It meant a lot to have your support!

Hello everyone!  As you all know, I was preparing to compete in the Mrs. North Carolina pageant, as Mrs. Fort Bragg, this October in Charlotte, NC.  Recent events have now made that goal something I am no longer persuing. 

I truly appreciate you all following my Trail To The Tiara and for the support that you showed to me during this venture.  This was a great experience and one that I looked forward to with much excitement and anticipation.  I have learned a great deal and hope to use that knowledge as I move forward in my life.

Thank you again!

Gianna

Let the Countdown Begin!

They say it is never too early to start something, so I knew it was not too early to start my training and preparation for Mrs. North Carolina.....even though my application had not yet been "official accepted".  I thought, hey, even if I do not make it through the selection process, I would still reach my goal of weight loss, toning and creating this blog.  So, mission accomplished!  Up until this point, Trail to the Tiara has been a mixture of Army life, new beginnings and finding determination...it has been a source of stress relief for me, but now it is coming back to the course it was originally intended for.........MY QUEST FOR THAT DARN TIARA!!!

It was just a few short weeks ago, that I was sitting in my parent's living room in Indianapolis when I got the email that applications were now being accepted.  On one hand, I could not get that application out the door fast enough and on the other, I was scared that I would not get accepted and this quest was nothing more than a pipe dream.  Have you ever not started something in sheer fear that you would fail?  Then did you regret not even trying, because failure makes you stronger?  I did not want to go through those regrets or emotions, so I filled out the application, I filled out the check for the application fee, I filled out the front of the envelope and off it went.

Since that envelope hit the local post office, I have been anticipating the response of yes or no.......I continued to workout with a fierce determination and I recently met my bathing suit modeling trainer, all in the hopes that I would be able to take the stage in October.  People kept telling me not to worry, that I was sure to make it, but I know how many beautiful and amazing women there are in this world and I could not rest until I got that anticipated confirmation.  

Well behold, after countless email checks hoping to see the acceptance email, the wait is finally over!  I received an email today from the pageant Director that I had indeed made the final cut and I was an official contestant in the Mrs. North Carolina pageant.  It is now that I can allow myself to get excited about all the upcoming events and preparation and that I will be able to share it with each of you.  I am excited to share my nerves, my stress, my horror and success stories as I venture out to find that perfect gown, interview suit and the dreaded bathing suit!   

I can only imagine what antics will play out as I drag Cecil along to dress and bathing suit shop.  I am sure it will be his worst nightmare, but my comic relief.  

Official Countdown:  T-173 Days

It's Never Too Late To Have A Dream.........

Ok, admit it, we all have them.  Those little secret indulgences that if anyone knew, we would do one of two things, deny or make excuses.  For me, they can range from rerun episodes of the Golden Girls to grabbing a can of hairspray (my impromptu microphone) and singing at the top of my lungs in front of my bathroom or closet mirror.  I have let it slip recently that Cecil has a guilty pleasure too, but I seem to make excuses for why he has seen every episode of Army Wives......thank you Jesika Gunter for the entire DVD collection.

What about secret dreams, do you have any?  I do and they all seem to stem from things in life that I never thought I would be able to accomplish or possess.  I never thought that I would be able to accomplish singing in a popular rock and roll band, but I did.  I never thought I could possess the amazing friends that I am blessed to have, but I did.  I never imagined I would have found the husband that I secretly dreamt about since watching my first Disney movie, but I did.  

There are also those things that I have not yet accomplished, mostly out of fear or blindness.  Fear of failure or fear it will not be as fulfilling as I hoped or out of sheer lack of knowledge of their very existence.  Everyday, I see or read about a new profession and think, why didn't I think of that during those darn career days at school.  Professional ballroom dancer, fitness model, entertainment television host, fashion designer, professional athlete, stylist, travel and food writer.....these are just a sampling of a few of the things I wish I would have pursued while still in my youth.  Is it really too late?  

