www.rebeccaortiz.com

*PS - If you check out the Freakshow Section you can get a some weekend gossip!
 

It's my great niece Isabella! Can you believe she's already 5 months old?!

These are just some of the pics that Jess had taken of her. Yes, it's ghetto because these are actually just the pictures OF the pictures.

She's so awesome - she rolls over, scoots, grabs things and babbles a lot. Can you tell I'm a proud aunt?

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SNOW! NO WAY! NOT ON MY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

I am so hoping that it is wrong...but if it isn't...listen to us for school closings and XLC.com for the lists as well! We're good like that!

So, all depressed about the possible weather (and the fact that I still have to do my Easter Shopping for my neices)...

Listener Lauri sent me the picture below and no joke, I laughed out loud...and have been laughing all day just thinking about it!

The pic is cleverly named: Peep Show

So Tim did this story late last week about 2 people who found a Frosted Flake that resembled the shape of Illinois...and of course the put it on EBay - which you know is what most people do with their Frosted Flakes?!

I mean what is that?

Who bored that they look for stuff like that? I just shovel them in my mouth! HA!

Anyhow, I was reading the newspaper paper yesterday, and low and behold the infamous 'flake' was back in the news - and for good reason!

The bidding is up to over $200,000!

No joke! Over $200,000 AMERICAN DOLLARS! I nearly collapsed! I will go through all my flakes now! We could make some serious cash!
Check it out below: (compared to the size of a dime for actual size)

Here is one of the many very cute pics that one of the students at Woodland Elementary drew of me!
I was cracking up laughing because they all made me brown!

To avoid being the Debbie Downer of the blog section...Jess sent this to my phone today.

I'm not sure who is the one making the noise - it doesn't sound like Jess - maybe it's Isabella's sitter?

Either way, is made me smile!

Here's hoping it does the same for you...

Yes, hello, I know I'm overdue with the blog...but trust me this is gonna be more than your average blah-blah-blah.

Well clearly, I wasn't on-the-air today - but there is a good reason: My Dad is in the hospital.

My parents were in Texas for a month and returned home yesterday evening. My sister Patty and I picked them up from the airport and no sooner had we just left the curb side pick-up he was complaining of chest pains.

About 10 minutes later,he was doubled-over in the back seat and moaning in pain. He said he was fine but I knew something was wrong. Anyone who knows my Dad, knows he a jokester - but not like that. I immediatley started googling hospitals on my phone looking for the nearest one - and then the pains were getting worse, and he was getting louder - so we were seriously going to pull over and call an ambulance. He insisted we keep driving and just take him home. We ended up stopping at a hospital closer to our house because he was screaming at that point.

To make a long story short, he was not having a heart attack - which is what we thought. His father died of a heart attack around the same age as he is right now, (my Dad is 70, his father was 68) and talking to him today he mentioned that it was the first thing he thought of. Initial testing shows that his heart is very healthy. It turns out, he had a blood clot in his lung that ruptured - possibly from the altitude on the plane.

Through more testing today, they also found another one in his right leg that is located on his main artery. He will continue with more testing tomorrow morning. The doctors have already started giving him blood thinner shots. Depending on what the other tests find (hopefully nothing), they will determine what happens next.

Patty, my Mom, and I got home for the first time this afternoon. We still had all their luggage in the car! We obviously, tried to get ourselves a little rest and give him a chance to relax since he was getting poked and pinched all day.

Talking to him today now that things were calmer he said he really thought this was "the end" for him - which of course scared the heck out of him - and hearing him say that upset me. Clearly, we were all terrified when it was happening - but realizing your parents are getting older, are not invincible, and that you could be without them someday is a horrible realization.

My Dad was joking around saying he was mad when he thought he was dying because he didn't want to "go" like that - in the gosh darn hospital straight from vacation - of course he said it in more colorful terms, because that's how my Dad is.

