Over the River and Through the Woods to Mickey's House We Go! And Grandma is in Tow!

[mickeystoontown]

This weekend was pretty uneventful. I thank God for that! It was supposed to storm all weekend and all we got was a little wind and a shower or two. I called Lacey to make sure that she was okay and that Jesse's family was okay (they live in Knoxville, TN).

I did go to town this weekend but wasn't really in search of anything in particular. Hunter and I first went to Academy because they sell school uniforms and I thought they might have some khakis on sale. Unfortunately, the ones he wore to his strings concert in November no longer fit him so we were conducting a search for a new pair. Alas, no khakis at Academy.

I wanted to go to Old Navy because everything in the store was 30% off. I found nothing that I needed but we did see some people from church and stopped to chat. Oh, and they didn't have any khakis nor did JC Penney, Belk or Sears.

From the mall, we went over to Michael's which was a little bit of a sidetrack from looking for khakis. I didn't buy anything in Michael's either. I know my pocketbook was singing Hallelujah!

Target was our next stop in the search for the pants. Did they have any? You bet your boots they did......in all the wrong sizes! And they were only $12.99 too. I am a clearance rack shopper to the max. I looked through all their clearance racks just to make sure they didn't have any pants stuck in their sale rack. No such luck. Oh well, guess I'd just have to go elsewhere.

I have a method for shopping at Target. I go down the end of every other aisle. Why do I do that? Because that's where they hide their clearance items. I found a lot of PSP and Nintendo games on clearance for $9.98 but Hunter already had them. I found John a new handsaw for just $4.28. I found some dictation tapes on clearance so I picked up some of those for the office. (My boss gives me $100 to keep in my pocket just in case I find something like this while shopping.) Over in the food/snack section of the store, they had several flavors of their Orbit gum for just 54 cents. Of course, I had to get some to take on vacation with us.

We were in the checkout lane when Hunter said he was parched so I sent him over to the little deli thing and he got a fountain drink. I checked out and met up with him where we saw the same people from church again.

I called John and told him that we still didn't find any pants for Hunter. He said we'd go to WalMart later that evening and see if they had any. So, we went home. I worked in the yard a little while John and Hunter spread fire ant poison. They are coming out everywhere!

After we all cleaned up from working in the yard, we went to Cracker Barrel to eat and they were having a sidewalk sale. I found a really cute shirt and I almost bought it but didn't. I've been doing so good at refraining from making any unnecessary purchases. Every dollar saved is a dollar I can spend at Walt Disney World!

After eating some yummy buttery biscuits, roast beef with onions and sweet carrots, we headed on over to Wal Mart. I should have just gone to Wal Mart first. They had the khakis right there and they were only $11.00. The orchestra leader didn't want them wearing a plaid shirt or a polo shirt so we had to buy an $8.00 shirt for him to wear. I know that $19 is a great price for khakis and a shirt but I really hated spending it knowing that he would only be wearing them once.

We also bought John some new undies, Hunter a pair of sunglasses and a couple of other items. Oh, and I found a cute little shirt dress that was just $12.00. I am thinking I may wear it to Animal Kingdom. I'm not really sure but it was too cute to pass up. I couldn't believe I left Wal Mart without spending over $100.00!

Sunday afternoon, we spent some time in the yard again because the sun was actually shining. John and I wondered if we should work in the garden or not and decided we would. Even though the Bible says Sunday is not supposed to be a work day, I didn't think it was actually working because it's something we like to do. So, really, it was a pleasure for us to work in the garden. I may not be saying that as it grows (and the weeds do too) but right now it's a pleasure.

Sunday night was a family night at church meaning we didn't have church. We are supposed to spend time with our family. We started making our countdown calendar while watching The Amazing Race. Notice I said "started". It's still sitting on the table half finished because we had to stop and get things ready for school and work on Monday.

Last night was Hunter's second orchestra concert. I almost fainted when John's parents said they would come and watch. Of course, nothing was keeping my Mama away. I couldn't believe how much the first year students had improved since November. They sounded much much better.

