pretty shiny

Merry Christmas

2010-12-23T15:22:00.000-08:00

Blessings to all of you! May the new year bring you a fresh start and a clean slate.

xoxox Amy

Glad Tidings!

2010-12-10T12:25:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Tree is up and glowing. It smells wonderful, but I have yet to just sit on the couch in a darkened room and just look at it.

I will put it on my list of things to be done.

I actually have a few gifts already that I'm pleased with and a few more to get, but it seems like I'm doing better in that area this year. I have ideas.

I am running the secret santa program at work, and it seems to be increasing the holiday spirit in the place. That is pleasant.

I have just enough time logged that I can take a full week off at Christmas and I need it so. I'm so happy about it. I need time to sit and think and do a few things around the house.

Christmas-time is here! It makes me happy.

Yay for December

2010-12-01T09:14:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful that November is over.

It seemed like a really long month and I am happy that December is here. We have birthdays, and an anniversary and Christmas, of course!

I have decided that my greeting of choice for this year will be... "Glad Tidings"!!

Doesn't that have a nice ring to it? Last year it was Happy Christmas, like in Harry Potter.

Today I am enjoying:

I little sneaky fifteen minute date with my husband, who came back to work to run me to another building and gave me some hugs and kisses in between.

Heavy whipping cream in my coffee.

A 100% thrifted outfit. I think I am successful in goodwill shopping without looking like a total over-aged hipster. I am mixing stripes and plaids, though, so maybe I'm not as successful as I think I am.

Gel eyeliner. Who knew! I love it. And I love to apply it with the little tiny brush.

A clear conscience. Another perk of the 15 minute sneaky date. Confession is good for the soul, eh?

New material for a new show. I get to wear a waitress get-up!

Being the administer of our Secret Santa program at work.

Foundation underwear - NOT thrifted!

And... That's about it. You?

I need...

2010-11-30T16:00:00.001-08:00

A pair of black cigarette pants, a la Audrey.

Anybody know where I can find a pair of those?

Fluffy again

2010-11-19T15:31:00.001-08:00

Slowly but surely, like a sneaky little scallawag, my excess poundage has started to find it's way back home.

The jeans, too snug. The buttons, strained. The face, ever so slightly "full". Oy!

So again, it begins. So much for my experiment of not freaking out over every morsel I put in my mouth.

It was good while it lasted.

Dear Alma L. Tompsett

2010-11-06T20:52:00.001-07:00

Dear Alma,

May I call you Alma? I feel as if I can, now that we have shared clothing.

You see, at my local Goodwill I found a beautifully hand knit sweater. Very intricate and in good condition. And perfectly sized just for me.

On the inside tag is says, Hand Knit by Alma L. Tompsett.

I googled you. You made a charitable contribution in 2009 the University of Nebraska School of Nursing. It looks like you graduated there in 1944.

I fear you may have died since then, dear Alma. Normally when I find labeled clothing in the goodwill it usually means that the nursing home where you lived just donated all your clothing since you won't be needing them anymore.

I hope that's not the case, and that somehow you find this note of thanks for your hand made goodness and know that someone out here appreciates your skill and is wearing your lovely work of art.

God Bless you, Alma

Love,

Amy

I'm on a roll

2010-10-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

Look! I've typed something here three days in a row.

I might just become a blogger, yet!

I have tomorrow off! I'm going to a conference and I get to stay in a very nice hotel. I may even take my swim suit. :) Well, I take that back. I just had my hair colored. Don't want to wreck that!

I have a new eating philosophy. I will eat it or not, but I'm not going to anguish over every food choice and feel guilty about the not so great choices. I've decided to be healthy and exercise and choose well and just live... without weird food thoughts. If I stay 20 pounds over weight, then so be it. But I have a feeling this just might the cure I've been waiting for.

I'm going to attempt NaNoWriMo. We'll see how that goes.

I've just looked down to see that I am wearing 100% thrifted, garage saled or hand-me-down clothing. Except for my tights and undies, which probably cost three times as much as my actual outfit.

Here's the run down...

Crocheted Cardigan - $1.00
Skirt - $1.29 - It's a long skirt from the 80's that I chopped off and hemmed.
Black Gap long sleeve T - Free from a friend
Cute, sort of man shoes with a heel - (for lack of a better description) $3.99

Target Tights $7.99

Is it weird that my leg wear costs more than my whole outfit? Maybe I should start one of those what I'm wearing blogs. I'm totally addicted to those! If you go here, here, here and here (and this one is just fabulous!) you will see what I look at almost everyday! I have more, but this is just a little taste.

Tonight, I have a date with hubby which will include yet another trip to the Goodwill (I need jeans), dinner out - I'm thinking it's a clam chowder type of day, and we will conclude with seeing a free show. Dress rehearsals are always free and I totally invite myself to everyone I can get to. Nothing like making the actors feel nervous when another actor crashes their final dress rehearsal! But I am so encouraging and grateful for the free show that I think it evens it all out!

Boy, I am chatty today!

Dream Job...

2010-10-27T09:23:00.000-07:00

Could this be it?

Pretty amazing, no?

Iowa

2010-10-26T15:14:00.001-07:00

I don't really miss it...

but I miss my friends.

my raspberry colored kitchen.

my job at the library.

my job at the coffee shop.

Sometimes I miss the prairie, but I mostly prefer here.

What's happening right now

2010-10-17T13:01:00.001-07:00

My husband yelling, "stupid, stupid, stupid" in my ear. He is watching football.

My MIL yelling, "that is just dumb". She's watching football.

My son saying, "You should put ads on your blog and make some money."

I changed my boring template to another canned boring template. Maybe one day I'll learn how to spruce this place up.

My day is lovely. I have watched my daughter sing in the choir, had lunch 'out', knitted a little, read facebook, and found out the sorting hat sorted me into hufflepuff. (I took it again and was a Gryffindor, but kept the first one).

Then, I have rehearsal for Willie Wonka, and we do our last show for Drop Dead. I will miss it.

This week, I look forward to using my new exercise tape, in which I will build a Brazilian butt. I'll let you know how that turns out.

Would you like a before and after picture? I think not. :)

Thrifting

2010-09-16T13:49:00.000-07:00

I've had very much good luck at the goodwill lately.

I found a pair of naturalizer boots that were 12.99. I googled them and they are 169.00 new! They are so comfy and wonderfully fall-ish.

I have taken to buying old, long, flowery 1980's skirts and cutting them off at a more appropriate 2010 length. They look great with the boots.

I found a pair of tap shoes today for 6.99. Now I can really learn to tap!

I have very many fine gauge cardigans that go well with skirts and boots.

My husband found a very nice suit jacket for 2.95. It was for a costume for the theater, but, hey, he bought it, so he gets to keep it. It looks great on him.

$4.95 got me a pair of blue coveralls. I plan to be Rosie the Riveter for Halloween, and then use them for every home improvement job I have.

I can barely bring myself to purchase new from the store anymore. Although, target had skirts on sale for $4.98 and that is as good as goodwill, so I snatched those right up.

Maybe I'll have to start up on of those "what I wore today" blogs.

Next on my hunt: A pair of authentic mocassins!

Let me tell you a little something...

2010-09-10T08:39:00.000-07:00

about my husband.

*This is where I would insert a cute picture of us, but because my picasa is full and they want more money for more storage and I haven't gone back and deleted old pictures, you get this very long run on sentence!

So, my husband...

If I say, "Farm Boy", he always says, "As you wish". Which I find very charming.

He knows lines and titles and plots and tons of info about tons of movie trivia. He is a virtual imdb.

He loves me.

He likes to take me out to eat. Yesterday I wanted pie for dinner, so we ditched the kids and had pie. $11.00 worth of bad pie = true love.

He said I could quit my job if I wanted to. I would, but then where would we be? It's nice to know he cares that I don't like my job, though.

He is super smart.

He is patient, and kind, and loving and a good dad. He is ever faithful, ever true.

He is encouraging to me in my endeavors.

We go together.

It's not that I'm mean...

2010-08-30T16:11:00.000-07:00

What I meant to say, I guess, is that I had a hard day and wasn't very nice to some people.

I was sarcastic, and a little rude, and huffy. Not like me, really.

My husband woke me up in the night because he was worried about me after he read my little post about not being nice any more. He thought I was making a statement of sorts.

So, no. I haven't turned to the dark side, honey.

I think I'm frustrated about my work. I don't hate it, but it's not really my cup of tea. I would much rather be doing something else, and I'm trying to figure out how to do something else soon, but it's not happening for me soon enough.

Also, my house is a wreck, my kids are starting school soon and I missed most of their summer because I was at work. And I have so many other fun things I would rather do for these 9 or so hours a day that I am here. :)

(A side note: I am very grateful to have work when so many others don't).

Ah well, life moves forward and I will endeavor to not let the hard days make me hard.

I used to be nice...

2010-08-26T16:25:00.001-07:00

And that's all I have to say about that. For now...

The sun arrived!!

2010-07-07T08:56:00.001-07:00

I thought you should know.

