2012 Sistah's Gathering at Betty's..Week of

Wonderful pictures, Betty! "and a good time was had by all........."

Morning all..

As I get ready for work I'll try and post Saturday's schedule

Judy and Joanna cleaning the fire pit for the Prayer Ceremony


Easting butter tarts

Did we say butter tarts Marion????

ooops double posted

How proud I was to have my Canadian friends with me for the parade at the end of the street this Canada Day

Even Betty's granddoggies were there, Sophie and N

If Steve and Judy can bike then so can B.J.

Sisterhood/brotherhood...friends

Time to show the group my beloved Georgian Bay!!!

Quick stop to Big Chute..all were interested in the lock system..don't have a photo but perhaps someone will post one

Getting ready for the boat ride..listening to Henry speak of Georgian Bay

Love the smiles on everyone's faces. Looks like they just heard a funny joke, and are about to explode! ^_^

Had to leave for work so will finish photo's tonight..

Think that all there were was smiles..time went too fast..I did keep them busy that's for sure..we could have seen more had they not wanted to sleep..lol

Now I'm sitting here looking at USA map and charting my vacation trip..few out of the way places I want to visit..doing it so it keeps me awake lol so tired..thought I'd just rest after I got housework and laundry done, having Jeff/Julie drop in unexpectedly then add going out with them I'm just plum tuckered out! NOT as young as I used to be lol

GOOD MORNING SISTAHS !!!!

Whew !!! what an adventure we had traveling yesterday. Didn't get home till 11:30 last night, and was too tired to wait for the computer to power up so I could post. Actually fell asleep in the car on the way to the house. Thank God Don was driving.

Joanna stayed the night here, but got up early this morn and left for home... I was going to copy the pictures she took on a mem stick... but she got away before I could.

My old camera uses one of those bigger mem cards, and my computer doesn't have a slot for it... but Don's does... so, when he gets time, I'll have him put them over on a stick so I can share.

All I can say at the moment is... Betty is the most gracious and generous hostess I've ever known... her house is lovely, warm and inviting... her gardens are to-die-for... her friends are so much fun... her son and grandson are just adorable...

Not to worry, I'll have a lot more to say ... stand by.

Hello and good morning...
Could swear i posted I was home last night.
Ride home was HOT, HOT... after a small episode in the beginning, the rest of the ride was very smooth.
Arrived home around 5:30.

Be back in a bit...Yep BJ said it great!!

OK be back in a bit...Hope your all keeping cool.

Ok... I am back armed with pics. I'm sad to say I didn't always have my camera. I forgot it at the house one day, and left it in the car when we went to the lock... but here's what I got to share...

We enjoyed some really wonderful long conversations under the gazebo in the back yard...

The last one is Judy picking up the stuff off coffee table... so we could start a new pile of stuff.

Ok, Betty... I might have been the first to say "ready to dance"... but I certainly didn't have to pull your arm too hard to get you out on the dance floor... AND... you stayed on the dance floor long after I had had enough.

Joanna said it had been so long since she danced, she felt really uncoordinated out there... but she did just fine, far as I could tell.

Lots of good conversations were had on the back porch too... Just chilling out.
Can't remember what order these are in, but you'll get the wiff.
Judy and Betty shucking corn for dinner.
Joanna just relaxing her bones.
Stacey and Jonathan feeding cereal to Sailor.

We're all in our pajamas, having a group hug by the sign post in Betty's garden... arms are outstretched to offer hugs to those who couldn't make it to the gathering... you were missed.

June, (one of Betty's friends), dropped by to bring each of us a gift she picked up at the craft fair in Midland... she just couldn't resist these panties for Cookie... so we had her model them... sooooo cute

Fantastic pictures. Yikes...you DIDN'T POST THOSE PICTURES OF BUTTER TARTS!!!!! Sorry for yelling....who ate mine? BJ? Joyce? Someone confess.

I am now concerned about 2013..bar has really been set high...hummm can I wait until 2020? LOL

Way to go Cookie? Do they glow in the dark? LOL

Ok, Betty has left me to explain what I learned on our Midland Shopping trip....

NEVER DARE BETTY TO DO SOMETHING
UNLESS YOUR WILLING TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT SHE REALLY WILL DO IT.

We stopped at an ice cream/fudge store... I got some fudge, and it was really good... But someone pointed it out that I had some on my chin... so I looked at Betty and said "Just lick it off". Next thing I know, standing right there on the side walk, full of people... she grabbed me and licked me clean. Whew, did we get the looks.
LOL.... we laughed about that for days... too bad someone didn't have their camera out at the time...

Marion... funny story about the butter tarts too... I saw them in a container on the counter in the kitchen... and asked Betty if I could have one of those pecan pies... she had to laugh and say those were the butter tarts...
Some one got some pictures of us eating them... but I was too busy eating them to take pics. MMMMMMMMM

ROFLOL, I can only imagine the looks you got. To funny. I thought maybe you had asked for a napkin...that was my first huge mistake when I first moved to Canada to attend school.