The high school also performed for the audience as their building was being worked on. They played several songs for us and they were freaking awesome! The very last song they played was from the Pirates of the Caribbean. I recorded it with my camera but I've not watched it yet to see how it came out. Who would have known that I'd get a little Disney fix at a orchestra concert.

****Gotta stop here. The boss is yelling for me.....AGAIN!

 

[KatMark]

This weekend was pretty uneventful. I thank God for that! It was supposed to storm all weekend and all we got was a little wind and a shower or two. I called Lacey to make sure that she was okay and that Jesse's family was okay (they live in Knoxville, TN).

I did go to town this weekend but wasn't really in search of anything in particular. Hunter and I first went to Academy because they sell school uniforms and I thought they might have some khakis on sale. Unfortunately, the ones he wore to his strings concert in November no longer fit him so we were conducting a search for a new pair. Alas, no khakis at Academy.

I wanted to go to Old Navy because everything in the store was 30% off. I found nothing that I needed but we did see some people from church and stopped to chat. Oh, and they didn't have any khakis nor did JC Penney, Belk or Sears.

From the mall, we went over to Michael's which was a little bit of a sidetrack from looking for khakis. I didn't buy anything in Michael's either. I know my pocketbook was singing Hallelujah!

Target was our next stop in the search for the pants. Did they have any? You bet your boots they did......in all the wrong sizes! And they were only $12.99 too. I am a clearance rack shopper to the max. I looked through all their clearance racks just to make sure they didn't have any pants stuck in their sale rack. No such luck. Oh well, guess I'd just have to go elsewhere.

I have a method for shopping at Target. I go down the end of every other aisle. Why do I do that? Because that's where they hide their clearance items. I found a lot of PSP and Nintendo games on clearance for $9.98 but Hunter already had them. I found John a new handsaw for just $4.28. I found some dictation tapes on clearance so I picked up some of those for the office. (My boss gives me $100 to keep in my pocket just in case I find something like this while shopping.) Over in the food/snack section of the store, they had several flavors of their Orbit gum for just 54 cents. Of course, I had to get some to take on vacation with us.

We were in the checkout lane when Hunter said he was parched so I sent him over to the little deli thing and he got a fountain drink. I checked out and met up with him where we saw the same people from church again.

I called John and told him that we still didn't find any pants for Hunter. He said we'd go to WalMart later that evening and see if they had any. So, we went home. I worked in the yard a little while John and Hunter spread fire ant poison. They are coming out everywhere!

After we all cleaned up from working in the yard, we went to Cracker Barrel to eat and they were having a sidewalk sale. I found a really cute shirt and I almost bought it but didn't. I've been doing so good at refraining from making any unnecessary purchases. Every dollar saved is a dollar I can spend at Walt Disney World!

After eating some yummy buttery biscuits, roast beef with onions and sweet carrots, we headed on over to Wal Mart. I should have just gone to Wal Mart first. They had the khakis right there and they were only $11.00. The orchestra leader didn't want them wearing a plaid shirt or a polo shirt so we had to buy an $8.00 shirt for him to wear. I know that $19 is a great price for khakis and a shirt but I really hated spending it knowing that he would only be wearing them once.

We also bought John some new undies, Hunter a pair of sunglasses and a couple of other items. Oh, and I found a cute little shirt dress that was just $12.00. I am thinking I may wear it to Animal Kingdom. I'm not really sure but it was too cute to pass up. I couldn't believe I left Wal Mart without spending over $100.00!

Sunday afternoon, we spent some time in the yard again because the sun was actually shining. John and I wondered if we should work in the garden or not and decided we would. Even though the Bible says Sunday is not supposed to be a work day, I didn't think it was actually working because it's something we like to do. So, really, it was a pleasure for us to work in the garden. I may not be saying that as it grows (and the weeds do too) but right now it's a pleasure.

