amanda's journeys

Fun times at the Jessups

2011-12-22T07:53:00.000-05:00

Last night we had some very special guests at the Jessup home. The youngest Wright children spent the evening with us going to church supper and the Children in Action Christmas party before heading to the house. We all donned aprons, rolled up our sleeves and got to work making mini Christmas cakes. As you can see, this was a real hands-on experience. :)

Aren't they adorable!

( Please note the lovely Christmas Tree - that Robert cut down himself with a hand saw - but do not look at the rest of the Christmas mess in the background.)

In between baking and decorating their cakes, Rosie, Nellie and Andy also colored their own stand-up nativity set. Dominic was at BB practice and joined us later for the fun.

And what else is there to do with all the left over chocolate frosting? Dig in!

I will say that (not surprisingly) after consuming the remainder of the chocolate, Ric, who hitherto had been calmly sitting on the couch watching How to Train Your Dragon, spent the next 30-45 minutes jumping all over the house. :)

3 Days

2011-07-06T06:45:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my last day of work before the wedding. Let me first say, I love my co-workers. They are some of my dearest friends and I see them more than I see anyone (including my fiance). I am not sure the last day I had away from the theater, but it was sometime before we started tech for Guys and Dolls, I think June 17th maybe. Anyway. As it came to the end of the day, I realized that this was the first milestone that I really felt as our wedding approached: the last day of work. I wasn't sure if I would jump for joy or cry or both.
I actually did neither, but I was a little emotional there for about 30 minutes. It is so strange to not be at work for 20 days, but it's also very exciting because I am now able to focus exclusively on this weekends festivities.

Last night, Robert and I had a date night (our last one as an engaged couple!) There had been some stress recently when we discussed wedding things not yet completed, and I really wanted us to be able to have some down time before everything really started that was just us where we didn't have an agenda of decisions to make or centerpiece rings to make or anything wedding but could just enjoy being us for a little bit. It was really a very lovely evening. He had meetings until almost 9pm, but I had cooked pancakes, eggs (NOT burned, unlike the first time I cooked for him) ;), and bacon and orange juice (that I turned into screwdrivers - yum!) We had such a great time and I was very giddy with excitement over how close we were to being married! When Robert blessed our meal, he prayed specifically for our future and gave thanks that God had brought us together. It is so meaningful to me and it blesses my heart to watch his love for Jesus and his love for me poured out in prayer to our God. He will be a very good husband and leader in our home.
We watched a movie and just chilled. It was very special and I am so glad we carved out that time for us before the wedding.

Now today, we start setting up and decorating the reception and I have my friend Laura spending the night with me and tomorrow we're getting facials and massages (yea!) and Robert and his boys are going to Six Flags for a bachelor party and more and more people are coming into town and then Friday is fun with my girls and rehearsal and then Saturday is WEDDING!

So here we are, at the beginning of the final 3 days before the wedding and I couldn't be happier that I am almost Mrs. Robert Jessup or more excited over our 2 weeks of honeymoon or more thrilled that all of my family and friends, the people who I love most in the world and who love me, are going to be in town all at the same time to help us celebrate! Thank You Lord for Your joy and the blessing of Your smile on us as we finish these last days of preparation to celebrate the beginning of a life lived together in You.

Guys & Dolls!

2011-06-20T16:31:00.000-05:00

Come and see Guys & Dolls! A hysterical 2 act musical comedy set in New York City in the 1940's.

Thursday at 7:30

Friday at 7:30

Saturday at 7:30

Sunday at 2:30

Get your tickets here http://www.greatmountainmusic.com/eventdetail.asp?t=m&id=40

or at the theater box office!

a thought on marriage...

2011-05-02T20:54:00.000-05:00

As the day of my wedding gets closer, I grow more in awe of what a beautiful thing marriage is and how amazing it is how God draws 2 different people together and empowers them to live victorious, fulfilled, useful lives in ways that they could not have been had they continued as individuals. Everyday I get more excited and the anticipation builds as I look forward to July 9th (68 days in case you were wondering). It is going to be a grand adventure and I cannot wait to start forever with my best friend.

A lovely Resurrection Day!

2011-04-24T21:37:00.000-05:00

Today has been such a full, fulfilling day. It's fun to look back through the events of the day and see how God orchestrated everything.

The plan was to make Chicken Makhani and na'an (how traditional, I know) after church and eat with Shannon and Heather. As I was gathering ingredients from my house to drop off at Robert's on the way to church, I realized I was missing 3 ingredients. So I rushed to the store and then to Robert's to put stuff in his fridge and was only 5 minutes late to church. I ended up sitting 2 rows from the back and I noticed this couple sitting behind me. I figured they were hikers, judging by their clothes, and at the end of the service, I had this crazy idea (ok, most likely not my idea) to invite them to lunch. They have been married for 4 years and are from Rhode Island. They are hiking the whole way up to Maine. We had such a great time, the 6 of us, talking and learning about each other and hearing each other's stories.

Then, Robert and I actually did what we said we were going to do this week over spring break...We got our invitations stuffed and all ready to mail! Hooray! After being such a process it is hugely gratifying to see those puppies done and ready to go.

Such a satisfying day.

The Sound of Music

2011-04-16T11:04:00.000-05:00

We are right in the middle of our big Spring musical, The Sound of Music. We have had great audiences the last 2 nights and are looking forward to finishing strong with our final 2 performances tonight and tomorrow
afternoon. Everyone in the show is doing such a great job. It has been a great experience.

I took a few pictures of the mansion set yesterday.

Working on Wedding Fun!

2011-04-16T10:56:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, Anneke hosted an afternoon of working on my wedding stuff at her house. Our goal: put the stickers on the wedding favors and stuff the confetti pouches.

Marcail was a very good helper and was so happy to be involved.

Great stuff! Biodegradable confetti! All you have to do is hose it off and it completely dissolves without leaving any residue! We sewed it into little pouches that the guests will be able to rip open when it's time to toss it on Mr. and Mrs. Jessup. :)

The Groupon Guide to: Treating Allergies

2011-04-11T22:17:00.000-05:00

I am new to Groupon, so I don't know if this "advice" is normal on their website, but it made me laugh. :)

The Groupon Guide to: Treating Allergies

The number of people suffering from allergies continues to expand rapidly as our coddled immune systems grow ever more slothful in the wake of designer medications that convert germs and viruses into useful additional body hair. Protect yourself from nonparasitic antigens with these tips:

Know Your Enemy: Common allergic reactions include runny nose, itchy eyes, and mild anxiety about your future. If you experience any of those symptoms, you are allergic to all of the following: cat hair, dander, the feelings of others, peanuts, magic tricks, outdated maps, and sunshine. You might also be allergic to glass shards, but you won't know until you eat some.

Self-Medicate: Just as the only way to cure a snakebite is to bite the snake back (its blood is immune to the poison), you can rid yourself of your allergies through prolonged exposure. For instance, if you're allergic to cats, fill an empty swimming pool with strays and then live in a tent at the bottom for a week.

Curing the World: More Americans are killed by bee stings each year than die in every other way combined, but you can put an end to bee allergies by putting an end to bees. It would be impossible to wipe out every bee using force, but you can spit at every beehive you see—the bees will register your contempt and will eventually die of sadness.

Winter has past, and the springtime has come!

2011-04-01T22:49:00.000-05:00

I have been so happy and nearly giddy this week whenever I thought about how we were nearly down to double digits on our wedding countdown! And today we are! 99 days left! :)

I am so happy and looking forward to being Mrs. Robert Jessup. And now that we're really cranking things out for the wedding, it's fun and exciting.

Tonight, we had an evening off from the theater and Robert and I went on a double date with Shannon and Heather to see Hop (a cute little movie about the Easter Bunny with James Marsden and, I'm sorry to say, David Hasselhoff. Although I am glad he was in it - it was something else for me to laugh at). About half-way through the movie, I was sitting next to Robert and he was holding my hand and I had such a deep feeling of how utterly right it is that he's in my life and how right we are together. It is a marvelous thing that God is doing in uniting us in Him, and I am in awe of it. I don't know exactly what it's going to look like, but I trust the One who created us and know that it's gonna blow my mind. The Wright children were watching a video about Gladys Aylward, the missionary woman who took over 100 Chinese children on foot for many days to safety when the Japanese were attacking. There was a quote from the movie that brought tears to my eyes. They were standing on the bank of the Yellow River after having walked for days to escape the danger and had to cross the river to get to a town of safety. The river was too deep and strong for the children to cross, and Gladys did not know what to do. Then a 13 year-old girl reminded her of the story she had told them about Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. Gladys replied in despair, "But I am not Moses." To which the girl replied, "No, you are not. But God is still God." And they prayed for a way through the waters and of course God showed up and showed off at that moment as some Chinese soldiers appeared with boats to ferry them across in safety.
I was reminded that no matter how inadequate I feel or how unable I am to see a way, God is still God and is continuing to do wonders in my life, and if I will just trust Him and rest in Him, my heart will find the peace and joy it longs for in Him.

My beautiful Valentine's Orchid from Robert

The Weeping Cherry Tree in our front yard. Spring is so lovely!

Girl time!

2011-03-27T21:45:00.000-05:00

What would I do without my girlfriends???

