Slip slidin away.....

Mother Nature has reared her ugly head once again. It happens every year, and regardless of how many Chicago winters (this will be my 8th!) you have survived it never seems to get any easier. Currently we have about 5 inches of snow on the ground with the threat of more. It's lovely to look at, but not so lovely to walk or drive through. With this snow comes ice....lots of ice. And with this ice comes....doom!

Last week I headed out the door on my morning venture to the mindless day job. The hour was early and I was groggy, so I walked slowly down the three flights of stairs to my garage. I had made it all the way to the first floor flight when all of a sudden and without warning I felt my feet slip out from under me. I flew up, then back, then down, right on my sacro with a brute force and proceeded to slide the rest of the way down the stairs. I saw stars and crumbled into a heap at the bottom of the staircase in the snow. I could not believe what had just happened, and wondered if I could feel my legs or move my hips. Thank the heavens above for I managed to make it out of this debacle virtually unscathed. I am still pretty sore, and doing seven shows a week is not aiding in the healing process, but I will persevere.

Thinking back on it this could have been an absolute nightmare. Had I fallen on my head or my neck it's quite likely I would not be around to type this blog. I could have potentially broken a hip or my tailbone, which would not have fit into my "dance all night" wedding plans. I find it best not to ponder the "what if's" but rather count my blessings daily. And always hold onto the handrails, like a seven year old child.

Be careful...it's dangerous out there.

Some views from my back porch. Brrrrrrr.......

O Tannenbaum O Tannenbaum!

My parents visited me this past week to check out The Snow Queen and help me do a little decorating around the house. We picked up a lovely tree from Gethsemane (no, not the garden from the good book, just a local greenhouse in town) and had a grand ol' time setting it up and listening to cheesy holiday music. Here are some photos:

Unwrapping the tree from the evil plastic netting.
All fluffed up and ready for some light action.
Puttin' on the Ritz.
Time to decorate! Look at all my lovely ornaments!
Some favorite ornaments: the Dapper Dancing Frogs.
Hanging our first Christmas ornament.
Close up shot. Thanks for the ornament mom!
The final product. Can you find the pickle?

Happy Holidays to all!

Opening Night!

After a mere two weeks of rehearsal and a few days of tech The Snow Queen opened to a full and supportive crowd on December 1st. I bought a special dress for the occasion and ended up taking nary a photo. Terrible I know. However here are some images from the show.

For all you Chicago peeps: It closes Dec. 28th....hit me up for tickets!
We're Summertime Kids! This is yours truly aka Gerda alongside the talented Patrick Andrews aka Kai. We are best friends. Until he becomes a jerk and leaves me.
Gerda surrounded by Kai and the Imps, dancing like they are flower children of the 1970's
Kai becomes seduced by the Snow Queen. Foolish boy.
He flies to the Arctic Circle until a small shoe less girl decides to chase after him. That's Broadway Veteran Cheryl Lynn Bruce as the Storyteller. I adore her.
The enchantress throws me off course while I try to find Kai. Crap.
Composer/Adapter/Musical Genius plays Ravenheart, and gives Gerda advice. How nice of him.
Back on track, I got me some fancy horses, a funny hat and nothing will stop me now!
Except maybe the Robber Girl (Barbara Barrow). I look concerned.
Gerda manages to weasel her way out of that situation to hop on the Reindeer's (Bob Goins) back towards Lapland (which is an actual spot on the map).
The Fish Lady sings about fish and the audience FREAKS OUT!
Yeah you may be seven feet tall and made of ice, but I will bitch slap you to Timbuktu. Yes I will.
Kai is depressed and so very cold. It's his fault. Don't feel bad for him.
Oh Kai I am here to save you. Run away again and I will tell everyone about the time you dressed up in your mothers heels and pearls.
Love at Last!

So basically you saw the whole show right here, but trust me it's way more fun with the band and the music. All in all a great experience which I am really enjoyed coming back to this year. We have two more weeks which means I have about two days of peace before family descends on Chicago and wedding madness begins!

Unique Shower Ideas

OK I know I know I promised to write more frequently and I FAILED! With being in rehearsals, teching the show, thanksgiving, opening the show, going back to the day job while doing shows, and oh yeah planning the wedding blogging has taken a back seat. Now I have no choice but to overload you with new blogs to catch you up to speed. Buckle your seat belts.

First off our most recent wedding showers. We have been blessed to have had a total of five...count em...five wedding showers this year. I credit this to being from different hometowns and living in a different city than our parental units. Whatever the reason it has been so much fun and we are so thankful to all who attended and certainly to those who hosted.

I journeyed back home to Louisville at the end of October for a Christmas Ornament shower hosted by my cousins Cassie and Brenda Stokes. I have taken to collecting Christmas ornaments since I graduated from places I have traveled, museums I visit and other exciting adventures. Therefore a shower dedicated to the baubles was a perfect fit. We had a wonderful time and I think it made us all excited for the holidays to arrive. Sadly I have very few decent pictures of the event, but here is one I enjoy:
What's that you say? Why am I holding a pickle? In case you didn't know there is an old German tradition to hide a pickle in your Christmas tree and the lucky soul who finds it first wins a prize! I love this.

A few weeks later my dear friend Jenn hosted an unforgettable shower for us here in the Windy City- A Book and Boardgames shower! It was so much fun and such a clever and unique idea. We had it at a neighborhood bar called Guthrie's which houses hundreds of games for people to play while they drink and eat pizza. Which is exactly what we did (when in Rome...)! They rented out the back room and the Chicago wedding contingent joined us for beer, pizza and a rousing game of Apples to Apples (along with a few other varieties). Thankfully we snapped several photos at this one. Here's some eye candy for you....

(from L to R): John, Sara (Hoyer), Sarah (Kinsey), Brigid and Ira have their libations in hand and their game face on.
The game playing begins. Apples to Apples in the best game. Get. Yours. Today.
Meanwhile I take a moment to pose for the camera on the other end of the room. Check out my boots...LOVE them! Katie and LaShawn love them too I think....
LaShawn, Roni and Jess join me in posing. Pity they are all so un-photogenic.
Roni and Rick get in touch with their 2nd grade selves with an intense game of Guess Who?
Jürg and Katie survey their cards in the group Apples to Apples game
More of the group. That's Jenn our lovely host in the glass and her handsome partner-in-crime Mark. Thanks guys!
Jenn is super excited!
There was also some fun gift opening. I let Jürgen do the honors this time. Mackenzie and I are enjoying this apparently.

I have to say both of these showers were an absolute blast, plus very creative and unique ideas. I highly recommend both should you or someone you know be having a shower in the near or not so near future. You can't go wrong with a nice Christmas ornament and who doesn't enjoy a good book or board game?

Thank you to our lovely hosts and our guests!