Grease is the word ...OR... How I Spent My Summer Vacation

My Facebook friends are undoubtedly sick and tired of my Grease postings, so if any of you happen to stop by, feel free to roll your eyes and move along.

I have always been a big fan of musicals. If it involves singing and dancing, I love it. Many of my favorite movies are adaptations of musicals.

The first live musical play I remember seeing(besides those shows at theme parks)was Little Abner my Sophomore year of high school. I was totally and completely caught up in it. The music, the dancing and the fact that it was all being done by kids I knew and walked the halls with daily was fascinating to me. And I wanted to be a part of it.

The next year the musical was Hello Dolly. I went to auditions...and then I left without trying....mortified to actually have to speak and sing in front of "people", I chickened out. Despite the fact that I was a very outgoing kid who would enter talent shows and beg for speaking parts in school plays, as a teenager, I became "backwards" as my Grandmother might say...extremely shy when it came to having to talk to or in front of people outside of my small circle of friends. I watched Hello Dolly from the audience, secretly wishing to be up on the stage singing and dancing.

In college, I went to two auditions, only to chicken out again. I actually made it up onto the stage for Bye Bye Birdie. They told me to sing and I said "I can't do that" and walked away. What did I think I was going to have to do at an audition for a MUSICAL? Sheesh.

That last audition was nearly 15 years ago. We have a very active community theater and whenever I'd hear of auditions for the latest Summer musicals, I'd always want to to go, but never would.

This summer, the theater advertised auditions for Grease. With the encouragement of a friend and my sister(who both also went to auditions). I made up my mind that I was going to audition for this play if it killed me. I was thinking "I'm 40 dang it...I can do this! I've wanted to do this since I was 16 years old and now I'm tired of worrying about embarrassing myself or what people think!"

So, I did it! I went with my sister and my friend Emily, took a number(37) and auditioned. I was terrified...but I DID IT! I felt silly reading the part of a high school student(I read w/some of the girls as both Jan and Marty) but I DID IT! I sang a wobbly, nerved out version of Happy Birthday for my audition...but I DID IT! And I survived. And I even enjoyed it! Call me corny, but I cried a little on the way home. I was just so proud of myself for FINALLY having the courage to go through with something I'd wanted to do for so long.

I got a part in the chorus(which was all I wanted...just let me sing and dance)as a teacher. Frankly, I wouldn't have cared if I didn't get a part, it was such a personal accomplishment for me to go through with an audition!

But I did get a part and I had a great time! It took up a lot of my summer vacation, but it was worth every minute! I met so many wonderful people, made some great new friends and I got to spend most of the summer with my sister. There were a couple of times when I thought "WHY did I want to do this???" like when I found out I had to wear a slip on stage in front of the entire town. However, the good far outweighed the bad! And being onstage with an audience...it was exhilarating...even for plain old Delores in the Chorus. I can't imagine what it must be like for the lead actors! So much fun...I regret not going through with it all those years ago!

And that's how I spent my summer vacation.

The performances were last weekend and I miss it so much! I miss the rehearsals and I miss the friends that I made there. I miss singing and dancing every other night! I can't stop singing the songs and frequently catch myself singing "Born to Hand Jive Baby!" At 5:30p.m. during the week, I still feel like I should be out at the Glema Mahr Center warming up my voice and dancing.

A few photos...
...new friends...That's my sister Jackie wearing our mother's wedding dress! I made my outfit...the teachers were all dressed Hawaiian style for the "Moonlight in the Tropics" prom scene.
My lil sis again (on the right) was a featured singer. She was a backup singer for the song Grease, which opened the show.
My hair was HUGE that night....and this is how it got so big!
My fellow Rydell high teacher. Shelley's hair is even bigger than mine...it was fantastic!
Opening scene/Alma Matter
Beauty School Drop Out
That's my sis in the hairdryer on the left(me pushing her)
Next summer? South Pacific!

Holiday Napkins & Coasters

I've been sewing again!

I was up past midnight last night making coaster & napkin sets for my friends for Christmas. I think they turned out nicely for the most part, but they were much more time consuming and aggravating than I anticipated.

My friends, however, are totally worth it!

Happiness in a Box

Yesterday Mark and I went out to the city park to do this and to enjoy the beautiful weather we've been having the past few days. Upon returning home, I discovered a big brown box on the front porch. My swap package from The Shabby Princess! The Shabby Princess and I participated in the Favorite Things Swap on Kelly's blog. I sent her a few of my favorite things, and she sent me a few of hers.

