On the road...again

6.13.2011

You know you've been away from blogging too long when folks start to inquire whether you're OK. Thank you so much for the concern, I'm doing fine! I've just been (mostly) offline lately, very busy with life stuff. I'll try to be better!

Last month, we went to this place:

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Many of you will recognize this as being the view of Cinderella's Castle at Disney World as seen from the ferry. The blurriness is a result of using the zoom on a boat with my point-and-shoot camera (I decided to leave my Nikon at home; I may rethink that choice next time, as most of my vacation photos met or exceeded this level of awfulness).

And some of you will understand what a huge undertaking that trip was when your kiddos are both autistic. But I am a Disney junkie (a result of having lived just a few minutes from Disneyland during my formative years--thanks Mom and Dad!) and this was the first time I was able to share this magical place with my husband and boys. It was hard work, exhausting, and wonderful. Disney is so accommodating to the needs of special guests, and it made all the difference for my family. If you're planning a Disney vacation, I highly recommend this book; it helped us think of every little detail for a perfect trip.

While we were in Orlando, we found out that we're moving! Again! And this time it's to Indiana!

postcard - from alimx007, USA 3

postcard from Jassy 50


This will be the 11th state I've lived in (see #7 for the others). I've been racing around getting our house ready to put on the market and packing as we are moving later this month (actually, it's more like two weeks from now, ack!). My lovely fabrics are all stashed away so there won't be any sewing for a while *sniffle, deep breaths*, but my patterns will be available throughout my move.

Fortunately, I will again be able to have my own room for sewing, but it will take some work to settle in and get things just so. I'll share that process with you as I go along.

So tell me...what do you know about Indiana? Favorite quilt shops? Fun places to go with kids? I hear there's a place called Santa Claus that we simply must visit. Or have you been to Disney lately? You know I want to hear about it.

TTFN, (did I really just type that?)
Kim

23 comments:

  1. You must go to Shipshewana - the Amish quilts there are amaizng! It's in northern Indiana. And I'm a native Hoosier - let me know if you have any questions! :)

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  2. I just moved back to Indiana a couple of weeks ago from New Orleans...it's been quite the move and we are still not in our temporary housing yet. After that we'll be finding a more permanent place in the city.

    Where in Indiana are moving to? That will make a lot of difference in what advice to give you. It's a very long state with different lifestyles in different parts of the state.

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  3. Shipshewana sounds wonderful! I'm adding that to my road trip wish list :) Angela, We'll be in southern Indiana, in the tri-state area, but I'm not opposed to traveling!

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  4. How was it with 2 autistic children? I have a 17 year old who has autism and 3 other children(12,10 & 8) we are going to disney in Sept and I'm really nervous. He loves Disney everything and I'm not sure if that will end up being a good thing or a bad thing:P any advice would be great
    thanks

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  5. Oh I could write a whole blog post or more about taking autistic kids to Disney World! If your kiddo is sensitive to sound at all I recommend he bring some earmuffs or earplugs because everything is LOUD, the parades, the rides, even the ambient music was too much for one of my little guys.

    The number one best thing we did was go straight to guest relations on the first day at the parks, and tell them our kiddos were autistic--they gave us a card that let cast members know that our kids needed to wait in an alternate area, and this often meant a shorter wait time to go on the rides. I'm not sure if they still do this at Disneyland, though. If that's where you're headed, I'd recommend going on a very uncrowded day (check touringplans.com for crowd info) or arrive well before the park opens. You're welcome to e-mail me if you'd like more info :)

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  6. i bought your elephant softy pattern and i have made 2 baby's very very happy!!

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  7. We're planning the first Disney trip for our boys (6 years and 15 months) for later this year. Any advice on a great moderate resort? www.paperstarfish.prettyposies.om

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  8. Paige, I haven’t stayed at the moderate resorts, but I would likely make my choice based on location (I'd probably stay near Epcot at the Caribbean Beach or near the Magic Kingdom at the Ft. Wilderness Cabins because those are our family’s favorite parks and it would reduce some travel time). You might like to read some reviews to help make your decision: http://land.allears.net/reviewpost/showcat.php?cat=3. I hope you have a wonderful vacation!

