Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year! Our Trip To See The Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Wishing you all a great 2013!  I'm glad to see 2012 go for the most part and I know I'm not alone.  A lot of changes coming for me and mine, but I've always worn jersey 13 so this should be good luck!

I know many of you are dying to get my review of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert.  I'm not that familiar with them,  just "Carol of the Bells" and am constantly mixing them up with Mannheim Steamrollers.  Their shows are a bit different from what I normally see, but Mark thought the kids would really like it and I think they did.

Here is what I thought:

The tickets are pretty expensive, even for our seats in outer space.  The ones on the floor were up to $700 a crack and that wasn't happening.  This is one show where being on the floor though made a big difference.  Much of the light show and special effects are targeted for straight-on floor viewing.  Not only did we miss some of the effects, but many were downright annoying as the lights burned right through my retinas!  When we watched the video (below) we saw the sheets of light and smoke that were cool to look up at, but we were above them.  We also had stage stuff blocking the view on occasion.

They did make some effort to go to the back of the hall and got on lifts a few times so we could see them.  Overall, I enjoyed it.  But the "Christmas Story" is depressing and lengthy with too many dragged out solos.  A few entertained the singer more than the audience if you know what I mean.  I have been known to sing a little so I understand the joy of singing certain songs as more of a "vocal exercise" but they are best left as warm-ups or rehearsal pieces.

The "story" section went on and on and when it was over I thought the whole concert was over.  The kids were mad because their favorites weren't performed.  Then the lead guy said "before the second half" he wanted to introduce everyone... great.  As he did introductions of about a dozen of them, he mentioned that the 10ish string folks were from the Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra.  While he had explained the names, talents and places his folks were from, he didn't even quickly name the COSO folks.  Considering his band members get introduced over and over around the world, it would have meant more to the COSO folks to take a minute and introduce them here in their hometown!

But I digress...between doing new songs (more self-aggrandizing solos) they did the familiar tunes and then it was interesting.  I also found out they are plain old Americans and I have no idea what the name connection is with Siberia. The musicians are excellent though, especially the lead violinist and guitarist.  They had some dance sequences that were odd and I haven't seen hair shaking like that since the 80s.  Wouldn't be surprised if they all had whiplash.  You had to have long hair just to be in the band!

We had a nice family day.  Would I go back to see them again?  Probably not unless I had that $700 seat and didn't have to pay for it.  Here is a you-tube link to the identical show done a few weeks ago.  Almost looks like a totally different show than what we saw at our vantage point...




Until next time!  
Gale

Saturday, December 29, 2012

How We Spent Our Christmas Vacation (or What We Did When I Wasn't Working During The Kid's Vacation!)

Hello!  I hope this finds you safe and well.  Here's what went on here at the 'Creek!


Audra's Rudolph Cupcake!
Day One- Hour One:

It started off on a gray, rainy, crappy day.  Audra and I walked in to a chilly house so I turned on the Harmon pellet stove.  Since we were both going to be upstairs, I asked her to turn that off.  A few minutes later I'm upstairs on the computer and smell something burning.  I ran downstairs and it smelled like we were burning leaves in the living room, but I didn't see anything.  I ran to the basement and likewise.  When I came up the steps I could see smoke seeping out of the hopper of the stove.  So, dummy me wants to see what's going on and I open the hopper lid.  Smoke rolled out of it.  Apparently, it got mad when turned off while trying to ignite.  Who knew????  So glad I was home.  I don't think the house would've caught fire, but it took us long enough to get the smell out that did happen!

Day Two- All Day:

Nasty wind and snow blowing sideways.  Shut the hens in, made the toy dogs potty in the snow they hate, ran a couple errands and called it a day.  Watched the perennial holiday classic "J. Edgar."  (Well, most of it.  Just messing!  Couldn't be further from a holiday classic:)
Taylor was in charge of the tree this year.  He wanted only red, white and gold ornaments and lights on a real tree.  He did a great job!

