Girls weekend!

Those 2 simple words bring about great anticipation. I think they even remind me of my college dorm life. Those were the days!

I'm fresh off of a “Girls Weekend” with the Inspired Winers, and it definitely lived up to my high expectations. Too much food, too much wine and way too much fun. While the time we spend together is always enjoyable, a trip like this offers much more than a good time. It’s our chance to connect without the pressure of everyday commitments horning in on our time together. 

We danced, walked and talked, cried and pried, cooked, and shook with laughter. But for me, the most amazing thing about this weekend was what it wasn’t. Why? Because it wasn’t all that different than any other time we spend together. The Winers have a bond created by our mutual desire to help a cause that is dear to each of us. This allows us to be more connected to each other even when we’re not together. The luxury of being away from the world for a couple of days, with only each other, simply enhances the bond. 

Tiffany (right) and me goofing off

We are committed to work together to raise money for PPMD and to help find a cure for Duchenne. It’s not noble; it’s necessary. But this is only a benefit of our relationship. What brings us together every month is who we do it for:  Allison, Bobby, Matthew, Owen and McKenzie. 

None of us can imagine what it must be like for Allison, living every day with the challenge of managing this Duchenne intruder in their lives. We're there for her, loving her and praying for her. But we can’t really know. And because we can’t know how she feels, we work harder to make change – with her and for her.

What we’ve created is amazing, and I wish the same for everyone reading this. “Find your friends, and the cause will find you.” That’s our tagline for a reason – there’s truth to it. The experience of being mutually committed to something bigger than you, beyond your job, your husband or your family, creates a bond like no other. Knowing that we are in it with Allison changes all of us and maybe makes her road a bit more bearable. 

Did I mention we sang? Oh did we sing, and badly! Allison is the queen of the repetitive one liner, “All the single ladies, all the single ladies…” We laughed a lot, opened the wine early in the afternoon, and watched movies with only our own interruptions. Then we had a fabulous dinner (after taming the grill) and left most of the dishes until the morning.

Alexis, Michelle, Tiffany, Andrea, Allison and lucky me!

At the end of my “Girls Weekend,” I am reminded again of how much I value the place these women have carved out of my life, individually and collectively. And of how much they give to me unconditionally. I remember that I know them all a little bit better now than I did when we left on Saturday. But then again, that’s what happens when The Winers gather. You should try it with “your girls” sometime – you’ll experience much the same.

After nearly 30 years in the broadcast industry, Lisa Fields is now in charge of a new venture; she runs Broadcast 1 Source, a small software company specializing in FCC compliance for broadcasters. However, nothing compares to the adventure of raising rambunctious, sweet and charming Louie, her eight-year-old son. Lisa’s home, “Camp Fields,” is always open to small children, stray dogs and wayward adults! With this motto, is there any doubt that Camp Fields is the official headquarters of Wednesday Night Wine and the Inspired Winers?

Ten things I love about "wining"

My name is Alexis and I am new to blogging.

Sounds like an introduction to a 12-step program, but seriously, I readily admit that for weeks I have been struggling with (maybe even agonizing over) what in the world I would write. I’ve been home with 3 children for the last 10 years; I don't consider writing one of my strengths. I am much more confident with play dates, school functions, after school activities, church stuff and carpooling.

So here's the deal:  I’m going to share what I know and love about this great group of women, the Inspired Winers, who meet once a month for Wednesday Night Wine. I treasure their love and friendship, and they are constantly teaching me new things.

Below is a list of my 10 most favorite things about Wednesday Night Wine and Inspired Wining. If you have a similar group of women, you might recognize a few of these. And if you’re considering starting your own Inspired Wining group, here’s a taste of what you can gain from gathering together a group of women dedicated to each other and a mutual cause:

Michelle caught mid-laughter. 

