Boomer Babes...

Pennies from Heaven! Winning is always fun!

What a great idea Meredith...creaking or not, LOL!!!

meredith, I'll be on the look out for more Christmas jewelry this year. My nieces and friends like your work.

Dancing, three nights works for me too. That's a great idea.

How about the harbor area in downtown Baltimore? The only problem is we don't have gambling in MD.

http://www.baltimore.org/

Who cares??? This is a get together for each and every one of us women, not a 'junket' just to gamble right? I don't care if I ever gamble. I would have been thrilled to entertain you all in my home, tennis court, pool, jacuzzi, etc. I suggested it early on and wanted to take you to Ethel M's Chocolate factory, lake Mead for a 1 hour paddle boat luncheon and maybe a tour of Vegas. I would have gotten a touring car for us for that time. We did get a little bit of touring around Vegas. To me thats a real get together, getting to know one another up close and personal. But whatever everyone wants, I'm in! God willing and the creek don't rise, LOL!!!

Chocolate??!! Chatty, I LOVE chocolate - is Ethel M's really good?

Hey regarding gambling, as much as I love it, I felt a little guilty that I spent so much time at the slots. I think it would be nice to spend some time where there is no gambling, so I could spend more time with the girls and get to know them better.

K

Every locale has its own personality and attractions. Vegas is about casinos, as well as shows and glitter. If you come to SoCali, we're about beaches and Hollywood and food and scenery -- but definitely NOT gambling. So wherever we go, we should try and get the flavor of that particular location.

And of course -- our main reason for going anywhere is to see each other! The scenery is just a backdrop

Ladies, although tardy with my post, here are some pictures of the lovely ones...



Meredith, Sharon, Dotsie



Dotsie, Meredith, Sharon, - shaking a leg

Yours truly, Mr. Dotsie (Ross), Dotsie, Chick, Meredith, and Sharon...some unknown man is standing behind Chick.

Chick and the Divine Ms. M - happy people!



Lunch at Jimmy Buffet's place. This guy was on stilts. So cool!

Dots, Chatty, and Sharon...where shall we eat? Kathy is hiding on the other side of Sharon



Chick and Meredith - still happy.

Kathy's back (how did she manage to do that?) Dots and Chatty.

There are four or five pictures missing off of my camera and I don't have a clue how that happened...but since the camera is held together with duct tape, I suppose anything can happen. Hope you enjoyed what there was, though!

Yeah, glad to finally see the photos. Brings back fun memories. Thanks for posting.

Great photos, JJ! All look so happy, happy, happy and having a marvellous time. Love it! Are you sure Chick is older than 19? Has anyone checked her ID?

I know...isn't she a doll? Now you know why that guy was standing behind her. Then again, all of the babes were ah...babes. And talk about a fun bunch. Hey, maybe that is what they should be called? THE FUN BUNCH. I mean, after all, there was the Rat Pack...so why not?

Bwaah-haaa-haaa - not a single shot of my face! My beauty will remain a mystery! Anyone want lessons on how to avoid the camera?

Kathy

Lol Kathy! All the more reason to meet you all in person! I really truly hope I can make the next meeting on the East Coast next year! You all look so happy, and as if you were all long time friends. Just the way it should be! Thanks for posting these JJ, it was so fun to see.

Ahhhhh...Kathy....ahhh, they can see your face hun...HERE. You have it on the board here. Hello? And listen, she looks just like that...I mean it. Ain't she a beaut? Personality to go with the beautiful smile, as well. Kathy made it her mission to chauffer me around and take care of me. Lord knows somebody needed to. Thank you Kathy! When I got home and got in the car to go to town, I looked around for you. Then I realized I had to drive myself. Bummer!

And talk about personality, Chatty has it. She was just downright adorable. But you knew I was gonna say that, didn't you? Chatty made sure we knew the ropes and took us to the best place to eat. I can't remember when I enjoyed sitting next to someone so kind and gentle!!!! She is a great conversationalist, and I count myself very lucky to know her.

