Christmas Cheer from Hannah

Awww...

I had a very late night tonight. I'm trying so hard to keep up with all the newhire monitoring that needs to be done.

I turned into the driveway and immediately saw a chalk arrow which directed me to the garage. As I waited for the garage door to open, I happened to notice Cade's note to me.

Window Shopping

Found here.

Found here.

Found here.

Cut and Color

I met Jennipher Ross in March 2004 when I was looking for someone to help me update my hairstyle. Update she certainly did! I departed her salon with straight, blond hair and I absolutely loved it!

I've gone blond, black, brown, and various shades of red and blond highlights. I've followed Jennipher from Greensboro, to Kernersville and I'm thrilled that she's here in Winston at Hair Plus at the mall.

I showed Jennipher a picture I had found on Pinterest. She loved the dark brown/red color as well. Then she surprised me by asking if I also wanted the cut. In truth, I hadn't considered the short cut. I haven't had short hair since I was in high school. Plus, I wasn't sure my face could carry a shorter cut. Jennipher said it would look great on me. I implicitly trust Jennipher. It's been 8 years and she's never steered me wrong. I jumped in with both feet!

As you can see, it is different from my usual style. I am absolutely thrilled with my new look!

alis volat propriis

Who's Your Celebrity Doppelgänger?

My celebrity doppelgänger is Zooey Deschanel

Free-spirited and unique, you can’t help but stand out from the crowd — just like your celebrity twin, the cute and quirky film actress Zooey Deschanel. Whether it’s your slightly retro hairstyle, jewelry, or makeup, you love expressing your offbeat sense of style and artistic soul. In some ways, you’re like a modern-day flower child — you follow your own path and love finding the beauty in the people and places around you.

Fellow doppelgängers include Nicole Ritchie, Rihanna, Drew Barrymore, and Sienna Miller

Best Gift Evah!

It's very nice to know that I did make a difference in CSD. If it weren't for the fact that I really do need some daylight hours, I would have remained with CSD.

Sara and April gave me the best going away gift I could ever get.

They bought 4 bags of Skittles, wore kitchen gloves and separated each of the colors for me.

How freakin' awesome is that?!

4th Grade Report Card

Cade received his first real report card. Here's how he did:

In Music, Art, PE, Behavior and Work Habits he earned an "S." There's no key on the actual report card, so I'm assuming an "S" means satisfactory and not sucks.

In his core classes, Reading, Language Arts, Math and Science he earned a "B." I'm especially proud of Cade's Math grade. We all worked hard for that B!

He did make a "C" in Social Studies, which surprised me.

Cade was very proud of his accomplishments, and we were too. We took him to dinner to celebrate.

CSD

I dreaded August 22 just as much as Cade dreaded the end of summer vacation. Two weeks prior the new supervisors completed the mini shift bid. I was going to be the new supe for the Customer Service Desk PM reps.

When other supes found out, they actually offered their condolences! A previous CSD supe told me about the medication he had to start taking just to cope. The supe I would be replacing was now walking around with a spring in his step; the weight of the world so obviously off his shoulders.

I decided to go into my new position with very low expectations. If previous supes couldn't get the team to perform at goal, what could I magically do?

When calls were escalated to me, I asked them their expert opinion, and I supported that opinion. Sometimes I didn't need to talk to the customer. Most times I did. When the reps called me, I made sure to be available to them. I didn't hide.

I also thanked them for the work they did. Nothing fancy, an occassional email, with a simple Thank You. The reps began to talk - when was the last time someone actually thanked them? I built a rapport with most of my team and we began to enjoy each other.

On October 4 I interviewed for a Training Instructor position. My team was horrified! Why do you want to leave us? I told them I didn't want to leave - I really had begun to really enjoy CSD. It was simply an interview and I might not get the job.

But I did. When Beth and John offered the postion to me, they were absolutely surprised when I asked for the weekend to think about it. I think they expected me to jump at the chance to leave CSD! Really, I had grown to love the department and my team. I didn't want to leave, but training offered me more daytime opportunity and, well, I love being an instructor. I had occasional doubts as to my effectiveness as a supervisor. I don't doubt my talent as an instructor. I know I'm good.

In the end I did accept the training position. Before I started my new job, I reviewed my team's stats:

Handling Time (% to goal)
Aug-86%
Sep-92%
Oct-101% (Yipee!!!!!)

