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Bluefest 2003 - August 1, 2 n 3
Making Memories
Bluefest 2003
Bluefest this year started with the arrival of my co-host Gracie; Den and their granddaughter Meg at 1am Wednesday. We got up early and road tripped the hour and half to the St. Louis area to see the sights. Passing the great St. Louis Arch then onto the Gateway International Speedway. We popped in at the home of the monster truck Bigfoot and even got a big wave from the owner himself. Next stop was Lambert Field Airport to pick up purplerose. I hear she was a bit more than surprised to see Gracie and I dressed in our very best bib overalls, white tanks and cheap flip flops or it could of been the sign I held that said, "where the hell are ya purp"... We then headed home to put the finishing touches on my homestead here in my tiny town of Center, Missouri.
After unpacking and getting her settled (she slept in a canape Barbie bed) we loaded up our boat "pressure valve release" and watched the sun set on the lake. After showers to wash off the lake water and sand we rode in the back of Vern's old work truck up to the local bar for pizzas, then sat in front of the bonfire till bedtime. We tried our best to give our big city gal a taste of Midwest redneck fun.
Thursday was shopping and more shopping for us girls while Den and Vern put the flags up and the awnings up. Car door slamming directed our attention to the front yard and we found firebus and Jim. It was load the boat again for a night on the lake with supper at the log cabin restaurant Rustic Oak. We arrived home to find angel_mamma and her very pretty daughters in our driveway....then more door slamming, more squeals of hellos ushered in kcrackers, boo and pat. Yes my heart was filling just as fast as my front yard. The moon came up and the fire burned late with purp, Gracie and i sitting around when around 3am here came jr and russ.....yep...no sleep again.....we sat up and burned the wood and the midnight oil.
Friday was open house day. By late afternoon we had all the roomies here. Dmmk and Bill taxied in our room owners Bobbie (cruuzzer) and Kath (tlm). Evie and her brother and husband found us and a last minute decision brought lgl and her son to us too. The carry in was enjoyed by all and the fellowship was unsurpassed. At 6pm the local newspaper reporter came by and was here to listen to us each in our own way tell what our chat room means. Oh! the box!!!. The now famous box's contents could be revealed. I was more than surprised and later I asked Gracie if I ever said thank you for I was so excited. The thoughts and planning that went into it is just amazing. My friendship quilt will always hold a special meaning to me. After a thousand hugs and more than a few tearful moments we settled around the fire for samores and story's of our chat room adventures. Heavy eyelids, hectic flights and long drives overcame us and just as we came one by one so they left, to sleep with a warm heart and renewed friendships.
Saturday morning we met at the visitors center for a short film about the beautiful Mark Twain area here. Our guide spoke about its development and value to this area I call home. The tour of the inside completed our morning outing. Back on the lake again we staked out our spot awning provided by Russ (thanks russ) and boating, skiing, swimming and general water fun was had by all. I even attempted to have a girl only boat ride. Screams and threats about safety caused me to promptly bring the boat back to shore.
While we were enjoying ourselves on the lake, my brother, David, was bar-b-qing in my front yard. We heard a soft thankful prayer from Bill (dmmk's hubby) and ate our evening meal together. Bobbi and Kath surprised us all with a very nice awards show. Each roomie was escorted to the front by Vern....dressed in my wig from firebus last year when i had no hair. (yes he was more than funny)
Music played while we ate and then we polished Vern's' garage floor dancing till midnight. We closed the night with a circle of roomies singing and swaying to Jim's (firebus's hubby) request of "Thats What Friends Are For". It was wonderful........just wonderful!
Sunday morning those who could meet for breakfast back at the Rustic Oak then ran back to Blue's for last goodbyes....pictures.....hugs......tears.....and promises to meet more often. Den, Gracie, Meg, Vern and I left for some time in the Ozarks.
*****I find myself wondering how in the world did i ever go through what life has given me in the past without all of you. But somehow I did. It's a great comfort to know that my future will always be smoother with my cyber sisters at my side.
Vernon and Hollie Bastian~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~LeAnn and Den Marsh