Shamrock Songs

Wednesday, June 06, 2001

I don't think I ever talked about the fire that destroyed the high school's drama department costumes, props and such. In 1978, St Joseph High School moved out of its first home into the school where it is now---half of the Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament grade school. We had a hall, and a church in Natrona (versus Natrona Heights where we are now). In the mid 90's we used the hall for our school plays, and then it was sold. In 1997, we used the old church to stage Jesus Christ Superstar because it was due to be sold. The deal fell through but we had found a new home for the plays. This year, the building we were using was sold to a church group to make a community center in a community that needed it. So, the kids and parents moved all the "stuff" to the old church until we found a place to store it. Two days after moving it, a fire broke out and destroyed over 15 years of costumes and sets and such. We had such an outpouring of help from area schools that "The Music Man" went off 4 weeks later.
Well, one of teachers and former director wanted to raise money for the drama department so he called on the kids at the school now, the faculty and recent graduates whom he worked with to come back and do "Jesus Christ Superstar" as a concert. And they responded. (by the way, the show one 5 Gene Kelly awards which is a prestigious award for high school drama here in Pittsburgh). Anyway, the concert/show is Sunday night and I will be in Cancun. So I am spending Thursday evening at a rehearsal so I can see the grads and watch the show and absorb the music. It is my way of relaxing and many have laughed saying that if or when they got married, attending a show two nights before the wedding was not possible. I guess it is for me because I am a bit anal in my organization. But as my friend Caryn says, "we love you in spite of it" which is a good thing.

My Mom is due in tonight so I guess I will have someone checking my progress. Right now, all I need to do is write a note to my parents and wrap gifts I have for them to remember this wedding. More later.
posted by chris on 6:39 PM | go ahead - link me!

Tuesday, June 05, 2001

After doing some reading tonight, I should admit to being spoiled, too. Keith is a sweetheart and as I go to bed tonight, I remember once again how lucky I am that he found me. He had the guys come and put in my phone line, he hooked up the air conditioner in my office, and after we get back, I can move this computer up there or buy my new imac (which I am going to do, but wanted to wait until I was going to be home to take care of it....)
And I am taking the time to update before bed because, I am not super tired, and if I try to sleep, all I think about is lists...."did I do that?" "I have to take care of that...." "One more thing to do..." Nothing is earth-shattering that I must do tomorrow morning, but I want to get it all done so we can pack tomorrow evening and relax Thursday and Friday.
I had a link I wanted to put in here, and now I can't find it. Maybe tomorrow. I hope you are all well in bloggy land. Thanks to Leigh and Tab who have sent wishes via email and cards. And thanks to my friends for being supportive when I couldn't give the time needed for whatever reason.(and that includes you people without links....) I say I will be back to normal when the wedding is over....we shall see.
posted by chris on 10:57 PM | go ahead - link me!

Tina: I am so happy that you and Rachel are excited about the new school. After reading and knowing how difficult this one was for you guys....I know you deserve to find a "great fit" for both of you!

Deb: Cool graphics and so like you. A cup of coffee and a relaxing color with a peaceful design. And I guess that we do know you pretty well if we guessed which one was false. I was going to do the "me" thing, but I think I might save it for after the honeymoon.

Shana: Loved the comments about the movie and people needing to find out what it was about...I agree that some people don't have a clue what they are seeing. I did have another comment for you....but will have to get back to that one since my mind is distracted these days.

Karen: hope you give a report of the vampire tour...I am still so jealous.

Thinking of fellow TrixieFan, Sarah and her family and sending wishes of sympathy out at the loss of all who knew her.

posted by chris on 10:44 AM | go ahead - link me!

I fully intended to blog this weekend but somehow time slipped by. I will give the short version of what occurred, but unlike sweet Shana, I cannot give the longer version and do an update on what else is going on. (As I read through this, I am not sure there is a short version....*laugh*)

Friday night, Keith and I went to Applebee's for dinner as I mentioned, and then we did a bit of shopping for "welcome bags" for friends and relatives who are staying in the hotel this weekend. I also went to half price books and got 20 books for 40dollars. I found alot of good titles in the clearance section. After arriving home, I did wedding things like get the bags together, write my thank you notes to bridal party, and update my list and placecards. Saturday I cleaned, and then surprise of surprises and old friend called.

Laurie and I worked together after college, and she was my best friend. We talked about everything and felt like we had known each other our whole life. I thought we would never lose touch. But, she got married, finished her Master's before I did, and had a baby. Life changed, but we talked. Once I started at St. Joe's we had more in common again, but then my wild times began, and I was dating a few men at one time. My time for her lessened (my fault) and she suffered from post-partum after the birth of her 2nd son and took alot of anger out on me(her fault). We drifted apart, and then one day ran into each other at a workshop. We connected again, and although this year has been hectic, we have talked, written, and gotten back in touch. I doubt we will ever be "best" friends again, but I hope to connect again, and be friends. I am planning on calling her after the honeymoon to meet for lunch. I miss the way we talked about kids and being counselors.

Anyway, I was going to clean more, but talking to Laurie took time. I also talked to the DJ and have it all set for Saturday. Monday night I talked to the "trolley" company, the florist, the photographer, and had a message from the priest answering my few questions. I have touched base with all of my bridesmaids and we have a schedule together for the weekend. I got the programs copied last night and stapled. The box for the cards is decorated, the readings are typed out, the centerpieces are done, the gifts are wrapped, and the only thing left is to decorate a knife that my aunt used at her wedding.
Funny story about this knife is that my grandmother thought it was hers from her 50th anniversary and I found a card in it with a wedding date and name and they belonged to my aunt. My cousin (her daughter) is getting married on April 20th next year so I plan on giving it to her. Kind cool how it worked out, huh?

Saturday night a few of my bridesmaid took me out for a Bachelorette Dinner and drinks. We had a nice dinner, then went to 2 bars. I wore a banner that said "bride to be" with a wrist coursage too. It was a peaceful evening, and then we went to the Pra-ha bar. A very happening place with lots of dancing and drinking going on.....kind of a low-level meat market for people in their 20s. We all love to dance so we were doing that and all of a sudden, I began to feel ill and the room began to spin. Mary Jo took me outside, and soon Caryn and Tam joined us. Well, all of a sudden, the lights went on, and the music stopped. Turns out there was a fight and they had to clear the fighters out. I guess one of them got cut with a bottle so it was a bit wild. (Too bad I missed it). When we went to leave, we had to wait since there were 6 police cars in the street outside. Now, I live in a small town, and this was another small town so the police cars were from the
3 close towns and this one. Good thing, too, cause Caryn probably should not have driven home. I went to bed, slept late, and spent the rest of Sunday doing shopping, cooking, and other housekeeping stuff.

It has been a busy week, and we are now at 4 days to the wedding. I have more to say to comment on others but I think I will do a 2nd post.

posted by chris on 10:09 AM | go ahead - link me!