I asked the moderators to lock the old thread. This is the official countdown thread, so please keep this thread updated and let me know if there are any changes. I know at least 2 people have rooms booked at Harrah's on The Strip but I'm not sure where everyone else is staying.

I copied this list from the old thread, but I removed some names of people that said they can't make it (but I think they should re-change their minds and come!)

Vines - CONFIRMED

Christina - CONFIRMED

Michelle (staying at Harrah's) CONFIRMED

Hostess DeLarla & Chris (that's me, Lisa) BOTH CONFIRMED

Terri (coyotegirl) (don't need a room) TERRI CONFIRMED

Francesca & SO (staying at Harrah's on the Strip) CONFIRMED

Bushbaby - CONFIRMED

Vegas Angie - confirmed for Saturday but can't be at Buca

Vegas Christina - confirmed for party and dinner

Jenna -CONFIRMED

Rica and DH (no room needed, staying at Orleans)

IS THIS ACCURATE? PLEASE POST ANY CHANGES - thanks

I'll write a separate post with directions to my house. I'm sorry, but I can't offer rides to and from airports or hotels this year because there's only one of me and 20 of you (I learned the hard way last year!) But I am offering rides to anyone with special needs (wheelchairs, crutches etc.) but only if I'm not intoxicated yet. If anyone is driving and doesn't mind giving rides, the airport is 5 minutes from my house, and as of last month cost $14.00 to get to my house. The strip is 7 miles away. Last year people paired up and shared cab fare (about 10 minutes to Harrah's.)

Friday night at Buca di Bepo (corner Flamingo and Paradise.) Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. It's a busy place so we won't wait for late-comers, but you will NOT go hungry at Buca once you finally show up. Buca serves food "family style" which means there will be huge platters of food all over the table and will be plenty for later folks. However, try to show up at 5:00 p.m. for drinks. I will be there at 5:00 p.m. I will post a separate thread with the menu and directions to Buca. Please bring $15.00 - $20.00 cash per person. I think last year was around $13.00 each, but there are more people this year and I think I'm going to order an extra dish or two. Everybody will pay for their own drinks separately (either walk up to the bar or ask a waiter.)

Last year we spent several hours at Buca, then some of us walked across the street to Terrible's Casino, while everyone else hit The Strip. I will probably hang out at Terrible's for an hour then go home to get well rested for the next day.

I'm not setting a time for Saturday. If you want to "ease in" to the whole Bash experience, come over early since I'll be up cooking, chopping, mixing my famous Ice Tea's (DeLarla's Ice Teas, that is, so hand over your keys.) You don't have to bring anything, but if you want to bring your famous dish or the ingredients, please join us in the kitchen, which ended up being the heartbeat of last year's party. My kitchen leads to the pool and all areas of the house, and it was great to have us all their preparing and cooking together. If you really want to contribute something but can't pack the ingredients in your suit case, there are grocery stores within minutes that I can bring you to.

Games:

DeLarla's Famous Name Game: I'm going to put a label on your back with a famous name, and you have to figure out who you are. Now that I have my own business, expect a very tasty treat from my inventory for your prize.

Please bring a White Elephant Gift for an exchange. I have no idea what that means, but it was fun. I think it's supposed to be something new you have lying around the house, but last year there were candles, photo albums, crystal, etc. The gifts all get set on the table, and we can pick numbers to see who goes first, and this will start at 1:00 then lead into other games (but only if someone else comes up with games and can run them.) Then we'll start the clothing exchange so nobody gets left out. If you want to participate in the games, you have to be there on time.

Clothing exchange: Bring all clothing you no longer wear, regardless of size. This will be the last year for the clothing exchange because I don't have room to store the stuff. Ladies, I don't have half of what I had last year, so start shipping boxes if you wish to donate. All left over clothing goes to Opportunity Village, which offers employment opportunities to physically and mentally handicapped folks (they actually work at the stores where the clothes will get sold.)

If anybody else wants to set up some games, please do so. I will donate a handful of items from my awesome inventory as prizes.

There's no set time for eating Saturday - it's an all day munching thing.

You can stay as late as you want, but most people cleared out by sunset because everyone wanted to party in Vegas - I won't let anyone intoxicated drive, so if you plan on drinking a lot, plan for a cab fare (or mooch a ride from someone.)

I have no plans for Sunday, but if anybody wants to see the beautiful side of Vegas, I can fit 4-5 non-gamblers in a truck and would love to take you on a breathtaking scenic ride through Redrock Canyon (very historical; original Vegas settlers, Indians living off the land, potential for wild mustang & burro sightings - MAJOR PHOTO OPS.) We can leave early and be back within less than 2 hours. Or I'll just lie on the couch and nurse my hangover, or meet for Bingo or Brunch.

What did I forget? Directions to my house and to Buca will soon follow.

