7 Alexis-Approved Christmas Movies

Christmas is seven days away, and chances are your little ones spending a lot of time in front of the TV while you attempt to get your holiday to-do list accomplished. We've been watching a lot of Disney Junior Christmas specials, but it's nice to have a few movies to break up the pattern. Below is a list of Alexis-approved Christmas movies to get you through the big day.

1. Mickey's Once & Twice Upon a Christmas

Technically, this is two movies but for Alexis they're interchangeable. Each features three short stories starring your favorite Mickey Mouse characters. My personal favorite is Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas because it's the old-style animation, but to Alexis Mickey Mouse is Mickey Mouse.

2. Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed In at the House of Mouse

This series of shorts stands on its own and contains my favorite cartoon version of A Christmas Carol. This difference between Magical Christmas and Once/Twice is that all of the stories are being shown to get Donald in the Christmas spirit.

3. A Charlie Brown Christmas

How could this Christmas classic not be on the list? Not only does it teach a great lesson, but there's lots of singing to keep your toddler's attention.

4. Frosty the Snowman

Another Christmas classic the holidays wouldn't be complete without watching at least once. What kid doesn't love a talking snowman?

5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

As you can tell by the picture, I'm talking about the original made-for-tv movie. Although there's nothing wrong with the live-action version, the cartoon version is more Alexis's speed. It's also a shorter movie so younger kids are more likely not to get distracted halfway through.

6. Santa Buddies

If your kid is anything like Alexis, they love anything with animals in it. All the Buddies' movies have been a hit with her, although they are a little bit longer than most things we watch.

7. Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year

Alexis has recently gotten into Winnie the Pooh so I had to include one of those holiday movies. You truly can't go wrong with any of them, but I like this one because it combines Christmas and New Year's.

What movies are your kids watching this holiday season?

31 Things I'm Thankful For This Year

I turned 31 last weekend. I celebrated with my husband and daughter, nothing fancy. Sometimes I need little things like that to remind myself there's a lot in life for which to be thankful. So I decided to put together a list of 31 things I'm thankful for this year, and I hate to say this but it wasn't as easy as it should have been.

1. Husband
He's been with me through it all, and even when I can't love myself he does. I can't imagine doing this thing called life without him.

2. Daughter
She is the light of my life. Every day is a new adventure, and I can't wait to watch her grow up.

3. Parents
It may not be perfect, but their relationship is what set the stage for my own.

4. Mom
Yes, my parents each get their own entry, because I'm also thankful for the people they are individually. My mom is the strongest person I know.

5. Stepdad
This man doesn't share my blood, but he is definitely my dad. He picked us and has loved us for basically my entire life. He is the man by which I judge all others.

6. Brother
Everybody's got that one person they could call, no matter what, who would be there no questions asked.

7. BFF's
Even though none of us live close enough to see frequently, nothing could come between us. They're the sisters I never had.

8. Work friends
Everybody needs them.

9. Job
This goes without saying, but I'm forever grateful to be doing something that I love every day.

10. House
The journey to home ownership wasn't an easy one, but I'm so thankful we found a house that meets all of our needs and most of our wants.

11. Dog
He was my first baby, and even though he loves his daddy more than me, I can still go sit with him and just be.

12. Blogging
Not only am I grateful to have a creative outlet, but I'm thankful for the friends I've made and all the tips, tricks, and random knowledge I've picked up along the way.

13. DVR
...without which I would never get to watch TV.

14. Benadryl
In recent weeks, my lactose sensitivity has progressed into all-out intolerance, complete with hives. In the two weeks it took to figure out what was behind it all, Benadryl was my best friend.

15. Neutragena
Adult acne sucks. Having adult acne on top of already sensitive skin sucks more. From face wash to make-up, Neutragena is one of the few products that doesn't make things worse and doesn't break my wallet.

16. Dove
Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but Dove has transformed my skin and hair care in the past few years.

17. Granny & Pawpaw
Grandparents are special, and what makes mine even more so is the fact that they aren't actually related to me but you'd never know it.

18. Books
Three words: escape from reality.

19. Social media
Beyond the obvious reason of keeping me connected with friends and family, social media has enhanced the way I do a large portion of my job.

