Is this anyway for a beauty queen to live? well I guess it is if she just happens to be a Major in the United States Army, like me. So here I am spending another summer at Fort Lewis, Washington. Living in old World War II Barracks, that need to be, that should be and some have been condemned. the photos are not actually from Fort Lewis, but they may as well be, the "temporary" WWII barracks looks the same at Military bases all across the United States. So how did I get so lucky as to spend thirty plus days at this vacation spot? It is all a part of being an Army ROTC instructor, we all get our chance to each summer to train ROTC Cadets at Fort Lewis. Don't get me wrong the rest of Fort Lewis is just beautiful, they just stick us temporary folks in these temporary buildings. I've tried to explain that I have this beauty regime that just does not go along with living in a room that is smaller than my college dorm room, that living in the 80 degree heat without air conditioning is doing nothing for my complexion, that only having a community microwave oven to cook my food in is doing nothing for my strict Weight-Watchers diet, the one thing that I am getting plenty of is exercise, running here, walking there, riding my bike over there etc. I complain only because I can laugh at it all, after 21 years in the Army, I've seen plenty and lived in worse, besides that, I say that there are worse places I could be, I think about my brothers and sisters who are "living" in Iraq and Afghanistan, in tents in 120 degree heat, sucking the sand into there lungs day in and day out, and worrying if they will be the next ones to drive by that IED. Then I sit back and say"this just isn't that bad". Beauty Queen? sometimes; Soldier?

Always.

RED BULL GIVES YOU WINGS - yes I admit it, Red Bull is my new not so secret love. But I'm not addicted to it or at least I don't think I am. I am very particular about how and when I drink my Red Bull. I first fell for "the Bull" about 2 years ago, now I tend to be sort of sensitive to caffeine so I knew I had to be careful, I found the 8.3 Fluid ounce can to be just perfect for me, not too much and not too little. I sip my Red Bull slowly, and savour the flavor of it. Now my husband just doesn't get it, he would pump coffee in through his veins if he could, but does not get the appeal of Red Bull, he does not understand my love for "the Bull", he thinks that it tastes like cough syrup. Cough syrup? Ha! Yes it is my elixir, my nectar of which I look forward to each morning. Usually I drink one and only one and not the first thing in the morning, but long about 9:00 AM, that is unless I am starting our at a particularly early and ungodly hour, then I will have 2 Red Bull. I have also found that if I am traveling for long distances by car (more than 2 hours) I will indulge in 2 Red Bull. BUT no more than 2. If I have had more than 2 I am done for the day, I can't think straight and feel as if I have a hang-over, therefore I have over indulged I have loved my Red Bull way too much. People often kid me about the blue and silver can that they see me carrying around and ask me if I've got it mixed with some alcoholic beverage the drink of choice I guess Red Bull and vodka or Red Bull and Jagermeister. So I gave it a try (in the evening of course)......eeeewwww GROSS!!!! Don't try to mix my Red Bull with anything, nothing, it is what it is, and needs no altering. I am so excited I have a coupon for $8.00 off of a case of Red Bull at Costco which for me means 30 (or so) days of pure unadulterated pleasure. I open my refrigerator each morning and eye each bottle, I look at them with shear pleasure and know that they are there for me each day to get me started to do as the side of the can says "supply my tired mind and exhausted body with vital substances that have been lost". Yes, Red Bull you are there for me. But I can quit you anytime....really I can.

I am such a slacker. I haven't been here in ages, now I turn around and the whole reason for originally publishing this blog is almost upon me again.....you remember the pageant! Mrs. Oregon America is just 4 months away. I have spent the last 8 months gearing up for it. Let's see I've joined Toastmaster's International http://www.toastmasters.org/ to hone my public speaking skills, I've been running my ass off, completed the Inaugural Eugene Marathon a month ago, have spent the last six weeks working out with a personal trainer (love you Jack), I have reached my GOAL weight with Weight Watchers losing a total of 30 pounds and I got braces put on my teeth!!! Can you imagine, this is the 2nd time around for that. I've even started on my wardrobe, I've got my gown, shoes and interview suit. I will be ready come October 6th 2007. Will you?