Just thought I should start a post so we can start discussing and planning our part in the PTO national meeting... Planned for March 14-16, 2003 in Texas....
It was brought up in another post that perhaps us "Illinoisans" could carpool and roadtrip down to Texas together....
This leads me to 2 questions....
#1-- How many of you from IL are interested in going down to Texas for the national get-together....
and
#2-- How many of those interested in going down to Texas would be interested in traveling in a group??

I am thinking when we get an idea of how many people we would have and where everyone would be, we could come up with the best plan....
Perhaps we could rent a van... and either plan a route to pick people up on the way or have a central meeting place....
Let me know.... :)

You got all the good ideas flowing girl!! I am interested TOTALLY in the national PTO get together next March!! I can't say that I am for sure going at this point though, money such as it is...well I am sure you all know about that!
The carpool doesn't sound 1/2 bad, I bet it would be cheaper than an airplane. I know Enterprise car rental doesn't charge per milage (love that rental car company) so possibly getting something from them would be good.
Hmm...let me put my "thinking cap" on.

DJ

I'm in Toronto, and (as I explained on the other post) I'd definitely be interested! In fact, I'd be prepared to do a seminar or something...

BUT, A) I don't drive, and B) even if I did, I don't think I'd be allowed to drive someone else's vehicle in the States. (Insurance etc.)

So, if I get to Illinois, could I hitch a ride, and help pay for gas?

Also, if I come from another country, that makes this an INTERNATIONAL PTO MEETING, doesn't it? And if we get Soraya or Kristin to come, it becomes a WORLD PTO MEETING, right?

Menolly

Also, Dave, maybe we could "pitch in" to a fund for those who can't afford the trip. I'd pledge $30 or $40 toward the fund...

I'll call it a PTO Christmas present.

Also, maybe I should only offer to do a seminar, PROVIDED KEN also does one! (Just trying to DARE him into sharing his wisdom with us all!)

Menolly

Menolly....
If you can get to IL.... you can defiitely hitch a ride the rest of the way to Texas!!! :)
Would you be flying to IL?? Or if you are flying would you just fly to Texas?? If you fly to IL.... Fly to Chicago and I will pick ya up!!! :)
I do like your idea about a "pitch in" fund.... :) See what happens when us PTO people get started thinkin?!? :)

Negative on flying to the United States.

I'm sticking to trains and buses for now... (Still post Sep. 11 nervous, y'know).

You're definitely on, regarding me getting to Chicago and hitchin a ride with you! As I said, I can't drive, but I'll help pay for gas. And I tell fantastic jokes and know some really great (off-colour?) songs. hehehehehe

Menolly

Menolly...you are TOO FUNNY!!
I SOO ENJOY reading your posts, you have a wonderful sense of humor! All I need to do is read a post of yours & I am happy again!

Ok so are we gonna do the carpooling? That sounds good to me & I have a feeling it would be cheaper than flying. I wanted to fly to TX to visit a friend about a month ago & the ticket ALONE about had me gasping!!

We will definitely plan a collaborative road trip.... Menolly... can't wait to share the ride with ya!! You can be our "on board" entertainment!! :D

JDW:

IT'S A DATE!

Gawd! My hubby's dead almost 3 years now, and my very first date since then is with a WOMAN, in a foreign country, who's hubby is in jail, and we're going to COWBOY and OILWELL country to meet a bunch of other women, whose hubbies, brothers and sons are also in jail. Oh, forgot to mention some of the people we'll meet on this date USED TO BE in jail!

Hot dang, my life is interesting!

Oh well, I always told my son, that as soon as he leaves home, and I'm done the "responsible thing" I'm gonna become a wild woman!

Maybe I'll start a little early...

(Did I mention this foreign country we're going on a date to, has had a tad of trouble with SPIES and TERRORISTS lately? And their head-honcho calls himself "Dub-Ya", and pronounces "ter-ROR-ist" like "tourist"?)

JDW:

You wanna hear the best joke?

I asked my boss this morning if I can have a week's holidays in March.

She said sure, then asked me where I'm going.

I SWEAR I said "Well, I might be giving a seminar on human rights at a conference."

If she only knew!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

(The menopausal old hag cackles herself to death at a public terminal in her local library!)

Menolly

You can count me in on this one guys! Now I have a van, if you'd rather save your money on the rental car, just a thought!

Can you all make a little "bypass" over here to NC and pick me up, too?!?! :D

aprilcat...sure why not!!!
How about it ladies??

THIS LOOKS GOOD GIRLS.... LETS GET ALL THE STATES EXCITED ABOUT THIS.... I THINK WE ARE STARTING SOMETHING REALLY GOOD....

