New Shoes for Barbie! A lesson in getting new car tires...

It struck me the other day while I was having 4 new tires put on my car that I have never bought 4 new tires at once for any car I've ever owned. Weird.

I knew I needed them, especially given the wear bars were showing. For the ladies and non-car-guys, you need to know what wear bars are. (I didn't until recently). When you see them, it's time for new tires. Find yourself a good car-guy and have him show you.

Also, there's the Lincoln on his head measurement . This penny trick works because the distance between the edge of the penny and Lincoln's head is 1/16 of an inch -- the minimum required tread depth. When your tire tread is lower than 1/16 of an inch, where none of Lincoln's head is obscured or you can read any of the "In God We Trust" on the penny, you need new tires.



I've also learned recently that the size of your car tires is based on 3 measurements - which you can find on the side of the tire, or in your owners manual. For example, mine are 205 - 45 - R16. I CAN actually tell you what each of those numbers means. They measure the distance across the tire, the ratio of something and something, and your rim size. Once you know your tire size, you can find great tire deals online at tirerack.com. You can have tires shipped to you, then you take them to a tire place and pay to have them balanced and installed. OR... you do what I did, and tell the folks at the tire store about such deals and they can verify for themselves. The guy helping me took $30 off his prices per tire based on this little exercise in comparison shopping. Remember, the answer is always NO unless you ask.



Here's Barbie after they took the tires off. Again, my wear bars were showing, but I still had a decent amount of tread in the middle of the tire. But look at what was on the inside of my tire - which wasn't visible until they took the tires off:



Dude. See that crack??? That right there is a blowout waiting to happen, and it's a bloody miracle it didn't happen to me in Florida. The little dude said the hotter the road temperature, the more chance your tire will blow out. Yikes. NOT COOL. Everybody go out and check your tires now.

The next thing on my list is a car wash...

Famous

Well, maybe not exactly FAMOUS famous, but close enough! Recognize anyone in this ad???



It's my sister and her baby - my nephew! That's AWESOME!

More Facebook Magic!

I was checking my Facebook account for the 17th time last night and was thrilled to receive a note from ANOTHER old friend from college. This time it was the ethereal and enigmatic Tom.

Tom was one of the first friends I had at the private dorm/apartment complex where I lived my sophomore year called The Regent, where I also met Kari (who would later be my roommate extraordinaire), as well as a whole slew of Singaporeans. It was like the UN there, really. Here's me & Tom, right before everyone left for Christmas break in December 1992:


Guess who had had a little too much White Zinfandel that night? - and nearly missed her flight home the next day (from Chicago to Charlotte on Christmas Eve)... But got lucky, RAN to the gate where they HELD THE PLANE FOR ME, and got to sit her severely hungover self in First Class due to some very sympathetic flight attendants!!! That doesn't happen anymore, does it??

Here's another one of Tom - this time at a party at my apartment on Johnson Street that I threw when my Mom came to visit one weekend. He's sitting next to another of our good friends - Felix - of the Singapore contingent. I've always loved this picture and think it captures their personalities so perfectly. Felix was always trying to explain something, Tom was always thoughtful and introspective.



To prove conclusively that IT IS a small world after all, listen to this story. Tom's mother is American and was in the Peace Corps in the late 60's/early 70's in Kenya. She met a Kenyan man who she later married and had a family with - Tom's dad. They now live in the States, but Tom grew up in Kenya went to High School there sometime in the late 80's. His high school was a very international place where lots of ex-pats sent their kids for an "international" education.

So fast forward to the early 90's when we were all at UW Madison, a patchwork quilt of backgrounds, hanging out together in the TV room watching Star Trek every night and talking and playing pool til all hours of the morning - on a very regular basis. One night, Kari, who you may recall is from Norway, pulled out her high school yearbook and 'lo and behold, one of Kari's friends from Norway had gone to the International High School in Kenya, and was a classmate of Tom's. Is that INSANE?! Coincidences like this don't "just happen". It just proves we're all interconnected in some way.

