After I posted my strong opinion (actually, it’s a fact) that Naps Are Fabulous, my neighbor Kara sent me this link.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,457145,00.html
See Hubs? I’m right.
As usual.
November 30, 2008
November 24, 2008
Bloggy Love-In
Big thanks on this week of thankfulness to my new bloggy-friend Allison who gave me this award. She found me through All-Mediocre (can I get a what-what?) and it turns out we were both working at TCH at the same time, so we probably crossed paths at some point and didn’t even know it! Crazy talk!!
In response to this award I am supposed to name five things that IMHO are fabulous. So here they are, without further ado:
1. New York City at Christmastime. Snow. Shopping. Girlfriends. Awesomely crazy hats that embarass said girlfriends. Piano bars. Gay men singing showtunes at piano bars. The whole thing is freakin’ FABULOUS!!!
2. Harry Connick Jr. at Christmas. (Clearly I’m ready for the holidays!) I realized the other day that I’ve been lovin’ on Harry since Vaniqua and I used to blast the When Harry Met Sally album back in 1990. Those horns! Anyway, his first two Christmas albums are great, and the third doesn’t disappoint. I especially love Santariffic and the Winter Wonderland duet with his daughter. FAB!
3. Naps. I heart naps with all that is in my soul. Hubs does not heart naps, so it is a point of great contention with us. Nevertheless, I maintain – naps are fabulous. Who’s with me?
(No cute nap picture. You know what it looks like.)
4. Mad Men. If you saw this show, you know what I’m talking about. If you missed it, RUN to your nearest video store and start with season one. There are only two seasons, so it won’t take you long to get through them. The best acting on television, along with the best sets, costumes and hair. It’s a period piece; New York in the 1960’s. Spank your mama, it’s FABULOUS!
5. Musical Theater. In it’s entirety. Ever since my parents put on The Chorus Line album when I was 8 (don’t worry, they didn’t play Dance 10, Looks 3) I’ve been hooked. I borrowed a friend’s dance costume and freestyled to One Singular Sensation for the 5th grade talent show. (Oh to have THAT on video!) I used to listen to The Sound of Music over and over again, until I had my Julie Andrews voice totally perfected. I wanted to be Annie so badly I turned my room into the orphanage and choreographed Hard Knock Life, complete with flying (paper) plates. I know it’s cheesy, but I’m cheesy. I’m Velveeta. But there is something about those stories told through that music that speaks to me in a very deep place. It makes me laugh and cry and get all tingly, and I just love it. Check out these cast albums; they’re some of the MOST fabulous:
So now it’s time for me to name my winners.
Erin…an old (young) theater friend who is a total blast!
T of Notes of an Anesthesioboist…I wish we had ever worked together. We could’ve sung Something Good.
Amber at the Fancy Pants Factory…who is too busy to name 5 fabulous things because she’s busy being fabulous herself…You Go Girl!!
Amy at Blessings Over Seays…my college roommate, sorority little sister, and maid of honor who is also busy being fabulous right now; she’s getting ready to go to Africa to bring home two fabulous kids to add to her already fabulous brood of four!! Move over Carol and Mike!
Stacey at Is Anymommy Out There…my bloggy friend Any is fabulous in her courage and in her beautiful writing. She and her precious family are presently on an extended trip to a beautiful island somewhere in the Pacific. How fabulous is that??
November 21, 2008
Belonging
Sweet Pea is adopted.
We saw her at the hospital the day she was born. We brought her home two days later. She has always been ours.
She knows about her birthmother. She has always known. We’ve talked about her adoption from the beginning. We’ve shown her pictures, and told her the story over and over again.
And yet we knew that she would have to grieve at some point. And she is. On the eve of her tenth birthday, she’s grieving. And it hurts.
A week ago she said “I don’t know where I belong. Do I belong in your hands, or in my birthmother’s hands?” Gulp. Sweetness, you’re always in your birthmother’s heart. And you’re here in our hands. God has a plan for you, and you belong here.
Then a couple of nights ago she said “Tell me about when I was born”.
Me: Sure, sweetie, where should I start?
Sweet Pea: Start before you met Daddy.
So I went waaaay back to the olden days and told her about when Daddy and I were kids and we met, and fell in love, and got married, and wanted a baby, and decided to adopt, and you were born, and we went to the hospital to visit you…
Sweet Pea: When I was in the hospital I looked at you and I thought “These are NOT my parents.”
Me: That’s probably true. We had to get to know each other.
And then two days later we went to the adoption agency to sign all the papers and your birthmother was there, and we gave her flowers and a necklace…
Sweet Pea: So she had already broken up with me? (Starts to cry.)
