I think I have P.T.B.D.

(I wrote most of this at 3 am this morning, but wanted to look it over again before I posted.)

So I think I have Post Traumatic Boobs Disorder.  Seriously.  You think I would be exhausted from our whirlwind weekend in Chicago and traveling home today (well, guess technically it's yesterday now), but I can't sleep.  I keep replaying the weekend over in my head and the exhilaration is keeping me awake.  So, I decided the only thing that might help is if I get up and put down my thoughts to paper (so to speak) and hope maybe I can catch a few hours of sleep after.   Feel free to skim this post because it is going to be a completely self-indulgent diary-like emotional hodge podge of my experience this weekend.  I don't want to forget how great it was and want to capture the trip now while it's fresh.  First you should know I totally suck in that I can't include pictures because I forgot my camera, but hopefully there will be enough posted by other people to fill my void.  Second, I'm not going to put links to everybody I mention in my post because it would take me an hour to do all the links. 

I was lucky enough to be able to come in on Thursday, which was earlier than most of the group.  Linda and I flew together out of BWI and as I've said so many times before, I am so thankful to have such a successful and friendly bandster like Linda so close to me.   Landing in Midway was a little dicey - the wind had the plane coming in with more turbulence than I ever experienced.  I almost grabbed Linda's hand, but knowing her, she probably wouldn't have minded. 

Took the shuttle to the hotel and got into our room.  Usually I'm a bit anal about getting some things unpacked and organized, but we dropped our luggage and ran down the hall to where Lara, Joey, Rani and Gilly were hanging out.  After knocking on the door, I couldn't resist covering the peep hole so they couldn't see us before we saw them.  Joey opened the door looking as gorgeous as I knew she would.   She is one of those people who is not only beautiful, but lights up a room.  I know that sounds corny, but I'm being honest.  She was definitely someone I was really looking forward to meeting and she didn't disappoint. 

It's hard to explain the surreal experience of being with people in person who you feel you already know, but are meeting for the first time.   Someone said it felt like being in an alternate universe with everyone's avatar and thought that was a good comparison.  We talked as we put together the goodie bags and it really hit me how much the BOOBs committee had done to make the weekend a success.   I knew from the BOOBS Blog and emails how much hard work went into it, but just hearing them talk about who had done what amazed me. 

One by one the Thursday group started showing up and we all went to dinner at Frontera Grill at 5:45.  It was Joey, Linda, Gilly, Rani, Alexis, Lara, Lynda, and I.  Some margaritas, some mojitos and some wine was consumed as well as chips, salsa, guac and an assortment of other yummy food.  Deborah showed up after we had already eaten (poor girl had to work Thursday), but she ordered a meal and it gave some of us the excellent opportunity to order dessert.  (names withheld to protect the guilty)  Amazingly at the end when we passed the bill around so everyone could estimate their own portion, we ended up with enough money the first go around.  Splitting a bill can be a huge pain in the ass, but not this time. 

Deborah had to work the next day, so she opted to go home after dinner.  Rani had been up for 44 hours so she decided to go back to the hotel to rest up and Lynda accompanied her.  The rest of us went to an irish bar and sat outside on the patio for some more drinks.  We were soon joined by Stephanie, Jacquie and Jenn from SC.  We then went to a piano bar for martini's and by that time most of us were ready for bed.  A few went to karoke which in retrospect I'm sorry I didn't do, but I wanted to make sure I had enough energy for a full day on Friday.  Alexis stayed in the room with Linda and I and miracles of all miracles we all liked the room COLD. 

Friday morning started with a trip to Starbucks and then several of us went to Trader Joe's to get snacks for that night's reception.  After that, we went to Michigan Ave for a little shopping.  A few purchases later, including a very successful trip to Sephora, we headed back to get ready for the reception.  The food was set up in Linda's and my room, so it was very cool to have so many of the boobs hanging out at our pad for a while.  Amy W gave a toast which made me cry.  I can't remember exactly what she said, but it was basically about what a great experience getting together is and how we are all lucky to have each other.  The room was pretty tight, so we were able to secure a conference area (the hotel didn't give us official permission to use the space, but they didn't say no either) which was great because there were tables and chairs and room for us all to move around and mingle.   After a few hours of mingling, some people decided to go dancing, some hung out at hotel, some went to a pizza place and God only knows what some other people did.  I went dancing and had a blast.   Maria, Jenny (from Fl), Grace and Jen (from Washington) all said I could dance with them any time which meant a lot - especially given that I'm older than all of them.  Only downside was that Gen broke her arm. 
Saturday morning started at Starbucks (are you seeing a pattern here) and Deborah was kind enough to give Linda, Kristen, Gilly, Joey and myself a tour of some of the cool spots in Chicago.  We went to Millenium Park and saw the outside theatre.  (sorry for the stock photos)

Cloud Gate

and the Crown Fountain.

We also happened to see Rainn Wilson who plays Dwight in The Office, but he was a jerk and really uncool about us taking his picture.   Whatever.  Little did he know that I'd trash him on my blog read by millions (okay, technically 146, but who's counting)

Some of us then went on the Architecture Boat Tour, but it was so cold and windy, that most of us went inside the boat for some drinks and conversation.  Then back to the room to get ready for dinner.  As I was getting ready, Catherine called me to say she had a big box of clothes from Megan at Banded to Lose and I should take a look.  It was fun modeling the clothes for Catherine, as well as Sarah and Stephanie who were also in the room, but I had to hurry because we all needed to get to dinner.  I got so many great things that I had to buy a carry on at the Marshalls across the street to try to get all the clothes home.  Even then I couldn't fit everything and am hoping that Deborah will ship me the rest.

We had our own room at the restaurant and it was great to again get together as an entire group.  There were even some people there Saturday who hadn't been able to make it the night before so this was the first time that the entire group was together.  Actually everybody wasn't there.  My roomie, Linda, couldn't make it as she needed to go home Saturday early evening so she could be home for her daughter's birthday on Sunday.   That was a bummer.  Everyone looked gorgeous and I was amazed by the heels some of these ladies wore.  I'd like to report that eventhough I did NOT wear a dress, I did NOT wear spanx, I did NOT wear heels and I am NOT very thin,  they did not kick me out of the room, but instead gave me many compliments.   I'm sure those superstars remember how special being told you look nice is at the beginning of the journey and they definitely passed on the love to me. 
Dinner broke up at 11 pm and we split off into groups again.  Some said their final goodbyes because they were leaving that night or early the next morning.  The shuttle was picking me up at 6:45 am so I decided to go back to the room to pack.  I was so excited the next morning about my adventure that I told the lady sitting next to me on the plane all about the great time I had and how this wonderful group of women have helped me through my journey with the band (I'm one of those people who just can't shut up about the band - I told my dental hygienist a few weeks ago.)  I bet she was sorry she asked if I was visiting Chicago for business or pleasure.  HA! 

When this trip was first proposed , I hadn't even been banded yet.  I remember feeling worried about being a newbie and being fatter than most and not having anything to contribute, but I took a deep breath, stepped out of my comfort zone and decided to go.  And I am so happy I did.  Not only did it exceed all my expectations, but it gives me even more motivation to work this band and lose the weight so when I see everybody again they will be so proud of me - and I'll be wearing a dress!

XOXO