My Comments on the RCS meet - Why I choose Orlando

*whew*

I don't know if I could afford to fly but I might be able to swing the bus... if someone can pick me up.... depends on the dates as I'll be back in school! :D

Honestly, the reason I'm so against a florida meet is well.. most of those ladies have already met. Florida is more convenient for a majority... because they LIVE there.. and I know MC is more comfy there because she used to live there... but honestly.. I want to meet more people I haven't already met (but I do want to see my friends I've already met too ya know?). I know that the florida ladies could have a really easy time comparatively having a meetup of FL people compared to us trying to get people from all over the country to come you know? I know myself, I can't stand super hot weather... that is humid... and florida kills me personally. I used to spend my summers in Daytona and hated it. The humidity and unpredictible weather sucked. We could have to cancel due to hurricanes... or tropical storms.. depending upon we set this up. Ohio you don't have to worry... its usually overcast or sunny.. one of the two... and if we get a big storm... its over in a few hours... and in April or May its nice out... not hot, but not bone chilly either... bring a windbreaker and a sweatshirt just in case. Oh.. and that time of year.. hardly any bugs at all.

I just want to see a few people and get to know a few of you. I'm glad disney isn't involved (because if I had to go somewhere it would be discovery cove anyhow!). Again, yes, florida is very popular but only because of the fact that all those voting for florida LIVE THERE. Look at who DOESN"T live in Ohio and is voting for it...

Again, I want to offer to have a get together here in Ohio.. regardless of what happens with Orlando. I know I probably (about 85% chance) won't make it to florida as its just too far away and after October I won't have time to go anywhere for at least a year... except maybe a long weekend.

I've put in a few calls to friends of mine and a friend said that there is a neat campground place with cabins (that sleep 4 per cabin) that does scrap booking retreats... something about a few cabins, some deluxe (for you big spenders) and some with bunks (for us poor midwesterners). With a general room with tables for scrapping and all locked down at night. There are trails and nearby a LSS within 30 minutes (for our necessity field trip). I'm looking into it.

I'm also willing to see if anyone is willing to use an aero or air mattress if we can put more in a cabin to make this cheaper for all of us. I'm willing to if you all can stand the "whir" of my machine.. :D Oh, and we should do group meals... Like I make killer meatloaf and could feed easily 20 people with a nice meal for less than 50 bux. Just an idea... :D

No one has met me other than Mel J (that is b.c we work together)....:(

:( ~~Yanya~~

I'm not sure why you are now resorting to a personal attack! This is NOT about my being more comfortable in FL. Heck, I'd rather have it in Little Rock, much more comfortable for me and there are already 3 of us here! I can find a way to sleep at least 6 people here with air matresses etc, and I already have a scrap room. I am sure that Kenda and Deb can also put a few up. But Little Rock isn't any easier to fly into than Columbus! As for my second choice, if this HAD been all about me, it would have been somewhere exotic where I've never been before (San Francisco comes to mind). Nor is this about trying to divide the people in this group into the rich and the poor. In fact, at least for me, it is was always and still is about getting the maximum people to meet, and for those who have to fly no matter where the meeting is to get to meet as many of us as possible. Lets stick to practical facts, shall we? There has been exactly one (1) hurricane in May in the last 154 years to hit Florida and that was in 2005.

page 18 "hurricanes by month") Most of the time early May in FL is in the mid 70s. Let me tell you that compared to Arkansas, Fl is low humidity. This should be about cost, the number of people that can make it and logistical and practical things. RJ, I'll post the vote as soon as we get the rest of the numbers from you. Cost, quality of the accomodations, availability of scrapping supplies and distance from airport to where we would be sleeping. Type of beds, scrapping tools and so forth. Driving distances would help too. Remember this is about catering to the maximum number of people on the group and there are people that will need to fly into Columbus. Not all of us can drive there either! Anyone from Florida, Georgia, California, WA or AR will more than likely be in the same situation that you find yourself in trying to get to Orlando. Those people must be considered too. Also please be aware that when I gave the cost for FL, I only divided the house cost by 7/8. We can fit a whole lot more people in there as well and if it rains, we won't have to make a mad dash into the rain to go and get food! I'll be more than happy to bring and sleep on an air matress on the floor, wherever we go and still shoulder my share of the price as if I had a queen or king to myself. The same house in FL divided by 14 comes down considerably. So whatever city you are promoting, lets please cater to those that live both near and far. That is the point, isn't it?

M-C

"RJ" wrote in message news:2005082703420575249%duckwater@SPAMgmailcom...

