The Great Pin Adventure

[AZ JazzyJ]

As the dust finally settled, we were able to put the Great Pin Adventure 3 into the history books. It has been a whirlwind of activities over the course of the past several days. It was awesome seeing everyone and meeting up at the mini-meets. We handed out over $2.7 million for people who participated. Daber and his wife Carol along with JamesD and his wife Linda needed the biggest wallets as they collected a substantial amount of cash for the event.

The Pop Century resort may never be the same after this. With his own brand of fun, Ed graciously volunteered to help and as a reward he was visited by several security guards who threatened to shut the place down if we didn't calm down. I am really sorry I got you in trouble Raul but I do appreciate all your help.

KathiWithAnI and her husband Rick were a great help as well. Getting everything corralled and books collected and counted was nearly a full time job.

The auction was a lot of fun and started out with a big bang as Steve (Z&Z Dad) bought a lanyard for $5,300. Mad Strawberry and RamVA found themselves in a bidding war over a Hallmark Mickey Snowman ornament that finally went to Ms. Strawberry for a cool $15,000 (and no Ruthie I was not secretly handing Barbara money under the table). JamesD and Linda each came away with great prizes as well when they bid on and won the in process pin set and the Disney book. In all there were on upwards of a hundred people who came and went at the event. I even heard a rumor that there were some pins that were traded.

The Great Pin Adventure 3 was a pretty special event made even more special by the wonderful friends that were there. The night culminated with Eeyore's Pal bringing out two mystery auction items that could only be bid on by a red-head from Virginia and someone who actually thought the Arizona Diamondbacks were a baseball team. When we opened the gifts, both Lauri and I were shocked and stunned to say the least. Lauri received a beautiful Lady & the Tramp framed drawing and I was given a Goofy figurine.

You have no idea how much this meant and I wanted to publically thank each and every one of you. The pins I have collected and traded are wonderful momentos but the friendships and the stories I have gotten as a result of getting to know each of you are priceless. I really appreciate being a part of your lives and I am grateful that you have shared your love with me. You have made both Mallorie and I feel very welcomed and we have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with you. I will let Lauri post her feelings as I know she too has an appreciation of all of you.

I would also like to thank Jojoct for her generous offer to take us back to the Swan after the meet. Carrying a huge box, pin bag, camera and daughter on a bus would have been quite an adventure. As it was, the Goofy would not fit in the trunk so it sat in the backseat and Mallorie sat on my lap. When we pulled up to the Swan, the parking attendant had quite look on his face. We must have looked like one of those circus cars where all the clowns keep getting out of the tiny cars. All that was lacking was a selzer bottle and a flying elephant for that scene to be complete.

Thanks again to everyone who contributed to the success of the Great Pin Adventure 3, it was a wonderful experience and one I will never forget.

Jeff

 

[Duckfan]

I see you neglected the story about Crazy old Ed but the rest sounds as fun as always, and as always I missed it. Well, I so glad the rest of you are having fun. Congrats Jeff and Lauri now go trade with Ruthie and then post pictures, I want pictures!!!!!

 

[NHMickey]

Sounds like it was a good time. We got in real late last night and would have liked to come over but I was beat. It was nice to see you at the event today though.

 

[LynniethePooh]

I have to say, I have only heard about previous The Great Pin Adventures from reading on here. To say it is an adventure is an understatement!

I marvel at all the hard work (and money) that went into pulling this together. Lauri and Jeff are truly amazing and need I mention, generous!!!!!!!! The framed drawing and Goofy Statute are but tokens of appreciation. I am so glad I could be part of the gift for the both of them. I don't think I could ever find a way to repay the joy these two brought my family, and most especially my son, with this adventure.

With that being said, here is a small sample of what occured to my family during the adventure and the pin event in general:

My son (age 11 1/2), spent a good amount of time over in Canada trying to complete his scavenger hunt. He was an instant hit with the CM's (need I mention they were all girls?) over there. He charmed them out of a free box of popcorn and I believe he is now a citizen of Canada.

Ray headed out solo over to MK for the afternoon on Saturday to answer some of of the trivia questions. He whined endlessly about his calves hurting from all the walking, but had a great time and the bonus is that he was OUT OF MY HAIR! (hint hint Donna....this might a good plan you could use too!)

We found out there is a real nice Walgreens on 535 with real cheap 1 hour photo.

Ray found out that if you put two cans of lemonde from the little dessert cart in your pockets, by time you get back to your table, there are things that get frozen and shriveled that are unmentionable.

I found out that Daber and Carol (better known as Daber's wife) are still on their honeymoon after renewing their vows earlier this year. Like I told you at the pin meet....you two need to GET A ROOM!

I FINALLY got to meet Kathi! If you don't remember she named my kitten, O Malley, back in 2000...and thank you OH SO MUCH---that little stinker has totally lived up to his name!

I wish it could have been longer...I felt like I only had snipets of time with everyone.

I want to end with saying another thank you to all my pin friends. I still struggle a great deal with social situations....my anxiety can get the best of me. But everyone was so kind to me and helped me feel so at ease.

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

Joy, I think you were at the event. I saw at least 3 Family Scrapbooks that had your name in them that stated they had traded with you.

Nat, I wish you could have joined us. If nothing else you had to see Steve buy a lanyard for $5,300. The bidding was pretty hot and heavy.

Linnie, your son was great and I was very grateful to finally meet you in person. Your husband was awesome too with all of the photographs he collected.

Jeff

 

[KathiWithAnI]

It was GREAT!!! It was so nice to see everyone again! And meeting Lynnie was the nicest surprise ever! We have emailed and 'chatted' so many times but never met! ((((LYNNIE))))))

Seeing Jeff and Laurie and meeting Mallorie was just plain fun! Believe it or not, Rick and I didn't even register for the WDW Pin Event, we ONLY came down there to see everyone at the GPA3.
(But, I do need to thank Linda and James for doing thier RSP for a couple pins for me! )

Many of you remember Sorcerer, she and I are very close friends but since she moved to NY, I haven't seen her in MONTHS.. not only did I spend Saturday with her, but got to meet her new son Chase, he turned 7 weeks old that week-end!!

Remember the old romper room show where she looks in the mirror and says, I see, this person, I see that person??
That's how I feel now, I saw James, and Linda, and Ruthie and Lynnie, and Jeff and Lauri and Mallorie and Malcom and Robyn and Vince and Steve and Jonie and Cherry and Dom and Barbara and Ruthie and Daber and Carol and geesh, I know I'm forgetting some, but please know it was so wonderful to spend time with all of you!!!
It really is all about the friends!

Rick and I also spent Friday and a small part of Saturday completing the Decathalon pin map-- THAT WAS A TASK! But we did it

Hugs to all, I miss you already!!
Kathi

 

[suzanneb]

Jeff and Lauri...y'all made the adventure GREAT! Thanks so very much!!!!!