For about 5 years, I've been reading a blog called "dooce.com".  It's written by young mom, Heather Armstrong, who lives in Salt Lake City.  I don't remember how I first learned about the site.  I just know that when I heard she was from Salt Lake City, I thought she might talk about things I was familiar with, since I used to live there.  When I was reading the blog in the early days, Heather was a newlywed who'd recently lost her job because of what she wrote about her boss on her blog.  A lot has changed since those first months I was reading dooc.com.  Now Heather and her husband are the parents of a 4 year old daughter.  Over the years, she's written about the trials, tribulations and joys of parenthood.  But dooce.com might not be for everybody.  Heather writes about things in a very matter-of-fact way, and there's really no holds barred on the topics.  She's also been very candid about her battle with depression.  Her writing has made me laugh out loud, and has also moved me to tears.  Sometimes I share her stories with my friends and co-workers.  I tell them I heard it from "my internet friend".  I take a lot of heat for that when people find out I've never even met Heather.  Some think it's odd that I could be so connected with someone who I've never had an actual conversation with.

I think that's proof of how powerful the internet, and blogging can be.  As Heather has gotten older and moved into the role of motherhood, her blogs have united an entire generation of mothers going through the same thing.  For them, I think, it's a chance not to feel so alone and to understand that others are going through the same ups and downs they are while parenting children.  Clearly, Heather appeals not only to mommies. I don't even have kids yet, and I continue to read her blog daily.

This past week, Heather made appearances on Nightline and the Today Show, to talk about her blog.  It's become a controversial issue. Some accuse her of exploting her family for money. (Both she and her husband are now able to work at home because of all of the advertising on her blog site).  Heather maintains that she only shares 5% of what happens in her life, and that the other 95% remains private. 

As for me, I'll continue to read her site.  Maybe one day her writing will resonate even more with me, when I find myself juggling a career, marriage and babies.  Then I'll be more thankful than ever for my internet friend.

As I have mentioned in previous blogs, I am a bride-to-be. Even though Thom and I have not set an exact date, we know it will be sometime next year.  This past weekend, one of my cousins tied the knot in Missouri.  Though I was unable to attend, I understand it was a beautiful wedding and that things went off without a hitch. I could only hope things go so well for our own big day. 

While I was shopping online for a gift for the happy couple, I got an overwhelming feeling as I was visiting the bride's various registeries.  It wasn't what was on the registeries that left me feeling uneasy.  The bride and groom did a great job of selecting items. Instead, I became wrought with concern over what I would do when filling out a registry of my own. At this point, it seems like I would have trouble limiting what I woud love to have in my home. I know that getting married is not about the stuff you get from friends and loved ones.  It truly is just icing on the cake.  That said, for many years I put off buying specific items for my home...telling myself, I hope to get that when I get married.  I guess I have this idea in my head about starting a new chapter of my life with new items for the kitchen, etc.

As the years went by, and there was no wedding, I broke my own rule and started buying things for myself.  After all, there was no guarantee that ever-elusive wedding would ever happen. Now, so much time has passed that some of the items I bought for myself (pans, utensils, dishes) are wearing out.  I guess that means I really can register for items I'll need when Thom and I make a home together. I just hope I can get a better handle on what I really need and what I would like or it could be the longest gift registry in the history of registeries.

On Friday, I wrote about our upcoming weekend trip to see the Twins play in Minneapolis.  Since that's the only thing I really did this weekend, that's all I really have to blog about on this Monday.  In a nutshell, the trip was great.  Everything went well...we had a good time there...and arrived back home safely.  However, I guess there were a couple things that could've been a little different.  For one, it could've rained less. I packed an umbrella, but Thom toughed it out and got pretty soggy walking to the game and back.  We did take the light rail, but got wet waiting for the train and then getting back to our hotel.  Still, it could've been much worse.  The only other thing that could've had a better outcome was the game itself.  The Twins lost.  They've played 3 games with the Red Sox this series, and only lost one.  That was the one we saw.  Still, a good night of baseball is better than a lot of other things, so I was content.

I expected there to be a lot of Red Sox fans at the game. But I was truly shocked by the turn-out when I saw them in person.  Thom and I were sitting in the outfield on the "Home Run Porch" and just happened to be surrounded by Red Sox fans.  Thank goodness there was a couple from Sioux Falls who also happened to be Twins fans who were sitting behind us. Otherwise, things could''ve gotten ugly.  Actually, they were all pretty good sports about it.  Early on in the game the Twins were winning, so Thom as a little more vocal.  But as the Sox started to turn things around, so did the rowdiness of the Red Sox fans around us. What can you do when your team is losing, other than sit back and hope the tide turns again.  We rooted on our Twins, but it just wasn't in the cards for them Saturday night.

Thom and I stayed in downtown Minneapolis, and got to see some neat bars and one of the local TV stations.  It's always fun to get out of your hometown and see the sights.  But I realized Sunday night, that heading out of town definitely makes the weekend go by fast. Nevetheless, we have no regrets, it was a good trip.

