The Bad with the Good

The last few weeks have been somewhat of an emotional roller coaster for me, but I'm attempting to keep those emotions from rearing their ugly heads as much as possible. Today, however, I went to the hospital to see my grandfather who is, for lack of a nice way to put it, dying.

Humanity stares you straight in the face, and it's ugly. We're born, we live, and we die. The most important part is what you fill the center -- the 'live' part -- with. While I was holding my grandpa's hand, he talked a little bit here and there but most of it was very difficult to understand. One thing he did say, though, was "I had a good life. I had a good family."

That's what filling the center -- the 'live' part -- is really about.

Our family has its ups and downs, sometimes high ups and sometimes low downs. But we love one another, probably more than each individual is aware of, and, in the end, that's what really matters.

A whirlwind trip with a bit of relaxation, a bit of excitement, and a lot of love is upcoming! Congratulations in advance to Andie and Kevin -- I am happy for you both, and so glad you asked us to join in your celebration.

I did some reading last night on "The Inhuman Condition" by Clive Barker, which already has me hooked. Had I any idea that I would enjoy Clive Barker so much, I would've read all of his novels years ago!

On the other hand, "Forever Fifteen" is losing me more and more each day. The "Forever" stands for "how long is this book going to go on without a point" and "Fifteen" is the number of new characters the author introduces in each chapter, and I'm weary of trying to keep up. Danny: you owe me.

Time for American Idol -- there will be no blogging until Sunday, but I promise to give you the full detailed blog you deserve.

Happy Week(end) everyone!
SJS

Escanaba in Da Muncie

Hi, everyone! Guess what I just did? Had my first rehearsal with my cast and crew for the cut version of Escanaba in Da Moonlight, which we're taking to festival in Muncie, IN, at the end of March! It was fantastic! The show has to be cut to one hour or less, and we had 1:06, so we made some more cuts and I think we're in a good place. I'm very excited.

Speaking of this endeavor, if any or all would like to donate to the "send the cast and crew of ECT'S Escanaba in Da Moonlight to Muncie fund", you can make checks payable to Elkhart Civic Theatre with "Escanaba/Festival" in the memo section, and it will be TAX DEDUCTIBLE! Just mail it to the theatre! See the website for address.

Some vegging time right now. I did read a little today, though -- started my next Clive Barker novel. I'll keep you posted!

SJS

Church Online

One of the best parts of going to a church the size of Ohio is that, if you don't feel like getting out of bed, you can download the service at watch it online in the comfort of your own home. The only drawback is that then the dogs are at church, also, and they sort of make a nuisance of themselves.

This weekend has been filled with a good mix of fun and relaxation for us. We've seen two shows at two different theatres, had wings and ribs and Chinese food (because I have no will power at all), and slept in two days in a row. I'll admit I haven't done a fair amount of reading, but I did have a nice long visit with my favorite Mother-in-Law when I went to pick up my daughter on Saturday, and I get to see my parents and little sister today, which I find is more important than reading, even if I do have a quota to fill.

I am massively looking forward to our trip next week -- Andie's wedding will be fun, and just getting away for a few days is always nice. Maybe I can read on the plane... if there is no turbulence. Turbulence makes me feel icky.

Escanaba rehearsals begin on Monday -- I've made the cuts to take it to festival in Muncie, but I know that more will need to be made, so we'll see what happens at the read-through. I'm excited!

Time for online church! Watch along with me if you like!

SJS

Reckless Abandon of Blogging

"It was bound to happen and one night it did..." -- Garth Brooks

I came home late and I didn't blog last night. I know. You're tearing your hair out, thinking what could possibly have been so important to her that she let us down? Was there an emergency of some kind? Is she alive? For the love of God, is she in the hospital somewhere with NO INTERNET ACCESS!?

No. I was just too tired. I heartily apologize.

