Sleep maybe five minutes on the bus and then finally get to the bus station in SF a little bit before midnight.... where we realize...well.... it is more like remember that we have no way to get to the airport! What fun!!!! *snicker* ...We ask around and find out we have three options...a taxi ($40...gulp) a shuttle ($11...a little better) or the bus($2)....very hard decision *snicker*...armed with the bus #.....and heavy bags we go to the bus stop where we find out we have one itty bitty problem......the bus doesn’t stop there!!!!! Oooooookay no problem....get the number for the shuttle service and within 30 minutes we are headed to the airport!!!!!! Wohoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! 2am we finally get there and are dropped off near my ticket thingy...and find out both mine and Mel's are closed...okay cool....four hours before I am supposed to check in anyway.....great time to get SOME sleep since it was Wednesday morning and we had both gotten up early Tuesday morning with only about ten minutes of sleep before now..................We both curl up as comfortably as possible in the chairs...reading....trying to stay warm...and sleep a bit till her ticket thingy opened..........she checks in quickly and I still wait without a single sign of American West people anywhere....... *sigh* At 4am realize people are lining up anyway and get to the line where I find out my flight was cancelled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *jaw drops* *grumble* *sigh* wait in the long line an hour before my flight was supposed to go before the start opening things up and announce the official cancellation of my flight! *grrrrrrrr* okay *sigh* no problem....I will figger out the new flight stuff...whatever flight they will put me on and then call Miss Tif.....it’ll work out okay......an hour and a half later *grumble* *grumble* *hiss* *spit* (did I ever mention I hate lines????) I make it to the front of the line....where other passengers cut because there wasn’t room on the flight AW booked them on!!!!!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..........*sigh* Finally am given tickets....including a thingy to give me a free meal in the airport (even though I don’t have time) and then have to LITTERALLY run to my gate to make the plane (stopped at the security gate of course cause x-raying my film could hurt it....*grrrrrrrr* and then sit down on the plane with a heavy sigh....and then laugh cause the window seat I requested of COURSE ended up on the wing!!!!!! lol!!!!!!!!!! Okay no problems....realize I still hadn’t called Miss Tif!!!!!!!!! *sigh* *lol* ooookay no problem....I can do this.......when I reach Las Vegas....before going to my connecting flight I will call her :) Relax a little bit at that point.......Finally we get to Las Vegas and I see I have ten minutes for them to get to the gate and let everyone off before my next flight takes off!!!!!!!!! *heavy sigh* okay no problem....get off the plane w/ five minutes (and my gate of course on the other side of the airport)......so I run....laden of course w/ heavy bags following a guy from the first plane who had the same problem........only for the heel of my brand new boots to break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! Okay *sigh* I can do this! Grab the heel and then limp to the plane just in time! *heavy sigh* realize I still haven’t told Miss Tif...and now am wearing broken boots and....*sigh* this is NOT being a good day...*sigh* then scold myself for being silly cause I am after all going to a gathering!!!!!!! Wohoooo!!!!!! Okay this is what I’ll do.......I will all her from wherever the plane stops (I had heard an announcement that it was stopping somewhere) and...I will sleep a little now since I so obviously needed it...and...oh yeah!!!!! Duh!!!!!! I have my sandals!!!!!!!!! Wohoo!!!!!!! Get the guy next to me to help me get my bag down and then start digging through it....I know I put them in here dagnabit! Cause I didn’t have room in….the...other...bag.....DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I changed them into the bigger bag when I was shoving everything else in!!!!!!!!! *sigh* okay FINE! I will change them when I get to New Jersey!!!!!!!!! Wohoooooo!!!!!!!!!! lol!!!!!!!! :) ....after a movie......a little bit of reading and a little bit of sleep (totally sleep time between 7am Tuesday and 10am Wednesday....30 minutes lol) we stop in Ohio where I (after asking every stewardess in sight if I could get back on.....okay so I was a little paranoid.....wouldn’t you be too????? lol) I call Miss Tif and find there are no problems!!!! Wohoo!!! She heard through the grapevine about my cancelled flight and w/ the new info there was no problem! :)...Get back on the plane and read until we land! :) wohoo!!!!!!!!! I get off the plane…(trying not to limp) and look for ANYONE with a sign (wishing for about the fifth time that day I had told her what I was wearing lol) but don’t see anyone….okay no problem……follow the signs to the baggage claim where I find like 20 signs…but none of them bearing my name….okay no problem…..take a few minutes to find the American West baggage claim…and then my bag…I put all my bags down on one of the chairs there and proceed to wander back and forth between American and American West baggage claim hoping to see her at one of them….then realize I could now change into my sandals…dig them out and only have time to untie one boot before I realize I am being paged!!!! Wohoo!!!! At least I know for sure she is there….now to figger on where on EARTH they told me to go……thinking it was gate two I head back up the way I