A weekend in review

It sounds silly to say that I had a great time in Gatlinburg this past weekend. Does anyone spend a weekend in Gatlinburg and have a terrible time? I didn't think so. So instead of telling you how great the hot tub was (and it was reeaaallllly great) I'll try to focus on some of the more non-traditional great moments.

#1 - The family connection.
Of the 16 women that attended, they all seemed to be related in some way or another. For instance - there was the Rader clan - mom plus two daughters. And the S clan - also mom plus two daughters. And the V clan - daughter plus mom and aunt. And another part of the V clan - mom and daughter (who somehow tie into the first V's but I've forgotten already how that works). And there was a pair of sisters and then just a whole bunch of women who have known each other for eons. Connections like this make sitting around the dinner table a blast. Suddenly there are stories about "that time when I did this to my sister" or "mom, did I ever tell you what REALLY happened that night that I..."

#2 - The generational ties.
As you can tell from above, there were many age groups represented this weekend. At one point the youngest member showed us how to do a "shaniqua booty dance" and the oldest member taught us how she uses her various alias to win prizes at Kroger on Senior Citizen day.

#3 - Favorite moment
The hot tub was on the lowest level. If you stand on the second level deck and look through the slats you can vaguely see the hot tub below. If you stand on the second level deck with a pitcher of cold water you can pour that cold water on the people in the hot tub below. There were two hot tubs side by side. The mean ladies on the second level deck tried pouring water on us hot tubbers. Except they kept pouring over the EMPTY hot tub. Heh Heh. Quickly, Kerri went the Br'er Rabbit route and began wailing, "eek! eek! No! That's cold!" Not so funny on computer. Hilarious if you were in the hot tub.

#4 - The cave.
When we went to bed each night our room was warm and toasty. When we woke up each morning it was a tundra. Kerri and I shared a room and she perfected the "cave". This is where she huddled up inside the covers to conserve as much heat as possible. (see pic)

#5 - Morning coffee.
I'm a morning gal. I think I became a morning gal by spending the night at Big Granny's house. No matter how early you wake up, Big Granny has already woken up before you. And make coffee. And bacon. When I was young I remember wanting to get out bed as quick as possible to go get some of that yummy breakfast! Now, as an adult, it is usually me getting up to a quiet house and I have to make the coffee myself (although Spencer beats me to the kitchen some mornings). This weekend I loved waking up with the sunrise to a kitchen full of other ladies piddling around with their morning cup of coffee and breakfast casseroles in the oven.

#6 - Favorite quote.
So what is that magical age that a woman reaches where she says whatever she wants and doesn't really care? I can't wait to get there.
Friday afternoon a group of ladies were sent out to Kroger for supplies. The rest of us relaxed and chatted and had a great time. After a while we started looking at the clock. When did they leave? How long has it been? Should we call them? Later we finally saw the jeep pull up in the driveway. As the wayward shoppers entered, I hear one of the more "mature" ladies yell, "Hey - Is it them? Do they look like they been DRANKIN?!?"

I'm going again next year.