hello???

Captain, Maria, and me on opening night!

Ashleigh is the second to smallest child "Marta"

I am getting so bad about posting on this thing.... life is now even more consuming and so is Facebook. Its easier to keep up with friends there and post one liners on a daily basis or not so daily basis. Photos are easier to post, etc, etc. So I highly reccommend all join! Not that many of you are still reading my posts...God bless you if you are.

Well, to bring you up to date...ALL WENT INCREDIBLY WELL! I was stunned myself. After directing for the community theatre for 3 springs and having pretty fully houses though great response to what ever production...I was stunned to have 3 SOLD OUT houses...and not just 80 or 90 seats. We sold 180 tix per show and then sold another 20-50 on top of that. We were dragging chairs from the classrooms near by to accommodate everyone attending! And I haven't even gottne to the show itself yet....which was amazing! I was so proud with how professional the show went. I think everyone expected since we were a "sports school" that we couldn't possibly know anything about theatre. The kids thouroughly enjoyed themselves...even begging for one more show. And truly I was so calm about it all- know God was in control and I knew the kids would pull it off. My Maria was fantastic and I was stunned to hear she had never been cast in a show in the public school she came from. Well, aside from the one little part of the voice of the radio in 'Grease"! She absolutely carried the show with maturity and professionalism. My captain was talented as well and a good match for my Maria. Ashleigh certainly enjoyed her time on the stage as well! I enjoyed the whole production so much...even after the 70 hours of rehearsal time! The headmaster was super pleased and very complimentary...apparently nothing of this magnitude had ever been pulled off in the history of the school. We made a very nice profit! Now I just need to decide on the show for next year- no musical...we've decided that comes every other year. Its alot of hard work!

Its summer now, officially and I look forward to reading scripts by the pool and sleeping in, and maybe going to they gym. Have a good one!

Holy cow!

I know- its been forever! Yes I am still alive and kicking! I've been MIA because The Sound of Music opens tomorrow!!!! It has been the easiest though the most time consuming show I've ever done. Rehearsals were 3 days a week and for at least 2-3 hours. This has been "hell week" for sure. But from costumes to sound and light- everything has worked out. Fundraising and donations have been amazing....I expect to end up very much in the green as we have already sold out Sunday's show! We will run Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. And then I can rest. Everyone who knows me is impressed wiht how calm I am this show. God took control of everything and with a cast of 33!! we've worked long and hard to make a beautiful show! Ashleigh was cast as Marta, she's the second youngest and God bless her, she is taking after her momma. She loves the stage is not even nervous about tomorrow....well that part she doesn't get from me...lol. And next week she makes her First Communion. Big week for her! Big week for both of us!

Celebrate!

Well the Lord does provide indeed...we will have our lights. I'm so excited about it!!! Its been a ggod week so far as school is concerned. First the news on the lights and then I'm really enjoying my music classes right now. Since Mardi Gras is right around the corner I thought I would spend the month of February intruducing my K-3 kids to jazz! I started this week with Dixieland Jazz and Louis Armstrong. YouTube is fantastic and was able to find a great video for them to watch of him singing "What a Wonderful World" and "La Vie en Rose" was more of a slide show with all sorts of great photos of Louis...welll...being Louis. I chose those songs because they have been in Disney movies recently and I knew the kids might recognize them...and I was right. I also read a great book called Satchmo's Blues- a story of Louis as a child dreaming of playing the coronet and saving up for it. I also found on iTunes a children's intro to dixieland jazz cd...and the first song basically takes you through the band... and they could hear each intrument then all together...much like the end of a concert...when they show off. I know there is a name for it and I cannot for the life of me think of it- but the kids enjoyed it and I did too. Teaching is supposed to be fun. I'll pick up some Mardi gras beads when I'm in Mobile for Mardi Gras and bring them back for each of the students...have a party....did I mention I love my job?

Ouch!

Did you ever want something for someone so badly it hurt? I understand what I am about to say isn't remotely on the level of say, wanting a child for a childless couple....food for the hungry...but....