Even though some of the things that I really wish I would have tried or adapted into my life are a little out of my timeline grasp, it is never too late to try or at least adapt those desires into your life in a small way.  I have found a new determination inside of me with my trail to the tiara and I am hoping that this opportunity will allow some doors to open that before, never seemed possible.  From an early age, I have been told from amazing parents that I could accomplish anything that I set my mind to.  I believe that more than ever and hope I can make some of my dreams a reality.

More Than A Paycheck

Attending the Volunteer Ceremony

Leaving a career and life in Indianapolis was hard enough, but finding a job in a small town that could compete with my previous high-paced, exciting and profitable career....impossible.  When Cecil and I were planning our move to North Carolina, the goal was for me to find a job that would further my career in Mall Leasing and that would provide me with a sense of accomplishment and pride.  Oh and also a nice paycheck.  We had a plan, with both of our salaries, we would be financially set and able to save a ton of money prior to us starting a family.  The search for employment before our move proved not only to be challenging, but fruitless.  We figured, we would wait until I was able to hit the pavement in North Carolina before we started to feel the frustration.

Once we arrived in North Carolina and settled into our new life, I once again began the search for employment.  I pounded the proverbial pavement (the Internet) and investigated every avenue that the military provided spouses in their employment search.  I thought I would have a leg up on the competition as I did not need the classes that the military provided to assist in resume building, wardrobe selection and interviewing skills.  I knew I had that covered.  But again, after months of scouring military job boards and sites such as CareerBuilder and Monster.com, I was still unemployed.

It was around this time that Cecil took command of 2/508th PIR's Bravo Company and I was to take the reins of his Family Readiness Group (FRG).  I knew that my FRG responsibilities would be time consuming, I just did not know that they would be this rewarding.  At the beginning, I dove head first into my FRG role because I wanted something to fill my time.  Now I relish what I do for one reason, it is not only rewarding, but the sense of accomplishment I feel everyday is worth much more than a paycheck!

I will not lie, I was petrified at the prospect of not finding a job and contributing to the household of Wolberton, but Cecil made me realize that we are financially secure regardless and that what I am doing is work that not many could or want to do.  I am determined to become as involved in activities as I can at Fort Bragg.  I am so proud of the fact that I am an FRG leader, I am so proud of the fact that I support my husband and his soldiers with the efforts I put forth and I am so proud that at the end of the day, I can look at my life as a volunteer and smile.

I have volunteered in the past as a burn survivor for my hometown burn unit and for the People's Burn Foundation in Indianapolis and those experiences are the experiences that make me want to give all I can to supporting our military families.  These little experiences that I have everyday are adding up to be one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had.

Me and our leader Mrs. Debbie Jones

The military is so grateful for the small donations of time that any volunteer can offer.  Whether it is providing care packages to deployed soldiers, sending cards or letters to deployed soldiers, volunteering to help raise funds for FRG activities and events for the soldiers and their families or volunteering as a Key Caller to keep families updated and in touch.  They truly feel blessed to have the support that they do and are very active in showing their gratitude to families and volunteers.

Just this week, I was invited to attend a special ceremony to recognize a small group of the volunteers at Fort Bragg.  It was an opportunity for me to meet other volunteers that feel as passionate as I do about giving and helping our soldiers and their families.  I was so honored to be in their presence and very humbled by the words that were spoken to us from the commanders and leaders of the 82nd Airborne Division.

I truly feel that I am doing what I was destined to do in this life I have been given.  I am blessed to be able to give of myself and my time to an organization that is protecting the freedom of us all.  I challenge all of you to find an organization that you can give just a small piece of your time and effort, the pay off is more than you could imagine.

Does Absence Truly Make The Heart Grow Fonder?

