It's about time I get my act in gear and share my Oaks/Derby weekend with more than just my inner mind. I find myself getting so caught up in the act of life, and time just slips by. So here we go.
I'd started a long post about my first Derby and what got me there, and then a little about my trip down there this year, but, you know what? That really doesn't matter. Here are a few facts, though, which explain a little more about my annual trek to Louisville.
I attended college in the Commonwealth of Kentucky at Western Kentucky University.
My first Derby was in 1995.
I attended other Festival events throughout my college years, including Thunder Over Louisville.
I have been to Louisville for Derby weekend 13 times.
I stay with girl friends from college.
I have been to the Oaks at least 6 times, but I'm not keeping track.
I don't usually bet on the horses.
I did not see a horse at the Downs for the first 6 years I attended.
I have LOTS of Derby glasses.
Wait, there are horses there?
Derby is one huge party. OK, I admit that it's all about a horse race, but if you asked most people who go to the Derby, I think you'd be hard pressed to find any who truly go for the horses.
This year was the first year we didn't go to the infield. The infield is where the real party is at Churchill Downs. All I can say is I've never seen anything like it. You've never been to a party like this. Here's what you can expect in the infield on Derby Day, and even at Oaks.
Mint Juleps
Beer
Awesome frozen drinks
Mud
Bare feet
Bare other parts
National Guard
Young cadets
Lots of uniformed men and women
Things flying in the air
Beads
More beer
Lots and lots of drunk people
That doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of the feeling you get in the infield when you find yourself amidst thousands of people. I like crowds, though, so if that's not your cup of tea, you can skip this one on your bucket list. I have to say, too, that whether you're there on Oaks day or Derby day, you're going to have yourself one hell of a time.
Anyway, this year we didn't go to the infield, we got tickets for seats instead on Oaks day. Ah, no, we didn't pay for them, they were given to us by a coworker of one of my girlfriends. He generously purchased bleacher seat tickets for myself and three girlfriends, and we could not have been more excited. We would need to dress up, something we'd never done before for Oaks or Derby! Wow!!
Seriously, the most dressed up I've ever gotten for Oaks or Derby was if I bought a new shirt or shorts because what I had didn't fit. Derby weekend is usually the first time I have the opportunity to break out warm weather clothing, so often I've found myself needing warm weather appropriate clothing that fits!
Not having a lot of money to spend, I ended up finding a dress and a pair of heels at a really great resale shop near my house. A week or so later, I stumbled upon a hat at Marshall's for less than the dress. SCORE!! The dress - blue seersucker, the fabric of Derby. The shoes - pale pink. Oaks day is Ladies First, it's all about the gals that day. Everyone is asked to wear pink that day in honor of the fight against breast cancer. The shoes touched on that theme, and I knew I'd adorn the hat with some pink, as well.
My friend, D, and I agreed that we'd work on my hat once I got to Louisville, because, let's be honest, the selection of flowers at the craft stores up here is slim to none compared to Louisville (or anywhere south of here), where just about every woman in town will be wearing a hat Derby weekend.
In the end, I created a simple hat with lilies, the flower of the Oaks. Lilies for the Fillies. Very fitting. I was rather pleased with my ensemble. Simple, just the way I like it. I'm not a real dress kind of girl, so basic is really my style.
My drive to Louisville was nice and it was a great day for a drive. Sun, not too hot, and I got out of the city in almost record time. Then there was the construction on 65 north of Indy. 30 minutes stopped, in park, almost lost in a sea of trucks. Once we got moving again, though, it was smooth sailing all the way thru Indy and on to my friend, C's, house. I've met C in person now twice, but this visit was my first time meeting her husband and children, whom I've only heard of over the years that C and I have been friends online, along with many other moms of kids born in the fall of 2004. I was tickled to be invited to have dinner at C's house, and it was the perfect break in my trip. After several hours of playing with the kids and talking to C and her husband, I got back on the road headed for my friend Danert's place in Louisville.
It was an amazing feeling to sleep through the night, and then to wake on my own. I had no deadline, no place to be, nobody needing anything from me. Glorious. I almost felt lost for a second, then I snapped out of it and soaked it up. I cleaned up just in time for Danert's early arrival home after a short day at the office. We eventually headed out to gather items to glue to my hat, followed by some dinner, followed by conversation and drinks, and a very late (for me) bed time.
