Regrets or Homesick?

When I moved to Los Angeles 10 years ago, it was to follow a dream. I took a huge risk in moving here, as did my family. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, outside of losing my parents. With my son graduating High School this year, it has made me think....what would have happened had we not moved and had stayed in NC? THAT has been a question on my mind for a long time. You see, I left my best friends in NC; sure, I have made great friends, even best friends here too, but the guilt of leaving my closest friends was HARD! Even harder was seeing my son leave his best friend behind. Life is different here, very hard, compared to NC. I work more, I am gone more, am I a good parent? Would Cameron be a different child in NC with different aspirations and goals? Did I make the right choice? All questions left to be answered and I may never know the answer. IF I do ever "make it" in LA as an actress and can truly LIVE here the way I could have lived in NC, then I may have perspective.
I've noticed that my friends call less, and I also call them less....because it just hurts. Sounds silly, but it is how I feel. I don't visit NC as often, because it hurts to go home. Maybe that is what Thomas Wolfe meant when he wrote "You can't go home again".
I am visiting NC this year, and hopefully it won't hurt too much, as I really miss everyone!

Most Important!

I am the Spokesperson for the David Law Firm and Lung Cancer Awareness. I have a national commercial airing right now, and you can view it at: www.calldavid.com
For those of you just getting to know me and just visiting my blog for the first time, I am an actress, advocate and mom! I work hard to balance it all, and it is difficult without a mom or dad myself. I lost my mom to Lung Cancer in 1996 and my dad shortly there after from, well, a broken heart. My parents were everything to me, and I am grateful to have had them, even if only a short while. I don't know what I would do without my husband, Tony, and my son, Cameron, as they keep me strong and support my efforts to make a difference, live my dream of being an actress and host. It is a daunting experience to say the least - to pursue a difficult dream - but not impossible. Every now and again you live the dream, if only a brief moment - that is what I am doing with the David Law Firm (DLF). The work they are doing to help others with Lung Cancer is amazing! When my mom was diagnosed, there wasn't anyone to help us, like the DLF (and boy, we sure could have used that help). I lost my mom in under 7 weeks and my dad less than 2 years later! Support and help is necessary during this time. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed, please visit www.calldavid.com for resources on where to go for help, guidance, help with bills, etc....don't be overwhelmed, as you are not alone.
Feel free to post here or on my facebook to share your story, because I am here to help.

Sorry I have been "absent" from blogging!

It has been a chaotic year, so I am sorry that I have been away from blogging. There is so much to write and I am going to do a weekly update newsletter, starting this weekend. For now, a quick update on my life!

What I have been up to:

Advocate Consultant for Lung Cancer Awareness and the David Law Firm. Trying to do what I can to help others in their fight against lung cancer. Please check out www.lung-cancer.com and, as always check out my favorite organization, www.nationallungcancerpartnership.org

Running again! I am committed to running again, and run a 10k or 15k each month, as I prepare for a Half Marathon this October and December!

Producing and Directing Mrs. California United States! In my 3rd year already and we are growing soooo fast! Please visit www.mrscaliforniaunitedstates.com

Acting - although slower than I like, I am with a great Manager and great commercial Agency, www.lauralichenmanagement.com and the House of Representatives. For booking or to see my reel (which needs to be updated!) go to - www.janicemcqueen.com

My son - Cameron is DRIVING!!! I cannot believe that he is 17 and has his own car now. Where did the time go?

That's all for now. I will update after my 15k this July 4th, then will keep you in the loop for lung cancer events, Mrs. CA stuff and well, just life!

Love ya! Janice

Oh so much to write!

Here, I was promising to be better about writing, but....as always I am doing too much! Update on Janice!

