September 25, 2008
Cooper managed to go to dance again tonight! HURRAH!!! Maybe with the studio running again, and the prospect of good dance parts in the Spring show, and Cymbre on the mend from her bronchitis we can start to get our life back to some kind of normal. However, we are still praying that normal means mom's face isn't numb anymore!
After a third trip to the doctor, and a third antibiotic, Cymbre is finally feeling much better. She is even sleeping in her own bed tonight....instead of propped up on 4 pillows in bed with me. I've had to keep putting her back on the pillows every hour or so to keep her from coughing fits that wake the entire house. I think she will be back in school tomorrow.
Cooper loved dance tonight, and came home saying that they want her to audition for the Spring Show in November. Seems they need their very best tapper to be Bert in their Mary Poppins show. Gee, I think we have a costume already, at least for two chimney sweeps!
Had a really interesting conversation with a mom from the old dance studio today...she brought some things over to be altered and stayed and chatted a while. It appears things are falling apart up there, and Ginny is spending lots of her time at the restaurant with the accountant and some drinks. The money is not coming in, and people are fussing at the office staff. Costumes are around $200 each, (which is way more than I let Ginny bill for) and now the girls at that studio cannot attend the Shock Dance Convention because they have to practice their company dances because they missed during the hurricane. The problem with that is that those master teachers are only in Houston one day, and it's a great opportunity for the dancers. Several of the moms are not happy about having company rehearsals when they could be going to the dance convention. People are really trying to figure out where I took the girls, and several are threatening to quit by Christmas.
On a brighter note, Ms. Andee will be here again on Saturday to work on the solos and duet, and the new studio has given the girls time on Saturday afternoon to run them in the big room.
I have been resting my foot, and spending some time at the sewing machine this past week. The bruising is getting a bit better, but still fairly bad right around the incision. Still swollen, and I really love that ice cast every night at bedtime. Now if those steroids would just make the numbness in my face go away, I might get more done.
Mailed some things to college kids this week, but there is another pile developing on the dining room table....it's a never ending problem I have. This pile seems to be aimed for little ones, and it's getting bigger as I spend more time at the sewing machine. Soon I will mail a box to Caleb for Baby Jack! I still need to dig through the cedar chest for Caleb's baby things.
Next week I have to get started on the solo and duet costumes....finally have most of the pieces. I still have to find taps for Cymbre's saddle shoes, and order rhinestones. Those are more expensive this year so I have waited a bit.
As of yet, Dad has not listed my toe on Ebay, so I guess he thinks I will live for a while longer! Who knows, I seem to be having a bad year.
Here's everyone's notice......Christmas lists are needed by the end of this month. Be aware that Christmas will not be as big this year as we are paying for dance now. I MUST HAVE waist and inseam measurements or there won't be anything to wear on Christmas Eve. I can't just sew all day as my foot swells, so time is limited. Shopping is a REAL TRIAL, so be gentle! I can make it through the grocery store in about an hour and a half, but I assume you don't want cans of soup or pasta for Christmas! At the current rate, we may not make it to Orlando as we have planned. Everyone say your prayers my foot heals, and starts to bend like it needs too.
Well, must go try to get some sleep....after three nights of keeping Cymbre on the pillows and dozing in between, I am pretty tired.
Remember to do something nice for a stranger today....it will make them smile.
Talk to your Heavenly Father too, He misses you.
Love you.
Mom
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Longest Week of My Life!!
September 21, 2008
This has been the longest, most frustrating week of my entire life!
It's been just a week and a couple of days since we endured the wrath of Hurricane Ike! He was certainly angry about something. However, we were ready with all the emergency supplies we needed, but still it was scary when the lights went out, the wind was howling around the house, and hissing thru the front door, the loose guttering was banging against the house up by Shyla's window, and we lost lots of shingles from the roof. This place a REALLY DARK when there is no power. Grant and Christine let us hook the refrigerator into their generator, and that was really kind. Dad contributed our little gas can to gas for the generator, and Christine sent it with the generator to the Woodlands to one of their friends. She didn't know it was ours. We told them it was ok, but Grant showed up with a new can full of gas yesterday.
We got power back for an hour on Saturday night last week, then it was off. That was worse than not getting it back, however, it did cool the house down enough to make it so we could actually sleep. That was good since some of us hadn't slept since the Thursday night before. We got the power again on last Sunday morning, and it lasted until 10pm when it went out. Off for about an hour, it came back on and has mostly remained on since then. There is still no power at the church building, and some of the schools are still having issues. Some areas won't have power back for weeks.
