is it officially Chicago for our shin dig? Spring of 2004?

Now that you mention it, I don't think I voted. Oops. I was one of those neutral peeps.

i don't care really gonna take me ages to get there i'll be flying straight into where ever it happens anyway. oh i'll be stopping off at the college in salem to see a friend before i arrive not sure exactly where it is but i'll be coming from there. anyone know where its near of major airport close by?

sandi and i were PMing, and i think it's going with chicago.

i was brainstorming when to write a letter to oprah! i think we should show her some of our amazing losses. but i don't think we should send it just yet -- it's over a year away.

Si...unfortunately, there are lots of cities in the U.S. named Salem. The only two colleges I can think of that would be in one of them are Salem College and Wake Forest, both of which are in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. If it's one of those, probably the best airport for you to fly into would be Greensboro, North Carolina. It's not a big airport, so the fares might be a little steep.

If you think you would be comfortable driving on the wrong side of the road, you might consider flying into a larger airport and renting a car. It might be cheaper.

If you can tell me the name of the college or the state it's in, I can get you accurate info.

Holly--about the Oprah thing. I think that they set their shows up quite a bit in advance so I kind of think the earlier the better when it comes to writing her. I think the Internet angle is something that hasn't been done before. There are also several other internet groups that get together. It would be kind of cool for her to do a whole show on Internet weight loss groups.

Just a thought!

that's true, i think we should all brainstorm on what to include in the letter.

we need to give her some success stories. with pictures. so we need people to volunteer for that. (and remember, "success" doesn't equal "goal"! noticeable differences in size is success!)

i wanted to personally be a little closer to goal, you know? but 34 pounds isn't bad for now.

we need to give her inspirational stories. ones like how we help each other handle eating out, or help stressed mothers find time to exercise, or help each other through times of depresion and sadness.

we can tell her about how we have threads for weighing in weekly, tell her about the points challenges and the goals we set.

more ideas?

Yep - Chicago wins 15 to 11. So it's Chicago in the Spring of 2004!! I will check with a local hotel friend to what dates we need to steer away from (conventions and such) and then get with DeeVine (she said she could get some good rates) and see what she comes up with. I'd like to see us all stay at the same place. I am going to assume everyone wants a good price over a plush hotel. Is that true?

Chicago 2004!!!!!!!

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Miss Chris

good price all the way.

i'm good with motel 6. =)

Sandi - Definitely price over plush!

Thats a hard one I am kinda a plush person. I am willing to double up with folks to to help out. I wonder if we could get a condo. Would anyone like me to look into it?

Miss Chris

I'm so excited about this!!!! I have stayed in some pretty cushy places for very little moola, if someone's willing to do the leg work on that...web surfing and such. We stayed at the Rennisance last summer in Denver, for $45/night. Also did the Hyatt in Denver for $65/night around the holidays.

I'm all for doubling up too, so maybe we can get a roommates list going as the time nears?

Wow! Chicago won! That is awesome!

I thought the meet would be somewhere farther away, and that I wouldn't be able to attend, but I have taken an Amtrack Train to Chicago before from here in Detroit. (About a 4 1/2 hour train ride.) And the price wasn't bad either!

Hmmm....when we figure out a date, I may have to look into getting a ticket.

Can we bring someone with us? A friend, boyfriend, relative? I'd like to bring my mother, (because she is losing weight too) but if she cannot go, I'd like my boyfriend to tag along. I'm not too big on traveling alone...lol.

~ Kari ~

I think a condo would be a GREAT idea, Chris!