TIPS OF THE MONTH - FEBRUARY, 2012

WELCOME TO WIDOWS WEAR STILETTOS'

IN-PERSON SUPPORT GROUPS

Pictured above: Members of WWS Utah Chapter; facilitated by Celeste Ledesma

Pictured above: Members of WWS Chicago IL area chapter, facilitated by Mandie Felgenhauer

Pictured above: Members of WWS San Francisco CA Bay Area chapter, facilitated by Laura Fiveash

We are pleased to announce that  Widows Wear Stilettos offers in-person support groups throughout the United States.  There are NO CHARGES, FEES OR MEMBERSHIP DUES REQUIRED in order to attend any Widows Wear Stilettos in-person support group.

FOR INTERESTED FACILITATORS:  If you are interested in organizing and / or facilitating a support group in your area, please let us know as soon as possible and we will send you a Support Group Packet via email.  Send an email to wws_supportgroups@hotmail.com with the words, "WWS Facilitator Information Request" in the subject line and include the following information:

1. Your first and last name
2. Your CORRECT email address (if it differs from the one you use to email WWS)
3. Your telephone number (landline is preferable; this information is for Widows Wear Stilettos' records only).
4. Your city and state.
5. Length of time widowed

PLEASE NOTE: In order to be considered as a facilitator, you must be a widow, a widower OR someone who has lost their fiance(e)', domestic partner, etc. If you have any questions, please let us know at wws_supportgroups@hotmail.com

FOR INTERESTED ATTENDEES:  If you are interested in attending a Widows Wear Stilettos support group, please email us at wws_supportgroups@hotmail.com with the following information:

1. Your first and last name
2. Your CORRECT email address
3. Your city and state

If there is a facilitator registered in your area / state, your information will be forwarded to them and they will contact you directly.  If a group has not yet formed in your area, we can let you know that information and also let you know if / when a group does become available to you.

As we continue with this exciting phase of Widows Wear Stilettos; one that has been a goal of ours for several years, we are again so appreciative of every single one of you who have helped to make Widows Wear Stilettos a leader in grief recovery for anyone who is or has suffered the pain of widowhood. With the addition of our in-person support groups, may we continue our mission and spread the message of hope and healing as far and as wide as we possibly can.

ATTENTION:  WE NEED FACILITATORS!

Following are the states that currently need facilitators and attendees respectively.  If you would like to sign up as either an attendee or facilitator, please email wws_supportgroups@hotmail.com and be sure to indicate your interest.  The list will be updated regularly.

And remember, there are still states who need both.  The support you've been asking for is out there – sign up soon!

REGISTERED FACILITATORS WITHOUT WWS ATTENDEES IN THE STATES OF:

California (various areas)

REGISTERED ATTENDEES NEEDING FACILITATORS IN THE FOLLOWING STATES:

Alabama

Arizona

California (various areas)

Colorado

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Illinois (various areas)

Massachusetts

Michigan (various areas)

Mississippi

Nebraska

New Jersey (various areas)

New York (various areas)

Nevada (Las Vegas area especially; various areas)

North Carolina

Oklahoma

South Carolina

Tennessee

Virginia

Washington DC area

Wisconsin

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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY…REALLY!

Even though you may be trying to ignore it, you also know that it's impossible to ignore.  Valentines' Day is upon us and as with the holidays in November and December, many of you are now looking for ideas on how to “make it through” Valentine’s Day.  Here are a few of Carole's tried-and-true favorites that will help put a smile on your face and bring peace to your heart:  

• Invite a few friends over for a potluck dinner or a Decadent Dessert gathering at your home.  Decorate for the occasion and include festive drinks, such as champagne with a splash of Chambord (raspberry liqueur), Cosmopolitans, Shirley Temples with lots of maraschino cherries or hot chocolate with pink marshmallows.  Include touches like large crystal brandy snifters filled with red licorice whips, bowls of Hershey’s kisses and of course, candy message hearts. Send everyone home with a heart-shaped key-chain, a small heart-shaped picture frame or a few foil-wrapped chocolate hearts in a cellophane bag tied with ribbon as a memento of the evening.

• Slumber parties aren’t just for kids.  Have an old-fashioned slumber party – get into your flannel “jammies” and take turns experimenting with make-up or taking quizzes in women's magazines.  Give yourselves facials (you can get quality facial products at the drugstore without spending a ton of money).  Take ridiculous pictures and make one another promise never to show them to anyone else.  Your “Girls Night In” might also feature a couple of romantic-comedy DVD's (Love Actually, Pretty Woman, The Holiday, Shirley Valentine and of course - Valentine's Day are all great movie suggestions) and be sure to remember the popcorn, soda and chocolate goodies.  Guests don't have to stay the night; you can have "half" a slumber party and say bid your guests good night with chocolate chip cookies and shot glasses filled with cold milk.  If you do choose to have guests stay overnight, offer flavored coffees in red or pink mugs (available at dollar stores) and a selection of pastries for the morning.

