The Sassy Steel Magnolia
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  • July14th

    three years ago today, my world came to a complete stand still.

    three years ago today, i made the calls to dear friends letting them know.

    three years ago today, i learned what true heartache feels like.

    three years ago today, the greatest change i could have never imagined began.

    three years ago today, i started to really understand what it is to love.

    three years ago today, my Father went up to the Big Garden in the Sky.

    and three years ago today, his youngest started to find her own way.

    Stephen F. Fiechtl

    October 10, 1946 – July 14, 2008

    “It’s in the bag.”

    *comments have been disabled on this post.
  • September30th

    One of the greatest things a woman can do is help another woman. Over this past year with The Sassy Steel Magnolia I have come to know this more and more with each post, each reader I meet and each woman I come in contact with every day.  That’s why for me today’s celebration post is more important than any other one this week….

    For a part of The SSM’s birthday celebration I want to ask you, each and every one of you, to Help a Sister Out. Give hope. Give support. Give strength. Take a few minutes, spare a few dollars, and make a donation to My Sister’s House.

    Founded in 1980, My Sister’s House is a nonprofit organization providing resources, education and programs to empower victims of domestic violence, and their children, to live a life free from abuse.

    Serving victims and educating the communities of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties in South Carolina, My Sister’s House not only operates an emergency shelter for victims but offers a 24-hour crisis line, counseling, assistance with basic necessities, support groups, court advocacy and much, much more.

    Did you know that an act of domestic violence occurs every 13 seconds in the United States? Or that 6 million American women are beaten each year by their husbands or boyfriends; 4,000 of them are killed? Have you ever stopped to think how little it takes to help one of these women, to give them a glimmer of hope or strength to rise above?

    You’d be surprised what a mere $5.00 can do and how far even $15 can go. So now I’m calling on you my dear readers to pull out those debit cards and HELP A SISTER OUT! If you’ve been wondering what you can get The SSM for our birthday celebration, here is your chance. I’m not asking for much and you don’t even have to come back and tell me what you donated….all I’m asking is for you to Help a Sister Out at My Sister’s House.

    To make an online donation simply go here and follow the screens.  If you’d like to mail in a check, send it to:

    My Sister’s House, Inc.
    PO Box 71171
    North Charleston, SC 29415

    For more information on My Sister’s House and other ways you can get involved in helping a sister out, visit their Web site here.

    Come on ladies [and gents], it’s a birthday celebration request! Besides, do you really need that stop at Starbucks today? And I bet if you wait till next week, that new dress you saw will still be there, and maybe on sale…I’m just sayin.

    It’s time to put an end to the cycle of domestic violence.

    I’ve already made my donation this morning….your turn. I’ll go ahead and tell you Thank You ;)

    -♥-

  • August24th

    (if you have trouble viewing this video, please click here)

    Are you a character? Then take the pledge.

    My latest pledge:

    In September of 2009 I posted Characters Unite with my first pledge. In January I posted Take the Pledge to make more people aware of such a great cause. I’m here posting again and I’ll keep posting until characters unite touches each and every one of you.

    Take the pledge. Make a conscious effort each and every day to make this world a better place. It’s easy. Not sure where to start? Try one or two of the 50 Things You Can do to Unite the USA. Just one step at a time and little by little.

    How can we expect to help another when we can not except another?

    Take the Pledge

  • July14th

    Dear Daddy,

    The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do was learn how to live without you.

    I love you Pops, happy Heaven day.

    love and hugs from your youngest,

    Jennie Boo

    *and I hope you are keeping up your end of the bargain, as we both know I’m trying my hardest to keep up with mine! ;)

    • Stephen Francis Fiechtl •

    October 10, 1946 – July 14, 2008

    __________________________________________________

    What a beautiful life, just like a Dixie Lullaby..

    Pat Green – Dixie Lullaby

    (If you have trouble viewing this video, please click here.)

  • July13th

    A surprise visit to my dear friend Marianne, planned since April by her adoring husband, took quite the detour when their sweet little Baby Casen was moved to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital when he was just two days old. After surgery and heavy monitoring, Baby Casen is in recovery and on his way to being home in Lexington within a week or so. Seeing the incredible love and strength in his mother, a childhood friend of mine since age 10, really had an impact on me and how I see the world. I’ve always appreciated the little things, but now more than ever.  I’ve been so blessed for everything in my life and the people who have filled it with so much joy and emotion that I wanted to share a little piece of me, my trip and where I grew up…..in Small Town, America.

    (scroll over the pictures for captions)

    It was a long week of driving here and there and rearranging last minute plans and the such.  From Charleston to Nashville to Lexington to Nashville to Charleston – the open road and me….we’re best buddies anyways and needed the quality time together.  Even though my initial plan of rest, relaxation and slipping in and out of random antique shops along the way didn’t exactly pan out, I’m sure I’ll find time somewhere down the line to make that happen. Regardless, you gotta love life’s mystically crazy journey….

    Just goes to show that no matter how hard we try to plan, sometimes you just have to go with the flow and trust the Big Man Upstairs has your back {and those of all you love}.