Shivers

2010-06-28T09:54:00.001-07:00

Everyday, for a short moment, I get a feeling.

I see something or hear something or feel something and I am overcome by a sense of possibility. Like I can create a special thing or compose a song or write something good.

But it is fleeting.

Because the reality is that I am sitting in front of a computer for most of my day and trying to live life in the other parts and trying to get some sort of sleep at night...

I just wonder, what would I have written, made, sung? What could I have accomplished if I had seized the moment?

I hope it was something good.

Will the sun never shine again?

2010-06-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

It's gray... Gray, gray, gray.

We have had maybe two moments (I would say days, but they were really only moments) of time above the 70's here.

I like 68. 68 is the perfect temperature for me, but we haven't even had that.

I might have to write a really sad song. Or a SAD (that disorder that comes for seasonal distress due to bad weather) song.

I'm wearing yellow to try to combat the grayness, and it is helping about 2%.

I might have to eat a popsicle in rebellion. In fact, why don't you eat one, too?

Come on, world... Help me stick it to the (weather)man and eat a popsicle in solidarity and show our disapproval of fall time weather during the spring season!

It's almost summer, for pete's sake!

Opening Night!!

2010-06-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to our newspaper preview!

Opening night is so exciting. Usually you have a full house and you get to hear the full bodied laughter for the first time.

I'm excited to be in a new playhouse, we have the coolest set.

I can't believe it's here already. Time sure flies.

Words of Wisdom for Today

2010-06-02T10:56:00.001-07:00

Always plan the last cherry you intend to eat, to ensure your last one is not a mushy one.

I know this by years of cherry eating experience!

Yay for Bings.

It's a day... and it's only 11:30

2010-05-19T11:25:00.000-07:00

My girls had two performances of their choir group. They both had big parts and solos.

My options were 8:30 and 10:00. But I already had a meeting scheduled from 9:00 - 10:00 so I thought I could get there by 10:11 and see most of it.

Well, meeting went long, and a motorcycle cop pulled me over.

$154.oo and ten minutes later, I get to see the very last song.

I go to hug my kids and break out in tears in the school gymnasium, causing my older daughter to cry, my son to look stricken and my young ones to reassure me that I am not the terrible mother that I was feeling like right at that moment.

Also, I'm dressed too fall-ish and I'm hot. I saw abandoned underwear in the ladies room at work and my make up is all wonky.

But in a few minutes, there will be lunch with a co-worker, in which I will eat delicious blue cheese dressing and then all will be right again.

But I'll still be out $154.00.

It's a challenge

2010-05-06T09:18:00.000-07:00

I'm doing something hard. I thought it was going to be easy. A snap. A piece of cake. But it's harder than I expected!

I'm acting in a play (WITHOUT MUSIC! It's easy to fall back on those songs to let your character shine through). And I have to develop a character and try to be cute and much younger than I really am.

I have to have depth. Be simple, yet wise. Be angry, yet likable. Be innocent, but savvy. It's hard, I tell ya!

But I have a great director and she is patient and I know I'll get it. It's just not there quite yet.

I'm getting invaluable acting lessons through this experience so I'm glad I'm doing it and I'm excited to be learning.

So, what's your next challenge?

We open on Friday!

2010-04-28T10:05:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to some pictures of the current show I'm in.

Tried to upload but I'm maxed out and need to clean out my Picasa!

On the agenda for the day:

Work, lunch with the girls, work again, home for a bit, rehearsal for Cactus Flower, exercise and then bed. A full day!

100 things... we'll see how far I get

2010-04-21T08:31:00.000-07:00

Stolen from blackbird who stole from someone else... :)

1. I have sort of reddish hair lately. On purpose.

2. My nails are painted black. But usually they are bare.

3. My toes are painted red, but usually they are blue.

4. I am honing my acting skills

5. I've been cast in Cactus Flower.

6. In the younger part.

7. My counter part looks about 12.

8. I am self-conscious about this. Can you tell?

9. But I am excited, none the less. It's a pretty big part.

10. But I'm even more excited about Adelaide! Which opens in NINE DAYS!

11. I wear a blonde wig.

12. I'll post pictures later.

13. My husband is my boyfriend. :) In the show and in life. Isn't that nice?

14. My cycle is only 24 days long, which is apparently normal in some people, but sucks.

15. I'm feeling hormonal!

16. I have challenged myself to write six songs this year.

17. I've written a half of one, so far. Better get crackin'.

18. I'm doing P90X

19. I'm on day 12, I think.

20. No big results yet.

21. The 'Before' pictures are horrifying.

22. They are hidden in a secret folder on my computer and I hope if I die, that no one finds them.

23. I should probably rename the file - Burn upon my death!

24. I don't plan on dying anytime soon, so I hope to have the joy of some pretty hawt "after" pictures.

25. I have a box in my garage that I bought from a storage facility place that was cleaning out old units that is labeled 'Burn upon the event of my death'.

26. It is full of WWII journals and letters that I haven't read yet.

27. I'm trying to honor the guys wishes but can't bring myself to burn them. I want to see what his life was like.

28. Is that disrespectful?

29. I am still de-caffeinated.

30. My blood pressure thanks me for it.

31. I am the mother of four children

32. That amazes me!

33. I am in love with those little orange-y fruits called CUTIES.

34. I would eat out every day, if I could.

35. I will go ages without eating eggs and then all of the sudden, I have to have them for a couple days in a row.

36. I am a size 8 on the bottom and a size 12 on the top.

37. It is very hard to buy dresses.

38. I love wearing dresses!

39. Spring has not hit my part of the country yet.

40. It's starting to feel like it won't ever show up.

41. I don't like it when we skip spring and go straight into summer.

42. I like to ease into things.

43. I am on the hunt for the worlds best ink pen.

44. I prefer felt tip, but need to use ball point to press through all the layers of papers I use at work.

45. I am an office manager/personal assistant/data tracker/"support coordinator" (whatever that is)/jack of all trades/mommy at my work.

46. People come to me for everything from bandaids and safety pins to policy and procedures.

47. It's a lot to handle.

48. It's not my dream job.

49. But I have friends here, so that's good.

To be continued...

Bathroom Talk

2010-04-16T12:48:00.000-07:00

I have a few peculiarities when it comes to public restroom usage.

And, hey. What's a blog for, if not to discuss such things?

I'm sure most women can fall into one of two categories when using a public restroom. Are you a hover-er or a cover-er?

I seem to be both. It takes no less than three tries to get the stupid seat covers to actually not fall into the bowl, and sometimes I can't wait for three tries, and then I just end up hovering. I can't bring myself to sit down on an uncovered public toilet. Sometimes I try the toilet paper strip covering method, but sometimes you just have to go!

(Side note: I read in Prevention magazine that it is better to not make a habit of hovering because it doesn't let you bladder relax all they way, which could cause infection). Thought you should know.

Also, I never take the first couple sheets of toilet paper. Those get ripped off and thrown away. Why? Because SOMEONE ELSE HAS TOUCHED THEM! Do you do this? I always wonder if I'm the only one.

There is very limited touching of anything. Which is the norm these days, I'm sure.

I'm thankful for automatic faucets on the sinks, automatic soap dispensers, dryers that you stick your hands in and those little foot hooks that allow you to open the door with your toe.

I'm not, however, a big fan of the automatic flusher. They flush on me spontaneously. I prefer to kick the handle.

Another thing... Thanks to my Grandma Virginia (Godresthersoul) I am always on the look out of men, who are dressed as women, not because they are transvestites, but because they are coming in to prey on women in the restroom. She gave me a healthy fear of restrooms, that one. I don't think she ever used public restrooms. She just held it.

I once took my daughter into a rest stop and wish I had the video of that excursion. She had no shoes on so I packed her in on my back, checked for perverts, covered the seat, swung her around to the front, arranged her clothing, dangled her over the pot, because even covered it was disgusting, took care of clean up, dressed her while still dangling, threw her back around onto my shoulders, checked for perverts again, and left to wash up with baby wipes in the car. ALL WHILE HOLDING MY BREATH THE ENTIRE TIME! It was truly gross.

And that concludes my bathroom talk for today. Sorry for warping you.

The sun is out!

2010-04-14T11:27:00.000-07:00

I just got the deepest desire to sew something!

And I'm not even that good of a seamstress.

I would also like to paint my fingernails, clean my bathroom, practice a new hair style, write a song, eat lunch at an outdoor cafe, people watch beneath my sun glasses, do some stretching, learn to draw, shop, and play my kazoo.

Not all at once of course.

Can you tell I'd rather be somewhere else right now?

Spring fever, much?

I would like...

2010-04-07T10:43:00.000-07:00

to have a cozy, welcoming little coffee shop. I would sell special little treats and help people relax. It would be near the water and town. There would be out door seating for people with doggies. I might even sell a sandwhich or two.

Green Eyed Monster

2010-03-23T15:50:00.000-07:00

Today I was filled with jealousy. My heart squeezed a size or two smaller.

All because someone else had some good fortune. Some good fortune of the kind that I would like to have.

A mean jealousy.

