1940's Radio Hour

So, the hubs is performing in a show this month. In fact, he just left to do his Christmas Eve matinee performance.  The show is 1940's RADIO HOUR.  I LOVE this show! It's very near and dear to my heart. 

I first saw the show in 1996 at a summer stock theatre.  It was cute, sweet and a great picture of the 1940's, which is one of my favorite times! The music and the clothes were awesome in the 40's. I fell in love with the show then, little did I know I would do the show 4 times and Drew would do it 5. 

Our first foray into the show was Nov/Dec 2002. He played Wally, delivery boy, and I played Ginger, the ditzy blonde.   It was our first Christmas as a married couple and just a great experience. We did it a theater in Macon, GA and Drew's dad was actually in the ensemble with us.  Just a great, fun and special show. 

Fast forward to 2005. We were in Michigan working and Drew had been cast down in Atlanta at Theatre in the Square in the show as Wally for the 24th anniversary of the show. He left MI early and started rehearsals.  I came down to ATL once our show in MI was over.  Well the closer they got to opening it became apparent the chica in the role of Ginger was going through something and needed to be replaced.  So 24 hours before they opened they called me into the role.  I rehearsed on Saturday and Sunday and went on Sunday night.  We ran the show All of Nov and Dec.  It was a crazy, fun, beautiful experience.  We made some great friends and had a blast.  The Theatre asked us back the following year, 2006, for the 25th and final year. It again was a great experience and special to do the show again.

                                                                       Ginger 2006

The following year, 2007, another theater in ATL was doing the show and cast Drew as BJ and me as Connie.  They are the late teenagers on the radio show who are in love with each other.  He played an older role and I played a younger role.  It was fun to play opposite of each other, which doesn't happen a lot.  Not really my favorite version of the show, but it was a fun cast : ).
                                                                  Connie and BJ 2007

So here we are in 2011, back in Atlanta, and Theatre in the Square has revived the show for their 30th season.  And Drew is back as Wally, the 16 yr old delivery boy.  I had the opportunity to see him last Sunday.  I love watching my husband perform...it's one of those "makes me fall in love even more with him moments". He looks just as young as he did 5 years ago.  Love getting to see him perform and great to actually see the show again! If you ever get a chance to see this show..do it! You won't be sorry.
                                                        Ginger and Ann 2007

                                                          Wally and Ann-2007

WOWSER!!

December has totally kicked my bootie.  I'm so behind in my reading and writing.  Sorry guys!! Some of the reasons I've not been able to write.

1. Our home laptop hit a bad wall right after Thanksgiving....like almost died and the hamsters inside were running REALLy slow.  It was torture to use it.

2. Dec is crazy at work.  Lots of final class performances, holiday camps and planning for next spring and Yes, summer camps.

3. The hubs has been in rehearsal for his Christmas show which opens this Sat...So excited to see him. Will post more on this soon. (it actually opened Dec 17)

4. I've been working on Christmas projects/presents...and it's sucking every minute of free time.  I'm kind of honestly tire of doing them, but very close to the end!

I actually started this post on Dec 14 and am just now finishing it.  I will post it and attempt to truly write again soon.  Hope everyone is having great Holidays!

Friday Five-Favorite Christmas Movies

This is seriously my favorite time of year.  And nothing says Christmas better then a CHRISTMAS movie.  I am seriously obsessed : ). One year I complained that there were  no good movies on tv that year...the next year for my birthday the hubs got me all Christmas movies :). It's  really hard to pick but here are of my faves.

1. White Christmas-Well, duh, of course a holiday musical is going to make my list.   I love all of the classic songs, the great story and the cast! I could watch this over and over again. "Sisters...Sisters...there were never such devoted sisters :)"

2. Muppets Christmas Carol- Classic story w/ a great cast.  Love me some muppets (which by the way you need to see the new movie...superb)! There are some silly songs in this too and the muppet banter always makes me laugh.

3.Home Alone-I know this makes me a big goob, but I love the original movie.  It has great Christmas music and a fun plot.  Drew and I also quote this one...I know, we are dorks!

