Disney, DIsney, DIsney

For those of you who do not share my love of all things Disney...you can stop reading this post!


Now, that we have just the Disney lovers here.  We are going to Disney!  Well, yeah, I guess you already knew that!  But we are going a few months earlier than we had planned,  We are leaving the Saturday after Thanksgiving and returning December 6.

If my research is right, the crowds should be lower, the Christmas decorations and lights should be in place, and it is Disney at over a thousand dollars cheaper!

Now, on my agenda for today.....

• Deposit check into account so I can make the deposit
• Check out the sale Joann's is having and use my fantastic 20% off coupon to get some Christmas fabrics
• plan Disney Christmas dresses
• change my countdown ticker for all the boards
• oh yeah...take Dami to therapy!

It is going to be a great day!

Nini

Why is it, whenever you go away from your routine...something terrible happens? I ALWAYS either plug in my phone at night to recharge, or set it on the bedside table (depending on if hubby is working or at home).  Last night I didn't do that...the last time I had my phone I was sitting on the sofa talking with my daughter...

In the middle of the night, I thought about my phone....not enough to get out of bed for...but I did think about it.

This morning, my phone has ran away...battery is too weak to actually get a call through, so it is G O N E !!!!!

Unless 'someone' helped it, it could not have left the living room.  I doubt it had enough battery left to grow either wings or legs.   I have removed all cushions (twice) and moved the sofa.  Still no phone.  I have looked under, around, and through all tables in the living room.  Still no phone. I have gone through everything on my desk (no easy feat!!).  Still no phone.

So, I'm guessing my phone has ran off to live with the Game Boy...they both became missing after last being seen on the sofa.

...so, if you see a phone and a Game Boy running down the street like they don't have a care in the world...please tell them to go home!  We need them and miss them!  ...maybe even love them.

Nini

Christmas count

So, Christmas has come and gone.  Let's do a Christmas count, shall we?

Moon Sand - almost out the door.  What was Santa thinking???? The remaining Moon Sand will be vacuumed up today...hope fully.  It seems to multiply in the dark!

Legos - another bad Santa idea!  They are much smaller than I remember them being!  Half of them have disappeared into parts unknown.  Trying to get them picked up...

Game Boy - has ran off to parts unknown.  Possibly a Lego accomplice.  Game Boy was last seen running scared into the dark shortly after being opened!  We have a BOLO out for im, hoping to see him again after the bedroom is cleanish!

Tinker Bell game for DS system.  Was missing on Christmas morning.  She was found at the local Game Stop store, hiding in a store drawer.  Seems the new store clerk didn't realize he needed to pull her out and put her in a box before leaving the store.  She came with a $25.00 gift certificate for Game Stop.  (I guess that was the reward for coming to claim her!)

Christmas ornaments - another 4 broken trying to get them off the tree (only 2 were broken getting them on the tree and another two mysteriously 'fell' off the tree at some point) and the tree is only half un-decorated!

Dogs - Our 10 year old German Shepherd died over the Christmas weekend. Husband is devastated, younger kids don't quite get it, older kids are upset.  We are NOT getting a replacement!

Pounds- I did good.  Actually came out three under where I started on Wednesday evening...still have to loose the 20 to get where I was before our September trip to Disney!


....now off to start thinking of New Years Resolutions...


Nini

Helen's Funeral

This is the email I sent to my Dad telling him of the funeral.  I can't bear to re-write something for here, so I will just copy and paste.


We had Helen's Funeral yesterday.  Due to the expected high numbers, they had to move the funeral service to Snellville Church of Christ.  It holds 600.  It was almost filled to capacity.  The funeral procession to the graveside in Athens (40 Miles away) was so long, at no time could you see both ends at the same time.  By the time the last cars were there, the first half were already standing by the graveside.

The funeral was beautiful and moving.  Kristy (mom) was able to temporarily leave Shepherd's Spinal Center for attendance.  While there were tears, she almost looked like the old Kristy!  Her beautiful smile was still there.  Her motorized wheels served her well.

Helen's grandfather read a children's story that her aunt \wrote, called "H is for Helen".  It was a child's version of Helen's first day in Heaven, where she met Noah, Jonah, Mary and Jesus.  Those were her favorite Bible stories during her short life.  

Helen's father, Brian, spoke a few minutes on what Helen's short life meant, and why she had to live.  He spoke with tears, and joy.  While his heart was breaking, as was evident by his tears, he managed to give a short sermon on why her life was so short, and all the good she managed to do during her short time on earth. More importantly, he managed to make US feel better.  Better that we had known Helen, but more importantly better because we knew what we had to do to get to where Helen was.  

Our preacher, Bro Larry, gave a short sermon (and for Bro. Larry that was no short feate!  Short and Sermon are never two words you use together in describing him!) In it he used Damien as an example of how children have a better handle on death than adults do.  I knew the story was coming, but that did not keep me from being hit hard by it.  (Amanda, Tasha, and Darlene however did not know it was coming and it hit them pretty hard too.)

We had multiple prayers led by Helen's uncles and grand fathers, and the congregational singing of some of Helen's favorite songs led by another uncle.  

It was very evident to see that Helen came from a very special family...almost every male in her family is a preacher.  One of her grandfathers is an elder and two cousins are deacons.  

She will be deeply missed.

Jeanne

Here it is ...Friday.  It has been a very busy and eventful week.  Next week promises to be just as busy, but hopefully not as eventful.

I'll make a separate post for Helen's funeral, so the remainder of this post will be about the other 6 days of this past week!

Mr D's doctor's appointment was even more stressful.  I was expecting her to say he had not gained any more weight.  After all, it was only 2 and a half weeks since our last appointment.  Nope!  He gained another 2 and a half pounds and grew another inch and a half in height! Yes, in less than 3 weeks!  Now she is thinking thyroid issues instead of diabetes.  Waiting on blood tests to see where that leads us. Another scary find was a severe heart murmur!  None of the million and two doctors he sees regularly have ever heard that.  So, we are off to the pediatric cardiologist this afternoon.

I've been able to get most of my sewing done.  I have one window treatment to get finished, but I decided to add a few more things to the mix!  I found this cute (and very easy) pattern for an apron...so of course we  all need a new apron for Christmas...

In one week it will officially be Christmas...I wonder if I will ever get the house decorated?  Probably not!  I have to get everything ready for the family Christmas celebration coming up on Monday.  Since Tasha will be taking the kids on Sunday for a 'secret project' I'm hoping I can get the last of my wrapping done.  Of course, that means I CAN'T take a nap when I get home from Sunday Services!

Nini

Will everything be ready for Christmas in time?