As I sit here at the computer with my homemade sausage McMuffin with egg, I realize the world didn't end even though I said I would blog every single day. I know there's no point in blogging twice today to make up for it. I'm okay, I don't feel like a failure, it's no big deal. But it kind of irritates me. This is me in general -- I throw myself wholeheartedly into something and then when I'm bored, tired, overwhelmed, I drop it like a hot potato. But I'm not letting that creep in. That's part of the reinvention. I'm going to trek on with this, even though I might not do it every single day. It will be a year-long process. I will read 100 books. I will continue to write every night that it is humanly possible for me (or every morning as the case may be...) And the more followers I have, the less likely I am to let them down, so by golly, bring your friends! Yes, YOU!

My homemade sausage McMuffin with egg recipe:
(Mine has fewer calories/fat than McDonald's)

Make an egg over-easy on the stove
Put a frozen sausage patty in the microwave
Toast an english muffin
Put a slice of American cheese on the muffin
Flip the egg over, turn off the heat
Put the egg on top of the cheese
Get the sausage patty out of the microwave and soak up the massive amounts of grease with a paper towel
Put the sausage patty on top of the egg
Flip the muffin over
Put the whole thing in the microwave for thirty seconds
Eat

Yeah, I'm an awesome cook. N O T. But really, the whole family likes these, so it's simple and quick and everyone's happy. Well, the people who are here are happy! Steve's reading in the office, so he got to eat. Michael's sleeping, and I'm a big proponent of letting my kids sleep in on weekends when there's nothing to do because I know how much I love to sleep in (I got up at 10:00 to fresh coffee my husband made, and it was a beautiful thing.) Aria spent the night at her Grandma's house, and Zachary spent the night at his friend's house because he had to leave at 4:30 this morning for his Northern Lights competition (show choir). Poor thing won't get home until after midnight tonight. Last night, we didn't get home until after midnight either -- we ushered for "Crumbs from the Table of Joy" at South Bend Civic with some friends of ours, and one friend came to see it, and one was in the play, so we all went out for wings afterward and another friend came to meet us there. Lots of fun. Tonight we have tickets to see "Frost/Nixon" at New World Arts, which should also be enjoyable.

I'll be doing some reading today, I assume, since the weather is bright but cold, so I don't want to go outside. We don't have to leave the house until almost 7 to get to the show, either, so I've got a nice day of vegging out. Ahhhhhh.

Hope everyone has a fantastic day. I really appreciate you reading and posting -- please continue to do so!

SJS

Plans -- Mua ha ha

I finished "The Thief of Always" last night, and it was spectacular. I got a chance to talk to my friend Danny today after he was done with his classes, and he said that the artwork in the books is actually Clive Barker's art. He says that Barker designs the artwork first and then the stories follow that. Fascinating! Sort of like writing lyrics first and then finding a tune to fit it.

I'm thinking of going on to read another Clive Barker book immediately. I just have to pick through the box of books that Danny sent me last month and find which one I want.

SPEAKING of Danny -- I have an interesting plan. He sends me care packages of cool stuff periodically, and I decided on something super cool that I'm going to send him. Something that he will be the only person in the entire universe to have. And I can't tell you what it is until he gets it and listens to it, because it will spoil the surprise. And by surprise I mean sneaky plan. Mua ha ha. I promise to tell you once he gets it and listens to it.

I found the perfect dress for Andie's wedding today. It's sparkly and purple and short and sexy and I can wear it alone or over jeans. And they only had it in a small. It actually fit! Not the.. uh... top part. But the rest of it! So I had them check all the stores in a 100 mile radius, and none of them have it in a medium. I am bound and determined to get and wear this dress for her wedding next week.

Now I am off to make Chinese food for dinner. My favorite, as you must be able to tell by now.

SJS

Fat Wednesday

The point was, I was supposed to pig out yesterday and give up something today. I pigged out yesterday and then pigged out today. I had a filet mignon with melted bleu cheese crumbles on it and some coffee at work, and at home I made chicken enchilada rice, bean and cheese chip dip, and then ate a brownie that a friend sent home for me. And a glass of milk. Mmm. And I'd love some more chocolate right now, too. It's been a nice, relaxing evening, though - we've watched several episodes of Mad Men, and then watched American Idol live.

