lovely and lame lists

Happy Thursday Everybody!

Hope you're day is going well.

We're just over here hibernating until Spring..

loving this literal 1 degree temperature!

So remember when I started doing my lovely and lame list here?

I kinda break up life's pro's and con's into two lists:

the lovely list

the lame list.

So here it goes!

LOVELY: 

- This is my day off!

- Zak is home studying with me.

- We're listening to The Theory of Everything Soundtrack- if you don't have it, get it now.

- Not too much on the to-do list today.

- I get another three day weekend, yipee!

- Worked with a national TV network this week.

- There's a diet 7-UP waiting for me in the fridge.

- I'm going to work on some future projects today- can't wait to share them with you!

- Another investigative story I worked on for months aired last night.

- Before bed Zak put on the Interstellar soundtrack {we've obviously been into Oscar soundtracks lately} and Romie started going crazy listening to it, and we literally couldn't stop laughing. There were tears running down our faces. We haven't laughed that hard is a long time. 

LAME:

- It's literally 1 degree outside.

- I worked 15 hours straight on Tuesday.

- We can't go on long walks with Romie, because it's too cold.

- I did a story with a man in desperate need of help. He's blind and deaf, and his guide dog is losing his sight as well. I hope my story will inspire others to help this man and his dog.

- I might have shed a tear while interviewing him.

- Emails from viewers about other puppy mills in NE, it breaks my heart that those facilities continue to operate. Especially on days like today when it's deadly cold.

- I wish there was more I could do to help some of the people I do stories on.

- My dad's birthday was this week, and I wasn't there to celebrate with him. 

xoxo

my secret to life.

I saw this photo on Pinterest the other day and it really resonated with me. 

I've always struggled with anxiety.

And back in August I felt like something else was wrong. 

I hated going to the grocery store.

I dreaded being alone.

I wouldn't be excited about things, that I would normally be looking forward to. 

Even on my birthday, after Zak went all out with surprises and gifts, 

I just wasn't feeling happy.

It was a terrible feeling. 

Well fast forward a couple weeks.

I talked with Zak about how I was feeling and I was tip-toeing around the "d word."

Depression. 

I just kept saying I don't feel happy..

and it's more than anxiety. 

Well the medical student he is, 

he started checking some of the side affects of the medication I was taking-

and it turns out depression is one.

So I stopped taking it.

And things got better.

Much better.

However, during that time I was searching for things to make me feel better.

Anything.

And I didn't want to admit to my feelings so I would search for remedies. 

I read that going outside, and getting some fresh air helps.

It sounds silly, I know. 

But each morning starting in August Romie and I would wake up,

and head out the door for a nice long walk. 

And during that time I would pray.

It's about a 20 minute walk, and I would use it to worship.

And everyday it started becoming our routine. 

We'd wake up, go for our walk and I'd pray my heart out.

And after days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, and summer ended we continued to go for our walks and I would pray. 

And even after the depression went away, 

we would do our morning "prayer walk'

as I would call it. 

Those walks were essential to me. 

I believe that prayer is more powerful than statistics. 

That miracles do happen.

And when I give my worries to God, it brings me peace, and truly puts me in a mindset that gets me ready for the day. 

I've never talked about this on the blog,

but after I saw that picture I thought I needed to. 

It started as just walking my dog as a hopeful remedy to get me out of a rut, 

and has turned into a life necessity for me. 

And let me be clear, it did not cure my depression.

At all. 

I would still be depressed if I was taking that medication,

no matter how much I prayed.

But it did help me in other ways. 

Many many other ways.

Before this I would pray each day,

but this was just something I think I needed.

A time without distraction, a time to breath in the fresh air,

and start my day right. 

So anywho, a couple things I want to get out of the post.

A. Never ever be ashamed or embarrassed of the way you're feeling. You're not alone. It happens to lots of people. And it might be completely out of your hands. I would still be feeling this way if I hadn't said something to Zak and stopped taking the medication. Talk with someone if you are feeling down. Heck, and if you don't feel like you have anyone- you got me!

B. This is my secret to a great life. I pray my heart out. But honestly, it's no secret- many people believe this. I just wanted to share my story with you.

