Welcome to SLUTS!

As any good Southern-born woman knows, stress is inevitable in one's life. What sets us apart is how we handle it. In our case, we strongly advise cocktails, girlfriends, good food that's not always so good for you, screaming out loud (at times), laughing, and staying connected to our Southern roots - for better or worse, for richer for poorer, you know the rest. (Funny how it's sometimes easier to cleave to one's heritage than to one's spouse.)

We are not daughters of the high society South. To our knowledge, no one in our families has ever owned slaves, been a debutante, attended a college where football is more important than English literature or engaged in other stereotypical Southern activities that are, quite frankly, in downright bad taste.

We come from various parts of the region, but we all now reside in Asheville, North Carolina (pretty much the antithesis of the Deep South). We know that there are many, many of our sisters scattered far and wide who share the burden of balancing good manners and grace with lives of constant havoc and insanity.

To address the ongoing stresses of life, we turn to alcohol, exercise, chocolate, and other diversions. But mostly, we know the value of sharing our stories, concerns, observations and dreams with one another. There's nothing in life a friend can't get you through. We learned this from Virginia, one of our great Southern lady friends, who just happens to be a mother-in-law to one of us. Just goes to show, there's an element of being raised in Southern womanhood that really can transcend some barriers. Virginia and her friends take the credit for forming "Southern Ladies Under Terrible Stress," otherwise known as SLUTS. We are honored to build on their tradition.

So to you, ladies, we lift our martini glasses high, and for you, we begin this new blog for SLUTS everywhere.  Read, laugh and comment often!