so you want to be a travel agent....

I decided I wanted to have my own home based business as a travel agent. I have wanted it for a long time. I actually wanted it 25 years ago but wasn't at a point I could be a travel agent then.  So I decided it was time.  I knew there were rules and laws and fees to pay.  What I didn't realize is what a racket the state of California makes it to do this.  Actually this is for any business but travel consultants have EXTRA hoops to jump through.

I started researching. Here is what i found.

First fee I found was at the California Insurance commission.  Yes you read that correctly.  INSURANCE COMMISSION.  Because I offer travel insurance I have to pay a fee to register there.  PLUS I have to be fingerprinted for the California Department of Justice as well as the FBI.  So there is another fee.  BUT since I don't have to take an insurance test of any kind i have to go to a LIVE SCAN place like UPS to have my prints done.  Another fee.

Then I keep researching and find I have to have a Seller of Travel license from the Attorney General.  OK this one I understand.  10 page application plus a fee.  As I am filling it out I discover the HIDDEN FEES.

There is a large one time fee to pay into the Travel Consumer Restitution Corp.  This is a Corporation that refunds travelers who fall for the if it seems to be good to be true vacation schemes. Haven't figured it out exactly but it sounds like they had a great lobbying group behind them. I can't turn in my Seller of Travel request with out that number.

Then as I go further in the SoT I find I have to have a trust account in my business name. So I call the bank.  They tell me I need proof that I am a registered DBA before they can open any business account.  Back to Google.  In California it is not called DBA it is called Fictitious Business name.  Great how do I do that?  You guessed it yet another fee.  So Drew and I head down to the Department of Finance to pay the fee.  Guess what not only do you  have to pay a fee for that THEN you have to run an ad in a newspaper for 4 weeks to show the DBA and make sure no one else has it registered - you guessed it another fee to run the ad.

While I am there, the lady tells me I need to file for a business license even for a home based business. According to what I have read a business license is to cover things like street maintenance and wear and tear on sidewalks from customers - as a home based business I won't have that.  But guess what I have to have the license anyway.  I have a couple weeks to get that one turned it. It can wait.

Back to the trust account.  Off to the bank I go.  I explain the situation to them that even tho I don't accept checks and there is no cash in my business (except my commissions - which go into yet another account) the state of California requires me to have an account just in case someone writes me a check even tho I don't take checks and am basically a middle man. Someone gives me a CC # to give to a travel company and I never see that money. BUT I have to have an account that has the word TRUST in it that I can never ever touch. That account number and bank have to be on the SoT application as well.  Are you following that one? Thank Goodness for the patience of my Wells Fargo Banker who helped me figure out how to do this for the least amount of money.

Oh yea and then there is the fee to belong to the OSSN which is similar to IATA and CLIA so I can get a travel number so I can do business.  (that fee I understand)

Per the state I can't do business until everything is approved and set to go.  So on all my forms I put September 1 as my start date. It can't get here soon enough so I can start making some of the fees back.

It will be worth it in the end but WOW California you could make it a tad easier!

LIFE

There are 70 wedding pictures on FB.  I am trying to wait and put them together in a slide show and unveil them at once on here.  If you want a sneak peek do a search on Phoenix images on Facebook. Or wait a week and I will get creative.

There is no rhyme or reason to this post.  I realized that i had not posted in 2 weeks and so much has been going on - just life but just life can be exhausting.

We have seen an increase in Drew's anxiety level - he is getting very nervous about school starting.  He has the same teacher but there are some unknown factors in his life so that makes it hard.

I have lots of inquiries about vacations especially Disney ones.  booking one today.  That makes me happy.  Disney World has a great deal right now - FREE DINING for dates in September, October and  December.  Also a wonderful deal on a California Coast cruise with many of the Pixar characters.

Scott is recovering well.  Most of the road rash is gone.  His knee looks pretty bad and so does his ankle but his head has healed pretty well.  the most visible sign of the collision is the bright pink cast he wears on his right wrist.  It is due to come off August 15.  He seems better recovered than Drew and I.  Mentally at least.  The thought of him getting on a bike again TERRIFIES me.  I wish he would take up long distance running.  for some reason that doesn't seem as scary to me.

