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3 Birthday Parties, 1 Day. A Facebook 'Live' Journey

Captain's Log:  And so it begins...3 bday parties, 1 day... I'm going to need a red bull.

Ensign's log: first hour has gone well, with the exception of a game stealing her coins. Cake time!

1 down, 2 to go

Ensign log, hour 2 1/2: 2nd party, and all must be well. I only see the occasional streaks bounce past

Captain's report....Ensign had locked herself in the restroom and refuses to come out. We are currently taking resumes for newly opened ensign position.


Ensign's log hour 3 1/2: Captain managed to talk me out of the bathroom with pizza as the persuasion. Sufficiently happy again. Oh! Cake time!

Ensign log, hours 4-6 1/2: rest time. Overslept and now we're scrambling to get out the door and the sleep marks and drool off of our faces. Draining the caffeinated beverages as quickly as we can. 2 parties down, one more to go. We WILL dominate the day!

Ensign log, hour 8: I'm abandoning ship. Best of luck to The Captain and Torpedo. Oh! Cake time!

Ensign's log, hour 8 1/2: I got my bonus!

Ensign's log, hour 9: 3 birthday parties complete, uncountable friends, and even a couple of new ones for me. I'd say today was a success, and we're truly blessed.

And meltdown in 3...2...1...

Snow Dust Fight!

Goodbye, My Most Amazing Friend

Sunset Quilt Part II

So we got the squares cut out.  Now for what I hope will be a fun part: finding the pattern we want to use.  I thought about throwing the fabric pieces into the air and collecting the pieces randomly and laying them out that way.

 

I bet professional quilters are shaking their heads right now. ...

What Colors Do You See In The Sunset?

I never thought of myself as a sewing person. I love to write (which takes as much free time as I can manage these days), I also love photography and painting (colorful splotches on the canvas). I've played with music, writing songs, poetry, and lately I've enjoyed making crafts with my child.

But three years ago while in Maine, I considered dabbing in the art of quilt making.  I know it's a laugh considering I can barely sew a button onto a shirt, but I had this fantasy of making one and presenting it to my granny. You see, she has a long history of making quilts. For everyone, including my dog. And in middle school, she gave me a pink and purple quilt. To this day it is the perfect blanket to cuddle up in, especially when sick. It's one of my few favorite material possessions, which also includes a beautiful cedar wood chest my grandfather made me. 

I don't think I've ever told her that.

As for my quilt-making dream, it kind of faded away with lack of time and then moving back to Texas.  

Until this weekend.

My grandmother has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and of course I've had the mad rush of thoughts to try to make sure she knows I love her.  I don't doubt she already knows in some way, but I want to somehow make up for the years I have taken her (as well as all of my grandparents) for granted. With this diagnosis, the urge to make a quilt started burning again. Cary has been incredibly supportive, and last night we spent way too much time at the fabric store to pick out the perfect colors.

We are in the very first stages of making a sunset quilt, and let's face it, so far Cary is the shining star in this endeavor. I'm going to show the progress along the way, which is apparently going to be a long process according to everyone I talk to. But I am also excited to show my grandmother the progress in person.

Got any advice?

TOY STORY Was A Bad Idea...

(not toys sent away)

B is at the stage where she is asking for EVERYTHING right now. Unfortunately that is not an exaggeration. When a commercial comes on tv, she asks for it. Then the next. She has even asked for hair shampoo.I tell her that she needs to stop asking and she always says 'This is the last one'. And then the next commercial: 'Except for this, too.'

I take it in stride. I know it's a temporary phase, and she knows she's not going to get everything she sees or wants. I also tell her that to get more stuff, she needs to play with the things she has. Her toy box has been filled with unplayed-with items since we moved back to Texas, and it was exhausting just thinking about Christmas and what else we were going to bring into the house.

So finally, Cary and I cleaned out her toy box this past weekend. The small things, like the cheap Easter basket fillers were easy to decide on. But it was the stuffed animals that I really struggled with. Not only am I a mourning mommy that wants her small baby back, but I have also seen Toy Story one too many times.