1. We laugh a lot! Many times, until we cry. There’s nothing like a group of women who won't let you take yourself too seriously. And don’t we all need to laugh more? 
2.  We are a multi-purpose group. On any given night, we are a book club, a recipe exchange, a job fair, a board meeting, a support group and a comedy zone.
3. We like wine and the fact that it encourages us to slow down and spend time with one another. A couple times a month, we all fly in from committee meetings or putting our children to bed. But then, we take a collective breath and leave the stress and busy schedules behind for a few hours.
4.  We are all on the Parenthood Journey together. From babies to ‘tweens – we’re covering it all. I am so grateful to be with a group of women who understands that most of the time, I can't get enough of my children. But at the same time, there are days I delight at the thought of their wearing an electric collar – and I have the remote.
5. As a non-foodie, it is fabulous to hang out with ladies who like to eat well. Our gatherings are never without an amazing appetizer, a healthy fruit tray or a decadent dessert. And now, I read labels, spend less time in the frozen food section, and I’ve actually tried to embrace meal planning. Seriously, thanks to this group, I actually give thought to the color and texture of my meal.
6.  Because of our commitment to raise money for PPMD, I have challenged myself to do new and different things. I have taken risks. I’ve developed new skills. I am writing for a blog and have joined Facebook and Twitter, for Pete's sake! Who knew that fundraising could be so much fun or enriching?
7. For the most part, our gang is a part of the sandwich generation; we’re caring for loved ones on both sides of the spectrum. We all have little ones we are caring for and if we don't yet, we will most likely have parents that will need our assistance. There is tremendous value in knowing that we won't go through this alone.
8. When it comes to travel and recreation, we’ve got some adventurers among us. I love that we all like to travel and see other places. And the best part is learning where to stay, where to dine, how to save money…and even how to avoid bed bugs.
9.  We are all concerned about our physical, spiritual and mental health. We are advocates for trying new things and seeking help when needed in the form of acupuncture, aromatherapy, bible studies, counseling, massage, meditation, pilates, prayer, reflective retreats, tapping, and yoga.
10. These ladies make things happen. They are doers! Their never-ending supply of energy to care about their families, friends, work, kids' schools, favorite charities, and the church that brought us together is inspirational.

Think about creating your own Inspired Wining group – one that not only gives to you, but to the world around you. And while you're at it, we'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment about your friendships. Who makes you laugh? Who shares travel tips, parenting advice and recipes? Who celebrates your ups and shoulders your down? Share some fun stories with us. 

Alexis Williams may not be a good housekeeper and she’s even worse at being the tooth fairy. But she loves laughing, traveling, spending time with family and being a part of a community that makes a difference. Alexis is officially Inspired Wining's “go-to girl” for just about everything from developing community partnerships to securing our venues for Inspired Wining on Location events. A wife, mother of 3, a church and school volunteer, Alexis is the sharp-witted sweetheart of the group.

Just do it...

I'm not one to give motivational pep talks, but something about writing my first blog entry has me inspired.  "Why?" you might ask. Because I think Inspired Wining is on to something. And I want to share it with you.

One of our missions is to motivate women to raise funds and awareness for the charities of their choice -- while we raise money for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.  Whether it is fighting homelessness, raising breast cancer awareness, preventing animal cruelty or saving the whales, there are so many causes out there to connect to and so many ways to make a difference. And we believe that you can. 

I know we’re all busy.  Super busy.  Just juggling work, home, family and other responsibilities can leave even the most organized of us wishing we had 48 hours in a day.  It’s easy to convince ourselves that we’ll get involved and make a difference when things settle down at home or after we get through the next big project at work.  

But we all know there is never a perfect time to take a leap into the unknown. And that "unknown" just might be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

Some fundraising and awareness efforts are time consuming.  Some take committees and months of planning and a small army of volunteers to pull off.  But sometimes you can make a big impact with minimal effort and just a little organization.  Plan a Girl’s Night Out at a local establishment and ask the owners in advance if they’ll consider donating a portion of the sales to your charity.  Host a birthday party for a friend or loved one and ask everyone to bring a donation for your charity instead of a gift. Contact your charity of choice and see if they need someone to stuff envelopes, put together informational packets or help out with one of their already planned fundraising events.  

The great thing about joining Inspired Wining is that we have the resources and ideas to help make fundraising seem far less daunting. So if you've had that nagging thought that you want to get involved, but you aren't sure where to start, turn to Inspired Wining. Or if you're already a fundraiser and you want to learn how to increase awareness and create fun, successful events, we're your girls. Let us support and inspire you the way we have each other.

Some my most meaningful experiences have involved fundraising for the cause that I share with Alexis, Allison, Andrea, Lisa and Tiffany.  The friendships we've forged and the accomplishments we share are some of the things I am most thankful for in my life.  

Just do it.  Nike was on to something when they developed that tagline. It's good advice for anyone who has the desire and the drive, but just needs to take the first step. So, I encourage you: Take the leap and get involved. Go for it. That's a true Inspired Winer, someone who is willing to take a step of faith for the benefit of another and then raise her glass and celebrate a job well done.

