Bird of Parrot-dise :-)

My lovely, colorful parrot! Haleigh is dancing in her first "real" ballet recital this Sunday. She did a stint in dance when she was 3, but we've recently started up again and she is learning beautiful things. It amazes me to see her loooooong arms and legs gracefully moving across the stage.

This year's recital is Peter Pan, and Haleigh's class is portraying parrots on the pirate ship. This mama (and a very proud Grandma, too!) can't wait to see it!

The Mighty Pacific

When I moved to Washington almost 7 years ago, my perception of "beach" was based on a life lived on the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Florida has beaches of white sand and warm, clear water, and it is HOT! You have to coat yourself with sunscreen and try not to bake to a crisp. The sand burns your toes, and every time you swim out into the waves (at least if you're paranoid like me), there's the curiosity lurking at the edges of your thoughts about what exactly is swimming alongside of you. A day rolling in the waves and blistering on the sand leaves you completely spent, craving rest and hydration. Georgia does have some beaches that are a little more "natural" (brown sand rather than blinding white, slightly murkier water), but they are still sand and marsh with bugs, humidity, and heat.

The Pacific Ocean is a whole other creature. It is dark, and cooooold. You don't necessarily wear your swimsuit here, unless you're a brave kid or it's one of the 4 or 5 days of the year that are almost warm enough. There are no real sharks to speak of, at least not up in our neck of the woods. And these beaches are BEAUTIFUL. Don't get me wrong, the east coast has its perks, but you can literally look around and see the evolution of our planet along the Washington coast. When you walk along the waves, you walk on smooth beautiful rocks or dark sand. There are fascinating sea creatures clinging to the rocks in tidal pools along the shore at low tide. There are towering trees housing a multitude of birds, including the impressive bald eagle. The most visible difference on the west coast is the sight of enormous rocks along the beach and out in the water. And by rocks, I mean gigantic things on which trees grow and you could climb if they weren't basalt and might crumble beneath you at an inopportune moment. Yes, you have to wear the Washington uniform - bundle your top up in fleece or other warm hoodie, but wear shorts and sturdy waterproof shoes for climbing and exploring the tide pools - but you want to be prepared so you don't miss anything!

I would be hard pressed to choose my favorite. Both coasts have a lot to offer, but I lean toward my new home, especially after a day at a place as magical as Rialto Beach, and watching bald eagles swarm around me at La Push.

Sleepy

I'll soon be heading to bed, trying to get plenty of sleep before getting up nice and early for a little road trip. Matt and his mom left this morning and Haleigh and I will join them tomorrow to spend the day on the water in the area of Forks, WA. You know . . . . the land of Twilight. Believe it or not, it was a pretty awesome place before vampires invaded the sleepy little logging town and made teenagers (and an awful lot of adults) across the country completely insane, LOL. I should note that I have not read any of those books, because I'm sure I'll get hooked, too, and I haven't had time for that yet! :-)
I've been a busy little bee this week, and I'm looking forward to this beautiful weekend. I hope everyone's weekend is full of sunshine - if not in your skies, then in your hearts!

Quiet morning

It is a nice, quiet morning here on the homefront, which is especially appreciated by me today! Haleigh has just headed off to school, and I am alone in the living room for now. I am looking out at a lovely park with clusters of pink rhododendron blooms on a slightly overcast day and enjoying a delicious cup of coffee.

I am appreciative of the peace and quiet because last night our little street was a flurry of mad activity. My neighbor's house, which is about 5 feet from my house, caught on fire last night. The home belongs to an elderly lady and her daughter is currently staying there, as well. We know them both although we don't see the mom much because she mostly stays inside. She is a gatherer, as older people tend to be sometimes, and the back bedroom where the fire started had lots of things to act as timber, including lots of paper, so we are all thankful that it was contained as easily as it was. There was mostly a lot of smoldering and smoke damage, and of course the fire hose damaged everything.

I was sitting on the couch when I saw one of our police sargeants pull up with his lights on, then jump out of his car and take off running across my yard. I opened the door just in time to hear him ask my neighbor "where's it at?". We had, just a few minutes before, smelled a strange burning smell but thought it was something maybe in the oven since muffins were baking. I walked to the back of the house, and that's when I saw the smoke. At that point I went back up to the front to make sure that the mom was outside ok and verified that she was safely away from the house. I lost track of the daughter for just a little bit while she was locating the cats, and then a fire medic truck pulled up. Those guys hopped out pretty quickly and pretty much instantly there were multiple fire trucks blocking the whole street - not to mention the bystanders beginning to line the sidewalk and the newspaper photographer. (Speaking of him, here's a link: http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/pat/news/45370017.html)

