So much to do still......

Well everyone...it has been a week since my last blog and I blame it all on my LACK of pictures haha! I've been waiting for a certain someone to upload pictures from a certain night to see if there were any I wanted to use...but I guess I will just go on without them because now I have so much catching up to do.

Starting with last Saturday....the band had a gig at Cycle Oregon :)  Cycle Oregon is called by many "the best bike ride in America" and rightly so...Oregon is awesome ;)  With over 2,000 cyclists joining in this year...the band sang for closing day in the starting city Sutherlin.  It was an awesome sight to behold and everyone was super friendly.  It was an awesome place to be..it was like the air was humming with energy.  The crowd was kind of lacking....as they were all exhausted from their trek haha, but it was definitely worth it...what great fun!!  They headed up to Cottage Grove..then over to Reedsport...through Bandon,...over to Powers..Riddle...and back up to Sutherlin....traveling almost 500 miles in all.  That's determination...congratulations to everyone who participated in this amazing event! :) Mercy Matthews..awesome little actress.--->

Sunday was yet another long and tedious day at work :/  We have been having a lot of slow days and this day was odd because the sales numbers were around the same as the previous week but it would be absolutely dead for an hour and then slammed-crazy busy for the next.  So I ended the day with a crazy hour and was almost late for the first night of auditions for A Christmas Carol.  Auditions were, and always are, filled with loads of talent and so much fun. :)  Skipping ahead a couple days..the cast list is up..sooo congratulations to everyone who made it into this wonderful show...even as just costumer I'm looking forward to working this cast.

Okay...back to Sunday evening...WHAT. A. NIGHT! haha..it started out with Melissa and I getting "one beer".  Yeah right..McMenamins closes at 10 and we didn't know that ordering our beers at like 930...so we chugged them down and told Melody to meet us at the Sawmill Tavern...a minutes walk up the road.  We walk in and there is karaoke :/ uh oh...the "one beer" has turned into another pitcher, because you can't sing karoke without beer ;) Then..the real problem shows up....two trucks of firefighters :/ they start by buying us another pitcher and then shots come to the table haha! And then the bartender buys me another shot! Goodness guys! (someone was obviously trying to get laid..not this girl guys..I'm taken)

Monday night is another day of packing, work, and then auditions. After auditions we go out to applebee's...this time I start out with my friend Corrie, whom I haven't seen in a while. So we start out with margarita's and jello shots haha!! That's my girl Corrie!!!  Then I run into an acquaintance from high school and it turns out she's a really awesome person...we ask her to join our table and have a lot of fun :)  Joined by Bethany soon after..we all have an awesome time.  I'm extremely excited when people that I most likely wouldn't have gotten along with, or just wouldn't have approached in high school, are so awesome that you want to hang with them.  I hope this is the beginning of a great friendship. :)  I go home and try to pack and relax with a cup of tea...chamomile to be exact.  Apparently I've never heard chamomile tea, otherwise I would've known that I'm allergic to it hahaha! Everything is fine, but now with this and my leg blowing up like a balloon after a bee sting the doctor is making carry an Epi-Pen.  Not too thrilled about shoving a needle into my leg if something happens and I need it, but oh well...such is life.

BTW!! I'M DOING THE READER'S DIGEST VERSION BECAUSE I'VE NOW BEEN TRYING TO WRITE THIS BLOG FOR TWO DAYS!! SSSSHHHH, DON'T TELL ANYONE HEHE!

Tuesday....myself...Beth...my mother...and my dear friend from college Cody go to Applebee's for lunch.  I know what your thinking...like, damn!! that girl eats a lot of Applebee's hehe, but honestly I've been there twice in the last year..both times in the last week ha!! Cody was only in town for a short time so I'm extremely grateful to have seen her and caught up!! Also, everyone should know that my mother is celebrating two years of beating alcoholism and we, her family are celebrating two years of having our mother back.  I'M SO PROUD OF YOU MOM!!!!

