Final Night and Home......

OK, so we got into a cab and it was decided that we'd head to the Bellagio first - I just did as I was told (I know, very hard to believe!). We swept up to this beautiful entrance and I felt decidedly under-dressed (don't get excited - I mean too casual!). This hotel was in a completely different league from the Orleans (and if you want to see it, go to: http://www.bellagio.com/ - crumbs! A beautiful lobby, very white, with lots of flowers, the slots weren't in your face as soon as you came in the door, and the smell of smoke didn't hit your face so much! We headed to have a look at the different things, and came across this Ferris Wheel - as you do! There was a bunch of things that, apparently, could be found (or were found) along the famous Route 66 - and this was one of the first Ferris Wheels - at 40 feet high. Nearby were different trees and bushes from various places - it was very pretty, and if I ever win the lottery........ HA!

After looking through here, we decided where to go to next, we thought about going to see different shows that were happening, but the timing was a bit off, so we decided against that. So headed to see the Dancing Waters (see link above!) as they were due to start soon - I'd heard about these and really wanted to see them. We headed down the slope and got into a good position to watch them, and then - it started to RAIN! Yep, rain, in Las Vegas (people I've told this to can't believe it, but it did, honest!). So we ran back and as we did, unfortunately Donna fell flat on her back and hit her head on the concrete. The rain, even though it had only been falling for a few minutes, had made the ground so slippy, and she was wearing sandals. Fortunately, she was OK, if slightly stunned, so we headed back in, and thought about whether we should wait for the rain to stop. Whilst we were thinking, Sara decided to do some gambling! There was this wheel thing (I am so technical) and you had to put counters on different numbers and guess which number it would stop at. I hadn't a clue what she was doing but gave a bit of advice - as I am wont to do - and she came out slightly on top (I think - as I say, haven't a clue! LOL!). Eventually, we decided that it wasn't raining that badly, so we'd walk to Caesars Palace. The walkway between the two reminded me a bit of Paris - which wasn't terribly difficult as across the lake and just up the road, was a mini Arc De Triomphe and Eiffel Tower - outside the Paris Hotel! Very bizarre.

Anyway, eventually got to Caesars Palace - damp, because it had decided to rain some more. Had to work out how to get in, went up and down in lifts (elevators!) and eventually got in. Again, wow! There are quite a few fountains to look at - we saw a couple. Funny thing is, we were met by the sight of a Roman Centurion, and some other characters standing there, but as soon as we walked in, they walked out. I'll never forget the sight of Sara walking after them, trying to get them to come back to have a photo opp - they were NOT having any of it!

We went through to the area where the shops were (for a look at what's there, visit http://www.harrahs.com/casinos/caesars-palace/hotel-casino/property-home.shtml). And - wow again! LOL!

When you go through there, there are rather posh shops on either side (with posh prices to match - even the food ones!), and then you come to this area where there is a scene like in Athens, and above you is a sky - even though you're inside - it's wonderful! We had a look round the shops (definitely just a look!), and as I was getting quite tired, and had to pack, and get to the airport in the morning, it was decided that I'd go back to the hotel. We all did - had another very helpful driver. As we were driving past all the other hotels - Circus, Circus, New York, New York), I noticed that the waters had started, despite being told over the phone that they'd been cancelled for that evening, so our driver drove very slowly past them (wasn't difficult, the traffic was quite heavy), absolutely fantastic to watch -never seen anything like it, even in Butchart Gardens, and those are really, really great!

Anyway, got back to the Orleans and went straight up to my room and packed all except what I needed for the morning, and went to bed!

Next morning, got up, dressed, packed everything else. Decided to take my case down to where it could be stored, got downstairs on my own with it (for those who didn't see it, it was a BIG pink thing - couldn't miss it! LOL!), but the carpet downstairs didn't like it, so this very kind bellhop put it on his trolley and took it to where it needed to go for me!

I also decided to use the Business Centre for a bit - went online to check my emails and check in to Spottie - see if they were behaving themselves, and to see if everyone had got home). It helped while away an hour or so, and really helped a lot, so thank you Spotties for that.

