Life is very quiet now that football (as we know it) is "over". Scott hasn't really even gotten into hockey at all, either--practically a sports-free household!
It is also very quiet in the house at the moment. I am enjoying a few minutes to myself. Scott is taking a nap with the dog. Aidan is off with her friend Julie for her Antler's Club (a jr. Elk's club offering) and then she is going to the high school basketball game with Julie. Scott and I are leaving soon to go get Kennedi for the weekend, so it won't be quiet for very long.
Outside it is wet and dreary. I thought for sure we would have a snow day here, but it only rained and slush-ed. The weather did manage to cancel all of Thursdays after school activities--the only rehearsal we have missed this year so far. I am not in a panic as of yet... although there is plenty of time for panicking yet to come.
We don't have much planned for the weekend yet. I have to help Kennedi navigate her new sewing machine. I have publicity materials to work on for the play, and some shopping to do for costumes and supplies. I have some sewing to do--but my cast is still not completely set in stone to do very much right yet. Of course, there is always laundry and cleaning to do. Maybe Kennedi and I will bake some brownies tonight... that would be fun!
Mom and Dad are having fun in Texas helping Andrea and Christian and the girls move to a new house in Austin. Andrea just found out she is pregnant with baby #3! Baby is due September 8th or so. Susie is thrilled to be sharing her birthday. Dan is jealous--he wants a baby for his birthday too.
Other than that, not much going on!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Winter is coming, Aida is HERE!
Our first "big" storm of the new year is expected tonight. Everyone is hoping for a delay, or maybe even a day off?! A delay is good.... wouldn't want to miss a play rehearsal now that things are taking off. I love my cast this year. They are super-pumped and full of energy.
I am super pumped because I actually have a STAFF this year! Having a real, live, adult stage manager is amazing. Michelle is proving herself indispensable keeping track of things, taking attendance, helping organize everyone. John is there as stage tech director, but he is helping run music for rehearsals and coaching from the sidelines. Adam and Scott are there too--my music and over-all tech directors. I also have a number of student directors this year for dance, stage and chorus.
It's really happening! Even though I've done this a few times before, and know that it does... it is still a bit surreal when everything I have spent the past 8 months planning is actually happening!
Today I got confirmation from the shop department that they are willing to help with props, and my art staff stopped by to pick up a script and take notes. I tossed out some ideas for my Egyptian slave barge and the museum scene that seemed to pique some considerable interest. (I just love seeing that sparkle in other people's eyes when I reveal my "evil" plans....)
Of course, the best part are the little stragglers that happen upon my stage. These are the kids lurking in the shadows, or hanging shyly on the edges... they might even be the goofy Fall Sports jock with nothing better to do at the moment. Without fail, these kids wander in, get sucked in and then never leave! These are the kids who are truly touched by the magic of the theater. It often is their first connection to something beyond themselves. Kids that won't behave in the classroom hang on every word and direction. Students many teachers haven't heard talk suddenly sing, act and dance. Students with social related diagnoses interact.
Watching them is even better than having a snow day!
I am super pumped because I actually have a STAFF this year! Having a real, live, adult stage manager is amazing. Michelle is proving herself indispensable keeping track of things, taking attendance, helping organize everyone. John is there as stage tech director, but he is helping run music for rehearsals and coaching from the sidelines. Adam and Scott are there too--my music and over-all tech directors. I also have a number of student directors this year for dance, stage and chorus.
It's really happening! Even though I've done this a few times before, and know that it does... it is still a bit surreal when everything I have spent the past 8 months planning is actually happening!
Today I got confirmation from the shop department that they are willing to help with props, and my art staff stopped by to pick up a script and take notes. I tossed out some ideas for my Egyptian slave barge and the museum scene that seemed to pique some considerable interest. (I just love seeing that sparkle in other people's eyes when I reveal my "evil" plans....)
Of course, the best part are the little stragglers that happen upon my stage. These are the kids lurking in the shadows, or hanging shyly on the edges... they might even be the goofy Fall Sports jock with nothing better to do at the moment. Without fail, these kids wander in, get sucked in and then never leave! These are the kids who are truly touched by the magic of the theater. It often is their first connection to something beyond themselves. Kids that won't behave in the classroom hang on every word and direction. Students many teachers haven't heard talk suddenly sing, act and dance. Students with social related diagnoses interact.
Watching them is even better than having a snow day!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Zzzz
It is 8:22 but feels like 11:59!!! I got back from Boar's Head Festival clean-up about an hour ago, and I feel like it is the middle of the night. I am beyond tired. I am too tired to watch the Steelers-Broncos game that Scott DVR'd--especially because he is out there yelling not very nice things at the TV.
