361/365 Alone, yet surrounded by people

I woke early this morning - about 6:15 AM to a crowded but quiet house. I crept about, gathered my things, and went for a slow solo run with my newest soundtrack purchase. A quirky set of songs - everything from a torch song rendition of My Husband Makes Movies by Marion Cotillard to a club mix of Be Italian and a rap/hip-hop version of Quando, Quando, Quando with Fergie and a Pea. We had a good time on the trail, the soundtrack and I, putting in 5 miles and returning before anyone woke up. Then the visiting cousins, my family and my mom convened for a Sunday Cracker Barrel breakfast. A table for 8 took the better part of an hour to secure, and the store/restaurant was so packed we couldn't find a spot to wait inside. Surrounded by people. Post breakfast we returned home to practice our tunes for a re-wedding of the children of a school friend. It was a precious ceremony, complete with bride and groom's kids as the flower duo. The wedding party, musicians, and guests all herded to the mother of the groom's house, a block away, for a standing-room-only reception. Great food, a lovely Victorian home, and plenty of conversation. Surrounded by people. Having my fill of crowds today, I retreat to my bed where I'll make room for the husband, daughter and two cats, surrounded again. Sometimes it's a bit chaotic, and I am glad that I can steal a moment or a run alone, but I'm thankful that I'm not lonely!

337/365 I hate it. I love it. I miss it.

Our routine for the last few years was "Feet on the pavement by 5:15 AM, 'Bucks (Starbucks) and back before 7 AM." Our 5 mile round-trip jaunt, including a 20 minute sip and chat over coffee was always completed in plenty of time for his shower and 1.5 mile commute to school. In August we became the parents of a high-schooler, and then I became a full-time commuting teacher. I'm on my way to school by 6:55. Only a 4:20 AM departure would make the morning 'Bucks and back possible, and even I'm not that crazy. We try to make it to the YMCA, squeezing in a 30-40 minute treadmill session. Even that requires a 4:45 wake-up and 5:00 exit. And without the promise of some hot java waking that early is even more painful. Our evenings are blessedly jammed with rehearsals, so the after-school hours aren't available for this routine. Even with all these obstacles, my feet yearn to move, and the 1/2 marathon and Gate River Run dates loom on the next few calendar pages.

335/365 Time Travel Needed

As a ghost in scenes from Scrooge at Saturday's Clay County Christmas, I will be the guide for Ebenezer's time travel. Wish I could take advantage of that myself. I had an achy, sick daughter in the car on the way to Grandma's by 6:15. Taught all day, stayed late for extra help, then skipped an Oliver rehearsal to take the girl to the Solantic. The first headache she's ever had in 15 years turns out to be a nasty sinus infection. Solantic was on the costumer's side of town so we stopped in for my penultimate fitting. Busy weekend ahead and my girl and I feel less than stellar. No time to get sick!

334/365 The End of a Busy Month

As November fades into memory, I look back on a very eventful month. The first full month back in the classroom. What a trip that has been! I'm loving it! The kids are wonderful, my co-teacher is great, and the school is a fabulous place to work, even if it is attached to a rather confusing public school hierarchy. I've had performance opportunities with chorus, solo work, and upcoming theater. I've traveled a bit and fulfilled contract work for some new companies. And today marks six months since my miracle happened. Six months since the surgery that gave me back the other half of my heart and soul, and he's his old self, for better or for worse. And what a life we have together.

328/365 Teach, Rehearse, Teach, Drive, Teach

A full calendar is a good thing!

325/365

And I love it. 2 rehearsals and a concert today. Making preparations for my most thankful Thanksgiving ever in between. I love it!

324/365 But I have a good excuse!

Red eye flight. Landed at 8:40 AM. Home and shower, down to school board office for photo i.d. and insurance plan meeting. Taught the afternoon, transport daughter to drama rehearsal. Changed at theater, then off to call for concert. Too tired to blog, but with 328/365 done...totally cheating and back-dating this one!

205/365 Home..for 33 Hours

Project 365 is more than half way through, and I've really appreciated the way it forces me to document my days. It was particularly helpful in re-creating the timeline for Injury 2009. Some days, it's tough to find the right photo. I worked in Michigan City, Indiana until 4 PM, hopped 2 regional jets, and arrived home after 11 PM. My mind was whirling as I left the airport, because I'm due back there in 33 hours for our week in Hawaii. As I drove the to do list was forming in my head. I remembered to snap a photo for the day, though!

131/365 Dinner on the Run

Running around. Running to pick up IG and friends at school. Running to get them some dinner, then running them to dance class. Running to the running store for running shoes. Running to rehearsal. Eating on the run too. Making this all fit together like some kind of a puzzle done on the run.

119/365 It's not like I wasn't busy

There were plenty of photo ops today. My exhilarating run this morning, my shopping trip for the play and cast party, my readying the stage for dress rehearsal, the swarms of kids with NEEDS at the dress rehearsal, my ride to the costume shop for the returns and repairs, my blocking and musical rehearsals for Into the Woods. I just didn't shoot any of those things. So I resort to the pet pic. Hansel, who lives without the burden of intelligence, decided to attack my water bottle. I took it away before he bit through. I also caught a "couple" drying themselves off by the birdbath, I'm pleased that they like the facilities.

117/365 tired

Today I ran to school, picked up the 10 Genie Dancer costumes, and ran them to the shop on Parental Home and Beach. I stopped at Whole Foods ( we love their Bagels) and then came down to school. Onstage I moved the soundboard, installed and taped down the 50 foot VGA cord and relocated 2 hanging microphones. I ran to the printer to pick up the t-shirt order, then returned to sound-check the system and set the stage for rehearsal. By 5:15 all 80 or so kids were dismissed, and we had time to shut the lights and clear the scenery. Down to San Marco for a quick Moe's stop and then Into the Woods from 7-10 PM. Back home: laundry, lunch preparation, feed cats, empty dishwasher, homework check. He looks as tired as I feel. Off to bed.