I went to vote at lunch today – it was such a great feeling!!! I strongly urge you to go and VOTE early. It was super easy in Washington County. I only had to wait behind 3 people. The attendants were very nice and not rushed at all.
So, eat the cookies, drink the kool-aid, do whatever tagline you want, just get out there and VOTE!

Little Rock – KATV Channel 7 Daybreak anchorwoman Anne Pressly died Saturday at the age of 26, as a result of injuries sustained earlier this week.
Anne was attacked in her home in Little Rock. The police are not releasing many details and are actually saying that it probably was a random act and do not believe she was targeted. Robbery is the only suspected motive, as her purse was missing. Every single bone in her face was broken. She died on Saturday due her extensive injuries. For more info, go to KATV.

I didn’t know Anne but knew quite a few people who did. She was strong and successful at such an early age. She was a role model to so many, older and younger than her. This is such a horrific story. I hope it makes everyone think about their own personal safety – it’s something most of us probably take for granted. I know I think I’m invincible most of the time, but no matter how strong you are, it only take a moment to be off guard and have it all taken away.

When I lived in Dallas, I came home one day to my apartment that was in a gated complex that you had to have a code/ clicker to get into – to find a man in my apartment who clearly was not supposed to be there. When I unlocked the door and shifted everything in my arms around, this guy just walked out of my bed room and into the living roomm looked directly at me, and began quickly walking toward me like nothing was wrong or out of place – almost like he was going to walk right by me. Taking no chance, I dropped the box of papers on the floor and actually had enough dexterity to point my mace key chain at him and douse him. I was later told that I caused the equivalent of a first degree burn in his nasal passages and throat. It burned my hand too. I really didn’t care. I screamed and continued screaming as I ran back down the stairs. Thankfully, I apparently scared him enough that he went the other way and didn’t come after me, also a good thing, because I was out of mace. I ran to the front office where we called 911. The guy had collapsed in the court yard and was arrested and taken away. The cops did a thorough sweep of my apartment – nothing was missing and there was initially no way of telling how he had gotten in. It was later discovered that the maintenance keys from the front office had been taken. After that I got a dog, and some more mace. If I would have had a gun, I probably would have blown his head off…
That was one of the scariest experiences ever, obviously. I was not physically injured and nothing was stolen from my belongings, but now I am definitely more cautious, although, I don’t know what I could have done differently in that case. It just goes to show that you should always be aware of your surroundings, people around you, what’s going on – you never know when you will need to remember something or be on your toes to react.

Please continue to pray for Anne’s family and that they find the monster that did this to her and also that there are stricter laws passed punishing those who commit these crimes!

Be safe out there!!!!

BOO!
Just an update – I finally have figured out a great costume!
It’s a fabulous play on words, pure literary geniusness!
Can’t wait to share pictures!!!
Halloween is my most favorite holiday and I have no fear that this Halloween will be great!!!

Last week I traveled to NYC for work – we had a media tour with our new spokesperson Robin Miller from the Food Network. It was so much fun! I had never been into the city, only flown in and out of JFK and La Guardia. We stayed at the Gansevoort Hotel, which apparently is a hot spot for celebrity spotting. The only celeb we spotted was John McEnroe at dinner on Monday night. He didn’t yell at anyone or throw anything though.
Tuesday we made a quick stop by Ground Zero and Wall Street. It was amazing to see a huge hole still in the middle of the ground. I also got a quick picture of the famous Naked Cowboy. It was pretty cold so we were surprised he was out there, and as our driver pointed out, he doesn’t really need to since he won all that money from M&M’s for using his likeness. I also passed by the Parsons Design School and all the shiny lights in Times Square. I know I looked like a dork practically hanging out of the town car snapping photos – but oh well!!! That night we ate a huge meal in Little Italy – all family style, we had to beg the waiter to QUIT bringing out food! We had drinks at the roof top hotel of the Gansevoort, although no celeb sightings then either. Apparently Monday and Tuesday aren’t the best times for this sport…

The absolute best part of the trip was on Wednesday. If you don’t know, I am a HUGE fan of cupcakes, especially Magnolia Cupcakes! In our whirlwind trip, we did not have time to swing by the actual bakery which was sad but expected. However, despite our super early start to the day, Lindsay and Kathryn were able to pull some strings and get Magnolia Cupcakes delivered!!! Lindsay made up this big story about how she had a super swank celeb with her and couldn’t reveal who but they REALLY wanted some cupcakes stat. Clearly they knew she was making the whole story up because when they were delivered, the note was signed: To Suri Cruise, with LOVE, the Gossip Girls! It was too funny and we all got a good laugh and a super sugar high – both much needed for such a long day.

