I think everyone has their own personal fake name. Our office manager here at work has two – one white and one Latina. I just have one – Mildred Millay (very white). The Mildred came about when I called someone at an old job and couldn’t give my real name. I had to think of something silly enough so she would know it was me and for some reason Mildred was the first thing to pop into my head. And it stuck like so much Thanksgiving Tapioca that I’m certain a Mildred somewhere in Kansas actually made. Millay came out of my reading of a biography of the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay. It’s good to have a fake name at the ready in case you have to lie to police.

Last night, I had a delightful dinner with Kae from TARAL. An amazing woman! Very interesting, engaging and funny – of course, very fired up about her job and wanting to move the organization forward and get younger ladies involved. She very graciously asked me to serve on the Board of Directors and what an honor! I think it will be beneficial for both of us. I’ll get to learn more about event planning and how non-profits operate and I think I can help attract younger volunteers even though we all know I ain't no spring chicken.

Tonite, we’re planning on buying our Xmas tree! I’m using lots of exclamation points! I like exclamation points!!!!!! I went kinda crazy at Joann Fabric yesterday and bought some decorations for the house. I feel like it needs to be ultra festive since a good chunk of family will be around. And as you all know, I’ve got just a touch of Martha Stewart in my blood. It lays dormant for the majority of the year, but rears its ugly head up around major holidays.