I feel I need to point out some things. First off, no matter where we go, we'll have fun and enjoy meeting each other. That's the whole purpose of this! Secondly, no matter where this is held, it will not be the first choice for someone. That's what happens in a poll. The whole purpose of a poll was to try to make the decision of where democratic. But, we also need to be able to make an informative decision on our next vote. With that said here's my thoughts and a couple questions.

We actually have new members living in FL. New members who haven't met each other. I don't know if all the FL members voted for Orlando or not. That information hasn't been released, and it shouldn't matter. The point is, RJ, you don't know that "...florida is very popular but only because of the fact that all those voting for florida LIVE THERE." Any city we meet in needs to be easy to fly in and out of. In all honesty, Little Rock would be a lot easier for me, but not easy for everyone else. The only reason it would be easy for me is because I live here. But it really wouldn't be logical for the rest of the group because frankly, flying in and out of here sucks dirt. I'll have to fly into Columbus, and so will a lot of other people, just like a lot of people will have to fly into Orlando. How easy is it to fly in and out of the Columbus airport? If some of our international members could come, would it be easy on them? Regardless of where it's held, there's going to be people flying, and we need to think about them.

What about shuttle services to our lodging? We should be able to find houses in Orlando that are close to the airport and farther from Disney. Somehow, I don't think anyone will have a problem being farther from Disney. One house has been found for Atlanta, and I don't think it'll be suited for us due to size. So far, the options that have been provide for Columbus are going to mean a 2 - 3 hour drive. I for one, don't look forward to the idea of flying into a place I've never been to then having to drive/be driven another 2 - 3 hours away to get to the people I want to meet. That's 4 - 6 hours extra drive time that cuts into our face-to-face time. Will our destination provide a shuttle for us? If so, will there be an extra cost? If so, how will that work out when we who fly will probably be flying in at different times? I'm sure we'll easily be able to get shuttle service to a house in Orlando, especially if we find one closer to the airport.

Speaking of lodging, I think we really need to think through the bunk bed idea. I for one, would hate to be sleeping underneath myself! I'm not exactly a small person, ladies. LOL Plus, I'm sure we have a few, if not several, members who have no business trying to climb up to a top bunk, or can't sleep on a top bunk due to medical restrictions. So, who's volunteering to sleep on a top bunk? If nobody's willing or can sleep on a top bunk, then bunk beds won't work. If our lodging only has bunk beds, then what? Will our lodging place allow us to bring air matresses without adding problems to fire restrictions?

I've never been to FL, but apparently the humidity there is better than here in AR. I'm all for that! LOL My asthmatic lungs don't handle hot, stiffling humidity very well, but you know what, if I'm going to be inside most of the time, so it won't matter. Plus, April and May won't be the hottest time of the year in FL. According to the link MC posted, May isn't usually a hurricane month. What about OH? I know in AR we have to watch for tornados in the Spring. Are there many tornados in OH?

It really doesn't matter to me where we meet. All I want is to meet as many people from RCS as I can, get to know them, get some scrapping in, and hopefuly even some LSS shopping. I mean, what's the point of going somewhere new if you're not going to check out the LSSs? LOL But from the information that has been presented to me regarding options for Atlanta, Columbus, and Orlando, Orlando is the best choice in my opinion. And not just the best choice for me. I'm thinking of the group overall. I'm thinking of those that will flying and those driving. I'm thinking of all those questions I've asked in this post. Maybe if we're given some more details about Columbus we could make an even more informative decision.

Maybe there is some way that people can be picked up on the way and share gas prices?

M-C

Um, I don't see why you see this as a personal attack. Geesh... I thought I was just bantering. Again people put tones in things you write not knowing in which manner you mean them. I'm sorry I voiced my opinion. I won't do that again. I should know by now. Sorry....

nevermind

*hides under rock yet again*

If I decide to drive to wherever it is we are going, I would be willing to carpool! I'm in Illinois, and having some company driving would be nice!

Answered privately.

M-C

That's great Linda!

For the record, I will vote for the best deal for the group! If RJ comes up with something better money wise, travel time wise and accomodation wise than what we can do in Orlando, I will vote for Columbus. If someone else finds us a better deal for us in Atlanta, it will get my vote.

Also while some of the FL ladies might have met in spring 2004 at a 2 hour get together in a restaurant when one of the old Canadian members was down visiting Orlando with her family, the real question is how many of you have met them? In fact because of the seating arrangements, there were two of the six ladies I didn't even get to talk to. I believe the last RCS meet was some years ago in California somewhere.