Wednesday...I pack all day....go to the theater for 90 min and take measurements for A Christmas Carol..go home pack some more..like 3-4am more :(

Thursday...wake up...pack some more..go to work..come home and pack some more..only 2am more this time...although I should've stayed up later. Although a lot was accomplished with the help of Beth and Taylor who were here til almost midnight :D

Friday...repeat...after work I go out to the VFW to sing then come home and pack for an hour...now fighting sleep to write this blog..eyes are closing........trying to see if I can get through adding the pictures to this so I can publish it haha!

Saturday....oh yeah..it's only 12:43 into saturday morning but I can give you a preview of what's to come..pack, work, gig, and sleep...repeat for Sunday ;(

OMG...I cant' believe I made it through the pictures..Yay!!!

Love to everyone,
Amanda

A Great Night :)

<------SILLY BOYS

I originally was going to call this "The Aftermath of Opening Night" haha, but after all the good things that people had to say about it and all the compliments I received I just couldn't! Not to mention the wonderful evening spent with friends directly following the show..so all in all it was a great night.

I'm supposed to be packing...but quickly realized that my back is not going to let me do that right now. :( So, I'm sitting here with my long-forgotten Shiatsu Massager trying to work out the kinks. Don't get me wrong..the chiropractor helped...A LOT, but ever since the initial pain has subsided the muscles in my back have been so tight that it's uncomfortable to do most everyday activities. Which includes work..which makes it very difficult :/ So...since I can't afford to go to a massage therapist, I'm hoping this trusty Homedics Massager will do the trick. (with the help of a muscle relaxer, maybe this is just what i need)

Amanda

Anyway..last night was opening night for The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker...and although I'm a little biased I recommend that you all go see it :)  They did a very good job and  were very professional when anything happened to go wrong..I don't think the audience noticed when it did.  Now most of the actors in this show are seasoned performers with UACT, but I must mention one newcomer to the theater....she shined on stage and I truly think this is her calling :)  Her name is Amanda (that's my name haha) she apparently just turned 17 and she is doing a truly magnificent job. Well beyond her years :) I heard from her very own lips that she is planning on auditioning for A Christmas Carol and I'm very excited to work with her on this production as well. BTW, Christmas Carol auditions are this Sunday and Monday at 6:30pm at UACT theater followed by call backs on Tue at the same time.  There are going to be 25 roles cast, most of which will be playing another character as well..so please come out and audition..we'd love to see some new faces :)

Back to 'Pennypacker' :) After the show it's tradition that a sort of organized chaos ensues.....all the patrons and actors head back onto the stage and chat about the show...say hello to old friends not seen in a while...say hello to new faces as well.  It was a wonderful feeling to hear people telling friends that the 'costumes were amazing' and 'they really looked authentic'...all the while they have no idea that I'm the one who made them. I get to eavesdrop and hear first hand just what they think :)...I know, I'm tricky like that. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised with rave reviews...it's always nice to finish a job and know that you did your best and people really enjoyed it.  Again I'd like to thank my friend Melody for helping me put finishing touches on a lot of things. YOU ARE TRULY AMAZING!!!

Best Friends :)

Another 'tradition' if you will is going out after opening night and chatting about the show, also just chatting and spending time in general.  Both friends and cast and whoever else wants to come along :)  A lot of us have known each other a long time...so it's always a fun time when we are all able to get together once again. One person in particular is Bethany...we have been friends for forever it seems like haha!  We lived across the street from each other when I was in the 5th grade!! Which was let me see......1996? Yes, I think so...we have been friends for 15 years!!! Crazy when you think about it haha...but I believe that we will always keep in contact no matter where we are...Beth and I just click. :)  So...here are some photos from last night.

Awww :)

Troy, Melody and I

Myself, Asian Brian, and I don't know Taylor hehe

Taylor, Beth and I

Well...while I get the next week off from sewing...I'll be taking measurements for Christmas Carol on Wednesday and after the move next week I'll be in full swing again. It's based around the same time period...so at least I've got a grip on what I need to be doing haha! While at the end of this show I am very tired and worn out...I'm definitely read to work on Christmas Carol as Melody is directing and it will be a blast I'm sure :) Also, it's shaping up to be 10x more organized already...so that will definitely help things along. She's been planning everything for her show for months and we've already had one meeting about costumes....we are ready to get started ha! Bring it on!!

