A Soldier's Send Off

My little brother, Chris, leaves for Basic Training on Thursday. Over the weekend, my family got together to celebrate how proud we are of him and to show him that. I hope he knows. Because we are. All of us. SO proud. So excited for and with him. My 6 year od nephew, Brayden said it best. We were in the car, on the way home and Brayden asked who's party that was. (There was no birthday cake, so it was a logical question to ask) My sister explained to Brayden that it was Chris's party - because he has a new job. Brayden asked what that was. Tracy said, "He's in the Army now." Brayden sat straight up, wide eyed. "HE'S IN THE *ARMY* NOW?" "WHOAAAA!!!" Brayden thought it was SO cool. Then he said, "I wish somebody woulda had told me that." We all smiled and laughed a little but I think that joy, that pride, that "wow" that Brayden expressed in his booster seat in the back of my sister's SUV - that's the same feeling we're all experiencing now. Chris - we love you. Kick butt.

Brokaw's 2nd Birthday!

I'm watching Morning Joe from home again. I've officially decided that I like watching Morning Joe at work, but I LOVE watching it at home. With my coffee and my paper... SO much more like I think it was MEANT to be.

Today, April 15th, is Brokaw puggle's 2nd birthday! I guess he is officially not a puppy anymore :( But he still looks like one to me! And he certainly still acts like a puppy. Not so much with the chewing of random stuff, but definitely with the getting into things and stealing them for fun. Brokaw is a handful but he brings so much joy to my life! I'd be so bored and lonely without him. Happy Birthday Bub! (No, we're not having a party, but I did buy him some Frosty Paws - he'll get that when I get home from work tonight)

Quick Update

Just checking in really quickly - I'm working dayside this week and it's great! But right now it's 9:00pm and I'm about ready to crash! I'm watching the CMT awards waiting on my boy Kenny Chesney. This is the first time I've really ever seen this Hannah Montana girl, Miley Cyrus (don't even know if I spelled that right) and all I can do is laugh as I watch Billy Ray Cyrus. I am loving the Achy Breaky flashbacks - I was SO into Billy Ray when I was a kid. I remember my mom took me to a Billy Ray Cyrus concert at the Norfolk Scope and I saw a guy peeing in public for the first time. Then Billy Ray said something on stage like "If Virginia is for lovers than I'm a human vibrator!" You know where this is going. Just one guess what my 11 year old self turned up to my mom and asked? Yep, you got it. Back to Miley - I don't get it. But I guess I'm not supposed to, I'm old.

I need to post pics from Chris's going away party from over the weekend. And I have so much to blog about but I just don't have the strength. I'm about to fall asleep right now.

How about a blog to-do list:

-Chris's party

-Courtney's baby

-Matt Lauer

-Brokaw's 2nd birthday!

There you go. Enough to keep you coming back? I hope so.

Now - shout out to Pope Benedict for coming to America so I can work days this week! (Well, I know he didn't come for me to work days, but it certainly is a blessing!) Every time I see him with his hands like that, I can't help but think he's raising the roof! Okay, better go, I'm seriously exhausted and Brokaw just brought me the shampoo from my shower. Think he needs attention?

Brown Sandwich

It was so great to see Gretchen and Jason and Angela and Jason's parents this weekend - I'm starting to feel like we're family! I definitely can't wait until they live so close!

Cherry Blossoms

Brokaw and I left at about 8:00 this morning and walked the Mt. Vernon Trail all the way to the Tidal Basin, then walked around it, and back. I know it was more than 15 miles. We didn't get back until 2:00pm, and my legs and feet hurt like I ran in a race. The backpack probably didn't help. Brokaw had his backpack too, he was in charge of carrying our lunch and our water! I wonder if his legs are tired? He did participate in the break we took which consisted of laying in an open field, watching planes take off at Reagan National Airport. Pictures..

Oh, Saturday!

Oh, the peace that is Saturday morning, I am in love.

After a hectic week at work and what turned out to be quite a stressful curtain escapade yesterday, I am ready for my Saturday.

I'm on my 3rd cup of coffee.  The bills are paid, the window is open, the Washington Post is read and a long, hot, shower has been taken.  Aaaahhh.

