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Saturday morning, slept till 7! Ugh. Got to jump up and fly getting ready in time to help at The Closet clothing boutique. Need to go to breakfast first, too, Always meet somebody new there and really look forward to it and enjoy it. Forgot to mention, yesterday, met Erin at breakfast. She seemed kind of shy , so I asked her to join me. (I hate to sit alone...most of the time). From northern Maine, not a place where she can be out easily. An hour talking over breakfast and yet another friend! We hooked up to talk several times more the rest of the Event. Made it to the Closet, and had fun, rehanging garments, helping people find their sizes and also helped a few find outfits that really looked great on them! ☺️. Went to lunch, met Greg who was holding a workshop, not transitioning, just likes to be himself? Herself? Also my age, from Connecticut; just published a book and when I find his/her card I'll let you all know. (no worries if I mis-gendered...he/she wont care!). Afternoon wanted to do more workshops, so I scheduled 3, from 1pm-5pm. The first, "There is VALUE in Financial awareness" was a very good presentation, by a young accountant, but not too relevant to me being in business my whole life. The second, "The Power of Voice" was well worth it! The biggest thing I took away from was just speak from your heart, not your chest or your head as many suggest. The heart is the center of your soul and your best sound will emanate from there. Did some exercises speaking from the heart, that's what I do out in public now all the time. I don't really Try to reach a pitch anymore, it just seems to be getting better naturally. I feel comfortable with it in public and everyone I talk to seems to be, too. The Last, " MTF Surgical options", I found I already knew quite a bit about. Now, rush, rush, to get ready for the banquet and the cocktail hour 6-7. Dressed in my gown for the first time, really worked hard on getting dolled up just right,💇‍♀️ LOL Down there at 6:45, and mingled a bit The banquet tables sat 8 and found one in the center not right up front, but real close center. Four people were already seated that I didn't know so I decided, hey, I could always use more friends, right? By the time dinner started 3 others I already met joined us. The food was excellent, and the service impeccable. The keynote speaker, CeCe Mcdonald was very good, too, and, after getting past the activist, political aspects her message, I felt it was very relevant! Don't back down, stand your ground, insist on your right to be who you are, get out there and be seen. After the banquet, my friend Linda, tried to teach me how to pose for photos, taking a few dozen pics from my cell phone. Sorry girls, need more lessons yet before I post any here, HAHA. Never thought of it, but I should of gotten photos with everyone I met; it would have helped me to remember their names better. The rest of the night more dancing. 😎 Jessica

Dear Jessica, Am so glad you reached out to so many others, because often it is so painful to sit alone surrounded by so many people! Volunteering helps you to be at the CENTER of things, and I recommend it even for first timers! Yours truly, Monica

The final day of the Event, even though I'm staying till tomorrow morning. Slept real late for me again (till 8:00) ; up and at-em; gotta make breakfast in time, and they stop serving at 11. Got down to the lobby by 10 and sad to see so many people checking out and leaving.😢 So headed right for breakfast and was cheered up immediately! Joined Andrea, who I loved and mentioned before, and her new business partner. They do electrolysis and laser. Spent an hour and a half talking, not about that, just girlfriend talk? What I always dreamed it would be like talking to a "girlfriend", and she talked to me like a girlfriend. I said before Linda coaxed me to get out and dance, well Andrea kept me dancing ...such a fun person😃. Workshops today were mostly geared towards families and the kids going through this. Nice to see people taking the effort to understand but sad to see attendance has dropped quite a bit. Still hope a lot of families hold together and get much stronger through their difficulties; I believe strongly that family is the foundation of society. Spent most of the afternoon packing , again I brought too much, much too much, next time I'll know. Only left unpacked what I'd need the next day. Of course, just had to get out again, so I found the Solomon Pond mall, bought foundation primer from Sephora, and a new bra. On my way back, Starbucks for coffee, and almost time for Super Bowl. Freshened up and down to the lounge just in time for kick-off. Very few people there, a dozen? Most were not connected to the convention, and you can guess what team everybody thought would get the trophy. New England did, and I got my trophy, too. The time of my life, a meaning to my life. One of those there was Cheryl, the Organizer of the First Event. And I got a chance to thank her for all she did for me. I told her she must be proud of herself and should be, and we will see each other again. ❤️

Dear Jessica, Am so glad you had a great experience, and I hope it is the first of many! Like you, I agree most strongly that the nuclear and extended family, in all its forms, is the foundation of society. Without strong family units, a society can't stand for long. Really admire you for making the most of First Event! Yours truly, Monica

Wish you all could have been there with me; actually in my mindset you all were! Thanks😘