Friday. Oaks. Exciting. I wasn't exactly sure if we had a plan, but, since I wasn't driving it didn't matter much to me. Danert and I got ready while we waited for Binkie and A to come by. A was the driver of this lovely crew, and we headed out to Churchill Downs all dressed up, four hot ladies on a gorgeous Friday morning.
Once we selected a place to park, not too far but not too close to the Downs, we secured our hats with hat pins to try to combat the predicted 40 mph winds, and began our walk to the track. We didn't get very far before a young man in a six-seater golf cart pulled up along side us offering us a ride! BINGO! We accepted the offer and he delivered us just steps from the gate at Churchill Downs. It was the best trek from car to track I've ever had. Seriously. Especially since this time I was in heels.
The day was beautiful and sunny and windy and relaxing. Danert and I immediately befriended the young gentleman selling Lilies, the drink of Oaks day. As he described it, it's similar to a Cosmopolitan. I needed no sales pitch to convince me to have one, or five, or ten Lilies. Seriously, this stuff went down like water. It was warm, sunny, and very windy. Did I mention it was windy? Ya, it took four large hat pins to keep my darn hat on!!
The day was wonderful, and we were so thankful for the opportunity to finally sit on the other side of the track. After 13 Oaks and Derbys in the infield, it was fun to actually dress up and see how "the other half lives", so to speak. We took a couple walks into the paddock area to visit with friends and some of Danert's family, and to take in a change of scenery. Other than that, we enjoyed our time in our bleacher seats and the sun that shone all day long. It was truly a gorgeous day. And, wow, did the drinks go down easy.
By the time we left, after the Oaks was run, we were ready for more. The sun was still up, we were happy, and we thought we had plenty left in us.
We didn't.
We got back to Danert's and that was pretty much the end of the line for us. Rather than go paint the town red, we held the soft, comfy chairs and couches down at Danert's, and her beau and I ordered late night wings from Buffalo Wild Wings. Nothing like hot wings at 10:30 at night, right?
Saturday, Derby Day, was not as nice a day. This was the weekend of the fabled floods in Nashville and parts of the south east. It was serious rain. This was the weekend I realized that I'm probably growing up. It hurts to even write that. It really does. We dressed up and acted like adults for Oaks, and I opted not to go into the Downs on Derby Day in the rain.
Seriously, it wasn't long ago that I would have LOVED to go into the infield in the rain. Dude, you've never seen mudslides and general debauchery like what you witness in the infield, rain or shine, but mostly in the rain. Trust me, you never have. It's the true definition of "I hope nobody has a camera around here".
This year, I chose the dry, warm environment of Binkie's parents house. I chose time with good friends that I usually only see once a year, who mean a lot to me and saw me through the good and bad in college. I chose cheaper drinks, better odds betting with a small group, and the view of the Derby on the wide screen HDTV. Yes, I did.
In the end, I was about $12 lighter when I walked out the door, but, I was armed with new dance moves (thank you, on demand!) and a tummy full of good food and lots of Bloody Marys. Yum.
If Oaks and/or Derby is/are on your bucket list, bump it up to the top. It's an experience you'll never forget. And one you'll never regret. I promise.
That's all for now.
Showing posts with label Kentucky Derby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kentucky Derby. Show all posts
01 June, 2010
30 April, 2010
In Louisville, it's Derby time!
We're going today to the Kentucky Oaks. It's lilies for the fillies today, and the day has been named Ladies First. To raise awareness for breast cancer research, everyone is asked to wear pink today, and so I chose pale pink heels, and pink lilies for my hat.
Pictures of the final ensemble will follow later, but, I needed to put up this pic of the hat to start things off.
Derby weekend is unlike any other time in any other place. Louisville is full of electricity, history, and magic this weekend every year. Derby should be on everyone's bucket list, for sure.
Stay tuned for more pictures and stories.
That's all for now.
19 April, 2010
Me time, week 13
I'm getting lazy in reporting on my time spent on myself, aren't I? Perhaps that's a sign that I'm healing from the inside and enjoying what life has brought my way. OK, that was a deep stretch, but, I tried to make it sound good.
I'm trying to catch up on DVR'd shows (I actually typed the word "taped", but realized there's nothing taped about it any more), and realized I needed to post up. I have to say that I don't understand why Kate is still on this show pretending to dance. This chick needs to take her hair extensions and get a new reality job somewhere. Ugh, she drives me crazy.
