7/24/11 Cock-A-Doodle-Do

Today we went to Rooster Rock State Park to spend some time in the sun by the water. We saw a beach access sign and started walking that way. There were several people headed that way too with beach chairs so we knew we were headed the right way. When we got closer, Jason spotted a sign that stated that it was a "clothing optional" beach. Luckily we hadn't gotten all the way there with Ethan. It was a little funny. Actually, part of me wishes we had arrived and been totally surprised and then tried to figure out how to explain it all to Ethan. That would have been a good story! Instead we had to explain why we had to walk all the way to the other side of the river front for the other beach access to a 6-year-old who was ready to just be there. But we made it to a good spot and had fun. We went in the water and enjoyed laying on our beach towels.

I am thankful for our fun today at Rooster Rock.

kk

7/23/11 Fun Filled Day

This morning we decided to drive to Wild Waves. It seems cooler than the Enchanted Forest or whatever they have here in Salem. I remember really liking Enchanted Village. It always seemed really far south. But it is just in Federal Way which is not that far south when you are driving north from Portland. I wish we could have been there longer. We drove quite a far way and spent not as much time playing as we would have liked. But we did have fun on some of the rides. Ethan did NOT like the bouncing kangaroos. We played in the water and then drove back for Hairspray. We thought about skipping the show and staying up there since we had driven so far but I am very glad we didn't. The show was so much fun and Ethan was sitting on the edge of his seat. He was laughing and dancing and having a great time. So perhaps today wasn't the right day to go to Wild Waves but at least we had a Boeing Credit Union discount coupon, and now we know for next time to plan ahead a little more. Plus maybe by next summer when Ethan is a little bigger, a little older, and maybe a little more experienced with rides we can find a good day to go up there and have a great day all day long.

I am thankful for our fun day and especially the show tonight. It was great.

kk

7/22/11 Celebration Night!

We got the word that Jason is off from being on hold for Leverage and has actually booked it. So today the three of us are celebrating! We went to Red Robin for dinner and then we went to the movie The Zookeeper. The movie was pretty good actually, which was surprising. What was not good was the teenagers in front of us constantly on their phone texting, and the kids behind us kicking our chairs and their parents not doing anything about it. But it was still a good day.

I am thankful Jason booked Leverage! I am so proud of him.

kk

7/21/11 Tommy O's

After work today I met Laura for some delicious happy hour just across the street at the Hawaiian restaurant Tommy O's. We had coconut shrimp, quesadillas, nachos, a burger, and Caesar salads. Everything was excellent. It was reasonably priced and portioned. And as I was in the lounge for happy hour, I got carded when I ordered water. I know that people think I look young, but it still caught me off guard. I think I even laughed. I stopped getting carded when I started going places with Jason. I think he makes me look older. Hmmm. I don't know how I feel about that. Anyway, I highly suggest going to Tommy O's for happy hour.

I am thankful for my good food and good catch up time I shared with Laura today.

kk

7/20/11 Queen-Size

I can usually manage to get my laundry washed and dried in a timely manner. I do not usually get it folded and put away until it is time to do the next week's loads. So what better place to keep my clothes than right next to me in bed to cuddle up with. Well, I don't really cuddle with my clothes, but I do have them on the bed. If I didn't have a queen-sized mattress I don't know what I would do with them. Tonight that is where they will be resting. I will get to them some other day.

I am thankful for my bed so that I can "sleep" with my clean laundry.

kk

7/19/11 Second Leg

Today I made it the full 7.25 miles around the track. It is much harder and much more boring around a track. But I made it. Jason and Ethan showed up when I was about halfway done. They played some and cheered me on as I finished up. Plus they brought treats from Starbucks! Which was very good since I didn't really eat enough before going on such a long run. I shall have to remember to bring gummy bears or something on my actual run. I've heard you run the first leg for yourself, the second you run just to get through it, and the third you run for your team. I'm thinking this may be very accurate for such a long run. Just get through it. Well, I got through it today. Pretty even pace too, so here's hopin'.

I am thankful I ran my 7.25 miles in a good time today.

kk

7/18/11 Rain

While I am not necessarily a fan of rain in the summer, I am a fan of it watering my plants while I am too busy to get to them. Especially my vegetable garden where I would very much like for there to be watering happening. So, today, the rain is welcome.