After Work Time (% to goal)
Aug-37%
Sep-38%
Oct-42% (Hey, it’s still an improvement)

Compliance
Aug-92%
Sep-92.5%
Oct-93% (This is right at the goal.)

I’m most proud of their Handling time. It was the first time all year that they made goal (actually exceeded it!) and it’s the highest it’s been all year!

No more doubts, I’m a good supervisor. I did make a difference in CSD.

Congratulatory Skittles Tree

My mom made this for me in celebration of my promotion to Training Instructor. Love, love, love it!!

Unhappy Halloween

It's been a while since I've worked for a company that encourages dressing up for Halloween, my absolute favorite holiday of the year. Some of the characters I portrayed in the past: a mime, The Phantom of the Opera, a fortune teller, a farmer's daughter, Emmett Kelly, Zorro, Juliet, Roxie Hart, and a Mardi Gras Princess.

This year I had three potential costumes in mind - all Disney characters. Ultimately it boiled down to what I could find at Goodwill.

A brown skirt was the easiest find. I was terribly excited to find the same blue colored undershirt, then the search began for a black vest. Beige kitchen curtains could be altered to make the apron. I already had black ballet flats (purchased at Goodwill last year). And I also found silver shoes that would do for the glass slipper. I was going to be Cinderella!

I woke expecting to feel the rush of kid-like Christmas morning excitement! Instead I felt the rush of blood to my head, the throbbing of my sinuses, the swell of my throat. I downed some pills and returned to bed, optimistic a nap would make me feel better. I awoke in a drug induced haze, feeling worse. After Cade told me that I looked "real bad", I called in to work sick, and returned to bed. My Boo turned into boo hoo hoo. I guess I'll be Cinderella next year.

Zombie!

I warned her of the dangers of working Evil Dead: The Musical.

She obviously didn't listen...

We Will Rock You! The Music of Queen

Bridget is a big Queen fan. When she found out the Winston-Salem Symphony was performing Queen songs as part of their Plugged-In Pops series she asked if I wanted to go.

I'm not a big fan of the symphony. I rank the symphony right up there with opera. Both events are usually stuffy and overly long.

I used to go roller skating every Friday night and at least once, the rink DJ would play "Another One Bites The Dust." That's a good roller skating song. "Bohemian Rhapsody" is not. So, while I know who Queen was, I was not a huge fan.

Still, I knew if I didn't go with Bridget she wouldn't go at all. As much as I was not looking forward to it, I did agree.

Honestly, I had a much better time than I anticipated.

I thought it would just be the symphony playing Queen's music. I was pleasantly surprised to learn they brought in a guest artist, Michael Shotton, who was lead vocals. He actually sang along with the symphony!

I was also surprised to learn that I knew more Queen songs than I thought: "Under Pressure", "Somebody To Love", "We Are The Champions" were all song I recognized and sang along with. I never realized they were performed by Queen.

Utlimately Bridget and I had a really, really good time.

A Cute Reminder

Cade sometimes has trouble remembering in the mornings the things he needs to bring to school. I don't blame him, I'm not my best at 7 in the morning.

When I got home tonight, I saw this reminder to himself.


I love that little boy!

An Afternoon At The Theatre, "The Addams Family"

Ken and Heather were supposed to see this on Broadway. Due to the reviews, they gave their tickets to Sam and saw another show. Sam did see it, and he thought it was okay.

Unfortunately both Chad and I felt like it was 2.5 hours of our lives that we'll never get back. I thought it was absolutely horrible. The score was awful and the book was weak. The dance numbers had me laughing they were so bad. And "The Moon and Me" Uncle Fester number...I think I feel asleep.

Ken and Heather had the right idea. I wish Chad and I had painted a wall so we could have watched it dry.

Brained

Source

I am both.

Fish Tacos

Last time I was at Village Tavern I noticed Fish Tacos, a new addition to their menu. Bridget and Dana were telling me how tasty fish tacos are and I really wanted to try them. Never having them before, I chickened out during that visit. Since the VT is right across the street from work, for tonight’s dinner, Bridget and I ordered fish tacos.

Blackened Tilapia with lettuce, Tavern sauce, guacamole and salsa. Served with black beans and rice.

I have to say that I was unimpressed. Black beans – wonderful! Rice – ok. Tilapia – meh. I don’t think there was any salsa in my two tacos because I kept thinking the tacos lacked…something…umph, spicyness, flavor.

At least now I can say that yes, I’ve had fish tacos. I don’t think it’ll be something I’ll readily order again.

