Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I hope all of my faithful readers enjoyed a very Merry Christmas! Santa did not skip over me this year, as I have been a very good girl, according to HIS list :) The time spent with my family was the best part. Christmas gifts were great too!

Also want to wish you all a happy 2008!

Over 1,000 people served...

This blog has reached a mile stone. I checked the counter and I finally hit 1,000 views! I realize for several months I have neglected my readers so if you still log on to this site, I thank you! Your presence is accounted for :)

My New Year's resolution, by the way, is to blog more, complain less! ha/ha

Shhhhh Don't Tell!!!

I'm excited about this weekend! It's going to be a very special Saturday. My 2 cousins are flying in to surprise my grandmother. After dinner, we are giving GG her cookbook, that Chris and I spent the past 10 months putting together. She has NO idea what's in store for her. I hope she likes it! Everybody so far who has read through it loves it. GG, I hope you enjoy your weekend. You deserve to have a happy time!

Meeting "The Man"

Last Friday night, my mother and I had the priviledge of meeting retired NBC News Anchor Tom Brokaw. He was the guest speaker at the Freed-Hardeman University Benefit Dinner. I had been trying to swing "free" tickets for months, being that I am a member of the media. I had all but given up hope when 2 good friends of mine from church called and said they had 2 tickets and wanted to know if I would be interested in taking them. Are you kidding???? YES!! My friends brother made a $5,000 donation to the school and in return was sent 4 tickets. He GAVE those tickets to his brother who in turn GAVE me 2. I called my mom and asked if she wanted to go. She was thrilled! We drove to Henderson, ate dinner then went to Loyd Auditorium to hear Mr. Brokaw speak. He is truly a wonderful and entertaining person. Afterwards, we had our picture made with him. He is shorter than what I expected but, as always, dignified and professional. Thanks Yates family for the tickets and thanks Mr. Brokaw for a wonderful, memorable evening!

Gobble! Gobble! Gobble!

Hope everyone who is still faithful to read this abandoned blog page had a Happy Thanksgiving!! My apologies for not keeping in touch for so long. Not sure why I've neglected my blogging duties other than I've been super busy the past few months.

As usual, I worked Thanksgiving and the day after. Nothing spectacular going on unless you count the guy shot in the nipple by his best friend after a beer brawl. That happened Thanksgiving night. He's going to live but I feel sorry for the Med-Flight crew that had to work on him. One of the paramedics told me he stunk of alcohol so badly it was making them sick to stabalize him. ha/ha Ladies and gentlemen, morons like that is the reason I get a pay check every 2 weeks.

I spent the weekend with my family enjoying some post turkey day treats. Mom had one more spread on the dining room table. Everything from turkey and boston butt to mashed potatoes, corn and sweets. Very delicious!! My brother, sister-in-law,nephew and myself played "Rook" and "UNO" for hours. It was soooo much fun!! Afterwards, I went to Kristen's house to visit and watch the Iron Bowl. That game stunk!!! Of course Bama lost. Shocker (not)! I had a great time visiting with my oldest and dearest best friend in the world!

Christmas time is nearing and I have bought NOTHING!! I know what I am going to buy at least 2 members of my family but that's it. Will I get anything accomplished in the shopping field this weekend? Probably not. I don't enjoy the crowds and I have a baby shower to attend Saturday.

December promises to be a very busy month. Mom and I are going to Tennessee the 7th for the "Freed Hardeman Benefit Dinner" featuring Tom Brokaw as guest speaker. I am SOOOOO excited! He's a favorite anchor personality of mine. The 8th is our WAFF-48 Christmas Party which promises good times! My sister-in-law's annual Christmas Cookie Swap is the 9th. Also scheduled for the month, a surprise for my grandmother the weekend of the 16th and the usual Gentle cousin's Christmas.