P.S. I planned the Bash a year ago, but I just starting my own business this month, so this is not a plot to sell you anything and I won't be offering demonstrations or turning the Bash into work. However, there are "adult themed" products on display in my office. If this offends you, I can throw sheets over the table or you can avoid entering my office. It's just too much work to break down my display every time company comes over, so please PM me if you really want me to pack everything up. A lot of it is normal G-rated bath-type products, but I don't want anyone shocked if they accidentally wander into the office thinking you're going potty. THE BATHROOM IS ON THE LEFT, so don't open the door straight down the hall and you won't see my Coochie! Ha Ha, that was totally innocent because Coochie is just a shave cream that prevents red bumps! See, I'm totally innocent!

Oh Vines, I am soooo nurvous also!!! I was actually thinking about writing a post here about how shy I am. Face to face I ofter come off as being stuck up because I am VERY QUIET!! So PLEASE don't think I am. Just give me time and I am sure I will warm up! My SIL use to hand me a drink just as soon as I walked into her house because she said I was too quiet! Give me a drink and you can't shut me up!!!!

I AM SOOOOOO LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!

10 days and counting!!!!!!!! :)

Trish, Guess what? I already have my suitcase's out! I got them out last weekend!!

I don't have anything in them yet but they are sitting here waiting to be filled!

For all of you ladies who are nervous...Dont be nervous.

( what are you nervous about? Or is it excitement?)

This years group is smaller then last years, it is very low key and very casual just like Lisa said. It's about getting together and finally getting to know eachother on a more personal level. Lisa is a great host and makes you feel very at home..Bring your cameras and appetite, and I hope you all can drink! ( and swim) LOL and I hope you all are ready to laugh your asses off. If it is anything like last years bash...you're gonna have a blast!!!

Lisa are you making Carols famous Margaritas?

Saturday menu:

30 Item salad Bar (I've never attempted this feat so don't get mad if there's only 27.)

Poo-poo platter food:

Buffalo Meatballs (I found this recipe here at LBT - sounds good!)

Pork Sausage Eggrolls

Crab Rangoons

Rumaki

DeLarla's Famous Ice Tea (potentially toxic)

La Madam is bringing some fabulous berry/cream cheese delight dip.

Lisa- which Buca loaction is it?? I need to know so Vines & I show up at the right place (location).

I can't wait to go- I have been talking baout it everyday for a week now!!!

Thank GOD My Wedding Dress sold!

Vines-I can't wait to see you- We'll have sooo much fun!- around 3:00 to 3:30 pmFriday-right??- I'll be sure to be waiting at the room for you-roomie!!! :0)

I got my white elephant gift!!! I may even bring two- They're both really nice - I think;0) or maybe not-LOL LOL

Christina,

Buca di Bepo is on Flamingo at Paradise (it's not on the very corner, but go to the North-East corner of Flamingo and Paradise and you'll see it across the street from Terrible's Casino.

Thanks Michelle- I must have missed this post- thank you

My flight gets in at 3:00. I'll need to wait for baggage, for my big old suit case. No worries, it will be practically empty. I'm bringing it so I bring home stuff! Idon't expect to get to the hotel until about 4:00

Casual. Think CASUAL! No worries. Be comfy.

Geeze, ya know what we SHOULD have done? A pajama party! It's not too late! I know I'll be barefoot - that's a given.

If I didn't think I'd die of embarassment, I'd suggest we ask Lisa to host a "slumber party." But Heck, I wouldn't even tell people I was pregnant because it would have been proof that I"d been having sex.

I went to a sex toy party, not knowing what I was getting my self into. I didn't even know it was a sex toy party! And it was co-ed! There was this... battery operated "toy" that... gyrated. It was pinkish and knobbly. Someone turned it on and set it on the floor where it proced to crawl accross the floor. I'm still embarrased, 20 years later.

KATRINA RELIEF

Last week I went to New Orleans for the first time because my new Slumber Parties sisterhood is centralized in Louisiana. The sky was thick, hot and shattered with lightening last week - you could tell something horrible was brewing. Chris and I made it home safe, but lots of girls got trapped in the airport with no electricity for four hours and missed their flights because of a flash monsoon. That monsoon scared the daylights out of them, but it was nothing compared to this week.

The timing is strange - the fun, feathered Mardi Gras masks I bought are sitting by the TV as the news flashes death and destruction. I'm so very, very sad and very lucky at the same time. I suddenly have a profound connection to New Orleans, and if my training was one week later, all 500 of us girls in training would be trapped there right now.

Some of you know I just bought my own business called Slumber Parties by Lisa B. Slumber Parties was founded by Kim Brecheen, and it's all about women! About half the distributors work part time, but half the full time WOMEN earn about $212 an hour, all because Kim had a dream to promote women. I had never been to a Slumber Party, yet I invested a hefty sum in the business because I was simply blown away by Kim's background and the reputation and success of her business. Even though Kim has 6000 distributors nationwide, she treats each one of us like a sister and individually makes each of us feel special, independent, and empowered. Her generosity is remarkable - even though her warehouse (an hour away from New Orleans) wasn't affected, she closed the doors so her employees could stay home with their loved ones, and then she opened up her own home and packed in people that needed shelter.