came but see no signs for a gate two *sigh* follow the signs to gate 20 and find out I can’t get there *sigh* okay I will just page her and tell her I can’t get there *giggle*……but can’t see anywhere to do that so head back to the baggage claim where I see her standing not FIVE FEET from where I had first put my bags down!!!!!!! lol!!!!!!! We hug and laugh about missing each other and then head out to her car……deciding to go to her house before Dairy Queen just in case they are there already and sure enough Chrebet and Mel turn the corner seconds after we park! All giggling and hugging….we then head into the house and meet Sammie!!!!!! What a love!!!!!!! He was very excited to have guests there of course and loved all the attention he got while we sat there talking and eating ice cream :) Soon after that Chrebet had to leave and we carried our stuff upstairs and start making plans to go into the city the next day :)

We both got up fairly early and called Jinxie to plan on going to lunch with her! Wohoooo!!!! We were going to meet my sis early!!!!!! We were both really excited we got directions and our adventure into the city began….it wasn’t that hard to find the bus and we did plenty of ooohing and ahhhing before we got there…..trying not to look too much like tourist (but taking tons of pictures of course) we eventually found our way to Jinxie’s building where we buzzed her like we were instructed to and waiting nervously……She didn’t take long to come to the door and I recognized her from her pics instantly!!!! Hugs all around and soon we were at lunch across the street where we talked and laughed more than we ate……..we then went back to her office where she found info on the circle line tours and planned to go the next day (taking the subway!) on a three hour tour! *snicker* And we planned to keep her company the next day going to lunch at her office before the tour and then coming back to change and walk w/ her to the comedy club!!!! Plans all set we left and soon found our way to Times Square (where I took more pictures) and a guy tried to sell me a fantastic attachment to my lens…..even let me take some pics with it (which will look great in my portfolio *snicker*) but we didn’t have that much money even though he offered to take off $150 from the price…he wasn’t too happy about that :( we left quickly and continued touring the city before heading back to Miss Tif's for a fabulous home cooked meal!!!!!!!!!!!!…..we told others of our tour plans and found out the weather would be getting rough…not wanting our tiny ship to get tossed and be stranded on a deserted island before meeting everyone we decided to just do a walking in the rain tour *grin*….went to bed about 2:30

The next day we got up early to plan to get my boots fixed before heading out not noticing any lack of sleep…that would hit us later :)….only to find out I had left them in Miss Tif's car!!!!! *lol* we called her and she said she would get them fixed there for me((((((((((Miss Tif!)))))))))) so we continued most of our plans…shopping a little bit in Teaneck (yes more shopping *grin* no wonder I am so broke snicker)before heading back to the city where we managed to talk Jinx into seeing if her boss would let her off early…..puppy dog eyes and a lot of giggling was all it took to have her singing and dancing in the rain w/us….(well actually it was more like walking and giggling but you get the picture). We made it to the Empire State building (btw…..sandals in the rain….not a good idea *snicker*) but sadly we couldn’t go to the top cause of the fog….oh well walking in the rain was fun *grin* we then headed back to her office to get cleaned up (Jinx giggling as much as the "giggling imps" as she had called us *snicker*)…..stopping to get a fabulous soft pretzel…..before going to get real New York Pizza before going to the comedy club!!!!!! We ended up getting there like an hour early and stood there waiting as patiently as possible for everyone we were dying to meet….people must have thought we were waiting for blind dates standing there fidgeting like that lol!!!!!!!…Took pictures to pass the time as it got darker and the city started to light up :) We tried to get a hold of people with no luck :( but soon we got a call from Chrebet…..30 minutes before we were supposed to meet saying they were all still in Teaneck!!!!!!! *sigh* oh well….we then planned to wait for Keith and Jean outside and meet the others inside……lucky for them there was TWO parking spots RIGHT in front of the comedy club and we had fun directing them right to the spot *snicker* quick introductions and big hugs before we were inside the club…only missing the first act and a half!!!!!! :) We ordered our drinks and enjoyed the show…..glancing at the door occasionally hoping to see the rest of our group :) sure enough we soon see Chrebet….and a hottie with her who could only be Jack *grin* Mel and I scooted down to make room for them and we gave them the best hugs we could in the crowded room……soon after that Miss Tif and Mimi made it!!!! Finally!!!!!!! We were all there! Wohoooo!!!!!! The show was hilarious and afterwards we went to the hotel (giving Jack REAL hugs before leaving)…we talked at the hotel for a few hours before neighbors complained (isn’t a real party till that happens snicker) then went to Bennigan’s for drinks and excellent desserts before leaving….deciding to leave an hour later than normally planned so we could actually sleep in the morning…….:) got to bed about 2:30 again:)

