The Good the Bad and the Ugly : My Trip to See Laurie, Fudge and Vern...

[Camilla and Darwin]

A few months ago Laurie and I started to discuss me coming to PA. At first it was in jest - and we egged each other on a bit. Then it started to get more serious and before I knew it I was going. To say I was excited was an understatement. DH was excited too, because of course he knows Laurie from her blogs and my constant stream of DK information. 

 

As the weekend grew closer I got nervous about a few things. Well, one thing in particular. First of all, since 2009 when Laurie and I joined, I thought her name was pronounced "Law-ree" and I came to find out that it is in fact pronounced "Lor-ee". Keep in mind that I had been saying her name in my head and aloud the wrong way for 4 years! I had DH practice with me so I could make sure to pronounce it correctly when I went. That was a failure. He had to correct me every single time. I told my Mom who corrected me right up until she dropped me off at the airport. Laurie may or may not have threatened to get violent if I got it wrong, so I was a bit nervous. 

 

Well, I never did get it right, but I only have a few bruises so it all ended well. LOL. This was seriously one of the funnest weekends of my life!  Below is my somewhat  completely truthful account of my time in PA with Laurie. Because there was so much I wanted to tell you guys about, I had to think of a way to categorize the information. I decided that doing "The Good the Bad and the Ugly" would sum it up nicely. This is a very long post but since I don't post new blogs every other day like Laurie some people, I figured you guys would cut me some slack. Because I like to save best for last, we will start with 

 

THE UGLY

 

--Laurie doesn't seem to respect culture or political correctness. When I was coming out of the gate to find her, over the phone she very clearly said "Wait... is that you? Oh no, that is an Asian woman." I am very clearly not Asian. Wow Laurie.

 

-Laurie sitting in the passenger seat when someone else is driving. Oh dear.

-Laurie driving behind someone slow. I won't even tell you how many times I heard her drop the f-bomb

(3 times)

-Laurie driving, period. 

 

I love Laurie I really do. But I think she has a problem. As you all have likely surmised, she is a very competitive person. And during calendar season things can really get ugly. I started noticing the deep rifts her competitive streak had left in her family the moment I walked in the door. Secret glances that seemed to be a plea for help, mysterious references to past violence, and flat out aggression were rampant. My heart broke when Hayley told the tragic tale of Laurie and John spraying mace in doorways and waiting for the other person to come through it. We'll let the evidence prove my point.

- Laurie is so controlling that she can't just let poor Fudge and Vern pose in a natural dog way. Not only does she give them strict directions, but she goes so far as to show them exactly what she means by doing the poses one by one as a demonstration. I put on my long lens and took these while hiding in the shadows. She'd be livid if she knew I captured this behavior.

 

Telling Vern how to dig in his own bed. He clearly isn't a fan, look at his angry woof!

 

Teaching them how to pose in the dreaded bubble shot

 

 

Showing them the perfect expression and posture for her bandanna shots

 

Here is Fudge displaying a feeble sign of defiance

Showing Vern exactly how to roll while still looking at the camera

 

Demonstrating how to play fight while still looking cute

She even showed Fudge how to accomplish that perfect "Running with a ball in your mouth" look

 

Poor Fudge and Vern are so desperate to prove themselves that they are fighting among themselves for the "Best Calendar Dog" position.

 

Competing for her love

Laurie's completely innocent and long suffering family are forced to pose the dogs while being directed by Laurie. Here is the video to prove it. You'll notice that her voice is quite loud - that is because she's using a megaphone to talk to these poor people. That is right - a megaphone.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7ICN-dewm4

 

THE BAD

 

-Laurie has introduced me to soft pretzels which I fear will now be a lifelong addiction. She will be billed for my future medical expenses. (Because of how delicious pretzels are, you can consider this part of the good category as well.)

-I gained 15lbs in Sand Tarts alone.

-I think Laurie may be obsessed with her harmonica and I'm pretty sure she sleeps with it under her pillow.

-The humidity, I was dying!

-The fact that I couldn't bring Darwin. :-(

-I now know exactly how much fun I'm missing out on by living across the country. I need to move to the East Coast!

 

THE GOOD

 

While in PA I also got to drive to meet 3 more DK members! F Calla & Luca, Cheryl and Finnegan, and Janie of Janie Jackson and Jilly. 

 

I look up to and admire both Laurie and F. When they are having one of their famous showdowns I rarely pick sides, and when I do it's usually based on who has the upper hand at the time. When I found out I would be meeting not just Laurie but F as well, I was over the moon. I was also interested to see the famous rivalry take shape in person.

F has been such an example to me, as a photographer and as a person that I respect and look up to. She was as wonderful in person as she is online. In addition, Cheryl and Janie came which also made me so happy! Cheryl is so kind and fun to be around, and Finnegan is just too cute. Janie was super sweet and brought me birthday cupcakes which was so nice! Laurie is right - we were running low on sweets. :-) Janie's family was also wonderful and I only wish they could have stayed longer. But thanks to all who came for taking time out of their busy lives to come see me (and I guess Laurie). Here are some pictures I took during our visit - although we all dropped the ball and didn't take many photos or a group shot.