Sharon had men following her all over the place because she is simply a knock out. Dang her time! I'm so jealous. One can only hope that she will learn that if I gotta age, she's gotta age. Honey, if you're out there, have some Oreo's...k? Sharon was soooooooooooo fun! If she doesn't come next year, we need to all pile up on a bus and go to her house. I don't want a girl's get-together without her.

Meredith is down-to-earth, cares deeply about ALL OF YOU, and I mean that so sincerely. If I had her heart, I would be a much nicer person. She was so cute in her leopard outfit and struttin' her stuff. Nobody can wear a headpiece like the Divine Ms M. I swear...now if she would only have left the air on the room...cough...cough...Meredith, Dotsie and Sharon got up and danced with wild abandonment. I remember thinking, "Now THAT's what life is about!" Way to go Ms. M...you make life look good!

Chick...I can guarantee you all right now that chick needs to be, and should be, our mascot. She is the cutest thing you'll ever lay your eyes on, loves everybody, and makes you feel so happy to be her friend. Now get this...she is smart as a whip too. I ask ya, is that fair? For one person to have it all? She is suppose to move (someday) to a neighboring state very close to me. I have my fingers crossed! Lord help Mr. Chick when that happens. They might as well build a JJ room.

Dotsie - now here is someone that is like the hostess with the mostess...she wants to make sure that everyone has a good time, and will go to great lengths to make sure that happens. She spreads joy wherever she goes. This includes talking to waiters, waitresses, people playing on machines, THE BAND, whoever...it doesn't matter. She has terminal JOY and is spreading this disease through out the land. Watch out because if you get near her, you're liable to catch it.

Oh..and one more thing. If she tells you that a restaurant is just a block or two away, ..............she lies. What she means is that it is a CITY block or two away (translated means miles). So joy-giver, yes...but distance-giver, not on your life. I still have blisters on my feet.

And then of course there was me. What's not to love, am I right?

We missed the rest of you, but listen, you'll get another chance next year. Save your pennies!

JJ..thanks for the fotos!!! I had so much fun seeing you all almost LIVE!!!! Now that sounded good..but I don´t know how to say it in another way You are all of course..VERY MUCH ALIVE and LOVIN´EVERY MINUTE. Even I can´t miss that..with my eye operation and everything! You really had a good time..all of you! You all look so happy and laughing all the time. Thanks so much for sharing. I gotta make one of these meets..and then do the Kathy thing!!! You are GOOD, Kathy!!! Still..would have loved to see you,too!!!

I am smiling and laughing all the way with you guys!!!

But...but...but...apart from her avatar Kathy posted a photo of hers and the Divine Ms M when they met last year? Remember? Remember? Don't you remember the smiles and the lobster hat?

Ahh, the lobster hat. Yes, the divine Ms. M looks wonderful in any kind of head-dress!! I pretty much look the same now as I did then, albeit a tad fluffier...

jj,
That was fun. I really loved seeing you gals! It brightened my day, to view boomers enjoying life. It's so cooooooooolllllll! I'm sitting here smiling into the PC.

Lola gets the memory prize, and JJ can write bios for all of us. Lordy, you're kind!

Just wondering if the gals across the pond could make an east coast trip... If so, we're looking at March. Does that work for any of you? We should accomodate you gals since you have so far to come. Speak up so we can get planning.

I have a friend at church who leaves Sunday for two weeks. She's going to Italy with FOURTEEN of her college buds whom she's known since 1963. Can you even imagine?

So if they can do it, so can we!

The pictures are wonderful! And now we're preserved, on digital print, for posterity!! Celebration! Where's my lobster hat when I need it?

Kathy lied however -- she did not gain a single ounce since I last saw her. So there! And Jawjaw's biographies prove what she left out about herself -- someone who always looks for the best in everyone.

March? I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope to make the trip. Someone promise me a corn dog.

Corn Dogs - - Guaranteed for Lola at the next Boomer Babes retreat. As many as she wants.... Lola, you want mustard or ketchup with that?

(Can y'all tell I worked at Burger King 32 years ago?)

K

Dotsie, I hope you are open to suggestins as to when the next meeting should be. March is not a good month for me since we would want to combine it with visiting my brother in Massachusetts. Middle to end of September 2009 would be ideal for my time schedule. What a generous offer to pay for the overnight. But that’s okay,I wouldn't want you to dish out these expenses. But thank you for the offer anyway, my friend.