The newlyweds are back from Estes Park and had a wonderful time.  They seem to be settling into married life pretty well.

lots more but time is short.

Free Dining at Disney World in Florida

Now through Sept. 29, 2012, buy a non-discounted Magic Your Way Base Package for 6 nights and 7 days at select Disney Moderate, Disney Deluxe or Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts at the Walt Disney World® Resort for arrivals most nights Sept. 30 – Oct. 4, Oct. 19 – Nov. 1, Nov. 9-15, Nov. 23-29 and Dec. 10-13, 2012, and get the Disney Dining Plan FREE!*

Or, buy a non-discounted Magic Your Way Base Package for 6 nights and 7 days at select Disney Value Resorts for arrivals most nights Sept. 30 – Oct. 4, Oct. 19 – Nov. 1, Nov. 9-15, Nov. 23-29 and Dec. 10-13, 2012, and get a FREE Quick-Service Dining Plan.

Booking Window:
July 12 – Sept. 29, 2012

Travel Window:
For arrivals most nights Sept. 30 – Oct. 4, Oct. 19 – Nov. 1, Nov. 9-15, Nov. 23-29 and Dec. 10-13, 2012

Sample Pricing:
Buy this 6-night, 7-day package with FREE Disney Dining Plan for $86 per person, per day, for a family of 4, at a Select Disney Moderate Resort in a Standard Room for stays most nights Oct. 19 – Nov. 1, Nov. 24-29 and Dec. 10-13, 2012, for a total package price of $2,421. That's a savings of $1,017!

Or, buy this 6-night, 7-day package with FREE Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan for $69 per person, per day, for a family of 4, at a Select Disney Value Resort in a Standard Room for stays most nights Oct. 19 – Nov. 1, Nov. 24-29 and Dec. 10-13, 2012, for a total package price of $1,922. That's a savings of $701!

*Prices based on 2 Adults, 1 Junior and 1 Child. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same package. The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Tickets valid for one Theme Park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply. Advance reservations required.

Offer excludes campsites and 3-bedroom villas and is not valid at Disney's Art of Animation Resort - Little Mermaid Standard View Room.

Excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must order from children's menu if available. Some Table-Service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.

Email me at travelnwithtink for more information.

back from an amazing weekend

It is not often you have a weekend that will be etched in your memory forever. I can say this past weekend is one for the record books.

We went on our annual camping trip with 3 sets of friends. Up to Bodega Bay for family, friends and fellowship.

I had forgotten about the sand - apparently Bodega Dunes has that name for a reason. We brought back a couple of the dunes without even trying.

We all went to bed Friday night only to be awoken to what we thought was the Sharks and the Jets of the critter world getting ready to break out switch blades around the tents. Scott went out and the next think I know my husband is trying to reason with a bunch of raccoons. He is actually talking to them. "Hey guys, knock it off", "get of the trash can" "hey hey heeeeeyyyy" were amoung the comments we were treated to. Apparently there were about 12 raccoon pilfering thru the garbage cans - and they were not coon proof like at other campgrounds. It was quite the comedy hour.

I heard Scott get up about 6 and go out of the tent. Then I hear oh no - I figured the coons had torn thru the trash. Then I hear "this could get bad" Come to find out our raccoon friends sent their protector Mr. Skunk to warn scott not to interfere with the eating habits of the coons.

The day went well. We know where NOT to get coffee in Bodega. We did our annual pilgramage to the best Clam Chowder in the northern hemisphere.

Then we were off to the beach where the kids found a dead jelly fish which provided hours of amusement.  Pictures to follow when AE sends them to me.  Not to sure I want to see the one of Drew pretending to lick the jelly fish.

Back to camp for a nap(hang on our critters will make another appearance) We sent the men back in to Bodega for Pizza.  Did I mention the pizza place was in the hardware store?  Yes you read that right - the only pizza place in Bodega is in the back of the hardware store.  It is actually the EVERYTHING store

But the pizza is amazing.  Who knew?

