Amber's Scoop

Penny Project Update

2011-02-28T12:07:00.001-08:00

"Penny Project" is in full swing and rolling. I pitched this idea to my Sunday school class at First Baptist Church in Meridianville at the beginning of the month. Now it's the last day of the month, and we are donating more and more food each week to the "Rose of Sharon Soup Kitchen".

We started out with a bag of food. As you can see from the picture this week Cole and I took several bags of food. I am amazed each week at how much this ministry is growing.
In the other picture, Cole is sitting on the counter of the "Rose of Sharon Soup Kitchen" with owner Sharon Walker and volunteer Debbie Patton.
It's a soup kitchen that feeds the homeless and the needy.
Here's how the "Penny Project" works.
Clip the Publix's Mystery item coupon from Wednesday's newspaper. Then spend $10 to get the mystery item that only costs one pennny. Once you've done that just donate it to the "Penny Project".
Also, if you like the penny item just donate a "Buy One Get One Free Item", or if you don't shop there find a good sale at your favorite store. I'm seeing all kinds of stuff-not just penny items.

Remember though just one penny can feed the homeless.

The Penny Project

2011-02-08T09:45:00.000-08:00

Just One Penny Can Feed the Homeless

This summer when I became a penny pincher and started clipping coupons I began shopping on Wednesdays at Publix because of the "Mystery Item".
In order to get the "Mystery Item" you have to have the coupon from Wednesday's newspaper. It only cost one penny, but you have to spend $10 to get the deal.
I knew if I did my grocery shopping on Wednesdays I would automatically be spending more than ten bucks. So then I would get the "Mystery Item."
As I gathered these items it got me thinking, I need to be donating this food to a soup kitchen.
So Thanksgiving rolled around and that's what I did. I gathered up several mystery items and Buy One Get One Free items and Baby Cole and I headed to the Rose of Sharon Soup Kitchen on North Memorial Parkway.
My wheels kept spinning. I decided to pitch this idea to my Sunday school class a couple of weeks ago. I thought if they would do the same thing I had been doing, we could really help feed the homeless. Then this past Sunday "The Penny Project" took off.
Today, I dropped off a whole basket of food. What a blessing it is to see smiles on everyone's faces when you are able give back.
You can do this in your community too! Just pick up the penny item or "Mystery Item" and take it to a soup kitchen. Let's help feed the homeless for a penny.
We can feed the homeless for just a penny!

My Little Train Conductor

2011-02-03T06:35:00.001-08:00

My Latest Painting

2011-01-24T18:12:00.000-08:00

The Ocean

Chicken Poulet Recipe

2011-01-24T18:04:00.000-08:00

1 pkg (8oz.) herbal cornbread stuffing
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cup milk
1/2 stick butter (melted)
3 cup chopped chicken cooked
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 can cream of mushroom
2 beaten eggs
Mild shredded cheddar cheese

Mix all ingredients except mushroom soup and cheese. Place in 9x13" greased pan and spread mushroom soup over mixture. Top with cheese. Bake at 325 degrees for approximately 45 minutes or until brown.
***I would let the mixture set up before putting the mushroom soup on top.

It's easy and yummy!!!

Recipe Sharing Time

2010-12-09T06:08:00.000-08:00

We are counting down the days till Christmas. Yesterday, I made my first batch of pepppermint bark. The recipe is called Holiday Peppermint Candy, but it looks just like peppermint bark.
It's the same red and white candy they're selling in stores right now for outrageous prices. Considering a box of candy canes is 99 cents. I will hand it to the peppermint bark hustlers the almond bark is almost $4 after tax. When you are making it in bulk, come on it's not that expensive.
That's why I have provided you a simple and easy recipe, here called Holiday Pepppermint Candy.

Below the Peppermint Candy is the Peanut Butter Pie recipe!!! Eat Up!!

Holiday Peppermint Candy
2 lbs. white candy coating (white chocolate almond bark)
1/2 lb. candy canes or peppermint discs

Melt white chocolate over medium to low heat (I recommend low heat), stirring until smooth. While waiting, crush peppermint into very small pieces until well blended. Remove from heat. Spread wax paper on baking sheets. Spread an even mixture on baking sheets. Refrigerate about 8-10 minutes. Remove and break into small pieces. Store in air tight containers. Serve to everyone!

Peanut Butter Pie!

1 pint heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup 4 x powdered sugar (the grocery store never carries this type, I just use the regular powdered sugar. It works!)
2 9" Graham Cracker Pie Crusts (I don't know why it calls for 2? Maybe in case you break one. I did the first time I made the recipe!)
1 pkg. miniature chocolate chips

Whip cream and sugar in one bowl. In another bowl, combine cream cheese and peanut butter. Then add powdered sugar. Fold all ingredients together. Then add chocolate chips. Pour ingredients evenly into the pie crust and refrigerate overnight.

This recipe taste better if you freeze the pie!!!

Angel Baby

2010-11-12T15:10:00.001-08:00

22 Months

2010-11-12T04:45:00.000-08:00

Chocolate Fudge Brownies

2010-11-11T18:05:00.000-08:00

The much anticipated recipe for the chocolate fudge brownies that are oh so sinful! Thanks Kathy Park. You are the bomb!

Choclate Fudge Brownies
Melt two sticks of butter with four ounces of semi-sweet chocolate squares

Beat four eggs
Add 2 cups sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
2 cups chopped pecans
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Add chocolate mixture when cool.

Bake in 9x13 pan at 350 degrees for apx. 40 minutes.
Don't forget to spray your pan with Pam.

Still Testing the New Lens

2010-11-09T06:46:00.001-08:00

Fall Pics

2010-11-06T20:25:00.001-07:00

Happy Fall Ya'll!

Baby Blue

2010-09-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

I've been busy lately. Here's my latest and favorite pic of Cole. He's 20 months and will soon be 21 months.

Beach Pics

2010-08-04T13:25:00.001-07:00

We went to the beach in June! I thought I would share a few of my favorites.
I've been busy lately. Trying to figure out the couponing.
I did well today. I saved $55.00 at Publix and spent $74.00.
They looked at me like I had won the lottery when they told me 'you saved $55.00."
More to come!

Hot Air Balloon Pics

2010-07-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

Chicken Pot Pie/Blueberry Cobbler Dump Cake

2010-07-02T08:22:00.000-07:00

What we had for dinner Thursday night and tonight for leftovers!

Chicken Pot Pie-
1 can Veg All
1 can Cream of Chicken
1 large can of chicken
Add Thyme till it looks and smells right!
Rolled Pie Crusts
Deep Dish Pie Crusts
1 egg
4 slices of butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Pour all canned ingredients in to large bowl, then add Thyme. Stir till mixed well. Pour into deep dish pie crust. Roll pie crust over mixture. Beat egg then wipe over top of rolled pie crust. Cut four thin slices into top pie crust. Slide four slices of butter into crust.
Bake for 45 minutes.

I learned the Chicken Pot Pie recipe from my good friend Andrea while on bed rest with Cole. She would come over and make it for us. It's so yummy. If you double it. You can use both of your pie crusts and freeze one for later! Wow, a dinner for later!!

Blueberry Cobbler Dump Cake-

1 box yellow cake mix
2 cups blueberries
2 sticks melted butter
1 20 oz can crushed pineapple

Put blueberries and pineapple in 9x13 dish or casserole. Shake cake mix over top, then drizzle with melted butter.
Cook for 45 minutes or until brown on top.

OMGoodness this is soooooo good!! Wow, we were amazed at how tasty this treat turned out!
I got this on the internet from Passionate Penny Pincher. It's incredibly easy to fix!

Both of these recipes are so simple! So if you have a gathering and are in a hurry these are the two to pick!

Coupon Shopping

2010-07-02T08:09:00.000-07:00

So my coupon shopping went a little late last night. I'm learning the ropes of saving money right now.
I've always shopped generic, but I thought I'd learn how to save even more money by coupon shopping.
I have a friend at church who saved thousands of dollars last year by coupon shopping. I went along on the shopping cart ride last night.
I spent $50.06 and saved $26.42.
Not so great for my first trip, but I came home with a boatload of groceries. Lots of stuff in the freezer! We shopped at Publix and did the Buy One Get One Free-it's called a BOGO!!

There are tons of websites out there to get you started.

www.iheartpublix.com, www.southernsavers.com, www.ihearttarget.com. All of those websites have links to get you going! I'll post more as research more of them.
It's incredible what's out there!
Start saving hot mommas!
Why not??
My next post are the recipes I promised!!

Mexican Lasagna Recipe

2010-06-29T19:02:00.000-07:00

I got this recipe from another blogger the "The Fairhope Foodie"
So here is her Mexican Lasagna recipe. It's tasty and easy to cook!

1 pound of ground beef
1 medium onion diced
2 garlic cloves minced
1 packet taco seasoning
1 can Rotel (there is a coupon on www.coupon.com right now for Rotel)
1 can Ranch style beans (I used black beans)
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup (I used generic)
12 (6 inch) Fajita size tortillas
3 cups shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Brown meat in large skillet over medium heat. Drain fat. Add onion and garlic and cook 2-4 minutes until onion softens. Add taco seasoning, Rotel, Ranch style beans and Cream of Chicken Soup.
Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Tear tortillas into large chunks and set aside.
Spoon about half cup of meat sauce on the bottom of prepared baking dish. Line the dish with half of the tortillas, half of the meat sauce and half of the cheese.
Repeat layers ending with cheese!
Bake for 25-30 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Serves around 6 or more!

I found this recipe when I started coupon shopping-more on that later!!!
I'm still studying. I'll post all those links soon.
I'll give you a link to get started with www.iheartpublix.com
Yea! There's another whole world out there to save money!! Get started!!

BTW-I served this dish with homemade Guacamole! Yum!

My latest work

2010-06-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

I have some new artwork to post of Mr. Cole. So here you go take a look.
We took these in Decatur and around the backyard.
I'll post our beach pics as soon as I finish uploading them.

Trusting In The Lord!

2010-06-08T12:37:00.000-07:00

We are trusting in the Lord. My family and I. We are waiting on the new path he has chosen for us.

Big Boy

2010-02-05T07:53:00.000-08:00

Cole is now in the big boy class at daycare. He has been in there for a whole week.
This morning when I left him, he was sitting at a table in a chair eating crackers and cheese. So sweet and precious. Yet, at the same time our little boy is just growing up right before our eyes.
He has already painted a groundhog puppet. It's hanging on the refrigator. I'm loving the artwork.
His coloring is coming. The teachers said he wanted to eat the crayons. haha.
Just wanted to share some pictures and updates on Mr. Cole's life.