Me: Yes, she had already told you goodbye. She spent lots of time with you during those two days, and then she had to say goodbye.
Sweet Pea: Why did she have to do that? She didn’t love me. She couldn’t have loved me.
Me: Oh, sweetheart, she loved you so much that she knew she couldn’t take care of you like she wanted to. Every mommy wants to keep her baby with her. But she knew things would be too hard for you at her house. She asked us to take care of you, and we promised that we would.
Sweet Pea: It would have been okay there. I could’ve lived there. It would’ve been fine.
Me: I know it hurts, honey. I know you miss her. And she misses you. She loves you very much.
Sweet Pea: She does?
Me: Yes, baby. She absolutely loves you. And so do we.
Why does it have to be so hard? Isn’t it enough to be hearing impaired? Isn’t it enough to have attention deficit and a mood disorder? Does she have to feel unloved, too? I ache for her. I pour my love on her and it feels like she rejects it most of the time. I know she’s in pain. I want to make it better. And yet it feels like I’ll never succeed.
And then? Hope.
She came home from school yesterday with the typical “I’m thankful for…” sheet. And here’s what she wrote:
I am thankful for: God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. My puppy Maggie. My aunts and uncles, and my mom and dad. My birthparents who want what’s best for me. And my friends who play with me and like me. And I’m also thankful for all my toys and all my games.
Somehow it’s sinking in. She must know we love her, even if she rejects our attempts at showing it. And she must be listening when I tell her how much her birthmother loves her too.
And for that, I’m thankful.
November 20, 2008
November 17, 2008
That’s Blasphemy, child!
Last night Sweet Pea and I had one of those conversations that every parent longs for. It was Sunday, so we had been to church, and the spiritual questions were bubbling to the surface.
We went deep. We talked about God and Jesus and sin and sacrifice and prayer and baptism…the whole nine yards.
She was so inspired by our conversation that she wrote a little song. I present it to you here, in its entirety:
(To the tune of It’s a Small World)
It’s the holy un-derwear
It’s the holy un-derwear
It’s the holy un-derwear
But only if the Christ Jesus wears it!
Yep. That’s the kind of spiritual maturity we’ve been praying for.
Her father and I are so proud.
November 16, 2008
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like…
It’s too early, right?
Too early for decorations, and lights, and a TREE, for pete’s sake. Certainly it’s too early for serious baking. And it’s got to be too early for the music…
Right?
Wrong.
Apparently, the Christmas Season now begins on November 1. And I don’t mean just the shopping season. I mean the whole darn thing. The lawn displays, the house lights, even the music. We’ve got a radio station that started playing 24 hour Christmas music on November 1.
Seriously.
I thought about fighting it. I really did. But then I thought, you know what? I love Christmas. So why is it a problem if I enjoy it for two months instead of one?
One of my friends calls the whole thing “Christgiving”. (Guess he could’ve gone with Thanksmas, but it doesn’t have the same ring.)
So deck the halls, people. Ring those silver bells. Haul out the holly. (Cliche overload much?)
Happy Merry Christgiving Thanksmas!!
November 13, 2008
Extra Extra!
I had a very fun experience yesterday that I just HAD to share.
I spent the day working as an extra on the season finale of Friday Night Lights.
Told you it was fun!
And since most people (myself included) don’t know what it’s like to spend the day on the set of a television series, I thought I’d give y’all the rundown.
I arrived in Austin a little before the 2:00 call time. I didn’t know if there would be any food on the set, so I stopped to get a quick bite, which turned into a traffic nightmare, making me really nervous that I was going to be late. And I HATE to be late. But, I got there on time. We met at “base camp 3″ which was a large parking lot behind a movie theater. Unfortunately we had to park in front of the movie theater, so it was probably a half-mile walk from the car to the holding tent. (This will come into play later.)
I was hired as a “Garrity Motors Salesperson” and I was told to bring at least three options for wardrobe. I brought three pairs of slacks and five tops, plus two pairs of shoes. I shlepped all that stuff over to the tent and got signed in. We filled out a work voucher, which we had to carry with us throughout the day. Then we sat down to wait for instructions.
A few minutes later the wardrobe girl came around to choose what we would wear. She liked what I brought (phew!) and chose my brown slacks with two different tops (we were going to be shooting two different scenes).
Then we waited. And waited. And waited.
