See this? It's getting ready to bloom. So is the show I'm working on. So is a project I've been working on. And the grass in my yard is way past the bloom stage (meaning I am way past overdue on mowing it, at least in the front yard).
Haven't written much this week for a couple of reasons. First, I had food poisoning of some sort or another. That has REALLY wiped me out. Three times this week I have fallen asleep on my couch and woken up at 4AM. Crazy! I've also been working on publicity for the show at the theater, and attended a retirement party last night up in Haslett for a woman I've known my entire life. So yeah, a bit busy. OH, and rehearsals too.
So, just so we're clear, you can see me on stage (dancing like a complete and utter dork) in Disney's High School Musical on June 12-14 and 19-21 at 8PM, and June 15 & 22 at 3PM at the Sauk Theatre in downtown Jonesville. We're aiming for sell-outs every night, which hasn't happened in a couple of years. But if you're limiting yourself to one MJ theater production a year, save it for Escanaba in da Moonlight or On Golden Pond in the fall -- I'm directing those, and while I won't be on stage, my personal work will be much more in evidence. :)
OK, that's half my lunch hour. Time to actually go eat!!
6/6/08
6/2/08
Sob Story
After my 4th year of college, I lived with my parents for about 9 months. I worked 3 jobs, about 90 hours a week, and I was exhausted and nearly insane. My parents were extreeeeeemely good sports to put up with this nonsense. For some reason, I was usually home during the week in the late afternoon when my dad got home from school. He and I would go into my folks' bedroom -- he would sit in the recliner, I would kick back on the bed -- and we would watch Michael Landon's "Highway to Heaven."
If you're not familiar with "Highway to Heaven, here's a partial description from imdb.com: "Jonathan Smith is a probationary angel sent back to Earth to help people. During the series' first episode, he meets embittered ex-policeman Mark Gordon... Jonathan helps reform Mark, with the grateful Mark agreeing to become Jonathan's right-hand associate in carrying out the heavenly mission...to deliver love, understanding and humility to the people they encountered..." Most episodes were played for high drama, with maximum heartstring pluckage. This was good for my dad and me. I don't really remember talking too much during the program, but we would get to the most heart-rending moment of the show and each of us would just bawl our heads off, sniffles and sobs unacknowledged by the other. When the credits rolled, we would get up, blow our noses, and start dinner before my mom got home. We did this nearly every day.
As anyone who has watched any sort of drama with me knows, I still sob at movies and TV. [The animals get concerned when I do this, by the way. Once I start crying, each of them approaches me in turn, trying to comfort me in their own way. In fact, I can never cry for long because their immediate attention makes me laugh. ] So tonight, as I watched a TiVo'ed version of "Extreme Makover: Home Edition," I was sobbing my head off and blowing my nose handily while an entire community gave a family a new home and a new lease on life. I couldn't help but think about how my dad would be amused that, out of all the things we shared, this particular quirk would become a lifelong tradition for me. I think I'm a generally happy person, but you'd never know it if you were a fly on my wall, viewing me while I watch TV.
Anyway, that's what I've got tonight. Weird, the stuff that comes up. I have some theater paperwork to wrap up, and it's off to dreamland for me.
If you're not familiar with "Highway to Heaven, here's a partial description from imdb.com: "Jonathan Smith is a probationary angel sent back to Earth to help people. During the series' first episode, he meets embittered ex-policeman Mark Gordon... Jonathan helps reform Mark, with the grateful Mark agreeing to become Jonathan's right-hand associate in carrying out the heavenly mission...to deliver love, understanding and humility to the people they encountered..." Most episodes were played for high drama, with maximum heartstring pluckage. This was good for my dad and me. I don't really remember talking too much during the program, but we would get to the most heart-rending moment of the show and each of us would just bawl our heads off, sniffles and sobs unacknowledged by the other. When the credits rolled, we would get up, blow our noses, and start dinner before my mom got home. We did this nearly every day.
