Hope for Hailey's Safe Return

From sunrise to sunset, people are searching for her. Some are family and friends (that know Hailey well) and others are complete strangers that just want to find the missing thirteen-year-old girl.
It's been amazing to see the outpouring of support not just from the Big Country area, but around the country. But in all of it's amazement, it's frustrating for most people knowing that they've searched acres upon acres for clues and still three weeks later, no sign.
So many of us cannot imagine what it's been like for the people that know Hailey. So many people are impacted by the disappearance of Hailey because she is just thirteen. She has so much to look forward to and the world is just beginning for her.
Prayer and hope are keeping family and searchers strong. Most people continue to hold onto the happy ending of this frightening scenario.
So many people that I have been speaking with over the past few weeks have shared how Hailey's disappearance has imacted their lives and how they hold onto their kids a little bit tighter because something like this could happen to anyone.
Many people are expanding their search efforts and their strategies to bring her back, and I know there may be search efforts that even the media is unaware of. If anybody knows of efforts that we may not, please let us know. As I am sure, you've noticed on our website and during our newscasts, we're trying to put Hailey's face and story out there as much as possible, hoping for the best outcome. Thanks for reading this blog. Please, feel free to share any thoughts or comments you might have about Hailey Dunn.

My Love for Sharky's

Shortly after moving to Abilene (in September of '09) I was introduced to Sharky's burrito joint on Judge Ely Blvd by a former photographer named Allen. I was instantly hooked. The food is fresh and delicious, staff are nice as can be, and the place is clean.

I used to live on the South side of town, so going to Sharky's for a bite to eat was typically only on rare occasions (or whenever I had a story set on on the North side of town). Now, I live on the North side, not far from Sharky's which means I dine there a lot.

My boyfriend and I grabbed to-go order's the other night. Once we got home, we opened the box to find these clearly marked burritos..."His and Hers". I thought it was cute. Just the little things that local businesses do to make you smile.

Local Gym Discriminating or being Polite?

These signs may or may not be familiar to you. They're posted all over an Abilene gym. To some, it might be a polite reminder and to others an act of discrimination. I have talked about it with several people and I have heard fair arguments for both sides.

I definitely don't consider myself a weakling in the gym, however I can admit that there are some weights that are too heavy for my own comfort. In those cases, I would hope that the person using a fitness machine before me would remove a weight that I may be unable to lift off.

On the other hand, people have suggested not posting a sex on these signs. Instead, could the gym employees plainly said, "Please re-rack weights after use."

To some, this may be a non-issue, however I think it's topics like this that are worth a discussion. How do you feel about the pink signs that decorate one of your local gyms?

Is it the Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

So they call it the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year," over the winter holidays.

I agree with this statement for the most part because it's filled with quality family time, good food, and occasionally a day or two off from working (I do love my job, but everyone needs a day off right?). Plus, I am also a big fan of Christmas Lights, Christmas Movies, and Christmas Music.





While I am sure there are many that do feel the same as me, I have heard a lot of people saying it's the opposite. A lot of people seemed stressed out with gift-buying and complain about too much family time.


What are your thoughts on the holidays? Any unique traditions?

Calling all Reality TV addicts

Okay, so I as much as I hate to admit it I watch hours of reality TV. Do I know that most of it is garbage and watch it anyways? Yes. Why? Who knows.
While, I have enjoyed the Real Housewives of most seasons (excluding D.C.) I never thought I would be one to watch Bridal Plasty. After watching previews for it, I almost convinced myself that I wouldn't watch it, but sure enough I did. The concept of the show in my opinion is absolutely ridiculous and so sad that these bride-to-be's are obsessed with altering their bodies. The fact that a show is making money off of these girls is also pretty sad. It also made me sad to see how beautiful these woman are, and yet it's not enough. As a woman, I know about insecurities but to want to basically change everything about yourself breaks my heart.
But fact of the matter is, the creators and producers of this new show likely have a new hit show before them. I still cannot figure out why so many people could get sucked into the whole thing.
There was one line on tonight's premier that really bothered me. The host says to the first bride that gets eliminated, "Your wedding will still go on but it just may not be perfect."
Are you kidding me? You don't have to be on reality TV, have plastic surgery, and have your wedding paid for, in order for it to be the perfect experience. Although, I am sure most couples would appreciate having the wedding paid for and honeymoon too. That's besides the point in my mind.
I'd love to hear from my fellow reality TV junkies. Anyone else feel as crazy as I do for watching all this? Which one is your guilty pleasure? Did I really just blog about reality TV? Yup, sure did.

Puppy Suffers Serious Injuries

It breaks my heart any time I hear about an animal cruelty case, and seeing pictures only intensifies that emotion.
Today, KRBC news uncovered an on-going investigation that several rescue groups and authorities are trying to track down who is responsible for the serious injuries.
In case you missed the story, a dog was found roaming near Interstate 20 and FM 60. But, it's what authorities found that was so shocking. A cable was lodged inside the puppy's neck, so much that the dogs skin had grown over it in some areas. The President of Rescue the Animals, Paul Washburn says that the growth shows that the cable had been embedded for some time, showing that the dog was likely left uncared for while it physically grew. The dog was also emaciated at the time. Washburn believes that the cable needed to be surgically removed from the dogs neck, but is said to be recovering well.
Rescue the Animals is offering a $500 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.

That's a fortune?

Hey All!

So who doesn't like Chinese food? I know, I just get in those moods when I just crave it. Today was one of those days. I ordered take out and as always, I get excited for dessert (the fortune cookie!!!) to find out what my "fortune" will be.


Over the years, I have had some amazing fortunes; ones that just put you in a great mood and make you think you'll have good luck! But, I have also had some pretty dull ones. However, tonight's fortune is in a league of its own. Here's what it reads: Foot: A device for finding furniture in the dark.

At first I thought I was looking at the back side of the paper; where it teaches you how to say a word or phrase in Chinese. But, it was definitely the front. In fact, the back might have been a better fortune because the word that it was attempting to teach me was "exciting". But Foot?
How is telling me how to find furniture in the dark predicting my future? While this is really no big deal at all, having a fortune like this I am just wondering if anyone else has had strange fortunes inside of their dessert after a Chinese meal. Or if anyone knows a hidden meaning by my fortune reading, please share.

P.S. Does anyone else think it would be a cool job to be the person that writes the fortune to put inside the cookie? I'd like to talk with the person that was in charge of predicting my future by telling me a Foot is a device for finding furniture in the dark. haha...