I want lights for our little stage at my school. I just got the price quote and it hurts...bad. To know we are doing The Sound of Music and we may not even be able to have decent lighting. It makes me sick. I am trying to stick to my vow of believing that in all things in this show...everything will turn out fine. We can make do with so much..or rather without so much- our little stage with beautiful new curtains, sharing my actors with sports, two pianos instead of a full orchestra, two shows instead of three because there is too much on the school schedule..... sigh.... but is it too much to ask for decent lighting? $5000 is what its going to take for lights and sound. Looking at my profit potential if we sell out both nights....it won't cover it. But the Lord will provide right? Maybe somewhere some generous person or people will give to our little program..... I'll keep you updated....and I'll be praying.

And...they're off!

Its 2009? Where the heck did 2008 go? I have hit the ground running and had our first Sound of Music meeting to get things going. I firmly and faithfully believe that God is going to take care of every minute of our production. After all He suggested it.:) (See earlier post.) God knows, I hate talking about money and dealing with it- so when our parents meeting came, I handed that part over to Amy to head up. I've worked with 2 of Amy's 3 kids and will now have the pleasure of working with the 3rd....and she will play Gretl. But Amy took the reigns and tossed fundraising ideas out for the parents and the VERY next day I had M&M jars and a little sign for the table so peopel could "guess how many M&Ms?"!!! Monday we are having our last home game and its already been set up to have the "Half Court throw" to win $10! So here we go!

On a whole 'nother note. We got a wii! And a wii fit. The kids have really been enjoying it....Matt will hopefully get a full scholarship to college since he is a pro at golf...Carnival mini...that is. Speaking of scholars...Ashleigh has had her 6th straight quarter of straight A's in school. Math and science are her strengths...though spelling is up there too. We've very proud of both of them. Matt is a model student too we are told. Very patient, very sweet. Who wouldn't be wrapped up in dimples a mile deep when he grins.

I'm still a brunette, though I'm getting itchy to be blonde again. I really think blondes have more fun....not that I'm not having fun! Who wouldn't be having fun teaching what they love!!

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had as blessed a Christmas as I did. Everyone got everything they wanted. We even took a quick trip to Mobile and I got to have a nice visit with my daddy. He is 82 and is early stages of Alzheimers and getting around ok with a cane. My daddy has never acted his age so you have to understand that to see him acting his age is ...difficult at best. But he was aware and laughing and enjoying the kids, so that was good. We left yesterday... and came back today with some fresh Gulf shrimp...looking forward to dinner as John is reving up the grill....YUM! I'm trying to concentrate on the good of this blessed season as there was plenty of bad, not the worst of which was our hot water heater going out on us on Tuesday...Christmas eve eve. Thankfully, we had neighbors who let us shower at their house and we boilded water to wash dishes by hand. If Laura Ingalls could do it, so could I.

I have attached pics of the kids...our Christmas card and the kids on the steps of the altar after Mass Christmas eve. Ashleigh is getting so growny. And she sang so beautifully with the choir Christmas eve and even lead "Joy to the World" at the end of Mass. I was all teary -eyed!! What a gift!

Well, here's hoping that you have a blessed and wonderful new year!

YAY!!!

Hooray! I finally have the Grandparents' Day program over and done with!! My kids sang so beautifully it almost made me cry. I didn't get my 120 kids together until Monday and the Program was Friday- we'd been working on all the musical numbers since October...wasn't sure the 2 part song was going to work until Wednesday....I had been only working with each class individually so I was anxious to put it all together. It was just beautiful. The program got lots of compliments too- some from grandmothers that taught music in other schools in other towns. My principal gave me an A+! I wanted so badly for it to go well...I love my job and want to keep teaching there!

Well, we had our auditions for Sound of Music too and I am excited about my cast. I am excited to announce that Ashleigh will be playing the part of Marta!! She had a surprisingly very good audition! I say surprisingly because she'd been kinda quiet in giving speeches in class so I really encouraged her to use her big voice...and that she did! She's terribly excited about it too! We'll start rehearsals in February and I will really be wrapped up then..:)

Lets see...what else.... oh! Did I mention I've gone brunette??? I'm trying to test the theory that blondes have more fun...;)

Enjoy the pics...I've been neglectful about posting any recently...

