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!