So...while I've got all of you reading this I'm gonna put in a little bit about my upcoming Etsy account.  While it's still in progress..it's only because every time I make something...someone buys it and I don't have any inventory to put up haha! So with that in mind...ladies!! and gentleman (because Christmas is coming up)...I found this idea and low and behold I will be adding a new item...this scarf shirt :)  I got thumbs up all around last night and lots of compliments..so I will be beginning production haha! If anyone is interested..I haven't nailed down a price yet..but will soon....just contact me ;)

Well...that's all for now.

Amanda

IT'S OPENING NIGHT!!!!!

Well everyone..it's here!! I finally made it through a night of rehearsal without someone bringing me a list of things needing to be found :) and student night went very well for "Pennypacker.

Just wanted to share this picture with you first...I LOVE BRAIDING MY HAIR!!! Hehe, and I love how it makes it just the right amount of wavy and....girls, you know what I'm talking about...moving on. :)

Backing up....the last few days have been very hectic indeed lol...and I never would've made it through without the help of my wonderful friend Melody :)  Since I work 30 hours from Fri-Sun, she came on as my assistant costume designer and got a lot of stuff done over the weekend...also..she has taken over hair and makeup design because our original lady was involved in a car wreck...GET WELL SOON BRETT :) Monday rolls around and we've got two major items left to find...NO LUCK...Tuesday....NO LUCK...then low and behold Wednesday we find them and all is well.

(These next coulple pictures are for my friend Sam :) Enjoy!!!)

Last night was Student Night...essentially a Final Dress Rehearsal where we invite anyone who wants to come and watch the show for free....giving the cast a preview of what it will be like on opening night. Having been in a show before this night is particularly helpful in knowing how your cast mates are going to react...such as stuttering through lines and practically giggling through the entire thing hah!  Which can be well....distracting to say the least.  It went pretty well...just a few flubs here and there by a couple people..but overall it was a good show.

I had the pleasure of watching student night and not having to sit downstairs and sew the whole time...it was really nice to be seeing the costumes in action, just to make sure that everything was in order for tonight.  I also had the pleasure of the company of my sister Ricki :)  She also has been in a production here at UACT and wanted to show her support to her friends in the show this time around...yay!!! for team spirit hehe!!! It's always wonderful to see her and it will definitely be interesting moving in with her and our other sister Brianna...we love each other...but all of us under one roof can be very........interesting...I'll just leave it at that.  I'll let you know how it goes in a couple weeks ha!

I've been trying to get my "to do" list done but have only managed to accomplish a load of laundry which will be two when I get done with this blog and......oh yeah..that's it! GOODNESS GRACIOUS!! I need to pack lol!!  I'm getting very stressed out about being able to get out of this house on time :/ but I can't allow myself to get too stressed...otherwise I'll end up freaking out like last weekend and....well, that's just not an option. I'm doing my best here and will continue to do so, until I can do no longer ;)

Well, this week is pretty boring guys........haha.....that's about all I've got for from the last 3 days!!  I'll try and update tomorrow with some cast photos and such....and our mini-celebration after the show tonight. Haha! Melody and I are going to get our drink on!!! Yes we are!!!
DON'T GET IN OUR WAY TONIGHT ;)

Amanda

One. Day. At. A. Time.

Alright, well.....where to begin.  I posted an update early Saturday morning and feel like I've lived 3 days worth of events and information since then haha!

So...before I forget...I get home from a ten and a half hour shift on Sunday...that seems like a million hour shift because it was so slow and someone is knocking on my front door.  Why is this strange you ask? Well, I've gotten used to the fact that I hardly ever have visitors and when I do, I know they are coming. :p  There is a stranger on my front porch and she asks (in the screechiest voice I've ever heard) "Is this house for rent?"  I'm stunned....what?  Oh yeah..I'm moving...so, "yeah...in October...I'm living here until the 1st."  She says, "Oh...do you mind if I look around?"  I'm blindsided and end up accommodating her because my brother is with me..keep in mind I would never let anyone into my house without someone being there...I proceed to show her around the house rattling off my "laundry list" of things never fixed and falling apart...I'll be damned if I'm gonna give these landlords and this house a good review, HA!!  I feel as if I've done my good deed for the day...helping a stranger out...YOU DO NOT WANT TO LIVE HERE!!! TRUST ME!!  We send an email to our landlords asking them to edit their craigslist ad...please say that it's occupied until the first of next month and they throw a fit and are growing even more agitated about our request for a walk-through..we have pretty much come to terms with the fact that they are going to screw us over no matter what we do, but we are trying out damnedest not to let that happen.