Sunday night was a family night at church meaning we didn't have church. We are supposed to spend time with our family. We started making our countdown calendar while watching The Amazing Race. Notice I said "started". It's still sitting on the table half finished because we had to stop and get things ready for school and work on Monday.

Last night was Hunter's second orchestra concert. I almost fainted when John's parents said they would come and watch. Of course, nothing was keeping my Mama away. I couldn't believe how much the first year students had improved since November. They sounded much much better.

The high school also performed for the audience as their building was being worked on. They played several songs for us and they were freaking awesome! The very last song they played was from the Pirates of the Caribbean. I recorded it with my camera but I've not watched it yet to see how it came out. Who would have known that I'd get a little Disney fix at a orchestra concert.

****Gotta stop here. The boss is yelling for me.....AGAIN!

Darn bosses...mine interrupted me while I was updating my report.

 

[BPATSMouse]

Lisa,

I understand about the clothes we are searching for all black clothing. My youngest is in a Drama at school. We are being "kept in the dark" because it is supposed to be a big first time ever type thing. Its a Christian school and the running joke with the parents is our 4th graders are going GOTH.

Anyway the big news is WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD With the free dining and my wife's new 31 business doing well we will be down Sept 19-25.

 

[leamom2princesses]

Sounds like you had a great weekend Lisa! Lindsey is very interested in band but they don't allow students to participate until 6th grade here. She's my artsy fartsy child so I think this is something she will really enjoy. Come to think of it, she is using a recorder in music and is doing great with it. I forgot about the recorder.

Glad you found Hunter some khaki's and a shirt for a reasonable price. I understand not wanting to spend money on something that you don't really have to have. I shop the endcaps at Target also. That's my favorite kind of shopping there.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Wow, what a shopping trip for them khakis!!! Good ole' walmart. Glad to hear you had some nice weather. Ours has been awesome for the last 4-5 days! We've been around 80 every day. I LOVE IT!!!! I was hot yesterday though, the sun was strong. Every time i'm hot and it's only in the 80s I think "How did I survive the florida sun" But then I remember, I don't think I felt much besides the excitement of being in Disney World. Ha, what heat!!!!! I hope I still feel that way in September when it's even hotter!!!!

Great job starting the countdown. At least you started!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Darn bosses...mine interrupted me while I was updating my report.

Yesterday was a hecka decka day! We had a deadline and, of course, our client didn't provide us with half the information we needed. We finally sent it out the door at 4:35 p.m. I hate those kinds of days.

Lisa,

I understand about the clothes we are searching for all black clothing. My youngest is in a Drama at school. We are being "kept in the dark" because it is supposed to be a big first time ever type thing. Its a Christian school and the running joke with the parents is our 4th graders are going GOTH.

Anyway the big news is WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD With the free dining and my wife's new 31 business doing well we will be down Sept 19-25.

So glad to hear from you! How have things been?

Lacey and Hunter both attended a private Christian school for years and years. Lacey's class used to do a black light show every year and they had to wear all black too.

I am so excited about you going to Disney! I forgot to see if you had a ticker.....where are ya'll staying?

Sounds like you had a great weekend Lisa! Lindsey is very interested in band but they don't allow students to participate until 6th grade here. She's my artsy fartsy child so I think this is something she will really enjoy. Come to think of it, she is using a recorder in music and is doing great with it. I forgot about the recorder.

Glad you found Hunter some khaki's and a shirt for a reasonable price. I understand not wanting to spend money on something that you don't really have to have. I shop the endcaps at Target also. That's my favorite kind of shopping there.

I can't remember what year they allow students to start band/orchestra/strings in our schools. I really didn't think Hunter would stick with the viola but he has. Hunter started out with a recorder too so you never know, Lindsey may turn out to be gifted in music.

The endcaps at Target are the best things ever. I've found all sorts of goodies there.