As anyone who has watched any sort of drama with me knows, I still sob at movies and TV. [The animals get concerned when I do this, by the way. Once I start crying, each of them approaches me in turn, trying to comfort me in their own way. In fact, I can never cry for long because their immediate attention makes me laugh. ] So tonight, as I watched a TiVo'ed version of "Extreme Makover: Home Edition," I was sobbing my head off and blowing my nose handily while an entire community gave a family a new home and a new lease on life. I couldn't help but think about how my dad would be amused that, out of all the things we shared, this particular quirk would become a lifelong tradition for me. I think I'm a generally happy person, but you'd never know it if you were a fly on my wall, viewing me while I watch TV.
Anyway, that's what I've got tonight. Weird, the stuff that comes up. I have some theater paperwork to wrap up, and it's off to dreamland for me.
6/1/08
BANG there was red
I've spent several mornings on my patio, staring at the green flower buds (that look suspiciously like something out of "Little Shop of Horrors"), and willing the flowers to bloom. But this morning, I had been outside three times before I noticed these had exploded in their annual red. Yay! I need to spread these around into several places in the yard, because the color explosion is so intense. Much more flowering to come.
No actual rehearsal today, though I was at the theater to let folks in, work in the office for a bit, and attend/run a board meeting. There was a vocal rehearsal going on during the board meeting and I swear they sounded better than I'd heard them yet. We just might pull this thing off. And I figure, with 200 pre-teens singing along to almost every song, anything that doesn't sound great will still sound pretty good!
I read a book this weekend! An actual, not recorded to audio, hold-in-my-hands book. I sat in my reading area and reclined and drank coffee and read. And then I went out on the patio and sat at the table and drank coffee and read. Perhaps the never-empty cup of coffee is why I'm still awake so close to midnight?
Anyway, the book: "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" is a mixture of graphic novel, art book, and intriguing children's story. I could look at the pictures all day, but that would neglect the most amazing story of a young boy who solves a mechanical mystery to discover history. Best of all, it's based in fact, set in Early 20th Century France, and covers the start of the motion picture industry. Fascinating, and very, very interesting. Not high literature, to be sure. It didn't capture my imagination entirely, but it was a fun read. I really enjoyed it. (It helped that it was short enough to finish in a couple of hours -- otherwise, I would have tackled something with a little more meat.)
Bedtime. If the caffeine will let go...
No actual rehearsal today, though I was at the theater to let folks in, work in the office for a bit, and attend/run a board meeting. There was a vocal rehearsal going on during the board meeting and I swear they sounded better than I'd heard them yet. We just might pull this thing off. And I figure, with 200 pre-teens singing along to almost every song, anything that doesn't sound great will still sound pretty good!
I read a book this weekend! An actual, not recorded to audio, hold-in-my-hands book. I sat in my reading area and reclined and drank coffee and read. And then I went out on the patio and sat at the table and drank coffee and read. Perhaps the never-empty cup of coffee is why I'm still awake so close to midnight?
Anyway, the book: "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" is a mixture of graphic novel, art book, and intriguing children's story. I could look at the pictures all day, but that would neglect the most amazing story of a young boy who solves a mechanical mystery to discover history. Best of all, it's based in fact, set in Early 20th Century France, and covers the start of the motion picture industry. Fascinating, and very, very interesting. Not high literature, to be sure. It didn't capture my imagination entirely, but it was a fun read. I really enjoyed it. (It helped that it was short enough to finish in a couple of hours -- otherwise, I would have tackled something with a little more meat.)
Bedtime. If the caffeine will let go...
5/31/08
Playground
I love this picture. I didn't take it. My sister did. Last weekend, she took K to see her dad in our hometown, and got a picture on the playground where my dad was the elementary school principal for 13 or so years. He would have gotten the biggest kick out of K. And not just because she's his granddaughter.
Long day at the theater. I think we made some progress, though, which is very positive. If only we could figure out a way to keep the energy up through an entire song, let alone the whole show. These kids just look WIPED OUT the entire time they're on stage. I give a lot of credit to the directors. I couldn't take the frustration. I'll stick to my non-musical comedies/dramas, thanks. (Even if I am INSANE for trying to direct 2 this fall...)
