Disney...by Land and Sea...Morris Style!

[NiniMorris]

I just realized I have no sandals for the cruise! I also don't have sandal ready feet!

Guess I better get busy!

 

[cogero]

I hate making things more than once. I did a collage for the last launch and loved it so much better.

 

[NiniMorris]

Very happy to hear that things are going well, and how exciting that there may be a new baby to spoil soon...

Yikes about those dresses - I remember those dresses quite vividly! However - I don't know if you ever shared a pic of them? I just can't remember what they look like. But I do remember how LONG and how much of a pain they were to make for you... I am a little shocked that you are considering making them again. This time - I would charge MUCH MORE.

LOL about Mr. D's song... Yup - I think that definately calls for a water park day. The good thing about going at that time of year, usually there's only one to choose from. My biggest dillema would be deciding between the two. LOL

Glad you finally got some cruise info. So, if you are sharing a cabin with a stranger - how do you decide where to sleep? I'd vote for the big comfy bed for myself. LOL

Only a few more days... Wahoo!!!! Are you nervous yet?

D~

I already doubled the price...and said they would have to find the fabric! So far no one has! It is the double skirted Dumbo I did. I discovered I never did post a picture of it on my page...because I was waiting for the mom to get it first and just never got around to it.
Let me give it a try here...

Hmm...it doesn't look right so I am not sure if the first try worked or not..

The only picture I can find is the one the mom used when she sold them. (and yes, it really bothers me that they are not ironed! LOL!)

I am n=more than nervous! Looking at the yucky weather that is coming in here has me worried that I may miss my flight...

I hate making things more than once. I did a collage for the last launch and loved it so much better.

Since I made two of them to start with...and they were very similar to the Launch outfit I had made a few weeks prior...I really don't want to make it again...but it has been a year...so I might be able to... who knows...I may end up pulling my hair out before it is over!




____________________

A little bit of cruise news...I was finally able to complete the online check in. My mysterious room mate finally finished her part so we could print out the forms needed for boarding.

Now I am all set....I think! I still need to make a pirate shirt for Pirate night...a new business card holder....and a new luggage tag, as well as a pillowcase for autographs. And THAT is my order of importance. Hopefully I can get started on this list sometime today.

_________

And on trip news (even if it is not mine) A group of friends are working towards sending a good friend to Disney. She has been a member of the Big Give since the very beginning. She has hosted more gives than I can remember, and is an all round good friend! I have NEVER heard her say anything bad about any one...ever! The health issues she has had the past year and a half have been unreal. I think she has been home for only a few weeks in all this time. She lost her job, working with children as an OT, and has pretty much given up all thoughts of a Disney trip anytime soon. She is the same wonderful lady we made the quilt for earlier last year.

So now I am helping with some of the organizing of getting her trip to happen. I think this will be the ultimate surprise for her! I think it will keep me busy getting some of the details worked out. But once we get the details hammered out it will be easy peasy!

So....4 days....that is all! I leave at 5:15 Friday morning. It will be interesting to see how well husband can get the kids off to school that day!


Nini

 

[DMGeurts]

I really love those dresses - no wonder they want you to make them again! Is there the possibility that they could use a similar fabric? Or would you like it to remain a little bit difficult? LOL

Praying that you are able to get everything done in time, and the weather holds out for you. I know we were joking around a little bit on FB last night - but I sure hope that everything goes OK, and your flight leaves right as planned.

I am super excited about the trip being planned. Please let me do what ever it is that I can to help. I was not able to participate in the quilt earlier in the year, so I would really like to make up for it with this. She is such a wonderful, wonderful person - and no one is more deserving!

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

Just for clarification...THIS is the Dumbo outfit that I liked...

And back...

Nini

 

[DMGeurts]

Oooh - I LOVE that one too... I soooo wish I could get away with wearing one like that myself!!!

