New Year's Eve in Los Angeles, CA

As 2012 comes to an end it is impossible for me not to reflect back on a year filled with magic moments and memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Joe and I always reminisce about the year we just experienced on New Year's Eve, and more importantly we dream about the things we hope for in the year to come.

Mr and Mrs International 2012

On the morning of December 31, 2012, we traveled to Los Angeles, California, as we commenced what is certain to be an amazing start to 2013! Which for us, is a much anticipated journey of meeting people and experiencing cultures we have never seen during a tour the Asian Pacific.

 

Shannon, Gary, Joe and me

But first, what a treat to spend New Year's Eve with my dear friend Shannon Jipsen, who happened to be my roommate at the Miss Teen of America Pageant in 1984, and her friend Gary. Shannon and I have remained close for all of these years, and we had a fabulous time at a beach side restaurant called The Strand House located in Manhattan Beach. After dinner we walked along the pier and captured a few photos with a Christmas tree in the background.

Joe and me on the pier at Manhattan Beach

My wish for each of you is a New Year overflowing with blessings and love!

Cheers!

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

The Whitney Landmark Residence Holiday

Do you ever wonder how well you know your neighbors? Well, mine learned a little more about me during a lovely holiday gathering in the lobby of the Whitney Landmark Residence. Since Joe and I moved into the renovated historic building five years ago, which was built in the mid 1860’s as a flour mill that harnessed the power of the water from the mighty Mississippi River and the St. Anthony Falls, we have enjoyed getting to know the wonderful members of our community.

Several of our neighbors were aware that I had been competing in the International pageant system and have been both engaged and supportive…then there are the neighbors who had absolutely no idea, however, were inquisitive about the crown, the title, and what it all means. As with any situation, I took the opportunity to share the message of this amazing system, the Go Red message, and my personal commitment to the burn world.

In my experience, nearly every person who takes the time to understand the meaning of this title and the true beauty of this crown walks away with a smile on their face…but not before they share with me their kinds words of encouragement. Here is a photo with some sincerely nice people who also call The Whitney home!

 Owners of the Whitney Landmark Residence

Warm Wishes,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

Wojtowicz Family Christmas

Most of you know me as Sarah Bazey, however, I spent much of my life as Sarah Wojtowicz. Believe it or not, both my maiden name and married name are of Polish descent…and yes, I have heard a few Polish jokes in my lifetime!

This blog is simply an opportunity to share some of the many fun photographs that were captured with members of my family as we celebrated a yummy Christmas brunch together at the wonderful Lake Elmo Inn, in the charming little town of Lake Elmo, located just East of the Twin Cities.

Thank you to Santa Claus for sharing gifts with my great-nephews and nieces, the fabulous staff that made certain we were well cared for and well fed, and my family for which I am truly thankful and blessed! Please know that this is only a portion of my family members, we missed those who were not able to join us, and there were too many pictures to post them all:

With Mom

With Lake Elmo Inn Staff

 

With Lake Elmo Inn Staff

 

With Sister Claudine and her husband Mark

 

With Brother Nick and his wife Wendy

 

With Brother Lon and his wife Pat

 

With Brother Len and his wife Sally

 

With Santa, great-nephews and great-nieces

 

With Ethan, Elliot, Nathan, Isabella, and Aalyiah

With Aaron, Jordan, and Jake

With Wyatt, Joshua, and Nathan

All my love,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

"Man Cave" Holiday Bash

Never in my wildest dreams did I believe I would be attending a party in a “Man Cave!” Not only did I attend, but Joe and I were the host and hostess. For the past several years my husband had been developing a construction project that not only appeals to the fiscally conservative type who prefer to own rather than rent, but it brings out the little boy and girl in everyone who enters our wrought iron gate and drives on the concrete pavement toward a steel structure with stone veneer, 14’ x 16’ garage doors, and a stunning copper roof!

The development is called Garage Solution Condominium, aka Man Caves, and it is becoming a booming real estate proposition in many parts of the country. In short, if you would love to own more garage space where you can store your prized car, protect the RV, boat, trailer, four-wheeler, snowmobile, change your oil, repair a motor, build a model plane, shoot a round of pool, watch a football game, or share a pizza with your buddies…this is the place!

Below you can check out the link to our website, which includes a video clip of phase I of the project, however, before you do that…I want to share with you the most unexpected and wonderful part about this adventure my husband has brought me on…and you won’t be surprised to learn it is about the people! Each buyer of a garage condo becomes a partner in our Garage Solution Condominium Owners’ Association, and it has been a sincere gift to get to know each of these individuals and their families.

As the group has grown, Joe and I decided last year for the first time to hold an annual holiday gathering, which we did again on this December 7th. We hosted the party in our garage and were able to capture a group photo to share with you, of course only after I addressed the group as Mrs. International and invited them to join me as we travel the world (we may even have a couple takers)!

Enjoy the photo and please do take a peek at the website:  http://www.garagesolutioncondominiums.com/

Warmest Wishes,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012