Eventually it was time to leave and I got my case (or another very nice man got it for me - but this time he wanted paying! LOL!), and he guided me to a cab. The taxi driver was wonderful. He'd lived in Britain about 30 years ago, and was a bit of a Manchester United fan (he actually had tix to go see them play and was so busy messing around with a friend of his that he forgot to go!). He was at Uni in Brighton apparently. He was lovely! Very helpful at the airport as well. The first check in desk for Delta was outside and again I met a very friendly person who helped me to the inside check in, and when I tipped him, he told me I'd given him too much - that was a first! HA!

I was a bit early, so I had to wait for some assistance, but not for long. Soon, a very helpful lady came and helped me through to security, MUCH better than New York, I even had a bit of a joke with the person who checked me over - much more of a sense of humour!

She took me through to the Departure Lounge and I waited there for the plane to come. One plane came in before ours and two rather 'merry' young ladies got off it -just - LOL! Spent some of the time 'talking' to a little girl of about 18 months and her mum. There was an announcement that we were overbooked (AGAIN - what is it about Delta?! LOL!), but it was soon sorted, or someone didn't turn up, as we were all soon on the plane. Was helped onto the plane, my seat was on the end of the row, and I had to move to let a couple into my row, but they were really, really nice. Whilst we were waiting to take off, the captain suddenly announced that we were too heavy, so had to wait for permission to take off from another runway. If we got permission, we'd be OK, if we didn't, it would mean offloading - eek! Prayers were offered, as I had a very very tight turnaround at New York, I got a bit worried at this point! I bet Elinor and Joan did too - they were on the same flight, with Elinor's family).

However, we soon got permission - although we were running about 20 minutes late. As I said earlier, the couple I was sat next to were really nice, they lived in Newark (New Jersey, not Nottinghamshire!), unfortunately though, the husband suffered a bit from claustrophobia so he spent a lot of the flight standing up elsewhere, poor guy. On approach to New York, they pointed out various landmarks to me (not that I could really see but it was nice of them to do that!). On landing, people were told not to stand in the aisle and let people through who had 'tight' connections - ie me, Joan and Elinor! But - they all stood up! Eventually, I found a gap to get through the people and got off the plane, Elinor and Joan had gone ahead, and one of Elinor's sons had to BEG them to keep the gate open for us.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, I was met with a very insistent 'helper' who insisted I get in the chair provided (not mine, hopefully it had been put on the plane ahead of me!), and put the foot pedals down (I don't wear them normally), I was panicking and telling him we had to GO - but Mr Jobsworth was more worried about insurance than me getting on a blooming plane! And then - he walked particularly casually down to the next plane - grrrr!

EVENTUALLY, we got to the plane, and I was the last one on, jet lag was setting in, and as I was walking through business class, exhausted, I cut myself - so there was blood pouring from my finger - which I had to deal with myself. Then my shoe fell off again, the flight attendant asked, eventually, if she could help, so I gave her it! I am so so glad I had a row to myself (well, two seats), as it meant I could spread out, and I slept for quite a bit of the flight (most of it, I think). Arrived back in the morning at about 8.15am (according to my mum, who'd been watching on Teletext! LOL!). Walked MILES to get to Customs. Again they were peaches, really helpful, and I was then handed over to someone who took me to my train to London. Took me to the wrong platform at first, but it was OK, as my train was not for a bit, eventually got to London and was taken to a taxi. Journey through London was OK, went past the Churchill Hotel (can't remember doing that on the way there, but we did do the same route), and also passed the soldiers going to the Changing of the Guard, which was a sight to see - they looked very very smart, very British institution.

Got to Kings Cross, and the driver almost dumped me in the middle of the road! Luckily a very nice Spanish couple took pity and helped me with my case, but then had to leave me when I got in there, as it was their first day in London and they had no idea of where I needed to be. I started to head for Customer Services and another lady, a British student, again offered to pull my case and we followed a long path to CS. I waited in there for assistance to the train, which came pretty quickly, and he was Canadian! He put me on the train (wrong carriage, but it didn't matter), and I was the only one on the train for about 30 minutes - nearly thought it was the wrong one, but it wasn't!

