Fill-In-The-Blank-FRIDAY

1. When I was a kid I wanted to be a scientist when I grew up.

2. As an adult, my dream job would be a Meteorologist. No, really, I LOVE my job.  If I had to choose something different, it would be to own & run my monogram shop!

3. When I was younger I wanted to be just like my cousin Katie.  Living < 7 minutes away; we were basically inseparable.

4. The childhood Halloween costume that I remember most was when I was a cheerleader!! I can remember going to high school football games with my big brother and still wanting to wear my uniform!

5. My favorite childhood toy was my Barbie Jeep. I thought I ruled the world driving around in my backyard with that thing. I also had a play house which only contributed to my imagination of being a big kid.

6. I got into the biggest amount of trouble when I was a kid when I would fight with my brother. So MANY time outs. I'm pretty sure a third of my childhood I was in time out, a third was fighting with my brother, and the last third plotting my revenge on my brother. poor kid.

7. I get daily inspiration from my friends.  Distance really does make the heart grow fonder.  So blessed for  every single friendship that I have :)

TGIF Y'all!  Have a great weekend - I'm off to Pittsburgh for Halloween!!! 

Motivation

Fill-In-The-Blank-Friday

1.  Nothing says fall like the smell and taste of cinnamon.
 

2.  My favorite autumnal tradition is carving pumpkins.  But not just in general, it's right after you cut the top, and get to stick your hands inside all the guts and pull out the seeds.  Sounds raunchy but it's really my favorite part. 

3.  My favorite fall treat is candy corn.  I've already bought some, but trying to resist at all costs. I know they arn't good for my chompers, but not eating these sinful little clumps of sugar is much easier said than done.  

4.  Fall makes me think of comfort.  With combination of seeing more family, cozy sweaters, bonfires, my Northface, and warm colors- it really boils down to all things pleasant.

5.  My go-to outfit in the fall is anything with fleece.  I'd like to think I look cute with tights and boots and preppy skirts, but not always the case.  I'm a work in progress as far as fashion goes.  My favorite pair of jeans, long-sleeve shirt, and a fleece sweater is what you'll most likely find me in. 

6.  My favorite fall holiday is Thanksgiving.  The food, the parade, my family and giving thanks are all so special! It also means the next day all things Christmas are socially acceptable. 

Have a great fall weekend y'all!  

Zoo In Zanesville & Potential Roommate

If you happened to watch ANY news yesterday, you probably heard about the exotic animal outbreak in Zanesville, Ohio.  Literally the newsroom was a riot.  I was playing step-in reporter and answering phone calls from all over the place. Boston, Chicago, Canada, & New Zealand: just to name a few.  This was one of the LEAD stories worldwide!  Animals included lions, bears, mountain lions, monkeys, & wolves. The man also had nearly an eighth of all Siberian tigers in the world in his backyard, that sadly had to be killed. This is really causing a big stir with "animal lovers" and I'll admit it's a very tragic story;  but what ignoramuses aren't taking into consideration is the safety of the public.  Can you imagine this guy greeting your kids at the bus stop?

The hype was so much fun.  The stress, excitement, and urgency to get the information to the public was so exhilarating.  This may not be very accurate but I feel like this story gave me taste of what it's like doing national news- and needless to say I'm hooked.

In other animal news, I'm thinking about getting a puppy.  And when I say thinking, I've been thinking for about a year.  I'm in one place, my appartment allows pets, I have a lot of free time, & I think it would be nice to come home to something.  I've been reading articles on pet ownership, the demands,  responsibilities, and even long term planning (how puppies turn into dogs, etc.).  I think I'm going to stick with the Labrador Retriever breed, preferably black, but maybe chocolate.  Goody-goody-gumdrops I'm so excited!!! The only thing in the back of my head is taking him out for potty breaks and exercise in the snowy-wintery Ohio weather.  Anyone ever live up North, in the winter, with a dog?

Although this is a Golden Retriever, I don't think I'd be able to turn down any pups covered in powdery snow :-)

...Eventually.

Despite the wonderful temperatures and beautiful changing leaves around Zanesville, I must admit I'm terribly homesick.  Living alone is a very hard thing to do when you're a people-person.  I don't know if anyone even reads this thing, but if you are, I encourage you to be thankful for your home life. Appreciate coming home to an occupied home.  

Studio Mishaps, Jack & Seuss

So many funny things have been going down in the studio.

Wednesday during our close we did a story on a parrot that likes to ride around on a dogs back. It's our fun-light-hearted-happy-news story. Following, Ashley and I talk about the story and give our 2 cents... I proceed to mention how I was on the market for a new puppy. Big mistake. I have a lady now that keeps sending me pictures and calling the newsroom trying to get me to adopt her dog. I guess people actually DO watch our Sunrise show...

Today just moments before I go on air- something falls from the ceiling out of the corner of my eye. My heart skips a beat.
"Please Lord don't let that be a bug..."
Sure Enough, an 8 legged MONSTER tried to make it's debut on "Sunrise in Southeast Ohio".
I jumped out of my skin, and camera man Jeeves saves the day literally hundredths of a second before going live. That would've either catapulted my career by going viral on YouTube. Or ruined it.

In other news,...
I got a new job! [Part-time that is] I'm officially a server at Jack Havanas "A Wing Revolution"

It's in a somewhat sketchy, yet somewhat neat, and somewhat historic part of town but I'm really excited. It's going to be mainly on the weekends for some extra fly-home shopping money. So grateful for this opportunity to get to know the town a little better and meet new people!

Going to leave you with a little reminder from the best::

Love the Doc :-) ... Happy Thursday Y'all!

Makes Sense...

Week's End

Wow! This weekend passed in record timing, but it was a great one indeed.

Friday night included a bonfire, campsite, and coyote hunting. Yes, coyote hunting. This girly-girl bit the bullet, painted the face, wore camouflage, and was one with the locals. The moon was very bright, so that helped my fear of darkness, and I went along with people who've done it numerous times before.

Although ending the night empty-handed..(PRAISE GOD)...it was pretty fun, and before the sun set I was able to be surrounded by trees changing colors!

I can honestly say I've fallen in love with the all-too-unfamiliar season "Autumn". Sorry Mom & Dad, but looks like you won't be bringing this girl back into the bland southeast anytime soon.

Saturday was spent the only way it should be in the fall: filled with football! Despite the tragic loss in Winston Salem, the hype was fun while it lasted. Now we're the laughing stock of the top 25 polls. But what'evs, I'm over it. I must say the healing process is a lot easier when you aren't surrounded by the others wounded.

God was extra good to the Ohio Valley this past Sabbath - the sun was so bright and temperatures very comfortable. Spent the afternoon converting a Ohio State fan to a 'Nole was also pretty awesome. Granted she's 5, I'll take what I can get... it just warmed my heart having someone to do the CHOP with!

Rules for Life!

Stumbled across these great rules for life.

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.

3. Follow the three Rs:
-Respect for self
-Respect for others
-Responsibility for all your actions.

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful blessing.

5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone every day.

9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

11. Live a good, honorable life. When you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth.

16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.

17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

Purpose.

Treated myself to a lazy afternoon, and came across this statement in a sermon by David Platt:

The purpose of my life as a Christian is to advance the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Such a great reminder to put things into perspective for a mid-week thought.