It is a Woman's World and I like it that way

I am so excited and honored to have been asked to contribute to this blog! (Thank you Carly).


What a great opportunity to communicate with other women! I've been asked to start out by filling out this short questionairre, and I'm happy to do so....so lets begin.
Allow me to introduce myself:

NAME:

My name is Tressa Bailey. Its pronounced exactly as it is spelled. Only 1 e and that e is "short". As a child I hated my first name. It was different than everyone else's and no kid wants that. I like it now. It suits me. I don't know whether I lived up to the odd name or it lived up to me. Sometimes I'm called, Tess or Tressie. Usually by my family.

LOCATION:

I live in South Bend, Indiana. Home of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish!!!! It is the best cross-match you will ever find of Small Town and Big City. I've lived here all my life and despite the fact that I absolutely hate our very cold and very snowy Winters....I'll probably never leave. Hopefully I will be able to share why in future posts.

AGE:

Mentally about 30, physically it depends on the day, but actually 47. I'll be 48 on January 31, 2010.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING FOR:

It has to be at least 10 years or so now...in one form or another. I had diaries and pen pals as a child, journals as a teen and young adult. Maybe I just like to talk a lot!!!

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION THE MEDIA GIVES OF WOMEN:

That we are actually (only) equal to men. Seriously... ladies that only applies in the workforce. In real life we are different than men. Better in a lot of ways and maybe not so good in a few. We should just be who we are. Being a woman is a wonderful stroke of luck. We feel emotions so much stronger. That is not a bad thing!!! We have instincts that few men can touch and tend to be healthier and live longer. We can use both sides of our brain at the same time. We are prettier as a rule. I don't understand why we are still comparing ourselves to men. We can do anything we want without doing that. Its like comparing apples to oranges... completely different fruits, but together they make a helluva fruit salad. I love being a woman!!! Viva la difference!

WHAT INSPIRES YOU THE MOST:

Babies. Seriously. If all adults had the capacities to accept and learn combined with the tenacity to carry on after failures that a baby does, well this world would be completely different and probably a much better planet in which to live.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME:

Obviously I write. Blogging, essays, commentary and poetry. I've had a love/hate thing going on with words my whole life. I also love hanging out with my kids and my family and friends when I have free time. I do various crafts and love museums, festivals, movies and a hike once in a while. I'm also a pretty good cook. I hope to actually write the recipes I've been throwing together for years down so I can share a few with you.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS BLOG:

Well I was asked. I checked it out and knew almost instantly that I wanted to be a part of this. Real women writing for real women! I'm all about being real.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DISH:

My specialties include: Mom's potato salad with a twist, some really great chili and salisbury steak. I also know the secret to that great chicken served at polish wedding feasts! I don't do too much fat free cooking.... My family originated in the South!

YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO SPEND TIME:

Home is where my heart is. My home, my friend's, my family's homes... After that, I'm kind of geeky. I could hang out in museums of all types for days on end with libraries following close behind. I also love going to work at the Hotel everyday. Its really great!

WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE A WOMAN:

Whoever said this was a man's world lied. We women control the heart of the world. We raise the men we so often claim are running it, we inspire the great changes by nudging our children in the direction they need to go, we stop the wars with our tears. I am proud to be a woman because we love so easily and completely. Proud that we change the world with soft touches and strong hugs. Proud that we communicate wishes and dreams that are made reality by our sons and daughters. No body lives without a beating heart. We are the heart in the body of humanity. YAY US!

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED WAS:

When I was a young girl, I was feisty and a bit spoiled (imagine that!). I was very jealous of a young lady in my band class, she was first seat - I was second. We competed in almost everything and in this one class she was beating me. Seriously it was killing me. I complained to my Grandpa. My Grandpa was the wisest man I've ever known. He asked me a series of questions, the most outstanding being "how much do you practice?". Then he hung his head and told me quite bluntly that the other girl probably deserved the seat more than I because great rewards come only with great labor. This has stuck with me my entire life. Everything reflects the effort you put into it.