A Place Where Nobody Dared to Go!

I am super excited about the show I am rehearsing right now. Are you confused? Yes, I am in performing one show and rehearsing another and on top of it the musical theatre troupe I teach for is opening their show next week. Lots of shows all at once...but I love it!
The show I am currently rehearsing is XANADU and I'm in heaven! Yes, if you are thinking of Olivia Newton-John, Electric Light Orchestra, and Gene Kelly, you are on the right track.

If you are thinking of Kerry Butler, Cheyenne Jackson and the rest of the amazing original broadway cast you are even closer to the right track.

There are many reasons I'm digging this show. The music is so much fun and the show is just ridiculous.  I'm not only going to be in it but I am also choreographing the show.  There are ROLLER SKATES! Not roller blades but skates and many of you might not know this but I was a roller skating queen as a child : ). 



Another cool thing about the show was when we were still in Atlanta I was flying up and auditioning some in NYC.  On one of these visits the cast of XANADU was rehearsing in one of the spaces I was auditioning in...it was pretty cool to be passing these actors in the hallway. My husband is also in the show and I absolutely love getting to perform with him.  He is amazing for many reasons but getting to work together is just icing on the cake for me.  This show was also the one show we saw in the fall of '07 on our NYC scouting weekend.  This was our trip to the city to check out neighborhoods and visit friends to see if we wanted to move up. It was a special weekend for us I think this show is a big part of that.  

I am superstoked to put on some skates and rock out with my hubs!

Here we are in the last show we did together.

I am blessed!

"A place where noboy dared to go, the love that we came to know, they call it Xanadu"



You shall be called???

I got my back less then 24 hrs after I ordered it.  My super awesome husband went and picked it up for me because I was teaching all afternoon in multiple locations and couldn't get to the store before they closed.  I was SO excited to get it and immediately took her out for the inaugural ride to break her in.  As I was heading out the door I noticed my pedals weren't the super duper upgraded bare-foot pedals (for those beach days). I immediately emailed the contact at the store who responded back within 30 minutes telling me he was so sorry it wasn't communicated to me and that they should be in this week. He also told me I could have a free bell or cup holder for my troubles.  Talk about customer service. 

My first ride was a little over three miles.  I couldn't go much longer b/c the kickstand was not bending properly and the left pedal hit every time it went around. It was driving me nuts! So when I got in I emailed the guy back thanking him for the quick help. I also mentioned the kickstand and one other issue. The "fork" of the bike was the wrong color.  It's really not a huge deal but I wanted silver and it's white.  He emailed back and said that changing the fork was no problem and that he could bend the kickstand.  Yay, all easy fixes. 

The weather here has been amazing and I couldn't not ride her on my day off so I took her out for 5.4 miles today.  I was able to fix the kickstand myself-score! So I've gotten 8.4 miles down...a lot more to go before she's "paid off" in my mind : ).  I found this great app for my phone called cardio trainer.  It uses GPS and tracks where you go, miles, calories, rate of speed. It's pretty amazing!

So, what do you think? Isn't she a beaut? Can you tell where the fork is?


I think I want to name her...any suggestions...or is she a he? I'm a dork...I know : )

Friday Five- Favorite post show snacks

Doing theatre has me on a strange eating schedule.  I can't eat too much before the show but I also don't want a full dinner after the show at 10pm or later.  So I have found some snacks that tend to hit the spot. Some are healthy and some are not...but oh so good. 

1.  Goldfish

They have to be the flavor blast kind. I LOVE the xtra cheddar and there is a new fave flavor-white cheddar.  They don't offer much nutritional value but they also don't have any partially hydrogenated oils either.  Sadly, these are a staple in my life...I even gave them up last year for Lent : 0).  When we lived in NYC we took a road trip to MA.  On our way back we stopped at an outlet mall in CT.  They have a Pepperidge Farm outlet and I bought the BIG carton of goldfish...I was so happy...and then remembered I had nowhere to put them in my tiny apt in the city.

