Travel Day 1 and 2 Christian Appalachian Project Alternative Spring Break

Arriving at Nazareth Farm in West Virginia and sleeping over at the farm!  We at dinner at an amazing burrito place called the Black Bear.  They had an amazing bluegrass band that was playing and we got to meet up with our friends Becky and Tim from last years ASB from West Virginia University!  The next day we woke up and drove the rest of the way to Kentucky!  We arrived in Flatgap Kentucky at about 3 and saw our living quarters.....it consisted of bunks wood walls and a tiny little "heater".  It came with spiders and a crack under the door about an inch and a half all the way across.  Yes it scared the crap out of me but at least I had a place to sleep that was somewhat warm.  Also we got our home assignments and I was assigned to Sheila!  I was so excited to meet her! 

Homeowner Story #2 from Kentucky CAP

This is the Homeowner my group was paired with. This is Sheila! She is an amazing woman. You will hear how thankful she is for CAP! I had so much fun getting to know her through out the week. Every time we were tired of working we were encouraged to go into the house and talk with Sheila and her family. She had a lot to talk about let me tell you! She was so happy to have us all there and to have new windows and doors will save her a lot of money in the winter with heating. We also built her a porch which she is so excited about because she is light sensitive and hates going outside so this porch makes going outside enjoyable! Hear what she has to say!

Everyone always says that there’s somethin about angels among us …. well I’ve been among angels for two weeks now and it’s a great feelin
And I’ve told I dunno if it was this group or last group and what’s the big trend when you turn the TV on anybody knows spring break that show’s on tv
Myrtle Beach! Daytona Beach! PARTIES! But wheres the real people??? RIGHT HERE IN THIS ROOM!!

This is all the real people these kids I love em and I love them all
And some day GOD will accept you in his home because of what you’ve done

And it’s ok to go to the beach :)
Theres Things to do at the beach go swimming.... and watch for sharks!

My group I love em I’ve loved everyone of them I’m not real talkative
My grandson takes the show at lunch, the happy feet thing that’s my grandson
So runnin after hims a full time job but a he loves everyone of em
Grant youda made his week by drawin cartoons for him
And a just I can’t wait till next week I cant wait till next....

OH I got new windows I love my windows and I have a front porch now!
And I have I’m light sensitive I’m doin great tonight for some reason though
And I can’t get outside with out sunglasses so I’m getting a new porch
Anyway kids I love you Everyone of you

My Trip to Kentucky Homeowner Story VERY TOUCHING

I hope you get a chance to listen to this video and read along. This filming was from the last day of the students working on the homeowners work site. I came in half way through but the woman was saying that she didn't know what she was going to do and then she heard of the Christian Appalachian Project (CAP)! CAP helps people with a low income repair their homes. They do all of the work for free and charge a small amount for supplies. She spoke about the process and where she comes in she says "But I got it" that means she was approved by CAP to have the home repair. What a touching story listen!

But I got it and it needed work on only one income ______
If it wasn’t for last week and this week I don’t know what I woulda done
Because in the winter I had to put plastic on every winda and my back door
I heat with gas and It’s hard on me
But now I won’t be able to put plastic around none a my windas or my back door no more
thanks for this program and the workers from last week and this week
They was good
Thank you

Help raise money for CMN!

Check me out on the Miss America 4 Kids website!  Make a donation to help me reach my goal of $500.00!  Thank you!
http://www.missamerica4kids.org/m.aspx?i=42818DEB3A471C

Boston Marathon!

My sister is almost ready for the Boston Marathon!  She is number 22305 I'll be there with my family cheering her on and looking for her!

She is raising money for the American Liver Association.  To make a donation visit this site:  

http://go.liverfoundation.org/site/TR/RunforResearch/RunforResearch?px=1518663&pg=personal&fr_id=1650

Rockingham County Nursing Home 4/7/2010

I had the opportunity to sing for the seniors in the Adult Day Care Program at the Rockingham County Nursing home.  I had so much fun singing for them and talking with them for the day.  The man you see holding my hand began to cry during the last sing along to God Bless America.

