WGN Morning News Blog (old)

Okay, here it is....
I have been in Chicago for almost 3 years now and guess what....

I HAVE NOT BEEN TO A CUBS GAME YET!
(I HAVEN'T BEEN TO A SOX GAME EITHER, by the way!!)

I was just sitting here thinking about it as Pat is delivering his sportscast and it hit me.
Wow, I have never stepped foot into Wrigley Field.
I hear going to a Cubs game is more than just watching a baseball game.
It's a REAL experience, right!??!
Well, you would think, my colleagues would invite me out to a game with them since they know I am a transient to this lovely city, but no!
That's okay.
I am going to march myself right on over to Wrigley and watch me a game by my d*@# self!!!!
I'll let you know what I think later!!!!

Posted by Valerie Warner at 5:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

It's the question I get all the time....

Not, how did you get your start in the tv business...
Not, what made you want to be a journalist...
Not, how fulfilling is your job...
Instead it is.....

WHO DOES YOUR HAIR????

Well, here's the 411 on that.
I go to Angie's Salon on 71st and Euclid in Chicago.
My stylist's name is Paulette Moore.
Her number is (773) 814-4876

But, here's the thing....if I had my anchor hair from my last job in Flint, Michigan...would I be getting that same question???
Judge for yourself.
I don't think so....
Can you say BIG HAIR?!!?!?!!!!

Posted by Valerie Warner at 9:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm just going to come right out and say it...PAT TOMASULO IS A BLOG HOG!!!
That's right...I said it!
He blogs every single day.
Each of us here on the morning show has a day to blog(Val/Ana- Mondays, Pat- Tuesdays, Robin/Paul- Wednesdays, and Larry- Fridays).
But whenever I go to do my blog, you know who has already done one, and in some cases, TWO!!!!
Listen, Blog-Hogger, you let the rest of us on this show say something from time to time!
Dog-gone-it...I'm so mad....I can't remember what I was going to say!

Posted by Valerie Warner at 9:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Okay...can I just vent for a moment??? (I have nothing else for today.)
I am sick of all these freakin' potholes.
They are everywhere...big, little, deep, shallow.
I mean, I had really been doing a good job navigating the holes and staying clear.
But today, I met my match.
It was a big one.
I hit the hole about 3:30 this morning coming into work.
It was dark, I was tired(Superbowl kept me up) and I just wasn't on my A-game.
The result.....A FLAT TIRE.
Just what I needed to start my day!

Okay, I'm done!
Got a flat to fix...

VW

Posted by Valerie Warner at 9:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBacks (0)

This morning about 5:14am...Paul and I got the shock our our lives.
Robin Baumgarten came into the studio with coffee for the both of us.
It was unbelievably kind of her....very different than what we are used to, you see.
Usually, she's the one sending us to fetch her coffee....STRONG, LARGE WITH MAXIMUM WHITENER..(her order is embedded into my brain).
It's gotten so bad for me, that now, she doesn't even give me the 50 cents to buy her coffee anymore.
I have to come up with it on my own.
My daughter keeps asking me, "Mommy, why are you emptying my piggy bank everyday?"
Now you know, Zoe.
Your poor mother is going broke supporting one Robin Baumgarten's coffee habits.
What's next Robin????

Posted by Valerie Warner at 9:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

I call it a party, but maternity leave wasn't quite that.
Just kidding!!!!
I had a great maternity leave!
Besides the middle of the night feedings, all the poopy diapers and spit up down my back, I love being a mom again.
I tell you what...that 3 months I was off, sure went by fast.
Now, I'm back to work and trying to settle into my new routine as working mom of 2.
So far so good.
So here are the answers to some of the questions you may be having....

Maxwell Wallace Warner is wonderful.
He's sleeping through the night(started at 10 weeks).
He's almost 15 weeks now.
He's about 13 pounds.
His big sister, Zoe, is great with her baby brother.
I'm still nursing(yes, ladies it can be done even while back at work!)
I have about another 15 pounds to lose to be at pre-pregnancy weight.
and oh yeah, I'M TIRED AS YOU KNOW WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope that does it for now, because I'm ready to go home and slip into my other hat...MOM!

