I'm all for snow but...

Not on my tulips!!

In other news...

Josie and Hannah seem to have reached some sort of detante.

Hope your St. Paddy's Day Was Filled with Revelry!

Ours wasn't too exciting, but we did have a great dinner at Marina's house --corned beef, baked potatoes, cabbage--the whole nine yards! Then we went over to Emily's to hang out and play board games. Pete, as you can see, can always amuse himself.

I didn't have rehearsal tonight so Pete and I went to Wild Oats for dinner and then headed over to Home Depot to get more supplies for our dining room project. We completed another step this evening! Our baseboard has officially been removed. Let me tell you, it's sorta scary under there. But we were able to hold up the new boards and see what it will look like when it's all done!

Isn't this what we all want to be doing today?

Thanksgiving 2007 --Bring It On!!

Pete and I went to the mall this afternoon to return a sweater I bought at the Gap on Thursday. We stopped by Macy's on our way out to look at their housewares department because we still have a giftcard from Christmas to use. Well, we left with a sleeper sofa and armchair! They won't actually be delivered for two weeks, but they're ours. The official sofa color is coffee and the accent chair is capuccino with a 'moneytree' pattern. Whatever that means. It has a little branch pattern on it in shades of brown. So, whoever's headed this way in November(nephews welcome), or April for the show, we now have two extra beds instead of just one.

Here's a better picture of the dining room:

We've Painted the Dining Room!

Pottery Barn has their own paint colors! Finally! I knew the color I wanted right away and on Thursday Pete took me to the Benjamin Moore store to purchase the perfect color for our dining room --Wedgewood Grey. We painted it this afternoon --here are the pictures as proof. Now all we need to do is install Wainscoting on the bottom half of the wall and we'll be finished! Well, we'll also need new curtains, and maybe a new light fixture, but we're definitely making progress.



I might take another one tomorrow when it's light out so you can get a better idea of the color.
Well, I've got to go take a nap or I'll never make it to Pete's 11:00PM indoor soccer game.

3.28.12 UPDATE: This posts gets hits all the time from those of you looking at the Wedgewood Grey photos. And I cringe every time I see a new hit because the picture was taken after dark with my old camera and it really doesn't do the color justice. We have since moved to another house - where I again had the dining room painted Wedgewood Grey (yes I like the color that much), and we have a better camera now, so here are some pictures that do the color justice:

We have since knocked this wall down as part of a major kitchen remodel, but it gives you a better idea of the color.

And here are some pictures that were taken after the remodel - we carried the Wedgewood Blue over into the new kitchen to unify the space.

Grace Strikes Again

I'm sharing this story because I figure once we're all laughing about it I'll stop thinking about the pain I'm feeling and my pants sticking to my bloody knees.

So we all know I'm in this show, and I've been thinking I should up my cardio, since it's been a few years since I've been on stage in tights and a leotard. I have Intermediate Pilates Reformer every Monday night at 7:15, but for the past few weeks I've been going a half an hour early to run on the treadmill before class. Pete goes as well, runs on the treadmill, and does whatever else for an hour and a half. The YMCA is packed at 6:30 so usually Pete and I can't get side by side treadmills. Last week they were all full and I had to run on the dinky track around the basketball court. If only that had been the case this week.
Long story short, I fell off the treadmill. I don't even know how it happened!! One minute I was thinking, 'Gosh, my ankles feel tight!' and the next I'm on my knees on an actively moving treadmill trying to figure out how to get out of my current situation. Without much thought my body let itself be thrown on its side and tossed off the machine, toward the back wall.
I managed to stand up and a stranger asked me if I was okay before the shock set in and tears started streaming down my face. It was one of those situations where you laugh and cry and act scared all at the same time. Then I had to go find Pete and tell him what happened, all the while thinking my knees really hurt, so I pulled up my tights, and, sure enough, I managed to scrape the Hell out of them. Did I mention slamming on to my right hip before being catapulted off?
So, there's my story. Stay safe out there on the gym equipment. :)
I need to go find some ibuprofen.

I need help, Jenni! --or any other knitters....

I've been so excited about my Sheldon the Turtle project. I had his body knit, and his legs, and his shell, and his shell panel, and then it came to attaching them all together and it said, on page five out of six, to CROCHET around the trim of the shell. I am a knitter, I have NO IDEA how to crochet! So I looked it up on the internet and Friday night I sat with Sheldon's shell in my hand and my computer on my lap, and managed to crochet in a single row around the edge. I thought I was home free. But no...
I get to the paragraph entitled Finishing, and I'm supposed to use an I-cord to attach the shell and attachment panel together, with the WS together?!?!? If you go to knitty.com, look up Sheldon the Turtle and on the last page of the pattern, the second paragraph under finishing --what am I supposed to do? I can't envision it and am pretty much ready to put it away forever.

