More from Miss America Pageant....

These are a few photo we got from the Miss America Pageants 2010. My Sister attended with me for the very first time ever and we had a ball!

The pageant was a perfect blend of old school meets new school! The atmosphere was exciting and fun. The stage was super, the camera work for TV was second to none for an alive broadcast! Oh, the Talent of these young women! Excellent and the best I have wittnessed in many years! We had great seats only 8 rows from the stage! Back stage passes that worked too! The final night flew by.

The music was current and upbeat and the host was amazing. The theater was filled to capacity and the very feeling of the place would thrill even the most seasoned veteran in pageantry! Loved the entire experience. I felt very happy that Miss America was so well produced this year, my little Sister was amazed at the whole thing... giggle.

Life goes by so fast....

During the time I originally set up this blog I have noticed how FAST time flies by. I have been to many pageants and events this year and most of them I have represented the American Image Pageant with Pride!

But, I must admit, I am getting too old to represent anymore. The fire is just not in me as it used to be. My life is pleasantly taking new directions and helping others achieve their hopes and dreams thrills me more than competing does. I have always known that I would know when enough is enough. I tried to compete one last time, last year with a friend for old times sake. The spark was not there... like it used to be. But, never the less being in a competition was fun, exciting and I did make some nice friends in the process.

I have come to the end of the road. A person knows, when it's time. I have loved being in pageants and competing with the wonderful women who also put themselves out into this arena. I have several New York State titles and National titles like Ms. U S of A now known at Ms. US Continental, Ms. World Continental and the first Mrs. All American. I finished Top 5 in 2 and Top 10 in 1. That's an amazing journey of success for a small time girl who figured out the formula and took a gamble on this Sport! I was a three time winner at national competitions of the CONGENIALITY AWARD... one that gets made fun of a lot but, for me, it's the ACID test of ones character. Nice is nice. One of my motto's is: It's nice to be important but, it's more important to be nice! I live that.

I have had 18 years of competition, incredible and FUN!!!! And now, the journey is over. I have had a ball and hope that every pageant queen reading this has gotten as much out of their reigns as I have. It was a big blessing. I have been defined by pageantry. I fought for my charities and raised awareness and funds for The Make A Wish Foundation in NY, PA and VA and Hospice of Niagara. In the process I became a better speaker, better citizen and over all more aware of the world around me through my community involvement.

I have become quiet good at helping others see their dreams come true too. I know first hand what it takes to win. If I could win, so can YOU!!!!

About The American Image Pageant:

Our fearless leader Deb (American Image Director and creator) has had some very serious health issue she has faced bravely over the coarser of this year. I feel so bad for her and her family as I know the reality of sickness and health. Being chronically ill is no fun and it has taken it's toll on her. She recently sold the pageant to a fabulous new director with lots of great ideas and new energy to put into growing the pageant. I hope I can help her do that .

Summary:

Here's to great pageantry, great directors and queens who do all they can to highlight the programs they believe in. Here's to all those who labor behind the seances to make a well run pageant just that... well run, organized and fair.

Choose wisely which competition you compete in. Believe me, pageantry is not all the same. Directors are not all the same, shows are very different... and not always in a good way. So Ladies, please do your homework, ask questions, talk to the reigning queen or queens, READ all you can about the system you are interested in and don't go into dept for any competition that you can not pay off within a reasonable time frame. Any Questions about pageantry? Please write me.... I will always answer. Enjoy a few photos from Miss America and other events I have posted.

IN A WORD -- FUBO (Lonsberry-Must Read)

IN A WORD -- FUBO (Lonsberry-Must Read)

A Day In The Life....

Today was a special day. While cleaning my files and home I received many calls. Three were about proffessional bookings ALL in the same time frame, ALL I could not accept.... took some time off and I am spending it with family. What my good sense has told me though the many years as a free lance stylist is that jobs, bookings, and clients with needs come and go. While it is nice to be needed by clients and work ~ it is better to be needed by family. That is what is happening in the next three weeks.

Today I also talked with several women about the year ahead and answered questions about the AMERICAN IMAGE NATIONAL PAGEANT. This pageant is for women and young women who actually want to do something with a TITLE. God Bless them all for trying. I am so impressed with the amount of community service that these ladies quietly do on their own, without a pageant title. However, I also know what doors can be opened WITH ONE! I have been there and the opportunities abound!

So, before I get back to the house cleaning and wash I wanted to stop by and blog out these thoughts: Go For It! The American Image National Pageant is in it's 3rd year of planning and I only see it getting bigger and better.

Our director has monthly conference calls with her queens so that we can all talk about what we have been doing and put our heads together in planning the September 2010 pageant. It will be held on a weekend so that minimal time is spent away from work and family.

I have posted (maybe a little premature) a possible replacement variation for the national crown. While the current one is SO PRETTY, the spires do not hold up to travel... so this may be our NEW NATIONAL CROWN! Isn't it spectacular?! Just a few little tid bits to add to the excitement!

Have a great day and God Bless!

Doing my thing.... sorry this time I left the crown case on the kitchen table at 3am running out the door to catch a plane.

With my winners and runner ups and girl friends.

With My Darleen! Former Mrs. Galaxy!

AT BOA Sheila was 2nd RU in 40's & Judy 4th RU in 50's & Debra WON 50's!

The lovely Suoixzan Moore and her girls she was 1st runner up in 30's!!!

So proud of my clients and friends. They really worked hard! Their hard work was rewarded.

This is what I do for a living.... well, this is part of it. I do Hair and Make Up for commercial productions, pageants, and music videos, catalogs, etc. I was so busy packing and repacking for this latest trip I left my crown case right on the counter as I left for the airport at 3 am! I was so tired and a bit sick for this trip.

So I decided to post a few of my latest winners and runner ups in pageantry.

I have met some awesome women who would be absolutely perfect for this system. I wish they would just give it a try! You have everything to gain and little to loose. I don't push though. I want this choice to be one that my friends and those I meet along the way to make freely on their own.

However, "Don't you just meet some ladies and you say to yourself, Gosh, they would be perfect in________!"

You have NO IDEA how many of you I want to scream this at! This land of ours is FULL of really smart, caring women! Small and large, big and inclusive... there causes all matter... it all influences for the good.

American Image?.... hummmmm liking the sound of that title.............. Hum, Ms. American Image, yup it's a good one.

Mrs. United States Pageant with clients and friends. Crown was in for repair. One too many plane trips ended up breaking two broken spires.

I had a great time during my journey to the Mrs. United States pageant. I work there every year. It's a once a year trip I look forward to. had the opportunity to visit with clients and friends and share the news of this new pageant and take a few fabulous photos with my girls!