It feels as if there is a wake that has been trailing behind me over the past few months.  A wake filled with friends and family that I have had to leave behind as Cecil and I made our way to Fort Bragg, NC.  As I traveled back to Indiana this week, I have yet again, left another wake back in Southern Pines, NC.  Only this time, I have left Cecil in its path.

Being the independent and motivated person that I have always been (Cecil may beg to differ with the first claim in that sentence), I never realized how much I was going to miss those that I have left behind.  When changes incur in your life and distance becomes the newest obstacle you have to face in a relationship, the best of intentions are always present in the beginning.  Both parties have a conversation filled with, "I promise to write", "we will see each other all the time", "We are too close to let the distance come between us".  Anyone that has been in a long-distance relationship or whose best friends and family are now hundreds of miles away, has had a conversation like this.  How has that worked out for you?



My beautiful Mom and Dad



For me, not so great, but I have learned a valuable lesson, those that are true and lifelong friends are like soap operas!  You can go months without seeing a single episode, but when you finally get a chance to see that one episode, you are caught up without pause.  I have missed my friends dearly and the problem with being great friends with independent, successful women, they too have little to no time to have that weekly or monthly chat to catch up.  Yet, one dinner while visiting home and we are once again living an episode of "The Days of Our Lives".

As I previously mentioned, in order to make this trip, I had to leave someone special back home.  Cecil is thick into his intensive training cycles as he prepares to deploy to Afghanistan next February and we have little to no time to spend together.  The day I left for Indiana, Cecil returned home from a 9 day stint playing Billy Bad-Ass in the training fields at Fort Bragg.  His next four days at home would be quiet and wife-less......I thought he would enjoy the peace and quiet, yet to my disbelief, he actually was saddened by my departure and lack of presence.  I was trying to figure out if it was truly me he was going to miss or the wife that takes out the trash every Friday to the curb, does his laundry, shops for his food, cooks his dinner, organizes and folds his clothes everyday and has a glass of Orange Gatorade ready and awaiting his arrival.  I was surprised when I realized, it was just me that he was missing.  It melted my heart to hear him actually say, before I had a chance to ask, "I miss you, Gianna, when are you coming home?".  Now granted, he did not take the trash out to the curb last Friday, even though I reminded him..... I am sure my washer and dryer are going to need an emergency service call and that he has destroyed his side of the walk-in closet...but I will be so happy to hear him say how glad he is to have me home (wink, wink)!  

So does distance truly make the heart grow fonder?  Are you kidding me, I have missed my Indianapolis friends and family to the point of depression and now my husband has truly made me feel missed and appreciated.  So, to answer that question, Hell-YES!

He is not just my husband, he is my HERO!

Once again I spent the day with my favorite person, Cecil.  It was another weekend filled with traveling to a Rugby match, but of course, there was no doubt I would be there on the sidelines cheering on my favorite  player.  Bragg Rugby won, 55 to 7!!!  Every game I sit on the edge of my seat yelling at opponents to get their grimy hands off my husband, but I soon realize it is Cecil that has initiated the grisly and ferocious attack.  Way to go Cecil!

Cecil in the Scrum.  It's a good
picture when his tongue hangs out!

Many of you might not know that it was Cecil that inspired me to begin this crazy quest of Mrs. North Carolina.  I am one lucky gal to have such an amazing man that stands behind and supports any dream I may dream up.  Granted, over the months I have wanted to start a clothing line, a boutique called Chutes and Boots, write a children's book, go to Law School and become a teacher.  I see that I am a little all over the board, so I decided to focus on this one goal and leave it at that.....for the time being (wink, wink) and Cecil is there with me 100 percent.

This week, Cecil's Battalion suffered a blow, they lost a very young solider to an unfortunate accident.  We attended his memorial service yesterday and I was overwhelmed with emotion and heartache.  I did not know the Specialist we were honoring personally, but I do have a soldier near and dear to my heart and could empathize with this man's young wife and family.  I looked over at Cecil sitting next to me in the pew with a small tear in his eye (he will deny that) and thought how lucky I was to have such a warm, caring, sometimes opinionated and stubborn, loving and handsome husband that would be protecting me and all of us in this time of war.  He is not just my husband, he is my HERO!