Well, let's see...I have finished the 8 wall hangings with the snowman for all the teachers/therapists.  (still need gifts for about 4 more Sunday School teachers). Finished the quilt for my Dad and Step Mom.  Got the quilt for my son on the frame.  Have the window treatment almost finished.  Have the tree decorated, but nothing else in the house is decorated.  Have, maybe 1/4 of the shopping done.  Absolutely NO wrapping done.

Twelve more days to get everything finished...of course we haven't even started thinking about Christmas baking!  We know we will need cookies for Santa at a minimum.  We usually do lots of baking, and give some of it to teachers/therapists as gifts. This year, I just haven't had the time!

Starting on Monday, we have at least one, usually two doctor appointments every day until Christmas Eve!  At the very least, we will be baking cookies on Christmas Eve!

Now, I just have to come up with gifts for the other 4 teachers and something for Amanda and Korey...I REALLY am at a loss for that one!

I love this time of year!

Nini

Funeral Arrangements

The funeral for Helen will be on December 16 @ the Snellville Church of Christ. The address is 3005 Lenora Church Rd. Snellville Ga 30035. Visitation will be from 10-11:30 EST. The funeral will be at 12:00. The procession will be going to Athens GA for the graveside service @ Evergreen Memorial Park 3655 Atlanta Hwy Athens GA 30606. If you wish to send flowers, please send to Wages Funeral Home 3705 Hwy 78 Snellville, GA 30035.

Updates....and is Christmas REALLY coming up that fast?

Kristy's Lap quilt is coming along...I finally have a clear design in my head and actually have a few moments to sew....when I ran out of fabric!

So, after The Princess is up I will run to the fabric store.  I need to have all the fabric I need to complete the next two or three quilts so I can just go and not stop to think about what is on hand.

With Christmas coming up, I'm getting worried that I won't be able to get everything done in time!  I have a king and a queen size quilt that is pieced, but still needs to be quilted.  I have a window treatment that needs to be made...I actually think I have all the parts needed..oh wait I need to get the strings and rings.

I was planning on making everyone warm flannel pjs...but that ain't happening!  I cannot see that I will have the time to even get them started, much less finished!  And...I still have all those teacher gifts to finish!  (I do think the plan of using my scraps was a good idea, just need to get the time to sit down at the quilter and get them done.)

Kristy's surgery went well, but I am hearing/seeing conflicting reports as to just how successful it was.  I want very much to stay optimistic about the outcome, but at the same time be realistic so I am not thrown back into the depths of the despair I was feeling for them!  The important thing is she made it through the surgery and is looking forward to the next step in her recovery!

Hug you loved ones....

Nini

Lap Quilts

I am in the need of inspiration for making my friend a lap robe.  She is having her surgery today, and although we will pray for the best possible outcome, we know that she will be in a wheelchair for a good deal of her recovery.

I have some cute LadyBug squares that I purchased a year or so ago from that auction site.  When I got them, they were cute, but not exactly what I was looking for...truthfully I don't even remember what I was going to use them for!  I used one of the squares last weekend to make a book bag for Amanda's Kindel, but still have several left over.

Since Miss Kristy was in the same social club as Amanda, she has the same love of LadyBugs so it seemed natural.

I've been doing research on lap quilts and lap robes today, and most of what I have found are very institutional and well, ugly!  They are made like an apron.  Not very stylish.  I'll concede that they may be functional.

My thoughts have turned to something she can use later, like on the back of the sofa.  I'm thinking along the lines of a rectangle, with a lady bug in each corner and four more dispersed through out the quilt.  I'm thinking of using some of the red and black scraps from Michael's Christmas quilt (I can say that here...he doesn't even KNOW I have a blog!).  I just have to work out some of the details (like the fabric strips are too narrow to work with the pattern I had in mind).

I also want to make her an encouragement quilt.  This will be along the lines of an autograph quilt, but people will be encouraged to put words of encouragement on it as well as their name.  Nothing sad, just uplifting sayings, thoughts, scriptures.  I think this will wait until after the holidays.  I want to give the family time to heal a bit and get over the initial loss of their dear little angel.

So, on the agenda today is

• drafting a pattern for  the lap robe/quilt.  
• making a grocery shopping list that I can stick to
• buying and decorating our Christmas Tree
• taking Mr D to TWO therapy appointments
• Finding time to work on the teacher's Christmas gifts
• and, most importantly, praying for Kristy's surgery and recovery.

Nini

In Loving Memory of Helen Gray

On Sunday evening, the angels in heaven rejoiced over the addition of a precious little soul.  Meanwhile, here on earth, we continue to cry from sadness and devastation over the loss of the beautiful soul.

Helen was returning home with her mom and dad from a Thanksgiving visit with her grandparents.  While driving on I 85, just outside of LaGrange, traffic slowed.  Her daddy slowed along with the traffic.  At that point they were barely moving.  The SUV following them was distracted, just long enough, to be unable to stop.  He rear ended them going about 80 mph.  The force of the crash pushed their van into another car, which in turn went into another car.

In that instant, our lives were forever changed.  That beautiful little red headed girl, so full of life and sweetness, was forever taken from our lives.  While we know she is living in heaven with God, we are saddened that we can't see her anymore.

We know that she will be forever missed.  Not only by her earthly family, but also by all her friends and loved ones.

Her mommy, Kristy Gray, not only has to deal with not being able to hold her dear daughter any more, but also with the life changing effects of the accident.  See, Kristy suffered a multitude of injuries.  One of the most devastating ones was the crushed vertebrae.  She is expected to undergo surgery tomorrow to insert some metal rods to enable her to sit.  She is currently paralyzed from the chest down.  While there has been some movement in her arms, she has a less than 10% chance of ever walking again.

This wonderful, loving Christian family will never be the same.  We are praying that they will be even better.


Hug your children and take every opportunity to tell those who matter to you just how much you love them.  You never know when it will be your last time to touch their lives on this earth.




In addition, Damien's response to learning that Helen had died..."she gets to see Grandma.  Maybe grandma will take care of her for her mommy."  Out of the mouths of babes.....

Nini

The angels in heaven are rejoicing tonight on the addition of a beautiful new red headed angel.  Here on earth, we are devastated and our hearts are breaking.

Well, here it is...only a few days before Thanksgiving and I've not posted much.  The Princess has just gotten over a bad round of the piggie flu.  No fever for three days, and no runny nose for at least that long.

It seems the more I get things ready for Thanksgiving, the behinder I get.  Tomorrow is the big day where I actually start cooking, so hopefully I will stop feeling like everything is going backwards!

Yesterday I spent 2 hours polishing silver.  Me.  Polishing silver.  I don't really care for the shiny side of silver.  I prefer the more natural look.  But.... my coasters needed to be polished up (due to non use) and once I started it was really hard to stop.