An Afternoon At The Movies, "The Help"

I enjoyed the book and was very interested in seeing the movie. So today Sam and I decided to catch a matinee.

Other than what little was taught in school, Sam didn't really know much about that era of our history. I absolutely hate that period. I hate that people were treated so badly! And as uncomfortable as I was watching the movie, Sam was even more so.

Viola Davis was outstanding, as was Emma Stone. Even though the movie was changed a bit from the book, it still made me cry.

An Afternoon At The Movies, "Crazy Stupid Love"

Chad is a fan of Steve Carell and I'm a fan of Ryan Gosling, so this was the perfect movie.

I did enjoy it immensly. Admittedly, I do tend to sway whenever I see Ryan's rock hard abs. Emma Stone was a treat, as always.

An Afternoon At The Movies

Mallorie and I really wanted to see this on opening day, but my work schedule interfered. So, we caught the show this afternoon.

We had a great time singing along with our favorite Glee songs "Raise Your Glass," "Jessie's Girl," "Loser Like Me," and "Somebody To Love." Our favorite part of the entire movie was after the credits and the Mini Warbler. He is too cute for words; Mallorie and I laughed until we cried.

We were so inspired by the concert that we decided to finish watching all the Season 2 episodes that we hadn't watched since April.

We are Gleeks and proud of it!

Last night for my lunch break I went to the Mall, the Hallmark store specifically. Chris' birthday is this weekend and I needed to pick out a card.

The store was empty, or as empty as a store can be at the Mall. Since no one was around I caught myself singing, mostly under my breath, but singing none the less.

“I throw my hands up in the air sometimes
saying ay-oh, gotta let go
I wanna celebrate and live my life
saying ay-oh, baby let's go"

The song is "Dynamite" and Taio Cruz sings it. However, I was singing the slowed down part that China Anne McClain sings in an episode of Disney Channel's A.N.T. Farm. I've been singing this for several days now. I love singing it because it's a part I think I can sing fairly well.

As I moved down one of the card aisles, a couple of people were talking to the cashier. What caught my attention was hearing my name – Cheryl Ann. I stayed where I was, but stopped singing to pay further attention. They were talking about how Cheryl Ann couldn’t sing!

OMG!

I ducked my head down so they wouldn’t see me. They kept talking about how bad Cheryl Ann's singing was. I was freaking out because I was only singing in the store and pretty low in volume so they couldn't possibly have heard me enough to know that I am not really a singer.

Close to mortification, I'm thinking the people talking have to be either co-workers or theatre peeps, and they've seen me in the store, heard me singing and thought I had left the store. As scared as I was that they would see me, I peeked over the top of the card case to try and see who was talking about me.

As I was standing on my tiptoes, one mentioned that she hated hearing me singing…with Bon Jovi.

Bon Jovi? Wait…what?

And then it hit me…it’s not Cheryl Ann they are talking about. It’s Sugarland.

Oh, those damn southern accents.

These were delivered to me yesterday, and yes, I was completely caught off guard.

This is what they look like today. In bloom and so pretty!

An Afternoon At The Movies

While I grew up in the Smurf era, I didn't really get into the cartoons. Still, I did own a few of the figurines and used the "smurf" language for a time. That a Smurf movie was coming out did nothing for me. That it was offered in 3D did not impress me. That it was a live actin movie set in NYC and starring Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays had me putting it on my "must see" list. Mallorie is a fellow NPH and Jayma Mays fan so she was willing to go. Cade decided to go based on a few TV commercials.

All in all it was an enjoyable movie and we had a good time.

Super Excited!

Mallorie and I are going to see them tonight!!!

An Evening At The Theatre, "Next To Normal"

Sam saw this show on Broadway and absolutely loved it. He burned me a copy of the CD and overall, I liked the score.

Last night Chris and I attended the touring production in Charlotte. I was very much looking forward to seeing Alice Ripley in the role that won her a Tony Award.

The set was reminisent of Rent and Spring Awakening with scaffolding and purple, bright lighting.

Curt Hansen played Gabe and Emma Hunton played his younger sister Natalie. Both were outstanding. Jeremy Kushner played the dual role of Dr. Madden and Dr. Fine. He was okay. Nothing about either performance really stood out for me. Asa Somers performance was absolutely heartwrenching. By the end of the show I was trying to hold back tears. I was not successful.

