WHAT WE DID!

SATURDAY

Saturday: 7:00 am, I got up and started to set up the room. Amy joined me shortly after that and we got everything set out for the day. Most people went to breakfast at the hotel. They actually provided a rather nice repast, rather than just stale danish and juice as is the standard hotel fare. (I think they all just wanted to eat at Watson's.)

Around 9:00 we split up and headed out to do the day's activities. I went to the Mall of Georgia with Amy, Judi, Jilly, Nee, Tracy, Gen, and Emily. I drove with Gen, Emily, and Tracy in my car. While telling them about what the mall had to offer, I mentioned the Build-A-Bear store and Emily just brightened up. Seems she collects bears. (See what you started Em!)

We pulled up and actually managed to park right next to Amy's car. Amy, Jilly, Nee, and Judi were already in the mall, but we saw a GIANT horse sculpture that we just had to take a picture of. Then we went inside. Amy and Judi went off to Department 56 and the rest of us went to Build-A-Bear.

I picked out a carmel colored bear and dressed him in a karate outfit. He also has a cowboy hat and sunglasses. I named him Tony Bear. The poor gal whose job it is to stand at the store entrance holding a bear had her work cut out for her that day. After we had built our boys, we had to have our picture taken. There were 6 of us, 5 bears, and 8 cameras (pretty standard M7 Gathering Fare ). The gal did a good job and seemed to have fun with it. Then we explored the rest of the mall, though Tracy and I had really wanted to see Shirley Jones, but we missed her (Amy and Judi saw her. Judi was impressed that when she was standing behind the podium, she kicked off her shoes ).

We all met up, quite by accident, at the food court at 11:30 and had lunch. Then continued shopping. Finally we returned. Jilly conducted a discussion panel on story development (I think it was then. Things get blurry ) It was really successful. Everyone participated, and we talked about RPGs, and Lady Chris's story (and she's going to have to send it to the group so we can read it too!)

Soon we went to the Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner (and I'll let Holly explain all about her detour). Others learned that you could indeed drive around a stop sign instead of beside it.





We all arrived safely back at the hotel and got ready for the "White Elephant Game". This was a game in which you could unwrap a present, or steal. I think for the most part, people were more interested in finding out what ws in the boxes. Granted, Holly didn't waste ANY time in stealing the harmonica, and Kim had a dickens of a time getting rid of Deadfall. Nee, appropriately enough , got handcuffs and playing cards (now really, that could be a fun combination). Some gifts were odd, but most were pretty decent.

Nee then conducted a very encouraging discussion panel on Hurt / Comfort. She really seemed to want to encourage those who had never tested the waters of writing to take a chance. We've all got *homework* from the gathering now I drew Nancy's story request and will have to hurt Ezra and have Buck comfort him. Like this really bothers me. It is what I requested.

Friday Sunday Monday

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