Part 2: Class of 1999 Reunion Dinner

Well the dinner went wonderfully! We all had a wonderful time & hate that those who could not attend missed a fun filled evening. My classmates are absolutely awesome. I was pleased with the results of all the planning and was ecstatic to find that they also seemed to be pleased. It was an enjoyable feeling at the end of the night to realize that we all are still comfortable with one another.

We all mingled, we all hugged, we all laughed and caught up with each other. But most importantly we all remembered that the camaraderie that was there ten years ago is still there even though time & distance has separated us...

PART 1 - The Picnic - 10 Years... Class of 1999 Reunion - August 1, 2009

THIS WILL BE A TWO PART ENTRY - CLASS REUNION AUGUST
OME! It has already been 10 years. A decade has passed since I graduated from High School. The past few months have been a huge planning session for me. My class decided that we did want to celebrate 10 years. Some how I was roped into being the lead dog on this chase. Well for some they might have shied away from the process, not me. Those who know about my travel agendas/books, my need for control, my type-A personality, my love of everything sentimental and my thirst for creating something fun will not be at all surprised when you see the pictures from the event.

Getting in touch with everyone proved the most difficult part of the process, but once addresses had been established, dates set, and the tone adjusted I was rolling right along discovering new things about old friends.
Ten years is a long time to do many things in life. My classmates have spent those years well. There is not a single person who participated in the events that I am not proud of. They all are so extraordinary. The comaraderie that we had growing up permeated the day as though 10 years had been really just 10 minutes from our last senior party. There were no cliques, no separation of this group or that group. Wives & husbands flitted amongst us as though they had known us all their lives. That speaks highly to the people we all chose to spend our lives with.
We were blessed to see the images of our own youth reflecting in children running around naked, hungry, or sliding on a slipNslide for fun. I watched men who had just been boys when I last saw them, carry a child as comfortably as they once carried a football. Women who were last seen as giggling young ladies stood deftly handled multiple children and their husbands with grace & love.

The summer heat beat down on us at the Picnic but laughter & memories won the battle. We stood and talked about what we do now, we all were getting reacquainted and ready to reminisce even more at the evening festivities. For a few hours children became friends - never really realizing that the adults around them have been friends for a life time, not knowing that these people their parents were laughing & joking with were people they had once played with at picnics & on slipNslides. It is a beautiful thought that one day these children might be as close as we are...
Enjoy the snapshots of the day

PCB - Spa Weekend

Well the weekend of July 16 -19, I took my mother & sister down to Panama City Beach for a Spa Weekend.

(the pier outside our room that leads to Lime's)It was so much fun. We had no idea the Billfish tournament was going on that weekend, but we discovered it on Thursday night when we arrived at the Bay Point Resort & Spa to tons of cars & people. The Spa is located on the tip of the Bay right along the marina. It is absolutely gorgeous & huge! Our room was on the ground floor with direct access from our patio to the pier that goes over to Lime's (a Restaurant/Bar that featured live music). We ordered a club sandwich and some quesadillas from King Fish on property - OME so yummy.

There were so many pools - of all kinds: heated, lagoon style, whirlpool, salt water, chlorinated. They are surrounded by cabanas and lush landscaping. The staff was sensational! Due to having so many people on property and at the resort for the festival we lucked up & valet parking was complimentary our entire stay! woohoo!

The first full day was Spa treatments. We woke up early and headed over to Serenity Spa (it was right around the corner from our room). We treated ourselves to some bottle water, spa robes, slippers and then over to the whirl pool. AHHH!!! So wonderful. Nina ventured into the sauna. I really hate being overly heated so I stuck to the warm whirlpool. They called us when it was time for our massages. OME!! An our of luxuriating Swedish massages... so good. Then we were scheduled for hour long Facials. This was fun. I have never had a true facial before and my attendant was someone who actually studies the dermatological side of it. I only usually use soap & water to clean my face... um not good. lol. She lectured me (very sweetly, but firm) about what I need to be doing to take care of my skin. What she did was awesome! I felt so refreshed when it was over. Then we ordered our lunch and sat lazily by the pool before heading in for our pedicures. As I sat there sipping a mimosa and chatting with my mom and the attendant, I realized it has been too long since the three of us (sister, mom & me) have done something like this. It needs to be something we do more often. (I mean just the treat of a spa day is always great, but spending it with my two favorite females is even better!) The day was wonderful!