Anneke text me today asking if I had any free evening this week, and being the last week before Tech rehearsals start for The Sound of Music, I have naturally have rehearsals every night. But, I figured out a way to get free this evening, and she came over and we had a great time visiting and working together and talking about our men. :)

First thing, she helped me finish the eclairs I had baked early in the afternoon, and mmmmm, they were yummy!

Next, she helped me stamp all 210 invitation cover pages for the wedding. That's a true friend.

We made fajitas after we finished, and sat around talking some more.

I am so grateful and blessed to have such wonderful friends in my life who can speak truth to me and encourage me in my walk with the Lord. Friendship really is one of the greatest gifts.

Yea Wedding!

2011-03-27T21:30:00.000-05:00

Things are moving along with wedding planning. We have made decisions and started ordering stuff and the boxes are arriving! Here's a sampling:

Confetti to toss on us as we leave the reception (the kind that dissolves without residue with water) from www.save-on-crafts.com, and rose petals for the flower girls from the Dollar Tree.

Personalized cocktail napkins(blue and silver!) and lolly pop wedding favors from www.orientailtrading.com. The stickers the lolly is laying on are personalized and will go on the pops. A project for a rainy day. :)

Some beautiful ribbons I found on clearance at wal-mart the other day.

Also, I recently bought a camera (first real camera I've had in a long time...the last one used film and didn't enjoy the sand in South Africa) so I can now post pictures on my blog!

On memories and making new ones

2011-03-07T18:38:00.000-05:00

Lots of exciting things and milestones occurred these past few days.

Firstly I'll start with Saturday. On Saturday Robert and I celebrated the 2nd anniversary of our first date in our tradition of Phad Thai Chicken and Mango ice cream from Peppermint Patties. He gave me a gorgeous bouquet of mixed flowers and a sweet card. It was so nice to just spend time together without anything specific to do - and after the business of last week, we really needed some down time together. Well, that and a solid 48 hours of sleeping. :) I recently looked through pictures of us from the past 2 years, and was moved when I thought about where God has brought us from and where He is taking us to as individuals and as a couple. We are so much better together than we are apart. I am also glad that we are past the months of uncertainty, "Does he really like me? Will he call me again? What do I think about him? Do I love him? Does he love me? Should we get married? etc, etc, etc." There is such a comfort and security when you know that you are committed to one another no matter what, even though the vows have not yet been spoken. And can I just say once again what a great Godly man he is and how very honored and proud I am that he wants me to be with him forever? I really am far, far more excited about being Mrs. Robert Jessup than I am about the actual wedding, although that is where it all begins and is a very important part of the process. :)

Sunday was just a busy day, but we went to our pre-marital counseling with Pastor John Makinson and that was good as always.

Today, was terrific because I got to spend the entire day with my mother in Asheville. We did some shopping, had lunch at Cheddar's and then went and purchased the fabric, notions and pattern to make my wedding dress! I am super siked about that! Which I am glad about because up to this point I had really felt nothing but either anxiety over what I would wear or be completely blase' about the whole idea. So today shopping with mama I was so glad to be excited to talk about possibilities and choose how my dress would actually be, and now that I know, I am thrilled and can't wait to wear the thing! And don't ask for details, because I will not tell. :)
After we went shopping we ended up at the mall and I got her to go and take photo booth pictures with me. It was the first time for either of us but I wanted some fun way to commemorator the specialness of the day. So now I can look back at those pictures and remember the fun day we had together when we picked out my wedding dress fabrics.

That's for the birds...give me the bees!

2011-03-01T22:16:00.000-05:00

I love how totally refreshing and rejuvenating it is to take a shower after a long day when you feel hot and tired and gross. I feel like a new person, hooray!

Just the past 3 days I have started using Burt's Bees Radiant Body Lotion again, and I'm amazed (although I shouldn't be) at how soft my skin is! I had been using B&BW Lavender Vanilla lotion because I love the scent, but it is really pretty crummy as far as moisturizers go. I have used Burt's Bees lotions before and know how great they are, but I have been rubbing my arm all day loving how smooth and soft it feels. (And sometimes I use their body butter, which is even better!) Plus...I shimmer in the sun, which, hooray, I got to sit in the sun today at lunch. I love the sun. I love being warm and summertime!

We had our first 2 performances of Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss today and they went very well. It's a great fun show with lots of singing and dancing and bright colors and outrageous costumes. This morning we had 1500 school kids come and watch. I love it when we get to perform before a school audience. The kids are so excited and enthusiastic and full of wonder at everything they see. And we get to do it 2 more times for packed houses of school children. What fun! They scream when the house lights go out, they scream when the stage lights go on, they scream when you shoot confetti at them, when the fish glow in the dark, and when the stars come on and countless other times. The energy is so high in that room. :)
(By the way, if you would like to come see the show, we have one evening performance left on Thursday at 7:30. It's a 70 minute show and great for people of all ages. You can get tickets here.)

A blog about....oh, looks like another "Ode to Robert" ;)

2011-03-01T00:12:00.000-05:00

There is so much going on in my head and in my life right now. I should be sleeping since I'm getting up at 7 in the morning (gasp! I know! It's so early! - well, I think it is at least) ;) but I'm not sleeping. I am starting to get sleepy though so I'm sure I will be soon.

I'm not sure why I thought it would be a good idea to blog right now...I feel much to scattered to say anything of any interest.

However, I am collecting oatmeal canisters, if you have any you wouldn't mind passing on to me. I need 10 for our wedding.

I am very definitely ready to, "settle down as man and wife to solve the riddle called married life," and I think these next 4 months will go by very quickly (please, God!). I never really thought that I would end up with a man like Robert, who is such a man and so perfect for me. I mean, I don't think I thought much at all about what type of man I would marry. But I am continually amazed and blessed at how well we compliment each other and what an incredible strength he is to me. He is so patient and gentle with me. He is completely trustworthy and wonderful...ok, I'll stop - for now. ;)

We have a show this week. 5 performances and 1 birthday party event in the next 3 days. Then one day off to clean it all up and a concert the day after that. So I am taking Monday off and going to Asheville. At least...that's the plan right now. I may decide to sleep. :)

Words of wisdom from a friend

2011-02-24T13:09:00.000-05:00

If you do not know Heather Lenox, I suggest you trot over to the Non-domestic Housewife and scroll down to read her post called, "Sometimes, frozen pizza is perfect." It is a sweet reminder of what is important in our relationships.
Heather is a new friend of mine who I met last August. She and her husband recently moved to this area and she likes doing theatre with us! They are a fun couple and Robert and I have really enjoyed getting to know them and spending time with them.
Hooray for frozen pizza!

Who...???

2011-02-19T00:12:00.000-05:00

It has been a busy day at work...not as much for me as for others, but busy none the less.

And I actually met someone who is famous in some circles that I was actually very happy to meet. (Generally, with my temperament I tend to be rather blaise' about meeting 'celebrities' and don't usually go to meet and greet at the theater when it is available.) I was standing in the office making some copies and Scott walked in with a man and his college-aged daughter to introduce her to Scotty since she writes plays and lyrics in NYC and is interested in theater. Since I was standing there I got introduced as well (as Scotty's anti-anxiety pills, lol). Her name, I was told, is Jenny Stafford. "And this is her father, Wes." I shook hands, very nice to meet you, etc. And continued working on my copies while the conversation continued around me. Then internally went, "Wait. Wess Stafford? As in, president of Compassion International? Cool. I got to meet Wess Stafford and shake his hand!" I guess when your job is running an international organization whose motto is "releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name," I find that rather more impressive than having good stage presence, a decent voice and some hit songs. Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with those things or the people who look up to them. It's just the way I am. With few exceptions. One of them being

STU G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the wonderful Stuart Gerrard was in my theater tonight doing his thing. Sadly, I did not get to shake his hand since I didn't even know he was there until the concert was nearly over, but being the avid fan that I am of all things delirious?, it is enough just knowing that he was there on my stage, in my theater, in my hometown playing his guitar and singing.

That's all. :)

GRRR...sigh :)

2011-02-16T23:29:00.000-05:00

I was going to post about how blissfully happy I am that there are less than 5 months till I become Mrs. Robert Jessup...and I am...
...but right now I am so upset and angry at the immaturity of some adults who call themselves parents. In my current mood I agree with my dear sister-in-law who once said that people should have to take a test proving their ability before being allowed to become parents. (I don't really believe that, but in my current state of mind could make an argument for it).

Oh, how easy to push off your own shortcomings and failings on others whose job it is not to raise your child and say the problem lies there alone and not even attempt to help your child grow into a responsible adult who can contribute to society and not grow up to spend his/her life in jail because he/she never learned self-control or that his/her actions have consequences.

...where was I? Oh yes! I am blissfully happy that in a mere 142 days I will get to spend the rest of my life with the wonderful, amazing, and ridiculously good looking Robert Jessup. (And if you ever see me exhibiting behavior similar to my rant above - I give you full permission to slap me!)

I do what I'm told (hahaha)

2011-01-07T23:16:00.000-05:00

I have been instructed to post something on my blog so that people will come to it and see that I have a wedding web site AND a wedding countdown clock. You can find both on my side bar.

