Laurie Raines

I was born in Atlanta Ga., but grew up in Hollywood Fla. I have the most amazing mother and brother in the universe!!! I treasure my friends and family!! My favorite things are.. Children and their laughter and pure innocence,"Craftsman Style Homes", "Cottages" (Beach or otherwise),Writing, Reading, Decorating, Makeup Artistry, Broadway Theatre (any theatre really), The Ballet, The intense, impulsive, wonderful energy of New York City, The warm and peaceful feeling that courses through my heart when at the Beach!! Gardening, listening to Live Music, Helping Others, Fine Dining, Good Wine, Cooking, Painting(or at least trying to:),Fishing, Boating, Canoeing, Photography, Watcing good Cinema, watching "Will & Grace"(over & over...my guilty pleasure), Peppermint Patties, Talking to my Mom, hanging out with Friends and Family, precious moments with my de-facto grand daughters, Country Music ,Classic Rock and many other jenres,( just no "Head-Banging music) ,Traveling, discovering new things, learning something new everyday, swaying in a hammock ANYWHERE, and just enjoying life and ALL the gifts God bestows upon me! My favorite places are.. The Beach,The Outter Banks, Pawleys Island, The Country, The Mountians, Paris, London, Italy, Ireland,Hawaii, New York, San Francisco, Miami, Hollywood, Almost any Small Quaint Town, The Great Lakes, The Cape, and too many others to mention!! My Favorite qualities in people are.. kindness, integrity, honor, honesty, generousity, loyalty, alturisim, , fair & nondiscriminatory , being of strong faith, a strong moral compass, self confidence, intelligence, personal inner strength, depth of character, flexibility, good sense of humor, unconditional love, a forgiving nature, graciousness, class, empathy, thoughtfulness, selflessness, humility, benevolence and a unwavering love and respect of family and friends. My greatest lessons in life are....Treat others as you would like to be treatred...Enjoy and be grateful for all the beauty that surrounds you..Live Life to the fullest..Treasure yourFamily&Friends..Give more than you receive..Respect others always... What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.... (PEOPLE DO BREAK PROMISES, BREAK UP FAMILIES AND WILL TRY TO BREAK YOUR SPIRIT) hence, make better choices in people... KeepYOUR promises.. forgive those that don't, or have been influenced by the dishonest, while moving on with your life with grace, dignity and honor!.... Think before you speak...Accept people as they are...Be grateful for all that you have...Nothing ever stays the same...It always gets better...No one can truly love you until you love yourself...Pay it forward, it comes back ten fold....Help yourself because no one else will....Love deeply..Give freely...Stay true to yourself... Maintain your dignity and self respect, because others will try to take it from you, but they can't if you don't allow it.... Accept nothing but the best for yourself... Give the best of yourself to others.. Trust again, but only when it is earned... ...Forgive always.... Trust your instincts, they never betray you...Remain faithful always...You can't change others, only your reaction to them... You don't have to give birth to be a wonderful and loving parent...and so many other life lessons that it would take up pages!! However, the most important lesson learned is to Thank God every day for Life and all it's lessons..."hold on loosely" to your children, but " never truly let go" (you know who you are.. When you're ready, I'll always be here waiting, as promised) and be the best you can be... ALWAYS!!!