Welcome to July Sweeps....

Sorry for the language in this (I didn't write it), but it's absolutely hilarious!! After working in TV news for almost 10 years, this is what I see when watching....

THE ONION

Random thoughts from my tired mind.

I finished Alias yesterday. It was kind of sad. Now I have nothing to watch while I'm home by myself... Maybe I'll start Lost when Mom gets done with it... I also watch Fried Green Tomatoes yesterday. GREAT MOVIE! I can almost quote it completely. My favorite scene is the food fight scene. My DVD is the extended version and includes the deleted scenes. It also has a documentary on making the movie. It was filmed in Juliet, GA, a no red light "town" with about 25 people. I plan on getting the book soon. There's also a cookbook.

Wes starts his new job this week. Did I mention that before? I can't remember. He got a job at the airport here in town. (Yeah, the one with only two flights to Atlanta each day - closed on holidays...) He's going to be working at the place where planes get serviced and gased up, called the FBO, I think. All the planes that come in use this service. All the privately owned planes (the doctors), the ASA planes (Delta), and the Air Force pilot training planes from Columbus, to name a few. That's about all I know. Wes is looking forward to it. He starts on Thursday. He quit the TV station yesterday. Yesterday, we gave Phoebe a bath and then planted an Apple tree in the yard. I also planted some seeds and flower bulbs in the planter along the carport. (I don't know what you call it.) Today he took apart the bathroom, recaulked the tub and is attempting to replace the faucets. This house is old and it's giving him fits. We've been to Lowe's twice in as many days, and we have to go back tomorrow...

I've been thinking lately about a new career... I've been in TV for over 8 years. I'm kind of sick of it. (As if that isn't obvious) I don't know if it's related to the recent poorly chosen career move that I made. Possibly. But in general, I'm ready for a change. I told myself for years that I wanted to go back to school. I've considered finishing my bachelor's in Broadcasting, but I have NO desire to do that anymore. I want a regular job, but not a desk job. I have been toying with a few options. Here they are:

x-Ray Technician
Court Reporter
Landscaper

Totally different, I know. Based on the current economy, the medical field is pretty much the only stable field out there. I have no desire to become a nurse (never have). I don't want to deal with respiratory therapy (I've seen enough with Papaw). Physical therapy is more schooling than I'm willing to commit to. I've figured out that x-ray is the farthest thing from the blood and gore I can get. I really liked Biology class (although I liked the plant section more than anatomy, but learning how the body works was cool). The program at MCC would be tough because I'd have to be a fulltime student and do clinicals all summer. I wouldn't be able to work full-time if at all, so I'll have to wait till Wes gets out. The only pre-requisite/core classes I don't have yet are A&P 1&2. I can go ahead and take them in the fall & spring of next year and be ready to start the program in August '10, providing Wes will be done or almost done and I can maintain a job for at least that first semester.... (It's too late to get in for this fall.) There are so many ifs..... Mom's going to see if I can shadow someone at the hospital soon. Maybe that will help me decide. A&P would be interesting and even if I don't do radiology, they may come in handy for something else.

I've always enjoyed typing and writing. Court reporters make great money and there's specific school programs for this, some even online. Problem is, this is a small town and the demand around here is non-existent. I'd still think it be fun though. That'd be a job with normal hours, for sure. Con: Desk job.

Landscaper. I like to cut things down in the yard. It's fun. I love my new pair of clippers! (Just ask the Azalea bushes in the back yard, or what's left of them). I like plants and being outside in the yard. (Not big on cutting grass although weedeating is fun. Don't like the idea of being sweaty hot all the time, but maybe I can get over that) I have a friend in the business here. I may call him up one day and talk to him about it. He owns his own business and has done quite well, I'm told.

The church is starting a CO-ED SOFTBALL TEAM!!! ! YEAH!!!! I signed up on Sunday.

Gotta go. Going running in the AM. It's been raining for 4 days!

Lost Season 5

Well, It's finally here! Last nights episode was intense. I won't go into detail as not to spoil it for anyone.... But there were several questions answered and a few more asked....

(I'm watching Alias right now BTW!)

