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| How fun is THIS!?!?!?!?!
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| Sometimes a girl just needs some chocolate.
It happens to the best of us.
Thursday was one of those times.
The problem? We didn't have any chocolate in the entire house. Aaaaand... we're broke. Crazy broke. Less-than-$20-in-the-bank broke. This puts a big, fat crimp in the chocolate plans. Ugh.
BUT... where there's a will... there's a way! Have no fear!
My friend, Jess, was over... and she agreed that the need for chocolate was indeed great. And so we set out to conquer this problem... we embarked upon what will henceforth be called...
CHOCOQUEST '07
*cue triumphant music*
We began to scour the house for money. No drawer went unsearched, no couch cushion unturned. And upon the accounting of our spoils... we had collected $11.39!!!!! *cue triumphant music again*
My only regret is that we didn't think to take a photograph of our counting nearly $12 in loose change on my coffee table. It was impressive to say the least. But I digress...
We set out on our quest... our CHOCOQUEST ('07)...
(that's a couple of cookbooks about what to do with cake mix... we happened to have a chocolate cake mix on hand... so we were building our chocolate goodness from that foundation)
It was, of course (as it well should have been for such a journey as this), pouring rain... a tropical storm, no less...
But NO MATTER! A mere tropical storm could not keep us from our CHOCOQUEST ('07) *cue triumphant music*!!!!!
By the time we arrived at Kroger (aka The Land of Chocolate Potential)... I was freaking SOAKED...
So we selected our chocolate... we put the treasure into our cart... and then we noticed... FREE SAMPLES!!
We're paying for our chocolate with ziplock baggies of loose change scavenged from under couch cushions. If ever there were two who more deserved to partake of every available free sample... it was WE!! *cue triumphant music*
And so we began our tour of the free samples...
First, the hot-out-of-the-oven french bread... with margarine and garlic...
Then the hummus and crackers...
Barbecue chicken...
And... as one might expect in a drama such as this... there was the inevitable tragedy... the sample of Alouette cheese was completely empty!!!! *cue tragic music*
However... hope springs eternal!!!! We found some potato chips!!! Salt AAAAND pepper flavored. And what chocolate-seeking girls couldn't use a little flavah!?!?!?!?
(Oh yeeeeah... Jess got flavah...)
Our friendship was put to the test once we reached the seafood counter. Jess is... well... as much as it pains me to admit it... she's a seafood bigot. I, on the other hand, am an equal opportunity seafood lover. We managed to salvage our friendship... and I enjoyed the boiled shrimp samples while Jess tried not to gag...
(the lady at the seafood counter loves me... she offered to take our picture for us!)
*cue triumphant music*
More drama befell us as we realized that, in addition to chocolate... we needed to purchase some bread to accompany our dinner (we were inspired by free sample #1). Being always the savvy shopper (and wanting to reserve the maximum amount for our chocolate needs), I suggested we first check out the surplus bakery rack. There are usually fantastic baked good opportunities there.
But alas... it was not to be...
*cue tragic music*
With the emotional support of my fellow ChocoQuest-er... I managed to overcome my heartbreak. The vanilla pudding cake samples at the bakery helped as well...
(Note the sheer glee with which Jess consumes this free sample! Magic...)
Several more samples were consumed... but at that point... our glee was so complete that we totally forgot to take pictures...
Ooops.
It was reckoning time... time to check out and see if our purchases exceeded our means...
*cue ominous music*
(Note the fear and trepidation on Jess's face.)
*cue more ominous music... for dramatic effect...*
I explained to Brandon, our skillful and worthy check-out-person, the path that had brought us to this point. I showed him the ziplock baggies full of change. He was overcome with emotion. He couldn't speak. It was a beautiful moment that we shared. I shall not soon forget...
*cue dramatic and touching music*
The suspense. The wondering. The careful selecting. The minutes upon MINUTES of searching every nook and cranny of my home for the means to fulfill our chocolatiest desires... culminated in this climactic moment... an apex, if you will... Brandon hit the "Total" button on his register...
*cue suspensful music*
Wait for it... waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaait for it...
SUCCESS!!! Sweet, wonderful success!
And with change to spare (which I benevolently [if I do say so myself] gave to Brandon... Cash Register Man... and fellow CHOCOQUEST-er)!!!!
