Travelogue – DC Day 1 and Prior

September 1, 2021: I am exhausted and I hadn’t yet left our home. I don’t think I am being hyperbolic, I would estimate I spent at least eight hours (over a few days) packing for my DC trip. Vetting outfits. Assembling all the accessories for each outfit: shoes, purse, jewelry, undergarments, etc. Making sure I have everything: masks, nail polishes, toiletries, electronics, glasses, etc… Yes, all women do this, but since I am who I am, there is much, much more.

September 2, 2021: I went to DC to attend my first Vanity Club Soiree. I was recently elected to be a member and this really my first time to meet many in person. I got dressed Thursday morning and made the almost six hour drive there. I basically just threw this top on and was surprised at all the compliments I received on it, including one young lady walking past me on the street.

The picture you see below is me with my Big Sister, Nora Simone, who has occasionally graced us with some great advice here. I have gotten to know her over the past few months and admire her greatly! You have my undying gratitude for all that you have done for me.

Once I met a few ladies and got settled in, I went out to dinner with the most wonderful couple. I met them a few years back at Keystone and was delighted to see them again! They are also regular Kandi’s Land readers so allow me to again thank them for being such great friends and even better human beings.

My evening concluded with some of the VC ladies at a karaoke bar. I called it a fairly early evening as I had a big day to follow! Just a little preview here, I simply cannot remember being this joyous (on my own) for this long during one single day.

I am no longer a Vanity Club member, having paused my membership. This was done for no other reason than I do not have the time or resources to participate. I met some of the most amazing people in the VC, but I simply feel like I should just go my own way. If I am a member of something, I then throw myself into it. Given the nature of the VC, given the nature of our little world, that is no longer possible. I am honored by having been accepted and will look fondly on my brief tenure. I need to continue to live my own life as I will have scant opportunities to participate in the many gatherings of our sisters. But I stand proud as a day-in-day-out representative of our community. I need to strive for a simpler life, be a great spouse, be a better provider, know who really loves me for who I am, every day, all day. The story told here as such was so amazing, but events like this no longer exist in our world today and given my circumstance is no longer possible for me.