Marching Along

First Saturday of March and...

*I'm running two miles at my usual time--5:00 AM.  (So much for sleeping in.)

*I'm taking the play cast three dozen doughnuts for our morning rehearsal.  When you wake teenagers before noon on a Saturday, you better bribe them with food. 

*Rehearsal runs from 8:00 to 11:00. 

*I'm headed shopping for the play this afternoon.  I need a couple of props:  a mouse (or what will pass as one) and a box for the dueling pistols.  We also need makeup and spray-in hair color--gray. 

Whatever is left of the day belongs to the Mr.  I'm afraid I owe him.  Yesterday, I came home to a clean house and supper in the fridge.  He was gone, but he spoils me even when he isn't home! 

A reader asked the name of the play:  Curtain Going Up!  It's about a first year director of a high school play.  Everything that can go wrong, does.  Sound familiar?  Yes, it could be autobiographical.  I figured I might as well go with what I know!

In a week, this will all be over.  And in the meantime, I have State Assessments to take my mind off of the play.  Think I can cram anything else into my week?

Slow Weeks

Unfortunately, this isn't going to be one of those. 

Here is the list for today:  laundry, grocery shopping, press release to write for the show, quiz to write, lesson plans for the week, and four late research papers to grade.

Every night this week I have play practice.  We're kicking off the week with a photo shoot to add to the press release and ending with a play practice/party on Friday night.

I even have a Saturday morning rehearsal.  One of the girls volunteered to make pancakes for the cast.  Yes, food is always a good draw!
_____
As a side note, I have a freezer full of meat.  The men worked all day yesterday and butchered a 1300 pound steer.  I didn't wrap a single package.  Three or four men cutting the meat couldn't stay ahead of son-in-law CT packaging.  He's obviously done this a time or two.  Actually, the T family has the perfect set up and equipment for this job.  They have dressed a lot of wild game over the years, so they know what they are doing.  The Mr. enjoyed himself in a man's world for a change of pace.
____ 
The goal is to get everything checked off my list for today so I can enjoy the rest of the week.  If it's going to be hectic, it might as well be fun!

Getting Smarter

The second time around on the play, I've learned a bit.  The smartest thing...

When I get home from practice about 8:30-8:45, I don't even sit down.  Baxter and I go for a half hour walk around Tiny Town.  I can mull over the good and bad about practice. 

Fresh air, a walk, and I'm pretty sure the whole world gets a better version of Mrs. E. 

Yep.  I'm a slow learner, but this is probably a life saver. 

Enough Said

Research papers came in yesterday.  (80 of them.  Count 'em!) 

Play practice started this week. 

CT, the son-in-law, has a birthday on Friday and I've been working on a little surprise. 

And yes, all of the above is why Easy Street has been strangely quiet. 

No Posts

Easy Street is still having computer problems.  Our wireless is on the blink--literally.  We're on.  We're off. We're on.  We're off.  Hopefully, we will get the darn thing figured out early next week. 

Let's see.  The Mr. is at an RV show out of town this weekend.  (He has been since Wednesday.)  He is home to sleep and that is about it. 

Oh, and I burned my cheek with my curling iron.  It isn't bad, but looks quite lovely.  (I haven't used a curling iron in years--and now I may never again.) 

The Mr.'s cousin is in the hospital.  She is quite sick with a bacterial infection that isn't responding to the  antibiotics that they have tried so far.  They've brought in specialists.  Poor thing.  She is 60 or so and this is her first time in the hospital since she was born.  I usually go visit them during RV show weekend.  We take in a movie at one of my favorite theaters.  (They deliver wine to your seat!)  The poor cousin is so sick that she doesn't even want company in the hospital.  We'll have to plan a trip for another weekend. I'm hoping the cousin bounces quickly.  

On a good note, I did babysit the Bug for a couple of hours last night.  It is so much fun when she giggles with joy when she sees me!  Love that little girl!

I wouldn't count on regular blogging any time soon.  It doesn't seem to be in the cards.  On the upside, I should get a lot of work done on the next show.  Auditions are Tuesday and Wednesday.  There is plenty to do.

