Have a great day despite working -- 5.5 hours isn't bad -- I work a full day tomorrow and on Monday I work 10.5 hours. I do get a lunch break, but my boss crams my schedule so tight that I get behind, so my lunch hour isn't always an hour. She wants to get her money's worth out of me -- and does!!!
That sucks!!! So maybe I should stop complaining? I was going to pull my "old card" on you - but I can't - you're older than I am. 
[Today I am getting my hair done (my old hair dresser came back into town -- I'm so happy b/c he's at least $50 cheaper for a cut and color than anyone else and he does a good job) and I need to go Easter basket shopping for the kids. I also have a shirt to embroider for a gift for my sister's boyfriend's grandson but I can't find a 4T in the color I want -- will see if Kmart has something. Problem is dh bought dd some things for her basket as did I already and I have to figure out monetarily what he bought so I can match things up for ds. DS wants the Chugginton round house -- which is a mere $100 -- and ds is 10 years old and I can't imagine him playing with it much at all -- he still plays with his wooden train stuff periodically, but he is really at the age where he's outgrowing them and I hate to throw $100 into something like that -- but he really wants it. I'm at a loss. I will save all his Thomas stuff for his kids b/c we have thousands invested into it, but still not intersted in adding this to the collection.
Glad your hair dresser is back in town... I lost track of my old one - but I love my new one, we get along so well.
I don't know what to tell you about the Thomas stuff - I know for a fact that we have over 10k in AG stuff, and DH has been bugging me to put it away for a while now... I just dunno how I am going to store it, and where? It's definately being saved for the girls for later in life - either once they move out and decide they want to display it - or once they have girls of their own. It can't be stored in the basement... I am probably going to have to find a spot either in their rooms, or in my bedroom closet - probably a little of both?
Totally in love with the "Then and Now" photos!!!
Thanks Liddy!
Funny thing about neighbors....we tend to completely ignore most of ours. We know a few by sight, the ones on each side of us, the two across the street. The rest, not so much.
We have lived in our subdivision (notice I did NOT call it a neighborhood!) since it was first built a little over 9 years ago. Only a small hand full are still the original neighbors. They are the ones that saw the accident, the ones that couldn't get in or out of the subdivision for several hours until it was cleared up. They are the ones that drove the hour plus to the hospital to check on us (based solely on the information on the side of the ambulance) Some of them made it to the hospital before we did.
During those dark weeks they fed my husband, kept the lawn looking nice and dropped off gift baskets for my daughter.
Slowly they moved away....and stopped coming by. The only time we speak to any of our neighbors now is when they have a problem...they see a police car parked in the driveway and come over with their problems for my husband to fix...
It really is sad. But I guess I can't complain...I haven't been much of a neighbor to them either.....
That is such a sad story Nini. And it's so sad that most of the good neighbors have moved away. It is also a very uplifting story that they all took care of your family.
D~ enjoy your great neighbors...they are a commodity that makes you have a neighborhood instead of a subdivision...I am very jealous right now!
I don't think we have much choice - we live in a town that's probably smaller than one of your city blocks - so we just all know eachother, and in some cases, we know too much about eachother.
what a great idea for the then and now pictures. I'm going to look through old photos and try to do the same on our next trip. Thanks so much for the idea.
Glad you like it - there is actually a whole thread on the Community board with Then n' Now pics in it - it's where I got the idea from.
We live in a subdivision too!
In RI we had a neighborhood. When my DH was in Kuwait I had so many neighbors offer to help if I needed anything. One saw me raking leaves one day and brought his riding mower over with a leaf pick up attachment and did our entire lawn for me. Another set invited the kids and I to her parents house for Thanksgiving dinner. Our other neighbor kept our keys and helped our tenants get settled in to the house. People up in New England are just nice.
We had neighbors like that in our old house too, conincidentally, we got the same support when Josh was in Iraq. It was so nice. I have no doubt that these neighbors here would step up if we were in that same situation again. We are just very lucky. I guess, that's why we chose the house we did. It's an ugly house (or was when we bought it), but the neighborhood was perfect. And you can always change a house, but you really can't change where your house is. Location, location, location... So, they say anyways.
Down here we have people from all over and a lot of people who feel they are entitled to the good life. It's not the same. And my nicest neighbor turned on me so I just give up. We have a couple sets of neighbors I could call on for help -- one has a little girl that plays with my dd all the time so while we are not great friends, we are very friendly and they are very sweet. And one teaches my dd piano and they are as kind as can be -- though I'm not in love with the friends of their teens that come speeding through the neighborhood.
There is nothing worse than bad neighbors - IMO - because you can't hide from them. Our immediate next door neighbors are retiring and moving out - they have decided to rent out their house - the people moving in are locals from a family with a pretty bad reputation... They also have 2 teenage sons, who seem to be very interested in Allison. I am an absolute wreck! I have nothing against the sons - they seem very nice actually - and the dad was one of the people over here helping clean up the garage, I just don't trust the boys with Allison - if that makes sense.
I just had to call the police yesterday -- we have two cars that park on the street that seem to be sharing a license plate and someone periodically sleeps in one of the cars. No idea if that's illegal or not, but I think sharing tags is not allowed. It appears nothing was done about the situation. In the afternoon the tags were still on the suv and then later when I walked my dogs the tags were on the van. Thankfully these people live around the corner and I can't see their house from mine. We live in a very nice neighborhood too so why we get these strange things going on is beyond me. Too much new money! Next time I'll call your dh Nini!!!
That's creepy... In MN that would be illegal. It's also very strange. Maybe they're in the process of losing their house, or a divorce and they can only afford to license one vehicle?
Sound like you are making enough bags to have another Disney trip pretty soon or to be able to stay home and not work at "the place that gives no lunch"......
I wish I could... Seriously. But DH required (once he found out how much $$ I make on my bags) that once we return from our trip, $x.xx has to go into the family budget per month - and I just don't think I could make that much on my bags alone - it's not like it's a dependable income, ya know? I would love it if I could - that's for sure. And if it ever gets to the point where I feel like it's a viable option - I might just go for it.
I forgot to comment yesterday about the 50's PT ridiculousness. I can't BELIEVE your server did that to you! I absolutely would have asked to see their manager on duty. "Lecturing" a customer on something they requested is completely unacceptable.

