Pay It Forward Four Months Later

Today was moving day. Don't panic. It wasn't our moving day. It was moving day for the B's, formerly of Texas and now of South Central Nebraska... about an hour west of us. Now, the P's and the B's are related.
So, exactly four months (to the day) after S and I moved to Hastings, the B's arrived for their new adventure. And may I add that it was EVER so nice to be on the other side of a moving van. The side where, you're slightly invested in the unload; but you havent' toiled with all of the emotional and exhausting weeks leading up to it... you're not wondering which box won't show up; which piece of furniture might not have made it in one piece... or where are you ever going to put everything with a different closet configuration.
I dutifully assisted with the unpacking of bathrooms, kitchen, wardrobes and anything else that could use my assistance, without really having to make huge decisions. We decided early on that saving packing paper was not necessary, nor was saving every box... only the good ones.
Their new home is beautiful; and they will settle into it well.
Did I mention that it was 60 degrees yesterday; and today, it barely hit 20, with snow? Alas, four months makes a considerable difference when it comes to what kind of weather you arrive in. But it's winter in Nebraska... need I say more?
It's good to have them nearby, and I'm sure there will be much more said in future posts about the adventures of the B's and P's... but until then, it's back to the theater for rehearsal... we're 4 1/2 weeks away from opening night... February 27, 2009 www.hastingscommunitytheatre.com Tickets are now available!

Manic January

So, Steven is wrapping up his time with the students and Professor from LSTC (www.rural-immersion.blogspot.com) and I have completed my first two weeks of rehearsals, which wrapped up with us running Scene 1 last night... (pretend it says Act 1, as the timeframe is virtually the same.) We celebrated with a group field trip to a local watering hole. I must tell you that it was rather odd... on several accounts... A: it was my first social night out without Steven to a Hastings establishment; and B: it was the first time I had been in the bar scene in YEARS. I was trying to recall, and honestly, it goes back to before we were married... It's not that I don't enjoy the company and stories; but the opportunities just haven't presented themselves for it, in years! So, the group consisted of the cast for Twilight and several of the crew members: producers, directors, etc. We had a good time. I hadn't really had the chance to get to know folks on a more personal 'off-stage' manner; and I think it helps with the jelling of the group.

Ok... bright light just went on. I just noticed the icon for inserting an image. Boy, am I a little slow... which means that I really think I'll go back and download pics into some of these stories. Oh C, sometimes you can be so dense!

Here's more news... the moving van from Texas will be arriving in Hildreth, on Friday... THIS FRIDAY!!! Can you beleive that it's actually time for P & S to arrive in Nebraska? Seems like we've been talking about this FOREVER! I'm so excited!!!

Well, godspeed to my new friends at LSTC... they will part from Nebraska tomorrow and return home to Chicago, to continue the journey.

Hustle and Bustle at the Peeler's

For C, the first week of rehearsals for the play have finished. Blocking has started; and the 'family' is really gelling quite nicely. Lines are starting to come more easily, and the ease of movement is coming back with little problem. There is a smell and feel about the stage that is just so comforting feeling... I really had forgotten how much I love the escape... the cozy feeling, the lights, the audience, the jargon, the challenge of the direction.
K and I are having a great time working together... we did our one on one scene blocking the first night, which was nice to get the 'mushy' stuff out of the way and really be on the same team by the time we added in my parents. It really is a "Us" against "You" feeling sometimes... and spouses need to do that. You need to band together to fight off the evils of the world, or atleast to stand your ground against your parents! :)
We met yesterday, downtown a at the local coffee shop, to run lines and really see how we're progressing. Coincidentally, my 'dad' also appeared at the shop. He was impressed that we were surrounded by our script and really working on it. This is K's first time on stage, so all of the encouragement and helpful tips have been putting him more at ease.
Meanwhile, back at the church/ house. S has been frantically preparing for the arrival of the group from our seminary in Chicago. They arrived Friday, amidst the winter mix of snow and blowing winds... semi-safely! :) We are hosting the professor of the group, P. Who is a delightful and very intelligent man. The group will be here for 10 days, emersing themselves in all things Nebraska and rural, and semi-rural: feedlots, research centers, Willa Cather, Runza's, Archway Bridge Museum, Hastings Museum, Kool-Aid, steaks, downtown hastings, C's shop, the old Ammunition bunkers, etc. It's keep S very busy, but he and J have done a phenomenal job in the preparation and execution. It's also helping for neither of us to notice that we're going in 10 different directions! :) It's our own little ballet and the choreography is a bit rusty, but it's working!
And so... it's Sunday morning. Preparations for chuch and hostin ghte group for dinner have begun. Tucker is torn between computer time and bath time... I think he had enough time w/ his mother last night, so it's time with dad.
Ah... the perils of midwest living.
Mom and S arrive in less than 2 weeks. The official countdown has REALLY begun!

The New Year

New Year's Eve, we found ourselves at a W & G's house... along with my aunt and uncle. Our original plans included D & C, but they had a quick family obligation to respond to. (Our prayers are with them and their family).
This was a first for us... we'd never been invited to join anyone for New Year's Eve before. Strange thought, I realize... we gathered around 7 p.m., chatted, had dinner and celebrated my aunt's birthday (Jan. 1). I think she believes that all of the New Year's fuss is for her! j/k! Dessert came and we headed home around 11 p.m. in time to see the ball drop. (We had celebrated at 10 p.m., pretending we lived in Nova Scotia). I immediately headed to bed and Steven stayed up.
Now, we've both agreed that New Years day is something of an anomoly... so the celebration is the night before; and I suppose party revelers need an entire day to recouperate... but for those of us who aren't such party animals... the day is a bit long and boring.
Albeit we did watch bits and pieces of the NU bowl game... enough to know what happened... but other than that, boredom was a bit of something to fight off. We took in the fair weather with a walk, and got lots of chores done...
So, the reason for this blog??? I need stimulation... holidays falling on a Thursday make for a VERY long weekend; and after two weeks of this working 2 1/2 days, I'm getting restless. I know... my boredom is quickly ending, with play rehearsal around the corner, on Monday... and maybe in a month, I'll lament my slow time... but until then... I made three necklaces yesterday, and I'm sure I'll find something else to create today...
Maybe it's back to the scrapbooking, as I've realized that there aren't that many more pages to be done to catch up with our fmaily book...
Our prayers do continue with the Trinity family, on the death of the secretary's daughter in law on new year's eve... she was tragically killed in a 2 car accident in the area... cannot even imagine...