Spring break … ah! I hope all of you relaxed during last week’s spring break! I got a chance to catch up on movies, books, and friends. What a refreshing week!
Sunday, I met with the Photos For You photographer, David Lear. We had a great time taking photos around downtown Little Rock even though it was a little windy. I was especially impressed with David’s constant observation of our surroundings! In fact, he even pointed out three black Suburbans around Little Rock with men in suits, earpieces, and wide eyes. We will never know if they were really undercover policeman or not, but I started asking him if everyone we bumped into was in the FBI. He thought I was funny! Haha, I guess I don’t notice the people or places around me like I should! Anyway …. I am really excited to see the pictures since he takes such great notice of detail!
Tuesday morning, I headed to the Channel 11 news station for a 6 a.m. segment about the Military Warriors Support Foundation! This organization supports wounded veterans by assisting them with houses, jobs, and so much more! They currently have over 1,000 homes to give away but have not received many applications from Arkansas citizens. With my involvement, they hope to bring more support and awareness of this outstanding organization to our state. In case you missed it, check out the interview here. I was very proud the interview because the link later made one of the Pentagon newsletters!
I was so so so excited to receive my new bedroom suite on Wednesday from Arkansas Furniture Co. in Hot Springs! Mike and Elaine Muzny own this business and are proud sponsors of the Miss Arkansas Organization. I met them in July when they gave me my excellent Miss Arkansas mattress and helped me pick out the living room furniture that I purchased. They were excited to see me again and provided superb service as I chose my bedroom furniture. I found exactly what I wanted in their three warehouses of furniture! I hope you consider Arkansas Furniture Co. next time you go shopping for furniture! They even deliver for free!
Thursday was a fun day! After a workout, I headed to Breathe Salon for Dennis to give me a fresh new haircut. Then I asked if he could give me an elegant up-do for my dinner event that evening! I rarely wear my hair up, but I really loved the bun! It added just the right touch of glamour to my stunning red dress! I talked to Tommy Lyons earlier in the week, and he dropped off two options for me to wear to this event. I was so pleased with the red MacDougall dress, and you can find it at Venue!
Once I was ready, I hopped in my car to go pick up my PawPaw. He was dressed in his tuxedo and looking sharp! I was so thankful that he offered to escort me to the Homes for Heroes formal dinner at the Governor’s Mansion. We gathered with many generals, politicians, and businessmen who support the organization. After dinner, they handed the keys of two entirely free homes to wounded warriors. One of the soldiers knew about his free house, but the other was there “to support his friend.” His wife started crying as he was surprised with a free home of his own. I was especially touched when he asked to speak. He mentioned, “I am forever grateful for this house, but this isn’t the reason why I serve my country.” I will never understand the sacrifice soldiers give while expecting very little in return. I think my PawPaw summed it up best by saying, “Those were some fine people!” He repeated it the whole way home!
Once I was ready, I hopped in my car to go pick up my PawPaw. He was dressed in his tuxedo and looking sharp! I was so thankful that he offered to escort me to the Homes for Heroes formal dinner at the Governor’s Mansion. We gathered with many generals, politicians, and businessmen who support the organization. After dinner, they handed the keys of two entirely free homes to wounded warriors. One of the soldiers knew about his free house, but the other was there “to support his friend.” His wife started crying as he was surprised with a free home of his own. I was especially touched when he asked to speak. He mentioned, “I am forever grateful for this house, but this isn’t the reason why I serve my country.” I will never understand the sacrifice soldiers give while expecting very little in return. I think my PawPaw summed it up best by saying, “Those were some fine people!” He repeated it the whole way home!
Saturday was a beautiful day! After Mom and I attended a wedding, we drove to Clarksville for the Miss Ozark Highlands Pageant! The director, Carol Martin, puts on a very organized pageant, and I was excited to see nine strong contestants competing for the title! Congratulations to Abby Lindsey for winning Miss Ozark Highlands! Only three more preliminary pageants remain!
Instead of leaving you with a piece of advice, I would like to end this week’s blog with thoughts of appreciation for the Miss Arkansas Board members. Most people don’t realize how much work the board members give in order to run a non-profit organization! They meet at least once a month and have even more committee and conference calls. In addition to the business and fundraising aspects of running a non-profit, they also organize and execute the grand Miss Arkansas Pageant, which literally takes a year of preparation. All of this must be done while satisfying the expectations of the Miss America Organization and sponsors. I have so much respect for the Miss Arkansas Board members, and I especially admire our executive director, Jessie Bennett! She knows when to be stern and when to be compassionate. A businesswoman and former Miss Arkansas, she generates fresh new ideas and works without a selfish agenda. I could not think of anyone more perfect for the job. Arkansas is blessed to have her as our executive director!
1 comments:
I love Jessie too! So pretty and sweet! For ten plus years I helped with the stage design behind the sceans, but in the past 3-4 years I have been working at the pageant itself.
I was one of the doubters of pageants for many years, now I am stunned daily at the amazing young women I have had the pleasure to get to know. Ashlen, Sarah, Alyse, YOU! not to mention all the other hundreds of girls I have sewn into dresses, glue bathing suits to, buckled shoes, zipped up, and just down right LOVED!
You girls make me look GOOD! That is a task!
Oh and I will be blogging about that picture I took in a few days LOL
Leave a Comment