garden state

At this very moment, I am listening to Jane yelling at Jimmy because he's not sharing. So there's that. This will be a quick one.

As always, very happy it's Friday after another silly and ridiculous week. We are New Jersey-bound this weekend to go see our friends and their one-year-old. When we used to go visit Dimitry (Greg's old college roommate) we would head to NYC and go see shows and go to bars and out to dinner at amazing places and roll in in the wee hours competely hammered.

Life has intervened, and now our little group has two young additions, with another on the way (that would be Jackie who is pregnant, not me). So our trip will be much more....suburban. And you know what? I'm really, really looking forward to it. We always have fun with them, no matter what we are doing.

I have scheduled rehearsal early on Sunday night so I can make it back home to watch most of the Oscars. I looooooove me some Academy Awards. My boyfriend Mark Ruffalo is nominated for his role in The Kids are All Right, and while he won't win, he will still be there, all dappered up. Plus, my friend Dwayne's boyfriend James Franco is hosting, so that will be....interesting to watch. I have graciously once again featured the picture of me and my boyfriend MR for your pleasure. Oh, my friend Jen is there too. But see how he is gripping my shoulder? True love.

What are you up to this weekend?

blah.

What I WANTED to do today is post a picture of my dad from 1984 - see, today is 11 years since he died. I found the picture last night - it's of him and one of my beloved Cabbage Patch Kids -nd I thought it would be fun to share. BUT my scanner wasn't working right and then I got completely overwhelmed with work-related stuff that the day got away from me and I never had my picture scanned and there you have it.

I know I'm getting back into the habit of not blogging a lot lately. My life is currently work, rehearsal, home, work, rehearsal, home - and I think that's probably boring to hear about. And I don't have the energy to do any real deep-thinking blogging. I mentioned on Twitter the other day that I won't be participating in reverb11 - while others have been good with keeping up with the monthly prompts, and while I really, really love my new blogging buddies from that project, I think it's something I can do every other year or something - it's not my style of writing on a regular basis (because, as you've gathered, my style is much more superficial and complainy.) (I don't think complainy is a word.) (However.)

That's my report from the trenches on this February 22. Hope you are having a great week!

weekend update.

There were a few moments this week that I didn't even think I'd get to Friday (see previous Misery Bear post). Although Misery Bear and I have very different types of jobs - my job is actually pretty unique and cool - there were many moments that I also wanted to stick a Post It note on my forehead that read "Kill Me." But it is all over now, I am more or less in one piece, and here we are, at the weekend! On tap:

Friday: I had today off, because of the aforementioned craziness. What a perfect day to have off too - it was sunny and 60 degrees - it felt like summer after the feet and feet of snow we've gotten over the past couple of months. I did some chores and went to lunch with my mommy. I also watched the season premiere of "Survivor" - did anyone else see this? It looks like an awesome season! Now I am watching Diego with Jane and just enjoying the fact I don't have to be anywhere else right now.

Saturday: We are having one of Jane's daycare peeps and her mom over in the morning. I'm kind of nervous because we're super low-key people and I always wonder what people must think of our crazy little troupe in this house, but hopefully it will be fun. I have begged everyone in the household to please keep the place clean for the next 15 hours. I particularly stressed this to the dogs.

We were supposed to go to a surprise birthday party for one of Greg's friends tomorrow night, but neither of us is really up for making small talk with people we haven't seen in years, so we might go to the movies instead, since a babysitter is already secured. Nice, right?

Sunday: Not sure what's on tap, except for rehearsal at night. Might drop by my neighbor's house, since her daughter's birthday present is four months overdue. Bad neighbor (me, not her).

Monday: Bonus holiday! Yup, I have a four-day weekend. It's like a mini-vacation! No plans yet for this day either. Might send Jane into daycare and have Amanda Day, or maybe I'll keep her home. Pretty much depends on how the next two days go.

What are YOU doing?

friends, this has been my day. my week, really.

This video speaks to the core of my soul. It was the best thing to happen to my day today. Click on it to enlarge because for some reason blogger doesn't load it right.

love day.

Happy Valentine’s Day, my dear readers!

