Guess what!!!

[memmey]

I am meeting Maria( cheapdiva) in New Orleans at Linda's house on the 13th of this month.!!! I am spending the night and going junking with them Saturday. Junking in New Orleans. Dinner with friends!!!!!
I can't wait to see them again. This is gonna be so much fun!!!!!!

For those who don't know....I met my cottage friend for the first time last year and got to meet Linda her sweet sweet friend. They are both wonderful and we had fun. Who knew that I would get to meet one of my firends here.
This group of girls have been the best pals a person could want and to get to spend time with any of you is a dream come true.
One day just one day maybe we could all meet...wouldn't that be wonderful?:D

[ChapterTwo]

One day just one day maybe we could all meet...wouldn't that be wonderful?:D


Oh, Memmey...yes, it would!

I am so excited for you and Maria and Linda! I hope you are going to take photos, and we'll love to see what treasures you find along the way. What a fun time you're all going to have! :);):D

[Lisa S]

I was hoping you too would get together again when Maria said she was going to LA. I know you'll have a wonderful time! I wish I could be there too.

[Lynzee]

That sounds like so much fun! I'm so excited for you! :D

[anneandkita]

How fun!! Definintely take pictures!! And we want to see any awesome "junk" you find! :D

[RoseMary]

Oh, you girls are going to have a great time!!

[Breezy]

That sounds like sooo much fun - Memmy, Maria & Linda!
Please take pics so we can all enjoy!:)
ps - it would be so much fun to have a C&B get-together!

[memmey]

If only C& B could meet at a B&B for the weekend.:p

[Gigi]

Oh Memmey! You must be sooo excited...pics, stories, laughs I can see it now.... set your alarm- oh heck set two..

I was lucky enough to met Lisa a Christmas season ago---Ms. Lisa we'd be great neighbors if we lived close by---I'd learn so much by you, and I could watch your kiddies for you and your handsome husband to have a nite out.... ;)

Yes, it would be wonderful to meet-gosh we have been friends for so long you all are like family. ;)

[Lisa S]

Oh Gigi ~ if I lived by you, I'd show up in the morning for coffee and a soap making lesson.

[Gigi]

Aww...that sounds nice- that is one down side of living on a hill...no neighbors to stop by in the morning...:(
Oh Gigi ~ if I lived by you, I'd show up in the morning for coffee and a soap making lesson.

[Lisa S]

Of all the things I've wanted in my life, more close women friends is top on the list. I love you all and I wish you lived on my street.

[chyna]

Me too! :( Best I got right now is the nice lady next door who I don't see in the winter months. Come to think of it, I don't see most of my neighbors until it warms up. :p:o

[RoseMary]

Of all the things I've wanted in my life, more close women friends is top on the list. I love you all and I wish you lived on my street.

Exactly~! Why are women friends so hard to find:confused::(. We do have some new neighbors who seem a little like us. She, the wife, is very sweet and friendly and I think we're going to be good friends. Like us, they are busy with their homestead all the time. They stopped by last week with their guitar and banjo and we sat around the living room singing old gospel and mountain songs. It was the most fun we've had in a while!

[Lisa S]

It sounds like a perfect evening!

I have wonderful friends. My oldest friends don't live in my neighborhood, so we don't get together as often as I'd like. They're true blue and I'll always love them.

I have new friends that I met from my little one's school. We have great fun going to listen to music or meeting for coffee. I can see these friendships blossoming. But none of these ladies live in my neighborhood either. (The downfall of a charter school is that we come from all over our school district.)

I have to say that I really love it when I have a friend over for coffee and she feels comfortable enough to wash out a dish or open my fridge for a snack.

I guess to be honest ~ I just want all of YOU to live on my street. I'll help you pack and then paint.

[ChapterTwo]

~ I just want all of YOU to live on my street. I'll help you pack and then paint.


Oooh, wouldn't that be fun? We could schlep our painting stuff from one house to the next! :D

[anneandkita]

I'm a grad student in computer science, so I've spent my entire life with few female friends. (It's not unusual to be the only female at a company, in a class, etc)

I didn't even know there were women out there who liked this stuff too! :)

Instead of a progressive dinner, we could have a progressive paint!

