I'm only human!

October 30, 2010

This past week has brought a myriad of feelings and emotions from the very deep core of my soul. I granted two wishes with Make-A-Wish, Tom had a colonoscopy, my mother and stepmother have been quite ill, I found a lump along Lulu’s spine, I felt my lupus flaring, the Philadelphia Phillies broke my heart, my job has been stressful, my health insurance benefits are changing dramatically on January 1st, and I yearn for people and places that aren’t here.  I know it sounds like I’m complaining, but I honestly don’t mean it that way.  I’m just a human being going through the normal thoughts and feelings of a busy week as one tends to have.

Granting the two wishes with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of NJ this week were the absolute highlights!  What sheer joy it was to meet with Rebecca and Taylor.  Walt Disney World and Hawaii, respectively, will never be the same once they step foot there.  I can wholeheartedly say that I have never EVER come in contact with another organization that brings such HAPPINESS into the hearts of everyone it touches.  HONESTLY, it’s absolutely unbelievable! MAW does so much for SO many people, I simply can’t explain in words how incredibly amazing this foundation truly is.  Thank you to ALL who support it!

This week, however, I was reminded about my own life-threatening illness.  Lupus.  I know I have it, I know it plagues my body, I know that it makes me feel like I constantly have the flu.  But, I don’t like to give in to it.  Yes, sometimes I simply can’t help but give in to it, but otherwise I keep it in the far reaches of my being.  The world is not about me, it’s about other people.  I know that and I never want that to change.  The world of lupus does, however, exist out there and it wouldn’t be fair of me not to recognize it and speak of it occasionally.  On Thursday, I received an update from the Lupus Research Institute advising me that our nation’s leading lupus research investigators may have an innovative new discovery.  A simple blood test may be able to predict lupus flares in the future.  This absolutely remarkable (REMARKABLE!) discovery is now licensed for development.  A test like this is so very critical because there is currently no way to predict when a person with systemic lupus (like me) is moving from remission into a flare.  More than 1.5 million Americans (and millions more worldwide) suffer from this chronic and unpredictable autoimmune illness in which the body’s immune system attacks otherwise healthy tissues and organs.  With this new discovery at least I know our donation funding is helping to move this disease forward… one little baby step at a time!

And, as always, please "Share in the Power of a Wish" and refer a child to the Make-A-Wish Foundation today!

With Love,



National MAW Conference

October 25, 2010

The National Make-A-Wish Conference was just held in Orlando and it was a great time!  Those that attended said it could not have been more inspiring than to sit in the opening session at the "happiest place on earth" with 90 wish families who were in Disney World for their wishes, as well as by over 400 Make-A-Wish employees from all over the world?!?!  The raw emotion on the faces of CEO's, Wish Coordinators, Development Directors, Volunteer Managers and so many others were reminded in that moment why we do what we do!!  Many wonderful people from other state chapters were met.  Many new things were learned about outreach.  Volunteer management and training were taught and all that knowledge was brought back to my state chapter here in NJ (and your state chapters too) by our NJ Chapter Director of Outreach & Volunteer Services.  Such key knowledge that will no doubt benefit current active volunteers, like myself, along with referral sources, and ultimately, our wish families!  I am so proud and happy to be "doing what I'm doing" with the Make-A-Wish Foundation!!  I urge you to volunteer or donate yourself, so that you can feel the chills run up and down your arms when a child with a life-threatening condition says "thank you" to you with a huge smile of their face!

Please continue to bring in those referrals!

With Love,

Do you want my crown?

October 21, 2010

Do you want my crown?  If so, the time to act is NOW!  Mrs. New Jersey International 2011 will be held at Rider University on March 12, 2011.  I've had the time of my life as the reigning Mrs. NJ International 2010 and I SO encourage you to apply to become my successor.  My wonderful director, Jodi Cessna, is currently taking applications and awarding local titles as we speak.

