Events of the week

This has truly been an amazing and busy first week of my reign. Time to get ready with all of the paperwork, interviews and activities. This week I was interviewed by several newspapers and also by Mayor Stan Shealy on Saturday, June 28 for a video he produced for the local Chapin cable network. Saturday afternoon I judged the Wee Miss Peach Festival pageant at Gilbert High School. Mrs. Harriet ran a great pageant and I met some wonderful people. Sully and I had a fun time there and ate at SUBWAY after. I'm still being good with my eating regimen, so I had turkey on wheat TOASTED! That always makes it taste great!

Saturday after the pageant I found a dress to wear in the upcoming Peach Festival Parade in Gilbert. It was purchased through First Impressions in Lexington. Wayne and Mary Ellisor are awesome and always seem to know just what to do to dress a gal for any event! The dress is beautiful in white and gold. Ms. Eartha will certainly work her magic and fit it to a T! I'm looking forward to wearing it on Friday for the parade, but also in Arizona during Nationals!

Since the fourth of July falls on a Friday this year, Sully will have that day off in addition to the weekend days. So a short week will be great for him. Once we pick up the car from Ben Satcher Ford (A HUGE THANK YOU to them for providing us the convertible for the parade) on Thursday afternoon, Sully will drive me in for the parade and then we'll enjoy a BBQ lunch with the politicians/dignitaries in Gilbert. It is going to be a great opportunity for me to catch a few photos, but hopefully talk with a few of them about working with me on arts advocacy and promoting funding for DSS / foster care programs. I'm all about finding those little windows of time that I can advocate for kids and the arts!

So as my first week comes to a close, let me just say that I am having a wonderful time as Mrs. SC America! If my first week is any indication of how much fun I'm going to have this year, I am so looking forward to each and every event! Until later...

Friday, June 26, 2008

As I write my first posting on this site, I am thinking about how quickly this week has gone by. There is a lot of preparation that goes into getting ready for a pageant, but wow is it a whirlwind after! A lot of exciting things have happened already since being crowned on Saturday evening.

On Sunday morning I had a fantastic breakfast with the judges and the director. It was hosted at a beautiful bed and breakfast in Newberry. The table was set with lovely crisp white linens and china. The crystal compotes were filled with colorful seasonal fruit and there were homemade breads. We had such great conversation. They totally got me excited about going to The Mrs. America pageant in August! I am going to do my best to bring home that crown and put South Carolina on the map for the Mrs. America system!

After our quiche and bacon were served we talked about some of the things I truly believe in, my interests and passions. I even autographed a few of their program books and then we said our goodbyes. I left there feeling more confident and with some great new connections and friends.

During the week, I have begun interviews and press releases have been sent out by our director, Rhonda Woods. I will be interviewed by Mayor Stan on Saturday and judging a pageant Saturday afternoon. Paperwork and photos have been sent to Nationals and now the work begins as I plan my costume. Of course, I was at Back in Shape Gym bright and early Monday morning (and every day this week) working with my trainer Jamie! She is awesome! Today she read to me while I worked out to keep my mind on positive, she said. Isn't that incredible? And all week I have been teaching at my studio. Friday is my first official day off! I'm going to spend it with my kids doing something fun...having a picnic!

Getting ready for this pageant is all about getting me physically and mentally ready. I want to do my personal best! I am excited about where this new journey is going to lead me! Until next time...