Disney's got a helluva franchise with that High School Musical, though. I have to admit, I had the music on my iPod before we ever talked about doing it at the theater. Now that I'm hearing it in rehearsals, I am humming or singing it all the time -- in private, of course, so as to avoid collateral damage. The music is just damn catchy. But it's more than that. The themes are common but good ones: Be yourself and support each other. I think we could all use a little more of that, eh?
Long day at the theater. I think we made some progress, though, which is very positive. If only we could figure out a way to keep the energy up through an entire song, let alone the whole show. These kids just look WIPED OUT the entire time they're on stage. I give a lot of credit to the directors. I couldn't take the frustration. I'll stick to my non-musical comedies/dramas, thanks. (Even if I am INSANE for trying to direct 2 this fall...)
Disney's got a helluva franchise with that High School Musical, though. I have to admit, I had the music on my iPod before we ever talked about doing it at the theater. Now that I'm hearing it in rehearsals, I am humming or singing it all the time -- in private, of course, so as to avoid collateral damage. The music is just damn catchy. But it's more than that. The themes are common but good ones: Be yourself and support each other. I think we could all use a little more of that, eh?
5/30/08
My "library"
I wanted a place where I could sit and watch the backyard, as well as read. When K&K moved out, I moved the bookshelves to the "dining room" and got the chairs and table from my former mother-in-law's house. The cats love having the chairs because they can bask in the morning sunlight -- the glass doors face east. We have a huge herd of deer that use my backyard as a corridor, so we all have fun things to look at.
Work has been crazy the last few days, but it's troubleshooting and problem-solving. This is a challenge, which I am enjoying as it gets me out of some of the tedium of my daily stuff. Still haven't moved offices, but it's coming. I dread packing and hauling...doesn't everyone?
Rehearsal has also been tough -- we're pulling a show together in a shorter amount of time than usual, and all the kids are less-than-focused due to the end of year. Not their fault, but it is frustrating. It makes me a little crazy to spend so much time at the theater for so few lines, but that's what you sign up for when you audition. *sigh*
Came home last night and had a large glass of scotch. Sleep came easy after that.
Work has been crazy the last few days, but it's troubleshooting and problem-solving. This is a challenge, which I am enjoying as it gets me out of some of the tedium of my daily stuff. Still haven't moved offices, but it's coming. I dread packing and hauling...doesn't everyone?
Rehearsal has also been tough -- we're pulling a show together in a shorter amount of time than usual, and all the kids are less-than-focused due to the end of year. Not their fault, but it is frustrating. It makes me a little crazy to spend so much time at the theater for so few lines, but that's what you sign up for when you audition. *sigh*
Came home last night and had a large glass of scotch. Sleep came easy after that.
5/29/08
Mom's Yard
Isn't my mom's yard lovely? I can't stop myself from taking pictures when I'm over there. She's such a green thumb! (I am jealous, but not jealous enough to be quite the gardener that she is.)
Not much to write this morning. I missed the girls' birthday (though I remembered on the right day - Tuesday - but didn't think to call until it was WAY too late at night) so I called each last night with congratulations for 23 years on the planet and sincere regret. Oy. Someday I'll be timely. Someday.
Still feeling such a mixture of joy at the excitement of having my house all to myself and oddness at the quiet of it all. Then the dog starts howling and I remember I have 5 animals who aren't all that quiet at all. I have enjoyed my patio the most, and can hardly wait for warmer evenings and a chaise lounge from which to take it all in.
Not much to write this morning. I missed the girls' birthday (though I remembered on the right day - Tuesday - but didn't think to call until it was WAY too late at night) so I called each last night with congratulations for 23 years on the planet and sincere regret. Oy. Someday I'll be timely. Someday.
Still feeling such a mixture of joy at the excitement of having my house all to myself and oddness at the quiet of it all. Then the dog starts howling and I remember I have 5 animals who aren't all that quiet at all. I have enjoyed my patio the most, and can hardly wait for warmer evenings and a chaise lounge from which to take it all in.
5/28/08
I will not get sick, I will not get sick
I woke up this morning with a runny nose and a really persistant cough. My head is throbbing and my eyes are watering. I have no time to be sick, people, so I'm telling the germs in my body to just get over it. Quickly.
