Strangers in my Bed

Yup, right now there are two strangers sleeping in my guestroom. I know, I'm crazy! But seriously, I left two young woman in my house as I left for work. Have I lost my mind?

No, ok so that is debatable. But these ladies are Alpha Chi Omega alumnas from USC. They are embarking upon a cross country roadtrip raising money for Domestic Violence Awarness. Their cause Lyres on Tires. Basically, they travel across the country, stopping at homes of other alums, cook a meal, take the recipe, compile them and sell the book to raise funds. So, while technically strangers, they are sisters in the bond.

These two young women drove from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Fort Worth, Texas in one day! They finally arrived at 10:40 pm and were pooped! So, I am just a landing pad for their journey that moves to College Station today and then Austin Friday. Follow their journey on Instagram and Facebook.

Some may not be fans of the sorority thing, but I am blessed to still call some of my sisters my close friends. I am blessed to be able to open my home to these wonderful women and wish them good luck on the rest of their trip! LITB

LITB

In August of 2001 I was an eager freshman at TCU and doing what all TCU girls do I went through Rush (or Recruitment as they call it now). I admit I had no idea what the whole Greek system was about as my mom was not in a sorority and I know that V was, but I just did it. There were sweat and tears, literally we walked from house to house in like 100 degree weather, and I cried my eyes out when I got a bid. I was less than excited to find out who my knew "sisters" were going to be, but after I met my Big I was convinced this was it. Little did I know what a HUGE impact Alpha Chi Omega would have on my life. I know it sounds cliche, but you really do form a bond with the ladies, and I still have that bond, which was evident last night.

In progress

I wrote a couple weeks ago about having a case of the blahs, and I realized it was the lack of good quality girl time. So when I saw that my sorority alumna group was doing an event as Let's Art Party, I was stoked. For those of you who have no clue what that is, its basically a party with wine, good friends, and learning to paint! (Cue your inner PBS painting guy with his "happy little trees"). When I arrived it was nice to walk into a room where I saw familar faces, was greeted with hugs, and felt loved. It was as if I never left the sorority house. We chatted for a bit over wine and nibbles, introduced ourselves to sisters we did not know and ones that were not from our chapter. It was so great to hear about weddings, births, graduations, and accoplishments in general.

Finished Product

But once the painting began, we all reverted back to our inner co-ed. We laughed and giggled our way through a cute painting that incorporated our sorority symbols. Our advisor quizzed us on our memory the symbolic meaning of such things... yeah Paula of course we remember.... By the end of the evening, not only had I rekindled old friendships, I was rejuvenated! I was beaming from ear to ear and ready to take on the world. There is just something about being around people who have watched you grow and become the woman you are today that makes you feel... well home. Not to mention I LOVED this place! I was ready for another event, another painting!!

AXO Alumna


In theese days of social media, texting, and messaging, its easy to forget how important and essential friendships are. A hug goes a lot further than a smiley emoticon, and a smile from someone who generally cares about you is so much better in person. So grab your girlfriends, sisters, & moms some wine and have a good 'ole fashioned girls nite! You will be amazed at the wonder it does for the soul. ~LITB The Illegal Blonde



one of my bridesmaids & sorority sisters





sorority sisters at my wedding  including my Big & Little