Final Preparation

Well, it is almost here! I will be flying out of the Columbia Metropolitan Airport on Sunday afternoon for Tucson Arizona! The past few weeks have been the most hectic I have ever experienced and it's not over yet, but I feel ready to go out there and represent my state!
I am planning to post a new blog each day that I am there, but it may not be possible due to schedule issues. I know that according to our last correspondence from the National office, we will have some long days, starting at 7am and ending around 11 in the evening. My family will be coming out on August 30 right before the preliminaries begin. I will be so happy to have them safely there!

I want to say a big thank you to some very special people who have helped me get ready for Nationals and most importantly given me constant support and encouragement.
To my beautiful family...How could I ever make this without you? I love you all so much for your support. This has been a huge committment for our family. I know you realize how much DARLA means to me and knowing you are a part of this means everything to me.
Friends and Family...You are all awesome! Thanks for all you do to make my life so special.
Newberry College and the Publications/Alumni office...Thank you so much for the ad page sponsorship! I know that any student coming into your program will get years of great memories, an unbelievable education and a fantastic start to their career, whatever it may be. I am proud to say I am a Newberry College alum!
Dr. Daley and his entire staff...You guys are amazing! Thanks for giving me a beautiful smile! If everyone knew how fabulous your office was, no one would ever worry about going to a dentist again!
Genesis...I tell everyone how fantastic all of you are in Florence, SC! I can see why so many previous Mrs. South Carolina America ladies continue to see all of you. Your willingness to help people look and feel their best is so obvious from the moment you walk into your salon. What all of you do in that office is so much more than just skin and beauty on the outside. It is obvious that you bring out the best in people from the inside!
Kathy Cobb Communications...You have helped me throughout the journey to Mrs. America and through the process I have found a new friend.
Lancome Cosmetics/Belk...The fragrance you have provided for delegate gifts is great! Thank you for taking the time to make each of your customers feel special. Your continued service to helping me look good in Lancome makeup is greatly appreciated. I tell everyone to come visit your counter because of your service and smiles!
Barbara Graham, Mrs. SC America 2007... Your friendship is so special to me and throughout this process you have been a great person to talk with. Thank you for sponsoring the jewelry bags for delegates. They are beautiful and will be an actual gift that I know they will enjoy for years to come.
Representative Walt McLeod and Mrs. Rosemary...Once again you are always there for the people of Newberry County! The pins and booklets you provided for the delegate gift bags are great and give all of those ladies a peek into our beautiful state of South Carolina.
Stokes Trainor, Griffin Pools and Spas, Debra Smith/Newberry Opera House...Thank you for your financial sponsorship and helping make my trip to Tucson Arizona a reality for me and my family!
Brandi/Salon V...As always you make my hair look amazing. Your color and cut are going to help me feel my best on stage. Thanks for taking the time to show me cool things I can do with my hair, especially if I'm having a "bad hair day".
Jonathan and Heather Carter/ Carter Studios...Your photos are always amazing! They have won me a state photogenic award. Let's see what will happen in Arizona! Thanks for making the photo shoot so much fun!
Mike Goff...Your "crown and gown" shot will travel with me during this year as I have many opportunities to visit with people in our state and autograph those photos.
CATZ Formal Wear / Tammy Newton...How do I begin to thank you for all you have done to help? You always have a smile when I arrive in your shop and you take the time to help me find just the right dresses. I thank you so much for that and all that you do for the girls! I will think of you as I wear all of the dresses throughout my reign and in Arizona.
Elegant Image / Teresa Phibbs... Visiting your shop in my home county of Newberry is a treat! I want to thank you for the beautiful gowns that will travel with me to Arizona. You went above and beyond to make sure I was able to get the gowns that I really loved. Sully really appreciated that too!
Jamie Ingram and Dr. Ed Bull...Back in Shape Gym and Lake Murray Chiropractic have changed my life! Your guidance and training during the past months have given me not only a great eating routine, but a body that feels fit! No matter what happens in Arizona, I know that I feel better today than I have in my entire life thanks to your training and support!
Wayne and Mary Ellisor, First Impressions...You are always there to help with anything! Thanks for keeping me looking good and helping my family during this road to Nationals. I am happy to know you will be there cheering me on! I think back to the start of this and how you went the extra mile to make sure I had the gown I truly wanted. You are there to assist, be a listening ear, make me laugh and encourage. For that I am truly thankful!
And to Rhonda Woods, Director of the Mrs. SC America pageant...How can I ever thank you enough for all you have done to help me prepare for this national pageant? You are an amazing person who is so organized and helpful, all to give me an opportunity to enjoy this journey and have fun in the process. Your friendship will forever be treasured along after this pageant is over!

So...I am going to Arizona with no expectations except this...
I will do my personal best to make sure that I represent our state well. I truly want to win the title of Mrs. America, if God has this in His plan. But no matter what happens I know that I am representing the best state of the United States and will proudly and humbly respresent my little town of Pomaria.

Kim Sullivan, Mrs. SC America with Congressman John Spratt during 2008 Little Mountain Reunion Parade

DARLA

Since my last post, amazing things have been happening with DARLA, Developing Arts Resources and Literature for Adoptees. This is a program I have dreamed about starting for over five years and now I can see that it is going to happen thanks to a lot of people who have a passion for arts and children just as I do. The DARLA program will be specifically for foster kids and children waiting for placement in an adoptive home. Artists and studios across the state will provide their arts services free of charge or at a reduced rate to these children while they are in foster care. This will be a great opportunity for the children to use the arts to build on their own interests in dance, music, theatre or visual arts while at the same time building their self esteem.
There are over 5000 foster children in South Carolina who have been through many different situations of abuse, neglect, or challenges within their own families. We all know how the arts can empower and help us find who we truly are on the inside. While as an art teacher I believe that we all need the arts in our lives, I know these children need it even more as they try to get their life together. So, with that said let me just tell you that the conversations I have had with our state's arts leaders through e-mails and now the conversations I am having with our state's DSS offices are truly exciting. DARLA is becoming a reality and I just know that the children and teachers who participate in this program will truly be blessed from it. Thanks to all of you who are helping make this dream a reality!