I loved NYC! I get to go back in just about 5 weeks as The Turkey Hill Social Club Girls will embark on our first annual THSC Girls trips! I can’t wait!!!

It’s election time again, and now more than ever, it’s important for everyone to get involved. First, please note that Early Voting in Arkansas has begun.
Details below:
• Early voting begins at 8am on Monday, October 20th and ends at 5pm on Monday November 3rd.
• The hours for early voting are 10am – 6pm Monday through Friday and 10am to 4pm on Saturday.
• The location varies by county. Most counties offer early voting at the county clerk’s office and some off-site locations. Check out your local paper for details.
If you have any questions concerning early voting, please contact the Arkansas Secretary of State Election Department by email (electionsemail@sosmail.state.ar.us) or by phone (501-682-1010).
Also, besides the obvious offices we’re voting on, there are five other issues on the ballot you might not be familiar with. The Fayetteville Flyer has a great page that breaks down these issues into terms that we can all understand and that will hopefully help you make your decisions.
Note, even though this information is found on the Fayetteville Flyer’s site, these are statewide issues and not specific to NWA.

Just to clarify a few things that apparently confused le readers…

• my coat is hot pink…not red, who knew I’d need more than my normal share of hog attire
• I am NOT wearing tyedye leggings – it’s actually a dress and tall boots – very cute outfit actually – why would you think I would be wearing tyedye leggings… really?
• it’s SUPER windy

So, this was the weekend – the 10 year class reunion. I was really excited about it starting back in January – this is actually one of the reasons I started this blog. It was originally intended to be a food journal of sorts in my efforts to get skinny by my reunion. Well, summer came and went with no reunion… I still managed to lose about 17 pounds – still have quite a ways to go however. Anyway, back to the reunion. It was held this past Saturday – only about 25 classmates came – I think I graduated with at least 300 people. I was really disappointed in the turn out. But we figured in hindsight, what else would we expect from our fairly apathetic class. Most everyone was friends with people in the classes behind or ahead of ours as we had a pretty small class comparatively. It was still good to see the people that were there. I really hope our 20 year reunion draws a bigger crowd – maybe if we start spreading the word NOW it’ll come together. I do have to say the ladies that did the planning did put a lot of effort into it and I hope they now are getting some much deserved rest. Biggest observations from the “event” – I’m still pretty much a big dork and we all look the same as we did 10 years ago except everyone is pregnant. I’m still glad I went, even though I had a brief freak out moment before we left the house – I got over that once I found the vodka.

In other news: brace yourself, this is a shocker… the Hogs LOST, again. Seriously, c’mon. NOW-All we ask for is to beat Ole Miss this coming weekend. It will be the last big tailgate of the season with a 6 o’clock kick!!! I hear we’ll have gumbo and what nots for the day! I’m thinking of making cupcakes – we’ll see how the week goes. I’m also really considering a great recipe I found a while back for Frozen Whiskey Sours… it could happen!!! I have my outfit all picked out – I’m ready for some rockin’ tailgating!

Saturday, Lynn and I went to the inside craft fair in Rogers. Cheryl and Lindsey had a booth there and their stuff was FLYING off the tables. Craft Fairs are a way of life here in Northwest Arkansas, every fall and spring, ladies of all shapes and sizes – all driving LARGE trucks and/or RV’s – converge in the area for shopping all over the place for hand made crafts. The biggest event is War Eagle – google it.

Sunday, Michelle had a group of gals over for some crafting of our own – it was a good relaxing time for everyone I think. I made some fun little trinkets – no glitter pumpkins this week though- there has been a ban put on glitter pumpkins going forward by MZ.

Also, if you didn’t see Sarah Palin on SNL – WOW – it was HILARIOUS!!! I don’t want to have too much about that disaster – and two Palin posts in a 4 day time span, well that’s just not right. But, seriously, as soon you finish reading this – go check it out! You’ll have to do your own digging this time – maybe I’ll post them later in the week, you betcha!!!

This week, I am going to New York for a Media Tour with Robin Miller – our new spokesperson! So, if you are in any of these areas be sure to check out your local morning news shows and look for Robin! Don’t look for me, I won’t be on camera – boo! You all know how I LOVE to be the center of attention, but apparently it ain’t gonna happen this time – maybe next time!!! =)

Boston, MA Atlanta, GA Seattle, WA Phoenix, AZ New Haven, CT Kansas City, MO Cincinnati, OH Lexington, KY Wichita, KS Toledo, OH Fort Myers, FL Huntsville, AL South Bend, IN Waco, TX Savannah, GA Topeka, KS Palm Springs, CA Lubbock, TX Rochester, MN Cheyenne, WY
Pictures to come on this stuff…laterz!