Books and Movies

I love books...i mean i REALLY love books. There isnt much I love more than taking a good book into a hot bath and reading until it is devoured and I have consumed the complete emotional journey of the characters.

I loved the Twilight books, and the second movie was wonderful. I loved the Harry Potter books, and the movies were hit and miss - some amazing, some not so much.

One of my favorite books was Ken Follett's 'Pillars of the Earth'. I loved it so much, and just learned that they are turning it into a mini series (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091207/ap_en_ot/eu_hungary_pillars_of_the_earth) I am so excited. I always love to see if a movie director takes what is so vivid in my imagination and brings it to life in a way I expect.

Some books should probably never be made into a movie. I loved the book 'The Life of Pi' but it wouldnt make a very good movie - it would be too much of a horror film. I loved the book 'A Thousand Splendid Suns', but I am not certain that would work in film either. The emotional and physical treatment wouldnt read as well in the starkness of the visual only. They both rely on being inside of the protagonist's head to have a true appreciation.

I am sure the fans of the Gone with the Wind book wondered how any movie could do it justice, or The Thorn Birds, or North and South. ...but justice was done in all instances and I look forward to seeing 'Pillars' brought to life in film.

Christmas....Cindy Lou or the Grinch?

For so long I have hated Christmas. I dont know why...I guess it always has meant an argument about lights for the tree...or tension about having enough money - or not enough to just let the spirit of giving pour out of me. I can always think of such thoughtful gifts, but.....money is always an issue and I end up stymied and frustrated by not being able to 'give' in the way I would like.

I loved Christmas as a kid. I remember barely sleeping as I waited for morning to come. Such excitement. I loved church and christmas carols and my Mom's big family coming over to all celebrate together.

When we moved to Georgia Christmas lost its wonder. No big family. No big excitement. Every year it was the guilt of not having enough money to give to others, and trying to scratch together enough to have a wonderful christmas for my own girls. Rich working the holiday didnt help either. No family except my own little girls to try to keep happy and not let them know for a single moment that it wasnt the most amazingly happy day to me. We baked Jesus a birthday cake every year and sang to him. We went to see movies. We sang songs. Anything so that they would believe I loved the holiday and they would love it too and look forward to it. That, and Rich made a career out of Grinch Impressions. He hated Christmas so much that it finally wore off on me and not only did I not look forward to the day, I became Mrs. Grinch.

When they got old enough the pretense stopped. I barely put up a tree. Rich didnt like it much that I hated Christmas. Interestingly enough....he started to like the holiday some at this point. Trying to encourage a tree, and the shopping, and some modicum of holiday cheer.

This year.....I am feeling a bit like Cindy Lou Who. My life is so good, I have so much to celebrate...that Christmas music, the tree...looking forward to a house full of family...is just wonderful :) I will take delight is cookign the roast beast, making who pudding, and making a day that isnt as much about presents as it is about spending time with the people I love, celebrating our traditions, and a new life with adult relationships that have so much substance. Yes, there is so much reason to enjoy Christmas this year. I think, other than Rich's reading of the book, that the Grinch will stay away this year.

Ensemble

There is nothing I enjoy more about theatre than when a group comes together as an ensemble. When they respect each other, are committed and determined to do their best, and celebrate enjoying the art together. Today was like that all around.

My middle school cast really showed me good things today. They were able to focus in a way they havent in quite a while and it showed!

The community theatre cast was amazing in welcoming new people and pulling together great stuff.

And the HSM2 cast worked SO hard and got SO much done today. Sometimes change is good, and needed and brings growth. Today we had a couple of incredibly positive additions to the ensemble in choreographer and the young man playing Troy. Sometimes positive energy is all it takes to turn a group around. They sure did that for us today.

I had FUN, despite rehearsal being 8 hours long. LOTS of fun. Might I actually get my 'theatre sparkle' back? I hope so.

a growing family...

Thanksgiving growing up was all about a huge family...more people than logistically fit in Our house, but we fit somehow. There were not a lot of traditions outside of timing the length of time it took for us all to devour our big meal. One year 20 of us were all finished eating a massive feast in 11 minutes flat. How absurd!

Then we moved to Georgia, and suddenly there were just four of us. My own little family and all of my sense of holidays had always involves hoardes of people...with the four of us I always felt lonely. So often Rich had to leave for work every holiday at 3 to work second shift, leaving just the three of us - me and Boo and Lou to spend the day. We started to create our own traditions to give new meaning to our holidays. To give me the comfort of looking forward to 'our things' and not missing the big extended family gatherings of my childhood.

The first tradition involved the movies. It was always so lonely when Rich left for work, so instead of staying home lonely we always went to the movie matinee on thanksgiving and christmas. We looked forward to our movie holidays. We didnt go to the movies often, so it was such a treat.