While I'm here...Christmas was great. Robert and I (I like the sound of that) spent the holidays in Hickory with his family. We had a great time and enjoyed all the snow. I even made a snow angel and attempted a snow man but the snow wasn't quite wet enough for that and ended up using what I had as a giant snowball I threw at Robert. I think it's probably a good thing that I missed.

Tomorrow we will be looking at a couple of houses/apartments for rent in Franklin...assuming he can get out of his driveway.

2010-12-10T19:39:00.001-05:00

May all your Christmases be white :)

It's my party!

2010-11-28T00:07:00.000-05:00

For my birthday, TSO decided to release a reedited version of Dream Child as a free download at Amazon.com. It's one of my favorite Trans-Siberian Orchestra songs...but then I have many favorites. You can get in on the joy here.

"And then I asked the child why this night has a star and he said so we'd know that we could see that far..."

By the way, I enjoyed my birthday very much and appreciated all the well wishes. I am very blessed.

I just got back from Florida, and will give a better post soon.

Jekyll & Hyde

2010-11-12T00:23:00.001-05:00

Whew! Tonight's show was very good, and it definitely kept me on my toes backstage. From a broken zipper to a lighting board freeze to several other little things that just didn't go quite like we rehearsed, but it was still a terrific show and the cast and crew did a wonderful job making sure the show went on and gave a stellar performance to a great audience who absolutely loved it.

Major kudos to Scotty who has the most intense role of the year that he does a terrific job in, naturally. I can't imagine putting out that much physicality and emotionalism every night, how exhausting....no wonder he has no trouble going to sleep when he gets home.

There are still 3 more performances this weekend. And I hope you all get to come and see it. It's an intense, exciting musical thriller that is rather different from what we've done so far.

Get your tickets here!

Ready to go

2010-10-24T21:10:00.000-05:00

I had the most wonderfully relaxing day today. Which I needed after getting to bed too late and up to early the past 3 days.

Saturday I went to Hickory with the FHS band and watched them compete. If I haven't already said this, they have a really great show this year, honoring those who died at Pearl Harbor. It's fun, it's dramatic, it's moving. You get to experience the full spectrum of emotions in their 6 minute show. I am very proud of all the hard work that's gone into making in such a great show and especially of Robert's great color guard choreography and how he's worked so hard with them to get it clean and together.

This morning (we got back at 2am) I really wanted to go to my church, and so I did and Richard had a great sermon about faith which went along with my Bible reading last night (I love it when God does that :)

So anyway....right now I am too tired and need to go to bed, that's why I am rambling on and on...I need to delete this but I don't know when I'll have a chance to post again in the next 3 weeks. SO....I am going to say I feel very mentally prepared for what these next 21 days will hold work wise since we will be putting up Jekyll & Hyde and performing it in that time. Yup. 3 weeks from today our last major musical of the year will be finished. And I feel ready for all that has to be done between now and then. I had a relaxing afternoon with great friends (the Andrew Makinsons, the Jonathan Makinsons, the Daniel Ostojic's) and a lovely quiet evening with Taco Bell (yea sporks!), Date Night the movie and my Robert. :)

So have a happy 3 weeks everybody....come see Jekyll and Hyde...it's going to be very exciting!

Straw vs. Wheat - Jeremiah 23:28-29

2010-10-22T07:26:00.003-05:00

"28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the LORD.
29 Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?"

Today I want to remember that not all things have equal value and I want to choose to value that which is the most valuable above the lesser things.

Blessings...

2010-10-07T15:51:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to take a minute and say how very blessed I am in my life. I have a great job, great co-workers, a great creative genius and person for a boss, great place to live with mountains, wonderful friends and family, a very special man who loves me, and the love of my Savior. Love you all!

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Tuesday @ 7:30

2010-10-04T20:27:00.001-05:00

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer presented by The Overlook Theatre Company at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts this Tuesday, October 5th, at 7:30pm. This is a fun, family-friendly 50 minute stage play of Mark Twain's beloved character. Tickets are $8.

Quick Update

2010-10-02T07:22:00.002-05:00

Opening Tuesday, October 5th for one evening performance only: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer presented by the Overlook Theatre Company. This is why I haven't posted in a while. I've been busy. :) Fortunately, not all work though. Robert made the yummiest thing for dinner Thursday; hamburger steak with homemade gravy, corn on the cob, biscuits, mashed potatoes and sweet potato pie (An I shut my mouth!). I think this October will be better than last because I will actually get to see him. October is his busiest season because there is a marching band competition every weekend and band rehearsals all during the week. But this year he is in shows at the theater and we are having dinner together whenever we can. It's lovely. :)

A moment of shock yesterday when I realized that we begin Jekyll and Hyde tech rehearsals (where we do everything like its the show but costuming) one month from yesterday. Rehearsals are going really well, it's just fast since we haven't even opened Tom Sawyer yet. But that's how it goes.

I am off this morning to watch The Franklin High School Band compete at the North Lincoln Roundtable Tournament of Bands. It's gonna be fun! :)

Week in review + some

2010-09-18T21:21:00.004-05:00

I have such fun dreams most of the time. Last night I was first saving 2 Chinese kids from the attacking Japanese air force of WWII, then I was an assassin hired by someone who looked a lot like Anthony Hopkins.

I have had the most amazing week. I have had such fun times - hanging out with Anneke Sunday night...watching a movie at home Monday night...Dinner and laughter with the Huckabees and Robert Tuesday night...Lunch with April and Jekyll rehearsal Wednesday night (hey! 3 nights off in a row is unheard of right now. I'm very grateful for it.)...Walking around the fair and listening to the B-bats (whoo whoo!) sing and then practicing with FCC worship team Thursday night...Football game and watching the band perform for the first time Friday night....Cleaning out the cabinets and fridge/freezer resulting in throwing away 5 big bags of expired food (mostly left over from the many people who have moved out) and having Anneke over to keep me company Saturday afternoon. Lots of funness going on this week. :)

I am most excited about cleaning out the cabinets. Now instead of opening door and looking at the overflowing shelves and saying, "there's nothing to eat," I can open the shelves and find exactly what I want and it's all edible! I was planning on doing a general cleaning, concentrating on my room. But I went to the grocery store and when I got home was overwhelmed by the fact that there was no place to put anything. So plans changed. And I am pleased.

This next week I'll be busy organizing the costumes and props from this year's shows out at the warehouse. And there will not be any evening rehearsals due to a vital member of the creative team taking a trip to the most creative place on earth. ;)

So this is good recovery time. I am happy. :)

And Saturday is the Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Banquet at FCC (I will be serving - hooray!) where Tim Tebow's mother is the guest speaker.

Also....it is football season. I know this because I have my very own fantasy team for the first time ever. But I won't get into that now. Let's just say, last week my sister came home to see me yelling at my computer monitor in encouraging tones and when she asked what I was doing I told her I was trying to win a football game. She was incredulous.

Shakespeare ~ Sonnet 116

2010-09-13T22:50:00.002-05:00

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments, love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove.

O no, it is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wand'ring bark,

Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle's compass come,

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom:

If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

Diary of Anne Frank musings

2010-09-10T21:37:00.002-05:00

We are now half-way through our run of The Diary of Anne Frank. The audience has really enjoyed it so far. The laugh, and clap and cry. We had 1300 middle and high schoolers this morning come to see it. They actually were very well behaved and attentive, at least until it came to the scene when Peter and Anne were talking and he kisses her on the cheek...but what can I say...they're middle school and highschoolers.

This has been a very different kind of show for Overlook. There is no glitter, no kick line, no razzle dazzle or show stopping songs and even though there are funny parts, you definitely wouldn't call this a comedy. True to form, it is well produced (to brag for just a bit, we had a school teacher this morning say she has taken her class every year for the past 18 years to see a different production of Anne Frank somewhere. She said this was without a doubt the best production she has seen and the only one that has made her cry at the end.) and the actors do an extraordinary job of portraying their characters, especially when you consider that they are just normal people in the community who most of them have little or no drama training. They do an amazing job of conveying the emotions felt by their characters.

When we started production on this show, I collected picture of Anne from online and made a sort of collage of them to put on the front of my folder to remind myself that this was more than just a story; these people really lived and died in a time that was very difficult for many people around the world. Anne Frank was a real girl who had hopes and dreams and aspirations to be more than what her circumstances told her she could be.

When I was younger, I watched the movie version of The Diary of Anne Frank, and pretty much hated it because I felt that the world view offered was contradictory to Scripture in that the most quoted line "I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are really good at heart," was incorrect when held up to scripture which says that "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." And I believe, but that for the grace of God and the transforming power of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, each of us is capable of being a Hitler or rapist or child molester or murderer.

But through living the experience of this play repeatedly, I have come to see another way of looking at Anne Frank's statement. More than saying that people are basically good inside, she was saying that she was not willing to give up hope that humankind could be redeemed. She was not going to let the circumstances she lived through or the injustices forced upon her make her become a bitter, jaded individual. She was choosing to believe the best and to hope the best.

Now, that may be reading into it a bit far, but in light of the world she lived in and the horrible things that were happening to her, I think it is amazing that a girl of 15 could have the maturity to maintain that outlook on life and not choose bitterness or self-pity.