Train journey took about two hours, the guard offered to get me some food, and then forgot me! Some guy offered to get the Chelsea Pensioner opposite me something, but ignored me, and I was too tired to argue. Arrived at York - wooo hooo!

GNER staff were, as always, very very helpful and the lady who helped me actually walked to a wheelchair accessible cab and told him I was there. He was great, he was an Elvis fan (you could tell!), and when I told him I'd been to Vegas, he asked me if I'd seen him - errrm, nope! Got home to find flat still present and correct, tidy, lots of post, and I went to bed (after ringing my mum to say I was home). Slept until the following day.

I had a lovely time, met some wonderful friends who I'd met before, and LOTS who I hadn't met before 'live' as it were. You all rock! Thanks to all who helped in any way to have a good time, can we do it again some time?!

Next - Newcastle to see Donny, and then Cardiff to see his lovely big brother!

Final Full Day

OK, so got up the following morning, and knew that many people were leaving for home, so had breakfast early and then went to park myself near registration. Spent most of the morning there saying goodbye. Lots of tears - but not from me - heartless witch that I am! I just know in my bones that I'll see people again - so watch out! Spent the rest of the time chatting to Karen P - VERY interesting! LOL!

Also knew that various members of the Osmond family would be leaving that morning - Merrill wasn't one of them as he'd left after the show to get back to Utah as his daughter Sheila was going on a mission - best wishes to her! I think those type of events are really good for young people, whether it's a mission, or a gap year, or a shorter thing like a sabbatical - it's good for the soul and grows you up and helps you see the world from a different perspective - wish I could do something like that.

Anyway, we saw Kandilyn and the boys leave (but they didn't actually leave, leave, as we saw the boys later!), then in the corridor (yes, the stalking corridor) we saw Michelle and the children. Funny thing - Jay was also there, almost hiding behind a clothing rail (empty - so, if he was hiding, it was about as much use as a chocolate teapot!), and he turned to say hello to me and nearly got rammed into the wall (he wasn't pushing it), we both grinned at each other, and he went on his way.

Jimmy eventually came out and went to registration and talked, and talked, and talked and - went in the opposite direction to me - charming! Just kidding, he was obviously still very busy.

One of the goals of the time I was there to meet Alan - and suddenly, he was there! Sooo, Karen said 'go for it' - and I did! LOL! We had a short chat about the celebrations, and then he went on his way - wonderful to meet him.

Eventually Jay came out and he told us that he was helping Jimmy to load up a U-Haul to take back to Utah. Soooooo - we followed him and waited for him to come out. Jimmy came out first, and on his shoulder he had this great big long pole thing - he was carrying it with someone else. Hard at work............!

Anyway, eventually Jay came out with a trolley laden with boxes and he chatted with us for a bit. He put his arm round my shoulder (I was just at the right length!) so I put my arm round his waist (ditto!), and he posed for a picture (didn't really have much choice!). Anyway, he then decided that he really had to get on with loading the trailer, so we went with him, he loaded the first lot, and then went back into the hotel, so we waited outside (not for long, it was flipping hot!), and after a while, I went to see where he was, and had to do a kind of detour around this parked van, one of the workers very kindly moved a barricade, and I went through and then changed my mind as Jay was coming towards me in the opposite direction! He was trying to get through quite a narrow gap near a new car - just made it (he'd be good to drive with! LOL!), and as we went back to the others, we chatted about where I'd come from, and the pretty parts of the UK! When we got back, me being me, rather than watch him put them all into the trailer, I decided to see if they were heavy and suggested that we help! He was a bit reluctant, but it was much better than us sitting there watching the poor fella do it all on his own! I supervised - and took pictures! LOL! He was very grateful and said Jimmy would be pleased it had been done so quickly! HA - now he knows why!

We had a great time, went back inside, and eventually he was joined by his boys and one of Jimmy's and they went off back home.

I did actually manage to get some lunch - with Betty and Nicole, just before their flight home. We went to TGI Fridays and I just had the yummy appetiser, Betty taught me about Cobb (?) Salad, and we had a great time, and then I went with them to pick up their bags before they left.