The next tradition involved the Macy's Day Parade. We watched diligently from the start of the parade to the end when Santa arrived. The girls always looked forward to the arrival of Santa, believing the Macy's Santa to be the real Santa. Then the Macy's parade developped all kinds of food traditions. It became like two thanksgivings - the breakfast meal, then the turkey meal. I call it a breakfast meal, but it doesnt involve many breakfast foods. Mostly it involves snackish things the girls love: orange cinnamon rolls, crab cheese ball and cracker, spin dip and veggies, pigs in a blanket, chips and onion dip, and fruit dipped in chocolate. Strange combination for breakfast, but the grazing on it begins at 9AM and continues through the parade and into the big dog show following. Another tradition.

Callaway Gardens light extravaganza is a newer addition to the routine, replacing the yearly viewing of 'It's a Wonderful Life'

Our family of four has gotten larger. Bekah bringing Jen to be part of our family. Dad coming to be part of our family holiday celebration, and this year Laura bringing Chris. We will see if he becomes part of our family, but he seems to fit quite well. The family is growing but the traditions remain the same. It is good to have traditions...common expectations that bind our family together.

So.......it is dog show time. I am about ready to clean up the breakfast feast. The Turkey feast is warming in the oven, turkey roasted all night. I need to make the gravy, cook the rolls, open the cranberry sauce, set the table and get ready to sit down with the people I love so much and give thanks.

Waiting...but definitely not for Godot

This morning I am feeling that butterfly excitement in my stomach, waiting for christmas morning to get here in the middle of the night excitement feeling as I wait for my family to arrive.

I love our empty nest, I really do. Rich and I have found joy and comfort in our routines and our time to spend and talk and cuddle. We like and love each other and life is good. I dont really want the girls to move back in, but I do miss them. I miss their hugs, and I miss their laughter. I miss having somebody to talk to about theatre. I miss hearing about their day, and knowing they are up on their computers chatting with the world instead of sleeping. (yeah, most moms would be saying they miss seeing them tucked sleeping into their beds. I dont think I have seen that for a couple of years. They outlast me in the stay up all night department)

So here I am, writing a blog about waiting....while I wait for my girls...

It kind of is like waiting for Godot...waiting for the people I love who will turn my life upside down in the most glorious way for a couple of days and then go back to their own lives. Maybe Chris is really Godot. He has never visited before...it could be......

Chris, is your middle name Godot?

The Visit

I have been wondering when Mom would visit me. I know she has visited Dad, and Jen......and maybe Dana too...probably Dana. She would want to check up on him. He was always very much on her mind.

So, it was Sunday morning and I was cooking for thanksgiving. Wanting to get most of the cooking done before family arrived so I could enjoy their company and not be stressing about what was left to do in the kitchen. I was listening to christian music and singing as I cooked....and suddenly I began to tingle all over...warm, like a hug of pure emotion. She wanted me to know she was with me as I was preparing a feast I wanted her to be with us for more than anything. Now...I know she will be with us, whenever we are all together, loving each other, we all remember her and the wonderful way she loved us all.....and she is with us

I love you Momma.

Giving Thanks.....

I have had the most wonderful life ...and plan to keep having a wonderful life.

Family: two parents who were the most amazing people. Role models both as individuals and role models for marriage.

A brother who I am so glad I have had the chance to get to know this past year. Even if the circumstances werent the best..it is nice to know you Dana.

A husband who is the most amazing man and partner. Who takes care of me..and believe me, that takes some doing. A 25 year marriage with a person that I would choose today if I had to choose again.

Two daughters that are amazing people. Who have strong character, good hearts, talented and determined and have so much to offer the world.

I live in a wonderful community with people who are so supportive of the theatre program, and me personally.

I have such good friends.

My administration is amazing. I thank God for Stacey Carlisle every single day. She has brought the joy back into teaching for me.

I have wonderful students who find excitement in learning about theatre.

My dogs are always there to lick and wag their tails when they see me. they make me feel like I am the most important person.

I am so lucky that Bekah has a life partner who is an amazing and good person who shares Bek's passion for film.

I am thankful that Laura is having a cavity enducing experience in her life.

I love my house. I love my bed (although right now I sure wish I hadnt had coffee while i was baking)

I love cooking and creating new tastes.

I loved cooking all day today for my family. I love that I am able to do something for them.

I love most that we are all going to get together this week. To talk, to laugh, to remember, to love, to share, to EAT

I dont think we give thanks enough. I think we are always looking for more, better, improved. I know I am. As I am on my quest for more, better, and improved , I forget that today is its own blessing. I forget to say "i love you" often enough, or "thank you" often enough. I forget to slow down and savor life. I am always in such a rush. On to the next project without taking a nice breathe to enjoy the completion of the one before it.

So...my middle of the night sleepless self promise is to give thanks more for all of the blessings in my wonderful life.