Each stuffed animal I picked up I had to tell them that they were going to go to a new home where they would be played with by a child that loved them. Then I would stare at them for a moment, wondering if I could truly let go. It was Cary gently prying them from my hands that helped the progress. And now they haunt me.

They are probably singing 'When She Loved Me' right now.

Excuse me. I have a Goodwill to go raid.

How Do YOU Balance Your Every Day With Your Passions?

Ever miss something (like blogging?), but never have the time to write posts anymore? Yeah. That's me. Fortunately, I'm keeping up on Facebook with some fun things and maybe...perhaps 50 years from now, I'll be able to sit down and write it all down.

I guess my goal is to get it caught up before Brylee's wedding so that I can maybe put together a book or two a year to show her and her new family her life growing up. Because, you know, she keeps life interesting. And she needs to know what she's in for with her own kids...

Letters To The Phelps and Elijah Wood

Letter to the Phelps Twins:

Thank you for bringing two amazing characters to life. During a trying time for me, the Weasley twins became my favorite characters in storybook history because of their loyalty, creativity, and the ability to cause just enough mischief to make an impression, but never (well, rarely) stepped their toes over the line. I wanted children like the Weasley twins, and I got that...2 wrapped up inside of one. As 'regular' people, you seem genuinely kind and that makes you so much more likable. I know that great things are ahead for you, James and Oliver, but know this: as actors, you have impacted the lives of I'm sure several, but I know of one for sure.

Letter to Elijah Wood:

What I wanted to say:

I have followed your work for several years long before you made Lord Of The Rings; Radio Flyer, Adventures of Huck Finn, The Good Son...the list goes on and on. Most of your work has made impressions on me somehow, and I place you 'up there' in the legendary status along with Tom Hanks. Diverse characters, flawless execution. I am a great admirer.

What I actually said:

I am a really big fan. You have no idea...

Which I bet he does have an idea considering I was shaking, babbling, and near tears.

This is what brought me to the conclusion that it really is not a good idea for me to 'meet' and greet the actors. The photo op allowed me the chance to see them, but not actually speak words. A good, good idea, really.

Geeking Out

Or should I call it, 'The Day I Tricked Dad Into Going To ComicCon With Me'?

Originally, Adam West and Burt Ward of the original Batman series was supposed to make an appearance at the Dallas FanDays ComicCon, and I knew that dad would love to go and 'meet' these two actors since he's a huge fan. But as I looked through the list of guest celebrities, my mouth dropped. 

Ke Huy Quan (I know and loved him as Data in The Goonies)

Karen Allen (Indiana Jones)

A couple of people from Doctor Who

James and Oliver Phelps (the twins that played Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter movies)

Elijah Wood...

Ok. I can stop there. The last 3, James, Oliver and Elijah sold me. I HAD to go to this comic con. Elijah is one of my top 3 favorite actors EVER, and James and Oliver played possibly my favorite characters ever.

This was the opportunity of a lifetime.

So after over-talking about it with my dad and our friend, Jeff, we ordered tickets, including photo ops with Adam West, Burt Ward, and the Phelps twins.

Oh...and later, it was announced that Sean Astin would be joining the guest list. Unfortunately, it was only for Saturday, so I missed that golden opportunity (he's another top 3 fave).

I was on cloud nine. 

Now, don't ask me why I chose James and Oliver over Elijah Wood. I really, truly have no idea why. Was I too intimidated to come face to face with an actor I have admired for most of my life? The fact that, at least in my eyes, this actor is legendary, up there with Tom Hanks, and plays flawless roles is quite intimidating. But still. Why would I choose others over him???

Well, on the Saturday before going, I read an email that Adam West and Burt Ward cancelled. My heart fell. I convinced my dad to go because of them. I knew he'd go with me no matter what, but I felt bad still because I felt like it became my thing and not ours. But he was a good sport, and after receiving some sad news, it was up in the air on if Jeff could join us or not.

So the day arrives, and while I still feel guilty for the star cancellations, I'm beyond excited to be 'meeting' the Phelps twins, and hoping that maybe I can catch a glimpse of Elijah. I am very well aware that the photo op is just a quick way to get people in and out, but still give fans a chance to say they saw their favorites. It didn't matter to me, though. I was going to see these guys!

