SAY "NO" ...to (mis)adventures...

"This is going to be such an adventure!!!"

It is usually at this point in time where one would tend to knock on wood....no such luck for me...
I had just come from an appearance where I danced and spoke at a senior center.  There was a photo booth there, so I spent half the time taking funny pictures with the residents there...typical, really...I was excited for the afternoon because I was going to meet my Executive Director, Debi, in Wilmington. We were to drive to The Bridal Suite of Johnstown, PA, to shop for my Miss America gown and the rest of my wardrobe!

When my sister finally dropped me off in Wilmington, the first thing I said to Debi was, "This is going to be such an adventure!"  Five seconds later, we were sitting in the car....which had decided to have a dead battery...that is when I realized we really were in for an adventure...just not the kind that I was thinking of.

Luckily, we were parked in front of the AAA Building where another one of my board members works.  PHEW!  He came right away bringing the BEST person ever with him...CHRIS!!!! Chris, who also works for AAA, made phone calls for a half hour, looking the closest person on duty to bring us a new battery!  Thank you SO much, Chris! We would have been lost (or at least there until 8pm) without you!!  I am getting my AAA membership soon...is it possible to request a particular person for all my troubles?  Hope so...

After finally getting on the road a couple hours later, we started our almost 5 hour drive to PA!  Even though traffic really slowed us down, I felt a lot better after my Number 1 - Big Mac Meal, no pickle, large lemonade, large fry...

SIDENOTE : McDonald's Monopoly gets me EVERY time!!!!! It is not my fault I want to win one million dollars....

After being stuck in "Penn State Homecoming/jack-knife tractor trailer accident" traffic for another couple of hours, it is safe to say we were both happy to arrive at our hotel.  It may have been almost 4 hours later...but we made it there in one piece with our tummies full!

The next morning, it was up early to eat breakfast at Eat N' Park with Ronnie and Deborah of the Bridal Suite of Johnstown!!


ANOTHER SIDENOTE : Wearing almost six inch heels to Eat N' Park not only gives you a great view of the entire restaurant, but it also warrants some strange looks from everyone eating....

After a wonderful breakfast, it was off to gown shopping!  I owe a HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you to The Bridal Suite of Johnstown, PA, for helping me pick the most STUNNING wardrobe I could ever have imagined!  They were so kind and generous to me; it was really incredible.  Yes, I now have my Miss America gown, but it is a surprise!! If you want to see it, along with my other pieces, I am having my Miss America sendoff party at Dover Downs on December 11th!  It's going to be a party...so everybody had better go...!!  All I will tell you is that this dress will make you pass out...that is how beautiful is it!!!  I was SO incredibly happy with my experience at The Bridal Suite!  If anyone is looking for any sort of pageant or prom wardrobe, I would go straight to The Bridal Suite of Johnstown, PA.

visit : http://www.bridalsuitejohnstown.com/

or call 814.266.6924 and ask for Ronnie!  It is worth it!  Can't wait to share my Miss America wardrobe with everyone! :))



RONNIE!!! What a wonderful help she and Deborah were!


After such a wonderful day, I thought the ride back would be just as easy...wrong.  Halfway back, we realized that we were not going to the "home" place that we had entered into the GPS.  My director, Debi, said "my eyes are bugging out of my head and I don't know what home I am going too!!!"  Two hours later...we pulled into her driveway...


Needless to say, it was an adventure....and a memorable one at that!

Stay chill, find a "Chris," and go on adventures,
Maria Cahill



"suffering produces perseverance and perseverance produces character and character produces hope."
-Romans 5:3-4

HI TO MY "LITTLE SISTERS"!! I MISS YOU GUYS! :)

Look for a letter in the mail this week :))

<3

Maria

On the 7th day, I "blogeth"...is that a word?

So, apparently my plan to blog every week has failed....there is always next week, so don't worry!!  Since last blogging, I have been so incredibly busy...and loving every minute of it!!

Gosh, where to begin....hold on, I am going to go turn on some Yellowcard to help me concentrate...

Ok. Go.

When I was Miss Rehoboth Beach, I got the opportunity to attend and walk in a "GoRed" fashion show to help support Women's Heart Health.  Talk about an event that was made for me...While there, I had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people, teach them how to do a proper runway walk and pose.  I was invited to attend another event a couple of months later.  Little did they know, I would be coming as Miss Delaware 2011 (although when I got there, they told me that they had a feeling I would win!  How kind!).  I arrived at the incredibly beautiful Baywood Greens to attend a luncheon and fundraiser.  Not only did I get to help with the silent auction and meet some of the funniest and kindest people to date, but I also got to learn about women's heart health and how important it is to recognize symptoms and be aware of when it's time to seek medical attention.

