I Miss Me

I have said that over the past week to two different friends. Sometimes busy-ness is overwhelming. This kind of busy-ness was good, but I am definitely glad that for the most part it is over. (Until the next time.) After such a lonely year last year it is very nice to be active again in things that we really enjoy. Typically two things like ballroom dancing and a performance would not be happening simultaneously.
Pride and Prejudice was fantastic. It went off without a hitch. I got to have more than a front row seat as I was able to sit directly in front of the stage to feed lines if necessary - which it really wasn't. The kids all turned on - and as is typically the case in theater, all the rough spots were suddenly smoothed as the threat of public humiliation in front of an audience was greater than any fear over dropped lines, missed cues, or awkward movements. I went back to my husband during intermission and he generally is a tough critic. He was SO impressed! At the end the kids were well rewarded by an appreciative audience on their feet with a long applause. Anyone who missed it truly missed a great show.
I have taken tons of pictures - but most of mine came out a bit dark. Even lightening them with Photoshop didn't prove to be much help. I couldn't get my flash to hit them well on the stage. My favorite characters are at top left. The picture to the right is of Kendra and her friend Trent - who played Jane and Mr. Bingley respectively. Trent was struggling throughout the play to portray how "taken" he was with Jane's character. At the end of the show, they posed for this picture for me, which shows how much fun they had. I love it! At the bottom, the Bennet family - to them I say Adieu! It was fun being a part of your lives and now I'm glad it's over!

Random Smatterings of My Crazy Busy Life

Today is the BIG day. Okay nobody is getting married - but it is the day that the girls have prepared for over the last several months. It is what we have lived and breathed the last two weeks - with a brief commercial interlude for ballroom dancing. After taking a bunch of serious cast shots yesterday, I asked the kids for a silly one, that even the crew got in on. I am sure I will have other pictures to post later - but for now this is a sneak peak into the mixture of fun and hard work that has been going on. Be sure to notice my two daughters - Kaitlyn seated 2nd from left - with her husband "Mr. Collins" kneeling beside her for a kiss. Kendra is seated 3rd from the right and appears to have stolen someone's top hat! The leaders for this drama are two amazingly talented and patient women. Getting to be a backstage mom has been a lot of fun. Tonight will have me on the floor in front of the stage prompting should anyone *ahem* forget their lines.
On a personal note - these events are always a little bittersweet. Seeing the other students with their families gathered around is often a stark reminder that we don't have that. It is the reason we are in Texas and it seems we are often as alone as ever. I am extremely sleep deprived which is making my feelings about it worse today - isn't that how it always goes? This morning I woke up to *expletive deleted* because my husband and I both overlooked his cell phone in the pocket of his work clothes when they were put in the washer last night. Yikes. That was at 5 am after going to bed at 1:30. I tried to go back to sleep and I think the adrenaline of the day's anticipated activity is keeping me from it. I have also have a stiff neck and headache. But there is nothing to be done - the show must go on!

Will Sew for Pride and Prejudice

The high school play is rapidly approaching. The girls have been working hard at memorizing lines for their parts. Kendra is Jane, the oldest Bennett sister and Kaitlyn is Charlotte, the one who actually marries Mr. Collins after he is rejected by Elizabeth. After talking to the drama teachers and a couple of other moms, I have decided to plunge head first into assisting the girls at sewing themselves a costume for the play. We looked at two lovely patterns, and decided on this one. I am excited at the prospect of them learning and taking pride in making their costumes themselves - with a little help from their mom.