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Warning: Grab a cup of coffee and put your feet up. This is gonna be long as there is lots to report.

Remember when we were kids in grade school and the first assignment you had when you returned to school in September was to write an essay entitled "How I spent my summer vacation" ? Then you had to conjure up all your confidence and stand in front of the class to read your report, usually while the teacher was falling asleep and the kids were throwing spitballs back and forth not paying attention. Couldn't blame them; how many times could you hear someone say "…we went to the shore, played in the sand, and swam in the ocean…" or …"my uncle took us fishing, we caught a really big slimey fish, and I threw up…" I never had anything interesting to say cause we really never had any money to go on many trips when I was growing up. I had to devise a way to write "…stayed home and played with my friends and went to the pool sometimes…" eight years in a row and make it all sound exciting. I usually got a C - unimaginative and not enough content.

Finally, as an adult, I had something interesting to say about my summer vacations - Disneyworld, Mexico, Aruba, Bahamas, Vegas and, of course, Atlantic City. And while I don't have to stand in front of a class and give my report (still terrifying to me no matter how old I am), I do get to write about it for all my ACOne classmates. Since I took a vacation week and spent 3 days of it in Atlantic City for the annual airshow, this is what I'm reporting to the class. So no spitballs, please, and pay attention.

This was our third year in a row taking a trip to AC during the airshow. Since hubby is not that that much into gambling (opposites attract) I was so happy when I found this event for him back in 2006 so I could have a good excuse to spend a few days in Atlantic City without him getting bored. Turns out after the first year that I really enjoyed it too (who knew?) and we have been going ever since.

Had a two bedroom oceanfront suite in Ballys Tower for me, hubby, bro and sis in law. Got my local bro and sis in law also hooked on the airshow last year so they joined us for day trips both Tuesday and Wednesday this year.

The Airshow - hubby's primary reason for going

Tuesday was practice day and it really is almost as good as the real show but with much less crowds. I had arranged for a cabana at the Ballys Bikini Beach Bar for our viewing spot and it was perfect. It's a wooden gazebo right outside the Bar with comfortable table and chairs, towel service, waitress service, food and drink. Perfect. The weather was gorgeous and everyone enjoyed themselves. Hubby and local bro were out there all day (the non-gamblers of the group) and the rest of us were out there half the day, in and out of the casino. Our waitress was a very cute nice young girl who is attending St. Joe's University in Philly and we got to talking about that. Our son is an alum and so is bro and sis in law's son.

Wednesday was the real show and crowds were in full force. Ballys had a repeat of their pool deck party and it was really nice with refreshments for all and great seats. I was able to get wristbands for all six of us, but again only hubby and local bro were out there all day. The rest of us - well you know the story - in and out. We found ac1cpx21 and "D" and we all sat together for the day. Ac1 had a spectacular camera with a lens that weighed almost as much as him and he got some real good shots. Can't wait to see them posted. Our whole crowd mixed very well and spent a lot of time getting to know each other. Very, very nice time. The show was great; my personal favorite being the USAF Thunderbirds with their aerial spectacular. And the music they played on the deck while you were watching the Thunderbirds really got your hearts pumping and your backside shaking. (Top Gun, Born to be Wild, We're Coming to America, etc.) Unbelievable. But I will admit that I didn't think this year's show was as good as previous years due to the absence of the stealth bomber from the lineup - that thing is amazing and always gives me chills during its flyby - very impressive. Also, I must have been on one of my "breaks" in the casino during the show when ac1cpx21 did his "naked skydiving" act as promised, caused I missed it. Hey, maybe "D" had control of the camera then and took pictures!

Some tidbits - the hotels had raised parking to $30 for the day (WOW), but were forced to close the garages by 10 a.m. cause they were already full. News reported 700,000 people attended this year's show.

And, for whoever at atlanticcityone.com is in charge of keeping the journals of all the habits of its posters, I want it written in the official memoirs that….

Pananny actually spent several hours both Tuesday and Wednesday outside of the casino. And I have the sunburn to prove it! My face has its own red glow (around my raccoon eyes from my glasses) and my arms are completely red with two white stripes on the left arm (from my watch and airshow wristband) and one white stripe on my right arm from my green AC1 bracelet. I guess this little pale white girl will be itching tomorrow and peeling by the weekend.

Dining, amenities, etc

The six of us had dinner together Tuesday night with a return visit to 6ix Bistro at Ballys. Funny, we all had almost the same food as the last time and, once again, it was delicious. I'm really liking this place.

Wednesday we enjoyed a great room service breakfast which has become one of my favorite non-gaming indulgences when I'm in AC - hey, nobody ever cooks me breakfast at home. And, if they did, it would not be accompanied by a newspaper, linen napkins and fresh flowers on the table.