20. Naptime
When else are parents supposed to get things done without sacrificing sleep?

21. Dishwasher
I absolutely hate dirty dish water.

22. Planners
I would be lost without mine.

23. Memory foam mattress
Because sleeping on a cloud should be at the top of everybody's list.

24. Noise machine
My husband bought one of these to use when he's on night shift. He left it on one day and I couldn't figure out how to turn it off, so I slept with it that night...and now I'm hooked.

25. Bubble baths
Some people use wine to wind down after a long day. I use Mr. Bubble.

26. Phone
I can still remember when I got a phone in my bedroom, and since then it's only gotten better.

27. Independence
I mean this in the sense that I'm alright on my own. I'm perfectly OK with not following the crowd.

28. Online shopping
Oh, the convenience of online shopping. Online stores never close, and I don't have to worry about losing my toddler in the racks.

29. Google
Do I even need to explain this one?

30. Growing Up Without Technology
We had television, of course, and even primitive computers, but there was no social media. We got to be kids...for real.

31. Family ... Even When It's Complicated
Family teaches you the type of person you want to be or, sometimes even more importantly, the type of person you want to avoid becoming.

Monday Motivation

I needed this reminder today. So many of our problems can be solved by simply changing the way we think about them. And even if positive thinking doesn't change something, it can make it a little easier to bear.

Happy Monday!

Monthly Reading Inventory: October/November

I started "The Daughters of Palatine Hill" in October but did not finish it until mid-November. Don't take that as a sign not to read the book - a virus hit our house and then we had a week's worth of live-on-location shows, so my reading was pretty sporadic.

Historical fictions, especially those involving actual people, have always been some of my favorite reading. A few years ago I read a book about Cleopatra. It ended with her death, obviously. This book, while written by a different author, is almost like a sequel in that it follows the life of Cleopatra's daughter, Selene, after she is taken to Rome by Egypt's conqueror, Caesar Augustus. It is also the story of Augustus' wife, Livia, and his daughter, Julia.

Most of Roman history focuses on and is told by men. This book is told from the points of view of Selene, Livia, and Julia. It is a story of survival (Selene), longing (Julia), and unfaltering fidelity (Livia) that shows the struggle of being a woman in the Roman Empire.

I pitied Julia's total lack of control over her own life and her unluckiness when it came to love. Livia's undying love for her husband and complete devotion to her country was admirable. Selene's story of survival and success was my favorite. There are lessons in each of their stories.

I recommend "The Daughters of Palatine Hill" for anyone interested in the Roman Empire and who likes historical fiction. I would not recommend it for anyone who is offended by sexual language and some suggestive scenes.

Read more in-depth reviews here.

Monday Motivation

I would be the best [insert title] but [insert excuse]. If you really want something, there are no excuses, no buts...so get off yours.

Happy Monday!

Opinion: Sweeps Don't Matter

When I first started working in TV news, I had no idea what "sweeps" were. I'd never heard of these four magical months that determined stations' rankings. Given my background in print, that's not all too surprising. But even now, after eight years in the business, "sweeps" still don't mean much.

So what are "sweeps"? Otherwise known as ratings periods, sweeps happen four times a year - February, May, July and November. During those designated time frames, Nielson collects data on who's watching what and when. In my neck of the woods, they're still using paper diaries for the time being, which means the results aren't necessarily 100% accurate.

What does sweeps mean for local television stations? Traditionally, it means special reports and a finer attention to detail. Oh, and no one can take off. That's right, folks. There are four months out of the year I can't take off a single day. And for what? Are more people watching the news during those four months? There is no evidence to support that, and there most certainly are not more people tuning in during July (hello, summer vacation).

The idea of "sweeps" essentially tells stations that only four months matter and those four months are reserved for your best content. Seriously, stations will specifically set up feature stories or even investigative pieces to coincide with one of the chosen four. How impractical does that sound? As someone who's gone through more than a dozen ratings periods and juggled the scheduling that revolves around them, I can assure you that there is no practicality of sweeps. And quite honestly, I don't see any pay off at the close of the book.

So what makes sweeps so special? I would say it's for the sake of winning awards, but that's not true. Submissions don't have to be from within sweeps periods, and in fact, you're not allowed to submit shows that aired during sweeps. I can't even say that it's to get an accurate gauge of each quarter as the months aren't equally spaced out. The truth is that sweeps are tied to the months new shows are typically released; it has nothing to do with local TV and everything to do with the big boys.

