~ Aug 2013~ Sew what... We've gotta find a way back! GF Gingerbread House set 5/20!!

[mommy2mrb]

the girls look cute! hope you feel better soon!

[Pluto0809]

Bummer at being sick at Christmas, hope it goes away quickly!

The pictures of the girls are so cute! And the sweater is anything but ugly.

[nannye]

Omg d! I love the camera bag and now I'm stuck wondering how on earth I will manage Disney with v and my camera bag, my d bag pls vS stuff. Oh and water bottles? I cringe just thinking about how to figure it out. I like my camera to be easily accessible, but I want my upb amd I can't do both. My head hurts just thinking about it. And yes this comes from me being a huge over packer and I'm used to going with a stroller for her. No stroller next time!

[DMGeurts]

Originally Posted by KatMark

Love the pics of the girls....so fun.

Did you end up with a lot of snow? Our 2 to 4 inches ended up being a dusting on the grass . But poor Markie and Alisha ended up with over 13 inches and no power for over 6 hours.if I don't get back here, I wish you, Josh and the girls a very Merry Christmas!

Thanks Kathy. We did not get a lot of snow... maybe 4-6"? It's the drifting around here that always gets us into trouble... That 4-6" ends up leaving behind 2 ft. snow drifts.

Wow... I hope they have their power restored by now, that is always my biggest fear, that we will lose power for a long time. Fortunately - our electric company is a Co-Op, small and local - so if you call them, they are very good about getting out here to fix things right away.

Originally Posted by Terkina

I hope you get better soon and get to finish all the Christmas gifts in the sewing room. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Thank you Lillian. I hope I feel better soon too... Currently, I am not feeling any better or any worse.

Merry Christmas to you and your family, as well.

Originally Posted by solana131

Oh, I hope you feel better for your festivities! That always seems to happen in our household, right when we need to be at our best

Thanks, it's not looking too promising at the moment... Both Josh and I have the same thing. Josh's dad was supposed to arrive in the Cities sometime last night - so I have a feeling we will meet up at some point today.

Originally Posted by solana131

Well IMO, Alli's "ugly" Christmas sweater is beautiful...I would wear that. In fact, I am sure I have uglier that I do wear every year I have this one sweatshirt that has snowmen on it. I wear it every time we have a really snowy day here. I love it, but hubby thinks it is ugly.

I know, I think her's is cute too. Honestly, this seems to be a trend with the High/Middle schoolers - to have a day to wear "ugly Christmas sweaters" - and to be honest, I think they do it because they secretly like to wear them, but don't want to admit it.

Originally Posted by solana131

Love V's socks! If I could pull off skinny jeans, I would get a pair of those.

I know - aren't they awesome. They came in a 2 pack last year at Target... I actually bought them for the other pair in the pack... Minnie Dot.

Originally Posted by solana131

I'm a nervous wreck today....we had a threat circulating around Facebook the past couple of days saying what happened in CT will happen in Southern Maine on the winter solstice. We all got messages yesterday saying they knew about the threat and were taking extra security measures. But I still had a really hard time deciding to let Bradey go to school today. And I jump every time the phone rings I can't wait until 2:00 when I can go get him!

I don't think this was unique to your area or school - we had the same things going on here. So, the school added extra security guards for yesterday, and also called in half the police force to hang out. I hope everything went OK for you yesterday, and you got some good cuddle time with Mr. Bradey.

Originally Posted by solana131

Anyway....hope you have a wonderful weekend and I'm sure we will chat before the big day!

Thank you, you too!

Originally Posted by lovethattink

Love the girls pictures. Those striped socks and striped top make her look adorable! There's no ugly there. What does her headband look like that she hotglued?

LOL - I know - it's so cute and it was a total accident. Honestly - I think she will end up wearing that outfit to every Christmas party we go to this year, because she loves it so much.

The headband was a plain green headband, and she dug 2 mini green bows out of our AG Christmas bin, then hot glued them to the headband. Personally - we have an Elf christmas hat she could wear, that would be really cute, or a regular Santa hat too. So, we will se if she decides to change up that portion of it at all.

Originally Posted by mommy2mrb

the girls look cute! hope you feel better soon!

Thanks Lisa~!

Not feeling any better here, but not feeling any worse either. I am hoping to see some improvement today.

Originally Posted by Pluto0809

Bummer at being sick at Christmas, hope it goes away quickly!

The pictures of the girls are so cute! And the sweater is anything but ugly.

Thanks Ariana. I know - I think it is so funny...

