Sunday, January 31, 2010

Emerging from the Germs


I spent the better part of December and January with a tenacious cold-sinus infection-bronchitis bug. Lots of coughing, nose-blowing, tiredness and general malaise. I made it to the gym a few times for slower than usual, lighter than usual, less frequent than usual workouts. Chad took over most of the dog walking duties. I spent more time than usual at the house drinking more hot tea than usual and going through way more boxes of tissues than usual.

My major accomplishment during this sick time was finishing the pictured 1000-piece puzzle with Chad's assistance.



I'm now ready to get back to my usual schedule of going to the gym three times a week, keeping up with the chores and walking the dog a few miles everyday. Wish me luck!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

There, in the sky, that's weird.


Our precious pooch, Janie, alerted me to the presence of an enormous kite in our airspace last week. In full Lassie-mode, Janie whipped her head towards the giant kite on the horizon, then whipped her head back to me, urging me with her eyes to make that thing leave. She trotted back and forth between me and the fence barking with concern.

I tried to get Janie inside and distract her from the perceived threat in the sky, but she wasn't having it. Janie very rarely jumps at the door, but this kite had to be stopped, even if she had to open the door herself. After ten minutes of continuous barking and jumping at the door, I went back outside with her. We sat on the deck steps together. I hugged her tight and repeated, "it's okay. It's not going to get you." Still she watched worriedly, giving warning yips every few minutes. Even after the kite's merciful retreat, Janie wanted to run out every few minutes and check the sky for interlopers.

Tonight as I sat reading and Chad sat tapping on his keyboard, we heard Janie talking in her sleep, giving quiet tight-lipped yips. Chad quipped, "she's saying, don't let that kite get me. She's having a kite-mare."

Friday, January 15, 2010

Donate Now


If you have not already donated money to the Haiti earthquake disaster relief, I implore you to do so now. I donated through UNICEF. Here is the email message I received today:
_________________________________________________________________

Words fail: up to two million children are at risk in Haiti right now.

Separated from their families. Trapped under rubble. Countless newly orphaned. Desperate.

Every moment matters: donate NOW and 100% of every dollar to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF will go directly to fund child-saving relief efforts in Haiti.

We can save these children. I say this because I've seen your generosity and I've seen UNICEF's response. Less than 48 hours ago, UNICEF delivered to Port-au-Prince:
10,000 tarpaulins
4,600 water containers
5.5 million water purification tablets
556,000 oral rehydration sachets
These supplies are bringing critical relief to up to 10,000 families. An additional 20,000 families will receive similar supplies momentarily. But it's not enough and these two million children are relying completely on international relief.

Please give now: every gift will save a life, and 100% of your donation will go directly to UNICEF to support relief efforts.

Children in Haiti have nowhere to go. No homes, no hospitals, no government aid centers. There is literally nothing beyond what you and I and the rest of the relief community can provide.

Yes, delivering relief into the country has been exceedingly difficult. Yes, logistics and communications have taken time.

But this means nothing in the face of these children who need us. We will do whatever it takes to save these children, no matter how difficult, how seemingly impossible.

Please, help us save more lives.

With humility,
Caryl M. Stern
President and CEO
U.S. Fund for UNICEF


P.S. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is absorbing all administrative fees associated with handling your donation, so that you can be confident 100% of every dollar you give will go directly to relief efforts.

Friday, January 01, 2010

Happy New Year!


I'm paraphrasing Charles Dickens from A Tale of Two Cities here: 2009, it rocked in some ways and sucked in others.

Rocked:

Chad started his own business with two great partners that exceeded our best expectations!

Chad discovered the joys of actually living at home versus spending far too much time on business travel.

I actually got to spend time with Chad and have a handsome date to dinner and events.

I was fortunate to work as a production assistant for the auditions for Broadway's Spiderman musical. It was a blast! 250 amazingly talented young people auditioned for two roles. Two were chosen to move on to New York City!

We spent the equivalent $ of a European vacation on a new HVAC system which is much more eco-friendly and works great.

We welcomed Harper to one branch of the family tree and Regan to the other branch. Hello, nieces!

Our sweet pets: Marigold, Kenji, Sonic and Janie are all still with us - happy and healthy.

Sucked:

We spent the equivalent $ of a European vacation on a new HVAC system.

Chad learned some of the pitfalls of running his own business during back-to-back all-nighters on the phone with India.

We lost Chad's Papa F. Consequently, Chad spent his birthday this year at Papa's funeral.

Our sweet 1952 house got robbed. We're still recovering financially, physically (door repairs / painting replacements) and emotionally from this major inconvenience.

One month after the extended warranty ended on my car, we spent the equivalent $ of a deluxe domestic vacation on my (stupid) car repairs. Three words: Melted Engine Parts.

Chad's car got side-swiped parked on the street in front of our house mere days ago. To quote Chad, "it looks like a beater-car now".

Goodbye, 2009. We'll not forget you and your events. You had flair for drama, friend!

Glamorous!


Much of my life as an actress is not at all glamorous. Tonight's peak behind-the-scenes found me in the greenroom gluing on fake nails for tonight's dinner mystery show while running lines with my fellow-actors. I rocked those nails during the show, and will rock them for a few more days as that glue is strong! Classy, right?

The Dave & Buster's showroom may not be Broadway, but I had a blast helping the audience celebrate New Year's Eve. I've never gotten so many hugs after a show. Thanks to all who came out! I'm so blessed to get paid for doing what I love!