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!

Everyone thank Bubbame for sending a box of clothes for the exchange! I didn't have time to go through anything, but they appear small, very nice, and the box smells Heavenly!

I can't wait for the clothes exchange!! I am so darn tired of wearing the same ol' crap!!! sounds like we will have alot to choose from.

I am going to be bring a suitcase full of clothes as well..

is everyone as excited as me? I really want to pack right now!

oh ya' I am gring my camera with lots of film. going to use every shot! hope everyone isn't camera shy!!!

Ladies, last year our extras went to Opportunity Village, where they got tossed in bins and eventually put on racks. This year we can get stuff directly into the hands of women who need it most almost immediately, as I'll ship the boxes Monday after the Bash.

I just got word directly from my corporate office in Louisiana that many of my co-distributors have their houses FULL of now-homeless families that lost everything. Everybody that has a home now has extra families living with them. The owner has people from 6 months to 83 years old living with her, and she just got electricity so they've been packed in crammed houses with no electricity since the storm hit. I'm personally adding to the boxes 5 tubes of toothpaste, 5 bars of soap, 10 toothbrushes and 5 Slumber Bubbles (they deserve to soak in our bubbles made with California Champagne after all this.)

Here's a direct quote: "Their needs are great and all donations will be greatly appreciated. We have extra warehouse space - Kim has everyone from 6 mo to 83 years old in her home. Money, gift cards, food, clothing, toys, etc, you can send them to the corporate office and they will go through everything and make sure they get to those who need it most. They are all so grateful for your prayers and concerns. Many now have no where to go. Kim just got electricity today."

Sounds like they could chocolate but it would probably melt. Is everyone else having a hard time digesting all that devastation?

By the way, I certainly don't want any kind of "thanks" or recognition from anyone in Louisiana. I'm obsessed with the news, that's all. All the boxes shipped will have custom labels from:

With Love and Prayers from

Lapbandtalk.com and the 2005 Las Vegas Band Bash

Francesca, I'm not sure that you'll find much cause you are so small now!

small? yeah right!! a 16, well smaller then I was for sure, I am sure there will be something for me to pick out... is there any 14,16 sizes?

Hey Lisa, How did your party go?

Hubby is going again.... on again off again..... I am glad he is going..... well he will just have to find things to do if he is board with the bash

I've already had two parties! So far, so awesome! Francesca, is hubby a manly man? Mine spends all day in the garage smoking cigarettes, using vulgar language, playing darts, welding, tons of tools, motorcycles, grunting, union talk, boy crap. All the guys love Chris. Lots of girls love him too, but he's really rough around the edges. Any other guys coming can scratch themselves and pass gas in the garage. You know, bond.

I personally don't have 14/16 in the 9 bags I have, but the box Bubbame sent looks like small sizes. I could have fit two items of MY clothing in the box she mailed, but there's a whole pile of her small size in that box. Bubba, you sure you were overweight?

Bubbame smells pretty, that's for sure! My dogs & cat love that box, too. Pheromones?

LOL - I got rid of my 20 -24's at a trade shop here and got down to 18, 16 and I do believe that is what is in the box. Now as for the smell thats my Laundry Soap cannot even remember the name but it does smell good huh? (Wow talk about short term Memory) Anyway yes I started at 24 a year ago and am down to 12 or 14's depending on what it is.. Enjoy the time is almost here:)

THE TIME IS GOING WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY TOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SLOOOOOOOOOOOOW

IS IT TIME TO GO YET?

I have put a sign up at my school and already had several parents talk to me about donating items to send. Not sure what kind of response I will get but any items will help.

Did you watch Dateline last night? OMG I cried so hard. There was a 10 year old boy that lost all his family and is staying in a shelter with strangers. That familly is taking care of him, but still OMG!! They ended the show with someone singing "Amazing Grace" I was riding my bike and had a hard time because I was crying so hard!

My heart goes out to all the victims there! I wish I could go there and help everyone of them. Or bring them all here!

Sorry everyone Im not going to make it to the Bash.. Have fun though!!!!!! and have a drink for me!

Aww Trish, I'm sorry you won't be able to make it to the bash, I was looking forward to meeting you.

Could you imagine having 25 people instantly living in your home? This is from the owner of my company in Lousiana:

"The staff is already receiving donations and keeping a log of what comes in to account for everything. I do remember donating to the Red Cross and never knew where my donation went - we are ready and willing to accept and do appreciate your kind hearts during this devastation. I can personally assure you, your donations will go to families in desperate need. Several of us have up to 25 people living in our homes. I have lived through several hurricanes and can tell you, I have never in my life seen anything like this."

Lisa how close are you to a grocery store or a 99 cent store. I ask becasue right now at my restaraunt I'm having a fundraiser over this 3 day weekend for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, I plan on sending the money raised to the Red Cross but I was thinking if I could get to a grocery store or some place to buy toiletries, diapers, underwear socks etc..in Las Vegas ( would need a ride) I can spend that money on that and you can send it with everything else, it would be great to know the exactly where the money went Or would it be easier if I went to Wal-Mart or Target and got gift cards to send? Let me know Oh and I heard on one of the local radios stations this morning that one of the things they need is plus sized womens clothing so it will be great to send the leftover clothes from the clothing exchange.

TRISH, WHAT'S UP!!! I really wanted to meet you!! Come on girl you can do it!! Just put down everything and say the Hell with it! Vegas here I come!! PLEASE??

Lisa, I am having a pretty good responce to the Katrina relief. I already have a big box of hotel size, shampoo, conditioner, bar soaps, liquid soaps, lotions etc... also have baby wipes, baby soap and shampoo. tooth paste and toothbrushes. I hope Kara's car can haul it and me there? LOL This was only day one and I got all this stuff. WOW!

I am so excited! I am off for 3 days!!!! YEA!!! 3 whole days with NO screaming kids!! God I love them but it's soooo nice to not be with them for ***3 WHOLE DAYS!!!***