Got an unexpected reprieve from rehearsal tonight, so I will have a chance to mow lawn and plant a few trees my mom got for Arbor Day (or some such thing...I don't really know where/why she got them).
Last night, I was sitting on my back patio and watching the big tree in the back yard, when a gust of wind blew through. A thousand little helicopter seeds spun down and it was AMAZING. I don't know how I have lived this long and never seen that happen. Ever. It was just joyful. If it's windy tonight, I may try to get a video. You know, when I'm mowing and planting. Heh.
Got an unexpected reprieve from rehearsal tonight, so I will have a chance to mow lawn and plant a few trees my mom got for Arbor Day (or some such thing...I don't really know where/why she got them).
Last night, I was sitting on my back patio and watching the big tree in the back yard, when a gust of wind blew through. A thousand little helicopter seeds spun down and it was AMAZING. I don't know how I have lived this long and never seen that happen. Ever. It was just joyful. If it's windy tonight, I may try to get a video. You know, when I'm mowing and planting. Heh.
5/27/08
Missed a Day!
I was a complete slug yesterday morning and didn't blog. But I loved every minute. While I miss some things about living with K&K, quiet mornings are something I enjoy immensely. I can wake up at my own pace, eat breakfast on the patio (with every animal crowded at the screen to watch me), wander the house looking at what I might want to redecorate/remodel/clean, maybe actually do a little cleaning, and it's all without the soundtrack of cartoons. Nice.
Play rehearsal was fun yesterday...it's good to see things start to come together. We have a long way to go, but the work is paying off for those kids. If only we could effectively teach them FOCUS. Oy. Teenage hormones preclude that, methinks.
Back to work today. *sigh* I like work, but I sometimes wish life were like a three-day weekend.
Play rehearsal was fun yesterday...it's good to see things start to come together. We have a long way to go, but the work is paying off for those kids. If only we could effectively teach them FOCUS. Oy. Teenage hormones preclude that, methinks.
Back to work today. *sigh* I like work, but I sometimes wish life were like a three-day weekend.
5/25/08
Bleeding Hearts
Ha - I've been accused of being a bleeding-heart liberal for so long, perhaps THAT's why this is one of my favorite flowers. (Though, just to clarify, I don't consider myself a bleeding-heart anything...I'm pretty liberal, but it's based more on fact and logic than emotion.) I spent some time at Mom's yesterday, taking pictures in her flowerbeds and helping her reconnect some new soaker hoses. Don's been ill, so I gave him a big hug and chatted a few minutes, then I got Mom's voicemail set up on her cell phone. She knew how to use it yesterday when I left...we'll see how she does when I leave her a voice mail today. :)
Last night, Kaelyn spent the night and we had a lot of fun...so much, that we're going to try to do it again next week. Much will depend on rehearsal schedules, however. Scott and Breeanne helped me move a lot of furniture from his mom's house to mine yesterday as well, so I made them dinner. We all ate in the living room, using the "new" coffee table.
After they left, K and I watched part of a movie, she ate cookies, we played some computer games, she took a shower, and she crashed HARD. I hadn't gotten a guest bed yet, so we shared mine -- and it's amazing how a 55 lb kid can take up an entire queen size bed. By the time I came to bed, she was all over the place, and I slept on the edge all night!
We had pancakes and bacon this morning. She slathers peanut butter and syrup all over hers and it makes me nauseous to even contemplate it. Ugh. I was told that I make my pancakes too dark. Live and learn. Katie popped over to eat breakfast with us, and then she took K to church. Now I have a little over an hour until rehearsal starts. It's going to be a Long Day.
Last night, Kaelyn spent the night and we had a lot of fun...so much, that we're going to try to do it again next week. Much will depend on rehearsal schedules, however. Scott and Breeanne helped me move a lot of furniture from his mom's house to mine yesterday as well, so I made them dinner. We all ate in the living room, using the "new" coffee table.
