Women's Expo.

On the 21st, Mrs. Camden County 2009, Mrs. Somerset County 2009, and myself were guests at a Women's Expo. We met so many people, from little Girl Scouts (and their giant Tagalong mascot),

to choir members, to fellow dancers, to entrepeneurs, to a VERY interesting beekeeper (totally fascinating profession!) to TV celebrities!

Eric Stomer (from HGTV's "In Over Your Head," photo courtesy of HGTV.com) even wore my crown!

Going Green.

Big thanks to Seaside Heights for having me out as a guest for their HUGE St. Patrick's Day parade. What a great crowd, and great weather, too! I rode in a stylin' Mustang loaned by Downs Ford - check out the pictures below!


Even Pablo needs primping to get ready for a parade.


With Ms. New Jersey and Delaware Senior America as we wait for the parade to get rolling.








Even the dogs get into the spirit at this parade!


Some of the great Seaside attractions behind me - we used to come down to Seaside Heights after the prom!

When Irish Eyes are Smiling ...

The St. Patrick's Day Parades have begun! I was a guest at my first St. Patty's Day parade this Sunday, the first day of March. March certainly has "come in like a lion" this year, with a huge snowstorm hitting the northeast. It was a chilly parade, but we Irish (well, half Irish in my case) are tough! A little cold, wet wind won't stop our parades. Great, enthusiatic crowd and a perfect way to start off the St. Patty's season. I'm so looking forward to my mother's corned beef and cabbage, potatoes, and soda bread in two weekends. Even Pablo thinks it's the best!


With Buster, the Lakewood BlueClaws' fuzzy mascot!

Expo.

I spent both days of the weekend in Pennsylvania as a guest at a great Sports Extravaganza and Wellness expo. I got to see fitness and bodybuilding competitions, an arm wrestling championship, strongman competitions, and a Karate championship. I met so many great people - many of whom grew up in NJ! Everywhere I go across the country, I always find other NJ people - we attract each other like magnets!

With my new fitness certification under my belt, it was also great to be surrounded by people in the fitness and wellness industry. I picked up some great tips and felt newly motivated to keep it all up. But my favorite thing to do at all of these events is to meet children - so many amazing smiling faces this weekend, and I was so happy to see how many of the children were participating in the martial arts aspect of the weekend - healthy diet and moderate exercise started at that age builds a lifetime of good habits.

Pump it Up!

This weekend I was very busy, although not "officially" as Mrs. New Jersey America - the crown definitely wouldn't have stayed on my head! To me, pageantry has always been about setting goals and reaching for them, pushing myself to become a better person - wife, daughter, friend, teacher, community member. One of the greatest things about pageantry is that it causes you to reflect on yourself, the person you want to be, and the causes important to your heart. I've been doing so much reflecting on my platform recently, and this weekend only added to that reflection. One of my goals this year was to achieve a fitness certification ... and I did this weekend! Thank you to all those who sent me good wishes in emails, texts, and their hearts. I needed that goodwill when I was pushing into the sixth straight hour that first day, let me tell you, and when I taught my practical test class today (after two staight hours of class participation first)!