Wow, what a shopping trip for them khakis!!! Good ole' walmart. Glad to hear you had some nice weather. Ours has been awesome for the last 4-5 days! We've been around 80 every day. I LOVE IT!!!! I was hot yesterday though, the sun was strong. Every time i'm hot and it's only in the 80s I think "How did I survive the florida sun" But then I remember, I don't think I felt much besides the excitement of being in Disney World. Ha, what heat!!!!! I hope I still feel that way in September when it's even hotter!!!!

Great job starting the countdown. At least you started!

If I had thought about it, I would have gone to Wal Mart first. Oh well, Hunter is a really good shopper. He always has been...never fusses or complains. He really didn't mind when I told him we were stopping to eat pizza.

Our high yesterday was 91. Today's high is supposed to be 92. That's pretty darn hot for the first week of May. I figure we'll be over 100 by Summer time.

It's amazing what you can endure at Disney....rain, heat, crowds, etc.

 

[MHTeacher]

I I go down the end of every other aisle. Why do I do that? Because that's where they hide their clearance items.

Lisa, we must be long lost -separated at birth sisters.

The high school also performed for the audience as their building was being worked on. The very last song they played was from the Pirates of the Caribbean.

This is too ironic---The girls had their band concert on Sunday too. Guess what they played? Disney music, of course, since they went to the Disney Festival in March. Rachel's group--Middle School Band (7th and 8th graders) played music from "The Lion King" and the "Pirates of the Caribbean."

Elizabeth's group (varsity band--9-12 graders) played a medley of Disney music, capped off with the theme from Fantasmic! That was stinkin' awesome!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Lisa, we must be long lost -separated at birth sisters.



This is too ironic---The girls had their band concert on Sunday too. Guess what they played? Disney music, of course, since they went to the Disney Festival in March. Rachel's group--Middle School Band (7th and 8th graders) played music from "The Lion King" and the "Pirates of the Caribbean."

Elizabeth's group (varsity band--9-12 graders) played a medley of Disney music, capped off with the theme from Fantasmic! That was stinkin' awesome!

I'd claim you as a sister for sure!

I always always always shop clearance before I shop anything else. I have this radar that leads me to all the clearance racks. I call it a gift. My sisters call it crazy.

I can understand why all the bands would want to play Disney music. It's just good music!

 

[Bridora]

I've extremely p.o.'d at Candice right now.

Me too! I never like her much anyway, but...
I really wanted Russell to win last season.
Tomorrow!

I don't think working in the garden counts as work if you are spending time together and you enjoy doing it.

I sure don't know how Brent & Caite are still in the race...I'm rooting for Jet & Cord.

 

[samandryanmom]

Haven't read through all of your report but your family is adorable. Our family is from Northwest Louisiana and I'm thinking yours is from Northeast Louisiana. We are traveling to Disney on May 28th and staying for two weeks offsite. Your son is a goofball like mine. Ryan is 13 and in 8th grade. Looking forward to going back and reading more of your report.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Me too! I never like her much anyway, but...
I really wanted Russell to win last season.
Tomorrow!

I don't think working in the garden counts as work if you are spending time together and you enjoy doing it.

I sure don't know how Brent & Caite are still in the race...I'm rooting for Jet & Cord.

Rupert had the villians figured out but nobody would listen to him. Unless something turns around, I'm thinking Rupert may be voted out soon.

I didn't think it counted as work when we were in the garden. I just love walking in the dirt and seeing everything growing.

Don't you just hate it when you like one part of a team but not the other. I kind of like Brent but can't stand that little snot Caite. Wow, didn't know I disliked her that much. Anyway, I am rooting for Jet and Cord all the way. They seem like such likable normal people.

Haven't read through all of your report but your family is adorable. Our family is from Northwest Louisiana and I'm thinking yours is from Northeast Louisiana. We are traveling to Disney on May 28th and staying for two weeks offsite. Your son is a goofball like mine. Ryan is 13 and in 8th grade. Looking forward to going back and reading more of your report.

