Seven Quick Takes Friday Vol. XVII

I.

It's audition time again; this time for The Music Man. Singing "Storybook", per usual. Auditions are tomorrow at 5:00. Not sure how long I'll be there, but we have to be prepared to dance,  which always strikes fear into my heart.

II.

On Sunday I'm doing a LOOP talk with a friend of my family's, whose infant son was an organ donor (He was part of a domino transplant at Children's). The talk is at her church at 9:00, so a bit early for me. But it's for a good cause. Sunday is also the CFF's bowl-a-thon around here.

III.

Voice lessons going very well. I'm working on so many pieces right now, plus I'm singing in a production of "Messiah", which is in late December. It's just the Christmas section, and I've sung 95% of the choruses before. Vocally, I'm in good shape here.

IV.

My grandpa came home from the hospital yesterday--yay!

V.

I'm also preparing for summer auditions (yes, already). Today I received the 1994 cast recording of Oliver! plus the 1968 movie. I would love to sing Nancy, so I want to prepare really well for this audition. I'm working on "As Long As He Needs Me" in voice, so I should have that ready by May.

VI.

Books: I'm on a Thomas More kick. I read "A Daughter's Love" last week and now I have "The King's Good Servant, but God's First", which came with the Oliver! stuff today (oh Amazon, how I love thee).

VII.

It is almost 70 degrees here. In mid-November. I'll take that.

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Vol. X

I.

Going to see The Ugly Truth with Tiffany tonight, following dinner at Bob's (hope my sister is working!). A nice way to end a crazy week.

II.

Not really crazy, I've just been so tired. No idea why.

III.

Wrapping up the evening early tonight, since the Dash for Donation is at 7:45 tomorrow! I will be doing the 5K. You can still register tomorrow! So come on out!

IV.

Reading: Finishing Abigail and John. That's been sitting on the nightstand a wee bit too long.

V.

TV/DVD: Almost done with the second season of Pushing Daisies. Talk about a show that was cancelled too soon! Do yourself a favor and rent/buy the two seasons that are out on DVD. Warning: It will make you very hungry for pie.

VI.

Making one of Rachael Ray's pizzas tomorrow night. Not sure how many I will have for dinner, but the ingredients include ricotta and mozzarella cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and other yummy things. So it sounds good to me!

VII.

Also working on some new piano music. Been a long time since I've tickled the ivories.

The Simple Woman's Daybook--August 9, 2009

(doing a day early so I don't forget! And I'm using Elizabeth's prompts, because they are awesome)

Outside My Window ...

The sun is starting to set, the trees are green and happy, and it has been a lovely (but hot!) day.

***

I am listening to...
Silence, and birds singing outside.

***

To Live the Liturgy...

Big week!

St. Lawrence: August 10

St. Clare: august 11 (foundress of the Poor Claires)

Maximilian Kolbe: August 14

And the Solemnity of the Assumption: August 15

So with all these, I'm going to go to a lot of Noon Masses this week!
***
To Fit and Happy...

The Dash for Donation is on Saturday, and I'm doing the 5K. Will I see you there?

***

I am thankful for...
quiet Sundays spent in prayer.
~
***

I am pondering ...

How to more successfully incorporate prayer into my daily life.
***

From the kitchen ...
This week:

M: Israeli Spice Chicken and tomato salad

T: A Russian Passport: Potatoes and Onions; red radish salad (I do love radishes)

W: pasta w/ lemon oil and red onions

Th: Honey mustard BBQ chicken; Butter Bean Salad; Corn on the Cob with chili and lime (AKA, "Di's Dinner", that

she made one night whilst I was visiting. So good.)

I am wearing ...

Jeans, a blue Gap tank top

***

I am creating ...
A daily program of prayer

***
On my iPod...
lots of Josh Groban right now, and my gym playlist.

***

I am thinking...
It will be a good week. It will be a good week!
***

Around the House

SERIOUS cleaning last night with the parents'. Lots of stuff tossed, the carpets were very well vacuumed, and things look very nice. I SHALL KEEP IT THIS WAY!

.***

I am reading ...

Lots of things. :) But will be attempting to make progress on the every-growing "To Read" pile. And will finish my re-read of The Time Traverler's Wife before I go see the movie this weekend.

***

I am hoping and praying ...
For lots of people! Sarah; Josh R.; Stephen, my bf Liz's brother who is in the military and has been sent to Iraq.

***

On Keeping Home ...

these candles look awesome. Thanks for the link, Liz!

Hanging up my clothes right after I wear them makes life easier. I should remember that.

***
One of my favorite things ...
A quiet Sunday; peach iced tea.

***

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Lots of gym. Lots of noon Mass. So that means Mass during lunch break and gym at night.

Still studying for Sacraments midterm. Have to find a proctor for that ASAP.

Theater auditions for Wizard of Oz (Columbus Children's Theater) tomorrow and Tuesday. We'll see how it goes.

Dash on Saturday morning!

***

Picture thought

The sunflowers outside the barn at Shepherd's Corner, where we had our parish council retreat.

Be sure to visit Peggy for more daybooks!

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Vol. VIII

I.

A full-proof method for getting the sink really clean: put in dish soap, fill with water, let soak for 20 hours. Sink will be amazingly shiny with no work from you.