The gas stations are still having problems having gasoline, and the grocery stores are starting to have things, however, the freezer sections, and refrigerator sections are mostly empty. They have to be inspected by the health department before they can be restocked. That makes getting eggs and milk somewhat dodgy. Can't get hotdog buns either. You can get hamburger buns, but not hotdog.
The dance studio is closed until further notice, we drove over there and they have big trees down all along the way so it may be a while before they are back at the studio. The old studio has it's power back, but they still aren't dancing.
The girls have enjoyed being out of school, but they don't want to have to make up the days. So far the state is saying that unless they miss 10 days, they don't have to be made up. Hopefully, we will only miss the 7. They are supposed to go back on Tuesday this week.
We have been working on finishing up the bedrooms for the girls this past week, just have a dresser scarf or two left to do. Then the words on the walls. They are looking really pretty up there.
Cymbre has had bronchitis, and now it is coming back, and she also has a sprain on her arm. We hope she is feeling better by Tuesday.
Cooper is bored, and does her facebook thing several times a day....she is healthy at the moment.
I am falling apart yet again....the old foot endured the storm but is slowly healing and trying to think about learning to bend again. However, this Friday, my right side of my face went numb! A trip to see Dr. Ermac has me on a big dose of steroids for Bell's Palsy. They say the numbness will go away, but it will take a few weeks. And for those of you wondering....NO, I am not drooling! The steroids make your skin feel like someone is pricking you with pins, which makes it really hard to get any sleep.
Well, we have some hurricane pictures, but they are still hiding in the camera. I guess I need to learn how to get them out.
The roof is repaired, and we told Cooper she has to hold her part on better next time....she said she was trying to sleep and was downstairs when it happened. She was, they were in the bedroom with me, and Dad was out on the couch. We weren't really doing much sleeping though.
We did manage to put together a puzzle by candle and oil lamp light. Dad finally finished it this morning....I guess I need a picture of that too for the scrapbooks.
Dad cleaned up the yard and got the shingles out of the trees. Shyla's elephant ears don't like hurricanes much though...took pictures of them also. My hybiscus bushes were so pretty, and now they just look sick...Dad has them propped up but we may just have to get new ones.
I have saved the newspaper from the storm all this week....things you take for granted are suddenly not there when something like this happenes. We sure hope it's a long time before we have to do this again.
Mom
This has been the longest, most frustrating week of my entire life!
It's been just a week and a couple of days since we endured the wrath of Hurricane Ike! He was certainly angry about something. However, we were ready with all the emergency supplies we needed, but still it was scary when the lights went out, the wind was howling around the house, and hissing thru the front door, the loose guttering was banging against the house up by Shyla's window, and we lost lots of shingles from the roof. This place a REALLY DARK when there is no power. Grant and Christine let us hook the refrigerator into their generator, and that was really kind. Dad contributed our little gas can to gas for the generator, and Christine sent it with the generator to the Woodlands to one of their friends. She didn't know it was ours. We told them it was ok, but Grant showed up with a new can full of gas yesterday.
We got power back for an hour on Saturday night last week, then it was off. That was worse than not getting it back, however, it did cool the house down enough to make it so we could actually sleep. That was good since some of us hadn't slept since the Thursday night before. We got the power again on last Sunday morning, and it lasted until 10pm when it went out. Off for about an hour, it came back on and has mostly remained on since then. There is still no power at the church building, and some of the schools are still having issues. Some areas won't have power back for weeks.
The gas stations are still having problems having gasoline, and the grocery stores are starting to have things, however, the freezer sections, and refrigerator sections are mostly empty. They have to be inspected by the health department before they can be restocked. That makes getting eggs and milk somewhat dodgy. Can't get hotdog buns either. You can get hamburger buns, but not hotdog.
The dance studio is closed until further notice, we drove over there and they have big trees down all along the way so it may be a while before they are back at the studio. The old studio has it's power back, but they still aren't dancing.
The girls have enjoyed being out of school, but they don't want to have to make up the days. So far the state is saying that unless they miss 10 days, they don't have to be made up. Hopefully, we will only miss the 7. They are supposed to go back on Tuesday this week.
We have been working on finishing up the bedrooms for the girls this past week, just have a dresser scarf or two left to do. Then the words on the walls. They are looking really pretty up there.
Cymbre has had bronchitis, and now it is coming back, and she also has a sprain on her arm. We hope she is feeling better by Tuesday.
Cooper is bored, and does her facebook thing several times a day....she is healthy at the moment.