I've had too many incredible experiences to list, but if you scroll down through my blog you will see all the posts and pictures from my year.  The national pageant this past July was absolutely one of the VERY BEST experiences of my life.  The national director is amazing, but even more so were the other state and regional titleholders I competed with.  I've made many lasting friendships because of it.

If you're looking for a well-run, platform oriented, glamorous, exciting and special time, please consider competing in Mrs. NJ International 2011.  I can honestly tell you, you will be very happy you did!

Please visit the state website at www.NJPageants.com or the national website at www.MrsInternational.com.  Or call me, email me, or visit me (or Jodi) on Facebook if we're friends.

Welcome to My World!

October 19, 2010

Take a sneak peak inside my world for a moment.  I love ribbons!  I love bows!  I love paint!  I love glue!  I love to create!!  This time of year begins the start of my creativity flowing.  I want to carve pumpkins.  I want to decorate my house in autumn leaves from the yard.  Scarecrows and ghosts abound.  And soon I will begin my Christmas cards, my Christmas presents, and my Christmas decorating.  But for now my house fits right into this Fall season time of year.  My home is decorated in burnt reds & oranges, browns, hunter greens, and golds.  I love this palette of colors and couldn’t think of living in any other colors otherwise.  But a girl must also sparkle and that’s what I think of with Christmas around the corner.  Sparkling gems of silver and gold. Twinkling lights.  Rhinestones galore.  My toasting Waterford wine glasses that catch the light of candles lite nearby that create reflections as sparkly as the Swarovski rhinestones I work with.


May you enjoy this month and the coming months ahead!  We are in the start of a magical time of year complete with the beautiful changing of the seasons.  At least we are here in New Jersey.  And … you just never know what may be peeking around that lamp post ... is it a friendly ghost?  Or a goblin?  BOO!

With Love,

Incredible Numbers!

October 15, 2010

Your generosity has been transformed into MOMENTS OF JOY!

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Make-A-Wish Foundation!  The fiscal year just ended on August 31st for the national organization and the numbers are thrilling!

13, 582 Wishes were granted across America!

23, 736 Volunteers graciously gave their time & talents!

Most importantly, you helped us create magical experiences for children facing life-threatening medical conditions.  I am SO proud to be a member of this incredible organization and I thank you for everything YOU have done to contribute to the success and accomplishments of numbers like these.  Please keep the momentum going and let's make this next fiscal year even better!  Please refer a child today, don't delay, their grandest wish is waiting for you!

With Love Always,

Our Buddy!

October 13, 2010

He did it again.  Our buddy, Buddy, that is!

He granted another magnificent and touching wish in NJ for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of NJ once more, to a precious and beautiful young lady who loves 'Cake Boss', especially the man behind the show! And trust me when I tell you, the feeling was mutual by the time she left Carlo's Bake Shop!  She and Buddy, and...... the whole crew, laughed, smiled and forgot about doctors and medical testing, chemo and radiation.... if just for the moment!  They created memories - and a scrumptious cake - to get thru any tough days that may lay ahead!  Thank you, Buddy!

Here Buddy is teaching his new BFF how to make a rose.  Is that not the most beautiful rose you've ever laid your eyes on?!!

And, as always, please "Share the Power of a Wish" and refer a child to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

With Love Always,

 

The Set of The Sail

October 12, 2010

One thing I’ve come to understand throughout the course of my life is that ‘change’ is inevitable.  Change may happen next week, next month, or 5 times already today.  As they say, “The only thing constant is CHANGE!”  Just as the seasons turn, it often shocks me how people tend to get upset when change occurs in their lives.  We have a habit of viewing it as a bad thing, as a scary thing, as a “why did this happen to me” thing.  Sure, change is scary, but it’s also a way for us to grow.  To try new things.  To continue to place our trust in God knowing that for everything there is a grand plan in mind.  This short article by Jim Rohn is wonderful.  Go ahead, read it.  Then ask yourself, “What will I do when the winds of change do, in fact, change?”

