My Experience with The 2007 Get Together!...... :D Amanda

*Waves to everyone* Hiya!

Welp, it's time to share my experience of this year's GTG. These are always SO Exciting, that if you ever get a chance to go to one, you really shouldn't pass them up. They are REALLY that much fun.

The beginning of this journey for me, started in February, when I got the first list for the name tags. Even before then, we had the park secured, but this was when I was preparing to start one of my most proud parts, and that is the tags. Many people were Amazed to find out that I did in fact start them months ago with the help of Ginger, by the supplying of the gel pens. You might be wondering why I am mentioning this at all.. But, those of you who were, for one reason or another, not able to come, ultimately, will still get you name tag if you were on the definite list of mine. Ginger took them with her, and when they get settled back in, I am sure she will message you as needed to send them to their perspective owners. Thank you so MUCH Ginger, for the awesome Pens, and the mailing of the tags for me!! :)

---- Now, onto the G2G ----

Thursday night was our first night meeting people. A few of us arranged to meet for Dinner at Shoney's. Mom and I (Nakoma and the lil man stayed home), were so anxious! We planned to meet Emi, Wye and Ms. Priss at (I think) 7 that night. :D

I was so giddy, nervous, happy and excited, that I bet if gravity would have allowed it, I'd have been the equivalent of a pinball bouncing all over the place!! ROFLMAO! hehe

When we arrived, I spotted Emi and Wye right away through the window. And Immediately walking through the doors had to steal a hug from her! It was truly like meeting an old friend. All nervousness just melted away instantly! :D

We had just been seated when Priss walked in. Hugs again were passed between us, and from that moment on, I don't remember there being any silence whatsoever. lol... There was a whole lot of laughs, a few jokes, and plenty of life stories shared. We talked a little on USM, and we all smiled a whole lot. We all thoroughly enjoyed watching Priss harrass the waitress (but it was mutual, the waitress was enjoying the game- and had a wacky sense of humor too). It was hilarious!.

Before we left, Priss was going to take the "Please wait for Host or Hostess to seat you" Sign.... But she asked if she could have it instead. lol. They were gonna give it to her too, but she was just joking around. :D It was cute. Perfect end to a very cool night. :D

*note here* We did chat around the vehicles a bit, something about big rears came up, and that made for more funny convo, but it would take too long to explain. I just wanted to mention it, cause I know Emi, Priss and Wye will get a giggle if they remember.. ;) hehe :D

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Day 1- Friday

We were late at getting there, because mom and Ronnie went over there first and ended up staying awhile playing, I think horse shoes, or something.. lol.. I didn't know what time she was getting back, and was waiting on her to get back so I could finish getting completely ready. Didn't know she'd take so long! lol.. So it put us behind... xD By the time she did get home, we waited another I think 30 min.'s for Koma to get home from work so that he could tag along with us, instead of his own vehicle. :D

Once we did Set off to the park though, I was the same big ball of nerves. I was so excited to see those I've met before and to finally meet those that I was about to for the first time. It's an amazing feeling to have! :)

When we finally arrived, everyone was already in full swing. Chatting and having fun, some of it, I'm sure I missed, but that's ok. :) Almost everyone rushed up and greeted us with hugs and hellos! It really was a sea of hugs, hi's and smiles for a few minutes, and you could feel the happiness radiating from the core. It was EVER so present that it could almost take solid form, I'm sure! :D

(Who was it that carried my Art box to the table? My memory stinks! lol.. I want to include you to give you a proper THANK you! hehe)... I walked over and started to organize the tags onto the table, distributing them as I went. I think everyone really liked them, so that made me smile, and made all the work, all the hours I put into them, totally worth it! That's why I do it, to bring that smile! hehe. :)

Thank goodness we brought Nakoma too, because, I would have never been able to chase Alex around that Park like Nakoma did on Friday. Lil man literally ran almost the whole park parameter! LOL.. Nakoma didn't mind though, mostly because he knew I couldn't do it, due to the new medication I am on, that and I would just not have been fast enough! LOL

The rest of Friday was just friendship, chatting, and a whole lot of fun. We ordered Pizza, and mingled. :D

Later that night when we all left, Nakoma, lil man and I went back to the hotel that everyone was staying at so that I could catch Kate checking in. I knew she was due to be there any minute. I walked in to talk to my uncle at the desk, and he told me that she was there, so I went to her room. I wanted to hand deliver her, her mother, and her father's name tags to them. :D I also wanted to, if she felt like it, take her to see Emi, Karen and Wye, cause I knew they were in the pool at that time. :D

So I walk down to her room, I knock, and was greeted by her lovely mom. I immediately saw Kate, and said hi. She looked at me and said,"But I don't have any make up on!".. hehe.. I didn't care, she was beautiful without it. :D

I took her toward the pool area but we saw wet footprints and knew they were already out of the pool. Funny story here. I took Kate to where Koma and the lil man could talk to her for a few minutes while I went up and was USM hunting. I followed the wet footprints to their rooms! LOL! hehe

We went and eventually found everyone, for her to meet. :D It was really cool. I was informed last night that I was the first USMer in Alabama that she met. I thought that was cool. :D

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Day 2- Saturday

Again, we are Late.. This time, it wasn't really anyone's fault though! lol.. We were cooking, and that took us a bit longer than we anticipated. BUT we did get there! lol.. When we did, we were greeted with many more hugs. I remember PNK coming all the way to the truck to say hi to us and give us a hug. :D hehe..

