I didn't think it was abig deal, you only choked once!! Update 9/18 final thoughts

[emma212010]

Wooohooo!! Yay for finishing (and running) the race!! AND you beat your time! Congratulations! Sorry the race wasn't up to Disney standards! It sounds a bit disorganized, but it was free, and you got a Dooney out of it! I love your medals too!

 

[dawnbu40]

Wooohooo!! Yay for finishing (and running) the race!! AND you beat your time! Congratulations! Sorry the race wasn't up to Disney standards! It sounds a bit disorganized, but it was free, and you got a Dooney out of it! I love your medals too!

Thank you

And yes I did get that Dooney a couple days later

 

[Jazzabelle508]

congrats on doing well in the race! don't blame you for being tired though!

 

[dawnbu40]

congrats on doing well in the race! don't blame you for being tired though!

thank you

 

[MEK]

The race sounds, well, interesting. The whole scavenger thing at the end seems like a hassle. I am one who likes to run then finish with no strings attached. Really cool medals - love them.

You did an awesome job running! I hope you keep it up. I really think its hard to start running anytime over the age of 30, so kuddos to you. And - your strategy worked. You do have to pick a person to "chase" or pace with. It keeps you going when you might otherwise want to stop.

Love your running outfits, but did you wear all that? Did you have a place to put the jacket? What did the temperature feel like that night? Just curious, in case I ever decide to do a night time run at Disney. Which I doubt because I would probably rather spend the money on food.

 

[dawnbu40]

The race sounds, well, interesting. The whole scavenger thing at the end seems like a hassle. I am one who likes to run then finish with no strings attached. Really cool medals - love them.

You did an awesome job running! I hope you keep it up. I really think its hard to start running anytime over the age of 30, so kuddos to you. And - your strategy worked. You do have to pick a person to "chase" or pace with. It keeps you going when you might otherwise want to stop.

Love your running outfits, but did you wear all that? Did you have a place to put the jacket? What did the temperature feel like that night? Just curious, in case I ever decide to do a night time run at Disney. Which I doubt because I would probably rather spend the money on food.

Yes I would have been much better off if the race had ended with the 5k. We thought the medals were cool too

Thank you and I have kept it up. Caitlin has been a great trainer and after I started running I dropped a size. My best is now a mile in 11:25 so I'm still improving

After we started running I quickly lost the jacket Caitlin had a lightweight nylon sling/backpack that she wore so we just put the camera and jackets in there.

 

[I Believe In Magic]

Dawn and Caitlin, CONGRATS on the race!!! That was an awesome accomplishment and I am very proud of you! And I work out too, mostly elliptical and walking around the track, yet when I do something really physical I always say why am I so out of shape?? lol So that race would have been a challenge for anyone. You did GREAT!!! I am so glad you didn't get sick. My son did cross country for years (and he did the Martian Marathon in Dearborn last year, came in first for age 18!! I was so proud of him! 26.2 miles, wheweeee) anyways my point is, lots of people get sick after they run and my 12 yr old started CC last year and will continue in 7th grade, so I guess there is lots of that in my future. yuck.
Can't wait to see your new Dooney!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dawnbu40]

Dawn and Caitlin, CONGRATS on the race!!! That was an awesome accomplishment and I am very proud of you! And I work out too, mostly elliptical and walking around the track, yet when I do something really physical I always say why am I so out of shape?? lol So that race would have been a challenge for anyone. You did GREAT!!! I am so glad you didn't get sick. My son did cross country for years (and he did the Martian Marathon in Dearborn last year, came in first for age 18!! I was so proud of him! 26.2 miles, wheweeee) anyways my point is, lots of people get sick after they run and my 12 yr old started CC last year and will continue in 7th grade, so I guess there is lots of that in my future. yuck.
Can't wait to see your new Dooney!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you

Wow, congrats to your son! That is wonderful. As a non-runner I admire those with the determination and stamina to compete in (let alone win) marathons!

I will have to take a pic of the bag and post it. I somehow forgot to get a pic of it

Have a safe trip tomorrow and have a wonderful time

 

[dawnbu40]

Hi All! Hope you're enjoying your weekend I thought I'd do a real life update....