I would combine the meeting with you gals with a visit at my brother’s place. Hey? Should I bring him along? He’s a 55 yr. old computer engineer, has his own company is tall, slender, single, sweet and very funny. Actually he has a girlfriend right now,…but who knows. Jeez. I sound like I’m selling him. Haha…sales is in my blood.

Eeeek! September is usually a big book festival month for most writers. I doubt I could do September. Sniff...sniff.

Postitively great photos "Fun Bunch"! Looks like you had a grand time in Vegas. So happy you shared them with us who didn't get to attend.

It's lovely seeing all of you happy and sharing your love with each other.

Loved the pics - and the bios, JJ. Thanks for taking them and sharing.
March is just next month, right? Anyone started their Christmas shopping yet?

I understand JJ. September is book month in Germany too.
Are you kidding!

No way I'll fly over to the good old USA
and miss meeting JJ!

Jeez...hand me over my oxygen mask.

How about October or the beginning of June? Am I planning this too far ahead? Probably. But I'm just reacting to Dotsie's post. Whatever....we have time till then...and gims, no ... I am not doing any Xmas shopping yet.

I'm going out on a limb here, and Dotsie can surely give more insight into this than MOI, but the fall is a busy time for writers, at least it has been for me. What about some of you other writers??? August-Sept-Oct...even in to the holidays. I'm thinking Dotsie picked March because it is a month where most "events" are not scheduled. Almost like a "free" month, if you will. June, July are usually months where families takes vacation together. Usually.

I promise you I am not trying to be a royal pain, but just trying to shed some light on the date.

THEN AGAIN...............WE ARE ONLY TALKING ABOUT A WEEKEND, RIGHT?

If so, it could possibly work out to where it wouldn't matter. From what do I know?

Dotsie?

Ack! Just checked my calendar and March would be the Lenten season. The summer months will be a tight schedule for me as well. Seems to be October as proposed by EW would be ideal for me. The weather won't be too hot nor too cold. The additional bonus would be cheaper air fares as well as it won't be a peak period for travel from Europe. Just my 2 cents.

Unless, you guys want to come to London instead? If you do, I PROMISE to treat you to a reading/soiree at the Charles Dickens House. PROMISE.

P.S. Kathy, I'll have a stripe of each on either side.

I'm open on the dates. The only thing happening for me next year (that I know of now!) is my son's graduation from high school. That will probably take place the first week in June.

Also, my other son is supposed to deploy to Afghanistan, so if he does we'll probably go visit him before he leaves. Not sure about that schedule.

I'll do my best to make whatever dates you choose. I'm sure there will be some that it just won't work out for, but then maybe the next year can be scheduled to accomodate them more than the others that just attended.

Dotsie, I don't envy you the job of choosing a date...

K

I am open to any month, however October does sound like it might be the best time for the most women, I guess we'll see!! Just promise me NO one will take my picture again, yuk, phooey!!!

Chatty, we love you just the way you are!

Oh I love October, a favorite month of mine. I'll shoot for whatever we decide....I'm soooo looking forward to it! (It would also give me an extra six months to save my pennies!)

I love the group hug thing, Ms E...it also looks like us boomer babes getting in a huddle to figure out the dates. I'm with everyone else...whatever we decide, I shall do my best to be there.

And Chatty, when I see your picture and think about how much I enjoyed your company, I see beauty. THAT is what I see.

I would so like to be involved next year, and given enough time, I could probably make it workable. What is the best season on the east coast? I've only been to NYC and Wilmington in that part of the country. What part of the east coast are you thinking about, dots? Will there be a travel advisory involved - as in someone who could create a package for the group - something really special? I've always wanted to go to Novia Scotia (on my to-do-before-I-die list), and I could possible work that in with travel plans to the group meeting. Of course, anything can happen between then and now... I've got to get off of the 'worry' side of this. Can you give us an idea of where, before when...?

It was stated we would be meeting in Maryland/Virginia area and much conversation transpired in an earlier post about the scrumptous foods we would be eating there...