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  9. I lived in Indiana for a few years, and curreently live just on the KY side of the Ohio River from Indiana...coincidentally about an hour from "Santa Claus". It is really cute with Christmas decorations and themed shops all year, and there is Holiday World theme park that boasts the best wooden roller coasters in the nation. Welcome to the neighborhood : )

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  10. I wish I had some advice for Indiana, but I've only driven through the state. My husband and I had the opportunity to go to Disney last year and our favorite was actually Animal Kingdom, the safari ride was so much fun. I think in another life I would like to lead people on Safaris...or maybe just at Disney :) Can't wait to see the new sewing space!

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  11. I am from Indiana, grew up there. Now I live in Memphis. Shipshewana is the best for flea3market and Amish items. Check out Valpariso- Orvil Reddenbachers home. They have a popcorn festival on main street every year. Check out the local ice cream- Valpo Velvet. It is the best.
    Nashville Indiana is a artist community. There are crafter and quilters everywhere. AAnother place to vist. Indianapolis has the best old building. They even hav a winery in town.
    Chesterton has the best old dime store with original soda fountain.
    If you are close to Chicago DO NOT MISS "Taste of Chicago". It is a yearly event. I could so go on. Oh if you have girls tere is an American girl store in Chicago. The Brookfiled zoo, Museum of Science and industry.

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  12. Good Luck on your move. Indiana is a neighbor to Illinois where I reside. Don't know where you are locating to but if it is the upper part of the state there are many things to see in Chicago. If you are into Re-enactments there is a great one in the fall in West Lafayette. It is called the "Feast of the Hunters Moon, Also Shipshewana is a great place to visit.

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  13. A move in the summertime...sounds familiar....take care of you!....smiles.

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  14. Thank you for all the ideas and well wishes everyone! I am furiously taking notes over here :)

    The first order of business, of course, will be unpacking all. those. boxes. Ack!

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  15. Indiana is my dream state. Hence the name of my blog. I'm very jealous! I grew up in Kokomo but I live in Arizona now. Where in Indiana are you moving?

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  16. I live in Indianapolis. Quilting is alive and well in our state. There are some wonderful quilt shops, shows, etc. Check out the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show which takes place in Bloomington (home of Indiana University). Just google quilt shops in Indiana and you will find many wonderful ones. I belong to several guilds in central Indiana. Welcome to the state even though I am originally from Kentucky.

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  17. Hi, Kim,
    I live in Indiana. one notable thing that nobody has mentioned yet is that we have a chapter of the modern quilt guild in Indianapolis. we're on facebook if you want to see what's going on.

    When you head up to Indy, give me a shout and I'll send you a list of quilt shops to visit. They are PLENTIFUL. my email is lindsay[dot]ellesquare[at]gmail[dot]com

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  18. Indiana is a wonderful state. I was born there in Auburn near Fort Wayne but have not lived there for a long time. once a Hoosier always a Hoosier. Linda Gerig who lives in Michigan now but would live in Indiana in a heartbeat.

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  19. So,I just came across your blog and this post about moving! I live in indiana too!! I live in central IN but I do know in Madison, IN there is a nice quilt shop and it just is the neatest little town. If you are ever in Indianapolis, there are several good shops too. My personal fav is Rossville Quilts, but that is a bit far for you to travel. The children's museum is like one of the best in the US and the Zoo is great too. Hope that helps!

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  20. Hi! I'm another Indiana quilter - it's so nice to see so many other quilters from here. I agree with a lot of the suggestions listed here.

    One cool Indiana quilting treasure not yet mentioned is Quilt Camp at Camp Tecumseh. They offer quilt camps many times a year and they are so much fun and a great getaway. http://www.camptecumseh.org/tlc/quilt_camps.php

    I live about 20 minutes from there and have gone to quilt camp there about 6 or 7 times. It's one of my favorite things to do.

    Anyway, welcome to Indiana!

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  21. Well, depending on how close you are, Louisville, Kentucky is a fun place to go! :) It's where I live. I'm a new visitor to your blog from Pinterest, so Hello!

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  22. I agree with the poster that said shipshewana. I love it there. I live in NW INDIANA. Portage. :-) I hate the cold but other than that its okay.

    Pookie

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