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! :-)