Be Kind, Rewind

"History is Herstory, too."
-- Author Unknown

Please know that I did not intentionally abandon my blog-writing duties… but I’ll throw myself at the mercy of this court and plead - - well, it’s actually very unbecoming of a lady to plead, so let’s just venture forth with another late-night installment, shall we?

My last entry might as well have been a century ago. And after perusing it for content control, I realize I basically talked about one thing. That simply will not do. So, grab your favorite turtleneck and some fuzzy mittens because we’re headed back to February!

I rang in the new month (of February, that is) literally on a plane. On my way home from Miss America, I fell asleep before the cabin door was closed and I’m fairly certain I didn’t wake up until the following night. Miraculously – I awoke in my own bed. Thank goodness for parents and directors! Following a brief stint with the worst case of the flu to ever rear its ugly face in the history of the universe, I was an honored guest at the Miss Grays Harbor Pageant.

My accommodations were ridiculously charming at a local Bed & Breakfast. I was given the “Blue” room… a tribute to my favorite color, isn’t that thoughtful?!

Radio interviews commenced later that week, as did several coffee shop meetings to handle good ol’ administrative tasks, and also a National Anthem performance to kick off a college basketball game. Go Lutes!

While my allegiance is entirely with the Dawgs of UW, I must admit that one of the most memorable and rewarding events of the month took place at Washington State University’s Vancouver Campus. I was asked to serve as Mistress of Ceremonies at WSU’s Presidential Primary Straw Poll where I had the privilege of sharing a stage with Secretary of State Sam Reed. The event was well attended and the open forum was lively – a success, all around, if I do say so myself!

And what a great opportunity this is to remind all you readers to go out there and

1) Register to vote,

2) Familiarize yourself with our political system and the presidential election’s candidates and

3) VOTE!

I opened the Mock Primary with this quote from Abraham Lincoln, “The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” Humor me and keep that in mind this election season.

The Miss Poulsbo Tea was positively delightful! Among their many proud family members, the guest list included the Miss Kitsap and Miss Poulsbo contestants, former titleholders, devoted volunteers, the (then) current Miss Poulsbo, Alex Duchemin & Miss Kitsap, Megan Hornbuckle, and the starry-eyed Princesses! The volunteers were gracious, the girls were lively, the treats were delicious, and the afternoon was nothing shy of fantabulous.

To honor the 29th Annual National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week, I visited Veterans Hospitals in Tacoma and Seattle. At one location, I distributed hand-made cards and roses. It was an incredibly moving experience to visit with our Nation’s un-sung heroes. One such visit was on the 14th where I was greeted with flowers, cards, and chocolates – I’d managed to acquire several dozen “Valentines.” Ha! Those of you who are already familiar with my old-maid destiny are surely bubbling over with joy at the thought of this sight.

In one whirlwind weekend, I flew to Spokane only to head to Moses Lake and then return to Spokane less than 36 hours later. Boy, were my wings tired! Haha! ..sorry, couldn’t help myself. I served as emcee of the Miss Moses Lake Pageant and enjoyed every single second. It didn’t hurt that my companion that day was the lovely, and ever –congenial, Sara Talbot, Miss Moses Lake 2007.
Have you ever seen fog freeze?

No seriously, have you? Well I hadn’t until Patti Belik and I were driving from the Miss Moses Lake Pageant to Spokane. The crazy thing is that it looks like glitter – a real, live snow globe. So being the sometimes-witty, wisecracking Miss Washington that I am, I commenced to joke to Patti that she shouldn’t worry about the sparkle – it just happens everywhere I go. Big Mistake. I’ll never live that one down. It pretty much goes up there on the list with “5-pound bag of gummi bears,” and “them apples.” :D The Miss Spokane Pageant went splendidly and the meal I shared with my pageant family was equally enjoyable.

Also in store for me during leap-year-month was an event hosted by American Legend at which I met supermodel Cindy Crawford and a visit to the Chief Seattle Club, a homeless shelter for American Indians. I was interviewed for a segment on Northwest Indian News about my Year of Service as the first American Indian to take on the job of Miss Washington, as well.

On a gorgeous Saturday afternoon (a rarity for these parts), I traveled to the Miss Mason County Pageant where the show went off without a hitch and I had entirely too much fun backstage. Said “fun” involves a pink cowboy hat, a quick Diet Coke run, and thumb-cuffs. What will I do when I can no longer engage in behind the scenes shenanigans?!

Several meetings and one Miss America Homecoming later, I found myself at the Miss Pierce County Pageant in Tacoma.

Whew!

Good thing we had that extra day in there this year. Otherwise, I’m not sure I could have managed to pack in all of my travels, events, appearances, and adventures!


Don’t let the bed bugs bite,

elyse*