D~

 

[babynala]

I guess it is good to be in demand. I had never seen either of those Dumbo outfits you made. When you were talking about the dress everyone wanted recreated I was thinking it was the AK set you did for the siblings. I LOVED that one. Having never seen these two I love them both. The dress is very sweet but I think I do like you choice better too. I've never done that shirring technique on the shirt but I like the way it looks.

Hope you are getting your toes all ready for the cruise and that the weather holds out.

My DH had to fly out for some meetings today and he was supposed to be back on Thursday night. Now that he has arrived they have cancelled the meeting because they might get snow/ice and he can't get out again until Wed so he is stuck in Louisiana.

The weather should be good for your flight but I have a feeling we will have a snow day on Wed - of course it won't snow but that won't stop them from having a panic and cancelling on Tuesday.

 

[KatMark]

Oh my....those Dumbo dresses are adorable. My husband would definitely want the dress if we had a granddaughter (Dumbo is his favorite).

Praying that the weather gets better and you have no problems.

 

[NiniMorris]

Oh my....those Dumbo dresses are adorable. My husband would definitely want the dress if we had a granddaughter (Dumbo is his favorite).

Praying that the weather gets better and you have no problems.

I make a deal with you...you get the grand daughter and I PROMISE you a Dumbo dress!

Weather here is crazy...60's yesterday, snow today (with freezing rain and sleet) 50's tomorrow through Friday during the day and 20s at night...wonderful!

I guess it is good to be in demand. I had never seen either of those Dumbo outfits you made. When you were talking about the dress everyone wanted recreated I was thinking it was the AK set you did for the siblings. I LOVED that one. Having never seen these two I love them both. The dress is very sweet but I think I do like you choice better too. I've never done that shirring technique on the shirt but I like the way it looks.

Hope you are getting your toes all ready for the cruise and that the weather holds out.

My DH had to fly out for some meetings today and he was supposed to be back on Thursday night. Now that he has arrived they have cancelled the meeting because they might get snow/ice and he can't get out again until Wed so he is stuck in Louisiana.

The weather should be good for your flight but I have a feeling we will have a snow day on Wed - of course it won't snow but that won't stop them from having a panic and cancelling on Tuesday.

I don't mind being in 'demand' I just wish it was something I could easily make...or even get the fabric for! LOL...I am thinking it is not going to happen...no one was able to find the fabric. (Maybe they will find something they like and will send it to some one else to make it! )

I have decided I REALLY like that shirring. At first it drove me crazy and I was never happy with the way the lines were never completely straight and even. My launch outfit I just finished for the launch the day after I get home...the top is shirred in the back...In my humble opinion it turned out perfect! Now I need to price it right so it will find a new home! I don't want to make a ton of money...I just want it to go to a new home! (I did find out the hard way that if you price it too low they won't touch it with a ten foot pole...but when I increased the price it goes to a new home in a matter of minutes!) All about perceived value...

They have updated us to a trace of snow....so I am breathing easier about the weather messing up my plans...but you know me...no trip is complete without some sort of pre trip drama!!

Oooh - I LOVE that one too... I soooo wish I could get away with wearing one like that myself!!!

D~

I am seriously looking for a sun dress for me that has shirring in it...My weight doesn't fluctuate much...but my shape does! This style would probably hide it better! Maybe...

I really love those dresses - no wonder they want you to make them again! Is there the possibility that they could use a similar fabric? Or would you like it to remain a little bit difficult? LOL

Praying that you are able to get everything done in time, and the weather holds out for you. I know we were joking around a little bit on FB last night - but I sure hope that everything goes OK, and your flight leaves right as planned.

I am super excited about the trip being planned. Please let me do what ever it is that I can to help. I was not able to participate in the quilt earlier in the year, so I would really like to make up for it with this. She is such a wonderful, wonderful person - and no one is more deserving!

D~

We have done the paperwork to have it transferred to me...it will take a while for that to happen. I am not expecting it to be done until after I get back. I have to come up with a way to keep everything accountable...Not everyone in the group knows me and I want to make sure everyone can easily tell all the money has gone EXACTLY where it was supposed to go. Transparency and all that! I have some ideas....I just don't want to bog down the facebook page with copies of all the receipts. But I think that is the best way....and I will do some sort of weekly update.