Well, anyways....starting from the beginning....Saturday turns out to be a relatively slow day at work and I feel myself getting lonelier and lonelier with every passing minute and all the heavy extra cleaning I really shouldn't be doing right now with my back the way it is.  I should back up and just say it...it's really tough saying it...but I have been suffering from panic/anxiety attacks for a while now...which I'm pretty sure stems from depression. (don't worry, I'm calling my doctor tomorrow about some sort of help with it)  Now don't freak out...I'm really not that bad...or at least I wasn't...it seems as the move date approached and passed the attacks got more frequent  and harder to control.  Yesterday evening Fletcher told me that the bank is going to have him working 6 day weeks...probably for the next few months (and before you say...you can go up sometimes and see him instead of him coming to see you...know that we have tried every combination and it just isn't in the cards...i've come to terms with that now) so our plan of him coming down at least every other weekend is gone :(  I get to see my husband for maybe two days later this month and then probably not again for at least a couple months :/  Well, I got agitated...more so than even I realized...and one thing led to another and I got so worked up that I couldn't breathe and I couldn't make it stop...this went on for about an hour before I was able to get calmed down, with Fletcher's help. I've been avoiding bringing this up to the doctor because I guess I didn't want to admit that I'm having a problem...and one that I can't fix to boot. A part of me was even ashamed...that I can't control my own body....I've been reading online the last day and read that 1 out of every 10 adults has some form of depression...ranging from mild..to debilitating.  I've decided..with some discussion with Fletcher and my friend Sam that it's probably best if I talk to my doctor about getting some medication to help control these attacks...at least for the next few months because well....being apart from Fletcher is upsetting me and makes me emotional and more prone to these attacks.  I hope that none of my friends or family..or even strangers that might be reading this deal with these problems but know that if you do...I know it's hard but it helps to talk about it.  I'm finding that no one thinks any less of me because I have this problem...I've had nothing but support and that makes me feel so loved :)  Moving on..now that the serious stuff is out of the way ;)

So, after this attack...I try to get some shuteye...I take a sleeping pill thinking..yes..I need sleep.  Haha, yeah right.  I wake up sort of half remembering(wondering if I dreamed the whole thing) talking to my friend Sam on skype..but I know I didn't because she's in France and with the time change she wasn't up  before I went to bed.  So I ask her about it and sure enough....I SLEEP-SKYPED...if this isn't a work..it is  now haha!!  I have done sleep walking...sleep talking...the whole nine yards...but this is ridiculous...I guess I better start sleeping with my phone downstairs!! haha

Anways...I get up Sunday morning and head to my ten hour shift at the coffee shop and start my day with a quad-DECAF-iced americano. Doctor's order's...no caffeine :( I don't have any customers for about an hour and then the second couple that walk's in order's an Umpqua Oats Oatmeal Bowl..let just explain this real quick. The directions say...shake thoroughly...lift lid...fill with water to the fill line...replace lid and let sit for 3-4 minutes...it's always worked before.  Apparently, every oatmeal bowl I've dealt with has had a wonderful..tight sealing lid because the following picture is only half of what it looks like when you receive a bowl with a faulty lid.


