The planning for our May 1st Lilies for Fillies Party is complete.  Now we just need a couple of judges for our hat contest. No. Not your husband.  Remember honey, he is not invited to this party! Annie R, chair of this fun event has found two fab judges and is looking for one more:) And I have calls out, too.  Betwen us we should find someone perfect! They must be good humored, fashion conscious, and reliable.  In other words, they will show up for a party that promises a couple of chuckles and a nice cocktail or two. Prize ribbons have been ordered and hats are being purchased and/or decorated.  (I have tried to post a picutre of Carolyn in her pink derby style hat but for some reason I am getting error messages.) Oh well. You can wait to see it the night of…

I am amazed how people find our website! Recently I were offered an “opportunity” for a partnership with a bar stool store.  The Offer consisted of an exchange of a “expert custom blog post” for a placement of their link on our website. I was told, the blog could be customized and written by this presumed expert to talk about things the MJQs were interested in doing, but really had not done. Honey, that is like offering to write a story about my daughter and the things she might be interested in doing, based on knowing her age. Send an expert to come join us on our Excellent adventure to Statesboro where we purchased green gowns for Coronation.  Send an expert to come have cocktails with me in my backyard and let that expert sit with me under my cherry tree. Pay for that expert to attend one coronation in full regalia and then we will talk.  I still would not exchange the opportunity to write a blog for a bar stool product placement link. Very tacky -but the biggest problem is the authenticity of the moment is destroyed. 

Now, if Diet Coke wanted a spot, I would be jumping up and down in my chiffon. Lee Ann and I can testify that a Diet Coke has mystical, healing properties. After a 3 hour shopping spree for pageant dresses, new shoes, and with no lunch in sight, the mere thought of a cold Diet Coke was our beacon of hope. So if product placement offers are made with the South’s Champagne, the deal will be cut and Coke will grace our site.

Hey there Queens and Public. Why name this drink “Paul Palmer”?  Because an Arnold Palmer is half lemonade and half iced tea.  This is made with Paul Newman’s Lemonade, and Firefly Sweet tea favored vodka. Maybe “Arnold Newman.” OK. I will work on the name, but the mix? It is done!

I have just made the best little cocktail. Serve in a Mignon Fiaget from NOLA,  Krewe Crown Old-Fashioned glass. Also make sure you have your linen beverage napkin and some homemade cheese straws on hand!

 On the rocks -mix 1 jigger Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka, 2 jiggers Paul Newman’s Lemonade, with a big ol’ mint leaf sprig. You can muddle the mint in the glass for a really nice summery twist. BTW- the recent nasty freeze did not kill my mint in the backyard.  Ya’ll need to come by and have a drink and enjoy the beautiful cherry tree in bloom. Hey. It is a party concept! Happy Hour: Drinks and Petals.

(Erica in pose “Zen Muffin Top” sans Tiara)

My dears, I have been taken over by the phenomenon, endearingly referred to as “Crackbook.”  I am spending too much time on this insidious site.  So much in fact, that I have let my royal blogging gather dust.  Today is the Spring Equinox and I venture forth to return into the realm of cyber essay and Royal newsletter. 

Tomorrow we are going to Statesboro to find  a lovely little store called Frills and Fancies.  The perfect Flouncy worthy dress awaits.  Hopefully, we will have half a dozen MJQs ready to shop for chiffon, so there will be more story to follow.  I have learned how to send images from my cell phone, which with my advanced age of Baby-Boomer-Cusp, this is really a huge deal.  If you think not, the you are reading the wrong site and need to move on.

Honey, I got the funniest little email today from a David Vaughan, who works for All Bar Stools.  He says he has an opportunity for the MJQS and will let me know further details.  This interchange prompted my self examination and internal review of the purpose of the MJQS from its inception 5 years ago.  Honey pie, we still have folks asking what our mission is, followed by a predictable ”Now tell me, what do ya’ll do?” Frankly, if the truth be told, I believe we have a hand full of these folks in our midst.  They are sweet ladies who would adore to be like us and thought that if they joined our group the “joie de vie” that we wear so well, would somehow rub off on them.  The good news is We still Reign and the bad news is, they still do not get it.