Trying to make sure the person donating knows their money went to the right place but not in a bragging way. Sometimes people can get their feelings hurt if person A made a larger contribution than person B. (or more often or what ever...) Still working on the details of how that will be done.

She does know about the trip now...the way the trip was originally set up, she got an email confirmation! Kind of spoiled the big reveal! LOL...but it evidently came at a very low time...so that is good.

Ok Cruise News... THREE DAYS!

I found out all my cruise documents were mailed to my agency! They will now send them to me...but they probably won't arrive until Friday...and I will be leaving at 5am on Friday...so I seriously doubt I will see them until I return! Probably a good souvenir!

I made a pirate shirt for the Pirate party. I had originally thought to ignore it...but was informed that is the one thing they really expect me to participate in...so a quick black t shirt with an applique on it will have to work. And I made a new business card holder...figure the one I made a few years ago was really looking a bit ragged!

Since I am going to have a horribly busy day today and Thursday, I really only have one more sewing day...so I will be cheating and purchasing a pillowcase to embellish! And I still have a luggage tag to make...



My daughter has been suffering with Vertigo since last Thursday. All my attacks have been short (or relatively short.) She is having a problem finding a medication she can take since she is still nursing Mia. So on Thursday, she is going to Physical Therapy. Not sure exactly HOW that is supposed to help...but I guess that is why I am not a doctor! She is worried she won't be able to drive so I am taking her and Mia to the appointment! And Miss Mia gets to go with me to take Mr D to school because mommy has a dentist appointment first!

I can always count on my family needing something just before I leave on a trip...something that messes up my plans!


Have a great day...stay warm!

Nini

 

[DMGeurts]

I understand the need to be accountable... Can you just not put names on the posted receipts? That way - people won't know exactly who donated, but they will see THEIR amount and know where it went? I would start a seperate album, that way people can look at it to find their info... And no one should be admonished for how little/much they can donate... I know how much I feel I can contribute - and it isn't very much, but it's the thought that counts.

KATHY: I thought you were going to say that MARK needed a dress like that... I darn near spit out my coffee! I had to go back an re-read. LOL

Sorry that the family threw a wrench into your plans... I hope that everything turns out OK, and you are able to get everything done.

As far as a dress with shirring... I love the look too... I keep telling you to try the Sew Serendipity dresses... The one I made last fall - it's so forgiving. Even though it doesn't have the shirring, it does have the gathering in the bust and an empire waist - with a belt tie. It was soooo comfortable to wear! So comfortable, as a matter of a fact, I repurchased all of the same fabric, so I could remake it in a smaller size... I love it! And her skirts are fantastic too... I never showed pictures of my Christmas skirt, but it was so comfy, I have several fabrics stashed for summer versions of it. The only sucky part about her patterns, to me anyways, is that they are tissue patterns... I prefer the heavier tissue of Oliver & S, or printer paper... oh well. I've made 4 items from her patterns... 3 different dresses and a skirt - and I love them all!

Cannot wait to hear about your cruise... Now tell me... I forgot to ask, and maybe I missed it... How long of a cruise is it and when will you be home?

D~

 

[cogero]

so excited for your cruise. You are going to have so much fun.

Take lots of pictures.

 

[KatMark]

I make a deal with you...you get the grand daughter and I PROMISE you a Dumbo dress!

Awww...thank you.

Weather here is crazy...60's yesterday, snow today (with freezing rain and sleet) 50's tomorrow through Friday during the day and 20s at night...wonderful!

We started at -16 this morning; it's now -4. The cold spell is supposed to end after tomorrow and then we get more snow.





Ok Cruise News... THREE DAYS!

I found out all my cruise documents were mailed to my agency! They will now send them to me...but they probably won't arrive until Friday...and I will be leaving at 5am on Friday...so I seriously doubt I will see them until I return! Probably a good souvenir!

