burning the candle at both ends

I either did the coolest-or dumbest thing ever...
I know you're all thinking that's not possible, but believe me friends. It is. It really is.

Monday while I was at caroler rehearsal I received a text from my good friend Don Quixote that read:

"Are you familiar with the musical 'The Spitfire Grill'"?

Not sure where this was headed I replied "I'm not, but I can be if you need me to be. What's up?"

Well, my friends it turns out that he is directing this show and would like me to play the role of Effie. I must admit I know very little about this show, and although it's been well-received everywhere there's not much information on the interwebs. My friend Piano Man assures me that this is a wonderful ensemble show and Effie is a role I would be stupid to pass up. A non-ensemble role that the director wants me for? Without an audition? I know I'm fiercely talented and I deliver when it counts, but I also know I am no good at auditioning. This makes earning the right to deliver on stage difficult. I've had a few close friends who have seen me audition confirm this to me too so I know it's not just my perception.

With that being said: of course I'm gonna do it!

Here comes the stupid part.

Rehearsals will start while I'm in the middle of Candlelight Christmas. This going right along with fitting in a post-Christmas jaunt to St George with Mr. Wonderful, my own Christmas celebrations, shopping, altering my caroler dress-oh I didn't mention that? Well for the first time EVER the damn thing is too big in the bodice and has to be taken in. Like TEN INCHES. I'm not joking. The thing is HUGE. Thank goodness I was born into a sewing family. Oh and did I also mention we're singing for the FIRST PRESIDENCY now too? Well we are. Oh, and I'm still a day late and a dollar short on my music. Ack.

Phew. Now that I'm looking at it, that's a lot-and I'm not even trying to fit in silly stuff like the gym, eating, or sleep. This is the first time I have been grateful Mr. Wonderful is now on swing shift at work-I don't have to feel guilty for neglecting him.

Don Quixote is wonderful and must really want me, because even with the uncertainty of my schedule he said we'll make it work. I'm excited...well excited and scared. Ok. Mostly scared that in my inability to say "no" I've bitten off more than I can chew and am now just waiting for it all to explode on me. But come on. I've gotta do it, right? RIGHT? I'm not complaining, I promise. I'm just not sure how this all happened to me. This sort of thing never happens to people like me. I'm the one who's looking for things to do, not how to make them all fit. I'm awed and flattered and have had my ego sufficiently stroked-all at once.

We shall see if it's epic or just an epic fail.

attitude of gratitude: day 2

Today I am thankful for:

1) Mr. Wonderful's silly sense of humor that reminds me to not take myself so seriously.
2) My mother who is willing to drive 400 miles to help me alter the bodice on my caroler dress.
3) My Aunt Joanie who has stepped in to help alter said dress.
4) my crock pot-dinner will be DONE when I get home!
5) A car that works.

thankful: Sparky

Four and a half years ago I did a show. I'm still in awe about how much that one experience changed my life.
It was that experience that blessed me with one of the most important people in my life.

Last night we were talking about how we are both in a funk as of late and have no idea (or a good reason) as to why. I suggested we make lists of five things we are grateful for every day without repeating through November. It can be big or small, as long as we are grateful for it then. I then suggested we text them to each other to make us accountable for it. He agreed, and here we are.

Tis the season, and if you'll humor me, I am going to share my lists with you each day. Although this isn't the list I sent him today I find it fitting mine should start with the person who inspired the idea. My Sparky.

He's silly.

He supports me in everything I do.

He has the best picture face. No really, he does.

He's oh so strong!

He can make his legs dissappear!

 He survived an ENTIRE week of Disneyland with me.

Not only did he not kill me, but three years later still tells me that was the

best trip he's ever been on (and he's been around) and that we HAVE to do it again.

Yes, it's fun and silly, but in all seriousness I wouldn't trade my Sparky for anything in the world. He is my doppelganger (well, if I were a gay man anyway), a huge support to me, we can literally go MONTHS without talking and pick up right where we left off, we can get into the deep stuff conversations, he lets me tell him that he's being dumb without taking it personally (and vice versa), he knows me ALMOST as well as Mr. Wonderful and can read my moods at a glance, he will go see a cheesy community production of whatever with me without complaint, and quote random lines from Steel Magnolias with me. Above all he is my friend and such a huge blessing in my life. It may seem simple, but that's what our friendship is. Marvelously simple, which is exactly what each of us needs. I am so grateful I will always be his Foxy.



i guess i didn't get the memo

I don't know about you all, but my Halloween was pretty lack luster. So much so that I'm kinda losing faith in the holiday...

I had only four trick-or-treaters-yes you read that right. I said FOUR-and I know I live in an apartment, but come on, it's practically kid central here. Plus I had my cute, fun Halloween wreath up to prove I am TOTALLY legit and everything! Pathetic, yes? Well I can top that...I was one of three people at work who didn't get the memo you don't celebrate Halloween ON Halloween anymore...oh well. At least I looked cute and I got to wear jeans to work on a Monday.

On a happier note my butternut squash and freshly baked rolls were delish...recipe to follow soon after I tweak it a little more.

Side side note...I just looked out the window and it's SNOWING. Yuck. At least we got a little bit of a fall before the Christmas crazies got their way.