Spirit.

This weekend I was blessed to be able to to spend time with some amazing children and the parents and staff who love them. On Saturday, Geri, Dawn (Mrs. Ocean County), Anita (Mrs. Mercer County) and myself held a toy drive for children fighting cancer at the Monmouth Medical Center. It filled me with holiday spirit to see how many people opened their hearts to brighten a child's day with a toy or game. Six huge bags of toys were collected and we'll be personally delivering them to the hospital next weekend.


Then yesterday, with Anita, Dawn, Beth (Mrs. Burlington County), Darlene (Mrs. Monmouth County), Susan (Mrs. Cape May County), Amy (Mrs. Somerset County), Christina (Mrs. Atlantic County), and former contestants Jenny and Laura, we attended the holiday party for the former patients of the Center. To see the happy, healthy children ... there are no words. What an honor to spend time with these survivors!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas ...

The holiday season is in full swing in New Jersey! Although we've only had one real snow (before Halloween!), the streets in every town are lined with twinkly lights and I've been lucky enough to participate in holiday concerts, parades, and parties - I feel jolly! I was a "Disco Santa" at a Holiday Express concert, been riding in the back of BMWs and Fords at several holiday parades, and even been a surprise guest at an 100th birthday party (go, Minna!).

Atlantic City AND more pictures.

Back to work today after another convention in Atlantic City yesterday - again I met so many wonderful people from throughout the state and was shown such gracious hospitality by sponsor Carpet Showcase. Here I am with some local police officers from up north by me!

I seriously underestimated the amount of pictures I would be signing - I ran out within two hours, but luckily there was a copy center in the convention center, and Maurice saved the day by running off more copies in a jiffy! Every time I visit AC, I love it more and more - who needs Vegas when we've got all the attractions right here in New Jersey?! I see an AC birthday celebration in the near future. (Speaking of birthdays, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR GERI!)

By the way, when I get pictures, I often drop them in to the corresponding post, so scroll down for some new and improved pictures of recent events!

Video.

Last night Pablo and I screened the DVD of the 2008 Mrs. New Jersey America Pageant. Geri did an amazing job with the videographer - it captured all the excitement of not only that night, but all of pageant weekend. For Pablo, this was the first time he saw video of my win; unfortunately due to an unavoidable conflict, he was not with me the night I won (thanks again, Erik, for escorting me on stage!). It was so nice to see how excited and proud he was.

For me, watching the video was like the first time, too. When you're in the pageant, you miss a lot of the detail and hard work that go into the production. It was interesting to watch it from an "audience" perspective. However, my palms did sweat every time I saw myself on stage - and I knew that I had won! Instantaneous nervous reaction.

Watching it made me so excited and wistful about what's going to happen in June 2009 - I'm thrilled for all the wonderful contestants that they're going to have this amazing, fun, rewarding experience, but of course I'll be sad to give up the title. Two things came to mind to ease that wistfulness: make the most of every minute of this year, and Geri's reminder, "once a Mrs. New Jersey, always a Mrs. New Jersey."

DVDs are available for sale through the Mrs. New Jersey America website: http://www.mrsnewjerseyamerica.com/

Cars.

Last week I was busy with appearances all over the state. I'm getting such an education about New Jersey - I'm going from north to south, west to east, and meeting so many great people along the way. I'm even getting good at directions and driving without my GPS (amazing!!). I'm so lucky for this chance and reason to explore my great state further.

On Wednesday, I appeared at a convention in Atlantic City with our sponsor Carpet Showcase. I signed pictures and got to talk with educators and administrators from public schools throughout the state.

It was such a huge event, I wasn't surprised I managed to miss my old BOE, but I did meet members of the BOE for my husband's alma mater. I haven't been to Atlantic City in years - I found it so vibrant and alive - they've done lots of great work refurbishing and doing new construction. The hubby and I are planning a long weekend getaway down there real soon - if we can find a long weekend we both have off from work!

Friday I had the honor of appearing in an amazing Halloween Parade. This parade is the second-largest Halloween parade in the country, with thousands of participants and over 100,000 spectators in person and on television and the Internet.

Geri drove me in a sweet Ford Mustang loaned to us by Downs Ford, and Pablo played "the navigator" in the passenger seat. So much fun interacting with the crowd along the route, and I loved having my "Mr. New Jersey" along for the ride.

