~~~~ Sew, help me... A bittersweet "Epic Girls Trip"... January 2018! ~~~~ UPDATE 1/7!!~~

Good luck! I know you will find a way to make this work

DMGeurts said:

I've found a way to fund an AP for myself and the March trip without dipping into our budget at all, and paying cash, of course.

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I think I saw your plan last night! Lol great thinking! I hope it all works out for you.

I’ve commented on your bags and ears on Facebook, but just want to say again how awesome they are! I know the payoff for ears isn’t nearly as good for the time it takes to make them as opposed to your UPB’s but you definitely have a talent in the ear department and i would definitely be interested if you ever decide to venture off into ear land

How great that you have found a way to fund an AP for yourself without taking anything from your budget. I'm sure Josh will let you go when you tell him he can have a new bed

Pixie dust to you and hopefully Josh will say yes.

Glad you found a way to make it work, because my opinion (and I know mine counts for soooo much, lol) would have been to get the AP...but then I am a total Disney enabler.

DMGeurts said:

We came home, and washed all of our new bedding... Later in the evening, when we were making our bed... Josh showed me our actual mattress - and how it's caving in on the sides. I didn't realize this. Soooo - it's looking like saving for a new mattress is going to be our after-Christmas gift to ourselves.

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You got a great deal on that bedding! Our three year old mattress has sagged badly, especially on DH's side of the bed. I hate mattress shopping.

DMGeurts said:

In the end - I would LOVE to see Katie play... And I would LOVE to spend time in Disney with my cousin - who is like a sister to me.

HELP!!!!!! What would you do?????

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AP's are very addictive. I just renewed mine today for our January trip. They become very much worth the price, though, with all the discounts, including the 35% AP discount we got at the Beach Club.

DMGeurts said:

I've found a way to fund an AP for myself and the March trip without dipping into our budget at all, and paying cash, of course.

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You deserve this, especially with the way you have worked so hard to pay off debt.

Besides, now you can think about a lovely fall trip.

We are going to Disney in four days and we aren't packed yet. We are having fourteen people for dinner on Thanksgiving and I am hanging around on the Dis.

Good morning everyone...

Yet again - I have no time for replies this morning, I am so sorry about that! Despite not having anything on my schedule this week - I've been inundated with projects.

I had a surprise amount of paperwork to fill out and take care of for dad - or he loses all of his medical coverage at the end of the month - so I've been scrambling this week to get everything together - then I have to run to town today to have him sign everything... This was not in my plans - but it's obviously a priority.

I also had something come up with work... So, I've been scrambling to get that together too... I guess I am very lucky that I "took this week off". LOL

Some of you may have seen on FB last night - my Steam Boat Willie set did not make the cut for this upcoming trip... A few of you were surprised. Me too. LOL I love my SBW set... However - I was perusing fabrics yesterday and I found a fabric that I LOVE - and it's perfect for SBW... I don't need to take 2 sets - and the one I have has seen several trips already - even though it's one of my newest... So - that's the story on SBW. I plan to make both of V's requested bags though before I get to making SBW for myself - soooooo... It's entirely possible that I won't have a SBW for the January trip.

I have not talked to Josh about the Spring trip yet... V was pulled over the other night for her tail light being out (didn't even give her a warning... I think he saw that she JUST purchased the car) - so Josh was trying to fix her tail light last night - it was super cold and he would have been in NO frame of mind to grant my wish for another Disney trip, whether it came out of the budget or not... Timing is everything... So, I will try again tonight.

I also have a ton of cooking to do this morning... I have to run to the meat market to pick up my slicing order... Just lots of my delegated prep work to make tomorrow easy on Josh - as he does the bird and all of the "day of" stuff...

If I happen to get into my sewing room at all today - it won't be until this afternoon... However - I should mention that I've nearly finished my next set of ears, and I managed to also get the coordinating bag fabric quilted yesterday - this is a good thing!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, of course... So, for those of you traveling - wishing you safe travels... I'll be back tomorrow morning to pass along my Thanksgiving wishes to all of you! Have a great day everyone and lots of Pixie Dust to you all!

D~

Sounds like a good idea not to talk about the Spring trip with Josh yesterday. As you said timing is everything.