Speaking of surprise, my brother and I put together and printed a cookbook for my grandmother as a surprise for Christmas. The project turned out super professional. My hats off to Allied Photo in Huntsville for doing such a fantastic job printing and laminating the cover. It's over 200 pages of stories, recipes and family memories. I am really, really happy with the end product.

I'm still working that crazy split schedule and loving it! I like the fact that I have free time on Monday and Tuesday to run errunds. Really makes a difference when I need to get things done.

I promise to do a better job posting to this site. Hope you all had a terrific holiday!!!

Back to the blog...

Sorry this blog has been neglected for so long. I don't have as much time to post my daily ramblings as I did when I worked in Decatur. For one thing, I'm busy on myspace now :) ha ha My dear friend Emily set me up a page. Its quiet addictive actually. I've been able to reconnect with people I haven't spoken to in years. I used to be anti-myspace but apparently that whole theory of it being a "young person's playground" isn't necessarily true. Check me out. Just go to the myspace page and type my name in. Enjoy!

Roll Tide! Bama won today!

Seaside, Florida

Here is a snap shot from my recent trip to Seaside, Florida. I went with a fantastic group of ladies from Mayfair Church of Christ. My friend Emily, pictured front wearing the black tank top, invited to me go with them. We really had a good time! The food was delicious, the weather warm. The ocean was crystal clear and the sand perfect for walking across barefoot.

Has it really been that long?

Hello? Anybody out there or have all my once faithful viewers left me for other more responsible blog sites? I have not abandoned my website, just been busy! Lots going on in my life. Some I'm happy about, some not so much.

Let me start with work. That's always a great way to realize just how much you look forward to the day you can retire!!! I'm 33 years old and anxiously await the day I turn 65. Is something wrong with that picture?? Uh yeh!!!! My schedule officially got changed yesterday. So did everybody else with the exception of those who work in bureaus. I've worked the same "dayside" schedule for years. Suddenly, I'm going to a split shift. So instead of Monday-Friday 9a-6p (more like 6:30) I am now Monday and Tuesday 2p-10p. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9a-6p. I would love to say I'm thrilled but I'm not. I don't hate it either. I get a longer weekend but nightside screws with my routine of watching Jay Leno's headlines on Monday.

I leave for the beach next Thursday! I cannot wait to leave North Alabama behind for a few days. I need a break before I "break." I hope the weather is as gorgeous in Destin as it has been here in Huntsville. Clear blue skies, cool mornings, warm afternoons.

I promise to blog more before I leave for my trip! will post pics soon 2.

Got some MAJOR catching up to do...

Does anybody out there still read this blog? Ha! My good friend Emily sent me an email a few weeks ago reminding me that I have not been faithful to post in quiet sometime. I apologize. I have been running non-stop since my transfer back to Huntsville. I don't blog in the newsroom b/c so many people are looking over my shoulder. By the time I get home, this is the last thing I want to do. So why am I blogging tonight? Good question. I don't want to pack so I'm using this as a good excuse to relax. Ha ha!

Speaking of Emily, congratulations on your pregnancy. Emily will find out if her baby is a boy or girl soon. We are leaving for the beach the last week of September. She'll know by then. I'm so excited for her. She and Jason are going to make wonderful parents!

Also, congrats to Holly and her husband, also named Jason. They are expecting a girl in a few months. They already have a beautiful little boy, Chase. Holly and i graduated high school together. I hope to get in a visit with her while I'm at the beach.

One more pregnancy to mention. A friend of mine from college, also named Emily is expecting. Haven't heard yet if its a boy or girl. She and her husband, Clayton, have a boy that is sooo cute! I wish all of you proud momma's the best!

Not much new to mention with me. The drama from my last post has calmed down considerably!!!! Very good thing b/c I was getting sick of it.

I'm moving to Huntsville Friday. I'm excited but a little worried. I'm leaving a 2 story townhouse for a one bedroom apartment. The square footage isn't nearly as big and the rent is high. Its in a new complex, gated community with a lot of ammenities. Its just where am I going to put all this stuff? A lot of it is back home with mom and dad (I owe them a shout out for housing it for me). I'll just have to be tidy and neat now instead of the usual. Uh yeh! It will all work out.

