OT: Kentucky Derby

Those are all good suggestions...I just finished DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons, and am reading the one about the icecap...very fun reads...

I'm also having a blast reading children's fiction with my 9yo...stuff I didn't read as a kid...I got shunted to advanced books early, and missed some really fun stuff...

The Blessed Fiddy, Patroness Saint of the Disorganized LC in Sunny So Cal Personality Development Specialist (Full-Time Mom!)

I TOTALLY understand not being able to take the huge crowds of people, especially in the heat. Some times I have to leave a crowded place or can get a panic attack. The only way I have found to deal with these times is to mentally prepare (as you are doing, good on you!) and , at the time, to mentally distance myself. Either by getting interested in what is going on (whcih it doesn't sound like you are going to ) or by getting so involved in something else that I barely notice what is going on (eg get into a good book. Get INTO the book slightly BEFORE going there so that when you get there all you do is get back into book-addiction mode!)

BTW I sure hope you have your hotel (or whatever) reservations already. From what our B&B friend tells us, the entire city and surrounding area are totally booked up way, way in advance of this event.

The last thing you want is to come in on Thursday and spend all night driving around between loud crowded places looking for somewhere to stay.

You probably want to make meal plans carefully too since places near the race track are going to be full of loud, noisy, drunk people. Like I said, there are a lot of neat little places to eat in Louisville. I don't understand how the races work, but can you take off for some place different for dinner?

Good luck!

marisa2

Nah, but there won't be much in the grounds to interest me.

He won't care, and I'll probably try to sneak in some crocheting too...I'm kinda used to being a dork at his events. The WORST time was when his study partner invited us to her party the day after the bar exam...she's a cop, and all he friends are either cops or cops' spouses...I fit in like a square peg in a round hole...

oooooooh, I'm getting such THERAPY from this! ROFL...

The Blessed Fiddy, Patroness Saint of the Disorganized LC in Sunny So Cal Personality Development Specialist (Full-Time Mom!)

Thanks for the very thoughful comments...you're a doll...

and that's the OTHER thing...we bought a packaged tour (which we NEVER do, but we were able to get great tix that way)...and we get bussed from here to there, and back and to meals etc. I'm gonna feel like Mrs. Roper. Maybe I need to get some loud clothes, a curly wig, plastic necklace and high-heeled mules?? ROFL...

Oh, and the dress code is "classy casual". I wonder if my PTO sweatshirt and denim capris qualify? (I sure as hell ain't wearing PANTYHOSE!!!)

The Blessed Fiddy, Patroness Saint of the Disorganized LC in Sunny So Cal Personality Development Specialist (Full-Time Mom!)

Yeah, I got to find a lot of good kid's books when I started reading to my little brother (7 years younger). Have you guys read the Bunnicula books? They are humor/mystery books featuring a dog and a cat (and sometimes a rabbit who doesn't do much but is at the center of a couple of the mysteries). I think the author's name is Bruce Coville or something like that. He has a bunch of other really good books for kids too, featuring magic, aliens, and other fun stuff, very well written and engaging "chapter books" for kids.

I would definately recommend that go for the Pullman books for yourself for the trip! You should really like them, and you can decide if your 9 year old is ready for them. (I really think they are the kind of book someone can read again every few years and get something very different out of them!). One warning, there is some anti-formaized-religion philosophy in those books, though it can be taken different ways if you are open minded and willing to have your beliefs challenged.

marisa2

The Blessed Fiddy, Patroness Saint of the Disorganized LC in Sunny So Cal Personality Development Specialist (Full-Time Mom!)

"Dress Code"?

"Classy Casual"? Honestly I never know what they mean when they say things like that!

Hopefully you can make some friends on the tour... they might not be your "kind of people" but you can always talk about kids and weather and stuff for a few days :)

If you do suffer from social anxiety and hate gatherings as I do.. maybe you can see this adventure as something to be proud of afterwards. It may be hard in itself but will make other simpler gatherings easier in comparison (towards the end of my breakdowny period last year I did a very big, 2 day out door craft fair (in the heat!). I had some bad spots...but mostly got through it ok, and was really glad that I had. After that I felt more ready to go back to work.)

marisa2

Again, thank you for that...and yes, I'm going to take this on in the same sense as the other apprehensive times I've had in this type of situation. I've recently decided that age 45 is old enough to be able to be 'myself' in every situation...and this is no different.

I am woman...hear me roar..(uh, well, sometimes I just really would prefer to sit and whimper....)

I'm thinking I need to go shopping for clothes (no damn hat, sooz!!), and books, and a BIG purse to sneak all my timeconsumers in with!!)

The Blessed Fiddy, Patroness Saint of the Disorganized LC in Sunny So Cal Personality Development Specialist (Full-Time Mom!)

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@aol.comnospam (LC aka Fiddy) :

]OOOOOH, now that's a shopping list I could be happy with! Thanks!

**chuckle** quite welcome! there are reviews for a lot of them, and i think the new paperback dates show up, too. enjoy!

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

newest creations: ----------- I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America, and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples, promising liberty and justice for all.

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@aol.comnospam (LC aka Fiddy) :

]I wonder if my PTO sweatshirt and ]denim capris qualify?

i rather doubt it, considering the dress code for the Jockey Club!

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

newest creations: ----------- I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America, and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples, promising liberty and justice for all.

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from Marisa Exter :

]"Classy Casual"? Honestly I never know what they mean when they say things like ]that!

basically, no jeans, no sneakers.

Jockey Club Suites Dress Code The dress code in the Jockey Club Suites is Business Casual. Jackets, blazers, vests, shirts with collars, sweaters, dresses, pantsuits, and slacks are appropriate. Jeans, shorts, sneakers and denim are inappropriate.

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

newest creations: ----------- I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America, and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples, promising liberty and justice for all.

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@aol.comnospam (LC aka Fiddy) :

]I'm thinking I need to go shopping for clothes (no damn hat, sooz!!), and ]books, and a BIG purse to sneak all my timeconsumers in with!!)

DEFINITELY!

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

newest creations: ----------- I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America, and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples, promising liberty and justice for all.

Okay, so you have to take the *trip* with him. Do you have to go to the *race* with him? I have friends in Louisville; and while I don't know where the good bead stores are, I do know about Baer's Fabrics (a 3 story warehouse full)!

Celine

eBay is your friend. Search on the seller ID "holyclothing.com".

Celine (who just bought 3 dresses from them!)

Celine

[about bead stores]

Oh, I also checked Indiana, since you're right on the border in Louisville. There's one in New Albany, which would be reasonably nearby, but you'd have to have a native guide, I think. This can be arranged!

Celine

No, you need a Really Big Purse. Like a Land's End Large Tote with a zipper top.

Celine

Oh! I'm sorry. Sweetie, can you take a taxi? That would be easy in any city, anywhere.

Yeah, I'm sorry, I'm probably making it worse. I just want you to not feel the DREAD you spoke of, and here I am berating you. (I'm really not meaning it that way! Really!)

Of course you do. And 12 years is a lot. But I'll be 50 this year (and I'm a smarty pants).

I think I probably do need it -- now. Okay, I give! And you DEFINITELY should go on a bead store blowout when you get home! ~~ Sooz

------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links

Ew ew ew ew EW! (I was a cop's wife for 20 years) ~~ Sooz

------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links