I have to admit, I am jet lagged...my tweeter post...well tired! Well I was and then I arrived at Patterson Patk Charter School in Baltimore, MD. It is a City school and one with so much pride. It is a city school in Baltimore and apparently one with a huge waiting list. I could certainly see why. We were invited to career day at the school. We were able to speak to 2nd graders and 7th graders. I love the enthusiam and the questions. Some were about my career in non profit with the American Heart Association but many were also about pageantry and the crown. One of my favorite questions was if my crown was real diamonds:)

A very large part of what I do is about the mission of heart. That includes a huge problem facing young people today which is childhood obesity. When I ask what they wanted for Christmas, 99% mentioned electronic games. Although some exercise can be had with some of the newer games it did make me wonder what ever happed to asking for a bike or skates!! The best gift I ever got was a pair of skates. I was soooo excited and I am sure my parents loved that it got me outside exercising every day.

I felt to honored to have been asked and excited to be involved again. They are the next generation and I can personally say I was sooooo impressed and inspired.The future is truly looking bright!



How it all began with the American Heart Association



History is the foundation of everything we are and why in often times we do what we do. I visited the American Heart Association's National Center for the past two days for training in Dallas and it reminded me of the most important fact and why I am here, its about the mission. I am mission driven and I have always said that. This time of year just further reminds me of that as my parents are no longer here and my Mom's Birthday was Dec 22nd. She passed from Cardiovascular Disease.

It was a great trip for so many reasons. It was culminated by an amazing story from one of our national consultants named Coker. Yes, that is possibly one of the best names ever. She was speaking about why the mission is important to her, why we ask people to walk, be involved and be engaged. She lost her Father right after her wedding and he was in the ICU during the wedding due to heart disease. There was history prior but this further solidified her mission in the mission. As she was speaking about her Brother walking her down the isle I was reminded of my wedding. My Brother walked me down the isle also. Her Father recently passed from CVD. It was an inspiring story in regards to the mission but a sad face of reality. It also reminded me again why we do what we do at heart. We save lives and yes, one of them was my own.

The center had a lot of history and the passion of the mission was everywhere so I have to share a few photos.

As Christmas and Hanukkah is knocking on our door, lets work together to save lives. Heart is just that...heart...with heart....

I also wanted to share the AHA history and how it became. Heart Disease IS the number one killer of men and Women in American. I know to some that's just a statistic but to so many, it is reality.

A pioneering group of physicians and social workers formed the first Association for the Prevention and Relief of Heart Disease in New York City in 1915. They were concerned about the lack of heart disease information. At that time, heart disease patients were considered doomed, limited to complete bed rest. So these physicians conducted studies in New York City and Boston to find out whether heart disease patients could safely return to work. Similar groups in Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago evolved into heart associations in the 1920s.


Interest spread widely in other cities across the United States and Canada. Recognizing the need for a national organization to share research findings and promote further study, six cardiologists representing several groups founded the American Heart Association in 1924. The founding members were Drs. Lewis A. Conner and Robert H. Halsey of New York; Paul D. White of Boston; Joseph Sailer of Philadelphia; Robert B. Preble of Chicago; and Hugh D. McCulloch of St. Louis. Drs. James B. Herrick of Chicago and William S. Thayer of Baltimore were also instrumental in the early planning. Dr. White, president of the AHA in 1941, once described the early years as a time of "almost unbelievable ignorance" about heart disease. The early efforts of the American Heart Association to overcome that ignorance included enlisting help from hundreds, then thousands, of physicians and scientists.



By the late 1930s, AHA members began considering ways to expand their activities to reach the general public. In 1946 the American Legion donated $50,000 to the AHA for research and to develop a community rheumatic fever program. Public support and funds established this and other programs. To broaden its scope, the AHA reorganized in 1948 and brought in non-medical volunteers with skills in business management, communication, public education, community organization and fund raising.



