Sew much to do, sew little time - but it was worth it! New PTR link posted! ~~~~~~~~~

[smile5sunshine]

sounds like you all will have a FANTASTIC summer with the amusement park passes and now the zoo passes too! YAY! And glad to hear you are making such great progress on your next bag. I can't wait to see your latest creation.

Nothing exciting is happening here... I get to go waste my day at work today "building shoe boxes" - which I find highly annoying... Since 99% of the time, people ask us to throw them away at the check lanes. Grrr... Oh well.

Josh did get a new toy yesterday though... He's been wanting a Jeep Wrangler for as long as I've known him - but obviously, we had to put it on the back burner while we were driving family sedans and mini-vans. But finally, after all these years, he found the Jeep of his dreams on Craigslist, and after much negotiation - they came to an agreeable price. Josh got to pick it up last night, and he is just excited... What's that called "mid-life crisis"??? I don't think it's quite that extreme - but he is definately lovin' it! Also, keep in mind that we NEVER buy new vehicles... Josh has been driving his same truck for 6 years now, and recently he has really been getting some awful gas mileage. We are keeping the truck, because we use it all the time for family trips to the lake, and to haul boats and stuff... but it's nice for him to have something that is a *little better* on gas mileage.

Anyways, here's a couple photos of Josh's new toy...

I can totally see Josh and the girls sneaking off to the zoo on the days I work this summer, with the top down. Then he'll have to sit outside the restrooms for an hour, waiting for Alli to fix her hair.

I hope everyone has a great day today - I'll just be building shoe boxes...

D~

hope you have a good day at work (even if it is just assembling shoe boxes) and YAY for Josh and his new Jeep! it looks to be in nice condition so I hope he enjoys it!

sunshine

 

[solana131]

I get to go waste my day at work today "building shoe boxes" - which I find highly annoying... Since 99% of the time, people ask us to throw them away at the check lanes. Grrr... Oh well.

I agree....there has got to be a better way. I never want the box when I buy shoes and it makes the shoe department look horrible when all the boxes are open and the sizes are all messed up. But think of it this way... you are getting paid to do this mindless thing. So you don't have to think about what you are doing....you can just spend the time thinking about my backpacks

What's that called "mid-life crisis"???

Hey, there are worse things he could've done with his "mid-life crisis. After working at a Jeep dealer for 11 years (before they took the franchise away last fall) I still love the Wranglers. Jeep has come out with lots of new stuff over the years, but the Wrangler is still a Wrangler. Congrats to Josh! Hope you have lots of fun memories in it

 

[DMGeurts]

I just had to pop in on my break and give my 2 cent's on the description of 'my Jeep'... Not only would it be dd blue with a yellow cover, but the tire cover on the back would be white and bear an uncanny resemblance to a duck tail.

D~

 

[VBAndrea]

I just had to pop in on my break and give my 2 cent's on the description of 'my Jeep'... Not only would it be dd blue with a yellow cover, but the tire cover on the back would be white and bear an uncanny resemblance to a duck tail.

D~

And would it have some webbed feet poking out as well?

How 'bout a hat with a little ribbon?

 

[mommy2mrb]

I just had to pop in on my break and give my 2 cent's on the description of 'my Jeep'... Not only would it be dd blue with a yellow cover, but the tire cover on the back would be white and bear an uncanny resemblance to a duck tail.

D~

And would it have some webbed feet poking out as well?

How 'bout a hat with a little ribbon?

and don't forget you would need a horn that quacks

and for my previous ?? about why you were bldg shoe boxes...duh, you are at work today....I was a target eariler and saw a lady doing the same thing...I figured they shipped them in the boxes

 

[miprender]

Love Josh's new ride... .

I always thought the shoes were shipped in boxes too I have to say our Target has the worse shoe selection lately.

Hey -- your link is to the Milwaukee Zoo and I have to say that's the zoo I grew up with and I even worked there one summer in high school! I haven't been there in years, but that was awesome -- way ahead of the times for zoos in that animals were in natural habitats and not cages (for the most part). I really liked Roger Williams Zoo too -- we had membership there.

That's funny. I didn't even realize that. We have a membership to RWZ and love using it to get into other places for free.

 

[VBAndrea]

and don't forget you would need a horn that quacks

I always thought the shoes were shipped in boxes too I have to say our Target has the worse shoe selection lately.

That's funny. I didn't even realize that. We have a membership to RWZ and love using it to get into other places for free.

Our Targets have remodeled and they really cut the size of the shoe department. It's very disappointing. One of our stores still has an OK selection, but most are very limited. I buy most of my shoes at Ross or TJMaxx, but I'm trying to be good and not buy any until the house sells.

