thanksgiving is really this week?

hi all. well, i wanted to go ahead and get my blog post in for the week, because its gonna be a crazy one! Black Friday is looming over our heads. It really stinks, because I want to enjoy the holidays, but its so hard because all I can think about is the chaos and stress that comes with working in retail. But, I keep a smile on my face and push through it, and try to enjoy it as much as I can. I know... sounds so depressing.

here's what this week is shaping up to... work (consisting of making schedules, payroll, making "gift item" sections, replenishing everything, making up contests, going to the bank, so on) meeting with my employees to get them mentally prepared for whats to come. i've committed myself to making the cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie for our family get together wednesday night. not sure why i do this, maybe because i really do enjoy cooking, and i want to help out, but pumpkin pie? really? i'm not even sure i can make pumpkin pie. i'm not much of a baker. so then, i've also committed myself to being the organizer for the tailgate on thanksgiving day for the cowboys game. i'm not getting my feedback from people that are wanting to attend, or not able to attend, so i really have no clue how that will turn out. but bill and i will be there, so hopefully we'll have company. then its doomsday. thats right, Black Friday. Lord. Have. Mercy. we open at 6am. so, bright and early, i'll be there ready for those crazy shoppers who think they can get an amazing deal because they've been waiting in line since midnight. i never in my life have been shopping on the day after thanksgiving. this is a day i spent with family, isn't that the whole reason for the holiday? people need to get their priorities straight...but by all means, bring it on! then its work all weekend.

so, there ya have my week ahead. i am not asking for pity, mostly just a prayer. i've had one minor breakdown already, and i can pretty much foresee another one come thursday around noon. ha! i've also been feeling a little homesick lately. it just kills me that we can't spend more time with family around the holidays. plus, the BFF was in Dallas this weekend with her hubby b/c they got last minute tickets to the Cowboys game today. when we left the parking lot, i had a sobfest because I really, really miss them. Its hard to spend time with friends and family, and get used to the feeling of being around them like old times, and how it would be if we were all in the same town, and then, poof, there gone again. ugh. maybe i'm just a little emotional this week. i should probably get over myself. :)

well, this was kind of a boring post, but wanted to keep everyone (as in all 5 people that read this blog) updated. I feel sorta bad, because this blog a lot of times turns into whats happening with Allison. maybe i should fill you in on the hubby. Bill is busy with work, as always. However, he has gotten to go on several hunting trips lately. Most recently he went to Kansas for the annual family and friends pheasant (or was it quail?) hunt. they had a good ole time. its mostly my dads cousins, and some of their friends and kids. i think it might have been a little cold for them this year. it actually snowed one night, which made for a quite miserable hunt the next day. He also has made the trip back to LR to help get the farm ready for pecan harvesting. the pecans are a big deal, and the job starts this week. i think this is one of bills favorite things to do. he loves spending time with his dad working out at the farm. i wish there were more days for things like that. he will be going home the Friday after thanksgiving to work and do some duck hunting. well, theres a little update on my good man for ya. :)

hope everyone has a wonderful thanksgiving! love.

Anne

I know this is something that has been on the hearts of many, not only in Arkansas, but around the country. Anne Pressly was a news anchor in Little Rock, AR and a little over a year ago she was brutally attacked and raped in her own home. She fought a good fight, but passed away a couple weeks later, never waking up. For anyone that knew Anne, or didn't know Anne, just watched her on TV, they knew her sweet spirit, her beautiful smile, and her glowing personality. Her death rocked the community, and even made waves across the country. Her story made headlines all around America, from Good Morning America to Fox News. It put fear in many, really because it was so unbelievable. How could this happen in a good neighborhood, in a small town, to such a wonderful person? Questions that will probably never be answered.

The past 2 weeks they have been holding trial for the man that allegedly killed her. Curtis Lavelle Vance. With a track record of raping another woman in another city, they found his DNA on Anne's body. Pretty good evidence there. He was found guilty on all 3 counts: Burglary, Rape, Murder. Tonight he was sentenced to 2 life sentences without parole. For her close friends and family, this brings justice, but it will never bring their sweet Anne back.

We are all thankful that God has His hand in this. This man will be judged one day, not here on earth, but by His maker. And that judgement will far outweigh any punishment he receives here. Everyone knows Anne is in a better place, and that she is probably singing some crazy song and acting goofy, because that's who Anne was.

Here you can follow Anne's trial and read articles dating back to her attack. But, be sure and check out the pictures and videos they did as a tribute to her life. Those are the times we should remember of Anne Pressly.

Everyone misses you Anne. We're glad to see justice was served today, and we'll continue to remember the good times we had the short time you were here.

These are a few of my favorite things

My lunch today consisted of 3 of my all time favs... Regular Coke, and
a big one at that, classic lays (can't eat just one), and a reeses
cup! I know, so unhealthy, but so yummy.

party in the USA!

Happy Halloween, all! Halloween really sorta snuck up on us this year. We waited, and waited to see if the Cowboys would have their costume party, but no such luck. Boo! It was so much fun last year. If you haven't seen the pics from last year you should definitely check 'em out on my Facebook. So, we decided we would go out with some friends we met at a Razorback watch party, and we decided to go as Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus. I really wanted to be Hannah Montana instead, but the last minute decision to dress up, and not wanting to spend money on a costume, I went with what I had. Bill really looked the part with his mullet wig, cut off shirt, and necklaces. (This is more of the "Don't break my heart" Billy Ray) He put this bandanna around his head and started looking more like Brett Michaels, but oh well. We had a good time with our new friends, including the 2am trip to Ihop. Here are some pics from the weekend...

Miley & Billy Ray

Edward & Billy Ray

"Don't break my heart... my achy breaky heart!"

Hermione & Miley

With Halloween in the books, naturally its time to start thinking about Thanksgiving. Well, not the malls! All the Christmas decorations are up in our mall, including Santa's chair, where pictures with Santa will begin this Saturday! Do you think we might be jumpin' the gun a little? I refuse to put Christmas up in my store until at least mid November, and not in my house until AFTER Thanksgiving!

Speaking of Christmas... I got my first gift this week. Its from my in-laws, but the catch is, I'm not allowed to open it until December 1st. Your thinking, "you still get to open it waaay before Christmas." All true. But, the present is just sitting there, all pretty with red paper and a white bow. Technically speaking, there are 2 presents in one. The special kind where the bigger one is on the bottom and tied to it is the smaller one on top. I might have to put it in a closet somewhere, so it doesn't tempt me... Don't worry Lynne, Bill keeps a close eye on me!