NotesFromtheVoices

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Mine was pretty good. JJ made out like a bandit. From various relatives, he got all sorts of gifts from an actual all terrain vehicle to a Power Ranger collection. His favorite thing for Christmas--spending time with his mommy. We played with his toys. We attempted to do some puzzles but gave up and ate pineapple upside down cake. My new digital camcorder got quite a workout. Now I am working on making a Christmas dvd for everyone. In the coming days, I will try to put up some video of the two of us racing his remote control 18 wheeler and car. JJ is still trying to get the hang of what racing against another person means. Overall, I had a great time. I woke yesterday with a sore throat and body aches. It is a four hour drive from JJ to Roanoke Rapids. I did it with the help of orange juice, Dayquil and a giant box of Red Hots. On I-95, five miles from my exit, traffic came to a standstill because of an accident. We traveled about a mile and h...

In a few minutes, I will be getting on the road to make the nearly four hour drive home for Christmas. I am excited but nervous. The presents are wrapped, the camcorder is packed and my reporter hat is at my desk at work. It is now to time to be a mommy, wife and daughter. Once I leave, I will not have any access to the Internet. So I hope that each and everyone out there has a very Merry Christmas!! I know I plan to have as much fun as possible. Daily Dose 1. Red Hots candies make the morning bearable. 2. I found Marvel Heroes taffy. JJ will be so surprised. 3. Merry Christmas to all and to all--good food and fellowship.

Oh to be boy and love comic book characters. JJ has made Christmas shopping so easy this year. He is getting: Iron Man socks, Marvel Heroes candy, Incredible Hulk jigsaw puzzles and some other stuff. And I found a digital camcorder at Big Lots for less than $80 bucks so it will recorded. I love easy Christmas shopping. I finally got the pictures developed from his fourth birthday party. I included a picture of JJ and I and his birthday cake. He loved his cake even though he refused to let anyone eat him. I plan to leave for home either tomorrow afternoon or early Thursday morning. While I miss my son and can't wait to see him, I am dreading going home. I am so glad that Christmas comes once a year. I work with two other reporters. We were given the assignment of asking the people in the beats we cover what they would like under their Christmas trees. A simple question but hard to do when county offices are starting to close and people are taking vacations. Today, I actually went on...

I am having a really good day. It's my day off. It snowed here Friday afternoon. I posted a picture I took for the newspaper. It made the front page for our snow coverage. Of course, the snow was long gone before morning. But it was so beautiful before it went away. Big flakes. I think my picture captured that. Yesterday was my Saturday on duty at the paper. It was cold, frigid, rainy, full of sleet and snow day. I had two stories to do about two different police departments taking children shopping for Christmas. Seeing the happiness on those kids faces made the day worth it. I got schooled in the best Barbie to buy by this adorable little girl. I hated to explain to her that JJ was not interested in Barbie but Iron Man and Wolverine. And Barbie would be held captive and have to be rescued. Today, I brought a digital camcorder at Big Lots to record everything. Unfortunately, I can't get the damn thing to work. I even called tech support and he was no help. So I will be making ...

Today, I did something I was very proud of. I invited another person to lunch at a resturant with a buffet. I don't like to each with other people because at times it puts a lot of pressure on me. But I feel comfortable eating with my coworker D. We have become friends so there is a level of comfort there. Plus, I confided in her about my ED. Today, I invited her to lunch at Ryan's. No stress just good eating. What a great Wednesday. I can handle whatever the rest of the week throws at me. Daily Dose 1. Carrot cake from Ryan's 2. Watching Criminal Minds 3. Buying black forest cheesecake to benefit the high school band. Soooooooo good.

I am a wimp when it comes to cold weather. I hate being cold. I will layer and layer just so I won’t be cold. The high today is about 30-something. I know it could be worst with snow and ice but I’m a wimp. Thank goodness, I have awesome collection of sweaters and thermal underwear. So I am prepared somewhat. I didn’t run this morning because it was cold and my bed was soooooo warm. Yes, I am a wimp and proud of it. Tomorrow, I cover a Christmas parade where the weather will be a balmy 40 degrees. I’m ready. This is only the beginning of December. I can’t imagine what the end of December, January and February will be like. I am thinking warm and happy thoughts. I will have a long weekend off for Christmas. I am excited but nervous. I miss my son and husband a lot but at the same time I don’t fit in with their life. It’s hard to explain but I feel more comfortable here in a new place than at home surrounded by friends and family. I guess because I am not in anybody’s shadow. I get to b...

After a grueling Monday, I decided to keep today light and airy by working on stories from yesterday meeting. I found out about a second home invasion. I have to say home invasion scare me because they are so random and can be so brutal. This one involved a man being shot and having to be airlifted. It reminds me that I really need to be mindful of my surroundings not only during the day but especially at night. It’s officially! I am addicted to the mocha joe from Burger King. I had one with my chili at lunch today. I am not as sad or stressed as last week. Taking things one day at a time is the way to go. I am working on some realistic resolutions for 2010. I have been testing the waters of jogging a few days a week. I would like to run a 5K next year. When I jog, it clears my head for a few minutes. Of course, I have to do first thing in the morning because usually I am covering something at night. Another resolution is to seriously learn how to swim. And finally get my finances in ...

Today was my only day off after a busy week. Tomorrow is the beginning of a hectic. It will full of commissioners, board of education and other meeting. By Saturday, I will be exhausted. I am so glad that my favorite show is repeats because I would miss it. My insurance still has kicked in so I am taking things day by day. Since tomorrow is going to be so busy, I am eating a really good breakfast. Today was the RR Christmas parade, I went and did laundry. I learned never do laundry in this town on a Sunday. It is crazy up in there. I am looking forward to some serious vegging time soon. In addition to laundry, I have finished my clip book with everything I have written since August 17. Daily Dose 1. I have written a lot in three short months. 2. The best time to do laundry is Thursday night. 3. I am tired, a little homesick but I still love my job.

I love my job but I miss my son and hubby. I don't regret my decision but I do miss them so much. Plus, I am stressing because I have gain some weight. This is good so I am trying not to let my ED take over. Hopefully, my insurance kicks in with this paycheck and I can find a therapist. Just trying to stay on top of everything. Daily Dose 1. This job will lead to a better future. 2. Looking at more options to socialize 3. Working hard to not to let my ED win