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female veterans and their children who re- side there and to all the people who helped with the project. "I try to be embracing of everyone who comes by because this is everyone's dream, not just one person's dream." But perhaps the biggest surprise of all during a week that was full of surprises, was the first guest in Barbara's new home — none other than Michelle Obama, the First Lady of the United States. Mrs. Obama was standing in front of the house when Ty Pennington, the television show's host, yelled his famous line, "Move that bus!" Barbara said that she had known that Mrs. Obama would be at the house but only because she'd read it in USA Today while she was at Disney World. Walking through her house recently, it is clear that Mrs. Obama made quite an impression on Barbara. "Michelle calls this 'The West Wing'," Barbara said, motioning to a dining area on one side of the home's central breeze- way, "and she calls this 'The East Wing'," she said, pointing to the side of the house with living quarters. Mrs. Obama also gave Barbara seeds from the White House garden to use in the home's greenhouse, an area of the house Mrs. Obama was especially im- pressed with. Barbara and several of the home's current residents have planted the seeds and tend to the numerous plants in the greenhouse and around the grounds. Residents in the home no doubt enjoy the lavish accommodations and amenities but Barbara is clear that all who enter un- derstand that their's is to be a short stay. "They are here for 90 days at most," Barbara said. "The goal is for them to come here, take some time to heal, and then to get back into the game of life." To facilitate that regrouping process, each woman who lives in the house par- ticipates in a case management program. They receive help locating housing and employment for themselves, receiving medical care and treatment from the VA Medical Center, and emotional support from Barbara and the home's volunteers. There are also many fun activities planned at the home, including dance classes and other events. McCoy Wiggins Cleveland & O'Connor PLLC Richard M. Wiggins • Alfred E. Cleveland • Steven J. O'Connor • Anne Mayo Evans Jim Wade Goodman • James Albert McLean III • Daniel S. Harrison Civil, Commercial & Business Litigation Condemnations Business Organizations Buy, Sell & Restructuring Wills & Estates Large Estate Administration Real Estate (Commercial, Residential & Zoning) Immigration Law Banking Law Municipal & Institutional Bonds Bankruptcy In practice since 1955. One of southeastern North Carolina's most established firms. Lawyers have been recognized in NC Legal Elite and Best Lawyers of America. Listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. AV Rating in Martindale-Hubbell. 202 Fairway Drive • Fayetteville, NC 28305 • 910.483.8104 Luxury Has Its Rewards Major Appliance Co. "Where Service is a Certainty" 910.483.1369 2803 Ft. Bragg Rd. - Fayetteville, NC 28303 Mon. - Fri. 8:30 - 5:30 - Sat. 8:30 - 3:30 CityViewNC.com | 41

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