Good luck with talking to Josh about the trip

Have a great day

DMGeurts said:

I have not talked to Josh about the Spring trip yet... V was pulled over the other night for her tail light being out (didn't even give her a warning... I think he saw that she JUST purchased the car) - so Josh was trying to fix her tail light last night - it was super cold and he would have been in NO frame of mind to grant my wish for another Disney trip, whether it came out of the budget or not... Timing is everything... So, I will try again tonight.

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Annoying. In New York, they give you the ticket but if you get the light fixed within a day or 2 , send in proof you don’t have to pay the ticket.

DMGeurts said:

I had a surprise amount of paperwork to fill out and take care of for dad - or he loses all of his medical coverage at the end of the month - so I've been scrambling this week to get everything together - then I have to run to town today to have him si

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Yikes. Hope you get everything taken care of.

I’m so unorganized. Realized I’m down to my last 4 sticks of butter when I went to soften them for my cakes.
I’m going to run to Costco or bjs now. Hopefully my bread doesn’t override

Sorry about V.'s taillight. In Ohio they give you a few days to fix it and show them that it works before getting a ticket.
I'd wait to talk to Josh, too. You want him to be in a better mood.
You asked about the weather here. I live with a half mile of Lake Erie. That means that until the lake freezes, the snow falls a few miles South of me in what's called the snowbelt. Onces the lake freezes, we get more snow. We aren't normally as cold as you but it can be very cold when one those fronts come across the lake from Canada.
I can't wait to see what the new SBM will look like.
I hope you got everything taken care of for your dad. It's a good thing you live close by now.
Have a happy Thanksgiving
Liz

It is a good thing you caught that paperwork in time. I'd hate to think what hoops your dad would have to jump threw if it didn't get filed in time.

I won't be on tomorrow so I'll wish you a Happy Thanksgiving today.

Have a nice Thanksgiving and I'm sending trip vibes for your talk with Josh.

So good things for you and yours today--V's taillight and not citation. You got your Dad's documents done in time! Good luck on the proper timing for the next trip--timing is everything!

Good news for my DS's good friend. I visited with him and his family on Tuesday at the hospital--his first day back in the US. Got to see him, but he was sedated. DS saw him yesterday too. Today the VP visited the hospital! DS went to visit this afternoon and his friend gave him a big hug and was communicating! You can imagine this was an amazing thing to hear. So our Thanksgiving will involve more smiles knowing that he's doing better. He has a long road to recovery, but he's headed in the right direction!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Good morning everyone! I was just stopping by to wish each and every one of you a Happy Thanksgiving! So many of you have become such good friends to me over the years, and you all have enriched my life in so many ways - I am very thankful for all of your friendships!


And Cathy... That is the GREATEST news I could have received this morning! Thank you for the update - continued Pixie Dust sent his way!

Have a wonderful day everyone!!! Prayers, Pixie Dust and safe travels to all!

D~

Have a beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving with your family Dorine! Enjoy!!!

Hi D~! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving

March trip-ABSOLUTELY do it! You may never get another chance to watch someone you know in the parade
Your UP bag is sooo AMAZING, I LOVE IT . I agree with Ariana a brown shirt would look good and adding a pocket in the fabric from the bag would be super cute!

Target-so sorry you are losing your local store and job

So happy to see you succeeding in your health goal and your family doing well!

Life for me has been crazy and busy, but should settle down soon so I can be a regular on the dis again

Monica

Just caught up after being off the boards for a while. Your UP bag and ears are the best! We LOVE that movie in our house and you have done a fabulous job capturing it!

Go for the AP! Good Luck picking the perfect time to ask. I don't have any trips scheduled but we are hoping to take my new GrandBaby for her 1st birthday. Maybe in November 2018. I love going in November. I may have to sneak in a quick side trip at some point before then though it feels like it has been too long. I often wish I felt more comfortable trying it alone - I might just do it one day for a quick trip to try it out.

ljcrochet said:

I would figure a 10% discount on dining discounts. The current ap discounts expire 12/23. So of course the AP makes sense. I love Disney math.