I know lots and lots of people despise Valentine’s Day, but I’ve always really kind of loved it. My parents always got me little presents, and I love candy (those little conversation hearts are my second favorite holiday-themed candy, after candy corn), so what’s not to love about Valentine’s Day? Sure, I’ve spend many a holiday single and alone, but I really never made it much about romance anyway – just about who and what I love. So with that in mind, here are five things I’m loving right now (outside of my family and friends, because, really – DUH):

1) My RUMORS cast. Holy shit, they are awesome. Also, rehearsals. I’m totally loving rehearsals. Why? Because I have an awesome stage manager as well. And she is the organized one, so I don’t have to be. And that makes it so much fun.

2) The fact that I ran this morning. Outside. OK, OK, I also walked a lot. I walked much more than I ran. But I did run some, and that’s something, especially for me.

3) My new highlights. I don’t even have a picture guys, but don’t be mad. You probably couldn’t even see them in a picture. Greg couldn’t tell I got anything done. But I can tell. And I just needed something to spruce up my tired, pale self.

4) I have a four day weekend coming up. Sure, the reason I’m taking Friday off is because I am working tremendous hours Tuesday-Thursday, but still. Four day weekend! (We have Monday off for President’s Day.)

5) I was able to go to Jane’s Valentine’s Day party at school this morning. They had ice cream sundaes. I got to open her Valentine’s Day cards with her. They all decorated paper bags for their Valentines, and I have to say it was pretty damn cute. Also, ice cream.

BONUS: This tweet from @MayorEmanuel on Twitter yesterday: Fuck you, sun! Don't fucking set on us, you fucking gas-bastard.

Gas-bastard! I’m sorry, but that’s just funny.

weekend update.

Friday again! This is the first full week I've worked in the office (without at least working one day from home due to snow) since the beginning of the year - at least it feels that way. Which makes Friday that much more special and magical. Magical, I say! My weekend update is big time lame, but here were go:

Tonight: We're going to the mall. Yeah. So basically, my Friday night plans have reverted to what they used to be when I was a teenager. But I have no interest cruising for boys. And I'm certain they have no interest in me.

Saturday: I am going to get my hair cut and get highlights tomorrow morning. I am irrationally excited about this. I haven't had anything interesting done with my hair since I had Jane, I swear. Hopefully I won't look terrible. Most likely, no one will notice. Because I like to spend lots and lots of money on self-improvements that no one notices. As for the rest of the day - chores, filling out Jane's Valentine's Day cards, and random other non-exciting stuff. I hope for some quality sit-on-my-ass time.

Sunday: We are going to our friends' house to hang for the morning with them and their daughter, who is Jane's age. We've been bringing these girls together for playdates since they were mere months old, and it's only been in the past year or so that they've FINALLY started to play WITH each other. Sweet victory! I also have to block the rest of my show (only 21 pages left), go to my mother's house, and go to rehearsal.

What are YOU up to?

how is it only Wednesday?

Seriously. How is it only Wednesday? This week has been completely balls to the wall. I am immensely busy at work and in my regular life, and the past few days have felt like a complete blur. Next week is shaping up to be off the hook busy, so I guess I shouldn't complain quite yet. Rehearsals are in full gear for my show, and I'm completely loving it. I absolutely love my cast and despite the fact that our rehearsal hall is barely over 60 degrees when we are in there, I am having a total blast. I feel like they all come there three times a week just to make me laugh.

But that leaves me with very little for blogging, unless you want to hear me talk about how busy I am over and over (which, seriously, is at least 60% of this blog. OK, 70%). As you can see, my posts are last-minute ramblings when I realize it's been a few days since I've written anything here. I've been fairly quiet on Twitter too. Real life has taken over, I guess. And the hectic pace of life right now is one of the things keeping me (relatively) sane during these dark, very cold, seemingly-endless winter months.

But I'm still here.

requiem for an icicle

Dearly beloved, we are gathered her to say our goodbyes....

To my icicle.

It was dead upon my arrival home from work on Friday. My mouth actually fell open in disbelief when I saw its absence from my gutter. Speaking of which, it managed to not take any gutter or roofing with it, so that's good.

But still. I have been in mourning. Time heals all wounds, I guess.

weekend update.

