~Snowbird Chat~

[sarbah77]

I scored a couple of good deals on Amazon - like Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix on blue ray for $7.99!! I also snagged a couple things I needed from JC Penney's online sale.

Nothing doin' on Christmas gifts, though! Ha.

I asked my mom what my aunt, uncle, and a cousin wanted. My mom came back with items from specific New England only stores (like Christmas Tree Shop) for the first two and a gift card for the cousin... and the cousin is paaaainfully cheap, so how do I get her a gift card when she spends MAYBE $10 on presents combined for DH and myself? Augh! (I'm flying to MA for Christmas, but ON Christmas Eve, so I'm NOT setting foot in a store that day!)

We went to the football game on Thursday, which was fun. Lions fans are exceptionally nice people, despite their terrible team. We went to a hockey game last night and another today. Wisconsin team parents are exceptionally nice people, because when they're in your way and you say "excuse me" they scatter to let the gimp on crutches through.

Most Michigan natives turn and sneer or treat you like you're brain damaged. Nope. Just on crutches. This is very frustrating, as you can imagine. One family today, at Target (I was in one of those electric carts), even annoyed my calm-tempered even-keeled husband by constantly either getting in my way or dogging me like they had a case of road rage!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

I'm one of the crazies that love Black Friday shopping, although this year may have cured me of that! There was tons of stuff I wanted at Walmart, so I stayed up until 2am when the online stuff was supposed to be available. Of course it didn't let me on until 2:30, then every time I tried to check out it would tell me an item wasn't available, so I'd have to basically start over to delete it from the cart. I didn't finish until after 3am, but I got 2 TomToms for my parents, and my MIL ($58 each) and a 19" flat screen for $128 for our bedroom. Then I got up at 4:15am to get to WM for the toys. Pretty much got the boys done, went home an napped then got up and went to Target with my SIL and my boys and her girls and got the neices done since they were there to pick stuff out (they kept saying "I promise I'll act surprised!" Too cute!)

My best deal of the day was had at dinner that evening. We went to O'Charleys (which I'm not really a huge fan of as far as the food goes). But 2 kids can eat free with one parents' meal. So I got a burger for 7.49, and the kids meals were FREE! All three of us ate for barely over $8!!! I can't get us dinner at McDonalds for that! I think the waitress was supposed to charge me for the kids' sodas but! I tipped her over 50% of the bill! She was a fabulous waitress and we let the manager know. Then we went home and I was in bed by 8pm. I think all the shopping and lack of sleep has now led to a sore throat and poss. sinus infection. Hopefully it's just allergies and gunk!

Hope everyone has a great Sunday. Now the holiday fun begins with all the Christmas programs and special events etc...busy, busy December!

 

[crzyred]

Just a heads up if anyone is interested. Tonight on HGTV there is a Disney show on, Behind the Magic: Disney Holidays. It's on at 7pm central time, so I have no idea what time it would be for everyone. We already have the dvr set and ready to go!

Have a great Sunday everyone!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I still have to go back and read what I've missed. We've been at the inlaws house since Wednesday night. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I made potatoes. Not really sure what they're called, but my mil calls them buffet potatoes. You take sour cream and mix it with cream of chicken soup. Then you can either take potatoes, boil them, peel them and then use them on the larger holed part of the cheese grader, or you can use hash browns that aren't formed into patties it's just looks like the pototoes you would have shreaded yourself. Then you layer it like lasagna. A little of the sour cream/soup on bottom (to make sure it doesn't stick), a layer of potatoes, a layer of Veveeta cheese. You can also add diced onions with the potatoe layer or real bacon bits on top of the cheese. Also, I made what my family just calls "pink stuff". It's cherry pie filling, Cool Whip, sweetened condensed milk, drained crushed pineapples, and diced walnuts(optional). Then I bought pumpkin and peacan pies from my favorite pie lady. It was all sooo good and we ate sooo much. The one thing about not having Thanksgiving with my family that I did not miss is my mom's lime jello. For every holiday, well Thanksgiving and Christmas mostly my mom makes this lime jello thing. It's lime jello with shreaded cheddat cheese. She says it's a "family tradition". My brother, sister and I agree that is a family tradition that will die with her b/c we all think it's gross.