My husband threw a wrinkle in our trip. He is doing intermittent fasting so only eats between 12 or 1 I forget and is done eating for the day by 8pm. Now do the girls and I go to character breakfast without him? Or do we all skip it? I’m worried if we cancel, he will stop before or during our trip. I’m also think me might need to drive to Tampa one day and check in on our house. They will have started building it I think.

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Yes - even if we only get a 10%, it's still going to end up being a decent savings... IF I do the second trip... I am still very unsure of it. Even though I've covered it financially, it's still a lot to ask of Josh.

I do IF almost every day - and i love it! The thing is, if you do IF properly - there is no desire to eat, which is awesome.

Honestly - I would go without him... Or give him the choice... IF doesn't have to be done daily - I usually do it 5-6 days per week, so personally - I'd arrange my IF schedule ahead of time to accommodate that breakfast, if it was important to me... Or I would have NO hard feelings about my family going without me. I do know that you don't have to change your reservations though - you can keep them as they are, as long as ONE person in your party shows, you don't get charged the fee.

Exciting that your house will be started by then!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Pluto0809 said:

Awww! I just feel privileged to get to see your works in progress.

I absolutely love this set! I still think brown would go well and it would make the bag stand out against the darker color.

Do you really need to ask. LOL. They did extend the AP discounts but I'm not sure for how long. Plus don't forget that you get Memory Maker with the AP which will save you $170 each trip.

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Love you guys so much!

Thanks! It's, by far, my favorite so far! Believe it or not - brown isn't easy to find... Especially for one as picky as I am. LOL There is one at Target I may end up getting... Otherwise - I did find a nice peach/pink color that will go well, I think.

Hahaha... Yes - I did figure the MM option... To be honest - that is what is leaning me towards an AP... Just the ability to be able to edit my pictures over the course of a year, that was sure nice. Instead of having to rush through them in 30 days...

Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving - though I already did on FB.

gopherdame said:

I'm sure an extra trip would be fun, but you are doing so well with paying off your debt and this might be a step back. I think I would concentrate on your Jan. trip. How close would this be to your Europe trip? It might be a little too much. I know how tempting it is though. The annual pass pays for itself when we do 2 trips, but we get free parking with it too so it makes sense for us. I don't think Josh would be too happy if he doesn't get his mattress.

I love your Up outfit. I especially love the leather cap. Up is not one of my favorites, but I have watched it with the grandkids. I never would have guessed with that fabric. I originally thought Pooh, but then thought you don't need another bag for MK.

We are putting up our outside decorations today since it is supposed to be 50°. I wanted to do it this weekend but my husband heard it was going to be warm today, so we waited. I kept telling him it could change, but it's still supposed to be nice. We won't turn them on until after Thanksgiving though. I think I told you we are going out to eat at Golden Corral this year. I'm a little worried how busy it might be. We went Monday for the free Veteran's meal and there was no place to park and the line to get in was so long that we went to Applebee's. My son told me to get some Papa Murphy's and we could always come home and eat. Neither of my boys are really turkey fans so I thought this was a good idea to go where there are plenty of other things.

Have a nice Thanksgiving Dorine.

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I agree, which is why I am struggling so much with this - had I known about it sooner, I may have planned a bit differently... OK - so the January trip is in January (LOL, we know this)... This second trip would be in March 2018... Then Europe is in May of 2018... So, yah... 3 BIG trips, one every 2 months... That being said - I've found a way to pay for the 2nd Disney trip + the AP, fully, without dipping into our budget or sacrificing our new mattress OR Europe in any way. So, financially - it's no longer an issue at all... Ahhh, but I am so nervous about asking Josh - he has been soooo graceful about all of my trips. Yet - I tell myself, Katie will be so upset - I am pretty sure her mom has already told her that we are going to be there for her...

Thank you - I really love the UP bag too... That's what I love about the fabric - it's just totally different, yet - I feel like it works well. That fabric would have also made a great Pooh - I totally agree!

I have never eaten at Golden Corral... How was it? Was it busy? We tried Mother's Day one year at Cracker Barrel - and boy was that a MESS... Never again. LOL Hopefully your experience was much better.

I hope you were able to get your outdoor decorations up last weekend? It sure was nice! I am going to try to work on my porch a little today - I still have a bit of fall and Thanksgiving decor to take down, but it's supposed to be OK out today too.

