My 50th B-Day Extravaganza!!

I had the greatest birthday celebration that
any "old" lady could have hoped for.
A continual week long celebration -- full of surprises!

First, Kraig surprised me with a much needed get-away to Las Vegas. He had been spent the last couple of months traveling to and from New Zealand. So we left on my birthday morning for a few days. It was 110 in Vegas and we stayed at the Mandalay Resort complete with fantastic pools, lazy river and wave pool! It was great! Then ... he went even further and while I was sitting by the pool that late afternoon -- some "lady" asked me if the lounge chair next to me was taken and when I looked up, it was my daughter Jessica and her husband, Nate. It was really fun to relax by the pool, see the sights (and CRAZY people), eat great meals and celebrate with them. Jessica took great pictures and posted them on her blog -- you'll have to go there now to see the other fun pictures.

BUT THAT'S JUST

THE BEGINNING . . .

After Las Vegas, I had already planned a trip to Southern California to help my Mom organize some of her closets in preparation for her to try and sell it. I knew that my sister Cathy was going to come and help (because she lives there) and a high school friend (Kit Miller) who I hadn't seen for quite a while was going to stop by, but I didn't expect the two other surprises that awaited.

(Picture of my Mom and Kit)

My sister Cyndi (who flew in from Washington) came walking out of the bedroom! It was so much fun to be able to see her and spend time with her and my sister Cathy, together.

Then, our friend Kit, finally tracked down our other high school friend, Heather Hale whom we have been searching for, for years! Kit found Heather's brother on the internet and Kit and Heather finally connected. Kit thought it would be a fun surprise to bring her along with her. It was sooooo great! We talked Kit and Heather into spending the night and we spent the next 26 hours at the table talking and talking and crying and talking and trying to catch up on what had happened in our lives for the past 20 years! We only stopped for potty breaks, food, and a short nap!

(Heather and Kit)

What an fantastic surprise and a wonderful time spent rekindling GREAT friendships! We did spend a few hours organizing -- HONEST! Here is a picture to prove it!

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF

THE GIRLS

FROM THE PAST!

1. 2.

3. 4.

5. 6.

7.

8.

1. Kit (aprox. 1978-79?)

2. Cyndi (1982?)

3. "Sheri" (Love Boat Cruise 1979ish?)

4. Heather, Cathy, Sheri (Love Boat Cruise 1979ish?)

Terri "Trombley"was also on the cruise.

5. Heather (Love Boat Cruise)

6. Skinny Heather and Sheri (Love Boat Cruise)

7. Cathy (1988) Have no other pics of Cathy as a teen (long story)!

8. My Mom on her 50th B-day with me in the background.

Why did she seem so old!

Back From Vacation

Trying to get caught up!

Will post something new soon -- thought you needed a break from "Bagelhead" dudes!!!

Bagelheads from Japan

I couldn't get this website to link to my blog but I could copy the picture and the text below. Really too weird for words!

"In their perpetual pursuit to “out-weird” the rest of the world, the Japanese have resorted to perhaps the stupidest body mod fad of all-time. No, those kids up there in the photo aren’t suffering from progressed brain tumors. Rather, they are bagelheads: people who modify their body so that it looks like a giant bagel is growing out of their skin. The look is accomplished through the use of a saline solution drip, which is injected at your local tattoo/piercing shop by a professional piercer. The injection causes massive swelling, which can then be molded and pressed into the shape of your choosing."

C-R-A-Z-Y

Slightly Soggy/Slightly Sunny Girl's Camp

We had so much fun being "Giselle" at our girl's camp, however as things got wetter and colder we had to abandon our puffy sleeves for a different look! One of the cook's husband is a photographer and took a great picture of all 25 of us with our outfits on but I haven't received it from him yet.

Random shots of our "Princessess"!

On one of our only nice afternoons, we went on the 5-mile hike with the "2nd-year" girls.

We had wonderful camp cooks that cooked our meals.

Quite a set up!

They even did a funny skit for us!

Three of our girls from our group joined all of the other "4th-Year" girls for a 4-day 20 mile back-packing/hiking trip. It's what the 4-year girls do! They came into camp on Thursday afternoon to a welcome parade. We line the road with noisemakers to welcome them "home." It is such an emotional accomplishment for them to complete the hike and to have them come back. We brought along a wading pool and filled it with foot soaking stuff and marbles and pampared their feet back at our camp. They were so happy!

Kelsey was one of our YCL (Youth Camp Leaders). They planned and carried out the goings on at camp. This was her 6th and last year at camp!

Every day we would have a flag ceremony where the flag would be taken down and we would all link arms and sing "Proud to be an American" -- choked me up every time!

It was a fun year at camp!