Miss Mansfield 2009

I must say, Mansfield was full of talented and beautiful ladies Saturday night! Congrats to all the girls. It was a great show....although it was terribly LONNNGGG!!! Here are a couple of links you may visit to see pictures that I took.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=68556&id=511398630&l=009986de72
and
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=68542&id=511398630&l=afadc5e3e4

Congrats to Nanciann!

Miss Mansfield: Nanciann Strosnider
1st RU: Kristy Moneysmith
2nd RU: Heather Wells
3rd RU: Sheri El Sakr
4th RU: Ashley Miller

Interview and Talent: Nanciann Strosnider
Swimsuit and Elegance: Heather Lindsay
Miss Congeniality: Ashley Miller
Best "Oscar": Ashley Warholic

Miss Mansfield

So, guys...guess what?!?! I'm competing for Miss Mansfield! Ok...PSYCH! Totally kidding! Ashley is, though. I'm very excited for her. I hope she gets a chance to compete at Miss Ohio in June. That means mini vaca for me! Ha! Anywho, the winner from 2008, Christie Youseff, will not be attending. If I've heard correctly, the crowning will be by a special guest....

The theme is Hollywood...the girls have a limo and other cool stuff...like the celebrity guest. Who might that be? Any guesses? I don't know! Good luck girls!

Whoa, baby =) Let's catch up!!!

It has been a LONG LONG LONG time since I sat down to write a blog! So, so sorry...but it's not just my fault. I tried and tried to log on, but it wouldn't let me. Well, I finally discovered what was wrong-- I was using my new student email address instead of my old one (the one I used to sign in). Now that the confusion is over, hopefully will be able to blog more often!

There's has been so much happen since my last blog.

In June, 2008, Ashley handed over her title as Miss OH's OT. It was sad since her year went by SO fast and she was enjoying making so many appearances.In July, Ashley was in a local festival pageant--River Recreation Queen pageant--and was awarded 1st runner-up. At the end of the month, Amber ran for Miss Gallia County. Unfortunately, I didn't get to crown her because she got 1st runner-up, also! I was sad to hand over my crown. I was having the time of my life; but I guess it had to end sometime. My farewell speech was awesome! I went to a local radio station (Sunny 93.1) and pre-recorded my speech for free thanks to my friend, Tina, who is the owner/operator. I also sang the song "You Raise Me Up" and my speech played. It brought tears to many people in the audience. That made it tough to sing, as well as the driest mouth that I've ever had due to the evening July air! Overall, it was the most unique speech any Miss GC had ever given.

For many of you who don't know, Miss Gallia County is a big deal in our county. Only a certain number of girls get picked each year for the pageant from each high school in our county. She's not just the "fair" queen; she's the county representative. In my family, my aunt won Miss GC 1977, her daughter (my cousin) Amanda, was 1st RU in 2002, I won in 2007 (exactly 30 years after my aunt), Amber was 1st RU in 2008, and Ashley is running for it this August if she doesn't win a MOA title before.

In August and Oct. my family and I went to Nashville, TN and recorded our first CD as a family. It was a great experience and can't wait to make the next one!! Here's the cover (which I created) :

On September 21, 2008, Wes proposed to me! He was so sweet and romantic with it! There is this tree behind his house on the hill that he and his family have carved in since they moved there. I LOVE it! In 2006, he carved Wes + Liz in it. Well, on Sept. 21, he carved "Marry Me Liz" in it. Of course I accepted!! We've been together almost 5 years. We're tying the knot on August 15, 2009. I can't wait... he's so wonderful.

November 4, 2008 I turned 20. It was just a normal day. Nothing special. About a week before, my family got together for a cookout in honor of my birthday and my cousin's wife's birthday.

In mid-November, Wes and I had our pics taken in Gallipolis. Here's one of them:

Dec. 31, my cousin Aaron and his wife, Brittany, welcomed their 1st bundle of joy to the world! Savannah Marie was born 29 minutes shy of being a New Year's baby. It was about time for her to come, though! Her Mama had been in labor for almost 14 hours!

Jan. 1---Welcome 2009!!

February--my cousin Amanda welcomed her 3rd child to the world! The first great grandSON; second grandson on my Dad's side of the family, period! Lincoln Marshall is so cute! Can't wait to see him as he gets older...

Oh, yeah...and Wes took me ICE SKATING! I've always wanted to go, but never had the chance. He surprised me and took me to Charleston, WV, skated, hurt my knee horribly, then went to the Monster Jam. It was pretty nuts! Loved the motocross the best!