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

missjackiemcg said:

Totally shocked, and in awe of your work, as always!

He used to have the same problem!! He always kept his last resort nametag on the bulletin board--Robert. He hated wearing that one

....if only you knew someone who could sew and make that jacket into a vest....WAIT!! I know someone LOL

Seriously. IN AWE. You are so very talented!!!!

Also, if you are looking for some realists to talk you out of that Spring WDW trip, you've come to the wrong place, my friend!! I totally vote you go!!!!

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Thank you - I am beyond excited about the UP bag set... I cannot wait to carry it. It's been a long time since I've done anything really Over The Top for myself, and now I'll have 3 (maybe 4) new OTT sets for this trip.

Hahaha... I have a few stragglers... I have a Wayne and a Fred that I wear as a last resort - but they don't like it when I do that.

Hahaha... I dunno - I am a little freaky about spending that much and wrecking it... And then I'd be tempted to try to make something out of the sleeves... LOL

Thank you.

I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving?

Mrs. Bradbury said:

OH MY Dorine, you really outdid yourself with the Up! theme bag and ears. No words.

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Thank you - I am so excited about it! I cannot wait to carry it in the parks!

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving?

Restrasz said:

Wow! You have a lot to think about! How exciting your trip is coming so quickly! I think if you use "Disney math" the AP sounds like a great idea! I love all your new "ears" and especially your wonderful new bags!
Our favorite target and also the closest to us is also closing! Even though I don't work there, it was still quite an unwelcome surprise! The next closest isn't nearly as nice.

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I know... I've been turning it over and over in my head and I just can't seem to figure out what to do about it... I need to talk it over with Josh, and now that I have the funds to pay for it - it's less of a "big deal" than it was... but still... On one hand, I so badly want to go... Yet I don't want to spend the $$ - if it was after Europe, I'd be OK, but it isn't... And then there is Katie - I am almost 100% sure her mom told her that we are going to be there - and I don't want my not going to keep her mom from going - which it will.

I will definitely be getting an AP if I do the second trip... It will pay for itself.

Thank you - I am so excited to have some really awesome new sets for this trip... I've been wearing the same Donald and Goofy ears for more trips than I can count... I am so excited to have some NEW Ears that really and truly coordinate with my bags. Because I am soooo Type A like that. LOL

It is so sad, isn't it? I know our Target is like no other in the area - we can be SUPER busy, yet it doesn't feel that way... And when I shop there, I don't get the anxiety that I get from other stores because I feel so rushed... I honestly don't know that I will shop the same way again anywhere... Which is probably good for our budget anyways - a year ago, before we started the Dave Ramsey plan, this would have devastated me much more than it does now - as I don't shop nearly as much as I used to.

It's great to see you here Ruth - I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!

Texan said:

Dorine! Oh my goodness your Up bag and ears; they are the best. You just continue to amaze me (all of us actually) with your talent. I am so enjoying seeing your bags and ears come to life. Absolutely wonderful.

As always, you look amazing. I need to get back on the exercise path and eating better. Between our road trip, and both my sons' birthdays this month, eating has gone out the window. I have to remind myself we all have times where we slip up. I just need to a major kick in the rear and get back to healthy living. Yes, the road trip was amazing, but I ate terrible. This past weekend we went to Houston and more eating out and cake with Tyler. Whew.

So enjoy reading about your Dad's adventures. He will have his moments for sure, but I think that you have to keep in mind that is a mixture of things, like age/personality/resistance to change. You are doing wonderful with both your Dad and brother.

I had to laugh when I read about your cousin's trip. Here is my story. In his Senior HS year, Shane's marching band got the opportunity to march at Disneyland. I begged, and begged, and begged dear hubby for a short trip to DL to see him march. We flew in on a Sat. morning, and were going to fly out Sunday afternoon. He was to march Sunday morning. And guess what happened. On Sunday, DL moved his marching time to late that evening. Yep, we had to fly home, we could not find a later flight, and I missed the opportunity. I actually cried in the airport. I am such a mess. I think if you can swing it financially you should go Dorine. A Disney visit with your dear cousin, and to see her daughter march, would be so incredible.

