"Shun u tah" : I feel empty, like a bowl that was just happily licked clean.
I am overcome by such a sense of freedom and vastness at having given all I had up in the name of hospitality.
I want to Thank All who left their comfort zones at home to attend the RP Social 2009 in Portland, Oregon:
Anita, Dr. Gislin, Dan and Nora, Gaylen, Ken, Jill and Easter, Jim and Atticus, Bonnie and Olympus, Becky and Shamus, Dale and Alexi, Bob and Carol, Mickie, Larry and Galleon and Ida, Tom, Jacque and Bach, Shelly and Elinor, Laura, Rose, Bob, Mark and Sherri, Johanna and Nicole and Constance, And Donna! I deeply love and honor you all: my family!

And to my great friends,who made our party possible: Kay, who note took and helped me hunt for the right hotel last October,DJ and Michelle who shopped with me,Yvonne at the Shanti, Berta the blueberry lady,Judy the Strawberry lady, Hildi the Veggie Lady,Noranne the Egg lady, 'More than Drivers': Gary, Anna, Sharron, Jim (Elinor and Dan #1), My wine sommolieres Doug and Fran,Susan my dinner coordinator, the coleslaw brigade; Char, Bobbie, Sheryl, Gary the Native American Flautist, Tracy our Masseuse with the golden heart,Mike for generously sharing his week old salmon catch, Dan the Salmon chef supreme. My cupcake girls; Gail and Cathy, 'More than drivers'; Judy R., Sue, Anna (wrong way Grandma), Sharron, Dan #1, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Jordy and Kay again. The Guitarist Mr. Tom, The bevy of room service and (security) personnel who responded to our calls. Plus those who offered their service and I couldn't think of another thing we needed. . .Jo, Charlie, Jim Starr, and Jill; waiting 'on call' should a need arise.
Most of all my Husband Dan. . .'who gave up his wife' for the last months as I devoted myself to being 'at your service'. My abiding love for you and devotion to our common life called me to host an event showcasing the Beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
I am ever grateful for your Presence and Gratitude; The gift we are to one another.

"Coulda, woulda, shoulda..."
I heard this phrase from Sheldon Pravda, a newcomer to the RP Social scene from Bellingham Washington.
Yeah, that's where I have been for a few days... But it's really over now. I am not tired of thinking about this event and am still awaiting more 'reviews in word, thought and photos; longing to see the results of nine months of preparation through so many other's eyes.
A favorite scene for me occurred at the pool on Friday afternoon as Johanna, Nicole her dog and me and Mirage were hanging out. I watched Nicole as Johanna swam, swirling in joy and freedom ( Mirage dutifully lay on a chaise and took in the entire sight). Johanna swam across the pool and back effortlessly moving water as she silently slipped around. Her dog raced from 'shore to shore' with the huge smile on her face, dutifully anticipating her arrival. I laughed aloud at the loyalty and love Nicole was showing her sightless mistress.
Alas, no photos...just the JOY.

Shopping for fresh produce and bakery items this afternoon with Michelle and DJ. . .with so much help we made quick work of the long lists. Thank You sweet girls :-) Good Friends~

Today the final piece of the RP Social 'puzzled' fell into place as I was showering.I thought to myself, "Who do we know that could cook salmon beau...ti...fully?
The answer was obvious! Dan Harmic (who is about to open a Martini Bar as a result of loosing his job in December): avid Alaskan fisherman and Gifted Tenor. He just happens to LOVE dogs, having Owen since he was birthed by their first dog:-)
Any who as they say, His first question after I explained the RP Social ("30 people and 8 dogs") Was Eight Guide Dogs?!!!
Well he quickly agreed to alder smoke and bar be que ten pounds of really good salmon for us. He may even have a fish source :-)
I suppose besides the bottle of Pinot Noir, he will insist on delivering the freshly cooked salmon to our hospitality suite.
Sure Dan! And Dan. . . Thank you so much for being a Yes man. . .Huge sigh, I am deeply thankful.

Today the grocery shopping began in earnest; pop,herb tea and coffee. Also paper products such as plates, napkins and coffee cups. We are buying products from Washington and Oregon to reflect local flavors.(Tea and coffee, not edible paper)
Our BIG progress today was to talk to the Pretty Lady Kim, who owns Julianos Pizza. While visiting the hospitality suite on Friday it occured to us to buy a pony keg for the beer drinkers, and some light brews too. Kim did the math and we chose to order the Bridgeport IPA. Here is their website~ $56.00 buys 64 pits of delicious beer. And no cans to litter the Hospitality suite: A very green idea here.
http://www.bridgeportbrew.com/
The Social plans are coming along nicely~

Eleven Days!
Dan and I toured the Hotel hospitality Suite on Friday.We spoke to the Manager and the Caterer for our Dinner Dance. We left there 'dancing on air'.
Seeing the suite helped me visualize how 30 people and 8 guides would gather: at tables and conversational groups, serving areas and how our bedroom/ massage center would all flow. We ended up with a second suite for conversation.
We are now considering a pony keg of some yummy beer to minimize cans and be more green. Being green is so important to me, though not in a manic way. . .a simple loving way of not being wasteful with our resources.(So everybody bring your own cup.) Just kidding. A little test to see who is following the blog. tee hee!
The restaurant has make 5 braille copies of their menus, and taught sensitivity training to their staff as to accomodate our visual challenges with ease. There is a well lit relieving station behind the hotel with gorgeous green grass, potty receptacle bags and a bell on the post where they will be available to us. You can even see or hear the planes take off nearby.

A total of 32 people and 8 Dogs

The List of Who's Coming to Portland
We have received Registration forms from the following:
Sheldon (Shelly)Pravda
Elinor Pravda
Bonnie Lorensen and Olympus
Jacque Olsen and Bach
Anita Cohn
Larry Marcum abd Galleon
Ida Rodgers
Janet Gianinni
Mickie Maciejak
Dr. Gislin Dagnelie
Dan and Suzy Gustafson and Mirage
Tom Morgan
Ken Garringer
Rebecca Koolstra and Shamus
Mark and Sherri Thompson
Rose Kamma Sarkany
Laura Rough
Dale Layer and Alexi
Gaylen Floy
Bob McGuire
Carol Peterson
Robert Sullivan
Johanna Wallace and Nicole
Constance Kofron
Nora Devane
Dan Devane
Donna L.Zerkel


Jill Guilbeau and Easter
Posted by Dan and Suzy

Wow, the registration is wrapping up with checks and forms still streaming in. We are up to thirty guests: a fine number. . .not overwhelming. Oh, we will have fun!
I have a spreadsheet listing who would like to attend what. . . and am ready to sign up drivers.
I am about to pen a letter to my best friends asking for "HELP!" I need to be direct about this. Did you know that people LOVE to help out?
I'll keep you posted.
Love, SuzyG and Mirage