Warning - this entry is hugely huge. (I know, am I great at those adjectives or what?) I'll post the second part tomorrow after my brain stops hurting. I've been sick all week, so who was spreadding around the joy over the weekend?!
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My hat goes off to Weetabix, who was one of the most gracious hostess that I have ever had the pleasure of being hosted by. It is truly amazing what she did for us from planning the most awesome weekend I’ve had in YEARS, to beautiful color brochures of things to do in Green Bay (and helpful information) to taking us to the baddest bar in the land. Never in a million years could I pull off a weekend like that, attended by 20+ people with such flair and panache and she did. I love Weet more than I did before I met her in real life, if that is even humanyly possible.
Meeting people that you’ve been reading for months and sometimes years is quite the experience. I didn’t know a single person in real life there, and I walked away with some awesome friends. I really felt this instant friendship with Jen, Kelly and Jessi. (and Weet of course) What an awesome bunch of women! We also roomed together, so we bonded over make-up, Reses’s peanut butter eggs and schmoopy calls home. I have to say, that every single person there was so open and friendly, I kind of felt like Norm walking into Cheers. I miss you all terribly already!
As I met more and more people, I felt myself looking around and thinking “How cool is this?!” EVERY single person, was so great, I was wishing I had more time to get to know everyone better.
Highlights of our Excellent Advenutres. (Part I)
We drove from Kenosha to Green Bay in a sleep deprived state of giddyness that had Kelly napping the back seat while Jen and I yapped while listening to her awesome mix CD. Much squee-age when we arrive in GB while talking to Weet on the phone during check in. We dumped our stuff and headed over to St. Brendans for check in and was met by “The Jason” who handed out swag bags and our shot glass necklaces with a huge smile.
We laughed over greasy burgers and fries with ScienceGirl and Mr. ScienceGirl at a typical greasy spoon. And I do mean greasy spoon. Jessi moseyed over after arriving, and I met her for the first time. Her big warm smile and even bigger hug made love her on sight. .
Jessi and I picked up Petrouchka, Minarae and Boston Mary from the airport. The magic of walking with two people from San Diego (and one formerly from Green Bay) into a winter wonderland is priceless. It was snowing when we left, so I was as tickled as they were. I managed to take the senic route back through GB for an hour and was mortified because good God, I had Petrouchka and Minarae in the back seat! Gah! However, we did park next to “The First Ever Lutheran Church” to call Weet to find out how to get back to St. Brendan’s. She rescued us and off we went!
We mingled in the bar while waiting to leave for the sleigh ride, and met so many other awesome folks. I bow down to Mare, who is so awesome and sweet. And the outfits! And Marlyn Monroe cigarette tins! I can’t stop using the exclamation marks! Mare!
The sleigh ride was perfectly picturesque. Newly fallen snow, wooded trails and bottles making the circuit of the group. Grog, Dr. McGuillicuddy’s and Jack were the main bottles, with glow sticks stuck inside lighting them. Chauffi proclaimed the Dr. McGuillicudy’s to be “liquid candy canes”, and everyone loved the Dr.’s. Being from Wisconsin, it is usually the drink of choice for most youngun’s first drunken escapade, myself included, so it didn’t hold much of a lure. (Strangly, we Wisconsinites like a whole lotta brandy and schnapps.)
We all stood in the quiet forrest as Petrouchka got down on one knee in the snow to propose to Minarae, and I think that there was narry a dry eye in the group. Sharing such a joyous event with friends was so beautiful! You both are so awesome! Snow angels were made, and craps were taken. And then we were off for some delicious food prepared by June.
I’ve never had Booyah, but I swear to God, it was nectar of the God’s. I’ll be June’s bitch any day for some more of her Booyah and Fluff. Truly two of the best things I have ever eaten. I can totally see why Weet has eaten it to the point of being sick on several occassions. The massive amounts of great Wisconsin foods like cheese curds, beer cheese dip, chilli cheese dip (see the theme yet?) beer brats all washed down with Old Fashioned’s. I have always loved Old Fashioneds, and it was great to see so many people exclaiming over them and partaking of the sweet yummy goodness that is a well made Old Fashioned.
We then went for some rocking Karaoke. Jen and Kelly rocked our socks off: those two gals have some serious singing abilities. ScienceGirl and I were hiding our slips and Jen grabbed them made us sing. Jen and Jessi did a wonderful version of “If I had a Million Dollars” and Weet did some pretty impressive songs as well. There was a great showing by everyone, even the local old dude that was singing with his fly open.
The night ended with tipsy giggling and some great girl talk in the dark.