Days Three and Four- All Day:

Worked.  I am still trying to wrap my head around the shopping public.  Unless I am wrong, Christmas is always December 25th, every single year!  Although it could be worse (appliances aren't as bad as a toy department), I am amazed at the folks who come in and make unrealistic requests like this was an unscheduled event.  Buying a special order (2 weeks leads time) dishwasher on Sunday the 23rd and expecting it professionally installed on the 24th is more than a Christmas miracle.  It just ain't happening folks!  I think people like to make us jump through hoops just because they think they can.  If your refrigerator is working and it's not a gift, why isn't delivery on the 26th acceptable?  Even if it is a gift, can't you wrap up a photo and have it delivered the later?  My delivery guys have families too and there are only so many hours in a day (24 at last count.)  Remember, you had 365 days since last Christmas to plan for this one!  If you are still needing gifts, Walgreen's probably has the latest versions of Chia Pets on the shelves ready to go!  (A personal favorite is Chia-Obama...ROFLOL!)

Day Five- 

Enjoyed a lovely time with my dear friend Barb.   We have spent 26 Christmas Eve's and/or Christmases together!  After sharing a holiday meal of pizza on paper plates at Donato's (a bit of a communication lapse occurred) the kids, Mark and I went to a tiny church for a simple Christmas Eve service.  Next time though, I might opt for a larger church that has a nursery available for screaming and wailing little ones... I know...I should let that go, but I can't imagine why several sets of parents thought it was OK to stay...

The four of us were treated to "Trans-Siberian Orchestra" tickets for Sunday's performance by Mark.  The kid's were delighted.

Day Six- Christmas Day-

Went to my brother Jeff's for a lovely Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.  We really enjoyed a nice time together and were thankful that the weather held out for mom and my younger brother Stan to make it from Zanesville.  We swung by the new Hollywood Casino on the way home and it was actually open.  I would think folks could take ONE day off to celebrate Christmas with their families!

Day Seven- Level Two Snow Emergency- 

The dreaded blizzard has begun, though I thought maybe we would be lucky as it didn't start on time!  Now I have no excuse to not do indoor chores!  I diligently stopped at Turkey Hill yesterday and picked up necessities, but of course, now that I'm stuck here I realize we are running out of toilet paper!    Where did it all go that I bought last weekend???  Now rationing... found a partial roll in Taylor's room he was using as Kleenex and commandeered for the greater good.

Day Eight- All is well-

Aside from work and snow, that's about it.   I am excited to see this blog nearing 10,000 hits so quickly.  I plan to celebrate with a post many of you have been asking about,  The topic starts with an "H", but you will have to wait and see!

Keep safe!
Gale





Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Christmas Greetings From The 'Hood!

Hello!

The kids and I stopped by this Columbus, Ohio landmark (unfortunately, we didn't have time to stay for the lights to come on as it is lovely.)  I will just let the photos speak for themselves.  State Auto Insurance Company sponsors this "Christmas Corner" and has a full-time artist employed to be in charge of maintaining this display.  Choirs and bands give concerts here and on Christmas Eve, Baby Jesus is placed in the manger.  There is a sound track available by regular or smart phones telling the story.  You can enlarge the photos by clicking on them.  "Christmas Corner" is located near the intersection of Broad and I-71.























If you just can't get enough of the "Diaries," please go to the index and enjoy some previous holiday posts!

Audra was invited again this year to perform for the Ohio Wesleyan president's Christmas card.  Here it is for you to enjoy as well.


Well, it's time for me to get to bed.  Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Gale

Friday, December 14, 2012

Gale's Gallery: Christmas 2012, Part Two

Maybe my favorite of all!
Hello,

I hope this finds you enjoying the season and not stressed out!  Many years ago I took ceramics classes as my night out with adults.  Every mom with toddlers needs a few hours a week on their own!  (Not sure it is different with teens... although there are fewer bottles and diaper changes LOL!)