Of course, the game in "real time" is over. Because I just didn't have the energy to withstand it, I went and peeked at regular TV: Broncos beat the Steelers 29-23. But, realize that where Scott is in the DVR'd game, the score is Broncos 20, Steelers 6. Clearly, good things will be happening, including the Steelers catching up 23-23 and going into over-time. (what I sneaked in the bedroom to watch)
This means the "end" of Football Season as we care to know it, but at least Scott won't be soooooo upset if the Steelers rally and catch up in the end, and we will be able to live with him tonight!
(Phew!)
Boar's Head Festival is over and went very well. This was the first year I helped backstage, so also the first year I stuck around for clean-up. I personally think that breaking a set is fun. It is a lot of work, but the kind of work that many hands make light. Everyone is tired, but for some reason, everyone is infused with a unique form of energy. It reminds me of that feverish exhilaration I felt after giving birth. (And having created and directed big shows like this, I guess in a way it is EXACTELY like giving birth!)
The basketball team from TGS was there helping to pack off the animals, sweep up the poo, rip up the plastic mats and hose them off. A bunch of ladies armed with about 15 vacuum cleaners were right behind. It took them awhile to strategically space themselves because they blew a few fuses, and the men had to keep going down to the basement to replace them. Another group was sorting out the music and packing it up, and another group was un-decorating the sanctuary. You could hear them laughing and joking all the way into the next building.
I was upstairs with John and another couple ladies sorting through all the costumes and making laundry piles. Then we cleaned off all the temporary racks and packed up everything that didn't need washing to make room for props and decorations in the BH room.
They were still at it when I left, dismantling the stable and putting the choir loft back in order. Everyone was laughing and having fun, even the girl who was on the floor performing major surgery on her vacuum which had sucked up too much hay. She was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. (Hey, that never happens at home!)
Ok--the TV is up to the last 3 minutes and my husband sounds much happier. I should go out and hold his hand for overtime....
Of course, the game in "real time" is over. Because I just didn't have the energy to withstand it, I went and peeked at regular TV: Broncos beat the Steelers 29-23. But, realize that where Scott is in the DVR'd game, the score is Broncos 20, Steelers 6. Clearly, good things will be happening, including the Steelers catching up 23-23 and going into over-time. (what I sneaked in the bedroom to watch)
This means the "end" of Football Season as we care to know it, but at least Scott won't be soooooo upset if the Steelers rally and catch up in the end, and we will be able to live with him tonight!
(Phew!)
Boar's Head Festival is over and went very well. This was the first year I helped backstage, so also the first year I stuck around for clean-up. I personally think that breaking a set is fun. It is a lot of work, but the kind of work that many hands make light. Everyone is tired, but for some reason, everyone is infused with a unique form of energy. It reminds me of that feverish exhilaration I felt after giving birth. (And having created and directed big shows like this, I guess in a way it is EXACTELY like giving birth!)
The basketball team from TGS was there helping to pack off the animals, sweep up the poo, rip up the plastic mats and hose them off. A bunch of ladies armed with about 15 vacuum cleaners were right behind. It took them awhile to strategically space themselves because they blew a few fuses, and the men had to keep going down to the basement to replace them. Another group was sorting out the music and packing it up, and another group was un-decorating the sanctuary. You could hear them laughing and joking all the way into the next building.
I was upstairs with John and another couple ladies sorting through all the costumes and making laundry piles. Then we cleaned off all the temporary racks and packed up everything that didn't need washing to make room for props and decorations in the BH room.
They were still at it when I left, dismantling the stable and putting the choir loft back in order. Everyone was laughing and having fun, even the girl who was on the floor performing major surgery on her vacuum which had sucked up too much hay. She was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. (Hey, that never happens at home!)
Ok--the TV is up to the last 3 minutes and my husband sounds much happier. I should go out and hold his hand for overtime....
Monday, January 2, 2012
Happy New Year!
We had a great trip to NY and Pittsburgh for the week of Christmas thru New Year's! Traveling that many days in a mini-van with 5 kids, two adults and a giant black lab was exhilarating. Often surreal, and occasionally mind-numbing. But we did it! Scott and I are definitely fist-pumping it a lot these past few days. When we aren't passed out from exhaustion.
We got back Friday afternoon, and I got to do about 20 loads of laundry. Sometimes after a week of living it up out in the big world, laundry is a welcome and centering activity. (Yeah, right!) Although I have found that when I am missing the hub-bub of all the kids--which I frequently am-- laundry is actually a very good way to remember everyone who isn't there.
Aidan and I went shopping Saturday--checked out the Westfarms Mall and related shopping in Farmington, CT. It wasn't that bad of a drive, and it was a very nice mall. Aidan fulfilled her dream of buying a brand-new outfit from Victoria Secret's Pink Boutique. Mostly, I think, for the experience of carrying the cute boutique bag around with her the rest of the day. I am glad she had so much fun. The poor kid has spent most of her life (very cheerfully, mind you) in everyone's hand-me-downs. I can't help but empathize.