I am thankful for the rain today.

kk

7/17/11 Vice Cream

A few years ago I got a great recipe book for how to make Vegan ice cream with different kinds of milk. Coconut, Almond, Cashew. Erin is allergic to nuts so we chose coconut milk for our vice cream making adventure tonight. She had fresh strawberries from Trader Joe's and I had agave syrup that we substituted for the prunes. I think we may have put in a bit too much agave and so it may end up being a little too sweet. The strawberries are already sweet. I think we could have toned it down. I remember making ice cream at my grandmother's house. We had to put it in this machine that had a wooden outer barrel that you filled with alternating layers of ice and salt. It was so fun to make. The best was vanilla with miniature chocolate chips. The machine I have now is simplified. You freeze the container it sits in and an inner layer of stuff is cold. Then you just plug it is and it is cold enough to partially freeze it before you put it into a container in the freezer to finish freezing overnight. We had so much fun making it tonight. I can't wait to eat some tomorrow. Yum!

I am thankful I have an ice cream maker so that I can have homemade ice cream!

kk

7/16/11 Sand Castles

Today was signing autographs after the show and saw my mom who had come to the show today. Then Jason and Ethan showed up. They had done something out and about and decided to come say hello since they knew I was just finishing up the show. That was a nice surprise. After I was done we took the Max downtown and went to Sand in the City. Every July there is a sand castle competition in Pioneer Square. There seems to usually be some kind of theme. All the castles are different though so maybe it is that they are given a topic to build to. Our favorite castle was a camping scene complete with a campfire with s'mores, trees, a squirrel, and a tent with a pair of feet sticking out. One of the other ones had a big mountain with tiny trees on it that was pretty impressive too. We played with some of the stuff in the OMSI tent and Ethan made a paper bag puppet. It was fun. I look forward to it every year. How cool is it to have several sand castles in the middle of the city?

I am thankful I was able to go to Sand in the City today.

kk

7/15/11 Rumplestiltskin Live

We opened our show on Wednesday. We're more than halfway through our run. Tomorrow is our last show. Four shows go by pretty quickly. Today was fun because Jason and Ethan came. I have been singing the songs with Ethan and doing some of our choreography so that he could sing along. I think he did. I know that I could see both of them very clearly in the audience and they seemed to be having a good time. Erin also came today. I couldn't find her in the audience. It is fun to have the kids that come to watch have so much fun. They try to help the actors onstage by yelling out answers to questions. They laugh really loudly. They also make comments to their friends, not in their inside voices, that are sometimes very funny. It was fun today and I'm glad J&E could be there.

I am thankful Jason and Ethan came to my show today.

kk

7/14/11 Surprise in the Yard

I hate mowing the lawn. I really needed to mow the lawn but was definitely not looking forward to it. I managed to do the front and side yesterday, but the back was becoming a forest. How delighted was I to come home to find that Jason had come over and mowed the backyard for me. It was so nice. The best.

I am so thankful for Jason surprising me with a nicely mowed back lawn.

kk

7/13/11 Coconut

Today we decided to taste some coconut water that seems to be all the rage. I like coconut. I love coconut. People around the theatre community are drinking coconut water and singing its praises. I bought one that had pomegranate and acai flavoring. I like pomegranate. So we all took a sip and promptly made "ick" faces and threw the rest away. It was horrible! What are people thinking? Maybe it was the acai? Does that have a weird flavor?

But I do love coconut. It is fabulous in cookies and ice cream. Mmmm, delicious.

I am thankful for coconut.

kk

7/12/11 Catch Up

I have been so busy playing that I have not done my bills for awhile. It isn't very exciting to others I am sure, but I was able to catch up on them today and I feel much better now. I got some good work done and now they aren't hanging over my head on a to-do list.

I am thankful I got caught up on all my bills today.

kk

7/11/11 Dr. Scholl's

Hooray! Another commercial audition tomorrow. Maybe you will see me on tv getting rid of a wart!

I am thankful for my audition tomorrow. Even if it is for wart remover.

kk

7/10/11 Dick's Kitchen

There is a new restaurant on Hawthorne and today we decided to check it out. The experience couldn't have been better. The service was prompt and friendly. The food is all local, organic, good stuff. And the prices are very reasonable. We had some good burgers and really enjoyed our time there. It feels good to be able to eat out at a restaurant but still be supporting local farmers and buying chemical- and process-free type foods. Ethan drew both Jason and I a picture and then was so happy with our server that he drew a beautiful rainbow for her as well. She was delighted. I recommend going to Dick's kitchen to anyone. Oh! And their to-go containers were all Eco-friendly too. Paper bag to carry away our items which were wrapped in paper or foil. No big Styrofoam here.