It is an emotional journey each night as the cast takes us through the 2 years of hiding those 8 individuals had to endure. They were none of them perfect and there was more than one argument. But there is a beauty in their story and in the story of the young girl who wrote it all down. There is a lesson to. A lesson of hope in the midst of the most horrible circumstances.

Every time we reach the end, I tear up and have to make myself focus on the things I have to do backstage so I won't be blinded by my tears as I move around in the dark. And our precious performers are as moved each night as the audience is.

This is an amazing show to be a part of. Not many people will come to see it because it is hard to be excited about coming when you know the outcome. There is no glitz or glamor. No big dance numbers or roll-on-the-floor laughing moments. But those who do come will be touched by the simple innocence and beauty of the true story of a young girl who chose hope in the darkness.

Too much (I just didn't know)

2010-09-08T20:59:00.003-05:00

Last week was the "big push" that always happens right before a show. It's the time where you finish all the little things that have been left undone (if there are still a lot of big things to do, then you're in trouble). But it's amazing how much time and thought and energy have to go into tying up all of those lose ends. It's leaves me exhausted and working crazy hours. As some of my friends have pointed out, this time I was way too intense over the whole thing and thinking about and stressing over things that weren't ultimately my responsibility. Which I am sure is why I was not sleeping. This part of a show is usually my favorite time, but I took more on myself than I was asked to and ended up being unable to sleep and barely civil to those I love most. So sorry if you had the misfortune to encounter me in this state.

I guess the point of all this is, I am a person who likes, no, loves to be helpful and who wants to live a life of integrity and also not be considered a slacker or not do my share. But it is easier than I thought to get such severe tunnel vision and become consumed by those things that I think are my responsibility. I honestly had no idea until this week of how extreme I was behaving - oh, I knew I was stressed, but didn't realize just how much my behavior had changed or how it was affecting those around me. I will pay more attention next time when people comment on my attitude. But I must say, I do have great co workers who make the theater a great fun place to be, when my craziness isn't in the way. ;)

Anyway, the cast of Anne Frank are doing an amazing job, and if you get the chance to see it, I would recommend it. It will make you laugh and cry and think and feel.

How many???

2010-09-04T08:25:00.002-05:00

I am learning that according to popular belief one tylenol pm is all most people need...and some only use half. However, I am only now learning this and the bottle says take 2. Perhaps that is why the past 2 days I have woken up to my alarm still feeling sleepy and it has been 9pm before I have any energy. Or that could have to do with the fact that rehearsal is over and I don't have to worry about it again til tomorrow (There's a lot of fast things going on backstage in this one).

Anyhow, I decided to skip the pill last night and see how I slept. After a nice 8 hours I was awake before my alarm and super hyper...which mostly has to do with 3 days off to visit Laura and Michael with Robert. Now that's a good time. :)

Insomnia? Nah...just insanity. :)

2010-09-01T00:09:00.002-05:00

This week I have not been able to fall asleep before 2am. I try. Like tonight I was in bed lights out by 11:30 - which is a decent time for me. 1.5 hours later I sat up and turned on my light, tired of just lying there. So I got up to see if Camila was up yet on Skype. She's not which is why I decided to blog instead (although I do keep checking to see because that would be something fun to do and all of my other friends are asleep).

Tonight wasn't too bad compared to 2 nights ago when I kept stressing myself out thinking about, if I marry Robert, what will we do with his dog!!!!!! Which is not something I am really worried about, but when I'm half-way asleep, silly things can be overwhelming. In that case, I turned on my light and read for 2 hours til I was to exhausted to think and fell promptly to sleep.

I think most of my issue comes from the fact that we open a show in 8 days (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and I still am working on many lists simultaneously as well as constantly thinking up different ways to make things run smoother and to think of anything I may have forgotten prop wise or tech wise. It's not as bad for me as I am sure it is for Scotty since he is in control of every aspect of the show and has to deal with props, set, costumes, techies, and actors and marketing. I have plenty to handle with just my little part. It's fun, but whew! I'm looking forward to the time when Anne Frank does not consume my every spare moment and keep me up all hours of the night.

It is a beautiful night, though. The stars were just gorgeous on my drive home tonight from the theater. And it started to turn cooler today. I opened all the windows when I got home, and I pulled out my Mickey & Minnie blanket to wrap up in as I sit on the couch typing. I love it! Fall and Spring are my most favoritest times of year, but I think Fall is my #1.

More ramblings...

Anneke and Andrew moved in this weekend. They have such a fun house! It's amazing. There is still unpacking to do, of course, but it's coming along quite nicely. There was quite a throng of people helping unload the U-Haul. Even the little kids got in the action and carried in small items. It is absolutely lovely having Anneke living so close to me - the closest she's ever lived to me, in fact; about a 1 minute drive.

I am looking forward to having a break this weekend. Unfortunately that means I have to miss this weekend's concerts, oh darn. ;)

It will be super fun to see Michael and Laura, and Robert is actually going with me this time. We planned a trip to visit them once before, but somethings came up unexpectedly and he couldn't go last minute. I think a mini vacation with him will be very fun and relaxing, especially since he will be getting to know my good friends better and vice verse. Laura threatened to have some very serious questions to ask him, but I'm not worried. ;) I'm looking forward to some great fellowship and, of course, some yummy food. :)

And.....Camila is still not on Skype. I just checked.

Did I mention how great it is to feel the cool air and hear the crickets chirping outside? I love needing a blanket.

I am starting to feel a little bit sleepy, but I don't dare try going to bed again yet...that would undo all that the last 30 minutes have accomplished. I am seriously planning on purchasing Tylenol PM tomorrow for the rest of this week, because I really want to get to sleep earlier so I can wake up earlyish to go walking. As it is, my work days are so long right now, I wouldn't make it on only 5 hours sleep. So tomorrow I'll try drugs. :P

I have found myself baking/cooking a lot more often in the past 2 weeks. I don't think it was a conscious decision, it just happened. But I like it. I have made brownies, and lemonade cupcakes, and broccoli cheese chicken & rice casserole, spaghetti with chicken (cooked from Mastering the Art of French Cooking, yea!), fajitas...easy stuff really, but way more than I usually do. I do want to eat in more, it's healthier (potentially) and cheaper, so I'm really glad that it's working out.

I have been singing "I'm Henry the 8th" since last Thursday. Peter Noone is a great entertainer and I really enjoyed his concert last week. It's a silly song, I know...but then, I like silly songs. :)

I am so glad I have friends in the theater, otherwise I wouldn't ever see any! Even though I did choose to eat by myself today...perhaps I needed a break from immaturity ;) And, I would hardly ever see my man friend if he wasn't also involved in theater. I could say boyfriend, but that sounds so middleschool sometimes. Sometimes I call him my special friend. :) Whatever. You know what I mean when I say it, however I choose to say it.

Well, now that this post is so long no one will ever read it, I'll go on and post it and maybe do a crossword or 2 before attempting to sleep again...although "crossword" does remind me of a prop in this show...and we all know where that leads......

This is for Scotty...

2010-08-28T20:19:00.002-05:00

Definition: Serving Jesus

2010-08-24T21:42:00.002-05:00

So I just stole this from Rachel's blog because I liked it so well and think it's rather profound. But I'm giving her credit and even linking to her blog, so that should be good, don't you think?

I do have a fondness for them, bless. They just need Jesus, and I'm here to serve him. That was a play on words. Serve, as in to follow him, and serve, as to serve on a plate with a side of fries. Not literally, of course, but as in to dish out Jesus, pass him around, etc. I better stop; I think this is starting to sound unintentionally blasphemous.

I love you Jesus.

Nikki made a really good cake for Michelle's birthday. I ate 2 pieces. It made me happy. She served it with Jesus too. Because I'm not the only one who serves Jesus.

This is for Robert who was worried because I haven't posted in a week...

2010-08-22T15:27:00.002-05:00

This week has been so crazy!

But we finished Blue Moon, the interns at work are finished for the summer, Samuel's going to be fine so I don't have to worry about him (car wreck on Thursday), I actually went to church at FCC this morning and saw April and Gabriel for the first time in months, Anneke and Andrew are moving here in 6 days, and I'm going to a baby shower on Tuesday (by the by, it's so funny to me how many times I have had to answer the question if I have a kid while either crocheting a baby blanket or buying a gift for one of my friend's babies). So all in all, things have shifted gears a bit and I think this week might not be so much of a blur. Here's hoping!

6 degrees? 3 this time.

2010-08-14T08:32:00.002-05:00

Yesterday Robert took me to Asheville on a date. It was nice, he told me to wear a skirt which is fun because I like dressing up on dates. On our way over the mountain, he realizes his phone is dead. Won't even turn on, which is pretty good timing since we were able to stop at the Verizon store in Waynesville and they are sending him a new one. If we hadn't been driving past it, he would have had to make an extra trip, and he really doesn't have a lot of free time to be able to do that right now.

The bad part of this, is that the address of where we were going to meet up with his friends, Ryan and Cortney, and their phone numbers were all in his phone and nowhere else. But. living in Franklin as we do, we started thinking. And I have John Mark's phone number in my phone from when he coached at the gym with me, and he is friends with and graduated with Caitlin who is Cortney's sister. So, I called John Mark, got Caitlin's phone number, left her a message, she was at work but happened to check her phone and called me back (and said she had just seen Scotty and Nikki at Michael's...what a small world) with the house phone number and address, so it all worked out. I love Franklin! We met up with them and had a fun time just talking and hanging out, ate at Cheddar's and then went to Cold Stone Creamery. Yum!

