These stories are all amazing- some of them are sad, some are happy, but all amazing!

And now I present to you the Saga of Glory.
Glory was my first pony, and will always be my favorite. When I went away to college, Glory went with me. When I went backpacking, winter camping, on a road trip, Glory went with me. Oh, the grand times we had! Then one fateful trip, we paddled out to Triangle Lake in northern Minnesota. Glory went along, of course, but when we got back to the car, she wasn't there. I just assumed she had ridden in a bag or been packed up with our other stuff, but no. She was gone. I went back to the island, I raided my friends camping boxes, I put an ad in the local newspaper.  (There was no internet, people. It was the 90's.)

On that same trip, assorted friends lost their glasses and their lantern. So this is how I imagine her new life- lugging the glasses and lantern along, going wherever she is needed. I've gotten a new Glory, but it just isn't the same. I guess the good thing is that I started taking different ponies on adventures, so now all the pictures aren't of just one pony, right?

I have the book by Deb Birge. It is basically a "Not The US Ponies" book, and it is a bit outdated, but it is still really pretty. It was made when the internet was still fairly young, and lots of information hadn't been gathered yet. Most of the pictures are ponies that Deb actually owned, so it is not complete, even for the knowledge that was available at the time.  It is split up into countries, not years.

If you are hoping for a guide like Summer's, this is not the right book. But if you want something to hold in your hands that has bright colors and a passionate author, this is the only book that I know of right now.  The most honest review I can give is that my first copy got destroyed in a water spill, and I immediately ordered another one.

I completely understand! Mine was with a Rainbow Brite puzzle, and I fell for the same ploy twice. Now I have three of the same puzzle, each one with different missing pieces!

The only silver lining to this is that we understand a little more about how they stamp out the puzzles now- the assembly line is completely different in my head than it used to be!

That was super-fun! So glad to see everyone, and thank you for the poop, Kazz!

It is called El Molino. I recommend the chimichangas!

Ponyqueen!

Are you coming to the meet? It would be amazing to see you again, it has been almost a year!

I am sewing some simple prizes for the prize table and the dice game. I have some wrapping to do, and a little more work on my Secret Santa project. I should have no problem getting everything ready in time- as long as I don't run out of pink!

Lincoln saw the project I am making for Santa, and requested one of his own. I asked what pony he wanted me to make, and he said Minty. I didn't even know he knew who Minty was! So let's see if I manage to get his project done for the Minty Table!

Quote from: Kazzellin on December 15, 2018, 09:25:05 AM

Quote from: Aurora on December 14, 2018, 11:35:39 PM

I don't want  someone to NOT come to the meet because they can't afford it, but at the same time, if you can't afford the $5 for site rental, you can't really afford to buy ponies, either.

Wait, I thought this was still going to be our "not really selling just getting together" meet? Especially since we're not in the Lynx room this time (apparently there's an event there already)?

it was discussed at the last meet that we wouldn't have official sales space or time. i know that Blackfrost has bought a few things from me, and I'll be bringing them to do a drop off.
i'll be honest and say i'm hoping all my extra ponies are gone by next week, cuz i'm feeling crazy with them all around. but i haven't donated them or thrown them at random people... avoiding eyes.... cuz some are actually worth something. stupid... but If i sell all of them i get to buy a cosplay from voltron. if not... no costume. (personal rule)

I also hope you get to sell your stuff and dress up like Voltron, Rosier. Even if that isn't what you mean, I am now going to assume there is a Voltron party in the future. I will study.

I don't think this changes the general idea, though, that we need to be sure Marla doesn't end up footing the bill on this. I am assuming the other room isn't free.

Post Merge: December 16, 2018, 11:19:32 PM

An idea I had while on the toilet (were you expecting anything more from me?): Pony magnets or pony soaps. My mom has a soap recipe on the fridge and I’m wondering if she would be willing to make some small ones while I do the artwork for them.

As for magnets, I saw a tutorial on Tumblr a little bit back and have been since saving cardboard for this purpose. I haven’t got off my butt to actually try it but it’s an idea.

Would the soap be 3-dimensional? Or flat? I would love to see something like that! More crafting is good!

Quote from: Aurora on December 14, 2018, 01:46:45 AM

Is the ticket for coming to the meet just for coming, or also for putting your $5 in the donation jar? I like incentive to be sure Marla gets her money back!

that's a good idea. you get an extra ticket after you've paid the 5$ for the rental.
only possible problem is that I don't want people to think that is optional, true you can't force anyone to pay, but by not paying they are forcing Marla to pay. so not cool.

That's why those parts are in Red.

I think we can leave it as "optional, but strongly recommended." I don't want  someone to NOT come to the meet because they can't afford it, but at the same time, if you can't afford the $5 for site rental, you can't really afford to buy ponies, either. However, we do lots of fun activities that don't cost any money, plus you can win prizes. I don't think $5 is a stretch.
I know it is nothing compared to how much it costs to go to the big fair in Florida, and no one has complained to me about the cost. My real concern here is that Marla doesn't get stuck paying for the whole thing.

I am pretty sure everyone here agrees, so I am preaching to the choir...