LOVE YA

DONNA

~~~I'm done the "responsible thing" I'm gonna become a wild woman!~~~

HUMMMMMMMM very interesting!!

Da "ole goat" sow'n some wild oats out fer bait ~EG~

WILD THANG!!!

YA MAKE MY HEART SING!!!

...

Just let me know when the hook up happens so I can come out and play before you all head out!!

you aren't coming with us vnv??? :(
you gotta come!!

Well how about another little road trip up here to Connecticut...Ah good grief...I'm just flying, come on AC?!!! Nah, that right you have the group there in NC...Wait a minute, I know there are some New Yorker's here...Speak up, let's work on this...We'll do a caravaan thing...and we'll all meet up somewhere in Kansas!!! LOL!

We should just start a thread and title it: Those who are 99% percent sure they are going to the PTO Getogether...the 1% will leave a little 'breathing room'...( maybe just put your name and how many will be with you)


?????????????????????

Can't wait to meet you all!!!

1, 99 persenter from CA. I don't know yet if I'll drive or fly. Depends on how dependable I find this motor home to be.

WAY TO GO GUYS AND GIRLS.... START PLANNING NOW AND YOU WILL SEE JUST HOW BIG WE WILL BE IN MARCH...

I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT WAIT TO MEET ALL OF YOU FROM EVERYWHERE...

MY LOVE
DONNA

Yea, that will be great to have a get together in March, let me know so I can put in for my vacation. Need a vacation and need to be around people with alot in common. :yes:

I hope that I will be able to make the PTO meeting in March. The way finances are going I am not too sure. Oh well I guess I will have to wait until then.

DJOHNSON,
Start a change jar. Put all you coins in it everyday. You will be surprised how much you can save up with just the change you throw in everyday.

I went to Hawaii on saving this way. I have a New Zealand jar started now.

Hey torrey,
Thanks for that little tip. There for a while I didn't think I would be able to go and I'm still not that sure yet??

So JDs Wifey:

So far I think the Illinois contingent consists of

YOU,
ME, (by way of Toronto, Canada)
DJOHNSON
MICHELLE
VNVDVC
and
TONYGIRL.

That's 6 so far. Quite do-able, and I think it would be great fun to all travel together.

Just think... If I bring my Canadian flag, and we hang it out the back, no terrorist will mess with us, because nobody wants anything Canada has, (unless they lose their recipe for icecubes, and THAT's a military secret up here!)

Menolly

That is one devilish line-up! Do I have to promise to be good?

Vnv;

No, you're supposed to be practicing your travelling songs...

sounds like "Thelma and Louise TIMES 3"!

Menolly

VNV....
Girl you have to promise to NOT be good.... :) We want you to be you!! Besides, we are looking for fun and entertainment..... Trust me women, I am not rolling in money either... but if we all save up (that $5 we could have spent going out to lunch here... that $2 found in your old winter coat pocket... $10 on payday tucked away into the PTO March event fund.... we will get there!! We preach at our locked-up men about self-discipline and doing what you have to do to reach a goal.... C'mon now ladies... we gotta practice what we preach.... :) I know where some of yall live, so the next time I come over I am asking to see that PTO jar!!! :)
(P.S. Mine is kept in my bedroom closet... so feel free to ask to see it when you come over too!!!)
Much love.......

Sounds good to me to car pool and drive with one another I think that would be a lot easier and expense wise for those who are on a budget like me

Ok...I am really late in posting to this 1!!
Vnv...of course you can't be good, I am never good so this should be an interesting road trip, what do you all think?
Menolly...I am going to have a blast listening to your jokes & songs...it will make the trip very enjoyable!

I am going to try to save up money, I don't go anywhere or even go out to lunch anymore, where the hell does my money go then, right ladies?? I hope by March I will have another job & I can make this trip much easier than right now! Thank god it's not this year!!

Can't wait to meet you all...well I have already met JD's & ladies she's a real SWEETIE!!!

take care!
DJ

Menolly rummages in the bedroom closet...

Reaches overheard, and feels around on the closet shelf...

To the left (pat, pat, pat) To the right (pat...) Huh? What the heck is THIS!!!

OMG! I HAVE TO HIDE THIS in a better place if JD's Wifey ever comes over!!!

Menolly, you can stash it in my checking account!! ;)
Noone EVER looks for $$$ in there!!! LOL:p

Vnv:

What makes you think that what I found on my closet shelf was money?

YIKES!

What are these batteries doing here?

A Star Trek model?

A violin case?

One old tennis shoe.

A cat toy, with catnip.

One small rainbow.

One large submarine.

A St. Bernard's brandy cask (empty of course).

A St. Bernard.

OMG, here's St. Bernard himself!

And St. Nick (or is this one of the clones from Budwoman's birthday party...)

I think I'll just close the door, and quietly slip away...

Menolly

A Fibber McGee's closet, if I ever heard one! ROFTL

Menolly..... you have no idea how hard you make me laugh!!!!

Ah great, JDW,

And I suppose you'll need a pit stop every ten miles all the way to Texas! Maybe we'd better allow some extra travelling time...

Menolly

That's no closet!! That's pandora's box!! Where do we begin?? LOL

Nah Vnv:

Believe me, I keep my Pandora's box in the refrigerator!

Do NOT go there!

Menolly

I would love to go. Driving or hitching a ride what ever it takes you can count me in.

If they will swing by Kentucky and pick me up I would love to come....when plans are made....please let me know.

you can count me in on this It could be really fun