I must have missed that scrumptous foods post...

Okay, it looks like October, 2008, or March, 2009. I can do either, but am wondering if October is too soon for those who just went to Vegas...

If we do it in March, in Baltimore, could our gals from over the pond come?

I think October is too soon for me. I didn't realize how soon that was...less thaqn 5 months. March 2009 is better for my pocketbook but then thats just me.

I thought it was October 2009....no? I thought since we had already done the girl's thing for THIS year, that this was in the planning stages for NEXT year. Am I being blonde again? (PLEASE...NO HATE MAIL over the blonde thing. I'm a strawberry blonde myself!)

I had also taken it to be a forthcoming event for 2009... for the same reason as JJ's.

March would be cool! Where?

hmmmmm.....me thinks this year would be too soon....I also thought we were tossing around March or October 2009?

Okay, now if its 2009 in October or March that would be do-able for me then too.

I'm thinking March in Baltimore or Boston. Anyone up for Boston?

I can do Boston. Boston hotels are very expensive though.

I've heard there is one place you don't want to drive and that's Boston. Course, I wouldn't be driving anyway, so it makes no difference to meeeee! Now, you're talking March 2009, right?

EW, please tell me more about your brother! Who knows, at this rate, I might be divorced by March or September. March and April are the snowiest months in Colorado. We had snow on May 1 this year. March is definitly hard to make plans due to weather. I like Baltimore better than Boston, which is so hard to navigate the traffic. Also, Baltimore would have better warmer weather in March, wouldn't it? Let's just get Oprah to sponsor our trip to Cancun!

ewwww Boston sounds good...
How about renting a VBO like my daughter and her family does? I looked under Boston and Baltimore, and found some that sleep 10-12 and 8-10, respectively. A weekend for the 10-12 for Boston is around $1000, if I read it correctly. Find it on this page #25470:
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/massachusetts#3370
And, a link to Baltimore's offerings:
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/maryland#3328
This one in particular sleeps 14:
http://www.vrbo.com/96762
Just a thought.
Or do you prefer hoteling it?

Boston? Hey, my home town!

I think Louisa can confirm that in March the Boston area can get real strong snowfalls. So because of that, I would prefer coming in October, since we could do more things with my brother after I meet with my Boomer friends. And, as Ladyjane once said, October 2009 gives me an additional half a year to save for the trip as well.

Princess Lenora, it’s that serious with you and your Hubby? I know you’ve been struggling for quite awhile. You better believe I’ll introduce you to my brother, if he’s “free”. He seems pretty happy right now, though. But you never know.

Gims, that’s not a bad idea renting a VBO. It might come cheaper for all of us, and that will def. be like a big pajama party!!! Anybody else snore?

Boston would be a dream come true for me! And, if we were smart we'd shoot for October, a better travel month and maybe even some nice New England foliage about mid month. Also, we could stay in the outskirts of Boston but close enough to travel in and out. I'm a bit partial but we could have an awesome time in this the New England states. Why do we have to hang out out directly in large cities?

In fact, wayyyyy down the ride, after we've traveled here and there in the U.S. for our weekends, I'd suggest a nice New Hampshire Inn at peak foliage near the mountains. There's still ample shopping spots and things to do....it could be a wonderful weekend. Louisa has often mentioned North Conway as she and her hubby visit there a lot. SO have we. You have it all...inns, loads of shopping, mountains and so many fun spots....everything all in one!
http://www.northconwaynh.com/
http://www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/index.cfm

What happened to Maryland/Virginia. Boy Dotsie I wouldn't want this job, geesh, everyone has her own ideas of when and where!!!!
Suggestion: Maybe 'you' need to pick several destinations and dates etc. to pick from, then give each one 'WHO IS COMING' a vote. They will vote for one or the other place and month. Voting good for say 6 months from the time we begin...Whatever time and place gets the most votes wins, and hopefully it will work for the majority of us. Otherwise you're going to go bonkers...

Okay, I've gotten soem feedback. I'm going to make a decision with Georgia by the end of this month. We'll pick a time and place and a date and put it out there.

The only thing about renting one place is what if more people come than can stay there?