I am falling apart yet again....the old foot endured the storm but is slowly healing and trying to think about learning to bend again. However, this Friday, my right side of my face went numb! A trip to see Dr. Ermac has me on a big dose of steroids for Bell's Palsy. They say the numbness will go away, but it will take a few weeks. And for those of you wondering....NO, I am not drooling! The steroids make your skin feel like someone is pricking you with pins, which makes it really hard to get any sleep.
Well, we have some hurricane pictures, but they are still hiding in the camera. I guess I need to learn how to get them out.
The roof is repaired, and we told Cooper she has to hold her part on better next time....she said she was trying to sleep and was downstairs when it happened. She was, they were in the bedroom with me, and Dad was out on the couch. We weren't really doing much sleeping though.
We did manage to put together a puzzle by candle and oil lamp light. Dad finally finished it this morning....I guess I need a picture of that too for the scrapbooks.
Dad cleaned up the yard and got the shingles out of the trees. Shyla's elephant ears don't like hurricanes much though...took pictures of them also. My hybiscus bushes were so pretty, and now they just look sick...Dad has them propped up but we may just have to get new ones.
I have saved the newspaper from the storm all this week....things you take for granted are suddenly not there when something like this happenes. We sure hope it's a long time before we have to do this again.
Mom
Monday, September 8, 2008
Grandma Stuff
September, 8, 2008
OK, Dad says that he is going to sell my toe on ebay when I die because it cost so much! Personally, I think that's a big mistake since I am planning on needing my toe again. And the real killer is that it cost so much and still won't bend!
I have been working on being a grandma lately....done some shopping and some sewing. The little girls are also working on some things for the baby. I still need to look in the cedar chest for Caleb's blessing outfit, and his coming home from the hospital outfit. He has said that he would like to have them....I know that I have all of the ones for each kid, so I just have to find it. Somewhere I have the quilts from Great Grandma for the oldest three, I don't think the little girls necessarily got them. Maybe I can actually get rid of some of this stuff I have been saving.
School is settling into a routine, and we are really enjoying eating dinner together at home as a family. Cymbre says Mom really cooks!
Things at the new dance studio seem to be smoothing out, and they are meeting for a "Plan of Attack" on the girls. Seems they have to figure out how to keep them challenged.
Dad thinks he will try to attend the temple while the girls are at dance one night a week. It's just down the street from the new studio, so he should have time. My foot would just swell up with all that sitting right now, so I will just be resting it at home. I sure do love that ice thing!
Looks like we are in the path for hurricane Ike this week. That should make the new toe hurt!
They are beginning to dig up Spring Cypress in front of our entrance, so everything is always backed up out there....at least the part up by the shopping is mostly done now, and it's 4 lanes with stop lights. Moves traffic much better now.
I have to call California and find out the details about this tap intensive Dad wants to send the girls to in North Carolina. We need to have the finalized dates, then we can make plane reservations, and check with TP on if we can stay with her. I think it would be fun to see her again.
Well, must hobble in and change the laundry...no funny stuff today I guess. Then I have to get Cooper from school.
Everyone have a great week. Love you.
Mom
OK, Dad says that he is going to sell my toe on ebay when I die because it cost so much! Personally, I think that's a big mistake since I am planning on needing my toe again. And the real killer is that it cost so much and still won't bend!
I have been working on being a grandma lately....done some shopping and some sewing. The little girls are also working on some things for the baby. I still need to look in the cedar chest for Caleb's blessing outfit, and his coming home from the hospital outfit. He has said that he would like to have them....I know that I have all of the ones for each kid, so I just have to find it. Somewhere I have the quilts from Great Grandma for the oldest three, I don't think the little girls necessarily got them. Maybe I can actually get rid of some of this stuff I have been saving.
School is settling into a routine, and we are really enjoying eating dinner together at home as a family. Cymbre says Mom really cooks!
Things at the new dance studio seem to be smoothing out, and they are meeting for a "Plan of Attack" on the girls. Seems they have to figure out how to keep them challenged.
Dad thinks he will try to attend the temple while the girls are at dance one night a week. It's just down the street from the new studio, so he should have time. My foot would just swell up with all that sitting right now, so I will just be resting it at home. I sure do love that ice thing!
Looks like we are in the path for hurricane Ike this week. That should make the new toe hurt!
They are beginning to dig up Spring Cypress in front of our entrance, so everything is always backed up out there....at least the part up by the shopping is mostly done now, and it's 4 lanes with stop lights. Moves traffic much better now.
I have to call California and find out the details about this tap intensive Dad wants to send the girls to in North Carolina. We need to have the finalized dates, then we can make plane reservations, and check with TP on if we can stay with her. I think it would be fun to see her again.
