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

[Lidian]

Wow! That is so neat how Jo Anna managed to get two separate pics of the girls merged into one to make it look as though they actually like each other

Or is there just a glass wall between their backs?

 

[mphalens]

Josh and I had a wonderful day yesterday... He was off of work and I was too. I spent most of my morning in my sewing room - working on my next bag.

Then Josh had to run an errand - so I went with him... He took me out for lunch at Jimmy Johns (Num - my favorite)... Then I had to stop at JoAnn's for a couple of minor things. And I remembered I had some Kohls Cash to spend - so he let me run into Kohls to spend it - but GULP - I couldn't find anything I wanted (I was feeling the pressure of him waiting outside)...

After all that shopping, and came home and worked on this bag for the rest of the night. I am very happy with my progress on it!

Josh and I were talking last night... We do season passes to our local theme park every summer for the girls and I (not Josh, because he never goes), so I plan to order them this week. It's an hour drive for us - but we do get our use out of them, and it's a lot of fun. The only bummer is that it's an hour drive, which isn't bad in the morning when we are there for park opening... but if we leave too late in the day - then we're stuck in rush hour traffic. So, basically, we have to leave there by 2pm to miss rush hour - or we have to stay until 7 - to miss the end of rush hour. Almost always, we are out of there by 2. LOL Here's the link to our local park if you are bored and want to check it out... www.valleyfair.com

Anyways, we were talking, and I had the idea of getting a family pass to our local Zoo. I had heard they are pretty reasonable. So, Josh and I checked into it last night, and it's only $130 for the entire family + 1 friend - and it's valid for one calendar year. I think we decided we are going to do that too... One of the main reasons is that it would include Josh - so he could take the girls on the days I work and he is off. Also, I've been looking for ways to get the girls out of town (and away from our scary neighbors) - but also ways for us to get out an excercise. And - it's only a half hour away from our house! I thought this would be kind of fun. Here's the link to our Zoo, if you want to look at that... www.mnzoo.com

Otherwise - it's just boring around here... we are trying to wrap up the end of the school year, only 2 more weeks left!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day today... I have to work... Sigh.

D~

OK - not sure if you've purchased your Zoo Passes yet, but I have to tell you about the deal everyone around us does, because it might help you out too! We all buy the Western North Carolina Nature Center family pass. It gets you into not only a huge list of zoos, but also into science & technology centers as well. It's actually on your zoo's list . . . anyway, even though it's in Asheville, NC and we live in Charlotte, NC, we can still use it at all of the places in Charlotte (and here in RI, and in Boston, etc. etc. etc.). You might want to call your zoo and see if what their terms are for reciprocity with the WNCNC pass - because it'd give you MORE places to go to for less money.
http://www.wildwnc.org

Just saying if you came to RI... you can use your Zoo passes to get into free at our zoo and some places in Boston.

http://www.zoosociety.org/Membership/Reciprocal.php#Rhode%20Island

LOL Michelle.... I wish I could come to RI... Maybe that's where we should do another Dismeet? Honestly, I vote for MN next though.


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~

Oooh! MN or RI! I'm up for either!!!

And Josh's new Wrangler - My best friend in high school had a wrangler when we were in college and up until a couple of years ago . . .I loved that jeep!

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. )

It's really fun to get "stuck" at MSP and have D~ come meet you and take you to Target . . . in fact, your son could possibly meet some of Ginger's offspring . . .

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~

thanks friend! we did get here safe and sound (although had quite a few stops along the way - some of which were very "exciting" ) . . . I had a migraine today though But the boys are loving every minute! and I'm glad to be back on the island . . .

 

[mphalens]

Here's the list of science places the WNCNC pass gets you into in Minnesota.

MINNESOTA
Bakken Library & Museum, Minneapolis
Bell Museum of Natural History, Minneapolis Duluth Children's Museum, Duluth Headwaters Science Center, Bemidji Historical & Cultural Society of Clay County,
Moorhead
Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul The Works, Edina

And here's the link to the zoos:

Here's the link to WNCNC

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Alli looked beautiful!

Congrats to Josh- my dh is a jeep guy. He just took the doors off today to kickoff the summer season.

Your house looks lovely! How scary it must have been as you started to uncover more and more. It reminded me of Holmes on Homes!

I think Joanne (photopass photographer - that was her name, right? I read a lot to catch up!) looks like she could be Alli's aunt/ your sister!

