We are all really excited for the big Fox Wilmington launch today!  It's weird, but I actually have a few flutters!  We continued our radio tour through the weekend and today... 

Friday, Jon and I visited 102.7 GNI's Carter and Jackie... then today, were on 107.5 with Suzanne!  And just for the record, I worked out with Adam Freeman just before our stop with Suzanne, so I look a little gooberish.  Sorry.

Organizers say the 4th annual Cape Fear Shrimpfest was the best one yet! 

The Logging Chef Dave Mueller and the gang were there from The Discovery Channel's Swamp Loggers...so was New Hanover County Chairman Jonathan Barfield and two of his lovely daughters!  I was particularly honored to help cut the ribbon for the amazing event!

The Cape Fear Presbyterian Church put on the event.  All proceeds go to the Black Mountain Home for Children, Youth and Families.  I worked with foster kids in Missouri, and it's unreal how a little love, support and commitment will change the life of a child who's experienced unimaginable struggles.  The home is charged with saving our children by supporting them for practically as long as the kids will allow.  Some of them are even in college, living in dorm-style housing on site.  Now that is something I've never heard of... and it is tremendous commitment!

Did you see this?

Remember when Jim Cantore was in WB a few weeks ago?  It was for a promo shoot... here's the final product!

We had such a great morning visiting Z107.5 and 103.7 The Bone! 

From Foz and Jocelyn to Jim and Bryan... we had such a blast talking about the new Fox Wilmington!  Honestly, it was a lot of fun to see everybody razz Jon a bit.  Someone has to do it! 

A big thanks to Foz, Jocelyn, Jim and Bryan for their hospitality.  Tomorrow, listen in on 102.7 GNI and WWQQ 101.3 starting at 9!

Who wants free tickets to the Cape Fear Shrimpfest?  And to meet Swamp Logger's Dave Mueller?

Join Dave Mueller and me at the Cape Fear Shrimpfest this Saturday at the Cape Fear Presbyterian Church!  It's a free event with tons of activities for the kiddos.  You'll have to pay for your plate of food, but everything else will cost you NADA.  New Hanover County Chairman Jonathan Barfield will also be there as a guest speaker.  Proceeds for the event will go to the Black Mountain Home for Children, Youth and Families (formally Presbyterian Home for Children.)

Mueller is known as "The Logging Chef" who is also an adoptee.  Perhaps you've heard of his Stump Smoker!

Anyway, I'm thrilled.  What a great event!  Come say hi!  It's this Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  

Oh yeah, and do you want free tickets?  Just go to our NEW FOX WILMINGTON Facebook page, and tell us you want them!  And then... you can get your shrimp on!

A couple of things I've learned about myself recently:

1.  Try not to let your trainer go on a vacation.  Ever.
2.  Try not to let yourself be on vacation-mode just because others are.

Case in point:  Adam left for a luxurious vacation in Mexico the same week my mom decided to vacay in ILM.  It wasn't quite a free-for-all, but my mom was definitely on her vacation.  And, I fought hard to not get sucked in... though, at times we did eat late-night pizza (thanks to nearby Slice of Life... yum!)

Overall, I did pretty good--eating salads or broiled seafood dishes, but I didn't get in my exercise for the week because Adam was busy swimming in crystal blue waters, and I was busy having fun with my mother. 

So, I hit the gym hard today.  Or the gym hit me hard, not sure.

Anyway, it leads me back to running. 

On the days I'm not training with Adam, my homework is to get a run done.  I try to go for about 30 minutes on the elliptical. 

Adam's advice?

Running to the fridge doesn't count.  BUT, he says... GO FOR A JOG UNTIL YOU'RE TIRED.  Then walk.  Repeat and rinse... for about 30 minutes. 

[Read when Adam says you should increase time and speed]

Most importantly, Adam says take baby steps!  Kind of reminds me of one of my all-time fave movies, What About Bob? , but I digress.  For real, our friend, Bo Dean, took the "Baby Steps" advice and is now down 100 pounds after 450 days.  I am always inspired by Bo's story.

For now... let me leave you with BABY STEPS!  Just for a little laugh!

Today we did our first run-thru of Fox Wilmington News at 6:30!  Fox 26 will officially become Fox Wilmington next Monday.  It's exciting... just look at how excited Jon is!

I met so many people at Burgaw's Blueberry Festival this weekend!  I'm surprised anyone knew it was me since I nearly sweat my face off!  By the way, Meteorologist Eric Davis said we did indeed break a record on Sunday.  98 Degrees!

My mom was visiting from Missouri, and we both agreed... the blueberry slushy was the highlight of the afternoon!  What a delight!  And the shrimp basket from the Cape Fear Seafood Company was delicious, even in near 100 degree weather. 

We met a lot of crafty, talented and warm people.  My favorite purchase was a tall feeding tray for my dog, Minnie.  For less than $30, I got a dish stand that won't hurt my fur baby's back!

Firefighters are there when we need them... not only do they fight fires and respond to emergency medical calls, they also help fix smoke detectors!

I went to my local fire station and asked if someone could help me.  I wasn't sure my alarms were working properly.  Next thing I know, three firefighters arrived at my house in a fire truck!  I really do appreciate it.   Maybe now is a good time for you to check your smoke detectors!

Anyway, I bought them ice cream, but we didn't take a picture of that.  :)

Fashionistas are turning into recessionistas thanks to a woman who goes by Style Girl Jess James.

James lives in Wilmington and is known for throwing Style Swaps across the Southeast, including cities like Raleigh, Charleston, Columbia and here at home.
  
The idea is to let women bring in their old clothes and accessories to trade.  Some Louis Vuitton handbags and Manolo shoes made it.  Even some Louboutin shoes made it into the swap!

“In the past we’ve had women who were in their early 70s who have brought things and were like, ‘I don’t know if this is good enough’ and it ended up being that all of these girls in their 20s were coveting what they brought,” said Jess.  “It just touched my heart.”

But as touching as it was... the women at the swap were fierce.  Just look at some of the pics!  What a fun event!  Jess says it might be the only style swap of the year in Wilmington... let's try to talk her into another one!