~~~~~ Sew, off we go – on another mother-daughter adventure! May 2020!~~~~~

DMGeurts

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Feb 25, 2008
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Welcome! For those of you that don’t know me – I am Dorine - but I go by "D~" on The Dis... I subsidize all of our trips to Disney with my sewing of custom items, I love what I do, and I love that I am able to add magic to many trips to WDW - including our own.


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Most of my days are spent here - in my sewing room... Everything I make and do is done by vintage machine - the newest sewing machine I own is from 1963... I am very adamant about keeping all of my items One Of A Kind (OOAK) – I love that I do, and I love that it adds magic to so many lives! :lovestruc


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My girls and I are well known for our “girls trips” to Disney. I am very proud of both of my girls for the wonderful young adults that they are becoming. I enjoy spending my time with them, and I believe it shows in every post I write and every photo we take. They are my entire world, their smiles and laughter brighten every single day, I am so very lucky!



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My DH is Josh… He normally doesn’t play a role in our trips, other than me finding ways to get his blessing for another girls trip…


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]Then there is Max… Often referred to in my TRs/PTRs as “MM” which stands for many things… Maxy-Moo-Moo, Maxy-Moose, or Maxy-Moosie… He comes to all of those names – which is sad and sometimes funny. He is a “crazy man” – he is often told, and has definitely earned that title… He does some of the craziest things! But we all love him, and our family wouldn’t be nearly as interesting without him in it.


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And the newest addition to our family - Cooper... Or Sooper Cooper, if you prefer. :lovestruc

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D~
 
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This is the – we are going, we aren’t going, yup we’re going, maybe not, sure let’s go, eh maybe not this time – trip.



May 2020 was supposed to be our “Big family trip” with BMTL (for those of you who don’t know – BMTL stands for Brian, Myrthe, Thomas & Lara – Josh’s brother and family who live overseas)… Due to life and everything going on – we decided to postpone the big family trip indefinitely.



This big family trip was supposed to take place sometime over V’s 21st birthday…



So, V still wanted to go – even if it wasn’t the big family trip.



We decided to go.



And then it was “crickets” for months… MONTHS. Nothing, nada, zero, zilch.



So, then we weren’t going.



And then yesterday (YESTERDAY) out of the blue, V mentioned it – how she REALLY wanted to be in WDW for her big 21st birthday.



We checked airfare this morning – and flights were VERY reasonable. And we booked.



And now we are going FOR SURE.

However, its just V and I this time, Allison is staying behind.



And it’s just me n’ V… for our 2nd mom and daughter trip. Allison is staying home (finals and work)… And well – surprise – Josh is staying home too. :LMAO:





And for those of you who have followed my PTRs and TRs for years (nearly a decade now!) – none of our plans will surprise you at all… We know what we like and what we don’t… and we rarely deviate from that.



So, follow along with us – on another classic adventure!

And a few Then n' Nows of V over the years - just because I think they are fun! :lovestruc

2003

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2008
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2012
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2019
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The one where Stitch stole her purse and sat on her. :lmao:

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D~




 
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Part 4

Healthy living updates…



Ahhh – it just wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t talk about the food I eat and the work outs I do… ::yes::



This has been such a long and winding path for me. I am not going to go through it all with you – as I know that most of you have already read it (and heard me agonize over it) a bazillion times over. I will give a brief synopsis though, for any new readers I may have… If you really want an in-depth look, you can read the links in my siggy. In a nutshell - I still have a lot of work left to do - Coming into the 7th year of this journey and it's always something I struggle with. That's where I am going to leave this for now - as I do need to do a more recent update here, but I just don't have the time right now. :)

D~​
 


And just in case I need a spot for anything else?
 
I’m here. I may not stay here.....because let’s be honest, I just can’t keep up with the Dis anymore. But I’m here for now!
Can’t wait to hear all about this trip! Wish I could go too....but I can’t miss Mother’s Day 💐
 
How great that you have a new trip coming. I can't wait to hear all about your plans
 


And then yesterday (YESTERDAY) out of the blue, V mentioned it – how she REALLY wanted to be in WDW for her big 21st birthday.

We checked airfare this morning – and flights were VERY reasonable. And we booked.

And now we are going FOR SURE.

However, its just V and I this time, Allison is staying behind.
