Sacramento Meeting - Saturday April 21st

Eileen, I'm sorry to hear about your mom too. I've been through that and send you all good wishes. Will be thinking of you. Take care.

(sigh) Looks like I'm heading back to Texas on Wed the 18th; there are some 'issues' to deal with concerning my mother's sudden illness and admittance to a nursing home. I thought perhaps things were all worked out... By golly, I'm working into my schedule a Texas Rangers game this time!!! My little treat to myself... Good news is - while I won't be bringing my new RS Rolling Backpack to the meeting this month, I will be testing it in The Real World (NOT the MTV show - ugh; I've got enough drama in my life right now). So, in addition to my pre-flight review to be posted soon on the Rolling Backpack thread, I can report on my actual experience using it. I'm very bummed I won't be there. Maybe we can IM...just to say 'hi' ;-)

Eileen, Sorry to hear about your mom. We'll miss you!

Well......I'm not going to Texas after all! Not this week, anyway. So I'll just pack my RS RB and take it grocery shopping and for walks around the neighborhood ;-) And thanks, Andrea and Susan. It's hard enough getting used to The New Reality (especially for Mother), but it's much more trying when a lone family member makes things more difficult for the rest of us ( and Mother)...

I'll be there......and am glad Eileen can roll on in & join us!

I'll be there.

Ummm...flying to TX on Monday morning. Mother was taken by helicopter to the hospital last night, so while there's no imminent danger, I decided to just go and be there. She's in ICU with all of the accompanying tubes, IVs, and monitor leads, so it looks like she'll be there for awhile - and so will I. Still trying to figure out what's wrong with her...I wanted to go tomorrow (Sunday), but the weather looks scary - I already played that game last week called 'Cancelled Flight' on my flight home...so I went with a 'sure' thing on Monday. I'd like to thank American Airlines for allowing me to use FF miles accrued from my last 2 R/T flights to Europe as payment today...Traveling does pay off. OK - Gonna try out that RS BP; report to follow...;-)

Eileen, have you had a chance to try your RS Rolling Backpack or will you bring it packed to the meeting for your trial run?

Monte will be in Portland at a coffee convention and I'll be having girl time with my darling daughter. So, well miss this month. If you want, plan our next trip and eat a sandwich for me, OK?

Can't make it. We are having one here.

I brought the Rolling Backpack - I stuffed that puppy full; I ask that anyone reading this keep your fingers crossed that the seams hold ;-) Very short review: It's a great rolling bag, not good at all for me to carry on one shoulder, and would feel great on both shoulders with a hip belt (I plan on trying to find a suitable retrofit belt). Otherwise, my back was in agony within 15 seconds! The wheels are just on either side of my hips - yea! I felt smug looking at my little bag in the overhead compartment while other people were shoving theirs in sideways - a big no-no. My Avanti bag (precursor to RS Euro Tote) fit well on top, but would topple forward if I let go. So far, so good... Thank you so much for your concern and prayers for Mother. She's responding well to treatment, but it remains to be seen how much of her we get back...but hope springs eternal! Have fun at Panera - Maybe I'll go to the Panera down the street from the hospital to be there in spirit ;-)

I'll be in Moscow, looking for someone to stamp my visa, so I'll have to miss the Sacramento meeting once again.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone who can make it. We'll miss you Eileen and Susan. Sorry you can't be here Darcy, but I understand you are busy. ;-) Darcy, are you planning to be down this way this summer? It would be great to meet up with you again.

@ Andrea and Eileen--We probably won't be able to get to Sacto area this year because of our son's wedding. Some of Sacramento is coming here!!! I do wish I could see you both though...especially this year!

Wow, Darcy - your son is awfully inconsiderate ;-). Although the last time you were here you brought those really nasty, high temperatures...How 'bout next time you come in the shoulder season LOL?!? (To Those Who Know Who They Are: Thanks again for the encouragement concerning my mother; I really appreciate the Private Messages!) Have a good time at the get-together; I hope some of you other posters give the Sacto group a try!

@ Darcy - it has been quite a year for you, Eileen and me! I hope things are improved next year. I would love to come up to see you, but there will be no travel for me for awhile. I'm antsy to go somewhere though, so I am mentally planning the trip I hope to do next year in the spring or fall. When is the wedding?

For anyone new coming, we are usually at the large table in the middle of the restaurant. The Rick Steve's books on the table will be your biggest clue... I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. We'll miss you Eileen and Susan/Monte!