It was another annual girls' weekend (July 12-15) at the lake. Leslie came from Springfield on Thursday. Liz, my longtime friend from GMAC, and I drove down Thursday, too. It was the calm before the storm. The other eleven arrived in the afternoon and evening on Friday laden with food, ice, groceries, and drinks of their choice. We ate a lot that night, and then they turned up the music. We older ladies went to bed earlier than anyone else. Liz heard the last one settle down about 2:40.

Saturday dawned bright and sunshiny but the younger crowd were not bright and sunshiny. They drug around, sunbathed, floated on rafts, ate a lot, drank very little, talked very little, played no loud music, some went shopping, and in general, were a rather subdued bunch. I thought it would be an early night for them.

Much to my surprise, as the sun began to set, they began to liven up. This time they began stage shows with official introductions, one-of-a-kind costumes for each separate performance, individual choreography, and some off-color music furnished by Teresa, the next door neighbor. Teresa had also livened up as the sun had began to set.

I missed a lot of both nights but heard a lot about it the mornings after the nights before. The husbands stayed home and kept the kids and encouraged the women to let their hair down and have a good time. I think they did.

Chris and Shelly were to go out to dinner on Saturday night, but Chris ran 17 miles on Saturday and said he just wasn't able to go anywhere. He is training for a marathon in September.

Pete called as usual on Saturday morning. His grandson, Eric, had got a pickup and came out to Pete's to powerwash it. Pete had talked to Maudie last week and he said she is doing okay. Her wonderful kids have been very helpful. Pete also talked to Leslie when he called and caught up the news on the "King" family.