Then I thought. This supposed 'good fortune' was the result of hard work, committment, talent, time and, yes, a little bit of luck.

All things that I have or could exhibit if I exerted myself a bit in the areas where exertion is required. Or diverted my attention from one area to focus on another.

Except the little bit of luck. That lady comes and goes as she pleases.

And now that I've thought it through, I am a little bit less jealous, but a little more "mmmphphph" at myself. (Can't think of the right word). Disappointed in myself, I guess.

I am happy for the good fortune getter. I really am.

I just want a little bit of it, too.

SHOWS!

2010-03-09T14:38:00.000-08:00

I saw South Pacific and Chicago done by Broadway touring groups. And tomorrow I get to see Legally Blonde!

I saw Camelot done by a High School. Quite ambitious but they pulled it off fairly well.

I saw The Music Man done by a local musical theater. Well done.

Next week Harvey opens, in which I have a smallish part, and THEN.... Guys and Dolls in which I have a huge-ish part!

I love, love, love the theater. I love to be in shows, I love to watch shows, I like to think about shows I'd like to be in.

I do not, however, enjoy auditioning. But I'll get over that.

What about you? Seen anything lately?

Help Me Win!!!

2010-02-22T15:46:00.000-08:00

My casting call video made the cut and I am in the top ten! Now, people get to vote for their favorites and I'm asking you to ask your friends to ask their friends to go over to CBS.com and vote.

I'm the one with the guitar!

Here is the link:

Thanks, Friends!!!

Practice makes... Better?

2010-02-22T07:25:00.000-08:00

Working on a set for various open mics around town. I have something lined up for Wednesday, but don't know if this one will be ready by then. But I like it, so far.

Guess What?

2010-02-19T15:00:00.000-08:00

I bought a ukelele today and I'm gonna learn how to play it!

The things you can find on craigslist. :)

It pretty much tops off a great day.

xoxox

2010-02-12T08:55:00.000-08:00

Last night I cut my own bangs. I kept the shears vertical, as I learned on youtube and I think I did an okay job. A little short, but still swoopy to the side. I may be booking an appointment to the salon if I botched it. I never can tell the first day or two.

My mom is coming on the train this weekend and we will see a play and shop. I believe I will be receiving new unmentionables, courtesy of mum. How nice.

I have delivered Valentines to all of my co-workers. I used the cards from here. (Scroll down the the appropriate post).

I have booked a facial party and now I am going to cancel it. I always feel so pressured by these party businesses to have an event. But I really don't want one and I never earn the hostess gift, anyway. I just can't say no when I am sitting there trying their products.

I am in a play without singing before I get to be the the Musical of My Dreams. I am in Harvey. I have a wonderful little part and I get to use my 1940's speech pattern and it's simply mah-velous. Devine. En-chaunt-ing. :)

The best part about being in theater is the costumes. I still love to play dress up.

Happy Valentines, my bloggy friends. I simply adore you.

Feeling Guilty

2010-02-08T14:48:00.001-08:00

I just paid $4.78 for a fancy coffee.

It is delicious.
And decaf. (Because I've given up the caf).
And dairy free. (Because I've given up the cow).
And has agave sweetener instead of the chemical stuff. (Because I'm almost practically a vegan by now, if not in earnest, at least by default).

But $4.78?! And it's gone already. :(

At least it was double-punch day on my frequent customer card.

I drank my fancy coffee but couldn't get over the price, and there are Haitians out there, and homeless people, and bills, and field trips, and hungry people, and... and... and...

But I did give my business to an indepent business woman who uses fair trade and healthy products. And I put a small tip in the jar for the cute and funky barista.

Does that balance it out?

Today's favorite

2010-02-06T18:32:00.001-08:00

Love, lOvE, lurve it.

Todays To-Do

2010-02-06T09:06:00.000-08:00

Excercise
Shower and Dress
Eat some sort of delicious lunch - Stir Fry?
Start cleaning my closet - I say start because it's so buried and full of stuff that needs to be gotten rid of that there is NO way I can finish it in one swoop.
Go to our FIRST rehearsal for Guys and Dolls! Ecstatic!!
Make a run to the grocery store
Eat some sort of delicious dinner - Baked Potatoes?
Karaoke at the Chinese Place with friends
Jammies and Bed

Sounds like a pretty good day

Spring needs to arrive

2010-02-01T10:37:00.000-08:00

I'm bored of my winter clothes.

My boots seem heavy, my tights feel too close to my skin and my sweaters are peely.

I've also been lifting weights and my arms are ready to see the light of day, and they need a little sun-kissed tint to be happy.

My hair needs to be redder, my shoulders need to be tan and my toes need to peep out.

I want to eat lunch out of doors, preferably at a waterside cafe on the patio with sunglasses on.

Picnics would be fine, but I hate to pack food so it would have to be a catered affair for me too feel totally sublime about it.

I want to feel a balmy breeze at about 6:12-ish in the the evening. I want open windows to smell that greenish, lemony aroma of spring that my area boasts.

Iced coffee over hot. Smoothies over tea. Fresh veggies instead of frozen.

I'm ready to spring clean. I don't know when I'll do that, but it must be done.

Is this the equivalent of having too early of a Christmas Spirit peak? What is Spring Spirit called?

Whatever it is. I have it.

This is a test

2010-01-28T20:01:00.000-08:00

I'm having trouble with my Survivor Video, so I had to make another one and now I don't know if that one worked, so I'm downloading it here to see if it works. It can only be a minute and mine is right dorky, but hopefully it will catch their attention!

Here goes!

This is to win an audition in LA. If it is one of the top ten, then people can vote on CBS.com to choose the audition winner. Let's hope I make the top ten!

Here's the link if you can't see it on this post

They called!

2010-01-25T15:40:00.000-08:00

Survivor called me!!

But only to tell me that my DVD has formatting issues and they can't see it.

Now I have to do it over, because I will have to upload it directly onto the website and they have different rules about length and content and such.

Plus, my computer is dead and the original recording is on there anyway.

Still, it was exciting that they called, even if it wasn't really an invitation for an interview. At least I know my stuff got there!

Here's hoping for call number two!

I got it!!

2010-01-22T11:14:00.000-08:00

I got my dream role. Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls. I can barely contain myself.

Funny thing? My husband auditioned and he won Nathan Detroit!

We are playing together for the first time. Should be tons of fun!

Also got a role in Harvey. Not a musical, but it will help me hone my acting skills.

So excited. Now, if I could only get paid for doing what I love!

I have nerves

2010-01-13T10:40:00.000-08:00

I've been especially hungry for two days in a row.

I know it's not real hunger. It's just nerves.

You see, I have a big audition coming up on Saturday. Two, actually. But one I really care about and will break my heart if I don't get. So. I'm hungry.

But today I acknowledge my hunger for what it is and will use it for good and not evil. I will convert it into energy to do my job and get some stuff done, and practice, practice, practice, and we'll see what happens.

At the very least, I won't gain five pounds before my big day. That's a bonus in and of itself.

****

Also, my husband said something to me yesterday that rang true. He teaches a speech class and he said he liked it when people stood up there and said what they are with confidence.

For example; someone can either introduce themselves like, "Hi, my name is ___ and I am a writer". Or they can say, "Hi, my name is ____ and I sort of write, like in my free time, I'm not paid for it yet, but I would like to be, but it's not official or anything..." You get my drift.

So, I will stop using words like 'ish'. I actually told someone once that I was an actress and added 'ish' to it. How lame is that?

Here goes... "Hi, my name is Amy and I am a singer and an actress". Of course, I want to qualify that in a million ways, but for today I won't. I will just be confident that in whatever capacity I am those things, that I really am those things!

Feels sort of scary. And brave. And good.

And a little hungry. :)

Maybe it's time to start again...

2010-01-12T10:46:00.000-08:00

I think I'm ready. But I have frustrations.

The allowable alottment for photos for this blog has been filled. I either have to pay for more storage, delete old photos or start a new site. None of these seem to appeal to me. But I will have to choose.

I post a lot on facebook. I think that has taken the place of the blog for awhile. But this little spot is more for me and facebook is more about others. So I will come back here to post my thoughts and observations and silliness.

I hope I have some art and crafts to share in the future. And songs. And hopefully good news that I expect shortly. I am auditioning for my dream role. Yes, it's only community theater, but I WANT IT so badly! And if I don't get it, I will come back here to moan and groan.

I have goals and dreams that I have written in my note book. I'll document them here when they are accomplished.

I've missed you little blog. And my blog friends. I won't leave you long from now on. I hope. :)

Hope you are well

2009-09-28T09:04:00.000-07:00

I have not had much blogging time lately. Neither to read or to write.

When I get a moment, I pop into a couple and try to catch up, but it's not like it used to be.

I go back and forth about just shutting my blog off, but it is a sort of record of my life for the past few years. Not hugely transparent, but still. There's stuff there.

And who knows. I may all of the sudden have fabulous observations to write about, and where would they go if I didn't have this little space?

So, even though you don't hear from me, know that you are still in my heart. I may not read about your life everyday, but I know you are there and that is comforting.