Me directing nearly 120 little angels...

Ashleigh played the choirmaster in "The Littlest Angel"...I was hoping at least a few would find the humor in that.

Matt was a skeleton for Halloween( he looks a bit like Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes to me) and Ashleigh was an astronaut (which she wants to be when she grows up...good thing shes awesome at math and science!)

From a photoshoot I did of the kids in November...

Broken records

I know, you are so tired of hearing me say this.....I am so busy!!! I logged on this morning to realize I had not posted since the election!!! That is sad. I have been wrapped up at school getting ready for the Grandparents Day Program and also getting ready for Sound of Music auditions!! And then taking the kids everywhere they need to be! Matt and Ashleigh both are taking gymnastics and are loving it. Matt needs a place to run off all that extra energy and Ashleigh needs to build some strength and coordination. She's been dealing with alot of migraines too and our insurance won't cover her medicine because she is not 12. Is it her fault she has migraines so young???... And being a new teacher I am getting "acclimated" to the school and its germs. I had a virus so bad I was in bed for 24 hours and felt like I had the flu. But I am back at work and on the mend.
Did I ever post about Halloween? Ashleigh was an astronaut and Matt was a skeleton...very cute. And we did Trick or Trunk at school becasue it was our last home game of the regular football season. Good stuff!
Thanksgiving is Thursday...and some of you know what that means for me....besides hot cocoa and the Macy's parade on TV. Think about me if you would, please.
AND Friday!!! Friday my high school alma mater, Davidson, is going to the semifinals...whooo hoo! They beat Murphy to get there - but unfortunately have to play the big Powerhouse of Prattville. Go Warriors!!! Anything can happen on gamenight...or day...which leads me to the Iron Bowl. I know...its looking bleak for us Tigers...6 years was a good run, right? Well you know what? Didn't some Beavers beat some big team this year? Wasn't Bama undefeated in '89 goign into the Iron Bowl and we spoiled it for them???? Miracles Can Happen!!!!! GO TIGERS! We Believe!!!!

wellllll,,,,,,,,

I went, I voted, and I am sad that my guy did not win. I have watched the banter on Facebook go back and forth - some fairly nasty and accusatory. There are so many double standards evident with the results of the election...one of them being.... feminists want a woman in the White House but it has to be a democrat. Apparently, by some comments, that if you didn't vote for O then you were racist. I beg to differ...I voted on character. I made those opinions loud and clear. But unlike many others, I am not running screaming "I'm moving to another country!" (Which is quite ironic..if things were so bad here why were we having to patrol borders for so many wanting in!?) I'm going to pray. Pray that this man's heart will change- that the first thing he will not do is push for late-term abortions to be an option- as he has said he will do. God is watching, I have been assured. We shall see....

I'm Defying gravity!

Holy cow, lots has happened since I posted last! All is going well....just incredibly busy!!!! In fact last week alone I took my drama kids to see Wicked at the Fox in Atlanta, had my high school reunion, and went to the beach!!!! Thats ALOT of miles in a few days! Not to mention alot of "Are we there yet?" and "How much longer?" on both my kid's and my student's parts!

Me in front of the Wicked window at the Fox.

But OH MY GOSH! Wicked was so amazing and worth every penny!!!! I was dying to go see it and my students were so well behaved. So we boarded the nice new school bus and headed up on Thursday morning.....35 kids, 3 teachers, and a handful of parents. We ate at the Varsity first and while we were there I ran into an old CSO friend, Wayne, and snapped my picture with him! So then we walked to the theater...I hadn't been there since I saw The Secret Garden in 1993. WOW... the actress playing Elphaba was incredibly talented as was the whole cast. I was nearly in tears by the time they sang "For Good".....the music all finally made sense together with the play. I even wore my silver shoes..not even realizing that Dorthy's shoes were originally silver in the books but made red for the movie version.(Thanks, Leslie!)

Me and some of the girls I graduated with.... we all still looked pretty much the same!