Sore!!!!

I have a great personal trainer!  His name is Josh and he is from Training Effects in Londonderry.  At the Miss NH Golf Tournament I put a bid on a personal training package at Training Effects and got it!  It was a good buy!  I was assigned to Josh for 3 personal training sessions and 3 nutrition sessions.  He's been kicking my little butt into gear and let me tell you it hurts!  He has given me some good guidelines as to what to eat and after our 3 times together he agreed to continue to help me.  I see Josh twice a week at the gym.  We have a lot of fun together.

I have also been doing yoga every day.  I practice yoga on Tuesday nights at the Brentwood Rec with Mina, two times a week at Blue Moon, and then I see Hannelore every Wednesday night for Yoga Nidra meditation and relaxation, the other nights of the week I do Yoga OnDemand with some cute girls on TV.  It's been a lot of fun, however I've been walking a bit crooked from all the pain I'm in!  It's good pain though, I promise :)

I went from 28% body fat in September to 15% body fat now.  Cut in half is pretty good!  Those numbers are proof that getting in shape doesn't happen over night it takes time, effort, patience, and dedication.  I am thankful for all my yoga friends and Josh for helping me be successful.

If you were wondering 28% body fat is considered obese so for the record I was obese at one point in life.

National Nutrition Month Exeter Public Library 2pm group! 3/24/2010

I had so much fun reading to the last group at the Exeter Public Library!  March is National Nutrition Month and as a member of the New Hampshire Dietetics Association I was able to read to three different groups in Exeter.  I read a book called The Vegetables We Eat and we talked about the different colors of vegetables and what vegetables they like to eat!  After we read together we colored a worksheet of different veggies!  I also had a hand out for the family to bring home with healthy snacks that are kid friendly!  We had a great time.

National Nutrition Month Exeter Public Library 10am group 3/24/2010

I was at the Exeter Public Library at 10am reading to some of the cutest kids in Exeter!  For story time I read The Vegetables We Eat!  It was interresting to see when I asked the kids what their favorite vegetable was I heard little voices scream with excitement!  Carrots!  Broccoli! Celery! Green Beans! Strawberries!  Kids 5 and under are still learning the difference between fruits and vegetables, names of fruits and vegetables, and colors at this age.  It was a great opportunity to make a difference in the kids lives by talking about different fruits and vegetables, how they grow, what kind of vegetable they are, and their color!  After we read the book everyone knew that eggplants were purple!  Mission accomplished they learned something!  After we read together we colored a worksheet full of veggies.

Exeter Public Library National Nutrition Month 3/23/2010

Children's Miracle Network Reach Out and Read Boston Children's Hospital 3/22/2010

  Getting into the Boston Children's Hospital as a volunteer is a challenge!  They have rules and regulations that make it hard to volunteer for just one day.  After leaving a few messages Christopher Alexander, the program coordinater for the Reach Out Read program called me and asked me to come in to read to the children.  I was so excited!  I went in with four of my favorite children's books and sat in the waiting room at the CMN and read to he kids all day.  They have a big library there for the kids to pick books as well. 

3/21/2010 Singing at the Manchester Millrats Basketball Game

I was asked to sing the National Anthem at the last home game for the Manchester Millrats at Southern New Hampshire University.  I was also able to sing my Miss NH talent during half time.  Watching the game was so much fun!  They played really well!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJelWQoyu1M

Kentucky here we come! Keep me in your prayers!

Word of the day: Opportunity (use your imagination)

I leave for Kentucky on Saturday with the UNH crew. We will be building houses while we are there. I am so excited to go! Thank you to ACE Hardware in Raymond for sponsoring my gear! I find giving back to the community through service is rewarding and fulfilling. When Cathy from ACE Hardware heard I was shopping for my alternative spring break for Christian Appalachian Project she decided to pay it forward and offer me quite a nice discount on my gear. It was an unexpected bonus that I am appreciative for and I will definitely have to share some photos of the Carhartt gear hard at work hammering, sawing, and helping build a community. Thank you ACE for helping me make a difference. :) I can't wait to travel to a new state, relax, work hard, and enjoy what I have been given...."opportunity" giddyup I got my bandana's ready :)