*cue triumphant music*
It was as if all Heaven was rejoicing.
No, seriously.
As we left the Kroger... the rain had stopped. The Tropical Storm had ceased it's fury. The waters were receding and the skies were brightening...
Jess and I had one more ace up our (slightly damp) sleeves. We had just enough money to purchase a very large chocolate bar with which to quench our immediate chocolate desires.
But this bar... this foil wrapped ecstasy... this was our little secret... it was not to share... it was the fruits of our labor... just for the two of us... our naughty little secret...
We enjoyed this special treat on our way home... the returning conquerers! Once we returned home, we concocted the most fantastic chocolate delicacy EVAAAAH!!
Yes... that is three kinds of chips (semi-sweet, white chocolate, and butterscotch)!!
Of course, Jess had to lick the beater...
The finished MASTERPIECE!!!
Yes... our quest was a success. Yes... we ate every last crumb. Yes... I've gained about 2.5 lbs. But NO MATTER!!! We started with a dream... a seemingly impossible dream... and ended up stuffing our faces with warm, ooey gooey chocolate goodness (with ice cream, caramel sauce, magic shell and nuts on top!!!).
And that, dear friends, is the tale of CHOCOQUEST '07!!!
*cue triumphant music*
*fade to black*
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| I remember hearing John Wimber speak at the Houston Vineyard in February 1997 or 98 (any of you Hou Vin folk remember that?). I remember during the ministry time at the end, he had a word of knowledge about a woman having lost her wallet or keys or something. He very unassumingly asked who that was... and then told her that it was in her laundry basket at home. We all laughed. It was cool.
So.
Here's me... hoping one of you will have such a word... so get your prayin' caps on... HA!
Last night, I was pulling out ingredients to prepare supper... and I could not find my favorite 14" chef's knife. Shae said he had used it that morning to cut a large block of cheese (insert your own Shae-cutting-the-cheese joke here) and he put it in the top rack of the dishwasher afterwards.
Long story short... it wasn't in the dishwasher, nor any drawer or cabinet, not in the refrigerator, not the pantry (is this beginning to sound like Dr. Seuss to you?). We could not find the knife anywhere. Shae went outside and dug through three bags of trash hoping it had fallen into one of them. No luck.
We then had the awful thought... Evan (our 19 month old) has been known to grab things out of the dishwasher.
*insert stomach knotting up here*
So, we then went around the house checking every toy bin, low shelf, couch cushion, etc.
No sign of the knife.
It is alarming to say the least.
This is a BIG knife.
I cannot imagine Evan going far with it without hurting himself. He does enjoy toy sword fighting with Aidan... which scares me even more.
Aidan and Olivia have been instructed not to touch it if they see it, but to immediately run get one of us.
I am just unnerved here.
So.
Please pray that we find this thing and that everyone stays safe in the mean time. And if, while you're praying, you have some supernatural insight as to it's whereabouts... please let me know! Thanks.
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| I had a moment with the Lord yesterday.
It was right before I went on for the last scene of the last performance of Titanic: the Musical. I usually spend the last two songs (which I don't sing) off in a quiet area, getting into character for the last scene. It's sad. I cry. I need to step away from backstage antics to focus.
So yesterday, I was sitting in the dark... and I took a minute to pray... and all at once, it hit me...
I was completely overwhelmed with gratitude.
I have always loved the theater. There was a time in my life when I was offered two BIG chances to "make a go of it" at a theater career. I turned both down. One was just from straight-up fear... and the other was because I had a bit of a look at the "uglier" side of that lifestyle and I knew that wasn't what I wanted. I wanted a family. I wanted to be a Mommy. I wanted a cozy home and a close circle of friends and a happy marriage and a chance to raise my own children. So, I made life decisions that led me in that direction.
I pursued my degree in teaching theater (which I ADORE, by the way)... and I married the man of my dreams and we created our cozy home. I stepped away from "doing" theater to pursue the life of "wife and Mommy". The Lord blessed us with three amazing children. And when I was pregnant for the first time... and doing a LOT of reading about parenting styles... and making decisions about the kind of parent I wanted to be... I realized that the parenting style that I felt most led to meant that "doing theater" needed to go on a back burner. So, prayerfully, I put it there... but with the notion of "I can always go back."