I didn't go to any black Friday sales. I went to the one at Wal Mart last year and it caused me to have a panic attack. Luckily my fil showed up and calmed me down b/c I thought I was passing out. I will never go to another one again. They would have to offer a DVC membership with like 10,000 points per year for $100 to get me to go.

Love it!!

 

[sarbah77]

Just a heads up if anyone is interested. Tonight on HGTV there is a Disney show on, Behind the Magic: Disney Holidays. It's on at 7pm central time, so I have no idea what time it would be for everyone. We already have the dvr set and ready to go!

Have a great Sunday everyone!

Since I watched excessive amounts of HGTV while on medical leave, I knew about it and have it set to DVR. Same with Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph, and something else. Yeah. That.

Tomorrow is my first full week of work since my surgery and Tuesday, 16 graduate students should be turning up with their grant applications. We'll see. On Tuesday, I sent out an email saying "December 1. No exceptions." On Tuesday afternoon, I got an email saying "tee-hee, I'm going to out of town on the 1st. Can I bring it in on the 7th?"



I told her she could overnight it to me. We'll see. This is not the brightest cohort and this is SOP for them. She's one of 16 - does she think I particularly care? Applying for the grant requires them to follow some specific steps and it's amazing how many of them are so surprised when we refuse to approve their work until they, you know, do them all!

Oh well, enough ranting for now! I have 18 days of work until my next break!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Sarah - I meant to tell you earlier. On Thanksgiving when we were watching the game, I told my DH to look for a woman on crutches -she's a DISer! He didn't see you. But he was rooting for the Lions - he felt sorry for them!

I'm currently watching the Favre love-fest. The announcers just can't rave about him enough. It's crazy. Of course, they're playing Chicago, and their QB is pretty lousy. No comparison.

Gotta go cook dinner for the girls - DH is working at the game. Got most of the packing done, washed our sheets, have to do the girls' tomorrow. I even put up some more Christmas decorations. I might just have to sit and watch that HGTV special. I set the DVR just in case.

 

[Pluto_fan]

Good morning Snowbirds!

The one thing about not having Thanksgiving with my family that I did not miss is my mom's lime jello. For every holiday, well Thanksgiving and Christmas mostly my mom makes this lime jello thing. It's lime jello with shreaded cheddat cheese. She says it's a "family tradition". My brother, sister and I agree that is a family tradition that will die with her b/c we all think it's gross.

I think all families have a few traditions like that, that they are glad to let go of!

Wow, Jenny, just reading about your shopping extravaganza made me tired!

I am happy to report that I did finally get started on my shopping!
I went to the PX (post exchange--like a tiny department store on the military base) on Friday--not early--and they actually had Wiis in stock! That's what we're giving the boys, and I was going to order it from Amazon, but I went ahead and bought it. So no worries about it getting shipped here in time, and no sales tax. I also ordered an iPod Touch for DH from Apple. They won't ship to an APO address so I had it sent to my sister, who is going to be sending us a package anyway. Does anyone have a Touch? I read up on it and it sounds way cool. We aren't very up-to-date with the latest technology (obviously, if we don't have a Wii yet! ), so maybe I'm just easily impressed! I asked DS11 what he thinks DD1 would like for Christmas. He said he thinks she would like a Wii. Of course, she would only be allowed to play on it while he is at school!

Shawna and Sheree, I can't believe how close your trips are getting!

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

 

[sarbah77]

Sarah - I meant to tell you earlier. On Thanksgiving when we were watching the game, I told my DH to look for a woman on crutches -she's a DISer! He didn't see you. But he was rooting for the Lions - he felt sorry for them!

Should have looked for the Vikings jersey! Ha!! My husband was wearing his Culpepper jersey since, up until game time, everyone thought Culpepper was going to start. But, sadly, we were behind the Green Bay bench. Booo.

Poor Lions fans.

I'm currently watching the Favre love-fest. The announcers just can't rave about him enough. It's crazy. Of course, they're playing Chicago, and their QB is pretty lousy. No comparison.

