I am free!

I know I have written in some past blogs about not having to wake up early now that I am not working those early hours (as of yesterday), but I can't believe how my life is about to change. I already feel free. Not only will I be able to go to bed later, wake up later, make the kids breakfast, work out early instead of the middle of the day, go to my boys late night baseball games, watch tv with my hubby, etc., but I will also not be as STRESSED out to get some much done in a day before I have to go to bed. I can go out with my girlfriends at night, have me time and even except jobs (contact me at www.andibarness.com) without having to ask for permission from ABC. I don't have that tightness in my chest thinking about getting to work early. So is this what a normal person feels like? Hey, I can even go on vacation whenever I want. This is going to be great!

Learning how to Blog.

I am learning how to blog and have been told by many that if I want people to visit my site then I need to put certain keywords in my blog. Well, since my whole goal with my www.andibarness.com web-site is to get work as a TV Host or Voice-Over artist then I guess I should target production companies, producers and television networks, right? Now the trick is how to put the important key words into interesting blogs. I could write something really creative, and sometimes I will, but for today, I think I am just going to beg for work. So here I go......"Listen all you production companies, producers, tv networks, cable stations and directors. I need a job and I am pretty darn good. If you need a product spokesperson, a television host or a voice-over done, then please get a hold of me thru this web-site. You can even watch my demo on-line at www.andibarness.com/host demo. I can be funny, serious, witty, charming and I'm also easy to work with so what are you waiting for?" Wow, that was easier then I thought!

Getting ready for the 3 day walk in San Francisco!

Look out world, I am walking 60 miles in the Susan G. Komen 3 day walk!

Yes, I said 60 miles. The scary part is that by now, I should be in great shape and conditioning my body for this walk. Well, no such luck.

The picture above is of me and my best friend, Shelley, getting ready to do our very first practice walk last Sunday. We made it 9 miles. Oh brother, we are not very smart. I guess the most important thing next weekend is that we laugh and walk, because I can guarantee that we will not be one of the first groups making it into camp. I bet we will laugh the hardest though.

Stay tuned for lots of pictures and fun stories.

Oh, btw, have you donated to my cause? http://www.the3day.org/ Donate to Andi Barness....PRETTY PLEASE.

What To Do TV

The cooler months are right around the corner and that means it will be time to get outside and enjoy our beautiful, Valley of the Sun. You could do your typical outdoor activities or you could live on the edge and try something a little more adventurous. Maybe a trip to Lake Pleasant with www.Arizonaducks.com. How about a relaxing Hot Air Balloon ride with www.Hotairexpeditions.com. Out in Mesa, AZ you can even fly a real fighter plane with www.fightercombat.com Trust me when I tell you that there are so many "out of the box" things to do here in Arizona and you can check them all out for yourself at www.whattodotv.com

Scary Cat

Okay, so I have this beautiful, white, long haired, deaf cat with a blue and a green eye that we call, Baloo. He is awesome and is especially cool because he has no fear. Maybe it is because he can not hear the noise that he makes...I have no idea. Anyway, I took this picture while he was napping on what he believes to be his new bed. It's actually baby Evan's changing table that has not yet made it into the garage. Too funny! www.andibarness.com

Andi's "A" List Breakfast Spot

If you guys are looking for the best breakfast in town or anywhere in the USA for that matter, then you have to visit Butterfield's in Scottsdale, Arizona and Illinois. http://www.butterfieldsrestaurant.com/
My favorite is the fresh squeezed orange juice and the Granola Sundae. It's served in a banana split dish with vanilla yogurt, fresh fruit and the tastiest granola ever. Not only is the food to die for, but the customer service is outstanding. It is a family run business and you will see at least 3 of the siblings there at all times. Ted is usually running the front, so make sure you say "hi" and tell him Andi sent ya. Oh, and if you are planning on heading there for Saturday or Sunday breakfast then you better get there before 8am or plan on a pretty long wait. It is worth the wait though.