For Valentines Day, Wes bought me more stuff for my camera! I love it all! I bought him tickets to see Jeff Dunham. We love comedians--especially him. Unfortunately, we have to wait til May 16, but it just adds to the excitement and anxiety!!

Now it's March. I've been stressed to the hills with school. I work at the college and go to class 16-20 hours a week! Nuts, eh? I know. I'm so tired of this semester. On top of everything, I've been wedding planning(love it!) andstarting a photography business. I love photography, but it can be stressful, too. Especially when your camera quits working right in the middle of your first 'gig'. 'Nuff said about that. It's fixed.

I'm anxious for spring break coming up in a week. I plan to get my wedding dress altered; save-the-date cards sent out; caught up on school work; and to rest!

Wish me luck!

....Geesh....

I'm tired just thinking about it!

Til next time,

Elizabeth*

Bored, bored, bored!

Well, if anyone actually reads my blog...God Bless You! And...I'm sorry I'm not as dedicated to it as many others are.

Ashley is not ready to give up her title yet! She want to take off with it and never pass it on. But, as I say, she will always be a Miss Ohio O.T...she just has to share the title with one more girl, right?

So...lots of things have happened since April. I officially finished my first year of college...and LOVE it, might I add. I began working for the college. I travel to fairs and festivals in the surrounding counties and promote Rio. My cousin is going to be a Daddy for the first time...I know he'll be a great one! =) My family should begin picking songs for our CD soon...we'll just have to travel to Nashville (no problem!). Next month, the fam and I are going to Pigeon Forge for vaca with my Mom's best friend and her family. It should be fun.

Unfortunately, July 28th is approaching very, very quickly; and I do NOT want it to! That's when I have to pass on my title of Miss Gallia County! I know, I'll always be one, but I don't want it to end! I've had such a fun, fun, fun year traveling to places and singing and promoting the Gallia Co Jr Fair. My Little Miss, Riley has been a doll...and a "Triple Threat," as I call her. Why? She is Lil Mis Firecracker, Gallia Co., and Scioto Valley! She's been right by my side almost everytime I ask her to be. Her mom, April, is so much fun and a delight to be with. I was very blessed to get to travel with them, since I already knew them. April was my cheerleadin coach in 9th grade.

Well, today I got like 4 inches cut off my hair...and everyone keeps saying what I can't stand..."I can't tell" That always drives my nuts! Oh well...I bet my boyfriend, Wes will notice when he sees me. He always notices! I can't wait til he's done with school! I miss him all of the time because he lives in Columbus and goes to school at DeVry University. I get to see him on weekends, luckily;but since it's a year-round college, I don't see him enough! He works so hard and does so well...it makes me very proud of him! I love him so much!

I keep forgetting I have a blog! Woops...

So, here's a bunch of random "stuff" that has gone on in my life recently...

I'm SSSSOOOO excited! My first year of college is officially over! I took my last two finals today--speech and humaninites. I'm pretty sure I BOMBED the humanities...I just can't seem to get interested in art/music/history...oh well, though! As long as I pass the class, right?!

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind...last weekend, my family and I went to Logan, WV to participate in a southern gospel singing contest that raised money for Dignity Hospice. Of the 30 groups and soloists, my family ("The Concords") received third place! We were thrilled! What made it even cooler was that afterwards, we got many bookings and the rep from the recording studio said he "needed to talk" with us. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we get a singing contract! The recording company is a very nice and highly revered sudio out of Nashville, TN! My family has never made an album before, so we're all pretty stoked about it! Before I was born, my parents did travel and sing, though. They were a trio called "The Concords." They made records back-in-the-day, yet there's never been one with my parents AND mine and my sisters' pic on the front! So, the group of 3 went to a group of 5...

As most of us know, the spring forum was 2 weeks ago in Mansfield. Ashley said that the outstanding teen pageant will be a tough competition; the winner will be a deserving one! I can't wait to see who wins...unfortunately, I won't be at Miss Ohio =(...But, I'm sure the winner will be very deserving of that title, also! I can't wait to see who wins...

Unfortunately, I've been sick for about three days now, so I hope I get better fast! I hate being sick on weekends. I get to see my wonderful boyfriend on the weekends! He lives in Columbus b/c he goes to school @ DeVry University. He's going to be an electronic engineer. I'm so proud of him! He's the greatest guy! I always miss him, but my mom says that distance makes the heart grow fonder & stronger...which is totally true! It makes it very rough at times, but it makes the time together more special and exciting!