You know we'll be "cheering" you on.

Michelle Gauffreau is a customer service consultant for Broadcast 1 Source and  a founding member of Inspired Wining. She is also a wife, a mother of two and an active volunteer in her community.

Sisters

I just finished My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. This story is riddled with tales of the pain, anger, fear, confusion and despair that surrounds a family affected by childhood leukemia. It is also a story about relationships and the magnitude of those connections in times of grief and doubt.  I am a parent of a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and so much of this book spoke to me, but I found myself pitying this family who seemed to have few healthy connections, even among themselves.  Like most women, I cannot imagine where I would be without all the others in my life that keep me whole. 

To me, it is the many relationships I have and the emotions that surround them that let me know I am alive. I cherish the tears and pain just as much as the laughter and joy, because I know that one cannot exist without the other.

Every relationship I have is a blessing. The neighbor that makes me laugh every time I see him. The student who I so desperately want to reach. The sister who always knows exactly what to say in every situation. The friend who not only knows how to laugh with me, but also to cry with me. The husband whose arms are the greatest refuge of all and the children who inspire me to hug longer, say “I love you” more often and enjoy the here and now.

One thing that I have experienced over the past few years is having a perhaps uncommonly clear view of how strong my relationships are and how much I am loved.  Not surprisingly, the majority of these people are women.  We all have special people in our lives, but how often do we tell them how valuable they really are to us? Perhaps we shouldn't wait until tragedy hits.

One of the foundations of Inspired Wining is friendship and sisterhood. My many “sisters” know how much I love them because they have given me plenty of opportunities to thank them. I'd like to think that they have always known how special they are to me, but I suspect I never told them until they gave me a reason to tell them. Why wait?

So to all my “sisters” out there, I love you, I can't imagine life without you and I cannot wait for the memories that lie ahead!

Allison Wood Greiner is a high school French teacher, a founding member of Inspired Wining, and mother to three children, including Matthew, who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

The promises we keep make us who we are

Seth Bunch with the Liberian orphans who've stolen his heart.

A few weeks ago, I met someone who got me thinking about the promises we make and, more importantly, the ones we keep. His name is Seth Bunch -- a young man who's opened his heart to Liberian orphans and is doing all he can to make life better for them.

In 2009, Seth spent his Christmas at the Betty Jonah Orphanage in Liberia, "hoping to see what this world is about." He was moved by the orphans' challenges – particularly the fact that many of them walk five to six hours a day just to further their education. So he made a life-changing promise. He gave them his word that he would build them a school.

Can you imagine? Leaving your home and your family at Christmastime to be in a foreign land...in a village with little more than a few modest structures and a rice garden? Can you imagine standing on a platform, as Seth had, and announcing to fifty wide-eyed children that you would make sure they no longer have to walk so many miles to school?

Talk about faith. Talk about taking risks and letting your heart lead the way. Looking the seemingly impossible in the eye and making a commitment to yourself and others to fight for positive change.

Less than two years later, Seth kept his promise. Through benefit concerts, public speaking and a long cycling trek, he raised the money to build the school. In July, he will fly back to Liberia to help construct it with his own two hands. You can read more of his story here.

Seth helps my daughter, McKenna,
place her hand print on a canvas
that will hang in the new school.

When I think about what Seth has accomplished, I think how ironic it is – that Seth is fighting for children who have so far to walk…while the Inspired Winers are fighting for boys who, eventually, won’t be able to take even a few steps. Ironic…but energizing. Inspiring. Because he shows us that change is possible.

It’s amazing the ways that people, children in particular, can inspire us. Seth and the orphans he’s grown to love are wonderful demonstrations of the potential that lives within us. Within you. Me. Within boys like our own Matthew Greiner and the thousands like him. Our sons, brothers, grandsons and neighbors battling with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, watching their own muscles let them down…and hoping that you and I don’t.

The Inspired Winers won’t let you down, boys. That's our promise.

And if you are someone looking for support as you form your own fundraising platform, we’re here for you, too. In the words of Seth, we’re going to see what this world is about. And we’re going to do something about it.

How do you imagine yourself helping to make life better for someone? Leave a comment and share your vision. Let the Inspired Winers be the inspiration for you that Seth has been for the children of Betty Jonah Orphanage.