Beginning tomorrow afternoon, I'll be dark as a result of going home to go on a Mexican cruise with the family. While I'll technically be back the night of 17th, I'll probably be gray until at least the weekend, since I'll be moving out of my apartment.

I'm all behind in most every thread, due to all the work travel (and actual *work*!) that I've been doing, but wanted to let the NYCistas know I'll be in their lovely city starting tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon--would anyone be up for dinner Sunday or Monday? I'll be staying and working in midtown, leaving Tuesday evening.

Email me at yahoo, mearagirl.

Or, call, if you've got my cell #.

Just wanted to drop in and say I'm (still) sorry about my board absenteeism. I'll likely be dark gray to black until September or even early October, but I'm checking my email still daily and am wishing happy thoughts to all.

I will see Californiaistas and Nilly party-goers in a couple of weeks!

Otherwise, be well and see you all soon(ish).

My mother wanted me to tell everyone thanks from her as well, and also that Buffistas are invited to Phoenix any time, especially in the winter. And if you don't, she might kick your asses. Unless you're ita. Because she says "I'm crazy...not Crazy."(We'd love to host you, ita, but we'll forgo the asskicking. We know you'll win.)

Surprisingly, I'll be all shades of dark in the coming 3 weeks.

Before I go, however, here is what the Buffista Calendar has to say about that time period:

• August 25 is Jessica & Fone Bone's wedding anniversary.

• August 29 is Jen's birthday.

• September 4 is Susan W & her DH's anniversary, but hopefully I'll be back by then to send good wishes on time.

I'm sure there are more "big days", they're just not on the calendar so my sieve-of-a-brain can't remember them. Both Burrell's Franny and flea's Eve have birthdays at the end of August, for example.

Anyway, I'm logging off. Next time I'll "see" you, I'll be actually seeing some of you!

And I'm grateful.

Heh. I get to follow Nilly's "going dark" announcement. There's no way I'ma gonna top that one. . . .

Anywhoo, I'm going completely black from this evening until Sunday night, and more likely Monday morning, for a much needed vacation with DF. Have fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do (which leaves it wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiddde open)!

Nilly, be safe and welcome to the U.S.! See you in a few weeks.

I have a "lets get to know you" interview with Robert Half, Inc., tomorrow afternoon.

They are basically a contract house to a number of big companies.

Please send any appropriate ~ma, especially stage-fright-ma and impressing-ma.

August 29 is Jen's birthday.

August 29 is also meara's birthday!

August 29 is Jen's birthday.

August 29 is also meara's birthday!

August 20 is Fay's birthday. Plus Scrappy just had a birthday.

plans to have next child in August.