OK Gang,<P>Tentative dates for the gala event are June 22 thru the 28. I can work around it, but Gina is not as flexable. Did that sound right?<P>Here is the site for the hotel along with pics and a map. Pretty cool place, huh?<BR> <A HREF="http://www.goldkeyvacations.com/clarion/clarionhome.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.goldkeyvacations.com/clarion/clarionhome.htm</A> <P>Come one, come all!!! [Once again, that didn't sound right] Don't miss it!!!!<P>The Pinhead

oooooookay,<P>I'll speak to my boss tomorrow and put in for some more leave.....<P>Just one question, where is VA Beach??? which state, which town,....... Do Qantas fly there?????????<P>and who said coming to Australia next????<P>Can I be in charge of that one!!!!!!!!! <BR>Bris-vegas is just the best!!!!!!!!<P>I'm also of the 'no bikini' brigade, but I'm pretty much game for anything else. I do want to try roller-blading, never done it before, and I'm sure someone owe's me a marguerita in the spa.. from a party last year. Now, who was that....<P>I was planning a trip to the states this year, in October, but I'm sure I can bring it forward. I also want to get to Nebraska to see someone who has become very dear to me.<P>I'll wait just a bit longer to see when you've finalised the dates, and then see about holidays from my employer. How exciting. what a hoot. I love having something to look forward to.<P>hugs to everyone<P>Jo<P>Can I come?????? Can I play too????????<BR>

Jo,<P>VA beach is in Virginia! It would be so cool if you could come!!! And there's got to be an airport close by that Qantas flies into! Maybe Washington DC?? If that's the case, I'm not far from there, I could pick ya up and then we could head to the beach! How's that for convenient?? <P>I'm thinking of taking a week off then and bringing the kids AND a babysitter! We'll see how that works out!!<P>Is it June yet??<P>Mitzi

Hey Mitzi and Jo,<P>Believe me, we had a blast in Nashville and it was just friends from the net getting together. I don't think that more than 10 minutes were spent talking about our X's. It was fun time for us. That was the idea.<P>I live near Lehigh Valley International Airport [ABE]. I don't know if the big rat lands here or not, but, the offer is open if you want to ride down with me and Gina. There is also a commercial airfield in Norfolk, God, I love to say that.<P>Either way, I am expecting you guys to be there. Still waiting for my E. What? It takes that long from down under.<P>I have been down to VA Beach well over a dozen times and plan on retiring there within the next 5 years. It is a great place and there is so much to do. <P>Come on gang, summer, beach, sand, water...<P>Wishing us all the Best.<P>Zippy

Hi guys!!<P>It's been a long time!<P>Hmmm, VA Beach, eh? I was planning to go down that way anyway this year. This good been very, very fun!<P>Cheryl

Hi guys,<P>Washington DC - Virginia......<P>hmmmmmm, I really need to look at my atlas. I thought one was about half way up, and the other was at the bottom....<P>I could easily get to Washington, which I have always wanted to visit. Thanks for the offer Mitzi, I may just have to take you up on that. I also happen to think it's YOU that owes me a margeurita in the spa from one of your 'parties' ages and ages ago. Maybe we'll stop at every bar betw. Washington and VA beach and have one. What are your drink driving laws like over there!!!!!!!!!!! My God, after two towns I'd be deported for being disruptive.........and noisy.........<P>This is so exciting.<P>I had been planning a trip this year, now it looks like it might really happen. <P>Medic, sorry about the e. I've just had two weeks off work - holidays, and I've been busier than when I work!!!!!!! Can't believe it. I did have my cousin here from England, so I spent a lot of time with her, and catching up with family etc. <BR>No time for 'bashing' !!!!!! ooops, THAT was in bad taste wasn't it......... He made the comment the other day that I bashed him, and I laughed and said 'grow up, I slapped your face'. He always was a drama queen.......<P>anyway, back to our exciting little adventure. I will start this week making tentative plans, finding out about flights etc etc. Keep me posted on the exact dates that you all decide<P>love and hugs<P>Jo

Jo,<P>Hey! If you can make it here, I'll definately buy the margaritas! I think I owe everyone a drink from one of the hot tub parties! LOL LOL <P>Start planning!<P>Mitzi

