The table is LOADED with people I’ve been anxious to see. Booger is there too Patty and Kopper, Beachgirl and her friend – a quiet, lovely lady who smiled the ENTIRE week, Clarity and Hubby-man, Boogers better half Pooper, Marley and Ninja, and sitting right next to Tizzy and happily chatting away is a young Amish fellow who appears to be on his Rumspringa… It turns out this is Jon, Boogers long time friend. I’m going to bust on Jon just a little bit here and there because, damn, he deserves it. I mean, come on, a single, good looking, athletic, charming, funny guy goes on vacation with his married pals and ends up LIVING THE DREAM?!?! He needs a little smack just once in a while to remind him “Yes, I’m alive and awake and this REALLY happened!” Of course, it never really happened…

Jon. Dude. RESPECT. Many bow before you…

Patty and Kopper are just perfect together. I had too in there for a second and then deleted it. Not too perfect together, perfect. I don’t remember what Patty was drinking but it had to be orange. Kopper was even in matching attire this evening. Patty was super excited to find out Booger was born just down the road from her in Chino. She was babysitting Joe and Manda (YES, BABYSITTING!) and looking for someone to give her a little relief. Those two were a handful. Mandy, you’re lucky you made it home alive! Joe, you are a sly dog, my friend!

Beachgirl is just super sweet. One of many I have to say I wish there had been more time for. And we had some lovely conversations. Just not enough. Can we go back NOW?

Clarity and Hubby-man are just exactly what I expected. Clarity is so nice and genuine and shy. Terribly, terribly shy. And beautiful. Just stunningly beautiful. I should probably look away now ‘cause it feels like I may have been staring beautiful. And because I knew her before I knew her, I knew the person inside was even better than the carriage outside.

And Hubby-man. Markus. Dude. Brother. A million words later I will say the same thing. Deep Love, One Love, and total respect.

Pooper is a great lady. She reminds me in a lot of ways of the better aspects of my Ex. Strong willed, bright, wild and fun. Hell, she flopped! My ex would have flopped. And she loves dogs, loves ALL animals. Sweetie Pie and her bonded, and for the rest of the week Sweetie Pie had to consider how Pooper would feel about some of her various dining choices! And on top of everything, Pooper is going to be canonized a saint because she is married to…

Booger. Everyone we met on Saturday was pretty much exactly as we expected from our board interactions. This was roundly agreed to by just about everyone. Booger, though, not so much. I’d always kind of pictured Booger as a crusty, twisted old coot with a snarky streak. Turns out he’s a young, snotty fratboy with a snarky streak… And he takes it every bit as easily as he dishes it out. I’m usually pretty good in the group party dynamic at throwing out the last comment on a riff, the one that nails it or, frequently, goes just that little bit too far that everyone says, “New Topic!” I think Booger owned me on this front. Truly funny guy, wild man from time to time, and a MACHINE…

GerryG swoops in for a few SECONDS, says hi to everyone and disappears. Dude is a whirlwind. His Negril Chill is to see as much of Negril as possible each reach. I think he succeeds every time.

And Marley and Ninja are just soaking the entire thing up. You can see it in their eyes, in their perma-smiles. Happiness, satisfaction and knowledge that we all now share of the certainty of expectations being exceeded. Again, I must ask, how can you exceed expectations that are through the roof? Like this. Done and done.

I know we meet more boardies this evening but it gets a little blurry. I know I hear more than one time, “Have you met SpottyCatz? They are hilarious!” To all I’ve missed here, we were so glad you were there.