Finally we (the other salespeople and I) decided that we should go ahead and change. So we headed over to the trailers to find a spot. I ended up using a 4×4 bathroom and I was so nervous I dropped my pants on the nasty trailer-potty floor, but what’re ya gonna do? Plus, now I was wearing a silk wrap-around top, so I was worried about pit stains and a gaping front if I wasn’t holding my shoulders just-so. Nice.
Dressing trailers
At this point I made a critical error. I should have gone on to the car and dumped the rest of my clothes and my bag (which had my make-up, hairspray, etc.) But I didn’t, because it was such a long way and I was afraid they were going to call us and I wouldn’t be there.
Anyhoo, we went back to the tent. There was plenty of time for “getting to know you” amongst the extras. We chatted, and chatted, and chatted some more. One guy thought I looked like Melissa Gilbert. I’ve never heard that, although I took it as a serious compliment, because you know I love me some Little House! He called me Melissa all day. I told them about my blog and I was all proud until one of the guys handed me his card and he’s a writer. Dah! I’m such a dork. I quickly explained that what I do on my blog is not “actual” writing. I just pretend to be a writer. Oh the pressure!!
Do I really look like Melissa Gilbert?
While we were chatting they were setting up food. Lots and lots of food. I had not planned on being fed, but you always hear about the incredible food on movie sets, right? So by now it’s about 4:00 and a whole group of people comes in from another shoot that had just finished. Tons of extras, plus tons of crew. The crew ate first. We had to move because there wasn’t enough room for them and extras are DEFINITELY the lowest of the low. (Also, they don’t call you extras on the set. They call you background. Which translates to “probably won’t be seen”.) So I stood around for awhile while they got fed.
But then? It was our turn. Let me tell you I haven’t eaten that well in weeks!! The choices! We’re not talking barbecue brisket and potato salad. There were risotto corn fritters, au-gratin potatoes with basil, root vegetable medley, chicken calzones, steak kabobs, fried calamari, iceberg lettuce wedges with bacon and tomato, fresh bread, and that’s not even half of it…it was unreal. And at the end of the table was every condiment known to God and man. All kinds of dressing, steak sauce, worcestershire, tabasco - you name it. Very impressive.
See all the condiments?
Remember I said that a bunch of other extras had come in from another shoot? Well, probably 12 of those were the kids who play the football team. These boys can EAT! I know why they do this show…it’s for the food. (‘Cause the paycheck sure isn’t worth it!)
We stand around after we eat and have just enough time for someone to tell me I’ve got something on my shirt. Dang it!! Right on the boob. Good grief. I clean it off as best I can (can’t use water because it’s silk) and try to decide whether to go to wardrobe to ask about a different shirt. Just then our wrangler (one of the Production Assistants) calls us to load onto a van to go to the set of the car dealership. So I put my sorries in a sack and load up. Remember how I didn’t take all my stuff back to my car before? Turns out I should have. Now I have my purse, my bag, plus 7 hangers worth of clothes. I can sense it’s going to be a problem, but what can I do? I go with it.
We all cram into the van. Someone was talking about getting carsick and the PA basically told them to shut up and get in. It was a strange feeling, being squished in a van with a bunch of people I don’t know, trusting that the driver is actually going to take us to the right place. There was plenty of nervous energy; everyone was cleverly naming the songs that we should sing on our little trip. Ha ha ha. See their maniacal grins? 99 bottles of beer on the wall, bwa ha ha. Not.
I was grateful not to be in the BACK back.
We quickly arrived at the location and they unloaded the van. Pretty much the minute our feet hit the ground they were yelling at us. First, because we had stuff (we were supposed to have one other outfit, but not the giant armload that I and another guy had), then because they couldn’t decide who they wanted to do what. We threw our stuff in a corner and awaited instructions.
Pretty soon another one of the PA’s came and pulled me and another man to do a scene. (Yay! I finally get to do something!) He takes us into the parking lot and tells us to walk. But he didn’t tell us where to walk TO. And then before we can ask they’re rolling, and we’re walking, and we get fussed at because we were supposed to walk all the way into the building. BUT HE DIDN’T TELL US THAT!! Ugh. So we do it again (not for us, but for the main characters who are acting the scene right outside the front door). This time we nail it. Well, as much as you can nail walking across a parking lot. Put it this way, I didn’t trip. Can you imagine?
So my backside made it’s big debut. Thank God I started running this week. I’m sure those 6 miles made a huge difference in my posterior.