Originally Posted by nannye

Omg d! I love the camera bag and now I'm stuck wondering how on earth I will manage Disney with v and my camera bag, my d bag pls vS stuff. Oh and water bottles? I cringe just thinking about how to figure it out. I like my camera to be easily accessible, but I want my upb amd I can't do both. My head hurts just thinking about it. And yes this comes from me being a huge over packer and I'm used to going with a stroller for her. No stroller next time!

I am not sure how you will manage either Erin - that sounds like a lot to carry & manage. I am sure you will figure it out.

************************************************** ********

Yesterday was crazy (surprised?)...

I started out in my sewing room... I worked on the applique for V's gift for about 2 hours. Then I got ready and went to town.

First stop was the Dentist... Gave them a nice chunk of change. Sigh.

Then the gas station... Filled up the Edge. Sigh.

Then Target... Ate the holiday meal with my fellow Team Members. Then I shopped... Most of what I got was groceries, with a few last minute gift cards thrown in. I am officially DONE SHOPPING... I hope. There's always that one last person, when you are on the way to an event, you remember that you forgot to get them a gift.

Then... The pharmacy, the liquor store and the grocery store (all one place)...

Then... Home to unload.

Then... To the Vet for MM food.

Then... To the Meat Market for meat for Christmas weekend.

Then... Home to nap... Which never happened.

Then... Dinner (chicken breast sandwiches and tater-tots)

Then... Watched part of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation on ABC Family, and part of Santa Clause... Doing a bit of napping in between.

Then... Medicine for my cold.

Then... Bed.

Fun, eh?

This morning.... I will be bracing my sewing room door closed with my ironing board, and finishing up V's gift. I also hope to work on a gift for my MIL - but I don't think that's going to happen... And we have enough for her anyways, I don't think it matters if I get to it, or not?

No plans, as of yet, for this afternoon or evening. I am going to try to toss a nap in there somewhere though.

I hope you all have a wonderful pre-Holiday weekend, and a Merry Christmas to those of you celebrating.

D~

[Restrasz]

Many of the school systems hear in southeast Michigan were closed Thursday and Friday because of various threats to the students. How very sad that the crazies in our world are using a tragedy to create all these problems. Hopefully when the kids go back to school after the holidays most of the threats will be in the past. I can't imagine how those of you with young kids are coping with all of this!
This Ruth is wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season. You are a group of special people! Ruth

[solana131]

Oh going to the dentist while battling a cold...sounds like fun!
Hope you get some time to rest over the next couple of days. Feel better!

[DisneyTeacher01]

Originally Posted by DMGeurts

The GOTY for 2013 is named Saige... She is from New Mexico. Some of the items she will have in her collection are a dog, and art easel, a white horse with speckles and saddle, her big item is a hot air balloon. Saige has a very pretty wig that is red (but not quite as red as Felicity's), longer wavy hair. She is a very pretty doll. I think most of her outfits are cute... There's a couple that I don't like that much - but my girls would probably love. I have seen pictures of all of her items, but I don't think they have been officially released by AG yet. So, maybe that will help you with your decision?

Thanks sooooo much for posting this info!! Ever since you did I've been looking and looking for pictures! I'm so excited about the Hot Air Balloon (I crew with a balloon team on weekends) and it looks so cute! I'm sure it will be pricey though I would have probably missed this if you hadn't said anything!

Thanks!

Jennifer

[Pluto0809]

Sounds like you had a busy day yesterday! I'm done with my shopping too, just have a few gifts left to wrap for DH and the doggies. I'll probably do that tomorrow.

I spent my Saturday volunteering at the local shelter as usual. We had a big drive to get lots of animals out since they will be closed Sunday through Wednesday for Christmas. They do go in and clean and feed of course but the animals don't get any attention. I'm happy to say that we adopted out 17 animals today! 6 cats and 11 dogs.

[DMGeurts]

Originally Posted by Restrasz

Many of the school systems hear in southeast Michigan were closed Thursday and Friday because of various threats to the students. How very sad that the crazies in our world are using a tragedy to create all these problems. Hopefully when the kids go back to school after the holidays most of the threats will be in the past. I can't imagine how those of you with young kids are coping with all of this!
This Ruth is wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season. You are a group of special people! Ruth

I agree Ruth - I am so tired of all this madness.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season, as well.

Originally Posted by solana131

Oh going to the dentist while battling a cold...sounds like fun!
Hope you get some time to rest over the next couple of days. Feel better!

Thanks! I did get some rest yesterday, but as of now, it doesn't seem to have helped any.