My list of things to do is now under 2 pages (barely...maybe I should start writing smaller...), with the biggest push coming tomorrow.  I actually plan on having 99% done by Thursday morning.  Then it is just a mater of getting the turkey on in time, and then getting everything on the table at approximately the same time  reasonably hot.

The one thing that makes me feel like the holidays are here is the table.  We have to bring in a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood to use as our table top.  It has been brought in and is half way set.  It NOW looks like the holidays are here!

Everyone remember what you have to be thankful for.  And don't forget to be thankful for those who have gone on before us.

Nini

Autograph quilt

Well, Logan's autograph quilt is finished!  It turned out pretty cute, even if I wasn't happy with the quilting.  It is so hard to come up with little boy quilting patterns when you have so little talent!

I will give a brief recap of the process...who knows.  With my terrible memory, I might read this someday and think it is a totally new idea!

First is Fabric Selection.
You need a light colored fabric for the signatures.  A pure white would work (as would a beige or off white) but, in my opinion, would look boring!  I chose a variety of white on white prints.  Yes, I know.  White on white fabric is terrible to sew with and quilt on, but I do like the look.  I really wish they would come up with a manufacturing method to make white on white fabric that did not produce that rubbery substance!

Next, Fabric Preparation
You need to get the fabric cut into manageable squares and backed with freezer paper.  I chose 7 inches by 7 inches.  Now, there are two methods to do this.  One is to iron on the freezer paper first and then cut out the squares; the other is to cut out the squares first and then iron on the freezer paper.

Since I wanted to tear the fabric (much faster!) I cut my fabric into squares first and then added the freezer paper.

A dry hot iron works best for adhering the freezer paper.  Iron the wrong side of the fabric to the 'plasticy' side of the freezer paper.  (I know it is actually a waxed paper and not plastic, but it does feel more like plastic.)  The freezer paper will come off easily, so if in handling the paper seperates, just run a hot iron over it.

I found that the characters liked to sign into my seams, so adding a border of masking tape should help prevent that.

Next, transportation and how do you get the signatures on it!
Be sure to carry a small clipboard with you to make it easier for the characters to sign their blocks.  I put the ready fabric squares, a fabric marker and clipboard into a plastic bag.  The plastic bag kept the fabric squares clean and together.  I added a second bag for the ones that had already been signed, and left them in the room each morning.

You can use either a fabric paint pen or a fabric marker.  The marker gives a smoother line.  Whichever you use, just make sure it is permanent.

If you will be getting multiples of each character, you might want to mark the signe squares with the date and place.  I found it very difficult to remember which Mickey Mouse was from Garden Grill and which one was from Chef Mickeys!

Once you get back, throw the plastic bags into your sewing room and forget them....at least until you are ready to start the quilt.

At this point, it is entirely up to your imagination and creativity.  You can make a very elaborate design using the blocks, or a simple square.  I chose a simple square for this one...time was running out!

I used leftover fabric from the T shirts and dresses I made for the trip.  On this first one it was for a little 18 month old boy, so I wanted to be careful and not make it too girly.  I used primarily the fabrics from our Animal Kingdom outfits.It is just a simple alternating fabric and autograph block.  I added a couple of blank blocks to add his name and date to.  Before I sewed them together, I gave them a shot with the iron.  The writing should have been permanent, but I didn't want to take a chance, so I heat set them.

From there it is just a simple straight stitch here and there to add the squares together and to complete the top.  Quilt or tie it off, add the binding, and you have a one of a kind souvenier to last a lifetime!

Enjoy

Nini

Go Away Piggie!

Well, it looks like we are not going to be able to escape the piggie flu at our house this year.  It seems that the Princess may have succumbed!  Fever, vomiting, chills...doesn't look good.  She tested negative for the flu, but pediatrician feels it may have been too early to test positive.  She had only been sick for a few hours when we took her in.


She spent the night with me last night, neither of us got much sleep!  My living room looks like a slumber party!  Dad decided to sleep in the recliner last night...more room than sharing a bed with a sick 2 year old!  Sometime in the middle of the night, Dami woke up and decided to sleep on the couch.  Now, The Princess is sleeping on the couch.  Only Miss B is up and ready for school.  I am working on my second pot of coffee, and can't wait to get back into bed!


Nini

Uh...Mom?

ARGH!!!! I just scared myself!  I am sitting at the desk on the computer when I turned around to see what the kids were doing.  I just happened to catch a glance of myself in the dining room mirror...and saw MY MOM!


Yup...I'm turning into my Mom!  Sorry, Amanda.  But it looks like we are all doomed to look like our Moms!


Nini

Ties, Ties, Ties

I have made my first tie.


It took me all of 15 minutes.  And that included piecing the pattern and cutting out the pattern!  It actually took longer to cut out the fabric than it did to sew the tie!  I am in love with this pattern.  (well maybe not love, but a definite strong like)  I have made Mr D a Christmas tie to match one of the fabrics in the girls' dresses. I am working on one for Dad, maybe Shawn, and maybe Korey.  


Since hubby has a problem getting ties that are long enough for him...I can see how this could be even more than just fun.  Not only can I have an excuse to purchase all sorts of nice silks, I can save money on the ties.  I figure I can spend 20 on a yard of silk and still save money. (I can get 2 ties from each yard easily.)


So much fun!


Nini

They Like Them!

I have never made anything for anyone that wasn't part of my family.  Except for quilts...and only a few of them.  I guess you can say I am just a bit paranoid that no one will like them.  Your family has to be kind.


I made some dresses for the Dis Big Give. I think they turned out pretty good, but was concerned that a different family might not like them.  I don't think the construction was as good as it should be.  And I had to alter the pattern a bit to go with the measurements I had for them.


Last night I saw their report online.  They got the dresses... AND THEY LOVED THEM!!  It was such a relief!  I am suddenly filled with so much pride...it is really kinda sweet and weird all at the same time.  The mom posted pictures.  I'm not going to post those pictures here, but I will post a link to them.  So, if you want to see those lovely girls in their new Winnie the Pooh dresses, perfect for dinning at The Crystal Palace, please look here...http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34183215#post34183215


Enjoy!


Nini

Halloween came and went

...and it was pretty uneventful.  I really dislike Halloween.  Not really sure why, but even as a kid I did not like it.  This year Rex took the kids out Trick or Treating, while I stayed home and gave out the candy.  Amanda and Korey came over to watch the GA game and supplied BBQ for dinner.  The light rain kept a lot of kids home.  We had so few come by, I have waaaaay too much candy left over!  


Now the best part of the year starts!  Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I already have my Christmas gift...new dishes and new stainless steel pots and pans.  I LOVE them!  And my serger came in on Friday.  The hardest part is usually learning how to thread them, and I've already had to learn how to do that, so now, I'm ready to start using it.  I have so many ideas... just need to get to Joann's to get some fabric...




