WCAF Chinese Dinner and Limo Extravaganza

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Next Year, Hoooooooo!

Thanks everyone, for missing me before I'm not even there! I just hate it that I can't go but, truth be told, my physician has grounded me. Won't let me leave town for awhile. Woke up yesterday with some serious chest pains and shortness of breath. I have history of tacchycardia (uneven heart rythm), and it kicked in big time. Exhaustion, stress....I still haven't had an adequate "break" from the Christmas Crazies, and still have a lot of orders due, leftover from before Christmas, and since. Can't seem to get caught up, nor ready to go to Vegas, and then the thought of being closed for nearly a week and all of it waiting for me when I got back....just doesn't make sense.

I had to choose my priorities. I've looked forward to WCAF and the classes and the panel discussions, and the Grumbling all year, but my health (and my very-wise internist) have MADE me change my plans, and I AM NOT SOOOO HAPPPY ABOUT IT!

I've been going full-tilt for two years now, and cannot go at this pace anymore. I need more help. So.....

...my husband and I have made the decision for him to reduce his hours at his regular job , just enough to be able to keep our medical benefits there, and come join me in the shop, helping with chopping and joining (he already learned that last year and was darn good at it!), and other "stuff". Being partially color-blind, he'll be useless at the front counter, but can still lend to the happy atmosphere. He's a kind and fun man, and because of all the time I spend at the shop, we've missed each other. It will be an experiment in patience, but we'll see how it goes. I think all will be fine, and I'm actually looking forward to it.

So...take lots of pictures, take lots of notes and save handouts from your classes and if it's okay with the educators, maybe share them with me. Don't know if I can cancel now and get a refund, so any help (with notes/and handouts) will be appreciated. Most of my classes were Marc Bluestone's, Jay Goltz and Uncle Bob Carter. Lifesaver, I'll just have to ask more and do more research, and take a trip to Mulketeo for more Wizard lessons.

I haven't been grounded since I was a teenager. Grumblegrumblegrumble....

Kirstie.....I hope you're feeling better as well. Sacramento is a 2-1/2 drive from Carson... Berkeley isn't THAT much further.

The Flamingos....well, they're pitching a pink royal fit and looks like I may have to send them to Dawn to wear to the WCAF Grumble Limo Dinner. Emibub, sorry about the "other earings".

I was sure looking forward to meeting those of you that I didn't get to meet last year. Fasten your seatbelts!

Yeee Haaawww!!:D:D:D I have not lost my enthusiasm.....it's just taking a little nap and recharging it's batteries!
 
Val,

Speaking from personal experience, working with hubby is great! If we make it to Vegas and the Mom and Pop class I'll fill you in. Jeff and I have different responsibilities at work, so that's how t works. Neither of us could imagine running the business without the other. I do marketing, sales at design, organization, innovation, corporate sales, and new moulding purchases. He pays the bills and does some framing, and works full time in the shop keeping the day-to-day running smoothly with the help of the managers. We spend a lot of time talking about business in our "off" hours. I think that's good. We are never ever the couple at the restaurant table who have nothing to say to each other! So welcome your husband into the business--great decision, and a little help for you. And of course you get that from him with the second income and benefits. Sounds like a winner.
 
Val said:
The Flamingos....well, they're pitching a pink royal fit and looks like I may have to send them to Dawn to wear to the WCAF Grumble Limo Dinner.
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Val, my ears would be honored to stand in for yours anytime! I will miss you the mostest!
 
Rob- I hope it's not too late to sign up. I plan to put my check in the mail tomorrow for two people. Just realized though- tomorrow is MLKing Day, so no mail service. Still, you should receive it by Thurs or Fri. Can I get the tickets from you at the limo?
Thanks!
:cool: Rick
(I've been waiting for, but still haven't received, my official class confirmations yet, but I plan to take Nona's class that ends at 7:30. This will mean some fancy footwork to get to the limo on time.)
 
Rick and others-

It is NOT TOO LATE-

Rick, I will take you at your word and hold two tickets for you. You can pay me in Las Vegas and pick up your tickets if you see me earlier than Tues nite, otherwise they will be at the limo.

RE: LATE CLASSES-

We have two limos. It will take some time to get 30 people into the first limo and then they will depart. It gives the restaurant a better flow than if we all go at once. Also, the limos depart from the front lobby of the Hilton, so it really isn't too far to walk from the classrooms to the limo.