So that was Thursday. Friday we left about lunch and drove to Gulf Shores. Normally, Panama City is our beach of choice but since I was driving to my reunion we stayed there instead. We got there about 4:30 and I got ready and left for Mobile about 6...arriving right on time for our gathering at Felix Fish Camp. It used to be Pier 4- where my husband and I had our wedding rehearsal dinner. It was cool because it was a sand floor (thank goodness I skipped the heels!) and there were colored lights hanging and a mini bar. We had about 80 people....none of them my close friends but it was still fun. I skipped Saturday night's party and stayed at the beach all day with the family. A much needed vacation...no matter how short. All the hurricanes messed up our usual trip time. It was a tad cool, but I got some sun, ate some great seafood, and relaxed!

My cute little Matt-man...what a smile!

Now, its on to working on the Christmas program and moving right along! And here's hoping for peace after the election...which ever way it goes!

Happy dance!

Oh man...are you enoying the gorgeous weather like I am? I hope not....I hope you are actually outside! I take that back...I did take my drama class outside yesterday. Nothing like testing "vocal projection" by making the students read poems into the wind, right? Love my job!!! The weeks fly by and I can't believe its already Friday when that day comes. I've added pre-K onto my class schedule. Which means I have Mattman and Ashleigh now on the same day for music! Good stuff. And I'm finally learning more names now.....the little ones in his class are so cute. The older classes are learning real music stuff (like how to read music!) so its nice that I just get to sing and do the Hokey Pokey with the Pre-K.
AND...I'm so excited!!!! I am taking my drama kids to see "Wicked" at the Fox in Atlanta!! I saw "Secret Garden" there and fell in love. Now over 15 years later I am going back to see the show I have been DYING to see! happy dance! And my bud Elizabeth is coming too. We got a new bus at the school and we are taking it. All 48 of us!!!
I've got to sit down and pick out the Christmas music....I just realized...October is next week!!!! Time to start working on the Christmas program!!!!!
Ok...guess that means I shouldn't be updating my blog right now.....better go!
I promise to post more pics soon!

One other note...

I just got finished watching an hour long show about Sarah Palin put together by Greta Van Sustren(FOX). I proceeded to check my e-mail and Facebook before I went to bed and was actually able to see, via Youtube, the clever SNL skit with Tina Fey as Sarah Palin. (NBC was pulling it from Youtube earlier today.) Somehow I found a link to a story about Tim Russert's son, Luke, and his interview with McCain and Obama. Then from there I was linked to his personal blog. It was quite an interesting read. Thought I'd post it for you. Enjoy.

The hills are alive with the "Sound of Music"

Well, I've made my choice for the Spring Musical! The Sound of Music! I am nervous and so excited at the same time! This is such a favorite of everyones- I hope it brings all sorts of talent out for auditions- which will be in December before break.

God made it very clear this was to be "it" by some VERY obvious coincidences!
1} I had watched it on tv a few weekends ago. I thought I would look up on the internet to see how much royalties were. AS I was about to type....
2} The other music teacher was playing the movie for her class. I had no knowledge she was going to do this.
3} I went to my drama class and one of my students started quoting from "Do Re Mi"- I asked him why he was quoting from that and he said he didn't know.
4} A tube of posters in my daughters room ended up downstairs for some reason. It fell over and 1 poster fell out....you guessed it......The Sound of Music!
I decided I had gotten the message LOUD and CLEAR!

R&H has already sent the contract which I am putting in the mail tomorrow. Musicals- especially well know ones- are VERY pricey to put on...I hope I can find some sponsors. Never done that before. Anyway...this will be my first musical to direct. Wish me luck!

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free....