Nini

Disney...Disney...Disney!

Yes, I know.  We still have a little over 16 months until we leave.  But the planning needs to be done!  Today I have emptied out my Disney planning book from our last trip and started the next one for our Feb 2011 trip!  Woo Hoo.  I am so excited!  I have gotten all the pages from out last trip organized so I can go through those to see if there is anything we need to 'tweak' for the next trip.


I've started the info for our next trip and can hardly wait to get some actual information in there...like actual confirmation numbers for the reservation, or ADR confirmation numbers....well you know...the STUFF!!!


I checked online, and our photopass should be here by next Monday!  I am so excited.  I can hardly wait to see the pictures.  I have almost forgotten what we had taken!  It will be almost like reliving our vacation.


I've also almost finished the piecing of the kids autograph quilts.  Miss B, Mr D and Mr. Logie are all having Snugie quilts for watching tv and such.  The Princess is getting one for her bed.  I think... It really depends on how much time I have to devote to this project.  Since Mr Logie is leaving with his Mom to move to South Ga for a nice long stay, I'd like to have his finished before he leaves.  I plan on having the whole project finished by Christmas.  Now...how fast can I get the quilts finished...hmmmmm






Nini

Happy Birthday to me!

Well...it is over.  I made it through my birthday.  We had a pretty normal laid back kind of day.  Miss B and Mr  D woke up a little sickie...but it went away as the day wore on.


Out of the blue, Wonderful Hubby told me to go online and order my Serger that I wanted.  It is ordered and should be here by Monday, of course I am hoping for Friday, but we will see.  Funny...he told me I could get the embroidery machine, but the PX did not carry it.  So, I had no trouble finding a Serger to take its place.  I really want an embroidery machine, but I need a Serger.  I can't believe how good I was on that one!


Then we had to take a trip to Athens for a Doctor appointment.  While there we usually take a quick side trip to the PX (very tiny!)  They were clearing out the table coverings they use for displays.  (this PX will be closing all too soon.) I picked up a total of 12.  Most of them are Christmas Red table cloths.  I am planning on using the fabric for napkins and such.  It will give me something to play with when my Serger comes.  But I also picked up some cute Pink cloths.  I'm using these to make the playhouse for The Princess and Mr D.


I now have enough projects to keep me busy for several weeks...but I am always on the look out for more!  


Now if I can just find that switch that cleans my house for me...it must be broken!


Nini

Drive By Post

I think I will call this a quick drive by post!  LOL

I made some Turkey wall hangings...and let them get away without taking a  picture!  I know, I know...I promised to add more pictures to my blog...

I am now resigned to the fact that I was not meant to have a laptop!  This is the second laptop that the power cord has gotten destroyed!  (well, maybe destroyed is a bit harsh, but it ain't workin' anymore!)  So, I can either be on the computer or watch TV...but not both! 

I still have not mailed the dresses for the Big Give!  I have no trouble with deadlines, just can't seem to get things in the mail!

And my last thought for the day is...we were planning on going to Helen tomorrow to look at the leaves (I know, not as exciting or as beautiful as Amanda's New England Vacation...but pretty good for a day trip), but now it looks like Brianna isn't feeling well.  Hopefully, nothing serious and nothing contagious...

It is always something!

Nini

Change...good...or Bad?

Change.  


Sometimes it is good.  Like getting a new grand child.  Sometimes it is bad. Like loosing someone you love.


Now comes a change that is somewhere in the middle.  Facebook.


I do not like the new Facebook.  (that could quite possibly be the world's biggest understatement.)  It is CROWDED!  I really don't care who is friends with whom.  Or who became the latest fan of some commercial site.  Or who made a comment to someone's status.


Those little red numbers on the bottom right was enough to drive me crazy!  They did a nice job of telling me who responded to my comment.  (as well as a ton of useless information!) If I really wanted to know how many responded to Sally's comment that she was eating breakfast, I could 1)like the comment and the little red numbers would keep be abreast of who responded...(ad nauseum) or 2) look!  I don't need a picture of who responded and an announcement telling the world that Susie thinks Sally's breakfast is yummy.


Now, the new and improved Facebook is full of useless bits of information that clog up the screen.  Do I really need it to keep up with family and friends?  I think not.


After all, if I want to let someone know what I am doing, I can write it here.  Or, I could send an email.  Or, I could pick up the phone.  See there are lots of ways I can communicate without Facebook.


True, I will miss out on all those nifty games, puzzles, quizzes, ads...(hmm, maybe this is not such a bad thing to miss out on!)  I will regain several hours of my day.  I will miss out on the stress of not being able to get everything to fit in the alloted number of spaces.


Of course, Facebook really doesn't care that they will loose one subscriber.  After all they have millions and millions waiting to take my airspace.  


Maybe I'll send an announcement that I am leaving Facebook forever and see what happens.  Do you think Facebook will call me, and say they are sorry they made a mess of my news feed? Do you think they will apologize and beg me to come back with promises to never again mess with my Facebook?  Probably not.


Hi, my name is Jean and I am adicted to Facebook.


Nini

Migraines should be outlawed!

I spent the majority of yesterday in la-la land.  


And not by choice!


I had one of my monster headaches yesterday.  We were half way to therapy when it hit.  I've been having migraines so frequently that I didn't think too much of it.  Just decided to keep on driving.  By the time we got there, I could barely see.  Unfortunately, this was only a 30 minute appointment so I wasn't much better by the time we left.


The good news is, the kids got McDonald's for lunch.  The bad news is, we went home and took a nap...a nice loooong nap!


Later in the afternoon, it was better, but I still have a big 'hole' in my field of vision.  Really makes for some interesting typing!  


The last time I had one that bad was probably when Amanda was still little!  I hope this isn't an omen of what is to come!


Nini

Is it less than a week until my birthday?  Yup, that is what the calendar said!  Let's see, that will put me at about 23 I think...I used to be 18 for years and years, then I was informed that since 3 of my kids are older than 18 I needed to age.  Well since 2 of my kids are under 18, I figure 23 is a good number!  That is my story and I am sticking with it!


I FINALLY got the baby quilt for Alicia's new baby girl finished.  It turned out pretty cute, but really did give me fits!  First I ran out of thread with less than 2 passes to go.  Then I ordered a new spool of thread.  Now, usually the thread is here within 48 hours.  Not this time.  My paypal account was debited, but no thread.  I figured it was because of the holiday, and didn't think too much about it.  Then more time passed, and still no thread.  I sent an email, and found out that there was a computer glitch, and my order wasn't processed.  Once they were made aware, my thread was here the next day!  Fantastic Customer Service!  Love them!

