[Mama_Bear]

So sorry I am late getting here. Got a late start this morning. Yes, it was still morning here when I started typing this, LOL! Of ALL days to be late arriving, it shouldn't have been this one.

First of all, a standing ovation for our creative and eloquent historian, jw! Thank you for filling me in on our history here. I smiled through the whole thing! I was here from the beginning, but my memory isn't what it used to be. A big 'thank you' to our Dansy for her beautiful presentation. You did an excellent job, especially considering your 'Lexus' was in the shop. ;-)

Billie, Daisy, Dansy, Dutchess, JH2, and Free, I what an honor and pleasure it has been this past year to have been part of this Sista' and Brotha'hood. I have had a hard time keeping up with all of you; your talent and creativity and dedication is amazing. Thank you, Billie, for bringing me into the fold early on. You will always been my creative mentor. You have set the bar high and kept me reaching just a bit higher with each post.

Ladyx, Aquamarine, and FreeTheHostages, your daily contributions add so much to the color and texture of this Fine place. Thank you for all you do.

Louie, what can I say about our resident lovable wolf that hasn't already been said? I can't think of a thing.....so I'll just give you a hug and assume that you know how special you are. ((((((((((LOUIE)))))))))))

And, to our wonderful FRiends who never fail to stop by daily, weekly, or whenever time allows, to bring flowers, kind words, prayers of support, or smiles and jokes, news of the day, or 'whatever'......where would we be without you? YOU are what makes this thread such a warm and happy place to be.....a family with it's arms wide open welcoming all who enter. Thank you, each and every one, for helping to make the Finest Thread - the 'FRiendliest thread on the net'. :-)

Aquamarine, I am so very proud and pleased that you are officially joining the hostess team. (I always KNEW you were a sistah, it was only a matter of time before Billie could make it official. LOL!). Thank you for the music. I love Ragtime and Honky-Tonk. What you have chosen today is perfect to go along with jw's Finest story.

Let's all raise our glasses to each other and to ourselves in a congratulatory toast with best wishes for another Finest year! To US!!!

[Diver Dave]

So sorry I am late getting here.

Glad you made it...and you brought a note from home. Guess you won't have to stay after school and write, "I was late" on the blackboard. :) Louie's waiting anxiously for his hugs.

Let's all raise our glasses to each other and to ourselves in a congratulatory toast with best wishes for another Finest year! To US!!!

Glasses raised... To US!!!

[Aquamarine]

What a fabulous post! Thanks for all the kind things you said about what I do here. :)

I'm in awe of you and all the beauty that you bring to us here.

[FreeTheHostages]

Top Ten Reasons Aquamarine is so fantastic

10. She is so cool.

9. She's really neat-o.

8. Aqua is spiffy.

7. Aqua is fab.

6. Aqua is terrif.

5. Aqua is peachy!

4. Aqua is wicked.

3. She is phat.

2. Aqua is the cat's meow.

and the number one reason she's be a great new hostess:

1. Aqua is like, so, well, you know, Aqua.

[dansangel]

((((((((Mama_Bear)))))))))

Thank you for all of your words of encouragement from my beginnings with the thread right up until now.

The *Lexus* may be in the shop, but this old VW Bus fits me like a glove here at the Finest!

:-)

[Billie]

Hear, hear (here, here with the champagne!), Cheers, and all that to your post, Lori! Thank you for echoing how we all feel about this little FR Family we've adopted (or they've adopted us, or something) :)

Daisy, if you're out there anywhere near a computer, we love you, Sistah! And thanks for being an important part of our beginning and a steadying presence for oh so many, many months! Couldn't have made this room without you!