Oh it has been so very very long!

Well, in my defense, I've been very very busy. You see, there was the show at Lyco, then a whole bunch of DRAMA outside of the theatre world to deal with, and well, now I am on to Thoroughly Modern Millie at CTL. Which, by the way, I think is going to be pretty AMAZING- not because of me, but because of the CREW, CAST, CHOREOGRAPHER- they are all pretty darned awesome! I am just there as a facilitator really, which is totally ok by me!

Anyways, so I've been really sick lately- which isn't cool since the kids are already in "summer-mode" and now I was out Friday, and then today (Monday), and I still feel pretty darn crummy. Tomorrow should be a blast! Kirsten has been a pistol too lately! First there was the gala incident, where Jared was kind enough to baby sit, and she threw a MASSIVE Hissy fit- complete with kicking her bedroom wall and demanding that I come home. Not ok! Her punishment was NO TV for the next day (and it was a weekend- ouch). BJ was out for the day, so in the end I think it punished me more than anyone.

Now she is in this- I don 't want mommy to leave mode- which is completely uncool when Mommy has a show to rehearse, or is really really sick. She is also doing this whole "I don't want ot go to school, I want to hang out with mommy" thing. SO........... she says she has a stomach ache (and DO NOT judge me- I have mommy senses, and KNOW she is lying).... so I convince her that I towel under her jammies cures a tummy ache. It worked a month ago- I keep playing that card! Tonight- we are getting ready for bed, and she tells me she doesn't want ot go to school tomorrow- she looks around the room- sees her ear drops from her last ear infection and announces "MY EAR HURTS!" My child is a genious- but I can one up her! I pretend to put ear drops in her ear, stuff some cotton in, and call it a night! Dishonest, yes- but my child is asleep!

On the plus side, since I can admit that dragging your 5 year old to rehearsals until 9:30 and then the next night leaving her with a sitter isn't the best parenting- PLUS then I have had a fever for 4 days so I have totally ignored her- I decided to be good mommy today. We played games, cooked dinner together, and put away all of her winter clothes. Good mommy points, right there.


It is a DAMN good thing 5 year olds don't keep score. Off to school and then rehearsal tomorrow. Good God I am so tired!

Blessed

OK, that is so not a word I use often. I don't like it- I think people throw it around too freely. But seriously, I am. I ahve had friends helping me with my set until all hours of the night. People iving up free time to come and help me work on my show. And my husband has been holding down the fort very well. The house has not fallen to shambles. He has brought me dinner, straightened up the house, played with Kirsten, and even done laundry. No complaints at all. This might have something to do with the 5 weeks of shows he has coming up- but I will take it! I feel so much better knowing how supported I am. If it weren't for BJ and my friends I would be so much farther down the path to crazy. Hmmm, suddenly 15-17 hours a day at school don't seem so bad!

ugh.........

Here we go- tech week. So much to do, and so little time! And of course, instead of resting up the night before I go into battle, I CAN'T SLEEP! Not cool!

It's gonna be a long week. Wish me luck.

Roller Coaster WARNING!

Or is it watch? Which is more severe? I never remember.

At any rate, I will be posting an official (facebook) warning. Everything is official once it is on facebook. It will read: Dear friends, family, associates, and students: If there was ever a week where I might just flip my lid, we are entering it right now. The official RIS warning would read: A definite high anxiety and monthly hormone induced tornado is currently forming over the greater Williamsport Area. Expect increased irritability along with lessened patience and absolutely NO sense of humor. Sleep deprivation and a sense of guilt and inadequacy will prevail through the week, resulting in mental breakdowns and screaming fits for no apparent reason. People should avoid contact at all costs. If you have no choice but to come in contact with Ris you should take the following precautions: allow extra time to get through to her, bring some snacks in case of an extra long tirade, have cell phone so a friend can bail you out if needed, and keep extra blankets and a flashlight on hand because, well, you just never know. The sever Ris watch is in effect immediately and is expected to last at least until March 6th, but most likely it will not be lifted until March 13th at approximately 9:30pm.

Don't get me wrong. I love my job, and all that I have to do. I have created my own standards, and thus, my own monster. Kids must be pushed, people MUST strive for success. No one should strive for mediocrity. BUT- people also need to be supportive and positive for one another. On my playground, EVERYONE plays nice. Otherwise- well, you just aren't welcome in my sandbox. There will NO backstabbing or feelings of superiority in my sandbox.

I am also suffering from a case of: seriously? why couldn't I have Kirsten during a season OTHER than musical season. Tomorrow should be HER DAY! Instead, I have an all district choir concert (stress upon stress), and my husband has a meeting for his summer show. These are our jobs- and by choice, and we love it. BUT poor Kirsten. I totally made up for it with her gifts (which in the end is unacceptable, but will have to do for now). So, yeha- tomorrow, my body is at All District, but my heart is with my baby, wanting to blow out the candles.

So with that said: I must write sub plans, fold laundry, plan a rehearsal for a NON-MUSIC SUB, plan a rehearsal for another concert- oh that's tomorrow night, find something for dinner, figure out what I am going to wear, and find the strength to not flip out of anyone- even if they DEFINITELY DESERVE IT!

Wish me luck.. Have a great week.

People who FREAKING AMAZE ME!

