seeing and clutching air.

I get to wear awesome possum clip-ons for All Shook Up.

And why can't I wear pierced earrings?

Answer: Oh, I let the holes close on up about ten years ago when I jaunted over to Madagascar... and just haven't felt the need to open them back up.

Back to the Story:

I tend to have nights on stage when they refuse to stay on. The earrings, that is. This week, as I gazed lovingly at Matilda's love interest, I felt a tug on my skirt.

What? Am I caught on something? Is my slip sticking out? Is my skirt tucked into my bloomers? Do I look down? Do I ignore?

I chose to ignore. More tugging. So I looked down. And an elderly woman in the front row was stretching her arm up to me. Holding my earring.

Do I take it? Pretend not to see it? How do I do this without breaking the 4th wall? How long will the woman hold it up if I continue to ignore?

So I took the earring. Pretending that it magically appeared in the air. How else could I explain the strange phenomenon?

And then last night, I slipped and fell in the middle of my song. (I have a song!) That's what I get for running in heels. That's what I get for wearing heels.

Gasp. Did everyone just gasp? The entire room just gasped in unison. I think. Stand up. Stand up already.

So I did. And finished the song. And I now have the knee of a 5 year old! How great is that.

tuesday thinking.

I made whole wheat blueberry pancakes for the girls this morning. WHAT? yes. But before you start throwing mother of the year awards my way, just know that they didn't fully realize until the late hour of 9:10, after I finally pulled myself out of bed.

I really hate admitting that. But come on! The morning after a high energy performance? Right? And I promise they weren't starving. Millie has perfected her access to Cheerios, and Oatmeal Squares, which she lovingly shares with Ellis. Throughout the house.

During my morning's inner struggle, Ellis put her finger in Millie's mouth. So Millie bit down. Hard.

Millie puts her finger in Ellis's mouth and then pulls it out before Ellis can bite. Ellis laughs.

Not a fair game.

I give up on this outfit. I love it. But it only leads to work. work. work. work. The real problem? Snaps. Causing joy in removal. And I have given up putting it back on Ellis, because it is off the moment I turn my back.

And then I discover the living room carpet rolled up and Ellis is playing ring aroung the rosy by herself. In full onesie diaper glory. Throwing her body to the ground after each rosy. Pulling herself back up and RING AROUND THE ROSY again.

Hallelujah for self entertainment.

The couch cushions must be supporting the falls. Because there are quite a few snot trails that weren't there yesterday. Or perhaps a snail is running amuck.

Question: Any idea on a quick fix? For snail trails, that is.

tasting spring.

We had a hint of spring this week. I think it's my favorite season. I like it when there are one or 2 clouds in the sky and it covers the sun enough to leave a large shadow on the ground, and bright sun everywhere else. I like to be in that shadow. It makes me think of that song from Into the Woods - Giants in the Sky. I don't know why. Other than I always think of giants when it happens. And I always feel like I am looking down on myself in that moment. I guess you can say it's the closest I come to an out of body experience.

It also always reminds me of sitting in the park, behind the house of my childhood. Having just gotten off the bus, choosing to sit in the giant's shadow and talking to Kelly instead of going home. That is spring. Alternating between giant shadows and rainy days. Perfection.

Except that then I have to leave the house. Good weather drives the kids outdoors. Which is good. and bad. because homebody me enjoys a shadow or two, but ultimately prefers carpet and couches.

photo via Nicholas_T

shook up.

Not like I'm obsessed. Or anything.

But a critic came to last Friday's performance.

Read all about it here.

at a loss and wanting nothing.

I thought that I should back up and post something that I missed due to the whirlwind that is life.

Clin's sister, Arianne, got married sometime in February... I think.

Ben, Clin, and Arianne

The girls were princessified. And Millie only pulled the curlers out of her hair once.

recapping the oscars.

I know. You probably do not watch the Oscars. You probably don't care. But Clin and I have this thing. You know. Where we watch them.

We used to throw mini-oscar parties. Where the guests were all required to bring something to eat that represented a nominated film. My favorite was when Krista brought a cake in the shape of a fetus. It represented Cider House Rules. Now that I think about it....I don't believe we have held a party since. Hmmm. I knew I hated that movie.

So my highlights from last night:

1. Hugh Jackman sings. I just like any host that sings. Hugh Jackman or not.
   


2. Anne Hathaway - I love you more each day. And you sing!
   


3. During his acceptance speech for Best Animated Feature Film (WALL-E), Andrew Stanton said, "I guess I'd be remiss if I did not thank my high school drama teacher Phil Perry for 28 years ago casting me as Barnaby in Hello, Dolly!. Creative seeds are sown in the oddest of places so, uh, thank you so much to the Academy for this." Shout out to a drama teacher and Hello Dolly! in the same sentence. Can it get any better? Or more like-able?
   


4. Ben Stiller, you're funny. Not always. But tonight I laughed.
   


5. Man on Wire won Best Documentary. And the subject of the doc did a coin trick and balanced the oscar on his chin. Come on! That's entertainment.
   


6. Kate Winslet - I love you. I'm glad you won. But your award should have come years ago for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
   


7. Slumdog Millionaire won! I haven't seen it. But I always root for movies from India with very like-able looking leads.

photo via bananawacky

spreading good news!

Lupe and Judy (my highly photogenic sister) at work

One reason to move to Texas? My sister is Teacher of the Month! Now if only I could move there AND go back to grade school. That would be awesome.

So that's the good news. That and Ellis seems to be okay from our trauma of last week.

What else?

Tonight is officially opening night, which means I no longer have rehearsals.

And whenever someone young is kind to me, I'm always taken aback. (Where does that come from? Have I always been shocked by kind hearted babes?) The talented youth from the show - we're talking talent of the insane variety: dancing, singing, flipping, and looking beautiful all at the same time WHILE keepng their clothes on - have been so kind to me. Proof? I've been invited to be their friend on Facebook. Serious!!! I know! So next time you visit my profile, go check out the beauties on my friend list.

Only 4 more evenings of babysitters and then Daddy's home. We CAN make it.