Luck Be A Lady

Gosh....I am so guilty. I have completely and utterly ignored this poor blog for 4 months! I've looked at my favorites list many times and seen the poor little blogger sign in link and scoffed at it more times because I was 'too busy' to write anything down! I'm rather ashamed of myself. I should never be too busy to write a little sentence or two. It's gratifying to look back at one's year and see their accomplishments. So, I'm not making a resolution since they get broken more often than not (look at my track record of working out!) but I will attempt to stop by and visit a little whenever I can. Whether it's daily or weekly remains to be seen but I'll find a way to put down my thoughts!

Man....you gotta love technology. We just got in the Boss BR-900CD digital recording studio. It's probably all of 10 lbs and it has 64 track capabilities and then it BURNS a CD of your project for you! So you can use the built in mic or hook one in or plug your electric instrument right in and start jamming. The darned thing has a variety of drum machine beats, can turn your instrument into a bass (and you can pick what kind!), turn your mic into something classic (and super expensive), make your guitar use a variety of amps (about 50 different options) and so much more! My boss used it to record our last training meeting so he could listen to the CD of it later on. How cool is that? I cannot WAIT to play with this thing!

I'm on day 17 of the workout (out of 42 days)! I'm almost half-way through this round!

Well, I once again am trying to get back on the exercise 'wagon.' I have a variety of exercise DVD's in my collection so there's no excuse other than I'm being a lazy bum! It's really a crime that I have this incredible library and I let it sit for such a long time! Oh well, I figure one gets into getting in shape when they either 'hit bottom' or are forced by some catastrophic event. I think I have been in major denial about my age (after all, it is just a number) and didn't realize how much weight I was beginning to retain without any changes in my lifestyle. So I have read up, watched the infomercials, tried the diets (I had some luck w/the Atkins plan a couple of winters ago) but realized it's old fashioned exercise and diet that works along with lowering one's stress levels and trying to be happy. Oh yes, and taking vitamins and supplements and drinking water too! Along the way I got into Winsor pilates (didn't work other than to h

We get to go to the Gorge (in George) a week from Saturday to see James Taylor! I have never had the opportunity to see him live before (Mark has seen him 2 or 3 times the lucky dude!) so I am really excited! It's all I can do to get through the next 10 days!

And I don't mean 'American' Idol. There are moments in your life that you know you will never forget. Life can be so cool that way. I cannot believe that I had the chance to meet the founder of one of my all time favorite bands last month. I have been drivelling on and on about this because I am such a fan and I respect this guy so much! I'll try to post a picture of us (at my store) a little later. Whoops....I forgot to mention his name! This is me being so darned giddy about meeting him. So who did I get to meet? Walt Parazaider, the founder of the rock band Chicago came to my store to try out some saxophones. Remember the flute solo in 'Colour My World'? That's Walt!!!! He (and his wife Jacklyn) are two of the loveliest people I have ever met. I feel very lucky to have met them!

Well, our trip to Las Vegas was fun. Went by WAY too fast for my tastes, and Mark's too. It's funny how a short little weekend trip can be so recharging even if you don't sleep much. Who sleeps in Las Vegas? Friday afternoon Mark and I take off for the airport....very excited. We get there with no delay.....but wait! The delays are to come. We went to Masterpark (for those of you who park and ride it's the bright yellow and black sign) and they're just the best. I need to use them everytime....valet parking, you can check in there at the kiosk (which I SHOULD have done), and a nice ride to the terminal. We got there and didn't see a very big line at the counter BUT it's set up so stupidly. The agents can't keep up w/the customers who check in so everyone waits in front of the kiosks so all of us in line can't do anything. Annoying set up...I'm going to write to Alaska about that. So we traipse on our merry way knowing that security checkpoints mi

Of course if I would press 'Save as Draft' I wouldn't have had this problem!

Why is it that I write something incredibly profound for the ages and then the computer dies before I can post it? ARGH!

Dang.....the 4th came and went. I didn't see any fireworks cuz I was not feeling well (oh yeah, it's THAT time of the month....grrrrrr) and poor Mark just took care of me. At least we got to see one movie this weekend (Batman) and Sunday we got to hang out w/our bestest friends, the Delmendos. We got to enjoy a YUMMY bbq steak which I cannot say enough good things about! Jon - you rock on the grill! Weather's been good up until today but I guess since the holiday weekend was nice we cannot complain! And now....back to work.....yuck.

Yikes.....I thought about posting my thoughts so many times over the past 3 months but I just couldn't sit down and do it. I should...a diary/blog is a great way to put your views out there and give your mind a chance to let go of all the daily stresses of life! Quick update: March 05 was all about 'Drood' and work. Living, sleeping, breathing constantly as a director. April 05 was still all about 'Drood', LOL. It was a ton of hard work but it sure turned out to be probably the best show I've ever done. My staff, my crew, the band and actors pulled off a show that was one of the funniest, most entertaining live theatre events I have ever seen. April - May 05 was about 'Drood' and 'Working' rehearsals. You can see the trend....one show after another! It was nice to switch into actor mode again and allow the director to rest. May - June 05 was 'Working'. The Jewel Box Theatre is a real 'gem' of a black box theatre. I really enjoyed

Happy Father's Day to you Daddy. I miss you more than words can say.