Rick- what is the name of the second person?

The first limo will board at 7:30, and I expect the second to start boarding at 7:45, so don't feel frantic, but do make a timely appearance, we don't want to leave anyone behind.
 
Rob Markoff said:
Rick and others-
It is NOT TOO LATE-
Rick, I will take you at your word and hold two tickets for you. You can pay me in Las Vegas and pick up your tickets if you see me earlier than Tues nite, otherwise they will be at the limo....
Rick- what is the name of the second person?
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Rob- Thanks for accommodating us stragglers. I put a check in the mail to you this morning. Of course there's no mail today (MLKing Day), but you should still receive it by the end of the week. Thanks for allowing us to get the tickets at the scene, a la "the Canadians and Australians".

Second person is my wife, Terry.

I've got my Grumbler badges all printed up, and I'm looking forward to seeing many of you there.
:cool: Rick
 
Rob Markoff said:
1 Rob Markoff
2 Barbara Markoff
3 Jared Davis from Australia
4 Katrina from Australia
5 Hanu from Finland
6 Hanu's guest from Finland
7 Paul Sptiz
8 Paul Nahas
9 Dave Wetterstroem
10 Mike Labbe
11 Andrew Langolis
12 Dawn Stedin
13 HB
14 Ormond Williams from Port Macquarie, Australia
15 Baer Charlton
16 Leigh Ann Jones
17 Kimberly Prest
18 Ellen Collins
19 David Lantrip
20 Colleen Kennedy
21 Mike Kennedy
22 Colleen Young from Oz Images, Cairns Australia
23 Kirstie Bennett - now a highly likely
24 Jeff Goldberg - now a highly likely
25 Diane Olchowy, Bolton Ontario Canada
26 Dennis Baer
27 David Bauer
28 Steve Zeigler
29 Heidi Smrz from Larson Juhl
30 Mike Brown
31 Mary Brown
32 Nancy Wetterstroem
33 Elizabeth McKinnon -Springfield, Ontario Canada
34 Rick Granick
35 Terry Granick
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36 Larry Lewis
37 Tammy Lewis
 
Rob, please add me back in.

I couldn't stand it.

I'M COMIN' TO VEGAS!!

I'M SOOOO HAPPPPYYYYYY!!!!!

:D .... :D .... :D .... :D
 
Aw Shucks Val...does that mean I don't get the flamingos??? hee hee. Im so glad you changed your mind!!!!! :thumbsup:
 
Yay we get to see VAL!

 
Val-

That's great news. You can pay me when we get on the limos-

Did you receive the check I sent back?
 
Updated WCAF List as of 1/22/08

1 Rob Markoff
2 Barbara Markoff
3 Jared Davis from Australia
4 Katrina from Australia
5 Hanu from Finland
6 Hanu's guest from Finland
7 Paul Sptiz
8 Paul Nahas
9 Val Morgan
10 Mike Labbe
11 Andrew Langolis
12 Dawn Stedin
13 HB
14 Ormond Williams from Port Macquarie, Australia
15 Baer Charlton
16 Leigh Ann Jones
17 Kimberly Prest
18 Ellen Collins
19 David Lantrip
20 Colleen Kennedy
21 Mike Kennedy
22 Colleen Young from Oz Images, Cairns Australia
23 Kirstie Bennett - now a highly likely
24 Jeff Goldberg - now a highly likely
25 Diane Olchowy, Bolton Ontario Canada
26 Dennis Baer
27 David Bauer
28 Steve Zeigler
29 Heidi Smrz from Larson Juhl
30 Mike Brown
31 Mary Brown
32 Nancy Wetterstroem
33 Dave Wetterstroem
34 Elizabeth McKinnon -Springfield, Ontario Canada
35 Rick Granick
36 Terry Granick
37 Larry Lewis
38 Tammy Lewis
 
Rob Markoff said:
Val-

That's great news. You can pay me when we get on the limos-

Did you receive the check I sent back?
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Not yet, Rob, but I haven't gotten today's mail yet. Thanks for letting me back in. I still have my ticket, will it still work?

Hope you get your flood taken care of!

Dawn.....I'll share the flamingos!
 
Val said:
Rob, please add me back in.

I couldn't stand it.

I'M COMIN' TO VEGAS!!

