Very Sleepy Girl: November 2008

Oh Christmas Tree, oh Christmas Tree...

November 29, 2008

Holiday Happenings

November 26, 2008

First up, this Friday, Willie Nelson is performing with Billy Bob Thorton at the Morris. Sounds like a strange event to me! For more info, www.morriscenter.org

Friday, Dec. 5th -

Winter Exhibition Reception at South Bend Museum of Art , 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Have a jolly great time at this exhibition reception for Dick Lehman's In Pursuit of Beauty: Microcosm and the Exquisite on view in the Art League Gallery and the SBMA Student/Faculty Exhibition in the Community Gallery. Complimentary refreshements served. There will be a one-of-a-kind holiday performance by jazz legend Martha Lorin (made possible by Lampkin Music Group). There is special exhibition fee to view Iconic America in the Warner Gallery, all other galleries are free. http://www.sbrma.org/events.html
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 5:30 - 6:45 in front of the Morris. Children from the Starz Academy will perform and the artists who created the Holidays Greeting Cards will be recognized. Free cookies and hot chocolate will be served. This all leads up to the big event...Santa's arrival and the lighting of the giant Christmas Tree! Also participants are encouraged to bring food donations that are gathered by the Knights of Columbus to be given to St. Vincent de Paul Society. http://www.sbpark.org/special/holiday.htm

Saturday, December 6th -

Breakfast with Santa, 8 - 9:30 http://www.sbpark.org/special/holiday.htm, $5
Tea with Santa, 12 - 1 and 1:15 - 2:15 http://www.sbpark.org/special/holiday.htm, $5
Holiday Art Walk 11 am - 5 pm. Free tour, includes Cushing Inn & Oliver Inn Bed and Breakfasts. http://www.circaartsgallery.com/HolidayArtWalk.html

Sunday, December 7th -

Copshaholm Christmas Carol - Actors portray members of the Oliver family throughout the mansion $10, limited tickets available, 12:30 start time with tours leaving every 5 minutes until sold out. http://www.centerforhistory.org/Christmas_at_Copshaholm08.html
South Bend Symphony Orchestra, Home for the Holidays, 3 pm at the Morris. Ticket prices vary. See http://www.morriscenter.org/calendar.html for more info.
Skating with Santa, Howard Park Ice Rink, 4 - 6 pm, Rental available. Fee: 2 pet food items (to be donated to South Bend Animal Control) or $2.00 per person.

Also...

South Bend Civic Theatre presents A Christmas Story based on the classic movie set in Indiana. Many shows between 11/28 & 12/20 http://www.sbct.org/
ND's Dept. of Music presents Handel's Messiah 12/5 & 6, 8 pm $10, usually sells out. http://performingarts.nd.edu/index.php?page=detail&event=926
ND's Band Concert 12/7 3 pm, free, but must reserve tickets in advance. http://performingarts.nd.edu/index.php?page=detail&event=884
ND's Glee Club (always outstanding) Christmas Concert 12/13 6 & 8:30 pm http://performingarts.nd.edu/index.php?page=detail&event=923
The Nutcracker Ballet at the Morris - 12/13 2 & 7 pm; 12/14 2 pm http://www.dtsbsantahouse.com/competition.htm
Jim Brickman Holiday Concert at the Morris - 12/15 8 pm (Darnit, I have to work that evening!) http://www.dtsbsantahouse.com/competition.htm
Santa's House & Workshop and Gingerbread Village @ the College Football Hall of Fame and by Chocolate Cafe. Free, free, free! See http://www.dtsbsantahouse.com/ for hours and more info. You can even participate in the Gingerbread Village Competition (must register by Nov. 30)! http://www.dtsbsantahouse.com/competition.htm

There is seriously so much more out there that I just can't cover it all, for example The SB Symphonic Choir at IUSB, the Vesper Chorale at Kern Road Mennonite Church, Kathy Mattea's Christmas at DeBartolo, Fernwood's Festival of Lights...

For you locals, I also recommend signing up for the emails from ArtsEverywhere.com. They list many local events, highlight the free ones, and even offer discounts to some of the events! Check it out, and don't be complaining that there's nothing to do in South Bend, yo!

family

I'm Excited! And up way too late!

