Camp Wrap-Up

Hello Everyone! Sorry it's been so long (sorry Gramma!!)


Work has been fantastic (lots of good new business opportunities), but really busy and lots of client meetings. Chicago was great, spent a few days with a colleague there and stayed with my bff Helen. It was so great to see her new apartment and spend some time with she and her boyfriend. Friday I rented a car and drove to Indy for camp. Picked up my friend Charlie from the airport and made a bit of a blonde error. Was due to pick him up around 3:30. Left Chicago around 12:30 thinking three hours = plenty of time. Whoops...forgot about that tiny little time change. In reality I left Chicago at 1:30 Indy time leaving Charlie sitting at the airport for 90 minutes. Don't feel bad for him...he found a bar. ;-)


We went to grab some dinner at Applebees...they have ZERO veggie options. It's a bit ridiculous. I had a quesadilla. (well about 1/4 of it) and a glass of wine. 


Got to camp for rehearsal at 7pm, played until 11, then we went out for drinks. So much fun to just hang with everyone! They are the most amazing friends and I will miss them so much when our performance in August is over. Anyway, got to sleep about 1:30, was up at 7am. Rehearsal 8:30am - 11pm. UGH! It was about 88 degrees, humid and very sunny in Indy, we rehearsed outside for most of the day. I (casper the friendly ghost) even got a tan! We went out again that night (I opted for a corona and mozzarella sticks...not so in the plan...)


Sunday, woke up almost in tears at the thought of having to do it all again. I was bitterly exhausted. Got myself some coffee, rehearsal 8:30 - 10pm, then we went out. At midnight, I quit. Went back to the hotel and fell asleep. Just to give you a feel for how tired I was. I closed my eyes and was shocked at the pain. My eyes were burning. Would have preferred to sleep with them open! Woke up Monday morning rehearsal 9am - 12pm, then drove back to Chicago. Flight was delayed 45 minutes, flight before was cancelled due to weather so I'm lucky I got home at all! Was home by 12am, had a meeting at 9am. So, it's been a tough week and needless to say I am THRILLED it's Saturday!


While camp is tough, especially when you're not 20 years old. It is an absolutely amazing experience and I'm so glad I made the decision to do it. This performance is a once in a life opportunity. We won't have the  opportunity to do it again and it culminates with a performance at "the" football stadium in Indy in front of 28,000 people. 


My weight has pretty much stayed between 182 and 183.5 for the past two months. I am back down at 181.6 (my ticker weight) this morning. Looking forward to getting into the 179's since the first time since my teens. I've been making really stupid decisions lately. Eating too much ice cream and even eating pasta a couple of nights in a row. There has also been too much wine. So, back on the "band" wagon for me. I also need to get my butt exercising again. I have completely stopped running, ironically after buying my first pair of running shoes. WTF?!?


Had a huge NSV at camp. Well a couple actually. When I first walked into rehearsal Friday night, the corps was together in the gym. Two different friends of mine who I hadn't seen since the Feb camp said at different times..."How much more weight have you lost?" When I asked how they knew they both mentioned they saw it in my face. So great! The next day I made a comment to a friend that our percussion instructor had no idea I was me. He taught me back in '93, spent an entire summer with me, I was probably about 275 at the time. He acknowledged me and said things to me in the last couple of camps, but there was no recognition on his face. Finally Saturday I went up to him and said "You don't remember me do you?" He gave me a sheepish look and I mentioned who I was as "the big girl in the pit in 1993" and said my name. His reaction was priceless. "OMG, it is you. You look so different. OMG..." It was great! Then Monday before I left I tried on my uniform. I saw on the piece of paper that they had me in a 2XL pair of pants and a XL shirt. The uniform lady looked at me and said "That won't work" and gave me XL pants and a L shirt. Too big! My uniform will be a L pair of pants and a M shirt. Simply amazing!!


I've missed you all but have been getting caught up on your blogs!! 


Some pics from camp below.