Well, must hobble in and change the laundry...no funny stuff today I guess. Then I have to get Cooper from school.
Everyone have a great week. Love you.
Mom
Monday, September 1, 2008
Adventures in the Sewing Room
September 1, 2008
My foot is not swollen to twice the size and numb, so I decided to spend a few minutes writing on my blog....some of my kids think I don't write often enough. I don't think the kids write often enough if you want my honest opinion!
Today has been a day of watching the news, and being grateful that the hurricane didn't hit Houston straight on. We are expecting some rain, but nothing like the folks in Louisiana got today.
Cooper has been sewing her Christmas presents for everyone....I think I have another sewer in the family. She loves to make things, and has done a great job on what she chose to make everyone....she will be excited to hear what ya'll think when you open them.
Cymbre has decided that she likes to iron....I just don't know....I think she is losing it! However, she is keeping a lot of the ironing done, and frankly that's just fine with me. My foot won't stand all those hours anyway...I just pay her some extra allowance to do it.
I finally got the sewing room in some kind of order, there is still some things I would rather clean up better, but my foot limits activity, so I am settling for being able to have a clear path to the sewing machine and seeing the floor! I just don't understand how that room gets so messed up. You would think there is some kind of conspiracy going on in there....I can just see the rotary cutters gathering all the spools of thread during the night and figuring out a plan to involve the lace and ribbon in getting everything else to revolt and leave their homes to create havoc in the room. I mean really, those measuring tapes can really get out of hand quickly once they decide to come unwound! And who knows what could happen with the elastic and the velcro if someone really got them wound up. And just think about all the piles of fabric, and the patterns. I mean really, what would a person do if all the patterns decided to change envelopes? Then there is the glue gun that could really hold something hostage if it got together with the rhinestone glue. Not to mention the label maker....can't you just see everything labeled in some foreign language? And if that tube turner had it's way, who knows what would happen to all the bias tape! Those bobbins could really create problems if they decided to band together and mix the colors up every so often on each bobbin.....what a nightmare that would be. Those appliques could really confuse someone by putting themselves where they were hidden until the clothes were put on....and the lace, let me tell you, it could tie up everything but the spools of ribbon, and if they worked together the place could be like a spider web! The interfacing I have heard has plans to adhere itself to the tissue paper thereby making itself totally useless because it wants a life of leisure. Seems to me, it would be better off doing it's job in a dance costume collar! The tulle I discovered has plans to run away and join the circus because it thinks that the clowns will appreciate it more than I do. I say let it go! And it can take the netting as a traveling companion and I won't mind...! We won't even talk about the feather boas...I still am cleaning those darn feathers up from the Cootie costumes I made three years ago...and the Paris costume just added to the floating feathers in the room everytime the ceiling fan is on. And yes, I have thoroughly cleaned the room several times. The yarn is crying because I have been crocheting while I rest my foot and it doesn't want to be made into afghans and be shipped off where it won't see it's friends anymore. The fleece fabric is threatening to strike if we fringe it's edges anymore, and the velvet had a heart attack just thinking about becoming some weird costume. There are some silk flowers hiding in the corners, and I guess I should bug the room with microphones to find out just what they are plotting....All in all, I think it's a miracle I can walk in the room without being trampled!
And just so you know, I have not taken paid medicine in days... all this craziness comes from my children!
Have a great day, Dad and I love you very much.
Mom
My foot is not swollen to twice the size and numb, so I decided to spend a few minutes writing on my blog....some of my kids think I don't write often enough. I don't think the kids write often enough if you want my honest opinion!
Today has been a day of watching the news, and being grateful that the hurricane didn't hit Houston straight on. We are expecting some rain, but nothing like the folks in Louisiana got today.
Cooper has been sewing her Christmas presents for everyone....I think I have another sewer in the family. She loves to make things, and has done a great job on what she chose to make everyone....she will be excited to hear what ya'll think when you open them.
Cymbre has decided that she likes to iron....I just don't know....I think she is losing it! However, she is keeping a lot of the ironing done, and frankly that's just fine with me. My foot won't stand all those hours anyway...I just pay her some extra allowance to do it.