Alice Ripley was astoundingly disappointing. I'm no singer, but I can certainly tell when someone is off key. She ever found the appropriate key. It might have been that she was tired. It might have been that she was sick. It might have been that she really didn't want to do the tour. Whatever it was, it came through in her performance.

If it hadn't been for the strong performances by her castmates, I would have demanded my money back.

Very Proud

Course Description

Ok, so Robin sent us the descriptions of what each of us will be teaching. Here's mine:

Drama/Auditioning - Cheryl Ann Roberts Actor & Former Educational Theatre Services Coordinator, Southeastern Theatre Conference
Explore dramatic "cold readings" acting, best practices, head shots and resumes.

I'll have to do some research on the "cold readings" piece. But "best practices" will be easy peasy due to the work I did on SETC's "Nail That Audition" webinar last year.

I'm less nervous and much more excited!

And Scene...

While it was great reprising Rachael (I mean...she's such a fun, no boundaries kinda character!), I'm glad for The Couch to be over.

Thank you to Chad, Ken, Myla, Mark and Bridget for coming out to see it!



Your face! I thought you were really having one!
~NS 7.8
**********
GREAT job tonight! You had me laughing every time you talked! So fun!!
~JP 7.8
**********
You were spot on brilliant in "The Couch." Enjoyed every second. :-)
~MF 7.9
**********

Memorable Quotes

These are from the book Belong To Me by Marisa de los Santos

"I have lost things I will never stop missing." - Cornelia

"Passion is sloppy and over the top and immature, and anyway, it doesn't last. You don't build a life on it. Passion makes people lose their heads." - Piper

Legit

So, it's official. Robin's classes have been approved and I will be teaching class on the 12th. I'm still not sure what I'm supposed to teach, only that I will have two classes - one for middle school students and one for high schoolers.

I'm both nervous and excited. I'm nervous about not having a lesson plan to go by, but I'm so totally excited about working with kids. I absolutely love working with kids!

Change Your Words

This is such a beautiful video.

Love and Support

Joe, Maryann, Mark, Latimer, Eric, Mallorie, Chris, Robin, April, Bill, Michael, Myla, Nanette, Ken and Heather, Chad, Mom, Fred, Bridget, Lee, Dad, Laurel, Neil, Kati, Katie, and Perry...

thank you so very much for your encouragement, your faith, your hugs and praise, and especially all your love and support during The Beauty Queen of Leenane. I could not have brought Maureen to such life without each of you sharing in her breath.

(and thank you, Chris, for the beautiful roses.)

Beauty Queen Kudos

Loved the show. You are wonderful. I wish you were famous and then I could say I know her.
~RM 6.15
**********
It was FANTASTIC, Cheryl Ann- WOW!!!
~LBA 6.16
**********
You were simply brilliant.
~CEC 6.18
**********
Hi Cheryl. I am so sorry I didn't get to talk to you after the show last night. You were magnificent! Wonderful, wonderful work!
~SM 6.18
**********
You MUST go see The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Some of the most incredible performances I've ever seen by Maryann Luedtke, Latimer Alexander V, Mark Flora and Cheryl Ann Roberts. An incredible, if disturbing, evening.
~JB 6.18
**********
I just wanted to tell you what a wonderful show it was, and what an amazing performance. You are so lucky to get to do the challenging meaty roles, and you were incredible as always. The accents were amazing and came effortlessly and it was only a few minutes before one realized there were accents at all.

Anyway, I just wanted to congratulate you on an AMAZING performance, and I hope your hiatus from theatre (after THE COUCH) won’t be very long!!
~KA 6.20
**********
Did I mention that you were simply amazing in the show? Genius, I say! Genius! (not to be confused with the liquid refreshment Guinness)
~MO 6.21
**********
You were spectacular!
~FM 6.24
**********
My dear...KUDOS for your performance last evening! U were GREAT! What an intense show and it was so well cast! You guys all rock!

And for goodness sake................get a room!
~LH 6.25
**********
Nice night tonight with my wife and some good theatre, namely "The Beauty Queen of Leenane" at OSCT, featuring the fabulous Cheryl Ann Roberts.
~LU 6.26
**********
Just wanted to write and thank you for such a brilliant character you created for BQ..and to thank you for trusting me in the process. You were/are great to work with...fun and creative.
Your performance and interactions with other characters was awe inspiring!
Hope we can do it again sometime.
~JN 6.28
**********
YOU! YOU! You were magnificent! Did I tell you that? :o)
~NS 6.28
**********

Happy Birthday, Mom

Performance, "The Beauty Queen of Leenane"

I have to say that last night and tonight's audiences were the best, so far. It might have been because I decided to tweak Maureen just a tad bit. And for that I blame thank Mark, who plays Pato.