This teaching/going back to work thing is tough but it does allow for some interesting conversation. I teach at a conservative private Christian school- but balance that with the field in which I teach...the arts. And most artists are quite liberal. I happen to be the exception. I get along wonderfully with everyone I work with- I'm actually very blessed by this...not everyone is so fortunate. But yesterday, it came to light I was Catholic with a fellow teacher and she said she used to be. We got into a light discussion about the ways of the church and the world. I'm not sure what statement led to a comment by me to the effect of "There is a difference between being pro-life and the crazy people who bomb abortion clinics."(This has always struck a nerve with me since I read an article about the Birmingham abortion clinic bomber being called a pro-life advocate.) So my co worker says to me "Well I just wonder how people can claim to be pro-life and pro war." Ok.....see Trish speechless. Rare thing, I know. So I thought about it. And thought some more. Because that's what you do when you want to find the best answer and what you do when you wake up at 3:30 in the morning and can't sleep!
So here is my answer..... Its all about the little guy who can't defend himself. That's it. I am all for our troops being able to come home. But no one forces a gun to their heads and says "Go fight this war!" (Last time I checked enlisting was voluntary.) Unlike in other countries....which we are at war with. We have the freedom to come and go as we please, make what ever statements we please....unlike other countries. We went to Iraq to hunt down a tyrant who made the lives of the Iraqis unbearable. Did we kill him when we found him? No. Do our men go to any war ready to just kill for no reason? No...I think they prefer taking prisoners. There are foreigners who believe it is their god's will for them to kill as many lives as possible in contrary to their own beliefs. We view that as horrid and atrocious, right? So whats the difference between that and abortion? This little life God created and is killed- without rights, without a choice, without a say. Not much different than the people we go to war to help be free...to have rights, to have choices, to be free to be.
Someone recently made a comment about Sarah Palin on their Facebook "status". This person "couldn't believe she had to tell her 13 year old daughter/niece (not sure) that- no -it was not ok to be a teenager and pregnant. Thanks, Sarah Palin." I had to kind of laugh. Seriously? Soooooo, the media glamorizing unwed mothers like Jamie Lynn Spears and other Hollywood stars had ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with it???? So Sarah shouldn't show the example of unending love by encouraging her daughter to save the life of this unborn child and by not shunning her from the family? What an amazing example of a strong woman...of family. Bristol is going to need support and love over what will probably be the most difficult time in her life. Isn't that part of the reason why women have abortions? They don't have any love and support to get them though what must be an awful lonely time?
I know- I don't post for a while and then I go and get on my soapbox. I know most people who read my blog are probably conservatives so I guess I am preaching to the choir. But thats what makes this country so great. Once again- I am free to have a voice.
God bless the men and women who died in the attacks on 9/11 and their families. MAY WE NEVER FORGET!

I'm legally blonde...

OMG, you guys! I just downloaded "Legally Blonde:the musical" to my shuffle (pink, of course) and I love it. Sigh- Makes me play that what if game......I guess I would have had to have been born 15 years later and actually gone to Broadway. Guess I'll live vicariously through my students...lol. I got hooked on the musical through MTV's reality show "Be the next Elle Woods on Broadway". It was really cute and with a real competition involved. I think my favorite song is "What you want".

Well, we enjoyed our first home game and win (34-0!) of the season. And all of us went ...including the kids! This after going to the Friday night school game! It was a shutout too....but the other way. Boo! Life is good and we are settling in to fall very nicely!

I finished another portrait. My hard drive crashed so I haven't put photoshop back on my computer yet so I'll post a pic of it later when I can correct the color.

Hope you are all well!

Fe Fi Fo Fay....

I am done with the rain.....or maybe just the bad weather. I'm getting broken in as a new teacher early with the tornado warning that had us all in the halls at school yesterday. Kinda scary since Enterprise is not too far from here and a tornado tore their school apart a few years ago...maybe a year and a half. True irony that there was a golf tournament scheduled to benefit EHS yesterday and it was cancelled due to bad weather. Now Gustauv is out there. We shall see what havoc it plays on our lives. It looks to be headed to the gulf. Not that hurricanes and storms are anything new to me. I survived Frederic '79 and Opal '95.....and all storms in between. Opal was the one that did quite a bit of damage as far up as Auburn which is where we were when it hit. We were without power for quite a few days. I'm fascinated with hurricanes actually. I am glued to the weather channel usually when there is one to track. Thankfully, now I am distracted all day (you know, by my job) so by the time I get home the storm has actually moved. I'm definitley watching Gustauv though.....the beach is calling........

Ahoy, Matey!

Well, I have survived a week and half of my new job and took a trip to Mobile in between! It was my niece's birthday and while we were down there we ate some seafood and went to the Exploreum to see an exhibit on FROGS and we went to the Battleship! My kids thought that totally rocked. Matt really thought it was neat to be on the submarine. I'd include a picture of me butI had reeeeaaaaally big hair...have you ever felt the humidity in Mobile?