Originally Posted by DisneyTeacher01

Thanks sooooo much for posting this info!! Ever since you did I've been looking and looking for pictures! I'm so excited about the Hot Air Balloon (I crew with a balloon team on weekends) and it looks so cute! I'm sure it will be pricey though I would have probably missed this if you hadn't said anything!

Thanks!

Jennifer

Were you able to find pictures? I know the album I saw was not a public album, they may have been released publically by now though.

Originally Posted by Pluto0809

Sounds like you had a busy day yesterday! I'm done with my shopping too, just have a few gifts left to wrap for DH and the doggies. I'll probably do that tomorrow.

I spent my Saturday volunteering at the local shelter as usual. We had a big drive to get lots of animals out since they will be closed Sunday through Wednesday for Christmas. They do go in and clean and feed of course but the animals don't get any attention. I'm happy to say that we adopted out 17 animals today! 6 cats and 11 dogs.

So glad to hear that so many animals were adopted out in time for the holidays - what a wonderful gift to them to have a family to love them.

************************************************** ********

Yesterday was crazy...

First of all, Josh's dad and step-mom rolled in to town the night before. They made the whole drive from Missourri in one day. Since they live so far away now, we like to spend as much time with them, while they are here, as we can.

So, I started my day off in my sewing room. I put my ironing board up against my door to brace it closed, and I finished V's Christmas gift. It turned out really nice - and I am very happy with it. I hope she likes it too. Sorry, I did not take any pictures. I will post pictures after she gets it.

Josh and Alli went up to the duplex to install a new washer for one of the renters... Then he called to say that his dad and step-mom were coming for dinner... Thankfully it was lasagna on the menu, and I didn't have to edit what we were having.

It was a mad dash to tidy up my neglected house to make it presentable to guests... Especially since I haven't had an ounce of time to clean because I've been trying to finish up Christmas gifts.

We took a break & went to our neighbor's for an "appetizer lunch" and to open the gifts we gave eachother. Lots of fun - they are both such good friends of ours.

When we got home, I claimed the house "good enough"... And decided to take a nap instead.

Josh's dad and Step-Mom came for dinner... With them, they brought our Anniversary gift - which was more a family gift... They gave us an illuminated family bible. Just a beautiful, meaningful and thoughtful gift. One we will treasure forever.

We had a wonderful dinner... After, the girls, Grandma and I sat down to watch Miracle on 34th Street... Which ended up being more of a playing with MM time. LOL

I went to bed early... I don't even remember Josh coming up.

I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday weekend.

D~

[disneychic2]

Wow, got so far behind again. Like everyone else, I've been juggling lots of balls. But first let me say how adorable the Remy bag is!! Love it! And then, the camera bag. You've got to be kidding me. You are amazing!!!!

As far as the AG dolls, I love that you and your girls enjoy them and have such a bonding experience with them. Also, it's great that you are teaching your girls the value of staying young at heart...way to go, Mom!! I never paid much attention to them, but wish I had. I love them now, but can't really afford to buy them for the granddaughters since I have four of them and I can't ever stop at one of anything. But thanks for sharing your lovely collection.

I love the idea of an ugly sweater day and I think you are absolutely correct in thinking they want to wear them and this is a good excuse. I have a couple of ugly sweaters I could donate to the cause for next year, but they would probably be too big for your girls, who, btw, are so adorable! What great pics of the two of them together!

We got a little snow. Maybe 2 inches. I was hoping for a little more, but this is better than nothing. Glad you did okay with driving to and from work. I had to go out in it also, but had no problems. We don't get the drifting you get, which really helps.

Our son who lives in Florida arrived on Friday and later that evening our son and DIL who live 2 1/2 hours away arrived. We will celebrate Christmas today with them as son and DIL have to go back to Toledo late this afternoon. Other son will be here until New Years day. Then we will leave for Virginia to have Christmas with our 2 daughters and their families on Jan 4. I'm really looking forward to that. Christmas with the grandkids is just so magical!

So sorry you're not feeling well. It's the pits to be sick when you have so much to do and people visiting. I know what you mean about the man voice. That's the first sign for me that I'm getting sick. I sound like my DH! Hope you get better really soon and enjoy your Christmas party today!

I have not gotten to sew at all since our boys have been here, but will get back to it later today. I'm at the point where I'm doing the lining on the Rapunzel dress. The hard part of applying the trim and putting in the zipper is done. It's looking pretty good. I found the most adorable little play shoes that are the same color as the dress and have little heels. She's going to love them!