I finally got the sewing room in some kind of order, there is still some things I would rather clean up better, but my foot limits activity, so I am settling for being able to have a clear path to the sewing machine and seeing the floor! I just don't understand how that room gets so messed up. You would think there is some kind of conspiracy going on in there....I can just see the rotary cutters gathering all the spools of thread during the night and figuring out a plan to involve the lace and ribbon in getting everything else to revolt and leave their homes to create havoc in the room. I mean really, those measuring tapes can really get out of hand quickly once they decide to come unwound! And who knows what could happen with the elastic and the velcro if someone really got them wound up. And just think about all the piles of fabric, and the patterns. I mean really, what would a person do if all the patterns decided to change envelopes? Then there is the glue gun that could really hold something hostage if it got together with the rhinestone glue. Not to mention the label maker....can't you just see everything labeled in some foreign language? And if that tube turner had it's way, who knows what would happen to all the bias tape! Those bobbins could really create problems if they decided to band together and mix the colors up every so often on each bobbin.....what a nightmare that would be. Those appliques could really confuse someone by putting themselves where they were hidden until the clothes were put on....and the lace, let me tell you, it could tie up everything but the spools of ribbon, and if they worked together the place could be like a spider web! The interfacing I have heard has plans to adhere itself to the tissue paper thereby making itself totally useless because it wants a life of leisure. Seems to me, it would be better off doing it's job in a dance costume collar! The tulle I discovered has plans to run away and join the circus because it thinks that the clowns will appreciate it more than I do. I say let it go! And it can take the netting as a traveling companion and I won't mind...! We won't even talk about the feather boas...I still am cleaning those darn feathers up from the Cootie costumes I made three years ago...and the Paris costume just added to the floating feathers in the room everytime the ceiling fan is on. And yes, I have thoroughly cleaned the room several times. The yarn is crying because I have been crocheting while I rest my foot and it doesn't want to be made into afghans and be shipped off where it won't see it's friends anymore. The fleece fabric is threatening to strike if we fringe it's edges anymore, and the velvet had a heart attack just thinking about becoming some weird costume. There are some silk flowers hiding in the corners, and I guess I should bug the room with microphones to find out just what they are plotting....All in all, I think it's a miracle I can walk in the room without being trampled!
And just so you know, I have not taken paid medicine in days... all this craziness comes from my children!
Have a great day, Dad and I love you very much.
Mom
Friday, August 29, 2008
Bionic Mom
Finally, here's the pictures of my bionic toe joint....are you impressed? You should be! Even has fake cartilage in it because I didn't have any of my own when they got in there. For being a bionic toe, the thing sure does hurt! It's still very bruised and swollen, and even though they want me to try to wear a running shoe, there is just no way yet. The best thing is the aircast they gave me that you fill up with ice water and then just elevate the foot and wait for the water to get warm. It's a wonderful thing, since the swelling goes down and I can actually begin to bend my toe. They want me to learn to pick up a magic marker (HA HA!). There is no way at this point. I did go to the physical therapy for two weeks like I was supposed to do, but that was just electrical shock (very low voltage) to help to get rid of the bruising. It did work for that, but the incision is still very sore and bruised. The doctor says I had 90% range of motion on the operating table, but I don't believe her.....I really don't know, I was asleep!
I do wonder how come if I now have a fake joint, why the thing which has no nerve endings hurts so much....some day I may understand.
In other news, and this is a big announcement......I no longer work at the dance studio, and the girls no longer dance there. I resigned a couple of weeks ago, and Ginny just got so vindictive that she started picking on the girls, and we finally left this past week. We found a new studio that will do the office campus PE stuff for Cooper, allow them to student teach, and they don't compete or dance on Sundays. The other thing is that they don't show a bunch of skin on their costuming, and it doesn't cost near as much. The off campus stuff is a mess for this semester, so Cooper is doing a student assistant for her last year's english teacher, and I will still go pick her up. They will have the off campus paperwork sorted out for next semester, so then she will leave the hour earlier. They include private lessons in the tuition costs, and the teachers seem to be willing to work with the girls. They are the top dancers there, and Ms. Amy wants to keep them. Guess we will see.....Ms. Andee is coming here to the house to finish up tap solos for the girls for this year, and we will compete them independently, and the duet they've already done. Then at the new studio, they will also do another duet together, and new solos. It's been quite a mess, but we think we are getting everything sorted out, and are very grateful that the new studio will work with us. Dad is also looking into taking both the girls to outside conventions, and sending them to Mark Goodman's tap intensive in North Carolina. (That will be a good excuse to spend some time with TP.)
I am spending the days since school started resting my foot, and sorting out this dance mess....however, I am going to finish organizing the scrapbook room as soon as my foot wants to learn how to walk up stairs again, and am working on cleaning up the sewing room.
I must admit that I really don't miss all the time I spent up at the studio, and doing stuff at home for the studio.
The girls got their new glasses tonight, and then we went to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner. It was a welcome break.