I'd made arrangements earlier to go to see the Strip with Sara and Donna, after all, I hadn't managed to see anything of it, other than what we'd seen on the way in from the airport. So, we made arrangements that I'd meet them at 7.30, well, with a little bit of Osmond-time added, we did eventually meet, and took a cab - the cab drivers I met were really helpful, btw, very impressed indeed.

More later!

Show 3 and beyond.....

OK, so I eventually got outside and waited for show three to begin, as expected it started in Osmond Time not our time, but getting that amount of people OUT of the theatre and then getting them back IN again in time for the official start time, after the theatre was cleaned a bit was a bit of a tall order. I'm not sure if I mentioned this at the beginning, but when I went to get my ticket for this show, the box office person hmmmmed and haahed when he saw that it was an aisle seat - and asked me three times would it be OK - yes, yes and YES! LOL! He strongly suggested that if I needed any help then I needed to ask an usher.

Well, I wasn't terribly happy that he'd done that, BUT - when I went in, I understood why. I could get my wheelchair most of the way down, but then a barrier appeared, cutting the aisle in half - why, I have no idea. But, my chair wouldn't go any further, so I had to walk to my fifth row seat. Someone very kindly stowed the chair up a corridor. Got in my seat and waited, I'd got my Lynnie fan before the show, and looked at all the faces of people who weren't there in person, sad but happy that they'd been included somehow. A very excellent idea Ms Roberts! (((((hugs)))))

Whilst we were waiting for the show to start, a bunch of people suddenly surged to the front, and a frantic usher or two seemed to usher them back. Waited a bit more, and then the intro music started, and then there was an almighty surge again, no ushers this time, but boos from quite a few members of the audience. I've said all I want to on this subject, but do people really need to act like lemmings and do what others do?! It caused at least one disabled person to leave, another to be very claustrophobic, and if you'd done it to me, I would've battered someone! The show passed off relatively well, but I do wonder what the Osmonds thought was going on - well, now they probably know. I have my opinion on who started it, having witnessed some 'stuff' before the show, but let's leave it at that, shall we. What works in the UK doesn't necessarily work in the US.

Having said this, I did go down to the front - got confetti blown into my hair as I was near the blowing thingie (that was fun! LOL!), but decided to go back after a few minutes as, quite frankly, the view was better (even if the brothers were still in 'only half the audience is there' mode). Merrill and Donny did briefly look over to our side, and I was waving my Merrill scarf at that particular moment, they did look like they saw it, but how can you really tell? The look between them was a bit, errm, odd - but I don't care, I was having fun!

Anyway, show finished, and I've got to say this - the show was wonderfully produced (well done Jimmy!), but I've seen better performances, and I really do think that lack of rehearsal was a key in this. All that time spent in interview, despite us being told that it was for the future as well as now, was, IMHO, a waste of time, in that all we seem to have been informed of in the interviews was that they are like shepherds' pie (pardon me?!), they do 200 performances a year (hmm, not sure about that) and they REALLY love each other (my emphasis) - well, interesting stuff (I was going to say that all we learnt was that they are shepherds pie eating, 200 performances a year family who REALLY love each other, but not sure about the eating bit! LOL!), more interaction with fans would've been more productive. I was also surprised at how young most of the PBS crew were, I hope they knew what they were doing - I'll reserve judgement until the special comes out (ITV apparently, in the UK).

Anyway, after the show ended, I struggled back to my chair, no ushers in sight, so no-one to ask, shoe fell off (!), but again, someone very kindly got my chair for me, and someone retrieved my fan from the stage (whoops!). Eventually got out and met up with a bunch of Spotties and we decided we'd go and have something to eat. After waiting for a bunch of stragglers, you know who you are heehee, we eventually ended up at the Courtyard (I swear that I now have shares in that place!). I had Eggs Benedict, simply cos I've never had it before - didn't finish it, not sure I'll have it again! LOL! We did have a fun time together though - very special.

Anyway, after this I went to bed and, again, slept really well. I'd been told the beds were not the best but, for me, they were fine - which is a miracle!