4. Scrooged-A great mixed up version of A Christmas Carol from the 80s w/ Bill Murray.  Carol Kane as the ghost of Christmas Past is Hi-larious!

5. Elf-This is probably my favorite Christmas flick. Some of my favorite lines come from this and Drew and I quote them year round.  Will Ferrell is great as Buddy the Elf and Zoey Deschanel is great side kick. Love seeing NYC at Christmastime in this too.


Runner ups: Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas, Holiday Inn, Love Actually, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Miracle of 34th St (original), It's a Wonderful Life

Drew's Faves: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Gremlins(i don't count this one...but he does...lol).

Happy Thanksgiving My friends

On this great day of family, food and gratitude I will share 5 more things I am thankful for.  I hope you have all had a blessed day and were with your loved ones or got to talk to them. 

1. Wonderful cooks-I've been blessed w/ 3 fabu moms (Mom, Mama Deb and mom in law Iris) who are all great cooks. They each do things a little different and it's all special and yummy!  I am thankful for the love of cooking  and skills they gave me.

2. Crafts-I really enjoy making things for people and it's been great to find new ideas (thx pinterest) for Christmas.  I've been a crafting fool and it's perfect during football season!!

3. Travel-I am grateful for the experiences Drew and I have had and love for adventure we share.  I look forward to the new experiences we have ahead.

4. Blogs-I have upped my blogging this year and it's been a good time.  I've made some new interwebs friends, learned a lot, found some great recipes and seen some great pics.  I'm grateful for the memories preserved.

5. My marriage-I've said how thankful for my husband but I am forever grateful for this relationship.  We have forged ahead  in this journey together through good times and bad, learned and grew, laughed and cried, hugged and loved.  This relationship is one of the best things that has ever happened to me.  I am thankful for this union : ).

Hammer Time

As you might be able to tell from other posts we are doing some minor changes in the house.  Painting, installing new doors, updating here and there etc.  Well...our house looks and feels like a mess right now b/c we, like big ole goobers, started 3 or 4 projects all at once.  This past Friday the hubs got a little hammer happy.  The story goes a little something like this.  Warning there is a TMI in this story.

I drove to Augusta (about 2 1/2-3 hours away) to pick up my niece, Chelsea, for my sis-in-law, Lynn.  The plan was that I would grab Drew  once we got back to ATL and we all would meet Lynn and my bro for dinner.  I called him about 20 min away and told him we were near and he sounded a little funny. He called 5  min later to tell me that we had a slight problem and that he'd accidentally hit a pipe and had to fix it.  See, we are restoring our guest bathroom (new vanity, tile, and putting in new sheetrock).  Well, he decided that Friday night, right before dinner, was the time to take out the old sheetrock. He was being careful...but hammer time got a little too exciting...and he hit a pipe...and it broke.  wanh wanh!

Long story short...he worked on it until 12:30-1am and couldn't fix it b/c he needed a part from Home Depot. So we went to bed w/ no water in the house. And the tmi here is that the dinner I had was great going down...but not so much later that evening. SO plumbing problems were abound in our house! And I teach on Saturday mornings....and we had no water....hmmm.  When he finally gave up on the plumping that night/early morning he told me he'd wake up at 7 and turn on the water so I could brush my teeth/wash my face before classs. 

Fast forward to 5am...my adorable cats decided to find a bag of catnip and play with it...under our bed...for 2 hours...I was so mad.  Sat morning mommy was a major cranky pants!  No shower and no sleep...at least my hubs did make coffee when he turned the water on.  The other good news is that I got a text about 10am that he was able to fix it after he got the part at Home depot.  YAY! The hubs made a boo-boo but at least he figured out how to fix it. I got a shower after class and our cats were in a fog all day and covered in catnip. Drew offered them some cheetos ;)

Oh what a night!  Thanks for letting me share.

Things I'm Thankful for part 3

Hi Folks, here are my Tues and Wed thankful additions.

1. Music-I will always be grateful for music.  It stirs my soul and constantly makes me happy.  I love all types of music and my memories always have a song or type of music tied into them.  I am thankful for those musicians who didn't give up their piano/music lessons as kids! Keep rocking out you music makers!