I walked back to the back of the house, and that's when I saw lots of smoke, and two firefighters getting ready to bust a window. That's also when I panicked a little bit. Fortunately, we never saw any flames, but they did have to pull some smoldering stuff through the windows and douse the entire back of the house with the fire hose. I asked one of them if we needed to worry, and he chatted with a firefighter inside then told me we should be ok. After things seemed a little more under control, I went to look for my neighbors, and they were sitting on the porch of the house on the other side of them. It was starting to drizzle a little and I brought them some coffee. They assured me they were going to be ok, and Red Cross was on the way to help them make plans. Their house is not a total loss, just lots of smoke and water damage from what I understand, so hopefully they'll get all patched up in no time. I let them know we would keep any eye on it while they are gone.

So, that was how we spent our Monday evening! Today I am going to make recital costumes for Haleigh's class. Well, I'm going to cut and glue things and leave the sewing to a friend who actually knows what she's doing . . . but that's a story for another post. :-)

Backyard excitement!

There has been a lot of action in our backyard lately. The new sod looks beautiful, and the weather has been lovely so we've been outside enjoying it. It is slowly but surely becoming a lovely, relaxing little area.

This morning, Ms. Robbin, Haleigh and I walked downtown for the Armed Forces Day parade, and we all enjoyed it. There was even a fly-over by a C-17 (I'm pretty sure that's right) that got everyone on their feet. When we got back, it was such a lovely day that we decided to eat our lunch out on the deck. While we were out there, a green hummingbird flew into the yard, looking for a treat. I wasn't quite sure that's what I was seeing, but it was indeed an emerald green hummingbird!

I was distressed that I didn't have anything to offer him, so this afternoon I headed out to buy 2 feeders! The first one was a beautiful antique-looking green glass thing that turned out to be a total lemon! The pieces of it are now in the garbage. The second one, a more "classic" version, is hanging from a tree in a spot that will provide the ultimate viewing pleasure if I can entice them back into my yard! I hope I see one tomorrow!

Updates

As it turns out, the chocolate pudding fruit is only partially too good to be true. Its flesh looks and feels like chocolate pudding, and it does taste wonderful and sweet . . . . just not like chocolate pudding. I learned all this from "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmerman." I also learned that I want to move to Australia! :-)
Speaking of foods, I managed to drop my cell phone in a smoothie on Wednesday, and have been without it since then. As it turns out, it didn't get enough moisture from the smoothie (it basically just "dipped" in) to do any big damage, but my phone already had a glitch in the power buttons and the battery wasn't so great, so this just sped up the process of it dying. I'm chomping at the bits to go get my new one today. But, if you had asked me before this happened, I would have sworn I was not addicted to a silly cell phone!
Yesterday was an exciting one at our house involving a long-awaited project in our backyard. Ms. Robbin documented it all beautifull over at Cedar Chest of Dreams. Go check it out! My poor hubby hauled a lot of soaking wet sod, and he is soooooore, but boy what a nice reward to look out our back doors and see GREEN! Pretty soon, Ms. Robbin's dreams of standing in her open french doors looking out into a lush green wonderland with the breeze blowing her hair will be coming true!

Too good to be true?

The other evening, the Travel Channel was playing in the background as we tended to some important farming and quizzing on facebook (it's become a mind-numbing habit). Suddenly, we heard something . . . somewhere on the edges of our subconsciences . . . could it be? Did we hear that correctly? Did he just say . . . chocolate pudding fruit?!!!????!!!??

As it turns out, we DID hear it correctly. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!!!! It appears that there is a fruit that, when completely ripe, turns dark brown and looks completely mushy and rotten - like chocolate pudding. But here's the kicker: it TASTES like chocolate pudding, too! You can cook with it and make decadent desserts, and it's HEALTHY because it's FRUIT!!!! A mad googling frenzy ensued and alas, it's not easy to have the darn things shipped directly to you. I could order the plants all day long, but who knows if they would grow here? The Pacific Northwest is rawther different than their native southern Mexico.

In a few minutes, the chocolate pudding fruit episode of the Travel Channel show about weird foods is coming on. Well, it's actually about many foods in Australia, but I blacked out after "chocolate pudding fruit." I plan to do my research. I'll get back to you.