[ChapterTwo]

[QUOTE
Instead of a progressive dinner, we could have a progressive paint![/QUOTE]



That would definitely be more fun (and less caloric too...) :o

My son has a Master's in computer science, Anne!

[Lisa S]

I like the idea of a progressive paint party!

Hey Anne ~ I created my first web page. It's for a fundraiser that I'm working on. It took me three 8 hour days, but I did it. How fun! I did it all by myself, but my husband is an IT guy, so I knew I could borrow his brain if I needed to.

What will you do (or are doing) with your degree?

[Breezy]

Exactly~! Why are women friends so hard to find:confused::(. We do have some new neighbors who seem a little like us. She, the wife, is very sweet and friendly and I think we're going to be good friends. Like us, they are busy with their homestead all the time. They stopped by last week with their guitar and banjo and we sat around the living room singing old gospel and mountain songs. It was the most fun we've had in a while!

We live between two rental properties so people come and go a lot and we don't know any of them.

RoseMary ~ that sounds like a wonderful way to spend and evening!:)

[Lynzee]

I seem to remember neighbors from my past life...:rolleyes:

We live in the middle of the woods down an old dirt logging trail. Our nearest neighbor is our daughter and her family but they are still several miles away.

I hate that my oldest and dearest friends aren't local. One is only 400 miles away, so we get to see each other fairly often, but the other is 1300 miles away. Thank goodness for cell phones with free nights and weekends and email!

I'm thinking finding and making friends at my little one's school won't be an option for me, Lisa. :D

[Lisa S]

I'm thinking anyone who met you would love you.

[anneandkita]

Lisa, that's awesome! You should be proud! :) I've been helping my mother work on a webpage and it's been fun working with her!

Chaptertwo: That's so cool! Where did your son go to school? I'm at UC Santa Cruz focusing on video games studies. :)

[RoseMary]

Lynzee, I can't imagine the moms not liking you:).

Our neighbors that I talked about live about a mile away from us. Out here, the term neighbor is relative--we are all 'neighbors', even when we are ten miles away from each other, because it is basically still the same community.

A progressive painting party sounds like lots of fun. We could let Chyna organize it:D.

[Lynzee]

I'm sure the other mothers would love me...if I could just learn to play nice with them. The little one's kindergarten teacher keeps telling me that if I would just work on that a teeny bit, she's sure the other moms would come around. :rolleyes:

[Lisa S]

The first phrase that comes to mind isn't fit for this forum or nice company. I'm sitting here shaking my head.

[ChapterTwo]

Chaptertwo: That's so cool! Where did your son go to school? I'm at UC Santa Cruz focusing on video games studies. :)

Anne - My son received his Bachelor's/Master's in Computer Science at Fairleigh Dickinson University (NJ), as well as a Master's in Teaching. He teaches high school computer science - game design and engineering! :D He's a happy camper - his passion has been video games since he was 2-1/2! My father had a Commodore computer and taught him the DOS commands and my little one absorbed it all like a sponge. For his essay to enter college, he wrote about his "Grandpa" and how he impacted his life. :)

I guess there weren't many girls in your computer classes! Did you meet your bf at school?

[Lynzee]

The first phrase that comes to mind isn't fit for this forum or nice company. I'm sitting here shaking my head.

I'm okay with it. I'd much rather spend time with all of my friends here. :D

[Lynzee]

Our neighbors that I talked about live about a mile away from us. Out here, the term neighbor is relative--we are all 'neighbors', even when we are ten miles away from each other, because it is basically still the same community.

I know what you mean, RoseMary. It's the same way here. Whether we live two miles apart or twelve, we all greet one another with, "Hi, Neighbor" when we run into each other in town.

[Zuzu's Garden]

Memmey - please take lots of pics. That way, we can come too!

Lynz - sounds to me like the other Moms are acting like small children on a playground.

So, the paint party is at Chyna's? I'll start shipping my stuff to her house right away.