 

[DMGeurts]

I want a Joanna. We're doing Photopass Plus, so I'm planning on getting tons and tons of photos. I've got a scrapbook to create!

Looks like a fun time. I enjoyed LTT for lunch last trip, too.

I hope you get tons of Photopass pics! And if you see JoAnna - please tell her "hi"... I doubt she'll remember us - but maybe she will? LOL

Wow, how did I get so far behind? So anyway....the guys in our shop said the Jeep tire covers have a zipper up the back, so they fit perfectly tight. I told them why I wanted to know and they said they were sure either elastic or velcro would work too. They suggested canvas with a waterproof coating sprayed on.

Hmmm... Thanks for asking - I appreciate that so much. I wonder how it actually zips up the back? Since that post is there to hold the tire on... Maybe Josh and I should go to the Jeep dealer in town and see what they look like?

How sweet of you to buy the season passes for your BFF I'm sure they will get lots of use out of them.

Awww... thanks. Well, we went yesterday morning... so if we go one more time - they will have paid for themselves.

And now on to your updates...

I love the new trainstation. Can't wait to see what else has opened up when we get there in July. Did the old Dumbo have a fountain under it? I know I went on it when I was little, but it was closed in Feb and I don't remember much about it.

I am excited to see what is all open when you go too! I am dreaming of the day that we can see more of the Fantasyland Expansion - because it was truly beautiful. Disney has outdone themselves, yet again. IMO.

That sucks that they took so long for a train to come And those crowds at opening really scare me. I hope they aren't that bad for EMH opening as that is when we will go mostly.

LTT looks so yummy. I'm wishing I had chosen there, but I will get there someday

Well, that wasn't EMH opening... that was opening on a "10" day at MK during spring break... I am sure that EMH openings in the summer will be far less crowded.

You must try LTT sometime - really, their food is far superior to any food we've ever had in Disney. I am not sure if it's because it's more "home cooked" and similar to our local foods... but it has made it to our must do list again.

having your own private PP CM can't wait to see the rest of the photos! that is a cute one of the girls

I love looking at all the little details of the bldgs...its amazing what you discover if you take the time!

Joanna was superior - and it was quite funny. It was quite sad when her shift was over and we were leaving for the day. I tried to "friend" her on FB, but she never responded to my request. I am 99% sure that she didn't recognize me. Oh well, I just wanted to thank her for making our trip extra special.

I know, it was so hard to see the details through those crowds of people though. LOL

I'm still reading and lurking here, but I wanted to say that I went and looked at your house album (I think it was on Picasa?) and the renovations you've done - WOW!! Those are some amazing pictures, and what a story! You basically rebuilt your house; amazing. I wish I had some of the knowledge that your husband has, that is real talent.

Awww... Thank you. It was one of those things, where when you were deciding to do it - you just thought you were improving the look of your house. Then as we were tearing it apart, we realized that it was more then necessary - and sometimes down right scary. I can't imagine what could have happened had we not done all those renovations.

Thank you for taking the time to look at our album... I know - even when I look through it - it takes me an hour - LOL So, I really appreciate that people take the time to look.

As for the update, I feel terrible for Allie in these updates - I can do Disney with a cold (though I do complain about it), but doing it with a stomachache is unbelievably tough. I don't think anything at all makes a trip worse than something like food poisoning or the stomach flu; I hope she gets better on your next update.

Yah - I was not sure what to do at all. There I was in a strange place, alone with the girls, and Alli was sick... She really was miserable - and I didn't even have a thermometer, so I just had no idea if she was running a fever - or anything...

Awesome about the photographer, though! That's getting your money's worth!

Yes, I was so excited about JoAnna... She really made our trip!

I think that this new bag will be another Showstopper! D~, you are certainly a wizard with fabrics. pixie dust:

WOW!!! Thank you so much! I am excited for everyone to see it! Only one more week until the launch... I need to get the wallet finished too - I am just so stumped on it... Sigh.

The new Fantasyland expansion looks terrific - I can't wait to go once it is finished! :good vibes I love your updates and am looking forward to the next one.

I know - I can't wait to see it finished either... it is really going to be amazing!

Have fun at Valleyfair! I remember it from my youth (I am originally from Northwestern Ontario) - it was a very big deal to trek to Valley Fair for long weekend.