I could use some luck about right now, but you know theater people.  And if you tell me to break a leg, I probably would.  Send good thoughts, OK? 

Comment of the Day

OK.  We are a week and a half away from the curtain going up on the show.  We don't have school this Friday for Veteran's Day.  The kids have a three day weekend, and a lot of families made plans.  We can't have practice on Sunday.  We have five practices before parents can come in and take pictures at the final dress rehearsal.  (Five!!)

And a girl asks me yesterday, "Are we just running through the show next week?  Because I have something to do Monday night."

And that's when the director lost it. 

Is It Possible???

I'm trying to decide if it is possible to be a musical director and a teacher at the same time.  Sometimes I think that I am failing at both.  And don't get me started on wife, mother, and grandmother.  Everything seems to be suffering. 

With the musical there is so much to do:  rehearsals, publicity, choreography, and finding all the things I need for the set.  I've been lucky to have a woodworking teacher (a new teacher) who is amazing.  In a 49 minute period today, he made me one of the "beds" I need for the dorm room scene.  Forty-nine minutes!  He's the man!  The set is still unfinished (to say the least), but the stagecraft class is working on it.  Thankfully, the publicity posters and the tickets were printed by our in-school printing business.  The posters just need to be distributed, and the ticket selling needs to begin soon.  The next project to tackle--a car to "drive" on stage.  Yeah, that one has given me some sleepless nights.

In the classroom, I am up to my neck in grading that needs to be done.  I've got piles everywhere I look.  When do I plan to catch up?  I'm not really sure.  Just staying ahead of lesson planning is keeping me hopping.  I keep thinking, "Oh yeah, I'm still supposed to be teaching."

Don't get me started on home.  I have a pile of summer clothes that I need to pack away, and I could write my name in the dust on the end table right beside me. 

Baxter and the Mr. are having lots of quality time together, and Baxter is still alive! I am behind on phone calls to L--and to the little sister in California, too.  I haven't seen the Bug for a couple of days.  Yeah, I'm missing my family right now. 

On the upside, the musical is slowly coming together.  It has the potential to be pretty good.  The control freak in me is having to let go a bit.  Right now, I'd love to have one practice with every student present.  Actually, I'm hoping that happens at some point before the show opens.  Yeah, gotta love this job.

Is it possible to do all these things at once?  I'm not really sure.  Time will tell.

Black Paint, I-phones, and the Bug's Relatives

I've spent too much time in paint stores lately.  Let me just say what everyone standing in line at the paint counter is thinking: "Just shoot me now!"  Even the people who work there act like they absolutely hate their job.  Can't say as I blame them.

Last night, I was buying paint for the play:  black paint for the platforms and red paint for the "brick" walls.  As if buying the paint wasn't torture enough, now I actually have to use it.  I hate it all:  the painting, the mess, and the cleaning up.  *sigh*

On a sweeter note, the Lady Bug got to meet some of her relatives on Saturday.

The G-Man liked his little second cousin.  They seemed to have a "little" people kind of connection. Look at her checking out that handsome guy!

 G-Man's little brother was a bit unsure whether he wanted anything to do with the Bug or any of these strange people either.  He got reassurance from his mama, my niece, but he still wasn't too sure about any of us.

Little Bro finally let CT play with him, as long as CT didn't get too close. 

But while the Little Big Brother and his wife were holding the Lady Bug...

I was holding their new I-phones.  And now...I really think I need (OK, want!) one.  Am I getting one any time soon?  No, but the phone is going on my wish list.  The wish list is small, but expensive:  I-phone, I-pad, and a house at that lake.  The Mr. says I have champagne taste on a beer budget--and cheap beer at that. 

It didn't help any when L called me from her new I-phone yesterday. *sniff, sniff*

The whole world is going I-phone crazy, and I completely understand it. 

However, I probably have enough craziness in my life right now.  After all, I am buying black paint, faking brick buildings, creating a 1920's car that can fit through the backstage doors, and figuring out how to play a football game on stage. I know. You're wishing you were me about right now, aren't you?!

