Meridian's Junior Auxiliary Ball - 2012

Meridian's Junior Auxiliary Ball

Meridian's Junior Auxiliary is asking its patrons to take a gamble on their charity ball, set for this Saturday.

    The theme of this year's ball is casino night, and the event will feature 13 casino tables shipped in by a professional casino company from Biloxi. Ticket holders will be presented with gambling chips when they enter the ball, and will have the opportunity to buy more chips throughout the night.

    At the end of the evening, chips will be traded in for raffle tickets of corresponding value. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Junior Auxiliary in their charitable pursuits.

    Raffle prizes include a weekend hotel, meal, and spa package from Pearl River Resort, a 50-inch TV from Hooper's, and a "stock the bar" prize from Junior Auxiliary and the Corkscrew.

    Along with the casino-themed activities, the event will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres catered by Pretty Presentations, live music from local band Luv Undercover, a silent auction, and the presentation of Junior Auxiliary Humanitarian of the Year Award to Trey Long for work with his 1 John 3:17 ministry.

    The annual charity ball is the Junior Auxiliary largest fundraising event, and charity ball chairperson Mary Jane Collins said the organization is in special need of funding this year, with some programs in danger of being cut.

    Charitable programs sponsored and organized by the Junior Auxiliary in Meridian are the Reading is Fundamental book distribution program for elementary school students; the Reality Check financial responsibility education program for high school students; the Helping Hands program distributing items to needy children; their Hope Village mentoring program; their Cinderella's Closet program for teen girls with good grades; their community events; and their mini-grants for teachers.

    This year's ball will be held Saturday, Jan. 21, at the MSU Riley Center with doors opening at 7 p.m., the presentation of the humanitarian award at 7:30 p.m., and other activities beginning after the award presentation. Dress is cocktail attire.

    Tickets to the event are $50 per person and are available by calling Michele Thames at (601) 917-7392. For more information on the Junior Auxiliary of Meridian, visit www.jameridian.org.

I hope to see you there!

This was a great evening and we raised a lot of money for the children in our area. We continue to address educational, health and social needs of children in our community and have for over 60 years!

Just a few of the photographs taken from the event.
I will be in next issue of 393 Magazine
http://www.393mag.com/
I will post those at another time, along with that issue of 393 Magazine.

My raffle ticket was drawn!
 I won a Weekend Spa Package at the Pearl River Resort!

ELB
2012

Meridian Mardi Gras

Meridian Mardi Gras, will be held on February 11, 2012 Dumont Plaza Downtown Meridian 11:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m. FREE ADMISSION! Put on by Meridian Main Street, this event is held every year.

The Krewe of Barkus parade will lead the Midas Parade (main parade) and all will start at noon. The gumbo cook off judging will take place at 3:00pm and Tasters' Choice will start at 3:30pm. The Queen City Jam Session will be going all day! Trophies will be awarded to the top contenders.  

There will be food, fun, family and friends, both young and old - all enjoying the traditional Mardi Gras fare of gumbo, cold beer and King Cakes. Mardi Gras accessories of mask, hats, boas and beads of green, purple and gold. Bring your pets and enter them in the parade. Live music, face painting and so much more!

Plan to come out and join us as we kick off Mardi Gras Mississippi style. 

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! 

  

                            

               
                                                 2012

Alabama Wins the BCS Title!

8:00 a.m. Tuesday - 

I watched the Alabama Crimson Tide vs. LSU Tigers; part deux game, last night (Monday, January 9, 2012). There is something exciting about college football in the Deep South. Being from Mississippi and living between Alabama and Louisiana has been very colorful with the Crimson Tide traveling along I-20 and I-59 heading to the New Orleans Superdome. 

There are the die-hard BAMA fans and the faithful LSU fans who are my friends and co-workers. I have seen family go against family. I have seen friends go against friends. I thought I was about to witness a civil war between these two college teams and their fans. I was ready to stop the tailgating party to referee! 

Alabama's Crimson Tide rolled with their 21-0 win over LSU Tigers in the Bowl Championship Series title game on Monday night. 

So, who was I cheering for? I am a BAMA fan. Roll Tide! 

LSWHO?

Will the person who painted the 50 yard line on the Interstate please remove it? LSU is trying to get home and cannot pass it!

There is a 100% chance of rain for today, with a potential for severe storms and tornadoes. What is up with this weather and the warm temperatures in January?

ELB

2012

Happy New Year - 2012!

- in 2012

New Year's Eve 2012

Welcome January 1, 2012! 

It is hard to make plans with different people for one holiday. I tend to bounce from one place to another to see as many people as I can, all while trying to beat the clock. Time waits for no one. It passes at the same speed regardless what is going on and makes no apologies. 

I managed to get home by 5:30 p.m., December 31, 2011, and the first stop on my list was at Perrin's, a friend of my Mom's for the past 20 years. I had 30 minutes to dress and drive from one end of town to the other. Needless to say, I did not make it in time. I had a phone call from my Uncle Frank that went on for 30 minutes. Once, I finally left my home, I drove by my Maw-Maw's to drop off something I had ordered her that had just arrived - she was not home. I then headed over to Perrin's where I was supposed to have dinner, but her large group of friends had devoured every morsel of food. That is what I get for running late. 

I stayed for an hour, so I could spend some time with my Mom. She and I each made three New Year's resolutions and shared them with one another during a quiet moment together. I had thought long and hard on mine, all day. I finally settled on the three I had shared with my Mom - I will do my best to see them through.

I have looked forward to the year 2012 with great anticipation for what lies ahead. I am very happy with my life, the direction my life has taken me and for my loved ones and dear ones I surround myself. I have been so blessed in 2011, it would take me a lifetime to count the ways. I am extremely grateful and humbled by God's everlasting love and presence in my life. He took me from total darkness and brought me into the light. It was there in that light I saw where my life was heading and with whom, and God pulled me from that wreckage. I had an epiphany and knew had I stayed on that course my life would no longer be blessed. That intuition so many of us feel, I believe is God speaking to us. Have you ever not listened to your intuition only to end up regretting that you did not pay attention to it? I see it as being disobedient to God, when one neglects that voice from within. I had prayed without ceasing and that voice, within, spoke to me. I listened and was obedient to God and He has blessed me every day since. I cannot find the words to express my gratitude. I was given my life back and the ability to see clearly. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Here is what I want for 2012, on a personal level...I want to keep loving in spite of adversity and hateful words. I want my family to be happy, healthy and safe. I want to grow in my relationship with God and remain faithful unto Him. I want closure to any toxic issues or people in my life. I want to be able to live my life and treasure each day, without any regrets. I want to surround myself with people who will love me with no agenda other than to just be my friends. I want more balance in my life. I want to excel in my career and my education. I want to try new things, explore new places and meet all sorts of people - listen to how they feel about various aspects of life and love. I want to be able to help people and pray with them. If you are reading this post, I want you to know that I really do care for you. 
Remember that you are not alone - God does love you. And so do I.

My dearest Mom Denise and me

Perrin and me

Michelle and Denise

Perrin and Denise

Starla and me

Starla, Michelle, Elena, Denise and Perrin

These were a few of the photographs we captured, before I headed out for the evening.

And I did finally get some food to eat at my next stop.

Were I to make a fourth New Year's resolution, it would be to stop eating so much! 

Have a blessed, happy, healthy and prosperous 2012!

ELB

2012

I had to add this photograph, it made me laugh.
Then I noticed it was a good shot of my necklace.
It is a circle pendant filled with small hearts.
I have worn it every day since receiving it.
It was gifted me by someone most special.

Baby your firework, come on let your colors burst!