Life of an Army wife is not easy.  The training, the hours, the stress, the fatigue has really taken a toll,  not on Cecil, but on me.  I am not ashamed to say that in order to really adjust to this new life, I have been seeing a counselor here on post, someone I can talk to that really understands the side of the coin that I am living.  Military Life and Family Counseling has a stigma with families and soldiers, which I wish was not the case.....they are an invaluable service that will also be here to help me get through the upcoming predeployment, deployment, redeployment and then refit.  Sometimes the emotion gets to be too much and I break down.  I am so scared to have him leave, but I also know that he will return home safely and will make sure his men will return to their families.  Cecil is a Ranger and their code is to never leave a brother behind.  He lives the anthem everyday in not just his work, but his heart.

I challenge each of you, the next time you see a soldier in uniform, just say, "thank you".  No other words need to be said as these two small words mean so much.  Not everyday is sunshine and rainbows, this is a very hard life, but with all the tears comes a lot of laughter and I am blessed to laugh with my best friend everyday.  I only wish everyone could feel how it feels to be part of the Army family and feel the sense of pride I feel everyday.

I am so proud to be Cecil's wife, I am so proud Cecil picked me and I am so proud to live this life.  I only hope I can make him as proud as he has made me.

Make New Friends, But Keep The Old, One Is Silver And The Other's Gold!

Being alone in a new city, new life and new culture can do one of two things, it can scare the crap out of you and bring out your inner snail tendencies, or it will force you to go out and make a way for yourself. Always one to never know a stranger, I have been able to make some great contacts which have led to great friendships.....and this week, was no exception.

Shortly after moving to Southern Pines, it was easy to see that shopping and fashion are not mainstays in this small town.  Nordstrom was calling my name like a long-lost friend desperate to reconnect.  Go figure, the closest shopping, as I knew it and a Nordstrom, was over an hour away in Durham.  The distance would never stop me from visiting a long-lost friend and Nordstrom was just that to me.  I decided to spend an entire day meandering aimlessly around the Streets at Southpoint and of course started at Nordstrom.  As I walking with that bounce in my step that magically appears as I make my way to the shoe section and soon the makeup department, I was approached by a bubbly and beautiful woman that worked for Trish McEvoy.  Being a Trish fan myself, I decided to stay and play around with some new looks with my new friend, Caroline Winchester.  Caroline is a renowned make-up artist for Trish McEvoy and she and I hit it off like peas and carrots.

Just a few of my favorite Indy girls and my new sister!

Caroline has become my savior of daily life, as soon as we met, she was stuffing my hands with business cards for a dermatologist, dentist, facialist and hairstylist.  If it was not for this lady, I would not have felt as though my ability to narrow down and seek out the best of the best would be possible.  Caroline is the first person to give you the jacket off her back if needed and is so willing to help in any way possible, even me, a stranger!

Caroline, knowing my past in pageants from our initial conversation, introduced me to a fabulous girl named Jocelyn.  A former pageant winner and makeup artist, Jocelyn and I too have become fast friends.  I was fortunate enough spend time with Jocelyn over salads and ice water with lemon this week and really picked her brain about pageants in North Carolina.  Following in Caroline's footsteps, Jocelyn has given me great insight and contacts that will allow me to put my best foot forward as I prepare for Mrs. North Carolina.  Jocelyn and I have more in common than either of us imagined and sharing stories with her and hearing of her adjustments as an Army wife, have helped me see further into the complex mentality of our Army husbands.  Thank you Jocelyn!

I am so blessed to have met new friends....but still, I miss my Indianapolis girls more than words can say.  I hope each of you thanks a friend today for being there by your side and thank God above for bringing new ones into your life unexpectedly, everyday.