Just thought I’d share the pack of tissues that was handed out to audience members. Perfect – and timely – because this movie will make you cry.
We’re still on a high from the premiere and we’re trying to stay there. We need to remind ourself that magic and miracles are not limited to a certain age group. This entire experience started for me at the age of 68 – an offer out of the blue. And now, at the age of 70, I’m seeing myself on the screen, hearing Ben’s excellent dialect work, and my name is in the credits for the film. Twice. Since it’s been a long time since Don has worked, he needs to know this as well. He’s been depressed about not having a job for over three years. He needs to work. And we need the income. But mostly, he just needs to do what he was born to do. I keep reminding him that Margaritaville came to him out of the blue, as well.
Christmas tree: We went to three different places yesterday in search of the right tree. Our favorite vendor has the weird pruned branches that we’ve now seen on trees everywhere. But theirs are the worst. And they’re charging $96.00 for a tree. So we went to Lowes. They were charging $30 less, but their trees were pretty crappy. I don’t know if they’re waiting for a new shipment or what, but there wasn’t a lot available. (We got our tree from them last year and it was quite lovely.) So, we drove down the thruway to another vendor and we found our tree there. It was priced midway between the other two. By that point, we were determined to get a tree. Prices are outrageous here, but we love a real tree, so there it is. We don’t put a lot of money into Christmas otherwise – our families don’t exchange gifts, our parents are gone, we don’t have kids or grandkids…so it’s just us. Some Christmases are a bit more lavish, depending on income, and some are very lean – I think that will be the case this year. But our tree is everything to us, it’s what we love, so it’s worth it.
Here it is. Though we are going to turn it a bit. The side of the tree on the right is better. We’ll put the lights on it today and decorate over the weekend. (Note the ever-present heating pad on my chair in the den.)
A couple of little Christmas ornament sweaters arrived here yesterday from Kohl’s. One seems like it will be impossible to fit without a snip or two at the back. The other had a wide enough neck so I was able to wrestle it on Sophie. These are bigger than the ones from Target. Who knew that these were a thing? I sure didn’t. But I guess certain stores carry them every year.
Here’s Sophie, late in the day:
Warm and cozy and her red sweater. I don’t know about you, but I love a red sweater.
Today, we’re taking it easy. We’re still tired from Tuesday. I’ve been to hundreds of opening nights in the theater over the years, a few of them big events on Broadway. But this one was even more intense and required a lot of energy to navigate, as well as to be ‘on.’ For this introvert, it was wonderful and magical…and completely exhausting. Time to retreat for a few days.
I hope you don’t mind if I just say thank you to all of you for your support and your wonderful comments yesterday. I just don’t have the mental energy to answer them all. Things will get back to normal soon, I promise.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
My gosh, Claudia, how cute is Sophie? Her little sweater is so adorable. I like the pop of black. And your tree 🌲 is a beautiful shape. Have fun decorating it. Hope you and Don have a relaxing weekend filled with Christmasy things and happy memories of the premiere. Hugs, Elainey
Thanks so much, Elaine. Your package with the sweaters will go out in the mail on Monday.
Stay safe.
Beautiful tree! I love the smell of real trees. Can’t wait to see it decorated. I love the sweater on Sophie. Your sweet girls alway bring a smile to my face. We still have a bit of snow, but the roads are OK. I am going to hit the grocery store later in the morning. Praying that Don gets the perfect job soon! I have seen him a couple of times on TV and he has such “presence” on screen. Guess I should start my day soon instead of sitting at the computer eating Cheerios.
Cheerios and the computer sound like a perfect combination, Tana.
Stay safe.
Beautiful tree! Watched Jim Parsons on Morning Joe. Was that you (wearing a pink hat I think) in one of the shots they used?
I didn’t wear a hat as the nurse, but other than that, I’m not sure what shot you’re talking about. I’ll try to watch it and see.
Stay safe, Mary Ellen.
Just looked at it. Yes, that’s me in my red beret on set with Michael Ausiello and Jim.
Yes trees are outrageous this year. We always get a Frasier Fur.
Over one hundred dollars but we love it we pretty much hunker in because they virus is still around so we will enjoy our tree. Husband just got back from Trader’s with a huge Poinsettia. Starting to look like Xmas in our home.
Yes celebrate the birth of Jesus!
We do, too. I like Frasier Firs – the branches are stronger.