How exciting! I love when airfare is cheap enough for a Disney trip. That is how we ended up on a 4th of July trip a couple of years ago. ;)

You and Victoria will have a great time. ;)
 
I’m here and so excited you have another trip planned! I can’t wait to read all about it.
 
I made it! I am so glad that there is an upcoming trip! I can't wait to hear all about your plans!!
 
Yea! So glad i found this! Looking forward to seeing your plans ! Is it too much to ask for to see some Christmas decorations next month? Ha! I took a couple of your ideas last year!
 
I’m here. I may not stay here.....because let’s be honest, I just can’t keep up with the Dis anymore. But I’m here for now!
Can’t wait to hear all about this trip! Wish I could go too....but I can’t miss Mother’s Day 💐

Swoozie!!! It's go great to have you here! I know you may not stay - but that's OK, I know you'll check in when you can. :hug:

How great that you have a new trip coming. I can't wait to hear all about your plans

Lillian!!!! :) It's great to see you here! Welcome back! :hug:

I'm here! Can't wait to hear about your plans.

Lisa Joy!!! It's always great to see you here! :) Welcome back! :hug:

How exciting! I love when airfare is cheap enough for a Disney trip. That is how we ended up on a 4th of July trip a couple of years ago. ;)

You and Victoria will have a great time. ;)

Sue! One of my few friends who are not on FB with me... Always, always a pleasure to reconnect here! :) :hug:

Yeah you are going again. I love your trip reports :).

Chiara! Yay - so glad to have you here an following! I've been watching as your trip planning unfolds too! Welcome back! :hug:

I’m here and so excited you have another trip planned! I can’t wait to read all about it.

Forgive me - I can't remember your first name... I am getting old. ;) I always feel so terrible when I can't remember everyone's names - but I don't keep notes (I think that's weird)... Please refresh my memory. :lovestruc It's great to have you back here and following along! :hug:

I made it! I am so glad that there is an upcoming trip! I can't wait to hear all about your plans!!

Brandi - my friend - welcome back!!! So happy to see you here! :hug:


Connie! I was just thinking about this the other day (When I saw Charity's beautiful graduation photos - what happened to our girls??? They sure grew up!!!) - do you realize the first time we met was almost 8 years ago! :eek: Can you believe it? Wecome back my friend - super happy to have you here and following along! :hug:

I love your sewing room. It is so cute! And I can't wait to read about your upcoming trip.

Thank you!!! And welcome!!! Super happy to have you here and following along! :)

Yea! So glad i found this! Looking forward to seeing your plans ! Is it too much to ask for to see some Christmas decorations next month? Ha! I took a couple of your ideas last year!

Welcome back Joann! Hahahahaha - oh you know me so well... Next month is already here for me, I've been decorating like a fool! :lmao: And BOY do I have pics for you this year! Stay tuned! :)

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Alrighty all - first of all - WELCOME!!!!

I know you've all heard my schpeel before... sadly - life is busy and the time I used to occupy with The Dis just isn't what it used to be. I don't know that I will get here as often as I'd like - but I will definitely get here for all of the major events and news that takes place. ::yes::

First things first...

We have airfare (bought and paid for with cash - as usual) - as you all know. It was a GOOD deal - so I am happy for that. Airfare always seems to be the biggest gamble of our trips - as it is for everyone - the rest of our trips are pretty locked in and steady for price - but that airfare can make or break a trip. ::yes::

And unless something EPIC lands on our plates from WDW, we will be staying at SoG (Shades of Green)... We love Disney resorts - don't get me wrong - we'd love to stay in one again... Ahhh, but we just can't beat our military rates at a "Deluxe" Disney resort. While transporation can often be a puzzle - it's not a deal breaker for us.

So, I signed on to the SoG website the day after we booked airfare - and I was shocked to see many dates near our trip already sold out. I made the executive decision to book our trip - and apply any sales later, if they come out for our trip.

Airfare is booked.

Resort is booked.

And as usual, I don't give out the exact dates of our trip, we all know V's birthday is in May - but that's all I'll narrow it down to. We had an incident several years ago & for our safety I never give out specifics. Thank you for your understanding about this. :lovestruc

Now we save like crazy people until we need to buy our tickets...

And then we save like crazy people to buy everything else when we get there - let's face it - we go for the food. :scratchin ::yes:: And the outfit planning. :lovestruc And to see our friends - who we inevitably bump into while we are there. :lovestruc

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OK - now for the life update...