Hey Mitzi,<P>I just got in from work, I flew to Sydney twice today. Every time I landed, I could see a Qantas jumbo, and thought to myself, "I'll be on you soon......"<P>I also heard Qantas longhaul are recruiting at the moment, and I fantasised all day about applying. The only problem is, what do I do with the girls???<P>There's no way I could make THAT one work...<BR>Oh well, maybe they'll accept me in another 15 years, when the girls are older, and gee, I'll only be 50!!!!!!!!!!!<P>This is so exciting. I'm going to go to the library tomorrow, and get one of the lonely planet books on America. I'll try and find out where VA Beach is etc.<P>Maybe we could do the Thelma and Louise thing, with all the bars!!<P>Talk to you soon<P>love and hugs<P>jo<P>Hey Medic - will you please load the dishie for me, I'm really tired after a long day at the office!!!!!!! And put a load of washing on, and walk the dog, and cook tomorrow night's dinner!!!!!??????<BR>Can't wait to meet you........<BR>But please don't nag me about my little habits!!!! xxxxxxx

Alright Gang,<P>What's the deal? No one wants to have fun this summer? Come on.<P>------------------<BR>"It's not over till we say it's over! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? H*ll no!" Blutto...Animal House 1984<P>Wishing us all the Best.<P>Medic

Hi Medic,<P>just did the virtual tour for the hotel. It looks fantastic. Right on the beach. Do you have prices yet???? Hopefully the A$ will pick up before then, but what the heck, it's only money (that I don't have - tee hee)<P>Now bear in mind that this is said behind my hand to you - but did you see the size of those beds???????<P>One looked to be a queen size, and the one in the master b/r looked able to sleep a football team!!!!!!!!!<P>Was that your plan all along you naughty boy!!!<P>Have we got definite dates yet? Are you still looking at 22 - 28 June?<P>I'm getting so excited about this. My little plan is to take the girls to Disneyland for about 3/4 days, and then come on over. I have to talk to Ceecee about where we can meet, but I'll sort all that out. This is just fantastic.<P>I haven't had a chance to get to the library yet, but I only work 3 days this week, so I'll get there this week.<P>big and bigger hugs to you my friend, and thanks for organising this.<P>Jo xxxxx

Jo,<BR>I think I owe you a margarita too... this time we definately have to have the all night pajama/margarita party! or maybe the all night pajama/margarita/beach party!<P>Hey ZIPPY..... My knee is getting better... I can bend it almost like normal, and almost walk normal again. 2 more weeks of PT and I'll be ready to start conditioning for the summer games !<P>I have my calander marked for he last week in June.... I'll be there!<P>Smooches,<BR>B

Butterfly,<P>you're right, you do owe me one too. Or ten!!!<BR>Gee, do I have to buy pyjamas too for this holiday!!!! tee hee<P>I'll have to wear my 'comfy' knickers to go with my floral 'tied around the neck' nightie. And my little nightcap, and my bedsocks.!!!!! Pyjama fashion is not much chop over here!!!!!!!<P>This is just so much fun thinking about all this. Sometimes half the fun of a holiday is the planning.<P>Did you do the virtual tour of the hotel? It looks great.<BR>We'll have to get a duty free list of what alcohol would be best to bring in. Tequila for the marguerita's obviously!!!!! Yummmmmm<BR>I think I can only bring in 2 bottles, oh well, 2 bottles of tequila it is then.......<P>have a nice weekend<P>Jo<P>

Jo,<P>I know... it's so much fun to plan the trips! I'm already excited about going. <P>I haven't taken the virtual tour yet, but it looks like it will be great. We might have to share rooms though, since that's high tourist season. I'll call them to find out prices and see if they have a group rate.<P>As for the margaritas.... well, we can always find a liquor store there... if we run out of tequila! And I'm sure that even if everyone brought 2 bottles, we'd need more! <P>I can't wait!<BR>B