Inside the box I found...
Which I promptly unwrapped to discover...

• Two wonderfully scented candles...I caught a whiff the moment I opened the box and my kitchen/living room is currently infused w/the scent. Love it!
• The most FUN cups ever! I can pretend I'm back in the Bahamas lazing on the beach! And she even sent an extra for Mark...how sweet! Yes, I've tried mine out already!
• A variety of Post It Notes. Apparently the Shabby Princess is obsessed with stickies ;) How did she know that I can never find these when I need them?
• The book The Great Gatsby, her favorite, and one that I've enjoyed as well. I was watching my copy of the movie(starring Robert Redford & Mia Farrow) a while back and thought to myself "I need to read that book again!" Now I can! Yay!
• A pair of absolutely gorgeous Gatsbyesque earrings. Very vintage inspired. I love them!
• And finally, The Shabby Princess sent me a copy of her favorite cookbook, Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes by Giada De Laurentiis. How awesome is that? And what makes it even more special is that she actually marked her favorite recipes. So thoughtful! I'm really excited to try out some of these recipes!

What a wonderful surprise this package was! I am still overwhelmed and completely delighted by her generosity! Thanks again so very much, my friend!

Y'all should pay a visit to the Shabby Princess! She's a smart, amiable, aspiring writer who loves a great shoe and a bit of glam. Her personality really shines through in her blog...and she makes me giggle, often!

How CUTE...

Is this cupcake pincushion soufflé'? I love it! It came from a swap I did with my friend Steph of Lovestitches. Another of my fine bloggy friends, she is very crafty and does lots of fun things with fabric, needle, and thread! This, for example. She's getting ready for a big craft show at the moment, but perhaps she will be restocking her Etsy shop with these later. Did I mention I love mine? I do. It sits right next to my sewing machine which is nice, because now I can keep my ugly magnetic pincushion on the ironing board. Thanks Steph!

A Major Award

Wow. Two awards in one week. I feel very honored that my bloggy friends would think me worthy! Val(the lovely and talented), at Yarni Gras! and my dearest Pinky at Cheese in my Shoe were both kind enough to award me with the Arte y Pico. The "Arte y Pico" award which was created to be given to bloggers who inspire others with their creative energy and talents no matter whether it be in the form of writing, artwork, design, interesting material, or contributions to the blogger community. When a blogger receives this award it is considered a "special honor" and, once presented to you, it is to be passed on to at least 5 other bloggers who meet the criteria.

I am passing this award on to these folks...

Shea at A Day in the Strife. Who's creative energy and talent is so vast it is barely contained in his ultra cool red-brick bachelor pad. This guy is a smart, witty, lover of music and an insanely talented artist and photographer. He's been inspiring me since the day he was born! And I'd say all that even if he weren't my kid brother!

My darling Jackie at Embracing Accusation who inspires me every single day. She shares her thoughts, her faith and her life in Poland in her blog and posts some great photos and fun videos from time to time too. Yes, another photographer in the family. If you visit her blog, be sure and click on her flickr link for some amazing views of Poland and France.

Fiona of DragonFly Crafts. Fiona is one of my first and best blogging buddies. Fiona is so much fun...reading her blog is like talking to an old friend. And this gal is a quilting FIEND I tell you! She makes beautiful quilts and so many other projects. She's like the Energizer Bunny of sewing! You'll enjoy Fiona's blog!

Patty at Pipstitch. Patty brings the world of cross-stitch, embroidery, and other crafty endeavors together in one place so that the rest of us don't have to go searching the internet willy-nilly. She also does some lovely stitching herself...this for example. Patty shares my love of aprons and vintage things...and she's funny!

Angie of Many Little Blessings. Another blog that I find inspiring. Her life, the awesome "Works for me Wednesday" tips that she shares(one of my favorites is this one) her faith and her family...I find them all inspiring. And did I mention she also makes lovely jewelry? She does.

And a while back, I got this most excellent award from my bloggy friend Birdie. I apologize for not posting it earlier...I am scatterbrained as y'all well know. Go visit Birdie, I urge you. I love her funny and sweet stories about her life and family, and the crazy-gorgeous jewelry that she makes. If she hadn't already been given the Arte y Pico, I'd pass it on to her too!

Thanks again, y'all, for being so kind!

Taste of Home Cooking School Spring Show

Last night I went with my girlfriends Trish, Sheila & Stacy (along w/ Trish's MIL and dear, sweet Mama) to the Taste of Home Cooking School. I thoroughly enjoyed it...if they're coming to your town, you should check it out!