 

[tinkbell13]

I just had to pop in on my break and give my 2 cent's on the description of 'my Jeep'... Not only would it be dd blue with a yellow cover, but the tire cover on the back would be white and bear an uncanny resemblance to a duck tail.

D~

This is along the lines of what I was thinking! It's very nice though. I love the colour.

 

[mommy2mrb]

Love Josh's new ride... .

I always thought the shoes were shipped in boxes too I have to say our Target has the worse shoe selection lately.





That's funny. I didn't even realize that. We have a membership to RWZ and love using it to get into other places for free.

Our Targets have remodeled and they really cut the size of the shoe department. It's very disappointing. One of our stores still has an OK selection, but most are very limited. I buy most of my shoes at Ross or TJMaxx, but I'm trying to be good and not buy any until the house sells.

our target's shoe area is bad too....when they put in all the extra food some of the other areas really suffered because of it!


with all the talk of membership I got one for our zoo! hope to go use it this weekend if our weather is decent!

 

[blessedmom4]

I have to hop in the shower, but wanted you to know I am loving the updates and Josh's new toy is AWESOME!!!! Wish I could come visit YOU this summer....with the GKTW passport I could go to the amusement park with you for FREE! Now if I could only pay for the hotel and gas...

 

[DMGeurts]

Love Josh's new toy.

Can't wait to see the new bag.

I have to go get J up he has school pictures today.

Thanks C! I hope J's pictures went well.

Nice looking Jeep!

Zoo passes sound like a great idea.

Thanks - I'll tell Josh. I am excited about the zoo passes.

Are you sure it's not your new toy since it's red

LOL Well, I'll need to relearn how to drive a stick - it's been at least a decade. I've heard it's like riding a bike though...

You know we will come to a MN DISmeet....need to visit MOA too!

love the jeep, will be a fun car for those summer days!

why are you building shoe boxes???

YAY!!! Yah - I think it will be fun car for summer - he also plans to drive it in the winter... We'll see how that works out?

Well, all the shoes come in boxes - but this or that happens and they lose a box - and it's mandated by corporate that all shoes are displayed in boxes - since we are so close to corporate, we are visited very often (sometimes once a week)... So, we have to build "spare" boxes for the shoes with out boxes. LOL

Yesterday our son called us from the beach in Santa Barbara.

Even though he hates domestic cars, he had to tell us that instead of the Ford Fusion he had rented online, they offered him a Mustang at no additional charge.

BUT the big news is that on his way home tomorrow he changes planes in Minneapolis. Yup, YOUR Minneapolis. I just wanted to give you a heads up in case any cross walks need to be repainted or if you want to arrange a parade (with photopass) in his honor or given him a key to your city (or Josh's Jeep).

(So in the past year, both of my sons have been to Minneapolis AND California, and here I sit. )

WOW... I will be sure to coordinate a parade for him (and paint the crosswalks, so he does't get hit by the random parade floats)... No worries Cheryl - he'll get home safe and sound - and thing he's a celebrity by the time he gets there.

Hey -- your link is to the Milwaukee Zoo and I have to say that's the zoo I grew up with and I even worked there one summer in high school! I haven't been there in years, but that was awesome -- way ahead of the times for zoos in that animals were in natural habitats and not cages (for the most part). I really liked Roger Williams Zoo too -- we had membership there.


A) I keep my shoe boxes so I appreciate your hard work (had no clue they had to be assembled -- I just figured shoes were shipped to you in shoe boxes)

B) Cool new toy Josh has there!

C) I can so picture Alli fixing her hair -- she just looks to be that type of girl

Well, after all my hard work - I am glad you keep your boxes.

And yes, Alli spends a lot of time on personal grooming....

It would be Donald Blue if it were for D~ and the removable roof would be yellow.

Oh yes... I have an awesome visual...

sounds like you all will have a FANTASTIC summer with the amusement park passes and now the zoo passes too! YAY! And glad to hear you are making such great progress on your next bag. I can't wait to see your latest creation.




hope you have a good day at work (even if it is just assembling shoe boxes) and YAY for Josh and his new Jeep! it looks to be in nice condition so I hope he enjoys it!

sunshine

Thanks Sunny... I am making progress on my next bag. I hope to have it finished by tomorrow afternoon.