Not much is going on recently. Work is still well, work. Ran 3 miles yesterday. Tomorrow's high is near 70. I'm hoping to do at least 6...


Somebody give me something to write about.... I'm running dry......

Phew.......

I don't know about anyone else, but I am officially Obama'd out! It's been nothing but politics for like 2 years for me! Having lived in South Carolina, an early primary state, we got hit with it full force back when there were 8 or 9 candidates on each side. Every other day there was a candidate in town or a debate or something. After all this, I'm just glad it's finally over. (Don't take this the wrong way. I'm glad we have a new president and I know we all have witnessed a truly historic event.) Today was just too much. Most people took time out of their day to watch the inaugural speech and then went back to work. I couldn't. We watched the speech and the farewell to the Bushes and a little bit after that. I enjoyed it. But then I had to go to work and sat there all day watching every band in the parade, every dinner and every car ride, every dance and everyones opinion of everything in between....

Tonight, I think I'll leave the TV off and take a nice long bath.

You're right B! Thank God It's Friday!!!

Whew! Am I glad this week is over!! Today was brutal at work!!!

I didn't go to spin class today. Wes & I both were really feeling it. I did run yesterday, so that added to my aches. Instead, I had lunch with an old friend today. Kim called me. It was quite enjoyable I must say. I was uncertain at first. I'm not known for maintaining quality friendships with people. For some reason, I'd always thought that Kim and I wouldn't be able to reconnect. We hadn't really talked one on one since right after school. But we had a pleasant conversation and a nice lunch. Hopefully, we can do it again. She works across the road from the station. It was also my third time at Deli on 5th this week....

Merry Christmas! It's 75 Degrees!!!

IT'S TOO HOT!!!!! I should not be 75 degrees on Christmas! It's ridiculous!!! I shouldn't be complaining because it's snowing like crazy in the North! (Having fun Adam & Becca????)

It's been a long two weeks... I've worked six days each week and had several looong days because of bad weather and people calling in sick. Anyway, it's almost over...

We had a little house guest this week. Laura & Nathan came to visit with Papaw this week and stayed with us. He was precious!! He's almost walking. Here's a few pics....

On Friday, Virginia was transferred to Riley's Rehab unit. She's doing much better. She just needs to regain her strength.

Today, we went to Wes' parents for their Christmas. They are leaving tomorrow on a trip and today was their "Santa Clause." Kevin, Kim, McKenzie & Dalton and Kelly & Ava were there. Here's a few pics.....

Ava & Steve eating Cheetos

McKenzie, Kelly, Ava and little Dalton

Becky playing with Ava and Dalton

Drew & Gage playing with their new Wii drum & guitar set.

Dalton opening gifts.

Pics From the Wesley House Christmas Party

Us & "Randy" Clause

boring.....

I had to get up this morning and do the morning show... fun. Actually, it was quite boring. I have to work it again tomorrow and Monday. I was finished with everything I needed to do at 10am. I left around 10:30 and went running. I did 5 miles. I ran about 4 1/2. When I finished, I got the rake out and raked the while yard. It took me about an hour or so. (My shoulders and back are sore...) When I got the leaves all piled up on the side of the road, I took a big dive... It was fun...... and a little wet.
:)

Pete & Kelly should be here tomorrow night sometime. They'll be here for a day and head to Texas on Thursday. Saturday, we are eating lunch at Wes' parents. They are going on a trip for Christmas, so this will be their family gathering.

Yeah for Black Friday - Nay for Work...

Mom, Aunt Lynn & I went Black Friday'n. I got there first, at around 4. (Yes, 4am!) It was a pretty good time! I was a little tired because I only slept about 2 hours last night. I couldn't fall asleep because my mind was racing. We spent a lot of time at Belk & Penney's and then walked through the mall. At around 10:30 we went to Bed, Bath & Beyond. Their sale ended at 10am.. Oh well. That's when I started feeling it. I knew that I wouldn't last through the day if I didn't get any sleep. I went home and slept until 2pm. Wes actually got up and went to Sam's with Tom (a friend from work). They had free breakfast. He said it wasn't much to speak of. He did buy a GPS. He's been looking at them lately. He's still not sure if he'll keep it or not. After he left there, he went back to bed.