Tom was part of my support system in Madison - part of my college family - since I was so far from home myself. He was so good to me, and helped me navigate a number of crises related to boys, classes and too much beer... He was with me when one of the most embarrassing episodes of my life took place - the afternoon that he and I together drank 3 entire pitchers of beer, then proceeded to go out to dinner (at a nicer than usual restaurant that you wouldn't necessarily think college kids would go) with a couple other friends - whereupon without a second's notice - I spontaneously combusted after being seated - and vomited the entire contents of my stomach onto the table top of said restaurant. Did we leave said restaurant in shame, slinking out the door never to return? Did we clean up said table top - to make amends with the server and bus staff?... No. We did no such thing. We simply got up and asked to be seated elsewhere, after getting cleaned up in the rest room. My dining partners simply said - it happens to all of us. Now THAT is what I call friends for life. So happy to hear from you Tom!

Facebook Friend FOUND!

For the past several months I have been caught up in Facebook fever. It's like - all of a sudden - Facebook has opened up a whole new old world for me. And no doubt for millions of other people too. Just this month I've reconnected with a bunch of old friends, and have found a great way to keep current with other friends who I had not lost touch with, but don't necessarily talk to on a regular basis.

On Sunday I "had lunch" with my old friend Carolyn, who I haven't seen since - gosh - who knows? I don't remember how, but I know I saw her at a bar in Charlotte while on winter break from UW Madison, but that was very brief. Regardless, when we met at Panera on Sunday, it was like no time had passed since the days when I was in Junior High and Carolyn and I hung out endlessly over the summers - walking the neighborhood barefoot, eating a lot of Domino's pizza, "playing" with all the neighborhood kids, especially sitting on the Rubright's front porch well after dark until her Dad's old truck came rumbling up the road to take her home.

Carolyn was a HUGE influence of mine, and I idolized her! Being a couple years older than me, she was always the voice of reason, but I'm positive that a lot of my "devil may care" attitude was formed by my friendship with Carolyn. I always thought of her as a big sister type, but she always treated me as an equal. And now, here we are all these years later, and we sat at Panera for no less than 6 hours - talking non-stop to catch up on everything that has taken place since our teens - until now, with both of us getting up in our 30's (putting it nicely, right?). Like with so many of my closest friends over the years, my friendship with Carolyn is so natural, easy and effortless, as if no time had passed. But clearly, quite a lot of time has passed. I'd like to say something deeply profound at this time, but I just can't come up with the right words to express how glad I am to have reconnected with my friend.

We interrupt this Inaugural coverage...

For an ADORABLE MOMENT WITH THE KITTENS!

Inauguration Day

Dignity, Ceremony, Majesty, Ritual. Words to describe the Inauguration Ceremony that took place today, an historic event full of tradition confirming our 44th President, Barak Obama.



Memorable moments in pre-inaugural coverage included…

Watching as the Obama’s arrived at the White House to be greeted by George W. and Laura Bush. Mrs. Bush was wearing a pretty pale gray dress and coat, and Michelle Obama wore a pretty (if not a little too bulky) brocade-looking dress with matching coat with olive green gloves and shoes, and brought an unprecedented farewell gift to Mrs. Bush, a box wrapped in white with a red ribbon. As they entered the house, Laura immediately handed it off. We were left wondering what was in the box until several hours later it was confirmed that the gift was a leather bound journal given to the Bushes by the Obamas.

As far as the eye could see, a multi-generational, multi-racial crowd packed the Mall from the Washington Monument to the steps of the Capitol. They started getting in place 4am. An unforgettable sight, not only the numbers, but the spirit of the crowd. One man being interviewed by a reporter said, “I’m here to bear witness for the people who couldn’t be here, who didn’t live to see this moment.” A sentiment no doubt shared by millions. It was said that everyone projects their own sense of hope on Obama.



Two by two, the outgoing and incoming counterparts got into limousines. Guards at the front doors of the white house were standing at attention in full salute. First, Lynn Cheney and Jill Biden, then Joe Biden with Dick Cheney who was wheelchair bound due to a pulled a muscle during the move over the weekend. Then First Lady Laura Bush with Michelle Obama, and finally George W. Bush with Barak Obama. The motorcade made its way from the White House to the Capitol, and Tom Brokaw noted that the ride was probably “pretty chatty” between 43 and 44. He also mentioned the thickness of the Presidential and Vice Presidential limousines have 4-5 inches of armor, much like a battleship would have.