Posted by Valerie Warner at 10:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)

This time next week, I hope to be in labor, or better yet, done with the whole thing and holding my son, Max!
Yes, the pregnancy that seems to have lasted 100 weeks, is finally almost over.
I am so glad... (I'm sure my husband and co-workers are too)
Some would say (like that crazy Robin Baumgarten) that I have turned into a real you know what....rhymes with witch :-)
She would know!!! She's just nuts!!!!!!!!
But, I will say if I have one more person say to me "Oh, that went by quick!" or "Man, you're big...are you sure there's just one baby in there?” I am going to scream!!!!!!!!!!
I am done!!!!!!!!!!
All you moms out there know exactly what I mean, when you are this close.
I'm not going to whine anymore about it....

I just want to say thanks to everyone for all their well wishes and ideas on Max's middle name.
We are close to a decision and as soon as I deliver, I will post the name on my blog.
So, stay tuned!!!!

Posted by Valerie Warner at 6:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (18) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, thanks to everyone who has posted on my blog with great middle name ideas for my unborn son, Maxwell ??? Warner.
Man, there are some great ideas on there.
Some I really like, too!
Keep 'em coming, because I have 5 weeks to go until he gets here.
I guess it will be a game time decision!!!!!!!!!

As for that other kid of mine, big sister Zoe, we crossed a huge milestone August 20th.
My baby is now a kindergartner.
She's growing so fast.
She looked so cute in her uniform and was too excited about school.
She came home the first day promising not to go to the principal's office ever.
She said "Mommy, that's not good".
Smart girl.
Hopefully, Max learns that same lesson.

That’s the latest in my world,

Val

Posted by Valerie Warner at 8:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)

So, here's the latest with the pregnancy.
Two weeks ago, my doctor took some measurements and Max is weighing in at 3lbs 8ozs.
That was at 29 weeks.
Grant it, she said the ultrasound machine can be off a pound or so.
But I am here to tell you, Max feels every bit of almost 4lbs on my bladder.
Now, at 31 weeks, I had an elective 3d/4d ultrasound done and one look at his little fat cheeks and I think my doctor's estimate on his weight is probably dead on.

By the way, getting a 3d/4d ultrasound was such a fun experience.
If you can, I highly recommend getting one.
Not every doctor's office does it, so I had mine done at a facility that specializes in doing them.
My whole family went and we had so much fun checking out who little Max looks like.
The verdict is.....JUST LIKE ZOE, my 4 year old, who by the way looks just like my husband.
Great!
That means two kids and not one who looks like me.
I will say...Max and Zoe have my thighs (not necessarily a good thing, but at least it's something).

Until next time,

Val

P.S. We still haven't decided on a middle name....keep 'em coming!

Posted by Valerie Warner at 9:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (14) | TrackBacks (0)

So, Paul told you all about officer friendly.
He told you how I had an opportunity to meet him Thursday.
Although, I might say, he wasn't quite as "friendly" to me as he is to Paul.
He wasn't mean....but just not that cordial to a 7 and 1/2 month pregnant woman who was trying to press through the treacherous downpour to make it to work on time in the wee hours of the morning.
With swollen feet and all, I had to follow officer friendly to the police station to sign for my citations. (I guess because I have an out of state license.)
He did get out off his squad car to walk me inside, but I guess because I was on the phone with my job, filling them in, he was tired of standing in the deluge and left me.
Mind you, he led me to park a mile from the entrance to the police station..
Was he trying to insinuate that I needed the extra steps???
Perhaps.
So, I took a deep breath, opened the door, and took off running to the door....YES RUNNING!
I was trying not to get soaked because this is the one day I didn't have an umbrella in the car.
Didn't matter.
I was soaked.
I sat for a few minutes inside the police station.
I watched a couple of people come in and out, in handcuffs.
And then I signed my papers and got out of there.
Officer friendly didn't even say goodbye to me.
He just turned his back and walked off in the distance.
Friendly???? I don't know.
That wasn't very courteous considering I'm really late for work now.
That's okay.
We will see each other again in September when we meet for a court date.
Maybe he will have thought about me and we can patch things up.
After all, like Paul, I'm just a law abiding citizen who respects Chicago's finest!

Posted by Valerie Warner at 8:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)

This is Pat posting, and I've got the perfect name for Val's kid. As seeing that she won't embrace the noble, timeless "Patrick" for Maxwell's middle name, I propose . . .

Maxwell MALCOM JAMAL Warner!

Who's a more worthy namesake than Theo Huxtable?

