Toast of The Town 2025

November 1, 2024, The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation annual fundraiser Toast of The Town. We held our second Sneaker Ball at the House of Sadness, known officially now as Huntington Bank Field or the home of the Cleveland Clowns, the worst run professional sports franchise on the face of Earth. 

I recently acquired a cute pair of sneakers which I wore to the recent HRC dinner. So, we brought them back out for another spin. Since they are leopard print, I always prefer a solid color dress to go with them. Still evolving my new makeup look, I walked out the door very proud of myself and my look. Having now done this for quite a few years, people remember me, chat me up and could not be kinder to me. This will never, ever get old, being one of the best dressed women at a high dollar fundraiser, a completely mainstream event, and being absolutely accepted, valued, and complimented (the shoes did draw rave reviews!).

I escorted the VIPs to the pre-dinner VIP cocktail party and was one of the two table seaters. I just smiled the entire time, knowingly exuding joy the whole time. I saw friends, made new friends and got the big hug from by bartender friend. Having worked numerous events at the House of Sadness, I know all the bartenders, and they know me (and treat me well!). After my shift ended, I had a cocktail and my dinner and then headed home early. I happened to walk out the same time as a husband who was heading to the parking garage to go back and pick up his wife. He immediately made small talk, we talked football and it did not make a bit of difference that I was wearing a dress. Life is indeed good!

A comment from Monday’s post, ‘What Do You Do?‘:

I have read all of your comments and have done none of the things you ladies mention. . . . Yet.
But that’s OK, because I feel like the little sister listening to my big grown up sisters and their friends talk and giggle. I sit, listen, and am awed at what will be mine when I get “big.”
And I think, “I can’t wait to grow up and be like my big sisters and their friends.”
Thank you all for sharing and helping lift my spirits on an evening where the press of dysphoria needed some push back.
Kindly,
Charlene

THIS is exactly why I do this, THIS is exactly why Kandi’s Land exists and THIS is exactly why we are a real community! Thank you, Charlene, and thank you ladies, all!

To anyone who might be interested, I will be in Erie tomorrow and Friday. I am hosting my annual dinner at Oliver’s Rooftop 6:00PM Friday, all are welcome (with notice so that I can adjust the reservation). Please say hello and/or join us!