I can't stand mattress shopping. I had to actually buy 2 last year. One for the guest bedroom after Tyler moved out, and Shane had needed a new one forever. Hope you find one you both like.

I can't wait to see your Christmas decorations for your house!! You and your daughters do a beautiful job.

Continuing to follow along and enjoying everything!! Sending a huge hug.

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Thank you - I am so excited about them! I've been wearing the exact same Ears for years now, just because I haven't found anyone who can live up to my (way too high of) standards... I had no intention of making them myself - ever - and then I did, and I am having so much fun! I can't wait to share my next ones...

Thank you - my eating over Thanksgiving wasn't the best - though it wasn't terrible either... It's getting better day by day - yesterday wasn't bad at all... Today, I plan to eat within my plan... and then tomorrow, it's back to working out (I took 4 days off!!!! That is so unusual for me!)... You can do this Carol - you know what you have to do... It's when you just give up and decide not to think about working it or working towards your goals that life takes over... You are not at that place. Just pick up where you are and move forward.

Dad has been doing super well this last week - his spirits are way up, and it's so good to see that! I know that he will have ups and downs just like the rest of us - and I try to tell myself that I am his easiest target - so I am prepared for it... Ahhh, but it's still so hard. I am getting better and better at shrugging it off though - which is good. And Allison is very good about reminding me of all of this too.

That is such a bummer about not seeing Shane march. After all that work and $$ you put into being there... I am sure he understood though - as much of a bummer as it was... Thankfully, I did come up with a way to finance this 2nd trip, and it doesn't affect our budget at all... Though I am still struggling with it... I know that the timing is terrible - if it was after our Europe trip, I wouldn't have a problem with it at all... but it isn't - it's right in between, and this makes it so hard to justify - even if I can pay for it (and the AP)... And then there is Katie... I am certain that her mom has told her that we will be there - I am also certain that if I don't go, her mom won't go - and that would make me feel terrible. I need to talk to Josh about this - not only to get his blessing, but to get his opinion - I know he will give me sound advice on this - it's just hard. I really feel torn... It's not even a matter of a trip anymore... It's a matter of disappointing people that I love - and that is worse.

We did find a mattress that we both like - we are still trying to decide on size - if we want to upgrade to a king or keep the queen we've always had... I am really leaning towards a queen, as we JUST purchased all new bedding in that size... And if we do a king - we wouldn't have a headboard, and wouldn't be able to get one, as part of our bed would overhang on a window... That alone keeps me from wanting a king - as I don't think I could sleep in a bed without a headboard? I know, first world problems...

Thank you - V and I worked on the tree all day yesterday - it was a mess (I'll show pictures below)... And when V left for work, Allison came home a short time later... The tree was nearly done - but there was still a lot left to do, so Allison helped. We finally finished the tree right before dinner. I was also able to get my Grandmother's Nativity set up. I still have to put up stockings... Decorate the bay window (I think I am on year 4 of no village... If I didn't have to take it down, I wouldn't mind setting it up every year. LOL)... Decorate the entertainment console... Decorate the porch... The remainder of the house... Oh and decorate Dad's too... Still a lot left to be done - I have a feeling it will be a week-long project this week. Ahhh - but I love it!

Thank you Carol! I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving! Sending you hugs too!

rdkeim said:

Absolutely love the UP ears and bag! The leather really adds another dimension to it. I think you need that UP shirt you saw in the BoxLunch store! You put so much thought and effort into your Disney outfits. I feel like a real dud. I just put on a different Disney tshirt every day and decide if I'm wearing jeans or shorts : I did buy a very nice Christmas themed red jacket for our last Dec. trip in 2013. I was excited to wear it to MVMCP but it was so warm that night it didn't work out. So, this year I'm hoping it's at least a little bit cool that night (Dec. 5). Squeezing in another trip sounds great especially if you can get your DH's blessing and feel OK about it. I'm already thinking about my next trip even before our Dec. trip is over. Our family one and done trip was back in 1988 - who knew!

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Thank you - I am so excited to have new Ears for this trip! Ears are just so "Disney", not like the headbands I've been wearing - I am very excited!