I (sigh!) bought a bunch of unmentionable "wardrobe staples" that I lugged around in a boring old Sears bag. Let's just say that several assorted parts of my body will enter the new year with renewed support. Ahem. Cough. Snort!
Sunday was Boar's Head, Boar's Head, Boar's Head. I volunteered to help with costumes this year, as well as sing in the choir. It wasn't quite as bad as everyone made it out to be--as many of you have discovered, working with church people does not necessarily mean you are working with NICER people!!!! Good grief!!!
The highlight as usual was that the Three Wisemen (all local pastors...) always write and perform a very snarky version of their "We Three Kings" verse. I shamefully admit (my own not very churchy-like confession) that this is probably the main reason I keep participating in this event! This year the verses were about playing matchmaker to Lady Gaga and Charlie Sheen, Forgetting to pick up the Frankincense on layaway at Walmart, and praising God that Tim Teabow has officially reconciled church and football on Sundays.
Other high (and low) lights were when a girl behind me in the choir made a comment about that "hot new woodsman". I wasn't going to say anything, but my choir buddy flipped around and practically snarled at the woman pointing at me and saying--"HEY! That's HER husband!!!!" It was pretty funny. (And Scott does look cute in his little green feathered cap.... carrying the yule log.... hahahahaha!) It WAS NOT funny when the same woman started commenting on the slouchy teenagers messing around on their phones. Thankfully my buddy did NOT turn around and say: "HEY! That's HER slouchy teenager!" ARRGH. It is about time that girl realizes that it isn't just ME watching her!!!!!
Today I spent about six hours organizing things for the play and wrapping up the last of the grading (at least I hope...) from my long term sub job in December. I have not heard if I am going back.... was kind of hoping that I wasn't going to hear about it at 5 am tomorrow!!! Otherwise, it will be the first of many rehearsals for the Spring Musical. Here we go......
We got back Friday afternoon, and I got to do about 20 loads of laundry. Sometimes after a week of living it up out in the big world, laundry is a welcome and centering activity. (Yeah, right!) Although I have found that when I am missing the hub-bub of all the kids--which I frequently am-- laundry is actually a very good way to remember everyone who isn't there.
Aidan and I went shopping Saturday--checked out the Westfarms Mall and related shopping in Farmington, CT. It wasn't that bad of a drive, and it was a very nice mall. Aidan fulfilled her dream of buying a brand-new outfit from Victoria Secret's Pink Boutique. Mostly, I think, for the experience of carrying the cute boutique bag around with her the rest of the day. I am glad she had so much fun. The poor kid has spent most of her life (very cheerfully, mind you) in everyone's hand-me-downs. I can't help but empathize.
I (sigh!) bought a bunch of unmentionable "wardrobe staples" that I lugged around in a boring old Sears bag. Let's just say that several assorted parts of my body will enter the new year with renewed support. Ahem. Cough. Snort!
Sunday was Boar's Head, Boar's Head, Boar's Head. I volunteered to help with costumes this year, as well as sing in the choir. It wasn't quite as bad as everyone made it out to be--as many of you have discovered, working with church people does not necessarily mean you are working with NICER people!!!! Good grief!!!
The highlight as usual was that the Three Wisemen (all local pastors...) always write and perform a very snarky version of their "We Three Kings" verse. I shamefully admit (my own not very churchy-like confession) that this is probably the main reason I keep participating in this event! This year the verses were about playing matchmaker to Lady Gaga and Charlie Sheen, Forgetting to pick up the Frankincense on layaway at Walmart, and praising God that Tim Teabow has officially reconciled church and football on Sundays.
Other high (and low) lights were when a girl behind me in the choir made a comment about that "hot new woodsman". I wasn't going to say anything, but my choir buddy flipped around and practically snarled at the woman pointing at me and saying--"HEY! That's HER husband!!!!" It was pretty funny. (And Scott does look cute in his little green feathered cap.... carrying the yule log.... hahahahaha!) It WAS NOT funny when the same woman started commenting on the slouchy teenagers messing around on their phones. Thankfully my buddy did NOT turn around and say: "HEY! That's HER slouchy teenager!" ARRGH. It is about time that girl realizes that it isn't just ME watching her!!!!!
Today I spent about six hours organizing things for the play and wrapping up the last of the grading (at least I hope...) from my long term sub job in December. I have not heard if I am going back.... was kind of hoping that I wasn't going to hear about it at 5 am tomorrow!!! Otherwise, it will be the first of many rehearsals for the Spring Musical. Here we go......
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