The American Heart Association made its public debut in late 1948 during a network radio contest, "The Walking Man," on the "Truth or Consequences" program hosted by Ralph Edwards. Millions of Americans sent contributions to the AHA along with guesses on the walking man's identity. The effort netted $1.75 million before Jack Benny was identified as the "Walking Man."



A small national staff in New York City then began to organize American Heart Association divisions across the country. They launched the first national fund-raising campaign the following year in February 1949, raising $2.7 million.



The American Heart Association's Growth



Since 1949, the American Heart Association has grown rapidly in size, financial resources, involvement with medical and non-medical volunteers, and influence -- both nationally and internationally. The AHA moved the National Center from New York City to Dallas in 1975 to better serve affiliates and local divisions nationwide. The volunteer-led affiliates and their divisions form a national network of local AHA organizations involved in providing research, education, and community programs and in raising money to support the association's work. The network continues to gain strength as it expands at the grass-roots level.



The AHA completed significant internal changes between 1980 and 1986, allowing it to reach the public with a louder, clearer voice. During the next eight years, the association became a much more visible champion of public health. The AHA also developed guidelines for the nation's healthcare system and supported the federal government's attempt to improve access to healthcare.



At the same time, the AHA continued to strengthen its internal programs and its internal management. The association revised its mission statement and focused its planning in three areas: cardiovascular science, cardiovascular education and community programs, and fund raising efforts. Achievements included stricter research standards, new healthcare site modules, and development of several new cookbooks. Large gifts allowed the AHA to support new research projects, move all scientific staff into one building, and sponsor creative professional education programs. Efforts to include more women and minorities in the leadership ranks began to pay off by the late 1980s, resulting in more efforts to understand the effects of heart disease and stroke on women and minorities.



The mid-1990s were a time of great change in the American Heart Association. The association's scientific findings began to move more quickly from laboratories and clinics to physician's offices and American households. The AHA took positions on important issues and made clear, simple statements about controlling risk factors. Volunteers and staff agreed on a strategy for improving affiliate research programs, and the national organization created new divisions dealing with stroke and emergency cardiac care. To reduce costs and increase international circulation, the association outsourced the publication of its scientific journals and began publishing them online.



Despite strong opposition from the tobacco industry, the American Heart Association continued to be an advocate for the American public, especially children.



Finally, and most profoundly, AHA volunteers and staff began transforming the organization into an enterprise that could be vibrant and relevant in the 21st century. The change was deeper than anything since 1948, when the AHA transformed itself from a scientific society into a voluntary health agency. The first step was in identifying the organization's strategic driving force in March 1995: Providing credible heart disease and stroke information for effective prevention and treatment.



Agreement on the driving force made it clear that individual Americans, not the AHA's affiliates, were the National Center's primary audience. The new driving force altered the whole organization, which can be seen in the decision to become a single corporation in June 1997. This action reinforced the spirit of cooperation that people brought to the effort.

I was so honored to be asked to judge the innagural Miss Largo High School pageant for the interview portion. I know from having been in the chair myself that one of the hardest thing to do is put yourself out their to be judged. As I was staring at the lone chair prior, I just felt for each and every contestant.

They were AMAZING. Their ages were between 15 and 18. As they walked in, each contestant just impressed me more. WOW is all I can say. We have some great leaders with this generation!!!!

I am excited to see the results on Friday night. Regardless, we all know there can be only one winner but for me, they all are.

I was also excited to have been able to spend time with my sister queen, Jennifer Williams. I love her and her passion and conviction to her platform. With each contestant, it became even more clear that bullying needs to be addressed and stopped. On all levels. She is beautiful inside and out and I am just so amazed by her. We were both Florida gals so we are forever connected:) Even if she did graduate from FSU:)

Good luck to all of the beautiful ladies on Friday night!!!! You are all true queens. Continue to believe and it can and will come true!

With sincere heart~

The reality of life can be harsh. I think, ok I know, I have not moved past losing my parents. I hate to talk about it because with it is my family. My sister and brother. In life there is so many stories in every loss in life.

