Hearts and Hammers.

Saturday night I was a guest at the Habitat for Humanity "Hearts and Hammers Ball." I was so moved by the stories of new homeowners, and impressed by the "ReStore" program, which removes usable materials from dumps, refurbishes and resells them, raising money for more new homes. 90 tons have been removed from this county alone!


I was also able to spend time with students Karen and Michael, former students Carol and Ken, new friends like Dawn (amazing job, Dawn!), and even got a new student at the dance!

Makeover!

As you can see, my blog got a wonderful new look care of Darcy at Graphically Designing! I hope you enjoy it the next six months of my "reign!" I have so many wonderful, fun, and moving events coming up - and a new digital camera, so expect lots and lots of pictures!

Network.

Last night I got to meet so many interesting businesspeople from Central New Jersey, as well as my lovely counterpart in the Mrs. United States system, Evelyn McCleod, at a networking event in East Winsdor.

Here I am with New Jersey's own Joe Piscopo

And here Evelyn and I are with the mayor of East Windsor

Thank you all for your hospitality! It was so much fun mixing and mingling and raffling!

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!).