Big Hair

2009-09-06T20:37:00.000-07:00

I've been busy memorizing for Steel Magnolias. I've never been in a show with so many words that weren't put to music. I keep waiting for my big song and dance but it never arrives!

We are practicing hair-dos. Here is there first attempt.

It's pretty darn big. County western singer big.

I'll be back with attempt number two. I have to learn to do it myself, so I think I won't go for so much heighth next time.

Today for lunch...

2009-08-12T10:23:00.000-07:00

I am planning on a filet-o-fish, with fries and a diet coke. My body is craving junk, but I am avoiding candy so I can splurge on McDonalds.

Sometimes, it's just the only thing that will do.

Have you seen Julie and Julia? So sweet. Meryl Streep is so great. So full of energy and fun.

The show I'm in had a great review in the paper this week. So proud to be part of something like this. It's so much fun.

Looks like I'm just, so - s0 -so today!

My hair so needs a trim, I so need to lose some weight (after the filet-o-fish) and I so need a raise. And a nap.

So, how's your day?

Feeling Grumpy

2009-08-03T08:40:00.001-07:00

I woke up just fine, ate some granola, got dressed, came to work.

Then the copy machine ate an original document.

And I kicked the copy machine with my knee.

And I swore a little bit. Which is disconcerting, because I don't swear all that much.

My eyebrows are furrowed, making those lovely "elevens" on my forehead that we all hate.

I need to snap out of it.

I'll drink some water and see what happens. :)

I went to Iowa

2009-07-26T19:17:00.001-07:00

And now I'm home.

I saw friends and went to the most fun wedding!

I spent time with my special friend, Linny and wish it could have been longer, but next time I'm bringing my whole family so I don't get lonely for them.

Pictures soon!

I just realized...

2009-07-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

that I've never had a fish taco. I don't know why that seems significant, but I think that I will have to remedy that situation at my earliest convenience.

What kind of fish do they use? Is it shredded up like beef? Are there ever bones? Do they use salsa and sour cream and lettuce? Flour or corn? Spicy or mild? Tomatoes on fish? Do they serve it with a side of beans?

Also, I've made many a pie in my day, but it occurred to me that the last time I made a blackberry pie was in the summer between 3rd and 4th grade in my friends kitchen across the street. I remember my mom commenting that my crust was flaky and thinking it was a negative thing.

With blackberry season almost upon us, I'm thinking that I need to use up last summer's blackberries that I have in the freezer and I think a pie is in order.

But I also have an 'event' in a few months and I would like to not have the little bit of extra chub that I've been carrying around when they day rolls around. So pie and fish tacos might not be the thing for me.

But maybe it's not anything that an extra 30 minute walk wouldn't take care of, eh?

UPDATE on the Goodwill dress: I did, indeed, try to take it back but the tag had been labeled over six months ago and could not be looked up. But that's okay. I think I'll wear it. I was up front with the lady and said that I wasn't sure it was returnable, but would like to try and if it wasn't possible then I was happy to keep it. She was friendly and I didn't feel weird about it at all. But I didn't get my skin care.

Me and Dolly have things in common

2009-07-15T21:54:00.001-07:00

We both like to sing and play the gee-tar.

We both have rather large you-know-whats. Although mine are a little more tame than hers.

And, since my last audition was a success, I will get to play Truvy Jones in Steel Magnolias... Just like sweet Dolly!

P.S. Dolly's picture was swiped off the internet. Mine is from last month at an open mic at my favorite coffee shop.

This is super cute!!

2009-07-13T19:15:00.001-07:00

It made you smile, didn't it?

Say it, don't spray it...

2009-07-10T21:40:00.001-07:00

I'm learning to sing Gilbert & Sullivan.

It ain't easy.

It's so fast and so many words and the word order is so different than how we talk. For example, we say, "The blue sky is beautiful". G & S say, "How beautifully blue the sky".

But it's so much FUN! And for some reason it's so much easier to hit the high notes when one is trying to sound like an opera singer.

My dress is being built right now, so I'll be sure to post pictures when it's done.

And now, an ethical question:

Today was 1/2 off dresses at the Goodwill. Found a couple I like. One in particular I like and it fits, and I think that even though my daughter was not crazy about it, I would probably wear it.

Anyway... One of the dresses still has a Macy's tag on it and has the little sticker on it that says "Receipt Free Return". I have a feeling that I could take it back to the department store and be a little richer.

Is that Kosher? It's brand new with the tag on it. I spent five dollars, but suppose I could get a $30. credit at Macy's? I have my eye on some skin care at Clinique and this dress might just pay for it.

I'm just wondering what you think?

My girl and a boy

2009-07-03T15:45:00.000-07:00

My girl likes a boy and the boy likes her back. And what does this mean?

It means matching jersey's, of course!

Let's see if this works

2009-07-01T18:48:00.000-07:00

Having trouble with pictures lately. Let me try a few!!

A morning in the life of Amy

2009-06-25T22:01:00.000-07:00

I tried to do a day in the life, but by about 10:30 I got really busy and then all was lost.

But here is a little collage of my morning.

As you can see, I am thirsty. I make a water for my drive and have a coffee when I get to work.

You see my hand scrounging for change? That is for my daily slurpee because WE HAVE NO AIR CONDITIONING at work. Also, notice the raisinets? This is a secret code from my husband that we will be attending the theat-ah soon. :)

There is me driving. Notice I leave at 7:35 and arrive at work right on the dot.

MMMMMmmmm, coffee.

The leafy drive is my driveway. Pretty, huh?

The bag is my lunch. Only two kinds of salad dressing for me, a bag of lettuce and some frozen patties. No frills.

My desk is messy. I think I will have to work on that tomorrow. I am queen of the stickies.

I will try to do a day in the afternoon sometime soon!

Yuck

2009-06-10T19:35:00.000-07:00

Today I noticed that I've become the kind of office worker that never rinses out their coffee cup.

It just gets used and used and used.

I'm very disappointed in myself and vow to make a change.

I will also start turning off the closet light when I am finished getting dressed in the morning.

I think that's enough progress for today.

The news arrived...

2009-05-29T17:35:00.000-07:00

I was waiting to see if I got cast in the next show. I hope you didn't think I was pregnant!

I did, but in a way lesser part than I have now. But I think that's okay. The music is way harder and I think it will be a growing and learning experience. I wasn't really right for most of the scripted parts, but I'm happy to be in the chorus.

I'm really aiming for a big role for the show that will be next spring. A whole year away, but all of this practice will pay off, I hope and I will get the part of my dreams next year.

We'll see.

Waiting...

2009-05-27T20:53:00.000-07:00

and waiting and waiting. It's so hard.

I keep checking my email for a little piece of news that I'm waiting for and I'm still waiting.

Argh, Matey. It's enough to make me talk like a pirate. Which is better than a sailor.

Because we all know sailors have potty-mouths.

Ukulele's Rock

2009-05-09T16:55:00.001-07:00

Love it.

She won, by the way. :)

The show gets reviewed...

2009-05-05T08:38:00.000-07:00

So, the review was pretty good. Words like charming and cozy and well-developed are used for the over-all performance of the show. The daughters in general were praised, as well as the song we all sing together. That's all happy.

And then... "Amy A. plays and sings the role of Tzeitel (wait for it) CAPABLY.

Every girls dreams of being called CAPABLE.

Don't get me wrong, the review was good. Other actors were described as able and suitable. So I'm in good company.

But, man. Capable is kind of a let down.

Things I've done this a.m to avoid the BIG PROJECT

2009-04-24T09:52:00.001-07:00

Made three trips to the front desk.

Went to help someone else on a database issue.

Bought Orange Juice from the machine

Ate half of my lunch (Currently 9:56)

Set up files and filed (Wow, you know I'm really practicing some avoidance tactics if I'm filing).

Put on my Blistex Lip Tone lip balm. Subtle color with SPF 15.

Looked at one or two blogs. Wrote a really long comment. I don't usually do this at work, but I'm having a little focus issue.

Decided to post here.

Erased my white board

Did the running man while singing the Stayin' Alive. Don't worry, no one saw me.

Examined skin in poorly lit bathroom. Sheesh. I need some better eye cream.

Had two cups of coffee with French Vanilla Creamer - This could explain the running man incident.

Played with the color and font size buttons.

And now, I will sign off and FINISH the BIG PROJECT.

Happy Friday!

Today I...

2009-04-21T20:42:00.000-07:00

Got a sheet out of storage, put it on the picnic table and forced everyone in the lunchroom outside to eat their lunch on the most beautiful day of spring (so far).

Finished up a couple of projects at work, which will enable me to finish up a couple more projects tomorrow.

Watched my son play second base, in which he rocked.

At another BK veggie burger, which also rocked.

Listened to my youngest read a speech and helped my middle one polish up some writing.

Admired the callus on the tips of my left hand fingers which are allowing me to make better sounding chords on the guitar.

Wore a really cute skirt.

And that, my friends, pretty much sums it up.