Well, this has been a fun week of snow, then snow and some ice, and then more snow tomorrow. I managed to get into the office four out of five days this week, with only one work-from-home day, so that’s a pretty good record, at least this winter.

Bygones – because the weekend is here! And now, my ever-fascinating update on what I am doing:

Friday: I have my book club meeting tonight. We read the book Little Brother, which was all technology-filled and shit, but I liked it a lot anyway. Yup, that’s my review right now. I’m sure I will come up with better(ish) and more eloquent(ish) stuff to say tonight. I was an English major in college after all. And, as you know, I LOVE me some book club.

Saturday: Well. It’s supposed to snow/ice/slush tomorrow. So, basically, shoot me now. However, we are only supposed to get 3-6 inches, which may have had some impact back in November, but now just feels like a little dusting. I need to get some blocking work done for my show, and then I’m going to see my friend Tony in RENT tomorrow night with some friends. RENT is my all-time favorite musical, so I have very high hopes. I saw the show 22 times professionally, but only one other time since community groups got their hands on the rights. I feel very protective of that show, so I hope it’s great.

Sunday: I moved Sunday night’s rehearsal to Sunday afternoon because of the SuperBowl. See? I’m a nice director. I received notification this morning that there are some nerves regarding the sturdiness of the roof of our rehearsal hall (for those of you not living in CT – because of all of the snow and ice, roofs are collapsing everywhere. It’s awful.). So, instead, I am having rehearsal at my house. In my living room. It’s a big room, but still – this should be interesting. I hope everyone likes dogs and three year olds. And then we’re off to a SuperBowl party at night.


What are you doing this weekend? Do tell in comments!

ice, ice baby

Well, as previously complained about on as many social networking sites as possible, today we enjoyed yet another snowstorm, this time with the added benefit of lots of ice. As you can see, my pet icicle is coming along nicely.

So today I was lucky enough to be able to work from home, a nice benefit of my job, when I am able to take advantage of it. Today was one of those days, because I had no meetings or any imperative reason to be in the office. Pro to working from home: giant window at my "desk." Con to working at home: endless - I'm talking ENDLESS - Nick Jr. blasting from the TV.

As for this, well - this was the other night, and it just cracked me up. Beware, intruders! We are armed, and we sleep with one eye open.

and the crazy continues.

Jumping on the blog quickly to say HEY! And HOW WAS YOUR WEEKEND? And HOLY SHIT, WE ARE GETTING MORE SNOW.

It’s true. Really. Here, please enjoy the forecast I just read online:

A brutal double-whammy will strike Connecticut this week, bringing 4-8 inches Tuesday morning, and a thrashing of weather Wednesday with the potential of an ice storm or up to two feet of snow.

Oh, and it also said this:

This will be a major weather event, and the most significant storm of the season thus far.

So, you know, that’s fun.

In other news, my first rehearsal went great last night. It was just a script read-through, but it was the first time everyone came together, and it was great. Our next rehearsal is scheduled for tomorrow night, but, well, see above. Tonight we have a production meeting, so I must run out the door now. Please do enjoy this picture of the icicle hanging off my house. I am obsessed with this icicle. I really think I will be sad when it snaps or melts (HAHAHAHAAA as if anything will melt here ever again, in this fozen tundra!)

Note part 1: I am sorry this has become a weather blog. But I have to talk through my feelings, otherwise I’ll lose my mind.

Note part 2: MORE. I’ll lose my mind more.

in which I try to get a grip.

I’m glad some of you enjoyed yesterday’s post. While at lunch today with my posse, we noticed that snow was falling ONCE AGAIN. I threatened to end it all with a plastic knife, just so I wouldn’t have to walk back to work in the never-ending flakes, but my friend Dwayne talked me off the ledge.

I obviously need to get a grip, since there are still a couple of months left of winter. And while a girl can wish that all of the snow is over, it just doesn’t look like that’s going to be true (if the 10-day forecast is at all accurate).

SO, yesterday I was emailing with my friend Jen. Our mutual friend, Shawna, who we both used to work with, moved down to North Carolina a few years ago. We decided that, instead of blowing a couple hundred dollars on tickets to go see Billie Joe Armstrong in American Idiot, we were going to put that money towards plane tickets to go visit Shawna in March. Rumor has it, it’s in the 70s in North Carolina in March. And that sounds pretty darn delicious right about now.