I've been a busy lady - does that surprise you?

Gosh, where do I even start...

I think I left off with the garage? We are still planning to build a new garage... But our bids were coming back incredibly out of hand for fall... So we sent all of the bids back and asked the contractors to come back with better bids for spring. We are still waiting. So, here we are - approaching another winter without a garage. Sigh. At least Josh has the snowblower on the tractor this year. :woohoo:

For those of you who are my FB friends - you know that Josh and I spent 2.5 weeks in the Netherlands and Belgium in October. I didn't post much about it on FB, because it was a pretty low-key trip... We were there to celebrate Lara's 4th birthday & to spend time with family - which is exactly what we did. Josh also did a few brewery tours... His weakness in life is Belgian beer, how could I refuse? I mean, we were *right there*. A few pics from our trip...

The kids - they are growing like weeds!!! Thomas is now 6 (!) and Lara just turned 4! Can you believe it?

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Josh with his ALL TIME FAVORITE beer... He has currently purchased every bottle in the state of MN - and he is waiting for new shipments to come from this year's batch. :lmao: Poor man... LOL This is a GIANT oversized bottle - which you can get over there, but not here. ::yes:: (And no, he didn't buy this one - he only posed with it)
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Josh and I on the roof of the Brugse Zot brewery overlooking Brugge, Belgium... You all know I am afraid of heights right? This is LOVE right here folks. ::yes::
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Then Josh and I in Brugge...
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And then waffles... Lots n' lots of waffles. I mean... When in Belgium - you eat waffles, and chocolate, and chocolate ON waffles... (and gain 15 lbs - but we aren't talking about that right now)
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I love the Netherlands - don't get me wrong... but WOW - I absolutely LOVED Belgium! I'd love to go back... It's just everything is so picturesque and "Christmas-y"... Which brings me to...

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Seriously - it is - at least in my house. We all know I have many loves in life - aside from my family (which is most important)... I love Disney... And I love Christmas... And I love lots of other things too, but for the moment and the cause of this conversation...

Let's just say that D~ went a little overboard this year... :whistle:

It all started when we were in NL and Belgium... Christmas there isn't like it is here, it isn't an industry... And it isn't nearly as celebrated (they celebrate St. Nicholas day or as the Dutch would say "Sinterklaus")... But the Christmas stores that they do have - are Ahhhhmazing! Like - out of this park - amazing... And CHEAP - like 90% off after Christmas sales cheap!!! D~ was in HEAVEN!!!!

So, here we are... traipsing across the country side... Josh trying to find as many new beers as he could find... And D~ collecting Christmas ornaments. I am not lying or embellishing this at all - I promise. It was quite comical. :lmao:

And boy - did I find some amazing ornaments... Halloween hasn't even hit the US yet - and here I am in full "Falalalalalalala" mode.

Coming home... In Schiphol (Amsterdam airport)... My carry-ons FULL of Christmas ornaments... Wouldn't you know it - my bag gets tagged for a "better look". So, I am standing there, with my bag and the TSA agent (their version anyways) is asking to see something at the bottom of my bag... So I am pulling everything out... These DAMN ornaments are ROLLING ALL OVER THE AIRPORT - seriously - Josh is behind me swearing at these ornaments and the hilarity of it all - and I am running all over trying to catch these things. It was quite comical - really. Anyways - I did manage to rescue all of them - and they all made it home with me (I think?).... I can't wait to show you all our tree - when we get that far.

The tree is up... It isn't decorated - and won't be until after Thanksgiving... but the rest of the house. :whistle:

Let's start with the Master-bedroom... I decorated that one first. The first time I ever decorated it was last year - I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not? Turns out that I loved it - so this year, I splurged on a new quilt & 3 coordinating pillows... Totally leveled up my game! ::yes:: If you didn't guess - this photo is totally staged - on an ordinary day, our bed doesn't get made this nicely. LOL

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And then - well, I sort of fell into the "Rae Dunn trap" this year & I've been collecting/hunting - it is a sickness - no really, it is. I needed something to spend my "fun money" on anyways, right?

I did 2 displays in my kitchen... A Gingerbread display and a Santa display... A lot of this decor is stuff I had around from previous years - except for the RD pieces of course. ::yes:: Oh and the trees, I hauled home from NL.

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I don't have any of the rest of the kitchen decorated - yet... So, I am not showing the rest of it... I will when it's done though. I still have many bins to bring up from the basement.