I made a pirate shirt for the Pirate party. I had originally thought to ignore it...but was informed that is the one thing they really expect me to participate in...so a quick black t shirt with an applique on it will have to work. And I made a new business card holder...figure the one I made a few years ago was really looking a bit ragged!

Since I am going to have a horribly busy day today and Thursday, I really only have one more sewing day...so I will be cheating and purchasing a pillowcase to embellish! And I still have a luggage tag to make...




Nini

It's almost here...soon you will be sailing.

KATHY: I thought you were going to say that MARK needed a dress like that... I darn near spit out my coffee! I had to go back an re-read. LOL

D~

Now that would be a sight.

 

[babynala]

My kids got out early today and no school tomorrow. They were sledding most of the afternoon with a few breaks. All this in and out of snow clothes, boots (we only have one pair so the kids have been sharing LOL) is just another reminder of why I am so happy we moved to the South. I can take it for a few days but not for months.

Did you guys get any accumulation? I'm thinking Yes so I hope it doesn't mess up your plans for the day. I figure it will all be gone and the roads cleared up by Friday.

Glad you were able to make the Pirate shirt and the business card holder, you got to show off your skills to your fellow travelers.

Sorry to hear your daughter is suffering from Vertigo. I hope they can find something that is safe for Miss Mia too.


D~ have you tried copying the pattern pieces onto that pattern stuff they sell at Joann's? It is sold by the yard in the interfacing section and is not too expensive. It is doubled over on the bolt so the width is pretty wide. I like to use it when a pattern has multiple sizes so I don't have to cut off any sizes I might need later. You can see through it so you can trace the existing pattern pieces/lines fairly easily. Plus is is much stronger then the tissue patterns and doesn't rip. It is usually on sale with the interfacings.

http://www.joann.com/pellon-interfacing-tracing-material-pattern-white/1540640.html


Only a few more days.

 

[NiniMorris]

I understand the need to be accountable... Can you just not put names on the posted receipts? That way - people won't know exactly who donated, but they will see THEIR amount and know where it went? I would start a seperate album, that way people can look at it to find their info... And no one should be admonished for how little/much they can donate... I know how much I feel I can contribute - and it isn't very much, but it's the thought that counts.

KATHY: I thought you were going to say that MARK needed a dress like that... I darn near spit out my coffee! I had to go back an re-read. LOL

Sorry that the family threw a wrench into your plans... I hope that everything turns out OK, and you are able to get everything done.

As far as a dress with shirring... I love the look too... I keep telling you to try the Sew Serendipity dresses... The one I made last fall - it's so forgiving. Even though it doesn't have the shirring, it does have the gathering in the bust and an empire waist - with a belt tie. It was soooo comfortable to wear! So comfortable, as a matter of a fact, I repurchased all of the same fabric, so I could remake it in a smaller size... I love it! And her skirts are fantastic too... I never showed pictures of my Christmas skirt, but it was so comfy, I have several fabrics stashed for summer versions of it. The only sucky part about her patterns, to me anyways, is that they are tissue patterns... I prefer the heavier tissue of Oliver & S, or printer paper... oh well. I've made 4 items from her patterns... 3 different dresses and a skirt - and I love them all!

Cannot wait to hear about your cruise... Now tell me... I forgot to ask, and maybe I missed it... How long of a cruise is it and when will you be home?

D~

Cruise is only 3 days, so I will be home on Monday. Leaving Mr D is quite an adventure! He HAS to have his routine, so it is going to be iffy. I have never left him with Dad overnight...He has only spent one night without me...and that was the one night husband and I spent an anniversary in the mountains...and ended up staying only one night! LOL!

I have made a note about the patterns...but I won't be getting to them soon!

so excited for your cruise. You are going to have so much fun.

Take lots of pictures.

I plan on taking pictures...but who knows if I will ever get them off the computer! LOL!

It's almost here...soon you will be sailing.

Frankly it is too soon...with this stupid weather I will not be able to get everything finished. I knew better than to save a shopping trip just before the trip...it never works that way!