L.M. Sunshine - I want to hear your song.

what I'm loving today

2009-04-17T17:17:00.000-07:00

KEXP 90.3 Seattle. Great programming

Capris pants! Springy weather

My guitar

That I discovered my oldest has Tears for Fears and Men in Hats on her ipod. I couldn't be prouder.

Veggie Burgers from Burger King. Who would've thunk?

Baseball season

My hair is finally growing out of that bad cut.

The cha-cha slide. It's awesome.

I can make the girls at work laugh really hard, and that it feels great.

Even though I had some Easter candy, I didn't go crazy insane with it like is my wont to do.

It's Friday!!

Have a great weekend.

In which I find out that I'm not as accepting and loving as I always thought I was...

2009-04-08T21:05:00.000-07:00

So, there is this lady at work. Kind of cranky. But I like cranky people, mostly. I find them a challenge and enjoy when I win them over to my side, which is usually all rainbows and candy canes, with only the occasional bad mannered outburst.

But that's beside the point.

Here is the point.

I work in a place where all kinds of people come in. Mostly people come in looking for help of some sort, but others come in just to have a place to sit for awhile, or get out of the cold, or use the phone or whatever.

So there was a man standing against a wall and I really didn't think much of it. All of the sudden he just falls over. BAM!! Big fall.

I call out to the receptionist to call 9-1-1 because I think he's having a seizure.

Cranky lady intercedes and says to put the phone down. He's just drunk.

I feel bad right off, but I just kind of look at him. What do you do with a full grown man sprawled out on the floor? I wasn't real proactive.

Then cranky lady goes over and literally scoops him up and helps him stand up. Me, I'm trying to find a place on his coat to pinch and so I don't have to slip my hands under his pits to get him up off the floor, as well as stay behind him because I just KNOW that he's going to throw up all over me. (He doesn't). But I take a big swallow and follow Cranky's lead and help to get him in a chair. He does not smell good.

Then Cranky goes all soft and reaches out and touches the guys face. Asks if the bruise there was from before of if he got it during this fall. She gives him a gentle lecture about going easy on the drinking and gives him a pat when he apologizes for coming in that way.

It was so, so heart wrenching. Not so much for the man, but to see a different side of Cranky than I ever had before. She was such a blessing for this man, who probably had not been blessed for awhile.

And Cranky blessed me. She is not a woman who I would naturally look to for leadership or inspiration. She is not an easy woman to work with (although she frequently partakes of my rainbows and candy canes), but she was such a good example to me this day.

And I hope that the next time I'm faced with a big chunk of humanity, that I follow her lead and get it right. Do better. Be willing to touch a strangers face.

Today I saw...

2009-04-06T22:40:00.001-07:00

Bare legs at work.

Bare chested kid on a bike.

Bare shoulders on the sidewalk.

Bare feet!

And it's 'bare-ly' spring!

Ha. Sometimes I crack myself up.

I'm really not a cat person

2009-04-05T12:17:00.000-07:00

My husband thinks our cat is 'entitled'. When she meows for more food, he complains that she thinks more food is her right.

He talks to her about rights versus priveleges. It's quite cute.

So what if she has already had her bowl of food, I say. She can lick the inside of the tuna packet. But he says, no. That would be spoiling her and letting her think she can eat whenever she wants.

But really, she is a lonely cat. We all leave for the day with barely a glance at her over our shoulders. She deserves to be let into the apron drawer every now and again.

She is so much less hassle than the dogs were. (Who are not dead, but live on acreage in the country with people who love them).

Even though she is spoiled the least by my husband, it is he who she snuggles up with during TV watching time.

How is that for grateful?

Have you seen these???

2009-03-24T17:32:00.000-07:00

They are not ugly anymore! Where were those black shoes when I was waiting tables, I ask you?

I might just have to wait some more tables just for a reason to get the super cute, non-slip crocs!

And what about those berry colored sandals. I LOVE love, lOvE them. I need them. I want them. I must have them.

And a couple of skirts to match.

Tweet, tweet

2009-03-23T12:27:00.000-07:00

I joined twitter a while back, and maybe twittered, twice? three times?

I just didn't get it.

But now that I'm in my little office all day long, I think it might be nice to pick it up and give it another whirl...

Only to discover that Twitter has been blocked at my work because it is considered a social network site. But I know some of you consider it crucial and necessary to your work day.

So, do I ask for it to be unblocked? Should I bring my laptop to work? Can I even get wireless here?

I don't know. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise.

What do you think? Is twitter beneficial to you and your work day or is it just one more distraction?

I have a coffee drinking problem...

2009-03-20T18:35:00.000-07:00

I never get to finish a whole cup.

Can you guess which one is the warmish cup?

A clue: It's not the pink one with hearts with the scum around the edge. Gross. I think that one's from Monday.

My daughter comes to visit me on Fridays and cleans my mugs for me. She's a peach.

I can assure you, however, that if there is a cup labeled starbucks there is no way that it will sit with even one drinkable drop left. I pay for those suckers!

...

2009-03-10T21:19:00.000-07:00

I worry that my pretty, shiny little blog is shriveling up and dying.

It's been so sporadic, lacking in focus or direction. No pictures, no new knitting or crafting to show you.

Working full time has been good but I miss my long walks and my clean toilets. I never was much of a big meal preparer, but we've had even less sit downs at the table all together. But part of that is the fault of after school sports, so we can't blame it all on the rat race.

So, the blog. I like it. I'm keeping it. I hope that my 'e-friends' will keep popping by even when they know there probably won't be a new post this week.

I pledge to take some pictures and spice things up again, soon.

Thanks for stopping by!

Caught in a loop or What is Deja Vu, really?

2009-03-05T20:43:00.000-08:00

Do you experience feelings of Deja Vu?

I do, and often. Sometimes in a very creepy way. Like I know I have definitely done something or been somewhere before, even though I know for a fact, that I haven't.

Just today, I was sitting at my computer, looking at a conference website, wondering if I should volunteer, and BAM! I remember myself, sitting at the same computer, wondering if I should be a volunteer, but in the remembering of it, my emotions were all different.

I was pretty happy, sitting here contemplating being a volunteer, but in my 'Deja Vu' I was angrily jabbing at the keys.

My husband thinks that when we have feelings that are very similar to feelings that we have had before is what causes feelings of Deja Vu.

I think that we are caught in some kind of space-time continuum. That God's time is not like our time and that time is stretched out like a piece of string, and sometimes the string touches... or wait. That's not a theory, that's a children's book.

Anyway. My point is... Deja Vu is weird. And I'm wondering what you think about it.

25 Random things, but we'll see how far I get

2009-02-19T18:49:00.000-08:00

Well.

I've not been a very good little blogger lately. I have been reading your blogs, though! So that's good.

1. I've fallen in love with a lot of mormon bloggers, especially single mormon gals who sing and dance. I'm not mormon, but I like the mormons.

I have one negative mormon story, though. One of my bridesmaids was mormon. She is totally awesome. However, right after my wedding (and I mean, right after! I was going to the receiving line) she took me aside and told me how sad she was because I had not been married properly and that she was upset that my husband and I would not be together forever after this life. It was kind of a downer.

(I'm actually okay with not being a family forever. I love my husband and I totally lucked out in the kid department but I know there's good things in the hereafter for us).

But other than that, I've got no complaints. Yay, Mormons! (Don't leave me any mean comments - I really like you! and I still really like my bridesmaid, so don't get all offended).

2. My skin is a wreck. I don't know what to do. I think I have a real case of acne. It's not just break outs any more. It's full on zit wars. What should I do? I just bought the zit line of Boots, so I hope that kicks in soon. Proactive did nothing for me.

3. My middle daughter has this habit of always putting her sticker from her McDonalds crispy chicken ranch snack wrap (say that ten times fast) on her shirt. It says something about being a special order. It makes me smile.

4. I was wondering this week if anyone has ever tattooed the good housekeeping seal of approval on their skin. How's that for random?

5. I was told today that we will be hiring someone for me to supervise that will actually get paid more than me but I will be their boss. Supposedly it's a one to two year job, but it will be more of a government position, hence the pay bump. I'm trying to decide if I want to keep my job with future security or apply for this temp job for the increase in salary. I'm 99% sure I'll keep my job, but it stinks, ya know. But as I said, it's really none of my business what anyone else makes.

6. It's Survivor Night! Yay.

7. I told the costumer that I would be losing weight, but as of yet, I haven't made any progress in that area. I hope she sews my costume last.

8. I need to think of something awesome to sell on etsy.

9. Whenever my daughter leaves my company for the company of her peers, I always say... No gin tonight, son. And she says... Ah, pop. And I say... Not one drop. And then we say together... Boys and Girls and Music. Why do they need gin?

10. Bonus number ten. If you tell me where number 9's quote comes from I will send you a little prezzie. Well, the first one who tells me, anyway. It's not that hard.

11. I have become the self appointed ambassador of goodwill and employee morale at work. I had a little valentines challenge. If you sent someone a letter of appreciation, I entered you into a drawing. Lots of people participated and lots of fun was had by all. The prizes were pretty good, too.

