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My Very Kool Daze

In a week we will be at this lovely house in Mexico with our entire gang. WOOT! WOOT! It'll be our first time to take a big trip out of the country with the whole family. (I think I love destination weddings).

My life has been full of crazy daze. It's been fun, and slightly stressful (HAH--slightly). I've been working at the school as a music consultant [slash] accompanist and the spring concert is this coming Thursday. I'm very excited and anxious to see if the results of my "consultations" will be pleasing. Trust me when I say, there will be a noticeable difference... I think.

I have been also getting deep into rehearsals for Victor/Victoria. The dancing is fantastic and challenging and... and... well, I am enjoying it very much. I just never know what I'm capable of until I jump into something and try it. I don't have an automatic confidence in my abilities, because I like things to be done well... and when you take a few decades off to bear and raise children, you just don't know for sure what you can do anymore.

We'll, I've been experiencing great challenges in my ability to memorize. It's very good for this 42 year old brain. I'm not always happy with my shortfalls, but I'll get it. I am able to do all the dance moves... for the most part. That makes me feel very pleased. And maybe... maybe the muffin top will shrink or even disappear as I'm working on this show. Saturday was a 3-hour dance rehearsal. Ouch. But oh so good!

I've also been working on music, both playing and singing, more than I have since... since college, really. I am inspired! I thank Mitch, Paula, Jayne and Eric for believing in me and pushing me in the variety of ways... but also my all-encouraging friends and family. (I sound like I'm accepting some kind of award). It just feels like a time of fruitfulness for me. Life is not always like this, but I love it when it is.

Last night, Jennah and I went into NYC to see Mary Poppins, thanks to Sohailah who ROCKS!! It's a great show. Jennah loved it. We got home at 1:45 am. AGH! But it's always worth it. I can't believe I spent $4 on a large twix bar. SUCKER!!!

Today was great! This morning breakfast made for me before I had to head out to play the organ. The house was tidied up! And dinner, this evening, was FABULOUS!!! Filet mignon with the family favorite "Margareth" potatoes and cucumber salad. I ate too much. And now there is apple pie to eat as well. (So much for losing the muffin top). I also got a bunch of presents. I have such wonderful kids (and a GREAT HUSBAND).

Luke is home from college. He came last night. Terry and Nate drove up the 8 hours to pick him up and drove the 8 hours home all in one day. The suburban was filled to every last inch of space. Crazy kid. It's so nice to have him home... although he doesn't really have a place to sleep anymore. The poor boy lost all his space once he stepped out the door for college.

One more thing, on Friday we celebrated my oldest brothers birthday (which is actually today). He turned 50. He started the entrance into the new decade. I'm not sure how I feel about that. We made him a very large gold "50 Chain" to wear around his neck. He will pass on the mantle as the next sibling hits the mark. FIFTY!!! I don't know. I kind of like the 40s decade. I've gotten to do so much more than when I had all the little children or when we were poor newlyweds, or college students. Well, those days were amazing too--but this time of my life is quite good.

Tomorrow marks the last day I'll be working for the census-THANK YOU JESUS!

Friday, Jennah together with the other Student Council Members held a Family Fun Night at the school which consisted of games and prizes and more games. They did a great job.

So, all of this... and I didn't take a single picture. That's always a sign of my being overwhelmed.

These are some of my very kool daze of late.

My Weekend (last wknd) beginning with most recent

This is my Aunt Harriet who does have favorites. The only grand niece (Caleigh) who is willing to crawl up in her lap gets to be the favorite.
My sister (Jane) and brother-in-law (Gary) restored my grandfathers old sea chest and gave it to their son (Kris) and daughter-in-law-to-be as a hope chest. SO COOL!
Bride-to-be (Jamie) at her shower.
The Lovely Couple... Kris snuck into the bridal shower party!! tsk tsk
The inside of the hope chest was lined with cedar... and gifts.
Sarah (far right) is Jane's daughter, Jane is laughing, Jennah is mine... and just as tall as they are.
Me and my girls--traded out Anika for Candace (my niece).

I was the ONLY person at this party (not counting two of my girls) who didn't put on any makeup or nail polish. I felt really out of place. HAHA
In-laws-to-be in two short weeks.
Jamie is too much fun! So is Aunt Harriet, but in a very different kind of way.
Cousins (Candace, Aubri and Anika).
Jane and Aunt Harriet.
My girls!
Jennah is still in her "blue steel" mode from a few nights earlier (wait for it...).
The Boat House, where the shower was held, was beautiful, inside and out. (Let's not talk about the glass that had the spiderweb and egg sack in the bottom of the glass of orange juice).
Lizzy, Lizzy, Lizzy! My brown-eyed wonder.
And Anika, too, with her baby blues.
Switching modes!

Friday night was a fashion show held at the school by the Honor Society to raise funds for Katy Stewart, who has been battling cancer for 2.5 years. (She's doing well btw).

Katy is dressed in the black and pink dress with her friend Emma.
These are all the girls who modeled close from a local shop, Medusa's in East Hampton.
Anika and Ciena were getting their divas on.
Anabel and Jennah were practicing their smiles.
The elegant silver formal attire...
Jennah was doing "fierce" here.
Hochstedler and Hostetter...



Caleigh really, really wanted to do the cat walk! Maybe in a few years.
A BIG THANK YOU to Eric Jacobson for giving the students a crash course on modeling. It was so awesome! They all looked gorgeous. Sorry I didn't have the time or patience to post all the dresses and models. You can see them on my facebook page.