My kids got out early today and no school tomorrow. They were sledding most of the afternoon with a few breaks. All this in and out of snow clothes, boots (we only have one pair so the kids have been sharing LOL) is just another reminder of why I am so happy we moved to the South. I can take it for a few days but not for months.

Did you guys get any accumulation? I'm thinking Yes so I hope it doesn't mess up your plans for the day. I figure it will all be gone and the roads cleared up by Friday.

Glad you were able to make the Pirate shirt and the business card holder, you got to show off your skills to your fellow travelers.

Sorry to hear your daughter is suffering from Vertigo. I hope they can find something that is safe for Miss Mia too.


D~ have you tried copying the pattern pieces onto that pattern stuff they sell at Joann's? It is sold by the yard in the interfacing section and is not too expensive. It is doubled over on the bolt so the width is pretty wide. I like to use it when a pattern has multiple sizes so I don't have to cut off any sizes I might need later. You can see through it so you can trace the existing pattern pieces/lines fairly easily. Plus is is much stronger then the tissue patterns and doesn't rip. It is usually on sale with the interfacings.

http://www.joann.com/pellon-interfacing-tracing-material-pattern-white/1540640.html


Only a few more days.

Ok the whole snow thing is a sore spot for me right now! The kids have not gotten to play in it yet, since the real snow didn't really start until after it was dark. Mr D went out in it for a while and promptly tracked in enough mud to keep a family of pigs happy for a year.... Unfortunately it was more water than snow at first!


I can not fathom how the news media thinks they are helping this situation! They have pretty much been on the air since noon yesterday spewing their gloom and doom...and trying their best to make it something it wasn't!

At 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon, the majority of the roads were NOT icy. The problem with the traffic was simply the volume of traffic on the roads. This is a normal problem of Atlanta traffic. There are roughly twice as many cars as there is roads available.

The National Weather Service told us last weekend that this storm was coming. Atlanta (especially the news and local weather people) decided it was not going to effect Atlanta much so they deemed it a non event! (I really wish I had taped the weather man poo pooing it...the same one who is now spewing the doom and gloom) Our county heeded the warnings and closed school and county government early. They did this the day before it came...while it was still in the 60's!

Yesterday I called all the places I had appointments and let them know I would be there unless the weather warranted me staying home. I kept an eye on the radar and made minute by minute changes to my schedule. When it started snowing, I made sure my daughter was on the way home (knowing that the roads were still in good shape) and left for my last appointment. I made it home safe and sound. I did not panic, I was prepared. If I had not been prepared, I would have panicked like the people on the news...

From what I saw...the first traffic issues with ice started the same way it always does...tractor trailers jackknife on the elevated ramps. Once that happens...no one goes any where. Add to that the fact that there was too many cars on the road to start with and you have a recipe for failure!

None of this is new...

Ok...this rant may not make sense as I have deleted quite a bit of it....so some of my points are missing...but I know that the people who actually live in the north are trying to figure out what in the world I am talking about! LOL...

I am upset that there are people who left work yesterday at lunch time and are still not home. I am upset that kids who went to school yesterday morning are still at school (although...unlike the news media I see it as a good thing...the schools cared more about the kids safety than about parent upset that their kids are not home!) I am upset that some kids were stuck over night in their school buses because they could not get home!

I am happy to report that human kindness did show its head. The people that opened their homes to stranded motorists, even if just to give them some coffee and a place to go to the bathroom. The people that made their business available for people to sleep in that were stranded on the roads. The group of girl scouts that brought hot chocolate to some of the stranded motorists...

So...everyone please be safe! Stay Warm....and STAY HOME!


Yes...husband is working today...he is risking his life ... but hopefully...the worst he has to deal with is the complaints about all the kids riding their 4 wheelers through the yards!!!

(Seriously ...why else do they think those kids have them for???)


Nini....who promises to have another cup of coffee...turn off the news and calm down!

 

[NiniMorris]

OK...I had a few hours sewing and NOT watching the news and I am in a much better mood now! LOL!