The reality of news is that it happens every day. Your best story of the year may happen in January or August or even December, and you won't sit on it until sweeps starts. You can't. Great stories shouldn't just be reserved for February, May, July or December. And the work we're doing as journalists matters 12 months of the year, not just four.

Sweeps don't matter.

Monday Motivation

Nothing worth having will ever be just handed to you. In all aspects of life, in order to get something you've got to do something. Are you ready to get to work?

Happy Monday!

Newsroom Fashion: Unexpected Layers

We had our first cold snap this week. Well, cold for Alabama at least, ha! Even so, it's still hard to dress during this time of year. Cold in the morning, almost hot during the day, back to cold at night. The day I wore this outfit it actually didn't get out of the 60s. One of the ways I like to keep things fresh is to layer unexpected pieces, like wearing this dress tucked into this pencil skirt. All of these pieces are old, but the boots are still in stock in a few sizes. As for the dress and skirt, I've linked to similar options below.

Details:
Dress: similar
Skirt: similar
Boots: exact

Finding My Style

It has taken years but I think I've finally figured it out: my style. It's a little bit traditional, sometimes quirky, and a tad trendy. Reaching this realization wasn't easy. There was no "light bulb" moment, no aha! as I looked in the mirror one day. It was more of a gradual acceptance of myself beyond my outfit decisions.

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about my post-pregnancy struggle with body image and how I've been working to change the way I think about myself. It's truly been a process, one that's involved letting go of ill-fitting, old, no-longer-appropriate clothing and a shift in shopping habits.

I absolutely love a good sale, but for most of my professional life I avoided buying almost anything at full price. If I did buy something that wasn't on sale, it was either something I absolutely had to have at the time or not great quality. Now, I still don't pass up a good sale but instead of buying a lot of cheap, poorly-made pieces that will only last one season, I've been investing in better quality clothes that will stand the test of time. Even so, I find myself drawn to the same silhouettes, colors and patterns over and over again.

I think, though, that one of the key transformations for me was when I stopped looking at other women's outfits and comparing them to mine. Theodore Roosevelt said, "Comparison is the thief of joy," and he's right. As soon as I stopped thinking about how so-and-so could pull off something I was wearing better than me, the more confident I became in my fashion choices. And as that confidence began to grow, people started to notice. And although it's kind of validating to get those compliments, it is much more important that I'm dressing for myself.

Monday Motivation

Would they be proud?

Happy Monday!

(Not So) Basic Journalism Skills: The Essentials

We're currently in the process of hiring several new reporters at my station so I thought it would be a good opportunity to talk about five things you simply can't do this job without.

1. Research Skills
You've got to be able to independently gather information. The internet in a lot of ways has made this task easier, but there's more to research than typing key words into the Google search bar. You've got to be proficient at identifying the right people to talk to and making phone calls. And let's not forget about filtering the information you gather.

2. Interviewing Skills
Whether it's over-the-phone, face-to-face, or even via email, interviewing is an essential part of being a journalist. For me it all starts with research so I know as much as possible going into the interview. Don't forget the basics: who, what, when, where, why, and how. Take notes and listen. Here are some other tried-and-true interview tips.

3. Video/Photography Skills
Long story short, know how to frame a shot. This is a pretty good explanation on the "rule of thirds." Some other quick tips -- always set up your tripod based on the person you're interviewing's height; have your interview talk to you, not the camera; avoid ceiling shots and boring wall backgrounds.

4. Writing Skills
If you can't write, you simply can't do this job. Journalists are storytellers specializing in the truth. You've got to be able to write coherently, using appropriate grammar and punctuation. Here are some tips for grammar and writing for deadlines.

5. Social Media Know-How
When I was in J-School, social media wasn't something we talked about, but now social media is the first thing we think about in the field. People want their news when they want it, so NOW. Unfortunately, even though most of the younger journalists in the field grew up with social media, they're not exactly savvy on using it for news. But if you want to stay relevant in today's news cycle, social media is a must. Check out my social media do's and don't's and three steps to master social media.

For other advice, check out my posts on four things to master before your first job and tips for new producers.

Monday Motivation

Things can only make you happy or unhappy if you decide they can. Happiness - your happiness - is a choice. It always has been. Choose wisely.