That notion has been accompanied for the last 8 years by a nagging question in the back of my mind... "or can I?" I've changed a lot in the years that have passed since I last "did theater". I'm not "starlet" material any more. There is a crop of younger/thinner/more energetic/fresh-out-of-acting-classes girls out there. Can I go back? There is also a crop of women my age who have stayed active in "doing theater" while I've been changing diapers and learning all of the lyrics to the newest Doodlebops song and breastfeeding and joining the PTO. Can I go back? Would I find a role that fits me now? Would anybody cast me? Can I go back?
So yesterday... as I sat backstage before the last scene of the last performance of my FIRST show in many, many years... I was thanking my Father for the opportunity to "go back".
I was thanking him for my husband, who has been so very gracious and supportive (and often insistent) of me "going back"... and who has been a stay-at-home-Daddy so that I could go to many, MANY rehearsals and performances. I was thanking him for a baby who, at 16 months old, was the first of my three who would let Daddy put him to bed at night... therefore allowing me the opportunity to be at rehearsals and performances. I was thanking him for my incredible kids who have been SO excited about Mommy's play (and can sing every word of every song in the show). I was thanking him for a show with a fantastically fun character who suits my age and body type just fine. I was thanking him for allowing me to be cast in this role. I was thanking him for this amazing group of people that I've gotten to know at Baytown Little Theater... and for how we've become fast friends. I was thanking him for all of my circle of dear, dear friends who have encouraged me and come to see me in the show... many of whom were in the audience at that very moment. I was thanking him for the cozy home I return to every night after rehearsals or performances... often chock full of those supportive and wonderful friends. I was thanking him for the gifts He's given me... the ability to act and sing... it's surely not *me*, because I don't have one single thing that I have not been given.
And that's when it hit me...
I have everything.
I have the fantastic marriage I always dreamed of. My partner in life is the most amazing man I've ever met.
I have the cozy home. I often complain that we've outgrown it... but it is warm and comfortable and people feel welcome.
I have the three most precious, awesome children. They amaze me every day. It is a joy and an honor to parent them... and just hearing one of them call me "Mommy" fills my heart to overflowing with a joy that I cannot even describe.
I have the best friends anyone could ask for. I am surrounded by people that I love with all my heart... and who love me and my family. Family. That's more accurate. We're a really big family.
And... as I sat there in the dark... I realized that... I have the opportunity to get back on stage and do the thing I really love to do.
I never asked for Broadway. I honestly didn't want that.
I have everything I ever asked for... and so much more...
And in that moment... the tears that streamed down my cheeks were not "acting"... they were not "emotional recall"... they were the overflow of my heart to my Father... who gives SUCH good gifts. In my spirit, I was singing... "What a wonderful Maker. What a wonderful Savior. How majestic your whispers, and how humble your love. With a strength like no other, and the heart of a Father. How majestic your whispers. What a wonderful God."
The last scene of the last performance of my first show in many years was an act of worship to my Father. It was a moment at his feet. I cannot remember the last time my heart was that full.
Funny... a dear friend who was in the audience told me that my performance was anointed.
It was worship. And the only One in the audience I really cared about at that moment was the One who gave it all to me... and it was joy unspeakable to give it back to Him.
Thank you, Father. Thank you. How majestic your whispers. What a wonderful God.
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. --Psalm 37:4
Editing to add this little epilogue: As I posted this blog entry, I noticed that today's date is exactly one month after the car ran into and destroyed the Baytown Little Theater. In the past month, I have watched my Father turn a potential tragedy into the kind of community support that we could have only dreamed of. Wow. Only one month ago...
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| Bad pun intended.
The show is going so well. Titanic the Musical. I cannot tell you how much I'm enjoying this. I guess I didn't realize how much I missed it... the whole theater world, that is. It's like a breath of fresh air. :o) Every night, I find myself just thanking God all over again for the opportunity to be back on stage, having so much fun! What a generous Daddy, you know!? He gives good gifts. Thanks Dad.
Here's a link to the review of the show from a local paper:
http://www.hcnonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18655834&BRD=1574&PAG=461&dept_id=532255&rfi=6
Anyway... only three more shows! Friday and Saturday nights at 8PM. Sunday matinee at 2:30. If you can make it to a performance... I would be honored!
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