I get that the servers don't have to do every little thing that you ask, but they are paid to PREFORM, and if they don't want to, then they should just not without giving you lip. /rantover
Sorry, I think most of us are a little more heated up about it than YOU seemed to be!
LOL - it's OK, I am heated up about it, but there just isn't much more I can do. I could have complained, but I was so busy complaining about the disgusting bathrooms during our trip, that I forgot about Elaine. But I agree with your completely - it was totally rude of her and uncalled for.
I am so jealous of the deals you scored on the alien shirts! Those are SO CUTE!! I cannot WAIT to hear about your AK day.
Thanks - we loved the Alien tees... the funny thing is when we met Diser Dave (and his family) at 50's - he was wearing the same alien tee too. LOL
AND sorry you had a crummy day at work yesterday. Hopefully today is much better and then you will have some nice time off and come back refreshed.
It was better than the day before, thanks - but I was never so happy to be out of there for a weekend. LOL
That is SO AMAZING about your neighbors chipping in and helping you all clean up the building mess! And I'll be praying that PT helps your DH regain more use of his arm.
Sunshine
Thank you for the prayers... We do have some great neighbors - we are very fortunate. We are hoping that PT does help him... he has movement - it's just not where it would normally be - ya know? Looking at him, you would never notice... but it's frustrating for him because there are so many things he wants to do, but can't.
I'm still here! Reading along . . . not posting much . . . but I'm here!
Andrea - I am having an Easter Basket dilemma as well! I have THREE books for Phalen's (the
Lego Star Wars Encyclopedia -purchased at the fabulous price of $12.99- a cool Nat. Geo/Angry Birds Space book, and The Action Bible) . . . Finn's, yeah, I got "nuthin'"

I don't know what to give him! I haven't seen anything that seems right, kwim???
I am in major need of a good house cleaning . . .DH is off today, so I should be cleaning and not on the computer . . . but y'all see where I am. DH is at the gym, the boys are watching Spy Kids, and here I sit.
So glad you're still here. I sent a pkg your way yesterday, I hope your boys get it in time for Easter.
I saw in a later post that your were able to get the EB stuff figured out, so I won't reply to that like I was going to - because what you found was better than what my suggestion was going to be. LOL
Great updates. I don't know how I got so far behind, but I am still here...promise
Hi Suzi! So glad you are still here!
I can't believe that chick at 50s! Crazy
IKR...
And I'm glad to read about your RNR experience. I am the same way with the upside down. I'm fine if it is quick (in fact I love them), but the ones that leave you hanging....um no thanks