Okay, here goes

Thursday morning started off like any other day . . . for about 5 seconds. Then I remembered it was audition day. I quickly ate an English muffin before nervous tummy completely set in, when I knew I wouldn't be able to eat anything else until it was all over.
Matt was at work. Ms. Robbin had threatened not to come out of her room until I left (I don't know what she was worried about, LOL) but I lured her out with the smell of fresh-brewing coffee. The night before, I had changed my up-tempo song selection at the last minute, so I went to practice it a little bit, and constantly . . . . obsessively . . . . went over the lyrics in my head. Here's a sample, imagine it at a very rapid pace:

Another hundred people just got off of the train and came up through the ground
While another hundred people just got off of the bus and are looking around
At another hundred people who got off the plane and are looking at us
Who got off of the train, and the plane and the bus maybe yesterday

Extra points if you can name the show from which it hails.
Finally it was time to start getting ready. I had already picked my outfit. I felt good in it, I think it looked professional without being pretentious. My hair seemed to be cooperating and the sun was shining - both very good signs. When I came out of the bathroom, I got a surprise. Matt came home from work half-way through his shift. He and his mom had plans to shop for a tv, and he took a little time off so they wouldn't be rushed. I was really happy to see him before I left, too!
I made it to the ferry in plenty of time, and enjoyed a peaceful ride over . . . not really. I stayed in my car to go over my songs some more and think positive thoughts, and I was parked right next to an engine room or something making quite a bit of noise. Because of that, I couldn't understand the announcements being made. Next thing I knew, there were alarms going off and firemen walking around the car deck. I figured out it was just a drill because no one seemed very panicked or rushed, but my heart was in my throat for just a little bit! Come ON, people! Didn't they know I was already in a fragile state?
When the ferry docked I drove into downtown. It was BEAUTIFUL outside, and I felt a little more alive just being in the city and watching the hustle and bustle. I got so distracted looking at everyone's new coats in lovely spring colors that I almost missed my turn for the parking garage I wanted, but I made it just in time. I walked over to the theatre and went to the stairs leading down to the basement rehearsal area. There's a whole little village down there under the streets of Seattle! Art stores, food court, spas, offices, but no easily accessible bathrooms, lol. In fact, if you are lucky enough to find a bathroom in a public space, you have to have a code from one of the nearby businesses to get in. But that's for another post.
I was pretty early for my audition, so I got to chat with some really nice people who were also auditioning, and hear little snippets of each of their songs. The rehearsal space is pretty soundproof, so mostly I could hear the piano until someone really started belting. Oh, and the piano. My nerves were soothed immensely when I heard the pianist playing everyone else's songs. He was soooooo good! He played my fast song flawlessly, including all three key changes that happen in just one verse!
A nice young assistant walked in with me and introduced me to the auditioners. There were three of them, all men, one of whom I met at the first class I attended at the theatre to learn tips for auditioning. I acknowledged them, then froze - for just a second. I suddenly had to manually think through every step I needed to take. "Okay, Amy, now you go over to the pianist and give him your music. Check. Set the tempo with him. Check. Go back to the center. Check. Nod at him to begin. Check. DON'T SCREW UP! Check."
When I sat my music down on the piano he said "oh, great song". My confidence was immediately boosted. I was very, very nervous, but I sang my first song really well without missing a word. The judge in the middle said "okay, what will you be singing next?" I took just a moment to breathe, then started my second song. I was worried it would seem too long, but it felt like it was over as soon as I started! They said thank you, and I walked out of the room! That was it! It's a little unnerving to pour your heart on a stage and get no feedback, but that's just how it works. It was over so fast!
When I was all done, I stopped and acknowledged that I was very pleased with how it went. Yes, I was nervous, but I think I gave an excellent audition. I am proud of myself for taking this step, and proving to myself that I can indeed do it!
Now, the hard part. These were general auditions for the upcoming season at the theatre. While I performed, they took copious notes, including marking which shows they think I might be appropriate for. Now, I just wait to see if I get a callback. That could happen any time in the next year as they get ready to cast each show, or not at all. All I know is that I have no regrets, and I hope they see a place for me in an upcoming production. Only time will tell!

A quick note . . .

I just wanted to let everyone know that my audition went really well. After all that adrenaline pumping through my body has finally settled down, I am EXHAUSTED! I will post a detailed description of the whole experience tomorrow!!!!

Today is the day!

It has finally arrived - my big audition. I'm a nervous wreck already. I've had to perform with serious cases of "the nerves" before, so I know it's physically possible, but this seems so much worse!
In a few minutes I'll start getting ready, then a ferry ride to the big city and it's showtime! Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

Happy Birthday!

Today is my mother-in-law's birthday!!! Happy Birthday, Ms. Robbin!!!

This will be the first year in a while that we will all be able to celebrate with her. Last year Matthew was with her, but she had just had surgery. As a matter of fact, I was in the throes of appendicitis and would be having my own surgery the next day, as well. Wow, what a year. I don't think I'll ever look back at 2008 without feeling the awe and amazement that we all made it through somehow - not unscathed, but together.