Posted by Pat Tomasulo at 8:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

So, by now, if you haven't figured out I'm pregnant, you're probably blind.
I'm 7 months and counting.
My due date is October 2nd.
It's a boy.
My husband and I have come up with a name.....SORT OF!
We've settled on Maxwell Warner.
But we don't have a clue on a middle name.
My family has given us some ideas, but we're not sold on any of them.
Now, I need your help filling in this blank--------Maxwell ???? Warner.
Shoot me your ideas and maybe we'll pick one and have a big reveal on the ol' morning show.
Who knows?!!?!?

Val

Posted by Valerie Warner at 8:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (33) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, I've decided....today was my last flight in Skycam 9.
With me being 6 and 1/2 months pregnant now, it's just getting a tad bit uncomfortable for me and lil' Max.
I'm actually surprised I lasted this long up there.
But since I like going up in the air so much, I didn't want to let it go.
I'll still give you traffic reports, just from the studio in the comfortable AC.

Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes and congrats after my announcement last week.
And yes, Zoe, is excited to be having a baby brother.
She tells me everyday "Mommy, I want your baby to come out NOW!"
I tell her...no you don't...not yet!
She has to wait to October, like the rest of us.

Stay tuned....
Ana and I are working on some cool maternity stories all you pregnant moms(and those of you not pregnant) will enjoy.
Get ready for the ride.
We are going to make the best of these last 3 and 1/2 months.

Val

Posted by Valerie Warner at 8:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Yes...I am pregnant!
Some of you have stopped me out and about, and asked.
Others of you have called the station, wondering.
Well, here's all the 411.

I'm 6 months.
I'm due October 2nd.
It's a boy.
His name is going to be Maxwell ??? Warner.
I have a daughter already.
She's 4 1/2.
She'll be 5 and in kindergarten, by the time Max gets here.
What else???

Oh yeah, I'm not the only one preggers.
Ana is pregnant too and we are 10 days a part.
How crazy is that?!!?!?!
I'll let her tell you all her details.
Needless to say, it's fun to have two pregnant women in the newsroom, so close together.

Well, I'm sure you can expect weekly updates now, from the two of us, as we count down the days to October.
Lord knows it can't come soon enough :-)

MOM-TO-BE for the 2nd time!

Posted by Valerie Warner at 9:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (14) | TrackBacks (0)

Everyone knows I love to shop.
Even if I'm not doing it for myself, I still enjoy it.
So, I went looking for great gift ideas for dad this Father's Day and found too much to put on the air.
So I saved some of the good stuff for you blog lovers!

Happy Shopping!

Val

Posted by Admin at 10:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

This picture is courtesy of my 4 and 1/2 year old daughter.
Yes, the little brat got a hold of the digital camera and decided to capture what is a frequent occurrence in the Warner home.....parents so tired after work that they fall asleep on the kid and she's left to fend for herself.
I guess she'd had enough and started to collect her evidence to make a case against us one day.
Well, when I was printing off some pictures I discovered this one and actually had to laugh.
My husband, Wallace, and I were worn out this day.
I'm sure he's going to kill me for posting this picture, but it's kind of funny!
Please, don't call DCFS on us.
We really are good parents.
I swear.
Just a little tired sometimes.

Val

Posted by Valerie Warner at 9:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)

OKAY...So you've waited to the last minute to get your Mother's Day gift.
And, you're clueless as to what to buy!
Well, on the morning show, I went over a bunch of options.
But, here's somethings I saved, JUST FOR MY BLOG.

Posted by Admin at 11:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I forgot to log my entry yesterday.
My day to blog around here is Monday.
I'm losing my mind.

Anyway, according to the Chase calendar it is "Rational Day of Thought".
All the anchors got a chance to reflect on a thought today during the voicemail segment.

Here's what I was thinking.... could anyone tell how bloated I am today and how I needed to let one go?!?!?!
Funny but true.
That happens sometimes.
Come on, you know what I mean :-)

That's my reflection today from someone who's not holding anything in!

Posted by Valerie Warner at 7:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

You may have seen this story on the news this morning.
Singer Sheryl Crow wants you to start using one square of toilet paper every time you go to the bathroom.
She says this will help the environment.
Is she crazy???
Have you ever tried this?
You know what I mean.
You go to use the bathroom.
You have to use it real bad.
You get started doing your do.
And then you realize there's one square left and the other toilet paper rolls are somewhere out of your reach.
It happened to me just this past weekend.
You should have seen me trying to hop to the other bathroom to get more rolls....well, maybe not.
Trust me. Not good.
I know...too much information right?!?!?
Well, back to the point here....you need at least 10-20 squares if not more than that to feel comfortable when you're done in the restroom.
I just think this is a crazy story and an even crazier idea.
I'm going to have to figure out how to help the environment another way.

