UnFreakinBelievable!!!!!!!!!!!

OK so how is it, my dearest blog lubbers, that someone who is sadly blogless, completely without readership, and totally analog, gets to sneak into blog camp, create a blog, immediately have an army of followers and then never posts again!!!!!!!!!!!!  I mean look at this woman, she can't even get her totally cool Blog Camp necklace on the right way round for the love of Pete!!!!  She seemed totally BC worthy at the time, fit right in with her point and shoot, laptop and Subaru, she even didn't mind being totally thrown into the side of a mountain by Sara our fearless (as it turned out) chauffeur.

So I ask you, what is to be done with Zena the unworriorlike imposter? Do we add her to the National Register of Fake Bloggers? Do we ask that the 9 comments she has on her first post be discommented on? I mean... who gets nine comments on their inaugural post?  I didn't, I know that... I barely get nine these days and I've been at this a whole six months now!!! Unbelievable, that's all I can say, unfreakinbeleivable. Bambi I hold you accountable for this wayward woman....what the heck can you say about Schmeck???????

Rocks

Okay, who lost their rocks? Specifically, who lost them in my truck? There is a multi-colored (layered) and a round rock I found on the backseat of my car that weren't collected by me and, I suspicion, need to be mailed somewhere. xxxooo!

They are a special occasion

I had bought a bottle of champagne vodka back in February but didn't want to open it without company and end up wasting most of it (letting the bubbles out and all). So I saved it for a special occasion and what do you know? Blog Camp was indeed special! I'm so glad that all four of these ladies came to Reno for the weekend.

What I found most striking was that I felt like I knew all of these women already though their blogs, that they felt like friends, but that I didn't know any of the little details that every friend would know. I had gleaned so many important details and insights but not the small things that a face to face friendship would have told me. I am so glad that I could fill in the pieces and that these bright and fun women are now also part of my "real world" friends.

Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the United States.....

....I'll let you figure out which lake is THE deepest......(anyone from Oreeegone here?)

One of the largest elements of Blog Camp is the photography and you cannot imagine the ways in which blog campers can make themselves bend, twist, contort and well, lay down to get their shot.......

Having such a plethora of photo opportunities was quite the prize for a day out on the beach at THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LAKE EVA'! (I might be partial)
But, not only was the lake posing for us, we had some other 'subjects' to focus on......

And, of course, getting ready for the JUMP SHOT, before we enlisted the help of a stranger (he was no stranger than we were...)

10 Things

1. Ali has a very colourful vocabulary (ex: Fukadoodledoo, there's snot on the window! It may be from one of the children!)

2. None of us gets anywhere on time but it's her fault, not mine.

3. We will break for refreshment (*someone* had a beer with her biscuits and gravy).

4. Random people will gladly take your picture if you smile and bat your eyes a little bit.

5. We are just like our blogs, but not... (though in a good way).

6. We are freaks and geeks (some of each and some are both).

7. Everyone loves Laura, our "other mother" (rxBambi's original mama).

8. Be careful what you ask for, you may get it quickly. (she did ask me to pull over but she said "I brought a change of sandals, but I should have brought a change of panties")

9. Moths and bees are cause for public screaming and inspire fear in the hearts of (some) stoic blog campers.

10. Eric does dishes too. Every Blog Camp should have an "Eric the Wonderful". Vikings. Who knew?

Our Sunday

We started the day with a little cat and mouse (the cat is named Pixel, BTW).



We played at Tahoe but mostly took pics of each other (this photo by Zena).



We had a very nice jump shot (with a random stranger's assistance). Left to right is AnOpenHeart, McGillicuty, rxBambi, Zena, and Sara.



And now we are relaxing with computers and beverages. Aahhhh...

A day at Blog Camp

At noon we were amongst a throng of people. Here we found craft booths (some of it to irresistable to not buy immediately) and good food and great company.



By 3 pm these two had managed "the pose". Notice how their pinky fingers are even identically seperated from the other fingers. This wasn't planned but actually just how they were shooting!



At 6 we were hanging out with rxBambi's mom and enjoying some chilled beverages to cool down a bit and enjoy the pretty view which I forgot to take a picture of (gasp!).



At 9 we were just wrapping up dinner and drinks.



We very much missed AnOpenHeart today and are very glad she'll be joining us again tomorrow! And we also love our new friend Schmecky, also known as Zena (or maybe Gretchen if you're a RWP) who also can totally rock a tiara.

