Go Team Rocky!!!!

It was the Annual March of Dimes walk in Lake County. This year my dear husband volunteered to come along with us and my daughter was also able to make the jaunt. Last year she was left at home (with my husband...not by herself;)) because it was storming outside and she was just a baby. Well, she will always be my baby, but I digress. The honorary family this year was from Grayslake. They have a 3 year old son who was born 8 weeks early with minor complications. A year later, their twins were unexpectedly born 17 weeks early and both were only over a pound and simply before their time. They are now guardian angels over the family as they wait for their upcoming baby to arrive. Love is sent your way by us all!

1 in 8 babies are born too soon and so the March of Dimes fights for preemies as hard as the parents of preemies fight for their baby birds. Granted doctors, medical technology and alot of prayer work wonders these days. But the fight to figure out how to prevent premature births is a mission thousands around the country took on this weekend. My BF Deanna Linz walked with her husband and son Carter "Rocky," in DC. Carter was born at 23 weeks. Weighing just a few ounces over a pound, he shows just how special you are and how much you will thrive in spite of the circumstances. She was able to raise close to 2-thousand dollars! Well, we raised about four hundred which is not nearly as impressive, but I just know it will be put to good use for all those other fighters out there.
1)Getting ready to walk. Prep is the key here when carting the kiddos for a few miles. Water,crispie treats, wet wipes...more wet wipes...
2)My babies. John was busy waving to everyone including all the dogs.
3)Some of the hundreds who came out to Libertyville.

Has it been that long?

This habit got started just after I had my son and I was even there while pretty pregnant and hopped up on roids with my daughter. What can I say?

Thank you to Dan Ferrelli from the Aurora Police Department who has asked me to be part of the sessions at the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy at the College of Dupage. These men and women come from dozens of police and fire departments including Chicago, Deerfield, Oak Park....ect. Some of us who have spent years (ok, a decade give or take a few years)as the "evil," media go in and put them through mock interviews and are part of panels for Q&A. It breaks down some of the preconceived ideas of the media. You can admit you have those nasty thoughts also. I hate to burst the bubble by telling you we are not even close to what you see portrayed in movies. For the most part(95% of us anyway)we are dedicated to accuracy and legitimacy. Reputation is built on credibility.

These men and women are so busy responding to crime scenes or calls of emergency, the last thing they need to focus on is answering to the media. But, it is part of the job. So, we try to help get them in shape for it. We help them, help us in a sense. And so I wish them all SAFE and productive careers keeping us all safe. And I thank Dan for continuing to ask me to be part of the education.
1) Mock interviews in front of the lights and camera.
2) What did you just ask me?;)

Walk This Way...

My dear friend Jennifer Naida invited me to go with her to Oak Lawn and help set up an event for a couple of gals who are getting ready to be part of the Avon 2-day walk for breast cancer. They will walk 39 miles over 2 days this June. To help raise funds which will help raise awareness, they put together a day long event in Oak Lawn at Bourbon Street. They had more than a dozen baskets up for auction and held a "Bags," tournament. Now depending on where you're from, the name of the game changes. On the South side, it's called bags. In Indiana and other areas, the game is referred to as Corn Hole. I prefer "bags."
They put the "fun" in fundraiser! They had some great ideas for fundraising as I get ready to take on the Komen 3-Day Walk in August. Someone asked me if it was a conflict of interest to help out the competing Avon Walk teams when I am taking part in the Komen 3-day. Nope. After all, we are all working for the same thing...to find a cure for breast cancer which could also help unlock the mysteries of other cancers. Hats off to you ladies and many foot rubs come June! We wish you both the best of luck with your journey and may you raise both tons of money and awareness.

A little paint goes a long way!

The CASA office in Deerfield is the Mega Center of change for children in Lake County. It is the hub of the action needed to make sure our abused and neglected children are the focus and are taken better care of so they live better lives.

But after a while, you realized the offices also need a little TLC. This weekend a few of us gathered and gave her a face lift with a few coats of fresh paint. Many times as CASAs, it take years to see our work come to fruition. It was kind of cool to spend an afternoon painting and creating a magic makeover. Of course, there are plans...SSShhhsh....to someday (soon) have a building of our own. Crossing fingers!
1) Before and during...
2)After

Give yourself a try.

Granted the 68 degree weather two days prior is now replaced with subfreezing temps, but it was still worth the effort. It was the annual Shamrock Shuffle 8k race. The world's largest according to them! It was my first "race," a few years ago and that experience kicked off many others that allow both fitness and fundraising.
There are many people who don't give themselves credit for having the stamina or ability to run a race or climb a building. Just give it a try and surprise yourself the way I did back then. And if you are one who has done it, then you know what I am prattling on about. You meet new people, raise money for worthy causes and,depending on the race,you can get an upclose tour of cities and buildings. I mean, it's not every day you get to run down the middle of Michigan Avenue or past the famous Chicago Theater, right? So get on out there and plan on having some fun, even when there is still snow on the ground.

1) Race time! There were so many people lined-up to race, it took 25 mins before I made it past the Start sign which is up there somewhere.

Presenting...Mr. Blossomtime.

