"...these are the Days of our Lives...Part Two..."

At 8:00 p.m. the five cast members arrived and our nightly adventure began...

We were all lined up outside the ballroom for introductions. Stacy and I had no clue how the dinner was set up - if we were all sitting together or if one cast member was out in the crowd sitting at different tables. All of a sudden everything became a whirlwind...

Galen and I were the first to be introduced. He took my hand and we walked arm in arm into the ballroom...lots of applause, lots of cameras going off. He was the perfect "date", pulling my chair out for me and placing my napkin in my lap. Next Stacy escorted James in, then Nadia, Eric and Shawn all came in and sat down at the table. The event coordinator also joined us at the table and that was it...Stacy and I with the cast for a 4 course dinner - 2 hours of (fairly) uninterrupted dining...

Many FUN conversations happened that evening at that 8 person table, none I am able to publish for respect to privacy. I was able to have a very comfortable chat with Galen (the nerves did calm down, but ladies DAMN are his eyes AMAZING!) and James entertained us all with some great stories. What I will share with you is that James is quite the "cheeky" fellow, Nadia is a total sweetheart, Galen the perfect gentleman, and Shawn and Eric are little devils! LOL

After dinner, the cast got up to mingle with the other tables...Stacy and I did our best to keep an eye out for them and were asked to help assist moving them from table to table. We took pictures for people and refreshed drinks when needed (It's a DAMN good thing I'm an event planner LOL). It was great getting to talk with everyone at different tables and met some really fun people!

Stacy and I drove home that evening and just kept saying "did that REALLY just happen?"...and YES it REALLY did. I think the best part was just getting to know the cast as they REALLY are...hilarious, goofy, sweet (and yes gorgeous) people!

It was definitely a night I will never forget...and one of the best Days of my Life.

...these are the "Days of our Lives"...Part One

Growing up at my Grandma Shank's house from the time of my birth, I heard these words every day..."these are the Days of our Lives". It was my Grandma's favorite "story" as she called it back in the day. Grandma would not take phone calls and would sit crocheting while watching "Days of our Lives". I watched the saga through the 70's of Doug & Julie and Alice & Tom. In high school, my friend Sheri Gramlich and I would race home, grab ice cream, watch Bo & Hope and Jack & Jennifer and of course discuss how hot all the guys were on the show....needless to say, I have been a pretty faithful follower of the show - Exception: when Marlena was possessed, I did have to take a hiatus on that storyline.

Over the summer, a dear friend (Stacy Kenyon) and I traveled to Boston for a fun weekend trip (to celebrate my upcoming "milestone" birthday)...after booking the trip, I (being the OCD event planner) started mapping out the itinerary. I found a charity event going on in Wakefield (a suburb north of Boston) benefitting Juvenile Diabetes AND featuring some cast members from "Days of our Lives". I immediately called Stacy to tell her about this development as she has also an avid follower of the show. What luck! Stace and I would be in one of my favorite cities (where I used to live), with an event we could go to featuring our fave "story".

We had no clue what we were in for...

We arrived that morning excited, but not really knowing what to expect for the day's festivities...we found out the cast appearing at the event were: Galen Gering (Rafe), James Scott (EJ), Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe), Shawn Christian (Dr. Jonas) and Eric Martsolf (Brady). First up, the Q & A session with the panel...was fun and some great questions...Stace asked James who he preferred being on screen with-Alison Sweeney (Sami) or Arianne Zucker (Nicole)...Stace really just wanted to hear James talk in that smooth British accent, but she ended up leaving him speechless with that question LOL. Second, there were raffles/auctions...Stace and I originally wanted to win the "Lunch with the Stars", but saw on our sheets that you could win "Dinner with the Stars" which included getting to escort in one of the stars! We decided to set our sights on that option, and guess what...WE GOT IT!!!

Next decision...which of the stars would we escort in??? Let me tell you, this was a dilemna because ALL of them were about the most beautiful/handsome people I have ever seen. Stace already had her sights on James (he's in her "Top 5") so her decision was made. After some careful deliberation at lunch (with wine) and with discussion in line with our new friends Patti and Paula (our Pimpin' Mommas LOL), I chose Galen. Actually it was a pretty simple decision...he's (a) gorgeous (big brown eyes) (b) he's also in my "Top 5" and (c) My Grandpa Shank's first name was Gaylen! (Kinda felt like Grandma was guiding me with that one!).

We were told to come back to the hotel and be outside the ballroom at 7:45 p.m. We raced back to Boston to change and arrived back at the hotel at 7:30 p.m....just enough time to down a vodka/cranberry to shake off the nerves! At 8:00 p.m. the five cast members arrived and our nightly adventure began...

My Dad's B-day!

Many of you know that I'm the only child (brat LOL) and I'm so excited to travel home today and spend the weekend in Columbus for my Dad's 60th birthday.

My parents divorced when I was 7 and for much of my adolescence my Dad was around but not really "there". It wasn't until I turned 18 that my Dad and I started becoming close. I still remember the dinner in which it happened...my Grandpa Doc had become ill and Dad was beginning the transition of moving him out of his house into care. Dad and I had a lengthy conversation that night about my childhood and life in general...a true turning point. Dad has now become that person in my life who is a real "sounding board" when it comes to any of my life issues.

My Dad is someone that I have grown to admire...he is a successful salesman (been with his company for 30+ years), adores my nephews (and his dog Thelma Lou) more than life itself, FUNNY and best of all is the life of any party...