Did you hear about Mary Winkler? Bet she eats a nice meal tonight when she gets out of the crazy house. Matthew can't enjoy his favorite foods. There's something for you to chew on (no pun intended).

Ok. I've got to pack some or 2 Men and A Truck are going to turn around and leave me stranded!

Miss you all and hope everyone is healthy, wealthy and wise!

Tainted greens...

The past 2 days I've learned more about E.Coli than I ever cared to know. Madison County has 14 confirmed cases of the foodborne illness. They have traced the strain to shredded lettuce served from, one of my favorite Mexican joints, Little Rosie's Cantina in South Huntsville. Monday, we interviewed a 12 year old boy recovering from the sickness. Let's just say he doesn't plan to eat there for a while. I'll leave the disgusting details to your imagination :)

Transitioning back to Huntsville has really kept me busy. We are short handed so I am the only day side reporter. Not only am I having to turn 2 stories a day, I also have to catch breaking news and work on my new franchice, Restaurant Scorecard, which airs Thursday (and I have not started writing the script yet). I am really happy being back in the Rocket City. I was afraid I wouldn't like sitting in the newsroom, under the watchful eye of management. It really isn't bad. We have a lot of laughs in the back of the room and all of us get along quiet well. Of course, we have disagreements and even a few screaming matches from time-to-time. Nothing that can't work itself out. Leaving Decatur was such a good move for me. I was so burned out working in the bureau. This has given me a change of scenery and I'm glad I chose this path. Of course, I miss my contacts and I miss my old photographer (no body shoots video like Juergen).

I am proud to report no problems with kidney stones since my surgery. I'm doing really well and hope it stays that way!

I will be posting phase 2 of the "Fat Smash Diet" as soon as I get the book out of my bag :) This really is a healthy way to shed unwanted pounds.

Its getting stormy outside and its bed time. I'm logging off for now but promise to write more soon!

Ouch!

I have not had a chance to update my blog. I have a really good excuse. Last Friday, on my off day, I woke up at 2 in the morning with the worst case of kidney stones you could ever imagine. I've had them 2 other times. This one was awful. I had surgery Tuesday to remove the stone causing all my grief and misery. Once it was out, I felt sooooo much better. Other than running a low grade fever afterwards, I'm feeling better. Going to work tomorrow though I still don't feel like bouncing around in a live truck. I have to thank my mom, dad and brother for taking such good care of me while I was sick. Why stick myself with a husband when I've got great family nearby (though they would argue its somebody elses turn to take care of me).

Since I was sick, the "Fat Smash Diet" got put on hold. That's ok. I lost weight anyway. I couldn't hold anything but popcicles and milkshakes down and when I got to feeling better I didn't have an appetite. In all, I've dropped 13 pounds. Tomorrow, its back to "healthy eating."

Hope everyone had a good weekend and got lots of rest!

Lighter and lighter...

The pounds are melting away! I'm really happy with the "Fat Smash" plan. I'm down nearly 12 pounds. I had a wonderful cheat day Friday. I think that helps motivate me. My grandmother fried catfish, hushpuppies, french fries. We had vinegar slaw and yummy deserts. I ate until I was stuffed. Saturday morning, it was back to "healthy eating." This is actually addictive. A no brainer diet.

Winkler Sentencing...

What did you think about the judge's sentencing order for Mary Winkler? I'm sure many of you have mixed feelings.

Sentencing was so much more emotional than the trial. If the prosecution had handled the case earlier like they did sentencing, the outcome may have been far different. Matthew's brother, Daniel took the stand and spoke for the first time. I thought he did such a good job talking about his brother's character, good name and the way he cared for his family. He made several bold comments to Mary as he spoke. Her facial expression never changed. Aren't we used to seeing that? Nothing new.