Legs

2010-08-12T20:45:00.003-05:00

Ahhhhhhh!!! It's been three days since I've posted! I can't let myself slip back into the no posting pattern.

So what's new...

...you know how there's something you've know for a while, and then stopped doing it for a bit, and then you go back to it and you're like, "wow! This is great! Why did I stop doing this?" Like sugar scrub. I have sensitive legs (also very white legs, but that's beside the point) and when I shave I tend to get razor burn pretty good. But, if I use an exfolient before I shave, it's not so bad. And the cheapest and most effective method I've found is sugar. Just plain white sugar in a little screw top container I keep in the shower. I sometimes add a little bit of grapeseed oil to help moisturize. It's so simple and easy, and it works so well. But I ran out a good few months ago and just 2 days ago got around to re-filling my little container with sugar. I know, it's not that hard to do, but I kept on forgetting. So anywhoo, I'm enjoying smoother legs now.

Which brings me to tonight. I have spent the last 2 evening standing in for an actress who is out of town at rehearsals; taking her blocking notes, reading her lines, etc. And tonight I got to 'show off' my legs to another cast member and then kiss him on the cheek - except I didn't really. So that's two leg things this week.

Random.

And for those who wonder, I spoke with my father today and he is doing just fine.

He had retina reattachment surgery last week and the recovery process is rather difficult for him since basically he's not allowed to do anything. Just sit there. But he's being fairly decently behaved so far. I know it must be so boring not to be able to read or move much. He has been listening to CD's and watching some TV also.

Fell off the band wagon

2010-08-08T21:29:00.002-05:00

I'm not going to complain. I take full responsibility for my actions and their natural consequences. I slept about 90 minutes last night because I was so engrossed in a book that I didn't stop til it was finished - at 6am. I casually thought once or twice about closing it and turning off the light, but I was fairly certain I wouldn't be able to just go to sleep. Oh well. I am a bookaholic. There are worse things. :)

My highschool 10 year reunion.

2010-08-07T16:21:00.003-05:00

I had breakfast with Michael and Laura and her grandfather this morning at Sunset. It was very lovely to just sit and chat.

They are in town for the FHS Class of 2000's 10 year reunion.

I attended my 10 year reunion. It was so lively, some of those people are really wild! I don't even remember half of them, which may be in part to the heavy partying I myself did during those years. I was surprised, however, to note how many of us are still single. The whole class, in fact. Although also shocking, is that even though most of us have spent time overseas, we still all call Franklin home. It seems to me that such a large class as I had would have spread out a little more. Oh well. You never know what life will give you. I am happy to report that everyone loves their current jobs and is happily involved in a serious relationship with a dishy significant other.

Oh, and I took a poll, and How to Train Your Dragon is without a doubt the best movie of the year to the 2000 graduating class of Munger Academy. :)

Looking Back

2010-08-07T04:38:00.000-05:00

I was at work and suddenly remembered this funny thing Scotty did once for my birthday. I went on a search and found it. It's good for a laugh: http://rehearsalchronicles.blogspot.com/2007/11/happy-birthday-yo-manda.html

Sad :(

2010-08-04T22:12:00.002-05:00

So Everett just got back to the house from dropping Travis off at his house after the Shane and Shane concert. And he brought a piece of Lindsay's birthday cake her sister made, strawberry with cream cheese frosting. The sad part? He didn't bring any for me. :(
Oh well, maybe I'll just go eat the last of the strawberry shortcake.

I saw the Wright's tonight (Jerry & Catherine), they are heading off to China to pick up Rosemary and Dominic! I am so looking forward to meeting them!

I have 100 random little things running through my brain. Instead of sorting through them and picking some to write down, I'm just going to go bed.

Except I am going to have the strawberry shortcake first. Good night. :)

What goes around...

2010-08-03T16:55:00.003-05:00

Hello world! I have decided to blog again. I know that probably no one even bothers to check this page anymore, but that's alright. It is a good hobby and way to sort out and express my thoughts. For the longest time, I thought I didn't have anything worth posting because my life consisted of work and sleep, and you can only say so many times that, "work is great and you're making costumes and props for ____ show and attending rehearsals."

Also, I decided that I am through with pink as a blog theme. So like the fairies in Sleeping Beauty, I've made it blue!

I have been reading a lot lately. Fiction, because that's what I tend to like best. British mystery novels to be precise. I have just finished with the most recently published book in the Mary Russel & Sherlock Holmes series by Laurie King and have decided to take a break from enthralling fiction since it gets in the way of me getting to bed on time. Or before 3am. Or 4. Anyway, I am stopping myself for the time being from reading other books by this author and switching to something a little less exciting but much more fulfilling that will give me something to think about as I fall asleep but not key me up to the point where it is impossible to sleep until I finish the book. (Which by the way, I was very irritated to find that the conclusion to the 9th book was no conclusion at all and did nothing to help me turn off my mind and fall to sleep).

At the beginning of last month, David Crowder Band played at the Theater. They are special to me because they're first CD, Can You Hear Us?, was what I listened to nearly every night on my DTS so that I could go to sleep. So they have a very special place in my heart, on top of which they have continued to produce great worship songs with stunning lyrics.

Anyway, all that to say, while they were here, I bought one of their books that I nearly bought 4 years ago but didn't. I don't remember why.

Last night I started reading Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, but Nobody Wants to Die. The first sentence of the preface had me hooked.

Robert and I have been dating for 17 months now, and through our relationship I have gone through different phases of dealing with different things and ideas that I have to question and either change my mind about, or decide I like the original way. Usually it has to do with how I perceive myself (identifying weaknesses) and what I want my relationships to look like.

In the past week or so I've been thinking about my 'individuality' and 'independence.' Scary.

Hate to burst anyones bubble, I still haven't come to any conclusions on this subject, but the reason I got so excited when I picked up that book, is that a part of it - the beginning at least - deals with that to an extent. It is so encouraging to know that someone, somewhere (namely, God) has the answers to all of my little problems and concerns, and I don't have to be stuck in confusion forever.

Really, the book says it's about bluegrass and death, but I related so well to the things the authors were saying, it almost felt like a personal conversation. And it's quite cleverly written and fun to read.

I have to run off to rehearsal (see, it's a very repetitive cycle), but I promise I'll be back sometime this week. I feel like I have more things that I want to say. Which is different, for a change. :)

David Crowder Band

2010-07-07T19:44:00.002-05:00

Night Castle

2009-10-26T05:49:00.003-05:00

Today and tomorrow only you can download the mp3 version of Trans-Siberian Orchestra's newest album, Night Castle, WITH a bonus track from amazon for only $3.99. You can get it after tomorrow too, but it will cost you $4 more.

And, I realize you still have to buy the actual physical cd so that you can read the lovely booklet, but $3.99 isn't bad at all so I can listen to it right this second. :) Remember, Franklin has limited resources.

IT'S ME! IT'S ME!

2009-10-25T21:40:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone!!! How are ya doing??? I'm great!

Life has been wonderful and busy, hence the 4 months of silence. Plus I've discovered facebook and spend what little time I have there.

But yesterday I decided to start making food for work in the crock pot, at least during the next few weeks when we practically live there. And while I was searching online for a good crock pot lasagna recipe, I stumbled across this blog that I think is fabulous! I've already picked out the next recipe I want to try, "Jamaican Pumpkin Soup."

So the ingredients are in the pot, and tomorrow when I get up I'll plug it in and we'll see what we get!

I love the whole idea of doing a recipe a day. Not that I would attempt it. That's way to ambitious for me lifestyle right now. I went and saw Julie and Julia a few weeks ago...or maybe a month (it's had to keep track of time right now) and absolutely loved it! If you haven't seen it, you must rent it when it comes out on video. Must. I said so. :) And if you haven't seen it you may not know the connection between those two thoughts. The movie is about this lady who decides to cook her way through Julia Child's cookbook, Mastering The Art of French Cooking, in one year. Everyday she blogs about her experience. And this slow cooking blog is along those same lines, except I think that this woman wrote a cook book herself.

Enough about cooking. I don't have time to anyway. :)

I was very fortunate to get to see Laura and Michael in Charlotte earlier this week. They are doing so well and my visits with them always seem too short.

April had her baby - Gabriel Vinko Ostojic. He is adorable and so interesting for a newborn. He wiggles around and holds his arms up and sometimes even will lift his head for a few seconds.

Thursday will mark 6 months of officially dating Mr. Robert Jessup and things are going along quite well. It has been an adventure, for sure, and I have learned many many things about myself and relationships in general along the way. He is the first man I've ever dated and it has been a wonderful experience.