I was asked to go back to my roots, or some of my roots and judge the Mr. Blossomtime pageant. They didn't have Mr. Blossomtime back in my day, but since its beginning in 2006, it has been getting bigger every year. I'll be honest, I wasn't quite sure WHAT to expect. Any male pageant I have been aware of has either been a drag show or a joke. This was neither. 39 young men from a three county region were part of the pageant. And they had worked to be there. We're talking interview coaches and rehearsals. They were the captains of sports teams and student government leaders. They were our future mechanics and firefighters. They had interviews, swimwear and evening wear. Then the top eleven were all kept secluded as each was brought out and asked the same question. All were adorable and willing to take on the job in front of a standing room only auditorium of 1500 people! I'm not even close to kidding when I tell you it was BEYOND difficult selecting the King and court.

The queen and king will have a busy year ahead of them and it officially begins with the Blossomtime Floral Parade. 250 thousand people will line their chairs along the route a couple of days ahead of time to get a seat for the moving show. These "kids," are in for the rides of their lives and it began with their first press conference afterward. Congrats to everyone and thank you to Blossomtime for asking me to be part of the festivities!

1)Getting ready to conduct interviews
2)Opening number. They were outstanding!
3)From 39, to the top 11. Tough decisions.
4)2nd RU-Nicholas Beam, Mr. Nice Guy-Anthony Barney, 1st RU-Ruben Hanohano (love his last name) and Mr. Blossomtime 2010-Michael Semenic

There is a point to this story...and some blackmail pics.

Back in 1991 (when we all first started using electricity) I decided to enter the Miss Portage scholarship pageant. I didn't really know what I was getting myself in to and either did my parents who were, um, hesitant. "Amy, you are too smart for this. You can spend that time doing other more educational things." Well, I knew I could talk the paint off the walls and think on my feet. I figured since I danced and could walk somewhat upright in a pair of heels, why not just for the experience of it all? But I didn't know how much more would be learned from the whole experience that is far more important the high hair. And honey, it was BIG back then.
I won Miss Portage and then somehow managed to win Miss Blossomtime. Blossomtime is Michigan's oldest and largest festival with well over a century under it's rich traditional belt. It would be a year's worth of experiences that I have taken with me since then. We travelled to the Shriner's Hospital in Chicago and I was a guest celebrity at the Indy 500 and rode in the pace car with the famed Caroll Shelby. In all, there were more than 70 appearances in that year and I am proud to tell you that, thanks to my mom the chauffeur (my parents quickly found it was a enormous educational experience for us all), I was able to travel the region to be part of 4 parades in one day, even after my barbie stand gave way and I about toppled off the back of the float.
Along with the many memories, there was the understanding of just how important a pageant can be for a young person in terms of thinking outside of oneself. To be part of so many events in need an extra voice or a hug, well, it changes you. To really get out there and help in all ways...I could go on and on. That year was filled with many lessons.




**Was our hair SUPER SIZED or what?**

Thanks to all that public speaking, I became a national spokesperson for a major car company during my college years. For over a hundred days a year I travelled the country and spoke to the masses. And I learned how to "multitask," the work with college classes. THAT helped with a successful career as a reporter. As a reporter I have had drug dealers (later convicted) with angry pit bulls (I know, they get a bad rap. The dogs-not the dealers.) I have been walked through some terrible crime scenes and even had to interview a President or two. Being thrown into just about every situation, I had to find some semblance of confidence when me knees were visibly shaking. And that year as Miss B. helped me build that a strong foundation for that.
And the biggest bonus? The reporting lead to meeting my husband and now we have our family. It has been a wonderful journey getting here. So, as long winded as it is, I thank Blossomtime for still impacting my life in all ways. And I encourage anyone to gives themselves a chance to try new things. You just never know where it will lead you!
Alright, so...back then, I helped emcee Blossomtime for a few years afterward, but then left to start my career. I haven't been back since thanks to working weekends and far out of state. So this was a 15 year reunion of sorts. It is so great to see the board members and volunteers still there decades later. My heart goes out to everyone who is coping with the loss of the dear Bob Braamse. He was part of Blossomtime for 50 years and his loss as President and dear friend is still palpable.









While backstage waiting to be announced, I ran into the stage manager who I instantly recognized from back in 1991. He brought me to tears recalling the night I won and just as I got ready to walk out in to the spotlight, he just gave me "that look," of true sincerity and said,"It's good to have you back." It had been far too long. Still gets me...right here;) So lovely to see that although much has changed (for the good)just as much has stayed the same. What a great part of tradition to be a part of. I cannot thank everyone enough for that chance to represent a wonderful "family, " so many MANY years ago. It is still an honor.
Hello, are ya still with me?

1) Here is part of the opening number from this year
2) Board member Craig Rochau was one of my chaperones for the Indy 500 week and was our judges' chaperone this weekend.
3) Brandy Godush-Cox- Miss Blossomtime 1994. She is now the spokesperson for Cannon USA and a fit model for Wrangler Jeans and such. She was like a little sister and now she's all grown up and beautiful!!
4)Lainie Lu Howard Von Berhen-Miss Blossomtime 1988 and emcee. She later was Miss MI USA and the BIG Star Search Model winner in '94. You can find her on the back of your Special K right now as well. She gets more gorgeous by the year and I have always adored her.