How The Other Half Lives

"How The Other Half Live" from Thoroughly Modern Millie

This week, my days go like this:

Try to wake up at 7:45 am to get ready BEFORE waking the girls up.

Wake up at 8:20 am just in time to get the girls up

Walk the girls to school at 8:40 am (we have a really quick morning routine!)

Leave for work around 9:00 am

Stop at a convenience store for food (finally went grocery shopping tonight so that's out)

Work, including lunch break

Leave work around 3:00 pm

Come home, make dinner, take care of kids, deal with stuff, help with homework, work on computer stuff, laundry, etc.

Steve leaves for rehearsal at 7:00 pm

Chloe and Piper in bed at 9:30 pm (At least I try)

Steve gets home from rehearsal at 11pm or so.

Try to spend some time with the husband but wanting desperately to go to bed.

Try to go to bed by midnight, but no such luck

Last night I was in bed at like 12:45 am. But could I sleep. Of course not, my mind was crazy and Lola wouldn't sleep. I think she fell asleep around 2am, was restless and woke up screaming at 4 am. She has had runny diapers and fever and a really sore bum. Poor thing.

Anyway, it's an interesting role reversal considering Steve is taking care of the kids during the day and working at the same time which is feasible for him right now. Which means I can't really assign to many other mommy duties to him like taking the kids to school and laundry and stuff. But that's ok. I'm enjoying working and I wouldn't mind the mommy duties except that I have show duties - wigs and some stupid puppet performer costumes I have to make (think fancy pajamas. 6 of them. Not creative AT ALL!) so I plan on being tired for a while.

It's always interesting to see what hills and valleys this rollercoaster of life I'm riding takes me to next. I am really enjoying 6 hours a day of just worrying about me and the task at hand and I'm learning a lot. Today I worked more on the T-Pain project. Word! Actually, the next two days I'm pulling full days so we can get this stuff done! I got to sew on industrial machines today. Really nice! They take a little getting used to, but I'm a really fast learner. :)

Ok. More stuff to do and maybe in bed by midnight. PLEASE!

Under the Sea

*"Under the Sea" from Disney's The Little Mermaid

Under a sea of fabric, that is! My first day on the job I had 2 projects. The first was to color in some glove hand prop things - I colored black marker over where the foam stuff leaked through on some of the gloves. Yeah, weird.

Then I went over to the ancient merrowing machine - an industrial sewing machine that's sole purpose is to do a rolled hem. By the machine was a hugs pile of fabric strips.

And I was to edge them all with a rolled hem.

I admit, I spent a good portion of the day learning to re-thread the dang machine, but at least now I have that figured out and I did get a lot done. It's for a halloween costume for some billionaire couple down in San Diego. I don't think the shop does a lot of private costumes like that, but this is going to be amazing! It's a mermaid/merman couple. Anyway, very cool. Very boring, but my iPod kept me going and it was really nice to focus on a project and get it done without a million interruptions. Steve held down the fort just fine at home, though I did give him a nap when I got home. It was good and fun and I'm glad for the opportunity!

I am tired, though. I stayed up WAY too late last night watching Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy (recorded). I especially love my Ugly Betty. I'm glad Betty didn't pick either guy! That was great. I'm looking forward to Desperate Housewives on Sunday - it looks like they're picking up 5 years into the future where they left off last time. It's like Desperate Housewives got crossed with Lost. Oh, Lost! February! Far too long to wait. But Pushing Daisy's is on next Wednesday. YAY! Those are my shows. I do like Dancing With The Stars, but it was too much to watch this week. I'm glad to see Lacey Schwimmer on there - I loved her on So You Think You Can Dance. Good for her! Steve is still into Survivor, but I'm kinda over it.

'Night ya'all!

Smart Like That

*"Smart Like That" from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Piper had a really hard time with Kindergarten last year. Right before spring break last year, her teacher pulled me aside and said we should consider holding her back. She was crying before school every day, struggling with her studies - just generally miserable. I didn't know what to do. I felt like I should have waited a year to start her - her birthday is July 25th so she's one of the youngest if not the youngest in her class. We gave it some time and she got better - she quit crying and her work improved, so her teacher and I decided we would send her on.