I LOVE YOU DAD!

A peek into my childhood - Job's Daughters

Back home in Ohio I have a great core group of friends...these friends I met growing up while being a member of the International Order of Job's Daughters. Job's Daughters is an organization for young women between the ages of 11-20 that helps to foster relationships with community, respect for self and all mankind, and promotes a real sense of family. Job's is NOT a cult, but a wonderful organization that helps young girls grow into becoming wonderful ladies.

I have 2 different groups within my core friends...the first group are friends that were in different chapters AKA "bethels" around the state...they are Marcia, Robyn, Missy, Amy and Rena (Rena's first daughter, Molly Ann, was named after me!). The second group are friends that were in my Bethel (#3)...Mary, Lia, Julie and Tracie. Now I can tell you I have loads of material to write about each and every one of them (which I will LOL), but today just want to set the stage for future postings about us.

We have been through so much all together and it's thanks to our involvement in Job's Daughters that have given us years of smiles, tears, laughter, and heartbreak (many, many postings on this - LOL). I don't know how my life might have turned out had I not met them.

I am grateful for the friendships that we have formed and fostered over the years...these are more than friends...they are all truly the sisters that I never had growing up. I know that I can pick up the phone at any given time, from anywhere in the world, and reach out to them if I am ever in need.

Many people go through life having 1 or 2 great friends. I thank God that I have been blessed with having these amazing people in my life...

and don't worry...the fun stories are to come...Happy Monday!

Love and Courage...A Dog's Tale

Many of you know what I've been going through over the past few months and today I received this email (I am not the author)...seems appopriate to post and as a reminder to "Keep the Faith"...

*I met this dog in the airport on one of my trips back East. They were on their way to Chicago for the Oprah show. He is very friendly and sweet, and draws huge crowds everywhere he goes. There was a huge crowd following him as he walked to the waiting area for the plane we were going to board, it got my attention because flashes were going off, I thought it must be a celebrity.

This is 'Faith' This dog was born on Christmas Eve in the year 2002. He was born with 3 legs - 2 healthy hind legs and 1 abnormal front leg which need to be amputated. He of course could not walk when he was born. Even his mother did not want him.His first owner also did not think that he can survive. Therefore, he was thinking of 'putting him to sleep'. By this time, his present owner, Jude Stringfellow, met him and wanted to take care of him. She is determined to teach and train this dog to walk by himself. Therefore she named him 'Faith'.

In the beginning, she put Faith on a surfing board to let him feel the movements. Later she used peanut butter on a spoon as a lure and reward for him to stand up and jump around. Even the other dog at home also helped to encourage him to walk. Amazingly, only after 6 months, like a miracle, Faith learned to balance on his 2 hind legs and jumped to move forward. After further training in the snow, he now can walk like a human being.

Faith loves to walk around now. No matter where he goes, he just attracts all the people around him. He is now becoming famous on the international scene. He has appeared on various newspapers and TV shows. There is even one book entitled 'With a little faith' being published about him. He was even considered to appear in one of Harry Potter movies. His present owner Jude Stringfellew has given up her teaching post and plans to take him around the world to preach that even without a perfect body, one can have a perfect soul'.

In life there are always undesirable things. Perhaps one will feel better if one changes the point of view from another direction. I hope this message will bring fresh new ways of thinking to everyone and that everyone can appreciate and be thankful for each beautiful day that follows. Faith is the continual demonstration of the Strength of Life. When faced with a defining moment, you can either define the moment or the moment defines you! Have a great day!!

Tidbits about Party Girl

Here are some more tidbits about me, so as I write you may have a better understanding of me...

I am terrified of snakes, clowns and tornados.

My most missed memory is watching my Grandma Lil bake Christmas cookies and then both of us decorating them.

I used to love the show "Solid Gold" and just knew that I would be a Solid Gold dancer one day.
I guess I must now settle for competing on "Dancing with the Stars" with Maxsim Chermovsky as my kick ass partner...I will do this one day!!!

I am a Coca-Cola girl even though I grew up in a Pepsi world.

Chik-Fil-A rocks.

I have lived in Columbus, OH (my hometown); Boston, MA (so in love with that city); Washington, DC (amazing energy there); and my current home of Atlanta, GA (how can you not love the Dirty South? ok traffic does suck).

I do not drink coffee. I love the smell, but hate the taste. I'm naturally caffienated in the mornings!!

I have been in love. I have had my heart broken. I still believe in love and have no doubt know it will happen for me...I know it is out there.

I love my family and miss them terribly.

I must write a few blogs on my European vacation with my cousin Stacey. Priceless.

I think people of all cultures are fascinating.

I think I have the most eclectic and amazing group of friends ever assembled worldwide.

I met Prince Albert of Monaco (while in Monaco) simply by asking my friend Lo's dad over dinner "Hey, I want to meet the Prince of Monaco" (of course there had been some wine consumed). Wouldn't you know it the next day he arrived at the house for champagne and hors d'oeuvres! See, "The Secret" does work when you put it out there!

I hope that you will have fun reading my blog as much I am going to enjoy writing it!

Much love!

Yep, I decided to blog!

Hello all! Well, as much as I love to talk and write about my adventures, I figured a great place to keep all this info would be on a blog! I'm still figuring out how to do this, so bear with me! I hope you will check back often and enjoy my adventures along with me...your Party Girl!