I wish I had the resorces to be half as generous... but WE DO! I just saw a plus-size woman crying on TV after swimming down her street. She survived because people pulled her out of the Water and gave her the (plus size) clothes she was wearing.

So after the clothing exchange, I'm sure Opportunity Village won't mind if we send the extras to victims of Katrina.

I will pay for boxes, tape and shipping. I'll personally do the research to find out where to send all the badly needed clothes and toiletries. If you want to contribute to Victims of Katrina, bring to the Bash clothing and toiletries. Not just plus size, but kids, mens - whatever you can contribute. The return labels will come from Lapband Buddies around the Country (or something from all of us.) I don't want to hire a moving van, but even if it's just enough clothes, soap, toothpaste and shampoo for one or two families...

Maybe we can all pack the boxes together at the Bash? Wait...this just gave me a great idea. Maybe every year we can do something similar as a joint effort to a charity that needs us?

Now back to our regularly scheduled Bash!

Comments, ideas, suggestions?

Vine, I think you're talking about the famous Rabbit Pearl! It was voted the Number One toy by Glamour and Cosmo, but it got super famous in an episode of Sex and the City. Charlotte bought one and didn't leave the house for weeks (I haven't seen the episode, but I want to.)

Yes, I carry the famous Rabbit Pearl, but I don't want to embarrass anyone! My lingerie and goodies are always on a very tasteful display in my den, but anything that MOVES is zipped up, locked up and stored! If anyone wants a private demo, just yank me by the ear and drag me to a private room.

Once again, if ANYONE has a problem with the lingerie and lotions that are on display in my den, let me know now and I'll re-arrange things. Please don't be afraid to ask. The Bash came first. If I had a bigger house, I wouldn't even have mentioned Slumber Parties till after you all left, but it's getting squishy around here! The bags of clothes for the exchange are shoved behind doors, in my closet and even in the bathroom!

To give you an idea of how serious I'm taking my new new business, I bought five of those big storage bins (like giant Tupperware) but they filled up too quick so I went back and bought three more. Then another, then two more. I'm up to 10-12 bins packed with inventory. I'm getting really creative with storage space!

I Will NOT be crawling around Vegas!!! I got my scooter rented and it only cost $125 for 3 days!! They are going to drop it off at the Hotel on Fri. and pick it up on Sun. I was so relieved because the first price they gave me was $100 per day!

So Lisa tell your dogs they don't have to pull me around your house on your office chair! and yes you can drive it!!!!

Lisa I think that sending the clothes to the victims of Katrina is a WONDERFUL IDEA!!! I will talk to some of my parents at school about childrens clothes! I am sure there are little ones in need. I sit and watch the tv with tears running down my face. I would love to help where I can!

2 years ago we had a HUGE forest fire here. It went right through my small country town and wiped out many many homes. (thankfully not mine) 5 houses right across the street from me were totally gone! I remember how many people came to help us out in our time of need. ( avacuated for 12 days) People that stayed came to feed and Water our chickens and watered our plants, watched our house. some of my neighbors could not even get in to their homes to get their pets. The Red Cross and FEMA really took good care of us. Soooo many helped us so I would love to help others in need. I pray for all those poor people every night!

Terri, my late mother-in-law rode a scooter. One night we were at a casino and I saw this cute guy flying through the casino way too fast, then I noticed it was my husband riding Mamma's scooty. Boy was that funny. They're fun to ride. Now he has 3 bulging discs so we joke about trading in his Harley for a scooter that we'll paint with flames and add some chrome and a racing flag. My 50 pound Pitbull will probably try to jump in your lap and go for a ride. Sorry in advance!

I called the local Red Cross who gave me the headquarters in DC. Once I have the stuff boxed up, I'll arrange for shipping. Or I can ship directly to the warehouse of my corporate office. Lots of gals there are doing joint efforts to help out, so they might be able to distribute them directly. Thanks for thinking of the kids.

I Will NOT be crawling around Vegas!!!

So.. this means you won't be drinking enough of Delarla's Ice Tea???

Vine, we'll have to take the remote control away from Terri!

HEY EVERYONE, don't forget about free Harley rides! If you want a fun ride with either me or Chris, make sure to bring some jeans and sturdy shoes.

Attire for Buca isn't formal. I'll probably be in jeans and sandals.

Attire for the Bash is bathing suits, shorts & sweats.

I have a really cute size 20-26 bathing suit dress that I can loan to someone for the day. I'll probably be in a one-piece suit with sweat shorts and barefoot or slippers.