Tomorrow Thom and I will head to Minneapolis to see the Minnesota Twins take on the Boston Red Sox.  Last year we didn't make it to any Twins games, so we're really excited to be headed for the Metrodome.  While Thom is all Minnesota Twins fan, I have to admit I have a soft spot for the Red Sox.  There's just something about their history that makes the team very appealing to me.  Thom would tell you that I like them because the players are so popular they're almost like celebrities.  There may be a grain of truth to that.  While I wish David Ortiz could've been as popular as a Twin as he is as a member of the Red Sox, few would argue that "Big Papi" has almost reached rock star status.  It will be fun to see those famous faces in person...even if it is from the stadium seats. But once the game starts, will only be cheering for the Twins.  Loyalty is loyalty, and the Sox are in the Twins' house now.

I'm also excited to see Carlos Gomez in action.  He's been such a bright spot for the Twins so far this season.  He hit for the cycle the other night...the first Twin to do so since Kirby Puckett in 1986.  Carlos was only 8 months old then! I hope he has another great game when we are there to see him.  The last time Thom and I were at a Twins game, we managed to catch up with some of the players afterwards for autographs.  With so many new faces on the team this year, we might have to do the same thing again. If one of the Red Sox just happens to be available for a quick autograph as well, I just might have to take them up on it.  Sorry, Thom.

Senator Hillary Clinton was in Sioux Falls today stumping for the June 3rd Primary.  She landed at the airport, gave a speech that was about 45 minutes long, and then hopped on a plane bound for Oregon.  We had quite a few reporters and photographers at the airport covering the story.  Fiance Thom and one of those reporters even got to meet with Senator Clinton for a one-on-one interview.  Meantime, my co-anchor Brian and I covered the event from the news desk back at the station. Don't get me wrong, I love anchoring, and it fulfills a lifelong dream for me.  But for a little while today, I was missing the opportunity to be rubbing elbows with politcians during campaign season.

My first job as a reporter was at KMEG TV in Sioux City.  The first summer I worked there happened to be just months before the 2000 Iowa Caucuses.  I was lucky, as a cub reporter, to be able to interview almost all of the presidential candidates as they made their way through Iowa.  I remember calling my mom and telling her that I interviewed then-Governor George W. Bush, and that one of his Texas Rangers actually carried my tri-pod for me as I tried to one-man-band my way through the event.  A few weeks later I was inside an Iowa farmer's barn hearing former Vice President Al Gore talk about why he should lead our country.  I was thinking about those moments today, and how fun it must be for some of our younger reporters to get the chance to hear Senator Clinton talk. 

Whether you're a supporter of a particular candidate or not, few journalists would deny the exhilarating feeling of what it's like being in the presence of those vying to be the next President of the United States. Even watching the events unfold from the news desk was exciting. It's just not quite like being there.

One of the first blogs I wrote in the new year was about how I needed to develop a better sleep pattern.  Since my work day doesn't start until 1:30 in the afternoon, I tend to stay up pretty late at night.  My hope that was by now, I would've trained myself to go to bed a little earlier, and thus get up earlier and get more out of my day.  Unfortunately, just the opposite has happened.  I used to go to bed at around 2 a.m.  Now it's getting closer to 3 a.m. 

 When I was younger, I think I was better at going without sleep.  I could get by on just a few hours as long as I could eventually get one good night of sleep.  Now, it seems if I go one day without catching up, I look worse, I can't think as well, and I'm definitely grouchier.  Just ask fiance Thom.  As a result, I try not to skimp on my zzz's and end up sleeping in way too late.  While those extra hours in bed might feel like the right thing to do at the time, after I'm awake, I realize the mistake in what I've done.  When I sleep in, I only have enough time to get ready for work and that's it.  No work-out time, no chance to read the newspaper.  It's awful.  You'd think it would be enough to encourage me to go to bed at an earlier hour to get my entire schedule back on track.  It's not.

Typically, when I get off work, I spend time at Thom's watching the night's tv shows that he has saved on his DVR.  Even though we work in the same place, we often have to catch up on the day's events, and before you know it, it's 2 a.m.  Change never comes about easily, so I guess I have no choice but to dig in and start making better decisions if I really want to change this sleep pattern.  But as I write this, it is 11:31 p.m., and it doesn't look like I'll be getting to bed any earlier tonight.

Somebody once told me that if you feel the need to rearrange your furniture a lot, it's a sign you're mentally ill.  It's probably not true at all, but for some reason it stuck with me.  I'm reminded of it every spring, because that's when I get the urge to start changing things in my house.  They're not big changes.  Just little things like changing the throw pillows on my sofa, or switching the "theme" of a room.  I already changed up the look of my living room, but for some reason it didn't seem like enough.  So, I set my sights on fiance Thom's kitchen.  I decorated it for him when he moved in, and was worried that I would make it too feminine.  To avoid that,  I went with a sage green, but ended up accessorizing with a few sunflowers here and there.  Thom was a good sport about it, and didn't mind.  After all, I do most of the cooking over there, anyway.