We are preparing for yet another hurricane in the gulf this next week....I'll take the girls and go to the grocery store and get milk, bread, fruit and any medicine we need tomorrow, and then top up the gas in the van on Monday.
We had to get a new air conditioner motor on the van today, the other one froze up....can't imagine why it did that since it ran on high every time the van started.....I think it just get tired!
I will be soon starting the duet and solo costumes, but don't know what we will do for the new duet and solos. I will have to talk to Ms. Amy.
Dad is out mowing the lawn....it's in the 90's outside and humid! He will be sweaty when he comes in.
Must go hobble in and change the laundry, and do the ice on my foot....it goes numb when it swells to much....that makes it tinglely and then that makes it miserable.
Everyone remember to do something nice for someone else today. It will make your Heavenly Father proud!
Love you.
Mom
Bionic Mom
August 29, 2008
It's been quite some time since I wrote, but I have various reasons for my procrastination! Traveling, more traveling, working, and surgery....
Monday, July 7, 2008
Stairs, Stairs, and More Stairs
July 7, 2008
We have been hearing rumors all over town that Cooper and her mom enjoyed most of their time in NYC, but the dorm life was terrible.
Sources in the shower stall report that there was absolutely no room to even turn around, let alone bend over to wash your flip flop laden feet. And with no bath mats, the floor was constantly flooded. Do you know how much a person can drip on the floor just while trying to dry off from a shower? Windows had to be left open to let the steam out, and late night screams coming from dorm rooms verified that those windows also let in some rather unsavory mice! Thankfully, the drawer handles in room 4102 reported recently that no mice were to be found in that room. Good thing, as a certain mother would have no part of that activity in her room.
Metro card kiosks have reported that several purple shirt wearing girls were seen everyday for two weeks riding the subway back and forth to a prominent ballet school. However, that school was much different than the dancers expected. Up three flights of stairs, the benches in the lobby report a daily afternoon heat wave hit the dancers as they came out of classes for breaktime. Air conditioning is not as prevalent in NYC as here in Houston. This mom started meeting the dancers at the front door instead of enduring that heat! Yes, I am spoiled, and I intend to stay that way!
People on the streets of NYC tell us that Mom could be seen in the pharmacy buying individual cereal boxes every couple of days for breakfasts. You can only buy one sack of groceries at a time as that's all you can carry and survive the climb up four flights of 16 stairs to your fourth floor room each evening. If Mom has to walk up anymore stairs for a while, she is going on strike. Stairs and fractured feet don't mix well. Straps on the suitcases report that the trip up the stairs was definitely more trouble than the trip down at the end of two weeks.
Stair rails in two theaters report seeing Cooper and her mom attending Broadway shows. YES, more stairs! How did we always manage to have to sit in the top balcony? Audience members wrote in to tell us that Cooper was most impressed when Bert (of Mary Poppins fame) actually tap danced on the ceiling, and Mary Poppins flew out over the audience to leave the stage. It really was quite impressive. Later in the week, ticket agents have revealed that the twosome was seen scoping out Mario Lopez's dimples in Chorus Line, also on Broadway! Cooper was wishing she was standing in the kick line right beside him. (She has been in a Chorus Line competition dance this year.) Used ballet pointe shoes reported seeing this strange twosome at the Sleeping Beauty performance on two nights. It appears that autographed pointe shoes were a much desired souvenior, so they had to return on a second night to make the purchase. The shoes were not out for sale at the end of the show on the first evening. However, Mom's debit card informs us that the second night, the purchase was made, and now a shadow box will soon be hanging in a certain ballet dancers' bedroom. It seems the principal dancer, the purple fairy has much desired pointe shoes, although to me they just look dirty and worn out! As a side note, the Metropolitan Opera House is beautiful inside.
Cab drivers on Columbus circle report seeing this limping Mom enter a LDS Temple on the busy street corner. It seems she happened on the Manhattan Temple by chance while buying the tickets for the second night of Sleeping Beauty. Sitting just across the street from the Lincoln Center, it doesn't really look like a temple. The bottom floor is a meeting house, and the top floors are the temple. This mom, sources say, just barely made the 11 am session on the last Friday she was in town. What a joy it was to sit there and soak up that Spirit, while knowing outside was the bustling city of New York. The only problem was Dad wasn't there to wink at Mom during the session, and yes, I know that's corny! It's a tradition, and I like it!
Buckets of M & M's in Time Square tell us that Cooper and Mom were seen buying M & M's to match bedroom colors for Cooper and Cymbre. I know, talk about a luxury! This store is three floors high and has nothing but M & M stuff. However, the sales receipt informs us that some presents were bought for family members, and once Mom gets back from Nashville from the National Dance Competition, she hopes to get them in the mail before her foot surgery.