This year, we have much to celebrate. Happiness, health, and love. This is what my birthday wish is for you, Ms. Robbin. Get ready for the best kabobs you've ever tasted and yummy chocolate cupcakes! :-)

A place for me

That is what I hope to find at the 5th Avenue.

On Wednesday, I hopped on a ferry and headed to the big city for a lesson with an artistic producer at the theatre. On this particular day, he was using a small rehearsal room backstage, and my instructions were to go to the alley behind the theatre, find the door marked "stage door" and tell the attendant I was attending a class. Will you believe . . . . I got excited as soon as I walked into the alley! I found the stage door, and when I opened it I just felt like I was home! People using the stage door are part of the program - the singers, actors, musicians, lighting and sound techs, production team. Entering that door, you are no longer an audience member, you are IN . . . a bonafide participant in the magic happening on and around that stage.

Yes, I was just there for a lesson, not a production, but my visceral reaction upon entering that space confirmed to me once more that the stage is where I'm meant to be. You say I should find my passion? Done! I can't put it into words, but I know that everyone has something like this in their lives that moves their souls and makes them feel more alive than any other time.

Well, after being greeted by the friendly and helpful stage door attendant who called me by name and welcomed me as if we were old pals, I made my way up the stairs to wait until my lesson began. I am not ashamed to say I wandered in the hallway a teeny bit and felt my heart swell at the sight of large dressing rooms and rehearsal schedules. I wanted to tuck myself into a corner and observe all the action for that night's performance. Even more, I knew that I wanted to be back one day for the real deal - my own performance.

I was warmly greeted by each person I encountered, and even offered cake from their opening night celebration! Then, a minute or two before my lesson was to start, I felt a little vibration in the floor and a beautiful sound of multiple voices in harmony rose up around me: a rehearsal! They were doing a quick tune-up of a few things and I got to hear it! I snuck into the stairwell just a little, and I must confess I probably would have inched as close as I could get to the stage if I had any more time!

The lesson itself went extremely well, and I learned a lot that makes me much more confident about my audition in a few weeks. It was a lovely day, and as I walked back to my car in the sunshine I couldn't help but feel optimistic.

Busy day

Today I have a lesson in Seattle in preparation for the big audition. It is with one of the theatre's artistic directors and I'm very excited but also very anxious because I'm not as prepared as I should be. I'll be working some more on that when I finish this post!

My other plan for this morning is to go grocery shopping. Most of you who visit my blog occasionally found me through my mother-in-law's blog, Cedar Chest of Dreams, so you know she has moved to Washington with us, and is actually living in our home right now. I'm so glad she's here for many reasons, but a big reason is that she is one heck of a cheerleader for eating healthier. We all fell off the truck for a little while on that topic, but we decided when she got here we would focus more on eating right. Luckily, she decided the same thing before the big move! So far, so good. We're eating fish two nights a week, adding lots more fruits and veggies, and even purchased a Magic Bullet for quick and easy smoothies. Now if I can just get my sweet tooth under control everything will be just right! It is traumatizing, and I might need an intervention or rehab or something, but I'm determined to reduce my sugar intake. Fortunately Ms. Robbin has more willpower than me, LOL.

The rain and cooler temperatures have returned this morning, but hopefully they are not here to stay. I'd like to snuggle up with a good book, but it's time to put my nose to the grindstone. If you need me, follow the sound of warm-up scales until you find me crying over sheet music. :-)

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

It is another gorgeous spring day. I think I should go take a walk and soak up some of this sunshine!

I have a lot of practicing to do today. Tomorrow I have a private lesson with one of the gentlemen I will be auditioning for in a few weeks. This will be my first attempt at becoming a prefessional theatre actress, and I'm a wee bit nervous. I've been narrowing down my song selection (and if you watch American Idol, you know it's all about song selection!) for what seems like forever, and now I need to just buckle down and make them the best they can be!

Aside from rehearsing, I hope to spend a little time with my hubby today. Tuesdays are some of my favorite days because we are both off work and Haleigh is at school, so we get to just hang out, and that is important.

And that's about it in my little world right now. It is calm and peaceful, the way I like it.

Getting ready for church

I have finally found a church at which I feel at home. I had a good feeling because I already knew the pastor and his wife - their daughter Katie has been in the past two shows I've done. She is one of our little group of friends that bonded during the Pajama Game and have stuck together ever since, so much so that the director pointed it out and we dubbed ourselves "The Pajama Gang". But I digress.

