THE YEARBOOK IS COMING! THE YEARBOOK IS COMING!

I got a call from Mr. Dunning today with exciting news. Can you guess what it is? Hint: read the title of this entry. I can't believe that it took me a year to finish the yearbook. That was the toughest job with the most setbacks that I ever successfully completed. I can hardly wait to see the finished product - all 80 hardbound full-color pages of it (with the cool cut-out logo on the front cover). Oh, beautiful yearbook, I'll probably sing a song about how happy you make me, while I do the "I'm glad you're done" dance around the classroom~!

You are the yearbook,
the brand-new yearbook
You make me happy
And I must say
Now that you're finished
I'll have more free time AND
I can finally hit the hay!

...thank you, Rhyme Zone

Think my song is bad? Write a better one and leave it for me in the comment box!

SHISH + KA = BOBS

Tomorrow night we're grilling shish-ka-bobs for a dozen people here at the apartment. I can't wait! Algernon and his family should be there. I am so happy they moved into the complex. It's nice to have new friends. Thanks, God!

Note to self: pick up paper plates and cups, ice, pearl onions and extra skewers before the party.

Feel free to use the comments box to make your own shopping list.

THEATRICAL RUN

Nothing has ever motivated me to stay in shape like being in this musical. Dancing on stage next to 18 year old guys twice a week definitely puts my gut into a new perspective. So, it was an easy decision when I hit the treadmill for five miles after work today. Cardio? Check. Now if I can just get into gear when it comes to strength training...Any ideas?

STENNIS' MENACE

Terry and I drove over to Stennis Space Center to make plans for a fall field trip there. While we were there, Terry made notes in his handy dandy notepad, and I knocked down displays and dropped valuable artifacts. It was like they switched our personalities at the Welcome Center. Terry said he felt strangely validated to see me in that state. My response? I took away his notebook and started taking notes. He followed suit by trying to convince me to leave the main exhibit hall and sneak upstairs. It was good to have things back to normal.

Have you ever switched brains with somebody?

MY DANCIN' FEET

Wow! Where were the hidden cameras? I had my first night of dance rehearsals last night and came home too tired to write about it. The choreographer went so fast and covered so much that all I could do was just stand staring with my jaw dropped in awe. I felt like I was being set up on some practical joke reality show. The guy next to me had dance classes, so he was no help. I'm guessing they'll either give me remedial lessons, or (to my relief) take me out of the dance numbers (or at least stick me in the back). I know I can do it, though...but WOW does it look impossible.
On the flip side, the musical rehearsals are going much better now that the musical director made me a CD of the baritone parts. Listening along with the CD while I fumble through the sheet music is helping me to learn how to read notes again. I'm amazed with how much I have forgotten in 12 years. I'm thinking about taking voice lessons and dance lessons, especially if I plan to audition for any future musicals.
I have two choices: sit on the couch getting fatter while watching videos of myself on stage OR get on stage again even though it's difficult and intimidating (and maybe a little crazy?)
Let's just hope this isn't like the one time I tried to skate as an adult...I don't want to literally "break a leg." What's something you were once good at that you haven't done in a long time? What's stopping you?

A THANKFUL HEART IS A HAPPY HEART

Josh and Rachel rock! We went to America's Thrift Store tonight to look for things to sell on eBay. We didn't find what we were looking for; I was anything but disappointed. It was fun hanging out with them and baby Abby. I guess that's what life's about. Who cares about the junk? Isn't that right, Madame Blue Berry?

VIVA LA NETFLIX

Goodbye Blockbuster Movie Pass; Hello Netflix! I'm not buying another DVD -ever! Why bother? Now I can rent any movie ever made AND not have to wait in line for it, or worse, wait forever until somebody finally returns it to Blockbuster (which has zero selection anyway).

I just wish iTunes had better selection. I browsed it again last night and longed for decent Christian songs to download. They had Petra and other 80's big hair bands in their top 20 Christian Hit List, for goodness sakes! Is this the best that iTunes has to offer?

HOUSE RULES

Kristen came over tonight to see the new apartment and visit with me, Terry & JoEllen. We ate chocolate chip cookies and played UNO and Probe.
Playing UNO for the first time with people can be a drag because you have the standard argument over whose rules to follow. Do you have to keep drawing cards until you can play? Can you stack draw two cards?
The deck we used was an ancient boxed set circa '80, so it had a printed copy of the rules (along with a cool offer for an UNO t-shirt Tutti would have loved). Of course, Terry insisted that we strictly follow the printed rules (translate to "have no fun"). I think since it was my deck, we should have played by the rules I grew up playing. What do you think?

PASSION OF THE MOMENT: JAVA SHAKES

Often I get swept away in a passion of the moment. This week's is culinary: the new Nestle Ice Java Chocolate Mocha. Mixed in the blender with vanilla ice cream and a dash of milk, it makes a milkshake that makes me say, "Yum!" It's better than the coffee milkshakes I get at Cinemark. There's some free advertising for Nestle, but it was so good I wanted to share it with you! Enjoy!

BATMAN BEGINS BADLY

Batman Begins: YAWN

I dare you to tell me the name of a worse movie.

WHEEL OF (mis)FORTUNE

I went to an audition for Wheel of Fortune today. The repulsively charismatic host belittled the randomly-chosen fans who mustered enough personal courage to join him onstage. The fake-Vanna never drew my name from the hat. I didn't spin the wheel, but I was content to watch the spectacle. And I learned two things about fans of the show: (1.) They have white hair. (2.) Their primary activities are playing scrabble and internet-based games, and watching TV shows.

When was the last time you watched a game show? Which one was it?

BEGINNING

Not exactly sure what I'm starting here, but here goes nuttin.'

Any suggestions?