Of course, I had a phone call yesterday as the storm was starting. My office was sending my Cruise document over night... I was all excited, then I realized the mail might not run today since the governor declared a state of emergency... then someone reminded me...oh they usually send over night through FedEx...now I wonder if Fed Ex is delivering today...

At least I know that I can get on the ship even without my documents...but it would be easier with them.

I did manage to make my luggage tags. I like the way they turned out...and my luggage has been packed, unpacked, repacked and unpacked yet again this morning! I keep forgetting things. Like I forgot to pack the charger cords for EVERY THING! I have emptied my camera cards onto the computer and am charging the camera one more time before I put it in the carry on...I am getting another couple of books to put on my Kindle and recharging it again...then putting it in the carry on...iPod is charged and ready to go, need to pack my hair products and toiletries...and go over my travel documents one more time.

Then I will put everything away and know that I am as ready as I can be.

All will be done...with the exception of cleaning the house and finishing the launch paperwork...still need to get pictures and put the copy in the practicewriter......



Nini

 

[babynala]

I hope FedEx came today, if not tomorrow is very likely that things will be getting back to "normal". I would think an overnight package would be delivered before the regular stuff - provided it made it to the area.

If it doesn't arrive you can just use it as an example of what to do if your customers ever have problems and forget/loose their documents before they get to the ship.

 

[NiniMorris]

Yeah. The whole purpose of this trip is so I am armed with actual information to help my clients! I was really hoping it would go a bit smoother.

Did not come yesterday and my internet is out yet again this morning. It will probably not be back up before lunch and I had planned on packing it up after lunch.

Hope everyone has a great warm weekend, I know I plan on it!

Nini

 

[cogero]

Have a fabulous cruise. Enjoy the warm weather.

 

[babynala]

I hope you are on the way to Florida and will be chill-axing in the warm sun soon.

 

[NiniMorris]

HI!


Those that know me on FB by now know about my saga today! I was ready to leave by 4:30 this morning after not being able to sleep almost all night! I was as excited as a kid on Christmas morning! My ride arrived promptly at 5am...and we loaded up the car and were off.

Made it to the airport in record time....all was going fine ....until I discovered I left my purse at home. Yup... I had packed my Minnie Mouse bag form D~ to use as a purse on the trip...it had my credit card, my id (both forms)and my boarding pass...along with some money. It was left sitting on the entry table!


Frantic phone calls ... a long wait at the ticket counter...a new friend made with the ticket agent...who was trying her absolute best to get me on a flight...she even offered to DRIVE me to Orlando! My ride came back to get me when it was for sure that a later flight was not going to work... and we rushed home. I had to be there at 3:45 ...it was 9am and it was at least a 7 and a half hour drive. I could have probably made it...except I had not had anything to eat...My car did not have any gas in it...and I have problems getting lost.....

I was still going to try for it, and husband filled up my van...when I realized it was going to cost me $60 to park the van at the terminal...and I was going to have to eat at some point.. and if I didn't make it I was going to have to get a hotel room and drive home tomorrow.

I was not going to get the money for the flights back...I got a credit instead...so I was going to be out money before I left...and well, I just could not make it make financial sense...so I made the decision to not attempt it.

Another deciding factor was that the back roads I was going to have to travel for the first couple of hours still had ice on them. (and I would not have been able to make up any time)

So, today has been spent in tears....a lot!

There is another training cruise coming up...but I have to make the decision today, and husband is not so sure he can get off...so it probably won't be happening.

Of course, that did not stop me from working on the Valentine's trip that I cancelled to go on this cruise...which..if husband can get off we might just attempt it!

Also Miss Mia had her GI follow up. They are going to stay with the heavy laxative each morning for another 4 months (!) and then re look at her. She is also going to see a nutritionist next week just to rule out an issue in that regard...since she has not gained an ounce since she was 5 months old...and will be 9 months tomorrow.

Now...

I think I am going to go shed some more tears and then let this go! But I guarantee one thing...I WILL NOT FORGET MY ID NEXT TIME!

That will be the first thing that is packed from now on!

Nini