As the motorcade made its way down Pennsylvania Ave. I was moved by the hundreds of service people lining the route, also standing at attention in full salute. The formality and show of respect does it for me every time.

As dignitaries arrived it was a veritable Who’s Who of DC Politics and cultural icons. The cold January wind whipping their coats as they descended the steps from inside the Capitol to the outdoor platform.
Senator Ted Kennedy wearing a fedora and using a cane, looked healthy despite ongoing chemotherapy for brain cancer. Former Boxer and American icon Mohamed Ali, beset with Parkinson’s was gently and carefully seated with his wife.



Former President (41) George H.W. and former First Lady Barbara Bush arrived, both wearing purple scarves, joined by their granddaughters the Bush Twins. They were met inside the Capitol just before going out to the platform by Former President Clinton (42) and Senator Hilary Clinton, who was wearing a beautiful purple coat. They all embraced warmly and it was noted that these two Presidents have probably the strongest friendship of all the living former presidents. I remember hearing George W. once say that his mother now loves Bill more than she does him. That’s ironic, isn’t it?



Former President Jimmy Carter (39) and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter met the Bushes and Clintons in the corridor but didn’t stop for a warm chat. I had to charge the battery on my camera while they were coming in, so unfortunately I didn't get a picture of them. But in a recent book, President Carter accuses Israel of creating an Apartheid system in the West Bank and Gaza, which was quite controversial and has caused him to yet again be at arms length to establishment politics.

On a personal note, my mother worked on the Carter campaigns in 1976 and 1980. She was President of the Democratic Women’s Club of Charlotte and received an invitation to the Carter Inauguration. With great regret, she and my dad ended up not attending due to logistics and weather. But she did get to attend the 1980 Democratic National Convention in New York City as a Delegate from North Carolina for Carter, which was one of the absolute highlights of her life. One of my earliest brushes with fame took place during her service to the Carter campaign, when we attended a function honoring the Carters and I was kissed on the cheek by the First Lady. I was about 5 years old and I do remember it vaguely.

I have to tell about another, much more recent brush with fame when sometime last year during the campaign Bill Clinton was in Charlotte for a major donor’s luncheon at the City Club. I did not know he was going to be in town, and just happened to walk outside the hotel for lunch that day and noticed several police officers on foot, lining Trade Street. Naturally I walked up to one of them and asked what was going on. He said the Clinton Motorcade was making its way uptown and 42 was to disembark at the City Club, right on the street. He relayed updates to me that he was getting on his radio, so I stood there with him for a few minutes. When 42 got out of the car, he was supposed to go straight up to the club, but in typical Clinton fashion he made his way from the lobby of the building into the busy lunch spot attached to it and shook hands with workers and patrons alike. He then exited the building and stepped out into the courtyard, visible from the street and started shaking hands. At that, I bid a farewell and thanks to the officer and trotted across the street to get a closer look. When I saw that some people were a little shy about approaching the President, I squirmed up to the front lines, extended my hand and in my best Monica Lewinsky voice shouted “Welcome to Charlotte Mr. President!” and he shook my hand, looking me square in the eyes. I was so thrilled and proclaimed I would not wash that hand all day!

But back to today’s inauguration… The Supreme Court Justices, including retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, arrived in their robes. Former Vice President Al Gore and his wife Tipper made their way down the steps to their seats looking very dignified as he has aged somewhat since his terms in office.

First Daughters Malia and Sasha were adorable in their pretty little girl coats in shades of blue and pink, both with satin ribbon belts and matching boots, escorted by their Grandmother Robinson, who will be moving into the White House with the family. Once at their seats, the older daughter Malia pulled out her camera from a coat pocket to take pictures from her own extraordinary vantage point.



As President Bush, 43, arrived I thought - boy I hope the crowd doesn’t boo him. I am not a fan of his either, but he is the President and a certain measure of respect is called for any time. The military band played Ruffles and Flourishes as he made his way to the platform and as Vice President Cheney, who, as I mentioned was in a wheelchair and could not descend the stairs, was wheeled down a ramp. There seemed to be an absence of major applause for 43, but the media didn’t comment. There was an audible difference in the crowds’ reaction to him compared to the other, more popular guests, but with the delay between what was being seen on television and what was being seen on the jumbo-trons lining the Washington Mall the delay was fortunate I guess, and nothing overwhelmingly disrespectful picked up on the microphones.

