there was SO MUCH laughter.

You know that part in the movie The Breakfast Club when they make Brian Johnson (the Weird Science kid) write the detention essay for all of them and he's all "Dear Mr. Vernon... blah blah blah you see us as you want to see us... a brain, and an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal" and you're supposed to be all they're so DIFFERENT BUT YET ALL THE SAME!?!

Yes. Our college group is a bit like that. Only no one taped anyone's 'buns' together or got burned by their old man with a cigarette for spilling paint in the garage. (That I am aware.)

(Edited to add: In reviewing this, I think this analogy makes ZERO sense but I'm so happy with the 'taping the buns' reference that I'm not deleting it!)

Anyway THE POINT IS: Mike, the owner of the adorable bed and breakfast we stayed in made a comment in passing about how it was so wonderful that we all stayed friends even though our career paths couldn't be more different! And that, my friends, is true! Among the eight women there, I believe we had a doctor, a lawyer, sales person, elementary teacher, artist and administrator, production manager, internet geek, and a CFO! I find our different paths quite fun.

And you know what else? THESE GIRLS ARE FUN. And I loved having the weekend with them. And I love my husband for taking care of things (Nate) at home so I could do this.

And you know what else? BRANSON. is. ridiculous.

Hello. Welcome to Branson.

They have ENORMOUS ship museums. AND MIGHT I ADD THAT THE EXHIBIT here was called "Dogs of the Titanic." Oh, yes, it was.
We stayed on Table Rock Lake, about 20 minutes outside of Branson. We had girls from Tulsa, Little Rock, Kansas City and Dexter, MO so it was a good meeting spot!

Here was the view from our back decks:
We rented out all four rooms of the bed and breakfast which was amazing b/c we had free range to roam and laugh as loud as possible... though, um, the owners did live downstairs and they SAID we weren't too loud but at one point I remember the conversations were more like screaming than speaking.

It might have been the wine. Though I think most of us are LOUD in nature without the help of alcohol.
Saturday we did some damage at the outlet mall:
And then some damage to our livers:
Which lead to some damage to, um, our dignity? OH YES WE DID!! Jealous?

YOU WANT TO GO TO BRANSON TOO NOW DON'T YOU!?!?!

Photos courtesy of my iPhone and Jackie, whose post about our trip is WAY better than mine.