Well, I know we've only had a month of school, but Piper is flourishing! She has only gotten 1 B on one paper so far, the rest have been A's. She aced her first spelling test and I think she will tomorrow. She comes right home and does her homework and does the whole week's work in one or two nights. She makes me check it to make sure it's all right and she's very particular about getting it ready for school. I know some of her enthusiasm will wear off, but I'm excited to see her doing so well in school!! YAY!

Workin' 9 to 5

*9 to 5 The Musical

So, I got a job, or actually a job got me! Phil, the director of Beauty and the Beast told me that he gave my name to some costume companies looking for help. I wasn't sure how I felt about that because I think my sewing skills leave something to be desired, but I was flattered none the less.

This afternoon, Jan, a lady I know from Imagination Costume, called to see if I could come work for them for a little while. I talked it over with Steve, and I will go in for 5 hours a day starting tomorrow for the next week or two. Not a lot, I know, but it will be some extra dough for me and it's been a while since I've made money. And hopefully I can observe and learn some new skills! So, I'll be packing my lunch tomorrow and off I go!

Oh, and just an FYI, I'm going to title all of my blogs with songs or quotes from musicals. Just for fun!

Her name was Lola...

My sister in-law took photos of Lola. I meant to have them done when she turned 1, but we are a month late. Doesn't matter - the pictures are beyond adorable. Lola is my spunky, determined, smart, sassy and genuinely happy baby girl who is growing up too fast - but she can speed through this year. The time from about 12 months to a little past two is the hardest for me as a mom because they are in to everything and don't understand when you tell them no! Nevertheless, love the little bugger to death! Enjoy her great photos!

Disneyland!

So, last weekend, we made a trip to DISNEYLAND! It's our favorite place to go - our 3rd trip as a family this year. But that doesn't diminish our excitement nor our enjoyment every time. This trip was MUCH needed as we had no time for a summer vacation this year!

We "woke up" early (I use quotes because I never quite made it to sleep) and left at 5am on Saturday. The kids were SO good in the car. We stopped once in Barstow for breakfast at the train station McDonalds. Then strait to our hotel. It wasn't busy, so they let us park in the parking lot. We made it to the gates by 10 am! Once there, we hung out and rode some rides, waiting for our friends Shannon and Lamar and their cute little man, Brendan. Shannon played the Wardrobe in Beauty and the Beast with Steve and was also assistant choreographer for AIDA. It's been really fun getting to know her this year. They got there around noon! We played for a while - it was really HUMID! It was so muggy, there was like a haze in the air. It was truly stiffling. Saturday night on Storybookland Canal Boats - It was the Alice boat which made Piper happy!

Chloe - throwin some Peace on our way in on Saturday morning

Piper and Waaaaaaaaaaaalleeeeeeeeeee!

We were waiting for Daddy and Chloe to go on Tower of Terror when we saw a really short line for Cinderella! She said to Piper "You look just like I did when I was a little girl!"

And, of course - Ryder with his Cinderella. I didn't think he would go see her, but he did. It was so cute!

My crazy tea-cuppers!

Me and the girls - 3 for tea!

Lola thought the tea cups were a blast! And it's not every day that you get to ride in a tea cup with Alice herself!

Ryder and his very favorite - "Lighting MaKween!"

Imagine our delight as we walked in on Monday morning to find Alice and the Madhatter to greet us! Alice and Alice - too fun!

The whole crew! Lamar, Shannon and Baby Brendon and our ragtag gang!

Before the next photos, I have to share something really cool that happened to us. On Monday, I got really hot and decided to go back to the hotel to change into shorts, so Lola and I made the short journey. When we returned, Steve and the other kids were in Toon Town. I headed that way, but decided to see how long the princess line was. I hate that all the princesses are in one place now. I much preferred when they were scattered around Fantasyland and the castle. Anyway, it was the shortest I'd ever seen it and the girls were in costume, so I called Steve and told him to meet me there. The girls decided that they didn't want to wait to see them - I think Piper said something about wanting to go on Thunder Mountain again (for like the 10th time. She's OBSESSED with it) *see below We still needed to wait for Shannon and the gang, so we just hung out around there. Well, I look over and Chloe is talking to one of the cast members. Granted, this is not unusual as Chloe will talk to anyone, but this cast member looked actively engaged in the conversation, not annoyed. When Chloe came back over, I asked what happened. She said the cast member called her over and asked her about her dress. The cast member then came over and said that they had never seen Ariel in her pink dress before and that they really like it. She said to wait here for a second and then disappeared into the princess area. She came back and said that Ariel had already left, but if we came back at 2:30, she would go get Ariel so she could see Chloe's dress. Very cool!