Perhaps, Diane Winkler made the biggest impact, though her testimony didn't do much to sway the judge's decision. I cried the entire time she was on the stand. Her words came from the heart of a woman torn between anger, saddness, confusion, etc. I can't imagine what life has been like for this mother the past year. Her life turned upside down by one person's decision that has changed so many lives.

I do not believe Mary's punishment fit the crime. Regardless of what "she" says happened, Matthew never got a chance to tell his side of the story. We only heard from Mary. She had no right to take the law into her own hands. She had no right to shoot her husband in the back while he lay sleeping. She had no right to take away her children's father. She should have been found guilty of murder and sentenced to the maximum. I don't believe she should have spent the rest of her life behind bars but I do believe she deserved at least 20 years to think about what she did.

Now her attorney's are wanting a new trial. Why? Who knows! She is lucky the punishment wasn't much worse. Take what you can get and be happy with it. Isn't she basically walking away a free woman? She got away with murder didn't she? Why drag this family through anything else because selfish motives have gotten in the way.

I feel so sorry for Mary's children. The only normal life they've had the last year is about to be taken away from them. Mary wants those girls back and most likely the judge will see to it they are returned to her. Dan and Diane will probably never see them again. Can you imagine what kind of life these little girls face? Pray the courts make the right decision.

"All you can eat" doesn't really mean what you think

I've done really well sticking to my 'healthy eating plan.' In fact, I've really enjoyed the food choices, though in phase 1 it is slightly limited. I was supposed to start phase 2 Friday. However, after eating what I did Saturday, I went back to phase 1 again today. I'll start phase 2 later this week.

Saturday was my brother's birthday. My sister-in-law ordered 3 pounds of smoked chicken with white sauce, pork, slaw, baked beans from "Pig Stand BBQ" in Hartselle. Oh my! How yummy! We also had potato chips, cake and homemade ice cream. I already planned to blow my diet and eat just what I wanted. That way, my metabolism would get a needed boost. Boy did I eat! Chicken. Pork. Slaw. Chips. 3 glasses of tea. Bite of cake. 2 cups of ice cream. About an hour later, I was in the bathroom sick! When I weighed this morning, I gained 1/2 pound. Was it worth it? You better believe it! :)

I got up this morning, fixed a cup of oatmeal with peaches. For lunch, I fixed chicken and rice. I measured out a 1/2 cup and ate that with 1/2 of a tomato. I also had a blueberry smoothie. It was really good.

For a few days, I will stick to phase 1 just so I can drop a few extra pounds. I can really tell a difference in my weight. So can everyone else! I'm really proud of myself for sticking to it for 12 days. One day off the wagon didn't hurt much and I jumped right back on today. Remember, we are all just human and we deserve a break now and then.

8 pounds lighter and loving it!

The "Fat Smash Diet" really does work. I weighed this morning and really saw results! I'm happy with the progress. I will continue this phase for 2 more days, only because I didn't feel well 2 days this week and I skipped lunch. SHAME ON ME! You are not supposed to do that. I feel better now. My blood pressure is normal again and my appetite is better. I think the stress of my transistion may have caused me to feel bad.

I will blog more about my results later today. I've got to head out to Madison.

Day 5, 6, 7

Ok. I'm behind on blogging my "progress." My home computer is down. I haven't had time with transitioning to Huntsville to pull up my blog.

I'm on my 7th day. Sunday, I started feeling really bad. No wonder. I checked my blood pressure. It was 93/56. No matter what I did, I couldn't get it back up. My mother suggested I eat salt (which I had cut from my diet). After a teaspoon full, I started feeling better. I can tell its down again because I feel weak and strung out. I know now why I've lost so much fluid. Salt makes you retain water so without it, you lose weight. Speaking of which, I'm down 4 1/2 pounds.

My diet is still basically the same, though I will admit I'm looking forward to phase 2. I hope to start it Friday.

