Monday a.m. back to CT

Trying to go back and write about Saturday and Sunday is going to be a challenge. Saturday started with a walk then I was off to buy cat food for my hostess. And it was perfect timing. One of the couples I had wanted to see but had not, "just happened" to be at the grocery store near the pet food place. I ran into the store and surprised them "a bit" - haven't seen me for a couple of years and end up meeting them in the produce department at Lowes' Food Market...no coincidence there. After that I went over to visit another co-worker and her family. She was not a fan of mine when I left, but it has calmed down a bit. Then back into Chapel Hill to walk with one of my old neighbors. Back out to Fearrington for the party that set the table for this visit.

The party was perfect. I saw so many people who I had assisted in buying or building their house and they all had good feelings for me still! That is always a good thing. I also won the prize for "the person who came the farthest by car for a 3 hour party". An invite was floated out there by one of the party participants to meet him in NYC for the Hall of Fame Banquet on Tuesday night. His wife did not want to go. I had thought a lot about re-packaging my image over the last few days, but trying to get together for a Black Tie Waldorf Astoria event for Tuesday night...I will tell them to keep me on the list for future NYC events, but too much for my first day back.

After getting my prize, I ran out and headed back to Chapel Hill for my last night in town. My hosts are people who have been my saviors many times and on many levels. The wife was my first Chapel Hill co-worker and her husband is a huge sports fan, so it was a perfect start to my CH life. They also put a non-metal roof over our heads during Hurricane Fran. We had a great dinner and then I was up and out on Sunday morning - me off to DC, they were off to Sedona AZ area. I wish I had been moving in their trip direction, but I had to start the trip north at some point.

Got to Arlington VA earlier than my sister had planned, but we walked down to Shirlington for lunch and then off to a gathering of RPCV's which is always a group that makes my heart sing. The group is so accomplished, living life at such a challenging level, and still the most down to earth people you will ever meet.

Now it is Monday and time to head "home". I am waiting until 9 a.m. to see if I can miss major DC/Baltimore/Newark/NYC/Danbury traffic. Wish me luck on this leg of the trip. This will be the trickiest part of my travels.

I will then try to settle back in, but I hope not all the way "back". Keep a good thought on that and keep my feet to the fire if you hear me getting lax in my effort. This was such a moving few days, I need to stay on this conveyor belt.