C. Anxiety sucks. But praying helps me get those nasty thoughts and feelings out of my head. 

So there you have it!

I hope if anything, someone reads this and doesn't feel alone. 

Depression shouldn't be tip-toed around. It sucks, it's real and it happens to lots of people,

including myself. 

I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day!

xoxo

friends, oscars and thank yous.

I feel like we look super young in this photo! Maybe it's just my crazy hair?

Happy Sunday my friends!

You guys,

this is my first Sunday off in a year in a half!

A YEAR AND A HALF!

And it's Oscar night!

Woot woot.

I love love love love love being able to have the weekend with Zak.

It's been so nice to just have slow long days, not doing too much 

and not having to worry about work.

Counting my blessings tonight.

It's the little things that make life awesome. 

gotta love blurry iPhone pics.

that is two blurry iPhone pics. 

Don't they look like they're playing poker or something intense?

Yesterday we walked Romie, watched some more movies to prep for the Oscars, made enchiladas and then headed to a married to medicine get together.

It was a Mexican food pot luck, and it was so so good.

I wish I had all that food right now. 

It's always great getting together with our friends.

They really have become like family.

The past two years they're the ones who we've celebrated big moments with, gone through crazy schedules with, and really spent the most time with since moving to Omaha. 

After dinner, the guys went and played games while the wives had girl time.

And then we all stayed up till 10:30 just talking. 

We are going to miss these people so much next year.

Ah the Oscars literally just started, and the opening act has already been amazing!

We made our picks, 

and fingers crossed Eddie, Rosamund, Imitation Game and J.K. Simmons take it home!

Zak and I love movies.

You could also call it obsessed.

And I love that my husband likes watching these award shows

{and really getting into them} as much as I do.

From going to the movies and watching all these films, to the red carpet gowns, our Oscar ballots and now watching the award show-

we love it all. 

My best friend, and husband is pretty amazing.

Oh and we also had a sleepover to watch whiplash, in preparation for tonight.

Oh and I wanted to also say thank you to the people who have watched my puppy mill story.

I keep getting cards in the mail, I got the cutest puppy bouquet and the social media attention it has continued to get makes me so unbelievably happy. 

I wanted as many people as possible to watch this story because I wanted to educate people on what our elected officials are allowing to happen in Nebraska, and other states around the country-

and I can truly say I reached my goal.

So thank you. 

If you haven't watched it yet, you can do so here.

Hope you have a wonderful Sunday night-

I'm going to get back to the Oscars!

oh and ps I'm still going strong on my new years resolutions-

and they're slowly just turing into my everyday habits which is the bomb.com!

xoxo

that girl on tv.

Happy Thursday everyone!

Almost done with the week,

woot woot.

On Friday I found a local florist who donates her extra Valentine's Day bouquets to people in need!

How sweet is that?!

She'll take them to hospice centers, nursing homes and homeless shelters.

She told me she just wants to share the love of fresh flowers,

and give those folks a sweet surprise. 

Thought I'd share this florists blooming idea! 

Hope you enjoy!

Oh and PS I shoot, write and edit all of these video on my own. 

It's called one-man-banding it-

just wanted to clarify before sharing.

future job.

Happy Monday!
I'm now off on Mondays- and Zak was a gent and stayed home with me.
We had a little mid afternoon book store date to pick up some new reading material,
and now he's studying away while I hit the blog.
I have so much on my mind with the big move coming up,
I feel like I could write for days!
{I also have lots of questions, too}.

Where are we going to live?

Apartment, condo house?

Is it going to be an easy transition for Zak?

How can we continue married to medicine?

What am I going to do for work?

And that last questions has been bugging me a lot lately. 

It's too early to start applying to places,

but not too early to dream. 

I love love love working in television. 

It's fun, energetic and keeps me on my toes!

I just don't know if I want to necessarily stay in news specifically for the rest of my career-
{now don't count me out of news, I'm just thinking out loud}!
And making myself vulnerable..
and contemplate posting this..
but I have so many thoughts and dreams and things I want to do in life I just needed to write it out.

Trust me, I can't get enough of telling a good story.

