Rachael_from_FOX's Blog

Could I be more excited about next week?  Sunday is the 2-hour "24: Redemption" movie!!!  And, just so you're a little jealous, FOX sent me the dvd so I can watch it before all of you:)  I need to prepare myself before I watch it though.  I usually feel like a bad ass after I watch Jack Bauer for an hour.  I can only imagine what will happen after 2 hours.  I will probably decide to become a goverment agent, start fighting random bad guys and manage to go 24 hours without sleep or food... how do they do that?

Tune in on Sunday, November 23rd at 7pm to watch my man, Jack Bauer. 

Then, on Thursday.... Thanksgiving!!!  This is my 2nd favorite holiday.  Mostly because my cousin Missy always makes me a pumpkin pie... from scratch!  She seriously cuts up the pumpkin.  This year I will be having 2 Thanksgiving dinners, and that's fine by me.  Twice the pumpkin pie, and I recently discovered that I like sweet potatoes so I'm looking forward to that too.

What's your favorite part of Turkey Day?  To be honest, I don't even care about the turkey.  Here's my top 5 favorite things about Thanksgiving:

5) Grandma's farm salad.  4) Playing football with the guys - my brother broke my cousin's nose last year, so you know it gets serious.  3) Green bean casserole.  2)  PUMPKIN PIE!!!  1)  We have a tradition where we all say one thing that we're thankful for.  I think it helps us stay grounded and realize what a phenomenal family we have.  I truly am thankful for each and every one of them.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Don't forget to watch Seahawks vs. Cowboys on FOX, 2:30pm Thanksgiving day.

October is my favorite month, but I feel like it really snuck up on us this year.  I mean, the weather is telling me that it's August, and I haven't even carved a pumpkin. 

We went to the Illini game on Saturday... we lost, but it was still a pretty good game.  I had excellent seats.  3rd row up from the field on the 35 yard line.  Thanks FOX!  It was like 85 degrees, so it didn't really feel like football weather. 

I actually saw my old teacher, Mrs. Waldhauser, at the game.  She's one of the main reasons I went to U of I in the first place.  It was great to catch up with her and her husband.  Have you ever had one of those teachers that made such an impact on your life?  She's that teacher for me and so many other Pawnee kids.

After the game, Jason and I bought an X-Box 360.  I'm not that into it, but he is for sure.  I don't think I've even had a conversation with him since we hooked the thing up.  I'll take the Wii over that any day:)

In an effort to feel like it's really the month of October, I decided to start thinking about my Halloween costume.  I like to dress up in homemade costumes.  I don't want to have the same one as everyone else.  I really have no clue what to be this year.  I  might go old school this year and cut some holes in a sheet to be a ghost.

Does anyone have any good costume ideas?  I thought about being Sarah Palin and making Jason be John McCain.  Or, Fred and Daphne, Barney and Betty, Ken and Barbie?  This is too hard. 

I don't even know where to go for Halloween.  I usually host the F-5 costume contest, but this year they are going to be in Jacksonville.  Maybe I'll make my way out there... 

Happy October everyone!  In just a few short weeks we start November Sweeps, so you know what that means....  Awesome TV and I officially will be living at the tv station for a month:)

If you haven't played Mario Kart on Nintendo Wii, then you haven't lived.  This game is so much fun!

We've had our Wii for a few months now, and haven't even hooked it up yet.  Now I know that we were crazy.  I'm a huge fan of the original Nintendo and Super Nintendo... anything past that is above my head.  When they started getting all 3-D on me, I bailed.

Mario Kart was really the only game I was excited about for our Wii, but I could never find it.  It was even sold out online.  My best friend Dave and I finally found it at Best Buy on Friday.  Naturally, we put in a good 8 hours of play time by Saturday night.

Now, I don't want you to think that all I did this weekend was play video games.  We also planted grass in our backyard which took about 8 hours and a lot of hard work. 

So, I need advice on the next game to buy for our Wii.  I heard Super Smash Bros. is pretty awesome.  What do you play?  Does anyone have any tips on Mario Kart?  Like, who's the best character, and what vehicle should I choose? 

I might not be able to blog for a while.  I'm expecting my hands to be hurting for weeks after so much gaming.

Wow, I have watched more TV in the last 3 weeks than I ever have before!  You'd think it was American Idol season or something.

I've discovered the beauty and joy of DVR.  How the heck did I not have this before?  So, here's what I've been recording:

Gossip Girl - Mondays at 7 on CW

90210 - Tuesdays at 7 on CW

Fringe - Tuesdays at 8 on FOX

Privileged - Tuesdays at 8 on CW

and of course (even though it's not a FOX or CW show) The Office!