That's my thought for today.

Val

Posted by Valerie Warner at 8:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

It would seem that I would be more tired on Mondays versus Tuesdays, but not so.
You know coming off the weekend, a lot of people have the Monday Blues.
But not me.
I'm pumped on Mondays...ready to work....not sleepy....just energized.
It's Tuesdays that wear me out.
I am just drained today.
So with that said, I'm going to keep this short today.

Peace,

Val

Posted by Valerie Warner at 8:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

So, I'm back to work after a week's vacation.
And, NO....I didn't go anywhere for my Spring Break.(thanks for all the great advice, though)
Nothing tropical.
Nowhere sunny.
Just in and around the Chicagoland area everyday taking care of business.
Monday, I spent 4 hours at I-Hop with my husband and sister catching up.(even though we live 5 minutes from each other, we still had a lot to talk about).
I also took my daughter to tumbling, got a wall painted black(it looks hot) and ended the day at Chuck E. Cheese.
Tuesday, my husband, daughter and I spent the day downtown....doctor's appointment, lunch, walked on Michigan Ave. and then the movies.
Wednesday, my family had an interview to get my daughter into kindergarten next year, another doctor's appointment and then a dentist appointment.
Thursday, I spent the day at Ikea in Joliet with my sister.
Friday, I cleaned out the basement and got everything ready for the garage sale I plan to have once the weather breaks.
So, there you have it....A whole lot of nothing.
It's back to work baby!

Val

Posted by Valerie Warner at 9:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

This time last year, I was getting ready to kick some butt in the 2nd Annual Morning Show Showdown.
At least, that's what I thought.
Remember, the showdown is the big race between the local morning news teams from channel 2, 5, 7, Fox and us.
The point really is not the competition but instead to have a little fun and raise awareness for the The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training Program that has raised nearly $700 million dollars to fight blood related cancers.
I bought into that idea initially...the whole no competition thing, that is.
But let me tell you something.
Once you get out there and see the other stations gearing up.....you're like "IT'S ON".
I WANT TO WIN.
I stretched.
I warmed up.
I did all I thought I needed to do to help our team(me, Ana and Dean) get a victory.
But, it didn't happen.
That's okay.
That other team, a couple of dials down from us, won.
They cheated :-)
We, here at the ol' number 9, are winners in our heart and of course every morning on the air.
Oops, did I say that.
Oh well, it's the truth!!!!!!! Just ask Larry Potash.
We call Larry "Ricky Ratings" because he's a freak about the daily numbers.

Anyway, if you are interested in checking out the fun this year (I have since retired from running) check it out tomorrow.

Here's all the info.

It's the 3rd Annual Morning Show Showdown.
It's Wednesday March 28th at 8:45am.
It's a 400 meter relay race to help cure cancer.

The teams are as follows:
WGN Team: Robin Baumgarten, Pat Tomasulo, Marcella Raymond
FOX Team: Mike Barz, Tammie Souza, David Viggiano
CBS Team: Roseanne Tellez, Ed Curran, Susan Carlson
NBC Team: Bruce Wolf, Art Norman, Saran Dunmore

Race time: 8:45am at the Lake Shore Park Chicago
That's at Chicago avenue & Lake Shore Drive if you want to be there to cheer us on.

For more on the Leukemia and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training Program visit
www.Teamintraining.org
Phone: (312) 651-7350

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training® is the world's largest endurance sports training program. Since 1988, more than 295,000 volunteer participants have helped raise more than $695 million to fight blood related cancer.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

That's all from Val!

Peace

Posted by Valerie Warner at 8:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Two weeks until I'm on vacation and nowhere to go.
That's right, I've waited too late to book any kind of trip now.
That is, unless I want to spend a ton of money and I DON'T.
So, I think my husband and I are going to spend the week cleaning out the basement.
Exciting!!!!!!!!!!!
We have so much crap down there from when we moved here a year and a half ago.
It's a mess.
Yeah, I know, this may sound boring, but it'll be very productive and sometimes productivity can be just as satisfying.
Who am I trying to fool?
I think myself.
Anyway, I do want to thank those who wrote responding to my last blog with all the great Disney info.
I'll use it one day...but not anytime soon.

Happy Spring Cleaning!

Val

Posted by Valerie Warner at 6:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBacks (0)

Here's what I am up to these days.

I AM GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!