Zu

[Gigi]

Hey where's the PAR-ty? :):D

[Lynzee]

Lynz - sounds to me like the other Moms are acting like small children on a playground.Zu

It's not me ~ I'm sure of that! :rolleyes: It's really the fact that there's a three decade age difference between the other moms and me. :D

Is it okay if I bring white paint to the party? That's the only color I have. But I have lots of different shades. :D

[RoseMary]

Lynzee, they must be very immature, because knowing older women (don't mean you are 'older'--just older than them:))--the ones that have been through whatever we're going through at the time--is priceless. One of my very best friends is the 82 year old wife of our pastor. Her wisdom about life is always amazing to me. I love her so much.

[chyna]

:eek::eek: Now I'll have to clean the house!!!! :D

Don't worry about white paint, I got loads of colors we can mix with the white and make new colors. Now wouldn't htat be a blast, mixing up new paint colors? I personally would have a ball doing it. ;)

[Lynzee]

Most of them are very young and immature, RoseMary. That's why I really don't pay much attention to what they have to say--to me or about me. :D

Gotcha, Chyna! I'll definitely be there with the "mixers"! :D

[ChapterTwo]

It's their loss, Lynzee. They could learn a lot from you if they were a little more "grown up" about things. Zheesh, it's like babies raising babies...it sounds like they're very childish!

[neverfinished]

Isn't it amazing how ridiculous people can be? My boys are all older but I have friend who is close to my age and the oldest mom in her sons class. She said the same exact thing! the younger moms just do not talk to her at all. She tried to make nicey nice but finally said forget it! I don't understand why they would be so stupid!

Painting? did someone say painting? I'm IN!! I am sooooooooooo ready for the weather to warm up and get out my paint. Might have to hit the store for more rollers and brushes tho!

[memmey]

Hello everyone ,
This was the weekend that I met Maria and her husband Jeff and Linda and her husband Danny .
I left for New orleans about 1:15 on Friday for what should have been a 2 and 1/2 half hour trip and I did't get there till after 5. There was an 18 wheeler wreck on the Bonne Carre spillway and the traffic was backed up forever....really forever.
I finally managed to get through New Orleans and it's Madi Gras so the traffic was horrible and I had to call Linda and see if I was going the right way. Thank goodness I was. She said I still needed to cross the causeway. Now I have been to New Orleans before many times but I had never crossed the causeway. FYI the causeway is a bridge over lake Ponchitrain and it is 24 miles long. Twenty-four miles out over the water with sea gulls and everything. :eek:

I finally got to Mandeville where Linda lives and I was only about 3 blocks from her house BUT there again the traffic and Madi Gras got me screwed up so they came to get me from where I was. When I got there I was so glad to see them. They both looked so cute and they had a glass of wine waiting for me and I needed it after the trip. I met their husbands and they were both very very nice and gracious to me.

We sat for ahwile and had crackers cheese and humus and good wine. Linda's home is lovely. Their home was used in the movie "Welcome to the Reily's" and Danny told us about the filming and the actors. James Gandolfini is in it and I forget the actress's name but she is up for an academy award. Very very interesting.


We had reservations for 7:30 at "Rip's". We ate on the balcony outside at a huge ornate wrought iron table surrounded by old ante-bellum homes on the water, the weather was perfect and the balcony looks out across the HUGE lake. It looks like the ocean. The food was unbelievable, I had Drum with crawfish and shrimp on top with a sauce, pan roasted potatoes and sauteed spinach. We also had fried green tomatoes with a seafood sauce before our meal. It was heavenly. The balcony was decorated for Madi Gras and the whole night was fabulous. More wine and good conversation between bites of gorgeous food.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o243/memmey/yow013.jpg



It was an evening I will always remember because I met Maria on the CL site and she and Linda have become so dear to me.
I can't post everything in one post but I will tell you about it all alittle at a time, it was too much fun to condense.
Here is my tag so you will stay tuned...:p...the habitat for humanity thrift store:D

[Gigi]

I'm so happy for you all! It sounds like you had a wonderful time~ and even made it through the terrible traffic woes... :eek:

Fabulous picture of three lovely ladies!