• Go someplace that is not a typical "couples" place on Valentine's Day and enjoy yourselves.  For example, bowling parties are huge fun, inexpensive and it's impossible to be gloomy wearing hilarious bowling shoes. 

• Treat yourself!  You deserve to be pampered and treated like the awesome woman that you are and if this means that for the time being, you have to do it yourself – then do it yourself! 

• Visit a department store cosmetic counter or have an at-home beauty consultant come in and try a makeover – something completely different, just for fun – and you can generally do this absolutely free of charge. 

• Book a mini-massage or a single spa treatment of some kind…these also need not be expensive.  You don’t have to go to the Spa Du Jour for an all-day extravaganza (which can be expensive) – do a little research online or with the Yellow Pages…better still, consult with your girlfriends and see if they have any recommendations.

• When was the last time you took an actual bubble bath instead of just ten minutes in the shower before dashing off to work or to run the kids?  Pour yourself a cool glass of your favorite beverage or cocktail; light an aromatherapy candle, add some bath salts and jump in.  No interruptions allowed.

• How about enjoying a meal that doesn't involve the microwave or a paper bag from a drive-thru? Prepare a wonderful candlelit dinner for you.  Pull out all of the stops – steak, champagne and a fabulous dessert – because as the commercials have so long told us…you're worth it! If you really feel that you need to get out of the house – GO!  There's no law that says you can't get all dressed up and take yourself out to Valentine's Dinner.  Depending on where you choose to go, you may be surrounded by couples…but who cares? Besides, you will be waiting on and fussed over in ways you probably haven't experienced.  Pick a favorite restaurant or a restaurant that you have always wanted to try and go enjoy yourself.

• We always feel better when we are in service to others.  All of the shelters and soup kitchens have lots of volunteers and help during Thanksgiving and Christmas…but what about right now?  These places still serve people in need and people in need is a year-round reality.  Why not take a platter or two of Valentine’s cookies or brownies down to a shelter, a soup kitchen or to the children’s wing of a hospital (with prior permission of course).  Visit elderly folks residing in a convalescent or assisted care facility.  Valentine’s Day is all about love and that can also include love for our fellow man.

Finally, know that we at Widows Wear Stilettos are absolutely in love...with all of YOU; our members in a community with the biggest hearts imaginable.  From all of us to all of you, we wish you a lovely and peaceful Valentine's Day

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JOIN CAROLE AND WIDOWS WEAR STILETTOS

AT THE FOURTH ANNUAL

"CAMP WIDOW 2012

APRIL 20-22, 2012, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

AUGUST 10-12, 2012, San Diego, California

IMPORTANT NEWS:  We're delighted to announce that for the first time, there will be an EAST COAST CAMP WIDOW in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina April 20-22, 2012.  Carole and WWS will be there! 

Thousands of you have asked for an event just like this – and it's back for a fourth year!  Carole and Widows Wear Stilettos will be returning as a partner, featured speaker and participant at the fourth annual "Camp Widow 2012"; brought to you by our dear friends of the Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation.   You will have the opportunity to hear Carole speak and meet and visit with her in person; as well as meet many other people just like you from all over the world.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  .WHEN YOU REGISTER AS A PART OF WWS FOR EITHER ONE OR BOTH CAMPS, YOU WILL RECEIVE A SPECIAL WWS REGISTRATION DISCOUNT! 

In response to a recent WWS survey and in answer to the question, "If you could select only one 'favorite thing' about Camp Widow, what would it be and why?", here are just a few of the responses received from WWS attendees at Camp Widow 2011:

·                     The PEOPLE! I met and connected with so many people and I never      thought I would since I went there by myself. It helped me to feel not so alone."

·                     The Friday night [welcome] reception where you could talk with     everyone and have the opportunity to meet so many incredible people.

·                     Meeting other widows, I didn't feel so alone.

·                     My favorite part of Camp was the people I met. Just being able to talk to them and share stories.

·                     Socializing with other widows and making lifelong connections

·                     The interaction with people who "get it"

·                     The people. It was wonderful to connect with so many empathetic individuals.

·                     Being able to talk to everyone with ease about everything concerning   widowhood and know that it would be a comfortable conversation

·                     Being with so many other widows and widowers.

·                     Reconnecting with the women that I have met through WWS

·                     The attendees...everyone brings a certain specialness to the event.

·                     The support and love from everyone who truly "gets it"

·                     Other widows and widowers coming together because it "normalizes" the grief journey and allows unconditional acceptance for all the "no matter what" stuff that comes up.

