"Southern Belles: Louisville” is a real-life “Sex and the City” that takes place in the South, but not the South that stereotypes are made of. The backdrop is the progressive, art-centric and warm community of Louisville, Kentucky. The series will showcase the intense friendships and family values that are part of the Southern way of life. These five contemporary and independent women are all at critical crossroads in their lives: Some are confronting their biological clocks, some are still looking for Mr. Right and are trying to find their career paths, and one is preparing for her wedding.
Gather wants to know what changes or challenges you are facing in life. Do you want a career change, are you ready to start a family, are you thinking of moving? Share your story in the comment field below by Monday, May 25th, and you could be drawn to receive a Southern Belles: Louisville Prize Pack! The prize pack includes:
- An Ipod Shuffle
- Southern Belles Essie Nail Polish set
- Poster and t-shirt for the Southern Belles: Louisville
Gather will also draw three runner-ups to receive a Southern Belles: Louisville poster and t-shirt.
The Southern Belles: Louisville premieres on SOAPnet on Thursday, May 21st.
Watch a clip of the show below.
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Comments: 139
Between household chores, school functions, soccer practice, dance class, gymnastics, swim lessons, homework, yard work, taking care of the animals - 3 dogs, 2 cows and 3 pigs...
There just never seems to be enough hours in the day!
My biggest change will be me not being so much as a Mom, but more as a friend who listen's, rather then tell's them how it should be...My baby's are now Mommie's =)
I AM TO YOUNG TO BE A GRANDMA!!! Ok, I feel better now =)
Just a semester of student teaching, and I will be a real teacher! I can't wait to have my own classroom. In the meantime, I have to find a job to pay the bills throughout the summer, and keep myself and my furbabies fed! Being a college kid at age 55 isn't always easy!
I'm also trying to get back in shape this summer, after gaining more than my share of the "freshman fifteen" during the stressful, previous semesters! An ipod would be a great workout addition!
My challenges now are centered around major changes. My oldest son was honorably discharged from the Army within the past year and is home again. My youngest son (I only have two kids) just graduated from high school this past Friday. My children are grown and are in that moving/pushing away stage.
I've always enjoyed working but it's been difficult due to our moves. My husband is a civil engineer in heavy construction, bridges, locks & dams, etc. We always had to move where the next big job was and after several moves, prospective employers didn't want to consider hiring someone who may move again soon. So I chose to either work part time or do things on my own. The moves still limit me though. Building up a clientele, moving, then having to start all over again is frustrating.
Now that I'm older, and we are in a stable place where we hope to be, if not forever, at least for a long time, I'd like to go back to finding work I can enjoy again. Now I'm faced with the moving issue again, but also the stigma of being older, plus winding up with some 21 year old boss (AHHHH! What happened?!?). The moving issue never really goes away though. The heavy construction industry is a violatile market. If a company folds or decides to exit the area in favor of another, there is rarely another similar job in the same town or city.
I have a lot of support from friends and family, and if need be I'll continue working on my own, but I miss working among loads of people, the camaraderie, etc.
Our second big challenge is out children between us we have 4 . My husbands daughter has to live with us because she just cant make it on her own she is 25- My son who is 27 and lives in Michigan just had his first child and is out of work so we try and help them out but since changing jobs my husband is very Cash poor and his medical bills keep piling up big time - The other 2 children are on there own but also have problems making ends meet as well in this economy . My husbands other daughter is married with one small child and a husband who has been out of work for 6 months . My husbands son is living in south Florida and cant balance his check book to save his life lol so yes we face many challenges . We are all hoping the new job comes through but with my husband being 50 he does not expect to much as companies like to hire younger people who will have a long time to go before retirement . My husband and I are under lots of stress because of all this especially when it comes time to refill all his medications that cost us 875.00 per month , he has gone through all his inheritance and may not be able to continue taking them if he cant get a job with insurance soon.
I am a single mom of 3 kiddos undergoing my 4th round of chemo.. I am undergoing the challenge of forced menapuase and hormones. All while trying to keep the kids as normal as possible. They have thier trips and sports to keep them active kiddos.
Also my cousin is having terrible psychotic spells with her Mania from bipolar and has been in and out of the psych ward. I have to talk to her several times a day and visit her when she is in the hospital. I am the only person she will really talk to because she knows I understand...but it can become quite a burden but I love her like a sister.