2. Frozen yogurt or light ice cream

-I am a sucker for the fro yo.  Publix (really great grocery store chain out of FL) has some great light ice cream and frozen yogurt options.  My favorites are the Raspberry Roadrunner, Key Lime Pie and a newbie is Mint Cookie.  This especially hits the spot during the summer.  Who am I kidding...I can eat it year round!

3. Hummus and Veggies or crackers

-I LOVE hummus. My favorite brand is currently Sabra.  I love the variety in the flavors: pine nut, sun-dried tomato, garlic, roasted red pepper.  My favorite is the sun-dried tomato.  Harris Teeter(another great grocery store) has a good smoked paprika hummus.  When we were in NYC, there was a fab little Lebanese place around the corner called "El Shater".  They had the BEST hummus.  We'd always go get a little container to take to Bible Study.  The shop would literally stop when we'd walk in...we didn't speak Lebanese...but they loved us : )

4. Lean Cuisine egg rolls

-I know this is strange...but they are so good. Drew actually found these and they are keepers.  Our favorite so far is the fajita rolls, though they have asian and garlic chicken options.  They are light and a warm option after a long show.

5. Cereal

-I tend to eat yogurt for breakfast but I love a good bowl of cereal.  Sometimes at night it just hits the spot.  My favorites are Nature's Path Heritage flakes and Barbara's Shredded Spoonfuls.  I don't really like sugary cereals.  These all have a good fiber and protein content too!

Christmas in March

I got a present from the hubs today.  A BIKE!  I am so stinking excited about this present.  I've been wanting one for almost 9 months now.  I even added some options to my amazon wishlist in time for Christmas this year.  But I did not get one for Christmas... in December at least.  We never celebrate Christmas at our own own home.  It's either at my dad and stepmom's house in NC or Drew's folks in GA.  So...he would have a hard time hiding that from me as we drove from state to state. 

Fast forward to March.  The weather has been super nice in Charleston and I have been on a mission to find the perfect bike.  I love working out and dancing but I want another activity to do and biking is my choice. I have been trying to be frugal in my quest.  I've searched online, at Target and Wal-mart, at local bike shops, and even craigslist.  I've been looking for a beach cruiser...not just b/c we live at the beach.  I always had beach cruisers as a child and loved them! My mountain bike experience has never been great.  I like the ease and comfort of the cruiser. 

After searching and researching I finally decided on a local, awesome bike shop called affordabike. They custom build bikes to your liking.  It's a really cool company started by two local guys in Charleston. Check out their website and you can play around with the "build your bike" section.  It's so cool. 

I tend to over think things for a super long time.  So I decided today was THE day to get the bike.  I talked Drew into going with me...thank goodness.  You can start with a basic steel frame @ $110 or get the aluminum rustproof frame @ $160.  I was planning on going with the cheaper option, but after thinking it over and getting the go ahead from the hubs I went with the aluminum frame.  The rustproof will be great since I do planning on riding on the beach some and it is also a lighter frame, which will be helpful since we live on the 2nd floor. After that you can get the basic accessories or you can upgrade.  I did a couple of little upgrades-chain guard, fenders, better pedals and even a cute little basket. It was more then I intended to spend but I am very happy with my final decisions.  Well, I think I am.  I don't actually have the bike yet b/c it takes them 2-3 days to make. But I am excited about the model I made online and am sure I will like the final project.  I will take pics and post soon.

Christmas in March rocks!   And so does my hubs. 

Friday Five- 5 good mood songs

Whoo hoo I have been wanting to do a Friday Five for several weeks now. I just can't wait until next Friday! So here goes my first one.
Friday Five-5 Songs that can INSTANTLY put me in a good mood. Now I know some of these are cheesy but they make me happy...what can I say? There are many more but these are the ones that I are striking my fancy today.

1. If You Were Here-by The Thompson Twins
-You are probably thinking what song is this? Picture this, young teen girl in a bridesmaid dress sitting on a table with a hot young guy and she is about to blow out birthday candles. Yes, the movie is SIXTEEN CANDLES and this song plays right when Samantha and Jake are about to kiss. One of the best movie moments ever and this song always takes me to this happy place : 0). You know you're with me on this one.