After snacking all day Wednesday on the pool deck during the show (free hot dogs, chili, chips, popcorn, ice cream, fruit, sodas, etc.), dinner was not an option according to my stomach. But I was meeting several AC1 posters at the Diamond Lounge early evening and figured a piece of cake then would cure any stomach growling I may have.

The Meet at Ballys Diamond Lounge after the show - roll call, please

Pananny (Helen) and Mike with brother Jack

Ac1cpx21 and "D"

Bruce and Jill

ERNursePA (Terri) and her friends Kathy and Denise

Armymom2 (Sharon) and her hubby Roc, her mom Elaine, and their son Little Roc (who is actually an adult)

NandJfromNJ (Nancy and Jeff) and their friend

Geez - I hope I didn't forget anybody

CJinNJ was in town but couldn't make the meet. And Lady Luck was tied up with work and couldn't make it to town either. And Checking (Amy) and I must have missed each other. Hey, all of you - next year for sure!

It was so nice to just sit and get to know each other (for the new friends) and catch up (for the old friends). I think we all mixed together really well and everyone enjoyed themselves. The Diamond Lounge closes at 8 pm during the week, and they actually had to politely say "Have a nice night" a couple of times as the waiters kept walking past our table. We looked up and it was after 8:30 and there was nobody else in the place at all. Time flies.

As we exited, Terri and her friends had to taxi back to Borgata where they were staying. Nancy and Jeff had to get on the road out of town to head home. And the rest of us were graciously invited by ac1cpx21 and "D" to view their penthouse suite at Ballys. Of course, we all said yes. It was beautiful with a lot of space and amenities and tasteful décor, plenty of flat screen TV's, a bar, a telescope, a fireplace, etc. And they made everyone feel right at home as we gabbed for another hour in there. Little Roc was very wide-eyed and it was priceless seeing his reaction to the surroundings. He was very, very impressed. After all the medical procedures and personal obstacles this young man has been thru in the last 4 years, it was gratifying to see him getting around on his own and enjoying himself. But, Sharon, for the record, you have to tell him to stop calling me "M'am" and my hubby "Sir" and continually thanking us for bringing him into the Diamond Lounge. I know it was his military training, but tell him "Mike and Helen" are just fine to address us.

We parted with our lovely hosts and went back down to the casino and wound up standing in the lobby talking for another half hour before we finally broke up the group. The American Chopper TV guy (Paul, Sr.) has a display in Ballys lobby and in several places throughout the casino with custom made choppers which are beautifully crafted. There's a big giveaway during Labor Day weekend. I took a picture of Mike, Bruce, Roc and the cardboard cutout of Paul, Sr. (looked very real to me) in front of the bikes and if I ever figure out how to put it on my computer, I'll post it in the photo section. What a Motley Crew!

Again, thanks everybody for a great time and special kudos to ac1cpx21 and D for their hospitality. Mark your calendars for next year's airshow and, hopefully, we'll get even more posters to join us. AC1 - I think you'll need an even bigger suite next year!

Gambling - my primary reason for going

I started out strong on Day 1 with a smaller handpay on the Ballys Wild Party in Diamond Pointe (aka The Gold Room) about 45 minutes after arriving. Not huge, but enough to start the trip out on a happy note. It was also my "breaking of the 2008 curse" by giving me my first handpay in Atlantic City this year. Lots of them from Harrahs Chester this year, but until now AC had failed me each and every trip. During the day, we bounced around a lot. I did pretty well on the $1 Ballys Wild Party machines. And I found some cool, fun penny machines back by the Blue Martini around midnight on Wednesday which kept me playing a long time while my slot neighbors and I danced and sang in our seats to the fantastic band that was playing in Blue Martini. Lots of Motown and oldies and disco. Really fun. My favorite moment gambling was both my sisters in law (Miss Kiss of Death #1 and Miss Kiss of Death #2) actually won a little over $300 each on their penny machines. That just put them both over the top, grinning from ear to ear. Priceless! There is hope for anyone now.

Tuesday after dinner, the locals left to go home, hubby wandered the boardwalk for awhile and played a little bit before settling in the room to watch TV and eventually go to sleep, and the rest of us were ready for serious slot activities. I was holding my own for awhile, switching between comfy chairs at Monte Carlo spin, Triple Wild and Triple Diamonds in Diamond Pointe. At one point I took my TITO up really well, but then used it throughout the night and it went back down, naturally.

On Wednesday night I did more gambling and had an even night, but admittedly I am too old to be staying up til 3 a.m. two nights in a row! I crashed when we arrived home Thursday afternoon and I'm so glad I don't have to get up at 4:30 am to go to work Friday.

After all was said and done, came home with about $500 of my handpay and all my starting bankroll after tips, spending money, etc. But, for as much as I love the slots, the best part of this trip was definitely the time with our family and AC One friends. That you can't put a price tag on.

Ok, Sister Margaret Mary Elizabeth from eighth grade, what did you think of that report? Did I get an A+ this year? Enough content for you?