I packed my backpack (and Brokaw's) and we're going to walk down to the Tidal Basin to take in the Cherry Blossoms.  I'm taking my camera - I hope it doesn't die on me - it hasn't been charged in a while.  I'm taking my laptop, too.  Hope to have a second to breathe in and out.  Hopefully the walk doesn't kill me... and I hope I don't look like a special needs Biggest Loser contestant with my backpack, walking a dog who is also wearing a backpack (I'm making him carry our water and lunch).

Then... this evening - I'm catching up with the infamous Baum-diggitys in Baltimore.  Man, I can't wait until Gretchen & Jason are here permanently.

HI MOM!! I love that my mom reads my blog.  No offense, but when I get a comment from her, it makes my day unlike any other comments.  I guess a small part of me is still the kid putting together the talent show in the living room -"Moooommmmmm -- look! Are you watching?"

It's Saturday.  Cheers!

Answered Prayers

1. Tricia got her new lungs!

2. David is home from the hospital!

Thanks to all who have been praying. Please keep it up... they both have a ways to go... but I just have to acknowledge these huge reasons to Praise the Lord!!

Create-ive

Creativity is a funny thing. It seems to only come out when I'm not looking for it. I guess it's just creative, in and of itself like that... At least that's the way it works for me. As a student, I always had the nice projects (thanks for your help, Dad) and teachers told me I was "creative." At work, I can come up with a perfect solution to a problem in a pinch, I'm told I have a creative eye - for video or for stories in general. Even with this blog, friends have commented that they enjoy my humor or the way I see normal, every day things.

So, why is it, I ask... when I set out to write a post about creativity I draw nothing more than a big, giant blank?

--------------------------------------- = big giant blank.

Is it really creative for me to manufacture a blog post about creativity? Because that's what I just did. I sat here, on the MacBook, thinking about what in the world could I blog about that has anything to do with creativity? ---------------- blank.

Pictures! I like to take pictures. I looked through some pictures and tried to find one that was "creative." Then I realized.. this isn't creative, at all... manufacturing something to be creative. False creativity. You can't create creativity. Or, can you?

Now my mind is going in circles and it's past my bed time. I'm just going to say I'm not feeling very creative right now and maybe I'll even take a picture to show that. 1, 2, 3, 4.....

It's too bad that there's not a button on my TV remote for "creativity on demand."

I feel most creative outside, on a beautiful day, when flowers are in bloom. I like to people watch and take my camera everywhere I go, so I can capture random moments or images of things and save them forever. I love mornings. The blank slate, new mercies and all the possibility they hold. But right now, I'm inside, my camera is out of reach, it's past my bedtime, so this is what you get.

Happy Water Cooler Wednesday!

Thanks for reading - if you've read this far. And please consider awarding the ipod to my dearest friend, Michael. He's one of the most creative people I've ever met, hands down. And I love that about him.

In the Army now

As of about an hour ago, my little brother, Chris Brown, is officially a United States soldier. I am so proud of Chris. What he's doing is brave and honorable and the whole thing brings tears to my eyes. My dad is just elated. I know both of my grandfathers would be too. The men of my family have a great heritage of military service. God, please watch over him, guide him, lead him and protect him. God bless Chris and God bless America!

What I learned at work today:  I am not a graphic artist.  In fact, I am very far from it.  Oh, the drama.  I don't know who I was trying to fool - since graphics have clearly not been my thing, oh, I don't know... ever.  I remember back in the days at LU... packing my skirt for my nights in the computer lab trying to make the most of a graphic design project.

Today, my true colors showed.  Thankfully my co-workers still love me for the wonderful things I bring to the table like my excellent news judgment and quick decision making and my ability to put complex stories into simple terms.  All while brewing coffee and running around the newsroom without shoes.  Oh, and I can make people laugh.  Geez... I sound like I'm selling myself.  Better not do that.

I'm really wishing I was one of those girls who traveled uber-prepared.  You know those girls, the ones with the breath strips and safety pins and little portable eyelash curlers.  I need a lint roller.  If I was that girl, I'd probably have a mini-lint roller in my purse.  I so do not.  And it looks like my pants are turning into my sweater.  Oh well.  So ready for spring. Spring clothes don't do things like this.  They obey.

In about an hour, we're going to a John McCain campaign event in Alexandria, yay!  I hope there aren't any graphic requests there.  Please.  I'll even put on my shoes.