Happy Monday!

Monthly Reading Inventory: September

I've always been a fan of historical fiction and have read my fair share of books based on World War II but none like this.

It's the story of Margie Bauer, a young girl who joins the Army Nurse Corps ahead of the U.S. involvement in World War II. She's called to duty in 1941 and assigned to Manila in the Philippines, far from the realities of war at first, but soon the Japanese start bombing and taking control of the island. Margie is among a handful of nurses left on the island to help treat injured soldiers. Eventually, they are taken prisoner by the Japanese and sent to an internment camp for more than a year. When the camp is liberated, Margie becomes victim to another crime but not at the hands of her captors. From there, the story follows Margie's journey home and her struggle to reacclimate to civilian life. She marries, has children, and finds a way to satisfy a hunger food could never fill.

"A Pledge of Silence" is based off of true stories from the war, although Margie is a fictional character. Author Flora J. Solomon did a magnificent job of crafting her tale. When I learned about WWII in school, the Philippines were not included in the lesson plans, and in most renditions of stories about the war the focus is on the male soldiers. Although this tale was grim at times, it was refreshing to read about the impact these female nurses had during the war.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Monday Motivation

In other words, if you want your dreams to come true you've got to do more than just sleep on them. Wake up and work toward them!

Dream >> Action >> Reality

Happy Monday!

Monday Motivation

What a great reminder. Just because you're in a certain situation or in a bad spot in your journey doesn't mean you have to stay there. Change your circumstances. The way your story ends is entirely up to you.

Happy Monday!

Body After Baby: The Struggle is Real

Recently I did a massive clothes clean-out. I went through absolutely everything in my closet and drawers and got rid of a lot of stuff. A good bit of it was stuff I no longer wear or wasn't really age-appropriate anymore, but there were also a lot of things I'd been holding onto even though deep down I knew I would never be able to fit back into them.

You see, I've always had this mental image of the way I thought I would always look. And, I suspect like a lot of women, I had some pretty unrealistic expectations about how my body would be after pregnancy.

I've never been what you'd call thin, and honestly I've never been concerned with that, but I have always been small with little to no effort. Now, despite changing my diet and making an effort, I'm no longer small. So when I stand in front of the mirror after my shower before I get dressed, I have a hard time loving the image reflected back at me. I don't see a woman with curves. I see a woman with extra skin, stretch marks, and a pronounced C-section shelf that all the sit-ups in the world can't fix.

So why am I telling you all this? For the past two years I've been struggling with body acceptance and just generally not feeling like myself. And as much as it hurts to say this, all the snuggles from my daughter and reassurances from my husband just don't make me feel any better about the way I look. That's because when all is said and done, the most important opinion is my own.

So instead of focusing so much on trying to change this new body, I'm trying very hard to change the way I think about it. A big part of that was changing the way I dress. A lot. I don't know if you've noticed the change in my infrequent Newsroom Fashion posts, but I've spent much of the past two years revamping my wardrobe, replacing my old basics with new, better-fitting versions and officially saying goodbye to anything from before age 25. It may seem trivial, shallow even, but learning how to dress this new version of myself has done wonders for my self-esteem.

I don't know if what I've been struggling with qualifies as postpartum depression. I am sure that I'm not the first woman to struggle with body image after having a baby, and I probably won't be the last. But I hope that by sharing my struggle, it will encourage other women to speak up and seek help if they need it. After all, we come out of pregnancy a different person than we went into it, and no matter what shape or size we end up being, motherhood is beautiful.

Monday Motivation

Bad days don't equal a bad life. I need to print this out and frame it.

Happy Monday!

Newsroom Fashion: Southern Fall

Here in the South, we really only get to fully experience one season - summer. So the fall-like temperatures we've had this past week have been glorious! It was the perfect opportunity to wear this leopard print tshirt dress. It's a good weight, has the right amount of stretch, and is so comfy! It also comes in more colors and prints. My shoes are several years old but I linked to a virtually identical pair below.

Details:

Dress - Old Navy

Shoes - old (similar)

Monthly Reading Inventory: July/August

There's a saying: Don't judge a book by its cover. But I'll be honest, this book's cover is what prompted me to read it, and I'm glad I didn't pass it by. The Dirty Parts of the Bible is different from anything I've read lately. It's almost like a folk tale, with saltier language.