Space Cadet

We just saw the International Space Station fly across the sky! NASA buff that my FIL is he made sure we knew when it would be visible. It was too over cast last night but it was crisp and clear tonight and we were able to see it fly for about 4 minutes. VERY cool! The kids actually sat and watched too! You should be able to see it the next two nights as well in the eastern US at least. Go here to see whne you might be able to get a glimpse of the ISS where you are!
In other worlds.....I have been getting ready for my new teaching job. I have been absolutely overwhelmed and exhausted the last two nights. I haven't really seen my kids in two days...Matt looks like he's grown a foot! His 5th birthday party is tomorrow so I'll be posting some pics soon. I hope!

No I'm not in hiding. I'm trying to enjoy the last of my summer. I go to work on Wednesday for new teacher orientation! I can't believe it! I have also been helping my sorority get ready for rush...or as they call it now, recruitment.

We went to Six Flags on Friday and the kiddos had a blast! Ashleigh actually rode the Georgia Cyclone with John! Then I rode a rollercoaster with Matt in the Warner Bros. area of the park and he was soooo mad he was too short to ride anymore! Blogger is having issues or I'd post some pics!
I also admit I have been spending waay too much time on Facebook. If you know my real name come find me and be my friend!!! You can search for me under my maiden name too! Anyway....I will try to post more........ soon!

Its Official!

I didn't want to say anything until it was a go but.....
I am so excited to announce that I was hired to be the drama teacher at the local private school!!! I will have 8, 9, & 10th graders. Along with that I will be the music teacher to K-3. I'lll have a weird schedule but I'll be at the school and have an office and its all wonderful!

Hello.....

I know its been a while. Sorry about that. I've been a tad overwhelmed.
The performance of Musical Theatre Camp went off without a hitch! The parents were thrilled and we were very pleased. The glow bracelets and strobe effect going in Xanadu totally rocked!
I saw so tired I spent the rest of the afternoon and some of Sunday napping to catch up on sleep. I hit the ground running on Monday doing laundry and trying to clean the house. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were spent at the Sorority chapter room helping with recruitment decorations and ideas. Its been 13ish years since I set foot in that room- so strange yet so familiar. I started my days there in 1990 when we moved there. Now they are going to be moving to a new chapter room next year.
I've also gotten some not so good news about my dad....he's not doing well and it breaks my heart. Please pray for our family.
Thats all for now.

Surfing U.S.A.

Camp is so much fun this summer- (is it ever not?)!!! We have 24 terrific kids who have embraced every bit of enthusiasm we have had for the music we chose this year! Usually we have to give them a pep talk by Thursday and it just didn't have to happen. We don't have any prima donnas this year or kids who don't want to be there (i.e. my mom is making me come). This makes life so much easier. This is our 5th camp and I guess by now we all have our jobs down pat and so there has been no stressing, no panicking- we've actually said "Are we forgetting something?" because its been so smooth! So yesterday after camp we took off to the lake with the kids and Ashleigh's buddy Cater in tow and had a great afternoon! The kids enjoyed tubing.....Ash and Cater just wanted to keep on going. Matt was done after one run....lol...a little too fast for him. They were all beat at the end of the day...falling asleep in the car on the way home.:)

Tonight? I'll be spending the evening glittering up the posters we hang as our backdrop.....oh yeah!

You can't stop the beat!

Its one of my favorite times of year!!! Musical Theatre Camp! This year we had an unbelievable waiting list...enough to make almost another camp! We are growing!!! And we have found the perfect week apparently. Yay! Well, I'm very excited and love the numbers we've chosen...especially the opening and closing. I've been working on the t-shirt design and the posters we hang as our "backdrop". So much goes into getting ready. I've even tried to get the choreography ready ahead of time....though I usually do it on the spot. We chose one number from 4 different musicals. Boy did we do a variety this year!!!! Take a gander at the cool animated poster!

Grumble, grumble....and Wall-E!

