OH MY, TIME DOES FLY WHEN YOU ARE HAVING FUN ~ Part I

Since my post last fall SO much has happened in my life. A few changes were challenging, but the WONDERFUL things have made those challenges well worth the fight...

Last summer our youngest daughter April, suprised us with the announcement that she was joining the Army...now this is our "wild child", Daddy's little girl, and she learned to stand up for herself from her momma and big sister, Tai! How was she going to survive the Army, or better yet, how was the Army going to survive April?!? With a blink of an eye on a hot August day, our little girl was on her way to Ft. Jackson, South Carolina for basic training, but before we knew it we were on our way to Columbia to attend her graduation. The minute that I walked on to the base my eyes welled up with pride - I watched our young men and women become soldiers and I don't think that I officially stopped crying until I boarded the plane for home. As of this date our soldier is doing great and stationed back in the beautiful Northwest at Ft. Lewis in Tacoma, WA. We are an Army family and SO PROUD!!

In November, just days short of Thanksgiving, a day that you know will come arrived. Our beloved 15 year old black Pug, Pugsley passed away. Bud and I brought Pugsley home to live with us shortly after we were married and I just couldn't imagine a world without a Pugsley. He passed while I was still at work and I was able to keep my composure, but once I got into my car to drive home the dam burst and I didn't stop crying for 3 days...poor Bud didn't know what to do so he did what loving husbands do best ~ while I was at work on the Friday after Thanksgiving, he drove 3 1/2 hours north and 3 1/2 hours south to bring me the cutest little face ever and that face belongs to Kix, our new black Pug puppy. Kix is named after my favorite entertainer, Kix Brooks from Brooks & Dunn. He is a happy boy, not so little anymore, but has snuggled his way into our hearts and bed (under the covers and all!).

HOW IS YOUR ATTITUDE?

One thing that I have learned over the years is that I am in control of my own destiny. The actual path may not be what I originally chose, but ultimately who I am and how I apply life's lessons are up to me.

I work for a growing community bank in Southern Oregon. When I started with the company almost 8 years ago, we were quite small and it was always a treat to see our president stroll through our department once or twice a day just to see how we were doing. One year he had a wonderful poster made that each one of us could take and use as we saw fit. This poster has been at my desk now for close to 4 years and I can honestly say that I take a moment to read what it says everyday. Since I haven't posted in awhile, I thought that I would share this saying and if ever your path seems to take an "off course", that you will think of this and be rest assured that you are still in control.

ATTITUDE

by Charles Swindell

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearances, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home.

The remarkable things is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes.

So, my question to you - how is YOUR attitude?

CELEBRATE. REMEMBER. FIGHT BACK!!

With my mom Irene Sammons,

a two-time breast cancer survivor,

celebrating life at the annual

Relay for Life event in Medford, Oregon

May 30-31, 2009

Last weekend, at 10:00 a.m., members of the community gathered at Medford's Spiegelburg Stadium to show their ongoing support in the fight against cancer at the annual Relay for Life event. Even through extreme heat, followed by rain and "nature's firework show" ~ thunder and lightening ~ we continued to walk to find a cure!

"Celebrating 150 Years of Oregon" was this year's theme and the teams really showed their creativity. A couple of fun teams were the "Goonies", a popular movie filmed in Astoria, Oregon (and all true Goonie fans know their motto ~ "Goonies never say die!!") and the "Civil War" - for those of you unfamiliar with Oregon sports, this is the annual meeting between the University of Oregon Fighting Ducks and the Oregon State Weasels, oops - I mean Beavers (just HAD to throw that dig in for all of my Beaver friends!!). Their theme was "Divided but UNITED in finding a Cure!". My team - PremierWest Bank - was a wild west bank, complete with ponies, cowboy hats and bandannas and we were "Banking on a Cure". A HUGE shout out to everyone at PRWT for their ongoing support because we couldn't have done it without you!

Each hour we had a different theme to add to the fun and local dance, Tae Kwon Do, and Karate schools gave performances and demonstrations of their talents. DJ Troy, also a committee member, kept the beat compliments of KISS-FM.

The Survivor Ceremony began at 4:00 and as each Survivor's name was called they were presented a medal by the Oregon National Guard. After the last name was called, the Survivors gathered together on the track for their Victory Lap. The look on their faces as they walked by and saw their family, friends and members of the community cheering them on was PRICELESS!! Many are still going through treatment, and the walk is not an easy one, but it just shows the strength and determination of these courageous people and how much it needs to be celebrated!!