My life used to be so normal....

Saturday Musings

*Lip dub at Tiny Town High was great fun and a huge success.  The student body had a blast.  For the first time since the tornado, I felt like the old Tiny Town High spirit was back.  (It has been quite strange to see how the tornado and trailers affected school spirit.  And then I was surprised to see how the new buildings, as welcomed as they were, couldn't undo the damage to the morale of our students.)  They've already posted the lip dub on youtube.  The kids are pretty proud of it, and the end of it leaves me encouraged that Tiny Town spirit has come back from the dead!

*Yesterday, I met with the theater local who is occasionally helping me with the musical. He talked me through the whole show to see what is left to do, looked at some minor cuts to the music, and generally put my mind at ease.  He always leave me thinking that we are either right where we need to be or a bit ahead.  Bless his heart!

*I didn't wake up once last night, which means I didn't worry about the musical all night!  Woo hoo!

*Today, I am taking it easy.  Baxter and I are hanging out.  L is at work in Big City.  K's in-laws are in town to hang out with Lady Bug, and the Mr. has a big sale going on.  If (and that's a big "if") I feel ambitious, I might drag out the bike.

I snitched this photo of the Bug from her mama's facebook page.  Couldn't resist!

An empty October Saturday-- God must have known I needed one.  (And I hear a freeze is coming.  I'm pretty sure He is looking out for me!)

Sunday Update

Craziness abounds on Easy Street.  The end of last week was nuts.  Let's see...

*It was Homecoming week in Tiny Town:  pep rally, parade, crowning, and the game.  Your's truly judged the float competition.  We won't discuss the game.

*K returned to work, and the Lady Bug survived (thrived?) at the sitter's house.  When K arrived at the end of the day, a little boy ushered her in to "See what we did?!!"  And there was the Bug sound asleep in her bouncer. He obviously took some ownership in Bug's sleeping so peacefully!

*There was a dance practice for the musical yesterday.  I planned it for 9 in the morning, but the choreographer is a local theater guy and you know they don't operate in the morning hours.  (Lord forbid anyone wakes up before 11!)  Practice was switched to noon, so...

*The Mr. went to the U town game without me.  (And it was a good one!)  He met up with Crazy Cousin Mike, his wife, and boys.  I can't believe I missed it!  Sadness.

*The Mr. and I are headed to a family reunion today.  Good food, a lot of my favorite people, and beautiful weather--  it doesn't get much better.  I'm hoping it includes a drive around my favorite lake.  (I always look for a house to buy, so I can retire there.  Well, that's the pipe dream.)

*In between all this, I am working on the show and trying to keep up in the classroom.  I'm a bit overwhelmed.  I think I could use a trip to some tropical resort (or a house at that lake!) and a whole lot of drinks with little umbrellas!

I'm hoping life is under control soon.  My Boy Principal tells me that I haven't got the whole "theater director" attitude down yet.  I have to "act" like I don't care, and then assume I will land on my feet.  Like that's ever going to happen...!

Signing off,
Control Freak Totally Out Of Control!

Oh, the questions...

1.  What am I really wanting right now?  Call me crazy, but I think I really want an Ipad. That, or sleep.

2.  If I had a free long weekend, what would I really like to do?  Go visit L or ride my bike on a bike trail near here. That, or sleep!  (I'm sensing a theme here!)

3. What would I really end up doing on that long weekend?  Working on the play or grading.

4. What am I appreciating?  A husband who cooks, cleans, and is "the wife" while I'm gone so much.  Oh, and a new construction teacher who volunteers to make pieces for the set out of his scraps.  The Mr. and Mr. Woodworking would be the guys in the white hats. Bless their hearts!

5. What am I not appreciating?  How if I wake up in the middle of the night, my mind automatically shoots to the play--and what needs to be done.  Not very restful.

6.  Best time of day?  I am a morning person.  I am at my best at about 7:30 AM.  It's all downhill from there.

7. Worst time of day?  About 3:30 in the afternoon.  I'm not good for much after school. Give me an hour or so of relaxation, and I can go again...for an hour or two.