At least, that's what I am working on. My 4 year old daughter is driving me nuts about going to Orlando, Fl.
At Sunday dinner, she led the prayer and even thanked God for Cinderella and prayed that she would find her slipper.
She also prayed that we are safe in Florida.
Mind you, I have not bought one ticket.
So, if you have any advice for me in making this trek to Disney world, please offer it up...like how to survive, how long should I go for, where to go, where to stay, rent a car or not....that kind of stuff.
I have never been to Florida before, let alone Disney world.
I want to go this spring....which means I'm probably out of luck, because everything is booked up. But, hey who knows.
I am going to give it the good ol' college try.

Wish me luck!

Val

Posted by Valerie Warner at 9:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

You know I'm talking about those 79th Annual Academy Awards.
I lasted until 9:30p.m. (I did nod off a bit here and there.)
Robin lasted until 9.
I don't know about Larry. He didn't say.
Paul and Pat were off today...so they must have had an Oscar party that lasted all thru the nigh, .to the point where they couldn't come to work.
Those losers!
Poor Dean. He didn't get to bed until 1:45a.m. And then he could hardly fall asleep. But, you see, he lives, eats and drinks this stuff, so he didn't want to miss a beat.
I guess.
The awards were too damn boring for me to keep my eyes open past the time they finally shut.
And this morning, I am tired as you know what and FOR WHAT?!?!?! ]
I didn't even see anything that good. All the good performances and awards were given out in the last hour.

I'm out of here. It's time to take a nap.

Val

Posted by Valerie Warner at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Trendy, stylish, hip.....I hear that a lot when people talk about my look. I'm grateful, but not surprised. I really love to shop and I'm really into staying with the times. Since I follow trends on my own so much, my executive producer pulled me to the side and said why not start doing it on the air. I'm not calling myself an expert or anything, but I do like to think that I have an eye for fashion.

I'm saying all this to say, I just did a report Monday on swimsuit trends for spring/summer of 07. I can tell, you won't go wrong finding a swimsuit that has some color, some detail, or is nautical. The experts say, stay away from the black and go for yellow, red, fuchsia or green. Also, look for little extras like beading, crochet pieces or shells. That looks good too. Anything navy and white is also a winner. Very classic and thank goodness it's back. I love it!

Watch Tuesday and Wednesday for more trend spotting. Tuesday, I will feature the latest trends in sunglasses. You will find out what the stars are wearing this season. Wednesday, I talk all about trends in shoes. A little hint.....colored, patent leather!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy shopping,

Val

Posted by Valerie Warner at 8:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

As some of you may know by now, I am not from Chicago.
I am a southern California girl....born and raised in sunny, Los Angeles.
So, needless to say, I am not a big fan of bitterly cold weather or the snow.
Even though, I've lived in the Midwest for the past ten years, you would think I'd be used to driving and living in these snowy conditions.
WELL, I'M NOT!!!!
I'm a nervous wreck on the roads and I think everybody else drives too crazy when the weather is bad.
So, slow down and don't blow your horn at people like me who go extremely slow in this horrible weather.
For goodness sakes, I might have a heart attack if one more person in this lovely city honks their horn at me to get out of the way.
Let's keep a sista around a little while, already! I need and love my job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Val

Posted by Valerie Warner at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, I thought for sure I would be writing this blog under better circumstances this morning.....you know, like a Bears win.

NOT!!!!!!!!!

It started so beautifully. I was screaming and cheering and yelling so hard after that first play of the game that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. It was great! It was the play that I thought for sure would set the momentum for the game and send us on our way to a Super Bowl victory. The way I was acting, you would have thought I was a for real, die hard, watch every week, fan. Don't get me wrong....I am a fan, but I don't hop on the band wagon until the playoffs.

Oh well, it was a fun ride, wasn't it? Now, I'm tired because I stayed up 2 hours past my normal bed time to see the game. I hope I wake up from my nap in time to pick up my kid. She might be SOL today. It's going to be a long nap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm out!

Posted by Valerie Warner at 8:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

No, I'm not Miami bound, but about a half dozen people from our newsroom are headed to Miami to cover the NFC Champs in the Super bowl in two weeks. Man, what a great gig that would be. Grant it, some work has to be done, but come on, going to Miami to cover the Bears for 10 days in the warm weather, with beautiful people everywhere, a beach in sight and I'm sure great shopping malls and boutiques to check out....NOW, THAT'S AN ASSIGNMENT. Wonder why they don't need a traffic reporter to travel with them???!!!!?!?!?! I know, I know, I know...those darn delays on the Ike and those big back-ups on Lake Shore Drive...someone has to tell the people about them!