I digress.
Had a very nice Sunday, which was preceded by a fun, but, unproductive weekend. Began Friday night by going out. We have worked out a deal with another couple to swap babysitting with each other. The key is that we don't pay each other! Seriously, every parent should get in on a gig like this. By switching off and helping each other out, we're each getting more time out than we would otherwise if we had to pay a sitter. I am so insanely glad we are doing this!!
This was supposed to be an arrangement we'd take each other up on once every month of the year, and this was the first time either of us asked the other to watch our kids. I broke the ice last week when we got invited to a friend's place. Honestly, this is the best arrangement we could have made, and I'm sorry I waited 'til April to ask them to help! They came over after work (Mommy L, Daddy L, L1, and L2) and we all played and talked together, while I showed Mommy L around the house and ran down the bed time routine. Daddy and I left the house as Daddy L started the kids off on a game of Hide n Seek. It was a great feeling knowing the kids were having a good time and a friend, mom, and familiar face was staying with the kids. Daddy L took L1 and L2 home at bed time, and it was the perfect arrangement for all of us.
Until Saturday morning. While it was nice to get out of the house for a while and not worry about dollar signs piling up at the stroke of every hour, there was no legit reason for us to stay out until 1AM!!!! Holy hell! The evening started out nicely with several coworkers, who also happen to be on the same intercompany softball team, all gathered together to enjoy good food, drink, and company. The wine glasses were big, the appetizers were delicious, and we were all laughing together within minutes. Did I mention that the wine glasses were big? They were. As one of the others said, the only quote from the night that I remember is, "I'd like another glass of wine". Oh my.
We started out with some game called Left, Right, Center, and moved on to Catch Phrase. Well, not back to back, there was plenty of conversation, appetizer eating, and who knows what in between. I say "who knows what" because I'm sure someone knows, but I am not that someone. See, the wine glasses were really big. Oh, I said that already. Well, I filled mine at least three times. I'll leave it at that. There was a moment when one of us ended up being tossed over the back of a couch, WWE style, there were plenty of f-bombs dropping around the room, and the hockey game interrupted us every so often. Not that I know any of that for fact. And we didn't leave until 1AM. 1AM, I kid you not.
It was as if we didn't remember we had kids who would be waking before the birds demanding food and other nourishment and to be entertained. Loudly. Energetically. Early. Very early. Like 6AM early. Good Lord.
Let's just say that I did not get much done on Saturday. I could barely get down a cup of coffee. There, I said it. It's been a very long time since I was unable to get down my morning jo. Holy hell.
It was almost noon before I could even consider getting anything done. Saturday was supposed to be the day I shopped for a dress to wear to the Kentucky Oaks. Yes, I am going. Again.
I went to college in Kentucky and met some of the most wonderful people there. I have been going to the Kentucky Derby almost every year (missed 3) since 1995. This is the first year that we will be sitting somewhere other than in the infield. Seriously. This is all foreign to us.
I did end up getting myself into the car and took my neighbor with me to a local resale shop in hopes of finding a dress that wouldn't break the budget. The planets were all aligned, because not only did I find a dress, I found the perfect dress!! I can't show you until the whole thing is put together, but here are some clues.
1) Pale pink
2) Seersucker
3) I don't have a clue #3, sorry.
The last piece to the puzzle will be a hat, and I have a little time to get that done. I did find a great hat at a store today, but, and toying with the idea of crafting one of my own. Nothing like a homemade Derby hat!!
I had been invited to go out with friends Saturday night for a night of karoke. I was really looking forward to it originally. After staying out 'til 1AM, feeling like I might lose lunch all day, and being so tired I could hardly form a sentence, there was little chance I was going to make it. And I didn't.
At dinner, Daddy dropped the big reminder on me that the next day, Sunday, was his company's day at Great America (GA), our local Six Flags. Oh my. Dude, I'm hungover, exhausted, and you want me to spend the day in an amusement park filled with roller coasters?! Right. Oh, and you want to take the kids!? Sure.
With this in mind, I finally decided to stay in for the night and miss karoke. I can do that next time they all get together. I needed one thing, sleep! So I grilled ribs for dinner, got the kids in bed, then got myself in bed.
