The evidence is in! Michigan G2G pics...

I know we said we weren't going to do a whole bunch of posts, but I just had to add my 2 cents.... since I was given the opportunity to be in charge of getting the pictures up (that way I can axe the really bad ones of me! pretty sneaky, huh?) I'm gonna gab a bit...

I was so excited when I got up Saturday morning. I literally bounced out of bed at 6:30... being wakened by a screaming kid and a terrorized cat... even though I had been up until after 2 am finishing up the magnets to give everyone. My buns were dragging by the end of the day, which just so happened to extend slightly into today.

I called Chi at about 10:00 est to make sure she and Karen were still coming. I had to hunt for her number, but I found it!

A little later, Ashezz called to let me know that her boyfriend was going to take her and that she wouldn't be needing a ride there.

The rest of the time I spent trying to remember everything that I knew I was going to forget to bring.

Finally... TIME to go!

The ride out was beautiful... lots of farm land once we got off the expressway. I just love the more rural parts of Michigan :o)

After following mapquests directions and not finding the road I was looking for, and hearing many rounds of "Are we there yet?" I took a chance and turned at the only paved road I saw in either direction for a couple of miles. I made the right choice! I saw a USM paper plate tacked to a pole! I was going the right way!! Mapquest had the name wrong.... way wrong.

I finally arrived at the campgrounds... only a little later than some, but before others (an accomplishment for me, BTW).

There were a couple of pavilions, but at one, they seemed to be hovering at the entrance... waiting to pounce! I thought that must be the one :o)

I immediately got big hugs from DMK and MotherLove. So cool to finally meet the "real" people. I didn't really know MotherLove very well, but I now feel like I do. She's very open and talkative (kinda like me... we're twins, ya know!) DMK is an angel for pulling this together. She worked her tail off all day playing hostess, and she was sick to boot. She deserves an award for her efforts.... as a result, we didn't get to visit as much as we could have, but now I know she's not THAT far from me... we can fix that.

And then Ashezz.... That was amazing. We connected right from my first visit in chat a little over 5 years ago. She adopted me as her USM Mom that same night, I think. We've talked on the phone many, many times. She's an amazing girl... correction: young woman... who has wisdom far beyond her years.

Chi and Karen arrived next, with their little rugrats. More hugs all around. I've met them both before, and it was really nice to get the chance to see them again, in a very different type of environment.

We didn't see much of the kids until later in the day. They were having too much fun in the lake with Psiborg, who was an absolute slave to them (and us) all day long. He's truly a saint for what he endured. He needs to be on that awards list, too.

Then Alissa arrived with more hugs and our group was complete. She's a very interesting person to talk to... and she likes my aura. ;)

That last paragraph started with a bit of a mis-statement... our group never got to be quite complete. Penny wasn't able to make it. She was with us in spirit, but we missed her bunches.

George and Ginger were also unable to attend and their absence was missed. I think they take too little credit for this creation of theirs... They keep giving credit to US, the members, for making it what it is, but it took THEIR vision to get it started and THEIR endurance to keep it going... something that, I'm sure, is at times a thankless task. I thank you both, from the bottom of my heart, for this vision. (And stop being quite so humble... you make the rest of us look bad!)

What a colorful, amazing group we made. It was comfortable, friendly, fabulous, and incredible. I highly recommed the experience to anyone who has the opportunity. It was a day I'll never forget.

oh... and here's where you can see the pics: http://www.snapfish.com/share/p=774261119835677257/l=51953477/cobrandOid=1000131/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

You have to register, but they don't send much crud.

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