Vice President-Elect Joe Biden then made his way down, shaking hands and looking dignified and overjoyed. Dr. Jill Biden wore a bright red coat with tall black boots and looked stylish and lovely.



The cameras then turned to President-Elect Obama, preceded by Speaker Pelosi (not a fan of hers, really) and other top Senate and Congressional officials. Commentators mentioned it must have been a very lonely moment for Obama as he prepared to descend the steps to the platform. Known for his tremendous calm, both inside and outwardly, he seemed more reflective than lonely to me.



Senator Diane Feinstein of California was the master of ceremonies and gave brief remarks before each portion of the ceremony. “The world watches as we engage in the peaceful transfer of power” she said, and it was true. The crowd on the mall, estimated at 2 million, waved flags and cheered as the words floated down the concourse. Indeed, this is the root of liberty.

Next, Rev. Rick Warren, not without his own controversy, gave a stirring invocation, and finished with the Lord’s Prayer. It led me to think about the citizens of this country who are not Christians, and who were left out by his questionable judgment and blatant mixing of church and state in the midst of all the patriotism.

The legendary Aretha Franklin, resplendent in a large “church lady” hat with a gigantic bow, sang a beautifully gospel-y version of “My Country ’Tis of Thee”.



She was followed by the longest serving Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, who administered the oath of office to Vice President Joe Biden.

A musical interlude led by famed Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who smiled broadly and enthusiastically looked around as they played an original score called “Air and Simple Gifts”, with renown fellow musicians Anthony McGill of the Metropolitan Opera on Clarinet, Gabriele Montero on piano, and world famous Itzhak Perlman on violin. Living American composer John Williams was asked to compose the piece for the occasion and Yo-Yo Ma was asked by the inaugural committee to organize the performance. They were seated in a box high atop the platform in a special section.

Upon the conclusion, Chief Justice John Roberts, who’s confirmation, it must be noted, Obama opposed and voted against as a Senator, swore in the 44th President of the United States, Barak Obama, a few minutes after 12 noon on a sunny but cold and windy Washington day. As it turns out, Chief Justice Roberts botched the oath slightly, and there was a slightly awkward moment to recover from the error. Freudian slip? Maybe, maybe not.



At that, the new President gave his Inaugural Address, acknowledging the uphill battle he and we face. He talked about the patchwork of our heritage being a strength of our country. He talked about the ushering in of a new era of peace and responsibility. Of the conflicts and enemies of this country he said, “We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”



Following the address, American Poet Elizabeth Alexander moved to the podium and stood for a moment, looking out upon the masses, clearly moved as she took it all in, then delivered her original poem written for the ceremony, Praise Song for the Day. In it, she asked, “What if the mightiest word of all is love. A beautiful, all encompassing sentiment.

The Rev. Joseph E. Lowery delivered the benediction. He prayed a very fitting, “[Let God] Mend our Brokenness.” Again, a little more of the blind eye turned towards the separation of church and state, but ended with a rousing “Say Amen! Say Amen! Say Amen!” with the crowd responding enthusiastically.

At last, the Naval Choir sang the National Anthem, and tears welled in my eyes. A huge and sweeping political change took place today, and I am left feeling so fortunate to have been able to watch it unfold from start to finish today, with a sense of hope as we move forward. The Love Fest in Washington DC has reached far beyond the beltway today.

I’ll finish this post with the conclusion of the President’s Inaugural address, quoting the first American President, George Washington:

“In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

‘Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it).’

America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”

God Bless America, and the rest of the World too.

...And Mr. Bush, thank you for your service, be that as it may.

Snow Day!

Yesterday afternoon I made a trip to the grocery store. Right away I noticed I had to park farther from the entrance than usual, AND I had to go back outside for a cart because there weren't any available inside the store. Which was strange. Something was up - the store was PACKED and it was only 2:30 in the afternoon on Monday. It was as if there had been a forecast for snow or something.



