TWTWTW

I just returned from the final concert - this one a mini version of the choir and the music, singing for the assisted living home where my MIL lives. It was a pleasure to sing for them. It was also the culmination of a very long, exhausting, but exhilirating week.

Remember that show - "That Was The Week That Was"? I don't remember anything about it except the title. But I have just been through that week. In the last 7 days I have had 9+ hours of rehearsal and 9 hours of performance, all on risers. My back and feet survived (thank you, my friend Ibuprofen!), My voice is at the end, barely making it through the higher notes tonight.

I want to thank you prayer warriors once again, for I was able to sing with freedom - without a book, and with joy, the nine songs of the church musical. My sister wrote the script for the drama portion, and it was a wonderful time of worship and beauty.

I actually got to some shopping today - just one store, but there were lots of good sales on the types of things I needed. The little girls (yes, they were with me) each scored a little mini Minnie Mouse "laptop" which is a learning tool and lots of fun. They played with them throughout the store (I wish I'd thought to take a picture of them in the cart as they played), and all the way home. I'm thinking they just got early Christmas gifts. I did hide them away when they put them down, so we'll see if they remember and ask for them between now and Christmas Eve.

The Christmas crowd will be very small this year, very unlike most years. My sis and BIL are heading to Idaho to meet up with their kids and grands. Angie is in Africa (remember, we have their dog - another interesting scenario), Kev's in Maine. So it'll be just Mom and Dad with us on my side and Mom, Bob, and Grace with us on DC's side.

We do have the shower, rehearsal and dinner, wedding and reception of my nephew this week-end, so we'll see some family then. I'll be sure to post pix of the two special flower girls next week. Here they are posing for the bride, who hasn't seen them in their dresses in person yet. This is an Army 2nd Lieutenant's wedding, so we can't call them Navy Blue!




Back to the week-end, though. The four concerts of the community chorale are held at the historical Rialto Theater downtown. I learned quite a bit about the building during our break times this year, from a member of the Rialto Theater Guild, the group that has been responsible for the bringing back to life this old building that was an eyesore when I first moved here.

The Rialto is 90 years old and for those of you who are interested in this time of thing, the history of the Rialto Theater can be found here. I do remember when it became a mall of sorts with small shops for a few years. The woman I was talking to was appalled when that happened. She told stories of the ghosts that inhabit the theater - they all have names, apparently having died in the building over the years. One died during renovations when he fell from a ladder, one was shot during a play by a jealous man. I can't remember the other two. She could tell by the look on my face that I'm not a believer.

This is a view of the movie theater in its prime




This is what it looks like today




Here's how it looks on an average day on the inside




I posted these last year of the Christmas decorations - I didn't get a chance to take a picture this year, and they were even prettier this year

Well, I must close now and sit on the heating pad for awhile. Hope I sleep well tonight.