AUGUST 29, 2006
GOLF CHALLENGE, GIFT EXCHANGE, REHEARSAL, & BBQ AT HOTEL

First I want to begin today's blog by wishing my parents a Happy 42nd Anniversary! They were high school sweethearts (she was homecoming queen, he was captain of the football team) and are the best role models for a successful marriage that I know. I love you both and can't wait to see you in a few days!

Today began with those of us who were in the golf challenge heading out to the golf course at the Lodge at Ventana Canyon. We were put into three teams, and we named our team (consisting of Mrs. WV, VT, OR, & myself) the "Blonde Bombshells." We participated in three mini contests: closest to the middle of the fairway, closest to the pin, and a putting contest. My team won the first and second contests, and narrowly lost the third one. We won the overall challenge and were awarded 50 points each (the 2nd place team got 25 points each). The course was gorgeous but HOT! I hope my golf cart partner (Mrs. VA Erica Kirwan) wasn't too scared about my driving abilities (just kidding!).

After golf, we had a rehearsal but first did our gift exchange where each contestant brought a small gift representative of her state. My state gift actually had nothing to do with my state but I just thought it was cool...I gave everyone a poster with the Mrs. America logo on top that also said "30th Anniversary - Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Aug. 23-Sept. 6, 2006," which we all autographed (so each contestant got a poster with the 51 signatures of each contestant). These posters were generously provided by the fantastic people at Wholesale Printing Direct (www.wholesaleprintingdirect.com), and the ladies seemed to really like the gift. I know I'll be having mine matted and framed when I get home--it's a great memento of our adventure in Tucson! Another surprise was the arrival of the reigning Mrs. America, Andrea Preuss. What a DOLL! She is so down to earth and REAL (my kind of gal!), and we all enjoyed hearing from her and getting to know her a little bit.

After rehearsal, we had a BBQ provided by Texas Roadhouse which was wonderful (especially the bread w/ cinnamon butter)! We all wore our Tony Lama boots and our cowboy hats. After dinner, we received our opening number dresses, which are really cute! They are a pretty purple color with some beading, with an uneven, jagged hemline that will look really pretty in the evening breeze. After receiving our dresses, some of headed down to the pool amd jacuzzi to unwind. I really enjoyed getting to know some of the ladies in this more relaxed environment. There are some really funny gals here, let me tell you. On my way back to my room, I ran into some of the contestants and TV production people, and Joe (one of our camera guys) had his guitar out. We'd talked about playing earlier, so I sat down and played a few songs and the ladies sang along (thankfully we've got some country music fans in our contestants, YEE HAW!). We had a great time but then I started to lose my voice, which I decided was my cue that it was time for bed. It was a super fun and very busy day! I still can't believe this is all for real and that I am really here competing for the title of MRS. AMERICA!

PHOTOS:
1) Trying to get closest to the middle of the fairway (I got within 5 feet!)
2) The "Blonde Bombshells" winning golf team! Yea!
3) The ladies who participated in the golf challenge.
4) Hangin' out at rehearsal: CO, MD, AZ, MN, MO
5) With Mrs. MO & MS just prior to the gift exchange.
6) Chatting with Mrs. America Andrea Preuss. She is so REAL!
7) Mrs. SC & I check out these gorgeous red & orange desert flowers.
8) No, I don't normally have cheesy photos taken of myself but I thought this was a fun pose!
9) With Mr. Bob Mazza, VP of Marketing for Mrs. America, Inc.
10) In "jail" with Mrs. MD & AZ
11) Playing guitar in the hotel lobby. FUN!