Actually, there was! By noon yesterday, weathermen all over the region were calling for 2-6" of the white stuff, and anyone who's spent any time in Charlotte knows that when snow is in the forecast - you hit the grocery store!

So now here I sit, cozy in thick socks and my purple polka dotted bathrobe snuggled up on the sofa watching minute by minute covrage of the Inauguration. I think I'll have another cup of Apple Cider.

They're Here!

SPOILER ALERT: If you are freaked out at the sight of newborn kittens (Mom) be forewarned. Adorable pictures to follow! Around 4:30 pm yesterday, January 18, 2009, Kitty delivered four healthy kittens in the box we'd prepared for her a couple months ago. Weighing next to nothing, and tiny enough to fit in the palm of my hand, the kittens are doing great and Momma Kitty is too.



I've spent much of the day today just watching them snuggle up to her and nurse and sleep. They squeal when they can't find a boob, and they scuffle with each other for boob space. Once they find the right spot you can hear them latch on and suck for a couple seconds, then it seems like they ease up on her, then doze off after a few minutes. They have a lot more fur than I was expecting, and they are all different colors.

This one has the most distinguishing marks - vertical stripes like a chipmunk.



This one is more red in color with very light stripes.



This one is a light blondish - tan

This one is light gray with very light horizontal stripes.

I swear I did not pose this picture:



Look at this little face!



I went out to buy a heating pad to put under the layers of towels this afternoon. It's set on "LOW" and I think it's doing the trick because Kitty has been comfortable enough to get up and stretch her legs when they've been sleeping. She's been fine with letting me pick them up, and she's gotten lots of head rubs last night and today.

She seems to be fine, but very hungry. I put her bowl in the box so she doesn't have to get up to eat - she can just lean over. Quite different from her last litter that we didn't even know existed until the kittens were running around - at least 5-6 weeks old. That's when we started feeding her. She must think she's got the VIP Delivery Suite compared to having to scavenge for food and attempt to keep the kittens warm and safe last time. Poor little thing. As soon as it's feasible I'm going to have her spayed this time around.

But she's doing great and is being very loving and patient with her little ones. I'm so relieved that they're finally here - and in the house - warm and safe from all the cratures and elements outside. *sigh*

Mystery Man

I don't know who this is... but I know he's somebody.



Last week before I left, Dad gave me a box of my Great Aunt Hazel's old post cards and pictures. This is one of many pictures found in the box.

Allow me to introduce Ms. Hazel Alleen Wells, born February 28, 1915, and still with us at almost 94. This is the only picture I've uncovered of her with a smile, almost a telling smirk. All the others I've seen she looks very serious. I love this picture.



While we're making introductions, it wouldn't be proper for me to not introduce Hazel's father, my Great Grandfather, the enigmatic George Washington Wells, born January 21, 1875, died December 15, 1953. Some of you may recall having seen his image before.



I don't know much about my Great Aunt except for two main facts. 1. She travelled extensively during her life. 2. She never married.

I am determined to uncover a few more facts about my Great Aunt, and this box of jewels Dad has given me is the starting point. I do not want the history of such a unique woman, a blood relative of mine, to go extinct once she's gone.

She seemingly spent a lot of time in New York City, but she also travelled to Europe and Asia and Africa too. School marm at home, Bon Vivantte when away. (See why I have such an affinity for her?!). I have postcards post marked as early as 1933 (Hazel would have been 18) but mostly dated in the early 1940's, when she was in her later 20's and early 30's. Dad & Connie believe she was *probably* supposed to have gotten married, but for whatever reason, did not. And there's my novel.

Here are a few more jewels from the box, including postcards, match books, a signed photograph (found on the inside cover of the Madrid Havana card on the previous post) and more travel photos.













This is the most exciting discovery I've made from digging around through my family's history and heirlooms yet.

Just Like Home

Wednesday afternoon I arrived in Charlottesville to spend a couple days with Robin and Jan, Lulu and Sable. As I walked in the door Robin was making me a special cake, one she makes just about every time I come to C-ville - Red Velvet!



The icing is a traditional cream cheese frosting. If I had a vat of this sublime creamy concoction I'd take a bath in it. Robin is too good to me! Here's the recipe:



...and the spoon I licked clean after taking on the bowl.