Grammy Awards

2010-01-31T17:58:00.000-08:00

Watching the Grammy Awards. Taylor Swift's dress was fantastic. Glad to see no one interrupted her acceptance speech.
The opening act, Lady Gaga, a little strange, still interesting.
I love the Grammy Awards for the performances.
Now for Beyonce! Love to watch her perform. This woman was made to perform. Looks like she has star troopers performing with her tonight. Still I'm enjoying her costume. Very cool. O.k. now she's doing a rendition of Alanis Morrisete, wow!
Now, Pink's performance! I love this song. One of my favorites on her album. This costume she just revealed, amazing! I think she must be a gymnast now. She did an acrobatic feat on another awards show, I can't remember which one. It was very cool. Now she's wet. Awards shows just keep pushing the creative envelope. Pink is way talented. You go girl.
Just watched the Black Eyed Peas. I bounced on the couch as they jumped on the stage. What were those things on the stage jumping around with them?? Sub wolvers?? I have other favorite performances by the Black Eyed Peas. That one was an 8 for me. They still rock.
Can't wait for the Michael Jackson tribute. Peace out music lovers!

Cole is 1!!

2010-01-25T18:38:00.000-08:00

It has been a year since we brought this little boy into our lives.

December 29th Cole Huston Stuart turned one. I know this is a little late. We've been busy though, with Christmas, a birthday party, thank you notes, chasing him around the house and you know the usual.

Life is good! This boy is the best thing that could have ever happened to our lives.

Cole is walking up a storm. He is so much fun. People told us to watch out when he started walking. I LOVE IT!! To me life is a bit easier.

He loves to play with the hair brushes while I'm drying my hair. So now daddy can go and shave! We have achieved a small miracle in the Stuart household. We are also down to one bottle.

I wanted to share some pictures with you all. I'm taking Cole's pictures now and would love to get some feedback.

I just took his 12 month picture this weekend. Hope you all enjoy the pictures.

I hope to update more often. I'm not promising...just hoping....

2009-11-25T14:23:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you and yours a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.

Enjoy Turkey Day! Gobble Gobble and Roll Tide!!

Valley Babies Magazine

2009-11-20T09:19:00.000-08:00

Cole is going to grace the cover of Valley Babies in December. This is the picture that will be featured.

Pick up a copy. They will be featuring a story about his birth and my pregnancy.

I love this picture. My friend C.J. Patterson with Angel Eyes Photography took it for us.

We have several more. I'll try posting some more later.

I just wanted to share this news. We are so excited about Cole being on the cover!

Thanks Glenni!

Cole's First Trip to the Beach

2009-06-19T07:24:00.000-07:00

We took Cole on his first trip to the beach last week.
He loved the water, pool and ocean!
He is almost 6 months now.
Cole is rolling all around the place now and wants to crawl so bad.
He smiles all the time as you can see from the pictures.
Cole is just a bundle of joy and so much fun to be around.
This boat in the picture we borrowed from some other vacationers-he loved to be pushed around in it by his daddy. It had a little fake horn it. We would go beep-beep and he would just laugh. Cole is so funny.
Being a mother is the best feeling in the world.

Our little man!!

Interviewing The Governor

2009-06-05T09:14:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture Govenor Bob Riley's photographer Robin Cooper sent me today.

What a great picture Robin snapped yesterday at a luncheon the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce had here at the VBC.

All of us reporters gathered around the governor for a little question and answer segment after the lunch.

The Governor is a serious man, but has a very good personality as you can see in this picture here.

Thanks for the interview and another great picture Governor Bob Riley.

He has another year and half in office. Then we'll be voting for a new leader. The governor has served two terms for Alabama. He says he and the first lady Patsi plan to move back to the small Clay County town of Ashland.

But that's a little ways down the road.

Again, thanks for another great photo!!

Verdict Watch Over!

2009-05-15T12:04:00.000-07:00

Daniel Wade Moore has been found not guilty on all the charges.
Verdict watch is over.

Day 6 Verdict Watch

2009-05-14T09:45:00.000-07:00

Jurors asked a question around 10:30 this morning. They asked Judge Steve Haddock to reexplain the charges and then asked if they had to mark guilty or non guilty for each charge.
Now the courtroom is a buzz with concern and questions. What does that question mean? Everyone wants to read into what the jury meant by that question? Does it mean they're any closer to a decision?
I'm just as curious as the next person here. I want to know what that question meant.
I do feel like this means we're getting close to wrapping up and getting a verdict.
Geez, if we only had a crystal ball we could know what the jurors are thinking right now.
I remember last year when they came out and read the verdict and it was a hung jury. My heart just dropped for both sides. It meant we would be right back here fighting again.
I almost cried when they read it last year. I hope I don't do the same thing this year.
I've been with the story for so long now, the story is really close to my heart.
We're on the sixth day of deliberations-the same day the 2008 jurors came out and said they were hung and could deliberate no more.
I made sure this morning I could run in these shoes because once we get a verdict I'll be running to get the news on the air.
I've got a feeling today is the day. We'll see.

DAY 5 VERDICT WATCH

2009-05-13T13:17:00.000-07:00

IT'S THE FIFTH WEEK OF THE TRIAL AND THE FIFTH DAY OF VERDICT WATCH.
WILL WE GET A VERDICT?
THE COURTROOM STAYS A BUZZ THROUGHOUT THIS WEDNESDAY.
WOMEN PASS COOKBOOKS AROUND TO KEEP THEIR MINDS BUSY, AND PEOPLE TALK ABOUT FAMILY GENEALOGY.
EVERYONE IS EATING CANDY AND DRINKING SODAS TO BEAT THE BOREDOM. WHILE ATTORNEYS TALK ON THEIR CELL PHONES OR TEXT AND PACE THE COURTROOM FLOORS. SOMETIMES THEY EVEN CHOOSE TO SIT IN THE JURY BOX WHEN THEY'RE TIRED OF SITTING BEHIND THE DEFENSE OR PROSECUTION TABLE.
JUDGE STEVE HADDOCK'S COURTROOM IS A VERY RESTLESS ONE ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF THE MORGAN COUNTY COURTHOUSE.
SOMEHOW THOUGH, PEOPLE WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS THIRD CAPITAL MURDER TRIAL FOR DANIEL WADE MOORE.
MOST OF THESE PEOPLE IN THIS COURTROOM HAVE NEVER MET THE MOORE'S OR THE TIPTON'S PRIOR TO THESE TRIALS.
YET, THEY CONTINUE TO MAKE IT BACK EACH DAY WAITING PATIENTLY ON A VERDICT.

Verdict Watch Day 4

2009-05-12T09:30:00.000-07:00

It's day four of the verdict watch in the capital murder trial of Daniel Wade Moore.
All 12 jurors returned this morning. After one juror had to go home late Monday afternoon because of an upper respiratory infection.
Well they're back and deliberating.
Wouldn't it be sweet if they came back with a verdict today. The courtroom is full and people are ready.
Do I think it will happen today? No. I just don't feel it in my gut. It took six days last year for a hung jury.
I'm at least not getting the feeling of a hung jury right now. I did get that feeling at the beginning, but not right now. Maybe I'm just wanting to be positive. At this point in time, I feel like we're going to get a verdict. Which way-I have no CLUE!!!
Even if I did I would never answer that question.

Verdict Watch

2009-05-11T07:47:00.000-07:00

It's the third capital murder trial for Daniel Wade Moore in Morgan County. It's the second time I've covered it. So it's the second time I've sat here waiting on a verdict for Moore.
Last year, we sat here for six days waiting on a verdict, then jurors couldn't reach a decision. It was a hung jury 8 to acquit 4 guilty.
The decision came down on the ninth anniversary of the day Karen Tipton was murdered.
Moore is accused of killing Tipton in her Chapel Hill Road home on March 12, 1999.
I've been covering this case for so long now everything is stored in my memory. I can only imagine how everyone involved like family members, attorneys and so one live it each time we have to relive it in this courtroom.
I so hope for the sake of each family sitting in this courtroom that this jury will reach a verdict. These families cannot sit through another trial. These trials are long and painful. Each trial brings out more evidence for both sides that seems to hurt.
All I can say now is we need a verdict. The Tiptons and the Moores can't go through this again.
Now the question is will this jury make it happen?

Easter

2009-04-10T07:21:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited about Easter! It will be Cole's first Easter. O.k. I'm going the easy route this year, I bought the pre-dyed eggs at the grocery store last night, but I plan on making his basket myself. I know he won't remember it, but we can take pictures!
There won't be anything artificial about the story of Jesus rising again out of the tomb though. I love this holiday. I love to hear the story.
I hope everyone has a nice Easter. Hopefully, I haven't checked the forecast, rain won't damper the egghunts.
Happy Hunting!

Precious Angel

2009-04-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Here's the little man before church one Sunday. I think he looks just like Kevin in this picture. Cole turned three months old this past Sunday.

He loves to play patty cake! I just love the little milestones. I can't believe he's already three months old. We just love him so much.

I can't wait to get home to him everyday. Our little precious Angel!

Another Great Picture!

2009-03-19T10:38:00.001-07:00

Look at this sweetheart! This is the smiling face I see in the morning before I come to work, and when I get home. I love it!

He's so precious!!! Another great camera phone picture caught by Aunt Sissy! I promise one day to upload some real pictures that I've been taking with my camera. The only thing is when I'm home I'm loving on my sweet baby Cole. I don't have time to upload.

I have good news. I have uploaded them to my computer-just not the blog! haha. Right now, I'm on my lunch break!!

Little Man

2009-03-19T10:28:00.001-07:00

Look at this Little Man! My sissy took this picture of Cole this morning on his changing table with her camera phone. He looks like a little man wearing this outfit.

I can't believe how grownup he looks in this outfit. He's 11 weeks and 3 days today. Cole is just a ball full of fun. He smiles so much. I just love him to pieces.

I love to watch him in his bouncy chair. He gets so excited kicking his legs and hitting the toys. He understands now that when he kicks his legs it makes the toys wiggle around. How precious! God couldn't have blessed us with a more precious Angel.

Back to Work

2009-03-03T09:05:00.000-08:00

Today is my first day back to work. I must say it was tough leaving my Baby Cole this morning, but I know he is in good hands. My baby sis is keeping our angel.
Here's an update on Cole he's now 2 months old. Cole's growing like a weed, he weighs 13.7, and is 22 and 1/4 inches long! It's just unbelievable watching him grow. I'll try posting some pictures when I get some time.
I have lots! Just not a lot of time!!

New Pictures of Cole!

2009-01-20T12:41:00.001-08:00

These are some of Cole's newborn pictures we had taken when he got home.
Our friend and professional photographer Ashlee Cooper took them for us. You can visit her site at www.ashleecooperphotography.com she does an awesome job!

The pictures turned out great. Cole just played along like a doll that day. We even went back and had some more pictures taken of our little precious angel.
So here is an update on Mr. Cole he is sleeping at night for the most part. He sleeps for 3 hours then takes a bottle then he's down for another 3 hours.
He is growing like a weed.

He weighed 6 lbs. 8 oz. when he was born. When we brought him home from the hospital he weighed 6 lbs. 2 oz. At his last check up he weighed 7 lbs! He loves to eat!
Cole has already changed so much since these pictures.
I will try to continue to update as soon as I can.
Time is very hard to come by these days.
I hope every one is having a great January, I know we are loving on our baby.

Cole Huston Stuart has Arrived!!!!