I am thankful for a great dining experience and a new restaurant.

kk

7/9/11 24 High Fives

Training for the Hood to Coast requires some long runs. It had been awhile since I had done anything too long and today Jason ran my 6 miles with me at the track down the street from his house. Ethan came along with some toys and some food. He ran with us at first. He made it about 3/4 of one loop around the track. Then he played with his light saber and soccer ball for a bit. He ate some food. He also decided it would be fun to hold his arms down and make us say a password in order to get by. Every time around. This was fine for a few times but when it was happening every loop I was thinking about how this was going to get old. So one the third time around I asked him if he was going to give us high fives. There was a split second of him thinking about it and then he said yes. So from then on he gave both of us high fives every time we came around. He would sit up in the bleachers eating his sandwich until we started rounding the corner, then he would come down and cheer us on with a high five as we crossed the line, then he would run back up to eat some more sandwich. It helped a considerable amount! It really made those last two miles easier to do when I had a high five to look forward to. I highly recommend bringing along a cheerleader to all your training runs if you can.

I am thankful for Ethan's high fives today.

kk

7/8/11 Insider Information

I am enjoying working on Rumpelstiltskin with the different actors in my show. I am also very excited about working with Sharon. I think I've mentioned how I was looking forward to this before. Today as I was talking to Sharon during a break she said something about my singing style and how she wished it was this one other way for the song I am singing. I think perhaps this explains a lot about what they look for in general for their other auditions. I think that this one comment will help me know what they are looking for in future possible roles. I will try to work on coming in with a different sounding style for a future audition and see if this helps me land a role in a mainstage show. I don't think I would have gotten this feedback from Sharon if I hadn't been in the show so it is a good thing I am!

I am thankful that I am learning about what Sharon looks for in a performer and I am looking forward to putting it into practice.

kk

7/7/11 Breakin' Up Is Hard To Do

My friend Erin Shannon has broken up with her boyfriend of three years. It is a very good forward movement on her part. Their lease is not up until the end of August and they have an out of town guest coming to stay with them for two weeks. So now the two bedrooms that they were going to live in have an extra person in them. Therefore, Erin will be staying with me for at least the next two weeks so she can get some space, get some air, and get going on a plan for packing and moving. I am glad that I have a place that she can come to. I am hardly ever home so I don't think either one of us will bother the other. I am sorry that she is sad right now but also looking forward to how her life will change and improve.

I am thankful that I have a house that enables me to help friends out when they need it.

kk

7/6/11 Where to Go?

Today while working at VRS I interpreted a call between a mother and daughter talking about where they wanted to go on a big family vacation next year. I didn't want them to hang up! I thought this call was right up my alley. I knew terminology they were using, I knew the places they were talking about going and I was very interested in the subject matter. I wanted to jump right in there and start planning my vacation too. We don't get to choose which calls we interpret so I was very glad that this one came up for me.

I am thankful for having a fun traveling phone call to interpret today.

kk

7/5/11 Success!

Last night we went to the OMSI parking lot to look for some good fireworks viewing on the east side of the waterfront. I thought it would be less crowded down there. It was a fantastic viewing area! I definitely will be going back there. It was really easy to get there, we found a great place with an amazing view, and it was a really good show. What was not good was the hour plus we waited to leave the parking lot. So now we know for next time that everyone is waiting in line at a light when they can really get on the freeway another, better, faster way. But their clogginess prevented us from leaving. Now I know where we need to park. We will have a short walk instead of being right there in the lot and then we will be able to leave right away. We are now super wise. Despite the wait, it was a very fun night.

I am thankful for a great fireworks show! Fireworks are my favorite!

kk

7/4/11 Three Tree

Happy Independence Day! I like going to Three Tree Point to celebrate the fireworks with my friends Jennifer and Caroline. This year I am, sadly, not going. But I will be there in spirit and perhaps I will get to go again in the future. I like sitting on the beach there and finding cool rocks and shells. I like sitting in the house and looking out of the big bay windows at the activity below. I like watching the neighbors put their Christmas tree out in the row boat and watch it shoot off the fireworks they have rigged to it and then watch it burn as it catches on fire from them. What weirdos. The neighbors on the other side set off a cannon last year. I like watching the fireworks off the barge from the warmth of the house. It is such a fun place to go and today I am wishing I could be joining in their festivities. But I am also very glad and excited to be spending it with Ethan and Jason down here. We are going to go down by OMSI to watch the fireworks.

I am thankful for the years I have been able to spend the fourth at Three Tree Point.

kk

7/3/11 Alabama to Wyoming

Including Washington DC, British Columbia and Alberta. My mom and I recently noticed that there were a lot of out of state license plates in and around Portland. So we decided to start keeping track of what we've seen. In about three weeks we were able to find all 50 states, DC, and parts of Canada. I did see Quebec on a semi but we weren't counting those since they travel through with cargo from all over to all over. Mostly we were interested in what seems to be people moving here. There are several states that we see multiple plates from but even if we only saw one Rhode Island, we still saw it. What is so amazing about Portland that everyone is moving here? I mean, I know it is cool and all but how do people from so far away know about it? It was a fun game to play while in traffic and now that we are done I am not sure how to pass the time sitting in a back up.

