Gloria called the meeting to order. Lori introduced the new people. Natalie and Marina, Sally, and Marci and Terry.

Sherry is still collecting recipes, and Olena is still want stories. There will be a gift exchange at the Christmas Party. Bring a gift costing $5 to $10. Olena suggested a white elephant gift exchange. We will keep this in mind for the spring. Gloria brought a group picture of the people who were at Holiday En Femme. At the January meeting our speaker will be a dance instructor. February is spouse and partners month. Next meeting is the Christmas Party. Members are asked to pay the meeting fee. Guests are free.

Kathleen is still collecting S.O. profiles. Cheryl was asked by Tri-Ess to start a new program called Caring Friends. This is for S.O. ‘s. You need to be on line to assist but participation is open to all SOs. Kathleen made the motion we adjourn the meeting.Cheryl sec.

Respectfully Submitted

Elaine Benton

Secretary/Treasurer

The holidays are upon us and before we know it, it will be time for February, National SO Month, This is the month that we are all going to pull together and do something special to show all the SOs how much we appreciate them and their support. Why bring it up now, just before Christmas? We need time to plan and get it all together. By all rights, we should have the next three month’s worth of meetings planned at all times.

There are lots of little things we can do to show our appreciation to the SOs that so often take a back seat to us and our programs. Presenting each one with a rose, a special little announcement declaring our appreciation, making sure they aren't involved in the cleanup and kitchen work they are normally relegated to. I think they need more than that though. I think a program tailored to the SOs or one where they are the in spotlight is due.

We always try to bring in someone occasionally to do makeup, hairstyling, deportment, etc. All these things that help us do a better job of presenting the woman we all wish to be. I think the makeup and hairstyling presentation with a new twist would be very appropriate. Only this time, let's put an SO in the spotlight and let her be the one who gets a makeover, or a new hairstyle. Come on girls, we all know how nice it is to have this done for ourselves, let's share a little and let the real girls have a shot at it too. I'm sure they would enjoy it as much as we do.

One of the ideas I've heard offered is having a female impersonator come in and give a presentation about some strong, important female from history such as First Lady Florence Harding. I'm sure there are some valuable lessons to be learned from these ladies but I'm not sure that the SOs want a female impersonator to be the presentation for "their" special night. A great idea any other time of the year but not for National SO Night.

Another idea is bringing a caring professional, such as a psychologist or counselor that specializes in gender issues. Only this time, rather than talk about the CDs problems, they could talk about problems specific to the SOs and how we, as the CDer, can help in her adjustment to our CDing and how we can ease those problems.

One idea I thought was rather neat was assigning each SO a personal attendant for the evening. The attendant would fetch drinks for his lovely "mistress"?. OK, I'm not going to go down that road but perhaps a cleaner version of it. The attendant can simply wait on her as she sees fit. If it were up to me I'd arrange it so that the attendant would be someone other than their own SO. It will give others a chance to participate, and bring about a little more socializing as participants are paired with others they may not normally be that close to.

Even single CDs and CDs with Non-supportive spouses can be involved.

It has been brought to my attention that some CDs, those who do not currently have an SO or have a non-supportive SO, may feel left out. Personally I don't really see this as a problem. These CDs can learn a great deal from our SOs and such presentations and simply save it till later when they may find a need for it. This reminds me of a CD I met this last year at SPICE. He currently is between relationships, his last having suffered a common fate among CDs. The reason he came in because he was looking for tips to use in his next relationship to keep it from happening again. This CD is thinking ahead. Not only that but I have had Cheryl dragged away from me several times to chat with another CD about his problems. Seems the SOs can still provide some valuable input whether they are your SO or not. So all of us can get something from National SO Month regardless of our SO Status.

Personally my favorite choice is to bring in a caring professional and tell me how I can help Cheryl understand some of the problems and how I can make it easier on her to deal with my crossdressing. Well, this might be a tough job considering how accepting and understanding Cheryl is but it's the thought that counts, right? Of course, we should still do all of those other little things that are so important to the real girls in the chapter. But let's make sure they get something useful out of at least one meeting a year.

But that's just my opinion. Somewhere in this mess of words I have taken the liberty to call an editorial, I'm sure you have formed an opinion of some sort. Please, please, let Gloria know what that opinion is so we can plan an appropriate presentation for February.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you.