My final full day - sadness at seeing people going home, but I also had a good time - Jaytime! LOL!

Later...........

The day after the night before......

OK, so I went on my walk around the hotel, hadn't really appreciated how big the flipping place was - LOL! First of all I went out to look at the car park (parking lot!), not that I have a particular interest in car parks, but I just wante to see where cars were from - all Nevada. I also wanted to check that those people who were in the disabled parking places should've been - old habits die very hard! All present and correct (minor flipping miracle!). I took a picture of a sign for them as well (I can hear the 'sad person' comments from here!), and I also took a picture of the front (or side - I had no idea where I was!) of the hotel, and a picture of the big Stars and Stripes at the entrance, and then I wheeled, and wheeled, and then wheeled some more around the hotel, peeking round corners 'just in case' (no sensible person, let alone an Osmond, would've been up at that time, dontchathink?!). Anyway, I was checking out the dropped kerbs (that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!). I only had to go on the road once (and I was aware that I was, technically, facing the wrong way, should a speeding car come towards me - but none did, so there!). I rapidly noticed that I was getting a little bit tired, so decided to find the next entrance - only trouble was, they were all fire exits, no proper entrance. Soooo, I'm rapidly dehydrating and couldn't find the entrance, until - eventually, there it was! Thank the Lord. My hair was slightly damp and I needed a drink - fast. Soooo, I headed towards somewhere (as I've said before, I tended to just head somewhere and hope for the best! LOL!), and ended up near the Showroom - I think I was headed for either the Gift Shop, Coffee place (which is near the entrance) or Liquor Store, or I might've been trying to find where Jay's Film Festival was going to be held - I don't know!

ANYWAY, I'm minding my own business, passing the Showroom entrance when....... 'Gerry!' is whispered loudly! LOL! I turn my head pretty sharpishly to my left and, who should be standing there, talking to a couple of ladies, but - Merrill! LOL! I smiled and said hello, but then waited for him to finish his conversation with the ladies, and then said that I hadn't expected him to be up that early (see earlier comment!), we hugged, and chatted for about five minutes, posed for a picture (or two!) and then Ms Security Guard came along as if to say 'get away from him' (she didn't), he apologised for his hair being all squiffy (looked alright to me!), and I told him I'd been out for a walk - without a hat. He LAUGHED this time (told me off in Wales!), and it was just lovely. I then said that I needed to go and get a drink so we said our goodbyes, but when I came back a few minutes later, he was still there, so we had another little chat, and then he DID go into the showroom, escorted by Ms Security Guard. Met several people who were a little bit miffed that they'd missed him - get up earlier, I say! LOL! I also announced that I was a Merrill fan again - HA! Got called transparent (in a good way) and I don't care!

Decided to go upstairs to the Film Festival as mine was the first timing, there were already a couple of people there. It was actually a nice time to be quiet and think things through (oooo, deep stuff!). After a while, the door we were expecting to be opened, wasn't, the one behind was, and some people refused to let those who were there first in first, some people were kind to me and let me in before them, and I got a seat in the front row, next to Trissa. When I'd settled (moved several chairs as is my wont!), a lady came up to me and asked me if she could put two chairs in front of me. Now, I'm normally a front row is sacrosanct person and was a tiny bit miffed, but reluctantly agreed. It turned out that she was Terri Shoemaker, and that the other chair was for Kandilyn - whoops! I wasn't rude, just a bit concerned that I wouldn't be able to see, but it was fine in the end.

Kandilyn was fantastic, there was a bit of a technical hitch, but she carried on talking about herself and how she'd met Jay, and she was a lot of fun. I was a bit underwhelmed when I saw we were looking at the OFT videos, which I have, but the stories behind certain aspects of them were excellent, the story about the children appearing on stage singing All I Want for Christmas was so sweet! And the story of Jimmy and the pyrotechnics was scary (even more so when I realised during the concerts that he was now next to Merrill, whose hair is a lot, shall we say, finer - bless him! LOL!). I loved it, Jay didn't come, unfortunately, as he was busy doing interviews. We were told at the end that we had to leave pretty sharpish as the next lot had to come in, but you know, some people will take any chance to speak to an Osmond, and they did - I don't think they did it for long, though, so it was OK.

