WIN! (for now)

So, last night I finally got to meet Josh's grandparents.
Since last week, when I found out I would be meeting them, I had been terrified.
It wasn't so much that I was afraid to meet Josh's relatives.
It was a matter of "Oh, man. What if they don't like me? What if I commit a terrible faux paux? What if they don't think I'm right for their grandson?" and etc...
When we first got there, I met his grandmother, Erna, first, who immediately hugged me in introductions.
Short and adorable, with eyes that smile.
Then I met Len, Josh's grandfather, who greeted me with a handshake, smile, and "You must be Tahrea."
Equally adorable, and totally a glipse of what Josh will become in 50+ years.
In short, these two were so engaging and delightful.
My fears vanished after the first 10, 15 minutes I sat in their living room.
They asked us what we wanted to drink after we sat down.
lol
Josh laughed as my eyes widened with the choices: Water, beer, wine, liquor.
However, I didn't want to give off the wrong impression, and I was satisfied with settling for water.
After Rhonda and Jeff had voiced their drinks, Len looked at Josh and I, and I said, "I'll just have a water."
LOL!
Len said, "Water? You just want WATER?"
One of my favorite parts of last night was the incredulous look on his face.
After a few suggestions, a gin and tonic was decided.
Always a good decision.
The entire evening was wonderful.
I heard story after story about them, the family, Florida, food, and a myriad of jokes from Len.
So funny.
During and after dinner, there was a chardonnay, a pinot grigio, and a cabernet sauvignon/merlot that found their way into the mix.
That, surprisingly enough, prompted a few different tidbits about wine from some deep chasm of my brain, which I shared with the group.
lol
(I'm so glad I've been paying attention at work.)
When we finally did get to goodbyes, I hugged the both and left with a smile.
The evening had been a success, with narry a faux paux in sight.
I wanted to kick myself for the initial anxieties I had this past weekend.
However, now that the evening is over, I can't help but wonder if I, so to speak, passed.
That is a looming verdict for which I must wait until next I speak with Josh.
And we all know how much I love waiting...
;o)

Hysteria!!! part deux

I'm taking an illegal break right now.
I should be doing something hard, and laborous.
I was, but now I'm not.
heh.
The recital is officially over.
Like all things, you build up to it, and, in a flash, it's done.
I received a couple of small Thank-you gifts, several Thank-you's, and a ton of hugs.
It was fun, but I relish the idea of a musical theatre break.
Then, I rushed home to do mom's bidding with Graduation Preparation 2009.
She is in her usual state of panic, and I'm in my usual state of wanting to sedate her.
Josh was supposed to come down tonight.
Unfortunately, there was/is too much going on to do anything involving a guest in the house.
Argh.
I'm totally bummed about that.
On top of having to do all of this... stuff, being bummed doesn't help my disposition.
Greater good and all that jazz, I suppose...
Luckily, he and his darling parents are traveling down tomorrow evening for the party, so I'll get to see them then.
I'm really glad several people are coming tomorrow night, people I haven't seen for a while.
I am going to attempt to be more helpful now...
The sooner stuff gets done, the sooner mom will be satisfied with the universe, and dad, Junia and I can breath.

A rare moment of clarity, gone forever...