Speaking of Rumors, I have a cast! The second night of auditions on Tuesday went great, and I am SUPER happy with the group I have. It’s made up of some new people that I’ve never worked with before, and others that I have. We have our first read-thru of the script on Sunday night. Can’t. Wait. Plus a production meeting on Monday night. So we’re definitely gearing up now.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

PS I really encourage you to read the poem about the snow that my blogging pal Elizabeth wrote in yesterday’s comments. I only wish I wrote it myself.

in which I tell the weather to go [bleeeeep] itself

OK, I apologize for the crassness of this post. But I simply cannot take it anymore.

Please enjoy this, my photo essay on last night's snowstorm, which dumped yet another 12+ inches on my fair state.

Because, you know, the storm we had 24 hours prior to that wasn't enough for this week.

Rumor has it, there's another one coming on Monday.

As you can see, even Jimmy is over it.

So, snow, go [bleeeeep] yourself. I am offically breaking up with you.

here are two things that make me LOL

First off, I hate saying "LOL." People use it way too much, many times when they are most certainly NOT laughing out loud.

However, here is a quick post to direct you to two places that are literally making me LOL these days:

"Rahm Emanuel's" Twitter feed. HILARIOUS: www.twitter.com/MayorEmanuel

And a website I'm pretty sure I'm the last person to discover but if you haven't, seriously, check it out: http://www.damnyouautocorrect.com/

I know, I know, this post is lame. But I'm still in the middle of auditions, so give me a break. Off to the second round in a few.

PS Jane announced to her teachers and her class that I'm having a baby. WTF? I am NOT having a baby. But of course the teachers were giddy when I went to pick her up today. I nearly died when they asked me if I am expecting - I mean, I know I need to lose 10 lbs, but I didn't think it was THAT obvious. Anyway, I had to do some hasty damage control. So that was fun.

and it begins.

love this show so much. I tech directed it about 15 years ago, when I first became involved in community theater, and then I was in it five years ago. It is one of my absolute favorite comedies and I am so excited to have the chance to direct it.

That said, I'm quite nervous about auditions tonight. I am hoping and praying that some great talent walks through the door. The whole show relies on who shows up tonight and Tuesday night. No pressure, right?

Can't. Wait.

I am very stylish.

It's pretty clear that I am a very stylish person. If only you could see me now - snow-caked boots, my sweater-jacket I wear at least twice a week, jeans that I haven't washed in at least four wears, and a Gap t-shirt - holy shit, I am basically Carrie Bradshaw right now.

So it makes sense that I have been given a "Stylish Blogger Award." DUH. I know many, MANY people who try to emulate my harried, exhausted, working-mom look, but, you know, it's not as easy as it looks. You have to EARN these eye bags, friends.

But in all seriousness, I was pleased as punch to get this news from the lovely and talented (and Pearl Jam-obsessed) (not that there is anything wrong with that) Shannon over at Thumbin' My Way:

Recently I got a surprise… I got a stylish blogger award. I am passing it on to you because I love your blog and want to get it read by even more people. See my recent post for the list with your blog on it!

So here are the rules for acceptance of the award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 5 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

There is a button that goes with the award. Click on mine and copy the properties into your own blog.

xo, S

I "met" Shannon through reverb10, and hers is one of several blogs I became addicted to through that project. She's an honest and very often hilarious writer, and I suggest you check that girl out!

SO, without further ado, here are five recently-discovered bloggers that I think are pretty awesomesauce (and I found them all through reverb10):

Uncle Typewriter

Little Yawps

Letters from a Small State

Questions for Dessert

Jessica Tiare

Check these ladies out - you won't regret it! For reals.

Now, as for sharing seven things about myself - remember, way back when, I started that 100 Things project? And I got up to 20 things and then bailed? Well, instead of seven things, I am going to share five things about myself, to rev up my 100 Things project again. Here are numbers 21-25 (you can read previous entries here, here, here and here. Because I know you are DESPERATE to find out more about ME.)

21) I met Greg on a blind date.

22) On that blind date, I told him he was very luck to be with me because "Surivor" was on.

23) I was never very good at dating.