Those of you who have followed our TRs for awhile may remember that 2 years ago Caitlin won our city's annual beauty pageant. For those of you who don't know....our community hosts a large summer festival each year and holds a beauty pageant and awards scholarship money to the winners. In 2009, Caitlin won the crown and last year she crowned the 2010 winner.

Well just before our trip in May (on Monday of that week) she got a phone call saying that they had changed the rules and past winners could still participate and that the committee hoped Caitlin would enter again. We debated this a little, while the scholarship money is always appreciated it didn't sound very fair to the other girls. We ended up deciding since the rule was in place it would be foolish not to try so we spent the days leading up to our trip getting her application ready since it was due the day we were to come home. She contacted professors and got glowing letters of recommendation, got her transcripts, documented her community service and wrote the required essays. Then we had to find a formal evening gown. We found a sale and got a lovely dress on clearance at Parisian for $50

So flash forward a month and last night was the big night. The day was filled with preparations like getting her hair cut and styled and getting her makeup done at Macy's.

Here are a couple pics of her all dolled up before we left

The pageant was held at the nearby Senior Center and Caitlin had a big cheering section of co-workers,family and friends. We were all nervous for her but she showed great poise and grace. As the pageant went on it was obvious that the only real competition was last year's winner (I'm still not sure I think you should be able to enter again before giving up your crown) I got really nervous for Caitlin during the Q&A portion of the pageant when she drew a stupid question. Her question was "what's your favorite website?" Not exactly something that is a challenge or shows someone's intelligence etc.
After the question and answer session I had a feeling who the top 3 were. But the judging was so close they had to call an intermission to give the tabulators more time.

Caitlin came and talked to us and got a picture with her co-workers for her summer internship

After about 20 minutes the results came back and the 2nd runner up was announced and I was had picked #3 correctly. Then it was time for the first runner up. I knew it was either Caitlin or last year's winner with the other winning the crown.


It was Caitlin. I won't lie. She was disappointed. I was so proud though that she was very gracious and poised and didn't let her disappointment show. And I was right, last year's winner won again. However, Caitlin's cheering section was just as proud of her as if she'd won the crown. She is a great student and person and she doesn't need a crown to prove that.

Here is the court with the pageant hostess

Caitlin's prize was an $800 scholarship, a nice plaque and a gift bag with various hair supplies etc. She also got a date with the handsome Air Force Recruiter who served as an escort for the girls! He told her he'd been looking for her since last year (he had asked for her number last year and she gave him the wrong one ) She ended up inviting him to the after party her grandma was having and he and his buddy (another escort) came and stayed until midnight. He asked if he could see her again today So all in all she couldn't feel too bad about how the evening went And there's always next year!

Thanks for letting me share! Have a great Sunday

 

[JessicaFaye508]

Okay.... where have I been!? Kristen just told me that you started a new TR and I finally just started reading it. I'm sorry I'm really slow... like 2 months late geez!

Anyways.... WHERE did you find that adorable Mickey and Minnie Sweatshirt in Hollywood? Seriously that is so so so cute and I want it!!

I love your adventures during your dismeet. That little girl is adorable and it sounds like you had a lot of fun!

I want to go to Liberty Tree for Lunch! You guys should have gotten the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake!

Cape May sounds like lots of fun! I never ate there... but I'm going for Dinner on my December Trip! I actually just booked that this morning

And that's terrible about forgetting the camera charger! I would have freaked out too

Alright... so I'm only on page 16 but I will be finishing up soon! Loving the new TR and can't wait to read about all of the exciting adventures you guys had!

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Aww Caitlin! You look gorgeous!!!

I definitely like your dress the best out of all of them!

Sorry you didn't win, but $800 and a date sounds like winning to me!

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Okay.... where have I been!? Kristen just told me that you started a new TR and I finally just started reading it. I'm sorry I'm really slow... like 2 months late geez!
Better late then never! I am so behind on all of my TRs working isn't fun


Anyways.... WHERE did you find that adorable Mickey and Minnie Sweatshirt in Hollywood? Seriously that is so so so cute and I want it!!
I got it at the shop near TOT and next to the Planet Hollywood store. They had it everywhere though I saw it at TrenD and a couple other places.