Well I must sleep, so that will be all for this time. Hope to write again - sooner that 4 months this time. ;)

an update

2009-06-12T22:21:00.002-05:00

So I've been 2 weeks at my new job and I am loving it! The days fly by and there are so many exciting and fun things to do each day. The first week I helped Effie a lot with set construction, and I went home each night exhausted and sore. This week has been more costumes and training and setting things up at the performing arts center. (We have a Yamaha PM5D mixing console that is totally sweet! Not that I'll ever really get to use it.) These have been very full, happy weeks and I am looking forward to what the next months and years hold for me. (By the by, having a wonderful, kind, sweet man for a boyfriend isn't too bad either ;)

endings

2009-05-27T18:59:00.003-05:00

I coached my last team practice today. Not sure what I think about that. I am so very happy and excited about what next week holds and I think the timing is perfect for moving on, but at some point I think I'm going to have to feel a sort of sadness over leaving something that has been so wonderful during these past nearly 10 years.

A Sunday School Lesson

2009-05-25T00:04:00.002-05:00

This year I've been volunteering once a month or so in the 2&3 year old's room on Sunday mornings at church. For the past several months we have been learning about the Fruits of the Spirit. A great thing to learn about...one you never outgrow. God has reminded me a lot recently to be patient and trust Him...it keeps coming up in little ways that I could overlook if I wanted to, but I know that He is encouraging me in this.

This evening I was chillin with Laura and Michael and talking and I told Laura, "I've been patient my whole life...I don't want to be patient anymore!" She laughed and said, "As long as you have the other fruits you should be able to make it without patience. Although," she continued, "once you loose patience, self-control will also be gone." To which I added, "and if you loose patience then you've already lost peace."

And the more I think about it the more I see how the fruits are linked together in such a way that you really can't loose one without the rest becoming less potent or obsolete. And conversely the others help strengthen each other.

So while I may be struggling with patience, if I continue to let God work those other fruits in my life by loving those around me, allowing the joy of the Lord to be my strength, resting in His peace, showing His kindness and goodness to others, remembering faithfulness and gentleness and excersing self-control, it will be that much easier to be patient no matter what is going on around me. It's really an all-or-none. I can't pick and choose which fruits I'm going to like today and ignore the rest. :) Thank God I don't have that option!

My first wrestling match experience :)

2009-05-16T21:22:00.000-05:00

2009-05-16T21:21:00.000-05:00

a goodbye

2009-04-30T12:46:00.002-05:00

So today was Scotty's last day at the high school. We had a great party with yummy food (tator tots, mac'n cheese, chocolate chip cake, cupcakes, Dr. Pepper and other junk food) and a hilarious song, "Bye, bye, Scotty!" created by a few of the kids under the direction of Mrs. Lansford.

It was great, lots of kids came by to say their farewells and a few teachers and the principle also.

After we all left, I was just a little bit sad. Not because I'm going to miss the building, it's just that so many fabulous memories were made in that place. So much of my life has been lived inside of those walls. So many hours spent with special people working together and learning how to do new things. Feeling so happy when we everyone's hard work and dedication creates a wonderful show that people really enjoy.

And I'll miss getting to hang out with third period...you guys rock! ;)

But I'll still see everyone during shows, and there is so much exciting stuff to look forward to, so I will only spare one tear and this post to look back on and appreciate where we've been.

2009-04-26T20:55:00.002-05:00

Life has been so exciting and fast these past 2 months.

I only have 5 more weeks until I start my new job at the Smokey Mountain Center for the Performing Arts.
Exhibition at the gym is coming up fast and I have routines to choreograph.
I have been spending time with this really great guy named Robert and loving every minute of it.
I got to see Anneke and Andrew and Marcail and Donovan and had such a blast! I really wish they lived closer to me. :)
I coached my last gymnastics meet last weekend.
Had Easter with Ben and Keri in Knoxville which was tons of fun!
Had a lock-in this weekend and stayed up all night...also tons of fun but I am still recovering from it.

So lots of fun and exciting things, and not enough time to post about them all.

I am doing better with Facebook because it's faster to update in that I don't feel like I have to communicate as much at once, I can change my status 20 times a day if I wish.

But everything is great! I love my life! I love the people in my life! I love where I'm living my life! It's all great great great! :)

2009-04-08T15:25:00.001-05:00

Me and Pike's Peak
-Amanda

Garden of the Gods

2009-04-08T14:51:00.000-05:00

2009-04-08T14:49:00.001-05:00

-Amanda

A new movement in the symphony of my life

2009-04-02T22:27:00.002-05:00

Well...you never know what God is going to throw your way next! :)

Something has happened that I wouldn't believe was possible in my wildest dreams (ok, maybe my wildest dreams, but still, it was so far out there that I didn't even consider asking God for it...which is ok, because He knows all my thoughts and desires even better than I do and He gave it to me anyway.)

On or about June 1st I will begin an exciting new chapter in my life! I will no longer be a coach at New Vision Gymnastics. Instead I will get paid to play here everyday! My very favorite hobby is now going to be my job. How cool is that?

So needless to say I am so excited that I hardly know what to do with myself! I will of course miss all the wonderful people that I have worked with the past 9 years at the gym and all of the great kids I have gotten to coach. But I think the timing on this is amazing and I am so thankful to the Lord for orchestrating it. What a Master Director!

2009-03-26T20:14:00.000-05:00

One week from tomorrow I'll be flying to Colorado Springs! I can hardly wait! :)

2009-03-22T22:04:00.001-05:00

Soooo tired of blue....it's spring time!!!! How about some... pink! Well, what do you think? :P

The weekend

2009-03-22T21:31:00.002-05:00

Hi! :D

At first, I thought this weekend was going to be so long and boring because I had 2 gymnastics sessions in Douglasville, 3 hours away. One on Saturday at 2pm and one on Sunday at 1pm. And I would either be driving back and forth for 12 hours or have to stay the night somewhere, which wasn't really in the gym expenses budget. But, with hitching rides with my kids and some clever finagling, I was able to go down Saturday morning, have a GREAT session (we won) meet up with Camila, have a Jamocha shake and go see Spamalot (Monty Python: Holy Grail + Musical = Oh so funny!), go driving all over Atlanta and look at some beautiful houses, drink tons of water at a Sushi restaurant while Cam ate sushi and we watched all the people, sleep in til 1o:30 this morning, have another Jamocha shake, and have another great session, and make it home by 9pm...and I didn't have to drive - EVER!

So it was a really wonderful weekend (in spite of me getting directions to the wrong building to see the show. Oops!). Apart from feeling sleepy, I am ready for tomorrow (yea!) and looking forward to this week when I can (perhaps) finally get my house back in ship shape! Which having small group here Sunday should be a good motivator. ;)

3rd meet photo.

2009-03-22T19:34:00.000-05:00

-Amanda

It's Spring!

2009-03-19T19:41:00.001-05:00

I feel like I just spent the last month or so in a cave (aka the Fine Arts Center) and when I finally came out, everything was warm and beautiful! It is definitely a wonderful thing to spend the last month of winter so busy you don't even realize it's still Winter and wake up one day to find flowers and sunshine!

Seussical!

2009-03-13T13:13:00.001-05:00

Opening night was great!

You have 3 more chances to come see a great, fun show...

Friday and Saturday at 7:30 or

Sunday at 2:30

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

Oh cr*p

2009-03-12T23:44:00.003-05:00

Sometimes things get found out that you wish hadn't...

When the news is all bad, when you're sad or confused, when you find yourself caught you should do what I do...

...tell yourself, how lucky you are...

Opening Night!

2009-03-12T14:12:00.001-05:00

Come see SEUSSICAL!!!

It's here!

2009-03-08T09:29:00.000-05:00

Come see the most spectacular, colorful, fun musical ever! (so far)

March 12-15 @ Franklin High Fine Arts Center.

Thursday-Saturday @7:30pm

Sunday Matinee @ 2:30.

Petition To Keep Our Tax Dollars from Funding Abortion

2009-03-06T06:59:00.002-05:00

***From Focus on the Family Action***

A move is under way in Congress right now to force you and me to pay for coercive abortion programs overseas. Congress’ latest spending spree paved the way for U.S. taxpayers to fund China’s forced abortion policy through the U.N. Population Fund.

And there’s more. The Obama administration has continued its full-scale assault on the sanctity of human life. First, Mr. Obama announced that he will “review” President Bush’s “conscience clause” policy that protects pro-life health care workers from being forced to violate their deeply held beliefs on issues like abortion.

Then, the president announced that he was nominating pro-abortion stalwart, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, as secretary of Health and Human Services. Sebelius once threw a party at the governor's mansion in honor of notorious late-term abortionist George Tiller and other pro-abortion friends, and her nomination is widely considered to be payback to Planned Parenthood.

t's clear that President Obama and Congress are determined to press forward with a radical, pro-abortion agenda that forces you and me to fund coercive abortions overseas. Our Focus Action team saw this agenda developing, which is why we initiated our “No Tax Dollars For Abortion” petition. I’m thrilled to report that friends like you have helped us rally more than 180,000 signers.

If you have not yet signed our petition, please go here to sign now.

Finally, I want to thank you so much for standing with Focus Action in defense of life. I believe the Lord will bless our faithfulness in standing for truth no matter what the political situation might be. May God bless you!

Tom Minnery
Senior Vice President, Government & Public Policy

Happy 105th Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

2009-03-02T09:23:00.000-05:00

Happy March!