·                     The positive energy of the people there

·                     The whole "We fully understand" kind of attitude of all the hosts, speakers and all the wonderful widows i got to meet.

·                     Getting good information from the workshops

·                     The camaraderie – it didn't matter what race, age, size, etc anyone was

CAROLE'S TOP TEN REASONS TO ATTEND CAMP WIDOW 2012

10.  The People You'll Meet: Unlike the people that you are around in your daily life, every single person at Camp Widow is exactly like you.  They have either lived or are living the widowhood experience.  They are all ages.  They come from all over the world.  They are from all walks of life.  Most importantly, you will be surrounded by people who "get" what you're going through – and will go "through it" right along with you.

9. The Locations: The inaugural Camp Widow East Coast will be at the Marriott Grand Dunes in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Situated right on the beach, it is an incredible property, a great place for a weekend vacation and we can't wait to debut Camp Widow East at such a beautiful locale.  Camp Widow West Coast returns to the gorgeous San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina in San Diego, California.  The hotel is located on the water and many of your workshops and activities will include a gorgeous ocean view.  Don't forget to take a break outside in the "tropics" – how does a cool drink or cocktail at the pool bar sound?

8. The Education: You'll learn from, meet personally & interact with authors & experts in all areas of loss & loss recovery. Choose workshops that fit your healing journey needs…financial planning, dating & finding love again, helping your grieving children, learning how to move forward while honoring  your past – you'll learn all this & more. Plus lots of photo ops with your favorite authors & experts…FUN!

7.  Shopping: Need we say more? Remember, WWS teaches that you need tools to help your healing & you'll find some of the best tools in the world at Camp.  Browse the exclusive Camp bookstore & pick up popular books & other goodies.

6. The Activities: From the welcome reception on Friday night to the farewell buffet on Sunday morning, you're going to have your choice of fantastic activities; workshops, banquets, music – and perhaps most importantly – you'll get to enjoy amazing time with one another…the BEST!

5.  The Food:  Bring your appetite to Camp because you're going to be fed a LOT - & it's all fantastic! The "light" fare at the welcome reception will blow you away & you'll dine in fine style at the semi-formal "No Date Required" banquet on Saturday night.  You might even be too full for the farewell breakfast on Sunday morning! 

4.  The "Widow-Tude Adjustment": Does the name "Camp Widow" bring to mind a lot of people sitting around depressed & crying? You couldn't be more mistaken. You'll be uplifted, inspired & even laughing.  PS: If those tears do come, that's OK too – there's always someone nearby to put their arms around you & let you know it's going to be OK. 

3.  Friends Forever: Feeling a little broken in the spirit department? Welcome to your personal "Spirit Repair". You're going to meet the most remarkable people at Camp & you'll make friends that you'll keep for the rest of your life.  You'll exchange pictures, hugs, cards, tears, recipes, laughter & experience bonding unlike any other – because remember, everyone at Camp is exactly like you.

2.  Do You Love Surprises?: We sure hope so! Widows Wear Stilettos attendees at Camp Widow receive a "surprise" from WWS at the Friday evening Welcome Reception! (NOTE: "WWS attendees" are those who register with Soaring Spirits SPECIFICALLY as a part of the WWS group, AND who RSVP to WidowsWStilettos@aol.com. All RSVP's will be confirmed with Soaring Spirits).

AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON TO ATTEND CAMP WIDOW 2012?

1.   Whether you attend Camp Widow East, Camp Widow West or both; whether this will be your very first time or you have been every single year...your life will be changed forever in ways you can't imagine.  Enough said.

What are you waiting for? Visit www.campwidow.org for further information.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  IN ORDER TO BE INCLUDED AS AN WWS ATTENDEE, YOU MUST RSVP DIRECTLY TO  WidowsWStilettos@aol.com  WITH YOUR FULL NAME, CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS AND WHICH CAMP YOU'LL BE ATTENDING.  IF WE DO NOT RECEIVE YOUR EMAIL RSVP, YOU WILL NOT BE INCLUDED ON OUR LISTS.  THANK YOU. 

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**PLEASE NOTE:  The tips, resources, websites, endorsements and recommendations offered on this page are based on direct partner affiliation with Widows Wear Stilettos, Inc., research conducted by Widows Wear Stilettos, Inc. and / or personal experience.  These recommendations are made for the purposes of offering assistance and suggestions to our members and visitors to the site; as well as for the raising of funding for the non-profit "First  Month" Foundation.  Employees, representatives or assigns of Widows Wear Stilettos, Inc., or any company or product featured DO NOT receive ANY personal remuneration whatsoever for any resource or recommendations made.