I tell you what, though....I'm just pumped to be in the middle of Bears mania. When they win (notice, I said when, not if), THEN the bosses will need me. I'll cover the parade from Skycam 9. There. That will be awesome.

Go Bears!

Posted by Valerie Warner at 9:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Every Friday, Dean Richards, our entertainment critic, gives his reviews for movies coming out that day. Well, last week, he told me, off the air, and then again on the air, how much "Code Name: The Cleaner" sucked. That's that new movie about a janitor, played by Cedric the Entertainer, who gets amnesia. He gave it a D-. But because I really like Cedric the Entertainer, I thought, Dean must be off. HE WAS NOT!!!!!!!! It was awful. Besides the funny parts that are shown in the previews(which there are 2), the movie is not worth your money. And trust me, I am a fan of Cedric the Entertainer, but this movie was a bust. So, the point here is, I should have listened to Uncle Dean (that's what my 4 year old daughter, Zoe, calls him....she's a future film critic, I swear)!

You can tell I had an uneventful weekend if this is all I have to talk about this Monday morning. Maybe if that slacker, Ana Belaval, would do her blogs, I wouldn't have to write about such boring stuff. She and I are supposed to be alternating Mondays, but she never remembers to do hers.....SLACKER!!!!! Just kidding! I love that girl. She's busy around town, so I guess she doesn't have time. At least, that's the line she's feeding me.

Until next time,

Val

Posted by Valerie Warner at 9:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A new year and back to the old me. Towards the end of 2006, I started growing my hair out. I wanted bangs. It lasted about three months and I had had enough. The feedback was mixed on that hairdo...mostly good(my boss really liked it...sorry, Greg... had to let it go), but some said it made me look old and like a turtle.

Well, I'm back to the short spiky hairdo I rocked when I moved here a year and a half ago. And let me tell you, I feel good. It's amazing what a hair cut can do for a person. Not that the other hairdo was horrible. I liked it too, but not as much as the shorter "do". Heck, I'm going on and on about this...some of you may not have even noticed a difference.

As far as new year's resolutions....I'm not making one....not one! What's the point? Few people stick with them, including me, so I'm not even going to pretend this year. Just keeping it real! But don't let me spoil your aspirations. Good luck and Happy New Year!

Val

Posted by Valerie Warner at 7:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBacks (0)

So, this week, we here on the morning show, are airing our top ten most memorable moments of 2006. There are some funny ones, but there's a couple I think should have made the list, that didn't. For example, "Snakes on the Helicopter". It was a play off of that Samuel L. Jackson clip from his movie, Snakes on the Plane. Yes, I starred in it, and just for the record, it was weird for me to watch, but people loved it. One of our talented and really creative producers came up with the idea. All I had to do was pretend like I was Samuel L. Jackson and go off in the chopper about those darn snakes in the helicopter. I tell you, it's amazing what people think is funny. Anyway, that was one of the moments, I still get reminded of to this day.

The other moment I think should have made the list, even though it just happened last week, was the Christmas concert by Robin and Paul. Paul was on the mic singing, and Robin played the piano. It was hilarious!!!!!!!!!! I was at home on vacation watching it and nearly fell off the edge of the bed laughing. Those two and that duet of theirs made me miss coming to work. You have got to write in and request it be added to the list as a write in or something. It just needs to be a top ten moment. Trust me.

What are some of your favorites? Who knows...maybe your favorite moment will hit the air. You'll have to watch and see.

Posted by Valerie Warner at 6:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

This time next week, I will be on vacation. Hallelujah! Not that I don't love this place...I'm just ready to sleep in to 6am instead of 2:30am. You may wonder why not later than that.....well, the reason is 4 years old....ZOE WARNER! That's my daughter. This is her on her 4th birthday a few months ago. That girl wakes up at the crack of dawn, and many times before that, EVERY SINGLE MORNING!!!!!!!!!! And she doesn't just gradually get up....she pops up, opens the blinds and is ready to go. I love her to death, but she's more work than coming to work sometimes. I'm sure the week will be just lovely:-)

Work is work. Nothing new. Don't forget to check out my shopping stories for the next two Tuesdays(12/12 and 12/19) leading up to Christmas. On the 12th, I shop for women. On the 19th, I shop for men. Yes, I found some really good stuff out there at Woodfield mall, so you will just have to watch to see what I found. Oh yeah, I also shopped for wine at the Lynfred Winery in Roselle. I found wines from $10 a bottle on up....so, something for everyone. The best gift from the winery, I think, was a chocolate dipped bottle of wine. Oh my goodness, it was delicious. Wine and chocolate....who wouldn't love that! Look out for that story too.

