Well, I only got 5 hours of sleep. But couldn't get back to sleep so I thought I'd blog until the coffee is ready.

Got there about 7:45 checked in and was sent to the 28th floor.

The silent auction was going on and there were people finishing dinner still. So I wandered and looked at the prices so far on the items and realized I couldn't afford to bid on any of it.

After fighting my way to the ladies room , I ran into a couple friends and we made our way up the stairs.

That's when I tried a Claytini. There was a sign that said the non alcoholic ones were at the bar. I saw the crowd between me and the bar and chose not to try to fight it.

Drank about half of it and later I was wishing I hadn't. A tad strong for someone who never drinks.

Then they started calling groups into the main room. I was ushered to the very front far left. I faced the side of the stage and saw very little.

But where my chair was, I could stand up and not block anyone. So I stood for most of the evening. Oh, my aching feet.
The only thing I really missed by my seat location was/were the video(s). But I closed my eyes and listened and cried at some of it. It really was moving.

On the plus side, my seat gave me a perfect line of vision for Clay while he was sitting on the front row. That is until he gave up his seat and the few seats around it to people on the far right side of the stage who probably still had better seating than we did.

The auction was downright hilarious. His goofy facial expressions, his pleas for money. His honesty in saying he wanted our money. The bidding wars themselves were quite amusing.

Again I couldn't afford to bid on anything. I was just lucky enough to have had the money for my bronze level ticket. For the second half of the bidding I noticed the few rows in front of me had thinned out some, so I made my way up. I was 1 person behind the row behind the sound people.

And no one said anthing so I stayed there for the musical entertanment. Again there was a plus to being located where I was. Standing facing the piano and Jesse's back, I saw each peice of music before Jesse began playing or while Clay was still rambling on about something unrelated.

Well, no. Not exactly. I got to see ICMYLM, The Prayer and UM. the song Quiana sang, Jesse wasn't reading any sheet music. At least I saw nothing but blank pages where the sheet music would have been.

I was hoping to see Quianas sweet baby boy but he wasn't there. I got a chance to talk to a couple more friends on the way out.

Then it was back down the elevator in drives picked up the goodie bag and swept out the door.

Oh, one thing Lynda Loveland was saying after the singing to en the evening, was that now we could all say we had spendt the night with Clay. The I looked at my cellphone. It was 12:01 AM. Where in the world had the time gone?

I am certain there is more to last night, but I need coffee before attempting a shower and getting ready for church.
So, whatever I remember this morning while trying to not nod off in the choir loft, I will post this afternoon.