liv luvs disney

Just letting you guys know (didn't want to openly announce it on FB) that I just cancelled our reservations.  We tried to make it work, but it the stress was gonna outweigh the relaxing long weekend.  Some stuff is going on with Lance's work that was gonna put him driving separately, Gage is taking an advanced chemistry class this summer on Fridays, Gage and Gretchen has something mandatory for Wednesday evening.  Thought about going myself and as enticing as that thought was, I just. Can't. Do. It.  

I'm gonna go drown myself in chocolate...        

Is it May YET?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

:rofl2: I have no words... except "Glad I ain't the only one who does stuff like this" I don't even have homeschooling to blame!!

Since you nabbed "Donnie's site" you'll be near us! :jumpforjoy (I am jumping for joy... you may not be after a few days near us) ;D

Whatever girl! You have no idea how excited I am to FINALLY meet you, H, and the boys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had to look up my password so I could log in to reply. :rofl2: I know it's been a long time so I'll blame it on that and not age!

I actually read your TR yesterday...missed my darn Sunday nap 'cause of it!

It appears we will be camping at Stone Mountain 5/29-6/2/2013. I hate to wish away the next 10 months of my life, but ... Looking forward to meeting up with some old fiends as well as meeting some news ones. Heck, I've been gone so long, I fall in the "new" category.

:faceplant2: Guys, guys, guys, do you see the dates I put here? Why on earth didn't someone catch this?!?!? Y'all know what a ditz I am. No wonder y'all were excited about me coming...y'all are gonna be gone before I ever even get there! :rofl3:

Well thankfully my aunt and uncle (who we're borrowing the rv from) called this morning to get the dates and they commented, "Oh it's AFTER Memorial Day?" Good grief, it's a scary thought to think I home school my children. Actually I am this way BECAUSE I home school my kids. So I called the campground (and talked to a MUCH friendlier human this time) and got it all taken care of. Our new dates are May 22-26. Our small group at church always go to Metcalf Bottoms on Memorial Day and the kids can't stand the thought of missing that. There were only 3 sites left: 32, 86, & 88 I picked 32...not knowing that was "Donnie's site." It just looked like the easiest site to back in to.

SOOOOOOOOO EXCITED! :banana:

The kindle keyboard is awesome :dance: ! The e-ink screen is so easy on the eyes...you will love it! Mine is with me all of the time.

I have the Kindle Keyboard and LOVE it! Not sure about the touch screen either... the one on my phone is bad enough. Grrrr.

Guess what came in the mail today? :jumpforjoy

My neice is getting married in Colorado the weekend following SMGG. I am trying to convince myself I should camp at SM and leave from there for Colorado with the children. It would be an adventure, for sure.

I'm convinced you should! :D

I vacillated about getting an e-reader for about a year after they came out. Finally my DH said, "Will you just order the damned thing? I'm tired of listening to you." It is without a doubt the best purchase I've ever made.

I have the Kindle 3G & have had it for almost 4 years. If it craps out on me, I'll probably get another one. My DH has a tablet set up with my Kindle account and I also can get to my library on my Samsung droid. I'm too old to read books on my droid (or rather, my eyes are) - so that's out. The tablet is to heavy and too cumbersome - so that's out. My Kindle fits nicely in my purse & it doesn't feel like I'm carting a boat anchor. That's important because long lines at the store no longer bother me - I just stand there & read. I bought the clip-on light ($8.00 at Wal-Mart) so if I want to read in subdued lighting - it works.

I have read a ton of books I might not have otherwise read since I bought my Kindle. Mostly the free ones, which were excellent, I might add. I'm set up to download from our library - but haven't used that feature much as you still have to wait quite a while for new releases. So - if I find a new release I'd like to read I set it up on my wishlist. The price eventually comes down & if I still want to read it by that time I download it. Now if I want to read it right away I'll bite the bullet & pay the full price.

What is wonderful about any e-reader is, if you're out and about & want to get another book you can just go shopping from your e-reader!

Lou - if you read a lot - take it from this old lady - you won't miss the paper book at all. I thought I would - but I don't. Also - don't worry about cheating the author out of money. The free books are ones that didn't do well in print or an otherwise unknown author is trying to get known, Amazon, B&N & any other e-reader company will not violate copyright laws to give away books. Authors also have contracts with the publishing companies and most authors are making more due to the e-readers. I know my Godchild who wrote & is still writing the "Winston Churchill's Secretary - Maggie Hope" series loves it every time she hears the "cha-ching" from another download!

I remember you stating numerous time how much you love your kindle!

I actually went on and ordered the kindle keyboard today...with several books to go along with it. I am a note taker and can't stand a touch screen. I could have gotten a fire for a smidge more than what the keyboard cost but I didn't. :laugh:

I'll get a tablet...in the future. :grumpy2:

If Jim is advising you on anything you need to reassess your gameplan. Although I have to admit, the man pointed us to a great burger.

I definitely agree (and so does Gage!) about the burger!!

I do what I can to make America a better place for everyone.

And you do a fine, fine job!

Loving the pics of the girls having fun!

We had a great evening! But before I get to that, check out my view while enjoying an Oktoberfest beer at the campsite this afternoon.