As the sun went down and the stars began to light the sky, candle lit luminary bags lined the track. On each bag a name was written in celebration of those who have won; in honor of those who are still fighting; and in memory of those who have lost their battle against cancer. The Luminary Ceremony is a time to reflect and to honor all of those who have been touched by this dreaded disease. A lone bagpiper walked the dark track - a tiny flicker from each bag provided the only light to guide our way - played "Amazing Grace". We followed, walking silently, reading the names on each bag and reflecting. This is one of the hardest, but most beautiful moments. I walked with my mom, who tried so hard not to show she was crying. I put my arm around her and told her it was okay.

I have a strict policy - there are no calories at Relay!! Local companies donate food or their portion of the proceeds back to Relay for Life and the "midnight soup" is so delicious!! I also look forward to the movie and this year was no disappointment! At 2:00 a.m. the screen went up and we were treated to none other than "The Goonies"!! What an awesome show for all ages!!

At 4:00 a.m. I started to see a glimmer of light and then dawn was upon us quickly. I walked from 5:00 to 5:30 and it was absolutely beautiful. After a few more hours, camp came down and we gathered for the Closing Ceremony.

Our year was a success - as of this date we raised $107,000.00 and we are so proud. I am already starting to work on ideas for 2010!! Cancer never sleeps and neither should we when it comes to our journey to FIND A CURE!!

ON THE MOVE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Someone once told me that "the grass never gets green under my feet"...I am pretty sure that it meant that I am not one to sit still and watch the world go by. At least that is my interpretation and I am going to stick with it, LOL!!

Last month I felt an urge to do more - something that would help me not only promote my platform "Relay for Life" and the importance of breast cancer awareness and education ~ but also be an example that once you hit "that age" (don't you just "love" it when these two words work their way in to a diagnosis, LOL!!) LIFE AS WE KNOW IT DOES NOT END! I am now the very proud Beauties of America Oregon's 40's 2009!

I am so excited to return to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina this August. Beauties of America is very dear to my heart, as I had the opportunity to meet some incredible women at this pageant - in fact two of my dearest friends, Charissa Payer and Billye Fietz are in my life because of BOA. I have several friends competing this year and I can't wait to see them again and also to give a big "Oregon Hug" to those that I will finally be meeting in person! This pageant truly does "Celebrate Beauty at Every Age" and that is a statement that each and every one of us needs to hold true to our heart no matter what your age is! But for now ~
40's Women ROCK!!!

HOW ARE YOU?

Tonight the story of Farrah Fawcett and her battle with cancer aired.

As a daughter, sister, and best friend of a loved one who has fought the battle against cancer, I am still overcome with emotion. With tears streaming down my face, I watched a woman and her family - no different than mine - face the battle of this dreadful disease. I pray for her, for her son, her family and for all of those who are fighting or have lost someone they have loved to cancer. Most of all, I pray for a cure.

In two weeks I will be walking in memory and in honor of those we have lost; who are fighting; and in celebration for those who have won the battle against cancer at the annual Relay for Life event in Medford, Oregon. I will be walking for you, because no matter who you are, each and every one of us have been, or will be, touched one way or another by this "terrorist" called cancer. I will continue to walk, advocate and speak out until I am told that a cure for cancer has been found.

God bless Farrah, my mother, my sister Janita, Tina, Billye, Charissa, you and your families... and thank you for your support.

WHEW ~ WHAT A RIDE!!

The 2009 Oregon International pageant was held March 27 and 28, 2009 in beautiful Lake Oswego. Lesley Nardini and her wonderful staff made sure that we all were treated like royalty and had a great time.

We started out with a lovely tour of downtown Lake Oswego ~ I had not had the chance to really visit Lake Oswego before and it truly was a lovely treat!! We were driven in style in a stretch Hummer limo and had great girl talk along the way. THIRST ~ a WONDERFUL restaurant was our host for lunch and the food was oh-so yummy!! I don't cook (sorry Bud!), but the meal that they prepared for us made me want to ask for the recipe!! After lunch we did what all beauty queens do best ~ SHOP!! We visited two great shops ~ "MERINGUE" and "LUCKY ME", who are also sponsors of the pageant. All of the contestants had a ball looking at all of the cute glitzy things and I found the most beautiful Juicy Couture hoop earrings that I "just HAD to have"!! What a wonderful afternoon fit for queens!!