April 23-26th, I attended the National Lung Cancer Partnership's Advocacy Summit in Dallas, Texas! It was 4 days of Advocacy, Awareness, Learning, and Friendship. We learned how to better spread awareness, how to better spread our message of hope and healing, how to raise funds, and how to erase the stigma. My mom died of Lung Cancer 13 years ago, next week actually, and it still seems like yesterday. I lost my best friend and protector - the one person, along with my dad, that loved me no matter what! By losing my dad only 22 months later, I feel that the disease took his life too. I have worked for 13 years for this cause, because I see other friends with their mom and dads, I see children enjoying their grandparents, and it breaks my heart! I don't wish this on anyone and Nobody Deserves Lung Cancer!!!! I am honored to be part of NLCP and hope to be a force behind the change that is needed and the CURE that WILL happen.

NOW - May 16th, I am excited that Mrs. California United States is next weekend! May 16th at 7PM in Santa Monica, CA!! This is my first year as Director, and I am so excited to Direct and Produce this glamorous event! We have 8 wonderful women, great events planned, amazing sponsors, and fantastic volunteers. I hope that each of you can attend. Please visit www.mrscaliforniaunitedstates.net for all the information you need to order tickets, mapquest the location, VOTE for your favorite contestant or just look and think about entering next year (hint, hint!!!). Come join us!

More to come....AFTER May 16th!


Blessings,
Janice

Updates on the CA UNITED STATES Website!

Make sure to check out our Mrs. California United States website, as updates and sponsors are added every week! We have recently added to our prize package, our sponsors and I have extended the deadline for entry fee payment! This year's pageant will be spectacular, as we have over $10,000 in prizes, a 4 STAR Hotel, TV coverage, and 3 Celebrities will be judging! Attending will be a former Miss USA, former Runner-Up to Miss America, a Model and Actress from Deal or No Deal, PLUS we have MIss America's "Countdown to the Crown" Noah Alexander!
Total cost to enter is only $595, which includes entry fee, AD page, local Mrs. Titleholder sash, breakfast each day for the contestants, rehearsal dinner for Contestant's and their husbands, pageant ticket for husband, PLUS gifts from our Sponsors for everyone! Please join us May 16th at 7PM at the newly renovated Simkins Hall in gorgeous Santa Monica, California, only blocks from the Ocean!
Get ready to walk the Red Carpet and make your debut as California's most beautiful and intelligent women!!!

PLEASE VISIT:
www.mrscaliforniaunitedstates.net

To health and eating your vegetables!!!

I know that I don't write much on my blog these days, but that will change, I promise. I wanted to briefly send everyone a link to a great VEGAN website and Podcast. Most who know me, know I am a Vegan. I began 5 years as of April 1st to keep myself healthy, to live the way God intended, and to be compassionate toward animals! My husband, Tony, is also Vegan, and our son, Cameron is Vegetarian (by his own choice, of course).
I know there are many "nay-sayers" out there, but PLEASE look at the website and listen to the podcast, as I am sure you can understand the logic that Heart Disease is linked to animal fat, diet, and unhealthy lifestyle choices; Cancer is linked to unhealthy lifestyle habits as well. When I lost my mom and dad to these lifestyle diseases, it made me read, listen, be open-minded to changing MY choices. It's not about being thin...it is about being healthy! I hope that you will take something helpful from either site, as there are great recipes too!
Diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle!

Visit: www.compassionatecooks.com

Podcast Link: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?i=47365287&id=147907532

Mrs. California United States Pageant, Executive Director

Well, I am once again trying new things! I accepted the responsibility of Executive Director/Producer of the Mrs. CA United States Pageant, officially about 2 months ago. As a former Mrs. United States, I truly believe in this system and feel that it celebrates married women. We can be involved with a platform, with our family and community - yet maintain a beauty, a "sexiness" that is carried with us throughout our lifetime, no matter what age! Combining beauty and brains, and adding maturity, allows us to be even more charismatic and powerful with each decade. I am excited to take on this new challenge, and although I may not have as much time to BLOG, please keep in contact (add me as a friend) through my facebook, myspace or by visiting www.mrscaliforniaunitedstates.net or www.janicemcqueen.com
Also, I am happy to announce that my state pageant will be featured in the upcoming edition of SuperModels Unlimited, link to the ad:
http://www.mrscaliforniaunitedstates.net/supermodels_unlimited_ad

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and the loss of a loved one...

