MY SINCERE APOLOGIES!!!

I want to apologize to all of the dedicated bloggers who check my regularily -- I have been a HORRIBLE blogger!!!

The last couple weeks have been great but extremely busy!! I'm enjoying life as a Mom of a school child, Fiddler on the Roof has been great! We lost our Fyedka -- but never fear -- JOEL BALLARD to the rescue! If you read this Joel -- thank you so much for your willingness and speedy entry into our cast!!!!




I went to Whistler last weekend with my best friend from highschool and a bunch of other FANTASTIC women!!! Just for a 'time out' and a chance to get to know new people and to enjoy old friends!!! There were some SUPER cute babes up there too! I had a wonderful time and look forward to doing it again next year!

That's all for now, except for my flood from my hot water tank -- but don't worry -- it's ALL fixed ($600 later!!!).

Hope everyone who reads this is FANTASTIC!!!!!!!

AND HE'S OFF...

My job as a parent is nearly complete, as today I dropped my son off for his first day of preschool.
It began as an adventure!!


We walked to his destiny, hand in hand.

We reached his new school 'Over the Rainbow' with a bit of time to spare...he couldn't WAIT to enter!

He ran into the waiting room and immediately found his own cubby that I had shown him last week (he remembered where it was without ANY prompting!!!).
And then it was time to enter. He was off as quickly as he could go, making sure to tell his teacher as he went in "I got a new bat-pat (back pack)!"

Most of the other parents went in, but he seemed content to leave me at the door which made me happy because I knew he felt safe!!

God, thank you for such a beautiful, loving and fun little boy!! Watch over him while he's at school!

FAME!

Oh my goodness!

Who is this oh so talented, potential star?!!!!

Blogging Game

Lets Play A Blogging Game (Originally posted by Lauren K.)

"I know this is the second post in a day but I remembered a fun little blog game I thought of a few days ago and thought I would post it!!!Okay here's how it goes.All of you reading this, Pick 5 words that you think describes me best. ( words can't be repeated more than once if someones already left a comment using words you wanted to use) and leave a comment on this post. Then copy and paste this onto your blog and we'll all do the same.
Peace out FOLKS!"

Note (posted by Lalainia):
I just realized I didn't quite read the instructions (I'm very tired!!!) so make sure you note that you CAN'T repeat any words that someone has posted before you...I'm going to go check what I posted!!!!

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

As you may already know -- I'm not one to 'shy' away from telling people it's my birthday. Even though I'm getting older (and don't really want to), I like taking time out to remember that this was the day many, many, years ago that I was brought into the world. And what a crazy world this is.

On another note, I went to Alissa Peterson's wedding today and it was beautiful! For those of you who don't know Alissa, I taught her musical theatre at the Lindbjerg Academy for many years and then she starred in 'Meet Me In St. Louis' when I directed it for Footlight. (The picture is a very old one that I took of her and her little sister -- who is now the spitting image of her!!)

She and her new husband are working with a group that trains people to go out and do 'missions' (ie. work projects, food distribution, schooling etc.) in other under priviledged countries. It's REALLY cool to see 2 young people so excited about giving to others! A real kick in the seat of my pants!!

I AM WOMAN...

Here is my fabulous new hair cut -- I love it!!!

I feel so free!

I was just SO sick of hair!!!!!

Hope to hear from you all soon!

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(I'm so pathetic!!)

SWANK

Once upon a time there was a young (not so young) girl with golden locks (not natural) who was having a crappy day. "Ho hum." she thought to herself. 'Even though the sun is shining and the sky is blue, I feel tired, grumpy and oh so frustrated' she lamented!! "What shall I do to remedy this calamity?"

She wandered down the street absently, searching for something to satisfy her internal need for happiness. "Where, oh where, shall I go to get a new sense of optimism and'shiny-ness' (that's for you Jen)?" And as quickly as she had thought the thought, her eye caught the hint of pink and the word SWANK on a door directly across the street.

'That's it!!' she cried. She began to smile and run across the street as she could barely contain her excitement, knowing that her utopia was so close.

'Hi.' she said timidly, afraid to ask...afraid to be rejected. 'Do you have time for me?' she asked while silently pleading with her eyes. 'Come back in 15 minutes.' That was it...that was all that stood between her and her utter satisfaction!

The minutes passed in a blur and so did their union... but when it was complete... so was she -- released and unleashed as a short haired woman!

(pictures to follow!!!!)

Broadway Pops!!!

I realized just recently that I never posted any pictures from the fantastic show 'Broadway' produced by James Productions!

I don't have any from ON stage yet (besides the one my friend Carolyn took from the wings), but I do have some from backstage -- you can see the many characters that we all got to play.


My favourite was, 'Defying Gravity' from Wicked -- that's me wearing a black wig and an all black flouncy dress with a velvet cape-like floor length jacket.

It was...well...Wicked! (I know -- NOT FUNNY!)

Thanks to all of you who came out (DID any of you come out?!! Hmmmm!) If you didn't -- you missed an amazing show!!!

Okay...Let's see if this works!

I'm going to try and 'update' my blog more often. Because some people told me (no names mentioned - Kaylee/Lauren) that the reason people don't leave comments is because I don't leave enough posts. SO here I am posting when I don't REALLY have anything to say!

Actually -- this is kind of interesting. I am writing this post from the TUTS office! They are having a House of Blues concert, and I am 'representing' the board!! How exciting and official!

