Friday, February 23, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
Plodding Along...
I was off today for Presidents' Day but Brad had to work. I used part of my day to copy birth certificates and marriage certificates. I also combed through our dossier guide to see if there was anything I had overlooked. I think we've got a good handle on everything. The next major steps are completing the home study (visit three of four is this coming Saturday) and doing the I-600A form. I've got it filled out and printed off. But filing it with Citizenship and Immigration Services requires a day trip to Kansas City. We'll file the form and get fingerprinted. Of course, we always love an excuse to go to the "big city." Cheesecake Factory, anyone?!?!
It's gorgeous here today. In the high 50's/lower 60's. It's been an absolute gift to be off on a beautiful day. Hope your week is off to a great start!
It's gorgeous here today. In the high 50's/lower 60's. It's been an absolute gift to be off on a beautiful day. Hope your week is off to a great start!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Happy Chinese New Year's Eve
This Saturday, February 18, 2007, marks the first day of China's New Year! 2007 is the Year of the Pig. Oink! Oink!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
The Painted Veil--A story about love for Valentine's Day
Run, don't walk to see this outstanding independent film. It stars Naomi Watts (luminous as ever) and Ed Norton (I'm now a devotee!) in a moving film set in China. Above all, it is a story about love. Of course, it was extra moving for us because several scenes revolve around a Chinese orphanage where Naomi Watts' character teaches the Chinese girls songs while she plays the piano. This film harkens back to older films that were beautiful in scenery and story. Please don't miss it if you have a chance to see it!!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
This is how good our doc is...
ST. LOUIS (AP) - A renowned infertility expert has transplanted a whole ovary between two Californian sisters in suburban St. Louis. The step could allow certain cancer patients the possibility of having children after they fight the disease. Dr. Sherman Silber took a whole ovary from one sister, 31-year-old Maeapple Chaney and transplanted it into the other. The younger sister, 30-year-old Joy Lagos, went into early menopause following her treatment for non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The transplant should allow Lagos to have normal hormonal function again and possibly conceive a child. Silber made history in 2004 by transplanting ovarian tissue from a twin into her identical sister, a procedure he has repeated a half dozen times since then. He is director of the Infertility Center of St. Louis at St. Luke's Hospital in Chesterfield.
Yes, this is the guy who did our IVF cycle last summer. He rocks.
Yes, this is the guy who did our IVF cycle last summer. He rocks.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Cold Again...
After yesterday's reported high of 67 degrees, we are back into the 20's this morning. Blah! I'm heading to Jeff City tomorrow for the morning, then back to Springfield in the afternoon. We resume Cinderella shows tomorrow evening. It will be great to get back on stage again after having a few days off. Stay warm!
I'm off to get my physical for the adoption this morning. I'm sure it will go smoothly. Little by little, we're marking items off our checklist!
I'm off to get my physical for the adoption this morning. I'm sure it will go smoothly. Little by little, we're marking items off our checklist!
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Cinderella gets props!
Here's an excerpt from the review of our musical that appeared in today's newspaper:
"Can't anybody just enter a room?" asks the puzzled king following several frenetic dance numbers early in "Cinderella," the popular Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.
You may have similar thoughts during the two hours of extravagant entertainment packed into the latest staging of the 50-year old work. Unlike the modest 1998 version, this "Cinderella" practically explodes with nonstop movement by a huge cast of nearly 80 performers.
The director and choreographer harness their energetic forces with customary skill, even if the simple story and pleasant tunes are sometimes swamped by all the animated razzle-dazzle.
In fact, an alternate title could be "Disney's Cinderella." One gorgeous set piece follows another like a widescreen, technicolor spectacular, making the original 1957 black-and-white TV broadcast seem pale and puny by comparison. The opening number alone, "The Prince Is Giving a Ball," could serve as the grand finale for some shows. The full-voiced and beautifully-costumed ensemble, led by the vigorous Herald, fills the stage as the pre-celebration begins.
By evening's end, when a lovely Faberge-like coach whisks the new princess and her soul mate off the stage, you feel both enchanted and a bit exhausted. The approach is perfect, though, for youngsters in the audience. There's never a dull moment, with plenty of sight gags and pratfalls to take up the slack whenever the music and lyrics fall short of the famed team's best work.
Heading the cast is a down-to-earth Cinderella who stoically takes abuse from her stepsisters, played in "Dumb and Dumber" style. The imperious Stepmother is more amusing than evil. The King takes up where he left off in "The Full Monty," with his pants off. The Queen is sewing on a missing button, allowing the king to work the situation for slapstick laughs. Both are concerned about the happiness of their son, Prince Charming. He has the show's most memorable song, "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?," which turns into a nice duet with Cinderella and is later reprised by the full company.
The Fairy Godmother adds literal sparkle, while the chef and steward lead the hordes of dancing chefs, court seamstresses, palace staff, coachmen, waltzing partygoers, and humanoid horses and mice that fill the stage to the brim.
