Sooner or Later…

…or the rush to welcome spring…whatever you name this time of year we are all extremely busy.  Among the ever present list of activities:

Dance Classes are working on the shows.  One of the biggest differences between the Studio classes and other studios is the end of year show.  Most offer a recital where each class does a dance (or two for older students) ending the year with applause and happy parents.  This studio does a full scale production that combines all the classes–dancing, drama, and art.  This lets the students learn exactly what a production entails: props, timing, etc.  The time on stage is about the same per class but the experience is far different.  This year the pre-point and up, plus selected students are working with the Imperial Theater in “Oklahoma!”.  We have Nikos and Thomas participating.  The schedule has reached the *everynight* stage.  The play dates are: April 5, 6, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 ,11.  Yes that many.  Yes the house will be full with the expectation that there will be enough demand to add additional shows.  At least all the work isn’t for 3 days only–but my is it tiring (& expensive due to gas).
  Meanwhile the younger students are working on “Annie”. (This is not my favorite musical btw but I will watch my kiddos.) This too is different. We will be doing two days of school matinees. What?…well two shows a day for local school children to come, watch a theater show, and learn a bit about theater. The ticket price is cheap–around $1 or $2 per child and the schools look plan on the yearly trip. The more classes you attend the longer your on stage time. However, it too will have a week of every night rehearsals to get used to the stage, tech, and dress rehearsals. I’m tired already. Thomas is in this show also and so is Lindsay.

Gardening:  When it rains it pours.  For many years all I had available was a smallish area in the backyard.  Now a friend has offered a large area on her place (about 1/2 mile away) and a local group has offered space to the 4H group.  Plus, Grits has offered her spot as she doubts she will be able to take good care of much with a new baby.  (She will water and we will weed.)  I’m behind on starting seedlings but will be getting that started & finished by the weekend.  We are adding herbs as flower beds & hopefully some rhubarb too.  Dh is a bit more enthused as we got the troy built fixed (a permanent loaner it seems) and rising prices.

Animals:  Ever since we did the chicken project a few years back (wow 6 actually) the kids have been wanting to have more chickens.  I’ve debated with myself and the fall of 2006 to go ahead.  Those plans were put on hold when Little Missey made her future arrival known–sometimes I admit I have limits.  But now seems to be a good time to begin again.  I have fond memories of Lindsay throwing scratch feed to the chickens just before her first birthday, a cute sight!  Of course now is the time that the feed store has a good selection–important as we cannot have the 25 most hatcheries require to mail order (not enough room).

Additional projects:  This worm bin, thinking about attempting this and off-the-record attempting this. (Much easier in summer when tomato sandwiches are the favorite food) The really big thinking–in my spare time–is how/where of keeping some bees but, alas, it doesn’t seem possible here in town.

Sewing:  Because of course plays need costumes.  I need to make a pair of boys knickers and adapt a pair of men’s work pants (think v shape in back).  I don’t even want to think about the Y shaped suspenders.

Not forgetting…Grits baby is due at the end of April.  My good friend & her daughter are having a shower for her the 12th.  I am not missing it–everything else will have to wait that day.  AND…Nikos graduates in May so there is a BBQ for friends & family.  AND…both Nikos and Fyah are/have joined the Air Force so there’s those details.

Fortunately for this family the flooding has only been a road problem–how to get from point A to point B and how much additional time do we need.  The theater side came within 2 inches of flooding while the studio side had a generous 6 feet. 

So anyone else up for some circle time?