2008-12-30T03:25:00.003-08:00

Cole Huston Stuart arrived into the world December 29, 2008 at 7:34 p.m.
He weighed 6 lbs 8 oz and was 18 and a half inches long.
Cole was 16 days early but got to go straight to the well baby nursery.
We are so in love with him.

Cole

2008-12-30T03:25:00.001-08:00

Going to the Hospital!

2008-12-29T13:12:00.000-08:00

We are headed to the hospital to have Cole one way or the other! Dr. Conrad is going to try to turn Cole first. If that's successful then I'll be induced, if not then we're headed straight in for a c-section.
Please keep us in your prayers.
All the heavy work starts at 6 tonight!!!!
We'll post pictures as soon as possible of the little bundle of joy.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T09:12:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas today. We are spending ours at home a little different this year on bed rest, for good reason though. To make sure Baby Cole enters this world healthy.
I will say we have good family, friends and neighbors. People are stopping by and bringing food and good Christmas cheer. It's nice.
My Santa Claus (Kevin) brought me wonderful presents this morning.
So, everyone have a wonderful Christmas and remember Jesus is the reason for the season.

Diagnosis

2008-12-24T08:09:00.000-08:00

Strict bed rest! We're back home. Cole is still in my tummy. I'm borderline pre-eclampsia. The cure for now stricter bed rest than before.
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas~we'll be spending ours here at home watching whatever they put on television.

Still Waiting

2008-12-23T14:34:00.000-08:00

We should know something any minute....we are getting restless. Everyone is standing around the room with arms crossed pacing. Not me, I'm in the bed relaxing!
We're just waiting on a nurse or the doctor to come back with the test results. Then we'll know if we're going in for a c-section or an induction.
Stay tuned and keep praying.

Waiting

2008-12-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

This morning I'm sitting in the hospital bed just waiting. I've been up since about 4:30 this morning checking email and websites.
We had a surprise visit from our doctor, Dr. Michael Conrad, this morning. He just stopped in to check up on Cole and me. Of course I'm still swollen and Cole is doing fine, he is still breeched.
We'll know this afternoon if we're going in for a Cesarean section today or the first of next week. It will all depend on a 24 hour urine analysis I've been doing.
Either way, Cole will be delivered the first of next week if not today.
This is all due now to high blood pressure~they believe pre-eclampsia is settling into my body now.
Guess what though? I've still got high spirits! We're going to have a Christmas miracle out of this experience I feel sure.
Please continue to pray.
I will try my best to update the blog this afternoon~ that is if I get a chance after we find out what we're going to do.
Merry Christmas!!

Update

2008-12-22T14:43:00.000-08:00

We are in the hospital right now. My blood pressure is up this time and I'm swollen like a pig. We have to stay overnight for tests. There is a possibility Cole could be here tomorrow. If my blood pressure doesn't go down.
So, we go from one issue to another with this pregnancy~
It's o.k. we did an ultrasound this morning and they said Cole weighed 7 pounds, which means he could weigh around 6 pounds. He is breeched though. We're hoping for a miracle tonight, maybe he'll get active and turn around! He is a busy little one.
Please keep us in your prayers!
And everyone have a safe Merry Christmas.

Doctor's Visit/Contractions!

2008-12-12T07:48:00.001-08:00

We visited the doctor Wednesday, a day I experienced contractions all day long!!! He said my cervix had softened a little more, but nothing significant. Still 70% thinned and a centimeter dilated. The reason I've been on bed rest since November 18th.
Thursday, I didn't have any contractions until late into the night and they were very mild. Nothing like Wednesday.
Now today, I'm having contractions again. I woke up this morning having small contractions. These are just random ones. They haven't formed a pattern yet and aren't as painful as Wednesdays.
The good thing we are now in the 36th week of the pregnancy. Something tells me we are getting close to meeting Cole Huston Stuart. I can feel the rubber band tighten around my waist as I type, so I'm done with this entry. Have a great weekend.

CBS Sunday Night Movie

2008-12-09T09:02:00.001-08:00

I watched the CBS Sunday night, Hallmark Movie yesterday...Front of the Class.... I loved it! I cried the whole time I watched it.
If you get a chance I highly recommend watching it. It's a true story about a man who has Tourette's Syndrome whose dream is to be a teacher. I'm not going to give the whole story line away.
Wow....great movie. It really passed the bed rest time yesterday.

Excited About Visiting the Doctor

2008-12-08T09:13:00.000-08:00

O.K. my appointment with the doctor isn't until Wednesday, but I'm already excited about going. I know most people don't get excited about going to the doctor, but when it's your only time to leave the house it's pretty darn exhilarating.
I've been on bed rest now since November 18th. My only trips out of the house are to visit with my Ob-Gyn. I get pretty excited about leaving the house to see the doctor. One, because we get to see how Baby Cole Huston Stuart is doing and two, just to see the outdoors. That's pretty sad I know.
You take for granted everyday just how enjoyable it is to drive and get out and see everything around you. I'm not even driving anymore. I'll have to learn how to drive again when this is over...hahaha. Just kidding. You never forget how to drive.
Well, I just wanted to write about how excited I am about going to the doctor this week...wow, I'm pretty boring...
Maybe tomorrow I'll write about all the trashy television I'm watching....today I'm going to try to watch the CBS movie I DVRed last night...I don't believe that was trashy. I can't wait to watch it.
I hope everyone is having a great Monday and wonderful holiday season.
Merry Christmas.

Good Doctor's Report

2008-12-03T12:07:00.000-08:00

We visited the doctor Tuesday. The doc says the bed rest is still working and nothing has changed.
So in other words-I'm doing very good laying around the house watching television all day and night. I don't know why they don't call it bed arrest. You can't do anything but stay at the house and stay in the bed or on the couch. But it's the best thing for the health of our unborn son right now.
I have more good news to report!!! Today wraps up the 34th week!!! Tomorrow we will enter the 35th week. So we have at least kept Cole Huston Stuart in there for a little longer even through the contractions.
I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do about Christmas presents this year? I'm hoping the doctor will give me permission to shop in a wheelchair at least one day maybe the day before Christmas??? For gift cards??? That would work right?? Nothing extravagant.

Update on Bed Rest

2008-12-01T09:15:00.000-08:00

Cole and I are still resting easy on bed rest. We had a rough day Friday/Saturday with several contractions throughout the night, then several more Saturday morning. Then the contractions finally stopped.
Of course since I'm on bed rest I got to watch the Iron Bowl on t.v.
Since I'm a Bama fan it was a stress free game for me. So no more contractions throughout the day.
We do have a doctor's appointment tomorrow (Tuesday). Hopefully, we can come back with a positive update that the bed rest is working.
Wednesday will complete the 34th week. So at least we are moving along in the pregnancy and Cole is having time to grow and develop.
Please continue to pray for Cole, Kevin and I as we go through this trying time in our lives.

Where am I?

2008-11-25T06:26:00.000-08:00

I am on bed rest. Last Tuesday after a couple of trips to the hospital and doctors visits my doctor placed me on bed rest for serious preterm labor complications.
I thought after a week of being out of the loop I would bring everyone up to speed.
Last week at 32 weeks into the pregnancy we got the news that I had lost 70% of my cervix and had started to dilate. Plus, I'm having contractions which has caused all of the above to happen. Obviously, it's not time for this to happen. So my doctor said it was time to stop everything. In order to save Baby Cole Huston Stuart's life. Very scary news.
The good news though we are now in the 33rd week, and tomorrow will wrap up the 33rd week. Thanksgiving day will take us into the 34th week. Our due date is January 14th, which doesn't seem possible now. But you never know with the bed rest.
We had a doctor's appointment yesterday and the bed rest seems to be working. Nothing has changed as far as my cervix and dilating. The doc says we're in a holding pattern. While I'm on medicine to stop the contractions, I'm still having them. That's the only thing that's constant. I will tell you these contractions are not very painful.
And Cole is moving around incredibly.
We're just hoping and praying for more weeks and days. And we hope that you'll do the same for us.
We now have our hospital bags packed and ready to go. And Cole's car seat base is in the car.
The only thing unfinished is the Christmas shopping and the doctor said yesterday I can't even go shopping in a wheelchair. So I guess Christmas is going to be a little different this year.
Please, keep us in your prayers and on your prayer lists.

Happy Anniversary!

2008-10-16T13:15:00.001-07:00

It's a day late, but I wanted a picture to show everyone. Kevin and I celebrated our third anniversary yesterday. That is the fabulous desert we feasted on at Dolce. Yum, what a delight. Kevin gave me the sweetest present a Precious Moments baby boy. We're going to sit it in the baby's room! Aww!

So Happy Anniversary Kevin.

The other picture is of my nephew Brady and me. It was taken this weekend in Louisville, KY. He's 2 and half and such a hoot. He says the funniest things and loves for us to be around. He calls me the "Fabulous Aunt Amber". Isn't that sweet, I must say I love it. hehehe.

By the way, his shirt says grill cheese-that's because he loves to eat grill cheese sandwiches.

My niece, Lillian, who lives in Minnesota, will turn two Sunday. They are growing up. And will soon have new cousins. My sister-in-law Jodi (Lillian's mother) is due four days after me. Busy, busy, busy.

So for an update on the pregnancy!!!

We are in our child birthing and parenting classes now. The first child birthing class was interesting. The instructor busted out some hips and put a baby doll through them. I thought o.k. this is going to hurt. Then she talked about the epidural and then I was little more relaxed. Of course learning the timing on the contractions was very helpful as well. Shew, I don't think women are ever ready until we get there. All I know is I'm very excited!!

Oh, and I can't wait to start breathing right again. I haven't been able to breathe today. That's normal though. It happened at the beginning of the pregnancy. Oh, and this little man is a kicker.

Well, I think I've written enough.

I'll tell you more about the parenting class after tonight. We're going to our second parenting class tonight. Should be fun-the last one we learned how to give a baby doll a bath!

Baby Buzz

2008-10-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

Just wanted everyone to know there will be two stories on Thursday about Baby Stuart's predictions. The first one will be at six o'clock, the second is at ten o'clock both on NewsChannel 19.
The first story is a history of why Kevin and I chose to go to Rick and Bubba for a baby sex prediction.
The second, takes you to the show and behind the scenes of the ultrasound. Yes, my big belly will be out there having the ultrasound machine rubbed all over it. I can 't believe I'm doing this on television.
Don't forget to tune in Thursday for Baby Buzz at 6 and 10.

BTW-for those counting I will finish the 26th week tomorrow! I'm so excited.

It's a Boy!!!

2008-09-30T13:25:00.001-07:00

It's a boy!!! Rick and Bubba predicted the baby sex correctly.
What a blast Kevin and I had on the show with the guys doing the prediction. I'm not going to write too much about the show because we are doing a story about it here at NewsChannel 19 on October 14th. I want everyone to tune in and watch the stories. We'll be going in and showing the ultrasound and putting the Rick and Bubba prediction to the test.

So now that the cat is out of the bag...
I thought I would show everyone the progress of "Baby Stuart's" room. These are the pictures I took during the process.