How awesome is Fringe?  My boyfriend thinks it might be the greatest show on TV .  It's kind of like Lost meets X-Files... but better!

Oh, and how about Gossip Girl?  I just started watching this season, but my friend Elizabeth Eckert is letting me borrow the first season so I can catch up.  This show is so racy I can't believe its on during primetime.  Needless to say, I'm addicted after only 3 episodes.

90210 just got picked up for an entire season.  It's getting pretty juicy too.  I hope they keep Brenda!  And bring Donna back!

As for life outside of TV, it's pretty spectacular.  I'm getting settled into the new house, but there is still a lot of work to do.  My parents invited us over for dinner tonight.  It's crazy how much you miss a home-cooked meal!  I attempted to make one yesterday... I even asked the lady at the check out of Walmart for some tips, but it didn't turn out right.  I guess there's no cooking like your mama's. 

What does everyone think about all of these new shows?  What's your favorite? 

Do Not Disturb?  Fringe?  90210?  Privileged?  Hole in the Wall?

Send me your thoughts!

Hello everyone!  We've been keeping super duper busy this summer here at FOX 55/27 Illinois.

A few weeks ago we had FOX Illinois Idol 2008 at Lincoln Land Community College.  It was awesome!  The best part is that we get to send the winner for a guaranteed audition in front of the American Idol Season 8 producers!  She leaves tomorrow for Kansas City and she has promised to keep us updated and write about her experience in her very own blog.  So, keep your eye out for Lexie Montgomery, our FOX Illinois Idol.

Last weekend, we hung out at the Decatur Celebration.  We walked in the parade with our very own Seymore the Frog from Central Illinois CW and Laine Sylvester, our C-More Weather girl.  We also had a booth set up where people could film their own promos.  Check out some of the footage at www.centralillinoiscw.com. 

Now, we're getting ready for the Illinois State Fair.  Tomorrow is the parade, so make sure you come out and see the FOX Cruiser.  Everyday of the fair, stop by the dive show area at 5pm for Fair Factor!  I'm hosting this gross competition, and you can win some really cool prizes like concert tickets.  It's basically like the famous show Fear Factor, but it will be live at this years fair.

On top of all of that, I've been keeping super busy with our new house!  So far I've learned how to tile, drywall, lay wood flooring, paint (even though I'm really messy), and landscape.  I thought I was handy before,  but now I know I am!  I'll post some before and after pictures when we're finished.

I know that I said I was a scrooge before, but I take that back now.  I had a wonderful Christmas!

My cousin flew in from Florida on Friday... she's like my sister and I love her so much!  On Saturday, we all went to my mom's brother's house for "Cookie Day 2007."  What is cookie day you ask?  Well my mother is the youngest of 10 children, so you can imagine how big our family is.  I have over 90 cousins on that side of the family!  On Christmas Eve, we all gather together for a huge reunion.  We eat A LOT of cookies, so we have to have a cookie day where all we do is bake cookies.

Each person has her own job.  There's a pourer, mixer, spooner (not cuddling, but spooning the mix onto the cookie sheet), timer, taker outer, etc.  I came a little late this year, so my job was taster.  Okay, so maybe I planned it that way:)

Anyway, Cookie Day 2007 was a huge success.  Over 20 dozen cookies! 

On Christmas Eve, I saw family that I haven't seen in a year.  I ended up staying really late and eating too much, but that's what Christmas is for I guess.

On Christmas day, my family and I exchanged gifts.  I think my dog Shadow had the most presents under the tree.  He seemed to know exactly which ones were his, and he opened them all by himself.  What did I get?  Here's my top 5 presents this Christmas:

1. Nintendo DS from my brother (I've been playing with this all day, don't tell my boss)
2. vacuum cleaner (I am officially a boring grown up)
3. Money
4. 2008 Rose Bowl Illini shirt
5. pumpkin pie (seriously, my cousin Missy makes it from scratch and it's a little slice of heaven.  She made one only for me this year.  Loved it!)

Of course, the beauty of Christmas isn't getting gifts, but giving them and being with the ones you love.... but I still really really enjoy getting gifts. :)

What did everyone else get this year?  Did anyone give anything really great? 

Next up, New Years!  My best girls and I are traveling to Nashville.  As for a New Year's resolution... I'll get back to you on that!

I hope everyone had Happy Holidays!

~Rachael

Usually I'm a bit of a scrooge during the holidays.  I hate all of the music and commercialization of Christmas.  But I must say that this year, I'm a little more festive.  I actually decorated my apartment.  I have a tree, lights, garland and even little red ribbons everywhere.  It's really putting me in the Christmas mood!  This is what I've been missing.  I even find myself listening to holiday music (Blake from WDBR did a remake of Soulja Boy, and it's my new favorite.  Check it out on www.wdbr.com)

I am struggling, however, with finding the right gifts.  All I need to buy for this year is my mom, dad, brother, dog and grandma.  If anyone has any good ideas, let me know. 