I never get tired of that creek.

After resting a bit at the campground, we headed into Gatlinburg to meet livluvsdisney and her sweet family for dinner. We met them at the same restaurant we joined them at last year.

We had a great visit...I have to tell you I just love that family. I wish we didn't live four hours away.

We have been blessed this weekend with visits with two awesome Fiend families. We used to camp alone. And it occurs to me as I type this that we have not camped once in 2012 without visiting with at least one set of Fiends. That's incredible! I love it!

After dinner, and despite the chilly temps, we walked around GB a bit. After being startled by some crazies driving by in a minivan yelling "Romney!!" at the top of their lungs (i won't name names), we got some ice cream.

And that was that. I'm tired.

Love the Smokey Mountain brewery. Agree with you re. Liv and family.

I am feeling the love and loving the feeling! :heart:

You know, Jim, Dave and I (and our families) ate at SMB last year due to your recommendation and it was good. In fact, it was so good that we decided to eat there again this year. While we were at SMB this year, your name came up along with politics. It was all good. I think I've told you before we don't have cable and you are my political adviser!

Yay, Ed...so proud of you!

Loved the pics, Rita!

:rofl2: Right again Liv.

Well of course I am. :laugh:

Liv, my BIL, who is an IT guy, recently got his daughter a Nexus 7 pad. It is an Android pad and i'll tell you, the thing is awesome. For $200 it seems to do everything our ipad does. I will seriously consider those if we need another pad.

I remembered you referring to the Nexus in your TR and had to re-read every page until I found it a couple of weeks ago when I was frantically trying to make a decision. I wrote down the name and when I get time, will do some more investigating. I do think I will get a plain jane kindle for reading. My (getting old) eyes can't tolerate a computer-like screen for very long with side effects.

:rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2:

Okay, this debate has been going on in my house for several days about the Kindle and other tablets. My b-day is coming up and my parents' have graciously offered to get me one but I can't make up my mind on what/which to get. (Never in a million years would I even ask for the iPad from them.) So I said I was going to get on Fort Fiends and see what y'all had to say about it. My family could not understand why I would ask a bunch of Disney camping fanatics about a tablet. I assured them I was quite positive it had been discussed around here. And what do you know...I was right...and I usually am.

Oh, Liv, it was great but you made a good call staying home, Lance woulda been miserable and a long way from home with those injuries, I hope he is feeling better today. We did miss you though.

He washed his Jeep last night so in my book he's back to normal. Translation: My babying him is over! :rofl3:

Well sooner or later I knew I would have to "see" what all we missed out on. It's okay. I enjoyed taking care of my husband with a slight concussion and a broken nose while missing out on all the fun. (Surely if I keep telling myself that, I'll believe it.)

:'( I hate that this TR is coming to and end.

We are here! I don't know it this will affect those of you who are using Dave's directions, we came the same way Dave and Linda will be coming. TN80 is closed at at 85 and they have detour signs up. This didn't affect us as we turned onto 85 before the detour.

I am sure this is clear as mud. TN85 is open but 80 was closed to everything but local traffic.

Yep, clear as mud. Welp, y'all might see us, y'all might not. If we ain't there by lunch, come lookin' for us!

As of right now, it's looking like our whole crew might be coming after all. CAN"T WAIT!!

It's so hard for me to get any work done when I get on here, but I sure am glad I did!

"BM South"

That's a funny name. :flush2:

? ? ??

Okay, I know I'm a little delayed (that's always the issue with me) but I picked up on this right away and my kids aren't little anymore. I guess we need to get out more. :laugh:

Yes Liv I saw that jab, tisk tisk

What? I have no idea what you're talking about.

NO! NO! NO! That is MY site!!

:clint:

Not if we get to it first.

Shoot, Rita, I forgot to ask you. Gretchen wants to know when you are making the Mickey cake from your pinterest board. She wants to plan a trip to see you during that time. :rofl3:

Chicken Tetrazzini! I wish I could give you measurements etc. I just do it as I go.

Sometimes I use leg quarters, sometimes breast. Boil chicken. Remove chicken and pick meat off. Save stock. I have used boxed broth and canned chicken. It works, but not as good!

Saute onion, garlic til tender. Add diced chicken and saute a bit. Add sliced mushrooms and saute for a bit. Add cream of chicken soup and a jar of pimentos or two depending on how much you are making. I use one large jar for each large can of cream of chicken. I usually use 1 large can, but not all of it for a small batch. The pimentos are what makes this delicious!

Boil angel hair pasta in stock. I try to use just enough stock to cook the pasta without having much stock left. Drain the pasta but keep a a real teeny bit of stock to add to the mix. I usually do 1 box or so for a small lasagna pan.

Mix the pasta with everything else. Add some grated cheddar to the mix. I do this in an aluminum disposable pan. You can freeze at this point.

Cover with shredded cheddar and bake at 350 to 400 degrees until heated all the way through and golden bubbly on the top. I serve with salad and garlic bread.

ETA: If anyone was wondering why I am not a cookbook author this post probably makes it clear! LOL

Ooh, ooh, ooh thank you soooo much.

Oh and I can read and understand it just fine.