Afterwards spent a bit of time chatting to people in the corridor and then went for lunch (goodness knows where, Courtyard Cafe, French Buffet - haven't a clue! LOL!).

Later on that day were the two other shows - I loved the second one the best, it had more country in it, songs like One Way Rider, Heartache Tonight, but the highlight for me was Merrill doing Impossible Dream - wow, wow, wow! The applause when he does the long note, and at the end went on and on - and I cried! I love him doing that song. To be honest, I do think that the second show had more Merrill solo in it, so I'm probably a bit biased. We'd spent quite a while earlier waiting for Osmonds to come out, they didn't, and had heard that Donny had 'popped' a vocal chord - ouch. Merrill appeared at one point, but didn't stop, saying that he had 'something to do.' Marie came out at one point and I completely missed her - didn't even see her amongst the people she was with - how observant is that, I ask you?! Donny had actually strained his vocal chords, but it still meant he couldn't do as much, but he was still the real pro and did really well, considering. This time my seat was the other side, second row in from the back - couldn't see much again. One thing bothered me about this one again - the amount of talking amongst the crowd whilst everything was happening - I wanted to yell shut up! Soooo rude! I mean, you expect a 'wow, that was great!' (or not), but constant talking - shut up! LOL!

All too soon the second show was over and we were told to get out so that they could prepare for the third one. My shoe had fallen off during the show, so I had to stay behind to put it back on, delayed a couple of the staff cleaning, but I'd rather I was comfortable walking back than anything else. They were OK about it. So, we went out, and queued up again! Saw lots of Osmonds going in whilst we were waiting, and I was not impressed, again, by one Osmond relative, who rather rudely asked me to move, I very nearly said 'say please and I will!' but didn't - hmmm, rather sad, as I'm always told this person is elegant and refined (that gives you a clue as to the gender!). Just goes to show that the Osmond family is made up, like ours are, of people who are nice and not so nice - my goodness, they're normal people - eeeeek!

Anyway, show three next time!

Vegas

Can't think of anything else to say about the meet and greet, all my pictures came out very dark (thank you so so much to those on Ebay who've put theirs up for sale - I love you!). Oh, I do remember one thing - just as everyone came on stage, this nutter of a photographer orcameraman came and stood right in front of me - the dork! I said 'excuse me' - no movement, and then COUGHED really loudly - he looked down at me, as if I was something the cat dragged in, and then moved - hmm, I paid for the privelige of going to that event, Mr, you didn't - so sling your hook! He wasn't the only one who got in my way, but was the only one I had to say something to.

Anyway, after the M&G/S&S, I got in my chair and started up the slope - had to get a push - so so steep! LOL!

Decided to go and get something to eat and we decided to try TGI Fridays. Halfway through eating, I suddenly started to get the shivers - badly. It was really, really odd, like I was having a fit - but I wasn't. We thought it was the air conditioning at first, but as I was being pushed towards my room, it still continued, and I was scared! I managed to get into bed, cried a bit, because I was terrified I'd miss the concert, and then slept for a good couple of hours. I think the travelling finally caught up with me - which is weird as it didn't the reverse journey. I'm just a strange person! LOL!

Anyway, got up, changed my top and went downstairs, feeling quite a bit better, met up with Nicole who was my helper for the evening. We all lined up and eventually were allowed in - quite orderly this time! We were on the back row (didn't mind, I was there!). Sat in our seats for a while, and then decided that it was a bit boring waiting, so I suggested to Nicole that maybe there should be a bit of 'We Want the Osmonds', she was a tad reluctant, it has to be said, but others in our row weren't - soooooo, for the first time in my life, I counted to three and - we started it! Soon, the whole of the theatre started up and I was 'WOW! We started that!' LOL!

Unfortunately, we peaked a little too early, and it petered out, but someone started it again and we joined in this time!