When we woke up, I began unloading the car and noticed that the Bradford Pear tree in our front yard has beautiful red, orange and yellow leaves now. It's really pretty. I took some pictures of it today. Today we had our Thanksgiving meal. Dad fried the turkey and mom made the dressing. I made succotash, black-eyed peas and a Hash brown casserole. Ken & Deb came and brought Nathan. I'll post some pics and some of the tree in a few minutes... Sunday, we along with Adam & Becca are still planning on going to New Orleans. That will be nice to get away.

stuff.

I haven't been around much lately... Sorry. I've been really into reading these last few weeks. I finished Randy Pausch's book. Very good and inspiring. I have started a book called The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski. The gist of it, it's about a boy and his dog. Or dogs I should say. It's a slow read, but pretty good. It's very illustrative and wordy, but I like it because it gives you a complete picture in your mind.
Plus I've been watching all the new seasons of my shows... Eli Stone, CSI, Heroes, Fringe, Ghost Whisperer. I've also been running a lot. I started running the roads. Down 40th St to 23rd and down to the cemetery and back. Once I get pretty comfortable with that, I'm going to go further, to Country Club Road to 10th Avenue and back. It's a little longer and through neighborhoods I haven't driven thru in a while. I'm going tomorrow and Thursday. It's supposed to rain on Friday, so I'll end up in the gym then I'm sure.
I signed up for a couple of local runs. There's one on Nov. 15 and Dec. 6.

Work has been well, work. There'll be a few changes coming soon. The part-time workers are being "transfered" to the news department. Well, sort of. I will be making the schedules, but they will be working for both the newscasts and the news department, which will keep them busier. Hopefully, these changes will make some things better. We'll see.

Stuff

This week at work was very slightly challenging. Just a little bit. We were live from the first Presidential Debate in Oxford on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It wasn't at all hard, but I felt like there was real news to present this time. Lindsey Brown, one of our reporters was there. She did a phenomenal job. She's going places. Working with good reporters makes the job easier and more fun. Anyway, it was a pleasant week. Unfortunately, there's no debate this week. Oh well.
Wes & I have taken a lazy weekend... again. Wes worked overnight on Friday night. I joined the gym at Riley's this week. I went while Wes was at work. Members have 24 hour access so I can go anytime. It gives me something to do and maybe I'll find motivation to run again. It's not as nice as Pivotal was in Charleston, but that's expected. There's a franchise fitness center right down the road that I thought about joining, but places like that don't stick around long in a small town like this one. On Saturday, we had a "date" night. Dinner and a movie.
"Amazing Race" and "Cold Case" started today. Ghost Whisperer and CSI starts this week as well. Heroes has already started (pretty good so far). We've been watching Fringe as well. It's pretty good. I ordered Season 4 of Lost the other day. It comes out December 9. Season 5 won't start until January. Oh, well.

ALZHEIMER'S WALK IN TWO WEEKS!!!!!!

I hate Hurricanes!

I'm finally sitting down... with no real reason to get up. The last two days have been crazy! On Sunday, I had to go in at 11pm and work overnight. I left around 4:30 Monday morning and went back to bed. I woke up around 11 and went to the hospital for a few minutes before heading back to work at 12:30. I stayed at work till 11:30 that night. Total time in that 24 hour period... 16 hours. This morning I woke up at 5:45 and went to sit with Papaw till around 10am. I came home and took a nap. Went to work at 1:45. Fortunately, Steven is going to do the 10pm show tonight, so I can sleep. I was going to stay with Papaw, but Mom hired a sitter since he is doing much better. That way we can both get some much needed rest. I am going to soak in the bath and then go to bed. Yipee!! The bad news is I'll probably have to do it again next week when "Ike" decides where it wants to go.

Thanks for all your thoughts & prayers during Papaw's hospital stay. He will hopefully get released tomorrow or Thursday.

Some flowers from the bushes in our yard....

Bowling w/ Drew & Gage

This afternoon, we had Drew & Gage with us for a few hours while Becky & Steve were at an appointment. We took them bowling down the road. Wes won both games, but the second game, Drew & Gage tied for second and beat me. Wes & I bowled with the opposite hand to give them an advantage. It worked with me, I was horrible left-handed. Here's some pics.....