2. Lovesong -311 cover...originally done by The Cure
-I love this song...especially the version by 311. It makes me want to be on some tropical island with Drew on one side and a small...no, wait...who am I kidding...a LARGE margarita on the other. I love the lyrics and the reggae undertones. It was also featured in the movie 50 FIRST DATES.

3. I've Had The Time Of My Life-Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
-I feel a little guilty liking this song but I can't help it. Anytime I hear it I am instantly taken back to the 80's and one of my favorite movies DIRTY DANCING. I remember seeing this movie and barely being able to contain myself I heard the song b/c I wanted to dance. Who remembers the end when Mr. P. Swayze (RIP) mouths the word to Jennifer Gray....ughhhhh...love it! and ps-the BEP version doesn't count.

4. Dancing Queen-Abba
-I was debating this one but again...it makes me want to dance. Seriously, any Abba makes me happy and makes me want to dance. Who's seen MURIEL'S WEDDING? They are obsessed with Abba in the movie! And thanks to silly musicals like MAMMA MIA more people can enjoy the fun.

5. Lovefool-The Cardigans-This one takes me back to my HS days. This song is just SO fun and makes me want to boogie. It was also featured in WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S ROMEO AND JULIET and CRUEL INTENTIONS. What's even better is this is featured on SingStar on our PS3 : ). I can serenade Drew ALL night long! Thank you Swedes for The Cardigans.
 Here's the code:

I Heart Lime



I love all things Lime. The more tart the better. Well, truth be told, I love all things tangy and sour but I feel sincere amour for LIME everything.

My newest lime addition to my list of faves is Newman's Own Lighten Up Light Lime Vinaigrette.  I orginally purchases it for a spinach salad w/ fruit that I made for our bible study.  But now I want to put it on everything...not sure if that is good or bad!

Other Favorite lime treats (in no particular order).

Lime Tortilla Chips-The hubs will tolerate them but I ADORE them!

Margarita-do I really need to say more?

Edy's Real Fruit Lime Bars-Super yummy, especially when you need a cold treat.



Key Lime Honey-My dad and stepmom had some of this at their house and I tried it over the holidays. It was SUPER yummy. They went to Tampa this past January and put in a request for a bottle. The place they got it was ALL out.  I was bummed but they got me some Key Lime Jam that I'm waiting to get and try.

There are many more items I could share but I'm probably boring you.  Next, I will share my favorite lime recipes : ). 

Any food items that you can't live without? What do you love? Share, Share!

Come on join our train

My cats Artie and Harpo CRACK me up.  They are always in the funniest poses and positions.  I just found them on the arm of the couch lined up as if on a train.

They even turned to look at me at the same time.

Artie is the leader, of course, with Harpo as the caboose.  This is SO their personalities.  Most of our friends can't tell them apart, or even realize we have two cats : ). 

I love my little fur-babies!

Tech Week Madness

So, for those of you who don't know, I'm an actress.  My husband is an actor as well.  Right now we are both working on shows.  He is directing a production that opens at the end of the month and I open a show THIS week. 

During Tech week our life normally goes to poop.  The laundry piles up, the food intake is crap, the cats go unloved, dishes pile up etc.  But I tried to counteract all of that this week. Monday is my day off of the week so I attacked the laundry and got 3 loads done.  I also got groceries.  I decided to prepare two large cold salads to eat off this week. One is a pasta (really tiny ditalini) with chickpeas, onion, red pepper, orange pepper, zucchini, garlic salt, oregano, white balsamic and EVOO. The other is a greek broccoli salad-broccoli, lowfat feta, kalamata olives, spices, evoo and balsamic.  When I leave for work in the morning I have to plan my meals for the day.  Having these already made-and healthy-options gives me some relief from the frozen kashi meal, the 2nd sandwich of the day and saves me some $$ from the whole foods deli.

So far, so good.  We are both surviving the madness and the cats seemed loved : )  Now, here's hoping my show opens without a hitch!