12. Have you tried the new liquid flair pens? I think they are my new favorite.

13. Have you seen the new spring skirts from Boden? I want them all.

14. Have you seen the new show "Lie to Me" ? I like it.

15. Last night, on American Idol, the three people that I really wanted to win the round actually made it. I am usually disappointed with these things, but not last night. Very happy.

16. I have been obsessed with McDonald's fries lately. I think I've had them four times this week. I hereby pledge to not have any more McDonald's fries for at least two months.

17. I have not eaten meat, other than the occasional fish sandwhich, which sometimes accompanies my fries, for over a month. I like being meat free, but I am not political or fanatical about it. If I decide I want to eat meat tomorrow, I will and not feel one little bit of guilt about it. I just find that I like the way I feel better without meat coursing through my bod. However, filet o'fishes make me feel totally gross so I will ban those, as well.

18. My 30 day shred has been more sporadic than I care to admit. I did four days in a row and then did some walking on the days since. I will get back on it again. I really do want to do 30 days in a row to see if I get the results that are advertised. I need to think of it as a consumer rights project.

19. Oooh, 19. I am so close!

20. My daughter came home from a friends house where she had lunch. She explained her sandwhich as having cheese, bologna with a sweet and delicious mayonnaise. It was Miracle Whip. Gag.

21. We just got a Christmas card in the mail that was postmarked Dec. 18th. I wonder where it was all this time.

22. I like to take a can of black beans, a diced tomato, a diced onion and a can of corn and mix it all together and eat it on top of a lettuce salad. It is very delicious and has replaced the taco salad that I used to eat almost everyday.

23. If I could, I would eat out every day. For lunch and dinner.

24. Tomorrow is Friday and I am very happy about that. I get to wear jeans to work. I will also clean up my office piles to make Monday a pleasant thing to think about.

25. And for number 25... The first thing that popped into my head was Liz Lemon. I think she has my dream job.

I did it. 25 things. I'm off to use my new skin care regime and maybe I'll pair up the basket of socks while I watch Survivor. TTFN.

Fun Stuff

2009-02-15T17:18:00.001-08:00

Jillian Michaels just tried to kill me

2009-02-09T20:20:00.000-08:00

Yes, I've jumped on the 30 day shred band wagon.

I've weighed. I've taken my measurements. I've made myself a 30 day calendar.

I'm approaching the next 30 days scientifically. I will healthfully and I will shred everyday.

I'm hoping for the 20 pounds the box says, but I'll be happy with any improvement I get.

There's a lot of jumping jacks, jumping rope and a lot of general jumping. I may have to strap down the girls. I don't want to get a black eye or encourage any more sagging in my chestal region.

I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm tired, people!

2009-02-03T21:28:00.000-08:00

That's why there's been so much you tube lately!

I'm fighting a cold and am out of the house from 7:15 am until 9:00 pm on a regular basis. That's just too long of day. A full work day and then a full day of sitting in bleachers. It's just not good for a person.

I'm ready for sports to be over. At least baseball will be outside, with fresh air and sunshine, we hope.

Work is hard, but I'm getting better at it. I'm almost finished with a big batch of end of the year reports and I'm getting better at the big, bad database, so there is light at the end of that tunnel.

I had a hearing test and I need hearing aids! Can you believe that? My family can and they are eager for me to stop saying 'huh?' to them all the time. But have you seen the price of hearing aids? They may have to put up with me holding a little Victorian horn shaped doo-hicky until I come into a large legacy.

Today was positively spring-ish. 56 degrees and sunny. Go look at Boden for a really cute spring skirt. I think I could make it if I tried.

That's it. Thanks for bearing with me. I hope to get some bloggy mojo going soon. At the very least, you can count of me to bring you more amazing you tube discoveries.

Isn't the internet a wonderful place?

2009-02-01T13:33:00.001-08:00

This makes me want to do something really creative. I just don't know what quite yet. I'll let you know when I get my epiphany.

Just Because

2009-01-30T19:37:00.001-08:00

This week has been a doozy!

2009-01-22T19:28:00.000-08:00

1. I laughed at a blind person - Story below.

2. I had to tell an employee to cover up - she was giving us all a show.

3. I had to fire someone. Oh, the humanity. It was so sad, but hopeful, because she will be in a better place for her skills.

4. I have to learn a data base and it's making me feel Stoopid.

5. Someone got mugged in our parking lot.

6. LOST started!!

Okay, so here is my embarrassing story...

I had been having a fairly hysterical day anyway, what with the stress of my job. So I took a little drive in my car and when I returned, there was this woman smoking right under the NO SMOKING ON OUR PROPERTY sign.

It just tickled me for some reason and I burst out laughing. The woman calls out, "What are you laughing at?" And I just told it like it was. "I'm laughing at you!" I said.

She asks why, and I said I find it hilarious when people smoke right there because of the sign.

Then she says, "Well, I wouldn't know. I'm blind."

And then I see the white cane.

She was really good natured and I just said that how was she supposed to know unless I told her, and then I gave her this sort of awkward sideways hug that she leaned into and then it was over.

I went inside and had a little wallow in my embarrassment and now I am telling you.

It's actually pretty funny. I hope.

I love you!

2009-01-17T12:49:00.001-08:00

Go ahead and shake your boo-tay! You know you want to.

Only in community theater...

2009-01-13T22:21:00.001-08:00

...will a mother and daughter play sisters.

Yep, me and my youngest are the youngest and eldest daughter of Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof. My other daughters have parts, too. I'm excited to get to share a theater experience with all of my girls.

A few things I should tell you

2009-01-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

My mother in law found $100 bill in a snow bank on the side of the road a week after Christmas.

She gave it to us and we put it in the checking account.

Pretty cool, eh?

My job is very stressful this month. For the first time I am doing end of the year, and quarterly reports and there are lots of them. I am nervous about them and sometimes I sit and look at a question for a really long time and kind of zone out. It's probably taking four times as long as it needs to take.

Part of my job is pestering other people about giving me the things I need to do my job. I do not like to pester, confront, bother, interrupt, or otherwise interfere with other people. This whole asking people for things is a challenge for me. I am comfortable asking other people for help, though.

My son scored 13 points in his basketball game yesterday. He is absolutely blooming into this confident, awesome person. I love it. He is also getting peach fuzz, so I rub his face whenever I can so I will remember the smoothness of it when he is a stubbly-faced man. He just takes it, which is another thing I love about him.

I was invited to lunch with some ladies at work and I feel more at home there now. It's nice to make some friends.

My husband is awesome. He keeps cleaning the kitchen after I go to bed and it's so nice to wake up to an empty sink.

The minute Christmas is over, I am ready for spring. Even though I know that there is really a full season of winter to come.

I have knitted a whole lot of wrist warmers this season, but I haven't posted any pictures! I need to do that. I keep giving them away before I get the camera out.

That's about it. My life is full of work and basketball games and family stuff.

Here is a quote I will leave you with today that I like:

Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the common place, the slaves of the ordinary. - Cecil Beaton

Look, she made the paper!

2009-01-04T15:45:00.001-08:00

I love it. It's HUGE on the front page of the sports section. Look at that concentration! I love to see my little gal go up against the six footers.

The other girl actually stayed at our house this weekend. She's on a traveling team from Australia and we hosted her and another girl overnight. We took them to Red Robin. That's about as all-American as you can get. They were pizza-ed out.

Australian accents are so different than the movie accents we hear from Hugh and Nicole. (Yes, I call them by their first names, we're that tight. After all, I do help fund their careers). Much more slangy and the words cut off way earlier. Takes a little getting used to, but very pretty.

I fixed tea, toast and eggs for breakfast and off they went. It was a quick visit and it was fun to learn a little about another culture.

Happy New Year!

2008-12-30T23:01:00.000-08:00

Got this from All & Sundry. If you play, leave a comment over there with your blog url and she will link you.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
I dressed up in a Nun's Habit for a show.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I'm not sure. I think I resolved not to resolve. I'll have to look back. I usually say drink more water, so put me down for that one again.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No, but my friend from second grade is pregnant again. It's a surprise baby. I love those.

4. Did anyone close to you die? Thank Heavens, no.

5. What countries did you visit? No countries, but we did move states.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? A little financial stability.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? I don't have a date. It's all a big blur.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I have a full time job for the first time since I became a mother.

9. What was your biggest failure? I gained back a significant amount of weight that I worked so hard to get rid of.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I had my gall bladder out at the end of 2007. It was a big deal so I'm counting it.

11. What was the best thing you bought? I don't remember buying anything of significance.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Mine. There was a lot of change this last year and I think I behaved rawther well.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Mine. Sometimes I threw fits.

14. Where did most of your money go? Food, shelter, moving expenses. Woo hoo.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? A good job.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? How do you solve a problem like Maria?

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder?b) thinner or fatter?c) richer or poorer? b

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? I wish I'd used my creativity more.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worrying.

20. How did you spend Christmas? Snowed in, few presents, lots of movies, lots of family time.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008? I stayed in love.

22. What was your favorite TV program? Pushing Daisies is in the top ten. I wish they weren't cancelling it.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I have never hated anyone. Honestly.