I am now back home completing the post. I started rehearsals for Fiddler on the Roof today and I am so excited. It is such an amazingly rich, beautiful show! And the cast is fantastic!

So I hope people start checking this out more often because there are going to be some EXCITING posts -- let me tell ya'! (Stop yawning!!!)
L():o)

TWO posts in ONE day!

How can you tell I have more time on my hands!!! Just thought I'd share a little collage I originally made to send to Lauren, but decided to post it too!

I'm Home...ALONE!!!!!

Are you reminded of the McCaulley face too? (How long ago was that!!!!)

Brad and Caedence have taken off for a few days, which leaves me home alone. Not that this is a problem! It's strange but also very peaceful. I also need to get a TON of prep work done for Fiddler on the Roof which I start at the end of the month, so having some 'alone' time is giving me that opportunity.

Summer, so far, has been great. Spending so much time with my family has really reminded me of the things that bring me lasting joy. I like to say that everything else is 'just gravy'.

I do miss my beautiful friend Gin (or Carolyn) who is off galivanting in Australia. She has sent us pictures to make us extremely jelous, I think!!! I took these pictures of her with her cat Jack before she left...isn't he beautiful!!

I hope summer is treating everyone well and that you are all wearing your sunscreen! Would love to see and talk to you all more...let's keep in touch (even if it's just through a blog!).

Saul Alonzo Update!

Here's a new updated picture of our little guy Saul Alonzo that we sponsor through World Vision.

We received a letter from his mother and himself telling us more about him. He said in the letter that he wanted to be an excellent lawyer when he grew up -- too cute!

We also received a tracing of his hand (he's a year older then Caedence).

Please, if anyone is remotely interested in sponsoring a child, check out the World Vision link that Brad has put in the margin of our family page www.strelau.blogspot.com. It is SO worth the small amount of money that it takes to see how it changes a child and a family's life!!

Take a Quiz about ME!!!!!!

Just thought I'd post this and see how people do. Kind of silly, but I found it fun! (Don't worry...there's no spaming or anything by putting in an email address.)

Cheers!

http://www.quizyourfriends.com/quizpage.php?quizname=060720150551-223437&

Life is...interesting!

It has been quite an interesting couple of weeks.

Broadway Pops was great. Good turn out...and can I say...I LOVE playing different crazy characters!!! In a matter of 4 songs I went from Elpheba, the wicked witch, to a dumb blonde in 'We're In the Money', to crazy Tina Turner lady in 'You Can't Stop the Beat', to a wanna be, Joseph Megamix person in a 15 minute Mama Mia medley (you should have seen the butt sweat!!!)

So Broadway ended and I had 2 days to get my house clean before Brad returned home from his trip. Once he got home I decided to get a HORRIBLE sinus infection and sleep for 4 days straight. Quite a home coming!

The summer is going to interesting for us, as neither Brad nor I have a job. But we're feeling very positive and hope to just REALLY enjoy this time as a family. We've needed some good 'bonding' time and looks like our prayers were answered.

Here's some cool shots that I took in my garden the other day.


The first is the flower that I was taking the picture of, the second is the one where the bee flew into the shot -- it was cool!

Cresent Beach!

The story behind the photo's is on our 'family' blog...
If you're interested check it out at www.strelau.blogspot.com

But I thought I'd post some of my favorite picks here too!

My Uvula is Huge!!!!

Well, wouldn't you know it...it's time for Brad to leave on his mission trip which means, it's time for me to get sick!!!

Felt like I was swallowing a golf ball ALL night (actually a golf ball covered in stinging nettles!!). Brad said 'Farewell' at 5 am, and I got up and looked at my GIANT uvula!!!!

I know what you're thinking...and don't!!! It was swollen, red and kind of transparent -- something was definitely wrong in the state of England! So I called the DR. first thing and went in. "Yup! It's Strep!". Yipee...is that's all?!

Well, I'm glad I went first thing and started antibiotics as strep is usually pretty responsive!

Keep me in your prayers as my uvula returns to normal and I don't have the 'relief' of another tag-team parent!

Exhausted!!!

Had a very long week filled with lots of stress, emotional and otherwise. Held amazing auditions for 'Fiddler on the Roof' and can't wait to begin the actual project. Musical director, Chris King, is on his much needed and deserved honeymoon, and I think we've decided to hold off casting decisions until then. Saw some unbelievable talent, that I hope will join us.
So incredibly exhausted right now that I just sat here at the keyboard for a couple of seconds without one thought going through my head (for me that's pretty good!!).
If anyone who came out to the Fiddler auditions reads this then: Congratulations and thank you for coming out and giving a little piece of yourself!! L'haim!

Theatre Under the Stars... Returns?

I went to the annual members meeting for Theatre Under the Stars and was nominated and voted onto the board of directors.

As you all know, TUTS is in shambles and could very likely not return to us next summer... BUT the new board (filled with INCREDIBLE people!) is determined to not only resurrect the theatre society, but impliment radical changes so that it will survive and thrive for the next 20 years! Talk of fundraising, major changes, great shows, sponsors, promotion etc. has me excited to be apart of 'history'.

I am also hoping to get the 'younger generation' more involved. Have more input...more say...more involvment...more creativity... Someday, all too soon, TUTS will have to be run by US!!! Why not learn how to do it successfully!

Just the beginning!

This is an introduction to the mess that is my life. I don't really mean it in a negative way...it's just the my life is quite unique and all over the place.