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!

I was sort of hoping it was still tuesday myself. I'm still terribly nervous and scared to meet y'all.

I'm goin' though...

Vines you will have a blast. I did last year.

I'm still terribly nervous and scared to meet y'all

Vines, what in the world are you nervous about? If it is anything like last years bash you are going to have so much fun!

See you tomorrow Vines

too hard 2 type cuz wearing gloves as part of kinky sex... KIDDING. I spent a fortune on a French manicure so I gotta live in rubber gloves till you are all 2 intoxicated to noitice. Vine, talk about a fraud... I'm gonna pretend my nails always look like this.

I got your cream chz & crackers, Michelle.

Everyone, I'm off work tomorrow cleaing .... try my numbers & maybe I can come get u from airport - first come first serve. 702 269-9220 h 702 419-6054 cell

I'm so hyped... u should all see me spinnning in circles!

BUT oh noooooo... I screwde up big (huge) in the booze dept if you can believe that! It occured to me after buyingt all the ingredients that most peeps don't do carbonation, so I'm leaving my mixers out till they go flat... also, I forgot many don't do sugar, so how am i gonna make DeLarla's Toxic Tea ? I'm just gonna do it! I got some diet snapple tea & Water

Nothing went my way at the store, so I'm winging it with the recipes! SORRY, I should be shunned from the world of hostesses because there's no real crab at my market and I don't have time to hunt it down. Horrifying, I know! So I'm making seafood rangoons w/ shrimp & imitation crab & figuring out these chinese meatballs as I go along. Life's like a box of chocolates ya know!

GET HERE NOW.

Coyote, don't worry, thanks for NOT bringing too much. I've got tons to ship. Just bring you & the crayons & small stuff.

Someone grab Trish on the way - don't tell her hubby. xoxo SMOOOCH... can't wait to squeeze you people.

penni., there's still time... I say F it... TRUCE!

Wait? are you calling me a fraud? or outing your self you silly goose? It's almost midnight, and I'm wired. Oh sure, I just spent the last 4 hours working on my accounting homework. (may I take this opportunity to thank all the accounting majors out there? Since you like that work, there is no danger ever of me having to take any job that even closely resembles accounting...)

New groups of people really do scare me. Yeah, yeah, I know, the wost that can happen is that I'll be stomped to death. Again. No big deal, I know. But still, large clusters of people make me panic. Of course, it won't be like The Bite of Seattle... oh dear god...

I'm trying very hard to not talk myself out of going. Not to late to miss my flight...

Every morning I force myself out of bed against my will. After showering, I put makeup on to look like someone I'm not. Then I use deodorant so I don't have to smeel like a real woman. After drinking a soy shake that I don't like, I head to work where I plaster a fake smile on my face all day and pretend I'm someone I'm not. Am I a fraud? Yep, but I prefer the term Actress. Better yet, movie star.

Just in case anyone else is wanting it: Buca di Beppo Las Vegas - Paradise

412 East Flamingo Road

Las Vegas NV 89109

702.866.2867 Landmarks:

Across the street from the Terrible Herbst Hotel and Casino, next to Morton’s Steakhouse. 1 mile off the strip. East of Paradise and West of Swenson.

Directions:

We are located at 412 E. Flamingo, our cross street is Paradise and we are a ½ Blk east of Paradise. Look for the Terrible Herbst hotel and casino, we are right across the street.

FROM THE NORTH:

Head south on I-15, exit Flamingo East(or head south on Las Vegas Blvd.), pass through Paradise intersection. Buca will be on the left hand side. Make U-Turn about a half block up.

FROM THE SOUTH:

Head north on I-15, exit Flamingo East(or head south on Las Vegas Blvd.), pass through Paradise intersection. Buca will be on the left hand side. Make U-Turn about a half block up.

FROM THE EAST:

Head west on Flamingo Road. Pass through Swenson intersection. Buca will be on the right hand side.

FROM THE WEST:

Head east on Flamingo Road. Pass through Paradise intersection. Buca will be on the left hand side. Make U-Turn about a half block up.

Thanks Jenna.

Yeah, I'd peg you as a movie star too... Sorry you have to force all those things. I guess the only thing I can say to help you though that is ... may the force be with you!

oh, and I still do feel like a fraud because I haven't lost any sort of weight. Fraud and huckster= me

Yall have a great time!!! Have a drink (or four)for me too!!

Have fun everyone, I wish I could be there

VEGAS WEATHER

The wind just kicked up a bit. Hubby's been working on the yard and was thrilled that it finally cooled off. We probably won't see 100 this weekend, but you still only need summer clothes with highs in the 90s.

You might want to bring a little sweater or a pashmina (shawl) for inside air-conditioned casinos/restaurants. I'm still living in sleeveless & shorts. Capris at the most. But I always tie a pashmina on my purse when I go out (makes my purse cute, too.) This way I have a little wrap in case I get cold.

Also, if you've never flown into Vegas, the wind and heat might cause some extra turbulence. I've had my bumpiest rides coming into Vegas. If you're nervous, it's completey normal.

Trish, what happened? You were one of the first to confirm. Why can't you come?

I'm so jealous of all of you that are on your way to Vegas.

Lisa, you're one of the most real people I know so don't go calling yourself a fraud. Frauds don't open up thier homes and lives to strangers from an online forum!

I sure hope you and Penni work out whatever issue you have unresolved. You two have seen each other through way too much to not work things out. Do I sound like a mom?

I'm going to call and check in tomorrow. Maybe I'll have a cocktail while I'm on the phone with you so I can feel like I'm there. I certainly am in spirit.

Megan