Man, I despise Joe Buck. We had the TV on, but we were listening to the Vikings game over (internet) radio - those announcers are WAY better than anyone on TV. (I suspect most home team radio announcers are, really)

I also ordered an iPod Touch for DH from Apple. They won't ship to an APO address so I had it sent to my sister, who is going to be sending us a package anyway. Does anyone have a Touch? I read up on it and it sounds way cool. We aren't very up-to-date with the latest technology (obviously, if we don't have a Wii yet! ), so maybe I'm just easily impressed!

I have a Touch! It's actually handy when I travel, since it's got the ability to connect to WiFi. It's not as cool as an iPhone, which can connect anywhere (if you have a data plan), but it's nice, when I'm in a hotel, to connect to wireless that way... especially on short trips, when I don't bring along my laptop. I bought a few fun games for it, too, which keep me entertained in public.

Happy Monday!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Good morning everyone! I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. If it weren't for this horrible sinus infection I'm getting over, it would have been much better. The food was great, but unfortunately, I didn't get to each much of it. However, my mom and I got some fantastic deals on Black Friday. We got to the mall around 4:30am and I got back home sometime after 11am!!!!! I think that's the longest we've ever been out. I don't pay attention to the crowds, but there were a lot of people at the mall much earlier than usual. We hit up Old Navy, Express, Bath and Body Works, Sears, Delia's, JC Penney's, a cool new toy store, Victoria's Secret Fragrance, Target, and Barnes and Noble....it was quite the day! But, I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping! I'm hitting the stores again today and I'll probably finish! Well, except for one very important thing. We're getting Madison an American Girl doll. My little sis is going to NYC this coming weekend and she said that she'd pick it up for me at the store there! That will save me bundles on the shipping!!! Hooray!

 

[Monny2AE]

Hi Snowbirds! It's been a while...hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I took the kids on a little road trip this weekend to visit my Grandmom in Virginia. DH had to stay home because he had to work. I'm sure he enjoyed the bachelor weekend . It was a fun trip and I was so happy to see her but boy am I glad to be home. Yesterday I stepped on one of my mom's crosstitch needles and it went about a half inch into my heel. OUCH!!! It still is sore today.

Black Friday- I did a little online shopping early Friday morning before we left for VA. For DS I got Buzz and Woody from the Disney store for $15 each and for DD I got a baby Jasmine for $10. For myself I got a couple t shirts for the trip for $10. I hope they fit. I don't like ordering clothes online.

I can't wait to get out my Christmas decorations. Usually we decorate the weekend after Turkey Day but this year I wasn't home so I may start dragging it all out this afternoon. We're getting the tree this Saturday!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Pluto fan~ I know!!! I am focusing on all the little things I need to get done or else the excitement would take over and I would be useless!! probably give myself a headache in the process...adrenaline overload! Well...dh and I talked about our many Disney trips and vacation dreams over the weekend...and he has finally agreed.....we can go to Europe!!! So, next year we are doing NYC and Europe!!!!!! No Disney ----but we have been sooo many times and loved each and every trip...so I am very excited. The kids are big enough to travel longer and even an overseas trip, so we are ready!!! I will need advice and recommendations from all of you in the future! I have NO idea about how far in advance to plan or anything like that for a European trip. We are definitely doing England...he wants to add Rome, but I would rather go toward Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the like. I really think the kids would enjoy that part more than Rome/Italy. We have studied more of the other in History ...they would find things that they know about easier! so...start sending me info after the holidays!! Thank goodness we still have some flyer miles left

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Good morning Snowbirds!



way cool. We aren't very up-to-date with the latest technology (obviously, if we don't have a Wii yet! ), so maybe I'm just easily impressed! I asked DS11 what he thinks DD1 would like for Christmas. He said he thinks she would like a Wii. Of course, she would only be allowed to play on it while he is at school!

Shawna and Sheree, I can't believe how close your trips are getting!

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

I had an iPod Touch before we got iPhones this July. I loved it. I wanted it for a calendar that links to Outlook, but it's got so much more. Plus you can use a lot of the apps out there. You can put on pictures, games, all kinds of cool stuff. If you are in a wi-fi zone it works great! The only difference between that and the phone is the phone service, texting and a camera. Oh, and the huge phone bill!!! It really is like a mini computer.

LOL about the comment from your son and the Wii!!