Cooper reports that dancing at the Joffrey Ballet school was fun, but there was so much enphasis on ballet that she really missed her tap. She did enjoy the character dance classes, and yoga caught her fancy as she worked on finding her inner chi! She says hers in hot pink, but I have my doubts. We have noticed improvement in her ballet technique, so I guess the whole trip was worth the money we spent to get her there.
Mom's sense of direction was put to the test while guiding the group around Time Square. Remember that Mom has NO Sense of direction, so for her to be the tour guide was somewhat ridiculous! However, since I was the only one who had been there before, I was elected by default. It is amazing to me how people can come up from the subway station and not pay attention to what is around them, so that they can find the right subway station when it's time to go home. There are about 7 different subway lines, and if you get on the wrong train, you have a BIG problem. And I have a question, why do they call it Times Square when in reality it is more of a triangle? Just curious. However, I did know that the Good Morning America studio was at the opposite end of the square from the subway station, so as long as I could see that studio, we did ok. Thankfully, the Broadway shows we went to without the group were just off 42nd street, and 45th street which are right there in Time Square.
Now rumor has it that Cooper and Cymbre are packing their bags for Nashville. Dance studio sources tell us that they won't get to dance all their dances because some of them will be on Sunday, but the two dancers are excited none the less. They get to dance Happy Feet, which is one they haven't been able to dance all season. Lost bobby pins have been requested to make their presence known so that hair styles can stay in place for one more performance. And where is that blasted bottle of spray gel? Last we saw, it was hanging out with the hairspray, but both of them are on the most wanted list at the current time! Who knew they could be such good friends as to go on vacation together. You would have thought they were competitors for the same job! Cooper is hoping the guy that calls her "Coop's in the house" will be there to teach the master tap classes. He seems to remember her whenever she attends his class(which is once every 2-3 years), and last time requested her to come up and dance on stage with him. Cymbre's tap shoes are just waiting for the chance to also go to a master tap class!
Luggage racks on the top of the van reveal that they are just hoping they can hold all the dance stuff that has to travel to Nashville. Seven hat boxes, and 10 costumes is a bit much to expect them to hold, but Mom feels that they are up to the job. There are also 7 suitcases, but some of them may have to be in the van. The back seat of the van is thankful that we have a folding flat clothes rack, as it wasn't looking forward to being poked by the other racks poles all the way to Nashville. And Dad will be grateful once we get everything in the van and still have enough room for the passengers!
Well, I must try to attempt to get some sleep. I'll try to add some pictures from NYC and Nashville next time.
All of you remember to go and do something nice for someone today....it takes your mind off your troubles.
Love you bunches.
Mom
We have been hearing rumors all over town that Cooper and her mom enjoyed most of their time in NYC, but the dorm life was terrible.
Sources in the shower stall report that there was absolutely no room to even turn around, let alone bend over to wash your flip flop laden feet. And with no bath mats, the floor was constantly flooded. Do you know how much a person can drip on the floor just while trying to dry off from a shower? Windows had to be left open to let the steam out, and late night screams coming from dorm rooms verified that those windows also let in some rather unsavory mice! Thankfully, the drawer handles in room 4102 reported recently that no mice were to be found in that room. Good thing, as a certain mother would have no part of that activity in her room.
Metro card kiosks have reported that several purple shirt wearing girls were seen everyday for two weeks riding the subway back and forth to a prominent ballet school. However, that school was much different than the dancers expected. Up three flights of stairs, the benches in the lobby report a daily afternoon heat wave hit the dancers as they came out of classes for breaktime. Air conditioning is not as prevalent in NYC as here in Houston. This mom started meeting the dancers at the front door instead of enduring that heat! Yes, I am spoiled, and I intend to stay that way!
People on the streets of NYC tell us that Mom could be seen in the pharmacy buying individual cereal boxes every couple of days for breakfasts. You can only buy one sack of groceries at a time as that's all you can carry and survive the climb up four flights of 16 stairs to your fourth floor room each evening. If Mom has to walk up anymore stairs for a while, she is going on strike. Stairs and fractured feet don't mix well. Straps on the suitcases report that the trip up the stairs was definitely more trouble than the trip down at the end of two weeks.