It was in my hair..my ears..OMG..they seem so small on the outside but holy crap! do they somehow shrink the oatmeal and fit twice as much in? haha..I was so tired I was able to laugh about it though.  As I get "Dude!" and "Woah!" from the only two people in the shop. It was so ridiculous...so after I sweep up the mess..I make the mistake of realizing that I've gotten some oatmeal down my shirt...I try to get it out and cover the floor yet again with oatmeal..I repeat...how much oatmeal can you fit in one of those containers? Haha! And the day only gets better when I continually run out of key ingredients to items that are best sellers lol, all the while...continually dropping things and making a mess because once you start you are messed up for the whole day...the rhythm is just off.  I drop a gallon of milk...thank god it wasn't too close to me when it shot up out of the gallon as it hit the ground...and all I'm gonna say is coffee grounds can really make a mess ;)

Even after all that and coming home to possible tenants for my current house I manage to corral my brother who has been staying the past couple weekends with me..keeping me company. :)  Many of you know that my brother and I are very close...during some family troubles he came and lived with Fletcher and I.  He helped me when my back pain was in its worst last week..doing the dishes and laundry and practically ripping the grocery bags from my hands as I tried to pick up what he deemed as "too heavy for someone with a hurt back" hahahahah!!  I love my little brother so much :)  Thank you Ben for taking care of me the past week.

Then I get a call from my sister Ricki...she has decided to make dinner for myself and Ben AND she's taking him to school in the morning so I can sleep in!! I know, I know right!?! What an awesome support group I've got with these two around...I will miss them(and the rest of my family lol) when I finally move up to Portland..but until then I'm moving in with Ricki and my other sister Brianna...should be fun and interesting to say the least.  She makes one of my favorites...a recipe that my mother came up with...we affectionately call it Parmesean Chicken :) Yummm!!!

Recipe: Take 1 lb chicken, equal part of miracle whip and sour cream...enough to cover the chicken..top with shredded Parmesan cheese and bake until chicken is cooked..depends on how thick the chicken is. Serve with salad and you've got one awesome meal.  I haven't had it in forever and made me so happy!! :) Thank you soo much Ricki..you are the best!!



Last but not least, I wore one of my hair creations today to work and it put me in one heck of a crafty mood. :)  Now that all I've got is little touches here and there left to do on the costumes for Pennypacker I've got some time to work on projects that have been sitting getting dusty...some new ones that I can't share because the recipient's could be reading this right this very minute. Even in France ;) hahaha!!  I've got loads of friend and family birthdays coming up and am so excited to be creative for each and every one of them. I promised some of you an Etsy account would be coming...so my next goal is to work on some inventory to open it up...I refuse to say when it will be up because you all know me and my life and who the hell knows what will happen next. So I leave you with this :) (I know this is a really long one..thanks for bearing with me)







"Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means you have decided to look beyond your imperfections." -Unknown

Love,
Amanda

I never realized........

Well, here's a brief update.

While my back is feeling leaps and bounds over where it was earlier this week, I've still got a long way to go.  I never realized how weak a group of muscles can get in just one week.  Yesterday was my first day back to work....and I probably couldn't have picked a worse night :(  Friday nights we have music from 5-8...which means we are busy and are open 1 hour later than usual.  Which means I was on my feet for 7 hours straight with hardly any time to sit down and rest my back.  Jumping right back into things was probably not such a good idea because I'm feeling it this morning. (but not nearly as bad as before...so I'm very thankful)

Before I even got off work last night I receive a text from the band...apparently the people at the VFW in winston have had enough of Eddy and want to know "where that girl is", "we like her" haha!!!  I probably wouldn't have gone because my back hurts so bad but we need the money..moving costs a lot of money...and especially when you are moving to a city 200 miles away :/  So I get done at work....go home and change...let the dog out and head down there :)  To my surprise I'm greeted at the door :) and they are thrilled that I've made it....they are SOOOO excited to hear me sing.  I must tell you it's a good feeling to have fans like this after only one night of singing at this venue.  During the performance..a couple people come up to make comments like, "Hey! When you sing at the Eagles next, are you bring these guys with ya?" hahaha, and "So I think a change of name is in order, how about Amanda and The Boys?"