Congrats to Anna & Chris....baby Ella was born on Sunday June 19th! What a terrific Father's Day gift for daddy Chris and grandpas Dale Borer and Bruce Chollar!

My mom's pretty cool. She's had a pretty stressful couple of years since my dad died. Mark and I dashed around Home Depot for at least an hour looking for a cool plant to get her. I thought cut flowers wouldn't be right. One of the fondest memories of my dad during his last week on this earth was getting roused out of bed at 5 am by the phone ringing and seeing that the hospital is calling. Of course, I'm thinking the worst and that my dad passed on and instead it's actually him calling from his hospital room asking for me to buy my mom some flowers for Mother's Day. I laughed so hard during and after that phone call from relief and amazement that my dad would even remember what day it was, let alone Mother's Day! I couldn't even be upset w/him. I laughed so hard on the phone and he couldn't figure out why. He had no idea it was 5 am and that I had just about had a heart attack! Ya gotta love your parents....no matter how crazy they are. I

Congrats to one of my dearest friends Julie & her husband Wallace on the birth of Ruth Elise . This sure has been a busy baby season! :-)

Gee whiz.....I once again leave my poor blogger alone for a couple of weeks. It's a good thing it's not a pet because it would have died from starvation! I've been busy.....no busier than usual really but it's been one thing after another. Drood is going along quite nicely thanks to Charles. The vocal rehearsals sound terrific. I get to start doing my thing on Monday. We'll see how I hold up! It's weird to have been away for a year (from directing, that is) because I'm feeling mighty rusty. I know I'll get back into the swing of things. In the meantime Mark and I managed to get to see Choreography Showcase last weekend. We have such talented young people around here. I certainly hope to see some of them on the professional stage someday! I know I'm crazy because I'm going to be in a show right after Drood finishes up. Oh well, it's a show I really like and I get to sing my favorite song from the show....can't beat that!

I hate it when I ignore this blog! I don't mean to......a week back I kept trying to write and this darn blog kept giving me error messages. I can hate computers so easily! So that's the 'argh' in my title! We auditioned 'Drood' this weekend and had a great turnout! I'm really excited about the casting and looking forward to getting into rehearsals. Starting to make phone calls to the cast now. Valentine's Day is the curse of the single person and the best for kids and married folks and mushy & in love couples, isn't it? Luckily, I qualify for a mushy/in love type! Marky-mark got me my new favorite perfume Blush and the new Rachael Ray cookbook (that woman never stops! This is like her 5th book in a year). Of course, he got me way too much sweet stuff and I'm trying to behave since I'm on this 6 week workout thing. Speaking of workouts, I'm sore today........I advanced into my phase 3 and my arms are killing me! My endurance

Oh my..........Mark and I went to Seattle to see Brian Regan at the Moore Theatre last night. He has got to be one of the funniest stand up comedians I have ever seen and heard! We were so exhausted after the concert was over. And it was only 9 pm when we got out of there! Seeing Brian was part of Mark's birthday present. It was so worth the wait! If you get a chance to see him on Comedy Central or buy his CD do it.....he is 'clean' so you're not wading through any swearing or disgusting sexual comments.

Well, well.....auditions are coming up this weekend for my show! I'm starting to get way too excited for this. I started my serious workouts again so I will be able to withstand this schedule. I was feeling pretty wussy after 'My Way' since I stopped working out all together. Lame-oh, I know.....but now I'm back on the wagon and I'm on my second week of a six week program. It feels pretty good after the workout so I am trying to just take it a day at a time. I seem to be handling the second phase of exercise pretty well. The third phase is really hard so I know it'll be a lot of endurance building before I can actually get through it. The first phase is easy (25 minutes long), the second lasts 48 minutes per session, and the third is 60. The third part I'm supposed to do for 4 weeks.....oh boy......I am intimidated! But I know I can do it eventually....and my body will get in better shape for it! And Drood is worth me being in shape for since I&#

so cool! Because I have a new pink purse (yes, it's pink....see previous blog 'And all is right with the world') she surprised me last night with a pink sweater. Way too cute. I know this is so girly of me to write about clothes and accessories but what the heck. Sometimes, it makes me happy!

What? Where has January gone? I have been seeing all these Valentine's Day things in the store and it dawned on me that the first month of the year has come and gone. I can't believe how fast time goes by. Last night we went out to Sherry's surprise 5-oh birthday par-tay and yes, she was shocked! I love surprises.....seeing the look on her face was so worth it. Some of us went to the casino after the little shindig. The birthday girl managed to win over $300 which is the way it should be! I managed a $40 win myself! Ka-ching!