And finally the front porch - I did most of this one over the last 2 days... I keep going out there to mess with it - but I think I have it where I want it now?

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And that's all I have finished for Christmas, at the moment... I have lots of ideas - but the rest will likely wait until after Thanksgiving.

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Last but not least... An update on my Dad...

So, 4 HOURS before we boarded our flight to NL... Yes HOURS! :eek: I get a phone call from the Assisted Living facility that I've had Dad on the waiting list for 2 years... They had an apartment available for Dad! :woohoo:

Allison took over for me - God bless her!!! While we were gone, she took Dad to all of his assessments and meetings to keep the ball rolling on this - so he didn't lose his spot in line - she really did SO MUCH! Words cannot express what a great Daughter and Grand-daughter she was - taking over my role and just stepping in to help out - she knew how important this was.

Both girls spent a huge portion of time while we were gone packing Grandpa... I am just in tears as I write this - because what they did - was just so MUCH...

By the time we got home - almost everything was in place. I literally had to go to one meeting to sign a bunch of papers, and just a couple hours for a few days of packing the remainder of Dad's stuff.

We moved him the Friday after we got home & he is SUPER HAPPY in his new place!!! I haven't seen him this happy in a LONG time! He loves it there!

I am so happy we kept him on that waiting list - and it was a LONG waiting list - for good reason, I am sure. But relieved to have him moved and have it done.

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So, I think that's all? A pretty good update huh? :lmao: Should keep you guys busy for a while. ::yes::

I'll check back when I can!

Prayers and pixie dust to all! :grouphug:

D~
 
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We moved him the Friday after we got home & he is SUPER HAPPY in his new place!!! I haven't seen him this happy in a LONG time! He loves it there!
I was wondering how your dad liked the new place. So glad he is loving it.
 
What a bummer that you didn't get the offers for a new garage as you hoped for. Crossing my fingers that you will get better offers this spring.

Your Christmas decorations looks amazing.

I'm glad you got all your ornaments back from the Netherlands in one piece.

How great that your dad got into Assisted Living facility and that Allison and V could help him pack while you were away. :woohoo:


I have never have a Christmas tree in my life, but this year I decided to get a small tree because it was on sale and cheap and I can't fit a regular size tree in my apartment. So now I have to get all the decoration for the tree. The tree was so cheap that the lights for the trees was more expensive than the tree itself :rotfl:I saw some ornaments that I liked, I guess I have to go and buy them on Monday and hope they are not sold out all ready. The tree won't come up until the 23rd of December.

I bought a gingerbread house lego set that I'm going to start build next weekend. I will build a little every day so hopefully it will be finished for Christmas on the 24th of December. In Norway we celebrate Christmas on the evening of the 24th.

Now the dark period has started in Tromsø. Which means we won't see the sun until the 21st of January. Even if the sun didn't rice above the horizon today we had almost a cloud free sky and a lot of wonderful light and colors outside.
 
We have airfare (bought and paid for with cash - as usual) - as you all know. It was a GOOD deal - so I am happy for that.
It is quite a juggling act to get the airfare at a decent price while making sure there is availability for your dates at the resort. But it always feels good when the airfare is the right price. Did you get nonstop flights?
Resort is booked.
It is nice to stay somewhere that is as nice as SoG and cheaper than the Disney resorts. You are already familiar with how the resort will work for you, so planning becomes just a little easier. :)
Josh and I spent 2.5 weeks in the Netherlands and Belgium in October.
I forgot about your Netherlands trip. What a wonderful experience that must have been. Is Josh's brother and family planning to stay there permanently?
Thomas is now 6 (!) and Lara just turned 4! Can you believe it?
I remember when you were buying baby clothes for them. Lara looks like Josh's side of the family. :)
I love Disney... And I love Christmas.
Have you ever been to WDW when the Christmas decorations are up? It is my favorite time to go there.
and finally the front porch - I did most of this one over the last 2 days... I keep going out there to mess with it - but I think I have it where I want it now?
The porch looks very welcoming. :) I loe all your Christmas decorations. I am considering putting up some Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving, too, since one of our daughters and her family will be here for Thanksgiving but not for Christmas.
Both girls spent a huge portion of time while we were gone packing Grandpa... I am just in tears as I write this - because what they did - was just so MUCH...
That must have been such a relief to have them take care of everything while you were gone. You must be very proud of them. :)
 
Here! Excited to read all about your trip but sad I will be missing you by a month since I'll be there in April. One of these years we are going to get back to WDW at the same time!
 

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