Well, now that you've read this random blog, I hope you all are doing great...getting ready for classes to end, getting ready for Miss Ohio, proms, finals, shopping...whatever you may have planned! For me, I'm going to try to find myself a part-time job for the summer so I can get $$$ for the dumb rising gas prices...and I want to save some for security! lol....Be back later...

CONGRATS!

I just have to say CONGRATS to the 6 new Sweeps winners! They are: Amy Allen, Kristy Moneysmith, Krystal Formosa, Katherine Wolford, Victoria Miller, & Courtney Kania! You all did great! Good luck at Miss Ohio! Wish you ALL could win!

Miss Georgia reigns two years...WOW!

I was looking at the pics of the Miss USA contestants and noticed a familiar face...Miss Georgia America 2006, Amanda Kosak, went on to Miss America last year and was honored as second runner-up to Miss America 2007, Lauren Nelson. On April 11, she will represent Georgia again. But this time, she will be on the Miss USA stage as Miss Georgia USA! I have to say this is quite an accomplishment! Good luck, although I don't think she needs much! =)

Miss Central Ohio pics...

Here's a few pics from Miss Central Ohio...you won't see any of these outfits again at Sweeps! I've got new *shinier* , prettier outfits! I'm so excited! =)

So I keep movin' forward...

So...Miss Central Ohio was a blast and I feel so blessed to have been part of it! The ED's are the some of the kindest and most giving people I've ever met! They helped with so much and had lots of extra help if anyone needed it! Of course, many of us did--including myself. Unfortuantely, a row of beads popped off of my formal gown the night before I left for Newark, so I had an alternate gown for formal. Once I got there, my talent gown's eye/hook was so hard to get hooked because one part of it was just a thread so the ladies had to sew more on my dress so it would not come unhooked on stage (which would have been a horrible Janet Jackson moment! Yikes!) and lastly, before bathing suit, I noticed a "run" in the butt-area of my swim suit...I still wore it, since it was hard to see. I even had a scratchy throat...and my Mom had to buy me cough drops (which I left on accident!), but I still pulled off my song well, despite the raspy sound I had. I thought I answered my FIRST onstage Q ok, but my second was horrible because I stuttered! I don't know what was up with that! haha...After the pageant, I was informed by my fans that I was asked what my favorite baseball stadium was that I sung at...well, I have NEVER sung at a baseball games in my life--don't know where they came up with that, but oh well! I got a laugh out of it! I know, I know, it sounds like I'm a complainer and I make excuses, but I'm totally not! All of these things really did happen...but none of these things bother me...Know why? I still had fun. Sure, I was EXHAUSTED! And I ride home was long, but it was great because I got to spend it with my best bud ever...someone I hadn't really seen or spoken to for months due to the many miles between us...I was so happy! IT MADE MY WEEKEND!

I can't wait until this Saturday and Sunday! I am competing in SWEEPS! Of course, I'm hoping for a big "W" on Saturday...hehe...that would be so cool! If I do not happen to win, I will be making a long and dreaded drive to Medina (because it is SOSOSOSO far from home) to compete in SWEEPS there on Sunday. I know whoever wins on both days will make fantastic reps for the Miss Ohio pageant in June!
I think I'm ready for Sweeps...I have a *NEW* b-e-a-utiful formal gown, a new swim suit with NO "runs," and my original formal gown is fixed and is now my talent gown...in which I will sing Whitney Houston's "One Moment In Time." I'm excited and can't wait to see the girls again! They're all so nice and helpful to us "newbies." Good luck to everyone! Hope to see you this weekend! Wish me luck! B-)

Miss Central Ohio is approaching!

As most of us know, Miss Central Ohio is approaching quickly! It is my first local this season, and only my second ever! I have little butterflies in my belly thinking about it, but I just keep thinking "Just have fun, just have fun." It helps calm my nerves when I tell myself that! I wish I knew who will be competing on Saturday. I only know of one, maybe two, girls other than myself that will be there.

My platform is "Think Pink: The importance of breast self-examinations in young women." It is inspired by my own struggle with a lump that I found in my left breast when I was 17 years old. Fortunately, I discovered it as benign, but I still believe that educating women at a young age can help to solve problems and questions that deal with breast cancer and breast lumps, as well as preventing the scare. Not all lumps are cancerous. In fact, 80% of them are benign.

It will be fun...good luck to all!
Oh, and remember..."Just have fun, just have fun!" HAHA!