We are about fun, as described by us. We are not interested in work, demure, humble acknowledgements, or mousy-meek moments.  I have said it before, and I will say it again, if you have to ask, you probably don’t get it. If you get the point, you my dear are Queen Material. (see Pages over to the side, and click About.)

Our group has 30 MJQs and I am determined to add 3 more who will enhance our fun-loving parties.  Kim A., Gwin M., and Barbara G.  I predict will be voted in this spring. I also predict the “opportunity” that David emailed me was a opportunity for me to part with a sum of cash for an undetermined bar stool purchase.  Uhmm.  Sitting a bar stool would wrinkle my chiffon. 

2009 MJQ Seasonal Party Guidelines and Questions

 “I am on a committee. What do I do now?” Communicate with your group and select a date for your party. Your Committee should announce the date well in advance so the MJQs can plan their calendars. This should be done as soon as feasible for your group. 

 “What kind of seasonal party do we plan?” Your party may be at any public or private location.  It is your choice. You may plan whatever you want:  picnic, happy hour, lunch, dinner, brunch, bowling, pool, beach, movie, or any fun adventure of your group’s choice! 

 “What do we do if we want to have a party that is not at one of our homes?” If the party is public, the cost may be Dutch treat. If you want a photographer or printing/ mailing costs, let me know. You decide attire, location and theme. The Coronation in May is ALWAYS full regalia, so every MJQ should have at least one flounce-worthy green dress, so your committee may request full regalia or not. 

“Do we invite MJQs only?” The committee may invite whomever they wish:  MJQs only, queens and consorts, queens who are allowed to bring guest(s), or queen plus only her additional guests.  Please be aware that any non-queen attending needs to know that we have a waiting list for 2009. If she attends a party, it does not mean she is going to join our group.  Also, if she was invited to join our group at a previous Coronation and did not attend, then she is still a Lady in Waiting.  

 “My husband wants to know when he can come to a party.” Tell him “When I say soJ.”  In years past, we invited consorts to the Holiday Party in December. We did not have a 2008 holiday party since the times were too demanding for many MJQs and no one was available to plan and offer their home for the event. Remember, if you organize a party, you can include whomever you like!   

 “I want to do an event, but not with a committee. What do I do?”  Any MJQ is free to host an additional event. It may include all or some of the MJQs.  Queens should feel free to form smaller groups for the purpose of getting to know other queens better:  i.e., go out to lunch with 6 queens you don’t know well. You are obligated to help the committee plan one seasonal party that you have been assigned.  You may host an event simply by organizing it:  meet at a movie, go to lunch, and meet at a bar for dancing. 

We do anticipate some Queens leaving their positions for 2009 since they did not attend any party in 2008.  This list will reflect those changes by March 1st! Also any MJQ that does not attend at least one party a year will be forgotten for the coming year.

At Large MJQs Carolyn G (Detroit)and Cathleen S (South Carolina) may select the party they would like to assist with planning.

Spring -8 (Now- Early May) Annie , Pat S, Emma K, Rhonda , Lee Ann, Melissa, Becky K, Tricia  

Summer-7 (June-August) Ann M, Jennifer P, Terri K., Jeannne P., Dottie, Erica,  Linda E 

Fall-8 (Sept-Nov) Dee W., Mary M, Stacy, Becky C, Patty G, Mary Ann B, Cathy B, Glenda

Holiday- Sue , Carolyn , Vernice , Tiffani , Kelsey, Nancy B, Holly 

January

Queen Nancy

January 4

Queen Ann

January 8

Queen Cathleen 

Jan 28

  February-

Queen Mary Ann

Feb 9

Queen Lee Ann

Feb. 25

Queen Pat (Patricia) S.

B-day- Dec. 20

Founder, Queen Becky K

B-day December 30^th

We have four Royal Birthdays this month!

2005 Queen Patty, November 2

2004 Founder, Queen Erica, November 4

2006 Queen Emma, November 5

2008 Queen Jeanne, November 9

Happy Birthday!

Queen Stacy, October 6

Queen Rhonda, October 10

Queen Tricia, October 12

September

Queen Holly  B-day Sept. 4

Queen Leslie B-day September 10^th

Queen Tiffani Birthday September 12