Ok, here's my version

Friday finally got here and I was of course not packed at all, not to mention the fact that I still hadn't decided which books to take and have signed. I got up, got ready, got packed, and checked me e-mail (had to feed my AOL addiction, you know). I was very glad when Diane arrived because we were finally on our way!

The trip (about 2-1/2 hours) seemed to go quickly and we arrived shortly before everyone else. As the others said, we got along from the start. We got to see pictures of everyone's "stuff" and from TTP last year. Now we know what the rest of you TTP Broads look like, and we got gossip, lots of gossip!

We went and checked into our hotel...did someone mention that April showers bring May flowers? It rained non-stop from the minute we arrived in Champaign.

In the hotel, we chatted more. It seemed like we were old friends instead of new. We laughed and laughed some more. We ate cookies (4 different kinds, J). I did have to get a little rough with Nancy when she started eating out of my bag, but that was quickly settled.

The time went quickly, and we were almost LATE to meet the Queen. Thank God the trip to the restaurant was short because I was crushed in the back of the car AND holding Ottis's camera.

Dinner with Nora was so memorable. I was in awe. I couldn't believe that I was sitting across from Nora Roberts. She was so gracious and classy. Dinner was delicious, but the company even better.

Then on to the store-Nancy and Katie scored big with the sign and mousepad. We bid farewell to Nora and went off in search of chocolate.

The Nancys left a few details out of their stories at this point..

-like Nancy O's parking job (only slightly crooked) and Nancy D's jacket (wet, very wet).

Back to the hotel where I spent most of the night without covers and with heaving breathing coming from the other side of the bed. (What did you say to Nancy before she left Julian??) I had not had my AOL fix since early that morning, so I lay awake for 3 hours in the middle of the night trying to imagine that voice saying, "You've got mail!" Besides, did anyone mention that it was COLD in our room and that I had no covers? (Hope everyone is taking notes on who NOT to room with at TTP. )

The 5 women with their 5 hair dryers got ready without incident, went off to Bob Evans to get Nancy D. more coffee, and then it was time to go.

It was so wonderful to meet people, to put faces and personalities to names. Like Ottis, I am anxious to meet more of you at TTP in July where I will not need a heater in the room or be sharing with Nancy D.

Thanks, Ottis, for being our Champaign host. Thanks, Diane, for picking me up on your way through. Thanks, Nancy D., for the cookies. (They made a great lunch and breakfast.) Thanks to Katie for keeping us all younger. I'll see you in July!

Lisa