Hope all is well. Will blog more about this later.

Day 4...

I decided to weigh myself this morning. In just 3 days of "healthy eating" I've lost 2 pounds. Might not seem like much but I can already tell a difference. I'm not stepping back on the scale until the morning of the 10th day which is Wednesday. We will see then if the numbers go down.
After work last night, I ate my usual tomato egg combo. Then, I went for a late walk. Felt good to stretch my legs. For a snack, I mixed the last cup of my daily skim milk with a few cubes of frozen peach smoothie. So refreshing and light!

This is the first day I've experienced true hunger pangs. I know why. I was late eating lunch. I didn't sit down at my desk until 2:30 this afternoon. The last snack I had was around 11. It was an apple. My lunch time is never the same. Quiet possibly, its going to become even more erratic now that I'm leaving the quiet comfort of my office in Decatur for the bright lights of Huntsville.

Tomorrow, my promotion kicks in and I start back to work in Huntsville. I'm very excited and hope the transition is a smooth one! I will miss the people in Morgan, Limestone, and Lawrence County. I will miss the people I'm closest too but sometimes change is best! I will continue to blog about work and try to throw in some interesting snapshots. Hopefully, I'll have a personal life to blog about too :)

More later...

Day 3...

What a difference a few days can make. Already I can feel a change in how my clothes fit. Hopefully, when I weigh in next Tuesday morning, I will see an even bigger difference in my weight. Even if its only a few pounds, I'm ok with that.

This diet is sooo much better and healthier than Atkins or South Beach, both of which I have been on in the past. Those diets are so restrictive no wonder people "fall off the wagon." For example, no fruit, no milk, no rice, no yogurt, no oatmel. Just meat, cheese, eggs and salad. That can't be healthy. On this diet, you get carbs loaded with fiber which is good for energy and helps fill you up. You can eat an unlimited amount of fruits and veggies. Plus, you get a snack between each meal. Basically, you are eating all day. Nothing wrong with that! :)

Last night, I mixed peaches and pineapple with skim milk and ice for a top notch smoothie. I love homemade peach ice cream. This was even better and no guilt!! I also had tomatoes, egg whites the rest of my mandatory brown rice. I was so full!! Maybe a little too full. You still have to watch portion size. I admit, I didn't get my exercise in. Shame on me!

*Rice tip: A lot of people don't like whole grain brown rice. I love it! I like it even better cold. It has more taste than hot rice. The only seasoning I put on mine is fresh ground black pepper. Try it. Really, really good. If you still think its tasteless, mix in a Tablespoon of light ranch dressing. REMEMBER YOU CAN ONLY HAVE 3 TABLESPOONS A DAY. USE IT WISELY!

If you don't like ranch...try this delicious light dressing. Remember, the same rules apply.

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup olive oil (extra light)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt

Combine mustard, oil, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Whisk. Add pepper and salt and whisk again. Chill.

*Smoothie tip: I only drink a cup of smoothie. I make enough for 2. The other cup I pour into an ice cube tray, cover with plastic wrap and put in the freezer. When I'm ready for another smoothie, I pop the cubes out and put them in the blender with milk. Good way to make ahead and save money. Plus you get your skim or low-fat milk allowance for the day.

This morning, I ate a bowl of oatmeal with fresh peaches cut up in it. Yum! I brought an apple for my snack. I also packed my lunch. I mixed lettuce, tomatoes, 3 Tablespoons dressing, and a cup of brown rice together for a healthy crisp salad. For a snack, I had a blueberry yogurt. Yum!
Ok. I know it sounds like I eat the same thing everyday. Basically, I do. But I like it. I have to get in a certain amount of rice, oatmeal, and milk, Planning out my menu helps me make it to my goal. The 9 day detox is slightly limiting so you have to make the best. So far, so good.

Hope to hear others of you who are thinking about trying this "healthy eating plan." If you've had success on other diets, be sure to let me know!