Happy Holidays!

Val

Posted by Valerie Warner at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBacks (0)

I feel much better this week. The last time I posted I felt sick as a dog with zero energy, but after a day off and a nice relaxing weekend....I FEEL GREAT! Thanks to everyone who wrote asking if I was okay. I'm fine. Man, it feels good to be loved :-)

I had quite a few comments about my post last week. It was the one about a researcher who claims women talk three times more than men. I loved the feedback. There was some funny comments on there. Check it out if you haven't looked at it yet.

Today, I filled in for Robin and let me tell you, I got so sleepy on the set, for a minute. Has that ever happened to you? You're at work, maybe in a meeting, at your desk or whatever, and all of sudden the sleepy spell hits you and there's nothing you can do about it. That happened to me this morning....the bad thing is I have a job where everyone can see me. The good thing is that it happened during a piece of video where someone was talking and nobody could see me. I snapped out of it real quick. I don't know where it came from. I feel great and well rested just caught a quick and fast moving case of the sleepy spell. It was during Pat Tomasulo's sports cast, so that might have something to do with it :-) Just kidding. I actually think Pat has a very entertaining way of delivering sports especially for girls like me who are not that interested in sports to begin with.

Well, I guess I should stop now before I start sounding too chatty about nothing.

One more thing, for the next three Tuesday's(12/5,12/12,12/19) you can watch my shopping reports. It's my new assignment around here. Pretty much everyone knows shopping is my sport, so now I'm shopping for you. I found some great holiday buys, for him, for her and for anyone under 25 dollars. Good stuff. Check it out.

Posted by Valerie Warner at 9:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

This morning we did a story on the air about new research that found women talk three times more than men. It also said how much women love to gossip, hearing their own voices and blah, blah, blah. Just to prove that research wrong. I have nothing to say this week!

Really, I'm tapped out. I feel sick and actually don't feel like talking. I'll be better next week.
Feel free to write me though. I'm a great listener.

Posted by Valerie Warner at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBacks (0)

This past weekend made me realize, all over again, how grateful I am to be here in Chicago. As we get closer to the Thanksgiving holiday, I figured I'd get a little sentimental for this entry.

I am so glad to be in this beautiful city with my family. Saturday night, my co-workers and I got together for the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, and let me tell you, Downtown was absolutely beautiful with the lights and all. The company on the float was good. The crowd was great. The fireworks were spectacular! I left there and met my family at Navy Pier to see Happy Feet and then had a wonderful dinner. While this may not sound like anything super special to some.....it was wonderful for me. Here's why. For years my family has been separated all over the country and now we are all able to be together living in the same city just minutes from each other. And we aren't just together in any ol' city.....we are IN CHICAGO.....ONE THE BEST CITIES IN AMERICA!!!!!!!! For that, this Thanksgiving, I am grateful.

I could go on, about how grateful I am for the job I have, a healthy little girl at home, a wonderful husband and so forth.....but I'll save that for my family at the dinner table this Thursday at my house. c-ya.

Posted by Valerie Warner at 9:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

As the traffic reporter, I get a lot of questions about flying in Skycam 9. Is it scary? Do you like it? Do you get nervous? Do you fly in bad weather? What's it like?

Well, well, well...let me answer those burning questions many of you may have.

NO, FLYING IS NOT SCARY.
I LOVE FLYING.
I DON'T GET NERVOUS.
NO, WE DO NOT FLY IN BAD WEATHER.
IT'S AN AWESOME VIEW OF A GREAT CITY.

There....that pretty much sums it up in a nutshell. I will give you a little more detail though now. I had never flown in a helicopter before this job. As a matter of fact, I went through the whole interview process, even accepted the gig, without ever once going up in Skycam 9. Brave, hun???? Yeah, I know. I was just so happy to get to WGN, I would do just about anything.