2009-02-28T22:52:00.001-05:00

Insane happiness

2009-02-26T21:44:00.003-05:00

We are down to 2 weeks before opening night. I love this part of putting on a show! It's my favorite because everything starts to come together so fast and you practically live in the auditorium and see show people more than anyone else and everyone you know not involved in the show thinks you've dropped off the planet and you work long hours painting the stage late at night and get giddy from the fumes and all sorts of little things pop up and you have to figure it out real quick. It's just so intense!

I love this part of a show! It's my favorite!

Although you could argue that whatever stage of production I'm currently involved in is my favorite, I think the last 2 weeks hold a special place in my heart. What's not to love?

And she's back!

2009-02-26T08:23:00.001-05:00

I woke up this morning and nearly jumped out of bed I was so excited and had so much energy. Did I mention that it was 6:30 in the morning?

Amazing Miles

2009-02-19T22:11:00.001-05:00

You have to watch this video on Lindsay and Travis' blog...unbelievable!

Psalm 34

2009-02-15T08:48:00.002-05:00

¹I will bless the LORD at all times;
   his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
²My sou makes its boast in the LORD;
   let the humble hear and be glad.
³Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
   and let us exalt his name together!

⁴I sought the LORD, and he answered me
   and delivered me from all my fears.
⁵Those who look to him are radiant,
   and their faces shall never be ashamed.
⁶ This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
   and saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the LORD encamps
   around those who fear him, and delivers them.

⁸Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
⁹Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
   for those who fear him have no lack!
¹⁰ The young lions suffer want and hunger;
   but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

¹¹ Come, O children, listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
¹² What man is there who desires life
   and loves many days, that he may see good?
¹³ Keep your tongue from evil
   and your lips from speaking deceit.
¹⁴ Turn away from evil and do good;
   seek peace and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
    and his ears toward their cry.
¹⁶ The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
   to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
¹⁷ When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
   and delivers them out of all their troubles.
¹⁸The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
   and saves the crushed in spirit.

¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
    but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
²⁰He keeps all his bones;
    not one of them is broken.
²¹ Affliction will slay the wicked,
   and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
²²The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
   none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

My yellow rose

2009-02-12T22:08:00.000-05:00

A beautiful surprise. it totally made my afternoon. it was a valentines gift from one of my students, Noah.

It's great!

2009-02-11T21:03:00.004-05:00

I was tired most of today, and even tonight after work when I had to go to the store. But now I am home alone blaring the obc of Rent (my edited version) and doing laundry, dishes, unclogging our bathroom sink and cleaning about 4 of the rooms in this house simultaneously. I don't expect to finish all 4, but it's nice to have an early evening and get some stuff done.

I bought about 12 different cleaning products tonight, and I will probably try most of them today. :)

I also bought lavender sandalwood fabric softener and dryer sheets, so I am excited about how clean and nice everything will be and smell! :) Hopefully I don't fall over in 30 minutes and can actually finish some of these projects.

Candid camera

2009-02-11T21:01:00.004-05:00

Today I was at the high school sewing, when I look over my shoulder and there is a video camera in my face! So maybe now I will be part of Robbie's senior project - a documentary of how a show is made. :)

Sometime I need to post some pictures of what we have been doing. Although I will probably just wait til we start dress rehearsals and let Cam do it.

Small Group Photos

2009-02-10T22:59:00.003-05:00

Here are some pictures of our small group eating a delicious meal prepared by the fabulous Lois Collins! Of course, you can't see her because she's behind the camera. But let me assure you the food was delicious and beautiful! I had never had salad in a cucumber ring before, and I don't think I have ever eaten a yummier salad.

Thank you miss Lois!!!

It's rather odd

2009-02-09T00:35:00.002-05:00

When I am very tired, I cannot make new decisions very easily. If I have been cleaning, I keep doing it even though my feet hurt and my eyes ache and I am moving so very slowly.

Or if I've decided that I am buying a plane ticket tonight, then that's what I will do even though I can't pick out which one I want - I had already decided to do it and it's too hard to make a new decision not to.

But I sometimes function very well at the point of exhaustion. Those who know me well know that I am at my best playing cards after midnight. :) (Ah...the good-old-days)

All that ramble to say (I think I must be rather self-absorbed since the entire ramble was entirely about my idiosyncrasies that hardly anyone else could find interesting)...

...I bought a ticket to see Anneke & Co. in April! :D

2009-02-08T13:20:00.001-05:00

Look what those drama kids do to the tables at church!
-Amanda

An update, sort of.

2009-02-06T21:36:00.004-05:00

This week has been very busy, but then that's how most weeks are now-a-days. I feel happy and excited with where my life is going, but I don't think I could exactly point out the reasons why - I just do. Maybe something to do with the variety. Or maybe because we are getting ready to put on the most specatcular show yet!

So if you haven't talked to me in a while, I am doing great. Just crazy busy doing a hundered different things and loving it!

(And I think I finally convinced Lindsay tonight that I would really and truly love to baby sit her sweet Henry any time she needs me to and I'm not doing one of those hundred things)

Nadal beats Federer to win Australian Open

2009-02-01T20:17:00.001-05:00

RENT!

2009-01-28T19:05:00.000-05:00

525,600

2009-01-27T22:50:00.004-05:00

I am super excited because tomorrow morning I'm driving to Charlotte to spend the day with the lovely, fabulous Laura Keck...uhh..Barker (old habits...) and she is taking me to see Rent tomorrow night with Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal reviving their original roles.

Nothing like a little mini-vacation in the middle of the week!

Anniversary

2009-01-22T08:15:00.002-05:00

Today marks the 36th anniversary of Roe V. Wade.

Since then we have murdered 48,000,000 of our children and countless women have suffered the emotional and physical trauma, even sometimes death, of having their child ripped from their body.

Lord Jesus, I plead your blood over my sins and the sins of my nation. God, end abortion and send revival to America. Bring healing to those who are hurting from an abortion.

This is also Sanctity of Human Life Week, and all week Focus on the Family is airing pro-life/pro-family broadcasts on their daily radio program.

Newness

2009-01-22T08:10:00.000-05:00

January 21, 2009 - Wednesday

24 Hours -- A World of Difference

Americans watched on television as President Bush's jumbo jet soared out of sight yesterday--and with him, a long record of protecting the unborn. Although the Obama administration is a little over 24 hours old, the new President has already set to work undoing years of pro-life and pro-family policy.

Minutes after Obama took the oath of office, the transfer of power was made complete on the White House website. The page, once home to a host of family values, now welcomes an extreme collection of anti-life, anti-woman, and anti-family agendas. Under the caption "civil rights," Obama pledges to fight for nationwide civil unions, repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, homosexual adoption, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, expanded "hate crimes," and over 1,100 costly same-sex benefits. He promises to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" as well as block a federal amendment to preserve marriage. In exchange for the support of groups like Planned Parenthood, the abortion business is also due for a rich payoff from the 44th president, including his support of abortion-on-demand, more funding for "family planning" programs, embryonic stem cell experiments, and tax-funded abortion.

It is snowing

2009-01-18T08:52:00.002-05:00

I love watching it snow! It is so pretty and magical.

Last night Cam, Kat, EO and I went out for dinner and as we drove back home we took the long cut up Town Hill. We made it but the car was slipping the whole way - it was so icy!

Mark your calendars!

2009-01-12T22:41:00.003-05:00

Sunday, February 22nd @ 7pm Tom Conlon is playing at DCF in Clemson.

(Hopefully he'll have his new cd with him!)

I make a motion that our home group go on a field trip that night! :)

The Most Wonderful Thing...

2009-01-11T20:30:00.004-05:00

...Not really, but it felt like it at the moment.

The most wonderful thing was realizing that nothing but a good night's sleep stood between me and working on Seuss! :) When I realized it I laughed out loud, I was so happy.

I have had a wonderful weekend. Most of it did not go as I expected, but isn't that life? I am so happy and rested. And tonight was our home group's first meeting back since the holidays. We are reading the 4 Loves by C.S. Lewis and discussing it. I love C.S. Lewis and have not read this particular book before, so I am looking forward to getting into it and having some wonderful discussion with some wonderful ladies. (Not that gentlemen are necessarily excluded, it's just that there aren't any!)

I may not have a chance to post again til next weekend.

Love God and love people and always make time for the most important things.

Happy New Year from Wisconsin!

2009-01-01T00:08:00.001-05:00

Christ the Savior is Born!

2008-12-25T10:35:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas!

* * * Merry Christmas Eve * * *

2008-12-24T15:12:00.005-05:00

It's a beautiful life

2008-12-19T17:41:00.002-05:00

Today was the last day of gym this year. So now I have two weeks of vacation, 1 week of which will be spent in snowy Wisconsin (which is reported to have the nation's largest indoor water park).

I am so looking forward to relaxing, drinking hot tea and reading - maybe a little cross country skiing thrown in for fun. :)

I am looking forward to and excited about next year. Who can tell what a year may bring? I'm not one to make new year's resolutions, but I do think there is something special about a fresh beginning. Wasn't it Anne Shirley that said, "Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet." I love that. Every day is fresh and new and every year more so.

I am so thankful for the grace of the Lord and the forgiveness that is possible through the cross of Christ. A new year may be symbolic, but it's His blood that gives new life. Per my Pastor's request, I have been reading the gospel of John this week. I am amazed at the sacrifice and love shown to us. That is the miracle of Christmas.