The Set of The Sail

Jim Rohn

In the process of living, the winds of circumstances blow on us all in an unending flow that touches each of our lives.…

What guides us to different destinations in life is determined by the way we have chosen to set our sail. The way that each of us thinks makes the major difference in where each of us arrive. The major difference is the set of the sail.

The same circumstances happen to us all. We have disappointments and challenges. We all have reversals and those moments when, in spite of our best plans and efforts, things just seem to fall apart.…In the final analysis, it is not what happens that determines the quality of our lives, it is what we choose to do when we have struggled to set the sail and then discover, after all of our efforts, that the wind has changed directions.

When the winds change, we must change. We must struggle to our feet once more and reset the sail in the manner that will steer us toward the destination of our own deliberate choosing. The set of the sail, how we think and how we respond, has a far greater capacity to destroy our lives than any challenges we face. How quickly and responsibly we react to adversity is far more important than the adversity itself. Once we discipline ourselves to understand this, we will finally and willingly conclude that the great challenge of life is to control the process of our thinking.

Learning to reset the sail with the changing winds rather than permitting ourselves to be blown in a direction we did not purposely choose requires the development of a whole new discipline. It involves going to work on establishing a powerful, personal philosophy that will help to influence in a positive way all that we do and that we think and decide. If we can succeed in this worthy endeavor, the result will be a change in the course of our income, lifestyle and relationships, and in how we feel about the things of value as well as the times of challenge. If we can alter the way we perceive, judge and decide upon the main issues of life, then we can dramatically change our lives.

Miles for Millie

October 10, 2010

"We're on the MOVE to end Alzheimer's!"

Today was a great day supporting one of my best friends, Danielle Micale, at the annual 2010 Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk in Princeton, NJ.  At the time of Dani's grandmother Millie's passing, she was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, which we all know takes our loved ones in one of the hardest ways possible - their memory!  From today's walk alone, Dani was so very successful in raising over $2,600 to help the NJ Chapter find a cure.  I shared the day with some of my best friends and loved every minute of it!  As Alzheimer's Association says "We're on the MOVE to end Alzheimer's!"

Designer Blogs

October 6, 2010

Many of you have been so kind as to ask me "who did your blog"?  Well, first of all, THANK YOU!  I have taken great pride and joy in developing and posting on my blog over the last year or so.  It's nice to know you've noticed!  Most of all, you MUST know that the super human gals at Designer Blogs helped me to build my blog.  Lauren, especially, was the design guru that saw my vision and helped it come to light.  You must visit their website to see the other innovative and neat blogs they've been busily creating.  And what's more, for the month of October they are offering 10% off all orders.  Just use the code PRETTY10 in your order form.  Ask for Lauren, and tell her that Heather sent you!

Team Ra-Ras Kick Breast Cancer

TEAM RA-RAS KICK BREAST CANCER!

That's right! In September over 130 of my former Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders came together to "bring it back" in an effort to kick breast cancer. PLEASE view this video from that great day! For each and every view United Healthcare of PA will donate to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Philadelphia Affiliate. "Team Ra-Ras" WILL help to kick breast cancer with YOUR help! PLEASE WATCH!

Click on this link if the video doesn't work:  www.KomenPhiladelphia.org/Video

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 3, 2010

In honor of this month of October, it’s that time of the year to THINK PINK!  October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a superb time to celebrate Awareness, Education and Empowerment in tribute to this disease!  It's a time for us to reflect, raise awareness, and donate to help the mission of those around us who have battled it.   Like many of us I, too, have had my share of breast cancer state of affairs.  Good friends have been lost.  Family members have been diagnosed.  And my stepmother is a survivor.  My friend, Kelly, was in her 30’s when she lost her battle.  Marylou was my full-of-life Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader director, choreographer and mentor when she was diagnosed a year or so ago.  Laura is a wife and mother of 2 beautiful children battling the ugly disease as we speak.  And Mary Ann, my loving stepmom, is going on her 3rd year as a survivor!  Some of our favorite celebrities have been stricken by the disease, such as Sheryl Crow, Christina Applegate, Olivia Newton John, Elizabeth Edwards.  My list (and I’m sure yours) goes on and on and on.

