LOL @ markdc... we couldn't have had a nicer day yesterday. My thanks to all of you. Good company makes a good party! I must confess to some trepidation at the thought of a houseful of strangers (my cat had the option of fleeing into the garden, which she took the moment the door opened). However, everyone was incredibly nice. Reserve soon vanished and I didn't even need to bring in the fig leaves. Conversation ranged from serious matters such as art and literature and fantasy ("outsider art"?)... to how to train a cat to prefer sisal to upholstery. Karen and Steve's kids were very polite; even with an open stack of games and toys, they still asked permission. Dan got to find out just how useful and user-friendly his cloaks and such are, and his wife is a fun person. Jay is another role-player and GM: this is too far to drive for a weekly game, but we'll meet up at the conventions. JimX and Ann are so very gracious... sigh. Kate has a laugh which is anything but shrewish. Folks weren't just nice, they were helpful, too. Jim (Kate's husband) arranged extra chairs into conversational areas and early arrivals cut cheeses and arranged chocolates, and Tracy (Dan's wife) made sangrias (which proved to be more popular than the fridge full of sodas... and I suspect that it wasn't just the cute little ice cubes) and how did Pat know that my roses (which had been profusely covered with blooms the day I set the date for the party) had unilaterally decided to go on vacation? And what you guys didn't see might be mentioned, too. One of the ladies in my "Tea Circle" lives 2 houses down. Mary came by Friday afternoon and said, "what can I do?" and marched determinedly into the kitchen where she glanced around and rolled up her sleeves. I would never ask anybody to tackle the stove. She didn't wait to be asked. ::shake head in wonderment:: We then emptied out the livingroom into the laundryroom: the third cat tree (no, Skrogg is NOT spoiled), all my Magic cards, a few (ahem) projects... and then Heather helped cart out the sewing machine and a bookcase... giving us lots of room in which to chat. I don't know what I've done to deserve such friends, but I know when I'm fortunate. For the CURIOUS... I think I can say that word... Karen did indeed bring a stack of NDAs and Steve brought his laptop. Instead of a sneak peek, he gave us more than an hour tour of that-which-we-have-sworn-not-to-reveal-in-front-of-a-roomful-of-witnesses. The red ink was optional (I believe), but who wants a watery signature? We didn't swear not to smile a lot, but I've laid in some duct tape. This was certainly the high point of the day. However, I suspect that what we'll remember most will be the beginnings of friendships. Folks left with regrets at having to go, with hugs all around, and promises to do this again, soon. So, my heartfelt thanks to everyone. It was a good party, and we will do this again. Carolly