We're not really sure when the holiday ends here. When is this scandal? I want to participate! Pick me, pick me!







Why, hello, green troll who sits on a coworker's desk creepily staring at me every time I walk by.

Our new toy! It makes decisions for you. 

Should I write this story? Definitely! 

Is there going to be a lot of crime today? Maybe. 

Does my hair look good? Ask a friend. 

My friend said my hair looks terrible. Try again!

Told you it would die. Nothing can survive in this newsroom.

Somehow we ALWAYS have junk food in our department. Apparently people heard about the starving, poor journalists here. Happy snacking!

Our Christmas potluck for work was Wednesday. I didn't have time to cook anything Tuesday night, so I stopped at Meijer on my way in to buy a veggie tray. I was in the self-checkout when my cell phone started ringing. It was early int he morning so I kinda had a hunch it was work before I even answered...

My editor told me there had been an apartment fire in Gibraltar. I hurried up and checked out, got in my car and sped off to the complex (I swear one day I'll get pulled over trying to get to a story as fast as possible).

I pulled in to see firefighters working diligently. The fire was out but the bricks and paneling were still visibly warm. The areas were destroyed. It was a sad thing to see so close to the holiday.
(See photos of the firefighters working on the fire here and photos of the fire and the building here)

I talked to some of the firefighters and police officers from Gibraltar and Rockwood. They are some great people - talk about passionate people who just want to help others, it's them.

I took photos, video and got some interviews. I interviewed the man who discovered the fire. His three aquariums full of fish were destroyed and his cat ran off. He lost everything, as did many other families. It was such a sad sight.

I came to the office to write the story. After we posted it online, I got a call from the Gibraltar Goodfellows telling me about the donations that had been given already. Thursday I received another call and today another.

More than 12 organizations Downriver have donated to the families. And several anonymous donors have given money and clothing to the families.

I can't even count how many emails, phone calls and voicemails I've had from people wanting to donate to these families. I'm almost in tears writing this because I'm so awe-stricken by the way the communities has pulled together.

I'm not from Downriver, but after working here for more than seven months I feel like I'm more a part of these communities than the one I live in. I am so proud to be a reporter in these communities. It has been such an amazing thing to see how many people have come forward to give. And I know that most of the people donating don't have everything they want.

I want to thank every single person who has stepped up and helped someone out this holiday season. Whether it was these families, a random person, donating to the Salvation Army or any other group, I am so proud to say that I know you (even if it's just virtually!)

You guys are amazing. The firefighters, police officers, members of the non-profits, the families who have braved these tragedies ... all of you. You are spectacular people.

Merry Christmas to all of you and your families. Smile all weekend with pure happiness for what you have and know that I'll be thinking of all of you!

Happy holidays, my Downriver friends! I love you all!

So this week is holiday spirited. The editorial department had a potluck and white elephant gift exchange on Monday and we've been loving and festive all week, well we tried to be for a few minutes at least.

These were all of our white elephant gifts! Look at how loving and friendly we all are, nicely wrapping our gifts and all!









This talking coin jar was the white elephant gift I ended up with. My coworker Dave Herndon fessed up that he brought it. The jerk didn't even include batteries.

DELICIOUSNESS!
Three things journalists are talented at: writing, drinking and eating.

 Yes, one of the gifts was five mini bottles of Vodka. There was also a gift of Whiskey, which was hidden before I could snap a photo.

That's my hand, with a sticker. A warrior sticker. Because I was a warrior in college and because Rene Cizio (online coordinator) thinks I'm an amazing female warrior for The News-Herald.

This one’s for the girls.

If you have a best friend who has been there for the ups and the downs, the laughter and the tears, you can show her how much you cherish having her in your life this holiday season with one of these gifts.


10. A bubble bath kit tells any woman that she deserves to relax. It’s a thank you, a reminder to breathe and a suggestion to take a break from reality for an evening. Gift baskets are available at bathandbodyworks.com and stores.

9. We all have that friend who complains all the time about the weight she is gaining. Sometimes, that same friend also is a chocolate-lover. In that situation, chocolate candles are the perfect solution. They look just like scrumptious chocolate candies, wrappers and all, and even smell just like your favorite desserts. Vat19.com has an assortment of chocolate candle boxes.

8. If your friend is single, well maybe even if she’s not, send her some nice flowers to her work. Whether it’s a poinsettia, roses, daisies or whatever her favorite flower may be, she’ll feel special. It will allow her to boast to her co-workers about the lovely flowers she received. It’s up to her whether or not she tells everyone who sent them.

7. The “50 … worse than yours” books are great gifts. Especially the “50 Boyfriends Worse Than Yours” and the “50 Dates Worse Than Yours.” These books, by Justin Racz, contain funny stories about boyfriends and dates that will make any video-game obsessed boyfriend who fusses over going to family holiday functions seem like the best guy in the world.

6. Bake. Every woman loves baked goods —cookies, cakes, breads —make her a whole box of cookies or her own loaf of banana-nut bread. She’ll appreciate the effort, enjoy the delicious goodies and probably laugh at any disaster stories you have from your attempts to bake the perfect dessert.

5. Every woman loves her phone. So, give her the opportunity to personalize her phone to the max. Get her a personalized case. At custom.case-mate.com you can upload an image and put it on a custom case or mix and match colors. Grab a picture of her pet, her kids, you and her or something fun that she loves and customize the case.

4. For the wine-loving women friends in your life, buy some unique wine glasses. Uncommongoods.com has an interesting variety of wine glasses that you don’t typically see. A 2011 favorite has been the wine hourglass set. The glasses have an hourglass instead of a straight handle, and inside is colorful sand to make swishing wine around in the glass even more entertaining.

3. It’s not uncommon for women to go shopping together and try on every sweater or dress they adore in the store. It also is not uncommon for women to not buy a sweater they love. So, next time you’re out shopping with your friend and she doesn’t buy her desired clothing, make a mental note. Go back the next day and purchase it for her. Trust me, it’ll brighten her whole holiday season. 

2. A manicure and pedicure gift certificate, with a note of an upcoming day you both are going, is always a great gift. It’s simple but pleasant. You get bonding time with your friend and beautiful nails at the end of the day. Throw in a lunch date and it’s a perfect girls’ day!

1. The top gift for women to give women in 2011 is a bouquet of sweets. Cookiepots.com has a holiday goodie-basket for every woman out there. My personal favorite is the “Holiday Chick Flick Kit,” which includes typical movie-theater snacks plus Godiva chocolates, a holiday tissue box, a drink mixer and you get to include the included chick flick DVD of your choice! There also are candy bar cake bouquets, holiday pizzas made of candy and many other options.

http://thenewsherald.com/articles/2011/11/25/news/doc4ecfd98b95205371505719.txt?viewmode=fullstory