This time, I had something totally different in mind.  Since I do spend so much time in Thom's kitchen, I wanted to do something that I would like too.  I guess I wasn't as worried about his reaction since he'd been so good about it last time.  Still, it was only fair to tell him what I was thinking about.  Cherries.  Think a 1950's kitchen in red, white and black.  He has a white stove that's pretty old, so I thought it would all work out.  But cherries?  Was that pushing him too far? 

I presented the news to him last week, and he actually took it pretty well.  Turns out, Thom likes to gamble occasionally, and cherries seem to be his good luck charm.  He told me whatever I wanted to do was fine...just not to spend too much money.  No problem.  This was not a big renovation I was planning.  Just a little something to give the tiny kitchen a new look.  So, this weekend, I started the work.  The sage green panel curtains came down, and up went red and white checked valances.  The green rugs were gone as well, replaced by cherry red ones.  The sunflowers are only a memory, and I now have touches of red flowers here and there.  It's still a work in progress. Some of the stuff I ordered hasn't arrived. (Don't worry Thom, it wasn't expensive).  I'm hoping it will all come together in a couple weeks' time, and he'll have a fresh new kitchen for spring. I know I'll feel better about it.  I figure I'm still okay. It didn't involve rearranging any furniture.

This morning, more than 40 Second Graders from Lennox took a tour of KSFY.  Their Superintendent had called me a few weeks ago to ask if the tour could be part of a field trip they were taking.  Of course I was happy to give them a look at the place.  But I admit, when I saw dozens of excited little faces coming up the sidewalk, I was worried I might not be able to entertain them for the hour that they would be at the station. Since they're only Second Graders, I knew talking about the in-depth parts of the job just wouldn't work.  I wanted to keep it basic, but interesting for their visit. 

We started in the newsroom.  I walked them through the edit bays, and showed them the tiny tapes we use for stories.  They were interested, but I could tell, they were hoping it would get better than this.  Then, we went int to the control room.  Lots of buttons and tv monitors immediately got their attention.  Some had questions about how things worked, but most, just seemed to like all the technology that surrounded them.  From there, we headed into the studio.  Immediately I could hear "oohs" and "ahs" coming from the kids.  When they saw a camera set up on our weather wall, and figured out that they could see themselves on a monitor, it was chaos. But in a good way.  It was so neat to see the kids get excited about what I sometimes take for granted.  Patrick Griesgraber showed them the ins and the outs of the weather center, and it was great to hear all of their weather-related questions.

In the end, I guess I didn't have much to worry about.  It seems a tv station is pretty interesting on it's own...at least for Second Graders. When the tour was over, I hope the kids went away with some good memories of KSFY.  I know their visit got my day off to a good start.

My brother and his wife recently bought a camper.  They have a daughter who's almost a year and a half old and are looking forward to some quality family time.  I'm sure they will get it and make some great memories along the way.

Mom and Dad often took us camping as kids.  We were lucky enough to live near  Lewis & Clark Lake and could take advantage of some great camping opportunities.  Back then, camping wasn't all the rage it is now.  We could pull into a camping spot late Friday night and stay there the whole weekend without any problems.  Now, you often have to have reservations months in advance. It seems the secret is out about how fun camping can be.  For my brother and I, it was often the anticipation of the camp-out that left us giddy.  Craig and I would do all we could to help Mom and Dad get the supplies ready.  It's funny how setting the table at home might not be that fun, but getting dishes ready for the camper...that was something entirely different.

Once we got to the campsite, and our little home was all in order, it was time for endless biking on the bike paths or cool dips in the Lewis & Clark Lake.  I'm sure Mom and Dad loved how much energy we would burn off during those camping weekends.  But even after a long day, we were never too tired to sit around the campfire and roast marshmallows. They are some very happy memories.  I know they made an impact on me, and considering my brother's recent purchase, it must be something he's willing to carry on for another generation.

While I enjoy blogging very much, some days I'm a little apprehensive about it.  I read, and then re-read what I've typed and wonder how it sounds to people who don't really know me that well.  Sometimes I second-guess my blogs even more, when my-coanchor Brian Allen reads them to me. Out loud. 

Here's how it goes: after the 6 p.m. news, Brian and I leave our desks and work on computers right next to each other in an area known as "the horseshoe" in the newsroom.  It just makes things easier when we're writing the 10 p.m. newscast,  because we don't have to yell across cubicles.  Anyway, sometimes when the work is done, and we have some free moments on our hands, Brian will call up my blog and start reading it back to me.  Except he doesn't read it in his usual KSFY News voice.  Instead, he takes on a British accent and reads it with all of the flair of someone reciting a 16th Century poem.  I admit it's funny....for a little while.  But then, it just starts making me feel weird.  Brian is not phased by this. He'll keep reading until he's read the entire blog. Sometimes he moves on to another one.

I guess it's good to get another take on what I'm writing.  But in the meantime, I might start working on an accent of my own.  I wonder how Brian would react if I started reading his blogs with an Irish brogue.  Perhaps we'll see.