Just...happy!

2008-12-17T22:39:00.003-05:00

It's late, I'm tired, but I haven't posted in way too long...so here goes!

I am happy that Christmas is almost here

I am happy that the rain paused long enough this morning for me to take a walk

I am happy that I live in a country where I have freedoms and I am thankful to the men and women who sacrifice and fight to protect our nation

I am happy that I have 99% of my presents wrapped

I am happy that Cam is letting me wrap her presents (hi - my name is Amanda and I am a present-wrapping-aholic)

I am happy that NCIS episodes are aired many times a week (hi - my name is Amanda and I am a NCIS adict)

I am happy that my kitchen is clean

I am not happy that the floor is dirty - ah, only so many hours in a day

I am happy that I am going to make potato chowder tomorrow

I am happy that my house has electricty and running water

And I am oh so thankful for my Savior. As a friend of mine's dad always says when asked how he's doing..."better than I deserve"

And They're Home! :)

2008-12-11T23:58:00.000-05:00

Dear Family and Friends,

Today was a blessed day -- Jack and his parents arrived home and if I must say do believe his cuteness factor increased tenfold. He is small but too precious for words. I actually got to hold him this afternoon. Some of you know that I had a student with fifth disease yesterday and was concerned I would not be able to hold him or even be around him but the docs said that all was well and Jack most likely has immunities from Angela. Whoo Hoo blessed news.
Angela's uncles, aunts and dad decided last night to do a mini renovation on their yet unfinished living room --- complete with resanding and staining of floors. They wanted to give them a finished family room for the new family. It was amazing how fast everything came together and the sweet efforts of an awesome floor guy. So we felt like Ty Pennington as we tore apart their house last night. The floors are being completed as we email, but the fumes were so bad that the kids and Jack had to spend a night or two with me. What a shame.    haha So double blessings for me today. I am so blessed to have such a loving family who would sacrifice so much for my daugher. I could not have better brothers and sisters. Thank you.
Should anyone wonder where I am on Friday......I will be home holding Jack.....finally. What a doll baby. Attached are a couple of grandma photos in case you are a visual learner. hehehe Thank you again for your prayers they sustained all of us -- especially little Jack.

Jack update #2

2008-12-09T21:22:00.001-05:00

Hallelujah! Angie, Colin and Jack are all in a room together and Jack began officially nursing. Needless to say Angela considers this to be a top notch day. He is still under a bili blanket to get his liver count where it needs to be --- minor issue and not uncommon. Once he started eating he decided he liked it. The doctor gave orders to allow him to eat all he wanted and Angela is happy to oblige. Your thoughts and prayers have helped to sustain all of us and the end of the road looks to be near. Thank you all for your commitment to our family.
Love you,
Vickie

Jack Update

2008-12-08T23:10:00.000-05:00

Wonderful news today. Jack is totally off all air and breathing on his own. Angela has been holding him as long as they will allow her and she has been feeding him. Her momminess is becoming complete. :-) Jack has to eat from a bottle so they can monitor how much he eats. They were also supplimenting with a feeding tube because he has to work so hard at feeding but tonight Angie said he ate his entire bottle and wanted more. The docs gave an order to up his volume 5 ml every 6 hours as long as he can hold it down. What great news. There still is not a room available to move into so please pray that something will open up. Angela sounds so happy. She is anxious to spend the entire day with him. We are praying that they can come home Thursday. Thank you all for your prayers and positive thoughts and encouragement.
Love you, Vickie

Jackson Moore!!!

2008-12-07T19:56:00.002-05:00

For those who don't know, Colin and Angela had their baby!!! He is a boy and the named him Jackson Emmanueli Moore. He was born 3 weeks early and weighed 4lbs ?ozs. He is in NICU in Ashevillle. Below are a few e-mails I've received from Vickie. She said to please pray for an open nicu room so when Jackson gets the okay he and mom and dad can all stay together.

Here are the e-mails:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

7:37 Sunday evening...

Thank you all for your prayers. Jackson is doing much better. He has been taken off of the ventilator and the hole in his lung looks as if it will not present any more problems. He is still getting a little help with some pressurized air in his nose (it looks like those oxygen nose tubes they give old people). He is out from under the billiruben lights, they pulled the umbilical cord catheter out and in a few minutes they are going to let him try to breast feed for the first time. On top of everything else it turns out that he was the rare rare case where his blood culture produced a false positive for infection. They want to keep him on the antibiotics a few more days because they are a little concerned that he might have had some mild pneumonia. In the words of his nurse, it is amazing how fast he has gotten better. She says amazing, but we know how many people have been lifting our little guy up in prayer and sometimes prayer can do the things that medicine can't. We'll definately be here for a little while longer, but things are really looking up.

Love,

Angela, Colin, and Jack

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1:15 Sunday afternoon...

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I spent a great day with Angie, colin and Jack yesterday. He came off the ventilator about 11 that morning and by 4 he was still doing fine. He has a trickle of oxygen still entering his body but that should come out in the near future. He is under the bilirubin lights to help a touch of jaundice but that is very common. The hole in his lung seems to be healing just fine. There are no signs of anything any different. Angela got to hold him for about 40 minutes last night and while she did that his stats leveled off and looked great. The second culture for infection is not growing anything --which is good. All in all it was a great 24 hours. They hope to give him some breastmilk today -- which would be awesome. Angela was able to freeze the good colostrum and that should be his first real meal. He is down to 4lbs and 3oz but he will rebound. He moves very well and is quite the little fighter. Long and skinny is my best desciption.

Continue to pray for complete healing, easy of nursing, and continues strength for Angela and Colin. Toss in some added rest for good measure. haha Thank you all for your love, support and prayers. You are a blessing.

Love you, Vickie

post show (sleep-deprived) thoughts...

2008-12-07T19:02:00.000-05:00

3 years and 2 months ago I did my first show with Scotty Corbin and Overlook Theatre Company. Who would have thought that Once On This Island would be the beginning of so much learning, fun and friendships?

This show is over, and I will scarcely have time to miss it before we start working on the next one. I wonder what fun fantastic things I will get to do this time!!!!!

Where I've been all week...

2008-12-04T00:24:00.002-05:00

It's The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!

Reminds me of Jr. High youth group. :)

Show time is December 5 & 6 at 7:30pm and December 7 at 2:30pm at the Fine Arts Center.

Happy December!!!

2008-12-01T08:25:00.001-05:00

Great Times

2008-12-01T07:59:00.003-05:00

These past 5 days have been so fun!

Starting Wednesday night with Hoopla with all of my family up on the mountain, then a fabulous Thanksgiving, decorating my Christmas tree (it smells so good!!!) and playing Cities and Knights on Friday and eating birthday carrot cake (all intermingled with Mario Kart for Wii - I liked it but spent a lot of time falling off the road and crashing into walls), then my girls birthday party with lots of fun, fondue and karaoke that Miriam and Camila so lovingly threw for me. Then Sunday was smiling and waving all dressed up and wearing a red wig in the cold of the Franklin Christmas Parade followed by yummy pizza and another birthday cake! So it's been one long party with great food and family and friends. I am so blessed!!!

If your holiday was half as great as mine, then you are pretty lucky too!

amanda's journeys

Fun times at the Jessups

3 Days

Guys & Dolls!

a thought on marriage...

A lovely Resurrection Day!

The Sound of Music

Working on Wedding Fun!

The Groupon Guide to: Treating Allergies

I am new to Groupon, so I don't know if this "advice" is normal on their website, but it made me laugh. :)

The Groupon Guide to: Treating Allergies

Winter has past, and the springtime has come!

Girl time!

Yea Wedding!

On memories and making new ones

That's for the birds...give me the bees!

A blog about....oh, looks like another "Ode to Robert" ;)

Words of wisdom from a friend

Who...???

GRRR...*sigh* :)

I do what I'm told (hahaha)

It's my party!

Jekyll & Hyde

Ready to go

Straw vs. Wheat - Jeremiah 23:28-29

Blessings...

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Tuesday @ 7:30

Quick Update

Week in review + some

Shakespeare ~ Sonnet 116

Diary of Anne Frank musings

Too much (I just didn't know)

How many???

Insomnia? Nah...just insanity. :)

This is for Scotty...

Definition: Serving Jesus

This is for Robert who was worried because I haven't posted in a week...

6 degrees? 3 this time.

Legs

Fell off the band wagon

My highschool 10 year reunion.

Looking Back

Sad :(

What goes around...

David Crowder Band

Night Castle

IT'S ME! IT'S ME!

an update

endings

A Sunday School Lesson

My first wrestling match experience :)

a goodbye

Garden of the Gods

A new movement in the symphony of my life

The weekend

3rd meet photo.

It's Spring!

Seussical!

Oh cr*p

Opening Night!

It's here!

Petition To Keep Our Tax Dollars from Funding Abortion

Happy 105th Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Happy March!

Insane happiness

And she's back!

Amazing Miles

Psalm 34

My yellow rose

It's great!

Candid camera

Small Group Photos

It's rather odd

An update, sort of.

Nadal beats Federer to win Australian Open

RENT!

525,600

Anniversary

Newness

It is snowing

GRRR...sigh :)