Last Saturday, as I came off the first scene, Mark high-fived me commenting that I was on fire. "Evil" and "mocking" were two more words that stuck with me. Those are not adjectives that should come right after the opening scene! That combined with the woman in the front row that held such tongue-clicking disgust for me (at one point I was really afraid she was going to jump up on stage and go after me!) had me rethinking my acting choices.

The play works best when the audience empathizes with both Maureen and Mag. We are our own worse enemies and our own victims. What I believed happened was that I was playing Maureen a bit too harsh. If I was starting the very first scene "evil" and "mocking" I really had nowhere else to go with her. I was also overpowering Maryann's attempts to grow Mag. Ultimately I was hurting the lay by inadvertently making Maureen immediately unlikable.

So Friday I made Maureen a bit softer, lighter and it worked so much better. We actually got laughs that we'd never gotten before! Both audiences went right along for the ride that Mag and Maureen took them on. Instead of being so very dark and heavy, the show was simply sad, which is what the playwright intended it to be.

Ok, guys, do you agree or disagree with Scott? Do you have more to add to the list?

9 Things Guys Find Sexy About You That Have Nothing To Do With How You Look

by Scott Alden on April 21, 2011

There is no denying that looks are what usually first attracts us to a woman, but most guys who have been around the block also know that how hot a woman appears to be on the surface has very little to do will how good the sex will actually be.

However, there is a lot that we can tell about how sexy a woman really is, if we pay attention to certain things. Here are 9 examples:

1. Your Walk

Oh man. A brisk, confident, heel-clicking strut? A slow, hip-swinging mosey? Would it be creepy if I just walked behind you for awhile? (I know. It would. That's the definition of creepy.)

2. Your Voice

Whether it's smokey/scratchy, airy or, I'll say it, slightly lisp-y, the way you talk can be a major turn-on.

3. Your Sharp Wit

Just watch any classic screwball comedy -- verbal sparring is the ultimate foreplay.

4. The Way You Dance

This one's pretty obvious right? The way you move is the way you move.

5. Your Adventurous Spirit

And being up for anything kind of implies that you might be up for anything. On the other hand...

6. Your Shyness

If the bedroom is the only place that you really let yourself go crazy, it's kind of twice as hot.

7. Your Laugh

I think the laugh was the first thing I ever found sexy. Before I knew what sexy was, I remember hearing Kathleen Turner's laugh (I was probably 7) and feeling something... different.

8. The Way You Smell

I'm not talking about what perfume you wear. I'm talking about the way you smell. I'm talking about burying my face between your neck and shoulder, inhaling and losing all capacity for rational thought.

9. Your Ability to Communicate

Nobody's going to believe me on this one, but it's one hundred percent true. Even the hottest, easiest sexual relationship is eventually going to run into a snag somewhere. A woman who can express complex feelings clearly and confidently is a woman who's going to be able to keep the sex interesting and fulfilling when the initial shine wears off.

Happy Birthday, Mallorie

(Yes, that's a dragon cake. )

Final Dress, "The Beauty Queen Of Leenane"

Man, I was on a roll tonight! We were rocking along, things were going well, lines were being delivered and pacing was great. I was resisting the urge to posture and pose for the photographer who was taking show pics. We were on!

I'm backstage, struggling to get into my final black dress when I realize I've got it on inside out. I yank it off and redress, trying to beat the lights up of the final scene. I see Mark come offstage and send up a little prayer that I made the costumer change in time. I grab the raincoat and start my entrance, wondering why the lights still haven't come up. Doesn't Eric see me? I jangle my keys in an attempt to signal Eric that I'm about to enter.

Lights come up, I open the door and step onstage. I see that Maryann is sitting in the rocking chair. Shit. Wait, what? Now I realize that I'm all wrong. I've skipped an entire scene!! And funnier still, it's my own page and a half monologue!

(I didn't actually skip it. As soon as I realized what scene I was supposed to be in, I sprang into action.)

Yes, that's the beauty of live theatre where things can go wrong. Thankfully, though, there was no audience other than the photographer, and he didn't know I'd messed up. And, of course, I had to reassure Joe and Eric that it won't happen again.

An Afternoon At The Theatre, "Nunsense A-Men!"