I agree....there has got to be a better way. I never want the box when I buy shoes and it makes the shoe department look horrible when all the boxes are open and the sizes are all messed up. But think of it this way... you are getting paid to do this mindless thing. So you don't have to think about what you are doing....you can just spend the time thinking about my backpacks




Hey, there are worse things he could've done with his "mid-life crisis. After working at a Jeep dealer for 11 years (before they took the franchise away last fall) I still love the Wranglers. Jeep has come out with lots of new stuff over the years, but the Wrangler is still a Wrangler. Congrats to Josh! Hope you have lots of fun memories in it

LOL Suzi... Oooh - a Jeep expert... You don't happen to know where I can get a pattern for a wheel cover? Or, at least, how they attach at the back (elastic... ties????) Josh wants me to make him a custom wheel cover (or six), but I am just not sure how it attaches to the tire?

And would it have some webbed feet poking out as well?

How 'bout a hat with a little ribbon?

Yes Andrea... You are so creative... So, when you sell your house... Will you send me this Jeep you've designed for me?

and don't forget you would need a horn that quacks

and for my previous ?? about why you were bldg shoe boxes...duh, you are at work today....I was a target eariler and saw a lady doing the same thing...I figured they shipped them in the boxes

ROFL... For sure!!! A horn that quacks!!! Love it!!!!

I hope you stopped said lady at Target and told her how much you appreciated those boxes - she could have been at home sewing.

Love Josh's new ride... .

I always thought the shoes were shipped in boxes too I have to say our Target has the worse shoe selection lately.


That's funny. I didn't even realize that. We have a membership to RWZ and love using it to get into other places for free.

Thanks Michelle... I explained the shoe boxes up there... ^^^^ Awesome that your zoo membership gets you into other places.

Our Targets have remodeled and they really cut the size of the shoe department. It's very disappointing. One of our stores still has an OK selection, but most are very limited. I buy most of my shoes at Ross or TJMaxx, but I'm trying to be good and not buy any until the house sells.

I don't really like our shoe selection either. The sad thing is, if you walk through the little girls shoes - they would make super cute adult shoes... but the shoes in the adult section look like some hussy should be wearing them - they are just awful.

This is along the lines of what I was thinking! It's very nice though. I love the colour.

I love how you say "colour" vs "color"... It sounds so sophisticated.

our target's shoe area is bad too....when they put in all the extra food some of the other areas really suffered because of it!


with all the talk of membership I got one for our zoo! hope to go use it this weekend if our weather is decent!

I am happy that you got a zoo membership! :0)

I have to hop in the shower, but wanted you to know I am loving the updates and Josh's new toy is AWESOME!!!! Wish I could come visit YOU this summer....with the GKTW passport I could go to the amusement park with you for FREE! Now if I could only pay for the hotel and gas...

That would be awesome Judy if you could come up and go to our amusment park with us! And you're always welcome to stay at our house! Although - you'd have to like sleeping under Patience, because she is currently hoarding the "spare bedroom" (which never was a spare bedroom - at least not for us).

I have to run to the PO this morning... Then to the meat market to pick up our hamburger order... And all day before and after I go - I'll be sewing.

D~

 

[solana131]

LOL Suzi... Oooh - a Jeep expert... You don't happen to know where I can get a pattern for a wheel cover? Or, at least, how they attach at the back (elastic... ties????) Josh wants me to make him a custom wheel cover (or six), but I am just not sure how it attaches to the tire?

Oh no, I am certainly not an expert But I will gladly check on the cover thing. I think it is just elastic, but I'll make sure. Maybe you could find a used one on craigslist or a cheap one at the autoparts store and deconstruct it to have a pattern. But I will ask the guys at work how they stay on. We might even have one in the shop I can take a look at

 

[DMGeurts]

Oh no, I am certainly not an expert But I will gladly check on the cover thing. I think it is just elastic, but I'll make sure. Maybe you could find a used one on craigslist or a cheap one at the autoparts store and deconstruct it to have a pattern. But I will ask the guys at work how they stay on. We might even have one in the shop I can take a look at

That would be wonderful!!! I think I could construct a pattern myself, just by measuring Josh's tire... I just need to know what the back looks like - I was thinking elastic too - but I just want to be sure. Thanks a MILLION for any and all help you can give me Suzi!

D~

 

[nowellsl]

That would be wonderful!!! I think I could construct a pattern myself, just by measuring Josh's tire... I just need to know what the back looks like - I was thinking elastic too - but I just want to be sure. Thanks a MILLION for any and all help you can give me Suzi!

D~

I bought one on Ebay for my spare (Rav4) tire and it had a drawstring secured by one of those little clips with the spring (sorry, don't know the name, but I've seen them at Joanne's). It deteriorated after a while, the rain and sun did it in after a couple of years. It was nylon.