A chef from Taste of Home prepared a variety of dishes, making them all look incredibly easy and appetizing. In addition to the dishes, she shared cooking tips, stories and a few lame jokes. Lots of prizes were given away throughout the night as well. No, I didn't win anything. Dang it! I wanted, no, needed that cake plate filled with cupcakes!

One of the recipes that was featured is this Taco Meatball Ring. I plan to try it out...doesn't it look tasty? The show draws a huge crowd(I had no idea) and the Fine Arts Center was jam packed. We didn't buy our tickets until we got there so we ended up being Balcony Trash, separated from the rest of the theater. I think that made it more enjoyable...it was fun sitting up and away from the crowd. We were front row, center so we had a nice view of the stage, were able to prop up our feet, giggle, make yum-yum noises and comment(quietly of course) our way through the evening without bothering the people around us. Good Times! And yes, we got a little silly...which is the norm for us, thank goodness. How dull would it be to have friends who weren't at least half as goofy as you are?

New Blog on the Block and Girl Stuff

There is a new blog on the block! My dear friend from the "real world", Southern Belle Mama, has started blogging!

Originally from Mississippi, Belle has been transplanted here in Western Kentucky...the sorta-southern state, I like to call it. This girl is a TRUE Southern Belle...clever, funny, and charming with a hint of Julia Sugarbaker sass tossed in for good measure! And she's absolutely gorgeous(though she'd never admit to being such). I think you'll enjoy her take on family, life, love, and lipstick. Yes, lipstick.

Head on over to Southern Belle Mama's place. Tell her Kellie sent ya!

In one of her first posts, Belle talks about getting ready for the day and how we should take a bit more pride in ourselves. Now some of it is tongue in cheek(she's witty like that), but I took the following to heart: "please learn to care about the reflection that looks back at you each morning. God has given you a new day to look and feel beautiful"...

Now, I don't know that I've ever mentioned this but I love LOVE make-up, hair, and fashion ooh and I enjoy the occasional high heel. You know, girl stuff. I had a serious Benefit habit a couple years ago and Sephora makes me giddy. In fact, I recently cried a little bit when I ran out of the Sephora blush my sister got me for my birthday. But other than that blush, I'd kinda given up on enjoying getting made up and looking like a girl who likes to look like a girl.

It's not like I haven't put forth ANY effort, but not to the level that I once did. I mean I still wouldn't go out of the house w/o mascara. yikes. And I don't think I've let myself go, but I have kind of gotten into a rut. As of late my routine has been:

Slap on some tinted moisturizer or powder, some beige(yawn) eyeshadow, mascara, my luscious Sephora blush(see not completely given up) and apply one swipe of neutral lipstick in the morning and be done for the day.

My hair goes into a ponytail more days than it doesn't. But sometimes a ponytail is OK, right?

Now you won't usually catch me in sweats, and I'd never wear them to work, but I haven't worn a skirt in weeks. I've gained a few pounds since the Fat Smash aka "beans and rice diet" ended and now I'm too self conscious to wear one. Which is sad 'cause I absolutely love skirts, adore them. They're swishy and swirly and they make me feel all feminine, like Marylin. Only chubby. With wrinkles. And gray hairs.

Do you see that? Did you see what I just did? I get into this vicious cycle of putting myself down. I want to be pretty and girly and then I think of all the things that need improvement and think. "Well crap. What's the use?". So I continue to do the Beige Face and the ponytail and the comfortable(though not frumpy) pants and shoes. Chuck Taylors whenever possible.

I've never been entirely comfortable with myself but lately, it's gotten worse. I think a lot of my problem is this milestone birthday that is coming up. I will be honest and tell you that turning 40 is starting to seriously freak me out. I don't know why, but it is. Seriously. But we'll save that for another post.

Anyway reading Belle's post I realized that yeah, the reflection looking back at me needs a little TLC. Do I really want to face this new day that God has given me with Beige Face? No! And yeah, I NEED to lose weight but I'm still not to the proportions of the mother from What's Eating Gilbert Grape so I need to get over myself for the moment. And HELLO? Miss Clairol can help me wash that gray right out of my hair!

So what did I do once I reached these realizations? I marched (OK, I drove) myself to WalMart and spent one hour and 70 bucks on makeup and Crest Whitestrips. Most fun I've had shopping in weeks!

Thank you Southern Belle Mama, for putting the thought out there. I will spend a little more time on myself from here on out! Cause I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and dog-gone it, people like me!

Tomorrow I might even bust out a skirt!