We went over to the Tomorrowland Terrace to grab a burger (or a spicy chicken if you are Steve) and were pleasantly surprised to actually have hot burgers at Disneyland. Mental note - nor more burgers from the Village Haus, we like TT instead! Anyway, we headed back shortly after 2:30 and the cast member in question was on a break! Oh dear! We tried to explain what she had said, but no one seemed to care. We waited until 3pm, when Steve peaked in and Ariel was GONE! I gave up right there - poor Chloe started crying. But Shannon went over to the Supervisor who happened to be standing there because a cast member dragged her out so the crowd could sing happy birthday to her. The surpervisor immediatly came over to me and asked what happened, I explained and she asked us to wait there for a moment.

A moment passed and she returned and asked Chloe to gather her family and follow her. We were lead to a small, curtained off room just to the side of the stage where they do their princess show. And then Ariel came out! She chatted with us for a good 20 minutes! We took lots of photos. She was SO perfect as Ariel - so cute and she had a really good character. The kids were beside themselves - even Lola got all worked up when she appeared.

So, below are some photos of our extra special visit with Ariel!

Our private metting with Ariel! Even Lola was excited.

It's not every day the whole family gets a private audience with a princess.

Of course Lola was going to town on her "Coral Milk" as Ariel called it.

Alice, I mean Piper, and Ariel

Ryder was SO cute! Ariel was the first character he could identify and one of his first words. He used to watch "Ariel" on my iPod all the time, especially when Lola was little and I needed to keep him entertained.

So precious! FYI - Chloe's top pattern was a size 4 but I had to add 4 inches to make it long enough. Nice, huh!

It's too bad Chloe was so used to me being a princess for so long - she mentioned that "That girl was really good at playing Ariel". My kids are ruined for life.

Lola Belle! Waitin' for the Parade.

Little (well, not so little - he's younger than Lola but weighs the same as Ryder - the cutest kid!) high five'n Merryweahter! Good to be friends with the fairies - they have all the power.

Me and Lola - chillin' before the Parade!

Ryder LOVED King Triton's carousel! It's not every day you get to ride a purple humpback.

Chloe - they Spunky one.

We could not get that Alice dress off of Piper. She loved it!

Piper and Mr. Potato Head!

Steve and Chloe on the Maliboomer. Rockstars!

The girls and I on Grizzly River Rapids. Of course, I was hoping to get wet because it was pretty warm, but barely a drop.

Lola was just happy to be there.

Ryder running through the "stream"

Lola thought it was fun, too. If I'm ever rich, I want one of these. A stream on playground material.

Daddy and Ryder getting ready to go on Toy Story Midway Mania! The ride was freaking AWESOME! So awesome that after the first time - waiting in line for about 1/2 an hour, we got back in line for another 1/2 an hour to go again!

See! Ryder and I went together this time. It was also in this line that I became my husband's hero! I changed Lola's diaper while standing in line - holding her the whole time. Granted, it wasn't messy, but still, total mommy coolness.

Chloe and Piper - ready to shoot 'em up on Toy Story!

Then we wandered back to Disneyland and found the Fairy Godmother!

We had such a great time! Can't wait to go again.

There. I finally finished it. I've only been working on this post all week, but I kept getting interrupted.

**If anyone can pinpoint this reference, I will come up with a cool prize. Not to steal from Jessica, but it's so obscure, I doubt anyone will get it. Good luck!

Drumroll please.....I'm back!

Sorry it' been so long. What a crazy month it has been! I have a lot to catch up on, but I'll get to that later. The important thing is that I have photos of my performance as Amneris in AIDA. The show closed yesterday, August 30th. The photos here are from my performance night, August 20th. I do have some video, but I haven't watched it. If I deem it worthy and can figure out how, I will post some of it. But for now, the photos will do.