After they left, K and I watched part of a movie, she ate cookies, we played some computer games, she took a shower, and she crashed HARD. I hadn't gotten a guest bed yet, so we shared mine -- and it's amazing how a 55 lb kid can take up an entire queen size bed. By the time I came to bed, she was all over the place, and I slept on the edge all night!
We had pancakes and bacon this morning. She slathers peanut butter and syrup all over hers and it makes me nauseous to even contemplate it. Ugh. I was told that I make my pancakes too dark. Live and learn. Katie popped over to eat breakfast with us, and then she took K to church. Now I have a little over an hour until rehearsal starts. It's going to be a Long Day.
5/24/08
Sunny Hose
So Happy Weekend! I have so much to do today. As usual. (I'm avoiding thinking about why I'm keeping myself so busy...at least for now. I know I'll have to deal with it eventually.) I have furniture to find, gather, and move. I have my mom's cell phone to set up so she can actually get voice mail. Then I have to teach my mom HOW to get said voice mail, as she never learned on the last cell phone. Then I have my lawn to mow. Then, my niece is coming over for a sleepover!! Her Uncle Scott and Cousin Breeanne are joining us for dinner.
After our company leaves, we have a mission. K and I have created a list of things to do when she spends the night. Tonight, I believe the things we will check off will be: Crazy Hairstyles, Paint Fingernails, Listen to "Video Killed the Radio Star" (don't ask), and Watch "Mr. Magorium's Magical Emporium." You should see how long that list is. We'll be covered for things to do until she's at least 12.
And now...laundry, shower, breakfast, and on with the day in my still American-Idol-soundtracked home. (My speakers are getting a workout.)
After our company leaves, we have a mission. K and I have created a list of things to do when she spends the night. Tonight, I believe the things we will check off will be: Crazy Hairstyles, Paint Fingernails, Listen to "Video Killed the Radio Star" (don't ask), and Watch "Mr. Magorium's Magical Emporium." You should see how long that list is. We'll be covered for things to do until she's at least 12.
And now...laundry, shower, breakfast, and on with the day in my still American-Idol-soundtracked home. (My speakers are getting a workout.)
5/23/08
Music and chives
See pretty chives? One would think that I planted and nurture them because they are such a great addition to most any meal. One would be wrong. The flowers are purple -- this is the big attraction. Of course they're tasty, but since my cooking is often limited to cereal, the taste doesn't enter into it. I just love me some purple.
Music has been the focus this week. Despite many protestations, I was sucked into American Idol and am still riding a high that David Cook won. I downloaded the audio stuff and have been playing that while putzing around the house. Yesterday was my 2nd rehearsal (about the 20th for most cast members, but I have a tiny part) for High School Musical. And last night I spent a good long time looking up videos for some of my most played iPod songs. (They were, in no particular order: "The Trapeze Swinger" by Iron and Wine; "The Compromise" by The Format; and "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" by The Arctic Monkeys.) Eclectic mix? Yes. Great tunes? Also yes.
What are YOU listening to?
Music has been the focus this week. Despite many protestations, I was sucked into American Idol and am still riding a high that David Cook won. I downloaded the audio stuff and have been playing that while putzing around the house. Yesterday was my 2nd rehearsal (about the 20th for most cast members, but I have a tiny part) for High School Musical. And last night I spent a good long time looking up videos for some of my most played iPod songs. (They were, in no particular order: "The Trapeze Swinger" by Iron and Wine; "The Compromise" by The Format; and "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" by The Arctic Monkeys.) Eclectic mix? Yes. Great tunes? Also yes.
What are YOU listening to?
5/22/08
The deer ate my lilies
They left my iris, but chomped all the lilies in my backyard. Dagnabbit. Still, I don't think I want anyone shooting them, which is what is going to happen if the city council has their way. Poor bambis.
Just one other thing to say this morning: David Cook is MY American Idol. I was so surprised and pleased that he got the nod last night. After a few calls to friends, I watched the whole show again (minus commercials) while actually making headway on organizing my house. Wonders will never cease.
Just one other thing to say this morning: David Cook is MY American Idol. I was so surprised and pleased that he got the nod last night. After a few calls to friends, I watched the whole show again (minus commercials) while actually making headway on organizing my house. Wonders will never cease.