Spent the evening around the campfire.  Drew wanted family time so we went to bed early and missed the appearance of Mr. Skunk.  Apparently before my husband went to bed they sealed the trash can by putting a 2 by 4 thru the lids and then hung a kids bike from each end of the 2x4.  You can imagine how our coon friends reacted.  They went and told their skunk buddy "to get the bald guys family"  Unfortunately for our friends there were 2 bald guys and the skunk got confused and got our friends instead of us.  I am very grateful the confused skunk got the wrong family.  and for the record we now know that Dawn liquid, baking soda, and peroxide work better than tomato juice at removing skunk smell from families as well as their dogs.

the weekend was one for the record books.  ANd we can't wait to do it again next year - without the critters but we will be packing the antidote just in case.

summer vacation

means mom is on the go. Drew and I have been having fun so far this summer. We are only 2 weeks in and have managed to keep busy and I have not heard the words all moms dread in the summer. You know the ones I am talking about so I won't jinx it by saying them here.

We painted pottery, went camping, and yesterday we saw CARS2. Today we are hitting my knitting group. He gets soup so he is happy. Starting tomorrow I will be working the church firework booth in the AM. I have to find time to hit the gym. I already miss not going. Drew loves going so that helps the motivation. We had a freak rain storm yesterday and it was cold. It should be warmer tomorrow so maybe after an appt in the afternoon we can go.

I have still been couponing. The one thing I have found is all the bloggers of couponing post the same things. Not that it is bad because sometimes I miss what one posts and pick it up somewhere else. I ordered a coupon binder/organizer yesterday. I am hopeful this gets this stack of paper off my desk and in some semblece of order.

OOOHHH I won another contest. Remember these? yes they are still around. It should make for a fun afternoon this summer with Drew - don't you think?

I am trying to find some half pint mason jars cheap. I found a way to send phil and betsy cupcakes. But I don't want to spend a fortune on getting the jars because shipping the goodies to phil and betsy will be bad enough. I found a recipe for oreo cookie cupcakes. I can't put my hands on the recipe right now but the looked so yummy. Wonder if this could be a business venture - shipping cupcakes??? Probably too expensive. Oh well,.

till next time - Faith Trust Pixie dust.

MIA

WOW Have I been MIA for a while. Sorry all. Lots going on. Some good -Some great - Some not so great - some I am not ready to talk about.

When I think about it I would have to say it is all pretty great. I had a wonderful time in Topeka. I came back refreshed in many ways. Scott and Drew survived very well with out me. I came home to a clean house, laundry done, Scott even cleaned out my second pantry and it is very nicely organized. He found time to trim a big over grown tree in the back yard. Now I know what he CAN do. LOL

I spent time with many of my wonderful friends. Had a slumber party with one - but we are old we were in bed by 10:30.

I spent one evening with a dear friend Anna. She is an amazing fiber artist and I learned how to spin. Not very easy. I also got to play with her drum carder and learned how to make batts. I am getting a drum carder for a Mother's Day/Birthday present. I am so excited. Plus I will now be scouring the internet for some wonderful rovings and wool to begin to create. I have tons of ideas for my CHILL kids for the next two semesters as well.

Phil and I got to spend lots of time together. I managed to surprise him with a cake for his fraternity. I have made sure he has had a cake with his fraternity brothers every year of college and I managed to surprise him this year. He was also very surprised to find out he had a party at chuck e cheese on his birthday. THey even had someone get in the mascot suit and come out. I have to figure out how to get the pictures from my phone to my computer so I can get them up.