It's weeks like this one that make being a mother and raising children seem like such a nightmare.
Junia has this think called Graduation (perhaps you've heard of it?) this Sunday.
Apparently, after said "graduating" has taken place, it seems mandatory to have a gathering of sorts with food and people, and some sort of entertainment.
(The latter is optional, depending on personal preferences.)
This Sunday, mother has planned an outdoor event in the vast expanse of yard we have at our disposal.
We're going to utilize the newly built front porch of the new house for "entertainment," (SOMEONE will be playing music..... I guess.) and there will be two large canopies.
The food will be provided by mom, various family members, and myself.
(I have no idea what to make....)
Now, the unfortunate part of such a party is the preparation for said party, because not only must we prepare the yard and its surroundings for our little Fete, but we must also liven up the downstairs portion of our household.
Why?
Because people will need to use the facilities at some point, and mom seems OVERLY convinced that there will be a being or two of the curious/nosy persuasion who will want to meander throughout our household, in an attempt to find some bit of something to scrutinize.
*SIGH*
Because of this panic-induced insanity, Junia and I spent this past evening focused on our yard and the porch, which was slightly.... disturbing.
Aidenn and/or the cats thought it amusing at some point during the past couple of days, to sabotage our needs for neatness and rummaged through the dumpster.
As a result, several pieces of trash were strewn about the porch.
THAT was a fun project.
Because of the construction on the new house, there were also several large power tools and regular tools lying about.
That project I relinquished to Junia.
Then, as I was sweeping up trash and debris, I realized the flower beds were looking a little sad.
So, after a quick trip to Wal-mart by Junia and our delightfully helpful darling Tyler, I quickly went to work planting a few pansies and petunias.
A-dorable, but hard to do after sunset.
The next project looming in the near future is attempting to re-arrange the interior of our household, which has moving boxes nestled about, filled with whatnots of the Maynard place of residence.
Now, if this "graduation" were the only activity this weekend about which I was concerned, all would be grand.
However, such is NOT the case.
Tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday is RECITALRECITALRECITAL.
Tomorrow is class as usual.
Friday is dress rehearsal AKA madness.
Saturday, the recital is at 3 pm.
I may die before Sunday.
On top of that, Rosebriar's auditions for Midsummer are Sunday and Tuesday.
Sunday, obviously, is out.
TUESDAY, the drama club's potluck is from 6:30 to 8:30.
Auditions are on Karl Rd, in Columbus.
The potluck is at Slate Run Park, which is 5 minutes north from my house.
ARGH.
Welcome to another moment of Tahrea Can't Win.
The worse part is Junia wants to audition for the show as well, but she wanted me to drive her up, since driving in Columbus makes her more nervous than I.
DOUBLE ARGH.
Trying to work around my job, and time with Josh, and Theatre duties...
Meh, who needs sanity?

Decision, decisions....

Lately, the fates have smiled on me.
I have avoided financial meltdown, and the RTP board decided to let me direct a summer show AND the regularly scheduled childrens' show.
Hizzah.
That means I have the daunting task of figuring out TWO productions in one year's time.
Luckily, the summer show is one that won't too heavy of a workload.
Double hizzah.
I've already decided that the rehearsals will be Monday- Wednesday, 4:30 to 6:30, since it is the summertime.
That way, everyone still has some sort of evening.
After making this decision, I also realized this could open up evenings for me to do Midsummer Night's Dream, with Rosebriar...
The auditions are the 17th and 19th, so the decision must be made quickly, as to whether or not to actually go audition.
I am torn.
Junia says she may want to audition, so I'll probably take her to do so.
I may wait and see if they will need anyone once the auditions are said and done.
That'll help determine whether or not it should be so...
Hmmmm....

This weekend will consist of my working this morning, taking a break (which will be me, traveling 45 minutes to get last minute Mother's Day gifts), then Bartending tonight.
Tomorrow, at 7 am, I will be at the high school for the Drama Club's Yardsale, for which I'm not completely prepared.
ARGH.
After that, I'll breath for an hour, then whisk over to Circleville High School for Tech Rehearsal for B and B.
THEN, it's up to Josh's to celebrate Mother's Day with Josh and his darling parents.
SUNDAY, we're going to the Amish Country, apparently, which is always a blast and a half.
And it's what mom wants.
lol
Somewhere amongst all of that crazy, I need to eat, sleep, shower, and breath several times...
Ugh.

Somuchtodosolittletime....

The summer is nearing, and the school year is ending.
That means soooooooooooo many things for the Maynard household.
-Junia is graduating on the 17th, so we are attempting to get things ready for that day and all its celebratory needs.
-The drama club's yard sale fundraiser is fast approaching, which means I must attempt to sift through all of my personal crap and weed out the uselessness.
-The recital is soooooooooooooo close!!
I officially hate Beauty and the Beast and cannot wait for the 16th.
-Junia's last Cabaret is this Friday.
-The RTP banquet is coming up on the 13th.
-The May Board meeting will be next Monday, and, GOD WILLING, we will finally vote on next year's season, including the summer show, which, GOOOOOD WILLING, will be my kid's show I submitted.
In this household, Summer also means Shakespeare in the Park!!!!
Several trips up to Schiller Park for picnics and plays!!!
I already warned Josh that we would be attending soooo many shows in the next few months.
He seemed okay with that.
lol

For this week, I am focused on finalizing choreography for Be Our Guest on Thursday, going to see Little Shop of Horrors (Or, for Danielle's sake HArrors) with Josh on Friday, and PR's Cabaret on Saturday.
Somewhere in there I will attempt to continue weeding out my stuff and fit in time with Madison and Grace.
*SIGH*

Theatre Theatre Theatre.....