Jan had a pot of coffee on, so despite night sleeping too well Tuesday night (due in most part to all the wine, no doubt)after Jan's strong coffee I was wide awake in short order. I spent the afternoon checking and responding to emails. We later sat down for a dinner of homemade chicken soup Robin made earlier, and some toasted naan (that's Indian flatbread for the less culinarily inclined).



Robin insisted that I feel free to get caught up on everything. That's the really nice thing about being here. It is like being at home, and it's just marvelous to be here. It's been very, very cold here so we've snuggled up by the fireplace, both with laptops perched on our knees.



That's Jan, the Fire Master!

I pulled out the box of old postcards and travel memorabilia that Dad gave me last week, which belongs to my Geat Aunt Hazel. We poured over the beautiful prints and pictures and I told them about my idea of a novel, based on all this great historic material. Here's a teaser:

Tuesday in DC... ok, Gaithersburg

Tuesday morning I left Abby & Ray's for the next leg of my trip. A few weeks ago I mentioned a going away party for Amy - who was leaving Charlotte to move to the Big M Hotel Co.'s Regional Sales Office for a sales position. I said that it wasn't really "good-bye" because I know/knew Amy and I would remain friends no matter the geography. So I went to G'burg to see her, and to have an informal look-see around the RSO to see if perhaps it might be something I could also consider.

My meeting went exceptionally well to my pleasant surprise. I'll leave it at that for now, until something slightly more concrete comes of it, but it's potentially GREAT news.

Afterwards I went back to Amy's hotel room where she's being temporarily housed for the month, and set up a little cocktail party for three. Tina, from Charlotte, was also in town for a meeting so we thought we'd have a mini-Arpa night to catch up with each other. Unfortunately Tina and her people were in a marathon budget and goal setting meeting which ran until almost 10:00, so she ended up not being able to make it over to Amy's - but that didn't stop us from enjoying some Boursin with Water Crackers and Humus with Pita slices and of course Amy's signature Shiraz.



It was fun to have a sleepover, even if it was in a hotel room! We stayed up til midnight for some much needed girl talk and a mutual counselling session. It was great to see Amy and hang out, just like (not so) old times!

Monday Errands and Baltimore NACE

On Monday Abby took the day off, and we tooled around town running some errands - but mostly we were looking for a tiara and crown Debra needed for the NACE meeting later in the evening.

We found a little girlie tiara, but had no luck whatsoever finding a crown for the "King of NACE". We also found me a pair of cute boots to wear with a new dress I bought recently which I was planning to wear to the NACE meeting.

We stopped for lunch at Five Guys - my first time having a Five Guys burger and fries. Where have you been my whole life Five Guys?!? It was AWESOME!



After sitting in traffic for like an hour due to an accident on 95, we made it home in time to get dressed for NACE and get there to help Debra with last minute arrangements. We ended up stopping at Burger King to see if they still had paper crowns for kids, and they did! Mission accomplished!

The NACE meeting was held at the new Baltimore Hilton which was lovely (not as nice as the BMW, but I'm slightly partial ya know...).



The food was good, but after a couple glasses of wine I abandoned my camera and didn't get any photos of the food.

Boy was that fun though! SOOOOOOOOO glad Abby and Debra talked me into going. Didn't even have to pay b/c Debra had a free meeting she gave to me - THANK YOU! - and I got to see a bunch of friends who didn't recognize me right away because when I left Baltimore in '04 I was still blond.

Abby, Vickie and I piled into a photo booth that was set up for us and took some cute pix.


We ate well - lamb chops over risotto, Thai spiced shrimp and noodles, delicious Tuna slices and such. This was a neat display of some kind of Lobster hors d'oeuvre - I didn't try one but loved the artistry of the garde manger folks who turned bits of lobster shell into a pretty little butterfly.



On second thought... is it a dragonfly? A bird? Whatever it is, it's neat!

It was so good to see everyone - and to make some new friends too! Hope I can get back to another meeting sooner rather than later. These people, the NACE people, were the best group ever. They were really my saving grace when it came to having friends in Baltimore that I didn't work with every day. Really, an extraordinary group of people I am so proud to have been a part of, once upon a time.