*Food desire of the day: roasted peanuts

You may have noticed a food temptation or desire at the bottom of each day. Hey, I'm only human. No matter how much indulgence I did before Monday, some favorite foods I still miss :) That doesn't mean I'm willing to cheat!


More later...

Day 2...

So far, I like the "Fat Smash Diet." Last night for supper, I had fresh cut up tomatoes seasoned with salt and pepper, whole mushrooms and 2 boiled egg whites. That might sound gross but it was soooooo yummy. Then I fixed myself a cold glass of fruit smoothie. I put in a handful of strawberries, peaches, half a banana, a cup of blueberry yogurt, little milk and some ice. So refreshing! Give it a try. I promise you will like it.

For breakfast this morning, I had a cup of oatmeal with bananas and strawberries cut up. I had a cup of yogurt for a snack. I have an apple in my bag. I'll eat it on the way to Athens.

Lunch can be tricky. That is my favorite meal of the day. I brought my lunch yesterday but didn't pack it today. I may have a small salad later or go home and fix a smoothie.

*UPDATE* I did go home for about 30 minutes. I cut up some lettuce and a ripe red tomato, added fresh ground pepper and poured 3 Tablespoons of light homemade ranch dressing over the top. I also added part of the brown rice I'm supposed to consume each day. Very yummy and satisfying. According to the book, you are limited to 3 T. of light dressing. I mixed a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Buttermilk Dressing with light mayo and non-fat buttermilk (keep this on hand). I measured it out so I wouldn't go overboard. So light and refreshing.

Supper may go something like this. A cut up tomato, left over cold rice, fresh mushrooms, boiled egg whites (you have to eat 4 a day) a fruit smoothie for desert. Filling and easy to make :)

In all, this is not a bad diet. I like the food. You will certainly lose a lot of fluid the first day, which is a good thing. For those who love meat, the first 9 days can be challenging.

Today's food craving: BBQ

Day 1...

Ok. My day got off to a wierd start. I got up, went downstairs and fixed myself a bowl of oatmeal with fruit (advice: don't buy the instant kind. it's gross. Stick with the 1 minute oatmeal). I sat down on the couch to watch my usual episode of the "Golden Girls." I noticed something biting me. I stood up to see my couch full of ants. The trail led from where I was sitting to the front door. Everything in its path was covered in fire ants!! My feet and other important parts got bit! I went to grab my can of spray only to realize the sprayer didn't work. I slipped on a pair of jeans and headed to Wal-Greens. I bought a can of Raid, came home and went on a killing spree. I washed all my clothes and vacumed up their little bodies. I WAS FURIOUS!!!! I sprayed down the fire ant mound in front of my door. I hope that never happens again.

*Side note: I've been bitten by fire ants before but it is quiet possible that I am allergic to them. My right foot is swollen and red. I can't keep my foot in my shoe because it is growing by the minute. I'll take a benadryl when i get home. If I take it now, I will fall asleep before news time :)

I dusted off my scales and weighed this morning. Just what I thought. The scales registered at 1** pounds. Ok you didn't really think I would tell you?!?!?! My goal is to lose 27 pounds. That will put me back where I was a few years ago. A happy weight I can live with. One, I hope will have smashing results on the men :)

Day 1...Breakfast was kind of shot on the ant dilemma. I got enough in my stomach that I will be ok. I had an apple on the way in. I ate "fried" rice (yum) for lunch. Blueberry yogurt was my 2nd snack. I'm planning on a delicious fruit smoothie for supper. I have to get a second yogurt in for the day and I have not had my 2 cups of low-fat milk or enough fruit. That will work perfectly. My exercise for the day will be a lot of house cleaning tonight.

Hey, I know it's not a slab of juicy ribs, potato salad and homemade ice cream with M & M's on top but the food is good. Besides I ate all my favorite dishes last week so I wouldn't have any cravings through this 9 day detox. So far, so good!

Have a happy day!