Well, this will probably be it before Christmas, so I'd like to wish you and your family and everyone else on this thread a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

[BabyRapunzel]

Sorry for the delay again in posting. So much to do before Christmas. Thank you so much for your nice comments about my bag and making things for others!

I love all your bags, but this camera bag is sooooo awesome! Fabulous idea.

Your daughters in their "ugly" outfits look sooo cute!

Since I may be busy sewing last minute items, I will wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

[KatMark]

D, before things get too busy, I just wanted to wish you and your beautiful family a very Merry Christmas.

[mommy2mrb]

wishing you all a very Merry Christmas

[DMGeurts]

Originally Posted by disneychic2

Wow, got so far behind again. Like everyone else, I've been juggling lots of balls. But first let me say how adorable the Remy bag is!! Love it! And then, the camera bag. You've got to be kidding me. You are amazing!!!!

Hi Lois! Glad to see you back... Thank you for all the compliments!

Originally Posted by disneychic2

As far as the AG dolls, I love that you and your girls enjoy them and have such a bonding experience with them. Also, it's great that you are teaching your girls the value of staying young at heart...way to go, Mom!! I never paid much attention to them, but wish I had. I love them now, but can't really afford to buy them for the granddaughters since I have four of them and I can't ever stop at one of anything. But thanks for sharing your lovely collection.

Thanks Lois... I agree, there is so much more than what's at the surface when you enjoy a collecting hobby with your children... There is a bonding that occurs, and it tends to forge a relationship that spans further than the collecting itself.

I appreciate that you enjoyed seeing our collection, I always hate sharing it, because I am so afraid that people will think it's so excessive - and it probably is - but I often feel that once I explain how everything came about, a little here and a little there, most people understand.

If it's something you are truly interested in collecting for your grand daughters - what if you instituted a specific age where the each received one? Like at age 7 or something like that? That way it would break up the expense for you, and it would give the younger ones something to look forward to... Then maybe one outfit for Birthday or Christmas? I dunno, just trying to help out... I know they are so expensive. There is also the annual MCM sale... I've been known to go occasionally - if I do go again, I would be happy to let you know - they often have dolls for $35 each. Usually it's only specific dolls - but they are genuine AG dolls. This sale takes place in Wisconsin every July. Let me know if you are interested, and I'd be happy to keep you posted.

No pressure... Just trying to help you find a way to make it work, if it's something you'd truly like to do for them.

Originally Posted by disneychic2

I love the idea of an ugly sweater day and I think you are absolutely correct in thinking they want to wear them and this is a good excuse. I have a couple of ugly sweaters I could donate to the cause for next year, but they would probably be too big for your girls, who, btw, are so adorable! What great pics of the two of them together!

LOL, I appreciate the offer for an ugly sweater donation - they'd probably take you up on it, too big or not... They are obsessed with finding the ugliest sweater they can for next year.

Originally Posted by disneychic2

We got a little snow. Maybe 2 inches. I was hoping for a little more, but this is better than nothing. Glad you did okay with driving to and from work. I had to go out in it also, but had no problems. We don't get the drifting you get, which really helps.

I hope the snow gave you a white Christmas.

Originally Posted by disneychic2

Our son who lives in Florida arrived on Friday and later that evening our son and DIL who live 2 1/2 hours away arrived. We will celebrate Christmas today with them as son and DIL have to go back to Toledo late this afternoon. Other son will be here until New Years day. Then we will leave for Virginia to have Christmas with our 2 daughters and their families on Jan 4. I'm really looking forward to that. Christmas with the grandkids is just so magical!

I am so happy for you that you will have a holiday surrounded by family and grandkids - it does sound magical. That is one of my biggest fears - once the girls go off on their own, that they won't come home for the hoidays and we'll be all alone...

Originally Posted by disneychic2

So sorry you're not feeling well. It's the pits to be sick when you have so much to do and people visiting. I know what you mean about the man voice. That's the first sign for me that I'm getting sick. I sound like my DH! Hope you get better really soon and enjoy your Christmas party today!

I am starting to feel better - thankfully! I sound like crap, but I feel OK. I'll take what I can get right now.

Originally Posted by disneychic2

I have not gotten to sew at all since our boys have been here, but will get back to it later today. I'm at the point where I'm doing the lining on the Rapunzel dress. The hard part of applying the trim and putting in the zipper is done. It's looking pretty good. I found the most adorable little play shoes that are the same color as the dress and have little heels. She's going to love them!

