Still Alive (?)

I am exhausted today. Patch woke up at the early hour of 4:30 this morning, and didn't want to go back to bed until about 10. It's been a long day. I tried to be fun through my exhaustion, with a trip to the library and to get ice cream, but man, am I tired! We have 3 more shows, and then I'm headed to the YMCA for a massage. Free babysitting to boot. Oh life is grand.

I organized all my cross stitch supplies this week. They have been sorely neglected. Yet again, I have nothing for the fair. Oh well. Next year.

I am feeling a little blue that we'll be missing out on all the Sun Valley fun this summer. It will be a quieter place without me. Who will teach the kids how to ice skate? Well, besides Sister Mary of Canada. I just hope they pause for a moment of silence at the ice show, which happens to fall on my birthday. This year the paddle boats will probably be running. Don't judge me when I dress Flower up as a froilein and give her my drink orders at the pool. It's the best I can do.

The Show

Here is another write-up of the show. The reporter obviously was at a rehearsal and didn't do her homework. We ran Act II that night, so she's a little off on the details of the show. Since this is the bigger paper in Frederick, it would have been nice for her to get it right. Oh well.

Last night went really well. Much better than I expected. I only dropped a couple of lines, and there were only minor mistakes from the cast and crew. Imagine how good it'll be next weekend. It's still not too late to get tickets.

Voice Mail

*beep* Hey, boss. It's Jana. I'm not coming in today. I need a mental health day. Between the cables still littering the backyard, the poopy diaper mess last night, and the broken DVD player today, it's hard to say what exactly led to this. I'll call you tomorrow and let you know if I'm better. Thanks. *beep*

The Big Day

Today is the big day. Opening night. I have more than a few butterflies. Especially since yesterday, our local Gazette published this article. Pressure much?

I did not get a lot of sleep last night. When we got home, our sitter high-tailed it out of here. When I went upstairs, I saw why. Gracie got into a diaper. It was gross. I have to think our sitter knew about it, since she said she had just gone up to check on Patch. I was so angry, I almost went over to her house (2 doors down from ours) and demanded my money back. But since it was 11:30, I thought better of it. I also realized that doing so would cause issues in the neighborhood. I am really at a loss, though. Patch's light was also left on, so at 11:30, he was wide awake. It has made for an interesting morning. All I know is, this sitter will not be back, I just don't know how to confront her. She needs to be confronted, but in a nice way. I'm not so good at that.

Our sitter tonight is an adult, so hopefully we won't come home to a disaster.

What a Day

It may not be 9 am yet, but we have had quite a morning. First, I woke up with no voice. Zip, zilch, zero voice. So, I'm drinking a lot of water and trying not to talk, but it's hard with kids not to talk. Then, I looked outside to see a tree had fallen next door during the storm. No one lives in the house next door. It's for sale. Would you like to buy it? Anyway, the tree is laying across some cable lines which are now in our yard. The cable company can't fix the lines until the tree is taken care of, and public works can't take care of the tree because it's on private property. I have been trying to get a hold of the real estate agent, but no luck yet. Maybe because it's still early in the day. Way too early.

It's Official

All hail me, I am the queen.

COME SEE THE SHOW!!

Mega Quilter

In the past few months with my MEGA QUILTER, the only thing I don't like about it is that you can't tell when the bobbin is about to run out. My little machine has a front loading bobbin with a clear plastic cover. If I'm paying attention, I always know when I need to change bobbins. On the MEGA QUILTER, all of a sudden, it stops. But, I love everything else about it. So, one thing out of about 752 isn't bad.

Update

Here is what we've been up to this week (and summer):

Curly -- Just started a new job with Giant Eagle this week. His title is "Guest Services Group Leader." Giant Eagle is restructuring their management, and they are beginning right here in Frederick. It's just day 3, but he really likes it. He's keeping his mortgage business going as well, working on that during lunch, on weekends, and any spare moment he has.

Me -- I am off book for Act I, and almost off book for Act II. However, we still don't know if the Queen will be back to perform next week. I am having a great time overacting, though, so even if I don't get to perform on the big stage, at least it's fun for now.

Flower -- Oh, Flower. She's having a tough time this summer. Hormones, anyone?

Mini-me -- Uses big words like "certainly" and "convenient." She's also learning to read and doing a great job.

Patch -- Our little chatterbox. Usually, he fills sentences with "Ooooo--weeee," but lately he's started saying things that make sense, like "Where mommy?" "Nonning" or "Nighning" is Lightning McQueen, he loves "CAR" and he gets very excited when he sees a "Ha-ho," which means back-hoe. He has also started to say "No way." It's very funny.