Tonight I have to work because we are doing weather cut-ins every hour. Yeah!! (Sarcastic!!) Hopefully the storm won't effect us and we'll be able to get back to normal over the next few days. We'll see....

Where's Gracie????

Becky is in overdue. Her due date is this weekend and as far as I know, she still hasn't had the baby yet... We'll see. I keep checking the Hydrick's blog for updates....

It's pear time! Anybody want some?? My neighbor has offered to take the rotten ones for deer feed. He's also going to take some ripe ones for his family. There's one lady at work that wants some and a few others that have offered to take a few at a time. So far, I've picked about 8 walmart bags full and that's only from 1 tree. Both trees are still overloaded. I will be happy to bring them to anyone who wants them... In other words: FREE DELIVERY!!

This week at work I started a new project. When a new commercial is to air, the company or ad agency has to send the spot to us. Most come on a satellite receiver and are put right into the server. Others come on tapes mailed to the station. Most local commercials that are not produced by the station's production department are sent on tape along with some national commercials that don't want to pay the fees associated with the satellite feeds. Others mail them because some small stations don't have access to the satellite receivers either. Either way, we accumulate a ton of tapes over the years. We have to keep them and we eventually reuse them. So my project this week is to re-organize them and throw out tapes that are older than dirt. (There are many 1 in. film reels still back there!) It's dusty, dark and smelly back there. On Friday, I stayed till around 1 am. I got to the G's. Not that anyone really cares about a dusty room full of old tapes. I just thought I'd mention it. I'm trying to re-organize the place so that I can function there. It's a slight OCD thing I have. It's really hard to go into someone else's organization system and adapt to it. I like to create my own system. Honestly, there was no organization back there at all. It was total chaos..... I'm trying to fix that..... We'll see......

GOOD LUCK BECKY!!!

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE LITTLE GRACIE!!!!!

Overwhelmed....

I've managed to chill out a bit and take a break from my pointless attempts at making a dent in the number of boxes that are piled up in my house. Every where I turn, I seem to find more that I hadn't realized existed. How did we accumulate so much stuff? Wes's question is, "How did we fit all this stuff into a two bedroom apartment?"

Our move went smoothly. We packed everything on Friday. Jonathan, Pete & Kelly along with two guys from work, Dave and Jason, came out to help us. As soon as we were through and sitting down, the bottom fell out of the sky. On Saturday, we left around 6am, got here around 4:30pm and slept at mom's house. Sunday, Wes' Dad and Jonathan came to help along with my parents and a couple and their son from the church. Everything worked out pretty well, I think. (Thanks to everyone who helped!!! You guys are awesome!)

This week, we have managed to unpack the kitchen, although there are still a few boxes of christmas stuff that will need to be moved into the laundry room, which we haven't cleaned out yet. The office is the worst room in the house for my anxiety issues. The door to the kitchen is blocked by boxes and junk, so we have to walk through the living room to get to the kitchen. The extra bedroom is a mess. Our bedroom is liveable, but only if I sleep facing the wall. Part of the problem is we have moved into a partially furnished house, so we have to rethink our furniture placement. It's also the fact that we are working now, and time is valuable. I have come home from work for dinner and cleared a box or two. Today, I put the DVD's in the entertainment center.

Tomorrow, we are going to Lowe's to purchase a few improvement things (a new garbage disposal, new locks/doorknobs, possibly a freezer, a new pedestal sink for one of the bathrooms, baskets for the closet shelves, etc). This house is old and in great shape. A few things need to be cosmettically upgraded. It's a project for Wes & I. We also have a decent sized yard to take care of. Luckily, our neighbors have been here for 30+ years (I used to sell them girl scout cookies) and are more than welcome to come over and pick from the fig and pear trees. That helps. I learned today that one of our neighbors is a Meridian cop, so that's comforting.