I have attended this church for the past two Sundays, and Haleigh went with me on Easter. So far, I just love it. Listening to the pastor is like hanging out in someone's living room and just chatting. His wife has an angelic voice that I could listen to forever, and on top of that she's just a cool lady.

Well, it is a beautiful sunny day once again and that's about it for my plans today.

Good morning, Sunshine!!!!

The sun is out on what is, so far, a gloriously beautiful morning. It's gonna be a bright, bright sunshiney day, and I need that. Yesterday was horrid, a continuation of the soaking wet, chilled to the bone Easter Sunday we had out here. The weather just set the tone for my unexpectedly unpleasant afternoon.

I have an abundance of various skin cancers in my family, and I have blue eyes, freckles, and pale skin. Plus, I grew up in the deep south and have been blistered more times than I care to think about, so I like to get a professional opinion that everything is in good working order. Yesterday I made my annual trek to the dermatologist. Have you ever been to the dermatologist? It's not nearly as invasive as some of those other doctor visits we ladies have to make, but for some reason it is even more uncomfortable as they scrutinize every inch of your skin. By the time they start parting the hair on my scalp I feel like a groomed monkey.

Well, yesterday she barely made it down my chest before deciding that this was not going to be a normal visit. I ended up having to get two moles removed, a new experience for me . . . and I was scared to death. They had a cancellation so she was able to do everything while I was there. If you've read any of my earlier blogs, you'll know that I strongly dislike needles. My doctors seem determined to cure me of that this year (appendectomy, oodles of bloodwork, dental work, and B-12 injections for pete's sake!), but this was really taking the cake. I can proudly say that although I was quivering jelly on the inside, I totally put my big girl panties on and got through that! And you know what? The injections were nothing! I go back in ten days to find out if they were normal or not and get my stitches removed.

So, that was my yesterday. I'm looking forward to a lovelier day today!

Ready for spring

and ready to see THESE!!!

This and That

I woke up this morning with what appears to be the beginnings of a cold, so I'm settling in for a quiet day at home. This is terrible timing to be sick, since I'm trying to get ready for a HUGE audition on May 7th, but it is what it is, I guess. I'm heading to the store in a little bit for some preventative medicine so hopefully that will help.
As for that big audition, it seems like it is rapidly approaching. I've decided on my two songs, one of which I know backwards, forwards, and inside out. It is "Can't Help Lovin' That Man" from Showboat. The other I have never sang, but I feel good about it, and it's the style they are asking for. I learned a lot at my audition class, so I feel like I am actually able to prepare and go in there with confidence. I will be a bundle of nerves - my stomach already starts to churn when I even think about it - but those can sometimes be helpful. I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to attend that class. It was given by two of the people I will actually be auditioning for, and they chatted with us for 3 hours about everything from song choice, to how to give your music to the accompanist, to what to DO with yourself while singing to impress the auditioners.
I guess this Saturday is a good one for staying in. Our weather has turned to rainy and chilly again, although we were hoping for sunshine for all the egg hunters. Oh, well - in Washington if you don't do it in the rain, it doesn't get done!

Still here!

Don't be alarmed by my lapse in postings! My husband and my mother-in-law arrived on Thursday evening, a whole day earlier than I was anticipating them. After seeing the things they wanted to see, they were just ready to get HOME, and I was glad they made that decision. I wasn't quite as ready as I would have been, but in the grand scheme of things, what does a little dirty laundry and some unfinished painting really matter? Our little family is all together under one roof and that makes my heart happy.

I want to tell all about my audition workshop, and I promise I will soon, but tonight I am going to bed early. Another busy day tomorrow!

Excitement, and a little trepidation

Tonight will be the first step in what I hope will be big changes for me in the upcoming year! I am going to a workshop at a professional theatre in downtown Seattle. The workshop will help prepare me for the audition process that is happening in about a month for their upcoming musical season, and here's how that all started . . .
After a performance of "Company" in February, a gentleman and his wife had come down to greet the cast and I noticed them waiting to speak to me. He took my hand and said "you don't know me, but I wanted to tell you how wonderful you were. Really, a cut above." I thanked him and felt like floating across the floor. It's always nice to receive a heartfelt compliment, especially when you've just poured yourself into a performance. Our paths crossed again as he was leaving the theatre, and he recommended strongly that I go and audition in Seattle for some professional work. I told Matt about it when I got home, and said that I wouldn't have any idea how to begin such a thing. Then he said "well, you should look into it." I love that man.
Several phone calls, evenings of internet research, and a little networking and brainpicking later, I decided to go all out and audition for THE major producer of professional musicals in Seattle. Why not? What do I have to lose?
So, tonight I'm going to go and be a little sponge, soaking up all of the wisdom I can! Updates tomorrow.