November 24, 2008

pictures

The Weekend in Pictures

November 23, 2008

coffee

AMA Thoughts

November 23, 2008

Inexpensive Dates

November 23, 2008

Stupid Celebrity Baby Name

November 21, 2008

Funny Work Story #2

November 21, 2008

Funny Work Story #1

November 21, 2008

writing

Writing

November 19, 2008

I’ve mentioned before how I tend to do a lot of journaling on Sunday nights. Ever since grade school, I tend to get more contemplative on the eve of the dreaded return. Maybe it was always the time reality hit, and the guilt for procrastinating on homework all weekend started showing up.

As an adult, fortunately with no weekend homework (usually), Sunday evening has become a time to cherish – the last few moments of personal freedom. I actually don’t even like being out and about on a Sunday evening. I prefer to spend that time at home, quiet, pensive, and preparing mentally for the days ahead.

Not only do I have a time when all my thoughts pour forth. I also have a place.

Although I am a HUGE fan of supporting unique locally owned businesses, I sheepishly admit that my preferred place to write is at Starbucks. Not just any Starbucks mind you. It has to be the South Side Starbucks. Believe me – I’ve tried others. They just don’t work.

My South Side Starbucks is where I first began my novel. August, 2005 – a time of numerous adjustments. Moving back to my sort of “hometown”, moving back in with my parents, moving out of the house I grew up, planning on moving to Wilmington, North Carolina, visiting Wilmington, North Carolina, deciding to stay in Indiana, moving into my own place. Oh, and all with no job. So my free time was spent writing. Not just any writing though. This was novel writing. I was a part of a club of writers whose goal was to write a novel in a month.

Wait, did you catch that? Read it again. Yes, we were each writing our own novel in the time frame of one month. Some of us accomplished it and have done it again since. I, however, am still working on the original one. And I’m ok with that.

I joined the Writers Club again last month, and I knew exactly where the bulk of my writing would be done. Yep, when I need to get some serious creative juices flowing, I can be found at the South Side Starbucks.

Just not on a Sunday night, cuz I'm staying home.

Teaching

November 19, 2008

Lists

Random Tuesday

November 18, 2008

BRAT Day 2

November 17, 2008

BRAT Day 1

November 16, 2008

South Beach

BRAT Diet TMI

November 15, 2008

coffee

Perfect Coffee - #300

November 14, 2008

friends

10 Answers

November 13, 2008

Around the Bend

Great Day

November 13, 2008

I’m going to have a great day.

This was decided when I woke up at 6:15. On my own. No alarm. I really woke up because I had to pee (I had a lot to drink last night). But I amazingly felt refreshed. NOT sleepy. Do you have any idea how rare that is?!? I mean, do I have to remind you of the name of my blog?

Because of a long day and a worsening headache last night, I went to sleep at 10. So, 8 hours later, my body was refreshed.

After using the bathroom, I instinctively crawled back into bed and then realized if I fell back asleep I’d only wake up feeling tired and groggy later. I started thinking about all I could do if I just got up and stayed up. So I did.

I got a nice hot shower without being rushed. I got into jeans, a t-shirt, and tennies, grabbed an earth friendly cloth bag and headed to the Farmers Market!

This was the earliest I had been there, and things were pretty slow. It was nice because I got to visit more with the employees. I picked out some good coffee beans. I got a basket of pears, and the merchant included a free apple! I picked up a spaghetti squash (I’m being bold here!) and of course my standard bananas.

Then I stopped at Macri’s bakery and picked up a healthy hearty raisin bran muffin, mmmm!

Back home I changed into professional attire before I made it in to the office early.

8 hours later…

I met up with my brother for a visit with a financial adviser and then toured a gym downtown along with my sister-in-law. There was a lot of information consumed over a couple hour period that just got to be a lot to take in.

After a quick change of clothes at home I ran errands in Mishawaka, looking for knee high black boots and then getting groceries. I also enjoyed a decaf skinny peppermint mocha twist from Starbucks. Sidenote: I was trying to go 1 week without coffee, and I just couldn't do it. I made it 6 days, and that was hard!

On the way home I started feeling very contemplative and had a good cry. Isn't it strange how a cry can be good sometimes? I've got a lot of friends heavy on my heart for the circumstances that they are going through. Never far from my thoughts or my prayers. This morning I put a note on my desk at work with their names. I see it often and am reminded to lift them up.

Back at home tonight I caught some of The Office and finally sat down and relaxed for a bit. A long, good day. And, it wasn't freezing cold! We were right about 50, which is the minimum comfortable temperature for me!

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