Hey you Two,<P>Now we're getting into it. YEAH!!<P>Jo,<P>They renovated the place since I was there last in 94. It was nice then. Looks even better now. Dates are not carved in stone, but, it seems this would be best for everyone, right before the holiday. I/we [G] will be there for a week. That's the longest I can survive without sleep.<P>I was waiting to see how many folks are really interested to get a better price. <P>You better be there. The dishes are piling up here and the oven [dish washer] is full. One more thing, stop leaving the seat up. GADS.<P>And Butterfly,<P>It sounds like you may be able to keep up with me this summer. I'm not holding back this time. Now you know me it's time for 100% Zippy. You ain't seen anything yet. I am a self proclaimed idiot. I love to have fun and Val suppressed that. It's coming back. Watch out for that pot!!!<P>Opps, and Jo, Jammies are optional. You can bunk with us if you want [not in the same bed, mind you] Well, let me think about that.<P>June can't come fast enough for me.<P>Still Wishing us all the Best.<P>Zippy

Butterfly,<P>you had better do all the rehab to get your knee strengthened to play beach volleyball!<P>and for waterskiing, you need strong leg motion!<P>keep it up, you'll get there!<P>sWIFTTy

putting the pennies away for the tequila, ok, ok, and the jarmies..........<P>Butterfly - I seem to remember a tequila or 2 we shared at one of those tub parties... This could be quite dangerous.<P>I am soooooooo looking forward to this<P>Jo

Now Medic, My Sweet,<P>We need to talk about exactly WHO is leaving the seat up............ there's obviously a few things you need to know about guys and gals, OMG - I just had a thought - unless you guys do it differently over there......<P>I'll share a bathroom with you if you promise NOT to do that.<P>BTW - have you done those dishes yet.... The cockies will be loving you<P>big hugs<P>Jo

sWIFTTy.... <BR>I'll be ready for Volleyball, but the water skiing is probably out ... I haven't been able to ski (snow) for several years do to prior knee injuries (both knees at once). I've never tired water skiing before, but I bet it's pretty much the same.<P>I will however be up for some parasailing and jet skiing.... that's more my speed anyway . Plus it's easier to chase down Zippies on a jetski! <P>Jo, <BR>I'll save ya from the Zipper and the seat problems.... we can share a room if you like. You just have to be willing to put up with my bad habbits . You, me and Mitz could share a room or a suite maybe.<BR>Oh.... and I think the only real BR difference is the water swirls the other way! <P>One thing though folks.... I tried checking prices for that time frame.... there are not any rooms avaliable. That is unless Zippy called already about a block of rooms???? <BR>I did however find another hotel a few blocks up the beach that has openings.... runs about $140-200 per night (OUCH) but I didn't check on group rates. I'll have to post the link from home... it's owned by the same company though.<P>Smooches to everyone!<BR>B

Hey Guys,<P>Sand VolleyBall,Water Skiing,Jet Skiing,Parasailing,Little Dancing Little Night Life........Sounds GREAT!!<P><BR>Hey Dawnetta,<P>The water skiing is actually diff then down hill snow skiing.Snow you have to be knees bent and some what leaning forward.Water,is knees bent but leaning back,more work in the arms.Or at least that is IMO.[I always have a hard time getting up,but once up it isn't that hard.]<P>Just make sure that when you do fall,.......LET GO OF ROPE.<BR>[I didn't and man,....was draged across the water for miles.]NOT a pretty sight.ROTFLMAO! <P>Parasiling and the jet skiing does sound like a blast!<P>Zip,<P>You better be ready for the Zippy Tag w/Butter and I jet skiing!!<P>Jo,<P>Yeah,you do have to keep after Zippy for the seat thing! <BR>As Dawnetta said,...I will leave that up to you as well.<P>We can get the deal on the hotel and rooms.<BR>I will post something as soon as I found out.<P>Take it easy guys!!<P>Gina <P><P>------------------<BR>"If we deny love that is given to us,if we refuse to give love because we fear pain or loss,then our lives will be empty,our loss greater!"-----Anonymous----

HI Medic,<BR>Long time......it was a long day yesterday and your weblink is making me nuts this am/pm. Is the plan to stay at the clarion or at the 'popup' turtle cay ad that i cannot get past?! <BR>I need more coffee still?<P>cl