Opening Night

Well folks, tomorrow night is the big night.

Ty has been rehearsing for MONTHS!! Seriously, since returning to school after the new year they have been rehearsing two and three times a week.

It's time...for the MAY PLAY...

His school is putting on a rousing performance of

Yep! The little Grandy is making his full fledged acting debut as Deputy Dudley Doowrong. He's done skits before, and does many in the scouts, but this is his first full-length play.

He's so nervous and excited. He's one of those perfectionists that wants to make sure everything is just right and everyone enjoys the show (I have NO idea where he gets that from).

Since I got my degree in theatre arts, and used to work for a children's theatre where I would teach children to perform a musical, I was thinking I might finally have some advice to offer him to calm his nerves.

The following is the highlight of our conversation:

1) Mom, what if they laugh at me?
Honey, if they're laughing at you then you're doing it right. Your character is a DOLT!! You just go out there and be the best DOLT and make them laugh.

2) I'm SO SCARED!!
That's alright, they don't know what it's supposed to look like, JUST HAVE FUN!!

3) What if I screw up?
No one will know but you. Keep it going and HAVE FUN. You've worked way to hard not to enjoy it now.

Final words of wisdom?

~ Speak loud enough so they can hear you in the back...think of it as you're yelling "WHAT" from the back room because you didn't want to come when I called you.
~ Go potty BEFORE they call places.
~ If you feel like you have to pee just before going onstage(even if you just went), totally normal.

I'll be back to report my completely biased critique after opening night.

An Award for some Newbies

Wow...Grandy is on a ROLL!!

Last week I managed to win an iTunes Gift Card, and this week I've earned a new award.

The wonderfully talented Renie Burghardt has graciously gifted me with a "Make My Day Award". How swell is that? Well...if you don't know Renie, you should go check her out at Renie Burghardt's World. She writes beautifully and takes great pictures to boot!

So now I am to pass this along to 5 blogs that make me think...and make my day. Only 5? Really? Have you seen my blog roll? It keeps growing!!

Well...Grandy is always excited to meet new bloggers, even if they're not so new but new to me. (oh yes...it's all about the Grandy...sometimes) So, with that said, I'm going to bestow this award on 5 relatively new bloggers, or "new to me" bloggers. This way you'll all go check them out and tell them Grandy sent you to stalk them say hi.

So...drumroll...I am bestowing this award to...

Dirty Laundry Diva - I'm impressed with this woman as it appears she may have been blogging for only a short time and yet she already has her own domain? She just moved so it's only right if I give her a web-warming gift. Right?

PollyWollyDoodlesAllDay - Not so new to me, but maybe some of you. Funny fellow Sac-Town Lady. :)

Alex Year Two- This lady is NOWHERE near new to blogging, but she is relatively new to me. In the short few months I've visited her (and guest blogged for her) I've commented about 30 times. She's a pretty kewl cat.

http://jugglinglife.typepad.com/juggling_life/ - Jenn @ Juggling Life (let's see if I can make this link happen) This lady started her blog in what...January?...and has one heck of a following. I don't know how she does it with all her kids, and school, and hubby...but she's a pretty great gal with one heck of a knack for storytelling.

My Second Journal- I have to share an award with the lovely MP, after all, she recently bestowed me with the great prize. She takes some amazing pics.

Stop in and tell these lovelies hello from Grandy.

I'll be over here working on some fun skillz to make another award. I don't like that I had to limit to just 5.

I feel like I'm wrapping up the end of a Romper Room, "I see a Golch, a Momisodes, ooh there's a Derfwad, a Curb Squirrel (my aren't we thirsty), a Dens, hey there's a Foible! There's a Firecracker in the group, and that classy lady in the stilletos, my FL Retail Friend, and my dear sweet Cyber Highway friend.

Oh yesssssssss...sounding like a tire with a slow leak...Grandy's coming back with another award for you all.

iWON

LOOK WHAT iWON!

Grandy doesn't mean to yell (isn't that what typing in all caps means?) but she's REALLY excited that she has won her first ever blogging prize.

Grandy has entered some little contests here and there, but never wins. Seriously, I don't.

So when MP over at mysecondjournal had a contest, I figured I had to give it a shot.

