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The Pageant is officially over. What an experience it was!

It began on Friday with the interview portion and I met with the 5 interviewers and got my 5 minutes in the hot seat. I left feeling a bit overwhelmed and unsure if I gave them what they wanted. It was harder than interviewing for a job... Bob Lonsberry was one of the judges, but I didn't shmooze up to him, though my husband is a big fan. He threw out the toughest questions to me and I felt that I answered him well...

Saturday was full of rehearsals and the culminating event: The Pageant. I was contestant #25 of 29, which put me near the end. I liked that I was towards the end so that I could watch the others that went before me and hopefully emulate their good points. We had the opening number (thankfully there were no complicated dance moves) and we introduced ourselves and our platforms to the judges and the audience. It was almost my turn and I was standing on my mark on stage waiting for the girl in front of me to finish her intros when her microphone went out. I was standing there wondering if I should walk up and hand her the microphone I was holding. But, when I tapped it, my mic wasn't working either, so I continued to stand there and watched her finish in her loudest voice. When I approached center stage and spoke into my mic, it worked and I did my thing. I feel bad that I didn't help her out in a moment that was undoubtedly tense for her. I wonder if I'd offered her help if the judges would have scored me more favorably.

The next portion was the swimsuit. Man, is that ever an intimidating thing to do!! I walked across the stage in my turquoise one-piece and felt every eye on me. Blech! I was so glad to get off stage after that.

Next came evening gown. I had my husband on stage with me as my escort and having him there made me feel less self-conscious. He looked so good in his tux!! Husband voice-overs were playing as each girl did her walk in front of the judges and my husband's tribute to me was well worth it all! I can't wait to get my DVD so I can listen to it again and again. I felt like a real princess.

The judges had a very difficult decision to make in narrowing it down from 29 to just 10. All of the ladies were gorgeous and polished and wonderful. There we were, all standing on stage, trying to keep smiling as the numbers were called off and the Top Ten emerged. Unfortunately, #25 was not called and I walked off the stage with the other 19 girls. At that point, I was ready to go home and put my feet up. It was all over for me, there was nothing left but awards. But, I came back on stage after the Top Ten answered their on-stage question, with a smile on my face and my aching feet throbbing in my shoes...

So, not only did I not win, I didn't even place. But you know what? While I'm disappointed in the outcome, I'm not disappointed in myself. I gave them my very best of me and I can't feel bad about that.

I've been asked if I'd consider competing again. My answer to that is "Maybe." If I do, I will choose a different pageant to be part of, Mrs. United States isn't for me.

So, now it's back to reality... sigh.

P.S. I'd post a picture or two, but unfortunately, we handed our camera off to a friend in the front row, and they apparently don't know how to use a digital camera. Not a single picture came out clear. Dangit.