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. 

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Camilla, I love our bikini shot. So glad we got that one at the lake. YES....this is the best blog :) The "more bubbles" has me still laughing.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Camilla, This is just the best blog. I cracked up almost all the way through and the video had both John and me laughing out loud in bed and not over the usual stuff :) Your pictures are so amazing and I really will treasure them. Then I got towards the end of the blog and wow....so nice. We all had the absolute best time and want you to come back anytime. You fit right in, which I am not sure is something you want to hear :)

[Camilla and Darwin]

Jane, she was hoping nobody would say anything, but she got extensions. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I know it's not Laurie because she has short hair.

[Sheila & Finnley]

 

Oh My Heck Camilla..... BEST blog ever !!

Loved every last word, all the pictures, and video !

Thank you for sharing, and making me smile today !

[BG and Gavin]

This is soo great and your pictures are absolutely breath-taking.  Will you come and visit us?

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Oh Camilla, your blog is so wonderful and the pictures (and video) are perfect! We all have good memories to keep until the next time! I'm so thankful that our paths crossed, you are just terrific!

[Camilla and Darwin]

DANGIT, I forgot to post the picture of Laurie and I that we had taken together at the lake. Good thing that Laurie bought a new swimsuit or else I would have broken my agreement to not post any orange bikini photos.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I enjoyed this blog so much, Camilla! You really tell a great story, I think you gave  Miss Competitive Laurie a run for her money in the "Camilla Visits Laurie Blog" department! And of course the pictures are outstanding! 

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Camilla, your blog is incredible and you made it feel like I was on the trip with you!  Wow, what a fantastic visit and your pictures are all amazing, but then again Camilla took them:)  How nice to visit with Laurie and her family and then the added bonus of F, Cheryl and Janie.  Wow, it hardly gets better than that for sure!   Your video is hilarious and Laurie, whoa, she gets a tad bit serious when it comes to getting that perfect picture. Poor John and Hayley they just could not please her!  What a wonderful way to spend your Labor Day week end.  I'm so happy for all of you and the Doodles!  Thanks for sharing you side of the visit:)