This year has been a tough one for many. In fact, I’d just seen a post about how one person is ready to just get 2009 over with already! As much as many would like that, we’ve still got a few more weeks until we can usher in a new year.

Thanksgiving is a great time to pause and reflect on what’s going right. So I asked a few St. Louis area parents (and one friend who used to be a St. Louis area resident) “what are you thankful for?

Here are the results…

Two years ago on November 23 Jessica and Kelli Uhl were killed when an Illinois State Trooper hit their vehicle head on. Here’s how you can honor the lives of these two girls.

If you like vampires, then you’ll want to check out these links!

I was never one of those people who got totally into the idea of vampires. I saw “Lost Boys” once. If memory serves, I fell asleep while watching “Interview with a Vampire”. And I never had an interest in tuning into “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” or “Angel”, the series that developed as a result. I would watch a three-hour movie of David Boreanaz sitting in a chair watching paint dry if the man was doing it shirtless. In fact, I’m picturing that now. (Sigh) Oh sorry, where was I?

Some St. Louis peeps sound off. Who are their favorite vampires?

Here’s what blogging parents in the ‘lou have been up to!

Do you notice that background in this poster looks a bit familiar? That’s because part of the movie was shot at Lambert St. Louis International Airport. Apparently St. Louis viewers will recognize more than just the airport. Eighty percent of the film was shot in our fair city!

The film is loosely based on a novel of the same name by Walter Kirn and tells the story of frequent flyer Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), who happens to be an inspirational speaker and career counselor. Troubled companies who don’t have the guts to fire their employees hire Bingham to do their firing for them. Bingham travel schedule is hectic and heavy.

St. Louis is no stranger to Hollywood. There have been a quite a few movies that incorporate StL scenes into the storyline. Here’s just a few to rent over the weekend. See if you recognize any of the places or people.