Out and About

My first appearance after returning from Mrs. America was as the guest speaker of the Southeast Nebraska Clerk's Association meeting in the great town of Hickman on April 20th. There were several people in attendance and we talked about the importance of networking! You may not have the answers...but I bet you, you know someone that does. Keep reaching out to others! I also encouraged them to do something for themselves. Yes it might sound a little selfish...but its important to give back to yourself too.

Back to Reality!

Well getting home from W. Virginia wasn't as easy as we would've liked it to be. The weather was not cooperating and we ended up being delayed....by one day! There was bad weather the day before resulting in several flight cancellations which resulted in ALOT of over-booked flights the day we were traveling. We thought we were just going to be delayed an hour or two....but it turned into an all-day affair. Delta Airlines was very generous and made our time in the airport worthwile...they fed us, put us up overnight in a very nice hotel and flew us home the following day in first class. Thankfully we made it home safely and in time to attend our dear friends wedding reception. Congratulations Gus & Tina! We wish you many years of happiness.

Mrs. America

WOW WOW WOW!!! What an incredible experience! I am so honored to have competed for the title of Mrs. America! I had no idea what was in store for me....but let me just say this....I will forever cherish my time spent with 50 of the nation's most talented, beautiful and AMAZING women! The Greenbriar Resort in White Sulfur Springs, WV was our home for over 2 weeks. They were incredibly generous with us! Jim Justice and his staff were impeccable hosts. Our days were quite varied but always included alot of rehearsal time. The Mrs. America staff was absolutely wonderful. Any questions or concerns or issues were handled immediately. I will forever be grateful and look forward to our continued friendships. We all knew when we arrived at the Greenbriar that only one of us would take home the crown....but I know the judge's had a very difficult time. The women were incredible!! I was very blessed and honored to be a Top 15 Finalist! At the end of the competition, my roommate, Mrs. Florida -April Lufriu was crowned Mrs. America. She will represent us all so well!

Send Off/Silent Auction at The Pour House

You'll find this hard to believe but we had a pretty busy weekend before I left for West Virginia! Our daughter had her prom on Saturday evening. I enjoyed spending the day with her taking her to have her nails, hair, and makeup done before the big event. Seems like just yesterday Brian and I were bringing her home from the hospital. Time flies so quickly!

We also had a local send off party/silent auction in our wonderful town of Friend! The Pour House was our incredible host for this event. You MUST visit The Pour House! Carrie and her staff are amazing! The wines and food are divine. If you are ready for a relaxing afternoon or evening, come visit us in Friend! You will not be disappointed. Alot of people came out to wish me well at Mrs. America and also to support the American Heart Association. I am so incredibly thankful for the support I have!

Dress Fittings & other Personal Pamperings!

I've said it often....it takes a village to raise a beauty queen! :) HA!! I am blessed to have many people that have made my journey soooo enjoyable. Their advise and expertice has been so helpful! Luckily I have some amazing people that keep me looking good! Fawnia Opp - Owner of Rumors Hair Design is the most incredible hairstylist. She has taken care of my tresses for several years. ( Thank God!!) Incredibly talented, she has amazing creative vision. Another great individual is Felicia Radu...she is one of the most amazing women I have EVER met. She also happens to be the worlds most amazing seamstress ever!! She is magical!! She transformed several outfits for me and made sure everything fit me like a glove before I left for Mrs. America. Thank you Thank you Thank you!! And i truely don't know how I survived before meeting the ubur -talented Dustin Hajek of Bungalow Eight!! You really know how to frame my eyes!!

March Madness - Media Frenzy!

I had the opportunity to be a guest on several media outlets before I left for Mrs. America to discuss the Mrs. Nebraska pageant and competing for Mrs. America.

I love early mornings (really I do!) So I made the most of my early trip into Lincoln and hit up the Broadcast House! They were gracious enough to let me on 3 of their morning shows! Here I am with Gina & Joe from B107.3

The crew from Froggy 98

and John & Jack from KLIN. Thanks so much!!

I also made it on TV!!
Jon & Taryn Vanderford invited me to be a guest on their couch on the First at Four newscast on KOLN/KGIN Channel 10/11. They are so wonderful. Jon and my husband Brian have been buddies for a while!

I also was invited out to NTV to be a guest on The Good Life! I loved it...just like hanging out with the family! I also was fortunate enough to meet one of their other guests, Mr. Jorn Olsen, a very talented photographer. He presented me with his beautiful book...Across a Wide Horizon, which features gorgeous photos of Nebraska.

With The Good Life's producer, Jamie Darby.

March Madness!

I pride myself in being a multi-tasker and the time before I left for Mrs. America was no different! I enjoyed two send off parties, made the media rounds, arranged for last minute dress fittings and a little personal pampering before departing for West Virginia! On Sunday, March 20th I was honored at a send off party hosted by Debbie Anstine ( Mrs. Nebraska 1998) and Susan Meyerle ( Mrs. Nebraska 2004). It was a beautiful afternoon and I received great words of wisdom and wonderful gifts! It is such an honor to be part of an amazing sisterhood!

Errands, Errands, and more Errands!

So what does one do when there are only a couple weeks from the time they were crowned to the time they leave for a national competition? One makes VERY detailed to-do lists and runs a lot of errands! :)

On St. Patrick's day I was in Omaha to meet with Michele Strom, owner extraordinaire of the Winning Crown Boutique. She is an incredible resource and has the most gorgeous gowns. If you're thinking about pageantry...go visit!

I also stopped by Omaha Steaks. A Nebraska tradition. They were kind enough to compile a few gifts for me to take with me to W. Virginia. Who doesn't think of Omaha Steaks when you mention Nebraska?

Of course a little wardrobe shopping was in order! One of the boutiques I wanted to go to just happened to be next to an Irish Pub....guess what...no parking spots! So I got a little creative and went to the back side of the business (only 2 parking stalls left!) and asked them to let me in. As I left I saw a LEPRECHAUN! Its a small, small world. Turns out this leprechaun's Mom was Mrs. Nebraska back in the late 60's. That was an Irish blessing meeting her!

Home Ownership Matters!

Last week I had the opportunity to join several of my peers in greeting the National Association of Realtors Home Ownership Matters bus to Lincoln! The bus is on a national tour to promote the benefits of home ownership. Nebraska Realtors Association President, Pat Ohmberger and I talked about why now is a great time to be a Home Owner! check it out--

http://homtour.posterous.com/why-home-ownership-matters-in-lincoln

Photo Shoot!

The gracious Nicole Panneton, Mrs. Nebraska 2010 arranged for a photo shoot the morning after I was crowned. After very little sleep, the talented Joe Bohac of Colour Artistry and Alison Kamtz of Seven Salon worked their beauty magic! With Rich Deyo behind the camera and Mrs. Nebraska 2009 Jen Hart helping out with everything else, the results were absolutely fantastic! Gowns and accessories were provided by Sublime Couture. I felt like a princess. Thank you to everyone!!

Dreams do come true!

Hi everyone! My name is Karalyn Hoefer and Saturday evening a dream of mine came true when my name was called as Mrs. Nebraska 2011. I am so excited for the year ahead. The next few weeks will be a whirlwind as final preparations are made for the national competition. But I know that with persistence, determination and dedication, anything is possible! Here we go!!