You saw (I assume) the turkey I painted a couple posts ago.  That was done last year and my first piece in 15 years.  I ordered as bisque from an eBay seller (greenware dried out of the mold, then cleaned and fired once.)  That was actually the second turkey as the first one arrived in a dozen pieces.  I don't recommend ordering bisque this way.  It is best to go to a ceramic class or find a dealer in your area.  If one was a purest, they would have their own clay, molds and kiln.  I am not a purest:)

Aside from the breakage (and the current turkey came cracked on the bottom), getting high quality results starts with a well-cleaned piece of greenware.  I paid a little extra to have my greenware professionally cleaned because it saves time and I wasn't fast at that.  I also love instant gratification, so wanted to start painting asap!  BTW, cleaning is etching out the detail work and smoothing out the mold lines.  A bad job is the foundation for a crappy looking finish.  Garbage in, garbage out.  This also means don't expect bisque pieces at craft stores to come out nice.  Most of the time they will have lines, tiny holes and lack detail.

When I say paint, I mean I generally do acrylic painting.  These do not need a second firing and can not be used for food or liquids unless the interior was glazed and fired.  That is the stage after bisque, but before painting.  I finish off acrylic pieces with spray sealant.  I have done a few glazed pieces, but I mostly gave them as gifts, so I can't find any to show you.

Here are some of the pieces that survived moves, children, storage and not getting thrown out with the trees for all these years...  Just this morning I woke up to this carnage:


Anyone who still needs a reason to believe in God needs to see this!  Note Audra's sleigh fell off the tree and the runners broke off, but the angel and her delicate wings remains unharmed!

I only did ceramics for a few years, but each year had a new theme of ornaments.   I can't seem to get this crazy program to let me organize these so I apologize in advance!

This is a candy jar.



"Rudolph"
One of my more "formal" looking ones.  She has pearlized white
wings with an overlay of 14k gold.
My "Fallen" Angel
Stuffed Bear
It took me a whole summer to paint this.  Audra and Taylor both like it, so guess I will be painting another!
Candy Kiss Santa candy jar
This "lucky" Star Santa has survived though Audra thought it
would be fun for him to "dance" on a marble windowsill.
Note his poor cracked beard.  

Here are some ornaments that I would love to have, but since they are expensive, I just let the photos inspire me:  They are from Neiman-Marcus by MacKenzie-Childs.  






I promise to do a non-craft post next.  But lots of folks seem to enjoy my Gale's Gallery from the number of "hits."  

Remember, 
"Jesus Is The Reason For The Season" so don't fret about the small stuff!

Gale

Monday, December 10, 2012

Gale's Gallery: Christmas 2012, Part One

Greetings!  I apologize for the gap between posts, but I am sure you all are just as busy as me, if not, more so!  I have been trying to take photos for this for several days, but here in Ohio we are practically living in 24 hours of darkness.  I like natural light for photos, but gave up the wait.

This year I've streamlined many of our traditional activities and I don't think it's even going to be noticeable.  Taylor and I decorated one real tree, I put my mini-tree on the dining room table, put out my Nativity, probably no baking and shopping was mostly online.

I do have some crafts I'd like to share.  Mostly mine, but this time I am "borrowing" some other ideas as well that I like.  Please look in the index for holiday posts and ideas from last year too!

CRANBERRY WREATH:
This might be something "anyone can do" but it took me several years to get around to finishing it!  Not hard, but time consuming (and a bit painful.)  The complete directions for the "original" wreath are available at marthastewart.com.


Basically, you wind red binding around a floral styrofoam wreath.  Then paint tiny nail heads (pins are too small) with red nail polish (pun intended.)  This is easier if you poke them into scrap styrofoam and do a bunch at once.  Martha used glass beads of different sizes for texture.  Not only were faceted glass beads hard to find, but expensive and heavy!  So, I used three sizes of plastic ones and it still looks nice.

Next you slide a bead over the nail and push it through the binding into the wreath.  This is the part that hurts.  Maybe a little hammer would work better.  You just keep filling in (the back is flat and just covered with the binding.)  In 7 or 8 years, viola!  I had a wreath!

