Hello, readers.

Here in Michigan, it is certainly beginning to look a lot like Christmas. We got a whole pile of snow dumped on us - we knew it would happen eventually, of course - and now, without a moment's notice, here we are. It's winter.

This season means many things to many people. If you are a pageant fan like me - and let's hope you are, if you are reading this blog - then you know that December is really the beginning of the countdown for Miss America! Plus there are some local pageants going on as well. It's a very exciting, and very tiring time, for the pageant community.

In that way, Miss America is a LOT like Christmas. You know it's coming. You spend a whole year preparing for it, getting your "package" looking perfect and hoping that you get everyone (the judges) what they want. And then the big moment finally comes, and it's all over in about 30 seconds. And the countdown begins again.

In order to not get burnt out on Christmas OR Miss America, I try to stay inspired each and every day. I have my inspirational Post-Its, but I also look at past issues of the magazine, some of my favorite photos from the past few years, and connect with old and new pageant friends across the globe.

What do YOU do to stay inspired? How do you keep yourself going back to the pageant stage - whether it is to compete or otherwise. What keeps you excited?

Fill me in, in the comments section!