Another Fun Hangover!

 

WOW! This past weekend was awesome! It was a labor of love, kind of like my class reunions, and I loved every minute. Forgive me for bubbling over with joy after the first “Let’s Take on Derby City” with my newfound group of “Ethels.” It ended on Sunday and today, I’m finally feeling back to normal (whatever that might mean!). Nothing like a good “Fun Hangover.”

The Ethels are a group of women, mainly 50 and over, and we are part of an AARP Facebook page, called The Ethel Circle. Ethel was one of the founders of AARP so the name of the group is a tribute to her.

Most of you have seen THE video, knowing that I have a Kentuckiana group of Ethels. (*That video has gone viral by the way!!)  At one of our luncheons, we decided to invite other Ethels from different states, to come for a gathering. I had hoped to have 50-75 and began marketing before the holidays, then started official registration on March 1.

Although we didn’t make my goal, we had 30 women from Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, and New York. We had a great time!! Friday night Trivia and Treats and Saturday night, Derby & Drag Queens.

When we weren’t in our banquet room, we were scattered all over the city…Churchill Downs, NuLu, the Belle of Louisville, and there was shopping! Honestly, I can say this group was easy and they made me look good!

The drag queens had been asked to respect the guests, reading the room and not pushing if anyone seemed uncomfortable. But this group, they were joining in just like I knew they would. The queens were so kind…working the room for photos with everyone and then, they spread out, going to each table asking questions and letting the girls ask questions of them as well.

We had line dancing instructions and the queens danced with us. We laughed, we ate & drank, and we had a great night of girls becoming friends.

The weekend was a success. There were glitches but no one complained. The Ethels were kind, open to new things, and we all feel like we made a lot of friends.

The person in charge of the AARP Ethel brand, Shelley, was here, observing and participating. She and I had the opportunity to talk and we both agreed that we were officially friends. Thanks to her for all the support along the way.

There were so many gracious and beautiful women in one room and the laughter was contagious.  There is just a sweet feeling that has filled my heart and it won’t go away! Thank you to all those participants who are reading this! Thank you for taking a chance to come to my home town and visit just some of the highlights. I think you might need to come back because we have lots more to cover!

For those of you who think you have enough friends, believe me, there’s always room for more.

I’m headed out for vacation this weekend, meeting Katie and her family in Rhode Island for the week. It’s been a hectic week, recovering from the craziness of the Ethel weekend, and heading out on Saturday. I think I like hectic, especially when it involves my friends and those silly little fellas that are my grandsons. I’ll take it!!   xoxoxxox