Lisa Ann

Several months ago Kathy told me that she wanted me to attend the 1999 Tri-Ess Holiday En-Femme in Houston. And, quite frankly, it was because of her insistence that I did go. Kathy and I are, by our natures, "home bodies", and I can't think of much of any place I'd rather be than by Kathy's side.

I'd thought about attending one of the conventions before, but there almost always was no time, no money, or some situation that made it impossible to go. So it was Kathy's planning and saving that made this trip to Houston possible. Even trying to minimize expenses, the cost of attending was almost $1,000, so attending isn't a decision you make lightly.

Another obstacle to overcome was my own innate shyness around people I don't know, and places and situations that I am not familiar with. It helped greatly that I could make the trip with dear friends (Diane B, Lisa, Cheryl, Diane V and Allie), and I did want to meet with others I knew who would be in Houston.

And so, with bags packed, a goodbye kiss, and the promise of lots of hugs and kisses from Kathy when I returned, I went to Houston. From Thursday morning until very late Saturday night, I was able to be Gloria all the time. I'd never really had the time to be Gloria for one entire day, let alone for three days. That is in itself an experience I will remember.

I may never feel as confident as some others do in public, or choose to be in public very much at all; but I'm glad I had the experience of going to the Fine Arts Museum, Caruso's Dinner Theater, and just being around all the other guests at the hotel. At the Museum there were school kids everywhere, and that gave the excursion a special touch. And at the dinner theater, the cast of the play seemed to have a blast that our group was in the audience. And the personnel at the hotel were very nice and courteous.

For other guests at the hotel I saw looks ranging from initial shock to amused laughter, but did not have any negative experiences. I also had the opportunity to meet some people who I hope will become friends for a long time to come.

The seminars were interesting and gave me a couple ideas for possible programs for the future. I even had the opportunity to speak with Virginia Prince, and I must say that even if I may not always agree with what she says or writes, that I do respect her for what she did to get groups started over thirty years ago.

Two new chapters were chartered by Tri-Ess while we were there. So there was a sense of history as an organization ranging from the early days with Virginia to the future as new chapters are formed.

I believe we can be proud to be a part of a vital organization seeking to help so many. Of course, I don't think there is much doubt of the pride I feel in being a part of Alpha Omega.

And so, for a brief time, I lived on Houston time, and enjoyed the experience greatly. Now it is time to take my experiences and use them towards making Alpha Omega the very best chapter and group that it can be. Join with me to make it happen.

Respectfully Submitted,

Gloria Sue Fenton

I’m sure that Gloria has included a full description of the Houston trip in her articles, so I will not say much about it. Lisa and I had a marvelous time. Neither one of us attended many of the seminars, we just relaxed and talked with people. The stories out there are as varied as the people. Some I’d heard before and some I hadn’t. It was especially refreshing to meet people that I had “talked” with so many times before on the internet. Of course no one appeared as I expected. Amazing the mental pictures we form of those we’ve never seen. I wasn’t even close.

Now the holidays have begun. I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Christmas is fast approaching. Are you ready? This year with two weddings coming up fast, Lisa and I are planning on having a very small Christmas budget. Maybe that is for the best. After all do we really need to buy a gift for every Tom, Dick, and Harry? In my family alone I would have 8 grandkids, my 4 children, my 2 brothers and a sister along with their kids. Enough already! I don’t own the bank, it owns me!!!!!!! Matt’s family is just as bad. So we’ve said enough is enough and have family drawings on both sides.

2000 is almost upon us. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about changes that need to be made. Plans are already in process for a job change – time to come closer to home. Lisa and I are still learning a lot about each other. Somehow we have managed to set up great communication lines and talk about everything and anything. The weddings are going onward – I can’t believe the amount of details and planning. Several things are happening on the A-O and Triess fronts. I’ve decided to step aside on many of my A-O projects and let some of the new people in. I’ll maintain the Rainbow Trail and continue with my limited assistance on the newsletter. But it is time for change; otherwise we grow stale and progress is limited.

The responses to the SO questionnaires are online. If there are any changes or additions to be made, please let me know (in writing would be helpful). Thank you all for your assistance.

Finally I am including Audrey Hepburn’s “Beauty Tips” and we must all admit she was an exceptionally beautiful woman:

1. For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

2. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

3. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

4. For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

5. For poise, walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone.

6. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Never throw out anybody. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of your arm.

7. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping your self, the other for helping others.