Another thing that put me in a better mood was my friend Brandy's Ugly Holiday Sweater Party.  See the photo below.  When do people ever think it's okay to wear sweaters like that for real?  Are they made specifically for other people to make fun of them?  If anyone has any better ugly sweaters, please email me a picture!  ratchison@foxillinois.com

My mom asked me what I wanted this year for Christmas.  Usually I can name about 10 fun things I really want, but not this year.  I feel like I'm really a grown up now... here's my Christmas wish list:

1. Electric Blanket
2. Energy efficient space heater
3. new skillet
4. chopping knife
5. Vacuum cleaner

What the heck is going on here?  When did I turn responsible and boring?  Maybe it was the second I put on that hideous Christmas sweater....

Is anyone out there a haunted house fan?  I LOVE THEM... even though I am so scared of them. 

Anyway, we're doing a really cool promotion on FOX 55/27 Illinois called Wicked Wednesdays.  Every Wednesday at 5pm in October, we'll be airing a Simpson's Treehouse of Horror episode.  I've also had the pleasure of touring some local haunted houses, and we'll be giving away tickets to them on this website.  Make sure to enter and you could also win a Simpson's Prize Pack. 

What is everyone's favorite local haunted house?  What is everyone going to be for Halloween this year? 

Halloween is by far my favorite holiday... check out my costume from last year, and keep checking back for more info on this spooky contest!

Hey gang,

I finally took a much needed vacation!  I visited my cousin and her husband in Tampa, Florida this past weekend.  My other cousin and their mom joined me, and we had the most relaxing family vacation ever.  We made it a point to not have any plans, so we could relax on the beach every day.

It took a little while for me to warm up to the ocean... I know most people are afraid of sharks, but not me.  I'm deathly afraid of eels!  Everytime I felt a piece of sea weed on my leg, I thought for sure I was being attacked by a deadly electric eel.  I think my fear stems from watching the Little Mermaid as a child.  Remember those scary bad eels? 

After my illogical fears subsided, I had a blast.  We built sand castles like we were 5 years old again, and even had a sand fight.  My favorite part of the trip was parasailing.  We went 800 feet in the air, and it was the most peaceful feeling I've had in a long time.  My cousin Erika and I went together, and I was really happy to share that experience with her.  She and Tiffany (who we visited) are like my sisters. 

Of course, I couldn't visit Florida without eating a ton of seafood!  I had grouper, tuna, salmon, mahi mahi, and enough crab legs to last until my next trip. 

Check out these pictures of my parasailing adventure.  You can find the rest of my vacation pictures on my myspace page.  Enjoy!

Hey gang,

I finally took a much needed vacation!  I visited my cousin and her husband in Tampa, Florida this past weekend.  My other cousin and their mom joined me, and we had the most relaxing family vacation ever.  We made it a point to not have any plans, so we could relax on the beach every day.

It took a little while for me to warm up to the ocean... I know most people are afraid of sharks, but not me.  I'm deathly afraid of eels!  Everytime I felt a piece of sea weed on my leg, I thought for sure I was being attacked by a deadly electric eel.  I think my fear stems from watching the Little Mermaid as a child.  Remember those scary bad eels? 

After my illogical fears subsided, I had a blast.  We built sand castles like we were 5 years old again, and even had a sand fight.  My favorite part of the trip was parasailing.  We went 800 feet in the air, and it was the most peaceful feeling I've had in a long time.  My cousin Erika and I went together, and I was really happy to share that experience with her.  She and Tiffany (who we visited) are like my sisters. 

Of course, I couldn't visit Florida without eating a ton of seafood!  I had grouper, tuna, salmon, mahi mahi, and enough crab legs to last until my next trip. 

Check out these pictures of my parasailing adventure.  You can find the rest of my vacation pictures on my myspace page.  Enjoy!

Wow, I haven't written a blog in a while.  Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about everyone, I just haven't had time to do anything!

Last weekend, I went to the Street Fest in Champaign.  The Brat Pack was there... and you all know how I love 80's cover bands!  I had so much fun, and even saw a girl face plant right next to my feet.  Is it bad that I laughed... after I knew she was okay? 

Yesterday was the 4th of July.  I started my day off of work by working... wierd!  A few of us from the station were in the Jerome 4th of July Parade.  I had a blast.  I was driving the FOX Cruiser, taking pictures, filming with my little video camera and throwing out candy at the same time... and I didn't even run anyone over!  I threw out over 15 pounds of candy!  Okay, maybe I threw out 14 pounds and ate a pound.  I can't help myself!