My mom and dad came over a couple of Saturdays ago and helped paint the room. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

We painted the room in a khaki color. Beforehand though we had to move a bed out of there and other pieces of furniture.

Right now, my mom the artist is painting pictures of animals to put on the walls. It's going to look so precious once everything is in place. That giraffe stands around 5 feet tall. He's big.

The theme is sort of a safari theme. I call it more of an animal theme. The pictures are going to be in bright colors!
Anyhow, we are still waiting on some furniture to come in. And we are finally registered at some places.

And by the way-I didn't just take pictures that Saturday. I painted and taped the walls so paint didn't drip on the baseboards. We all worked hard that day.

I even made homemade pizza to wrap up the evening. Yum!

Rick and Bubba Baby Sex Prediction

2008-09-26T14:23:00.000-07:00

Kevin and I are headed down to the Rick and Bubba Show Monday! Then we'll have the sex of our baby predicted. We can't wait. It's going to be a hoot.
We've got some surprises in store too.
Don't forget to listen. It's expected to be in the 7 a.m. hour. If you don't know where they are on your radio dial look on their website www.rickandbubba.com they have a complete listing there. Or you can listen on their website. For all of you in the Tennessee Valley they are played on 100.3 the River.
As for a baby update!! We visited the doctor this week. We have us a little kicker in there. When the nurse tried finding the heartbeat the baby kept kicking the monitor. It was extremely hilarious. I tried not laughing because I knew it was a serious matter. Every time she got close "Baby Stuart" took off on the move again and kicked the monitor, through my belly. What a riot! Eventually, she said I'm just going to leave it here and finally we found the heartbeat. The same as always 150 beats per minute. That's what I like to hear about "Baby Stuart."
Just for those of you keeping up I'm in the 25th week, 6th month. I've had no real problems. I did have to make one visit to the hospital for a sharp pain a couple of weeks ago. It ended up being nothing. They hooked me up to some monitors and everything was normal. The pain subsided within a couple of days. The medical mysteries of pregnancy-growing pains is what they really like to call it.
Other than that Kevin and I are very excited. We can't wait until Monday for the baby sex prediction with Rick and Bubba. Then we'll do a complete story on NewsChannel 19 showing the ultrasound on October 14th.

California Trip

2008-09-23T08:18:00.000-07:00

MORE CAPTIONS TO FOLLOW....THESE ARE PICTURES OF MY GROWING PREGNANT BELLY! PLUS OUR WEEKEND TRIP TO CALIFORNIA- NEWPORT BEACH AND HOLLYWOOD. I'LL WRITE MORE THIS AFTERNOON. WHEN I HAVE A CHANCE. I JUST WANTED TO GET THE PICTURES POSTED.

OUR RENTAL CAR! SIKE!

MY SWEETY ON THE FERRY RIDE.

NEWPORT BEACH.

BIG WAVES! WATER 69 DEGREES YIKES!

FREEZING!!

THE IVY...WHERE THE STARS EAT AND PAPARAZZI FOLLOW THEM.
CAROL LEDYARD, AN OLD DEAR FRIEND OF OURS.

RODEO DR.

GAS PRICES IN NEWPORT BEACH. CHEAPER THAN THEY ARE HERE. WHAT A JOKE!

BALBOA ISLAND-TOO CUTE OF A PLACE.

Baby News

2008-09-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

I've been asked for a baby update.
We have had a couple of doctors appointments since my last post. The heartbeat continues to be between 140-150 beats per minute. And I'm getting kicked all the time-I love it! Kevin has even felt the baby kick now, just last night actually.
The baby is doing good. We are shopping for a crib. Trying to settle on daycare. You know stressful things. They may sound like tiny things, but they're not.
At the end of this month we are headed down to Birmingham for the big sex prediction!!!
We are going to the Rick and Bubba Show September 29th. We are supposed to be on there during the 7 a.m. hour having Rick and Bubba predict the sex. It should be a hoot please don't miss it.
They are on 100.3 The River here in the Tennessee Valley. If you don't live around here check their website http://www.rickandbubba.com/ to find the station they're on in your area. They are on the radio all over the Southeast and Alaska (where Governor Sarah Palin is from).
I'll try posting some pictures soon of my growing belly-yes it's growing like crazy!
BTW- for those of you wondering-I'm 5 months and in my 22nd week, almost 6 months.
Peace Out and Rock-A-Bye-Baby!

Baby Update

2008-08-06T15:25:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to thank everyone who left all of the nice comments congratulating Kevin and I on the pregnancy. Of course we will still be asking for your prayers during this time as well.
Now some of you have asked for updates throughout this time. I will try to update you guys as much as possible.
Today, completes the 17th week of the pregnancy!!! So tomorrow we move into the 18th week. And for those who aren't counting weeks, Saturday we'll be in the fifth month. Wow!
Tomorrow (Thursday) we have another visit to the doctor. We'll get to listen to baby Stuart's heartbeat, which is always very exciting. Last time he/she was beating very regular.

As far as the baby's room goes-well I tackled a dilemma this weekend. In the baby's room one wall was covered with the "Wall of Fame," lots of pictures of famous people and Kevin and me. My mom and I moved it to another wall in the house. I did not know what to do with all of these pictures. Now it has been taken care of and we can move on with the decorating. Oh, yea I still haven't finished cleaning out the baby's closet. I have way to much junk!!! I even pawned some off on my sister, and I still have a ton. It's slowly but surely coming together.
Stay tuned for baby sex predictions... that blog post is coming soon....you don't want to miss it!!

Big Announcement

2008-07-31T15:18:00.001-07:00

Kevin and I wanted to share some news with you. We are expecting our first child and we are very excited!!!!
I'm in the 17th week, which puts me in the 4th month for everyone who doesn't follow all the week to week stuff. I know I didn't before I got pregnant. Now I do because it's so very important.
The baby is expected to arrive January 15th.
O.K. no we don't have names yet, we don't have the room decorated, and we don't have a lot of things done yet. But we still have a lot of time! (I know it flies by)
Now that I'm in my second trimester the books say it's supposed to be easier. Well my first trimester was a breeze. More things have happened now to let me know there's a little one growing inside me then before. Nothing major though.
Please keep us in your prayers during this time we definitely need them now.
Stay tuned for updates-especially for a baby sex prediction!!!

The Month of August

2008-07-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been a while! We've been a bit busy, and August is going to be a busy month as well. I'm going to call it "The Month of Giving and Spiritual Awakening."
Here's why, Kevin and I are going to fundraisers and women's and men's retreats throughout the month. We are pumped about them too.
The month kicks off with NewsChannel 19's Tools for Schools event at the Joe (Joe Davis Stadium) August 1st. That event will fall under fundraisers.
The next weekend it's time for the Miracle Bash on Friday night (one of our favorite events!), this event raises money for the Melissa George Neonatal ICU Fund at Huntsville Hospital. Then Saturday we've got a full day. I'll be volunteering at the Swim for Melissa. It'll be my first event to work as an "Angels For Children at Huntsville Hospital" volunteer. It's a new group I'm excited to be working with.
I'm not done with our Saturday events-that night we'll be returning to the Joe to hear Jeremy Camp in concert and Rick Burgess speak. This falls under the spiritual awakening events! I'm so excited about this event.
Then the next weekend....I'm headed to Birmingham to a women's ministry to listen to Betty Bussey and Sherri Burgess at Shades Mountain Baptist Church. This is going to be a treat. I can not wait to see these Godly women speak. These lovely ladies are the wives of Rick Burgess and Bill "Bubba" Bussey.
Rounding out the month Kevin gets to go to a two day men's retreat at our church, First Baptist Church of Meridianville. That's why we're calling this month a spiritual awakening.

Rick and Bubba For President!

2008-06-05T18:50:00.000-07:00

Wildly popular radio hosts Rick and Bubba brought their book signing tour to Huntsville tonight at Books-A- Million. The book is called Rick and Bubba For President on the cover of the book their pictures are plastered on Mount Rushmore. How typical of them to think of something clever like that. The book signing turned out great. While I was there more than 600 people showed up to get a copy signed!
The Tennessee Valley loves these guys. Speedy, and Don Juan even made the trip this time. So it was a real treat for everyone who made it in to see them.
One guest who stopped by to see the guys, Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer. She declared June 5 Rick and Bubba Day in Huntsville. So all the other cities they're making stops in on the tour will have to step it up now.

I think the book is brilliant. I've just started reading it. I find the campaign strategy hilarious.
If you listen to the show at all you're going to be rolling in the floor laughing at this book. It of course is the guy's humor through and through.
Man, they are funny.
So in my last question tonight in my live interview with them in the six o'clock show, I asked them if their wives were ready to go to Washington D.C.? I think they enjoyed answering that. It gave them an opportunity to talk about how great Sherri and Betty are in their lives. Definitely two men to consider writing in on the ballot for a co-presidency in November.
Who else would you choose?

Meeting Famous Folks

2008-05-11T15:02:00.000-07:00

Meeting famous folks didn't start with getting in the business of television. It actually started a long time ago.
When I was like five. The Decatur Daily has a picture of me getting Mark Sellers autograph from 'Solid Gold' that great 80's dance show.
Then the star status jumped up in the summer of 1998 on a business trip to Chicago with my dad. This story is actually pretty funny.
Dad (Mark Moody) and I had just arrived to town and were checking out the city. By the way I love Chicago!! Anyhow, we were taking a break and sitting down on a bench. Dad said, "Hey Amber there goes George Clooney." At first I didn't believe him. I didn't waste anytime though. I jumped from seat and chased him and Julianna Margulies down to the street corner, where they were waiting to cross the street.
So I got right next to George, Mr. GQ himself, one of People's Sexiest Men Alive and what did I do??? I slapped him on the arm and I said hey your Batman! He said as a matter of fact I am. (I have a fascination with Batman)
I introduced myself by saying "I'm Amber Moody, from Alabama." My heart was beating a mile a minute, and my dad was trailing me in the dust trying to keep up with me.
Then I said so what are you doing up here George Clooney? They were in Chicago shooting on location shots for E.R.
I said this is the girl that's on E.R. with you? He said yes she is. I was at a loss for words for Julianna's name. I felt terribly bad about the situation.
I kept babbling on and said so can I have an autograph? He said do you have a pen? I said no. Do you? He said no. I said well it was very nice meeting you George Clooney. Then we parted ways. And I walked into a Pottery Barn and almost passed out. That's when my dad caught up with me.
My dad and I made our next stop at a drugstore and bought a camera just in case we ever ran into movie stars in Chicago again.
Well what do you know on the way to the hotel, we ran into them again. I said hey George it's Amber Moody from Alabama again. The girl who didn't have a pen. I still don't have a pen, but I have a camera this time. Do ya'll mind taking a picture with me? They said sure.
So that's how I got my picture made with George Clooney and Julianna Margulies.

The Jerry Springer Show. It's the one thing my dad told me not to do while he was in meetings. This is the same Chicago trip, summer of 1998. Come on dad my major was communications!

