Mrs Pennsylvania International Orientation

Mrs. Pennsylvania International Orientation

Thanks to Linda for posting these photos on facebook:

Iphone photo

New Castle County Courthouse

Photo: Joseph Kaczmarek

 I volunteered with Delaware Volunteer Legal Services on Friday, February 15, 2013.  It was my first time inside the courthouse after the shooting (to be clear; I was not at court on the day of the shooting).  A fellow attorney and I arrived at Court together.  The first thing we did was sign the "Thank You Capitol Police" sign immediately after going through security. 


There were lots of hugs and lots of emotions.  I was thankful that those I work with are okay (Family Court Judges, Commissioners, and Staff as well as Capitol Police are terrific people).  I continue to pray for the victims, especially Christine's four children who are now orphans and had to be placed in protective DFS custody.  It is extremely difficult to think about the trauma that these children face due to their criminal father and his family members.

Special prayers also for Tim Hitchings, who was a target (Dad's family wanted to kill him because he did an excellent job representing Christine Belford).  Although I haven't worked much with Tim, the few experiences I have had with him have been extremely positive.  He exemplifies professionalism, compassion, and a keen legal mind.

As for continuing my work with victims of domestic violence by volunteering with Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, there is no way I will stop.  This was an isolated incident by one crazy family.

If you haven't heard about the Delaware event, here is a link to article:
http://articles.philly.com/2013-02-15/news/37102208_1_search-warrant-david-matusiewicz-thomas-matusiewicz

Miss Middletown (DE) MAO Pageant

I had a great time judging the incredible ladies competing for the title of Miss Middletown!  Two local titles were awarded today, but I hope that the other contestants keep competing because it was a tough pageant!  Congratulations to Jamila Mustafa - Miss Middletown and Alix Gardner - Miss Mid-State!

Here are the scrapbook pages from today!

It was wonderful to spend time with Melissa, Kim, Maurene, Ellen, Catherine, and Fran.  And I had a great conversation with Shana during the ride home.

I was thrilled to see Ellen return to pageantry through her title, Mrs. Tour de Cure, which allows her to promote pageantry and diabetes awareness!

What I Wore

Date Night 

at the Melting Pot!

Many thanks to our incredible server, Cheryl.  We will be back with my mother-in-law after Valentine's Day and will be sure to ask for you.

Plain wool navy blue sweater - Ralph Lauren (outlet purchase about 10 years ago)

T-Shirt - Banana Republic (at least four years old)

Necklaces:  Luminous Green Rhinestone Necklace (using 6mm size rhinestones - custom made by a friend); Knockout Choker from Sabika's Fall 2012 line (the really big vitrail medium rhinestone necklace); A custom design (using 10mm rhinestones, it has rhinestone colors of denim, medium vitrail, clear, and luminous green).

Earrings: Sabika's earrings from the Knockout Fall 2012 Collection.

What you don't see: jeans and black Dansko shoes.

Judging the Miss Middletown Pageant in Delaware:

Purple Dress: Mark + James by Badgley Mischka

Jewelry: Sabika's Fall 2012 Line (Chic Stir)

Shoes: Target!  

Here is a photo I snapped several hours after I got home so you can see the entire dress:

I am wearing LK Bennett heels in this photo.

Good-Bye Grandma Walls

Betty Jean Walls
(October 27, 1928 - January 28, 2013)
A memorial service celebrating the life of Betty Jean Beamer Walls, 84, of Camden, SC will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, February 3, 2013 at Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church. Rev. Steve Patterson and Rev. David Weaver will officiate.

Betty Jean Beamer Walls, widow of Cecil J. Walls, was born in Clarksburg, WV. She was the daughter of the late Salathiel Guy Beamer and Caddie Miller Beamer. Mrs. Walls was a member of Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church and the Woman’s Club of Clarksburg. She was treasurer of Norwood School PTA and an active member for almost 50 years in the Eastern Star.
Mrs. Walls is survived by her sons, Gary W. Walls (Helen) and Roger Lee Walls (Faye) both of Camden; daughters, Deborah Ann DeGol of Greensboro, NC and Cecilia Susan Farmer (Glenn) of Omaha, NE; 7 grandchildren, Tausha, Wayne, Heather, Marci, David, Sonja and Timothy; 5 great-grandchildren, Braden, Aerial, Morgan, Marissa and Hailee; brother, Gilbert Beamer (Hilda).


I am very blessed to have several handmade items from Grandma - including some ornaments that she knit herself!  For my college graduation, she hand knitted me an afgan with purple flowers (it now stays in the cedar lined closet - no one is allow to use it so that I can rest assured that it stays nice).  Last, Grandma is the sole person that started my obsession with Hallmark ornaments.  Grandma was the person who bought every grandchild one ornament per year at Christmas.  At six years old, I was obsessed with dollhouses.  In 1984, Hallmark came out with the Nostalgic House Ornaments (a set of dollhouse ornaments wherein the front of the ornament is the facade and you flip the ornament around to see the decorated interior).  This year, I purchased the 29th ornament in the series.

Hallmark Nostalgic Houses and Shops Series

Grandma's 80th Birthday Celebration in 2008

Thank you to the Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church for a wonderful service and a great meal afterwards - and for taking a picture of all of us (since it is a rare occasion that we are all together).