It's the story of Tobias, the son of a preacher. When his father is blinded in an accident, Tobias sets out on a journey to find some money buried in an old dried-up well on his uncle's farm in Texas. After losing all his travel money in a whore house, Tobias joins up with an old hobo and starts train hopping. He finally makes it to Texas, finds his family's farm and starts looking for the money. He meets a girl who is cursed by an old Indian, falls in love, and finds himself.

The only "dirty" part about this book is the language and some crass jokes. So if that kind of thing offends you, this book isn't for you. But if a funny coming-of-age story is something you could get into, read this book.

Monday Motivation

For the last two weeks, we've been living without "real" TV and subpar internet through our phones, not to mention no furniture outside of our bedrooms. This past weekend was our first weekend with a house full of furniture and a TV that could watch more than just recorded episodes. As much as I'm happy to have more variety to watch and internet that's actually worth a crap, I can't deny that not having those things forced us to spend more time together as a family, which is invaluable.

So be intentional - remember the things that matter most in life - and turn off your TV, phone, computer, whatever it is that's stealing time from those things. Because time is non-refundable.

Happy Monday!

Home Sweet Home

You've no doubt noticed things have been pretty quiet around here the last few weeks. We just moved into a new house and things have been pretty hectic. We've still got boxes stacked in corners and no furniture outside the bedrooms, but hopefully all of that will change this weekend. Once we're settled, I'll get back in the saddle. Until then, check out my social media pages (links at the top of the page).

PHOTOS: News on the Road

Live at Lunch was on the road every Friday in June. We started with the Alabama State Games, got our mouths watering at the Slocomb Tomato and Panhandle Watermelon festivals, and ended the month on a patriotic note at Freedom Fest on Fort Rucker. These are my favorite shows to do - they're creative and fun, and we get to meet some pretty cool people along the way. This go 'round we met an Olympic gold medalist and two country music singers. Oh, and did I mention? I work with a pretty great crew.

Monday Motivation

If you're like me, your body lets you know when you're doing too much. For me it's stuff like acne breakouts, trouble sleeping, and an unsettled stomach. Admitting that I need a break is easy, but taking one isn't always simple. But when I'm feeling unfocused, stretched thin, cranky and at my wits' end, I know I need to scale back. Unfortunately for this blog, it's often the first thing that gets cut, as you all saw last week. I've been struggling to write anything and have several posts in varying stages of progress just waiting for me to finish them, and I promise one day I will. It just probably won't be this week...and maybe not next week either. My schedule is all over the place right now, and I'm not willing to sacrifice what little sleep I'm actually getting for the sake of a blog post. So even though I'm sort of "back" this week, I'm also still kind of "taking a break" from big posts until I get back steady on my feet and feel like my mental health is at 100% again. But until then...

Happy Monday!

Monday Motivation

It all starts with you. If you don't like yourself, chances are no one else will either. So be someone that YOU are proud of first. The rest will follow.

Happy Monday!

Stitch Fix Review: My First Box

Have you ever wanted to shop but after walking through your local malls and stores come out empty-handed? That's been happening more and more often with me lately. Either I find something I like that's overpriced for the quality or I feel like everything I see is too common. So after a lot of thought and review reading, I decided to sign up for Stitch Fix. Here's how it works: you fill out a style survey, set your price range, decide how often you want to get a delivery, and then a stylist hand-picks five items to send you. You have three days to decide what to keep and what to send back. You pay $20 up front, which is then deducted from your final total. If you decide to keep all five pieces, you get 25% off.

I liked everything that came in my first box, but ended up only keeping two. The quality was superb and the prices were pretty comparable to other places I shop (when I pay full price which is rare). I sent back a necklace because I already own something similar, a shirt because it was too form-fitting, and a skirt because I only had one shirt in my closet to wear with it. I kept a grey cold-shoulder dress and red bell sleeve shirt with cut-out detailing around the bottom. I can't link to these exact pieces, but I did link to some similar options at the bottom of this post.

P.S. My jeans, which have been on repeat for the past month, are on major sale!

DETAILS:
Dress - Stitch Fix (similar, similar)
Black Slides - ShoeDazzle (exact)
Shirt - Stitch Fix (similar, similar)
Jeans - Old Navy (exact)