I’m hanging the label superfan on these parents not just because they are fans of a given sport (in this case, swimming), but because they cheer on and genuinely, GENUINELY, wish for, hope for and applaud the success of young athletes who belong to OTHER parents. And they truly feel bad for and try to encourage those athletes who miss the mark for which they were reaching.

My 14-year-old daughter is a competitive swimmer, and she’s been in a bit of a slump for about 12 months. There are some real signs that her “slump” or “funk” may be over, and she’s had three weekends of meets recently in which she’s had some success. Not quite the success she wanted to be having after 12 months of hard work and what she calls “failed swims,” but certainly enough success that she’s feeling hopeful and encouraged and her Dad and I are overjoyed. Throughout her struggles, other swimmers and parents of other swimmers have cheered her on, pumped her up, and all-around encouraged her. It’s been wonderful and it’s meant a lot to us and to her.

The last two weekends, I enjoyed witnessing many of these same parents (plus a few others) do the same for numerous other swimmers within our own club and outside of our club. It was heartwarming. I saw these Moms and Dads hold their breath and then cheer victoriously when swimmer after swimmer achieved their goals. Some of these people were parents of swimmers who’ve already achieved said goal, but some are parents of teens who desperately, DESPERATELY want the same thing for themselves and haven’t gotten there yet. Two Moms in particular were checking times before each race and saying things like, “Okay, cheer for Jane Doe, because she’s only two seconds off. Now, everybody think good thoughts for John Doe, because he’s been trying to get this cut for a year.” Etc. They rallied the fans into the court of whatever kid was in the water. Very cool.

Anyway, I wanted to give a shout-out to all those parents who are doing it right — cheering on their own kids, but also cheering on the kids who are competing right alongside their own kids. And come to think of it: it just so happens that the children of these indivdiuals are doing the same thing down on the deck. Hmmm . . . . . now that’s proof that you’re doing something right, too. Hats off!

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Back to the post. I took my work with me, of course, because as a professional freelance writer, it’s hard to get paid if I’m not working. But doing so this weekend was much more fun because of the hip and stylish laptop bag I was trying out from Fleur de Lis Fashions.  And you can enter to win one just like it if you keep reading.

Fleur de Lis Fashions was founded in 2007 and is headquartered just outside of New Orleans in Slidell, LA.  Fleurdelisfashions.com is an online ladies fashion boutique specializing in fleur-de-lis jewelry and fashions.  The store brings the most extensive and unique fleur-de-lis collection to the web and was ranked #1 in Google for fleur-de-lis jewelry.

In case you didn’t know, the fleur-de-lis is the symbol of New Orleans.
The New Orleans Saints have had the fleur-de-lis emblem on their uniform since 1967.

Rich in history, the fleur-de-lis is one of the most recognized symbols across the world.  Essentially, the fleur-de-lis  is a stylized flower that over time has been associated with royalty. Representing elegance and class, this enduring emblem has been used as a decorative element on shirts, jewelry and even objects for home décor. The symbol has recently been seen on celebrities appearing on American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Coyote Ugly, K-Ville and more. It’s even a symbol of the National Sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma!  And Fleur de Lis Fashions is your one-stop fashion shop for everything fleur-de-lis, from jewelry and handbags to bridal gifts, home decor, luggage, diaper bags and my gorgeous new laptop bag.

I stuffed this bag full of laptop accessories, files, an extension cord, pens and a very heavy, getting-on-in-years Dell laptop (shameless plug to any computer reps out there).  The bag held it all and looked much more attractive than the old, boxy leather laptop bag I usually carry. As you can see from the photo, the bag sports two small handles, but it also has a detachable shoulder strap which I used to keep my hands free for my coffee and heat sheet (the swim meet thing again). The bag features an inside zippered, padded area for the laptop and two outside pockets that include organizers for pens and other small items like an old-fashioned wireless card that my old-fashioned laptop needs to get online.

I know you want one of these laptop bags, so here’s how you can win:

Giveaway guidelines

To win, visit Fleur de Lis Fashions and then come back here and tell me which product you like best in the comment section below.

Receive additional entries by doing any/all of the following, but be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Blog about this contest
2. Subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed
3. Tweet this giveaway on Twitter
4. Favorite Lipstick to Crayons on Technorati
5. Stumble this post
6. Add Lipstick to Crayons to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar

This giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m. Central time August 10.  Be sure to include a valid email address with each of your entries. Winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and will be notified via email and announced on this post.

If winner does not claim prize by August 13, 2009, she/he will forfeit the prize to alternate winner who will be drawn at random.

USA and Canada residents only please.

This contest is closed. Congratulations to Rosanne, comment # 132. You are the winner of thef fleur-de-lis laptop bag.

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