I am reading (in fact, am almost finished with) The Thief of Always by Clive Barker. It's one of the ones my friend Danny sent me, and it's one of the shorter ones, so I thought I'd give it a shot. It's fantastic. I love it. I can't wait to read another Barker novel as soon as this one is done, which should be by the time I go to bed tonight.

Tomorrow I have two houses to clean and I need to drop by Goodwill to see if they have any jeans that will fit me, and a dress for Andie's wedding (I have a back-up dress in my closet, just in case, but I'd like to find something pretty and purple.)

Off to finish the last episode of Mad Men we were watching, and to finish this book! Very excited!

SJS

Fat Tuesday

Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday. I'm not Catholic, but I always pig out today and then give something up tomorrow. I think I might give up pigging out. My lovely boss brought us chips and salsa from Hacienda today and then made us margaritas. I came home after work, fell asleep, and woke up at 6:30. Full. I made dinner -- spaghetti -- with my daughter, who was kind enough to clean off the table after I helped her with her homework, and to set it for dinner. Have I mentioned I'm full? Because I also ate dinner. And I'm drinking coffee. And watching Jeopardy, which I love and haven't gotten to watch in forever. (We do, however, have 107 episodes on tape for whenever Steve and I get around to watching them!)

Tonight, there are two hours of American Idol, 15 minutes of which will have actual content, the rest of which will be annoying crap they use as filler. But I will watch it, nonetheless, for those 15 minutes, which is how they get their ratings. People who like the crap, and people who sit through the crap to see the good stuff.

In listening to this audiobook, "Forever Fifteen", I have to ask -- WHY, Danny? I can't stand listening to this girl read, seriously. Kimberly Steele, I think her name is. She SLAUGHTERS any accent she attempts. Her voice sounds the same for every character she reads, except for the slaughtering of whatever accent she's attempting next. If it's a man, it's a lower pitch, and if it's a female it's higher. I'm only on disc two, of like... eight or nine. If you're reading this, Danny, I'm doing this because we're friends. I except you to read Twilight after this, if I have to pin your arms to the floor and read it to you.

I want chocolate. Luckily, I have Girl Scout Cookies left. I gave the rest of them to our kids for their Alice in Wonderland gift :)

Time for American Idol.

SJS

New Books!

Okay, I've forgotten to tell you that I finished "700 Sundays" by Billy Crystal the day after I started it. I absolutely love his sense of humor - I enjoyed him all the way back on SNL, episodes of "Soap", movies he's done (especially "The Princess Bride" and "When Harry Met Sally" which seems to be my husband's favorite chick flick). The book was great, short, and told so much of his life that I'd never known. I highly recommend it. Apparently I'm big on books by comedians.

Spent some time visiting with my family today after work. My cousin Debi is in town, and we ate a lot and played poker which is a Juhasz family tradition, it seems. I kicked butt. (As much as you can kick butt with pennies and nickels.)

I've also started "Forever Fifteen" on audiobook. I have to talk to Danny about this. He probably won't tell me why he wants me to read it until after I'm done reading it, though. It's narrated by the author (the name of whom escapes me at the moment). I personally think it's rare that the author of a story could be a terrible narrator, but... ugh. More to come.

Time for some vegetation time in front of Mad Men on DVD, and I get to sleep in somewhat for the first time in the last couple of work weeks. Hoorah!

Have a great night, all. I know I will.

SJS

One Week

We have one week of rest, now that Alice in Wonderland Jr. is over. We had our final performance (which I did not get to see because I was in the library at the theatre frantically writing out 50+ participation certificates for the cast and crew of our wonderful show!) and then the strike and the party. Our oldest son apparently took charge of gathering money from the cast and bought us all director gifts -- I got a $20 gift card for Texas Roadhouse and a $10 gift card for 7-11 because he knows how much I love the English Toffee Cappuccino! I'm so proud of all our kids, but Zachary has really taken a lot of initiative lately where theatre and his future and his life are concerned, and he just surprises me more and more each day. In a good way, of course :)

After that, we'll have an initial meeting for Escanaba in Da Moonlight, which I'm directing once again, but a version that I cut down to one hour to take to the state theatre festival in Muncie, Indiana at the end of March. Then we'll begin our rehearsal process the following week. No rest for the wicked. (That's an inside joke, it's okay if you don't get it. I do, and I just made myself laugh.)