5/21/08
Backyard Morning
Starting an experiment -- 30 days of quick blogging. I am alive and well, but just unbelievably busy. I am generally uploading pictures from my new Palm Centro daily to my Flickr account (go to www.flickr.com/klutz67) and you can see what I see by checking that.
I want to keep this up regularly, so these posts may be short.
I'm rehearsing for a teeny tiny role in "Disney's High School Musical" at the Sauk next month. Then I have 2 months to prepare to direct "Escanaba in da Moonlight" and immediately follow that up by directing "On Golden Pond." What have I committed myself to?!?!
Since I last blogged, I have visited Ocean City, Miami Beach, and NYC. They've been fantastic trips, punctuated by meeting and hanging out with fantastic people. No more big trips, I fear, until fall. But rumor has it I might be taking a 3-day weekend in Paducah, KY at some point mid-summer. And a weekend in San Fran is definitely hoped for.
I've seen all the kids in the last couple of weeks, which has been awesome. The girls were home from grad school (just prior to their 23rd birthdays) and Sam is on summer break from CMU.
Here's hoping you're well (and maybe still reading this??). Drop me a line and let me know what's up if you have a chance.
I want to keep this up regularly, so these posts may be short.
I'm rehearsing for a teeny tiny role in "Disney's High School Musical" at the Sauk next month. Then I have 2 months to prepare to direct "Escanaba in da Moonlight" and immediately follow that up by directing "On Golden Pond." What have I committed myself to?!?!
Since I last blogged, I have visited Ocean City, Miami Beach, and NYC. They've been fantastic trips, punctuated by meeting and hanging out with fantastic people. No more big trips, I fear, until fall. But rumor has it I might be taking a 3-day weekend in Paducah, KY at some point mid-summer. And a weekend in San Fran is definitely hoped for.
I've seen all the kids in the last couple of weeks, which has been awesome. The girls were home from grad school (just prior to their 23rd birthdays) and Sam is on summer break from CMU.
Here's hoping you're well (and maybe still reading this??). Drop me a line and let me know what's up if you have a chance.
2/20/08
It's All About...The Moon
I am photographing the process of the Total Eclipse of the Moon this evening. Already, just 40 minutes into it or so, I have come to the conclusion that by December of 2010, when the next one occurs, I will need a better camera. Already this one is better than the one from this summer, but I really would love to be able to zoom so much closer. Ah well. Progress has been made, and I hope to have some cool shots. Of course, I'm an idjit and left my card reader at work, so the photos won't be uploaded to Flickr until tomorrow. But Rick should be happy to know that the tripod he gave me for Christmas is doing a bang-up job.
Other than that? I got my picture taken with the Rotary club handing me a big check for the theater. That should hit the local paper soon. Can't post that tonight either.
***********************
Tonight, I heard the oddest thing when we were out to dinner:
We were sitting in the new sports bar/restaurant, and a kid that worked at my plant last year, "M", had come in and sat with us, as did another of our current employees, and we were all talking and eating and having a good time. "M" seems to know everyone, and apparently being recognized is very common for him and he told several anecdotes about running into people he knows in bizarre places.
A young couple wandered in and took the table next to ours. I noticed that the guy kept looking at us. Finally, after about 20 minutes, the guy turned around and said to "M", "Aren't you from [a local town]?"
"M" said he was. We all laughed and shook our heads about how everyone knows "M".
The guy then said, "Aren't you "M"?"
"M" agreed that he was. Again, we were cracking up about him being Mr. Popularity.
Then the guy nodded slowly. "So YOU'RE the guy who handcuffed my cousin to the headboard."
"M" turned 12 shades of red, as he nodded and slowly turned back to face us. Then we all died laughing. I am just hoping, in retrospect, that the guy who asked was laughing too. I was to embarrassed to even look at him again.
*******************
With that, I must get back out to shoot the moon.
2/17/08
So much for the Flu Shot...