Back into the building to wait some more. Now a bunch of us are told to go to Applebee’s for the next shoot. I wasn’t scheduled for that one, but our PA told me I should go with it. So they take us back to base camp, back to wardrobe, and then into our cars to drive to Applebee’s. This time I changed in my car. And because it was about 5:30 and I was in the parking lot of a movie theater I was just sure some sweet little old lady was going to show up for the early show and park next to me and see me changing. But I prayed real hard the whole time and God kept the space next to me empty for at least those two minutes. (‘Cause that’s how He rolls: He sits around up there waiting on dorks like me to pray for empty parking spaces while they wriggle in and out of pants without banging a knee on the steering wheel.)
Clothes changed and I’m off to Applebee’s. In traffic. Because it’s 5:30 in Austin. It’s not far; I can see it across the freeway. But it takes me a good bit to get there. And I’m nervous again because I’m all alone and what it I miss it all the action?
Needn’t have worried.
I pull up and at first glance I think there’s been a fire. There’s a fire truck and hoses everywhere, and water everywhere, and everyone is standing around outside.
But this is Hollywood, remember?
It’s a rain machine! There’s a giant bar hanging from a crane in the parking lot. The hoses are pumping the water from the city to the machine to make rain! I’m such a geek. This was really, really cool.
They herd us all inside to wait some more. The scene they were filming was a fight in the parking lot between one of the football players (real name Jeremy) and a man. Coach (Kyle Chandler) and his wife (Connie Something) and Janine Turner were also in the scene. (Having never actually watched FNL, I can’t give you any more information than that. Don’t you like how I did my research?)
My business in this scene was to walk out the back door of the restaurant with 4 other guys to “see what was going on”. Let me tell you, I was in the moment. I even had back story. And a moment before. And sense memory. (Note: These are hoity-toity acting terms that describe things that real actors do, and since I was really acting in this scene, I thought you should know how really professional I was. Are you impressed?)
It was neat to look out the windows and see the rain. I kept forgetting it wasn’t really raining! Of course all the people working had on rainsuits, and they had umbrellas and towels galore. In between each scene they’d stop the rain, bring the actors in, dry them off, reset their hair and makeup and wardrobe, and then they’d do it again. It took about 25-30 minutes between takes. At one point they reset the cameras for an interior shot, so that took a little longer. I think we did the scene 4 or 5 times.
Doesn't it look cold and rainy?
I was lucky to be picked for my intense role (complete with REAL acting), because alot of people just sat in the Applebee’s eating, and will only be seen through the windows from the exterior. I’ve at least got a teeny-tiny chance of being on camera, even if it’s from a camera that was way across the parking lot.
Eventually they yelled “that’s a wrap” and we were sent back to base camp to return our wardrobe pieces …
Wardrobe truck - full of costumes
…and sign out so we can get paid. When I left to drive home it was 8:00, so we had worked for six hours. This is a minimum wage job, so you don’t do it for the money. But it was a great experience, and if the show gets picked up again I’ll definitely be back next season.
Checking out...good night!
I’ll be humming Hooray for Hollywood for a couple of days, at least.
November 11, 2008
The One Hundred
First, some business. I made it out to run again today. 2 miles. Unfortunately when I got home at 5:45 my Sweet Pea was awake. Which wasn’t so bad in that she was in an amazingly good mood…
until it was time to go to school an hour and a half later. Then? All hell broke loose. There was screaming, kicking, gnashing of teeth…and that was just me! She was worse. Oy.
Anyhoo, I’ve got something fun up my sleeve today, inspired by my friend Vaniqua (not her real name but she thinks she might want to be the President one day so she only enters the blogosphere undercover). Good friend Vaniqua sent me a happy: The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own by Nina Garcia, FashionEditorforElleMagazine. (If you watch Project Runway, maybe that little wordy joke worked.)
In her book, Ms. Garcia lists 100 items that one MUST own. Well, Vanny and I decided to engage in our own little Nina Garcia Challenge. List at least 10 pieces you own now, list another 10 that you hope to procure over the next 15 months, and list any items that you absolutely will NEVER own.
Today, I will share with you a few of the pieces that I already own. Let me start by saying how FABULOUS I feel in actually owning even one of her listed items. I was very surprised; the list is mostly practical, and not altogether outrageous budget-wise. (Although there are exceptions…$70 tights? Please.)
I should also share with you a bit about my personal style. First, it’s evolving. I’m getting braver the older I get (which could be a bad thing…there’s nothing scarier than an old woman in teeny-bopper clothes, so you’ve got to be careful when you get “brave”). I know my body better, so I generally know what fit works and what doesn’t (no side pockets on pants ever; nothing says Mama’s Got Big Hips like pockets.) I know what colors I can (orange, yellow, green) and can’t (grey, pale pink) wear. And I’m doing more and more experimenting with accessories: scarves, hats, bracelets, rings. I used to be a matchy-match girl, and I still am to some extent. But these days I’m much more willing to combine colors or even shades of colors for a more “fun” look. All that to say, I believe my style has evolved from preppy soccer mom to a slightly bohemian, vintage-y look. Pretty specific, right?