Patty and I were not in the room for this part, but I guess one of the nurses was asking him all this family history questions and he flipped out and said, "Why are you asking me all of this? Is this for my obituary?" - and he was being serious! A little bit later, they gave him a muscle relaxer hoping it would knock him out so he could get some rest. About a 1/2 an hour later he was awake and the doctors were shocked. He told my Mom that he was afraid to go to sleep because he thought he was going to die for sure after all the questions the nurse was asking. He's a dork.

Well, anyways - that's all I have for right now. I am so tired I have no idea what is going on, or what day it is. I will not be in tomorrow so I can be with my family for the rest of my Dad's tests. As of right now, unless things take a turn for the worse, I will be back in on Wednesday.

Hopefully when I check back in next it will be with brighter news. I am going to get some rest.

Take Care and talk to you soon!
-R

Tim?

No! It's my great niece Sweet Isabella!

Ah yes, after avoiding the topic for a week and a half now, it’s time to address the white elephant in the room – the end of the “Joe and Rebecca Show.”

Now Joe had a good point today, which he has been consistent about, it’s not the end of the morning show all together! Tim, Monica, and myself will STILL be there ~ but HE is leaving. In a nutshell, it will simply be the ending of our partnership together on-the-air.

This whole situation can be summed up in one word for me: Bittersweet!

A part of me is very sad that after tomorrow’s show, there will be no more. Love us, or hate us – we’ve been apart of each others lives, and yours, for 3 ½ years. The reaction we got from the announcement was so completely humbling, and over-whelming that I still am in disbelief! I’ve said it before, but it’s so hard to grasp sometimes that there are thousands of people listening, when you only see one other person in the room.

When I spoke to the Daily Herald, I mentioned that part of the reason I thought Joe and I did so well, was because we have a ‘natural chemistry’. Laugh if you will, but it’s true. I’m not sure if it’s our love for Tim, our twisted sense of humor, or what – but we were on the same page about entertaining the people of Lake County and beyond and every morning we have a blast.

It’s funny because, I never believed it, but working with someone like this, really is like a relationship. Joe said I was like his other wife. It wasn’t always bunnies and kitties, but wrapping the partnership up, I have nothing but pride, and wish Joe and his family all the best in their exciting new chapter of life! Woo hoo Colorado!

So saying all that – which took a lot –which was why I was procrastinating…what happens Friday morning when there is no more Joe??? The answer is simply: I don’t know! HA!

As we’ve been assuring everyone: Tim, Monica, and myself, will all continue on as normal. I want everyone to know that we will still be laughing, playing the same fun games, and so much more! I’m not gonna lie, I’m nervous because I don’t want people to feel like something is missing when they tune in every morning. I will stay at the station 24-hours a day if I have to, to make sure that you are getting the best possible show out there! I mean it! We may be ‘missing’ a player…but by no means will I let the show seem like it is ‘missing’ anything, if you know what I mean. That is my promise!

My other promise to you, is that I will do my BEST to make sure we find someone completely awesome-and-a-half to fill Joe’s shoes.

Currently, the powers that be are searching for someone to fill his position. They are pushing for sooner than later, but it’s one of those things that doesn’t always fall in to your lap right away.

A little “Joe and Rebecca” trivia – did you know they hired someone else before they hired me? It’s true! When Joe came aboard, his co-host transferred to our sister station in Joliet, and they hired who they felt was a good fit. She lasted for about a month and then was gone. He continued his search, and it wasn’t until after that, that I applied, and the rest is history!

The new person that comes aboard will be bringing their ideas and life to the table – so this means new and exciting things for us! I am really excited to be going through that process together with our listeners. It will be a lot of fun to see what the cat drags in – ha! I know that you will give me your honest opinions, and I’m depending on it and can’t wait! It will be like Lake County Co-Host Idol! And just maybe we will have some special guests sprinkled here and there until we find a perfect match!

So on the eve of the last show as “Joe and Rebecca,” I again use the “bittersweet”. While it is sad that it’s over, tomorrow, we want to celebrate all that Joe has accomplished, and all that we shared with you as a team. Please stop by and share this important day with us!

