President Bush loves the outdoors and was looking forward to the first all-girls' tee ball game on the South Lawn on June 27, 2007. We've met several times, but had never had a conversation on-air, and a lot of folks remarked that this interview showed a refreshingly personal side of the Commander-in-Chief. I don't have any notes in my hand, but I had the questions in my head, which helped make it really conversational.
I had a chance to do play-by-play of the White House Tee ball Initiative. The White House asked me to participate because of my career as one of the first female sportscasters, and this day was all about promoting girls and sports. I had a lot of fun with the tidbits about each player, including one little kid who said her favorite subject in school was "dismissal!"
James Beard Awards
Walking down the sidewalk outside New York's Lincoln Center just before hosting the James Beard Awards, the most prestigious awards ceremony for chefs and restaurateurs in America. My blue dress is from Carmen Marc Valvo.
With chef Bobby Flay and James Beard President Susan Ungaro on the red carpet before the James Beard Awards ceremony. I call Bobby the Michael Jordan of chefs: He totally sets the standard.
After the awards, we checked out some really cool displays. My favorite were these sculptures made entirely of fruits and vegetables. What a talent!
Awards Night
Posing on the red carpet at the 30th Annual Gracie Allen Awards Gala at the New York Marriott Marquis on June 22, 2005, in New York. I was getting an award that night and I loved this gown designed by my friend Carmen Marc Valvo.
Accepting my "Gracie Award. I think it's actually easier to give awards out to other people because when you get one you have to convey everything you want to say in 30 seconds or less. You don't want that music to start playing in the middle of your speech!
Cooking With Chuck & Tori
Cooking with Chuck Williams, who is the founder of Williams-Sonoma. Chuck's 92 and is really spry and fun to hang out with. Here I am giving him a hug before doing an on-air demo with Tori Ritchie from their flagship store in New York.
Deep Thoughts
Sometimes right before an interview I take a few seconds to gather my thoughts and I'm pretty deep in concentration here before an interview with former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani at the 2004 Democratic Convention in Boston.
Soap Star
In June 2004 on The Early Show, each of the anchors got a chance to pursue something they always wanted to do -- and this is a shot of me as playing a wedding planner on CBS' "The Guiding Light." I almost became an actress instead of going into TV because I'm a real ham. Maybe I'll go back to that after I retire as a newscaster!
Deep into character as an over-the-top wedding planner on "The Guiding Light," June 2004. The producer told me I was better than some of the "real" actors they bring on the show. I don't know about that, but it was a lot of fun for a couple of days.
The Sporting Life
This was taken in 1986 with Mike Scott of the Houston Astros, who pitched a no-hitter to clinch the National League West title. Check out the big hair and big smile! A few minutes later, I was completely doused in champagne and looked like a drowned rat.
At the Houston Astrodome chatting with baseball icon Mickey Mantle in 1985. I love the expression on his face. And how about that fabulous '80's hairstyle and earrings that I'm sporting!
In my typical sideline uniform of shades and an NBC Sports jacket -- they only came in men's sizes so they were always huge on me. This is during a game between the Buffalo Bills and the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Oct. 2, 1994. The Bears won the game, 20-13.
The "Hole" Story
My mom took this picture back in the early 1980s at our house in Houston. In the summers I used to waitress for money, and then worked for the local TV station for free on the side, just to learn. As you can see I ran around so much during my waitressing gig that I actually wore down my shoes to the point where they had holes in them!