The biggest news I am allowed to reveal is that we had Drew's IEP meeting yesterday. Very positive outcomes. Lots we knew about Andrew - several concerns that we need to watch but I am happy to report that Drew will be in a brick and mortar school 4 days a week and will continue to do CHILL/Independent Study on Fridays!!! I can't believe the are making that consession. He will however no longer be getting speech and OT out of school but the have promised to try and make arrangements for his old OT who was at SLTA and went to work for the district to take on Drew because she knows him and vice versa so it will make the transition much easier.

we made it.

we are home. I have tons of pictures to post and stories to tell. We were selected Wilderness Lodge Family of the day and got to raise the flags on the lodge on our last full day. It was amazing. We had a private photog as we did it. The views were amazing. Drew got a blue Mohawk. (pixie dust got to me.) His head is now shaved. We ate too much, spent too much, had more fun that you can imagine. Drew was named artist of the day at the Magic Kingdom and his artwork was displayed at the Disney Art Gallery. I however am paying the price and am having a full blown Fibro flare. I have been flat on my back for 2 days. This is the first day I have been even remotely upright for more than 20 minutes. the pictures will be up in the next few days. And there are stories behind many of them.

Be patient with me. Drew was to start school tomorrow but it has been put off till Thursday due to an emergency with his Program Specialist. Lots of issues that have to be dealt with concerning that as well. I am here and have much to tell and reflect on.

Busy busy

Well the district finally got a home teacher here. tonight she was late. So Drew only had 45 minutes of class time.

I heard back from the State Dept of Education. They are launching an immediate investigation against the district on 6 violations.

Our trip is rapidly approaching. 21 days from right now we should have landed in Orlando and waiting for Phil and Betsy to get there. 22 days from now we should be watching the fireworks from the lagoon on the Pirate and Pals cruise. 23 days from now we will be walking through the Osborne lights at DHS and waiting for New Years. 24 days from now we will have finished the Animal Kingdom park and we will be having dinner at Hoop De Doo Review. Not that I am counting or anything.

Phil and Betsy keep telling me they will be excited after next week. Finals will be over and they will have a life again. If they only knew what not having a life was....

There are so many little things in life that are good. A few not so good but when I look around at everything that others deal with I realize my life ain't so bad. I remind my self every day of the good things in my life -

Remember something good is going to happen to you today - you just have to go find it - what happened to you today?

Pixie Dust Abounds!!!!!!!

I am on Disney Happy Dance today. I hang out on the Disboards quite a bit. It is where I have learned all the ins and outs of planning an awesome Disney Vacation. I know some people like to just wing it but unfortunately at Disney that can't be done. I made our meal reservations back in July (you have to make the 180 days out) A few I have changed over time and fine tuned them. I have planned several character meals for us. I got a coveted Breakfast reservation at Cinderella's castle for breakfast.

I have several surprises planned for the family that I can't reveal here because you never know who reads this (Hi Betsy)

Tonight I got one of the most coveted surprises at Magic Kingdom. It is for an event that only a 100 people or so get to do a night when it is held. It is not offered all the time. I had heard the last night it was going to be offered was December 30 - our first night there but I already had a surprise for that night. I crossed this off my list.

Today I commented to Phil I didn't know why I was stalking the boards so much today because we are 30 days away and things are pretty well done. Then I found it. There was a thread about this event and that it was being extended. I jumped on the phone. I was up against a time crunch because they were doing an system up grade in 20 minutes and no reservations could be made for 24 hours at that point. I told the Cast Member what I wanted and what day. At first she said there as no availability that night. PANIC mode. I started looking at all my carefully planned reservations wondering what I could move to make this possible. All my work 6 months ago was about to go out the window. All of a sudden I hear..."wait there is pixie dust in the air" She had managed to get me a reservation on the night I wanted. I will have to change - probably cancel one dinner that we wanted to do but I think everyone will be happy with this one. I will post plenty of pictures of this in just over a month.

I have been bouncing off the walls since I booked this. I can't believe we get to do this. Bet my family doesn't make fun of my haunting the Disboards anymore.

The trip is coming up

Ok so we have 33 days and 11 hours until we actually hit Wilderness Lodge for 11 days it is beginning to seem real.

I have had our dining reservations made since July. A must if you are going to the world, using the dining plan and want to get the better, fun restaurants.

Plane tickets have been bought. Thank goodness for Southwest and allowing the change of flights without a penalty.