I remember my first day flying. I got in the chopper, sat down, put on my seatbelt, said hello to the pilot and photographer, and then we took off. I did not look out my left window at all. I only looked over the pilot, out of his window. He sits on the right and I sit on the left. The camera guy sits in the back. There's windows all around me, even at my feet. That way we can see down below. I think it took me two days to finally look out of my window. I guess I thought if I looked out of my window I was going to fall out because it's just that open. Imagine being on an airplane and instead of having that little window to look out of, there is a window that stretches from the ceiling of the aircraft to the floor. It's wild, but something I quickly learned to love. Now, nothing bothers me in Skycam 9. I don't even get sick. Every once in a blue moon, I feel a little queasy, but nothing too bad.

Besides doing my job and giving the traffic reports, my favorite thing is to look at cool houses from the air. It's the best view. I've checked out mansions, celebrity homes, and watched houses be built from the ground up. I also love flying over my own house from time to time to say hello to my husband and 4 year old daughter. They come out on our bedroom balcony when they hear me coming and wave. It's so sweet.

My least favorite thing is flying over Lake Michigan. While I really do trust the pilot(he's the best, lots of experience, knows the Chicago land area like the back of his hand) I just don't care for flying over the lake. It just gives me the creeps. I should mention, I can't swim. That might have a lot to do with it. Mike, the pilot, assures me all the time, that if something were to happen to the engine over the water, the chopper has enough back up whatever, to allow us to land. He was talking technical aviation stuff to me and I tuned him out. Anyway, I guess the next adventure for me would be to tackle swim lessons!!!!!!!!!! If I can go up in a chopper everyday, I should be able to learn how to swim, right?!?!?!?

See ya!See ya!

Posted by Valerie Warner at 8:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

One of the best things, or worse, about my job is there is always food around here....I mean good food, dessert, candy, popcorn...you name it and we've had it. Today, Lou Malnatti's delivered pizza here for some charity event it is hosting with the Chicago Bears' wives tonight and, my Lord, was that pizza scrumptious looking. So much so, that I had to have a slice. Well, by the time I got to the conrference room, where the pizza was, there were two slices left. My camera guy asked me to bring him a slice and then that left just one for....guess who.....ME! That's when the fight ensued.....

Robin was starving and looked over at my pizza and started in on me. She called me selfish. She said I was only looking out for myself. She even threw a ball of paper at me. I was shocked. That mild mannered anchor woman of ours is one raging bull when she gets hungry. Somebody, please feed that woman. I guess I can understand. Four hours is a long time to sit up there without being able to leave to go pee or getting something to eat. I feel bad now, I didn't even offer her a bite. Shame on me! I guess I am a selfish little something!!!!!!!(that's not what she called me though :-) Well, the ending gets better. We kissed and made up after the show when I brought her over a dozen donuts. She's my friend again. While half this story is true, it sure was fun writing it and it is was even more fun eating that delicious slice of pizza. Man, it was good. I really shouldn't have even had it to begin with because I am on Weight Watchers and the one slice had too many points for me to be taking in at one sitting. By the way, I've been on WW for 3 and 1/2 weeks and am down 7.2 pounds. Yeah Baby!!!!!!!!!!! I am so proud of me. You have no idea how hard it is to walk down these hallways, or in and out of the newsroom when there are good treats lying around all the time. You really have to have some will power otherwise you will be 300lbs. Oh well, the good news is I still have a few points left for the day and Robin and I are going out for fat free yogurt in about an hour :-) Have a good one! Val

Posted by Valerie Warner at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, well, well....I guess I have to transition into the 21st century at some point or another and work is now making me(not really, but sort of). I am entering my first ever blog. I have never written a blog, read a blog(I take that back...I read one, once)....heck, I don't even know who, when, or how the word blog came into existence. Someone please tell me? One thing is for sure, I love to journal, so I think this is going to be right up my alley. I'm excited to be a blogger now. Did I say that right?

I guess with this blog thing, I can talk or write about whatever I want. That's really cool. I just can't talk about co-workers....darn...that Larry Potash and Robin Baumgarten....oops, I'm not supposed to talk about them. No, just kidding...I actually like the people I work with. This is a fun job. I get to fly in a helicopter everyday, look at cool houses from the sky, report on crazy things on the road like the one time a semi, carrying some pigs got in an accident and the pigs had to be transported to another semi....and one of the pigs almost got loose....THAT WAS COOL!!! I think that was emmy award winning stuff, but I didn't submit it. I don't know why. Dumb me. Oh well, there will be more good stuff to come.

Well, I have to run off to a meeting. Chat with ya later.

I am going to take my camera up in skycam nine so I can show you some cool stuff from the sky. Stay tuned.

Posted by Valerie Warner at 9:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)