Promotion

Ah, the start of a three-day weekend. I know most of you get a three-day weekend, too, but mine lasts through Wednesday afternoon, making it nearly a four-day weekend.

Saturday also was my final day as an hourly worker. For those of you who haven't heard, I've been promoted at work. Starting this week, I'm the night local desk editor. That's a bit of jargon, so here's the translation: I'm essentially in charge of the newsroom in the evenings.

I'm the official supervisor of four reporters: the night news reporter (who's coming back from maternity leave soon, or so I hear) and the three sports reporters. That makes me, in essence, the sports editor, so I'll also be in charge of planning the sports section. I'll also get to go out and cover games at peak times (read: Football Fridays), so I'm really excited about that.

Another change will be my hours. As soon as my former position is filled, I'll be shifting to a Monday-Friday schedule. I'll also probably starting going in earlier, working from around 1 p.m. until around 10 p.m. Shifting to salaried means I won't have to watch the clock quite so carefully, but I don't plan on living at the office, either.

This is my first time as a high-level editor anywhere other than The Bison, so it's going to be a big change, and a big challenge. Your prayers would be appreciated, as would any advice you have to offer.

Have a great holiday!

Introducing Abigail Grace Cook

At long last, here is last week's ultrasound. This is when we found out it's a girl. A few days later, we finalized the name: Abigail Grace Cook.

We had been mulling boy and girl name options for at least a month, so it was just a matter of finalizing the first name and picking out a middle name. It was a lot of fun picking out a name, and it seems we did a good job as we've been getting rave reviews from family and friends. (Maybe we just have polite family and friends ...)

And, for the record, Abigail really likes strawberry yogurt. Or at least she is making her mom start liking it.

By the way, Abigail means "the father is joyful." I think you can figure out Grace on your own.

"Headlines"

3. (a grocery ad) "85% fresh lean ground beef"
2. (a classified apartment ad) "Drawback: Big hairy spiders drop off bedroom ceiling at night."
1. (a kid's quote bubble in an ad for an educational book) "Should I say nine and five is 13 or nine and five are 13?"

It's a girl!

Nothing else to report; everything is looking good. I'll post the ultrasound later this week, as soon as Katrina gets it scanned at school.