Today I ordered trading pins from EBAY. Need to find everyone's lanyard.

I have started putting together my first aid kit. Everyone made fun of me last time but the moleskin and body glide were life savers for all involved.

I have bought all the T-shirts and the transfers. Lori and Lois have offered to take care of getting them done for me. (somewhere in the next month we are moving and I don't have time to get it all done with out help from them). Lori is also designing special autograph books for Betsy and Drew. She made one for Lexi and their trip to DL this past week. It was beautiful.

need to make our hotel reservation for the 29th at the airport Hyatt. and get gift cards for everyone. Lots of little details to deal with but those will get done.

WDW I can't wait!!!!Open your magic gate You make no stranger wait......

colds

Have you ever noticed that Colds come at the most inopportune time? Not like anyone wants to schedule when they have a cold but honestly they always seem to appear at the worst possible - most busy time for me.

Take the one I woke up with. Yesterday I felt out of sorts - kind of crabby and just not my self. I am usually such a ray of sunshine. If you believe that I have part of a bridge in Brooklyn to sell ya. Anyhow, in the middle of the night I woke up feeling achy and by morning I was sure my head was going to explode and Scott would be having to clean grey matter off the office walls.

My week? Tonight is the kickoff for the Scout Pack fundraiser. Who is to present it to the parents? ME! Tomorrow Drew has his tutor and his therapies and I have choir tomorrow night. We will see what happens. Friday is CHILL (our homeschool co - op.) I am supposed to teach. My co-teacher is away on a business trip. Then as soon as CHILL is over we are to head to Bodega Bay for a CHILL camping trip. IF we don't do that we are supposed to go to OctoberFest at church as well as the Bishop is coming for his visit on Sunday morning to church. Not to mention I have to teach Drew all week.

I checked the scheudle and I have tried to explain to this cold that 3 weeks from now would be better if it would like to rebook. I was met with a full on coughing attack. Guess this cold and I will not be seeing eye to eye and it is planning on sticking around a few days.

so I slowed to a stop

OK I was on a roll getting back into the swing of blogging. I got stuck. Life goes on here. I have been working hard on getting the first couple weeks of lesson plans done for Andrew. I am trying a new approach to teaching this year. Last year we got off track quite a bit. This year, I have written plans and I have showed him that there is a little box next to each thing to be done. Once we finish a lesson he can check it off. when all the checks are done then we are done for the day. Hopefully this will help. I have added much more writing this year. He hates to be forced to write. But there are somethings that just have to be done.

On a much more exciting note. I made our plane reservations for both the Orlando trip as well as the trip to Anaheim in September.

The trip in September was to orginally be a family trip but Scott can't go. I tried to find someone to go with me. I offered to buy their park ticket and hotel if they paid for the plane and their food. But I had no takers. So I decided to fly and it will just be Drew and I. I think we will have fun. We are staying HERE. They have a great pool so I am sure some time will be spent there. I do wonder how many times I will be forced to ride Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, and Haunted Mansion. We both love the Toy Story Ride. Drew will actually be taking a class on California history while we are there. It is taught by Disney cast members - that should be fun.

Plans for the trip in December are coming along. Been making payments and plane reservations. We are staying at the Bay Lake Towers for that trip. We have a 2 bedroom Villa. All 3 kids will share one room (2 queen size beds) and Scott and I will have the master (kind size bed). It has a kitchen, living room, washer and dryer ( like I use those). Making all the meal reservations has been a challenge. Who knows where we want to eat 6 months out but with the Disney Dining plans there is no choice. I managed to get everything I wanted. I went back to change some stuff yesterday and some restaurants are already booked and have no availability. "Doing Disney" takes planning. I have decided I will do some blogs over the next few weeks that pertain to doing disney the right way and sites that help me plan. When we lived in Kansas - our travel agent would call me when people had Disney questions because I knew it better than she did.

So back to FTPD

C

Don't have a title

How is that? Maybe it should be Random Stuff. My gall bladder is acting up again. I have been to the hospital twice in the last 2 weeks. And yet they keep saying they can't take it because there are no stones. GRRR I was to meet with a Surgeon tomorrow but it was changed to Mid September. I do see my doc soon.

