NFL--stands for Not For Long??

After working in television news for 8 years, I've certainly dealt with people not liking me. I once had an Indianapolis woman e-mail me, saying she hated the sweater I was wearing, and therefore, she would never watch me again. Perhaps a little dramatic?

But nothing in television ever compared to the hatred dealt by NFL fans. There's a campaign going on in Chicago right now to fire Bears Head Coach Lovie Smith. Fans are raising money and even put up a billboard, saying "Fire Lovie Smith!" Ouch.

I guess they've forgotten he's the Bears 3rd most winningest coach behind Mike Ditka and some other guy. I guess they also forget he took the Bears to the Super Bowl just a couple of years ago. And I guess they forget that he's the only nice person on that team (according to local reporters I know, the players are jerks).

I told Mike how disgusted I was with this, and he said that's why it's the NFL, it's known as the "Not For Long" league. My point is this: you'll have good years, and you'll have bad years. The sign of decent and loyal person is sticking by someone through the bad years, knowing things will get better.

So to you Lovie--congrats on your amazing win the other night! You deserve to rub that in everyone's faces!

Congrats to my Pops

I just have to give a shout out to my Pops. He has been confirmed as Wyoming's next U.S. Attorney.

Pops-I've always looked up to you and been so proud. I know you're the best, and now the nation knows it too.
Love you!

Senate Confirms Crofts As US Attorney In Wyoming
BEN NEARY, Associated Press Writer
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) ― The U.S. Senate has confirmed Christopher A. "Kip" Crofts to serve as U.S. Attorney for Wyoming.

The Senate confirmed Crofts on Christmas Eve. He had been nominated by President Barack Obama after Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal submitted Crofts' name to the White House earlier this year.

Crofts, 67, currently serves as counsel to Freudenthal in the governor's office. Crofts formerly served in the U.S. attorney's office and as director of the state's Division of Criminal Investigation.

Crofts said Monday he will take office once Obama takes formal action on his appointment, which Crofts said he expects in the next week or two.

Crofts said he enjoys working with Freudenthal, himself a former U.S. attorney, and the rest of the governor's staff and has mixed feelings about leaving.

"But on the other hand, I'm looking forward to new challenges and going back into an office where I used to work, and there are some great people there, too," Crofts said. "So it's kind of a bittersweet thing, I guess. New challenges, new direction, that's always stimulating."

The U.S. Attorney's Office for Wyoming represents the federal government in criminal and civil court action in the state. Crofts said he doesn't anticipate making policy or personnel changes in the office.

"I think there is sometimes a little bit of prosecutorial discretion here and there, but I don't plan on making any big policy changes or things like that," Crofts said. "I don't have either the inclination or the authority to do that. Just enforce the law."

Speaking of the existing staff, Crofts said, "There's a cadre of professional lawyers and I know most of them and they're all good people. They used to kind of change everybody and nothing would happen in the office for six months until they got everybody staffed up again. That obviously wouldn't work in today's world."

Wyoming Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both Republicans, have supported Crofts' nomination.

"I'm sure he will do an excellent job in this new role," Enzi said. "His accomplishments while practicing law in Wyoming and while serving in the military showcase the qualifications we need in a U.S. attorney."

"His confirmation is good news for the people of Wyoming," Barrasso said. "Kip is a solid choice and will do an excellent job as U.S. Attorney.

According to Freudenthal's Web site, Crofts was born and raised in Lander and graduated from UW in 1965. He served four years as an officer in the U.S. Army and saw service in Vietnam and the Dominican Republic before his discharge as a captain in 1969.

Crofts taught English and social studies at Laramie Jr. High School for two years, and then attended law school at UW, graduating in 1974.

Crofts served as a justice of the peace in Fremont County for four years. He then started working with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, becoming director in 1981, a position he held until 1990. He worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in Casper and Lander until 2005. He then worked for the U.S. Justice Department as a legal adviser on a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Iraq, serving in both Baghdad, and Basra before joining Freudenthal's staff.


(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Here's to 2010!

As 2009 comes to an end, it's time to reflect on the past year and wow, what a strange one it was! I started in Indianapolis, moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and ended up in Chicago. That's a lot of packing!

