"Girl's Night Out"

Tonight is the "dress rehearsal with guests" that we do before the opening of each show--the participants invite two guests each, to provide an audience for the actors to play to. The idea is to give them an idea if the show is working or not. This has been a rough week. The rehearsals have not gone real well, some actors still seemed to be missing lines as late as Monday, and we never have enough set crew. The Item (a local newspaper) did a little promo piece for us, so we are hoping to have a real audience to play to tomorrow night. With early appointments and late rehearsals, I have been exhausted all week. I think Tom is pretty tired, too. Hopefully we will be able to relax now that the show is up.

I had a dentist's appointment this morning. The hygienist asked if I had any plans for the weekend. When I told her I would be working at the theater, she told me she knows one of the actresses--who is associate pastor at her church. In the newspaper article, she is the one in the close-up with the hat and glasses. What a way to have your church see you!

Kenny Chesney Poets and Pirates Tour 2008

Shortening a long and boring story, a friend scored free tickets (offered to military members in the area) to the big concert in Columbia -- and she got a set for Tom and me, too! Circumstances kept her from going, but we went and had a great time. The concert featured a total of six bands--the first was a local band that won the competition to 'open' for Kenny Chesney. They started at 4:00 in the afternoon, and we got there just in time to hear them. They sounded pretty good to me! Following them were Luke Bryan, Gary Allen, Leann Rimes, Brooks and Dunn and then the headliner--Kenny Chesney himself. What a show! The first two professionals were good--fun to watch and listen to. Leann Rimes was lots of fun, too--she wore a long Carolina football jersey as her costume, which won her the affection of many a Gamecocks fan. She also put up a number that fans could send a text message to enter to win a chance to go backstage for a glass of wine with her and her band. Now, Brooks and Dunn? They know how to get a crowd excited--preparations for their portion of the show were taking a long time and you could hear the crowd beginning to buzz about the wait...then part of the stadium started screaming and pointing. As we all looked where they pointed a black hot air balloon with "Brooks and Dunn" logos floated over the stadium. Then a video started on the jumbotron--Ronnie Dunn's car breaks down and he asks a farmer for a place to spend the night. The farmer recognizes him and agrees to find a place for him to stay--"But you keep away from my daughter." The pretty young thing with barely any clothes on smiles at Ronnie....then it's five am and Ronnie Dunn runs out the front door just ahead of the shotgun blast. He scrambles into the car and peels out--then we see in close up as the character peels away the latex mask he was wearing to reveal that it is really Kix Brooks who was making time with the farmer's daughter! Too funny. Once their show started, the energy was palpable. They do a terrific show. During "Only in America" they brought out representative members of the military services--and the entire stadium was on their feet, cheering, whistling, and showing their appreciation. I hope the servicemembers felt the same chills up their spine that I did! Brooks and Dunn really worked hard to entertain the crowd, as did all the performers, but these two have a special relationship with their fans--they really seem to enjoy interacting with them.

After Brooks and Dunn, it was time for the headline performer...we waited while the set change was made, then finally the lights came up, spotlights hit a specific section of the stage--and something went wrong. You can read all about it here. It was obvious he was injured from the get-go, but he went on and did one heck of a show. His crew did their best to help him when they could--they even carried him between them at least once during the show. I'm sure he was hurtin' because he was limping--badly. I was really concerned that he might be making things worse by performing. Nothing has been said in the news, though, about the extent of his injury. I sure hope he'll be OK. Kenny, if you read this--thanks for a great show. I really appreciate what you were willing to do for your fans.

Who does this look like?

This is my son, T.J.--but come on, family--who does he look like in this photo?

Long rehearsal

We just got home after rehearsal...it really dragged. The actors really need to learn their lines better, and we need to start rehearsing stage crew, too. But now--food. I need fuel!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, T.J.!

Today's the day we celebrate the arrival of our youngest child~a son. T.J. was born at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO on a beautiful warm Spring day. He came home two days later in a snowstorm! That's just Colorado weather. His big sister Jen was waiting for him and he immediately settled into life in our family. It wouldn't be complete without him.

Happy birthday, Son, and many more.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNY!

Our beautiful baby girl came into our lives on this date a few years ago...she lit up our lives as she made us parents. We loved watching her grow into the beautiful, loving, capable woman she is today. Her name had made incarnations--from Jennifer, to Nifer, to Jenny, to Carolyn, to Carrie, to Jen and even pet names like 'Jenny Bunny', and likely a few I have not mentioned here; yet she managed to be our same sweet daughter through all that.

We love you, Jen, and hope your birthday is a cause for celebration for you and all those you love.

OK, so I've been away again...