I got a call from the LR teacher for Drew's new school. She is delightful and is already working to find ways to accomadate Drew's SID. She understands his need for phyiscal stimulation and hatred of noise so she is going to have his Kindergarten teacher call me to discuss what needs to be done. She has also gotten plans underway to get Drew and IEP.

My MIL left this AM. It was a wonderful visit. Drew was heartbroken when she left. He kept asking me to make her move her or come back because he misses her so very very much. They have the same type of bond that Phil and my mom had.

I am trying to get into some classes this semester but it is difficult. If you are a state resident then you get free tuition but out of state they rake you over the coals And of course illegal immigrants get in state tuition but not me. Very frustrating. They don't even have an exemption for people who move here due to transfers. Every other state I checked does. That is frustrating.

I have been having lots of fun on Facebook lately. I have found many old friends. It will be easier trying to plan a reunion having found them thru Facebook. Lots still to find.

I will be glad when we settle with the moving company. I am so sick of using Scott's computer and desk. I want my own space back. He wants me to have my own space and get out of his. I haven't had much time to design jewelry lately. I have spent so much time down because of my GB that I have been getting some knitting in. Andrea and I are talking about taking a bead making class when they come out in January. I found a glass blowing place that teaches glass bead making.

Phil started his sophomore year yesterday. Here is to hoping he sticks with a major this year.

I have booked our trips for the New Year. We are going to spend New Years Eve at 6 flags in Vallejo. I was shocked to see how many points I had so I decided to use them. Our hotel is free that night. Then we leave a few days later and will spend 2 days at a hotel close to Disneyland and go to Lego Land. Then we will have a week immersed at Disney in a Disney hotel. I am working on surprises galore for the men in my life during the trip. It is so much cheaper atDL as opposed to WDW. you don't even have to stay concierge to get the in room benefits of special deliveries. I am going to have cookies and milk delivered one night and another have mickey head rice criispie treats waiting for when we get back. It is such a magical place that I love to spread the magic to the men in my family. It makes me happy to make those memories. If you haven't been there it is hard to explain the magic of the place. I could go on and on but you can check out posts from October 2006 on our last trip. You can never go to many times. In fact we are buying annual passes so we can go more often. YIPEEEEE!!!!!! Scott even told me when they begin taking applications for Club 33 again I can apply - but I have to give up my Coach Purse obsession. That is a tough one.

Well that is all for now

FTPD
C

What a Trip

We are still in Kansas but I know the next couple weeks are going to be crazy and the next time I write I will probably be in Sacramento. I wanted to put a few things down before I forgot them.

This has been an amazing trip. I got closer to Andrea. I felt like we really connected and I can see how much she cares for my dad. I saw how happy he was. To me that is the most important thing. My dad shared stories about my ancestors which helps them live on as my boys get older. Dad took Drew swimming and made sure he had his first riding lesson. Now Drwe thinks he wants to ride when we get to CA - Thanks DAD. Andrea showed me a pattern that I am able to knit. I thought I wouldn't be knitting for a long time but that is't the case. I got her hooked on beading - Sorry DAD.

Drew got to be a little boy and do some awesome little boy things. He rode a horse, held a 4 day old baby goat, ran in the sprinkler, played in the park, caught fire flies, made cookies with meema, ate in the prehistoric era with papa and maymay, spent the day at the zoo with his brother. Oh yea - he also got to witness Kansas thunder storms and enjoy a good old fashion Kansas tornado warning.

I got to see old friends. I spent time with Erin, my college drinnking buddy, who at 18 taught me to shoot a gun and how to restore old cars. I saw Lori. probably one of my oldest friends - we have been friends since 5th grade. That is 30+ years. Spent time with Anna. Spent 3 days with Carolyn. Those days were pretty stressful - because scott and I were trying to agree on a house and I was going crazy. Kim and I spent an afternoon drinking margaritas, eating mexican munchies and chatting away. Allan and Peg spent some time with us. Drew had a ball with Allan. spent 2 evenings with my friend Susan. We drank to new beginnings and new homes.