Let me just say that the actress I was understudying is built very differently than I am, so the costumes didn't fit me quite the way they should, especially the strapless numbers. Having 4 kids expands your rib cage so they were TIGHT! I'll share my start of the show story at the end of the photos. There are lots of pictures of the whole show at www.signatureproductions.net.Aidaphotospage.htm if you want to see more. It was an absolutely amazing show and I couldn't be more proud of my husband who directed it and designed costumes. I was the production manager which is really just the fancy term for the one who does all the directors dirty work. I also technically designed hair and makeup, but the entire makeup credit goes to Alda Tomasic. And, she watched Lola backstage during the show some nights with her daughter. She's AWESOME!

Of course, my dear friend Valinda (onceuponacostume.blogspot.com) did most of the costumes. I only say most because some of my costumes were purchased. I'll make sure to label in the photos which ones she built.

I had a total blast on my night. It was really fun to get up there, wear pretty costumes, belt my guts out and take an amazing journey. I can't wait to do it again sometime.

So, to preface the first photo, at the beginning of the show, I am lifted out of the ground on to the platform. Very dramatic, very cool! It's hard to capture the effect in photos, but you get the idea.

Sandra Huntsman as Amneris in SST/Signature Productions

Elton John & Tim Rices AIDA - August 20, 2008

Costume built by Valinda Gubler

"Every Story is a Love Story"

An egyptian pharoah, Amneris, narrates the story of a war torn egypt.

This was the tightest costume! It's amazing I was even able to get it on. In hindsight, I wish I would have put a piece in the back. Steve said I sounded nervous in this number, but in reality, I couldn't breath. And the fact that me feet could get no further than shoulder length apart didn't help. But, hey - it was worth it. It's a FABULOUS piece!

My dramatic exit from that number

"My Strongest Suit"

Amneris is a vain and wordly princess who's biggest care in life is her wardrobe.

This was my BIG number! It's total fun. I hope to post a video of it.

Belting my LUNGS out!

I loved the choreography in this number - so fun! Thanks Keith and Shannon

In the middle, I ran off to make a costume change - into my couture gown. This number is all about clothes, afterall - "I am what I wear, and how I dress" - ROCKIN!

Can you believe Valinda MADE this amazing piece! So fun! And, I have to be proud of those legs after 4 kids.

All the ensemble girls were in black and white, so I really made a splash!

And now, a more elegant look. At the banquet with Brandon Albright as Radames.

Another view. Valinda made this one, too - and Radames' costume as well.

A group shot - the show was stunning.

Sharing a bonding moment with Tai Lewis as Aida. The woman is FIERCE! She tore down the house every single night. Amazing.

Just for story purposes - Amneris is betrothed to the egyptian capatain, Radames, but he falls in love with the captured slave, Aida - who is secretly the Nubian princess. He gives Aida to Amneris as a present, but Aida soon becomes good friends with Amneris as well. Setting them up for certain heartbreak, as love triangles often do.

"Are you trying to get me drunk, Radames"

Radames comes to see Aida after she tells him off, but he has to get rid of Amneris, first.

He's just toying with me, trying to get rid of me.

Yup. I'm wearing a sheet. Hey - don't keep a fiesty princess waiting. We had been engaged for 9 years!

My FAVORITE costume - courtesy of Valinda.

"Not Me" - Sandra Huntsman as Amneris, Brandon Albright as Radames and Tai Lewis as Aida

How could love be so confusing?

Things get darker as Amneris realizes her betrothed doesn't seem to be thinking of her...

As the love triangle is lost in thought in "A Step Too Far"

This was one of my favorite numbers and extra cool because I helped Steve develop the concept for the number that ended up being very powerful! Yay!

Oh, and Valinda made Radames' and Tai's costumes, but mine was a purchased evening gown. I loved it - it made me feel so glamarous!

Amneris discovers the truth - that Aida and Radames are desperately in love.

"I Know the Truth"

However, if she betrays them, they will die, so she goes through with the wedding. Bianca Guevara and Lauren Basch are the handmaidens.

"I Know the Truth"

We bought this dress - at David's Bridal back in March for $99! What a buy!

But the lovers are caught and Amneris must confront their betrayal. Joel Abelson as a soldier and Tai Lewis as Aida.

She has compassion for Radames and Aida - her friends, and though she must sentence them to death, she allows them to die together.

And we come full circle - Amneris is made Pharaoh, giving way to a reign of peace in the land

and the story continues in another life.

The End!