8. How is the show going?  Actually, really well.  It isn't ready to go on stage just yet--and I think it should be.  Yeah, November 18th is quite a ways off, and I should be a bit more patient.  (I'd have built Rome in a day!)  To be honest, the kids are quick studies and have some creative touches of their own.  Best comment as of late:  "I know it's wrong, but Mrs. E-- I just want to call you Coach." 

9. If there was a magic pill for something, what would you most want it for?  It's a toss up:  the eat-what-I-want-and-lose-weight pill or the remove-the-dark-circles-under-my-eyes pill.  Either would come in quite handy right now!

10. What time of day do you blog?  Well, usually at night and schedule it to post the next day.  (That requires some thinking about wording.)  Lately though, whenever I can cram in a minute or two.

You've got questions?  I just might have answers. If not, I'll take a lesson from my students and just fake it.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for a husband who keeps our house together, for walks with K and the Lady Bug, and for happy phone calls from L.

I'm thankful for jobs, for students who actually listen to instructions, and for a little dog who lays at my feet.

I'm thankful for good help on the musical:  a theater local who is an incredible director/dancer and a local lady who is costuming the whole show for me.  I'm especially thankful that I am not having to do this whole show by myself.

I'm thankful for youthful enthusiasm, for joyfulness that comes through every time, and for my bed.

I'm especially thankful for Tylenol PM.

Blue Jean Friday

Never have I needed a day in blue jeans and Tiny Town High t-shirt worse than I have today.  It has been a long week:  technology projects and computers that sometimes have been randomly shutting down, musical practices and learning the songs for the show, and not getting home or eating supper until 8:30 every night.

Yes, it has been a long week. I'm tired.  Next week doesn't promise to be much better.

And my students are having a day of sharing writing:  desks in a square, timer going off at regular intervals, and passing the paper to the right.  Papers make the circuit.  Students comment on papers.  Mainly, they figure out where their work stands in comparison to their classmates.  Knowing that this could happen on any given writing assignment means students work harder.  If they are embarrassed by their lack of effort, it only happens once.  Oh, and they have one last chance to revise their writing before they turn it in for a grade.  

So... today is a blue jean, t-shirt, and tennis shoes kind of day.  And a glass of wine kind of evening. (No shocker there!)

Happy Friday!

Musical Rehearsals

The girls were learning their "girls" numbers last night.  At one point the harmony was really ugly:  strange intervals and just extremely difficult.  I suggested we switch to unison for three measures to make it easier and sound stronger and better at the same time.

And from the back of the room, a sweet little girl raised her hand and asked, "What's unison?"  *sigh*  Bless. Her. Heart.

You think it might be a long fall?

So Behind

There has been so much going on:  play practices, working a volleyball game, planning, and grading.  And I've been missing a lot. 

For example:
*Sweet Aunt C. had her gall bladder out.  She came through like a trooper from the sounds of it.  And I didn't find out until last night.  (That's what I get for not reading Facebook.) 

*The Mr. went to the visitation and the funeral for his good coaching buddy by himself.  That was the biggest funeral he has ever been to.  I wish I could have heard the service and hugged Bud's wife. 

*Sleep.  When I happen to wake up in the middle of the night, my mind is off and running.  I mull over all the things I need to do.  Not very relaxing.

*Reading. I'm not sure when I will read for enjoyment again. 

*And who knows what all I have been missing in blog world. !!

I have managed to spend quality time with the Lady Bug and her mom.  (Well, if thirty minutes to an hour counts!)  I dropped by a couple of times this week to give K a break and snuggle the Bug.  Baxter has managed to sneak in some lap time, too. 

Next week promises to be worse.  It is time to learn the music for the show.  Yes, I am the singing director.  Scares me just thinking about it.  Evening rehearsals are worked around athletic schedules and community events.  And somewhere in there I am still teaching.  I'm not sure how coaches manage to do both. 

I know that eventually this will all be fun.  Right? When it gets to that point...you'll be the first to know!