Hahaha - maybe? I don't know, I prefer to wear solid shirts... I had an experience on our 2012 trip, where another guest made me feel very self-conscious for dressing up (I was wearing the outfit below) - and everyone at the FQ bus stop laughed at me... Ever since then - I don't wear anything "character" - or if I do, it's very subtle, when I am wearing my bags and head stuff... As I felt very humiliated and embarrassed - not only was I the biggest I had ever been and very self-conscious about that, but then to be called out for being a "freak" for all to laugh at me... It's not an experience I care to repeat. So, now I just do basic solid/dot outfits that color coordinate with my accessories - this allows me to still get into the fun of it - but I am toned down a little bit.


I think, if I didn't go "all out" with my accessories - wearing a Disney tee shirt and jeans/shorts wouldn't be a problem at all... I think my accessories throw everything off though? LOL

I sure hope you are able to wear your red jacket this time!

I am going to try to squeeze in that 2nd trip... I am really struggling with it though. Not the financial part - I have that all figured out and taken care of... It's just the "going" that I am having an issue with now... Don't get me wrong - I really want to go - though if I do go, I will be going on 3 very BIG trips, all 2 months apart... January Disney, March Disney, May Europe... I feel like that's just a LOT and I am having a hard time with it... And even worse - on the opposite spectrum - I am certain that my cousin told Katie that we are going to be there - and if I tell her that I can't go, she won't go herself... So then Katie won't have her mom there... I would feel TERRIBLE. Really torn here. I need to talk with Josh about it - not even for his blessing anymore (well, sort of) - but I just don't know what to do??

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Terkina said:

How great that the family gathering with your dad went well even if you had trouble with the oxygen supply for your dad.
The cakes looks delicious.

Sounds like it's time to get you and Josh a new bad. I know how important it is to have a really good bed. Maybe they'll have it on sale on Black Friday?

Sorry I can't help you with your Disney dilemma, but I'm sure there are others in here that can

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving with family.

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It was a lot of fun - and I am so thankful that I was able to get Dad's oxygen fixed.

We are already saving for it, LOL... There is a budget line item for "mattress" now. Sadly - there wasn't a sale on it for Black Friday... Oh well, we will save and when we have enough, we will get it.

It's OK... Sometimes it just helps me to be able to vent it out.

Thank you!!! It was wonderful! I hope you are having a nice weekend?

Born 2B a Princess said:

Oh goodness, that is a dilemma!!! But such a fun opportunity to watch her play and spend time with your cousin. Decisions, decisions, decisions.... Sounds like you had fun Christmas shopping, too. I really enjoy doing that. It's part of the reason I have such a hard time with money -- my "love language" is giving gifts and I tend to WAY overspend. *Sigh* The longer we live with my MIL, the more my stress behaviors kick in and, unfortunately, one of my stress behaviors is shopping. I've noticed it getting out of hand in the last few weeks (doesn't help that Christmas is coming up and so that's how I justify it). It's pretty bad when your own children talk to you about budgeting and money... *sigh*

Sorry I've been MIA -- it was a crazy week last week -- I was in a leadership class for two and a half days and wiped out by the time I got home at night. I spent Saturday afternoon with the girls doing some Christmas shopping then celebrated Andrew's birthday that evening. Unfortunately my health problems flared up and I had to leave early because I was really sick. Good news, though -- instead of my normal three day flare-up this one only lasted about two days, so I was much better yesterday. I've been feeling a bit off today but not too bad.

Still trying to figure out what to do about our house...not sure if I told you the quote from the builder came in $40K higher than we expected. That's just a non-starter. So I'm not sure what we're going to do. We really can't downsize the house -- as it is, I'm concerned there isn't enough square footage on the main floor (since it will have an unfinished basement) so I was already starting to re-think that particular house plan. Now we're wondering if we'll need to switch to a different builder, too.....which would be a shame because we really like the builder, we like his business model, he does high quality work, and we really like the lot and the neighborhood. So I'm just not sure right now what we're going to do. I'm planning to pay off two to three significant debts before the house would be done, and that would free up more than enough money for the monthly payments, but it would be higher monthly mortgage payments than we really want and would impact our ability to pay off the rest of our debt. So right now I'm not sure what we're going to do and it's giving me crazy tension headaches and anxiety. It's not fun.