M-C

I haven't met any of our FL ladies. In fact, the only ones I have met are Jacqui, Dave, MC, Kenda, and Renee. *ponders that thought* Boy, I need to get out more. LOL

I haven't been saying anything because financially I just don't think I can swing it. But.... if it were in let's say Banff or Calgary! Lol I realize this is just my pipe dream-sighhh Barb:o)

Calgary would be a great choice for a future meeting and I've never had the chance to visit there. We would need to make sure that people got their passports in order and that they saved their money. The real problem is trying to do it in a single weekend. That is really only one day on the ground for most people that are not local.

M-C

Okay, I think I will step on the soapbox now... I gave a baby shower today for a woman whose husband is deployed and will be for the birth. Many who said they would be there didn't show up. They were too busy with whatever was going on today to make a very nice lady feel like she had a support system. After reading these posts, I have come to the conclusion that this is what is going on here. Not necessarily a support system, but it has to be in their best interests if they are ever going to participate. Just like the shower. Her DH was gone, they don't have to deal with him at work and they will probably be moving after he gets back anyways. I don't know how they would take it if they were in that situation--it is called self-absorption. My situation is this...my DH is in law enforcement and can work crazy unpredictable hours. And he does. So wherever it is, has to be somewhat close and family friendly because I will be taking the kids--you can't easily get a babysitter at 2 AM when he has a body call. A retreat cabin is nice but not if you have two rambunctious boys. April will mean I may not be able to go, I have to have a cancer scan in that time frame. I am also going to school full time and early May will mean I have finals. DS1 is in school too. I will try however and whatever I can to get to where the meet is whenever it is. Financially, I know it may be very tough, our tax return will be going toward the repairs we did on our house. I will be worth the hassle to me personally. It all really depends on how worth the hassle is for you. If you don't believe I know what I am talking about, I drove 10+ hours with my 3 year old to LR after spending two days on the road just days before because of the love on this group and have no problem doing it again. Did I go to the zoo? No! Was LR someplace I would have loved to go see someday --not a chance in your life! I SHOULD have been visiting with my family in San Antonio and helping my parents out. Luckily my parents gave me their blessings and knew why I needed to go. It would have been a lot easier on me, my family, and my pocketbook if I stayed in SA. I went to LR to visit the people in this group and to help Jessie if I could. DH wasn't happy about it at the time, but he got over it. I think he understands now. It was SO WORTH it to me in the end. I would be willing to go to LR, SA, or even Ohio and I really think some of us need to give a little. It isn't going to be easy on many of us but to make this work, we need to come together and figure out a way to make it work. I personally would be pleased as punch to have it in Savannah, there is a retreat out on Tybee Island. I am sure Michelle S would love that too. I didn't mention it because I know how difficult flights are for Savannah's airport, there is no shuttle to Tybee and not everyone can drive here. Every single place on that list has a downfall. We need to find one that is easiest on everyone and not just what is best for two or three. Maybe suiting the masses is not going to work, maybe we need to have several meets and just who ever can make one, come, maybe have the meets at the same time and meet on webcams or a big chat. BTW: This is not a personal attack on anyone, nor is it intended to start a hissy fit from anyone, including me. I just wanted to speak my mind and maybe throw a few thoughts out into this debate. I am not proclaiming to be better than anyone else here either. I know many will just do what it takes if they can. I will step down now...I have recipe pages to finish! Jacqui

take the animal out to e-mail

Actually I was at the last RCS meet, it was in Tampa shortly after 9/11- I remember being a little wary of flying. It was a blast, we stayed at the Safety Harbor spa and cropped all day at a local LSS...but no one that was at that getaway even posts here any more : ( The one before that was in California about 2 years prior...

Arleen

Wow! I wish I had know you guys then, I was just down the street in St Petetersburg then! Funny that I had heard of the CA one but never about the one in Tampa. That is so weird! Thanks for telling us!

M-C

I wish you could have been there too- it really was a great time. Shelley and Gail came from Canada, Cheryl and Cindy were there from WA and OR and Gigi came from Calif. Mickie and Sandy from Texas...more traveled a great deal to get there...so many people to visit with! I think there were about

25 of us! Arleen

Sounds like a great time! I hope that werever our meet ends up, we also manage to have a great time. Of course, we don't seem to be headed for a spa, LOL!

M-C

Arleen, don't forget there was one in Dallas,Texas, too, in 2002 :)

Cindy (just chiming in even though I don't post here anymore)