That's cool that you've been there... it's changed a lot over the years, but it's still fun! Although, I really don't ride any rides except the white rollercoaster... occasionally, I'll do a few of the others - but I am more of a classic ride type gal, and some of the "spinny" rides are now starting to give me motion sickness - so I can't ride them as much as I used to.

Wow! That is so neat how Jo Anna managed to get two separate pics of the girls merged into one to make it look as though they actually like each other

Or is there just a glass wall between their backs?

Seriously -- great pics and I can wait to see all the other photos JoAnna took.

LOL Andrea... Yes - JoAnna was a magician!

OK - not sure if you've purchased your Zoo Passes yet, but I have to tell you about the deal everyone around us does, because it might help you out too! We all buy the Western North Carolina Nature Center family pass. It gets you into not only a huge list of zoos, but also into science & technology centers as well. It's actually on your zoo's list . . . anyway, even though it's in Asheville, NC and we live in Charlotte, NC, we can still use it at all of the places in Charlotte (and here in RI, and in Boston, etc. etc. etc.). You might want to call your zoo and see if what their terms are for reciprocity with the WNCNC pass - because it'd give you MORE places to go to for less money.
http://www.wildwnc.org








Oooh! MN or RI! I'm up for either!!!

And Josh's new Wrangler - My best friend in high school had a wrangler when we were in college and up until a couple of years ago . . .I loved that jeep!

THat's so cool!! I never knew what a "cult following" Jeeps had until Josh got his last week... it's like this secret society. LOL

It's really fun to get "stuck" at MSP and have D~ come meet you and take you to Target . . . in fact, your son could possibly meet some of Ginger's offspring . . .

Yes, ahem, Ginger has a lot of offspring here. They must have followed Rod.

thanks friend! we did get here safe and sound (although had quite a few stops along the way - some of which were very "exciting" ) . . . I had a migraine today though But the boys are loving every minute! and I'm glad to be back on the island . . .

Hmmm... I would love to hear about some of these stops along the way...

Here's the list of science places the WNCNC pass gets you into in Minnesota.

MINNESOTA
Bakken Library & Museum, Minneapolis
Bell Museum of Natural History, Minneapolis Duluth Children's Museum, Duluth Headwaters Science Center, Bemidji Historical & Cultural Society of Clay County,
Moorhead
Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul The Works, Edina

And here's the link to the zoos:

Here's the link to WNCNC

OK - I need to call a few of these places to see what they offer as discounts... because the MN zoo is awesome, and so is the Science Museum... That would be incredibly cool. THanks so much for the tip!!!

Alli looked beautiful!

Thanks Deb!

Congrats to Josh- my dh is a jeep guy. He just took the doors off today to kickoff the summer season.

Cool... I do think it's really awesome how "customizable" they are - I never realized that either. LOL And everyone here knows how I feel about customs. LOL

Your house looks lovely! How scary it must have been as you started to uncover more and more. It reminded me of Holmes on Homes!

Yes, it was scary... It made me sick to my stomach actually. But I feel so much better knowing that there really isn't anything more we can "find" - LOL

I think Joanne (photopass photographer - that was her name, right? I read a lot to catch up!) looks like she could be Alli's aunt/ your sister!

LOL - now that you say that - I do have an aunt that does look a bit like her. LOL

So, the girls and I stopped at my bff's house yesterday morning, picked up her and her dd - and off to Valleyfair we went. The forecast for yesterday said it was to be a scorcher - and it was proving that way when we got there. It was about 90 deg. muggy and not a cloud in the sky. It was quite miserable actually. So, the girls rode the rides they wanted to ride... tried to ride a few water rides (2 of which were down... not good). We were all hungry for lunch, so we were only there for 2 hours. Almost not worth the drive. I didn't want to stay long yesterday anyways.

So, the girls and I came home. Josh and I went over to one of our neighbor's and sat on their deck for a little while (yes, they were there Andrea).

Today, the plan is... My sewing room for a few hours this morning. Then this evening for dinner, we are planning kabobs and a cold macaroni salad... I started marinating the meat yesterday - so they should be pretty good.

I don't think I will get to an update today - but maybe I'll be able to post about a bag.

D~

 

[blessedmom4]

OOOOHHHH Loved all of the new pics! Glad Marianne gave you the zoo tip, we used to do that when we could and visited Discovery Place here in Charlotte ALL of the time. LOVE it!

I ma eager ot se all of your photo[*** pics...I see the love in your daughters eyes for each other...it just might take a while to show it to you!