Well, I've got to head to work...a 10 hour shift minimum today...that number grows if we get busy :/  Here's to hoping we will be busy during the day and die off at just the right time so I can go home :p  Have a great weekend guys!! (those of you who have weekends and don't have to work 21 hours haha)

Amanda

Almost there :)

Boy it has been a crazy week for me...not just with the costumes but with my health as well :/

Many of you know that for the last week I've been having problems with my back...extreme pain like an 8 on the scale of 1-10 at the hospital.  I went to Urgent Care on Tue and they gave a shot in my hip for the pain (which made my hip hurt about as bad as my back hehe) and also muscle relaxers and narcotics.  Well, by the time Thur rolled around the pain was increasing...I got up that morning and thought I was going to vomit the pain was so intense....I managed to hobble down the stairs(not running cuz I can't at this point) and make it to the bathroom.  As I'm trying to kneel in front of the toilet I don't know what happens and I wake up like 5 min later on the bathroom floor with a huge bruise on my shoulder :(  I decided that was enough!! I can't be blacking out because of this pain...I'm lucky I was on my knees when it happened because my bruise could have been a concussion....I couldn't deal with it any longer...so I spent a good deal of my morning calling local chiropractors, trying to get an appt. and finally got one with a chiropractor in Sutherlin.

I head in there...really not know what to expect...extremely nervous that the urgent care doctor is wrong and that this man won't be able to help me :/  So he comes in...tells me a little about what he's going to do and then has me lay in all these different positions....I have no idea what he saw haha but apparently when my body should be laying straight and even...my right foot was 1 1/2 inches higher than my left...he said that my pelvis was that far out of alignment and is definitely the cause of all this pain.  So then he had me lay on my stomach and covered me in hot packs then after everything was warm brought out this massager. I'd like to name it
THE SUPER MASSAGER!! Haha, that little device seriously had my teeth chattering it was shaking so hard!!  But man did it feel good to not have those muscles in my lower back be like a rock wall any longer.

Here comes the interesting part...if you've never been to a chiropractor and don't know what to expect it can freak you out lol.  He had me lay on my side, bring one knee up, move to the side of the table (almost falling off) grabs your knee and WHAM!!! jerks your body in one direction and then BAMM!!!! jerks it the other way.  Of course when you are as sore as I am this kind of hurts but almost immediately felt better than it had before :)  We went through various other positions in which I lay like he says and he jerks my body in the opposite direction...there was one position though....that makes me squirm just thinking about it.  So you lay on your back and bring your knees up together and try to push them together as hard as you can...and before you know what he's doing he yanks your knees apart and cracks what I can only describe as "vagina muscles" IT HURT LIKE THE DICKENS!!!!  Even with all of that, the fact that I could wake up this morning and just stand right up out of bed was an AMAZING feeling! :)  I have a follow up appt. on Mon, the doctor says that we have to watch it and make sure that it doesn't try and revert to old habits. So as the swelling goes down I may need some minor adjustments.

Now....I must say that I have gained a few pounds back this week.  Not being to exercise at the gym is killing me...I'm not too worried about the pounds, I already had them off and I will again.  I've noticed that I don't sleep as well when I'm not going to the gym on a regular basis :/  But good news, the chiropractor told me that if everything looks well at my visit on Monday that I can probably go back to the gym Tue or Wed depending on how I feel...but Zumba might have to wait an extra week..I have to be very careful so we will see :)  I'm praying for Zumba!!!

I just finished my last project for Pennypacker costumes :)  The don't open til next Wed, so I'll have plenty of time to go in and iron costumes Tue...and just fine tune little pieces here and there.  This isthe part I love so much...adding jewelry and extra pieces to the costumes.  It's such a great feeling to be ahead of schedule...as seeing last week I was frantic and hadn't been able to put nearly as much time into it as I should.  With that said, I'd like to thank the cast as a whole for being so patient and understanding that my life was thrown up into the air and I was struggling to keep things as normal as possible haha.  On another note, some of the kids in this particular cast are the most rude beings I've ever had the chance to meet.  One in particular, a little boy about the age of 12 or 13...I actually got into an argument with this little boy!!! He says mean, rude comments and I seriously wanted to smack him for some of the things he says to me and the way he says them, but alas, I'm not his mother and I don't want to be banned from shows involving children at UACT haha!  But I will say I verbally put him in his place last night...I won't be taking shit from anyone...especially a 12 year old. ;)

Well, now that all the costumes are sewn for this show, I find myself thinking about the next show Christmas Carol :)  Auditions are September 18th, and 19th at 6:30 PM at UACT...I hope to see a bunch of friends come out for this show...and Melody and I have already started designing some of the costume pieces.  It's going to be a blast!!!!  But before I start sewing for that show, I have to start packing up the house haha!

