Congratulations to our new Miss Ohio 2009, Erica Gelhaus!

I plan to write more later, but for now here are a few photos I took from the competition over the weekend!

Miss Ohio 2009

Miss Ohio 2009! It's here! I can NOT believe a year has already passed since I was on the Miss Ohio stage crowning my successor, Karissa Martin as your 2008 Miss Ohio! How time flies!

My hubby & I traveled to Mansfield last night & enjoyed a quick burger with my "second" family, the Warholics! Then we hustled over to the Renaissance Theater where I was able to stop backstage and give out quick hugs to some of the contestants down stairs! They all looked so beautiful! Just like old times!

As I sat in my seat and the contestants were introducing themselves, I looked back at Amanda (Rase) DeHart and said "This is so weird!" It was truly surreal to be sitting in the audience. I had been on that stage four years in a row. My mom & I made the trip to watch Miss Ohio once when I was younger then went back the first year that Amanda competed! I was very excited last night, I think Steve even had to tell me to "calm down" at one point!

We really did have a great time catching up with the Warholics, visiting with Ellen, Amanda, Pam & Greg. I was able to catch up with SO many wonderful people that are involved with Miss Ohio. It's always so nice to see those familiar faces. I, again, can't wait for tonight! Steve is going to stay back and continue working on our house so Miss Kasey Wilson is my date for tonight! We're gonna have a blast!

Be sure to watch Miss Ohio tonight online, or on ONN. Also, check Abby's blog!

To all the 2009 Miss Ohio contestants, break a leg! You are all shining examples of good character and examples of what MOSP & MAO are all about! Keep it up! We'll be rooting for you!

I only shot a couple of photos last night, one of which is blurry but I want to share them any way!

One lucky woman will be crowned Miss Ohio 2009 tonight, and have the chance to compete at Miss America and "live a life" like Katie Stam's. MAO sends a sometimes daily or weekly newsletter to keep volunteers and MAO supporters updated on what Miss America is doing on her travels. Here's a peek into her schedule these next couple of days:

"Miss America 2009 Katie Stam once again was a winner in Las Vegas! Katie was the special guest at our 2010 Pageant host hotel, Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, where she participated autograph sessions for Planet Hollywood guests. After the autograph signings she posed for photos at an exhibit featuring entertainment memorabilia that included personal property of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley!

Later that day she met with Robin Leach at the Bouchon in the Venetian as Chef Thomas Keller did a book signing. That evening, Katie was a VIP guest at the Donny & Marie Show at the Flamingo, where she had the opportunity to meet the showbiz duo backstage. She had a wonderful evening!"

"The next morning she conducted a fantastic television interview live on the ABC affiliate, KTNV. Click here to watch it!

That afternoon Katie worked with her national Miss America wardrobe sponsor, the Joseph Ribkoff Company, to promote their Trunk Show at the Paradiso Store in the Mirage Hotel. Katie participated in a meet and greet at the store and met hundreds of adoring fans. She looked absolutely fabulous in her Joseph Ribkoff clothes!"

Miss Ohio Week 2009! I can't believe it's already here!

Be sure to check Abby's blog all week long for updates. She's doing a great job at keeping us all posted on "Miss Ohio" happenings!

Find it HERE!

Here's a link to the "last" of our wedding photos, album 3 of 3. Enjoy!

Have I Told You Lately

As the Miss Ohio 2009 competition approaches, I'm reminded of a few things. There will be many accomplished young ladies in Mansfield vying to be "the next Miss Ohio" and I want to relay an important message to them. I'm unsure of how many contestants read this blog, but I feel this holds some significance.

This is the third blog I've kept and in my previous two, I tried to keep up with weekly/monthly Character Counts! Newsletters thru their national organization founder; Michael Josephson. I really like one of the stories they added for this week and wanted to share it with my readers. I like it because this is something we all need to be reminded of and something I want to remind the '09 Miss Ohio contestants of. IF you don't win, keep your head high and remember who you are, your character and what you represent.

King James or Spoiled Prince?

You probably heard that LeBron James, nicknamed “King James,” acted like a spoiled prince after his team was soundly thrashed in game that eliminated his team from the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. It was a crushing disappointment to this 24-year-old superstar whose personal performance was stellar, even heroic.

No one could blame him for wanting to scurry out of the spotlight without congratulating and shaking the hands of the players who beat him. No one could blame him for wanting to shun the mandatory postgame press conference where he'd be forced to put his pain on display and answer repetitive questions about how the golden team with the best winning record in all of basketball could have been so soundly defeated. No one could blame him for wanting to avoid his responsibilities. But we can blame him for doing so. Duties often trump desires.

When he failed to acknowledge his opponents, he dishonored the tradition of the game and breached his responsibility as a role model to be gracious in defeat. It’s not simply a matter of sportsmanship; it’s a matter of respect. When he ditched the league’s mandated press conference, he violated his responsibilities to his teammates (he left them alone to explain the defeat) and to the game that made him a multimillionaire and an international icon. Later he made things worse. Ignoring the old adage, “When you’re in a hole, stop digging,” unkingly James dug much deeper with this explanation: “It’s hard for me to congratulate someone after you lose to them. I’m a winner. I’m not being a poor sport. When somebody beats you up, you’re not going to congratulate them. That don’t make sense to me. I’m a competitor. That’s what I do. It doesn’t make sense to shake somebody’s hand.”

If you'd like to read the rest of the story, click HERE.

This is just my way of telling you to enjoy this experience for what it's worth, don't be a sore loser because...you're not and congratulate those who may go on to be "recognized" a little more than you. Break a leg 2009 Miss Ohio contestants! I'll be cheering for you all on Friday & Saturday!

Prometido. Uno mas album de fotografias a nuestro dia de la boda, por tu voluntad!

"How Sweet It Is"