LTT looked YUMMY!!!


I posted my MNSSHP fright Night if you want to read....

​

 

[WDWCP96]

How great That you had your own PP photographer. I love that picture of V and A. I have never eaten at LTT that I can remember, maybe I will add them to our ADR list.

So cool about Josh's jeep! My DH is in the Jeep cult and has been for years. They used to do a Camp Jeep a couple years ago that was a lot of fun with tons of trail rides, a concert as well as other cool events. But with the economy they had to cut back and don't do it anymore. I hope that at some point they will bring it back. Don't forget the Jeep wave when you are riding around.

 

[ladylyons]

I don't think I've commented but I love your last park updates. Raally love the photopass picture of V and A. It does look like they enjoy being with each other.

My parent's had a Jeep Wranger for a few years before they retired and I enjoyed going places in it. Just wish when they sold it I knew how to drive a stick because I would have bought it from them. It was a fun vehicle!!

Really can't wait to see what your new bag is. Love all the sneak peeks!!

 

[DMGeurts]

OOOOHHHH Loved all of the new pics! Glad Marianne gave you the zoo tip, we used to do that when we could and visited Discovery Place here in Charlotte ALL of the time. LOVE it!

I am pretty excited about it. I am just not sure where she found the reciprocal information, so I need to find out if it's actually free or not.

[I ma eager ot se all of your photo[*** pics...I see the love in your daughters eyes for each other...it just might take a while to show it to you!

I hope it happens soon!

[LTT looked YUMMY!!!

I posted my MNSSHP fright Night if you want to read....

​

I will have to go read it!

Thanks for the Memorial Day wishes.

How great That you had your own PP photographer. I love that picture of V and A. I have never eaten at LTT that I can remember, maybe I will add them to our ADR list.

Yah JoAnna was fun, and such a sweetheart! You must try LTT, their food is wonderful!

So cool about Josh's jeep! My DH is in the Jeep cult and has been for years. They used to do a Camp Jeep a couple years ago that was a lot of fun with tons of trail rides, a concert as well as other cool events. But with the economy they had to cut back and don't do it anymore. I hope that at some point they will bring it back. Don't forget the Jeep wave when you are riding around.

Camp Jeep sounds like lots of fun! I wish they still had it - we are total newbies though... Can you tell us what the Jeep wave is?

I don't think I've commented but I love your last park updates. Raally love the photopass picture of V and A. It does look like they enjoy being with each other.

Thanks! I think they got along well that day because V felt sorry for A being so sick.

My parent's had a Jeep Wranger for a few years before they retired and I enjoyed going places in it. Just wish when they sold it I knew how to drive a stick because I would have bought it from them. It was a fun vehicle!!

Really can't wait to see what your new bag is. Love all the sneak peeks!!

Josh's is a stick too - it's been several years since I've driven a stick - but my first few cars were sticks, so I am sure it will come back to me quite easily if given the chance....

Still working on a bag today... This one is going so slowly. I hope to have pictures up this afternoon.

D~

 

[DisneyLaura]

Hi D~

I am finally caught up with your TR. Yes I read the whole thing in about 2-3 days. I will say that I used your handy dandy links for your posts but now that I'm all caught up I'll read everything.

The pictures are awesome! I love the past and present pictures too.

Hope Allison feels better soon. Did you ever find out what was wrong?

Laura

 

[WDWCP96]

Camp Jeep sounds like lots of fun! I wish they still had it - we are total newbies though... Can you tell us what the Jeep wave is?

D~

Here is the definition of the Jeep Wave:

The Rules of the WAVE

Warning
Owning, registering, insuring, or driving a Jeep implies knowledge of and intent to abide by the following rules. Failure to obey the rules may result in your being ignored by other Jeep owners as you sit along the side of the road next to your stalled vehicle in a blizzard surrounded by Saturns, Yugos, and Hyundais.


Definition: The Jeep Wave

An honor bestowed upon those drivers with the superior intelligence, taste, class, and discomfort tolerance (exception to 97 and newer Jeep owners) to own the ultimate vehicle - the Jeep. Generally consists of either a raised hand waving or 4 fingers extended upward from the steering wheel, but may be modified to suit circumstances and locally accepted etiquette.


Examples of commonly accepted modifications:

Top off: One handed wave above windshield or outside body tub.

Top off during blizzard: Shiver and nod, hands may remain frozen to steering wheel.