The next day the Mrs. New Jersey America Organization participated in a fundraiser for Komen for the Cure. This is a national event hosted by BMW in which every mile test driven during "Drive for the Cure" raises $1 for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment. I was there with Geri Watson (Mrs. New Jersey America 2003, 3rd RU at Mrs. America, and the Mrs. New Jersey America Organization Director), Christina Rak-Samson (Mrs. New Jersey 2006), Anita (Mrs. Middlesex County), Darlene (Mrs. Monmouth County), and Christina (Mrs. Atlantic County). We had a great time driving the cars for the cure, and were so moved by the stories of the survivors we heard that day.

Today I'm off to a 2009 contestant informational meeting - I'm going to see Juli (Mrs. Bergen County) and Dawn (Mrs. Ocean County). It's so much fun to get to know the amazing women that are a part of our organization. I remember that first meeting I went to, how nervous and unsure I was. Geri and the other ladies made this "new girl" feel right at home. I'm so glad I made that choice and got involved with the Mrs. New Jersey America family - it's an experience to last a lifetime.

Brunch.

I got to reunite with a fellow Mrs. America contestant this weekend! Jacqueline (Mrs. Rhode Island) was in New Jersey judging the Miss New Jersey USA Pageant, and since she was only 40 minutes away, we couldn't resist getting together for brunch and chatting. It was so good to laugh about funny memories from Mrs. America and share stories from our home states. I miss all the ladies in the class of 2008!

Whirlwind.

What an amazing opportunity being Mrs. New Jersey America is! I've had some truly wonderful experiences so far - getting to meet people who make a difference, getting to raise money for some wonderful charities, and having a bunch of fun!

I must say that I've been so impressed with the creative and effective ways the Komen for the Cure Foundation raises money and awareness about breast cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month - please pass along the Komen message of early detection to all the women in your life. And if you can donate, please do. Every little bit helps fund research and prevention efforts.


A big thank you to all my sponsors for the Komen walk yesterday. I walked with "The Bald and the Breastless," a team of survivors and supporters who can be called nothing but an inspiration. And lots of more Komen events coming up this month ... tying pink ribbons, "Driving for the Cure," etc.

I thought the doggie day that L'Oreal held was amazing as well - raising money for Komen and awareness of animal rights issues simultaneously. And what a great time I had with Mrs. Mercer County Anita Wertz (and her daughter), Mrs. New Jersey 2006 Christina Rak-Samson, and Mrs. Wheelchair New Jersey 2006 Kelly Rouba judging the dog costume contest! My husband won't let me dress up our dog, so I loved seeing the dogs in their finest costumes!


With Anita and Christina (and some furry friends!)


With "Rescue Ink," an organization that rescues dogs from dog fighting and abuse

I've also recently participated in a music festival in Washington, NJ, where my husband grew up. One of my duties was announcing bands, including "The Boys Named Sue," a Johnny Cash tribute band.

I love Johnny Cash! My dog is even named Folsom after the song.

Additionally, a big thanks to the Newark Bears staff and fans who welcomed me with open arms and cheered me on as I threw out the first pitch.

(Thanks, Rich!!)

Finally - pictures!!

Oh, my gosh, it's been such a whirlwind since Mrs. America! I was getting used to being pampered and well-fed by the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort staff, but soon enough back to the real world ... comfy at home with my husband and dog, with my family close by. I missed you all so much while I was away!

I KNOW you've been waiting for pictures, so here it is ... some of my Mrs. America experience for your viewing pleasure.



The opening routine, choreographed by the wonderful Frit and Frat Fuller - I got to be up front!


The George Washington costume - thanks to Christie Elders-Tighe (Mrs. New Jersey America 2004) for both making the costume, and letting me wear it!


The parade of costumes. I loved Mrs. New York's "big apple!"


In Nikki Wior swimwear.


The evening gown competition. Geri was right - this dress really sparkled!


After the pageant with a very proud "Mr. New Jersey."

Landed.

I am back on NJ soil and headed back to work today. It was a once in a lifetime experience to be surrounded by such amazing women. Congratulations to our new Mrs. America Maureen MacDonald (formerly Mrs. North Carolina)! I will have lots of great pictures for you in the next few days - I know everyone wants to see the gown!

And don't forget, I'm Mrs. New Jersey America for the next ten months! Keep watching this space for pictures and stories of my experiences!

Waiting!