                              
                                    Yeah, camera.  Go ahead and act like you took this picture in 2009....

The next day, it was off to perform at the fundraiser "Delaware's Got Talent", put on by Artistry Representative, Michelle Falla!  Not only did I have the opportunity to perform my talent and raise funds for Children's Miracle Network, but I also had the opportunity to talk about the wonderful experiences I have had at the hospitals and share some personal stories from those visits.  (Not to mention that I met a former Eagles football player, among others....pretty cool.)  Thank you SO much, Michelle, for an awesome event!

One of my favorite appearances to date was when I attended an event with veterans of World War II and the Vietnam War!  I spent hours with them just listening to their stories, asking questions, laughing, and taking an occasional picture.  Hearing specific examples of their different experiences in war was definitely an eye-opening experience for me.

One gentleman, Norm, became my best friend by the end of the day.  He was a World War II veteran who just laughed at me all day while telling an occasional story.  One of my favorites was that during the war, he never used to drink or smoke - unlike any of his buddies.  He said that he was the "babysitter" of the group.   When they all went out and got drunk, he would steal their wallets and not tell them for a few days - that prankster!  A man after my own heart...  Needless to say, picturing Norm doing this had me laughing for hours.

He then said that he hoped he would live long enough to see me on television and, hopefully, win Miss America....WHAT. A. SWEETHEART.

NEW BEST FRIENDS! I LOVE NORM!

I had the opportunity to emcee the Little Miss Harbeston Pageant.  It was unlike anything I have EVER been to before and had an incredible time.  Anyone that makes me participate in a hula hoop contest off the cuff like that pretty much guarantees that I will have a great time.

One of the next big things on my agenda was the Wings of Hope Teal Ribbon Luncheon.  This fundraiser, to support Ovarian Cancer research, was incredibly eye-opening as well.  I had the amazing opportunity to speak to the entire room about the Miss Delaware Organization.  In telling the group about my life and experiences, I had the opportunity to share my personal story of losing a good friend to texting while driving and about almost losing my older sister in an accident of the New Jersey Turnpike.   My message?  Live every single day to the fullest.  I sat at a table with survivors of Ovarian Cancer and listen to their stories about survival and beating the odds.  It is very inspirational to hear that even though research for a cure for Ovarian Cancer is one of the single most underfunded programs today, they are able to put that aside to bring awareness to this cause.

I've also had the opportunity to speak at the Delaware Safety Council Luncheon about my platform and my goals to expand it.  A HUGE thank you to Harry Roosevelt for bringing me on-board with the Council while I was Miss Rehoboth Beach.  I also recently spoke at my first of many high schools the other day and the response was fantastic!!!

Another of my FAVORITE appearances was attending the Dover International Speedway for the Nascar Sprint Cup Series!!!! YES.  I don't think I have ever had my picture taken that many times in my entire life....but I guess that it what happens when there almost 100,000 people at one single event.  I was interviewed on the huge Sprint Cup stage and talked about my year as Miss Delaware and my platform, Project 16-26: Drive Safe, Drive Smart (which was perfect, considering the event!).  The craziest moment was after I received my tickets to watch the race , I started walking to my section of the track. There began a crazy amount of cheering and screams of "MISS DELAWAREEEE!!!!!"  Talk about a humbling experience! WOW!  After I took another million pictures, I got to watch most of the race and bond with the ladies next to me about our love for Dale Earnhart Jr.  Talk about a good day...

Other events I have been a part of include events for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, workouts with my trainer (talk about not being able to walk the next day...), training for Character Counts, photo shoots and interviews with Wilmington University, appearing on the Tim Qualls show, recording PSA's for 93.7 WSTW, fundraisers, and TONS of dance classes.

 Getting ready to dance for the Tim Qualls show....boy do I have a story about this....I will blog about it next time.

I have so much more to blog about!! AHHHH!! A HUGE promise that another one will be out this week! : )

Stay chill and play McDonald's Monopoly (Oh, yes....I went there)

Maria Cahill

P.S.  All politics aside, I sat next to Vice President Joe Biden in church the other day. (Just in case anyone wanted to know....)


"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."
Psalms 43:5