some things for your conisderation...

so once in awhile, i come to one of those blog entries that, for one reason or another, i have been putting off writing and so i need to catch up. this is going to be one of those times. there isn't a lot to catch up on....just some random thoughts, a variety of pictures, and a little bit of information some of you might find helpful. (some of you also may find the information lame and ridiculous. if you feel that way...the information was clearly not intended for you. just move on.)

let's start our list:

1. "BUSYTOWN" the musical opens in 2 weeks with previews!

that's right...in 2 short weeks, you can see your favorite characters from the world of Richard Scarry come to LIFE at imagination stage in bethesda. and evidently, the deal is that if you want to see the show cheap before our "official" opening night (the 7pm show on september 27th), you can snag $10 tickets! you can't beat a deal like THAT with a stick! SO - if you want to check out the washington dc premiere of this show in previews and save money, click HERE. (the $10 shows are sept 23 @ 11:00am, sept 24 @ 10:30am, sept 25 @ 10:30am and sept 27th @ 12:30pm or 3:30pm.) let me know if you end up coming to one of the $10 shows! i'd love to say HI afterwards!

2. i had a VISITOR!

ok. honestly. she didn't really come to just see me. and after she arrived, i learned she really came to see the backstreet boys at wolf trap in vienna. but nevertheless...in august, one of my favorite people ever came to visit the greater DC area. shannon west! shannon and i met here in northern virginia, and then she decided that she was going to head back home to utah to close to her family or whatever. but every so often, she shows up out east here, and we have a crazy good time whenever she does! i think i've said it before, but shannon is one of those people who reminds me how life is SUPPOSED to be lived: enthusiastically, passionately, and always for 'the dream'. although i was pretty busy with life and jobs while she was in town, we did have a chance to go on one of the technologically advanced people movers that i used to give tours on...and, like any good shannon west visit, we had a chance to go eat dinner at rio grande cafe in ballston. (which, truthfully shannon, i don't really dig all that much...but i'm always happy to go for YOU!) when shannon is around, there is never a dull moment...and you'll soon notice that life takes on a sparkly, glittery glow when she is near. all i can say is stand as close as you can and hope some of it rubs off...because she knows what this thing called life is all about!

a shot from rio grande.

another shot. both shots are shannon REFUSING to motorboat. and although i wanted her to, i appreciate her sticking to her guns and not giving in. sadly, i think she'd be really good at it. but that's an arguement for another day...

3. i took a quick trip to GEORGIA!

labor day weekend, i hopped in a car with the nelson siblings, drove 11 hours south, and hopped out on the front step of carlos and heather gonzalez in newnan, georgia! heather knew i was coming...but it was a surprise to los. and his reaction was priceless. (confusion...sheer and utter confusion for about 5 minutes.) there were no plans...and it had been a year since i had been down to visit, so the kids were bigger, the house was new, and the relaxing was in full swing! the gonzalez family is right up there on my list of 'favorite people' - and i'm glad we got the chance to hang out in 2008. it means our streak is alive and well...and i'm looking forward to 2009! plus - i got the chance to introduce them to cajun trail mix from sam's club...which can, will and did change their lives...like it has changed mine! enjoy some pics from the trip!

katherine and jim nelson getting ready for the big drive.

somewhere....in the....carolinas, maybe...we had a slight hiccup in our plan. but a kind citizen stopped, gave us a jump and we were on our way again. here, darci and jim check out the situation....at like....2am.

cubbie considers hitching the rest of the way.

as soon as i arrived in newnan, the play-do came out and abby and i were busy making ART.

charlie, as it turned out, only wanted to eat popcorn.

here is heather, in one of the pictures i let abby take with my camera.

another 'abby original' - titled: charlie with candy necklace.

i don't know what is really going on, but i really love this b&w of the 2 of them. these kids rule.

abby is clearly happy about something.

i catch a picture of charlie up on his favorite perch in the house.

4. BUSYTOWN rehearsals continue to roll forth!

i gotta put the pictures i keep snapping somewhere...so please enjoy this latest collection of photos from our rehearsals. with a show that includes a pickle car, a banana car, a crayon car, a carrot car...and a whole slew of other crazy props, the pictures promise to keep getting more and more interesting and entertaining.

rehearsal well under way. please notice the rehearsal 'lowly worm' character/puppet (with the blue head) in emily's hand, center stage.

an 'art shot' of lowly and the girls.

mj gives the banana car a try.

tiernan hands don the cheese.

then she goes to help emily out of the pickle car.

the rest of these are amazing on so many different levels....for so many different reasons. enjoy!