After our afternoon of lunch and shopping we went back to our hotel and changed into our new red "Oregon International Pageant" t'shirts, a gift from Mrs. Oregon Int'l 2008, Debra Gilmour, and black pants. We had a fun rehearsal and then walked next door for a great dinner hosted by another pageant sponsor, APPLEBEE'S!! I had the grilled Tilapia and it was SO good!! Another great opportunity to bond and get in that much needed girl time ~ who doesn't like talking about shoes???? If the day wasn't already packed full of fun and treats the best was yet to come ~ a Pajama Party/rehearsal! There was also a gift exchange and I came home with the cutest black crown t'shirt compliments of the VERY talented Mrs. Beaverton, Kate Krisiansen. What a wonderful way to end the day!

We woke up the next morning to a yummy breakfast provided by the hotel and off to hair and makeup with makeup extraordinaire, M'chel Bauxal. She is amazing and such a lovely woman! Then interview ~ the panel of judges were phenominal and really kept us on our toes. They had a very tough job that day with so many accomplished women.

After interview we had some down time to grab a snack in Lesley's suite and get in a little more of that fun girl talk ~ we do like to talk!! We then packed up everthing we needed for that evening and hopped into our pumpkin coach (aka stretch hummer limo!!) and headed to Lake Oswego High School. We had a quick rehearsal with our hubby's - Bud is so CUTE!!! All of the husbands looked adorable, actually - it is the look of love in their eyes when they see their wives and how proud they are of us all!

PAGEANT TIME - EEEEK!! This is the moment that most of us had been working towards and waiting for almost a year to arrive. That first step on stage is a doozy, but after that it is rush, rush, rush and OH SO MUCH FUN!! The next two hours were gone in a flash and before we knew it we were standing onstage with our gorgeous hubby's in tuxes anxiously waiting to hear who's name would be called as the new Teen, Miss and Mrs. Oregon Int'l 2009. The special awards were called first and Misty McCord, Mrs. Medford was honored with the Dee Dee Brant Founder's Award; Kate Kristiansen, Mrs. Beaverton received People's Choice; Sandra Herder, Mrs. Portland ~ Most Ticket Sales; Bronwyn Gibson, Teen Willamette Valley ~ Photogenic; Deanna Bebeau, Mrs. Jackson Co. (THAT'S ME!!) and Sandra Herder tied for Mrs. Congeniality; and Sandra Herder and Olga Kim, Mrs. Tigard tied for the Physical Fitness Award.....drum roll please ~ Bronwyn Gibson, 1st RU and the new MISS TEEN OREGON INT'L 2009 ~ SHELJIA PATEL!!! MISS OREGON INT'L 2009 ~ JESSICA CARLSON!!! Olga Kim, 2nd RU; Deanna Bebeau (THAT'S ME ~ YEAH!!), 1st RU; and the new MRS. OREGON INT'L 2009 ~ SANDRA HERDER!!!

What a GREAT group of ladies and a wonderful pageant. I know that each one of our new queens are going to make our beautiful state proud! I am so honored to have been part of this pageant and I know that I have made many new friends and strengthened bonds with many of my dearest friends. Thank you to Lesley, Tamara, Kym W. for all that you did for us! A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO BI-MART ~ without your support we wouldn't be where we are today - THANK YOU!! ...and to Ruthie, thank you, for giving me that great "mama" hug just when I needed it most!

I love pageants!!

WHAT DOES A REAL BEAUTY QUEEN LOOK LIKE?

Bald Really Is Beautiful!!

I received this picture today. In my eyes, this is one of the most beautiful and inspirational pictures that I have seen. The beautiful lady in the center is my dear friend, Billye Fietz. We met at a pageant three years ago and I have been blessed by her friendship ever since.

Billye just turned 62. I get a kick out of sharing her age - and she won't mind me telling you this because I introduced her to an audience full of people while I MC'd a pageant in Austin, Texas and because I am so proud of her I asked if I could share her age. I wish that I had the words to describe how the audience cheered for her!! She has a zest for life like no one else that I have ever met - she inspires me.

This beautiful lady is also a Survivor. Billye is battling - and WINNING - the fight against breast cancer. I am so proud of her strength and courage, but most of all, I am so proud of her for continuing to live life to its fullest. Though she admits that it has been rough, and some days are harder than others, she has not allowed certain obstacles to deter her from enjoying what she loves to do.

So, the next time you wonder, "what does a real Beauty Queen look like?" remember Billye, with her big beautiful smile, because folks - THAT IS TRUE BEAUTY!!