I can't be perky all the time...
So DeAnna did not choose the ever-loved-most-popular-ladies-choice Jason. She's welcome to fall in love with anyone she chooses. I just wish ABC hadn't played most of its audience into seeing the fairytale ending with Jason and not Jesse-the-friend. I'm done with that show.

I went to the dentist this morning. I dread the dentist...not my dentist in particular....but the dentist in general. I had two sets of adult teeth that were remove as a child. 5 in one day and 4 the next week.....when I was about 9. I've had my share of fillings and crowns. And because of one dentists sloppy work (I've never been happy with this crown) I've now got to spend more hours in the "the chair" and get it removed and repaired. I found this out today after what was an otherwise uneventful trip. Grrrr.......

On a happier note..... We went to see Wall-E today. Can I say how much I hate being preached to at a kids movie? "Happy Feet" was awful for just that reason. I feel like Al Gore jumped in my face during an otherwise cute movie and stuffed global warming down my throat. While there is a message in Wall-E, I felt it was not overtly pushy. Seeing Mother Earth in piles of trash and thick smog did tug at my contience a little. One of my favorite scenes was when we see Wall-E after a hard days work come "home" to his shed and pull out his new found objects. Its very much a nod to The Little Mermaid when she takes her stuff to her cave. I also LOVE LOVE LOVED that Louis Armstrong's "La Vie En Rose" played during one of the scenes. And, sure, the scene with all the fat-blubbery blobs of humans on the spaceship being lazy didn't offend me because I see so much of that in this country now. In fact when I went to the lobby I saw a couple sitting in "massage chairs" that looked very (scarily) like the people portrayed in the movie. Anyway- its cute- take your kids to see it.:)

Monday, Monday

Ahhh, its Monday. One month or so before school starts again. I've got Musical Theatre Camp next week (!!!) and the kids have VBS. Lots to do but nothing at the same time. Nothing but try to enjoy whats left of the summer.
We so enjoyed our annual 4th of July party that was on Saturday. It only rained momentarily when the fireworks got started. The food was great and company even better. Even with 15 kids running around it wasn't so bad. They were plenty entertained by the Snap/pops we gave them and the sparklers. Ashleigh really enjoyed the band too and was so mad when she couldn't go back with daddy over there. It was 11pm and she was tired and we made her go to bed. Mean Mommy and Daddy. The band quit a little after midnight. They played some really great music pretty late. I heard MJ's Billie Jean. I thought that was cool considering they'd been playing alot of classic rock. Next year I will get up the nerve to ask to sing with them.:) I'll post a great pic with all my girlfriends when I get them. (They were on John's camera.) I did end up throwing up all night again. I didn't even drink that much. I guess 2 drinks are 2 too many. Never again. I guess I'm done with alcohol. Its just not worth it. And all the rich food didn't help.
Now, I have to admit the biggest thing on my agenda is getting dinner done in time so I can watch "The Bachelorette" tonight. I know, cheesy. But like I posted a while back....I want to see Deanna's happy ending...as long as its Jason. I picked him at the beginnning and will be so mad if he's not the "one". I've been reading the ABC boards and reading too much. All signs seem to point to Jesse. Sad. I know its just TV. They just look so cute together. Ahh, well we shall see...TONIGHT!

Happy Independence Day!

Mmmm....I've got my highly acclaimed BBQ pork sandwhiches in the making....the Boston Butts are on the stove right now...boiling up, getting ready! Its a long process and I have 15lbs. to cook up but its going to be oh so good! We are having our annual neighborhood 4th of July party tomorrow! Yipee! I'm cooking the pork up today so I can relax tomorrow and its alwasy better the next day after the sauce has had time to soak into the meat anyway. Yep, got it down to a science....thanks Dad!
We have no plans today except for a trip to Lowes and shoot fireworks tonight. I am waiting for a call from the pediatric nurse. There always has to be some drama for the holidays, right? Matt has has a nosebeed 2 days in a row. Pretty good one, too. He's fine...but it worries you, you know?
LOL...I thought my butts were on fire becasue I heard a cracking, popping sound....haha ends up it was the kids throwing poppers on the sidewalk! Whew! No more drama, please!
Have a great weekend y'all!