Last night, I was transformed into a giant teapot.
Yes, the freaking Mrs. Potts costume.
Ugh.
Tonight is the studio photo shoot.
ARGH.
Not only do I have to dress up and look snazzy, but I have to put on that ridiculous costume.
Don't get me wrong, it's a cute costume, and the kids liked it.
BUT, after taking it off, I found myself COVERED in tiny gold glitter, and, as we all know, glitter is the herpes of craft supplies.
Because I have been under the weather all week, I couldn't sing.
I sounded like a croaking frog, slowly dying...
Luckily, the kids all have their inanimate object costumes as well, and Sean and Jake have their Lumiere and Beast costumes, and all of the Belle dresses are done, so we will have a nice cast picture.
Now, if I could just figure out the rest of the choreography for Be Our Guest....

Tomorrow, Josh and I will be joining Danielle to watch Emerald City Players' Cliffhanger, whatever that may be.
I've never heard of this production, but I always try to remain optimistic.
Last weekend, mom and I went to see Bread and Circus' The Chalk Garden, which was really good.
The great thing about doing these reviews is that I get to see all these obscure and unknown productions, stuff of which I've never heard.
AND I get to write about said shows.
Fabulous.
I'm really pumped because NEXT weekend is PR's Cabaret AKA Junia's LAST Show Choir Cabaret EVER.
Then Josh and I are going to see Westerville High School's Production of Little Shop of Horrors on Saturday.
AGH!
I have always wanted to see a stage version of Little Shop, so I'm really pumped.
I am going to get me some theatre this month!
The following Monday is the next board meeting, in which I am sorely hoping we vote on next year's season, if not just the summer show.
That way I can start telling kids and parents alike to get ready and I can start organizing what we need.
*SIGH*
So much theatre.....
I love it.

Does anyone have a paper bag?????????

Easter is in a few days.
It's weird, because I'm not really in an Easter mood.
I mean, I guess it probably has something to do with my not being church, but I almost completely forgot it was coming up when I was so engulfed with Treasure Island.
(I never thought I'd ever reach the moment where all references to Treasure Island include the word "was," as if it has past....)
Luckily, mom has seen it fit to inform all of us that we are going to church with the grandparents on Sunday, to which I say, "Okay."
I've been wanting to go back to church for some time now.
Actually, in lew of recent events, both Josh and I agree that he and I need to find a new church to attend.
This makes me smile because it's something he and I will do together, and it's something that is important to us both.
And I can't help but to think this is something that will bring us closer to each other and God.
It's a win- win situation.
I was kinda sad I hadn't been able to take part in any easter activities like painting eggs or shopping for baskets for the girls, etc, until Rhonda and Josh invited me to a family function this Saturday where, lo and behold, there will be both small children and egg painting whatnot.
SCORE!
All week I've been pumped with the idea of meeting some family and being a kid again.
THEN, Josh drops a hilarious bomb on me last night.
See, in my mind, I assumed (stupid of me, I know) that we were going to go over and I was going to meet a couple of people and their kids and it was going to be a small family thing.
NOT.
During our conversation last night, Josh proceeded to break down exactly who I was going to meet on Saturday, which is totally fine.
THEN, he goes on to list about 30 people, parents and children alike, and their relation to he and his parents.
AUGH!
I told him, "That's not a family gathering to paint eggs. That's Christmas!"
I love meeting new people, but the idea of meeting a bunch of family members AT ONCE is a bit daunting.
Originally my plan was to dress nice enough and put on a smile and be my charming self.
Not hard.
"Throwing me to the Lions," as Josh put it, is not part of that plan.
More people means more charm and more effort to be fabulous.
AGH!
I'm sure it will go well, but I hung up the phone last night feeling a bit more nervous.
Maybe I'm just over thinking it....
Josh said they'd be nice to me and I'd be okay, which I totally believe.
However, because it IS his family, and because I'm his first girlfriend AND "the one," I know I will be under a certain amount of scrutiny, and that is terrifying.
My plan for now is to stick with my original plan, and just smile, charm, and pray I don't get egg coloring on my clothes.
lol

2009, thus far.... and a fear revisited and revised...

http://rtpgurl.blogspot.com/2008/12/2009-2008-more.html
In a previous blog, I asked what 2009 would have in store for me.
I think it is safe to say that by April 5th, four major events will have occurred/have occured....
1.) I am FINALLY dating Josh Boley.
2.) Samantha will FINALLY present Baby Ava to the world.
3.) I will have successfully directed my first show.
4.) I will have turned 22 on March 30th.
VERY exciting stuff.