Then, I discovered my last pass had some terrible tension issues.  It took me several hours to remove the stitches and then only 15 minutes to put it back in.  The binding is on, and it turned out pretty cute.




Now I am working on a Turkey wall hanging.  I think they are so far pretty cute.  We will see how they turn out, hopefully I will get them finished before thanksgiving....so I guess I better get back to work!


Nini

My first Vidas

I finished my first VIDSA!!!  I am so excited!  They didn't turn out exactly like I wanted, but I am a bit pleased with the pattern overall.


I think my fabric choices weren't exactly what I wanted, but the over all look is cute.The hardest part of the whole process was picking the fabric; with the elastic insertion ranking a very distant second.  The pieces of elastic were very small, and holding them in place while attempting to sew them was a bit tricky.  There were two short pieces of elastic on both dresses, so that translated to 8 ends that needed to be sewn into the seams of the dress.  I used a safety pin to hold the elastic where I needed it and then sewed it.  Sounded like it should have worked pretty well....but I ended up sewing the safety pin in the seam 6 times!  (and once I missed the elastic completely!!  That was really fun trying to fish that elastic back to the edge!)


I can hardly wait to make another one...which may be sooner than I thought, since I may redo this Christmas dress.  Without further ado, I'll post a picture of the completed dresses (minus buttons and button holes of course!)

This should be a picture of both the front and back...



Now, time to work on the autograph quilts for the kids and to get my Big Sister/Little Sister dresses in the mail....oh yeah, got to get the Baby Quilt washed and ready to mail...and get the Tink tutu redone.....and...




Nini

Things are Getting Busy Around Here

I FINALLY got the dresses done for the Dis Big Give.  They turned out really cute.  I’m hoping the girls they are meant for enjoy them!  I’m actually going to try and post a picture of the dresses.




This has been an exciting week.  I FINALLY got my Vida pattern in the mail and have cut out two of the patterns.  One for Miss B and one for The Princess.  I have decided I am going to use this pattern for their Christmas dresses.  I’m going to make a vest and tie for the boys using some of the fabric I chose for the dresses.  (Now I just have to purchase the fabrics and get started on them!)


I made a Tink Tutu for The Princess and at least have started the one for Miss B.  I do not have any good pictures of the Tutu so I’ll forgo the picture until I get Miss B’s finished.


I hoping the mail brings me some thread tomorrow so I can finish the quilt for my niece and her new baby.  At the rate I’m going the baby will be graduating from college before I get it finished!




Nini

Disney...here we come...again!

OK...I know we just got back, but we have started planning our next Disney trip. Hubby decided the heat was way too oppressive in September, so we have the option of going in October or February. October may be ok in terms of heat, but it is not value season. February is a little cool in my opinion, but Miss B will be out of school for intersession, so I think we will be spending Valentine's Day at Disney in the year 2011!

The ADR window is going back to 180 days the end of this month, so I will be able to make our ADRs in 10 months. I have already started planning our customs, and am looking forward to learning how to appliqué on the new Vida pattern I have purchased. I'm not sure Miss B is completely convinced to wear dresses yet, but I think I can convince her to wear them with either leggings or jeans. Who knows, maybe I will even make some jeans with the appliqué on them!

Now, for some notes I want to do differently, or to do this trip.

On the shirts I make...get a size bigger than we really need! I like my shirts a little bigger, I can't stand having anything tight around my neck. Since I will be starting on them much earlier than this past trip, I can take a bit more time to make sure I get them on sale and right size.

We have decided to stay at CSR again. While we loved staying at Caribbean Beach, the queen size beds are making us decide on that resort. The additional sink isn't a big enough draw for us...only one person at a time will fit at the sink anyway!

We know we want to eat at Chef Mickeys, Boma, and maybe Crystal Palace. We really enjoyed these restaurants, and would like to try them again. Of course some of the others are still up in the air...like Coral Reef, Akershus, and Biergarten.

And speaking of food, Hubby specifically asked for some character meals! He really seems to be in the planning mood for this trip. Usually he doesn't get into it until at the most the day before we leave. He actually is having some ideas on the next trip! I'm liking that.

The month we have chosen is the same month that Shawn and Tasha are thinking of making a return trip. I know they are thinking of just an adults only trip. Since we will have to pay for The Princess this trip, I'm thinking they can overlap their trip by a day or two with ours, and then can spend some time there with Alyssa and the rest alone.

Disney...here we come....AGAIN!!!

Nini

The Big Give

OK, I'm working on my first Big Give. There are two little girls with a special needs brother. The older little girl is 9 and has the same name as Miss B, and then a baby sister. Now, how could I possibly pass up the chance to make something for the older sister?

My Miss B and I talked about it and we decided to make the two girls a Winnie the Pooh dress to wear when they go to Crystal Palace. I have managed to get the dress skirts cut out and put together last weekend. Now I just have to cut out and make the bodices and attach the skirts...and then decide if I want to add a ruffle to the bottom.

I've also got a quilt for my niece and her new baby girls on my frame waiting to be quilted. It should only take me a few hours to get completed, if I can ever get back to it!

I have also ordered my Vida pattern. I can hardly wait to get my hands on it. I guess I have gotten spoiled by having them come as e-books. Waiting for actual mail to get here is hard!

And my last bit of news. I was planning on getting my embroidery machine soon. It was on HSN with a 4 pay available. It is no longer available...sold out. So now I guess my dream of an embroidery machine is going to be a bit longer to come true!

That is the update for me for the past few days. I've got lots and lots to do.... so howcome I am not busy?

Nini

First day of Public School

Why is it that I feel like I have two 2-year olds today?

Brianna left for school this morning at 'zero dark thirty'; that would be 7:20 to the rest of the world. While we were waiting, no one else came to the bus stop. Of course, Miss B said it was because everyone else was still in bed...asleep!

So, now I am just dealing with The Princess and Mr D. The Princess went to sleep 20 minutes after she got here this morning, so Mr D and I started a bit of school. Somehow, we all three managed to get a small nap in before she woke up. Now we are having Chicken Noodle soup.

The reason Chicken Noodle Soup is remarkable enough to be in my blog, it is the only thing they would both agree on! And then they fought over who got the biggest bowl, who had the most noodles and who had the most crackers! Sheesh! You'd think the world was being run by 2-year olds...oh wait, mine is!

We're back!

Back from Disney! Had a blast! More work to get done now than I have time for.

I have a baby quilt for my niece that should have already been sent...just needs to be quilted. I have another baby quilt for a couple at church that needs to be done by December. I have 4 autograph quilts from Disney to get finished. I have numerous Christmas gifts to get done...

...and now Miss B has gotten sick. She started coughing last night, then woke up at 2 am with fever and headache. Now, I'm waiting for the doctor's office to open to see if we should take her in. Hopefully this is not the flu...but with my luck it is!