I had a great time with my MIL. She took such good care of us. I had an ongoing flare while I was in Kansas and she truly would not let me do anything. She got testy when I did the dishes. She and drew had such a great time.

My trip isn't over yet. Today Phil and Drew are having brother day. They are going to breakfast, the zoo, a picnic then to Lawrence to catch up with me. I am having coffee with Carolyn, hopefully having lunch with Mary. Meeting my dad and Andrea to get somethings that I left at their house, going to the Yarn Barn with Andrea. I want to spend a little time wandering Mass. Kim is to be getting the afternoon off and Phil is coming over with Drew. Brett - Kim's son and an old friend of Phil's will be there. I an hoping my fibro stays at bay today. Tomorrow I plan on a quiet day. Phil is coming over in the afternoon to hang out. We have had some good 12AM talks. We leave Wed. night.

Our time line for the next 2 weeks - Scott gets home Tuesday night, Drew and I arrive Wed night. the 21st is our going away party, 23rd and 24th the packers will be there, 25th the movers load, 26th we clean up the house, 27th head to CA. I anticpate being there by the 29th. They are seeing if we can ship my van. The way my Fibro has been I don't think I can drive that far as fast as we need to be there. I am hoping the movers can unload on the 30th. Scott did find a house and we both really like it. He has sent pictures of it.I will post some once we get settled.

This trip has been magical (thanks to everyone who made it that way) which only proves

Faith Trust and Pixie Dust.

C

Hey Toto we are on the way home

Drew and I leave tomorrow morning for 2 weeks in Kansas. It is going to be a whirlwind of activity and friends. I am looking forward to seeing everyone. I know after this trip - Kansas will no longer really be home because I will see how everything has changed and how life has gone on with out me.

I am looking forward to Tortilla Jacks, J&S Coffee - Cant find a good Freddie anywhere. I have a feeling I will be eating several meals at On the Border so i can see Phil. I have many planned lunches and dinners with friends. Drew is looking forward to seeing Ellie, Miriam, Gracie (the fillie) He is also looking forward to seeing his grandparetns and brother. I hope I also get to see the Dukes of Lawrence. I watch their blog daily to see how they have changed.

I thought ABQ was destined to be our home but now it looks like I will be a California girl within the next month or so. We will know Wed for sure what the plan is. I hate being in limbo and I am glad this vacation is coming so I can see friends, drink some good Cosmos and margaritas and share the company of all those I hold dear.

Not sure when I will check back in. until then

Faith Trust and Pixie Dust.
C

can't believe I didn't think of this

OK so we are moving. I am getting excited. I have been on the chamber of commerce website and found all kinds of things for us to do. Polar express at christmas, Wehn Phil comes we can get ghost tours of Old Sacramento. There is a Jazz fest every Memorial Day. And the best part? It is only 100.00 round trip to LA to go to Disney Land. Less than gas. I just priced a 4 day stay for the 3 of us over Halloween and it is less than 2500 !!!!!!!!!!!! I then started researcing and discovered that the Disney land Halloween party is...... Nightmare before Christmas - Drew's fave movie. I can hardly wait. I think we will be going again at Christmas with Phil. So I think I may have to break down and buy annual passes - at least for Drew and I.

I am actually thinking about a cruise for Christmas. Have to talk to Scott.

Faith Trust and pixie dust
Cathy

retail therapy

My "dear" friend Anna turned me on to beading when she was here with her family over Spring break. I don't do alot of tradiional beading but I love to make necklaces and earrings. I love the stone and how my imagination starts running when I walk in to a bead store. I am like a kid in a VERY expensive candy store. I was slightly ticked at my DH today (OK 200.00 ticked) so I went to one of my fave bead stores. I am sitting here looking at my new stash and thinking hmmmmm what do I need to order to complete these focals and what focals to I need to order to finish these beads. My fave bead store was closed so that will have to wait until another day but I do need to hit my 2 fave seed bead shops soon. I had told my self I wasn't going shopping until anna sent my a package after she cleaned out her stash but alas it was not to be. I do need to run to Michaels and pick up a few standard supplies. need crimp tubes and such.

scott is going to be out of town lots in the near future so at least this way I have something to do when school is over and I get back from Kansas. There are a couple things I want to get made before I leave but we will see if I can get them done.