I love your adventures during your dismeet. That little girl is adorable and it sounds like you had a lot of fun!
It was so much fun! I am so glad we got to meet them!


I want to go to Liberty Tree for Lunch! You guys should have gotten the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake!
I would have but I really wanted those strawberries

Cape May sounds like lots of fun! I never ate there... but I'm going for Dinner on my December Trip! I actually just booked that this morning
We love their breakfast and we also went to dinner on this trip...


And that's terrible about forgetting the camera charger! I would have freaked out too
I was so upset!!!


Alright... so I'm only on page 16 but I will be finishing up soon! Loving the new TR and can't wait to read about all of the exciting adventures you guys had!

Thank you for joining us! I am glad you're enjoying it!

Aww Caitlin! You look gorgeous!!!

I definitely like your dress the best out of all of them!

Sorry you didn't win, but $800 and a date sounds like winning to me!

Thank you! It ended up being a fun night despite getting 2nd place

Thank you! I love Audrey Hepburn so all of my dresses are reminiscent of her

Yeah I agree I had a great time with the boy and I am seeing him again tonight

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Thank you! It ended up being a fun night despite getting 2nd place

Thank you! I love Audrey Hepburn so all of my dresses are reminiscent of her

Yeah I agree I had a great time with the boy and I am seeing him again tonight

I love her too! I can totally see her in that dress!

Oooh la la! Have funnn!

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

I love her too! I can totally see her in that dress!

Oooh la la! Have funnn!

Awesome! Yeah it is so Breakfast at Tiffany's

I will I really like him so I am excited to see what happens

 

[pkondz]

$800 and a date? Not too shabby! So did you answer "The Dis" for fave web sight? If you didn't... just say you did here. I agree with you re: Breakfast at Tiffany's look:

And in my humble opinion you were definitely prettier than the other two in the photo. Fixed! It was fixed, I tell ya!

 

[Jazzabelle508]

Caitlin, your dress looks GOREGOUS!!!!! sorry you didn't win but it must have been fun to get to participate in the competition again.

 

[davebon23]

Caitlin,

I loved your dress. I do think you were prettier than the other two. They seemed much younger than you, and by that I don't mean you look old, they just look very, very young. Like young teenagers. I think you should have
won!! And have fun on your date. You need to post pictures of the date you got with the dress also. LOL

 

[TinksThree]

Your dress was beautiful and I thought the same thing...very "Audrey"!! You looked beautiful and congrats on the date!!

 

[mousegear]

Caitlin, your dress is very gorgeous and you look stunning, very classic!
Sounds like you had awesome night and have fun on your date.

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Before I respond here is a pic of the date I got as a nice consolation prize

$800 and a date? Not too shabby! So did you answer "The Dis" for fave web sight? If you didn't... just say you did here. I agree with you re: Breakfast at Tiffany's look:
Yeah I am happy despite not winning


Ya know when I was practicing my answers I had thrown around saying the Dis but I ended up saying the Westland Public Library website. You can check out books online which I think is pretty awesome

Thank you!

And in my humble opinion you were definitely prettier than the other two in the photo. Fixed! It was fixed, I tell ya!

Thank you! I thought about pulling an Al Gore and demanding a recount but I decided against it

Caitlin, your dress looks GOREGOUS!!!!! sorry you didn't win but it must have been fun to get to participate in the competition again.

Thank you!

It was fun and there is always next year!

Caitlin,

I loved your dress. I do think you were prettier than the other two. They seemed much younger than you, and by that I don't mean you look old, they just look very, very young. Like young teenagers. I think you should have
won!! And have fun on your date. You need to post pictures of the date you got with the dress also. LOL

Thank you!

I was one of two girls who were actually in their 20s. I tried to play up my age by acting more professional than the younger ones and by trying to look older as well.

Thank you!

Your dress was beautiful and I thought the same thing...very "Audrey"!! You looked beautiful and congrats on the date!!

Thank you!

I am pretty excited I got an awesome guy out of it

Caitlin, your dress is very gorgeous and you look stunning, very classic!
Sounds like you had awesome night and have fun on your date.

Thank you!

I did have a great night!