Debbie Does San Diego

Debbie of Etc., Etc., Etc. was visiting her ancestral homeland, Colorado, and California from Nagasaki, Japan, where she currently resides. She was able to put San Diego on her itinerary, so last Friday night we got to enjoy her company, ply her with margaritas and give her a baby fix.

                              Is that a happy face or what?!

You know how sometimes you're really looking forward to something and then when it comes around it doesn't live up to your expectations? That totally did not happen. Debbie exactly as perky, irreverent, smart and fun in person as she is on her blog. Which means she is very perky, irreverent, smart and fun.

 

Smalltown Mom, Deb's body, Miss M (holding BabyO), Deb's head, Mel, Debbie, Anna (Debbie's little sis who could start a blog today and we'd all follow her), Jenn and Aaryn..

Not pictured is Aaryn's daughter Ruby who is both adorable to look at and to have as a houseguest. She cooperated by watching several episodes of Blue's Clues on the computer, leaving her mom free to tell us amusing Ruby anecdotes. Also not pictured is Lauren, who came a little later and was Deb's friend in Nagasaki and also Aaryn's friend and first ever commenter and how small is the world?

If Barack Obama and the Democrats would like some advice on how to proceed with the health care plan they should totally call us. We have a lot to say.

A highlight of the evening for me--beyond the making new friends and lively conversation--was when Danger Boy walked in and several women he's never met said, "You cut your hair!" He found it both charming and alarming. I was also amused when my nephew asked DB, "You mean people came here from out of town for this? You have got to be freaking kidding me!"

Not only was Deb here from Nagasaki and her sister from Las Vegas, SmallTown Mom came down from up the coast and Miss M came from Arizona. Thanks, gals! It was so great to have you.

We drank to those who really wanted to be here, but couldn't, and made a toast to Janet's speedy recovery.

As a representative of Japan and it's culture, Deb was obligated to shower us with presents. These are ostensibly for my daughter, but since we wear the same shoe size I thought we'd share. These are the sandals you have to wear for a couple of weeks to stretch them out. They are beyond cute.

 

These are photos of a folded "bag" that would contain a traditional "Moku roku" or letter of intent for what expectations a man would bring into the marriage. For Deb's marriage that would mean the expectation that you eat the dinner you're served--even if it is a BLT. Not a traditional Japanese sentiment, but one the rest of us definitely agreed with.

I'm hoping we can do it again--Deb is going to try and make it back to the states next year. Next time maybe her husband will consent to them camping out in my spare room and saving on a hotel. You know how non-bloggers are weird like that--skeptical of trusting your life to people you've only met over the internet.

Deb--now that we've met in real life we can be considered "real" friends and mi casa es su casa.

Comments

[Smalltown Mom]

Sweet! And Mi casa es Su casa in case any of you SDBB's come up my way!

I had a blast!

And the hotel room all to myself -- with no snoring men or boys present? Was a treat~!

[Mary Alice]

Oh so cool! You all look wonderful and SO happy!

[blognut]

Looks like a great time was had by all!

good for you :)

[Green Girl in Wisconsin]

First, I ADORE your feet pictures. Every time.
Second, looks like you had a SWELL time--but in that company, how could you not?
Third, Barak had better call you.
Fourth, I never knew that about the folded bags. Cool.

[Christiane]

So many cute shoes!
Looks like a wonderful evening filled with friends and great conversation. How cool is that?

[imom]

It looks like you all had a blast!

[stephanie (bad mom)]

Oh so jealous. But quite glad everything went well; next time I'll be there! :D

[gary]

no Cheri this time?

[Fannie]

Glad everyone had fun. And I am totally coveting those orange shoes!

[San Diego Momma]

My head and body had a great time!

[Jen on the Edge]

That looks like so much fun! I wish I could book a trip to So. Cal. right now.

[Susan]

I am so very jealous of Debbie, that she was able to meet all of you! Debbie and I had to explain to our friends here in Colorado about the San Diego Blogging Bitches. Love the shoes, as always! I feel like a long distance member, since I won the bag!

[phd in yogurtry]

I think I see teeny little flamingoes on those bright pink toes! And wow, Debbie is quite tall. Either that or the rest of you blogging byotches are short.

[Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy]

Thank you for hosting, it was great to se you again!

[Suzy]

I just love all the shoe pics!!

[Debbie]

Sitting here, in a hotel room in Tokyo on our last leg "home", after an 11 hour flight yesterday is NOT the best time to read posts like this one. Believe me...it's hard to type with tears in ones eyes!! I had SUCH a wonderful time...walking into your home and seeing everyone was just like walking into a friend's home (like Susan's!!) in Colorado! I had such a great time with all you bitches...I will definitely be there again.

Yes...I'm tall, but not as tall as Aaryn.
No...not flamingos on my toes (the girl didn't think she could do them!), but hibiscus....and Strawberry Margarita Pink polish.

Love you all!!! **sniff sniff**
:-D

[aaryn b.]

It was such a great time, even though Mel and I were the only ones who got the purple shirt/purple shoes/jeans memo. Jen bent over backwards to make my little Ruby comfortable and entertained. She gave her strawberry lemonade, made her a special quesadilla and copious amounts of delicious homemade trifle. She even let my girl watch kids vids on her computer. When that got old, she pulled out her vintage porn videos, successfully buying me one more hour with The Ladies. Thank you to The Hostess with the Mostess. No, really.

It should be noted that the orange shoes on San Diego Momma's feet were picked up at a thrift store.

Also, it is true I am tall. I am, in fact, the tallest one of the group and so I knelt in the hope of letting the picture be more balanced. Had I stood up, my head wouldn't have fit in the image.

Thank you, ladies, for lots of fun and laughter.

[MissM]

Jenn was the first blogger that I ever met, and she was so wonderful!! I am so glad to have met such a wonderful bunch of women. I couldn't have had a better time. Every single woman there was incredible!

[jenn]

You look absolutely gorgeous in that dress - great color for you! It looks like a fantastic gathering. I've yet to meet a fellow blogger in my neck of the woods, but I keep looking.

[jenrantsraves]

I would read Anna's blog if she started one just because I love her choice of shoes! Oh, and is it weird that I knew which ones were your feet?! I think so.
Glad you had such a great time!

[kcinnova]

Ye shall know them by their feet! ;)
It looks & sounds like you had a WONDERFUL time and I'm trying to not be jealous of your get-together, because I have had an entire month full of meeting other bloggers and feeling oh-so-blessed.
If you come out my way, Jenn, there is a guest room with your name on it!

[busy bee suz]

What a wonderful get together. I had no doublt that Debbie would be just as great in person. Looks like so much fun...those sandals? ADORABLE!!!

[Gina]

It looks like everyone had a fantastic evening!

[Moxy Jane]

What a great gathering! The energy must have been palpable miles and miles away!! And you all look fabulous - from head to toes!!

I'm so glad the blog world has created such awesome friendships. I've been keeping Janet in my thoughts and prayers and it's really sweet that you were all thinking of her, as well.

Moxy Jane
Austin, TX

[Janet]

who was wearing the sneaks? Thank you for toasting to my health, and maybe next year I can be there!!! <3

[JCK]

Looks like another fabulous get together. You are the hostess with the mostess!