Fight One In Four

So I'm  back from the big apple and exhausted. I promise to share my adventures tomorrow, but today I want to share someone and something that is near and dear to my heart. Today is a guess blog from my Miss Texas titleholder.

Meet Anna Combrink, Miss McKinney 2012. Anna is a sophomore psychology major at UTA. As part of the Miss Texas Pageant, each titleholder must have a platform. This is an issue they are passionate about and speak on. Anna's platform is Fight One in Four: Sexual Assualt Awareness. So, without further ado, here's Anna!

Hi, I’m Anna, Miss McKinney 2012 and blogger at Owls and Lace. I like to wear many hats. But my favorite hat to wear is probably the one that has to do with my platform, Fight One in Four. That’s the one where I get to advocate for a cause that means so much to me.

In America, a fourth of all girls are sexually assaulted by the age of eighteen. It’s also been estimated that 17.7 million women in the United States will become a victim of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault in their lifetimes. This is ridiculous. Especially when you realize that the majority of those women know their attackers.

This is where my platform, Fight One in Four, comes in. My sophomore year of high school someone really close to me was assaulted. And I didn’t know how to handle it at all. So I got on the computer and did what I do best, I googled. But it’s not something people really talk about.  So I decided I would become the resource, any way possible.

I talked to counselors at the women’s shelter, read books, got in contact with RAINN and learned everything I could about how different victims responded. And then I created an advocacy group that not only raised awareness for the prevalence of sexual assault in America, but also taught other people what to do if someone they knew was assaulted. Like always listening and being supportive, not casting blame on the victim in any way (For example saying “Well, were you wearing something that made him think you were interested?”) and how to deal with your own emotions. Something most people don’t know is that in rape there is more than one victim. Secondary victims are the family and friends of the primary victim, and they often deal with just as many emotions as the primary does, however they feel like it’s not a justified emotion since it didn’t directly happen to them. But you handle them the exact same way. Just like it’s not the victim’s fault, it’s not the family or friends fault. No one is to blame but the assaulter who made the chose to ignore her lack of consent.

Another thing I do is support victims who are dealing with their case. I’m not a licensed therapist, so I obviously can’t counsel them, but I can be a friend, and sometimes that’s what they need. Whether it’s bringing them a little present on the day of their testimony or just staying up talking to them when they’re being chased by bad memories.  

If you want to find out more about Fight One in Four or just helping out with the cause you can find me here or learn more at RAINN.org.

Confessional Friday

TGIF! Now it's time to confess with Leslie @ A Blonde Ambition.

1. I'm headed to NYC today and  have no qualms about the fact that I am leaving the office early to catch a plan or that the motion I have been paving must go out today (but prepared me as already printed out all pertinent parts and is just awaiting the actual motion to be done) and that if I'm gone not my problem (ok, yes it totally my problem and again I have prepared in advance)
2. that I realize #1 was much more than a confession but in reality was my sense of fear that I will get fired if I'm not here when said motion needs to go out.
3. I'm a worrier.... no really you didn't get that from #1 or 2?
4. I have turned some of the secretaries and paralegals onto my shoe obsession.... and now I will turn you onto it too. I am addicted to Poetic Licence shoes.. .check them out. They are a little quirky, but oh so cute.
5. I still listen to the same radio morning show that I did in elementary school. Sad that I know everything about these people.
6. I'm get to argue my first motion next week and I'm excited and terrified all at once!
7. Grey's Anatomy still gets me everytime.. I mean someone does not pass their boards? The Chief got it on w/ Harper Avery? Kepner lost her V-card to Dr. Hotty Avery? And Alex and his soft spot for women... come on!
8. Social media tends to blow things out of proportion, i.e. the media circus caused by the Yankees announcer who crucified a couple for not seeing a crying boy when they caught a foul ball at Wednesday's Ranger game... come on people.... get the facts before you  post! The couple had no idea the little one was upset....

Come on ladies, confess with me! And tune in Monday for a guest post by Miss McKinney 2012 talking about her platform Fight One in Four. ~The Illegal Blonde

It's Ok Thursday

Wow, its Thursday again! This week has flown by for me! I leave for NYC in 24 hours!!!! So here it is It's Ok Thursday with Neely and Amber! So... It's ok

• to eat out every day for lunch when you are meeting good friends
• that during hot yoga when I was supposed to be concentrating on me I was mentally packing for NYC
• to love who you want, no matter the color, religion, or sex of that person
• to be super excited for TCU football season.. Hello Big 12!
• to have counted down the minutes until i could buy season football tickets
• to not like Dance Moms: Miami, I totally miss Abby!
• that even though Glee has gone a little too far out, I still watch because of the songs
• that #ToddlersAndTiaras cracks me up every time, where do they find these people!?!
• to work out really hard this week so I can EAT in NYC!
• that I kiss my Chloe pup before hubs when I get home... right?
• that I feel like I actually know all the people whose blogs I read and feel a tad let down when they miss a day... ( I mean come on how do I know your every move if you don't post?)

What's ok with you today? And Next week I'm introducing you to a new guest blogger! In the meantime check Anna out over at Owls & Lace! ~The Illegal Blonde

Soul Mates

It's time to get a little waxing poetic on you all. Today's topic: soul mates. This came up in coversation with a friend of mine and it really got me thinking: do we have just one soul mate?

 Yes, I'm happily married to hubs, and we share lots of things, but my friend got me thinking that perhaps your soul mate doesn't have to be the one you marry, or even someone you romantically love. I decided I liked this, and it made sense.

Webster's defines the soul as "the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life," "the spiritual principle embodied in human beings, all rations and spiritual beings, or the universe," or "the moral and emotional nature of human beings." Mate is "one of a pair," or "companion." So its the person who is your coordinating essence. But who says this has to be your partner in life, or even just one person?