For Valentine's Day, I went to Dunkin' Donuts this morning and got breakfast sandwiches and big old coffees for my husband and myself, and a dozen doughnuts which I intended to give to the kids. There were four left when we were done with them. We watched a couple of episodes of Mad Men in bed and relaxed. I got him the Michael Jackson "This is It" on Blu-ray, and he got me "Marley & Me" and "The Princess Bride"! We're about to watch the latter right now, so I'll cut this short.

Hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day, and to our cast and crew of Alice, we'll miss you, and we hope to see you again soon!

SJS

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

One more performance, tomorrow, and then we strike and party and go home. It's been such a long road for one weekend of the show, Alice in Wonderland Jr., but it's definitely been worth it. I never thought I'd enjoy youth theatre (Why not? I love theatre and I love kids!?) but every last one of these kids has been fun to work with, and enjoyable in their own, unique way. They've done a fantastic job, and so has my husband who worked so hard to direct, choreograph, and care about all the kids at the same time. Great job to everyone involved!

I have to say, however, that my house desperately needs to be cleaned. I'm thinking, once again, of completely shaving my dog. The shedding is just ridiculous. Also, I need new vacuum bags because my last one is full of her hair and I'm fairly certain I could throw some hot glue inside the bag and an arts-and-crafts version of a husky would come out. All that would be missing is the shiny pink tongue.

On a let's-get-back-to-what-this-blog-is-for note, I started reading "700 Sundays" by Billy Crystal today, and am loving it so much (and the silence that is surrounding me in the house right now because everyone's asleep but me) that I might finish it tonight. More to come on that, and soon. I'm toying with starting "Forever Fifteen" on audiobook, the one my friend Danny sent me, and one of the Clive Barker books he sent as well. Now that the show is going to be finished, I might have some time to read this month.

I'd like to say I have some deeply romantic Valentine's Day plans, but -- well, striking a youth theatre show and falling exhausted into bed so I can get up for work at 5:00am on Monday is not the epitome of romance, to say the least. I should probably get up early tomorrow and go buy him a card before he wakes up... I procrastinate so much that if I could put off procrastinating until tomorrow, I would.

I have a plethora of Alice in Wonderland songs running through my head because it's so quiet right now. Even the dryer stopped making noise. Oh... I should probably go fold the laundry, then.

If I live through the rest of the weekend, I'll keep you posted on what I've been reading!

SJS

Almost Late

It's 11:45, but it's still Friday, so this counts! We had a successful opening night of Alice in Wonderland, Jr. and some fabulous pictures will be posted sooner or later, probably a link to Facebook when I get myself organized. Thanks to all who were in attendance. There are some seats left for tomorrow's added matinee for those who haven't gotten tickets yet, so be sure to show up and grab them!

Some great grub tonight at Buffalo Wild Wings (Zachary's favorite place to eat!) Thanks to John Shoup and Penny Meyers for all your hard work on the show, we really enjoyed kicking back with you tonight, and glad you could make it, too, Carl! Looking forward to getting back in the swing of things with you for our Escanaba in Da Muncie project!

Hoping to post more this weekend, but it won't be much tomorrow. We have to be at the theatre around 1:30ish and won't be leaving until after the second performance tomorrow night. I shall be zonked out!

Have a great night and, if you're performing tomorrow, break a leg!

SJS

An Added Bit of Wonder

We have officially added another performance of Alice in Wonderland, Jr! We will be offering a Saturday February 13th matinee for those of you who missed out on getting tickets to our regularly scheduled shows. We had a waiting list of over 60 people this afternoon and, after talking with the kids and their parents, the theatre decided to go ahead and make it happen! So... tomorrow, call 574-848-4116 and get your last minute tickets! You will not be disappointed.