I need to work on my seed beading so I can do some more elaborate work but right now I am just having fun with my jewelry.

fatih trust and pixie dust

nothing going on

Well that is not true. But it is just day to day life here. Scott is traveling every other week to Sacremento. He leaves on Sunday and gets home Friday or Saturday. Makes it very long weeks for Drew and I.

Phil changed his major AGAIN!!! I have real issues with 18/19 year olds being told they have to decide what to do with the rest of their lives. Heck, I am almost 41 and I thought I knew what I wanted finally but due to some health problems I am reevaluating AGAIN!

Drew passed all of his pre K evals so he is ready for kindergarten. Holding him out was the best thing we did. Thank Miriam for the advice.

Drew and I are headed to KAnsas for 2 weeks the beginning of June. I can't wait. My calendar is filling up with seeing people. We are spending the first few days with my dad and Andrea and then off to Lawrence to stay with Carolyn and then to Topeka. I know that I will have plenty of time to see people - my MIL really wants to see Drew I am just there to make sure Drew arrives safely. LOL

I am anxious to see where my sis is working. It sounds like it is really up her alley.
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and RA a couple weeks ago. I am headed to a Rheumatologist in May for confirmation as well as to start treatment. Some days I can barely move. But I don't have much of a choice. I pop some aleve and predisone and off I go.

I have started doing some beading. I really enjoy making necklace and earring sets. I am going to try today to see if I can do some seed bead work. I am not sure how my fingers will work. It is an expensive hobby but I do have some gorgeous jewelry. Trying to decide if I should give it for Christmas presents or I should buy baskets from my friend Michelle. she makes all natural soaps, skin cleansers, bath bombs, lip balm etc. Check it out at http://www.bonafidesoap.com/
I give her foot scrub and her tangerine lip balm 2 thumbs up.

We have found a church we really like - even tho the pastor is a Missouri Tiger fan. It is a large church but it is a good place. It is what St. Margarets should have been under different circumstances.

That is it. Nothing exciting. Just life.

Faith Trust and Pixie Dust
C

My Christmas shopping is done - is yours?

Phil made it thru surgery. he is up and doing better than ever. there was a cracked bone in his knee that was missed on the Xrays that were done. It healed wrong so when he walked the jagged edge of his knee was pulling on the Cartlidge behind his knee.

Scott scared the heck out of us. Thought he was having a heart attack. come to find out it was something called chondrcarditis. It is an inflamation of the ribs around the heart that mimics a heart attack.

Scott and I decided to go to take Drew to Disney for Christmas next year. I told Phil we were going and he was welcome to come with us. He said no, he would come for Christmas but leave on December 31 when we left for WDW. SoI made our reservations. Then yesterday,

RING RING RING

"hi mom did you get my text?'
"no, what did you need"
"is it too late to change my mind and go to Disney?"
"decided you wanted to spend time with your dad, brother and me?"
" No. A free trip to disney IS a free trip to Disney. you guys are a bonus."
"Gee thanks"

So he is going to spend Christmas in Topeka with family and meet us in Orlando on December 31. (praying no snow delays for any of us) I did have to "sacrifice" my savannah view room at Animal Kingdom Lodge and to a standard view room at Wilderness Lodge to keep us within budget but I guess he is worth it. I have told him it is his Christmas present and that anything extra he wants to do i.e. parasailing is on him.

Santa is bringing Drew a disney suitcase filled with a certificate for the trip. I will be getting everyone the mandatory goofy family matching Tshirts - the guys humor me on this. Those will be wrapped and under the tree for Drew from us.

Well my christmas shopping is done - is yours?

Faith Trust and Pixie dust
C

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