Exactly one year ago I was working at a television station in Indianapolis, but I knew my contract wasn't getting renewed. So on January 20th, the same day President Barack Obama was inaugurated and starting his new position, I lost mine.

I then went home to Cheyenne to figure out my next move, and ended up getting a main anchor position. Things were going well, but then the financial bottom fell out at the station.

So finally I moved to Chicago, and after four long years apart, Mike and I ended up in the same city. And before 2009 was even over, I found out that I got into a Master's program and I got a new job. Phew!

All in all, 2009 saw a lot of change, tears and uncertainty. But I realize now, no matter how low things seem to get, there's another door that's about to open.

Here's to 2010. I'll be starting a new job, getting married, and starting a life with Mike. Perhaps there's even a new Chihuahua in our future.

I wish you all the best in 2010 too! Maybe a new job, new relationship, or a new grandchild is in your future. No matter what, a positive attitude will help make it a great year.

On the first day of Christmas...

Christmas has come and gone, and I say, thank goodness! I started out the holiday with my mom and stepdad visiting Chicago, then I went to Wyoming for a week for early Christmas celebrations, and then I went to Ohio to see Mike's family. On Christmas day, his family squeezes in as much as they can. I need to thank coffee and Cabernet for getting me through!
All that traveling reminds me of the Twelve Days of Christmas--Jeannie style. Enjoy!

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:

Twelve nights sleeping away from home
Eleven upset bellies
Ten slick roads
Nine gifts to re-gift
Eight relatives complaining about my expensive wedding
Seven busy interstates
Six holiday celebrations
Five hours of sleep
Four sneezing and sniffling kids
Three pounds of food eaten
Two times I thought about not having children
And a carsick Chi-hua-hua!

Are you singing it? It's better that way.

YOU'LL NEVER BELIEVE IT!

Are you sitting down? Please sit before you hear this news.

I GOT A JOB!!

I'm still in shock. After 5 months of unemployment, two interviews, hundreds of job postings, and applying for 60 positions, I finally got a job.

I'M GOING TO GET A PAYCHECK AGAIN!

Are you still sitting? Please don't pass out!

This is going to be a great Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I'm heading to Ohio, so I'll be off-line for a few days. Chat soon!

A fate worse than death?

The holidays are upon us, and just like tradition, airports across the country are preparing for delays. Just like clockwork, ice and snow are on the way across most of the Mid-West and Rockies.

I flew back home to Chicago yesterday, and even though it was before the big rush, it was still awful. When I sat in my cramped seat that wouldn't recline, therefore I was practically eating the hair of the passenger in front of me, all I could think was, "Why do we do this?" Is mom's turkey that good?

Nowadays, you practically have to undress to get through security, and it takes 4 bins to hold all my stuff. My potentially dangerous Sweet Pea lotion must be less than 3 ounces, in it's own plastic bag, in it's own separate bin. Then there's ALWAYS someone behind me who's in a big rush, and pushes their bins into mine, thinking that will speed things up. What they don't know is that makes me go slower! (Insert a witch's cackle)

Then I get behind an old man who was exploring his "inner pirate". He has big, gold hoop earrings, and apparently metal in every pocket. So does he remove all the metal the first time he beeps? Of course not!!! It takes three more times!

Also, why do airport bathrooms always stink?
Why do people wait to eat their onion/poop sandwich when we get on the plane?
And why does the guy next to me always have bad breath but insists on talking the whole time?

I'd better go, I need to pack for Ohio!

What were they thinking?

Are you ready for a fun game of who looks more ridiculous? Ladies and gentleman, may I present a Wiener dog wearing a Snuggie, and football player Chad Ochocinco in a Snuggie. I just can't decide which one makes me laugh harder.

Let's break it down....

Each one looks incredibly uncomfortable.

Each one goes by a stupid name. I mean, a Wiener dog. Really? And Ochocinco? He loved his football number that much?

And each one is going to have a difficult time peeing. Is there an opening in those suckers?

C'mon, who other than my 1-year old nephews wants to wear a onesie? I get hot in just a bathrobe! We probably all agree the snuggie is a silly idea, but I'm guessing the creator is laughing all the way to the bank.