Call to Action!

This isn't related to our CRE8.09 getaway, but it's worth checking out:

http://capwiz.com/toyassociation/home/

Hotel? Who needs a hotel? We've got a RESORT!

{from Shannon's description of the house we will be staying in}

Shannon's mom is like a cool Martha Stewart...she loves having people over, so she was thrilled that we would even
consider it. I'd originally asked her about her timeshare hotel she has
in downtown San Diego, but she thought the rooms would be too small to
craft in -- that's how we got talking about using her house. She asked
me if we'd like to go there since Keith (her husband) would be out of town for the
whole week and both weekends.

It's just Mom and Keith and the master bedroom is downstairs. Upstairs
there are three guest rooms and two full baths. One room has two twins,
another a full and the third a twin day bed with trundle. So if two
people are willing to share a room, the two others would have rooms of
their own - and no bed sharing would be necessary. Also upstairs is a
large family room with a big screen TV. Downstairs is the living room,
dining room, family room, kitchen, office and master bedroom. There are
three bathrooms downstairs, plus a nice sunroom. The pool is great and
there's a big deck with tables and chairs, plus a big covered patio with
a large dining table and chairs and the BBQ. There's plenty of room for
parking and she's just above the North County Fair Mall, so there's On
The Border, Oggie's Pizza, Red Robin and Macaroni Grill nearby.

new dates for CRE8.09

the event will now be held on May 22, 23, 24, 25th (the 22nd is really just us "welcoming us to Escondido" and dinner... the 25th would really be just us waking up and leaving).

Thanks to Shannon and her mom for finding the great location!  The money we just saved on hotel expenses can now be used for craft supplies and great dinners!!!

And so the planning begins.

To the left you will find a list of links to general event information.  Information may be updated without notice, so be sure to check it out once in awhile (chances are you'll know when we update... so I just lied).

Again, this is your event too... so please, if you have questions that are not answered by the FAQ or have suggestions or whatever, let us know.

Are you excited?

F.A.Q

Is there a cost to attending this event?

No.  Since it's just the four of us, we are splitting the hotel, paying for our own food and supplying the kits for our own projects.  We are, however, accepting tips.  (TOTALLY KIDDING).

How will we get around?

We can all share one car.  Unless the hotel is in a prime spot where we can just walk to everything.  Let's just say that transportation is provided in the event fee (see above).  Unless, of course, Donna insists on going to TJ for a Donkey show, then I'd say personal excursions are on your own dime.

Are we going to have to share a bed?

No. 

When is the event again?

The event takes place on May 22, 23, 24, 25 of 2009.  Thursday the 22nd will simply be a "welcome meeting" and then you will be released to have dinner on your own.  All day Friday and Saturday will be filled with the projects.  Sunday we wake up and leave.

What is the weather like in May?

My advice to anyone coming to San Diego is to dress in layers.  We often have what is called "May Grey" during this time of year.  What that means is that the sky is grey and overcast until about noon.  Then you sweat your ass off.  So, depending on your body... you could get away with shorts in the morning, would really need them in the afternoon and probably evening.  I'd at least bring a sweater or jacket, in case the "work room" is air-conditioned.  I'd bring at least one pair of long pants, just in case.  As for evening attire when we go to the so called "nice" restaurants... shorts are fine... we're in San Diego... basically anything goes.  Just don't look like a scuzzball... you'll embarrass us.

What if I forget something?

This isn't some po-dunk town you're coming to... we have these places called stores where you can basically get ANYTHING you want.  We have a local scrapbook store that pretty much will have anything you need scrap-wise.  We have easy access to Michael's, Target, I refuse to go to Walmart (but Mabelle is a fan), Blick (art supplies), most major chain stores... you get the idea.

Will the unemployment crisis be over soon?

Who knows... watch the news.

Does Christine still have that baby in her belly?

Hell yea.

Will there be a CRE8.10 (pronounced CREATE ONE OH)?

First thing's first.  Let's see how this event goes and we'll talk.  Maybe that will be the topic of discussion over breakfast on Sunday morning.  We hope to keep this going and maybe even make it bigger... it's all up in the air right now.  (Boston in 10 maybe?)

Will this event be fun?

Yes.

The "Surprises"

Surprises?  What?  What is this about surprises?

OK... admit it.  Once of the fun parts of CE were the little surprises we found in our rooms each night after school.  Why not let it be a part of our event too?  This is how it works.

Each of us is responsible for providing 4 ( I guess really only 3, since you're not required to give yourself something) little "surprises."  Think along the lines of CE and what they did.  Each year was quite different from the others, but all were fun.  Think "party favors."  For those if you that weren't at all 3 years of CE, let me re-cap what what given (I hope I can remember them all).

• Bag of flavored popcorn (in cute packaging of course).
  
• CE sleep mask
  
• Apron
  
• Bling ring
  
• Bubble bath
  
• I can't remember the last one... I think it was cookies???
  

Anyway... as you can see... all very different but all very cute!

Again... party favors are one of favorite parts of planning a party, so if it's ideas you need... let me know.

We will them get our surprises on Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Food

We are all responsible for paying for our own food.  In general, we plan to keep breakfast and lunch low-key and have dinner at a nice restaurant each night.  By nice, we don't necessarily mean evening gowns and tiaras, but something a notch above McDonalds.  We will have these planned in advance so we don't play the over-accommodating game of "I don't care, where do YOU want to eat."

Depending on the hotel, we will probably just eat bfast there.  As for lunch... I expect we'd hit up a Subway or a Deli or something... these places will also be decided on once we secure our hotel.

The details are TBD.

If anybody has any food particulars, please let us know now... so we can consider them when we choose restaurants.  For example: is everybody OK with sushi?  Do we have any vegetarians out there?  (sorry Shan, had to throw it out there).  Anybody hate Chinese food?  You get the idea.  San Diego has a billion fabulous restaurants, so we'd like to make the most of it... but we want EVERYONE to be happy too.