That trip, I kept lurking around the NBC towers in Chicago everyday while dad was in business meetings. I was trying to find Oprah! Hello, maybe get an internship or something, I don't know. Well, one of those days while wandering around Jerry Springer's people came up to me and asked me to sit in the audience of the show. They gave me really good seats too. Hey those people on the show really do get in fights. These girls were ripping each others hair out the day I was there. I was like yikes. And of course somebody on stage had to say they were from Alabama. Come on guys, now I thought that was fake. That was disgracing my home state.

So it got to the question/answer part. I had sat there during the commercial breaks and thought what will I ask? I have to come up with something clever. I came up with my question.

A question that got the crowd going wild and the stage participants going nuts. "So fast Eddie, why do they call you fast? And who Do you think you are?" They didn't cut the question out during the editing process. They cut several other questions. How funny.

I had totally forgotten about Daddy telling me not to go to the Jerry Springer Show. Then I ran down after I got my picture made with Jerry Springer after the show, and called daddy on a pay phone to tell him the news. He said what??? I said yea I was on the Jerry Springer Show, I even asked a question. I had a little bit of explaining to do, but dad was cool with it.

In the end it was pretty funny. That show ended up in reruns. People called me every time it came on, no matter what time of night it aired.

Lauren's Cut-A-Thon

2008-05-06T07:29:00.000-07:00

Lauren's Cut-A-Thon raised $2,000 for Lauren Gray. What an amazing day for Lauren and her family.
Lauren is such a light of life.

This story started out as a good deed by Lauren's elementary school having a fundraiser for her. Then Fox News radio and television host- Sean Hannity donated $5,000. Now I'm describing Lauren's story as "Pay It Forward."
That's because Libby Huie owner of Beauty Market saw our story on Sean Hannity's good deed and decided to have the Cut-A-Thon for Lauren.
Wow! Go Libby you're awesome!
Libby got restaurants from all over town to donate food, purple balloons (purple is Lauren's favorite color) and signs. What a special day.

So NewsChannel 19 did liveshots at Noon and Six O'clock at the Beauty Market to drive people on down to get their hair cut.
Guess what? It worked! In the picture shown with Lauren and her twin sister Hannah, Pro Bass Fisherman Jason Hall.
Jason said he had just gotten to town when he saw our report and decided to come down and get a haircut and bring the girls t-shirts and hats.
The girls loved it.
Several people came down after seeing the report and said they couldn't think of a better way to spend their time. And had actually had their haircuts cancelled that day!
What a blessing. I'm telling you this story is growing. The family has been able to buy Lauren's special wheelchair that will help her learn how to walk. Now the goal is to buy a new lift van. Then they'll work towards a trust fund for Lauren. Remember, Lauren and Hannah's father Rick has stage four cancer. If you'd like to help go to the link on the left of my blog.
To everyone who helped out yesterday a big thanks from the Gray family.

Lauren's Story

2008-04-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

So I have an update to tell you about. A couple at my church, Lisa and Rick Gray, are raising money to get a new wheelchair for their daughter Lauren. Lauren has a twin sister Hannah. The girls are such a joy to be around.

Lauren was born with Arthrogryposis, a neuromuscular disease. Despite her disease, she wants to walk and she's outgrowing her wheelchair. In order to do that she's going to need a new wheelchair-one that insurance doesn't cover. Mt. Carmel Elementary School did a fundraiser for Lauren Friday (4/18), then national radio and television host Sean Hannity donated $5,000 to Miss Lauren.

Since NewsChannel 19 ran the story Friday (4/25) Lauren has received almost $500 more in donations.

Now, the The Beauty Market in Stadium Place Shopping Center has decided to do a cut-a-thon to raise money for Lauren on May 5th.

Haircuts will be $10 for men, women and children. No appointments are necessary. The cut-a-thon is from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Plus, proceeds from the sale of products that day will go towards Lauren's new wheelchair.

Now there is more to this story. Lauren's father Rick has stage four cancer. So any money that doesn't go towards the wheelchair will go into a trustfund for Lauren. So that she will have money for her growing needs.

Let me tell you on a personal level. This family is the sweetest family. Lauren and her twin sister Hannah are just precious and smart girls. This is a worthy cause! There is a link on the left side of this page to take you to Lauren's page.

A Father's Heart

2008-04-25T07:18:00.000-07:00

After weeks of hard work and praying it's paying off. People are responding saying they got the message about God in our special series about Rick Burgess' "A Father's Heart." What a blessing.
I'm providing links here to the four part series below.

Text versions:
Part 1-Rick Learns About the News of Bronner Passing.
Part 2-Rick Says Goodbye To Bronner
Part 3-How the Family is Doing Now
Part 4- The Eulogy

Video versions:
*Note: These files are Windows-Media based. If you cannot access Windows Media videos, please click on the story links and view the flash-version of the videos, which work on more browsers/platforms.

Part 1-
Part 2-
Part 3-
Part 4-

A Father's Heart

2008-04-23T07:08:00.000-07:00

Tune in to NewsChannel 19 tomorrow for my special series, A Father's Heart, on Rick Burgess and his family's journey since losing their son, William Bronner Burgess.

The pieces start to air on NewsChannel 19 This Morning at 6:15, April 24th, then at 6 p.m., then the big piece airs at 10 p.m.

Then tune in Friday morning for the final piece.

Rick Burgess will be a part of a webchat on our website http://www.whnt.com/ Friday morning from 10:30-11:30. Just log on to our home page to be a part of that and he'll answer your questions.

Don't miss his incredible story.

New Kids Concert 6th Grade/1990

2008-04-12T16:38:00.000-07:00

We got a printer/scanner this weekend so I got to dig out some oldie but goodie pictures. These are pictures of my buddies and me before we went to the News Kids on the Block concert in the sixth grade. It was Saturday December 1, 1990 at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center (I still have the ticket stub). I have all my concert ticket stubs. I'm just that big of a dork.
I'm not going to name all these girls, I'm just going to tell you I'm in the bottom picture with the big poofy hair. Yikes! I guess that was supposed to be an attention getter. That was not what I was wearing in the photo in the newspaper. I wonder when I put on the hat. I think I was wearing a hat. I'm going to find that picture at my mom's house hopefully later this weekend. It has escaped my hands for some reason. Maybe....it's in my N.K.O.T.B. box of stuff! Oh, I'm really a dork. I reserve the right for everyone to call me that in this case. Not in those days though because I thought they had hung the moon.

I mean look at these outfits. We all thought we had it going on. Everyone is going to kick my butt for putting this on here. Sorry, girls. Must I say we all had great hairstylists at the time. Get it, get it, get it Girl!
We must have been Cover Girls.
We for sure had the Right Stuff.
hahahaha. I'm getting a good laugh out of this.
I'm so glad my scanner is working.
There is more to come.

I Demand A Recount

2008-04-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

I demand a recount! Michael Johns did not deserve the boot from American Idol last night. What was America thinking?

I know he was always first on my list of voting. I voted for him every week. So Michael it wasn't my fault, and all you ladies who are crying it wasn't my fault-I voted!!! And you should have voted too!

Actually, I almost cried when Ryan Seacrest said "Michael Johns you're going home tonight." I couldn't believe it. I screamed. No way is Michael Johns not going to be singing in my living room next week. This is an atrocity. How could the rest of the American Idol groupies let Michael Johns down like this?

O.K. so Michael Johns is the Chris Daughtry of this American Idol season. He has a huge music career ahead of him. At least that's what I'm predicting. I see big things in his future.

Now here is something I noticed, that was very smart on Johns part, he ended his singing last night talking with Paula, Randy and Simon. Talking about his future I'm sure. Hopefully, getting a jump start on things to come.

Hey, he'll still be on the American Idol tour this summer. Though, I really expected to see him in the top three.

More on my predictions on the winner later...I'll have to see next week's performances now without Michael Johns.

N.K.O.T.B. on Tour

2008-04-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

O.K. it's official New Kids on the Block have announced some tour dates. Some meaning THREE. One in New York, New Jersey, and Boston.

Hey guys what about us Southern girls? We still love you! Did you forget about me throwing myself on the stage at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center when I was in the sixth grade? How could you have Joey McIntyre, the bodyguards lifted me up to touch you!

I'm making a plea for all the women in this newsroom and my buddies from middle school- Joey, Jordan, Donnie, Danny and Jon come to the South! We want to go to a concert. You know we would love it, if you would just come to the Von Braun Civic Center. That would be the most central location for us all to meet up. It's time to camp out again for tickets-well this time we won't make our moms camp out we'll do the camping! Hey I might even bring my N.K.O.T.B. dolls to pass the time, and my Big Bopper magazines! Oh, the memories. This time it won't be a bunch of tweens, it will be twenty somethings and thirty somethings (I'm not telling my age).

So, Bean town boys don't leave Bama off the list! We want to see if you still have the Right Stuff and if you are Hangin' Tough.

Life Passing You By

2008-03-14T08:08:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone know....yes, I'm still alive! I am behind. I've been covering a trial for 4 and a half weeks before that it was the deadly tornadoes. I promise to sit down soon and write some of my thoughts on everything. I just don't know where to start.
I've been totally exhausted from all of it.
I will say this about the Daniel Wade Moore trial-I feel it's sad it had to end in a mistrial after all that work both sides put into getting a verdict.
More on this later. I just wanted to give some kind of update.

Go Vote

2008-02-05T08:29:00.000-08:00

I voted this morning. It's always a great feeling after casting a ballot. I won't say on here who I voted for, but it was a last minute decision. I do feel confident in my decision that this person can lead the country.
I like their tax plan and feel they have good morals. Tonight I just have to wait and see if that person gets the votes they need to win the primary.
Now I'm about to go head to polls and talk to voters.
Everyone go and cast a vote. Let your voice be heard.

Campaign 08'

2008-02-04T14:56:00.000-08:00

Who to vote for? Obama, Clinton, Huckabee, McCain or Paul? I'm still undecided and it's the night before Super Tuesday. I've never gone into an election day this undecided. Maybe if the candidates hadn't of started dropping out like flies then this wouldn't be so hard!

Now here's what I really hate about tomorrow when I get to my polling place I've got to tell them Republican or Democrat then they'll hand me a voting card. That stinks in the primary. But that's just the way this election is.

O.K. so tonight I guess I'll watch all the candidates tell me again what their platforms are over and over. My husband and I have done this several times. At the end of the night we talk about which candidate we think is the best and we still haven't decided.

Who do you think is the best candidate to run this country? I'm sure all of you have opinions out there. Who has the best tax plan, health care plan? They are very important issues. And most importantly our men and women fighting for our counrtry in Iraq. Which President is going to do the right thing with our troops.

Tell me who you're voting for on Super Tuesday! I think it's very important we all cast a vote because without a vote we have no voice. Let your voice be heard!

New Kids on The Block Reunion?

2008-01-29T08:04:00.000-08:00

So maybe I am notorious for liking cheesy music, but I grew up loving New Kids on the Block. Today, I was pleasantly surprised to see in my e-mail People magazine reporting NKOTB is getting back together!!!! It doesn't say when, just that there will be a reunion.