Also my Dad is having severe Mania and will NOT get help for it so my Mom comes to my house each night crying sometimes and needs to talk for a couple of hours every evening!
So needless to say I am really facing a lot of challenges in my life right now and also being the best mother I can be to my 10 year old daughter to give her the best life possible without a father. I had to divorce him when I was pregnant with her because he was so abusive and now the putz has quit paying his child support over a year ago. He has a warrant out for his arrest here in MI, but unfortunately he lives in ARK.
Well....I could go on with more but I will stop with all this depressing info as is!!!
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One day I'll be able to relax and enjoy life. Right now it's just a bunch of scrambling and running around trying to make ends meet. We're hoping that my husband gets his Overtime back soon at work. They've been kicking the idea around for about a week now. If he gets it back, I can slow down some and get some relaxation since my health has been an issue lately. We don't have health insurance so I just have to make it through each day the best way I can.Maybe if there were 48 hrs in each day I'd have enough time to get everything done and find that "me time" that I so desperately crave.
First and foremost on our minds is my partner's heart. I have been going through tons of appointments with her for heart tests (echo's, stress test, etc). The worst so far was the stress test when she passed out and hit her head on the wall. :( Her body could not handle it. Her heart is working at 65% and the doctor's are trying to determine if she needs surgery or it can be fixed with pills.
The other change is separation from my father. We've always had our problems but I am going to come out to him soon which I am 99% sure that he will disown me and it won't be any big loss but it will still hurt.
Angela made dance company for next year, but I don't know what to do about it. We have to decide in the next 2 weeks wether she will join company or not. I know it's an honor, but it's also expensive and time consuming. Do we have the money? Do I have the time to be running to the dance studio 4 days a week? What about costumes and competition fees?
Ah, too much to do and so little time....just the stress of every day life is taking its toll.
I'm just dealing with so much change and it's really a big challenge, but each day, I get through and things keep looking up.
I love Louisville!
It is scary to be moving somewhere, where I have no friends or family. Well I have no family except my sister and my 3 sons.
so it will be a challenge in all levels
I gave up a lot of myself over the last 8 years and now I must keep my end of the bargain and go back to work. It's a challenge since I have changed so very much with my concept of what is important in life and what I want out of it.
I have been fighting anemia ever since late September last year. I have been poked and prodded every which way by several specialists at three different hospitals to determine just WHY I have anemia. No cause has yet to be determined. I was put on a high dose of steroids, which kept the anemia somewhat at bay (which is a good thing) in January, but had to come off of them because of what they were doing to my body. I just took my last pill a little over a week ago and am now fighting the withdrawal symptoms.
Now comes the fun part. They are watching me again, waiting for my blood counts to drop again. Once that happens, the poking and prodding starts all over again. Only this time, the doctors think that maybe they might have a direction to go in. I certainly hope so, because that gives me hope. At least we have a direction to look forward to, instead of floundering like we have for the last couple of years.
I am working towards the funds to have another well dug, and to build our self-sufficient cabin in the boonies. Love it, love it!
I am facing the schools inability to deal with him on a basic level, the doctor's inability to find out just why he is acting the way he is, and my own inability to get others proactive in helping him, instead of just pushing him back further.
The change I am facing is in having removed him from school this week for the remainder of the year, so that I can attempt to home school him. He is being denied his basic educational rights by the school, and the stress the school is piling on me is spilling over into my family. As much stress as it is causing me, I know it is also causing Chris stress as well.
I feel like the support I should be getting through the school is non-existent. I feel like all I'm doing is screaming in an empty room.
I would also be closer to my parents if I bought a home in Northern Michigan.
Being away from my mom is one chagne that has really taken its toll on me. If I could change that I seriously would. I envy anyone who has their mother living close by.
We just found out that we don't have the right amount of money coming, we are doing everything we can to stay above water
We are still trying to get our 501c3 for Baby James Foundation.
We just served James' biological mother on the adoption again. Hoping this time will finally be the end for that.
I have yet heard about the decission on my disability, my attorney says soon.
