singin' in the rain

You. Guys.

Whatever plans you have made for this week -- cancel them.
I know you've got jobs, and callings, and families, and friends, and so forth.

But I'm telling you, you need to find a night this week [or the afternoon on Friday] and go see Olympus High School's production of Singin' in the Rain. 

Seriously.

There are so many reasons to partake of this spring masterpiece:

First of all, it's the. very. last. thing. ever. to happen on Olympus' legendary stage. [They've rebuilt the school just to the north on the same lot, and it's magnificently, beautifully enormous... and they're tearing down the old school in just a matter of weeks. But, so many incredible things have happened on Olympus' stage. So many talents. So many memories. So. Much. Good.] Go take the two hours, and be able to say that you were there for the last epic production on the Original Olympus High School Stage. Do it. It's totally worth it.

Second, it's SINGIN'. IN. THE. RAIN. A classic. I've recently discovered that there are throngs of people missing out on this fantastic movie. It's shocking, really. So whether you've seen the movie, love the play, or have never even heard of it -- Go. It's awesome.

Third, the show is simply darling. I've had a super rough 2013 so far, but this totally cheered me up. Even more then my new yellow wallet. It's a feel good story, and the music is super fun and catchy. It's impossible for it to not cheer you up - even if you don't need cheering.

Fourth, [SPOILER ALERT] it rains. Actual water falling from the sky. And don't fret, because if you sit in the first few rows, you are provided with a rain poncho.

Fifth, [I told you there were so many] The talent in the show is great. Ben Smith, whom I adore and have a mini crush on, is a perfect Don Lockwood. He's suave, and charming, and handsome, and I could just listen to him sing all. day. long. The girl who plays Kathy is adorable - and Fun Fact: I work with her dad. She has a gorgeous voice. The girl who plays Lina Lamont is hysterical. She nails the voice from the movie - and her mannerisms made me chuckle through the whole entire show. "Well, I can't make love TO A BUSH!" The dancers are great. The director is hilarious - right out of the movie. It's just so dang good. Go see it!

Sixth, and most importantly... My boy Tanner - Tan the Man, Little T, Number 5 of 8, Tan TT Showbiz - is Cosmo. And he could. not. be. better. He's witty. And clever. And dramatic. And gracefully. And silly. And flexible. And he makes. me. laugh. "Make 'em laugh! Make 'em laugh! Don't you know everyone wants to laugh?!" AND he tap dances like a boss. And not just that, ladies and gents, he actually plays the piano in the show. What a guy!

Now, I know that pride is bad. And that you can get caught in a vicious cycle with said pride... But. I am so proud of Tanner. He has worked so hard. And has totally sacrificed his body (totally sick bruises all over) for this role. He's magnificent. I couldn't stop smiling through the whole show - every time he came on stage. I'm totally overcome with pride - but the good kind. The kind of rejoice-in-the-successes-of-my-brother pride.

Have I convinced you yet?

GO SEE SINGIN' IN THE RAIN!

If you need someone to go with, call me. I'll be there.

If you aren't sure you can make it and need even more reasons to entice you, let me know. [I will neither confirm nor deny whether or not I will make a chocolate cake just to get you there, if that's what it takes. No joke: I bribed a kid sitting behind me to cheer and clap louder during the show with a bag of fruit snacks. So. Let me know.]

If you don't enjoy loud laughter, applause, and cat-calls throughout the show, then maybe we shouldn't sit by each other. But I'll still go with you. And we can talk at intermission. Grin.

If you have a bunch of stuff going on this week, just put it off for one day [ONE DAY!] to come see the show.

You won't regret it.

And it will mean so much to the kids in it who have worked so hard to put on such a fun show. They deserve a great audience [which obviously didn't show up tonight.... I felt like I was the only one laughing and clapping through the whole show. Lame.]

So, click here to buy tickets, and bring your umbrella.
I promise you'll enjoy the show.

GO!

I'm singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the rain

mending

I'm mending. Slowly but surely.

We had dinner at my parents house the other night, and when we walked in the door, Braden said:

Shan! Your face doesn't even look messed up!

I'm choosing to take that as a compliment. (The first go-around with MRSA, he was the one who said: Shan, you look normal from behind! If he weren't such a cute boy and I didn't know he meant well, I'd probably punch him in the throat.)

I bought a new wallet, but I'm mourning my old one. It was the perfect wallet and the perfect shade of green. And it's no longer available for purchase. Sad day. So, instead, I got a yellow one. Hopefully, it's just the right dose of cheery color to compensate.

And I feel like a real person again. I have new bank and insurance cards, a new drivers license, and everything is starting to get back to normal.

I've been advised to take it easy, and not jump back into my normal routine too soon. Everyone is pretty sure that this time around, stress induced MRSA to come back. (Or as Chad calls it, MRSuckiness. Clever boy. And totally appropriate.) Needless to say, I've had a stressful couple of years. And as part of my mending, I'm trying to figure out how to manage that better.

I have a stressful job, and it doesn't ever really slow down.

I'm like my mother, and I like to help as many people as I can
and just don't like to tell people no.

I put a lot of pressure on myself -
I'm a perfectionist, and just hate not giving something my all.

I've also been blessed with many talents, and sometimes I feel like if I don't use them and keep developing them, I'm taking these gifts for granted, and they will be lost. Again, with the perfectionism.

But I'm learning that I can't do everything.

I'm trying to learn how to balance well.

And I'm learning that sometimes I need to let people help me,
instead of always doing the helping.

I'm learning that I can't do everything all the time, as much as I'd like to.

And I'm learning how truly great it is
to have so many people love you and care about you.

And I'm continually amazed at how wonderful my husband is.
He takes such good care of me. He's quite the find, you know.

I've so appreciate prayers and healing thoughts on my behalf.

I feel so supported and so loved by so many. So thank you.

I am feeling better. But still not whole.
I have a constant migraine. And I get tired quickly.
(Confession: I am enjoying having to take my daily nap.
If only there were a way to implement that into my life. For the rest of my days. Hm...)
I have scars on my head from the MRSuck. A constant reminder,
along with the pain I still feel.
But I know they will fade. And I'll be completely better.

So I'm declaring that March is for Mending.

...And college basketball. March Madness is so close. It always makes me so happy.
Go Hoosiers! We're pulling for Indiana to take it all.