Photo Fest of Mrs. America 2009

I've only got a few minutes to get stuff posted, so here is a photofest of some of the activities we've been involved in... enjoy!

Cocktail reception with dignitaries from Tucson... I'm with Mrs. Washington (we could be sisters!)
Opening number rehearsal... note the arms are actually where they need to be!
Ice Cream on a shopping trip!
Strawberries at a red carpet affair!
Shopping... this suit top was only $700!
Red carpet treatment for the ladies!
Our limo to and from the hotel - a la Greyhound Bus.
Rehearsal outfit...

Time To Dance

We began to rehearse our dance numbers today... after confirming my two left feet, running into a wall and accidentally whacking the girl next to me whilst trying to coordinate my hands with my feet, I realized that I am why we need 5 days of practice to look coordinated on stage.

We also had some time to ourselves, where the majority of the well connected ladies decided to text message or phone home!

In the afternoon we all volunteered at a Habitat For Humanity project. We planted trees around a playground area. Talk about fun! 50 cute shovel wielding beauties getting DIRTY! That's my kind of pageant event.

Fifty-One Beauties

After my roommate, Anji, and I rescued a hummingbird that had hit a window, I went to WalMart for some last minute things and more DRUGS for my illness. I managed a much needed nap in the afternoon.

We got ready for our first event of the week, the delegate orientation. Yes, we are called delegates, not contestants... after all we all ARE already queens for our respective states. I enjoyed hearing from the 50 other women and how may years they've been married and how many kids they have.

The dinner that was served was really good, too. The dessert hit the spot! Yes, beauty queens do eat food, and even dessert!

Ricola!

I received a truly unforgettable gift from my daughter before I left for the Mrs. America pageant. I seem to have traveled with her lovely little germs with me. I have now bought stock in Ricola and Advil... I sound like Kermit the Frog. I hope I will sound less ill by my interview Sunday the 6th.

I have a great roommate from Illinois, Anji. We've already overtaken the room, you cannot see the floor for all of our shoes, boxes, etc... Last night, the dozen or so delegates who have arrived early went for a nice dinner to relax. (My roommate is to my left in the photo)

The rest of the participants are showing up today (Sept. 1st), so we will be descending upon the Loews Canyon Resort en mass.

I'm On My Way!

I'm leaving on a jet plane....

Seriously, I'm pretty sure I could get the 737 running and possibly even in the air and back on the ground, but it wouldn't be very graceful and I doubt the airline would be able to use the plane again. So I left the flying to the captain and first officer and took my cozy seat in the back for the flight to Tucson, AZ.

Thanks to all the strangers who wished me well on my journey and bless you to the people who thought I was MISS Alaska... They must have missed the ring on my finger.

I'm off to sleep and then hit the ground running tomorrow for the start of the 2009 Mrs. America pageant!

The Tune Up and Check Ride

Every year a commercial pilot must go through a testing process to evaluate her skills and abilities to handle the aircraft and any emergencies that could arise, the test is called a "Check Ride". I don't know too many pilots who look forward to their check ride, I usually manage to fly my absolute WORST during these tests. Yet, I believe that the check ride is a valuable tool and quite necessary for pilots to stay on top of their "game" so to speak.

The same concept applies to the airplane itself. Every year an airplane is inspected for safety's sake. My husband is an aircraft mechanic and looks at a lot of airplanes during their "annual" inspection. He finds things that need repair or tuning up and either does the work himself or directs the aircraft owner to do it before he signs the airplane back into service.

I am about ready to fly from Alaska to Tucson, Arizona for the Mrs. America pageant and I feel like I've put myself through a check ride and an annual all at once in a matter of a few short weeks! I have evaluated my abilities, tested my knowledge, "tuned up" my physique and repaired anything that came up short or out of whack. WHEW. Am I there yet??? I'm ready to go. And for the record, my husband has had fun doing all of the inspections!

Time To Relax

How do you force yourself to relax? I find myself doing one of two things most of the time. Either flying or hiking. Sometimes flying isn't very relaxing, so to really unwind I go on a hike. My husband and I like to take our airplanes someplace beautiful and go day hiking when we can, it really puts us in a good mood. I really enjoy hiking with my little girl when daddy is at work. I swear she knows the word "backpack" and she's only one year old! My daughter goes nutso when you tell her we're going outside or sees the backpack I carry her in.

I have a little more than a week before I pack up and head to Tuscon, AZ for the Mrs. America Pageant and I've decided that it's definitely time to relax. So I went hiking with a girlfriend and our one year old daughters. I finally was able to put aside the constant thinking about what I needed to take with me and the giddy nervousness that comes with such a once-in-a-lifetime event. I am in the "if I don't have it, I don't need it' mode now and it feels good.

Just to make sure I keep relaxing, I am going on a flight tomorrow with friends to go blueberry picking. You never can be too relaxed, right?