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!!)