24) I truly believe that if people had to describe me in one word, that word would probably be "sarcastic." This is not a good thing, although very true.

25) I think salsa is one of the best things ever invented. I work it into my meals practically every day. Frankly, there have been times I have spooned it straight from the jar - I am very classy like that. I just had some with a few mini quiches I heated up for breakfast. I am obviously a health-nut. (See #24)

Thanks again, Shannon! You rule!

it's just that I'm so tired.

I really, REALLY don't want this blog to revert to its previous whiny, complainy incarnation. But it's just that this week hasn't been my favorite. Remember way back on Monday when I said I haven't been sleeping? I continue not to sleep. I continue to be sick. Oh, and we had this big ice and snow storm yesterday. And another one is coming on Friday. Work is busy. Really, it's work that makes this a busy week, but since I don't talk about work, I really have nothing else to say.

Here is a perfect illustration of my week so far:

This morning, I got up at 5:30 a.m. so I could leave for work at 6:30. I had to be in by 7:15 and I didn't know how the roads would be (because of the aforementioned ice). I rushed around, got ready, got Greg up, Jane up, fed Jane, got her dressed, strongly suggested Greg make coffee, he did, got myself a little to-go cup, grabbed my bag, my keys, my coat, and headed out the door.

It had really warmed up overnight (to about 30 degrees) so the ice wasn't too bad. I was thisclose to my car when - you guessed it - I fell ass over teakettle, spilling coffee everywhere, soaking my dress, tights, boots, gloves...yeah. So I raaaan back inside, changed into an entirely different outfit, checked to make sure my back/neck/head wasn't broken, and rushed out for the day, completely frazzled and cranky. (However, I did make it to work on time. Go me.)

So yeah. That's been the week. Hope yours is better (or at least you're having fewer falls!)

monday ramblings

Hello, all!

I don't have much to report today. I have succombed to the nasty bug that got Jane and Greg over the past couple of weeks. I've been high on Sudafed all weekend and been sleeping badly. That stuff makes me completely wired and I cannot sleep when I'm on it.

Yes, as you can see, not much to report. I have today off because of MLK Day, which is good, because otherwise I might have taken a sick day. Except, truth be told, I wouldn't have taken a sick day, because I save those for when Jane is sick or I have a stomach bug or whatever, and then everyone at work would have been mad at me because I was hacking and coughing all over the place. I suspect this will be the case tomorrow, anyway, because I have to return then and this is a super-busy week so there's no room for sick days (unless, as previously noted, I am puking. Or Jane is.)

Oh man, this post is terrible. Did anyone watch the Golden Globes last night? It was particularly exciting because both my television boyfriend Don Draper (oh, fine JON HAMM) as well as my Hollywood boyfriend Mark Ruffalo were there. Ricky Gervais was fairly outrageous, which is why I usually love him, but he was uncomfortable to watch a lot of the night. Something about totally making fun of people right to their faces, and not in a loving way. Just in a mean way. I know, he said he would be that way and people should've expected it, but it made me feel yuck. Although I did laugh a lot. So there's that.

I will conclude by saying this weekend is the one-year anniversary of when we started potty training Jane. Holy shit, that was a bad weekend. So even being sick and loopy now beats the hell that was last year this time.

Um, yeah.

weekend update.

So, today when I went to pick up Jane at daycare, the rest of the class was playing some sort of game, and Jane was sitting by herself on a chair, not looking thrilled. I asked the teacher what was wrong, and he said that just moments ago, they all went to the potty, and she fell asleep whilst doing her duty. So he thought maybe she just needed to sit down for a while.

I think "tired-to-the-point-of-falling-asleep-on-the-potty" is a good way to describe all of us over here, so we are particularly thrilled that it is Friday. This weekend is a low-key one, and once again, I plan on keeping my laptop closed until Monday morning (although, I will once again cheat by checking in on Twitter and FB on my BlackBerry - such an evil thing.)

Here's the plan for the next 72 hours:

Saturday: We have yet ANOTHER birthday party for one of Jane's daycare peeps. This one is taking place at a local ice cream joint, and I just checked their website to see what they do for kids birthday parties. Well, apparently they are themed, and I have epic fears there are going to be dress-up characters there (Jane hates all dress-up/mascot-like characters). So we'll see how that all goes. In the meantime, I haven't RSVP'ed for ANOTHER party she was invited to for NEXT weekend yet - girlfriend is way more popular than I am, that's for sure.