I'm so glad you were able to enjoy a nice celebration with your Dad.

And your Carl and Ellie ears and bag are absolutely gorgeous. I *love* the fabrics you used -- they're beautiful. I know you'll love using that bag and those ears at AK.

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I am much the same way Stephanie... I also shop when life is stressful... Not only that - but I also obsessively shop for Disney trips too... Combine the two and it's rough. It's been a very difficult year for me to to try to reign that in. I am doing my best. I am trying hard to either make or use what I have existing for this upcoming trip... I have purchased a few things, admittedly, all within budget - though I do wish I could have restrained myself a bit better.

I sure hope that you are able to find a solution with your new house... I know it has been hard on you to live with your in-laws (I cannot even begin to imagine!) - so just getting to that place where there's progress and a true "end date" will be immensely helpful for you - I am sure - as it would be for me too.

I sure hope you are feeling better now and were feeling better in time for Thanksgiving... I am sure that all the stress you are under now doesn't help how you feel at all.

According to Dave Ramsey... A good rule of thumb is that your entire house payment (for some that includes insurance and taxes too... depending on how you finance) should be no more than 25% of your take home pay... I will say, our house payment is 14% of our take home pay, and I feel like this is very manageable for us - like we still have enough left over where we aren't "house poor"... I'd never heard a calculation like that until I started listening to Dave's podcast, but I can see where people get swallowed whole by having too large of a house payment - so definitely something to calculate and consider.

Thank you - it has been so meaningful to all of us to have Dad here - it's been too many holidays where he hasn't been able to take part, and over the years - the guilt I experienced got worse and worse, to the point that I wasn't able to enjoy the holidays because I knew my Dad was alone... It was truly wonderful for all of us to have him here. We are very excited to have him here for Christmas too!

Thank you - I cannot wait to wear them and carry them in the parks... This Type A personality is over the top excited to have perfectly coordinating sets for this trip. LOL It brings Disney to a whole 'nother level for me.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Ladyfish77 said:

Someone already answered that it ends Dec 23rd for the additional discounts, but the extended it once, maybe they will again???

We already discussed--you save some $$ using Target Redcard and buying Disney giftcards!

Lol, of course not! I know the feeling though! Luckily my DH likes Disney.

I bet you could work next spring on an auction (if not already planned) to pay for the AP! Honestly between it and the food discounts, I was really happy with the savings I had this past trip.

Hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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I am watching closely and anxiously to see if the AP discounts are extended... I sure hope so!

Thank you for that! I didn't even think of using the Red card discount - it's definitely a better savings!

Yes - you are very lucky that your DH likes DIsney... I sure wish that was something that Josh and I shared.

When I had my AP in 2015/16 - I had purchased it at the *most opportune* time, and didn't know it. I had purchased it before they divided it out into the tiers - so I was "grandfathered" and before the prices had gone up significantly... But I had activated it like 3 months later... So, not only did I get the Photopass benefits - which was a huge savings at that time (as they didn't have the military MM yet)... but just before V's trip last Oct - they had released all of the shopping and dining discounts too - So, I am certain, just between the Photopass and the savings we had on dining and souvenirs from V's trip, the pass itself was "free"... It won't be quite that good this time, but I do feel like I will at least break even, or get some savings... And I am pretty sure there could be a 3rd trip in there somewhere - which would really help a lot. Not even thinking about that until I get my misgivings about this 2nd trip ironed out though.

Thank you Cathy - same to you!

Bizzie71c said:

I think I have read most of them You have almost inspired me to bust out my sewing machine and try my hand a making a purse.

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Awesome! It's a great hobby to have! It's brought so much joy to my life!

Bizzie71c said:

the difference between the AP with the discounts you get with it, and your ticket price without. I would think that it would be worth it to get the AP.

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It's going to be close - I've done the math... Depending on what we spend on dining/souvenirs... The cost difference between buying 2 5 day military Park Hoppers and 2 military Memory Makers vs. the AP is $137... So, if I can get that much savings between the 2 trips to break even - plus I'd get 13 months to edit my photos from both trips... And right now - I have the cost of dining budgeted for January at $1400 for the 3 of us, so, the savings could definitely be there... Well... LOL I am certainly leaning toward the AP.

