Sometimes a girl just needs to shop

I have been having some problems with my voice which has sent me into a major anxiety attack -- three days worth. I go to the doctor on Thursday morning to have it checked out. Today I decided to get away and do a little shopping. I ended up mostly looking, but I did find a great sweater on sale for next year. (I love thick, winter cable sweaters, and this was exactly that!) Also, I picked up a book called Blue Like Jazz. I have already read half of it, and I must say it is great. I know it has been out there for a bit of time now, but I don't have a TV or get the paper so I am rather behind the times. It is great reading and would probably hit home with people from many different backgrounds and walks of life. Not much else happened today so that is it. Oh, I also want to celebrate the fact that while unusual, I have accepted these oddities about myself.

1). I don't like already-made chocolate milk .
2). I don't like chocolate ice cream, unless it has Heath pieces in it.
3). Organizing stresses me out.
4). Pizza is at the bottom of my list.
5). I think laugh tracks are utterly degrading.
6). Hot weather is my idea of Heaven.
7). McDonald's cheeseburgers and fries are my secret indulgences.
8). I absolutely loathe driving.
9). I very much admire map-reading and direction skills.
10). I am drawn toward melancholy temperments.
11). My dad is a superhero in my eyes. I think he is the true standard of a man.

Cast Party!

Mark and Mike chowing down on some good southern cookin'.
Two Southern Belles. Amy is a true one.

The girls of the cast. No, Wendy's hair is not really grey.
Becky, our music director, is a true kindred spirit. Yes, mom, she spirals too!
Here I am posing with the two sassiest girls in Georgia, Bethany and Melissa.
We three girls had a Mexican feast the other night so we were showing off our latin moves.

Lamar has no lines yet is an amazing actor. He's my buddy.

Strike a pose!

On Friday night, Wendy (Hannah in the play) had a cast party at her mansion of a house. It was so much fun! We hung out and had a blast together. Melissa is a friend from the first show I did at this theatre. She and her husband came to the show and to the party. It was great to see her again. I can't say enough how much like my cast and enjoy the time I spend with them on and offstage. Here are a few pics.

After 31 years...

So, today was a great day. When it is 80 degrees and sunny, it is always a great day to me. The other reason is because I met two of my relatives on the Reed side. Janie is a second cousin (i think), and she and her husband Jerry live here in Atlanta. She is absolutely wonderful. She is just like Betty (for Olevia, Lori, and Pat). She is actually a pretty remarkable story. She is in the hospital right now finishing up her last treatments against lukemia. She is now cancer free! The doctors are waiting for her white blood cell count to go up so she can leave. She is also a ovarian cancer survivor -- that was in the last two years. She looks great, is positive and happy, and has a contagious laugh. She and Jerry were so fun to visit. After three and a half hours, I figured I should let them rest; although, I could have stayed for another three hours. This is the first time I have ever met them, and it was wonderful. I only wish I could have met them earlier. Mom, dad, and I hope to visit them one more time before I leave Georgia.

I also have to write that I am so thankful about my mom. We had a scare a few weeks ago with her. She had some melanoma (sp?) in her leg. The doctor removed it and a lymph node, and we were pretty scared. The results came back, and everything was negative for cancer! I am so so so thankful. Cancer runs rampant in our family so it is something we have to be very conscious of. My mom is my absolute best friend, and I love her so much. When scares like that happen, it really puts things in perspective and makes you realize how insignificant so many day-to-day troubles are. Seeing Janie and her great attitude was a reminder of that as well. I am so thankful for my great family, their strong faith, and great attitudes. I am blessed.

College reunion

Sunday night I met up with my old college buddy, Wes. It was so good to see him again and catch up on life. It had been over five years since I last saw him so we had loads to talk about -- not like we ever didn't. He is a guitar teacher here and is still writing music. Since I am here in Georgia for awhile, we are planning on one more get together. I don't want to sound repetitive, but this job has been one of the best things I've done in a long time. It is absolute renewal for my soul. Tomorrow I am visiting one of my relatives who lives here -- Janie (Ray's daughter & Betty's sister, for the family blog viewers). How often do you get to work a job where you are able to visit people that you haven't seen in years? I am truly feeling blessed!

Opening Night!

The Spitfire Grill cast
Mary Grace and I modeling
Cheers!
The "saintly" group
My beautiful flowers from mom and dad!