Last night we had the second round of preliminary competition - swimwear and evening gown. I was so nervous, but the energy of the crowd and seeing my family waving signs in the audience made me feel so good on stage. I can never tell how I did, but some directors here have told me my walk was great, so that feels nice. All those walking workshops with Geri paid off!! No dancer hands!

We entered in our swimwear and sarongs, with me just making it across the stage in time to do the arm movements without looking like a "Price Is Right" presenter! Check it out!



Then group by group we modeled swimwear, having finally mastered the removal of the sarong. Then evening gown, with the difficult shifting movement up and down stairs in trains and beads! Finally, we showed off our state costumes. Everyone in the audience said the costume presentation was so much fun because we were all relaxed (it isn't part of the scoring process). My costume was a hit!

Today we woke up EARLY for a presentation and then three rounds of rehearsal. Finals are going to go like this: opening number, announcement of Advertising Award and Mrs. Congeniality (I call Mrs. Missouri!), presentation of gifts to the Mayor, state costume presentation, swimwear routine, announcement of top 12 (yes, 12), top 12 in swimwear, parade of evening gowns, top 12 in evening gown, announcement of top 6 (yes, 6), final question, crowning of Mrs. America.

We learned so much choreography today for the opening number. We're split into groups at first: the dancers, the singers with movement, and the singers. I'm in the dancing group (of course) and our choreo is tough and fast. I'm front and center again, just like state. My group asked me to walk them through the routine for about 40 minutes, so I felt like I was teaching group class. It made me realize how much I miss all my students! The ladies liked my analogies - my students know what I mean. But by the time we had it all broken down, it was "easy peasy mac'n'cheesy." And all 51 of us dance to one verse of the song. It looks so good with all of us moving together!

I have no idea how it will go tomorrow, but I am proud of what I've done here, and proud to be sharing a stage with these articulate, kind, and beautiful women. I was joking that since I'm right next to where the top 12 line up when called, I might try to shimmy my way into line and see if they notice! But honestly, not one of us can call who the top 12 will be, let alone the winner. I could name so many ladies who would be a great representative throughout the year and at Mrs. World. I just want to thank you all for your support and good wishes. I hope I did you proud! So I'm waiting for tomorrow night ...

Prelims.

Interview went well yesterday, and now I sit here typing this with sopping wet hair and waiting for my tanning lotion to dry as I prepare for the other 50% of judging - swimsuit and evening gown tonight. I also get to show off my great George Washington costume (because NJ is "The Crossroads of the Revolution") lent to me (and made by!) Mrs. New Jersey America 2004 Christie Elders-Tighe. Excited!

Chatty McChaterson.

Interview today - we have five judges: a former Mrs. World, a representative from the MENC, the first Mrs. America of the Marmel era, a Broadway producer, and a member of the music group The Young Americans. I am in group 7, which goes into interview at 2:28 pm Tucson time.

Getting close.

Last night we were given some relaxation time, with a trip to the mall (but some of us convinced the bus driver to take us to Starbucks instead) and an Italian dinner. The chef is known as "Jersey Joe," so I felt right at home.



Today is the last day before competition starts. We got up very early to have breakfast and a lecture from the MENC about The National Anthem Project, which is a very exciting cause I'll talk more about later. Then rehearsals with Frit and Frat to block the opening for preliminaries. Tonight more rehearsals, and contestant gift exchange, then tomorrow interviews!! So important!!

I can't wait for my family's arrival!

Off campus!

Today was "evening gown day" at rehearsals. We learned the very tricky manuvering necessary to show off 51 ladies with trains on a stage with steps! For preliminaries, we won't be doing the opening number, but a swimsuit entrance (with sarong), all ladies will model swimwear (taking the sarongs off), all ladies will model evening gown, then all ladies will model state costume. At finals, we'll all do the opening number (in the wrap dresses), then only the top ten will model swimsuit and evening gown by themselves. In an unexpected twist, I have a lot of responsibility leading ladies in swimwear and evening gown, because I am the first person in the fourth group. The fifth group always stays on stage after modeling, so Mrs. New Mexico and I lead all the ladies back on for final comparative judging in both parts. We hope we don't mess it up! I am glad that I get to go first in my group - I'll already have been scored by the time I have to worry about "the shift" - moving over (or up or down) to take the place of your neighbor when she goes to model.

We're "off campus" tonight - first a tour of Tucson, then dinner at an Italian restaurant.

Fancy pants!

