Attention Everyone Who Reads This Thread!~~

The Shrinkin' Violets are planning a meet and we cordially invite you to attend!

When: Fri., May 16 - Mon., May 19

Where: Deep Creek Lake, in Western Maryland

Who: Anyone who'd like to come!!

What: Talking, drinking, spa treatments, talking, photo ops, not much sleeping, bonding, drinking, talking, fun, surprises... and more!

RSVP: ASAP to mdrai

For those who will be flying in to the Washington, DC, area... you have 3 choices for airports: BWI (outside Baltimore), Dulles (in Virginia), and Reagan National (in DC). I've listed these in order from best to worst... so try to get into BWI! You'll want your flight to ARRIVE on FRI, MAY 16, in the MORNING (by 11am - Noon)! You'll want your flight to DEPART on MON., MAY 19, in the EVENING (after 6pm). Why? Because it's about 1 hour from the airport to my house (our staging area)... then approx. 3 hours to the Lake. Please try to coordinate flights, so efficient pick-up, drop off can be organized!

If anyone wants to fly in on Thurs., May 15 or out Tues., May 20, I'll be happy to pick you up @ the airport AND you may stay here at my home.

Questions? PM me or post them here.

Again -- EVERYONE IS INVITED! The more the merrier!

For this second round of "rsvp'ing", so far I have (in no particular order & sorry if I've missed someone!!)...

1. me

2. Jennifur

3. Terridoodle

4. Judy

5. Kat

6. Pam

7. TracyK

8. Laura

Yes, that is your estimate total lodging cost, including Sun night in SA.

why thank you for such a quick answer. LOL

I am just so thrilled. I can't wait til i can book my flight, hopefully by the end of next week. I'm cc deprived so i need the cash to book.

I'm looking at $1000 for the weekend, but that allowing $400 spending money for the weekend, which I would hope I wouldn't spend, but being cc deprived, I don't want to worry about anything.

I am in, even if I go it alone that is how excited i am. LOL but at least i know tracyks is in, she has her flight. LOL

Terry~ Thanks but this is a spouse free weekend. Also, she is retiring "officially" being out processed that weekend. I got totally lucky cause she wants to go through the process in AZ, which is her home state. Initially, about 6 months ago, she asked if I could go with her, and I said I couldn't take the time off work. Now, for the same weekend I am taking the time off work to go be w/ ya'll (I am practicing). Anyway, she doesn't remember wanting me to go now...and is happy going w/ her mom. Her "official" retirement party will be in April (we think) and I wouldn't miss that for the world. My parents are acutally coming down from Reno to be there, bro, fam. etc. Her, who is currently in Iraq, is waiting to hear the final date and will come home for that. Also, (bragging here), she will awarded the Merit of Legion award at the retirement ceremony. It is a very big deal and I am so proud of her! Ok, enough about her...Should I bring my pink cowgirl hat?

Can we start booking flights yet? Has anyone booked yet? I don't want to get the refundable tix, it costs more. Are we for sure a go for that weekend?

shoot, i'll be wearing mine!!!

hat that is

Tracyks booked her flight this morning, and if i could mine would be booked.... i'll either book with mom's cc or wait until next week and book with my paycheck on Friday. I'm so excited ... I'm going to experiment with drugs, I don't want to be too out of it when I get there. I forgot I have anti anxiety pills I might just take them for 2 weeks prior to the trip to calm my nerves, but i now have a script from my dr that I'm going to try to see how i react. I'm super sensitive to meds.

well ladies, i'm off to work, i'll catch up with every one later

Laura was going away today? Tuscan??? we miss you ... have fun

Judy... we need to work it... I'm going to fly... i have to keep saying it so I convince myself I cant back out

If you have a pink cowgirl hat, by all means you should bring it...but only if you have pink boots & belt to match! LOL

I just realized that the pics of the B&B don't look all that great....the landscape looks so blah. This complex is actually about 1 mile down the road from Gruene, and within a mix of oak trees and pasture land. Very Texas-like! As you approach the town of Gruene, it gets greener (no pun intended) because you approach the river, obviously. We'll have to drive down there when we're ready to go, but there's plenty of parking and we should only have to make that little trek a couple of times. Oh, and the real beauty of this whole thing is that it's completely, massively casual....T-shirts and capris or shorts and flip flops. If you dress any fancier you'll look like a tourist!! LOL Can't have that!

Jenn - I can't imagine that you'd spend that much in cash unless you're gonna buy a boatload of T-shirts!! But I hear what you're saying...better too much than not enough.

Mazie?? how does it look for you?

I'm going to ask for massive gift cards for clothes for my bday. I am very comphy in a 16 now but hope by time we go to lose at least 20lbs. I love jean mini's and flip flops so that is just about my speed. very casual.

I will have to bring home gifts for my kids. maybe a hat for dd, she needs a new one. But i'll need gas money too, for my 5 hr trip. LOL

I will call the Gruene Mansion Inn and get a firm handle on the rooming cost. Keep in mind that Haydee, TracyK (?) and I will be pitching in extra for the rooms since we aren't flying...so I'll figure out how that will work, too (somehow!).

I would love to help out like that since we have no air fare.

Jenn-love how you are going to "try out the drugs" first. If you need a second opinion, send some my way LOL

Pam: Yes, I'm flying in on Midwest.. booked it this morning... I will be arriving San Antonia at 11:05 a.m. and then departing at 4:pm on Monday.......... so no matter what I'm going to be in TX that weekend!!!! LOL

For those of you craving warm weather, print out this picture and just hang on 'til May!!!

This is the beautiful Guadalupe River....and some folks having a grand time...

This Is Exactly Up My Alley!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tracy...WOOT! I am so glad you are going to be there too!

Judy-it would not be the same without you