After that we decided to get dressed and find somewhere to eat dinner before catching a movie. Pompano's won the dinner choice due to driving on Front Beach in the evening is a trip so it looked good & did not seem to have been hit yet with the dinner rush. The food was good, the restaurant loud - but pretty, the restrooms - okay these need to be addressed by management of this facility - YUCK. lol. I hate public restrooms anyway, but geez. ew. lol

After dinner I decided to barrel my way to Pier Park where we would watch the movie. Yes barrel my way. If you have never driven, oh I am sorry, 'cruised' around PCB it is an experience. Horn honking, people walking, riding, beer flowing, crazy people driving (present company of course excluded) everywhere!

We made it to Pier Park & watched Harry Potter 6. My third viewing of the movie. It was around 12:30 a.m. when it finished and after returning to the Resort Nina decided she wanted to walk out to Lime's for some drinks & music. So around 1 a.m the two of us left mom to settle in for the evening and we went to watch the real crazies come out (again present company excluded *wink*). It was an interesting few hours. Almost a few fights, one girl did not like that she wasn't wearing regular underwear (though I am sure for those who saw them as she lifted her dress over her drunk head I am sure they were fine) and the music was pretty good.

Saturday we decided to just get in the pool for a little bit then do some browsing/shopping back at Pier Park. So many cute little shops, yummy eateries, and tons of people. After buying a few things we had some lunch then headed back to the room to chill before heading to dinner.

Dinner for our final night was Captain Andersons on the Marina. If you have never been - you should definitely go! It is so yummy!!! We had some great drinks, some delicious appetizers, our entrees were divine, but dessert was perfect!!

Sunday we ordered room service for breakfast. Did I mention the onsite food locations were awesome??? We had pancakes, waffles, eggs, grits, sausage, bacon, toast, juice, milk, fruit...we were stuffed as we finished packing and got on the road.

it was a wonderful weekend. I really enjoyed the relaxation that is a Spa retreat. Nina & Mom were so much fun! We tried some new things, talked incessantly, and just enjoyed each other's company!

Happy Birthday Tracy

Well today is Sunday, July 12. This is a special day for many reasons, one Sundays are always good days, two it is July - SUMMERTIME, and three most importantly it is Tracy's birthday.

About 9 years ago I happened to be at Marcus & Rob's apartment when a young woman (whom I had only met briefly once before at a Bama ballgame) wondered if she could use their washing machine. She had subleased the apartment across from them - a bug infested, scary people surrounded apartment. Of course since their apartment was where I did laundry, another Tracy (Tracy Carpenter), and Regina did laundry - who were they to say no to yet another gorgeous girl who wanted to spend time at their place!?

The guys would come home from class or work and find girls on the couch, in the kitchen, nail polish on the tables, fashion magazines scattered everywhere, supper or snacks almost ready and loads of laughter. They were college guys - they didn't mind. :o) But what we all had no idea of is that there were bonds being formed that would withstand the college years, that would flow over into marriages and vacations. In particular one friendship that I now consider to be more of a family relationship than just friends. I have said before that I have more than just Nina as a sister. Stacie has been there from the get go and we are lucky to realize that our sisterly connection continues to grow even stronger.

Then there is Tracy. (Mclees-Pulley) I was surprised when this Seattle girl slipped into my heart but not at all upset. Her quick wit, vivacious smile, strong faith and love of life are hard to resist. During those college years new apartments & houses were found, love was discovered & lost, time & distance created challenges - yet this was the girl I looked to when I needed someone to listen or cook sausage balls with, this was the girl I immediately knew I wanted standing beside Marcus & I when we said our vows; this girl is special. She is the friend I never knew I needed & the sister I thank God for sending me.

Tracy - I am so glad to be able to send these Birthday wishes into the universe. There is no one who deserves every wish when blowing out the candles more than you. Your beautiful daughter already shows signs of harnessing some of your wonderful traits & that crazy hubby of yours I know recognizes his great catch! Thank you for being there whenever I have needed you - for loving Marcus & I no matter what and for being the Seattle girl whose heart is all South.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - WE LOVE YOU - TRACY!!!!