2011 Ohio Beaders Retreat

Friday morning I was up before 5 am and took off about 6:30 am. It was dark, cold and raining while I loaded my car. All the way to Ohio it was cold, raining or drizzling. I stopped in Cincinnati to see an old friend "Jeanne". We go way back to elementary school. Here are a few pictures I found of us. This one was taken after the dance we did during a High School basketball game, we got 4th place and the coke tops we are wearing. Picture was taken at her house. I probably spent the night there that night.

Me (Deb) on the left and Jeanne on the right.

This one was taken in 1976 in my front yard. She probably stayed the night at my house. Jeanne is holding me, I see we are wearing matching Ts and I have to say I love those pants I am wearing.

And here we are now! Had a great talk with Jeanne. I hope to see you again, girlfriend!

Then I was off again on my way to Indian Bear Lodge in Walhonding, Ohio. Just drove into Johnstown and noticed that my gas light came on so, I stopped, put gas in the car and was so happy to pay $3.16 a gallon, got back in the car and it won't start. Called Bob, he said to let it cool off and see if it would start, still nothing. The gas station attendant came and asked if I was having problems, I told them it won't start, that I have been calling my hubby. Well, after setting there for probably close to 45 minutes maybe an hour someone pulled up and tried to jump start my car, still won't start. So, they called a tow truck for me. Ramsey's Towing came to my rescue! Yes, Mr. Allen went above and be-on the call of duty. He towed me to the dealer across the street, talked to the guy in charge and the guy that looked at the car. Decided I wasn't going to have them fix it - WAY TO MUCH! I was so ready to just go home, but Bob said to call the girls at the retreat to see if someone would come pick me up. Then Allen took me to Wendy's restaurant across the street, helped me carry everything inside. Called other service stations to see if someone could look at my car and then towed it to one of the stations. I waited at Wendy's to have a stranger come pick me up. Poor Tonya (sorry if I spelled your name wrong) must of pulled the short straw. Thank you so much Tonya for doing all that you did.

We arrived!

Get everything up to my room. It's in the loft.
My bed, which was comfy, I slept well.

Found out that I have no service on my phone! Walk into a place where I know, no one and I can't call my hubby to let him know I was alright or not. He just knows that someone is going to pick me up. So, I decided to walk to see if I could get a signal. I walked at least a mile before I got one. Called Bob to let him know I was okay, but forgot to bring the paper with me to give him the info on the car.

Friday Night

Goodie Bags

Everyone was to bring something to put in a goodie back. They had posted that there was going to be 22 attending. So I made up 21 gifts for the bags, because I wouldn't gift my own bag. I thought they were going to be gift bags with names on them and when I saw my name on the bag I won't put a gift in. But that is not how it was. So, I put a gift in each bag, except for one. When the gift bags were handed out and everyone was going through there's I asked Bonnie, I believe that who was setting by me when we did the goodie bags, if she had received this in her bag, holding up my gift for the bags, she said "no", so I gave her my gift from my bag and it all worked out. :)

Next two pictures show everything I received in the bag. How fun!

I went to bed early because I was just so stressed out, exhausted and the jokes on my behalf hurt. Sorry if I gave you the glare. I think it was 9 when I hit the bed.

Saturday I had to walked again to call Bob and yes again it was cold, windy and a little misty.

Rose giving her class.

This is what I started out with.
And this is what it ended up with!
I can see doing lots of cool things with this. Thanks so much Rose of the class.

Just after the class Bob and I came up with plan "A" for the car and I started to relax a little and enjoy myself. Thanks Bonnie, you made me feel at ease, Mary for hearing my voice even though you are going through your own things at home, Rose for the use of your internet connection and phone.

Saturday morning I started this piece and finished Saturday night! I am calling it "English Garden", thanks Tonya for the name.

Close up.

Saturday Night

Door prises and I won this cute caddy!

After I finished the bracelet I was going to cross stitch, I brought the piece I have been working on and was going to stitch before I went to bed. I forgot my floss! Again, I went to bed early, still a little stress about the car, not having good contact with Bob. So I crashed for about 5 hours. Woke up Sunday morning to a much nicer day. As soon as the sun was peeking, I jumped in the hot tub.

Then a hot shower and packed up my things and put them by the door and went out to look around, the sun does shine in Ohio, LOL! Here are a few pictures of the lodge.

Front of the lodge.

Back of the lodge and I found they have a valley ball net up in the back.
Circle drive in front of lodge.
And one last picture of the group.

Thanks everyone for putting up with me. I hope my stress didn't cause you to, not enjoy the retreat. You are a wonderful and very talented group and I hope to be able to attend next year, stress free. I feel that I came in with a wall around me and it may have been a little hard to get to know the real me.

Rose thanks so much for the ride and waiting with me until Bob showed up. And I realize now that you did go out of your way for me. Sorry I double dipped at Apple Bees, I wasn't thinking, you should have said something and ordered another dip.

Well, that was my weekend, how was yours?