Impromptu trip to Bellevue yesterday.....Mark wanted to check out a gun at a shooting range but unfortunately the attached gun shop was already closed. So we go to Bellevue Square to shop and eat dinner. After a glorious meal at the Cheesecake Factory we have 5 minutes before the mall closed. I ended up at my favorite shop of course. In 10 minutes I have bought a new Coach bag and had my old one sent off for repairs. So now I am modeling a brand new pink (yeah, you heard right - and whattayu gonna make of it?) bag and I am feeling so zen. It's nirvana, baby!

Finally....got to meet Bryce Daniel Delmendo today! Jon and Kimberly have a very cute, but not too little (9 lb, 2 oz!) bundle of joy! And lucky for all of us, he just came in at the tail end of being a Capricorn! LOL - yes, I'm a Cappy too. I guess K had to undergo a c-section because Bryce wasn't cooperating but I know what she will say....it's all worth it! Anyway, he is a cutie-patootie and I'm lucky I got to see him so soon after he was born! Congrats Jon & Kimberly!

So....freezing rain on Saturday?? What a stupid thing.... the last time I even remember freezing rain in Kitsap County was 20 years ago! I hate the stuff.....incredibly dangerous. I would rather have snow anyday! I cannot believe how long it rained that hideous stuff Saturday afternoon/evening. It should have stayed in Portland. Thank goodness it turned to regular rain by late evening!

I'll say it again.....where are you????? Kimberly is going into the hospital sometime after tomorrow early afternoon. Hurray....we all get to meet the cutie before too long!

I was too ill to continue with my previous blog item.... so now I'm finishing! So I have to be one of the luckiest people because an email pops into my mail mentioning tickets for a particular comedian were going on sale the Friday before Mark's birthday. I cannot believe my luck since it's his favorite funny guy (Bryan Regan). So I wait until the 10 am start time and 'bam!' I get second row center seats for Mark! Woo-hoo! I ROCK! LOL - I told you I was humble. Mark was totally surprised, shocked, amazed and HAPPY. Ya gotta love that!

Happy birthday Daddy....I know you're up there and having a great party! I can only imagine who all showed up! I miss you.....I look forward to the day we can party together again!

Watching Mark open up his birthday presents! He had no idea what he was getting....and I think I can say 'who's the man?' (or woman since it's me!) because I'm an awesome gift buyer! I'm humble too.... ;-)

So Jon and Kimberly are still waiting for Bryce to make his appearance...... Jon told us that Kimberly is pretty tired and ready for the little guy to come on out! I can hardly stand it...the anticipation is killing me!

Wow.....I cannot get over how fast time flies. It was just Christmas and now where the heck did New Year's Eve go? That amazes me - and yes, time does go by faster as I get older! Not fair! It was a busy weekend but I managed to get in a couple of rehearsals, a NYE party, pick up David B. at the airport in the morning, a New Year's getogether (at Joe's) and then the big show at CSTOCK on Sunday. Lots of fun was had by all...and I have to admit that despite all my freaking out I did okay, LOL! I'll try to collect a picture or two from the rehearsals and post them as soon as I can.

Wow.....the white stuff finally showed up! It's been pretty cold around here and fortunately we only got a dribble of snow compared to the northern part of WA. I don't mind snow, I just hate driving in it when I'm surrounded by idiots who don't know how to drive!!! It's definitely a stressful thing. Other than that, it sure is pretty. Unfortunately, Mark's car decided to go kaput on him (it won't go into 'drive') so we had to rush over to Saturn of Puyallup to get a loaner car while they fix his (thank goodness it's under warranty). Thank heaven for our friend Jon Delmendo since he was able to pick us up at Mark's to get us to my house in time to get my truck and race over to Saturn before they closed! So now he's in an L200 (I think that's what they call it) and while I'm grateful he has a car that works, I don't like sedans much. I'm so used to a higher vehicle (yeah, I am still a truck girl). We ended up hangi

No, I'm not swearing.... what a fun movie! Totally campy and way too much fun. Watch it if you can!!!!!

It doesn't matter what day you celebrate, getting presents is way too much fun! Mark and I ended up celebrating Xmas and my birthday on New Year's Eve/day and it was awesome! Mark got me Opus: 25 Years of His Sunday Best (remember the comic strip 'Bloom County' or 'Outfield' by Berke Breathed?) which has to be one of my all time favorite gifts. Opus the Penguin is one of my heros and this book just shows him at his best (and worst!). I recommend this book highly! There were some other super cool gifts including Emeril Lagasse's book Emeril's Potluck (one of the easiest and best American cookbooks ever) and some wonderful pearl jewelry from my mom. Jewelry is awesome.....I keep reminding myself to stop buying so much costume stuff and invest in nicer things but it's too darn fun to buy things! But I digress..... ultimately, I think it's more fun to give gifts than to receive and watching Mark open up some of the things I got him (despite