I saw the pictures!!!! I am totally and completely addicted to those. Did they also have raisins in them? I am really gonna have to think to top this trip...no wait, we will just do what we can! Got yours and your sisters name on a place here BJ. Guess I will need to let everyone know I live in a multi-leveled house. I sure hope that won't be an issue to anyone.

BTW, BJ I love your hair cut!! Looking good lady!!!!

Thanks Marion... I love it too... so easy to keep.

Not to worry about topping this gathering... we'll have a good time doing "whatever"... it's just that kind of group.
We're shutter bugs though, so lots of photo ops would be a must...
Just ask Greg... he thought we were a camera group, not a gardening group.

Judy and Steve on the water taxi that took us to the restaurant in the bay on Saturday.
Lighting wasn't ideal, but I love this pic of them.

Love those pictures, and you made me spit coffee all over the place when you said Betty licked you clean!
Love those undies, but we are all curious as to what you got???

lol love the photo's!!!

You have to know I tried to meet everyones' needs so when B.J. needed a clean up, there I was..couldn't let a Sistah down now could I.

I must say that everyone got along, them men I'm sure enjoyed it as well and all went according to Hoyle..I enjoyed it as much as everyone who came

Last night my kids were saying what a fantastic and fun group they were, stilll not so sure of what they think the gardening group is here at Dave's..

Jeff (don't take it serious now girls) when I was telling them about the prayer fire asked me how much I had to pay to be art of the occult and if there would be an inheritance left..lol Boys are always teasing me..

Marion, mine didn't have raisins in it... it had walnuts on top... close enough to a pecan pie to me... was delicious.
She did have some with different stuff in them... I think I remember someone had one with cranberries? maybe?

Joanna and I discussed going to your house next year... I will be there (Lord willing)... but Joanna will have to let me know when it gets closer to time. Then International Art Guild meeting is in Florida next year, and she's not sure when that will be held. But, she had such a good time, I bet she will join us if she can.

Now, I have to tell you about our trip home... sheesh.
Crossing the border toward Canada took about 5 mins... we went the long way, crossed the wrong bridge, went way out of our way, but the crossing was a breeze.
BUT, coming back to the US, we were in line for an hour. Betty told us to wait till we got to the US to get gas, because it's cheaper... so, waited. By the time we got up to the patrol guy, I was "E", and holding my breath. So, this guy (no sense of humor, and little personality) kept me sitting there with the motor running for an eternity while he asked me endless questions.
Why were you in Canada? Visiting a friend.
How do you know this friend? We are part of the same garden club.
How would you meet a Canadian gardener all the way from Texas? It's an online garden club
Do you have any plants with you? NO
I need to look... sheesh.
So, I finally get through there, and held my breath all the way to the gas station... I think I was just down to fumes.

But wait... it didn't end there.

lol

told you in our gabbing session Brenda, never say you met on-line, remember they kept me same way and gave me the what for because I was travelling to meet unknowns lol wanted to know who, where, did my family know, did I know how dangerous..from now on I'll say, 'used to spend time in the states and meeting old friends' one heck of an easier way to forgo the interigation

Reminder:

Blame the other girls lol, I told you you should put $30/$40 in, they wanted $20 and you upped to $25..ooops
our names would have been mud had you ran out of gas

So, we return the car... and get into the airport, and was at the kiosk to get our boarding pass, when Don called to tell me our flight had been delayed due to high winds in Newark (where we were to catch our connecting flight to Dallas).
Then going through security our bags were opened and rescanned because they saw the concrete mushrooms Cookie had made for us... guess they looked like missals to them... all was ok, and the TSA agents thought they were cute.
So, I get up to the body scanner, and the lady told me I had metal buttons on my jacket, so to hold them to the side of me. I threw the sholders off and let the jacket drop to my elbows... the guy in front of me said "no, put your jacket on"... the lady behind me said "no, buttons to the side"... so I dropped the jacket again... the guy in front said, "lady, please, put your jacket on"... sheesh... So, I said "please, someone just frisk me already"... so now the guy said put one foot on each square ... I look down and only see one square, so I put one foot on each side of the square... the guy said "Mam, there's two squares"... I found the other square, and put one foot on each of them, but now I'm facing backwards.. this poor guy was getting really perturbed with me... and my sister is standing behind him laughing so hard she's doubled over... so that got me to laughing and I could hardly stand still for the scan, when I finally got it right.

So, we get to our gate... and no announcement about a delay for another 10 mins... now, how did Don know before the airport ppl? He won't tell me.
I leave Joanna with our bags to go get us something cold to drink, and trying to juggle too many things in my hand, reached across the counter for straws and spill one of the sodas... so, I help the poor guy clean up the mess, and he pours me another soda... I offer to pay for the new soda and he just held up his hand and said "just go, ok?"... LOL...

After leaving the Buffalo airport, things went fairly smooth... Joanna and I worked an entire crossword puzzle in the airline magazine on the plane before arriving in Dallas... we were so proud of ourselves, and it made the time pass faster... and kept me out of trouble.