 

[lovethattink]

I just had to pop in on my break and give my 2 cent's on the description of 'my Jeep'... Not only would it be dd blue with a yellow cover, but the tire cover on the back would be white and bear an uncanny resemblance to a duck tail.

D~

I'm still hear. Mostly lurking because things are crazy at home between end of school year stuff and Star Wars Weekends.

Love the jeep!

I thought of you last weekend with all the Darth Duck merchandise. Never in my life did I think we'd have a Donald throw in our house, but since it's Darth Duck we do! And a coffee mug, and a drinking glass...All Grumpy's picks.

 

[DMGeurts]

I bought one on Ebay for my spare (Rav4) tire and it had a drawstring secured by one of those little clips with the spring (sorry, don't know the name, but I've seen them at Joanne's). It deteriorated after a while, the rain and sun did it in after a couple of years. It was nylon.

Oooh - thanks for that tip... I do have some parachute cord that I purchased for my drawstring backpacks, and I do have the cord clips too - so that is an option. Hmmm... And good to know that it was nylon - I was wondering about the fabric. We were looking at using some vinyl in the home decor section - but I am just not sure if it will work? Nylon is a good option, but I was hoping for something thicker.

I'm still hear. Mostly lurking because things are crazy at home between end of school year stuff and Star Wars Weekends.

Love the jeep!

I thought of you last weekend with all the Darth Duck merchandise. Never in my life did I think we'd have a Donald throw in our house, but since it's Darth Duck we do! And a coffee mug, and a drinking glass...All Grumpy's picks.

Thanks Tink! Oooh Darth Duck... I would love to see pictures if you ever have time - it sounds soooo adorable!

I finished up my applique yesterday, which I was imensely proud of myself for. I told my self that I couldn't have lunch until I finished it. That seemed to work well.

Then I spent the day trying to get some sneak peeks of my launch bag uploaded to Facebook, I am not sure what is going on with Facebook (or me?), but I posted a sneek peek picture to my Fan page, and it didn't show up in my personal feed. I don't think it showed up in anyone's feed, because I didn't have any comments or likes on it at all. I tried 3 different times. I uploaded it this morning to the Main Street Boutiques fan page, and that showed up in my feed (even though it took an amazing amount of time to upload) - so hopefully some people will see it now... And for your viewing enjoyment... I huge sneak peek of my Launch bag:

I contacted one of my neighbors - they have this really awesome limestone barn foundation (which is now a garage) - and I asked her if I can use it for the backdrop of my official Launch bag photos, and she said I could. WHOOT! I am super happy about that, because I just couldn't figure out where to take these photos at... It seems that everyone else in the launch has a pool or something spectacular in their yard to use as a background - not I. I guess I could go across the street to the park too, we have the really awesome old playground equipment over there (you know, the metal slide and the metal merry-go-round) - so that would be a fun place to take pictures too... Maybe next time?

I managed to order our Valleyfair season passes yesterday. My bff is a single mom (her dd was born right in between my girls) - so they have grown up together. Well, on Monday, she lost her job - she has been with her company for almost 15 years. It was very sudden, and she just wasn't prepared. Thankfully, she does have some vacation pay outs coming, and some investment $$ she can use as a last resort. Her car is paid off, and her freezers/cupboards are full. Anyways... There probably won't be much fun in their lives in the near future, and even though her and Josh don't get along, Josh gave me his blessing to purchase season passes for her and her dd to Valleyfair - since they almost always go with us. It wasn't something I was prepared to do in our budget, but I was able to make it work. She has been such a good friend to me for a very long time, and emotionally kept me stable while Josh was in Iraq - I know, in a heartbeat, she would do anything for me - so I was glad to be able to give them something fun to do this summer.

It's supposed to rain today, but I need to run to town to get a few household items. I am going to work on my UPB assembly this morning though. I am also uploading photos for my Day 9 update, since I am up early, I have time to sneak in a little update.

I hope that each and every one of you are having a marvelous holiday weekend! And Marianne, where ever you are, please know I am thinking of you and praying for safe travels to RI this weekend.

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

FYI: Be prepared for this to be a large update... I have TONS of pictures from this day!

The girls and I woke early today (6:45)... We were headed for Rope Drop at MK.

Allison still wasn't feeling well - her stomach was really hurting. After much discussion with her (and Josh on the phone), we decided that Alli would stay behind at the resort this morning, and take a bus over to MK later, if she felt up to it. At this point, we had been using Disney transportation for 9 days - the girls were very comfortable with it, Alli had her cell phone - so if she had any problems, she could call.

I went down to the food court and got the girls and I some breakfast - I also refilled our mugs. V and I had beignets, and Allison requested a muffin.

