MERIDIAN —     Who are the women behind The Star's "Blogging Babes?"

    Angela Payne describes herself as a sister, a mother, a rival, a best friend, an information junkie, oblivious. A dreamer, a realist, a believer "just seeking His will for me." A procrastinator, a competitor, a country girl with city ways, a student, a mentor, a professional who thinks casual Fridays are a must, a fan. An anachronism, relevant, a cliche, an enigma, a wife "with goofy songs and bedtime stories for my favs" and one who is always striving toward "giving you the best that I've got! (A reference to her being a mega fan of R&B songstress Anita Baker)"

    Angela Denney describes herself as a hard working wife who has been happily married for 20 something years and the mother of a 20-year-old college student as well as a teenager. Now that her kids are getting older and her hubby unofficially retired, she is attempting a career in broadcasting. And she is about to become a bridesmaid, again – " ...for the eighth time (ironic since I have never been a bride, yet I have been married for so long) and I will be 29 again in March." Affectionately called "Angie Lu" by family all her life, she shares that tidbit "since I am a true Southern Belle, and proud of it." Her daily motto: Live, Love and Laugh. "So as I get busy putting more bandaids on the wounds life hands us, crossing the bridges that connect our lives and celebrate love as the bridesmaid, I can only hope you enjoy the journey as much as I do."

    In short, they are women whose lives often mirrors the lives of so many other women.

    "We are daughters, sisters, mothers, grandmothers telling our life experiences through blogging," said Joy Henson, 393 Magazine editor.

    Blogging Babes is the forerunner to an upcoming women's magazine to be published by The Star.

    "We were trying to think of a way to get indepth with women in general," Henson said. "A way for women in the area to get together and talk about different things. Whether it's a single mom, a single female who is just starting out in the adult world or a grandmother whose interested in politics – all of the different bloggers, you can relate to them in some way."

    Payne said she was asked to be a Blogging Babe by Star Editor Fredie Editor, who felt she would have something relevant to say to readers. But in hindsight, she recognized that there is great humility and vulnerability with the responsibility.

    "I hope to be embraced for the essence of what I represent, not just the words I write," Payne said. "Essence over extract is what makes me anxious and excited all at once about the experience."

     Other women to relate to on the blog:

    • Former Life Section advice columnist "Love, Sidney" Covington, who says, "Life is a hoot and worth living to the fullest. That's not to say it doesn't have its share of bumps ... it certainly does, but as a counselor, I know the value of talk therapy and, as a woman, I know the value of friends." Covington is a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a child of God. "I have balance. I'm still young enough to have fun, but old enough to not need the social pretenses that comes with the days of young wifehood. I'm free!" Covington said her prayer is that her family stays healthy, she improves the world each day, and "that I arrive wherever I'm going wearing shoes that match! Join me ... share with me ... let's have fun!"

    • Community activist and grandmother Sandra Hammon – also known as "Cha." Retired, a grandmother and a follower of local politics, Hammon said she intends to fill her blog with interest from these topics. "These, and of course whatever life brings to fill the day," she said. "That would consist of my love for the Lord, my family, home and country." You also might catch a few vegetarian recipes here and there, "and a few 'not so veggie' recipes," as one of her hobbies is cooking for a crowd, which she does once a week for a senior group "sweet enough to love anything I happen to stir up." Hammon invites readers to discover with her what glorious things life has to offer. "After all, finding moments, even the smallest of them, and sharing with one another is something we all need to do more often," she said. "So, let's take a few moments and relax as we enjoy this journey we all walk together."

    • Abby Dennis, who works with youth at First Baptist Church. Dennis describes herself as "a daughter, a best friend, and a shoe lovin', purse buyin', budget bustin' shopper at heart!" Dennis is also a child of the most high God, with a passion for leading young children, youth and adults to Christ. "Most of all, I'm a work in progress waiting for my next adventure in His time!"

    • 393 Editor Joy Henson, a young Southern lady who loves to smile, socialize and cook. "Give me a few minutes of your time and you might know my life story," she says. Henson said she has never met a stranger, and she believes that if you've got something to say, then you should say it. Henson loves cooking a home cooked Southern meal for her man and confesses to being guilty of saying "y'all" all the time. "I've been called a 'social butterfly' and that's how Confessions of a Southern Socialite (her blog name) came to be."

    New additions to the Blogging Babes are anticipated. Local businesswoman Sheena Davis just agreed to join the group and several others are expected to have their sites up soon.

    In addition to reading about these women's lives, those who visit the site will also be able to interact with them via e-mail.

    "I've had someone to e-mail me and say, 'Oh, my God, I had the same thing to happen to me," Henson said. "It's just a great way for local women to connect with one another."

    Dennis, who has been a blogger for two years, said becoming a Blogging Babe has been a great way to keep in touch with her friends and family who don't have Facebook.

    "Plus, it's more of a journal type thing," she said. "Facebook is about status updates and pictures, where blogging is about your thoughts on things and your opinions. I'm really enjoy it."