Not many people know this, but I have a terrible and HIGHLY IRRATIONAL fear of zombies.
(Pause for laughter)
I'm not kidding at all.
It totally outweighs my fears of clowns or water.
(Pause for more laughter)
I strive to avoid any and all movies, TV Shows, and converstations dealing with the subject, with one terrible exception.
A few years ago, Max and I sat down and watched The Thing, and then segued into Dawn of the Dead (The new one with Ving Rhames.)
Biggest mistake ever.
I thought watching the movie would help me face my fear.
HA.
It totally just exacerbated the problem, and worsened my fear.
For whatever reason, the theme entered my dreams last night, causing me to shoot up out of bed, panting and sweating.
Basically, Josh was a zombie, as were several people around him, but they were intelligent and were able to function as normal human beings.
Only with the overwhelming desire to eat me.
Luckily, he loved me enough to control it.
(Cheesy, I know.)
So it was kinda like they were vampires, but not.
After calming down, praying to God to calm me down, and realizing that Josh isn't a zombie that really wants to eat me, I realized the concept of intelligent zombies wasn't a bad one, especially if one were write a screenplay.....
I'm going to play with it a bit and see what happens, but I think I'm on to something...

A frighteningly wonderful thing...

Last night, among other things, Josh and I got onto the conversation about the future.
As in OUR future.
Together.
I gotta say, it's an amazing thing about which to think.
The idea of one day marrying Josh has never been far-fetched, but now...
It's absolutely surreal and fantastic.
And the fact that, one day, it's going to happen is beyond words.
It's hard to believe this is it.
I'm slightly peeved that we have to wait a couple of years, with college and all, but I'm willing to keep the boyfriend/girlfriend/dating theme going, taking solace in the fact that we are both sold on the idea of getting married.
The only downside to this whole thing, besides the waiting part, is knowing we HAVE TO PLAN A WEDDING.
Ugh.
I am totally content with driving down to Vegas and getting hitched there.
UNFORTUNATELY, he and I both know our mothers would KILL us if such a stunt was attempted.
argh.
Fortunately, there is still plenty of time for all the details, and, for now, Josh and I will just focus on bettering ourselves and our relationship in order to reach that goal.
Three years isn't that long of a time, right?

My insanity....

Treasure Island is in full swing, having just started our 4th week of rehearsals last night.
Despite slight hiccups and pitfalls along the way, all is well at RTP.
I find it interesting that several things happen that no one ever warns you about...
No one ever mentioned how often parents and actors alike email/call you.
Or the fact that you CANNOT do it all on your own, and that delegation is a beautiful thing.
I mean, I totally love it, but it can be slightly overwhelming.
It goes beyond just telling people where to stand onstage and how to do it.
SO BEYOND.
But, I'd be lying if I didn't say I was having the time of my life.
James and I are so enjoying ourselves as we take this crazy journey and really delve into our creative sides.
For the first time tonight, we had the Inn in its entirety.
The set.
For the Inn.
Was onstage.
A-MAZING......
It made me so happy to physically/literally pull everything onstage tonight and see my vision there, in a tangible form.
Agh, it was fantastic.

Josh and I are offically an item, I guess you could say.
I've never been this sure about a relationship before.
He and I are so amazing for each other.
We've always loved each other, since our friendship has lasted 6-some odd years....
I'm really excited to see where it goes.

I read a really interesting passage yesterday that really got me thinking....
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (New International Version - UK)
3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;
4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honourable,
5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God;
6 and that in this matter no-one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you.
7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life
8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Watch out world... We've just fueled the fire...

Last night, the fabulous Josh and I ventured up I-270 yesterday evening to watch Bread and Circus Theatre Company's production of Macbeth.
My dearest friends Danielle and Manny (From Lear) played the insatiable and insane Macbeth's.
The play was set in the deep south Bayou country, in the 1920's.
The majority of the cast did a really great job using their skill of cajun and creole accents to go along with the story.
FABULOUS because I find that accent to be quite attractive when coming from the right lips.
Apparently, part of the director's vision was to accentuate the weird sisters' presence in the production, which I can respect.
But, I was slightly disappointed by two things where these characters were concerned.
1.) I found their presence onstage to be a bit...
excessive?
They were onstage moreso than I am personally used to....
2.) The Voodoo sisters were... white.
As in Caucasian...
I was expecting a bit more realistic voodoo soul....
Call me a purist...
I will say they did a good job at their roles and worked off of each other well.
And Kudos to the director, Mony, for thinking outside the box.

"Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." Macbeth Quote (Act V, Scene V).