Although, maybe I should try them again since the last time I rode one I was much smaller and maybe now with a little more "padding" I might not feel as though I'm gonna fall out
I thought the same thing, because I am a bit more padded - but I still didn't like it. LOL But you need to try it for yourself.
Love your then and now pics. Wish I had thought about that. Well, I still can do it with Bradey since we started early with him. I'll have to pick a couple poses I want to re-create later.
Exactly what you need to do.
The doggie treat bags are adorable
Thanks - I am thinking about copying that post and put it in the Disbou thread - I think the gals (and Tom) over there would like to hear that I am in love with my button holer.
D~, Meet Dinosaur Gertie! He is a long neck as they say in Land Before Time cartoons, or a Brontosaurus. Not to be confused with Nessie the Lochness Monster.
Thank you Tink - I'll be sure to tell the girls, we've always wondered!
I'm sorry you had a bad day at work. I hope today went better!
It did - thank you!
Retail can be really demanding. It's good you get a break, even if it is a super quick one where you have to quickly scarf down your food. DH doesn't get any type of a break, and over a 8 hour day it can be really rough. He comes home so hungry, and I bet you can guess the first place he visits once he walks in the front door.

That's why I worked hospital, I got a 15 minute break AND a 30 minute lunch break!!
That is so awful about your dh... I can't even imagine!
That's great that your neighbors pitched in and helped!! Once we had neighbors help us. Last year a tornado went through our yard and took out fence and knocked over a tree. A few pitched in and helped to remove the tree from the pool cage!! It was very surprising and we were quite touched.
Isn't it amazing how people pull together in times of disaster? I am so glad your neighbors helped you out too... it's just a really awesome feeling to know that strangers want to help.
Praying your dh's arm gains strength with pt.
Thanks Tink!
D~, I have a confession here. In my skimming and not taking time to thoroughly read every post, I missed something. What happened with the server at 50's PT?
Ah ok...now I see it
Wow, that WAS rude!! I saw where you wrote she "played" around with the other table, but totally missed that line. That was uncalled for!
Yah - it really took me by surprise. I wish I could see what the CM at the front desk wrote in our notes - maybe it wasn't as nice as what I said? I dunno?
I can't wait to read all about your day at AK!
HI Shelia!! How are you? I am so glad to see you here!
V seemed so easy going when we met her. Glad Ali and Goofy were able to get her out of her funk! Looking forward to the rest of your AK day.
Oh V is very easy going - when she wants to be. LOL I went back and edited my post a little bit last night, after I reread it - I sounded like I was being really harsh about her drama, I certainly did not mean it to come out that way. But she is definately not the easiest to deal with when she is in one of her moods. I was so glad when she snapped out of it - it's not very often that it lasts more than an hour...
I read reviews on the roundhouse and they were awful so problem solved -2- 2222222 those 2's were compliments of the cat. I told Ben and he understood. But all I had time to do after that was run to TJ Maxx and Marshall's and they just had crap. I can always give him $$ for his aquarium. Alexa is getting a new Webkinz and Beatles movies and some AG stuff (I have to look at my stash to see what I have -- I think I have one complete outfit and a set of boots). I hope I have a little something in my stash for Ben -- if not I will be out shopping on Saturday. So is your house spotless now? I like to clean before I work but I had my hair done and went to the stores instead.
Cute, cute, cute pic with Corri!!!!
Picture of V
there's the girl I was saying in the past was all smiles!
She normally is all smiles.... but she likes her drama too. It usually happens when she is over tired, and I did have to wake her quite early that morning...
So are you telling me Alexa will be like this as a preteen too or was V a model gradeschooler and is now a pain in the patootie? I am hopeful Alexa's horrid years are now and she does nothing but improve -- I'm dreaming, aren't I?
I am finding that things are not getting better with age... the only difference between V at 2 y/o and now, is that she is now taller and smarter.
OK, when we went for breakfast at Tusker we were greeted by someone before being seated. Me thinks you are PURPOSELY leaving us hanging on this one!!!!! I guess Cheryl's nickname for you holds true.
We were not greeted by anyone before we were being seated - except our photo with Donald? Which I can't post yet, because I don't have it on CD and I am too lazy to scan it.
ME <------- who knows you are going to wait until I'm at work tomorrow to post the really juicy pics
No, it will probably get posted tomorrow or on Easter - depending on if I get the next post done today?
I totally forgot you took pics that morning. I am going to have to steal those you know.
To bad that V was having a bad morning, I would have loved to be in a picture with her as well.
Feel free to steal it. 
[I was head to DHS that morning. Rope drop was at 8am but there was EMH that morning for 7am. I think I got there around 7:30 or so.
Oh, that's right...
[I was actually seated at that same area when I went along the oppisite wall at the two person tables. Did you notice a light flikering on the oppisite wall? I was seated under that light and the CM told me that the light was haunted by the ghost of dead animal.
ROFL... I didn't see the light flickering... but funny that the CM told you that story. How nice of them to seat you there???
[Great updates. Sorry I have been MIA for a while. Thing have been busy around here and haven't been on the computer all that much. I am still here though and hope to update my TR and PTR tomorow.
It's OK - I just wanted to make sure you didn't miss the great pictures of us. I'd forgotten about them too - actually, I knew we took some - but I couldn't remember when, I thought it was the morning we went to Epcot, that's why I was so perplexed that I didn't have any pictures of us.
Yum. We're doing Tusker House for lunch. I'd prefer breakfast, but my crazy kids want to eat all kinds of strange food and TH seems like the best place for them to do that... and the rest of us to eat normally. Totally know about those preteen pouts. Sorry you had to deal with one at Disney.
It's ok - it was bound to happen sooner or later. Honestly, I think that was the only one she had during the entire trip - so I was happy about that. LOL
Yes, TH is the place for strange food - especially for lunch. I will review our lunch there when I get that far - but I will just say that after trying everything, I went back through the breakfast line (since we were seated at the very first lunch slot - we had the choice of both - fortunately).
LOVE the update!!! I think the seating in Tusker House is a little odd . . .I don't think there really are any GREAT seats But maybe that's just me? I've sat in each of the rooms now and can't say that one was any better than the others.
It is odd - I agree. When we had lunch there later in the week - it was also very odd.
The whole V thing . . . I just feel bad for all of you . . . I know what it's like to have a child misbehaving and how "off" it can put the day . . . and I know what it's like to wake up in a bad mood and just not be able to snap out of it . . . I do wonder what Alli said to her?
The worst part for me, was that I had to be very quiet when talking to her, because I really didn't want to disturb the neighbors. Honestly, I wanted to leave her in the resort room that entire day - I was so upset. I knew she would snap out of it eventually, she always does. It just sucked for a while.
That's exactly what happened too - she had to get up early that morning - and she is NOT as early of a riser like Alli and I are. And since we had been doing sooo much walking - she was extra tired. It just all compounded and made for a bad situation all around. I will say, this was the only time this happened on the entire trip - so that was good.
Andrea - I ended up "stuck" at
Walmart this afternoon (major thunderstorm/downpour going on outside) and just wandered around . . . I found exactly ONE Marvel Hide a Superhero egg (IronMan) . . . not sure how he works exactly