I am thankful we were able to complete our game in such a short amount of time. How fun.

kk

7/2/11 Creston Park Pool

Today we went to play softball in the park with some actor friends. I was a little later because I had run over a screw and my tire was completely flat. Jason changed it for me in the blazing sun. Then I dropped them off at the park and went across the street to Les Schwab. I dropped the car off to have the tire patched and walked back to the park. They had it fixed in about a half and hour, free of charge. They are super awesome. Jason played softball. Ethan played on the playground and ran around in his wizard cape. Which I have to admit was a little creepy at times when he was just standing there watching other people. But at least he was having fun. We left the game just before it ended and headed down the grassy hill to the outdoor pool the park has. I don't think I grew up around outdoor pools. I think everything is usually indoor. Maybe it has to do with the weather here. I don't know. Anyway we had a very fun time splashing around in the pool today in the sunny weather. It was a good day.

I am thankful we were able to play in the fun outdoor pool at Creston Park, which is just down the street from my house! Yay!

kk

7/1/11 Shakespeare in the Park

This evening Jason, Ethan, and I went to Lovejoy Fountian and watched the first act of the Tempest put on by Portland Actor's Ensemble. I knew some people in the show and went to support them. I also thought it would be fun for Ethan to watch some crazy Shakespeare in the Park at a fun fountain. And, my two friends were interpreting the performance this evening. Ethan had so much fun running around the fountain and playing on the different levels it had. He liked the characters costumes and thought Jamie, a gal who is also in Rumpelstiltskin with me, was very pretty. So it was a great decision to go. We left at intermission, which was also a good decision. The interpreters, Jackie and Steve, did a great job interpreting the language and were much better to watch at times when certain actors were onstage. I also got to see some other interpreter friends of mine that I have not seen in ages. It was a fun evening.

I am thankful for our Shakespeare in the Park experience today.

kk

6/30/11 OTAS

Tonight Jason and I went to the OTAS award ceremony. I forget what OTAS stands for. But, anyway, it is an award that Lakewood gives to people in their shows throughout the season. I was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. I didn't win. Which was sad. But it was ok too. I was still very happy to be nominated. We had a fun time seeing people and eating a very nice buffet. The board at Lakewood really takes care of their performers. And they are the only award ceremony that gives free food and beverage. Hooray for Lakewood! It was a fun evening and I got to see Erin who I have not seen in a long time so that was very exciting. She had on a very cool hat. I love hats. Have I already talked about them here? I would like to be the hat lady. A hat for every outfit.

I am thankful for being nominated for an OTAS award and being able to go to the ceremony tonight with Jason.

kk

6/29/11 Heidi

It's a good thing I have long hair. I can do all sorts of things with it. On hot days like this it is nice to be able to put it back in two French Braids. I really like that I do them inside out. It really is because I don't know how to do them properly on myself but I also think it is fun this way. So I guess that is good. Then when I take them out my hair is crinkly. I have also worn my hair in braids for the last four shows. It will be five including this one. I have worn braids as the character in the show or used them to put my hair up and cover with a wig. It sure makes it easy to be flexible.

I am thankful for my hair that is able to do fun Heidi braids.

kk

6/28/11 Smokey

Nothing is better than having a campfire on the beach on a lovely evening. What I love is reliving that moment when I step in the shower and smell the campfire again as I wash my hair. I'm not sure why that makes me smile. It seems like I should feel good that I'm getting clean but that isn't really what I like about it. I think it is remembering the time spent on the beach around a fire. Well, really any fire. Ours was technically at the campsite. While close to the beach, it wasn't an actual beach bonfire or anything. But I like remembering the fun we had making s'mores and losing the marshmallows in the fire. Watching the fire flicker in the dark. Cooking some hot dogs. Sitting and relaxing with one another. I think that is all mixed up together. Anyway, it is a good smell.

I am thankful for the reminder of the campfire when I wash my hair in the shower.

kk

6/27/11 Rumpelstiltskin Is My Name

Today was the first day of rehearsals for my children's show at Broadway Rose. There are some people in the cast that I know from before, some people who will be in Annie Get Your Gun with me, and some people I don't know. I think this is a nice mix of people. I am also glad that I get to work with Sharon. We read through the script and sang through the songs. I think this show will be a lot of fun. I'm really looking forward to the next three weeks.

I am thankful that I get to be in such a fun show with fun people.

kk