Think healthy thoughts and get your flu shots!

Nini

T H R E E !!!!

Only three more days!

Stuff left to do:

• Finish Doll Dresses
• Make sure celebration is added to all ADRs
• Finish the kids pillows
• Finish the squares for the autograph quilt
• Finish packing
• Re-check budget for the gazillionth time
• Clean cars
• Get Damien's hair cut
• Get Brianna's hair done
• Get my hair colored
• Finish copying movies
• Print a bunch of stuff out
• Laminate some stuff
• Clean house
• Pack Truck

And...oh yeah...I need to find my list of things to do!

Last night, Amanda had a bit of a boo boo in her vehicle. She's fine, but their truck is no longer with us. (a moment of silence for the paid for truck). Last night she was pretty shook up about it, and quite a bit upset. So, being the good parent that I am...we went to Zaxby's for dinner! (Dutch Treat!) So...all those great plans I had made for making progress on my to do list fell through. (seems like a plausible excuse to me!)

So, this morning I woke up to a wonderful thunderstorm! Storms always throw my schedule off. It took me longer than usual to get my coffee and get upstairs to start sewing. I got one doll dress almost finished when Shawn and Tasha came with Alyssa. For some reason, Alyssa acted like she had never seen me before and her Daddy was leaving her with a complete stranger. (Gotta love those 2 year old outbursts!)

I don't see any sewing happening today!

I discovered last night that AAA has routed us differently than we usually go to Disney. We will be coming in the back way...meaning we will miss that wonderful Welcome to Disney sign! Of course we will have ample opportunity to see it while we are there and it IS saving us 20 minutes this way, but I was really hopping Shawn and Tasha would be able to see that amazing site as they arrived for the first time!

I made an important discovery last night...gas is cheaper ON Disney than it is OFF!!! That just doesn't make any sense at all to me! It goes against all reasoning. If you have a captive audience, you can charge what you want to. True, it is only a few pennies cheaper, but it is cheaper!

Well, I guess that is all the time I have for random Disney thoughts today. Have a great day!

Nini

Gremlins

If I remember correctly, gremlins got their start back in WW something...can't remember if it was I or II. How pathetic is that! Anyway, Gremlins were reported by Air force pilots as explanations as to things that went a little crazy for no explanation. I always thought it was silly to blame those poor little gremlins for your own mistakes!

I have since changed my mind!

I was attempting to take advantage of not having The Princess today, and the fact that Miss B is visiting with her sister this weekend, and Mr D was watching Disney tv undisturbed. I had those two princess dresses to work on.

Started out by not being able to find the right pattern. So, I went downstairs and reprinted it. Cut it out and went back upstairs to start sewing...only the missing pattern was sitting right where I was looking not 10 minutes before. Strange...

Then I was ready to start. But the fabric was missing...so I tear up my fabric pile, only to discover it is sitting right where it was supposed to be...strange again.

Now, where did my scissors go? Looked everywhere...finally decided to use my paper scissors. Not easy to cut this thick fabric with them, but it is workable. After I finished cutting out all the pieces for both dresses, I discovered the scissors are now sitting exactly where they are supposed to be. How did that happen?

Now my attention turned to the sewing machine. I ran out of thread...now how on earth did THAT happen? I had just bought a new spool when I bought the fabric. It's not like I had a spool of seafoam green laying around. I have NEVER sewn anything in that color before...I guess it is time for a trip to WalMart to see if they have the thread I need...when I go to turn off the sewing machine...there is a full spool of seafoam green sitting behind my sewing machine. Now what is going on here?

Is there another, rational explanation, other than gremlins? Things just do not disappear and reappear on their own. It is against the laws of physics and common sense. Gremlins is the only possible explanation. The only question is, where have they been hiding out all these years?

I actually managed to get the dresses finished, without too many more visits from the gremlins, but I now know they are real. And they live in my sewing room.

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!

Yes, I know this song has been made into a Sarah Lee commercial. But before that...it was the theme song of one of my bosses a loooooong time ago!

It fits my mood 100% perfect. I have been stressing about these princess dresses for the Cabbage Patch dolls trip to Disney. It took me FOREVER to get the first one made for Brianna. Alyssa's was a wee bit easier. Now I have the wonderful directions from Carla C, so I knew it would be easier than the way I was attempting to do it!

Amazing how much easier something is if you have actual directions on how to do it! I still had a few issues, but they were due to the fabric I was using and not the instructions or construction methods!

Now they are both finished! I actually managed to finish 3 outfits today. I now have only 4 more doll dresses to complete before we leave next Saturday. I am beginning to think I might actually get everything done before we go.

Now time for lunch and then back to the sewing table. Maybe I can get the other 4 done today and then I will actually be ahead of schedule...

Nini

Security?

I was reading about how people 'friend' you on Face book so they can see when you are gone on vacation, and then break into your house. Paranoid? maybe, maybe not. Today, people are so lawless, you almost think you are living in the wild wild west! Too many people don't think twice about the legal, moral or ethical ramifications of what they do, they just do what 'feels' right to them.

Well, that will be another rant for another day!

All that made me think about the fact that I have my own 'security' for our upcoming trip. I have a 120 pound German Shepherd that would devour anyone that woke him up and tried to come in the house! I have my own security guard staying at my house to take care of the dogs while we are gone. And I have a police car setting in my drive way....

Hmmm, wonder what else I might need....

Nini

Another Disney Project?

OK...I have 8 and a half days until we leave...5 doll dresses and three t shirts to finish. So what do I do? I come up with another project of course!! We always get the autographs of the characters and they just sit there in that stupid book. We never look at them again, and we generally loose them after a few years. (sad I know) I thought about making one of those nice home made autograph books, but was afraid it would suffer the same fate! I had a small flash of brilliance. Very small. I'm going to make an autograph quilt. I first saw this idea on the Dis Boards a few months ago and quickly forgot about it. After an hour of searching, I found the original post, and have now firmed up my plans. I'm getting 4 or 5 different tone on tone white prints. (I figure I will need about 2 yards per kid) I will cut 8 or 10 inch squares and iron them to freezer paper to stabilize them. Get some fabric markers and have the characters sign them. After we get home, I'll take the freezer paper off, trim to my final size plus seam allowance, and make a quilt. For the girls I think I might use some of the scraps from their dresses. For the boys, maybe a cute Cars fabric thrown in. At this point, the possibilities are endless. I figure I can do the prep work in just a few hours. A good iron and a new sharp rotary cutting blade should make this part go fast. I'll just pop all the fabrics into a plastic zip loc bag (and have another one for the ones that are signed) and maybe find a small clipboard to aid in the signing. I'm actually getting excited about this little project! Nini

Twelve More Days!

