Brazos House - The Retreat To Remember - 24 Hours of Preparations

It's super early on a Wednesday morning and my sweetheart is dropping me at Brazos House.  I have the house all to myself and it's oh so quiet.  Outside the birds are singing along with the distant sound of bleating goats.  Life is good.

First things first, into the closet I go.  I have sooo much to unload and set up especially since I have had packages sent here all month and the boxes are piled up in the closet too.  Time to get busy.

Debi arrives, sets up to work in the kitchen, and multi-tasks on several small retreat items all at the same time.  Once I have everything from the closet set up, I tackle my space.  We are slightly overbooked this retreat, thus I am on a side wall.  It'll work.

Woolies are displayed and ready for people to claim.

I even have a few leftovers from October

A few minutes to stop, eat a snack, and visit and then I am off to cut some garlic knot strips for Debi as we had a last minute drop out of the exchange.  I'm waiting on others to arrive before I can continue setting up.

Debi and I have collected quite a few hotel handouts and set up a table for them.

Jen, Sharron, and Val arrive and soon the place is buzzing with preparedness.  First, Jen puts the bathroom plates together.  Awesome, right?

And then the four of us move into towel animal mode.

Jen took a class and bought a book on how to make these, so she is definitely in charge while the three of us take on the task of making the bodies.  Roll, roll, roll.  Do we have eighteen yet?

Once they are rolled out --- we make a quick fold and then pull.  TA-DA ---- now our towels look like a bunch of processed chickens.  Do you see it?  Hahahaha  --- they are the bodies for the wide variety of animals.

It's harder than it looks.  Truly.  There is a trick to it and I struggle through the first couple before I really manage to have it under control.  It's fun to sit and visit and plan the rest of the evening while we work.  The kitchen smells delicious too as Debi has made a yummy White Bean Chicken Chili dinner.

Val and I get the silverware packets ready for tomorrow's lunch.

And, the lunch trays all get a washing.

Sherri has arrived and is busy putting all the signs up around the house.  She has been absolutely amazing on this task.

Fruit pizza is for dessert and it's dang yummy.  Giggles abound and we are truly excited for tomorrow to happen.

Some sewing is taking place, but only on Garlic Knots as the exchange is tomorrow and we are short one whole set.  Debi, Sharron, and Val are trying to change that.

The rooms are finished, towels on beds, bathrooms with plates, blue toilet water, and taped down toilet lids, and even the country fat quarters have been placed.  Stephannie has joined us and we are getting close to being able to breath a little tonight.  Here is your view of the rooms --- one by one, country by country.

Yes, I'm missing one.  I have no idea how that happened.

We had an animal change here and I forgot to retake the pictures.  Thanks to Val for providing them.

Now we get to play a little.  One of the things we have going this retreat is that our friend, Andrea, is setting up a LulaRoe boutique.  The crew will not have time to shop during check in tomorrow so now's our chance.  Oh, goodness --- this is such fun.

Oh, do you want to see the booth?  It's perfect.

AND, we have a jewelry store too.  Yes, this is a full service airport.

Sherri is getting our Departure/Arrival screen all up and ready to go.

Isn't it wonderful?  I am amazed at what we can do when all of us work together.

Stephannie has her backdrop up for the passport pictures tomorrow.  It will then be turned into a selfie photo booth, complete with fun props.

The map of "where we've been" is getting finished and we even have Andrea in on the act making the "Do Not Disturb" signs for the bedroom doors.

The drink cart is coming together and I am in awe once again.  I think we have a better selection than the real airline carts.  Sherri has gone above and beyond.

AND just to show you how true that statement is:  Check out the flag she made.  We have permission to fly it on the flagpole out front each time we are here and it's a surprise that almost brings me to tears.  Wow.

Yay, Andrea!!!  These are perfect.

That's it for tonight and we are a tired group.  It'll be an early day for us tomorrow as there is still quite a bit to do.  See ya then.  (Keep reading --- the morning prep is part of this post.)

Good morning ----- it's time to get dressed and finish the final signs. 

A few minutes of fun is nice too ---- animal magic to our hearts.

Bathroom peek - even the toilet paper is in a triangle.

Map is up along with pins and a magnifying glass.

Seat signs are in place

Exit Row lighting has been tested and is working.

Seat back pockets are ready

And all the various signs are ready.

All the photo booth things are ready to go.

Baggage and Security are set-up and ready.

Along with Check In

Even the Powder Room has a special sign.

The Gate is marked and easy to find.

Call Lights are on each station.

AND our ground crew is reporting for duty.

The crew is set and cars are lining up at the gate.  It's time to go to work.  Be sure to check out the next post for all the fun that happens next.