I didn't start my Sunday at Panera this week. No worries, I spent the day with my family. Walking. A lot. We started out by taking the kids to a nice, rare, breakfast out. They were so excited to get to eat at IHOP, you would have thought they'd won the Lottery. Following breakfast, we spent the day at GA. The weather was alright, just kind of windy and chilly, but better than last year when it was pouring rain all day. I'll take a little chilly over rain any day.
I would not pay to go to GA, especially not with little kids. Pricey, crowded, and just not fun with little whiny munchkins. This day, though, was thanks to Daddy's work, and well worth our time and effort. They have added a Wiggles themed area complete with a small stage show featuring a couple of characters from the popular show. This turned out to be the most popular part with both Fred and Ethel, and I'm so glad for that. We were able to spend most of the day in the Wiggles area, aside from our trek to the picnic area for lunch, and the kids had a total blast. Fred was afraid of the Big Red Plane ride at first, but once he got the guts, he announced to me, "I'm not scared, Mommy". He flew that plane like a pro. Ethel had a great time riding in The Big Red Car with Daddy behind me and Fred, and we all had fun on the carousel before we left the park.
As expected, they slept in the car on the way home, and that was the extent of naps for the day. We got home an they each spent a little time in their rooms playing on their own before we had some dinner, followed by bath time. Bed time Sunday night was early, and everyone (well, the kids) was asleep by 7:30 PM. It was really nice.
It was nice to have a day free of spring cleaning, food shopping, and other things that have taken up our last few weekends. My liver is not the only part of my body crying u.n.c.l.e, though, as now my feet and one arthritic knee are waving the white flag. It won't be long before my body turns French and goes on strike.
Now it's late and I need to get to bed. I'm sure none of this has made sense, as I think I killed plenty of brain cells off during the weekend. Hopefully they'll return.
I will post an update once I figure out my hat situation for the Oaks. I am really excited to be going back, seeing my friends, and actually sitting in the bleachers. OK, they're not grandstand seats, but, man, this is going to be a total blast. I'll see a whole new part of Churchill Downs after all these years. Very cool.
I'd better get myself to bed.
That's all for now.
I'm trying to catch up on DVR'd shows (I actually typed the word "taped", but realized there's nothing taped about it any more), and realized I needed to post up. I have to say that I don't understand why Kate is still on this show pretending to dance. This chick needs to take her hair extensions and get a new reality job somewhere. Ugh, she drives me crazy.
I digress.
Had a very nice Sunday, which was preceded by a fun, but, unproductive weekend. Began Friday night by going out. We have worked out a deal with another couple to swap babysitting with each other. The key is that we don't pay each other! Seriously, every parent should get in on a gig like this. By switching off and helping each other out, we're each getting more time out than we would otherwise if we had to pay a sitter. I am so insanely glad we are doing this!!
This was supposed to be an arrangement we'd take each other up on once every month of the year, and this was the first time either of us asked the other to watch our kids. I broke the ice last week when we got invited to a friend's place. Honestly, this is the best arrangement we could have made, and I'm sorry I waited 'til April to ask them to help! They came over after work (Mommy L, Daddy L, L1, and L2) and we all played and talked together, while I showed Mommy L around the house and ran down the bed time routine. Daddy and I left the house as Daddy L started the kids off on a game of Hide n Seek. It was a great feeling knowing the kids were having a good time and a friend, mom, and familiar face was staying with the kids. Daddy L took L1 and L2 home at bed time, and it was the perfect arrangement for all of us.
Until Saturday morning. While it was nice to get out of the house for a while and not worry about dollar signs piling up at the stroke of every hour, there was no legit reason for us to stay out until 1AM!!!! Holy hell! The evening started out nicely with several coworkers, who also happen to be on the same intercompany softball team, all gathered together to enjoy good food, drink, and company. The wine glasses were big, the appetizers were delicious, and we were all laughing together within minutes. Did I mention that the wine glasses were big? They were. As one of the others said, the only quote from the night that I remember is, "I'd like another glass of wine". Oh my.
We started out with some game called Left, Right, Center, and moved on to Catch Phrase. Well, not back to back, there was plenty of conversation, appetizer eating, and who knows what in between. I say "who knows what" because I'm sure someone knows, but I am not that someone. See, the wine glasses were really big. Oh, I said that already. Well, I filled mine at least three times. I'll leave it at that. There was a moment when one of us ended up being tossed over the back of a couch, WWE style, there were plenty of f-bombs dropping around the room, and the hockey game interrupted us every so often. Not that I know any of that for fact. And we didn't leave until 1AM. 1AM, I kid you not.