My sister in law and not in a mean way told me this weekend that I would pass before her because of my history. I have never felt so alone and worried for my son.

I know I am not alone in these struggles.

When my Grandpa passed I fell asleep in a chair in my living room. I woke up and I swear he was sitting across from me. He has never left me. He is with me everyday.

Christmas is hard. My Moms birthday was also Dec 22.

Who does not love a morning of pampering followed by a great lunch to benefit a great cause? We had our official photo shoot for the Maryland International pageants. I know I must have scared them as I arrived makeup free and with a wet head. I am someone that is not the most naturally put together person. People tend to ask me if I am feeling ok when I have no makeup on. Thank you to the amazing talents of makeup artistry by Hassain and our fabulous hairdresser. After their hard working efforts a queen arose!!!!

After the photo shoot, Deshawn Shepard, the Director of the MD/VA pageants, Chardia Murray, Miss Maryland and I, attended the Go Red for Women Passion Luncheon in Baltimore, MD. Thank you to Annette Fisher for hosting such a great event. It was great to share stories and thoughts on women's heart health with such an amazing and inspiring group of women. Hannah Brewer Dell (who is competing in Miss MD Outstanding Teen and my pick to win:)) was also in attendance also offered some great thoughts and insight on fundraising strategies. I wish I was that AMAZING at her age!!!! Wow...and beautiful to boot!

After a full day I headed home to my first mission....Mommy!!!! It was a great day.

You know that phrase, "What you don't know can kill you". This is so true which is why I recommend spreading the words about the signs and symptoms of heart disease. Tell five friends and have them tell five friends. This is how change is made.

WUSA9 is a proud sponsor in this year's heart walk! The day was amazing and we are so close to reaching our goal of 2 million dollars!!!! Did you know that 93 cents on every dollar raised for the Greater Washington Region's heart walk goes back into education, advocacy and research?

Its' not too late to make change and together we can save lives!!!!

The most amazing thing about life is that we can celebrate. At times when life just beats you down, it might not feel like celebration is really in the cards. There is no one that has not felt sadness, loss and fear. Whether its losing family , a friend or your own fears its just there. There are so many days and times that we need to celebrate. Yesterday was one of them.

I am honored and blessed to be a part of the Greater Washington region's heart walk team. (VA/MD/DC). Yesterday we raised 1.8 million dollars for the American Heart Association! This is personal to me as it is to so many others.

Its hard to put a face to heart disease because we see the classic movie script. My Dad was 54 and probably would have fallen into that group but the reality is after his heart valve replacement I sat outside the hospital and took a huge breathe of relief because he made it through the surgery. Less than a week later, he never left the hospital. I don't think I have ever taken a breathe since.

Women and heart disease. Where do I even start? My Mom had her first stroke in her 30's. She was adopted so we really don't have a lot of family history on her side. At 56, a double valve replacement, multiple bypasses, she was found deceased after throwing a clot after surgery. She was taking 27 pills a day. Can we say over medicated???? Probably one of the worse calls I have ever recieved.

Two months later her lifetime friend killed himself, another face of heart disease because his heart was broken.

Yesterday Maggie Love presented on stage. She is a child survivor and such an inspiration. As I sat there looking around I saw a thousand blue sweat shirts from Lockheed Martin, hundreds from Adventist Healthcare, t shirts from MT& T, Sodexo out in force, I then saw Ashley Ingram who lost her Mom at 44, and Senator Frank Shore who is a survivor. In my life I have felt so alone when I lost my parents and then when I had my own heart attack and surgery. Even my husband asked after if I was fixed. I love him so much but fixed I am not. No one is because its always there. The fear and facing mortality.

For the first time in a long time as I stood among 8,000 advocate and survivors, I did not feel alone. It reminded me of Footprints in the sand.

One night I dreamed of walking along the shores of different lands.


I could tell that You were with me by the footprints in the sand.

As I gazed upon the heavens, I saw pages of my life.

It was then I realized that You remained there by my side.

When the clouds began to gather and the rains came falling down,

I looked to only find one set of footprints on the ground.