Work is well, work. As I probably predicted before, it is a pretty hefty culture shock, going from big city fast, hard news with 5 live trucks with 9 shows a day to the slow paced life that is Mississippi. I will enjoy it one day, but right now I'm still adjusting my eyes to the smaller amount of monitors in the control room. In Charleston, NOT going live was an odd thing. Here, going live is stressful on all parties. Everyone was pulling their hair out while I'm wondering what all the fuss is about. I'm used to it, but everyone else isn't. It will take me a while to get used to that, as well as only having one channel of Deko, running the deko myself, along with timing the show myself as well. Wade says that when he came back, it took him a while to feel comfortable again. Not much has changed, except everyone in production are new. Carl is still there, offering fatherly advice about life and careers, as he did for me four years ago. We talk about books a lot. (He taught my mother algebra in high school. He remembers when I was born). The main news anchors are still there...John, Tom, Wade, Andrea, Lindsey. I got many hugs on Tuesday. It was more of a reunion than a first day of work. I also ran into an old college classmate today. (Haven't ran into anyone at Walmart yet, although I've only been once.)

Phoebe is settling nicely. Since we don't have a second floor anymore, we don't leave our blinds open all the time. She doesn't like that. Her world is still changing because we are slowly eliminating her hiding places by getting rid of boxes and organizing and such. She did hide under the bed in the back bedroom for about 2 days.

That's about it for now. I haven't taken any pics in a while. I'll post some of the house soon....

cheers!
e

Last Day...

Harve (my favorite reporter)

Michelle, going through the book everyone signed for me.

Garren, my favorite co-worker & marathon runner. I'm jealous!

Jerrod (director)

Chad, Bill and Amy (Morning Anchors)

Bill & Chad

Bobby (Morning camera guy)

_____________________

Scenes from the Dungeon

ONE MORE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jonathan & Pete

Jonathan is here this week. He's going to help us move this weekend. He's been kind of bored most of the time. Today, Pete was off and he took him on the boat for a little while today. Pete also Camo'd his boat. It looks good. He did it so he could go duck hunting this season...

I HAVE TWO DAYS LEFT!!!

WES'S LAST DAY IS TOMORROW!!!

My Going Away Lunch

We had a going away lunch today at Gilligan's after work... Several folks were there from the morning shows.. This first pic is of me & Johnny, the AM audio guy. He's in the reserves and is on his two-week service starting this week. He's in Biloxi and may help us move in if he can get up there....

Me, Michelle (audio/deko), Jenny (producer), & Kristy (producer) All of us are on the softball team together.

Chad Watson (Weather) and his wife Nancy

Michelle & Jenny

Kristy, Dave (Master Control), Jason (audio/deko)

Kristy, Dave, Jason and Garren (engineer) on the end. Garren got a Charleston coffee table book and got everyone to sign it for me. It was a great gift!

Chad and Bill Walsh (weather) in the background.

Tidbits & Chaos!

Like the new look??? I've been wanting to change this for a while. I got creative this morning at work. Tell me what you think!!!

Our apartment is in total chaos!!! It's driving me crazy! I can't stand the mess. Wes cleaned up a little last night. (THANX SWEETIE!!) You can actually walk around now. I just finished taking down the curtains. Wes also broke down the fish tanks too. We took the Oscar back to the fish store yesterday. He won't survive the move. All the other fish are now in the 29 gallon tank with the Biowheels floating. We'll put them in the cooler the day we pack the truck. Wes has also wrapped several pieces of furniture with plastic wrap. We've packed up pretty much all we can do for now. We still have to live here for two more weeks. (TWO WEEKS!) I only have 9 days left of work. There are several morning show folks who have birthdays in June. Today, we went to Senior Tequila's (Mexican Restaurant) for a little lunch. I took a few pics:

Kristy(producer), Sheldon(reporter), Brandon(producer), Ryan(producer)

Bill (AM anchor), Kristy & Sheldon

Ryan & Jenny(producer)

The softball tournament started last weekend. (Double Elimination) I am told that we won the first game, lost the second, won the third and were in the middle of a fourth when the rain came. On Sunday, we'll finish the fourth game and continue, that is, if we win.

Wes and I have also discovered Steve & Barry's. It's a great store. Everything is under $10. EVERYTHING. There's one in Meridian now! :)