As a tribute to those incredible and courageous women who have heard their doctor say those 4 little words, “You have breast cancer!”, here are five ways to support and donate to this incurable disease.  (And pay particular attention to #1!)

1. HEATHER HEMINGWAY – Handmade by yours truly, these sparkling pink pave rhinestone earrings are your perfect little accessory to honor yourself, your wife, your mother, your friend.  I have custom made these little gems especially for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and will personally donate 10% from each sale to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.  These lovely embellished 12mm half-ball stud earrings are simply beautiful and can be ordered for $30 plus shipping.  All for a good cause!  Order yours today!

 

2. VERA BRADLEY – twittering sweet songs of hope for a cure, these raspberry pink and warm white warblers are a lovely addition to your Vera Bradley collection. Shop http://www.verabradley.com. 

3. LORD & TAYLOR – giving has never looked so good!  In recognition of this month, L&T has gathered together some fantastic fashions from your favorite names who will donate a portion of their proceeds to their favorite cancer charities.  Click the link for the details and to start shopping.  http://www.lordandtaylor.com/eng/CMS/laurenpinkdetails.cfm

4. YANKEE CANDLE – help provide A Light of Hope for a world without breast cancer! Yankee Candle supports the National Breast Cancer Foundation in their mission to fund mammograms for those in need.  Give a light of hope to those affected by this disease.  The wonderful Mandarin Cranberry fragrance is bursting with a vibrant, fruity sensation of sweet, sunny oranges and crisp, tangy cranberries.  http://www.yankeecandle.com/cgi-bin/ycbvp/product_detail.jsp?oid=6591958

5. KITCHENAID - every baker needs a stand mixer to make the very best cookies, cakes and pies!  KitchenAid's "Cook for the Cure" edition Artisan series stand mixer takes mixing to the highest power.  For every pink mixer purchased, KitchenAid will donate $50 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  Now that's thinking PINK!  www.kitchenaid.com

Please spay or neuter your pets!

Lulu Cunningham

"She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.  You are her life, her love, her leader.  She will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of her heart. You owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion."

~ Unknown

Let's go to Milan!

MAISON MOSCHINO HOTEL

I came upon this utterly ADORABLE hotel from a recent issue of Town & Country magazine and immediately thought about how fun it would be to stay in it.  It’s the Maison Moschino Hotel in Milan, Italy.  It was an 1840’s train station that was turned into a hotel that’s now brimming with whimsy creativity! 

How utterly ADORABLE are these pictures?!!  Especially the “Sleeping in a Ballgown” bed and headboard!  If this isn’t fit for Mrs. International herself (or contestant), with their affiliation with Go Red For Women, I don’t know what is! 

And check out the illuminated dress forms

that decorate the lobby. 

What a fun trip it would be to grab the girls, spend a week in Milan during Fashion Week, and stay at this hotel!

Make-A-Wish Mentor

August 25, 2010

As the summer comes to an end and we look forward to the start of back-to-school and the Fall season, I received such a thoughtful surprise by my friends at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of NJ.  They rely on Mentors to teach and train new volunteers to become Wish Granters and have asked me to become a member of the select few with such a title.  It is with absolute honor that I accept and take on this great privledge.  I'll never forget my Mentor, Joe, who helped me to become the Wish Granter I am today.  I can only hope that I can be half the Mentor that Joe was.

Wish Granters work directly with the children and their families to determine the child’s one true wish and then play an instrumental role in helping to plan, create, and fulfill the child’s wish.  These specifically trained volunteers make the wish an unforgettable experience through their attention to detail and imagination. Wish Granters volunteer their time around their own schedule and must be at least 21 years old.

As I take on this wonderful responsibility as a Wish Granter Mentor I will never forget that the sole purpose of the Foundation is to grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.  With hope, strength and joy I will do it with a HUGE smile on my face!