Disney Update!

I have a feeling I MIGHT just get everything finished before we go! I have now finished both Ariel dresses for the girls and two more outfits for the dolls. I only have five more doll dresses and 9 more T shirts!

I should be able to get quite a few of the T shirts knocked out today...that is IF I can get back in the mode of sewing! I seem to have parked myself down in front of a 'Criminal Minds' marathon! Since I love this show, it might be hard to get myself back into the sewing mode. Plus I need to run to Joann's to get some ball point needles. I'm hoping that will help me get the applique on the T shirts done a bit easier!

What a beautiful day outside to waste in front of the TV or the sewing machine! Need to go shopping!

Nini

Ariel, who was your tailor?

Well, to continue on the dress woes...

I found some yummy seafoam fabric for Ariel's dress. I've spent hours and hours researching the way the dress looks in the parks. I've seen several different sun dresses made in that 'style'. I've seen with my mind's eye exactly what I want.

Last night I spent 3 hours drafting a pattern for the peplum. Only to find that the yummy fabric I picked out for the peplum won't hold its shape...too thin and sheer to even add an interfacing or lining. Back to the drawing board.

Then I go with a peplum more in line with what is on Cindy's dress...still not quite what I'm looking for..now if only I had a model that would stay up all night with me and not mind having the pins inserted into her body...(see you have to have the skirt ready before you can attach to the bodice, so to see how it drapes you have to pin it in...er on the model!) For some reason Miss B thinks that might hurt! However it does look kinda cute hanging on my lampshade!

OK...back to sewing...I only have 14 days left to finish 3 princess dresses...got to remember to make one for the doll!

Nini

Had enough Disney, anyone?

Can you believe it is September already? We leave in only 18 days...that means only 17 more days to get everything ready and packed!

I have been trying to get some of our dining ressies tweaked a bit. I have decided not to stress about not getting everything I want, and have made backup plans. But there are a few that I keep working on everyday...you never know when something will open up!

Well, yesterday I didn't check. Seriously! I didn't call or check online. I have been checking at various times throughout the day. Some people cancel their ressies in the morning, some in the evening, and still more through out the day...Well, not yesterday. I was busy so I didn't think it would hurt to miss one day. Boy was I wrong!

Online, I discovered THREE different parties of 6 or more were able to get their ressies at Chef Mickey, on the day I want!!!! This morning...NOTHING!!!

Lesson learned!

On the dresses front, we went to Joanns yesterday, just to look for some princess fabric. I never knew how hard it was to find fabric in the colors I want that would be suitable for a sun dress! I found some flannel in the EXACT color I want...I found some yummy colored fleece in both shades I have in mind. I found some beautiful bridal fabric in embellished, dyed to match lace...could be perfect...IF I had something to put under it!

Trying to find something that is not only the right color, but not scratchy or hot seems like it is going to be a bit more problematic that I thought! Hopefully I can find something today or this weekend. If not, I will have to come up with plan 2! I won't have time to make them if I have to wait past this weekend to get started. Right now, plan 2 is the ever boring, but popular, licensed print, made into a regular sundress.

It will be acceptable, but I really wanted a bit more wow on this one!

Now, just 100 more things to decide on and implement and I will be ready to go to my happy place!

Nini

Pettiskirts Anyone?

Can you believe I am seriously thinking about making some pettiskirts? I have an idea in my mind (always a scary thing!) of making the girls some dresses for Christmas. I'm thinking about something twirly and feminine. Lots of rich fabrics like velvets, brocades, silks or satins....and I think a pettiskirt would look fabulous underneath!

I know it will probably be a one time only type of thing, and it will then become a 'dress-up' kind of thing for them to play with, but I think it might be fun to try!

I've been looking around online for patterns, and I have found some that are pretty simple (and simple looking) and some more advanced (and delicious looking!). It is all It is just how you put it together that will make the difference.

It actually seems that the hardest part will be to find the fabric. I've found a couple of suppliers for the fabric, but the shipping is unreal! The shipping is more than the cost of the fabric! Maybe I can find something a bit more local so I can pick it up myself at a bricks and mortar store!

If I don't make one for their holiday dress, I might at least make one for dress up....

hmmmm....

Nini

Princess Dress

Twenty-one more days until our Disney trip...I have one more dress to decide on. We were able to SCORE ressies at the Akershaus for a princess dinner. I need a Princess Dress for the girls. I have several ideas. I'm thinking Belle in her yellow ball gown or Ariel in her Sea foam green ball gown. (depending entirely on which fabrics I can find at a reasonable price!!)

I will be making them as a sun dress instead of a ball gown of course, but I'm having some problems deciding exactly how to take what is in my head and transform it to an actual dress! I think the hardest part will be I will be using a Franken -pattern. For non-sewerrs, that is when you take part of one pattern and part of another and throw them together! I'm really scared of messing up the fabric. My seam ripper is going to be my best friend during this experience!

Wish me luck!

Nini

Sewing Machine Feet

To all the newbies sewing here, I just want to offer a bit of advice...before you spend money buying NEW feet for your machine, check very carefully at the feet that were included with your machine!

I had decided I needed an edge stitching foot to get the nice even, straight stitching along the edges, and for my top stitching. (Thanks to Lisa for the tip about lengthening the stitches). Then I decided I wanted an overcast foot so I could use the overcast stitches that were included in my machine to cut out the step of zig zaging over my seams.

After lots and lots of tireless research, I picked up my manual...I seems an overcast foot was supposed to be with my machine! After checking it out, I found out that my overcast foot looks EXACTLY like the edge stitching foot! Yup...all this time I have had what I was searching for, right in my sewing drawer!

Then I discovered...strange as this may sound...that there is a reason they make different feet! Each foot is made for a specific job, and more importantly, THE WORK!!! I mean, I know the ruffler was great at ruffling, and the button holer worked perfectly at button hole-ing (as long as you try to use the one that came with YOUR NEW machine and not try to use the one for the OLD machine...long embarrassing story),the even feed foot worked perfectly at evenly feeding the fabric into the machine, and who would ever try to put on a zipper without a zipper foot? (well, me, but again another long embarrassing story)

But who would have EVER thought that other feet actually was the best tool for their respective job????

Morale of the story, if your machine came with more than one foot, don't, I repeat DON'T just put the feet back in the plastic bag and hide them in a drawer...you may actually need them!


OK, now back to trying to decide on a princess sun dress for the girls to wear. This SHOULD be my last dress for the trip...after all I only have 22 days left!


Nini

OK, I KNEW that Amanda would catch my little comment about being satisfied if I never had another grand child. See, originally I had another comment after that statement, something along the lines of"....not really!!" But I didn't like the way it read, so I took it out. I was supposed to go back and put something else in, but Little Princess needed something and I forgot....