Last night was a formal dinner with the president of Loews Ventana Canyon. We presented him with state gifts as a small way to say thank you for the amazing experience we are being given here. The staff truly is the finest I have ever seen - so gracious and professional - they want to make us all feel like queens, and they do.

I presented a Lenox vase with a seashore theme, since Lenox is manufactured in New Jersey and we are known for our beautiful shoreline. There were a lot of sporting memorabilia gifts, so the president said mine was a great gift his wife could enjoy!

I love this shot of Shelley after the dinner, back in our room. We spend a lot of time trying to "get bars" on our phone due to our location in the beautiful mountains of Tucson!



Ta da! Here's a picture of our swimsuits - we had a photo shoot before the sun came up over the hills this morning - all 51 ladies in swimwear and hats!




Rehearsal this morning, then a tour of Tucson this afternoon - more pictures soon!

Big practice day.

We ran the routine a bunch of times this morning, finishing up the singing and dancing. All 51 of us will be performing the opening number for finals night - get ready, family!

We also got our swimsuits today - all the ladies will be in a red one piece Carol Wior. It's got a ruffled bustline, with a criss-crossed back. To go with the swimsuits we got red sarongs (the word has not come down yet if they are staying on on stage for preliminaries, or coming off) and big red sunhats (which we are not wearing on stage). We're going to be doing a swim photo shoot in the morning (6:15 AM!!), so tomorrow will be a long day.

After lunch we blocked swimsuit modeling and did a good enough job to get out a half hour early! Now getting ready for dinner with the president of Loews Ventana Canyon, where we will present him with gifts from our state. It's a formal night, so the ladies will all be dressed to the nines! Hopefully my hair will hold up in this monsoon!

Suite-ed!

Dinner in the Marmel's suite tonight ... what a fun evening. David and Elaine know a song for every state, and sang it for us while presenting us our Vera Bradley bags (perfect for keeping our new shoes and practice clothes in while we rehearse).


That's me and my roommate Shelley from PA - no, I'm not standing in a hole!

If they could see me now ...

Headed back into rehearsal with Frit and Frat (love them!!). We're doing 2 routines this year - singing and dancing to "If They Could See Me Now" and another dance routine we haven't started yet. To quote Mrs. Maine, "I can't carry a tune in a bucket under water," so I'm mostly mouthing the words. The routine is really cute so far, and we all got opening number wrap dresses in burnt orange, coral, pink, blue or dusty purple (that's mine) so we'll look like an Arizona sunset! Dinner with Mrs. America Organization president David Marmel tonight ... more soon!

Gearing up ...

Last "free day" in Tucson before the Mrs. America experience really starts up. Tonight we have our orientation dinner with all 51 delegates. One by one, I'm meeting the ladies - went shopping today with Arkansas, North Carolina, and my roommate Pennsylvania. Amazing how much one can pack, and still miss a few things!

My bag arrived safe and sound from Dallas late last night (well, it wasn't late here, but it felt late since I was on East Coast time) with no harm done. I'm complete!

Lag!

Getting settled into beautiful Tucson! I've never been to Arizona before; I love the natural beauty of the landscape - cactii and an expanse of flatland framed by breathtaking mountains. The Loews Ventana Canyon is so wonderfully designed, at the base of the mountains, it looks like part of the landscape rather than detracting from it.

I am feeling a little jet lagged, I admit ... it's almost 11 pm back home, but only nearing 8 pm here. My roommate Shelley (Mrs. PA) and I had to eat at 4:30, we were so hungry from being on East Coast time! Staying up by waiting for one bag delayed in Dallas-Fort Worth - but it's safely on its way to me, and I had packed the essentials - evening gown, interview suit, and state costume in my carry-on, just in case!

No official Mrs. America activities until the welcome dinner tomorrow night, so I'm going to take a quick trip to the pool and spa to unwind in the morning, then glamming it up for dinner! I'm so excited to meet the rest of the ladies!

Greetings!

It is my last night home in New Jersey before flying to Tucson, Arizona for the 32nd annual Mrs. America Pageant! Since winning the crown on June 28, 2008, I have been preparing (with the amazing guidance of Mrs. New Jersey America 2003, Mrs. America 3rd Runner-Up, and Mrs. New Jersey America Organization Director Geri Watson) for my trip to Mrs. America. I cannot wait to meet the 50 other delegates for what is sure to be the experience of a lifetime!

I will be posting updates throughout my 10 days in Tucson, and then of course throughout the next year. Thank you all for your endless support and good wishes. I hope to do the Garden State proud!