Welcome to ChiTown!

This past week women came from all over to Skokie, Illinois to compete in the International system. Deanna's (Mrs. AL) trip to Chicago was a chance for us to catch up and for me to spend some more time with a favorite little man of mine named Carter. He is otherwise known as Rocky for his fight to survive in spite of...well, everything after he was born at 23 weeks. I also got good at applying eyelashes on someone else. Deanna was a good victim! One of my dearest friends and former roommate, Michelle, came in from TN and her lifelong friend (and my new one) Gerri, came in from OH. My house was full of estrogen people and I loved it!You should have seen the three of us rushing to get ready in the master bath! Curlers, hair dryers, ect all going at once. It was no wonder we blew a fuse. But wherever is that fuse box? Thanks to Gerri, we found it and got the bathroom up and running again!
Here are some pics from the weekend.
1)With Tim Kretschmann
2)Michelle and I with Deanna
3)With Jennifer Naida who is TINY as a minute!
4)3 Amigos. or Amigas? I barely passed spanish.Can you tell?
5)Chell and I. So sassy...and old;)

Congrats Juanita!

Jaunita Ingram and I have been friends for a few years now. She is beautiful and whip-it smart. Her husband , Kynon, and their daughter, Kinsley, are mirror images of her graciousness. As an attorney she is also a mom and a community leader in Indianapolis. So it was not a surprise to me when she recently won Mrs. U.S. Beauties. I expect to see her as Mrs. Indiana America and with all she is and all she does, she could just go all the way! Jennifer Naida and I also had the chance to meet up with the much adored Bea Gill who I have only known through others. WIll we see here again at NC America? We should hope. Lovely lady she is! Job well done my friends!

It's Ladies Night..or Ladies Day!

As it should be EVERYDAY! Today we hit Arlington Park. It is a place my husband has been part of for many years now and where we had our second date. It is also where they held an all day event for Susan G. Komen this weekend. It is the largest foundation in the world for breast cancer education and funding. We had a tee ball game earlier that day, but we were able to make it out there in time to check out the event tent and some of the most amazing hats (designed by a local woman too!) a gal could dream of. It was shopping for a good cause and I picked up a couple of lucky horse shoes for people close to me who have and are battling breast cancer. Take it down ladies!! While there, a fabulous photographer asked to take some shots and I wound up on his big ol website! Bob Milkovich is a magician;)

1) Elaine from Chapeau Creations.
2) Shots from the day and website.

Baby Time!

Here is a shout out to a couple who will no doubt be amazing parents! What a lucky little boy! Byron Harlan and Judi will not only have a beautiful boy, he will be a tall one as they are no slouches. Nancy Pender threw a great shower for them.
1)Bryon, known by everyone as, "The People's Anchor"
2)Some gifts to welcome Baby Boy Harlan.

Happy Father's day!

Lucky me, lucky me! I come from a long line of good Dads. And so my dad was given a good example of how to be; kind, compassionate and a person with integrity and morals. And that gave me the example of what I should look for in a husband and a father to my children. I should say OUR children! I found that with my husband John. For he too, came from a long line of good dads. And so we salute you men who brave the dirty diapers and the late night feedings. You keep it cool when all blankety-blank is breaking loose and you set the standard. For those who perhaps were not so lucky, may you be that better person.
1)Cooking up trouble for Dad.

Looking for a little summer fun?

Rock-A-Bye the River. It's a new event this year to help raise money for billboards across the state which will educate those who pass about the Safe Haven Laws. It's a fun way to get the job done and all thanks to the hours of effort by volunteers and board members like Dawn, Kellie,Penny and Angie. You guys rock-literally!

I Took on the Challenge and Made Some Friends!

Well, let me start by letting you know that I managed the stairs just fine! I also managed to be 1st runner-up. The weekend FLEW by. It was so well organized and the ladies were so warm and gracious. In fact several of us are now on Facebook with each other. And afterward I was so surprised to take home a ton of gifts on top of the weekend! My son now totes the Caboodle around with his Matchbox Cars inside.

Thank you to my generous husband and all our friends and family who came from the burbs and from all over the country to be there. It is humbling as I think we had five different states covered. It was so incredible as I could see all of them in the audience. Some stopped by the next day so we could all just hang out and catch up which may have been one of my favorite parts. I will say I am very happy with how it all turned out and I feel I did the best I could at that point in time, but there is always room to improve. This was a great part of the journey I am on and now on to some other plans in the works. I can't wait to see where it takes me.

To Lisa Niewlony, you have been a dear friend and I hope you know what a legacy you leave as Mrs. Illinois 2008. Those are some BIG and beautiful heels to fill. You are one of a kind who defines integrity. Our new Mrs. Illinois, Anji Meidel, must still be pinching herself as she has worked hard and long for this. To finally hear her name called must be a moment she will never forget! Make us proud as I know you will over this next year.