[shabbychick]

How fun! What a horrendous drive, though. I'm sure you more than needed that glass of wine. I can sympathize. I spent three hours in the car making a ninety-minute trip a couple of weeks ago. It sounds like you had an absolutely wonderful time, though. Dinner on the balcony of a nice lakeside restaurant, though, sounds like it was worth the drive. I'd love to plan a get-together with anyone from the Pacific Northwest sometime!

[Lisa S]

I'm staying tuned for the adventures of Memmey and Maria! I'm glad you got to see each other again.

I'd love to get together with the Pacific NW girls. Tell me where and when OR come down here!

[RoseMary]

That dinner sounds wonderful after that awful drive! I'm so glad you had a fabulous weekend!

[annielinz]

Memmy how fun!! Is it not amazing how you can forge a strong bond and friendship in cyper-space then have the chance to meet in person-WOW.

Glad you survived the trip getting there, and to be in NO during Mardi Gras,:eek: hope you got lots of beads!
We were there this summer for my nieces wedding, we had a blast, can't tell you how many hurricanes I drank.

Great pic too.

[Lisa S]

Gigi ~ I'm missing you just hearing about this fun!

[memmey]

No beads....
Now if they were throwing diamond necklaces maybe but plastic beads Nah ;)
I am not trying to string the story along it is just so much to tell that I get tired of typing and correcting my misspelling...LOL
I'll try to finnish tonight when I get a chance. Maira is just as she seems on here VERY witty and Linda is a gentle soul and so sweet. I have a feeling that she can be a cut-up but she was being very nice around company...LOL
I really really had a good time, it was like I had known them for years and years. They let me wander off and shop and we would cross each other on isles and areas.....so much fun. They have very good taste and got some great!!!! treasures.
You should see Mandeville it looks like a set of a movie the homes are breath taking and they are off the ground because of the hurricanes. I didn't take pictures I was too busy staring and saying oh my gosh oh my gosh.
Oh if only Maria can buy herself a cottage down there. She loves it there and I don't blame her one bit, the atmosphere is dreamy.

[Lisa S]

I've always thought of Louisiana as dreamy, steamy and sexy. I would LOVE to live there! With my magic anti-hurricane wand...

I miss having the Diva around here. Is she loving her new job?

[Lynzee]

The picture is great! Sounds like y'all had a wonderful time--though getting there sounded like zero fun. I'm so happy that it was a great weekend for y'all! :)

[Gigi]

Awww....Lisa- Just think if we had-had a day the trouble we could have gotten into!
Hugs
Gigi ~ I'm missing you just hearing about this fun!

[Lisa S]

There is always another day, dear Gigi. Soon!

[Zuzu's Garden]

OhMyGosh! Your descriptions are wonderful, Memmey! Thanks for "bringing" us along. :D But, please DO string the story along. Who's who in the pic? And please tell us more about the shops and treasures!!!

Zu

[cheapdiva]

Oh My God - whose the fat one in the middle? Ooops, it's me! Mem on the left, me in the middle and my best bud, Linda on the right.
I have been really bad about checking in lately - working loooonggg days (got to work at 6:30 A.M. today) but wanted to see if Mem had posted about our trip.
For those of you who don't know, Memmey and I met last May on my regular trip to see Linda (my best bud of 20 years). Linda and I went to Mem's that trip and LOVE her home. Pictures really don't do it justice. It was like we had all known each other for years. Linda was very concerned that I had made a friend online and was sure it was just one more of my goofy schemes that was going to end up with our checkbooks being stolen! BUT, she fell for Mem too!
This time, Memmey came to us. Poor Mem, she had a time of it getting to Linda's but I think it was worth it.
We had dinner with the men on Friday night and then promptly dump them on Saturday. We ate our way through the day between junking. I think I got the deal of the day with a beautiful lamp for under $15 . . . will post photos later this week when I have some time. We all came home with plenty of treasures and little $$ spent.
I'm not sure if breakfast at LeMadeline (strawberries Romanoff and croissants) or lunch at Zea's (hush puppies - YUM!, hummus - see a theme here? and the BEST salad I have EVER had in my life).
Our conversations are easy and we just truly enjoy each other's company. I plan on getting to New Orleans twice a year (until I can buy a home in Abita Springs) and I fully expect Linda and Mem to see each other more often.

