The Ronda Lee Culley Foundation
Wylee Party/Christmas in Alpharetta
Let’s just say that the trip didn’t go so well as planned but the bright side is my friend’s and I got there in perfect timing and didn’t miss anything, I believe the only downside was not enough time to get ready in between events. On Thursday at 1:00am in the morning is when I finally found out that I’m flying to St. Louis so therefore I had now only five hours until it was time to wake up and get ready, as well as switching suitcases and getting a way to the airport, I was so stressed out I had a hard time sleeping, I was just worried about every little thing.
At 8:00am I finally left home and headed to the airport, and I couldn’t believe the traffic I had to fight on I-70, let me tell you that my map lied to me stating no traffic whatsoever. I was worried I wasn’t going to make it to my flight it was impossible but luckily I got to the DIA about 9:20am, I finally headed to the restroom first approaching the doors, next I headed to my airline which I thought was American Airlines, ten minutes later I figured out I’m at the wrong airline and to go the other side to my right airline which was Delta, felt relieved, checked in and had to stand in the long line to see if I could get a window seat but the lady wasn’t able to help but let me know that upon boarding someone there will help me, I thanked her and headed to the security area which was another fifteen minute wait, and they had a dog in training, and secretly hiding his toy so he can find it. (I’m glad they didn’t plant it on my suitcase) LOL Got through the gate and knew the worst thing was over, found nearest place to grab some breakfast and found my gate, and headed to St Paul, Minnesota.
I was located on the very back of the plane so therefore when I landed it took forever to get off, and I had to find the bathroom, and find my next gate to depart to St. Louis and I arrived in perfect timing as they were about to start boarding, I was relieved. They were able to get me a window seat which I was so thankful for. I arrived in St. Louis by 4:30pm and I went outside to wait for my friend Kate to pick me up, I was so happy to finally met her, we chatted on the way back to her place so she could get ready, as we were waiting for our other friend Bree to arrive. Bree met up with us shortly after and we all said our hellos, packed the car and headed off to the nearest place for some food before we hit the road to Atlanta, we knew we needed some fuel for our bodies for the long eight hours ahead of us, so we decided to stop by Steak and Shake.
I was little tired from the flight so I rested my eyes for maybe twenty minutes or so and I took the next drive and drove for about three hours or so and next thing I knew I went into the backseat and crashed, woke up when we were in Atlanta, so yes my excitement was starting once I realized we made it into Atlanta, and we arrived at Misty’s place about 4:00am. We headed up to Misty’s place, I ended up spilling Twinkle’s food all over so I made noise so early in morning (I felt a tad embarrassed) and we actually went back to sleep for a hour or so and we were back up getting ready, and I took a shower and got ready as fast as I could, in while doing so I’m thinking I grabbed everything I needed for the day and we headed out the door to go find the hotel to register for the events today. I was having a bad hair day due to the humidity so I just kept hoping it would get better as the day goes on, not only that fifteen minutes into the ride on the highway I had forgotten my make up. I figured well at least I’ll look decent for couple of hours ha-ha.
After our little scare at the hotel (no one knew about the party, not one employee at the hotel) so that was interesting but after all said our hellos, and signed in we all crammed into the car and headed to Cracker Barrel for some breakfast before the Wylee party. I loved their coffee so I kept drinking much as I could because I knew I needed it for today and now it was time to head to the Wylee party, I was so beyond excited as this was my first time visiting the popshop. I was also excited to see everyone, my friend’s and just have a good time. We arrived and waited for awhile, we all know that everything related to Backstreet Boys will be on backstreet time, ALWAYS, in fact many of us are used to it.
We all walk in, and there was food set up, cupcakes set up, all sort of things to look at from every direction, and no one wasted any time to start shopping. I was on a short budget so therefore I had to smart shop but believe me I did start a wish list. I give Suzanne a hug and we had a short hello and small talk (she was still doing things) but she made sure to tell me to try out her drink and that she put Tequila, champagne and wine in it. I went over to try it and I fell in love it and kept commenting to Suzanne about it. I mostly mingled with my friend’s and looked at different things. Leighanne arrived shortly afterwards and mingled around I just let her be and finally she noticed me and gave me smile and was like “hey long time no see”! so I went over and gave her a hug and said hello. Got into a conversation with her and some other people and she went through her photos showing off her Christmas tree’s. She also had all of us stand close together for a photo for her Instagram, and she was saying that she may need to do a panorama because it was such a good turn out for the party.
I was happy to be informed that I was on Leighanne page so that was pretty cool. Majority of the time everyone mingled with each other, tried on outfits, ate some food or sweets, and enjoyed themselves. I think finally by 3:00pm I had finally made a decision on what to buy thanks to the pressure by my friend’s in all this decision making, as well the help from Leighanne, Suzanne, Jodi and Miguel. :) I ended up buying the Shirley top and it was in pink so I was super excited for tonight! I can’t remember exact time Brian showed up but in doing so he made his way in, said his hellos, grabbed a drink, mingled with the fans, and open gifts from other fans. I talked to Brian about how I’ve been on like little sleep as my friend’s and I had arrived at like 4:00am that morning, and then I went into the whole ordeal of needing the flight, and doing it so last minute, and driving to here, and the fact is I wouldn’t been here if it wasn’t for Kate to help me with the flight, and Bree jumped in and said about buying my ticket to the event, and she said I had no choice to come he told me that he agreed and that I have good friend’s because of what they did and and in reply I told him I was thankful for it all and we all started eventually taking photos with him.
We left eventually and headed to the store to get few things we needed before we head back to the hotel to get ready for the dinner. As I was getting my things I noticed I didn’t grabbed my black pants and I was very upset because the jeans I had on wasn’t for this type of dinner event but I had nothing else, and even another fan knew I was in trouble and offering me a pair of her pants (thanks by the way). This did affect me a bit, I was upset with myself and felt so cautious of how I looked, it was like I felt I didn't belong here at this event because of it, I just ignored it and just tired to have a good time. We waited and was seated shortly after, some of the Littrell family and friend’s started to show up and started mingling with everyone. Suzanne came by to our table and told how all of us looked and that the shirt looked great on me. Eventually the rounds made to our table and we went and got some food, went back to our seat, mingled and talked while we ate.We had some entertainment afterwards by Johnnie Wright Lewis and she came by to tell some stories, it was cute she came to our table and told us to be children within next 5 minutes before she started I told her I’m a kid always, ha-ha.
Shortly after we all went into another room for the rest of the event, and Leighanne decided to bring the bar with us and she came in scrolling through with the bar, it was pretty priceless. They were given shoes by a fan, they were given gifts from another fan, and both were given a award as well. During the fan videos Brian actually was singing with the words and also making up some words as he went on and it pretty pretty, I felt at one point he was looking at me and Kate because we wasn’t singing, ha-ha.
Auctions were given off for some awesome stuff, Leighanne even came up with a idea to auction off a kiss from Brian, and in her words on the cheek, not the mouth ha-ha, and she also did trivia questions for free drink tickets which I failed miserable at. After the auctions and such it was photos time with Brian and Leighanne and it was pretty quick and I didn’t even say anything I just smiled, said thank you and hugged them both, and said good-bye and left. Thanks to Sandy she recorded my video with Brian and Leighanne which I love so much because if she didn’t I wouldn’t know what Brian did to me while I was hugging his wife. :)
