Tulsa Bound! (SGGA 2008).

It was about six in the evening when the power finally came back on Wednesday night. My mind was mushy from heat exhaustion, but I already knew I was in trouble. I had approximately eight hours to get laundry started, and finished, find a suitcase to borrow, pack for Dave and myself, get us both showered, and get ready to catch a plane to Tulsa. It seemed like it should have been enough time.. but I knew we were going to be cutting it close. To top it off, I had spontaneously decided to make a few Sherbet Bridges to take with me, (sugar glider toys, for those not in the know), and I was suddenly juggling quite a bit in just a short time.

It was almost two in the morning when the luggage was finally packed, and everything was in order to leave. I was in bed by two thirty, and the alarm went off at three. Needless to say, neither Dave nor I were able to get any sleep in the half an hour we were lying there nervously in the dark, hoping we didn't get off to a late start. We climbed back out of bed, and got dressed. It was a two hour drive to the airport. The plane boarded at eight, and ever-cautious, we were there by six, just because they told me to be. The only good thing about sitting at the airport doing nothing for two hours.. was having the extra time to work on a bridge and chat with Mom and Dave while we watched people come and go all around us. It wasn't too bad.. but we were all awfully sleepy.

The flight couldn't have gone better than if I planned it to the letter. We had a layover in Chicago, and I gave us plenty of time for Dave to get from one plane to the next, with plenty of time to spare. It went really, really well. We got into Tulsa around noon on Thursday, and checked into our room. Dave and I were so excited to be in town and in attendance for the tenth annual SGGA, (or, Sugar Glider Get Away). I was so excited to see my friends, old ones, and new ones alike. I found Alicia right away, who told me I looked exhausted. Two days of no sleep following near heat exhaustion from not having any power for four days would surely not have a pretty look to it, so it was no wonder that I looked terrible, lol. She was busy complaining that someone had poisoned her, so we exchanged hugs, and Dave and I hid out for an hour's worth of rest in our room. I finished making the last of the bridges I had brought with me, and we met our new, and most wonderful friend Beth and visited with her for awhile. It wasn't too long before Dave and I were excited, energized, and ready to go out exploring and looking for some long, lost friends.

The four days that followed were a delightful blur of activity that I will never, ever forget. My dear best friends and Dave and I, (Laci, and Corby.. Megs and Tyler), all spent Friday morning at the aquarium together, which was awesome. Megs took more pictures of the fishies than she did of anyone else all weekend. In her defense, she said.. the people she'd never be able to forget, but the marine life.. she might. The stingrays had a little grudge against me though, and I got drenched not once, but TWICE.. and everyone else somehow managed to stay dry. That's the last time I share two dollar shrimp pieces with ungrateful fishes, let me tell you, lol.

What can I say? I guess they could tell I was hot.

The stingrays were SO MUCH nicer to Dave, but.. everyone always is! (haha, lol).

There was still fun to be had with my girls, Lace and Megs, (no comment! *blush*).

We had several hours worth of talk and lectures on glider neutering, diseases, illnesses, and so much more. Some of it I've heard before, some of it was brand new, but ALL of it is vital to remember when caring for sugar gliders, so I listened as intently as my red bull would allow. Tables overflowed with raffle goodies. I didn't win a single thing, but it was fun to watch other happy winners grab their winnings all the same.

The learning happened by day, and the fun happened by night. Dave and I went swimming with friends every night we were there. It was more necessary than fun though.. in the 100+ degree Tulsa heat. That water felt so good when you'd suffered in your own sweat most of the day, lol. I asked Dave, at one point if he could still tread water in the deep end. Apparently, after sliding off the side, promptly sinking, and choking on mouthfuls of water.. it's something we'll need to work on one day. After the nightly swim, it was time to party in the grotto, the courtyard by the pool, or in the cool kids room, (John and Bo's suite, lol). I was able to sample more colors and flavors of cool-aide than I ever thought possible, and we tried to stay up as late as humanly possible, (all while knowing we had to get up by seven the next morning if we wanted breakfast before the day's activities began). It was brutal.. and awesome, and I can't even believe how much fun I had. Sundra's jellyfish were MUCH better than the ones we found at the aquarium.

I got to spend some wonderful quality time with some of my most dear glider community friends. Alicia, John, Bo, Laci, Megs, Tyler, Bourbon, Anita, Lynsie, Kris, Kathy, Eric, Peggy, Karen, Karin, Chase, Teresa, Sundra, Sam, Denise, Sharon, Leah, Cyndie, Judie, Kathy, Sheila. I'm pleased and blessed to be able to say that's not even half of you. I got to officially meet so many more new friends, Brenda, Alden, Nina, Jason, Peri, Gracie, Beth, April, Kara, Cora, Molly, and SO MANY MORE. I didn't know how much I'd love you.. until I really got to spend some time with you making new memories. Thank You all, SO, so very much for making our time at the SGGA this year absolutely magical. I haven't had that much fun in years, and.. I'll just never, ever forget it. I don't know where Dave and I will be in a year's time, but if there's any way possible to get to Kansas City for next year, we'll be there. I know the wait will be miserable.

I took over two hundred pictures in just four painfully short days. I could never include them all, no matter how much I wanted too, but.. these were a few of my favorites!

From the really, really BIG gliders...

....to the itty, bitty, tiny gliders,

And ALL gliders in between,
..there was plenty of fuzz-lovin to go around.

But spending time with my OWN children.. warmed my heart like none other ever could.
(Thank You, GodMamma Denise)!!!

(Disclaimer: Warning.. picture overload about to commence. Clicking is NOT mandatory! lol).

Some of my most favorite, favorite girls!

Some of my most favorite, favorite guys!

And for all of my friends who knew just where to hide to not get forever captured in film this year.. you're all in big, big trouble, and I'll get you next year.. I promise, lol.

Our flight back went just as smoothly as our trip there. I couldn't be happier with every single moment we shared in Tulsa, (well, aside from the absolutely miserable wet mugginess of 103 degree Fahrenheit Oklahoma weather, lol). Dave and I really, really needed to get away for a couple days. It's an understatement to say that this has been a tough year on us. It was a magical time, and I couldn't be more grateful to have had such rewarding experiences with so many.

Dave had a fabulous time. He had a bit of trouble keeping up with me, and skipping all those naps he was used to. But he did phenomenally well, under the circumstances. Most everyone thought he was getting along remarkably, and with exception to a few whispered conversations I overheard from folks I didn't know asking about "that guy who seemed.. kinda slow," everyone had beautifully pleasant things to say. He must have ingested a bit too much pool water though, because he's come down with a travelers cold since we've been home.. complete with congestion, and leaky goo to boot, lol. A little rest, and he should be good to go though.

I'm sure I've long since bored everyone to sleep by now with my rambling and slideshow mess, so that's enough blabbing for now. Thank You for joining us this evening, and until next time.. Much Love, Many Hugs, and Good Night to You All!!