I think we missed most the water gun fight, but there was still a few that were warring. hehe.. I only got sprayed twice the whole time I was there. Had I known they had water guns, I wouldn't have worn a white shirt. xD And would have participated more.. hehe

The food was excellent and it was so much fun migrating from group to group. Chess and other games were being played (oops! Chess and the Other games, I guess were played Friday.. I got my days mixed up) while many of us just did what we do best, and that is Talk.

After we all ate. Ginger broke out the autograph books/stickers/ and pens. Omgoodness it was so much fun to sign everyone's books. I am still convinced I forgot a few, and am pretty sure I missed signing a few myself. If I did, I am so sorry. I promise to get it next time! :D

Kiara and Chops daughter Amanda took to me pretty well, and drew me a drago picture that I now have on my fridge. She and Alex had a good time for awhile, playing. He pretty much followed her around for the longest. hehe

Around 6 that night, Karaoke started up. O-M-G, I was nervous. Last time I sang in a public setting was on my birthday in December of Last year, so I knew I'd be RUSTY.. lol.. I Struggled a little bit, but Karen (Phantom Crow) noticed, and came up there, to stand with me. That immediately calmed me down. Karen, Thank you for that! :)

Every singly person that got up at that Mic, Sat. Night, COULD sing very well! I applaud them all, you all did a fabulous job!!! :D

We had a couple of goodbyes on Saturday, those are always hard. Donna and Larry left shortly after eating, and Chops & Kiara and their children left after karaoke. It was really hard saying goodbye to them. :(

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Day 3- Sunday (Last Day for Most)

Yep, Again, we were late.. lol.. Nakoma had to work, so it was just me and mom trying to herd lil man into getting ready, while trying to get ready ourselves. So it took us a little longer than it would have if Nakoma were here.. hehe :)

I was very saddened that I didnt get to say goodbye to Kate before she left. I know though, that she knows I wanted to be there, and that I am sending her a "see ya later hug" from afar. :)

So, we arrived to a much smaller crowed. It's so hard on the last day of these get togethers. There are lots of tears, especially for me. :)

After arriving Ray (Pre) was giving Karen (PC) a reading that scared him (Inever found out why-someone, please pm me and fill me in-LOL :p)... When he finished her reading, I asked him to do mine. I've never had a reading done before, so it was absolutely interesting. I wish I had taken notes on all that he said the cards meant, so I could include it here, but it was definitely accurate. Thank you Ray! :)



A little while after my reading George and PNK arrived with a LOT of food from Arby's and a Deli. Omgoodness it was Yummy. :D Totally hit the spot.. hehe.

After eating and getting stuff together, Irish Raven, Phantom and Sean told us that they had to go. I didn't want them to, but I knew they had to. I tried so very hard not to tear up, but I did a little, especially after they left. I can't help it, it's just how I am!

Darlene suggested that we play White Elephant (the gift stealing game-SO MUCH fun), so we all got into a circle. In the end I think everyone ended up happy. I can't remember what everyone got. But Lil man got a huge huggable Shrek doll that Emi and Wye brought to the white elephant, that he has now gotten very attached to. I think it may turn out to be lil' man's security blankey. He's sleeping with it right now.. lol :D (Imagine waking up to shrek every mornin'.. xD hehe)



I got a little Fairy that literally shows her backside.. lol! and I think mom got a toy airplane that she gave to Alex. That game though, no matter what you get, is always fun! :D

Right after the game though, Emi and Wye had to go too :( And so did Darlene and Stahl :( Everyone was leavin' us. And I was hugging Emi and trying hard not to cry again.

We hung around awhile and talked. Ranger kept my lil man in good spirits, by strolling him around like he was in a race car. Alex just laughed and laughed about it. It was adoreable. I told him he didn't have to do that, but he wanted to. :) Thank you Brion! :)



After a little while though, we all decided that it was too hot to hang around all afternoon and that we would meet up at Shoney's for Dinner later that night. :) (That I will leave for another post, this one is getting too long...lol)

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It is SO very Easy to say hi at these GTG's, but then It is really hard to say goodbye. You make these deep connections with the people from the get together's that it's almost impossible to really completely put into words just how awesome they are.

It would be impossible for me to put into words how much of an impact each of those that attended left on me. EACH of you made me Smile, each of you made me laugh, each of you when you left made me tear up, and each of you totally, completely and utterly ROCK! You are all awesome, and I cannot wait until 2009! I Hope that I get to see you all again then. :D

This year's gtg, I deem, A 100% bonafide, complete, UNDOUBTEDLY, SUCCESS!!!!!! :D

I love you guys! :D

Here are some other pictures you can take a looksee at, I forgot I had it half the time or there would be more! lol xD.. I'd have it in a seperate category than my other photobucket stuff, but I don't know how to do that. xD hehe..

GTG Pics I took

*HUGE HUGS*

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