I think it might help also to look consider the time of year and what it cost to travel at that time and to each place. For instance, flying is different at different times. Staying outside of Boston would be cheaper, but not sure where. The outskirts aren't cheap either and it isn't that easy to get in and out. Jane is right about New England. NH is great in October but you have to plan that ahead because it's foliage season. There's also Ogunquit and Kennebunkport.

I have enough trouble right now trying to figure out where I'm going to have my next writers group meeting, never mind something this large scale.

I would want someplace that's easy to fly into...and easy to get to from the airport (preferably a direct hotel shuttle for someone who doesn't know the area and might be flying in at night).

NH sounds beautiful, but, for example, how do you get from the nearest airport (and where is the nearest airport?) to North Conway? It would be an added expense to have to take a commercial bus, and possible inconvenience in terms of ensuring connection times and places.

As long as I can fly into a place and not have to worry about too many difficult connections to get to the final destination, I'll be happy going just about anywhere...especially knowing that there are friendly faces waiting at the end of the line!

that could be a problem, Eagle. There is an airport in Manchester, NH, but it's not that near North Conway and I don't know if flights from Canada fly into that airport. Your best bet is Logan in Boston. there's a hotel there that is so gorgeous, but costs a fortune. It overlooks Boston Harbor.

I can get a direct flight from Ottawa to most major cities - including Baltimore, Boston, Washington...not sure about Manchester. But I'm sure I'm not the only one who would be concerned about transfers/connections from the airport to the hotel/gathering place. It's just another consideration when making the decision on where to meet.

But can you fly into Alabama?

I probably wouldn't be going because I won't travel alone anyway. Boston, I wouldn't have to. That is why I considered it. Won't go there alone either. [Lavender] would have to bring me in. but there are plenty of things to do.

Why does it say that in my post? The "L" word!!!! JJ, that happened before when I was trying to post so I didn't. I didn't see this until too late.

That's odd, Louisa. The "L" word also appeared in Gims' post in the Laughter thread. I took it as part and parcel of her post and did'nt think much of it until it came up in yours.

I think it appears if it catches a swear word. When I wanted to write c-o-c-k...as in rooster, suddenly the L word appeared instead of [Lavender](c-o-c-k). See?

I think Dotsie's site has a cooky that is in our computers, that filters these words. Check under your temporary data...and you will find the word Lavender.

thanks for explaining, EW... but, how do you check 'temporary data?'

You all could come to Texas. We could do a dude ranch.

Remember when we were having so many SPAMMERS? And they were using naughty words? Well, to irritate them, I took their dirty words and told the database to recognize them and whenever they used them, insert the word Lavender....

As a result, they STOPPED coming here because who would be interested in seeing girls lavender? hahahaha....

Sorry if that stops some of your fun, but it was keep letting them post the dirty words and phrases, or LAVENDER...

I knew about the Lavendar thing which is why I couldn't figure it out. I was only talking about flowers. So I didn't post it after I saw that. Now I was wondering what I could possibly have said in this post to make that come up. I just realized it was when I said my husband would have to bring me to Boston. Guess I'll have to call him Richard. I just wrote the "D" name and got lavendar again.

That is one way to skin a spammer JJ, great idea...

ditto, chatty

Leave it up to JawJaw to think of that. How clever!

Hi there Amy, haven't seen you in awhile. So glad you're back with us, you were missed...

Louisa, that's the problem.....it will pick up anything at all, thus even names! Anyway.....
Dotsie, before I forget this I found out where my hubby lived in Baltimore (finally remembered to ask!) You had asked me earlier. He lived in Pasadena, just outside of Glenburney..???? It was in his "old" life and during the 70's. His first wife was from Maryland. They settled there until they decided to start a family. That's when they moved to Maine. They also owned a beautiful spot in Ocean City where they vacationed.....until she destroyed that dream in 2000.

LJ, thanks. That's a bit of a ways from Baltimore, but I know where it is.

Ocean City is the hot spot beach where everyone vacations in the summer. It's about three hours away. In fact, I have a niece living there and working this summer. Too bad he still doesn't have that place at the beach. It might be worth a fortune.