I said, "Lord, why did You leave me in the troubled times of life?

I believed that You would always walk beside me day and night." (Then I heard:)

"My precious child, I'd never leave you.

I have carved you on the hollow of My hand.

It's then I carried you in My arms,

When you see one set of footprints in the sand"

Dear Lord, will You be with me as I travel through the years?

Will You be there in the struggles? Will You wipe away the tears?

As my eyes turn toward the ocean and the shores of distant lands,

I'm still thinking of the single set of footprints in the sand. (I heard Him say:)

"My precious child, I'd never leave you.

I have carved you on the hollow of My hand.

It's then I carried you in My arms,

There is no face to heart disease because we don't wear it on the outside so much as we do on the inside. Its you neighbor, your friend, your Brother, Sister, Mother or Father. Its the number ONE killer of men and women in America and that is the true reality.

Thank you to all who were able to come out yesterday and those who gave to the greater washington regions heartwalk.

There was a wise man who told me once, "You don't know my life". How true, how true.

People ask me about heart disease and stroke. I talk about signs, symptoms, advocacy, education, youth. Here is the unfortunate reality. PEOPLE DON"T SEE HEART DISEASE. They see a movie and in many cases it is sudden. No less scary, but sudden. The reality is that we don't "loose" anything that screams victim of heart disease. Often, we have an "episode" as the love to call a stroke or MIA but once we have surgery, everyone thinks its "fixed". Heck, I did too. We all want to put it behind us.

Here is what I see everyday when I look in the mirror. Mortality. I remember when my Mom was sick but she seemed to be the one in my mind that would push through anything. Then Lois called to tell me she was found deceased at the house. Alone. She was 56. I remember my Dad. I remember crossing the wrong bridge in the middle of the night. I remember them telling me as his blood gas started to drop, there is nothing we can do. I also remember the BRIEF moment of relief after his valve replacement where I sat outside the hospital thinking everything would be fine.

I remember January of 2010. I remember laying in the ER thinking this can't be happening to me. I remember laying in the ICU just thinking about my son and husband and my life.

I remember waking up after my surgery thinking...I am alive.

I remember driving this week wondering if it was all happening when I felt a pain. Hard not to become paranoid when you looked at mortality in the mirror.

I am scared everyday. I want to see my son grow up. I want to live.

This is why I walk, because I can when the reality is 1 and 3 cannot.

http://heartwalk.kintera.org/dc/deannamlinz




Please join me

My sister Lois Lane is a breast cancer survivor. She is also a HUGE hero to me. I think the reality of cancer is it takes things from you. I remember her first surgery. I believe after initial treatment is complete, others treat cancer patients like they are cured.  There is no cure YET so let continue the fight.

I also have to tell you she rocked the wigs. They all have had names. Pat Benatar, Blondie....

She is 3 years clear....I love her and today and EVERYDAY she is my hero. Lois Lane, I love you..."Tough, you aint't ever been nothing but tough"

I recently was trying to answer the question about my "heroes". My Grandparents are definately  my heroes but there are so many that I might sound "cheeky" to say them all. OK, I always wanted an OSCAR moment.

To me "heroes" are just that. My husband is AMAZING, don't let him know I said so! So him and Carter are my SUPERHEROES along with my Brother Todd.

This did get me thinking about the women in my life.  Mary Petre Morgan and Judy Pieczonka just loved me and I have no idea why. I was a stranger to them and they welcomed me as family. Denny and Judy Pieczonka. My sister, Lois .

You know how you meet someone sometime and you just don't know why and then life slaps you and says listen to me!

What I do know is she is amazing and God brought her in my life doe me to learn from.

Patty lost her dad to heart disease and lives and works everyday for him. This is what drives her mission with the American Heart Association. This is part I love about AHA. The mission.

Today she is my hero-

Today I had the honor of speaking at the Combined Federal Campaign for the United Way. As I sat there listening, I was reminded about the journey we all go through. I love passion and compassion. I was particularly touched by FOHA which is a no kill animal rescue. My furs are just love. Halo, Josie and Jack. Pure love.