 

Beautiful Cheryl and adorable Finnegan

 

 

And Calla and Luca

 

Then the dogs got to play in the water which was fun to watch!

 

This section would be way too long if I wrote everything I wanted to say. Laurie and her family are generous, kind, hilarious, and really just the best type of people possible. I hope Hayley doesn't regret Laurie inviting me because I loved her and will likely continue to bug  delight her with future communication. 

 

Laurie is just as hilarious, kind and amazing as she is online. We have so much in common and have so much fun together. I think perhaps in the future I will move in with her permanently, which I am sure she will love. I read her blog and I'm glad to hear that she's making preparations for a Sand Tarts budget. 

 

And of course, Fudge and Vern. Man, aside from Darwin they have to be the cutest, most lovable dogs on the planet. I am going to miss the giant and sweet Vern snuggling up against me and beautiful playful Fudge nudging me for more rubbing. Here are some photos I got of them this weekend, my heart hurts looking at them, I will miss them!

Fudge found her way into my bedroom early in the morning.

 

Out on the lake

 

 

 

 

 

Laurie, I can never thank you enough for having me out. It was "Oh my heck, AWESOME!" 

If I could have chosen any DK member to visit, it would have been you. You are such a wonderful friend, and I am incredibly privileged to have come and met you and your family. 

 

[Pat and Traveler]

OMD!!!  Camilla, what a wonderful blog!!  And the photos are awesome!  That video--I scared Trav with all my giggling and snorting.  I did notice a certain...attention to detail...shall we say, when Laurie was directing Megan on how to take our pictures.  :)  Oh, and the series of Laurie showing the dogs how to pose is simply priceless!  I can see that as a separate "training" session.  Truly--just perfect!  Did Laurie happen to tell you to 'make her look good?'  I seem to remember some instruction along those lines...  LOL

It's so great that you met.  Different generations, but that doesn't matter in friendship.  One of my dearest friends is 30, and we've been friends for 10 years.  Oh, how I would have loved to have been there with you guys!  

Calla and Luca--wow!  Those are surely some calendar shots!  I think my favorite is the second one, where they look like happy twins!  What a treat to get to meet F and her dogs!  These blogs are the next best thing to being there, so thank you.  You are a sweet friend, and a true talent.  If you ever happen to be in Oregon, we'll be keepin' the light on for you.  :)       

   

 

[Camilla and Darwin]

Oh yes Donna - I even suggested that we all send you disgruntled messages about not entertaining us with game discussions. :-)

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

ROFL at Laurie running with the ball! Can that be submitted for the calendar?????  

[F, Calla & Luca]

Funny Donna, I was thinking of that game too. And your name came up at the picnic. We wondered if you ever were going to post a new game>

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Camilla, those are beautiful!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Two more - I can't resist. They are so photogenic! 

[Donna K & Quincy]

Camilla, I just love this blog, it is so funny and the pictures are wonderful. Now that I've read this, I have no trouble believing that you and Laurie are very much alike. I can see by the pics that Laurie can take direction as well as she can give it. It's funny about the pronunciation of Laurie's name, we had a whole debate about it once during one of our little games. It really is fun seeing DK members get to meet each other and thanks to these wonderful blogs we get to live vicariously through you guys. 

ps You need to write more blogs.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

F, How dare you imply Camilla did any work on me :) I will have you know I took that shot of Camilla, F & V. Isn't it funny how the weather cleared as soon as Camilla left. LOL My name rhymes with Dori, but I answer to most anything if you put slim or beautiful in front of it :)

Cheryl, We only promised to not show the orange bikini again. There is always a loophole :) My dogs are already bored with my harmonica. They don't even look up. Where is little Finn when I need him?

[F, Calla & Luca]

What a fabulous and enlightening blog. The photos are spectacular and you know I don't use superlatives lightly. The ones with Laurie and Vern And Laurie, and F and V especially. I guess you did major Photoshop work on Laurie : ) And no matter who took it I love the shot of you with F and V.

Thank you for saying such nice things about me, and even about the others : ) You know I respect you and am amazed with the photographer and editor that you have become. I wish you were here now, the weather is cool and clear : )

If I didn't know better I would be making reservations at the Anorexia Clinic for you and Laurie after the bikini shot.

That movie clip will be evidence of stage motheritis in courts of law. 

And now you have me wondering if I pronounce Laurie's name correctly, but don't worry, it's really that L has a funny accent.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

OMD Camilla! Loved this blog and your pictures are awesome! As are your Photoshop skills LOL Loved getting to meet you because you truly are as amazing and as much fun in person as you are online. I NEVER imagined that you, F, Janie, Laurie and I would be meeting up and taking pictures together!!!!!  What a hoot!  Even if the weather was dreadful. Many good memories for sure and I really hope we'll meet again.  I'm just sorry that we missed getting a group picture and that I missed getting a picture --better yet a video --of you squeaking the ball while Laurie played the harmonica to try to get Finn to do the head tilt LOL!!! I am also a tad disappointed that --ahem-- a NEW bikini photo just showed up!  Love you guys! DK feels like family!