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I can't remember if I've ever seen a Nunsense show. I think I saw it back in the 90's at Kernersville Little Theatre, but I can't be sure.

So when Theatre Alliance needed someone to work the box office, I readily volunteered. And, as it turns out, there was an extra seat available. After I finished my box office duties, I slipped into the seat and enjoyed the show.

First of all, you can't go wrong with a cast that includes Mark Armstrong, Justin Hall, Tim Brown, Gray Smith and John C. Wilson. Each of them are talented in their own right. As an ensemble of singing nuns...divine!

Had one yesterday, compliments of McDonald's. It was tarty, refreshing and delish!

For Hannah

A Night At The Theatre, "Duck Hunter Shoots Angel"

Last night, Myla and I caught the delightfully funny, Duck Hunter Shoots Angel at Twin City Stage.

I had read the script and didn't find it particulary funny. But in the hands of Ken Ashford (as the more knowledgable Duane) and Chad Edwards (as the bright eyed innocent Duwell) absurd situations were played touchingly honest. And of course, they were funny. Very funny.

Performances by Don Gunther and Laurel Ulman were also wonderful.

The set was designed by Larry Hurych. Particularily notable was the tree Duwell had to climb for the final scene.

All in all it was a highly enjoyable show! Bravo to all!

Tonight's Feature

The play came to my attention in 2006 when Cynthia Nixon won a Tony for the role of Becca. I read the play shortly thereafter and immediately fell in love with it. I wish I could say the same about this movie.

I'm baffled over why John Cameron Mitchell chose to set particularly intimate scenes in public venues. A bowling alley? A cold, dank basement? A public park? I mean, really??? Mallorie also felt those scenes lost their power in the wide open spaces.

I'm still trying to decide if I liked Nicole Kidman's portrayal. I did like Aaron Eckhart as Howie and I thought Miles Teller was spot-on as Jason. I thought it was unfortunate that Nat's (Dianne Wiest) and Izzy's (Tammy Blanchard) roles were so watered down in the movie. Maggie Gallagher and Laurel Ullman, who played these wonderful roles in Theatre Alliance's staged reading were soooo much better.

My Mother's Day

I had a very nice Mother's Day. Cade made a colorful card for me, as well as a decorative cup. Mallorie gave me some much needed Bath and Body Works lotion in one of my favorite fragrances. And all chipped in for an absolutely stunning Pandora bracelet.



I also received a FB message yesterday that really made my heart smile.

So, yes, I had a very nice Mother's Day.

For My Mom

It has not always been a smooth road that you and I traveled.

I'm pretty sure you will agree that my teenage years were the worse years of your life. I knowingly chose the opposing side; purposely fighting against you. As I battled for independence and my own identity you became the unwitting target for my frustrations.

During my 20's you supported me without judgement, watching me grow into my role as a single parent. During my 30's I became someone neither one of us recognized as I struggled with marital expectations and postpartum depression. These failures and disappointments lead to shifts to my priorities and searches for moments I missed in my 20's. You were conflicted; torn between reaching out to salve and slapping needed sense into my head. You tried both and I purposely lost you.

Now in my 40's I am surprised to find that in many ways I am turning into you. Even more astonishing, I am absolutely relishing this transformation. My own parenting mirrors the philosophy you quietly instilled in me all my life.

While never once did I make it easy on you, you held on to the wisdom that one day we'd come out, together, and on the same side. And as always, you were right.

Simply, thank you, Mom. I love you too.

Last Night's Feature

As soon as Mallorie got home from spotlighting WSTA's Alice In Wonderland we popped in the DVD. We both knew it was a twist on the traditional vampire story, however neither of us were expecting it to be so gory. Aside from the CG scenes, the FX were disgustingly good.

It really was a sweet coming-of-age love story, and both child actors were remarkable. Richard Jenkins was absolutely amazing. A particular moment between him and Abby had me initially reeling from inappropriateness, but then had me pining from such tenderness.

Date Night

Phoenix was beautiful and I had a great time, but I really did miss my little man. When Allan asked him why I was coming home last night instead of today, Cade smugly replied, "Because Mommy missed me."

When Cade got home from school I asked him if he wanted to go on a date tonight and we decided to attend his school's Carnival. $5.00 got him 20 tickets to exchange for various fair activities. He met up with one of his BFFs, Colton, and I soon became a third wheel. No matter, I was content to watch him race around and have fun.

Here's one of the "booths" Cade was most excited about. The car came compliments of the Winston Cup Museum.