So dad and I arrive at 10 when the doors opened. I tried so hard to stay calm and just act natural as we walked up and down the aisles of booths where they sold interesting, and geeky things. Hey. I admit it. I loved being surrounded by the quirkiness of it all. We finally went upstairs to the photo op place to discuss what happens with the cancelled opportunity, seeking out refund. Well with that question came incredible opportunity:  dad signed us both us to get a photo op with Elijah Wood!!!!!

We go and stand in line, which happens to be behind these two ladies:

Yeah. They were tall. And twins. And I wanted to see the Phelps twins' reaction when they stood next to what was probably the most perfect recreation of them...in female form.

And just like I expected, this was a quick usher-through. No time to make small talk. Just smile, pic, and move along. I asked a volunteer if anyone ever cried leaving the booth. He told me that a lady just got so excited because 'they smell so good!'

So. That was it. I picked up my picture:

And I was on cloud nine. All over again. I mean...how awesome is this!!!!! (Oliver is the one next to me. He played George. And yes, despite the 'no physical contact rule, he put his arm around me. And I happily did the same. Hey...I didn't do any harm!)

So to kill time until Elijah Wood, we walked around the booths some more, trying to find a Power Ranger shirt for B, which I was successful to find. Let's just hope that she likes Power Rangers several years from now when she is really able to fit into it...) Dad receives a call from Jeff, who decides he can come meet us. Yay!

We meet up with him. Walk around, then go to the 4th floor, where there is apparently the autograph session. We look inside to see the booths set up and Jeff notices that Elijah Wood is at the end of the room. So, he being the outgoing person he is, walks closer where we learn that you can get autographs, for a price. Well, $60 is a bit steep for our pockets by now, but the lovely volunteer tells us we can go up and talk to him. WHAT?!?!?!

Jeff's not shy. He's met Elijah before, back when he was much younger. So that's how he starts the conversation. Elijah holds a little conversation with him, and then shakes his hand. He then turns to me to shake my hand and I become a babbling fool. IT'S REALLY ELIJAH WOOD!!!! (Breathe deep...)

Really. It's probably not a good idea to let me meet celebrities. I could spend all day trying to think of stuff to say to them, but in the end, I'm just plain...something. Not cool. Weird. Something.

A few minutes later, dad decides to go say hello to Karen Allen, so I decide to tag along. It's easier talking to her considering she's not in my top 3 list of actors. She was very nice and she hinted that there may be another Indiana Jones, so I can't wait to check that out.

All the while, I am vaguely aware that the Phelps are in the room next door doing a Q&A. I can't resist breaking free of dad and Jeff and sneaking into the room to listen for a few minutes. Admittance: I also wanted to make sure I knew which twin was which so that I could sound like I knew them. Like we were tight...

In that Q&A, I heard great questions.

"How did they decide which twin you would play?"

"What other things have you been in?"

And my favorite: "What cologne do you use?" (remember earlier when someone mentioned that they smelled good?!)

And I also learned that this story is true:

And this one wasn't:

(unless they were too embarrassed to admit it...). But really, they said that people tried to romanticize the moment, and it sounds so much better than 'James fell asleep while we did our parts'...

And then finally I broke away to head downstairs for our photo op with Elijah Wood, where we stood behind these ladies:

Someday I'm going to dress up, too.

And more shuffling through, 5 minutes after we got into the room, this is what we left with:

THAT'S REALLY ELIJAH WOOD!!!!!  I need to go watch his films again.

After the photo, we were all exhausted, so we parted ways with Jeff and headed home. As tired as I was, I was, and still am, completely on cloud nine. This was in absolutely no way a disappointment for me. You know how sometimes, after 'meeting' someone you truly admire in some way or form, you feel a little let down? This was not one of those times. James, Oliver, and Elijah all were incredibly nice for the brief encounters I had with them, and despite my lack of ability to make any decent form of communication, it was an incredible moment for me.

The highlight of my day, oddly enough, was still the picture with James and Oliver, as well as listening to just a few minutes of their Q&A.

Such an incredible time.