Update and Thank You's to Sponsors

This week I had a great time meeting with a few folks from the Newberry area about sponsorships for the Mrs. America pageant. I met with my friend Rev. John Derrick, a classmate from my days at Newberry back in the 80's who is now serving as our new alumni director. He took the time to introduce me to Mr. Chuck Wendt and the great staff in his publications office. What a great group of people! Thank you so much for their generous sponsorship at Newberry College! I am looking forward to an interview with WIS Radio on Monday, August 4 during their weekly Newberry College radio broadcast. And can I just tell you that the campus is amazing! It is obvious that a lot of dedicated people are working hard to make sure that Newberry is recognized for their fantastic curricular and athletic programs.

Another big thank you to Mr. Joe Trainor at Stokes-Trainor Car Dealership in Newberry for his sponsorship. He met with me during a very busy time in his day and still took the time to talk about the giant fish I asked about on his office wall. There was quite an interesting story behind that fish. It is obvious that he has helped so many local and national organizations through his generous donations and time. We are all very blessed to have this group in Newberry County!

The Newberry Opera House was host to the state pageant again this year. Deborah Smith, the director of the Newberry Opera House is an amazing person who is always so organized and such a huge supporter of the arts. Thank you to Deborah for her kind sponsorship and for her kind words of support!

This week coming up will be another busy one as I continue to prepare for the travel out to Tucson. I will be working on my costume and delegate gifts. I need 50 gifts, one for each of the other delegates and also two dignitary gifts. I will also continue to look for sponsorships. I am so appreciative to everyone for their encouragement and outpouring of support. It really means a lot to me and my family!

Upcoming events...

Rotary Club Speaking Engagement on Wednesday in Batesburg-Leesville

Little Mountain Reunion Parade on Saturday

My Mom's Family Reunion on Sunday at St. Phillips Lutheran Church in Newberry

Until next time.

Nutrition and Exercise

Over the last few months I have had a lot of questions about my workout routine. I started working out in January of 2008 at Back in Shape Gym, but did not change my eating habits (which at the time were not great). I have learned that while working out and exercise are very important to a healthy lifestyle, so is eating correctly. And I mean really EATING. Most of us are so busy and on the go that we either eat junk food or skip the meal. Women especially feel that the less we eat, the thinner we can be. But it is a fact that eating poorly,(in other words less calories with no exercise) will only starve our bodies, making it think we literally need to hold on to fat. If you are seriously considering a new eating routine, please eat AND exercise! In February I changed my eating patterns totally, beginning to eat higher protein with 5-6 smaller meals per day rather than my usual one big meal and a few snacks here and there.

My workouts included three days of strength training and weight lifting with cardio three days per week. I also did treadmill or elliptical every day for at least 20 minutes. Once I attained my goal I now just eat what I need to feed my body and keep it strong and healthy while working out 5 days per week.

My tip...have a goal! See the visual. Mine was just knowing I had to wear that swimsuit in front of judges during the state pageant, but your goal could be a family reunion, class reunion or maybe you're going on a special trip? Whatever your goal is, just remember to be consistent!

Thanks to my personal trainers Dr. Ed Bull and Jamie Ingram from BACK IN SHAPE GYM! Without their help and dedication I would still be struggling to figure it all out. Now, I feel better than ever and no matter what happens at nationals, I still get to keep my figure and better eating habits. That is a change in my lifestyle that I will have forever!

Interviews and Photo Shoots

This state has a great group of writers and photographers! I had a great photo shoot with Jonathan Carter prior to the pageant and one of his head shot photos won me a photogenic award during the pageant. (Thanks Jonathan!) But since the win I have had the opportunity to meet so many talented writers and photographers along the way who have taken the time to make me feel special.

On Friday I had a great time during an interview with Mr. Rush Workman from Dutch Fork Chronicle. His office, located on Main Street in Prosperity, had charm and character and some items of interest like clocks that gave the times in other places of the world including Los Angeles and Tokyo. There were also some great pieces of art, even an alligator sculpture that was quite eye catching. But what stood out most was Mr. Workman's honest and fun approach to the interview which I found really refreshing! During my time there I also met with Mr. Josh Thompson, who took some great shots, all very different and fun. Josh used some unusual lighting effects during the photo shoot. It was obvious to me that these two fellows worked well together.

I just have to think about all of the people out there who run papers, create photos, give us something visual to look at each week as we turn the pages over coffee or juice. These are artists in their own right. Thanks to all of the media and press who help make our days a little more interesting and a lot more informative. And to the Dutch Fork Chronicle, thanks for the afternoon and conversation. The article is to run in the next issue.

Thank you for all of your support...

Getting ready for this upcoming national pageant is so much fun, but certainly requires a lot of preparation. I just want to thank all of you who have contacted me through this site, cards and letters, e-mails and phone calls. It is an honor to represent a state that has such wonderful people. I am working hard to get ready for the event, but knowing that with all of your love and support and prayers I will truly make it. No matter what happens in Tucson, Arizona I have all of you as special friends. Thank you so much for your continued support. Please continue to pray for me and our family as we embark on this fabulous adventure!