Friday, April 3, 2009

Yes, I'm still here.....

Unfortunately, I seem to be posting more updates like this than I would like. Life seems to be getting in the way of blogging!! A few updates are in order.

My vacation didn't quite turn out like I had hoped, but then again, it never does!! I did have 2 wonderful days where I didn't do anything!! Spent me time, sleeping, relaxing and catching up with some old friends online. Like Facebook or not, it has become a great tool for me. I have reconnected with a few old friends from high school, and have been having a great time. Many years and miles have been put between us, and it's been nice to see old faces and find out what's going on in their lives.

Then, within a 24 hour period, Mike got his layoff notice in the mail and I found out my grandma's sick. The layoff will be permanent, although it won't take place for awhile (at least hopefully). There is always the possibility that Mike will be able to transfer within the company, but it's pretty slim. Regardless, we are taking steps to get his resume updated and starting to look for something else....again. In the meantime, I'm picking up extra shifts left and right to try to put back some cash just in case.

Grandma, is another story. With my horrendous schedule, I haven't been able to do a lot of connecting with her lately. She lives about 2 hours away, and I've been lax. It's just that any free time I have is usually spent trying to catch up on sleep. I guess now I'm just going to have to suck it up and start doing a little more travel. It is not good, and I don't have a lot of time left. I'm taking a couple of days next week to go visit and take the kids.

On a brighter note....yesterday I spent the afternoon on a movie set!! Sounds fun, right?? My best friend, Aaron, who I've mentioned a few times is making a movie!! He wrote a screenplay, is directing and producing....and even acting in it. I'm so incredibly proud of him!! It's low-budget, to be sure. But he has a few minor celebrities in cameos and it was so much fun to see. The star is a young kid named Derek North, who is not only the sweetest guy, but just about the most gorgeous thing I've seen in ages!! I'm really hoping he becomes a big star, because he deserves it!!

AND, he wrote in scenes for each of the kids!! Yesterday, Chad got to get out of school and film his. He had 3 lines (which he nailed!) and was filming with Wendy, the Snapple Lady!! She is a hoot!! The film crew had me doing stand-in for her. It's funny, because I'm short, but I always wear heels of some sort. I had on my 3 inch Mary Janes, and they thought I was too tall....till I took my shoes off!! When I get all the pictures from the crew, I'll post them.

But for now, I'm posting the few that I took:

Here is Chad and Wendy. She is an incredibly sweet lady, who only was in town for the day. She had nothing but praise for Chad, and he just loved her!! Initially, he was a little scared. AND he was hoping for a scene with some hot young girl. But the second he met Wendy, he was instantly feeling better. The cast and crew treated him so special....he was in his heyday!!
Here is Chad with Richard Pryor, Jr. He was the first person on the set to come over and introduce himself. Super nice, and praised Chad for being so professional! He said Chad could be a big star someday!! Not sure that's the life I hoped he would have, but I guess if he wants to try.....Aaron wants to hook him up with an agent. Sheesh. Just what I need!!



Here is Chad and Derek. Like I said, Derek is a doll! I'm really hoping for good things in his future!! The shoot was at a men's clothing store, if you are wondering about the backgrounds!!

Finally, here is Chad with Aaron. Aaron's the best. He pulled us both in right away and introduced Chad as his nephew and me as his best friend. So, everyone treated us super!! We had a blast...and now the girls are wicked anxious for their day in the spotlight. Filming is going on all month, so I'm hoping to be able to catch some more time with all of them. Help out where I can. It's fun to be a part of something like this!!

That's all for now. Will check in again this weekend!!

23 comments:

Chrisbookarama said...

I'm glad you had some fun in the middle of all of it. Chad looks like a star!

Serena said...

Wow, this sounds great....I'm so happy that there is a good highlight to hold onto. I hope that things get better with the hubby's job and your grandmother.

Debi said...

I'm so incredibly sorry about the job situation and about your Grandma! I'm glad you'll be able to make some time to see her. You all are in my thoughts!

And now on to the fun stuff...WOW!!! How very cool for the kiddos! I couldn't get over those pictures of Chad. He looks so much older than in the last photos I saw of him! And what a cutie! Bet you've already got girls calling the house all the time, huh? Hope you all continue having fun with this...and I wish Aaron all the luck in the world!!! I think it's an important project!

Stephanie said...

Chris - Thanks! Chad THINKS he's a star, anyway!

Serena - It was so much fun! We laughed all day. Everyone was so nice. I'm sure it's not what most movie sets are like, but it was a cool experience.

