, it seems like that is the age when kids start to wonder who santa really is. (5th grade, age 11 seems like the average time for most to ask)


when my kids were littles, i always over bought.
they would have been happy with empty boxes when they were 2 and 3 years old.........

since i had 3 boys close in age, i bought in triplicate for most things.
they each had their own "color" i bought for them.
either red, blue or green when it came to clothes or toys in a different color.
and i wrapped their gifts in one of the 3 colors also.

they couldn't read when they were that little but they knew their "color".


snowing like a mad man up here now.
doesn't seem like it is sticking very much. i'm sure when the temps drop tonight, someone will have to shovel the drive way in the morning.

i get to take a pass this year on that job.....


did make it out for church today.
have all your backs for the week.

 

[macraven]

First showing this year of "Disney Holiday Magic" with Samantha Brown (The
Holiday show that was first shown last year) on Thursday Dec 4 at 8 pm
after several hours of the usual Travel Channel shows.
------------ --

This week's listings have been posted to
http://www.bartlett -sloan.net/ tv

---
Please Note - All times listed are for the Eastern Time Zone. Adjust
accordingly.
---

On Wednesday December 03, 2008 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM on the Learning
Channel is

Jon & Kate Plus 8 Hit the Road
8 kids, 7 states, and 15 hours in one car...it's a road trip like
no other road trip! This summer, all 10 Gosselins will pile into their
gigantic blue bus and head south, to where else...Disneyworld!

This show will repeat
Thursday December 04, 2008 from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM

---

On Thursday December 04, 2008 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM on the Travel Channel is

Fan's Guide: Walt Disney World
Already a Disney expert? Think again as the ultimate Walt Disney
World authorities lead a backstage tour of the biggest thrills,
shortest lines, best shopping, and more. Take an unprecedented look at
how to make the most of a Disney vacation.

---

On Thursday December 04, 2008 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the Travel Channel is

Disney Splurge!
A guided tour of Disney's most expensive amenities, activities
and events.

---

On Thursday December 04, 2008 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM on the Travel Channel is

Disney: On a Dime
Money-saving tips from travel experts for a memorable to Walt
Disney World.

---

On Thursday December 04, 2008 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM on the Travel Channel is

Walt Disney World Resorts: Behind the Scenes
Explore Disney's Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot Center, and
Disney-MGM Studios in this in-depth behind-the-scenes tour. Orlando,
Florida, once a sleepy town, has become the nation's #1 vacation spot
and a rite of passage for children the world over.

---

On Thursday December 04, 2008 from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM on the Travel Channel is

Disney Holiday Magic with Samantha Brown
Samantha experiences the holiday festivities at Walt Disney World.

This show will repeat
Friday December 05, 2008 from 12:00 AM to 1:00 AM
Sunday December 07, 2008 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

---

 

[slo]

This is going to be a long winter!!!!!!
As cute as it may seem, that Sophie finds the snow interesting, it's a pain for me that has to stand out there with her. She never did all her business this morning, and I was out there for 25 min What's so frustrating, is I know she had to go, but she just couldn't find the right place in the snow (now she's going to want to go out in an hour) Yep....I love her......but I not going to enjoy the winter standing outside with her


Yesterday was somewhat of a success with the pictures.
Sears changes people so fast, that as soon as I find a photographer that I like, and that understands what I want, they are gone I warned the girl that helped us on the phone Saturday that I'm very picky, and I do take forever. We did take an hour, and I was disappointed with how uncreative she was. Anything creative came from Kevin and I. If it weren't for the price, and the fact that I can get a CD with photos on it, I would go somewhere else. But with us getting pictures taken so often, price is definitly a factor in where we go


Bunchkin - I'm glad you mentioned boots, because Stephanie is probably going to need a new pair. I better go dig them out of whereever they are, and see what size they are.

Mac - That was a good idea with color coding things Thanks for the listings!!!


Well, I better go workout - I haven't in over a week, and I embarrassed with how much I've eating lately.

Have a good day!!!!!

 

[irish dancer]

Hi guys! Wow, what a morning! Lots of snow here and the kids are so excited.....me not so much. DS was up, dressed, and ready early so he put on his snow pants and went out to wait for the bus. Unfortunately more than 10min past his pick up time they still weren't here so I called. Well, they're running 1hr behind!! I pulled on my coat and boots and drove him, the school is pretty close. As I pulled away from school though I saw his bus pulling up?!

Hersey - we actually have quite a bit of shopping done for our own kids, as for others not so much. We've never started shopping this early but it's kind of nice to know it's done.

slo - I remember a conversation I had with my mom when I was younger, complaining how time was dragging and I remember her telling me "just wait til you get older, the time goes by faster and faster the older you get" - she couldn't be more right.
*Poor Sophie, our Belle hates the cold/snow. Normally when I call her to go out she comes running, not this morning. She's content with doing her business in the grassy area next to the driveway outside the door and high tailing it back inside .
**Glad the photos worked out. We had one done last week of all the grandkids (13) at The Picture People for my parents for Christmas. DSis ended up doing most of the posing, the potographer just didn't know what to do with all those kids .

mac - thanks for the listings, I'll have to DVR the holiday one. This is the first year in around 7 that we haven't been in WDW this week. Sure wish we were there this year too!

Well, I've got to get laundry done today so I'd better run. I hope everyone digs out from under the snow. Drive carefully!

Have a great day!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Hi everyone!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE this visit to Frankenmuth! We found some new great hotels to stay at and the food was delightful! Not looking forward to the drive home! Looks like I got a lot of snow in Rockford!!

Marv Herzog hotel, was AWESOME! Rooms are about the size of a mod at Disney World.
http://www.marvherzog.com/index.php?main_page=hotel
Definately check it out if you like:
Breakfast in the morning
free drinks in the evening
Romantic places
Blaconies overlooking the water or the main strip (the only 2 rooms you can get).
LUXURIOUS bedding!!

If you want a more family fun and very exciting place check out the Bavarian Inn.
http://www.bavarianinn.com/BIHome/StayHome/tabid/99/Default.aspx

LARGE ROOMS!
GREAT sized balconies and super friendly staff! I will answer any other questions you all may have, but for now we're off to the Zendhers marketplace for a little pastry for breakfast!

Rooms the size of a Deluxe if not bigger, we also got 2 of them with the adjoining door, just to have a lot of space!

Dinner at OMAs was fabulous! I liked it even more than our Thanksgiving Dinner at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant! haha!


Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!!

 

[piglet too]

Happy Monday!

On the Santa note, I am not sure when Kevin "knew" about it but the younger two are still believers. However, we have always told our kids that Santa is about the spirit of giving and that while he may not go to each person's house himself, he always makes sure there are gifts. They know that we are his "helpers" and that by doing so, we keep his spirit alive.