Lupus

August 19, 2010

For those who know me know that I don't talk very much about this, but the fact of the matter is.....I have lupus.  I don't like to talk about it much.  I'm not in denial.  No, that's hardly the case.  I would simply just rather focus my thoughts on other things rather than allowing this disease to take hold of me.  I faced it head on when I was diagnosed many years ago, and since then I have supported, rallied, and donated my time and efforts to try to make a difference for others with this disease.  I haven't been as active with it the last two years, as I felt as though my efforts weren't getting anywhere.  Well over a million Americans have lupus, however in all these years there has yet to be a drug that could battle it.  Sure, we have drugs that help to relieve our symptoms.  But nothing that battled it head on.  Until now!

Finally, Human Genome Sciences, Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted a priority review designation to BENLYSTA as a potential treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).  A priority review designation is granted to drugs that, if approved, offer major advances in treatment or provide a treatment where no adequate therapy exists. The FDA has assigned Benlysta a Prescription Drug User Fee Act date of December 9, 2010.

This is terrific news!  Until now the very best drug we had (for the most part) was Prednisone, which is a powerful steroid when taken for a long peroid of time.  Which, for anyone that's familiar with Prednisone......well, let's just say it isn't pretty.

I pray and hope that Benlysta can be the living saving therapy device that can help my fellow lupus survivors, including myself.  In the meantime, I will continue to stay out of the sun, watch my stress level, eat right, exercise and do everything else I do to stay healthy.  Let's hope that after ALL these years we finally have something to target this dreadful disease.

With Love,

Eat, Pray, Love

How true is this quote from the book version of Eat, Pray, Love???

"God never slams a door in your face without opening a box of Girl Scout cookies..."

The 2010 Mrs. International Pageant

July 21, 2010

I have just returned from one of the most exciting and thrilling weeks of my life.  I represented my hometown state, New Jersey, in the 2010 Mrs. International Pageant.  I was one of 52 amazing women who came together to promote our community service leadership, our love of pageantry and our support of the International Pageant System.  The director of the International Pageant System, Mary Richardson, is a vivacious and beautiful women who treated us with dignity and respect the entire week.  There was no stone left unturned and I am honored to have respected the Garden State at this prestigious venue.

Although I did not win or place, the women who did were beyond extraordinary. Shannon Devine, Mrs. Southeast International, became our new Mrs. International 2010!  She is a beautiful, motivated and encouraging advocate for adoption.  Please visit her websites at "Shannon Devine" and "Little Miss Magic".

Thank you to EVERYONE who helped me to achieve my personal goals at Mrs. International.  I could not have made this journey without you and I am SO SO honored, grateful and blessed for all your support, guidance and love.  It was a week I will never ever forget, as I came away with a greater understanding of myself along with new friendships from incredible women. 

God Bless,

GO DANIEL!

July 7, 2010

GRANTING WISHES ONE CHILD AT A TIME ~~~ One of my little Make-A-Wish children, Daniel, has embarked on his magical wish to a popular amusement park in Pennsylvania for the week. He is joined by his parents and 5 siblings, and I just know that at least for this week they will have left behind all evidence of hospital rooms, doctors and IV bags. There will be NO thought of his leukemia.  Only exciting, incredibly fun memories will be made.  GO DANIEL!!  And THANK YOU Make-A-Wish!!

Granting Wishes One Child at a Time!

June 29, 2010

This week is a super special week for me.  I'm SO SO excited!  I get to deliver not one, but TWO travel packages to two of my wish kids for their upcoming wishes that are being fulfilled next week.  One of them is spending a week out in the wildnerness camping with his family.  The other one is jet setting across the ocean to spend a week in Italy with his family.  Both these precious boys have been sick for quite some time and for them to have this INCREDIBLE opportunity to experience joy and to forget about their doctors and hospitals for a bit .... well it doesn't get much better than that!  But not only will these boys have the time of their lives, but their families will too.  Parents and siblings are just as overwhelmed and thrilled as the wish kids.  It's SUCH a joyous occassion for everyone!!  (including me!!)

God bless the Make-A-Wish Foundation!