We live each day telling our stories and those before us as well. Our parents, our siblings, our Grandparents, our friends and strangers. Its seems so much easier to talk about others than our self. Home hits home and reality is just there.

There is no charity better than the next. They are ALL personal.

In my family we are  diabetic,cerebral palsy, lung disease, PTSD,we are cancer survivors and casualties of heart disease. My family is NOT special.My story has been told so many times.

What my moment was today was an amazing women  that was telling me about her son. Triple bypass and asked for two of our heart walk capes for heart walk. I, as we all do have self pity moments. She inspired me.

With sincere heart and many thanks~D

I think I still am in shock. Ok I know I am! Last Saturday my husband crowned me as Mrs Maryland International 2012! Yes, the picture is me but at times I did think that photoshopping was my only option. After multiple tries, I won! We have lived in Maryland for 4 years and I am so excited to be able to represent our state. As a military spouse, you move around a lot so this is the closest thing to home I have. Although I do have to say that don't ever mess with the Florida Gators or Tampa Bay Buccanneers with me! Florida will always own a piece of me as I grew up there!

It was an amazing weekend and congrats to my new sister queens also. Kristyn Admire, Miss VA, Jennifer Williams,Mrs Va, Miss Maryland, Chardia Murray and our little miss title holders.

Thank you also to Deshawn Shepard, my new state Director. How lucky am I.

I love you Andy and thank you for always allowing me to pursue my dreams!

I remain blessed~

Mrs Maryland International 2012

Deanna M Linz

Everyday I feel blessed. Saturday was a great event that really made me love the "community". Thank you to the Ivy Community Charities for all you do for the American Heart Association and so many other great organizations.

I arrived for the 5k followed by many clouds and no umbrella. It was amazing! They awarded me with a check for $700 for AHA!

There may have been clouds but it was a sunny day for heart health!

I remain blessed

Choices.

We all make them, we all question them and I promise you...90% of the time they are wrong. Much like that aweful plane speech in an airplane ( I still would fully support the parachut speech and may the best jumper win) but seriously none of us come out of the womb with a manual in are hands. Oh, if our parents could have been so blessed.

As a Mother,wife and friend....unique job descriptions...how do we make the choices we need to make???

I guess the answer is to choose God, choose family and pray those will love you for just being you. Dream the dreams of many and taste the reality of salt. On some things its just salty but on the perfect piece of fruit its devine!

Never give up on your dreams, be healthy, choose wisely.

With sincere heart~




Thank you Dani from the United Way for inviting the American Heart Association! I had a great day!

  I really enjoyed today at the RFK stadium for the Howard University kick off game. I worked at the health pavillion and it was so fun to hear the music and feel the spirit of the start of football. My greatest memories growing up was football season! I grew up in a time that included multiple TV's plus a head set via radio. My Grandpa's BOTH were advid sports fans as was my Brother.

I love this time of year!

With sincere heart~

D

Join us on November 5, 2011 for the Greater Washington Heart Walk!
Help us raise $2 million! Register today at
http://greaterwashingtonheartwalk.org/

If you are a company, church or civic organization that would like me to speak at one of your events, please contact me at deanna.linz@heart.org! I am a survivor, you can be too! Get educated, learn your numbers and what they mean. Lets get up and get moving together!

If you raise $25 or send 10 emails from your Heart Walk Website between today and August 31 you will be eligible for a $100 groupon card. Groupon is a deal-of-the-day website that is localized to this area. Everyday Groupon features unbeatable deals on the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in your city. One winner will be selected at random from all of those eligible . . it could be YOU!

The American Heart Association is the largest voluntary health organization working to prevent, treat and defeat heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. These diseases, the Nation's No.1 and No.3 killers, claim more than 865,000 American lives a year. Thanks to all our walkers, donors and volunteers who have accepted the challenge to help fight heart disease and stroke. We cannot achieve our mission without each one of you

With sincere heart~

Deanna

You know how time passes you by and sometimes you just forget. For me it was survival I suppose. Honestly, at times it seems so much like a blurr. I had one of my great friends AJ remind me of things that were just two years ago and yet in my head...its a lifetime.