That is my story and I'm sticking with it!

I do have to tell you about the birthday present for her! I had made some Disney doll dresses to match her dresses for our upcoming trip. I was looking for a doll to put them on when I realized they fit the Cabbage Patch dolls perfectly.

Off we go to find a Cabbage Patch Doll. NO ONE around here had any! Not Wally World, not Targemont, not that mega Toy store (that really needs to learn how to spell the word 'are'.). No one!

I had seen online that the Babyland General in Cleveland had some 25th anniversary editions on sale, so , even though I am coming down with that tummy bug, we drove 2 hours to get to the store before they closed. Miss B and Mr D were begging in the back seat to find a friendly gas station, since neither one was wearing a diaper, but Dad kept on driving!

We finally made it with TWO minutes to spare. I picked out a cute little girl with blond hair and blue eyes, and we hurried up to get it paid for before they closed us out of the store! I have never seen Dad hurry so much before! He has NEVER been in any kind of hurry for anything! I always have to tell him to be somewhere an hour before we really have to ... just to keep from being late! It was really kinda cute to see him hurry like that!

So, of course I had to make the doll a cupcake birthday dress to match Alyssa's. I can hardly wait until Friday for her birthday dinner!

Nini

Alyssa!

As we sit here, it is hard not to think back two years ago! Two years ago we were not so patiently waiting for the Little Princess to make her appearance in this world. Now that she is here, it is hard to remember what life was like without her! She is the whole reason I had kids to start with...and even if I never have another grandchild, I will be satisfied.

She is not feeling very well right now. There is a nasty tummy thing going around right now, and she seems to have it. Not as bad as her mommy had it earlier this week, but enough to make her uncomfortable. We are trying to keep her away from milk right now...she has her cup full of Pedialyte. She obviously thinks we are being mean to her...but she does 'get it', or at least part of it.

We have been spelling M-I-L-K all morning. If she hears the word she starts screaming for it. Since she won't drink her pedialyte, I decided to give her a pop-cicle. At least it will be some liquid in her. Well, she looked at Miss B and Mr. D and said "I can't have milk, so I get a icicle!" Now, this was just after Miss B spelled M-I-L-K in a sentence! She knew exactly what we were spelling!

She is getting so smart, I think she will be ready for Kindergarten in another few weeks! She can't write the letters and numbers yet, but she is starting to know them on sight (still not quite there, but getting there) and is learning the sounds they make and is getting to be a pro at counting! She was just singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"...and then changed to "Jesus Loves me" in the middle of the song. Then she stopped and said "I not finish star..." and then went back to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"...almost from where she left off. She is showing she has a great memory!

Now, before anyone thinks I'm prejudice where she is concerned...well, I AM!!!

Nini

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to me! Today marks 32 years since hubby and I said "I Do!" This is a date we share with one , umm, 'infamous' event in history! It is one that has irked me for 32 years! It seems we cannot celebrate our anniversary without the world remembering this day as something else!

See, on this date, exactly 32 years ago, Elvis left the building...permanently. Every year we have had to listen to Elvis memorability...only his songs are played on the radio, every trivia question having to do with him has been uttered on this day. I had secretly hoped, that with all the hoopla about Michael Jackson's death, we would be spared this year..but nope, not to be.

I remember very distinctly, when I went to my first OB appointment with Shawn, the nurse could not believe that I 'chose' to get married on that day! I told her I couldn't believe Elvis 'chose' my wedding day to die!

Over the years, my older kids have all made the joke that when I got married, it broke Elvis' heart...and that is what killed him. So, it stands to reason, that this year, my youngest asked us if we really knew Elvis...

Maybe by the time we reach our fiftieth anniversary there will hardly be a mention of Elvis and his passing ... either that, or we are both so senile we don't notice it!

Nini

Quick Disney Update!

I have finally gotten all the dresses finished for Disney! I have only 2 outfits to finish...I need to get Bri and Dami a denim overall set to make shorts out of...

Of course I still have several T shirts to finish, but I can relax until the beginning of September when I purchase the last of the T shirts and the last of the transfers.

So, what was I working on yesterday? An outfit for the baby doll that matches the Pooh dress Bri and the Princess are wearing to the Crystal Palace. It turned out really cute! All I need is some Velcro and I will be able to finish it and pack it away.

Now I guess I'll be obsessed with making Dolly matching outfits!

Weight, weight...and more weight!

OK..for my Disney trip I really wanted to be in a size 12. I'm not really sure that will happen, but so far, since January I have lost a little over 30 pounds! I have gone from a size 20 to a size 14! Not bad for a middle age Grandma...huh?

This past week I've actually gained a half pound, and it is really bumming me out. However.... I tried on a pair of shorts that were a bit snug last week, and they fit rather good today. I have two pair of capris that we bought a few weeks ago in a size 14 and they fit rather good right now. I will actually have a problem if I loose to a size 12. I have nothing to wear in a size 12! I still have to get at least one pair of jeans...just waiting to see what size to buy. All my jeans are currently of the falling off variety! Even with a belt I can't keep them up... they look really strange on me at the moment!

Yesterday, someone actually commented on the amount of weight I had lost! Thank you Ms. Judy! You really made my day! She told me I was looking more fit and...younger! I really think the younger part is due to 1) my hair color and 2) not having as much arthritis pain since starting my new meds. I really am happy that we were able to get started on that!

Now, time to make a quick WalMart run for milk....

Disney...Disney..Disney!

Woo Hoo...Disney is really getting close...44 more days! I can hardly wait! I'll go today and get the remainder of the fabric I need for the dresses I'm making the girls for our first night dinner. I have already bought the main fabric, but forgot to get the fabric for the lining!

I also have a couple of sets of buttons to get...so I'll pick them up today as well. My plans call for all the sewing to be finished by next Wednesday...so far I think this plan is do able..I only have the last two dresses and a couple of applique tshirts to finish. I've also gotten most of the transfer type tshirts done. I have to pick up some more transfers to finish them up. My goal for the transfer shirts is next Friday.

After that is is the remainder of the packing and last minute plans to complete. It is really coming together nicely. This is the first trip that we have had longer than a couple weeks to plan! We've always gone on a 'whim'. The longest I have ever planned a Disney trip was last year. We decided in January to use our income tax refund to go...and left towards the end of February. Just barely got the tax refund in before we left! LOL!!

Of course there was one trip that we were still in the planning stage when we had to cancel...that would have been about a three month advance notice we were going...but for this trip, we knew a full nine months before the trip! We've even had the room reserved that long! Unbelievable!!

Anyone want to join us for a trip to Disney to celebrate D's birthday??

Nini