After watching the final dress rehearsal this evening, I can't tell you how proud I am of all of these kids. They have worked so hard on all of the songs, lines, choreography, and extra things we've been asking them to do, and it really showed when they had a small audience this evening. Tomorrow, for opening night, I expect they will be even better at everything -- all the kinks will have been worked out, the jitters will be mostly over with, and the drama queen in everyone will rear its head! I watch all of this and think how incredible it is that my husband, who has never directed youth theatre before, both directed AND choreographed the entire show (except two numbers) and did it with a calm, clear head and didn't murder any children. (Side note: this is why I CAN'T direct youth theatre. I can't promise not to kill any children.)

I had a wonderful day today -- not only was it my mental health day, it was my Mommy's birthday, and we had several hours to ourselves. We spent it (and our money) at the Blue Chip Casino, then ate enough food to stuff a refrigerator at Hacienda, home of the Chocolate Mountain Mudslide, and did some thrift store shopping and antiquing. I love having time with my mother. It calms me to be away from the frantic activity of my regular life and back with the one woman I know who loves me and accepts me for who I am. Most women I can't stand to be around. This one I can't get enough of.

Needless to say, I did not do any reading today. And I probably won't this weekend, sadly, because I will be watching four productions of Alice in Wonderland, and doing the strike for the show afterward on Sunday. Maybe now is the time to add one of those Little Golden Books I was threatening at the beginning of the year!

GET YOUR TICKETS!!! See you this weekend!

SJS

Ellen is My American Idol

I was never one for reality shows, because I know they are completely unrealistic. After having tried out for American Idol myself, the audition process was a joke, and what you see on television really happens over the course of almost an entire week, not just in one day. An extremely small percentage of people actually ever get to see the television celebrity judges. So I was almost over watching it -- until --

ELLEN DEGENERES! I love her! I've been a big fan of hers since I was a young girl, and I saw her on an HBO special hosted by Martin Short called "Women of the Night" doing stand-up comedy. Her comic timing, her demeanor, her style of speech -- everything about her screams talent. And I already love watching her on American Idol. I request a 'dislike' button for Cara HoweverYouSpellHerLastName, though. Meh.

Also, my epic grocery shopping did not last the month it was supposed to, as predicted. I had to go again today. Double Meh, because I really despise grocery shopping as well.

Tomorrow we have an audience for Alice in Wonderland, Jr. and I think the kids will do a terrific job. Our run is Friday through Sunday, and then we strike and close the show after the Sunday matinee. Although I need the break, I'll miss this group. Yeah, you heard me right. I'm going to miss 49 kids. Well, I'll miss 46 of them. Three of them come home with me every night! :)

I've been working on "Under the Tuscan Sun" -- she even puts recipes for authentic Italian food in there! I could probably be a good cook if I weren't so concerned about the health and well-being of my family. I could make some great things if I were willing to saute everything in butter and then mix it with half and half. Now I'm hungry again. I did make beef stroganoff tonight before I went grocery shopping. Mainly because those ingredients were the last thing I had left in the house.

Wish us some leg-breaking tomorrow night -- more info to come!

In case there are some Sunday tickets left, call tomorrow at 574-848-4116 and make them yours!

SJS

Inclement Weather

It's February 9th, for goodness sake. We don't need a foot of snow. We did need it back in December for a beautiful white Christmas, the subtle backdrop for our holiday. But now it's just irritating. I hope they close everything tomorrow. I hope they put up big orange barricades that read "Stay in your home, you do not need to come out into this ridiculousness". I realize that's a lot to put on a sign, but the barricades I have envisioned in my head are large enough to have all of that written on it, do not fear. We had to cancel our rehearsal this evening, which we desperately needed, and now we won't get together again until Thursday when we have a small audience for our final dress rehearsal. NO PRESSURE, KIDS!!!

In the midst of some personal struggle, I am keeping as positive as possible. I finished "A Scanner Darkly" today, and it was fantastic through and through. I highly recommend it, especially on audiobook because, if I have not stressed this enough, Paul Giamatti rocks my socks off.