Today while at National Naval Medical Center/the new Walter Reed Medical Center we ran into one of Carter's doctors. He reminded us of what I had forgotten, well not really...but reality hit. They talk about Carter ofter as he is the ONLY case most remember weening off an epinepherine drip. Usually as he put it, was a time to say goodbye.

Carter is a miracle and our Rocky.

I have to admit that the past few weeks have been rough on so many levels. Its really not been a feel sorry mode but more like what did I do in my last life kind of state. I mean seriously, so much was just brought on by me but COME ON, REALLY! I had an amazing time in Chicago because I was surrounded by SO many incredibly ladies. I know so many people REALLY do not understand why we subject ourselves to five complete strangers and call it fun, but we do and HEY, I WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING. Although Disney is looking pretty good to me at this point.

After we left Chi town and drove to get out furry family, I decided that there was no better way to end a trip then to take off the back of our bumper by BACKING into a ditch!!! Yes, idiot...please check here. Then we get home and one calf is swollen and THANK GOODNESS I work for AHA that I was admitted to NNMC for a DVT. Then, apparently, I am allergic to contrast because hey I am also allergic to milk, Plavix and at times a few family members so its just gotten better.

I did attend our all staff for the American Heart Association which was amazing! First, I can jump rope in 5 inch heels with HEART CHASE and yet FALL just walking on my own two feet. How I just wanted to lay there and cry but I was SO horrified, I brushed off, prayed for coffee and a quick exit and now I am the proud owner of a bruised ego and a third degree burn from a LEAN CUISINE CHEESE POCKET on my chin. REALLY, YEAH...really and a broken wrist!

Out of all this, this is God purpose. We sat there through seminars and encouragement, bathroom breaks and me discovering that I will NEVER book a trip via a tour guide to meet the ultimate reason.

What people do not realize is what the American Heart Association does. I get asked ALL the time, where does the money go. I can pull up to the pie chart and it will tell you that 93 cents on every dollar goes to the cause. Yeah...what does that mean????

There is a young lady in Virginia that was not feeling well and collapsed at school. She was blue. The American Heart Association Doners had supplied AED's to the school and no one thought it may save a life.

The nurse used the AED and saved her life. She had an irregular heart beat and now has a pace maker.

At that point I got it. This is what I do, this is who I am, and this is the reason why.

When I was a little girl I always had big dreams. My Dad encouraged those dreams with shows like "Life Styles of the Rich and Famous." In fact, that is how I ended up at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. My Father dared me to audition after watching one of the shows and I did. Much to ALL of our surprise I actually was accepted. We were a working family so we could afford the summer session (so I drove from Florida to California by my self in a Ford Escort Wagon...I am sure looking sporty:) and then was offered attendance into their program. We just did not have the money and I was never made to live the streets at 18 of Hollywood so I came home. I found myself working fulltime as a model for HSN so to me this was a left handed version of Hollywood. This is also where I met my great "sister" Lisa Humpries 20 years ago. ( I graduated college  the year my Father died, but hey I GOT THERE, right! I also worked fulltime time and paid my own way so I am proud of that)

This brings me to this week. The dream is still there for me and yes I do realize that it may just be a dream but if its in your heart...NO ONE and I mean NO ONE has the right to take that from you.

This past week was AMAZING and Janet Bolin, besides the fact that my husband's favorite racer is not her favorite racer:), is impeccable. I am so excited for her and the true opportunity that the International system offers. It gives you the voice in the crown. You know the one that when you screams FIRE everyone listens too.

I am a big supporter of the dream. There are naysayers that may not "get" you but that's ok. At the end of the day, if you get you and its in your heart, never give up on your dream. I don't care if its a silly dream to others but dream it and live it.