Sunday: Nothing planned, except for the weekly trip to my mom's for dinner. Probably a laundry, chores, bookstore-visiting kind of day.

Monday: We have Monday off for MLK Day, so I will be using that time by sending Jane into daycare and doing prep work for Rumors auditions. I finally received my scripts (huge YAY) and now I need to read through and choose segments that the auditionees (auditioners?) (people who are auditioning?) will read at auditions which begin next weekend ohmygod.

What are YOU doing?

snow day

Have you heard? It snowed mega-amounts last night and today here in the Northeast. We got somewhere between 20-24" 'round these parts. There was so much snow that work was actually canceled today! This has happened, like, one other time in my 10 years at my place of employ. I still had to do a couple of work-related things (deadlines do not stop for snow, people!) but otherwise it was a very lazy day, full of reading, watching TV, and, yeah, shoveling (for Greg. I didn't have to shovel at all! This NEVER happens. In fact, I am usually the one who shovels. But for some reason he was super-antsy and he did it ALL which was AWESOME.) So I had time to take some pics of our day. Enjoy!

manic monday

OK, let me talk you through the craziness that was last night/this morning.

So, as you know, Jane is absolutely horrible at bedtime. She totally hates going to bed, fights it with everything she's got, leaving us all a wretched mess by the time she actually goes off to dreamland. In short, it sucks.

Well, yesterday she didn't have her nap, so by the time we were at my mother's house for pizza last night (a weekly tradition), her eyes were already at half-mast. Sure enough, she fell asleep on the way home, and I managed to transfer her to her bed, with her only waking up to sing a half of a verse of "Old MacDonald" and then she promptly fell asleep again. AN HOUR AND A HALF BEFORE WE USUALLY START ATTEMPTING TO PUT HER TO BED.

WELL. You can imagine the sheer thrill of having all of that excess time to myself. I was so psyched! And since I was offline (except for my BlackBerry) all weekend, I couldn't use the time to bounce around online, so instead, I cranked up my heating pad (I pulled a muscle in my back earlier in the day) and started to read.

Yeah. So I fell asleep around 8:15, partying rock star that I am. I woke up around 9, with a back that was ON FIRE from the heating pad. Turned that off, started to read again, and then fell asleep for the night around 9:15. Lamesauce.

And even though I woke up a few times throughout the night (standard for me), I got way more sleep than I normally do, which is why I don't understand how I overslept by AN HOUR this morning. OMG. I cannot remember the last time I did that. So we went through our usual morning rush, and I was about to head out the door when we decided I should take Jane into daycare instead of Greg, because we realized that my brakes were dead this weekend and Greg was taking my car in, and he didn't want to drive her to school in my brakes-free car. (I actually realized my brakes were dead a LONG time ago, but that's another story for another day.)

As I pulled into daycare, I realized that, in all the rush, we forgot to feed Jane breakfast. (You may send my Parent of the Year award any time.) So it was off to Dunkin' Donuts, where Jane stretched out eating a doughnut longer than anyone ever has in the history of humankind.

I FINALLY dropped her off and went off to work. And that was my manic Monday morning. Happy week to you all!

PS Shutting down my computer for the weekend was great. Really. I'm already planning to do this as much as possible every weekend. You should try it too! You won't believe all the free time you'll have.

weekend update. also, logging off.

Well, internet friends, as I promised several times during reverb10, I am going to attempt a digital sabbatical. This weekend, I do not plan on turning on my computer at all. Just typing that sentence makes me twitchy. I seriously think I'm addicted to my laptop. But the problem is, when I'm staring at this screen, I'm depriving my loved ones of my wonderful company. : )

So this weekend, I'm logging off. But of course I have already found a way to cheat - I will be checking in on FB and Twitter once or twice a day. Baby steps, you know?

No major plans this weekend. Looking out the window at the snow tonight, and may watch the new Wall Street movie. (Side note: I saw Catfish last night. Weird movie, but worth seeing. Some people (you know who you are) think it's a real documentary. I, however, do not.) I need to hit the grocery store and Target, and we're getting together with friends tomorrow night. Oh, and I really need to de-Christmas-fy this house. It's starting to get depressing, and I think my Christmas tree might burst into flames.