Stair rails in two theaters report seeing Cooper and her mom attending Broadway shows. YES, more stairs! How did we always manage to have to sit in the top balcony? Audience members wrote in to tell us that Cooper was most impressed when Bert (of Mary Poppins fame) actually tap danced on the ceiling, and Mary Poppins flew out over the audience to leave the stage. It really was quite impressive. Later in the week, ticket agents have revealed that the twosome was seen scoping out Mario Lopez's dimples in Chorus Line, also on Broadway! Cooper was wishing she was standing in the kick line right beside him. (She has been in a Chorus Line competition dance this year.) Used ballet pointe shoes reported seeing this strange twosome at the Sleeping Beauty performance on two nights. It appears that autographed pointe shoes were a much desired souvenior, so they had to return on a second night to make the purchase. The shoes were not out for sale at the end of the show on the first evening. However, Mom's debit card informs us that the second night, the purchase was made, and now a shadow box will soon be hanging in a certain ballet dancers' bedroom. It seems the principal dancer, the purple fairy has much desired pointe shoes, although to me they just look dirty and worn out! As a side note, the Metropolitan Opera House is beautiful inside.
Cab drivers on Columbus circle report seeing this limping Mom enter a LDS Temple on the busy street corner. It seems she happened on the Manhattan Temple by chance while buying the tickets for the second night of Sleeping Beauty. Sitting just across the street from the Lincoln Center, it doesn't really look like a temple. The bottom floor is a meeting house, and the top floors are the temple. This mom, sources say, just barely made the 11 am session on the last Friday she was in town. What a joy it was to sit there and soak up that Spirit, while knowing outside was the bustling city of New York. The only problem was Dad wasn't there to wink at Mom during the session, and yes, I know that's corny! It's a tradition, and I like it!
Buckets of M & M's in Time Square tell us that Cooper and Mom were seen buying M & M's to match bedroom colors for Cooper and Cymbre. I know, talk about a luxury! This store is three floors high and has nothing but M & M stuff. However, the sales receipt informs us that some presents were bought for family members, and once Mom gets back from Nashville from the National Dance Competition, she hopes to get them in the mail before her foot surgery.
Cooper reports that dancing at the Joffrey Ballet school was fun, but there was so much enphasis on ballet that she really missed her tap. She did enjoy the character dance classes, and yoga caught her fancy as she worked on finding her inner chi! She says hers in hot pink, but I have my doubts. We have noticed improvement in her ballet technique, so I guess the whole trip was worth the money we spent to get her there.
Mom's sense of direction was put to the test while guiding the group around Time Square. Remember that Mom has NO Sense of direction, so for her to be the tour guide was somewhat ridiculous! However, since I was the only one who had been there before, I was elected by default. It is amazing to me how people can come up from the subway station and not pay attention to what is around them, so that they can find the right subway station when it's time to go home. There are about 7 different subway lines, and if you get on the wrong train, you have a BIG problem. And I have a question, why do they call it Times Square when in reality it is more of a triangle? Just curious. However, I did know that the Good Morning America studio was at the opposite end of the square from the subway station, so as long as I could see that studio, we did ok. Thankfully, the Broadway shows we went to without the group were just off 42nd street, and 45th street which are right there in Time Square.
Now rumor has it that Cooper and Cymbre are packing their bags for Nashville. Dance studio sources tell us that they won't get to dance all their dances because some of them will be on Sunday, but the two dancers are excited none the less. They get to dance Happy Feet, which is one they haven't been able to dance all season. Lost bobby pins have been requested to make their presence known so that hair styles can stay in place for one more performance. And where is that blasted bottle of spray gel? Last we saw, it was hanging out with the hairspray, but both of them are on the most wanted list at the current time! Who knew they could be such good friends as to go on vacation together. You would have thought they were competitors for the same job! Cooper is hoping the guy that calls her "Coop's in the house" will be there to teach the master tap classes. He seems to remember her whenever she attends his class(which is once every 2-3 years), and last time requested her to come up and dance on stage with him. Cymbre's tap shoes are just waiting for the chance to also go to a master tap class!
Luggage racks on the top of the van reveal that they are just hoping they can hold all the dance stuff that has to travel to Nashville. Seven hat boxes, and 10 costumes is a bit much to expect them to hold, but Mom feels that they are up to the job. There are also 7 suitcases, but some of them may have to be in the van. The back seat of the van is thankful that we have a folding flat clothes rack, as it wasn't looking forward to being poked by the other racks poles all the way to Nashville. And Dad will be grateful once we get everything in the van and still have enough room for the passengers!
Well, I must try to attempt to get some sleep. I'll try to add some pictures from NYC and Nashville next time.
All of you remember to go and do something nice for someone today....it takes your mind off your troubles.
Love you bunches.
Mom
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)