Oh, boy what a lovely day. I can get my NKOTB dolls out and play with them again. And all my Bop and Big Bopper magazines. Maybe I'll even put a poster on my wall...just kidding. O.K. really I need to take this 'Step by Step.'

I remember going to their concert in Birmingham, AL in 6th grade and sitting front row. I even got my picture in the newspaper. Wow it was so awesome. A bodyguard lifted me up to the stage to touch Joey McIntyre. What a glourious moment after waving homemade signs. Those were some nice signs with glitter and cut out pictures of the guys all over them.

Now we can only hope NKOTB will hop on a tour bus for a reunion tour....I doubt it they have "kids" of their own now. I don't think that's happening. If it does I'm there though! I think I know a few ladies out there who would like to go too.

Who's still Hangin' Tough?

A Father's Heart

2008-01-24T12:32:00.001-08:00

If you didn't get to attend William Bronner Burgess' memorial service go to http://www.rickandbubba.com/. On the site they've posted Rick Burgess' comments from when he spoke at the service titled "A Father's Heart." I encourage everyone to go and watch it. It's very moving and touching.
I attended the service. I have never been more engaged by someone's words. You could really tell God was in the church working Tuesday.
Please, take the time to watch and listen to "A Father's Heart."

William Bronner Burgess Memorial

2008-01-22T15:46:00.000-08:00

The ceremony for William Bronner Burgess was touching and moving. Rick Burgess gave a very moving sermon.
He said "Bronner is now in the care of the only father who loves him more than me." Rick looked out to the church and jokingly told the crowd Bronner never got to attend big church and now all of you are here to celebrate his life in this big church.
People packed Shades Mountain Baptist Church full. It seats 2500 people.
Rick used his sermon as a time to bring people to Christ. Bubba and Speedy even told the Rick and Bubba audience during the morning broadcast the way to help Rick and Sherri Burgess through this difficult time is get your spiritual life in order.
Rick talked about how many people came up to him during the visitation last night and how this tragedy has already changed their lives in their walk with Christ.
Rick did something today that some parents may never be able to do-spoke at their child's memorial service-he credited that to the Glory of God. He said he wasn't standing there God was standing there holding him up.

I have the upmost respect for Burgess family and am praying for them through this difficult time. I hope that everyone who reads this will do the same and just lift up the family and the Rick and Bubba Show.

Prayers For The Burgess' Family

2008-01-20T11:53:00.000-08:00

I have sad news to share with all of you today. Please pray for Rick, Sherri and the rest of the Burgess family as they mourn the loss of their youngest son Bronner Burgess, also known to the Rick and Bubba army as "Cornbread." He was two years old. He died Saturday.

I just wanted to say I'm praying for the Burgess family during at this difficult time. Also, my prayers are with everyone at the Rick and Bubba Show. I love you guys.

Charlie Wilison's War

2008-01-07T08:27:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a great movie. My husband and I saw it this weekend. Tom Hanks plays a great congressman. I did not want this movie to end. What an interesting life Congressman Charlie Wilson led while serving this country. I loved that he called his assistants jail bait. O.K. I won't give it all away.
I was very shocked though our country gave Afghanistan all those weapons in the early 1980s. However, they wouldn't have been able to defend themselves against the Soviets had we not. The movie to me was a real eye opener.
I did watch an interview 60 minutes did with the real Charlie Wilson from March 2001. In that piece he says we wouldn't be in this war we're in today if we had stayed our time then and built schools and roads. He says this time we are going to have to stay the time. It's a very interesting interview. You should really check it out and the movie too.
I highly recommend the movie.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

2007-12-28T08:24:00.000-08:00

So I'm a little late posting this, but better late than never right. I have a Christmas memory to post for you. Most people's are about baking cookies or snow and sorts-mine is a little different.
I did get permission to post this-well sort of you. I just told my mom I was going to post it. Sorry mom, but if I was stand up comic I would be telling it across stages everywhere.
So, when I was a little girl my mom and dad bought this giagantic Christmas tree, I mean huge. One much bigger than my tiny mother. You'll see why that note is important later.
Well the darn thing kept falling over after we put it up. I even remember the tree lost its green luster and turned to a strange gray brown color. I don't know if it stopped sucking up the water in the dish below it or what?? But it sure was getting ugly looking.
Well, let me tell you my momma had had it with the Christmas tree from you know where. On Christmas Eve the tree fell one last time. This time Momma said "That's it." She opened up the french doors that led to a porch overlooking our backyard. With one big swing little momma threw out our sad big Christmas tree ornaments and all. Daddy and I didn't say a word, we just sat there looked at her. We were to scared too. I don't know if you've ever seen a red headed woman mad on Christmas Eve because her Christmas tree wouldn't stay up, but it's not a place you want to be.
So that's the Christmas we spent without a tree...well we had one it was just laying in the backyard. Momma did play ball in high school she's always had a good arm, we didn't know until that day though she could throw trees!!! By the way, now we have artificial trees so momma is happy during the holidays and doesn't have to spend time throwing trees out doors. Love you momma!!
Hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year.

Salsa Dancing

2007-12-11T08:04:00.000-08:00

So last night I show up for my regular Yoga class and was greeted by a new class-Groove. It's a combination of salsa dancing and urban dancing. While I'm missing my yoga on Mondays, I really enjoyed Groove. I love to salsa dance and jam.
So this is really like going back to my high school days. Jazz class one day a week and ballet-except the classes have new names and totally different structures. Yoga and Groove. Of course these classes are not based on technique like the classes I trained in growing up. But it's enough to keep in shape, and it's fun.
Maybe now I can out dance our resident dancer at the station Barry Hiett.
The only class I'm missing is Tap-when is my gym going to offer tap dancing??? Maybe I can teach a class in tap dancing. Now that would be a riot.

New Music

2007-12-04T07:12:00.000-08:00

O.K. it has been a while since I bought some new tunes because I just haven't felt like throwing down the cash to buy cds. This is usually the time of year I have to buy cds because I need something new to listen to in the car-the I-pod is getting boring!

Say what you will, Claire Aiello has already ragged me out for buying Britney Spears "Blackout" cd, but I think it is a good one. She actually only has one song that is close to a ballad. What a relief, I can dance to the entire cd. If you know anything about my background I grew up in dance classes and I still go to yoga class to keep up with dance. So bring it on Britney with your latest groovin' cd-I love it. If your looking to dance the night away, or run on the elliptical with your I-Pod drop this cd in and work your little tail off!!

During my same purchase I bought Bruce Springsteen's wife cd Patti Scialfa's "Play It As It Lays". The reason I bought this cd is because I love her song "Looking for Elvis". I heard it during an Elvis special. After that I hit her up on myspace. Then of course eventually made it to the stores to buy the cd. The entire cd is great. It's very bluesy and a totally different speed from Britney. Check Patti out you'll love it.

Now here's one of my favorites I bought a couple of weeks ago. I haven't had a chance to blog about it, but I love this cd. Joss Stone, "Introducing Joss Stone." Whoo...girlfriend she's on fire!!! This girl can sing. I mean she gets down in my soul. I love listening to her. You can't help but dance and sing when listening to her. If you haven't checked out Joss Stone check her out now!

The Rick and Bubba Show Is Moving

2007-11-28T16:33:00.000-08:00

The Rick and Bubba Show is switching homes on the airwaves in Huntsville, but not without a little backlash from their current one Rocket 95.1.
Ouch, Rocket 95.1 has a negative spot running on their air and a mean ad on their webpage. Why? Because the boys are going to 100.3 January 2, 2008.
The Rocket pulled the show off the air Wednesday morning when listeners started calling in to the show and asking about the negative campaign against the boys.
I did a story about the switch today and all the negativity. I offered the Rocket time and time again to go on camera with me to explain themselves unfortunately-that never happened. Watch the video here.

You may or may not hear Rick and Bubba again in Huntsville until January 2, 2008 on 100.3 The River. My best advice go to http://www.rickandbubba.com/ to hear the show.

A Year Ago Today

2007-11-20T16:12:00.001-08:00

It's been a year since the fatal plunge of Bus 5037. Today I covered the ceremony at Lee High School. Where faculty members released balloons for each one of the girls who were killed in the crash.
The day was a somber one. It didn't really hit me until I saw the video again. Every time I see the video from November 20, 2006 all I can think about is that cold November day. I stood out in front of Huntsville Hospital watching all the victims and survivors being brought to the hospital. Then their families rushing in to find them.
It was very sad. And one of the hardest stories I've ever had to cover. I'll never forget that day of reporting. I got a little choked up tonight just watching it all again.
I will tell you what I love though. When I see some of the survivors out in the community, and their families and I get to talk to them. One of the girls, Patrice Gopher, I saw her about 6 months later, it was so heart warming to see her out of the hospital bed. She was a survivor I interviewed the day after the accident, who was in such high spirits. When I saw her 6 months later she carried with her that same twinkle and sparkle, she had when she was fighting to recover.
I grew close to some of the parents this past year. And I cried at the funerals I covered.

Tiffany Buckner, a Lee High School senior, put it best today. "This day is an important day to know that we haven't forgot them," said Buckner. "We're never going to forget them. You don't have to forget them in order to move on."

So today, even though it brings back hard memories, it's also moving on with the past.

Trips to News Orleans, LA and Jacksonville, AL

2007-10-21T16:35:00.000-07:00

This is a picture in a pumpkin patch in Whole Foods in New Orleans. It's so Fall and Festive! Even though it was 80 degrees outside. Sorry it has been a while since I've blogged. We've been busy on vacation. First for our 2nd anniversary we traveled to New Orleans, LA to visit friends. We stayed with one of my best friends from high school, Josh Moore, who is a chef at Gautreau's. Then we met up with several of our Montgomery buddies who are now working in television in New Orleans.
During our visit we toured the 9th Ward and the Lake Pontchatrain area. The two places are still rebuilding. FEMA trailers are still homes for many people. It's sad to see some streets were completely wiped out by Hurricane Katrina. This was my first time seeing New Orleans since the storm.
I didn't take pictures of the storm ravaged areas because I made a video of those areas. I only took pictures of the good times.
This is Josh, me and Kevin in front of Lake Pontchatrain after touring the storm ravaged areas. If you look really hard you can several sailboats in the background. It was such a beautiful day to be out on the water.

Here is a self portrait of Kevin and I at Pat O'Brien's. I took it. Josh was on the phone.....This was taken before we met up with our friends from Montgomery.

This is Sean Temple and Nicondra Norwood. Kevin and I worked at WAKA in Montgomery, AL with these two cats. It was wonderful getting to catch up. We watched the Saints game with everyone that night. As you can see Sean is a die hard fan. He and Nicondra are both from the New Orleans area originally. Now they are both home working in t.v. in NOLA.

The only new face in this picture is Robert O'Shields we also worked with Robert at WAKA. He is now doing sports in New Orleans. All my Gump friends are working in NOLA. It's wild.

Here's another Montgomery buddy working in New Orleans we got to hang out with. Brooke Erickson. She's also doing television in NOLA as well. So everyone all these cats have the New Orleans market saturated! You go guys-keep rocking New Orleans.

