Thoughts on 2009

"Bless me father, for I have sinned. It's been a month since my last blog post."

Anwyay, here I am again.. with some thoughts on the New Year. I have to say I'm hopeful about 2009.

I have hopes that the economy will improve. Let's hope so, because I get downright nauseous when I look at my monthly financial statements. But I know it's been that way for everyone - businesses, families - no one is immune to these money troubles and we can only hope it will get better.

More importantly, I'm hopeful for my family. My husband Joey and I have been blessed with two beautiful, healthy children who are growing up too fast! Elena is 3 1/2, and Nick is 7 months.






One of my goals for 2009, going forward, is to take better care of myself so I can be around to enjoy their children one day!

I took a step in that direction recently with a deep tissue massage. I went to see the folks at Terrame - they were WONDERFUL. I was speechless afterwards. It felt GREAT to get away from the stress of work, parenting and everything else. Basically, I put myself first. I hardly ever do that - and I know as a mother and wife it's just about impossible - but I want to be here many years from now, to be with my family.

Lately, it seems we can't keep the house clean. Part of it is the holiday craziness, but when we put the Christmas decorations away, that just means there will be more room for Elena to throw toys all over the place. The mess bothers me to NO end - but I also know my kids won't remember that. They'll remember that Joey and I spent time playing with them.

That's one of my resolutions - to try to relax more.

Oh, and my mom is coming to visit this weekend.. so I guess we have to clean up tonight.

Saturday Protests

Most Saturdays, I happily drive by two groups of protestors at the intersection of Airport Road and Whitesburg Drive in Huntsville. I say happily, because both of these groups have my support.

On one corner, you'll see the group that supports the military. They hold signs with messages like "Support our Troops," "Freedom Isn't Free" and "Honk if You Love America."

On the other corner, the peace supporters. "End the War," "Bring Our Boys Home" and "We Support The Soldiers, Too" are some of their weekly themes.

I don't understand why these two groups have to be on opposite sides of the street. I don't see their messages as two different things. We can't choose peace without supporting our soldiers, because the soldiers are the ones who keep the peace. And they are the reason we are free. So are they going to continue to be on opposite sides every week?

C'mon guys, it's Christmas. Maybe you could try to stand together just once. You might like it. Now THAT would send a strong message.

In the meantime, I'll continue to beep at both groups and give them a big thumbs up as I drive by.

Black Friday - I'd Rather Be Working!

And I am. I would MUCH rather be here at the station than fighting the crowds. A few years ago, I had Black Friday off and my husband and I made the mistake of getting up at 6am and going to Best Buy.

What were we thinking? The line was already wrapped around the building, much like it was this morning.

These pictures are from the Best Buy in Florence, taken by NewsChannel 19 all-around handyman Brian Covington. Some UNA students had a good idea - wait in line, then sell their spots. It beats selling plasma!

My husband and I ended up getting a few small things that year (video games for our nephews, a CD or two for us) and then we had to wait in line for nearly 2 hours.

Never again. I won't sacrifice my sanity for the savings! Maybe I'll do a little shopping online, though.

Just Vote, People

The kids are asleep, and I've got about an hour til bedtime. If this note strikes a chord with one person, it will be worth it.

Just vote tomorrow. This year we've heard plenty from both sides. God, am I ready for it to be over. If we have to do one more day of pre-election coverage I think I'm going to go nuts. It has been an ugly election season, with candidates taking jabs at each other and going for very low blows.

I'll definitely vote tomorrow. I always vote - I'm 32 and have voted in every election since I registered in college. I even vote at the low-turnout runoffs.

So, that gives me a right to complain, since I vote. I try not to complain too much, though, because we have it pretty darn good, living in America. We enjoy more freedoms here than people in many other countries can imagine.

I don't care who you vote for tomorrow. Just vote. America will survive no matter who wins. And yes, your vote does matter. Alabama's electoral votes may already be all but promised to the red side, but your vote does matter in the local races.

And, we can't wait to take the calls in the newsroom tomorrow -

"Where's my polling precinct?"

"I went to vote, but my name wasn't on the list. I'm outraged! Give me the number for the voter fraud hotline!"

"They said I wasn't registered. I didn't know I had to be registered to vote!"

"Who's running again?"

Yep. We get these over and over on election day! What an interesting day it will be.

See you on the web tomorrow night! Check out WHNT.com for full coverage of Tuesday's races.

I Was Worried...

I am a journalist by trade, so I can't come out and say "I'm a Democrat" or "I'm a Republican" or whatever I am -- so I like to keep people guessing about my political leanings.

This story from the Associated Press today...

Officials say a new fence erected on the Alabama coast appears to be protecting the endangered Alabama red-bellied turtle.

Read more on WHNT.com. According to the experts who keep up with the turtle population, only 19 of these have been born so far this year. I could fit that many in my purse.

The Alabama Department of Transportation put up the low-barrier fence along about three miles of the highway.


Cute little guy... but how much did that fence cost us?


At any rate, I'd rather save him than the ancient Alabama Sturgeon.

Bama is #2, and That's OKAY!

If you haven't guessed by now, I'm not one of those Bama fans who gets caught up in the AP poll ranking. I'm glad we are still at #2 - the #1 thing is a curse. And, yes, I fully expect we'll get screwed out of the national championship game because of the BCS thing.

So, I'm enjoying the Tide's undefeated ride while it lasts. (Setting my expectations low, so that I enjoy the surprises that are still to come.)

All that said, check out this video montage one of our sports guys at WHNT put together this weekend. It aired on our college football show, "The Game". The Saban clips are what make it for me.

ROLL TIDE!

Bama Gets Ugly Win, But Cute New Cheerleader

Joey and I took Elena to her first Alabama game this past weekend. The Tide played Kentucky, and thank goodness, got the win, 17-14. Not a pretty game, and super hot - but look at Alabama's newest cheerleader!

Here we are with the famous Denny Chimes in the background. Do you like her cheerleader uniform? I got it just for this occasion. I was never a cheerleader myself (big shock there) but I think she looks pretty adorable.

Here we are at the game.. early on, before she got fed up with sitting down for several hours. The second half was long, hot and brutal, but we made it. I don't know the lady who sat in front of us, but I thanked her repeatedly for not getting too mad when Elena kicked her, (repeatedly).

Here's Elena enjoying the inflatable games on the Quad before kickoff.

And Joey with his little princess.

My aunt Nancy and uncle Gary kept Nick for us while we took Elena on this special outing. It took alot of energy -- Joey said this morning we may not do it again for 4 or 5 more years. :)