Well, I spent from late Wednesday night through about mid-day on Friday feeling like my insides were staging a coup. Ugh. Luckily, I was able to sleep a lot. K&K came home Thursday to find I pretty much hadn't moved since they'd left in the morning -- meaning I had forsaken the computer and the television. These are damn good indications that I am not in good shape. By noon on Friday, I was at least semi-functional (though a little bedgraggled, admittedly) and by about 10PM, I was feeling almost normal. Sheesh. My stomach still feels like I've been doing crunches for hours on end, but at least I can complete an entire task without being interrupted by thoughts of curling up on the nearest horizontal suface in the fetal position, and the thought of food doesn't make my stomach lurch like I'm looking down from the top of the Sears Tower.Yesterday, K&K and I went to pick up a side of beef that I'd bought from a friend. We split it in thirds with Shug, and loaded up our respective freezers. After that, I commenced with having a day chock full of near-complete laziness and sloth. (Like the previous two days of flu didn't fill my quota of that. Oy.) I took a nap, played computer games, answered e-mail, thought about theater stuff for the upcoming week (though I did nothing about it), and watched about 4 hours of home improvement shows on TV. *sigh* If only I could do that kind of thing for a week in a row without the sickness part interfering. It was bliss.
The home improvement thing? Completely addicting. I have never lived anywhere that I thought I could make any sort of a dent in "improving" my home. Before living at the farm, I always lived in apartments that wouldn't even allow me to paint. At the farm, Shug wanted things to stay pretty much status quo as far as decor, and I never felt like the house was mine (which ended up being true, funnily), so I never felt enough ownership to offer to improve anything. Now, it's all up to me and it's sort of the only place in my life where I am feeling in control. So I broke out the spackle and sandpaper and fixed several holes, bought towel hooks and other accessories for the "guest" bathroom, and I've started making paint color plans. Several wall seams have cracks, and my plan is to get someone to check for structural problems and, barring anything unexpected, I plan to lay in supplies to repair and repaint most of the house once K&K move out. The busier I am at home, the less money I spend, and since the budget is going to be WAY tight, I plan to have enough supplies on hand to keep me very, very busy.
This week, I have a lot on my plate. Tomorrow (and, to be fair, part of today), I have to catch up on being gone from work for 2 days. Tomorrow night, I need to come up with some sort of handout to give to a service club that's given the theater a bunch of money to upgrade our sound system -- I know it's all been upgraded, but I have to put the details together for them. Tuesday night, I have the service club dinner, where I hope to distribute the handout and get away without having to speak much, because I kind of suck at it. Wednesday, I hope to finish up a template for a friend's website and get her a copy. Thursday and Friday I have to finish up plans for our theater board "retreat." Saturday is the retreat. And a week from today I will begin packing to leave for my scrapbook weekend on the ocean the following weekend.
Never a dull moment...though I plan on working a few more of those into my life, thanks. So what's going on this week with YOU?
The home improvement thing? Completely addicting. I have never lived anywhere that I thought I could make any sort of a dent in "improving" my home. Before living at the farm, I always lived in apartments that wouldn't even allow me to paint. At the farm, Shug wanted things to stay pretty much status quo as far as decor, and I never felt like the house was mine (which ended up being true, funnily), so I never felt enough ownership to offer to improve anything. Now, it's all up to me and it's sort of the only place in my life where I am feeling in control. So I broke out the spackle and sandpaper and fixed several holes, bought towel hooks and other accessories for the "guest" bathroom, and I've started making paint color plans. Several wall seams have cracks, and my plan is to get someone to check for structural problems and, barring anything unexpected, I plan to lay in supplies to repair and repaint most of the house once K&K move out. The busier I am at home, the less money I spend, and since the budget is going to be WAY tight, I plan to have enough supplies on hand to keep me very, very busy.
This week, I have a lot on my plate. Tomorrow (and, to be fair, part of today), I have to catch up on being gone from work for 2 days. Tomorrow night, I need to come up with some sort of handout to give to a service club that's given the theater a bunch of money to upgrade our sound system -- I know it's all been upgraded, but I have to put the details together for them. Tuesday night, I have the service club dinner, where I hope to distribute the handout and get away without having to speak much, because I kind of suck at it. Wednesday, I hope to finish up a template for a friend's website and get her a copy. Thursday and Friday I have to finish up plans for our theater board "retreat." Saturday is the retreat. And a week from today I will begin packing to leave for my scrapbook weekend on the ocean the following weekend.
