MRS. UNITED STATES 2009 (Day 5) - Las Vegas, NV

Whew! What a ride! This is the first time I have had a chance to sit down, plug in my computer, download photos, and get a chance to update my blog. After the pageant on Thursday night (more on that in a bit), we went out for a nice dinner and then I had to pack and hit the hay to try and catch a few zzzz's before my 5:15 AM wake-up call for my flight. I had to fly into Chicago instead of going home because I am coaching the AWESOME Jessica Scheu (Miss Teen MN International 2009) in the Miss Teen International pageant, and also supporting the incredible Maddy Thoele (Miss MN International 2009) who is coached by my good friend and former coach Cheri Kennedy. I arrived in Chicago around 2:00, then had to take the shuttle to the car rental place where I had to stand in line for AN HOUR (sooooo annoying) to get my car. By the time I arrived in Skokie, I had time to grab a snack and get ready and before I knew it, it was pageant time again! I was EXHAUSTED but it was great to cheer Maddy on...she did AWESOME! After the pageant, I had a big, fat, greasy cheeseburger with my dear friends Allison Stavrakis (State Director of the MN International Pageants) and photographer Paula Preston. It was great to catch up but I was sooo tired and then my tummy hurt from my cheeseburger (but it was well worth it, ha ha). I slept in this morning until 10:00 (normally I can NEVER sleep that late), and am now just getting to my emails and to updating this blog. All I can say is...WHEW!

Now...on to the pageant! Unfortunately, I did not place in the Top 12...however, I can DEFINITELY say that I did my absolute best and felt great about my performance and have no regrets. So I personally felt like it was a success! I had a GREAT time and the ladies were absolutely WONDERFUL. I did not see even one bit of bad sportsmanship or anything even close to that. What I DID see were many supportive, friendly, and down to earth ladies. This seriously was one of the best groups I have ever competed with. I met some terrific women and would do it again in a heart beat. Of course there were some surprises in the Top 12 (there always are--it's a pageant, LOL!) and I thought that AL, AR, and AK would DEFINITELY be in there. Which just goes to show you that you never know!

The eventual winner Tammy Johns-Brown was a sweetheart and I am proud to say that she was in my dressing room (we had a great group and everyone was really helpful). I also sat next to her at breakfast one day and enjoyed getting to chat with her a bit. She had a great on-stage answer to her question and I just have to say that I want to know what those South Carolina girls put in their water because they are definitely doing something right, LOL! Congrats to her and to the other members of the Top 12...I wish I would have been in there, but alas it was not my year! The 1st RU was Mrs. WY Janet McCullough, 2nd RU was Mrs. TX Lindsay Clark (a pastor!), 3rd RU was Mrs. FL Kelly Lightbourne, and 4th RU was Mrs. MO Caitlin Corry (I LOVE LOVE LOVE this girl!). Mrs. OH won Photogenic, Mrs. FL won the Civic Award, and the Fitness Award went to a VERY deserving Mrs. Missouri. I am not sure why they don't announce an Evening Gown or Interview Award but they don't.

It was a great experience and I had a great time, and while of course I was disappointed to not make Top 12, I did not shed one tear. There are bigger things to cry about in this world! I am very blessed to have a terrific husband, the best little girl in the world, and an incredible family. And I am blessed to have my health (something we too often take for granted) and an AMAZING group of friends and supporters. I have been SOOOOOOO touched by the many messages and emails I have received from so many (you know who you are...I will get back to each of you when I have a little more time). I have loved competing in pageantry since the age of 16, which is when my grandma suggested I enter one. She passed away one week before the day of the pageant, and throughout the competition I was wearing her ring. I hope that I made her proud...thinking of her and rubbing that ring backstage gave me a sense of peace and calm and I think that was her last gift to me. In the world of pageantry where so much emphasis is placed on the external, it is easy to get caught up in the unimportant things...and as I tell my clients, "Don't ever let it mean too much." I got to play dress-up for a week and meet an amazing group of women, so while I didn't walk away with the crown, it was still a great experience that I would gladly do over again! Hopefully it will make me a better coach as well!

Now...on to cheering for Jessica and Maddy! It is neat to see these girls in the beginning of their pageant careers...maybe some day they will compete as Mrs. contestants! I am SOOOOO proud of Jessica and can't wait to report on tonight! Thank you again to those who have been so supportive, it has meant the world to me! Stay tuned!!!






Mrs. Arizona Melanie Britton with her SUPER cute bag! I just had to get a photo!

















SMILE! A group of us before our final rehearsal.














Hanging out with my peeps at rehearsal, LOL











With two of my dearest friends, Donnell Rank and Sarah Moses












These two ladies are incredible! Special thanks to Sarah Moses for my wardrobe...she is THE BEST in the biz!











Group shot just before show time!















Ladies in red












A photo with Caitlin Corry, Mrs. Missouri. We had a blast together! LOVE this girl! You should see how fit she is...WOW. She DEFINITELY deserved the fitness award!















With pageant host Jay Joseph. He did a terrific job and our choreographer Natalie Carson was SUPERB!















Mrs. Michigan and I pose in our silver halter gowns (hers was actually a champagne-y pink)...what a neat lady!














The ladies of our dressing room! Tammy Johns-Brown (the eventual winner) who was also in our dressing room is missing from the photo because she was competing on stage! Congratulations Tammy on becoming the 2009 Mrs. United States!









I thought each of these ladies were shoo-ins for Top 5! Just goes to show you that you never know! L to R: Mrs. AL, Mrs. AR, and Mrs. AK. Are they gorgeous or what!?!












With the darling and hilarious Kim Geremia, Mrs. Guam. She totally cracked me up!
















After the pageant with Sheila McKinney Mrs. RI and the sweeter than sweet Sheila Strassburg!












With my supporters after the pageant! THANK YOU ladies for being such awesome cheerleaders!










My "pageant sister" Katie Scott (Mrs. Iowa America 2006) is now living in Las Vegas and came to cheer me on. She looks better than ever and I think SHE should compete in this pageant next year! Stay tuned...











The fabulous Dohn Dye and I chatting after the pageant










The "Phillips" girls! My mom Bonnie and I pose with Sue Jackson (we are all from the same tiny hometown of Phillips, WI...population 1,200 without a stoplight in the whole county!) Yep, that's where it's all at, LOL!










After the pageant with Liz Fogg-Abanon, Dohn Dye, me, and the LOVELY Rosalie Michaels (former Mrs. AZ America). I swear she gets prettier every year!















With Siouxan Moore (state director for MD, DE, PA, and VA) and Nicole Brink (former Mrs. America and Mrs. World). Best of luck to Siouxan as she competes in Beauties of America! It was so nice to finally meet her...she is so pretty!















With Dana Opsincs, Mrs. United States 2001. She is so cool...it was great seeing her!












Whew...now I am in Chicago cheering on my teen client Jessica Scheu (Miss Teen MN Int'l 2009) and she competes for the national title. Bring it home Jess! I am soooooo proud of you no matter what the outcome!