24. What was the best book you read? The Pleasure of My Own Company by Steve Martin. So quirky and sad and funny.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? That I really could sing a little higher than I thought. And I'm pretty good at the drums on rock band.

26. What did you want and get? A good adjustment for our family move.

27. What did you want and not get? Hubby still needs a better gig and to fully use all the gifts he has been given. And money. In the immortal words of Kanye West... Money's not everything, not having it is. :) You know you listen to your kids' music, too.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? We watched all the Harry Potters again, so even though they aren't in this year, I really liked them again.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? It's a biggie! The big 4-0. We went to visit my mom and went out to eat. I will have presents all week because as the queen of my little world, I proclaim birthday week and celebrate for seven days.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? That our new place of residence would be completely furnished and put together with a little more organization and prettiness. I'm working on it.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Librarian with a touch of thrift store chic.

32. What kept you sane? Deep Breaths. Pleas sent heavenward.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Nie Nie, bless her heart.

34. What political issue stirred you the most? I am not easily stirred. Not easily shaken, either.

35. Who did you miss? My dad, always, my grandma, some and my Iowa friends most. Linny D. I hope to see you soon.

36. Who was the best new person you met? Kandi (who does not look anything like the Kandi you just pictured in your head) from my new job. She's awesome and a hard worker and was accepting and kind to the new girl on the block. I'll have to tell her so.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. I am learning to accept the things I cannot change, learning to have courage to change the things I can, and learning the wisdom to know the difference. With God's help.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. Ch-Cha-Change...

Happy New Year!!!

Locks of love x 2

2008-12-30T22:41:00.000-08:00

This is the second go-around for my oldest daughter with the hair donation. She let it grow a long time. Lots of inches.

She'd started to become known as 'the-girl-with-the-really-long-hair' and was ready for a change.

Oh, so cute. She hates this picture, but I'm blogging it anyway.

Voila! Or 'Viola' as we like to say. New 'do for a new year.

I love her. I surely do.

Question: How do you plan the perfect nine year birthday party?

2008-12-28T15:21:00.000-08:00

Answer: You don't. You let them plan it. If you just follow their schedule it will always be a success.

We had a little difficulty with the pinata. I was the only adult present at the party so we didn't get a picture. We also didn't have rope, so we hung the pinata from a nail in the freezing garage and I let the girls whack at it with a tennis racket. Three whacks each. It was the scariest part of the party. We ended up putting it on the ground and let the birthday girl bash it in, and then I sprinkled candy out over top of them. It was fine.

We have a tradition in our house with birthday games. It's always pin the something on the something. My oldest daughter is always the drawer of the theme and then the birthday attendees make their own thing that gets pinned on. It's the 'craft' of the party. This year was fairy wings, and they were varied and unique to each girl who attended.

One year we had pin the eye on Mike, from Monster's Inc. We've had pin the 'I' on Mr. Incredible, pin the bow on the bear... I can't remember what we pinned on the ballerina, but I distinctly remember a ballerina. Funny enough, I don't think we've ever had pin the tail on the donkey.

Look at all those shiny-haired girls. It was a really nice group of girls this year. A very nice age for a peaceful party.

Merry Christmas from me to you

2008-12-24T18:33:00.001-08:00

Yes, it's that time of year again for Hey Ya. I love it so, and even though it's not in and of itself "Christmas-y", there is something about it that gives me a special little holiday feeling.

Bless you this Christmas! xoxoxoxo

A conversation with m'boy

2008-12-23T19:48:00.000-08:00

Me: So, did you miss me today? Did you think about me at all?

Him: Yeah! (With enthusiasm).

Me: You did?! That makes me happy.

Him: Yeah, I thought where is my mom and why isn't she making me food.

Boys.

Back to work

2008-12-23T07:11:00.000-08:00

Well, my vacation is over. Today we go back to work with a two hour late start.

I need to remember how to fix my hair.

Today is also my baby's birthday. She is nine. Her last year before double-digits.

She threw herself a fabulous party. I'll show you later.

I have such mixed feelings about going back to work. I've enjoyed my home time so very much. Our days have been like this:

Get up
Take a shower
Put on fresh jammies
Eat
Watch a movie
Play on the computer
Some of us played in the snow. I opted out.
Eat some more
Knit
Sleep
Repeat

But I know that I have a ton of stuff to do and things that I still need to learn at my job. Not to mention preparing for some very big projects for the new year that I feel a little apprehension about. Also, time sheets are due and I want to get paid!

It was good while it lasted. I think we are pretty well caught up on the laundry. I could have done more organizing, but I took the days as vacation and I feel like they were well spent.

Christmas break is right around the corner, with another long weekend at home if it looks like we won't be able to travel. Either way, I will have four more days off of work to spend with family and relax before new year responsibilities take hold.

Off to clean up and become presentable to the outside world, again. Snow days, I will miss you.

Stay-cation

2008-12-21T11:41:00.000-08:00

I've had four glorious days of staying at home. No work on Thursday due to snow. No work on Friday due to beautiful, awesome snow again. Then the weekend. (More Snow). I wonder what tomorrow will bring. Do you think there is any way possible that my employer will keep paying us for bad weather?

Here's what we've been up to. First pic, me in my new neck ruff. From one of the One-Skein wonders book. Can't remember which. But I had written these instructions in my handy-dandy knitting notebook so I thought I would give it a whirl. I love it.

I'm doing a big, fluffy scarf right now on size 19 needles. It is cranking itself out, I tell ya.

There comes a time in every cookie making endeavor, when you can't roll that dough out one more time. That is when you just give up and accept that you will have an ugly cookie. We always honor our ugly cookie with lots of frosting and we bestow it upon a worthy recipient. This year the ugly cookie went to one of my daughter's friends. It was more prettily decorated than this one. This one just got labeled what it was. But I'm sure whoever ate this one enjoyed it.

And down below, we have my son. He successfuly made fire from his flint in snowy conditions. We are so proud.

How do you spend your snow days?

The corsage date

2008-12-19T23:11:00.000-08:00

She gets one.

She gives one.

Off they go.

SNOW DAY!!

2008-12-18T09:31:00.001-08:00

The kids get today off. I don't really get today off, but I can work from home! yay!

The possibilities are limitless...

We can quilt and craft and knit and watch movies and drink chocolate and make cookies and sip tea and paint and email friends and draw pictures and eat lunch together and do laundry and listen to music and think about gifts and not put on makeup and wear comfy clothes and catch up on recorded tv shows and be together.

...This just in... I don't have to work from home, I can have a paid holiday! So maybe I will actually get to do some of the stuff in the first paragraph!

I am giddy. Positively sparkling and glowing with giddiness.

Snow day, I love you.

10 true things

2008-12-17T19:49:00.000-08:00

I still can't upload pictures because I've been BUSY! And I don't have the time to do the shuffle and the deleting and all that. But I really hate to post too many posts with something fun for you to look at.

Anywho... Here are ten truths about me.

1. I have not purchased any gifts yet. This is typical of me. I have a hard time with the deadline and trying to see how much I can buy with twenty bucks. I can see a million things to get people when there is no special occassion, but nothing when the 25th looms upon me. I also never start making things early enough and I feel a lot of pressure about the whole gift giving thing. Fortunately, I have a husband who is an awesome gift giver and that makes up for it.

But to clarify, I feel that I am gifted in making an ordinary, boring day something special, with just a little bit of thoughtfulness and action. I guess it's the whole concept of expectation that get me. The lower the expectation, the bigger the treat.

2. I am terribly connected and moved and spend a lot of thought on Stephanie of the NieNieDialogues. I don't know her, but I am in such pain and angst over her situation. I cannot express how much it bothers me that this physically beautiful, lovely woman will be disfigured for the rest of her life. I am also touched by the support she has from her friends and family and I know that her inner beauty is what will get her through the rest of her life.

3. I lost a bunch of weight and I have gained about 1/3 of it back and it scares me and I have such bad feelings against myself about it. And I hate that I hate it. Does that make sense? I hate the food issues I have and that I use what I eat to take my mind off the things that I should be focusing on. It's one thing to have weight issues, but it's a whole other thing when you use food for all the wrong reasons. But I'm working on it.

4. I am going to be forty. This month. It's a hard, cold truth. :P Sometimes I'm bothered about it, but mostly I know it's just a number. 40 is the new 30, you know.

5. I have a tendency towards laziness and yet I am very service oriented. It's a really weird combination. I actually don't think anyone who knows me would ever say that they would agree that I'm lazy (except my hubby who sees how I do my housework and how long I can sit and read blogs or avoid the laundry pile). At work I always try to anticipate the needs of others, which makes me good at my job. At a party, I help set-up or clean-up, I volunteer for things. Maybe it's more about monotonous jobs or projects that are really big and are hard to start that makes me feel like a lazy-bones. Although, if I have a choice between doing nothing and doing chores, I'll do a lot of nothing before I start on those chores. But I DO eventually get the chores done and feel so good about it I wonder what took me so long to get started. Go figure.