Oh BJ I can only imagine the border crossing....first requirement to work there is no sense of humor!!!!!! State side always seems the grumpier to me. Imagine coming through years ago with a wig case full of cheese....worked like a cooler. Then there was the year in the 50s we crossed with a baby alligator under the seat....3 adults, 3 children, clothing for 2 weeks all in a Volkswagen beetle. That was my brother for you!! Miss him so much.

I do hope you make it to my place. I noticed Betty mentioned something about May but I will need to check Kim's calender to see when she finishes teaching for the year. I don't anyone to met her when she winding down a school year...not even me! LOL Would be great if I could have others who are thinking post dates that would be good for them.

Yep, Betty, you did warn us not to give them too much to question at the border... I do believe they all have to take a class for that job that teaches them to have NO personality, NO sense of humor, and totally destroys their sense of adventure.

OMG you did have the trip from hell...did you check about your reader when you got to Dallas????
Too funny about the mushrooms...

OH, YEA... forgot to tell you... I did find my Nook... it had slipped under the hard cardboard insert in the bottom of my small bag...
YEA!!!! I didn't have to confess to Don that I lost something valuable... that bothered me more than anything.

Marion, I did mention to them that May in Florida would be like it was here in May when you all came. Memorial day was still cool enough in the evenings, and not as hot as it gets during the day. But, you make it when ever you want...

We are all home, too. Arrived at Toledo around 4:15 and dropped off Stacey and Jonathan. Chris, my son and her husband, had a fire in the electrical box at his restaurant the night before and they had been busy trying to save all the food. Then he gets a call last night asking if they can fix several meals for the Presidential party when they are in Toledo on Thursday! They will be fixing breakfast, lunch and some box lunches to take along on the next hop of the trip. He is really excited!
Got to my house around 5:30 pm and Joyce got everything into her car and went on her way. I went back to Findlay and picked up my dog so the whole family is back where they belong.
We had a fabulous time at Betty's house. Her gardens are so beautiful and welcoming. Jonathan and I walked them several times and he loved pulling a flower to him to smell. I could not believe how good this 22 month little boy was on the trip. he stayed awake for whole trip over and back and didn't make a sound except to babble at Joyce who shared the back seat with him. Steve was a big hit with Jonathan, as were the dog and cat. Paul, too, played ball with him and he loved that.
It was so good to see BJ since my first reunion was at her house in Texas. Her sister was a wonderful asset to our group. She is so very creative artistically and we enjoyed seeing some of the things she had made. I had not met Debbie before so it was nice to chat with her and Paul. Judy is always fun and we all laughed a lot over the several days as well as lots of arm wraps.
Joyce, Stacey and I have vowed to get together more often since we only live a few hours away from one another. Besides, Joyce has to keep and eye on the mushrooms she made for me.
As to timmies...I fell in love with some bottled iced tea with lemon from Tim Horton and looked forward to getting some here at home. NOT SO...they only have that in Canada, so looks like I will Have to go back!

Ya know... we did not stop at Tim Horton.... saw it, passed it, but didn't stop. I guess we didn't realize it was such a big deal at the time, or we would have. And when Betty said she went to Timmies for donuts, I thought she meant some friend of hers. I never put that together till I read it earlier here.
So, ya know what that means... I'll have to go back just to do the Tim Horton thing.

I feel so Blonde sometimes.

Ok, one more pic then I have to get busy. It's back to the grind here, I guess.

This lady joined us on the dance floor on Fri night. Then she joined us at our table. No one knew her, not even Betty... but she said that we were having way more fun than the group she was there with, and wanted to be part of our fun. No big deal, so we met a new friend... and, now she has the scoop on us, she said she's going to go online and become a member here so she can be a part of us forever.
I can't for the life of me remember her name.
Then, her daughter found her with us and talked to us for a long time too... she looked familiar and she remembered us from Sainte Marie on the Huron when we toured there earlier that day... she was one of our guides.

Her name is Cathy...me thinks she'll be on my doorstep one of these days..very nice lady so that's ok!!!

Sure glad you found your NOOK..amazing where those little things can hide.

Janice, he was better than good..yep know who will babysit my great grandchildren..Paul and Uncle Steve..now Steve did say we could ALL call him Uncle right??

Finally woke up, head not hitting the desk, I'm on my second wind lol

Picked up the concave mirror for the car, will stop over and have Greg attach them to the car. I then went to get a plan for the Blackberry, boys say I should not be without, no reason not to seeing Jeff gave me a blackberry, so will do, but there was a lineup at Rogers when I went for lunch so will stop on my way out of the mall.

No t.v. bingo tonight, Ann will be away..who knows if I'm not too tired might play myself...$2,500 for New Orleans would be nice

Sorry to hear about the fire at Chris' restaurant...presidential lunch hmmm like OBAMA???

This message was edited Jul 3, 2012 2:05 PM