Hey there! Thanks for the compliment on the family. We are a bunch of nuts for sure but we do have a lot of fun together. We will be at "the world" at the same time.

 

[mickeystoontown]

The boss just came back from a deposition that lasted through the Noon hour so now he's gone to get something to eat. I have a little time to talk now.

I am uploading the recording that I made on my camera of the high school performance of Pirates of the Caribbean. If it turns out well, I'll post it for you to see. At least you will get a little Disney fix from it.

Lacey is on her way home as we speak...well, type. Jesse is coming with her for the visit. They get a 2 week Spring Break so one week will be spent at our house and the other at Jesse's parents' house in Tennessee. I know they are going to be bored as can be at our house because there's nothing to do here. At least in Tennessee, they have something pretty to see.

I can hardly wait to see Lacey. I haven't seen her since the first of March and that was only for one night as the mission group was on their way to a Christian conference in Texas.

As I was walking in the door after work yesterday, John was walking out to deliver another cabinet. Hunter had already done his homework so we watered the garden. We got so busy that I forgot that American Idol was coming on so I missed it. There's a family of pilated woodpeckers in an old tree in my Mama's yard so we walked over to see if we could see the babies sticking their heads out. They aren't the normal woodpeckers. These are BIG and have a big crown on their heads. Mama called the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries who said they aren't real common but they aren't rare either. I tried taking a picture but I am not sure it turned out so well.

Most of the rest of my time last night was spent cleaning up the house and getting things in order. You know, changing sheets, making sure the shower was clean, toilets scrubbed, etc. We have the treadmill and exercise bicycle in Lacey's bedroom so I moved those around. I NEVER EVER EVER want her to think that we have taken over her bedroom and that it's not her home any more.

While I ironed clothes for work, John and Hunter finally glued on the Mickey heads and the picture on our countdown calendar. The poor calendar is so not what I envisioned it but it's a countdown calendar nonetheless. I'll take a picture so I can share it with you guys.

Hummmm......oh yeah, we've decided to try and work in a lunch at T-Rex. John mentioned something about it to Mama and she said it sounded neat. I have no idea how I am going to fit it in but I'll see what I can do.

For the last three days, I've been walking at lunch. We are a block down from the courthouse and the hospital. There's a park in the middle of the next block where the courthouse and hospital staff like to sit at lunch. Once a month they have a brownbag concert that's free there. I figured I'd better get my legs used to walking so I won't be the whineybutt at Disney. I walked from our office which is on the end of a block, down by the courthouse which is another block and then walked around the next block three times and then back to the office. I make pretty good time. I can make an entire circle around the block in 4 minutes.

Now, I just need to find out how far I am walking. I've tried googling "how far it is around a city block" and "distance of a city block" and I still can't find out. Everything said it varies. Oh well, at least I'm walking no matter how far I am walking. I think somewhere in a junk drawer I have a pedometer. I need to see if I can find it.

Let me go see if my pictures and video have uploaded to photobucket. I also need to find Day 4 of our itinerary so I can post another update.

 

[KatMark]

for Lacey coming home and spending some time with you. Where in TN do Jesse's parents live? I hope it is not where they have a lot of flooding. I know my best friend has a farm in TN (his mom lived there until she moved back here when she got ill, and Frank kept the farm) and it is under water and the entire town was without power as of yesterday.

Hope the video turns out so we can all see it.

 

[MHTeacher]

..I'm rooting for Jet & Cord.

Anyway, I am rooting for Jet and Cord all the way. They seem like such likable normal people.

Me too, me too! Count me in as another Jet and Cord fan!

See Lisa, now I KNOW we're long lost sisters---We even watch the same reality tv shows---Survivor, Amazing Race (Biggest Loser for me, but I'm not sure if you watch that one)!

 

[aprilisis]

That's great that Lacey is coming home. I can't wait to see your countdown calendar & the concert video.
20 days for you! It is coming up quickly.
Don't miss ANTM tonight.

