Hulk Hogan Ham Holder

I tell people how strong I am all the time, but it wasn't until I had to hold a 6,000 pound ham (that they somehow said weighed 16 pounds) for a good 15 minutes, running back and forth from bidder to bidder pleading my case of why they should pay thousands of dollars for a country ham that I proved my strength.  And despite my inability to move the next morning, it was well worth it.  The ham went for triple what it has ever sold for before...a new record of $1.3 MILLION DOLLARS.  Intense.  All the money raised went to charity.  Oh yeah, this was Thursday at the state fair during the annual Farm Bureau Country Ham Breakfast.  Onlookers waiting for me to fall on my face included Senator Mitch McConnell, Governor Steve Beshear, my best friend Commissioner Richie Farmer, Lt Gov Mongiardo, Trey Grayson, Jack Conway, mayors, senators, house members, etc, and my favorite Miss America, Heather French Henry, her husband Steve, and their spitfire little girls.  I was so proud to be a part of this spectacle as I can officially add both 'ham displayer' and 'professional briber' to my resume, but most importantly to have been a part of raising over a million dollars for charities in our state.  Recession Schmesshion...in Kentucky we know when to spend money...when it's for other people.     

Governor Beshear finally helped me hold the ham.

I wrapped up my week at the state fair wondering just why they call it 'the fair'...it's so not fair...at least not for me.  Every single food that I know and love is not only extremely accessible, but displayed in rows of flashing lights.  There was no way not to give in...it was the last time though...I swear.  Here are some 'not so fair' photos from Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

   

Presenting an award at the World Horse Show.

Oh, and my family came!...if you are a reader who doesn't know me as well, let me just say that I am who I am because of nothing more than my family.  They have been in the front row supporting me ever since I was this little three year old girl in blue...who lied about being four because I just couldn't wait to be in dance class and be onstage.

P.S...Happy Late Birthday to my Best Bro Scottie Coleman.  I miss her.  

P.S.S...Go Dr. Wakefield!!

That's The Way We Take It To The House...

Frankfort witnessed its very own version of the parting of the red sea today as mothers, teachers, and advocates for autism flooded the capital(all wearing red).  Our very own versions of Moses, struggling mothers simply trying to get their tired voices heard, came forward once again to plead with close to thirty of our house and senate members to pass an Autism Insurance Reform Bill.  This bill, that many states have already passed, will help cover the outrageous costs it takes to treat this disease(which, contrary to popular belief, is treatable...I've seen it).  Since my platform is autism awareness(because of my three autistic first cousins and my families struggle with autism) I joined this movement long ago.  However, it is days like today that remind yet again of the joy of helping others and of the opportunity and responsibility I have to serve this year.  More to come on that.  Photo above of myself along with testimony leaders Lorri Unumb(with Autism Speaks), Anne Gregory, and others devoted to this cause. 

Last night was my final princess night and my last stand against the battle not to eat the new chick-fil-a peach milkshake.  I lost that battle last night.  Sorry dad.

 

And I'll leave you with my second grade yearbook photo...as a snapshot of proof that natural beauty so does not exist and that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  See ya.

P.S. Happy Birthday Richie Farmer... 

When You Think Tim McGraw, I Hope You Think Of Me...

My new bros Timmy and Dierks.

Lee Brice is cool as ice...

Gabe Garcia(Nashville Star), H2H, and Danielle Peck.

Coach Brooks

Keith Anderson and Coach Brooks Again(couldn't get enough of him).

Race-car legend Kyle Petty was just dying to wear my crown, so we made a swap.

Lieutenant Governor Mongiardo and his niece and friends. 

Halfway 2 Hazard equalled halfway to heaven for me this weekend as I was invited to jump head first into complete country music bliss.  40,000 people crammed in their cars(at $20 a carload it's amazing how many people can fit in one car) arrived early Saturday morning and prepared themselves for the Woodstock of country music.  The event was held to benefit abused children, a cause very close to my heart.  I opened the show then was invited back to the stage to sing "Here's To Finding A Good Man" with Danielle Peck(one of the nicest, most beautiful girls I've ever met).  The line up included Me(haha), Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley, Danielle Peck, Krista Marie, Lee Brice, Halfway to Hazard(the two boys who made all this happen), Gabe Garcia, Keith Anderson...etc...with special guests Lt. Gov. Mongiardo, Coach Brooks(my new best bud), Kyle Petty(the recently crowned miss kentucky), and many many more.  They rolled in on their mini mansion tour buses and helicopters appearing to be typical stars, but were as far from that stereotype as we were from the closest town.  Big stars have big hearts.  The naive small town mentality of mine (that is going to get me stampeded) was in rare form as I decided to sign autographs and take photos in the crowd of 40,000...the state troopers saved my life...haha...I couldn't believe how many wonderful people waited in line to have their shirts, jeans, cowboy hats, guitars, foreheads, and babies...yes babies signed.  I went through 6 sharpies of fun.  I love the people in east Kentucky.  I am so proud to represent those good, hard working, genuine people.  They embody all the reasons why I wanted this job so badly in the first place.  There is nothing like meeting so many of these great people every single day.  I'd sign their babies any day.

   

P.S. My right arm is going to be WAAAYYY bigger than my left one at Miss America...

P.S.S. Here's a Friday update since i missed it...state fair...

Coach Cal Is My Pal...

The Kentucky State Fair Kick Off this morning(at 6:30am...left at 4:30) was not exactly the best diet kick of for me...but toooonnnnnnsssss of fun...tons tons tons.  The Commodities Breakfast this morning was flanked with media, politicians, and one(and shall i say the one and only) brand new basketball coach.  Coach Calipari certainly made a wildcat out of me.  There is a video clip on this website... http://www.fox41.com/global/story.asp?s=10962867 ...you have to watch it...even though I am a goofball on it.  He told funny stories about people in Kentucky being so happy he's here that he has women coming up and kissing him on the mouth, etc...I swear if Barack Obama had walked into that room not a soul would have turned around.  I've never seen anything like it.  I'm proud to call Coach Cal my new pal.  (Other friends there: Gov Brashear, Lt Gov Mongiardo, Comm Farmer, Jack Conway, etc.)

I am involved in all of the festivities because I am the new spokesperson for Kentucky Proud...a statewide campaign to eat locally grown and manufactured products(which I am very proud to take on since I grew up on a farm).  Thus I am placed into the hands(and I hear they're quite the pair of hands to be in judging by how they handled a basketball a few years back) of my new boss and friend, Richie Farmer.  His three boys(and my three new best friends) and I walked around the fair for hours...petting goats with no ears, trying to con the rabbit salesman into letting us have free rabbits, signing autographs, eating (caramel) apples, trying to steal golf carts, etc.  I can't wait to go back tomorrow!!

Then I raced back to my car to make it to a princess night in Lexington.  I am so tired my lazy eye has taken over.  Here are some shots...See ya latah!!

P.S. I'm sorry I broke my pinky swear to you...