My baby sister is pregnant with her 2nd child, and has developed diabetes and was told she has a heart condition that she was born with. In the past 5 days, she's been put in the hospital 3 times for her heart condition, and will be in the hospital until tomorrow at the least. Her boyfriend is out of the picture for the time being, so I help her with the 5 year old and her pregnancy. I love her to death, and would do anything in the world for her, which it feels like I already am.
At 29, I feel like the glue that holds my family together. My father passed away at age 41, which will be 10 years ago this July. He was an alcholic, which took it's toll on his body, and our family. My mother has struggled with drugs for years now, often turning to me for support. My pregnant sister has dealt with her own drug demons, which has probably caused a lot of the health problems she has now. To be only 24, she's going through a lot. My brother has done quite well for himself, and doesn't turn to me as much as he used to. When things go wrong in my family, I'm always the first one they turn to. I like knowing they can count on me, but I sometimes wonder who they expect me to turn to when things get bad. For those of you wondering, I turn to God. I know I don't have all the answers, but I know he'll lead me down the right path. As as much as I'm taking on, I know I can handle it because God would never give us something we can't handle.
1. My oldest son is 20 years old, I am having a really hard time letting go and letting him grow up. I still want to Mother him and am having a hard time drawing the fine line.
2. I am also faced with the challenge of being somewhat overweight and trying to do something about it with not a very good support system at home. I am frowned at when I go a for a walk because I am getting out by myself and that appears to be a no no.
3. I am also dealing with the struggle of smoking. I have tried and tried to stop but am not having alot of success.
4. I am also dealing with the challenge of find ing "me" again after nearly ten years of a marriage where I have put my husband and his wants ahead of anything I might want. I am trying to overcome that guilty feeling that comes when I buy something for me and only me.
5. I am also trying to overcome the side of me that feels when something goes wrong in our home be it small or large, it is not my fault and I am really hitting myself hard in that category.
6. I am also dealing with the alocholic husband and trying to come to the understanding that I cannot change him, I am not to blame for his drinking. I have been trying so hard to understand that only HE can help himself, I cannot do anything about it. I have a found a friend here on Gather (not mentioning any names though) that is dealing with the same fears everytime that top pops off the top of a beer can.
I know we all have our crosses to bare and I know the best one will win and congratulations to whoever that might be.
Pam, your story is heart breaking and too many women are in similar situations. There is an alternative recovery program that I think could help you called Rational Recovery. It has a hard nosed stance about addiction and how families should deal with addicts.
What changes or challenges you are facing in life?
My life has changed a lot recently. My husband was laid off in Feb, so we had to adjust to a life of living extremely frugally. This was actually an enjoyable experience, and Little Miss enjoyed spending so much time with her dad. My husband recently got a job two states away, so we're adjusting to living in two separate places. Since we own our house here, Little Miss and I will stay here and we'll see Dad on the weekends. Little Miss is going to daycare for the first time, and I'm basically running the household by myself. Additionally, I'm thinking about going back to school to get my paralegal certificate to make myself more marketable. Lots of changes, but we'll come out stronger in the end!
Great prize kit!
**a son who has Asperger Syndrom and about to go into middle school. This for him is a BIG issue so that makes it a very big issue for me. I am trying to convince him he will be ok, but the thing with a child with this disability...he hates any changes at all. I am really struggling with this one.
**I am fully raising my son by myself as my darling husband currently can not be at home right now. I am paying all bills, groceries, gas money, school things, clothes, etc.... all on my own. No one pays my way, not even the state. I pride myself on this, but really miss a second income sometimes.
**worrying about my mom and dad who are both out of jobs right now due to the current economy.
**Dealing with immigration lawyers, state officals, government officals, Homeland Security, and enough paper work to make anyone cringe and run for cover. I am trying to get my loving hubby home full-time. You see, he is from Holland. My wonderful husband is 3,500 miles away from me right now and most days are a challenge because I see everyone else enjoying there mates, while mine must be viewed through a cam online. I have not been in his arms for 2 months now, it is a REAL challenge sometimes.
**my hubby is stressed out about some tests he is taking, which in turn is a challenge for me.
**My grandfather has a weak heartbeat and may need a pacemaker.
**my dad was just diagnosed with imphesemia. (spelling??) His lungs are very weak and struggles to breath, especially at night.
** i am going through a little bought of depression right now. This is making everything 10 times more of a challenge for me so I bought my own bottle of the SAM-e Complete and started taking it. Where as it is beginning to work, I am still waiting for exact results.