6:30 in the morning the phone rings…..takes two rings for me to even figger out what it was (snicker) and jumped out of bed running around like chickens with their heads cut off before Miss Tif answered the phone……It was Bren and Helen!!! They somehow got lost…but no problem they soon found their way to her house wohoo!!!!!!! Big hugs and introductions then we all sit down and chat before getting ready…it didn’t take long to find out Helen’s sleeping habits were much like mine *snicker* and we all hit it off instantly….I then run upstairs quickly and get ready and then we are off to get sandwiches and drinks for lunch before meeting everyone at the hotel!!!!!! Chatted a few minutes before we decided to start on the drive to six flags……the looooooooooong drive cause of the horrible traffic!!!!!!! FINALLY we make it to 6 flags and eat inside before going on a few rides…….really happy that I didn’t wear a white shirt that day since one of the first rides was a log ride hehehe……since Chrebet and I both wanted to get wet we sat towards the front….splashing each other before the ride even started lol!!!!!!!! And then when the Virgos (Chrebet and I) complained about being dry after some of the drops on the ride Keith splashes us! Lol!!!! We were planning on insisting that we go on again when we come to the final drop and both of us get soaked!!!!!!!!!! Wohoooo!!!!!!!!! lol!!!!!!!!!! Spent the rest of the day trying not to loose people in our group while also trying to go on all the awesome roller coasters (warning everyone that I am a screamer hehehe) around lunch time we are heading to yet another ride……when Jean and I find realize we are in the back!!!!! Being the shortest people in the group we tried to keep track of Jack and Mimi…the two closest to us but a group of people cross our path and instantly we loose them!!!!!! lol!!!!!!! Having no idea where they went we decided to wait in an area they HAD to come *grin* and I go to check out one area before we just hang out waiting……and sure enough we find them! wohoo!!!!! Finally! lol :) We continue going on as many rides as possibly…loving the rides as much as the company *grin* and finally it is so late that we have only time for one more *sniff*…..bumper cars or Batman….bumper cars or……wait a minute like there is really a choice to make!…..definitely BATMAN wohoo!!!!!!! *grin*…having no idea what I am in for we all get in line and talk some more while waiting…..then I realize *gulp* it goes backwards lol….okay no problem I can do this….get on next to Keith and scream the entire time!!!!! Wohoooo!!!!!!! It was fabulous!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!! Hehehe……with hair totally in my face and unable to walk straight we all head outside……exhausted and some with headaches we head back to the car deciding to just go to the hotel for a little bit instead of heading to Miss Tified’s :) everyone was tired and they would get to meet Sammie the next night *grin*……Jack insisted on driving for Jinxie who had a headache (what a sweetie huh?? grin)…….thankfully I was half asleep and only half aware of how fast he is driving and just how much he is weaving in and out of lanes *snicker*…we all make it safely back to the hotel where we talk more (this time not loud enough to get a call lol) and then go back to Miss Tif's where we finally fall asleep at 12:30 this time *grin* Slept in a bit longer this morning before getting ready to go do some errands before going to Jinxie’s for a bbq wohoo!!!!!!!!! Get to the hotel only 10 minutes late this time and soon are on our way……with only Keith following Miss Tif and I since others had to get gas and stuff :) a pleasant drive with a funny conversation on the way….but our in depth conversation about feet causes us to miss our exit!!!!!!!!! lol!!!!!!!!! Soon we fix that and in minutes we are at Jinxie’s where we meet some of her friends and her hubby before going to the backyard…were we talk and laugh more………then we are given these great goodie bags….with….of course *weg* water guns hehehhehe……..and of course the hosts had the big ones *snicker* …and Jack turned out to be the target *grin* (I still think that one was funnier broken *snicker*) we talk and laugh and eat (and I take tons of pictures *grin*) and they all surprise me and Bren with ice cream cakes and cards (((((((((((((everyone))))))))))):) Chrebet and I have fun with the great dart board listening to Metallica (must be something with Virgos and a great taste in music *snicker*) and generally just have a great time trying not to make too much of a mess till everyone starts falling asleep :) Helen and Bren leave first cause Helen has to work……and I have fun taking pictures of everyone trying the lemon drops *snicker* then we all start getting ready to go….poor Jack was already falling asleep and he had a long drive and work early in the morning :( I had a flight at 1 and others would have to be driving as well the next day….the party was quickly winding down…..big hugs to those I would not see the next day and promises to come back soon and for them to visit us here soon before going back to miss tif's and going to sleep at 12:30 again :) The next morning I get up start packing and am surprised when I come downstairs to find that Miss Tif had decided to call in sick! wohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praying that my flight would once again be cancelled we head back to the airport……big hugs before I head to my gate still praying to have to stay *grin* but no such luck…within minutes I was on the plane heading to the opposite coast….the people next to me thinking I must be crazy every time I laughed at some of the memories…..can’t wait to do it again!!!!!!!! :)

(((((((((((((((((((((((MN NY/NJ gatherers!)))))))))))))))))))))))