I've been able to give a voice to people who wouldn't have been heard.
Hold government officials accountable.

And help others who are desperately in need.

{like this story I did on an elderly veteran who had his car and work tools stolen days before Christmas}

But there's a lot more out there these days that I'd like to try as well.

I follow lots of amazing men & women on social media who have started their careers in TV news,

and have now branched out into other areas of broadcast-

like lifestyle for example.

And I'm like, 

"oh that looks kinda cool."

I have the degrees and experience to do something like that..

but then I'm like I don't know how the heck to even get started on that type of venture?!

Sorry I'm kinda ranting with my thoughts right now..

but it's what's on my mind. 

So anyways, the purpose of this post is to say I want to stay in television or continue to be on camera, oh and hopefully start a family as well!

Wait what?!

Is that too much to ask?

I don't think so!

That's what my dreams looks like these days and I'm determined to keep chasing them,

and challenging myself, especially when we make the move back to Arizona.
I'm super thankful for a hubby who always supports my crazy ideas!

So like I've mentioned before if any of you are in the business, Cronkite folk, have any creative job ideas, or advice at all about this industry-

help a girl out and send them my way.

Have a awesome rest of your day!

Toodles!

xoxo

valentine's day.

Happy Valentine's Day!

One of my favorite holidays, ever.

Well for the last six years it has been-

thanks to my hubs.

Each year he says, "I don't have anything planned,"

and then I wake up to a romantic surprise and it makes my heart so happy and excited. 

I'm forever thankful I married a romantic man. 

I know it may seem over the top,

but we love celebrating love.  

And each year we also switch off planning Valentine's Day,

so that it's a surprise for the other person.

This year it was his turn!

You can read about our past Valentine's Day here 

and a little more about why we love this holiday so much. 

So on Saturday I opened our bedroom door and found a trail of photos leading to our living room.

They had notes on the back of them that talked about the photo,

and then had what we were doing on it as well.

It was so sweet.

Then I found our office nook covered in wrapping paper!

Completely covered.

With the kindest card. 

After I unwrapped it, I found a bunch of presents, flowers and the wall was covered in our photos.

Every single photo we've ever taken since dating was on the wall. 

It was crazy to see how much we've grown.

How many adventures we've gone on.

All of the goals we've accomplished.

And the memories we've made. 

He went above and beyond this year with the presents.

Like really.

He took that little list I made to heart. 

And spoiled me rotten!

Thanks babe for all the gifts,

I'm so thankful for everything. 

Many missing from this photo- but I had to share my Rifle Paper Co goodies!

We hung out that morning, and took Romie on a long walk.

We were kinda dragging our feet to get out the door-

so we had a quick lunch at Qdoba-

our version of Chipotle. 

PS if you get one meal free there on V-day when you kiss at the counter.

Score.

Then we went to a local Museum that had a new Katherine Hepburn exhibit I really wanted to see!

Plus is was like 10 degrees out-

perfect indoor weather. 

I loved just lingering around, looking at all the art and being with my hubs.

Just us two in our own little world. 

The costumes at the Katherine Hepburn were amazing. 

The black dress I posted below was my favorite. 

It's flawless!

And I thought her vintage Chanel lipstick was so so pretty.

After looking around we went and had ice cream and cookies at the old fashion soda fountain-

it was darling. 

The waiters were even dressed in 50's diner uniforms.

We went back home and quickly changed into some fancy outfits and headed to the playhouse.

I've been waiting to wear this dress for a long time now-

I was so excited to put it on!

  

We had plans to go out to dinner, 

but our slow morning kinda made that not possible so we ordered take out from our fav little pizza place, ate in the parking lot of the theatre and then saw Little Women. 

This is one of the million bajillion reasons why I love Zak.

We can eat two pizzas in dressy clothes in the parking lot of a playhouse. 

Some photos from our seats.

He's my favorite person and this is our favorite holiday.

Thanks for another wonderful Valentine's Day babe!

You're my past, present and future Valentine forever and ever.

You make my life amazing, and I'm forever grateful to have you as my best friend. 

I hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day with your loved ones!

xoxo