Illinois Get together 2003

**Justice4all** · April 2nd, 2003, 07:20 AM

Stellar,
is there anything you want me to look up or be in charge of finding? I want to help, but don't know where to start.

**stellar** · April 2nd, 2003, 07:52 AM

Thanx Justice! You're so sweet.

I think I just want to know what everyone else wants. I guess most people are pretty flexable right?

I guess if you want you could look at hotels in the champaign area too... Champaign, Urbana, Danville on the web and between Me, losealot and you we could pick one.

I want to know if everyones willing to share, wants suites, wants a hotel with all the extras like pool, restaurant, bar etc...

On the edge of town or in the thick of it

whats everyones budget, could everyone afford going in 1/2 or 1/3 on a 130 dollar room

I think the hotel is the only issue in my mind. If we can pick one, feel comfortable with it etc...

Thanx again and feel free to look up anything you think might be helpful. I'm also going to stop into barnes and nobles for an Illinois tourism guide, funny thing is I got one in the mail a few weeks ago and thre it out cause I thought I wouldn't need it.

**JoRae** · April 2nd, 2003, 01:15 PM

Rae, Let me re-check with my Dad.... He's a truck driver and has been to champaign many times over, instead of asking hubby what he thought about how long it would take me to get there, I should have just asked my dad....

Hubby means well, but he's not has expierenced as my dear daddy.
Rae, you didn't do anything wrong, I'm just nervous about driving somewhere I've never been to before.
I'll get back to you tonight after I talk to my dad....

**stellar** · April 2nd, 2003, 03:58 PM

Jorae- My husband has the opposite problem, everythings always CLOSER than it is. He swears St. Louis is just 1 hour away, yeah right! If you drive 120 on the highway maybe, LOL

This is gonna be fun girls, I just know it!

**JoRae** · April 3rd, 2003, 10:02 AM

Ok, Girls
I'm still working on things but it just doesn't seem possbile....I re-checked and re-checked the atlas and it's telling me still that the way I would have to come is 6 hrs driving time. I really want to meet you guys but driving that far and that much on the road time just isn't worth one nights stay. I'm sorry. I'm sure this isn't the last get together that will be planned in the coming months.
I hope you all have a good time together as I'm sure you will. I'll be thinking about you all,

be careful no matter where or what you all do....

**stellar** · April 3rd, 2003, 10:13 AM

Jorae,
I understand if you can't make it. I checked at expedia maps, msn maps and yahoo maps and they all came back at about 4 hours. The route they suggested went up to Indianopolis then west to champaign.

If you can't make this one, maybe next time

Thanx for trying though!

**stellar** · April 3rd, 2003, 10:23 AM

Jorae, heres the directions I found (no pressure, LOL) its from msn maps. I couldn't post the map, wish I could.

Start: Corydon, Indiana, United States
End: Champaign, Illinois, United States
Total Distance: 262.9 Miles
Estimated Total Time: 4 hours, 38 minutes

**losealot** · April 3rd, 2003, 01:07 PM

maybe we could pick a town a little closer that way for JoRae. i'm not to picky. i would drive a little ****her if needed. i just want as many people to come as possible!

Stellar could we do a poll to vote on towns. maybe suggest 5 towns or something?

I'm really really excited about this. i told my aerobics instructor about this and my phrends online. she thought it sounded great. She said it is what i need - other people going thru same thing as i am.

anyhoo, that's about it for now!

**stellar** · April 3rd, 2003, 07:36 PM

I can't find any towns of a decent enough size and population closer to Indiana than Champaign/Urbana. So... for now I'm looking in that area for places to stay till someone says otherwise.

I'd really love for you to come Jorae. Do you have any suggested cities in Illinois that are closer to you? Let us know!

Heres some hotels I like

marriot

Hawthorn suites

drury

Holliday Inn

[ April 04, 2003, 12:40 PM: Message edited by: stellar ]

**stellar** · April 4th, 2003, 10:22 AM

Heres some info on some of the features the Hotels I think would work for us have to offer.

Marriot

Onsite restaurant
cocktail lounge
free coffee in lobby and room
the basics (tv,phone,cableportetc..)
Indoor pool
whirlpool
exercise room
free parking
close to attractions and landmarks

nearby restaurants include:
alexanders steak house
chili's grill and bar
Lonestar steak house
Courtyard cafe

Rates and rooms available,
King suite= 1 kingsize bed, 1 sofa bed
$120 a night, $10 fee for each additional in-room guest. Maximum adults per suite- 4

Non-Suite room available,
2 queen size beds
$90 a night, maximum occupancy- 4

Hawthorn Suites

dataports
coffee maker
micro
fridge
hairdryers
basics (t.v.phone etc..)
free parking
indoor pool and hot tub
close to college, university etc...