Southern/rural locations: No wave, just a nod.



General Rules:

1. All Jeepers are responsible for upholding the tradition of the Wave. It seems that generally the Jeep wave is only practiced by Jeep owners driving the following Jeep vehicles; CJ, YJ, TJ, JK.

2. All Jeepers are required to return the Wave even if it's a Grand Cherokee or Compass.

3. Do not EVER wave to Hummers, even if you know the person.

 

[nowellsl]

Here is the definition of the Jeep Wave:

The Rules of the WAVE

Warning
Owning, registering, insuring, or driving a Jeep implies knowledge of and intent to abide by the following rules. Failure to obey the rules may result in your being ignored by other Jeep owners as you sit along the side of the road next to your stalled vehicle in a blizzard surrounded by Saturns, Yugos, and Hyundais.


Definition: The Jeep Wave

An honor bestowed upon those drivers with the superior intelligence, taste, class, and discomfort tolerance (exception to 97 and newer Jeep owners) to own the ultimate vehicle - the Jeep. Generally consists of either a raised hand waving or 4 fingers extended upward from the steering wheel, but may be modified to suit circumstances and locally accepted etiquette.


Examples of commonly accepted modifications:

Top off: One handed wave above windshield or outside body tub.

Top off during blizzard: Shiver and nod, hands may remain frozen to steering wheel.

Southern/rural locations: No wave, just a nod.



General Rules:

1. All Jeepers are responsible for upholding the tradition of the Wave. It seems that generally the Jeep wave is only practiced by Jeep owners driving the following Jeep vehicles; CJ, YJ, TJ, JK.

2. All Jeepers are required to return the Wave even if it's a Grand Cherokee or Compass.

3. Do not EVER wave to Hummers, even if you know the person.

My brother in law bought a mid-life crisis jeep. I think I'll share this with him

 

[DMGeurts]

Phew... I finally finished... With working so much last week at my *real job* and having the holiday weekend... it was just really hard for me to manage my time to complete this bag, but it's finished, and I am happy with it.

Front:

Applique close-up:

Looking down into the front slip-in pocket:

Interior quilted pocket:

Thanks for looking!

D~

 

[nowellsl]

Ahhh, I love it! I was gonna use that Minnie print on the little kindle bag I made (to match my UPB) but my daughter talked me into using the dot fabric. I still need to make something with it, but have no idea what

 

[Terkina]

Once again you have mad a great bag

 

[TinkNH]

that is soo cute. I better not let DD see she loves minnie I am so envious of your applique skills, they just floor me every time!

 

[thewesterberg]

I got behind, but now all caught up!

Love all the Photopass pics! How great to have a CM for your own personal photo shoot!

And poor A being sick. No fun ever, but especially at WDW!

And your newest bag... LOVE it!!! It's great!

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~

Just saw your posts about the Jeep...

My DH has a bright blue Jeep - I've always thought "Smurf" but Donald Duck is right on. Maybe you should come on up and work your magic on his beloved Jeep!

Oh, and the whole thing about the "Jeep Wave"... it's true. DH waves all the time at other Wranglers and the other drivers always wave back. When I take the Jeep, I'm usually reminded to "wave". He got his Jeep a year ago after having an old one... it's awesome! I love driving it with the top down!

If your DH is ever wanting to take it off-road, there's a great Off Highway Vehicle Park up in Gilbert, MN (near Virginia). It's got trails of all different abilities and it's located where there used to be an old iron ore mine. There's hills, big rocks, and trails all over. There's some trails you can run with just stock tires. Others, you need big tires and winches and to be a bit crazy to drive! Fun place!

 

[mommy2mrb]

Phew... I finally finished... With working so much last week at my *real job* and having the holiday weekend... it was just really hard for me to manage my time to complete this bag, but it's finished, and I am happy with it.

Front:

Applique close-up:

Looking down into the front slip-in pocket:

Interior quilted pocket:

Thanks for looking!

D~

well you hard work has paid off yet again the bag!

 

[VBAndrea]

Minnie is mucho fabuloso -- or would that be mucha fabulosa? Well, no matter, Minnie is not Hispanic (to my knowledge). I thought I got good at hand appliqueing but you are mucho mucho mucho perfecto -- I know how hard it is to do small details -- I can only make big appliques look that good. You are the QUEEN!

 

[newtexan]

glad LTT was a plus, it's on our list

love the Minnie bag!