TV Reporters version of Time

Remember as a kid when your mom would tell you to go to bed and she would be in in a few minutes and you would wait for an hour for her to finally tuck you in. Well, at least that is what Denise's Mom used to do to her. (Sorry Denise. Your secret is out) Actually, Denise, one of our producers for Sonoran Living, and I got to talking about the concept of time. When you ask a non tv person what time they leave the house for work they probably say "oh, about 7:30", but when you as a tv person what time they leave you will get something more like "oh, 3:32am". This is because we live by the clock. Our news starts at 4:58 am exactly and we have to be on the set at exactly 4:45am. We have 2 minute commercials and everything is to the second. I wake up at 3:09am and leave the house at the exact same time every morning. I pull into the parking garage at the exact same time (give or take 1 minute) every morning. I think you get the picture. TV people live their lives by the second.
Better go, it's 6:50 pm and I have to be in bed no later then 8:13pm.

I Love D Frank Designs

I have stumbled onto a really "cool" furniture- accessory- design studio that I just had to tell you about. It's in Old Town Scottsdale and Debbie (D Frank) is one of the most talented women I have ever met. She designs so much of her own stuff which is nice because you know it is an original. From bright red pillows to leopard skin chairs, she has something for everyone. Great gifts for your girlfriends too. Her concept is pretty simple, your home should reflect your own personal fashion sense. Maybe you need help with decorating your bedroom or family room. Debbie is the one to call. Tell her Andi sent ya.

www.dfrankdesigns.com

7107 E. Stetson Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 480-874-1310

Peace and Quiet

My little guy, 3 year old Evan, started school today and as much as I love my 3 boys, the peace and quiet was heaven sent. To walk into a home where nobody is whining or tattling on the other is sooooooo nice. Yes, I love my kids and I love doing fun things with them, but being a working mom that works her tail off, I need me time. So of course my me time is spent working in my office, but I am doing it in with no distractions and no noise. Oh, and no mother's guilt too.
Well, the clock is ticking and I have 1 hour and 19 minutes before the rugrats get home.

My Favorite Spots

I have decided to not only write about stuff that is going on in my life, but also great things, people, services and places that you need to check out.

Let's start out with Zethina Cosmetics and Spa in Glendale. "Z" has been my makeup gal for the last 4 years and not only is she the best make up artist ever but she also sells her own line of mineral cosmetics that is unlike anything that you will find at a department store. She also has great make-up tricks too. She is definitely a part of "Andi's A list".

Zethina Cosmetics & Skin Care. 19420 N 59th Ave # E-510. Glendale, AZ
(623) 561-6966 - http://www.zethina.com/

My next chapter

Since this past Monday I have realized that my life as I have known it for the past 8 years is about to change.

No more waking up in the middle of the night to go to work!

For the past 4 years I have awakened at 3am to drive 20 miles to ABC15 and before that I woke up at 4am to drive 20 miles to Clear Channel radio.

This has meant no fun for me during the week, but that is about to change! Now I can do happy hour with my girlfriends, I can finally stop being the first one to leave special events, I can stay at my kids' baseball games for more innings and I even get to watch TV shows with my husband after the kids go to bed. Wow! This is going to be fun!

Now the next thing I need to do is get some extra work and some $$ coming in. Need any voice-over work done or maybe a television host for your next project?

Suit Sale

So the big news in my life is that as of September 1 I will no longer be the Daybreak Traffic Reporter for ABC15 in Phoenix. No, there is no drama. KNXV is just going in another direction and their contract was up with the traffic company I work with. I WILL, however, continue to be a contributor for "Sonoran Living". Yeah!!!

Anyway, this means I will no longer have to wear a suit and I can't tell you how excited I am about this. Suits are expensive and I own a bunch of them. So, my new idea is to photograph all of the suits that I want to get rid of and put them up for sale on my web-site.

Stay tuned! Expensive suits for really cheap are on their way to you........

The Hair Salon

So I must admit, I am not the natural beauty with a solid head of beautiful brown hair.

It comes from a bottle and it's not my choice at all.

I owe all of the gray to my mother and father and can thank them for the few strands that I started getting at about age 16. At almost 40, we can call it 75% gray.

Today's experience was just like the rest....I drove to Cave Creek to visit LaDonna's Hare Daze because she is the best hair dresser on the face of the earth. Oh, and she is the mom that is responsible for all of the gray hair on my head. The conversation was great, as usual, but this time, I was served one of the best sandwiches ever. GT (my step-dad) had made a pumpernickle, pastrami with ham and turkey, swiss cheese and avacado sandwich. It was awesome and now my new favorite.

If you head up that way, make sure you request that one ahead of time!




LaDonna's Hare Daze
6100 Cave Creek Rd.
(480) 595-0320