Prezzies.... That's What I'm Talkin 'Bout

Ooooohh... Aaaahhhh... You know how we all love the prezzies. But lets back up...

The party was in full force Friday night when Ali finally made it in after a days worth of traveling. Seriously, four plane flights. She's a little nutty:

I have to admit I was a little worried when I first walked up to this blond woman and stood in front of her shooting pictures. It wasn't until she started laughing that I realized I had the right person! Luckily I didn't get shot. Or forked.

After introductions were made and hugs were passed out we headed out to Olive Garden for a late dinner. Then, on to Sara's for the Official Opening of Prezzies...

Sara gave us fabulous bracelets that she made out of Dutch coins... so we could feel a connection to Blog Campers in Denmark.

Then Shannon gave us moleskin books in which to keep our deepest darkest secrets, or blogging ideas. She also made us necklaces with the Blog Camp logo (and sent some to Denmark too! She's so cool). Check out her site, there's a wonderful picture of us with our necklaces on.

Next came Ali and her bundle of gifts... Notecards, chocolate, and a t-shirt from ...(wait for it)... Thomasville, Georgia!

 

Then came the gifts from yours truly, something that every Blog Camper needs: a tiara and ax repellent.

                                      

The following day we lost a blogger (Shannon had to go home), but we also gained a blogger: Zena aka Schmecky. Yep, no piranha face this morning... Go check out her blog and give her some validation!

                            

    Check back later for more blog camp news!!

9am

Learning stuff....

I think I had too many glasses of wine and RxBambi's looking all weird!!!!! However I am learning neat stuff I didn't know before!

Death by... Fork?

We are all here and having a fabulous time! Of course, there was this one moment when we were a little unsure how it would go...

On My Wayyyyy

OK I have made it to the airport in record time and I'm at the gate waiting to board the first of two flights today. Not too shabby! Of course they opened my case and searched it for axes and guess what? He questioned the ml-age of my toothpaste ....see my post a few days ago on Inner Ramblings... can't be bothered to link while I sit here.

I would love to take some sneak pics but I am shy!!!! hahahahaa... I know you find that hard to believe. Just take my word for it there are some freeeaaakksss here in Orlando!!!! It's hot as hell here too, who in the heck designed this place? We're in the middle of FLORIDA and there are dome shaped WINDOWS everywhere creating a greenhouse effect!!!!! I'm not a 'mater although I'm gonna look like one soon.

So dearests.... stay tuned and I'll see you on the other side, of the freakin' country that is.

Guess what is happening on Friday night?

.....besides blog camp......?  Yep, it will be a FULL MOON.............

Hmmm what do we have here?

Could these be some little offerings of good will and peace to all blog campers?

Oh I know you girls wish you could just shake them a little, or maybe take a wiff, but uh uh uh! tsk tsk!

BTW it took nearly a full hour of my time and a lot of cuss words to build what i think is a pretty good collage in the end.
See y'all on Friday! Muowww!

Someone's in Reno!

Sorry for the blurry! I forgot my camera was on manual (hence no flash and, well, blurry).

But rxBambi has arrived safely to Reno and therefore, come Friday, it's really happening. Yay! I did take the axe out of my truck before I picked her up (well, put it under the seat anyway) so she wouldn't be scared. I don't think she noticed...

Only four days 'til BLOG CAMP RENO ! ! ! ! !

to self: "must make list of 'stuff' for my trip to Reno......laptop, blog camp t-shirt, fake Chuck's, camera, these items are essential, of course.  Getting the prezzies wrapped......(cleaning up my pedicure....who am I kidding, it's not even a pedicure, I should just remove the remaining polish that is already chipped away....)  Got to get the car an oil change, check tire pressure....get car washed, as it looks like I live in the Australian bush....at least get the interior vacuumed out.  Color my hair....oh, yeah, must get rid of skunk stripe.....go to storage unit at the Ranch and fish out my suitcase, although, I could just use the Costco bags like I did last time I went on an extended road trip.......email Sara for address.....google map directions to her house.........compile another list about timeframes, 'do laundry, this day' - 'take car for oil change, this day' - 'wrap prezzies, this day'.....oh, I'm really getting excited......I of course will over pack, good thing I'm driving, I can completely fill my trunk with necessary items....."