Nearby restaurants:
T.G.I. Fridays
The ribeye
Biaggi's
Kennedy's

Rates and rooms available:
Double bed Suite- 2 DBL beds, 1 queensize sleeper sofa. $109 per night, $10 additional adult fee, maxium 5 adults per room.

Drury Inn

dataports
exercise room
in room coffee
indoor/outdoor pool and whirlpool
basics

nearby restaurants:
Chevy's
Chili's
Lonestar
Red Lobster
Steak n shake

Rooms and rates available:
Suite- 2 DBL beds $105 per night, $10 additional guest fee, maximum adults per room-4

Holiday Inn

cocktail lounge
restaurant
free parking
dataport
internet access
in room coffee maker
hairdryer
in room movies
basics (phone, tv,etc...)
open air Atrium (tropical atmosphere) including: indoor pool, whirlpool and sauna. Atrium Lounge/bar and restaurant.
room service available
close to everything
complimentary parking

Rooms and rates available:
Family size rooms available and possibly suites.
Room- 2 DBL beds $95- $120 plus $10 for each additional adult,X-tra roll-away bed available, maximum adults per room-4

For more info click the links in my previous post, links include some photos.

[ April 04, 2003, 03:23 PM: Message edited by: stellar ]

**stellar** · April 4th, 2003, 10:43 AM

Just a thought, the Holiday inn resort is just off highway 74 (convinient) it also has a restaurant and bar/lounge open daily all day. If we stay there then we could meet there at the bar or restaurant, have lunch then ckeck-in.

Sounds easy, huh?

**stellar** · April 4th, 2003, 11:39 AM

Hawthorn suites has suites available that sleep up to 5, theres no bar or restaurant on the premises but restaurants near by, across the street etc...

I checked with Holiday inn and there we could get large rooms with 2 beds that include some ammenities like fridge and micro with a small seating area.

I NEED HELP! LOL

I'd be willing to book one large room or suite for a few of us but then someone else would have to lead up a group of others to go in on a room or book individual rooms.

Whos with me? Losealot, heartland, Lassie wanna share or break into groups of 2 and leave a 3rd opening for another guest in each room?

The Holiday Inn rooms go fast so advanced booking is our best option.

**losealot** · April 4th, 2003, 01:19 PM

stellar include me in the rooming together. Holiday Inn or Hawthorn sounds great to me. Go ahead and reserve us a room. Let me know my half so i can figure out how much $ to bring. I promise i won't back out. i'm too excited!!!

**losealot** · April 4th, 2003, 01:46 PM

stellar, you have a pm!

**Denise Marie** · April 4th, 2003, 04:08 PM

I have to double check with hubby but I'm sure I'm going. I haven't had a night out without hubby in a few years and never overnight. I'll miss seeing my one year old daughter but I could also use the break. I would also like to share a room but if it doesn't end up that way that's also fine. I also don't mind going to bars that allow nineteen and older in in stead of 21+. I'll definitely let you know tomorrow after talking to hubby. This'll be so much fun!

**stellar** · April 4th, 2003, 07:28 PM

This is so awesome! I'm excited! Thanx Lose!

Denise, I hope you can come, the more the merrier! You deserve a break! Us mommies need breaks once in a while. I'll miss my 3 too but I'll come home a happier and better mommy.

Can't wait!

**stellar** · April 4th, 2003, 09:10 PM

Losealot- I tried to PM you back but it says I'm on your ignore list

I'll have to get back to you in the morning.
Do you live in Effingham? I could swing over there and pick you up. Let me know!

**JoRae** · April 5th, 2003, 05:41 AM

Stellar,

Thanks for trying to get me there but I don't see it happening. Hubby's truck broke down last night , not sure what is wrong with it, he says that it got hot on the way home from work so it could be something simple or sumthing more than just a broken hose.
Don't change plans on my account, stick to your plans and have a great time.... You all deserve it....

I'll be thinking of you, have one for me....

**stellar** · April 5th, 2003, 07:03 AM

Jorae- Sorry to hear about your husbands truck. Maybe you can make it next time! Take care

**heartland** · April 5th, 2003, 08:00 AM

Hi Stellar! I got your message

I don't think I'm gonna be able to make it. The weekend is the only time i get to spend with my hubby and i wouldn't wanna leave. (cept this weekend...he's not home

)

If he's not gonna make it home that weekend...I'll probably come. I just don't know his plans (he doesn't either) untill a few days before. So you guys go ahead and plan without me................and i will see what happens. I may just POP in for a few hours....Ya never know about me. Champaign isn't that far. Matter of fact my cousin and I are going shopping there next week

It sounds like a lot of fun...........we will just have to wait and see

Thanks for trying to include me .........it means alot

**stellar** · April 5th, 2003, 08:24 AM

alright then. It looks like the interest went out with a bang.