**I am trying to improve my health and over all well-being, but finding myself tempted by junk food! LOL
I am having alot of problems at work, due to working and trying to stay within a budget guideline. CNA's just don't understand the aspects of crunching numbers.
Plus I have a 5 year old grand daughter that acts like she is my mother, tells me she hates me, to shut up, and it's not just me, it's everyeone in the house but her father, so it makes for a really rough situation. The challenges with that child are numerous.
The one good thing that happened, was I won a years supply of SAM-e complete and have been taking it for a week. Maybe it will help me unwind and start being a happy person, instead of one that cries alot!
This upcoming school year I will have just 1 child home with me half of the week, and I want to find something to do to make some money. When they are all in school I am going to go back to work.
Right now my biggest change is getting back to ME. I fell into the habit of sitting around the house waiting for kids and other members of the family to get home or have things to do for them... and not doing anything for myself or even doing anything spontanious with the kids.
I spent 7 years not driving and recently have started doing that again, which adds so much to the independance I am reclaiming.
I started seriously working out. Stretching and strength stuff. Some cardio, but mostly I am really weak in the strength area. I surprised myself after quitting a 20 year smoking habit, and finding out I could not do 1 regular pushup! I am really putting effort into changing that.
I have ran a couple of times, but with 3 little ones and a Hubby on graveyard shift, that is something that will not happen often until his schedule changes.
I guess my biggest change right now is rediscovering me and working on my physical self as well as reworking my independance and self worth... which needed some help.
We took a pay cut so that Hubby could stay close to home and have weekends off. It means we have to cinch the belt in some more to get things under control and keep them that way. I am thankful that unlike alot of people, his work is steady and I do not fear him being laid off or losing his job.
I am struggling right now to eat healthier while being cheap and trying to MAKE myself like things like raw vegetables and salads. I really like chips and junk foods, and am thinking of buying a dehydrator so I can make my own healthier chip type foods, but not pay tons for fruit and things that are dried.
Another challenge for me is that my husband and I do not see eye to eye on some things. I really want a second dog, because I think it would work so much better for our household. It would spread the kids "pestering attention" out so our guy did not feel picked on, but loved. It also would give him someone to run the fields with when I let him in the pasture, as well as company the few times we all leave at the same time.
Hubby thinks this is a terrible idea and doesn't want another pet... Again, this is nowhere near the challenge that many are facing right now, but it is something I do feel strongly about right now.
I do not know how other moms do it.
#2. The Huge Challenges that I'm Facing Right Here,Right Now are as Follows;
I was Laid-Off from My Job of 7 Yrs in March,2009 My Husband HAS Been Laid-Off from his Job for one Year Now"& We are Barely Making it.!!! Yesterday WE Walked into Every Drug Store in Town to Find Work & Not a One Would Give us a Application to Fill Out for Jobs. My Husband is a Foreman-Carpenter & I'm a CSR & Receptionist,also in billing,BUT Neither
One of is Receiving Responses from Applications or Telephone Calls." so"Now We are Going Door to Door Begging for Job Applications; Which is Sometimes Embarrassing"& We
are Being Looked at Like We are Nothing but Low-Life Pests,Which in Turn is Very Stressful
Sometimes My Husband & I Have Words; When a Bill is a Little Late................
#3. We are in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy; Enough Said."!!
#4. This is Not Really a Challenge But a Pleasure; We are Helping to Keep Our Grandson alot Over Night's and Take Him to School the Next Morning;While Our Beautiful Daughter Works Weird Shifts. The Challenge is Buying Extra Food;Which We are Happy to do so"
#5.My Own Parents are Now Older & they Have Health Challenges, Which I'm the Only One,to Help Them Out" ( my younger brother is totally disabled"& Can't work himself ) so,My Husband & I Bought Our Home 4 1/2 Yrs ago being in Mind to be Close as Possible,
to My Parents so,at a Minutes Notice We Could Drive Over to Them !!!
#6. YES and YES" This Would be Wonderful to WIN" Because as You See I'm a Strong, Hard-Core Southern Woman that Can & Will Take On Hard-core Life's Challenges Head-On
With God's Total Support & Grace"!!!! Blessings"
Time, eeek"!!!