Did I just ramble all of that stuff outloud?  I hope not, maybe I just thought it really loud?

Ten Days and Counting.....

OK the ticker at the top of my Inner Ramblings site tells me we only have ten days until Blog Camp.... yay!!! The excitement is building, anticipation at meeting my online friends, the thrill of flying plum near all the way across the country and the pure joy of visiting previously uncharted territory.... for McGilly anyway!!!!!

The mornings here in GA are getting cooler, somehow I know it's damn near freezing in the mornings over there, right????? What to pack? What to pack? Clean nickers, Nikon and a bottle of wine should do it. Lord, what if I can't lose 40 lbs before I get there???????? that's what, 4 lbs a day from now until next Friday....I can do it, I can do it.... if I dismember a hand or foot that would help... no it wouldn't, then how would I get around Lake Tahoe??? or take pictures??? or hold my wine glass?????

Shheeeessshhhh..... there's a lot to this camping lark!!!!!

A nearby pretty spot

This pretty little marsh is about 3 blocks from the house. There's a walkway that goes up one side (you can see it along the back) and there are usually birds hanging around trying to catch a teeny fish or two. Yes, the hills fail to be green but I think the sky makes up for that.

Things I know about Reno....

nothing!!

Gorgeous hubby was stationed there for a short while when he was a sailor boy.

Lake Tahoe is near by; and astonishingly beautiful so I gather.

Sara lives there and is taller than a tall person on a tall day.

Bambi's mom lives there and has a cat ready for the cookin'.

There are casino's and stuff... like an itty bitty Vegas.

What happens in blog camp stays in blog camp.

I couldn't be any more excited about it if you freakin' paid me dude!!!!!

Only two short days ago I ordered this....

Yaaayyyy! My Blog Camp t-shirt has arrived! whooo hoooooo! This only adds to the excitement....and inspired me to finish up on blog camp pressies!

You see that even Texas, the heartbeat at my feet was excited about the arrival of my shirt, he was inching his way closer and closer, so as to contribute some of his hair to the shirt!

It is evening where I am, I wonder if anyone has 'arrived' at Blog Camp 1.5 yet?

Woo Hoooo here we go.....

OK I know you already realise this but I am the excitable type!!! I am getting totally in a tiz over blog camp!!!! Tickets are being booked, t-shirts ordered, diet dieted and wine training scheduled.

It's been years since I have done something off the wall like this and it feeeeeellllssss goooood!!!!

Sorry his gorgeousness, it'll all be fine and you'll cope, I promise!!!!!

A look see

Here's a little bit of the guest room. This is also my craft room and is my current work in progress. Let's say I haven't been afraid of color in here...

In case anyone is worried about getting back and forth from the airport or anything, don't worry about it. I would be happy to come get you or take you back there whatever time your flight happens to be at. My truck seats 6 so I have plenty of room for everyone.

** I got the phrase on the wall from here and adapted it a little bit. I have used it with the original author's permission. **

Wherein she begins assembling her bits and pieces she can't leave home without

Woooo Hoooooo! I just ordered my Blog Camp Reno T-shirt! Yea! I can't wait! This is a big deal for me, as I do not normally step out of my little box.....it's scary out there in the world! I'm not even worried about the possibility of an axe murderer or anything, really, I swear, not scared at all. (I'm packing my axe repellent, though).

I have a great idea for some little chachkees to bring along as gifts for my fellow blog campers and I'm going to get a bigger memory card for my camera(s).....so many things to think about! CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

Getting started

Okay, I have confirmations in and there are 3 attendees coming thus far (2 sleeping at my house) which means that there is room for 2 more people. Sept 4-7, exact arrival and departure time being up to you.

What should be expected of blog camp? Well, in the tradition of the one and only original Blog Camp I would say PJs and blogging and laughing are at the top of the list. Also we can connect to Blog Camp 2.0 in Denmark for simultaneous fun. I think tiaras are also needed.

Do we want to leave the house at all? Well, that will be left entirely up to you campers. There are a couple places around here that would be fun to play seeing as my back yard is still just dirt but I'm also quite happy to stay in my PJs all weekend (hmm... PJs in the real world would be funny...). Yes, I am the bad homeowner who hasn't landscaped yet and still just has dirt out back...

Regardless, I'm sure we'll have fun and laugh and blog. So much to get ready...