I'm looking forward to the rest of this week... my best friend is in from Pheonix, so we're going out to eat at the Corner Pub tonight.  They actually have a pretty good ponyshoe... I definitely recommend it! 

I'm in a wedding on Saturday, so I'll be doing that all day... and I mean ALL DAY.  The wedding is at 11, with a lunch following.  Then there is a pool party with dinner at 5.  THEN, we're all hanging out and camping on the bride's parent's farm.  That's a super long day... I bet I'm sleeping like a baby by 7pm. 

Sunday, I'm looking forward to finally sleeping in! 

Oh yeah, and I still have to find time to watch all the other Simpson's videos from competing states... I've voted for Illinois on every computer I can find... if you haven't voted yet, go to www.thesimpsons.usatoday.com.

Next blog... look forward to meeting 2 new family members!  Nemo and George (my new hermit crabs!)

Wow, I haven't written a blog in a while.  Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about everyone, I just haven't had time to do anything!

Last weekend, I went to the Street Fest in Champaign.  The Brat Pack was there... and you all know how I love 80's cover bands!  I had so much fun, and even saw a girl face plant right next to my feet.  Is it bad that I laughed... after I knew she was okay? 

Yesterday was the 4th of July.  I started my day off of work by working... wierd!  A few of us from the station were in the Jerome 4th of July Parade.  I had a blast.  I was driving the FOX Cruiser, taking pictures, filming with my little video camera and throwing out candy at the same time... and I didn't even run anyone over!  I threw out over 15 pounds of candy!  Okay, maybe I threw out 14 pounds and ate a pound.  I can't help myself!

I'm looking forward to the rest of this week... my best friend is in from Pheonix, so we're going out to eat at the Corner Pub tonight.  They actually have a pretty good ponyshoe... I definitely recommend it! 

I'm in a wedding on Saturday, so I'll be doing that all day... and I mean ALL DAY.  The wedding is at 11, with a lunch following.  Then there is a pool party with dinner at 5.  THEN, we're all hanging out and camping on the bride's parent's farm.  That's a super long day... I bet I'm sleeping like a baby by 7pm. 

Sunday, I'm looking forward to finally sleeping in! 

Oh yeah, and I still have to find time to watch all the other Simpson's videos from competing states... I've voted for Illinois on every computer I can find... if you haven't voted yet, go to www.thesimpsons.usatoday.com.

Next blog... look forward to meeting 2 new family members!  Nemo and George (my new hermit crabs!)

So, Nathan (my office roommate) discovered that my fish Milhouse died this afternoon.

I thought I would write a blog dedicated to him.

Milhouse has been a good fish. He was blue. He was a gift from my secret Santa in December. (Thanks Eli and Michelle.) He never complained much, and he loved to eat. So, if you're out having fun this weekend, pour a little out for our homie, Milhouse.

The memorial ceremony took place this afternoon in the women's restroom at FOX. He will be missed dearly.

So, Nathan (my office roommate) discovered that my fish Milhouse died this afternoon.  I thought I would write a blog dedicated to him.

Milhouse has been a good fish.  He was blue.  He was a gift from my secret Santa in December.  (Thanks Eli and Michelle.)  He never complained much, and he loved to eat. 

So, if you're out having fun this weekend, pour a little out for our homie, Milhouse. 

The memorial ceremony took place this afternoon in the women's restroom at FOX.  He will be missed dearly.

This is shaping up to be another great weekend.  I'm getting ready to skip outta here a little early (don't tell my boss) and go to the Sangamon County Fair.  I am escorting the queen around this evening and hopefully meeting Gary Allan backstage!  Speaking of the queen, congratulations Debbie Dobbins!  She's the new 2007 Sangamon County Fair Queen, and she's wonderful! 

My friends are meeting me out there tonight, so that's always fun.  I have a game plan of what food I want to eat. 

5pm:  Culler's salt and vinegar fries

5:30:  Corn dog

7pm: Gyro and some beers

9pm: mini donuts

11pm:  funnel cake for the ride home

Now if I could just find a way to work off the 5,000 calories...

I'm going to a wedding on Saturday.  Amy Cantral is finally getting hitched!  She was my sister's best friend, and I love her very much. 

Also, I should give a shout out to my dad.  He might be the best dad in the world.  He's the one person I can always count on to give me his honest opinion, no matter what.  I know he would do anything for me, and I love him very much.  Love you Dad!  Middle child power forever;)

After my great weekend, I'm coming back to work for another great week!  See you all on Monday!