So yeah. I know you're totally jealous of my plans. What are you doing this weekend?

photos + my show + dance class = update!

I thought I'd share some pics from my New Year's Eve and New Year's Day Relaxapalooza. I think we can all agree, without any hesitation: both events were clearly rockin'. Dick Clark would be proud.

Guess what?! I have a stage manager for Rumors! Whoo hoo! My lovely and talented friend Missy will be cracking the whip as SM for my upcoming show. Plus, it looks like scripts are finally on their way, and I sent out the audition notice tonight - they will happen January 23 and 25 - can't wait to get this thing GOING!

As for Jane's dance class, well. Yeah. Last night sucked. See, for the past few classes, Jane goes in all excited, but then decides she wants to go home way before it's over. The teachers have told me that she has fun when she participates, but she also spends time running around on her own. Last night was the same thing. She came out about 15 minutes early, so I suggested I go in with her to finish it off. She barely paid attention to the teachers, yet pitched a fit when I told her we had to leave. She loved doing the freeze-dancing activity, but didn't want to sit still when they were working individually with the teachers on dance moves. Honestly, she's a disturbance to the rest of the class. The teachers are being very polite and not telling me this to my face, but I'm sure they are thinking it too.

I have some theories about what is happening. I think she is the only girl in class who isn't home all day with mom or grandma. I pick her up from daycare around 4, rush her home to change, rush her to class by 5 - it's a complete frenzy. I'm sure she's picking up all sorts of negative energy from me. She's been particularly clingy lately so I don't think she likes going from not being with us for 9 hours or so right into another hour of not being with us.

On the other hand, I DO think she enjoys aspects of dance class. So my plan right now is to take her out for the rest of the year, and then maybe in September start up again, except do it on Saturday mornings, when life is a little calmer (usually). So that's that - for now.

Stay turned for news tomorrow on the digital sabbatical I plan to take this weekend!

and, we're back

After my lovely 10-day break from work and wearing big-girl shoes, I was back in the office today. I must admit, yesterday I did feel like it was time for all of us to get back into our regular schedule. I was a bit - dare I say it? - bored. But as I sit here, zombie-like, on my couch, dreading the bathtime/bedtime routine and realizing that I will have to get up even earlier tomorrow if I want to get out and exercise before work, I am ready to go back to my life of leisure. It doesn't help that I am recovering from a stomach bug, and feel incredibly dizzy. (No I am not pregnant.) (It sucks, when you are in your child-bearing years, that if you are sick, people give you knowing winks and smiles, when, seriously, they should back off because I'M SICK, yo. Not with fetus.)

But I digress.

Tomorrow night I have a theater board meeting where I hope to get some questions answered regarding the show I'm directing this winter. I'm antsy to get going, but we need to secure the rights and get the scripts before I can officially post an audition notice. I'm really anxious to do this!

I admit, this post isn't very exciting. But I said I would blog more, so this is what you get on this rather unispired evening. But here's a pic of the pups to make it all better.

Happy Monday!

oh, hello 2011

Oh, hello 2011! Nice to finally see you!

I pondered blogging yesterday but then I would have felt this inner pressure to keep doing every day to see if I could blog 70, 80, 90, 100 days in a row - and I don't need to put anyone through that. You guys OR myself. So I took a much-needed day off yesterday.

Since I've been spending so much time being reflective around these parts, I didn't really have a chance to say how much I've enjoyed this week off of work - 10 days is a good, long time to be absent from the office, and we've had lots of fun - from the festivities on Christmas Eve and Christmas, to day trips to UConn to see the horses, cows and sheep and Newport to visit the beach in the winter - plus lots of down time just hanging around, watching TV, reading, napping. Oh, and we shoveled our way out of the first big snowstorm of the year. Yesterday we hosted Relaxapalooza - a New Year's Day party I plan to make an annual event. Super low-key, snacks and desserts, lots of friends and lots of laughs. Not a bad start for a year in which my most important resolution is to have fun, huh?

Here's some pics from the past week. See you soon!