All the effort that I have been putting into these costumes will now be re-directed to packing and sorting through the house :)  Fletcher is all settled in up there in Portland and I can't wait til I can go up there and see him and our new house.  Well I suppose these boxes aren't going to pack themselves ;)

Have a great day everyone!!!!!

"Start with the things that are possible and before you know it you'll be doing the impossible!!"

Loves,
Amanda

I LOVE MY HUSBAND!!!

So today is our three year anniversary!! Three years!! It has gone by so fast...before you know it another year will roll by lol.  Our first three years of marriage have definitely been full of trials and tribulations...it makes me laugh thinking of all the things that have been thrown at us...but somehow we keep trucking along.  Don't get me wrong, it's not easy by any means...you have to want it and work hard for it.  No relationship is without some sort of problem...and if it is..your only fooling yourself.  I challenge everyone to tell your spouse or significant other today just how much you care for them!! Don't wait...you never know when they really needed to hear it :)  You may make all the difference in the world to them just by saying a few kind words.

The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker student night is one week from today :/  It's crazy how fast everything has come up...but I was at rehearsal all last night and I feel like I got so much accomplished and really know where I'm at in the scheme of things. So begins 'HELL WEEK' as we theater people affectionately call it lol.  The last 7 days before the show opens...full of late night rehearsal....lighting issues...last minute set pieces and costumes malfunctions haha!!  But amazingly it always seems to fall into place and Roseburg will put out another show stopping performance I'm sure of it.

Just a little update:  I went to Urgent Care yesterday and had my back looked at, they think I have a messed up disc :/  So I'm still in a lot of pain but with the help of muscle relaxers, narcotics and a nasty shot in my hip(which now hurts almost as bad as my back lol) I'm feeling much better.  I'm to continue to ice it and rest.....ummmmm.....YEAH RIGHT! Hahaha....I had to laugh...that's not something I'm accustomed to or able to do...but I promised to be careful and not overdo it.  (It's the best I could do under the circumstances)

With all this pain I'm not able to go to the gym :( So welcome back to extreme dieting..and I don't mean not eating haha!  I wouldn't do that...it's soooo not good for you...but I'm definitely trying to watch what I'm eating more closely...when your body is used to exercise 4 or 5 times a week and you stop suddenly and sit in a chair sewing all day, that's just asking for trouble.  So I will be good for the next couple weeks and hopefully it won't take a full two weeks to be back at the gym :)

Well anyways....everyone have a great day!!! And don't forget about my challenge to all of you!!!  Go make someone's day :) tell them how much you love them!!!

Hugs and Kisses,
Amanda

P.S.  I can now lift my legs up while sitting which is such an improvement over the last few days :)

Goodness Gracious!!

Well let me start by saying, I should REALLY be sleeping as I have another rigorous day of sewing ahead of me tomorrow!! But, I really can't and don't feel tired and anyways......

So on Friday we had a going away party for Fletcher...it was a success and I must say it so much fun to see everyone :)  It had been WAY too long!!! (people, don't let it happen again!!! you know who you are) Well, after the party there is always the aftermath....the beer bottles and wine bottles and leftover food(that never gets put away cuz everyone is too drunk to remember about it hehe) and spilled wine on the floor........and so on. Couple that together with Fletcher packing as many of his belongings in one day and you have the following pictures :s and yes I put the disgusted face because that is what I looked like Monday morning when I actually got a chance to look around haha!!!