I am blessed, because what was once a very short list, is now so much longer. Remaining on the short list is of course my immediate family (BJ, Kirsten), my less immediate family (mom, dad, lisa, and on occasion little bro Richie), and my closest friends. I am terribly missing my work "partner in crime"- my right arm, the one who completes my thoughts and takes care of all of the crap that I am incapable of and totally disinterested in. In a year or two, I plan on having her back!

And with that sadness of missing my Stef, I am amazed by the kindness of others. Ed and Reen, the busiest people I know- Reen is getting ready to open her show, with sets and props made by her and Ed, sound by Ed, light by Ed. Where was Ed tonight? At my school- putting together an entire set in 4 hours. FOUR HOURS! The two nights before he was putting parts together at his house until God knows what time. There are so many generous people in this world- but to me, time is one of the most difficult things to be generous with. Believe me- I give up a lot of time to help others- but Ed and Reen- they take the cake! So much would never get done without them!

I am also amazed by some of my new work family. I have a great "work husband" that I can rely on for anything (and his wife amazes me too for so many reasons- one of those people I aspire to be more like), the other music teacher is a sheer joy, and so easy to work with. The home ec teacher has been slaving over costumes with a smile on her face. And I can't forget the spunky art teacher, who has been teaching for many more years than I. She's in early, stays late- does extra stuff for the kids, and always has coffee on (a huge bonus!). She is a model teacher, and just a plain old hoot to be around!

Kirsten and BJ have just headed into the worst two weeks. The two weeks when mommy isn't around to play Princess Wii games with and to put Kirsten to bed. When there's no dinner on the table unless daddy makes it. I can make up for it this weekend with birthday shopping and a little cleaning (an apparently there's a snow day coming- seriously??? I have no time for that). But the resilience of a family for a few weeks- for a sake of one family member's work, hobby, and passion- well, that's pretty amazing too. Don't worry- I make up for it during marching season.

So, those are the people who amaze me. I will not cloud the happy post with the list of people who amaze me with BAD things- there are a lot of those too! For now I am very grateful for the people in my life who amaze me in a good way.

Goodnight!

Ah, the joys of Middle Schoolers and 4 year olds...

So, it's less than three weeks until our show, and I thought we were in great shape on Thursday. We cleaned dances like nobody's business. It was fabulous, it was efficient, it........ didn't show one tiny bit today! Arggggggggh! The kids are working really hard, but they are so no used to my way of working! And I just need everyone to trust me! Yes, I have done this before, and yes-I do in fact know what I am doing.

And of COURSE- since it is crunch time and I have every single SECOND of the next three weeks planned out- I get a migraine- and a doozy too! No time for this! My body is forcing me to rest up tonight- going to bed at 8pm is some serious rest for me!

On to something funnier- Kirsten looks at herself in the mirror, does a turn, and says "How come I am straight like my cousins?" I asked what she meant- and again she says, "Well, I am straight but you and Daddy aren't". I totally know where this is going, but still I ask her to explain. Her response: "I'm not saying you guys are FAT, but you aren't straight". She proceeded to point out all of my not straight parts.

She is so lucky she is cute! Tomorrow, school, moving lumber, and building..... Every other night this week- PAINTING SETS!

Stress, zits, and speaking your mind

Yeah, it's a pretty random subject line. That's ok by me. So, I've been a lazy blogger again- however those who know me know that I am nothing but lazy. I'm too busy to be lazy. Hmmm- that so very much reminds me of a song from Nichol's Worth..... anyways..... We are smack dab in the middle of musical season (which I LOVE)- but being in a new setting has upset my apple cart in ways I could have never imagined. I feel as though I am so behind- and yet, perhaps I'm not. I have become stressed by others. Others are MAKING me feel as though other things should be done. And I am letting them. My fault, my bad, whoopsie-poo! So, I decided to give up NEGATIVITY for Lent. I'm not real good iwth the whole Lent/religion thing- but there are a few things I try, and this is going to be one of them. it's not going that well, but it's a good effort- I guess that counts.

So yeah, the subject line. I am allowing myself to become stressed- and in my defense I totally should be stressed. I have bizarro things going on at work, a house to take care of, a job, a husband I should be makign time for, a show, a little girl to play with, responsibilities outside of school that I LOVE- then a talent show to produce and things I have and want to sing for and and and..... Dude, I am supposed to be stressed (and I wouldn't want it any other way)! BUT MAN- I am almost 33. I have to dye my hair to cover the grey, and I worry about wrinkles around my eyes. Seriously??????? Why oh why is stressing causing zits at my age???? And these sucker have their own zip code- they are out of control! And that makes me even more stressed. Sheesh- I though once you got to greays and wrinkles tou were done with zits! UNFAIR mother nature- UNFAIR!

Have you ever seen the movie Liar, Liar? It rocks. Actually, it's quite silly- but the premise is great. I've been told that I just need to speak my mind (this is funny because I never shut up- so one would assume that I already do speak my mind). However, I've been faking it (no, not that) for a long long time. So, Liar, Liar- the dude can ONLY speak the truth. Even when it isn't polite. The problem is, if I do that- the person who suggested it is going to be pretty angry! SO- Rewind your day- how many friends or coworkers would now be your enemy if you were forced to speak your mind? Food for thought. And now to bed. After I use zit cream.