There have been some comments from some rodent phobic sisters about what I found under the stove. I found Lightning McQueen, Dinoco Lightning (who is blue), Sally, Radiator Springs Lightning (who wears Whitewall Tires), and a few letter magnets. We are still missing a Sally car, but no one has seen her. Perhaps I need to move the fridge.

Lesson of the Day

When it seems like all is lost, and Lightning McQueen will be gone forever, just move the stove. You'll find what you're looking for and more.

Haitus

I may not be around much in the next week or two (not that I've been around a whole lot this summer anyway). At rehearsal the other night, I was taken into the back room with the stage manager, producer, and director of the show. It seems the woman playing the Queen has a family issue and might not make the show. Being that we open in a mere two weeks, would I be able to learn the part? I said yes, and then the panic attack ensued. I think I can, I think I can. There is a chance the original Queen will return, but until then, I will enjoy my reign.

Where a Kid Can Be a Kid

On Monday, we ventured out west to Hagerstown to visit their Chuck E. Cheese with Flower, The Ex, and Curly's sister. It went surprisingly well. For those of you familiar with our story, there was a time where we thought all communication would have to go through a mediator. That we can eat cheap pizza together and actually enjoy ourselves is quite a coup. I digress. Again. When we got there, Patch could hardly believe his eyes. He got up close in Flower's personal space and stayed there uncomfortably long. It had been a long three weeks.

Tonight, all the O'Kigin kids are under one roof. It's nice. It's also noisy and full of tears, but it's nice. I made Contessa Mexican soup tonight, and Flower pronounced it a feast. She didn't eat much, but feasts make you full fast.

Celebrate

July 4th was a lot of fun. We started out the morning at the Olson's ranch, along with nearly 700 other folks. There was a ton of food, and a very patriotic program.

Curly and Congressman Roscoe Bartlett

Curly was the MC, dressed as Thomas Jefferson. He, along with Congressman Bartlett, Sheriff Jenkins, and several high ranking military officials spoke, and the Catoctones performed Barbershop music.

Mike and Judy are to the left.

The most moving portion for us was when the Catoctones sang a medley of military music. They asked those who served in a specific branch to stand when their song was sung. My in-laws stood for the Army, and my brother-in-law stood for the Navy. A lot of people stood during that song. Then, at the end of the program, all veterans were invited to come up and be thanked. There was also a bus load of injured war heroes from Walter Reed hospital who were there. You couldn't help but be grateful to those who protect and serve our country.

Following the breakfast, we went over to Baker Park for the carnival. Mini-me and Patch entered the costume contest and won a ribbon. Patch's favorite part was the petting zoo, and Mini-me enjoyed the moonbounce. Curly was in charge of the FtP booth promoting Once Upon a Mattress. I took the kids home at about 3:15, where they slept for over 2 hours. In the meatime, it started to pour down rain. We decided to scrap going to the fireworks, since sitting in the rain is not much fun.

At about 7:30, the rain stopped. At 8:30, we decided to brave the fireworks. We got to the bandshell, wiped off some seats, and had about a 30 minute wait for the show. Mini-me loved it. Patch, not so much. His hands covered his ears and he started to cry. Curly took him to walk around and said everytime it would boom, Patch would say "nonononononono!"

The kids were very tired, but we had a great time. I hope your celebration was wonderful as well!

Some (Old) Pictures

What We Do

At rehearsal tonight, everyone asked what Curly and I were going to do since the kids were away. It was usually asked in a *wink wink nudge nudge* kind of way. Well, since you asked, here is what we did tonight:

We came home, had a late dinner, then a late ice cream.
We watched Steve Carell and Norbert Leo Butz in Dan in Real Life.
I made a cake and put it in the oven.
Currently, we are downstairs in the basement on separate computers.

We are so exciting! The cake takes an hour, which even at this late hour is fine because I won't have anyone trying to wake me up at 7 am. Even Gracie likes to sleep in. Tomorrow our plan is to hit Costco. Without children. Does it get any better than this?

Decorations

This is the table runner I made this week. It's a Piece's from my Heart pattern, designed by Sandy Gervais; and uses Moda's Red, White, and Bold, also designed by Sandy Gervais.

I must be very shaky, because my pictures always are blurry. Oh well. Aunt Becky just left with Patch and Mini-me, and now the house is oh so quiet. Patch did not want to go at first, but now he is resigned. The will have more fun than they can shake a stick at down at the O'Kigin house in Virginia.