II.

In the "things I am loving" catagory: Peach iced tea. My cousin, Di, whose adorable daughter is seen here, turned me on to the mix. She uses one from Kroger, but I use Target's Market Pantry. It is sooo good. I think I'm drinking 2 quarts every five days. And it's sugar free, so better for me that soda.

III.

Things that are also better than soda: Going to the gym. On Thursday I went for the first time since coming back from vacation (I know, I know, how very slackerly) but I didn't GAIN any weight, and actually managed to lose two pounds! I am thanking the hot weather, Baby Suze (carrying a babe around is great for the upper arms), and the copious amounts of water, gatorade and iced tea that I drank over vacation. And our constant out and about trips, so there was no time to snack.

Gym is going very well--did almost 2 miles on the treadmill hill program today. I signed up for the Dash for Donation 5K in August, so I better get up to three miles before then. The chances of that look good.

IV.

Summer reading update No.4: Finished Spindle's End. It sort of dragged in the middle but the end almost made me cry! Once Rosie discovers who she is, the story picks up very quickly. Also finished The House At Sugar Beach, by Helene Cooper, about her family's life in Liberia before her mother and two of her sisters fled to the U.S. to escape the mounting violence. Again, almost cried at the end. (Not sure why.) Very well written. Still reading Abigail and John, and am about to start Beyond the Miracle Worker, about Anne Sullivan Macy, Helen Keller's teacher. I've always been interested in both their stories. I found this book at Brazos, but I haven't seen it anywhere else. Another good book about her is Miss Spitfire, which, while written for the YA crew, is great for anyone interested in Anne's life.

V.

Have not seen the new Harry Potter yet--am going tonight w/ Tiff and her boyfriend. Shoudl be good, will post thoughts sometime this weekend. I really loved this book so I am a bit disappointed about the things I have been hearing! But I shall take them with a grain of salt (or, in Tiff and I's case, many grains of salt) until I see it myself in about two hours.

VI.

Speaking of boyfriends--date with boy again tomorrow. Planning on going to the Jazz and Rib Fest, which means I will wear black to disguise any inevitable BBQ spills. (Yes, they will happen. Trust me.) Weather looking iffy so we'll see what happens in regards to timing.

VII.

Is it just me, or did July go fast? Maybe it's because I took a week off, but man. It seems like it was just the Fourth, and we are barreling into August.

Have a good weekend, y'all.

The Simple Woman's Daybook--May 25, 2009

For Monday, May 25,2009

Outside my window...
It's almost dark, but it was a very pretty day. HOT though, about 86. 

I am thinking...
That it was a great weekend. Do I have to go back to work? (answer: Yes)

I am thankful for...
My family, days off

From the kitchen...
I finished brioche today. 

To live the liturgy...
Magnificat, Bible reading, rosary, St. Francis prayer book 

I am wearing...

>A raspberry colored tank top, and shorts

I am creating...
A new short story

I am going to breathe deeply ...
And relax--work will be fine!

Bringing beauty to my home ...
the house is clean!

I am going...

to take my pills, have a snack and go to bed. 

I am reading...

Sense and Sensibility, David Copperfield

I am hoping...
For a good, sane week. 

I am hearing...
The Star Trek soundtrack (n the car)

One of my favorite things...
Jane's books :) 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Classes in general...

W: Volunteering at LOOP

Th: Post-tx CF clinic

Speech recap

So, I gave my first speech for LOOP last night in an educational setting; I had done one before for their Candlelight Vigil in April. This was a bit easier because it was less formal. I didn't have any note cards--totally off the cuff, but since I was talking about myself, it's not as impressive as it sounds (if it sounds impressive at all).

There were about 20 people there (but there was food for 40!). I think it was a bible study or fellowship group. Lauren, from LOOP, did most of the talking--about how donation works, what can be donated, who can donate, etc. I was the "human interest" angle. I made the group laugh a few times, which is always my goal, and I answered a few questions. The whole thing lasted about 40 minutes. The group was very good, mostly people from 40-60ish, and they asked a lot of questions.

I had a lot of fun doing it and I hope I get to do it again. Spreading the word is so important. So, if you're not an organ donor, click here.

Upcoming

Three things:
--Recap of my speech tonight
--Lion King Culture Cat
--Bookshelf--The Other Queen

See what you have to look forward to?
Oh, and if you like/hate/ are indifferent about the new blog look, let me know.

Speech! Speech!

Tomorrow I am giving a speech for LOOP at Summit Station United Methodist Church.
I'm excited, since, as y'all know, I love to talk. :)

5Ks...and other things

I think I'm going to do the Race for the Cure in May. We'll have to see how motivated I am, because I don't want to just do it (I know I can walk it), I want to do it well. So that means more hitting the treadmill, and going outside once Tiff is home and I can walk with her and the canines. And there's the Dash for Donation in July, which is always a Big Event for me.

Speaking of LOOP stuff, tomorrow is the annual Candlelight Vigil, so if you're in town, come out! I'm working the food tent pre-event (I know, I know...I will not eat all the cookies, I will not eat all the cookies!). It's a great event and we'd like to see many people!

I am on a book binge. I have so many books yet to read it's sort of ridiculous. I think I've got about four working currently. Yikes.