It was as if we didn't remember we had kids who would be waking before the birds demanding food and other nourishment and to be entertained. Loudly. Energetically. Early. Very early. Like 6AM early. Good Lord.
Let's just say that I did not get much done on Saturday. I could barely get down a cup of coffee. There, I said it. It's been a very long time since I was unable to get down my morning jo. Holy hell.
It was almost noon before I could even consider getting anything done. Saturday was supposed to be the day I shopped for a dress to wear to the Kentucky Oaks. Yes, I am going. Again.
I went to college in Kentucky and met some of the most wonderful people there. I have been going to the Kentucky Derby almost every year (missed 3) since 1995. This is the first year that we will be sitting somewhere other than in the infield. Seriously. This is all foreign to us.
I did end up getting myself into the car and took my neighbor with me to a local resale shop in hopes of finding a dress that wouldn't break the budget. The planets were all aligned, because not only did I find a dress, I found the perfect dress!! I can't show you until the whole thing is put together, but here are some clues.
1) Pale pink
2) Seersucker
3) I don't have a clue #3, sorry.
The last piece to the puzzle will be a hat, and I have a little time to get that done. I did find a great hat at a store today, but, and toying with the idea of crafting one of my own. Nothing like a homemade Derby hat!!
I had been invited to go out with friends Saturday night for a night of karoke. I was really looking forward to it originally. After staying out 'til 1AM, feeling like I might lose lunch all day, and being so tired I could hardly form a sentence, there was little chance I was going to make it. And I didn't.
At dinner, Daddy dropped the big reminder on me that the next day, Sunday, was his company's day at Great America (GA), our local Six Flags. Oh my. Dude, I'm hungover, exhausted, and you want me to spend the day in an amusement park filled with roller coasters?! Right. Oh, and you want to take the kids!? Sure.
With this in mind, I finally decided to stay in for the night and miss karoke. I can do that next time they all get together. I needed one thing, sleep! So I grilled ribs for dinner, got the kids in bed, then got myself in bed.
I didn't start my Sunday at Panera this week. No worries, I spent the day with my family. Walking. A lot. We started out by taking the kids to a nice, rare, breakfast out. They were so excited to get to eat at IHOP, you would have thought they'd won the Lottery. Following breakfast, we spent the day at GA. The weather was alright, just kind of windy and chilly, but better than last year when it was pouring rain all day. I'll take a little chilly over rain any day.
I would not pay to go to GA, especially not with little kids. Pricey, crowded, and just not fun with little whiny munchkins. This day, though, was thanks to Daddy's work, and well worth our time and effort. They have added a Wiggles themed area complete with a small stage show featuring a couple of characters from the popular show. This turned out to be the most popular part with both Fred and Ethel, and I'm so glad for that. We were able to spend most of the day in the Wiggles area, aside from our trek to the picnic area for lunch, and the kids had a total blast. Fred was afraid of the Big Red Plane ride at first, but once he got the guts, he announced to me, "I'm not scared, Mommy". He flew that plane like a pro. Ethel had a great time riding in The Big Red Car with Daddy behind me and Fred, and we all had fun on the carousel before we left the park.
As expected, they slept in the car on the way home, and that was the extent of naps for the day. We got home an they each spent a little time in their rooms playing on their own before we had some dinner, followed by bath time. Bed time Sunday night was early, and everyone (well, the kids) was asleep by 7:30 PM. It was really nice.
It was nice to have a day free of spring cleaning, food shopping, and other things that have taken up our last few weekends. My liver is not the only part of my body crying u.n.c.l.e, though, as now my feet and one arthritic knee are waving the white flag. It won't be long before my body turns French and goes on strike.
Now it's late and I need to get to bed. I'm sure none of this has made sense, as I think I killed plenty of brain cells off during the weekend. Hopefully they'll return.
I will post an update once I figure out my hat situation for the Oaks. I am really excited to be going back, seeing my friends, and actually sitting in the bleachers. OK, they're not grandstand seats, but, man, this is going to be a total blast. I'll see a whole new part of Churchill Downs after all these years. Very cool.
I'd better get myself to bed.
That's all for now.
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