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. This blog is meant to document volunteerism, but this has not been a good year, thus hard to post on a regular basis and equally hard to always be positive and uplifting, so please understand my need to just state fact.
I just attended the funeral of my father-in-law, Jack Ward. On May 14th, I was in Washington, DC, volunteering as a Lobbyist for Lung Cancer Awareness, when I got the call about my father-in-law. He had just been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, on the anniversary of my mother's death, YES - how is that for ironic! I know the pain my husband, Tony, is suffering and it isn't easy to lose a loved one this way.
When I told someone, they said something odd - "well, you have another cause now!" An odd thing to say, and yes I have another reason to reach out and help others, and yes, 1 in 3 people are directly affected by cancer. SO, why have I been touched by cancer so much? - with my mom, my father-in-law, my aunt, my great uncle to name a few, and I have watched both my parents die as I held their hand. I don't know why I have been touched more by this dreadful disease, but my quest is to find the answer to that question, and to do anything and everything I can to help raise awareness, funding and education along the way.
Please visit www.nationallungcancerpartnership.org or www.lungcanceralliance,org to see how you can help; also visit the American Cancer Society. thanks for allowing me to share. blessings!

Huge News for Lung Cancer Awareness!!!

IT IS OFFICIAL: $2O MILLION FOR NEW LUNG CANCER RESEARCH NOW LAW
President Signs Government Funding Bill -- Includes top LCA priority

WASHINGTON, D.C. [September 30, 2008]--Tonight, the President signed into law funding for fiscal year 2009. Included in this omnibus measure is money to fund the Department of Defense and a new $20 million Lung Cancer Research Program.

Lung Cancer Alliance President and CEO Laurie Fenton-Ambrose called the new program “a turning point for lung cancer.”

“This is the breakthrough we have all been working so hard for – our advocates, patients and their families, our staff and our Board,” she said.

Fenton-Ambrose credited the chairmen of the House and Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittees for their support and commitment to the new lung cancer research program.

The legislation notes that lung cancer is the most lethal of all cancers, taking more lives each year than all other major cancers combined and that military personnel have heightened exposure to lung cancer carcinogens.

“Priority should be given to the development of the integrated components to identify, treat and manage early curable lung cancer”, it states.

The bill requires the Army to provide a plan for how the funds will be spent and submit that plan to Congress within 120 days.

www.lungcanceralliance.org

From Joel Osteen...

The daily inspirations from Joel Osteen really keep me upbeat and focused. Nothing worth having is easy, and as I strive each day to reach for the stars, I can get frustrated and overwhelmed with the rejection and difficulty in life, especially as an actress. There was a time in my life that I felt as if I could do anything! I long for that feeling again, but I know that anything and everything that I have and do is because of God. I am blessed.

from Joel Osteen's Daily Inspirations - "Today's Word"

“Set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed” (I Peter 1:13).

Is your hope set on God’s divine favor in your life today? One translation of this verse says, “Look forward to more and more of God’s favor.” That’s God’s dream—to pour out His goodness and grace upon you. He wants to help you get ahead in this life. He wants to lead you to the right job. He wants to lead you to the right relationship. But here’s the key: we have to be on the lookout for more of God’s favor. That tells me that we can’t get stagnant.

Don’t ever think that you can’t rise any higher. God wants to do more than you can even ask or think. It says in Ephesians, He wants to show us the immeasurable, limitless, surpassing greatness of His free favor. In other words, God wants to go far and above what we’re used to! He wants to show you favor in unusual and extraordinary ways. Set your hopes higher today. Increase your expectations of what God will do in your life. As you open your heart and mind to His unlimited favor, you will experience the abundance He has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

Father, thank You for your increase in every area of my life today. I choose to set my hope in You knowing that You want to do more in my life than I can ever imagine. Teach me to be a vessel used by You today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.