That sounds so cute! I bet she will love them! Glad the hard part is done, I hope you are able to finish it up in time.

Originally Posted by disneychic2

Well, this will probably be it before Christmas, so I'd like to wish you and your family and everyone else on this thread a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Merry Christmas to you and your family Lois.

Originally Posted by BabyRapunzel

Sorry for the delay again in posting. So much to do before Christmas. Thank you so much for your nice comments about my bag and making things for others!

I love all your bags, but this camera bag is sooooo awesome! Fabulous idea.

Your daughters in their "ugly" outfits look sooo cute!

Since I may be busy sewing last minute items, I will wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

No worries! I loved your bag - I think it was magnificant and such a great gift.

Thanks for the compliments on my new camera bag and the girls' outfits - they were so fun. And I love taking pictures of them when they are being silly.

Merry Christmas to you and your family, as well.

Originally Posted by KatMark

D, before things get too busy, I just wanted to wish you and your beautiful family a very Merry Christmas.

Thank you Kathy... I hope you and Mark and the rest of the family have a very Merry Christmas, as well.

************************************************** ********

Another crazy day for us yesterday...

We had to be out the door by 8:30am to be to our destination by 11:30am... Yes, a 3 hour drive to start off our morning...

We stopped at the 2 hour mark to pick up my brother...

Then another hour on the road.

Every year, the Sunday before Christmas - like clockwork - is my Mom's family Christmas... It starts off with 10:00 Mass said for my Grandfather and Mom, and follows with a Christmas noon meal at which ever location can meet our needs that year... This year is was a local dining facility - but we have been known to rent out the Legion, VFW, Golf Course... It's always catered - our family is just too large to accomodate any other way. Santa always comes after our meal to hand out gifts (each family brings a gift of their own for their own kids, we don't do a name exchange anymore).

My mom is sthe 2nd oldest of 11 children... Each one of those children had no less than 6 of their own children (except for my mom - she only had the 2 of us)... Those would all be my immediate cousins... There is well over 70 of us. Now, most of us are married and have started families of our own... You can see how it gets to be a bit confusing... I know all of my immediate cousins - we all grew up together... I know most of their spouses - but their kids... It's a lost cause.

Sooo... To help out with that... Everyone gets a name tag that denotes their lineage... So, in Large bold letters, it states the person's name... then below that, it gives their parent's name and their grandparent's name... So, you know who everyone belongs to. LOL I know it sounds impersonal - but it's super helpful, so when little Johnny is running all over - you can just read who he belongs to.

Anyways... It's lots of fun - but very exhausting!

Yesterday, we did not go to Mass, it just didn't work with our plans... We would have had to leave at 7am to get there on time, and that gets to be a very long day on the road for us...

We had a great time though, and I really enjoyed visiting with all of my cousins that could make it and my aunts and uncles - since we live so far away - I don't get to see them all very often.

My girls received an amazing gift from my God-mother... Who is my mom's oldest sister... I wanted to share it here, because it is sewing related. She made them, probably one of the most amazing gifts anyone could ever make for someone... A quilt. I was so shocked and amazed... Here is this amazing woman, whom we rarely get to see - and she made such a wonderful thing for them. I always think of a quilt as someone personally wrapping you in a hug when you cuddle up with it... I was nearly in tears. And the girls were so excited.

Here's my aunt with the girls and their quilts - not the best picture, but..



Once we were finished there... We headed towards home - stopping at my Dad's to do Christmas with him and drop my brother off for the weekend. We exchanged gifts with them and visited for a couple of hours...

Here's V with my brother... Both of them still wearing their name tags - LOL



Then, we were on the road again, headed for home... The girls wrapped up in their quilts - exhausted.





Once we stopped for dinner (Jimmy Johns) and gas... We arrived home at about 7pm... It's a very long day of driving for us...

The girls also got another cool gift from one of my other aunts - who is like a grandmother to them... These really cool Puzzle Lamps... So, they sat down on the floor to try and put them together when we got home... They were getting frustrated, so Josh decided to help...



All in all, it was a great day! I really miss my extended family these days, and it is my dream, once the girls are off on their own, that maybe we'll be able to sell our house and move closer to home. We will see.

I must get going... I have lots of prep work to do for food over the next couple of days.

I wish each and every one of you a very...



And I hope you all get to share the day with your family and those who are dear to you.

D~

[nannye]

D, and anyone else, I'm putting in an order with Joanns for fabric and since I can't see it in person, any suggestions for good basic fabrics or favourites for sewing and appliquees?

Thanks
E