I accompanied Tom to a seminar in Virginia. While he was working away, I visited with old friends and did fun things like lunch and visit the Air and Space Museum. Silly me, I took my camera with me, but never took it out of its case! Tom and I took Larry out for dinner at a lovely little Italian place in Phoebus; I went to the museum with Greta and her daughter Yassy, then had lunch with them and Dr. Harrison the next day; Tom and I both went to Jacque and Jimmy's new place in Gloucester for dinner and a visit. It was so nice to see their gorgeous new house and the whole family, too! We enjoyed those visits there and at the end of the seminar, we headed north to visit with Jen's family for a few days. While we were there, we did some house hunting in preparation for Tom's retirement from his current job. Of course, he will get a new job, if only for his sanity's sake (and mine). That has not been settled, yet, but he is looking into it.

The house hunting was sad. More houses we saw were empty than occupied. Several of the houses we looked at were in the hands of the bank, meaning the mortgages had been foreclosed. Several more required 'third party approval' for any sale--which is just another way of saying foreclosure is imminent. It was very sad to think of all those families that had to uproot themselves just because of the way the housing market was a few years ago. I know they got themselves into that mess, but one should be able to count on the professional financiers NOT to lend you more than you can afford. Just goes to show that you have to be your own advocate and be aware of what you are signing and what it will cost you. My SIL Lisa foretold the multitudes of foreclosures back when the market was so goofy a few years ago.

Anyway, on Sunday I attended a bridal shower for my niece (and Goddaughter) Becca. The wedding is in May. The shower was fun and we had a good time playing the Purse game. Mom and I lost because she got a new purse and hadn't loaded it all up yet, and I took only a small purse instead of my usual tote bag. Mom lost biggest, though, and was awarded a special price for that. It was fun seeing who had year old receipts and traffic tickets--and who had a $100 bill and all the other stuff on the list. We also played "Bridal Bingo", where the guests filled out the bingo cards with names of gifts they thought Becca might receive then marked off what she DID receive and hoped to get five in a row. I think coming up with twenty-four different gifts ideas may have been the hardest part of that game! And while she opened gifts, her sister Anne kept notes of things she said and read them off at the end as 'things Becca might say on her wedding night.' It was hysterical, because she said things like "Oooh! Lots of little gadgets!" and "I didn't know they made electric ones!."

The trip home was easy with no real problems other than the rock that damaged our windshield. I called and the repair guy is coming today before noon. I also saw a doctor yesterday to learn I have bronchitis. He gave me two prescriptions for that; I have another doctor's appointment today for the headaches I've been having and three or four more with other specialists by the end of the month. Man, turning fifty seems to make doctors an integral part of your life!

Also yesterday, I bought paint and got some work done at the theater for "Girl's Night Out." I saw a rehearsal last night and decided it is a good thing the show is still three weeks away, even if my part is almost done.

Mayan ruins

In Mexico, we skipped Cozumel and took an excursion to the mainland to the Tulum Mayan Ruins. Below are just a few photos of our experience:

These ruins are dated in the 1100s. If you look just past the building to the right, you can see the sea.

Look closely and you may spot the critter among the rocks.
Here is a closer shot of one of his big brothers! There were iguana everywhere! We estimate we saw at least thirty that day.
Watch tower by the sea. I find the colors to be reminiscent of a Greek Island....
And here is my favorite guy posing for me. It was a beautiful area. But hot. Very hot.

Desserts

The desserts on the ship were always served in an enticing way.

This is Jodi's dessert one night--can you tell it is in the shape of a swan?

We had fun with it!

Becky ordered "The Love Boat" dessert--how cute is that?

Tom climbs a waterfall

Our complete excursion in Ocho Rios included the botanical gardens, a beach (where I took no pictures because I was so busy trying to save my feet from all the rocks!), and Dunn's River Falls. Specifically at Dunn's River Falls, one can climb the waterfall. This means actually climbing the falls, not walking beside it or climbing up using handrails or something sane like that. When I saw the photo on the brochure showing groups of people walking up the falls holding hands, I thought to myself "Self, better think about this. You know you are not the most graceful of persons lately. Do you really want to be responsible for bringing a whole line of people down with you when you fall while climbing that waterfall?" Of course the answer was no. I waffled several times, like when our guide encouraged us all to get wet that day...but once I saw it--no. Not going to put anyone in the position of having to yank me out of there. Naturally, Tom climbed the falls--and he yanked several people out of danger, too. Uh huh.

This is the top part of the falls, where there is an observation deck from which the sane people can watch the water babies. It is a pretty waterfall, isn't it? This is when I first spotted Tom--he hasn't seen me, yet. Did I mention it was Easter Monday-a national holiday in Jamaica? This made the park very crowded with both tourists and Jamaicans.
Having a chat while waiting his turn to climb.
Helping several people up the falls.
Flat area where walking is easy.
Preparing to climb the more challenging area.

A quick photo before tackling the falls.