You are all such dear friends but it really is fun to meet and get to know one another in person. Memmey is the sweetest thing ever and I can't wait until we see each other again.

P.S. Photos do add weight - I am about 30 pounds lighter in person!!!!

[Gigi]

So many treasures you all three had that weekend~food, fun, laughs, shopping, exploring...did I mention shopping?~

And you ALL are so beautiful~ and just being able to spend some fun time together was perhaps the best treasure of all! Can't wait to see more pictures.

[Lisa S]

I wish I could have been with you both. It sounds like a wonderful time!

"P.S. Photos do add weight - I am about 30 pounds lighter in person!!!!" Whenever I look at my pictures that I've just taken with my digital camera, I think "I've lost about five pounds since then, I think...". It's just my fine sense of self esteem kicking in. Or is that self preservation? :)

[Zuzu's Garden]

Happy to see your smiling faces and see who's who! And again, thanks so much for sharing your adventure with us - I can almost taste the strawberries Romanoff!
:D
Zu

[Breezy]

Memmy & Maria ~ sounds like you had a wonderful visit! Thanks for posting the pic of the three of you ~ you all looked great & Mem glad you had a safe drive.

[rubyslippers]

WOW!!! It sounds like you all had a blast. Lisa, I keep kicking myself that we didn't get together when I was visiting Oregon a couple of summers ago - - ARRRGGHH! Everyone always looks so smiley - - I don't know what y'all are griping about either regarding your weight - - everyone looks beautiful to me in these pictures - - I feel like that picture could be an Aveeno fresh-faces advertisement or something - - you all are glowing - - anyway, best wishes to my friends in cyberspace. Bye, Jenny

[Evelyn]

CheapDiva, I was amused by your friend Linda's concern about you meeting a friend online.
When I mention this group to my friend's I get a raised eyebrows.........

Evelyn

[Lisa S]

Next time, Jenn!

[cheapdiva]

Okay, as promised a few photos of the great "junk" I came home with. I found the two precious little "bee" items and knew they would be perfect in my bath holding make-up brushes and make-up. Unfortunately, the little napkin basket had 2 pieces break off the back - but you can't see the break. One day soon I'll glue the pieces back on.

The Asian bird plate at the top of the trio on my dining room wall was another find. The other 2 pieces have been waiting for a third friend to round out the grouping.

Later today, I'll post a couple of more photos.

[annielinz]

Love your finds and I'm a sucker for plates on the wall!

[RoseMary]

Great finds~I especially love the little bee container:)

[cheapdiva]

Annie - the middle one is a lid - the pot is hiding somewhere around here. This is my bargain!!! This lamp was $14.70!! I bought it to eventually put in my Abita Springs, LA home . . . then Mem and Linda and I will be junking all the time.
Linda wanted me to leave it behind - I'm planning on getting a storage unit there in the next year or so and start buying things to put in my "southern" home.

Look at the detail on this lamp, it looks like frosting! It's much bigger than the photo - it's probably about 30" around.

Mem, the book I was telling you about "Slipcover Chic" is in the background. For any of you looking to make slipcovers, this is THE book to have. I bought it at Printers Row book fair last summer for about $4 but I bet you could find a copy on Amazon. It is full of great ideas and clear step-by-step instructions.

More later.

[Gigi]

Cheapdiva~ You find some wonderful treasures! I would have grabbed the little beekeeper jar too! ;)

[annielinz]

Cheapdiva, love love love that lamp!

[Lynzee]

What wonderful finds! I would have grabbed the lamp, too!

[Breezy]

cheapdiva ~ love your "finds". The lamp is gorgeous ~ I love the plates on the wall and your "bee" find is so cute!