Tomorrow we are celebrating Uncle Boo's birthday, and then Friday we celebrate America's birthday. Let's have some cake! For tomorrow, I am trying to decide between a giant cupcake or a flag cake. Patch's birthday is one month from today, and I am hoping to recreate the Cars racetrack on a cake. It's his favorite movie, and he is never without his Lightning or Sally. In fact, Lightning is one of the few words he can say clearly enough for me to get it the first time. That, and "no."

Another Holiday

We are less than a week away from Independence Day. It would be a great day, if it weren't in July. Really? A national holiday where we are outside in the heat and humidity of July? It's not like the founding fathers didn't know about hot and humid. They lived here, on the East Coast! I could see it if they were in California signing the Declaration of Independence, but they weren't. They were here! I watched the weather last night, and they promised a nice day in the 80s. We'll see. Last year, we sat in the pouring rain, waiting for the fireworks. I hope that is not the case this year.

In the meantime, I have a really cute table runner to make. I got it with my Christmas money from The Fat Quarter Shop (thanks again, Rebeccah!). It shouldn't take too long to put together, and I'll post a picture when I do. My little studio stays nice and cool, so this next week I'll log quite a bit of time down here.

This week, most of the O'Kigin clan will be here. If the fly girl can make it, all of Curly's siblings will be here. The only one missing will be Flower, who is still on vacation with her mom. Grandma and Grandpa are hoping to leave on a mission by the end of summer, so this will be the last vacation with everyone for a few years. But, lest anyone feel a little sad by that, we said that at Thanksgiving. Thanks to open heart surgery, they're still here, and we're getting together again.

Christmas Countdown

Only 6 months until Christmas, folks. That may seem like a long time, but it in fact is not. It is a short time. It is an especially short time for those of us who like to kick it old school and do handmade gifts for Christmas. I have a few ideas banging around in my head. Most of them won't get done, but it's fun to dream, right?

For Flower and Mini-me, I want to make them some knitted leg/arm warmers. I have seen them in boutiques and, while they are not expensive, they are the wrong size as they are designed for babies. Flower is always complaining she's cold (hello? Curly makes me keep the thermostat at 73. I sweat when I get ready in the morning), so they would be great for slipping over her arms. And, Mini-me is a dancer, lest we forget. They could keep her legs warm while she's practicing her positions. Best part of making them is that they will be customized for their favorite colors: Mini-me loves blue best (green second, yellow third, pink fourth and purple fifth) and Flower loves the rainbow (seriously, not making that up).

Patch loves cars. Today, we went to visit PT and give him a birthday present. PT got a train table. Patch ran his cars all over it, totally ignoring Thomas and the gang. I digress. By Christmas, Patch may be ready for a big-boy bed. We have a car shaped one just waiting in the garage. Curly likes it because he got it on one of his dumpster-diving expeditions (it came from the church at the end of our alley, so it's not so bad), and I like it because it reminds me of Ricky Schroeder in Silver Spoons. I have plans to make him a car quilt for this lovely blue bed.

Curly just wants his children to get along and love their mother(s). Since that is hard to wrap, and since he can read this blog, I am not giving any clues.

Good luck with your Christmas planning! Let me know how it's going.

Saturday, the Special Day

On Saturdays, I often have the song, "Saturday is a special day, it's the day we get ready for Sun-day!" in my head. I actually try to get my "ready for Sunday" chores done before Saturday, so we can have a play day. Today we are headed to the pool. We haven't been all week because the temperature has been in the 70s. 70s!! It's been nuts. We turned the air off on Monday, opened the windows, and haven't turned it back on yet. We will probably need to today, though, since the dreaded humidity will be back. Houses that are nearly 100 years old can trap humidity in them. It's not pleasant.

Poopy diaper duty calls. Until later, my friends.

Come See my Show!

I'm the star! Sort of. Not really even close. But I have a few lines and dance a bit. Come see me, Curly, and Flower!

S-L-O-W

Yesterday my computer moved slower than Mini-me in flip flops. I could only get on email once. Yikes! Curly was also having trouble at work, so we figure there must have been a Verizon issue.

A few days ago, I took Curly, Mini-me, and Patch to get haircuts. I didn't take Curly's picture. Frankly, his haircuts stopped being a big deal about 33 years ago. But, I did get some cute shots of the other two. Patch looks a little like Matt Damon. Hubba hubba.

Yesterday we said "goodbye" to Flower for three weeks. She will be going to the Outer Banks with her mom and step-dad and both sets of grandparents on that side. I hope they have a marvelous time. We will miss Flower, but we will not miss having to fill the gas tank as often. Coal to oil, anyone?

On the docket today is an exciting trip to Costco, where hopefully they can fix the leak in our tire without having to replace it, and where we will refill on such staples as fruit snacks and pop tarts. I just love Costco, don't you?