She had a first winner but we won't mention her name because she never claimed it and what if she stumbles over here? She can't have it...NO WAY!!

Funny thing is? Grandy doesn't have an iPod. My little guy does though, and he is thrilled at this prize.

Thank you, MP, for the great prize.

Thank you *no name* for not coming around to claim it.

Maybe I should pay it forward? What could I give away? I've got a gum rapper in my cup holder in the car, a roll of quarters (leftover from Ty's birthday), and...OH WAIT...I have another Lint Roller!!! YOU TOO could have the Commuter's Emergency Kit.

Maybe I'll see what I can do AFTER pay day...after pay day to the tax man is done, that is.

*Sigh*

Let's Change the Pace

My Blogging buddy Tina Coruth, over at Tina's Odds & Ends was playing catch up today and commented on several of my posts. I stopped over to see what she was up to and saw this fun post.

I wanted to do something to change my irritable mood. Monday I ranted about bra shopping and my incredible shrinking breastseses, and Tuesday I ranted about work and morons. I thought today, since it wasn't too far off from yesterday, I would try to keep the mood light by stealing Tina's meme.

WHAT WERE YOU DOING 10 YEARS AGO? - Moving to Northern California, with my son who was 2. I left my hometown to live near my sister and a bigger city so I could find a good job. I did more than that...I found my hubby too. :)

WHAT ARE THE 5 THINGS ON YOUR "TO DO" LIST? - Get Ty signed up for football, get car washed, fold laundry, blog, and take over the world.

3)SNACKS THAT YOU ENJOY - String Cheese, crackers, and yogurt. Not necessarily together though. Boring huh?

4) THINGS I DO IF I WERE A BILLIONAIRE -
1.Pay off my house, mom's house, 3 sisters' and one brother's house, a mother-in-law's house, and brother/sister-in-law's house.
2.Pay to send everyone on a vacation...but not necessarily together because hey, I just paid off your house, give me some SPACE already.
3.Quit.my.job. and...
4.Get.out.of.debt.

5) PLACES WHERE I HAVE LIVED - Salinas, CA (Hometown), Fresno, CA (College town), Missoula, MT (Temporary), Sacramento, CA (this is for you Mrs. F, my fellow SacTown Lady) and my small town now...45 miles away...in the sticks...That's In the Sticks, CA (right Malone! ?)

6)BAD HABITS THAT I HAVE - I overwork myself, I'm too hard on myself, I say what I think too much, I pick my nose (no really, I was just making sure you were still reading this), I drive too fast, I cry easily.

7) JOBS THAT I HAVE HAD - Claims Adjuster, Receptionist, Telemarketer (1 week), Orange Julius Smoothie Girl (before Jamba Juice), Tour Actor/Director, Waitress, MOM.


So...help yourself to this meme, and let me know you've done it so I can come learn more about you all. :) I'm going to spare everyone and not tag...but it doesn't mean you don't have to comment.

How Can I Put This Nicely?

Have you ever been given a task that was very doable, but the time frame in which you're given to do it is not?

Do you ever find yourself wanting to say more than just no?

HELL NO?

NO WAY?

I'll even give you a NO EFFING WAY?

Well, Grandy is all about customer service. Not only for my customers, but my customers' customers. Confused yet?? Me too.

It's somewhere in that connection that I start to lose my cool. I get that my clients are important, and their clients are important to them. But does Grandy really have to cater to their inane requests too? A girl's got to have her limits.

Here's a couple scenarios:

Company A (my client) received a letter from attorney representing Company B (their client) saying they want the carrier for Company A to agree to pay all defense costs by FRIDAY. Nevermind that this is our first notice of the freakin' lawsuit. Seriously? Really? You think I'm going to get the carrier to do flips all in an effort to avoid you suing my client?

Another favorite of mine is the all important letter of, "We think this is all your fault and want you to re-pay us $800,000 within 1o days." Wow!! What a steal!! Really? How should I make the check?

But alas... *sigh*... I will do what I need to do to make sure the clients are protected, while trying to help them save their relationship with their clients, but I instantly become David taking on Goliath.