A lot's been said about the shows, but I have to say that I enjoyed Marie's segment, thought it was really cute when Donny did the dance with her (a little hint about DWTS maybe?!), couldn't see much, Nicole was very sweet and moved out of her seat so I could go to the edge of the row to get a better look (we'd swapped places at the beginning, and she knelt on her seat for a better look, we're only tiny (height wise!), and it was hard when others were standing - never believe it when a theatre says there's no bad seat for viewing - that's for when everyone sits down! LOL!
I loved it when Donny motioned everyone to sit down - good for you, Dman!

What I did NOT enjoy was the Brothers tendency to only play to one part of the theatre, they do this all the flipping time, and it irritates the heck out of me! The first show they played to the left hand side of the theatre (when you are looking towards the stage), the middle one the right, the third one the left again. It was like the rest of the audience didn't exist, why not stick them in the middle of the stage and be done with it?! They do this to upper tier level (or balcony) audiences on their UK tours, and my mum got extremely irritated when Merrill totally ignored the balcony at Manchester Opera House - what are we, fried liver?! Very weird.

Donny and Marie, in both their sections used the whole of the stage to interact with the whole of the audience - kudos to both of them. I thought Donny's section rocked, in all shows, I didn't like the D&M bit (and Jimmy told us later that that was NOT what was agreed, and it wouldn't happen again (and it didn't! LOL!).

I'd told Nicole that, when it came to the last song (He Ain't Heavy - fast version, ick), I would make my way to the aftershow party, so I walked to get my wheelchair, past several second Generation Osmonds who saw me struggling to get my chair out, but didn't help, but never mind, I am woman, I can manage!

Went upstairs to the ballroom (actually, I thought initially they meant the Mardi Gras bar, so it's a good job I got clarification on this otherwise I would've ended up in the wrong place, and I would've ended up on my own (and probably slightly merry - LOL!).

Anyway, got upstairs, met a few people and went to the ballroom, already quite a lot of people there, who hadn't gone to the first show (or had the same idea and had come out slightly earlier than me! LOL!). Got to a table at the front because, silly me, I thought I'd have a good view as there was a little stage area, and then got a drink. There was lemonade and some other strange concoction which I never got to know the name of, but it was definitely non-alcoholic! People milled around for ages, and then the people from the first show came in, and then Osmond kids came in, and I sat people-watching, and watching from afar the table dancers (the usual suspects! LOL!), waited until the crowds had got a little thinner around Justin, and then went and said hello, had a lovely little chat - he is such a sweet and kind person, I enjoy meeting him very much. Went back to my table, and chatted, and then someone said that Merrill had come in - surrounded by a bunch of people. My immediate reaction was, 'NOT AGAIN! What is it with that man these days?!' However, they then said it's just the PBS people, sooooooooo, I thought, right, this may be the only opportunity you get to say hello to him, missy - go for it! And I did! I did a handbrake turn around the corner and sped down the side, and Karen P said she'd help (I think this was very wise, as I meant business!), she managed to get Justin's attention, and he motioned his dad to turn round, well, Merrill and I looked at each, grinned broadly and then I got a looooooooooong, bigggggggg ((((((((HUG))))))). We said a few things to each other - NICE things - and, I wasn't a Jay fan anymore (well, not until Thursday! LOL!).

Eventually (!), I backed off, well, tried to, and he went to the stagey bit, where he was joined by Jay (who I also managed to say hello to, and Jimmy - ditto). All the kids who were there joined them on stage and they were introduced. Couldn't see much, it was very tightly crammed, and even if I'd wanted to move, I couldn't - did manage to get out a bit near the steps, so I had a bit of air, but it wasn't easy. They said a few words and then Jimmy left first, with his kids (two of them I think), and Merrill and Jay stayed for a bit longer, managed to say bye to all of them, and then went and got some cake (priorities straight!). I managed to take a picture of the intact cake before hand, and it was delicious - even if it did leave my mouth very blue with the icing! Too funny.

After a while, I decided to make tracks for bed and went to sleep for a good six hours (after I'd managed to find the telly and watch it to wind down a bit). Got up, went to Courtyard Cafe for breakfast, and then decided, for some inexplicable reason to get camera, go outside and go for a walk - around the hotel. And did, and then what happened...................................................

wait and see!