I'm going crazy with excitement - I'm too excited to sleep! Lots to do, and I'm working (HA!) all four days up until we hit the road! So of course, I'm spending Monday morning DISing!

 

[Lil'Mermaid75]

Hello birdies!! Once again, I haven't been around a lot lately. I've been a busy little bee. We put our tree up on Sunday, but it's not decorated yet. We want our kitten to get used to it before we put anything on it. So far, he hasn't had much interest in it which is good. However, our other cats love laying underneath it or chewing on the branches. So aggravating!!! I hope that everyone is doing well. I don't have time to read back through what I've missed. I miss chatting with all of you everyday!!!

I've researching how to fix this problem, as my dear kitty thinks she's an ornament! I'll look at the tree and there she is sticking her little white head out as if to say..."look at me...I'm an ornament!". I've read that if you spray perfume at the base of the tree, the cats won't go near it or you can use a citrus spray or put orange peels at the base of the tree, as cats don't like a citrus smell. Either way, you have to replenish the smell every week or so. Haven't tried either yet.

I have a Touch! It's actually handy when I travel, since it's got the ability to connect to WiFi. It's not as cool as an iPhone, which can connect anywhere (if you have a data plan), but it's nice, when I'm in a hotel, to connect to wireless that way... especially on short trips, when I don't bring along my laptop. I bought a few fun games for it, too, which keep me entertained in public.

Happy Monday!!

I have an iTouch, too. Really like it.

 

[Dancegrl624]

I've researching how to fix this problem, as my dear kitty thinks she's an ornament! I'll look at the tree and there she is sticking her little white head out as if to say..."look at me...I'm an ornament!". I've read that if you spray perfume at the base of the tree, the cats won't go near it or you can use a citrus spray or put orange peels at the base of the tree, as cats don't like a citrus smell. Either way, you have to replenish the smell every week or so. Haven't tried either yet.

Our kitten has shown no interest whatsoever in the tree which is great. Even the big cats don't really bother it, but they all love to lay underneath it. That doesn't bother me though. We decorated the tree yesterday and so far so good! None of the cats have bothered with any of the ornaments. We did leave the bottom branches a little empty though, just in case!

I am now about 90-95% done with my Christmas shopping!!! I did a good amount of shopping today and now I just need a few small things for Madison's teachers (Irish dancing and school) and something for our family gift exchange. I'm so impressed with myself! I even bought all of my wrapping paper today too. Tomorrow we're getting a new furnace and hot water tank (which means I can't go anywhere) so I'll probably be able to get all of my Christmas cards done!!!! Hooray for a more relaxed December this year.

 

[Lil'Mermaid75]

Our dear kitty doesn't play with the ornaments or anything, just lays in the tree. It's her getting in and out that messes things up!

Congrats on all the shopping. We started wrapping our gifts the other day. In the time I got about 12 wrapped DH managed to get 2 done. He claims they were hard packages to wrap, but I doubt that - they were shirt boxes!!

Christmas cards are next on my to-do list....

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

Hello Birdie friends!

Just jumping on quick to show off our new bundle. This is the first time since he's been here that I've had the chance to pull out the computer. Life is definitely busier with two children. I'm EXHAUSTED lol.

At any rate, here is our newest addition, Chase Jennings.

One of both boys . . . posing for the obligatory Christmas card picture

Hope you are all well and are having fun preparing for the holiday and your upcoming trips!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Mindy -
AWWWWWW!!!! Absolutely adorable!! I just got all teary seeing your pictures! LOVE the cute fuzzy jammies!

So nice to hear from you - and I just bet you are so tired!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Good to hear from you Mindy!!

Love the pictures! Reminds me of when my boys were little.

 

[Dancegrl624]

Mindy-What adorable pictures!!! Little Chase is such a cutie!!!

I just finished up my Christmas cards and the next thing on my list is wrapping. I'll probably hold off on that one for a little bit. I actually LOVE wrapping presents and I don't want to get everything on my list crossed off just yet. I'm getting a new furnace and hot water heater installed as I type this and now I'm bored. I can't go anywhere and my house is really cold!!! But, they will be done by 5pm tonight, so that's a good thing.

 

[Pluto_fan]

Oh Mindy, what adorable little boys!
Thanks for sharing! The Christmas picture in the matching jammies is too cute.