Updates, economy and changes in venue

Updates, economy and changes in venue - now what on earth could THAT mean?
Let's start with the first - with the way the economy is going it has everyone thinking about what they can truly afford and what they would list as a "nice to have". I hear every day about folks cutting back, about work laying off jobs and for now - knock on wood and say a prayer, we're luck that Butch's contract job is still in place. That being said, it is just that - a contract job - if things keep going the way they are and Obama has his way with defense spending cut backs, we're going to be faced with a situation, I'm afraid. I worry about it, but don't try to let it run our lives. For now, we know we're blessed to have all that we do with our jobs having a certain amount of certainty to them. So, you can understand that with the changes and fears, I'm forced to not do quite what I would like to do every year. This year is no exception and I have found I want to do a combination of AGW and the Scrapbook Expo

For those of you who don't know, I have been going to the scrapbook expo for the last few years, it's a great time to scrap, get things done that I wouldn't normally make the time to do - in that I was able to finish quite a few projects last year AND do 13 pages of scrapping. Not a bad thing considering that I don't really get a lot done at home (NONE).

So, without further fanfare, this years AGW will be moved slightly in times to the weekend of September 10th - 13th to coincide with the Scrapbook Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah. I would love for all those that don't scrapbook to think about this as well as there are a lot of fun things to do in Utah other than scrapbook. If you need a rundown, I can get you the info! It will be a fun weekend and you're all welcome to join in!

I have reservations at the Residence Inn Salt Lake City Sandy 270 West 10000 South Sandy, UT 84070 USAPhone: Work 1-801-561-5005 Fax:: 1-801-561-9672

We'll be attending the all day session on Friday the 11th and all day on Saturday the 12th. We'll see if we can't get VIP tickets as well, so whoever is interested in joining in on VIP for Friday, let me know and I'll get the tickets. This year I KNOW I have to be on the computer the MOMENT the clock strikes it's hour as within a few minutes they are ALL gone it would seem!

So - who's interested?? Anyone? Everyone?

Flowers from the AGW has been placed for Janey

I hope you all like this spray that was chosen.

I'm sad to announce the passing of one of our AGW memebers.

2006

Janey center

Janey is the 4th one from the left

Janey on the right

And now on the left

2004

Janey on the right - middle row - Sams "club" (Town) atrium

3rd from the left in deep discussions over dinner!

2nd on the right - yep, all we do is eat, gab and eat some more on these things!

2003 AGW

Top row right

Janey will always be remembered as the first to smile and laugh at all our escapades during the weekend. She will be dearly missed at the All Girls Weekends.

Cruises Oh, My!

OK, it's decision time... Who is going to seriously do the cruise with us this year? I have 5 confirmed travelers currently. I do need to solidify this in order to make some key decisions on destinations and travel itineraries.

What I'm trying to accomplish at this point is a count of those that would be willing to commit financially to this trip and make reservations.

I would like to get a firm headcount by the 2nd of February. Once I get a firm head count, we'll start talking which cruise we would like to go on.

Looking at Carnival Cruises out of San Diego to Catalina and Ensenada we can get an inexpensive cruise (less than $200 per person) so for those of you driving down, this would be the least expensive route to go. If we find that participation is limited and flights will be involved for all, we may look into Bahama cruises. It's all flexible at this point.

Trying to find a good fit. I think leaving out of San Diego would be best if leaving from West coast, and if leaving from East Coast I'm game for just about anywhere... most seem to leave out of Miami, so I would by flying either way (10 hour drive doesn't thrill me either Janet!)

So far, I have interest expressed by:
Marilyn
Laura
Janet
and me

Some have said they would not travel on a cruise without a spouse. That's really your call - if you want to have a spouse come along, the more the merrier (not you mom - we're sneaking out without our men so they can watch the girls!!!)

Linda's photo's here (well, Gails, but Linda's Blog)

http://librarylindasblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/all-girls-weekend-2008.html
NO, I really didn't lick that glass... yuck... although, if I thought I could have licked my way through... maybe, just maybe I would have tried it!

Suz's pictures from the weekend

Can be seen here:
http://sumidafamily.blogspot.com/2008/11/agw-2008.html

Pictures from Donna

We're HERE!!!
We all made it to Vegas and are ready to PLAY!

OK, more like gossip, eat and visit, but we're here!







The one downer of the day was that Janey wasn't able to be with us this year. She was sick the morning of departure and wasn't
able to come :o( I even brought the dobbers from prior years
Bingo events - I wanted to go play BINGO!!!
You were missed Janey!!


EEEK - there was a MAN in the mix... OK, so not quite a man, but Hayden came to join us for the weekend. Katie was flying out to Kansas City with her mother in law and Linda and Gail were taking Hayden back to Cedar with them, so it was the perfect opportunity for us (mom and I) to see and play with the latest member of our family!






Dinner this year was at Don Miguel's in the Orleans Casino. They had good food and even better company!

















Horrible self portraits - however, this is the beginning of Blue Man Group - they handed out tissue paper for us to "decorate" ourselves for the show :o)

Janet - we took your picture on your camera - you'll have to share with us on the blog!
We had a good time, although it wasn't what I expected of the show. VERY loud, very rock and roll - guess I should have figured that out as it was percussion stuff, eh? Oh, well, it was an experience!











The band members... they glowed in the dark in this paint those outfits. Fun to watch

Mom and I on our way to the Ethel M's Chocolate!!

We even enjoyed the hot tub for a bit on Sunday evening!

Monday morning dawned for the Chocolate walk - we started at the Fashion Place Mall - for what else, Chocolate!

Things got out of hand after our wonderful BREAKFAST of Chocolate Fondue!

Chihuli Glass ceiling- love this artist!

We walked to the Bellagio where we saw all of the wonderful fall decorations in place for Thanksgiving. I'm just glad they didn't do what all the malls and shopping places are - putting Christmas out before Thanksgiving. It was nice to see the wonderful fall colors and decorations.

Around the corner is another chocolate heaven - the chocolate fountain is HUGE there, but unreachable. Others will have to post the pictures we're we were attempting to "eat" it... and no, I wasn't licking the glass... wouldn't have done any good :o( hee hee hee!

Hayden even had his first ever cab ride. I'm sure that cab driver was ready to chuck me out, I had LOTS of questions!! He had little or no answers, but he did confirm that the Aladdin is now the Planet Hollywood Casino. There is a new HUGE hotel/casino being built along the strip and as near as I can tell it used to be the old Boardwalk. The Frontier is now gone, gone, gone... so there are a lot of changes going on out there....

I've tried to get this to line up for HOURs now... I'm done! If you want full size photo's let me know!