Gobble! Gobble! Gobble!

Happy Turkey Day everyone! Sorry I haven't blogged in several days. It has been so incredibly busy and sad this past week.

Monday, a school bus carrying some 40 Lee High School students went off an interstate overpass in Huntsville, plunging 30-feet to the ground below. Two teenage girls were killed. Two more died later at Huntsville Hospital. The bus driver was found lying on the interstate. He has a broken back and head injuries. An orange Celica may have caused the accident. Some witnesses say the driver got to close to the bus. Right now, investigators aren't saying what connection that car has with this wreck. Its so sad 4 families will be without there children on this Thanksgiving Day.



On a lighter note, I took my first helicopter ride Monday. Our assignment was to get aerial video of that bus crash. I've never flown before! I was determined to put my fear aside. I really enjoyed being in the air although the turbulance made our chopper feel like a basketball bouncing in the sky! You really can't appreciate God's handy work until you see it several thousand feet above.


Thank you Lydia for the delicious turkey day meal! She sent a plate of delicous ham, mashed potatoes, a deviled egg, congealed salad, green bean salad and sweet pototaes. Lydia is a great cook! That ham was so juicy and tender! I'm thankful to have a friend like you!

This Thanksgiving Day, be sure to tell your family you love them! Give them a big hug and kiss ! You never know when it may be your last time to be with them.

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

Elizabeth

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes...

I don't know about all of you but I'm tired of hearing about Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes wedding. Shouldn't they have gotten married *BEFORE* they had a baby? Uh, yeah. They've gone to Italy to tie the knot. Last night on the TV Guide Channel, the correspondants were talking about the couple's pre-nup agreement. Apparently thats what has held up wedding plans. Their attorney's couldn't agree on a fair pre-nup. If they are so in love as Tom excitedly told the world on the Oprah's couch last year, then he should trust that there marriage will last forever. Come on! Let's get real. This is Hollywood! I don't even know why they are bothering to get married. He'll get tired of her and find somebody else. If Katie is smart she'll be a runaway bride!

I've been cleaning house all morning. I thought about going Christmas shopping but then changed my mind. I would rather do that through the week when the crowds are not so intense.

While all of you are stuffing your bellies with mashed potatoes, turkey, and delicious sugar filled deserts with your families, I will be one of few working Thanksgiving. I have worked every turkey day since I got out of college. I don't really mind. I usually eat with the less fortunate. I always meet someone that reminds me of why I should be thankful for what I have. There is no greater lesson on that day of thanks than pulling up a Dixie plate with someone who has nothing. A humbling lesson that I think everyone should experience.

Today is Iron Bowl. I could care less but in the spirit of the game, ROLL TIDE!

I try not to use this blog as my personal issue website. However, I'm in a funk and have been for a long time. I know why but I don't care to go into it. Usually I'm excited about Christmas. This year, I could sleep straight through and never care that I missed it. I'm not putting up a tree as I usually do. I don't plan to listen to Christmas music (though I live Alabama's Christmas in Dixie) and now I suddenly hate holiday shopping. I'll go to my mother's on Christmas Eve and do the whole gift/dinner thing. Maybe by then, The Grinch will have left my system.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Some good news

My dad called a few minutes ago to tell me momma kitty is home!!! she was so scared of those dogs she went off and hid. I'm proud to announce MK will be served her own can of food for supper.

To know me is to love my animals.

Anyone reading this post who has 5% knowledge of who I am, knows how much I love animals, especially cats. This summer mother and I saved a kitty from a drainage ditch, dragged her home, named her momma kitty, plumped her up and got her fixed. Sometime during the night, 3 dogs showed up on there patio. By the time mom and dad realized what was going on, Momma Kitty was gone. My guess is the dogs got her and drug off somewhere. There is no sign of fur or blood but she hasn't shown up since. Dad has walked that property several times and checked all of her usual hiding places. Its like she vanished into thin air. Mom thinks she's hiding because she got scared. She hasn't shown up since Wednesday so my guess is she's dead.

My parents live outside the city limits. That means dad can shoot anything that moves! He's got his shotgun ready in case those dogs come back! People who don't keep there dogs chained up or in a fence should be disposed of properly. Somebody's carelessness cost me (and mom) one of the sweetest kitties since Midnight (my cat growing up).

She had a very loving home for a little while.
I love you momma kitty...

And the award goes to....

Today I recieved a very special award from the Decatur Board of Education. A few months ago I was nominated for the Alabama Education Media Honor Roll by Dr. Ed Nichols, Assistant Superintendent of Education. The award goes to a journalist for outstanding coverage of public education in Alabama.

I am very honored the board thought enough to nominate me. This award means more than an Associated Press or Emmy. I think very highly of these people. I am priviledged and blessed to work with such a special group.

Mystery Trip....part 2

Sorry its taken so long to add part 2 of my trip to Little Rock, Arkansas. Here it is!

The next morning, we got up, showered and ate breakfast at the hotel. I had a toasted bagle with cream cheese and grape jelly, a cup of hot chocolate, and a swig of apple juice. Mother had a homemade waffle with syrup. Here is pic of the view from our hotel room.
After breakfast, we loaded up on the bus for a 2 hour tour. Our guide, Venita, really knew her way around. She shared many interesting facts with us. One stop on our tour included the The Old State House which was once the Capitol building of Arkansas. Another stop on our tour was to Little Rock's Central High School, where Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus joined local whites in resisting integration by dispatching the Arkansas National Guard to block nine black students from entering the school. President Dwight Eisenhower responded by sending federal troops to protect the students. When eight of the nine black students successfully completed the school year, they showed America that black students could and would endure the intense hatred that racist white students could dump on them. This is The Capitol Building. It was built over a century ago as a replica of the White House and has been used in many movies as a stand in.
These are just a few of the sites we saw. Part 3 is next so stay tuned.

A few quick thoughts...

It seems my stories are so spread out, this late in the afternoon I'm struggling to get it all together. Its Friday so I'm hoping the "news gods" will shine down on me!

I haven't posted the second part of my trip yet but that is coming this weekend. I haven't had time to sit down and blog much lately. Thank you Lydia for reminding me that I need to do so (Lydia is a faithful reader of this website and I like to keep my fans happy.)

Lydia's husband, Juergen is my camera man. He celebrated his 40th birthday Thursday. Laura Beth, who works next door at WAAY-31 really went all out to make sure his day was special. I did my part too. I took him to Ruby Tuesday's for a salad, cheese sticks and desert. Happy Birthday!

This weekend is my grandmother's birthday. Tonight, I need to pick her up a little something special. We are taking her out to eat for her big day. If you ask her, she'll tell you she doesn't want anyone making a fuss over her!! I think she really does. hahah!

I'm heading out the door to try and get some of my work finished. Have a good weekend everyone!