Okay, so here’s the partial list of items I own. I’m not going to list them all, because some are obvious (khaki pants) and some don’t deserve to be on a fashion list IMHO (iPod).
Ray Ban Aviators (the originals from 1992)
Animal Print Scarf (from Lane’s grandmother)
Charm Bracelet (my dad’s sister’s; complete with my grandmother’s high school ring…probably one of my most prized possessions)
Clutch purse (my mom’s gold metallic clutch from the 70’s – fabulous)
Frye boots (mine are knock-offs, but I heart them just the same)
LL Bean tote (green and gold with my monogram, bought by my mom for my freshman year at Baylor)
Red Lipstick (Chanel gloss – Love it!)
Floppy Sunhat (just call me Me-Maw)
Stilettos (my favs, especially with long jeans)
Tomorrow I’ll be back with the list of Wants. Why not? Christmas is just around the corner, and Hubs occasionally reads my blog (hint, hint!) In the meantime, what’s your personal style? And what’s in your closet that you just adore?
November 10, 2008
Like the Wind
Today is the start of a new era in my life.
No, I’m not going to start selling Avon. And I’m not going back to school (although some day…). And I’m not starting a new job. And I’m definitely not pregnant. No, gracias.
I’ve agreed to be a running partner for my neighbor. And we started today.
No big deal, right? I love to run.
Just not necessarily at 5:00 in the morning.
I’m not a morning person. At all. Lane has been known to hide for hours in the morning just to avoid my wrath. And claws. And fire-breathing capabilities.
But…I’m all about accountability, and I desperately need to exercise, so this time I’m all in.
Of course there were the usual jitters: couldn’t get to sleep last night and then woke up every half hour from 2:30 on. But, when the clock went off I jumped out of bed no problem. This is a minor miracle, for which I’m very grateful.
We ran for about half an hour and walked another 15. Now it’s 6 and I’ve already eaten breakfast and there are biscuits in the oven for Sweet Pea. Feels like it could be a good morning. At least I have hope.
Hope, and stronger calf muscles and slightly smaller thighs (right?)…now that IS a good morning.
November 6, 2008
The Film
This morning I went to Sweet Pea’s school to watch The Film with the 4th grade girls.
Yes, THAT film.
It wasn’t too bad, actually. A little too scientific for 4th graders maybe, but otherwise pretty good. They giggled a little but seemed to pay attention overall.
After the movie was over, the nurse for the school district (not our local school nurse) had a question and answer session, and also a show-and-tell with pads and tampons. This lady was your typical old-school nurse. Probably in her late 60’s, very authoritative and practical. She was perfect for the job because she was NOT going to give in to the giggles. HOWEVER, she fell prey to that error that so many women do…
She said min-i-stration instead of men-stru-ation.
And she said PREE-spir-ation instead of PER-spiration.
In my book, that’s inexcusable for a nurse. I can’t tell you how many times I heard people say that in nursing school. Especially ministration. It’s not a form of the word “administer”. It’s not a form of the word “minister”. It’s MEN-STREW-A-SHUN.
(It’s also Nuc-LEE-ar, not nuc-U-lar, but that’s another story.)
If you’re gonna teach ‘em this stuff, at least teach it right!!
Okay, let me get down off my high horse and tell the rest of the story.
She explained that if they started their period in class, they should tell the teacher, who would let them go to the nurse. We have a very cute, young, male 4th grade teacher at our school named Mr. Randolph. The kids love him. But you see the problem…one very sweet little girl raised her hand and timidly asked “what do you do if your teacher is a boy?” And I loved the lady’s response. “You tell him you have a personal matter.” She told the girls that all men understand that this is a special code, and they will let you go. I’m not sure if I really believe that ALL MEN are that adept, but we can hope, right?
They also asked a lot of questions about cramps. Now the film said that girls shouldn’t really have cramps, and if they do, light exercise will help. (My arse!!) My daughter is looking at me like “See, mom, quit your complaining, get out of the bed and do some exercise, and your cramps will be healed! Easy!!” We’ll have to have that discussion tonight, for sure.
All in all it wasn’t too bad. Well, not to bad for them. For me, I just feel REALLY old.
How is it possible that my daughter is entering pu…puber…I can’t even say it.
Good Lord, help us all.