Never a dull moment...though I plan on working a few more of those into my life, thanks. So what's going on this week with YOU?
2/5/08
I am still kickin'
December hits, insanity ensues, and pretty soon you wake up and it's February. Crazy, Man. I haven't had the time or energy to blog too much, and I haven't even taken all that many pictures, which is SO not like me.
What's been happening? Um....
- In early December, my mother-in-law got sick. After a couple of weeks in the hospital, she passed away. She'd been in horrible pain, and had several strokes and a heart attack, so that made it much easier to say good bye. The funeral (which was not exactly a funeral and, even then, not in strict accordance with her no-funeral-wishes) was the Saturday before Christmas.
- I got her dog, Jessie, and he has spent the last 2 months leaning to cohabit with a 5-year-old and 4 cats. Luckily, he loves to play in the cat litter. *UGH* Other than that disgusting habit, and a chronic case of the smelliest flatulence you could ever imagine, he is a really great dog. He sleeps nearly as much as the cats do, always makes it known that he needs to go outside, doesn't beg at the table, and loves to sleep on my feet in bed. And he is SO excited when I come in the door. I enjoy that, after 20 years with cats who could give a crap whether or not I'm home most of the time.
- I received a promotion at work, meaning I went up a pay grade but have pretty much the same job I had before. Sweet.
- Christmas was really lovely, despite all the stress we'd had. I celebrated with some friends, then at my Mom's with a chunk of the fam, then at Scott's with the kids, then at home with K & K. My favorite pic from that week was at my mom's:
- My Murder Mystery crew was all prepared for our "performance" at the work Holiday Party, but we got snowed out in December. The party was postponed, and we continued rehearsing. The thing finally came together it at the end of January. Some highlights:
The entire crew. I'm playing the bar wench at the far left...it wasn't too much of a stretch.
- Last month, I became the offical (non-interim) president of the Hillsdale Community Theater Board of Directors, which as I said on my Facebook page, is just another title for "Glutton for Punishment." Maybe "Sucker" would also work. I'm directing at least one show this season, and am even thinking about trying out for another. (Not, mind you, that I am much of an actor -- I just think it would be really fun to be in a show I don't have to manage.) The board has had a rocky time of things lately, and we're just trying to get things back on track. We have about 10 building improvement projects started, and it's going to be an interesting couple of months trying to get those done.
- Got divorced. Sad. Relieved. Sad. Moving forward.
- Did another murder mystery the same weekend as the work one -- this one was a fundraiser for the Hudson Community Library. I have a friend who I'd long ago roped into acting in two of my shows, and he requested a return of the favor last year, and again this year. This one was a 1920's Flapper/Speakeasy theme and, unfortunately, I got the most boring costume of the bunch because I was a "plain" waitress. Ah well. I got lots of nice comments as the audience left, so I guess it turned out okay. Picture won't work on the blog for some reason, but you can see it if you click HERE and view it at the website of the Hudson Post-Gazette (Scott was in this one too and is pictured at far left, I am at far right).
- I went to IKEA for the first time and am completely enthralled. K & K are planning on moving out sometime in the next few months, and I'm trying to plan for my first completely MJ-decorated house. My guess is it isn't going to make any sort of interior decorating magazine, because the loveseat I want for my "library" area is going to be this one that I found at IKEA:
- Still working toward that elusive 5K run. I have a co-worker who gave me the greatest list of Michigan races for the next year, and I'm thinking about trying to do one when I get back from Miami in early April. It's amazing how many of them there are!!! I totally slacked on the running for most of December and January, but am getting back on track and I think I can still meet my goal of the end of May.
I guess that pretty much makes us current with the goings-on here at the homestead. The weather's been wonky, with lots of snow, followed by warm temperatures and thunderstorms and tornado watches. Drop me a line if you get a chance, folks. My e-mail box gets kind of lonely. Well, if you don't count viagra ads and fake watch scams...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