I'm going to have to call in some favors for some of these things...and get some sleep. I'm wiped.

Better put your waders on folks...It's about to get thick around here real quick.

Did you know there was a Science?

First, please forgive me while I digress for a moment.

I was so touched and moved by all the loving support and beautiful comments I received from my letter to Grandma. I want to thank you all for your words of encouragement. I wasn't sure about posting it out there for all the web to see, but it did make me feel better to write.

I thank you for being open to receiving it, apologize if it made you cry, but appreciate that I made you all feel. That means I did something right...right?

Now, it's time for some Grandy random silliness...

*********************************************************************

For those male readers...be warned...I'm about to talk about something girlie.

Although, it does involve some discussion on breasts...so you might want to read on after all.

Either way...don't say I didn't warn you.

Alright ladies! Talk to me now. What the HECK is up with shopping for bras? Have you had to get measured for one recently? Anyone??

Photo provided by photobucket.com

Remember I mentioned I have lost over 50 lbs in the last year? Well, apparently 40 of them were in my breastseses. Ok, maybe not 40, but seriously? Could I have kept even just 1/2 of them?

Grandy realized it was desperately time to get some new clothes this weekend. It wasn't decided on her own. Hubby, Friends, Family, and even co-workers were giving me grief about my clothes. I guess it takes me a while to take a hint, but come on. I HATE SHOPPING!!

So...the Good News:

So, my butt finally fits in cute clothes you can find on the clearance rack.

I no longer have to shop in the plus size section.

And the Bad News:

My breastseses are also 2 sizes AND A LETTER smaller? - NOT Good

Did you know there's a science to measuring your size? You measure around the rib cage, and add 3", then you measure around the cup and add...ah hell...after about an hour of this mess, trying several different bras, and feeling like I now should have a masters in Bra science, I ended up leaving.

Yep, you guessed it...sans bra.

I'm going to have to go back to another store, where those women don't irritate me so. UGH!! I'm not holding out a whole lot of hope.

Hey...I've never STUFFED my bra. I could try that.

Nahhhhh... You're right. Grandy would have one of those moments and everyone would know. Everyone.

If any of you male readers stuck around this long...I thank you...and I'm sorry.

And for the rest of you, have you received your Masters yet??

The Last Good-bye

Dear Grandma;

Thank you for trying so hard to teach me to be a lady. I'm sorry that it took me SO LONG to figure some things out. I really can't explain why I left the zipper down on my skirt, at that snooty swanky restaurant. I promise I hadn't realized that you could just lift.it.up. I didn't wear dresses or skirts when I was little, we got hand-me-down boy clothes. Oh, and how was I supposed to know what a finger bowl was used for? I thought it was Lemon Water.

But you got such a kick out of telling that story and that made it all worth it.

To this day, I don't recall the time you and Grandpa came to visit me in the hospital, when I was in the plastic bubble. But I never tired of hearing the story about Grandpa talking to me like a duck, and I responded with, "Grandpa's don't do thaaaaaaaaat!!"

Oh my GOSH! Remember the game of 52-card pickup that Cara tried to teach you? Your reaction was CLASSIC!! Thanks for teaching me some serious Scrabble skills too. Although, I'm dying for a strong adversary.

Thank you for making me feel pretty, even though you had your clever ways of saying I was fat full figured. And you're right, I do have beautiful hands. :)

I should be going now, but I selfishly don't want to. I don't know if you realize this, but there are others reading this letter. You wouldn't understand why I write this here, but then you never understood the concept of call waiting.

Today, May 15, 2008, is the day it was decided, it was time for you to go. You certainly got things your way in the end, didn't you? Good for you, for knowing what you wanted! I can't even figure out what I want for dinner, and you had such the plan. Ultimately, you passed in the most peaceful way imaginable. I'm so glad you got that...peace.

I consider myself so blessed to have been a part of your life. Part of who I am, I owe to you. I'll even share some of the good part. :)

Thank you Grandma.

Give my love to Dad and Grandpa, and tell them I'll see them again...someday.

I miss you already, but send all my love,

Me

Please enjoy...

...the music while your party is reached.

Have you ever heard this statement when you call someone's cell phone? When you hear music in your ear, instead of a ring?