I believe that my best friend K is one of my soul mates. She gets me, she can know what Im thinking before I say it, and often thinks, and feels for me. She knows what I need to hear v. what I want to hear, and well she just rocks.

My friend C is my intellectual soul mate. We similar back stories, life experiences, and thoughts. Conversations with C often complete themselves because we just connect on a different level.

V well she is def my soul mate, but because she brings out the best of me. She has instilled in me the true essence of who I should be.

And hubs, well duh he is my soul mate, I married him! He is the ying to my yang, he balances me out and balances our relationship. He's steady and exacting. He sees the practical day-to-day to my big picture (Im forest, he's trees). He reinforces my morals and keeps my emotions in check (tough job, someone should give that man a medal).

So, yes I believe we have soul mates, but I am of the opinion that we have more than one. And we might have some that have come and gone and ones we may never meet. Its those people who complete you. Who are your soul mates? (and thank them, cause sheesh they put up with you but choice! lol) ~The Illegal Blonde

There is no "I" in Team

I was reminded again yesterday that practice of law is not always glamorous or fun. It was one of those days when a motion had to go out and it included a zillion parts and well pieces of paper! So there I sat in my large office, with my degree on the wall sorting papers... So Law & Order right... WRONG! There was a split second where I wanted to scream this is not what I went to school for, but I remembered that not all things in any job are glamorous or fun.

It's the small, seemingly mundane tasks that go noticed. When you help to get something out the door, or compile lists, designations excerpts, and even alphabetize. People recognize when you are a team player. I admit its more fun to draft an awesome motion or response, but there is something to be said about the "thank you" you receive when you help someone else out.

It shows you are committed to the job and can see the bigger picture. People are more willingly to give you other projects when they see you are more than happy to draft that affidavit or sort through a 100+ page depo. Plus, when its billable it doesn't matter what it is, right?!

And don't forget tomorrow is Adminstrative Professional's Day. Take time to thank your secretary, paralegal, runner, or whomever is there to support you. I am no better a lawyer than the wonderful people who support me. ~The Illegal Blonde

Wine, Wildflowers and Friends!

I arrived safely back from a fun and relaxing Girls' Trip 2012! In case you missed it, I have a great group of girl friends who are a mix of sorority sisters and TCU alumna who embark upon the Texas Hill Country Wine & Wildflower tour every spring. We head out Friday morning enjoying wineries along the way, spend the night in Fredericksburg at a B&B and then head out again Saturday.

Friday we toured Solara, Buena Vista and Salt Lick, yes they also have a winery in Dripping Springs. I loved Solara, the view was great and we enjoyed a picnic spread. (ok well more of an indoor lunch since it was pouring down rain)

Next stop was Salt Lick. Most known for its BBQ, it now has a winery in Dripping Springs. The grounds were gorgeous, but the tasting room was very small. Then we ended our tour with a stop at Buena Vista. This was great, though it was not as scenic, they also have olive trees and we did an olive oil tasting as well. I had never done one and let me tell you it was great! I got some blue cheese stuffed olives for the hubs and a great bottle of white!

Then we headed into Fred for a little rest and checked into our super cute B&B. This is part of the fun of this trip, enjoying a different B&B each year. This one was large and we each had our own bed! (how lucky for us).

We enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant and then headed in to bed.

The next day we woke up and just enjoyed out morning. This group of ladies has been friends for quite some time now, and some of them have been friends since childhood. It was fun this time because we now have 4 married among us and one has an 11 month old. My friend Lou's mom joins us and is the tour guide/greatest cook ever and she talked with us in the morning and I think she was amazed and how much we have all grown up. Heck, I think we surprised ourselves. Long gone is the boys/hair/make up and instead the convos ranged from politics/religion/marriage/raising kids, thought I admit we did look up all our names in urbandictionary just for kicks and some MAJOR giggles.

Comfort, TX

The pugs!

Me and S Roz

Saturday included two more wineries and a stop in Luckenbach! Can't miss this place, home of Gruene Dance Hall! One of our stops was Comfort, Texas. Our first stop.... old fashioned ice cream parlor! Yup, we had not even had lunch, but we all got a cone and enjoyed. We then toured the antique shops and even met these super cute pugs who lived in one of the shops. These guys had their own rooms and even performed on command!

We had another fab picnic at Singing Waters where we again enjoyed great conversations and even spotted a couple of cross-dressers. Yes, the definitely led to some great topics of conversation.  The night ended with  later dinner (b/c they lost our reservation) and more great catching up.

Mama C and Me enjoying some live music 

We headed home Sunday and back to reality! All in all, it was a great trip and much needed girl time with some of my best friends. Hope you all had a great weekend, and if you ever get the chance you should head down to the Texas Hill Country and enjoy some Texas wine! ~The Illegal Blonde

Friday's Letters

 A little late, but here we go!

Dear Hubs - Thank you for saying I'm sorry even when I know you don't want to. Dear Chloe - Please stop digging in the backyard and eating my petunias! If you're bored, we will get you some new toys, but leave mommy's flowers alone. Dear Girlfriends - We are on our annual trip! Yay! So far it has been a blast and I cannot wait to share the rest of this trip with you ladies! Dear MIL - Thank you for listening to me vent/talk last night about random things. Dear Hubs - When Smash is one, don't try to have a conversation with me, its futile. Dear Work - Please do not fire me for taking one personal day. I know I have only been employed for a couple months, but I need this! Dear New Office - I love you.

Have a fabulous weekend all! I will be continuing my tour of Texas hill country wineries with my fabulous friends! ~The Illegal Blondehttp://comeoneileen86.blogspot.com/2012/04/fridays-letters_20.html