I actually got him to wave at me! Woohoo!

The backup of traffic before the final big climb.

Doesn't this look like a great way to spend a day?

More Cruise photos....

These are actually from our excursion to the botanical gardens on Jamaica.

This is a banana tree~see the bananas growing upward about the middle of the picture? I learned that banana trees produce only one harvest of fruit. After that, they are cut down to make room for new trees. Interesting, huh? I rushed my pictures here, so that I could catch up with the guide and hear everything he had to say, hence the blurriness of the waterfall. It was pretty, though. Tom depends on me to share what I've heard because he is always off on his own, taking pictures.
I loved the star shape of these flowers.
Here is Tom, returning to the group at the very end of the tour~after an unsuccessful attempt to photograph the rooster that was crowing nearby. Silly thing kept running away! (The rooster, not Tom!)

Some cruise photos

Fort Lauderdale the day we left...not the most beautiful of days, but the sight was still cool. Tom allowed me to take this silly photo of him during the 'mandatory' emergency drill. Seems some of our group managed not to participate....hmmmm.
Here is the lovely Miss Linda at the rail of her personal balcony the first night at sea.
Miss Linda honored us by taking this shot of us on her balcony, as well.
Bob during dinner the first night. Handsome fellow, isn't he?
Renée is taking pictures of the family on the first 'formal night' which happened to be Easter.

Tom is taking a shot of Renée taking photos. See the silly grin on his face? That is because the photo he took makes it look like a bunny is sitting on Renée's head.

Taken during our excursion to Ocho Rios on Jamaica--we went to a botanical garden.

I believe those are the starting of coconuts on this tree.

Baobab tree--how cool is that?

Did you miss me?

We got back Saturday from our Spring Break cruise to the Western Caribbean. It was hubby and me and nine other members of his family as well as a three-member family of friends. This all started while Tom and T.J. were in the desert and sister-in-law Linda told us about the cruise she and Bob were planning for their 20th Anniversary. They were taking son Mitchell along to celebrate his graduation from high school this year. Their friends Becky and Bruce decided to join the cruise to celebrate their 30th Anniversary, and their son Stephen (who happens to be a good friend of Mitchell's) is also graduating high school this year. Linda asked the whole family if we might like to join them. I decided Tom and I should go to celebrate his safe return from the desert and just to have some time together; T.J. and Jodi came, too, which presented them with the opportunity to spend some quality time getting to know each other; Tom's mother loves to travel and she loves her family, so she came, too; her sister Mary Lou joined us, as well; and Renée and Sue rounded out the entourage. So, if you were counting, that is fourteen people at dinner every night! Well, not the first night...Stephen and Mitchell had spent the first day eating their way through the ship. They had already had two dinners by the time dinnertime rolled around, so they did not join us. But they were with us every evening meal after that. It was nice--we couldn't fit fourteen at one table, so they gave us two tables next to each other. We switched up the dinner partners some nights so we got to share meals with every one in the group. Not everyone got to sit with who they wanted to sit with every night, but them's the breaks...it was still an enjoyable time of day.

The cruise went pretty well in spite of a few glitches. After a lovely formal dinner on Easter Sunday--where everyone looked so nice, especially the teenaged boys in their tuxes--Tom and I returned to our cabin to find our bathroom flooded with water from a backed-up shower! The water was contained in the bathroom, so that was good...but by the time the people from the ship arrived, it had spread to our to the storage area outside the bathroom and headed out the door into the hallway. I called Customer Service a second time to tell them that, and they guy on the phone said something like 'oh, sh*t! They should be there by now. I'll put in another work order.' Well, he must have done more than that, because men with a water vacuum arrived very soon after that conversation. Shortening a VERY long story, we ended up in another room for the night--the room of the Catholic priest who was taken deathly ill on Saturday and removed from the ship. We know this because the Purser told Tom, but we would have known anyway because of the personal belongings left in the room--there was stuff like paperwork, medicine, beads (like Mardi Gras beads) and teeth in a glass. Yes, you read that right. The poor man was so sick, he left his dentures behind in a glass! The Purser was appalled that these things had not been removed when the room was cleaned and he took them away personally. It was very late and we had an early excursion the next day, so we went to bed.

The other mishap was unfortunate--we had to skip our stop at the Cayman Islands because the port was closed due to high swells on the sea....it must have been dangerous if the government there closed the port, 'cause you know they lost a LOT of money! So we figured it was for the best, but it was very disappointing to miss the excursion we had planned. We were going to do a helmet dive! There was another dive excursion at Cozumel, but we wanted to see the Mayan Ruins there, so we decided to stick with that plan and miss the helmet diving. T.J. and Jodi did the helmet dive, and had a blast, though. So we experienced it vicariously through them. Not quite the same....

Pictures next!