I could get used to this horse race thing...

There's me----in the middle with my new neighbor and friend, Jennifer. I got to meet 90% of my neighbors at the HOA Kentucky Derby Party. The boys and I went down around 3 p.m. to the end of the Cul-De-Sac to the party. It started at 2 and would go till around 10. The "official" race of the KY Derby was around 6. I couldn't believe we all gathered so early, but one does have to start drinking early! I don't think I have spent an entire day drinking before in my life (unless it involved family...just saying....) I started with this beer margarita mix---it was a Mexican food themed party--and my cup never went empty. Pretty amazing. It dawned on me around 2 a.m. when I went up to go to the bathroom that I was PARCHED. Well, duh. When one only drinks alcohol ALL day....

So, they had a bouncy house for the kids and the two Jedi Knights were pretty stoked. Even Obe Wan stayed at the party until 5:30. I was shocked! They enjoyed hanging with all the kids. They knew most of them from the bus, and were having a blast. J-Bird even went back after I left. It is a very safe and small neighborhood. I do like this fact. More houses are being built, but even so we only have 25 houses in our neighborhood. Not everyone goes to the Knob Elementary, but it is so small that we all wave and our looking out for each other. (Too much so some days, but whatever....)

Beautiful horses. The guy behind me kept
yelling, WHIP THAT ASS....okay, then.

There was tons of food! I took a fruit salsa thanks to Portland Sister and it was all but wiped out by the time I took it home. One lady went around asking for $1 and $2 for the lucky draw. I chipped in and drew names. I drew the name American Pharaoh and wouldn't you know it.... I WON! HE WAS IN THE FIFTH SPOT, BUT CAME TO WIN IT ALL.  I walked away investing $6 and took home $58. I kinda like this Derby thing. I only wish I would have place a $1,000 with a bookie!

It was a fun experience. I didn't have to wear or make a hat, so that was good. One year I would like to go to the Oaks with my good horse buddy in Rose Hill. We said we could make that a bucket list item. I think it would only take one time, but why not?

# 18 American Pharaoh 

Pop and StepMom are coming the end of May. I have now seen the race; I will take them to Churchhill Downs and the KY Derby Museum. When in Rome....