After lots of instruction for Alli from me - V and I headed out for the bus to MK. The bus stop was rather full, and V was looking very cute today:

I couldn't believe the amout of people waiting in the Rope Drop area of MK... We were there fairly early, and the droves of people coming in behind us was INSANE!!! We were packed in there like sardines!

I love the Train Station with the morning sun shining on it - it almost sparkles...

I had forgotten to take a picture of V's clippie from Beth, it coordinated with her outfit perfectly!

Welcome, welcome, welcome....

We were among the first to be let into MK, and we went straight to the steps of the Steam Train - bummer they were still roped off. While hoards of people were passing us by, we decided to stick to our plan and ride the train around to Fantasyland. While we were waiting for the ropes to drop on the train, there was another couple standing there with V and I, we were chatting with them, and it turns out that they are from MN - very near to where we live - and they winter in FL every year. We passed the time talking to them, a lot. They even offered to take a picture of V and I...

Finally, someone came to drop the ropes for the Steam Train - and up we went. We waited up there, for what seemed like forever. We knew it would be a little wait, because it always takes them a while to clear the character train. After about 20 minutes people started complaining, because we had been waiting for sooo long. Finally the Conductor announced that the Opening Show forgot to notify the other train that the track was clear. Our train did not show up until 9:35! The park had been open for 35 minutes! ACK!

My first thought was that ALL those people were now in front of us at Dumbo. YOu see, today is Wednesday... Phase 1 of the Fantasyland expansion had just opened for their soft opening on Monday... I hoped that many people didn't know that, and were sidetracked by the many attractions they had to pass by to get to Dumbo by foot.

Finally, we boarded the Train, and around the park we went. V was in charge of the camera, because I was busy texting Allison.

Allison had just sent me a text message that she was boarding the bus at POFQ to ride to MK. I was giving her strict instructions, so go through the ticket line, and MK's gates, then up the steps and ride the Train around to Fantasyland - we would be waiting for her there.

As I was texting, V was snapping photos - I put her in charge of the camera and getting some good photos of the newly opened Fantasyland Train Station:

We loved all the details in the sidewalks:

We decided to ride the Barnstormer first, since it was walk-on. While we were on the ride, we had a great view of the portion of the expansion that wasn't open yet - so I took the opportunity to take a picture:

The wait for Dumbo was considerably shorter than I expected it to be when we got here, so V and I got in line...

Just as we got in line, I got a text from Allison. She was still feeling awful - but didn't want to miss out on MK - her bus was just passing the Contemporary and she was almost to MK. I was so nervous!

I continued to take pictures of this new fabulous que line... You see, I have never been much of a Dumbo person... but let me tell you - this rehab has done EVERYTHING for this ride, and what was once boring and "meh" was now wonderful, spectacular and exciting... All because they changed the que and gave the ride some eye popping color - the ride itself is virtually the same.

And look at all the fabulous details here - LOVE this:

The ride itself nearly puts you into a trance... You just can't look away from it...

And the other side of Dumbo, which is just in the beginning stages of reassembly... and it looks to me like they still have a lot of work to do yet on the actual boarding area as well.

I do have to say - even though you won't see them now... I was able to get my most coveted Now n' Then pictures of V on the Dumbo ride. I had been praying for weeks, ever since I heard the first whispers of the Fantasyland expansion doing a soft opening during our trip, that I would be able to get these pictures... And I was beyond happy that we were able to!

Just as V and I were unloading from Dumbo, I got a text from Allison, inquiring about which stop to get off at. I was texting her and telling her that she needed to stay on the train at frontierland and ride it ALL THE WAY around the park, to Fantasyland. V and I hung out and told her to meet us in front of Dumbo - we told Allison that she couldn't miss it, because there were only 2 rides at that stop, and it wasn't very crowded yet.

Allison was finally reunited with V and I - she was still feeling awful - but really put on a brave face for pictures, and attitude in general. It was a hot day, and the heat was really getting to her too - so we tried to keep her in the shade as much as possible.

Today was our day to wear the Pirate outfits I had made. I was a bit disappointed when Alli showed up, that she wasn't wearing her's. But I got over it very quickly - I was just happy she made it there. And, if you want to get "technical" - she was wearing a Priate shirt afterall.

Link to Day 9 Part B

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

I can't wait to see Fantasy land when we go in Sept (or Nov). Great update!

And my master plan is that no one else gets to see your bag until I have a chance to snag it!


Nini

 

[cogero]

I totally love your Launch bag

Great update as ususal.

Hope you have a great day. I am enjoying a cup of coffee before I get J up

 

[BrerMama]

Looks like a bright and fun morning!