So, I took Monday off to work on sewing and I feel like I've made a huge dent in the humongous pile of things I have to get done...thanks to Alex :)  She was a lifesaver today, so thanks again!!  I've got tomorrow and most of Wed to get the majority of things done because APPARENTLY they are having photos done Wed evening!!!  Who forgets to mention that tiny detail to the costumer??!!  It's kind of a big deal!!! But, whatever...they will have something to wear for those damn pictures if I have to not sleep at all for the next 2 days lol !!

PAUSE!!! I WENT TO SLEEP AFTER ALL AND THEN CONTINUED THIS MORNING ;)

I thought about things that I could go through and downsize for the move...I walk into the bathroom and look at my wall of jewelry and it only took about 2 seconds to go, "Hell No!!!" and turn around and walk out haha!!!
It is definitely my "other love" and I will never, ever give it up :)

So, today is a new day and it should be a lot easier to put together a cohesive thought....WRONG!!!  I wake up this morning to my blaring alarm clock at 6:25AM to take my brother to school and my back has taken a turn for the worse....I manage to get out of bed, which is a chore...let me tell you.  Then I have to let the dogs out and I damn near fall down the stairs outside trying to reach for one of the dogs tie downs :(  Getting into the car is an even bigger chore than getting out of bed and let's not even talk about going to the bathroom..haha! Why do they make toilets so low in the first place????? And getting down isn't even the serious problem...I can fall wherever I want to...it's the getting back up thing.  You see...the muscle that I've pulled is really low on my back...the ones that help your legs do what they need to...so you can see my problem :/  When 9AM rolls around my doctor's office better look out...they better have a freakin slot open cuz I will cry like a baby if they don't :(

Some of you may be asking yourself....dogs?  How much pain medication has Amanda took? She only has one dog......haha...I'm puppysitting until wed. My mom has a Mini Pom and she is seriously the most annoying dog I've ever had the pleasure of watching!!  She chews up everything...paper..plastic...fabric...clothes pins...if you can think of it...she's probably torn it to bits.  I promptly went around my house and picked up everything I thought would be a target...or so I thought.  Yet every time I see her run by me she has something else in her mouth haha!! Oh well...I'm not too worried about it...I've picked up everything that is dear to me..except my dining room table legs, which seem to be a favorite of hers :/  Just one more day!! Just one more day!!!

On Friday I had the pleasure of seeing an old friend!! :)  Karen is a friend from High School, who moved here from Alaska during our Junior year I believe...I hadn't seen her since we graduated so it was wonderful to see her.  She really hasn't changed much haha, but then I never expected her to ;)  she showed me pictures of her house, her baby's room (who is soon to be brought into this world), and of course....her Thanksgiving turkey..who is still roaming around in their yard!! haha, good old Karen, of course she would be killing her own turkey for Thanksgiving.



Let's add the zipper on my amazing Zebra print bag to list of favorite things to chew on!! Ugghhh, moving on!

I had another wonderful night at The Eagles club in Sutherlin with the band Saturday night..and by wonderful I mean that the band did good and that's it.  First of all, I walk in with a see-through cup of water...obviously ice water mind you...and the bartender promptly yells at me for bringing it in.  I tell him I'm with the band, and I just need a cup with a lid because I really don't want to spill water on any instruments.  He's like fine..I've got a cup with a lid...takes mine away...dumps it out...then says, "I lied!" WTF!!!??? And hands me a tumbler of ice water......umm..seriously...WTF??!!!  So, it also being the last night that my husband is in town, I invited him to come watch me perform for a little while.  He shows up and tries to stay out of the way because all these people are dancing everywhere..so he stands next to the pool table...sort of leaning on the side and they yell at him!! haha, they tell him...can't you read the sign?!! that's written very small and the lights are off in the building mind you!!  Yeah...you guys can screw off!! No wonder there is no one there under the age of 50...the eagles club is going to die out soon because they run off any young blood that walks through the door lol!! But other than the rudeness..I still get paid and I looked damn hot!!!  I realized that I LOVE leopard print!! I have this awesome cream colored leopard print shirt..that you can put any color undershirt on underneath and it's like a totally different shirt :) Yay for Ross!!

Well that's pretty much it for now..I must go and call my doctor :)  Please have an opening I pray!!

NOPE....i have to wait til 4:45PM....gonna call urgent care :(