What's your ringback tone? See, I'm thinkin' that your ringback should say something about who you are, what you're like, you know...say somethin'!

Can you guess what Grandy's song is? I'll give you a hint...there are currently 2 on my phone.

Gwen Stefani - "Rich Girl" (because I so wish I were)
RENT - Opening Song - "525,600 Minutes" (I told you I'm bad with name that tune?? I'm not sure of the title)

Anywho...I have it set up as Rich Girl on most everyone. However, my Mom, and older family members don't seem to get Gwen Stefani. The other song works better for them.

Now, my ringtone? This is the song people hear when your phone rings. Oh yeah, it's as different as Grandy is.

Some of the songs really don't fit. I almost peed myself when I was getting a pedicure one day and I suddenly heard porno music coming from someone's phone. I looked over at the cute little thing next to me. Nope! Not her. Looked around more...still hearing the Baw Chicka Bow Wow... and watched the ELDERLY (we're talking I was suprised she had a dang phone) woman answer. She had a significant language barrier, but I knew she had a family member messing with her.

So, I'm going to throw this question out to my faithful readers (and even those that are not so faithful, but I love you anyway). I'm needing a new song for my ringtone, as I've had it about a year.

What song do you think Grandy should use for her ringtone? and why?

If anyone can guess what my song already is, I might have to throw some bling your way.

I'll come back and share (maybe I'll learn how to post a video on here finally?) the winner in a couple days.

Come one, come all...tell Grandy what song you think fits. You...in the corner back there...I know you're lurking back there. Stop and leave a comment already.

Commuter's Emergency Kit

As a commuter, it is vital to have certain things available close by and handy.

Napkins in glove compartment? Check

Lotion in glove compartment? Check

Hand sanitizer in center console compartment? Check

CD's in back of seat? Check

Lint roller in side compartment? No? Where did it go?

Oh, carpool friend found it on the floor. Phew!

Except this lint roller had attracted a little more than just lint...

I'm thinkin' I could be on to something here.

It could come in handy.

Race for the Cure

More than just a Mother's Day Weekend, this weekend is also the annual Komen Race for the Cure, an event specifically designed to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer and research.

Every year I am impressed with the level of involvement this event inspires. It's a beautiful reunion for survivors and family alike. To raise money and awareness is a noble thing, and every year it just gets bigger and bigger.

The event started out as a pact between two sisters, and has grown into quite an organization with events raising money throughout the country. I cry when I read the "Who We Are" story, written by Nancy Brinkler, founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

As we go into the weekend, thinking about all the mothers in our lives, let's pause to remember those we've lost to this horrible disease, and those amazing ones that have overcome.

To all my friends participating in this weekend's festivities, Go Gettem!!!

To my friends who have been afflicted with the disease, I honor and remember each of you.

Would you still vote for Grandy?

One of my blogging buds, whom I truly admire, over at Derfwad Manor recently did a great post(okay, I really <3 all of her posts) but this one made me think.

What's that? Yes, Grandy does think...On occasion...when there's nothing else to do...and only until it hurts.

Why Mrs. G Could Never Run for Office is a good reminder that although people shouldn't be, they are quite often judged by who they associate with. She specifically was referring to the comparisons between Obama and the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, and how those might translate to her and her Grandmother.

To Mrs. G I say, MRS. G FOR PRESIDENT!! THIS COUNTRY COULD USE A DIFFERENT DERFWAD!!!

Alrighty, Grandy is digressing again.

Anywho...this got me to think...there are way more reasons the Grandy name won't be gracing the inside of the White House any time soon, and it's not because of my dear Grandmother. Oh, and if Gopher (Fred Grandy) happens to catch my blog, I know you may have had aspirations for that, with being a Congressman and all, but um...well...sorry.

So, without further ado, here are 6 reasons why Grandy could run for office but would never win.

1) Grandy says what she thinks too much. - I know this surprises all of you to no end. But really, my diplomacy can only go so far. I don't get into discussing politics or religion too much on this blog because I was always told those are two subjects that are not polite to discuss in public. But believe me, I have opinions.