So to distract me from my Sheldon worries, I started on a scarf to replace the one Hannah chewed that goes with my favorite coat.

Tonight was the first Crazy For You rehearsal. More of a meeting, really. They handed out scripts and we got our measurements taken (always a joy) and made plans for our first dance rehearsal next Tuesday night. When I was in it at McMurry all the Follies Girls had their regular hair, just worn really curly. But when I saw it at ACU a few years later, all the girls had these cute, short, super curly wigs. Apparently we will be wearing those, which is exciting. But the BEST news of the night --not that this was official, or that I saw a picture or anything --- but a bunch of people were talking about it --is that WE'LL BE WEARING VEGAS-STYLE (MAYBE WITH FEATHERS) HEADDRESSES!!! How cool is that?!?! I hope they don't weigh 40lbs like they did when Diane Sawyer was a showgirl for a day....

Pete was lamenting that there weren't any pictures to go with my ''Crazy For You" post. So let's all flash back eleven years:

I'm fourth from the left in this one.

And fifth from the left in this one.

Ahh, memories.

The past few days have been pretty busy for me, to say the least. Monday night after work, I had my Pilates reformer class, as usual. Tuesday, I had a callback for a show I auditioned for last Wednesday night. The show is "Crazy For You", a Gershwin musical I was in back in high school that's full of tap-dancing and crowd favorites like "Embraceable You" and "I've Got Rhythm". Wednesday was choir rehearsal. So it's work all day, get home, whip up a quick dinner, and go on to some activity. I'm writing this mainly to talk about the show audition. I show up at the audition last Wednesday with my prepared solo and my resume and my tap shoes in hand. Now I haven't danced in 6 years mind you, when I was in the chorus of Kiss Me Kate, but I thought it would come back to me like riding a bike. I was TOTALLY wrong! The choreographer said turn left, I turned right, I was on the wrong foot half the time, etc. But this is community theatre, so while there were some people that were better than me, there were also some that were worse. There were 14 of us that first night.
Last Friday I get a call telling me they'd like to see me again for a callback Tuesday night at 8PM. That was all she said, nothing about there being more dancing or anything. So I show up Tuesday night in what I wore to work -I had to work until 7- and there are 45 PEOPLE THERE! Apparently many, many more folks came to the second evening of auditions. I didn't leave the studio until 10:46PM Tuesday night. There was a session on readings, a session on dancing --where we did both the tap and jazz combos learned the week before --me wearing my nice green pants and gray sweater, I didn't even have a hair tie! --and then, at 10:26PM, after some people had been dismissed, we started the singing portion of the evening. AT 10:26 PM!! What kind of person can work an eight hour day, dance for an hour, and then sing two solos! Well, apparently, several much more talented gals than I can. Eight of us were in a room, we sang through "Naughty Baby" once as a group, then each individually. We did the same thing with "But Not For Me". Then, at long last, it was time to go home.
When this all started I had the mindset of 'I spent all of college being in the chorus, now I want to be one of the leads.' Well let me tell you, there are some talented folks hiding out in Lexington, KY. Not just good singers, but girls who can tap, too! I was so impressed watching other people dance, that I forgot to dance half the time. And when I arrived home, sure enough, there was dried blood on one of my toes. It was just like old times.
Anyway, I got a phone call today and I was cast as one of the Follies Girls. I'm really excited --I hope they don't put me in the back for every number, but it should be a good experience. I haven't done any music theatre since I moved to Lexington, and it IS my most favorite thing to do, so hopefully I'll have a good time. Plus, Pete has never seen me on stage --how weird is that?!?!
So, if you're in the area at the end of April, let me know and I'll get you tickets. This is one long post --my first ever without any pictures. Fear not though, Sheldon is almost done and he deserves a post of his very own.

A Star is Born!

It's like I'm married to Professor Harold Hill!

Earlier this week when Pete was in Louisville he took his old trombone from his mom's house. He showed me his skills this afternoon in the kitchen. Now I know this is no Jacob Henry Carter video, but I think it's pretty entertaining. As a side note, I have no idea why I laugh like Mary Poppins. Enjoy!

P.S. Thanks again to Dad for the new camera that also takes small movies!!

P.P.S. Pete is concerned that it is not going to come across that he hasn't played the trombone in 8 years. So there. I've told you, and now you know not to expect too much. :D

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

We hope everyone had a good New Year's Eve, we did!