Josh, took us to eat here because, well everyone else and their momma had recommended it to us. Port of Call is known for its famous hamburgers and little bit of potatoes and sour cream and cheese you get. It was good. Next time I'm going to get more seafood, and more of Josh's restaurant. Gautreau's was the bomb. I didn't take any pictures there because I didn't want to look like a dork. The place is super exclusive. I mean Vince Vaughn ate there two weeks before we did. Hey, look out tall drink of water... I can't say enough good things about Gautreau's except for the next time your in NOLA go eat at Gautreau's-it is the best food you will ever eat in your life!!!!

New Orleans Jazz!!!

Part two of this blog entry!

This past weekend I returned to my college-Jacksonville State University for homecoming! It was a lot of fun. That's where my sister is a freshman this year. So we got to spend part of the weekend with her.

This is Caitlin and Brady Baldwin. He plays the saxophone for the Jacksonville Marching Southerners. I took this picture of them at Jefferson's. A restaurant in Jacksonville known for its hot wings! Yesterday, I just got a B.L.T. and a salad. I know, what was I thinking?

Hey, Caitlin cute shirt.

Now here are the Marching Southerners. Can you pick out Brady? Well probably not in this line up. But when they were all spread out he was on the 20 yard line.

O.K. I didn't take a picture of the real J.S.U. cheerleaders because I think these guys do the best job. HA! I laughed my tail off at these men. They ran around the stadium doing cheers.

They had all kinds of letters painted on their chests and backs. At one point one of the men hollered out "SPELL CHECK".

In this picture the guy is screaming give me a number, for number one.

Funny guys!
You definitely got your photo opportunity as they were calling it, as I snapped away pictures.

Give me a G-A-M-E- C-O-C-K-S, Gooooooo Gamecocks! We beat Tennessee Tech!

I'm sure it was because these guys cheered the crowd on....

Human Feces for Fertilizer

2007-10-11T16:14:00.000-07:00

Gross! That's all I can say. Human feces for fertilizer. Some farmers in Limestone County are using it on their farms as a fertilizer. They're shipping it all the way from New York City. Imagine me saying that like they do in the Pace Picante commercial, New York City. But seriously, who cares if the E.P.A. says it's o.k. it's just down right creepy, spreading poop across fields.
I mean come on yuck, yuck, yuck. I don't like to smell other people's poop, do you think these people who live next to this farm are enjoying smelling New York people's crap (literally). Think about it farmers, and suppliers. It can't be pleasant.
They're shipping it in by rail car, then treating the poop at Synagro, Inc. in Leighton, AL. Of course we've been getting calls at NewsChannel 19 from people about their animals getting sick already. Which it may or may not be directly related.
Wednesday the Limestone County Commission filed for an injunction to stop farmers from spreading the human waste on farms in Limestone County, but it's not going to stop the farmers in Lauderdale and Colbert Counties who are also using the sludge. It may take a week for Limestone County to find out if a judge will stop farmers from spreading the fertilizer.
Synagro says they've been slinging the poop for 20 years up and down the North and South and it's safe.
Congressman Bud Cramer's office is also looking into the situation. My personal opinion...once it's all said and done. I think we'll go back to using another fertilizer for crops. Perhaps cow poop, or chicken poop? Who knows?

Alabama vs. Georgia

2007-09-27T17:41:00.001-07:00

Ahhh! Bryant-Denny Stadium can you hear the cheers!!!!

O.K. here are my pictures from the Alabama vs. Georgia game in Tuscaloosa. This very dark one I took shows one of NewsChannel 19's photojournalists Brad Hood with some other area photogs. That's what I started to do at the end of the game-identifying the photographers on the field and sending them text messages...like "Hey I see you on the field, I'm in the stands!" Anyhow on with the day....

These folks are our friends Trent and Christine. I like to call them our weekend warriors. We pretty much do everything with them. Including leaving Huntsville at 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning to get to Tuscaloosa to tailgate for a 6:45 p.m. game. I can't think of a better way to spend Saturday-not-maybe sleeping a little later. As you'll see from the pictures getting up early paid off.

This is Kevin and me in front of Bryant-Denny Stadium. Like our Bama shirts? Christine and I walked around all morning shopping for those shirts and ended up getting them from the vendors outside the stores. I love to shop. Since I went to Jacksonville State, I don't have that many Bama shirts. Kevin really doesn't-he's a Kentucky boy. He looks good in that shirt-don't ya'll think so? I couldn't believe he called us and asked us to get him one. I think he might be getting some Crimson in his veins....

O.K. here's Kevin's favorite picture...here he is posed with Trent in front of ESPN's tour bus. That's the Game Day sports anchors Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit. ESPN was in Tuscaloosa for their Game Day show. Alabama is now 0-5 with them in town.

Here is the team two hours before game time arriving to Bryant-Denny Stadium.

If you look real hard to the left you'll see Nick Saban in a gray suit in front of the State Trooper.

Obviously, we didn't get there early enough to get on the front row, and Coach Saban wasn't posing for pictures.

This is an up close picture of Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit during ESPN's Game Day coverage.

After Game Day I met Desmond Howard. A Heisman Trophy winner. He's the reporter for the Game Day show .

These are just a few fun shots of Christine and I in front of Game Day. We got there towards the end of it.

Best picture of the day....

Georgia Dogs biggest fan...he calls himself Super Dawg. Isn't he cute. I had to get a picture of him. I thought now that is blog material. He is fine and fancy. I love them tights. I've got to get a pair to wear to the next game.

My New Best Friend

2007-09-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from our trip to the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky. I hope you all enjoy my zoo photos. Especially, the one of Kevin running from the Peacock. I think that one is pretty funny! Anything, to catch a funny photo of your husband. HA! Oh, and this day was oh so hot. Youch!

Here he is on the run from the bird....

I think this is a pretty cool picture. So I thought I'd share it with you guys. It's my new best friend. It's one of the gorillas eating some sort of lettuce.

I think I'll call him Eddie because they've already made a movie about Buddy.

These animals truly are special. I could've sat there and looked at that exhibit all day long.

The elephants are also cool. We got a picture of the new baby elephant with the mamma. How sweet. How interesting life is in the animal kingdom. Mamma's are just as protective of their babies as they are here in the human world.

And here's one of my favorite pictures I snapped of my hubby in front of the elephant exhibit. What a great zoo Louisville has I can't wait to visit it again.

Going To School

2007-09-03T15:09:00.000-07:00

My sister left for Jacksonville State University last week. I am so proud of her. I took off the day to help move her in the dorm.
It was great getting to visit the campus. That's where I went to school. Go Gamecocks!

I think it's pretty cool that Caitlin's roommate is from Georgia-my roommate was from Georgia my freshman year. They also have matching sheets and bedspreads! Ditto for my roommate and me. How funny!
It was so weird being back on campus. I told Caitlin I would be more than happy to stay down there and show her the ropes. She declined that offer. You know I guess I'm just not as hip as I used to be. It was only 7 years ago. Hey, I still rock! I guess one day we all have to grow up don't we. NOT!

Appendix Picture-Kind of Gross!

2007-09-02T17:56:00.000-07:00

O.K. so it has taken a while for me to post the pictures of my appendix. Don't ask me why? It just has. But some of you just kept asking for the pictures so here you are. They're not pretty! I'll tell you that.

It's important to note the thing hanging off the metal utensil is my appendix in the picture below!
I asked the doctors to give me my appendix in a jar. You know so I could take it home and.... I don't know what I would do with it. Look at it??? hahaha.
They told me in my doped up state of mind they could take pictures of it then give them to me. I said yea, that sounds great. I just want to see the darn thing that's about to kill me.
So ladies and gentlemen there is the lovely appendix that had to go about 4 weeks ago. I hope you all had lunch before tuning into this blog!! I promise more appetizing pictures next post.

Hurricane Dean

2007-08-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

While Hurricane Dean slammed into Cancun, Mexico this morning it only brought back memories of Hurricane Wilma.
Especially, since we watched the coverage all weekend....
Kevin and I spent our honeymoon trapped in Cancun in October 2005 in a middle school for six extra days. There were no showers or baths. Let me tell you people stop stinking on day two! We had about 30 people in each room of the school. It was a lovely honeymoon. At least we did get to spend a few days with some nice weather- (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday)
The day before we moved into the shelter we had been swimming with dolphins. When we returned to our room we found a letter that said "We suggest you return to your country." That letter had been sitting under our door I would guess all day. Because we had left early that morning and when we tried to return to our country that evening the airport was SHUT DOWN.
Then reality....
It was time to meet up with the other honeymooners who we would ride out the storm with.
That night we went to a "Honeymooners Dinner" at the resort. We made friends with everyone at our table. That was a good thing because we lived in close quarters with them for the next several days.
The next day we all boarded buses together and headed to the Mexican school about six miles inland and the rest is a stormy scary experience (you can read about it in my first ever post in this blog).
In the end it's been an experience we've never lived down. People still ask us about it everywhere we go. They say "hey you guys are the couple that got trapped on your honeymoon." We say "yes." I guess we'll always have Hurricane Wilma!

Back To Work

2007-08-08T09:29:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone! I've been back on the job since Monday. It has been what some would call light duty. I'm recovering slowly and still very sore. I didn't realize surgery on body parts could take so long to get over. Ouch!
I'm ready to be my old self again. I'm ready to go back to Yoga class. I miss going to class. Today, I will have missed four classes in a row.
Next Tuesday is my first visit to the doctor since the surgery. Hopefully, he'll clear me for exercise and lifting heavy things again....no lifting heavy stuff for two weeks.
Oh, and I still haven't posted those pictures. I will! I am just always tired when I get home from work. I promise I am getting around to it!

Emergency Surgery

2007-08-02T08:31:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, I woke up to a scary feeling. I had stabbing feelings all over my stomach-well they were so strong it felt like they were all over. It took me all day long to discover they were coming from one centralized area.
I got up to get ready for work. I thought I just needed to eat some breakfast and the pain would go away. I ate a cup of yogurt and a banana and read the Huntsville Times like I do every morning before work. I had a very tough time concentrating on the articles and what was on NewsChannel 19 This Morning. You know I hit the ground running trying to figure out what's going on in the world and this morning my stomach was slowing everything down for me.
So I hit the shower to see if that would give me any relief. I made it through it, but I kept doubling over with pain and I mean sharp pain. When I got out of the shower I called my husband Kevin, who was out of town on business, to tell him about what was going on because the pain was only getting worse.
By this time I had decided since I was crying because the pain was so sharp I had better call work and tell them I wasn't coming in.
Now this is only the second time I've called in sick this year. If you'll refer back to my blog in January you'll see the other time I was sick-it was for a hospital visit.
Moving on with the story-
Then the rest of the day was hell. You know I never call in sick for fear of getting to feeling better the minute after you call in. But this day only got worse.
I finally got in touch with my neighbor and she brought me over some pepto-bismol, pop sickles and ginger ale. That didn't seem to do the trick.
Then at 5:30 I called my mom and told her to not look for me on the 6:00 show that I was sick in the bed. She said what's wrong. I told her everything that had been going on.
Then she asked where was the pain. I actually felt around and realized it was hurting on my lower right side-and it was very sore by that time. She said she, my dad and sister were on their way to get me. They were going to take me to the emergency room.
I said I'll be laying here till you get here.
We got to Huntsville Hospital at 7 p.m. Tuesday night. I went into emergency surgery to have my appendix removed Wednesday morning at 4 a.m. My very sweet husband swooped in from out of town to be by my side an hour and 45 minutes before I went into surgery. Everything was very last minute. I'm just glad I had my husband, my parents and my sissy all there with me when I woke up.
Huntsville Hospital's nurses, doctors and staff took good care of me and I'm doing good. I'm just glad that my mom insisted we go to the hospital. Because I was just going to lay in the bed with my "stomach virus."
I am extremely sore though. I have three new little holes in my belly. One in my belly-button and one below it and beside it.
I am going to post the pictures of my appendix just as soon as I get them scanned. So get ready for that. You're going to love it! For now though I'll be resting up in the bed.