8. The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A SAFE 2000 TO YOU ALL!!!!!!!! ………Cheryl

 

Each year I try to find something special for Gloria for a Christmas present. Usually the cost is very conservative, but I try to make it something special. It might be a certain fragrance she likes or an outfit I know she would look good in. Last year celebrated ten years of her being a part of Alpha Omega. She also refers to this as “her” birthday. So last year Santa brought her something I knew the teenager inside her would love, a shiny, jangling charm bracelet. As it turns out, having her very own charm bracelet has always been a secret desire of Gloria’s.

This year, however, an event occurred which made me determined to give her the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime gift. Last year we were notified that Alpha Omega had won a Commended Chapter Award for 1998. This is an award which we had long hoped for, but never before achieved. Earning the award was not the result of the actions of any one person in our group, but of the efforts of a number of people who help to keep this chapter active and growing.

From the moment I knew our Chapter had won, I set my mind on the fact that somehow I was going to find a way for Gloria to go to the Holiday EnFemme in Houston this year to accept the award on behalf of Alpha Omega. Gloria has been actively involved in this group almost from her first meeting . When her term is up this spring she will have been president for almost six of those years. Even when she was out of office, she was referred to by some in our group as the “phantom president”. Due to circumstances beyond the control of two successive presidents, it was necessary for them to rely heavily on Gloria for assistance. She has served on and/or chaired just about every committee we have during those years. She has fought a few battles and has slew a few dragons along the way (okay, okay, perhaps some exaggeration ; but, after all, I am madly love with this person). And, when I think about our history with the group, the exaggeration isn’t all that much! Gloria loves Alpha Omega and has dedicated herself to the preservation and continuation of this group so that it can be there for others now and in the future as it was for her when she so desperately needed it eleven years ago.

Luckily, (I guess), I have had a lot of overtime this year. I decided that as much as possible any extra I earned this year would go for special things, rather than the usual bill paying. God has been good to us, and we have been able to do just that! Martin and I enjoyed a wonderful New England vacation together. We purchased our first camcorder. Seeing the little bit of tape my sister has of our grandmother before she passed away spurred me on to this purchase. Having pictures of our loved ones is one thing, but seeing them move and hearing the sound of their voice is an entirely different experience.

And, yes, there was enough for me go give Gloria this ultimate Christmas-Birthday-Valentine’s Day-Sweetest Day-etc.-etc. gift. It was important to me for all she has given to Alpha Omega in the past, for all she continues to do for Alpha Omega on a daily basis, and for her hopes for Alpha Omega in the future that Gloria be there to represent Alpha Omega and to personally receive this award on behalf of our group.

On a lighter note, I enjoyed helping her get ready for her first convention. We found a nice little black dress in a catalog several months ago which we thought would be perfect for the main event. We had never ordered from this particular catalog before, so we picked a size, sent the order and hoped for the best. Every two or three weeks we would receive a notice saying this item was on back order. As the event grew closer I was starting to panic. After all, if Gloria was going national, I wanted her to look her best. We found a dress in a local store at a great price, and decided to purchase it – just in case. As yet another notice arrived telling us about the backorder, we found yet another dress at yet another great price, and purchased it – just in case. Of course, the original dress we ordered arrived in our mailbox exactly two days before departure!

Martin had been on a week long business trip and was spending the weekend trying to catch up on sleep as well as trying to get outfits and accessories together for Gloria’s upcoming trip. I had to laugh when I walked into our bedroom, and saw the top of our bed completely covered with various outfits, shoes, accessories, makeup and who knows what else that Gloria felt she needed to make it through her first convention. I was wondering how she was going to pack it all into the two bag maximum that was her limit for luggage!! Somehow she managed to squeeze everything in, and it was off to Houston.

This was a very special gift that I chose to give to Gloria. (My job demands would not have allowed me the time away from work, even if I had chosen to accompany her to Houston.) I knew that she would be with friends, that she would be safe, and that she would enjoy herself. For myself, I was happy to have some time to do things for our family and for me. I am a hearth and home kind of person. Baking for the holidays, finding special Christmas presents, working on our family histories are ways that I find contentment.

Of course, we missed each other. But the nightly phone calls kept us in touch, and we knew the time would fly. Hearing the happiness in Glorias voice, sharing her excitement and joy in the experience of Houston, made everything worth it. Any by Sunday night I had my husband back home with me.

Gloria, next year may be a bauble or bangle; but for this year , Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Birthday, Sweets to the Sweetest Day, and – oh, you get the picture!!

Merry Christmas,

Kathleen