The scenic design is tastefully colorful and proves a perfect match for the elaborate costumes which, in turn, are enhanced by evocative and imaginative lighting. There is a lively eight-piece orchestra.
**********************
It's always exciting to get such an overwhelmingly positive review. Lest you think our reviewer is a rah-rah supporter of all productions, consider some past reviews that have noted pitch problems by singers, poor costumes and off-the-mark interpretations. So, I'm very happy with his enthusiasm for Cinderella. I think Brad and I are both having withdrawal...We hardly knew what to do with ourselves last night as we sat at home and watched TV. Our next show is Thursday night.
From the "when it rains, it pours" department: Our dishwasher stopped working as did our doorbell. Last week, the heat/air blowers on our newer car stopped blowing, leaving us to warm our hands by the heat emitting from the defrost vents. Sheesh.
"Can't anybody just enter a room?" asks the puzzled king following several frenetic dance numbers early in "Cinderella," the popular Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.
You may have similar thoughts during the two hours of extravagant entertainment packed into the latest staging of the 50-year old work. Unlike the modest 1998 version, this "Cinderella" practically explodes with nonstop movement by a huge cast of nearly 80 performers.
The director and choreographer harness their energetic forces with customary skill, even if the simple story and pleasant tunes are sometimes swamped by all the animated razzle-dazzle.
In fact, an alternate title could be "Disney's Cinderella." One gorgeous set piece follows another like a widescreen, technicolor spectacular, making the original 1957 black-and-white TV broadcast seem pale and puny by comparison. The opening number alone, "The Prince Is Giving a Ball," could serve as the grand finale for some shows. The full-voiced and beautifully-costumed ensemble, led by the vigorous Herald, fills the stage as the pre-celebration begins.
By evening's end, when a lovely Faberge-like coach whisks the new princess and her soul mate off the stage, you feel both enchanted and a bit exhausted. The approach is perfect, though, for youngsters in the audience. There's never a dull moment, with plenty of sight gags and pratfalls to take up the slack whenever the music and lyrics fall short of the famed team's best work.
Heading the cast is a down-to-earth Cinderella who stoically takes abuse from her stepsisters, played in "Dumb and Dumber" style. The imperious Stepmother is more amusing than evil. The King takes up where he left off in "The Full Monty," with his pants off. The Queen is sewing on a missing button, allowing the king to work the situation for slapstick laughs. Both are concerned about the happiness of their son, Prince Charming. He has the show's most memorable song, "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?," which turns into a nice duet with Cinderella and is later reprised by the full company.
The Fairy Godmother adds literal sparkle, while the chef and steward lead the hordes of dancing chefs, court seamstresses, palace staff, coachmen, waltzing partygoers, and humanoid horses and mice that fill the stage to the brim.
The scenic design is tastefully colorful and proves a perfect match for the elaborate costumes which, in turn, are enhanced by evocative and imaginative lighting. There is a lively eight-piece orchestra.
**********************
It's always exciting to get such an overwhelmingly positive review. Lest you think our reviewer is a rah-rah supporter of all productions, consider some past reviews that have noted pitch problems by singers, poor costumes and off-the-mark interpretations. So, I'm very happy with his enthusiasm for Cinderella. I think Brad and I are both having withdrawal...We hardly knew what to do with ourselves last night as we sat at home and watched TV. Our next show is Thursday night.
From the "when it rains, it pours" department: Our dishwasher stopped working as did our doorbell. Last week, the heat/air blowers on our newer car stopped blowing, leaving us to warm our hands by the heat emitting from the defrost vents. Sheesh.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Home Study - Visit #1
We had our first home study visit from the adoption agency Saturday. Katie arrived 10 minutes earlier. That seemed to put a kink in Missy's plans to bake cinammon rolls.The rolls went in but 9 minutes later were clearly underbaked. Missy went ahead and iced them, served them, then promptly returned them to the oven for further baking.
The study itself went fine. It was just conversation about ourselves, why we want to adopt and what our marriage is like. Nothing to be nervous about.
Little Buddy sat in Missy's lap for a good portion of the visit. Pierre burrowed himself under the bed sheets.
Brad got choked up on some water and c-rolls. Evidently the expression on Katie's face was one of concern and fright.
We meet with her again next Saturday.
The study itself went fine. It was just conversation about ourselves, why we want to adopt and what our marriage is like. Nothing to be nervous about.
Little Buddy sat in Missy's lap for a good portion of the visit. Pierre burrowed himself under the bed sheets.
Brad got choked up on some water and c-rolls. Evidently the expression on Katie's face was one of concern and fright.
We meet with her again next Saturday.
Friday, February 02, 2007
It's Opening Night!
We had a great crowd for the preview show for Cinderella -- now it's time for the first of 17 shows with a paid crowd. Enjoy these photos:
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