Third Annual California BBQ!!!

[slick]

I'm just packing up the last of my belongings and Gini and Richard will be escorting me to the airport in about 10 minutes. Over and out.

[shais_mom]

I have landed in Wyandot County Ohio.

My luggage hasn't been so lucky yet.
It has been located. It just hasn't been located HERE!
ggrrr

When I asked Phred to send a purrayer up for me I think I forgot to mention my suitcase also!

What a weekend.
I cried most of the time at Burbank Airport.
Course I just about cried when I finally landed in Ohio b/c it had been such a long day. But several other passengers had me beat spending time in Atlanta.
The honeymoon is over -
tomorrow is back to work for me.

[RICHARD]

The planning began in late December.
For some days in July, some fun to remember.
Seven months of plotting, planning and thinking
For a special afternoon of feasting and some drinking-
--------------------------------

Gini's house is now very quiet
She's recovering from a seven day riot.
The last of the guests are on their way home.
Rascal, Emma and Annie are now alone..

In the house of Orange the walls stiill hold laughter
The smiles and stories will last long after-
The luggage and photos are put away,
But all of us will always share in that day...

One day where we all gathered, gathered as one
And took the time to have a little fun.
So the next time you stare into the west.
Take a minute to remember that you were a guest.

In person or cyber, that's not the point...
We all hung out, at Gini's joint.
Another wonderful day, It went by too fast.
But in our memories, that day, will surely last.

As time passes by and thing get you down
Your anxiety high, you face in a frown.
Remember the fun, the laughs and the tears
And start planning that trip, so you can be here next year.



--------------------------------------

Tomorrow I'll have the pictures of the 'Mileage pole"..

------------------------------------------
Gini told me that the BBQ will offically be over when everyone gets safely home.

God?

Please hold everyone in your hands until they walk thru their front doors.

[RICHARD]

I guess I am a real fool....

Last year Gini ad I were cleaning up the last of the BBQ stuff.

There is a church near by and the hourly bells began to ring...I laughed and looked at Gini and said....It feels like school and now that the bell has rung, it (the BBQ) must be over....

Today as I was placing the chairs and tables into the back of my truck I told Gini that the bells would signal the end of this year's BBQ.

Gini went inside to do something and as I stood there the church bells began to ring......At that moment a huge Monarch butterfly
flew into the yard and made two huge circles of the area where all of us were sitting.....I stood there and listened to the chiming stop.....the butterfly finished the second lap of the yard and just as it flew out of my sight, the howl of a fire truck, in the distance, picked up the salute to the 3rd Annual CA BBQ.....

Serendipity?
Chance?
Coincidence?


I don't know!

[Ginger's Mom]

Loved your poem and prayer, Richard. And for everyone who participated in the BBQ and made it such a success, thanks for sharing that with all of us. I really enjoyed it. Okay the rest of you guys, give up those pictures.

[jenluckenbach]

RICHARD, I have goose bumps.

[shais_mom]

Originally posted by RICHARD



Gini told me that the BBQ will offically be over when everyone gets safely home.

God?

Please hold everyone in your hands until they walk thru their front doors.

excellant posts Richard
the butterfly gave me goosebumps!!!


If Gini says that they bbq will be over when everyone is safe at home - what about my luggage? It aint over until my luggage makes it home!!!
The Inet says it is to be delivered - humph!!

Annnnnd Laurie Baker won't be home for a few days b/c she is visiting her brother - so we still have the after effects!

[Edwina's Secretary]

and Randi is somewhere over the Atlantic (assuming she made her connection in Chicago) and Karen (KK) is still on the wing....

[gini]

I just had a phone call - Slick made it safely home to Canada! (thank you God!)

Yes, Richard is right, I did say that..........I won't be able to fully enjoy the memories of the BBQ until everyone is back home safe with their individual critters. Staci, assuming you have "critters" in your suitcase I know you will be reunited with them soon.

Richard told me about the church bells, the butterfly and the fire engine sirens.........I was in the house when this happened. So, I believe it was his own private sign - to mark the closing of an event I loved hosting for everyone.

There are a few stray paper napkins on the patio table and chairs are askew - just like everyone got up suddenly and came into the house.............yes, I think I can hear them laughing in the kitchen.

It is going to be a very lonely few next days..............

[slick]

Gini, thanks for posting this. I'm so extremely exhausted that I can hardly see but just had to put this down for Richard.....

Chauncey, you can be very annoying.....but, honey, you know I love you!!!!

[shais_mom]

glad you made it home slick


just checked my luggage


SUPPOSEDLY it is with the delivery company and will be here within in the next 12 hours...
pfft whatever!

I told Phred you don't realize you live out of your suitcase until you get home to unpack!!!
oh well I didn't have only but one load of laundry today then!!

[shais_mom]

Originally posted by shais_mom
- so we still have the after effects!

oh well
I might as well say it b/c if I don't Richard will


the after glow

[grybai]

Alexa, Uabassoon's better half [ ] here:

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for the wonderful time I had at the picnic. Although Laura persuaded me to come only by bribing me with Disneyland, I had such a wonderful time at the bbq and was so thrilled to meet so many wonderful and kind people. And although I was expecting an event as exciting as the one Byron expected (full of slide shows), I was happily entertained and before I knew it, it was time to go home.

Anyway, I especially wanted to thank Gini and her crew (Richard, Laurie, Slick, etc) for opening of her home and provinding me with more than one free meal.

...back to reading Harry Potter...

[NoahsMommy]

Glad Slick made it home OK...but sad to see this all over.

This was a WONDERFUL distraction for me...now I'm back to the real world and my job situation is sinking in.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Yep, goosebumps here too, Richard.

Slick, glad you're home safe and sound. Hope Max and Speckles aren't giving you the cold shoulder.

GREAT pictures Kelly! I knew somebody would take way better ones than I had.

Staci and others who were stuck with goofy flights. I've only got one thing to say - FLY DIRECT! Ok, ok, so I know that's not entirely possible for everyone, but it sure makes things a lot easier and less stressful when you don't have to worry about connecting flights and such. To me it's worth a little bit more money.

Hope Randi's flight went ok. We were having some pretty bad thunderstorms in Chicago yesterday, so I hope she wasn't delayed.....again....

What happened with the tatoo Staci? Was that done at the "naw-tee" shop that Kelly posted a picture of?

Connie, sorry. I knew I knew your name but I couldn't remember it for the life of me when I was posting. Sad thing is the mind is the first to go.... You are more than welcome to use that beach scene on your computer. Had I known you were such a beach lover, I could have taken tons of pictures for you. Hmmm....gives me an excuse to go back.....

Alexa, I know we didn't get much of a chance to talk, but it was great meeting you and Laura. I find it interesting that you had the typical "spousal view" of what this BBQ was going to be, and you were right along with the other spouses when you were pleasantly surprised by the good time you had.

Well....back to the daily grind for me. Needless to say my boss has been on a rampage all week. I'd like to know who he rants and raves to while I'm gone......