I'M SOOOO HAPPPPYYYYYY!!!!!

:D .... :D .... :D .... :D
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Oh Yipee! Now you take it easy there! I'll be so excited to finally meet you, Val. Do we have any classes together?
 
I think we do, Kirstie, although I can't find your list. When will you be getting in? I'll be there Saturday afternoon.

Ooooh, now I'm getting excited all over again!
 
Val said:
I think we do, Kirstie, although I can't find your list. When will you be getting in? I'll be there Saturday afternoon.

Ooooh, now I'm getting excited all over again!
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We arrive just before lunch on Sunday morning. We'll grab a bite and go straight to Bob's Retailer class. I'd love to fly in Saturday, but we need to be at work.

Here is my schedule if you can read it. This is a schedule for 4 of us, but if you look closely you can see where I plan to be. Jeff wants to add How to sell your business and Jim's Poly class.
 

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Val said:
I think we do, Kirstie, although I can't find your list. When will you be getting in? I'll be there Saturday afternoon.

Ooooh, now I'm getting excited all over again!
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We arrive just before lunch on Sunday morning. We'll grab a bite and go straight to Bob's Retailer class. I'd love to fly in Saturday, but we need to be at work.

Here is my schedule if you can read it. This is a schedule for 4 of us, but if you look closely you can see where I plan to be. The schedule is in two parts, WCAF and PPFA. Anything not accounted for is either for the trade show or a break. Jeff wants to add How to sell your business and Jim's Poly class.

Saturday 2/2 is Jeff's 60th birthday and we have no plans yet. We leave Saturday night at 7:30 or earlier if we decide to change it.
 

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Oh GREAT! At least I know I'll have 4 late for class on Thursday and only 2 late on Friday..... :D

Good thing I have the big guy picking up the slack on my light work on Thursday. DLB, if you're late too.... your fired.
 
I'm bummed

Really wish I could join you all but, as I suspected, my company has other plans for me Tuesday night. I would so like to meet you all, as I've enjoyed reading your posts, but the best I can hope for is that you'll stop by our booth and say "hi". Have a great time at dinner, it sounds like it'll be a lot of fun.
 
Oh great!!! Put pressure on me. I'll steal some alarm clocks from other grumblers rooms, so I KNOW I'll be on time.



Baer Charlton said:
Oh GREAT! At least I know I'll have 4 late for class on Thursday and only 2 late on Friday..... :D

Good thing I have the big guy picking up the slack on my light work on Thursday. DLB, if you're late too.... your fired.
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What a great time. 64 folks showed up and the limo was HUGE
 
Sorry I missed all my great "grumbler buddies" but I had to catch a flight home. Sitting at the airport eating a cheeseburger I thought of all the fun you were having at the round tables, the framing banter going back and forth! The rice beer, the saki, the great fish and noodles, ah, wish I could have been there with you!
 
Terry and I attended our first Grumbler Chinese Dinner. What a fun evening. Great group of people (as you already know), and plenty of very good food. The bowls of hot and sour soup were roughly the same size as the pool at the Hilton. This out-of-the-way place is divey in a fun way and very authentic. Along with the usual menu offerings, they had a number of dishes based on parts of sea creatures with which I had only a marginal familiarity.
It was fun putting faces to Grumbler names and getting to spend some time and have some laughs as a nice diversion from all the classes and trade show business.
Thanks again, Rob, for all your efforts in organizing this event. Hope the PPFA/PMA version is as much fun too.
:thumbsup: Rick
 
We just got home 20 minutes ago. I will be posting photos tomorrow.

Dave
 
Thanks for being our official photographer!
 
I really gotta say thanks to Rob for organising this event... It was a memorable, great night, with great people.

I know this event is not easy to put together and keep everyone happy - but Rob pulls it off without a hitch. It's a tricky thing to organise, with last minute changes on the fly, Rob (& Barbara) really deserve credit for making this happen... so "Thank you" again!

It was really nice to meet some new framers, and make some new friends as well.

For those who may have missed this event... this annual night is really worthwhile, as it personalizes the whole WCAF event...

Jared
 
Jared Davis CPF GCF said:
For those who may have missed this event... this annual night is really worthwhile, as it personalizes the whole WCAF event...

Jared
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Personalized is what were calling it now? The limo ride going out was a bit more personal they I would have liked. LOL
 
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