Stay safe, Linda.
glad you and don persevered and found a Christmas tree. it looks beautiful as is … and lights and ornaments will add to it. have fun decorating it!
no live-cut Christmas trees are allowed in my building, but i can have a wreath. i have two table-top artificial trees (gifts from my parents) and a few other decorations. year-round i have out an old wire tree (from my sister) holding many ornaments, most of them angels (gifts from my parents) … love them all.
yes … keep focused on those good feelings and especially with the belief in miracles (God’s grace)!
i will keep praying for you all, including that great work comes to you and don.
so clever to use ornaments as sweaters for your girls!
lots to do around here and i don’t feel much like doing it … just want it done. been fighting what seems like a cold. have a test, but holding off for staying home. will take the test before spending time with members of my family. and make myself do something good here.
hope you all are well and stay safe. happy friday to everyone.
kathy
I took it easy yesterday because I had a reaction to being out in the wind looking for Christmas trees.
We took Covid tests the day before the premiere, just to be safe.
Stay safe, Kathy.
Sophie looks adorable in the sweater. I didn’t know it was a “thing” either.
The Christmas tree looks good…fits the spot well. I’m glad you found one.
I know exactly what you mean about having to recover from your big night. Those types of events can be so draining for introverts like us. Heck, I require some mental recovery time whenever I have to go anywhere these days!
Take care
Me too! But this one – my gosh it was a LOT! I’m still tired.
Stay safe, Marilyn.
Your respect for Don is apparent. You two are a great team. My late husband was self employed. He had two partners that were great guys. Retired from the special forces and Viet Nam veterans. As you and Don know being self employed is a precarious employment. It tries your faith and taxes your mental health. Somehow we always got a job just when we were about to despair. Contracts would be lucrative often the source for the referral was shocking, Keep the faith Claudia. We made it 52 years and were blessed beyond belief . You have what money cannot purchase. A loving nature and each other. A sense of purpose . Many souls die never having what you and Don share. Just the sheer joy of finding the tree to celebrate life is a gift , No need for justification, Green money cannot buy the joy you two share. Sharing the trip to Paris. Sharing the joy of Blythe and Don and his great talent and voice is the gift he gives and the talent he shares blesses others. Thank God he brought you two together out of the blue, Rest and restore for JOY COMES IN THE MORNING
This is such a lovely comment, Patricia. I read it out loud to Don. Thank you for your kind response.
Stay safe.
Looks like you found the perfect tree! Looking forward to seeing it all decked out with its decorations.
We’re a day late with the lights. They’ll go on today.
Stay safe, Cathy.
Oh, Lovely Christmas Tree! You have inspired me to deck the halls, too. We haven’t decorated a tree for the last two years, so it feels like time. Our bamboo tree with shells will not smell as good as yours does, though. Happy Holidays to everyone here!
It’s definitely time. You have a lot to celebrate, Shanna.
Stay safe.
Claudia, I’d still be on a cloud after the premier, too! Enjoy it! Loved the tissue pack! I really like your tree… it’s Christmas now! I also love a red sweater, and Sophie’s is perfect for the holiday season… very festive! Rest up!
I am definitely resting. Thank you, Barrie.
Stay safe.
I happened to be home yesterday when Kelly and Ryan were on – and Jim Parsons was their first guest – so of course I had to watch! He talked about Spoiler Alert and also about a project on Broadway that requires him to have an Irish accent – and he mentioned his great coach – Claudia! I wanted to make sure that you knew!
Congratulations of it all!
Best-
Pam
Yes, for some reason, Don happened to watching and he heard it. I’ll watch it today.
Thanks so much, Pam.
Stay safe.
That tree is so beautiful. It made my heart warm too.
I am so glad that everything went well and that you received TWO credits for the film. You deserve it.
I wish you and Don a lovely, peaceful Christmas. May the new year bring you both good health,
good fortune and much laughter.
Happy Holidays
Lyn
Thank you so much for your kind words, Lyn. The same to you and yours.
Stay safe.
Those sweaters rock! And I love the idea of the kleenex as a take-away. Yes, you need to rest up after all that!
I had to laugh with the heating pad. Mine is constant, too.
And I love the tree. It will be lovely with the lights. I miss a live tree but love seeing others’. And it’s not like I don’t have a tree or five or six hanging about the house. I’m here a lot and I’m going to make it as festive as all get out while I can!
Make it festive. Yes!
Stay safe, Jeanie.