Tuesday, December 14, 2010

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.



17 comments:

Nicoolmama said...

Oh they are precious in those dresses!!!!

The choir sounds like a *ton* of very rewarding work!!

I love the Rialto...you can just feel the history in there.

Merry {almost} Christmas!!

Susan said...

The girls look adorable and will probably steal the show (wedding!).

Hootin Anni said...

First off, I love the color of their dresses!!! Royal Blue, I'd call it royal blue. Afterall, they are royalty...they're so adorable!!! And their smiles always make ME smile!!

I'm not sure I've ever seen that theater before. I'm sure I have being in Loveland many times, but I tellya, it just doesn't ring a bell for me. I'm happy to hear that they've restored it. So many times the modern ways, they always want to tear down and rebuild.

Dawn, I just KNEW you'd do a bang-up job with the concerts. See? Worry for naught. I just KNEW you could do it.

Sounds like you're going to have a nice quiet gathering for the holidays. That's my kind of holiday. I remember long ago, with our family before mom and dad passed away on both our sides of the family...the day was like 40 or more and it was just too much. Here, it's gonna be just Erik and Irene and the boys are going to the Springs for the holidays. We are planning on a two day trip to Austin if it doesn't snow. Y'know I don't like driving in snow any more. If it is snowing way up there, we'll make it a trip to San Antonio maybe. Depends.

Well, I just made a batch of chocolate cookie dough that Mari shared on her blog and it has to refrigerate overnight, but I have a ton of cooking dishes to clean up.

Have a great day. Glad to hear that you are having a beautiful Spring like week...it's always pretty in Colorado with the mountains full of snow and the skies on the front range so very blue!!

Hootin Anni said...

Golly....did I write a novel or what?

Amy said...

The girls are adorable in their dresses.

So glad you were able to enjoy the music and your part in it!

Needled Mom said...

I am so glad that you were able to enjoy the singing and be relaxed about it. It was definitely a joy for all who got to hear it.

The girls look adorable in their pretty dresses. I love the color!!!

I doubt that the littles will remember the toy. Bet it kept them quiet while you were getting the shopping done! ;)

Hope the heating pad helped and that you can now enjoy the season.

nannykim/spindlecottage said...

Well, I would think you would enjoy a smaller Christmas crowd... I love small groups, but then I am a small group type of person. I would love it actually---our Thanksgiving was nice and small. The Rialto is really neat. We have an old Theater here and the marque is still up and they use it for doing plays--lots of fun.

grammy said...

well you sound busy as usual (o:
Glad your voice held up
the girls and shopping sounds like a success (o:
Beautiful dress in 'army blue' lol
I love that the old time picture has bikes in the front

Come on Dawn... you have never had a mouse in your house??? (o:

Brenda said...

Glad things turned out well for you in the end...you DID just say you were sitting on a heating pad right?!...seriously tho'.
I hope all the work put it was well worth it, sounds like it was.
The girls look adorable in there cute dresses!

Sharon Lynne said...

I loved the dresses and the smiling faces.

Well you still have quite a bit of activity! But maybe it's good that Christmas will be a little smaller.

I'm glad you made it through the choir performances...and you were able to do something you loved!

Glenda said...

So glad you were able to enjoy the performances!! That's wonderful! The little girls are so cute and look excited about the wedding. Have a wonderful Christmas week with your family! Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

Eleanor went to the Senior Citizens' Center today with all the other 2nd graders to sing and hand out cards. It was so sweet! The Center is connected to my grandmother's apartment building, so my grandmother came down and listened to the children sing and she received a card. That made the moment even more special! I'm glad you were able to end your performances on such a special note. I bet the concerts were touching and worth it. Enjoy the last week before Christmas!

I enjoyed the pictures of the girls!

Midlife Mom said...

Dawn I know you believe every word you sing and I know that comes through to the audience. Glad you got through and hope you feel better soon, nothing like a good heating pad!

The girls look just gorgeous in their royal blue dresses!!!! I love that color!

What a great idea giving the littles something to play with throughout the shopping, otherwise you would have done more chasing then shopping! :o)

I think it's good that Christmas is going to be a bit quieter for you this year, you have had more on your plate then any ten people should have.

Hugs to the four girls from me and for you and DC too! xoxoxoxo

mariel said...

looks like fun!! the girls are absolutely precious in their matching blue dresses!

Linda said...

I am finally catching up with you Dawn. I'm so glad the singing all worked out so beautifully. The theater is amazing.
I think of you often - it will be a full and wonderful Christmas with the girls. They look adorable in their dresses.
You continue to be in prayers dear friend. Have a blessed Christmas.

Christa said...

Life takes many twists and turns along the way. God in his awesomeness, keeps us going. Sounds like you are busy, with all that you do plus taking care of the girls. Have a Merry Christmas

Anonymous said...

Hey, I am checking this blog using the phone and this appears to be kind of odd. Thought you'd wish to know. This is a great write-up nevertheless, did not mess that up.

- David