So, who's in? Me, Losealot, Denise?

I PMed a few others this morning and I'm waiting for their replies. It is a month away so I should be more patient. I'm just a big planner type and like to have everything planned out ASAP. I need to relax

**lassie** · April 5th, 2003, 08:50 AM

I`m there!! I am willing to share with as many people as we can in a room. Let me know when, where, how much. I`m still working on Hearland to come, but it all depends on her hubby for now. I am soooooo excited

**stellar** · April 5th, 2003, 08:56 AM

AWESOME Lassie, that makes 4 so far, wooo-hooo, things are looking up. I don't care how many we pack in a room, its just one night. I'll try to find out if the have roll-away beds and all.

I've been working on Heart too, shes probably sick of me by now, LOL

Heart, once you find out let us know and if you can come for lunch and hang out till dinner, COOL! It would be great to meet you

**lassie** · April 5th, 2003, 12:54 PM

Just wanted to add::: I did meet Heartland and she is a very sweet person... She has the cutest little baby face, and a great personality!! I do hope she come, cause atleast I will know someone. I don`t post much, its not that I am quite, I just like to read I guess. It does look like I will be the oldie of the bunch!! But hopefully after Heartland and I met ,,,she ,,,might say I am still a goodie!! I am really looking forward to meeting everyone, I have lived in Illinois for 10 years and still only know about 30 people in the whole state. So I do plan on having a good time... Hope all you young guys can keep up!! I have NO doubts!! Come on Heartland, he will be there when you get back!

**losealot** · April 5th, 2003, 04:32 PM

omg Stellar, I'm sorry!! I was trying to add all you Illinois gals to my buddy list and i must have clicked twice or something!!

I was a little tired yesterday! Sorry, i'm going to go change that. Can't have us not communicating!

i hope more people come!!! although, four or five will be fine. They say no more than 4 people to room but hey what they don't know won't hurt 'em!! lol we can scrunch together!! hey i'll just sleep all night in the sauna or hot tub!!

**stellar** · April 6th, 2003, 06:03 AM

Losealot- I was going to call you this weekend but its just been too busy here. Don't worry about the ignore thing, LOL, I did that once by accident. So I figured thats what happened.

I'm excited! I have a digital camera too so we can take pictures together.

IT'll be fun to meet you 3 and any others that join in.

Today I have to go to my in-laws for my daughters family birthday party but I'll be back in full swing and planning tomorrow (Monday).

**stellar** · April 7th, 2003, 08:39 AM

Hey phriends! Just checking to say Hey!

Lassie- I don't care how old or young you are as long as you're over 18! LOL

I hope you can make it. The dat efor the get together is May 3rd.
I noticed your birthday isn't in your profile and now you have me wondering how old you are but believe me IT DOESN'T MATTER!

I'm 28 but part of me is stuck at age 7, another part at age 17 and yet another part at age 22, then theres a part of me from who knows where thats atleast 80

**missus** · April 7th, 2003, 03:59 PM

Stellar, count me and my daughter in for May 3. What is the tele # of the motel/hotel? Missus

BE BELSSED

**stellar** · April 7th, 2003, 04:08 PM

OMG! Missus, you serious? I'd SO LOVE TO MEET YOU!!!
The number for the hotel is: (217)-328-7900

Heres the website too:
Holiday Inn Champaign/Urbana

Be Blessed!

**losealot** · April 7th, 2003, 08:00 PM

This is so great!!! I'm excited!! all the way from oklahoma!! wow - are you flying or driving? This is so great. Now if stacygrl comes it'll be all the way from new york to oklahoma. !!!! i'm excited, i'm excited!!!

**stellar** · April 8th, 2003, 05:33 AM

I'm SO excited too! Now we have to decide on a time to meet or find out what our room numbers are or something! I'd like to get to the hotel at brunch or lunch. I'm going to get my cell phone fixed. I still have my cell service but my phone went Kapute so I'll see about getting a new one this weekend, then I can give you all my number and I'll play central command post and everyone can check-in with me

**stellar** · April 10th, 2003, 05:50 AM

Hello?

**losealot** · April 10th, 2003, 08:41 AM

I'm up for meeting at lunch like 12:00 noon? Who all has reserved a room? We can probably fit 5 people in one room don't ya think? Don't forget to bring your swimsuit!!! I cannot wait to meet you all! I have scanned some pics and will post them soon as i figure out how!!