In honor of George Lucas being the Grand Marshall for the 2007 Rose Bowl Parade, we present Josie the cat, with her good friend Wicket.



2007 has already brought about several broken rules, the largest of which being animals on the furniture. I present to you, in full Technicolor, Hannah and Pete: BUSTED!



She is awfully serene, though.

A Wedding Weekend

We are finally home after a weekend full of events! Our good friends Rachael and Sylvain were married last night up near Cincinnati and since I was in the wedding we've been going strong since Thursday afternoon. It seemed like each evening was more fun than the next. I love dancing at receptions --especially when the Champagne is flowing! We got home from Cincinnati this afternoon only to have to turn around after about an hour and a half to head over to Louisville. One of Pete's high school friends got married this summer and her parents had a reception dinner for her tonight. On the plus side, we hadn't seen Pete's family yet this holiday season so we went by his mom's house and spent time with his family before changing and going to our last wedding-related dinner of the weekend. Here are some pictures from our fun-filled weekend.

Pete and Emily REALLY liked the ribbon on our presents!

The Lovely Bride

Dancing Queens

Christmas Eve and Early Morning

Merry Christmas Everyone! We'll probably post a few times today so we can share all the day's pictures, but here are some scenes from last night's celebration and stockings and presents this morning.

Pete hung lights on the house Saturday night, and I added some over the door yesterday.




Baking treats for last night --in my new Christmas apron!



The tree last night with all the eats, and us in front of our tree.


Presents from Mom and Dad --Thanks!



We got each other some clothes --Pete got me a nice North Face fleece, and I got him some flannel-lined jeans.

Well, that's it for now. Hope you all are enjoying the celebrations at your houses!

2nd Try --Christmas Tree Story, etc.

Now I've got Firefox instead of Explorer, so hopefully I won't lose posts anymore. Back to the story of how we got our Christmas tree.

We got our Christmas tree Thursday afternoon and it's a beauty --8 ft tall! This year we went with a Fraser fir, it touches the ceiling and we might not be able to put our star on it. We went to the same tree farm where we got last year's tree, it's just a little ways out of town and the family who runs it seems really nice --they even remembered us from last year. We've got the tree fully decorated and everything, but I think it might need something more --maybe some beads or wired ribbon, I don't know. We put it in a different place this year, a little more out of the way, but we didn't have to move any furniture, it makes it easier to walk through the house, and isn't as tempting for the dog to eat. Here are some pictures from our mantle as well, so you can see our stockings, etc. In the corner is Big Dolly, Pete's toy soldier from when he was little --you should have seen me getting that thing out of the attic!
The next couple of weeks should be pretty busy for us, we've got Christmas church services, Egg Nog Night (only ask if you REALLY want to know --it's a scary tale involving Pete and 64oz of the stuff), a weekend in Cincinnati for a wedding, etc. We'll be pretty worn out by the start of 2007, but we will have no doubt had some good times. Hope everyone has safe travels for the holidays!

Bummer

I had this nice post about our Christmas tree with pictures to go with but internet explorer encountered a problem, had to restart, and I lost the whole thing. And now I have to leave to go to Cincinnati for a music rehearsal for my friend Rachael's wedding. All that to say, sorry no update, I'll try to log back on tonight and repost everything.

Holy Moly Guacamole

We made guacamole this evening so we could use our new avocado bowl --here's the picture as proof! Thanks again to Pete and Jenn for giving it to us, like we needed another excuse to make guacamole --we love that stuff. Anyway, Pete (my husband, not my brother) wholeheartedly approves. Not much else going on here, our big staff party is tomorrow night so I'll probably have some pictures from that later on in the week.

He's My Lobster!

We arrived home last night from our Thanksgiving trip to Omaha, NE. Unfortunately, Pete had to leave again this morning at 4:30AM to fly to Florida for his company's annual meeting. Hannah and I miss him already! Because I am one of the last people on the planet to still be using a film camera, I just got back some pictures from Halloween. Pete and Hannah were
lobsters.

I decided to borrow Hannah's costume after she'd gotten sick of it.

On to more recent events. Wednesday night we arrived in Nebraska and we brought Ben his first pair of New Balances. He seemed to take to them right away, although by Thursday I think he might have preferred my Danskos!

Thanks again to Pete and Jenni for hosting us! I haven't had brisket in the longest time and deep fried turkey truly is a religious experience. We had a great time seeing everyone and really enjoyed getting to play with little Benjamin. Can't wait to see you again sometime soon.