I can feel the sore throat and congestion coming on, so I drank some Emergen-C tonight (thanks, Marla!) and took some aspirin for the sore throat and headache, and I'm attempting to get as much rest as possible tonight. I'm riding in to work with Steve again tomorrow because my car does not like the icy roads, and two are better than one when traveling in this weather, I think. So I need to get up around 5:00 tomorrow. Hence the shortness of this post, once again. I'll be back to posting and linking up things in a more regular fashion very soon.

Until tomorrow, stay warm and stay safe! (And if you're somewhere with beautiful weather, STAY THERE!)

SJS

HELP, MY BRAIN IS FULL!

Alice rehearsal tonight was super hectic. I didn't eat anything after lunch today and I only had a bowl of soup, then, so I've had about three cups of coffee and a bowl of soup. My oldest son is eating dinner right now, 8 minutes after bedtime. But... if you see the show this weekend, you'll know that it was all worth it!

I rode in with Steve to work today, so I didn't get a chance to listen to my audiobook... that I'm still almost done with... but it was okay, because we saved gas money that way. I'm hoping we can do that from time to time when we both have the opening shift. It went well this morning. Most of the time we work pretty well together. Now that I say that, tomorrow we'll probably kill one another.

Really, I just feel too drained to be witty. I apologize profusely. I'll be back to my pleasantly sarcastic self next week.

More soon, I promise.

SJS

Superbowl, Shmuperbowl

I can't recall a time in recent history when I have been less enthusiastic about the Superbowl. I don't particularly care about either team, and even the commercials aren't blowing me out of the water this year. I did, however, make steak, loaded baked potatoes, and bought chocolate peanut butter ice cream for dessert. And The WHO!? Really? I'm pretty sure I'd rather hear a chorus of random feral dogs howling at the moon than listen to The Who.

Our first complete run-through with full dress/tech this afternoon for Alice in Wonderland, Jr. went pretty darn well! The kids did a great job with their own make-up, and almost all of them were in the right costumes at the right times. Two more run-throughs, a complete dress rehearsal with an audience on Thursday, and then three performances this weekend, and it's all over. I'm torn -- it's been a lot of work and we could use a rest, but I'm going to miss the kids when it's all said and done. Yeah, me. The one who was completely freaked out at the thought of dealing with 49 kids at the same time. They're pretty spectacular! If you have not yet gotten your tickets, please call M-F from 1:00-5:30 and GET THEM! 574-848-4116 -- COME SEE IT! You will not be disappointed!

Not much time to read after all this weekend. I'm still threatening to find something extremely short and just read it and get it over with so I can add something to my list, which still stands at only nine books this year. That was great for January, but we're a week into February and I haven't added anything to the list this month at all.

I'm very excited about the movie Alice in Wonderland, too. Not just because it's Tim Burton but... okay, just because it's Tim Burton. I'm not all drooly over Johnny Depp. I like him, but to be honest with you, I'm a bigger fan of Helena Bonham Carter! I guess it's a Fight Club thing. I adore her. And I want to look just like her when I grow up.

Finally, as a personal favor, I ask you all to please pray for my cousin Johnny -- The Toad -- he goes in for his surgery tomorrow morning, and his wife is asking that everyone pray at 7:30 a.m.! Check out her blog to find out more at www.thefightingtoad.blogspot.com

Have fun watching the rest of the Superbowl. I guess I could probably be reading right now, huh?

SJS

Back to Church

We've been watching church from home for the last several weeks because of weather and fatigue -- easier to sleep in and watch later in the afternoon. I took Aria tonight and went, though. I had eight weeks of tithe checks to turn in (balancing my checkbook has become an obstacle course!) It was nice to be back.

Our sons performed an incredible ensemble this afternoon at Solo & Ensemble with two of their friends, and received a GOLD for their performance. My camera died after about 30 seconds of recording because I have no foresight into charging the battery when important events are coming up. However, I'm forcing all of the boys to come over this week wearing their tuxes so they can sing it here and I can record them.

I think I'm going to turn in early -- our first full dress/tech rehearsal is tomorrow and I'm probably going to be at the theatre right up until the moment the Superbowl starts. Go __________s! (Insert whatever team name you like here. I don't really care, as my team is not in the Superbowl.)

