Audition time again

It is that time of year again. Auditions at the Fine Arts Center in Camden. Jesse has now aged out, and they did not have a "teen" show last fall. Chloe is excited because they are doing her favorite: Winnie-the-Pooh!

Chloe went to auditions last week (or maybe the week before, not sure). She was called back to sing and read more lines yesterday afternoon. Jesse went too and actually had the opportunity to help run lines. Jamie, the director, asked Jesse if she was in ninth grade and that was why she didn't audition. It was.

Chloe is now checking my email every couple of hours to see if the cast list has been posted. I told her it would be a few days, at least, because three people did not go yesterday. She is still checking it though.

I will keep you posted.

A season of change

It has been quite awhile since I posted. Many things have happened. Christmas and New Year's have come and gone. My Mom came to visit for a few days at Christmas. She and the girls made a gingerbread house together, and they did some baking.

Master Mike called me in mid-December. He needed to talk to me and wanted to meet. He told me he was having to leave taekwondo because he had taken a new job working second shift. I could either take over the school or we could close the school down. I had about four days to decide. Honestly, the decision weighted heavy on my heart. I know I can teach the white and yellow belts; I've been doing that for quite a number of years now. The colored belts, with a refresher, would not be a problem either. The black belts were who I worried about.

In the end, I decided to keep the school open. Then it was a matter of time to see if the students would return knowing I was going to be the instructor. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect. I was surprised when all but one student returned. And the one that didn't return had been struggling; her brother is continuing with us. It has been an exciting month for all of us and I hope it continues.

Last week, however, we lost my Uncle Morgan. It was sudden. He was 69.

A twist

Most people, by now, have heard of Elf on a Shelf. Chloe has been wanting one the last couple of years. John, however, saw the price and thought she was crazy. This year she decided she didn't want one because she didn't want one like everyone else has.

I was in Michael's last week and saw some elves in Christmas sweaters. Jesse had said a few weeks ago she wanted an ugly Christmas sweater but instantly changed her mind when she was standing in a store in front of them. The elves I found were in Christmas sweaters; I thought the two things would go perfectly, so I bought one. lol

Now, we have joined the fun of the elves watching over the girls. The first couple of days the girls were not impressed. They believe I'm improving as time goes on.

Yes, there are two elves (one Chloe made quite a few years ago).

Whoa!

"What kind of cookies do you see?"

Ha! Ha! Trapped you!

A little backtracking

I have not posted anything from Halloween this year. We had a homeschool Halloween party at the library.

For Halloween the girls had different costumes. Jesse made her own costume this year, including the wings. If you are a Dr. Who fan, then you will know what she is. I think she did a great job. Chloe is someone from Harry Potter (which I have not read; I'm sure she'll let you know who).

We celebrated my Mom's birthday too.

Thanksgiving has come and gone too. The girls helped Grandma finish up her potato salad.

Friday after Thanksgiving, we went to find a real Christmas tree. We went to Old Congaree Tree Farm.

 

We decorated the tree Saturday.



Thanksgiving...fifteen years ago

I was just thinking of Thanksgiving fifteen years ago. It was the first time I cooked a turkey, and the family was coming over. My Dad was right there behind me telling me what to do, making me do everything myself.

The dinner turned out great. But it took me about three days to clean. I was exhausted! John was giving me a bit of grief over the pans in the kitchen. I tried to explain how tired I was but even I thought it sounded lame. I told my friend Monica about it at work the following week. She asked if I was pregnant. Well. Hmm. I hadn't thought of that one.

Yep. I was pregnant. Two years later I would go through the same thing, but I knew before Thanksgiving I was pregnant (the test wouldn't show if for another couple of weeks). I told my Mom at Thanksgiving I thought I was pregnant and John didn't believe it. (I have it on video.)  Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. These memories just add to that love.

A new way to see things

Not too many people know of my love of writing. Honestly, I haven't had, or taken, time to write since Jesse started walking. I started writing sometime late elementary school to early junior high. I do not pretend to be a great writer (you've read this blog lol) but I do find it very therapeutic. I have always tried to sit down with pen and paper when life gets complicated or emotional. My Dad always said my writing was "deep" and there was an English teacher at my high school who said it was "dark"; I think both explain my love of Poe.

I found myself on the 23rd of last month with pencil and paper in my hands. I also found myself unable to write a word. Somehow my old stand-by was failing me. Desperate to find some way to express myself, I decided to try something a little different.

If you recall, I believe it was this past spring when the girls and I wrote some haikus for the library. I thought I would try. Maybe a haiku would be my answer. This is what came out of that session with my pencil and paper.

 

Elusive

It is almost there

Then suddenly burst out loud

That smile makes me proud.

 

The Hand

The warm gripping hand

Reaching out to me for aid.

I gladly give back.

 

The Machine

The large grey box hums.

It creaks and moans during the day.

It bellows all night.

 

Sunset

The day is ending.

Darkness is quickly approaching.

Will the light reappear?

 

No, I am not a great writer. But there are days when doing something such as finding 5-7-5 syllables makes life more bearable. 



State Fair!

If you are anything like we are the State Fair means one thing: FOOD! Truly, we go mostly for the food. Chloe has had her "want" in mind for at least a month. Jesse didn't know until she arrived.

Philly cheesesteak

Deep fried cookie dough

Bacon cinnamon roll

We started with Philly cheese steaks and Italian sausages. They were good, but I think there was too much bread to meat for the ratio to be perfect. My opinion though. After wandering the fair at bit, we had our snacks. I had the red velvet Oreos (deep fried of course!), Jesse had a bacon cinnamon roll and Chloe had the deep fried cookie dough. John had our leftovers. lol

We found out yesterday, Jesse won first place in the junior division of home and craft with her earrings. She is her usual understated happy. Chloe has decided to enter home and craft next year and already knows what she is going to make. Exciting!

If you have been to the theatre with us you should recognize this face!

No way! LOL

This little goat followed Chloe for awhile.

And of course there were the games!

We love the fair. It is one special day a year (not that we don't have a lot of those) that we truly can enjoy each other while totally relaxing and just having fun.