To say that the past few weeks have been a whirlwind, is an understatement! I'm so grateful to David and Elaine Marmel and the entire Mrs. America, Inc. organization, to call myself Mrs. America 2007. Ever since the exciting phone call from Mr. Marmel, congratulating me on my new title and welcoming me to the family, it has been "pageant central" here in Colorado. With the 2007 Mrs. Colorado pageant only weeks away, so much of my time has been prepping for that final phase of my Mrs. Colorado duties, while embrassing and working with Bob Mazza on the upcoming events as Mrs. America.
Thank you to all, especially the Class of 2006 Mrs. America, for all of your well wishes. The outpouring of phone calls and emails has been wonderful.
Thank you to Tricia for being so generous and organizing such a great coronation party last night! It was beautiful! I was honored to have so many family, friends, and sponsors gather Saturday night to celebrate. I will post pictures just as soon as I get them from the photographer.
I had a great time at the annual Go Red For Women Luncheon today. Michelle Earnest, Mrs. Cheyenne Mountain 2007, joined me at the event. Julie Peterson, Mrs. Arvada 2007, was also an attendee. It was very informational, as there were a number of breakout sessions where women could listen to experts speak on topics about women and heart health. Michelle and I were so fortunate to sit at the same table with Colorado's former First Lady, Frances Owens.
Thank you to the Longmont Chapter of the ABWA for asking me to speak at their recent meeting. It was a great networking opportunity for me as well, as I was able to speak about the Mrs. Colorado Foundation and raising money for scholarships--something the ABWA already does for local highschool girls.
Tonight, Scott and I attended the 2007 Pillars of the Community Gala benefiting the Arapahoe House. Charlie & Judy McNeil were honored for their outstanding philanthropic commitment to the Denver community. Tonight's gala raised over $300,000 for the Arapahoe House. http://arapahoehouse.org/
with Charlie & Judy McNeil
with event organizer, Karen Novotny
with Ms. Senior Colorado 2006
before leaving the hotel (these girls were a riot!)
Thanks to the Arvada Alumni Association for inviting me to their annual fundraising event. I had the pleasure of meeting Hazel Miller (http://hazelmiller.com/index.cfm) and talking with her before she started her set. What an amazing voice! She also has a great sense of humor, which is why she has such a tremendous following. John DiTirro, the photographer I met at the Jingle Bell Run earlier in the year, connected me with the event. Thanks John!
In celebration of NEA's "Read Across America" Day, I spent the morning at the Denver Firefighter's Museum reading stories to children about fire safety. Owen loved playing firefighter for the day, dressing the part and driving the engines.
This afternoon, I joined Dave Otto of Sassy 107.1, on his afternoon radio show. We talked about Mrs. World, the upcoming Mrs. Colorado Pageant, and the Mrs. Colorado Foundation.
Last night, I attended the Great Chefs of the West Cook Off benefiting the Kidney Foundation. Mrs. Denver County 2007, Jeanine Minary was so kind to join me. We had a great time visiting with committee members and other attendees, as well as meeting some of the chefs and tasting delicacies from Colorado restaurants. For more pictures of the event on Black-Tie Colorado, visit http://www.blacktie-colorado.com/premiere_events/thumbnails.cfm?id=1622
I spent Valentine's Day visiting hospitalized veterans at the VA Medical Center in Denver. Just one of the many patients I visited, celebrated her 94th birthday last week. What a joy it was to listen to her stories and others' throughout the day.
I was honored to keynote the Mullen Mother-Daughter Luncheon on Sunday, January 28th. Since I was back in Nebraska the day before, my mother was able to travel with me to Denver and join me at the luncheon. I delivered a keynote titled, "Someday your face will stick like that...and other timely advice from my parents." I was humbled by the 200+ turnout, learning from organizers that it was their best turnout in years.
with my mom, Lynda
with organizers Chrisi Tolbert and Jeannie Stafford
I met up with Jennifer Bradley, Mrs. Nebraska to judge the annual Venango Chili Cook Off. I took on the honors of judging the spicy division. It brought back memories of a Seinfield episode--"George likes his chicken spicy." For those of you who weren't Seinfield junkies like I was, take my word on it, that chili was hot! It was fun to see Jennifer and revert back to our ways at Nationals...having a great time clowning around together.
Last night, I wrapped up my second and final appearance with KYGO at the National Western Stock Show. I really enjoy the live radio appearances and hanging out with the station staff. During one of the live feeds, Owen got the chance to talk on the radio as well. He let everyone know that he is "two" and after some prompting from Paul "The Professor," Owen said "K-Y-G-O." After I was finished, Scott and I took Owen to the "Kids Ranchland" where he was able to pet sheep, baby calves, bunnies, and surprisingly, his favorite...pigs.
Oh, my old stomping grounds. It was great to take in an evening at the National Western Stock Show with Catfish of 98.5 KYGO. I've been going to the National Western Stock Show since I was a little girl. One of the things I talked about on air last night was my experience showing the Grand Champion Bull at the National Western Stock Show when I was only 10 years old. I plan to return next weekend for another live broadcast with KYGO and to visit the Stockyards, where many of my family friends are displaying livestock.
On a recent family vacation to Hawaii, I had the opportunity to get together with Sharlene "Pebblz" Nakamoto, Mrs. Hawaii 2006. Pebblz arrived in a limo to pick up my family for a day of taking in the main island. We visited Pearl Harbor, some nice beaches and Waikiki. It was fun to catch up with Pebblz and experience the island of Oahu with her first hand. Thanks Pebblz!
More pictures of the beautiful islands and our trip...
It was fun to play Santa for the evening with the women and children at Champa House. I read a story to the little ones and then Tricia and I handed out gifts for all.