Let's see if I can make it through ANOTHER week without going completely insane...

SJS

Seriously, Thank GOD It's Friday

Because I don't think that my brain could take any more input. I clocked 39.29 hours at my part-time job this week. Not that I mind -- I could use the money. It's just everything else at the same time -- the rehearsals, the housework, the laundry, the dogs, the utter lack of sleep, the attempt at weight-loss. My body is rebelling. I woke with a massive headache and it didn't go away until I got home and had some hot tea and three ibuprofen. And whatever Steve's getting rid of right now, I'm coming down with it. Blahhhhh.

Tomorrow is set construction at the Bristol Opera House, and then our boys have Solo and Ensemble. I think that if I'm nice and quiet, I can sneak up on a nap around 4:00 tomorrow!

My niece and nephew are over right now. Aria and Christi are playing the Wii, Zachary's watching WWE on the computer, Michael's playing his guitar, and Julian's about to join him. Doobie is on my lap, watching nothing happen out the window, but being very excited about it. Nikita is licking the floor and waiting for someone to tell her to stop licking the floor because it's annoying.

I'm pretty sure that after I dry and fold this load of laundry I might actually get a chance to read for awhile. Won't THAT be nice?

I have been reading, incidentally. Just not books. I'm on the production committee for Elkhart Civic Theatre, so I've been reading plays. But I'm not counting those towards my 100 books, because they're not books. They're plays. I really wish that dog would stop licking the floor.

Sadly, I'm having another massive craving for Girl Scout Cookies. I have three boxes of Thin Mints and two boxes of Tagalongs in the house. I'm uncertain as to whether or not I could hide the fact that I'm eating an entire box of Girl Scout Cookies from five kids and two dogs, however. The little dog is codependent, so hiding anything from him is pretty difficult. For instance, right now as I'm typing, he's draped over my lap with his head over my right arm, pressing down while I continue to make words with my fingers. And he's snoring.

I shall now grab this opportunity to finish the laundry and attempt the reading. I'll let you know how it goes.

SJS

GET YOUR TICKETS!!!!

BULLETIN: ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR. IS COMING UP AND YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR TICKETS!

CALL 574-848-4116 to get them! February 12, 13, and 14 at the Bristol Opera House... BE THERE!

Tonight we had a great rehearsal. We were able to see many of the costumes, and they are fabulous! Dawn Blessing has done an amazing job so far, and so have her helpers. We've got a lot of wonderful parents helping out backstage, and 49 fantastic kids really working their hearts out for you. Please, please come see it! (Not to mention one foxy director :)

"A Scanner Darkly" has now gotten so good that I don't want it to end. I can't wait for this weekend, though, so I can relax and read and enjoy myself. This is the first week that I'll actually clock around 40 hours at my part-time job. I can't imagine how Steve does it, being there every morning at 6:00. I guess being O.C.D. has its perks from time to time.

Getting ready to watch an episode of Mad Men and hopefully fall into blissful sleep. Although my big dog has been apparently having some uncomfortable intestinal issues for lack of any other non-gross term for what she did on the carpet and in her cage the last couple of days. At least she's been sleeping through the night and not waking me up!

Have a great night. I know I will, because I'll be unconscious!

SJS

The Countdown Begins

Until Alice in Wonderland, Jr. Opening Night: 9 DAYS
Call 574-848-4116 to get your tickets!

Until our trip to Fabulous Las Vegas: 21 DAYS
(Really, it's okay to go there, no matter what the President says!)

Until my tax return is directly deposited into my checking account and I can be debt-free: 5-10 DAYS

Until my mom's 39th birthday again: 8 DAYS

Until my birthday: 43 DAYS

Our rehearsals that last couple of nights have been very productive. The kids are cleaning things up nicely, songs and lines are coming along well, characters are being developed, and I think the show is going to be wonderful. Although Steve's lost his voice from being sick, so I've been the loudmouth at rehearsal yesterday and today. I think it's the most all the kids have heard me talk this entire time. Hope I don't scare them off...

