Lenawee County Fair Queen First Runner Up - Shannon Lynn Brown

Lenawee County Fair Queen First Runner-Up: Shannon Lynn Brown

Sponsor: Gilson Farms

Talent: Vocal - "Temporary Home" by Carrie Underwood

Crowned by Lenawee County Fair Queen 2009 Charlotte Squires

Lenawee County Fair Queen Second Runner-Up Ashleigh Sancrant will be posted Monday.

Lenawee County Fair Queen 2010 - Beth Ann Kintner

Lenawee County Fair Queen 2010: Beth Ann Kintner

Sponsor: Bailey's Watercare
Talent: Vocal - "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood

Crowned by Lenawee County Fair Queen 2009 Charlotte Squires

Dew drops - Adrian, MI

Books read in 2010

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer
First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb
Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone
The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall
Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson
Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack
Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz
After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie
Best Evidence, David S. Lifton
The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene
The Bungalow Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery at Lilac Inn, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Red Gate Farm, Carolyn Keene
The Message in The Hollow Oak, Carolyn Keene
The Whispering Statue, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Bridge, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk, Carolyn Keene
The Secret in the Old Attic, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in The Crumbling Wall, Carolyn Keene
The Clue of the Leaning Chimney, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Wooden Lady, Carolyn Keene
Mystery at the Ski Jump, Carolyn Keene
Clue of the Velvet Mask, Carolyn Keene
The Witch Tree Symbol, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Window Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Showboat, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Golden Pavilion, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in the Old Stagecoach, Carolyn Keene
The Moonstone Castle Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the 99 Steps, Carolyn Keene
The Invisible Intruder, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Mirror Bay, Carolyn Keene
Mystery of the Glowing Eye, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Forgotten City, Carolyn Keene
The Strange Message in the Parchment, Carolyn Keene

Currently Reading: The Mystery of Crocodile Island, Carolyn Keene
Up Next:

31

My 31st birthday is today. I'm not doing anything really special because I have to work. I didn't take my birthday off as it is a very busy week in the office. I had three days off last week and I loved every minute of it.

I did have a nice birthday dinner with my husband Saturday night. I chose Mongolian Barbeque down in Toledo, Ohio. That location opened up in the spring and this was the first time of us going there. The last time we ate at a Mondgolian Barbeque was back in 2007 in Dearborn. The food was good and filling.

Following dinner, we walked around Westfield Franklin Park Mall. I bought a necklace, bracelet and earrings. My husband's gift to me is he is having some jewelry made for me: a necklace, earrings and maybe a bracelet. It is a very nice surprise.

Coneflower bee - Adrian, MI

Books read in 2010

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer
First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb
Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone
The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall
Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson
Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack
Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz
After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie
Best Evidence, David S. Lifton
The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene
The Bungalow Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery at Lilac Inn, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Red Gate Farm, Carolyn Keene
The Message in The Hollow Oak, Carolyn Keene
The Whispering Statue, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Bridge, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk, Carolyn Keene
The Secret in the Old Attic, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in The Crumbling Wall, Carolyn Keene
The Clue of the Leaning Chimney, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Wooden Lady, Carolyn Keene
Mystery at the Ski Jump, Carolyn Keene
Clue of the Velvet Mask, Carolyn Keene
The Witch Tree Symbol, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Window Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Showboat, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Golden Pavilion, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in the Old Stagecoach, Carolyn Keene
The Moonstone Castle Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the 99 Steps, Carolyn Keene
The Invisible Intruder, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Mirror Bay, Carolyn Keene
Mystery of the Glowing Eye, Carolyn Keene

Currently Reading: The Secret of the Forgotten City, Carolyn Keene
Up Next: The Strange Message in the Parchment, Carolyn Keene