Debi - Thanks! We'll get by. We always do. Grandma has had a wonderful life. My mom is really close to her and upset she is refusing the treatment. But Grandma wants to live her remaining time without having to be sick from chemo. She wants to enjoy her family and I think that's good for her too.

As for the movie...it was a blast! I swear, Chad has shot up 3 inches since he started school. He's almost as tall as I am! And yes, we have girls calling ALL THE TIME. It's really starting to annoy me. At least he has his cell phone and we finally gave in to unlimited texting....just because all the girls keep texting. Sheesh. I'm so dreading the next few years! He was awesome yesterday. Aaron even wants to set him up with an agent! Like I need THAT hassle!

Melissa O. said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother and the job situation. I'll be thinking of you guys!

Thanks for sharing the pics, too! Looks like you guys had a great time, and I know you deserved some of that!!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear about your Grandmother and your husband's job. What a wonderful friend Aaron is to write in your kids!! That will be great experience!! You're right, Derek is cutie, but your Chad is adorable too =)

chrisa511 said...

I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother, Steph :( I hope things are ok...And of course I'm sorry to hear about your husbands job...things are just so bad right now...

On the bright side, look at Chad! He looks like Mr. Star :D And how cool that you got to meet all of the actors. Keep us updated on the movie!

Carl V. Anderson said...

I'm glad this was a post equally balanced with good and bad news, not for myself, but for you. I'm glad there are some bright spots in with the dark. I am so sorry about your grandmother and your husband's job. No time is good to be laid off, but I'm sure the stress surrounding now makes it much, much worse. I hope you managed to get some rest.

Very exciting news about the film and very fun for your kids. I look forward to seeing the rest of the pics!

Ana S. said...

I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother, Stephanie :( And fingers crossed that Mike finds something soon!

Chad is so cute :D I love his glasses - very nerdy chic! He'll break hearts, he will :P

Natasha @ Maw Books said...

How fun about the movie set! Bummer though about the layoff and your grandmother. I hate it when life seems to get in the way of . . . well, life!

Literary Feline said...

That is so cool about the movie, Stephanie! Thank you for sharing the photos. I am sorry about all the other stuff you are going through. It is such a difficult time right now for so many. I'm thinking of you.

Anonymous said...

Chad has grown up so much! I'm sorry about your Grandma and Mike's job. Take care of yourself.

Ladytink_534 said...

Sometimes blogging gets to be a bit of a chore and then I just take a couple of days or so off. Hope everything (including your Grandma's health) starts looking up soon!

The movie set sounds like a lot of fun too :)

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

I hope things start looking up--and despite it all, I really admire your attitude. And wow for Chad! What a great experience--he looks like he's having a blast. And Derek? Whooooa mama! :D

Susan said...

I don't know which I admire more - your attitude in the face of another lay-off and your grandma being sick now, or the absolute beaming look on your son's face, and your best friends's as they gaze at you holding the camera. A lot of love there, Stephanie. Here's hoping that something very good and very very permanent comes soon for your husband, and that you have time to spend with your grandma, and time to sleep too. Have fun on the film set! and that guy is a hottie! whew! *fans herself*

S. Krishna said...

I know I've already commented on this like 3 times on twitter, but...IN THE MAIL? Seriously, I'm still in disbelief about that.

Kim L said...

Oh life... it gets so complicated. I'm sorry to hear about the lay off! That really, really sucks. I hope something comes up for your husband.

Melody said...

I'm sorry to hear about your grandma and your husband's job. I hope things will get better soon!

Chad looks so cute! Thanks so much for sharing the pics with us! :)

Bookfool said...

Oh, Stephanie, I'm so sorry about your husband's job and your grandmother. Don't kick yourself for not making it to see her, though. You've been working so hard, already. I wish you strength.

Very cool about the movie!!

Iliana said...

Oh the movie set stuff sounds like a lot of fun! How exciting -- you'll have to keep us posted on when the movie is out and all that good stuff.

And, so sorry to hear about your grandmother and hubby's job situation. All I can say is that I'm sending you a big virtual hug.

Michelle Fluttering Butterflies said...

I'm so sorry to hear about illness in your family and layoffs :( You sound like you have a great attitude about it depite it all. I admire that.

And wow, what a great experience to have had! A movie set, how glamourous :)

Amat Libris said...

Oh, how awful . . . but at least there are some positives still. A film set sounds like a fun place to be!

I've given you an award - you can pass it on when you have time.

Lisa said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your bad news. It does seem as if life throws some pretty tough curveballs when we least expect it. Hope things turn out well for you in both situations, and when all else fails -- escape in a book when you can.