I'm On YouTube...

2007-07-24T15:10:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody....I'm on youtube.com. That's pretty cool. It's not like it's a long take or anything. One of our photographers was surfing around today and found me on there. Well a long story short. Here's the story behind why I'm on there. I was doing a court story one day and out of no where here comes a skateboarder flying down the Madison County courthouse steps behind me in my live shot. He busted (fell down) when he landed.
I don't know who sent this in to the website because it happened a really long time ago. I imagine this clip of video has been on you tube for quite some time now.
We got a big laugh out of it in the newsroom when it happened.
At the time though my photographer and I decided to make another story out of the guys. We went and talked to them about why they were skateboarding there since it was illegal. That was our story the next day! Two for one- that's what we like to call days like that one. Enjoy the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Niv3IBPyIWE

Harry Potter Review

2007-07-16T12:22:00.000-07:00

Here's something for all you Harry Potter fans out there from my friend and co-worker Claire Aiello.
GUEST MOVIE REVIEW, by Claire Aiello
Hello – once again I am too lazy to keep a blog of my own, but Amber has graciously let me post a movie review on hers. I saw Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix this weekend, and once again, it leaves me ready for the next movie!

The film was very good. I have read Books 1 through 6, so nothing in it was a surprise to me when it happened, but it still stinks, knowing it’s going to happen… and there’s nothing you can do to prevent it.

*DON’T READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE BOOKS AND WANT TO BE SURPRISED*

It just kills me, that Harry finally gets to spend some quality family time with his godfather (Sirius Black), his only living relative, and boom, he dies. It just stinks. I mean, you know it’s going to happen, and every time you see Sirius giving Harry advice, or straightening him out, you know it’s only for so long. And Sirius finally looks healthy! He’s got some food in him, he’s got some decent clothing, a great smile and doesn’t look like an escapee from Azkaban anymore. I was very sad when his death happened in Book 5, and knew it was coming when I saw the movie Sunday but it’s so hard to see it on screen. You really come to love the characters and the actors who portray them. Gary Oldman was really great as Sirius.

And another thing. How do you get to be in a painting at Hogwarts? These old schoolmasters, or historic figures get to be alive in a painting, talking with the students any time they want. Why can’t Sirius get to be in one of these so Harry can still visit with him?

Okay, I got that out. The movie was very good, and it was neat to see the Ministry of Magic come to life. I thought the cinematography was fantastic, especially with the scene at the end between Harry, Dumbledore and Lord Voldemort. Of course, the movie ends and leaves you wanting for more.. so I’ll have to wait another year or two for “Half Blood Prince” to be released in theatres.

I’m also looking forward to Book 7, due out this Saturday. I just hope Harry keeps his title as “The Boy Who Lived.”

Claire AielloWeb Content Manager, WHNT.com

Senator Barack Obama's Visit

2007-07-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

Here are a few snapshots taken from the video of Senator Barack Obama's visit to Huntsville. I got to interview him before and after his $1,000 plate luncheon fundraiser. Plus, a $2,300 pre-lunch reception. This candidate is raising some big money.

I'm impressed with Senator Obama. He was a very nice and cordial man. Very accessible to the media. I shook his hand and got to ask him several questions. I can see why people are following this man around and like him so much. He is just that guy next door. Senator Obama is a hard guy not to like.
When I asked him where he stood on the War In Iraq Sen. Obama said, "It's time for us to bring our troops home. I want us to get our troops out. Our combat troops out of their day to day role by next year and that's something we can accomplish."
Senator Obama is also very big on global warming. He says we can all do our part.
"We can increase fuel efficiency standards on cars," said Senator Obama. "We can change our light bulbs in our businesses. We can tell our industries that they've got to stop sending out greenhouse gases."
Those were just a few questions I got to ask. A Huntsville Times reporter asked him who he had in mind for a running mate. He said he hadn't even thought about it. Yea right. I'm sure that's the last thing on his mind. He does have to make it past the primary.

So I think it's pretty cool this is the third presidential candidate I've got to be in close quarters with. Only the second I've got to answer MY questions.
The first was Senator John Edwards. That situation was pretty much the same situation as yesterday. I had a one on one interview with Senator Edwards in Montgomery. The Montgomery Advertiser actually snapped a picture of that interview and put it in the paper.
My other presidential candidate was Rudy Giuliani. I tried asking questions, but the national media ran over us local media. That was at the Space and Rocket Center not long ago. I wrote about it here on the blog. Just look back a few reports to find it.
I hope more candidates come to the Rocket City so I can find out who I want to vote for in the 2008 Presidential Election.

2007-07-07T11:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Baby! My husband, Kevin, celebrated his 28th birthday Friday. Silly me accidentally bought a bag that has the word THIRTY written really big on the front of it. Honestly, I did not notice it when I bought it in a hurry at the Dollar Tree Thursday night. He came down to get his present Friday morning and said "Thirty" and I said "What?" I had no clue what he was talking about. I really did not know. I thought it said Happy Birthday. Sometimes I just don't pay attention when I'm in a hurry.
I did this with our Mother's Day cards this year...oops I did it again. Sorry! Everyone is laughing at me. They were supposed to be cards for our mothers, but the cards I bought were for first time mothers from husbands...oops. I just scratched out the names on the cards and still gave them away once I realized the mistake I had made because I liked the cards! They were those singing cards.
The moral to this story...I need to pay more attention when I'm out shopping by myself. And yes, my husband is really going to get me on my next birthday.

Losing A Friend

2007-06-29T15:43:00.000-07:00

One of my college roommates was killed this past weekend tragically by her boyfriend. I didn't know if I would write about this on my blog or not, but it has bothered me extremely bad. To the point sometimes of losing sleep. I just can't understand why this happened to her. She had so much to live for.

Brandy Lynn Slimp Dillon and I attended Jacksonville State University together. That pretty smile you see on her face in the picture is what I remember best about her. That is the way I will keep her in my memory. There were several of us who lived together on the same floor in the Sparkman Dorm our freshman year at JSU and we've all been on the phone sharing our Brandy memories laughing together. Even our sophomore year all of us girls lived next door to each other off campus. My favorite memory of Brandy is her always stealing my fingernail polish.

Brandy, I will forever miss you and wonder why this had to happen to you.

Brandy leaves behind a son, Austin.

Austin, you will forever be in my prayers as well as the Slimp family.

The President's Motorcade

2007-06-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

I got to see President George W. Bush's motorcade today. What an experience. I recommend everyone pulling a piece of roadside when the prez is in town to see it. It is moving. I can't tell you why, but it is.
Maybe it's the police rolling up with their lights and sounding them off. They go woop, woop. I mean I love sirens and police cars. Then the President's big black limo rolls up. WOW! It is something see.
I stood on Highway 31 as a reporter. Well I tried to be a reporter. I couldn't be though. I had my digital camera just flashing away. I didn't even know what I was taking pictures of because I wanted to see the commander in chief. Then I saw him. I saw President George W. Bush throw up his hand in the motorcade and wave as we waved back at him.
Tears rushed to my eyes when I saw his hand go up. I couldn't figure out why I was feeling this emotion. I said oh my goodness you've got to cover this story stop or you're going to be crying in front of all of these people. Then I turned to look around and everyone else was crying. They all said it's just patriotism. Well I'm glad to know I'm patriotic! God Bless America. And God Bless our President for coming to North Alabama.
I'm so happy I got to see the Presidential Motorcade. I hope I get to see another motorcade in my lifetime. Maybe next time I'll meet the president. Hey Mr. Bush that's a HINT!!!

Check back soon for a link to my super sweet story on the people watching the motorcade!! It was awesome!

Dance Recital

2007-06-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I was in a dance recital. The dance school I took lessons from my whole life, Kim's School of Dance, celebrated 30 years. I danced with them for 17 years. I learned tap, jazz and ballet at the school.
It was a sweet return to the stage at the Princess Theater in Decatur, Alabama. My sister said I looked a little lost in parts of the dance. I only learned the tap dance on Saturday. I did get the part when I was on the front row...the most important part. Vacations and being out of town kept me from making it to all the practices. So I had to learn a whole bunch of 8 counts in about 2 hours Saturday.
I did get one thing right! I kicked my legs so high in the kick line I looked like a Rockette...o.k. I may be exaggerating a bit. I had a blast though. I forgot how much fun it was to be on the stage dancing with the bright colored, hot lights shining down on you and the loud music blaring. You can't even see who is out in the audience, but you can hear everyone cheering. Good stuff!

Vacation and Birthdays

2007-06-12T16:41:00.001-07:00

I'm back from the beach and a little older.
Getting older isn't always fun. This birthday especially was different. I'm not telling my age, but I will say everybody likes to say they're this age forever.
It was kind of weird turning this age. I had forgotten it was my birthday until my husband, Kevin, reminded me by telling me, Happy Birthday. Well thank you very much.
I wanted to thank everyone who got me nice presents and called to wish me Happy Birthday. It made my day a beautiful one.
So I guess next year will be easier????

Rick and Bubba Launch Book In Huntsville

2007-05-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

Rick and Bubba launched their second book "The Rick and Bubba Code" here in Huntsville. Of course I did a story on it. Here's a link to the story. Plus, I got a new picture made with Speedy, Bubba, and Rick. Yea, I will hang this on my desk and my wall of fame. I have to update my old picture with the guys. I think you've all seen the story I did about the guys losing weight. Well my old picture is kind of out of date now. And it's a couple of years old. And my hair's longer..hahahaha.

They had a great book launch here in Huntsville. Tons of fans showed up to meet the guys and get their books signed. I even stood in line after I bought my copy to get it signed. I hope they get to the number one spot again. The first book made it to the top of the New York Times Best Seller List last year. I think this one will do the same. Good Luck guys!

If anyone is wondering where Don Juan is in this picture, he had to stay in Birmingham. So they could do the live show in Nashville, TN Wednesday morning. Ryan Greenwood the Internet Content Manager tells me Don Juan should be at the rest of the book signings.

Have a great book tour!

P.S. Thanks for the great picture Ryan Greenwood.