6. My skin is worse now than it was when I was a teenager. So unfair.

7. I think I'm prettier now than I was 10 years ago.

8. I have terrible posture. I am constantly reminding myself to not hunch.

9. I used to be a bad nail biter, but I haven't bitten in over two years. This change coincided with my increased vegetable eating. Even though I have fallen a little off the vegetable eating band wagon, I still have not bitten and I am very happy about it. My hands look nice.

10. I am a sunny-side up, silver lining, God Bless you kind of girl. I'm not a door mat, and I have a nice, little edge, but mostly I see the good and the wonder and the awesomeness in the world and people around me. I like living on this big, blue ball and am grateful for every moment I have here.

a quick post

2008-12-14T12:54:00.000-08:00

We lost power for a little on Friday evening, we were busy all day yesterday and busy again today. We have snow! Nothing like Iowa, but snow, none the less. We've done cookies, got a tree, will go to a high school play today, skipped church because of ice, and played gin rummy by candle light.

I didn't want to go all weekend without a post. Gotta keep track of happenings, for posterity, you know.

I also need to get rid of some old pics in order to upload any new ones. I've hit my quota and am too cheap to purchase more space from Picasa.

Up next week. 10 total truths via bobbie. I haven't forgotten!

Plus, pics from my oldest daughter's first corsage date. I tried to spell boutenierre but I'm just guessing here and don't those two rr's look nice. Tres Chic, ooh - la - la and all that jazz.

This, but at the elementary school Christmas concert

2008-12-06T13:22:00.001-08:00

A slice of my life

2008-12-03T19:33:00.000-08:00

This is the insides of my lunch sack. When I first started work I packed myself a lovely salad, a cut up apple, some corn chips. Then I got busy and through in some peanuts and bought a pop from the machine. I tried keeping yogurt in the mini-fridge, but yogurt is sometimes so unappetizing. Today I had a whopper!

I always carry reading material and knitting with me. You never know when you can get a few rows in and a book is always nice when you are eating alone. (Don't feel sorry for me, I like eating lunch by myself).

This is kind of funny. When I first walked in on this little Sprite, all bandaged up with a sling I thought ohmygoshwhatintheworldhashappened and then I noticed the very colorful sling and 'Bob the Tomato' bandages and knew something wasn't quite right.

Turns out is was 'Affliction Night' and the Wednesday Night kids club. What morbid bible study leader chose the theme of afflictions for a kids program, I'd like to know? It was crazy, weird to see about 75 kids come out of church on crutches and fake casts.

I asked if the lesson that night had to do with helping others or caring for the sick and she said no. It was just to have fun dressing up like you were afflicted. Weird, eh?

Here is the view from the freeway on my home. I hope you like it because I almost rear ended the guy in front of me while taking it.

See that big boat? There is a big navy shipyard that I pass everyday. It is so strange to see these big metal things up close.

Also, in unrelated picture news, I am totally rocking the old lady skirt at work. The Goodwill had clothes half price yesterday. I got a 100% Pendleton Woolen Mill gray skirt, mid calf with an elastic waist for only $2.50. I just know that an elderly lady probably just died in a nursing home and I am wearing her skirt. But I'm okay with that. And I thank that lady for buying quality clothes and I hope she somehow knows that she is a blessing to me.

I also got three other skirts and two cardigans all for under $30.00. I am nothing if not thrifty.

And why, oh why? does my blog sometimes center itself? I guess it's the perfect end to this whacky, randomness.

Things I'm thinking about

2008-11-30T19:59:00.000-08:00

Picture from coolpeoplecare.org

I've been thinking about the things on this poster quite a bit. Some of these things I'm already pretty good at and some of them are a challenge.

I'm thinking December should be a vegetarian month for me. I am an occassional vegetarian and I feel like I need a break from the meat products. I'm feeling sluggish.

I'm thinking about turning 40. Someday. Soon.

I need to think about cleaning my closet. And I need to finish unpacking this house.

I think I will journal everday this month. I'm bad at keeping up with journaling, but I know that it is a good tool for growth and learning about oneself, so I'm challenging myself to keep at it.

I'm thinking about ways to make Christmas special, without spending money we don't have and buying stuff we don't need.

I'm thinking about forgiving myself for some bad choices and giving myself a clean slate. I think that's a really good idea.

I think I want to own a Christmas Tree Farm someday. With a big barn, and we will serve hot chocolate and have hay rides and have good old fashioned carol sings and barn dances. I think we will make our whole year's living in the month of December and live lives of leisure the other 11 months.

I think I miss my Iowa friends.

I think my family is pretty awesome.

I think I would like to work on the Washington State Ferry system. For about a week.

I think I should go to bed.

What happens when...

2008-11-28T14:52:00.001-08:00

you go to sleep in the clothes you wore yesterday, wake up, eat left overs, sit at the computer and don't put a bra on?

That's right... unexpected visitors.

I guess that proves that it's not all glamour, all the time over here at pretty shiny. As if.

On the agenda today:

Clean up the turkey mess and remove the carcass. I attempted to make stock, but the smell kind of grossed me out, so I'm tossing it.

Spruce up the joint and get out the Christmas Decorations.

My son just now asked me to boil him some water for hot dogs. He's 14. I guess I'll be teaching someone how the stove works.

Figure out what to make people for Christmas gifts. I have a few ideas, but not a lot of supplies. I'm putting on my resourcefulness thinking cap and inviting in the Creative Spirit.

And now I would like to discuss a problem that I have just been able to name and which depresses me: Passive Creativity.

I spend a lot of time on blogs, oohing and aahhing and thinking 'I can totally do that', but then I don't. I just sit on my bum and soak in all your lovely goodness. It's sort of like watching an exercise video, while sitting on the couch and eating pie.

I am a creative person. I have a lot inside me and when I don't let it out, I tend to get a little... I don't know the word. Edgy? Morose? Dissatisfied? Stunted? I don't even know. I just know I don't feel right.

I know that I feel good when I eat my veggies and don't eat sugar. When I don't do those things I feel the same way. Gross and mad at myself.

So I'm calling it. It's too easy to look at things that I will someday make. I will still browse around to look for inspiration but from now on I will limit my time ogling after your stuff and try to produce more of mine. I'm not sure what that will be yet, but how will I find out if I don't begin, eh?

So, here's to creating beauty and spreading the love. Join me, won't you?

Blessings to you

2008-11-27T08:55:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to you, my friends! I pray that you have a peaceful holiday and that you are able to remember all the things in your life in which to be grateful.

Le petit bal perdu

2008-11-22T17:53:00.001-08:00

Have you seen this? Love it.

Harvest Swap

2008-11-17T20:21:00.000-08:00

It's swap time again! I love swap time. Carrie and Monica are such nice hostesses. (See link below).

This is what I received in my swap box, from Anne Marie of Married to the Empire. I couldn't have been happier with my little treasure.

I'm pretty sure all the swappers have blogs, so it's fun to get to know a knew friend through their posts. Anne Marie had posted her hand stamped journals and sculpy clay ornaments and I was a little jealous. So imagine how happy I was to receive them in my package!

My pumpkin sits in a place of honor on my mantel and my daughter and I had the pumpkin spice coffee this morning for breakfast and it was DEE-lish. I'm going back to World Market to get a big bag of that stuff. My tea towels will make my Thanksgiving kitchen look all pretty, too. And I'm sure to get lots of holiday ideas from my magazine.

Thank you, Anne Marie! I hope you like your box, too. It was so much fun to be introduced to you this way and I look forward to continuing our bloggy friendship.

For more swap sights, go here.

Excuse me while I brag a bit

2008-11-12T20:56:00.000-08:00

Today was an awards ceremony at the elementary school.

My girls have done me proud.

My youngest daughter scared me when I first sent her to school in Kindergarten. She was a lover, but she was often contrary and bossy and her first instinct was to growl rather than smile.

So, it is with pleasure and joy that I tell you, only three short years later, that she was given an award for creativity, good behavior and perfect attendance.

My next daughter never gave me a moment's doubt about her ability in school, but I did have moments of concern about her nature to be so task oriented. She was always friendly and easy-going but she would spend hours on work that would take another kid 30 minutes to complete. And it showed. Her work is often superior because she is a hard worker and she is just naturally academically inclined.

It did not surprise me one bit that she brought home an academic award today for getting straight A's this first quarter.

But even better, she came home with the Compassion award, for being sensitive and showing love for others.

My heart is overflowing.

Sixteen Years

2008-11-09T20:39:00.000-08:00

I don't know how it happened, but my baby girl is sweet sixteen today.

I tease her that she really, really, rrrriiillllly hurt. But then I remind her that she is so worth it.

This girl of mine... she is independent, tough, sweet, silly, stubborn, loving, cute, gorgeous, crazy and mostly just wholly indescribable.

I'm so happy that she is a part of my family. I'm so lucky to get to watch her change from a baby, to a girl who would only wear clothes from the boy's section (FOR THREE YEARS!) to this girly-girl, athlete, totally great person.

I'm so proud of her and so in love with her. I hope she feels it. I think she does.

Thank you, God, for the blessing of my daughter.