but that put me on my "theme" . . . Finn has a lot of superhero masks (Batman, IronMan, Thor, Captain America) and has been talking about wanting a Spiderman one, which they had exactly ONE of, so I grabbed that. My Mom had mentioned maybe a small Lego set and they had a cool safari one that you can build multiple things from the same set with, so I grabbed that . . .
And I grabbed another Fruit of the Loom v-neck shirt ($3.47) and plan to make him a Superhero outfit with JustPeachyApplique's Marvel Avengers . . .
I also bought Happy Feet 2 on DVD . . .they'll share that one
It sounds like you found some perfect items for your boys!
I hear you on the "equal" thing . . . but man! I wish I could have found SOME of this stuff on sale or clearance!
Oh, I totally KWYM.
I also picked up Angry Birds Space fruitsnacks and Cheddar goldfish (I'm gonna make "carrots" out of icing decorator bags and green paper Easter grass) . . .
This sounds super cute!
And, if I'd get off the computer and go sew, maybe I'd make them each an Artist Portfolio. . .
I hope you were able to get started on these - they are so cute!
I have lots to accomplish today...
I have to run to the meat market to get our Easter bread. I forgot to order hard rolls - so I will see if they have some - probably not. Maybe I'll call right away this morning and see if they can make me some??? Can't have left over ham sandwiches with out hard rolls... Num.
Then I have to run to the vet - Max is out of treats.

He is doing very well. He has mastered Sit. We are working on Stay... he is doing very well with that... I can make him sit and stay and back up about 10 feet, put a treat down, then back up another 3 or 4 feet before I release him - and he does it. He is so smart when he is in the mood to be.

The next order of business is going to be lay down and probably gentle... At some point we need to work on come - but he really doesn't like to. I think I'll need an endless bag of treats for that one?
I also need to work on a large applique today.
Anyways, Max just woke, so I need to take him out. I'll try to get back on here later today to do another AK update.
D~