PHANTOM Of The OPERA FOR MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

So I don't think I could ever think of anything more fabulous to do for my birthday than getting to see the Broadway production of Phantom of the Opera!!! (OK, maybe a trip to Europe or Hawaii . . but yeah, this takes the cake!!!)
So those that know me, know I am a theatre Buff. If I could I would make a living of being a stage actor I would. No, not on the big screen or little screen. I LOVE the stage! Sadly I have never had the right opportunity to really get a good go at it. We didn't even get a theatre class in school til I was a Senior! Plus when you live a half hour away from town, its not that possible to beg mom and dad to drive in and out of town to take me to participate in community theatre; so I didn't try. And then you grow up and work becomes your life . . and so on. ANYWAY!
So for me going to a very well put together and properly funded stage production is a massively fantastic treat for me! I honestly didn't think I could ever get James there; he didn't really ever get into that kind of thing . . football player and all. So when he actually bought me tickets for my birthday I about died!!! I honestly rank it right there under our perfect wedding and then fabulous honeymoon!
Row 17, seat 4. Dead center. The outer and inner stage is all covered with grey coverings when we walked in and totally set the stage for the opening scene of an auction. I could really go on and on and tell you the entire play! But I wont. ;) If you have never seen it, or just seen the older movies; I would say that the newest movie is the closest to the actual play.

With the live orchestra and the perfect sounds and voices, I honestly found myself at times watching their lips to see if they were all lip-singing! (Just imagine yourself watching the movie in 3D with 360 degree surround sound at the perfect volume and you can feel the vibrations, heat and glow from the special effects!) Of course they should have it all down pat; it is the longest running show in Broadway history!!! :) Me and mom both cried at times and had goose bumps though out most of the entire play! (Dad bought her tickets for their Anniversary!!)
That is about as well as I can describe it! It really is one of those things that you have to be there!

The Weird Way Men Think . . .

So we were laying in bed last night about to go to sleep, and James says "honey are you pregnant?" Kinda thrown off balance I asked what would make him think that??? And to which he says its because of the hints I have been dropping. . . Say WHAT!?! So I hide my amazement about those supposed hints I had dropped, unknown even to me, and say "and what hints would that be dear?" Then my wonderful husband tells me about hint #1, a pacifier he found in the top of the cupboard. And then hint #2 was me wanting to watch "Deliver Me" with him. (Its a show on TLC about 3 women OBGYNs who share a practice. Really good.) Anyway, so I assure James that no, I am indeed not pregnant and explain these hints that I apparently dropped.
#1, the pacifier. It is from back in April I believe. We were watching a few of Kristina's kids for the night, including Ryker her baby. You think James would remember this since he is the one who made the midnight run to Walmart for a pack because there was not one in the diaper bag! And me not wanting to waste a perfectly new pacifier, I put the one we didn't use in the top of the cupboard in case we ever needed one again. Solved!
#2, I only wanted him to watch it with me so he would know exactly what goes on during delivery; not that fake crap you see in TV shows. (You know what I mean!) Cause hello! We are wanting to have kids, so it might be good to have a heads up! LOL
So when I got to work this morning I just knew, I have Got to Blog about this one!!!! LOL ;)
I really love being married when there are times like these!

More and More . .

So life keeps going and never slows down! I have been picking up a few extra hours at work, so that is great! Its amazing how just a few more hours here and there can leave you with a little bit more breathing room in the bank account! So life is going good!

I am still at the hospital and loving it! . .WEll, for the most part. I think you just get used to, or maybe de-sensitized to seeing people in pain and suffering . . . Sometimes it is not so easy. Like when you see a family with their loved on on the ventilator and they are having to decide to pull the plug or not. . that never gets easy for me. It breaks my heart every time I see and hear them pleading with them to wake up and come back to them . . . Probably because of what we went through with Grandma Cronin.
And then there is the lady we got in on Thursday. They found her outside the ER just sitting on the bench. No one was with her or brought her in. They thought she was asleep; but after a couple of hours they found out she was unresponsive. They found a ton of drugs in her system and when I left on Friday there was no change and no brain function. . . . It makes you wonder what brings people to that point. . When they have such low self-esteem and self-worth that they think drugs are the answer. You cant help but to feel some pity for them and their family. . .

And then on the plus side, you get to see some wonderful things happen as well! There have been a few times I have seen and gotten to know some families in the ICU. Their family member had a heart attack or stroke and would be in a coma for a few days or even a week plus. And then all of a sudden within a day they will wake up and totally coherent; and the next day be off the vent too! It make everything else worth it when you can see things like that. :)
It just all makes me really appreciate my family and the love and bond we have. I am so grateful that we can be together forever! I cant imagine living the rest of eternity without a single one of them.

Life goes On and On and On!

Its been so crazy this last month! Cassie got married, we went to Mexico, (And I had the flu betweeen the 2!)lost 20 pounds, Tiffany moved, gained 10 pounds back, and we got released from Nursery! And then to top it off Jeremiah is getting married this Saturday! Whew!! At least that is the last of us so no more weddings! WooHoo!
And now I just found out that my schedule is changing at work. So starting Monday I am on the morning shift and picking up an extra 5 hours a week! I just hope I dont drive James nuts being home the same time he is every day! LOL So now with getting a few more hours I dont know if I will keep looking for another job . . . On the downside I wont be able to babysit for my sisters during the day anymore; but then thats enough time in the afternoon & evening for getting some scrapbooking done, actually practicing the piano & flute, and being more available & able to get my Visiting Teaching done each month!!! WooHoo!!! Change is sometimes hard, but can be most rewarding!

Wedding and Weight Loss . . .

So it happened! My baby sister Cassie got married last weekend! She was so beautiful and they are so dang cute!!! I am so going to have to post some pics when we get them . . And a big whoppin' thanks to Crackers & Co. for all the great work they did for the reception! Everything ran very smooth and was great. I hope it was as perfect for her as my wedding day was for me!

Just on the downer side . . . I had a headache all day Friday . . . and what do you know; as soon as we head home to good ol' Coolidge, that headache turns into chills and aching . . not good. So by Saturday I had a temp of 103 and felt like I was going to DIE! Thankfully I wasn't sick to my stomach, but my throat was so swollen it hurt to swallow . . So I lived on just popsicles for 2 days and did lose another 8 pounds! Now to just keep it off! LOL After a wonderful blessing Saturday my fever broke during the night and Sunday my aching slowly went away . . I am still getting better and the headache is finally gone. Now if I can get my tonsils down to normal size I will be back to 100%! ;)

Jobs . . .

You know, now I remember why people stay at crappy jobs instead of finding a new one . . Cause it SUCKS LOOKING!!!! LOL Don't get me wrong, I love my job at the hospital. But I have been looking for a full time, or 2nd part-time job. It is just so frustrating!!! Its those times when you find a good job, but they demand you have a degree; even if you know you have the skills to do what they are looking for! . . So aggravating . .
oh well . . . "Oh Lah Dee, Oh Lah Dah, Life Goes On oh! La Da Da Da Life Goes On!"
LOL ;)

Moving Forward!

So I am 4 days into the diet and already dropped 5 pounds! Yeah I am so HAPPY!!! This is why I love South Beach so much! You drop pounds quick and it gives you the motivation to do even more!!! WooHoo!!!! ;) I just hope to be down 10 pounds come Cassie's wedding in 3 WEEKS!!!! Cross your fingers and "just keep swimming, just keep swimming" . . . LOL