I fell off the diet wagon and had a 7-11 Cheeseburger Big Bite when I got my cappuccino. Oh, it was heavenly. I also ate half a box of Girl Scout cookies last night, too. Tagalongs. Frankly, I could've eaten the entire box and probably the next one, but I thought I'd share with the husband. He deserves a few cookies now and then.

Reading? Who has time for such things? "A Scanner Darkly" this morning on the way to work. As antsy as I am to finish it, I sometimes need wind-down time in the car after work and want to talk on the phone instead of listening. This weekend should be productive in the realm of reading, I should think. Also, I've been working the 6:30-2 shift everyday this week, because poor Tanya messed up her muscles and hasn't been able to walk much or stand up for too long without being in major pain. Hoping she feels better soon (not just because I'm sleepy, either!) At any rate, just haven't felt like reading too much. I'm staying on track, though. February is a short month and with our trip planned for Andie and Kevin's wedding, I'll lose a few days reading time there, so I'll get caught up soon. (Who wants to READ in Las Vegas!? Really!?)

5:30 a.m. will be coming soon, so... off to bed I go! Nighty night, kids!

SJS

Stupid Woodchuck

Groundhog, woodchuck. Same thing. Granted, I know that the first day of spring isn't for six more weeks anyhow, but still. If I see that little bugger, I'm going to let him know, in no uncertain terms, exactly what I think of his shenanigans. Frankly, I think he was involved in the ridiculous number of sloppy snowflakes in the air this afternoon as well, and I don't take kindly to that.

Can you also explain to me why our miniature pinscher refuses to go outside at the same time as our husky? He waits until she's done, then he has to go outside. I don't think it has anything to do with manners, or him being a gentleman. Maybe they've had some sort of philosophical disagreement. Honestly, I think Doobie just has a knack for doing things in an odd fashion. Like the way he eats. At the worst possible time, as loudly as he can, and he has to take a mouthful of dog food from the kitchen, drop it into the living room, and eat it off the floor. He's about the size of a groundhog, too. Hmm. Perhaps I just do not enjoy the shenanigans of any fifteen-pound quadruped. (That doesn't count for babies crawling. Babies crawling are awesome. As is the word 'shenanigans'.)

I'm so close to finishing "A Scanner Darkly" that I can taste it, but it still won't happen today. Too little time in the day. I know, the same 24 hours as everyone else. But I want 30, darn it!

I suppose it's time to figure out what to feed my face. Our boys are singing the National Anthem tonight at the basketball game, and we have rehearsal, so it'll be another late night. I sure could use a nap. I live for those these days, it seems.

Hope your Tuesday's been more than fabulous.

Until tomorrow,
SJS

Restlessness

I'm getting restless with these two books. Not that I'm not loving them -- I totally am, don't get me wrong. But I feel like I'm not accomplishing anything. I read the first nine books so quickly that it seems like I've been working on these two forever. In comparison, I have. They'll both be finished soon, I think, but I might find something quick to read at the same time just so I can feel that little boost of emotional ecstasy by actually getting through a book.

I'm filling in for Tanya in the morning because she's not feeling well, so I'm up at 5:00 a.m. tomorrow. That means this note will be short. We just finished a three hour rehearsal for Alice in Wonderland Jr. and, though it went well, there will be several more in the next few days and we all need to store up energy when we can! Time for vegging -- we're watching Season One of Mad Men which we got a long time ago but never got around to watching. We also own Season Two for when we're done. Lots of catching up to do.

My head has been intermittently aching today which is rather annoying. Kind of feels like someone's pressing the left hand side of my skull against a brick wall and poking at it with a blunt object, not quite until it breaks the skin, but almost. Uncomfortable. No likey.

I feel like snackies. But it's weigh-in day tomorrow and I need to lost a pound. So I brushed my teeth, because that always inhibits my desire to eat. I hate brushing them again before bed, and it also makes whatever snackies I might ingest taste somewhat like mint.

And, since it's probably up on Facebook by now...

CONGRATULATIONS KAREL AND HEATHER -- IT'S FINALLY A BOY! Well, in a few months it will be.

:)

SJS