2) Grandy has a... (are you ready for this?)... a... PAST! - There!!! I admit it... There might have been a couple of times where I made poor choices. Maybe more than a couple? Okay 3, but that's it. Maybe just 4...or 40. You get my point. Who doesn't have skeletons in their closet...sleeping with other skeletons. (Oh, is that just my closet?)

3) Grandy doesn't want to watch herself on SNL - Seriously? Could Amy Pohler still do me? Or maybe the smart & cute Tina Fey could come back, host the show, and play Grandy. Ok...maybe I'll take this off the list.

4) Grandy doesn't SUCK UP!! - No really...Remember my top reason up there? That say what I think thing? Do you really think someone who tells the CEO of a large company that she thought "Upper management needed to stop catering to the wah wah's of middle management" is really going to score well with those campaign contributors? I'm thinkin' Nahhhhh!!

5) Grandy hates telemarketers! - Look, we've all had our share of bad jobs. I even did my stint as a Kirby telemarketer when I was 18. Secretly, I think I just liked saying Electrolux (because it rhymes with s***s). But what's with the politicians getting the word out on our phones now? Do they really think that in today's society, we're not going to know who they are?? As a side note, Ty thought it was awesome when we were getting calls from "The Terminator".

And lastly???

6) Grandy doesn't care. - Now, this statement could easily be mis-interpreted in many ways. It's not that she doesn't care about the world, the environment, society, our schools, our children, etc. It's that she doesn't care whether or not you agree with her thoughts on the world, the environment, society, our schools, etc. She doesn't care if you think she should dress differently, wear a different shade of lipstick, fix my hair another way, or wear skirts instead of pants.

I'm so sorry if this means my son doesn't have a chance either...something about that past thing... but look, with these things on my resume, would you still vote for Grandy?

Pennies from heaven my A$$

Luck is a chance happening, or that which happens beyond a person's control. Luck can be good or bad. (As told by the brainiacs at Wikipedia)

Funny how one word...Luck...can make people do silly things. If a ball player thinks that his special underwear is his "lucky" pair, then he'll wear them to every game without washing. Ewww!! This is what we call Superstition.

Superstition (Latin superstes, "standing over", "set above") is a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge. The word is often used pejoratively to refer to supposedly irrational beliefs of others, and its precise meaning is therefore subjective. It is commonly applied to beliefs and practices surrounding luck, prophecy and spiritual beings. (Yep...making friends with the Wiki tonight)

Are you superstitious? Do you consider yourself lucky?

Would that be with the good luck or the bad?

Well, the Grandy family went out Kayaking with some friends today. These people have been friends of ours for YEARS. We get together with them quite often. Hubby has been close with the husband of this family for even longer. High school trouble makers, I'm sure.

Well picture this...beautiful day...calm water at the lake...hardly anyone there...awesome scenery (I'll be posting the pics later)...and just a perfect day. We're all Kayaking, and we get to a little sandy area. The kids are skipping stones and having a glorious time. The hubbies decide to take the boys out on an adventure while we wifeys relax in the sun. What a glorious day indeed.

Then...this Grandy opened her eyes and realized there was quite a storm cloud over us. Where did that come from? We better start heading back. Then it happened. It started to rain.

Not just rain people, it started to pour, then HAIL. "Hail the size of pennies," is what the news reported later. We were 3 miles from the boat doc. The Hubby's were outside the perimeter telling us to hurry...as mine shouted "EVERY ONE FOR THEMSELVES".

Did I mention there was thunder and lightening??

Have you ever had pennies thrown at you? It was freezing and it HURT!!

Now Grandy has to tell you that she's slowly trying to get back in physical shape from her surgery, but to row 3 miles, in the hail and rain (with lightening on her a$$) was a bit much for her.

I laughed the first half of the way, then it became less fun as I was so tired I thought I would hurl.

I finally get to land an our friend, T (friend hubby), says that he's sorry that they've jinxed us?? They failed to mention that every time they go on a new adventure with friends, something weird happens with the weather.

Whoahwha??

Um...Grandy didn't have the heart to tell them...it was she who had jinxed them. Don't they know by now that life is always an adventure with Grandy?? If not, they do now.

I wonder if having this Luck will now make them have more Superstitions. Would you??