See no English, Hear no English, Speak no English!

I was recently invited to my dear neighbors surprise baby shower. My neighbor Veronica is having a girl. She thought she was through and then this little surprise so I'm very excited for her and willing to help out in any way she needs me. Now if only I spoke Spanish. She doesn't speak English and the shower was at a Hispanic friends house. Only white girl-raise your hand. I tried to fit in and say what little I could. I smiled when they laughed and probably looked like an idiot. I had intended to just drop by with a gift, and then go but a Hispanic shower is a little different. Every woman's whole family came, husbands, children, grandfathers etc. And everyone was dressed to the nines, with lots of jewlery and cleavage. (Shot, I'd left mine at home). The food was amazing so I had to stay for that and then fun shower games. I won one- you must pick up cloths pins in one hand with out dropping them and then say one thing a baby needs and try to get the most. Hum, in Spanish? Leche, Leche ...and Mamma and Papa! They said (through a Teenage daughters translation) that was the first time any one had ever said Mom and Dad. Is that enough to redeem myself? Not after the next game.
"Come up" they motioned and then blindfolded me. Next they put a jar in my hand. Baby food? Stop me if you played this game. Really, stop Me! Am I suposed to eat it? No, teenage translator says. You feed your partner. Some one I can't see and can't understand!
So stop for a moment and imagine the picture. I had to enjoy the humor at this moment and then... we're off! I did my best to feel where I was feeding and be swift in the process. When the spoon clanked at the bottom of the jar, cheering! I undid my blindfold and looked up. My partner had babyfood all over her face and down her white blouse and in her in blouse! Oh My!
!Lo siento! was all I could say.
Lots of fun, next time I'll bring my family!

what a thriller

No, I do not think I can dance. But when the teacher of my jazzercize class suggested we do this for our Church's Halloween carnival, how could I say no! Really, the chance to learn Thriller! I'm not sure what got into me, (Halloween possesion?) and I think I was a step behind the whole way but I am sure that I had a blast! Kinked neck and all! It was a pitifully small group of us that performed it (darn toe, Kristy!) but we danced with the funk of forty thousand years and loved it, every minute. (I may not be able to dance, but I can sew-do you like the dress I made for the dance?)

Oh, the Secret Garden!

I had a great time as Costume Director ... and now I'm glad to be finished. 33 children were in this production, and most of them had several changes.
I sewed, planned, shopped, and coordinated to get all the costumes finished by Opening Night, October 20th.
I planned and shopped during the day when I could and then sewed after I put the kids to bed at night. I've seen a lot of late night M*A*S*H, The Office, and listened to a book on tape to help the time go. Here is a before and after of one of the dresses. I bought it at the thrift store and then modified it for the play.
Chris was very good about the mess in my work area, a.k.a our bedroom. As long as he could find the bed at night, he was OK. But there were a few times it was so covered in lace, fabric and cloths that even that was a challenge. Here are a few pictures from it all.













In the end, there were three racks of cloths like the one shown. I took a picture of some of the cast members during Cast Pictures to give you an idea of how they looked.
I had a blast with this project and feel really blessed to be able to do it.
As a side story, My favorite character in the play is Martha, seen in the cast picture wearing a cream blouse and red skirt. She is optimistic and helps in healing the whole story. She is a maid and wears very simple cloths but the whole time that I worked, hand sewing, beading, adding lace, velvet etc., I wished I could have made her something beautiful that would reflect her spirit. But that would be out of place for her part so I sewed costume jewels into the hem of one of her smocks, because she was a treasure. I told the girl who played her after the production was over and she was so delighted. She said she was bummed her part didn't have any fun cloths like some of the other characters, but she sang fabulously and played her part well none the less.
And so it is, I think with our part in life and where we are to affect and help the lives of each other around us.