2. Brance/David/Justin-these 3 guys are super special friends to us both.  They were a big part of our college and NYC adventures.  They all are uber talented, God-loving, southern bred, hilarious guys who love us unconditionally.  They are all going to be on Broadway one day...so watch out!! We are so proud to have our Sunnyside/Astoria buds in our life. Our kids are going to have great uncles : ).

3. Christy/Denise-I don't have many close friends in atl...but these two girls are very special to me.  I feel like I'm repeating what I just said about the boys, but they are both super talented, loving, caring and hilarious!  I am thankful for more time with them in the ATL.

4. Theatre-this crazy career we both have has brought us so many friends and family.  I am thankful for the amazing people we've met on this journey, the shows and theatres that brought us together, the talent that taught me, and the art we created together.

5. Books-I love to read and am so thankful for imaginations and life stories that take me on adventures. A good book and r & r make for one happy Lins.

6. The essentials-I just feel so blessed to have a roof over my head that has running water and heat/ac, clothes on my back and food in my belly.  Not everyone has those things...and I don't want to take them for granted.

7. The Journeys-I am thankful that God has allowed me the opportunity to see my loved ones through some of life's ups and downs.  These times stunk going through them...but the other side is a beautiful picture!

8. Family time-Being w/ our family makes me so happy.  The memories made on each visit are special and I pray I always remember these times.  The food, games, travel, holidays...it's just all plain special.

9. Washer/Dryer-I have lived without them and I LOVE having one in our house and not having to scrounge for quarters : )

10. Musicals-If my life were a musical and everyone sang and danced all of the time I would be one happy camper.  Bursting out in song is an everyday event for me and I love watching musicals on tv or live where people do this ALL of the time.  Again...thanks all of you talented folks for creating!

What I'm Thankful For...continued

This weekend has been nuts.  Here are my 5 Sat, 5 Sunday  and 5 Monday thankful statements.

1. Forgiveness-This sounds so silly...but I am thankful that I can ask for it when I make a mistake...and thankful I can give it to someone in return.  I am human...and make LOTS of mistakes...ha!  Appreciate the chance to right my wrongs.

2. Coffee- This wonderful beverage from a magical bean has taken over a special place in my life.  NYC made it an everyday desire...I've given it up for Lent...but it's back in my life.

3.  My HS BF Brandy-Brandy is a wonderful friend who has been in my life since 1992.  We've been through silly hormonal teenage times, college disasters, summer love, worked together, been through weddings and babies together.  Love her dearly and constantly reminded of her amazing presence in my life.

4. My college gals-Amy, Maggie, Kate, Andrea and Angie.  These girls are my life and I am so thankful for them during the good times, the crazy times and SO glad we can all support during the rough times.  I am thankful for our sisterhood of the travelling journal...now where is that thing?

5. Being in Atlanta-I am learning to love being back.  We are getting into a groove and it's nice.  I appreciate a lot that I've forgotten about.

6.  Publix/Trader Joe's/Target-I love a good grocery store...I'm a big snob when it comes to my groceries.  It's really nice having a plethora of options in the city.

7.  A church-It's nice to finally feel like we have found the place we are supposed to worship. It's a HUGE part of our life and it's been refreshing to feel peace about this now.

8.  My health-I'm very thankful that I'm pretty much a healthy person. I appreciate that I love veggies and try to eat well (most of the time) and attempt to work out. 

9. Future babies-I am thankful that our day is coming when we will add to our brood.

10.  New babies-All of the new kiddos in my friends lives this year are amazing little miracles and so glad I've been able to share in the happiness.

11.  Cheese-I am thankful for this goodness that makes me have to work-out more!

12. Bonding time-hubs and I have had a great amount of fall bonding time...and it's been a blessing.

13.  Litter boxes-I am thankful that Artie and Harpo like using them in Atl.  Wasn't always the case in NYC and Charleston.  Also thankful my husband cleans them for me!!

14.  Running water-after the weekend we had (post to come soon) I am thankful we have running water again!

15. Pumpkin-I am thankful a simple pleasure brings me so much happiness.