Meagan Hauss - Miss River Raisin Festival Fourth Runner-Up

Onstage Question Competition

Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit Competition

Talent Competition

Evening Wear Competition

Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant - Blissfield, MI

Fourth Runner-Up: Meagan Hauss

Platform: Project Care: Prevention and Awareness of Child Abuse

Talent: "Concrete Angel" - guitar and vocal

Awards: Jennifer R. Dalton, M.D. Summit Award

Nicole Taylor - Miss River Raisin Festival Third Runner-Up

Onstage Question Competition

Lifestyles and Fitness in Swimsuit Competition

Talent Competition

Evening Wear Competition

Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant - Blissfield, MI

Third Runner-Up: Nicole Taylor

Platform: March of Dimes

Talent: "In the Mood" performed on clarinet

Tiffany Korican - Miss River Raisin Festival Second Runner-Up

Onstage Question Competition

Lifestyles and Fitness in Swimsuit Competition

Talent Competition

Even Wear Competition

Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant - Blissfield, MI
Second Runner-Up: Tiffany Korican
Platform: Service Nation: Promoting Involvement and Volunteerism
Talent: "Happy Working Song" - vocal
Awards: Mekeisha Alcock Community Service Award

I will post again Monday starting with Third Runner-Up Nicole Taylor.

Ashliegh Allen - Miss River Raisin Festival First Runner-Up

Onstage Question Competition

Lifestyles and Fitness in Swimsuit Competition

Talent Competition

Evening Wear Competition


Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant - Blissfield, MI
First Runner-Up: Ashliegh Allen
Platform: Target Teens: Cancer Awareness and Prevention

Talent: "Who I Am" - vocal
Awards: Kaye's Beauty Shop Entrepreneur Award

Tamara Korican - Miss River Raisin Festival 2010

Onstage Question Competition

Lifestyles and Fitness in Swimsuit Competition

Talent Competition

Evening Wear Competition

Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant - Blissfield, MI

Miss River Raisin Festival 2010: Tamara Korican

Platform: Caring for Children with Chronic Illnesses and Disabilities

Talent: Classical piano solo of Leybach's "5th Nocturne"

Track Time

My husband received a gift for Track Time Racing Schools at Christmas from his Mom. Track Time is where you can drive a authentic NASCAR or ride in one at Michigan International Speedway. My husband attended a session Saturday afternoon. He attended class then suited up to get ready to drive a NASCAR. He got to drive a total of 8 laps around MIS. He really enjoyed the experience and hopes to do it again sometime.

Top photo: My husband receiving final instructions before heading out at Michigan International Speedway

Middle photo: My huband crossing the start/final line in a NASCAR.

Bottom photo: All smiles after driving a NASCAR around MIS.

Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant

I took photographs Friday evening at the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant. Miss Michigan 2010 Katie LaRoche made a special appearance and performed her Miss Michigan talent. Nicole Blaszczyk, Miss Michigan 2009, came to watch the pageant. The pageant was wonderful and some of the ladies had great talent. Tamara Korican was crowned 2010 Miss River Raisin Festival. For her talent, she played a classical piano solo of Leybach's "5th Nocutrne" and did a fabulous job. After the pageant was over, I met Nicole Blaszczyk. We have been corresponding over the Internet and finally met in person. Nicole is a wonderful and sweet person.

I will be posting more photos of the pageant later this week.

Top photo: Miss River Raisin Festival 2009 Erinn Hendricks crowns Miss River Raisin Festival 2010 Tamara Korican Friday.

Bottom photo: Miss Michigan 2010 Katie LaRoche performs her talent Friday at the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant.

Random things

The last couple of days have been warm. I assume if you live in the Midwest and east coast, you are feeling the same heat. I've been spending most of my time indoors. I've had to work outside in the heat this week. I photographed a baseball game Tuesday and will again Thursday. I did stay out of the sun by standing in a shaded dugout. I really felt bad for the players wearing polyester and pants playing on an artificial surface. Tomorrow is supposed to be another warm day. Besides the warm temperatures, there is a chance for a thunderstorm. It will be good if it does rain, we need it. It wouldn't be good for the baseball players. The game I will be covering Thursday is part of a weekend tournament.

I volunteered this afternoon to help with the County Fair Queen's contest. I will be helping with the candidates photographs next week. I'm not sure if I will be using my camera or just helping with the posing. I will also be helping with the lunch that will be served on the afternoon of the candidates preliminary judging and interviewing. I'm really looking forward to helping.