Shannon said this week that its about the journey and that is so true. My journey, lets face it, has been a bit bumpy. I can't change my life and Lord know sometimes I truly wish I could but I am BEYOND blessed to have my husband and my son and that I still can dream. I have lost both parents, had a heart attack, stroke, surgery, two deployments, breast Cancer (sister) and of  course my little man who spent his first 6 months in the hospital. Its not really been the best couple of years but every year I grow and every year I get stronger. This is why I do the International pageant. I am not special, my story is not special. When you are out there hearing other stories, clarity comes to life and it no longer about ME but about WE.

I was asked this week, can you do this job with a sick child and your heart issues? Well, I just wanted to scream " YOU DON'T KNOW MY LIFE". I am so blessed because of the education that the American Heart Association has given me. My parents were not that lucky. If it weren't for my volunteering and now working for AHA, I would not be here. As far as my son, he is not sick, but so so so special. He does has Cerebral Palsy but shines and advances everyday and is our miracle. "Sick" he is not. My hero he is.

There were 54 BEAUTIFUL, STUNNING and ACCOMPLISHED ladies at Mrs International this year and not one was more deserving than the other. When you have 5 judges in 5 minutes that form an opinion, that does not define who we are. They did pick an amazing lady though so I am so excited for that. I was lucky number 13 out of the 54 and top 12:) We all were!!

I also have to say what an incredible job all of the out going queens did this year. Shannon, Ashley and Juliana left some BIG shoes to fill. I was able to get to know Juliana and the McKee family this year through all of the work Jules did for AHA so I have officially adopted her as my little sister. Yes her crown was MUCH bigger that mine but her heart is even bigger than that.

My Father also said to me that if you give up your dreams you die. Well, I am not ready to go yet so look out world.....my head is high and I am moving forward with 53 new  INCREDIBLE friends.

A few quick shout outs to Group A for Awesome, Mindy Urzua, Sophia (AUS), Jacque, Kari,Riccha, Elizabeth and Lori...you just are all so amazing and I love you! A special one to Lisa Humpries,

To my sponsor and incredible friend, Joe Peri and SKINN Cosmetics, there are no words. I am soooooo blessed in your belief and love. To Joey, Clay and Terry, although I did not win, I felt like the winner all week. I love you all.

The International family is just that, family. Anyone involved is truly blessed.

I will post additional pictures when I arrive home but again, WOW what a great week. To Janet...ROCK IT GIRL. I know you will do amazing things with the NASCAR FOUNDATION and you are a true example to us all. To the rest of my class...GO 13!!!!

What is my journey? I am still walking and when I get there you will know. Never say never and never give up on your dreams. If you feel that someone may have not "got" you, don't let them "get" to you. Winner's are often not "gotten" but they are never forgotten. Walk your walk, pave your path and always listen to your heart.

Signing off from Mrs International 2011! Off to the best job ever...Mommy and Wife!

Hello~~ First I apologize for the photos but I am working off a net book. Secondly, WOW. I have truly made friends to last a lifetime!

Also, in regards to the hair...yes I am not a natural blonde, SHOCKING :) So I went back to my roots!

Be who you are and embrace the journey, we only have one time so live a little!

Listen to your heart~ Deanna

The day started out with a good workout, then makeup and then the interview. It was a great panel of judges. I learned a long time ago not to guess how I did because all I can do is my best. You like me or don't. I was just real and me. I just pray it all went great but I do know its in God's hands.

Some have asked, yes we have FOUR pregnant ladies competing this year. Montana, Idado, Nebraska and one more, They all are so cute! Idaho is in my group, love her.

Here is my interview group....off to rehearsal then Meet and Greet is tonight!

Listen to your heart~D

Good evening!

It was a wonderful packed day full of a trip to downtown Chicago, a boat ride, rehearsal and a makeup seminar! This will be short today but I promise to blog more tomorrow. I have to get some zz's as Carter is sleeping and my interview is tomorrow morning!!!!

Here are some pictures of the day~

Listen to your heart~Deanna