I wanted to do something different than cards this year, so I made a few paper stockings instead.

This is the year of shortcuts, so I used a Sizzix stocking die and cut them out of scrapbook paper.  Just added a candy cane with ribbon.  My glue pen wasn't holding, so I used colored staples.  I've been kinda disappointed in the Martha Stewart Craft adhesives.  The tape runner has giving me problems too.   BTW, that tiny tree is a mainstay at our house.  It's a Hallmark miniature from the 90s.  The first thing up and the last down.

Another tradition is running over to West Liberty, OH for a Marie's Candy run.  It's in an old train station and is always decorated like Santa's Workshop (well I guess not always.  It's cute at Easter also.)  I love the peppermint chews, but I only get 1/4 pound as they are gone by the time I get home!  Audra loves the chocolate and carmel coated pretzels.

They do a lovely job of wrapping the boxes of candy so they are "eye candy" as well under the tree.   As we were leaving we saw a candy train station.  I had Taylor take a pic with his ipod.

Really cute!  You can order online at mariescandies.com  (not the this, but the candy!)





Well, it's getting late.  I am planning to have another Gallery or two, plus a humor post this week.  When we get to the 10,000th hit, I will post some photos and write about my Hollywood years.

Until then, 
Gale

Monday, December 3, 2012

And So It Begins...

The mad dash for the Christmas finish line.  I have asked my co-workers to please remind me how much I love the holiday season.  I do.  I really do.  But, something has to be done about it coming earlier every year!  Wal-Mart starts the frenzy by putting out decorations in September.  Not to be outdone, the rest of the big box stores follow suit.  Where I work, we had the Grim Reaper across the aisle from Santa.  Kinda creepy!  I thought Christmas in July was a joke, but now it's not funny.

Silly me, I thought it was first Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Black Friday, then Christmas, then New Year's.  I happen to like that order.  Well, Black Friday has been moved up with Pre-Black Friday specials, but the worst to me is opening Thanksgiving Day.  It's shameless.  It's not even necessary.  Since Thanksgiving is a national holiday, why not pass a law that retail establishments be closed, period.  That way folks can be thankful for something other than they were able to find a parking place, jump a line waiting for the handful of "leader" products (the ones that lure you into the store, but will likely run out in a couple minutes), fight off would-be grabbers out of your cart, waiting in line to pay, then making it home alive.

I had to be at work at 4:30 a.m. Friday with folks waiting outside, albeit only a few, and though bleary-eyed, I did sell my first appliance at 5:02 a.m.  This could have been done just as easily at 8 a.m. (actually for me, easier.)  If everyone pushed back the time from the ridiculous to the sublime, people would still buy stuff.  The same goes for being open on Sunday.  I remember as a kid that one planned to get gas, food, whatever because everything was closed.  The argument that closing hurts the economy doesn't wash with me because a) the economy sucks anyway with them open on Sunday and b) if you are going to buy something, you will still buy it another day.  I sell appliances, right?  If you wanted a washer on Sunday and couldn't get it, would you just decide to live with a broken washer or would you get it Monday????  Nobody says, "Nope, if I can't get it Sunday, I'm just gonna forget about it!"

But I digress...those of us actually in retail don't enjoy the benefits of the Black Friday sales anyway.  By the time we get off, it's old news and all the good stuff is gone.  Or in my case, I went home and took a nap.  Perhaps that was a good thing as I can't pass up a "deal."

I am heading into Columbus to pick up a few things and hope to enjoy "Peace On Earth."  The last time I was in Macy's it looked like a war zone.  Then home to finish decorating and maybe make some cards or ornaments.  Perhaps I will put on TV one of my favorite videos about the "true meaning of Christmas."  It's "The Toy That Saved Christmas" starring the Veggie Tale gang.  I especially love the intermission song where Larry slams the door on the IRS agent...



Until next time, enjoy the season and be careful out there!  If you are staying in, I hope you will check out the other holiday-related posts up in the right corner index by subject page!

Gale