Books read in 2010

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer
First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb
Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone
The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall
Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson
Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack
Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz
After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie
Best Evidence, David S. Lifton
The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene
The Bungalow Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery at Lilac Inn, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Red Gate Farm, Carolyn Keene
The Message in The Hollow Oak, Carolyn Keene
The Whispering Statue, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Bridge, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk, Carolyn Keene
The Secret in the Old Attic, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in The Crumbling Wall, Carolyn Keene
The Clue of the Leaning Chimney, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Wooden Lady, Carolyn Keene
Mystery at the Ski Jump, Carolyn Keene
Clue of the Velvet Mask, Carolyn Keene
The Witch Tree Symbol, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Window Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Showboat, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Golden Pavilion, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in the Old Stagecoach, Carolyn Keene

Currently Reading: The Moonstone Castle Mystery, Carolyn Keene
Up Next: The Mystery of the 99 Steps, Carolyn Keene

Questions

It seems like within the last week or so, people are noticing that I've lost weight. Five people have stopped me to ask within two days, "Have you lost weight?" After answering yes, I always know what the follow up question is going to be: "How much have you lost?" When I told them my answer, which was 57 pounds on Saturday, their jaws dropped. They couldn't believe that I have lost that much.

One question that was asked of me over the weekend was if I was feeling well. I replied yes and asked why. They asked if being sick caused me to lose weight. They haven't noticed the change and thought I lost all of that weight within a couple of weeks. That is great that people are starting to notice. I will answer people's questions about how I lost weight, but I will not just bring it up the topic on my own. I'm not losing weight for anyone except myself. I was overweight for all of my adult life, it was time to finally do something about it. This was the year to finally get healthy and fit.

My kind of town

Earlier this week, I mentioned that my husband requested a different week off of work that I said wouldn't work for me. He went into work the other day and requested the week off that worked for me. Good news! He was approved. As soon as we got home, we got online to book our hotel. After looking and reading customer reviews, we found one.

We are going back to Chicago in August for our vacation this year. We will be staying at the Hotel Palomar. What makes me really excited about this hotel is it's about 1.5 blocks away from Michigan Avenue. We will be walking everywhere because it is close to everything. The other thing I'm thrilled about is the indoor pool and fitness center. They are available to guests 24 hours a day. Last year in Boston, I had to wait until 5 a.m. to run on the treadmills. Not this year. When I wake up at 4 a.m. (I can't turn off my body clock), I can get changed and start my run. If I start at a very early time, I hope to stay on the treadmill for over an hour without anyone waiting to get on. I will continue to run long even on my vacation.

My husband and I have been to Chicago twice. I told him that I want to do things we haven't done before. So that means skipping the Hancock Tower, Willis Tower and other big tourist spots. We are also going to eat at different restaurants. No repeats. It should be a fun time and I am really looking forward to it.

Books read in 2010

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer
First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1789-1961, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
The Saga of the Presidents Wives and Their Power 1961-1990, Carl Sferrazza Anthony
Real Life at the White House: 200 years of daily life at America's famous residence, John Whitcomb
Amelia Earhart, Tanya Lee Stone
The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan
Hungry, Crystal Reen with Marjorie Ingall
Harry S. Truman, Robert Dallek
The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King, James Patterson
Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, Richard Hack
Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, Stacy A. Cordery
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy, Nellie Connally & Mickey Herskowitz
After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie
Best Evidence, David S. Lifton
The Secret of the Old Clock, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene
The Bungalow Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery at Lilac Inn, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of Red Gate Farm, Carolyn Keene
The Message in The Hollow Oak, Carolyn Keene
The Whispering Statue, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Bridge, Carolyn Keene
The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk, Carolyn Keene
The Secret in the Old Attic, Carolyn Keene
The Clue in The Crumbling Wall, Carolyn Keene
The Clue of the Leaning Chimney, Carolyn Keene
The Secret of the Wooden Lady, Carolyn Keene
Mystery at the Ski Jump, Carolyn Keene
Clue of the Velvet Mask, Carolyn Keene
The Witch Tree Symbol, Carolyn Keene
The Hidden Window Mystery, Carolyn Keene
The Haunted Showboat, Carolyn Keene

Currently Reading: The Secret of the Golden Pavilion, Carolyn Keene
Up Next: The Clue in the Old Stagecoach, Carolyn Keene