Promoting the "iOMe Challenge" a national college contest that I manage that engages college students in the retirement security problem in America. The De Pere Chamber of Commerce had their national golf drive and the iOMe Challenge along with PAi sponored hole number 5! We spoke with over 28 different businesses in the area about the challenge. Really a great opportunity to promote the contest and give back to the community. www.iomechallenge.org

I attended a Celebration of Historic Proportions in downtown Green Bay today. We broke ground today on construction of two "apartment complexes" downtown that will be turned into - affordable housing for the elderly. We also celebrated the renovation of the historic Hotel Northland. There were so many people there sharing stories and memories of the hotel that was first built in 1903. The Mayor Jim Schmitt was there he believes that the heart of City begins downtown. It was so wonderful to be a part of this celebration and I even got my picture taken with Miss Green Bay 1974 she used to be a receptionist at the hotel and has been a big part of the restoration project.

I am back from Mrs. United States National Competition! I have to say it surpassed all of my expectations. The pageant experience at Nationals was fun and very rewarding. For those who made top twelve you are all amazing women. For the 41 of us that did not make the top ten all were beautiful and doing amazing things!! It was an honor to get to know everyone and I walked away with new opportunities and friendship. My husband and family had such a wonderful time I am so thankful for everything! To the new Mrs. United States - Mrs. Mississippi you are so beautiful inside and out!

This weekend I was in Madison judging the "National American Miss Pageant" and I was truly amazed at all of the wonderful young ladies. I met so many nice people who were judging the pageant with me. The pageant is such a positive experience for our girls because it really builds self esteem. Imagine a five year old sitting through an interview; granted it only last thirty seconds, but it was with five separate judges. I am so excited for the winners -- and thank you to all of the lovely girls. There were over seventy of them that I got to judge and interview. What a rewarding experience!! My kids had a blast in the pool!

Big day today! We kicked off the 2010 iOMe Challenge with an advisory
board meeting. The board, which consists of Dave Wegge and Kevin Quinn
of St. Norbert College, Carol Karls of Wisconsin Public Service,
Michael Bina of Intellectual Marketing, and Adi Redzic of The
Ecumenical Center, and I spent several hours pouring over the details
of the contest for this year. It is a huge undertaking but we are so
excited to start getting the word out to every college and technical
school in the United States. Last year we had teams from all over the
United States, including Harvard, Yale, and Boston College -- but we
want schools from even more states represented this year. You can read more about the competition at www.iomechallenge.org

I was at the Green Bay Chamber Annual Golf Event today where I promoted The iOMe Challenge. We were able to share about the I Owe Me Challenge with over 40 businesses in the Green Bay area. The challenge is a national college contest that engages college students in helping to solve the retirement security problem in America. You can view details at www.iomechallenge.org We are getting ready to kick off iOMe Challenge 2010! We had a great day and gave away lots of good luck golf tees with the iOMe website address on them. Thank you to my friend Jen who helped promote the contest with me. A big thank you to the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce for helping to raise funds that will help our city!

Last night my husband and I were VIP wine servers for a fund raising event for The 2010 United Hearts for Health Wine Tasting at Whispering Springs Golf Course. Funds from the wine-tasting as well as the Super Spin event held earlier this year, along with donations from area organizations, citizens and the surrounding medical communities, are used to purchase and ship medicines and medical supplies and to help cover other expenses connected to assisting the Nicaraguan village of Rosita. Craig and I served wine with State Senator Robby Hopper and we had so much fun. I am pictured with State Senator Robby Hopper and U.S. Congressman Tom Petri, who also attended the event. The picture with the little girl trying to take my crown was so funny she was not going to let go! Future pageant girl in the making :)