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I am trying so hard to catch up on replies... I still have 18 more to go... At least this is a dent in it though.

First - I hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, I hope that you all were surrounded by loved ones and enjoyed your day.

I've been busy - which I am sure is no surprise...

Our Thanksgiving was wonderful - the food was amazing! True to tradition, I did all of the "make-ahead" stuff on the day before... Which was the prepping of the meat/cheese tray, making a cheese ball, making the make-ahead mashed potatoes, and making the sweet potato casserole. Josh does all of the pies and the "day-of" stuff... So, this year he made his famous triple-berry pie and also a pumpkin pie. Then the day of, he did the turkey, stuffing, his ahhhmazing cranberries (made from his grandmother's recipe) and the gravy... I think that's it. Our dinner was fabulous! And the best part - Dad was here and was able to enjoy the day with us.

We played a nice long round of Farkle - one of our favorite family games.


(LOL - I just noticed that Dad's hair is a mess here... That man... LOL)

And, of course, the boys had to do their part to "help" too...


After dinner and dessert, the girls and I took Grandpa home... We timed this perfectly to coincide with the 6pm opening of Target. More than anything - since I didn't get scheduled for Black Friday this year - I wanted to support my own store for it's very last Black Friday... "Go out with a bang" little Target store - and that she did! I've heard that our numbers far surpassed their expectations... It won't matter to corporate, but it matters to us and our team.


The girls and I went right home and directly to bed...

We woke at 2am on Black Friday... All of us have been saving for a long time for this... Though V and I were mostly done - Allison hadn't started any of her Christmas shopping yet.

We ended up at one of the outlet malls, and surprisingly - at 2:45 am, it was quite busy... We did a LOT of shopping and had a lot of fun. We also had some coffee - well, more than some. LOL

When we were done there, we went to Perkins for breakfast...


Then we hit another mall... Kohl's... Target super store (not my Target)... We dropped V at home so she could nap before she had to work that night... Then Allison and I hit my Target 3 more times over the course of the day. Each time forgetting something from the time before, or discovering we needed something. LOL So, 5 "Target runs" over all, during the course of 24 hours.

Finally - we went home and wrapped all of our purchases from the day...


Overall, we very much look forward to our new Black Friday shopping excursions - we have so much FUN!

Yesterday was our traditional Christmas decorating day... But with both girls working full-time now, it's not done together anymore - or at least, not this year it wasn't... We did it in shifts.

I brought up the tree and all of the bins from the basement while V was still sleeping... When I was done, I woke her up to help me with the "fun parts"...

Here's a bit of our progress throughout the day...


Then V had to leave for work... So, I took a break...

This is what Allison came home to... (Just keepin' it real folks)


Once Allison was here, she helped with the remainder... The important and significant ornaments always go on last - so they can be situated front n' center... The tree topper (which I always make myself)... My maternal Grandmother's Nativity...


We all went out for dinner last night... I was too tired to cook, and Josh had found a new local Mexican restaurant that he wanted to try... This one is VERY local - and I have to say, it's my new favorite! The food was incredible, and it's so close to home - that in itself puts it a step above the rest.

Today... My plan is to finish decorating... I need to decorate the bay window, the TV console, all of the other areas of the house, put up the stockings... Then I plan to be at Dad's right around the time Allison is off of work - tree and ornaments in hand - so she can help me decorate his house too.

Tomorrow - it's back to the grind. I've taken 4 days off of working out... I didn't get scheduled at Target this week - so I will be working hard upstairs all week to make up for it.

And that's all! I hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Black Friday... I will work on catching up on the rest of the replies - either this morning or throughout the week. Sending prayers and pixie dust out to all of you!

D~

I’ve been reading your plans for a while (i think back to Allison’s grad trip), and I think your commitment to Black Friday is what brought me out of the woodwork! I can’t imagine waking up that early and then being upright for the rest of the day.

I’m also loving reading about your plans — a friend and i booked a similar impulse trip in September (for December), and i am getting so excited. Your outfits put mine to shame, though. Can’t wait to read more!