 

[mickeystoontown]

for Lacey coming home and spending some time with you. Where in TN do Jesse's parents live? I hope it is not where they have a lot of flooding. I know my best friend has a farm in TN (his mom lived there until she moved back here when she got ill, and Frank kept the farm) and it is under water and the entire town was without power as of yesterday.

Hope the video turns out so we can all see it.

I am so excited to see Lacey. They should be about 2 1/2 hours from home about now.

Lacey's family lives in Knoxville. I asked Lacey a couple of days ago if they were okay and she said yes.

Me too, me too! Count me in as another Jet and Cord fan!

See Lisa, now I KNOW we're long lost sisters---We even watch the same reality tv shows---Survivor, Amazing Race (Biggest Loser for me, but I'm not sure if you watch that one)!

I am a reality show fan! Amazing Race, Survivor, America's Next Top Model, Iron Chef, etc. One of Lacey's friends who is in the Mission in South Carolina got chosen to be on Biggest Loser next season so I know I'm going to be watching that season.

That's great that Lacey is coming home. I can't wait to see your countdown calendar & the concert video.
20 days for you! It is coming up quickly.
Don't miss ANTM tonight.

Do you know that the video from the concert still hasn't uploaded to photobucket. I started uploading it during lunch.

I know that both Lacey and I will be watching America's Next Top Model tonight. They don't have television at their apartment (to keep the kids focused on being together which I kind of think is stupid but that's their rule) so when she comes home, she catches up on everything.

 

[mickeystoontown]

The video finally finished uploading. It's over 8 minutes long. There was a guy sitting in front of me and I have part of his head in the video the whole time. I would have loved to hear the orchestra play in a real concert setting instead of the gym. I am sure the sound quality would have been so much better.

 

[MaryAz]

Good life updates. I also like Survvor-go Colby and BL-go Daris. Yay for Lacey coming home to see you guys! Hubby and I also are huge Target clearance people.

 

[Cafeen]

Now, I just need to find out how far I am walking. I've tried googling "how far it is around a city block" and "distance of a city block" and I still can't find out. Everything said it varies. Oh well, at least I'm walking no matter how far I am walking. I think somewhere in a junk drawer I have a pedometer. I need to see if I can find it.

For anything like this (considering how rarely I have to actually measure stuff ), I find that Google Earth works quite well. There's a measuring tool thingy on it that you can plot out a path and it gives you the approximate distance.

And yes, city blocks vary hugely. Walking a city block in NYC is much different than in Manchester NH. (Heck, even between Manhattan and Brooklyn are quite different.)

(Of course, I now typically spend my time on Google Earth looking at the Disneys.. Disneies... Disney's...? Hm... what is the plural form of Disney?, all 3 have red squiggly lines under them )

And... add me into the "Yay for Lacey coming home party. I know how it is to be away at school only to come back and it not be like your home anymore (and heck, I was only gone for 3 months ). It's such a good thing that you're making sure it still is home for her

 

[BPATSMouse]

So glad to hear from you! How have things been?

Lacey and Hunter both attended a private Christian school for years and years. Lacey's class used to do a black light show every year and they had to wear all black too.

I am so excited about you going to Disney! I forgot to see if you had a ticker.....where are ya'll staying?

Things are good, Mom is keeping busy and with school coming to an end things will slow down for all of us for awhile. I'm so excited with our trip that I can hardly keep quite about it . We will be staying at Pop Century and using the free counter service meals. I already have a suprise breakfast booked for 1900 Park Fair. We did breakfast at 1900 PF last trip and it was a favorite of all. I don't mind paying out of pocket for one or two meals. We will be taking Shelby (10) but she doesn't know it yet. We want to surprise her at the very last minute. Like you did with Hunter. Tate (15) doesn't want to miss school. She will be a junior and doesn't think it would be good to miss any time . but she will be staying with Grandma that week and will be spoiled rotten. Won't start the ticker until I have everything finalized, probably next week.