"Spitfire Grill" opened this weekend-- successfully! We have had a great time rehearsing the show, and our hard work payed off (or at least the audience seemed like it). After opening show, we went out to a Japanese steak house to celebrate which was a blast. This has been one of the best times I have had in the last year and a half, and it is all because of my cast. They are great and a joy to be around. Mary Grace (see above pic) is a really neat girl. I had met her here when I was here doing the Christmas show in 2006. She has really grown up, but is still just as sweet. The flowers are from mom and dad for opening night. Mom, I know you're not a flower person, but you have no clue how many times a day I smell them. I guess that is the Barb in me -- I just like flowers :) Mike and Becky are the two in the "saintly picture". They work at a church down here, and we have all connected. We are kind of like the three amigos. We are always chatting and joking. Becky is great. My mom met her and said she is very "warm". I think she is, and we have hit it off. Wendy plays "Hannah" in the show. She is great, and I enjoy her on and offstage. Her hair is actually as brown as mine. Ah, what a difference makeup makes!

I am staying in Georgia this week. Computers and cell phones make work easy from about anywhere. Although, I often hold a disdain for technology, I must say I am thankful for email and attachments this week :) Hope everyone is doing well, and I would love to see you at the show. Until then, I am going to head out for a run in my shorts and t-shirt! I love this weather!

Sheer Talent

Here is a pic of the Spitfire Grill cast. I must say that I am in the midst of sheer talent. They are all amazing to work with as actors, singers, and peers. This is hands down the most fun and biggest challenge I have ever had doing a show which makes the process all the better. We are finishing up week two of rehearsals and have already done three full run-throughs of the show. Tomorrow will be four and five. We open next Friday night and run every weekend until May 12. If you are thinking about coming -- do. You will not be disappointed.

On Top of Stone Mountain

This was after we had made it to the top! Where is the water?
Everyone seemed to be taking "breaks" on the trip up so mom thought she would join in.
I was hiding behind the tree in the "enchanted forest." That is what we plan to tell Maggie and Owen .
I'm ahead of mom, prompting her to come on!
Judy and Mom at the top of Stone Mountain

Our week in Georgia was fun. We ate at some great restaurants. Thank you, mom, for the research. There was only one day that it was really sunny, and we took full advantage of it. We started the day at an International Market. It was my idea of Heaven -- fresh spices, fruits, and veggies everywhere! They had a sign posted that said "no pictures" so I didn't take any. Mom said I should have. Yes, she is much more of a daredevil than I. We left there and headed to Stone Mountain for the day. It was really pretty. Mom and I walked it, and I must say it was much more challenging than I thought because of the uneven terrain. Mom did a great job, and I was so proud of her. You definitely need to wear comfortable shoes and not dressy ones or flipflops to make good time. Here are some pics of all of us. We had a great day. I headed back for rehearsal that night which was an absolute blast. Mom and Judy got to see the Lion King and explored a bit of Atlanta while I was in rehearsals. After a fun-filled couple of days, we headed back to Ohio, by way of Lexington. Meg and Kirsten surprised us there. It was so fun to see the kids. Here is a pic of me with Maggie and O. I couldn't find a way to hold Josie in the mix. I'm sure I will learn when she gets a little older. Yes, my eyes were all messed up. Kirsten, I threw out all my old makeup and eye cream, bought new, and my eyes have cleared up. It was an expensive experiment but luckily it worked. Thanks for the advice, sis. "Meg knows" is the coined phrase, I believe.

Back in God's Land

Last week, I headed south to Atlanta, by way of West Virginia. Mom and Judy B. made the first trip with me. We traveled through WV, and I must say, I have never enjoyed a drive like this one. Central Ohio is flat and boring -- fields for miles --, and the landscape can really leave you feeling cheated of beauty. I felt like rejoicing when I got back to mountains and green grass. Here are a few pics from our drive. We even stopped for me to revel in the beauty for a moment. Dad, mom and I were quite amazed that the cows behind us were both standing and sitting. Does that mean it is going to lightning or does your "rain theory" still stand?

We hit Charlotte on our route south. We met up with Jeremy (Judy's son) and his girlfriend for dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Jeremy is an "esquire" -- a lawyer for us normal people-- and seems to be doing quite well in Charlotte. Congrats, Jeremy.
I had the neatest experience at the restaurant where we ate. We had finished our meal and were chatting when I looked over and saw an old friend from the cruise ships. We had worked on my first ship together as singers. He has a great voice and is wonderful to work with. He was a waiter at that restaurant! Isn't that neat? I was so glad to see him, and T, I know you will enjoy these pics. The second one is of us "busting it out."