Ok, my last post was not too exciting for me or everyone reading it, but I hope it also made you think about how grateful you are for your families- go hug them now!!!!
I am doing a magazine cover-shoot on January 17th. Campbell House is sponsoring me again and they are putting me in a beautiful suite for the shoot. I am presenting at Tates Creek Library Branch in Lexington, Kentucky. I love booksignings- I love signing copies of my cookbooks and bringing samples for all to eat. My score on www.kevo.com went down from 173 to 123. I was almost near the top 9 most famous folks. I don't want to really be too famous, as you can't shop. I was in Wal-Mart- in the lingere section and 2 ladies asked for an autograph- which I was ok with, but when a man approached me, I was a little uncomfortable, as I had lingere in my hands!!! My publicist was with me and told me I needed to have an escort all the time- NOT in my homestate. I want to be free. I know......BrokenArrow go ahead and correct me on this- I know its getting a bit crazy and I should listen to you bodyguards.

Today has been a crazy day. My twin sister, who lives in Texas, called 6 times last night and I was dead asleep. Then this morning, around 4:00 am, the phone rings- and rings....and rings. This is not uncommon for my 19-year-old nephew's giflfriend to call him when the cell phone goes dead, so I didn't pay attention until the 3rd call. I was so mad- I thought the stalker guy had finally gotten this number, then I seen Melissa's number on the ID and I freaked out. After 3 attempts, I finally reached her- I didn't know if she would be the one to answer or not- I was so scared. I immediately asked if everything was ok and she said, "NO." My heart sank and was racing at the same time. My younger sister had left a message on her answering machine, telling her that dad was real sick and she was heading to the hospital. I just talked to the nursing home THREE TIMES over the Christmas weekend and dad was fine. My younger sister was due to take him our gifts yesterday, so I told my sister to call the nursing home, then call me back. She did- and dad is fine- he just has a cold and they don't want it to go into pneumonia. A HUGE sigh of relieve. My younger sister doesn't have a cellphone and my Melissa didn't know that her son had gotten one, so my younger sis was calling on his phone( probably trying to hurry up) and accidently said, "hospital"
instead of nursing home. Melissa didn't know that she was scheduled to go to the nursing home anyway. I said a prayer and thanked the Lord for my family. I have been really thankful all day.

Merry Christmas to all!!! I will be a guest on a TV soap opera in the fall. My publicist is working on it. Its my mom's favorite show. Some of the gifts I ordered came yesterday. I had supper out with a television reporter. He is soooo nice. He has taken me out to eat several times now- and the nice thing- he pays for it. I did offer though. I am so glad that Tara Conner got to keep her crown. I travel alot and know how lonely it is. It must be hard going from Kentucky to live in the Big Apple. I have to admit that I did drink when I was younger too- I actually would sneak and drink with friends. I don't drink anymore- alcohol makes me very sick for some reason. The bottom line, we all make mistakes and it is when our fans are our biggest supporters that we can heal and make a better live for ourselves.

I'm listed as a famous person on www.kevo.com. I think its funny because my fame ranking is only 1, compared to Tara Conner, who is also a Kentucky native, whose ranking is 201. I like Tara- I, being in the fire of the media know that sometimes bad things happen. It is the media's responsibility to write about both bad and good. I found this out at the school shootings. It was very difficult to do interviews then.

I've had a fun week-lomg tour in Lexington, Kentucky this week, but I have to say that I did spend money. The Campbell House, which was one of my sponsors, paid for my hotel stay. That was extra nice, as I had a suite- a very nice one. The manager also paid for my dinner one night and my lunch buffet yesterday. They had a huge buffet with seafood last night, but I opted for a club sandwich and chips, as I ate enough for 4 people at the lunch buffet.

Everyone can watch my interview at www.wtvq.com. Click on, "Video on Demand", then click on, "Top Local News", at the top of the next page.

I'm back at the hotel, relaxing. Barbara Walters is doing a special this evening about the top 10 people. I knew Oprah would be on that list- she is sooo dynamic. I read some of her special book this past week.
People are asking about copies of my Amish cookbooks- I can send signed copies wherever you would like them to be sent. Email me at beachgirlky@yahoo.com

I met another Racheal Ray today- she is a marketing manager at Joseph Beth Booksellers. I did the video-shoot and had a great presentation. A nice lady from a newspaper was there, as well as a nice camera guy and a very friendly reporter. Why can't all reporters be so nice as these Lexington reporters? I'm not saving any money this week, as I am living in a hotel and have to eat out every meal.

Well, I didn't make it to McDonald's. I decided to interview folks instead. I went by there Sunday night and 20 people recognized me and asked about my cookbooks, so I don't think I can go undercover. I'll be interviewing folks next week. I've started cooking again- made homemade pizza, rolls, and doughnuts. Its been a very busy day. I ate out, at a nice tearoom, so I did spend $12.00.

I will be making an appearance on KET- a PBS station tonight, between 7:00-8:00. I am also sponsoring Dragon Tales this evening- 4:30/5:30. For those you can get the station, feel free to watch and drop me an email!!!
Christmas is almost here and I have been busy making gift baskets, candy, and breads. Yes, I have eaten half of what I've baked too. I sold 6 cookbooks, so I am adding that money to the challenge. Seems like the cookbooks are moving quick with the B1G1F offer.

Sicily Yoder