Alternative Spring Break 2010

SITE: Christian Appalachian Project (CAP)

LOCATION: Flatgap, Kentucky

ITINERARY:

DEPART:  March 13, 2010, 6:00am from Durham, NH

ARRIVE:  March 13, 2010, 10:00pm at Salem, WV (overnight at Nazareth Farm)

DEPART:  March 14, 2010, 9:00am from Salem, WV

ARRIVE:  March, 14, 2010, 4:00pm at Flatgap, KY

DEPART:  March 19, 2010, 10:00am from Flatgap, KY

ARRIVE:  March, 20, 2010, 2am at Durham, NH

Back in time for Miss NH Rehearsal March 20th 1:00pm.  

NH State Home Show day 2 Food Drive 3/7/2010

As Miss Manchester I helped at the NH State Home Show held at the Radisson Expo Center in Manchester! They hosted a food drive that I helped at for two of the days. I was able to help collect the food and sell tickets for the event. With a canned good the public got a $2.00 off their admission. Together the state of NH collected 19,969 POUNDS OF FOOD. Great job New Hampshire!

National Nutrition Month Swasey Elementary School 3/5/2010

Bake Sale for Kentucky! 3/2/2010

Raising money for our trip to Kentucky with the Christian Appalachian Project and St. Thomas More! Our goal was to raise $8,000!

Girls Inc Manchester 2/25/2010

NH State Home Show 3/6/2010

As Miss Manchester I helped at the NH State Home Show held at the Radisson Expo Center in Manchester!  They hosted a food drive that I helped at for two of the days.  I was able to help collect the food and sell tickets for the event.  With a canned good the public got a $2.00 off their admission.  Together the state of NH collected 19,969 POUNDS OF FOOD.  Great job New Hampshire!

Oxfam Hunger Banquet 3/5/2010

I have been a volunteer the Oxfam Student Org for the past 4 years at UNH.  It is a group that really makes a difference in the community!

The Oxfam America Hunger Banquet event provides an opportunity to educate the public on hunger issues and raise funds to support Oxfam's poverty-fighting work.

Guests at the event draw tickets at random that assign them each to either a high-, middle-, or low-income tier and receive a corresponding meal. The 15 percent in the high-income tier are served a sumptuous meal sitting at a table with full settings and service. The 35 percent in the middle-income section eat a simple meal of rice and beans while sitting on chairs and no table. The 50 percent in the low-income tier help THEMSELVES to small portions of rice and water that comes in one big pot with out utensils...oh and they have to sit on the floor. Finally, all guests are invited to share their thoughts after the meal.
After an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet event, few participants leave with full stomachs, but all possess a greater understanding of the problems of hunger and poverty and will hopefully be motivated to do something about them.

February 23, 2010 IHOP National Pancake Day

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100225/GJNEWS_01/702259732/-1/FOSNEWS

What a day! Breakfast was busy busy at IHOP in Newington. I was able to help sell balloons in the morning to benefit the Children's Miracle Network. IHOP was doing a promotion where it was free pancake day and then people had the option to donate to CMN. I can't wait to see how much we raised today. I was there for Breakfast and Dinner and they looked like they got a lot of donations, I am going to guess over $8,000!!!! I can't wait to hear the news. By the way how cute are these kids!! Above you will see me with Lissa Silk, Bess Brooks, and Lindsey Graham.

Feburary 22, 2010 SVDP Food Pantry

The Saint Vincent De Paul's Food Pantry in Exeter was in full force tonight. They were open from 7-8pm and the waiting area was full. I went to volunteer and drop off some bread products from Panera's operation donation program. Miss Granite State Merrimack Valley had a bunch of Panera Bread products left over so they gave them to me to donate to the Pantry. It went to good use. The smell of bagels lit up the faces of many. One woman was so excited that her kids would be able to have bagels for breakfast in the morning! She said it was a real treat. I'm glad the people took things home.