Friday morning will be the beginning of a brand new chapter! Oooohhh! What tricks do Tim, Monica and myself have up our sleeves? What will the new show name be? What secrets will be revealed?

You’ll just have to tune in and see!

Hope to see you tomorrow!

This past Saturday Joe had a going away party in Addison for his friends and family. Kelly (my roommate), my friend Sarah, and myself posse'ed up and joined him.

Things started about 7pm and we got there a little before 8pm. Since it was a party for Joe, a lot of people were buying him drinks - including myself. Joe was drinking blue razz martini's (how manly)...and he mentioned someone bought him a tequila shot. Needless to say, he was feeling good.

Here are a few shots from the party...notice the pattern:

Kelly (my roommate), Peeping Joe, Sarah:

Jess sent these to me yesterday night! Look at how much my little sweet pea is talking!


I can only imagine what she is saying!

Here is another one she sent of her eating her blankie:

She is growing so fast! She is awesome!

I'll blog more later! Remember we have a HUGE announcement to make that will rock the core of "The Joe and Rebecca Show" - so make sure you're listening!

ALSO, my psa for the day: You don't need to get crazy and buy someone flowers, candy and valentine's on "Valentine's Day" and YES, you should love people everyday - not just today...but at the very least SAY "Happy Valentine's Day". It sounds corny, but as a girl, it's still nice to hear.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Remember this guy?

I am a fan of the music of Kanye West. My heart goes out to him for his loss. But...

Dear Kanye West,

You are not above the Grammy wrap-up music. A PROFESSIONAL could've wrapped it up in time AND with respect to their loss and their fellow collegues.

Get over yourself.

Sincerely,
Me

It's just 20 minutes in to the show and I must say I am LOVING every single second! Even the Beatles stuff!

Alicia Keys - love her! Looks great! Got 1st award....Tim will make fun of her because she thanked god - she was flawless!

Carrie Underwood - how hot did she look?! I love that song! She was flawless...Joe will make fun of her because he thinks she is boring performer! I loved it.

NOW, I am freaking out - MORRIS DAY and the freakin TIME! Are you kidding me! I LOVE IT! Rhianna was a nice touch...I will make fun of her outfit though - what?! It looks like someone swept the floor at the Save-a-pet grooming room and glued it to her! YIKES! Tim and Joe probably loved her dress. JK!

That's all I have so far. We'll have a full recap in the freakshow tomorrow.

Quickly though - Fantasia Barrino, did you lose all mirrors? Are people mad at you? WHY are you dressed like that? She even looks mad about it?! AH!

Also, Tom Hanks looks old!

**Tim loves the lord...he just thinks it's silly when athletes and other celebs thank god first - which is not slamming their religion or religion in general - but what if someone listening doesn't believe? Hmmmm

Yes, yes, yes! I know! I will blog later and I promise NO ISABELLA later(since that is a popular blog topic)...but Isabella now is a go!

So my sweet little munchkin (my great neice Isabella) has hair that is waaaaaay out of control! She's a baby, so we all laugh and joke, but several people have been offering solutions...so we decided to give them a whirl!

Suggestion #1: A Hat

Yes, I am overdue for a blog...stupid pneumonia! I am feeling somewhat better today so I am going to TRY and run some errands.
I will blog later. PROMISE!
In the meantime, I will leave you with one of my favorite faces!

ME!

YEA! Tomorrow is my birthday! BOO there is a ton of snow outside and I got stuck like a moron!

Oh well! It happens! Drive safe and be coridal to your fellow drivers! (That was my psa)

ANYHOW - exciting day despite the crappy weather. STORMY Monday stopped in the studio to play "Happy Birthday" and one of their own songs. I actually had the pleasure of seeing them perform (and judging them) with Diane from Overnights and Katie from News Department (yes, that is the Anger Train)at the Battle of the Bands at Lakes High School last weekend.

All the kids were great but these guys really blew me away. They have a HUGE future - I'm telling you! I'll be saying "I knew them back when..." someday! Either way, here are a few pics from their visit: