Practicing and auditioning

I had a full evening tonight, of practicing for a show that will be performed tomorrow (the community Christmas concert) and auditioning for a show which will not be presented until next spring (A Midsummer Night's Dream). Good thing the two events were close together, as I actually went to Christmas show practice, then over to the audition, and then back to show practice!

Now it REALLY feels like the Christmas season around here - busy, busy, busy!

Cookies and carols

Tonight I enjoyed two kinds of sweetness: cookies, and singing with a group of friends in harmony. It was the annual OPS Community Christmas tree lighting and wassail party. (If you don't know what wassail is, you can find out here.) Here's a picture of Linda serving the OPS version, which is delicious.



The tree looks terrific, as always!



And here's our caroling choir, including yours truly.





It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas around here...

Ladies night

Last night, I attended the Women's Christmas dinner which is put on annually by the Ocracoke United Methodist Women for all ladies in the community.



It's a terrific evening of food, caroling, and gifts, and I enjoyed it as I usually do. This year's event was extra special in that we also celebrated (one day early) Blanche's 90th birthday. Happy Birthday, Blanche!



(And happy holidays to all of you out there reading!)

A part of the celebration each year is a reading of some sort. This year, DeAnna did the honors.



After the reading, we sang a few carols. And then it was time for presents! (Each lady brings a gift, and then they are randomly distributed until everyone has one.) I received some delicious smelling candles.

Lighthouse update

Last Friday night, I noticed that the lighthouse was off. I knew it was coming, but it still surprised me and I frankly felt a little sad. I know, I know, it's short term...I'll be okay!

This morning, as I was driving back from the beach, I noticed that the lighthouse looked - well, odd. I drove over there to see it up close, and took this picture.



As I got out of the car to take the picture, I heard a strange noise. I found out later that they were pressure washing at the top of the lighthouse...so I guess that explains both the noise and the tarp.

Shopping and singing

I had a lovely afternoon today. First, I went Christmas shopping. I made the rounds of a few of the stores which were hosting Open House events, and it was quite successful. I bought at least one thing in each store, including a couple of gifts for two of the "hard to buy for" people on my list. It didn't hurt that I got to enjoy some delicious holiday munchies and/or drinks in each store, either!

Then I went to the OPS museum, to practice with the small choir of carolers who will perform at the community tree lighting and wassail party planned for Tuesday night. We sounded terrific, if I do say so myself!

Aaaack!

It's December, and I have many, many things to do before Christmas. And I am already late getting started and horribly far behind! Anybody want to be a guest blogger for a while?

Sick

I picked up a cold from - well, from one of the several hundred thousand people I walked around Disney World with - so I feel pretty awful. And, to make things worse, I'm just falling further and further behind with everything I need to do (which is a long list right now, since Christmas is approaching rather rapidly!)

Sorry - I'll be back to better blogging soon, I hope.